Author - Jerry Paxton

Kalypso Media Announces Urban Empire

Ridgewood, NJ – March 10, 2016 – Kalypso Media today announces the new IP Urban Empire, to be shown for the first time at GDC 2016 – Ever looked out at your town or city and thought about what you’d do if you were in charge? Of course you have, but running a city involves far more than building a few roads and buildings, right? Well forget about city builders, because Kalypso Media is thrilled to announce its brand-new city ruler – Urban Empire, developed by Fragment Productions.

Urban Empire is the pioneer of a new breed of strategy games that combines city builder features with political scheming and adds 200 years of historical progress into the mix, creating a whole new gameplay experience where players must employ strategic planning and political savvy to successfully grow their cities in their role as Mayor.

Take control of a mayoral dynasty at the start of the Industrial Age. Establish infrastructures, plan city districts, debate political decisions at the town council, bribe or blackmail your opponents, empower the democratic rights of your people or ignore them and reign supremely by yourself – the decision is yours! Master the challenges of 200 years of societal changes: face political struggles, experience world-changing events and pioneering inventions, and eventually, Be a Mayor Player and create your very own Urban Empire!

To celebrate the announcement, Kalypso Media has prepared a teaser trailer, and is currently taking appointments for the game’s full debut at the Games Developers Conference 2016 from March 14-18 in San Francisco, CA. Kalypso Media would like to invite members of the press to see the game first-hand and to speak with the game’s producer to learn all about the how this new strategy title will change the way you look at city simulation games.

Features of Urban Empire

  • City Ruler, not City Builder: Urban Empire offers a unique combination of classic city building and political management gameplay. Take on the role of a mayor, be a political mastermind and prove your skills by prevailing against opposing parties and guiding your city through technological evolutions and ideological revolutions
  • Choose from 4 ruling families with 5 characters each, like the equal rights and social justice advocates the Kilgannons, or the Sant’Elias, who focus on scientific progress and the pursuit of knowledge
  • Create and manage city districts on a large scale and fulfil your citizens’ needs – such as happiness, safety, and public services
  • Introduce new ideas and technologies, like the electric tram, antibiotics or video games and use your power to convince the city council of your political agenda
  • Up to 800 dynamic events represent the twists and turns of urban life: make and influence decisions on issues such as women’s rights, the hippie movement, and child labor

Urban Empire is slated for release on PC in Q3 2016, with its public debut set for the Games Developers Conference 2016 in San Francisco, CA. To make an appointment for GDC please contact Kalypso PR USA as soon as possible to secure a time slot. Appointments are for registered GDC attendees only.

XCOM 2 Anarchy’s Children Release Date

March 9, 2016 – 2K and Firaxis Games announced today that Anarchy’s Children, the first add-on content pack coming to XCOM 2, will be available on March 17th, 2016. Anarchy’s Children is included as part of the Reinforcement Pack which is $19.99, or can be purchased individually for $4.99.

Anarchy’s Children features more than 100 new exotic soldier customization options, including new hairstyles, face paints, armor, lower face props, decals, helmets, masks and more. With menacing styles that run the gamut from post-apocalyptic to the downright deranged, soldiers will strike fear into ADVENT and the alien overlords.

Blackguards – Definitive Edition Announced

Ridgewood, NJ – March 9, 2016Kalypso Media are thrilled to announce that they will be bringing the Definitive Edition of Daedalic Entertainment’s turn-based tactical role playing game, Blackguards, to the PlayStation®4 system and Xbox One this summer. Packed full of dark intrigue and demanding tactical combat, Blackguards – Definitive Edition promises gamers a thrilling adventure played out in a dark fantasy tale of murder and revenge. As an added bonus, Blackguards – Definitive Edition includes the “Untold Legends” DLC with new weapons, battle maps, and quests.

You are an outlaw. Falsely accused of murder, you set out for Ascania – home to slave traders and poisoners, to take revenge on those who betrayed you. Accompanying you is a group of shady adventurers with questionable motives and even more questionable pasts. Yet dark intrigue and bloodthirsty head hunters turn out to be the least of your problems as Ascania falls beneath the shadow of the Nameless God. Make no mistake – unimaginable challenges lie in wait…

Blackguards – Definitive Edition is a turn-based tactical role playing game that draws you into a doomed, rugged fantasy world, where the only hope for salvation lies in the hands of outsiders and criminals. No matter what you decide, you will not make it through Blackguards – Definitive Editionwithout getting blood on your hands.

Play as a warrior, mage, or hunter and create your ideal character. Draw upon a wide selection of skills and spells to defend yourself again adversaries. Experience a story of intrigue, betrayal, and shocking twists in the challenging campaign. Who can you trust, if you don’t even trust yourself?

Features of Blackguards – Definitive Edition:

  • Strategically demanding – More than 180 unique Battle Maps keep your tactical skills sharp with new challenges. With 40 special skills and over 90 spells, you decide how to dominate the battlefield
  • Turn-based strategy meets RPG – A complex combat system facilitates tactical and immersive battles with interactive objects and traps
  • Questionable companions – Criminals, murderers and addicts will accompany you on your quest. But don’t worry – you’ll fit right in with the seven playable and customizable characters
  • An epic story – Murder and treachery are a fact of life in the world of Blackguards. Your decisions have far-reaching consequences both for your group of ‘heroes’ and the fate of the entire world
  • More than 60 hours play time – Countless main and side quests provide variety and ensure there’s never a dull moment
  • Exotic locations – Discover the most remote corners of Aventuria and become enchanted by the idyllic, hand-drawn scenery
  • Exclusive content – The Definitive Edition includes the “Untold Legends” DLC which sheds light on the dark past of a Blackguards character and also comes with new weapons, battle maps, quests and music
Blackguards – Definitive Edition will launch this summer for the PlayStation®4 and Xbox One gaming systems.

Phillips Announces 27 Inch Curved Brilliance Display

Fremont, California – March 8, 2016 – Today EPI (North America brand license partner for Philips Monitors) announces their new 27” Philips Brilliance Full HD Curved LCD monitor with AMD FreeSync™ technology (279X6QJNS). The gentle curve of the Philips Brilliance Curved display, puts you at the center of the desktop for a truly immersive experience. The new 27” Philips Brilliance Full HD Curved LCD monitor is now available on Amazon for $349.

The new Philips display is equipped with AMD FreeSync™ technology for effortlessly smooth gameplay. The technology puts an end to choppy gameplay and broken frames with fluid, artifact-free performance at virtually any framerate. The groundbreaking hardware/software platform, built upon industry-standard DisplayPort™ Adaptive-Sync, enables AMD APUs and GPUs to directly control the update rate of a compatible monitor. This allows the monitor to update the moment a new picture is ready, giving gamers unbelievably smooth, responsive, tear-free games. AMD FreeSync™ is the world’s first virtually “zero-cost” technology with no costly proprietary hardware, royalties, or licensing costs. This can offer gamers serious savings when compared to comparable displays with competing technologies.

The 27” Philips Brilliance Full HD Curved LCD display uses an advanced multi-domain vertical alignment technology which gives you super-high static contrast ratios for extra vivid and bright images. While standard office applications are handled with ease, it is especially suitable for photos, web-browsing, movies, gaming, and demanding graphical applications. Its optimized pixel management technology gives you an 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle, resulting in crisp images. The display also features enhanced Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution with Full HD for crisp detail along with high brightness, incredible contrast and realistic colors for a true to life picture.

Flicker-free technology applies a new solution to regulate brightness and reduce flicker for more comfortable viewing and less eye fatigue. The 27” Philips Brilliance Full HD Curved LCD display also includes SmartImage, an exclusive Philips technology that analyzes the content displayed on your screen and gives you an optimized display performance.

The display also comes with a variety of connectivity options including Mobile High Definition Link (MHL) to enable mobile content on the display. The monitor is HDMI-ready for Full HD entertainment and comes with DisplayPort to offer audio and video over a single cable. A full list of specifications can be found here.

Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey Coming to SXSW 2016

BURBANK, CALIF. (March 8, 2016)— “Secrets of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey, ” a feature-length documentary will have its world premiere during the South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW®), being held in Austin, Texas, March 11-19, 2016. The documentary, a bonus feature on the upcoming Digital HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is an inside look at the making of this epic movie, revealed through in-depth footage and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers.

The documentary will be shown at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin on Monday, March 14, at 12:00 p.m.  Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ BAFTA Award–winning and Academy Award®–nominated visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett, Academy Award®–nominated supervising sound editor Matthew Wood and co-producer Michelle Rejwan will be on hand for a Q&A following the screening.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens shattered box office records upon its debut to become the cinematic event of a generation with over $926 million domestic and $2 billion worldwide.

The epic movie will be available to own early on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on April 1, and is available on iTunes and other digital providers for pre-order now. Fans can also explore all things Star Wars at iTunes.com/Starwars.  It comes home on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 5.

 

ABOUT STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk are producing with Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers. The screenplay is written by Lawrence Kasdan & J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt.

ABOUT SXSW

Now in its 23rd year, SXSW Film brings together creatives of all stripes over nine days to experience a diverse film line up and access to more than 500 Conference sessions with visionaries from all corners of the entertainment and media industries. SXSW 2016 takes place March 11-20 in Austin, TX.

The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conferences & Festivals offer the unique industry convergence of music, film, and interactive technologies. Fostering creative and professional growth, SXSW is the premier destination for discovery. The event is a launch pad for innovative content with new media presentations, music showcases and film screenings providing exposure for creators and compelling entertainment for attendees. For more information, please visit sxsw.com.

© 2016 & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

Six Flags Great Adventure Adds New Job Fair on March 23

JACKSON, N.J. ─ March 8, 2016With the spring job market heating up, Six Flags Great Adventure added a job fair this Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm in the park’s Employment Center. On-the-spot interviews will be available. The world’s largest theme park opens March 23 and is more than a summer job – it offers four seasons of thrills and operates through early January 1, 2017.

Six Flags is looking for enthusiastic candidates of all ages and backgrounds. Seasonal positions are available in many departments, with the greatest number of opportunities in ride operations and culinary services. Positions are also available in retail, games, park services, admissions, guest relations/VIP services, market research, loss prevention, security, landscaping, lifeguards, entertainment technical support, accounting, cash control and corporate alliance brand ambassadors.

4,000 employees are needed for the 2016 season. Six Flags seeks individuals with a passion for delivering friendly, fast, clean and safe guest service in a fun and fast-paced environment. In 2015, the theme park garnered its highest guest satisfaction scores in history, and will launch the insane and cutting-edge The Joker 4D free-fly coaster, Caribbean Cove in Hurricane Harbor, and an expanded Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park for 2016.

Six Flags Great Adventure is New Jersey’s largest seasonal employer and the largest employer in Ocean County. The theme park is an equal opportunity employer and offers a wide variety of positions and paid internships. Six Flags provides team members many benefits including advancement opportunities, reward and recognition programs, scholarships, free park admission, incentives from area businesses and much more.

 

Details for Sunday, March 13:

Job Fair: 10 am to 4 pm

Six Flags Great Adventure’s Employment Center, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527

Enter via Employment Entrance approximately one mile west of main park entrance.

Before attending, new applicants should visit www.sixflagsjobs.com to complete an online application. Applicants without access to computers can visit the Employment Center for assistance during regular operating hours.

Six Flags Employment Center: Open Monday to Friday from 12 to 6 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. Walk-in applicants who have completed their online application and rehires are welcome.

The 2016 season kicks off March 23 and runs on a varied schedule through the summer, Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park, which ends Jan. 1, 2017.  More information is available atwww.sixflags.com

Space Run Galaxy Announced

March 8, 2016 – Focus Home Interactive and Passtech Games are joining forces again to release Space Run Galaxy on PC this year. Space Run Galaxy is the sequel to 2014’s Space Run, the game from one-man studio Passtech, which seduced hundreds of thousands of players with its dynamic and original gameplay. By twisting the tower-defense game style, Space Run offered an addictive real-time spaceship construction strategy experience. Space Run Galaxy expands and refines the original’s unique gameplay, introduces a persistent online universe and takes-off again with plenty of new features!

Set 20 years after the original game, Captain Buck Mann has now set up his very own intergalactic courier service. You’re a member of Mann’s team of space runners, racing to deliver precious goods from planet to planet! Reinforce your modular ships with armaments including laser turrets, missile launchers and energy shields, while leaving enough room for your cargo. Fly fast – the quicker you arrive at your destination, the better the rewards!

Venture into the depths of space spanning an entire galaxy, with 4 solar systems and over 50 zones to visit across 100+ runs. Space Run Galaxy offers limitless gameplay, while fresh new features expand the original experience:

  • User-created contracts – Take on contracts from other players for better rewards and unlimited replayability
  • Intergalactic player market – Trade hard-earned goods with your fellow space runners to sell off extra supplies, or snap up a tidy bargain
  • New corporations offer riskier jobs – Carry the extra fragile cargo of XenoPrime, or risk transporting The Force’s highly dangerous weapon prototypes (which may even endanger your own ship!)
  • Fresh dangers await – Face off against brand new boss-type enemies, such as deadly pirate ships and huge space monsters…
  • Deep customization – Customize the shape and size of any ships you acquire during your adventure. There’s no restriction for what ship you use in each mission, letting you get creative with every run!

Space Run Galaxy will release on PC in 2016

Robot Chicken’s Season 8 Mid-Season Premiere this Sunday

March 8, 2016 – Your Sunday nights are about to get more animated, with all new episodes of Robot Chicken beginning Sunday, March 13th at 11:30pm ET/PT on Adult Swim.

Robot Chicken uses stop-motion animation to bring pop-culture parodies to life in a modern take on the variety/sketch show format. The Emmy Award®-winning series began airing in February 2005 and remains among the top-rated original series on Adult Swim. Robot Chicken is executive produced by Robot Chicken creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich and their Stoopid Buddy Stoodios partners, John Harvatine IV and Eric Towner. Green and Senreich also write, voice and with Tom Sheppard, direct the multiple Annie Award-winning series.

APS ASR-118 “Boar Tactical” Custom Silver Edge 17″ KeyMod Airsoft AEG Review

APS has been making some waves in the airsoft community with their line of “Silver Edge” gearbox-equipped airsoft rifles. What is the silver edge gearbox? APS has used a special polishing technique to remove any rough surfaces within the gearbox, allowing all the moving parts to do so with reduced friction. The silver edge gearbox also features 8mm stainless steel bearings, steel gears, and a ported polycarbonate piston. The APS ASR-118 “Boar Tactical” Custom Silver Edge 17″ keymod airsoft rifle takes the silver edge gearbox and couples it with an outstanding upper and lower receiver along with an aggressive 14.5” keymod rail system. To make it even better, APS added a ton of out-of-the box accessories which show they care about the end-user experience of purchasing and operating one of their AEGs. We would like to thank EVIKE.com for sending us over one of the APS ASR-118 airsoft rifles for review.

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Features:

  • Full metal receiver with laser engraved trademarks
  • Precision Lipo ready high cycle Silver Edge gearbox
  • Flip-up front & rear sights
  • High visibility fiber optic front sight
  • High speed competition style custom flat trigger
  • Extended charging handle latch
  • Ambidextrous magazine and bolt catch
  • Custom hand stippled motor grip
  • Gold tone finished selector, mag and bolt catch
  • Ambidextrous QD one point sling swivel
  • Gold coated mock bolt
  • Functioning bolt stop for easy hopup adjustment
  • “Yippie kay yay” laser engraved morale dust cover
  • Full metal 14.5″ Keymod rail system
  • Aggressive ported compensator
  • 3x additional accessory rails included
  • 6-position retractable crane stock
  • Full length top rail

[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]Specifications

Length: 920mm-1120mm, Adjustable
Weight: 3200g
Inner Barrel: 325mm
Magazine Capacity: 300rd Hi-Capacity. Works with Matrix, APS, Tokyo Marui and other compatible M4 / M16 Series Airsoft AEG Magazines
Muzzle Velocity: 390~415 FPS (Measured with 0.20g BBs)
Thread Direction: 14mm Negative
Gearbox: Ver. 2 Full Metal, Fully Upgradeable
Motor: Long Type
Fire Modes: Semi/Full-Auto, Safety
Battery: 9.6v Small Butterfly Type recommended (Battery not included. Wired to the stock with a Small Tamiya connector)
Hopup: Yes, Adjustable
Color: Black
Package Includes: Gun, Magazine, Manual[/ezcol_1half_end]

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Getting a chance to field the APS ASR-118 is a dream. I have taken so many third-rate airsoft guns into a game only to be disappointed at their performance. The APS ASR-118 has outstanding performance and whatever polishing magic APS did to the silver edge gearbox was well worth it. The APS ASR-118 chronographed in between 400 and 410 feet per second with .20g BBs. That being said, I would recommend running a couple thousand .25g or heavier BBs through it to break in all the internals. The spring should settle to 400 at that point as well, making it more in-line with Southern California outdoor game field limits. With my APS ASR-118 running just a tiny bit hot, the referees were content to let me use a slightly farther minimum engagement distance to compensate, which I gladly did.

I was easily able to both assault as well as use the APS ASR-118 for SPR/DMR purposes thanks to its high FPS and ability to take heavier BBs even farther. With the 4X optic I had attached to the rifle, I racked up a number of “kills” each game. Included in the box are two 45 degree angle iron sights – the front sight having a small fiber optic piece for better visibility. I was very impressed that APS would have included 45 degree iron sights in the box as I have never seen it done before – even on very high-end airsoft rifles.

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The trigger on the APS ASR-118 is also a cool feature to note as it is one of those tricked out flat style triggers. The trigger pull is very short and even when going full “paintball trigger” on the ASR-118, it was able to keep up without issue. I ran a 9.6v battery in the crane stock and had no issues getting it to fit. One of the most generic features of the APS ASR-118 is its crane stock, but that is only because the rest of the rifle looks so “tacticool”. I am considering mounting an MFT minimalist stock on the rifle just to see how it looks. Also of note is the extended magazine release, which makes changing magazines all that more efficient. Its “Yiipie kay yay” emblazoned dust cover yields yucks a plenty, and made for a great conversation piece in between games.

Overall, the APS ASR-118 “Boar Tactical” Custom Silver Edge 17″ KeyMod airsoft rifle is an excellent value at $280 dollars – not only does it perform very well, but it also looks incredibly aggressive and high-end. The APS ASR-118 is an airsoft rifle that you will have for years in your airsoft arsenal.

Product Link

[easyreview title=”APS ASR-118 ‘Boar Tactical’ Custom Silver Edge 17” KeyMod Airsoft Rifle Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]

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Coleman Trailhead II Military Style Cot Review

If you plan on going out to any multi-day airsoft games, you may experience the need for a cot – at the very least, a sleeping bag. However, when you absolutely need to elevate yourself off the ground while you sleep, there is no cheaper and effective solution than a good old fashioned cot. We got the chance to look at the Coleman Trailhead II military style cot and had some very positive experiences with it.

The first notable aspect of the Coleman Trailhead II is its price. At about $50 dollars (often times far less depending on the retailer), the Trailhead II features a supportive frame and an easy-to-fold up design which makes storing in the included canvas bag very simple. They even put the instructions on how to deploy the cot right on the bag. The biggest issue I encountered while deploying the cot was installing the cross bars that pull the canvas sleeping surface taut. It can be very tricky to get both sides installed as the tension is fairly great on the other end, once one of the cross bars is in place. It does get a little easier once the sleeping surface is worn-in a bit, so you might want to put some heavy weights across it for a few days before taking it on the road.

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If you are a larger person, you shouldn’t worry as the cot’s “x-frame” is made from steel and can support a person up to 6′ 2” in height and 300 lbs in weight! The cot isn’t the widest sleep surface ever, but is adequate for sleeping on one’s side or back. I would not trust it to a lot of tossing and turning, however, as it is possible to roll off of the thing.

In terms of comfort, the Coleman Trailhead II is fine for what it is – however, I highly recommend that you lay down one of Coleman’s self-inflating mats across it before turning in for the night. The added padding will make things a lot more bearable for restful sleep. The cot itself weighs around 17 lbs, so it is not the lightest cot in the world, but also not the heaviest. Its size makes it a good bit of dead weight, though, so I would also recommend that you keep the cot deployed at your side’s base of operations.

Overall, the Coleman Trailhead II military style cot is a good purchase at $49.99 – again, most of the time less if you shop around a bit online. It had good durability and a convenient carrying bag.

[easyreview title=”Coleman Trailhead II Military Style Cot Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

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