Author - Jerry Paxton

Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries Announced

Plymouth, MI. – January 27, 2016 – Today, Stardock announced that the first expansion to its popular 4X space strategy game Galactic Civilizations III is in development and will launch next month. Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries will add an all-new campaign, Galactic Bazaars, new races, and the ability to recruit elite units with special abilities and more.

In Mercenaries, players will be able to visit new Intergalactic Bazaars, where they can hire mercenaries to assist in expanding across the galaxy. With over 70 unique mercenary ships and multiple Bazaars to discover on each map, Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries offers hours of unique gameplay.

“Each mercenary sets their own hiring price in terms of money and resource,” said Paul Boyer, Lead Designer of Galactic Civilizations III. “Because there are a finite number of mercenaries, each civilization is competing for their services. When one is hired by one civilization, it is no longer available to the others.”

Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries also includes two new factions: the Arceans and the Torians. The Arceans are an ancient and honorable civilization of warriors and the Torians are an aquatic species seeking to escape the slavery of the Drengin. Both races come with new traits, abilities, and tech trees. The Torians are also the subject of a new campaign available within the expansion.

The campaign for Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries centers on the peaceful Torian race who have long been enslaved and farmed for their meat by the cruel Drengin. To free the Torians, players will need to explore and discover mercenaries, then hire them to aid in escaping from their oppressors. Players will strive to liberate the Torians and help them rebuild their shattered civilization while staying out of reach of the Drengin.

Along with the Mercenaries expansion, Stardock is releasing the v1.6 update to the base game, which is a free update for all Galactic Civilizations III game owners. Improvements include more detailed match results, AI improvements, visual updates and balance improvements.

Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries release on February 18, 2016 and will cost $19.99.

For more information about Galactic Civilizations III and its current updates and DLC, please visit www.galciv3.com.

Polaris Sector is coming on PC and Mac on March 22

January 27, 2016 – Most of the factions in the universe have always perceived Polaris as a lifeless and mundane part of the galaxy. But treasures are usually well hidden, and only the few who are able to see through mysteries and shadows can reach them.

Leading the aggressive Drills, the mystic Magellans or another of the 9 playable races, players will have to quickly learn the cultural codes of the sector if they want to survive in such explosive environment. An ambassador from another empire knocks at your door offering a non-aggression treaty? He’s certainly gaining time because his new battleship prototype is still in the orbital shipyard. Your latest spy report indicates that a specific faction has not found any technologies over the past few years? Keep an eye on them, because they are certainly investing massively in fundamental science research and you may want to have them on your side in a few decades. There is no true friendship among the stars and players are likely to understand this, too late…

This ambitious 4X space strategy game will be available on March 22. DeveloperSoftWarWare is currently putting the finishing touches to Polaris Sector, focusing on the balancing between the factions and the optimization of the game mechanics.

EA Play 2016 Save the Date Announced

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We’re excited to announce EA Play, an all-new event experience in Los Angeles and London this June built around our players and bringing our latest games to life.

Putting our players first is the driving force behind everything we do. We’re excited to announce EA Play, an all-new event experience in Los Angeles and London this June built around our players and bringing our latest games to life. Please visit ea.com/Play2016 to learn more about these events and how you can come to Play.

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada Trailer and Pre-Order News

January 27, 2016 — Battlefleet Gothic: Armada, the new space RTS set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe from Games Workshop, today unveils the Narrative Trailer. This video, composed from some of the game’s cinematics, introduces the ambitious solo campaign which will plunge players into the heart of the spectacular void battles of the 12th Black Crusade of Abaddon.

Great care has been taken with the campaign of Battlefleet Gothic, through its story and realisation. Many cinematics, astutely mixing game sequences with artwork created by talented artists, support the story and the major events of the campaign, which are sometimes influenced by the success – or failure – of the missions. The Gothic Sector is in constant evolution, and new threats often make an appearance such as the Ork pirates, or the Eldar corsairs. The Chaos forces will often launch assaults on Imperial worlds, while your allies will request your support. Quite often, multiple events will arise simultaneously, requiring you to take critical decisions and bear the weight of their consequences, such as different access to resources, or available allies… in the end, your decisions will influence the unfolding of the Gothic War itself.

We are also thrilled to announce the beginning of pre-orders for Battlefleet Gothic: Armada. In order to reward the commitment of players who will support us during the pre-order phase, and those who will join the community during the first couple of months following the game’s launch, we decided to offer to these “early adopters”, for free, an additional faction – the Space Marines – which will be available to play a few weeks after launch. This additional faction will be playable in battles played in both Multiplayer modes and in skirmish against the AI. Players who pre-order the game will also receive access to the Multiplayer Beta, that will start a few weeks before the official launch.

The Joker Hits Six Flags Great Adventure in Spring of This Year

JACKSON, N.J. ─ January 27, 2016Chaos reigns supreme at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2016 as one of the world’s most iconic DC Comics Super-Villains commandeers the park’s 14th and most unique scream machine in its history,The Joker.

Earlier this fall, the world’s largest theme park announced “Total Mayhem,” which quickly became one of the world’s most anticipated new coasters of 2016. But behind the scenes, criminal mastermind The Joker was secretly plotting to take over the new 4D, free-fly coaster and name it as his own.

“The Joker is undeniably one of the greatest DC Comics Super-Villains ever created. Only someone with his warped sense of humor could provide this level of insanity or spinsanity with a new, vertical coaster that delivers gravity-defying somersaults with utter unpredictability. It is the perfect addition to our dynamic line-up of award-winning roller coasters because this ride delivers total mayhem with its next-generation, cutting-edge thrills,” said Six Flags Great Adventure President John Fitzgerald.

After being lifted straight up a 12-story, 90-degree hill, this 4-D, free-fly coaster will wreak havoc as riders flip head-over-heels at least six times along the weightless journey. Thrill seekers will experience exhilarating leaps and dives along a horizontal plane, along with unexpected drops as they tumble from one level to the next. The wing seats amp up the pandemonium since riders will experience all of this chaos with no track above or below just the sky, ground and adjacent Great Lake churning around them.

The unique design of The Joker features:

  • Massive, imposing, floating and twisting I-box track frame in a unique two-tone design
  • One-of-a-kind onboard magnetic technology featuring smooth head-over-heels free-fly flips providing guests the feeling of weightlessness as they soar outside the confines of a traditional track
  • 4-D wing vehicles that seat up to 8 per vehicle with a total of 5 vehicles
  • Face-off seats that allow riders to face each other as they tumble head over heels
  • A 120-foot-tall, 90-degree hill that is ascended by an elevator-style, chain link lift
  • Two beyond 90-degree “raven” drops giving the sensation of free-falling

The Joker is expected to wreak total mayhem beginning in the spring of 2016, and join the ranks of all legendary roller coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure.

For more information about the 2016 season at Six Flags Great Adventure, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure

2016 SHOT Show Round-Up

The SHOT Show in Las Vegas is the country’s biggest industry-only trade show for the firearms industry – not to mention a great location for companies to show off new airsoft guns and gear. This year was not different with the 2016 SHOT Show being home to such airsoft-specific companies as PTS, KWA, Classic Army, Umarex / Elite Force, and a plethora more.

My Highlights of the Show Included:

  • KWA had a great showing with their prototype airsoft revolver as well as Thomson Sub-Machine Gun models – not to mention the upcoming gas blowback MP40 Sub-Machine Gun and keymod rail ERGs (Electric Recoil Guns).
  • Out of all the airsoft companies at SHOT Show, the PTS booth featured the most realistic and functional-looking airsoft rifles, from Centurion Arms rail-equipped M4 ERGs to their upcoming Masada ERG (Electric Recoil Gun). They also had a ton of accessories on display like their Bad-Ass Selector Switch, Fortis Shift vertical grips, and Enhanced PTW gearbox shells.
  • Umarex / Elite Force came to play with their prototype airsoft revolver and H&K VP9 gas blowback pistol. Also, they were showing off their highly-acclaimed G28 designated marksman rifle as well as new editions of their IWI licensed Tavor airsoft rifle.
  • Classic Army USA was the airsoft breakout hit of the show with a huge lineup of new products – all of which look very promising. Their most secret announcement came in the form of the Scarab PDW style airsoft gun, but the company had a plethora of guns on display. From their line of AKs to the new M110 and even their epic minigun!
  • Also worth noting was that Condor Outdoor, a favorite gear-maker among airsofters, showed of its upcoming Vanquish Armor System (VAS) which allows from front panel swap outs via Velcro and clips.

Photo Gallery

Mega Man Wearable Helmet Out Now

LOS ANGELES, Calif., (January 26th, 2016) – Leading toy manufacturer Multiverse Studio Inc. today announced the availability of the Mega Man® Wearable Helmet. Representing iconic characters from the classic platform videogame series Mega Man® from Capcom, this wearable helmet lets you take on the role of your favorite Blue Bomber, with the comfort of a soft, padded interior. Collectible enthusiast and cosplayers alike can show off their appreciation of Mega Man for all to see.

There’s been attempts at creating a wearable Mega Man helmet over the years, but its never been made officially. Everyone’s been clamoring for one – and now you really can be Mega Man with this full-size, wearable Mega Manhelmet made of high quality ABS plastic with a high polish finish, authentic proportions and details, plus working LED lights! A unique clamshell hinge allows the front and back half of the helmet to easily open up to comfortably fit your head inside the soft padded interior for a perfect fit. This is a high quality replica of the Blue Bomber’s helmet – perfect for display in home or office, but it also doubles as the ultimate role play accessory!

Available In authentic original Blue, the Mega Man Wearable Helmet has you covered. Mega Man Wearable Helmet will retail for $149.99 MSRP and is available Q1 2016.

For more information about upcoming Multiverse Studio products, please visit: 
http://www.multiverse-studio.com/products/mvs-megaman-wearablehelmet.html

New Umbrella Corps Details and Trailer

January 26, 2016 – Today Capcom confirmed that Umbrella Corps will be released in May 2016 digitally for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and PC . Various new game details about the third person shooter have also been revealed, providing an expanded look at the options that await trigger-happy fans. To download the brand new gameplay video and screens visit the press site now.

The multiplayer shooter will support 1-6 players and though the majority of modes will be geared towards competitive team battles, a single player mode called “The Experiment” challenges players to hone their skills as they familiarize themselves with the world of Umbrella Corps in more than 20 missions with varying objectives. This coliseum style horde-like mode strips players of the Zombie Jammer device that provides perilous protection in multiplayer modes, putting them in a head-on confrontation with progressively harder waves of creatures, across multiple missions.

Umbrella Corps will feature adrenaline-fueled matches in familiar locales from various Resident Evil games. In addition to the previously announced Umbrella Laboratory map, players will be able to experience areas inspired by Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5. The famed Village from RE4 has been retooled for heated multiplayer matches that escalate to the rooftops while the Tricell organization from RE5 has a newly imagined HQ to explore. Players must not only face off against the rival mercenary team, but also the stage-specific threats such as the crazed Ganados (RE4) and blood-thirsty Cerberus dogs (RE5). More information on additional maps and modes are still to come.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan Announcement Trailer

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Jan. 26, 2016 – Activision Publishing, Inc., Nickelodeon and PlatinumGames Inc. have joined forces to create Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Mutants in Manhattan, a third-person action game featuring New York City’s crime-fighting Heroes in a Half-Shell. Players will protect The Big Apple from aliens, mutants and the Foot Clan in a single-player campaign or partner with up to three friends in four-player online co-op. But be prepared – defeating Bebop, Rocksteady, Shredder and other iconic bosses won’t be easy.

PlatinumGames’ flair for stylish visuals and fluid combat are on full display in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan. Fast-paced, team-based brawling will challenge gamers of all skill levels. Each Turtle has a distinctive combat play style and can be customized with a unique set of Ninjutsu moves, combat items and special bonuses.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan also features gorgeous, cel-shaded art design, with an original story from prolific author of IDW Publishing’s acclaimed ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, Tom Waltz.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan is expected to arrive this summer as a retail and digital release on the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Windows PC via Steam.