Author - Jerry Paxton

Elite: Dangerous Beta 3 Released

2014/10/29

Cambridge, UK — October 29, 2014 — Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV) has released Elite: Dangerous Beta 3.

The third stage of Elite: Dangerous’ Beta test has rolled out to players, unlocking even more of the real Milky Way for exploration and introducing long-awaited features including multiple ship ownership and mining.

Player-driven interdiction. Players can now interdict NPC ships, pulling them out of faster-than-light travel back into normal space along with the player.
Philanthropy missions added.
Fuel scooping from stars added. Keep a close eye on your temperature gauge as you refuel from the blazing surface of stars.
Asteroid mining added. Cut metal and rock from asteroids using the mining laser.
New ships added: Imperial Clipper and Federal Dropship.
Multiple ship ownership. Long requested by the community, players can keep multiple craft docked at starports, allowing for reserve ships dedicated to combat, exploration, trading and more.
Additional ship images added to loading screen .
Status panel now shows faction reputation.
New in-game controls to allow rapid switching between display screens.
Outpost landing pads now reflect low gravity environment.
Play area expanded to over 2,400 systems and 869,000 cubic light years of playable space.
Improved galaxy map, with partial name searching, range display and route finding.
Planet visuals overhaul. Planet surface types, liquids and atmospheric colours now reflect their chemical composition.
Planets display volcanic features and complex craters can create dust ejecta. Crater frequency is dependent on atmosphere thickness.
Ice planets now have fracture features.
All planets now have dynamic ice caps and liquid levels.
Asteroid belt clusters added.
Nebulae added, visible in the sky and the galaxy map.

Look to the weekly Elite: Dangerous newsletter this Friday, 31 October for an important announcement about the next stage of the Beta. A full newsletter archive isavailable.

Elite: Dangerous‘ Beta 3 is available to play now for £50 ($75, €60) through Frontier’s online store. A discount for existing backers of the full game is applied on checkout, making upgrading easy.

Elite: Dangerous will be released in Q4 2014.

The pre-order exclusive Elite: Dangerous Mercenary Edition includes the full game, an additional Eagle fighter, ship liveries, Day One decal and other digital goodies for £35.00 ($50, €40) Pre-orders receive a £4.99 discount on the final release price of £39.99 ($59.99, €49.99).

Players who pre-order the Mercenary Pack can upgrade to immediate Beta access at any time for £15.

All backers who have purchased Beta access or higher will receive the Mercenary Pack – including the final game – upon release in calendar year 2014.

About Elite: Dangerous

Take control of your own starship in a cutthroat galaxy.

Across the vast expanse of an epic, full-scale recreation of our Milky Way, interstellar rivalries flare as galactic superpowers fight proxy wars.

Some may know you as an ally; others will call you a pirate, a bounty hunter, a smuggler, an explorer, an assassin, a hero… Fly alone or with friends, fight for a cause or go it alone; your actions change the galaxy around you in an ever unfolding story. Start with a small starship and a few credits, and do whatever it takes to get the skill, knowledge, wealth and power to stand among the ranks of the Elite.

400 Billion Star Systems. Infinite Freedom. Blaze Your Own Trail.

About Frontier Developments

Frontier Developments plc is a leading independent game developer, founded in 1994 by David Braben, co-author of the seminal ‘Elite’ space simulation. Based in Cambridge, UK and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Frontier uses its proprietary ‘Cobra’ game development technology to create innovative games across consoles, computers, smartphones and tablets.

Elite: Dangerous, to be released on PC and Mac, was crowd-funded via a successful Kickstarter campaign and Frontier’s own website. Previous Frontier titles include RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, Thrillville, LostWinds, Kinectimals, Disneyland Adventures and Zoo Tycoon. The studio recently announced ‘Screamride’ for Microsoft’s Xbox One and “Tales from Deep Space” for Amazon’s Fire tablets, and is working on other original titles.

Dying Light Cancelled for Xbox 360 and PS3

2014/10/29

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 3 News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News, Xbox One News

Warsaw, Poland… Techland today announced that Dying Light, the first-person zombie action survival game, will be released for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC, while development on the previously-announced Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions has now ceased. The reason for Techland’s revised publishing plan has been explained in an open letter to fans:

Dear Gamers,

As you probably know, we’re wrapping up the development of Dying Light, our biggest and most ambitious project to date. We spent the last three years making sure that all the features of our game add up to create a truly next-gen experience.

Much of this “next-gen feel” is tightly connected to the technological side of Dying Light. For instance, up to 200,000 objects can be displayed in the game at once. Add to this our use of realistic, physics-based lighting technology and you really start to push the next-gen systems to the limits. Features like these along with our core gameplay pillars – such as the player-empowering Natural Movement, threefold character development system, and vast open world – are all an inherent part of how Dying Light plays. However, combining all of these into one fluid experience is only possible on technologically advanced platforms.

Therefore, after thorough internal testing, we have come to the conclusion that we have no choice but to leave past-gen systems behind and release Dying Light exclusively on the next-gen consoles and PC. Put simply, older consoles just couldn’t run the game and stay true to the core vision of Dying Light at the same time.

To ensure you enjoy Dying Light as much as we would like you to, we chose to release it without any compromises on the three strongest systems available. Thanks to this, you’ll get the full and best experience regardless of the platform you play on.

We hope you understand the hard choice we’ve had to make. With the launch just around the corner, we can’t wait to show you Dying Light in the state it was meant to be. We’re looking forward to your reactions and impressions as we release the game in January 2015.

Release Date:

Dying Light for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC will be released in 2015 on January 27th in the Americas, January 28th in Australia and New Zealand, and January 30th in Europe and Asia.

Pertinent Details

Developer: Techland
Publisher: Various (Warner Bros. in North America)
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Genre: Open-World, Free-Running Survival
Release Date: January 27, 2015 (US); Jan 28, 2015 (Australia, New Zealand); Jan 30, 2015 (Europe and Asia)
Price: $49.99 (PC), $59.99 (console)

Destiny Expansion I: The Dark Below Announced

2014/10/29

Jerry Paxton

News, PlayStation 3 News, PlayStation 4 News, Xbox 360 News, Xbox One News

October 29, 2014 – Activision and Bungie today announced that Destiny Expansion I: The Dark Below will be available for download on December 9^th. The Dark Belowmarks the first expansion to the universe since Destiny‘s launch in September and features all-new weapons and gear to earn through new story, cooperative and multiplayer activities.

“Destiny was created as a living universe, which has allowed us to improve the experience post launch in real-time,” says Harold Ryan, President of Bungie. “It also gives us insight into the things players are looking for in new content. We’ve seen from feedback that people want new activities, gear and weapons, and of course the immensely popular Raid. The community helps shape our development decisions and that’s really important to us.”

Destiny Expansion I: The Dark Below will feature the following:

o New weapons, armor, and gear to earn, including Legendary and Exotic items
o Light Level cap raised to 32 and five additional Bounty slots added
o New story quests and missions – after years hiding amongst the Hive shadows, a new character, Eris, has come forth bearing an ominous warning: The Hive seek to summon a god, Crota, to destroy the Earth. Find Eris in the Tower to take on special quests that include three new missions where you will increase your Light and earn new rewards
o New cooperative Strike, The Will of Crota, pits you and your Fireteam against Omnigul as she works to expand the Hive army at the command of her master, Crota
o Three new competitive multiplayer arenas
- Pantheon – set deep within the Black Garden in an ancient Vex temple that features Vex-designed landscapes and tight corridors
- Skyshock – an old interplanetary defense array that offers both vehicle and infantry engagements
- The Cauldron – an abandoned Hive ritual site that offers close-quarter combat
o New six-player Raid, Crota’s End, set deep within the depths of the Hellmouth
o PlayStation platforms will also get access to an exclusive cooperative Strike,The Undying Mind, and more (timed exclusive until at least Fall 2015)

Players can purchase The Dark Below individually ($19.99), or as part of the Destiny Expansion Pass ($34.99), which includes both Expansion I and Expansion II, on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®3, Xbox One, and Xbox 360.

The community can interact directly with the developers at www.Bungie.net,www.facebook.com/Bungie and @Bungie on Twitter. For game information, they can visit www.DestinyTheGame.comand follow the official Destinysocial channels atwww.facebook.com/DestinyTheGame and @DestinyTheGame on Twitter.

Battlefield Hardline Release Date Announced

2014/10/29

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 3 News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News, Xbox One News

October 29, 2014 — Hit the streets of Battlefield Hardline™ March 17, 2015 on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360® and PC. In a crime drama filled single player story, Miami is embroiled in a drug war and officer Nick Mendoza has just made detective. Alongside his partner, veteran detective Khai Minh Dao, he follows the drug supply chain from the streets to the source. In a series of increasingly off-the-books cases the two detectives come to realize that power and corruption can affect both sides of the law.

In multiplayer, the world is simple. You’re on one side of the law or the other — a baton or bat, stun gun or rifle, armored police truck or powerful muscle cars. But either way, teamwork is going to be essential if you’re going to want to pull off that perfect heist or big time bust in this new take on Battlefield multiplayer.

Live out your fantasy of being a cop and criminal. Pre-order now here.

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD Enter the Fray Trailer

2014/10/29

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox One News

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 29, 2014) – A new type of FINAL FANTASY game for the latest and most-powerful generation of game consoles, is almost upon us. With the launch of FINAL FANTASY TYPE-0 ^TM HDjust a few months away , SQUARE ENIX® today premiered a new trailer to celebrate the opening day of Paris Games Week. This latest trailer, “Enter the Fray” transports viewers to the dynamic and enthralling world of Orience, where a turbulent war of nations threatens to tear the land apart.

Trailer

LG Unveils 31MU97 4K Digital Cinema Monitor

2014/10/29

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Tech News

SEOUL, Oct. 29, 2014 ― LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled its new 4K Monitor (model 31MU97) for global rollout starting this week. The cutting-edge LG 31MU97 mates Digital Cinema 4K (4096 x 2160) resolution with a 31-inch IPS monitor to create an ultra-sharp high-end monitor that meets the standards of the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI). The LG 31MU97 is especially well suited for professionals who demand the sharpest possible images for either work or leisure.

The monitor’s ultra-high quality 4K resolution and life-like colors are ideal for photographers, video editors and graphic artists and its incredible picture quality allows for detailed and accurate retouching of any image. With the monitor’s rich and vibrant colors and impressive 10-bit color, visual arts professionals will greatly appreciate the model’s high color accuracy.

The monitor’s IPS display supports over 99.5 percent of the Adobe RGB color space and provides users with several coloring options and modes in order to meet the wide spectrum of needs that graphic professionals require. Its Dual Color Space allows the monitor to display two different color modes at once so that users can compare different perspectives of their work simultaneously. Additionally, the Digital Cinema 4K Monitor comes hardware calibration-ready with LG’s exclusive True Color Pro software.

The LG 31MU97 is equipped with several unique high-end functions that will satisfy most discerning professionals. Video pros can edit 4K content in the ideal resolution with standard Digital Cinema 4K without image scaling. Editing footage with full color ex-pression is made possible by the DCI color standard support which reproduces color realistically, covering 97 percent of DCI-P3 color space, the standard for digital cinema projectors and digital camera. And the LG 31MU97 comes with an ergonomic pivot design that offers maximum convenience for displaying as much of the image on the screen as possible to minimize scrolling and dragging.

“LG’s Digital Cinema 4K Monitor presents the company with an excellent opportunity to solidify our leadership in the global professional monitor market,” said Hyoung-sei Park, head of the IT business division at LG Electronics. “This monitor’s high-end features and functions make it the perfect solution for professionals who require a top-of-the-line monitor with all the technology currently available.”

The LG 31MU97 will be available starting this week in markets including the United States, South Korea, Germany, Australia and the UK followed by the Netherlands, Spain, Poland and Japan in November.

Razer Unveils Leviathan Sound Bar

2014/10/28

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Tech News

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Razer™, a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers, today unveiled its Razer Leviathan elite gaming and music sound bar. The new device provides premium quality audio for a wide range of entertainment applications, from desktop listening to home theater sound that’s perfect for gaming, movies and music.

The Razer Leviathan’s 5.1 surround sound mode is ideal for gaming and movies. It also features a wireless music streaming mode via Bluetooth 4.0 for seamless music listening. The Razer Leviathan is able to deliver deep, powerful bass tones through a dedicated subwoofer, distinguishing it from other sound bars in its range that cannot produce lower frequencies as accurately.

Engineered for versatility, the Razer Leviathan can be repositioned easily for any situation – under any desktop monitor, in a living room console setup, or wherever high-fidelity sound is desired.

“The opportunity to produce a precision-engineered surround sound solution for high-performance gaming, movie watching and music listening, and make it versatile to use in any setting, was a very exciting proposition for us,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. “The Razer Leviathan delivers what music aficionados, movie buffs and gamers alike are looking for to improve their entertainment setup.”

Rich, full-range 5.1 virtual surround sound is produced by the award winning Dolby Virtual Speakers in the Razer Leviathan. The sound bar features four finely tuned drivers (two 2.5-in. full-range drivers and two 0.74-in. tweeters) that are optimized for surround sound gaming. Regardless of source type (stereo or multichannel audio via optical input), Dolby® Digital will convert audio from a sound card, console or set-top box into a virtual surround sound stage. The result is an immersive aural experience that is perfect for recreating epic in-game battle scenes or simply enjoying favorite movies scenes.

The Razer Leviathan seamlessly connects to other Bluetooth devices in wireless music streaming mode via Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX technology for audio quality virtually indistinguishable from a wired connection. With a connecting range of up to 10 meters, music can be enjoyed without the hassle of wires. The Razer Leviathan also remembers recently paired devices, allowing users to quickly connect with a single tap, and built-in NFC technology allows for ultra-fast pairing.

The Razer Leviathan delivers chest-thumping, deep impact lows by way of a powerful 5.25-in. downward firing subwoofer that is dedicated to accurate bass reproduction and is tuned to produce distortion-free lower tones. Crystal clear mids and impressive highs are delivered by the two precision-tuned, full-ranged drivers and tweeters, rounding-out the full spectrum of frequencies created by the sound bar.

FEATURES:

Powered by 4 expertly tuned drivers plus subwoofer
5.1 virtual surround sound powered by Dolby Virtual Speakers, Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic® II
Direct audio streaming from any mobile device via Bluetooth v 4.0 aptX
Dedicated subwoofer for impressive bass reproduction
Space-saving design for versatility
Multiple connection methods via analog, optical or Bluetooth v 4.0 aptX
Adjustable tilt angles (0⁰, 15⁰, 18⁰) for optimal sound
3 preset equalizer modes tuned for gaming, music and movies

TECH SPECS:

Sound bar

Total power output: 30 W (15 W x 2 RMS)
Full range drivers: 2 x 2.5 in. / 63.5 mm
Tweeter drivers: 2 x 0.74 in. / 19 mm
Impedance: 8 Ω
Frequency response rate: 180 Hz – 20 KHz
Approximate weight: 4.4 lbs. / 2 Kg

Subwoofer

Type: Passive
Total power output: 30 W RMS
Full range drivers: 5.25 in. / 133 mm
Impedance: 8 Ω
Frequency response rate: 20 Hz – 180 Hz
Approximate weight: 6.6 lbs. / 3 Kg

PRICE: USA: $199/EUR: €199

AVAILABILITY:

Razerzone.com – Pre-Order

Worldwide – November 2014

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Season Pass Trailer

2014/10/28

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 3 News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News, Xbox One News

Activision has released the Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Season Pass trailer, detailing the program.

Trailer

Raymond Hill Mortuary Haunted House Review

2014/10/28

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, Haunted Attraction Review, News, Reviews

This past weekend, during a tour of LA County haunted events with the folks from IsItOctoberYet and Park Journey, I got the opportunity to checkout the new haunted house from Evil Twin Studios, called the Raymond Hill Mortuary. I had not initially intended to write a review of the haunted house until I emerged from its gates, exhilarated and craving another go-through. The Fremont Centre Theatre in Pasadena, CA serves as host to the Raymond Hill Mortuary, which has twisted the building’s normally-beautiful facade into a nightmare, waiting for unsuspecting guests to enter its maw. We arrived at roughly 9pm and found parking was not bad at all – being available both on the street and in a few scattered lots nearby. We parked in the nearby church parking lot and had a very short walk to the haunted house’s entrance. I was surprised to find that the line of guests waiting to get inside was stretched down the sidewalk for quite some distance.

While the Raymond Hill Mortuary has its share of monsters that jump out at you, it is the additional level of interactivity that they offer which pushes the experience over the top. With this haunted house, you will be asked to push on your comfort zones with tight, dark spaces and uncomfortable situations. I would not consider Raymond Hill Mortuary an “extreme haunt” like the infamous Blackout, but it does a masterful job of skirting the line every so often. I would caution those of you with bad knees or mobility issues to ask for the “chicken bypass” during these moments just to avoid any potential issues.

The actors inside the haunted house were all very energetic and engrossed into their roles – with only one monster slightly breaking character during my walk-through. Even then, it was to assist me in finding the exit to the room I was in. Guests of the haunted house are put into groups of 8 people each and these groups have to be spaced out accordingly to avoid bunching up.

While sending people into the experience in smaller groups means that the portions of haunted house best suited for guest interactivity can be better enjoyed by all, it also makes for a varied level of pacing during your journey. Sometimes monsters will be yelling at you to move and get out of their haunting grounds and other times you could be asked to wait somewhere longer than you probably want to as a group ahead of you finishes up.

The folks at Evil Twin Studios and the volunteers working to make the Raymond Hill Mortuary the best haunted house it can be should be very proud of themselves. The Raymond Hill Mortuary is easily one of the best haunted attractions I have visited over the course of this entire haunt season. It has just the right amount of straight-up scares mixed with slightly uncomfortable moments that make it extremely memorable without requiring a change of trousers.

The Raymond Hill Mortuary is open October 18, 24, 25, 26, 31, and November 1. Tickets cost $13 dollars online and $15 dollars at the door. The front of the line option is an additional cost of $10 dollars but well worth it if the line stretches down the block like it did during our visit. Proceeds benefit the South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF). This means you can have a great time getting scared and also support a good cause.

You can find ticket information and more at the Evil Twin Studios official website.

World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition Adds French Tech Tree

2014/10/28

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Screenshots / Photos, Xbox 360 News

October 28, 2014 — Wargaming announced the addition of the Vive La France content update for its free-to-play* console multiplayer game, World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition. The update, now live globally, is available as a free download for all Xbox Live Gold members, and can be experienced by all new players through a free seven-day trial for Xbox Live account holders.

Behind some of the most iconic and powerful tanks to ever grace the field of battle, France has contributed tremendously to the storied history of armored vehicle warfare. Vive La France pays tribute to the country’s contribution with the addition of 28 all-new vehicles into the game, including such iconic tanks as the Foch 155, Renault FT and the AMX 50 100. Fast and nimble, but packing surprisingly strong firepower, the French tanks will provide players with the opportunity to experience first-hand what truly makes these tanks formidable foes on the battlefield.

Vive La France also adds two new maps into the rotation—Karelia and Asia Miao (Pearl River).

For more information on the Vive La France update, visit: http://worldoftanksxbox360edition.com/en/news/news/vive-la-france-summary/

For more information about World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition, visit: