Author - Jerry Paxton

Fractured Space Update Introduces Custom Matches

2016/03/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Guildford, March 10, 2016.  Edge Case Games, developers of the team-based space combat game, Fractured Space, revealed that today’s eagerly anticipated game update introduces Custom Matches, one of the features most requested by the game’s community.

The system has been designed for matches with friends, including both friendly encounters and clan training. It allows for everything from one-on-one games to full five-on-five matches.

A Steam Community Group, Fractured Fight Club, has been set up to facilitate challenges and the establishment of casual teams.

Team leaders will decide the number of players and game mode before the game begins, and players can invite others to the lobby to quickly and easily fill out a match. During this process, ranks and Matchmaking Rating (MMR) will be fully visible to assist with balancing.

“Fractured Space is at its heart a team game, and Custom Matches will bring a number of important player benefits, from playing fun matches with friends to full-on clan training exercises,” said Sam Bennett, Community Director at Edge Case Games. “Thanks to our open development model, ECG is able to listen and adapt to features that are important to our community.”

Fractured Space is a team-based space combat game fought in gigantic capital ships with the intensity of a shooter and the big-picture-thinking of a strategy game. Originally launched on Steam Early Access in November 2014 to critical and commercial success, Fractured Space has attracted over 500,000 players as the game continuously evolves using an open development model where the community is encouraged to talk directly to the development team, highly influencing the development of the final game.

For updates on Fractured Space please follow us on Twitter at @FracturedSpace or on Facebook.

About Edge Case Games
Formed in 2014 from the team behind the hit space game, Strike Suit Zero, Edge Case Games brings its expertise and passion for space games to its inaugural title, the tactical space MOBA, Fractured Space. Based in the development hotbed of Guildford, UK, the team is dedicated to expanding the scope and scale of space-based gaming through an open development philosophy that leverages the enthusiasm of the gaming community.

About Fractured Space
Fractured Space is team-based space combat fought in gigantic capital ships with the intensity of a shooter and the big-picture-thinking of a strategy game. Fractured Space is currently available for PC on Steam Early Access and is set for a wider free-to-play release in 2016.

Ashes of the Singularity Release Date

2016/03/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

Plymouth, MI. – March 10, 2016 – Stardock has announced March 31, 2016 as the release date for its highly anticipated real-time strategy game, Ashes of the Singularity. Set in a future where humanity has expanded into the stars and is now in conflict for control of key planets in the galaxy, players wage planetary warfare on a massive scale to conquer opponents and control planets.

Ashes of the Singularity allows players to command their forces in a war that has spread across much of the galaxy in the 23rd century. Players have a choice of playing either the descendants of humanity, the Post-Human Coalition, or their bitter strong-AI enemy, the Substrate, as they fight for control over the galaxy’s most prized resource, Turinium.

“With Ashes of the Singularity, we want to present players with a game that lets them feel like they are fighting a planetary war, not just a battle,” said CEO and President of Stardock, Brad Wardell.

While the game includes a non-linear campaign, single player scenarios and skirmishes backed by the first multi-core RTS game AI, the game also supports ranked multiplayer with a lively community, custom matches with friends vs. AI or any combination thereof.

“We are not looking to reinvent the RTS,” said Wardell. “Our goal is to introduce a new generation of gamers to the general awesomeness of real time strategy gaming. That means showing how well non-cheating computer players can perform in single player as well as making it easy to get multiplayer games going.”

Key features of Ashes of the Singularity include:

  • Massive numbers of units in the world that can be easily organized into armies that allow players to fight wars across several different fronts simultaneously.
  • The world’s first multi-core real-time AI allowing for a non-cheating AI that can beat most players.
  • A story-driven, non-linear campaign that tells the story of a United Earth in the 23rd century.
  • A focus on single player replayability while including a wealth of multiplayer features.
  • The future-proofed Nitrous 3D engine whose 64-bit, multi-core foundation supports DirectX 11, DirectX 12 and multiple GPUs.

Ashes of the Singularity is currently available in Early Access on Steam or through Stardock. The full version with all of its intended features will be released on March 31, 2016.

For more information about Ashes of the Singularity, please visit www.ashesofthesingularity.com.

Zen Studios Announces Pinball FX2 VR for Oculus Rift

2016/03/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

San Francisco, CA – March 10, 2016 – Zen Studios, acclaimed developer of hit digital games, is excited to announce that its pinball platform is coming to Oculus Rift in Pinball FX2 VR. Featuring advanced physics, detailed 3D graphics and robust social features combined with an immersive virtual reality experience, Pinball FX2 VR is pinball like you’ve never experienced before!

Pinball FX2 VR replicates the atmosphere of real-life pinball machines in a virtual play space, while presenting gameplay features and effects that you simply cannot recreate on a physical machine. Additionally, the game’s rich scoreboards will track your Pro Score, Team Score, table stats, and more to let you compete against players from all over the world.

Harnessing the power of Rift, Pinball FX2 VR is an exciting new way for people to play pinball, moving beyond the silver ball and to a mesmerizing VR experience. Animated toys spring to life on stunningly active table environments with spectacular depth.

Creating a brand new way to play pinball that deftly combines the look and feel of digital pinball with the sensation of a real-world experience, Pinball FX2 VR is the premiere place for pinball action on Rift.

Key Features

  • Unprecedented table visuals, lighting, 3D models and the most advanced ball physics on Rift
  • Includes three beautifully crafted tables: Mars, Secrets of the Deep and Epic Quest
  • Explore a stunning beachside mansion that houses the tables
  • Immersive VR  environments for each table
  • Robust social features, including Pro Score and Team Score leaderboards, detailed table statistics, and achievements!

Pinball FX2 VR launches on Rift March 28, 2016. For more information on Pinball FX2 VR, please visit blog.zenstudios.com.

Blind Squirrel Games Under New Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. Umbrella

2016/03/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Industry News, News

March 10, 2016 Orange County, Calif. – A Premier developer of video games for all platforms, Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. has been newly formed through re-capitalization and incorporation in Delaware.  Blind Squirrel Games, the multidisciplinary development studio housing game industry veterans with experience at some of the world’s best developers and publishers, is now a subsidiary of Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc.  The company is headquartered in Orange County, California and currently employs more than 100 employees.

With the launch of its rebranding comes a variety of new internal and external projects, as well as several exciting partnerships to be announced this year.  Past partnerships have included collaborations with such companies as Disney Interactive, Sony, ZeniMax, Microsoft, Take 2 Interactive, Bethesda Softworks and many more.

“The company has experienced explosive growth over the last few years and is committed to organically expanding even further in 2016.  Through our partnerships and existing business we have a projected hiring goal of more than 50 employees and an expansion into a new space by the end of the year,” said Jake Hawley, Board Chairman of Blind Squirrel Entertainment. “Our product growth plans include co-development along with an expanding mobile division and a continued focus on creating high-level partnerships.”

“Creating our own IP is a major focus for us in 2016 as we are very inspired to produce or own titles and brands,” said Brad Hendricks, CEO of Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc..  “The re-capitalization and growth we have experienced now allows us to expand in all types of areas including new technology, creative publishing, funding alliances and a variety of different content. 2016 will be an exciting year for Blind Squirrel Entertainment.”

More details will be revealed later this year about the new IP and new games Blind Squirrel has in development.

About Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc.

Founded in 2010, Blind Squirrel Games® is a multidisciplinary development studio housing staff members with years of game industry experience. Now operating as Blind Squirrel Entertainment, the company is actively seeking projects from publishers in addition to developing its own internal IPs.  Blind Squirrel Entertainment is dedicated to creating polished and innovative AAA gaming experiences that reflect the interests of our passionate development team. Capitalizing on our experiences as a premiere developer, we are creating unique IPs that will push the medium into bold new directions

Mirage: Arcane Warfare – Announcement Trailer

2016/03/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

TORONTO, CANADA, March 9th, 2016— Torn Banner Studios, the creators of the popular first-person medieval combat simulator Chivalry: Medieval Warfare are proud to finally reveal to their fans a first look at their upcoming magic and blood-soaked title, Mirage: Arcane Warfare.  To introduce their newest IP Torn Banner has released a gameplay trailer. Additionally, the official website has launched offering more details about the game: MirageArcaneWarfare.com. The game will make its debut at GDC 2016 (San Francisco, March 14-18) – interested media can schedule a private meeting to learn more about the new game.

In Mirage: Arcane Warfare, the calm of a strange fantasy world is shattered by ruthless civil war. Warriors armed with steel and magic bring violence and death as they do battle across a fantastical Arabian and Persian-inspired setting of desert sands, market bazaars and grand palaces. Built using the powerful new capabilities of Unreal Engine 4, Mirage: Arcane Warfarepresents visually stunning backdrops to some viscerally brutal multiplayer combat.

“Our last game Chivalry was about chopping off people’s heads with a sword. Mirage takes that core gameplay DNA and explodes with a range of new bloody, brutal combat possibilities thanks to the addition of powerful magic” said Steve Piggott, Torn Banner CEO and game designer on Mirage: Arcane Warfare. “Mixing in the elements of fantasy and magic allow us to add entirely new components and levels of complexity to that core team-based combat concept that we find so much fun to play.”

“Our artists have created a rich and unusual world in Mirage, full of colour, character and a unique setting that is so rarely explored in video games,” according to Torn Banner environment artist Lucas Annunziata. “Working with Unreal Engine 4 has not only helped us bring to life the exotic locales of Mirage, it also gives us the tools to make magic effects that dazzle and bloody gore that make us cringe.”

Slated for release on PC through Steam later this year, Mirage: Arcane Warfare will feature a range of diverse player classes each with their own unique weapon and skill sets, exotic fantasy locales, multiple multiplayer game modes including objective-based challenges, brutal gore and a host of other innovative new features. Currently in development, Torn Banner will roll out more information and progress about Mirage: Arcane Warfare in the coming months.

Torn Banner will have a private meeting room off site during GDC week on Wednesday, March 16 and Thursday, March 17. Interested media are invited to schedule a meeting to reserve a session with the team to learn more about Mirage: Arcane Warfare.

For the latest information on Mirage: Arcane Warfare, please visit @MirageGame on Twitter, on Facebook or go to MirageArcaneWarfare.com.

Kalypso Media Announces Urban Empire

2016/03/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

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

2016/03/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

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

2016/03/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Ridgewood, NJ – March 9, 2016 – Kalypso 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

2016/03/08
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Tech News

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

2016/03/08
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News

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.