Author - Jerry Paxton

Total War: WARHAMMER III – Thrones of Decay Announce Trailer

SEGA® Europe Limited and The Creative Assembly Limited have announced Thrones of Decay, the latest DLC pack* for the award-winning game Total War: WARHAMMER III, due for release this Spring. In a showdown of mohawks, maggots and machines, it welcomes new content for the Empire, Nurgle and Dwarfs including legendary lords, battle units, campaign features, as well as free content for all owners of the base game.

ELSPETH VON DRAKEN, THE DRAGON RIDING MAGISTERIX (EMPIRE)

The Dark Lady of Nuln, Elspeth Von Draken is one of the most powerful Amethyst Wizards of the age. It is said that she is so suffused with magical power that she stands on the periphery of life and death.

Campaign Features:

●  Imperial Gunnery School: As the armoury of the Empire, Wissenland & Nuln offer special unit upgrades and powerful abilities in return for Schematics earned from the damage such units inflict on the battlefield.

●  Gardens of Morr: A vigilant protector of the Empire, Elspeth establishes these sacred sites in limited number across visible friendly or neutral Empire settlements, providing instant travel to those locations at a cost and with a cooldown.

Battle Playstyle:

●  Riding her powerful Carmine Dragon, Elspeth is deadly in every sense of the word. She manipulates the battlefield from range with her innate magical abilities from the Lore of Death before charging into the enemy ranks with her dragon and two-handed Pale scythe.

New Units:

●  The Empire ranks are being bolstered by an assortment of arms such as the Marienburg Landship, Steam Tank Volley Gun, Nuln Ironsides, Hochland Long Rifles, Knights of the Black Rose, Master Engineer (Lord), Engineer (Hero) and the indomitable Theodore Bruckner (Legendary Hero).

TAMURKHAN, THE MAGGOT LORD (NURGLE)

A sentient maggot within the rot-bloated corpse of a powerful Ogre Tyrant, Tamurkhan is one of the greatest ever champions of Nurgle. He has but one aim; to spread death and disease in the name of the lord of pestilence.

Campaign Features:

●  Tamurkhan’s Chieftains: Tamurkhan must amass an unstoppable warhost that will bring ruin to the world. As such, he embarks on a deadly journey to dominate and recruit powerful warlords from across the Chaos and Norscan tribes to increase the power of his faction.

Battle Playstyle:

●  Besieging the battlefield atop his mighty Toad Dragon, and wielding a mighty two-headed axe, Tamurkhan is a tank of a warrior who is deadly in combat. His Feast of the Maggot Lord ability triggers upon death, dealing life-sapping damage upon the enemy to keep him in the thick of battle a little longer.

New Units:

●  The bloated ranks of Nurgle ooze strength with the addition of units such as Kayzk the Befouled (Legendary Hero), the Chaos Lord of Nurgle (Lord), the Chaos Sorcerer of Nurgle (Hero), Plague Ogres, Rot Knights, Toad Dragons, Pestigors and Bile Trolls.

MALAKAI MAKAISSON, THE SLAYER ENGINEER (DWARFS)

A defiant mixture of brain and brawn, Malakai Makaisson was once a member of the legendary Engineers Guild before disaster saw him ejected. Eternally shamed, he took up the Slayer’s Oath with the sole aim of seeking redemption through a dignified and bloody death.

Campaign Features:

●  Spirit of Grungi: Malakai’s armies march beneath the airborne machine known as the Spirit of Grungi, a legendary airship that the Slayer Engineer can upgrade on the move to increase his battle prowess and even call upon in battle.

●  Malakai’s Adventures: As he seeks the glorious doom that all Slayers desire, Malakai Makaisson uses his deadly exploits to test and improve his latest engineering innovations in the most perilous battles he can instigate.

Battle Playstyle:

●  Malakai primarily serves the Dwarfs as a ranged support Lord, tossing explosives toward the enemy with the Cinderblast Cluster Bomb, blasting them to bits with his shotgun, and, if anyone gets too close for comfort, smacking them in the face with a massive spanner.

New Units:

●  Engineering excellence meets bearded bravery, the dwarf ranks are bolstered by Garagrim Ironfist (Legendary Hero), Daemonslayer (Lord), Dragonslayer (Hero), Doomseekers, Goblin Hewer, Thunderbarge, Grudge Raker Thunderers and Slayer Pirates.

AN ASSORTMENT OF FIENDISH FREE CONTENT

Arriving alongside Thrones of Decay is Patch 5.0, which contains an assortment of free content and major quality of life improvements and bug fixes. These include a yet to be revealed Legendary Lord, a Hero unit, a new campaign feature in the form of the Nemesis Crown, and campaign reworks for the Empire, Dwarfs and Nurgle.

Mutant Presents THE FIRST OMEN Soundtrack on Vinyl

Mutant, in partnership with Hollywood Records and 20th Century Films, is proud to present the premiere physical edition of Mark Korven’s terrifying score to THE FIRST OMEN.

Combining the inventive and dynamic instrumentation he is best known for, Mark Korven (THE WITCH, THE LIGHTHOUSE) has created a truly unsettling and powerful score to this new chapter to the legendary series. Jerry Goldsmith’s Academy Award® winning score for the original 1976 classic THE OMEN is a totemic work of horror cinema. The film is the only time a horror film has ever won an Oscar for its score. Korven clearly knows he has big shoes to fill, because he takes his scoring style to powerful new heights with this brilliant work.

“A lot has changed since 1976, but one thing that hasn’t is that horror scores deserve to be played as loud as possible, on vinyl, from your home stereo.” Says Mo Shafeek, co-founder of Mutant. “It helps that Mark Korven is one of our favorite working composers. His score to THE FIRST OMEN is an incredible achievement and a fitting inclusion in one of the most important legacies of Horror filmmaking.”

Pressed on two 140gram color vinyl discs, housed in printed inner sleeves, contained within a die-cut jacket, this debut physical release will be available for pre-order beginning April 5th on Mutant’s webstore madebymutant.com

Jötunnslayer: Hordes of Hel Announcement Trailer

Global indie publisher Grindstone and developer Games Farm are thrilled to announce Jötunnslayer: Hordes of Hel, the thrilling new rogulike horde-survivor game set in the dark realms of Norse mythology. Coming to PC via Steam Early Access this autumn, Jötunnslayer: Hordes of Hel pits you against waves of horrific creatures to earn the divine blessings of ancient Norse Gods in epic battles deep in hostile realms. Grindstone is excited to announce that a playable demo for Jötunnslayer: Hordes of Hel will be coming to Steam in May.

“We are thrilled to announce Jötunnslayer: Hordes of Hel and to be working with the talented team at Games Farm.” commented Peter Nagy, CEO at Grindstone. “With Games Farm’s proven track record in creating immersive and challenging game worlds, we are excited to introduce players to this brutal horde-survival experience.”

Besiege: The Splintered Sea Announcement Trailer

Spiderling Studios, the studio behind the acclaimed title Besiege, is thrilled to announce a new expansion to their physics-based builder. Venture into uncharted waters, face new challenges, and unleash aquatic mayhem in The Splintered Sea, a Besiege expansion available on Steam on May 24th.

Head to the High Seas

Enriching the original game’s experience, Besiege: The Splintered Sea offers a new expansion to the popular physics-based builder. In The Splintered Sea, players battle through a 10-level oceanic campaign, introducing new block types to bring more chaos to the high seas. Using elements of hydrodynamics, this expansion challenges players to explore new builds capable of above-water combat and undersea exploration. Test your creations in the expansion’s new sandbox, which sees players sailing through a vast archipelago, exploring ancient ruins, and putting their engineering to the test on water courses. Using The Splintered Sea’s eight new aquatic blocks, you can spread your destruction across land and sea!

A Fan Favorite

Launched in Ver. 1.0 in 2020, Besiege continues to reign in the builder genre. Using an intuitive building system, players can construct war machines to destroy villages, annihilate armies, and obliterate castles. With over 70 building blocks available, players can achieve success or epic failure through the limitless creativity of their machine designs. Conquer Besiege’s 55 single-player campaign levels, spanning four island nations ripe for conquest. Players can test their builds in an expansive sandbox environment; once you’re ready, enter the Besiege Multiverse, a multiplayer experience that supports head-to-head combat, intricate puzzle solving, and cooperative conquering.

Chipotle Partners with TEKKEN 8

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced its partnership with TEKKEN 8, the latest installment of the legendary fighting game franchise from Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. Chipotle will give TEKKEN 8 players the opportunity to earn in-game currency through digital entrée purchases made on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com.

In addition to the in-game currency offer, Chipotle is launching a new digital menu item inspired by TEKKEN fans, featuring TEKKEN 8 as the title game for the 2024 Chipotle Challenger Series, and serving as the presenting partner of the 2024 Evolution Championship Series (Evo).

Rewarding TEKKEN Fans Through Real Food

Starting April 8, Chipotle will offer TEKKEN 8 players the opportunity to earn premium in-game currency when ordering through the Chipotle app or Chipotle.com and using the promo code EWGF623 while supplies last*. As a nod to the TEKKEN community, the code EWGF623 pays homage to the iconic “Electric Wind God Fist” move.

With every qualifying order placed, players will receive a code for 500 TEKKEN COINS while supplies last, allowing them to purchase various costumes and items in the official TEKKEN 8 in-game shop. Chipotle Rewards members can also redeem 250 points in the Chipotle Rewards Exchange to receive an additional code for 500 TEKKEN COINS**. Players can learn more about the TEKKEN 8 in-game currency offer by visiting: chipotle.com/TEKKEN8.

Introducing: The TEKKEN 8 Battle Bowl

During the TEKKEN World Tour Finals in January, TEKKEN gave its followers on X the opportunity to vote for the ingredients that they think should be featured in the first official TEKKEN-inspired menu item at Chipotle. After more than 38,000 votes, TEKKEN fans chose the following burrito bowl order:

• Chicken, White Rice, Black Beans, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, Fajita Veggies, Cheese, and Guac.

The TEKKEN 8 Battle Bowl is available exclusively on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com for a limited time.

2024 Chipotle Challenger Series

Chipotle’s 2024 edition of its signature esports competition will be hosted in partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment and feature TEKKEN 8 as its title game. The 2024 Chipotle Challenger Series will be the first-ever branded tournament on the PlayStation® Tournaments platform, and the Grand Finals event will be broadcast live on the PlayStation® esports Twitch and YouTube channels on Saturday, May 4.

All eligible competitors in the Chipotle Challenger Series will earn free chips & guac from Chipotle. The two (2) winners of the Chipotle Challengers Series Grand Finals will receive Free Chipotle for a Year, a trip to Evo 2024 in Las Vegas, a share of $20,000 USD cash prizing, and more.

Chipotle Challenger Series prizing is subject to eligibility and additional terms and conditions. Players can learn more about the 2024 Chipotle Challenger Series at https://playst.cc/chipotle-challenger-series.

Evolution Championship Series (Evo) 2024 Presented By Chipotle

For the second consecutive year, Chipotle will serve as a presenting sponsor of the Evolution Championship Series (Evo) in Las Vegas. Building upon its success in 2023, Chipotle will have an on-site Community Lounge at the event and will fuel early bracket runs by providing free entrée cards to pool winners. The brand will also introduce “Chipotle Extra Match” segments during the live broadcast, reducing downtime for viewers and providing coverage opportunities for players who would not otherwise be featured on-broadcast.

“The amazing reception we received from the Fighting Game Community in 2023, notably Evo attendees cheering for our ads when they aired during the competition, has inspired us to double down on our investment in FGC,” said Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer at Chipotle. “Gaming is a force shaping culture, so it’s imperative that we show up in the right way for this passionate community by providing real value and access to exclusive experiences.”

SCI-FI WORLD: The Experience Coming to LA this May

After more than 10 years, SCI-FI WORLD: The Experience is finally coming to Los Angeles on May 27th. Located inside the historic former Sears building at 302 Colorado Avenue, the non-profit museum is a 30,000-square-foot collection of science fiction and fantasy props, sets, and costumes.

We are pleased to announce the latest acquisition, the 10 Forward set from Paramount+ Star Trek Picard. The set was used in the opening of Picard episode one, season one, starring Sir Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner. The original 10 Forward set was first seen in Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1989-1994. 10 Forward is the bar/restaurant where the Enterprise crew often socializes and discusses their problems with Guinan, played by Whoopi Goldberg.

Some of the most iconic original props and replicas from TV shows and films include: The Enterprise Bridge set from Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek 1966 Original Series set, with statues of the crew, Star Wars, DC and Marvel, including the Iron Man Hall of Armor, Doctor Who, Planet of the Apes, Lord of the Rings, the 25 foot bubbleship from Oblivion, full size Alien Queen and Powerloader from Aliens, a 35 foot Millennium Falcon bounce house, a 1980s arcade on free-play, a living 17ft long Giganotosaurus dinosaur, and much more!

Tickets start at $20 for children, $30 for adults, discounts for seniors, military and first responders, everyone under 6 or over 90 gets in Free. Annual memberships start at $60. Special discounts for schools and students. Tickets available at www.scifiworld.com

Logitech Rolls Out Logitech G PRO X 60 LIGHTSPEED Gaming Keyboard

Today, Logitech G, a brand of Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) and leading innovator of gaming technologies and gear, announced the Logitech G PRO X 60 LIGHTSPEED Gaming Keyboard, a compact, professional-grade keyboard that liberates valuable space to meet the evolving needs of pro-gamers.

Pro esports athletes demand the absolute best equipment to improve their competitive play. The 60 percent keyboard form factor has become increasingly popular among pros because it leaves more space for the dynamic mouse movements required for pro-level FPS competition. A 60 percent keyboard is easier to position perfectly for maximum performance, easily fitting into their competition space, and it’s also easier for players to carry to and from tournaments.

“The PRO X 60 is the perfect fit for players who need a keyboard that can adapt to any setup and condition. It’s also super easy to carry around when traveling. I love it.” said Michaela ‘mimi’ Lintrup, G2 Esports, Valorant.

While smaller format keyboards are great for competitive play, they can lack critical keys that some pro players need. To solve this, the PRO X 60 introduces an innovative new technology, KEYCONTROL, to provide gamers with customization capabilities far beyond what a standard keyboard delivers.

“We have years of experience designing and building keyboards and switches for and with pro gamers,’ stated Brent Barry, Head of Esports and PRO Series at Logitech G. “Through our unique collaboration with players, we gathered important insights that played a key role in our design of the PRO X 60 and highlighted the need for KEYCONTROL. This new capability has everything a Pro player could want: a compact, portable form factor, combined with advanced new technologies all designed to give them the equipment and performance they need to win.”

KEYCONTROL was developed to broaden the keyboard’s capabilities beyond that of a standard full-sized keyboard. A user-friendly tool enabled in GHUB, KEYCONTROL grants players significantly more customization options by allowing them to assign up to 15 functions per key and tailor their keyboard to their unique style. When combined with G-SHIFT, an advanced feature that players can assign to almost any button (like a mouse side button to an action), players can activate the new layer of keys and get quick access to any key or command directly under their left hand and WASD keys, or any other programmable key on the keyboard. This means the missing critical keys are right where you need them, ensuring lightning-fast access to essential commands and propelling gamers to victory.

“I love the original PRO keyboard, but now that my game has evolved, I wanted something smaller to allow for more space on my desktop for my mouse without losing all the key functions,” said Emma “Emy” Choe, FlyQuest RED, CounterStrike 2, “Now that I have the PRO X 60 with KEYCONTROL, I have more room for flick shots, all while being able to tailor my layout so I don’t miss any keys. I can’t wait to use this in competition.”

The PRO X 60 also features the trusted performance and reliability of Logitech G’s LIGHTSPEED wireless technology. LIGHTSPEED wireless was designed to be as fast as wired but also extremely robust, even in the most difficult environments.

When a pro player competes at a tournament, thousands of people often surround them with RF-generating devices such as mobile phones, production cameras, and various networks. Logitech tests LIGHTSPEED in a cutting-edge anechoic chamber that generates equivalent radio frequency interference to ensure our LIGHTSPEED wireless protocol functions flawlessly. Pro players can trust that their clicks and swipes will be registered precisely, enabling them to perform at their best.

“It’s super important to have a reliable and fast connection when you’re competing because you want to have the least amount of input lag possible when you’re in a competitive scenario. Having a really fast wireless connection can be the difference between winning and losing at the highest level,” said Evan “Verhulst” Verhulst, TSM, Apex Legends.

The PRO X 60 is available with GX Optical switches in both tactile and linear configurations, offering faster actuation than standard mechanical switches for faster gameplay. Unlike mechanical switches, GX Optical actuates through the power of light, instantly sending your command, eliminating the debounce required by mechanical switches. With precision and speed, the signal is unleashed the moment you engage. The switches are also factory-lubricated and designed to provide a satisfying gaming and typing experience.

Additional features in the PRO X 60 keyboard include:

  • Dual-shot PBT keycaps
  • LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting
  • Game mode switch
  • Volume roller and media controls
  • Bluetooth
  • 2:1 LIGHTSPEED Adapter
  • Semi-hard carrying case

Pricing and Availability

Available in Black, White, and Pink, the PRO X 60 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Keyboard is available for pre-order now at LogitechG.com for $179 US and €229. It will be available from major participating retailers in late April. For more information, please visit LogitechG.com.

Free Stars: Children Of Infinity – Official Announcement Trailer

After three decades and thousands of fan petitions, the original creators of the award-winning science-fiction action-adventure game Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters are back in the starship for the epic space saga’s long-awaited continuation: Free Stars: Children of Infinity.

Free Stars: Children of Infinity is a direct sequel to The Ur-Quan Masters — the sci-fi cult classic that’s been titled “one of the greatest games of all time” and inspired countless other creators in the video game industry, including the visionaries behind celebrated space games such as Mass Effect, No Man’s Sky, and Stellaris.

Developer Pistol Shrimp™ Games’ founding members Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford (the original founders of Toys for Bob) return to the wondrous galaxy they created to bring a classic space-faring adventure to the modern era — with a retro aesthetic, arcade-style space combat, and a rich player-driven story. Free Stars: Children of Infinity continues the legacy of Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters®, allowing fans to finally witness a galaxy liberated by the eclectic Alliance of Free Stars.

Set three years after the defeat of the Ur-Quan hierarchy and its Sa-Matra battle platform, a new discovery draws the captain into an old mystery. Hope and conflict continue to be at odds in the universe, and a new threat surfaces that may change everything.

As the newest captain in the Alliance of Free Stars, players will load up their starmap and explore a massive, living universe with hundreds of star systems and thousands of planets. As they navigate these many worlds, they’ll meet alien species whom they can befriend (or offend due to their human ignorance), uncover untold aspects of the story with each new discovery, and collect resources to upgrade their starships and fleets. Players needn’t face the various hazards and creatures of the galaxy alone; Free Stars: Children of Infinity will support online cooperative play among friends, plus competitive PvP Super Melee matches.

Free Stars: Children of Infinity heads to Kickstarter on April 16, 2024, to fund its continued development. Intrepid galactic adventurers can learn more about Free Stars: Children of Infinity and sign up for a Kickstarter launch notification by going to https://freestarsgame.com/kickstarter.

Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters® was released for free on Steam in February 2024.

CRKD Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Hellboy

CRKD™, the premium collectible brand behind the award-winning Nitro™ Deck, NEO S™ and recently announced Nitro™ Deck+, announced today a creative collaboration with Dark Horse Comics®, bringing the beloved Hellboy™ series of comics to life via a stunning range of themed Nitro Deck and NEO S themed controllers.

Overseen by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, the special-edition range has been meticulously crafted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Hellboy with artwork sourced from the comic book Omnibus Volume 1, Seed of Destruction, by Mike Mignola and John Byrne, immortalizing key moments from the Great Beast’s history.

A tribute to the timeless legacy of the eponymous half-demon, the Nitro Deck Hellboy Special Edition for Nintendo® Switch™ and OLED Switch™ reimagines handheld gaming, eliminating stick drift forever, while enhancing accuracy, responsiveness, and precision. Elevating the Switch aesthetic via jaw-dropping artwork, the Nitro Deck Hellboy Special Edition is sure to be adored by any Hellboy fan.

The ideal companion to the Nitro Deck, the NEO S Hellboy Special Edition for Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile & Smart TV Gaming, uses the entire footprint of the NEO S to display the intricately detailed artwork of the iconic comic series. Included in pack, the Hellboy themed Charging Dock proves that the NEO S Hellboy Special Edition is no mere controller, serving as both a statement piece of gaming hardware and true work of art.

Both the Nitro Deck Hellboy Special Edition and the NEO S Hellboy Special Edition have been designed to fully integrate with the CRKD ‘True Collection System’ a free mobile App for iOS™ and Android® which will register the product number and rarity ranking of your hardware into your personal secure collection, adding to your bragging rights and giving instant oversight to all your CRKD gaming gear.

Commenting on the creative collaboration, Greg Baverstock, VP of Global Business Development for CRKD said, “Hellboy is an enduring legend in entertainment, loved by millions of fans worldwide. A testament to the talent and imagination of creator Mike Mignola, we’re elated to be partnering with a true icon in the first of a planned series of creative collaborations around our range of premium collectible gaming gear. Working in tandem with Dark Horse Comics and Mike Mignola, we believe we’re doing justice to the 30th anniversary of Hellboy and elevating our controllers to even greater heights.”

To further celebrate this landmark anniversary, CRKD is teaming up with Dark Horse Comics to give away a Nitro Deck Hellboy Special Edition and a NEO S Hellboy Special Edition, each signed by creator Mike Mignola. Running for eight weeks only, fans wishing to enter to win can visit: https://go.crkd.gg/hbsweepstakes.

The full list of features for the Nitro Deck Hellboy Special Edition and the NEO S Hellboy Special Edition can be found here: https://go.crkd.gg/hellboy.

The Nitro Deck Hellboy Special Edition and the NEO S Hellboy Special Edition are available today for pre-order, with both products retailing for: $59.99 / €69.99 / £59.99. Both collectible controllers are expected to begin shipping from June 2024.

Pre-order the Hellboy Special Edition Nitro Deck or NEO S Hellboy Special Edition today at: https://go.crkd.gg/hellboy

For more information about the Special Edition Hellboy Range and all CRKD controllers, please visit: https://crkd.gg

Harvest Hunt Launch Date Trailer

Nightmarish creatures stalk your every step in Harvest Hunt, the new horror title from Villainous Games Studio and Neonhive Games, releasing on May 22nd on Steam.

For those brave enough to delve into the terrors that lurk in the shadows, a free demo is available as part of the Lovecraftian Days on Steam this weekend. ​

Take up the Warden’s mantle as you attempt to safeguard the isolated village of Luna Nova by gathering the resources the villagers need to survive. ​ Navigate the hellish maze of farmlands and forge your arsenal from Destiny’s Whispers, a tarot-inspired deck imbued with skills and tools, to survive the night and avoid the watchful eye of the Devourer who stalks the land. ​

You alone are the village’s architect of survival. ​ But there are secrets hidden in the depths of Luna Nova. ​ A true tapestry of terror is woven through the village’s history and the people trapped there – and every Warden has their own cross to bear. ​

Delve into a narrative steeped in dark European folklore and experience a realm where horror, survival, and strategy intertwine in this gripping odyssey of fear.