Author - Jerry Paxton

SEGA Bringing Alien: Isolation and More to Comic-Con

2014/07/22

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

SAN FRANCISCO (July 22, 2014) – From the outer reaches of space to a fantastic ancient land, SEGA fans will get a chance to see the hottest games of the year at San Diego Comic-Con International. SEGA is pulling out all the stops, giving fans their first chance for hands-on demos of Alien: Isolation™, Sonic Boom™: Rise of Lyric and Sonic Boom™: Shattered Crystal, and a variety of ways to experience these franchises, both onsite and off. Alien: Isolation will be showcased in amazing, spine-tingling fashion at the FUTURE US booth #241 with game demos in a custom-designed, giant-sized Alien egg pod. Sonic Boom will have a presence at the Archie Comics Booth #2842. SEGA is also taking its presence to the next level this year, partnering with NERD HQ to give fans even more chances to have fun with some of the year’s most anticipated titles.

SEGA will invade Nerd HQ from July 24-27 at Petco Park, just steps away from the Convention Center. Presented by The Nerd Machine, this popular fan-focused event provides guests an additional destination to interact with brand-new titles as well as hands-on opportunities with never-before-seen games. Nerd HQ will be the official home for SEGA throughout the show, spotlighting its games and hosting panels discussing the new titles.

Following overwhelming excitement from its debut at E3, the newest title of the Alien™ franchise, Alien: Isolation, will come to life and showcase the true meaning of fear with an immersive gaming experience. A replica version of the iconic egg from the Alien series will be onsite at the FUTURE US booth, immersing gamers into a solitary gaming pod for a unique, chilling, fear-inducing event. Enter if you dare! To help extend the experience onsite, SEGA will also launch an Alien: Isolation Motion Tracker app available as a free download for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices. The app recreates the motion tracker used in both the original film and new game which will allow fans to locate the Alien: Isolation game at Nerd HQ. Alien: Isolation is available worldwide on October 7, 2014 for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Windows PC, Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

When it comes to the fastest bipedal blue star in the world, SEGA has a big year ahead. To set the stage, SEGA will introduce playable versions at Comic Con. The new games Sonic Boom™: Rise of Lyric for the Wii U™ system, developed by Los Angeles-based Big Red Button, and Sonic Boom™: Shattered Crystal for the Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system, from San Francisco-based Sanzaru Games, will introduce new gameplay and the most vile and formidable villain in Sonic history — Lyric.

Announced earlier this year, Sonic Boom is a brand-new extension to the Sonic Universe that will introduce new video games, the first-ever CG-animated television series debuting on Cartoon Network in the 2014/2015 season, and a robust merchandise program anchored by master toy partner TOMY.

Comedy Central Announces Comic-Con Fan Events

2014/07/22

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, SDCC

NEW YORK, July 21, 2014 – Comedy Central is invading San Diego with a series of events during Comic-Con starting with back-to-back panels as Comedy Central Presents “Key & Peele” and Introduces “Moonbeam City” on Thursday, July 24 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront. The panels kick off with Emmy®-nominated series “Key & Peele” (stars Keegan-Michael-Key, Jordan Peele, Director Peter Atencio and moderated by Thomas Lennon) followed by the panel for upcoming animated series “Moonbeam City” (creator and Executive Producer Scott Gairdner and Executive Producer Tommy Blacha). Also, press interviews will be held in Indigo 204A on Thursday, July 24 with “Key & Peele” (Key, Peele, Atencio) from 2:30-3:30 p.m. The next day will feature a “Brickleberry” panel with series creators and Executive Producers, Waco O’Guin and Roger Black, joined by David Herman (“Futurama”), Tom Kenny (“SpongeBob SquarePant”), Jerry Minor (“Eastbound & Down”) and Natasha Leggero (“Suburgatory,” “Burning Love”) and held on Friday, July 25 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Convention Center Room 24ABC.

Comedy Central’s no-badge-required, free and open to the public event, #ComedyCentralCon will take place from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 at The San Diego Wine & Culinary Center (200 Harbor Dr. #120) directly across from the Convention Center. #ComedyCentralCon’s “Moonbeam City” Laser Tag will bring to life the brand’s never before seen, newest animated series coming in 2015, starring Rob Lowe, Elizabeth Banks, Kate Mara and Will Forte. Fans will get a first look at the Moonbeam world, walk the streets of the city and compete with friends (6 on 6 players) in a “Team Death Match” to determine the top cop of Moonbeam City.

Also, fans at #ComedyCentralCon can snap a virtual pic with “Workaholics,” “Key & Peele,” “Broad City” and/or “Moonbeam City” in the Comedy Central GIF photo booth and win limited edition Comedy Central prizes.

“Brickleberry” autograph signings will take place at the FOX booth in the Convention Center (4229) on Friday, July 25 (time TBA). A “Workaholics” autograph signing with Blake Anderson, Anders Holm and Kyle Newacheck will take place at #ComedyCentralCon in the Wine Center located at 200 Harbor Drive #120 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.

In addition, Comedy Central’s late-night host Chris Hardwick brings a live performance of the Emmy®-nominated series “@midnight” to the Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Avenue, on Friday, July 25 at 10:30 p.m.,” Comedians participating in this show include Steve Agee, Grace Helbig and Brian Posehn. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.

Thursday, July 24: Comedy Central Presents “Key & Peele” and Introduces “Moonbeam City” (Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel)

1:30-2:15 p.m. “Key & Peele” stars Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele who utilize a combination of filmed sketches and live stage segments to examine life in a provocative and irreverent way, from the perspective of two men used to being on the outside looking in. Whether it’s satirizing the President, spoofing musical acts, or taking on religion, “Key & Peele” showcases their chemistry, camaraderie and unique point of view, born from their shared background and experiences growing up biracial in a not quite post-racial world. The panel will be moderated by Tom Lennon and include Key, Peele and Director Peter Atencio as they go behind-the-scenes and reveal details on their upcoming fourth season returning this fall.

2:15-3:00 p.m. The party continues with a first look at Comedy Central’s newest animated series “Moonbeam City.” The series is an absurdist take on the gritty, sex-drenched crime dramas from the 1980s and follows undercover detective Dazzle Novak (voiced by Rob Lowe), a handsome idiot who commits more crimes than most criminals. The show also stars his tyrannical chief, Pizzaz Miller (Elizabeth Banks), who won’t get off his back and hotshot rookie Rad Cunningham (Will Forte) who is dying to see him fail. With the world against him, “Dazzle” is thrust into a living nightmare: having to do actual police work. Moonbeam City is executive produced by Will Gluck’s Olive Bridge Entertainment in association with Titmouse Studios. The panel will include series creator and Executive Producer Scott Gairdner and Executive Producer Tommy Blacha.

Friday, July 25: “Brickleberry” panel (room 24ABC)

5:30-6:30 p.m. Creators and Executive Producers Waco O’Guin and Roger Black, along with David Herman (“Futurama”), Tom Kenny (“SpongeBob SquarePants”), Jerry Minor (“Eastbound & Down”) and Natasha Leggero (“Suburgatory,” “Burning Love”) will be on hand to exclusively premiere an episode from the upcoming third season which debuts on Tuesday, September 16 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, followed by a live table read and Q&A panel discussion.

Farming Simulator 15 First Screenshots

2014/07/22

Jerry Paxton

News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News

Focus Home Interactive and Giants Software have released the first screenshots for their upcoming Farming Simulator 15, which is due out in early 2015 on PC and console platforms.

Screenshots

PGF Partners with Zepp Labs to Use Sports Sensor Tech

2014/07/22

Jerry Paxton

News, Tech News

LOS GATOS, Calif. – (July 22, 2014) – Zepp Labs and Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) have agreed to a multi-year partnership, under which Zepp will be designated as the Official and Exclusive Swing Analysis and Technology Platform of PGF.

Zepp’s advanced 3D technology helps softball players of all ages and skill levels improve their game. The tiny sensor, which easily attaches to the end of a bat, captures over 1000 points of data per swing and creates a perfect 3D rendering on any smartphone or tablet. In addition to seeing their swing in 3D, players, coaches and parents get instant and actionable feedback and data including bat speed, hand speed, time to impact, attack angle and more.

According to Dan Hay, PGF Tournament Director, “Our collaboration with Zepp Labs will enable us to offer our players instant feedback and analysis of their swings, giving them concrete ways to improve. The added-value of this technology and the standards Zepp provides take fastpitch softball and PGF to the next level.”

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to partner with PGF,” says Jason Fass, CEO of Zepp Labs. “They’ve built the leading softball platform, and we share a mutual goal of helping girls maximize their playing potential. This is a crucial relationship for us as we further incorporate Zepp’s proprietary metrics and platform into the fabric and vocabulary of today’s sports and athletes.”

The PGF National Championships has rapidly grown into one of the most premier softball events in the country. Starting July 19th and running for two weeks, PGF will host approximately 400 of the very top travel ball clubs and college coaches in Huntington Beach, Irvine, and Fountain Valley, California, with main focus on the Huntington Beach Sports Complex. Moving forward, all PGF camps and clinics will use the Zepp 3D sensor to capture, measure and analyze player swings at a Zepp hitting station. The Zepp sensor will be used to establish a new standard of swing evaluation metrics.

World of Warships Making Debut at Gamescom 2014

2014/07/22

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News

July 22, 2014 — Wargaming today announced its presence at gamescom 2014, the world’s largest trade fair for interactive games and entertainment, to be held at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany from August 13–17, 2014. Wargaming will bring an exciting booth spectacle, delivering its trademark mix of AAA military combat gaming experience and supply top-tier giveaways for attendees and viewers at home.

Action-packed activities can be found at Wargaming’s massive 720 square meters booth located in Hall 8. The showfloor will feature gaming stations for participants to engage in intense battles and test their prowess. Available to play will be the global phenomenon of World of Tanks (PC), the award-winning World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition, the flight MMO World of Warplanes (PC) and the recently launched World of Tanks Blitz (iOS). Of special note is the premiere of World of Warships (PC) at the booth this year. Attendees of gamescom will have the opportunity to go behind closed doors and be the first to experience the anticipated PC naval combat game.

The daily entertainment will begin with immersive games with Wargaming on the show floor and continue into its signature live stage show, game presentations, talk shows with special guests and game developers, regular on-stage giveaways and prizes, including an Alienware X51 gaming system, HyperX FURY USB drives, Razer peripherals, Logitech hardware, and much more.

Catch the exclusive stream from Wargaming’s gamescom studio on Twitch on Wednesday, August 13, as well as Friday and Saturday, August 15–16 with special prizes for viewers from Europe.

Be sure to come to the Wargaming booth for all of the gaming, entertainment and giveaways that the global leaders in free-to-play military combat games can pack into the biggest gaming show on the planet.

Screenshots

EVE Online Launches Crius Content Update

2014/07/22

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Windows PC News

22 July 2014 – Reykjavik, Iceland – CCP Games, a leading independent developer of massively multiplayer games, has launched the largest overhaul ever to industry within its award-winning sci-fi game, EVE Online. Changes ripple across the stars, affecting everything from how player- constructed starbases function to spaceship blueprints to basic asteroid composition and adding new features like an intuitive new user industry interface and worker teams that supplement competition between solar systems.

Industry fuels EVE’s critically acclaimed “infernal machine” of harvesting, creation and destruction. These game systems collectively govern the creation of nearly every item in the game by players using raw and salvaged materials and make EVE the stuff of economic and sociological legend. With improvements to accessibility, diversity and meaning in industrial gameplay, EVE’s “Crius” release catalyzes player-driven action and rewards thoughtful and opportunistic planning for those who profit from the creation of spaceships, modules and innumerable other goods.

Sophisticated industrial operations underpin the famous player wars that rage across EVE’s thousands of star systems at the same time as smaller, individual efforts generate wealth, meaning and power for personal ambition. Crius allows player-influenced shifts in the industrial landscape to redefine the “sandbox” by adding assembly cost scaling and a market for work teams to supplement construction. Newer players will find an easier path into industry as manufacturing slots open up and the user interface is reimagined to be more intuitive and informative.
“Crius opens up EVE’s sprawling economy to a whole new generation of industrialists, as it has never been more intuitive, dynamic and interesting to build things for yourself or other players.” said Andie Nordgren, Senior Producer for EVE Online. “We’re eagerly awaiting to see how our players use one of the most sophisticated crafting and market systems in gaming now that it is live.”

From atmospheric audio to more wormholes in known space and more, Crius offers other changes in CCP’s ongoing commitment to improve EVE Online year after year.

Crius follows Kronos as the second update in a major shift for EVE development from two expansions per year to around 10 releases annually as CCP aims to deliver more content, more frequently, to its legendary playerbase. It is available free to all EVE Online subscribers and trial users.

Further information about Crius can be found on the feature page, in developer blogs and in the Crius in-development video.

ECOXGEAR Announces ECOSTONE Bluetooth Speaker

2014/07/22

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Tech News

San Diego, Calif. – (July 22, 2014) – ECOXGEAR, a leader in rugged and waterproof products for the adventurous lifestyle, launches its new Bluetooth speaker to answer the demands of outdoor enthusiasts looking for big sound in a dependably rugged form factor, the ECOSTONE waterproof Bluetooth speaker.

The ECOSTONE is designed to be the world’s most rugged and reliable portable Bluetooth speaker to accompany you on all of your outdoor adventures. The ECOSTONE has passed both the IP68 international waterproofing standards and military grade testing MIL810G which means it can withstand anything from being 100% submerged in water to a sandstorm in a desert with temperatures up to 140°F. The rubberized shockproof casing and rear mounted subwoofer give music lovers a speaker that can be enjoyed every boating trip, camping adventure or poolside experience.

Accidentally knock the ECOSTONE into your pool or overboard your boat without a worry, the ECOSTONE’s intelligent design allows it to pop back to the surface and float. ECOSTONE also features a convenient handle to carry your speaker by your side with ease while camping, surfing, hiking or just lounging by the beach. Featuring a USB battery charger for your smartphone or tablet, and integrated LED flashlight, ECOSTONE helps you navigate any journey.

“Now bigger and louder than any audio solution we’ve yet to introduce, the ECOSTONE is by far the most reliable option in the world of waterproof, rugged, portable speakers,” says CEO of ECOXGEAR, Greg Fadul. “Athletes, adrenaline junkies, and adventure enthusiasts favor our rugged speakers because they are 100% waterproof, not just water resistant, and allow them to take their music with them anywhere they go.”

For added versatility, the ECOSTONE is equipped with detachable mounting options that can attach the speakers to anything, including your backpack, kayak, tent or car.

ECOSTONE is available now at Cabela’s, US Cellular, Amazon.com and this fall in West Marine, REI, and other fine retail stores for $149 in Black, Blue, Orange and “Real Tree.” It is also available in Canada at Mountain Equipment, London Drugs and Visions.

Guild Wars 2 The Dragon’s Reach Trailer Part 1

2014/07/22

Jerry Paxton

News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Arena Net and NCsoft have unveiled a new trailer for their MMO, Guild Wars 2, titled The Dragon’s Reach.

Trailer

The Purge: Anarchy Coming to Halloween Horror Nights

2014/07/22

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News

UNIVERSAL CITY, Ca., ORLANDO, Fla., (July 22, 2014) — As the gates to “Halloween Horror Nights” open, so too does the annual Purge begin at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort with the debut of a terrifying new scarezone, “The Purge: Anarchy,” inspired by Universal Pictures’ new thriller, which scored the highest opening for a horror film this year.

“The Purge: Anarchy” scarezone will greet guests with pure unadulterated fear, bringing to life the turmoil and pandemonium that awaits those vulnerable to masked vigilantes in search of new victims. Reimagining the movie’s premise that on one night every year, any and all crime is made legal, the scarezone will be inhabited by average citizens transformed into sadistic felons during this period of government-sanctioned lawlessness. Like civilians in the movie fighting to survive, guests will be at the mercy of cunning wit, luck and speed as they attempt to outsmart and outlive the anarchy brought about by those who believe in an “eye for an eye.”

The Purge: Anarchy, the sequel to last summer’s surprise hit, moves from the confines of a suburban neighborhood to the streets as the government begins its annual 12-hour Purge to ensure that the crime rate stays below one percent for the rest of the year. With all emergency services suspended, it’s the one night when society regulates itself without thought of punishment or fear of retribution. For average people who do not have the means to barricade themselves indoors with a state-of-the-art security system, anarchy rules and no one is safe. In this new story, an unlikely group of five citizens discover how far they will go to protect themselves and, ultimately, each other, as they fight to survive a dangerous night fraught with impossible decisions.

From director and writer James DeMonaco (The Purge, Assault on Precinct 13), The Purge: Anarchy stars Frank Grillo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Carmen Ejogo (Away We Go), Zach Gilford (Devil’s Due), Kiele Sanchez (A Perfect Getaway) and Michael K. Williams (The Wire).

“‘Halloween Horror Nights’ is about taking guests out of their comfort zones and placing them at the core of unimaginable horror,” said John Murdy, Universal Studios Hollywood’s Creative Director for and Executive Producer of “Halloween Horror Nights.” “Because the premise of ‘The Purge’ could theoretically happen, our scare-zone elevates that sense of fear and forces you to really watch your back. Imagining how your neighbor, friend or enemy could take revenge on you without retribution because you wronged them takes horror to a whole new level, and we wanted to bring that gut-wrenching terror to every one of our guests.”

“‘The Purge’” scarezone will invade the streets of ‘Halloween Horror Nights’, taking up most of our New York back lot. The chaos that reigns in the film will be replicated nightly, but now our guests can actually attempt to survive the night themselves,” said Michael Aiello, Director of Entertainment – Creative Development, Universal Orlando Resort. “The familiar emergency broadcast will be heard announcing the commencement of the annual Purge, and all hell will literally break loose.”

Universal Studios’ “Halloween Horror Nights” events have a more than 20-year history of creating incredibly entertaining, horrifying Halloween experiences that are consistently rated the nation’s best. The events on each coast feature highly-themed, disturbingly real, haunted mazes based on everything from films to nightmares – and streets filled with hundreds of specially trained “scareactors” in uniquely themed scare-zones. In addition to “The Purge: Anarchy,” other announced experiences include, “The Walking Dead: The End of the Line,” “From Dusk Till Dawn” and “Face Off: In the Flesh.”

To complement its numerous mazes, “Halloween Horror Nights” features a variety of terrifying scare-zones designed to provoke heart-pounding fear as guests traverse the park from one traumatizing experience to the next, unsure of what lies just around the corner.

To learn more about this all-new “Halloween Horror Nights” scarezone, click here: The Purge: Anarchy.

EA Sports Madden NFL 15 Reveals First Player Rankings

2014/07/21

Jerry Paxton

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

July 21, 2014 – NFL players and fans are holding their breath as the first official player ratings have been revealed on the Madden Ratings Hub. Today the top 10 rookies take the stage, with top overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney and #2 pick Greg Robinson sharing the top rating at 83 overall. Other top flite rookies include Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (81), Bills wideout Sammy Watkins (80) and Packers safety HaHa Clinton-Dix (79). Browns QB Johnny Manziel didn’t manage to crack the top 10, so fans wondering were Johnny Football ended up will have to check back on Aug 1 when the full AFC North ratings are unveiled.

Additional ratings info is coming daily, with a new position group being announced every day. Here’s the full schedule for when ratings will be released:

Mon, July 21 – Top 10 Overall Rookies
Tues, July 22 – Top 5 Overall QBs
Wed, July 23 – Top 5 Overall RBs
Thurs, July 24 – Top 5 Overall WRs/Top 5 Overall TEs
Fri, July 25 – Top 5 Overall OL Players
Sat, July 26 – Top 5 Overall DEs
Sun, July 27 – Top 5 Overall DTs
Mon, July 28 – Top 5 Overall LBs
Tues, July 29 – Top 5 Overall CBs
Wed, July 30 – Top 5 Overall Safeties
Thurs, July 31 – Top 5 Overall Special Teams
Fri, Aug 1 – Top 10 Overall Players/Full AFC & NFC North Ratings
Sat, Aug 2 – Full AFC & NFC South Ratings
Sun, Aug 3 – Full AFC & NFC East Ratings
Mon, Aug 4 – Full AFC & NFC West Ratings
Tues, Aug 5 – Ratings Recap

Madden NFL 15 allows players to transform into their rival’s worst nightmare with a new breed of defense, built to challenge the best offenses in the NFL. A new arsenal of pass rush moves, an intuitive tackling system, improved coverage logic, and immersive new camera angles make defense more exciting and fun than ever. Fans can call plays with confidence thanks to an all-new crowd-sourced recommendation engine built from millions of online games played by the Madden NFL community. Add in all-new NFL Films inspired presentation and it’s not just football, it’s Madden Season.

Madden NFL 15 is developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon and will be available on August 26 in North America and on August 29 in the EU for Xbox One, the all-in-one entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 entertainment system. To learn more about Madden NFL 15, visithttp://www.easports.com/madden-nfl.

All player participation has been facilitated by NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports videogames, including Madden NFL football, EA SPORTS™ FIFA, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVEbasketball, PGA TOUR® golf, SSX™ and EA SPORTS UFC®.

For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visit www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.