Author - Jerry Paxton

Chop Shop Gets Machinima Premiere Date

2014/07/02

Los Angeles, CA (July 2, 2014) – Machinima, the leading global video entertainment network for fanboys and videogamers, in conjunction with Paramount Digital Entertainment, today announced that the gritty new action drama”Chop Shop” will launch on Friday July 18, 2014. ”Chop Shop” follows a crew of car thieves as they rise from the mean streets of Los Angeles to become high level international players. The series will premiere exclusively on Machinima’s Prime Channel (YouTube.com/MachinimaPrime).

“Chop Shop” centers on Porter (John Bregar), a car thief recently released from a five year stint in prison, who finds himself struggling to rekindle a relationship with his former girlfriend Sofia (Ana Ayora) and their five-year old son he hardly knows. Porter soon reconnects with his old partner in crime Caine (Rene Moran), who’s volatile and aggressive nature puts him at odds against Porter’s new life. Torn between family and friendships, Porter faces the most difficult decision of his life and realizes that to change his future he might have to relive his past. “”Chop Shop” continues Machinima’s push to deliver our audience top level scripted series”, said Andy Shapiro, Vice President of Scripted Content at Machinima. “We can’t wait to see how the audience will react as the story unfolds week after week.” Elliott Lester (Blitz) directs the Bandito Brothers (Act Of Valor) and Joshua Weinstock produced series, alongside writers Josh Baizer and Marshall Johnson (Mortal Kombat: Legacy). Series stars John Bregar (Being Human, Kick Ass 2,The Mentalist), Rene Moran (Shameless, Lie to Me, Switched at Birth), Ana Ayora (Marley & Me, Castle), and acclaimed actor Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Sopranos, The X-Files, True Blood). “”Chop Shop” is one man’s journey from prison back to his hell on the streets of Los Angeles. Between the amazing action, you also find this struggle between returning to a life of crime and the family that he has to protect,” said director Elliot Lester. “Our creative team has crafted a remarkable series for the digital space and Machinima is the perfect home for the show,” said Dani Bernfeld, Vice President, Paramount Digital Entertainment.

The HUB Network Celebrates Transformers 30th Anniversary

2014/07/01

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

JULY 1, 2014 — This Fourth of July, the Hub Network will be transforming its schedule to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the legendary TRANSFORMERS franchise. This viewing event kicks off with a “Transformers Rescue Bots” marathon (11 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET/8 a.m. – 1 p.m. PT), featuring episodes from season two. Afterwards, viewers can relive the epic battles between the Autobots, Decepticons, Unicron and more on “Transformers: The Animated Movie” at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PTand “Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Predacons Rising” at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on the Hub Network, champions of family fun and the only network dedicated to providing kids and their families with entertainment they can watch together.

Schedule for Fourth of July Marathon:

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET: “Transformers Rescue Bots”

This animated series centers on a group of Autobots – Heatwave, Blades, Boulder and Chase – charged by Optimus Prime to protect and learn about humans on Griffin Rock, a technologically advanced island off the Eastern seaboard. Teamed with a human family of first responders including a firefighter, police chief, engineer and rescue pilot, they keep peace and safety in their new home. The series features an ensemble of voice talent including, LeVar Burton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), Lacey Chabert (“Party of Five”), Maurice LaMarche (“Futurama”), Jason Marsden (“Step by Step”) and Peter Cullen (“Transformers Prime”).

4–6 p.m. ET: “Transformers: The Animated Movie”

While the Autobots and Decepticons are locked in a vicious battle, a colossal new force enters the universe and threatens the existence of every Transformer, both good and evil, in its quest to seize the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. The movie features an all-star cast, including Orson Welles (“Citizen Kane”), Eric Idle (“Monty Python and the Holy Grail”), Leonard Nimoy (“Star Trek”), Peter Cullen (“Transformers Prime”), Judd Nelson (“The Breakfast Club”), Robert Stack (“The Untouchables”) and Lionel Stander (“Hart to Hart”).

6–7:30 p.m. ET: “Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Predacons Rising”

A resurrected Unicron has taken over the now empty body of Megatron to seek vengeance on the Autobots and, ultimately, the destruction of Cybertron. Meanwhile, this formidable enemy forces an unlikely alliance between the Autobots, Decepticons, Predaking and two new Predacons – a dragon-like new faction of TRANSFORMERS characters – who come together in an epic battle to help protect their newly restored planet. The movie stars the cast of “Transformers Prime,” including Will Friedle (“Boy Meets World”), Peter Cullen (“Transformers Prime”), Steve Blum (“Transformers Prime”), John Noble (“Fringe”), Peter Mensah (“300”), Frank Welker (“Scooby-Doo”) and Kevin Michael Richardson (“The Cleveland Show”).

About the Hub Network

The Hub Network is a multi-platform joint venture between Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) and Hasbro Inc., (NASDAQ: HAS) that champions family fun by providing relatable, funny, family friendly entertainment experiences that children and their parents can enjoy together. The cable and satellite television network features original programming as well as content from Hasbro’s rich portfolio of entertainment and educational properties built during the past 90 years and from leading third-party producers worldwide. The Hub Network’s lineup includes animated and live-action series, as well as specials, game shows, and family-favorite movies. The network extends its content through a robust and engaging online presence at HubNetwork.com. The Hub Network rebranded from Discovery Kids on October 10, 2010, and is available in nearly 71 million U.S. households. The Hub Network logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.

To find the channel in your area, please visit HubNetwork.com and check the channel locator at the top of the page.

Visit the Hub Network on Social Media:

Facebook at Facebook.com/HubTVNetwork

Twitter @HubTVNetwork

OUYA Debuts on Mad Catz M.O.J.O. Micro-Console for Android

2014/07/01

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Tech News

San Diego, Calif. & Santa Monica, Calif. – July 1, 2014 – Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (NYSE MKT: MCZ) and OUYA announced today that the OUYA storefront and hundreds of games are now available on the Mad CatzM.O.J.O. Micro-Console for Android. M.O.J.O. owners can now access OUYA’s impressive library, from quirky independent titles like Duck Game and Amazing Frog to established games such as Final Fantasy III and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Announced in March as the first device to feature OUYA, which aims to bring OUYA content to a wide variety of TV-based devices, M.O.J.O. is a $199 Android-based Micro-Console and media player, featuring high-performance hardware and an open software platform that supports a wide variety of gaming and media content. Part of Mad Catz’ GameSmart™ eco-system of mobile products, M.O.J.O. is compatible with a wide variety of accessories, providing a near endless array of entertainment and productivity uses.

“With OUYA Everywhere, our goal is to get OUYA’s games, from some of the newest and best development teams in the space, into the hands of as many gamers as possible, regardless if they use an OUYA or another television based device,” said Julie Uhrman, CEO and founder of OUYA. “Fans of the M.O.J.O. can now access hundreds of OUYA games, which not only extends our platform, but helps developers continue to grow their audience and community.”

“Opening up OUYA’s great software library to M.O.J.O. customers represents a significant step forward in the evolution of open-platform gaming.” said Darren Richardson, President and CEO of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. “Mobile-developed games are fast starting to match the complexity and fidelity of traditional consoles and M.O.J.O. is a powerful platform with which to realise their full potential.”

For additional information and to order your own M.O.J.O. Micro-Console, please visit: www.madcatz.com/mojo/.

For more information on OUYA, please visit: www.ouya.tv.

Silent Hill Downpour: Anne’s Story Comic Announced

2014/07/01

Jerry Paxton

Comics News, Geek News, News

San Diego, CA (July 01, 2014) – The nightmare-inducing series based on the hit video game series Silent Hill by Konami Digital Entertainment (“Konami”) returns to IDW this summer with a brand new chapter, Silent Hill Downpour: Anne’s Story. Featuring the dark origins of Downpour’s enigmatic antagonist, this new comic book series will delve deeper into the history of prison guard Anne Marie Cunningham… as well as further explore the fog-shrouded haunted town that is caught between realities.

Introduced in Silent Hill Downpour, officer Anne Cunningham set out on a bloody quest for revenge. The mystery surrounding her journey to Silent Hill, and the terrors she faced upon her arrival will finally be revealed, giving readers an entirely new perspective on the acclaimed video game.

Having written both previous Silent Hill series at IDW,Sinner’s Reward and Past Life, as well as co-written the video game, Silent Hill Downpour, Tom Waltz returns to the foggy town that bleeds horror.

“This will be my fourth foray as a writer into the dark side streets and alleyways of everyone’s favorite haunted vacation town and I couldn’t be more excited,” said Waltz. “More so because we finally get to share Anne Marie Cunningham’s canonical backstory, a mystery only hinted at until now. In our new story we can finally present all her grim and dirty secrets to Silent Hill fans, old and new alike.”

Diving head first into Silent Hill is Australian artist Tristan Jones (Ghostbusters, Hoax Hunters), who is handling covers and interior art.

Debuting this August, Silent Hill Downpour: Anne’s Story opens up a whole new experience for fans and players, and stands tall as an horrifying tale all it’s own! Catch up on the previous Silent Hill series’ anytime on read.idwpublishing.com

QuakeCon 2014 Tournament and Trials Line Up

2014/07/01

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, QuakeCon

id Software and Bethesda Softworks have announced the lineup for the 2014 QuakeCon tournament and trials. QuakeCon 2014 runs from July17 through July 20 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas.

THE QUAKECON 2014 TOURNAMENT LINEUP:

Intel QUAKE LIVE Duel Masters Invitational Championship

The Intel QUAKE LIVE Duel Masters Invitational Championship will feature known professionals and top QUAKE LIVE competitors in an exclusive tournament. Up to thirty-two (32) of the world’s best QUAKE LIVE players, hand selected by tournament staff from the open online registration, will face-off in the 1 vs. 1 duel for $20,000 in a single elimination bracket, with each match played in a best-of-five-games format. With two competitors remaining, thousands will gather to watch as these two best-of-the-best survivors go head-to-head in a single elimination, best-of-five-games throw-down with a $9,000 check written to the champion.

Seasonic QUAKE LIVE Duel Open

Available for up to 64 amateur players, the Seasonic QUAKE LIVE Duel Open will offer up-and-coming competitors a test of the excitement and pressure of professional gaming. Battling for a share of $2,000, including $1,000 for the champion, players will compete in a single elimination bracket, with each match played in a best-of-three games format.

PCPartPicker QUAKE LIVE Capture the Flag Open

The PCPartPicker QUAKE LIVE Capture the Flag Open will feature 4 vs. 4 competitions for up to sixteen (16) teams battling it out in a double elimination bracket and best-of-three games format. Players who come out on top will share prizes of $20,000, including $8,000 for the team of champions. The top two teams will then face off in a climatic showmatch to claim an additional $2,000.

Registration for the Seasonic Quake Live Duel Open and PCPartPicker Quake Live CTF Open is first come, first served from on-site sign-ups. Interested parties please visit our tournament area on-site at QuakeCon in the Wedgwood Foyer from10:00am to 1:00pm CDT on Thursday July 17th for participation availability.

For official rules, requirements, prize money distribution, pool of arenas and additional information, please go to www.quakecon.org/tournament.

Plantronics Gaming, a global leader in audio communications, will be loaning gaming headsets to those participanting in the official QuakeCon tournaments.

QUAKECON 2014 TRIALS II: THE REVENGE:

For the second straight year, QuakeCon 2014 will host the fan-favorite QuakeCon Trials, a series of daily trials testing the skills of players in games from both Bethesda and id Software – including a chance to go hands on with Shinji Mikami’s upcoming survival horror game, The Evil Within.

During QuakeCon Exhibit Hall hours, participants will compete in six separate trials for a share of prizes, including Bethesda Store gift cards, Quick Draw entries to win cash prizes, additional prizes from our exhibitors and sponsors, and a grand prize of $1,000. Visit the Bethesda Blog for more information on this year’s events.

QuakeCon Exhibit Hall Hours are:

Thursday, July 17, 2014 10am – 6pm

Friday, July 18, 2014 10am – 6pm

Saturday, July 19, 2014 10am – 6pm

Escape Dead Island Officially Revealed

2014/07/01

Jerry Paxton

News, PlayStation 3 News, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News

Larkspur, Calif. July 1, 2014 Explore the quarantined island of Narapela and get to the bottom of the sinister zombie virus plaguing humanity this fall as publisher Deep Silver revealed Escape Dead Island today – the brand new survival mystery game taking place in the Dead Island universe, coming this fall to the PlayStation®3, Microsoft Xbox 360 and PC for $39.99. In this single-player experience, fans will take on the role of ambitious Cliff Calo, son of a wealthy media empire mogul with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, as he traverses across the globe to Banoi after hearing about the gruesome events that took place in the original global best-seller, Dead Island. Can Cliff uncover the clandestine origins of the virus and get out before its too late?

With an exceptionally striking comic-vignette art style, Escape Dead Island emphasizes a story driven plot which pits players against their own psyche as they try to escape the island and the cryptic, looping horrors that lurk there. Penned by Emmy® award-winning author Anne Toole, Escape Dead Island catapults Dead Island fans onto a lush tropical island infested with brutal zombies where only cunning stealth can help players retain their sanity.

Fans who purchase Escape Dead Island via GameStop will have exclusive, guaranteed access to the Dead Island 2 beta event next year. GameStop Rewards members will be automatically entered into the July Epic Reward promotion. One winner will be selected and flown to Berlin, Germany, to get digitally scanned and placed as an in-game zombie character in the upcoming Dead Island 2 developed by Yager. Dead Island 2 is currently under development and scheduled for release in 2015.

Building on the success of the Dead Island franchise, gaming and zombie fans are in for a treat with the launch of the new Escape Dead Island title, said Darron Nielsen, senior merchant for GameStop. To celebrate the launch of the game, we have partnered with Deep Silver to offer a GameStop pre-order beta exclusive that will allow customers to get a glimpse of what Dead Island 2 will bring to next generation gaming platforms.

To learn more about Escape Dead Island, please visit www.gamestop.com/escapedeadisland.

To find your nearest GameStop retailer, please visit www.gamestop.com.

For more about the Dead Island universe find everything you need at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/deadislandgame
Youtube: www.youtube.com/deadislandgame
Twitter: www.twitter.com/deadislandgame

OtherSide Entertainment Forms, Announces Underworld Ascension

2014/07/01

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Industry News, News, Windows PC News

July 1st, 2014 – Boston, USA – OtherSide Entertainment, a new independent games studio, today announced its formation. Fronted by game pioneer Paul Neurath, OtherSide Entertainment revealed that its first title, Underworld Ascension™, will mark the return of the groundbreaking and long fallow Underworld franchise.

Paul Neurath, Founder and CEO of OtherSide Entertainment, is renowned for his creative direction spanning three decades, notably leading the development of such classic franchises as Thief™, System Shock™ and the acclaimed Ultima™ Underworld.

Underworld Ascension marks both the series and Paul Neurath’s return to his RPG roots, with OtherSide Entertainment aiming to innovate and revitalize the fantasy genre in the same way that its predecessor did in 1992. “With Underworld Ascension,” said Neurath, “we are excited to be bringing back the Underworld franchise, making it more vital than ever before.”

The original Underworlds transformed the traditional dungeon crawl into a truly immersive experience. Players felt as if they were actually walking through the great underworld halls; and encountering a living community of underworld dwellers.

Ultima Underworld inspired a generation, and its influence is still seen today in titles as diverse as Deus Ex™, The Elder Scrolls™, and BioShock™.

OtherSide Entertainment will reveal more details on Underworld Ascension in the months to come. To keep updated, visit our website at www.othersideentertainment.com.

facebook.com/OtherSideEntertainment

@OtherSide_games

Games Industry Testimonials for Underworld:

Richard Garriott, Creative Director, Portalarium: “For those of us lifelong gamers that go back to the early days the Underworld franchise, created by Paul Neurath, represents a watershed event on what an immersive 3D true role-playing game can be like. In these days, where we are seeing many of these greats return, I personally am as excited about Underworld as any game I can imagine.“

Ken Levine, Creative Director, Irrational Games: “Underworld had a transformative effect on my understanding of what games were. It was the first time I ever felt “inside” of an imaginary world. It was the game that primed all of my creative ambitions.”

Chris Roberts, Chairman, Roberts Space Industries: “Ultima Underworld was truly revolutionary for its time – it was the first fully 3D textured first person game. As such it influenced pretty much all first person 3D games that came afterwards and could be truly called the granddaddy of first person Role Paying Games.“

Warren Spector, Director, Denius-Sams Gaming Academy: “As Producer on the original Ultima Underworld games, I’ll never forget the first time I saw a working prototype of the game – I felt as if the world had just changed. As the first fully-textured, real-time, first-person game, Underworld paved the way for every other first-person game that followed. If that doesn’t qualify as ‘changing the world’, I don’t know what does!”

About OtherSide Entertainment

OtherSide is a Boston-area game studio focused on bringing to core gamers reboots of classic game franchises. For its first title, the company has secured the rights to do new versions of the beloved Underworld games, which sold over 1M copies and is considered a landmark fantasy franchise of the 1990’s.

John Cena is WWE 2K15 Cover Star

2014/07/01

Jerry Paxton

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

New York, NY – July 1, 2014 – 2K today announced WWE Superstar John Cena® as the cover Superstar for WWE® 2K15, the forthcoming release in the flagship WWE franchise. Cena’s image reflects his commitment, strength and leadership both in and out of the WWE ring. The image will usher in the next-generation debut of WWE video games with WWE 2K15, which is currently in development for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system and Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, as well as the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems. WWE 2K15 is scheduled for release on October 28, 2014 in North America and October 31, 2014 internationally.

“It is truly an honor and privilege to serve as the WWE 2K15 cover Superstar,” said Cena. “2K has a tremendous history of sports simulation games and cover athletes, including Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and of course, Dwayne ‘The Rock®’ Johnson. I look forward to carrying the flag for WWE 2K15 and introducing the incredible next-generation of WWE gaming to the WWE Universe.”

Cena has established himself as one of the most prolific WWE Superstars of all time. A pop-culture fixture, Cena is frequently recognized for his film, television and music endeavors, as well as for granting more than 400 wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses through the Make-a-Wish Foundation, more than any other celebrity. In addition, Cena is one of the world’s most popular athletes across social media with more than six million Twitter followers, as well as 27 million likes on Facebook, making him the most-followed active U.S. athlete on Facebook.

“With his outstanding record of accomplishments in WWE and beyond, the iconic John Cena is the perfect WWE Superstar to represent the WWE 2K franchise as we launch the first-ever WWE video game on next-generation consoles,” said Chris Snyder, Vice President of Marketing at 2K. “Along with monumental gameplay, graphical and presentation improvements, we are confident that Cena will driveWWE 2K15 to cement its spot in history as the greatest WWE video game released to date.”

Developed collaboratively by Yukes and Visual Concepts, a 2K studio, WWE 2K15 is not yet rated by the ESRB. WWE 2K15 is currently scheduled for release on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4™ and PS3™ onOctober 28, 2014 in North America and October 31, 2014 internationally.

For more information on WWE 2K15 and 2K, visit wwe.2k.com, become a fan on Facebook, follow the game on Twitter or subscribe on YouTube.

The Haunted Hotel Open for San Diego Comic-Con

2014/06/30

Jerry Paxton

Comics News, Halloween, News, SDCC

San Diego’s The Haunted Hotel haunted attraction has announced it will be open on July 25 and July 26 for a special, Comic-Con run. In addition to The Haunted Hotel, you will also be able to shop at the Zombie Apocalypse Store on your way out – if you survive that is. You can check out more information over at their official website. Stay scared!

Woolfe: The Redhood Diaries Gets New Trailer

2014/06/30

Jerry Paxton

News, PlayStation 4 News, Screenshots / Photos, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

June 30, 2014, Antwerp, Belgium – GRIN today revealed that Woolfe: The Redhood Diaries, its non-sugarcoated fairy tale platformer, will be showcased at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany from 13-17 August 2014.

GRIN will have a special playable build of Woolfe: The Redhood Diaries in the consumer area.

Woolfe: The Redhood Diaries is a unique interpretation of the French fairy tale, depicting a fearless Little Red Riding Hood as she embarks on a vendetta across a rich fantasy setting – including dangerous smoke-spewing factories, charming medieval villages and woodland landscapes twisted by evil forces.

Trailer:

To celebrate the first public playtest of the early build of Woolfe: The Redhood Diaries, GRIN will be running a special ‘high score challenge’, with the top scorers having a chance of winning limited edition Woolfe Gamescom prizes. Cosplayers are also encouraged to turn up as Red Riding Hood and have their picture taken at the GRIN photo booth, with the best being shared through the Woolfe: The Redhood Diaries community channels.

GRIN founder and CEO Wim Wouters said:
“We’re excited that Gamescom will be the first time that the public will be able to play Woolfe: The Redhood Diaries. Whilst the single level demo is still very much pre-beta it should give Gamescom attendees a taste of what awaits them when Woolfe is released next year – we can’t wait to hear what the public thinks of our dark fairy tale!”

Woolfe: The Redhood Diaries is part of Microsoft’s ID@Xbox publishing program, was nominated for a Selected Projects award during Game Connection America 2014, and was fast-tracked through Steam Greenlight. Woolfe: The Redhood Diaries is scheduled for release on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC during Q1 2015.

Screenshots