Author - Jerry Paxton

Darkout Gets Launch Trailer

2013/11/27

News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Leamington Spa, United Kingdom – 27 November, 2013 – Independent micro studio Allgraf today announced that its sandbox science-fiction action-release Darkout will launch on PC digital download channel Steam on December 4th. Set on a remote, undiscovered planet, Darkout features a sandbox environment, where players progress through randomly generated 2D levels as they research, build, and defend themselves against alien beings that roam the darkness. Darkout will be available on Steam from December 4th for $14 .99, £9.99, €11.99.

“Commencing with a stunning new intro, and offering a new cast of enemies with a deeper storyline, we are excited to announce the release of the first Darkout stage on Steam”, said Adrian Banninga, CEO of Allgraf, “We know players will savour this heart pounding survival experience and look forward to expanding the universe in future iterations.”

Darkout Stage 1 launches with a revitalised focus and polish that moves the genre to a new level. A new and intuitive storyline, including the introducing of a new male character, complete with voice overs creates an immersive play experience. The launch of a new item database, allows players to control every aspect of their game experience to ensure the best chance of survival, by improving performance with crafting, storage and containers. Stage 1 also includes the introduction of revamped AI and new lighting enhances mining and exploration on the surface and in the city.

As the sole survivor of an escape pod crash, Darkout presents the ultimate challenge – to survive a brutal life threatening post apocalyptic environment, deserted by mankind after disaster struck. The game’s sandbox technology presents randomly generated levels with austere settings where the fight to stay alive is just one objective. Players must research, build and defend themselves against alien, light-sensitive beings that become more hostile as night falls. Periods of twilight allow players limited security to explore, rebuild, craft weapons and gather resources, whilst developing personalised strategies to survive in a hostile terrain. Finding and interacting with items whilst assimilating intuitively presented stats screens must be strategically balanced for your ongoing welfare. Every decision has a consequence so you must keep one step ahead.

Multiplayer is currently in development to offer players more dimensions of gameplay and a competitive twist. Future stages in development will present an enigmatic and evolving storyline together with Underwater Biome, Sky Base, Feral Jungle, Penguin Drones, more Bosses, Unique Treasures, and much more as the Darkout universe expands to a captivating finale.

For information on Darkout please visit the official site: www.darkoutgame.com/

Follow Darkout on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DarkoutGame

Trailer

Mionix Launches AVIOR 7000 Gaming Mouse

2013/11/27

Jerry Paxton

News, Peripherals News

Vaxjo, Sweden — November 27th, 2013 — Mionix, the Swedish manufacturer of professional high-end gaming accessories, today unveiled the new AVIOR 7000 high-performance ambidextrous gaming mouse.

“We have yet again developed another great product that gamers have been waiting for. We have taken one of our best mice shapes and combined it with the best technology available. We filled it with features and optimized it to set a new industry standard for precision and accuracy,” says Peter Nygren, CEO at Mionix.

The AVIOR 7000 is a premium 9-button ambidextrous mouse. The unique ergonomic shape has been developed to be used by either right or left-handed gamers, and to support a palm or claw grip.

The ADNS-3310 gaming grade optical sensor delivers no positive or negative hardware acceleration, amazing accuracy, smooth tracking, and a maximum speed of ≥5.45m/sec (≥215 IPS) all the way up to 7000 DPI.

With the new lift off distance (LOD) Calibration feature, Mionix has combined the Surface Quality Analyzer Tool (S.Q.A.T™) with adjustment of the lift off height to find the lowest possible LOD with optimized tracking.

The lightning fast 32-bit ARM™ processor enables the mouse to have many features without compromising the tracking of the sensor. The downloadable software provides access to fully customize all buttons, sensor settings, LED colors, macros, and profiles.

Features

Ambidextrous design: An ambidextrous ergonomic shape has been developed to be used by either right or left-handed gamers and to support a palm or claw grip

Gaming grade optical sensor: The ADNS-3310 gaming grade optical sensor delivers no positive or negative hardware acceleration, amazing accuracy, smooth tracking, and a maximum speed of more than 5.45m/sec (215 IPS) all the way up to 7000 DPI

Lightning fast processor: Running at 32Mhz, the lightning fast ARM™ processor enables the mouse to have many features without compromising the tracking of the sensor

Mechanical micro-switches: Engineered with Omron™ mechanical micro-switches for a responsive feel and precision quality with a 20 million click lifespan

9 fully programmable buttons: Can be assigned to any key, mouse command, or macro. Buttons easily allow switching between stored profile and DPI steps in-game

Customizable LED lighting system: With up to 16.8 million color options, the 2 lighting zones can be adjusted to display a desired color, as well as Solid, Blinking, Pulsating, or Breathing lighting effects

Maximum grip: The surface of the mouse is treated with 4 layers of soft rubber coating, ensuring a maximum grip and soft touch feel

S.Q.A.T™ – Surface Quality Analyzer Tool: Equipped with Mionix’s trademark Surface Quality Analyzer Tool, the AVIOR 7000 measures the data loss between the sensor and the gaming surface, allowing gamers to determine which surface is best for their personalized setups

Availability & Pricing

Mionix™ AVIOR 7000 is available worldwide to pre-order today and is set to deliver in December 2013.

Suggested retail price: $79.99 / €79.99 / £69.99 / 699 SEK

World of Tanks Named an Official WCG 2013 Discipline

2013/11/27

Jerry Paxton

News, Windows PC News

November 27, 2013 — Wargaming, the award-winning videogame developer and publisher, today announced that World of Tanks has been selected as an official discipline at the World Cyber Games 2013, taking place November 28^ththrough December 1^st in Kunshan, China.

“Watching World of Tanks take the world of eSports by storm has been truly amazing,” said Global eSports Director at Wargaming Jonghyuk Baak. “Being selected as an official discipline of this year’s World Cyber Games is truly a testament not only to the popularity of World of Tanks around the world, but also to a clear sign of its continued success in competitive gaming.”

The best tankers in the world will converge on the international championship to compete for a prize pool that includes $35,000, $21,000 and $7,000 for the top three finishing teams, respectively. In total, 16 national teams will compete in the Grand Finals, with all of the intense team-based action being live streamed online.

Screenshots

Razer Unveils Evil Geniuses Peripherals

2013/11/26

Jerry Paxton

News, Peripherals News

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Razer, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, software and systems, along with Evil Geniuses, one of the world’s premier eSports organizations, today announced a plan to develop a line of custom-branded peripherals for Evil Geniuses.

The limited edition Evil Geniuses eSports line by Razer includes a Razer Taipan gaming mouse, Razer Goliathus gaming mouse mat and a Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth Edition mechanical gaming keyboard. Each of these peripherals is designed with tournament-ready hardware, including a high-precision 8200 dpi laser sensor in the mouse, a glide-attuned surface for slick movement on the mouse mat and fast-actuating mechanical switches in the keyboard.

During the design process, Evil Geniuses contributed extensively to the visual detailing of these exclusive peripherals, which embraces the team’s blue and silver color scheme across all three products. The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth Edition keyboard and Razer Taipan mouse also feature unique white backlighting.

“This new line of peripherals is a real testament to the team’s dominance on the circuit and recognition of Evil Geniuses as a worldwide eSports organization,”says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director. “These products are great banners for both the players and fans to rally behind. There couldn’t be a better time to be a fan of Evil Geniuses, given their versatility, performance and all-star lineup.”

U.S.-based Evil Geniuses is widely considered the home of some of the world’s most distinguished and reputable cyber-athletes. The team has already racked-up 16 podium placements in 2013 at events such as the StarCraft II™ World Championship Series, DreamHack, Intel Extreme Masters and The Premier League.

“We wanted to create a full line of gaming peripherals for many years now,” says Alex Garfield, Evil Geniuses CEO. “Razer’s enthusiasm for a custom line of Evil Geniuses products was a major factor in our decision to partner with them in the first place. It shows that there was an internal commitment at Razer to help us grow as a business.”

The limited edition Evil Geniuses Razer Goliathus and Razer Taipan are now available for pre-order on Razerzone.com and evilgeniuses.gg, while the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth Edition will be available in December.

Double Fine Gets Back Rights to Costume Quest and Stacking

2013/11/26

Jerry Paxton

News, Windows PC News

San Francisco, CA and Vienna, Austria (November 26th 2013) – Double Fine Productions and Nordic Games have announced that Double Fine has reacquired all the publishing and distribution rights to its games Costume Quest and Stacking. Additionally, Double Fine has decided to partner with Nordic Games to bring retail release of Psychonauts, Costume Quest, and Stacking for Windows and Mac in North America and Europe during the first half of 2014.

“I am pleased that we have regained full control over Costume Quest and Stacking, following a daring and top-secret midnight raid on the Nordic Games headquarters in Vienna,” said Double Fine president and CEO Tim Schafer.

“We can’t wait to partner with Double Fine for this upcoming retail launch of three of its most excellent games,” said Lars Wingefors, owner and CEO of Nordic Games. “However, I feel compelled to point out that we were happy to transfer distribution rights for Costume Quest and Stacking back to Double Fine in an entirely non-secretive and heist-free manner.”

Nordic Games previously acquired the distribution rights to Stacking and Costume Quest upon the bankruptcy of former publisher THQ in early 2013.

“Double Fine is dedicated to controlling its own IP, and we will continue working to bring all associated rights back in-house whenever possible,” said Double Fine business development VP Justin Bailey, “no matter how many split-second security system hacks or painstaking tunneling operations we have to execute.”

“I just want to clarify, again, that we support the right of independent developers to control their own distribution, and we were pleased to have the opportunity to work with Double Fine,” said Klemens Kreuzer, Managing Director at Nordic Games. “No heists.”

Psychonauts was originally released at retail in 2005, but for years has been available only through digital distribution. The upcoming retail launch will mark the first time Costume Quest and Stacking have been available as physical releases.

Latest Just Dance 2014 Tracks Available for Download

2013/11/26

Jerry Paxton

News, Nintendo Wii News, Nintendo Wii U News, PlayStation 3 News, PlayStation 4 News, Xbox 360 News, Xbox One News

SAN FRANCISCO — November 26, 2013 — Today, Ubisoft announced the latest batch of DLC tracks for Just Dance 2014, the newest installment of the No. 1–selling dance game franchise.* Just Dance 2014 is currently available on every motion control platform, both current and next-gen. The DLC tracks are all available to download starting today, November 26 and include:

• “What About Love” by Austin Mahone
• “One Way or Another” by One Direction
• “Sexy and I Know It” by LMFAO
• “American Girl” by Bonnie McKee
• “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke Ft. Pharrell Williams (alternate choreography version)

The DLCs are available for $2.99 and the alternate choreography DLC is available for $1.99. Just Dance 2014 also features more than 45 tracks, including “Applause” by Lady Gaga, “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke ft. T.I. and Pharrell, “Kiss You” by One Direction, “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams and “Starships” by Nicki Minaj. “Roar” by Katy Perry is also available as a free DLC at launch.

Space Hulk iOS Release Date

2013/11/26

Jerry Paxton

Mobile News, News

Copenhagen, Denmark – November 26th, 2013 — Danish development studio Full Control today revealed that the first Warhammer 40,000 based title will be available on iPad on December 5th. Space Hulk, the 3D digital adaption of the best-selling board game will launch on the App Store for iPad this December priced at $9.99. Featuring cross-platform play between iPad, PC and Mac, the iPad release follows the successful PC and Mac launch earlier in summer 2013.

“We are excited to unleash Space Hulk, to a new generation of tablet players”, said Thomas Hentschel Lund, CEO of Full Control. “With single player turn based action, intense cross platform multiplayer battles, Space Hulk is destined to become a cult classic”.

Space Hulk is a 3D digital turn based strategy game that recreates the classic claustrophobic board game experience for single player and multiplayer. Set in the isolated corridors and tomb-like chambers of an ancient vessel lost in the graveyard of space, players lead a small army of fearless Space Marine Terminators to battle in a ferocious fight for survival against hordes of predatory alien Genestealers. Based on the “Sin of Damnation” campaign from the 3rd edition board game, Space Hulk includes a robust 12-mission single-player campaign.

Developed by Full Control, Space Hulk will be available on the App Store for iOS on December 5th, 2013. For more information about Space Hulk, please visit: http://www.spacehulk-game.com/

Planetside 2 Composer Receives Hollywood Media Award

2013/11/26

Jerry Paxton

News, Windows PC News

Los Angeles, CA (Nov. 26, 2013) – Rising star multimedia composer Jeff Broadbent has been awarded the 2013 Hollywood Music In Media Award for ‘Best Original Video Game Score‘ for his original music to the ground breaking Massively Multiplayer Online First-Person Shooter, PlanetSide®2(Sony Online Entertainment).

The Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA) recognize and honor the music of visual media including film, television and video games, as well as the music of artists from around the globe. The awards ceremony was held on November 21 at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood.

“I was honored to receive the Best Video Game Score award at the 2013 Hollywood Music In Media Awards for PlanetSide 2,” said Jeff Broadbent. “Working with Sony Online Entertainment was a fantastic experience and I feel very privileged to have composed music for this landmark online video game. My sincere gratitude goes out to Sony Online Entertainment and the Hollywood Music In Media Awards.”

Jeff Broadbent is a Hollywood Music in Media Award and Global Music Award winning composer whose passion for music and sound has found expression with video games such as PlanetSide 2, LEGO Legends of CHIMA Online, TRANSFORMERS: Dark of the Moon, and I Am Alive. Broadbent’s classical training with the orchestra (Master’s in Composition) and film scoring (UCLA program) combined with technical expertise and cutting-edge technology allow him to compose with cinematic quality for a variety of diverse genres. In addition to scoring video games, Broadbent’s music features on primetime television networks such as CBS, MSNBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic and VH1. His latest projects include the hybrid trailer music album, “Enemy Below” released on Position Music (with music appearing in an upcoming Jack Ryan film trailer) as well as scores for the upcoming video games, Tom Clancy’s EndWar Online and EA’s Dawngate. For more information, visit www.jeffbroadbent.com.

Hailed by PC Gamer magazine as “The most ambitious shooter ever”,PlanetSide 2 is a free-to-play game where players battle in massive environments alongside and against thousands of players engaging in intense air and ground combat that spans the alien planet of Auraxis. InPlanetSide 2, players choose to enlist in one of three unique Empires, each having their own distinct sonic approach. The imperialistic Terran Republic features authoritarian orchestra and choir, recorded by the Northwest Sinfonia. The rebellious New Conglomerate is represented by a unique fusion of blues, rock, and modern percussion. The alien-aligned Vanu Sovereignty showcases an eclectic blend of cutting-edge electronics, ethnic wind instruments, and haunting exotic vocals.

PlanetSide 2 takes all the groundbreaking features from the original game – massive multiplayer battles, distinct empires to rally around, and enormous continents where intense ground and air combat unfold – and adds features that modern gamers have come to expect of the FPS and MMO genres.PlanetSide 2 offers a truly competitive and visceral first-person shooter experience with massive warfare, massive customization and massive community. PlanetSide 2 ESRB Rating: TEEN with Violence. PlanetSide® is a registered trademark of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. For more information visit www.PlanetSide2.com.

Japan Unveiled in World of Tanks Update 8.10

2013/11/26

Jerry Paxton

News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News

November 26, 2013 — Wargaming, the leading free-to-play MMO developer and publisher, today announced the first details for Update 8.10 for its massively popular free-to-play MMO action World of Tanks. The upcoming update will add two branches of Japanese tanks into the game.

“Our goal with World of Tanks has always been to maintain the gameplay depth through regular updates,” said Mike Zhivets, producer on World of Tanks. “8.10 will bring a massive addition of new tanks, and we can’t wait for both our current and new players to get their hands on them.”

The new national tech tree will launch with 14 armored machines, including 4 light tanks, topped with the Type 5 Ke-Ho, and 9 medium machines, headed by the top-tier STB-1, along with the Type 3 Chi-Nu Kai premium medium tank.

Fans of visual enhancements can look forward to a major overhaul in the game’s lighting system. Built to offer a more immersive experience, the revamped lighting and shadow system will also add a greater degree of realism to the game.

Screenshots

Armorz Announces iPad Mini Retina Protector

2013/11/25

Jerry Paxton

Mobile News, News

Brea, Calif- November 25, 2013- Armorz, a leading manufacturer of mobile technology accessories, unveils the Stealth Extreme R for the Apple iPad Air and iPad Mini Retina, the world’s first Corning Gorilla 0.4 glass tempered screen protector that is available now. Comprised of revolutionary Corning Gorilla glass, the new Stealth Extreme R is only 0.4mm thick and boasts unbeatable, shatterproof protection, as well as tapered edges for an appealing look and extreme durability.

Armorz’s world-class engineers carefully designed the Stealth Extreme R with 9H hardness-rated processed glass to absorb shock and safeguard your device from heavy-duty scratches and abrasions. Additionally, Armorz has developed a product that does not ignore aesthetics for protection. The Stealth’s tapered (rounded) edges provide a sleek, enhanced profile on your tablet, while still reinforcing critical points of impact and bolstering durability.

While the entire surface of the Stealth Extreme R is transparent, the underside is covered with strong silicon adhesive for easy installation without bubbling or lifting. In addition, this oleophobic coating prevents fingerprints and smudges, making it very easy to clean and maintain.

“As the mobile accessories industry continues to evolve, quality screen protection is a key component when consumers utilize their crucial mobile devices,” says Morgan Clancy, Chief Marketing Officer of Armorz. “Our innovative Stealth Extreme R made of revolutionary Corning Gorilla glass offers users superior screen protection without sacrificing its exciting style features.”

Availability

The Stealth Extreme R Tempered Glass Screen Protector retails for iPad Air- $89.95 and iPad Mini Retina-$69.95 and is available now at www.armorz.com and Amazon.com.