Author - Jerry Paxton

DDO Menace of the Underdark Release Date

2012/02/28
Jerry Paxton
News

NEEDHAM, MA – February 27, 2012– Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast announced today Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Menace of the Underdark™, the first expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) will launch on June 25, 2012.  Players across North America and Europe can pre-purchase Menace of the Underdark to receive exclusive benefits starting today at http://www.ddo.com/underdark.

“The journey to the Forgotten Realms begins today,” said Fernando Paiz, Executive Producer of Dungeons & Dragons Online, Turbine.  “Today we introduced the Web of Chaos content update that serves as the prologue to our first foray into the Underdark which makes it a perfect time to introduce our pre-purchase program which offers very cool items that players will be able to use immediately as they prepare for the launch of Menace of the Underdark on June 25th.”

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE: MENACE OF THE UNDERDARK FEATURES:

Ø  Three New Forgotten Realms Adventure Packs — Featuring a multitude of epic adventures, unprecedented new wilderness areas with challenging objectives, a host of dungeons, and more!

o    The King’s Forest:  Explore deep into the King’s Forest and defend the village of Eveningstar from Lolth’s Drow legions.

o    The Underdark:  Venture down into the Underdark and confront Lolth’s elite followers in the Drow city of Sschindlyryn.

o    The Demonweb:  Journey to Lolth’s home plane, battle demon hordes and confront the spider goddess herself as you attempt to stop her scheme.

Ø  Attain Epic levels to 25!   — Deadly battles and high-speed action continue as your advance your character to the Epic level 25!

Ø  Introducing Epic Destinies — Attain epic enhancements as you progress through levels 20-25!

Bonus Features-Free to VIPs or with purchase of Collector’s or Standard Pre-Purchase Editions

Ø  The Druid Class:  Wield nature’s magic or transform into a powerful animal form as you play the all new shape-shifting Druid class!

Ø  Eveningstar Challenge Pack:  New challenge quests for levels 15-25!

Starting today, players can take can take advantage of three special pre-purchase offers to celebrate the release of the first major expansion to DDO:

Ø  Menace of the Underdark Base Edition – $29.99/£22.99/24,99€

Includes access to Adventure Packs and Epic Destinies, plus:

–         Lesser Tome of Learning (1 free tome per DDO game world)- Permanently increases experience earned by a character up to level 20.  Provides +25% bonus to experience for first-time quest completions and +10% boost to other earned experience points. Stacks with other experience boosts and persists through all forms of reincarnation.

–         Pre-Purchase Bonus Item: 

·         Demonweb Spiderling Creature Companion – A tame little spider from Lolth’s domain. Includes 3 tricks and a collar. Exclusively available with pre-purchase of Menace of the Underdark!

Ø  Menace of the Underdark Standard Edition – $49.99/£39.99/44,99€

Includes access to Adventures Packs, Epic Destinies, the Druid class and Eveningstar Challenge Pack plus:

–         Greater Tome of Learning (1 free tome per DDO game world):  Permanently increases experience earned by a character up to level 20.  Provides +50% bonus to experience for first-time quest completions and +20% boost to other earned experience points. Stacks with other experience boosts and persists through all forms of reincarnation.

–         1,000 Turbine Points

–         Veteran Status (lvl 4)

–         DDO Classics Adventure Pack bundle (Phiarlan Carnival, Attack on Stormreach, The Path of Inspiration, The Dreaming Dark)

–         Pre-Purchase Bonus Items!

o    Demonweb Spiderling Creature Companion

o    Druid’s Wolf Pup Creature Companion – A grey wolf pup as commonly seen accompanying young Druids. Includes 4 tricks and a collar. Exclusively available with pre-purchase of Menace of the Underdark.

o    Spider Cult mask cosmetic helmet- Change your helmet appearance to a mask like the one worn by Lolth’s followers in Eberron and receive a stat bonus to character skills and poison resistance!

Ø  Menace of the Underdark Collector’s Edition – $79.99/£59.99/69,99€

This limited time offer includes access to Adventures Packs, Epic Destinies, the Druid class and Eveningstar Challenge Pack plus the following items that players can begin using immediately:

–        Greater Tome of Learning  (1 free tome per DDO game world)

–        Lesser Tome of Learning for all characters (1 free tome per character – forever)

–        2,000 Turbine Points

–        Veteran Status (lvl 7)- Start a new character at level  7!

–        Veteran Status (lvl 4)-Start a new character at level 4!

–        DDO Classics Adventure Pack bundle

–        DDO Epic Classics Adventure Pack bundle (Vault of Night, The Red Fens, Sentinels Stormreach, Devil Assault)

–        Pre-Purchase Bonus Items!

o    Demonweb Spiderling Creature Companion

o    Druid’s Wolf Pup Creature Companion

o    Elite Spider Cult mask cosmetic helmet

o    Onyx Panther Cub Creature Companion – A rare dark panther cub from Faerun. Includes 4 tricks and a collar. Exclusively available with pre-purchase of Menace of the Underdark.

o    Figurine of Wondrous Power: Onyx Panther – Summon this Level 20 Black Panther Hireling to assist you in Dungeon and Wilderness Adventures!  (min level 18 to use)

Players will have access to all of the bonus items including the new companions, veteran status, cosmetic helmet and Figurine of Wondrous Power and Tomes of Learning immediately after purchase. Menace of the Underdark expansion itself will be available to play on June 25, 2012. These special offers will only be available for a limited time.  For more information, please visit www.ddo.com/underdark.

Dungeons & Dragons Online®(DDO) is a free-to-play MMORPG featuring the industry’s best combat system, a massive world with state-of-the-art graphics and gameplay, and a rich set of features that until now could only be found in premium subscription-based MMOs. DDO offers an innovative pricing model that allows players to download and play for free, purchasing adventure packs, items, and account services a la carte from the new DDO Store, or to subscribe to get unlimited access to all of the game’s content. Players can download and play DDO Unlimited for free by visiting http://www.ddo.com.

Act of Valor Review (Movies)

2012/02/26
Jerry Paxton
Film Review, Movie News, News, Reviews

Act of Valor, the new action flick in theaters which features active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs (apparently filmed in-between deployments), is both a salute to the men and women of the armed forces as well as an intense action movie. While its authenticity (you will NEVER see this much re-loading in any other action movie – seriously) is often times a blessing, it also acts as its biggest downfall as it utilizes soldiers, not actors, in the role as the SEALs themselves. Does this interesting mix of fact and fiction make the cut? Find out in our full review after the jump!

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BandFuse: Rock Legends Announced

2012/02/26
Jerry Paxton
News

Los Angeles and Campbell, CA – February 24, 2012 – BandFuse: Rock Legends (working title), the first authentic approach to a video game that combines the fun, challenge and exhilaration of playing the guitar, was announced today by Realta Entertainment’s CEO Stephen Gomes and Relativity’s CEO Ryan Kavanaugh. Letting gamers plug in a real guitar and casually strum along with their favorite songs or master the techniques of the world’s most iconic guitarists, BandFuse: Rock Legends gives players the chance to experience their favorite songs like never before. The game will be released in 2012 and is the first project from Realta Entertainment and Rogue, Relativity’s digital content and interactive studio.

BandFuse: Rock Legends will let gamers play along with the biggest rock songs of all time on a real guitar by using animated tablature (tabs), which will simplify music for novice musicians while allowing advanced gamers to perform songs as the original artists intended. Singers can also belt out the lyrics using a microphone to keep the party jumping with a massive collection of hit songs from today’s top bands and classic rock ‘n’ roll artists including: “Yellow” (Coldplay), “Back From Cali” (Slash), “Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd), “Breaking the Law” (Judas Priest), “Harder to Breathe” (Maroon 5), and “The Bleeding” (Five Finger Death Punch).

Slash, one of the most-iconic, Grammy®-winning rock guitarists and songwriters of all-time, will serve as BandFuse’s master guitar instructor; getting novices jamming in minutes and helping advanced players master their instrument. In addition, a number of the world’s most accomplished Rock Legends and new artists such as Five Finger Death Punch – the hard rock band with nine-straight top ten rock singles – will also be integrated into the game to mentor players, with numerous iconic rock idols still to be announced.

Rogue also announced they have a minority stake in Realta Entertainment. Kavanaugh has been an advisor to Realta and has had a long-standing relationship with Realta’s principals. Realta will collaborate with Rogue on all aspects of BandFuse: Rock Legends, including leveraging Rogue’s social media platforms and its leading music news website ARTISTdirect.com.

Kavanaugh said, “BandFuse truly offers something for everyone – whether you’re looking for a fun pick up and play experience in your living room, or you’re a serious musician looking to put your skills to the test.” He added, “As a gamer and musician, I was sold after watching a true novice pick up the guitar and strum ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ after just a few minutes playing BandFuse.”

“The music genre is due for a shake up,” said Gomes. “BandFuse: Rock Legends is poised to change the way people think about music gaming and the guitar – we’re working to make it fun and easy for novices to jump in and enjoy a great game while giving experienced players the tools to refine their skills and discover new music. This is not another rhythm game. This is the first true music game for creation, collaboration, and competition.”

To help get beginners playing right away and give serious players depth, BandFuse: Rock Legends’ uses animated tabs to keep perfect time and display notes, fingering and guitar techniques such as bends, hammer-ons and pull-offs. Players will also have the option to slow down the music to practice challenging parts of songs. The game will feature four levels of gameplay for novice, beginners, intermediate and advanced players.

In partnership with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC), BandFuse: Rock Legends will prominently feature the most recognized guitars and musical instrument brands in history. FMIC products such as the iconic Fender® Stratocaster® guitar, will be featured in-game and in marketing programs for the game.

BandFuse: Rock Legends is being published by Mastiff and has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information about BandFuse: Rock Legends, please visit the official game website at http://www.bandfuse.com.

Huey Lewis Coming to Rock Band

2012/02/26
Jerry Paxton
News

Harmonix has announced that three tracks from Huey Lewis and the News will be available on the Rock Band Music Store beginning on February 28th.

Available on Xbox 360, Wii™and PlayStation®3 system (February 28th, 2012):

  • Huey Lewis and the News – “Do You Believe in Love” O
  • Huey Lewis and the News– “The Heart of Rock & Roll” O
  • Huey Lewis and the News– “I Want a New Drug” X O

(These tracks will be available in Europe on PlayStation®3 system February 29th)

Tracks marked with “O” feature support for keyboards; tracks marked with “X” will offer Pro Guitar and Pro Bass expansions for $0.99 per song.

Price:                   
$5.49, £2.49 UK, €3.99 EU (440 Microsoft Points, 550 Wii Points™) for “Huey Lewis and the News Pack 01”
$1.99 USD, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points, 200 Wii Points™) per song
$0.99 USD (100 Wii Points™/80 Microsoft Points), £0.59 UK, €0.79 EU per song for eligible Pro Guitar/Pro Bass upgrade

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **

*Available on-disc, via download and disc export. Internet connection and export key purchase required. Wii™ Shop Channel has more than 1,500 song tracks available for purchase on the Rock Band platform on-disc, via song import, and download. Not applicable to Nintendo DS™.

BitGym Virtual Active iOS App Review (iOS)

2012/02/26
Jerry Paxton
News, Reviews

BitGym’s Virtual Active iOS app is meant to help people stay motivated and get a change of scenery while working out on various cardio machines like treadmills and stationary bikes. The app displays a high resolution video of a first-person trip through various terrain types, from routes in the Pacific Northwest to urban areas like Los Angeles. The desired effect is that you will go on a “virtual run” through these terrains without ever having to book a plane ticket. Does it work though? Find out in our review, after the break!

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Plantronics BackBeat 903+ Bluetooth Headset Review

2012/02/26
Jerry Paxton
News, Reviews

It is not often that I get a chance to review Bluetooth headsets for mobile devices. Usually, we see headsets of the PC/console gaming variety. So, we were pleasantly surprised when Plantronics sent over one of their BackBeat 903+ Bluetooth headsets for us to check out. They tout it as the perfect Bluetooth headset for workouts, commutes, or “just chilling at home”. Is it really good for these things? Find out in our review, After the jump!

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First Max Payne 3 PC Screenshots

2012/02/24
Jerry Paxton
News

Rockstar Games has released the first screenshots from the PC version of their upcoming Max Payne 3. Enjoy!

PC Screenshots

Carte Begins Closed Beta Testing

2012/02/24
Jerry Paxton
News

Sunnyvale, Calif. (February 23, 2012)– Deal me in!  Leading online game publisher GamesCampus.com (www.GamesCampus.com) today unleashes the hotly anticipated closed beta for their first global online trading card game, Carte.  Players can head over to http://carte.gamescampus.com to view the full website unveiled today, and check out the latest buzz about what’s in the cards for the beta period.

“We’re incredibly excited to launch the closed beta for Carte and we look forward to it being one of the most successful trading card games of all time,” said Chris Ahn, Head of Marketing at GamesCampus. “We’ve been showing off the amazing card art on our forums for weeks and players are dying to get in-game and try them out – and now they finally can!”

Carte is a fast paced global online trading card game.  Choose a Hero, build a deck and launch into exciting battles with fierce weapons and allies.  Create and master endless strategies with an arsenal of spells and creatures to conquer your opponents.   With an easy to learn system coupled with a user friendly interface, Carte is ready for new players as well as grizzled TCG veterans and everything in between.

In the closed beta, players can battle head to head with their own customized decks, hone their skills against the AI, or team up against challenging bosses in Raid mode. Raid mode bosses each feature unique challenges and only the most finely-tuned decks will be able to defeat the strongest of them. Players will also be able to break down, construct, and transform cards with Carte’s crafting system. With its various game modes, huge array of cards, crafting, and tournaments, Carte offers limitless content. Closed Beta will feature events and tournaments rewarding cards for the game’s launch, and everyone in Carte’s closed beta will receive a Collector’s Edition card just for participating!

Interested players can sign up for a chance at a beta key, or can visit any of Gamescampus’ MMO partner sites, who will be giving away keys starting today.  Gamescampus will be offering additional previews, deck building tips, and even some keys on the official Carte Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CarteGlobal

For more information about GamesCampus.com or Carte, please visit carte.gamescampus.com

Meridian4 Picks Up Stellar Impact

2012/02/24
Jerry Paxton
News

Montreal, Quebec, Canada – February 23, 2012 – The world war has gone intergalactic, as North American publisher Meridian4 today announced that they have partnered with developers Headup Games and Tindalos Interactive to bring Stellar Impact to Steam and other top distribution channels this spring.  Currently in beta on Tindalo Interactive’s website, Stellar Impact is an online strategy game that takes place in a sci-fi universe and now has a myriad of new features and enhancements.

“Stellar Impact created an impressive cult following during its beta program and we’re excited to expand the audience with a full featured release across all the major digital portals,” said Steve Milburn, Marketing Director of Meridian4.  “Strategy game fans will soon get to experience a dynamic new sci-fi adventure and challenging multiplayer experience.”

Stellar Impact puts players directly in the line of fire when the war between the Allies and the Axis powers moves to outer space.  Troops will need to be smart with their tactics and weaponry by choosing the best battleships in space to attack, defend or recon.  From speedy corvettes to massive dreadnaughts, you customize and command your ship and guide your forces to victory in an intense epic space war.

Stellar Impact will be available this spring via digital download on Steam and other channels, including Amazon Digital, Impulse and D2D for $9.99, with additional downloadable content becoming available post-launch.  For more information, please visit www.meridian4.com.