Author - Jerry Paxton

Jagged Alliance: Back in Action Demo Released

2012/02/01
Jerry Paxton
News

Ridgewood, NJ, February 1, 2012 –Do you have what it takes to assemble an A-team, invade an island and oust an evil dictator? If you think you’ve got what it takes, it’s time for you to launch your career as the leader of a Private Military Corporation in the newly released single-player demo for Jagged Alliance: Back in Action, the upcoming tactical combat game for Windows PC from Kalypso Media and bitComposer Games.

The demo, available at the mirror links below, offers you the opportunity to take a squad behind enemy lines as they clear all the opposition in the area. Jagged Alliance is all about testing your combat planning skills, and the Orta Laboratory level featured in the demo will challenge you to use the “Plan & Go” system for optimizing your battle plans before you drop those pesky villains with a well-aimed shot from one of the many real-world weapons featured in the game. “Plan & Go” is a new addition to the Jagged Alliance series, introducing a battle planning mode that moves above and beyond turn-based play, and will prove both exciting and challenging to hardcore veterans and tactical newcomers alike.

The demo includes –

  • One tutorial mission
  • One sample level from the final game – “Orta Laboratory”, which takes place about 2/3 of the way through the game and will challenge players to demonstrate their advanced tactical planning skills through the “Plan & Go” system
  • A pre-assembled team of veteran mercenaries, armed to the teeth and ready for action

Download the demo from the following mirrors –

GamersHell
http://www.gamershell.com/download_84934.shtml

Strategy Informer
http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/demos/jaggedalliancebackinaction/demo.html

FileShack
http://www.shacknews.com/file/30274/jagged-alliance-back-in-action-demo

Gamefront
http://www.gamefront.com/files/21277159/jabia_demo_EFIGS_exe

Creative Labs Unveils Recon3D PCI Sound Cards

2012/02/01
Jerry Paxton
News

Creative Technology Ltd. today announced its Sound Blaster® Recon3D PCI Express sound cards, powered by the groundbreaking new Creative Sound Core3D quad-core sound and voice processor are now available. Designed to deliver hardware-accelerated THX TruStudio Pro™ and CrystalVoice™ audio technologies for games, music and movies, the new series of Sound Blaster Recon3D sound cards feature 6-channel 24-bit 102dB DACs, 4-channel 24-bit 101dB analog-to-digital (ADC) converters, integrated headphone amplifier-out, digital microphone interface, S/PDIF inputs and outputs and general purpose inputs and outputs (GPIO). The new Sound Blaster Recon3D PCI Express sound cards are available at creative.com, amazon.com, bestbuy.com, newegg.com and Best Buy stores.

Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion
Priced at US$199.99, the Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion sound card is immediately recognizable by its stunning design and glowing red Creative Sound Core3D logo.  The card provides hardware-accelerated THX TruStudio Pro audio technologies for unparalleled audio playback quality, and dedicated 5.1 surround sound capabilities.  The Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion includes a convenient and cool-looking I/O drive with headset mini-jacks, volume control and audio input connectivity options.  The card also includes a high-quality beam-forming microphone, which leverages CrystalVoice Echo Cancellation, CrystalVoice Focus and CrystalVoice Active Noise Reduction to enable gamers for the first time ever to use speakers and a desktop microphone while gaming without any sound other than the gamer’s voice being transmitted through the microphone.  Designed to deliver crystal clear vocal fidelity in multiplayer games, online chats and video conferencing, CrystalVoice technologies also provide a compelling voice communications option for VOIP solutions such as Skype.  The Sound Blaster Recon3D Fata1ity Champion software enables quick and easy switching between multi-channel speaker settings and headsets or headphones.

Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Professional
Priced at US$149.99 and designed with the same powerful THX TruStudio Pro and CrystalVoice audio technologies of the Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion, the Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Professional sound card features I/O connectivity on the sound card itself. This card also includes the high-quality beam-forming microphone, allowing advanced voice communication without the need for the headset by leveraging CrystalVoice Echo Cancellation, CrystalVoice Focus and CrystalVoice Active Noise Reduction.

Sound Blaster Recon3D
Priced at US$99.99 and designed to provide phenomenally accurate positional 3D audio over headsets or speakers, the Sound Blaster Recon3D sound card is also powered by the new SoundCore3D quad-core audio and video processor.  It provides hardware-accelerated THX TruStudio Pro and select Crystal Voice audio technologies.

Sound Core3D
The stunning audio and voice performance of the Sound Blaster Recon3D sound cards is powered by Creative’s new Sound Core3D, the world’s first quad-core sound and voice processor.  Designed by Creative’s in-house team of audio scientists and engineers, Sound Core3D is engineered for low power consumption and high performance.  It incorporates Creative’s innovative patented Quartet digital signal processor (DSP) with four independent processor cores, and is the first processor to integrate an array of DSP cores with high-quality HD audio codecs of over 100dB on a single chip, giving it tremendous versatility for PC and embedded configurations.

THX TruStudio Pro – Featured in Every Sound Blaster Recon3D
•       The THX TruStudio Pro Crystalizer™ enhances in-game sound, music and movies by restoring low and high end frequency curves lost to compression
•       THX TruStudio Pro Surround™ delivers a 360 degree surround sound gaming experience so gamers can hear sounds clearly from the front, back, above and below
•       THX TruStudio Pro Smart Volume™ addresses the problem of abrupt volume level changes in games, music and movies by intelligently applying gain and attenuation to deliver consistent volume levels
•       THX TruStudio Pro Dialog Plus™ enhances voices in games and movies for clearer dialog, allowing listener to hear the dialog over the rest of sound track and over ambient noise in the listening environment
•       THX TruStudio Pro Bass™ fills in the missing low frequency tones and give the extra impact for a better entertainment experience.

CrystalVoice is comprised of:
•       Acoustic Echo Cancellation – Eliminates echoes and enables whoever is speaking to listen to the other party clearly. Echoes are a common problem present in voice communication systems that disrupts conversations by making it difficult to hear the other party
•       Focus – Beam-forming creates a zone and suppresses noise outside it to enable whoever is speaking to be heard with amazing clarity. Multiple microphones are used to focus, enhance voice, and eliminate sounds outside the zone
•       Noise Reduction – Enables who is speaking to be heard clearly over background noise by constantly monitoring the environment and eliminate the unwanted noise that interferes with the conversation
•       Smart Volume – Automatically adjusts the loudness of a voice to maintain a consistent volume level. This makes it convenient for the speaker to converse normally, regardless of whether the speaker is close to or far away from the microphone
•        FX™ – Enables alteration of voice with a variety of effects, which can be used to enhance the tone of a voice, create interesting accents, or enable someone to sound like a completely different person

Visit soundblaster.com for more information about the new Sound Blaster Recon3D products.

Konami Names New President

2012/02/01
Jerry Paxton
News

El Segundo, CA – February 1, 2012 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced Tomoyuki Tsuboi has been named President of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., replacing Mr. Shinji Hirano, who will be assuming the role of President of Konami Digital Entertainment, GmbH (Europe).

Mr. Tsuboi has been with KONAMI for over 14 years, managing Corporate Planning across multiple divisions, including the KONAMI sports clubs in Japan. Most recently, Mr. Tsuboi helmed global business planning and management for all of the digital entertainment business for the Konami Digital Entertainment Business Planning Group.

Now permanently living in the U.S. with solid understanding of the North and South American markets, Mr. Tsuboi will look to grow the business and institute strategies around franchises, including METAL GEAR SOLID, Pro Evolution Soccer and Silent Hill. In addition, Mr. Tsuboi will oversee production out of the western regions, including emerging mobile and social gaming platforms.

“My goal is to build upon the momentum the entire Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. staff has built for our company,” said Mr. Tomoyuki Tsuboi. “We plan to intensify this momentum by continuing to innovate across our core franchises and creating those memorable gaming experiences that has been synonymous with KONAMI over the past four decades.”

Mr. Tsuboi officially assumed the position of President of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. on November 16th, 2011.

Hellgate Global Announces February Events List

2012/02/01
Jerry Paxton
News

LOS ANGELES – February 1, 2012 – T3Fun today announced the continuation of Hellgate Global’s 2012 kickoff with a plethora of events for February, celebrating the theme of love. Through a series of fun events, players who give to Hellgate Global will receive rewards back. With the most events to ever take place, February will be one of the most exciting months in Hellgate history!

February Hellgate Global events include:

Players Give

• Hellgate Journals – Hellgate Global unveils a long term program for players that are also active bloggers. Players will be rewarded for posting blogs that can help the Hellgate Global community.
• Give Hell Some Face – Players will be able to submit their fan art to Hellgate Global for a chance to be used as Hellgate Global’s Profile Picture for Hellgate Global. Four pieces of art will be chosen and those players will be handsomely rewarded.
• Popular Vote: Best Loot – Players are invited to post their best loot drops on Hellgate Global’s Facebook Page. The loot with the most likes and positive remarks will be declared as the winner.

Hellgate Global Gives Back

• Hell Rush – Hell Rush is back! Together with Level and Be Rewarded and Jumpstart, new, rerolling, and returning players will be able to enjoy their early levels with major boosts and giveaways from Hellgate Global!
• Base Defense Challenge – Players that can complete the Base Defense mode will have a chance to receive premium items.
• Daily Hunt – Hellgate players are always looking for a new hunting challenge. In Daily Hunt, Hellgate Global tasks players to hunt a specific item a day and players with the sharpest hunter’s sense will be rewarded. This in-game event was started in January and will be extended until the first week of February.
• Pre-Valentines Perk – February is the month of love. As a means of giving back to its loyal players, Hellgate Global will award players a bonus premium item whenever they buy a featured premium item for the duration of the event.
• Hell Pick – Every week, 20 lucky premium shop buyers will be awarded a 7-day capsule that adds +30 attribute points. At the end of the event, five of the top 100 buyers will be given the chance to get a +2 upgrade to their weapon or armor.
• Daily Quest: Catacomb Run in Parliament Square – A month-long event where players who complete the daily quest will be rewarded, depending upon the number of times the daily quest has been completed.

Prisoners of the Dead Update Announced for Karma Online

2012/02/01
Jerry Paxton
News

February 1, 2012 – Joymax, a leading online game developer and publisher, announced that it will start the year 2012 with a major update for its first-person shooter World War II game, Karma Online: Prisoners of the Dead. Starting today, players can take part in a new A.I. Helicopter mode whereby a team of four players work together to take down a heavy-duty V5 Helicopter gunship. To learn more about the game, players can visit http://www.joymax.com/karma/.

“The universe of KARMA is expanding rapidly and we are pleased to introduce the new A.I. helicopter gameplay mode into the mix,” said Joymax CEO, Nam-chul Kim, “The new mode is perfect for group play and with the introduction of the comeback soldiers’ events, clan championship and a new region specific channel for players in Turkey, 2012 is already shaping up to be a massive year for KARMA.”

In the new A.I. Helicopter mode, players are grouped into four-man units that must work across ten grueling rounds of frantic multiplayer mayhem. Each unit faces a pre-determined number of enemies that must be defeated in order to advance forward. In select rounds, players will also face off against a variety of bosses including the heavy-duty V5 Helicopter gunship.

Joymax will be running a Comeback Soldiers Event for all veteran players of KARMA from January 31st. All returning veteran players during the event period will be awarded with special in-game items.

Joymax has also opened an exclusive channel to better cater to its expanding Turkish community. The new server aims to provide a better gaming environment for players both inside and outside of Turkey. Similar channels will be rolled out to local communities throughout 2012.

About Karma Online: Prisoners of The Dead

Developed in conjunction with Dragonfly, and published by Joymax, KARMA Online: Prisoners of the Dead is the newest installment in the KARMA Online series, the top online first-person shooter series in Korea. Players go back in time to World War II, where they must choose to side with the Axis or Allied powers and join the fight for global victory – with a zombie twist.  In this virtual and historical simulation, players will be up against enemy troops as well as hundreds of the walking dead from the remains of the catastrophic battle. KARMA Online: Prisoners of the Dead will be available in English, German, Spanish and Turkish.

To become a fan of Karma Online: Prisoners of the Dead, players can visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/KarmaPOD or http://twitter.com/karmapod   and http://www.youtube.com/user/KarmaPOD

New DDO Update 13 Screenshots

2012/02/01
Jerry Paxton
News

Turbine has released some new screenshots from the upcoming Update 13 for their Dungeons & Dragons Online.

Screenshots

Dungeons & Dragons Online – Update 13: Web of Chaos

 

Serving as the prequel to DDO’s upcoming expansion, Menace of the Underdark, Update 13: Web of Chaos brings:

 

3 New Free Quests

 

  • The Lords of Dust: The Silver Flame must now contend with an uprising cult! Controlled by the Rakshasas, the cult of the Lords of Dust have one priority – free the ancient demons trapped in Khyber.
  • Servants of the Overlord: Venture deep down into Khyber and fight resistance as you attempt to thwart the Rakshasas from freeing the imprisoned “Spinner of Shadows”!
  • The Spinner of Shadows: Engage in an ambitious battle as you fight to hold off the release of the Spinner of Shadows! Though beware of thinking your task is over, for a menacing journey awaits.

Veteran Status (7)

 

  • Now start your new character at level 7 and gain a head start! Earn through favor or purchase in the DDO Store.

New Items

 

  • Use the Omnispell Dust and Omnispell Stone in place of the material component of any magic spell. Free up inventory space!

New to the DDO Store

 

  • Cloak of Resistance – Aid yourself in the defense of magic attacks and traps
  • Necklace of Protection – Increase your armor class by 1
  • +1 Elemental Touch Weapons – A full suite of level 1 weapons are now available

Trion Launches Rift Lite

2012/02/01
Jerry Paxton
News

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. – Feb. 1, 2012 – Trion Worlds, the leading publisher and developer of premium games for the connected era, continues to increase accessibility to their hit MMORPG Rift™ by introducing Rift Lite, a version that allows anyone with a Trion account to experience the game’s first 20 levels at no cost and with no playtime restrictions. Rift Lite debuts today with the latest patch, Carnival of the Ascended, which features Ascended Weddings, PvP improvements, the new River of Souls Chronicle, and much more.

“In the past ten months, Rift has evolved at a breakneck pace, through seven massive updates that set new expectations for live MMOs, in features, in content, and in service,” said Scott Hartsman, Executive Producer of Rift and Trion’s CCO. “We think a Lite edition with no time limit is the best way for players to see what an amazing experience Rift continues to be.”

Rift Lite is accessible across all servers to anyone with a Trion account, giving potential Ascended a risk-free opportunity to play the game IGN called the “Best MMO Game” of 2011. Players can create a character and experience the first 20 levels in the plane-besieged world of Telara, working their way through the zones of Terminus, Mathosia, Freemarch, Silverwood, and visiting their faction’s capital cities.

In addition to the new trial, Rift 1.7 features many quality of life improvements, including:

·         PvP Improvements – Smoother advancement and better rewards

·         Ascended Weddings – Share eternity with your soulmate, Telara-style

·         River of Souls Chronicle – Undead adventure for two

·         New Master Mode Dungeon – Caduceus Rise

·         Expert Dungeon Overhaul – More options, better loot!

·         Better Endgame Equipment – Improved loot for your endgame Ascended

Today’s update marks the initial stage of the Carnival of the Ascended. In a few weeks, the largest and most spectacular World Event Telara has ever witnessed will kick off, celebrating the heroic feats of the Ascended. Amazing in-game events, special loot, and prizes will make the Carnival World Event something that won’t be soon forgotten.

Dive into Rift now risk-free by clicking here: http://www.riftgame.com/trial

Genius Unveils DeathTaker Gaming Mouse

2012/02/01
Jerry Paxton
News

February 1, 2012, Taipei, Taiwan – Genius, a leading maker of computer peripherals, today announces DeathTaker, a professional laser gaming mouse designed for MMO and RTS gamers. The DeathTaker is the debut product of the GX Gaming Series which will be unveiling throughout the coming months.

With nine buttons DeathTaker gives gamers the ability to customize their gaming experience. Genius’ included “Scorpion” UI lets gamers manage macros for up to 55 keys in 5 profiles, as well as a selection of up to 16 million backlight colors. The on-board memory design prevents game block and stores preferred macro settings for ready-to-play action on any computer.

Continuing to show flexibility, the GX Gaming Series DeathTaker has a built-in over-clocking SCGii engine designed for MMO and RTS gamers. Gamers can independently adjust the X and Y axis from 100 to 5700 dpi, and use the removable weight system including 6 metal weights -each 4.5 grams- to get the right heft and balance for any game or hand speed.

DeathTaker is not only completely customizable, but also provides a smooth, stable connection with a comfortable ergonomic design. Incorporated in DeathTaker is the full speed CPU giving gamers 8x faster response time. The high-quality braided cable with a resilient gold-plated USB connector means gamers don’t have to worry about interrupted gameplay.

With a reliable 8 million clicks, DeathTaker gives MMO and RTS gamers the flexibility, stability, and comfort they desire for the MSRP of $79.90.

Package Contents:

  • DeathTaker gaming mouse
  • DeathTaker user interface driver
  • Metal weight 4.5g x6
  • Weight adjuster manual
  • Multi-language quick installation pack

Antec Reveals High Current Gamer M PSU Series

2012/02/01
Jerry Paxton
News

Fremont, Calif. – February 1, 2012 – Antec, Inc., the global leader in high-performance computer components, announces the High Current Gamer M series, a mid-range wattage class of hybrid modular power supplies. The High Current Gamer M series is an extension of the HCG PSU line issued in late 2010 but features hybrid modularity, allowing for cleaner systems by reducing cable clutter behind the motherboard.

Antec‘s new desktop PSU series provides quiet, efficient power in 400W, 520W, and 620W models, accommodating casual gamers, home office and corporate consumers. The High Current Gamer M Series is the perfect combination of power and cabling that supply extreme levels of power and superb efficiency.

Maximum Efficiency – As one of industry’s mainstream 80 PLUS® Bronze certified PSU, the High Current Gamer M series offers an ideal combination of industry-leading reliability, guaranteed Continuous Power and up to 87% energy efficiency to help reduce electric bills.

Whisper Quiet – A simple 135mm two ball-bearing fan controlled by Antec’s renowned Thermal Manager and CircuitShield™ operates with minimal noise even at full load.

Premium Components – High Current Gamer M employs 4 fully-protected High Current +12V rails with high load capabilities to ensure maximum CPU and GPU compatibility. It’s designed with 100% Japanese capacitors, ensuring maximum DC stability and regulation. It also offers stealth wires for minimal visibility inside the chassis and a 10-pin modular socket for High Current Flexibility.

Black mesh cable sleeves – All wires darkened for minimal visibility in chassis

Safety Precautions – Patented Circuitshield™ includes voltage, current, power, under voltage, and short circuit protection which automatically shuts down the PSU to prevent further system damage.

All HCG-M power supplies are covered by an Antec five-year parts & labor warranty.

“Antec has succeeded with providing consumers with quiet and efficient power supplies to choose from,” said Mafalda Cogliani, Global Marketing Director at Antec. “And now we want to provide the same type of power and convenience via hybrid modularity power supply that will help with energy reduction.”

Availability
The HCG-M PSU series will be available in the US on Newegg, ASI, Ma Labs, Amazon, J&R and Buy.com and in Canada on NCIX and Canada Computers in early February.

High Current Gamer M

MSRP

HCG-400M – USD $89.95

HCG-520M – USD $99.95

HCG-620M – USD $119.95

Detailed Specifications:

• 620W Continuous Power
• 80 PLUS® BRONZE certified – Up to 87% efficient
• 10-pin modular sockets
• 135mm double ball bearing fan with long lifetime
• All-black wires for minimal visibility in chassis
• All Japanese Heavy-Duty Capacitors
• Advanced low voltage fan control for optimal heat & noise management
• 92.9% +12V – Output for maximum CPU & GPU support
• 2 PCI-E connectors for multiple GPU support
• AQ5 – Antec Quality 5 year warranty and global online support 24/7
• Industrial grade protections:
o Over Current Protection (OCP)
o Over Voltage Protection (OVP)
o Under Voltage Protection (UVP)
o Short Circuit Protection (SCP)
o Over Power Protection (OPP)
o Surge & Inrush Protection (SIP)

**taken from HCG-620

Power Supply Connectors:

Fixed cables:

1 x 24(20+4)-pin main connector
1 x 8(4+4)-pin ATX12V/EPS12V

Modular cables:
2 x 8(6+2)-pin PCI-E
1 x FDD + 3 x Molex
3 x Molex (1 each)
2 x SATA (3 each)

**taken from HCG-620

About Antec, Inc.

For 26 years, Antec, Inc has been the global leader in high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself markets. Antec remains an industry pioneer and market leader for quiet, efficient and innovative products such as the P280 and SOLO II enclosures, and it has been independently recognized as the power supply manufacturer with the lowest return rate.

Antec continues to push the industry to its limits with many state-of-the art products like the Mini-ITX-made enclosures, the ISK Series, and the functional, efficiently cooled Eleven Hundred gaming enclosure. Antec has also furthered the PSU market with the environmentally-safe EarthWatts Series, the office-friendly VP Series for efficient, quiet power, and the gamer-specialized HCG and HCP Series for hours of reliable, continuous power. soundscience, a subsidiary of Antec, Inc, was created to manufacture audio and video-enabled lifestyle products, such as the soundscience rockus™ 3D | 2.1 speaker system, for the PC and home entertaining markets.

Founded in 1986, Antec is headquartered in Fremont, California, with international marketing headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Antec has additional offices in The Netherlands, China and Taiwan. Please visit Antec online for more information.

Follow the official Antec Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/AntecInc for event updates or visit the Antec blog at http://blog.antec.com/.