Author - Jerry Paxton

The Lord of the Rings Online: Helm’s Deep Release Date

2013/09/12
Jerry Paxton
News, Windows PC News

helms_deep_03

NEEDHAM, MA – September 12, 2013 — Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced today that The Lord of the Rings Online™: Helm’s Deep™, the next expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) developed by Turbine, will launch on November 18th. Helm’s Deep will continue the Epic Story into the western plains of Rohan, allow players to take an unprecedented role in the legendary battle for Helm’s Deep while advancing to the new level cap of 95.

“Helm’s Deep is the site of the most memorable battle in Middle-earth and we’re excited to announce our launch date and introduce some great new in-game items for anyone who pre-purchases the expansion,” said Kate Paiz, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. “We’ve come to a really exciting and momentous point in the story, and we can’t wait to show players how the game will bring this classic clash to life. This technical and gameplay innovation brings massive conflicts to life like never before and is another huge leap forward for MMO players in Middle-earth.”

THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE: HELM’S DEEP FEATURES:

  • Experience the Battle for Helm’s Deep – Fight to defend Helm’s Deep starting as early as level 10, when your character enlists as a soldier in the Battle of the Hornburg, the most epic conflict yet in The Lord of the Rings Online.  Earn rewards for your contribution to the war effort – win or lose, your skill makes a difference!

  • Explore new landscapes across Western Rohan – Explore the Westemnet of Rohan and rally each of the five ridings as Rohan returns to glory. Traverse the capital of Edoras, mysterious Dunharrow, and the fortress of the Hornburg within Helm’s Deep.

  • Advance from levels 85 to 95 – Experience 10 new levels, from 85 to 95, with new skills and completely updated class specializations. Both mounted and un-mounted combat will challenge you as you war against the evil forces of Saruman.
  • Continue the Epic Story – Encounter beloved characters such as Aragorn, Éowyn, and Éomer. Restore King Théoden to his rightful throne while you defend the peoples of Rohan at Helm’s Deep.

Beginning today, players can take advantage of special pre-purchase offers:

PREMIUM EDITION – $59.99, €53,99, £44.99

Features all Helm’s Deep content, with level cap increase. This edition also grants these great items:

  • Armour of the Hammerhand – an exclusive full set of Rohirrim cosmetic armour
  • +10 quest log slots
  • Crystal of Remembrance – adds one additional legacy to your legendary weapon
  • Helm’s Deep Title – Helm’s Enforcer
  • Helm’s Deep Title – Helm’s Avenger
  • 2,000 Turbine points

Pre-purchasers will also receive these items that can be used immediately in the game:

  • Shield of the Hammerhand (Statted Cloak  +25%XP, scales to level of wearer)
  • Exclusive War-steed Bundle (The Steed of the Hammerhand) – an exclusive Rohirrim mount with matching War-Steed appearance

BASE EDITION – $39.99, €35,99, £29.99

Features all Helm’s Deep content, with level cap increase. Also grants these items:

  • Hauberk of the Hammerhand – an exclusive Rohirrim cosmetic chest piece
  • Helm’s Deep Title: Helm’s Enforcer
  • 1,000 Turbine points

Pre-purchasers will also receive these items that can be used immediately in the game:

  • Token of Hornburg (+25% Monster XP)
  • The Steed of the Hammerhand – an exclusive Rohirrim Mount

The Lord of the Rings Online™ is the ultimate adventure! This award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places, and monsters from the most famous fantasy of all time. For more information, visit www.lotro.com.

Democracy 3 Available for Pre-Order, Now in Beta

2013/09/12
Jerry Paxton
News, Windows PC News

d3-positech_header

September 12, 2013 — Positech Games, developers of Gratuitous Space Battles, Are happy to announce that once more they are bringing Democracy to the people of the world! Democracy 3 is the third in their series of complex and deep political strategy games where the player takes on the role of President or Prime Minister, charged with the task of keeping the population happy, the economy booming and preventing society collapsing around them.

Democracy 3 is the only game of it’s kind. Not an election-simulation, but a government-simulation, built around a custom-programmed neural network and unique iconic user interface that represents the thousands of simulated voters, pressure groups, policies, laws and statistics that make up a detailed model of a western democracy.
As president, you decide what laws to set, which taxes to raise (or cut) which government programs to expand, introduce or cancel, whilst keeping one eye on the countdown to the next election. All political careers end in failure, and Democracy 3 is thus a game that cannot truly be won, only eventually lost.
The game is available for pre-order and beta access now from the developers site here:
And pre-order customers will get DRM-free copies that run on PC, Mac or Linux. A steam key for the games eventual steam release is also included. There is a website with more information on the game here:
An HD trailer introducing the idea of the game is here:
http://youtu.be/JjNTeqvd_qk
And there are already some youtube lets play videos such as this one:
There is also the inevitable facebook page for Democracy 3 here:

Slickwraps: The Case Ouija Review (Mobile)

2013/09/11
Jerry Paxton
Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews

slickwrap

Slickwraps has released an expanded line of iPhone 5 cases, some featuring cool wood veneer with interesting and eye-catching designs. Even cooler is that the designs are all swappable! I got the chance to check out the Ouija board model, which was a fine choice as the Halloween season draws near. You never know when you might need to perform a séance as your have a conversation!

Installing the Slickwrap onto my iPhone 5 was not difficult – one simply puts one edge of the phone into the case and then gently presses down on the other. The Ouija wrap already came stuck onto the case, and the box even included a front screen protector. I did have some difficulty laying out the screen protector without getting bubbles. I digress, though, as this has always been a skill that has eluded me. The design and look of the Ouija model was very good with precise, laser-cut lettering.

My biggest concern with the Slickwrap I looked at was the strength of the glue holding the wrap onto the case. Its edges would flare up whenever it got a bit warm. I would have to flatten the case out to get the wrap to adhere once again. I am unsure as to what can be done about this – the idea behind the wraps are that they can be swapped. Hence, the glue can’t be too strong. However, if you never plan on swapping out your wrap, I would highly suggest laying down a stronger adhesive.

SW-AIP5-CASE-NSOJ-2

The quality of the case itself was very good, it being constructed out of a flexible, yet-strong rubberized plastic that features a slight “lip” around its edge to keep the phone securely in place. I used Slickwraps: The Case for a couple weeks and never had any issue with my iPhone 5 falling out, etc.

We actually liked this review case enough that we purchased another one. Unfortunately, the engraving on the purchased one was a bit “off”. Thankfully, Slickwraps was good about exchanging it.

Overall, Slickwraps: The Case line of iPhone 5 cases are all unique and attractive, with quality engravings on the wood model I was able to try out. There are about 90 wrap materials and designs available on their website, so you are bound to find at least a few that you like. Individual wraps costs about $20 dollars each with the case costing a bit more. You can purchase them separately or together in a bundle.

[easyreview title=”Slickwraps: The Case Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]
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The Haunted Hotel Advanced Preview on Friday the 13th

2013/09/11
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News

thh-sdcc-133-gamingshogun

9/11/2013 — SPECIAL NIGHT: FRIDAY THE 13TH (September) the Haunted Hotel will be open for a special night and special price of only $13. Warning: Patrons may be filmed for National Television!

Voted one of the top Haunts in the country, and featured in Haunt World Magaine, Fangoria, and on the Travel Channel…The Haunted Hotel downtown is open Friday, September 27th through November 2nd for the Halloween season.

The Haunted Hotel is loaded with new demented, hair raising effects that are so real that you’ll run screaming for your life as you try to escape. See where the Hellevator takes you, ride with the zombie clowns on the moving Subway, named the best haunted room in America. Go camping with Jason at Camp Crystal Lake and experience the basement of The Evil Dead.

For the first time ever on November 2nd the Haunted Hotel will go lights off and you must find your way through with only a flashlight. Detail on www.hauntedhotel.com.

For details call 619 696-SCARE, that’s 619 696 7227. Save time in line, buy advance tickets at hauntedhotel.com – The Haunted Hotel, “Where Horror Movies come to Life”!

Hours are: Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday 7pm to 11pm
Friday’s and Saturday’s in October 6pm to 1am (Sept. 7pm-12am)
(Closed Mondays and Tuesdays except for October 28th and 29th)

The Haunted Hotel is located at 424 Market Street (4th& Market) in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. Tickets are $15 Sunday through Thursday, $17 Friday and Saturday. Buy advance tickets online at www.hauntedhotel.com.

Not recommended for children under 10. Pregnant women and people with heart conditions are not admitted.

For more information call 619-696-SCARE(7227) or log onto www.hauntedhotel.com.

Frankenstein’s Army Blu-ray Giveaway – EXPIRED

2013/09/11
Jerry Paxton
Contests, Geek News, Halloween, News

Frankensteins-Army-lead

We are giving away one copy of Frankenstein’s Army on Blu-ray to a lucky, randomly-chosen person. This giveaway is open to folks in the contiguous United States – no Hawaii, Canada, or Alaska. We love you guys, really, but the shipping is crazy 🙂

The giveaway ends on September 21st, 2013 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

Check out the Rafflecopter widget on our Facebook page to enter! There are multiple methods and some you can even do every day to increase your odds.

Air Conflicts: Vietnam Helicopter Info and Screenshots

2013/09/11
Jerry Paxton
News, PlayStation 3 News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News

UH-1_Iroquois _Huey

Kalypso Media has released some new screenshots of as well as information on the helicopters to be featured in its upcoming Air Conflicts: Vietnam, which is due out this Fall on Windows PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 platforms.

Helicopter Information

AH-1 Cobra
The world’s first attack helicopter, the AH-1 Cobra arrived to the Vietnam War right when it was needed. It (partnered with the UH-1 Iroquois) helped the U.S. Army establish the air mobility concept, and created the air cavalry military branch. Cobras were used extensively during the war, creating and filling combat roles such as CAS (close air support), transport escort and security, and in operations from the Tet Offensive until the end of the war. Even though the Cobra has been officially retired from U.S. Army service, it continues to be used by the U.S. Marine Corps, the USDA Forest Service, and by other nations around the world.

UH-1 Iroquois
The UH-1 Iroquois was designed to be a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) helicopter for the U.S. Army in the late 1950s. It became one of the most iconic machines man has ever built, not only for its roles during the Vietnam War, but also for its use in every U.S. war since then, ultimately changing how warfare has been conducted across the globe. During the Vietnam War, the UH-1 (Huey) was involved in all manner of combat and non-combat operations, escorted by other helicopters, and sometimes outfitted with door guns and rocket pods. Collectively known as the workhorse of the U.S. Army’s aerial fleet, the UH-1 was often there to get the job done.

CH-47 Chinook
The CH-47 Chinook is a helicopter fitting the heavy-lift, transport, supply, and artillery emplacement roles. During the Vietnam War, its heavy-lift capability made it crucial for carrying large equipment loads and single items (such as artillery guns) around the battlefield, to and from places that were difficult to reach otherwise. The Chinook could be outfitted with door guns, which made it especially useful for retrieving downed aircraft crew and equipment.

OH-58 Kiowa
The OH-58 Kiowa is a light observation helicopter, also used to coordinate direct fire support and utility ops. It was often teamed with the AH-1 Cobra during the Vietnam War as what’s known as a hunter-killer team; the Kiowa would scout for and purposefully draw fire from enemy targets, while the Cobra would strike the targets from a flanking position, often by surprise.

OH-6 Cayuse
When the U.S. Army transitioned to rotor-wing aircraft in 1964, the OH-6 Cayuse took over the recon and observation roles from the O-1 Bird Dog fixed-wing plane, and continued those roles during the Vietnam War. The OH-6 was a small helicopter with a low profile, which also made it suitable for light combat (outfitted with guns, missiles, or rockets) and escort missions.

CH-53 Sea Stallion
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is another heavy-lift helicopter made for use by the U.S. Marine Corps, as a response to the U.S. Army’s CH-47 Chinook. From January 1969 until the end of the war, the CH-53 recovered more down aircraft than did the CH-54 Tarhe (The Crane), and expanded its use into the U.S. Navy and Air Force.

Mi-8 Hip
The Mi-8 Hip was Soviet Union-produced helicopter designed for the assault and transport roles. As one of the most produced helicopters in the world, the North Vietnamese used the Mi-8 in both of those roles.

Screenshots