Author - Jerry Paxton

Razer Partners with Marcel Luske

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CARLSBAD, Calif. – June 20, 2013 – Razer, one of the world’s pioneering supporters of e-Sports, and Marcel “The Flying Dutchman” Luske, one of the world’s most recognized and respected professional poker players, have formed an exploratory partnership to see how Razer can impact the world of online poker.

In 2001, Marcel went from playing poker in market cafes to contesting hands at professional tables, and has since amassed more than USD$4,085,000 in live tournament winnings. With a top-10 finish at the ‘World Series of Poker’ and 20-some-odd additional 1st place finishes, Marcel already stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the most prominent names in poker history.

Video gamers and poker players are not mutually exclusive individuals. In fact, it is not uncommon for professional gamers to transition to poker when they finish competing in their chosen titles… With information gained through work with Luske, Razer plans to apply its competence in creating products for e-Sports success to other types of online games, such as poker.

“I cannot believe the speed of this laptop,” said Luske. “The graphics are ultra-sharp, portability is great and the unique user interface is what I like best. It allows me to check emails, social media feeds and YouTube, all while I’m still playing and focusing on my new style game. Without doubt, the Razer Blade is helping my online game and allowing me to take it to a new level. All tradesmen and women have their favored tools for their trade… mine is now, unquestionably, the Razer Blade.”

Arma 3 Confirms Beta Date, Details

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JUNE 20, 2013 — Today Bohemia Interactive confirmed the 25th of June as the official release date for the Arma 3 Beta. Building upon the well-received Arma 3 Alpha, the Arma 3 Beta features a varied selection of brand new content – including 10 vehicles, 7 weapons, 4 showcase missions (Combined Arms, Supports, Commanding & Night), 2 multiplayer scenarios and 4 challenges.

Set against the beautiful backdrop of Stratis (20 km²), the Arma 3 Beta turns its focus towards firepower and logistics. The Challenges game mode will also be making its first appearance, enabling players to practice their weapons handling and movement across a selection of firing drills. Plus, all of the content from the Arma 3 Alpha will be available, alongside the popular scenario editor and modding support.

Joris-Jan van ‘t Land, Project Lead on Arma 3, adds:

“Having just showed off the Beta for Arma 3 at E3 2013, we are keen to get it into gamers’ hands quickly. Bringing some heavy firepower and additional transport options will allow for more diverse scenarios in both singleplayer and multiplayer. We also can’t wait to open up the Steam Workshop scenario publication, which will make content-sharing with other players much more convenient.”

People who are currently participating in the Arma 3 Alpha will gain access to the Arma 3 Beta through an automatic Steam update. Those who are new to Arma 3 can join in by purchasing the Arma 3 Beta (which includes a version of the full game) from Steam or Store.bistudio.com.

The price of the Arma 3 Beta, in comparison to the Arma 3 Alpha, will be increased. The regular Arma 3 Beta will be available for 34.99 EUR/29.99 GBP/44.99 USD (current price: 24.99 EUR/19.99 GBP/32.99 USD), while the Arma 3 Digital Deluxe Edition will be sold for 44.99 EUR/39.99 GBP/59.99 USD (current price: 39.99 EUR/34.99 GBP/49.99 USD). Please note that the current (heavily discounted) Alpha deal, which includes Beta-access and the full game, will still be available until Tuesday June 25th.

Those who would like to sponsor development further have the option to purchase the Arma 3 Supporter Edition (69.99 EUR/59.99 GBP/91.99 USD) from Store.bistudio.com. The Arma 3 Alpha Lite, a free but limited variant of the Arma 3 Alpha, will be discontinued after June 25th.

More information on Arma 3 can be found on www.arma3.com

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Europa Universalis IV Orchestral Trailer

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NEW YORK – June 20, 2013 – Grand strategy deserves a grand score and the internationally renowned Brandenburg State Orchestra is here to assist Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio in kicking off the countdown to the release of Europa Universalis IV with a majestic performance of “The Voyage,” the main theme for the upcoming empire-building game.

Composed by Paradox’s own Andreas Waldetoft, “The Voyage” evokes the winds and ambitions that guided those explorers and traders who opened the world to Europe and joined the hemispheres. Soft strings and woodwinds slowly give way to triumphant brass and percussion – a fine omen of the conquests that await you in Europa Universalis IV.

Grab a front row seat for the world premiere orchestral debut of “The Voyage” here:

“The Voyage” is performed by the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester at the Carl Philipp Emanuel bach Konzerthalle, and is orchestrated by Grammy nominated conductor Bernd Ruf. This particular performance of “The Voyage” and the in-game version are one and the same.

“The Voyage” is available as a free download for a limited time, allowing you to take the fervor of global domination with you on your own daily expeditions (or just a commute). Download aspiration, in MP3 form, here: http://www.europauniversalis4.com/media

Europa Universalis IV is available for pre-order, with new bonuses being announced each month. For details, please visit europauniversalis4.com/buy.

Europa Universalis IV is the latest instalment of Paradox’s flagship historical strategy series, coming to PC, Mac, and Linux on August 13, 2013. Europa Universalis IV gives you control of a nation to guide it through the years and create a dominant global empire in the age of exploration. For more information, please visit europauniversalis4.com.

AirSplat’s Thorsday Deals for June 20

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The folks over at AirSplat have announced their latest round of “Thorsday Deals” – a great way for people to save on Airsoft related products.

Thorsday Deals Link (AirSplat’s Blog)

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Thorsday Deals June 20, 2013

Microsoft Backpedals on Xbox One Policies

This just in from Microsoft, the Xbox One will not require an online connection to play offline titles! Also, the company backed off on their used game policy. Check out the official policy points below:

-An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games – After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360.

-Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today – There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360.

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Nordic Games Sends Out New Deadfall Screenshots

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JUNE 19, 2013 — Nordic Games today revealed the cover-art as well as new screenshots for their blockbuster release of Deadfall Adventures, out on the Xbox 360 and Windows PC September 27th. In keeping with the style of Deadfall Adventures, the beautifully created cover-art takes its inspiration from the Lost World genre of literature, popularised in the early 20th century through novels such as King Solomon’s Mines and The Land That Time Forgot that depicted the discovery of unexplored and exotic worlds. The cover art also pays tribute to the science-fiction and adventure “Pulp” magazines of the same era that gave rise to one of the greatest treasure hunters and pulp action heroes of all time – Indiana Jones.

Developed using Unreal Engine 3, Deadfall Adventures is full of spectacular jaw-dropping moments, as players battle natural and not-so-natural enemies across stormy deserts of Egypt to the icy depths of the Arctic and all the way to the steaming jungles of Guatemala.  Assuming the role of adventurer Quatermain, players will encounter fiendish puzzles, deadly traps and stunning set pieces, making this one of the greatest adventures ever told – let alone played.

For more information on the Deadfall Adventures like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/deadfalladventures or follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/DeadfallAdv

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World of Tanks Update 8.6 Brings New Artillery Units

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June 19, 2013 — Wargaming, the leading free-to-play MMO developer and publisher, today announced that Update 8.6 is now available in Europe and rolling out to the rest of the world later this month. Southeast Asia will see the update go live on June 20th, while American and South Korean players will get the update on June 25th and July 4nd, respectively.

The latest update to World of Tanks brings further changes and balance to the in-game economy, as well as adds new SPGs that further bolster that line of vehicles up to Tier X. Along with the new artillery units, Update 8.6 also adds a new premium British tank, the A33 Excelsior, as well as a new battle arena—Sacred Valley, based on a Korean setting.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops II Vengeance Release Date

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Santa Monica, CA – June 18, 2013 – Get an early start on your 4th of July weekend celebration with Call of Duty®: Black Ops II Vengeance.  Available first, exclusively on the Xbox Live® online entertainment network from Microsoft beginning July 2, the game’s third epic Downloadable Content (DLC) Pack from Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI) and its award-winning studio Treyarch,Vengeance takes players to four diverse locations around the globe, including a deserted tropical island, a destroyed suspension bridge, an abandoned paintball course, and the jungles of Myanmar.  Vengeance also serves up a new addition to the game’s esteemed Zombies experience with “Buried,” where the undead residents of an abandoned subterranean Old West mining town have come back to claim their home.

“When it’s difficult to see the line between playtesting and leisurely gaming around the studio, it’s a sure sign that we’ve created something fun with Vengeance,” said Mark Lamia, Studio Head of Treyarch.  “From the four multiplayer maps to our new Zombies experience, “Buried,” Vengeance continues doing what we set out to accomplish from the very beginning of development on Call of Duty: Black Ops II: pushing the boundaries of fans’ expectations.”

Call of Duty: Black Ops II Vengeance delivers four new, diverse multiplayer maps starting with “Cove,” where the stage is set for all-out conflict on this small, forgotten island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, with players battling it out amongst the wreckage of a jet that crash-landed during a smuggling operation gone wrong.  Next up is “Detour,” a destroyed suspension bridge, high above an East Coast waterway, packed with scattered vehicles, exposed iron and collapsed pavement where the head-to-head action will play out on multiple levels.  The third map, “Rush,” sets the stage for fast, close-quarters engagements in this paintball course turned full-combat arena, giving players new opportunities and challenges to use the cover to their advantage.  Rounding out Vengeance’s multiplayer maps is “Uplink.”  In this re-imagined adaptation of the fan-favorite multiplayer map “Summit” from the original Call of Duty®: Black Ops, players clash deep in the rain-soaked jungles of Myanmar, high atop a hi-tech mountain facility.

Treyarch yet again expands the Zombies storyworld in new, mind-bending ways with “Buried.”  Players meet up with old characters and will encounter new ones as they face off against the undead residents of an abandoned underground Old West mining town.  A healthy arsenal of equipment and weapons that will be at players’ disposal, but with one very special addition – something so powerful it will also appear in all other Call of Duty: Black Ops II Zombies maps (with the purchase of Vengeance DLC): the Ray Gun Mark II.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II Vengeancewill be available first, exclusively on Xbox Live for Xbox 360® game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 1200 Microsoft Points on July 2, with other platforms to follow.  Call of Duty: Black Ops II is rated “M” (Mature – Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs – content suitable for persons ages 17 and older) by the ESRB.  More information on Call of Duty: Black Ops II can be found at http://www.callofduty.com/blackops2 or on www.facebook.com/codblackops.  Fans can also follow @Treyarch on Twitter.