If you are a fan of Halloween like I am, you will be pleased to know that Knott’s Berry Farm has announced that its Halloween Haunt Museum will commence with a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 31st. We will be on-hand to bring photos and commentary from the museum, which features rare and unusual stories and exhibits from Knott’s “Scary” Farm history. Stay-tuned!
Newertech was kind enough to send us a review unit of their GripStand and GripBase peripherals for Apple’s iPad tablet. The peripherals are meant to allow users to more easily handle their tablets on the go as well as on the desktop.
The GripStand is a half-shell case for your iPad which features a nice, foam cushioned inner-lining for a scratch-free fit. The GripStand’s black plastic shell is rugged and feels like it could stand up to quite an impact. One of the most outstanding features of the GripStand is that it allows the usage of Apple’s propriety SmartCover. Many half shell iPad cases do not feature this and it is a shame. The rear side of the GripStand features a ring-like handle which can rotate around to be used for both a hand grip and also a kickstand. The ring is comfortable and allows the iPad to be used in more active conditions. The GripStand would be terrific for field agents who need to work on the move. The GripBase is a desktop base station which allows the iPad to be mounted while at home or the office. The GripBase allows the iPad to be rotated about for a customized viewing angle, is very stable, and is totally compatible with the GripStand, allows the two devices to be a perfect peripheral pair. From an accessibility angle, these peripherals make the iPad much more useful for those with disabilities as well. I myself have recently had an injury to my right shoulder which makes using the iPad very difficult. These items have helped greatly.
Checkout Newertech’s website for more information on the GripStand and GripBase.
We at GamingShogun.com have learned from a source within Starbucks that the company plans to begin selling its Fall flavor line, which includes Pumpkin Spice Lattes (my personal favorite) on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. The company is notoriously silent on the release date of seasonal flavors, as stores often times have unannounced promotions for customers on launch day. Now, our internal source could be wrong but I believe this information to be accurate. We are reaching out to Starbucks for comment and will update this post if they respond.
Hamburg, July 17, 2012 – ROCCAT, the German manufacturer of professional gaming accessories, is now Official Sponsor of the National ESL (USA) thereby strengthening the existing collaboration between the manufacturer and the gaming community.
The National ESL is part of the international Electronic Sports League and the number one eSports league in North America. Amateurs as well as pro-gamers compete head-to-head in the games League of Legends and Iron Lady.
Through its support of the League of Legends King of the Hill Tournament, ROCCAT is creating a new highlight for every participating Go4LoL league and Pro Series team. The playoff for the first King of the Hill title will be between the winner of the monthly finals and a Pro Series team. Prizes up for grabs include $1,000 plus five bundles each comprising a ROCCAT Savu Mid-Size Hybrid Gaming Mouse and a ROCCAT Taito King-Size Shiny Black Gaming Mousepad. In the months following, the respective winners will compete against a new Pro Series team – with the winner of this match then going on to play against the sitting King of the Hill in the hope of victory and winning the monthly prize of $1,000.
ROCCAT has been represented in the North American market since 2012 with an office in Los Angeles and has been playing right at the forefront of the global premier league of gaming peripherals since the release of its first gaming mouse in 2008.
Gaming gear for pros
At ROCCAT Studios in Hamburg, ROCCAT industrial designers are designing and developing peripherals in close collaboration with the global gaming community that are specially designed to meet the needs of gamers – and by supporting the National ESL, ROCCAT is again demonstrating its close ties to international eSports. As gamers’ primary tools, the mouse and keyboard are especially important both in terms of being a core part of gamers’ gear and for their success. ROCCAT products create the best possible professional conditions to achieve new and outstanding results.
Further information:
www.nationalesl.com
www.nationalesl.com/us/lol/
www.roccat.org
CHICAGO – July 17, 2012 – SteelSeries, the leading manufacturer of premium-quality, competitive gaming peripherals, today announced that the SteelSeries Sensei [RAW] Glossy and Rubberized Editions are available now online for $59.99/ €59.99 in the SteelSeries Web Shop.
The SteelSeries Sensei [RAW] features the core essentials of a premium-quality gaming mouse, but for users that may not require all of the customization that the 32 bit ARM processor inside of the SteelSeries Sensei has to offer. The Sensei [RAW] will provide users with the same Sensei shape and size as well as:
From tournament-grade switches for intense clicking, to a pro-grade laser sensor and a CPI range from 1-5,700, the SteelSeries Sensei [RAW] delivers the best in gaming performance. Flip it over to find XL-sized UPE material feet for a smooth and consistent glide. Give it a tug or roll over it with your desk chair; the 6.5ft anti-tangle black and white cord is braided nylon.
Its bright-white LED illumination is featured in 3 zones and can be configured with multiple levels of pulsation. Powered by the SteelSeries Engine software suite, users are equipped with advanced customization options and the ability to create and store an unlimited number of profiles.
The SteelSeries Sensei [RAW] has an ambidextrous, all-grip design and is available in 2 different versions, each offering a very distinct feel for the user. For gamers who worry about sweaty palms, the SteelSeries Sensei [RAW] Rubberized features a rubberized black, hand-sweat resistant coating that allows for an exceptional grip and soft-touch comfort even during the most frantic gaming sessions. The SteelSeries Sensei [RAW] Glossy features a glossy black, smooth exterior that both looks and feels sleek.
Additional details and images of the SteelSeries Sensei [RAW], Rubberized and Glossy editions can be found at http://steelseri.es/RAW. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for new product updates, contests and promotions.
Ridgewood, NJ, July 17, 2012– They are not born of flesh, but rather, they are intelligent machines, given life by “The Core.” They are the X’or, and they are shrouded in mystery.Today, Kalypso Media and Novacore Studios are giving gamers a first-hand look at this race of machines, which are featured in the upcoming 4X space title, Legends of Pegasus. The new trailer, available below, offers an in-depth look at the X’or, including their ships, worlds and motivations. Are they friend or foe? Players will find out in late August when Legends of Pegasus is released in North America.
Confirming the Battlefield 4 leak, Electronic Arts has released an official press statement revealing that Medal of Honor Warfighter pre-order customers will get access to the Battlefield 4 beta.
Guildford, UK. – July 17, 2012 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced access to the exclusive beta for Battlefield 4™, the next entry in DICE’s award-winning shooter series, to players that pre-order Medal of Honor™ Warfighter Limited Edition* prior to the game’s launch on Oct. 23. The most authentic shooter this holiday, Medal of Honor Warfighter is the only game that puts players in the boots of the world’s most aggressive, precise and disciplined warfighters, fighting battles that are ripped from headlines around the globe. Powered by the ground-breaking Frostbite™ 2 engine, Medal of Honor Warfighter delivers tomorrow’s technology on today’s platforms with advanced gameplay, visuals and sound design.For more details please click here Electronic Arts Extranet created by Games Press Ltd.
“Our primary focus with Season 6 is to have fleets become a more central and fundamental part of the Star Trek Online experience,” said Dan Stahl, Executive Producer of Star Trek Online, Cryptic Studios. “Fleets may now work to improve their Starbase category, unlocking additional functionality and increasing the size and grandeur of the Starbase itself.”
I have to admit I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about this title a few years back. Given the rough launches Funcom had with previous titles, and given the unusual setting and theme of this game, I had my doubts it could “work” as an MMORPG.
That being said, I am more than pleased to report that not only is this game suprisingly fun and not only does it “work”, but it has succeeded in a way that most MMORPGs have been unable to do thus far since World of Warcraft dominated the scene (and ushered in numerous clones) – It has done something entirely “different” with the genre.
Now let me be clear, there are parts of the game, UI, look and feel, mechanics, etc, etc that have been built upon from previous games and successes, no doubt about it. Most successful MMOs (including WoW) did this, and it is a natural progression to build upon successful elements from other games both in and out of your genre that came before. But in the same way that WoW innovated beyond the norms when it launched – so has TSW innovated out of the box with its release.
Controls remain mostly true to the established standards, with WASD movement, hotkey binding, mouse wheen camera zoom, standard mouse controls, and more. You will not have a problem understanding control if you have played other games like this. The UI, however, is a very slick and polished new take on interface. The Ability and Skill pages are extremely clean, and function prefectly for min maxing builds and clearly seeing everything you need to. The minimalistic UI, without “frills” or unneeded graphics taking up real estate is responsive and unobtrusive, leaving your eyes free to absorb the creepy game world.
The game world itself is visually very attractive (what I mean is it looks very fitting for the setting of the game). Sound quality is high, with perfectly somber music and monster effects that make the game feel very creepy as you delve into its mysteries. The zones you play in are masterfully crafted, full of interactive content all over the place. This combined with the level of polish and freeform skill/ability progression helps to hide the “theme-park” nature of the game world, and makes it feel much more like an exploration based game with content you encounter, rather than are guided to.
Where this game truly exceeds expectations however, is simply in the successful execution of a horror genre as an MMO, and I truly feel like an occult investigator and have some very creepy moments as I play through the game. Questing is detailed and deep, and while I can’t say I’m a huge fan of having to use out-of-game resources to solve some quests (looking up bible verses, translating morse code, visiting referenced websites, and more), the build in browser makes it easy enough. The game is also HARD.
Let me emphasize that again. The game is actually HARD!
No, I don’t mean just the dungeons or whatever end-game content awaits. I mean just moving through zones, exploring, and solving puzzles, events, and other mysteries. I have been stumped by a few puzzles, and combat gets intense as you move out of the starting areas and into more complex parts of the game world. The first few dungeons I have encountered and cleared (each zone seems to have a 5 player dungeon) have been well crafted, and paced to be exciting and not drag on. They have been quite polished, and provided fun boss fights with entertaining mechanics.
As you can see, there is little I can do to downtalk this title. From the near-flawless launch, to the polish on the game itself, this is truly a success in my eyes from a company that many had probably written off, and were not considering. I personally have convinced multiple gaming buddies to try this title, and not one of them has been dissapointed in their purchase. I have even heard comments from some of them that they may not be returning to the next WoW expansion, as they are so drawn into this title. That to me speaks volumes, and it is nice to see an MMO break the mold, and do it with such success.
I cannot recommend this game enough to die hard MMO vets looking for something new, that reinvigorates old-school gaming style and passions. This game will challenge you and rock your world.
ORLANDO, Fla., UNIVERSAL CITY, Ca. (July 16, 2012) — This fall, the demented multiverse of the popular horror video game and motion picture franchise, Silent Hill, will come to life in a haunted maze atUniversal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights events.
This is not a game. This is not a movie. This is real. And guests will be tormented by horrifying creatures from an alternate dimension, including the iconic deformed nurses and the executioner.
Konami’s ground-breaking Silent Hill series is heralded for its psychologically-charged, horrific plot, which is centered around the disturbing, ash-covered town of Silent Hill – a place where reality gives way to other dimensions. In this demonic world the physical laws of nature no longer apply and nightmarish monsters abound. Characters try to escape back to the safety of reality but constant brutal attacks by disjointed, knife-wielding beings make survival seem impossible.
Silent Hill has sold more than seven million video game copies worldwide, earning more than $100 million at the box office with the first film, “Silent Hill,” and spawning a hit comic book series and graphic novels.
The highly-anticipated sequel to the original film, “Silent Hill: Revelation 3D” from producer Samuel Hadida and his company Davis Films will be released nationwide on October 26 – just in time for Halloween – by Open Road Films. The film is directed by Michael J. Bassett (Solomon Kane, Deathwatch), and features original cast members Sean Bean (HBO’s Game Of Thrones, Lord Of The Rings) and Deborah Kara Unger (The Game, 88 minutes, The Samaritan) return in SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D, starring along with rising stars Adelaide Clemens (X-Men Origins, upcoming The Great Gatsby, No One Lives) and Kit Harington (HBO’s Game Of Thrones) as well as Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix, Disturbia, NBC’s Chuck) and Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange, The Artist).
Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights events have a more than 20-year history of creating incredibly entertaining, horrifying Halloween experiences that are consistently rated the nation’s best. The events on each coast feature highly-themed, disturbingly real, haunted mazes based on everything from film to nightmares — and streets filled with hundreds of specially trained “scareactors.”
“Silent Hill has terrified fans for over a decade by pioneering psychological horror genre first through video games and moving into films and graphic novels,” said Careen Yapp, Vice President Acquisitions and Franchise Development of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “Now we’re giving fans the next evolution of terror as we work with the Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights teams to create a real world Silent Hill experience just as terrifying as the fans have come to expect.”
“We are thrilled to be working with our friends at Universal to bring the horror of Silent Hill to this next level of reality,” said film producer Samuel Hadida. “For newcomers and long time followers alike, there could be no better introduction to the terror that will await them in theatres on October 26 when we launch SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D onto the world.”
“This is our first partnership with a video game property and we are very excited to create an unparalleled, all-new level of horror for our guests,” said Jim Timon, Senior Vice President of Entertainment at Universal Orlando Resort. “We can’t wait to watch our guests actually walk into the hell that is Silent Hill.”
“Creating a realistic three-dimensional world based on the disturbing Silent Hill video games and films elevates Halloween Horror Nights to the next generation of twisted entertainment. Its incredibly imaginative and highly unsettling characters and environments make it the ideal fit for our event where the property can continue its reign of terror and fully immerse guests in its psychological horror,” said John Murdy, Creative Director for Universal Studios Hollywood.
For more information about Halloween Horror Nights at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com. Watch the Silent Hill announcement video on bothUniversal Orlando Resort’s YouTube Channel and on Universal Studio’s Hollywood’s YouTube Channel.
For the latest info on SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D, follow @silenthillmovie on Twitter and “Like” the film on Facebook at: facebook.com/
For more information about the SILENT HILL franchise, including screenshots of the upcoming Silent Hill Book of Memories, please log on to www.konami.com/silenthill.
