Author - Jerry Paxton

Harmonix Announces Rock Band Blitz

2012/04/05
Jerry Paxton
News

Cambridge, Mass. – April 4th, 2012 – Harmonix is excited to announce Rock Band™ Blitz, an all-new downloadable title for Xbox LIVE Arcade and PlayStation®Network that brings the excitement of a full band experience into your hand! Designed for use with a standard controller, Rock Band Blitz is beat-match gameplay evolved… no instrument peripherals required!

Rock Band Blitz is a new way to experience your favorite Rock Band songs, with fast-paced, multi-track arcade gameplay that encourages you to compete against your friends for the highest scores. Use insane power-ups like the note-obliterating Bottle Rocket or the Pinball strategically to boost your scores and top the leaderboards!

Rock Band Blitz features over 20 tracks new to the Rock Band franchise, including Blink-182’s “Always,” Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks,” Quiet Riot’s “Metal Health (Bang Your Head),” and Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl.”  Rock Band Blitz is also compatible with most of your existing Rock Band Music Library, including all content from the Rock Band Music Store, as well as tracks exported from Rock Band, Rock Band 2, and more. As a bonus, all of the tracks that come with Rock Band Blitz are immediately playable in Rock Band 3 at no extra charge, so you can get the band back together and play Rock Band Blitz’s 20-plus new tracks in Harmonix’s award-winning full-band game!

“We’re excited to give Rock Band fans a new way to play their existing Rock Band library,” said Harmonix CEO and co-founder Alex Rigopulos. “With over 3,500 songs at their disposal and addictive multi-track gameplay, Rock Band Blitz is going to be a great way to compete with your friends later this summer!”

Harmonix will be bringing Rock Band Blitz to Penny Arcade Expo in Boston, MA this week – April 6 through April 8 – for its first public playable appearance. Fans can stop by booth #642 to check out Rock Band Blitz on one of six kiosks and get their first taste of the game’s frantic, instrument-free arcade action!

Rock Band Blitz is scheduled for release on Xbox LIVE Arcade and PlayStation® Network this summer. For the latest assets, including screenshots and the game logo, please visit http://www.rockband.com/press/blitz

Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion Coming for 3DS

2012/04/05
Jerry Paxton
News

BURBANK, Calif. – (April 4, 2012) – Disney Interactive Media Group today announced the development of “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion,” the first Nintendo 3DS™ title in the “Disney Epic Mickey” franchise. The title features an interactive combination of painting, dual screen integration and 3D transformation capabilities designed to give players the unique ability to create objects and even characters they can place in the world of Wasteland.

In “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion,” Reality is What You Paint of It.  The game offers a special drawing and painting function that allows players to create rough versions of objects that magically transform into classic Disney-style 2D illustrations.  Utilizing the game’s unparalleled dual screen integration, players then move their creations to the top screen where they are further transformed into full-color, fully-rendered 3D visuals.

Paying tribute to the classic Sega Genesis title “Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse,” “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion” focuses on the fabled Castle of Illusion, which has fallen into Wasteland, an alternate world filled with 80 years of forgotten Disney characters and theme park attractions – and now forgotten video games.  The evil witch Mizrabel, villainess from the classic “Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse,” finds herself an unwilling inhabitant of Wasteland, and unleashes a plot to escape using the Castle of Illusion to imprison and drain the cartoon essence from currently famous Toons.  Players will take on the role of Mickey Mouse as he utilizes his magical brush to wield paint and thinner to confront Mizrabel and save the Toons.

“The original ‘Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse’ changed the face of video gaming by allowing players to play as Mickey Mouse in a side-scrolling adventure full of dynamic environments,” said Warren Spector, vice president and creative director, Junction Point. “We’re honored to be able to pay tribute to this classic video game by creating a title that  truly takes advantage of the unique capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS, putting the magic of Disney and the historic Castle of Illusion in the palm of your hands.”

“Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion” is being created by critically acclaimed DS developer DreamRift, in collaboration with Disney Interactive’s Junction Point. The game is slated for a fall 2012 release on the Nintendo 3DS. For more information, go to www.disney.com/disneyepicmickey, or check out this month’s issue of “Nintendo Power” magazine which features an exclusive cover story on the upcoming game.

About Disney Interactive Media Group
Disney Interactive Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group, is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California, and has internal development studios around the world. For more information, log on to http://www.DisneyInteractiveStudios.com.

EVGA Announces Global Warranty Policy

2012/04/03
Jerry Paxton
News

April 2, 2012 – EVGA is proud to introduce a new Global Warranty Policy for all EVGA products. This new warranty ensures that no matter which region you live in, you have the support that you look for when purchasing an EVGA product. The warranty will no longer belong to the purchaser but instead the product as we believe in the workmanship and quality of our products and we are here to stand behind them.

This new warranty policy will be automatically applied on any products purchased on or after July 1st, 2011.* Under this new warranty policy, all products will have a minimum of 3 years warranty, and registration is now optional.

The warranty is fully transferable. This means that if an end user transfers ownership of an EVGA product to another end user whether via a private sale, or via a second hand online site or auction site, the remainder of the warranty period also transfers to the new owner.

New bonuses will be available for original owners that do register within 30 days of purchase!

EVGA Global Warranty Key Items:

•          3 Year Warranty Minimum – All EVGA products will carry a minimum warranty of 3 years.*

•          Warranty is now Transferrable – EVGA Global Warranty will cover the product, not the user. The warranty term starts on the date of purchase if user has invoice, or manufacture date if not.

•          Warranty Upgrades – Warranty upgrades are now available for the original owner upon registration. A 5 or 10 year warranty upgrade is available for a small price.

•          EVGA Step-Up Enhanced – Now the EVGA Step-Up program is available for any EVGA graphics or motherboard product with Warranty Upgrade.

•          Global Warranty Policy – An EVGA product is covered under warranty, no matter where you live. If you purchase a product in another country, you will be served by your local warranty center.

•          Free Standard Cross-Shipping RMA – Basic cross shipping service is now free.**

* Re-certified and 1 Year Warranty products are not included.

** A credit card will be required for this service to hold charge in place until EVGA gets the defective product back.

Learn more about the EVGA Global Warranty Policy here.

Naval War: Arctic Circle Release Date

2012/04/03
Jerry Paxton
News

NEW YORK – April 2nd , 2012 –With all hands on deck and tensions at a fever pitch , NATO fleets are now ready to engage the Russian Navy as it continues its aggressive posture in the Arctic Circle. A world starving for energy will soon wage bloody war over the riches of the deep. NATO Command has marked April 10 as the date when ships will weigh anchor and meet their fate in the cold of the arctic in the wargame Naval War: Arctic Circle.

On April 10th, 2012, Paradox Interactive and Turbo Tape Games will release a simulation of this all-too-possible conflict to a waiting wargame world. Naval War: Arctic Circle is a modern wargame that reflects the reality of naval combat in the near future, where you could be easily eliminated by a 10,000 tonne ship you never even see. Enter a world of radar, torpedo, high speed jets, anti-submarine warfare, electronic jamming and trying to stay hidden just long enough to get your first shots in. Because if an enemy can see you, it can kill you.

Sinister Pointe Kickstarter Campaign Underway

2012/04/03
Jerry Paxton
News

The good people at Sinister Pointe, one of our favorite year-round haunted attractions, have started up their own Kickstarter fund. If I had the extra dough to spend, I would definitely do the $5,000 donation – spending the night in the haunted house with 13 friends would be crazy! In any case, checkout the fund page for more information on the various donation levels.

Razer Tiamat 7.1 Elite Headset Review

2012/04/01
Jerry Paxton
News, Reviews

Razer made some serious waves with its virtual surround sound Megalodon 7.1 headset. Most gamers, however, were wondering when they would release a true 7.1 channel design. The wait is over as Razer has released its Tiamat 7.1 channel “elite” gaming headset. Featuring a total of 10 sound drivers, the Tiamat 7.1 is a technological marvel of headset design, featuring a hearty black plastic design with a very dense braided cable. Unlike the Psyko Carbon 5.1 gaming headset which, while providing excellent audio quality, is very heavy and uncomfortable after long periods of use, the Tiamat 7.1 features more drivers and is less weighty by quite a bit. The Tiamat 7.1 also features soft, leatherette ear cups which allow for the unit to be worn for long gaming sessions with little discomfort.

Setting up the Tiamat 7.1 is simple – plug in the five 3.5mm audio jacks to the various outputs on the back of your PC/sound card, and insert the USB cable into an available USB 2.0 port. While the audio comes in through the audio jacks, Razer chose to power the unit via USB. The Tiamat 7.1 is an analog headset, meaning you need to have actual audio outputs for each channel on the sound card you use.  If your sound card only supports 5.1 or 2.1 sound, you will not be able to utilize the Tiamat 7.1’s full range of sound channels. Adjusting the Tiamat 7.1’s volume and equalization is done through the included control unit. The control unit features a volume knob of considerable diameter, meaning you have a lot of minute control in just how much volume you want to pump into your ears. Furthermore, you can select individual channels as well as adjust the EQ settings right from the control unit. For those wishing to chat with team mates or friends, the Tiamat 7.1 has a retractable boom microphone which works very well and, as my team mates have reported, captures clear voice chat.

Using the Tiamat 7.1 is a pleasure. I had no issues with the unit whatsoever and did not encounter a “bass bug” which some reviewers are reporting. Razer has mentioned the fix for this issue in the product’s official FAQ. It is actually an issue with the Windows default sound driver, not the headset. I have been fortunate to use the Tiamat 7.1 in multiple gaming environments – from the mechanized combat of Wargaming.net’s World of Tanks to the zombie-killing goodness of Valve’s Left 4 Dead 2. While many games I played did not take full advantage of the Tiamat’s 7.1 channels, several did. Each of those that did proved to be illuminating experiences, and the positional audio coming through the headset’s earcups added an entirely new element to my gaming. It was actually off-putting to go back to lesser numbers of channels in my gaming afterwards. My hope is that this spurs developers to take more advantage of 7.1 channel audio in their game development. Time will tell…

Razer’s Tiamat 7.1 elite gaming headset represents a new generation of PC gaming audio. Sure, we have seen 7.1 desktop sound systems before, but never a TRUE 7.1 channel headset. The Razer Tiamat 7.1 is pricey but, if you are looking for the best 7.1 channel gaming experience possible without a desktop speaker system, you simply won’t find better at this time. In fact, the Tiamat 7.1 is, in some ways, better than a desktop sound system. The ear cups help block out ambient noises and, coupled with the channel separation, make for a more intimate gaming experience all around.

The unit has been plagued with some supply issues of late, due to the complexity of building the unit as well as the high demand from consumers. However, it looks like this is becoming a thing of the past as the company is beginning to get more in stock. So, if you want one, keep checking those online retailers!

Official Features

  • 7.1 Surround Sound from 10 discrete drivers
  • All-in-one volume control unit for multi-channel customization and toggling between headset and speakers
  • Comfortable, snug fit for extended play
  • Retractable, noise-filtering unidirectional mic
  • Interchangeable ear cup covers
  • Replaceable soft-touch leatherette ear cushions
  • Braided fibre cable

Headphones

10 discrete neodymium drivers:

Sub woofer:

  •  Drivers: 2 x 40mm Neodymium Magnets with Titanium Coated Diaphragm
  •  Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20,000 Hz
  •  Impedance: 16Ω
  •  Sensitivity @ 1kHz: 116 dB ± 3dB

Front:

  • Drivers: 2 x 30mm Neodymium Magnets
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 32 Ω
  • Sensitivity @ 1kHz: 123dB ± 3dB

Rear:

  • Drivers: 2 x 20mm Neodymium Magnets
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 32 Ω
  • Sensitivity @ 1kHz: 120dB ± 3dB

Center:

  • Drivers: 2 x 30mm Neodymium Magnets
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 32 Ω
  • Sensitivity @ 1kHz: 123dB ± 3dB

Side:

  • Drivers: 2 x 20mm Neodymium Magnets
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 32 Ω
  • Sensitivity @ 1kHz: 120dB ± 3dB

Microphone

  • Frequency Response: 50 – 16,000 Hz
  • Sensitivity @1kHz: -36 dB ± 2dB
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 50 dB
  • Pick-up Pattern: Unidirectional

Volume Control Unit
Master Volume, front speakers, centre speakers, sub-woofer speakers, side speakers, rear speakers, microphone volume, microphone mute, audio mute, 7.1 surround sound & 2.0 stereo mode toggle and speaker/headset toggle

  • Cable: 3 metres, braided fibre sheath
  • Micro-USB Audio-Out
  • Micro-USB Audio-In
  • PC Connector: Microphone-In, 4x Audio-Out
  • Speakers Connector: 4x Audio-Out, 1x Audio-In

Requirements

  • PC with built-in 3.5mm audio jacks & 1 USB port
  • 7.1 Surround Sound-enabled Sound Card (for 7.1 Mode)

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NZXT Announces Phantom Armor

2012/04/01
Jerry Paxton
News
1 Comment

From the creators of the popular Phantom series and Switch 810 chassis, NZXT is proud to expand their product lines by officially making gamer’s dreams come true with REAL crafted gaming armor, the Phantom Armor. The Phantom Armor is available for pre-order as of now.

Phantom Helm
• 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi + 4G LTE (700, 2100 MHz)3
• Bluetooth 4.0 Technology
• Battery life 280 Hours
• Full Dolby Digital 7.1 surround sound to immerse yourself in the game
• Built-in microphone with volume control for audio and microphone
• Visor provides 4 different vision modes: 3D vision, night mode, heat sensor, digital filter
• Built-in 1080 HD Camera
• USB 3.0 Charge
• Rubberized grip handle for portability
• Mesh front and side for air flow

Phantom Gauntlet:
• 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi + 4G LTE (700, 2100 MHz)3
• Bluetooth 4.0 Technology
• Built-in AI SILI; activated by voice command that does everything but tell time
• Battery life 80 Hours
• USB 3.0 Charge
• Analog control panel
• Android 5.0 Pepper Mint
• Touch keypad
• Intuitive LED touchscreen
• Fan control for your wrist
• On/Off power button for PC
• Adjustable straps

“Our Phantom Armor is just what every hardcore gamer needs” said Johnny Hou, Founder of NZXT. “The lightweight suit will take you through endless battles and provide you the ultimate gaming experience.”

Game on with the Phantom set. Visit www.nzxt.com for full details of the Phantom Armor.

Firefly Announces Stronghold in Space

2012/04/01
Jerry Paxton
News

London, UK – 1st April, 2012 – Firefly Studios, creators of the Stronghold series and free-to-play MMORTS Stronghold Kingdoms, are proud to announce the world’s first medieval game world set in space.

‘Moon 1’ will launch on 1st April to coincide with the anniversary of the birth of Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle, in response to planet Earth becoming overrun with new Kingdoms players.

“After one of our daily, caffeine-infused power meeting here at Firefly we decided that it’s time for something fresh, something out of this world” said Nick Tannahill, Marketing Officer at Firefly Studios. “We asked ourselves – Where have all medieval games been too scared to go? That’s when it hit me. It’s space, it has always been space!”

New gameplay elements will include attacks that can drift off into space, rocket-powered Scouts and all-new Moon Wolves, specially trained for zero-g combat. Earthlings hoping to migrate spacewards will be able to do so via means of a giant trebuchet.

Firefly hopes Moon 1 won’t be the final frontier in 2012. Enjoy your star wars.

More information on Stronghold Kingdoms and Firefly Studios can be found at www.strongholdkingdoms.com and www.fireflyworlds.com. Kingdoms can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StrongholdKingdoms and on Twitter @shkingdoms. Alternatively you can follow @AskTheWolf to be insulted by a psychotic medieval warlord.

Paradox Unveils Meta-MetaCritic to Rate Reviewers

2012/04/01
Jerry Paxton
News

NEW YORK — April 1, 2012 — Paradox Interactive today launched an all-new platform to objectively quantify the art of games journalism. The new site, MetaMetaCritic (http://www.meta-metacritic.net ), provides publishers, developers, and readers alike with a quick and easy way to understand the world’s overall opinion of popular game journalists, with each writer receiving an aggregated score based on reader reviews of the reviewers. This new system will provide game-enthusiast enthusiasts with a better overall concept of these writers, and allow them to make easy read/browse/troll decisions before spending their hard-earned unique pageviews.

“MetaMetaCritic will provide a more accurate, balanced system for reviewer reviews,” said Lars Larsson at Paradox Interactive. “In a landscape with so many diverse scales for rating games journalists, it’s hard to get an idea who the best writers really are. We all have different criteria for what makes a good review. How do we measure value and re-read value? And some of us try to base our ratings on abstract concepts like tone, voice, or whether an article was ‘finished’ or not. I’ve seen a lot of reviews get criticized lately for releasing day-one counterpoints – and don’t get me started on the ending of the Mass Effect 3 review.” Larsson continued.

Select media groups have already cited MetaMetaCritic scores as providing a good guideline for journalists’ bonus pay. The site is live now at http://www.meta-metacritic.net

SteelSeries Announces 8-bit Peripherals

2012/04/01
Jerry Paxton
News

CHICAGO, March 30, 2012 – Kicking off the weekend, SteelSeries, the leading brand in all things related to being awesome and superior, today announced an entirely new line of products specifically designed for gamers living in an 8-BIT world. Inspired by retro-styled games such as Minecraft or FortressCraft, this revitalized family of SteelSeries ErgoRetro® peripherals has been ergonomically improved for the ultimate PC gaming comfort, control and overall domination.

“We are ecstatic to introduce these new peripheral designs and share with our community, the entirely new approach to ergonomics and design we are taking when it comes to our products, said SteelSeries CMO, Kim Rom.  We are re-evaluating the importance of high-performance, superior functionality, and comfort for what we believe is the regression of the peripherals industry. Instead of being the first to introduce the mechanical keyboard to gamers or bringing the worlds most customizable mouse to market, we are shifting it back to designs inspired by the first-type of gaming, pixelated 8-Bit style.”

SteelSeries ErgoRetro® Family of Peripherals

The classic and most recognized SteelSeries peripherals including the SteelSeries Sensei Mouse, SteelSeries 6Gv2 Keyboard and SteelSeries Siberia v2 Headset have all been re-designed to fit an ultra-new, ergonomically sound design.

SteelSeries ErgoRetro® Mouse

Taking out the relevant functionality to dominate your game, the SteelSeries ErgoRetro® Mouse has been ergonomically re-altered for extreme hand-sized users, increasing hand-cramp reaction times, and added weight technology for a block-like, retro feel. Features also include a new TrackBlock sensor, modeled after the track-ballwith an added 8-Bit flair.

SteelSeries ErgoRetro® Headset

Headsets are simple, make them look cool and the rest will follow. The new SteelSeries ErgoRetro® Headset embodies an oversized, block-like design for sort-of-superior sound and an incredibly limited amount of comfort. Weighing in at 8.6 lbs., users will never forgetwhat they’re wearing.

SteelSeries ErgoRetro® Keyboard

Modeled after the first mechanical gaming keyboard that was introduced in 2007 by SteelSeries, the new SteelSeries ErgoRetro® Keyboard supports the same tank-like, indestructible design, butwith new 8-Bit style improvements. The severe, pixel-block design and oversized keys takeaway the fast response time of its user and focuses the attention more on the way it looks than the way it works.

The SteelSeries 8-Bit ErgoRetro® peripherals will be available soon; pricing is still to be determined. Be sure to check out theSteelSeries Facebook page for giveaways of these new products throughout the weekend at http://facebook.com/steelseries.

About SteelSeries

SteelSeries is a leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals. For the past two thousand years, SteelSeries has been on the forefront of competitive gaming gear thanks to continued innovation and product development in cooperation with leading nerds, 8-Bit enthusiasts, and professional pranksters. SteelSeries also supports the growth of competitive gaming tournaments and unrealistic product announcements related to the nonsensical April Fools holiday. And we love MarketingHiiipe™. For more information, please visit http://steelseries.com.

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