Author - Jerry Paxton

Inon Zur to Perform at Heroes: A Video Game Symphony

The highly acclaimed video game music concert “Heroes: A Video Game Symphony” is coming to the iconic Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles on July 6, 2024, and the unprecedented show will feature a special performance by legendary and award-winning composer Inon Zur.

In the video game and musical score genres, few composers have garnered as much recognition as Zur. Renowned for his emotionally dynamic original music scores for blockbuster video game franchises such as “Starfield”, “Fallout”, “Dragon Age”, “Prince of Persia”, and “The Elder Scrolls”, Emmy award-winner and three-time British Academy nominated composer Zur has created sonic landscapes that have captured the minds of gamers across the planet. At the July 6 Pantages show, Zur will perform music on piano from “Fallout 4”. The show also will feature the first ever public performance of Zur’s music from “Rise of the Rōnin”, the epic open-world action role playing game set in late 19th century Japan during the final years of the Edo period.

Jason Michael Paul – the producer and creator of the first stateside FINAL FANTASY concerts, The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary concerts, The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses concerts, and Founder of JMP Entertainment – envisioned the “Heroes” experience to take audience members on a hero’s journey, as set forth by Joseph Campbell’s monomyth – a narrative framework that can be seen in many of the games, film, and books throughout history. Everyone’s story is the story of a hero, told through the amazing worlds of other heroes, in an unforgettable experience that is not to be missed.

“It is unbelievable to have Inon performing with us at the iconic Pantages,” notes Paul. “This show will be epic!”

The music featured in the “Heroes” concert will pay homage to some of the gaming industry’s most iconic titles, including “World of Warcraft”, “Diablo”, “FINAL FANTASY”, “Portal 2”, “BioShock”, “Guild Wars 2”, “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion”, “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim”, “Fallout 4”, “Starfield”, “Castlevania”, “Metal Gear Solid”, “Halo”, “Mass Effect”, “Dear Esther”, “God of War”, “Dragon Age”, “Shadow of the Colossus”, and more. Audiences also can enjoy watching their favorite video game heroes on a giant screen behind the orchestra, all synced to the extraordinary music.

Zur notes, “It’s always a joy to conduct my music in concert and I am thrilled to be a part of this extraordinary concert series created by Jason Michael Paul.”

For more information, please visit www.heroes-symphony.com. Other upcoming performances include July 13 in Chicago at Auditorium Theater. To purchase tickets, see an updated schedule or for more information, please visit www.heroes-symphony.com.

Homeworld 3 is Now Available on Steam and Epic Game Store

Today players can experience the epic saga of Homeworld 3, the newest chapter in the iconic sci-fi strategy series, on their PCs via Steam® and the Epic Games Store. Homeworld 3, developed by Blackbird Interactive and published by Gearbox Publishing, brings players a generational game that bridges deep strategy with tactical precision in dazzling, fully 3D environments where players will head into battles that shape the future of the galaxy.

The gripping launch trailer commemorating this moment is here:

“It’s difficult to put into words what it means to Blackbird, the individual team members and me personally, to deliver this next chapter in the Homeworld story,” said Blackbird Interactive CEO Rob Cunningham. “Players are about to embark on the next leg of the journey we began together more than 20 years ago. To all the players that put their faith in us, we are eternally grateful.”

“It’s a rare experience to be able to publish a generation-spanning franchise like Homeworld alongside a world-class developer in Blackbird Interactive,” said Steve Gibson, president of Gearbox Publishing. “The work they’ve done with Homeworld 3 has blown us away and stands as an example of the level of artistry and storytelling that is possible in this medium. It’s truly something we’ll always cherish.”

Key Features of Homeworld 3:

  • A Brand New Story – Homeworld 3 expands the Homeworld universe and is set 100 years after the events of Homeworld 2. It introduces a brand new protagonist, scientist Imogen S’Jet – the protégé of Karan S’Jet – who must become Fleet Command to solve the mystery behind Karan’s disappearance and determine the meaning of “the anomaly”, a threat that endangers the galaxy’s future.
  • Stunning 3D Space Combat – Homeworld 3 takes the signature, intense combat and simulated ballistics of the Homeworld series to the next level. New innovative features are introduced for players that open new dimensions of strategic gameplay including cover-based tactics and maps containing complex, varied terrain. These are all rendered in stunning, state-of-the-art graphics that simulate real-time ship damage, dynamic ship destruction, and situationally responsive audio to create a deep sense of immersion and realism.
  • War Games Mode – War Games is a new co-op mode that fuses Homeworld’s iconic RTS gameplay with roguelike elements. It enables players to take on a randomized series of combat missions and with unique challenges. Up to three commanders (players) must manage their fleet strength across each battle and then claim powerful rewards with each victory. Players will unlock incredible powers based on the results of those battles that ultimately carry over into their next run.
  • Skirmish Mode – In addition to the brand new narrative campaign Homeworld 3 also includes the classic Skirmish mode for players to test their tactical skills. Players can battle with human and AI opponents in 1 vs. 1 duals, team-based slugfests, or free-for-all combat with up to six total players. Modding will be supported in this mode through a partnership with Mod.io offering players integrated tools to create, share and play new Skirmish maps.

Players can choose from a variety of purchasing options:

Blackbird Interactive and Gearbox Publishing will continue to support Homeworld 3 following launch with additional updates to the War Games mode:

SQUARE ENIX CELEBRATES FINAL FANTASY XI ONLINE 22ND ANNIVERSARY

SQUARE ENIX® released the May version update for FINAL FANTASY™ XI Online, which includes new enemies in the Master Trials and Ambuscades, a limited-time login campaign and more. Fans can also look forward to the return of the Vana’Bout event, a thrilling co-op campaign allowing players worldwide to team up and earn rewards by completing special Record of Eminence objectives.

Details on the new content featured in the May version update can be found below:

  • New Foes in Master Trials – Take down Chaos and Bahamut to earn special rewards.
  • Return of Vana’Bout – Combine forces with players from all of the game’s Worlds to earn points by completing special Records of Eminence objectives. Once the total number of points earned by players around the world reaches the goal, everyone will receive a reward!
  • New Foes in Ambuscade – Tonberries and Pteraketos return to Ambuscade.
  • Login Campaign – The May 2024 Login Campaign runs now through June 9 at 7:00 a.m. Pacific. Receive points and exchange them for various in-game items. More details on the May Login Campaign can be found at: https://sqex.to/hQFD6

Full details on the May version update can be found at: https://sqex.to/3iMu4

The First Omen Home Video and Streaming Dates Announced

Witness the birth of evil when 20th Century Studios’ The First Omen arrives on Hulu on May 30. Directed by Arkasha Stevenson and Certified-Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes™, The First Omen is a prequel to the classic horror film franchise that has been described as “death-fully intense” (Witney Seibold, Slash Film), “truly petrifying” (Daisy Phillipson, Dexerto) and “the best horror movie of the year” (Witney Seibold, Slash Film).

Set in 1971 and starring Nell Tiger Free (Game of Thrones) as American nun-to-be Margaret, who’s traveling to Rome to take the veil, The First Omen reveals the horrific events leading up to Damien’s inception. Fans can delve deeper into the franchise with exclusive behind-the-scenes bonus features when the film arrives on digital retailer platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home on May 28 and on Blu-ray and DVD July 30.

Horror fans can relive the cult classics with all five Omen films available to stream now on Hulu.

Film Synopsis
In this psychological horror prequel to the classic Omen films, a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church. Soon, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith, and that reveals a terrifying conspiracy to bring about the birth of evil incarnate. The First Omen stars Nell Tiger Free (Servant), Tawfeek Barhom (Mary Magdalene), Sonia Braga (Kiss of the Spider Woman), Ralph Ineson (The Northman) and Bill Nighy (Living). The film is directed by Arkasha Stevenson based on characters created by David Seltzer (The Omen), with a story by Ben Jacoby (Bleed) and a screenplay by Tim Smith & Arkasha Stevenson and Keith Thomas (Firestarter).

Bonus Features*
Featurette

  • The Mystery of Margaret – Join director Arkasha Stevenson and stars Nell Tiger Free, Bill Nighy and Maria Caballero as they dive into the character of Margaret, her relationships with other characters, and how she’s manipulated while trying to solve the film’s horrifying mystery.
  • The Director’s Vision – Director Arkasha Stevenson talks about her love of horror films, the opportunity to expand on The Omen legacy, and crafting The First Omen entirely through a female lens. She also describes shooting in Rome, and the cast recounts working with Arkasha.
  • Signs of The First Omen – Join the director and talented artists as they reveal some of the symbolism within the set designs and the costumes. Learn how the use of practical effects blurs the line between what is real and what is not in The First Omen’s terrifying world.
*Bonus features may vary by product and retailer

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr Offline Mode Coming Soon

NeocoreGames is happy to announce that a long awaited feature, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr’s OFFLINE MODE, is set to release on May 23, 2024 for PC (Steam)

We’d like to emphasize, that this doesn’t mean the servers are shutting down on May 23. The offline mode will be added as a separate game mode, alongside the currently available online mode, as an optional feature. We have compiled a FAQ below to explain how it’ll work in detail.

OFFLINE MODE FAQ

As announced a few months ago, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr’s new class DLC, the Hierophant Class, is also in the works, and will be available later this year. By playing this class, you will assume the role of an Inquisitor who can call in multiple acolytes to form a squad. You will have to use your faith and authority to inspire your acolytes to carry out the Emperor’s will, manage them like a true leader, and teach the Imperium’s truth to all the heretics in the Caligari sector. We’ll share more details about the new class in the following weeks.

The Seasonal Journey, including the yet unreleased PC exclusive Season 6 and 7, is coming soon to consoles as well.

Necrophosis Demo Out Now

Dragonis Games is excited to announce the release of the demo version of Necrophosis today! This chilling first-person horror adventure takes players into a nightmarish realm inspired by the spooky art of Zdzislaw Beksinski, a famous Polish artist who specialized in the field of dystopian surrealism. Explore a world of bizarre forms and dark visuals by watching the teaser trailer below.

Necrophosis offers a mystical puzzle adventure set billions of years after the universe has ended. In this surreal universe, you awaken in a realm dominated by decay, where even death itself may die! Each environment, a nightmarish masterpiece, is intricately designed to immerse players in a haunting journey.

The game features a unique mix of haunting narrations and evocative poetry, where each puzzle is a crucial part of a larger enigmatic narrative. Experience the relentless touch of decay as you solve intricate puzzles and unravel the mysteries of a world where death is not the end but a pervasive reality.

This compelling storyline tests your skills and draws you deeper into its dark realms.

As development continues, Dragonis Games reminds players that Necrophosis is still on its way to a full release on Steam. The demo version is now available and players are encouraged to try it out and add the game to their Steam Wishlist to stay updated with all future announcements and updates.

Sea of Stars Retail Physical Edition Out Now Across Europe

iam8bit and Sabotage Studio are thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated Sea of Stars retail edition physical release is now available at retailers across Europe for PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series S/X and Nintendo Switch. The retail edition is priced at $39.99EUR / £34.99GPB and features a double-sided poster with art from concept artist and illustrator Bryce Kho.

As a reminder, Solstice Warriors can still also pre-order the PlayStation and Xbox versions of the iam8bit Exclusive Edition which includes a retro-inspired game manual, collectable slipcase, poster featuring original art and oversized game map, digital download of the game soundtrack and 16 character stickers. The Exclusive Edition has begun shipping this week, but players can still order on PlayStation over at iam8bit.com. Lastly, the Sea of Stars 2xLP vinyl is also available for pre-order and shipping in Q3 2024 with select tracks from Eric W. Brown and Yasunori Mitsuda. Fans who purchase the vinyl will also receive a digital download code for the full soundtrack.

Necromantic Early Access Trailer

Blinkmoon is thrilled to announce that macabre bullet heaven Necromantic will launch into Early Access on PC via Steam on May 22nd, 2024. Start out as a lowly freshman at Valorborn Academy and prove yourself to become the coolest kid in school – or don’t, and repeatedly fall to the legions of horrors that await in Necromantic.

As a first-year Valorborn Academy student, you’ll juggle your academic aspirations during the day with mowing down hordes of monsters at night. Pull from a rich assortment of weapons and abilities to fuel your bloodlust as you carve your way to coolness by slaughtering waves of monsters across a variety of maps. After you’ve made dust of your foes, you’ll work to gain infamy by studying, going to class, and completing assignments to upgrade and master your skills.

Get those grades up, or else you’ll be fodder for the hordes of undead wandering around at night. Kathedril, the territory that Valorborn Academy sits above, is home to a never-ending graveyard of fun. Stay out at night to impress the cool kids, but do so at your own risk, as the horrors that await are otherworldly. Dive into this rich new dark fantasy world alone or via co-op play to see if you can help these freshmen pull off the impossible and survive the semester.

But Necromantic isn’t all about keeping your nose in a book. You’ll have access to over 40 different weapons and abilities that will hopefully help you survive through the night against hordes of undead creatures. Do battle, collect gems and other rewards, then choose wisely in order to level up.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Senua’s Psychosis Feature

Today, Ninja Theory released Senua’s Psychosis, a feature video detailing the studio’s approach to mental health representation in Hellblade II, including Senua’s experiences with psychosis.

Rooted both in neuroscience and real lived experiences, the featurette highlights how the studio combined expertise from mental health consultants, real players, a 10+ year partnership with Professor Paul Fletcher and Cambridge Neuroscience, and extensive research to help inform the game’s design and story. This featurette will be included in-game, and be available to play from the game’s main menu.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II will expand on the first game and will allow players to explore a new side of Senua’s psychosis. Players will witness firsthand Senua’s journey as she crosses paths with several characters and how her psychosis is impacted
in more social settings.

For the full blog post, visit Xbox Wire, and for the latest information on Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, stay tuned to
@NinjaTheory on Twitter/X. For further information on the themes discussed in Senua’s Psychosis, please visit hellbladehelp.info.

Creative Unveiling Super X-Fi Gen4 Audio Profile this June

Building on the foundation of its award-winning Super X-Fi Headphone Holography, Creative Technology will be unveiling the all-new Super X-Fi Gen4 audio profile. This latest release boasts significant enhancements in dynamic range, clarity, and spatial awareness. The Super X-Fi Gen4 isn’t just raising the bar; it’s redefining the standard for immersive audio experiences. With this latest update, users can enjoy an expanded dynamic range, delivering richer, more detailed audio reproduction. Coupled with improved clarity, users can indulge in crystal-clear sound that captures every subtle nuance, while the refined sense of space offers a more expansive and lifelike soundstage.

Super X-Fi technology elevates the audio experience for users by recreating the immersive soundstage of high-end surround speaker systems within headphones, further personalized by the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for a remarkably natural listening experience. Since its debut at CES 2019, users and critics have been impressed by the realism of personalized audio, which is tailored according to their anthropometric profiles. From immersing in the heart-pounding action of a blockbuster movie to feeling the raw energy of a live concert or delving into the captivating world of gaming, Super X-Fi can bring it all to life with breath-taking detail and precision.

Super X-Fi For Speakers

Originally engineered for headphones, Super X-Fi has elevated personal audio to new heights with its personalized spatial holographic experience. Now, this innovative technology is poised to transform the home entertainment landscape by bringing the same revolutionary experience to speaker systems. The debut of Super X-Fi for speakers brings a new dimension to home entertainment, effortlessly turning any living space into a vibrant concert hall or theatre. With every note, beat, and sound resonating with captivating realism and depth, users can expect an immersive listening journey, mirroring the satisfaction long enjoyed by Super X-Fi headphone users.

Super X-Fi Gen4 will be rolled out worldwide in June, with users simply needing to configure and download their new profiles through the SXFI APP.

Expanding Super X-Fi Ecosystem

Soon, Creative Technology will unveil the integration of Super X-Fi technology across its upcoming product line-up, spanning from True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds to premium headphones and speakers. This expansion will enable users to seamlessly tap into the world of Super X-Fi across their preferred streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify, even on compact earbuds and speakers—a pioneering feat for Super X-Fi technology.

“Our user community has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of Super X-Fi, providing valuable insights and data that have refined our AI engine. With Super X-Fi Gen4, we’re advancing further, delivering an even more immersive listening experience that breaks free from the limitations of flat and lacklustre audio. Moreover, we are also thrilled to announce the upcoming integration of Super X-Fi technology across our product line-up, offering users seamless access to spatial audio no matter where they are,” said Lee Teck Chee, Chief Technology Officer at Creative and inventor of Super X-Fi.

For more information on Super X-Fi technology and products, visit sxfi.com.