Author - Jerry Paxton

Total War: PHARAOH High Tide Announcement Trailer

SEGA® Europe Limited and The Creative Assembly Ltd, have today announced the High Tide update for Total War: PHARAOH. Introducing the ferocious Sea Peoples culture, this pack welcomes two new playable factions alongside their enigmatic leaders. With new campaign mechanics to exploit, units to command and gods to worship, are you ready to bring civilisation to its knees?

PLAY AS THE HARBINGERS OF THE BRONZE AGE COLLAPSE
The Sea Peoples are warring hordes of nomads who sail the Mediterranean to exploit the chaos of the Bronze Age Collapse. With the ancient empires of Egypt, Canaan and the Hittites descending into total war, they arrive on their troubled shores to fight, raze and conquer everything in sight. As a horde faction The Sea Peoples must stay on the war path to survive, and only through constant conquest can you sustain the Sherden and Peleset hordes and emerge victorious.

FACTION FOCUS: THE SHERDEN
Lead the Sherden horde as Iolaos, a young and determined explorer who has but one aim; to lead his warband to where the sun rises, razing and sacrificing everything in their path as a tribute to the gods.

Gameplay Mechanics
The Sherden are a nomadic, snowballing horde that rely on constant conquest to survive. Use the new Spoils of War mechanic to raze cities for extra resources, construct Nuraghe Camps to strengthen your armies on the campaign trail and use the new resource Eminence to establish your dominance over your fellow Sea Peoples tribes and absorb them into your horde.

New Units
Command a host of new units including Nuraghe Warriors capable of forming an armoured turtle-like Kelone formation to protect themselves as they advance, Harpooneers who hurl deadly barbed javelins at your enemies, and Sherden Archers who fire sulphur tipped arrows that set the ground on fire beneath your enemies’ feet.

FACTION FOCUS: THE PELESET
Sew the Bronze Age Collapse as Walwetes, the hulking patriarch leading our second faction, The Peleset. Taking to the sea after their empire was destroyed, The Peleset are in search of a new home and will build it atop the ruins of the ancient world if they must.

Gameplay Mechanics
The Peleset are a hybrid Nomadic/Settled horde that can both pitch camp and occupy cities on the campaign map. Spoils of War and Eminence are your friends as you embrace the unique challenge of balancing the need to stay on the warpath to survive with the need to settle, creating the foundations for a new Peleset empire to be forged in the furnace of the Bronze Age Collapse.

New Units
Command all new units including Oxen Carts, a dismountable chariot capable of flanking the enemy, delivering Peleset shock troops into the heat of battle. Peleset Marines; heroic warriors that can unleash volleys of javelins before getting into close combat, and Peleset Raiders; elite and aggressive infantry who move fast and hit hard.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Dishing Out Free Popcorn For National Popcorn Day

This Friday there will be an invasion of big, silver saucers at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema locations nationwide – and all of them will be filled with FREE popcorn! Alamo Drafthouse will be slinging big bowls of freshly popped kernels and real clarified butter at every screening all day long on National Popcorn Day, January 19th. Just buy a ticket plus any other food or beverage item, and a silver bowl of hot, salty, buttery goodness is all yours. They’re not bottomless like Alamo Drafthouse’s regular popcorn bowls (sorry everyone) but they are free and delicious. Besides, the only thing better than a movie and popcorn is a movie and FREE popcorn. Browse showtimes and get tickets for National Popcorn Day HERE.

*Only valid 1/19/24 with ticket and $5 minimum food & beverage purchase, one bowl per tab, refills not included.

AVerMedia Unveils PCIe Capture Cards at CES 2024

AVerMedia Technologies., a leader in digital audiovisual solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest PCIe capture cards — the HDMI 2.1 Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575) and Live Streamer ULTRA HD (GC571). These innovative devices cater to the diverse needs from sophisticated and entry-level streamers, complementing AVerMedia’s line of capture card solutions and positioning AVerMedia as a pioneering force in the industry.

After the successful launch of the HDMI 2.1 Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2), AVerMedia introduces the PCIe version, Live Gamer 4K 2.1, offering users a more expansive range of choices. Michael Kuo, President and CEO of AVerMedia, stated, “Whether you’re seeking to play the latest 4K games, looking for HDMI 2.1 compatibility, or preferring PCIe connectivity, we’ve been continually expanding our capture card line to meet the needs of the streaming community.”

AVerMedia’s flagship Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575) stands as the world’s premier consumer-grade HDMI 2.1 PCIe capture card. Engineered to revolutionize the streaming experience globally, it maximizes the potential of HDMI 2.1 technology. Boasting features like up to 4K144 pass-through HDR/VRR, the card ensures every gameplay moment is transmitted with breathtaking clarity and fluidity. Supporting up to 4K60 capture, it empowers streamers to capture their cherished gaming memories with unparalleled precision.

For those exploring the world of live streaming for the first time, the Live Streamer ULTRA HD (GC571) is designed to lower the entry barriers. It caters to individuals with a limited budget yet is pursuing high-quality 4K streaming and capturing. Aside from 4K streaming and capturing, the Live Streamer ULTRA HD (GC571) also offers user-friendly features, effortless operation, and low-profile PCB design, all while being affordable.

As a free and dedicated software to these capture cards, AVerMedia’s RECentral allows simultaneous streaming and broadcasting to multiple platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. It can also effortlessly integrate with preferred third-party capturing and live-streaming platforms, providing a seamless experience for users.

Redefine the gaming and streaming experience, elevate gameplay, captivate audiences, and embrace future-proof streaming technology with AVerMedia’s Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575) and Live Streamer ULTRA HD (GC571).

Live Gamer 4K 2.1: Available now at a suggested retail price of US$269.99
Find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPXMDKF9?ref=myi_title_dp

Live Streamer ULTRA HD: Available now at a suggested retail price of US$179.99
Find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPHX86HW?ref=myi_title_dp

For more information about AVerMedia’s latest offerings, visit https://www.avermedia.com/

B-17 Flying Fortress : The Mighty 8th Redux Trailer

MicroProse is happy to announce that B-17 Flying Fortress : The Mighty 8th Redux will be out in Early Access on the 23rd of January.

Redux is the classic game remastered.

Feel the power of flying a 10-men crew on a B-17 over occupied Europe in WWII. Plan the mission, choose your men and take action in every post onboard, from pilot to bombardier and machine gunners. Get ready for a high-flying adventure in this all-time classic remake.

How does it play?

Unleash the might of the B-17 Flying Fortress: Experience the adrenaline rush of flying through relentless anti-aircraft fire and engage in intense aerial combat against Nazi warplanes. Become part of the legendary crew and relive the challenges faced at 15,000 feet with only a thin layer of steel between life and death.

Take control of various roles, including Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator, Bombadier/Chin Turret Gunner, Radio Operator, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, Port Waist Gunner, Starboard Waist Gunner, Ball Gunner, and Tail Gunner. From take-off to landing, from navigating across a realistically mapped Europe to operating the radio, experience the intensity of war from multiple perspectives.

Key Features

  • Take Control of Different Crew Roles aboard a B-17
  • Historical Campaigns
  • Quick Start Missions
  • Training Missions
  • Historical Missions
  • Updated visuals and interface

Redux: The same experience was remastered with the original engine upgraded to support the functionality present in Directx 12. Working on the redux will give the developers the opportunity to look back and learn in order to push forward with future Flying Fortress titles.

GRAVEN Release Date Trailer

The dark-fantasy action-adventure first-person shooter GRAVEN will leave Early Access with a 1.0 release next week, on January 23, 2024 via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store.

A faithful priest of the Orthogonal order, exiled unto death for a crime in defense of another, you live again in a small boat, adrift in a swamp. A stranger ferries you to solid ground and bestows upon you vague instructions, along with a mysterious staff and book. Go forth, pious priest, alleviate suffering, uncover deceptions, and smash the eldritch perversions encroaching upon reality itself.

A marriage between modern development tools and techniques with a stark late 90s aesthetic bring the action first person puzzler GRAVEN to life, featuring character designs by Chuck Jones (Duke Nukem 3D, Half-Life) and the voice talent of Stephan Weyte (Blood, Fire Emblem, Dusk) in a dark yet distinct medieval fantasy experience.

GRAVEN embraces righteous fury with its 1.0 launch via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store on January 23, 2024.

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH – Destined for Rebirth Trailer

SQUARE ENIX® today released a new trailer for its eagerly awaited RPG and the most anticipated game of 2024 as crowned by The Game Awards – FINAL FANTASY™ VII REBIRTH.

The new trailer entitled “Destined for Rebirth,” sets up the conflict between Cloud and his companions, including Tifa, Aerith and Barret, and archnemesis Sephiroth. The video debuts alongside several new screenshots and renders for in-game characters and locales. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is launching globally Feb. 29 exclusively for the PlayStation®5 (PS5®) console.

In addition to providing new details about the planet-spanning threat posed by Sephiroth, “Destined for Rebirth” showcases epic moments including the fight against the Terror of the Deep boss, the Junon ceremony and Nibelheim Incident, plus first glimpes at newly imagined creatures and characters like the Midgardsormr.

World of Warships: Legends First Update of 2024

Wargaming, the developer and publisher of the leading naval multiplayer console game World of Warships: Legends, has delivered its first update of the year. Legends players will experience a new campaign with the lurking Tier VII destroyer Jäger, wave five of the Azur Lane collaboration, a milestone Ranked Battles season, two ship lines joining full access, and more content on the horizon. Meanwhile, World of Warships Blitz will celebrate six years with new ships and in-game events to enjoy.

The Danubian Pearl Campaign Features the Pan-European Destroyer

Across five weeks, the 100-stage milestone, which will have a catch-up mechanic for those who complete it with Admiralty Backing active, will grant players the Pan-European Tier VII destroyer Jäger. This new ship comes with rapid reloading and fast torpedoes, coupled with solid concealment and access to Repair Party: a solid addition to the varied ranks of Pan-European vessels.

World of Warships: Blitz celebrates 6 action-packed years

Beginning January 18, World of Warships: Blitz will begin its 6th-anniversary celebrations, with the unique French Tier VI Premium cruiser Dupleix coming to the game. The British Tier X Premium Aircraft Carrier Eagle will also be obtainable via keys awarded from in-game events. Alongside this, a bounty of premium ships have been added at a discounted rate, there is a reworked tutorial for new players, and further updates make this the biggest anniversary celebration so far.

Wave Five of the Azur Lane Collaboration Arrives in Legends

The player-favorite Azur Lane collaboration returns to the high seas once again! This time it will feature as many as five new Commanders: Bismarck, Cheshire, Colorado, Sovetskaya Rossiya, and Zara, flanked by three new themed ships and two skins, based on these characters. Spiced up with the new crate, the collaboration will be active between January 15 and February 19.

French Heavy Cruisers and German Alternate Destroyers Join the Full Ship Roster

The arrival of Tier VIII F. Schultz for German destroyers, and Brest for French cruisers, signifies the availability of these alternative branches of the tech tree to all players. German destroyers are closer in terms of gameplay to small cruisers, while French navy additions boast high calibre and speed.

Rebel Wolves Hires Creative Director and Announces Dawnwalker

Industry veteran Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Cyberpunk 2077, Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales) has officially joined games studio Rebel Wolves as their Creative Director. Mateusz joins many of his former CD PROJEKT RED colleagues, and many new talents within the Rebel Wolves team, as they work on their upcoming story-driven dark fantasy role-playing adventure that brings their vast experience together to create the RPG game of their dreams.

“Throughout all my years in game development, story-driven role-playing adventures have always been something I was most passionate about,” said Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, Rebel Wolves Creative Director. “For me, nothing beats being able to fully immerse myself and discover handcrafted stories and worlds. There are so many fantastic RPGs out there today, however, I feel that there’s not only enough space but also a hunger among players for more captivating stories. That’s why I’m very happy to join many of my old-time friends and meet many new ones at Rebel Wolves as a Creative Director. We aim to deliver the RPG we’d love to play ourselves.”

The ability to craft worlds that players want to explore while telling emotionally resonant stories are the pillars on which Mateusz has built his career as a narrative designer. He joins a talented team of industry veterans many of whom he has worked together on projects such as The Witcher Series and Cyberpunk 2077. Their upcoming fantasy RPG title has officially entered the alpha stage of development and the team plans to share more about the game later this year.

“We want to craft a world that you will want to explore and dive deep into and tell stories that make you care about the characters,” said Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz. “We aim to deliver an experience that will allow for a variety of choices and room for experimentation when replayed. Helping craft this experience with so many talented people will be my mission at Rebel Wolves, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what the team has been up to for quite a while now.”

Dakar Desert Rally USA Tour Update Out Now

Get ready to cross the finish line! Just in time for the epic finale of the real-world 2024 Dakar Rally, today’s USA Tour Update for Dakar Desert Rally, the largest open-world rally racing title from Saber Interactive, marks the final installment of the game’s Season Pass DLC. Delivering a massive new map with tons of content, Dakar Desert Rally’s USA Tour DLC is available now for Season Pass owners. It can also be purchased separately for 9.99 USD|9.99 EUR|8.99 GBP.

The premium USA Tour DLC introduces a vast, 256-square-kilometer map spanning the Great American West and Southwest, letting drivers explore incredible locations inspired by renowned landmarks like the Grand Canyon, Nevada desert, and Yellowstone National Park! Experience the thrill of 20 new stages in Sport game mode and 12 stages in Professional game mode in competitive rally raids. With 140 new treasures out there to discover, are you up for the challenge?

Patch 2.1 also rolls out today, introducing new game enhancements and fixes. You can check out the full list of patch notes here.

Dakar Desert Rally captures the genuine scale and thrill of one of the world’s most challenging off-road events across over 20,000 square kilometers of diverse terrain with dynamic weather. Choose from some of the sport’s most renowned racing teams and build up your garage with a long line of cars, bikes, trucks, quads and SSVs from the world’s top manufacturers. Forge your path to victory across a variety of game modes, including an arcade-style Sport mode for quick pick-up-and-play action, Professional and Simulation modes for a true rally experience, online multiplayer for up to four players, and the Custom Roadbook Editor for creating your own intense off-road race events.

Dakar Desert Rally is available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. For more info, check out www.DakarTheGame.com, and #DaretoDrive by following the game on Twitter, Instagram, Discord and Facebook.

The 2024 Dakar Rally is going on now and comes to its thrilling conclusion on January 19. You can follow all the action and keep up with the latest live race coverage and highlights at www.Dakar.com.

Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice Early Access Registration Now Open

Com2uS, the acclaimed global developer and publisher of beloved mobile games like Summoners War and MLB 9 Innings, in collaboration with NetEase and 11 Bit Studios, have opened Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice’s Google Play and Apple App Store pre-registration for a special Early Access test kicking off soon for players living in the US, UK, and Philippines. Fans of Frostpunk, strategy sim games and mobile games will soon be able to actively participate in the Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice Early Access test, where they can get a first-look at the game, join the official community and provide feedback to the development team before the official launch.

A new Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice teaser can be found:

Similar to the original, Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice revolves around a city built around a massive steam engine set against a world gripped by an icy apocalypse. Players must manage the city, ensure its prosperity, and survive extreme environmental conditions. The mobile version introduces new features, including Guild, Trade systems for player interaction, and an Animal Shelter, providing players with fresh and engaging content.

“Com2uS has a proven track record in translating iconic IPs from entertainment and sports like The Walking Dead to Major League Baseball into immersive mobile experiences that can be enjoyed everywhere,” said Jihoon Han, Head of Com2uS Game Business Division. “We are excited to incorporate feedback from the core user base to create an enjoyable experience for global players.”

By securing a global publishing agreement with NetEase, the developer and publisher behind IP partnerships like Marvel Super War, Diablo Immortal, and Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Com2uS expands on an IP that has sold more than 3 million copies since its 2018 release and has a sequel launching later this year. Fans looking forward to getting their hands on more Frostpunk content can pre-register via Google Play and Apple App Store, as well as sign up for an email newsletter which will notify them once Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice Early Access is live.

Pre-register via Google Play and Apple App Store and register for a chance to be a part of the Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice Early Access test at the official game website:

The global version of Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice will launch as a free download via the Apple App Store and Google Play later this year.