Author - Jerry Paxton

Lake: Season’s Greetings Gets Release Date Trailer

Today, Whitethorn Games — publisher of inclusive, accessible, easy-going games, including APICO, Calico, Lake, and Wytchwood — and developer Gamious are excited to announce that the long-awaited Lake prequel holiday-themed DLC, Lake: Season’s Greetings, will be coming to PC, Xbox and PlayStation 4 and 5, November 15, 2023! To celebrate this announcement, Gamious has revealed a closer look at the story players will unravel in Season’s Greetings.

Make this a December to remember! Lake: Season’s Greetings takes place during 1985’s holiday season, one year before the original Lake game. Players take on the role of Thomas Weiss, an amiable mail carrier and father to Lake’s protagonist, Meredith Weiss. Changing the perspective from Meredith to her father, players will gain an understanding of the Weiss family dynamics and an insight into a snow-covered Providence Oaks from a long-time resident’s point of view. Not only will players learn more about the familiar faces they have grown to love from the main story, but Season’s Greetings introduces five completely new characters to the town of Providence Oaks, each with their very own storylines. The DLC will also provide more background to some unanswered questions that were teased in Lake. Following the ideals of the base game, Season’s Greetings will continue to focus on slice-of-life themes and relaxing vibes, this time embedded in a comfy holiday setting. So curl up with some hot cocoa and a copy of Season’s Greetings because it isn’t Christmas until Thomas Weiss has delivered the holiday cheer.

Key features of Lake: Season’s Greetings include:

  • Travel back to 1985 and discover what Providence Oaks was like before Meredith through the eyes of her father during the winter holiday.
  • Enjoy a variety of after-work activities that include hanging with friends, staying in for a night of television, and going out like it’s 1985.
  • Experience a branching story that doesn’t shy away from slice-of-life themes. Like life, there are no right or wrong answers.

Lake is available now on PC via Steam, or Epic Games Store, on PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S. Lake: Season’s Greetings will be released on these platforms on November 15, 2023.

Follow Lake on Twitter, Facebook, and visit the official website, for more updates.

For more updates from Whitethorn Games, follow the publisher on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch, join the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and visit https://whitethorngames.com.

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria Release Date Revealed

Independent developer Free Range Games and publisher North Beach Games are excited to announce that esteemed actor John Rhys-Davies will reprise his iconic role as the world’s most beloved Dwarf, Lord Gimli Lockbearer, as part of the official voice actor’s cast for the highly-anticipated co-op survival crafting title, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria. Hear Rhys-Davies in action as Gimli in the official opening cinematic for the game, released today. As a special celebration, on the Dwarven holiday of Durin’s Day, October 17, Rhys-Davies joins Nerd of the Rings, the largest YouTube channel in the world dedicated entirely to Middle-earth, for an exclusive interview discussing his role in the game, working with the development team at Free Range Games, returning to The Lord of the Rings, and more.

“It’s always fun to come back and think of the ‘what-ifs’, and the chance to work on this game is an exploration of one of the what-ifs, isn’t it?” said John Rhys-Davies. “Actors often create characters out of love and it’s very hard, sometimes, to let them go. Certainly, Gimli is, for me, a character that I really adore, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to reprise him in a different context.”

“Authenticity is a cornerstone of The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria and when it came to casting Gimli, there was only one name everyone wanted,” said Chris Scholz, CEO of Free Range Games. “It’s been an honor, a privilege, and a dream to have Mr. John Rhys-Davies reprise this iconic role.”

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria Durin’s Day Interview with John Rhys-Davies, hosted by Nerd of the Rings, will be broadcast on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 at 9:00 am PDT / 12:00 pm EDT. The interview will air on the Nerd of the Rings YouTube channel, and will be available to watch in its entirety via VOD recording following the conclusion of the broadcast.

The story of The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria takes players beyond the books and into the Fourth Age of Middle-earth, the fantastical world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Summoned to the Misty Mountains by Lord Gimli Lockbearer, players band together as a company of Dwarves tasked to reclaim the lost spoils from the Dwarven homeland of Moria—known as Khazad-dûm or Dwarrowdelf—in the depths below their very feet. Their quest will require fortitude and teamwork, delving deep into the Mines of Moria to recover its treasures and in the hopes of one day restoring them to their former glory.

Developed by Free Range Games and Published by North Beach Games, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria will launch on Oct. 24 for an MSRP of $39.99 USD / €35.99 EUR, and has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB and has a PEGI 16 rating. Eager fans can pre-order the game digitally on PC via the Epic Games Store and wishlist on PlayStation®5 via the PlayStation® Store. For more information about The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, visit ReturnToMoria.com.

Alan Wake: Flashback Now Live in Fortnite

Rediscover the mysteries of Bright Falls and shine your light on events from Alan Wake in Alan Wake: Flashback, now playable in Fortnite.

Based on the award-winning cinematic action-thriller, Alan Wake: Flashback reimagines Remedy Entertainment’s iconic story in Fortnite. Troubled author Alan Wake embarks on a desperate search for his missing wife, Alice. Following her mysterious disappearance from the Pacific Northwest town of Bright Falls, he discovers pages of a horror story he has supposedly written, but has no memory of.

Alan Wake: Flashback was built using the Unreal Editor for Fortnite and was produced by Epic Games in collaboration with Remedy Entertainment, Spiral House, and Zen Creative.

HOW TO EXPERIENCE

Alan Wake: Flashback is accessible in Discover, or through island code 3426-5561-3374. Fortnite is free to download and available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Android, PC, and cloud-based game streaming services.

ALAN WAKE FORTNITE COSMETICS

Best-selling novelist Alan Wake will be written into Fortnite! Starting October 26 at 8 PM ET, the Alan Wake Outfit alongside other in-game cosmetics in the “Waking Nightmare” Set will be available in the Fortnite Item Shop.

Players who have purchased any of the Alan Wake 2 editions on the Epic Game Store before October 27, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET will be granted both the Alan Wake Outfit and Alan’s Messenger Bag Back Bling in Fortnite early on October 10. For more info visit the FAQ.

Prepare for the next chapter, or get acquainted with the series, through Alan Wake: Flashback today! Just don’t forget your trusty flashlight.

Creative Unveils Creative Live! Audio A3 USB Audio Interface

Creative Technology today announced the release of the Creative Live! Audio A3, the latest USB audio interface poised to transform the way users experience audio in their creative pursuits. Featuring high-resolution 24-bit recording and playback, versatile I/O connectivity, onboard level controls, and zero-latency direct monitoring, the Creative Live! Audio A3 serves as an essential tool for live streamers, content creators, and musicians seeking professional-grade audio quality.

Elevate your sound and simplify your craft with the Creative Live! Audio A3

The Creative Live! Audio A3 stands out with its high-resolution 24-bit recording and playback capabilities, ensuring that users experience exceptional audio clarity and fidelity for all types of content, from music to podcasts and voiceovers. Moreover, the 3.5 mm Mobile Audio I/O Jack minimizes caller input disruptions during remote interviews and podcast recordings, which allows users to seamlessly mix-minus audio to mobile devices while maintaining crystal-clear communication.

Tailored for a diverse range of users, the Creative Live! Audio A3 caters to the needs of musicians, podcasters, and content creators alike. It comes equipped with dual headphone jacks, each with individual volume controls, enabling users to fine-tune their listening experience. Furthermore, the interface includes a dual combo jack featuring a built-in mic preamp and Hi-Z switch, ensuring seamless compatibility with microphones, line-level devices, and instruments. On top of that, the integration of balanced stereo outputs eliminates common issues like electromagnetic interference to deliver clearer sound quality.

With the Creative Live! Audio A3, users can enjoy comprehensive audio control right at their fingertips with individual output and input volume controls, complemented by user-friendly indicators that make audio adjustments a breeze. Moreover, the zero-latency direct monitoring offers immediate sound feedback, a standout feature that strikes a chord with live streamers and musicians alike.

With high-resolution recording, seamless mobile audio integration, and intuitive controls, the Creative Live! Audio A3 shines as the ultimate audio solution for live streamers, content creators, and musicians looking to take their craft to the next level.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Live! Audio A3 is priced at US$149.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit creative.com/LiveAudioA3.

Elgato Unveils Elgato Prompter Compact Teleprompter

Elgato, a brand of CORSAIR (NASDAQ: CRSR), is thrilled to announce the Elgato Prompter, a compact teleprompter that makes pro video production accessible to all. Attached to a camera or webcam, Prompter connects creators to their audience with real, natural eye contact. It’s powered by a computer and can display video scripts or stream chat using Elgato’s free Camera Hub software. Prompter also mirrors any window or app (like a Zoom meeting) with an easy drag and drop. Best of all, unlike other teleprompters, it doesn’t require an extra tablet or smartphone—its 9” screen is already built in. With its unmatched compatibility and Stream Deck support, Elgato’s latest hardware is changing how people communicate online.

For the first time, teleprompting is easy for creators of all kinds, opening the door to better content and stronger communities. With Prompter, Twitch streamers can interact with chat while looking at their camera, making live conversations more engaging. Meanwhile, Prompter helps YouTubers stay on script while recording, which means fewer reshoots and less time editing. Everything’s customizable using Elgato’s Camera Hub software—included free for PC and Mac. Here in the app, creators are free to manage Prompter’s display and personalize text appearance. There’s even a Stream Deck plugin, offering more ways to control Prompter with a key press, a dial turn, or a foot tap.

“We built Prompter to be the true all-in-one solution for content creators” said Jeff Stegner, Product Manager at Elgato. “For years, consumer teleprompters offered only half the equation, requiring an additional smartphone or tablet. Meanwhile, studio devices with a built-in display were too expensive for most creators. Prompter is the best of both worlds.”

Professionals, too, have reason to be excited. Not only is Prompter ideal for virtual presentations, it’s also the perfect icebreaker for video calls. With a drag and drop, users can move their Zoom or Microsoft Teams app onto Prompter’s screen, directly in front of their camera. Now at eye level, Prompter ensures everyone meets face to face with professional eye contact. Likewise, those stuck at work don’t need to miss the big match—they can drag over a browser window and catch every play, without sacrificing monitor space.

Luckily for creators and professionals alike, Prompter likely works with the camera they already use at home or in the office. That’s because it’s compatible with more webcams, cameras, and smartphones than any other teleprompter. (For a list of supported devices and lenses, check out Elgato’s detailed breakdown.) Setup is surprisingly simple, too, thanks to interchangeable backplates and a single-cable USB connection. Of course, Prompter works best when paired with other Elgato products, like the world’s first 4K60 webcam, Facecam Pro.

With today’s news, Elgato fans can officially get their hands on Prompter and try it out themselves.

House Flipper – Farm DLC Out Now

Prepare to trade your controller for a pitchfork, unleash your inner farmer, and get ready to bring your dream farm to life on the big screen! With this add-on, you can transform neglected properties into beautiful countryside retreats and enjoy the excitement of the harvest in every pixel.

Get House Flipper – Farm DLC from either Microsoft Store: https://www.xbox.com/pl-pl/games/store/house-flipper-farm/9n06c7qqkr53 or European PlayStation Store: https://store.playstation.com/product/EP5347-CUSA23089_00-HFFARM00000000EU or US PlayStation Store: https://store.playstation.com/product/UP5167-CUSA23090_00-HFFARM00000000US.

Disney Animation Unveils Once Upon A Studio Animated Short

Disney Animation’s all-new short film “Once Upon A Studio” makes its streaming debut on Disney+ today as part of Disney’s epic hundred-year anniversary celebration. The spectacular tribute to the studio’s legacy can also be seen today on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Freeform, FX, FXX and FXM, with additional airings on Disney Junior on Oct. 18 and on Disney Channel on Oct. 22. “Once Upon a Studio” will also play theatrically in front of the Disney100 special engagement of “Moana”—now showing in theaters through Oct. 26.

Featuring 543 Disney characters from more than 85 feature-length and short films, “Once Upon a Studio” welcomes heroes and villains, princes and princesses, sidekicks and sorcerers—in all-new hand-drawn and CG animation—to celebrate 10 decades of storytelling, artistry and technological achievements. Mickey Mouse leads the emotional and joyful reunion of beloved Disney characters as they come together for a group photo to mark Disney’s 100th anniversary. The short film is written and directed by Dan Abraham and Trent Correy, and produced by Yvett Merino and Bradford Simonsen.

DISNEY+ CELEBRATES DISNEY100

Today the service launched a new content promotional feature in front of select movies and shows for US subscribers. In honor of the company’s 100th anniversary, the very first content promotion spotlight is an exclusive new piece celebrating 100 years of storytelling and reminding streamers the greatest stories live forever on Disney+.

Additionally, starting today, Disney+ subscribers can stream the stunning 4K restoration of the animated classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” This restored version of the 1937 classic is the result of the combined efforts of the Walt Disney Studios Restoration and Preservation team, working closely with key artists from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the same team who recently worked together on the critically acclaimed restoration of Walt Disney’s 1950 animated classic, “Cinderella,” that debuted on the service in August. Disney+ kicked off the celebration earlier this year with the addition of 27 restored Walt Disney Animation Studios classic shorts, featuring such iconic stars as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Chip n’ Dale, and the studio’s first star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Fans can continue celebrating the 100th anniversary by streaming all of their favorite movies and television series organized by release date decade in the Disney100 collection.

Thermaltake Unveils The Tower 200 Bumblebee Mini Chassis

Thermaltake, the leading PC DIY premium brand for Case, Power, Cooling, Gaming peripherals, and enthusiast Memory solutions, is excited to announce the launch of The Tower 200 Bumblebee Mini Chassis, a new-color version of the beloved The Tower series. The Tower 200 is a mini-ITX case with a vertical case design and exceptional thermal efficiency. Though this chassis comes in a compact size, it can support the length of a 4090 graphics card and a 280mm radiator. With the addition of a new vibrant yellow hue, The Tower 200 series now comes in six colors: Black, Snow, Turquoise, Racing Green, Matcha Green, and Bumblebee, allowing you to easily choose an ideal The Tower 200 to fit your style.

The Tower 200 Bumblebee has the same vertical body design as its predecessors, providing users more space flexibility with its smaller footprint. Like the productive spirit of a bumblebee, The Tower 200 Bumblebee is a tiny but mighty case that offers superior hardware support and exceptional cooling performance. The Tower 200 can accommodate a graphics card with a length of up to 380mm such as the latest 4090 GPU and a standard-size power supply of up to 220mm, enabling you to choose the high-performance components you want. Additionally, The Tower 200 can house a CPU cooler with a maximum height of 200mm, support an AIO radiator up to 280mm, and is preinstalled with two CT140 PC Cooling Fans, allowing The Tower 200 Bumblebee to maintain a low interior temperature at all times.

Whether you are in gaming, video editing, or just daily use, the bright exterior color of The Tower 200 Bumblebee can inspire your courage and confidence, enabling you to reach your desired goals with fully positive energy. To be more visually pleasing with The Tower 200 Bumblebee, the fantastic inner components can easily be displayed through the tempered glass front panel. You also can make The Tower 200 Bumblebee more interactive with the separately sold LCD Panel Kit. The 3.9” LCD display can show components’ real-time information, time, and weather. Besides, you can personalize your LCD display by uploading any images or GIFs through the TT RGB Plus 2.0 software.

The Tower 200 Bumblebee is a tiny but mighty chassis, like a bumblebee. If you are a compact chassis lover who would like to achieve outstanding cooling performance, hardware support, and visual aesthetics at the same time, don’t miss out on The Tower 200 Bumblebee Mini Chassis!

The Tower 200 Bumblebee- https://www.thermaltake.com/the-tower-200-bumblebee-mini-chassis.html

WargamingUnited to Support Ukraine with Special Donation Game Bundles

Here at Wargaming, we love war games, but we loathe real war. And this subject has been especially sensitive for us, as we have a whole studio back in Kyiv that works hard on World of Tanks and other products despite all the horrors their country is living through every day.

Over the past year and a half, Wargaming has been contributing to donations to help the Ukrainian civilians, including 1 million dollars donated to medical assistance and equipment during the first week of war and 100,000 dollars donated to the victims of the Kakhovka disaster and several other efforts. Hundreds of our employees have been making donations through their own initiative, launching an internal fundraising campaign and gathering 200,000 euros to purchase ambulance cars for Ukrainian medics.

We believe in the power of unity and are determined to continue our efforts. Now, we are inviting all our players to join us in support of those who have been affected by the war and launching our biggest charity project — WargamingUnited.

Starting today, we are welcoming community across six of our games — World of Tanks, World of Tanks Blitz, World of Tanks Modern Armor, World of Warships, World of Warships: Legends, and World of Warplanes — to unite around this global initiative. Each game will be featuring special Ukraine-themed bundles with customization elements crafted by the artists at Wargaming Kyiv studio. With these time-limited offers, players can not only assist those in need but also receive valuable in-game content while showing their support.

We will donate 100% from every purchased “WargamingUnited” bundle* via UNITED24, the official fundraising platform of Ukraine, for buying C-type ambulances that will take on the duty to save lives. C-type ambulances are highly specialized vehicles, equipped with the essential defibrillators, cardiac monitors, oxygen tanks, and artificial lung ventilator devices needed to keep the injured alive until they can reach an operating room. Each ambulance funded will help save hundreds of lives.

The bundles will be available from October 18th until November 1st.

Check “WargamingUnited” official page to learn more about the initiative: http://united.wargaming.net/

Gamers who enjoy titles outside Wargaming universe can also show their support for the people of Ukraine by making direct donations via the UNITED24 platform: https://u24.gov.ua/wargaming

Glorious Gaming Launches PRO Series High-Performance Mice for Fall 2023

Glorious Gaming, a global leader in PC gaming hardware, announces the next generation of Glorious’ acclaimed high-performance Model O and Model D gaming mice with four new PRO Series mice: the Model O 2 PRO, Model O 2 PRO 4K/8KHz Edition, Model D 2 PRO, and Model D 2 PRO 4K/8KHz Edition, all available starting today.

Designed for competitive PC gamers seeking elite speed and peak precision in FPS, MOBAs, and other fast-paced titles, the PRO Series boasts a remixed feature set that elevates Glorious Gaming’s highly acclaimed gaming mice to help gamers win. The PRO Series continues Glorious Gaming’s commitment to delivering best-in-class quality with optimized weights and lower response times for unparalleled control in a sleek shell built for long-term reliability.

Ultralight Precision

The PRO Series debuts as Glorious’ lightest full-sized mice yet. With an average weight of 57g (Model O 2 PRO), 60g (Model D 2 PRO), 59g (Model O 2 PRO 4K/8KHz Edition), and 62g (Model D 2 PRO 4K/8KHz Edition), the ultralight builds perfectly balance aiming speed and user control in intense matches. The PRO Series also features a performance-focused enclosed shell, further boosting control with enhanced, non-perforated surface texturing to provide a better grip during long gaming sessions.

Lightning-Fast Glorious Optical Switches

With the launch of the PRO Series, Glorious Gaming furthers its mission of providing elite-level performance with the Glorious Optical Switches. Perfect for gamers who demand the most from their peripherals, the PRO Series Optical Switches’ innate 0.2ms response time is five times faster than traditional mechanical alternatives. Each PRO Series mouse is rated for a 100 million click rate, granting gamers a reliable and precise experience without double-clicking issues. Each PRO Series mouse features a BAMF 2.0 26K sensor supporting 100-26,000 DPI resolution, 650 IPS speeds, and Motion Sync technology to deliver flawless tracking from day one.

The Model O 2 PRO builds upon the Model O’s lauded design with an intuitive shape perfect for all grip styles. The Model D 2 PRO elevates ergonomic form factors by providing added comfort for those who prefer to utilize right-handed palm and claw-grip styles. Combining performance-driven shapes and a 1,000 Hz wireless polling rate, the PRO Series’ standard offerings deliver immediate results in a lightweight shell.

So Good, It HERTZ

For players who want the upper hand in the most demanding gaming environments, the 4K/8KHz Editions level up the gaming peripheral landscape with a forward-thinking emphasis on speed and control. Capable of polling 2,000 Hz up to 4,000 Hz wirelessly and 8,000 Hz wired, the 4K/8KHz Editions provide unmatched smoothness and responsiveness when aiming with capable hardware.

Customization at the CORE

The Glorious CORE software suite allows PRO Series adopters to take control of their game like never before. Each of the PRO Series’ six buttons is fully remappable using the CORE software, alongside the ability to set user DPI preferences up to 26,000 and a host of other performance-related features. The Glorious CORE software suite is available for free from Glorious Gaming, with support for the PRO Series, GMMK series keyboards, and Model O Wireless, O 2, Model D Wireless, Model I, and Model I 2 mice.

“At Glorious Gaming, we strive toward delivering the best-performing hardware to the gaming community,” said Shazim Mohammad, founder of Glorious Gaming. “With the launch of the PRO Series mice today, we’re thrilled to give gamers a chance to stand out among the competition!”

The PRO Series mice are now available at Gloriousgaming.com and at participating retailers for the following prices:

Model O 2 PRO – North America for $99.99 | EMEA for €109.99 |
Model D 2 PRO – North America for $99.99 | EMEA for €109.99 |
Model O 2 PRO 4K/8KHz Edition – North America for $129.99 | EMEA for €139.99 |
Model D 2 PRO 4K/8KHz Edition – North America for $129.99 | EMEA for €139.99 |

For more information about the PRO Series and Glorious Gaming’s offerings, follow Glorious Gaming on X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for additional updates.