Author - Jerry Paxton

Dying Light 2 Stay Human Celebrates The Walking Dead 20th Anniversary

Techland is throwing a huge birthday party within Dying Light 2 Stay Human in honor of the iconic franchise: Skybound Entertainment’s The Walking Dead comic books are turning 20 this year and players will be able to join the celebration in-game.

The Walking Dead Event is a week-long series made up of a variety of challenges, yielding different rewards from Wednesday, July 26, 7 am PT / 10 am ET, until Wednesday, August 2, 7 am PT / 10 am ET.

Each day will present a new Personal Goal, such as killing enemies using ranged weapons or dismembering the infected, rewarded by a unique Comic Cover – think Dying Light 2 Stay Human meets The Walking Dead aesthetic – that can be gathered by players in-game. Each collectible, featuring stylized art from famed Polish artists Marek Oleksicki and Łukasz Owdziej, is made available only on a specific day, as it is assigned to a corresponding Personal Goal. Players who manage to get all 7 Comic Covers can try to reach the Collection Goal. Those who complete it will claim The Walking Dead memento weapon charm as a prize.

A very special treat awaits particularly dedicated fans: Lucille – Negan’s infamous barbed wire bat! This weapon can only be won by the most ruthless players. To get the item with a blueprint, you need to complete the Weekly Goal by killing 850 enemies in total throughout the event. But that’s not all – there is one more prize to be claimed. If Dying Light 2 Stay Human players prove themselves to be truly ferocious and slay 160 million enemies together, the Global Goal will be fulfilled and everyone will get Rick’s Hat as a reward!

For those seeking to complete the look, The Walking Dead Bundle is available for purchase for USD $7.99, offering Rick Grimes’ Outfit as well as The Walking Dead Paraglider for added flavor. But if iconic weapons are what you’re after, this bundle will also meet your needs, and then some. Lucille is, of course, the queen of that bunch – but Michonne’s Katana is no less emblematic of the comic book series. Add to that Negan’s Knife, and you’ve got yourself an arsenal capable of repelling any enemy, alive or undead. All three weapons are available with their blueprints.

Neither walkers nor infected will get into the Pilgrim Outpost – but you can visit it for more information. Don’t forget to check out the trailer, too!

Dungeons & Dragons Online Vecna Unleashed DLC Available for Pre-Order

Today, Standing Stone Games announced that players can now pre-order the greatly anticipated mini-expansion Vecna Unleashed for Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO), the iconic free-to-play multiplayer online (MMO) game.

High amongst Sharn, The City of Towers, something sinister is afoot in the halls of Morgrave University. The Codex of the Infinite Planes has escaped to the academy, and with it comes the dark presence of Vecna and his cult. Now with the university’s vast collection of rare and powerful artifacts under their control, the destiny of not just Sharn but the entire Eberron plane hangs in the balance. Do you have what it takes to stop Vecna before he claims your universe for his own? Prepare to explore new areas, face perilous enemies, and uncover dark secrets in Vecna Unleashed!

Unleash the power of the Macrotechnic with a new Epic Destiny, battle powerful creatures that have been unleashed amongst the halls, and experience new dungeons that will push you and your group to the limit!

ABOUT VECNA UNLEASHED:

  • New Adventures in Sharn, the Plane of Water, the Abyss, and the Astral Plane—Venture into Morgrave University, the grandest institution of Sharn, now overrun with cultists and corrupted by the influence of The Codex of the Infinite Planes.

  • New Monsters—Fight new monsters like the humanoid rodent Wererats and abyssal demonic Vrocks. Defeat minions of Vecna and face off with a malevolent Balor.

  • New Epic Destiny—The Machrotechnic Epic Destiny offers strong defensive abilities as well as boosts to Electric, Sonic, and Repair spellcasting! It also boosts Rune Arm use, empowering Artificers, and opens up use of Rune Arms to characters who are not Artificers for the first time!

  • New Monster Manual—Discover new information about monsters new and old and earn rewards as you do! Monster Manual Volume 9 includes 10 creatures: Mimics, Hyenas, Owlbears, Ravens, Magefire Cannons, Fire Giants, Eladrins, Fire Reavers, Quells, and Wheeps. Earn XP and Mysterious Remnants, and track all types of each creature as you encounter and defeat them.

  • Permanent Wererat Hireling—Enlist a permanent Wererat Hireling to join your team! Obtainable in both the Collectors and Ultimate editions of Vecna Unleashed. The Collector’s Wererat assists at Heroic level 7, while the Ultimate Fan Bundle Wererat supports at Legendary level 30.

  • New Sentient Jewel—Infuse your sentient weapon with a Vaunt Arcane Assistant 2.0 sentient jewel! Created to be hyper-analytical, researchers have tried to make it adept at delivering unfavorable news in a the most positive tone. How Fun!

There are three versions available to pre-order that allow players to choose the edition that’s right for them. Upgrade to the Collector’s Edition or Ultimate Fan Bundle to get access to a huge variety of items and abilities such as the new Epic Destiny tree and Universal Action Point Tome.

  • Standard Edition: $19.99

  • Collector’s Edition: $59.99

  • Ultimate Fan Bundle: $99.99

For more information on Vecna Unleashed, visit DDO.com, follow the official Dungeons & Dragons Online social channels on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Halloween Horror Nights Unveils The Exorcist, Chucky, and Universal Monsters Mazes

The countdown begins for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood as the destinations announce additional all-new terrifying haunted houses, including “The Exorcist: Believer,” inspired by the new Universal Pictures film from Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Entertainment, “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count” based on the popular USA & SYFY series, and “Universal Monsters: Unmasked,” inspired by Universal’s legacy of iconic cinematic monsters.

The terror kicks off at Universal Orlando Resort on Friday, September 1 and at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, September 7. Below is a sneak peek at what to expect:

The Exorcist: Believer

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood Unleash More Terrifying Haunted Houses, including “The Exorcist: Believer,”
Inspired by Universal Pictures’ New Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Entertainment Film,

Inspired by Universal Pictures’ terrifying new horror film from Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Entertainment (in theaters Friday, October 13), “The Exorcist: Believer” haunted house will unleash an entirely new level of terror to Halloween Horror Nights. In this new chapter, guests will be transported to a bustling street market in Haiti, where an innocent purchase of a strange folk doll with three eyes leads to the opening of a demonic portal, the awakening of sinister spirits and the subsequent disappearance of two 12-year-old girls in the U.S. The girls are found three days later with no memory of what happened to them. After the girls begin to exhibit unsettling behavior, it soon becomes clear that only an exorcism can save them – and everyone who comes in contact with them, including unwitting guests, is suddenly at risk of losing their souls.

Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood Unleash More Terrifying Haunted Houses, including “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count”

Inspired by the hit USA & SYFY series and cult classic films, “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count” casts this killer doll as the star of his very own haunted house for the first time. A true sadistic killer, Chucky has been mired in the agony of disrespect he feels from his peers at not being taken seriously. Thus begins his quest to turn his haunted house into a living slaughterhouse by killing every person who enters.

Universal Monsters: Unmasked

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood Unleash More Terrifying Haunted Houses, including “Universal Monsters: Unmasked”

Lurking sixty feet beneath the bustling streets of the City of Lights, the dank Catacombs of Paris house a much darker secret. . . The all-new haunted house “Universal Monsters: Unmasked” takes guests down into the infamous burial grounds where every corner and crevice overflows with millions of skeletal remains and even more sinister secrets. Deep within the Catacombs, Universal’s most notorious creatures – The Phantom of the Opera, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dr. Jekyll and his deranged alternate personality Mr. Hyde, and Dr. Jack Griffin, aka The Invisible Man – also lie in wait as they bide their time and seek vengeance against guests after the opening of the Catacombs to public visitation. These desperate and dangerous fiends have become filled with a rage toward guests navigating the twisted tunnels of their underground labyrinth home. It is here, in the darkness, where they hunt these trespassers and where the sounds of guests’ screams will go unheard.

Once again, GRAMMY® Award-winning musician, SLASH, is collaborating with Universal Studios Hollywood on an original score for the west coast version of the “Universal Monsters: Unmasked” haunted house.

 Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights at Universal Orlando Resort from Friday, September 1 through Saturday, November 4, and at Universal Studios Hollywood from Thursday, September 7 through Tuesday, October 31. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com. Due to popular demand, event nights are expected to sell out and tickets should be purchased in advance.

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

Universal Orlando Resort reveals the complete lineup of terrifying horrors guests will face at Halloween Horror Nights 2023, including five all-new, chilling original haunted houses and five unnerving scare zones. The world’s premier Halloween event celebrates its 32nd year with a record-breaking 48 nights of immersing guests into the eeriest of experiences that could only be endured at Halloween Horror Nights – including a circus that’s spiraled into chaos, the long-awaited emergence of Halloween Horror Nights legend, Dr. Oddfellow, and a dark, resurrected story that delves into the haunting history of Universal attractions past. In the midst of the screams, guests can experience a disturbingly entertaining live show, an all-new Tribute Store, take a bite out of the horror with scary-good food and beverage, and so much more.

Here’s a glimpse of what’s lingering in the fog at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2023:

 ALL-NEW ORIGINAL HAUNTED HOUSES
Five formidable stories await to unfold in original haunted houses where willing guests will succumb to:

  • A demented, late-night circus led by an evil ringmaster and notorious icon looking for human souls to fuel his dark intentions in “Dr. Oddfellow: Twisted Origins”
  • A horrific twist to a frightening, yet familiar tale and sinister battle between Fire and Ice in “Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate”
  • Blood-soaked campgrounds deep in the trenches of mountains where vicious, bloodthirsty monsters have returned with a vengeance in “YETI: Campground Kills”
  • Selling their souls for fame in “The Darkest Deal” where they quickly learn a deal can be more than they bargained for
  • A colonial cult looking to slaughter those who dare refuse to worship the Bloodmoon in “Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings”

FIVE UNNERVING SCARE ZONES
As the sun sets on Universal Studios Florida and ominous clouds fill the sky, Dr. Oddfellow steps out of Halloween Horror Nights past to fill the streets with hordes of taunting scareactors in five all-new scare zones where guests will:

  • Come face to face with the devious legend who is promising immortality for those who dare to enter “Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror”
  • Cower in fear as the signs of the zodiac come to life in “Dark Zodiac” where Dr. Oddfellow uses his power to transform the zodiac signs into horrifying horoscope creatures
  • Venture into the “Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror” where Dr. Oddfellow’s twisted and bizarre experiments combine elements of nature and animals to create vicious jungle creatures looking to satisfy their cravings
  • Attend a music festival crashed by bloodthirsty vampires let loose by Dr. Oddfellow in “Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood”
  • Stumble upon Dr. Oddfellow’s crates and cages that once housed monsters of all kinds who have escaped in pursuit of chaos in “Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged”

NEW SPINE-CHILLING EXPERIENCES AND KILLER FOOD

  • Guests can enjoy the all-new disturbingly entertaining show, “Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream,” that features a new dreamer confronting the creature that’s been turning her dreams into nightmares.
  • While shopping the latest Halloween Horror Nights merchandise and treats in an all-new Tribute Store, guests can enter a mysterious NYC Comic Book Shop and experience the “Tribute to Terror” by stepping into the pages of this original, terrifying, horror comic book.
  • Guests can enjoy a drink at the Red Coconut Club as it will once again transform to the Dead Coconut Club donning a new theme and menu.
  • When guests want to take a bite out of the horror, they can enjoy a monstrous menu of all-new food & beverage items, including Bloody Campground Poutine, El Pastor Torta and Sour Apple Pie Funnel Fries, in addition to returning fan-favorites like Pizza Fries.
  • New this year, Peacock’s Halloween Horror Bar will feature themed libations within an ominous nightclub vibe, photo opportunities, and more.
  • For those dying to experience this year’s “killer” food & beverage before the event even opens, Taste of Terror will offer guests an exclusive preview of select items that will be featured at Halloween Horror Nights select nights from August 10 through August 26. For more information and to purchase tickets to Taste of Terror, click here.

EXCLUSIVE HALLOWEEN EXPERIENCES AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO’S HOTELS

Universal Orlando hotel guests can stay near the fear and receive exclusive benefits, including Early Park Admission to the theme parks during the day and access to priority event entrance to Halloween Horror Nights at night as well as complimentary transportation to the theme parks and Universal CityWalk.

Vacation packages are available that include one-night admission to the event, Universal hotel accommodations and admission to all three of Universal Orlando’s thrilling theme parks. And for the first time ever, the fog has spread to all eight of Universal Orlando’s hotels with exclusive activations and experiences for hotel guests inspired by this year’s event, including Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort’s exclusive “Chucky’s Twisted Playground” photo illusion experience based on the USA and SYFY series, plus, the Universal Monsters Gallery of Legends lobby photo opportunities in all other hotel lobbies and more.

Additional vacation packages and discounts on hotel stays are available for the ultimate fall getaway. Guests can also purchase single-night tickets or the popular Frequent Fear and Rush of Fear Passes, plus event upgrades like Express Pass, R.I.P. Tour and the daytime Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour. Click here for more information and to book a fall getaway.

Audeze Unveils Maxwell Aydan Edition Headphones

Audeze, the leading premium headphone manufacturer and their brand partner, content creator, Aydan today announce a custom Aydan Edition of their extremely popular Maxwell gaming headset. Audeze provides Aydan with headsets that give him game-winning sonic advantages. Now fans of Audeze and Aydan can enjoy a custom version of the most advanced wireless gaming headset on the market, battle-tested by Aydan. The Aydan Edition of the Maxwell will be available in the Playstation version only and is currently available at Aydan.gg .

The customized Aydan Edition Maxwell features his gold and white competition logo, printed on the earcups and micro-printed on the ear cushions along with colorized left / right ear cup indicators. This logo has a deep meaning for Aydan, based on his early experiences with World of Warcraft, where he played as “Alliance.” The gold and white colors and halo are inspired by the Aydan’s time playing the Paladin class in World of Warcraft. The Aydan Edition of Maxwell provides fans of Aydan with a unique opportunity to show their support for one of the best Call of Duty: Warzone players on the planet, while also obtaining the sonic advantage that has helped propel Aydan to recent success in the World Series of Warzone, in which Aydan is currently competing for the championship.

Truck Driver: The America Dream Release Date

Get ready for drop-off! After previously dropping an exciting story trailer and teaser trailer, SOEDESCO® confirms the release date of Truck Driver: The American Dream in a shiny new release date announcement. The game will physically & digitally launch on PS5™ and Xbox Series X|S on September 26, 2023.

https://youtu.be/jOwMcRbtd_k

A never-before-seen trucking experience

With the Truck Driver franchise now coming to next-gen, there will be some notable upgrades to the gameplay and visuals. From stunning landscapes and a captivating story about what it means to be a truck driver, to seamless day/night cycles and ray-tracing technology. Redefining the simulation genre, Truck Driver: The American Dream will be a title that both old fans and new players will enjoy.

About Truck Driver: The American Dream

Years after the death of your father, a famous and well-respected truck driver, you decide to get your life back on track by stepping into your father’s shoes. However, this new path doesn’t come without its hardships, as the road to becoming a successful truck driver might be a hard and lonely one. So strap yourself in and be ready for anything as you chase the American Dream in this brand-new adventure!

The Expanse: A Telltale Series Episode One Out Now

‘Archer’s Paradox’, the first episode of The Expanse: A Telltale Series, has been released. This is the first new game from leading narrative game developer and publisher Telltale, renowned for titles such as The Wolf Among Us, Batman: The Telltale Series, and The Walking Dead, since its reformation in 2019.

“After four long years, we are all so excited to be here launching our first new game and we cannot wait for fans to play it. We felt great responsibility to honor the legacy – through great storytelling with compelling characters, and difficult but meaningful choices,” said Jamie Ottilie, Telltale CEO. “We’ve also worked to raise expectations from a Telltale game with more action, bigger environments and new mechanics like Zero-G.”

The Expanse: A Telltale Series is set prior to the events of Alcon Television Group’s award-winning television series which streams on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes. Players take on the role of Camina Drummer – played by actress Cara Gee in both the game and TV series, the XO of a scavenger crew on the hunt for a mysterious treasure on the edges of The Belt. As Drummer, players must deal with a mix of powerful personalities, square off against a bloody mutiny, explore locations beyond The Belt and, most of all, make tough decisions that will decide the fate of The Artemis crew.

“The Deck Nine team put so much of themselves into this game because we are huge Expanse fans,” said Stephan Frost, Game Director at Deck Nine. “We wanted to make a game that felt like playing an episode of the TV show with a character we love. Working with Cara Gee, Telltale, and Alcon has been an amazing experience and we hope you come to love these characters as you walk in Drummer’s magboots throughout the game.

The following four episodes will be released every two weeks, so players don’t have long to wait before experiencing the rest of the gripping story.

Players who purchase the Deluxe Edition will also receive the ‘Archangel’ bonus episode, starring Shohreh Aghdashloo, reprising her role as Chrisjen Avasarala, Secretary-General of the United Nations in The Expanse.

“This is just the beginning, continued Ottilie. “We have ambitious plans over the next few years and we look forward to sharing them with our current and new fans!”

The Expanse: A Telltale Series is available today as a Standard Edition ($39.99 USD) and a Deluxe Edition ($44.99 USD) for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, and for PC on the Epic Games Store.

To learn more about The Expanse: A Telltale Series head to www.telltale.com/the-expanse or follow Telltale on Facebook, ‘X’, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok.

ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON Gameplay Preview

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. and FromSoftware, Inc. (ELDEN RING™, DARK SOULS™) reveal a new extended gameplay walkthrough trailer for ARMORED CORE™ VI FIRES OF RUBICON™. Narrated by the developers, the video is the deepest look yet at the game’s intense action, sprawling levels and challenging battle sequences.

As the video showcases, success in ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON will come from tinkering with highly customizable mech builds, a signature feature of the series, and learning the right strategies and techniques such as staggering enemies with the right weapons, combining ranged and melee attacks, and taking every advantage in battle.

ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON, the latest high-octane action game by FromSoftware, Inc. and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., promises fast-paced mech action with intense omni-directional battles, in-depth customization, and thrilling boss fights. The game releases on August 25 for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam®, and is available now for preorder. For more information, please visit armoredcore6.com

For the latest information, be sure to follow the game’s social channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The game will be part of PlayStation® Free Upgrades and Xbox Smart Delivery. The game will be presented with both English and Japanese VO, with text localizations in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Neutral Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean. Find out more about the game on the official website.

REMNANT II Launch Trailer

REMNANT II is now available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S from Gearbox Publishing and Gunfire Games. The sequel to the best-selling game Remnant: From the Ashes, REMNANT II is a third-person action-survival shooter that pits the last remnants of humanity against the harrowing forces of evil. The title evolves the co-op survival shooter with new unseen worlds filled with deadly surprises and encounters. Join the battle to save humanity in a dynamically generated world filled with branching quest lines, unique loot, and overwhelming odds that encourage exploration and replayability either alone or in three-person co-op. Players will define their own playstyle with an expanded Archetype class system and a wide assortment of guns, armor, and special augmentations as they overcome hard-fought challenges to stave off humanity’s extinction.

REMNANT II plunges players into a devastated world requiring a mix of methodical and frenetic ranged and melee combat against cunning enemies and punishing boss battles. Enter the fray as a lone-wolf or even the odds by teaming up with two friends to overcome daunting challenges. Each time players start a new playthrough of REMNANT II they will be brought into a new world built from a wide pool of locations, enemies, NPCs, bosses, and weapons. These dynamically built levels allow for unique experiences as elements are woven organically into the world and narrative.

An updated Archetype system gives players more flexibility to their play style and lets groups better sync unique passive abilities and stunning powers together in co-op play or combine Archetypes for hybrid play styles. From precision skilled shots, up-close and personal melee strikes, providing valued team support, or siccing their trusty dog companion on a horde of beasts, REMNANT II allows players to outfit their character the way they want to play.

“Gunfire Games has crafted a breakneck thrilling co-op shooting experience that elevates the franchise beyond what made REMNANT: From the Ashes so beloved by fans,” said Yoon Im, president of Gearbox Publishing San Francisco. “It was an honor to once again partner with this talented team on this amazing franchise. With REMNANT II, they have developed a truly special game that we know fans will absolutely love.”

“Gunfire Games strives to craft games that we, as fans of video games, are excited to play,” said David Adams of Gunfire Games. “We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish with REMNANT II in its immersive world design, engaging combat encounters, and broad range of unique Archetypes to play as. We are also very thankful for all the fans who have followed us from REMNANT: From the Ashes, and welcome new fans into the world of REMNANT.”

The Settled Systems – A Starfield Animated Anthology

Bethesda Game Studios invites you to learn more about the people and cultures of Starfield with The Settled Systems – A Starfield Animated Anthology. The Settled Systems offers a glimpse into three of Starfield’s major cities. Follow a delivery pilot in New Atlantis seeking the exciting life of the elite; a stranded orphan looking for a way out of Akila City; and two street rats struggling to survive in the underbelly of Neon.

Supra Et Ultra
In the city of New Atlantis, capital of the United Colonies, a courier pilot named Kent aspires to live in the most desirable part of the Settled Systems. After joining the UC Vanguard and working his way up to the Capital’s elite, Kent quickly realizes the adventures waiting for him off-planet are what he truly longed for.

Watch Supra Et Ultra here:

Where Hope is Built
Vanna—an Akila City orphan of the famous Colony Wars—desperately wants to explore the stars, and only one thing is standing in her way: a working ship. Her search for repair parts leads her throughout the city, and into some unexpected danger, as she closes in on her dream.

Watch Where Hope is Built here:

The Hand that Feeds
Two Neon street rats, Ada and Harper, are partners in crime eking out a living stealing from the wealthy partygoers that come to the “pleasure city” to let loose. When Ada is forced into a moral dilemma, she quickly catches the attention of the all-seeing Ryujin industries, bringing her an exciting new opportunity. But at what cost?

Watch The Hand that Feeds here:

Starfield releases September 6 on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Players can pre-order now or play day one with Game Pass. Pre-ordering either the Premium or Constellation Edition will grant players up to five days early access to the game, dependent on purchase date and subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences. You can find additional assets on our media portal here.

Cities: Skylines II Electricity and Water Trailer

Today, Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order published the latest gameplay feature deep dive for Cities: Skylines II and delved into how players can properly supply their citizens with electricity and water. Without these services, citizens’ well-being and health suffer, prompting them to move out of their homes. Additionally, businesses and service buildings face reduced efficiency, resulting in lower production and service quality.