Author - Jerry Paxton

WWE 2K23 Out Now

Today, 2K announced the Icon Edition and Deluxe Edition of WWE® 2K23, the newest installment of the flagship WWE video game franchise developed by Visual Concepts, are available now worldwide for PlayStation® 5 (PS5™), PlayStation®4 (PS4™), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. The Standard Edition and Cross-Gen will be available on Friday, March 17, 2023. All editions feature different images of 16-time World Champion, Hollywood icon, record-setting philanthropist, and WWE 2K23 Executive Soundtrack Producer, John Cena.

“With each iteration of the WWE 2K franchise, our team strives to add and improve features that players will love,” said Greg Thomas, President at Visual Concepts. “We’re very proud of the work that we’ve done on WWE 2K23 and the ‘You Can’t Beat Me’ Showcase, WarGames, enhancements to existing modes, and general look and feel of the game. It truly is ‘Even Stronger.’”

WWE 2K23 features an array of new features and improvements on existing fan-favorites:

  • WarGames: The much-requested, chaotic and action-packed WarGames makes its debut in WWE 2K23 and delivers heart-pounding 3v3 and 4v4 single player or multiplayer mayhem inside two side-by-side rings, surrounded by a double-steel cage;
  • “You Can’t Beat Me” 2K Showcase Starring John Cena: Conquering John Cena in the ring is an accolade few Superstars can claim. In an unprecedented twist on the 2K Showcase, players will step into the boots of several of Cena’s toughest competitors with one goal in mind: defeat the man who will “Never Give Up.” Spanning his 20-year WWE career and narrated by Cena himself, this interactive sports entertainment documentary uses 2K’s unique Slingshot Tech for a seamless transition from gameplay to live-action footage to bring pivotal moments in each match to life. Check out the official “Even Stronger” Showcase trailer here;
  • MyFACTION: Now featuring online multiplayer action, the team-building mode in which players collect, manage, and upgrade an array of WWE Superstars and Legends to create their ultimate four-person factions returns.* Regular post-launch content in the form of scheduled Live Events will arrive year-round, offering a single-player experience with unique matchups curated by WWE 2K designers, as well as the new Pink Diamond card tier set to arrive post-launch. Players can collect multiple iterations and MyFACTION exclusive looks for favorite Superstars, from the most coveted historic looks to the most up-to-date changes happening on TV;
  • MyGM: Boasting five new GMs, including Xavier Woods, Tyler Breeze, Eric Bischoff, Kurt Angle, and Mick Foley, two new brands, including NXT 2.0 and WCW, seven new match types, more titles, endless play with multiple Seasons and Seasonal Challenges, Hall of Fame progression, shake-ups that can change the way a GM approaches booking their show, and a new cast of enhancement talent, all for up to four players. Check out a first look at MyGM from Woods and Breeze on WWE’s UpUpDownDown YouTube show here;
  • Universe: In the ultimate WWE Universe sandbox that puts players in charge of their own version of WWE, a new and improved story system gives users control over rivalries like never before. Winning matches gains momentum, as players build rivalries and decide how their story is told;
  • Creation Suite: A signature feature of the WWE 2K franchise, the creation suite returns with cross-platform community creations, including the ability to design custom Superstars, GMs, arenas, entrances, move sets, championships and more. Custom arenas are now playable online, and advanced customization has been added to created entrances, as well as visual improvements to Create-a-Superstar models and hundreds of new parts;
  • MyRISE: Aspiring Superstars walk through the curtain for their WWE debut in MyRISE and shape their career with the decisions made along the way in two unique storylines: The Lock and The Legacy. Featuring the ability to import custom created Superstars, players journey from the humble beginnings of a Rookie, to being immortalized as a WWE Legend;
  • Even Stronger and Better Looking Roster: WWE 2K23 features a roster of 201 new and returning Superstars, including Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Queen Zelina, Undertaker, Bron Breakker, Chyna, Roxanne Perez, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Rhea Ripley, Drew McIntyre, Cora Jade, Bianca Belair, Carmelo Hayes and many more**! Plus Ruthless Aggression versions of John Cena, Batista, Randy Orton and Brock Lesnar included in the Deluxe Edition and Icon Edition***. All Superstars have an improved appearance. The full roster list is available here;
  • New Pin Kick-out Mechanic: In addition to the classic button-mashing method, a new pin kick-out mechanic is available, providing more accessibility and an alternative option for players who prefer strategic timing;
  • Bad Bunny Bonus Pack: Global music phenom Bad Bunny – Billboard’s Top Artist of the Year and one of the most streamed artists in the world for 2022 – makes his WWE 2K debut****. Watch Bad Bunny in action in the WWE 2K23 Bad Bunny Pre-Order Bonus Trailer here.
  • DLC Galore: Fan-favorite Superstars Bray Wyatt, The O.C., The Steiner Brothers, Zeus, Wade Barrett, and Eve Torres headline five packs of regular content updates through August, with a total count of 24 new Superstars coming post-launch.

WWE 2K23 Editions and Pre-Order Bonus

WWE 2K23 features four editions of the game: Standard EditionCross-GenDeluxe Edition, and Icon Edition:

  • The Standard Edition will be available March 17 for $59.99 on previous-gen platforms (PS4, Xbox One consoles) and PC and for $69.99 on current-gen consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S) in both physical and digital formats;
  • The Cross-Gen edition will be available digitally March 17 for $69.99 on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. The Cross-Gen edition includes the Standard Edition across previous and current-gen platforms within the same console family and the same PlayStation or Xbox account*****;
  • The Deluxe Edition is available now for $99.99 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One in both physical and digital formats, and on PC in digital format. The Deluxe Edition includes the Standard Edition, Bad Bunny Bonus Pack, plus a Season Pass to all five post-launch DLC content packs******; the MyRISE Mega-Boost and SuperCharger; Ruby John Cena MyFACTION Evo Card, Gold Edge MyFACTION Card, Emerald Bianca Belair MyFACTION Card, Gold Asuka MyFACTION Card, and three Basic Premium Launch MyFACTION Card Packs. The Deluxe Edition will be available on March 14, 2023 – three days ahead of Standard and Cross-Gen Editions!;
  • The Icon Edition is available now for $119.99 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, featuring original cover art by renowned WWE-inspired artist Rob Schamberger. In addition to the Standard Edition and all bonus content included in the Deluxe Edition, the Icon Edition includes the Ruthless Aggression Pack, celebrating 20 years of John Cena’s WWE career by featuring John Cena’s early “Prototype” character, as well as “Leviathan” Batista, developmental rookie versions of Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, the John Cena Legacy Championship and WrestleMania 22 Arena. Additional bonus content includes an Emerald Paul Heyman MyFACTION Manager Card, and three Deluxe Premium Launch MyFACTION Card Packs. The Icon Edition will be available on March 14, 2023 – three days ahead of Standard and Cross-Gen Editions!;
  • Bad Bunny Bonus Pack Pre-Order Offer: Players who pre-order the Standard Edition and Cross-Gen Digital Bundle will receive the Bad Bunny Bonus Pack, which includes Bad Bunny as a playable character, as well as a Ruby tier Bad Bunny MyFACTION card. The Bad Bunny Bonus Pack is included in the Deluxe Edition and Icon Edition, available now.

For more information on WWE 2K23, visit the game’s official website, become a fan on Facebook, follow the game on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and subscribe on YouTube. Official campaign hashtags #WWE2K23 and #EvenStronger.

Visual Concepts is a 2K studio. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

*WWE 2K23 and internet access required to play MyFACTION content. Online Account (13+) required to access online features. See www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy for additional details.

Sennheiser Launches Profile USB Microphone

Today, Sennheiser is launching the Profile USB microphone, a cardioid condenser microphone that presents an easy and stylish solution for streaming and podcasting. It combines professional sound with direct accessibility of all functions, allowing streamers, podcasters and gamers to fully focus on their content. The side-address microphone is available as a table stand version ($129 USD, MSRP) and as the Profile Streaming Set with a 3-point self-locking boom arm ($199 USD, MSRP). Both models are shipping from today.

Putting audio quality and ease of use first

​At the heart of the Profile USB microphone is an award-winning Sennheiser condenser capsule, the KE 10. Its cardioid pick-up pattern provides the typical attenuation of sound coming from the rear, making sure that the streamer’s voice is in focus.

Profile USB Microphone

In designing the Profile, product managers Benny Franke and Dennis Stegemerten also put an emphasis on ease of use. “When you are recording your podcast or doing a live stream, you already have to worry about the content, perhaps room treatment, the camera set-up, interaction with your audience – the last thing you need in this situation is a complex audio set-up”, explains Franke. “So we tried to create tech that gets out of the way of your creative process.”

Stegemerten continues, “The design is simple and efficient and does not overwhelm you. Profile is simply plugged into the USB-C port of your computer or tablet – your device will automatically recognize the microphone, and it’s ready to capture your voice. There is no need for an interface or any software, no additional window to keep open so that you can control the mic settings. One intuitive touch of a control directly on the mic – that’s all that is needed.”

At its front, the Profile USB Mic features a soft-touch, no-noise mute button, a gain control for the microphone volume, a mix control to set the balance between your voice and the computer/tablet audio, plus a volume control for headphone monitoring. Headphones or earphones can be connected via a 3.5 mm socket at the back of the Profile USB microphone.

LED rings on the Profile conveniently signal the operating status. When the LED ring around the gain control is green, the mic is ready to go. When the same light ring turns yellow at times or all of the time, the mic is clipping and you need to reduce the mic volume. When the microphone has been muted, light rings around the mute button and the gain control light up red.

LED Light Ring

Mic placement made easy

​“Right out of the box, the Profile delivers a natural, warm sound that accentuates the body and presence of your voice. Interestingly enough, you can even hear this difference on platforms that compress the audio,” explains Franke. “Having a great capsule is essential for this – but placing the microphone

The Profile can be tilted for optimum positioning, the self-locking joint will ensure that the mic stays in position. 3/8” and 5/8” connectors at the bottom allow the mic to be used with third-party table stands. Users who are looking for more sophisticated placement possibilities should opt for the Profile Streaming Set, which comes with a 3-point self-locking boom arm. With its sleek and modern design, including integrated cable management, the boom arm is ideal for any on-camera applications.

Stegemerten concludes: “To round things off, Profile is made from metal, so it will be a rugged audio companion throughout – no matter whether you’re just getting started or are a seasoned pro and looking to simplify your set-up.”

NCSOFT Unveils New RTS Project G

NCSOFT, a global premier game developer and publisher, today debuted the first trailer for the company’s new mobile and PC title, ‘Project G,’ on its official YouTube channel.

Project G is the company’s first real-time strategy (RTS) game, coming to global players. This brand-new IP is currently under development as a strategy game set in a massive-scale war. Each player will expand by accumulating limited resources and will also make use of different tactics in territory conquests between guilds.

The trailer features 100% real gameplay scenes with high-quality graphics currently under development, built on Unreal Engine. It showcases various game system details, including unique characters of different races, strategic combats executed with melee and ranged units, and tactical maneuvers of ‘Dragons’ and ‘Strategic Arms’ in objective and territory conquest wars. It also reveals in-game footage where battles between individual forces expand into massive warfare.

Project Director Minseok Seo said, “Building an RTS title upon NCSOFT’s advanced technology accumulated with MMO-based massive-scale battle system, we aim to create unprecedented scale and quality that have not been witnessed in any other strategy games.” He also added, “Players will be able to experience the quintessence of strategy games, coupled with various units and worlds unique to Project G, making the gameplay itself the fun factor for the players.”

NCSOFT unveils new projects of various genres in development as part of NCing, the company’s open R&D initiative. Next up, a video featuring a Project G developer’s interview will be revealed to the global audience. More information on Project G and NCing is available on NCSOFT’s official YouTube channel.

Creative Labs Unveils Stage SE Soundbar

Creative Technology today announced the release of Creative Stage SE, the latest under-monitor soundbar that is designed to amp up the user’s desktop audio experience. Despite its compact size, the Creative Stage SE packs a powerful audio punch with custom-tuned racetrack drivers and Sound Blaster technology to deliver a clearer and more immersive audio experience. This soundbar is also simple to set up and powers up easily via a power adapter; it also offers both USB digital audio and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. Together with convenient controls and tone adjustments, the Creative Stage SE sets the stage for an elevated movie, music, and gaming experience for PC users.

Fitted with powerful full-range racetrack drivers and oversized radiators, the Creative Stage SE is able to deliver clearer and punchier audio, even without a subwoofer. With a total peak power of 48W, this soundbar surpasses the audio performance of any default PC built-in speakers to offer a better listening experience for users. The Creative Stage SE also features Sound Blaster audio technologies such as Clear Dialog and Surround Sound, which offer users clearer dialogue even amidst jam-packed scenes and a cinema-like audio experience with a widened sound stage.

On top of that, the Creative Stage SE also allows users to switch between warmer and brighter audio reproduction with the latest tone adjustment feature. Now users can tune and adjust tone neutrality to their liking with a simple press of a button.

Lastly, for a seamless listening experience, the Creative Stage SE features a simple plug-and-play setup that supports both USB digital audio and Bluetooth connectivity. Furthermore, the soundbar includes an integrated volume control knob conveniently located on the side for users to make quick sound adjustments on the fly, as well as a remote control to toggle a variety of features such as tone adjustments, surround sound, and clear dialogue mode selections.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Stage SE is priced at US$59.99 and is available at Creative.com.

The Kindeman Remedy Announcement Trailer

Veteran European independent development studios Troglobytes Games (developers: HyperParasite, Blind Fate: Edo no Yami, publishers: Ravenous Devils) and Age of Games are excited to officially reveal The Kindeman Remedy, a gruesome psycho-horror management game taking players on a mission to discover the “perfect anesthesia”.

Wishlist the game on Steam today, and prepare for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC releases this Fall, 2023!

The Kindeman Remedy is a dark and twisted story-driven psycho-horror management game that puts players in the shoes of Doctor Carl Kindeman, a disgraced physician whose unethical practices banished him from his medical society, and Sister Anna, a promiscuous nun with a special taste for fresh blood and a knack for secretly administering poison.

With the aim of restoring his lost reputation by creating the perfect anesthesia, Kindeman accepts a job in a rough and stranded prison, where he may conduct his questionable experiments away from the spotlight. Get ready to take on the role of Kindeman and Sister Anna, manage the doctor’s everly frantic lab, experiment with different substances and poisons, sharpen your saws and knives and ultimately determine who lives and who dies.

“The Kindeman Remedy is a game that explores the furthest reaches of both human body and mind, in an eerie jail setting based in the 1950s US,” said Saverio Caporusso, CEO of Troglobytes Games. “We wanted to introduce players to credible characters who could do without their morality and behave in atrocious ways for their own ‘greater good’, all the whilst letting players enjoy a fun gaming experience and maybe let out a squirm from time to time.”

Fabio Belsanti, Founder of Age of Games, added, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Troglobytes Games on this project. With their experience and our know-how, we knew they would be the perfect partner to bring our vision for The Kindeman Remedy to life. One thing’s for sure, The Kindeman Remedy will not be for the faint of heart!”

Wishlist the The Kindeman Remedy now and be among the first to know when the game is released.

Survival-Horror Game Shame Legacy Announced

Destructive Creations, publisher of the popular action-horror Daymare: 1998, announced today that Shame Legacy, a first-person survival-horror developed by Fairyship Games and Revenant Games, will launch on PC and consoles on May 30, 2023. Shame Legacy will also get a special PlayStation 5 box version via Meridiem Games.

Watch the reveal trailer, showcasing the game’s dark mood and atmosphere of the 19th-century forsaken cultist village and its gameplay elements.

In Shame Legacy, you attempt to survive the chase of enraged cultists using stealth and escape mechanics. Meanwhile, an eerie danger looms over…

Waking up confused in a 19th-century equivalent of an anger management convention, you quickly realize that: 1. A hunt is taking place, 2. You’re the prey they’re after. The legacy of your family seems to have caught up to you, but maybe not in the way you’d expect. Apparently, inheritance doesn’t always mean fancy yachts.

If you hope to get to the bottom of it all, you’ve got to move silently and avoid contact. The villagers are all over the place, looking for you. And they’re damn fast if they see or hear you…
Your mental ability will come in handy when solving puzzles. So will your cane, which also serves as your defense weapon to fend off attacking villagers.

Getting detected isn’t the end of the world if you’re fast enough and can keep your nerves in check. Having just woken up, the village doctor would have some harsh things to say about your health status and stress resistance. If you find yourself close to the edge, there’s always a relief to be found. Disclaimer: This isn’t a drug commercial.

System Shock Remake Gets Official Release Date

The wait is (almost) over. The PC edition of System Shock – the fully fledged remake of the groundbreaking original from 1994 – will go on sale on Tuesday 30 May this year. We had hoped to bring the game to market by the end of March, but that turned out to be just beyond our reach; we are after all merely human (unlike Shodan!)

The System Shock remake combines the cult gameplay of the iconic original game with all-new HD visuals, updated controls, an overhauled interface and all-new sounds and music. From never before seen enemies and quality of life gameplay tweaks, to a revamped hacking system and visceral new combat options featuring a brutal dismemberment system, the System Shock remake welcomes players new and old back to Citadel Station and the arms of the delightfully villainous SHODAN Players use a combination of stealth, cunning and futuristic weaponry to make their way through Citadel Station’s all-new areas; players will encounter traps, puzzles and secrets in their quest to try and save Earth from destruction.

The PC edition of System Shock is available to pre-order via Steam, GOG and the Epic Games Store – and includes a free copy of the upcoming System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition for all early buyers. The newly released Steam Next Fest playable demo can be found on the respective storefronts.

Console editions of System Shock will release on PlayStation 4|5 and Xbox One and Series S|X in due course; more details on this when we have them.

Konami and G FUEL Unveil CONTRA Rapid Fire Energy Formula

G FUEL, in partnership with Konami Cross Media NY, celebrates CONTRA, one of the most iconic run and gun-style shooting games over the last 35 years, with the release of the latest G FUEL Rapid Fire Energy Formula. This exciting new flavor is available for pre-order in Collector’s Boxes and Tubs now at GFUEL.com.

“Konami Cross Media NY is thrilled to work with G FUEL to create this highly prized CONTRA-inspired beverage collection,” said Jennifer Coleman, Vice President of Marketing and Licensing at Konami. “This drink will energize our fan base with a fantastic flavor that evokes the tropics and stimulates the senses for players to stay focused and on top of their game.”

You find yourself in the 27th century. Two commandos, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, give you a brief and a brand-new power-up to welcome you as the newest member of the special guerrilla task force, code-named CONTRA. Load up and defeat the armies of alien invaders seeking to destroy the Earth with the G FUEL Rapid Fire Collector’s Box.

Rapid Fire’s delightfully sweet mandarin orange taste is matched by the epic full-art Collector’s Box which shows Bill and Lance fighting off hordes of alien enemy combatants from the franchise’s 8-bit debut. Each Collector’s Box comes with the new G FUEL Rapid Fire 40-Serving Tub and an exclusive 16 oz Shaker Cup that is completely wrapped in a CONTRA action scene.

G FUEL Rapid Fire is sugar free and loaded with antioxidants from 18 different fruit extracts. Each serving has only 15 calories and contains 140 mg of caffeine.

“CONTRA remains one of the hardest and most satisfying side-scrolling shooters I ever had the joy of playing,” said G FUEL Founder and CEO Cliff Morgan. “It’s still just as challenging today. But thanks to our collaboration with Konami, we might just have an edge over those invading alien hordes with G FUEL Rapid Fire in our arsenal!”

Grab the new G FUEL Rapid Fire Collector’s Box inspired by CONTRA, now at GFUEL.com.

Barotrauma Official Launch Trailer

After almost four successful years in Early Access, the sci-fi submarine sim Barotrauma is ready to take on its biggest mission yet: full launch. The game is available today on Steam from 5PM GMT/6PM CET.

To celebrate this momentous occasion and immerse players in the depths of Europa, publisher Daedalic Entertainment and developers FakeFish and Undertow Games have released a new video for Barotrauma.

Barotrauma is a sci-fi submarine simulator with both a single-player campaign as well as co-op modes with support for up to 16 players, who must navigate the depths of Jupiter’s frozen moon Europa and fulfill various missions. Together with their active and passionate community, developers FakeFish and Undertow Games have greatly expanded and improved the game since its Early Access launch in summer 2019. They completely overhauled the campaign and tutorials, added new monsters, missions and outposts, improved graphics and environments, implemented a scripted event system and much much more. All of this was only possible thanks to the feedback and support of more than 30,000 Discord members as well as 60,000 player-made entries on the Steam Workshop. To show the team’s devotion to their players and fanbase the developers even added a player-made submarine to the base game as part of a community competition.

Barotrauma’s thrilling and often hilarious chaos is both fun to play and watch, thanks to procedurally generated levels, ridiculous ragdoll physics and full mod support. But beware: some threats are closer than you think. Multiplayer’s traitor mode option may randomly assign players as secret conspirators, complete with their own individual missions like assassination and sabotage.

DreadXP Bringing Three Games to PAX East 2023

DreadXP — an independent horror publisher and production company — announced today that it will be in attendance at PAX East 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts from Thursday, March 23 through Sunday, March 26. The positively spooky publisher will have a dedicated booth on the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center show floor offering hands-on demos for three ghoulish titles: Sucker for Love: Date to Die For, My Friendly Neighborhood, and Amanda the Adventurer. Attendees can go hands-on with each title from DreadXP’s PAX East 2023 line-up:

  • Sucker for Love: Date to Die For (Windows PC – Releasing Summer 2023): The sequel to beloved Lovecraftian dating sim Sucker for Love: First Date features a “Shadow over Innsmouth” spin, where the new protagonist Stardust — an asexual woman — must escape from a rural town overrun with fanatical cultists while being pursued by new eldritch “beauties”. Sucker for Love: Date to Die For is an earnest love letter to Lovecraftian horror, ’90s anime, and old school dating sims, seeking to faithfully recreate the most memorable and nostalgic aspects of each. It focuses on the often neglected aspect of Lovecraft’s stories: the tangible madmen and monsters under the effects of gods, as opposed to the eldritch gods themselves. It’s wacky, and maybe just a little bit horrifying.
  • My Friendly Neighborhood (Windows PC – Releasing Summer 2023): Players step into the work-boots of Gordon, a repairman tasked with shutting down the sudden broadcast of a canceled childrens’ TV show. Back in the day, fans loved the show’s colorful cast of kooky puppet pals who took them on educational adventures and delighted them with fun games. But the show’s popularity waned over time, and the studio had to ultimately shut its doors. Then, one night years later, the show suddenly reappears for a surprise encore… are those puppets eating each other!?
  • Amanda the Adventurer (Windows PC – Releasing April 25, 2023): This found footage style horror title asks players to embark on what at first appears to be a wholesome, friendship-filled journey. Once players discover a box full of VHS tapes containing a long-lost children’s show starring the plucky Amanda the Adventurer and her cowardly yet loyal sidekick, Woolie the Sheep, the tone begins to shift. At first glance, the videos seem innocently childish, depicting two best buddies in an edutainment-styled escapade. However, the longer the videos are watched, the more a creeping, sickening feeling emerges that something in the tapes is watching back. Every day’s another adventure!

Attendees can find DreadXP on the PAX East show floor at Booth #16061, in the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, from March 23 – March 26, 2023 during Expo Hall hours (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET).