Author - Jerry Paxton

Sway Audio Unveils Minioke LED Go Portable Karaoke Set

2023/05/11

Sway Audio, a leading innovator in premium audio products, today announced they’ve added the Minioke LED Go Portable Karaoke Set, to its diverse collection of portable speakers and audio products. Whether you’re four or 94, the TWS (true wireless stereo) Capable Minioke LED Go allows you to bring the entertainment and fun anywhere – from a kid’s birthday party and the beach to hosting friends for a summer BBQ, in a college dorm and tailgating at the game.

Featuring a five-watt, multi-ambient LED speaker, an upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 chipset and premium components, the speaker produces crystal clear audio with deep, rich sound to fill any room or outdoor location and keep the tunes pumping for six hours. And to round out the experience, did someone say Karaoke? A state-of-the-art wireless microphone, using the latest 2.4G connection technology is also included. The Minioke LED Go Portable Karaoke Set retails for $69.99 and is available on the Sway website at swayshop.com/products/sway-minioke-led-go-i-5-watt-multi-ambient-portable-karaoke-speaker-i-includes-wireless-microphone. The product will be available on Amazon starting next week.

The Minioke LED Go Portable Karaoke Set

With both the speaker and microphone each under six inches in height, the Minioke LED Go is as portable and durable as it is stylish. The soothing multi-mode ambient lighting is able to be adjusted manually to match any mood or theme or it can be completely turned off. The speaker is made out of a strong, hardwearing fabric finish so it can go anywhere. Throw it in the back of your car and take the party with you!. The Minioke LED Go is compatible with all phones and has a Type C charging port that produces up to six hours of playtime on medium volume.

“We’re so excited to add this ‘Party Starter in a Box’ to our collection of portable speakers,” said Chris Pusateri, Founder (General Manager) of Sway Audio. “With all of its features and reasonable price point, it is a true value and will quickly be a favorite addition to any home, party, vacation, tailgate or anywhere you just wanted to belt out your favorite tunes!”

Minioke LED Go Karaoke Set Specs:

Five Watt Output
Type C Charging Port
Up to Six Hours Playtime
Wireless Version 5.3
Compatible with all Phone Devices
Wireless Microphone Using Upgraded 2.4G Connection Premium Chipset: BP1048B
Battery: 3.7V/1500mAh

EVE Online Looks Back at The Battle of B-R5RB

2023/05/11

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

CCP Games is continuing to celebrate EVE Online’s 20th anniversary, as well as its upcoming Viridian expansion, all through this month! This game’s history is full of shenanigans, heartwarming stories, and epic events that make for great nostalgic coverage that makes for great storytelling narratives!

This week, CCP Games is turning back to the Bloodbath of B-R5RB.

The Battle of B-R5RB

Part of a larger conflict known as the Halloween War, this fight started in January 2014 after a single player controlling a space station failed to make a scheduled in-game maintenance payment, making the star system vulnerable. A record-setting battle erupted in the system, resulting in one of gaming’s most destructive conflicts with thousands of players participating.

Bloodbath of B-R5RB by the numbers:
576 capital ships destroyed
75 Titans destroyed, the largest ships available to players
7,548 players participated
Lasted over 21 hrs

To commemorate the event, CCP Games erected a permanent monument in-game named “The Titanomachy.”

The battle was so significant that CCP Games documented the event to preserve its place in history:

Ebusco Brand Kicks Off Bus Simulator 21 Season Pass on May 16

2023/05/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

On the heels of publisher astragon Entertainment and developer stillalive studios recent announcement of upcoming Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop update scheduled for May 16, fans can now also look forward to a new brand of buses. With Ebusco, three new electric buses and six new interior designs will find their way into the game. The Ebusco Bus Pack is the first DLC from the Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop – Season Pass.

The Dutch bus manufacturer Ebusco allows you to expand the local transportation network of Angel Shores and Seaside Valley more sustainable with its zero-emission, all-electric buses. Three new buses are coming to the game including the Ebusco 2.2 – 12m, a 12-meter-long bus that can accommodate up to 90 passengers and is equipped with 2 axles and 3 doors, as well as the 18-meter-long articulated electric bus Ebusco 2.2 – 18m with space for up to 150 passengers 3 axles and 3 doors. Also available is the Ebusco 3.0. The 12-meter-long bus can carry up to 95 passengers and is equipped with 2 axles and 3 doors. In addition to the new electric buses, the Ebusco Bus Pack includes six new interiors.

Season Pass includes four upcoming DLCs

The Ebusco Bus Pack is the first DLC of the new Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop – Season Pass, which includes a total of four upcoming DLCs that expand the game experience of the simulation. The Ebusco Bus Pack will be followed by the Official School Bus Extension as well as the Thomas Built Buses® Bus Pack, bus fans will automatically get access to all upcoming paid DLCs as soon as they got released. More information on all DLCs will follow in the coming months.Season Pass in the fourth quarter. With the Official Tram Extensionin the third quarter and the

On May 16, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop – Ebusco Bus Pack, Season Pass, and the big Next Stop Update will be released. The update introduces numerous gameplay improvements and a brand-new game mode. Additionally, the Official Map Extension including numerous new orders, as well as dedicated versions for PS5™ and Xbox Series X|S will become available.

Meanwhile, with Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop – Gold Edition, new bus fans can look forward to the all-in-one package. The Gold Edition will also become available on May 16, both digitally and in stores, and includes not only Bus Simulator 21 but also all previously released paid DLCs for the game. Those who already own the main game can alternatively purchase the additional content bundled via the Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop – Gold Upgrade on the digital platforms.

On May 16, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop – Ebusco Bus Pack will be released at a price of 8,99 EUR / 8,99 USD / 7,49 GBP (SRP). The Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop – Season Pass including all planned paid DLCs can be purchased as a bundle for the special price of 24,99 EUR / 24,99 USD / 19,99 GBP.

Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop will be available on May 16 for Steam, the Microsoft Store and the Epic Games Store at a price of 34.99 EUR (SRP) and for 49.99 EUR (SRP) for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. An overview of selected offers including links to the digital stores can be found here: https://www.bussimulator.com

Star Wars: Unlimited to Launch in 2024

2023/05/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

Today, Fantasy Flight Games, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd., announced the upcoming release of Star Wars: Unlimited, an all-new trading card game of unlimited possibilities. This game features iconic heroes, villains, ships, and settings from all facets of the legendary Star Wars franchise, including movies, TV series, comics, video games, and everything in between. The game will launch globally in 2024.

Star Wars: Unlimited is a fast-paced, dynamic game that is both easy to learn and strategically deep. The robust development of the game has been underway for the past three years, and fans can look forward to a regular release schedule of three sets per year. Fully integrated into the entire experience, Organized Play has been designed alongside the game from the beginning and will be ready on day one. From weekly store-level community experiences to worldwide large-scale events, there will be something for gamers of all levels to enjoy.

“Ensuring this game was accessible to all players was key for us, so whether you are a casual player, competitor, or collector, there’s something for everyone in this game,” says Jim Cartwright, Product Strategy Director for Fantasy Flight Games. “Straightforward mechanics are the driving force behind the design. It’s clean and concise with no gimmicks – a card game in its purest form.”

Star Wars fans and collectors alike will be able to experience the Star Wars galaxy in a whole new way, with never-before-seen, refreshing new art. Dedicated TCG fans and collectors can look forward to seeking out alternate cards with special treatments and variant visual designs.

“Having the opportunity to commission new art for every card in this game ensures there will be an exciting and cohesive style throughout. We really thought about what the cards would look like on the table next to one another,” says Brian Schomburg, Visual Creative Director for Fantasy Flight Games. “We’re proud to be creating something so unique with the legendary characters and settings that Lucasfilm has brought to life in the Star Wars franchise.”

“Star Wars: Unlimited is the culmination of FFG’s rich history mixed with the celebrated Star Wars brand. As a studio, we are putting unprecedented resources across every department into this game. We could not be more excited to get this out into the world for everyone to experience,” says Chris Gerber, Fantasy Flight Games Head of Studio. “We can’t wait to show you more.”

Keep an eye out on Fantasy Flight Games’ social media channels for more information.

Horror Bar VR Coming to Meta Quest

2023/05/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News, Windows PC News

VR Factory announced that their high quality VR game – Horror Bar VR – will be available on the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro towards the end of the first half of 2023. Horror Bar VR is a frighteningly engaging family-friendly zombie bar simulator designed to immerse the player into the role of a bar boss. Players will face various obstacles and serve craving zombies in order to progress and thrive.

About the game

Make a burger from a fresh brain or a still-beating heart. Serve a bloody drink in a glass full of frozen eyeballs, not forgetting to garnish it with a just-sliced-off ear or nose. Racing against time, take on the challenge of serving hordes of thirsty and hungry zombies by serving them monstrous dishes and terrifying drinks. Fight against the customers attacking you. Earn tips and buy unique items to upgrade your bar!

The game engages with the player, teaching them different activities and recipes to complete on schedule in order to proceed to further levels. Players can try the free mode or practice mode, and once ready can move on to the 33-level campaign that will test their mastery of drink pouring and food making. The player can only proceed to the next level once completing the previous one and face more challenging recipes and you proceed. The tasks become harder to test players’ ability to cope with the prepared tasks, challenging their skill set. The game will not always be smooth sailing and obstacles will appear that spice up the gameplay, these consist of small sabotages such as stealing that will try to catch the player off guard.

On top of the gameplay, the game introduces new equipment that can be used and experimented with behind the bar, along with different food preparation methods. The player will use ingredients such as brains, rats, and other body parts to complete the orders and satisfy their customers. The game has been provided with rich sound effects that complement the visuals of the game. The game allows the player to move between spaces and equipment in the game such as bar, grill and cooker and will provide the player with a realistic bar experience in the zombie world as the player engages with the environment. And at the end of each day, the player can spend hard-earned money on upgrading the bar and buying sets of new, shiny equipment.

The experienced team behind the project

VR Factory since 2016 has been actively creating VR games and has received awards or were runners-up throughout the years for their multiple games. The team working on Horror Bar VR has put great emphasis on the audiovisual side, as well as on the immersion and fun of the gameplay. For the development of the Meta Quest version of the game, which will hold 40% more content than other versions, Przemysław Pomorski joined the team as a lead designer. He’s a game industry veteran with over 16 years of experience and more than 20 projects published on all gaming platforms. Przemysław previously worked on Green Hell VR but also for industry giants such as THQ Nordic Games, The Walt Disney Company, and Bandai Namco Entertainment. The soundtrack and sound effects were composed by Mikołaj Stroiński, a composer that worked on games such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, League of Legends, or Age of Empires 4. The art director for Horror Bar VR is none other than Krzysztof Rosłan, a leading concept artist in the game and film industry. Equipped with an exceptional skill set, has worked with major companies such as Disney, Discovery Channel, and HBO. His artistry has been previously appreciated in the Oscar-nominated animated film Klaus, and his unique art style can be seen projected into the Horror Bar VR world for players to enjoy and interact with.

Horror Bar VR will be available on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro towards the end of the first half of 2023. The game is already available for $19.99 on the Meta Quest Store for Oculus Rift and Rift S. Other platforms that Horror Bar VR is available on can be located on the Horror Bar VR website.

SnowRunner Coming to Mac Later this Year

2023/05/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Mac PC News, News, Windows PC News

SnowRunner, the blockbuster open-world off-roading game from Saber Interactive, is revving up to reach new heights with the game’s debut on Mac via the Mac App Store, Steam, and the Epic Games Store later this year. The title will feature full crossplay with consoles and PC plus controller support. Players can jump into the driver’s seat of some of the world’s powerful vehicles and prepare to conquer extreme environments with the most advanced terrain simulation experience.

Choose from 40 authentic branded vehicles from real-world makers like Ford, Chevrolet and Freightliner to help you trek across untamed mud, torrential waters, snow, and frozen lakes. Expand and customize your fleet with realistic upgrades and accessories, including an exhaust snorkel for heavy waters, chain tires to battle the treacherous snow and much more. Tackle the toughest contracts and missions as you play on your own or with others in four-player co-op, and take the journey even further with a variety of community-created mods.

SnowRunner is coming to the Apple silicon Mac lineup and will be available for $29.99. All previously released DLC, as well as the Premium Edition and Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 Passes, will be available for purchase separately.

SnowRunner is also available on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Windows PC. For the latest information, follow all the action on Twitter.

The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E Adaptation Out Now

2023/05/10

Jerry Paxton

Book News, Geek News, News

Rejoice, the path to Middle-earth has opened for new adventurers. Free League Publishing today released the 5E adaptation of the award-winning second edition of The One Ring™ RPG, entitled The Lord of the Rings™ Roleplaying.

Together, you are entering the Lone-lands of Eriador. It is here that the One Ring lies, a seed of the past that will one day lead the world to open war against the returning Shadow. The Enemy is moving, and smoke issues once more from Mount Doom, in the land of Mordor…

Find out more about The Lord of the Rings™ Roleplaying:
www.thelordoftheringsroleplaying.com

The new edition of The One Ring™ RPG, set in the world of The Lord of the Rings™ by J.R.R. Tolkien and designed by Francesco Nepitello and Marco Maggi, became the most successful tabletop roleplaying core game ever on Kickstarter in March 2021. Now Middle-earth is open for new roleplayers with the brand new 5E adaptation The Lord of the Rings™ Roleplaying.

The Lord of the Rings™ Roleplaying is 236-page beautifully designed and illustrated hardback volume that contains what players need to create 5E adventures set in the world’s most popular fantasy setting: six original heroic cultures from the land of Eriador, six new classes, a host of terrifying adversaries, and comprehensive rules for journeys, councils, wondrous artefacts, and the subtle magic of Middle-earth.

Shire™ Adventures is a 104-page hardback volume that describes the Shire in great detail, as well as five short adventures and seven pre-generated characters, including famous Bagginses, Tooks, and Brandybucks! The contents of Shire™ Adventures are adapted from the Starter Set for The One Ring™ RPG.

A Loremaster’s Screen with a compendium about Rivendell, including a map of the valley and a plan of the house itself, is also available.

About The One Ring™ Roleplaying Game

The One Ring™ is based on The Hobbit™ and The Lord of the Rings™, two extraordinary works of fiction by the beloved author and respected academic, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. With these books, Tolkien introduced readers to his greatest creation, the world of Middle-earth, a mythic land from a remote past.

First released in 2011, The One Ring™ was hailed as the best attempt at bringing Middle-earth to the gaming table to date. Now the time has come for the game to enter a new era and bring new players further into the Twilight of the Third Age with the new 5E conversion: The Lord of the Rings™ Roleplaying.

The year is 2965 of the Third Age and the Shadow is returning. Rumors of strange things happening outside the borders of civilized lands are spreading and they sometimes reach the ears of individuals who recognize the sinister truth they hide. You are part of such a company of heroes seeking adventure. Restless warriors, curious scholars and wanderers, eager to seek what was lost or explore what was forgotten.

The War of the Ring, Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings, The One Ring and the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Middle-earth Enterprises, LLC and are used under license by Sophisticated Games Ltd and their respective licensees. © 2022 Sophisticated Games Ltd.

The One Ring™ Roleplaying Game won a Gold ENNIE for Best Interior Art 2022.

Death from Above Announcement Trailer

2023/05/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Lesser Evil is pleased to announce that the release date of its inaugural title, Death From Above, will be May 25th, exclusively on Steam Early Access. The game will be priced at €9.99/$9.99/£8.99.

You can find our Steam page here, ready to wishlist for the 25th.

“Early Access is the perfect opportunity for our backers and the wider community to get their hands on Death From Above for the first time and bonk some vatniks. We’re proud to be supporting the Ukrainian people in the defence against Russian imperialism. Remember, Putin, you pronounced this nonsense. Not us.” said Lesser Evil CEO Hendrik Lesser.

Death From Above is an arcade-style drone simulator game set during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. You will play as a Ukrainian military drone operator fighting the occupation forces, salvaging valuable equipment, and restoring communication lines disrupted by the conflict.

When Death from Above is released on Steam Early Access, 30% of its net revenues from game sales will be sent to two Ukrainian charities: Come Back Alive and Army of Drones. Once we cover our production costs, that donation will increase to 70% of all net game revenues, with the final 30% going towards continued development.

In it, you’ll get your first look at the details of the gameplay we’ve been putting together for you over the last few months and some of the surprises we’ve added as a thank-you to our incredible community.

We hope you enjoy it – please do share it with your friends! Please check the Press-kit for assets and additional information, or contact us directly!

Finally – we’d like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful Ukrainian organizations we’ve been working with: Gis Arta, Aerorozvidka, Army of Drones, and the mighty Antytila. We’re very proud to have you on board.

Slava Ukraini!

Knott’s Berry Farm Unveils Summer 2023 Events, Food, and More

2023/05/09

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

There’s something fun for everyone at Knott’s Berry Farm this Summer. The transformation of the new Fiesta Village will offer another Knott’s original experience with enhanced theming, beautiful décor, authentic food, immersive entertainment, thrilling rides and more starting on May 26. Lively entertainment continues park-wide with the return of Ghost Town Alive! and Summer Nights. Across the street, Knott’s Soak City reopens its gates for another splash-filled summer.

The Reimagined Fiesta Village

Fiesta Village comes alive both day and night to celebrate the Hispanic influences in Southern California. Guests can enjoy the sounds of Mariachi music, encounter a storyteller spinning whimsical tales of the alebrijes, experience performances of the traditional dance Folklorico and be entertained by interactive puppets and their playful antics. Those who venture through the newly landscaped alebrije gardens can meet Fiesta Village’s very own spirit animal friends. As the sun goes down, the fun heats up with an immersive nighttime street party, Calle Celebración, spanning the entire village, celebrating Mexican traditions of family, love and community through color, music, dancing and giant colorful puppets.

Guests can savor the flavors of Fiesta at the new restaurant Casa California with burritos, birria quesadillas and signature tamales. At Cantina Del Sur, plenty of thirst-quenching bebidas will be served. These cold refreshments pair nicely with the delicious fish tacos at the new Baja Taqueria. Papas Mexicanas brings back a wide variety of toppings for crispy french fries, including a park favorite, the carne asada fries. Not only can guests enjoy all these delicious food options in the area, but this summer’s tasting card, Flavors of Summer, has expanded to include Sabor de Fiesta with food festival booths in Fiesta Village serving items such as potato and chorizo tacos, micheladas and elotes.

Guests can stroll down Fiesta Mercado, inspired by Los Angeles’ Olvera Street, and find a variety of merchants with unique and authentic items. New merchandise items inspired by the area include a selection of Chamoy candies, hot sauces and queso. Other additions include carts throughout the village selling wares such as personalized parasols and colorful zarapes.

Those looking for a thrill can enjoy the seven refreshed rides reopening in this area. Take a swing on Los Voladores and fly through the air, similar to the Flyers of Mexico. Climb aboard one of the 48 hand-carved animals in the Carrusel de California and enjoy this timeless ride. Due to construction delays, MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress will not open with Fiesta Village this summer. An opening date has not been scheduled at this time.

Ghost Town Alive!

Your favorite town of Calico comes to life once again this summer with the return of the award-winning, interactive Ghost Town Alive! Guests are invited to become the star of this summer’s new action-packed storyline in the streets of Ghost Town. Each guest has the power to unlock secret missions with characters, influence the day’s events, and take on mind-challenging puzzles in this immersive version of the Old West. Ghost Town Alive! will offer new adventures, roles and characters this summer on select days starting May 26.

Knott’s Summer Nights

A summer favorite continues after the sun goes down, with a nighttime summer party that extends the fun into the evening. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy bands from the local music scene that rotate throughout the event on two stages. Knott’s Summer Nights transforms Calico Park into a neighborhood party like no other with a hub of live music, relaxing atmosphere, Instagram-able photo opportunities and family-friendly games.

A summer party is not complete without an abundance of food and drinks, and no theme park does food quite like Knott’s. The Knott’s culinary team creates tasty twists to classic summer dishes, from Sea Salt Caramel Iced Coffee, BLTA Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps and Mexican Pineapple Pork Sandwiches. A great way to indulge in all the flavors of Summer is by purchasing a tasting card that allows guests to choose from a selection of over four dozen seasonal-inspired dishes and drinks.

Knott’s Soak City

Make your own waves with a visit to Knott’s Soak City Waterpark starting select dates May 20 through September 10. Guests can catch a ride down 23 different speed, tube, and body slides or take a relaxing trip down one of the longest lazy rivers in the country. The 15-acre water park has something for each member of the family, an interactive kid’s area, and for those more adventurous, The Wedge, a rip-roaring raft ride.

The best way to enjoy all the fun throughout Knott’s Summertime and all of the other Seasons of Fun is with a 2023 Gold Season Pass! Get unlimited visits to both parks, food and merchandise discounts, plus so much more! For more information about Knott’s Berry Farm, please visit knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smartphone.

Limerick: Cadence Mansion Gets First Gameplay Trailer

2023/05/09

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Indie developer Jenito Studios has today unleashed the first gameplay trailer for their upcoming fantasy thriller adventure game Limerick: Cadence Mansion, due to be released on PC in 2023 via Steam. Solve puzzles, outwit evil creatures and explore the arcane halls of Cadence Mansion as you dive deeper into a story of manipulation and dark science.

“I’m so happy to finally show off the Limerick: Cadence Mansion gameplay trailer to the world,” said Daniel Hall, Solo developer at Jenito Studios. “Using Unreal Engine 5, everything you see has been painstakingly handcrafted with nearly every monster and environment an original creation. Even the musical tracks have been composed by myself. Any assets used have been carefully curated to ensure they match the style, feel, and flow of the world perfectly. Cadence Mansion will soon be open to all, do you dare enter?”

In Limerick: Cadence Mansion, explore an abandoned mansion inhabited by monsters, both beast and man, and discover its secrets in your attempts to escape. Solve puzzles to progress through increasingly haunting environments, fend off or hide from evil creatures and tear through the fabric of reality in cinematic boss fights. Scavenge for resources throughout the forgotten mansion and use Panic closets to escape from harm.

A new ballad sounds across Nightsonnet Isle.
Awaken, Proofreader, and solve the ancient writ.

The seas will swallow light with darkness. The boulders will shatter and shake.
The Poets will be silenced and the Resplendent will rise.

Will you take the quill and right the wrongs of Splendor?
Can you unlock the mysteries of its games and riddles?
What will you learn of the Anachronism, of the Dissonance and Cacophony, of the Dark Refrain and Prism?

And when you face the darkness, will you be ready?