Author - Jerry Paxton

DJI Unveils Mini 2 SE Ultraportable Drone

2023/02/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Tech News, Trailers / Videos

DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today introduces the DJI Mini 2 SE, a lightweight, palm-sized camera drone perfect for capturing your everyday moments. Weighing in at less than 249 grams, Mini 2 SE is an ultraportable, regulation-friendly drone that is exempt from drone regulations in several parts of the world. Its 1/2.3-inch CMOS camera sensor films video at 2.7k and delivers photos at 12MP. These features and its affordable price point make Mini 2 SE a perfect drone for beginners and experienced drone pilots alike.

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Overview

The Mini 2 SE is the latest addition to the DJI Mini Series which provides several smart features, making it easy to use in a wide array of flight scenarios. Mini 2 SE supports up to 10 km of HD
video transmission, giving you the ability to fly farther and see clearer, and with a maximum flight time of 31 minutes you’ll be certain to capture your desired image. Alongside the smart features, which allow for ease of flying, the Mini 2 SE offers intelligent features, including QuickShots and Panorama, for more creative shots. The advanced gimbal enables a 3-axis mechanical stabilization system for consistently smooth imagery. The powerful camera enables 4X digital zoom allowing you to transition between shots of varying distance and composition when shooting HD videos.

Key Features

● Sub-249 grams: An ultra-light, foldable drone that weighs less than 249 g that is
regulation friendly
● DJI O2 Transmission technology: A maximum video transmission range of 10 km with
excellent anti-interference capabilities
● High-quality imaging: A 3-axis gimbal and 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that takes 12MP and
photos shoots video at 2.7K HD
● Extended flight time: Offers a 31-minute maximum flight time
● Intuitive flight controls: Offers one-tap takeoff and landing, stable hovering, return to
home feature
● Intelligent features: QuickShots and Panorama deliver creative shooting possibilities
● Level 5 wind resistance: At a wind speed of 10.7 m/s, the aircraft can still hover steadily
and keep images stable

Train Life: A Railway Simulator Coming to Nintendo Switch

2023/02/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch

After making its first stop on PC, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S in 2022, Train Life: A Railway Simulator is arriving on Nintendo Switch™ on 9 March.

Train Life: A Railway Simulator puts you at the head of a railway company. For the first time in a simulation game, this means becoming an experienced train driver and managing your own company. In the management interface you can hire employees, purchase new trains and sign contracts. In the driver’s cab you control the train’s speed, check that the rail switches are in the right position, and activate the emergency brake, if necessary. NACON and Simteract have specifically worked on the train modelling and management gameplay to provide an experience that is both fun and authentic.

Key features:

  • Drive faithfully reproduced iconic trains, such as the ICE 3, ICE 4 and NEWAG Griffin
  • Create and customize your own trains, from their outer appearance to your cab interior
  • Manage your company: hire conductors, choose contracts, build your network, maintain your locomotives to prevent breakdowns and emergency repairs
  • Travel 10,000 kilometres of track through the towns and countrysides of Eastern Europe, Western Europe and the Alps region
  • Visit a wide range of true-to-life stations, such as Berlin Central Station and Zurich Main Station
  • Follow the railway signage while adapting to the switches and managing speed, track changes, braking distances, station arrivals, and the opening and closing of doors
  • Handle unexpected situations, such as a tree on the line, snow build-up on the tracks, or another train on your track
  • Adapt your driving to the weather conditions and the time of day to prevent accidents, day and night, through downpours and blizzards!

ROCCAT Unveils Magma Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard

2023/02/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Peripherals News, Trailers / Videos

ROCCAT, the award-winning PC peripherals brand from best-selling gaming headset and accessories maker Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: HEAR), today announced its new Magma Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard has launched. The Magma Mini combines responsive membrane switches, performance features, and durability into a compact 60% form factor. Magma Mini’s top plate is fully illuminated with five programmable zones showcasing ROCCAT’s stunning AIMO RGB lighting. Magma Mini was also designed with top durability in mind and is IP33-rated against water and dust. The Magma Mini is available now at www.ROCCAT.com and participating retailers for just $49.99 (€49.99) MSRP.

Popular tech reviews website TechRadar posted their review of ROCCAT’s new Magma Mini and gave it a 4.5/5 score, calling it, “A great gaming keyboard at an even better price.” Gaming site MP1st also calls the Magma Mini, “Liquid Fire” and notes, “At 60% form factor, there is very little to compete with it when it comes to features, such as its customizable RGB top-plate, silent keys, and Easy-Shift[+]™ functionality, that many other mini-keyboards lack.”

“ROCCAT’s Magma Mini is the perfect choice for PC gamers wanting to add stunning RGB lighting to their setup at an attractive price,” said Juergen Stark, Chairman and CEO, Turtle Beach Corporation. “ROCCAT’s Magma and Magma Mini products redefine what gamers should expect in modern membrane keyboards in terms of performance, and they push the boundaries even further with RGB lighting that instantly upgrades any desktop.”

The Magma Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard has a translucent top plate featuring 10 LED backlights and five programmable RGB zones. ROCCAT’s AIMO lighting lets gamers enjoy a vivid and immersive experience with 16.8 million RGB color options, and syncs with other AIMO-enabled ROCCAT products to create a stunning PC gaming station.

The Magma Mini has responsive membrane keys with a fast, midway actuation point. ROCCAT’s EasyShift[+] technology provides expanded key functionality, and anti-ghosting technology ensures gamers can press up to 20 keys simultaneously in the heat of battle, and they’ll all register as intended. Additionally, the Magma Mini’s power cable connects on the left side of the keyboard, making it perfect for gamers who play with their keyboard tilted, leaving more room for larger mouse movements.

For more information on the latest ROCCAT PC gaming products and accessories, visit ROCCAT.com and be sure to follow ROCCAT on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Knott’s Celebrates Charlie Brown Day on February 12th

2023/02/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

On Sunday, February 12th, Knott’s is celebrating Good Ol’ Charlie Brown by hosting a Charlie Brown Day during their PEANUTS Celebration. The park invites guests during this special time of year to join in on all the excitement as the PEANUTS gang takes over. To show everyone’s favorite underdog just how special he is, attendees will be encouraged to pay homage to Charlie Brown by sporting his signature bright yellow zig-zag striped tee, black shorts, and red baseball cap outfit. At 12:30pm on the Calico Mine Stage, the PEANUTS characters will perform the musical game show It’s Your Life, Charlie Brown, with the loveable title character getting the surprise of his life. After the show, all guests dressed as Charlie Brown will be invited to gather around the stage for a photo opportunity posing alongside the boy of the hour.

All guests in attendance will also receive a button commemorating Charlie Brown Day, while supplies last. Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration takes place daily January 28 through February 26.

WHEN: Sunday, February 12th, with a special photo opportunity occurring after the 12:30pm Calico Mine Stage show.
WHERE: Knott’s Berry Farm – 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

Knott’s Berry Farm Peanuts Celebration 2023 Brings Charles M. Schulz Magic to Life

2023/02/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Misc Review, News, Reviews, Screenshots / Photos

The Peanuts Celebration is back at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. This year, guests can enjoy the decorative ambiance of the celebration as well as a variety of themed foods and shows! We got the chance to attend on January 28th and it was a nice, cool day. Upon entering the main gates, we ran into some fun Peanuts photo booths in the style of comic strips. We also happened upon a fun merchandise booth decked out to resemble Lucy’s Psychiatric help kiosk. In the booth, guests could purchase the official Peanuts Celebration and Pin combo as well as some other items. The event-specific shirt design is fun and energetic with plenty of Peanuts personality.

One thing that the Peanuts Celebration has in spades is shows! Over at the Ghost Town Town Hall guests will find To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA. This exhibit showcases the role that Peanuts has played in NASA going back many decades. You might even find a photo opportunity with everyone’s favorite beagle, Snoopy himself! In the Bird Cage Theater, two shows that cycle throughout the day. One that I particularly enjoyed was Charlie Brown’s Trivia Challenge. This will test the audience’s knowledge of the Peanuts Gang as well as provide fun for everyone in your party. You can also find the Peanuts Sketch School which will teach everyone how to draw Peanuts characters. On the Calico Mine Stage, guests will be thoroughly entertained by Snoopy’s Legendary Rooftop Concert. This musical revue features The Jelly of the Month Club indie band as well as Peanuts characters – it’s a total howling good time! Also on the Calico Mine Stage is It’s Your Life, Charlie Brown which features Charlie Brown taking part in the classic game show It’s Your Life! There are even more shows to list but I’ll leave you to the park’s event website for that. Suffice it to say, your party will be well-entertained by what Knott’s has come up with for the Peanuts Celebration.

No Knott’s seasonal event would be complete without food and the Peanuts Celebration is no different. Throughout the park, guests will find that most of the food stops are offering up something fun and different. For instance, the Cornbread Funnel Cake with Honey and Pulled Pork was a favorite during our visit, and I really wanted to try the Berry French Toast Funnel Cake but simply couldn’t eat another bite – I got so filled up by everything. The Carrot Cake Churros with Cream Cheese Filling were a lot softer than those experienced in previous years and they are well worth purchasing. Also, if you are 21 or older, be sure to hit the Calico Saloon for a frosty Boysenberry Hef!

The topper of our visit to the Peanuts Celebration was being able to go through Pig-Pen’s Pig Pen – complete with little adorable piglets. In the Pig Pen you will also find Pig-Pen for a photo opportunity!

Photo Gallery

While the Peanuts Celebration is definitely not as transformative as most Knott’s Seasons of Fun events, it’s a welcome dressing of family fun over the usual amount of Knott’s Berry Farm offerings. I’d definitely recommend it – especially if you are a fan of Peanuts or have small children in your party. The Knott’s Berry Farm Peanuts Celebration is happening daily now through February 26, 2023. You can get park hours, ticket info, and more over at their official website.

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Release Date Trailer

2023/02/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News, Xbox Series X News

It’s a good thing being headless doesn’t stop The Beheaded from enjoying some nice wall meat. The hero of Dead Cells will need all the help he can get when Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania launches on PC, PlayStation and Xbox consoles and the Nintendo Switch March 6 for $9.99: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2101430/Dead_Cells_Return_to_Castlevania

Get an early look at a full minute’s worth of vampire-slaying action by watching the brand-new gameplay reveal from today’s Nintendo Direct – featuring Richter Belmont, Alucard and plenty of soon-to-be dead undead – below.

Pre-orders for the legendary crossover between indie gaming’s favorite flame-headed hero and Castlevania’s vampire slaying badasses are now available on the Nintendo Switch and PC via the Epic Games Store. Anyone new to Dead Cells who wants to get in on the action can also take advantage of some sizable discounts. A bundle including Dead Cells and the Return to Castlevania DLC is available for $22.99, while another including the base game and all released DLC will be available for $31.99 (price may vary slightly between regions and platforms). Check your preferred platform’s store for the Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Bundle (Dead Cells + Return to Castlevania) and the Dead Cells: Medley of Pain Bundle (Dead Cells + all DLC).

Front and center in today’s trailers are the inhuman enemies that The Beheaded will face down. Werewolves, blood-suckers, spooky scary skeletons and more are in the way of brand-new loot. Thankfully, Richter and Alucard have given our hero some new toys and abilities that make quick work of these formidable foes. Use Castlevania’s iconic weapons, including the Throwing Axe and Vampire Killer to dispatch monsters, all while teleporting behind enemies with a swing of Alucard’s sword.

However, you’ll need more than fancy tools when facing off against some of Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania’s bosses, including Dracula and Death himself, who players will be able to face for the first time in 15 years. In these battles across two new biomes and featuring a host of new weapons and enemies, players will need to use their wits and calm their nerves to achieve victory against some of humanity’s greatest enemies.

Motion Twin also announced Dead Cells: The Rogue-Lite Board Game is coming to Kickstarter this Spring: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scorpionmasque/dead-cells-the-rogue-lite-board-game

A cooperative, rogue-lite metroidvania-inspired experience, Dead Cells: The Rogue-Lite Board Game will let players explore the ever-changing island of Dead Cells. Players will have to choose their path carefully inside unforgiving biomes and work their way through Malaise-infected enemies… or die trying. Each death is a chance to mutate into something far more powerful, and to go further every run. Explore. Kill. Die. Mutate. Repeat.

Scorpion Masqué, a multiple award-winning publisher with a strong expertise in evolutive board games has been joined by a group of veteran and decorated designers Antoine Bauza (7 Wonders), Corentin Lebrat (Draftosaurus), Ludovic Maublanc (Cyclades), and Théo Rivière (The Loop), dubbed Kaedama, to bring their vast experiences to the design of the first board game in the Dead Cells universe in conjunction with Motion Twin and Evil Empire.

Find more details on Dead Cells: The Rogue-lite Board Game in a Steam blog post here: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/588650/view/3655268188659289097

For the latest on Dead Cells, be sure to follow @motiontwin on Twitter.

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Prologue Demo Launch Trailer

2023/02/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

SQUARE ENIX® today announced the release of the playable demo of upcoming title, OCTOPATH TRAVELER™ II for the Nintendo Switch™ system, the PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console and the PlayStation®4 (PS4™) console. The demo will also be available for PC via STEAM® tomorrow. The OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Prologue demo allows players to choose any of the eight protagonists and play for three hours. Save data will also carry over to the full game which launches on February 24, 2023.

In OCTOPATH TRAVELER II, players will embark on an exciting journey through the brand-new world of Solistia. Developed by the same team behind the beloved original, which has sold over three million copies worldwide*, this installment improves upon the series’ iconic HD-2D visuals: a striking blend of retro 2D characters in a beautiful 3D world.

The game’s new storyline, characters and features make it the perfect entry for newcomers to the series, while also preserving the charm of the original game for veteran players. Players can look forward to following the journey of eight distinct protagonists as they explore the land and conquer enemies in strategic turn-based battles on an adventure all their own.

New and returning gameplay features and elements include:

  • Break & Boost Battle System – Players must act strategically to exploit enemy weaknesses to “Break” them to inflict more damage, and “Boost” their travelers to enhance their abilities.
  • Path Actions – Players can interact with NPCs throughout the world in various ways by using actions unique to each character, such as challenging people as the Warrior or stealing belongings as the Thief. Path Actions will vary depending on the protagonist and whether it is day or night.
  • Brand-New Story and Characters – Players can embark on a grand adventure in the new land of Solistia and experience the intertwined stories of eight new travelers: Hikari (Warrior), Agnea (Dancer), Partitio (Merchant), Osvald (Scholar), Throné (Thief), Temenos (Cleric), Ochette (Hunter), and Castti (Apothecary).
  • Day/Night Cycle – The townscapes and Path Actions available to each character will change depending on if it is night or day, creating more opportunities for exploration and discovery.
  • Latent Power – A new battle element in which characters can unleash a powerful ability once the ability’s gauge fills up during combat.
  • Crossed Paths – Additional stories will unfold between the protagonists as their journey progresses, further intertwining their narratives.

EVERSPACE 2 Release Date Trailer

2023/02/08
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

After six massive content updates over two years of Early Access development, independent AA developer ROCKFISH Games is excited to share their much-anticipated open world space looter-shooter, EVERSPACE 2, will be releasing on PC on April 6 and on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in Summer 2023.

“EVERSPACE 2 has been, by far, our biggest and most ambitious project at ROCKFISH Games and a true labour of love over the five years it’s been in development, the last two of which in Early Access,” says ROCKFISH Games CEO Michael Schade. “With our release date revealed, we can see a light at the end of the tunnel where our amazing community and players all over the world new to the series will get to experience this adventure full of exciting, white-knuckle space combat and beautiful handcrafted deep space and planetside locations to explore. We’ve invested a hefty eight-digits budget into creating the game we’ve always wanted to make, and the team is now hard at work finaling and polishing all of our launch day content to perfection. Beyond the final chapter of the EVERSPACE 2’s story, there’s still a lot to see!”

As EVERSPACE 2 approaches launch, ROCKFISH Games has piloted away from generation 8 consoles. “Our vision for EVERSPACE 2 has taken us beyond the limitations of previous generation consoles. Our team has spent a significant amount of time trying to create an experience that would satisfy our fans on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, but downscaling EVERSPACE 2 to those platforms does not hit the level of quality that we want to deliver,” said Schade. “We’ll be in touch with backers who pledged for copies on console during our Kickstarter to ensure interest is still there for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game and offer refunds in the event they do not have access to those platforms.”

As the team works on adding more enemies, rewards, challenges, catalysts, equipment types and attributes, polished cinematics, perks, customization options, new boss fights, an all-new trading map, and more ahead of 1.0 launch, they have one last reveal: an additional Companion and another star system will be added at launch.

To reflect the significant amount of content added over the course of Early Access, ROCKFISH Games plans to raise the price of the PC version on Steam, Microsoft Store, and GOG from $39.99 to $49.99 on February 20.

ROCKFISH Games have partnered with Maximum Games to bring a physical deluxe edition for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S to retailers worldwide with pre-orders and further details about the console release to be announced on April 6.

Ravenbound Demo Available Now for Steam Next Fest

2023/02/08
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Systemic Reaction has released a free PC demo for the upcoming open-world action-roguelite Ravenbound, playable now through February 13 as part of Steam Next Fest. In addition to this hour-long demo, players can check out a new trailer highlighting the menacing monsters that await in the beautiful fantasy land of Ávalt.

Ravenbound is an action-packed roguelite set in Ávalt, a beautiful fantasy world filled with dangerous creatures inspired by Scandinavian folk tales. You are the Vessel, and within you is the Raven – a powerful weapon forged by the ancient gods to rid the land of darkness. Use skill and wit to defeat ferocious enemies, become stronger and wiser with each run, and save Ávalt from the monsters that threaten its existence.

Key Features

  • A Beautifully Deadly Open World: Freely explore a unique fantasy world inspired by Scandinavian folklore on foot or on the wings of the Raven. Choose where to go and which challenges to undertake, but beware: this land and its creatures are ever-changing, giving rise to new foes, locations, and trials when you may least expect it!
  • Intense Action-Roguelite Combat: Arm yourself with steel imbued with magic and face off against fantastic creatures like trolls, huldras, and the fearsome undead draugr in fast-paced, up-close combat where tactics are everything. Each Vessel has just one life to sacrifice, but the abilities you attain will benefit the next Vessel that rises in your place.
  • Play Your Cards Right: Ravenbound’s deck-building feature gives you access to more powerful gear and weapons with each new life. Expand your deck when you die, but pick carefully: these are the cards your next Vessel will draw. Improve your deck to give each Vessel the best chance to survive and bring the Raven closer to victory.

Ravenbound is available to wishlist now on Steam. For more information, visit www.RavenboundGame.com, and keep up with the latest updates by following the team on Twitter, Facebook, Discord and TikTok.

Session: Skate Sim Getting New Content and Switch Version

2023/02/08
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News, Xbox Series X News

After the release of Session: Skate Sim last September, which was eagerly awaited by skateboarding fans and already has over 85% positive reviews on Steam, the development and publishing teams at Crea-ture and NACON continue to work on the game. Several patches, additional content and a new Nintendo Switch™ version are in the works as the teams aim to set the benchmark for all skateboarding games with Session: Skate Sim.

Session: Skate Sim is already available on PC, PS5TM, PS4 TM and Xbox Series X|S, and will be coming to Nintendo Switch™ on 9 March 2023 in North America and 16 March in the rest of the world. From today, this version of the game can be preordered to get the Brandalised pack for free, which includes exclusive deck and clothing designs. Considerable work has gone into adapting the controls for the Nintendo Switch™ version, especially on the triggers used for turns, to provide the optimal skateboarding experience.

Among the improvements made, the development team paid particular attention to the early stages of the game and to making it easier to master. With the recent patches, users can enjoy a more balanced learning curve and improved tutorial. Nintendo Switch™ users will also benefit from these improvements.

The developers are also working on new content for existing players. A new pro skater, new map (not a city!), new missions and new equipment items for greater variety in the game are all in development.

More details on improvements to the game and its content will be shared in the coming weeks.