Author - Jerry Paxton

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Unveils Anime Expo 2022 Lineup

Leading video game publisher and developer Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. announced today its line-up of planned activations for Anime Expo® from July 1-4. This includes the first consumer hands-on demos with ONE PIECE ODYSSEY, JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: ALL-STAR BATTLE R, and DIGIMON SURVIVE, a panel showcasing upcoming titles from the company, and additional activities fans can engage with virtually, or on-site at the convention.

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. will be located at booth #2300 and #2211, and will showcase the following:

GAME DEMOS – Attendees can receive free swag items by playing the below games.

  • ONE PIECE ODYSSEY– Fans can check out the opening moments of ONE PIECE ODYSSEY and learn more on how to play as the Straw Hat Crew via RPG combat!
  • JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: ALL-STAR BATTLE R – Get hands-on time with the stylistic anime-based fighting game before the game’s Sept. 2 global launch!
  • DIGIMON SURVIVE – Located at Booth #2211, fans can be one of the first to play the long-awaited Digimon Survive before the game’s launch on July 29!

PANELS

Bandai Namco Entertainment Summer Showcase (Friday, July 1, 8:30 p.m. PT in Petree Hall) – Get ready for a season of anime gaming with Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. and host, VampyBitMe! Be the first to see exciting reveals and news for our newest titles. The game developers themselves will also be joining to share exclusive info. We’ll also be giving away some exclusive swag for those in attendance.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

  • Anime Expo Livestream – From July 1-4, Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. will be hosting a special livestream across all four days of the show. Fans can look forward to exclusive reveals, commentary, and interviews. Please tune into Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.’s Twitch channel at https://www.twitch.tv/bandainamcous
  • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Hands-on Station – After playing the JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: ALL-STAR BATTLE R demo, fans can receive a free temporary tattoo themed after the iconic anime on-site at booth #2300.
  • DIGIMON SURVIVE Booth – Located at Booth #2211, fans can play DIGIMON SURVIVE, get signed autographs, win random DIGIMON SURVIVE-themed prizes, take photographs, and purchase Digimon items on-site.

For information on products from Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., please visit www.bandainamcoent.com. Join the conversation on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS, check us out live on Twitch at https://twitch.tv/bandainamcous, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

EVE Online Announces AIR Career Program

CCP Games today launched the AIR Career Program, the next installment of the new player experience for its iconic spaceship MMO EVE Online. The AIR Career Program teaches budding pilots the fundamentals of EVE’s four career paths so they can quickly begin to support themselves in New Eden. CCP also began rolling out updates for its Career Agent missions and released graphical improvements to further modernize the MMO as it approaches its third decade.

Check out EVE’s elevated visuals in the video here:

With the AIR Career Program, rookie pilots will learn the ins and outs of EVE’s core careers – Explorer, Industrialist, Enforcer, and Soldier of Fortune – to determine which one best fits their interests and play style. The AIR Career Program helps pilots master the basics by providing a list of recommended activities that match the player’s experience level, tracking activity progression, and offering rewards upon task completion. Information panels equipped with how-to videos, UI pointers, and navigation guides are also available to assist pilots in achieving their goals.

The first phase of updates for Career Agent missions begins today with the visual overhaul of all dungeons and environments. Players pursuing the Enforcer career can also experience a sleek Agent conversation window and helpful guidance and highlights in missions to aid them as they learn the ropes. Updates for the Explorer, Industrialist, and Soldier of Fortune missions will be available at a later date.

“The AIR Career Program offers new players a wealth of not just information, but also actionable objectives that help them understand what roles each career path plays in EVE’s player-driven economy,” said Bergur Finnbogason, EVE Online’s Creative Director. “It’s essential for pilots to learn about EVE’s career paths early in their intergalactic journeys so they can develop a solid plan to support themselves as they traverse New Eden.”

The next set of graphical and UI improvements are available now in EVE Online as part of CCP’s “EVE Evolved” initiative. Experience heightened visual and audio fidelity across New Eden with improved textures, higher-resolution nebulae, enhanced cloud visuals, and rebalanced ship engine sounds. Players can also enable compact mode for the Photon UI feature, which compresses select windows and allows more information to be shown on-screen for D-Scan, Chat, Fleet Window, People & Places, and more.

More information about the AIR Career Program, Career Agent missions, and the “EVE Evolved” overhaul can be found in the blog here.

EVE Online can be downloaded for free by visiting www.eveonline.com. For all the latest information about the game, please visit EVE News.

Hocus Pocus 2 Teaser Trailer Released

The trailer, teaser art and stills for the highly anticipated Disney+ Original movie “Hocus Pocus 2,” reuniting Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, are now available. The live-action, long awaited sequel to the perennial Halloween classic, which brings back the delightfully wicked Sanderson sisters for more comedic mayhem, will debut on Disney+ on September 30.

It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve. “Hocus Pocus 2” also stars Sam Richardson (“The Tomorrow War”), Doug Jones (“The Shape of Water”), Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”), Whitney Peak (“Gossip Girl”), Belissa Escobedo (“American Horror Stories”), Lilia Buckingham (“Dirt”), Froyan Gutierrez (“Teen Wolf”), and Tony Hale (“Veep”). The film is directed by Anne Fletcher (“Dumplin,’” “The Proposal”) and produced by Lynn Harris (“King Richard,” “The Shallows”), with Ralph Winter (“Hocus Pocus,” “X-Men” franchise), David Kirschner (“Hocus Pocus,” “Chucky”) and Adam Shankman (“Disenchanted,” “Hairspray”) serving as executive producers.

Way of the Hunter Release Date Trailer

Hunting Season comes early this year: Way of the Hunter will be out on PC, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series S/X™ on August 16th, 2022. Get ready to embark on a fascinating hunting adventure in two huge open-world areas – and you’ll even get to give your feet a break since Way of the Hunter comes with a sturdy off-road vehicle to transport your hunter from the blind to the bush. But be careful, the noise from your car will scare away any animals in the vicinity. You’re better off taking a little walk when you’re closing in on a herd.

Take an early shot for once: Pre-Order is now open
Digital Pre-Order for Way of the Hunter is now available and lets you choose between two versions. The standard edition goes for an SRP of $ 39.99 / € 39.99 / £ 34.99 on PC and consoles and if you Pre-Order, you’ll receive the Hunter’s Pack which includes three cosmetic items: The Engraved Shotgun, a special Car Paint and a Wooden Carved Animal Statue.

The Elite Edition is also available for Pre-Order now at an SRP of $ 54.99 / € 54.99 / £ 44.99 and grants access to the Way of the Hunter Season Pass, including two new region DLCs that’ll make the world of Way of the Hunter even bigger, upon their release at a later date. The early hunter catches the discount: If you pre-order the Elite Edition before August 16th, you’ll get a 10% discount.

Pre-Order here:

PC
Steam: https://thqn.net/woth-steam
GOG.com: https://thqn.net/woth-gog
Epic Game Store: https://thqn.net/woth-egs

Follow Way of the Hunter on social media:
https://facebook.com/WayOfTheHunterGame
https://www.instagram.com/wayofthehunter
https://twitter.com/THQNordic
https://www.youtube.com/THQNordic
https://www.tiktok.com/@thqnordic

Sideshow Toys Unveils Sideshow Con for SDCC

The Con is back on! As fans celebrate the return of San Diego Comic Con, pop culture collectibles giants Sideshow have unveiled plans for a hybrid event that combines their much-loved SDCC booth experience with an online “Sideshow Con” to create weeks of geeky content!

Over the last few years, Sideshow has pioneered a unique event format that combined live streamed content, with virtual tours of a physical art gallery, games, contests, and VR components – all with the aim of keeping the convention spirit alive during the pandemic.

As pop culture fandom slowly returns to live-events Sideshow has announced that they will not be abandoning the online side of their con planning. Rather, they will be hosting a web-based “Sideshow Con” the week before the physical event – followed immediately by an in-person appearance at SDCC!

Sideshow’s PR Manager, Andy Smith, said:

“There is a magic and an energy at the heart of these physical events, and it was our aim from the outset to capture at least a small part of that vibe. Sideshow Con is as much a celebration as it is a showcase. For us, this is about community and fandom as well as the art. I think that’s what made it work so well.

I’m originally from the UK, and for many years visiting San Diego Comic Con was just a dream for me. I watched the con online as best I could, and lived vicariously through fan videos. I would have loved Sideshow Con back then, and I’m so happy that online content like this is becoming more commonplace.

This year should be really fun, as Sideshow Con will also serve as a kind of pre-game party. We have a bunch of content lined up with some epic reveals, as well as contests, special offers and more. Sideshow and our partners will be celebrating pop culture for a whole week online, then rolling straight into a big physical event. I highly recommend that fans sign up for free pre-registration, because we’ve got some very exciting stuff that we’ll be revealing early before the con floor opens”

Find out more below…

PRE-REGISTRATION

Pre-registration opens on June 27, 2022 on the Sideshow Con Event Page.

FREE Pre-registration for Sideshow Con gives fans:

  • $10 in Sideshow Rewards that can be used on future purchases
  • Access to exclusive giveaways only for registrants
  • Exclusive Sideshow Rewards opportunities
  • Priority access to order summer convention exclusives
  • Notifications whenever Sideshow goes live – don’t miss any of the new reveals as they are announced!
  • Limited time deep discounts on in-stock items exclusive to registrants

Be sure to sign up before the con begins on July 11 to ensure that you get these benefits for the full duration of the event.

SIDESHOW CON

From July 11th-20th Sideshow will be sharing a host of new product reveals and early first-glimpses at upcoming items before their appearance at SDCC – as well as numerous contests, giveaways, special offers, Sideshow rewards, and much more.

Visit side.show/con or follow Sideshow on social media for all the latest news and info, daily!

SAN DIEGO COMIC CON

Sideshow will be returning to booth 1929 for their first San Diego Comic Con since 2019!

In person attendees will see a huge selection of statues, figures, fine art prints, and photo ops at Sideshow’s art gallery-inspired booth.

Sideshow will be joined by their friends and partners at Hot Toys, Tweeterhead, Insight Edition, Iron Studios, Prime 1 Studio, PureArts, Infinite Statue, EXO-6, and more!

Join Sideshow throughout July for the latest reveals, and the biggest news in pop culture collectibles.

VISIT SIDE.SHOW/CON FOR MORE INFO

Insta360 Launches ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition 6K Camera

Insta360 today launched ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition, a camera that raises the bar for 360-degree capture, with dual 1-inch sensors and 6K video resolution.

“Co-engineered with Leica”, the 1-Inch 360 Edition allows creators to shoot in industry-leading image quality with a tool that’s small enough to carry anywhere they go. Its dual-lens 360 design enables creators to easily capture creative shots that would be impossible with traditional shooting rigs.

“The 1-Inch 360 Edition represents Insta360’s continued mission to make ONE RS the most comprehensive and versatile camera on the market. This latest edition turns ONE RS into a powerful 6K camera capable of impressive performance even in low light,” said JK Liu, founder of Insta360.

Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is available to order today via Insta360.com.

Inspired Imaging without Limits

Representing a major breakthrough in the way creators can realize their creative visions, ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition boasts two 1-inch CMOS sensors. As a result, the camera is capable of shooting stunning 6K 360 footage and 21MP 360 photos.

The 1-inch sensors are the secret to the camera’s superb low light capabilities, delivering impressive dynamic range from dusk through dawn. Where other consumer 360 cameras struggle with shadows and highlights, the 1-Inch 360 Edition shows the world in sharp, true-to-life color and detail.

The 1-Inch 360 Edition also marks the first 360 camera to be “co-engineered with Leica”, thanks to Insta360 and Leica’s strategic partnership dating back to 2020. “We’re excited to bring Leica’s optical and digital imaging expertise into a new product segment with the ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition. Creators can take advantage of both the camera’s 360 capture capabilities and its dual 1-inch sensors, no longer having to choose between creativity and premium image quality,” said Matthias Harsch, CEO of Leica Camera AG.

The Freedom of 360

ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is designed to eliminate the restrictions of bulky shooting rigs. Whether it’s used for professional filmmaking, VR content production, outdoor exploration or enterprise applications, the camera’s compact form factor allows creators to shoot in ways that simply weren’t possible before.

With two lenses recording in full panoramic 360, creators no longer need to consider where the camera is pointed. Instead, they can capture all the action in one take, reframing it after the fact in an infinite number of ways according to their creative vision. Sharing in immersive 360 or as traditional flat footage is simple with the Insta360 software.

Panoramic 360 capture technology also makes dolly shots and breathtaking third-person views possible. Ugly selfie sticks are totally erased from footage by the dual lenses, resulting in clean and unobstructed shots without a selfie stick in sight.

At the same time, Insta360’s FlowState Stabilization and horizon leveling algorithms eliminate the need for extra stabilizing equipment like a gimbal, producing incredibly smooth and level footage every time.

Powered by AI

Harnessing the power of AI allows creators to effortlessly create impressive edits with the 1-Inch 360 Edition. The new PureShot HDR photo mode uses AI and auto exposure bracketing to increase the dynamic range of your shots, eliminating the need for further post editing.

Short videos for social media can be created in seconds in the Insta360 app, where Shot Lab uses AI to automate editing techniques like cloning, dolly zooms and star trails. For dialing in on the details, creators can turn to the Insta360 Studio desktop software or Adobe Premiere Pro plugin for full manual controls.

Unmatched Versatility

Whether creating a timelapse of the Northern Lights or a virtual tour of a real estate property, ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition has the versatility to bring bold ideas to life.

The camera’s IPX3 water resistance keeps it protected against rain or snow when shooting outdoors, while the 1-inch sensors deliver great dynamic range and sharpness indoors.

Thanks to the camera’s portable form factor, it can easily be mounted on a car or backpack for Google Street View photography, on a tripod for virtual tours or even on a hardhat for construction site monitoring. The camera will be compatible with major platforms like Matterport and OpenSpace with a future software development kit (SDK) release.

Available Now

Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition is available to purchase worldwide via store.insta360.com and select retailers worldwide. It retails for US$799.99.

With its interchangeable lens design, the 1-Inch 360 Lens is compatible with both the ONE R and ONE RS Cores, giving creators the ability to transform their action camera into a premium 360 camera, or vice versa. An upgrade bundle for ONE R and ONE RS users is available for US$649.99, which includes the 1-Inch 360 Lens, Battery and Mounting Bracket (Core excluded).

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Release Date

During today’s Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase, Ubisoft announced that Mario + Rabbids® Sparks of Hope will release exclusively on Nintendo Switch™ on October 20, 2022, and is available to preorder. Bowser will join returning favorites Rabbid Peach, Luigi, Rabbid Mario and Princess Peach to form a motley team and prevent Cursa, a malevolent cosmic entity, from plunging the galaxy into chaos. Tune into the Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Showcase tomorrow at 9AM PT on youtube.com/ubisoft to discover even more about the game.

Mixing turn-based tactics and real time action, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope’s innovative combat system will have players use their Heroes to dash at enemies, team jump on allies, hide behind covers, or take advantage of their special abilities in order to get the most out of every turn. With its innovative gameplay, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope will be a fun tactical adventure for new players and experts of the genre alike.

Determined to consume all the energy in the galaxy, Cursa and its minions are hunting the Sparks, uncanny creatures formed by the fusion of Lumas & Rabbids, and will destroy all who stand in its way. Players will have to locate and save the Sparks to have them join the adventure, opening up new tactical possibilities to help Heroes get the upper hand in battles. In addition to leveling up and customizing their Heroes, players will have the opportunity to pair them with Sparks to unlock additional abilities! They all have a distinct power and personality, ranging from energy shields to powerful elemental attacks.

As they embark on an epic journey through the galaxy, players will get to explore a variety of planets, meet their curious inhabitants and complete one-of-a-kind quests to free them from Cursa’s evil influence. Familiar enemies from the Nintendo universe, exceptional Rabbids enemies and surprising bosses will cross the Heroes’ path.

For more information on Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope visit: www.mario-rabbids.com

Warhammer 40k: Inquisitor – Martyr Season of Judgement Live Now

NeocoreGames announced today, that the next seasonal ladder – Season of Judgement – for Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr is live now on PC (Steam).

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr’s fifth season introduces a new seasonal theme and a stackable buff called the “Emperor’s Judgement”. While active, with the help of this buff, players will be able to increase their damage and movement speed, as well as unlock seasonal missions and seasonal boss fights with unique loot.

The Season of Judgement update adds the following:

  • New seasonal theme
  • New seasonal mechanics
  • New seasonal missions and objectives
  • New seasonal bosses
  • New items and rewards
  • Bonus inventory tab
  • Redesigned mission GUI, objective widgets and other new quality of life features
  • New dedicated server system
  • Balance and bug fixes
  • New mechanics from previous ladders reintroduced
  • More than 45 enchantments from previous Seasons unlocked
  • And more…

Read about the seasonal theme, all major and minor changes in the updated COMPENDIUM.

As previously announced, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S | X consoles later this year with enhanced new gen features. The new Sisters of Battle class DLC – an Inquisitor with an Adepta Sororitas background – is also coming later this year to PC and consoles.

As part of the annual Steam Summer Sale, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr and its DLCs are 75% off on Steam.

High On Life ‘Guy in a Hole’ Short Video

Squanch Games revealed its latest game, High On Life, a couple of weeks ago at Microsoft’s Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022. Remember? It was that cool space game that everyone loved! No, not the one that was like No Man’s Sky. The one with talking guns and Justin Roiland’s melodious pipes. Anyway, we have a new animated short to share with you.

This short is called “Guy in a Hole,” for reasons that will become clear when you watch it. It’s seriously easy to understand. Maybe there are hidden layers to it? Maybe not. High On Life has a ton of these little shorts in it. You can watch them on the in-game monitors that are just out in the world. They’re free. You don’t have to pay extra for them or buy a battle pass or anything like that.

High On Life is coming to PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store and Xbox Series X|S on October 25, 2022.

P.S. Yes, Justin did the voice of the titular Guy. Good ears!

Autobahn Police Simulator 3 Launch Trailer

Publisher Aerosoft and developer Z-Software are pulling you over to inform you that Autobahn Police Simulator 3, the latest game in their popular law-enforcement simulation series, is available today! Players on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam can now don their uniforms and patrol Germany’s famous high-speed highway system.

“Our newest game brings together all the best elements of the first two games in the series, along with its own innovations,” said Andreas Heldt, CEO of Z-Software. “To see the hard work of our team come to fruition in Autobahn Police Simulator 3 is really incredible, and I’m positive fans of simulation and open-world games will love this experience.”

Watch the launch trailer below:

In Autobahn Police Simulator 3, players take on the role of a rookie police officer returning to work after a street racing incident left them out of commision. Now, they must jump behind the wheel once more, to prove themself to the higher-ups in the police department and keep the peace! Take on a variety of operations and unique missions to establish security on the streets, move up the ranks in the force, and unlock more demanding missions, new skills, and new equipment and vehicles.

Autobahn Police Simulator 3 builds off of the success of its predecessor, which sold over 200,000 copies, to create a new experience for long-time fans of the series. The game retains the most popular and proven features of prior entries, while introducing brand-new open-world elements and a wider variety of missions reflective of the everyday life of a highway police officer.

Key Features of Autobahn Police Simulator 3 include:

  • Life is (More Than) a Highway: Patrol an open world containing cities, industrial sites, mountains, the seaside and more! The diverse set of activities and locations to explore offer a long-term varied gameplay experience that goes beyond a mere simulation.
  • Grand Theft Autobahn: The life of a highway police officer is full of variety, including responding to accidents, conducting traffic checks, keeping the streets clean, and even preventing gas station robberies and chasing down perps in a trusty squad car!
  • Polizei Academy: Rise through the ranks to fill out the tech tree and master new skills, including shooting and sneaking. Progressing further into the game will also unlock new types of police cars.

Autobahn Police Simulator 3 is now available for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam on June 23, 2022. The game will launch on Xbox One in early July 2022.