Author - Jerry Paxton

Ready Player One VR Experience Launches on Viveport

2018/03/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

March 23, 2018 – Today, Ready Player One fans will finally be able to step into a universe inspired by the film, in theaters March 29, as Vive Studios launches three highly anticipated RPO experiences on Viveport. By logging into the OASIS beta, players will have access to an ever-expanding universe to explore using their custom Gunter Avatars. As the gateway to multiple worlds and VR experiences, Gunters will launch all their explorations through OASIS beta.

Starting today, Viveport customers can experience three of the Vive Studios titles inspired by the universe of Ready Player One – Battle for the Oasis, Rise of the Gunters, and Gauntlet.

  • Battle for the OASIS
    Help to save the OASIS by defeating waves of IOI Sixers. Advance through the trenches of Planet Doom towards the snowy planes that surround Anorak’s Castle. With an arsenal only possible in the OASIS, you must stop IOI from gaining control.
    Developer: Steel Wool Studios
  • Gauntlet
    Navigate through a seemingly endless dungeon while the undead seek to destroy you. Collecting Gold will improve your score and eating food will restore your health, but only your bow skills will ensure that you make it out alive.
    Developer: Directive Games
  • Rise of The Gunters
    Fight against a nearly invincible army of highly trained IOI Sixers. Proceed with caution as you defeat Sixers, collect their coins, find power ups and survive a merciless onslaught of hyper-explosive kinetic action for as long as it takes. The OASIS is yours. Take it back. Battle the IOI by yourself or with up to two fellow Gunters!
    Developer: Drifter Entertainment, Inc.

Download the OASIS beta here and stay tuned for future releases and updates.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom Launch Trailer

2018/03/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (March 23, 2018) – BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. announced today that Ni no Kuni™ II: REVENANT KINGDOM is now available across the Americas for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and STEAM® for PC. Developed by world-renowned video game studio LEVEL-5 Inc., with participation from former Studio Ghibli animator Yoshiyuki Momose and music composed by Joe Hisaishi, Ni no Kuni II: REVENANT KINGDOM is ready to enchant gamers across the world in an epic role-playing game.

A treacherous coup has dethroned Evan Pettywhisker Tildrum, the young ruler of Ding Dong Dell. Evan – along with the help of his friends; Roland, Tani, Batu, Lofty, and many others they’ll meet along their journey – will build a new kingdom free of strife while uniting the whole world of Ni no Kuni. Across Evan’s grand adventure, players can explore a beautifully crafted world filled with exotic locations, a wide cast of characters to encounter, dangerous foes, and plenty of allies eager to help. Supporting Evan on his adventure will be natural phenomena known as Higgledies. The Higgledies will provide invaluable support during battles including offensive and defensive buffs, increasing special attack power for Evan and his friends, and assist in attacking enemies. There are 100 unique Higgledies to collect, each with its own special powers. Mix and match different combinations of Higgledies during combat to strategically secure the upper hand in battles.

Ni no Kuni II: REVENANT KINGDOM provides two additional game modes for players to engage in as they progress through the game’s main story. As Evan reclaims his crown in the newly formed kingdom of Evermore, he must manage all aspects of daily life within its borders. Players will erect shops, farms, barracks, and a host of other facilities to increase the economy of Evermore and provide new equipment for Evan and his allies as they venture further into the world. Hire residents to staff these shops and research new items and abilities to increase Evermore’s influence across the land. Evan will also lead an army into skirmish battles. These large-scale battles against other armies will test the resolve of Evan’s military might. Recruit new generals with special abilities to take down the opposing forces and claim victory!

“Ni no Kuni II: REVENANT KINGDOM merges a multitude of gameplay styles to create a visually arresting and dynamic gameplay experience,” said Stephen Akana, Brand Manager for

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “From action-packed battles, real-time strategy skirmishes, and kingdom building management, there is always something new for players to uncover.”

Ni no Kuni II: REVENANT KINGDOM is now available in the Americas on the PlayStation 4 system and PC via STEAM with a MSRP of $59.99 and ESRB rating of “T” for teen. For more information regarding Ni no Kuni II: REVENANT KINGDOM or other titles from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/ni-no-kuni-ii, https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS, or join the conversation at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition Release Date and Trailer

2018/03/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Space Hulk: Deathwing – Enhanced Edition, the FPS from Streum On Studio, set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, arrives for PlayStation®4 and PC on May 22, 2018. Dive into today’s brand new Gameplay Trailer to celebrate the upcoming release, which brings the game to console for the first time and will be available free for all current owners on PC.

Play as a Space Marine of the Deathwing – the feared 1stCompany of the secretive Dark Angels – and engage in a desperate battle against Genestealers within the confines of a Space Hulk. Grow more powerful, gain skills and abilities, and master devastating weapons as you earn experience. Play solo or in online cooperative multiplayer with up to 4 players. The Enhanced Edition brings a host of new content and upgrades, expanding upon the base game for the ultimate Space Hulk experience:

  • Class Customization – deep progression system lets players unlock armor and weapon skins, attachments, perks and more for aesthetic and gameplay customization.
  • Chaplain Class – the Chaplain brings a host of abilities to increase the squad’s survivability, and is more than capable of killing hordes of Xenos in melee combat.
  • New Weapons – more melee and ranged weapons give players even more options to load out their squad in battle.
  • New Enemy Types – new, unique Genestealer types offer greater challenge to those who dare enter the depths of the Space Hulk.
  • Special Missions – randomized objectives and enemy spawns bring a new level of replayability.

All aspects of Class Customization are earned entirely in-game, with no microtransactions. Several of the above features have already been made freely available on PC, as part of the game’s ongoing support.

Space Hulk: Deathwing – Enhanced Edition arrives on PlayStation 4 and PC on May 22, with all Enhanced Edition content free for owners of the game on PC.

Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry Festival 2018 Review

2018/03/22
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Misc Review, News, Reviews, Screenshots / Photos

For the uninitiated, the boysenberry is the result of crossing a raspberry, blackberry, loganberry, and dewberry. While this strange mutant berry might sound a bit intense what with all those progenitor berries, I assure you that boysenberries are absolutely delicious! Knott’s Berry Farm creator Walter Knott was instrumental in cultivating the berry in Southern California and might have saved it from extinction entirely! In honor of the boysenberry and its ties to Knott’s Berry Farm, the theme park hosts an annual “Boysenberry Festival”, where all manner of boysenberry infused treats become available for the public. We got the chance to attend the boysenberry festival last weekend and had a blast.

Boysenberry Boba is amazing

Thankfully, the Southern California weather was playing nice that day, and we reveled in the cool breeze and mild cloud cover. Walking into the park’s main entrance, I was blown away by the addition of boysenberry decorations all over the place. The crazy berries are on display all around and the even mix in a health dose of education by posting boysenberry facts up.  A big draw of the festival is its food – all sorts of dishes done up with boysenberries in some capacity. This year saw a number of new additions to the Boysenberry Festival food lineup – my favorite being the boysenberry boba drinks! But, they also had boysenberry macaroons, boysenberry elotes, boysenberry short ribs, and a whole bunch of other stuff to try. My least favorite of the bunch was the boysenberry pierogies with boysenberry sour cream. I highly recommend picking up a Boysenberry Festival tasting card. For $30 dollars, you get a sample of eight different boysenberry stations.

Love the decorations

After you get done eating all the treats, you can enjoy some of the live entertainment being offered in celebration of the festival. Over at the bird cage theatre, they are hosting a good old fashioned melodrama with a boysenberry twist. At the Calico Mine Stage, they are showing Snoopy’s Boysenberry Jamboree, a great show with lots of singing and dancing. If country music is more your speed, check out the Ghost Town Miners perform near the Fireman’s BBQ. There is even a younger-crowd focused “Happy Campers” show at the Camp Snoopy Theatre with tons of your favorite Peanuts characters.

No one touches his boysenberries

For those of you looking to get your hands dirty and do some activities, you can find a lot at the Boysenberry Festival. You can check out the craft fair vendors setup along the streets of Ghost Town. Or, you can pet horses, sheep, and more over at Old Macdonald’s Farm. The Ghost Town Town Hall is showing “History of the Boysenberry”, a short film about the Knott’s involvement with bringing the berries back from the brink and into the mainstream. You can even make your own custom tarts in Cordelia’s Pie Kitchen! Of course, the park’s usual rides and attractions are still going strong, and you can checkout the almost-completed roller coaster, Hang Time, as they sometimes test it throughout the day!

Boysenberry facts

Overall, Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry Festival is a ton of fun for the entire family and is one of the most wholesome events on the West Coast. The 2018 Boysenberry Festival runs until April 8, 2018. You can find ticket information, park hours, and more over at their official website.

Gallery

Firefield Unveils New Charge XLT Laser Sights

2018/03/22
Jerry Paxton
Action Sports, Articles

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Ideal for low-light situations and quick target acquisition at close ranges, Firefield’s new Charge XLT laser sights provide shooters with pinpoint accuracy and increased visibility when it matters most. Charge XLTs are available in four different models; Charge XLT Green Laser Sight (FF25012), Charge XLT Green Laser Sight in Dark Earth (FF25012DE), Charge XLT Flashlight and Green Laser Sight (FF25013) and Charge XLT Flashlight and Green Laser Sight in Dark Earth (FF25013DE).

Weighing in at just 6.2 oz., Charge XLT Green Lasers feature a Class IIIA 532nm green laser capable of being seen 600 yards away at night and 50 yards during the day. Constructed of high performance thermoplastic, these durable lasers are able to resist cold temperatures, increasing overall laser performance. They also feature a low profile design that allows them to be mounted in front of optics on AR-15 rifles and other firearms with rail systems without getting in the way. Hand adjustable turrets eliminate the need for tools and make adjustments in the field quick and easy.

Charge XLT Flashlight and Laser Sights add an ultra-bright 220 lumen flashlight, allowing the firearm to be utilized in dark environments. On these models, the laser is also offset so it does not interfere with rifles utilizing a front sight post.

All Charge lasers come standard with a pressure pad and CR123A battery.

Visit Facebook and Twitter to learn more about Firefield® products.

Murderous Pursuits Webisode 1

2018/03/22
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – March 22, 2018 – Blazing Griffin is excited to announce that PC-exclusive multiplayer stealth-em-up, Murderous Pursuits, lavishly launches on Steam on April 26th, 2018. Available for wishlisting now, Murderous Pursuits will retail for $19.99 USD at launch, and will be joined by a deluxe edition of the game ($29.99 USD) that will feature a digital art book, additional character skins and more.

Check out the first episode of an all-new mini-series shining a spotlight on Murderous Pursuits’ loveable cast of rapscallions, with more webisodes coming soon:

Not content to make would-be assassins wait until April, Blazing Griffin is kicking off the first Murderous Pursuits Closed Beta on Friday, March 23rd at noon Eastern Time, and keeping things going until Sunday, March 25 at noon Eastern Time. Those looking to get access to the first Closed Beta have three options: Join the official Discord and keep an eye out for codes, sign up for the mailing list, or follow the game on Twitter. There’ll be a ton of opportunities to get in, so keep an eye out!

From the team behind the Ship series, Murderous Pursuits is a tense multiplayer stealth game in which up to 8 players plot glorious murder as they track their assigned quarry, avoiding hunters and hiding in plain sight. This means players will need to put on their best bot impression in order to succeed, as they blend in to the scores of party guests discussing high art and eating the finest Scottish pies the British Empire can afford.

Murderous Pursuits slips out of the shadows and onto Steam (PC) on April 26th, 2018 and kicks off its first Closed Beta on March 23rd. Plus, if you’ll be attending PAX East, do be sure to keep an eye out for the Blazing Griffin team at Booth #15043, where they’ll be on-hand to demo Murderous Pursuits and walk you through the finer points of Victorian assassination. For the latest updates, visit Blazing Griffin’s official website, follow the game on Discord, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and follow the Blazing Griffin team on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Wizard World Increases Con Count to 16 for 2018

2018/03/22
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

LOS ANGELES, March 22, 2018 – Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) today announced schedule changes for 2018 that will increase the total number of events to 16 as well as move several shows to alternate dates and locations during the year. Three cities ( Winston-Salem, N.C., Springfield, Mo., and Montgomery, Ala.) will see inaugural events; the Tour will return to Tulsa, Okla., Austin, Texas, and Sacramento, Calif.; and the Madison event will be held later in the year.

The summary of the new events is as follows:

  • New show in Winston-Salem, N.C., August 3-5, Benton Convention Center
  • New show in Springfield, Mo., October 26-28, University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center
  • New show in Montgomery, Ala., November 9-11, The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center
  • Return to Tulsa, Okla., September 7-9, Cox Business Center (moved from Oklahoma City, originally scheduled Oct. 26-28)
  • Return to Austin, Texas, September 21-23, Austin Convention Center (event was not on original 2018 schedule)
  • Return to Sacramento, Calif., October 5-7, Cal Expo (event was not on original 2018 schedule; previously this event was held at Sacramento Convention Center)
  • Madison, Wis., moved to November 30-December 2, Alliant Energy Center (originally scheduled Sept. 21-23)

The full Wizard World 2018 schedule can be found at: https://wizardworld.com/comiccon

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult.

Wizard World Comic Con is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday evening.

Catan VR Launches with Trailer

2018/03/21
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Mobile News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

SAN FRANCISCO – Mar. 21, 2018 – Catan GmbH, Catan Studio, Asmodee Digital and virtual reality game developer Experiment 7 today announced the release of Catan VR, a new virtual reality experience which invites you to play a game of Catan on the island of Catan itself. Developed in conjunction with original Catan creators, father and son Klaus and Benjamin Teuber, Catan VR elevates the title with vibrant in-game environments and cross-platform online play that bring the tabletop to life, no matter where you and your friends are. You can find Catan VR on the Oculus Store today for $14.99 and on Samsung Gear VR for $9.99. Catan VR will be available on Oculus GO soon.

Get a glimpse of the isle of Catan in the launch trailer here:

Catan VR maintains the tactile, social fun of board gaming with expressive in-game avatars, crisp voice communications and two intuitive control schemes: touch controls and gaze controls.
Never again will geographic distance need to break up a gaming group — with Catan VR, family and friends on opposite sides of the world can gather around the same table for a friendly round of competitive settlement.

Catan VR also features online multiplayer matching with players, cross-platforms, around the globe. Players who would rather hone their settlement strategy alone can test their skills against a variety of unique AI personalities, including Catan’s best known characters like Candamir, Lin, Mary Anne, and Nassir.

“Catan is about exploring new frontiers,” said Catan creator Klaus Teuber. “What better way to express that than by venturing into the exciting new world of virtual reality? The immersion made possible by this platform captures the boundless opportunity of taking that first step onto undiscovered lands.”

To see Catan like never before, check out Catan VR on the Oculus Store:
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/rift/1471170409659855

And on the Samsung Gear-VR: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/gear-vr/2027653017260426/ 

For more information:

Arma 3 Laws of War DLC Raises Over $170K for ICRC

2018/03/21
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

March 21, 2018 – As pledged last August, independent games developer Bohemia Interactive has donated half of its 2017 net revenue from direct sales of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The total amount raised is USD 176,667 (one-hundred and seventy-six thousand, six-hundred and sixty-seven US dollars – approximately EUR 143,543 or GBP 126,016).

To further celebrate the special occasion, the studio published a special blog post, which includes a new story trailer for the DLC, plus an infographic with statistics on how people played Laws of War’s mini-campaign.

“With over two billion gamers worldwide, video games have an incredible potential to convey the importance of international humanitarian law (IHL). The collaboration between Bohemia interactive and the ICRC has been extraordinary and we have learned a lot from each other by exchanging ideas and our respective expertise on how to incorporate IHL into a video game. The success of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC has shown us that video games are one of the many ways to reach new audiences and call attention to the fact that wars do have limits and rules. We are also very grateful that Bohemia Interactive will donate $176,667 to the ICRC, which shows their commitment to support our work, to help people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence in over eighty countries.” said Helen Durham, Director for International Law and Policy at the ICRC.

Bohemia Interactive’s CEO, Marek Spanel: “We knew this DLC’s theme might seem a bit unusual, but we also felt that it has a rightful place in a game like Arma 3. At the same time, our community normally expects more traditional content you’d see in a military game, such as new weapons, tanks, and helicopters. That has made it even more amazing to see the immense level of player support for the Laws of War DLC, which really shows again how both games and the gaming audience have matured. If you also consider that some of our players are in the military or might pursue a military career in the future, then we’re glad this DLC has been able to increase awareness for this important topic. And being able to also make a financial contribution to the ICRC’s efforts is a great bonus.”

Arma 3 Laws of War is a downloadable content pack for Bohemia Interactive’s military game Arma 3. It explores a different perspective on the battlefield by introducing a fictional humanitarian NGO faction calledIDAP (International Development & Aid Project) to the game. The package also includes a new van, a drone, outfits and gear, and a range of decorative objects such as shelter tents and medical or food supplies. One of the main highlights of the DLC is the “Remnants of War” mini-campaign. Here, players take on the role of IDAP explosive specialist Nathan MacDade, and uncover what happened in the town of Oreokastro – witnessing the long-term consequences of war and particularly the effects of mines and unexploded ordnance.

Furthermore, the Laws of War DLC implemented a free Showcase scenario on the topic of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). This singleplayer scenario, which is presented as a virtual reality training course hosted by IDAP, aims to provide all Arma 3 players with the opportunity to become more familiar with the DLC’s complex and serious theme.

More information about the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC is available at arma3.com/dlc/lawsofwar.

THQ and Nickelodeon Announce Games Based on Nick Classics

2018/03/21
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

NEW YORK / VIENNA– March 21 2018 – THQ Nordic and Nickelodeon today announced the global revival of several game titles connected with Nickelodeon properties.

The full list of game titles are:

  • Avatar: The Last Airbender
  • Back At The Barnyard
  • Catscratch
  • Danny Phantom
  • El Tigre
  • Invader Zim
  • Jimmy Neutron
  • My Life As A Teenage Robot
  • Rocket Power
  • Rocko’s Modern Life
  • Rugrats
  • SpongeBob SquarePants
  • Tak And The Power Of JUJU
  • The Fairly OddParents (US only)
  • The Ren & Stimpy Show
  • The Wild Thornberrys

On-shelf availability will be announced in the coming months.

“The appetite for Nickelodeon content old and new continues to grow and it’s exciting to bring our beloved content to new audiences through this partnership with THQ Nordic,” said Jon Roman, Senior Vice President, Toys, Nickelodeon. “These titles were popular when they were first released and we can’t wait for fans around the world to rediscover their favorites.”

“This one hits close to home! We are very proud of signing this agreement, which was originally executed by the “former” THQ Inc,” comments Adrienne Lauer, VP Digital Sales & Business Development Americas at THQ Nordic. “We believe the combination of strong licenses and solid, crisp gameplay was one of THQ Inc’s trademark strategies, and we intend to continue this tradition. I am confident we chose one of the strongest partners for doing just that. It is a perfect fit for our “asset care” strategy: bringing back fan-favorites, continuing to support legacy games and make them available on current and even next-gen platforms.”