Author - Jerry Paxton

Stephen L. Russell Joins Blood West

The team at Hyperstrange is excited to announce that the iconic voice actor Stephen L. Russell joins the cast as the game’s playable marauder! Stealth, horror, immersive sim, and FPS all combine to make an interesting package, made even more special by a legendary addition. Let the man himself speak to you about his role in this nightmare and catch a new look at the final chapter of Blood West:

The next part of Blood West’s story is coming up later this year when the full game launches on December 5. It will be your time to explore the mountains as our cursed gunslinger, a region even deadlier than the mines and the swamp. New monstrosities show their face for the first time today, hoping your bones rattle with anticipation.

Stephen L. Russel is known for his stellar work as Garrett in the Thief games, Corvo in Dishonored 2, and Nick Valentine in Fallout 4. His voice adds a new layer to the wicked scenarios of Blood West, where our gunslinger will be heard commenting on the many trinkets, contraptions and messed-up looking beings he encounters. “With elements of challenging gameplay and stealth mechanics, I am thrilled to be part of it. And I hope you will be too!”, says Stephen in a new announcement video.

Blood West is an immersive wild west FPS where, as a revenant desperado, you take on the twisted demons and eldritch horrors, while you search for the means to end the curse that has befallen the frontier, and maybe find some peace for your wicked soul. One quest after another, the spirits of the land will lead you towards even greater challenges. And whatever your path may be – things will get rough. For hell is empty and all the devils are here!

With an overwhelmingly positive reception on Steam by players during its Early Access phase, with over 1,600 reviews and counting, Blood West is set to expand into its third and final chapter when it launches on December 5, 2023 and is currently available for $14.99 USD / 12.49€ / £11.49.

Foundry New Trailer and Steam Demo Announced

Today, Paradox Interactive and newly-created studio, Channel 3 Entertainment, announced a publishing partnership for the upcoming PC game Foundry. In Foundry, players are given the freedom to build the perfect factory of their imagination. A voxel procedurally-generated factory-building simulation and automation sandbox, the game is currently in development. A new demo for Foundry will be available for free during Steam Next Fest, from October 9 to October 16.

Foundry is a first-person, factory-building and automation sandbox set in a beautiful, procedurally-generated voxel world Starting from humble beginnings of manually mining and processing resources, crafting machinery, and developing technologies, players can advance to automating the entire production line to their precise plans. They will face different logistic challenges such as pipe networks and power systems working to expand their constantly growing production lines as they create their own gigantic, automated, and self-sustaining factory. Played solo or with friends, Foundry is the perfect mix between grid-based construction games and factory building simulations.

After reaching success as a top selling game on itch.io, a new free demo for Foundry will be available on Steam from October 9 to October 16, during the Steam Next Fest with new and improved features and content.

“The overwhelmingly positive feedback we received from the Foundry Alpha on Itch.io was encouraging and highlighted the game’s immense potential” declared Patrik Meder, Vice-president at Channel 3 Entertainment, “To fully realize this potential, it was essential to collaborate with the perfect partner. Being published by Paradox Interactive allows us to fulfill the vision and ambitions we have for Foundry“

“Foundry is a unique game that has already received positive feedback from early testers and we are very excited about this project. We are proud to work with Channel 3 Entertainment to bring the ultimate factory building simulation to players“ declared Sebastian Forsström, Executive Producer at Paradox Interactive.

More information will come later on Foundry. All the latest information on the game can be found here: https://paradoxinteractive.com/games/foundry

Turtle Beach REACT-R Controller Gets New Color Schemes

Best-selling gaming headset and accessory maker Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: HEAR) today announced three new colorways – Red, Nebula, and Pixel Green – are now available for its Designed for Xbox Turtle Beach® REACT-R® Controller. These exciting new REACT-R Controller colorways join the original Black and White/Lavender options, further expanding Turtle Beach’s growing catalog of top-rated game controllers. Not only do the new Red, Nebula, and Pixel Green REACT-R Controller colorways offer gamers more options to suit their style, but they also improve upon the original by featuring two additional rumble motors for added vibration effects.

Since its release, the REACT-R Controller has impressed Xbox and PC gamers by providing them with premium wired controller performance at an affordable price. GamesRadar+ reviewed the REACT-R and affirmed it is, “Stunning value for the money.” The Mirror awarded it 5/5 stars and called it, “An absolute steal and undoubtedly one of the best Xbox controllers on the market.” Turtle Beach’s new Red, Nebula, and Pixel Green REACT-R Controller colorways are available today from www.turtlebeach.com and participating retailers worldwide for $39.99/€34.99/£29.99 MSRP.

“REACT-R offers gamers one of the best, most affordable controllers for Xbox and PC, with unmatched audio features at its price point,” said Cris Keirn, Interim CEO & SVP of Global Sales, Turtle Beach Corporation. “We’re excited to upgrade the REACT-R Controller with improved rear trigger motors and to expand the range with these exciting new colors.”

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr Definitive Edition Out Now

NeocoreGames is pleased to announce, that Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr Definitive Edition is out now on PC (Steam). The Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr Definitive Edition is the most complete pack of the game ever released, as it includes the base game, the Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Prophecy expansion set and all other DLCs, including the recently released Sororitas Class DLC.

To celebrate the release of the Definitive Edition, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr – both the base game and the Definitive Edition – will be 90% off during Steam’s Midweek Madness, while the Sororitas Class DLC will be 50% off. This is our biggest sale to date, so be sure to get the game if you haven’t already.

You are an Inquisitor, one of the most powerful agents of the Imperium. You operate in the Caligari Sector, a region overrun with heretics, mutants and Daemons of Chaos.

Originally released in 2018, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr is the very first action-RPG set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, featuring multiple classes of the Inquisition, who carry out the Emperor’s will. Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr is currently available on PC (Steam), Playstation®4, Playstation®5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X.

RIG 600 PRO HS Gaming Headphones Review

My first experience with RIG headsets came long ago when they made headsets for Plantronics. They were literally the ONLY headset I would wear for long-term gaming sessions due to the outstanding comfort of their headband and lag-free wireless performance. This level of quality came with them and got even better when they split off and became RIG. Now, however, the playing field has many competitors, each looking to carve out their niche from the marketplace. Does the RIG 600 PRO HS have what it takes to be worth your hard-earned cash? Read on and find out!

Regarding its overall design, the RIG 600 PRO HS continues the overall look and layout of RIG’s various headphones. Its black, sleek frame features angled cutouts in the headband and the same three-level ear cup height adjustment as most of their other headphones. The downside to this three-level system is that it isn’t as customizable as most headphones with a traditional sliding ear-cup system. The RIG 600 PRO HS is lightweight and the earcups and headband are lined with super-comfortable foam and upholstered with breathable fabric to allow for ventilation, but I still ended up with sweaty ears after a few hours (I run hot!). The microphone is housed on a swing-out boom arm on the left ear cup. The headset has a simple but effective design. It is all black with a glossy and matte finish – although RIG does make a few color flavors of the 600 PRO HS. The headset features no RGB lighting but sports a basic, classic look. The build quality is also good, with no creaks or rattles.

The RIG 600 PRO HS features both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 wireless capabilities and its 40mm drivers produce clear and detailed audio, with good bass response. The headset also has a good soundstage, which helps you to pinpoint the location of sounds in games. The headset supports Dolby Atmos for Headphones, which provides a more immersive surround sound experience. This is especially noticeable in games with a lot of positional audio, such as first-person shooters and racing games.

Installing the headset for use can be done via Bluetooth or the included USB-C wireless adapter dongle. Plug this adapter into the USB-C audio output of your favorite gaming platform and off you go. I was even able to use it on my Steam Deck handheld system. The RIG Navigator mobile app (for iOS and Android) will allow you to customize the headphone’s EQ, power off timers, mic monitoring, and more. It works well and is a nice companion app to customize the headset. If you can’t seem to locate the app, be sure to search for ‘RIG 600 NAVIGATOR’.

The “flip-to-hide” microphone on the RIG 600 PRO HS Dual Wireless Headphones offers decent audio pickup and clarity. Your voice is relatively clear and does have some decent noise reduction. When retracted, the microphone automatically mutes itself, which is convenient for quickly muting yourself when needed. The big issue with the microphone is that aside from its swinging action, it isn’t very adjustable and doesn’t stick out all that far to put it better in line with your mouth – the result is that vocal volume isn’t as precise as it could be.

Despite this, the RIG 600 PRO HS Dual Wireless Headphones performed very well in my testing. The wireless connection was stable and reliable, and I didn’t experience any lag or dropouts. I used the headset in a multitude of gaming sessions with titles such as Baldur’s Gate 3, Train Sim World 4, and Atlas Fallen. It also ran the entire day without needing recharging and I have no doubts that its stated 18 hours of use via the USB-C wireless dongle is true. I also ran it through my gamut of personal music hosted on my media server. Listening to my favorite tunes yielded excellent sound and I experienced no issues while streaming audio.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

The RIG 600 PRO HS Dual Wireless Headphones are a good option for gamers who want a wireless headset without breaking the bank. They offer good sound quality, a comfortable design, and many useful features, such as dual wireless mode and Dolby Atmos for Headphones support. It retails for $99.99, putting this in what I consider the mid-level, mainstay category of gaming headphones. It’s a solid choice worth your money.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Compatibility :Xbox/Windows/Nintendo Switch/Android/iOS
Headphone type :Around Ear
Colour :Black

AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency response :20 Hz–20 kHz
Impedance :32 ohms
Max SPL :111 dBSPL/V
Surround sound :Dolby Atmos for Headphones
Driver diameter :40mm

MICROPHONE SPECIFICATIONS
Microphone frequency response :100 Hz–10 kHz
Removable microphone :Yes

CONNECTIVITY
Connection type :Bluetooth USB dongle & Detachable USB-C/USB cable
Wireless :Yes
Volume control :On-ear

Nanoleaf 9 Panel Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit Review

The Nanoleaf 9 Panel Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit is a modular smart lighting system that allows you to create your own unique designs. The kit includes nine triangle-shaped light panels, a controller, mounting plates, mounting tapes, rigid linkers, and a power supply. The light panels are ultra-thin and have a black finish, blending in seamlessly with any décor. The Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit is compatible with all other Nanoleaf Connect+ products, including the Nanoleaf Canvas, Nanoleaf Light Panels, and Nanoleaf Elements. This allows you to mix and match different shapes and sizes to create even more unique and complex designs. The Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit is also smart home compatible, working with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. This allows you to control the lights with your voice or through your smart home app.

Setting up the Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit is very simple. First, download the Nanoleaf app on your smartphone or tablet. Then, create an account and connect to your Wi-Fi network. Next, follow the instructions in the app to add your light panels to your Nanoleaf setup. Once your light panels are added, you can start creating your own designs. To create a design, tap and drag the light panels on the screen to arrange them in the desired pattern. You can also use the app to choose colors, brightness, and lighting effects. Once you are happy with your design, you can save it and enjoy your new smart lighting system.

The Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit performs very well. The light panels are bright and vibrant, and the colors are accurate. The lights are also very responsive to commands, both from the app and from voice control. One of the best things about the Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit is the wide range of customization options. You can create your own custom lighting effects, sync the lights to your music, and even mirror the contents of your screen on the light panels. The Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit can be used for various purposes. It is a great way to add ambient lighting to your home and can also be used to create unique and eye-catching displays.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

The Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit is a great way to add smart lighting to your home or business. It is easy to set up and use and offers a wide range of customization options. The lights are also bright and vibrant, and the colors are accurate. If you are looking for a smart lighting system that is both stylish and functional, the Nanoleaf Shapes Limited Edition Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit is a great option.

Dark Matter TV Unveils ‘Darktober’ Halloween Programming

As the witching hour draws near, Dark Matter TV, the premier destination for horror and genre enthusiasts, is set to send chills down the spines of streaming competitors and thrill-seeking viewers alike with its bone-chilling Halloween event. Beginning October 1, Dark Matter TV, an AVOD division of TriCoast Worldwide, invites horror aficionados, fear enthusiasts, and adrenaline junkies to embark on a sinister journey into the depths of horror entertainment like never before. DARKTOBER promises a month-long fiesta of frights, offering exclusive new film and television programming, captivating social media contests and giveaways, and an array of engaging activations designed to ignite the darkest passions for all lovers of horror.

“As the leading horror and genre-specific streaming platform, we understand the deep love our audience has for the macabre,” said Strath Hamilton, CEO of TriCoast Worldwide. “Our ‘Darktober’ event is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our dedicated viewers, and inviting new fans to join us this spooky season into the dark side of entertainment.”

Check out a few of the sinister treats that Dark Matter TV has in store for audiences during “Darktober”:

EXCLUSIVE AND NEW PROGRAMMING 

Dive into the darkness with a carefully curated selection of horror and genre content that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Exclusive and new film and television programming includes:

  • BLACK BOX: A new anthology series created by Tom Sokalski. Five, half-hour episodes exploring futuristic technology, apocalyptic worlds, and sci-fi horrors. Episodes include “Gearhead”, “Ignurence”, “Obliteration”, “Godmachine”, and “Quarantine”.
  • TRAIN TO BUSAN: A 95% certified fresh™ cult classic that delivers a thrillingly unique take on the zombie genre.
  • THE WAILING: A 99% certified fresh™ South Korean horror/mystery. Shortly after a stranger arrives in a little village, a mysterious sickness starts spreading. A policeman, drawn into the incident, is forced to solve the mystery in order to save his daughter.
  • THE GOLEM: A chillingly effective horror story rooted in rich folklore, blending centuries-old stories with timely themes. During an outbreak of a deadly plague in Lithuania, a mystical woman must save her tight-knit Jewish community from a gang of ruffians led by a local landowner, but the entity she conjures to protect them is a far greater evil.
  • COURTNEY GETS POSSESSED: A soon-to-be cult classic horror/comedy from directors Madison Hatfield and Jono Mitchell. Best Local Feature Winner at the 2022 Atlanta Horror Film Festival. Releasing on Digital + VOD Friday, November 3, coming soon to Dark Matter TV.

RESURRECTED PROGRAMMING

Carefully curated comedies, classics, and international horror films brought back for your home viewing pleasure:

  • RE-ANIMATOR (1985): A horror/comedy where a medical student brings his headless professor back from the dead with a special serum. Starring Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, and Barbara Crampton.
  • AUDITION (1999): A Japanese horror/mystery where a widower takes an offer to screen girls at a special audition, arranged for him by a friend to find him a new wife. However, the one he fancies is not who she appears to be after all.
  • THE SLAYER (1982): Two couples become stranded on a rugged isle, and are haunted by a supernatural beast, drawn to the wife of one of the couples, who dreams of its killings. Starring Sarah Kendall, Frederick Flynn, Alan McRae, and Carol Kottenbrook.
  • BRAIN DAMAGE (1988): A horror/comedy where one morning, a young man wakes to find that a small, disgusting creature has attached itself to the base of his brain stem. The creature gives him a euphoric state of happiness, but demands human victims in return.
  • RINGU (1998): The infamous Japanese horror/mystery that inspired Gore Verbinski’s ‘The Ring’. A reporter and her ex-husband investigate a cursed video tape that is rumored to kill the viewer seven days after watching it.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTESTS + GIVEAWAYS + ENGAGING ACTIVATIONS

Join the “Darktober” conversation on social media for a chance to win free premiere tickets, spine-chilling prizes, horror merchandise boxes, social media shoutouts, and exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content. Audiences in Los Angeles will also be able to immerse themselves in the world of horror through interactive experiences, premieres, virtual events, and more. Follow Dark Matter TV’s channels below and keep an eye out for your chance to win:

Dark Matter TV’s “Darktober” event promises to be a heart-pounding celebration of all things horror, making it the ultimate destination for everyone located in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil seeking a thrill this Halloween season.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure Spooky Celebration Trailer

The season grows spooky and frights arrive on chilly winds. Sunblink and Sanrio today release the second major content update for Hello Kitty Island Adventure, a narrative-driven life simulation game embracing friendship and positivity starring Hello Kitty and Friends, now available exclusively on Apple Arcade.

It’s Kuromi’s favorite time of the year! “Update 1.2 – Kuromi’s Spooky Celebration” brings all kinds of tricks and treats, including much-requested player-owned cabins, new mysteries to uncover with a friend in the haunted mansion, new outfits and furniture, and numerous quality-of-life improvements.

Key new features and content include:

  • Home Sweet Home – Players can finally claim a cabin as their very own and decorate it to their heart’s content! Plus, guests at a player’s island can even decorate their own Friendship Cabins. Build vacation homes together and watch friends decorate in real time!
  • New Visitors Baku, Berry & Cherry – Kuromi’s not alone during this spooky season: Baku arrives as a new permanent visitor, providing you can attract him with an especially Spooky cabin. Berry and Cherry, aka Lloromannic, will also be traveling and causing mischief throughout the month.
  • Spooky Celebration – From October 1 to November 6, players can trick-or-treat with Sanrio characters and get spooky treats! Trade spooky treats for exclusive furniture at the Spooky Event Stand and grab some limited-time outfits from the daily reward calendar.
  • The Story Continues… – Meanwhile, Kiki & Lala reveal even more of Cloud Island, while Retsuko discovers that Friendship Island is losing its color. Team up with friends or investigate this mystery solo to save the day.

V Rising Getting New Updates Prior to Full Launch

Stunlock Studios today have published their latest dev blog post for V Rising, providing new insight into some of the many features being worked on ahead of the upcoming launch of the full game, planned for Q2 2024.
The devs have been hard at work upgrading V Rising’s foundations to create a more stable and well-supported 1.0 version of its game engine to ensure a smoother game experience. All this will be ready in time for the reveal of a brand-new, yet to be named zone; a dark and icy realm found beyond Hallowed Mountains, where new weapons, enemies, and a formidable challenge awaits! Fans will rejoice as news of live events, revamped spell mechanics, and enhanced character customization are all in development to expand on this already immersive vampire experience. Most importantly, the devs are completing the player journey with the much-anticipated end game. Check out the dev blog for more information on how the V Rising experience will be expanded upon:

“Prepare for the zenith of your Vampire saga! We’re crafting an experience that feels like the grand finale of an age-old legend, and naturally, such a grand tale requires a grander stage. The ground beneath your feet will expand ever further, and once more, you’ll feel the call of bloodshed bringing you to new places…”

Click here to check out Dev Blog #21: The Next Chapter

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Lord of Nothing DLC Unveiled

Today, Owlcat Games is excited to unveil Lord of Nothing, the fifth DLC out of six planned for its critically acclaimed cRPG, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. Lord of Nothing takes players through new locations, introduces them to new characters, and pits them against new foes. The DLC launches for PC and consoles on November 21, 2023.

Lord of Nothing, the fifth DLC for Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, picks up where Through the Ashes left off, continuing the story of Sendri and Rekarth. As more pieces of the mystery behind Sendri’s behavior appear amongst the unforgiving lands of ice and darkness, more and more dangerous enemies and creatures will emerge from the evil overtaking Golarion. But not all hope is lost, for a new companion, strange new allies, and even the intervention of the Commander, the player’s avatar from the main storyline, will guide the adventurers toward the truth and all that comes with it.

Key features of Lord of Nothing include:

  • There’s Weakness in Flesh: Meet your brand new android companion, Penta, and use their enhancing skill to forge a path.
  • The Dark Will Thaw Your Soul: Trudge through the frozen realm, explore a mysterious wizard tower, brave the Shadow Plane, and continue your adventure across many new locations.
  • Something Wicked This Way Comes: New enemy types will appear to slow you down at every turn, with brand-new mechanics needed to vanquish them.
  • All Shall Come to Light: Discover the mysteries behind Sendri’s odd behavior and stamp out the evil spreading from the corners of Golarion.
  • There is Much More to Learn: 15 new archetypes, new spells, feats, and more.

Lord of Nothing will be available on November 21, 2023, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, as well as macOS.

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is an isometric story-driven RPG where players take their own custom-created characters into the Worldwound to close the rift into the Abyss and bring peace back to a shattered nation. How this is accomplished (if at all) is for the player to decide. With 25 classes, 12 player races, and a neverending arsenal of magic and abilities, the story of the WorldWound is for players to write.