Author - Jerry Paxton

2022 BAFTA Games Awards Nominees Announced

BAFTA has today confirmed the nominees and presenters who will be at this Thursday’s 2022 BAFTA Games Awards, taking place at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank, London.

Hosted by Elle Osili-Wood, the BAFTA Games Awards celebrate the very best of 2021 in games, including the EE Game of the Year award voted by the public.

Julia Hardy and Aoife Wilson will be presenting from BAFTA’s red carpet, interviewing nominees and other special guests as they arrive, before moving to the special post-show party that takes place after the final award is announced.

All BAFTA Games Awards content will be available to stream on Thursday 7 April through BAFTA’s social channels from 18.45 BST. For more information on the shows and timings: www.bafta.org/games/howtowatch

Nominees confirmed to date include (in alphabetical order):
Alex Weiner, Daniel Mullins, David Fenn, Dinga Bakaba, Eduardo Vaisman, Erika Mori, Graham Parkes, Greig Newby, Han Soto, Harry Krueger, Henri Mustonen, Hunter Schmidt, Ilari Kuittinen, James Parker, Jane Perry, Jason Kelley, Jennifer Hale, Joe Thwaites, Jon Ingold, Jon McLaren, Jonathan Zimmerman, Josef Fares, Joshua Grier, Kimberly Brookes, Loic Couthier, Lucas Gullbo, Maggie Robertson, Mark Foster, Martha Murrie, Maurizio de Pascale, Maximilian Rea, Michael Grier, Neil Johnson, Niklas Mikkelsen, Oliver Lewin, Oskar Wolontis, Ozioma Akagha, Pedro Sousa, Peter McConnell, Sebastien Mitton, Scott Hanau, Simon Landry, Tim Dawson, Tim Schafer, Tom Kail, Ville Kinnunen, Wren Brier and Zach Baharov.

Presenters confirmed to date include (in alphabetical order):
Andrew Ah-Weng, Anjali Bhimani, ChocolateKieran, Djarii, Ebonix, GeekyCassie, Ian Livingstone, Jay-Ann Lopez, Jim Ryan, Jordan Erica Webber, Jo Twist, Louise Blane, Melina Juergens, Phil Spencer, Rhianna Pratchett, SariaSlays, Shaun Dooley, Siobhan Reddy, Stephanie Ijoma, Tim Schafer and Ty Logan.

Additional Information

A total of 39 individual titles have been nominated at this year’s BAFTA Games Awards. Highlights from the full list of nominations, include:

  • Nine nominations for Returnal

  • Eight nominations each for It Takes Two and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

  • Seven nominations each for DEATHLOOP and Psychonauts 2

  • Six nominations for Forza Horizon 5

  • Five nominations for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

  • Nominations in the Game Beyond Entertainment category: Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, Before Your Eyes, Chicory: A Colourful Tale, Game Builder Garage, It Takes Two and Psychonauts 2

  • Other games receiving nominations: Among Us, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Apex Legends, Back 4 Blood, Call of Duty: Vanguard, Death’s Door, Disco Elysium – The Final Cut, Eastward, Far Cry 6, Fights in Tight Spaces, Fortnite, Genesis Noir, Halo Infinite, Hell Let Loose, Hitman 3, Inscryption, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Life is Strange: True Colors, Maquette, Mario Party Superstars, No Man’s Sky, Overboard, Resident Evil Village, Sable, The Artful Escape, The Forgotten Citt, TOEM and Unpacking.

BAFTA’s official games partners are Electronic Arts, Epic Games, PlayStation, SEGA, Tencent and Ubisoft, with EE sponsoring the Game of the Year Award, the only award voted for by the public.

Hood: Outlaws & Legends – Season 3: Ostara Out Now

Hood: Outlaws & Legends, the co-op PvPvE heist game from Sumo Digital and Focus Entertainment, has just launched Season 3: Ostara, available today for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and PC. Season 3: Ostara includes a fresh battle pass bursting with unique cosmetics, as well as a much-anticipated feature: full cross-platform invites and squadding, allowing players to group up before heists no matter where they play.

With the Season 3: Ostara battle pass, players can earn unique new cosmetics through matches and climbing the ranks. Over 100 epic cosmetics have arrived to bolster the game’s already-extensive collection of outfits, weapon skins, and banners, letting each player decide the look of their legend.

In addition, Hood: Outlaws & Legends is free starting today for all PlayStation Plus subscribers until the end of April.

Epic Games Store and Xbox Gold players can grab the base game of Hood: Outlaws & Legends for up to 50% off for a limited time. Players can also get the Season 3: Ostara Battle Pass + 25 Tiers Bundle to get a head start on their collection at a reduced price.

For more on Hood, visit the official store page.

DJI’s Wireless DJI Mic is Available Now

DJI Mic, the first dedicated audio recording product from the world’s leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, is now available for purchase in the United States.

Overview

DJI Mic is a dual wireless microphone system solution for recording crystal-clear audio at long distances. With 5.5-hours of battery life and a total of 15 hours with the charging case, DJI Mic is ideal for shooting a vlog, interviews, or any kind of content creation that requires high-quality audio. The system consists of two microphone transmitters, a receiver, and an ultra-compact charging case that fits easily into your bag or pocket. It is compatible with smartphones, cameras, DJI OM 5, and DJI Action 2 for high-quality audio.

Key Features

  • Easy Setup: An extra ultra-portable charging case stores the transmitters and receiver and fast-pairs the system just by opening it.
  • Intuitive Design: The transmitters attach via back-clip or magnetic plate. The receiver’s built-in touchscreen gives easy access to channel selection, input/output settings, and other essential operations.
  • Portability: Weighing just 30 grams, the transmitter easily clips onto a shirt collar.
  • 250m Max Wireless Transmission Range: Using DJI’s latest encryption technology, DJI Mic is capable of recording crisp audio at distances of up to 250 meters (tested in unobstructed environments in direct line of sight).
  • Dual-Channel Recording: DJI Mic comes with two transmitters with built-in microphones, capable of simultaneously recording the sound from two audio sources. Each transmitter has built-in storage of up to 14 hours (8GB) and supports backup recording, ensuring that your audio files are safe and easy to access. Files can be transferred via the USB Type-C Cable and appears as a drive when connected to your PC or Mac. Files are 48,000 Hz, 24-bit mono WAV format.
  • Compatibility: The DJI Mic receiver supports USB-C, Lightning, and 3.5mm TRS interface output, making it compatible with most smartphone, camera, and laptop models.
  • Battery Life: The transmitters and receiver both boast a 5.5-hour battery life and a total of 15 hours with the compact charging case.
  • Variable gain control: DJI Mic has flexible variable gain control from two independent audio sources.
  • Safety Track: A secondary audio track is recorded as a backup with a lower volume of -6 dB (different from the main audio track), which helps to safeguard your audio in case of unforeseen issues.
  • Multi-level Control: Adjust input and output sensitivity between -12dB ~ 12dB and find the perfect setting for your surroundings.
  • Microphone Furry Windscreen: Effectively suppresses wind and noisy environments while still recording clear sound.

In the Box

  • DJI Mic Transmitter ×2
  • DJI Mic Receiver ×1
  • DJI Mic Charging Case ×1 (Weight: 242g; LWH: 103×61×41 cm)
  • DJI Mic Camera Cable (3.5mm TRS) ×1
  • DJI Mic Smartphone Connector (Type-C) ×1
  • DJI Mic Smartphone Connector (Lightning) ×1
  • Charging Cable ×1
  • DJI Mic Windscreen ×2
  • DJI Mic Magnetic Plate ×2
  • DJI Mic Carrying Bag ×1

Pricing & Availability

  • DJI Mic: $329
  • Available now at the DJI Store and authorized retailers

Turtle Beach Unveils Xbox Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX Headset

Leading gaming accessories provider Turtle Beach Corporation (NASDAQ: HEAR) today announced the Designed for Xbox Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX as an all-new entry to the best-selling brand’s Stealth 700 series of premium wireless gaming headsets. By simply flipping a switch, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX offers players the ability to connect lag-free via wireless USB or Bluetooth® to more gaming systems, including Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, PS5™ and PS4™, plus Nintendo Switch™, Windows PCs and Mac®, and compatible iOS and Android mobile devices. Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX also increases battery life to 40+ hours, with 15-minutes of charge delivering over eight hours of playtime.

The Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX continues delivering the superior high-quality audio with powerful 3D spatial surround sound* and ultimate comfort that have made it the best-selling and highly acclaimed premium wireless gaming headset. IGN recently included the Stealth 700 Gen 2 in its latest Best Gaming Headsets 2022 story, naming it the Best Xbox Series X|S Gaming Headset. The Stealth 700 Gen 2’s premium features like large and powerful 50mm Nanoclear™ drivers, Aerofit™ cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions, ProSpecs™ glasses-friendly comfort, Superhuman Hearing®, a metal-reinforced headband, as well as Bluetooth for talking on Discord, taking calls, listening to music, and connecting to the mobile companion app – all make a return with the Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX. The Designed for Xbox Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX is available for pre-order today from www.turtlebeach.com and at participating retailers worldwide. Available in Black or Cobalt Blue, Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX for Xbox launches globally on May 8, 2022 for a $199.99 MSRP.

Additionally, Turtle Beach’s new Designed for Xbox Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX and Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB models unveiled in early March are now available for pre-order in North America and launch May 8, 2022. In the UK and Europe, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX and USB Xbox models are on-sale today at www.turtlebeach.com and at participating retailers. Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX for Xbox adds multiplatform compatibility plus best-in-class 48+ hour battery life for a $129.99 MSRP, while Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB for Xbox brings the best-selling headset’s battery life up to 24+ hours while maintaining its attractive $99.99 MSRP. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX in Black is available today, while the Midnight Red and Arctic Camo versions will be available May 8, 2022. Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB is available today in Black or White.

“The Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX’s expanded compatibility lets more gamers experience the premium wireless game audio and comfort that’s made Stealth 700 series best-selling products for years,” said Juergen Stark, Chairman and CEO, Turtle Beach Corporation. “Since January 2019, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 is the second best-selling wireless headset series*, second only to our Stealth 600 series.”

Full details on Turtle Beach’s all-new Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX, Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX, and Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB follow:

Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX
The Designed for Xbox Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX delivers a premium gaming audio experience on more systems. With the toggle of a switch players can use their headset with Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, PS5 and PS4, Nintendo Switch, Windows PCs and Mac, and experience the immersive 3D spatial surround sound**, premium features, and class-leading comfort the Stealth 700 series is known for. The Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX’s Bluetooth connection also makes it great for mobile gaming on compatible iOS and Android devices, as well as for chatting on Discord, taking calls, or listening to music simultaneously while gaming. Players can also use Bluetooth to connect to the Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX mobile companion app on compatible iOS and Android devices where they’ll be able to customize features like audio presets, Mic Monitoring, and other settings.

The Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX’s upgraded battery delivers 40+ hours of playtime and a lag-free, lossless wireless USB stays connected without interruption. ProSpecs glasses-friendly technology and Aerofit cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions provide exceptional comfort, while 50mm Nanoclear speakers bring games to life. Players will also enjoy crystal-clear chat with the Gen 2’s flip-to-mute mic, as well as premium features like Turtle Beach’s exclusive Superhuman Hearing sound setting for a competitive advantage. Turtle Beach’s Designed for Xbox Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX is available for pre-order now in Black or Cobalt Blue for a MSRP of $199.99. Launches globally on May 8, 2022.

Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX
The Designed for Xbox Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX wireless multiplatform gaming headset delivers incredible battery life and high-quality game audio. A monster 48+ hour battery life keeps the headset going for days while a low-latency, lossless connection to game systems is handled by Turtle Beach’s proprietary lag-free 2.4GHz wireless USB transmitter. With the simple flip of a switch, players can select their favorite game system and experience immersive, 3D spatial surround sound** through large and powerful 50mm speakers, and crystal-clear chat with the Gen 2’s flip-to-mute microphone. Soft, ProSpecs™ glasses-friendly ear cushions offer plush comfort, and easy access controls let players adjust their settings and activate features like Superhuman Hearing for a competitive advantage. Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX for Xbox is available for pre-order in North America in Black, Midnight Red, or Arctic Camo for a MSRP of $129.99. In the UK and Europe Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX in Black is available today for a MSRP of £129.99 / €139.99, while the Midnight Red and Arctic Camo versions will be available May 8, 2022.

Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB
The Designed for Xbox Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB wireless amplified headset delivers high-quality game audio & chat on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. A long-lasting 24+ hour battery means less charging and more gaming while a low-latency, lossless connection is handled by Turtle Beach’s proprietary lag-free 2.4GHz wireless USB transmitter. Players will experience immersive, 3D spatial surround sound** through 50mm speakers, and crystal-clear chat through the Gen 2’s flip-to-mute microphone. Soft, ProSpecs glasses-friendly ear cushions offer plush comfort, and easy access controls let players adjust their settings and activate features like Superhuman Hearing for a competitive advantage. Available for pre-order in North America in Black or White for a MSRP of $99.99. Available in the UK and Europe now for a MSRP of £89.99 / €99.99. Stealth 600 Gen 2 USB for Xbox will be available in North America May 8, 2022.

For more information on the latest Turtle Beach products and accessories, visit www.turtlebeach.com and be sure to follow Turtle Beach on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Wargaming.net Leaving Russia and Belarus

Over the past weeks, Wargaming has been conducting a strategic review of business operations worldwide. The company has decided it will not own or operate any businesses in Russia and Belarus and will leave both countries.

Effective March 31 the company transferred its live games business in Russia and Belarus to local management of Lesta Studio that is no longer affiliated with Wargaming. The company will not profit from this process either today or going forward. Much to the contrary we expect to suffer substantial losses as a direct result of this decision.

We will be completing the operational transition with all due speed while remaining in full compliance with all laws and ensuring the ongoing safety and support of our employees. During the transition period the live products will remain available in Russia and Belarus and will be operated by the new owner.

Wargaming has also started the process of closing its studio in Minsk, Belarus.

We will be providing as much severance and support as possible to our employees affected by the change.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker Patch 6.1 Trailer and Release Date

During the latest Letter from the Producer LIVE broadcast, SQUARE ENIX® today revealed that Patch 6.1 for the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY® XIV: Endwalker™ will release on April 12. The broadcast showcased further details for Patch 6.1 content, titled “Newfound Adventure,” including a new trailer, live gameplay and more. Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida shared various details for the new Main Scenario Quests, “Tataru’s Grand Endeavor” Side Quest, extra story content for Role Quests and more coming to the Patch 6.1x series.

Patch 6.1 will also mark the first implementation of the new Duty Support System for A Realm Reborn™ (2.0) content. With this new system, all 4-player main scenario dungeons and trials will be able to be played solo alongside a party of NPCs. Major revisions to Cape Westwind and later duties are also planned to further support an accessible, solo-play experience. The Duty Support System will also be expanded in future updates to support Patch 2.x content, as well as Heavensward™ expansion content and beyond.

In addition to the trailer, Yoshida unveiled further details on some of the content players will experience in the Patch 6.1x series, such as:

  • New Main Scenario Quests – Patch 6.1 will mark the start of a new chapter for Warriors of Light.
  • New 24-Player Alliance Raid – The first part of an all-new original alliance raid series, Myths of the Realm: Aglaia will challenge players as they learn more about the divinities known as the Twelve.
  • New Tribal Quests – Starting with Patch 6.15, players will be able to experience new Arkasodara tribe quests for battle classes and jobs.
  • New Residential Area – Plots in Empyreum, the new Ishgardian residential district, will become available for purchase. An overview of the plot purchase system as well as an initial schedule for lottery system sales were presented.
  • New Trial: The Minstrel’s Ballad: Endsinger’s Aria – Players can experience a new challenge with a new Extreme Trial, The Minstrel’s Ballad: Endsinger’s Aria.
  • Adventurer Plates (Beta Version) – The new Adventurer Plates feature was showcased in detail. Player portraits can be customized to include lighting, animation, and camera angles using a character’s current appearance, and multiple portraits can be saved for future use. The character profiles can include information such as favorite job and title, playstyle preference, active play times, and more.
  • PvP Updates – Additional details on the new small scale PvP content known as Crystalline Conflict were revealed, including the new rewards system and PvP schedule.
  • Additional content including job adjustments, the ability to try on gear available on the FFXIV Online Store, system updates, and more.

Midnight Ghost Hunt Now on Steam Early Access

Vaulted Sky Games and Coffee Stain, publisher of Valheim, Deep Rock Galactic and Satisfactory, are pleased to welcome the spooky happenings of Midnight Ghost Hunt to Steam Early Access today for $19.99!

Take control as either hunter or ghost in the chaotic multiplayer madness that brings a fresh, thrilling take to a classic prop hunt. As ghosts battle ghost hunters in a hijinks-heavy tussle between the living and the dead, spirits must possess objects in order to evade the hunters’ DIY gadgets and gizmos designed to detect and dispose of them. Use the Spectrophone, Radar and Pathfinder to detect ghostly presences, and pair them with a range of sledgehammers, harpoons, and salt-spewing shotguns to banish spirits to another realm.

But the ghosts have a trick or two up their spectral sleeves as well. While trying to keep their ectoplasm build up low to avoid the hunters’ steely gaze, ghosts can claim a variety of supernatural powers, which include turning invisible, corrupting seemingly innocuous pieces of furniture, and conjuring a deadly miasma. They can even become the ultimate prankster and masquerade as a hunter’s doppelgänger!

If even one ghost remains intact before midnight hits, the witching hour begins, and all ghosts return to form as vengeful spirits who now have the upper hand. The hunters are now the hunted, and must use their wits and tools in ingenious new ways until evac arrives.

The world was first introduced to Midnight Ghost Hunt at E3’s PC Gaming Show back in June 2019, where it showed its first full trailer and announced its partnership with Coffee Stain after a few work-in-progress clips racked up millions of views on Reddit in November 2018 and March 2019.

In February 2021, Coffee Stain welcomed two studios on board to help Vaulted Sky meet the quickly growing expectations of the project. She Was Such A Good Horse is made up of industry veterans with years of experience, while Ernst & Borg Studio have brought over their real-world architectural know-how to design Midnight Ghost Hunt’s diverse virtual environments.

After successful closed betas over Halloween, January, and now just before launch to whet players’ appetite, Midnight Ghost Hunt is now finally headed into Steam Early Access for everyone to enjoy, having debuted its launch trailer at the jam-packed Future Games Show last week.

“We can’t believe the day has finally come,” said Sam Malone, creator and lead developer at Vaulted Sky Games. “As we played Midnight Ghost Hunt with testers throughout the closed betas, they’ve continually remarked on how much the game manages to improve on itself every time. Though we’re very happy with what we have, launching into Early Access gives us the chance to keep listening to everyone’s feedback as the game is opened to a huge new audience. I look forward to seeing you on the hunt!”

Sebastian Badylak, Executive Producer at Coffee Stain Publishing, said “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Sam and the extended team, and their passion and drive consistently wows us. We’ve had such fun participating in all its tests, alphas and betas over the years, and we’re so proud to be able to bring you all a game that’s so lovingly crafted and makes your heart race every time you pull off a well-timed combo or make a daring escape. We can’t wait for players to take their cunning plays to a new level, and guide us through development on our way through Early Access.”

Midnight Ghost Hunt is available now on Steam Early Access for $19.99.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Release Date Trailer

Today independent developer Fatshark revealed a release date for their upcoming 4 Player co-op game Warhammer 40,000: Darktide.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is one of the most anticipated games of 2022, and Fatshark has now set a release date in Ceramite – Tuesday, September 13, 2022. To celebrate the release date, Fatshark published a short behind-the-scenes video showing what the squad is up to in the meantime.

Since Warhammer 40,000: Darktide was announced, it has been a permanent fixture on the Steam Top 10 for most Wishlisted games.

Following up on the best-selling and award-winning Vermintide franchise, the highly-anticipated Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is an intense 4-player co-op action game set in the hive city of Tertium. Fight together with your friends against hordes of enemies in this new Warhammer 40,000 experience.

Pinball FX Now in Early Access on Epic Games Store

Zen Studios has announced that Pinball FX, the next-generation pinball experience, is free to download today in early access for PC on the Epic Games Store. Pinball FX is digital pinball evolved, featuring a growing collection of tables inspired by iconic brands like Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s Jurassic World, Back to the Future, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Jaws, as well as Indiana Jones, Star Wars™ and more, plus advanced Pro Physics simulation, 4K HDR visuals with ray tracing, and new features and content throughout early access!

Pinball FX features a daily rotating selection* of two free-to-play tables with unlimited play and unlockable rewards that all players can enjoy. Additional free content and gameplay, including the upcoming Pinball Royale multiplayer mode, will also be made available as early access progresses.

Subscribe to the premium version of the Pinball Pass for $14.99 for 30 days (or $99.99 for a full year) to gain access to the majority of new and legacy tables available in Pinball FX, with even more on the way in the future, as well as bonus features like extra game modes, customization unlocks, and online leaderboards. Or purchase your favorite tables individually and play them anytime you like.

Also available now in Pinball FX is the new remastered edition of the classic “Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure” table. This first-ever digital release of the 1993 Williams™ “SuperPin” legend captures the authentic look, design and feel of the original machine with additional features and enhancements. Enjoy the genuine visuals, music, sounds and rules of one of the best Williams machines, faithfully recreated for the modern age in precise digital detail for the first time with true-to-life Pro Physics simulation. “Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure” is available exclusively as premium DLC for $14.99.

Key Features:

  • The Biggest Brands in Pinball Form: Discover exclusive new tables and your favorite, visually enhanced classics from Zen’s extensive pinball library. Experience blockbuster moments from iconic brands like Jurassic WorldBack to the FutureE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, Indiana Jones and Star Wars™; faithful recreations of pinball’s most famous machines with Williams Pinball; and inventive new Zen Original creations!
  • The Ultimate in Digital Pinball: Pinball FX brings you the most advanced simulation in pinball with Pro Physics for every table, 4K HDR visuals, ray tracing and more.
  • New Ways to Play: Enjoy Pinball FX content however you prefer. Play a rotating selection of free tables every day; subscribe to the Pinball Pass to gain access to most tables; or pick your favorites and add them to your collection individually.
  • Real-time Pinball Royale Multiplayer: Challenge players around the world and be the last one standing in real-time pinball battles (Pinball Royale coming to early access later this year).
  • Build Your Dream Game Room: Build up your own customizable 3D playroom with charming collectible items unlocked by playing.

For a complete rundown of all new and legacy tables available now in Pinball FX and a list of frequently asked questions, visit the game’s website.

Pinball FX is expected to officially launch on PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch later this year. To keep up with the latest from the game, visit www.PinballFX.com, and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

* An internet connection is required to access the free daily rotation of tables.