Author - Jerry Paxton

Frontline Expanded: Squad 44 Unveils 100-Player Servers and More

Today, Offworld releases the newest update for their hit WWII-themed FPS Squad 44: Frontline Expanded. The Frontline game mode, which debuted earlier this summer and saw attackers undertaking missions to progress their titular frontline across the warzone, has now been added to all of the game’s chapters—a total of 20 maps—to deepen the strategy necessary to achieve victory. Additionally, server capacity has now been increased from an 80-player maximum to a 100-player maximum. The Frontline Expanded update also adds new objectives to Frontline mode—such as document search, where players can canvas several battlefield quadrants to secure key files—and new targets for search-and-destroy missions, like weapon caches and vehicles.

This latest update also increases the depth and scope of armored combat. The new tanks introduced in June’s Reign of Steel update have now been added to the Armoured game mode. Commander observation cupolas have been overhauled to bring the periscopes closer together, making them more usable for buttoned-up tank commanders by increasing their situational awareness. Also, the combat mechanics’ Armour-Piercing shells have been tweaked and refined to better emphasize accuracy and spalling, and two new vehicle variants have been introduced: the Cromwell CS and the AEC Armoured Car Mk3.

Offworld’s partner, Mercury Arts, continues its work with the Frontline Expanded Update, pushing for high-grade visual fidelity and authentic immersion. The update also continues the ongoing graphics overhaul, a key journey for Squad 44. The teams at Offworld and Mercury Arts have worked hard to rework St. Mere Eglise and Carentan to align more with their historical real-world locations. Various building models have been further refined, and furniture has been installed in various open buildings to give both maps more of a lived-in feel.

Squad 44 is a World War II tactical first-person shooter focused on historical accuracy, large-scale battles, a steep learning curve, and an intense need for communication, cohesion, and teamwork to achieve victory. To deliver immersive, authentic battlefields, each map in the game has been accurately recreated to reflect real locations using archival references that range from street-level photographs to aerial images. Featuring five main factions, composed of several different German, American, British, Greek, and French Units, Squad 44 offers players the ability to join the fight with numerous historically accurate weapons, from pistols to AT guns, all featuring real-world ballistics as well as the chance to operate over 50 different period-accurate vehicles from Jeeps to King Tigers.

For more information about Squad 44, please visit the website or social media channels on Reddit, Facebook, and Discord.

The Mortuary Assistant: Definitive Edition is OUT NOW for Xbox

Prepare Bodies and Prepare for Horror – The Mortuary Assistant: Definitive Edition is OUT NOW on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S!

It has been a harrowing ride for developer Brian Clarke of DarkStone Digital over the past few weeks so I want to share A Story in Three Tweets™.

August 1st – On the dawn of the console launch he announces that Xbox has been delayed 😢
August 4th – Two days post-launch he can only be found hiding under his desk from the Xbox horde 🫣
August 15th – The day has come, Xbox has launched, and Brian gets beckoned to his basement only to find… [redacted] 😱

Logi PLAY 2024 Announced for September 17th

Logitech G, a brand of Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) and leading innovator of gaming technologies and gear, invites gamers, partners, and industry professionals worldwide to join Logi PLAY 2024, scheduled for September 17, 2024. Registration is now open for this online and offline event featuring new product reveals, partnership announcements, and exciting community activations.

Logi PLAY 2024 marks Logitech G’s biggest celebration of gaming, with events streaming from locations across the globe, including Paris, Berlin, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney, Madrid, Sao Paolo, Silicon Valley and many more ensuring gamers everywhere can participate in the excitement.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring the global gaming community together for Logi PLAY 2024,” said Ujesh Desai, General Manager at Logitech G. “This event is not just a showcase of our latest innovations but a celebration of the passion and creativity of the gaming community that we serve and that drives the industry forward.”

The event underscores Logitech G’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming technology and fostering a community that thrives on creativity and innovation. Logi PLAY 2024 promises something for everyone, from esports athletes to casual gamers, highlighting the brand’s dedication to enhancing the gaming experience.

Event Highlights:

  • Global Livestream: Join us at one of the physical venues or watch the global livestream on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Douyin, and Bilibili.
  • New Product Launches: Be among the first to see the latest product launches from Logitech G and our partners.
  • Community Engagement: Participate in interactive sessions, giveaways, and more.

Logi PLAY will go live on Logitech G’s official streaming channels, including Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Douyin, and Bilibili, at 10:00 AM PDT and 7:00 PM CEST.

Following the Logi PLAY 2024 event, Logitech G will continue the celebration with 13 Days of unique deals on bestselling gear from September 17-29 in collaboration with hundreds of creators and selected retailers.

To register for more information, please visit: www.logitechg.com.

Conan Exiles to Introduce Fully Voiced Companions and Quests in Age of Heroes

Conan Exiles™, the Open World Survival Sandbox game by Funcom, welcomes the Age of Heroes, its third season of free major content updates. Coming in October, the first Chapter of this new season will bring two major new features. The first introduces a brand-new kind of player Companion characters to recruit and adventure with, and the second breathes an unprecedented level of life into player bases by giving thralls – the player’s servants and fighters – realistic behavior and interactions.

The first Chapter in the Age of Heroes will include the first ever Companion characters – Freya, the Aesir warrior, and Liu Fei, the Khitan sorcerer. Each of these fully voiced characters has their own story for the player to aid them through. On these epic journeys, each Companion’s abilities will be shaped by what happens, as well as the player’s choices. More companions are planned for later Chapters.

The second major feature in Chapter 1 is Living Settlements – transforming thralls into living breathing inhabitants of the player’s base, going about their lives, emoting, and even manning crafting stations. Not only will they behave like real people, with needs such as food and sleep, but they will also defend their home when threatened. As with every update, the new features are accompanied by bug fixes and quality of life improvements.

The Age of Heroes heralds further changes to Conan Exiles. Between each Chapter update, an additional minor update will arrive, focused on events, quality of life, and bug fixes. Furthermore, the Battle Pass has been retired, with those working on it being distributed across all other areas of the game. The Bazaar item shop remains.

Age of Heroes arrives in October on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox X|S, Xbox One, and Xbox Game Pass.

Dungeons & Dragons Young Adventurer’s Collection New Boxed Set this Fall

This fall, immerse yourself in the fantastic magic and monsters of Dungeons & Dragons with The Young Adventurer’s Collection Box Set 2 (Ten Speed Press, on sale 9/24/24) by Jim Zub, Stacey King, and Andrew Wheeler. The acclaimed Young Adventurer’s series introduces young fans to some of the exciting characters, locations, creatures, and magical elements useful for creating epic, adventure-filled D&D tales.

This is the perfect gift for adventurers of any age starting their Dungeons & Dragons journey, and there are four Young Adventurer’s books included in this stunning boxed set including Beasts & Behemoths, Dragons & Treasures, Places & Portals, and Artificers & Alchemy.

Demo for Detective-Horror Nowhere Now available for PC

Solo indie developer, Midnight Forge is today pleased to announce that the demo for its upcoming detective horror game Nowhere is now available to download via Steam.

Nowhere is a hardcore-detective-horror game, which mixes immersive investigative gameplay and survival horror with a highly-atmospheric Nordic setting.

Deep within the picturesque forests of Norway, a detective searches for a group of missing tourists. The case soon takes a supernatural twist; plunging them headfirst into a unique and terrifying spin on Norse mythology, as they piece together the doomed tale of the gods after Ragnarök.

The demo features roughly 20-30 minutes of gameplay, offering just a glimpse of what will be available in the full game. Budding detectives will investigate multiple sites of interest as they begin to piece together the mysterious disappearance of the missing tourists, uncovering the secrets of an ancient and chilling ritual – while avoiding the horrors that lurk in their periphery.

Nowhere Features

  • A unique tale of Norse mythology. Uncover the impact and conflicts caused by a new religion during the Viking Age, and find out what happened to the Norse Gods in the final years of their worship.
  • The perfect blend of Detective Mystery and Survival Horror. A highly-suspenseful experience, Nowhere utilises a slow build up of tension to instil fear and dread, instead of jumpscares.
  • Non-Linear Open World. Explore and investigate multiple creepy locations across the highly-atmospheric scandinavian-forest at your own pace.
  • Realistic Investigation Mechanics. Nowhere will make you feel like a true detective. Conduct your own investigation then make your own connections and draw your own conclusions; search for clues while inspecting sites of interest.
  • Dynamic Shifting Environment. As the sound of a horn blares in the distance, the forest twists and corrupts around you, transforming into a nightmare version of itself. Draugr stalk you from the shadows, waiting until your back is turned. Run! Hide! Fight! Survive!

ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR NINJA SCROLL 30TH ANNIVERSARY THEATRICAL RELEASE

This September, AMC Networks’ HIDIVE and Iconic Events Releasing have partnered to present a three-day, 30th anniversary theatrical release of NINJA SCROLL, the critically acclaimed, samurai period drama film written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri and originally released in 1993. Originally announced at Anime Expo 2024, the film’s theatrical release has been expanded to now include both the United States and Canada — with more than 600 theaters locations during its September 11, 12 & 15 run.

For theater locations and advance tickets:
https://www.iconicreleasing.com/events/ninja-scroll/tickets/

As an exclusive experience available only in theaters, moviegoers will be treated to a special pre-show featuring a new, never-before-seen interview with Director Yoshiaki Kawajiri produced especially for this 30th anniversary release.

NINJA SCROLL is part of Iconic Events Releasing’s 2024-2025 season of AX Cinema Nights, a year-round movie event series that celebrates the best new and classic anime films presented in theaters across the United States and Canada and offers the passionate fan community with immersive and unforgettable experiences beyond the annual Anime Expo.

Film Synopsis
When Jubei saves a young ninja woman from the unthinkable, he assumes that’s the end of it. To his surprise, it’s only just the beginning. Together, the two investigate the mysterious deaths of an entire village which uncovers a conspiracy of demonic proportions! Getting closer to the truth, the demonic forces will stop at nothing to silence Jubei and his companion for good!

Game-Changing Insta360 App Update Released

360º editing just got a whole lot smarter. The new Insta360 app update brings some incredible improvements and 40+ preset movement templates that make editing a breeze. By constantly innovating new ways to edit creative footage, it’s no surprise Insta360 is leading the way in 360º action cameras, making them accessible to beginners and professionals alike.

The updates are available for all 360º footage from Insta360 cameras, including X4, X3, X2 and RS (with the 360º lens). Check them out!

Huge Insta360 App Update – Smarter AI, Easier 360 Editing:

Automatic Scene Recognition
Immersive stories in seconds. AI now identifies the objects or subjects in the footage and the interaction between them. Combined with scene recognition (the type of video it is, such as winter sports or travel), it automatically filters the best shots for you to choose and export.

That means instead of just identifying a child and parent, the app can identify the interaction between them to create a story. Amazing, right?

40+ Automatic Movement Templates
Creating dynamic videos doesn’t need to be hard. If you’re not sure how to create movements between keyframes, use the new automatic templates to do it for you! Roll, pan, push and more between points in the timeline in just a few taps.

To add a movement, tap the yellow + icon at the start point, adjust the perspective, tap “Movement” and choose a template. You can drag it across the timeline to make it as slow or as fast as you want and adjust the perspective of the end point. When you’re done, the video will smoothly transition between the points with a dynamic movement created in an instant!

You can add and modify movements in AI Edit and Pro Edit on the Insta360 app.

These new updates make editing pro-looking 360º videos accessible to everyone. Update your Insta360 app to the latest version today for easier creative editing without limits!

STELLARIS : COSMIC STORMS Release Date Announcement

Today, Paradox Interactive announced that Cosmic Storms, the new mechanical expansion for its sci-fi strategy game Stellaris, will launch on September 10th on PC. This expansion adds and develops Cosmic Storms, phenomena stronger than civilizations and empires sweeping through the galaxy. To wield the mightiest forces in the universe is to court peril; while some perceive them as dire threats, others grasp them as keys to ascendancy or tools to vanquish their foes. Cosmic Storms is developed in collaboration with Behaviour Interactive and can already be pre-purchased for €12,99/$12,99/£10,99. Cosmic Storms is also included in Stellaris’ Season 08 which includes the three additions for Stellaris releasing this year and the exclusive “Rick the Cube” portrait. Additionally, it is part of the Expansion subscription offer that includes all additional content for Stellaris for a monthly fee.

Face or embrace the wild power of the Cosmic Storms through these new features:

NEW STORMS
This expansion adds 8 types of Cosmic Storms (Electric, Particle, Gravity, Magnetic, Radiant, Stardust, Shroud and Nexus) that replace the existing Space Storms, spawning randomly on the map. They travel the galaxy at various speeds, growing and shrinking with time.

STORM CHASER ORIGIN
The Storm Chasers are an empire made of people that seek to push themselves beyond their own limits. They believe enlightenment is found in engaging with the greatest force the universe has to offer: the Cosmic Storms.

3 NEW CIVICS
Astrometeorology
Storm Devotion
Environmental Architects

2 PRECURSOR NARRATIVES
Discover the stories of the Ancients, vanished masters of the storms: Weather Manipulators and the adAkkaria Convention of Benevolence. The completion of these narratives will unlock a new relic for each.

On top of that, Cosmic Storms adds technologies dedicated to storms, Galactic Community Resolutions, Anomalies, Arc Sites, and Weather Forecast Map Mode. It also adds a new Galactic Weather Control ascension perk, that makes it possible to create cosmic storms with science ships.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Official Release Date Trailer

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and BioWare announced today that Dragon Age: The Veilguard will launch globally on Thursday, October 31, 2024 for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam (Deck Verified), EA App and Epic Games Store. Additionally, fans can now pre-order* the Standard and Deluxe Editions to receive in-game cosmetics that can be used to further personalize their journey through the next chapter in the critically-acclaimed saga.

In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, players will step into the role of Rook, a fully-customizable protagonist who must rise up, unite their crew and become the hero Thedas needs in a time where legends are born or slain. Joining Rook in their fight against corrupt Elven gods is a cast of seven compelling companions, each of whom hails from an iconic faction from Dragon Age lore. In addition to their own personal storylines and motivations, companions Bellara, Davrin, Emmrich, Harding, Lucanis, Neve and Taash all bring unique combat abilities and equipment to the fray, which Rook must strategically implement in their fight for the future of Thedas.

“As someone who’s been working on Dragon Age for over 15 years, I know just how much our community has been looking forward to this day, and I’m equally excited to share and celebrate that the game will officially launch on October 31,” said John Epler, Creative Director of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. “We wanted to give you the choice to really express yourself, and do that in a world full of adventure and danger. So whether you’re a Warrior, Rogue or a Mage, we can’t wait for you to gear up, gather your party, and set out for another thrilling adventure through Thedas this Halloween.”

As a character-driven RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard offers a crafted experience woven from the threads of rich storytelling and fantasy worldbuilding the franchise is known for. In this bold, heroic adventure, players will experience expansive and dynamic stories that navigate love, loss and complex choices that affect relationships and the fate of each member of the Veilguard. In true Dragon Age fashion, these bonds of fellowship are the foundation upon which Rook’s journey is built, and it will be up to the player to determine how their personal story unfolds.

Fans who pre-order* the Standard Edition of Dragon Age: The Veilguard for $69.99 USD‡ on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, or $59.99 USD‡ on PC will receive cosmetic Blood Dragon Armor sets for Warrior, Mage and Rogue classes. Those who pre-order* the Deluxe Edition for $89.99 USD‡ on console or $79.99 USD‡ on PC will further receive the following cosmetics: three Rook armor sets, six Rook weapons, seven companion armor sets and seven companion weapons. EA Play Pro† members on the EA App will enjoy unlimited access to the EA Play Pro Edition starting October 31st.

In addition, the BioWare Gear Store has been outfitted with a variety of new merchandise, including Rook’s Coffer. Available for $150 USD‡, Rook’s Coffer features a variety of unique physical keepsakes including a light-up Lyrium Dagger, Rook’s deck of cards featuring in-game art, and more (game not included).

For additional information and to stay up to date on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, visit the official website, like Dragon Age on Facebook, follow the franchise on Discord, TikTok, Tumblr, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), and subscribe to its YouTube channel.

*Conditions & restrictions apply. See https://www.ea.com/games/dragon-age/dragon-age-the-veilguard/disclaimers for details.