Author - Jerry Paxton

Men of War II Dev Diary #2

Fulqrum Publishing and Best Way today released the second instalment of the Men of War II dev diary video series, in which Andrey Geleta, Game Designer at Best Way, details some of the exciting gameplay, tech, and other innovations that players can expect in the highly-anticipated RTS follow-up.

Built using a significantly redesigned and modified Gem RTS engine, Men of War II will give players much more freedom than previous instalments in the franchise, allowing them to tailor the experience to their own personal playstyles, while enhancing the battlefield with dynamic new features which have been brought to life with new high-resolution (up-to 4K) effects, animations, and immersive sound design.

One new feature is the ‘Frontline’, which divides the entire map into two parts – the territory that belongs to the allies and the territory that is occupied by the enemy. This is constantly in flux, and can dramatically influence the course of events since players will have access to different options and abilities based on which side of the ‘Front Line’ their units are on. AI has also been enhanced and balanced in line with the new mechanics, ensuring that it will intelligently counter the player, giving a deeply satisfying gameplay experience.

Multiplayer modes have been completely overhauled and almost entirely rebuilt from scratch, bringing a suite of options to the game, including tournaments, leagues, personal ratings, customisable lobbies, dedicated servers and more. One key addition is auto-reconnect, that will return players to the battle if they experience any connection issues.

Competitive matchups can be played in a variety of modes from 1v1 to 5v5 – the latter of which will emphasise teamwork, as each player will have their own specialisation depending on their choice of battalion. For example, one may focus on infantry, another on tanks, and a third in artillery. Furthermore, all battalions have been perfectly balanced to make every multiplayer battle unique.

Mod support also returns to Men of War II, which will ship with its own unique set of mod tools, giving players the opportunity to flex their creativity as they create anything they wish.

Disney Plus US Subscribers Get Special Access to ShopDisney Products for Limited Time

Beginning today, Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. can participate in a limited test experience that will bring their favorite stories to life with special access to must-have merchandise available on shopDisney for this holiday season. For a limited time, Disney+ subscribers can visit shopDisney.com/DisneyPlusSpecialAccess or the details pages of select movies, series and shorts on Disney+ to scan QR codes to purchase highly-anticipated items before the general public. Subscribers can purchase products from fan-favorite franchises and titles including Star Wars, Marvel Studios’ Black Panther and Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness and receive exclusive  access to merchandise from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen 2 and Disney•Pixar Lightyear.

“Special access to this curated collection of merchandise for the upcoming holiday season is the latest example of the many ways we experiment with how to improve the user experience on Disney+, which includes enhancing the  benefits of being a subscriber,” said Alisa Bowen, President of Disney+. “We’re excited to collaborate with shopDisney to explore how we can potentially better serve our audiences by expanding the ways they get to interact with the stories and characters they love on Disney+.”

“shopDisney has all of the products to bring your favorite Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel and National Geographic stories to life,” said Naveen Seshadri, EVP Global Retail. “By providing our Disney+ subscribers special access to curated merchandise on shopDisney, we are  uncovering new ways for our fans to shop and further connect content and commerce.”

During this test experience, eligible subscribers can visit shopDisney.com/DisneyPlusSpecialAccess or navigate to the Shop tab within the details pages of select movies, series and shorts on Disney+ to scan QR codes that will take users directly to the merchandise on shopDisney. The Shop tab will be available to Disney+ primary profiles in the U.S. that have been verified as 18 and older.

Special access will grant Disney+ subscribers early access to products including:

Additionally, Disney+ subscribers will have exclusive access for shopDisney made-to-order merchandise, including new t-shirt and sweatshirt designs from Disney’s Frozen 2 and Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear.

For more information visit shopDisney.com/DisneyPlusSpecialAccess.

Turtle Beach VelocityOne Rudder Pedals Now Available

Leading gaming accessory maker Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: HEAR) today announced the newest addition to the brand’s growing lineup of gaming simulation accessories, the VelocityOne Rudder, is now available at participating retailers globally. VelocityOne Rudder further elevates flight simmers’ setups to new levels of realism. It perfectly complements Turtle Beach’s award-winning VelocityOne™ Flight Universal Control System and will also be compatible with the recently announced VelocityOne™ Flightstick following its mid-November launch. For flight sim fans on Windows PCs, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, VelocityOne Rudder features dual-pedal configurations for both light aircraft and heavy airliner setups. The pedals have a smooth rudder axis and contactless hall-effect sensors on all axes for fluid movements and a longer product life. Differential brakes allow for tight turns and precise runway braking control, while swappable springs and adjustable pedal width and shape provide added realism whether flying a light aircraft, heavy airliner, or fighter jets. Plus, multiple stable mounting solutions keep VelocityOne Rudder firmly planted on a variety of surfaces. Turtle Beach’s VelocityOne Rudder is available today at www.turtlebeach.com and participating retailers for $299.99 MSRP.

“VelocityOne Rudder is the next step in our commitment to giving flight sim gamers a modern and realistic flight control experience using the latest technologies,” said Juergen Stark, Chairman and CEO, Turtle Beach Corporation. “From our booths at the RIAT and Miramar Air Shows to online flight sim groups – the flying community’s early reaction to our new pedals has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re thrilled to be on the leading edge of rebooting what consumers should expect in high-quality flight simulation gaming accessories.”

The complete list of VelocityOne Rudder features includes:

  • Ultra-Smooth Rudder Axis: A single, return-to-center axis provides fluid, low-friction precision forward and backward movement for accurate directional control. Friction-free linear bearings allow for smooth, accurate and maintenance free operation. Two sets of swappable springs for the main rudder axis provide additional adjustability to set the perfect feel.
  • Differential Brakes: The spring-loaded brake pedals deliver precise runway braking control, or steering assist when pressing one pedal at a time.
  • Swappable Pedals: Two sets of interchangeable pedals swap out easily and provide realistic replication of light aircraft or airliner style pedals.
  • Adjustable Pedal Width: Adjustable pedal width accommodates a wide range of users and plane types. Plus, when not in use, the adjustable footprint provides convenient storage.
  • Precise, Long-Lasting Axes: Non-contact hall-effect sensors on all axes deliver high-resolution data and longer product life over standard potentiometers.
  • Stable Mounting Solutions: Sturdy metal construction with rubber pads and carpet grips on the bottom provides a stable base on a wide range of surfaces and has pre-drilled holes for permanent mounting to existing home cockpits.
  • Universal PC Compatibility: Plug the two-meter USB-C to USB-A cable directly into the PC to add VelocityOne Rudder to your existing setup.
  • Take Flight on Xbox: Press the mode button to switch from PC to Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One using the included pass-through cable. Requires the VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System to work on Xbox consoles.

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

Halloween Horror Nights Unveils New Maze for 2023 Season

On this hallowed eve, Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights announces the first haunted house of its 2023 lineup, inspired by the USA & SYFY hit series, “Chucky” – unleashing the iconic killer doll at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood next season.

Sign up for email updates for Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood and stay tuned for more Halloween Horror Nights 2023 news.

The Oregon Trail Heads to PC and Nintendo Switch

Gameloft, a leader in the development and publishing of games, and HarperCollins Productions, are thrilled to announce that The Oregon Trail™, the multiple award-winning official successor to the global phenomenon, is journeying to other platforms and will be soon available to play on Steam, Windows, and Nintendo Switch™ for $29.99 USD. Originally released on Apple Arcade in April 2021, The Oregon Trail was Apple Arcade’s most downloaded game of the year. Now, PC and Nintendo Switch players will be able to experience Gameloft Brisbane’s modern take of the classic game on November 14th, 2022.

In The Oregon Trail, players are put at the center of all the trials and tribulations of the journey westward. They must stock their wagon, choose their traveling party, and make sure they all arrive safely to Oregon by making tough choices in dangerous and unexpected situations. Players will also learn the real history behind the trail, including the Native American experience, which is a first in the franchise.

The November release of The Oregon Trail will be a faithful adaptation of the Apple Arcade version and has been created with the support of Gameloft Lviv. It includes all five previous content updates, and the latest new features include more accessibility options, events, and visual filters to see the game in a whole new way! The Oregon Trail is already available to wishlist on Steam and will be listed soon on the Nintendo eShop. It will also be available for preorder on Microsoft Store starting November, 7th.

“We’re incredibly excited for even more players to experience The Oregon Trail,” said David MacMinn, Game Manager. “We’re pleased to see our game expand to multiple new platforms, and we hope PC and Nintendo players will enjoy their time on the trail as much as we did making it.”

“The gameplay in our new version of The Oregon Trail has proven to be as exciting and sticky as it was in the ‘90s,” said Caroline Fraser, Head of HarperCollins Productions. “The stunning graphics will grab players as they journey west and confront new dangers, meet a wide cast of historical figures, and overcome challenging obstacles on their way to Oregon.”

Evil West Gameplay Overview Trailer Released

Evil West, the third-person action-adventure game that puts you in the boots of a vampire hunter rescuing a Wild West devoured by darkness, invites you to take an introductory ride through its action-packed, narrative-driven experience in a new gameplay overview trailer. Prepare for the vampire-infested American frontier, releasing on November 22 for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.

Gameplay Overview Trailer:

Get to know Jesse Rentier, the skilled, young vampire slayer you’ll incarnate in Evil West. Star agent of the Rentier Institute, a secret monster-hunting organization led by his father and many generations of Rentier before him, he’ll have to take the action into his own hands after a deadly vampiric conspiracy emerges from the darkness and wipes out the Institute. With the help of Edgar Gravenor, another survivor from the Institute, he’ll have to battle fierce foes and demystify the conspiracy while rebuilding the organization and becoming the leader it needs.

To reach his goal, Jesse will explore every corner of the Wild West, looking for new Institute members and valuable leads on the conspiracy, taking money from abandoned chests and corpses, and growing his arsenal of weapons. Armed with both old-fashioned firearms and advanced technology like the lightning-fueled Rentier Gauntlet, each with its own skill tree for customized upgrades, you’re free to combine Jesse’s weapons and tools to your liking. Take on explosive combat encounters with your own mix of powerful ranged attacks and devastating melee combos.

Get your hands on the ultra-limited Evil West – Signature Edition, a Focus Entertainment Store-exclusive product with only 50 copies available worldwide. It includes a numbered, laminated wooden frame printed with an exclusive artwork by artist Gabz, a physical copy of the game with the Focus-exclusive box art, and the “Wild Wild East Skin Pack” DLC.

Evil West pre-orders are open across all platforms and on the Focus Entertainment Store with an exclusive cover art for physical editions.

Limerick: Cadence Mansion Announcement Trailer

Indie developer Jenito Studios has today released a new trailer for their upcoming fantasy thriller adventure game Limerick: Cadence Mansion, which will be released on PC in 2023 via Steam.

Solve puzzles, outwit evil creatures and explore the arcane halls of Cadence Mansion as you dive deeper into a story of manipulation and dark science.

Wishlist Limerick: Cadence Mansion on Steam.

In Limerick: Cadence Mansion, explore an abandoned mansion inhabited only by monsters, both beast and man, and discover its secrets in your attempts to escape. Solve puzzles to progress through increasingly haunting environments, fend off or hide from evil creatures and tear through the fabric of reality in cinematic boss fights. Scavenge for resources throughout the forgotten mansion and use Panic closets to escape from harm.

A new ballad sounds across Nightsonnet Isle. Awaken, Proofreader, and solve the ancient writ.

The seas will swallow light with darkness. The boulders will shatter and shake. The Poets will be silenced and the Resplendent will rise.

Will you take the quill and right the wrongs of Splendor? Can you unlock the mysteries of its games and riddles? What will you learn of the Anachronism, of the Dissonance and Cacophony, of the Dark Refrain and Prism?

And when you face the darkness, will you be ready?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is Out Now

The wait is over. Starting today, fans around the world can jump into the highly anticipated Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. Following the biggest beta in Call of Duty franchise history, the entertainment blockbuster ushers in a new era for the franchise with a host of new gameplay and technical innovations, in the most advanced Call of Duty experience ever. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II delivers a massive amount of content on day one, including an epic and thrilling single-player campaign, incredibly immersive multiplayer action, and a new Special Ops tactical cooperative experience for Call of Duty players. Together with the all-new, free-to-play Warzone 2.0 coming on November 16, it’s an unrivaled offering for Call of Duty fans everywhere.

“Today’s launch of Modern Warfare II is a celebration of our incredible community around the world and the bold future we have shaped for the entire Call of Duty franchise. We are focused on delivering a state-of-the-art experience for our players and beginning an exciting new journey together for a franchise that has become a true cultural phenomenon in modern entertainment,” said Johanna Faries, General Manager, Call of Duty, Activision.

Modern Warfare II follows 2019’s blockbuster Modern Warfare across a gripping story campaign. The new release continues to advance the series with deep multiplayer modes, maps, playlist and technical innovations. Additionally, an evolved Special Ops mode from Modern Warfare 2019 brings a two-player Special Ops experience allowing players to explore large-scale hot zones with a fellow teammate.

“Infinity Ward and all of our phenomenal development teams have pushed the envelope in every way, and launch is just the beginning. We have a tremendous number of additional innovations and experiences coming as we head into upcoming live seasons of content; Warzone 2.0 next month, Warzone coming to mobile next year, and beyond. Modern Warfare II represents one of the most ambitious releases in our history and we are excited to finally get into the action together with our players,” added Dave Stohl, Head of Development for Call of Duty, and co-studio head, Infinity Ward.

“The Modern Warfare universe holds a special place for us creatively. From the beginning, our teams set out to create a bold, new set of experiences for all players to enjoy. Every design decision, technical innovation and piece of game development has been in service to deliver on this goal. This is only the start, as motivated as we are for today with Modern Warfare II’s release, we’re equally inspired for what’s to come in days with Warzone 2.0,” said Patrick Kelly, Creative Director for Call of Duty, and co-studio head, Infinity Ward.

With amazing audio and visually stunning graphics, Modern Warfare II not only delivers an action-packed experience, but also raises the bar as the most state of the art Call of Duty experience ever. One unified game engine powers both Modern Warfare II and the new Warzone 2.0, delivering a seamless gameplay experience across both titles.

Launching on November 16, alongside Season One of Modern Warfare II, the new Warzone 2.0 extends the Modern Warfare universe with a brand-new map, Al Mazrah, and a massive amount of new gameplay experiences, including a new Gulag, advanced aquatic combat, and DMZ, Call of Duty’s brand-new extraction mode.

Modern Warfare II is available worldwide starting today on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox® Series X|S, Xbox One®, and PC in a fully optimized experience for Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming service, and Steam. Modern Warfare II development is led by Infinity Ward alongside an incredible team of studios, including Activision Central Design, Activision Central Tech, Activision Localization Dublin, Activision QA, Activision Shanghai, Beenox, Demonware, High Moon Studios, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Toys for Bob and Treyarch. For more information and the latest details follow @CallofDuty on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

The OUTLAST Trials Closed Beta Out Now

Red Barrels, the independent game development studio based in Montreal, today released the Closed Beta for its highly anticipated The Outlast Trials.

The Outlast Trials is a whole new take on the Outlast survival horror experience, with the Closed Beta playtest taking place over Halloween weekend, from Friday October 28th to Tuesday November 1st, 2022.

The Closed Beta includes the opening tutorial level, The Sleep Room (the in-game lobby), Character Customization, Room Customization and one trial (Police Station with Prime Asset Leland Coyle). The trial is playable solo or co-op with a team of up to four players, with each participants’ performance rated by Murkoff so that you can compare your results with other test subjects… sorry, players.

“We’re excited to welcome players to Murkoff’s Sinyala Facility and The Outlast Trials this Halloween,” said Philippe Morin, Co-Founder, Red Barrels. “The Closed Beta is a very early taste of what players can expect in the full featured game next year, and we’re looking forward to feedback from our test subjects to help us bring this whole new Outlast experience over the finish line.”

Set in the height of the Cold War era, players take on the role of test subjects abducted by the shadowy Murkoff Corporation. Imprisoned in a secret Murkoff facility, players will be thrust into a series of physical and mental ordeals, tormented by iconic characters, and challenged alone or in teams to survive with their sanity intact.

You can keep in touch with Red Barrels via our socials:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.redbarrels/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theredbarrels
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/outlastofficial
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/theredbarrels/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/redbarrelsgames
Website: https://redbarrelsgames.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/RedBarrels & https://www.facebook.com/Outlastthegame/

Resident Evil Village Gold Edition Official Launch Trailer

The highly anticipated DLC for Resident Evil™ Village is here at long last! The Winters’ Expansion and the Resident Evil™ Village Gold Edition bundle are both now available worldwide for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. This expansion introduces new ways to enjoy the award-winning eighth core entry in the renowned survival horror franchise, including “Third Person Mode,” new playable characters for “The Mercenaries Additional Orders” such as the statuesque Lady Dimitrescu, and the final chapter of the Winters family saga, “Shadows of Rose.”

Resident Evil™ Re:Verse, a free online multiplayer experience available for all Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil Village Gold Edition owners, also deploys today with cross-play support.

The Winters’ Expansion provides more points of view for Resident Evil Village players, beginning with the much requested “Third Person Mode.” This new option enables players to experience the acclaimed main campaign, which was originally presented from a first-person perspective, from a whole new angle. See protagonist Ethan Winters in action with never-before-seen animations, as he struggles to survive the terrors that await him on his journey to rescue his kidnapped daughter, Rose.

Set 16 years after the events of the main story, “Shadows of Rose” continues the Winters family saga. Now grown-up, Rose Winters delves into a realm of consciousness in search of a cure for her unwanted powers. Rose must face her fears in this warped and twisted world of nightmares, wielding her strange abilities to elude and overcome the monsters and other threats that seek to pull her into the darkness.

“The Mercenaries Additional Orders” also introduces new playable characters. Ethan Winters is joined by an ensemble cast in this action-packed bonus mode that now features legendary BSAA agent Chris Redfield, Lord Karl Heisenberg, and Countess Alcina Dimitrescu. Charge into the fray and unleash Chris’ boulder-boxing fists, Heisenberg’s magnetic gifts, and Lady D’s ability to conjure throwable furniture. Each character has their own array of attributes and abilities to help them carve their way through enemies in this enhanced mode that also includes new stages and fresh balance adjustments.

Resident Evil Re:Verse also arrives today for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam with cross-play. Free for owners of Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil Village Gold Edition, this online multiplayer game S.T.A.R.S. a roster of beloved Resident Evil™ heroes competing in four to six-player matches. When taken out, characters mutate into bioweapons with powerful attacks perfect for exacting revenge against their opponents. Additional survivors, creatures, stages, costumes, and challenge missions are planned for post-launch updates. Capcom ID is required; players can register for an account here. For up to date information on Resident Evil Re:Verse follow the official Twitter account.

The world of Resident Evil Village can now be enjoyed on even more platforms, as both the Mac and cloud-powered Nintendo Switch™ versions also launch today. Supported by Apple silicon compatible computers, the Mac release of Resident Evil Village features smooth and beautiful graphics that rival the quality of high-end gaming PCs and consoles. For more information on compatible devices, please check the official website. Resident Evil™ Village Cloud allows players to stream the game via the cloud without large downloads. A demo for Resident Evil Village Cloud is out now, enabling players to test their network environment prior to purchasing. The Winters’ Expansion is also on the way to Resident Evil Village Cloud on Dec. 2, 2022 and will launch for Mac at a later date.