Author - Jerry Paxton

Pharaoh: A New Era Official Launch Trailer

Publisher Dotemu and developer Triskell Interactive today announced that Pharaoh: A New Era, a comprehensive remake of one of the most beloved city builders of all time, is now available on PC via Steam for $22.99. Swift planners can secure their future at a 15 percent launch discount by purchasing Pharaoh: A New Era before Feb. 28.

The wisest pharaohs will seek guidance from today’s launch trailer before beginning their civilizations, observing the challenges and rewards awaiting in Pharaoh: A New Era’s faithful modernization of the original 1999 city builder as well as its 2000 expansion, Cleopatra: Queen of the Nile. The remake’s enhancements are informed by Triskell Interactive’s devotion to historical accuracy, supported through close work with a certified Egyptologist to ensure the game’s depiction of ancient Egypt is as authentic as possible. See how Pharaoh: A New Era’s gorgeous 4K visuals bring four millennia of Egyptian history to life across more than 50 rewarding missions in the new video:

Pharaoh: A New Era introduces several new features and quality of life adjustments which subtly improve its city building experience, making the development, planning and management of bustling settlements feel intuitive. The changes grant pharaohs greater visibility and control over their subjects, making Pharaoh: A New Era the definitive way to enjoy the acclaimed series.

Pharaoh: A New Era features:

  • A Fortune of Fun: Lead your people through a rich 100+ hour campaign, or unwind and build the metropolis of your dreams in a Free Build mode
  • Breathtaking Views: Marvel at the beauty of budding settlements and lively cities sprawling across the Egyptian sands, brought to life through fully reworked, intricate art
  • Modern Refinements: Overhauled menus, a refreshed UI and various adjustments make Pharaoh: A New Era’s classically inspired fun feel like second nature to play
  • A Fully Rerecorded Soundtrack: Take in stirring recreations of the original soundtrack’s melodies, rearranged and performed with traditional oriental instruments

For a deeper understanding of Pharaoh: A New Era’s enthralling challenge of leadership, delve into the vital components behind the rise of any great city outlined in this video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLagi5oWyjE

Raise the latest updates on Pharaoh: A New Era by following Dotemu on Twitter @dotemu and Triskell at @Triskell_Int, and by joining the game’s official Discord: https://discord.gg/sRV9w7r.

Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station FAQ and New Gameplay Trailer

To all space acrobatics enthusiasts, the release of Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station is fast approaching, so Gamedust is gearing up to give the players a more in-depth look at what kind of game they’ve prepared.

Developers so far have communicated a move towards action-adventure tropes, fragments of exploration and combat have been shown, besides those, Gamedust is preparing environmental puzzles for its players to enjoy. Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station is full of components that have been implemented and used in some of the best known games today, on popular consoles, and now the creators want to bring those features into the world of VR.

The new trailer for the game showcases the combination of swinging through the corridors, opening passages and fighting with robots. You may also notice AIsha – our virtual companion. With her help, the journey through the dangerous station will be much more interesting and comfortable. Check it out:

To tell you more about Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station, we have prepared a FAQ below to answer some of your most burning questions:

What is Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station?

Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station is a game in which you’re able to explore an abandoned space station using suction cups with ropes attached, the player can use jets (nozzles) attached to their hands to manoeuvre in the air. In addition, the player will get powerful weapons that will allow them to eliminate robotic opponents.

Along your journey you will encounter many passages, environmental puzzles, and hostile droids that you’ll have to overcome, a map will also be in place to help you navigate around the station. The game is set in a light, humorous tone and combines a VR perspective with the structure of a Metroidvania-style game.

Do I need to know Yupitergrad 1 to enjoy the sequel?

Many players are wondering if they can play Yupitergrad 2 without playing the first one, and the answer is yes. Yupitergrad 2 very lightly refers to the first part, but is a completely new story. A similar approach has been taken to other games such as Mario or Zelda – where each part is a separate entity, but takes some basics and expectations from its predecessor.

What’s new in Yupitergrad 2?

The game is full of new ideas, the creators built this game with “the more, the better” attitude. Developers focused on the open structure of the space station, in which players should look for ways to open new passages and explore further. In the game, players will encounter rebellious machines, which will be able to fight and shoot at with obtained weapons. In addition, our hero will use various gadgets, and his companion AIsha will finally appear on the screen! All this together creates a new, more adventurous atmosphere and the experience of taking part in a great space adventure in VR.

Is the game (too) dynamic?

Developers are making a very dynamic game in VR but moving on from Yupitergrad 1 they made changes to control motion sickness and refine the locomotion system to improve the free movement of players. During the game’s creation a great focus has been put on smoothness and stability of the player experience and due to the open map and additional features the game is more riveting than ever.

When will the title be playable?

The game is in the production phase, allowing it to be played and checked. Trial versions will be soon sent to press and influencers, where you can get a good glimpse of the game before the full release.

When will the game be released and for which platforms?

The premiere of Yupitergrad 2 will take place in the first half of 2023, with the exact date to be yet announced. The game will be released on Pico goggles, and later on Meta Quest 2. Further platforms such as Steam will have release dates after the release on Quest 2.

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival Returns from March 10 through April 16

Boysenberry Festival Decor

The Knott’s Boysenberry Festival is our annual food-inspired event that celebrates the park’s historic roots by highlighting the little berry that started it all, the boysenberry. Guests will have the opportunity to indulge in a range of dishes, from savory foods with a boysenberry twist to one-of-a-kind specialty desserts and drinks that can only be found at Knott’s Berry Farm during this time of the year. In addition to the numerous food and drink offerings, the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival offers a wide selection of local crafters, live music, and a brand-new musical stage show for guests of all ages to enjoy. The Knott’s Boysenberry Festival begins March 10 and operates daily through April 16.

This year’s event will introduce entirely new food offerings featuring more than three dozen food and drink items. A few savory dishes to note include cauliflower bites with a boysenberry curry drizzle, and a sushi burrito with spicy crab surimi, avocado, lettuce, crispy onions, sesame and unagi sauce, all wrapped in nori with a boysenberry sweet chili dipping sauce. Tasty dessert items can be found throughout the festival, perfect for those with a sweet tooth, including sweet corn nuggets with boysenberry honey, boysenberry bread pudding, and a boysenberry waffle topped with whipped cream and boysenberry maple syrup. A great way to indulge in the new boysenberry delicacies during the festival is by purchasing a tasting card priced at $55. The tasting card offers six tastings from a selection of boysenberry-inspired dishes and drinks. A variety of signature boysenberry items will also be available for purchase a la carte. Tasting cards are available at Knotts.com or at the theme park.

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival also offers endless entertainment throughout the park. From musical performances to fun interactive games, there is something for every member of the family to enjoy.

Wine Tasting

Guests are invited to celebrate the heritage of California’s original theme park with the new show Knott’s Preserved. Through song, dance and storytelling, Knott’s Berry Farm comes alive as the audience takes a musical journey from the little ghost town of Calico to the Seaside Boardwalk of the Roaring ’20s to commemorate the heritage of the park. All aboard for a boysenberry bon voyage at the legendary Bird Cage Theatre with a special presentation of the comedy melodrama Riverboat Revenge. Guests are challenged to try their berry best in Boysenberry Fun and Games, which includes the wildly entertaining Boysenberry Pie Eating Contest. Young ones and young at heart are invited to cozy up to the cutest critters on the farm, including horses, sheep, goats and other furry friends at Old MacDonald’s Barn, a tribute to one of the farm’s original attractions. Those unfamiliar with the berry that started it all are encouraged to grab a slice of history in the History of the Boysenberry museum in Town Hall.

Guests can also create over 75 unique boysenberry-inspired creations with limited-edition merchandise found throughout the park. This year’s merchandise includes a grand selection of packaged food items perfect for take-home souvenirs. The Berry Market, located in the California Marketplace, also features signature boysenberry items like the refreshing boysenberry sarsaparilla and our classic jams and preserves. Unique boysenberry-inspired artisan products also will be available at the Boysenberry Festival Craft Fair, with over 30 local craft vendors.

The Boysenberry Festival is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm. For a special treat, guests can book a stay at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel for overnight accommodations just steps from the park. Additional costs apply for food-tasting experiences within the event. Knott’s will have extended hours on select days, allowing guests extra time to take advantage of the limited-time offerings.

The best way to savor every day of the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival and all of the other Seasons of Fun is with a 2023 Season Pass! Get unlimited visits, food and merchandise discounts, plus so much more! For more information about Knott’s Berry Farm, please visit knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smartphone. Join the conversation using the hashtag #BoysenberryFestival

Creative Technology Unveils Bone Conducting Creative Outlier Free Pro

Creative Technology today launched Creative Outlier Free Pro, its latest wireless bone conduction headphones equipped with all the features desired by pro-level sporting enthusiasts who love a soundtrack. Built to be tough yet comfortable in fit, unstoppable in the heaviest of rains and even underwater, indefatigable battery life and without the need for a device to play music, the Outlier Free Pro is simply at the top of its game.

Thanks to bone conduction technology, where sound waves are transmitted into the inner ears through vibrations from transducers on the user’s cheekbones, the benefits of open-ear listening are realized. With a much-heightened level of environmental awareness, users can enjoy a safer listening experience as compared to in-ear or over-ear headphones – joggers and cyclists can make their way down busy streets with ease; gym buddies can chat effortlessly during workouts. Additionally, for leisure activities such as the use of mobile karaoke apps, users can enjoy the better experience of singing while hearing themselves naturally.

Creative Outlier Free Pro

The Outlier Free Pro stands out even more with its 8GB (stores 2,000 MP3 songs) built-in music player (also compatible with FLAC, WAV and APE file formats); it enables users to enjoy their favorite tunes without the need to carry their mobile phones. Thanks to its IPX8 rating (the highest waterproof rating for water immersion), swimmers can even swim underwater in the pool.

Trail runners and hikers who love to go the distance would always have their soundtrack on, as the Outlier Free Pro offers up to 10 hours of battery life per charge (10 minutes of quick-charging provides 2 hours of playtime).

The Outlier Free Pro is also an excellent all-rounder as a daily go-to headphone, offering multipoint connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3, delivering robust connections for up to 2 Bluetooth devices at a time. There is also a low-latency mode to minimize audio-visual lag for movie-watching; users have the added convenience with a built-in microphone for calls, and Siri / Google Assistant support. Lightweight silicone and titanium memory alloy are used to construct the Outlier Free Pro, translating to all-day comfort and fit.

Pricing and Availability

With the price of US$129.99, the Outlier Free Pro presents great value which is hard to beat for its comprehensive features set.

For more information on Creative Outlier Free Pro, visit creative.com/OutlierFreePro.

Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator Nintendo Switch Trailer

NACON and studio Cyanide are pleased to unveil a video dedicated to the Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator experience on the Nintendo Switch. Apprentice restaurateurs will be able to run their own restaurants anywhere, whether at home or on the go. Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator will be available on February 23, for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Developed by French studio Cyanide, Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator puts realism at the heart of the game. The goal? To propose the first cooking game offering a real retranscription of the life of a restaurateur.

From customizing the dining room to selecting ingredients and choosing menu items, players will have all the tools they need to create the restaurant of their dreams, and why not to win a star in the famous MICHELIN Guide thanks to the quality of their cooking!

Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator will be available on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC on February 23, 2023.

Sins of a Solar Empire II Tech Preview Update Brings Multiplayer

Stardock and Ironclad Games released a new update to the Technical Preview for Sins of a Solar Empire II today. The update adds the highly anticipated multiplayer feature, new ship models, an updated UI for the Research Tree, and improved textures for capital ships along with other additions.

The introduction of multiplayer is a core stage in Sins of a Solar Empire II’s development and, as such, Stardock and Ironclad are eager to get feedback from players as they continuously improve upon it. This multiplayer experience is merely the tip of the iceberg, but eager Sins players can get a solid feel for what the new engine brings to the table.

For instance, players can now jump into an existing multiplayer game and take the reins from an AI empire or a friend who has to leave. This gives players a lot of flexibility, especially as competitive matches get longer and longer. Additionally, players can set up private games and invite friends (or enemies) via game codes.

“We want to thank everyone who has been playing the Technical Preview and providing feedback, but we’ve heard you all loud and clear: You want multiplayer. Everyone has been waiting for the chance to wage war against each other, and now they can,” said Brian Clair, Director of Publishing for Stardock. “Giving players the option to jump in to take over an AI empire is such a fantastic addition. Internally, we’ve had colleagues jump into ongoing matches and completely annihilate people who thought they had a sure victory. We can’t wait to see how our community takes to this feature and it’s only the beginning!”

While not final, many ships have received visual upgrades and new models have replaced the TEC Ogrov Torpedo Cruiser, Pirate Rogue, Corsair, and Pillager ships. Pirate Hideouts also have a new model in this update. For a complete list of changes, please visit the forums.

Following in the footsteps of its critically acclaimed predecessor, this highly anticipated sequel will seamlessly blend real-time strategy and 4X gameplay to deliver a grand space conflict. Equal parts immersive and intense, Sins of a Solar Empire II introduces a whole new level of detail and raises the bar on what it means to become the ruler of a vast space empire.

The Sins of a Solar Empire II pre-order, which grants entry into the Early Access Technical Preview, is now available at www.sinsofasolarempire2.com. Players can also add the game to their wishlist, follow updates, and learn more about features as they are revealed.

Corporate Bureaucracy Hell Game Red Tape Out Now

DreadXP — an independent horror publisher and production company — today celebrates Valentine’s Day the only way it knows how: by bringing us horrors beyond our comprehension. This time, it’s in the form of something truly awful: corporate bureaucracy. Released today for Windows PC, Red Tape tells the hellish tale of an angel who was subjected to damnation due to a paperwork error. Now, in order to right this egregious wrong, players must traverse the nine circles of Hell to get an audience with the big man himself: The Devil.

Taking notes from Dante Alighieri’s extremely romantic poem The Divine Comedy, and originally conceived as a Ludum Dare Gamejam entry, DreadXP and developer Pollaris Studios’ Red Tape takes the idiom to literal lengths and tells the saga of a fallen angel trapped in the bowels of Hell seeking a way back to Heaven.

Much like real life, players will run, jump, queue, and experience corporate culture so hellish, they’ll be begging for a trip to the DMV. As if that weren’t enough, all manner of demons and hellspawn are determined to complicate matters further with their petty nonsense, conflated egos, and sadistic requests. Players will have to cut through the red tape in their fight to restore balance between Heaven and Hell.

The nine circles of Hell are, of course, sectioned into familiar corporate departments:

  • LIMBO – Reception
  • LUST – Human Resources
  • GLUTTONY – Cafeteria
  • GREED – Accounting
  • WRATH – Customer Service
  • HERESY – Marketing
  • FRAUD – Legal
  • VIOLENCE – Planning
  • TREACHERY – Administration

Showcased in Dreadful Dev Diary: Pollaris Studios #01, developer Nathan Gabriel discussed how the Italian poem The Divine Comedy served as inspiration behind Red Tape, and how he has built out the world of a literal corporate hell. Much like the poem, the deeper the ring, the more severe the sin, and the higher level of authorization required.

Red Tape is available now on Steam and itch.io for Windows PC for $5.99, with a 10% off launch week discount.

Live Action Speed Dating Game Ten Dates is Available Now

Happy Valentine’s Day! Publisher Wales Interactive and Developer Good Gate Media have announced that interactive live-action FMV romantic comedy Ten Dates is now available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, iOS and Android devices. A free demo is also available for PC and Mac via Steam.

Perfect for couples looking to spice up their annual Valentine’s Day festivities or singles looking for a distraction, the sequel to Five Dates has players take on the roles of two millennial Londoners named Misha and Ryan as they search for their soulmates at a speed dating event.

Directed by Paul Raschid, written by Paul Raschid and Zoe Morgan Chiswick, and produced by John Giwa-Amu and Sarah Barker for Good Gate Media, Ten Dates stars talent from a variety of popular television shows including Rosie Day (Outlander), Kaine Zajaz (The Witcher), Charlie Maher (Conversations with Friends), Meaghan Martin (Camp Rock), Ellie James (I May Destroy You), and Rhiannon Clements (Death On The Nile, Hollyoaks).

Misha and Ryan must attempt to charm five potential matches each through introspective questions, unnerving ice-breakers, jaw-dropping revelations, and plenty of regrettable and embarrassing exchanges.

Choose your dialogue options wisely, as what you say can strengthen or weaken the connection with your potential partner. Ten Dates includes an option for streamers to pause the action and discuss choices with their audience. Remember: every decision matters.

Key Features:

  • Play as a female (Misha) or male (Ryan) Londoner looking for love
  • Talent includes Rosie Day (Outlander), Charlie Maher (Conversations with Friends), Meaghan Martin (Camp Rock), Sagar Radia (Industry), Sam Buchanan (The Power), Kaine Zajaz (The Witcher), Ellie James (I May Destroy You), and Rhiannon Clements (Death On The Nile, Hollyoaks)
  • Features LGBTQ+ storylines for the player to explore, and a cast of diverse characters to get to know
  • Real-time relationship status tracking evolves based on choices and influences the story
  • Branching narrative and multi-directional chain of conversation topics
  • Streamer mode and full controller support

Ten Dates is now available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, iOS and Android devices. A free Steam demo is also available for PC and Mac. To keep up to date with the latest information on the title, please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to us on YouTube, follow us on Instagram, visit our website, and visit the game’s Steam page.

The Pathless Nintendo Switch Physical Edition Revealed

iam8bit and distribution partner Skybound Games, together with publisher Annapurna Interactive and developer Giant Squid Studios, have revealed that the Nintendo Switch retail physical editions of The Pathless will launch on April 18. Fans can preorder the stunning iam8bit Exclusive Edition and base retail edition for $39.99 USD/£34.99/€39.99 at iam8bit.com and global retailers.

The iam8bit Exclusive Edition, in true iam8bit fashion, will include a bounty of extra goodies, including a reversible cover sheet, set of six exclusive art cards, and a giant foldout poster featuring Hunter and The Eagle set amongst a mystical landscape displaced by the curse of a great darkness. The base retail edition features a set of six art cards along with the physical disc—perfect for those looking for a nice bonus in their physical games. All cover art was designed by the talented Emmy Award Winner Elaine Lee.

The path doesn’t end there. The iam8bit Exclusive Edition for PlayStation 5 is available on iam8bit.com for $52.99. This exclusive release includes the physical edition, alongside a reversible cover sheet, collectible art cards (set of six), and giant foldout poster featuring exclusive artwork from the game.

All retail editions of The Pathless can be purchased from pathless.iam8bit.com.

Giant Squid Studios’ action adventure indie darling was nominated for multiple categories at the ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards, International Film Music Critics Awards and The Webby Awards. This hidden gem has been praised for its captivating score, winning the Game Audio Network Guild Award for Best Music for an Indie Game in 2021, and receiving multiple Annual Game Music Awards in 2020, including Score of the Year, Traditional / Acoustic, Audio of the Year, In-Game Music, and Audio of the Year, Main Theme.

The Pathless features a special companionship between the Hunter, a master archer and an eagle, who together must face the shadows encroaching on their world. With an enchanting orchestral score, breathtaking landscapes, and mysterious forests filled with secrets and puzzles, this game requires curiosity, skill and wit.

Wanted: Dead Happy Valentine’s Day Trailer

110 Industries whisks you off your feet as Wanted: Dead launches on PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S & PC today. With the game’s stylish high-octane combat mechanics, multiple mini-games, spectacular John Wick-esque finishers and slick, limb-severing swordplay, what’s not to fall in love with?

Developed by Japanese studio Soleil, Wanted: Dead serves a truly hardcore experience where the fights are not for the faint of heart. Dealing out a brutal blend of merciless melee sword combat, thrilling gunplay and a unique limb severing system, Wanted: Dead is developed by talent behind the Ninja Gaiden series and carries that series’ DNA into this love-letter to the sixth generation of consoles.

Players will take on the role of Lt. Hannah Stone, stepping into a dark and dangerous vision of cyberpunk Hong Kong as leader of the “Zombie Squad”, an elite team who work outside the purview of the traditional police force. Stone’s superior hack-n-slash combat skills combine style and substance, delivering cool slow-motion sequences and bone-shattering, limb-severing mechanics.

Charge headfirst into battle with a crazy mix of advanced weaponry and lo-tech 90s retro-futurism, dealing devastating damage using projectile weapons such as assault rifles, SMGs, LMGs and grenade launchers. Test your mettle and use every technique you have as you battle through hordes of mercenaries, synthetics and private security forces.

As it is Valentine’s Day, why don’t you slow down from the adrenaline-fueled combat with a date at the Atomic Heart diner? This provides a place for Lt. Stone to relax and recharge as she consumes food and drinks for buffs that will help her on her deadly missions. It’s also a great opportunity to get to know the eccentric cast of characters that comprise her team.

“We are so excited for you to get your hands all over Wanted: Dead,” said Sergei Kolobashkin, founder and Creative Director at 110 Industries. “I hope this blood-red Valentine’s Day gift makes you fall head over heels!”