Author - Jerry Paxton

Super Nintendo World’s Power-Up Band Information Released

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ opens at Universal Studios Hollywood on Friday, February 17, so let’s take a closer look at the land’s exciting Power-Up Band™, a fun interactive component designed to help guests level up their experience during their visits within the land.

With the grand opening date quickly approaching, here’s a topline overview of the Power-Up Band and its functionality.

These wearable wristbands sync with Universal Studios Hollywood’s official free downloadable app and function as a complement to the land’s many interactive elements. The Power-Up Band is available for purchase in six design options with character themes, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toad and Princess Daisy; choosing a particular character also defines which Team guests will be a part of.

With the use of a Power-Up Band, guests can elevate the overall experience by competing against other teams to achieve the highest score throughout the day by collecting the most digital coins. To see who’s in the lead, guests can check their personal and team scores by linking the Power-Up Band to the app or by referring to the Checkpoint Screens located within the land.

When riding “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge,” guests are encouraged to tap their Power-Up Band on the ride vehicle’s steering wheel. By doing so, they can track digital coins collected as well as gauge their ranking against friends and family, when synced to the official Universal Studios Hollywood app. The Power-Up Band will enable guests to enjoy “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” over and over again in an attempt to beat their best scores.

The Power-Up Band also unlocks additional gameplay activities and experiences, such as collecting digital coins and stamps when completing milestones within the land. Checkpoints positioned within SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will enable guests to track their status against others. Guests can also amass keys after winning Key Challenges from Goomba Crazy Crank, Koopa Troopa POWer Punch, Piranha Plant Nap Mishap and Thwomp Panel Panic – collecting at least three of them will ultimately allow access to the final boss battle with Bowser Jr.

While meet and greet interactions with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach are accessible to guests visiting the land, the Power-Up Band may provide an enhanced experience with the characters. The Power-Up Band, however, isn’t a required purchase to enable guests to enjoy SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

The Power-Up Band will be available for purchase within SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and guests are welcome to download the official Universal Studios Hollywood app prior to visiting so the fun can start from the moment they warp into the land via the giant green pipe. The Power-Up Band will be available for purchase, beginning February 17, at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD retail shops located in the theme park and on CityWalk.

The February 17 grand opening of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD marks its official arrival to the United States. The all-new, innovative, immersive and highly-themed land debuts as a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will feature the groundbreaking “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, as well as many thrilling and interactive activities designed to engage the entire family within the captivating Mushroom Kingdom. Along with themed dining at the Toadstool Cafe™ and shopping at the 1-UP Factory™ retail store, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will be an inspiring addition to the world-famous Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is conceived in partnership with Nintendo® and the visionaries at Universal Creative to deliver exhilarating entertainment with innovative technological achievements inspired by characters and video games that have appealed to Nintendo fans for generations.

            For more information, guests can visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com; like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

Company of Heroes 3 British Forces Trailer

Hello there! We’re here to share with you a brand-new trailer for Company of Heroes 3 (releasing February 23rd on PC and later this year on consoles), featuring the British and their well-rounded repertoire. The Brits return fully revamped for single-player and multiplayer. Available as one of four factions at launch, the British are defensive powerhouses with plenty of depth for series newcomers and veterans alike.

Where the British command the most strength is their versatility in almost any combat scenario. With resilience (and a bit of stubbornness), their Pack Howitzer cannons, 4.2 Heavy Mortar cannons, and 6-Pounder Anti-Tank Gun can hold off the Germans in droves. An assortment of vehicles, like the Dingo Scout Car and the Humber armored car, can slice through enemy lines in the opening stages of combat.

A well-rounded fighting force isn’t complete without a number of Battlegroups: specialized units that each faction can call upon for specific tactics. The British can utilize the Nepali and Indian soldiers of the Gurkha, brandishing Thompson submachine or Bren light machine guns, making them deadly at close and long range. Indian artillery rounds things out with explosive indirect firepower. These Battlegroups synergize with the core faction units, delivering the most strategically diverse Company of Heroes launch to date.

Company of Heroes 3 releases on February 23rd on PC and later in 2023 for consoles, and is now available for Pre-Order! Get the Launch Edition and receive the Devil’s Brigade DLC pack featuring Legendary skins for Infantry, Vehicles, and other Legendary tier cosmetics.

Jagged Alliance 3 Legacy Trailer

When developing a successor to a legendary franchise like Jagged Alliance, the most mentioned wish from fans is: “Don’t f*** it up!” It’s a tightrope walk to make sure the game feels familiar to those who loved both, Jagged Alliance 1 & Jagged Alliance 2 but also brings new improvements to the table.

To make sure to get that vision right, who’s better to ask for guidance than one of the original creators of the franchise? That’s why developer Haemimont Games has been working with Ian Currie, designer of and responsible for the original concept of Jagged Alliance. Ian’s been involved in the Jagged Alliance 3 project since day one.

Jagged Alliance games are known for their unique blend of strategic campaign management, a huge world to explore, diverse side-quests, in-depth tactical combat, and beloved characters. The upcoming Jagged Alliance 3 stays true to these elements and in the new Legacy Trailer, Ian Currie and the Haemimont Games team give us a taste of what makes it special.
If you want to learn more, check out the latest developer diary: https://thqn.net/ja3-dd02

Jagged Alliance 3 is currently in development for PC and set to release in 2023. Add the game to your wishlist now!
Wishlist on Steam: https://thqn.net/ja3-steam

If you want to learn more about the game, make sure to follow on social media or discuss with other fans in the forums or on Discord:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaggedalliancegame/
Forums: https://community.jaggedalliance.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/jaggedalliance

Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale Official Launch Trailer

Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale, the pirate strategy game published by Kalypso Media and developed in-house by Gaming Minds Studios, has launched today. Rally your crew and prepare to set sail because the brand-new title is now available digitally on PC exclusively at the Epic Games Store, and on PlayStation 4|5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Are ye brave enough? It’s time to see if ye truly have what it takes to become the greatest pirate in the Caribbean!

It’s a wide world out there and in Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale there is much to be explored. Set your sights on gold and glory as you weigh anchor and set sail on the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Choose from 18 unique ship types and customize distinct features to ensure your formidable fleet is feared from afar. The seas may be vast, but you are never truly alone, and it won’t be long before you encounter enemies on your path to eternal glory. Sink ships and build your stash of stolen booty as you take on trading convoys in tactical turn-based naval battles and parley with infamous pirate legends. With the sea on your side and enough gold, you should surely be able to keep your crew happy. But be warned! Even an invincible fleet might not be enough to withstand the whispers of mutiny from the decks below.

Destiny awaits me hearties! Climb aboard the ship and set sail in Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale, out now on PC exclusively at the Epic Games Store and on PlayStation 4|5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles. For the first week, prospective pirates can plunder the Caribbean with a 10% launch discount on the Epic, Microsoft and Sony (for PlayStation®Plus subscribers) stores.

ROCCAT Unveils Magma 60% Gaming Keyboard

ROCCAT, the award-winning PC peripherals brand from best-selling gaming headset and accessories maker Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: HEAR), today unveiled the newest addition to its PC gaming keyboard lineup – the Magma Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard. The Magma Mini’s compact footprint is 60% the size of a full-size keyboard – perfect for PC gamers who need more room for large mouse movements, and its fully illuminated top plate has five programmable zones which showcase ROCCAT’s stunning AIMO RGB lighting. Magma Mini features membrane switches with a midway actuation point, expanded key functionality with ROCCAT’s EasyShift[+]™ technology, and the latest IP33-rated resistance against water and dust. Magma Mini’s attractive $49.99 MSRP also makes it a great starter keyboard for PC gamers seeking beauty and functionality in a mini form factor. Pre-order now!

“Magma Mini is the standout entry-level mini PC gaming keyboard because it blends the popular 60% format with the performance and RGB lighting ROCCAT is known for,” said Juergen Stark, Chairman and CEO, Turtle Beach Corporation. “Magma Mini also offers durable IP33-rated protection against dust, particles, and spills, and its $50 MSRP makes it an easy choice for PC gamers looking to add RGB lighting to their desktop.”

ROCCAT’s Magma Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard is equipped with a translucent top plate with five programmable RGB zones and 10 LED backlights. With ROCCAT’s AIMO lighting, gamers can enjoy a vivid and immersive experience with 16.8 million RGB color options. Gamers can also sync the Magma Mini with other AIMO-enabled products in ROCCAT’s acclaimed PC peripherals range, including the Burst Pro mouse and Elo 7.1 Air or USB headset, to create a vibrant PC gaming battle station that can’t be overlooked.

The Magma Mini also features quiet and responsive membrane keys with a fast, midway actuation point for a highly satisfying keystroke. Advanced anti-ghosting technology ensures gamers can press up to 20 keys simultaneously when reacting in the heat of battle, and they’ll all register as intended, keeping PC gamers in control. Magma Mini is also equipped with ROCCAT’s acclaimed Easy-Shift[+] technology allowing gamers to assign a secondary function to their most-used keys, expanding the capability of each keystroke. The Magma Mini power cable connects on the left side of the keyboard, perfect for gamers who play with their keyboard tilted, as well as to not get in the way of larger mouse movements.

For more information on the latest ROCCAT PC gaming products and accessories, visit ROCCAT.com and be sure to follow ROCCAT on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Wanted: Dead Finishing Moves Look Amazing in this New Trailer

110 Industries charges in with another installment to their Wanted: Dead Explained series, following last week’s ‘Combat Explained’ video. In this new trailer, discover all there is to know about Wanted: Dead’s stylish finisher mechanics as well as their importance for gameplay. Wanted: Dead is available to preorder now and is coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S & PC on February 14th, Valentine’s Day 2023.

Developed by Japanese studio Soleil, Wanted: Dead is not for the faint of heart, featuring over 50 savage and unique finisher moves that took over 100 hours of motion capture and a dedicated group of stuntmen to assemble.

Takedowns in Wanted: Dead are explosive in variety and feature situational kills, environmental hazards and unique takedowns specific to enemy types. These kills provide bloodthirsty visuals to the onslaught while also serving a vital tactical purpose through replenishing lost health. It’s not as easy as it may appear though, players will come to learn that executing takedowns and finisher moves are essential for progression and will make certain encounters beatable.

Unlocked very early on in the game is Hannah’s ultimate attack. This slick attack will help to stack up staggered enemies, dealing devastating chain finishers that can effectively take down an entire room of enemies. Finishing strikes work by each enemy having an invisible stamina bar (melee enemies typically have more stamina than ranged fighters). As the player damages enemies, this stamina bar depletes slowly and once their stamina falls to zero the enemy enters a staggered animation and can be executed by the player. Another way to attain a finisher is by using last-moment parries with a sword or side arm which automatically drains the enemy’s stamina, providing the perfect opening for a kill.

Wanted: Dead uses a smart system of triggering finishing animations. First, the algorithm looks for the possibility of an environmental kill or a situational kill like using an enemy’s own weapon against them. Then the algorithm ensures that the player has a strong visual variety by constantly moving and rotating around enemies to achieve epic takedowns. These finisher moves are not only visceral and breathtaking, but they also serve a combat purpose making for some truly action-packed gameplay.

“We had a lot of fun creating these unique finisher combos in Wanted: Dead and can’t wait for players to create some chaos on Valentine’s Day,” said Sergei Kolobashkin, founder and Creative Director at 110 Industries. “Stay in the action and keep an eye out for more Wanted: Dead Explained videos coming soon!”

Transport Fever 2 – Deluxe Edition Release Date

Good Shepherd Entertainment and developer Urban Games are back on the rails, planning to launch the next edition of their best-selling simulation tycoon game with Transport Fever 2 – Deluxe Edition on March 9 for PC, Mac and Linux/Steam OS. This new Deluxe Edition includes a plethora of exclusive content and will be available for $47.99. For players who already own Transport Fever 2, a new “Transport Fever 2 – Deluxe Edition Upgrade Pack” DLC will be available that unlocks the same Deluxe Edition content. This new DLC will also be available on March 9 for $9.99. Last but certainly not least, a free game update will arrive on the same day that introduces significant new improvements, including enhanced graphics, controller support and much more.

Transport Fever 2 – Deluxe Edition exclusive features:

  • The full base game.
  • Three new maps across all landscape types to challenge players’ skills.
  • Six new historical vehicles: Hong Kong Meridian Ferry, McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30, British High Speed Train HST ”Inter-City 125”, Kenworth K100E, Citroën U55 Currus Cityrama and the Toyama Chihou Railway 8000 Series Tram.
  • Three new animals for the three landscape types: wolf, puma and tropical fish.
  • Two full in-game soundtracks from the two prequels Train Fever and Transport Fever.

Those who already own Transport Fever 2 will be able to upgrade to the Deluxe Edition by purchasing the “Transport Fever 2 – Deluxe Edition Upgrade Pack” DLC. Alongside the DLC, a free update will also be available on the same day, granting players access to better graphics, with newly modelled vehicles with even more intricate detail and optimized rendering. This free update also introduces increased stability and performance, including optimizations of simulation performance, memory usage, loading times and more. Controller support will also be added, so players will be able to choose between the classic user interface and a new interface optimized for controllers. The free update will also include many other small enhancements, bug fixes, and other bells and whistles.

Originally released in December 2019, Transport Fever 2 is still gaining steam and has been enjoyed by nearly one million people all over the world, making it the fastest growing entry in the series yet. Transport Fever 2 provides more than 170 years of real-world technology and history to design and master a transportation empire with a vastly improved feature set, user interface and expansive modding capabilities. Players make their fortune creating elaborate new worlds of transport routes and infrastructure over land, sea and air, choosing from over 200 realistically modelled vehicles from Europe, America and Asia, including trains, buses, streetcars, trucks, aircraft and ships, plus modular stations, airports and harbors.

The greatest logistical challenges from 1850 to today are experienced across three unique story campaigns featuring voiceovers and cutscenes. Players can let their creativity run rampant through giant sandbox maps in free play mode. Empires boom in beautiful detail with intuitive construction tools and dynamic economy, transportation and city simulation systems. Players can create and share their own worlds, missions, landscapes, vehicles and more with the in-game map editor and extensive modding tools and support via Steam Workshop. A diverse empire can be built by utilizing the game’s new ecosystem options, which allow users to choose from distinct natural environments, each rendered in exquisite graphical detail.

For the latest information on Transport Fever 2, visit www.TransportFever2.com, and follow @GoodShepherdEnt and @TransportFever on Twitter.

Corsair Unveils TC100 Relaxed Gaming Chair

CORSAIR® (NASDAQ: CRSR), a world leader in enthusiast components for gamers, creators, and PC builders, today announced the newest addition to its growing lineup of gaming chairs. Debuting the new RELAXED Series, the CORSAIR TC100 RELAXED offers wider seating and ergonomic contact points for the support you need to sit in comfort for hours, available in either soft fabric or plush leatherette exterior with a stylish racing-inspired design.

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The TC100 RELAXED’s wide bolstering provides a roomy seat with a comfortable width of 375mm and full-body support whether you lean forward in the heat of battle or recline after the victory. Regardless of your choice between fabric and leatherette exteriors, a detachable high-density foam lumbar pillow and memory foam neck pillow are included to help you maintain a healthy posture while gaming.

Adjustability is a key component of the TC100 RELAXED, starting with its steel-construction class 4 gas lift providing 100mm of seat height range. When you want to lounge, the reclining seat back features a range of 90-150° to put you in your comfort zone. Lastly, the TC100 RELAXED’s armrests are four-way adjustable – up or down and side to side – so you can find the ideal position for your arms.

With a quick and easy assembly process that has you seated in minutes, the TC100 RELAXED is a great choice for gamers looking for a roomier seat that still delivers on style.

Availability, Warranty, and Pricing

The CORSAIR TC100 RELAXED Gaming Chair is available immediately from the CORSAIR webstore and the CORSAIR worldwide network of authorized retailers and distributors.

The TC100 RELAXED is backed by a two-year warranty, alongside the CORSAIR worldwide customer service and technical support network.

Web Pages

To learn more about the CORSAIR TC100 RELAXED, please visit:

https://www.corsair.com/tc100-relaxed

 

War Mongrels Renegade Edition Announced for PlayStation 5

Leading publisher Meridiem Games is excited to announce they will be releasing a special boxed Renegade Edition of War Mongrels for PlayStation 5. Developed and digitally distributed by Destructive Creations, War Mongrels is a gripping isometric real-time tactics game depicting the little-known side of World War II through the eyes of a group of disillusioned refugees struggling to survive on the Eastern Front.

Meridiem Games will be responsible for the design, manufacture and European distribution of the special boxed edition of War Mongrels and has created a striking Renegade Edition containing a digital soundtrack from the game, an art book featuring detailed bio’s of the characters in a specially designed case with exclusive artwork.

After defecting to the Third Reich, a group of disillusioned fugitives struggle to survive the brutal trials of the Eastern Front of World War II. As they sneak across the war-torn territory, they will have to confront an evil that challenges not only their values and ideals but all of humanity.

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Discover a little-known side of World War II through the harrowing campaign of War Mongrels. Accompanying the visceral action are animated scenes that expand on the story, inspired by real accounts from survivors and war historians. Seeking authenticity in the details of uniforms, regional terrain, newspaper articles and everything in between.

Developer Destructive Creations aims to shed light on aspects of World War II that rarely appear in history books. All content in War Mongrels was subjected to careful and thorough scrutiny, with references to a wide range of historical sources, verified by history consultants Michał Flont, Jack Cuccurullo, and endorsed by independent historians from around the world.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Story Trailer Released

Today, KOEI TECMO America and developer Team NINJA revealed the first story-themed trailer detailing the stunning scenes and skirmishes at the heart of their action-packed dark fantasy, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. Team NINJA’s demon-plagued epic will be available March 3, 2023 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, on PC via Windows and Steam®, and will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass on console and PC.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty features a storyline set in the Later Han Dynasty of the Three Kingdoms, with the combat and cut scenes supervised by the game’s Cinematics Director, Kenji Tanigaki, the famed action director of the popular “Rurouni Kenshin” movie series. These powerful action scenes are at the center of KOEI TECMO’s latest trailer, showcasing the game’s dramatic storyline. The original story follows a nameless militia soldier who confronts a conspiracy surrounding a potent elixir with mysterious powers. Along the way, the soldier not only confronts countless demons and monsters, but famous warlords and military masterminds from history, including Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian.

In addition to the new trailer, KOEI TECMO also recently revealed that those who purchase either the physical or digital version of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty by March 16 will receive special “Baihu Armor”, while those who pre-order the game digitally will receive both the early purchase bonus along with the pre-order bonus: “Zhuque Armor”.

A limited-edition SteelBook version of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty will also be available at launch. The SteelBook Launch Edition includes an exclusive collectible case along with bonus DLC items “Crown of Zhurong” and “Crown of Gonggong”.

For more information on Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, visit the official site, Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/koeitecmous and Follow us on Twitter @WoLongOfficial and @koeitecmoUS.