Author - Jerry Paxton

World of Warships Update 0.10.4 Details Revealed

Wargaming, developer and publisher of the widely popular, free to play naval combat game World of Warships (WoWS), has revealed the details of their May update 0.10.4 which brings a variety of new and exciting additions and events to the game, diversifying the epic scale of content fans have come to expect.

The Beasts Awaken

For the next four weeks, players can align themselves with one of four mythical beasts from German mythology, and complete personal missions to earn better rewards for their team. Will it be Welthund, the monstrous black dog with its all seeing eye? Or will the flaming horseman Feuerputz ride to victory? Glühschwanz the draconic night ghost, and Lindwurm the half snake, half dragon are also vying for control of the waves; ultimately the players will decide who comes out on top.

This limited event will play out in random, co-op and ranked battle types, and there are plenty of awards to be unlocked! But the story doesn’t end there…

The Tales of the German Destroyers

As the brand new German Destroyers continue their voyage on Early Access, players can now access a brand-new collection that tells the story of those warships and their captains, highlighting their outstanding features and armaments. Through unlocking each part of these historical collections, players can earn limited time premium account access, while getting a deeper understanding of the historic significance of these ships. There are four different sections to explore, with four elements to each section.

The Longest Night of Museums

Travel through history lessons doesn’t end there. On the occasion of the International Museum Day that’s traditionally celebrated every year on the 18 May, Wargaming prepared its very own The Longest Night of Museums – an online exhibition of popular naval museums from all around the globe. The full 17-hour stream is now available to watch online, including exclusive virtual tours of these historic sites, and in-depth Q&As with guides and historians from the museums. Wargaming also partnered with Verizon, who presented their brand-new Museum of Warships AR experience for the first time, as well as documentary content from the History Channel. See the full content on Twitch here, and Youtube here.

Elite Dangerous: Odyssey Official Launch Trailer

Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV) confirmed today that, after a successful 5-week public Alpha phase, Elite Dangerous: Odyssey, releases on May 19 for Windows PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store and FrontierStore.net.

Building upon an install base of 12 million Elite owners, the launch of Elite Dangerous: Odyssey marks the next exciting step in Frontier’s long-term vision for Elite Dangerous, heralding the start of a new era for the definitive space simulation. Odyssey allows players to touch down on newly accessible planets with light atmospheres beautifully rendered by stunning new technology; to explore, to engage in combat and trade, take on missions, work together or alone over their surfaces with complete freedom from a first person, feet-on-the-ground perspective.

This new on-foot expansion is seamlessly integrated with the classic galaxy-spanning Elite Dangerous experience, adding a new and exciting layer of detail and gameplay opportunities that provide new depth within Elite Dangerous’ full scale Milky Way. Being adventurous explorers or callous bounty hunters, every Commander will be able to customize their Odyssey experience by acquiring specialized space suits and gear tailored to their chosen paths.

David Braben, Frontier’s CEO and founder, said: “This is the next step in what has already been an incredible journey and labour of love with Elite Dangerous since the Kickstarter over eight years ago. The team have pulled off a fantastic achievement here across a mind-bending scale – from the detail within a human footprint to the vast distances across stellar systems and beyond is breathtaking, in a rich, detailed and accurate recreation of the Milky Way in 1:1 scale. For me it is not just the detailed exploration and combat, but the gothic beauty of watching stars, planets, moons, moons-of-moons rise and fall or slowly pirouette in their often complex paths in the night sky, while each tiny dot or nebula in that sky is really there and can be visited.”

Prospective Commanders still have the chance to get hold of the exclusive Pioneer suit skin pre-ordering the Elite Dangerous: Odyssey expansion with an SRP of £29.99/$39.99/€34.99, or the new Deluxe Edition, with an SRP of £34.99/$44.99/€39.99. This includes the Odyssey expansion and the official soundtrack.

Elite Dangerous: Odyssey releases on PC on May 19, via the FrontierStore.net, Steam and the Epic Games Store. Releases on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and the Xbox One all-in-one games and entertainment system are planned for autumn 2021.

For more information, follow Elite Dangerous on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Visit the Elite Dangerous official website at elitedangerous.com.

Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft Out Now

The mists of Ravenloft are rising…overcome your dread or forever be its prisoner! Available everywhere starting today, Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft contains everything you need to craft a horror-themed campaign for Dungeons & Dragons. Unleash a treasure trove of new story hooks, character options, and campaign customization to bring one of the most exciting D&D settings to life!

Buy it beginning today for $49.95! Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft with a cover by Anna Podedworna is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million as well as for download at D&D Beyond, Fantasy Grounds and Roll20.

Ghostrunner 2 Announced

The international video game publisher 505 Games, a subsidiary of Digital Bros Group, which is listed on the STAR segment of Borsa Italiana, announces the agreement with One More Level for the development and the publication of the second version of the Ghostrunner video game on both PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X | S.

In the wake of the continuous success and the most recent acquisition of the video game’s intellectual property (IP), the Group doubles its investment for the creation of Ghostrunner 2, contributing with an initial budget of Euro 5 million. Ghostrunner is a brand with great potential, capable of contributing for a long time to the 505 Games product portfolio.

For the production of Ghostrunner 2, 505 Games renews its collaboration with the Polish studio One More Level, the developers of the first version of the video game.

Ghostrunner is a first-person cyberpunk action video game set in a grim, dystopian future. Since its launch in October 2020, it has sold over 600,000 copies proving to be a very successful video game, appreciated by players all around the world. By the end of 2021, Ghostrunner will also be available on next-gen consoles.

“We are particularly excited about the future release of Ghostrunner 2. Together with One More Level, we have created a thrilling and engaging video game.” comments Raffaele Galante, co-CEO of Digital Bros with his brother Rami. “This new collaboration deepens 505 Games presence within the Polish videogame market, a reality now among the firsts in Europe for the development of video games, new projects and talents. We will continue to pay close attention to the Polish market to constantly improve and expand our product portfolio with video games capable of satisfying the tastes of the entire gaming community.”

For more information about Ghostrunner please visit www.ghostrunnergame.com.

For more information about 505 Games and its products, please visit www.505games.com.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition Out Now

BioWare, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) studio, today released Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition,the definitive way to experience the beloved science fiction role-playing game trilogy. The game is available worldwide on PC via Origin, EA Desktop app and Steam, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with optimized backwards compatibility on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The Mass Effect Legendary Editionfeatures the heart-pounding cinematic single-player base content and 40+ downloadable content (DLC) story, weapons and armor packs from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 and brings the legend of Commander Shepard to life in 4K Ultra HD with HDR compatibility.

“There’s never been a better opportunity to experience the epic story of the original trilogy, whether you’re new to the franchise, or looking to replay it for the 10th time,” said Mac Walters, Project Director on the Mass Effect Legendary Edition and lead writer of the original trilogy at BioWare. “This isn’t just a passion project for our team at BioWare, it’s something we know the fans have wanted for a very long time, and we’ve dedicated all of our efforts to make sure every enhancement we’ve made to this iconic journey feels like Mass Effect. We could not be more excited to share this moment with our fans around the world and look forward to hearing their personal stories as Shepard again.”

Mass Effect Legendary Editionprovides fans and new players with the ability to experience the incredible universe and dynamic cast of characters in Mass Effectwith enhanced visuals like never before. Remastered character models, tens of thousands of up-ressed textures, shaders and VFX, updated lighting and improved dynamic shadows, volumetrics and depth-of-field combined add to a new level of immersion in the trilogy. Players will also have the option to run the game in modes that favor quality or framerate on all consoles depending on their preference.

In addition, the Mass EffectLegendary Editionfeatures an expanded, unified character creation customization with options that persist across all three titles for a unified experience across the trilogy. A new photo mode will give players a chance to pause gameplay and capture their personal moments through the cinematic adventure. The original Mass Effectfeatures modernized interfaces and UI, expansive visual overhaul to worlds and levels as well as improvements to combat, aiming, movement and AI.

Mass Effect Legendary Editionis rated M (Mature) by the ESRB and is available now on PC via EA Desktop, Origin and Steam, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with optimized backward compatibility on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

E3 2021 Portal and App Details Revealed

E3 2021 is going online next month, and the ESA is offering a first glimpse at what an all-virtual E3 will look like with details of the event’s online portal and app.

The E3 2021 online portal and app will be a key hub for the duration of the show, with virtual “booths,” hosted events, video conferencing, profile and avatar creation, online forums and more. The online portal, created by Game Cloud Network, HCL Technologies Ltd and Revyrie, Inc., will be the destination for all things E3, beginning with a media access week starting on Monday, June 7, followed by public access on Saturday, June 12, the first day of the E3 broadcast.

“From the moment we decided to host E3 virtually, we’ve been focused on providing an interactive experience for fans around the globe that goes beyond the typical livestream,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, President & CEO of the ESA. “The result is a bespoke online portal and app that will allow fans, media and industry professionals to have an E3 experience designed to run parallel to the four-day broadcast, laying the foundation for interactive E3 elements to continue beyond this year’s all-virtual show.”

Registration for access to the online E3 portal will be free and begin later this month.

Beginning on June 12, the public version of the online portal will give access to:

  • Exhibitor Booths – Featuring special events, VOD content and articles, exhibitor booths will act as hubs within the portal for key announcements and game information tied to each exhibitor
  • Lounges – Online gathering spots for all E3 attendees
  • Forums – Special boards for focused online discussion and sharing among attendees
  • Leaderboards – Gamified show elements that can be collected and displayed, encouraging fans to interact in as many ways as possible
  • Profile Creation – All attendees can create their own unique profiles within the portal and app, which can be customized

The online E3 2021 portal and app will also feature the E3 live broadcast, with interactive overlays powered by Hovercast. The graphics will be interactive across platforms, including viewer polls, featured tweets, and more. The broadcast will be hosted by Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez, Jacki Jing and Greg Miller and feature major publisher showcases, press conferences, industry panels, extended livestreams and special guest appearances.

Prior to June 12, a five-day long media week will utilize the online portal and app to help media gain early access to connect directly with E3 exhibitors. An online calendar tool will allow for scheduling appointments, while also including video conferencing and chat features as needed. Media registration and credentialing will begin later this month.

The all-digital E3 2021 experience runs from Saturday, June 12 through Tuesday, June 15. Media, creators, industry professionals and fans are encouraged to visit the E3 2021 website for the most up-to-date information. In addition, the primary hubs to watch the E3 2021 broadcast (outside of the portal and app) include:

E3’s Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/e3

E3’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/e3

E3’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/E3

E3’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/E3Expo/

Before We Leave Out Now on Steam

Balancing Monkey Games, in partnership with independent games label and developer, Team17, has today brought its non-violent, civilization-building title Before We Leave on Steam. Set in a world rebuilding after an apocalypse and ripe for exploring and recivilizing, Before We Leave launches on Steam with brand-new content, including scenarios and weather that affects fatigue, crop growth, and movement speed; in-game performance updates; as well as the multiple waves of content first released on Epic Games Store during the past year when it was exclusive to the platform.

The new scenarios and weather update are also available to players on Epic Games Store.

The game’s Steam launch comes with a slew of incredible content updates that have been added to the game since it first launched a year ago. This includes

  • The Kraken Comes: An update bringing submarines, trading ships, the Kraken guardian, and underground shelters.
  • Over & Under: An update rolling out new overlays for better experiences, new UI and UX, new languages, and more.
  • Paving the Way: A visual upgrade, new roads, new resources, new type of Warehouse, new effects, and more.
  • Biomes & Beasties: Three new island biomes, new visuals, inclusion of animals, discoverable secrets, and more.

Before We Leave is available to purchase on Steam and the Epic Games Store for $19.99/€17.99/£15.99.

Friends: The Reunion Gets Premier Date on HBO Max

HBO Max will debut FRIENDS: THE REUNION special on THURSDAY, MAY 27, the one-year anniversary of HBO Max’s launch. “Friends” stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer return to the iconic comedy’s original soundstage, Stage 24, on the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Burbank for a real-life unscripted celebration of the beloved show.

FRIENDS: THE REUNION will feature a variety of special guests including David Beckham, Justin Bieber, BTS, James Corden, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Lady Gaga, Elliott Gould, Kit Harington, Larry Hankin, Mindy Kaling, Thomas Lennon, Christina Pickles, Tom Selleck, James Michael Tyler, Maggie Wheeler, Reese Witherspoon and Malala Yousafzai.

Ben Winston directed the special and executive produced along with “Friends” executive producers Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane. The special hails from Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon, Fulwell 73 Productions and Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions. Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, Perry, and Schwimmer executive produced the special. Emma Conway, James Longman and Stacey Thomas-Muir co-executive produced.

Corsair Unveils VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT Headphones

CORSAIR®, a world leader in high-performance gear for gamers and content creators, today launched a new model in its flagship VIRTUOSO family of premium gaming headsets: the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT. Connecting via hyper-fast SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS and Bluetooth® for simultaneous dual-wireless connections, in addition to high-fidelity USB and universal 3.5mm wired connection options, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT combines exquisite sound quality, comfort, and versatility. Now with Dolby Atmos® three-dimensional spatial audio to complement its extensive 20Hz-40,000Hz frequency range, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT offers greater audio immersion than ever before.

Now with four different connection options, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT delivers uncompromising sound quality from virtually any source, including PC, Mac, PS5/PS4 (wired or wireless), Xbox Series X and Series S (wired connection only), Switch, mobile, and more. Connecting with 24bit/48KHz SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS technology for a blisteringly fast, unwavering 60ft signal, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT also adds Bluetooth with the Qualcomm® aptX™ HD codec for simultaneous dual-wireless connections. A USB wired connection delivers high-fidelity 24bit/96kHz audio, while a universal 3.5mm connector ensures compatibility with a multitude of devices, built with an inline controller that conveniently controls volume and mute. With so many ways to connect, you can switch from PC to console, wired to wireless, 3.5mm to Bluetooth and back, all with just a single amazing headset.

The VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT produces incredibly rich, authentic sound thanks to a hand-matched pair of high-density 50mm neodymium audio drivers, meticulously tuned within +/-1db of tolerance for exceptional performance. With twice the frequency range of typical gaming headsets at 20Hz – 40,000Hz, and the addition of Dolby Atmos three-dimensional spatial audio to place the sounds of the game all around you, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT offers an immersive experience that lets you react faster and more precisely to in-game audio cues, so you can stay a beat ahead of the competition.

When the game is on the line, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT has the high-bandwidth mic to ensure your voice is heard. This detachable, omni-directional broadcast-grade microphone provides a wide dynamic frequency range up to 10,000Hz to pick up sound in amazing detail, so friends and teammates hear you loud and clear.

The VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT provides an even more luxurious listening experience than its predecessors, whether you’re gaming, streaming, or relaxing with your favorite playlist, with additional padding on its soft, premium memory foam ear pads and lightweight aluminum headband. A high-capacity lithium-ion battery powers the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT for up to 15 hours per charge, assisted by an accelerometer-based smart-wake function that preserves battery life when you put the headset down temporarily.

When connected to USB or SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT harnesses the power of CORSAIR iCUE software, giving you complete control over your headset’s audio and lighting settings. Choose from a range of pre-tuned audio profiles or adjust the equalizer to your exact specifications. Customize the integrated RGB lighting, shining through micro-perforations on each ear cup, with near-limitless color options and effects, and synchronize with all your RGB devices across the iCUE ecosystem.

Whether you’re tearing across the battlefield or relaxing after a hard-fought win, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT delivers the uncompromising sound quality and peerless comfort no matter how you choose to connect.

Availability, Warranty, and Pricing

The CORSAIR VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT is available initially from the CORSAIR webstore and Best Buy.

The VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT is backed by a two-year warranty and the CORSAIR worldwide customer service and technical support network.

For up-to-date pricing of the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT, please refer to the CORSAIR website or contact your local CORSAIR sales or PR representative.

Web Pages

To learn more about the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT, please visit:

https://www.corsair.com/virtuoso-rgb-xt

For a complete list of all CORSAIR headsets, please visit:

https://www.corsair.com/gaming-headsets

Skybound Games Announces The Big Con

Skybound Games today announced it will publish developer Mighty Yell’s teenage grifting adventure game The Big Con. A classic coming-of-age story steeped in the nostalgic humor and flair of the ‘90s, The Big Con will debut later this summer on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, as well as for PC on Steam.

The Big Con stars Ali, a teenage con artist out to save her mom’s video store from unscrupulous loan sharks any way she can. In this open-ended adventure with punchy puzzles and dialogue, how players make that money is in their hands: pick pockets, pick locks, persuade marks, pilfer prizes, sneak around in disguises, and even profit off the latest plushie fad. From the visuals to the writing, The Big Con is a fun and hilarious trip back in time to an age that is farther away now than some of us would care to admit.

Quote from Dave Proctor, Game Director of Mighty Yell: “Making The Big Con has been an absolute blast. It’s really been an incredible experience for our team that while trying to make our players laugh, we have made each other laugh just as much. I’m really excited for more people to get their hands on the game; to see this wild, rad trip into the ’90’s we’ve created and hopefully have some fun (and maybe some feelings) along the way.”

The Big Con Features:

  • A comical narrative adventure game with open-ended situations, puzzles, and exploration.
  • Live the grift! Pickpocket, sneak, wear disguises, and con anyone you can.
  • Talk your way into deals and out of trouble.
  • Meet a weird cast of ‘90s characters, then rip ‘em off, or help them (if you feel like it).
  • Call home and argue with your mom.

Quote from Ian Howe, Co-CEO of Skybound Games: “The Mighty Yell team’s passion and excitement comes through in every aspect of The Big Con. The game is funny, entertaining and has made all of us at Skybound miss the ‘90s! We are elated to welcome The Big Con into the Skybound Games fold and can’t wait to introduce it to indie game and fellow ‘90s fans later this summer!”

The Big Con is available to wishlist on Steam now. The Big Con has been named an “Official Selection” for Tribeca Games as part of the Tribeca Film Festival, which will take place June 9 – 20.