Author - Jerry Paxton

The Ascent is Out Now on PlayStation

2022/03/24

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos

Publisher Curve Games and Swedish indie development studio Neon Giant are delighted to announce that their popular cyberpunk action-shooter RPG The Ascent is available from today on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

The Ascent is set for an even more immersive experience on PlayStation 5 with the exciting added features of the DualSense Controller and also includes all previous content added to the game on other platforms since launch in July, such as Photo Mode, New Game+, Transmogrification, and free DLC pack content with their unique new weapons, skins and cosmetics.

The Ascent on PlayStation is available for £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99 here: https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP4395-PPSA02593_00-THEASCENT00000US

Co-founder and Creative Director of the studio Arcade Berg said: “We’ve been blown away by the reception and success of The Ascent since July. There’s also been a lot of love from our community, acknowledging we’re a small team committed to continuing to improve the game as much as we can with more content – and we’re so grateful for that support! We’re always thinking about what makes the most sense to be developing next, and I’m super happy that we have been able to bring the game to even more people on the PlayStation platforms! Playstation 5 has particularly sweet features with the haptic feedback of the new DualSense controller, so we’re really excited for PlayStation players to get stuck in!”

Tor Frick, Creative Director and fellow co-founder of Neon Giant added: “We’re really excited to be able to now share the world of Veles with PlayStation players and grow our amazing community. It’s been over half a year since the original release of The Ascent, and all Playstation versions of the game will be getting all the quality of life improvements we’ve made in The Ascent since then. We can’t wait to see what PlayStation players think of The Ascent!”

About The Ascent on PlayStation

The rich and vibrant world on the planet Veles has been enhanced even more with the power of PlayStation and the DualSense Controller.

Haptic Feedback – Haptic Feedback enhances each interaction and battle in The Ascent. Every type of movement characters make will provide a different sensation, whether it’s shooting, dodging, sneaking. Weapons are dynamic and each gun will feel unique in players’ hands, whether it’s shotguns, energy rifles, blade guns or the mighty rocket launchers.
DualSense Controller Speaker – Players can now experience another level of sound within the game via the DualSence Controller Speaker, with the sound of health packs and enemy alerts dropping in the heart of the action and advertisements playing as you roam the neon lined streets in the vast Arcology up close out of the controller speaker.
Power of PlayStation 5 – The PlayStation 5 hardware means The Ascent will be hitting 4K 60 FPS, so players can experience the beautiful world of Veles in high definition.

In addition to these PlayStation 5 specific features, both the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 versions of the game will include all the amazing additions the developers have added to The Ascent since the July launch on PC and Xbox platforms, including:

Photo Mode
New Game+
Transmogrification
Free DLC packs with their unique new weapons, skins and cosmetics.

The Ascent benefits from cross-buy on PlayStation platforms (buy on PlayStation 4 and obtain the PlayStation 5 version for free and vice versa).

Currently, there is no cross play between the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of The Ascent, but this feature is currently being worked on and will be available to players in the coming months.

Townsmen VR Launch Trailer

2022/03/24

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

It’s been a long way getting here, but it was definitely worth the wait. After the last major update that included more maps, more buildings and more of basically everything we upped the ante and fell into a dash short before the finishing line.

Now with the final update and release, Townsmen VR even got a sandbox mode and is better than ever. A unique one-of-a-kind VR game that lets you control the fate of your settlers. Build, crawl, explore, pet, pick, throw and fight – it’s time to get your hands dirty.

What’s it all about?

Start small and expand your might over a world of 13 different islands and archipelagos. Filled to the brim with exciting features, gizmos, and things to lay your virtual hands on. Build more than 20 unique buildings and upgrade them. Immerse yourself in a thrilling story with many exciting quests that will provide you with hours of fun!

Let me show you its features:

A fully-voiced campaign and story arching over 13 islands
Upgrades and add-ons for buildings
Research for further upgrades
Animals like cows, sheep, chickens and wild animals roam the islands
Build a harbour to have a trader’s ship and begin treasuring up riches
Buy things at the market instead of harvesting (if you have the gold, of course)
Reach out and build some bows and crossbows for your soldiers
Deal with pirates and shady merchants
Get creative: Sandbox mode for unlimited god action

Bridge Constructor: Breaking Point Tabletop Game Announced

2022/03/24

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

A decade after its initial launch, with over 80 million players worldwide and more discovering and playing the game everyday, the fan-favorite, physics-based puzzle game Bridge Constructor is finally receiving its overdue tabletop adaptation with Bridge Constructor: Breaking Point!

Published by Maestro Media (The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls, Tapeworm), with award-winning game designer Jeb Havens (Critical Role’s Uk’otoa, Z-Man Games’ Burrows) and renowned illustrator Charlie Hill (Coca-Cola, A&E Network), Bridge Constructor: Breaking Point is an easy-to-learn and difficult to master game of tile placement, hand management, and press-your-luck that everyone will enjoy.

Suitable for ages 10 and up with 2 – 4 players, the heart of the tabletop game remains true to the original’s concept: engineer the best bridge you can with limited supplies and cross vehicles successfully. The gameplay is half puzzle and half press your luck. Each round you have the choice to pick a bridge tile and either continue to strengthen or rebuild your bridge or cross your vehicles. Choose from Super Light, Light, Medium, or Heavy vehicles that each have their unique points and challenges. Watch out for your fellow engineers though, at any time they might play an event card on you, unleashing devastating damage to your perfectly planned bridge. Who’s got the smarts to cross more vehicles and gather the most points before time runs out?

“We’ve partnered with some of the biggest names in the industry to create memorable Bridge Constructor games, such as Bridge Constructor Portal and Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead, but this is arguably our most ambitious adaptation yet,” said Dieter Schoeller, CEO & Founder of Headup. “Creating a tabletop game from a physics-based video game is no easy feat, but Javon and the team at Maestro Media have shown how incredible such a game can be with Breaking Point and I can’t wait to finally have it out in the world for people to enjoy.”

Bridge Constructor: Breaking Point will launch on Kickstarter this September, with retail and additional distribution plans already in the works.

“With Bridge Constructor being such a creative and inventive concept, there’s endless possibilities for game mechanics and a plethora of other aspects of play, and we wanted to find a way to explore all these areas,” said Javon Frazier, CEO and Founder of Maestro Media. “We’re using Kickstarter as a way to work with the fans of the original game to make the tabletop version the version they want to play and incorporating their ideas into the final product. From our experience, crowdfunding is the perfect method to do just that.”

Fans who sign up and pre-commit early to the campaign will receive two additional exclusive vehicle cards for the game. To learn more about Bridge Constructor: Breaking Point and to sign up for updates, please visit bridgeconstructorgame.com.

Ukranian Dev Frogwares Releases New DLC for Sherlock Holmes Chapter One

2022/03/24

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 5 News, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

Today Frogwares has announced the release of the final major paid DLC to Sherlock Holmes Chapter One and also that they will be able to release Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter on the Nintendo Switch on April 7th, 2022.

Despite being embroiled in a horrendous war, the majority Ukrainian-based team managed this through external partners and a handful of remote-based staff. They are now aiming to adapt to the situation and do what they can to keep the studio semi-functioning and afloat.

“Put simply, we need to keep the studio alive and functioning to the best of our abilities now more than ever. Nobody on the team is expected to work, only those who can and want to. Some on the team have become full-time volunteers in the humanitarian efforts around the country. Others have joined the defense forces. The rest are in various, safer locations abroad or around the country and have made themselves available to work remotely. And we continue to pay all of these people on the team. For those fighting or volunteering, each of their spots on the team will be waiting for them at the end of the war. But essentially it is through a collection of staff that either fled Ukraine to neighboring EU countries and those who have relocated to safer areas who are keeping Frogwares going right now. We are an independent studio with no external financing, investors, or parent company keeping us afloat. So it’s up to us alone and through the support of our players wanting to play our games that will keep this studio alive. And as this war drags out more and more, we and people all around Ukraine are seeing that even if they are not involved in the fighting directly, they need to somehow keep things moving forward. So that when this is all over and it’s time to rebuild and restart, we are not starting from zero.” – Wael Amr, CEO, Frogwares.

Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One M For Mystery DLC – Out Now

The final paid DLC for the studio’s latest game is now available on PC, PS5 and X Series X/S. In this 2+ hour mission, a cunning spy has outsmarted one of Mycroft’s agents and managed to steal confidential documents. Sherlock must now step in to face a shadowy figure known only as “M” as he tries to unravel the work of a master spy and saboteur.

The M For Mystery DLC is free for all owners of the Deluxe Edition and the Season Pass or can be purchased separately.

Sherlock Holmes: The Devils’ Daughter on Switch – Coming April 7th, 2022

Initially released in 2016, Frogwares partnered with Mataboo back in 2021 to bring the game to the Nintendo Switch. Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter is an investigative adventure with a flare of the supernatural. Something dark and sinister is gripping London and has come very close to Sherlock’s own personal life. But is it just smoke and mirrors from cunning crooks or is something truly supernatural at play here? Each case will require you to strike the right balance between logic, gut instinct, morality, and superstitious beliefs. Track down evil in the darkest corners of London and the human soul, be it from this world or possibly another.

Sherlock Holmes: The Devils’ Daughter will be priced at 29.99 USD / 29.99 EUR and is a digital-only release. Pre-orders will go live on March 24th on Nintendo eShop with a 15% off discount. Owners of Frogware’s The Sinking City or Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments on Switch will get an additional 10% off.

Animal Shelter Simulator Out Now

2022/03/23

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

The wait is finally over! Animal Shelter Simulator, a highly anticipated game of Games Incubator launches today, March 23 on Steam.

Many players have been waiting in anticipation for the release of Animal Shelter Simulator, a new game of Games Incubator. After a demo and prologue of the game, it is finally the time for the final release.

The players’ objective is to create a haven for all homeless animals waiting for their new homes. It’s not an easy task because of many obstacles waiting for them – medical fees, paying your bills, and employee payments. Just like in real life. Also, players will have to care for animals taking shelter in their facility.

But the most rewarding part of the game is the adoption process for pets, that are currently taken care of in the shelter. The pure enjoyment of seeing as your pupils gain new and loving home rewards all the hardships you encountered you could encounter on your way.

Animal Shelter Simulator launches today – don’t waste any second and get your copy right now! Animals need you!

Critical Role Teams with Stephen Colbert for Red Nose Day

2022/03/23

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Industry News, News

To help end the cycle of child poverty, Critical Role, through the Critical Role Foundation, is once again joining forces with the one and only Stephen Colbert for a special tabletop roleplaying-based fundraising campaign benefiting Red Nose Day. Red Nose Day is an annual campaign that raises funds to ensure a healthy future for all children. Money raised supports critical programs that keep children safe, healthy, educated and empowered in the US and around the world.

In 2019, Critical Role and Stephen Colbert raised over $120,000 through the Choose Stephen Colbert’s Adventure fundraising campaign, in which Critical Role’s Co-founder and CCO Matthew Mercer conducted a one-shot mini-adventure with Stephen consisting of fan-voted game and story elements. For their next collaboration, Choose Stephen Colbert’s Adventure… Again, they are once again allowing fans to decide on the storytelling elements for Stephen’s mini-adventure through donation-based votes, all benefiting Red Nose Day.

From March 26 at 9AM Pacific through April 1 at 6PM Pacific, donations made through Critical Role’s Tiltify page at critrole.com/rednoseday can be allocated towards voting in special polls which will shape Stephen’s adventure. The more a donor contributes, the more the scales will be tipped in favor of the donor’s preferred story elements. The story elements that gain the most donations will be utilized in the campaign, which will air on Thursday, April 28 at 7PM Pacific.

Matthew Mercer will once again serve as the game master of the campaign, and joining Stephen as fellow adventurers will be a handful of Critical Role founders. You can also donate directly to the campaign at https://critrole.com/foundation/.

For more information on the campaign, please visit https://critrole.com/rednoseday.

Marauders Announcement Trailer

2022/03/23

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Team17 and Small Impact Games have today announced Marauders, a first-person, multiplayer, looter shooter launching into Steam Early Access and Game Preview via PC Game Pass later this year. Set in an early-1990s dieselpunk alternate future, Marauders will see players step into the boots of a roving space pirate to explore and breach hostile spaceships; salvage valuable loot, including an arsenal of iconic weapons from the last century; and do battle with other players and AI enemies in tense multiplayer combat.

Players will be able to play solo or in squads of up to four and equip gear and weapons to increase their chances of survival while embarking on daring raids among the stars. Should they make it out alive, they’ll be able to use their haul in further matches, put those resources scavenged toward upgrading their ship, or sell everything for a tidy profit.

Marauders will have its global public hands-on demo at the Team17 booth during W.A.S.D., 7-9 April, in London, UK.

Marauders Key Features

- Immersive dieselpunk setting: Discover a gritty sci-fi world where Earth is on the brink of collapse and survival is in looting and shooting among the stars
- Raid, loot, escape: Plunder deep-space battlegrounds and embark on daring raids for troves of valuable loot, then get out alive to claim your spoils and turn a healthy profit
- Tense first-person combat: Work alone or with up to three other players to survive intense combat encounters with realistic bullet simulation against enemy teams and AI opponents
- Persistent gear and XP: Keep your best gear match-to-match and tweak your favourite weapons with mods while using XP to unlock new items and increase your chances of survival
- Upgradeable spaceships and explosive sci-fi dogfights: Upgrade your ship’s armaments; build a brand-new craft with scavenged resources; or take someone else’s by force

Marauders is being developed by Small Impact Games, an independent development studio based in the UK. Pre-orders will be live soon on Steam and for Windows 10 via the Microsoft Store, and grant access to the game’s upcoming closed alpha.

Dead Man’s Diary Trailer Released

2022/03/23

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Spring is on the horizon, and nothing says fresh air and flowers like exploring desolate, post-apocalyptic ruins in gorgeous photo-realistic graphics! The upcoming survival-adventure title, Dead Man’s Diary from TML-STUDIOS, releases next week for PC — who needs daffodils when there are abandoned industrial complexes to investigate?

Hop into a thrilling mystery and delve into the “what went wrong and how can I survive this” survival-adventure that takes place 15 years after nuclear armageddon. Craft supplies, solve realistic puzzles, and enjoy a high-quality audio production that tells a stirring tale via the main character’s internal monologue set against a backdrop of jaw-dropping visuals and an evocative musical score.

“The world was utterly destroyed when the bombs started falling. Only those in the bunker survived. Now, 15 years later, food is running out and you have to go out into a hostile world and survive — on your own.”

View the Dead Man’s Diary trailer here:

Dead Man’s Diary Key Features:

27 Action-Packed Levels: The levels of Dead Man’s Diary are full of peril. The players are constantly fighting for survival against a harsh world that wants them dead.
Varied Environments: In the game world, players encounter dark forests, ruined cities, and abandoned industrial complexes, as well as other exciting locales. Each of these places hides numerous secrets and tricky puzzles that are just waiting to be solved.
Complex Puzzles: Players are confronted with puzzles that are as challenging as they are satisfying to solve.
Strong Narrative Focus: Dead Man’s Diary tells the story of an outcast forced to make his way through a world destroyed by nuclear war. The story is told in the form of diary entries and soliloquies by the protagonist.
Crafting and Survival Management: Life after the apocalypse is hard. Players are tasked with making sure that they have enough food to survive and that their equipment is up to scratch. All equipment can be upgraded by players at a workbench to improve its quality.
Over 50 Hours of Play: The expansive game world and comprehensive story ensure a long-lasting adventure.

Dead Man’s Diary was partly funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure as part of the federal government’s computer games funding program.

Dead Man’s Diary releases on March 30, 2022, for Windows PC via Steam, with console versions following later in the year.

Pacific Rim: The Black Season 2 First-Look Images

2022/03/23

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Movie News, News, Screenshots / Photos

In the epic series conclusion of Pacific Rim: The Black (S2), the journey is far from over. Our brave siblings Taylor and Hayley still hope to reach the safety of Sydney aboard Atlas Destroyer, the scaled-down training Jaeger left behind when Australia was evacuated. With teenage assassin Mei and the mysterious human/kaiju hybrid bOy joining Taylor and Hayley, this makeshift family must cross a dangerous territory controlled by the bloodthirsty cult Sisters of the Kaiju. These zealots, led by the enigmatic High Priestess, are convinced that bOy is their long-awaited Messiah and will stop at nothing to indoctrinate him into their dark circle – something Hayley would sacrifice everything to prevent.

Staff:
Co-creators: Craig Kyle (Thor: Ragnarok) and Greg Johnson (X-Men: Evolution)
Produced by: Legendary Television
Animation production: Polygon Pictures

Pacific Rim Official Account:
Twitter: @PacificRim
Instagram: @PacificRimMovie
Facebook: @PacificRimMovie

Insta360 Introduces ONE RS Action Camera

2022/03/22

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Tech News, Trailers / Videos

Insta360 announced today ONE RS, a new interchangeable lens action camera that offers creators all-in-one versatility, without compromises.

Using a three-part design—one battery, one processor and three quick-swapping lenses—ONE RS effortlessly transforms from a traditional action cam to a creative 360 cam. A new high-performance 4K Boost Lens with a 1/2″ 48MP image sensor now offers stunningly detailed wide-angle videos and photos, while a powerful Core offers better than ever in-camera stabilization, crisper audio and more.

As a modular camera system, the new lens and Core are cross-compatible with the preceding ONE R generation as well, enabling creators to upgrade their camera at their own pace. The previously-released 5.7K 360 Lens unlocks endless creative possibilities with the Invisible Selfie Stick effect and 360 reframing. Meanwhile, the 5.3K 1-Inch Wide Angle Lens co-engineered with Leica continues to offer unparalleled image quality thanks to its 1-inch sensor. No matter which lens is installed, the action camera is tough, rugged and waterproof to 16 feet (5m).

Insta360 ONE RS is available to order today via Insta360.com and select retailers worldwide, as well as Amazon US.

Fully upgraded 4K Boost Lens.

The new 4K Boost Lens is the go-to choice for athletes, adventurers and creators to capture vibrant and detailed action shots. With an upgraded 1/2″ 48MP image sensor, the new lens shoots sharp 4K 60fps videos and best-in-class 48MP stills.

Two innovative new modes are also available on the 4K Boost Lens. The first mode is Active HDR, a game-changer for action sports. While HDR modes on other action cameras are limited to stationary use due to ghosting challenges, Active HDR is specifically designed for action. Active HDR keeps your video stabilized as you move, minimizing ghosting and revealing details in the highlights and shadows that other action cameras miss.

The second cutting-edge option is 6K Widescreen mode. Taking full advantage of the 48MP sensor, this mode outputs ultra-high-resolution 6K footage with a classic 2.35:1 ratio for a cinematic widescreen look.

Swap the lens for ultra-creative 360 shots.

With its interchangeable lens design, ONE RS ensures that creators always have the best tool for the job. While the 4K Boost Lens is ideal for zeroing in on details, the 360 Lens is perfect for when you want to focus on the action, not on your camera.

Whether you’re motorcycling, skiing or just kicking back with friends, getting creative shots is effortless with the 360 Lens. All you have to do is hit record and let the camera capture everything in 5.7K 360 degrees. Later, you can choose your favorite angle (or multiple angles) and export it as a flat video that can be shared just like any other video.

The 360 Lens also enables creators to capture impossible third-person views of themselves as they’re in the moment. Thanks to the camera’s dual-lens design, the selfie stick is automatically stitched out of the final footage, resulting in incredible video-game-like angles.

Best ever stabilization, now built in.

With the powerful new ONE RS Core, Insta360’s proprietary FlowState Stabilization is now delivered through the camera hardware for smoother-than-ever videos. With enhanced stabilization applied in camera, creators can now instantly share smooth wide-angle content to social media without having to process it in the Insta360 app.

No matter how much the camera is rotated during the action, 360 horizon leveling also ensures your video always stays magically level. Toggle a switch in the Insta360 app or desktop software with footage shot on any of the three lenses and watch the footage instantly level out.

Faster, easier, stronger.

With a rugged design and IPX8 waterproofing to 16 feet, ONE RS is built to go anywhere you go. Even at the height of the action, high performance connectors ensure a reliable connection between the mods, while a number of hardware upgrades make operating the camera seamless.

Upgrades to the new Core include:

An additional mic, for crisp and true-to-life audio
50% faster WiFi, for easy mobile file transfers
An Instant Zoom function, for digitally zooming in up to 2.7x while recording videos
A Quick menu, for easy access to preset shooting modes

The Mounting Bracket has also been redesigned, with a quick release mechanism for switching lenses on the fly, a windproof mic cover, and a heat dissipating panel to ensure the camera stays cool while recording.

With the Quick Reader accessory, there’s no need to transfer files over WiFi, saving time, the camera’s battery and mobile storage space. Simply plug it into ONE RS to save files to the SD card and then plug it into your phone to start editing.

Editing made easy.

Editing epic shots is easier than ever with the Insta360 app’s powerful editing suite, packed with AI-powered features.

For 360 footage, finding the best angle is easy with Snap Wizard—simply move your phone or swipe the screen to change the angle of the camera and export your desired footage instantly. For fun effects like cloning or stop motion, Shot Lab is constantly being updated with new AI editing effects. One exciting new effect is Cinelapse, which adds cinematic transitions between clips to create a next-level hyperlapse.

For wide-angle footage, FlashCut uses AI to find the best moments in your clips and edit them together on beat to music. You can choose from several different editing themes, from action highlight reels to travel vlogs.

For creators who prefer editing on desktop, the free Insta360 Studio software is also available for Mac and Windows, as well as free plugins for Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro.

More than an action camera.

ONE RS isn’t just an action camera. It also doubles as a 360-degree live streaming camera using the Insta360 app, as well as a webcam when connected to a computer.

Thanks to its interchangeable lens design, ONE RS is all but future-proof, with exciting potential for future hardware upgrades and expanded functionality.

The Think Bold Fund

To celebrate the release of ONE RS, Insta360 is also opening the first round of submissions to the The Think Bold Fund. Selected creators will be awarded financing, equipment and production support to make their bold video ideas reality. Aspiring and professional creators, athletes and brands are all encouraged to apply by emailing bold@insta360.com with their proposals. The first submission round will close on April 22.

Available Now

Insta360 ONE RS is available to order today via Insta360.com and select retailers worldwide, as well as Amazon US.

As a modular system, several purchasing options are available. The Twin Edition includes the powerful combination of the 4K Boost Lens and 360 Lens, and offers the best value at $549.99. For users looking to upgrade their wide-angle action cam setup, the 4K Edition retails for $299.99, while the 1-Inch Edition retails for $549.99. The Core, battery and Mounting Bracket are also available to purchase as a bundle.

Support for the 4K Boost Lens with the ONE R Core will come in a post-launch firmware update.