Author - Jerry Paxton

Big Patch Comes to Lineage II Game Series

Lineage II: Aden, the solo gameplay-enhanced server for the Lineage II free-to-play MMO, is embracing the storm with the new Vanguard class. Exclusive to the Orc race, the heavy armor wearing warrior wields a spear and can mount a beast to charge into battle. To celebrate the new class, players will be able to obtain a special Vanguard Support Kit and Vanguard Ring for free, each providing useful items and stats; both available through April 6 and May 5 respectively.

Coinciding with the new race is a Class Change system, where players can pay 50M Adena (in-game currency), to change classes at their current level without losing progress. Available up to three times per month, the Vanguard class will be the first new class available for this system. There are other big changes arriving to Lineage II and Lineage II: Classic, but visit the patch notes for full details.

Notable Changes this patch include:

Lineage II: Aden:

  • Eight new locations to help players progress further, including Ice Lord’s Castle, Elmoreden’s Tower, Phantasm Dungeon, Hot Springs, and more.
  • Class balances and skill updates for the Archer, Wizard, Summoner, and Death Knight classes
  • A World Trading Post, which allows players to register items purchased with L2 Coin (premium currency) across servers.

Lineage II:

  • The Storm of Terror has arrived for Lineage II servers! New key items have been added to the game, including the Fallen Angel’s Earring and Tersi’s Soul Crystal, which can enhance R-Grade armor.
  • Hunting Zones and Dungeons have been revamped to improve player progression – these areas include: Fafurion Temple, Dragon Valley, Tower of Insolence, and more.
  • Class skills have been balanced for Enchanters and Death Knights, as well as a broad expansion of skills across all classes.

Lineage II: Classic:

  • Introduces the new Victory System, which uses Victory Coins for special collection effects. Players can complete daily hunting missions to earn Victory Coins, or they can be purchased with Adena (in-game currency) or L2 Coin (premium currency).
  • The Enchant System and Challenge Point System have been revamped so success rates are now displayed in the UI, and players can receive special Challenge Points when they are unsuccessful in enchanting certain items, which can then be used to improve success rates or prevent item destruction during future enchanting.

These sweeping updates to Lineage II, Aden, and Classic, are now available to players for free. For full details or to create an account and begin playing, visit the game’s official website.

CORSAIR Unveils Web-Based PC Builder

CORSAIR® (NASDAQ: CRSR), a world leader in enthusiast components for gamers, creators, and PC builders, today announced a powerful new tool to help gamers design their next PC or upgrade, tailor-made for their needs: CORSAIR PC Builder. Combining a vast PC part compatibility database with expert hardware insights and building tips, CORSAIR PC Builder is an invaluable resource when researching and configuring a new PC build.

CORSAIR PC Builder curates your components checklist to your PC gaming needs, drawing on a database covering the full specs from thousands of currently sold PC components. Users need only to specify their chosen Intel® or AMD® processor, graphics card, and motherboard, and CORSAIR PC Builder will offer a comprehensive parts list of award-winning CORSAIR components, all guaranteed for compatibility with your desired system. PC Builder also ensures that all the parts fit inside your chosen case, whether it be a CORSAIR case or third-party. The result is a carefully curated shopping cart, filled with exactly what you need to build the optimal PC to run your favorite games.

CORSAIR PC Builder is much more than just a parts compatibility checker. Spending too much in one place might be a waste, but falling short in another can bottleneck your whole system. By optimizing selected parts for your individual build, CORSAIR PC Builder makes sure you are not overspending on memory your CPU cannot use or picking a PSU that cannot support your system during intense gaming. In addition, the tool provides valuable insights about the PC building process and useful info about your chosen components from the CORSAIR DIY experts. Users can easily compare similar products, availability, and pricing info right from the site.

Web Pages

To try CORSAIR PC Builder for yourself, please visit:

https://www.corsair.com/pc-builder/

F1 Manager 2022 Announcement Trailer Released

Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV, ‘Frontier’) today unveiled F1® Manager 2022, their major new management simulation game coming this summer. Following a licensing agreement signed in early 2020 with F1®, Frontier is creating a major new game franchise to join a successful portfolio which includes Elite Dangerous, Planet Coaster, Jurassic World Evolution 1 & 2 and Planet Zoo. The F1® Manager franchise will be Frontier’s first foray into an annual sports license, as part of a long term, multi-title agreement with F1®. F1® Manager 2022 will launch in summer 2022 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 5, Xbox One, PlayStation® 4, Steam and the Epic Store.

Step into the shoes of a team principal and lead your drivers, engineers and fans to glory in the 2022 FIA Formula 1 ® Drivers’ World Championship and FIA Formula 1 ® Constructors’ World Championship. With unparalleled authenticity and broadcast-quality presentation, F1® Manager 2022 delivers a challenging experience for new and die-hard F1® fans alike, while showcasing the intricacies of the world’s most prestigious racing brand.

Ross Brawn, Managing Director – Motorsports, Formula 1®, said, “It’s great to see F1 Manager 2022 take shape and for people to see this exciting title come to life. I know from personal experience that leading a team can be challenging, but it’s certainly rewarding. The F1 Manager franchise is a great opportunity for fans to put themselves in the shoes of a team principal and experience some of that for themselves. I am confident that with their own successful track record in management gaming, Frontier will deliver an enjoyable and engaging experience for fans.”

The first entry in this exciting series of games will invite players and F1® fans to own every aspect of leading a team to victory, upgrading cars and race facilities, hiring drivers and engineers, balancing budgets and driver demands, all before the race weekend kicks into gear. Once the race gets underway, stay calm under pressure and make critical decisions as you manage your team to victory.

Game Director Andy Fletcher, said, “There’s never been a better time to be a Formula 1 fan, and we’re excited to deliver a new way for F1 fans to immerse themselves in the biggest racing spectacle in the world. F1 Manager 2022 will deliver an experience for both new and long-term fans that is as authentic as it is exciting. Our commitment to the ever-changing world of Formula 1 will build a strong foundation for a long and special series that will evolve over time.”

Frontier CEO and founder, David Braben, said, “We are delighted to partner with the great team at Formula 1. We’ve been working closely with them to deliver a truly authentic experience, and they have provided us with extensive access to all aspects of the sport to enable us to do this. We feel this is the start of something special – we’re looking forward to bringing F1 Manager 2022 to players in summer 2022.”

F1® Manager 2022 will launch in summer 2022 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 5, Xbox One, PlayStation® 4, Steam and Epic Store. The game is available to wishlist on Steam now and on the Epic Game Store, here: https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/p/f1-manager-2022.

Urban Venture Announcement Trailer

Drive clients through Barcelona, build a reputation, and expand your business. Simteract has the pleasure to announce their new upcoming game, Urban Venture, a realistic urban driving and tycoon simulation set in Barcelona, Spain. Experience the pulse of a buzzing metropolis with all the good (and not so good) stuff that happens: the traffic jams, harsh weather, bumpy roads, impatient passengers, and the occasional accident. Urban Venture will task players to drive clients, hire personnel, maintain a fleet of cars and manage the business to build their transportation empire.

Off to new adventures, Simteract, the Polish studio behind the beloved Train Life: A Railway Simulator game, is hard at work developing the first-ever realistic ride-hailing tycoon: Urban Venture. Their most ambitious game to date will feature an open-world 1:1 recreation of Barcelona using advanced city building, real-world data, and complex AI traffic simulation systems. Find out more information on the website and Steam page.

An authentic taxi driving experience.

In Urban Venture, you assume the role of a driver who starts working in the ride-hailing industry. At the onset, you only have one cheap car and can take up jobs for existing companies to earn more money and experience. You can open your own company and compete with others for market share in the long run.

Taxi jobs, food delivery, obeying driving rules, and random passengers’ wishes (fast trips to the city or slow and chatty to the mall) are just scratching the surface of what Urban Venture has in store for you.

Urban Venture in Barcelona

Offering a 1:1 recreation of the famous city of Barcelona — the second-largest city in Spain, after Madrid — the game features a playable area of at least 20 km2, with recreated parts of the real city and over 200 of its most famous landmarks, historical buildings, parks, and sculptures. If you never had the chance to visit Barcelona, this is your ticket there — but you might just have to earn your keep.

The world of Urban Venture is a living and breathing place, with realistic traffic and
pedestrians walking on the streets. The pedestrians aren’t only there for show; they influence gameplay. The weather is also a factor in how the world reacts. There are fewer people on the streets when it rains, and cars drive slower to prevent accidents.

Off the streets, and under the hood.

Deep customization and management tools will help you custom-build the looks of your character, brand, cabin and maintain and upgrade your vehicles for better performance. Customers will rate the cleanliness of your vehicle and extra services, while the streets will punish you for carrying cheap tires. You’ll want to do a quick stop at the garage shop during lunch break to check your car’s vitals.

Expand your ride-hailing empire.

The life of a taxi driver can get tiresome. Once you know the streets, the rules of business, and have earned enough money and reputation, you can step aside to handle the corporate expansion; let your employed drivers bring home the bounty. Being a boss will come with challenges, such as dealing with problematic drivers, company finances, and real estate management. There’s no recipe for succeeding in a start-up; you’ll have to make adjustments along the way to compete for your market slice.

It is your world; play how you want.

Urban Venture is a sandbox game where you get to choose how to play. You can decide to be a modern-day taxicab driver to earn money and experience points, or you can take on other challenges that the city has to offer while roaming in “free drive.”
In “free drive” mode, you can drive through the city without an official destination and gather collectibles while you explore.

Urban Venture is coming to Steam in early access in Q4 2022 – Q1 2023 and will continue to expand features and world size. Make sure to wishlist the game on Steam, and join the conversation on Discord, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Character Collection DLC Details

Warner Bros. Games, TT Games, the LEGO Group and Lucasfilm Games today revealed details of the LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga Character Collection (Season Pass), which contains seven downloadable content (DLC) packs with playable characters from across the galaxy including many from outside the nine saga films.

At launch, The Mandalorian™ Season 1 and the Solo: A Star Wars Story Character Packs will be available for purchasers of the Character Collection or via standalone purchase. The Mandalorian Season 1 Character Pack will include the Mandalorian™ and non-playable Grogu™, Greef Karga, Cara Dune, IG-11 and Kuiil, and the Solo: A Star Wars Story character pack will include young Han Solo™, young Chewbacca™, young Lando Calrissian™, Qi’ra, Tobias Beckett and Enfys Nest.

Also available at launch will be The Classic Characters and The Trooper Pack. The Classic Characters Pack will include Luke Skywalker™, Princess Leia™, Han Solo, Darth Vader™ and Lando Calrissian. The Classic Characters Pack will be available for those who have early access from select retail partners and will be available for everyone on April 19th who purchases the Character Collection or via standalone purchase. The Trooper Pack includes Death Trooper, Incinerator Trooper, Range Trooper, Imperial Shore Trooper and Mimban Stormtrooper. The Trooper Pack will be available in early access for consumers who pre-ordered the digital version of the game, and available on May 4th for everyone who purchases the Character Collection or via standalone purchase.

On April 19th, the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story™ Character Pack will be available for purchase and will include Jyn Erso™, Bodhi Rook, Cassian Andor™, K-2SO, Chirrut Îmwe, Baze Malbu and Director Krennic. On May 4th, Star Wars Day, The Mandalorian Season 2 and Star Wars: The Bad Batch™ Character Packs will be available. The Mandalorian Season 2 Character Pack will include Ahsoka Tano, Boba Fett™, Bo Katan, Fennec Shand and Moff Gideon. Star Wars: The Bad Batch Character Pack will include Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Crosshair, and Echo.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is available now for digital pre-order. Consumers that digitally pre-order the game will also unlock the Classic Obi-Wan Kenobi™ playable character that is exclusive to digital purchasers. The physical version of the Deluxe Edition will include an exclusive LEGO Star Wars minifigure, Luke Skywalker with Blue Milk mustache.

Join the LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga conversation on Facebook (LEGOStarWarsGame), Twitter (@LSWGAME), Instagram (LEGOStarWarsGame) and YouTube (LEGOStarWarsGame).

Gamesir VX2 AimBox Review

The Gamesir VX2 AimBox is the second-generation version of the AimBox. Initially released last year, it was a tricky device to get configured and working, making it somewhat tepidly received by reviewers. With this newest version of the AimBox, Gamesir aims to make up for those shortcomings, finally allowing gamers to use their mouse and keyboards with their game consoles. Have they succeeded in their goals? Read on to find out!

In terms of design, the Gamesir VX2 AimBox is very similar to its predecessor. While the AimBox still feels like it’s mostly made of plastic, it does feel durable and well made. The biggest change to the design of the VX2 AimBox is the addition of a 3.5mm headset audio port. On all consoles but the PlayStation 5, you can now use your own audio gear. On front side of the VX2 AimBox, you’ll find three USB ports – the central port is designed for the console’s game controller while the other two are made for the keyboard and mouse. You can even plug in wireless mouse/keyboard dongles into them and use your wireless peripherals! Pretty nifty, in theory… However, I was still curious about the configuration and setup processes. I had heard so many things about the previous AimBox, I was worried that setting this one up would be painful. Thankfully, I didn’t have very much trouble at all getting the Gamesir VX2 AimBox up and running, although it can be tricky at times.

At least, with my Xbox One, it was usually very simple. I plugged the VX2 AimBox into my console, then my wired game controller. Finally, I added the keyboard and mouse and we were up and running. You can also connect the Gamesir VX2 AimBox to a smartphone app in order to tweak its settings – which is very important IMHO. You can adjust mouse sensitivity levels, game profiles, and a lot more. While the VX2 AimBox is definitely a step in the right direction, I did notice a certain level of user unfriendliness. It’s not bad, but it is still somewhat clumsy overall. Sometimes it would not recognize the keyboard and mouse and I’d have to unplug them and plug them back in. It was seemingly a random occurrence.

Playing games on the Xbox One with the VX2 AimBox is a strange experience. While not quite as smooth as using a mouse and keyboard on my gaming PC, it is still lightyears better than the game controller – at least, for me. I am just not skilled with game controllers as I grew up mainly playing games on a PC platform. The AimBox seems to be compatible with most plug and play peripherals – I was using some off-brand models and they worked just fine. If your keyboard or mouse requires some software installed and is not capable of independent, plug and play use, you may have issues getting it to work. The Xbox platforms seem to have a lot better support for the device at this time. There is a lot of messaging stating that the VX2 AimBox is not quite fully compatible with the PlayStation 5 yet. Unfortunately, I don’t have one of those to test with – at least yet.

Overall, if you are looking for a PC gaming-like experience on your game console, there isn’t a better solution than the Gamesir VX2 AimBox. Right now, it is the best way to get mouse and keyboard support to a platform that traditionally doesn’t have it. The Gamesir VX2 AimBox retails for $49.99 and is available now.

Hunter: The Reckoning TTRPG PDF Preview Available

World of Darkness and Renegade Game Studios is giving fans a sneak peek of what to expect in their upcoming Hunter: The Reckoning TTRPG with a digital preview PDF download. This marks the official return of a classic World of Darkness story world and will wet the appetite of any longtime Hunter: The Reckoning fan who has been hungry for more content.

The preview PDF includes:

  • The book’s cover
  • “A Call to Action” introduction – explains Hunter: The Reckoning and how Hunters fit into the World of Darkness.
  • Inquisitive creed with its personality, tactics, dangers and archetypes – an example creed for those who want to play as knowledge-seeking, occult-savvy and curious Hunters.
  • Beast Whisperer Edge & Perks – for those who want their Hunter to have a trusted animal companion, and more!
  • La Celestina, The Bloody Mannequin – an example antagonist to use in your Hunter chronicles.

To access the preview, all Hunter: The Reckoning fans need to do is visit https://worldofdarkness.com/ and log in to their account where they can download the PDF. They can create an account if they do not already have one and still claim the PDF.

Those who want a glimpse of what Hunter: The Reckoning has to offer, can check out this Creepypasta video that details the type of setting players can find themselves in:

The next edition of Hunter: The Reckoning TTRPG is on its way to the printers and will launch both digitally and physically later this year.

Hunter: The Reckoning is a story universe set in the World of Darkness where humanity is oblivious to the dangers that lurk after the sun sets. Players take on the role of Hunters, humans who know the truth about the world’s secrets, and fight back against the monsters.

To learn more about Hunter: The Reckoning, or the preview, you can head over to this blog post.

CORSAIR and 2K Partner on Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands PC Features

CORSAIR® (NASDAQ:CRSR), a world leader in high-performance gear for gamers, today announced a partnership with world-renowned publisher 2K, bringing immersive in-game RGB lighting integration for all CORSAIR iCUE RGB devices to Gearbox Software’s highly anticipated Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands®. PC players with CORSAIR iCUE products can enjoy exclusive real-time lighting effects that extend the game’s action across their entire iCUE setup in the upcoming spinoff of the Borderlands® franchise.

Developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands lets players create their own multiclass hero and embark on an epic adventure full of whimsy, wonder, and high-powered weaponry. Level up your party to defeat the tyrannical Dragon Lord in a chaotic fantasy world brought to life by the unpredictable Tiny Tina, your disorderly guide through an extraordinary tabletop realm where rules rarely apply. Dropping “first-person looter shooter” mayhem into a fantastical tabletop RPG setting, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands dares adventurers to be Chaotic Great.

Compatible CORSAIR hardware owners running CORSAIR iCUE software will see the creative environments and larger-than-life effects in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands spill out beyond the screen through all of their connected iCUE-compatible components and peripherals. Whether you’re exploring the land looking for loot, casting devastating spells on enemies, or delving deep into dungeons, your entire iCUE ecosystem will light up, reflecting in-game events in real time.

“We’re excited to partner with 2K and bring greater in-game immersion to Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands,” said Lauren Premo, Sr. Director of Software and Services at CORSAIR. “iCUE integration makes for an incredibly engrossing gaming experience that can’t be found anywhere else, and we’re thrilled to enhance Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ whimsical action with it.”

The Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands iCUE game integration will be available March 25th, alongside the launch of the game. To celebrate the partnership with 2K, CORSAIR will host a sweepstakes for the chance to win a custom PC inspired by Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, along with a copy of the game and a set of CORSAIR peripherals. For terms and conditions of the giveaway, visit www.corsair.com/tiny-tinas-wonderlands.

Web Pages

To learn more about the CORSAIR and 2K Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands partnership, please visit:

www.corsair.com/tiny-tinas-wonderlands

To learn more about Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands from Gearbox Software, please visit:

https://playwonderlands.2k.com/

Disney+ to Offer Ad-Supported Subscription in Late 2022

In a first for Disney’s premier direct-to-consumer streaming service, Disney+ will expand its offerings for consumers by introducing an ad-supported subscription in addition to its option without ads, beginning in the U.S. in late 2022, with plans to expand internationally in 2023.

“Expanding access to Disney+ to a broader audience at a lower price point is a win for everyone – consumers, advertisers, and our storytellers,” said Kareem Daniel, Chairman, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution. “More consumers will be able to access our amazing content. Advertisers will be able to reach a wider audience, and our storytellers will be able to share their incredible work with more fans and families.”

Disney leads the market with quality and premium ad experiences. It is home to the industry’s premier ad-supported streaming services, including Hulu, a pioneer and leader among all ad-supported video-on-demand subscription services, and ESPN+, which continues to pave the way for direct-to-consumer sports programming and live events. This type of innovation, driven by advertising that is contextually relevant to viewers, will soon extend to Disney+.

“Since its launch, advertisers have been clamoring for the opportunity to be part of Disney+ and not just because there’s a growing demand for more streaming inventory,” said Rita Ferro, President, Advertising, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution. “Disney+ with advertising will offer marketers the most premium environment in streaming with our most beloved brands, Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel and National Geographic. I can’t wait to share more with advertisers at the Upfront.”

The ad-supported offering is viewed as a building block in the Company’s path to achieving its long-term target of 230-260 million Disney+ subscribers by FY24.

More details, including launch date and pricing, will be announced at a later date.

Samurai Challenge VR Announced

On March 7th, 2022, xeen Incorporated have unveiled the official store page for their latest VR title SAMURAI CHALLENGE on Steam. SAMURAI CHALLENGE is a VR Action Game in which players fight through hordes of swordsmen, spearmen and mounted troops in virtual recreations of battlefields on which Samurai fought. Players will move their body to dodge cannon fire, and use the VR controllers to block incoming strikes and slice down their adversaries. At the end of each mission, their score and playing style will be compared with that of famous historical samurai.

SAMURAI CHALLENGE is planned to be released on the Steam Store during the spring of 2022. The price is yet to be announced.

Overview of SAMURAI CHALLENGE:
Genre: VR Action
Developer: xeen Inc.
Price: TBA
Release date: Spring (Northern Hemisphere) 2022
Operating System: Windows
Supported Equipment: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Valve Index (Planned)
Supported Languages: Japanese, English

Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1861760/Samurai_Challenge/

Official Website:
https://www.xeen.co.jp/samuraich