SnowRunner, the ultimate off-road driving experience from Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment (previously Focus Home Interactive), announced today that in partnership with Jeep, two iconic Jeep trucks have rolled into the SnowRunner garage! Available to purchase now as standalone DLC on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC, the Jeep Dual Pack debuts two new high-performance scouts: the Wrangler-Rubicon and the CJ-7 “Renegade.”
These legendary trucks are part of the renowned CJ class (short for “Civilian Jeep”), which came into service as open-bodied, compact pickup trucks, noted for being the first mass-produced four-wheel-drive civilian car in the world.
The CJ-7 “Renegade” and Wrangler-Rubicon are lightweight scouts like no other, with powerful modern engines, easily capable of clearing shallow to medium-depth mud. Jeep’s signature custom suspension system also has excellent performance in rock-crawling and other rugged terrains.
SnowRunner and its Year 2 Pass are out now on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. You can grab the game and all content from the Year 1 Pass with SnowRunner – Premium Edition. For more information, visit our official store page.
“It’s alive, it’s ALIVE…!” In celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Universal Monsters, four classic movie monsters from the golden age of horror return to big screens nationwide this Halloween season for a two-day double feature film event series, courtesy of Fathom Events and Universal Studios.
As part of the anniversary events, fans will be treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Universal Studios lot and see where these fan-favorite monsters made their big screen debut and became legendary.
The series kicks off with the original Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi, which launched the Hollywood horror genre, and the unforgettable masterpiece Frankenstein starring Boris Karloff. The Dracula and Frankenstein Double Feature will play in movie theatres on Saturday, October 2 at 1:00 p.m. (local time). The series then continues with the signature adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man starring Claude Rains, and The Wolf Man featuring a heartbreaking performance by Lon Chaney. The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man Double Feature will play in movie theaters on Saturday, October 30 at 1:00 p.m. (local time).
“When it comes to the horror genre, nothing is more significant than Universal’s classic lineup of monsters,” said Tom Lucas, Fathom Events Vice President of Studio Relations. “From the moment these characters hit cinemas 90 years ago, they’ve been stirring audiences’ imaginations with wonder and nightmares, and we’re pleased fans of both old and new will once again see them larger-than-life on the big screen.”
Tickets can be purchased online at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. A complete list of theater locations is available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
ABOUT THE FILMS
“Dracula and Frankenstein Double Feature” Saturday, October 2
The original Dracula defined the iconic look and frightening character of the famed vampire. The inspiration for hundreds of subsequent remakes and adaptations, this classic film directed by Tod Browning, is the signature adaptation of Bram Stoker’s story with its eerie passion, shadowy atmosphere, and thrilling cinematography. Towering ominously among the shadows of the Carpathian Mountains, Castle Dracula strikes fear in the hearts of the Transylvanian villagers below. After a naive real estate agent succumbs to the will of Count Dracula, the two head to London where the vampire hopes to stroll among respectable society by day and search for potential victims by night.
Considered by many to be the greatest horror film ever made, the original Frankenstein features one of the screen’s most tragic and iconic monsters. Directed by James Whale, the adaptation of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece novel blends themes of horror, isolation, and compassion, and remains one of the most shocking movies of all time, featuring groundbreaking makeup by Jack Pierce. Tampering with life and death, Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) pieces together salvaged body parts to bring a human monster to life. The mad scientist’s dreams are shattered by his creation’s violent rage as the monster awakens to a world in which he is unwelcome.
“The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man Double Feature” Saturday, October 30
H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” stars Claude Rains as a mysterious scientist who discovers a serum that makes him invisible. Covered by bandages and dark glasses, the scientist arrives at a small English village and attempts to hide his amazing discovery. He soon realizes, however, that the same drug which renders him invisible is slowly driving him insane and capable of committing unspeakable acts of terror. Directed by James Whale, the horror classic features groundbreaking special effects by John P. Fulton that inspired many of the techniques that are still used today.
“Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.” In 1941, “The Wolf Man” introduced the world to a new Universal movie monster, and the mythology of the werewolf was redefined forever. Featuring Lon Chaney Jr. and groundbreaking make-up by Jack Pierce, this story of a cursed man who transforms into a deadly werewolf when the moon is full has not only become a masterpiece of the horror genre but of all time.
Disney+ and Marvel Studios invite you on an unexpected holiday getaway, unwrapping the official trailer and teaser poster for “Hawkeye,” a new series set in post-blip New York City. Former Avenger Clint Barton has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible? Maybe with the help of Kate Bishop, a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a Super Hero. The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton’s past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.
Starring Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, “Hawkeye” also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d’Arcy James and newcomer Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez. Helmed by Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie, “Hawkeye” debuts exclusively on Disney+ on November 24, 2021.
Creative Labs has been knocking it out of the park for some time with their lineup of USB DACs (Digital Audio Controller)/headphone amplifiers. The latest in this lineage is the Sound Blaster X4. Featuring a variety of input/output options and audio-enhancing features, the X4 is an incredible piece of kit. In terms of its design, the Sound Blaster X4 takes after its older brother, the Sound Blaster X3. It is 5.14 inch by 5.14 inch box with a protruding round knob on the upper side and all decked out in a gumetal gray color scheme. It measures only 1.6 inches tall, so it’s a very discrete presentation.
On the front side of the Sound Blaster X4, you’ll find two 3.5mm ports – one for an external microphone and the other for a set of headphones.The round knob on the upper side of the X4 is encircled with a pretty LED ring light. That large knob is used to control the volume as well as balance the volume from multiple inputs. Also on the upper side of the Sound Blaster X4 are three push button controls. The button on the left puts the large knob into audio balance mode while the center button cycles through the various EQ modes built in to the Sound Blaster X4. You can also customize and assign your own mappings to the various EQ modes using the Creative app (available on your PC as well as iOS and Android app stores). The right button allows you to toggle between your speaker out put and headphone output as well as engage/disengage the SXFI mode when using the headphones.
On the rear side of the Sound Blaster X4 are even more connectivity ports. There you’ll find four 3.5mm line out ports – one for front, side, rear, and subwoofer channels. There is also an optical ouput port as well as a 3.5mm line/optical-in port. Finally, there is a USB-C port which will allow you to connect the Sound Blaster X4 to either a power wall adapter (not included in the box) or your PC. When plugged into your PC, the Sound Blaster X4 not only receives power from the USB port but, also, audio from the PC. One of the many good things about the Sound Blaster X4 is that, when plugged into your PC, it acts as an external Sound Blaster sound card.
Another good thing about the new Sound Blaster X4 is that you have so many options in terms of output. You can send audio to headphones but also a 2.1, 5.1, or 7.1 channel speaker system or even to a separate AV receiver by way of the optical output. It should be noted that while the PlayStation 4 can connect to the Sound Blaster X4 by way of an optical cable, the newer PlayStation 5 requires the user to pick up an HDMI to optical converter box to get sound to the Sound Blaster X4.
Of course, the Sound Blaster X4 is also a headphone amplifier – up to 600 Ohms to be specific. This means that you can push your audio out to the higher-end cans out there, providing some BIG sound. Now, if you attemp to use a low impedance headphone on the Sound Blaster X4, you might notice some hissing at higher volumes when no other audio is being played – this is because the Sound Blaster X4 is simply sending too intense of a signal to them. If you want a premium audio experience, be sure to invest in some decent headphones – especially when using the Sound Blaster X4.
The biggest issue I had when using the Sound Blaster X4 was setting the device up via the Creative apps on my smartphone. While the Creative app is used for the main setup, you must also use the SXFI app to setup the head mapping for the SXFI technology to work with your headphones. It was not a very straightforward or user friendly process.
There are some interesting changes from the Sound Blaster X3 that should be noted. Strangely, the X4 only handles a maxmum audio playback resolution of 24-bit and 192 kHz while the X3 played audio back at a maximum resolution of 32-bit at 192 kHz. This doesn’t seem to make a big difference as 24-bit is still beyond what a human being can discern. Also, the Sound Blaster X3 supported a maximum recording resolution of up to 24-bit at 192 kHz while the X4 only supports a maximum of 24-bit at 96 kHz. Again, these don’t really matter in real-world usage, but I thought it important to note the differences.
In this day of virtual meetings, many companies are creative technology to help us navigate its ups and downs. Creative Labs has introduced their free SmartComms Kit and the Sound Blaster X4 is fully compatible with it. The SmartComms Kit software acts as a software noise gate to help filter out background noise while increasing the volume and quality of the user’s voice. It also allows for automatically muting and unmuting the microphone by simply detecting when the user is speaking. In my testing, it was not a “golden BB” solution to virtual meeting voice audio but it definitely helped other people hear me more clearly and I appreciate anything that can accomplish that – especially when its free!
Overall, the Creative Labs Sound Blaster X4 is a full features USB DAC and headphone amplifier with a ton of features for both audio enhancement and connectivity. The X4 is out now and retails for $149.99 on Creative Labs official website.
Today, at the PlayStation Showcase 2021 event, Bethesda Softworks revealed a new trailer that dives deeper into the story for DEATHLOOP, the highly anticipated first-person shooter from Arkane Lyon. DEATHLOOP launches on September 14, 2021, exclusively for console on PlayStation 5 (PS5) and PC.
Watch the trailer now featuring the new custom track – “Down the Rabbit Hole” – from Sencit featuring Samantha Howard and Haqq*:
Colt, our amnesiac protagonist, is searching for a way out of the Aeon Program’s clutches and off the island of Blackreef. It’s up to the player to unravel the mysteries of Colt’s predicament and ensure his rival, Julianna, doesn’t put a few bullets in him before then.
Today, 2K is excited to announce that NBA® 2K22, the next iteration of the top-rated NBA video game simulation series of the past 20 years**, is now available on both current- and new-generation platforms worldwide. With its release, NBA 2K22 offers best-in-class visual presentation and player AI, historic teams, and a wide variety of basketball experiences with online community features and deep, varied game modes.
“Basketball continues to see rapid growth all over the world, both through the rising popularity of the NBA and the virtual world experienced in our game, so this year we’re celebrating the true globalization of the franchise,” said Greg Thomas, President at Visual Concepts. “Our team is proud to bring NBA 2K22 to millions of players in our community. This is our most expansive offering yet, and whether you love on-the-court action or prefer off-the-court experiences, there is something for anyone, anywhere to tap into the basketball world.”
NBA 2K22 features several new additions and improvements, where veteran ballers and new players alike will find a variety of basketball experiences to dive into:
Step Up Your Game – New tactical offense meets an overhauled defense for a more competitive and immersive NBA 2K22. Add skill-based dribbling, shooting, dunking, and alley-oops to your bag of moves, and counter them with ferocious new blocks and contests on the other end of the court;
Your Journey, Your City* – MyCAREER and an all-new City become one in a groundbreaking NBA 2K22 experience for PlayStation®5 (PS5™) and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Embark on your personal journey to the pros – and a sprawling MyCAREER life – ALL within the City. Forge your own path in college, the NBA G League, or even by jumping straight to the NBA. Be a pro off the court by growing your personal brand in the music industry, fashion world, and more. And of course, ball out against the best and fiercest MyPLAYERs in the most vibrant and competitive basketball community in the world;
All Aboard the Cruise – Set sail for the high seas in NBA 2K22 in the all-new Neighborhood, developed for PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Explore each level of the ship that is designed to offer various basketball activities, create your perfect MyPLAYER, level up for rewards, and express yourself through both your game and your style;
Your Dream Team – Collect, craft, and hoop in the ultimate NBA fantasy competition: NBA 2K22 MyTEAM. Build your dream lineup of NBA stars and legends across any era, and explore game-changing evolutions to the MyTEAM experience, with each addition introduced Season after Season;
New Seasons, New Discoveries – Every Season brings fresh opportunities to reap new rewards. Whether in MyTEAM, MyCAREER, or The W, compete against the best and discover what amazing rewards each new Season has in store;
First Fridays – New songs will be added to the soundtrack on every Friday throughout the Season. All-new partnerships with some of the most notable music labels in the world; Columbia Records, Def Jam Recordings, Low Profile/Casual Records, Ninja Tune, and Warner Records will offer music from both up-and-coming artists and world-renowned musicians.
Global phenomenon and two-time NBA All-Star, Luka Dončić, graces the NBA 2K22 Standard Edition and NBA 2K22 Cross-Gen Digital Bundle. The Standard Edition is available for $59.99*** on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms, and $69.99*** on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The Cross-Gen Digital Bundle is available for $79.99*** and grants players access to the Standard Edition across generations within the same PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
A trio of the NBA’s most impactful big men – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant – feature in a premium, NBA 2K22 NBA 75th Anniversary Edition, showcasing how each of these athletes changed the game with a cover created by world-renowned artist Charly Palmer. The NBA 2K22 NBA 75th Anniversary Edition is available for $99.99*** for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The Cross-Gen Digital Bundle and NBA 75th Anniversary Edition provide dual-access for the PS5/PS4 and Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One platforms and provides a version of the game on each console generation within the same console family. The NBA 75th Anniversary Edition for Nintendo Switch is only available in a digital format in the EMEA region.
In North America, players can purchase a special version of the Standard Edition featuring six-time WNBA All Star and WNBA Champion, Candace Parker, on the cover and available exclusively through GameStop and EB Games. In Japan, players can purchase a special version of the Standard Edition that features Washington Wizards’ Rui Hachimura. A full breakdown of each version is available on the NBA 2K22 official website.
Aspyr, Lucasfilm Games, and Sony Interactive Entertainment (“SIE”) have announced Star Wars™: Knights of the Old Republic™ – Remake, a new remake of the original revered Star Wars™ story and blockbuster role-playing game experienced by millions of fans around the world. In development as a PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console exclusive at launch and for PC, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake is completely rebuilt from the ground up for a new generation of players to experience this legendary tale as never before. The news was revealed today in a teaser trailer during the ‘PlayStation Showcase 2021’ featuring the iconic imagery of Darth Revan and the voice-over talent of Jennifer Hale, who played Bastila Shan in the original game.
“We’ve spent the past several years assembling the very best talent from across the industry to deliver a modern vision of this timeless Star Wars legend,” said Aspyr co-founder Ted Staloch. “As lifelong Star Wars fans with extensive experience working with many of its best games, we have the deepest love and admiration for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and cannot wait to share this amazing remake with the rest of the galaxy.”
Development of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake is led by a newly created team composed of industry veterans at developer and publisher Aspyr, working in close collaboration with Lucasfilm Games. Aspyr and Lucasfilm Games have worked together in recent years to bring multiple classic Star Wars titles to modern platforms, including the original Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The game will be published on PS5 by SIE, while the PC version of the game will be published by Aspyr.
“Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic stands out among the Legends of Star Wars storytelling, and we’re thrilled to be joining with Aspyr and Sony to remake this Legend for a new generation of players,” said Douglas Reilly, VP, Lucasfilm Games. “Our teams have been working closely and share a deep commitment to honoring what fans love about the original, while bringing new fans on this incredible journey.”
“Nearly 20 years after its debut, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remains one of the most highly requested remakes from the PlayStation community,” said Eric Lempel, SVP, Head of Global Marketing, Sony Interactive Entertainment. “The time is finally right to bring this dream to life for both diehard fans and those who have yet to experience it.”
First released in 2003, the award-winning Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic still stands today as a landmark achievement, frequently ranked among the greatest video games of all time. A pinnacle of Star Wars Legends storytelling, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is set around 4,000 years before the events of the original trilogy, introducing a new cast of heroes and villains in an epic struggle for the fate of the galaxy. The game is beloved by fans and has been praised by critics for its deeply engaging narrative, memorable characters, sense of immersion and discovery, and choice-based gameplay.
Fans can keep up with the latest updates for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake by signing up at www.aspyr.com/starwars, as well as by following Aspyr on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Developer Piranha Games is excited to announce that MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries and the Heroes of the Inner Sphere expansion is coming to PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®5 on Sept. 23, 2021. This monumental launch marks the return of the beloved BattleTech franchise to PlayStation platforms for the first time in 20 years. Featuring full cross-play support for all major platforms, including Steam, GOG.com, Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X, Xbox One, and with over 30 new and enhanced features representing over a year’s worth of development time, it’s a great time to join forces with fellow Mercs and friends worldwide for co-op and instant action. MechWarrior fans can also look forward to a physical box set edition for MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries for PlayStation and Xbox systems this November. In addition, developer Piranha Games also confirms that all MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries players will be able to experience the entirety of the Heroes of the Inner Sphere campaign when joining a match hosted by anyone who owns the expansion, regardless of platform.
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries finds players in the battlefields of the future, dominated by BattleMechs, hulking machines of war capable of leveling entire cities. As the inheritor of a once-glorious Mercenary company, the quest for glory and revenge will stretch light years, chasing the threads of interstellar intrigue on the journey to become an elite MechWarrior and mercenary commander.
The merc life of a MechWarrior BattleMech pilot continues in the Heroes of the Inner Sphere expansion. Follow your chosen career path from War Dog to Treasure Hunter in the new Career Mode. Explore new warzones, new quests, and new missions that span the full scope of the Inner Sphere. Hunt the Heroes with special quests that tell the story of seven new heroes and their lostech mechs. Find new mech chassis and variants, weapons, equipment, as well as blueprints to quirk your prized mechs.
The developers at Piranha Games have spent over a year addressing player requests for MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, implementing enhancements and quality of life improves resulting in over 30 major updates free updates included at launch for all PlayStation players.
Feature Highlights Include:
Cross-Play Support: Fight alongside friends with four-player PvE co-op
DLC Sharing: Experience the entirety of the Heroes of the Inner Sphere campaign when joining a co-op match hosted by a player who owns the expansion
Loads of gameplay improvements: Full 360 LOD radar (with BAP available with DLC), more extreme conditions and effects, enhanced AI, enhanced salvage crates, AND SO MUCH MORE
Campaign Updates: New story introduction and optional tutorial
UI Improvements: Ability to track encounters and where to hunt desired ‘Mechs, instant action loading previously selected mechs and pilots, modding updates, amongst others
Stay up to date with the latest from the MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries and follow the development team at Piranha Games on Twitter @PiranhaGames and @MW5Mercs, Facebook, and YouTube.
Cold Iron Studios and 20th Century Games, is proud to announce that Season 1 of Aliens: Fireteam Elite begins today, for all players across Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4 and Steam™.
Each season of the game features free content updates, starting with Season 1: Phalanx, named for its new Class. Season 1: Phalanx features the following free content:
New Class Kit: the combat shield-wielding “Phalanx”
With 15 Kit-Specific Perks
4 New Weapons
New Cosmetic Rewards (head accessory, weapon colorways and decals)
The first Endeavor Pass content is also available today. The Endeavor Pass: Wey-Yu Armoury DLC pack contains the following content:
Two “Wey-Yu” themed armor skins for each class kit (12 total)
4 Head Accessories
4 Weapon Colorways
4 Decals
4 Emotes
1 Consumable Pack 1 Credit Pack
1 Challenge Card Pack
The complete 4-DLC Endeavor Pass is included with the Deluxe Edition of the game, and also includes the Endeavor Veteran Pack DLC. The Deluxe Edition is available for $69.99. Individual Endeavor Pass cosmetic DLC packs are available separately for $9.99 each. The Standard Edition of the game is available for $39.99, and there is an option to upgrade it to Deluxe.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.
Additional information can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Discord, YouTube, or the official website at www.AliensFireteamElite.com.
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the famous ↑↑↓↓←→←→BA command! A new website to acknowledge the milestone has been launched, which features information about the retro game series Arcade Archives and shows off new anniversary merchandise for fans made available through the Official Konami Shop. As part of the celebration, artists ‘DJ Tokyo Machine’ and ‘DJ No.2’ have created arrangements of retro KONAMI game tracks and these can also be accessed via the website.
DJ Tokyo Machine remixed music from fan-favorite NES title, Gradius, with an accompanying music video also created by the Tokyo Machine Team. DJ No.2 created a ‘Five Game Remix’ in the increasingly popular Lofi Hip Hop genre, featuring songs from NES titles Gradius, Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū, Yie Ar Kung-Fu, TwinBee and Salamander.
Adding to the retro theme is the Arcade Archives series, produced by HAMSTER Corporation. This collection of iconic video game titles was developed with the concept of faithfully reproducing classic games, including KONAMI titles such as Gradius and Yie Ar Kung-Fu. This series gives players access to masterpieces that established an era of video games. Players can even compare and compete with their scores worldwide via the global scoreboard. Arcade Archives is available on PlayStation®4 and Nintendo Switch.
About ↑↑↓↓←→←→BA
“↑↑↓↓←→←→BA” is a well-known hidden command, and not only by gamers. It was first included in the NES version of Gradius, released on April 25th, 1986. In Gradius, entering this command would upgrade the player’s spacecraft with a full set of power-ups. This long, but easy to remember hidden command has been featured in countless games since and has become more iconic over time.
Arcade Archives Series Produced by HAMSTER Co. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo. “PlayStation” and ”PS4” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
