Author - Jerry Paxton

Corsair Unveils HS75 XB Wireless Gaming Headphones for Xbox One

CORSAIR®, a world leader in high-performance gaming peripherals and enthusiast components, today announced the launch of its first officially licensed headset for Microsoft® Xbox, the HS75 XB WIRELESS Gaming Headset. Compatible with Xbox One and the upcoming next-generation Xbox Series X and Series S, the HS75 XB WIRELESS delivers the fantastic sound and comfort that the CORSAIR HS Series is known for, connecting directly to your Xbox console via Xbox Wireless without the need for a wireless receiver, or to a Windows 10 PC via the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows (sold separately). Complete with immersive Dolby Atmos® for precise three-dimensional sound and a noise-cancelling uni-directional microphone, the HS75 XB WIRELESS is the perfect companion for your current or future Xbox console.

Great sound starts with great audio drivers, which is why the HS75XB WIRELESS utilizes custom-tuned 50mm neodymium drivers with the range to hear everything you need on the battlefield. Coupled with Dolby Atmos spatial audio – a first for a CORSAIR headset – you’ll feel closer to the action than ever before. To ensure clear communication with your teammates, the HS75 XB WIRELESS is equipped with a uni-directional microphone, along with on-ear game audio and chat mix controls so you can easily switch focus from hearing the action to hearing your squad, and vice versa.

The HS75 XB WIRELESS eliminates the need for a typical wireless receiver thanks to Xbox Wireless technology, pairing directly with your Xbox console or Windows 10 PC (requires Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows, sold separately) – as easy to set up as pairing a wireless controller. With up to 20 hours of rechargeable battery life and the freedom of up to 30 feet of wireless range, you can play untethered long into the night.

True to its name, the HS75 XB WIRELESS boasts the comfort and build quality that have made HS Series headsets a celebrated favorite of gamers for years. Its adjustable ear cups are fitted with plush leatherette ear pads and viscoelastic memory foam to softly cushion your ears, while its sturdy frame is reinforced with aluminum to ensure lasting durability.

With a massive library of titles available on the Xbox One and the much-anticipated Xbox Series X and Series S on the horizon, now is the time to pick up the HS75XB WIRELESS to complete your console gaming experience.

Availability, Warranty and Pricing

The CORSAIR HS75 XB WIRELESS is available immediately from the CORSAIR webstore and the CORSAIR worldwide network of authorized retailers and distributors.

The HS75 XB WIRELESS is backed by a two-year warranty, alongside the CORSAIR worldwide customer service and technical support network.

For up-to-date pricing of the HS75 XB WIRELESS, please refer to the CORSAIR website or contact your local CORSAIR sales or PR representative.

Web Pages

To learn more about the CORSAIR HS75 XB WIRELESS, please visit:

http://corsair.com/hs75-xb

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

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

Humankind Gameplay Trailer Released

We’re excited to announce that HUMANKIND™, our turn-based historical strategy game, is now available for pre-order and pre-purchase! Lead your people from Antiquity to the Modern era as an Avatar of your creation. Choose from among 60 different cultures to combine along the way. Earn the most Fame and leave your mark on history!

We’re very proud of the game and are hoping to bring it to as many people as possible. Which is why we’re launching on multiple storefronts at once. Take your pick of Steam, Stadia or Epic Games to grab your Digital Deluxe Edition and everything that comes with it.

GET THE DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION FOR 15% OFF

Starting now, you can get the Digital Deluxe edition for 15% off. Here’s what’s included as a pre-purchase bonus, plus a quick round-up of the Digital Deluxe edition content:

PRE-PURCHASE BONUS CONTENT

  • Boudicca Avatar Set – Adds Boudicca Set to customize you Avatar
  • Player Profile Pre-Purchase Decoration – Adds an exclusive Decoration to customize your Player Profile
  • Player Profile Symbol Set – Adds 10 exclusive Symbols to customize your Player Profile

DIGITAL DELUXE EDITION CONTENT

  • HUMANKIND™ Digital Game – HUMANKIND™ base game
  • In-Game Notre-Dame Pack
    • Notre-Dame Wonder – to be built in game
    • Notre-Dame Narrative Events – Adds Narrative Events themed around Wonders such as Notre-Dame
    • Victor Hugo Avatar Set – Adds Victor Hugo Set to customize your Avatar
    • “Inspirational” Avatar Personality – Adds the “Inspirational” Personality to customize your Avatar
  • Official Digital Soundtrack – All HUMANKIND™ tracks created by Arnaud Roy (previously known as FlybyNo) in .mp3 format
  • Unit & Tech Tree .pdf – An at-a-glance view of the full Unit & Tech Trees of the game

RELEASE DATE – APRIL 2021

Lastly, we would like to let everyone know that HUMANKIND™ will be releasing in April of next year.

We hope you enjoy & we look forward to seeing many Victors Hugo in game!

The Amplitude Studios team

Surviving the Aftermath Now in Steam Early Access

Paradox Interactive and Iceflake Studios announced today that post-apocalyptic survival colony builder, Surviving the Aftermath, is now available on Steam Early Access for a suggested retail price of $24.99 USD / £21.99 GBP / €24.99 Euro. Players who own Surviving Mars, the first title in Paradox’s Surviving franchise, can purchase Surviving the Aftermath at a 10% discount for a suggested retail price of $22.49 USD / £19.79 GBP / €22.49 Euro. Surviving the Aftermath also received Update 11: Quests, a free content update for all platforms that encourages players to explore the world outside their colony for additional resources.

After a year in Early Access on the Epic Games Store and Xbox Game Preview, Paradox and Iceflake have worked alongside the community to develop 10 major content updates, enhancing Surviving the Aftermath’s gameplay mechanics. With Update 11: Quests, players send specialists out into the world beyond their colony to complete missions and earn rewards. Players will make choices while completing quests, with each decision having an impact on the mission’s ending.

Check out the Update 11: Quests trailer here:

Update 11: Quests Key Features:

  • Branching Questlines: Quests incentivize players to leave the comfort of their colony and explore the World Map. Specialists can complete a series of chained events that create unique storylines. Missions often present options to players, leading to branching narratives and giving weight to your choices.

  • A Whole New World: Segments on the World Map are now larger with more points of interest. Actions like Scouting, Scavenging, and location Hazards have been adjusted to optimize Action Points and use Specialists more efficiently.

  • Throwin’ Hands: The Combat system has been updated, adding more depth to interaction with hostels on the World Map. Bandits now regenerate health and have increased damage, making them a greater challenge for Specialists. This is the first of many improvements, more to come so stay tuned!

  • Essential Management: Players can now filter, display, and highlight essential information about the colony and its surroundings. Overlay modes include Building Health, Buildings, Water, Energy, Living Entities and Pollution.

  • A Little Somethin Extra: Update 11 also includes improvements to the tech tree, colonist info panel, scavenge info panels and a bunch of other improvements requested by players.

Players can download Surviving the Aftermath on Steam here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/684450/Surviving_the_Aftermath/

“Our community has been the biggest contributor to Surviving the Aftermath’s growth during the year we have been in Early Access. Since our launch at PDX CON last year, we’ve worked alongside our players to release 11 major content updates, each introducing new mechanics or features to the game.” says Lasse Liljedahl, Game Director for Surviving the Aftermath. “With Steam Early Access we will continue to co-develop the game alongside our players as we work together to build the best survival management game possible.”

Surviving the Aftermath’s Key Features:

  • No Place Like Home – Build and manage a colony of survivors after a world-ending event. Construct more than 61 unique buildings to handle everything from resource collection and farming to exploration and security.

  • Surviving Earth – Explore a vast procedurally generated world featuring six different biomes filled with resources, wildlife, rival societies and more. Each environment has different conditions that affect your colony’s survival. Stay vigilant: Natural disasters, dangerous animals, and bandits will put your survivors to the test.

  • Survival is my Specialty – Recruit over 80 unique Specialists, each with their own skills and motivations, to manage your colony’s resources and production. Send them beyond the Gate on scientific missions, scavenger runs, and to fight bandits.

  • Expect the Unexpected – Life in the aftermath requires you to make moral choices. You may not be able to control everything in your colony, but how you respond to situations and emergent events will shape the character of your new civilization.

  • Reputation Management – Every decision can have dire consequences on your colony’s survival. Your reputation with other societies will affect your ability to trade and can even affect your relationship with their leaders. Colonists have a mind of their own and will react to your choices.

  • Defend the Gate – Fortify your gates and protect your colony from rampaging animals and deadly bandits. Enemies who breach the gate will pour into your colony, wreaking havoc on everything in their wake. Take command of your specialists and drive the invaders back.

Surviving the Aftermath launched into Early Access on the Epic Games Store and Xbox Game Preview during PDXCON last October. Since launch, Iceflake and Paradox have incorporated player feedback into 10 major content updates, introducing features like enhanced combat, expanded world traversal, rampaging wildlife, and much more. To see all the content added to Surviving the Aftermath since Early Access launch, check out the game’s roadmap.

Surviving the Aftermath will leave Early Access and officially launch in early 2021 on Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

For more information on Surviving the Aftermath, Paradox and Iceflake, visit www.survivingtheaftermath.com.

Garmin Launches Instinct Esports Edition GPS Smartwatch

Garmin® International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd.  (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced the Instinct® Esports Edition, a rugged GPS smartwatch uniquely designed for esports athletes and enthusiasts to take their gaming performance to the next  level. Using Garmin’s proven health and fitness tracking technologies, the Instinct Esports Edition uses a dedicated esports activity function to track and analyze heartrate and stress during play, as well as offer long-term trend analysis. Garmin’s new STR3AMUP!™ PC streaming tool also provides Instinct  users the ability to livestream biometric data to audiences for a new streaming experience1. And with  over three days of battery life in esports mode, users can make the most of their playing time.

“Elite athletes around the world depend on Garmin products to monitor and improve their performance.  With the Instinct Esports Edition, esports athletes can tap into that same technology to track and  examine how their body responds to intense competition,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of  sales. “Players can also use Instinct’s data to make adjustments in their daily lives, whether it be  altering sleep patterns or activity levels, which can result in increased cognitive and physical  performance during play.”

The Instinct Esports Edition is purpose-built to military standards (MIL-STD 810), yet its exceedingly  lightweight design provides a distraction-free gaming experience. It provides up to 80 hours of battery  life in esports mode and up to 14 days in smartwatch mode for less time charging and more time  gaming. Instinct’s bold black and red colors, high-contrast display and rugged design bring to life a non traditional smartwatch. When paired with a compatible smartphone, Instinct also provides smart  notifications such as email, texts, and alerts to a user’s wrist so they can stay connected both during  and outside of game play.  

Dedicated Esports Activity Profile  

Prior to a match, users simply select the esports activity on Instinct. Once activated, Garmin’s proven  wrist-based heart rate technology2 analyzes and displays a user’s heartrate and stress level in addition  to the time of day and a game timer. Similar to other athletic competitions, actively monitoring stress  and heartrate in real time can provide the opportunity to manage physical and mental resources for  more effective and focused competition. Once a gaming session has ended, users can sync their  activity to the free Garmin Connect™ app3to view, store and analyze their data to see how their body  reacts in different gaming situations. 

STR3AMUP! Livestream Biometrics 

When using the esports activity, players can utilize Garmin’s new STR3AMUP! PC streaming tool to  broadcast heart rate, stress level and Body Battery™ live and embed this data into their video streams or recordings using customizable overlays. Displaying these metrics allows players to interface with  their audience and showcase – in real time – the physical and mental demands of competitive play.  STR3AMUP! allows audiences to be further engaged with their favorite player or team. 

Body Metrics Tracking 

Designed with an emphasis on elite-tier competition, the Instinct Esports Edition provides a variety of  valuable body metric analytics features2, so users can analyze and fine-tune how their body reacts to  competitive play3. These include:  

  • Wrist-Based Heart Rate – Get heart rate data along with alerts if a user’s heart rate stays too  high or too low while at rest, and gauge how hard their heart is working during specific gaming  moments.  
  • Advanced Sleep Monitoring – Users get a full picture of how they are sleeping with a breakdown  of light, deep and REM sleep stages. This allow users to interpret and make lifestyle  modifications for more focused play.  
  • Stress Tracking – Using Garmin’s heart rate variability, the Instinct Esports Edition can calculate  an individual’s stress level score, giving them the opportunity to optimize stress management to  conserve mental and physical resources.  
  • Body Battery Energy Monitor – Uses heart rate, stress and sleep data to determine how much  energy a user has – letting them know when to play and when to rest.  
  • 30+ sports apps and robust activity tracking – Users can train with preloaded activity profiles  outside the gaming world. For athletes who want to monitor performance even further, an  optional Heart Rate Monitor chest strap is available for purchase separately. 

The latest innovation from Garmin, the Instinct Esports Edition is available now for a suggested retail  price of $299.99.

Die by the Blade Trailer and Campaign Update

Publisher Grindstone and developers Triple Hill Interactive and Toko Midori today announced that the Kickstarter campaign for the highly anticipated one-hit-kill sword fighting game Die by the Blade hit over 50% of its funding milestone in 5 days.

The Kickstarter campaign is an important part of the Die by the Blade journey as it aims to engage with fans and build an active community to support the ongoing development of this exciting project.

To celebrate this important milestone, the team has released a short gameplay trailer to give fans a taste of the tense gameplay experience they can expect when the game launches next year.

There are many pledge levels with fantastic game inspired rewards available where fans can get involved, become backers and in turn help shape the future of this highly anticipated, spiritual successor to some of the best classic sword fighting games ever released.

The money raised through Kickstarter will be used to expand on the current gameplay experience with higher quality animations using motion capture technology, expand the character roster and add in even more weapons. If the campaign hits the stretch goals, then additional exciting content could be added like ranged weapons and different combat styles.

On Thursday 22nd October, Peter Adamondy, Development Lead at Triple Hill Interactive, will be hosting a live Q&A session on the Die by the Blade Discord and Instagram channels at 6pm BST / 7pm CET / 1pm EST / 10am PST. Peter will be answering your questions on all things Die by the Blade from development to Kickstarter and the future roadmap leading to release. If you have any questions before backing this project, then this is the perfect opportunity to ask them!

Drawing inspiration from legendary combat games like Bushido Blade and Way of the Samurai, Die by the Blade is a one-hit-kill sword fighting action game where players must take up their weapons and face off against deadly opponents. Choose your character, select your blade and engage in 1 vs 1 combat where the slightest mistake could seal your fate. Become a master of your craft and fight to the death with other players in tense, fast paced multiplayer matches or slash through tough AI enemies in the thrilling single player campaign.

Raya and the Last Dragon Official Teaser Trailer

Check out the exciting, new trailer for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon,” featuring Kelly Marie Tran as the voice of Raya, a lone warrior whose mission is to track down the legendary last dragon in a bid to save Kumandra and unite its lands. Feel free to share the trailer, posters and images with your readers!

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” opens in U.S. theaters on March 12, 2021.

Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well. From directors Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, co-directors Paul Briggs and John Ripa, producers Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho, and featuring the voices of Kelly Marie Tran as Raya and Awkwafina as the last dragon Sisu, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” opens in U.S. theaters on March 12, 2021.

A Tale of Paper Launch Trailer

Sony Interactive Entertainment Spain (SIE Spain) and Open House Games are happy to announce the release today of A Tale of Paper, the winner of the V PlayStation®Talents Awards. The game is now available digital-only and exclusively on PS4™ at the PlayStation Store (EU link / NA link) for €14.99 / $14.99. A Tale of Paper is an emotional adventure of a paper-made boy who will use origami to fulfill his creator’s dream.

Can a dream transcend its owner? This is the question that Open House Games wanted to explore in A Tale of Paper. In a new trailer, players can further explore the world of A Tale of Paper, an adventure where Line can transform into multiple figures in order to avoid obstacles and enemies in this textless adventure that combines platforming sections with puzzle solving. Open House Games has released a new trailer to celebrate that the game is almost ready to hit the shelves.

“A Tale of Paper’s slow-paced and deep gameplay is what makes it special”, explains the Open House Games team. “We mix puzzles and platforming but we also throw in some suspense and bits and pieces of walking simulation in this mix. It is also worth noting that this is no 2D platformer. The camera scrolls laterally, but players can roam in its world in any direction”.

Instead of power-ups, Line will use origami to overcome every obstacle on its way, even some evil Roombas: “Line must combine all of its abilities to clear every stage. But be careful, because every shape only allows Line to perform one action. As a frog, Line can jump higher but it can’t walk or run. We wanted to transmit Line’s fragility (and his potential to overcome obstacles) through this idea, combined with clever level design and some relentless enemies called Roombas”, explains the Open House Games Team.

KEY FEATURES

  • Help a fragile and endearing paper to fulfill the dream of his creator. Embark on an adventure of loss and hope through the eyes of Line, a paper-made boy who magically came to live. Assist him to escape from unusual dangers and bring him the strength he will need to reach the end of his journey.
  • Use origami to overcome obstacles. Master Line’s origami transformations to reach new levels, solve light puzzles and complete platforming sequences.
  • Discover our world from a different perspective. Experience a super-sized world through the eyes of a small paper-made boy.
  • An experience without text. You will live the story through the world and its objects. Explore a variety of levels each with its own ambiance and story to tell. Remember that visuals can be more powerful than words…

Warwick Davis Returns for Disney+ Willow Series

The magical world of George Lucas’ “Willow,” the epic fantasy adventure set in an age of swords, sorcery, myths and monsters, will be returning in a Disney+ series slated to begin production next year.

Jon M. Chu (“In The Heights,” “Crazy Rich Asians”) is set to direct the pilot, and will serve as executive producer along with showrunners Jonathan Kasdan (“Solo”) and Wendy Mericle (“Arrow”). Jonathan Kasdan wrote the pilot.

“Growing up in the ’80s, ‘Willow’ has had a profound effect on me,” says Chu. “The story of the bravest heroes in the least likely places allowed me, an Asian-American kid growing up in a Chinese restaurant looking to go to Hollywood, to believe in the power of our own will, determination and of course, inner magic. So the fact that I get to work with my heroes from Kathleen Kennedy to Ron Howard is bigger than a dream come-true. It’s a bucket-list moment for me. Jon Kasdan and Wendy Mericle have added such groundbreaking new characters and delightful surprises to this timeless story that I can’t wait for the world to come along on this epic journey with us.”

Chu directed the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical “In the Heights,” which will be released in June 2021. He will also direct and serve as executive producer for the pilot of ABC’s Medical Drama “Triage.”

Ron Howard, director of the original “Willow” film, returns as executive producer on the series with Bob Dolman, writer of the original film, serving as consulting producer.

“It’s creatively exciting to not only revisit the world and characters first conceived by George Lucas, Bob Dolman and myself but to see it take flight in such fresh, fun and cinematic ways through the imagination of Jon Kasdan and Team Willow,” says Howard. “This isn’t a nostalgic throw-back, it’s a creative lean-forward and it’s a blast to be a part of it all.”

The series, which is Lucasfilm’s first venture into non-Star Wars storytelling since 2015, takes place years after the events of the original “Willow” film. It introduces all-new characters to the enchanted realm of fairy queens and two-headed Eborsisk monsters, and welcomes back its namesake hero, Willow Ufgood, performed once again by the unmatchable Warwick Davis.

“So many fans have asked me over the years if Willow will make a return, and now I’m thrilled to tell them that he will indeed,” says Davis. “Many have told me they grew up with ‘Willow’ and that the film has influenced how they view heroism in our own world. If Willow Ufgood can represent the heroic potential in all of us, then he is a character I am extremely honored to reprise.”

“This is an exciting new era for storytelling at Lucasfilm,” says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “Jon Chu’s vision, coupled with the writing of Jon Kasdan and Wendy Mericle, is going to take Willow into new and exciting directions for the series. Reuniting Ron Howard and Warwick Davis in the world of ‘Willow’ is something that they’ve both wanted to do for some time, and I couldn’t be more proud of the incredible team we’ve put together to bring this series to Disney+.”

Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Jon M. Chu, Jonathan Kasdan, Wendy Mericle, Ron Howard and Imagine Television will serve as executive producers, with Roopesh Parekh and Hannah Friedman as co-executive producers. Additionally, Bob Dolman will serve as consulting producer with Julia Cooperman as producer.

The production plans to return to the dramatic and enchanted landscapes of Wales, where much of the original film was shot.

Curse of Strahd Revamped Edition Out Now

Wizards of the Coast has released the new Curse of Strahd Revamped edition, just in time for the spooky season!

Under raging storm clouds, the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich stands silhouetted against the ancient walls of Castle Ravenloft. Rumbling thunder pounds the castle spires. The wind’s howling increases as he turns his gaze down toward the village of Barovia.

Far below, yet not beyond his keen eyesight, a party of adventurers has just entered his domain. Strahd’s face forms the barest hint of a smile as his dark plan unfolds. He knew they were coming, and he knows why they came—all according to his plan.

A lightning flash rips through the darkness, but Strahd is gone. Only the howling of the wind fills the midnight air. The master of Castle Ravenloft is having guests for dinner. And you are invited.

COFFIN COMPONENTS

  • Curse of Strahd, one of the most popular Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game products of all time, split into three parts: a 224-page perfect-bound adventure for characters of levels 1–10, a 20-page Creatures of Horror booklet of new monsters that appear in the adventure, and an 8-page Tarokka Deck booklet.
  • A cover sheet with Strahd von Zarovich’s image on one side and Strahd’s monster stat block on the other.
  • A sturdy, four-panel Dungeon Master’s screen designed for use with the adventure.
  • A double-sided poster map showing the domain of Barovia on one side and Castle Ravenloft on the other.
  • 54 foil-stamped Tarokka cards, which help determine the heroes’ path through the adventure.
  • A tuck box to hold the Tarokka deck.
  • 12 postcards (3 copies each of 4 different cards), which you can use to invite friends to your game.

Razer Announces Forward Compatible Controls for Xbox Series X

Razer announced today that existing Razer products designed for Xbox are compatible with the upcoming Xbox Series X|S when they launch this November, bringing the best of gaming peripherals to Microsoft’s next-gen consoles.

Razer’s award-winning range of products designed for Xbox have become firm fan favourites. With each product designed to be outstanding within its category, gamers will be delighted to know that current and future Razer peripherals designed for Xbox will work seamlessly on Microsoft’s new consoles.

Razer Nari Ultimate Designed for Xbox

The Nari Ultimate is the world’s first headset designed for Xbox with high-definition haptic feedback developed by Lofelt™. Ready for haptic feedback in the next generation with Xbox Series X|S, and powered by Razer HyperSense technology, the Nari Ultimate delivers a truly immersive gaming experience thanks to the high fidelity drivers providing crystal clear audio and vibration-based sensory feedback – users don’t just hear the game, they feel the game.

Razer Wolverine Ultimate

Winning multiple awards for its optimized ergonomics, interchangeable thumb sticks and d-pad adaptable for any playstyle, and lit by Razer’s Chroma Lighting, the Razer Wolverine Ultimate is the supreme controller designed for Xbox.

Razer Atrox Arcade Stick

The Razer Atrox Arcade Stick designed for Xbox is a tournament-grade fighting machine built to enhance your gaming prowess. Using premium quality Sanwa components, with 8 highly responsive, programmable buttons and a precision 8-way joystick, fighting game enthusiasts can dominate the game with the Atrox.

The full list of Razer products compatible with Xbox Series X|S includes:

  •  Razer Nari Ultimate Designed for Xbox
  •  Razer Wolverine Ultimate
  •  Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition
  •  Razer Atrox Designed for Xbox arcade stick
  •  Razer Thresher Designed for Xbox
  •  Razer Turret Designed for Xbox

More information on each product can be found at razer.com