Author - Jerry Paxton

ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge Announcement Trailer

Leading video game publisher and developer BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today announced that ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge will release for Nintendo Switch on September 3, 2021, and will be available exclusively at Target stores and Target.com in the United States. Originally released for the Nintendo Wii, ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge returns to invite players to engage in real-life exercises while completing a variety of fun, family-friendly mini-games.

Featuring 16 games in total with activities ranging from river rafting to log jumping, ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge provides a fun fitness experience great for players of all skill levels to enjoy together. Players can expect to work up a sweat with the game’s simple, yet unique controls, which feature a pack-in Leg Strap that uses the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con to measure players’ movements. ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge detects a wide variety of players’ activities, including running, jumping, squatting and stomping, through the left Joy-Con, which is inserted into the Leg Strap and worn on the left leg. The player will also hold the right Joy-Con in their right hand to measure the arm’s accompanying movements.

ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge comes with two Leg Straps, and those with two sets of Joy-Cons can enjoy competitive and cooperative minigames with their families and friends in Multiplayer mode. Each minigame lasts between one to three minutes, and with the vibrant and colorful animations, players can bring the outdoors inside for an engaging and active gameplay experience.

“ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge consists of a unique, heart-pumping set of minigames, making it the perfect customizable workout for families of all ages,” said Summer Nguyen, Associate Brand Manager at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “Players can expect an immersive workout experience by turning in-game movements into real-world exercises which are a fun, safe, and easy way to stay active and moving!”

ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge will be available for Nintendo Switch on September 3, 2021. To learn more about the game’s exclusive availability through Target in the United States, please visit: https://www.target.com/p/-/A-83498615. For information on other products from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., please follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS, or join the conversation on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

Nocs Provisions Unveils Zoom Tube 8×32 Monocular Telescope

Nocs Provisions, maker of durable, adventure-ready binoculars and accessories, today announces the launch of the Zoom Tube 8×32 Monocular Telescope, the newest addition to the brand’s range of outdoor optics.

The ultimate lightweight exploration tool, the Zoom Tube is small enough to pack for any excursion yet with optics that pack a serious punch. Rugged and water-resistant, the Zoom Tube is built to get out deep into the field and help explore and your surroundings.

The Zoom Tube is 8×32 (8x magnification / 32mm lens aperture), the equivalent of a 400mm zoom lens. Featuring Swiss-designed Bak4 prisms, each piece of glass on the Zoom Tube is coated multiple times to reduce chromatic aberration and provide more brightness. With a wide field of view (384ft @ 1000 yds / 7.3º) the Zoom Tube allows you to see an extremely wide range while maintaining a close focus of 2M (7ft) for viewing nature’s smaller details. The oversize eyepiece lens is excellent for spotting moving objects like birds or your friend catching a wave.

“We’re stoked to introduce the Zoom Tube 8×32 Monocular as a new addition to our optics line. The Zoom Tube, paired with our Inspector Microscope attachment, provides for viewing the micro and macro, in a size that fits in any pocket” said Nocs Provisions founder and CEO, Chris McKleroy. “We want people to really use our products – take them out, beat them up, and see deeper. The Zoom Tube is so compact and lightweight there’s really no reason to leave it behind.”

Nocs is also introducing the Inspector Microscope, an add-on attachment that multiplies the power of the Zoom Tube by 4x and converts it into a 32x power microscope, allowing you to see beyond what meets the eye, such as tiny details like a butterfly’s wings or snow crystals.

The Zoom Tube is tripod compatible, which pairs perfectly with the Peak Design Capture Clip for mounting on a backpack strap or bag, making the Zoom Tube ready at hand whenever you need it.

The Zoom Tube retails for $75, the Inspector Microscope for $35, and the Capture Clip for $69. The three can be purchased together in the Citizen Scientist bundle for $165.

The Zoom Tube is available in Tar Pit Black and Beeswax Yellow, with five more colors (Juniper Green, Indigo Blue, Manzanita Red, and Safety Orange) coming out this summer. The Zoom Tube is available along with the accessories at https://www.nocsprovisions.com/.

Valve Steam Deck Reservations Now Open

Valve is pleased to announce Steam Deck reservations are now open in select regions, with shipments scheduled to start in December 2021.

Steam Deck is a powerful, portable gaming PC that will let customers take their Steam library with them wherever they go.

Choose from three versions of Steam Deck:

  • $399 (64GB)
  • $529 (256GB)
  • $649 (512GB)

Customers will be notified to make their purchase in the order reservations were made as inventory comes available.

Reservations can be made here: https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck

Shout! Factory TV Unveils Piranhathon Bites Back-to-Back

Just when you thought it was safe to take a dip in the water again…Piranhathon Bites Back-to-Back! On August 9th, stream double the camp, double the teeth and double the terror when Shout! Factory TV™ presents a 24-hour marathon of Joe Dante’s 1978 cult classic Piranha and its 1995 remake starring Mila Kunis and Soleil Moon Frye. Fans can watch the films streamed all day and night long in a back-to-back format presentation that is sure to keep everyone coming back for seconds. The marathon begins Monday, August 9 at 12 a.m. PT on Shout! Factory TV.

In 1978, audiences discovered Piranha, widely considered one of the very best films inspired by the success of Jaws, and for over 40 years Piranha has been one of the true cult gems in the Roger Corman canon.

Lost River Lake was a thriving resort until they discovered … Piranha! While searching for missing teenagers, rookie skip-tracer Maggie McKeon (Heather Menzies) and booze-soaked river rat Paul Grogan (Bradford Dillman) stumble upon a top-secret military laboratory conducting genetic research on piranha fish for the purpose of developing the most lethal form of biological warfare imaginable.

When the deadly eating machines are accidentally released from the compound, they’re soon headed downstream, consuming everything — and anyone — in their path. With Paul and Maggie in hot pursuit, the piranhas’ next stop is the children’s summer camp, where Paul’s young daughter is vacationing, and then the newly opened, multi-million-dollar water resort. Time is running out, and the piranha are hungry!

The 1995 remake of the cult classic film features Mila Kunis and Soleil Moon Frye and was also produced by Roger Corman.

Piranhathon can be viewed on ShoutFactoryTV.com; Shout! Factory TV’s Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, and Roku apps; and the following digital streaming platforms: IMDb TV, Local Now, Plex, Redbox, Samsung TV Plus, Sling TV, STIRR, Twitch, Vizio and XUMO. Both films are also available for streaming on demand across Shout! Factory TV platforms.

D&D Live 2021 Starts Today

D&D Live 2021 kicks-off today at 12pm PT! Here’s everything you need to know about tuning-in for this epic event and what programming to look forward to.

Presented by Wizards of the Coast and G4, D&D Live 2021 is a two-day event hosted by B. Dave Walters, Mica Burton and Becca Scott featuring a mind-flaying amount of entertainment about upcoming products from Wizards of the Coast as well as five D&D games with star-studded casts playing with expert Dungeon Masters, including:

 July 16 at 12:45pm PT – WWE Superstars Xavier Woods, Ember Moon, MACE, and Tyler Breeze join Dungeon Master Aabria Iyengar for The Chaos Carnival Table and will raise money for Connor’s Cure

  • July 16 at 4pm PT – Patton Oswalt, Nick Peine, Allisyn Snyder, Jacob Houston, and Marisa Baram of Peacock’s A.P. BIO join Dungeon Master B. Dave Walters’ in The Palace of the Vampire Queen Table to raise money for Alice’s Kids
  • July 17 at 1pm PT – Tiffany Haddish, Jack Black, Kevin Smith, Reggie Watts, Lauren Lapkus, and Jason Mewes will be led by Dungeon Master Kate Welch for Lost Odyssey: Last Light Table and will raise money for Extra Life
  • July 17 at 4pm PT – Popular streamers DrLupo and Negaoryx will join comedian Ify Nwadiwe and G4 cast members Kevin Pereira, Adam Sessler, and Fiona Nova will join Dungeon Master Amy Vorpahl for The Flubbybonks and Guzzleshucks Table and will raise money for The Pablove Foundation
  • July 17 at 7pm PT – The Faster, Purple Worm! Kill! Kill! Table brings together Seth Green, Xander Jeanneret, Deborah Ann Woll, and B. Dave Walters playing intrepid yet inexperienced adventurers with host Bill Rehor and Dungeon Master Jon Ciccolini from Beadle & Grimm’s. The group will improvise their way through a doomed session to hunt a massive monster that’s way beyond their skillset. The difficulty of the monster is determined by fans’ contributions to each table’s charities through D&D Live!

On top of all that awesomeness, G4TV is excited to showcase D&D luminaries including Satine Phoenix, Eric Campbell, Kaiji Tang, Kate Welch, Josh Lee Kwai, Vince Caso, Stella Chuu, Malika Lim, Kailey Bray, Jason Charles Miller and Kelly Lynne D’Angelo bringing you entertaining segments throughout D&D Live.

Viewers can also look forward to interviews with Wizards’ Chris Perkins, Amanda Hamon, and James Wyatt on the new D&D storyline The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, the D&D sourcebook set in a Magic: The Gathering plane Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos, and Magic: The Gathering’s Adventures in the Forgotten Realms set using D&D mechanics and monsters. And if that’s not enough to make you run a skill check on hype containment, you can expect even more announcements lying in wait for a sneak attack.

The entries are in and the hunt continues for D&D’s best DM in the Dungeon Master Challenge. 10 finalists from the open submissions stage will be announced at D&D Live 2021. The finalists will then compete in a series of weekly challenges with contestants being eliminated until the final three DM’s remain. Those lucky three contestants will then compete in a final challenge in hopes of being named the winner at D&D Celebration on September 26.

Watch D&D Live 2021 either live or VOD on July 16 and 17 at 12:00 PM PT via a myriad of scrying portals, including:

·       Peacock (app and desktop) – https://www.peacocktv.com/

·       G4TV Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/g4tv

·       G4TV YouTube – http://youtube.com/g4tv

·       D&D’s Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/dnd

·       D&D’s YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/DNDWizards
Go to G4TV.com/dndlive for more information on all of the exciting D&D Live 2021 programming.

Elgato Unveils Facecam Premium Webcam and More

Elgato, a leading provider of hardware and software for streamers and content creators, today announced the launch of Facecam, a cutting-edge entry into the world of professional-grade webcams. Facecam captures video in true Full HD 1080p60 through an all-glass studio-quality Elgato Prime lens. Equipped with a Sony® Starvis™ image sensor that excels in indoor lighting conditions, and an optimized fixed focus, Facecam keeps you looking sharp in live streams, conference calls, online classes, or anywhere demanding high-quality HD video capture. The result is a webcam tailor-made for creating today’s most professional content.

Alongside Facecam, today Elgato also launches a host of new gear to upgrade your production setup: Wave XLR, an XLR to USB Type-C microphone interface and digital audio mixer; Stream Deck, now with interchangeable faceplates, a detachable USB Type-C cable, and a beautiful new stand; and Wave Mic Arm plus Wave Mic Arm LP, two fully adjustable boom arms for optimal desktop microphone positioning.

Facecam features a studio-quality f/2.4 24-mm, all-glass Elgato Prime Lens. A state-of-the-art Sony Starvis CMOS sensor with back-illuminated pixel technology ensures extraordinary detail in a variety of lighting conditions, especially indoors. Optimized fixed focus enables you to move freely and stay in focus, while an adjustable field of view up to 82° allows you to set close-up or wide angle shots. Facecam outputs true Full HD at 1080p60fps without artifacts thanks to an advanced image engine that outputs uncompressed video.

Facecam makes configuring and installing an expert webcam setup simple and easy, seamlessly mounting to nearly any monitor or camera mount via a choice of an expandable monitor clamp or a 1/4″ thread. Connecting to your PC or Mac via a detachable USB Type-C cable, uncompressed image data is transferred with extremely low latency. The accompanying Camera Hub app gives you DSLR-like control of settings such as field of view, brightness, and exposure – and your settings are saved directly to Facecam for instant recall on all your computers. The Stream Deck plugin enables instant tactile control and integration with your entire setup.

“With Elgato’s history of innovation in every aspect of content creation, we knew that our first webcam had to set a new standard in the industry,” said Julian Fest, SVP and GM of Elgato. “Facecam is the culmination of thousands of hours of meticulous engineering, and it comes at a time when more people than ever are looking to build a highly professional setup that can help establish and grow their audiences. Facecam is a blend of premium hardware and advanced software that gives users an intuitive, powerful solution to achieve stunning video quality. Manually tuning a camera to capture the perfect shot has never been easier.”

Debuting alongside Facecam, Wave XLR connects your existing high-quality XLR microphone to your PC, upgrading its audio capabilities and enabling integration with the Elgato Wave Link app to mix your microphone audio with multiple other independent audio sources. Controlling your microphone with Wave XLR is easy thanks to its silent capacitive mute button and multifunctional control dial. Proprietary Clipguard technology prevents sound distortion when input levels peak, while up to 75dB of ultra-low-noise gain amplifies insensitive mics. Wave XLR also provides up to 48 volts of phantom power to drive condenser microphones for extra high audio detail and capacity. Like Facecam, Wave XLR integrates perfectly with Stream Deck for advanced audio control.

Next in the lineup is the all-new Stream Deck. The iconic interface with fifteen bright LCD keys that can be customized with icons and actions to control apps and tools, Stream Deck now sports detachable components that allow users to completely personalize their setup. A new fixed-angle desktop stand keeps Stream Deck firmly planted and can be removed to lay the unit flat or mount as desired. The USB Type-C cable can be disconnected and replaced by any USB Type-C cable. Plus, the faceplate easily snaps off so users can just as easily snap on a different design from a growing range of custom faceplates adorned in vibrant colors and graphics. With the recently updated Stream Deck 5.0 app and Store featuring plugins, royalty-free music tracks, sound effects and more, Stream Deck is an extremely versatile, fully customizable control interface for any computer-based workflow. It’s also the perfect companion for Elgato products, including Facecam and Wave XLR.

Joining Elgato’s selection of Wave audio gear and accessories, Wave Mic Arm and Wave Mic Arm LP offer content creators, radio broadcasters, business professionals – anyone with a desktop audio setup – two premium-quality mounting options. Wave Mic Arm, a traditional suspension boom arm, stands tall at 750mm / 29.5in and comes with an extension riser that adds another 150mm / 5.9in of height to reach over bigger obstacles such as computer monitors. Wave Mic Arm LP, by contrast, is an all-metal, low-profile boom arm that sits below the shoulder line to ensure an unobstructed view while making a stunning impression on and off camera. Streamlined and elegantly designed, both mic arms feature hidden cable channels with removable covers for easy access, an adjustable clamp mount that fits popular desk designs, and a ball head with a 1/4″ screw plus 3/8″-5/8″ adapters for ultimate flexibility.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to upgrade, Facecam and the newest wave of Elgato streaming gear and accessories have the power to turn your desktop into a professional content studio.

Availability, Warranty, and Pricing

Elgato Facecam, Stream Deck, Wave XLR, Wave Mic Arm, and Wave Mic Arm LP are available immediately from the Elgato and CORSAIR worldwide network of authorized retailers and distributors.

Elgato Facecam, Stream Deck, Wave XLR, Wave Mic Arm, and Wave Mic Arm LP are backed by a two-year warranty and the CORSAIR & Elgato worldwide customer service and technical support network.

For up-to-date pricing of Elgato Facecam, Stream Deck, Wave XLR, Wave Mic Arm, and Wave Mic Arm LP, please refer to the Elgato website or contact your local CORSAIR/Elgato sales or PR representative.

Web Pages

For more information on Elgato Facecam, please visit:

https://elgato.com/facecam

For more information on Elgato Stream Deck, please visit:

https://elgato.com/stream-deck-mk2

For more information on Elgato Wave XLR, please visit:

https://elgato.com/wave-xlr

For more information on Elgato Wave Mic Arm, please visit:

https://elgato.com/wave-mic-arm

For more information on Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP, please visit:

https://elgato.com/wave-mic-arm-lp

Valve introduces Steam Deck Handheld PC Gaming Device

Valve announces Steam Deck, the first in a new category of handheld PC gaming devices starting at $399.

Steam Deck is a powerful all-in-one portable PC. With a custom processor developed in cooperation with AMD, Steam Deck is comparable to a gaming laptop with the ability to run the latest AAA games. Your Steam library will be on Deck to play games wherever and whenever you want. Steam Deck is also an open PC, adding the ability to install any software or connect with any hardware.

“We think Steam Deck gives people another way to play the games they love on a high-performance device at a great price,” says Valve founder Gabe Newell. “As a gamer, this is a product I’ve always wanted. And as a game developer, it’s the mobile device I’ve always wanted for our partners.”

Steam Deck starts at $399, with increased storage options available for $529 and $649. Reservations open July 16th at 10 AM PDT; shipping is slated to start in December 2021.

Steam Deck details:

  •  Powerful, custom APU developed with AMD
  •  Optimized for hand-held gaming
  •  Full-sized controls
  •  7″ touchscreen
  •  WiFi and Bluetooth ready
  •  USB-C port for accessories
  •  microSD slot for storage expansion
  •  3 different storage options available

 

Lost at Sea Launch Trailer

Publisher Headup is happy to announce that their narrative adventure, Lost At Sea will open its beautiful, surreal islands today. Players can delve into an emotional journey about life, loss, love and reminisce about the past and future. Lost At Sea will be available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation®5 at a price of $ 14.99, € 14.99 and £ 11.99. Steam users will receive a 10% release discount.

The story is about Anna, a woman in her mid-50’s. Thirty years ago, she met her husband, Andrew and they wished for a child, but that took way longer than expected. They had almost given up hope when it happened after all, and Danny was born. Sadly, nine years later, Danny died in a terrible boating accident with a friend. Years later after the tragedy, Anna also loses Andrew to early dementia. After Andrew nearly dies too, she becomes aware that she cannot provide the help he really needs. So, Anna leaves the house and starts processing her feelings on an island she created in her mind, similar to the one that cost Danny his life.

With Lost At Sea, Studio Fizbin created a game about universal themes focusing on life and death, coming to terms with your past and family. Set on a beautiful island, this game will force you to face your fears and take stock of your life through imaginative minigames and a relatable story. What are the most important moments of your life, and how do you want to live it?

Studio Fizbin are the critically-acclaimed creators of the beloved The Inner World adventure franchise and the studio behind the 2020 IGF honorable mention Minute Of Islands.

You can find Lost At Sea on Steam, the Microsoft Store, and the PlayStation®Store. Also, feel free to check out Studio Fizbin’s Twitter page.

Spirit Halloween Unveils The Graveyard Shift 2021 Animatronic Lineup

Horror movies are a Halloween staple, and this year Spirit Halloween, the world’s largest specialty Halloween retailer, is bringing its celebrated Halloween personalities to life like never before.

Today, the leading authority on all things Halloween and Sneak Peak Productions debuted “The Graveyard Shift”, an unnerving feature presentation for horror fans showing now on spirithalloween.com/thegraveyardshift for the bravest souls to view.

Featuring some of horror’s most legendary characters including Pennywise, Ghostface, Grim, Shorty and Wacky Mole, “The Graveyard Shift” brings terror to the screen and is approved only for the eyes of the living. The spine-chilling cast will also have a towering presence at Spirit Halloween locations across the country for fans to engage with like never before.

Halloween lovers looking to join the scary fun team for the highly-anticipated 2021 season can visit Work4Spirit.com for additional information on seasonal positions available through November.

Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives Announced for Halloween Horror Nights

This fall, Universal Studios’ “Halloween Horror Nights” returns to Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, unleashing some of the most nefarious names in horror to prey upon guests. Classic films that have influenced the horror genre will come to life in two of the event’s disturbingly-real haunted mazes – prepare for the return of the legendary Leatherface in “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and the resurrection of one of Universal Pictures’ most iconic monsters – the Bride of Frankenstein – in “Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives.”

Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives

At its core, Halloween Horror Nights is an extension of the horror film legacy originated by Universal Pictures, and the event continues to honor its blockbuster history with a haunted maze highlighting one of the studio’s most sinister creatures – The Bride of Frankenstein. “Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives” picks up where the 1935 classic film “The Bride of Frankenstein” left off, thrusting guests into chaos as the Bride becomes an unstoppable scientist and begins her mission to revive Frankenstein’s Monster. Her unwavering quest to find eternal life will come at a cost, and guests will soon find themselves entwined in a frenzied battle in their daring attempt to escape. Click here for an electrifying preview of “Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives.”

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Inspired by the 1974 iconic slasher film “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” the “Halloween Horror Nights” mazes will depict a harrowing and intense experience as guests try to outrun the maniacal Leatherface and his unrelenting chainsaw. Guests will embark on a killer journey through a series of familiar scenes from the film and eventually fall victim to a family of cannibals. From a dilapidated gas station to an eerie, old farmhouse, they will witness unimaginable horrors around every corner, soon discovering that nowhere is safe from the demented Leatherface. Click here for a sneak peek at “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”

Plus, guests at Universal Orlando’s “Halloween Horror Nights” will face another pop culture and horror legend as they brave this year’s event. The destination previously revealed the first haunted house of the season featuring the ‘ghost with the most,’ “Beetlejuice,” based on Warner Bros. Pictures and Tim Burton’s Academy Award-winning horror-fantasy film.

Stay tuned as additional details about “Halloween Horror Nights” at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will be revealed soon.

The “Halloween Horror Nights” events begin on Friday, September 3 in Orlando and Thursday, September 9 in Hollywood – and both events run select nights through Sunday, October 31. Select tickets and vacation packages are now on sale for “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Orlando Resort; tickets for the event at Universal Studios Hollywood will be available soon. Due to popular demand, event nights are expected to sell out. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.