Author - Jerry Paxton

ExoCorps Coming to Steam Early Access

Independent developer Gingerbred today announced that their new sci-fi multiplayer shooter ExoCorps will be coming to Steam Early Access for PC on September 17th. Explore the vast alien landscapes on foot or go airborne with your built in full-flight jet-pack as you undertake stealth-based seek and destroy missions.

ExoCorps is the tactical combat platform of the future and an international initiative is testing new military technologies for use across the globe and into the solar system. ExoCorps units are armed with a formidable six in one multirifle, capable of delivering a range of lethal ordnance including auto-cannon fire, multi rockets, plasma bolts, and mingun onslaught. Players can also deliver long range lethality by seeking higher ground for sniper based kills with the deadly rail gun or laser.

Drawing gameplay inspiration from classic game titles such as Counter-Strike and Tribes, with a dash of the epic aerial duels featured in animes such as Macross, ExoCorps is a multiplayer arena FPS set in the near future. At its core, ExoCorps is a game where combat prowess and gaining the tactical advantage over your foe in a cat and mouse hunt to the death is the difference between success and failure.

Mastering an ExoCorps suit isn’t just about deftly evading enemy fire, as players will need to manage power resources too, since ammo and health draw from the same pool. Fly for too long and heat seeker missiles will have no problem locking on to the heat signature of the Exosuits powerful jet propulsion system. Armed with awesome firepower, some keen flying skills and stealthy ground work, players can bring the full range of their tactical combat skills to bear as they hunt down their elusive and cunning foe.

ExCorps will support Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag modes and also launches with five maps, for more information check out https://exocorpsgame.com/

Bill and Ted Face the Music Soundtrack Announced

Orion Pictures’ BILL AND TED FACE THE MUSIC and Weezer have released a most excellent music video for Weezer’s new original song, “Beginning Of The End (Wyld Stallyns Edit)”. The video brings together Weezer with iconic duo William “Bill” S. Preston Esq. (Alex Winter) and Theodore “Ted” Logan (Keanu Reeves) to rock out to Weezer’s characteristic pop melodies and SoCal rock sound.

10K Projects will release Bill & Ted Face The Music, The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on August 28, 2020. Full track listing below and pre-order the soundtrack here: https://billandted.lnk.to/soundtrack

The stakes are higher than ever for the time-traveling exploits of William “Bill” S. Preston Esq. (Alex Winter) and Theodore “Ted” Logan (Keanu Reeves). The now middle aged best friends set out on a new adventure to seek the song that will set their world right and bring harmony in the universe, with the helped by their daughters (Samara Weaving and Brigette Lundy-Paine), a new batch of historical figures and a few music legends. The film also stars Kristen Schaal, Erinn Hayes, Jayma Mays, Holland Taylor, Kid Cudi, Anthony Carrigan, Jillian Bell, Beck Bennett, William Sadler, Hal Landon Jr. and Amy Stoch.

BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC will be released on demand and in theaters on August 28, 2020.

Bill & Ted Face The Music (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) track listing:
1. Big Black Delta – “Lost in Time”
2. Alec Wigdahl – “Big Red Balloon”
3. Weezer – “Beginning Of The End (Wyld Stallyns Edit)”
4. Cold War Kids – “Story Of Our Lives”
5. Mastodon – “Rufus Lives”
6. Big Black Delta – “Circuits Of Time”
7. POORSTACY – “Darkest Night”
8. Lamb Of God – “The Death Of Us”
9. FIDLAR – “Breaker”
10. Culture Wars – “Leave Me Alone”
11. Blame My Youth – “Right Where You Belong”
12. Wyld Stallyns (feat. Animals As Leaders, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah) – “Face the Music”
13. Wyld Stallyns – “That Which Binds Us Through Time: The Chemical, Physical and Biological Nature of Love; an Exploration of The Meaning of Meaning, Part 1”

Dying Light – Hellraid Launch Trailer

Dying Light – Hellraid, a brand new game mode for Techland’s open-world action adventure game, Dying Light, is now live. A DLC based on the developer’s currently-on-hold first-person dark fantasy slasher is a way of bringing the title to the players.

Dying Light – Hellraid allows players to descend into Hell where the players will be able to find all new weapons and slay new enemies. The game mode has a progression system, and can be played both single and in co-op.

The DLC is available on PC starting today, and will be live on PlayStation4 and Xbox One on August 14 at $9.99. Post launch support for Dying Light – Hellraid is already planned including new weapons, bounties, and others, starting with Lord Hector’s Demise planned for September. Further free updates will be available in the upcoming months.

HACK THROUGH THE HORDES OF HELL

Step into a portal to leave the familiar streets of Harran behind and emerge in an otherworldly stronghold overrun by servants of Hell. Slay brand-new demonic enemies with medieval swords, axes, and hammers as you venture through stone corridors and dimly lit chambers.

MASTER A NEW GAME MODE

Prove your skills in intense, rewarding runs through the demon-infested dungeon. Improve your Hellraid rank to access new weapons you can also wield outside of the infernal realm. With the future update you will be able to pick up bounties for additional prizes as you revisit the fortress.

RAID ALONE OR IN CO-OP

Take your chances alone or gather a party of up to 4 people and be certain Hell’s minions will always be ready for you. Prepare to face unholy forces matching your numbers and strength for a formidable challenge.

Amazon Announces Welcome to the Blumhouse for October

Amazon Prime Video announced today “Welcome to the Blumhouse”, a program of eight unsettling, genre movies produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios. Sharing the spine-tingling suspense that’s a Blumhouse signature, each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centered around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces. This slate marks the first ever program of Amazon Original movies on Prime Video that are thematically connected. The films showcase exciting up-and-coming talent, alongside established actors in exceptional and shocking new roles. “Welcome to the Blumhouse” will launch in October, timed for the Halloween season, on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Amazon Prime Video will launch the initial slate of four films as double features starting with The Lie directed by acclaimed writer/director Veena Sud (The Killing, 7 Seconds) and Black Box directed by up-and-coming writer/director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. (Born with It), both premiering on October 6. Launching the following week on October 13 is Evil Eye, from talented young directors Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani (A Day’s Work, Jinn) and executive produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Quantico, White Tiger), and Nocturne written and directed by filmmaker Zu Quirke (Zugzwang, Ghosting) making her feature film debut. The latter four films will launch in 2021.

“We are excited to launch ‘Welcome to the Blumhouse’ with this exhilarating and provocative slate of original films for the first time ever on Prime Video. This collection from diverse and emerging filmmakers was a thrill to put together with our wonderful partners at Blumhouse Television,” said Julie Rapaport, Co-Head of Movies for Amazon Studios. “These chilling stories have something for everyone – ready to fright and delight genre fans and newcomers alike – and we are excited to share them with our global Prime Video customers.”

“We’re beyond excited that the visions of these talented filmmakers will finally be seen by genre fans around the world, especially during this time when people are seeking to escape and be entertained. And we love the innovative idea of programming like the classic drive-in or repertory theater experience,” said Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold, co-presidents Blumhouse Television. “Amazon have been incredible partners, linking arms and supporting the creative visions throughout the process of making these films.”

The Lie is written and directed by Veena Sud, and stars Mireille Enos (The Killing), Peter Sarsgaard (An Education) and Joey King (The Kissing Booth 2, The Act). When their teenaged daughter confesses to impulsively killing her best friend, two desperate parents attempt to cover up the horrific crime, leading them into a complicated web of lies and deception. Produced by Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Christopher Tricarico, and Jason Blum. Executive produced by Howard Green, Kim Hodgert, Jeanette Volturno, Couper Samuelson and Aaron Barnett.

Directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. (Born With It) and script by Osei-Kuffour Jr. and Stephen Herman, Black Box stars Mamoudou Athie (Jurassic World 3, The Circle), Phylicia Rashad (Creed), Amanda Christine (Colony), Tosin Morohunfola (The Chi, The 24th), Charmaine Bingwa (Trees of Peace, Little Sista), and Troy James (The Flash, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark). After losing his wife and his memory in a car accident, a single father undergoes an agonizing experimental treatment that causes him to question who he really is. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Jay Ellis, Aaron Bergman, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Mynette Louie and William Marks.

Based off the award-winning, best-selling Audible Original production from writer Madhuri Shekar, Evil Eye is directed by Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani, and stars Sarita Choudhury (Mississippi Masala, Lady in the Water), Sunita Mani (GLOW), Omar Maskati (Unbelievable), and Bernard White (Silicon Valley). A seemingly perfect romance turns into a nightmare when a mother becomes convinced her daughter’s new boyfriend has a dark connection to her own past. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Guy Stodel, Anjula Acharia, Emilia Lapenta and Kate Navin.

Nocturne is written and directed by Zu Quirke in her breakout feature debut. Starring Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, The Handmaid’s Tale, Player’s Table), Madison Iseman (Jumanji: The Next Level, Annabelle Comes Home), Jacques Colimon (The Society) and Ivan Shaw (Insecure, Casual). Inside the halls of an elite arts academy, a timid music student begins to outshine her more accomplished and outgoing twin sister when she discovers a mysterious notebook belonging to a recently deceased classmate. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Matthew Myers and Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly.

Frostpunk: On The Edge Gameplay Trailer

With great excitement, 11 bit studios is happy to unveil all the new features awaiting players in Frostpunk: On The Edge. Frostpunk’s Lead Game Designer, Jakub Stokalski, will guide you through the additions in an all-new in-game developer commentary video. The third expansion for the survival city-builder Frostpunk will launch on PC on August 20th.

On The Edge revolves around themes of trust and loyalty. Assigned as the leader of a newly formed Outpost — settled near a newly-found Army Warehouse — you are kept on New London’s leash and bound to transfer all your precious findings to headquarters. At the same time, you have to rely on scarce food deliveries and laws enforced by your supervisor. It’s a delicate balance to navigate — each decision introduces new potential risks and unknowns. But as soon as an alternate food source is discovered by your scouts, you start to think about surviving on your own…

The next finding is an even bigger breakthrough — there are other Settlements out there willing to cooperate with you. Once you manage to gain their loyalty, designate trade routes between new allies, and regain control over your Book of Laws, then perhaps you can form a strong, independent union, and shake off New London’s yoke. And who knows, maybe one day the proud city will ask for your help?

Creating foundations for a new community comes with an array of difficulties. Confronting New London as well as dealing with other Settlements will test your diplomatic skills, but you can’t forget that in the long run, Frostpunk is all about survival. What compromises are you willing to make to achieve that ultimate goal?

On The Edge – Features List:

  • Choose your truce – Can you trust other communities? Should you respect their ways of survival or bend them to your will?
  • Establish an economical union with other outposts using the Transport Depot.
  • Help develop other Settlements by fulfilling their requests.
  • Construct safe routes on the Frostland and exchange surplus resources for those you lack.
  • Discover 16 brand new areas of the Frostland and revisit some of the old sites – learning their fate after the Great Storm.
  • Communicate with other communities thanks to brand new UI in the Administration building.
  • Try to survive without control over the Book of Laws.
  • Enable new mechanics available in the Endless Mode.

On The Edge is the third and final expansion for Frostpunk. It was preceded by The Rifts, which challenged players to build a city on the map containing a group of islands with various resources, and prequel story The Last Autumn focused on building an iconic Generator. All expansions are available in Frostpunk’s Season Pass which can be found here: https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/11780/Frostpunk_Season_Pass/.

Frostpunk: On The Edge will be available Aug. 20th, 2020 on PC via Steam, GOG.com, and Humble Store. Be sure to add the expansion to your Steam Wishlist here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1147010/Frostpunk_On_The_Edge/.

Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town Launch Trailer

Developer imaginarylab, a studio dedicated to raising the bar in interactive storytelling, and VLG, a forward-thinking Italian publisher committed to offering authentic narrative-driven entertainment, have announced that their point-and-click side-scrolling adventure game with a modern twist, Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town, is now available on Steam and GOG for $19.99. In celebration of its launch, the game will be discounted 15% for an entire week after release.

Learn more about Willy’s adventure with today’s launch trailer:

“Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town hearkens back to the days we played point-and-click classics like Day of the Tentacle and the Monkey Island series way past our bedtime,” says Daniele Falcone, General Manager at VLG. “Old school fans can finally experience this beloved genre with contemporary mechanics and introduce their kids to a type of game we don’t see enough of today.”

Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town offers a modern take on point-and-click adventure games by having players collect clues and solve puzzles in a computerized 3D pirate world. As Willy uncovers details regarding his father’s mysterious disappearance, fans of all ages are able to enjoy hilarious dialogue, whimsical characters and charming cartoon graphics. People who grew up with the genre can appreciate easter eggs that reference iconic titles they grew up during the good old days.

Key Features:

  • Non-linear gameplay – Explore without constraint, collect items and solve stimulating puzzles.

  • Unique graphic style – A fantastical world with a magical atmosphere.

  • Full HD quality – Cinematographic cutscenes and over 50 locations to see.

  • A pirate world with a modern twist – Pirates and computers? Why not?!

  • 15 NPCs to interact with – Learn about the story through several hours of interactive dialogues packed with irony and easter eggs.

  • Original soundtrack – More than two hours of original music.

Willy Morgan and the Curse of Bone Town is now available on Steam and GOG for $19.99. In celebration of its launch, the game will be discounted 15% for one whole week after release. For more information, please visit the title’s Steam page and GOG page.

Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing Release Date Trailer

Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing (LWAVR), the VR racing game from UNIVRS Inc. based on the famous anime, takes off on Oculus Quest on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, before casting a spell on PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and Steam VR in early 2021.

Enroll as a guest student at the famous Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy, then ride a broom and soar through the skies across more than 10 tracks. Partner with fan-favorite Little Witch Academia characters such as Akko, Lotte, and Sucy, voiced in both English and Japanese by the anime’s voice actors. Race through the skies in first person perspective with UNIVRS, Inc.’s patent-pending motion sickness reduction technology.

Unfold a new story and dive into the LWA universe in immersive virtual reality. Pair up with fellow students while purifying ghosts, and customizing brooms. Join real-world friends in online multiplayer modes and take in the splendor of the Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy.

This adaptation of Studio TRIGGER’s hit anime series features veterans of anime and gaming such as director Junichi Yamamoto, whose past positions include opening and ending movie director on The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and storyboard artist of Batman Ninja, and sound supervisor Yukio Nagasaki (Love Live!, Arc the Lad). Along with the returning voice cast, TV series songwriter/composer Yuiko Ohara and singer YURiKA return with a new theme song “Dream Flight,” exclusive to this game.

LWAVR sees the fulfillment of a pair of successful 2019 crowdfunding campaigns, with more than $165,000 raised in total between Kickstarter, and popular Japanese crowdfunding site Campfire. The Little Witch Academia series has always been driven by fan support, with a short film raising $625,518 from 7,938 backers, and its success leading to a 25-episode Netflix series.

“The fans are the lifeblood of the Little Witch Academia series, and that principle guided us at UNIVRS when creating VR Broom Racing,” said Naoya Koji, COO at UNIVRS. “We strived to make this as accessible an experience as possible for the fans, even if it’s their first virtual reality experience, and know we will live up to their expectations.”

Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing releases October 13, 2020 for $29.99 on the Oculus Quest Store, featuring English and Japanese language text and voice acting. Versions for PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and SteamVR follow in early 2021.

To learn more, visit the official website, Facebook page, and follow Little Witch Academia VR on Twitter.

DreamHack Postpones Remaining Festivals for 2020

Today, DreamHack has announced the postponement of its remaining festivals in 2020: DreamHack RotterdamDreamHack HyderabadDreamHack Atlanta, DreamHack Winter and DreamHack Madrid. The decision was made as the world continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic — events of this magnitude are not possible at a time when health and safety is the priority.

“The goal for all of us at DreamHack is to provide great experiences at our events, which thrive by bringing communities together for these shared and beloved festival weekends all around the globe,” said DreamHack Co-CEO Marcus Lindmark. “We have never had to postpone events like this before — but these are extraordinary times, and the safety of our attendees and staff has never been more important than now.” 

DreamHack’s festivals will continue to feature everything gaming under one roof, including pro esports tournaments, amateur and varsity gaming tournaments, world-famous bring your own computer (BYOC) LAN party, freeplay area, influencer appearances, cosplay championship, panels, art, activities, expo, film screenings, live music and more.

Lindmark continued: “This has been a very different year for everyone, but we are fully committed to bringing our festivals back in 2021. DreamHack will continue to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten), as well as other national health authorities for guidance on resuming our festivals. Until then, we will continue to innovate so we can connect with our fans through great content.”

The affected events are:

  • DreamHack Rotterdam — originally scheduled for October 16-18, 2020
  • DreamHack Hyderabad — originally scheduled for October 31-November 1, 2020
  • DreamHack Atlanta — originally scheduled for November 13-15, 2020
  • DreamHack Winter — originally scheduled for November 27-29, 2020
  • DreamHack Madrid — originally scheduled for December 11-13, 2020

Earlier this summer, DreamHack DallasDreamHack Summer and DreamHack Montreal were also postponed to 2021. Complete schedule of festival dates and locations for 2021 will be announced later this year. Full details will be at dreamhack.com when available.

Six Flags Wild Safari Celebrates Birth of Baby Giraffe

The Six Flags Wild Safari’s animal care team is celebrating the birth of a female giraffe, the most recent of four calves born in the span of one year. The calf, named “Sierra,” was born on June 2, 2020 and recently ventured into the Wilde Plains section of the safari for the first time. Led by her mother, Muraya, she joined the other young giraffes in this “baby boom”—Phyllis, Embu, and Soda—and encountered 10 different species of African animals, including white bearded gnu (also known as blue wildebeest), eland, and blackbuck.

“Sierra is over 200 pounds and will likely grow to be 1,500 pounds,” said Safari Veterinarian Dr. Ken Keiffer. “She is the latest in an exciting string of giraffe births here at the safari, and we are thrilled that all four calves are being raised by their mothers,” he added.

Though calves are typically about six feet tall when they are born, adult male giraffes can reach 18 feet, making them the tallest mammals in the world.

The calves are all reticulated giraffe, also called Somali giraffe, which are native to northeastern Kenya, southern Ethiopia, and Somalia.

“Reticulated giraffes have distinctive coat patterns featuring red-brown patches divided by thin white lines. Their spots are unique like a fingerprint, which is how we can tell them apart,” said Dr. Keiffer. Other facts about reticulated giraffes include:

  • A group of giraffes is called a “tower”;
  • Giraffes can stand and walk within an hour of their birth—they even sleep and give birth standing;
  • Giraffes have seven vertebrae in their extremely long necks, which is the same amount of vertebrae humans have in their necks; and
  • Their tongues can be 18 inches long to help reach tree leaves.

In the wild, giraffes are currently undergoing what is referred to as a “silent extinction event.” Their numbers have decreased by nearly 40 percent in the past 30 years, placing them in the “Vulnerable to Extinction” category as determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Six Flags Wild Safari is home to 12 giraffes.

The Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure takes guests on a self-guided journey through 1,200 exotic animals from six continents from the safety and privacy of their own vehicles. Guests must purchase tickets and make a reservation in advance of their visit using Six Flags’ new online registration system. A new, free audio tour is available to stream online that provides fun facts about 70 different species of animals at the safari. Guests can learn more about the animals and their habitats, purchase tickets, make reservations, and stream the audio tour at www.sixflags.com/safari.

Fun Facts About How Giraffes Measure Up:

  • Taller than traditional double-decker busses;
  • Two times taller than ostriches;
  • Two times taller than the world’s tallest man, Robert Wadlow;
  • Two and a half times taller than the average Christmas tree;
  • Two and a half times taller than superstar basketball player Shaquille O’Neal;
  • Taller than three stacked refrigerators;
  • Six times taller than General Tom Thumb; and
  • Taller than 14 stacked bowling pins.