Author - Jerry Paxton

EPOS Launches B20 USB Broadcast Microphone

2021/06/01
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Tech News

Premium gaming audio brand EPOS revealed today the B20 broadcast microphone, unleashing next-level audio designed for gamers, streamers and content creators seeking studio-quality microphone audio. Continuing EPOS’ next generation of premium peripherals, the B20 delivers uncompromised crystal-clear recording with hassle-free plug-and-play connectivity and an elegantly sleek build. The EPOS B20 microphone is compatible with PC, PS4TM and Mac®, and is available now on the official EPOS website and from select retailers.

Studio Broadcast Quality Microphone

Staying true to EPOS’ 115 years of audio engineering experience, the B20 delivers clarity without sacrificing the warmth of deep bass and treble tones to achieve rich, clear and enhanced vocals. Designed for a wide range of gamers the B20 microphone boasts studio broadcast quality (24bit 48kHz) while effortlessly reducing unwanted background noise for a lag-free recording experience.

Adaptable for Many Scenarios

Expanding the B20’s function and versatility, the microphone includes integrated audio controls for full control over the sound with easily-accessible volume, gain and mute buttons. When in use, intuitive LEDs indicate when the microphone is active or muted. Additionally, the B20 includes a headphone jack that allows for real-time voice monitoring and game audio mixing. Users can further personalize a microphone experience that is best for their unique setups through the B20’s four ranges of sound pickup – cardioid, stereo, bidirectional or omnidirectional. Each is intuitively designed to capture every recording scenario from solo game streams, partner casting, team-play broadcasts and more.

Sleek, High-Quality Build

Crafted with same high-quality standards of EPOS’ line of premium audio peripherals, the B20 perfectly fits into gaming stations of any layout. The microphone boasts a durable yet lightweight solid aluminium shell, complemented by sleek, ergonomic design and accents. Similarly, the B20 includes a dedicated desk stand that allows for perfect fit and adjustability. The microphone’s 3/8” thread seamlessly connects to boom arms for a range of added positioning options.

Intuitive Setup and Customization

The B20 microphone’s USB-C to USB-A plug-and-use design delivers simple setup for aspiring content creators and seasoned streamers alike. All audio content from professional livestream sessions to elevated team chat are instantly improved through hassle-free connection for less time setting up and more time gaming. For users seeking to further enhance the sound of the B20’s audio, the EPOS Gaming Suite can be downloaded for access to an array of customization settings, including noise reduction adjustments, microphone equalizer adjustability, reverb controls and more.

“The B20 is ideal for players wishing to elevate the quality of their recording, broadcasting and audio communications. We pride ourselves on developing products that fully immerse people into games, and we are proud the B20 continues this legacy,” said Maja Sand-Grimnitz, Director, Global Marketing, Gaming at EPOS.

Price and Availability

The EPOS B20 microphone is now available online via eposaudio.com/gaming and from select retailers at a suggested retail price of $199 USD/$259 CAD.

Official E3 2021 Awards Show Announced

2021/06/01
Jerry Paxton
E3, Geek News, Industry News, News

Selecting from titles that will be showcased during the four-day live E3 2021 broadcast that begins on Saturday, June 12, editors from IGN, GameSpot, PC Gamer and GamesRadar+ will determine the winners for the Official E3 2021 Awards Show. Results will be announced during the last day of the broadcast on Tuesday, June 15.

“For this year’s event, we are collaborating with editors at some of the world’s leading video game media outlets to create the Official E3 2021 Awards Show, recognizing the show’s most anticipated games,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, President & CEO of the ESA. “The broadcast is going to be packed with exciting announcements and reveals, and celebrating innovative publishers and developers is an ideal way to close E3 2021.”

The esteemed media panel will focus on selecting the “Most Anticipated” game of E3 2021, as well as recognizing “Most Anticipated” titles from each participating publisher and developer.

The E3 live broadcast will be hosted by Greg Miller, Jacki Jing and Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez, and as well as featuring new and upcoming game reveals, will also include publisher press conferences, developer interviews, panel discussions and much more.

In addition to the E3 broadcast being included in the official E3 2021 portal and app, the primary hubs to watch the broadcast include:

The all-digital E3 2021 experience runs from Saturday, June 12 through Tuesday, June 15. Media, creators, industry professionals and fans are encouraged to visit the E3 2021 website for the most up-to-date information.

Critical Role’s Second Campaign Finale this Thursday

2021/06/01
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

Critical Role’s highly successful second campaign — The Mighty Nein — premiered over three years ago and has built up over 530 hours of adventures, including over 440 villains conquered and over 100 hours of battles (source: CritRoleStats), and this Thursday, June 3, the epic saga of Critical Role’s second campaign is set to embark on its final adventure.

Since the launch of the campaign on January 11, 2018, Critical Role has chronicled the story of Jester Lavorre (Laura Bailey), Yasha Nydoorin (Ashley Johnson), Caleb Widogast (Liam O’Brien), Beauregard “Beau” Lionett (Marisha Ray), Nott the Brave/Veth Brenatto (Sam Riegel), Fjord (Travis Willingham), Mollymauk “Molly” Tealeaf and Caduceus Clay (both played by Taliesin Jaffe) of The Mighty Nein as they explored Wildemount, formed relationships, spat in the face of death and buried allies, realized that not all goblins are as they seem, discovered the power a friendly cupcake (sprinkled with some Dust of Deliciousness) can have in befriending powerful foes, and showcased the resiliency one can have in the face of insurmountable odds time and time again.

Experience the final chapter of The Mighty Nein as Critical Role concludes the legend of this ragtag group of miscreants that millions across the globe have come to know and love. How will their journey end and what’s next from the world of Critical Role? Tune in to find out!

The final episode of Critical Role’s Campaign 2: The Mighty Nein airs this Thursday, June 3 2021 at 7PM PST simultaneously on Twitch (twitch.tv/criticalrole) and YouTube (youtube.com/criticalrole), with the replayable VOD of the show available on Critical Role’s YouTube channel the following Monday.

Critters…. How do you want to do this?

Razer Announces First E3 Keynote

2021/06/01
Jerry Paxton
E3, Geek News, News, Peripherals News

Razer™, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers (Hong Kong Stock Code: 1337), today announced its first ever Razer Keynote at E3 2021, which will be one of the headlining keynotes taking place Monday, June 14 at 3pm PDT. Razer CEO and Co-founder, Min-Liang Tan, will unveil a series of innovative hardware built with Razer’s best-in-class technology and design that will continue to raise the bar for PC gaming.

This marks Razer’s first ever keynote presentation at the leading global video game event E3. The show has always highlighted the year’s best of the video game industry with participation by the world’s leading video game brands, and this year Razer is proud to deliver a headlining keynote and share news about cutting-edge innovation and hardware that will support the best that PC gaming has to offer.

Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan will lead the Razer E3 2021 Keynote in an all-new extended reality format that blends live and virtual spaces together for an immersive presentation experience. Supported by E3’s interactive overlay, millions of Razer fans and gamers worldwide will be able to join and engage with the livestream.

Min-Liang will also be joined in his keynote by other industry leading players to showcase innovations that will jointly take PC gaming to new heights of performance and immersion. The Razer E3 Keynote will be internationally broadcasted on E3’s official channels (YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Facebook), within the E3 portal and app, across E3’s media partners’ websites including IGN, GameSpot, PC Gamer, GamesRadar+ and more, as well as Razer’s major social channels.

Following the E3 Keynote, an extended RazerStore Live virtual event hosted by gaming celebrities and Razer staff will be livestreamed on Razer’s social channels with additional hands-on reveals, product launches, and giveaways.

For more information on Razer at E3, please see here.

To watch the livestreams, follow Razer on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and Twitter.

MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries Heroes of the Inner Sphere DLC Out Now

2021/05/28
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

Step inside and become your own weapon of war… Developer Piranha Games, a company in the EG7 global interactive entertainment group, announced today that MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries and the much-anticipated Heroes of the Inner Sphere DLC have launched on Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam and GOG.com. The “Dropship Edition” celebrates the Steam release with the base game and DLC available for 10% off and players on Microsoft PC and Xbox will receive an exclusive Kobold Hero Mech—complete with a custom loadout, paint job, and AI Goblin pilot—to commemorate the title’s debut on the Xbox Series X|S platform. Mercs on all available platforms can also enjoy an updated digital content pack for a new price of $4.99/€4.99/£3.99 containing:

  • MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries Soundtrack with 25 tracks
  • Heroes of the Inner Sphere Soundtrack with 14 tracks (updated for this release)
  • Tech Manual Technical Readouts for Select Mechs – 58 Pages with mech details
  • Art Work and Desktops Images Various resolutions
  • Concept art (updated for this release)
  • Selected Screenshots
  • Selected Marketing Images

Packed with Cross-Play support, more than 30 major updates representing over a year of development efforts, a DLC sharing feature, updates digital content pack, and new pricing there has never been a better opportunity to experience MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries!

“On behalf of the entire team at Piranha Games, we’d like to thank the MechWarrior community for their continued support and feedback which has allowed us to deliver the best version of MechWarrior 5 to the Xbox and PC platforms today,” said Russ Bullock, President and Executive Producer at Piranha Games. “Additionally, the fantastic support from the EG7 group has allowed us to share the MechWarrior universe and the newly added features like Cross-Play support and DLC sharing with a wider audience and expand our amazing community.”

PowerWash Simulator Announced

2021/05/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Square Enix Collective and FuturLab are excited to announce that POWERWASH SIMULATOR, which has recently entered Steam Early Access on May 19th, will be published by Square Enix Ltd on Steam.

POWERWASH SIMULATOR lets players wash away their worries with the soothing sounds of high-pressure water. Players can build their very own power washing business and blast away every speck of dirt and grime that they can find. With a unique take on the simulation genre, POWERWASH SIMULATOR focuses on player relaxation and escapism.

The collaboration with Square Enix Collective will allow boutique studio FuturLab the creative freedom to further develop POWERWASH SIMULATOR, throughout early access and beyond.

FuturLab Founder and Creative Director James Marsden commented on the recent announcement. “Our original vision for POWERWASH SIMULATOR was to expand the game in ways that would appeal to a large audience, with the potential of licensed content. Square Enix Collective is the perfect publishing choice as we share a united vision regarding the future of the game.” Marsden further noted that “the creative opportunities that this collaboration opens up for us is incredible, and we’re delighted to be working with such a renowned publisher.”

“I knew as soon as I first played a pre-release build of the game, that POWERWASH SIMULATOR would become an incredibly satisfying and addictive – yet oddly soothing – experience!” added Phil Elliott, head of Square Enix Collective; “We can’t wait to see what people think of the game and look forward to supporting an ever-expanding experience in the years ahead.”

In POWERWASH SIMULATOR’s Steam Early Access, players can build their own power washing business as they complete a variety of dirty jobs across the dusty town of ‘Muckingham’. There are currently 17 jobs in career mode as well as one ‘Special Job’ where players can rove around Mars!

POWERWASH SIMULATOR is currently available on Steam Early Access here: http://bit.ly/PWSOutNowSteam

Iron Harvest: Operation Eagle Expansion Out Today

2021/05/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Is it a bird, is it a plane? Maybe it’s a bit of both. The American Union of Usonia and their giant diesel-punk airships have entered the battlefields of Iron Harvest. KING Art Games today have released Iron Harvest: Operation Eagle, the first major add-on content for the critically acclaimed RTS Iron Harvest.

Iron Harvest: Operation Eagle introduces the new faction of Usonia and the sub-faction Arabia. The latest DLC features the full single and co-op campaign for Usonia, introduces the massive Usonia flying units, adds new multiplayer maps, and more.

The Operation Eagle add-on contains:

  • Usonia Faction with over 20 new units
  • Complete Usonia Campaign (single player & co-op)
  • Three new playable heroes
  • New playable allies from the Arabia faction
  • New flying units for all factions
  • New structures and anti-air defenses for all factions
  • New multiplayer maps

*Every Iron Harvest player will get access to new units, buildings, and maps via matchmaking.

Oddworld: Collection for Nintendo Switch Out Now

2021/05/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch

What’s better than Oddworld Inhabitants’ critically acclaimed Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty, Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee, and Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath? All three of them in a beautifully designed single package. Oddworld: Collection for Nintendo Switch is now available at your local video game retailer.

Created by Oddworld Inhabitants, and co-published by Microids, Oddworld Collection lets Switch players experience the oddest variety of classic action-adventure games ever created. Whether you are at home or on-the-go, the Oddworld Collection offers you three distinct adventures to enjoy.

The Collection includes New ‘n’ Tasty, an action-adventure platformer that challenges you to escape from RuptureFarms, a meat processing plant with plans to turn you into their next tasty meat product. Run for your life or use stealth to safely escape and save others. How you survive is up to you.

In Munch’s Oddysee you must “switch” between the strangest video game duo ever to avoid extinction at the hands of evil scientists using animals as product testing guinea pigs, or in this case, guinea Gabbits.

Rounding out the collection is Stranger’s Wrath, which offers you a brilliant mix of third-person exploration and first-person shooter gameplay. You play as Stranger, a bounty hunter with secret to uncover who must earn enough Moola to afford an overly expensive lifesaving procedure.

Known for their infectious gameplay, humor, and exciting storylines, Oddworld games also spotlight ironies that address the greater challenges facing our own human condition.

Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath

Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath features a unique hybrid viewpoint where the player can switch between first and third person at will, depending on the situation. First person for combat situations, third person for world traversal. You take on the role of Stranger, a mysterious hunter chasing dangerous bounties, using a combination of shooting, platforming, and puzzles to capture your quarry, dead or alive, as well as solve the game’s greater mysteries. Full of Easter eggs and quirky characters, Stanger’s Wrath will reward those with an adventurous spirit.

Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee

In Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee, you “switch” between the characters of Abe and Munch as you try to bust out of an evil animal test lab, reclaim the last Gabbit eggs on Oddworld, which have been packaged in a can of Gabbiar. You must strategically deploy multiple abilities and psychic powers as you try to exact vengeance on the Vykkers while trying to save fellow test creatures and help them battle back from possible extinction.

Oddworld: New and Tasty

Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is a ground-up remake of the mind-blowing puzzle-platforming adventure Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee. While New ‘n’ Tasty is a remake of a beloved classic, it uses none of the original assets. It has a gorgeous HD aesthetic that caters to the modern gamer’s sensibilities. Play as Abe, a hapless, clumsy cog in the corporate machine. You stumble upon a ghastly plan to convert your kind into delicious meaty snacks. Your escape will not be easy, and once free from immediate danger, you will discover the beginnings of a greater purpose and try to save your species from slavery.

Razer, Intellivision, and More Join E3 2021

2021/05/27
Jerry Paxton
E3, Geek News, Industry News, News

With the all-virtual E3 2021 set to begin on Saturday, June 12, the list of official participants continues to grow with the addition of several indie studios, video game publishers and more.

Razer, Intellivision, Yooreka Studio, Tastemakers (makers of Arcade1UP), NetEase, 24 Entertainment, Norton Gaming, GuliKit and SK Telecom join an already impressive list of partners participating in E3, whether it’s in the four-day long live broadcast, being included in the official E3 portal and app, or both.

Indie developers Burgos Games, Dreamteck, Ghost Street Games, Hooded Horse, The Sixth Hammer and New Blood Interactive are also confirmed to participate.

E3 Registration is set to open to the general public on Thursday, June 3, and a full schedule is expected to be announced in early June.

Previously confirmed E3 partners include Nintendo, Xbox, Capcom, Ubisoft, Take-Two Interactive, Warner Bros. Games, SQUARE ENIX, SEGA, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, XSEED Games / Marvelous USA, Inc., Gearbox Entertainment, Freedom Games, Devious Eye Entertainment, Turtle Beach, Verizon and Binge.com, among others.

The full list of participating partners can be found on the E3 2021 website. Please also visit the website for the latest information about E3 2021, registration dates, portal and app details, and more.

RUGBY 22 Announced

2021/05/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News, Xbox Series X News

NACON and Eko Software are pleased to announce Rugby 22, a new game in the leading rugby franchise, which will release in January 2022 on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.

The Paris-based development studio has used all its expertise in sports games (Handball 21, Rugby 18 and Rugby 20) and is making many improvements to this latest simulation. This includes more realistic AI, improved difficulty that adapts better to each player’s level, and more lifelike star-player faces – especially on the latest-generation consoles – thanks to the use of photogrammetry.

Benoît Clerc, Head of Publishing at NACON, explained the goal for this new edition: “Rugby 22 continues and builds upon the great work started by Eko Software on the previous two games. We want to offer rugby fans the most authentic and complete experience possible with updated gameplay that has incorporated many improvements based on player feedback on the previous titles and by including official teams and competitions never seen before in a rugby simulation.”

Among the official teams and competitions included in Rugby 22, players can find the top leagues with all the official clubs, as well as the major national teams like France, Italy, Ireland and Japan to name a few.

Rugby fans can also play as the sport’s current star players and choose their favorite teams to compete against their friends in multiplayer.

Rugby 22 will be available in January 2022 on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.