Author - Jerry Paxton

Creative Unveils Creative Outlier Air Wireless Earbuds

2019/04/25

SINGAPORE – 25th April 2019 – Creative Technology Ltd announced today the launch of its first true wireless in-ear headphones, the Creative Outlier Air, which combines the attributes of wire-free convenience, long-lasting battery life and unparalleled audio performance – all at an irresistible price.

Stamina That Truly Lasts

The Outlier Air boasts outstanding battery life, providing 10 hours on a single charge, and together with two charging cycles on its compact and lightweight charging case, keeps the music pumping for a staggering total of 30 hours. Equipped with the latest Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity that allows for low-energy transmission, the Outlier Air draws minimal power for true stamina that simply outlasts others.

Graphene-enhanced Audio

Highly sensitive and extraordinarily strong, the Outlier Air is built with a high-performance graphene driver diaphragm that is acoustically optimized for smooth and outstanding audio quality; it is capable of driving detailed highs and rich bass without the unwanted distortions and vibrations due to graphene’s properties of feather-like weight and amazing strength.

Advanced Audio Performance

Additionally, Bluetooth 5.0 is capable of performing at twice the speed of Bluetooth 4.2 while consuming less energy than the latter. Bolstered further by the latest Qualcomm® QCC302x series chip, users will enjoy better connectivity over smoother and uninterrupted audio streaming, and other advanced features such as Qualcomm aptX™ audio and Qualcomm TrueWireless™ Stereo Plus.

With the Qualcomm aptX™ codec, together with AAC codec, one can expect rich, enhanced sound quality for the ultimate listening experience.

Comfort + Convenience

Designed with an impeccable fit that provides both comfort and noise isolation, the IPX5 certified Outlier Air is best suited for travelers and fitness enthusiasts with its ergonomically and uniquely designed earbuds that stay comfortable and snug all day.

Features

10 hours on a single charge; total playtime of up to 30 hours
Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy with aptX and AAC
6mm graphene driver diaphragm
IPX5 certified (sweatproof)
Siri and Google Assistant compatibility

Pricing and Availability

The Creative Outlier Air is available at an irresistible price of USD 79.99 at Creative.com.

For more information, visit http://creative.com/outlierair.

BlizzCon 2019 Announced with New Pass Options

2019/04/25

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

IRVINE, Calif.—April 25, 2019—Blizzard community members everywhere are invited to rally together for a weekend full of gaming, esports, cosplay, camaraderie, and the latest Blizzard Entertainment news at BlizzCon^® 2019, taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center on November 1 and 2. Tickets to the show go on sale soon in two waves: Saturday, May 4, and Wednesday, May 8.

BlizzCon 2019 will feature a wide range of attractions and activities for attendees, including in-depth developer panels, world-class esports competition, and opportunities for community creativity to shine in the spotlight. In addition, BlizzCon is expanding to include more active hall space at the convention center as well as the new “BlizzCon Pregame Festivities”—a fun and casual get-together running outside of the convention center on the day before the show.

“BlizzCon has served as a home away from home for the Blizzard community, a place where online friends can meet up in real life and new friendships are formed,” said J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to the show this year, reconnecting, celebrating, and sharing some of our latest developments.”

Some of the greatest Blizzard esports moments of all time have taken place at BlizzCon, and this year’s show is sure to continue that tradition. Esports highlights for BlizzCon 2019 include the Hearthstone^® Global Finals, capping off the inaugural year of Hearthstone Grandmasters; the Overwatch^® World Cup; the epic global finals for the StarCraft^® II World Championship Series; the World of Warcraft^® Arena World Championship Finals; and the inaugural global finals of the World of Warcraft Mythic Dungeon International.

Three BlizzCon Pass Options

Also new this year is the “BlizzCon Portal Pass,” a separate ticket option that offers an array of perks to enhance the BlizzCon experience, including access to Darkmoon Faire during a new “Night at the Faire” event on the eve of BlizzCon. The Portal Pass also includes several convenience-related extras, such as an option to be among the first to enter the show on Friday and Saturday, preferred parking, separate registration and security lines, a dedicated lounge for taking a load off during BlizzCon and mingling with Blizzard employees, and more.

In addition to the Portal Pass, the core BlizzCon Pass will be available, offering the same full general-admission access as in previous years—along with access to the new BlizzCon Pregame Festivities. The BlizzCon Benefit Dinner will also be available again this year, offering a chance to meet and chat with developers, artists, and other folks from Blizzard the night before the show at a laid-back charity dinner—as well as full general-admission access to the show and all of the perks provided with the Portal Pass. As in past years, net proceeds from the BlizzCon Benefit Dinner go to benefit CHOC Children’s, whose mission is to nurture, advance, and protect the health and well-being of children.

Quantities of all three ticket types will be available in both waves—unlike previous years, there will not be a separate wave for the BlizzCon Benefit Dinner. The first sale will take place Saturday, May 4, at 10:00 a.m. PDT, and the second will take place Wednesday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m. PDT. The sale is being conducted by online ticketing vendor AXS (details on the AXS waiting room system and helpful tips for the purchase process can be found at www.blizzcon.com). In addition to applicable taxes and fees, pricing is $229 for the BlizzCon Pass, $550 for the BlizzCon Portal Pass, and $750 for the BlizzCon Benefit Dinner.

Choice of BlizzCon Commemorative Collectible Statue

All three purchase options will include the BlizzCon in-game goodies (to be announced), along with a choice of BlizzCon Commemorative Collectible statue—either a mighty Orc Grunt or bold Human Footman—in celebration of the 25^th anniversary of Warcraft^®. Note that the statue selection must be made and will be locked during the ticket-purchase process. Created in the style of the popular Blizzard Legends series, the statues will take the place of the Goody Bag from previous years. The statues will also be sold separately during a limited window, starting May 4, for attendees who would prefer to have both and for anyone else who would like to purchase them.

Further details on this year’s BlizzCon as well as the different ticketing options, attendee perks, the collectible statues, and more can be found at www.blizzcon.com.

Prospective attendees can make advance hotel reservations now and receive special BlizzCon rates by booking through the BlizzCon hotel website.

More information about the show, including ways to watch BlizzCon online and get this year’s in-game goodies, will be provided in the months ahead.

Star Trek Online Rise of Discovery Announced

2019/04/25

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – April 25, 2019 – Today, Perfect World Entertainment Inc., a leading publisher of free-to-play MMORPGs, and Cryptic Studios announced Star Trek Online’s next major update, Rise of Discovery, will launch on PC May 14 and later on consoles. The game’s exploration of the universe created by the CBS television series, Star Trek: Discovery, continues with new missions featuring Captain Gabriel Lorca (voiced by Jason Isaacs) and Commander Ellen Landry (voiced by Rekha Sharma). Star Trek Online players will fight alongside the U.S.S. Buran and learn what happened to both Lorca and Landry, before they joined the crew of the U.S.S Discovery. Rise of Discovery also introduces a brand new reputation and a ship system update that scales all Tier 6 starships to individual player levels, granting all Captains access to the game’s finest vessels.

After the first season of Star Trek: Discovery drew to an exciting close, many fans were left with unanswered questions about Gabriel Lorca. Star Trek Online players can now uncover the truth behind the Federation captain’s past through the eyes of his trusted commanding officer, Ellen Landry. Rise of Discovery takes place when both Lorca and Landry were assigned to the U.S.S. Buran, before they beamed aboard the U.S.S. Discovery. Players answer a distress call from the Federation starship after it sustains heavy damage from Klingon forces, led by J’Ula, the matriarch of House Mo’Kai. The attack leaves its sole survivor, Captain Lorca, stranded on a desolate ice moon littered with Klingon search parties. His fate now lies in the hand of Star Trek Online players, who must team up with Commander Landry to ensure his survival.

Rise of Discovery features two new episodes, voiced by Star Trek: Discovery’s very own Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy from the Harry Potter films) and Rekha Sharma (Battlestar Galactica, Alien vs Predators: Requiem). The update also introduces a new Tier 6 reputation, – Discovery Legends – which allows players to earn Discovery themed rewards by completing Task Force Operations. Starting May 14, all of Star Trek Online’s Tier 6 starships will be converted to player level-less scaling, allowing Captains with varying experience to command these powerful vessels at any time. Additional details on these game features will be revealed at launch.

Catch up on the second season of Star Trek: Discovery on CBS All Access (https://www.cbs.com/shows/star-trek-discovery/)

Star Trek Online is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online game that allows players to explore the Star Trek universe from within. Players can forge their own destiny as Captain of a Federation starship, champion the Empire through the far reaches of the galaxy as a Klingon Warrior, rebuild the Romulan legacy as the commander of a Romulan Republic Warbird or carry out daring missions on behalf of the Dominion as a Jem’Hadar soldier. Captains can also explore iconic locations from the Star Trek universe, make contact with new alien species and battle alongside other players in customizable starships. Star Trek Online is currently available on PC, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One.

To download and play Star Trek Online today for free, visit www.playstartrekonline.com.

Star Trek Online is licensed by CBS Consumer Products.

Oninaki Character Reveal Trailer

2019/04/25

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos

LOS ANGELES (April 24, 2019) – SQUARE ENIX® today released further details on the characters in ONINAKI ™, the upcoming all-new action-RPG developed by the talented Tokyo RPG Factory™ team.

In ONINAKI, players will journey as Kagachi, a young Watcher who embodies the tenets of reincarnation, and whose sacred duty is to usher Lost Souls into the next world. Upon meeting Linne, a mysterious young girl with no memory of her past, his fate becomes entwined with blood and death. During his journey, players will also meet Kushi, an exemplary Watcher and trusted leader, Mayura, a Watcher with a kind heart, and the malicious Night Devil, a swordsman from a forgotten time who is hunting Linne.

For more information on the characters, visit http://www.oninaki.com.

ONINAKI is releasing for the Nintendo Switch™ system, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and STEAM® this summer. The title is not yet rated. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings.

Related Links:
Tokyo RPG Factory Homepage: www.tokyorpgfactory.com
Official Facebook: www.facebook.com/squareenix
Official Twitter: @squareenix
Official Instagram: @squareenix
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/squareenixNA

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 Thinblood Clan Introduction

2019/04/25

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

STOCKHOLM – April 24, 2019 – Paradox Interactive today revealed additional details about the background and disciplines for Thinbloods found in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. Players begin the game as a newly embraced Thinblood, a second-class group of vampires with abilities weaker than those from one of the great clans. As the story progresses, players will eventually join one of the five full-blooded Kindred clans, each of which will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Check out the lore video to learn more about Thinbloods and get a sneak peak at their abilities in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2:

Thinbloods are a recent, weaker strain of vampire who face a constant struggle to survive in the World of Darkness. While they are often treated as second-class citizens by full-blood Kindred, Seattle’s leadership has been uncharacteristically tolerant of Thinbloods. As Seattle has only relatively recently come under Camarilla control, it remains a city of opportunity where Thinbloods can navigate their way into the higher circles of vampire society; however, they are rarely shown the same respect or legal standing that full-blood clan members enjoy.

Tune in to the Paradox Interactive Twitch channel today at 9 a.m. Pacific (12 p.m. Eastern) where the Bloodlines 2 team will give a breakdown of Thinbloods and their place in vampire society here: https://www.twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive.

At the beginning of Bloodlines 2 players choose one of three Thinblood disciplines, Chiropteran, Mentalism, or Nebulation. These Thinblood disciplines were adapted for Bloodlines 2 from the pen and paper tabletop RPG and grant unique combat and traversal abilities that can be upgraded throughout the game to enhance effectiveness or add special effects.

Each of the Thinblood disciplines and their progression are detailed below:

Chiropteran – Strong affinity for bats, allowing vampires to move through the air and summon swarms.

Glide — first active power. Glide greatly lowers the weight of the vampire’s skeleton and muscle mass to allow them to briefly float, reaching otherwise inaccessible areas, swoop down on NPCs to knock them down, or rain down other Disciplines from afar.
Bat Swarm — second active power. The vampire can summon a small swarm of bats to attack a target NPC, temporarily disabling them and dealing low damage. This power can be upgraded until a true Maelstrom of leathery wings surrounds the vampire, harrying and damaging those who come too close.

Mentalism – Use telekinesis to manipulate objects and even pull weapons from enemy hands.

Pull — first active power. Manipulate inanimate objects using telekinesis, even weapons held by NPCs.
Levitate — second active power. Suspends a living NPC in the air. Its strength can be enhanced until the vampire can levitate everyone and everything in an area, and throw suspended enemies around like ragdolls.

Nebulation – Allows the vampire to summon and command mist.

Mist Shroud — first active power. Summon a shroud of mist that surrounds the player for a short period. The shroud muffles the sound of footsteps and reduces the range at which the player can be seen. In addition, the player may partially transform into a cloud of mist to perform a choking attack on an NPC or travel through a tight space, like a ventilation fan or duct.
Envelop — second active power. Create a stationary, swirling cloud of mist on a target that surrounds, blinds and forcefully enters the lungs of NPCs that it touches.

Like Thinbloods, each of the five full-blood clans has their own unique abilities, upgrades, and more, giving players new ways to experience the darkness that lurks in Seattle.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is now available for pre-order on the Paradox Store. To learn more about Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, please visit www.bloodlines2.com.

Midsummer Scream 2019 to Feature Immersive World Building Panel

2019/04/24

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News, Screenshots / Photos

LONG BEACH, CA – Midsummer Scream, the world’s largest Halloween and horror fan convention, will assemble some of the top names in immersive world building on Sunday, August 4, at the Long Beach Convention Center.

The art of creative immersive experiences for guests – whether it be a terrifying haunt, theatrical production, or pop-up attraction – has become big business in the entertainment world. Southern California is home to many of the brightest minds and hottest talents in the industry, and Midsummer Scream is bringing some of them together on one stage to discuss their own experiences and creative processes with their fans!

World Building: Creating Alternate Realities and Immersive Experiences will feature film industry veteran Jon Braver, creator of the Delusion franchise; Bonnie Hallman, Director of Creative at Mycotoo, who has contributed greatly to Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood’s Horror Made Here, and both Westworld and Game of Thrones for SXSW; Justin Fix, founder of JFI Productions, creator of Creep Los Angeles, and The Willows; Aaron Keeling, Co-Founder of E3W Productions, writer/director of The House on Pine Street, and immersive productions including In Another Room, At the Bitter End, and collaboration with the Overlook Film Festival; and film director Darren Lynn Bousman, director of Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV, Repo! The Genetic Opera, and creator of The Tension Experience. Noah Nelson, Founder of No Proscenium, and Co-Founder of LEIA – the League of Experiential & Immersive Artists, will moderate the discussion.

“Immersive experiences have become a large draw for audiences wanting to become even more entangled in fantasy worlds, whether all-new concepts created from scratch by their creators, such as time travel at Delusion, into the haunting home of The Willows, or as part of marketing campaigns for existing franchises such as Westworld or Game of Thrones,” says Midsummer Scream Executive Director David Markland. “There’s no way to celebrate the darker side of themed entertainment and not have this evolving, popular segment of the industry in the spotlight at this year’s show. This is going to be an must-see presentation for many of the most dedicated fans out there.”

Tickets are on sale now at MidsummerScream.org. More news and information regarding Midsummer Scream 2019 will be announced in the weeks and months ahead.

Frostpunk Celebrates 1.4 Million Copies Sold

2019/04/24

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Warsaw, Poland – April 24, 2019 — 11 bit studios have had an immensely successful run over the past few years and are proud to announce that their hit title, Frostpunk has sold over 1.4 million copies on PC. Recently announced to be coming to both Xbox One and PlayStation 4 later this summer, let’s take a look at how Frostpunk has become one of 11 bit studios’ crowning achievements.

A grim society simulator and post-apocalyptic city-builder in one, Frostpunk was released exactly one year ago today, on April 24, 2018. In celebration of this momentous anniversary, 11 bit wanted to share some of the numbers behind the in-game economy and show how the game is performing overall.

Frostpunk sold over 1.4 million copies on PC
Development costs were recovered within 66 hours of Frostpunk going on sale
43.8% of players finished the main campaign
59% of players chose the path of Faith
2.9% of players failed in Serenity mode (just like our producer, Marek)

You might think there’s more information to that last stat and there certainly is! Marek Ziemak — a producer at 11 bit studios responsible for Moonlighter, and more — always had a tough time building a stable economy and keeping his citizens satisfied in Frostpunk. Sadly, he couldn’t even find success in the game’s easiest version, Serenity Mode. The dev team found this amusing enough that they even created an achievement, lovingly titled “Hi Marek!”, with an icon picturing a mildly irritated Marek.

“Frostpunk is one of the most satisfying projects I have ever seen in creation, but I still find it challenging to play. It’s just like my job as a producer! Sometimes, when you lead and focus on creating something beautiful, the people under your charge might not always love every decision you have to make.”

Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered Edition Nintendo Switch Trailer

2019/04/24

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, Trailers / Videos

Vienna/Austria, April 24th, 2019 – No response has been received from Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity since June, 2018 due to a dust storm on Mars. The rover completed its mission, so now it’s your turn to explore and – actually – defend Mars! Become the best Guerrilla fighter of a famous resistance group and swing your sledgehammer against the suppression and power of The Earth Defense Force. Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered Edition is coming to Nintendo Switch™ on July 2nd 2019 for a SRP of $ 29.99 | € 29,99 | £ 26.99.

You prefer other platforms? Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered Edition is also available on PC, and the other consoles out there!

Nightmare Cinema Official Trailer 2

2019/04/24

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

April 24, 2019 – In this twisted horror anthology, five strangers are drawn to an abandoned theater and forced to watch their deepest and darkest fears play out before them. Lurking in the shadows is the Projectionist, who preys upon their souls with his collection of disturbing films. As each reel spins its sinister tale, the characters find frightening parallels to their own lives.

Produced by: Mick Garris, Courtney Solomon, Mark Canton, Joe Russo

Screenplay by: Mick Garris, Alejandro Brugués, Richard Christian Matheson, Sandra Becerril, David Slade & Lawrence C. Connolly

Release Date: June 21, 2019 in Theaters & On Demand

US Distributor: Good Deed Entertainment

Rating/Run Time: R / 119 Minutes

BATTLETECH: Urban Warfare DLC Announced

2019/04/23

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

STOCKHOLM – April 23, 2019 – Paradox Interactive and Harebrained Schemes today unveiled details for the next big thing to hit BATTLETECH this summer. Urban Warfare will bring ‘Mech combat to the vast cityscapes of 3025. With electronic warfare, large-scale building destruction, environmental mechanics, new enemy units and more, the urban sprawl will be a whole new battlefield on June 4th, BATTLETECH: Urban Warfare is available for preorder now at the SRP of $19.99 and is also available in the BATTLETECH Season pass.

City combat is center stage in this expansion, introducing new street features including blocked lines of sight, collateral damage rules, and all sorts of new destruction. Weigh the hazards and benefits before going into urban battle, though – explosions, floods and more await. With new urban challenges, the return of lost technologies, new ‘Mechs, vehicles, encounters and flashpoints, Urban Warfare takes the BATTLETECH experience to new, gritty heights.

“Urban Warfare delivers one of the biggest ‘Mech combat player fantasies there is: Fighting it out on the streets and rooftops of epic sci-fi cityscapes,” said Mitch Gitelman, Co-founder of Harebrained Schemes and Game Director of BATTLETECH. “The truth is, we’ve wanted to build city combat environments and gameplay for years, so we’re thrilled to be finally bringing this experience to BATTLETECH.”

Key features:

Urban Warfare – Street brawls introduce new tactical gameplay challenges as ‘Mech combat moves from wide-open natural landscapes to vast urban sprawls. Every building in the new urban biome is fully destructible, so you’re never more than a few salvos away from a new line of sight, or the defensive cover of high-rise rubble. Abandoned explosive fuel trucks, destroyed coolant exchanger buildings, and broken electrical transformers that disrupt targeting will drastically change the battle as you go.
Electronic Warfare – The return of these lost technologies will forever change the 31st century battlefield. ‘Mechs equipped with Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) and nearby friendly units are obscured from enemy targeting systems, and immune to indirect fire. Meanwhile, ‘Mechs equipped with Active Probe can reveal, locate, and target enemy units that would otherwise be hidden.
Two New BattleMechs – The experimental Raven 1X sports an advanced electronic warfare package combining ECM and Active Probe systems into a lightweight component. The Javelin is a compromise between speed and firepower, with close-range knockout power.
New Flashpoints – A wide variety of new branching short stories that link together mercenary missions, crew conversations, special events, critical choices, and rare bonus rewards.
Three New Enemy Vehicles – The Tank sports a variety of weapons to fight at all ranges with speed and agility, the Packrat is a battlefield support vehicle equipped with a prototype version of ECM, and the Rotunda is a reconnaissance vehicle equipped with a prototype version of Active Probe.
New Encounter – Attack and Defend is a challenging new mission type where your mercenaries must destroy an enemy’s base to stop a steady stream of attackers before they can overcome your forces and knock out your employer’s base.

Get your Urban Warfare pre-order on and get more info at www.paradoxplaza.com/battletech-urban-warfare