A warm Happy Thanksgiving wishes to all of our readers and their families this holiday season. May your turkey be moist, your sweaters be warm, and your weather be cold. Gobble gobble!
Author - Jerry Paxton
The unprecedented eSports gala in World of Tanks Blitz, the regional Blitz Cups, is drawing to a close, with the Blitz North America Cup being the “cherry on top”! Taking place on November 27 and 28 at 19:00 PT / 22:00 ET, the Blitz North America Cup will be the last in a series of four regional championships where the best teams, selected through qualifying tournaments, clash in fierce Tier X vehicles for their share of the $200k.
They are:
- [RGN] REIGN
- [_V_] SPEED
- [GMA] One
- [ISHTR] Genesis
The prize pool for each regional championship will be distributed as follows:
- 1st place: $25,000 as well as a unique emblem
- 2nd place: $15,000 as well as a unique emblem
- 3rd place: $7,000 as well as a unique emblem
- 4th place: $4,000
“This year the Blitz Cup will be held online for the first time in its history, which has been a big challenge for us,” says Daria Klimchuk, eSports Team Lead, World of Tanks Blitz. “It might have a different format this year, but we’re making it one to remember, especially given the large number of participating teams and the $200k prize pool, which is double that of the Twister Cup.”
Among other changes, for the first time ever, Nintendo Switch players will be able to take part alongside the mobiles and tablets.
Viewers will be rewarded, too. During the championships, there will be only one special mission that can be completed simply by watching 1 and a half hours of a specific stream. For enjoying Friday’s stream for that amount of time, tankers will get 5 keys to special tournament containers, while watching the Saturday stream will net them a whole plethora of rewards, including an additional 7 keys to the special tournament containers, rare Boosters, x3 XP and camouflage certificates, and a special avatar.
The three other regional Blitz Cups have already crowned their champions. They are [HLV] HLV (Asia), [MERCY] Crocodiles (CIS) and [EG-] Hey lol (Europe).
Get ready to root for your favorites and don’t miss your chance to get rewarded!
To watch the streams, please go to the game’s official website.
RØDE Microphones has announced three additions to its market-leading range of creative solutions for vloggers. Introducing the RØDE Vlogger Kits. Featuring a high-quality RØDE VideoMic, tripod, phone grip, LED light and accessories, the Vlogger Kits contain everything an aspiring superstar needs to create incredible video content on a smartphone.
RØDE VLOGGER KIT KEY FEATURES
- All-in-one mobile filmmaking kit that includes a RØDE VideoMic, Tripod 2, SmartGrip, MicroLED and accessories
- Options for iOS (Lightning) and Android (USB-C) devices, plus a Universal Edition (3.5mm)
- High-quality microphone that delivers professional, directional sound in any recording situation
- Three-position tripod with gimbal head – perfect for either handheld or tabletop use
- MicroLED on-camera light with diffuser and eight coloured filters for flawless shots
- Lightweight all-metal mount with rubberised grips, accommodates phones 65mm to 85mm wide
ALL-IN-ONE MOBILE FILMMAKING SOLUTION
The RØDE Vlogger Kits are the perfect all-in-one solution for anyone looking to take their mobile content creation to the next level.
The range caters to every type of smartphone, with options for iPhone, which includes a RØDE VideoMic Me-L with a Lightning connector, and Android devices, which features the new RØDE VideoMic Me-C with a USB-C connector.
There is also a Universal Edition, which includes a RØDE VideoMicro for use with smartphones that feature a 3.5mm input, such as older iPhones and Android models. This can also be used with Lightning and USB-C equipped smartphones using a certified adaptor. A Vlogger Kit for everyone!
In addition to these compact microphones, each Kit includes the new RØDE Tripod 2, a sturdy three-position tripod with a gimbal head, the new RØDE SmartGrip, a lightweight all-metal mount with rubberised grips for keeping smartphones stable and secure, and the new RØDE MicroLED on-camera light, which slots neatly onto the SmartGrip.
INCREDIBLE SOUND, INCREDIBLE VISION
Attention-grabbing vlogs are as much about great sound as they are great video, and the Vlogger Kits will ensure every moment is captured in full definition.
The single most powerful way to improve smartphone audio is to use an external microphone. The high-quality RØDE VideoMic in each Kit will deliver crystal-clear sound in any recording situation. These are directional microphones that reduce background noise while focusing on what they are pointed at, ensuring audio is clean and intelligible. They are light, compact, and even include a furry windshield for filming outdoors.
In a first for RØDE, the Vlogger Kits have been designed to help vloggers capture incredible video as well as incredible audio. Together, the Tripod 2 and SmartGrip will ensure every shot is stable and perfectly framed, while the MicroLED provides a professional look to any situation. There is also a clip-on diffuser with eight coloured filters for capturing warm skin tones, cool outdoor scenes, and everything in between.
SIMPLE & VERSATILE
The Vlogger Kits have been specifically designed to vastly improve the look and sound of smartphone content while being incredibly simple to use. Anyone can be vlogging in seconds.
The VideoMic in each Kit plugs directly into a smartphone and connects seamlessly with any recording app. Just plug it in and go. They can also be configured for main or ‘selfie’ camera use for maximum flexibility, and the accessories are quick and easy to set up, ensuring vloggers never miss a moment.
The included accessories are super versatile, with the ergonomic Tripod 2 supporting both handheld and tabletop use and its gimbal head allowing for flexible positioning. The MicroLED and its diffuser and eight coloured filters ensure vloggers can adapt to any recording environment, with over four hours of operation available on a single charge – more than enough for even the longest vlogs.
The RØDE Vlogger Kits are the perfect all-in-one mobile filmmaking solution for home moviemakers, mobile content creators, YouTubers, TikTokers and run ‘n’ gun journalists – anyone who wants to capture unforgettable content that looks and sounds incredible.
The RØDE Vlogger Kits are currently shipping worldwide and will be available in-store in the coming weeks. Head to vloggerkits.rode.com for more information.
PowerA – a leader in enhancing interactive entertainment with officially licensed gaming accessories – is excited to announce that the FUSION Pro Wireless Controller for PlayStation 4 is now available. This officially licensed controller is designed from the ground up to keep up with the play demands of the modern gamer and is available at retailers for $129.99.
Play Like A Pro
The FUSION Pro Wireless Controller for PlayStation 4 features a mappable Pro Pack on the back that gives players the ability to assign button actions on-the-fly to the four removable paddles. In the heat of gameplay, being able to quickly access programmable commands without losing control of the thumbsticks can determine the difference between winning and losing. The FUSION Pro empowers players to Play Their Way with swappable analog sticks, anti-friction rings, and even a racing clip for masterful control in high-speed gameplay moments.
Style and Substance
The gamepad is designed with ergonomics in mind with ALPS analog thumbsticks giving players firm control over their game and the option to switch from short to tall sticks. The soft-grip front and rubberized rear grips makes the FUSION Pro a comfortable fit even after long gaming sessions. The 3-way trigger locks can be adjusted for the perfect response while the magnetic impulse triggers provide enhanced precision feedback for more immersive gameplay.
All the Bells and Whistles
The FUSION Pro Wireless Controller for PlayStation 4 also features motion sensors, dual rumble motors, touch pad, lightbar LED, built-in speaker plus share, PS, and options buttons. It also comes with a USB charging cable for wired gameplay on PC and PS4 as well as a rechargeable battery that boasts over 20 hours of play per charge.
Game developers JanduSoft S.L and Grimorio of Games have announced that their monster summoning action-RPG Sword of the Necromancer will now launch on January 28th 2021 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, a month later than originally planned. This extra time will allow for the developers to add a final layer of polish to bring the game to its ideal state.
In the meantime, the second developer diary for Sword of the Necromancer has been released showcasing the inspirations and direction of the art and music that adorns their impending monster summoning dungeon-crawler. This is the second of three videos to be rolled out before launch where the development team provides insight into the making of Sword of the Necromancer.
As much as we want to get Sword of the Necromancer into the hands of the players, it is more important that the game meets our vision first,” said the developers at JanduSoft S.L and Grimorio of Games. “Releasing in January 2021, allows us to refine the game experience further and also avoid the craziness of the next-gen consoles launch window. Rest assured that the final product will be worth the wait.”
Sword of the Necromancer is a dungeon-crawler action-RPG with roguelike elements where you can revive your defeated enemies to make them fight alongside you. Turn your foes into allies using the forbidden powers of the Sword of the Necromancer and help the rogue Tama reach the dungeon’s depths to summon enough power to bring her beloved priestess Koko back from the dead. Assemble a small army of monsters, equip yourself with weapons and relics, and level up to take on the guardians that stand between you and your goal.
Each attempt gets you closer to the Necromancer. Upon death you’ll lose all your equipped weapons and monsters, but you will retain part of the level you achieved in your run. As you scour deeper through the dungeon you’ll uncover more of Tama and Koko’s past. Don’t want to go it alone? Then use the Flask of Homunculus to create a copy of yourself and play with a friend in local co-op! Additionally, there are IR codes that can be scanned to make the game easier. Or harder. The choice is yours!
Corsair’s new HS60 Haptic gaming headset is, as the name would suggest, the company’s entry into the haptic-enabled headset market. Haptics allow you to actually feel the bass of whatever audio source your listening to. The experience of this haptic response is interesting and sort of what you’d imagine if you had a rumble pack attached to your head – but not quite so . The intensity of this haptic feedback is adjustable via a rotary dial on the right ear cup – no software is required for it. That being said, Corsair’s iCUE software suite to fine tune the HS60 Haptic’s EQ is well-designed and very easy to use. The software features several presets for the headset to utilize – or – you can create your own. Interestingly enough – the HS60 Haptic is Windows Sonic compatible. But, when Sonic is selected, the EQ settings of the HS60 Haptic don’t seem to stick.
Looking at the design and style of the Corsair HS60 Haptic, one is left to wonder “Why?”. The company chose to outfit the headset with this odd arctic camo color scheme and not include any RGB lighting effects whatsoever. Why they didn’t just offer it in black or white is beyond me. Thankfully, the HS60 Haptic’s performance makes up for its interesting outer flair. For those astute gamers out there that are familiar with Corsair’s past audio offerings, you might put it together that this is actually the same headset as their HS60 – but with the addition of the haptic tech. That being the case, it does have the HS60’s durability, comfort, and performance.
The Corsair HS60 Haptic’s microphone is detachable and very flexible to ensure a proper placement on the wearer’s face. I found its audio pick-up and quality to be very good – and when listening to payback of myself, noticed it does have some adequate noise-cancelation capability to help make sure your audio gets to your teammates when needed.
Actually getting to play a game while wearing the Corsair HS60 Haptic headphones is something I recommend every gamer get the chance to try. It is such a strange experience – the feeling of the rumbling during explosions, roars, or any other bass-inducing noise. Depending on user preference, you will want to fine-tune the adjustment knob to your preference. I tried using it at full blast several times but it was nearly unbearable during intense games where those low-end sounds are constant. I preferred instead to have the knob adjusted so that I could feel a small bit of the haptic feedback, just a hint of it. That’s where I got most comfortable – again, your mileage will vary based on your tolerance and preference. In contrast to the low-end sound, which the HS60 Haptic puts out in spades, the high-end audio can sound slightly more muffled than it should – especially when listening to music. During my game sessions, I didn’t really notice this as much but that could probably just be because how engrossing games are.
At $129.99, the Corsair HS60 Haptic is not cheap – especially considering its lack of RGB elements and aforementioned style choice. However, when looking at its actual audio quality as well as the inclusion of haptic feedback, the price is justifiable. Now, if you simply don’t care about haptic feedback, you can get the Corsair HS60 (without the Haptic) for a lot less money. Aside from haptics, it’s identical to the HS60 Haptic. Corsair’s HS60 Haptic gaming headphones are a great option for gamers looking to take their gaming audio to a new level of immersion. I would love to test this out with a VR headset if I could find a way to wear everything at the same time.
For the first time in its history, Six Flags Great Adventure, the World’s Ultimate Thrill Park, will offer a drive-thru experience of its winter spectacular, Holiday in the Park. Featuring more than a million dazzling lights, festive holiday theming, and seasonal music favorites, this innovative, one-of-a-kind, nighttime event will operate Monday through Thursdayevenings Nov. 30 through Dec. 17. While the thrill of the park’s iconic roller coasters, festive fire pits, and delicious holiday treats will operate only on weekends, this unique Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience will delight revelers of all ages on weeknights, and offer an exciting way to celebrate the spirit of the season from the comfort and safety of their own vehicles.
“We are proud to debut another way for our guests to safely celebrate the holidays with this unprecedented, magical event,” said Six Flags Great Adventure President John Winkler. “We have successfully transformed the traditional weekend operation of our beloved Holiday in the Park into a new, drive-thru experience during the week. The popularity of our Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure showed us that families are craving ways to create special memories together that are safe and socially distant, and we are honored to welcome them into our theme park winter wonderland. Plus, theme park enthusiasts won’t want to miss this extremely rare opportunity to drive through the park,” he added.
As one of the largest holiday drive-thru events in the Northeast and the only one inside a theme park, the Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience will include 12 immersive, distinctly different areas throughout the 140-acre theme park which will be filled with an exquisite palette of colorful twinkling lights, live entertainment, and festive music. Guests will enjoy distanced greetings from beloved holiday characters decked out for the holidays, popular iconic holiday decorations, a drive-by featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus and their helpful elves, and much more.
Highlights of the new Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience include:
- Jolly Jamboree: The journey begins in this new section for 2020 which features live entertainment, twinkling trees, and a red sky pathway;
- Holiday Heroes: Patriotic colors and projected stars signify the start of Holiday Heroes, a section home to some of the most iconic, hero-themed thrill rides. Guest cross the Metropolis-Narrows Bridge adorned with shimmering garland, and pass a dazzling and bold red, white and blue-wrapped tree;
- Holiday Memories: Traditional red, white and green décor evokes the warm memories of the holidays in this charming section featuring a glistening tree, festive wreaths, and glowing mistletoe balls swinging gently from the trees above;
- North Pole: This section transforms into a kaleidoscope of color with Santa’s House – completely engulfed in lights – anchoring the center while two massive nutcrackers stand guard outside, and dancing lights travel around the Bumper Cars pavilion;
- Polar Point: Guests pass the 15-story Big Wheel, illuminated in lavender, to enter a world of brilliant, ice-blue trees offering the illusion of falling snow;
- A Main Street Christmas: Located in the heart of the park, this Main Street reminiscent of a colonial Christmas is home to a spectacular, five-story, LED tree and gently-falling snow;
- Gingerbread Junction: This feast for the eyes features the Carousel pavilion’s exciting light show, peppermint swirl-wrapped trees, and giant, peppermint light projections;
- Poinsettia Peak: The section is awash in bold red tones with a beautiful tree comprised of poinsettias. Poinsettia projection lights and Skull Mountain, illuminated in red, complete this area;
- Holly Jolly Christmas: Guests will feel the chill as they pass Polar Point on their way toward THE JOKER, where Holly Jolly Christmas offers traditional red and green decor and a massive Santa inflatable;
- Joy to the World: Next, the warm, yellow glow of wrapped trees frame tranquil luminaries highlighting religious holidays from around the world along the still, moonlit Great Lake. Then, guests will journey over massive snowflake light projections under dramatically illuminated trees and continue through the dazzling Twinkle Tunnel;
- Snowman City: Standing tall – extremely tall — the jolly, three-story inflatable snowman known as Stewey welcomes guests to Snowman City, punctuated by bright white lights and shimmering tinsel; and
- Deck the Halls: The journey draws to a close in the Boardwalk section as guests pass iconic roller coasters, larger-than-life illuminated presents, and twinkling, oversized tree trimmings.
The Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience will debut Nov. 30 and run Monday through Thursday evenings through Dec. 17. All guests are required to make a reservation at www.sixflags.com/reserve. Reservations and tickets for Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experiencewill begin at noon Weds., Nov. 25. Tickets for this first-ever event will be available on a first come, first served basis and will be sold per person for each night. Admission is free with active Memberships and Season Passes, and reservations are required. Ticket sales will not be available at the gate. The event and its live entertainment are weather permitting.
The safety of guests and team members is always Six Flags’ top priority. The new Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience will offer a contactless experience that follows CDC, state, and county health and safety guidelines. To prevent overcrowding and provide proper social distancing, a limited number of cars will be allowed each night.
Event requirements include use of masks if windows are down, no smoking, littering, stopping, or exiting vehicles. Due to the limited size of certain areas and terrain within the theme park, only cars, SUVs, vans, and pick-up trucks are permitted. No busses, RVs, commercial vehicles, dually pick-up trucks, trailers, or motorcycles will be allowed. A maximum speed of three mph, and maintaining a safe distance between cars, will be strictly enforced.
As part of Six Flags’ comprehensive safety procedures, all employees are required to wear masks and are temperature-checked and health-screened each day. Gloves are worn as appropriate, per guidelines. Six Flags encourages guests to plan accordingly for restroom breaks, gasoline, and food. Portable restrooms will be available at the entrance and exit. For the full Holiday in the Parkexperience, including world-class thrill rides, festive treats, holiday shopping, fire pits, live entertainment and more, guests are encouraged to plan their visit weekends and select days through Jan. 3, 2020.
For more information on Six Flags Great Adventure’s Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru, and the traditional Holiday in the Park event, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
Independent development studio Green Forest Games release Gym Tycoon on Steam today.
Gym Tycoon is the ultimate management game in which you can evolve your business into a unique world-renowned gym capable of attracting, training and turning it’s customers into true prize-winning fans.
Gym Tycoon is being launched in Early Access and it will stay like that for around 12 months. In the current version of the game you will be able to build and furnish your gym, attract customers, keep them satisfied, watch them develop and take part in contests.
The full version of Gym Tycoon will contain staffing, bars and wellness facilities as well as more furniture. Some features and content present in the game will have rough edges (e.g. missing animations) and missing features, refinements and balances will be added over time.
Knott’s Berry Farm is now open on select dates through January 3rd for a new seasonal food and retail outdoor experience, celebrating the merriest season of all, with Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm, as it continues to follow state, local and CDC health guidelines. While the theme park remains closed, Christmas spirit still shines bright this year with holiday charm brimming out of every corner of the park, as Knott’s wondrously transforms with enchanted décor, thousands of twinkling lights, miles of festive garland, and a variety of picturesque holiday settings, all serving as a backdrop to the tastiest holiday foods around. With over 60 unique food and drink items offered on the tasting card, guests can choose from popular flavors of the season like Fully Loaded Turkey Dinner Tater Tots and Comet’s Cinnamon Bun with a Maple Glaze and Candied Pecans, plus options for all dietary preferences. Guests can take care of their holiday shopping at Knott’s one-of-a-kind stores filled with exclusive Knott’s specialty items or discover rare, handmade, and personalized gifts from over 23 artisan local crafters, including Knott’s famous glassblower and chainsaw carver.
Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm will take place on select dates beginning today through January 3rd. All Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm activities are conducted at a safe and socially distant space for families to enjoy.
The only way to experience the limited time Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm is with a tasting card purchased in advance at knotts.com (a tasting card is required for event entry). Scheduled dates are November 20-29, December 4-6, December 11-13, December 18-24, December 26-30, and January 1-3. Adult tasting cards (ages 12+) are priced at $40 (plus tax) and will include five food tastings, and Junior tasting cards (ages 3-11), including three food tastings, are $20 (plus tax). Tasting cards are date specific and must be purchased online at knotts.com or through the Knott’s Berry Farm mobile app prior to the date of visit. Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm hotel packages are also available at Knotts.com. In order to manage proper physical distancing of guests, Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm tasting cards will be limited each day and may sell out.
As Knott’s Berry Farm continues to follow state, local and CDC health guidelines, these are the continued safety measures and operational changes we have established to ensure the safety of our guests:
- Tasting cards are limited each day to ensure proper physical distancing
- Upon arrival, guests will be required to enter a temperature screening and security checkpoint at the main gate
- All associates and guests must wear a facial covering while visiting Taste of Merry Farm or the Knott’s California Marketplace store locations and restaurants – masks are not required while sitting at a table or bench to eat
- Frequently touched surfaces are disinfected daily and sanitized frequently. This includes but is not limited to cash counters, scanners, EMV readers, pens at cashier counters, register screens, store fixtures, door handles, and shopping baskets
- Signage is present to aid guests in the proper direction of travel and as a reminder to practice social distancing
- Seating is spaced out throughout the Taste of Merry Farm event footprint
- Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the event area
- All associates will be screened, including temperature and symptom checks using CDC guidelines before being allowed on the property to work
- Associates have been trained on the importance of handwashing, physical distancing, and overall hygiene
- Separate entrances and exits will appear at some store locations
- Store occupancy is limited to less than 50% of the normal building capacity Queue lines outside of store locations are marked with six-foot markers where needed.
For all details regarding Taste of Merry Farm and the park’s current health and safety screenings, please visit knotts.com.
Scheduled dates are November 20-29 , December 4-6, December 11-13, December 18-24, December 26-30, and January 1-3 /General Event Hours: 12pm to 9pm, Select dates event hours: 12pm to 8pm: November 29, December 6, December 13, December 24 and January 3
Razer today announced the Wolverine V2 controller Designed for Xbox Series X|S. Featuring Razer’s Mecha-Tactile Action Buttons and Mecha-Tactile D-Pad, the Wolverine V2 delivers superior ergonomics and advanced customization, for greater precision and control over your game.
The improved ergonomic, contoured design is ideal for all-day gaming comfort, and provides a natural grip that ensures agile and accurate button interaction, while the non-slip rubber grips allow gaming at peak performance.
Razer’s proprietary Mecha-Tactile Action Buttons are equipped with a 3-million tap life cycle for greater durability and a reduced actuation distance of 0.65mm for 35% faster actuation than standard membrane buttons. Each button is finely tuned for greater accuracy to showcase your true gaming potential.
In addition to faster switches, the Wolverine V2 features two programmable multi-function buttons, configurable through the Razer Controller Setup Designed for Xbox, allowing gamers to remap the front-facing buttons for added control and advanced customization. And for when reflex actions and speed are crucial, the trigger switches on the Wolverine V2 feature a Hair Trigger Mode with trigger stop sliders, for an ultra-fast rate of fire.
WHEN: Available November 19, 2020
WHERE: The Razer Wolverine V2 will be available on Razer.com, at RazerStore retail locations, as well as select retailers.
PRICE: $99.99 USD / €119.99 MSRP