Author - Jerry Paxton

Tropico 6 Pushed to March 2019

Ridgewood, NJ – (January 8, 2019) Kalypso Media is best known as a publisher of strategy and simulation games, with the critically acclaimed Tropico series as the company’s flagship brand. 2019 sees the launch of the latest installment in this beloved series, with the highly-anticipated Tropico 6 scheduled to release on PC and consoles.

After going through rigorous in-house testing and taking on board all the feedback collected from the closed beta and the wider Tropico community, Tropico 6 is shaping up to be a great game. However, great is not enough when it comes to El Presidente. As always, Kalypso is striving to deliver an outstanding gameplay experience to make Tropico 6 the best in the series to date, and as such has taken the difficult decision to move the release of the PC, MAC and Linux versions to March 29, with a retail version to follow on April 2, in order to allow sufficient time to implement as much of the fans’ feedback as possible and work on final balancing and polishing to raise the level of quality expected from this flagship brand to what the Tropico fans and community deserve.

Simon Hellwig, owner and managing director of Kalypso Media, has prepared an open-letter to the Tropico community and shared it through the company’s forums and social channels.

As a thank you to the loyal Tropico fans who have supported us through the development of the game, we will be offering the first major Tropico 6 DLC free of charge to anyone who has pre-ordered the game by 1:00PM EST on January 10. The additional content will automatically be added to qualifying players’ game upon release in Q2 2019.

Tropico 6 is available to pre-order now via the Kalypso Shop and other digital platforms as either the standard version (with instant access to the closed beta) or as a special El Prez Edition, including two tourist outfits for your Presidente, a flamingo pond for your customizable palace, digital soundtrack, digital calendar and instant beta access.

FoxNext Unveils Alien: Blackout Mobile Game

January 7, 2018 – FoxNext Games and D3 Go! today revealed a new chapter in the Alien franchise: Alien: Blackout, a premium survival horror mobile game developed by Rival Games and Theory Interactive that picks up the saga of Amanda Ripley between the films Alien and Aliens.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzWQwBEmkGw[/embedyt]

In Alien: Blackout, players assume the role of Amanda Ripley, trapped aboard a crippled Weyland-Yutani space station carrying a blood-thirsty creature. Players will need to survive increasingly challenging, fear-inducing levels by balancing the controls of the space station’s emergency systems to skillfully guide their crew to safety and avoid encounters with the enemy. The unpredictability of both the mysterious alien and the ultimate fate of the crew will force players to make life or death decisions that permanently alter the outcome of the game

A first look at the heart-pounding action of Alien: Blackout can be found here.

The Queen Mary Presents Voyage to the Other Side Paranormal Series

Long Beach, CA. [January 4, 2019] – In September of 2018, Master Illusionist Aiden Sinclair opened a new theatre aboard the RMS Queen Mary in one of the most historically haunted areas of the ship. Since the opening of his theatrical séance, Illusions of the Passed, reports of paranormal activity in that area have increased dramatically. The Queen Mary is pleased to announce, Illusions of the Passed, will continue to lead guests through a journey back in time to meet the ghosts and legends of the ship throughout 2019.

Building on the success of Illusions of the Passed, the Queen Mary has invited the finest paranormal investigators in the world to come aboard, hosting a recurring intimate investigation of the Revenant Room Theatre and the historic Rope Locker in A Voyage to the Other Side. Each month, paranormal thrill seekers will be treated to one of Aiden Sinclair’s 45-minute theatrical séance performances, a one-of-a-kind lecture, paranormal investigation, and meet and greet with a special guest. Haunt lovers will have the opportunity to investigate these locations first hand by participating in the first recurring paranormal research aboard the RMS Queen Mary.

On Saturday, January 19, the Queen Mary will welcome Grant Wilson aboard as the first Paranormal Investigator teaming up with Aiden Sinclair for A Voyage to the Other Side. Grant S. Wilson has been actively involved in all types of paranormal investigation and has paved the way for much of the modern field through his work with the group The Atlantic Paranormal Society (T.A.P.S) which he co-founded many years ago.

Saturday, February 23 will welcome Tennessee Wraith Chasers duo, Scott Porter & Doogie McDougal, for the second Voyage to the Other Side. Scott ”Porter” is best known as the Profiler, Historian, and has also appeared on, and won, the Old South Pittsburg Hospital episode of Travel Channel’s Paranormal Challenge. Steven “Doogie” McDougal has 20 plus years as an investigator and lecturer in the paranormal and has been seen on Destination America and Travel Channel’s Haunted Live, Most Haunted Towns, Haunted Towns, Ghost Asylum, Ghostland Tennessee, Exorcism Live, and Paranormal Challenge.

The third and final installment of A Voyage to the Other Side will welcome aboard the CW’s Supernatural, Chad Lindberg, on March 30. Lindberg is a well-known actor on the CW’s hit Supernatural and starred as “Jesse” from the original The Fast and Furious. Through the years, Lindberg has found a way to put his passion and his Paranormal Investigation skills to the test as the co-host of Destination America’s paranormal reality show Ghost Stalkers and can currently be found leading fans on ghost hunts across the country on Paranormal Investigations.

Those looking to continue the paranormal excursion are welcome to review their paranormal findings with Chief Perley at the Ghost Investigation Evidence Review Brunch the following morning on January 21, February 24 and March 31. Guests can indulge in the Queen Mary’s Royal Sunday Brunch and uncover their ghost findings with one of the ship’s resident Chiefs. Tickets to the Ghost Investigation Evidence Review Brunch are an add-on, starting at $125 per person.

Tickets to Voyage to the Other Side start at $275 and include a meet and greet hour with paranormal celebrities, (1) meal voucher (*tax and gratuity not included), private showing of Illusions of the Passed featuring Aiden Sinclair, Private Ghost Hunt with a celebrity ghost hunter in the Queen Mary’s Rope Hold and Revenant Room. To purchase tickets and for more information on pricing, hotel packages and more visit queenmary.com.

GAEMS Announces Guardian Pro XP Portable Gaming Environment

Redmond, Wash. – January 4, 2019 – GAEMS, the pioneers of gaming on the go, today announced the all-new Guardian™ Pro XP, the premier Portable Gaming Environment for pro gamers, serious gamers and content creators delivering the ultimate in performance and portability for console AND for PC with a 24” QHD IPS panel. The only professional grade Personal Gaming Environment for console and PC gamers, Guardian delivers GAEMS’ legendary portability and protection for PlayStation®4, Xbox® One consoles, as well as support for several micro ATX PCs, built into a TSA-friendly hard-shelled case fitting most carry-on luggage requirements.

“Gaming has changed radically since we launched our first Portable Gaming Environments in 2011,” says John Smith, co-founder of GAEMS. “Today’s gamers are also savvy professionals. Whether they compete in esports or generate unique gaming content, these professionals will appreciate how GAEMS integrated the highest-level performance gaming monitor and media tool suite into a single ultra-sleek yet portable package with Guardian.”

Expand your gaming reach without compromise. Guardian features an ultra-low latency 24” Quad-HD anti-glare IPS gaming monitor with HDR support and FreeSync technology for total immersion. The proprietary GAEMS Dynamic SoundStage™ surrounds you with rich sound created by a 12W integrated power amp powering 9W chambered, stereo speakers and passive subwoofers, or game to yourself using the 3.5mm audio jack. Charge your controllers, phones and other devices conveniently through the Guardian Media Center. Mount your streaming camera, custom microphone or lighting solution to the patented Picatinny Rail of your open Guardian and look sharp for the content you create! Capture your game stream via the integrated HDMI output and see why splitters are yesterday’s news.

Key specs for Guardian Pro XP include:

  • Patented industrial-grade hard-shell case with proprietary metal-hinged design
  • 24” Quad HD IPS panel
  • Proprietary Dynamic SoundStage™ with 12W power amp, chambered 9W speakers, passive subwoofers and Surround Processor
  • Integrated Media Center with HDMI 1.4 Input, 3.5 Headphone Jack, High Speed USB Hub Port (from console power) to 3x USB Ports (1x USB 3.0@1.8A & 2x USB 3.0@0.9A) duplicating console functions and providing passive power for charging while Guardian is Off
  • External rear HDMI Output for streaming and sharing monitor content
  • Patented Picatinny Rail mounting system for cameras, microphones, lighting and other equipment used for professional streaming (accessories sold separately)
  • HDMI 1.4 cable
  • AC 100v-240v/DC, 19V, 4.74 Amp Power adapter
  • Product Dimensions (inches) – 23.45” w x 16.9” d x 4.79” h
  • Compatibility: Xbox One S, Xbox One X, PlayStation 4 Pro, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Slim & fits some Micro ATX PC hardware

Guardian Pro XP is expected to be available in Spring/Summer 2019. Visit gaemspge.com for updates.

WBIE Unveils Hitman HD Enhanced Collection

Burbank, Calif. – Jan. 4, 2019 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and IO Interactive today announced Hitman™ HD Enhanced Collection, a compilation of two classic Hitman titles remastered in 4K resolution: Hitman: Blood Money and Hitman: Absolution.

Both games can be played in 4K resolution and 60 fps, including many other improvements that bring these two classic titles into 2019 with the attention and love that they deserve. Hitman HD Enhanced Collection will be available digitally Jan. 11, 2019, for PlayStation®4, PlayStation®4 Pro and the Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One X.

“We’re very happy with this collection and how we were able to update and remaster two of our classic Hitman titles for modern consoles,” said Hakan Abrak, CEO, IO Interactive. “Hitman: Blood Money and Hitman: Absolution have helped us on our journey to where we are today, and we’re looking forward to players enjoying them in 4K and 60 fps.”

Hitman HD Enhanced Collection will feature 4K visuals at 60 frames per second (fps), along with increased texture resolution, upgraded texture formats, super-sampling, upscale support, heightened shadow map and mirror resolutions, improved lighting and updated controls for a more fluid experience.

Relive some of Agent 47’s most iconic hits in Hitman: Blood Money and experience a globe-trotting adventure from the vineyards of Chile, to the Paris Opera House and even the White House itself in a face-off against a group of assassins known as “The Franchise.”

Rediscover the cinematic story of Hitman: Absolution and experience the deep and personal story of Agent 47 as he pursues redemption across 20 intense missions. Enjoy a distinctive art style that combines with rich dialogue and performances by an impressive Hollywood cast to create a unique gameplay experience.

Hitman HD Enhanced Collection will be available digitally only with a MSRP of $59.99. To learn more, please visit www.hitman.com or join the Hitman conversation on Twitter (@Hitman), Facebook (@Hitman), Instagram (@Hitman), YouTube (Hitman), Twitch (Hitman), Discord (Hitman), Reddit (Hitman) or the Hitman Forum.

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Digital and Home Video Release Dates

Universal City, California, January 3, 2019 – Families everywhere can ring in the New Year with Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch on Digital and via the digital movie app MOVIES ANYWHERE on January 22, 2019, and on 4K Ultra HD, 3D Blu-ray™, Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on February 5, 2019. From Illumination and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, the film based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved tale about a cynical grouch who goes on a mission to steal Christmas from others only to feel his own heart grow three sizes larger through unexpected friendships is one “the whole family can watch and enjoy,” (Kidsday/Newsday).

The new home entertainment edition contains more than 60 minutes of bonus content, including three mini-movies: “Dog Days of Winter” starring the Grinch and his heroically loyal dog Max; and “Yellow is the New Black” and “Santa’s Little Helpers,” both starring the lovable Minions. It also includes stunning featurettes, a how-to-draw tutorial and much more. Narrated by Grammy Award®winner and Oscar® nominee Pharrell Williams, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch stars Academy Award® nominee Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Strange, “Sherlock”) as the infamous Grinch, who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpit with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. The incredible voice cast includes Rashida Jones (“Parks and Recreation,” The Muppets) as Donna Who, Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”) as Bricklebaum, Cameron Seely (The Greatest Showman) as Cindy-Lou Who, and featuring legendary actress Angela Lansbury (AnastasiaBeauty and the Beast) as the mayor of Whoville. Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch is a perfect night in for the whole family!

BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVE TO 4K ULTRA HD, 3D BLU-RAYTM, BLU-RAYTM AND DVD:

  • Who’s Who in Who-ville (interactive map) – There are so many interesting characters that call Who-ville home that it’s hard to keep track of them all. This “Who’s Who” pop-up book uses animation to create a virtual storybook that takes us from Who-ville to Mt. Crumpit. 
  • “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” Lyric Video – Tyler, The Creator puts a modern spin on the Seussian Christmas classic.

MINI-MOVIES ON 4K ULTRA HD, 3D BLU-RAYTM, BLU-RAYTM, DVD & DIGITAL:

  • Yellow is the New Black – Before they all make their big escape from prison in Despicable Me 3, a couple of lucky Minions get a taste of freedom as they break free with the help of one of their fellow human inmates.
  • Dog Days of Winter – Max braves the harsh winter weather and an uncooperative Who to bring a sick Grinch his favorite hot tea.
  • Santa’s Little Helpers – Fan favorites – the Minions – are back for another adventure! Having been accidently dropped off at the North Pole, our Minion pals make the most of the situation by trying to become elves.

BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD, 3D BLU-RAYTM, BLU-RAYTM, DVD & DIGITAL:

  • The Making of the Mini-Movies – Mini in size but not in heart, these short films are fan favorites. From the Grinch and Max to the Minions – you’ll explore the themes of each of the mini-movies through the eyes of the filmmakers who made them.
  • From Green to Screen – It takes a lot to bring grumpy green to your home screen. This inside look at the making of Illumination’s Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch features interviews and behind-the-scenes moments with the cast, filmmakers and artists whose hearts have all grown three sizes bringing this classic tale to life.
  • Illuminating THE GRINCH – Using filmmaker and cast interviews, concept art and progression reels, we take a behind-the-scenes look at how the characters evolved from initial sketches to fully realized characters.
  • My Earliest GRINCH Memories – The cast and filmmakers of Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch reveal their earliest memories of the grumpy green character and the enduring appeal of this Christmas curmudgeon’s journey to redemption.
  • Grinchy Gadgets – From his body-size blow dryer to his moving mechanical chair, from his catapult to his dog drone-rig and more… you’ll get to explore the wondrous world of Grinch’s gadgets.
  • “I Am The Grinch” Lyric Video – A stylized look at Tyler, The Creator’s original song created just for the film.
  • Songs From His Little Heart – Take a deep dive into the toe tapping beats ofDr. Seuss’s The Grinch. From score to specialty songs, you’ll hear from the film’s A-list musicians on what it took to create the music behind the movie.
  • X-mas Around the World – Every culture practices Christmas in a slightly different way. We’ll highlight some of the more fun permutations of the holiday around the globe.
  • Cindy-Lou’s Yule Log – Nothing says the holidays quite like an animated fireplace blasting fake heat from your living room television. Just in time for winter, we’ll recreate Cindy-Lou’s living room on Christmas Eve for all to enjoy.
  • Production Babies – A celebration of the babies born to the filmmakers during the production of Illumination’s Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch.
  • Any Who Can Draw – Hosted by an Illumination artist and head of story Mark O’Hare, you’ll see step-by-step how to draw some of your favorite characters from this beloved holiday classic; Grinch, Max and Fred!

The film will be available on 4K Ultra HD in a combo pack which includes 4K Ultra HD Blu-rayTM, Blu-rayTM and Digital. The 4K Ultra HD disc will include the same bonus features as the Blu-rayTM version, all in stunning 4K resolution.

  • 4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for four times sharper picture than HD, and the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio delivering a multidimensional sound experience.
  • Blu-rayTM unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
  • Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
  • MOVIES ANYWHERE is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States. For more information, visit https://moviesanywhere.com.

GamingShogun 2018 Holiday Gift Guide

Every year during the holiday season, we like to acknowledge some of the best products and gift ideas we have seen throughout the year. Hopefully, this guide will help you if you are stuck thinking about what to get that special geek in your life!

The Products:

Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard – $199

The Razer Huntsman Elite gaming keyboard brings forth a new key switch technology that allows for ultra fast key response as well as crisp key actuation sure to please.

Product Link

Razer Sila Gaming Router – $249

The Razer Sila gaming router optimizes your wireless network by giving priority to whatever application type you desire – especially games. To make things even better, the Sila is easy to use and very effective.

Product Link

AOC AG332QC4 Curved Display – $545.99

AOC’s new AG332QC4 curved display features 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync, 2560×1440 resolution, and HDR certification – all of which add up to one great gaming monitor.

Product Link

Audeze Mobius 3D Headphones – $399

The Audeze Mobius 3D headphones are a marvel of modern audio technology. Sure, they come with a hefty price point but, if you can afford it, you will be treating yourself to some of the most crisp, clear, and believable positional 3D audio I have ever had the privilege to hear.

Product Link

Apple iPad Pro – $799 up

While the new iPhone XS and XS Max are incredible smartphones, the new iPad Pro proved to be the most amazing update Apple unleashed this year. Coming in both 11 and 12.9 inch flavors, the iPad Pro features lightning fast performance.

Product Link

Wheel Stand Pro for Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog – $304

I am constantly on the lookout for compact, mobile flight sim setups and the Wheel Stand Pro allows me to put together a great virtual cockpit for my favorite sims. Then, it folds up easily for storage!

Product Link

Red Dead Redemption 2 (Xbox One, PlayStation 4) – $59.99

Red Dead Redemption 2 is easily my favorite game of 2018. It is a gripping action drama set amongst the sunset of the rough and tumble world of the Old West.

Spider-Man (PlayStation 4) – $59.99

Spider-Man is the best video game adaptation of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man ever seen. It is a fun action romp through the streets and skylines of New York City.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire (Windows PC) – $49.99

If you are a fan of turn based isometric RPGs, you owe it to yourself to checkout Obsidian Entertainment’s Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. It manages to capture that old school tactical gameplay while also modernizing it for today’s gaming crowd.