LAS VEGAS, NV (Jan. 9, 2019) – Viotek, a brand at the forefront of performance and value in gaming peripherals and other consumer electronics, debuts its new 27-inch flat TN panel gaming monitor during CES.

TN panels are often preferred for their quick response time and affordable price, but where they usually fall short is color reproduction. The Viotek GFT27DB combines the ultrafast 1ms response time TN panels are known for with an impressive deep, rich color and contrast rivaling most VA panels. With an sRGB color gamut of up to 115 percent, Viotek’s latest gaming monitor breaks down the barriers of traditional TN panels.

“It offers the best of both worlds,” says VP Brett Barbour.

The GFT27DB also veers from Viotek’s trend of curved monitors by offering a flat panel, providing another option for gamers. But it still packs a punch with 2560x1440p WQHD resolution, 144hz refresh rate and FreeSync™.

Viotek is showcasing the GFT27DB alongside the recently released SUW49C Super Ultrawide 49-inch HDR monitor during CES 2019 in the HP Suite at the Bellagio, room 5601 in the Spa Tower.

GFT27DB

27-inch 16:9 Widescreen Flat Panel Display
Ultra-thin, Bezel-less Design
AMD FreeSync
144hz Refresh Rate
2560×1440 WQHD resolution
1M:1 Dynamic Contrast, 16.7M Colors, 115% sRGB Gamut
1ms Response Time w/ Overdrive
Gameplus Crosshair Functionality
Xbox Ready
Anti-Glare Screen
VESA Mountable
Available in Black
Backed by One-Year Warranty and Industry Leading Dead Pixel Policy
MSRP: TBD

SUW49C

49-inch 32:9 super ultrawide display
Ultra-thin, bezel-less design
AMD FreeSync
144hz Refresh Rate
3840×1080 Resolution
1800R Curvature / 178° Viewing Angle
1M:1 Dynamic Contrast, 16.7M Colors, 99% sRGB Gamut
4ms Response Time w/ Overdrive
Gameplus Crosshair Functionality
Xbox Ready
Remote Included
VESA Mountable
Internal Speakers
Available in Black w/ Silver Stand
Backed by One-Year Warranty and Industry Leading Dead Pixel Policy
MSRP: $990 ($799.99 introductory price)

EVGA Unveils the NU Audio Card

2019/01/09

Jerry Paxton

CES, Geek News, Hardware News, News

January 8^th, 2019 – For nearly 20 years, EVGA has built the most powerful graphics cards to play your games at the highest settings, powerful motherboards to run your system at optimal settings, and reliably efficient power supplies to power your system. Now, EVGA extends its enthusiast tradition by partnering with Audio Note (UK), Ltd. to provide the most immersive audio and lifelike gaming experienced on a PC with EVGA NU Audio Card.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSed03IzMAw[/embedyt]

Engineered by Audio Note

Audio Note (UK), Ltd. has been in the high-end audio business for over 30 years, making a name for itself by producing a wide variety of analog and digital devices. A core component of Audio Note’s philosophy is to research, design, and build its own components – often custom-made for the specific application – without financial limitations to create the finest audio products available. With this in mind, EVGA partnered with Audio Note (UK), Ltd. to select audiophile-grade digital and analog components and carefully craft the NU Audio card.

With the EVGA NU Audio Card you can experience:

True Audio – Hear audio as it is
Lifelike Gaming – Improved and precise enemy detection, and increased immersion.
Studio and Audiophile Grade – Hear all the subtle sounds, emotional dialog, and powerful explosions to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Ambient RGB Lighting – Set the RGB lighting to match your mood, or use Audio Reactive Lighting options to let your audio control the effect.

A Completely Different Gaming and Multimedia Experience

High-quality audio is built on a simple premise: everything must be solid from start to finish. One weak link in the chain can turn a symphony into a cacophony. The NU Audio Card is designed to maximize the performance in every major component section:

Analog – Detail. Clarity. Reality.
- The analog section is responsible for returning audio without distortion and fine-tuning the sound to ensure it remains as faithful to the source as possible.
Digital – From Source to Playback
- The digital side of the EVGA NU Audio Card is responsible for processing your source audio at the preferred format or converting the audio to and from analog, without affecting the internal makeup of the source audio.
Power – Good Clean Power
- Powered by Specialized Audio Note (UK), Ltd. audio-grade capacitors and audio-grade resistors, your audio remains noise- and distortion-free as it passes through to your choice of speakers or headphones.

NU Audio Software

From simple volume controls with a sliding headphone amplifier, to creating quick custom EQ profiles, the Nu Audio software avoids the clutter of features that you never use. Customizable audio reactive RBG lighting lets your music choose how your card looks from moment-to-moment.

Available January 16, 2019

Learn more about the EVGA NU Audio Card:

https://www.evga.com/articles/01281/evga-nu-audio/

Stern Unveils The Munsters Pinball Machines

2019/01/08

Jerry Paxton

CES, Geek News, News, Tech News, Trailers / Videos

CHICAGO, IL – January 8, 2019 – Stern Pinball, Inc., a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball, proudly announced today the availability of a new line of pinball machines celebrating the iconic American TV hit sitcom, The Munsters.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mSURMrFb2I[/embedyt]

Players will be transported to 1313 Mockingbird Lane, joining the entire Munsters family on this haunted pinball adventure. Featuring Herman, Raven, Lily, Spot and Grandpa, players will work their way towards Munster Madness in this frightfully funny and action-packed pinball world under glass. The Munsters pinball machines will be available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models.

“The Munsters are iconic and timeless, and it was time to create a pinball experience around this freaky-fun family. With beautiful artwork inspired by the supernatural family, this theme is perfect for a pinball machine,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern’s The Munsters Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models feature stunning and distinctive hand-drawn art. Each game features a custom sculpted Herman bash toy with magnetized ball catch, highlighting Herman multiball. In addition, all models include a pop-up Spot bash toy hidden under the left ramp, a custom sculpted Drag-U-La toy car featured near a left shooter lane kicker, as well as a metal turn-around, flip-up ramp.

The Premium and Limited Edition models both feature Grandpa’s laboratory, a lower playfield that features 2 mini flippers, 2 ramps, a Grandpa bash target, a digital number display, and a multiball feature. The Premium model features an exclusive black and white custom art package in homage to classic black and white TV.

The Limited Edition – only 500 units globally – includes additional unique features such as an exclusive mirrored backglass, anti-reflection pinball glass, shaker motor, exclusive custom art blades, a custom autographed bottom arch, a sequentially numbered plaque, and exclusive custom casket-themed cabinet artwork.

Complementing the immersive theme and exciting gameplay experience, Stern Pinball’s powerful SPIKE™ electronics hardware system enables high-definition graphics and innovative animations on the high-definition video display. SPIKE™ reduces system complexity and energy usage resulting in enhanced reliability and simplified servicing. The state-of-the-art electronic system also powers a high-fidelity 3-channel audio system that is three times more powerful than audio systems of previous generations.

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price:

MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.

Pro Model: $US 5,999

Premium Model: $US 7,599

Limited Edition Model: $US 8,999

The Munsters pinball is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world.

Tropico 6 Pushed to March 2019

2019/01/08

Jerry Paxton

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

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

2019/01/07

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Mobile News, News

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

2019/01/07

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News

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

2019/01/04

Jerry Paxton

CES, Geek News, News, Tech News

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

2019/01/04

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Xbox One News

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.

Bethesda Softworks and Behaviour Interactive Settle Lawsuit

2019/01/03

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Industry News, News

ROCKVILLE, Md. (Jan. 3, 2019) — Bethesda Softworks and Behaviour Interactive jointly announced today that the parties have amicably resolved the lawsuit Bethesda brought against Behaviour and others related to the Fallout® Shelter and Westworld mobile games.