Author - Jerry Paxton

Empire of the Ants – Release Date Trailer

On the occasion of the Summer Game Fest 2024, publisher Microids and development studio Tower Five are thrilled to unveil an unprecedented trailer for the video game inspired by Bernard Werber’s masterpiece, Empire of the Ants. Prepare to be blown away as this trailer showcases never-before-seen, detailed, and commented gameplay sequences, providing a deep dive into the game. Mark your calendars for the release on November 7, 2024, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Immerse yourself in an ecosystem on the scale of an ant, right in the heart of Fontainebleau forest. Assume the role of 103,683e, a determined ant on a mission to protect its colony.

With Empire of the Ants, every decision is critical, every move is strategic, and every conquest reflects your skill in exploring a world where the smallest beings wield immense power! Strategy, exploration, battles, and even alliances with the local wildlife will be necessary to emerge victorious from the myriad challenges that await players.

Developed by the renowned studio Tower Five using Unreal Engine 5, ‘Empire of the Ants’ offers players a real-time strategic experience inspired by Bernard Werber’s iconic saga. Prepare to embark on a thrilling adventure, where you must lead a colony of ants to prosperity through tactical and strategic battles in a world of epic proportions. Strategy, exploration, battles, and alliances with the local wildlife will all be essential for overcoming the many challenges that await players.

‘THE WORLD OF THE INFINITELY SMALL IS ABOUT TO DELIVER ITS GREATEST BATTLE’

Bernard Werber’s saga has captivated millions of readers worldwide with its fascinating universe and insights into human nature. We are thrilled to offer players the chance to experience this universe from a fresh perspective through this video game adaptation.

Dark and Deep Official Announcement Trailer

Solo developer, Walter Woods is thrilled to announce the participation of “Dark and Deep” at Steam’s Next Fest. Following a successful debut at PAX East in March 2024, where his handcrafted horror tale captivated audiences, Walter is excited to provide a sneak peak to new audiences during the event. Everyone is invited to experience an exclusive demo of this cosmic horror title, from June 10th – 17th. “Dark and Deep” is set to to begin haunting your Steam library in August 2024.

“Dark and Deep” defies conventional horror tropes, eschewing jump scares in favor of a deeply atmospheric and surreal experience. The game’s hauntingly beautiful artwork, crafted from the illustrations of legendary 1800’s artist Gustave Doré, adds a layer of visual depth and eerie beauty that sets it apart from other titles in the genre.

About Dark and Deep

Step into the shoes of Samuel Judge, an underachieving IT worker and the #1 fan of the titular conspiracy podcast, “Dark and Deep”. Tired of his station in life and yearning for better opportunities, Sam attempts to defraud the company he works for, but is quickly caught up in a paranormal conspiracy that threatens to unravel everything.

Finding himself stranded in a mysterious otherworld, and hunted by the unspeakable terrors that call this new reality home, Sam must utilize mystically empowered frames to reveal the hidden horrors hunting him, harnessing the power of ancient supernatural machines to navigate the darkness. He rediscovers secrets about his own past through vivid visions, unexplainable phenomena, and snippets of his favourite pulpy conspiracy podcast that forces him to confront dark questions what is fact or fiction on his journey.

Riven VR Demo Out Now

Cyan Worlds is please to have a free demo of their upcoming narrative, puzzle-adventure Riven as part of Steam Next Fest! This is a PC & Mac demo (sorry VR fans) where you can explore the start of Riven and get a taste of the puzzles contained deeper in the game. Head over to the Riven Steam page, watch the latest trailer, then play the demo and experience the mysteries for yourself!

Riven is a modern remake of 1997’s monster hit Riven: The Sequel to Myst and is a love letter to classic narrative-driven puzzle games of the ’90s. When exploring Riven’s decaying age, the player will feel like an archeologist, slowly unraveling the mysteries revealed by carefully exploring Riven’s five enigmatic islands. Players will lose themselves in the world as they uncover clues, decipher foreign languages, and immerse themselves in the game’s intricate lore.
Key Features:
  • Intricate Storytelling and Mind-Bending Puzzles: Challenge your intellect with Riven’s cunning puzzles woven throughout its narrative.
  • Immersive Environments and Stunning Graphics: Explore surreal islands, each meticulously crafted with unparalleled attention to detail, from dense, lush jungles to awe-inspiring caverns.
  • An Expanded World To Explore: Encounter an immersive and visually stunning world that will captivate newcomers and reveal new mysteries for long-time fans.
  • Fully Re-imagined Gaming Experience: Experience Riven like never before, with free movement through a real-time 3D environment. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer returning to Riven or a newcomer eager to explore Riven’s mysteries for the first time, this immersive and visually stunning world will captivate you.
  • A Truly Immersive Experience Developed in Parallel for Flatscreen and VR: Cyan Worlds is simultaneously developing the flatscreen and VR versions of the game to ensure a high-quality experience regardless of players’ platform of choice.

EVE Online Equinox Expansion Launch Trailer

Today, CCP Games launched EVE Online: Equinox, the next major narrative-driven expansion for sci-fi spacefaring MMO, EVE Online. Centered on rising tensions in player-controlled nullsec systems, Equinox beckons EVE’s intrepid capsuleers to dominate and rejuvenate the lawless frontier. With Equinox, players can create custom ship designs via the SKINR tool, deepening EVE Online’s sandbox experience and bolstering player identity in New Eden. To celebrate the launch of Equinox, all capsuleers can now claim seven days of Omega status for free by visiting the New Eden Store until 20 June 2024.

Watch EVE Online: Equinox’s launch trailer here. Full details in this news item: The Equinox Expansion Is Now Live:

Equinox empowers capsuleers to shake up the status quo in nullsec space, which is all but guaranteed to ignite territorial conflicts. Player-controlled territory becomes more meaningful as capsuleers gain the power to shape sovereign space in their image – whether to possess it themselves or capture it from others. To grant players greater control over their colonies, the expansion introduces the following features:

  • Nullsec Colony Operations: Corporation and alliance leaders can build colossal new Upwell structures – including the orbital skyhook, sovereignty hub, and Metenox moon drill – to extract planetary resources, and manage and defend sovereign space. Sovereignty upgrades now allow pilots to improve and customize their space by detecting previously undiscovered ores and more challenging combat anomalies.
  • Impactful Changes to Star Systems: Equinox redefines the strategic importance of star system locations in nullsec space, with planets now integral to each system’s function. New planetary resources are needed to run and upgrade the new Upwell structures. As each system yields different levels of resource, players may need to expand their influence to achieve their aims—whether through diplomacy or warfare.
  • Fly Upwell Industrial Ships: Undock a formidable lineup of four new defense-capable cargo ships: the Squall (versatile Tech I hauler), Deluge (sleek Tech II blockade runner), Torrent (robust Tech II deep space transport), and Avalanche (largest freighter from the Upwell line).
  • Ship SKINR Tool: For the first time in the MMO’s 21-year history, players can craft their own ship SKINs to reflect their unique identities, opening a new career specialization for artists. Equinox adds a robust palette of design elements and extensive customization options for players to create stunning outcomes. Custom ship SKINs will soon be tradable with other EVE players via PLEX or ISK, bolstering the MMO’s player-driven economy and opening a new career in New Eden, either as an artist or as a purveyor of rare design elements. Share designs and gain inspiration from other capsuleers by using the hashtag #SKINRShowdown on social media.
  • Improved Corporation Projects and AIR Daily Goals: Corporation leaders can further incentivize members through new enhanced projects: Ship Loss, Earn Loyalty Points, and Salvaging. AIR Daily Goals now offer a monthly reward track and a 12-step progression system, rewarding dedicated players who regularly warp into New Eden and complete goals.

CCP Games has also revealed that full details about “Solstice” – the next time-limited live event for EVE Vanguard, the sci-fi sandbox FPS set in the EVE Universe currently in early development at CCP’s London studio – will be revealed later this month. The Solstice event will be freely accessible to EVE accounts with Omega status. Anyone eager to join in and experience the exciting updates to EVE Vanguard can access the event for free by claiming the seven-day free Omega time offer on or before 20 June.

To learn more about EVE Online: Equinox, visit eveonline.com/now/equinox.
Download EVE Online for free by visiting www.eveonline.com.

Blood Bowl 3 | Season 5 Trailer

Cyanide Studio and NACON are pleased to announce that Blood Bowl 3 Season 5 is now available. This new season sees the arrival of the Necromantic Horror faction, numerous unlockable rewards, as well as a keenly anticipated feature: cross-play. Blood Bowl 3 is available on PC, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

The Necromantic Horror, an eagerly awaited faction
The Necromantic Horror faction comprises a wide variety of monsters and undead creatures straight from your worst nightmares: wraiths, ghouls, zombies, werewolves and even flesh golems… a highly varied patchwork of specialist players, who complement each other to a tee. This faction makes for a mobile and tough team, which can also call on peerless regeneration and resurrection skills!

A major new feature: cross-play
Eagerly anticipated by the community, cross-play has now arrived. This feature enables players to face rivals from any platform via the matchmaking function, and take part in cross-platform competitions. The Official Ladder now provides a single ranking system, while private leagues will also be catered for, with players able to participate from any platform.

ZHIYUN Unveils the WEEBILL 3E Lightweight Gimbal

ZHIYUN, a global leader in gimbals for videography and film production, today introduces the WEEBILL 3E, a compact, feature-packed gimbal that empowers creators of all levels with unparalleled mobility and creative control.

The WEEBILL 3E breaks new ground with its innovative design and powerful performance, offering a compelling solution for filmmakers, videographers, and content creators seeking a lightweight, versatile, and user-friendly gimbal.

Unleash Your Creativity with Unmatched Portability

Featherweight Freedom: Weighing a mere 990g (Lite version is 990g; Standard version is 1050g) and folding to approximately the height and width of a sheet of A4 paper, the WEEBILL 3E is remarkably portable, making it the ideal companion for on-the-go shoots and travel adventures.

Ergonomic Comfort: The WEEBILL 3E’s thoughtfully designed handle ensures a comfortable grip, minimizing fatigue during extended shooting sessions.

Capture Smooth and Professional-Quality Footage

Advanced Stabilization Technology: ZHIYUN’s industry-leading stabilization algorithms deliver buttery smooth footage, even when capturing dynamic shots with full-frame cameras.

Powerful Motors: The WEEBILL 3E features robust motors that effortlessly handle demanding camera setups, ensuring precise and stable tracking for every shot.

Seamlessly Adapt to Any Shooting Scenario

Native Vertical Shooting: Effortlessly switch between landscape and portrait orientations without the need for additional accessories, making it perfect for capturing content for social media and other vertical platforms.

Sling Mode 2.5: Experience enhanced stability and comfort with the upgraded Sling Mode 2.5, it features an attachable wrist rest and adjustable sling grip, reducing strain by over 40% while maintaining stability even at extreme low angles.

Intuitive Control at Your Fingertips

Customizable Controls: The intuitive trigger button and adjustment wheel allow for personalized control over camera settings and shooting modes, streamlining your workflow and enhancing your creative control.

Integrated OLED Display: Navigate settings and monitor status via the integrated OLED display, conveniently switching languages and accessing professional capture modes like motion lapse/hyperlapse.

Uninterrupted Creativity with Extended Runtime

The built-in 2600mAh battery provides up to 16 hours of operating time on a single charge, ensuring creators can capture extended shoots without interruption.

Recommended pricing (MSRP)

WEEBILL 3E $249

Learn more:

Available online from the ZHIYUN store and ZHIYUN Amazon store.

ZHIYUN Store:

https://geni.us/SMNTfNn

Amazon:

https://geni.us/AMZ-WB3E-DD

Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates 4th of July 2024

Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates the 4th of July with a dazzling fireworks display, live performances, themed décor and more. All festivities are included in the price of theme park admission.

Location: Universal Studios Hollywood
Date: Thursday, July 4
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. with 9:00 p.m. fireworks display

Guests are invited to bring family and friends to celebrate Independence Day at Universal Studios Hollywood to experience the theme park’s slate of award-winning lands, rides, and attractions, then transition to the rhythmic beats of a fife and drum band, festive décor and an exhilarating fireworks display beginning at 9:00 p.m.

More Information:

www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com

JAWS Pinball Machine Accessories Trailer

Stern Pinball, Inc., announces a full line of JAWS pinball machine accessories compatible with the Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models.  Stern Pinball’s monster hit game JAWS just got better with these newly available upgrades that will take your game to the next level.

Right from the plunge, dive straight into action with a custom sculpted Orca Barrel Shooter Knob as you go shark hunting and bounty collecting.

Fully dress up the inside of your game with the official JAWS Inside Art Blades. Featuring stunning and distinctive hand-drawn artwork by Michael Barnard, these art blades add an entirely new dimension inside this world under glass pinball experience highlighting iconic shark beach attack scenes.

Protect yourself and your game from shark attacks with the official JAWS Shark Bite Side Armor. Featuring the iconic JAWS logo and a laser cut shark bite, you’ll feel safe going back into your gameroom.

Make your game pop with the official Speaker Lighting System accessory. With intelligent RGB LED lighting, your speakers will light up and flash as you go shark hunting, fully integrated and dynamically responsive to game events.

And lastly, get fully immersed into the JAWS universe with the Amity Island Billboard Topper accessory. Featuring a backlit lenticular effect and choreographed lightshows, players can grab their harpoons and help Amity Island save the 4th of July!

“The JAWS pinball accessories will bring out the best of you and your pinball playing experience,” said Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.  “Become the apex predator with these officially licensed items on your quest to conquer JAWS!”

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price:

  • Amity Island Billboard Topper $US  999.99
  • Orca Barrel Shooter Knob $US     149.99
  • JAWS Shark Bite Side Armor                       $US     249.99
  • Speaker Lighting System $US     199.99
  • JAWS Inside Art Blades $US       99.99

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

JAWS pinball machines and accessories are available now through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world.

V Rising – PlayStation 5 Launch Trailer

Swedish game developer Stunlock Studios is excited to announce that the highly anticipated PlayStation®5 version of their open-world fantasy survival Action-RPG, V Rising, is out now. Following a phenomenal 1.0 Steam launch on May 8th, which garnered rave reviews from critics and captivated a rapidly growing community of players, PS5 users can finally experience the thrill of V Rising. Awaken as a vampire, construct your own majestic castle, avoid the burning touch of sunlight, and explore a massive open world with seven regions and 57 formidable boss fights. Whether hunting alone, playing solo, or allying with friends online, rise to power and challenge Dracula himself in an epic battle to dominate the night.

Key features include:

  • Immersive hands-on Action-RPG combat with the DualSense gamepad
  • Survival crafting gameplay: construct your vampire castle and arm yourself
  • Hunt for blood and navigate shadows to avoid the deadly sunlight
  • Explore a dark fantasy world filled with fearsome creatures and dangerous foes
  • Conquer over 50 powerful bosses to gain their abilities and rise in power
  • Customize your gameplay with 11 weapon types and 50+ spells
  • Style your vampire with a variety of armor appearances and color options
  • Confront and defeat Dracula to rule the night

In collaboration with Auroch Digital, Stunlock Studios has fine-tuned the PlayStation®5 gameplay experience, including UI enhancements and DualSense game controller support.

Star Trucker Release Date Trailer

Today at the PC Gaming Show, Swedish publisher Raw Fury announced that their upcoming interstellar truck sim Star Trucker will launch September 3, 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X|S, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC day one. In addition, Raw Fury unveiled the first gameplay trailer for their genre-defying title, Blue Prince.

Developed by Monster and Monster, Star Trucker, a trucking simulation and space RPG, has players tame the most open road of them all – space – in a true americana inspired retro sci-fi fashion. Players will be able to explore expansive worlds, overcome the challenges and opportunities with zero-g truck physics, skill up their mastery over hauling different types of goods and upgrade their truck to complete their jobs faster and more efficiently.

Star Trucker will launch on September 3, 2024 on PC and Xbox Series X|S, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC at launch.

The first gameplay trailer for Blue Prince reveals more of the game’s mysterious elements and teases at the secrets locked within the Mt. Holly manor.

Developed by Dogubomb, Blue Prince combines compelling mystery, strategy, and puzzle elements to create an unpredictable journey through Mt. Holly, a mysterious manor with shifting rooms. Players must navigate through the ever-changing chambers in their quest to find the rumored Room 46. Every chamber is unique in what it does, and every step brings you closer to unraveling the mystery.