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The Electric State Roleplaying Game Release Date

Today, Free League Publishing is excited to announce that its highly anticipated adaptation of Simon Stalehag’s narrative artbook, The Electric State, releases on October 1, 2024, in the Free League webshop, hobby stores and digitally on DriveThruRPG. The Electric State Roleplaying Game asks players to explore themselves, their friends, and what they are willing to do when the world collapses around them. The game is now available for pre-order with immediate access to a complete PDF.

Pre-order and learn about The Electric State RPG here.

The Electric State Roleplaying Game includes lavish art by Simon Stålenhag, including pieces created for The Electric State art book project but never published before.

Written by Nils Hintze (Tales From the Loop RPG, Vaesen – Nordic Horror Roleplaying) in collaboration with the Free League core team, the rules of the game are based on the acclaimed Year Zero Engine, used in award-winning games such as the ALIEN RPG, the Blade Runner RPG, the Tales From the Loop RPG, and The Walking Dead Universe RPG, but uniquely tailored for this new game. The Electric State RPG is a standalone book that contains all the tools you need to play and create short to mid-length campaigns in a society on the brink of apocalypse.

Following the discovery of neuronics in the late 1960s, technology diverged from our world. It is now the year 1997, and the world is on the verge of apocalypse. The ever-present Sentre corporation pushes neuronic technology to the population via cheap headsets. Civilization crumbles as something strange spreads through the neuronic net. People fail to turn up for work, basic services cease to function, and the government is rapidly losing control.

The Electric State is coming.

Players will embark on a journey of exploration and relations, conflict between groups and individuals found on the road, and they will discover what they are willing to do when they’re stuck halfway to their goal and bad turns to worse.

© 2024 Simon Stålenhag. This game is published in partnership with Skybound Entertainment. All rights reserved.

Transformers One SDCC Hall H Panel Images

Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree henry and Keegan-Michael Key joined director Josh Cooley and producer lorenzo di bonaventura to kick off San Diego Comic-Con! TRANSFORMERS ONE is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. In the first-ever fully CG-animated Transformers movie, TRANSFORMERS ONE features a star-studded voice cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, with Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm.

RØDE Unveils Three New Products at NAB 2024

RØDE has announced three brand-new products today at the 2024 edition of NAB in Las Vegas. Introducing the Interview PRO, a broadcast-quality wireless handheld microphone for use with RØDE wireless systems, and two premium smartphone filmmaking accessories, the Phone Cage and Magnetic Mount, which join RØDE’s industry-leading range of solutions for today’s generation of mobile content creators.

“We are extremely excited to reveal these three new products at NAB today,” says RØDE CEO Damien Wilson. “RØDE has been helping creators capture incredible content with their phones since the early days of smartphone technology. We pioneered the plug-and-play smartphone mic category with innovations like the VideoMic Me and iXY, and more recently, with the VideoMic NTG and VideoMic GO II. Last year we released RØDE Capture, the first video app designed specifically for today’s creators. And we invented the world’s first wireless microphone that was universally compatible with mobile devices, the Wireless GO II, which kickstarted a revolution in smartphone content creation.”

He continues: “Today, we offer a wide range of audio solutions for mobile creators, and we are thrilled to introduce two new offerings to this ecosystem with the Phone Cage and Magnetic Mount. When combined with one of our microphones, these accessories give creators all the tools they need to capture incredible content on their phone. We are also thrilled to introduce the Interview PRO to our wireless range. Not only is this the ultimate solution for street interviews and run-and-gun presentations, but its compatibility with all of our Series IV wireless products makes it ideal for many different content creation applications, from professional broadcast to podcasting.”

INTERVIEW PRO

The Interview PRO is a broadcast-quality handheld condenser microphone for use with any RØDE Series IV wireless system. This includes the Wireless PRO, Wireless ME and Wireless GO II compact wireless systems for recording pristine audio into a camera, smartphone, or even a computer. It can also be paired directly to the RØDECaster Pro II, RØDECaster Duo and Streamer X just like an XLR microphone, making it ideal for podcasting, small presentations, or streaming applications where creators need the freedom of a wireless microphone. Utilising RØDE’s state-of-the-art Series IV 2.4GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption, it delivers incredibly stable wireless audio with a range of up to 200m (line of sight) and is optimised for close range operation.

Featuring a professional-grade condenser capsule, the Interview PRO delivers rich, detailed voice reproduction, and its omnidirectional polar pattern makes it very forgiving when it comes to mic placement, making it perfect for interviews, presentations and other voice applications. RØDE’s GainAssist technology – which utilises intelligent algorithms to automatically control the mic’s audio levels on the fly – ensures that the signal being sent to the receiver is perfectly balanced and minimises the risk of clipping. It also features 32-bit float on-board recording, allowing users to record directly on-board with no chance of the audio clipping. 32GB of internal memory offers over 40 hours of record time, with a dedicated button for stopping and starting recording. Not only does this mean users will always have a clean backup of their audio, but it also allows the Interview PRO to be used as a standalone field recorder, with no need to connect to a receiver, making it incredibly versatile.

Essentially, the Interview PRO combines all of the features of the game-changing Wireless PRO with the pristine audio quality of a professional handheld microphone. Internal shock mounting of the capsule ensures minimal handling noise, with an internal pop filter for reducing plosives, plus it includes a high-quality windshield for recording outdoors. It is the ultimate microphone for conducting street interviews, presenting in the field, hosting a casual podcast or creating content on the move.

The Interview PRO will be available in early May. Find out more here.

PHONE CAGE

The Phone Cage is a premium magnetic smartphone mounting system for creators looking to elevate their mobile content with professional audio, lighting and mounting solutions. Offering 33 mounting threads and five cold shoe slots, the Phone Cage is incredibly versatile and allows creators to build their ultimate mobile videography rig, tailored to their exact needs.

At the heart of the Phone Cage is a powerful magnetic mounting disc for attaching any MagSafe® iPhone® or MagSafe-compatible smartphone case or accessory. This is incredibly secure and allows users to instantly transform their smartphone into a professional filmmaking rig, with the option to add microphones and other accessories effortlessly. Integrated cable management slots make it easy to stay neat and tidy, with a slot in each corner for use in any configuration.

By itself, the Phone Cage can be used as an ergonomic grip for handheld filming, but its wide array of attachment points also make it easy to attach additional handles or grips, or mount onto tripods or desk mounts, taking stability to the next level either on the move or in the studio. With its innovative design allowing for both portrait and landscape orientations, the Phone Cage is perfectly suited to capturing cinematic footage in traditional horizontal aspect ratios as well as vertical content for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and other social media platforms.

Constructed from high-grade aluminium, the Phone Cage is both rugged and lightweight, making it easy to carry around and durable enough to withstand the rigors of run-and-gun filmmaking.

The Phone Cage will be available in late April. Find out more here.

MAGNETIC MOUNT

The Magnetic Mount is another versatile magnetic mounting system for attaching microphones, lights and other accessories to any MagSafe iPhone or MagSafe-compatible smartphone case or accessory. It features the same ultra-strong magnet as the Phone Cage for attaching to a phone with complete security, even with vigorous use, and instead of the cage, it comes with three removable arms: short and long cold shoe arms for shooting in landscape or portrait mode, plus a long arm with ¼-inch thread for mounting onto a tripod, handle or desktop arm for use in a wide range of video or content creation applications. The Magnetic Mount’s portable, modular design makes it a breeze to transport and set up on the fly, and it is super lightweight and compact, making it the perfect addition to any creator’s everyday carry.

Now offering a complete ecosystem of microphones and mounting solutions for smartphones, these two new products solidify RØDE as the go-to brand for mobile content creators. With the Phone Cage and Magnetic Mount, plus any of RØDE’s best-selling wireless or shotgun microphones, it has never been easier for creators to produce exceptional looking and sounding video content with their phone.

The Magnetic Mount will be available in late April. Find out more here.

SAW X to Release September 29th

Lionsgate has announced that SAW X will release on September 29th, revealing a first glimpse of Tobin Bell’s return as John Kramer.

Official Synopsis
John Kramer (Tobin Bell) is back. The most disturbing installment of the Saw franchise yet explores the untold chapter of Jigsaw’s most personal game. Set between the events of Saw I and II, a sick and desperate John travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer – only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, the infamous serial killer returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through devious, deranged, and ingenious traps.

Robosen Unveils New Limited Edition TRANSFORMERS Optimus Prime Robot

Robosen (Robosen.com), a global leader in robotics and the creators of the TRANSFORMERS Optimus Prime robots, today announced a new Limited-Edition robot inspired by the new TRANSFORMERS: Rise of the Beasts movie coming out this June.

Click to Embiggen

From “Screen to Reality,” fans can now sign-up to be notified of product updates, including pre-order information, and be entered to win a limited-edition copy of the TRANSFORMERS: A Visual History book (retail value $99). Sign-ups are available at robosen.com/us/transformers-7-optimus-prime-performance-limited-edition

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Begins Production Next Month

20th Century Studios’ “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” starring Owen Teague (“It”), Freya Allen (“The Witcher”) and Peter Macon (“The Orville”), will begin production next month under the direction of Wes Ball (“The Maze Runner” trilogy). This film starts an all-new chapter in the “Planet of the Apes” saga, picking up many years after the conclusion of 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes.” The screenplay is by Josh Friedman (“War of the Worlds”), Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”), and Patrick Aison (“Prey”). Joe Hartwick Jr. (“The Maze Runner” trilogy), Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver and Jason Reed (“Mulan”) are the film’s producers. Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping are the executive producers.

Steve Asbell, President 20th Century Studios said, “’Planet of the Apes’ is one of the most iconic and storied science fiction franchises in film history, as well as being an indelible part of our studio’s legacy. With ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ we are privileged to continue the series’ tradition of imaginative, thought-provoking cinema, and can’t wait to share Wes’ extraordinary vision for this new chapter with audiences in 2024.”

“Planet of the Apes” is one of 20th Century Studios’ most popular and enduring franchises, amassing more than $1.7 billion worldwide. Based on a novel by Pierre Boulle, the first film in the series was released by Twentieth Century-Fox in 1968 and went on to become one of the year’s biggest hits, winning a special Academy Award® and followed by four theatrical sequels and two television series. A remake, “Planet of the Apes,” directed by Tim Burton, was released in 2001, then a 2011 reboot, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” was followed by two sequels, 2014’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” and 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes.”

Hocus Pocus 2 Debuts in One Month on Disney+

The countdown is on! Disney’s original live-action comedy “Hocus Pocus 2” debuts one month from today, September 30, 2022. The film will premiere exclusively on Disney+ as a part of the streaming service’s Hallowstream celebration. Check out the new key art for thehaunting sequel to the Halloween classic for a new look at Bette Midler (“The First Wives Club,” “Beaches”), Sarah Jessica Parker (“Sex and the City,” “Divorce”), and Kathy Najimy (“Sister Act,” “Younger”) as the delightfully wicked Sanderson sisters.

It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve. “Hocus Pocus 2” also stars Sam Richardson (“The Tomorrow War”), Doug Jones (“The Shape of Water”), Whitney Peak (“Gossip Girl”), Belissa Escobedo (“American Horror Stories”), Lilia Buckingham (“Dirt”), Froy Gutierrez (“Teen Wolf”), with Tony Hale (“Veep”) and Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”). The film is directed by Anne Fletcher (“Dumplin,’” “The Proposal”), produced by Lynn Harris (“King Richard,” “The Shallows”), with Ralph Winter (“Hocus Pocus,” “X-Men” franchise), David Kirschner (“Hocus Pocus,” “Chucky”), and Adam Shankman (“Disenchanted,” “Hairspray”) serving as executive producers.

Techland Unveils First Image From Unannounced AAA Fantasy RPG

In the wake of the global success of the Dying Light franchise and Dying Light 2 Stay Human’s strong opening sales figures, independent developer Techland is assembling new strengths and powering up all of the teams within the company—including the team responsible for it unrevealed AAA open world action-RPG in a fantasy setting.

Throughout Dying Light 2 Stay Human’s record-setting launch and last year’s intense production, Techland continued working on its mysterious upcoming title and now prepares to significantly grow the development team.

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“We’re very happy with what we have accomplished with the Dying Light franchise so far. Moreover, our journey with Dying Light 2 Stay Human has only just begun as we plan to support this game for at least 5 years, with its scope and size matching, if not exceeding, what we have provided our community with during post-launch support for its predecessor. At the same time, our ambition is to introduce a brand new IP that is vastly different from what we have been doing for the past several years. We want to create a fully next-gen experience. A new fantasy epic set in a sprawling open world, fueled by the skills and experience we have gained as a team over the years, infused with new ideas, passion, and creativity. While we cannot share more details about this project now, we’re all truly invested in it and looking forward to showing it to gamers when the time is right.” – said Paweł Marchewka, CEO at Techland

All open positions at Techland, including for the teams working on the unannounced fantasy epic and Dying Light 2 Stay Human, are available here.

Truly remarkable talent is already hard at work on Techland’s new IP, including:

  • Karolina Stachyra – Narrative Director who previously worked with CD Projekt Red on The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings and The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, plus its DLCs
  • Arkadiusz Borowik – Narrative Lead who previously worked with CD Projekt Red on The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings and The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, plus its DLCs

In just the last few months, said team has been strengthened by:

  • Bartosz Ochman – Open World Director who previously worked on Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt
  • Mario Maltezos – Creative Director who previously worked with companies like Ubisoft (Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time), Warner Bros. (Mad Max), and Microsoft
  • David McClure – Lead Game Designer previously associated with Arkane Studios (Deathloop), Deep Silver, and Playground Games
  • Kevin Quaid – Lead Animator with over 8 years of experience at Guerrilla Games, working on titles such as Horizon Zero Dawn and its expansion, The Frozen Wilds
  • Marcin Surosz – Lead UI/UX Designer with amazing skill in defining players’ needs, formerly with People Can Fly

Ice Age: Scrat Tales Official Poster Released

Disney+ has released the key art for “Ice Age: Scrat Tales.” “Ice Age: Scrat Tales” is a series of six all-new animated shorts starring Scrat, the hapless saber-toothed squirrel of the “Ice Age” adventures, who experiences the ups and downs of fatherhood, as he and the adorable, mischievous Baby Scrat, alternately bond with each other and battle for ownership of the highly treasured Acorn. Featuring the vocal talents of Chris Wedges (Scrat) and Karl Wahlgren (Baby Scrat), the series is produced by Anthony Nisi, with Robert L. Baird and Andrew Millstein serving as executive producers. “Ice Age: Scrat Tales” will debut on Disney+ on April 13.

THE SHORTS:

  • “Nuts About You” – Directed by Michael Berardini and Donnie Long. Story by Michael Berardini.
    • In “Nuts About You,” Scrat meets his son Baby Scrat and experiences the pure joy of being a new parent—until Baby Scrat sees The Acorn for the first time.
  • “LoFi Scrat Beats to Sleep/Chill to” – Directed by Donnie Long and Matt Munn. Story by Donnie Long.
    • In “LoFi Scrat Beats to Sleep/Chill to,” Scrat pounds out a percussive lullaby to get a crying Baby Scrat to fall asleep.                                                                
  • “X’s and Uh-O’s” – Directed by Donnie Long and Drew Winey. Story by James Young Jackson and Drew Winey.
    • In “X’s and Uh-O’s,” Scrat demonstrates for Baby Scrat how to plant The Acorn, but Scrat is really the one being taught a lesson.       
  • “Nutty Reflections” – Directed by Donnie Long and Eric Prah. Story by Galen Tan Chu.
    • In “Nutty Reflections,” Scrat and Baby Scrat run after The Acorn into a dark cave, which resembles a creepy funhouse hall of mirrors
  •  “Teeter Toddler” – Directed by Jeff Gabor and Donnie Long. Story by Galen Tan Chu.
    • In “Teeter Toddler,” thanks to a dodo bird, Scrat and Baby Scrat end up on opposite sides of a log held up by a single branch.
  • “Nut The End” – Directed by Lisa Allen Keane and Donnie Long. Story by Michael Thurmeier.
    • In “Nut The End,” The Acorn goes flying off a cliff. With it seemingly gone forever, can Scrat and Baby Scrat live in harmony? 

The Book of Boba Fett Premiere Date Announced with New Poster

Disney+ announced today that “The Book of Boba Fett”—the new Lucasfilm series teased in a surprise end-credit sequence following the Season 2 finale of “The Mandalorian”—will premiere on Wednesday, December 29, exclusively on the streaming service. Disney+ also debuted the key art for the series.

“The Book of Boba Fett,” a thrilling Star Wars adventure, finds legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand navigating the Galaxy’s underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.

“The Book of Boba Fett” stars Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen. Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Robert Rodriguez, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson are the executive producers. Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck serve as co-executive producers, with John Bartnicki producing and John Hampian as co-producer.