Today, Bandai Namco released SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream’s launch trailer, which showcases the title’s story to commemorate its release.
Embark on a journey through time and cyberspace in SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream, where worlds collide and heroes and villains unite. Join forces with characters from across the SWORD ART ONLINE universe in epic 20-player raids to battle against powerful enemies. Select your hero, rally with your team and push forward to victory.
Players will experience key features including:
Online Multiplayer: Play with up to 20 players to join quests, tackle boss raids, or explore freely in a unique co-op experience
Iconic Characters: Play as any of the 21 iconic heroes and villains from across the franchise’s history
Distinct Classes: Choose from six classes, including Fighter, Tank, Rogue, Ranger, Mage or Support, each bringing unique roles and advantages to the battlefield
Character Enhancement: Collect and upgrade a wide array of weapons and accessories to strengthen your team
Complete Customization: Personalize each character’s appearance with cosmetics and decorations
Single-Player Story Mode: Enjoy a brand new original story crafted exclusively for the game
SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream is a multiplayer-focused adventure based on the popular SWORD ART ONLINE series that is now available for purchase on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™, and PC via STEAM®. For more information, visit https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/sword-art-online-fractured-daydream.
After more than doubling the submissions from the 2023 showcase, indie horror publisher DreadXP is thrilled to announce the lineup for their upcoming Indie Horror Showcase. Partnering with The Media Indie Exchange (The MIX), the showcase will air on Thursday, October 24th at 10 am PDT. The 2024 Indie Horror Showcase will be hosted by John Wolfe, an established content creator in the horror genre known for his video essays, horror movie commentary, ghost debunking, Goosebumps retrospectives, and horror game playthroughs. This year’s broadcast will feature over 60 brand-new bone-chilling trailers, including announcements, premieres, demo releases, new info, and… surprises to keep you on your toes.
Here’s a small glimpse at some of the studios presenting at The Indie Horror Showcase:
Nightdive Studios (The Thing: Remastered), Wayforward (Clock Tower: Rewind), Misfit Village & Nordcurrent Labs (Go Home Annie), POLLARD STUDIO LLC & Wired Productions (KARMA: The Dark World), Torture Star Video (Sniper Killer) ,à la mode games & Akupara Games (Sorry We’re Closed), David Wehle (We Harvest Shadows), and more!
While the DreadXP team won’t be presenting any new announcements of their own for the showcase this year, watch your back and don’t close your eyes… they still have plenty of exciting news to share this month.
The Indie Horror Showcase will be live-streamed on Thursday, October 24, 2023, at 10 am PDT / 1 pm EDT and will be streamed by The MIX (YouTube, Twitch.tv) and DreadXP’s YouTube and Steam publisher page, with co-streamers to follow.
Door 407 is thrilled today to launch the hit RTS game Diplomacy is Not An Option into 1.0 after over two years in early access! The 1.0 launch brings with it a full campaign featuring dozens of missions, multiple factions, meaningful decisions and over 100 hours of story content. Diplomacy is Not an Option is available now on Steam, the Epic Games Store, GOG and Humble for $29.99/£24.99/€28.99, with an additional 35% off discount on all stores until October 18. Watch the all-new launch trailer and ready your soldiers for the battle of a lifetime!
Set in a medieval fantasy realm, Diplomacy is Not an Option is a base-building survival RTS with an active pause, where your choices decide the destiny of the world. Players step into the well-worn shoes of the minor Lord, forced to fight…like, all the time! And always outnumbered! With over 25,000 enemies ready to attack your castle, you’ll need to build your walls, raise loyal armies, and battle on an entirely new scale. If you hope to survive, you’ll have to master engineering, your economy, and even magic.
Diplomacy is Not an Option has received “Very Positive” Steam user reviews since launching into early access in February 2022, building a dedicated community of players. The game’s 1.0 launch features the complete story campaign, bringing its total content to over 100 hours of gameplay.
Clout Kitchen, a consumer AI startup with operations in Los Angeles and Manila, today announced its $4.45 million seed funding round.
The round was co-led by a16z SPEEDRUN and Peak XV’s Surge – with participation from Taiwan’s AppWorks, Antler, Hustle Fund, Founders Launchpad, Orvel Ventures, and founders & creators like Gabby Dizon (YGG), Kun Gao (Crunchyroll), Voyboy, Jankos and Perkz.
Established in 2024, Clout Kitchen builds creator-powered interactive experiences in gaming and pop culture that unlock new ways for top creators to engage and expand their fan base.
Clout Kitchen is led by serial gaming and creator economy builders.
Justin Gorriceta-Banusing (CEO) founded and scaled AcadArena (SEA and LatAm’s leading campus gaming platform) to series A and an exit while in college. In high school, they built CONQuest Festival – the largest creator event in SEA with 80K+ attendees.
Marcel Feldkamp (CBO) was a pioneering League of Legends pro/creator who played in the 2013 World Championship. After retiring, he founded the gaming talent agency Prime, which later joined United Talent Agency via Press X.
Clout Kitchen’s first product is Backseat AI, an in-game “buddy” for League of Legends co-built with Tyler “Tyler1” Steinkamp – one of the world’s biggest gaming content creators with over 20 million followers. Backseat AI is Riot-compliant and guides players on best playing the game in real-time – from what characters to pick to which items to buy, all by an AI voice twin of their favorite creator. Since launching early access testing in June, the product has hit over 45,000 waitlist signups.
“Our thesis at Clout Kitchen is to build things that grow the pie and add value for fans, creators, and game developers alike,” said Justin Banusing, CEO, Clout Kitchen. “We grew up in this space, so it’s our way of giving back.”
Pricing starts at US$4.99 monthly for each creator “buddy,” who earns from every subscription. Backseat AI’s buddies roster continues to expand with streamer & cosplayer Emiru and pro player Jankos – with more top creators lined up in the coming months.
“As a creator myself, I know how difficult it is to keep your community and business growing,” said Marcel Feldkamp, CBO, Clout Kitchen. “It’s easy when you’re starting and have all the time in the world – but it gets harder to keep giving the same love to everyone as you scale. We want to solve that problem.”
With this financing round, Clout Kitchen looks to expand Backseat by scaling its team, establishing its US office, and building out its shared internal tech stack for future creator-powered game companion apps and experiences.
“As a gamer and a creator myself, I’m excited to support Justin and Team Clout Kitchen in their journey to unlock new frontiers for our community,” said Jamie Lin, Chairman & Partner, AppWorks,“ Justin and the founding team showcased exceptional hearts, heads and hands from the moment we met them, the very traits we look for in founders.”
“At a16z, we believe in the transformative power of technology and games to reshape how we connect, create, and experience the world. Clout Kitchen embodies this vision wholly, and we are thrilled to support their journey as they pioneer new ways for fans to engage with the creators and games they love,” said Jack Soslow, Investment Partner, A16Z GAMES.
Stardock is pleased to announce the release of Galactic Civilizations® IV v2.9, titled ‘The Starview Update.’ This update focuses on enhancing the player experience with a variety of quality-of-life improvements, visual upgrades, and gameplay refinements based on community feedback.
In this substantial update, players can look forward to a range of key changes designed to streamline gameplay and improve immersion. “We’re committed to continuously refining Galactic Civilizations IV based on player input,” said Brad Wardell, lead designer of the GalCiv series. “With the Starview Update, we’re not only addressing bugs and balance issues but also enhancing the overall experience to make it even more enjoyable for our players.”
POW. MEOW. Mayhem has arrived! Exploding Kittens VR, Saber Interactive’s latest virtual reality experience based on the wildly popular social-strategy card game, is now available on Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2 for $19.99. Grab your headset and play your favorite hilarious and chaotic card game in this new and immersive VR experience, developed under license from Asmodee Entertainment and published by Saber.
Exploding Kittens VR supports up to 15 players through a vibrant social hub, as well as multiplayer games for up to five players, and a solo mode against bots. Force your rivals to draw the dreaded Exploding Kitten and claim victory as the last player standing! You can also personalize in-game avatars, explore the social hub, and enjoy a range of fun mini-games exclusive to Exploding Kittens VR.
Key Features
Experience Your Favorite Card Game Like Never Before: Socialize with friends and make new enemies in this laugh-out-loud VR strategy experience based on the hit card game.
Master a Variety of Tools to Win: Use a slew of tools to strategically outsmart your opponents and come out on top. Look into the future, steal items from other players and deny their moves, defuse an Exploding Kitten at a crucial moment, and more!
Three Unique Game Modes: Battle it out in either classic or blitz mode for up to five players, or against your biggest rival in duel mode.
Engage with Immersive Social Hub: Discover an array of exciting activities in the social hub, including mini-games, character customization and more!
First released in 2015, the original Exploding Kittens card game was a breakout success as the most-backed Kickstarter campaign of all time, followed by multiple adaptations across multimedia, including video game consoles, mobile devices, and even an animated television series streaming now on Netflix.
CORSAIR® (Nasdaq: CRSR) is thrilled to announce two new additions to its K70 CORE series: K70 CORE TKL and K70 CORE TKL WIRELESS. A fresh tenkeyless profile meets the smooth typefeel and premier performance of the original K70 CORE, for versatile gaming that never runs out of deskspace.
Pre-lubricated CORSAIR MLX Red v2 switches feel silky smooth, with satisfying sounds that endure for every battle-tested keystroke, up to 80 million clicks. Within K70 CORE TKL, two layers of premium sound dampening foam reduce unwanted pings and clacks for refined typing acoustics.
With ultra-fast SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS, K70 CORE TKL WIRELESS brings the reliability and speed of a wired connection, with the convenience of a cable-free desktop. Users can play for up to 890 hours via SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS, or up to 2,400 hours over Bluetooth® – which adds up to literal months between charges. Otherwise, they can switch to USB to recharge while they play.
K70 CORE TKL series includes an option to enable FlashTap, a brand new SOCD system with modes that prioritize the first or last key pressed. FlashTap gives competitive gamers an advantage in skilled movements like rapid strafing and mirroring, making every move faster and easier to master.
With one convenient click of a button, K70 CORE TKL WIRELESS enters Game Mode, activating game-optimized settings and reducing distractions. Easily mispressed keys lock for focused gameplay. RGB lighting stills to static color, mitigating latency and visual noise, so gamers and their keyboards can lock in. Players can easily stay in the zone for hours on end with a comfortable magnetic cushioned palm rest.
Each keyboard includes a handy multi-function tactile rotary dial that offers even more accessible setting changes, such as volume, zoom, backlighting, and scrolling. A detachable USB Type-C cable makes for effortless gaming and better portability.
For gamers seeking the perfect balance between performance and typefeel in a tidy frame, the K70 CORE TKL series is endgame.
Availability, Warranty, and Pricing
The CORSAIR K70 CORE and K70 CORE WIRELESS gaming keyboards are available immediately from the CORSAIR Webstore and the CORSAIR worldwide network of authorized online retailers and distributors.
Each keyboard is backed by a 2-year warranty, alongside the CORSAIR worldwide customer service and technical support network.
For up-to-date pricing, please refer to the CORSAIR website or contact your local CORSAIR sales or PR representative.
Web Pages
To learn more about CORSAIR K70 CORE TKL gaming keyboards, please visit:
The iconic beat ’em up franchise Double Dragon is making its way to the expansive universe of Pixel Starships! Arriving this weekend, the exciting collaboration combines the classic action of Double Dragon with the strategy and exploration elements that define Pixel Starships, delivering a unique gaming experience for fans of both worlds.
Since launching, Pixel Starships has welcomed over 10 million players into space for an intergalactic adventure as a member of their chosen faction, whether a rogue space pirate or keeping order as part of the Federation. Players take on the role of a starship captain and command a crew of unique characters with their own skills and personalities in a stunning pixel-art universe.
In this limited-time crossover, players can unlock and recruit legendary Double Dragon characters like Billy and Jimmy Lee to serve as elite-level crew members aboard their starships. These new recruits bring unique abilities inspired by their signature moves, adding a quite literally punchy twist to tactical space combat. This collaboration also introduces special Double Dragon missions featuring exclusive challenges and rewards for players who successfully demonstrate their fighting spirit.
Ship skins, themed rooms, and items inspired by Double Dragon merge the best of Pixel Starships and Double Dragon.
CEO of SavySoda, Xin Zhao, said: “Double Dragon joins Pixel Starships! Unleash epic martial arts power with a full set of exclusive nostalgic crew and challenges inspired by the iconic franchise.”
The Razer Kraken V4 Pro makes a grand entrance into the competitive gaming headset arena, armed with a captivating proposition: to redefine immersion through high-fidelity haptics. But does this headset, with its premium $399.99 price tag, truly deliver on its promise? In a word, absolutely. The Kraken V4 Pro masterfully blends exceptional audio quality, groundbreaking haptic technology, and an unprecedented level of customization, making it a compelling choice for gamers seeking a truly immersive and personalized experience.
At the heart of the Kraken V4 Pro’s sonic prowess lies a set of custom-tuned 40mm TriForce Bio-Cellulose drivers. These innovative drivers, a testament to Razer’s audio engineering expertise, produce a rich and nuanced soundscape that captures the full spectrum of audio frequencies with remarkable clarity. Highs shimmer with detail, mids resonate with presence, and bass delivers a satisfying punch without ever becoming muddy or overpowering. This is further enhanced by the built-in EQ profiles. The “Game” profile, with its reduced sub-bass and flat upper bass and mids, provides clear distinction of footsteps and gunshots, making it ideal for first-person and third-person shooters. The “Movie” profile boasts stronger bass and treble for a truly immersive cinematic experience, perfect for MOBAs, RPGs, and movies. And for music lovers, the “Music” profile offers a balanced soundscape with natural, warm tones that bring your favorite tracks to life.
But Razer doesn’t stop there. Recognizing that every gamer has unique preferences, the Kraken V4 Pro also features a “Custom” EQ preset, allowing you to sculpt your own ideal soundscape. With granular control over the entire frequency spectrum, you can fine-tune the audio to perfectly match your gaming style and preferences. Whether you crave booming bass, crystal-clear dialogue, or a balanced audio experience, the Kraken V4 Pro empowers you to take control.
However, the true pièce de résistance of this headset is Razer’s Sensa HD Haptics. This groundbreaking technology transcends traditional audio by translating in-game sounds into real-time haptic feedback. What sets Sensa HD apart is its versatility. In games specifically designed to utilize it, developers can meticulously craft detailed haptic effects that correspond to specific in-game events, adding a layer of nuanced feedback that truly immerses you in the action. For example, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Hogwarts Legacy since starting this review, and the way the haptics subtly enhance every spell cast with a unique tactile response is simply magical. I recently had the opportunity to demo the new Razer Freyja, a gaming cushion powered by Razer Sensa HD, at a Razer event, and the level of immersion it provided was even more impressive. Unfortunately, I don’t have one for a full review yet, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on! For games without dedicated haptic integration, Sensa HD intelligently utilizes the bass levels of the audio stream to generate haptic feedback. While not as nuanced as the developer-designed effects, this still adds a tangible dimension to the experience, allowing you to feel the rumble of explosions and the intensity of impactful moments.
Imagine feeling the earth-shattering rumble of an explosion, the satisfying recoil of your weapon, or the subtle vibrations of an enemy’s footsteps as they approach. Sensa HD Haptics doesn’t just add a layer of immersion; it fundamentally transforms the way you experience games. The haptics are meticulously integrated, enhancing gameplay without ever feeling gimmicky or intrusive. This is not just about hearing the action; it’s about feeling it.
Razer Freyja (Review Forthcoming)
Razer’s commitment to customization is evident in the Kraken V4 Pro’s ingenious OLED Control Hub. Integrated directly into the headset, this compact display, which is also featured on the Razer Blackwidow V4 75% keyboard, grants you unparalleled control over your audio experience. With a few taps and turns of the control knob, you can effortlessly adjust volume levels, fine-tune EQ settings, personalize haptic intensity, and even customize the display with your own images or GIFs. This level of on-the-fly control is a game-changer, allowing you to tailor the headset to your individual preferences and seamlessly adapt to different gaming scenarios.
Connectivity is another area where the Kraken V4 Pro excels. Offering an impressive four modes of connection, this headset caters to a wide range of devices and use cases. Utilize Razer HyperSpeed Wireless for lag-free gaming on your PC, connect to your phone via Bluetooth for calls or music, opt for a wired USB-C connection for charging and uninterrupted gameplay, or use the 3.5mm jack for universal compatibility with various devices. The Kraken V4 Pro even supports simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio, allowing you to seamlessly blend your gaming audio with other sources, such as taking a call while immersed in your favorite game.
Comfort is paramount for extended gaming sessions, and the Kraken V4 Pro delivers on this front as well. The plush earcups are generously padded with breathable fabric, ensuring a comfortable fit even after hours of use. The lightweight design and well-balanced weight distribution prevent fatigue, while the adjustable headband and soft cushion provide a secure and personalized fit for various head sizes.
While the Kraken V4 Pro generally impresses, the microphone, while clear, lacks some of the advanced noise-suppression features found in other high-end headsets. However, it’s important to note that it utilizes a 32kHz sampling rate, capturing a wider range of frequencies for superior sound quality and clarity compared to standard microphones. This ensures your voice comes through with crisp detail, allowing for clear communication with your teammates during intense gaming sessions.
Overall, the Razer Kraken V4 Pro stands as a testament to innovation in gaming audio. Its combination of exceptional sound quality, groundbreaking haptic technology, and extensive customization options creates a truly immersive and personalized gaming experience. However, the $399.99 price tag places it firmly in the premium category, requiring careful consideration of your needs and budget.
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
Pros:
Immersive Sensa HD Haptics with game-specific and bass-driven modes
Excellent audio quality with TriForce Bio-Cellulose drivers and EQ profiles
Solo developer Original Studios is proud to announce that its authentic open-world survival craft game, The Last Plague: Blight, is available now in Early Access on PC via Steam.
After a mysterious disease ravaged Earth, leaving it desolate and reclaimed by the wild, players become one of the last human survivors. Having barely escaped the Blight’s devastating effects themselves, the protagonist finds themselves alone, exhausted, but ready to risk it all to fight back against this disease.
Players will face an unforgiving and uncompromising open world filled with threats of all kinds. Wolves, coyotes, and bears become much more ferocious when infected with the Blight, and players will need to set traps, be quick on their feet, and aim well with their throwing spears and other crafted weapons to take down enemy animals.
Keep an eye on the protagonist’s vitals as players will need to forage and hunt for food, gather water, and stay rested. The Blight also poses a significant threat, and clouds of its diseased smog are to be avoided. The protagonist may have survived the disease once, but they’d be wise not to chance fate a second time.
The Last Plague: Blight’s approach to realism includes complex systems and an intentionally high level of difficulty. Water must be boiled before drinking, raw materials must be treated before turning into tools, and each survival task eats up precious time, further depleting hunger, hydration, and exhaustion levels. The Blight is far from the only threat in this world.
There is, however, the option to call for backup. Become humanity’s last few hopes with online co-op multiplayer, allowing up to four players to fend off the threats together. While the perils may not let up, fighting a world-threatening disease certainly feels more manageable with friends.
