Today, Pablo Coma, Game Director of Outcast – A New Beginning, takes you on a deep dive and talks about the beautiful, interconnected world of Adelpha.
As you step into Cutter Slade’s boots, you are free to explore the planet at your own pace. After a brief tutorial, it’s up to you to decide what to do next. Whatever path you choose, your decisions not only impact you but the entire world of Adelpha.
Singer Studios announces the release of their debut game, the multi-award-winning narrative adventure The Pirate Queen: A Forgotten Legend. Lucy Liu, renowned for her roles in ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and ‘Kill Bill’ takes centre stage as Cheng Shih, one of history’s most powerful and infamous pirates. Story seekers and history enthusiasts can embark on the cinematic VR experience by downloading the game now on Meta Quest and Steam for $16.99 USD.
Drawing inspiration from true events, The Pirate Queen transports players through a meticulously crafted world, amidst the tumultuous waters of the 19th-century South China Sea. The adventure unfolds on the crucial night of Cheng Shih’s ascent to leadership of the Red Flag Fleet.
“I was unaware of Cheng Shih’s story, however, after delving deeper into the material and researching further, I was astonished to learn of her history and the cunning intelligence she wielded to achieve such incredible power. The revelation that this narrative unfolds within a virtual realm, yet is rooted in genuine historical events, carries profound significance. It seamlessly intertwines the realms of tradition and innovation, offering an experience that transcends gaming, delivering authenticity, excitement, and a rich tapestry of history,” remarked Lucy Liu, also serving as executive producer.
Celebrated for its breathtaking environments and compelling narrative, The Pirate Queen appeals to story enthusiasts, gaming novices, and history buffs alike. Accessible to all ages, the game offers an engaging VR experience without combat. Instead, its gameplay is focused on stealth and exploration — players row passed enemies undetected, scale rival ships, and uncover the forgotten tale of Cheng Shih amidst historically accurate environments.
“Being of Chinese-German heritage and having grown up in Hong Kong, a culturally sensitive approach was very important to me,” notes Maja Bodenstein, Lead Writer of The Pirate Queen. “Our aim was to create a narrative that was both fun and educational, tailored around the player experience. To this end, we developed the story and the core gameplay functions simultaneously, to make sure our scenario made full use of the unique opportunities offered by VR.”
Driven by a desire to illuminate Cheng Shih’s journey as a pioneering leader, Singer Studios’ has garnered critical acclaim for their extensive historical research, detailed storyline and immersive gameplay. The game has been honored with the Tribeca Storyscapes Award (2023) and the Raindance Discovery Award (2021). This immersive experience is just the beginning of an expansive franchise being developed by Singer Studios and executive producers Lucy Liu and Eloise Singer.
“As a female-led studio, we’re incredibly proud to be launching the game during International Women’s History Month. It marks the beginning of The Pirate Queen universe and I’m hugely excited to be working with Lucy to expand the story into a visually stunning graphic novel, film, and TV series.” said executive producer Eloise Singer, the project’s creative director, and Singer Studios’ CEO and Founder.
“The team really threw themselves into how Cheng Shih’s world might look, sound and feel to craft the historical details that bring it to life. We’re looking forward to bringing this approach to the many other stories we want to share.” said Siobhan McDonnell, Producer of The Pirate Queen.
The Pirate Queen: A Forgotten Legend is available now on Meta Quest and Steam. For more information on Singer Studios’ multimedia projects, visit their website, sign up for their newsletter, and follow them on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and LinkedIn. Follow The Pirate Queen on the game’s Instagram and TikTok to stay up to date with the new adventure.
Ah, Sparta! Home to the finest warriors in all of ancient Greece, a marvel of a city, a true superpower on the Peloponnesian Peninsula, protected by its mighty city walls… wait a second. Wasn’t Sparta famous for its walls being its army only? So why can we see Spartans riding home through a massive wall in Titan Quest II’s announcement trailer?
The latest dev diary for the upcoming action RPG Titan Quest II highlights Sparta and explains how Titan Quest II offers a fantastical twist on the actual ancient reality.
Check out the latest dev diary on Steam: https://t.co/Boq0o8fqRi. For a deep dive on the music and world design of Titan Quest check out the previous dev diaries:
Music: https://t.co/ubWkEjBdIr
World Design: https://t.co/tkrKph57GA
The Titan Quest II Announcement trailer:
The horrors of war seem an ocean away, but no major threat can be contained in a shrinking world. The influences of foreign ideologies and international pressure may force distant nations to take an active part in the global struggle against tyranny. Decide the fate of South America in Hearts of Iron IV: Trial of Allegiance, available now.
This content pack for Paradox Interactive’s best-selling grand strategy wargame, players can write new histories of the major nations of South America in years around World War II. You can try to resist the pressure to join a costly conflict overseas, or take your chances with a major power bloc for help in pursuing your own goals.
Features of Hearts of Iron IV: Trial of Allegiance include:
Hearts of Iron IV: Trial of Allegiance is available for the suggested retail price of $14.99/￡12.79/€14.99.
Serenity Forge (Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!) and the award-winning storytellers at Mojiken today revealed that the anticipated Physical & Collector’s Editions of acclaimed indie hit A Space for the Unbound will be coming to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 next month on April 2:
Both versions will be available from your favorite retailer and at the Serenity Forge online store: https://store.serenityforge.com/
A Space for the Unbound transports you into late ‘90s rural Indonesia on a journey of self-discovery with high school sweethearts Atma and Raya. The slice-of-life adventure touches on topics of overcoming anxiety and depression through its stunning pixel art style. However, when a mysterious supernatural power is suddenly unleashed upon their town, Atma and Raya must explore and investigate to uncover hidden secrets, face the end of the world and maybe even grow closer together.
The Physical Edition of A Space for the Unbound ($44.99) features:
A Space for the Unbound’s Collector’s Edition ($99.99) features all of the above extras plus:
During today’s Capcom Highlights video presentation, Capcom conjured new updates on a fantastical pair of action-packed titles launching this year. The show featured the reveal of the “Character Creator & Storage” tool for Dragon’s Dogma™ 2. Beginning today, players can get a head start on designing their Arisen and Main Pawn, both of which can be transferred into the full game when the action RPG makes its highly anticipated arrival on March 22, 2024. The program also showcased an extended look at Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess™, bestowing new details on the strategic action game and its vibrant Japanese-inspired setting ahead of its 2024 release.
Create Your Character in Dragon’s Dogma 2 Today
Dragon’s Dogma 2 director Hideaki Itsuno and producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi joined Capcom Highlights to provide an overview of what players can expect when setting out on their own immersive fantasy adventures. In addition to your party with up to three AI companions known as Pawns, players are encouraged to indulge their curiosity and stretch their creativity when exploring the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2.
From how they resolve quests to the way they interact with characters around them, the decisions players make will not only impact their Arisen’s relationships with other characters, but they will also in turn change the interactions between characters as well. There are often creative solutions to avoid physical altercations, such as passing off an exquisite counterfeit item as the genuine article. Each decision the player makes will impact the complex web of relationships throughout a world filled with over 1000 characters, each with their own objectives and motives.
Itsuno and Hirabayashi also unveiled the “Character Creator & Storage” tool, which can be downloaded for free on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. This allows players to create five designs for their Arisen and Main Pawn starting today! Those designs will be instantly transferred to the full game when Dragon’s Dogma 2 releases for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam on March 22, 2024, so players immediately embark upon their journey at launch.
Finally, the duo unveiled plans to release official Capcom support Pawns created by renowned content creators that will be available for other players through the network to join their own adventure, with initial announcements during Capcom Highlights and other participating creators to be revealed in the near future.
Peer Into the Spirit Realm with Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Explore a mesmerizing world steeped in Japanese culture and mysticism with the upcoming release of Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess set to launch this year. The single-player action strategy game and newest Capcom IP will test your strategic ability within this mystical action adventure.
Set on a mountain infected with defilement, players will take on the role of Soh, the protagonist tasked with rescuing villagers and purifying their villages on Mount Kafuku along with the Maiden, Yoshiro.
As players journey through Mount Kafuku, they’ll be immersed in dynamic day and night cycles. By day, Soh joins forces with the villagers to prepare for an impending battle. When darkness looms, Soh, the villagers, and Yoshiro confront the Seethe and the Festering Seethe, even more powerful enemies infused with the power of the stolen masks. Harness the power of Tsuba guards, wield dance-like sword techniques, adapt to constantly changing battle conditions, and take advantage of the different villager roles in order to cleanse the mountain. Various roles include:
Woodcutters – Strong villagers who excel at close-range combat.
Archers – Villagers with great accuracy and precision who fight from a distance with their bow and arrows.
Ascetics – Enchanting villagers who use spells to restrain the Seethe.
Brought to life by the power of the RE ENGINE, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass for console, PC, and Cloud, and on Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. Stay tuned for more details as we set players off to embark on an unforgettable clash, filled with strategic challenges and aesthetically immersive gameplay.
Make sure to join us for Capcom Highlights Day 2 on Monday, March 11, 2024 for the latest news from the worlds of Street Fighter™ 6, Monster Hunter Stories™, and Exoprimal™.
The rapid technological and societal changes of the Victoria Era allowed empires to compete in new lands with new means. The competition for resources and markets could turn fast friends into bitter rivals, as strong nations fought to extend and secure their power over weaker ones. Preserve and project your own empire in Sphere of Influence, a new expansion pack for Victoria 3, coming May 6, 2024.
Paradox Interactive’s grand strategy simulation takes a diplomatic turn, with Power Blocs at the center of Sphere of Influence. Bully, bribe or befriend other nations in an effort to build a group that can act together towards a common goal. Smaller nations can seek security in a co-operative compact with a greater power, while major nations bring new subjects and middle powers into their orbit.
Historical content in the expansion is dedicated to The Great Game, the nineteenth century competition between the British and Russian Empires for influence and power in Central and South Asia.
Following the celebrated release of House Flipper 2 in December, Frozen District has now unveiled the game’s Spring update and a new accolades trailer. Additionally, the studio has revised the console edition launch of House Flipper 2 to April 10th. This Spring Update introduces various new interior options, decorative pieces, and a novel task to Pinnacove’s seaside setting. The latest trailer compiles some of the finest feedback from leading industry publications. Catch the trailer below!
Follow the game on Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1190970/House_Flipper_2/) to not miss any news, and add the House Flipper 2 to your wishlist on PlayStation Store (https://store.playstation.com/en-ca/concept/10006545) and Microsoft Store (https://www.xbox.com/en-CA/games/store/house-flipper-2/9n67z2d5phw2) to not miss the launch.
Frozen District has also shifted the console version release of House Flipper 2 from its initial March 21st date to April 10th. This adjustment grants the development team additional time to refine the game for console certification. This ensures that the Spring and April Fool’s Day updates (scheduled for April 1st) are available to console players upon release.
Developed by the Simteract studio and published by NACON, Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator is out now on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. The launch trailer gives you the chance to check out the game’s various features as you spend a day in the shoes of a Barcelona taxi driver who also runs his own business:
06:26am: My work day starts with the first fare! It’s still early, just after sunrise, but already fairly warm. My customer asks me to open the window. I grant her request, and a light breeze blows in and cools the interior. It’s set to be a fine day!
09:02am: After taking a coffee break at the Barceloneta market, I stop at a gas station, taking the opportunity to fill up the car: best to be good and ready before the next fare!
11:43am: I had a long chat with one of my passengers, a tourist, who was asking for recommendations for iconic locations to photograph. I advised her to check out the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, a magnificent Gothic church situated in the La Ribera district. She must have been really pleased, because she gave me a very positive rating and left a generous tip!
1:32pm: I just had a minor accident on the road… I braked too suddenly at a red light, and a car ran into the back of mine. I swiftly stop by the garage for a quick repair. To help get myself over the mishap, I take the opportunity to customise my vehicle, by changing the wheels, the bodywork colour and adding the odd interior accessory.
3:17pm: I’ve got a meeting with one of my drivers, Claudia. She’s been working for my taxi company for a few months, and today I decided to assign her to the El Raval area, a very touristy part of Barcelona. I’ve noticed that she always takes great care of her vehicle, and I think I can trust her with a fancier car, which will definitely catch the eye of the customers there.
5:19pm: As usual, I set aside some time to cruise around the city with no particular destination in mind. No matter how long I’ve lived here, I’m always discovering hidden points of interest! Getting to know Barcelona like the back of my hand provides precious experience, enabling me to acquire new skills, which makes me a better driver, but also a better manager.
6:34pm: I round off the day with a beautiful drive along the seaside road, enjoying the rows of palm trees and a magnificent sunset. I hope to see you soon in Barcelona!
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator is now available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store).
Razer has long been a dominant force in the gaming peripheral space, and their foray into streaming microphones continues to impress. The Seiren V3 Chroma is the latest iteration of their pro-grade USB microphone line, bringing a compelling mix of sound quality, customization, and that signature Razer flair.
The Seiren V3 Chroma’s design continues the sleek and minimalist aesthetic found on previous Seiren mics. Its cylindrical body, available exclusively in classic black, looks sharp on any desk setup. A noticeable upgrade is the integrated RGB lighting strip that wraps around the base of the mic. It’s a subtle touch, but adds a dynamic element, especially when you use Razer Synapse to synchronize it with your other Chroma-enabled devices. The Seiren V3 Chroma comes with both a sturdy desktop base and an optional shock absorber to help mitigate unwanted vibrations. Notably, it abandons the screw-on mount in favor of a standard-sized mic arm fitting, making setup extra convenient.
Razer replaced the physical knobs found on earlier Seiren models with a multi-function tap-to-mute sensor on the top of the mic. It’s responsive, highly visible, and makes quick muting actions a breeze. The front of the mic houses a volume wheel, which doubles as the microphone gain adjustment when combined with Razer Synapse software. This streamlining might initially be a touch jarring for users accustomed to a separate gain knob but proves to be a practical change for everyday use.
The most crucial aspect of any microphone is its sound quality, and the Razer Seiren V3 Chroma does not disappoint. The supercardioid pattern effectively focuses on your voice while minimizing unwanted background noise. This focus creates a clean, isolated vocal track perfect for streaming, podcasts, or even professional recordings. The 24-bit/96kHz sample rate delivers a detailed, nuanced sound that adds depth and presence to your voice. There’s a slight boost in the highs for extra clarity, but it never becomes harsh or sibilant. You’ll find your vocals clear and articulate with a broadcast-ready quality without extensive post-processing.
The Razer Seiren V3 Chroma really shines when you pair it with the Razer Synapse software. Synapse unlocks a suite of powerful tuning options that let you tailor your sound with precision. Inside, you’ll find an onboard audio mixer for adjusting the balance between game audio, chat applications, and your microphone input – a lifesaver for streamers. There’s also a 10-band equalizer to shape your vocals, and essential filters like a high-pass filter (for cutting out low-end rumble), noise gate, compressor, and limiter to keep your voice crisp and consistent. Naturally, Synapse lets you customize the RGB lighting, with various patterns, effects, or the ability to react to in-game events or stream alerts. If you’re a beginner, Synapse also includes several handy presets optimized for different use cases, so you can achieve a great sound baseline fast.
The Seiren V3 Chroma incorporates a couple of additional features that are tailor-made to elevate your live streams. You can connect your stream alerts and make the mic’s RGB lights react, adding a visual flair to your broadcast. A digital gain limiter prevents your audio from clipping and distorting during those excited, high-volume moments.
Should You Buy It?
The Razer Seiren V3 Chroma is an exceptional USB microphone aimed squarely at streamers and content creators. Its broadcast-quality sound, user-friendly controls, customization options, and dash of RGB flair make it a compelling choice. At a price point of around $129.99, it falls into the higher end of USB microphones. However, it fully justifies its price by delivering excellent features and performance. If you’re seeking a plug-and-play option, the Seiren V3 Chroma might overwhelm at first; its full potential is best realized with Razer Synapse.
Overall, the Razer Seiren V3 Chroma is an impressive package that will elevate your streaming and content creation. If you’re looking for a microphone that looks polished, sounds fantastic, and offers the customization serious streamers crave, it’s tough to beat.
