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The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria Release Date Revealed

Independent developer Free Range Games and publisher North Beach Games are excited to announce that esteemed actor John Rhys-Davies will reprise his iconic role as the world’s most beloved Dwarf, Lord Gimli Lockbearer, as part of the official voice actor’s cast for the highly-anticipated co-op survival crafting title, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria. Hear Rhys-Davies in action as Gimli in the official opening cinematic for the game, released today. As a special celebration, on the Dwarven holiday of Durin’s Day, October 17, Rhys-Davies joins Nerd of the Rings, the largest YouTube channel in the world dedicated entirely to Middle-earth, for an exclusive interview discussing his role in the game, working with the development team at Free Range Games, returning to The Lord of the Rings, and more.

“It’s always fun to come back and think of the ‘what-ifs’, and the chance to work on this game is an exploration of one of the what-ifs, isn’t it?” said John Rhys-Davies. “Actors often create characters out of love and it’s very hard, sometimes, to let them go. Certainly, Gimli is, for me, a character that I really adore, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to reprise him in a different context.”

“Authenticity is a cornerstone of The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria and when it came to casting Gimli, there was only one name everyone wanted,” said Chris Scholz, CEO of Free Range Games. “It’s been an honor, a privilege, and a dream to have Mr. John Rhys-Davies reprise this iconic role.”

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria Durin’s Day Interview with John Rhys-Davies, hosted by Nerd of the Rings, will be broadcast on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 at 9:00 am PDT / 12:00 pm EDT. The interview will air on the Nerd of the Rings YouTube channel, and will be available to watch in its entirety via VOD recording following the conclusion of the broadcast.

The story of The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria takes players beyond the books and into the Fourth Age of Middle-earth, the fantastical world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Summoned to the Misty Mountains by Lord Gimli Lockbearer, players band together as a company of Dwarves tasked to reclaim the lost spoils from the Dwarven homeland of Moria—known as Khazad-dûm or Dwarrowdelf—in the depths below their very feet. Their quest will require fortitude and teamwork, delving deep into the Mines of Moria to recover its treasures and in the hopes of one day restoring them to their former glory.

Developed by Free Range Games and Published by North Beach Games, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria will launch on Oct. 24 for an MSRP of $39.99 USD / €35.99 EUR, and has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB and has a PEGI 16 rating. Eager fans can pre-order the game digitally on PC via the Epic Games Store and wishlist on PlayStation®5 via the PlayStation® Store. For more information about The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, visit ReturnToMoria.com.

Alan Wake: Flashback Now Live in Fortnite

Rediscover the mysteries of Bright Falls and shine your light on events from Alan Wake in Alan Wake: Flashback, now playable in Fortnite.

Based on the award-winning cinematic action-thriller, Alan Wake: Flashback reimagines Remedy Entertainment’s iconic story in Fortnite. Troubled author Alan Wake embarks on a desperate search for his missing wife, Alice. Following her mysterious disappearance from the Pacific Northwest town of Bright Falls, he discovers pages of a horror story he has supposedly written, but has no memory of.

Alan Wake: Flashback was built using the Unreal Editor for Fortnite and was produced by Epic Games in collaboration with Remedy Entertainment, Spiral House, and Zen Creative.

HOW TO EXPERIENCE

Alan Wake: Flashback is accessible in Discover, or through island code 3426-5561-3374. Fortnite is free to download and available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Android, PC, and cloud-based game streaming services.

ALAN WAKE FORTNITE COSMETICS

Best-selling novelist Alan Wake will be written into Fortnite! Starting October 26 at 8 PM ET, the Alan Wake Outfit alongside other in-game cosmetics in the “Waking Nightmare” Set will be available in the Fortnite Item Shop.

Players who have purchased any of the Alan Wake 2 editions on the Epic Game Store before October 27, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET will be granted both the Alan Wake Outfit and Alan’s Messenger Bag Back Bling in Fortnite early on October 10. For more info visit the FAQ.

Prepare for the next chapter, or get acquainted with the series, through Alan Wake: Flashback today! Just don’t forget your trusty flashlight.

Elgato Unveils Elgato Prompter Compact Teleprompter

Elgato, a brand of CORSAIR (NASDAQ: CRSR), is thrilled to announce the Elgato Prompter, a compact teleprompter that makes pro video production accessible to all. Attached to a camera or webcam, Prompter connects creators to their audience with real, natural eye contact. It’s powered by a computer and can display video scripts or stream chat using Elgato’s free Camera Hub software. Prompter also mirrors any window or app (like a Zoom meeting) with an easy drag and drop. Best of all, unlike other teleprompters, it doesn’t require an extra tablet or smartphone—its 9” screen is already built in. With its unmatched compatibility and Stream Deck support, Elgato’s latest hardware is changing how people communicate online.

For the first time, teleprompting is easy for creators of all kinds, opening the door to better content and stronger communities. With Prompter, Twitch streamers can interact with chat while looking at their camera, making live conversations more engaging. Meanwhile, Prompter helps YouTubers stay on script while recording, which means fewer reshoots and less time editing. Everything’s customizable using Elgato’s Camera Hub software—included free for PC and Mac. Here in the app, creators are free to manage Prompter’s display and personalize text appearance. There’s even a Stream Deck plugin, offering more ways to control Prompter with a key press, a dial turn, or a foot tap.

“We built Prompter to be the true all-in-one solution for content creators” said Jeff Stegner, Product Manager at Elgato. “For years, consumer teleprompters offered only half the equation, requiring an additional smartphone or tablet. Meanwhile, studio devices with a built-in display were too expensive for most creators. Prompter is the best of both worlds.”

Professionals, too, have reason to be excited. Not only is Prompter ideal for virtual presentations, it’s also the perfect icebreaker for video calls. With a drag and drop, users can move their Zoom or Microsoft Teams app onto Prompter’s screen, directly in front of their camera. Now at eye level, Prompter ensures everyone meets face to face with professional eye contact. Likewise, those stuck at work don’t need to miss the big match—they can drag over a browser window and catch every play, without sacrificing monitor space.

Luckily for creators and professionals alike, Prompter likely works with the camera they already use at home or in the office. That’s because it’s compatible with more webcams, cameras, and smartphones than any other teleprompter. (For a list of supported devices and lenses, check out Elgato’s detailed breakdown.) Setup is surprisingly simple, too, thanks to interchangeable backplates and a single-cable USB connection. Of course, Prompter works best when paired with other Elgato products, like the world’s first 4K60 webcam, Facecam Pro.

With today’s news, Elgato fans can officially get their hands on Prompter and try it out themselves.

House Flipper – Farm DLC Out Now

Prepare to trade your controller for a pitchfork, unleash your inner farmer, and get ready to bring your dream farm to life on the big screen! With this add-on, you can transform neglected properties into beautiful countryside retreats and enjoy the excitement of the harvest in every pixel.

Get House Flipper – Farm DLC from either Microsoft Store: https://www.xbox.com/pl-pl/games/store/house-flipper-farm/9n06c7qqkr53 or European PlayStation Store: https://store.playstation.com/product/EP5347-CUSA23089_00-HFFARM00000000EU or US PlayStation Store: https://store.playstation.com/product/UP5167-CUSA23090_00-HFFARM00000000US.

Disney Animation Unveils Once Upon A Studio Animated Short

Disney Animation’s all-new short film “Once Upon A Studio” makes its streaming debut on Disney+ today as part of Disney’s epic hundred-year anniversary celebration. The spectacular tribute to the studio’s legacy can also be seen today on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Freeform, FX, FXX and FXM, with additional airings on Disney Junior on Oct. 18 and on Disney Channel on Oct. 22. “Once Upon a Studio” will also play theatrically in front of the Disney100 special engagement of “Moana”—now showing in theaters through Oct. 26.

Featuring 543 Disney characters from more than 85 feature-length and short films, “Once Upon a Studio” welcomes heroes and villains, princes and princesses, sidekicks and sorcerers—in all-new hand-drawn and CG animation—to celebrate 10 decades of storytelling, artistry and technological achievements. Mickey Mouse leads the emotional and joyful reunion of beloved Disney characters as they come together for a group photo to mark Disney’s 100th anniversary. The short film is written and directed by Dan Abraham and Trent Correy, and produced by Yvett Merino and Bradford Simonsen.

DISNEY+ CELEBRATES DISNEY100

Today the service launched a new content promotional feature in front of select movies and shows for US subscribers. In honor of the company’s 100th anniversary, the very first content promotion spotlight is an exclusive new piece celebrating 100 years of storytelling and reminding streamers the greatest stories live forever on Disney+.

Additionally, starting today, Disney+ subscribers can stream the stunning 4K restoration of the animated classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” This restored version of the 1937 classic is the result of the combined efforts of the Walt Disney Studios Restoration and Preservation team, working closely with key artists from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the same team who recently worked together on the critically acclaimed restoration of Walt Disney’s 1950 animated classic, “Cinderella,” that debuted on the service in August. Disney+ kicked off the celebration earlier this year with the addition of 27 restored Walt Disney Animation Studios classic shorts, featuring such iconic stars as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Chip n’ Dale, and the studio’s first star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Fans can continue celebrating the 100th anniversary by streaming all of their favorite movies and television series organized by release date decade in the Disney100 collection.

Thermaltake Unveils The Tower 200 Bumblebee Mini Chassis

Thermaltake, the leading PC DIY premium brand for Case, Power, Cooling, Gaming peripherals, and enthusiast Memory solutions, is excited to announce the launch of The Tower 200 Bumblebee Mini Chassis, a new-color version of the beloved The Tower series. The Tower 200 is a mini-ITX case with a vertical case design and exceptional thermal efficiency. Though this chassis comes in a compact size, it can support the length of a 4090 graphics card and a 280mm radiator. With the addition of a new vibrant yellow hue, The Tower 200 series now comes in six colors: Black, Snow, Turquoise, Racing Green, Matcha Green, and Bumblebee, allowing you to easily choose an ideal The Tower 200 to fit your style.

The Tower 200 Bumblebee has the same vertical body design as its predecessors, providing users more space flexibility with its smaller footprint. Like the productive spirit of a bumblebee, The Tower 200 Bumblebee is a tiny but mighty case that offers superior hardware support and exceptional cooling performance. The Tower 200 can accommodate a graphics card with a length of up to 380mm such as the latest 4090 GPU and a standard-size power supply of up to 220mm, enabling you to choose the high-performance components you want. Additionally, The Tower 200 can house a CPU cooler with a maximum height of 200mm, support an AIO radiator up to 280mm, and is preinstalled with two CT140 PC Cooling Fans, allowing The Tower 200 Bumblebee to maintain a low interior temperature at all times.

Whether you are in gaming, video editing, or just daily use, the bright exterior color of The Tower 200 Bumblebee can inspire your courage and confidence, enabling you to reach your desired goals with fully positive energy. To be more visually pleasing with The Tower 200 Bumblebee, the fantastic inner components can easily be displayed through the tempered glass front panel. You also can make The Tower 200 Bumblebee more interactive with the separately sold LCD Panel Kit. The 3.9” LCD display can show components’ real-time information, time, and weather. Besides, you can personalize your LCD display by uploading any images or GIFs through the TT RGB Plus 2.0 software.

The Tower 200 Bumblebee is a tiny but mighty chassis, like a bumblebee. If you are a compact chassis lover who would like to achieve outstanding cooling performance, hardware support, and visual aesthetics at the same time, don’t miss out on The Tower 200 Bumblebee Mini Chassis!

The Tower 200 Bumblebee- https://www.thermaltake.com/the-tower-200-bumblebee-mini-chassis.html

Vlad Circus: Descend into Madness Official Launch Trailer

Vlad Circus: Descend into Madness, the 2D pixel-art horror adventure from developer Indiesruption (Nine Witches) and publisher Blowfish Studios, tests the sanity of unsuspecting carnies just in time for Halloween. Vlad Circus launches today on PlayStation 4|5 with backwards compatibility, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S with backwards compatibility, Nintendo Switch, as well as Windows PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG.

On a day of sudden tragedy, Vlad Circus’ joyous reputation was replaced with sorrow and mourning. Hundreds were killed in the blazing fire, performers and attendees alike, forcing the once tight-knit troupe to disband. After eight years of no contact, a mysterious letter from the circus’ former ring leader brings the group together again.

Peer into the fractured mind of former circus clown Oliver Mills, aka “Lazy Ollie.” Maintain Ollie’s stress levels while exploring the dark halls of the Victorian-inspired Petrescu Manor. Rekindle old bonds from happier days, even as unspeakable horrors lurk in the shadows.

Hazy memories and grotesque hallucinations plague Ollie’s senses, worsening the deeper he dares to venture. Encounter and survive the horrifying abominations stalking the halls of the mansion while conquering mysterious puzzles. Reclaim lost memories from that traumatic day, piecing together the terrifying truth before Ollie’s sanity runs out completely.

“We love to create disruptive experiences, and Vlad Circus: Descend into Madness is certainly no exception,” said Diego Cánepa, Lead Designer, Indiesruption. “Players will need to discern what lies in reality and what lurks in Ollie’s twisted delusion. But are you really safe either way?”

Vlad Circus: Descend into Madness is available now on all major platforms, with support for Windows, as well as language support for English, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), French, German, and Russian.

To learn more about Vlad Circus, visit the official site, make sure to follow the game on Twitter and Instagram, join the community on Discord, and search #vladcircusgame on social media.

Mortal Kombat: Onslaught Official Launch Trailer

Warner Bros. Games today announced the global launch of Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, a new real-time, collection role-playing game (cRPG) that features team-based kombat set in the legendary Mortal Kombat universe. Starting today, players worldwide can download the game for free on the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android.

Developed by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, Mortal Kombat: Onslaught will feature the first mobile-exclusive, action-packed story centered on Shinnok’s bid for destruction – complete with high quality graphics, cinematic cutscenes, and bone-krushing kombat. As the fallen Elder God seeks to regain his power by gathering relics from across the realms, players must come to Raiden’s aid and build a team of fighters to persevere through massive real-time group battles and foil this evil plot.

“In Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, players will be able to unleash total mayhem in strategic, fast-paced battles with up to ten characters at once,” said Ed Boon, Chief Creative Officer, NetherRealm Studios and Co-Creator of Mortal Kombat. “Mortal Kombat: Onslaught introduces a new level of strategic gameplay and we’re excited to see how players build their teams to overcome various opponents and challenges.”

Mortal Kombat: Onslaught features a diverse roster of iconic characters including veterans like Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Scorpion, Kitana – as well as rare, fan-favorite variants of klassic kombatants like Cyrax and Smoke. Players must collect and choose from a massive catalogue of Assassins, Warriors, Snipers and Defenders – each with their own unique Special Moves, Affinities and Passive Skills – to assemble a powerful team of four champions.

As players encounter progressively difficult battles, they must increase their Fighters’ powers by evolving kombat skills including Kombos and Special Abilities, leveling gear, and equipping Relics, which are powerful items from Mortal Kombat lore that provide effect bonuses and even Fatalities. Kombatants will also be able to boost their skills in special Boss Tower and Chasm Modes, or enter the Arena to challenge other players across Earthrealm in real-time matches, earn rewards and climb the leaderboards in Player-versus-player (PvP) seasons.

Gangs of Sherwood Gameplay Overview

A new trailer reveals EVERYTHING you need to know about Gangs of Sherwood, the latest co-op action-adventure game developed by Appeal Studios and published by NACON. The game is already available for preorder and will release on 2 November on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Epic Games Store, Steam).

Story
During the last Crusades, King Richard of England and his army discovered a miraculous stone: the Lionheart. The stone was endowed with extraordinary properties, which helped the kingdom to undergo tremendous technological advancement. As the Lionheart was the source of immense prosperity and power, it obviously became the subject of terrible greed. The Sheriff of Nottingham eventually seized it, so he could assert his authority and oppress the English people.

Characters
To rebel against this tyranny, a resistance movement forms to defeat the sheriff’s armies and liberate the people from his merciless rule. Four iconic heroes from the legend of Robin Hood lead this rebellion, and in Gangs of Sherwood you can play as Maid Marian, the sheriff’s daughter and expert assassin; Friar Tuck, a monk and healer; Little John, a warrior with a steel fist; and, of course, the famous archer Robin of Locksley.

Gameplay
All the characters have their own gameplay styles as well as a wide range of unique and customizable abilities. As you progress, you unlock new combos and fragments, which allow you to pull off increasingly powerful and spectacular combos. Although Gangs of Sherwood can be played solo from start to finish, it has been primarily designed as a co-op multiplayer experience for up to four players. Tailor your heroes to suit your fighting style and take into account your team-mates’ strengths, so you can create devastating synergies and triumph over the Sheriff of Nottingham’s armies!

The Grinch: Christmas Adventures Official Launch Trailer

Outright Games, the leading global publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, a leading global children’s entertainment company, are thrilled for today’s release of The Grinch: Christmas Adventures. Based on the classic Christmas story written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss, How The Grinch Stole Christmas!, the game will take players on a mischief-filled journey throughout all of Who-ville. It is available now to play now on PlayStation 4®, PlayStation 5®, Nintendo Switch™, Xbox One, Xbox X|S, and Steam.

In this 2D platformer adventure game, fans can play as The Grinch and his faithful dog Max with up to 2 player local co-op mode, as they go on a mission to ruin Christmas for the town of Who-ville and steal all their presents. Players can also collect puzzle pieces as they go through levels to construct and unlock new abilities that will aid schemes, including a Santa disguise for stealthy sneaking and a snowboard for faster travel between locations.

With three main locations to visit – The Grinch’s cave, the countryside and Who-ville itself – fans will be treated to colourful and festive visuals inspired by Dr. Seuss’s original drawings, as well as appearances from recognisable characters. Explore and adventure, as players help The Grinch discover the true meaning of Christmas and make his heart grow three sizes.

The Grinch phenomenon began in 1957 with the publishing of the original book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Today he is one of the most culturally celebrated and beloved holiday characters that millions of families have incorporated into their holiday celebrations. Earlier this year, a sequel to the original book was released by Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books. Taking place one year after the original story, The Grinch sets out to win the Who-ville’s Christmas Crown with the most spectacular Christmas tree ever seen, but once again learns a valuable lesson about the true spirit of the holiday from an old friend. The brand continues to expand, as the #grinch has 9.3B views on TikTok, generated over 15B impressions in 2022 and The Grinch (2018 movie) is the #1 holiday movie worldwide.

Stephanie Malham, ​COO, Outright Games Ltd, said: “It has been an incredible pleasure to work with Dr. Seuss Enterprises to translate the beloved story of ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas!’ into the world of video games. We’re bringing this incredible adventure to a whole new generation of fans, and it’s been an exciting experience adapting the core elements that make the book such an enduring classic into a completely different entertainment medium.”

Hernán Castillo, CTO from Casual Brothers Ltd, said: “‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas!’ is a classic Christmas story beloved by so many. We wanted to keep the spirit of the book alive within our game and side-scrolling platform adventures are a timeless game design that is familiar to gamers across generations and skill levels.”

The Grinch: Christmas Adventures is available now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC.