Video

Contaminated Areas Come to DayZ

2021/09/29
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Bohemia Interactive is excited to announce the release of update 1.14 for DayZ, the biggest update of 2021 for their hardcore open-world survival game. For everyone playing DayZ on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, update 1.14 offers some notable new additions, including contaminated areas, hunting traps, revamped helicopter crash sites, new animations for bullpup rifles, and a DayZ first – the LE-MAS assault rifle.

Let’s start with the star of the DayZ update: Contaminated Areas. These new additions come in two variants: static and dynamic. Static areas are meant to lock away high-tier loot, while dynamic areas make the world more lively. Special attention has been paid to making these environments as immersive as possible through various visual and sound effects, as well as finally making use of already present NBC gear like suits and gas masks.

If you’re a survivalist of the wilderness variety, then you’re going to love DayZ’s addition of three new hunting traps: a big fishnet trap, a small fish bottle trap, and a snare trap. Each trap is able to catch its own unique animal based on where the trap is placed and the type of bait that’s used. There’s also a new booby trap – the tripwire – which you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for.

Helicopter crash sites have also received some long-overdue attention. The Russian site has received a significant model update, alongside the addition of the smoke particle, which is now visible from a greater distance. Every helicopter crash site now makes a sound that can be heard from far away, thereby alerting anyone in the vicinity. In addition to all of this, the chances of finding rare loot at these sites have noticeably increased.

Update 1.14 also offers a new set of animations for bullpup rifles and introduces a first in DayZ – the LE-MAS assault rifle. The exotic-looking rifle uses 5.56x45mm ammunition in its unique 25 round magazine and offers single, burst, and automatic fire.

If you’re part of DayZ’s vibrant modding community, you’ll definitely want to check out the complete change notes to see the numerous changes that were made with you in mind. And Linux fans should note that Linux server distribution has now entered the experimental phase of development.

And just in case everything that’s been mentioned so far simply isn’t enough, how about the fact that folks playing on the PlayStation 5 can now enjoy DayZ at 60 frames per second?

All in all, there’s a ton of fun to be had with Update 1.14 and plenty of new adventures for DayZ fans to enjoy. You can check out the changelogs in the official forum. PC changelog | Console changelog

The Cycle: Frontier Closed Beta Announcement

2021/09/29
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Berlin-based studio YAGER has announced that the PC closed beta of the FPS shooter The Cycle: Frontier will start on Sept. 30, 2021. Players can register for the closed beta now and start playing tomorrow! The official release of The Cycle: Frontier is planned for the first half of 2022.

The Cycle: Frontier is a free-to-play, high-stakes, PvPvE FPS. The goal is to complete missions on a deserted planet while defending yourself from hostile creatures and armed opponents. But beware: resources and mission objectives can only be kept if you leave the planet alive. Whether playing solo, in a squad with friends, or making alliances with strangers, The Cycle: Frontier offers the ultimate competitive multiplayer and survival combat experience for everyone.

Due to extensive gameplay changes, the high-stakes survival shooter has gained a lot of strategic depth between its co-op and PvP gameplay, with players having to decide for themselves how much risk they want to take at any given time. Every action can have massive consequences: do you start the next drop with expensive equipment and accept the risk of losing rare resources, or do you go in with simple equipment and risk failure in the end?

At Prospect Station, the social hub in The Cycle: Frontier, players will find stores and their own quarters, as well as the three most important factions: Osiris, Korolev and ICA. Each gives players important missions to increase reputation and unlock new tools, upgrades and weapons. Of course, you’re never completely alone on the world of Fortuna III; in addition to dangerous beasts, other greedy players may be on the same mission as you — and also armed to the teeth.

Razer Launches Sneki Snek Animated Series

2021/09/28
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Peripherals News, Trailers / Videos

Razer™, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers (Hong Kong Stock Code: 1337), today released a new animated series starring none other than Razer’s fan-favorite and sustainability mascot, Sneki Snek. The cartoon aims to educate young Razer fans on environmental issues, and what they can do to live more sustainably, in a series of lighthearted cartoon shorts.

Partnering with Razer to enhance environmental literacy is one of the world’s largest asset managers, Franklin Templeton, who are sponsoring the first season of the show and are contributing to Sneki Snek’s cause to save trees. The show will be streamed across Razer’s social network channels including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, with new episodes coming out every month. The animated series follows Sneki Snek and his sidekicks on their mission to stop the antagonist, the Hooman, who is constantly hurting the planet.

The first season consists of six bite-sized episodes and will tackle issues such as deforestation, over-fishing, air pollution, upcycling, slash-and-burn farming, and climate change. Viewers will learn about pressing environmental issues and what they can do to make a difference, as Sneki Snek shares advice on how to join the fight against climate change. The integration of environmental and social considerations in entertaining content aims to empower viewers with the practical information they need yet may not have access to.

“We are delighted to partner with Franklin Templeton to bring this animation to life. We are always looking for ways to empower our community, and in this case, knowledge is power,” says, Patricia Liu, Razer’s Chief of Staff. “It’s our responsibility to ensure that the youth are armed with what they need to defend our planet, as they will be the ones inheriting it. So, whether it’s by giving them access to information, or rallying the community through our own sustainability efforts, we hope to inspire the next generation of gamers to join us in the frontier against climate change.”

Last year Razer partnered with Conservation International to save trees through their Sneki Snek campaign. As a part of this partnership, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Sneki Snek eco-merchandise goes towards helping Conservation International save trees. Razer has since then rallied their community by launching a new Sneki Snek product with every 100,000 trees saved and have just celebrated saving 600,000 trees with the latest Sneki Snek Giant Cushion drop. With Franklin Templeton also committing to saving 50,000 trees, the end goal of saving 1 million trees together with the community is drawing even closer.

“We are most pleased to support Razer in its efforts to make the world a better place for all,” said Dora Seow, Country Head for Singapore, Franklin Templeton. “As a global asset management leader, we recognize the need to protect our environment and are committed to reducing our environmental impact. We hope this adorable series will get people thinking about the importance of sustainable living and investing.”

To watch Razer’s new Sneki Snek animated series, please see here.

For more information on Razer’s partnership with Conservation International, please see here.

For more information on Razer’s sustainability initiatives, please see here.

Hexagon Games Announces Sphere – Flying Cities with Trailer

2021/09/28
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Today, publisher Assemble Entertainment and developer Hexagon Games announced the promising survival city-builder Sphere – Flying Cities is launching in Steam Early Access on October 14, 2021. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic future and sees players manage the well-being of the Earth’s very first flying city inhabited by the planet’s last remaining humans. Utilizing a mix of strategy, simulation, and survival elements, Sphere ensures there’s no limit to the truly extraordinary and immersive gameplay scenarios that can be constructed.

In the not-so-distant future, Earth’s moon has been struck by a massive asteroid. With the fallout rendering the terrestrial surface uninhabitable, the ecosystem of the planet collapses. Facing complete annihilation, humanity makes one final and desperate attempt to survive — thanks to newly-created anti-gravity technology, the first (and possibly last) faction of flying cities ascends as the ultimate bastion of the human race.

Key Features of Sphere – Flying Cities:

  • Build It and They Will Come: Erect a living, thriving city with over 30 different building types and maintain your ecosystem via resource management mastery and infrastructure supported by independent economic cycles
  • Don’t Look Down: Ensure your anti-gravity device and its expanding deflector shield are kept in tip-top shape at all times, as an insufficient power supply will result in a quick (and painful) demise
  • Send in the Robots: Utilize drones and other scout technologies in hazardous environments to quickly construct buildings, harvest resources, and search for stranded survivors. You may even find rare materials in uncharted territories!
  • A Geologist in Space: Research new technologies to improve the efficiency of every aspect of your city and withstand a plethora of (un)natural disasters like geomagnetic storms, asteroids, and poisonous clouds
  • A Delicate Ecosystem: The well-being of your people is crucial to the success of the mission. Carefully tend to the needs of your colonists by supplying food, healthcare, and shelter. But don’t forget, the survival of many may require the deaths of the few —  sacrifices are an inevitable imperative.

Developed by Hexagon Sphere Games and published by Assemble Entertainment, Sphere – Flying Cities will make its debut on Steam via Early Access on October 14, 2021, and will be available for $17.99 USD.

Assemble Entertainment has again partnered with a charitable organization to offer a Save the World Edition of the game, this time with Atmosfair, an environmental development organization that focuses on clean energy climate protection projects. The Save the World Edition of Sphere – Flying Cities will include a mini-artbook and bonus in-game cosmetics. Learn more and add the game to your wishlist here.

Return of the Waffenträger Event Comes to World of Tanks

2021/09/28
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

A fan favorite mode makes its return to World of Tanks today. Picking up from where last year’s event left off, Return of the Waffenträger sees Max von Krieger and the Harriers do battle once again. However, this time the Waffenträger has been adapted into an even more formidable foe, so the spoils of war will be even sweeter.

Return of the Waffenträger pits a team of seven Harrier tanks against the monstrous Blitzträger auf E 110 tank destroyer (and his army of AI-controlled Sentinels) in 7v1 asymmetric battles on redesigned versions of Murovanka, Siegfried Line and Steppes. Those on the Harrier team will have three specially modified options to choose from: the Object 140, the Bat.-Châtillon 25 t and the M48A5 Patton. Both sets of teams have different objectives: to secure the win, the Harriers must ultimately destroy the Blitzträger within the time limit, whereas the Blitzträger must wipe out the Harriers’ forces or see out the clock.

At the start of battle, the Blitzträger will be protected by an impenetrable energy shield, so Harriers must keep out of its way. The Harriers can lower the shield by destroying Sentinels and using the plasma they drop to overload and destroy the generators on the battlefield. By doing so, the Blitzträger’s shield will be disabled, and they can pounce on the opportunity to deal some serious damage. To completely deplete the shield, all four generators must be destroyed. But the advantage isn’t solely with the Harriers as the Blitzträger has an ace up its sleeve: teleportation. This new ability will allow the beast to instantly travel to a chosen point on the map.

“The reaction of our players to the event last year was overwhelmingly positive, and players were looking forward to its return,” states Max Chuvalov, Publishing Director, World of Tanks. “This year, we’ve focused on creating an even more absorbing atmosphere and making everything look better visually to fully engross players. And, of course, we made sure that the prizes are better than ever!”

Players will also be tasked with progressing through four stages and assembling the Harriers’ and Engineer’s Collections. With each stage reached, tankers will be rewarded and by completing both collections, they’ll grab all the goodies on offer. And finally, a brand-new American Tier VIII Premium tank, the ASTRON Rex 105 mm, will be available exclusively during the event.

Return of the Waffenträger will run from today until October 11. For more information about the event, visit worldoftanks.com

Crypt TV’s The Girl in the Woods Official Trailer

2021/09/28
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

Peacock unleashes trailer for original supernatural drama series ‘The Girl in the Woods’ from Crypt TV streaming Thursday, October 21!

ABOUT THE SERIES

  • The new Peacock Original, THE GIRL IN THE WOODS, is a supernatural YA drama about a mysterious door in the woods that leads to a terrifying monster dimension. It features Carrie (Stefanie Scott, “Insidious: Chapter 3”) a teenage runaway who’s anything but ordinary as she faces her demons and bonds with two new friends Nolan (Misha Osherovich, “Freaky”) and Tasha (Sofia Bryant, “I Am Not Okay with This”) to fight back.
  • THE GIRL IN THE WOODS launches Thursday, October 21 on Peacock. All eight episodes will drop at once.
  • Set in the Pacific Northwest, THE GIRL IN THE WOODS follows Carrie’s escape from her mysterious, cult-like colony that guards the world from monsters hidden behind a secret door within the woods. The series also touches on contemporary social issues like LGBTQ+ discrimination, the human cost of environmentalism and the consequences of inequality.
  • Produced by Crypt TV, the global multi-media company growing the next generation of iconic monsters for Gen Z, THE GIRL IN THE WOODS marks another full series adaptation of one of the biggest IPs in Crypt TV’s monster universe.
  • THE GIRL IN THE WOODS stars Stefanie Scott (Carrie), Misha Osherovich (Nolan), Sofia Bryant (Tasha), Will Yun Lee as (Arthur Dean), Kylie Liya Page as (Sara), Reed Diamond as (Hosea) and Leonard Roberts as (Khalil).
  • Krysten Ritter (“Jessica Jones”) directed the first four episodes, including the pilot and Jacob Chase (“Come Play”) directed the last four episodes. Jane Casey Modderno (“The Birch”) serves as head writer. THE GIRL IN THE WOODS was written by an all-woman writing team.
  • The series is based on Crypt TV’s s 2018 short film “The Door in the Woods,” which was written and directed by Joey Greene, and the 2020 sequel “The Girl in the Woods,” written by David Calbert, Van Nguyen and directed by Roxine Helberg.
  • THE GIRL IN THE WOODS is produced by Crypt TV. Crypt TV CEO Jack Davis and COO Darren Brandl serve as executive producers. Jane Casey Modderno serves as head writer and co-executive producer. Krysten Ritter serves as director and co-executive producer. Jeremy Elliott and Jasmine Johnson serve as co-executive producers. Jacob Chase serves as director and producer. Joey Greene and Cameron Fuller serve as co-producers.

AWAY: The Survival Series Launch Trailer – Game Out Now

2021/09/28
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Breaking Walls is proud to announce that its nature documentary-inspired narrative adventure about the life of a sugar glider, AWAY: The Survival Series, is available now on PC, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 for $29.99. A physical edition will go on sale on October 1st in Europe and October 5th in the USA through Perp Games.

AWAY: The Survival Series lets you star in your own personal nature documentary as you glide through the forest, sneak past predators, and hunt down your prey, all while a narrator describes your every move. Set in a distant future where nature has reclaimed the planet, AWAY is a narrative-driven survival adventure where you embody a tiny sugar glider embarking on a quest to save your family. Soar across misty chasms, leap from tree to tree, and climb to the top of the forest canopy as you journey across the posthuman wilderness!

  • Single-player, story-driven adventure – 5-10 hours of gameplay
  • Play as a sugar glider on a journey to save its family – Follow the main story, or embark on various side-quests to uncover the mysteries of AWAY‘s abandoned world.
  • Narrated like a nature documentary
  • Enjoy the enchanting orchestral soundtrack by award-winning composer Mike Raznick, who worked on BBC’s Life and Planet Earth II
  • Run, jump, climb, and glide through a living breathing world full of unique species of plants, insects, and animals.
  • Hunt small prey, fight larger enemies or use stealth and agility to sneak past apex predators unnoticed.
  • Play as other creatures in the wild, such as beetles, lizards, crabs, and more!

“One of the truly great promises of video games as a medium is to let you experience a life different from your own,” said Breaking Walls Co-Founder and Creative Director Laurent Bernier. “I can confidently say that no gamers are sugar gliders, so it’s through the magic of the medium that we’re able to fully flesh out the day to day life of these majestic creatures. Watching a nature documentary isn’t the same thing as a lived experience, and with AWAY we sought to create the closest thing any of us will ever experience to actually being a sugar glider.”

Breaking Walls is composed of an all-star team of industry veterans who have worked on acclaimed series such as Assassin’s Creed, Prince of Persia and Far Cry. Additionally, Breaking Walls has partnered with Life and Planet Earth II composer Mike Raznick to create an enchanting orchestral score for AWAY: The Survival Series. The result is a natural world brought to life with stunning detail.

Breaking Walls has also released a set of relaxing nature soundscapes recorded straight out of the game. Immerse yourself in the world of AWAY with the sounds of a dense forest, the gentle call of birds, and the echo of a distant waterfall. You can get the soundscapes for free at awayseries.com/nature.

A limited physical release for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 will be available through Perp Games in Americas and Europe that will include:

  • Digital soundtrack, created and composed by award-winning Mike Raznick, who also worked on BBC’s Life and Planet Earth II
  • Digital artbook – 75 pages of stunning imagery and information about the game
  • A short Augmented Reality Experience ‘growing out of the game’ packaging, created for the Green Game Jam 2021, ran in conjunction with the United Nations’ climate and forest partnership (UN-REDD) and the Playing for the Planet Alliance.
  • Plant Trees With Every Copy Sold  – Perp Games in partnership with Eden Reforestation Project will plant 2 trees for each full price physical copy sold
  • Physical Postcard – a physical postcard is inside every boxed copy

D&D Celebration Recap and New Rules Expansion Gift Set Announced

2021/09/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos

D&D Celebration is in the books with tons of wonderful gaming experiences shared by the entire community including games and panels galore. At the “Future of D&D” panel with D&D Studio team members, Ray Winninger, Liz Schuh, Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford on Sunday, Wizards revealed a new gift set is coming to town.

The D&D Rules Expansion Gift Set is a perfect addition for the Dungeon Masters and D&D players in your life (or yourself, of course) who want to level up their libraries beyond the core rulebooks. The set contains new printings of Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, and a new volume, Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, which collects and revises tons of D&D material released since the launch of fifth edition into one convenient tome. Those three books plus a Dungeon Master’s Screen are all contained in a beautiful slipcase.

“We planned to release the D&D Rules Expansion Gift Set before the holidays, but like many products in the industry, production and shipping delays forced us to move the release date,” said Liz Schuh, Director of Product Management for D&D. “But for D&D fans looking to use holiday gift funds in the new year, this is a quick way to create a library of setting-agnostic material for their D&D games. And hey, it doesn’t have to be a holiday to give this Gift Set to anyone who wants more D&D goodness beyond the core rulebooks.”

The D&D Rules Expansion Gift Set will be available on store shelves starting on January 25, 2022, with standard covers by Grzegorz Rutkowski (Monsters of the Multiverse, DM’s Screen and slipcase), Magali Villeneuve (Tasha’s), and Jason Rainville (Xanathar’s) featuring a shiny foil treatment while the new alternate covers designed by Joy Ang. Monsters of the Multiverse will be available as a standalone later in the year.

“We revised the content in Monsters of the Multiverse so that it plays even better than it did before. Many of the monsters have new abilities and new bits of lore, which will make them even more fun to include in your campaigns,” said Jeremy Crawford, Game Design Architect for Dungeons & Dragons. “We also shifted the lore focus so that this material is relevant no matter where you play in the D&D multiverse, not just in the Forgotten Realms.”

Monsters of the Multiverse contains more than 250 monster stat blocks and over 30 playable races from various sources including Volo’s Guide to Monsters, The Tortle Package, and Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes. In the “Future of D&D” panel – VOD available here: https://youtu.be/FSafNA20fxE – Jeremy Crawford walked fans through what’s changing in the presentation of stat blocks in Monsters of the Multiverse and how that will be the new standard going forward.

The updated content in Monsters of the Multiverse will be available for purchase on digital platforms when the book is available as a standalone. Fans can continue to use older content from previous releases, but a purchase of Monsters of the Multiverse is necessary to access all the new and updated content.

More information on all the ways Monsters of the Multiverse improves gameplay will be released in the coming months. Check out the product page for more updates – https://dnd.wizards.com/products/rules-expansion-set.

Stranger Things Season Premier Date and New Trailer Teasing The Creel House

2021/09/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos

Stranger Things 4 premieres in 2022, only on Netflix! A love letter to the ‘80s classic genre films that captivated a generation, Stranger Things is a thrilling drama set in the seemingly normal Midwestern town of Hawkins, Indiana. After a boy vanishes into thin air, his close-knit group of friends and family search for answers and are pulled into a high-stakes and deadly series of events. Beneath the surface of their ordinary town lurks an extraordinary supernatural mystery, along with top-secret government experiments and a dangerous gateway that connects our world to a powerful yet sinister realm. Friendships will be tested and lives will be altered as what they discover will change Hawkins and possibly the world — forever.

Since its release in 2016, the global phenomenon Stranger Things has garnered over 65 award wins and 175 award nominations, including those from the Emmys, Golden Globes, Grammys, SAG, DGA, PGA, WGA, BAFTA, a Peabody Award, AFI Program of the Year, the People’s Choice Awards, MTV Movie & TV Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and many others. The three-time Emmy Award Nominee for Best Drama is one of Netflix’s most watched titles, with Season 3 alone amassing 40.7 million household accounts in its first four days — more than any other Netflix film or series in that timeframe — and 64 million member households in the first four weeks.

Stranger Things, which was created by The Duffer Brothers and is produced by Monkey Massacre Productions & 21 Laps Entertainment, is currently underway on its fourth season. The Duffer Brothers serve as executive producers on the series, alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps Entertainment, and Iain Paterson.

Cobra Kai Season 4 Gets A Premier Date and Trailer

2021/09/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

This news was announced at the inaugural TUDUM: A Netflix Global Fan Event. Inspired by the first beat you hear when you watch a show or movie on Netflix, TUDUM is our first-ever global fan event. Today, over 145 of Netflix’s biggest stars and creators from around the world — representing over 100 series, films and specials — are joining the virtual stage for an exciting day full of exclusives and first looks, including the date announcement teaser from Cobra Kai.

ABOUT THE SERIES

  • COBRA KAI takes place over 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament with the continuation of the inescapable conflict between Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). Season 4 finds the Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang dojos joining forces to take down Cobra Kai at the All Valley Under 18 Karate Tournament… and whoever loses must hang up their gi. As Samantha and Miguel try to maintain the dojo alliance and Robby goes all in at Cobra Kai, the fate of the Valley has never been more precarious. What tricks does Kreese have up his sleeve? Can Daniel and Johnny bury their decades-long hatchet to defeat Kreese? Or will Cobra Kai become the face of karate in the valley?
  • Cobra Kai is written and executive produced by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg via their production company, Counterbalance Entertainment. Will Smith, James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett executive produce for Westbrook Entertainment along with Susan Ekins in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ralph Macchio and William Zabka also serve as executive producers.
  • Cast: Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso), William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence), Courtney Henggeler (Amanda LaRusso), Xolo Maridueña (Miguel Diaz), Tanner Buchanan (Robby Keene), Mary Mouser (Samantha LaRusso), Jacob Bertrand (Hawk), Gianni Decenzo (Demetri), Vanessa Rubio (Carmen), Peyton List (Tory) and Martin Kove (John Kreese) with Dallas Dupree Young (Kenny), Oona O’Brien (Devon), Griffin Santopietro (Anthony) and Thomas Ian Griffith (Terry Silver)
  • The first three seasons of Sony Pictures Television’s Cobra Kai are now streaming with Season 4 premiering on December 31, 2021 and Season 5 starting production in Atlanta this fall.