With last week’s announcement of Company of Heroes 3, the pre-alpha preview is currently available to play for free (!) until August 3rd by signing up at companyofheroes.com. The game is still in the early stages of development, and Relic Entertainment are looking for as much feedback as possible to help make this the best game in the Company of Heroes franchise to date. But we also know that if you’re new to strategy games in general or Company of Heroes in particular, there can be a lot of new concepts and mechanics to take on board.
To help with that, Relic Entertainment have created a pair of Battle Briefing videos to bring you up to speed on the basics of Company of Heroes 3 as well as the brand-new Dynamic Campaign Map & optional Full Tactical Pause feature. With both of these in your toolkit, there will be nothing standing in the way of your campaign to retake mainland Italy from the entrenched Axis forces!
Grim reapers Acid Nerve (Titan Souls) and soulless publisher Devolver Digital have disobeyed their parents and opened Death’s Door, unleashing the off-beat action-adventure onto unsuspecting Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC owners today.
Death’s Door marks the long-awaited return of Titan Souls developers Acid Nerve and thrusts players into a quirky and curious world where Crows are in charge of collecting the souls of the dead.
“We can rebuild them. We have the technology. We can make them better than they were. Better, stronger, faster. And hopefully more profitable,” remarked Devolver Digital CFO Fork Parker.
Explore a land full of twisted inhabitants and countless secrets, bringing hope to the weird and wonderful characters you’ll meet along the way. Wield and upgrade melee weapons, arrows and magic as you track down and defeat colossal tyrants with stories and motivations of their own.
Warner Bros. Games and Turtle Rock Studios today revealed a new Back 4 Blood trailer showing off the co-op zombie shooter’s Ridden-slaying action running on PC. The new video highlights several features coming to the PC version of the game at launch, including 4K resolution, uncapped framerate, NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), ultrawide and multi-monitor support, cross-play, and various other graphics and visual quality options. Back 4 Blood will be available for PC via the Microsoft Store, Steam and Epic Games Store on Oct. 12.
The upcoming Back 4 Blood Open Beta will begin with an Early Access portion from Aug. 5-9 for those who pre-order the game. Players can also register at Back4Blood.com/Beta for a chance to get into the Early Access portion, but please note, website registration does not guarantee Early Access entry as codes are limited. The Open Beta will continue from Aug. 12-16 and be available for all players. Both Open Beta portions will be playable on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One Consoles, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and PC, including cross-play and cross-gen support. For more information on the Open Beta, visit Back4Blood.com/Beta.
Today, Ubisoft announced Tom Clancy’s XDefiant, an upcoming free-to-play FPS blending fast-paced 6-v-6 arena combat with faction-based abilities. XDefiant will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4, as well as on Stadia, Luna and Ubisoft Connect, with full crossplay expected at launch. Players can register now at www.playxdefiant.com to get the latest news, updates and a chance to play in early tests. The initial test begins August 5, and players are encouraged to sign up quickly for a chance to play first.* Additional tests are planned for this winter.
During the past 21 years, the Tom Clancy universe has become a major part of Ubisoft’s history and a reference for tactical shooters and immersive universes. Ubisoft is proud to announce the expansion of the Tom Clancy universe with a game that will let all the fans play with – and against – some of the most recognizable maverick groups from across fan-favorite franchises.
Developed by Ubisoft San Francisco and led by seasoned FPS expert Mark Rubin (executive producer) and Ubisoft San Francisco veteran Jason Schroeder (creative director), XDefiant offers an all-new experience to Tom Clancy games. Factions and characters, “Defiants,” are inspired by Tom Clancy games and beyond. Whether players are looking to play competitively or casually, XDefiant has something for everyone.
XDefiant, a Ubisoft Original, is a new take on the competitive FPS genre that offers players a high-octane gameplay experience, combining fluid and visceral combat with unprecedented freedom and personalization. XDefiant will immerse players at the forefront of the Tom Clancy universe at iconic locations in the throes of technicolor chaos, with maps mixing indoor and outdoor environments, ensuring smooth gameplay and unpredictable engagements.
Additional features include:
Personalized Playstyle: Players can personalize their Defiant to match their playstyle. Players can choose a faction with unique traits, abilities and ultra, then select from an arsenal of primary and secondary weapons, attachments, and a device to complete their loadout – and even tweak it on the fly (after respawning) to adapt to an ever-changing battlefield.
Competitive Clashes: The game offers a variety of competitive 6-v-6 arena and linear game modes, such as Domination and Escort. Combine that with a large pool of uniquely designed maps in rotation and no two matches will feel the same.
Diverse Factions of Defiants: XDefiant will initially feature factions such as the Wolves (Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon), Echelon (Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell) and the Outcasts and Cleaners (Tom Clancy’s The Division) battling across iconic locations. Additional Defiants will be added as the game evolves, drawing on a range of characters and abilities from the Tom Clancy universe … and beyond.
Players can go to www.playxdefiant.com to register for upcoming news, information and game tests (the first test begins August 5*).
* August 5 test only available for PC in the United States and Canada. Additional tests will be available later this year.
CD PROJEKT RED announces that Thanedd Coup — the next expansion for GWENT: The Witcher Card Game — is coming for free to PC, Apple M1 Macs, iOS, and Android.
Releasing on August 3rd, Thanedd Coup will introduce 26 new cards to GWENT — 4 cards of different rarities per faction and 2 neutrals — offering fresh tactics and tricks for players to utilize during battle. It will also continue the storyline of the Price of Power expansion set — this time revolving around the Thanedd Coup itself; a deadly clash between mages of Nilfgaard and mages of the North which occurred during a conclave held on Thanedd Island.
Thanedd Coup is the second installment of the three-part expansion set titled Price of Power. In anticipation of the upcoming release, players can take advantage of the Price of Power Expansion Pass offer — which features a set of vanities, including the exclusive Pyre coin, as well as instant access to all premium Price of Power cards from each of the set’s expansions as they’re made available. More details on the Expansion Pass can be found by checking out the in-game store, as well as the official Price of Power website.
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game is available for free on PC via GOG.COM and Steam, Apple M1 Macs running macOS, as well as on Android and iOS. For more information on GWENT, visit playgwent.com.
Leading video game publisher and developer BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today announced that ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge will release for Nintendo Switch on September 3, 2021, and will be available exclusively at Target stores and Target.com in the United States. Originally released for the Nintendo Wii, ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge returns to invite players to engage in real-life exercises while completing a variety of fun, family-friendly mini-games.
Featuring 16 games in total with activities ranging from river rafting to log jumping, ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge provides a fun fitness experience great for players of all skill levels to enjoy together. Players can expect to work up a sweat with the game’s simple, yet unique controls, which feature a pack-in Leg Strap that uses the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con to measure players’ movements. ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge detects a wide variety of players’ activities, including running, jumping, squatting and stomping, through the left Joy-Con, which is inserted into the Leg Strap and worn on the left leg. The player will also hold the right Joy-Con in their right hand to measure the arm’s accompanying movements.
ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge comes with two Leg Straps, and those with two sets of Joy-Cons can enjoy competitive and cooperative minigames with their families and friends in Multiplayer mode. Each minigame lasts between one to three minutes, and with the vibrant and colorful animations, players can bring the outdoors inside for an engaging and active gameplay experience.
“ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge consists of a unique, heart-pumping set of minigames, making it the perfect customizable workout for families of all ages,” said Summer Nguyen, Associate Brand Manager at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “Players can expect an immersive workout experience by turning in-game movements into real-world exercises which are a fun, safe, and easy way to stay active and moving!”
ACTIVE LIFE Outdoor Challenge will be available for Nintendo Switch on September 3, 2021. To learn more about the game’s exclusive availability through Target in the United States, please visit: https://www.target.com/p/-/A-83498615. For information on other products from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., please follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS, or join the conversation on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS.
Today, Disney+ revealed the official trailer and key art for “Stuntman,” streaming on Friday, July 23. The documentary film follows legendary stuntman Eddie Braun as he attempts one of the most dangerous stunts in history. Contemplating retirement and having survived over three decades of hellacious car crashes, explosions, high falls and death-defying leaps, Eddie decides to complete what his childhood hero never finished – the infamous Snake River Canyon rocket jump – an audacious televised event that almost killed famed daredevil, Evel Knievel.
Just when you thought it was safe to take a dip in the water again…Piranhathon Bites Back-to-Back! On August 9th, stream double the camp, double the teeth and double the terror when Shout! Factory TV™ presents a 24-hour marathon of Joe Dante’s 1978 cult classic Piranha and its 1995 remake starring Mila Kunis and Soleil Moon Frye. Fans can watch the films streamed all day and night long in a back-to-back format presentation that is sure to keep everyone coming back for seconds. The marathon begins Monday, August 9 at 12 a.m. PT on Shout! Factory TV.
In 1978, audiences discovered Piranha, widely considered one of the very best films inspired by the success of Jaws, and for over 40 years Piranha has been one of the true cult gems in the Roger Corman canon.
Lost River Lake was a thriving resort until they discovered … Piranha! While searching for missing teenagers, rookie skip-tracer Maggie McKeon (Heather Menzies) and booze-soaked river rat Paul Grogan (Bradford Dillman) stumble upon a top-secret military laboratory conducting genetic research on piranha fish for the purpose of developing the most lethal form of biological warfare imaginable.
When the deadly eating machines are accidentally released from the compound, they’re soon headed downstream, consuming everything — and anyone — in their path. With Paul and Maggie in hot pursuit, the piranhas’ next stop is the children’s summer camp, where Paul’s young daughter is vacationing, and then the newly opened, multi-million-dollar water resort. Time is running out, and the piranha are hungry!
The 1995 remake of the cult classic film features Mila Kunis and Soleil Moon Frye and was also produced by Roger Corman.
Piranhathon can be viewed on ShoutFactoryTV.com; Shout! Factory TV’s Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, and Roku apps; and the following digital streaming platforms: IMDb TV, Local Now, Plex, Redbox, Samsung TV Plus, Sling TV, STIRR, Twitch, Vizio and XUMO. Both films are also available for streaming on demand across Shout! Factory TV platforms.
Elgato, a leading provider of hardware and software for streamers and content creators, today announced the launch of Facecam, a cutting-edge entry into the world of professional-grade webcams. Facecam captures video in true Full HD 1080p60 through an all-glass studio-quality Elgato Prime lens. Equipped with a Sony® Starvis™ image sensor that excels in indoor lighting conditions, and an optimized fixed focus, Facecam keeps you looking sharp in live streams, conference calls, online classes, or anywhere demanding high-quality HD video capture. The result is a webcam tailor-made for creating today’s most professional content.
Alongside Facecam, today Elgato also launches a host of new gear to upgrade your production setup: Wave XLR, an XLR to USB Type-C microphone interface and digital audio mixer; Stream Deck, now with interchangeable faceplates, a detachable USB Type-C cable, and a beautiful new stand; and Wave Mic Arm plus Wave Mic Arm LP, two fully adjustable boom arms for optimal desktop microphone positioning.
Facecam features a studio-quality f/2.4 24-mm, all-glass Elgato Prime Lens. A state-of-the-art Sony Starvis CMOS sensor with back-illuminated pixel technology ensures extraordinary detail in a variety of lighting conditions, especially indoors. Optimized fixed focus enables you to move freely and stay in focus, while an adjustable field of view up to 82° allows you to set close-up or wide angle shots. Facecam outputs true Full HD at 1080p60fps without artifacts thanks to an advanced image engine that outputs uncompressed video.
Facecam makes configuring and installing an expert webcam setup simple and easy, seamlessly mounting to nearly any monitor or camera mount via a choice of an expandable monitor clamp or a 1/4″ thread. Connecting to your PC or Mac via a detachable USB Type-C cable, uncompressed image data is transferred with extremely low latency. The accompanying Camera Hub app gives you DSLR-like control of settings such as field of view, brightness, and exposure – and your settings are saved directly to Facecam for instant recall on all your computers. The Stream Deck plugin enables instant tactile control and integration with your entire setup.
“With Elgato’s history of innovation in every aspect of content creation, we knew that our first webcam had to set a new standard in the industry,” said Julian Fest, SVP and GM of Elgato. “Facecam is the culmination of thousands of hours of meticulous engineering, and it comes at a time when more people than ever are looking to build a highly professional setup that can help establish and grow their audiences. Facecam is a blend of premium hardware and advanced software that gives users an intuitive, powerful solution to achieve stunning video quality. Manually tuning a camera to capture the perfect shot has never been easier.”
Debuting alongside Facecam, Wave XLR connects your existing high-quality XLR microphone to your PC, upgrading its audio capabilities and enabling integration with the Elgato Wave Link app to mix your microphone audio with multiple other independent audio sources. Controlling your microphone with Wave XLR is easy thanks to its silent capacitive mute button and multifunctional control dial. Proprietary Clipguard technology prevents sound distortion when input levels peak, while up to 75dB of ultra-low-noise gain amplifies insensitive mics. Wave XLR also provides up to 48 volts of phantom power to drive condenser microphones for extra high audio detail and capacity. Like Facecam, Wave XLR integrates perfectly with Stream Deck for advanced audio control.
Next in the lineup is the all-new Stream Deck. The iconic interface with fifteen bright LCD keys that can be customized with icons and actions to control apps and tools, Stream Deck now sports detachable components that allow users to completely personalize their setup. A new fixed-angle desktop stand keeps Stream Deck firmly planted and can be removed to lay the unit flat or mount as desired. The USB Type-C cable can be disconnected and replaced by any USB Type-C cable. Plus, the faceplate easily snaps off so users can just as easily snap on a different design from a growing range of custom faceplates adorned in vibrant colors and graphics. With the recently updated Stream Deck 5.0 app and Store featuring plugins, royalty-free music tracks, sound effects and more, Stream Deck is an extremely versatile, fully customizable control interface for any computer-based workflow. It’s also the perfect companion for Elgato products, including Facecam and Wave XLR.
Joining Elgato’s selection of Wave audio gear and accessories, Wave Mic Arm and Wave Mic Arm LP offer content creators, radio broadcasters, business professionals – anyone with a desktop audio setup – two premium-quality mounting options. Wave Mic Arm, a traditional suspension boom arm, stands tall at 750mm / 29.5in and comes with an extension riser that adds another 150mm / 5.9in of height to reach over bigger obstacles such as computer monitors. Wave Mic Arm LP, by contrast, is an all-metal, low-profile boom arm that sits below the shoulder line to ensure an unobstructed view while making a stunning impression on and off camera. Streamlined and elegantly designed, both mic arms feature hidden cable channels with removable covers for easy access, an adjustable clamp mount that fits popular desk designs, and a ball head with a 1/4″ screw plus 3/8″-5/8″ adapters for ultimate flexibility.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to upgrade, Facecam and the newest wave of Elgato streaming gear and accessories have the power to turn your desktop into a professional content studio.
Availability, Warranty, and Pricing
Elgato Facecam, Stream Deck, Wave XLR, Wave Mic Arm, and Wave Mic Arm LP are available immediately from the Elgato and CORSAIR worldwide network of authorized retailers and distributors.
Elgato Facecam, Stream Deck, Wave XLR, Wave Mic Arm, and Wave Mic Arm LP are backed by a two-year warranty and the CORSAIR & Elgato worldwide customer service and technical support network.
For up-to-date pricing of Elgato Facecam, Stream Deck, Wave XLR, Wave Mic Arm, and Wave Mic Arm LP, please refer to the Elgato website or contact your local CORSAIR/Elgato sales or PR representative.
Web Pages
For more information on Elgato Facecam, please visit:
Valve announces Steam Deck, the first in a new category of handheld PC gaming devices starting at $399.
Steam Deck is a powerful all-in-one portable PC. With a custom processor developed in cooperation with AMD, Steam Deck is comparable to a gaming laptop with the ability to run the latest AAA games. Your Steam library will be on Deck to play games wherever and whenever you want. Steam Deck is also an open PC, adding the ability to install any software or connect with any hardware.
“We think Steam Deck gives people another way to play the games they love on a high-performance device at a great price,” says Valve founder Gabe Newell. “As a gamer, this is a product I’ve always wanted. And as a game developer, it’s the mobile device I’ve always wanted for our partners.”
Steam Deck starts at $399, with increased storage options available for $529 and $649. Reservations open July 16th at 10 AM PDT; shipping is slated to start in December 2021.
