HBO Max will debut FRIENDS: THE REUNION special on THURSDAY, MAY 27, the one-year anniversary of HBO Max’s launch. “Friends” stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer return to the iconic comedy’s original soundstage, Stage 24, on the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Burbank for a real-life unscripted celebration of the beloved show.
FRIENDS: THE REUNION will feature a variety of special guests including David Beckham, Justin Bieber, BTS, James Corden, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Lady Gaga, Elliott Gould, Kit Harington, Larry Hankin, Mindy Kaling, Thomas Lennon, Christina Pickles, Tom Selleck, James Michael Tyler, Maggie Wheeler, Reese Witherspoon and Malala Yousafzai.
Ben Winston directed the special and executive produced along with “Friends” executive producers Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane. The special hails from Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon, Fulwell 73 Productions and Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions. Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, LeBlanc, Perry, and Schwimmer executive produced the special. Emma Conway, James Longman and Stacey Thomas-Muir co-executive produced.
CORSAIR®, a world leader in high-performance gear for gamers and content creators, today launched a new model in its flagship VIRTUOSO family of premium gaming headsets: the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT. Connecting via hyper-fast SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS and Bluetooth® for simultaneous dual-wireless connections, in addition to high-fidelity USB and universal 3.5mm wired connection options, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT combines exquisite sound quality, comfort, and versatility. Now with Dolby Atmos® three-dimensional spatial audio to complement its extensive 20Hz-40,000Hz frequency range, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT offers greater audio immersion than ever before.
Now with four different connection options, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT delivers uncompromising sound quality from virtually any source, including PC, Mac, PS5/PS4 (wired or wireless), Xbox Series X and Series S (wired connection only), Switch, mobile, and more. Connecting with 24bit/48KHz SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS technology for a blisteringly fast, unwavering 60ft signal, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT also adds Bluetooth with the Qualcomm® aptX™ HD codec for simultaneous dual-wireless connections. A USB wired connection delivers high-fidelity 24bit/96kHz audio, while a universal 3.5mm connector ensures compatibility with a multitude of devices, built with an inline controller that conveniently controls volume and mute. With so many ways to connect, you can switch from PC to console, wired to wireless, 3.5mm to Bluetooth and back, all with just a single amazing headset.
The VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT produces incredibly rich, authentic sound thanks to a hand-matched pair of high-density 50mm neodymium audio drivers, meticulously tuned within +/-1db of tolerance for exceptional performance. With twice the frequency range of typical gaming headsets at 20Hz – 40,000Hz, and the addition of Dolby Atmos three-dimensional spatial audio to place the sounds of the game all around you, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT offers an immersive experience that lets you react faster and more precisely to in-game audio cues, so you can stay a beat ahead of the competition.
When the game is on the line, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT has the high-bandwidth mic to ensure your voice is heard. This detachable, omni-directional broadcast-grade microphone provides a wide dynamic frequency range up to 10,000Hz to pick up sound in amazing detail, so friends and teammates hear you loud and clear.
The VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT provides an even more luxurious listening experience than its predecessors, whether you’re gaming, streaming, or relaxing with your favorite playlist, with additional padding on its soft, premium memory foam ear pads and lightweight aluminum headband. A high-capacity lithium-ion battery powers the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT for up to 15 hours per charge, assisted by an accelerometer-based smart-wake function that preserves battery life when you put the headset down temporarily.
When connected to USB or SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT harnesses the power of CORSAIR iCUE software, giving you complete control over your headset’s audio and lighting settings. Choose from a range of pre-tuned audio profiles or adjust the equalizer to your exact specifications. Customize the integrated RGB lighting, shining through micro-perforations on each ear cup, with near-limitless color options and effects, and synchronize with all your RGB devices across the iCUE ecosystem.
Whether you’re tearing across the battlefield or relaxing after a hard-fought win, the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT delivers the uncompromising sound quality and peerless comfort no matter how you choose to connect.
Availability, Warranty, and Pricing
The CORSAIR VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT is available initially from the CORSAIR webstore and Best Buy.
The VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT is backed by a two-year warranty and the CORSAIR worldwide customer service and technical support network.
For up-to-date pricing of the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT, please refer to the CORSAIR website or contact your local CORSAIR sales or PR representative.
Web Pages
To learn more about the VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT, please visit:
Today, Ubisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla’s first major expansion, Wrath of the Druids, will be available tomorrow across all available platforms. Eivor’s new adventure will have players journey to bewitching and beautiful Ireland and unravel the mysteries of an ancient druidic cult, the Children of Danu. Diving into Gaelic myths and folklore, they will have to make their way through haunted forests and dazzling landscapes while helping Gaelic Kings unify Ireland.
The story starts as Eivor is summoned to Ireland by their long-lost cousin Barid. Quickly they are drafted by the High–King of Ireland Flann Sinna to embark on a perilous journey and unite the warring factions. The intriguing but treacherous Celtic Ireland is a whole new region to explore, including three provinces and the city of Dublin. The expansion also features famous historical landmarks such as the Giant’s Causeway, Tara Hill, Black Pig’s Dyke, Ben Bulben and more.
Developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux, Wrath of the Druids brings new features and content to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla:
Accomplish the Royal Demands from the Gaelic Kings to gather resources.
Claim and conquer the Ring Forts of Ireland, form alliances to dominate the trade routes to build Dublin’s wealth and establish it as the primary seat of commerce
Trade rare resources and exotic rewards with overseas nations to make Dublin a thriving city.
Master a brand new type of weapon: the Sickle, a fast and deadly blade that can be dual-wielded.
Use new abilities and skills like the Viking Salute, the Smoke Bomb Arrow, the Irish Hound Summoning, and the Sickle Combo.
Battle and defeat new powerful enemies including the Children of Danu, a mysterious cult of Druids; Drengrs; Irish factions; and new mythical creatures.
Discover a variety of new gear and weapons, and more customization options for Eivor’s longship, horse, raven, tattoos, hair, and settlement decorations.
Playing the expansion does not require to have completed the story arc of the main game. Wrath of the Druids will be accessible once players have reached England and completed one of the first narrative arcs – either Grantebridgescire or Ledecestrescire, which both unlock just after they arrive from Norway. There is no mandatory power level to play Wrath of the Druids.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is available on Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One consoles, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, the Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Store on Windows PC, as well as on Stadia, Amazon Luna and Ubisoft’s subscription service, Ubisoft+.* The Wrath of the Druids expansion can be purchased as a standalone for $24.99. Players can also access the expansion through the Season Pass, available now for $39.99 or as part of the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Gold, Ultimate, and Collector Editions.
With development led by Ubisoft Montreal**, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla offers players the captivating experience of playing as Eivor, a legendary Viking warrior, driven from Norway by endless wars and dwindling resources in ninth century AD. Players can relive the ruthless fighting style of Viking warriors with a revamped dual-wielding combat system and experience new gameplay features such as raids, assaults, and the settlement, as well as a revamped progression and gear upgrade system. Political alliances, combat decisions and dialogue choices can influence the world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, so players must choose wisely to protect their clan’s home and their future.
For more information about Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, please visit assassinscreed.com.
Skybound Games today announced it will publish developer Mighty Yell’s teenage grifting adventure game The Big Con. A classic coming-of-age story steeped in the nostalgic humor and flair of the ‘90s, The Big Con will debut later this summer on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, as well as for PC on Steam.
The Big Con stars Ali, a teenage con artist out to save her mom’s video store from unscrupulous loan sharks any way she can. In this open-ended adventure with punchy puzzles and dialogue, how players make that money is in their hands: pick pockets, pick locks, persuade marks, pilfer prizes, sneak around in disguises, and even profit off the latest plushie fad. From the visuals to the writing, The Big Con is a fun and hilarious trip back in time to an age that is farther away now than some of us would care to admit.
Quote from Dave Proctor, Game Director of Mighty Yell: “Making The Big Con has been an absolute blast. It’s really been an incredible experience for our team that while trying to make our players laugh, we have made each other laugh just as much. I’m really excited for more people to get their hands on the game; to see this wild, rad trip into the ’90’s we’ve created and hopefully have some fun (and maybe some feelings) along the way.”
The Big Con Features:
A comical narrative adventure game with open-ended situations, puzzles, and exploration.
Live the grift! Pickpocket, sneak, wear disguises, and con anyone you can.
Talk your way into deals and out of trouble.
Meet a weird cast of ‘90s characters, then rip ‘em off, or help them (if you feel like it).
Call home and argue with your mom.
Quote from Ian Howe, Co-CEO of Skybound Games: “The Mighty Yell team’s passion and excitement comes through in every aspect of The Big Con. The game is funny, entertaining and has made all of us at Skybound miss the ‘90s! We are elated to welcome The Big Con into the Skybound Games fold and can’t wait to introduce it to indie game and fellow ‘90s fans later this summer!”
The Big Con is available to wishlist on Steam now. The Big Con has been named an “Official Selection” for Tribeca Games as part of the Tribeca Film Festival, which will take place June 9 – 20.
Stardock announced Galactic Civilizations® IV today. The newest installment of its award-winning space 4X strategy sandbox game series takes the best of what its predecessors had to offer and adds to it with many new and exciting features.
As the all-powerful leader of a spacefaring civilization, the player must seek out new star systems and discover the exciting potential of the subspace realm. There are thousands of worlds to colonize and dozens of civilizations – both old and new – to encounter.
The new game, scheduled to go into early access later this Spring, aims to vastly increase the game’s scope and depth by introducing AI characters, star sectors, ministers, central control, a much bigger technology tree, and more.
“The focus in Galactic Civilizations IV is the player actually dealing with AI characters,” said Brad Wardell, CEO of Stardock. “In previous versions, the computer AI meant other civilizations. Now, every civilization is made up of hundreds of characters who have their own agendas. In 4X terms, it’s like dealing with Civs of Civs.”
To go along with the greater depth in the way civilizations are handled, the game’s galactic scale has been vastly increased.
Popular features from the previous versions of the game have also been greatly improved, including ship designs, planetary invasions, combat, diplomacy, research, planetary improvements, and more.
Replacing the traditional campaign system of previous Galactic Civilizations games is the new “Missions” feature. These story-driven elements allow players to feel like every game is effectively a unique, compelling campaign unto itself.
Because of the dramatic changes from previous Galactic Civilizations games, the early access program for Galactic Civilizations IV will start at the Alpha phase rather than the more typical Beta phase, so that player feedback can be incorporated early.
Independent developer Room C Games in co-production with Croteam and in partnership with indie publisher Versus Evil are excited to announce that their rogue-lite RPG game The Hand of Merlin will be available today on early access for PC via Steam, Epic Game Store and GOG.
The Hand of Merlin is a turn-based rogue-lite RPG in which Arthurian legend clashes with sci-fi horror. Players recruit three mortal heroes on a desperate journey from Albion to Jerusalem to explore richly-imagined medieval lands on the brink of apocalypse – assaulted by an otherworldly evil. Written by Jonas Kyratzes (The Talos Principle, Serious Sam 4) and Verena Kyratzes (The Lands of Dream, Serious Sam 4). The Hand of Merlin is a story inspired by Arthurian legend but with an unusual twist that introduces a wholly unique sci fi element to its storytelling. “We wanted to create a player focused, rogue-lite RPG that merged two complete contrasting genres but in a uniquely rewarding way. This forged a whole new universe for players to explore and craft their destinies. Creatively it gave us the scope to bring something really exciting and fresh to the turn-based and squad based RPG genre“ said Robert Sajko, Creative Director at Room C Games.
Utilizing squad-based and turn-based combat, players can employ tactical cunning to use cover, set up ambushes and coordinate attacks with ranged, melee and spellcasting combat to conquer both human and demonic foes looking to do them harm. Additionally, players can utilise relics they purchase or are rewarded with, some of which are imbued with magical power. These abilities will be important as players weigh the risk and reward for the paths they choose.
In The Hand of Merlin choices are permanent depending on the decisions players make as they carve a path across the lands of Albion, Marca Hispanica and Al-Andalus. Combat is inevitable and mastering the tactics of squad-based and turn-based combat is essential to survive in a world where evil never rests. Players can seek out towns to improve their arms and armor, or trade with hermit artisans in the wild. Renown is the backbone of progression and can be used to level up party Heroes, and players can choose between a randomized set of new skills or improved attributes to balance out the combat prowess of their party to improve their chances.
With a large focus on exploration and encounter, mortality is the consequence of existence in human form, but even in defeat, players retain collected arcane knowledge as they jump from one parallel dimension to the next. No two worlds are ever quite the same, and each journey will be unique. Defeat is not the end in this realm, only a new beginning.
There are as many worlds as there are stars in the sky. In each stands Camelot; in each there is a Grail. But there is only one Merlin, and his eternal burden is to stand against the horror from beyond. Each world that is saved is saved forever; each world that is lost is lost for good.
The Hand of Merlin will be available today on PC via Steam early access priced $24.99 / £18.99 / €22.49 for the Standard Edition with a Deluxe Edition priced at $29.99 / £22.49/ €26.99, A soundtrack of the game is also available for $7.99/ £5.99 / €6.99.
Versus Evil has a 20% launch discount in place for its first week on sale during early access and Room C Games aims to add more guardians, heroes and encounters for the games full launch later this year.
NACON and Cyanide are pleased to reveal the new My Tour mode features in Tour de France 2021. Personalization is now integrated even deeper into the renowned cycling simulator.
In My Tour mode, cycling fans can explore their creative side. Create your own team from 89 riders available. Start with a time trial between Changé and Laval, followed by a mountain stage from Cluses to Tignes, and finish with one of the big Classics, such as Paris-Roubaix or Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Choose your dream stages to create a unique competition. You will also obviously want to choose some rest days to give your riders time to recover.
As well as stages, you can select the participating teams from some of the most famous ones, like Jumbo-Visma, Groupama-FDJ and Ineos Grenadiers, as well as the riders in each team. Finally, the statistics of the biggest champions can be edited and saved in three databases, resulting in even more difficulty tuning options.
Tour de France 2021 will be available the 3rd of June on PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC
The game will arrive later on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S
Outright Games, the leading global publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment, in collaboration with Sony Pictures Consumer Products, are thrilled to announce ‘Hotel Transylvania: Scary-Tale Adventures’. This brand-new video game features a host of fan-favorite characters from the smash hit animated movie franchise and will be out this Halloween on PlayStation®, Nintendo Switch™, Xbox and PC digital.
This 3D platform adventure will take players on a fairy tale journey, putting them in control of their favorite characters as the game re-imagines classic stories, such as “Little Red Riding Hood” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”
Hotel Transylvania is one of Sony Pictures Animation’s most successful original movie franchises to date, with the first three movies achieving a combined box office of over $1.3 billion. The upcoming final film in the series, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania is set to release this summer.
“We are so happy to be returning to Hotel Transylvania for another scary-fun adventure this Halloween season,” said Terry Malham, CEO of Outright Games. “We are delighted to be able to incorporate our own unique story into this incredible world and retell classic fairy tales using the franchise’s eccentric characters. We will have a lot more to reveal about this game in the coming months so please stay tuned”
Between cherry blossoms and snow-capped ranges, Kalypso Media and developer Gaming Minds Studios have today announced that Railway Empire – Japan, the ninth DLC for beloved rail tycoon sim, is now available for Windows-PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
Railway Empire – Japan comes by way of passionate request from the series’ community and widespread fan-base. Windows PC players can plot a detour to the Kalypso Store, Steam, the Epic Games Store or GOG to pick up the expansion while console tycoons can head to the PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store to punch their ticket. The DLC will arrive on Nintendo Switch™ at a later date.
Railway Empire – Japan transports the series to late-1800s Japan where an industrial revolution is booming and the people are crying out for a nationwide railway. After the successful restoration of the Meiji rule, the Land of the Rising Sun’s long-term ambition to develop its own modern, nationwide railway network has become a reality and people from formerly feudal regions are yearning to travel to booming metropolises. Players can lay tracks between mountains and hot springs, using foresight, planning and clever strategy to establish a railway network and facilitate the ‘great commute’, moving Japan into a new industrial age.
The original Railway Empire earned praise from critics and fans alike thanks to its compelling mix of trading, rail network management and corporate espionage. Railway Empire – Japan DLC will be the ninth expansion to the rail sim’s expansive geographical roster, previous locations including Australia, Sweden, France, Germany, Great Britain, Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
NACON and RaceWard Studio are pleased to present the very first gameplay images of RiMS Racing, a brand-new motorbike game concept scheduled for release on August 19. The experts from Italian studio RaceWard have developed a game that gives players an unparalleled experience, blending driving and mechanics, pushing the limits of realism and customization.
Hot on the heels of the Ducati Panigale V4 R and the MV Agusta F4 RC, another of the eight motorbikes available in RiMS Racing is presented: the Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory, winner of 7 SBK World Titles. A masterpiece of aerodynamics and speed thanks to the integrated winglets and a double-layered fairing, the latest offering from the manufacturer’s competition department incorporates the most powerful engine they have ever used, capable of up to 217 horsepower. Just as with each of the perfectly reproduced motorbikes in the game, the Aprilia will be optimized throughout the player’s progress using the mechanical interface developed by RaceWard Studio.
Racing conditions, riding style and mechanical status of the components have a direct impact on the motorbike’s behavior. By taking the customization to its most extreme level and thanks to a physics system offering unmatched precision, RiMS Racing highlights the connexion between each part and puts mechanics at the very core of the gameplay.
To ensure victory, players are able to fully disassemble their motorbike and replace every element to achieve the best possible setup by choosing over 500 official components: tires, discs, callipers, pads, suspension, springs, air filters, exhausts, brake and clutch master cylinders, brake fluids, engine oils, ECUs, fairings… and many more.
The player uses different tools to identify the mechanical components that can be upgraded, such as the Motorbike Status Check (MSC), which provides a real-time analysis of the motorbike’s status and performance. Players are at the controls and select, handle and integrate each required component in the driver’s HQ, in a brand-new gameplay feature.
This gameplay demonstration premier takes players to Germany and Norway, highlighting two of the iconic locations reproduced in RiMS Racing: the official Nürburgring circuit, considered one of the most difficult by a large number of drivers and with a wide range of turns; and the breathtaking Atlantic Road, lying between the ocean and land.
RiMS Racing will be available on August 19, 2021 on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC and on Nintendo Switch™.
