Page 4166 – Capsule Computers

Astro Unveils Plants vs Zombies Themed Headsets

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November 22, 2013

Astro Unveils Plants vs Zombies Themed Headsets

Astro Gaming has announced that they are teaming up with Popcap Games to release Plants vs. Zombies 2 themed Astro A30 and Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare themed Astro A40 speaker tags. The tags were designed in collaboration with the art team at Popcap Games. The A30 speaker tags can be purchased separately for $19.99 and the A40 for $24.99. Alternatively, they can be purchased as a package that includes the headset and the Mixamp for $209.99 for the A30 and $259.99 for the A40.

“Skullcandy and ASTRO Gaming understand that gamers play an unending variety of games, in every imaginable location, across all manner of devices and at the same time expect a consistently high-quality experience from their games and their gear,” said Aron Drayer, Director of Marketing, ASTRO Gaming/Skullcandy Gaming.

Magicka: Wizard Wars Adds Oceania, Brazil, and Russia Based Servers

Jamie Laike Tsui

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November 22, 2013

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Paradox Interactive is expanding its plans of world domination… or at least expanding their stable of servers for Magicka: Wizard Wars. Servers based in Oceania, Brazil, and Russia are joining European and North American based servers. Players in these regions will be able to enjoy lower latency connections thanks to these new servers.

Magicka: Wizard Wars is a new MOBA based on the popular Magicka game. Two teams of four will battle it out for supremacy in the small arenas using the element based Magicka casting system. The game is free to play but is currently in closed alpha. Early access packs with special bonuses are available on Steam for Windows.

Starpoint Gemini 2: Early Access Content Update Released

Jamie Laike Tsui

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November 22, 2013

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Starpoint Gemini 2: Early Access Content Update Released

Starpoint Gemini 2 received a major content update by developers Little Green Man Games today. Some parts of the update, like the new on screen notifications and expanded in game options come in response to feedback provided by the community. The update also brings some other notable additions like a bounty board, a ship store, and an intro movie for the campaign.

Starpoint Gemini 2 is a space sim and RPG that is currently available through Steam’s Early Access program. As new content is released, the game’s price will rise. All copies of the Early Access title comes with a free copy of the original Starpoint Gemini. The game can be purchased here for $22.99.

The Shivah: Kosher Edition Now Available For PC and iOS

Frank Inglese

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November 22, 2013

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The Shivah: Kosher Edition Now Available For PC and iOS

In 2006 Wadjet Eye Games released their unique action/adventure game The Shiva, the title not only gained great reception alongside some minor controversy but it was also used as a stepping stone for game creator Dave Gilbert to jump into the world of full-time game development. Seven years later marks the release of the same game yet greatly remastered and, at this point in time, infinitely better than the first release.

The Shivah: Kosher Edition will put players back into the shoes of disillusioned Rabbi, Russel Stone, who just so happens to be caught up in a deep murder investigation that revolves around the inheritance left by a former congregation member. The Shivah: Kosher Edition is unique in all regards and seamlessly blends action and adventure while throwing in elements of a “point-and-click” game. The Kosher Edition is jam packed with new graphics, a brand-new soundtrack and I refined interface that works just as well on mobile devices as it does on the PC.

“Rabbi Stone and The Shivah jumpstarted my career in 2006, in more ways than one,” says Dave Gilbert. “Working on this game was what made me decide to pursue this ‘full time game developer’ thing, and the positive reaction it received is what made me stick with indie development all these years. Creating The Shivah: Kosher Edition has been a wonderful experience of revisiting where it all began, and I look forward to sharing this revamped version with a wider audience.”

The Shiva: Kosher Edition is now available on the PC and on all compatible versions of iOS devices. You can purchase the PC version through Steam by clicking on this link and you can purchase the iOS version by clicking on this link. The PC version is selling for $4.99 whereas the iOS version is selling for $1.99.

A small bit of extra news for fans of Wadjet Eye Games: Their next major gaming release will be “Blackwell Epiphany”, the fith and final game of the mystery/adventure series and it will be coming the the PC and iOS very early next year so keep an eye out for that. For now though you can check out the group of screenshots we have below as well as an official trailer for the game.

Australian Xbox One Launch Celebrations at a Green-Lit Luna Park

Zac Elawar

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November 22, 2013

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We’ve officially ‘jumped ahead’ to the next-generation here in Australia with the launch of the Xbox One mere hours ago, and only second in the world behind New Zealand (must…resist…Kiwi joke…). To celebrate, Xbox Australia lit up the Sydney skyline, awash in Xbox green.

Luna Park was bathed in the hue as the party commenced at the Crystal Ballroom within. Among the 400-strong in attendance were numerous industry guests, representatives and celebrities, from developer and publisher giants Ubisoft, EA, Warner Bros. Interactive and Zenimax Australia, to Good Game co-hosts Steven ‘Bajo’ O’Donnell and Stephanie ‘Hex’ Bendixsen, and Big Brother contestants Tully Smyth and Drew. The night’s festivities were hosted by TV and radio presenter James Kerley.

Outside the venue, a 3D countdown to midnight greeted us, projected upon the mist on Sydney Harbor. Upon entering, but before being left to roam and play the myriad titles on display – with everything from Kinect title Fighter Within (first time playable) to the uncannily realistic NBA 2K14 present – a high energy graffitti/dance performance by J-Town christened the event. Before long, we were engaging in matches of Killer Instinct, racing with the McLaren P1 in Forza Motorsport 5 and playing some holes in Powerstar Golf.

Our immediate environment wasn’t the only location marking the console’s arrival, as – for the first time ever – the Sydney Tower switched off the Westfield sign for the evening, transforming into a beacon for the brand and the largest countdown clock in the Southern Hemisphere. Game images were also projected upon its side throughout the night (Auckland’s Sky Tower similarly carried the Xbox flag so to speak).

The Presets really got the party bumping, playing an entire show in the decidedly intimate setting. which was a fantastic treat. Jeremy Hinton, Interactive Entertainment Business Lead, Microsoft Australia, says the launch of the Xbox One was a celebration of gaming culture;

It’s a great time to be a gamer and we are honoured to be a part of this incredible industry. More than 370 retail stores opened around the country to bring in this new era of gaming and entertainment. Thousands of people across the country headed out to collect their consoles at the stroke of midnight – that’s a passion and dedication that we are continuously humbled by.

The biggest Xbox fans who had pre-ordered their console directly through Microsoft were able to pick them up at midnight. The first people in Australia to collect their Xbox One were Francis King and Angela Tran (pictured above), a couple who locked in their purchase with EB Games, Top Ryde almost two years ago! It was a great, festive night and it was particularly awesome to see all the different studios attend and play each other’s titles. Check out the gallery below for more images from the night. And thanks to Xbox Australia for the invitation and what was an extremely fun time.

GT3 Cars Come to Auto Club Revolution

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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November 22, 2013

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GT3 Cars Come to Auto Club Revolution

Auto Club Revolution is entering a new age of racing. For the first time GT3 cars will be available!

Raced over the whole world, the ever popular GT3 cars will available for players to master. Taking speed to a whole new level, the GT3 collection will be the ‘new’ racing cars of ACR. These beasts will test even the most skilled of drivers.

The GT3 collection will consist of the V8 powered BMW Z4 GT3, the British beauty the McLaren MP4-12C GT3, and last and by no means least the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3. This is the time for players to get closer to real-world racing than ever before.

Each car will be available with a limited stock of pre-orders ahead of full release and each pre-order will receive 25% off the showroom price. The BMW Z4 GT3 is available for pre-order starting today and will be delivered on Thursday, November 28. Pre-order details of the remaining cars will be released on the ACR website and social channels soon.

A special GT3 Series challenge will be launched once all three cars are available, news on this will also be released soon.

The GT3 collection will also bring another first to the ACR world – official racing liveries. Racers will be able to take to the track in true style, displaying some of the most iconic, well known, title winning liveries of all time:

The iconic BMW Team One livery for the BMW Z4 GT3
One of the all-time greats, the Gulf livery for the McLaren MP4-12C GT3
The JRM World Champion livery for the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3

Racing liveries will be available separately from the ACR Styling Suite here.

About Auto Club Revolution

Designed, developed and published by Eutechnyx, Auto Club Revolution is a free-to-play online racing game and car community built in collaboration with the motor industry. Featuring officially licensed tracks and cars, it delivers a best-in-class racing experience to the free-to-play market via the world class Eutechnyx-owned racing engine.

Website: www .autoclubrevolution .com

Twitter:@autoclubrev Facebook Forum

About Eutechnyx

Eutechnyx is the world’s leading independent racing game developer. With a history spanning over 25 years, the studio has won numerous awards for its million-plus selling titles and garnered exceptional acclaim in the business sector. As well as its headquarters in the Gateshead (UK), the company has studios in Hong Kong, Chengdu (China) and Charlotte (USA).

For more information, please visit www.eutechnyx.com

Retro-Styled Indie Adventure The Shivah: Kosher Edition Now Available for PC and iOS

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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November 22, 2013

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Retro-Styled Indie Adventure The Shivah: Kosher Edition Now Available for PC and iOS

In this newly remastered version of developer Wadjet Eye Games’ debut, updated artwork and music enhance unique mystery set in poor New York City synagogue

NEW YORK – November 21, 2013 – The Shivah: Kosher Edition, a newly remastered version of Wadjet Eye Games’ acclaimed 2006 adventure The Shivah, is now available for download on PC and iPad / iPhone / iPod touch. In this story-driven game players don the yarmulke of Russell Stone, a disillusioned rabbi at the head of a struggling New York City synagogue, who gets tangled up in a murder investigation after inheriting a large sum of money from a former congregation member.

The commercial debut of game designer Dave Gilbert, this unassuming adventure game sparked interest from mainstream publications including CNN, USA Today, and The Jerusalem Times and earned a “Best New Studio” Game Developer’s Choice nomination for Gilbert’s company, Wadjet Eye Games. In the seven years since, the self-sustaining Brooklyn-based studio has gained recognition for developing the supernatural Blackwell mystery games and publishing breakout indie hits such as Independent Game Festival winner Gemini Rue.

From its rabbinical conversation methods, Talmudic combat, and handy in-game Yiddish dictionary to its point-and-click gameplay reminiscent of classics like King’s Quest and Monkey Island to its thoughtful storyline, The Shivah is a unique adventure game poised to appeal to Jews and goys alike. The new Kosher Edition has updated pixel art graphics, a new soundtrack, and a refined interface as intuitive and comfortable on touchscreen devices as it is on PC.

“Rabbi Stone and The Shivah jumpstarted my career in 2006, in more ways than one,” says Dave Gilbert. “Working on this game was what made me decide to pursue this ‘full time game developer’ thing, and the positive reaction it received is what made me stick with indie development all these years. Creating The Shivah: Kosher Edition has been a wonderful experience of revisiting where it all began, and I look forward to sharing this revamped version with a wider audience.”

The PC version of The Shivah: Kosher Edition sells for $4.99 and can be downloaded from the official website (http://www.shivahgame.com), Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/252370), and GOG (http://www.gog.com/game/the_shivah). A free PC demo can be downloaded from http://www.shivahgame.com/demo.

The iOS version of The Shivah: Kosher Edition is a Universal App that can be downloaded for $1.99 from the App Store (https://itunes.apple.com/app/id718923722).

Wadjet Eye Games’ next major release will be Blackwell Epiphany, the fifth and final game in the popular Blackwell mystery series, coming to PC and iOS in Q1 of 2014.

About Wadjet Eye Games

Founded in 2006, Wadjet Eye Games has developed a reputation for producing award winning and critically acclaimed adventure games. Committed to creating unique character-driven game experiences around recognizable brands, in 2010 Wadjet Eye expanded to support and publish games by other independent developers. The company’s portfolio includes The Shivah and the Blackwell series, both of which have garnered Game Developers Choice nominations, Puzzle Bots, which was selected for the Penny Arcade Expo’s PAX 10 showcase, IGF Student Showcase winner Gemini Rue, and the critically acclaimed Resonance. The company is run by husband and wife team Dave and Janet Gilbert out of their home in Brooklyn. For more information, visit http://www.wadjeteyegames.com.

PROTECT YOUR BRAAAAAINS WITH SKULLCANDY, ASTRO GAMING AUDIO GEAR INSPIRED BY POPCAP GAMES’ PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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November 22, 2013

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PROTECT YOUR BRAAAAAINS WITH SKULLCANDY, ASTRO GAMING AUDIO GEAR INSPIRED BY POPCAP GAMES’ PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES

Critically Acclaimed Studios to Develop Exclusive Headsets, Earbuds and Speaker Tags

For Plants vs. Zombies 2, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare

SAN FRANCISCO – Nov. 21, 2013 – Skullcandy, Inc. (Nasdaq: SKUL), a high-growth, performance lifestyle audio brand, and its division ASTRO Gaming, creators of premium video gaming equipment for professional gamers, announced an exciting new relationship with Plants vs. Zombies™ creator PopCap Games. As part of the agreement, Skullcandy and ASTRO Gaming will develop several new products including branded headsets, earbuds and speaker tags in support of the latest releases in the popular Plants vs. Zombies franchise, including Plants vs. Zombies 2: It’s About Time and Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare.

“Skullcandy and ASTRO Gaming understand that gamers play an unending variety of games, in every imaginable location, across all manner of devices and at the same time expect a consistently high-quality experience from their games and their gear,” said Aron Drayer, Director of Marketing, ASTRO Gaming/Skullcandy Gaming. “ASTRO Gaming and Skullcandy have become the gamers’ choice for high-fidelity audio because we create unique products that function seamlessly across every platform with unsurpassed performance and customizable style. PopCap shares this larger vision of gaming so it’s thrilling for us to partner with them on Plants vs. Zombies, which presents a completely addictive gaming experience that can be enjoyed anywhere and on every platform.”

The first of the new Plants vs. Zombies-inspired gaming gear from ASTRO Gaming will be sets of exclusively designed speaker tags for its award-winning ASTRO A30 and A40 Audio Systems. Developed with direct input from PopCap Games, the ASTRO Gaming Plants vs. Zombies speaker tags will feature artwork from Plants vs. Zombies and Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare to ensure a truly authentic and iconic representation of…plants, zombies, lawn mowers and, of course, braaaaains!

ASTRO Gaming speaker tags provide customers with an opportunity to truly personalize their listening experience with magnetically interchangeable custom-made art designed specifically for the studio’s award-winning A30 and A40 headsets. ASTRO headset owners can create their own speaker tags using the ASTRO Customizer or choose from dozens of pre-existing and highly stylish tags, including several eye-catching series by Upper Playground, iam8bit, Penny Arcade and many more.

Details about additional and upcoming Plants vs. Zombies headsets and earbuds from Skullcandy and ASTRO Gaming will be announced at a later date.

The ASTRO Gaming Plants vs. Zombies speaker tags are available now directly through the company website at www.astrogaming.com – Plants vs. Zombies 2 sets for the ASTRO A30 are $19.99 each and Garden Warfare sets for the ASTRO A40 are $24.99 each. Bundles including the ASTRO A30 and A40 Audio Systems and the Plants vs. Zombies speaker tags are also available for $209.99 and $259.99, respectively.

For more information about ASTRO Gaming or the studio’s customizable speaker tags, please visit www.astrogaming.com.

About PopCap Games

PopCap is the leading global developer, publisher and operator of casual video games: fun, easy-to-learn, captivating games that appeal to all ages across PC, mobile, social and other platforms. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000, was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2011, and has a worldwide staff of more than 400 people in Seattle, San Francisco, and Shanghai.

About Skullcandy, Inc.

Skullcandy is a global designer, marketer and distributor of performance audio and gaming headphones and other accessory related products under the Skullcandy, Astro Gaming and 2XL by Skullcandy brands. Skullcandy became one of the world’s most distinct audio brands by bringing color, character and performance to an otherwise monochromatic space; helping to revolutionize the audio arena by introducing headphones, earbuds and other audio and wireless lifestyle products that possess unmistakable style and exceptional performance. The Company’s products are sold and distributed through a variety of channels in the U.S. and approximately 80 countries worldwide. Visit skullcandy.com, or join us at facebook.com/skullcandy or on Twitter @skullcandy.

About ASTRO Gaming

ASTRO Gaming creates premium video gaming equipment for pro gamers, leagues, gaming enthusiasts and their lifestyles. Spun-off from design powerhouse ASTRO Studios, known in the gaming world for designing the Microsoft Xbox 360™, Alienware PCs, and HP’s Gaming PCs, ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer-centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the A40 Audio System, the A30 Cross-Gaming Headset, and the Transport Series of gaming gear bags.

All ASTRO Gaming products are available at www.astrogaming.com, www.astrogaming.co.uk and www.astrogaming.fr

PopCap and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.

Check Out Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare Gameplay Commentary

Simon Wolfe

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November 22, 2013

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Check Out Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare Gameplay Commentary

While there has been very limited information about Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare since its announcement and prices were revealed, EA and PopCap have given a chance for players to check out what to expect with a commentated video. The footage coming from a press event that was held recently, the video shows off many of the different zombies and plants as they vie for dominance on the battlefield.

Clocking in at a little under 10 minutes in length the video, with commentary from PopCap Executive Producer Brian Lindley, gives some great insight not only into the different characters, but their abilities and roles. While it is a little dry, those that have been wanting to know jut how Garden Warfare will play, will certainly find it here.

Be sure to check out the Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare gameplay video embedded below to see how it is shaping up before it releases February 2014 for Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC.

SEGA Announces Demon Tribe For iOS

Joe Morgan

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November 22, 2013

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SEGA, the monolithic company behind everyone’s favorite blue hedgehog, Sonic, has announced the release of their newest game, Demon Tribe for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices. Demon Tribe will offer an a unique blend of RPG, MOBA, and CCG gameplay in a game where players will be tasked with destroying the demon invasion that threatens the world.

The dark fantasy, science fiction game was created by Masayoshi Kikuchi, the Producer and Director of the Panzer Dragoon, Yakuza, and Jet Grind Radio series. It offers a unique mix of depth, strategy, and action in a fusion of genres. You’ll build teams by collecting and fusing over 250 unique demons.

For more information on Demon Tribe, you can check out the SEGA blog here.