Sony Europe today has announced a lineup of its current BRAVIA TVs that are officially ‘Ready for PlayStation5’. The new ‘Ready for PlayStation 5’ tagline has been created in partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) to make it easier for consumers to select the optimum TV in preparation for the highly anticipated launch of PlayStation 5 (PS5™), the next-generation game console releasing this holiday season.
The first ‘Ready for PlayStation 5’ TVs from Sony include the standout XH90 4K HDR Full Array LED and ZH8 8K HDR Full Array LED models1. The XH90 displays gameplay images of up to 4K resolution at 120 fps2 with a very low input lag of 7.2ms3. The ZH8 is capable of displaying incredibly detailed 8K resolution images4 while also showcasing 4K resolution gameplay images at super-smooth 120 fps2 (supporting spec varies by PS5 game). Both TVs will provide extremely smooth gaming experiences with the PS5 console.
Ready for PlayStation 5’ TV models also boast BRAVIA Game Mode, which allows users to automatically play games on the PS5 console with low latency. Thanks to BRAVIA Game Mode, users can wake both TV and PS5 with the DualSens wireless controller at once and also seamlessly control their PS5 using just the TV remote.
Sony’s TVs deliver beautiful pictures with vibrant colour and stunning contrast, thanks to the best-in-class family of X1 processors. Additionally, powerful sound that comes directly from the TV screen creates a highly realistic and captivating viewing experience. With Sony’s cutting-edge proprietary technologies, users can become fully immersed in the true next-generation level of transformative play offered by PS5.
Sony, together with SIE, will continue to provide the ultimate gaming experience to PlayStation fans around the world with ‘One Sony’, a unique collaboration of creativity and technology across Sony entities.
A fast, frenetic shooter with a rhythm that just won’t quit, BPM: Bullets Per Minute turned heads when developer Awe Interactive lifted the lid on its first project back in the Spring. Now the studio can reveal its finely-tuned rhythm FPS will bring its bang-bang-to-the-beats action to Steam for PC on Tuesday 15th September.
BPM: Bullets Per Minute brings the kind of gameplay you’d expect from a dungeon-based shooter to the table, but encases it in a world where every action – every shot, every jump, and every dodge – is pulled off to the beat of an epic rock soundtrack.
The game serves up randomly generated dungeons infested with brilliantly preposterous monsters and tasks players with taking on the role of the mighty Valkyrie. The goal? Take out each and every boss to the beat, and look pretty darn cool while doing so.
“There’s no doubt we were inspired by the retro shooters from when we were growing up when putting BPM: Bullets Per Minute together, but we think the game’s unashamed slave-to-the-rhythm ethic gives it a fresh feel and an added edge,” says Awe Interactive founder David Jones.. “It’s that sweet spot between giving gamers a taste of the supreme shooters they loved when they were young, but also offering them something that genuinely pushes the boundaries of the genres the game straddles.”
BPM: Bullets Per Minute delivers a total of seven bosses players have to topple in order to reach the final boss, collecting an assortment of weapons, abilities, and items as they go, ensuring every playthrough has a unique feel.
All the action plays out to the beat of a barnstorming soundtrack, which takes inspiration from the likes of Wagner, Muse and Audioslave. Every pulse is tied to the in-game action, with the structure of BPM: Bullets Per Minute’s audio pulling everything together to make one cohesive world.
In short, if Brian May were to play games, he’d play BPM: Bullets Per Minute.
BPM: Bullets Per Minute features:
Shoot, jump and dodge to the beat while battling hordes of enemies.
Fight powerful bosses in challenging boss battles that will push you to the edge.
Explore randomly generated dungeons.
Choose from 5 different characters with unique strengths and weaknesses.
Wield a powerful arsenal of weapons, all with different behaviour for firing and reloading to the beat of the soundtrack.
Battle a diverse array of enemies, each with unique rhythmic behaviours.
Get overpowered and fire shotgun rockets while flying through the air.
Utilise abilities that radically alter the way you play the game, from teleport to freezing bolts.
Equip over 40 items that buff your character in unique and interesting ways.
Experience an epic rock opera soundtrack.
Challenge modes for extra gameplay.
BPM: Bullets Per Minute will launch on Steam for PC this September, with Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions following later.
New UK-based retailerLost Universe launches online with a vast collection of pop-culture gifts, gadgets, apparel and collectables, amid increased popularity of licensed products, placing the UK as the second largest market worldwide, according to the 2019 Global Licensing Survey.
Lost Universe aims to be the ultimate destination for licensed merchandise and on-trend pop culture items, including first-to-market products and exclusive gifts, gadgets, accessories and collectables.
The new brand is aimed at an audience of pop-culture fans and enthusiasts, as well as more widely at those interested in buying unique gifts, with plans to offer one of the largest collections of licensed merchandise, pop-culture and entertainment items – over 5,000 products are available for launch from the top franchises and brands.
The highly-anticipated online collection includes licensed products from leading franchises like Disney, Universal Pictures, Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones or Jurassic Park, as well as from brands such as Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, Netflix, Ubisoft and more.
The online product range includes:
A quirky selection of apparel and accessoriesfrom T-shirts, sweatshirts and cosplay items, to bags, wallets, keyrings and jewellery.
Official pop-culture collectablesincluding action figures, pop vinyls, statues, figurines and limited edition coins from cult TV shows, films, gaming and comic books.
Home decorand soft furnishings such as cushions, prints and posters, bedding and throws, as well as bookends and office accessories.
The latest gaming tech and accessories, such as retro game consoles, gaming chairs, and merch from fan-favourites Fortnite, Super Mario, Minecraft, or Warhammer 40,000.
A diverse range of giftsranging from stationery, mugs, notebooks, to water bottles and advent calendars among many others.
The new brand will offer an inclusive environment for pop-culture fans, by creating “Lost Universe Club” – a community led initiative where users can share ideas, interact and benefit from “money can’t buy” experiences, such as exclusive access to industry events, talks, and exclusive products, special competitions and offers.
“We couldn’t be more excited to launch what we hope to be an immersive ‘geekdom’ of cult and trending pop-culture merchandise, and offer the best experience possible to an inclusive community of fans and pop-culture enthusiasts. The team at Lost Universe live and breathe pop-culture and are dedicated to sourcing the most coveted products for our audience. Lost Universe will offer an exciting online experience, where pop-culture fans will be able to find everything they’re after and be the first to know about their favourite film, TV, gaming, comic book or anime merch”, says Fred Prego, Director of Marketing and E-Commerce.
Lost Universe is actively growing its online product range and exploring future plans to open a dedicated pop-up shop in a selected UK location.
ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the new ROG Phone 3 series, the latest generation of the world’s most powerful and exciting gaming smartphone. The series includes the flagship ROG Phone 3 and the ROG Phone 3 Strix Edition. We will have a review soon so stay tuned for that…
ROG Phone 3 is the most powerful ROG Phone ever, using the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus 5G Mobile Platform with advanced 5G mobile communications and Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite Gaming capabilities. Featuring the uprated GameCool 3 cooling system, ROG Phone 3 is engineered to deliver non-stop, ultra-smooth performance for the ultimate mobile gaming experience.
A 144 Hz / 1 ms AMOLED 6.59-inch display provides Delta-E colour accuracy of less than one to ensure vivid and accurate imagery, and an industry-leading 25-millisecond touch latency allows a near-instant touch response. The 10-bit display also supports HDR10+ high-dynamic range content for ultimate visual realism.
The distinctive ROG Phone 3 design retains the core gamer-centric benefits of its predecessors, including the unique side-mounted charging port and a monster 6000 mAh battery. The intuitive AirTrigger 3 system now includes a motion sensor in addition to the programmable ultrasonic touch sensors, giving gamers even more ways to control the action. The X Mode performance-optimisation software now supports adjustment of multiple system parameters, making it easier than ever to unlock the full power of ROG Phone 3.
The line-up also includes the exciting new ROG Phone 3 Strix Edition, which has the same incredible gamer-centric features as ROG Phone 3. It is powered by the Snapdragon 865 Mobile Platform with a 256 GB UFS 3.1 ROM and 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM.
Absolute power
ROG Phone 3 is the most powerful ROG Phone ever, using the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus 5G Mobile Platform, which enables staggering multi-gigabit 5G connectivity and advanced WiFi 6 performance, desktop-level gaming with ultra-realistic graphics, professional-quality high-resolution photography, and intuitive AI experiences. ROG Phone 3 also features Snapdragon Elite Gaming, which delivers ultra-smooth HDR gaming experiences with sustained performance for longer periods of time.
With up to 16 GB of the latest LPDDR5 RAM and up to an ultrafast 512 GB UFS 3.1 ROM, ROG Phone 3 delivers the ultimate in overall performance, so gamers can enjoy a super-smooth gaming experience with absolutely no limitations or compromises. The enhanced X Mode performance-optimisation software now allows customisation of different system parameters to suit any gaming or using scenario. In conjunction with carefully calibrated defaults for optimum performance, it’s easier than ever for serious gamers to unlock the full power of ROG Phone 3.
The upgraded GameCool 3 cooling system has a redesigned 3D vapor chamber, a large graphite film behind the screen to maximise heat transfer, and an enlarged heat sink that’s precisely located to eliminate hotspots. The new cooling system is one of the most effective thermal solutions available on a mobile device and can remove and dissipate the heat generated during full-speed operation via specially designed vents in the back cover.
This allows ROG Phone 3 to easily sustain peak performance during heavy gaming sessions, eliminating throttling to give gamers an expert edge against the competition. For extra cooling during marathon gaming sessions, the new AeroActive Cooler 3 clip-on external fan accessory has been completely redesigned to deliver increased airflow to the hotspots on the casing to lower an astounding amount of heat for greater and longer performance.
Groundbreaking new ROG HyperFusion technology combined with multi-antenna WiFi and 5G allows simultaneous connections to WiFi and the mobile network, with intelligent redirection to whichever has the best signal. This allows mobile gamers to enjoy the strongest possible signal at all times for uninterrupted connections.
Stunning visuals
ROG Phone 3 is equipped with a stunning 144 Hz / 1 ms AMOLED 10-bit display. It’s combined with an industry-leading 270 Hz touch-sampling rate that dramatically decreases touch latency to an unprecedented 25 ms, delivering the extreme responsiveness needed to sustain a winning streak. To ensure that visuals on ROG Phone 3 look just like the developer intended, each display is carefully colour-calibrated to ensure a Delta-E colour accuracy of less than one — making it one of the most colour-accurate displays available on a smartphone. There’s also HDR10+ high-dynamic range support for enhanced visual realism. To minimize eye strain while delivering impeccable visuals, ROG Phone 3 passes TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution) and Flicker Reduced certifications.
Monster battery
The monster 6000 mAh battery in ROG Phone 3 has stamina that can be relied on for even the longest battles. There are multiple passive power-saving mechanisms, including an exclusive hibernate function that can proactively limit background data and power usage in selected apps. These mechanisms significantly prolong the time between charges and also increase battery lifespan.
Built for gamers, by gamers
Fully immersive gaming with total control is the design goal of ROG Phone 3, which retains the pioneering landscape-oriented ergonomic design of its predecessors. Upgraded AirTrigger 3 technology provides extra-precise ultrasonic touch controls along the edges of the phone. The gesture capabilities of the AirTrigger 3 side sensors have been further enhanced, including a newly added swipe gesture and dual-partition button emulation, giving gamers a console-level gaming experience. There’s also a brand-new motion sensor that adds another gesture to the armoury, allowing gamers to control the action by shaking the device: it’s a whole new way to interact with the device. AirTrigger 3 gives gamers the very best controls available on a gaming smartphone and sets the ultimate bar for the competition.
The unique side-mounted USB-C® charging port lets users keep their battery topped up without cramping their style while gaming. The port also connects accessories such as the AeroActive Cooler 3, which features a pass-through USB-C connector, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a new kickstand on the back to support ROG Phone 3 on a desk or table for a better viewing and gaming experience.
ROG Phone 3 also receives a significant upgrade to its audio performance, tuned in collaboration with audio specialist Dirac. There’s now a dedicated Game Mode to further enhance in-game sound effects for immersive gameplay. The powerful dual front-facing speakers positioned at the top and bottom of the phone are now more capable of delivering richer and detailed sound, giving perfect stereo imaging in landscape mode. ROG Phone 3 also supports Qualcomm aptX Adaptive for low-latency high-quality audio over Bluetooth connections.
ROG Phone 3 introduces ROG Connect, a new online social community — built into the Armoury Crate app — that allows ROG Phone 3 owners to join and play with friends or squads, or even wow the crowd with their uploaded genius gameplay footage and screenshots. ROG Phone 3 gives gamers the very best sharing and community experience.
The unrivalled range of modular accessories for ROG Phone 3 includes the new modular ROG Kunai 3 Gamepad which adds physical console-like gamepad controls to ROG Phone 3; the new ROG Lighting Armor Case for a stunning appearance; and ROG Clip to attach the phone to selected console controllers for the ultimate mobile gaming experience. ROG Phone 3 can also be expanded to provide true 144 Hz dual-screen gameplay with the new TwinView Dock 3, and the Mobile Desktop Dock allows gamers to connect a desktop keyboard and mouse for a desktop-like gaming experience on an external TV or monitor.
ROG Phone 3 is also proudly partnering with Stadia and Unity to establish a truly integrated gaming ecosystem. Together, the partnership aims to build a more complete mobile gaming experience for today’s gamers by providing their favourite gaming content on the go. See more https://www.asus.com/Phone/ROG-Phone-3/
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
ASUS ROG Phone 3 and ROG Phone 3 Strix Edition will be available to pre-order from today across the Republic of Ireland from DID Electrical.
Creative Technology has launched its flagship gaming headset, the Creative SXFI GAMER. Powered by the exceptional BATTLE Mode audio profile, a brand-new CommanderMic with professional-grade clarity, wired through a Kevlar-reinforced USB cable and topped off with a stunning RGB light design, SXFI GAMER is simply the ultimate weapon for complete gaming immersion and domination.
Gaming Sounds Real Like Never Before
Having snagged 23 best-of-show awards over the last two editions of CES 2019-2020, users and critics have been blown away by the next-generation realism of Super X-Fi headphone holography.
Since the start of this year, Super X-Fi products have been upgraded to Gen2, an improved and expanded version of Super X-Fi which incorporates key enhancements like higher accuracy in personalising a user’s audio profile, extending more details in the surround sound configuration, better audio positioning and fidelity.
The SXFI GAMER incorporates all of these and goes one step further with BATTLE Mode, a specially-designed audio profile which optimises Super X-Fi to a perfect fit for FPS games – environmental imaging, audio cues, distance projection and directionality are all enhanced with unprecedented levels of accuracy for the competitive gamer’s benefit, while preserving the essence of the award-winning holographic audio experience.
Look, Feel and Talk like a Pro Gamer
Besides its sharpshooter audio quality, the SXFI GAMER performs in various ways befitting bona fide pro gamers.
The CommanderMic makes its debut in a completely new acoustic design which includes an integrated pop filter. It sports Creative’s latest SXFI inPerson microphone technology, which uses a special algorithm to enhance speech pick-up while suppressing ambient noise effectively.
The SXFI GAMER also ups the cool factor with its custom-designed, Kevlar-reinforced USB cable, which is meticulously engineered for strength and durability as it drives high-speed data transfer to deliver its maximum potential for gaming. The new RGB lighting design on the earcups, which allows users to customise their combat get-up with 16.7 million colours to choose from, provides the finishing move for the SXFI GAMER’s assault on gaming headsets.
Creative’s CEO Sim Wong Hoo said, “Gaming has always been entrenched in our DNA, since the earliest days of Sound Blaster more than 30 years ago.
“After we successfully created Super X-Fi, which critics have hailed as the holy grail of headphone technology, we did not rest on our laurels. We went ahead and spent a great deal of effort and resources to further improve Super X-Fi, especially targeting the gaming sector. The BATTLE Mode is here, and together with the CommanderMic and other features, the SXFI GAMER truly embodies the culmination of our very best technologies in a gaming headset.
“At the same time, the SXFI GAMER allows you to communicate with others as if they were in front of you, and also they would be able to hear you clearly. Hence it would be a great tool to Work-Learn-Play from home with.”
Pricing and Availability
SXFI GAMER is priced at £124.99 and is available at Creative.com.
Yogscast Games and the Yogscast network today announced the first ever Tiny Teams Indie Festival, shining a spotlight on games from indie micro-studios. The Tiny Teams Festival will be broadcast live on Steam and Twitch.tv/yogscast from 9-15 August 2020.
The Tiny Teams festival will be hosted by Yogscast Games’ Head of Publishing Ben Edgar and feature developer interviews, gameplay streams and trailers of dozens of games from one to three-person indie development teams. The Tiny Teams Festival will also celebrate a selection of classic indies with Steam Store discounts of up to 50% off through the week and culminate in an awards show at 5pm BST on 15th August highlighting the most fun, weird and exciting games profiled during the week.
“At Yogscast Games we’re all about indie games that are as fun to watch as they are to play,” said Yogscast Games’ Head of Publishing Ben Edgar. “With the first-ever Tiny Teams Festival we want to shine a spotlight on some fantastic games and teams that could otherwise slip under the radar in a hugely busy year of gaming. We’re looking forward to sharing some of the coolest, weirdest and most fun upcoming indies starting 9 August.”
The full event program will be announced in early August. Developers who would like to be featured in the Tiny Teams Festival can submit their game for consideration at the Yogscast.games site. The deadline for submissions is 27th July.
Pearl Abyss announced today that adventurers who play Black Desert on console can look forward to playing a brand new class coming later this month. Hashashin is the 19th character to be added to the popular MMORPG and will be playable on console very soon as a timed exclusive.
Hashashin is Aal’s warrior, who can manipulate sandstorms with the power of the native Valencian god. For example, he has a skill that allows him to imbue the memory of a specific place in a sandstorm which allows him to instantly move to that place, given that he is not too far away. He can also create sandstorms to chase enemies or ambush them from above. As a desert dweller, he can travel slightly faster in the desert and has mildly higher resistance to desert diseases compared to other classes. He engages in melee combat with the Shamshir sword as his main weapon.
Starting today, adventurers can pre-create their Hashashin in Black Desert’s famed character creator. Those who do can look forward to some nice rewards like Inventory +4 Expansion Coupon, Secret Book of Old Moon, Blessed Message Scroll, and Black Cloaked Cat.
GungHo Online Entertainment (GOE) today released its bubblegum arena brawler Ninjalaexclusively for the Nintendo Switch. The free to play title features two exciting multiplayer modes including an eight-player arena battle and a 4v4 team battle, as well as a single-player training mode. Pick and customize your ninja kid before you burst onto the scene of the World Ninja Association’s (WNA) ultimate ninja tournament, Ninjala.
By chewing super-powered Ninja-Gum, these modern-day ninjas can blow bubbles that can be targeted at their foes, craft all sorts of weapons, and fly across the battlefield with enhanced speed and agility…all with only one small side effect – it turns them into kids!
Download Ninjala here. Check out the launch trailer here.
To celebrate the launch of Ninjala, Japanese pop sensation Kyary Pamyu Pamyu collaborated with celebrated American musician and producer, Steve Aoki. The pair teamed up to remix Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s hit song Ninja Re Bang Bang which is out now! Listen to it here and check out the special mashup video here.
Also available today is Chapter One of the Story Mode DLC which features Van, a naturally talented kid who loves playing basketball. After learning from his master about his family’s ninja ancestry, he resolves to wield his ninja powers for good to defend the WNA and the world at large. With the power of Ninja-Gum, Van will be able to use special ninja abilities, fly around the city, stealthily pursue his targets, and take on huge bosses in epic battles.
But when it comes to taking down the enemy, whether it’s a space ninja or a giant, monstrous soda bottle, Van needs to use every trick in the book to gain the upper hand. Van’s Story Mode chapter one is regularly $9.99 USD, but is currently on sale for $4.59 USD. Story Mode is available now in the Nintendo eShop – look out for chapters from other Ninjala characters in the future!
To learn more about the fantastical story behind Ninjala and its eight main characters, check out the 2D cartoon anime series from GOE. The first episode, Bloodline of the Shinobi, follows Van’s story as he uncovers the mystery behind why ninjas attacked his father, and how it ties to his ninja heritage.The episode is available on YouTube here.
Robotality and Chucklefish today announced that the rip-roaring turn-based strategy adventure PATHWAY and its game-changing Adventurers Wanted update are now free on the Epic Games Store! Download Pathway before 25 June and it’s yours to keep forever!
First launched in 2019, developers Robotality listened to community feedback and remastered Pathway in the massive Adventurers Wanted update. Today Pathway features new AI and game balancing, new tactics and abilities, a new loot system, new combat arenas, and even more special narrative events and story to explore. That’s a lot of changes! Whether you’re a fresh adventurer or a veteran explorer, you’ll find something new to discover.
About Pathway
The year is 1936 across Europe and the Middle East. Rumors abound of secret excavations, mysterious artifacts, occult rituals and objects of immense power. In Pathway you’ll lead a team of bold adventurers into the deserts of Northern Africa to unearth ancient relics and uncover hidden treasures before they fall into evil hands.
Pathway is a fast-paced tactics game in a world of pulp adventure. Run for cover, flank enemies and use your team’s special abilities to turn history in your favor!
Dynamic Adventures – Discover five campaigns of varying difficulty, with every attempt spawning a new web of narrative surprises and deadly skirmishes.
Tough Choices – Explored locations offer hand-crafted narrative events and big choices. Search the well? Save the villagers? It’s up to you!
Build your Team of Adventurers– Each of Pathway’s 16 unlockable characters has their own skills and quirks which impact combat and story encounters.
Decisive Conflicts – Use cover and positioning in thrilling turn-based squad combat. Learn to make the best of your team’s abilities and equipment to defeat the forces of evil!
Hidden Treasures – Trade-in valuable loot to upgrade your team’s arsenal with rare weapons and armor.
Recover and Replay – Experiment with different team combinations and abilities until your foes have been vanquished!
After 25 June you’ll find Pathway available on Steam and the Epic Games Store for its usual price of £12.99 / $15.99 / €13.99.
