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E3, the World’s Leading Video Game Event, Opens Today:Millions Around the World to Watch

Paul Philleo
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E3, the World’s Leading Video Game Event, Opens Today:Millions Around the World to Watch

LOS ANGELES – June 11, 2019 – E3, the biggest video game event in the world, opens its doors today at the Los Angeles Convention Center to thousands of industry professionals and fans; millions of excited video game enthusiasts around the world are expected to tune into the live streaming from the show floor today, tomorrow, and Thursday. More than 200 exhibitors, including over 50 companies exhibiting at E3 for the first time, are showcasing their latest video games, gear, and innovative interactive technologies; registered attendees come from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The show closes at 6PM Pacific on Thursday, June 13.

E3 is the world’s premiere showcase for video games and is owned and produced by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association that represents the $43.4 billion US video game industry.

“E3 is an incredible celebration of the central role that videogames play in American culture and across the globe,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, CEO of ESA. “The $134.9 billion global video game industry is fueled by 2.6 billion gamers who look forward every day to the incredible creativity, innovation, and ingenuity of game developers who continually strive to bring entertaining and inspirational experiences to market for everyone.”

E3 2019 goes far beyond the 860,000 square feet of the convention center, with events taking place throughout LA. This year, E3 is an unmatched ecosystem of press briefings, show floor activities, E3Coliseum panels, networking receptions, parties, and events across the downtown Los Angeles area.

WATCH E3 ONLINE
The launch of https://live.e3expo.com as the official streaming destination of E3 enhances the online fan experience for the tens of millions of viewers who tune in every year to see the future of video games. Livestream the most anticipated press conferences, thrilling esports from the E3 ESL Arena, and engaging panels at E3 Coliseum, all at https://live.e3expo.com.

E3 2019 Includes:

Show floor featuring thousands of the latest products and video games from hundreds of exhibitors, including Nintendo, Mixer, Capcom, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Bethesda, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, and here.

Major video game reveals and surprise announcements, including Doom Eternal from Bethesda, Ghost Recon from Ubisoft, Marvel Avengers from SquareEnix, and Pokémon Sword and Shield from Nintendo.

Live esports competitions at the E3 ESPORTS ZONE, a 10,000 square foot, specially designed esports experience. The E3 ESPORTS ZONE will have two stages featuring professional games and influencers. Learn more here.

E3 Coliseum panels and presentations from the biggest names in video games and special guests from the world of entertainment, including Elon Musk, Jack Black, Netflix, John Wick Director Chad Stahelski, The Simpsons producers, Rick & Morty creator Justin Roiland, and the teams behind games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Marvel’s Avengers, Gears 5, Borderlands 3, and Destiny 2, among many others. See the complete E3 Coliseum schedule here.

10G Gaming Lifestyle Pavilion New at the show this year, the 10G Gaming Lifestyle Pavilion will showcase how video games contribute to art, fashion, and music. West Hall #4300.

Into The Pixel 2019 art collection featuring 11 pieces of video game art selected by a jury panel from the industry and fine art worlds. The 2019 collection will be auctioned off on e-Bay starting today, June 11 at noon, with proceeds benefitting the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. View the 2019 collection online at www.intothepixel.com.

E3 Game Competition finalists showcasing their games on the show floor, with the winner announced during the show. Selected by industry leaders, the finalists represent the best in college and university game design: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Drexel University, Ringling College of Art and Design, UC Santa Cruz, and Columbia College Chicago. The Entertainment Software Association of Canada’s Student Video Game Competition winner UQAT/UQAM will showcase its game Cut Loose. In addition, Ennui Studio, the winner of ESA’s Videojuegos Mexico game competition, will showcase their game TYR: Chains of Valhalla. Learn more here.

We Are booth with live talks and a photo exhibition featuring women in the video game industry, as well as an arcade, custom merchandise benefiting the ESA Foundation, and more. We Are invites all E3attendees to explore what makes the video game industry so vibrant and diverse at Booth #633 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Read more here.

E3 Coliseum 2019 Lineup Features the Biggest Names in Video Games and Special Guests From the World of Entertainment

Paul Philleo
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E3 Coliseum 2019 Lineup Features the Biggest Names in Video Games and Special Guests From the World of Entertainment

LOS ANGELES – June 10, 2019 – E3 2019, the world’s most powerful industry showcase for new video game titles and technology, will be held June 11-13 at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC). Attendees will have the chance to visit E3 Coliseum 2019, now in its third year, featuring three full days of panels and presentations from the most compelling, creative voices in entertainment to celebrate how video games shape popular culture.

Hosted at The Novo at L.A. Live, a short walk from the LACC, the E3 Coliseum mainstage event is produced by Geoff Keighley (The Game Awards). This year’s lineup features in-depth panels from the biggest games debuting at E3 2019, as well as speakers from popular culture who have been influenced by video games. Special guests include the multi-talented Jack Black (Jablinski Games Live!), the writers and producers of The Simpsons, Netflix, and a panel on storytelling across screens with Chad Stahelski, the director of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum in conversation with Donald Mustard, Worldwide Creative Director of Epic Games (Fortnite), and Rick & Morty creator Justin Roiland. Some of the biggest game franchises in the world will address fans with in-depth presentations on projects such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Marvel’s Avengers, Borderlands 3, Destiny 2, and even more games that will be revealed for the first time as part of E3 2019.

E3 Coliseum is open to all E3 2019 badge holders on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans can line up outside The Novo at L.A. Live beginning on Tuesday, June 11 at 7 a.m. PDT.

Panels from E3 Coliseum will be streamed on Twitch, E3’s official streaming partner, as well as Mixer.com, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

The full lineup and schedule is available online here. The event hours are as follows:

  • Tuesday, June 12: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Featuring: Gears 5, Borderlands 3, Destiny 2, The Simpsons, and John Wick director Chad Stahelski in conversation with Donald Mustard, Epic Games’ (Fortnite) Worldwide Creative Director.

  • Wednesday, June 13: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Featuring: Jack Black and Jablinski Games Live!, Netflix, and more

  • Thursday, June 14: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Featuring: Rick & Morty creator Justin Roiland, The Outer Worlds and more.

Xbox Showcases 60 Anticipated Games, Including 34 to Premiere in Xbox Game Pass

Paul Philleo
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Xbox Showcases 60 Anticipated Games, Including 34 to Premiere in Xbox Game Pass

LOS ANGELES — JUNE 9, 2019 — Xbox showcased a blockbuster lineup of 60 anticipated games for both console and PC in its Xbox E3 Briefing and shared a glimpse of the future with Project Scarlett, which launches alongside “Halo Infinite” in 2020. Headlined by the biggest game of 2019, “Gears 5,” along with 34 games premiering in Xbox Game Pass, the Xbox E3 Briefing delivered 11 world premieres and a record 14 games from Xbox Game Studios, which will soon include legendary game development studio Double Fine Productions.

“It’s great to celebrate with our incredible fans and show how we are delivering against our vision to empower gamers to play the games they want, with the friends they want, wherever they want,” said Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox. “With thousands of Xbox games in development, we curated our show around our players, with new titles premiering in Xbox Game Pass across console and PC, and game streaming that enables them to play their favorite games, with their friends, wherever they go.”

The Best Way to Discover Great Games on Console and PC

PC gamers around the world can now join the Xbox Game Pass for PC beta through the new Xbox app, which is available today on Windows 10. Xbox Game Pass for PC is designed specifically for PC gamers with a curated library of over 100 high-quality PC games from over 75 developers and publishers including fan-favorite PC titles like “Football Manager 2019,” “Imperator: Rome” and “Metro Exodus.”

Xbox also announced the launch of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a new plan combining the curated games library for console and PC with Xbox Live Gold.

In addition, Xbox announced a variety of new blockbuster games that are available with Xbox Game Pass for Console starting today, including “Metro Exodus,” “Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition,” “Borderlands: The Handsome Collection” and “Batman: Arkham Knight.”

The Xbox E3 Briefing also showcased new Xbox Game Studios titles that will premiere in Xbox Game Pass, including “Gears 5,” “Battletoads,” “Bleeding Edge,” “The Outer Worlds,” “Ori and the Will of the Wisps,” and 25 games from the ID@Xbox program.

Welcoming Double Fine Productions to Xbox Game Studios

Xbox announced today the intent to acquire legendary game development studio Double Fine Productions, which will bring the total number of development studios under Xbox Game Studios to 15. Led by industry veteran Tim Schafer, the addition of this boundlessly creative studio will reinforce the Xbox team’s commitment to developing original content with memorable characters and unexpected stories. Double Fine showcased the long-awaited “Psychonauts 2” today on the Xbox E3 stage:

  • “PSYCHONAUTS 2” (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 PC, MAC, LINUX, PLAYSTATION 4). Razputin Aquato, trained acrobat and powerful young psychic, has realized his lifelong dream of joining the international psychic espionage organization known as the Psychonauts! But these psychic super spies are in trouble. Their leader hasn’t been the same since he was kidnapped, and what’s worse, there’s a mole hiding in their headquarters. Raz must use his powers to stop the mole before they execute their secret plan—to bring the murderous psychic villain, Maligula, back from the dead! “Psychonauts 2” launches worldwide in 2020.

The Future of Console Gaming

During its briefing, Xbox demonstrated its commitment to console gaming as a critical choice for players who want a device designed, built and optimized for gaming.

Project Scarlett will set a new bar for console power, speed, and performance, arriving Holiday 2020 alongside “Halo Infinite.” With a custom-designed AMD processor, high bandwidth GDDR6 memory, and a next-generation solid state drive (SSD), Project Scarlett will give developers the power they need to bring their creative visions to life. Thousands of games across four console generations will look and play best on Project Scarlett.

Bringing Xbox to the Cloud

In addition to delivering players the games they want, with the people they want, across console and PC, Xbox is also empowering people to play wherever they want by bringing Xbox to the cloud.

First, Xbox announced the ability to stream games from your Xbox One console, starting in preview this October. With console streaming, gamers will have access to their Xbox One game library and Xbox Game Pass titles on the go, streamed directly from an Xbox One console to a mobile device.

The Xbox E3 Briefing also marked a new milestone for “Project xCloud,” with E3 2019 attendees being among the first in the world to play Xbox One games like “Halo 5: Guardians” and “Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice” streaming on smartphones and tablets. With Project xCloud, Xbox is investing to ensure players have the choice and freedom to play the games they want, with the friends they want, how and where they want.

The World’s Most Advanced Controller

In addition, Xbox unveiled the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. Inspired by fan feedback, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is the world’s most advanced controller, designed with the most passionate gamers in mind.

The Elite Series 2 is the second iteration of the fan-favorite Xbox Elite Wireless Controller and is re-engineered for ultimate performance, customization, and durability, and includes 30 new and improved features such as adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wraparound rubberized grip, shorter hair-trigger locks, and up to 40 hours of rechargeable battery life.

The Elite Series 2 will launch in 24 markets on Nov. 4 for $179.99 USD/£159.99 GPB/€179.99 EUR and is available for preorder now.

The press release is continued on the next page, with information about the Xbox games showcase.

Game Gear at Pepcom’s Digital Experience! West 2019

Paul Philleo
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Game Gear at Pepcom’s Digital Experience! West 2019

By: Joyce Lee and Paul Philleo

Pepcom specializes in bringing established and new companies and their technologies to the attention of the media. Their Digital Experience! show recently rolled into San Francisco, and among the new and interesting things to explore, several gaming-related highlights were part of the attraction that got our attention.

GameBender

The day before the Pepcom event, the creators of Makey Makey announced the launch of GameBender, a gaming platform for ages over eight. This platform was created with a vision aimed towards empowering its players through creative play. GameBender is also KickStarter-funded and has reached its goals, although the funding campaign is still continuing.

GameBender's table at Pepcom's event (photo credit: E4G)
GameBender’s table at Pepcom’s event (photo credit: E4G)

In terms of “creative play,” GameBender allows for variations of modding, hacking and changing the rules of games, to help children understand the way games are developed. GameBender has grant funding from the National Science Foundation and a partnership with Scratch, a community of 40 million users providing access to more than one million coded projects like games, apps and do-it-yourself (DIY) TV.

GameBender comes with access to the entire Scratch catalog with easy-to-follow glitch cards, which guide players on how to “bend” games by applying different glitches to games of their choosing. The system also features a camera for use with augmented reality experiences, a compact and square gaming console as well as a game controller.

Closer look at the GameBender hardware (photo credit: E4G)
Closer look at the GameBender hardware (photo credit: E4G)

When asked what inspired the company to create the Gamebender project, Todd Eddie, SVP of the company, explained that creative play has the ability to empower its participants. Players can make decisions and learn things that instantly impact the world around them. “We want people to get addicted to their own creativity,” he said.

GameBender is available for pre-order for $289 USD, with a $60 discount from the estimated in-store retail price of $349 on the official website: gamebender.com.

Hack

There was more than one project with an intersection between education and games. Beta Atunes, Co-founder and CEO of Hack, also has a product that comes from a personal and passionate place. One of her greatest influences and inspirations for her work is having a 10-year old son who is always absorbing information from the world around him.

Hack's hardware and more on display (photo credit: E4G)
Hack’s hardware and more on display (photo credit: E4G)

Hack is a full-stack Linux-based Endless Operating System that teaches children to code and uses a real sandbox for learning how to code. A cast of characters provides children with daily challenges that they can participate in and learn to code in the process. The Hack laptop comes equipped with plenty of apps for kids to use as they dive into the system, such as Chrome, Scratch, Steam and more. The Hack system is also designed with the kid-friendly considerations in mind, such as being ad-free and resistant to infection.

Hack is available in two forms: the Hack Laptop (a high-performance ASUS laptop with Hack awarded as Best First Laptop in 2019 by Parents Magazine) and the Hack Key (a USB that kids can plug into any computer when they’re ready to play). Each product includes a one-year warranty and a period of free content. The Hack laptop is available for $299 and the Hack Key is available for $39.99 at hack-computer.com.

Kingston and HyperX

Of course, games and the hardware that drives them are sometimes (okay, usually) about pure fun or the competitive aspect. Pepcom’s event had this covered too, with the side-by-side tables of Kingston Technology Company, Inc and it’s owned gaming division, HyperX.

Starting with Kingston, the most game-friendly product brought to the table was the KC2000 NVMe PCIe Generation 3 SSD.

Close-up of the KC2000 SSD (Image credit: Kingston)
Close-up of the KC2000 SSD (Image credit: Kingston)

Coming in sizes 250GB to 2TB, the KC2000 features 96 layer 3D TLC NAND memory, a highly condensed form factor for memory layering that doesn’t sacrifice speed. In terms of the all-important speed factor, IOn fact, this SSD should be able able to fit in most laptops. The KC2000 offers 3,200 MB/s and 2,200 MB/s speed. It’s not an addendum for anyone in IT or with sensitive data, so it’s worth adding here that the KC2000 SSD also includes 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption and permits the use of TCG Opal 2.0 security management. By the numbers, the KC2000 should be an option hardcore gamers (and security-conscious users) take a closer look at for their storage needs. The KC2000 SSD MSRP ranges from about $62 for the 250GB model to $410 for the 2TB model.

On the HyperX side of the equation, we’ll take a quick look at some of the audio gear rolled out at Computex. The Cloud series of headsets is familiar to anyone who’s seen a Twitch stream or esports tournament. And to the likely delight of competitive gamers and content streamers, a couple of new models were announced at the recent Taiwanese hardware mega-showcase.

HyperX's recent and upcoming hardware (photo credit: E4G)
HyperX’s recent and upcoming hardware (photo credit: E4G)

The Cloud Alpha S headset, as a feature, highlights dual chamber technology to create a greater range between the bass and treble in the audio. A bass slider adds more control over the “intensity” of the bass.  Also, 7.1 surround sound controlled by a custom-tuned audio box is included for a larger sound stage.

The Cloud Orbit S is a more radical step up from the Alpha S into a more rarified audiophile-level experience. The biggest changes to this headset is the inclusion of Audeze’s 100mm planar magnetic drivers for accurate sound. Waves Nx 3D audio technology adds another layer of immersion to the gaming or any other audio experience you may want to dive into.

Test-driving the Orbit S in the somewhat noisy environment of the Pepcom event, the large ear pads did a great job screening out ambient sound and kept the well-balanced music from their playlist sealed inside.

We’ll be keeping an eye on edtech and games gear and other hardware as the companies and their products turn up at the intersection between games and events!

CLX Arms DreamHack Dallas with More Than 250 Custom Integrated Gaming Computers

Paul Philleo
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CLX Arms DreamHack Dallas with More Than 250 Custom Integrated Gaming Computers

Wichita, Kan (May 30, 2019) – CLX, award-winning PC integrator, arms DreamHack Dallas with more than 250 custom integrated gaming computers, including 36 flagship CLX Ra full-sized systems for nonstop streaming at the Stream Studio. Powered by AMD RYZEN 7 CPUs and NVIDIA RTX 2080Ti GPUs, the CLX Ra filled Stream Studio will host 80 of the biggest streamers in the industry as well as a boot camp hosted by Harris Heller.

From May 31st to June 2nd, all DreamHack Dallas attendees can also experience the epitome of gaming performance and power through 110 CLX SET and 110 CLX HORUS battle stations at the PC FREEPLAY Zone. Designed to deliver an unmatched immersive gaming experience, CLX’s mid-size SET and HORUS desktops will be powered by AMD RYZEN 5 processors and Radeon RX Video Cards.

“DreamHack is not only a gathering of gamers and fans, but a celebration of creativity, dedication, and community,” says Jorge Percival, Director of Marketing & Product Development. “Every gamer is unique, and every attendee is different; but we embrace each other and are united by our passion for games and esports.”

“We are excited to have CLX’s gaming stations at DreamHack once again, and we can’t wait to see the reactions of our attendees once they experience them in person,” says Marcus Lindmark, co-CEO of DreamHack. “CLX is an important partner and has been with us since 2017, providing top-tier computers as we continue to expand leaving an even bigger mark at the North American market.”

In addition to powering the PC FREEPLAY Zone and Stream Studio, CLX will also be organizing tournaments with prizes in its PC FREEPLAY Zone and surprising attendees with a daily scavenger hunt with prizes worth more than $3000.

For more information about CLX’s DreamHack Dallas events or to speak with a CLX representative, contact pchen@tilsonpr.com.

For information about CLX’s complete lineup of custom integrated systems, or to design your own dream gaming system, visit www.clxgaming.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CybertronPC and Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLXGaming.

June 2019 Game Industry Events Calendar

Mathew Anderson
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June 2019 Game Industry Events Calendar

We’re excited to be presenting yet another great list of upcoming industry events! To help you discover upcoming game industry conferences, conventions, festivals and other events, we post a consolidated list here on Events for Gamers each month.

View June’s event list below. You can also click here for the main calendar view.

May 28-June 1: Computex (Taipei, Taiwan)
28-1: Norwich Games Festival (Norwich, UK)
28-5: Made in Japan Festival (Cambridge, UK)
31-2: Dreamhack Dallas (Dallas, USA)
31-2: Denver Pop Culture Con (Denver, USA)
June 1: Gayming Magazine Launch (Online)
1-3: VRTO (Toronto, Canada)
4: IGEC (Los Angeles, USA)
11-13: E3 Expo (Los Angeles, USA)
12-16: Origins Game Fair (Columbus, USA)
13: Mobile Growth Summit Singapore (Singapore)
15-17: Dreamhack Summer (Jonkoping, Sweden)
17-19: Games for Change Festival (New York, USA)
21-24: RAGECON (Sacramento, USA)
25-27: Game Quality Forum Global (Krakow, Poland)
27: Salt Lake Gaming Con (Salt Lake City, USA)
28-2: Epic Nerd Camp (Philadelphia, USA)

This list is obtained from the main calendar. Did we miss an event? Let us know!

Preview: GAEMS Guardian

Paul Philleo
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Preview: GAEMS Guardian

How cool (and prepared) does it look when a pro shows up with a briefcase with whatever it is he or she needs to get a job done? The GAEMS Guardian represents that sort of got-it-all-with-me solution — specifically with gamers, game developers, content creators, and streamers in mind.

GAEMS is a company that started in 2010 with the idea in mind they could make more grounded games experiences more portable. The GAEMS Guardian is the latest and most robust iteration of the mobility-in-gaming objective that motivated the creation of the company and its products.

At a recent showcase event in San Francisco, GAEMS representatives showed off what was essentially the finished version of their Guardian build. In the demo room, the popular multiplayer game Fortnite (among other games) was shown on an Xbox One X console, which was mounted inside the Guardian’s case.

The Guardian, like other “personal gaming environment” GAEMS products, begins with a hard shell case and a monitor. In this instance, the 24″ built-in QHD 60 Hz 1440p IPS monitor is bigger and higher-resolution than the GAEMS Sentinel’s monitor. The “9ms response time with overdrive,” as it’s described on the sales page of the GAEMS website, won’t put it in the topmost echelon of gaming monitors by spec, but the action I saw during the time I followed the demos certainly looked clean and smooth.

The “dynamic sound stage” system was surprisingly punchy. Said another way, when playing a DOOM Eternal trailer on it, we had to quickly turn it down quite a bit so that the thumping bass and screeching demons did not risk disturbing anyone next door. The Guardian definitely can put the 9 watts of audio and subwoofers to good use.

GAEMS Guardian model
GAEMS Guardian model and mounted console (photo credit: E4G)

Interestingly, the GAEMS Guardian could be a good device for a game developer with a system-on-a-stick game demo to show, since the USB ports will take, say, an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast. Or an event or game demo use case can be made, since, through the HDMI port, game video can be exported to a projector or to a capture card.

In terms of accessories, the Guardian is expected to come with several necessary cables, like power and USB. Interestingly, the Guardian comes with a hex wrench for mounting the consoles and the gear.

In terms of connections, on the front right of the case, a port hub can be found loaded with 3 USB (2 1.8a and 1 0.9a) ports, an HDMI port and a 3.5mm mic and headphone jack. For most folks, that should provide enough connectivity for the usual assortment of accessories that may be needed.

An extra touch that shows a hat tip to the content streamers and pro gamers, who are also intended to be among the audience for the GAEMS Guardian, is the addition of designated areas on the case for mounting gear, like mics and lights, on designated areas on the case designed with content streamers in mind.

As any good case would offer, there’s plenty of storage baked in for cables and controllers and other gaming gadgetry. But all this mobility with protection in mind doesn’t come light. The weight of the GAEMS Guardian is 18 lbs. before considering the weight of the gaming hardware to be included inside.

GAEMS crowdfunding trailer (Video credit: GAEMS)

The GAEMS Guardian is slated to ship this July in North America, with the international release to follow by the holidays at the end of the year. Essentially, the only difference between the models will be the provision of universal power adapters.

While the mobility, durability, and versatility of GAEMS Guardian could definitely hit the sweet spot for streamers, pro gamers, content creators, even game developers, the $700 price tag is going to definitely challenge some budgets. In fact, some of the older, smaller GAEMS gaming mobility solutions may be a better fit for some. But if the Guardian is the gaming case or gaming mobility solution you’ve always dreamed of, more info can be found at the Indiegogo page.

You can also check an excellent gaming monitor article here.

Control4 Rolls Out New OS for the Connected Home

Paul Philleo
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Control4 Rolls Out New OS for the Connected Home

Connecting the sometimes-complicated dots between various components of the smart home — from voice assistants to the security system to the next-gen console, and so on — is a pain point for many consumers. Not every device connects properly or necessarily even connects to a network at all. Not every device interfaces or engages with other devices as they could or should.

In other words, the world of smart home technology can still be a sleeves-rolled-up, curse-at-the-sky sort of messy. In spite of the many upward-trending data points around smart homes, some consumers with connected devices seem reluctant to explore more comprehensive device integration, according to data from research agency, Parks Associates.

High-end smart home automation solutions provider, Control4, believes they may have an answer to this particular problem.

 

At the Parks Associates’ CONNECTIONS conference, which focuses on IoT and the smart home, Control4 shared news of a major update to their home automation system’s operating system (OS). The OS update was considered significant enough for Control4 to offer a press preview during CONNECTIONS about the features and its potential impact on the smart home market and integration and end-user experience.

The new Control4 Smart Home OS 3 comes packed with what the company’s press release describes as “more than a thousand new features and capabilities”. In a nutshell, it provides connectivity to thousands of devices, using one-touch control and at-a-glance views.

At the top level, the handiest new features for end users may be the and Dashboard and Favorites features.

Dashboards can be customized with quick-glance views of most key devices in any room, whether locks, lights, media room devices, and more.

Favorites will allow for a user to surface anything in a room to the mobile app, touch screen, and TV. A gamer could prioritize their Xbox console at the top of the living room list — or their smart coffee mug in the kitchen view, if making sure a heated cuppa joe is always ready to go. Echoing the familiarity and ease-of-use found in smartphone interactions, a user presses and holds an item to Favorite a device, service, setting, or playlist in any room. Dragging and deleting items is handled similarly.

 

How Control4’s Smart Home OS 3 interface works (Video: Control4)

For gamers considering the smart home bigger picture, this is what this news means:

Control4 says that, like thousands of other devices accounted for in OS 3, the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and other consoles can be connected into the smart home system and given one-touch control. From there, they can be operated alongside the TV, speakers, lights and shades and any other device or service with “smart” capability.

A gamer could, through Control4’s OS 3-powered system, set the perfect gaming environment in the media room, bedroom, or wherever their rig is set up, provided they have the right types of devices to accommodate it. For example, the lights could be colored and set to a certain brightness, the speaker system set to a certain volume and bass level, and so on.Voilà, the room can be tweaked (like any video card setting, for example) to become the perfect environment to play insert-favorite-game.

It should be noted that, at least for now, virtual reality headsets are not part of the connected device ecosystem that can be operated within the Control4 smart home architecture. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that these headsets could not be included down the road.

Last but not least, the cost of having the power of OS 3 in one’s hand could be pricey depending on whether the smart home experience is one room or a whole house. That is, Control4 customizes solutions and installation of smart homes, including this new OS which serves as the remote controller for that installation.

If you want a connected home experience to be something like a finely-tuned, high-end experience, the Control4 smart home installation offerings may be worth exploring. With that in mind, Control4 is offering a demo day to explore their smart home solutions at their certified showrooms, on June 13 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM!

PC Gaming Show 2019 First Participants Revealed

Paul Philleo
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PC Gaming Show 2019 First Participants Revealed

LOS ANGELES, CA – May 14, 2019 – Developers are lining up to take the stage at this year’s PC Gaming Show, the fifth-annual celebration of the future of PC gaming. Hosted once again by legendary livestreamer Sean “Day[9]” Plott and rising star esports presenter Frankie Ward, this year’s event will showcase an amazing lineup of trailers, developer interviews, and never-before-seen PC games.

Viewers can watch live from Los Angeles on June 10 at 10 AM PDT on twitch.tv/pcgamer, or reserve tickets and attend in-person at pcgamingshow.com.

“This year’s livestream will present more announcements and new trailers than any previous PC Gaming Show,” says PC Gamer Global Editor-in-Chief Evan Lahti. “From brilliant indies to studios that have shaped PC gaming for decades, we’re excited to showcase what’s next for the world’s most vibrant gaming platform.”

This year’s lineup, revealed today, is led by Epic Games store, which joins the PC Gaming Show as presenting sponsor. Epic Games will reveal brand new material for several games, including some exclusives, coming to the Epic Games store.

Also taking to the stage will be Annapurna Interactive, Chucklefish, Digital Extremes, Digital Uppercut, E-WIN, Fatshark, Fellow Traveller, Frontier Developments, Funcom, Modus Games, Paradox Interactive, Perfect World Entertainment, Raw Fury, Rebellion, Re-Logic and Tripwire Interactive, among others yet to be revealed. Stay tuned for additional participant announcements in the coming weeks.

Last year the PC Gaming Show drew more than 1.8M unique viewers live on Twitch and other streaming platforms, becoming one of the most-watched events during E3 by concurrent viewers, ahead of presentations from Nintendo and Electronic Arts. In total, the 2018 PC Gaming Show had 4.7M video plays and a record 241M Twitter impressions using #pcgamingshow.

PC Gaming Show 2019 will take place at The Mayan Theater (1038 S. Hill St. Los Angeles, CA 90015) on June 10, 2019 from 10AM – 12PM PDT. PC gamers can attend the event or watch live at twitch.tv/pcgamer, or on YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter.

Netflix Aims to Reel in Gamers at E3 2019

Paul Philleo
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Netflix Aims to Reel in Gamers at E3 2019

Netflix has its eyes on the games industry for a while now.

The Los Gatos, Californa-headquartered media services provider has been following the impact of games on media habits for some time, recently recognizing that one of the company’s greatest challenges for reaching the hearts and minds of streaming content consumers is Fortnite.

Recently, perhaps due to the impact of games on their business model, Netflix has started adding “Choose Your Own Adventure” style of branching paths type of interactivity to some of their content. Following their splashy, dark Black Mirror: Bandersnatch production, the company recently added the adventure-themed of You vs. Wild to their mix of interactive content.

Netflix has also licensed it’s science fiction/horror series, Stranger Things, alongside the third season series rollout. Developed by BonusXP, Stranger Things 3: The Game is set to launch on July 4, 2019 for PC, PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One, and mobile devices.

Not content to stop there, Netflix appears ready to expand its presence in games. Through an exchange with then E3 2019 Twitter account, Netflix unfurled a panel, “Bringing Your Favorite Shows to Life: Developing Netflix Originals into Video Games,” along with a teaser about the Stranger Things game, starting with this tweet:

 

The tweet thread covers just enough details to spark curiosity — and make one wonder if any other Netflix content might get a reveal at the panel at E3 (The E3 2019 show will take place in Los Angeles on June 11-13.) Is a AAA game in the works? Is a different kind of interactive content to be crafted for Netflix’s streaming services? Maybe the company plans to work with the recently-announced Google Stadia or Apple Arcade? The possibilities are interesting. Events for Gamers will keep eyes on this developing news before and during E3 2019.

Events Video of the Month – GamesBeat 2019 Panel

Mathew Anderson
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Events Video of the Month – GamesBeat 2019 Panel

GamesBeat is an increasingly important conference in the game industry for a variety of disciplines and content, including the development of new platforms like VR & AR. The event is held each year in Los Angeles and put on by VentureBeat.

The conference also has a keen eye on the future of the industry. Have a look at this recent panel from GamesBeat 2019 on The Future of Gaming:

Whether you are an event coordinator, press, or general attendee, if you have an event video to share with us, please let us know and we’ll be happy to feature it.

CCP Games Lands in St. Petersburg for Second Leg of EVE Invasion World Tour

Paul Philleo
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CCP Games Lands in St. Petersburg for Second Leg of EVE Invasion World Tour

April 29, 2019 – Reykjavík, Iceland – CCP Games, the creators of the in-depth and uniquely player-driven spaceship MMO game EVE Online, shared more details today on EVE Russia, the next event in the year-long EVE Invasion World Tour, a global series of capsuleer conventions, reaching more players and fans of EVE Online than ever before. On May 4, EVE Russia will be the biggest gathering of Russian EVE Online players, in St. Petersburg at the Akakao.

It’s not too late for capsuleers to attend EVE Russia; as local fans can still purchase tickets to the event. The full EVE Russia presentation schedule can be found in CCP’s EVE Russia blog. The second of eight EVE Online fan events as part of the EVE Invasion World Tour in 2019, EVE Russia will feature announcements, developer AMA, unique in-game rewards and stellar parties for fans that continues to bring EVE Online closer to its community.

Additionally, the Invasion Tournament Series continues during EVE Russia, with each World Tour stop featuring a single elimination tournament where players can win bragging rights and PLEX, as well as every winning team from all tournament locations will be invited for a paid trip to CCP’s home in Reykjavik, Iceland to showcase their prowess in battle and compete against each other at EVE Fanfest 2020. EVE Russia attendees can sign up for the single elimination 2v2 tournament here.

“The EVE Invasion World Tour is all about celebrating the incredible community that’s formed around New Eden over the course of the last fifteen years, and the Russian-speaking EVE Online community is a huge part of forging the history and heritage of New Eden,” said Bergur Finnbogason, a.k.a. CCP Burger, EVEOnline’s Creative Director. “We look forward to connecting with one of EVE‘s largest and most passionate communities in Russia, as we gather players from around the region for a day of merriment, spaceship action, amazing developer-led sessions and exclusive content. За здоровье!”

Future events on the 2019 EVE Invasion World Tour include:

  • EVE Down Under (Sydney, Australia), May 23-26 @ SMC Centre. Tickets on sale now!
  • EVE North (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) June 21-23 @ Delta Marriott. Tickets on sale now!
  • Fanfest HOME (Player’s home, Finland), August 23 @ Kimitoön. Participate via livestream; details to be announced.
  • G-fleet Berlin (Berlin, Germany), September 13-14 @ AltMünze. Tickets on sale March 24.
  • EVE Vegas (Las Vegas, USA), October 25-27 @ venue to be announced. Tickets on sale April 2.
  • EVE London (London, UK), November 23 @ Indigo at the 02 Arena. Tickets on sale August 23.

For more information please visit EVE Updates or follow the hashtag #eveworldtour on social media. EVE Online can be downloaded for free by visiting www.eveonline.com.

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