Gaming

Razer, a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers, in partnership with Las Vegas-based Gaming-Grids, today announced the first phase launch of Razer Arena, a new competitive gaming ecosystem for everyone. The service will be powered by the voice chat gaming messenger, Razer Comms.

Razer Arena is a web-based platform that brings together competitive gaming tools typically reserved for professional-level gamers. With automatic match creation and reporting, tournament and match lobbies, match notifications, and more, Razer Arena provides a seamless experience without the hassle of uploading screenshots or replays. Razer Arena also allows match teammates and opponents to easily communicate.

In the first phase, users will be able to participate in daily challenge cups to get familiar with the tournament platform, as well as participate in tournaments produced by selected partners.

In the second phase, slated for March 2015, users will be able to host their own private tournaments. Successful Razer Arena tournaments may be featured alongside professionally organized events.

More information is available at the official Razer Arena Website.

Platform’s 100 million users can now broadcast their gameplay to the world using new, Twitch-like feature.

By Eddie Makuch @ GameSpot

Steam Broadcasting, a new, Twitch-like feature that players can use to stream their games for anyone to watch, is now available to the platform’s 100 million+ users. Broadcasting was announced in early December 2014 and had previously been available to some Steam users in beta form.

The feature is currently available to all Steam users as part of the the latest client update. This patch, which will be automatically downloaded, also introduces an in-game FPS counter and lots more.

To use Steam Broadcasting, users can click “Watch Game” on their friend’s profile. Viewers don’t have to also own the game, pay a fee, or install any additional apps. Though Broadcasting was designed to highlight game clips, users can also utilize the feature to broadcast anything on their desktop.

Read more…

Video Game Themed Military Charity Teams up with Celebrities and Influencers to Promote Support for Deployed Combat Troops and Wounded Veterans

Leading video game themed military charity, Operation Supply Drop, today proudly launches its Ambassador Program. The program enlists key influencers, celebrities and well-known entertainment personalities to strengthen awareness for Operation Supply Drop’s mission – supporting men and women in uniform that are currently deployed for combat operations and those veterans that have previously served, many recovering or struggling with serious injuries related to their military service.

“Operation Supply Drop has teamed up with well-known personalities and influencers from the technology and entertainment industries that support the military and will serve as positive role models, helping raise awareness for our cause,” said Glenn “Commander” Banton, CEO of Operation Supply Drop. “Our Operation Supply Drop Ambassadors are highly respected leaders that stem from television and cinema, sports, video games and online broadcasting. We are truly thankful to be able to avail ourselves of their talents and voices to strengthen our many efforts to support our men and women in uniform.”

Initiatives benefiting from the Operation Supply Drop Ambassador Program include fund-raising, program education, veteran-owned business startup mentoring, as well as job and career networking assistance. The Operation Supply Drop Ambassadors will also support the charity’s Thank You Deployment program, which enables wounded veterans to attend video game events to gain a behind-the-scenes insider look and experience first-hand what goes into making and promoting some of their favorite titles.

Founded in 2010 by former Army Airborne Ranger, Captain Stephen “Shanghai Six” Machuga, Operation Supply Drop is a 501©(3) public charity that sends video game themed care packages to servicemen and servicewomen deployed to combat zones or recovering in military hospitals. To date, Operation Supply Drop has raised over $2 million USD in donations, games and related gear from across the gaming community and has helped more than 7,500 active duty military members and veterans worldwide. For more information, please visit www.operationsupplydrop.org.

As one of the most exciting years for our studio comes to a close, we’ve deployed a special dev blog in which various members of the Arma 3, Take On Mars, and DayZ development team recap the past (15th anniversary) year, take a brief look at the near future, and thank everyone for their incredible support!

For more information about Bohemia Interactive, please visit www.bistudio.com.

Razer expands software platform with the Razer Cortex: Deals price comparison engine

Razer, the world leader in entertainment devices and software, today announced a new platform to its suite of software products: Razer Cortex, a free software gaming application from which players can discover new game titles at the lowest prices, launch their games while boosting computer performance, back up save games and record in-game footage. Razer Cortex features include:

• Razer Cortex: Deals – Pay less for more of your favorite games with Razer’s unique downloadable game price comparison engine.
• Game Booster – Enhance your PC’s gaming performance with the popular boosting utilities from Razer Game Booster incorporated into Razer Cortex.
• Save Game Manager – Automatically back up save games to the cloud and never lose a save game again.
• Screen Capture Gallery – Immortalize your gaming moments with the touch of a hotkey.

Razer Cortex: Deals brings a game-changing offering to Razer’s growing software platform – the unique PC game comparison tool allows users to stay up to date on price drops, limited deals and exclusive offers for their favorite games.

Razer Cortex: Deals compares prices across the most popular downloadable game stores on a simple-to-use interface that highlights the best price and allows users to create Wish Lists where they receive notifications whenever the games on their lists drop in price or appear in a store’s deals.

Razer Cortex: Deals also includes a predictive function that suggests other games that users might enjoy based on their gaming activity.

Razer’s 10 million global users will get a competitive edge on the best deals across their favorite stores such as Amazon, Gamersgate, Gamestop, GOG.com, Green Man Gaming, Steam and Origin, with more to come.

Early access event

From the 25th August to the launch of Razer Cortex on the 10th September, Razer is holding a two week long early access event where users can sign up with their Razer ID to join a queue. Participants will be progressively given access to test server performance for the upcoming launch.

Anyone with a Razer ID is free to join at www.razerzone.com/cortex/earlyaccess.

For more information on Razer Cortex and its array of features, please visit www.razerzone.com/cortex/