Two Minute Review : Hape Monkey Pop-Up Track

It’s time for another two minute review: the Monkey Pop-Up Track from Hape.

Three monkeys hide in the jungle just waiting for their chance at snatching a banana treat. Watch as they hop out just as the banana car passes!

The Monkey Pop-Up Track contains 7 separate pieces that you put together – it only takes a few seconds to do that.

The three monkeys click into place ready to pop-up!

The car goes along the track and makes the monkey’s pop-up!

You can add additional pieces of track to make it bigger if you wish.

The Monkey Pop-Up Track from Hape is a very simple, yet extremely fun toy for children aged 18 months and over. There are small pieces which is why you shouldn’t give it to a child under 18 months old.

The track encourages imaginative play, creativity and helps to develop planning and logic skills.

It’s available now from Debenhams priced £15.

The Folio Society Release Dr No

The Folio Society continues their beautifully illustrated reproductions of Ian Fleming’s Bond novels with Dr No.  The third in The Folio Society’s best-selling James Bond series, Dr No once more features the talents of Fay Dalton, who has provided seven images and a stunning slipcase portraying the unforgettable Honeychile Rider.

Dr No by Ian Fleming The Folio Society edition

With a torture-loving villain, a feisty female lead and death-defying feats, including a battle with a giant squid, Dr No sees Fleming revelling in the dramatic appeal of his indestructible hero. Having recently recovered from his near-fatal poisoning at the end of From Russia with Love, Bond is sent to Jamaica for a working holiday. To his annoyance, his mission – to investigate the disappearance of two fellow MI6 operatives – sounds ‘rather like the soft life’. But the elegant Strangways and his pretty young colleague have not eloped, as M believes. Dispatched by sinister assassins, their bodies lie in a single coffin at the bottom of the Mona Reservoir. And so Bond enters an exotic and perilous world, manipulated by the sadistic Dr Julius No from the desolate Crab Key island.

Illustration by Fay Dalton from The Folio Society edition of Dr No © Fay Dalton 2017

Fay Dalton is a London-based illustrator. She has a first-class degree in Illustration and was the winner of the 2010 Pickled Ink Award for illustration. Fay combines traditional drawing and painting methods with digital painting. She has also illustrated Casino Royale (2015) and From Russia with Love (2016) for The Folio Society.

Illustration by Fay Dalton from The Folio Society edition of Dr No © Fay Dalton 2017

The presentation of the book, from the artwork on the case, to the printing on the spine, is lovely.

Having read the James Bond books when I was a child I was eager to see the illustrations from Fay Dalton and how well they integrated into the story, and I wasn’t disappointed. The  illustrations are amazing and really help to bring certain scenes to life.

If you are a fan of James Bond books, this one is a must for your collection. I look forward to getting both Casino Royale and From Russia With Love to see how Fay Dalton has illustrated them.

Available now from the Folio Society priced £34.95.

You can learn more about Dr No and other books from the Folio Society from their website.

A Visit to Collectormania 24 in Birmingham

Last weekend was the Collectormania 24 event run by Showmasters at the NEC in Birmingham and we were there.

There were hundreds of stalls full of TV, Film & Sports memorabilia, photo shoots, panels, autograph sessions and more.

Some of my particular highlights were:

Ming-Na Wen

Nana Visitor

John Barrowman

Robert Patrick

Helen Slater

Dean Cain

Jemma Redgrave

Ben Browder

Ernie Hudson

Julie Benz

Kai Owen

Some very cool LEGO displays

Collectormania events are always a lot of fun, as is the London Film and Comic Con which is back in July.

For future event information, check out the Collectormania website.

First details of Battlefield 1: In the Name of the Tsar Expansion

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Also at EA Play, Battlefield 1 will be getting night time maps this summer as well as a brand new In the Name of The Tsar DLC. Battlefield 1 will be getting 2 new night time maps this summer, these maps will force you to play more tactically as you never know who might be hiding in the dark. The next DLC pack titled In the name of the Tsar will feature 6 new maps, new weapons and vehicles and the feared Women’s battalion. This DLC will be released in September this year.

“Enter the war’s biggest front with the Russian army in the most extensive Battlefield expansion so far. Full expansion available September 2017.”

 

Need for Speed Payback official gameplay trailer revealed at E3

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Today at E3 EA has shown off Need for Speed Payback has today got a new gameplay showcase during EA Play, this mission titled “Highway Heist” involves the player taking down a truck which is transporting a multi-million dollar supercar. The player will switch between the three main characters within the game during the mission, this adds a new dimension to the game and is something we have never seen before in the NFS series.

The gameplay and graphics look fantastic and I can’t wait to get my hands on the game later this year

EA bringing FIFA 18 back and so is Alex Hunter

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Also at this years EA event for E3 it showed of FIFA 18, Alex Hunter is back and will have to decide where his future lies as he has a boat load of offers on the table. Featured YouTube personalities, sports stars and pundits alike, The Journey Returns looks like a great upgrade over the already fantastic The Journey mode which debuted in FIFA 17.

“After a breakthrough first season in the Premier League, the whole world is talking about Alex Hunter. Now he’s back for a second season, and rumour has it, he’s on the move.

The transfer window opens July 1st and you can experience The Journey: Hunter Returns when FIFA 18 launches 29th September, 2017.”

‘A Way Out’ From Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Dev

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Also at today EA Play conference, the company announced A Way Out from Hazelight Studios. It’s a co-op adventure about breaking out of prison. It’s designed to be a two-player split-screen game, with both story sequences and gameplay shown across two perspectives. Even if you play online, it will be split-screen.
A short demo showed how the goals toward the prison break can be accomplished in different ways, through setting accidents in motion or using your fists to wail on guards.

“This game is going to bring a co-op experience unlike anything you have ever seen before,” said Josef Fares, Writer and Director at Hazelight. “The idea for A Way Out came when me and a friend tried to find a story driven co-op game that wasn’t a drop-in/drop-out experience. We simply could not find a game like that. We’re also bringing an innovative look into how to tell the story of both these characters. Players will be immersed in the game with the way we change the display from a full screen experience seamlessly to different cinematic split-screen formats. By focusing on the two characters in different ways, it opens up a huge variety of gameplay, as we really wanted to avoid repetitions so they will get to know the characters through very different situations.”
The Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons developer draws on its experience of co-op and two perspectives, this time with two human players. It’s coming in 2018 to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

BioWare shows of New IP called Anthem at this years E3

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Also at E3 EA showed off a intriguing teaser for BioWare’s new IP, officially called Anthem. The teaser was part of a segment at the EA Play Live conference devoted to the Frostbite and how it will work with Microsoft’s Project Scorpio.
The teaser shows a futuristic world protected by a wall. “It’s our armour that protects us from what lies beyond,” a female voice says. What lies beyond look like inhospitable weather and massive creatures that could easily crush you. “Out there, you either live with the choices you make or die trying to change them.” It looks like players will don some sort of exosuit to go beyond the wall.
EA didn’t reveal any other details, other than the fact that more would be revealed tomorrow during Microsoft’s E3 press conference.

Anthem had previous been codenamed Dylan, and is expected to meld The Division and Destiny-style gameplay in perhaps BioWare’s largest endeavors to date. EA recently delayed the game to fiscal year 2019 to beef up the live services and social features that will be offered with it.

EA debuts Star Wars Battlefront 2 at this years E3

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This first press conference for this years E3 was EA, the company debuted Star Wars Battlefront 2, including a lengthy look at multiplayer. The game will span all three Star Wars eras, and includes free content to keep players engaged “for years to come.”

We also saw a lengthy gameplay demo featuring a battle on Naboo in the prequel era.
John Boyega even dropped by to tease Finn as a part of the Season 1 content, implying that a second season is coming too.

Marvel’s Black Panther Teaser Trailer and Poster released

Marvel have released a teaser trailer and new poster for Black Panther.

And here is the new teaser trailer:

Marvel’s Black Panther will be released in the UK on 12th February 2018.

A Visit to Heroes and Villains Fan Fest London 2017

A couple of weeks ago, Heroes and Villains Fan Fest was in London, and we were there.

This is how Heroes and Villains Fan Fest is described on their website:

What is Heroes and Villains? We bring the stars of today’s comic inspired television shows & movies to you! From Agents of SHIELD to Guardians of the Galaxy, we’ve got it! Best of all? You won’t just meet superheroes…you’ll become one! Fly on our free zip line, or practice your skills with safe archery! Climb our velcro wall like Spiderman, or test your agility on our inflatable obstacle course! There’s something for everyone!”

The event took place over the weekend of the 27th and 28th May at Olympia in London. Heroes and Villains Fan Fest the brainchild of actor Stephen Amell and James Frazier, creator of the zombie and horror event Walker Stalker Con has become an incredibly popular convention, offering something for everyone from the diehard fan… to families… to those with a growing interest in the genre. More than 20 of the most popular actors from shows and films such as Arrow, Supergirl, The Flash, Gotham, Agent Carter, Guardians of the Galaxy were in attendance, meeting their fans, signing autographs, having pictures taken. There were also talks given by the various stars, including John Barrowman in a dress and heels!

Here are some of my personal highlights from the show.

Stephen Amell

Michael Rooker

Sean Gunn

John Barrowman

Italia Ricci and Robbie Amell

Maisie Richardson-Sellers

Emily Bett Rickards

Brandon Routh

Milo Ventimiglia

Stanley Tucci

Mehcad Brooks

Charlotte Ross

All in all it was a great weekend, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of any of the shows represented, or even if you just want a fun day out.

I can’t wait for Heroes and Villains Fan Fest to come back to London again soon.

For more information on Heroes and Villains Fan Fest, check out their website.

Lucidsound announces the LS15X Wireless In-Ear Contour Gaming Headset

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LucidSound has announced the LS15X Wireless In-Ear Contour Gaming Headset. The LS15X provides a wireless gaming solution for maximum comfort and a crystal-clear chat which is expected to ship this Winter.

Similar to the previously announced LS35X, the LS15X connects directly to Xbox One consoles, with no cables and no base station. The LS15X features the same Xbox Wireless technology as the Xbox Wireless Controller, automatically configuring for hassle-free setup and providing continuous compatibility across the Xbox One family of devices, which includes Xbox One, Xbox One S and Project Scorpio.

LucidSound officially licensed LS15X In-Ear Contour Gaming Headset

The LS15X is unique from typical gaming headsets offering Xbox players a way to enjoy richly detailed audio without the ear fatigue, heat, or moisture concerns common when wearing a traditional headset for a sustained gaming session. The LS15X is designed to sit on the shoulders and neck, extremely lightweight and barely noticeable to the gamer making it a great solution for gamers who wear glasses or earrings. Integrated stereo speakers can be used in lieu of the earbuds that provide a personal audio space allowing players to keep track of the action while reducing isolation and allowing awareness of external sounds. Communication is handled with an advanced digital microphone that has been engineered for clear and reliable voice communications while blocking out ambient audio to teammates.

“LucidSound is designing and engineering new audio products for this generation of gaming,” said Chris Von Huben, CEO of LucidSound. “In May of this year, we announced the world’s first headset to connect directly to Xbox One consoles and it means a lot to us to hear the positive reaction from the Xbox community. With the LS15X, we’re raising the bar, offering an entirely new concept in gaming audio which we feel will be a generational leap forward for Xbox gamers everywhere.”

The LS15X features dockable earbuds which can be used in either mono or stereo configuration, comfortably sitting in the ear, and offering impressive levels of audio fidelity. In addition, the earbuds are ‘Surround Sound Ready’ with Windows Sonic for Headphones, as well as Dolby Atmos for Headphones providing optional surround sound to the player. Rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides ample gaming per charge and Windows 10 users can connect the LS15X directly to new PCs that include built-in Xbox Wireless technology or by using the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows.

Johnny Gat is back… in Agents of Mayhem now let the fun begin

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Johnny Gat is back he just couldn’t keep away. Saints Row fans love him, Saints Row fans want to be him, and now they can.

The “Have God recreate the Earth and retcon the entire world of Saints Row” ending of Gat out of Hell means that the dead don’t stay dead. Johnny is back where he was born, Seoul and he’s a cop; the events of Devil’s Night left Johnny in a coma. On waking almost a year later Johnny discovers that all of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency have been wiped out and replaced with C.O.P robot units. Johnny hates robots but loves guns and his reputation for wanton destruction makes him the perfect fit for MAYHEM.

Exclusively available to those pre-ordering Agents of Mayhem at retail and on Steam, Johnny Gat will be the 13th Agent of Mayhem. Featuring his unlock mission, his personal mission, vehicle and character and weapon skins, and the unmistakable voice of Daniel Dae Kim, that’s a whole lot of Johnny.

But that’s not all, in addition to Johnny Gat, pre ordering Agents of Mayhem at retail will also secure the “Legal Action Pending” skin pack for Hollywood, Hardtack, Fortune, Braddock, Yeti and Daisy.

For those that prefer to pre-order digitally, the 13th Agent will be Lazarus. A brand new and exclusive character, Lazarus is a merging of woman and machine; the top rung of the evolutionary ladder. As an agent of MAYHEM, she encounters an endless stream of competitors ready to challenge her for that distinction. While she’s evolved beyond her own humanity, she still has a great love and respect for humankind as a whole. MAYHEM allows her to watch over those quirky human beings whose flaws and peculiarities continue to fascinate her to this day.

In addition to Lazarus, those that pre-order from Steam, PlayStation Store or Xbox Marketplace will receive the “Legal Action Pending” skin pack for Hollywood, Hardtack, Fortune, Braddock, Yeti, Daisy Red Card, Rama and Joule.

Agents of Mayhem is a single-player, open-world, third-person action game for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC releasing on 15th August in USA / 18th August for everywhere else.

Plantronics/Dolby team up to bring Xbox One/Project Scorpio/Windows 10 gamers a New Dimension of Sound

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Plantronics has today announced a partnership with Dolby Laboratories Inc.  To give gamers a competitive edge with Dolby Atmos audio technology that heightens players sense of awareness and gaming experience. In a revolutionary leap forward from surround sound, Plantronics RIG 400LX, RIG 600LX and the wireless RIG 800LX headphones will be bundled with codes that will let the end user activate Dolby Atmos for Headphones at no additional cost on their Xbox One console or Windows 10 PC to provide powerful, moving audio that sweeps around and above gamers with increased precision and realism.

Since building the first modular gaming headset designed for the competitive player, we’ve challenged ourselves to explore how audio can improve gaming, whether it’s bringing gamers closer together or to the heart of the action, said Jack Reynolds, Gaming Director for Plantronics.We believe that gamers who invest in next-gen graphics deserve next-gen sound, and Dolby’s mission to transform entertainment makes them the perfect partner to create that heightened experience.

Dolby Atmos provides gamers with advanced spatial precision by changing the way developers treat in-game sound. Instead of pushing flattened audio through 2-D stereo channels, Dolby Atmos gives gamers the full positional data of their surroundings by treating audio as individual objects that realistically move around them. With Plantronics RIG gaming headsets featuring Dolby Atmos for Headphones, gamers can hear audio cues coming from the front, back, above and below.

With Dolby Atmos, gamers can more easily identify individual audio elements from their environment, and quickly pinpoint their source, said Spencer Hooks, Director, Games at Dolby. We saw collaborating with Plantronics as a tremendous opportunity to provide gamers with a more intimate and accurate sense of the digital world around them.

In addition to including Dolby Atmos for Headphones, the new RIG 400LX, RIG 600LX and wireless RIG 800LX deliver the signature lightweight construction, versatile design, sound isolating earcups and audio controls at your fingertips that define the Plantronics RIG family of gaming headsets.

Plantronics RIG 800LX Wireless

  • Performance audio: Game all day with 24-hour battery life and lag-free wireless connection to Xbox One. Amplified sound with matched 40 mm drivers brings the soundstage to life. Low frequency resonators reinforce bass and limit distortion. Voice feedback lets you monitor your outgoing chat levels and quality. The noise-canceling microphone ensures your teammates hear you, not the room you’re in. When you’re done with talk, just flip up the microphone to mute it.
  • Precise controls: Earcup mounted dials let you quickly adjust the balance between game and chat audio, as well as master volume. Choose one of four EQ settings to isolate pure highs, intensify the mid-range, enjoy seismic bass or enhance vocal focus.

Plantronics RIG 600LX and RIG 400LX

Both models include the LX1 pro level amp with three audio EQ modes, dual analog control-wheels for game/chat balance and an aux input for music.

The RIG 400LX features 40 mm, high-sensitivity drivers that deliver crisp, powerful sound that puts you right in the middle of the action. The noise-cancelling boom microphone is always ready for chat and ensures your teammates hear you loud and clear.

The RIG 600LX delivers a balanced soundstage with distortion-free bass that drops you in the action without masking the subtle audio cues that keep you in the game.

Availability and Pricing

The RIG 400LX, 600LX and wireless 800LX headsets for the Xbox One family of devices (Xbox One, Xbox One S, Project Scorpio) and Windows 10 will be available this fall at Plantronics.com and major retailers for $99.99, $129.99 and $149.99, respectively. Additional Atmos-enabled models will also be announced later in the year.