Watch the Cinematic Borderlands 3 Launch Trailer!

Sean McCarthy
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0
Watch the Cinematic Borderlands 3 Launch Trailer!

A Psycho cult threatens to tear the galaxy a new one. They’ll have to get through you first. Borderlands 3 is almost here — see you September 13th on PlayStation 4, Xbox One family of consoles and PC!

Stop the fanatical Calypso Twins from uniting the bandit clans and claiming the galaxy’s ultimate power. Only you, a thrill-seeking Vault Hunter, have the arsenal and allies to take them down.

BORDERLANDS 3 The original shooter-looter returns, packing bazillions of guns and an all-new mayhem-fueled adventure. Blast your way through new worlds and enemies as one of four brand new Vault Hunters, each with deep skill trees, abilities, and customization. Play solo or join with friends to take on insane enemies, collect loads of loot and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.

All Vault Hunters are capable of awesome mayhem alone, but together they are unstoppable. LOCK, LOAD, AND LOOT With bazillions of guns and gadgets, every fight is an opportunity to score new gear. Firearms with self-propelling bullet shields? Check. Rifles that spawn fire-spewing volcanoes? Obviously. Guns that grow legs and chase down enemies while hurling verbal insults? Yeah, got that too.

Discover new worlds beyond Pandora, each featuring unique environments to explore and enemies to destroy. Tear through hostile deserts, battle your way across war-torn cityscapes, navigate deadly bayous, and more!

QUICK & SEAMLESS CO-OP ACTION Play with anyone at any time online or in split-screen co-op, regardless of your level or mission progress. Take down enemies and challenges as a team, but reap rewards that are yours alone – no one misses out on loot!

For more exclusive Borderlands 3 info:

New Trailer for Kingdom Hearts III ‘Re Mind’ DLC

Sean McCarthy
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0
New Trailer for Kingdom Hearts III ‘Re Mind’ DLC

Ahead of the Tokyo Game Show, SQUARE ENIX gave Keyblade wielders an early look at new DLC coming to KINGDOM HEARTS III titled, “Re Mind”. This winter, players can experience a new episode as they continue their adventure in the beloved action-RPG series, encountering new obstacles and bosses to battle.

The Tokyo Game Show trailer showcases new story scenes along with Sora’s new battle form as he takes on the evil Organization XIII.

In the upcoming DLC, players travel to a familiar realm and encounter powerful new bosses. In some of the additional battles, players will be able to switch characters. Players can also obtain additional Keyblades by downloading the free update.

KINGDOM HEARTS III Re Mind will launch this winter for the PlayStation 4  and the Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X.

Related Links:
Official Website: www.kingdomhearts.com
Twitter: @KingdomHearts
Facebook: @KingdomHearts
YouTube: www.youtube.com/KingdomHearts
Instagram: @KingdomHearts

TEAM 17’s Blasphemous Out Now for Consoles and PC

Sean McCarthy
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0
TEAM 17’s Blasphemous Out Now for Consoles and PC

The time to repent is now. Blasphemous is available now!

Blasphemous is a punishing action-platformer that combines the fast-paced, skilled combat of a hack-n-slash game with a deep and evocative narrative core, delivered through exploration of a huge universe comprised of non-linear levels.

Blasphemous is out now for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

Learn more: http://bit.ly/Blasphemous-OutNow

Netatmo announces the availability of its Smart Alarm System with Camera

Andrew Edney
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0
Netatmo announces the availability of its Smart Alarm System with Camera

Netatmo has announced the availability of its Smart Alarm System with Camera.

Featuring the Smart Indoor Camera, the Smart Indoor Siren and Smart Door and Window Sensors, the Netatmo Smart Alarm System with Camera is a complete home security solution.

The Netatmo Smart Indoor Camera alerts the user in real time with precise notifications. It uses facial recognition technology to distinguish between a stranger, a loved one and a harmless movement. When the camera detects an unknown face, the user is sent a real-time alert to their smartphone with a photo and video of the event.

Smart Door and Window Sensors pick up any movement or vibration, indicating that someone is trying to force user’s doors and windows open. The user thus instantly receives a precise notification on their smartphone such as “Movement detected at the kitchen window”.

Smart Door and Window Sensors also allow the user to check the status of their doors and windows by opening the app. Depending on the selected settings, the Sensors can also send an alert if a door or window has been open for an amount of time specified by the user.

The Smart Indoor Siren works with the Camera and the Smart Door and Window Sensors. It automatically triggers its deafening 110 dB alarm when the Smart Indoor Camera detects an intruder, or if specific Door and Window Sensors detect movement at a door or window.

The user receives a precise real-time notification on their smartphone, such as “Unknown person detected”, and video of the event filmed by the Camera.

The user can also trigger or deactivate the Siren in the Netatmo Security app.

The Smart Alarm System with Camera settings can be fully customised

The user can customise the Smart Alarm System with Camera settings in the Netatmo Security app and only receive relevant alerts. For example, the alarm can be set so that it sounds only if the user is not at home, depending on whether various criteria are met, such as if the Indoor Camera detects an unknown face or a movement, or if specific Door and Window Sensors detect movement at a door or window.

A range of pre-recorded sounds such as barking or a regular beep can also be activated from the app to simulate a presence and deter burglars.

To make things simpler, the Smart Alarm System with Video activates and deactivates automatically when the user leaves home or returns home. Thanks to the Smart Indoor Camera’s facial recognition technology, the system detects user’s presence in their home and turns itself off.

Lastly, the user can deactivate all alerts sent by the Door and Window Sensors when members of the family are at home. In this way, the user will not receive any unnecessary notifications if a loved one opens the windows to air the house.

No subscription required

All features of the Smart Alarm System with Camera are available free of charge. No subscription or additional costs are required to use the system or access its data.

Privacy

The videos recorded by the Smart Indoor Camera are saved locally on an internal micro-SD card. They can also be automatically transferred and archived on the user’s Dropbox account or personal FTP server.

Fast, easy setup

The Netatmo Smart Alarm System with Camera is easy to set up. The user downloads the Netatmo Security app to their smartphone to connect the products. He puts the Camera and Siren in the entrance to their home and attaches the Door and Window Sensors to the doors and windows he wants to monitor. The user can install one Siren per Indoor Camera, and up to 12 Door and Window Sensors.

Availability and compatibility

The Smart Door and Window Sensors will be available for purchase from September 6th2019, and the Smart Indoor Siren from September 26th2019, on www.netatmo.com.

The Smart Indoor Camera retails for £199,99, the Smart Indoor Siren for £69,99 and the pack of 3 Smart Door and Window Sensors for £89,99.

The Smart Indoor Siren and the Smart Door and Window Sensors are accessories of the Smart Indoor Camera and are not functional without it.

The Netatmo Security app is completely free and compatible with iPhones and iPads with iOS 10 or above and Android smartphones and tablets from 5.0.

The Netatmo Web app is available on Mac and PC.

Review: Paw Patrol Driving Simulator from Kids@Play

Andrew Edney
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0
Review: Paw Patrol Driving Simulator from Kids@Play

Here is our review of the Paw Patrol Driving Simulator from Kids@Play.

Children will enjoy hours of fun without leaving the house with this innovative Paw Patrol driving simulator. The moving screen offers amazing entertainment, with an adjustable seat and additional lights and sounds for endless racing fun that your children will love.

What’s in the box?

The box contains all the parts to build the simulator, including some stickers and instructions.

A Closer Look

Final Thoughts

My son is a huge fan of Paw Patrol and so when we had the opportunity to review the Paw Patrol Driving Simulator from Kids@Play we jumped at the chance.

The driving simulator is an officially licensed product and comes with Paw Patrol stickers to fit on the completed simulator.

There are a number of pieces in the box that need fitting together but it is very simple to put together and you should be up and running ready to drive in a few minutes. The only thing you might need to adjust is the seat position, but that’s easy.

The steering wheel is where all the action takes place, and it needs 3 AA batteries which are not included, so make sure you fit the batteries before you fit the steering wheel to the seat (it just easier that way).

When your little one is ready to drive, they just sit in the seat and turn the key to start the engine. There are lots of sounds that come out, including engine noises, horns, phones, sirens and more. The car in the centre of the screen moves upwards (well to be technical the screen moves downwards whilst the car stays in place) and by turning the steering wheel the car moves left and right.

Whilst this sounds fairly simple, it’s a lot of fun and actually reminded me of lots of games I used to play as a kid myself.

If your little one is a fan of Paw Patrol and loves driving games then this is the toy for you, and with Christmas coming up, it’s certainly one you should have on your Christmas list! It will keep them quiet for hours on end.

Paw Patrol are on a roll!

The Paw Patrol Driving Simulator from Kids@Play is available now priced £79.99 and is aimed at ages 2 and up. You can learn more from their website and check out some of their other cool toys and gifts.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Being Remastered for PS4 and Switch

Sean McCarthy
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0
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Being Remastered for PS4 and Switch

SQUARE ENIX has announced that the beloved action-RPG adventure FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES will return with online multiplayer and other brand new features as FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4  and iOS and Android mobile devices on January 23rd, 2020. A preview version of the game will make its first appearance this week, on the show floor at Tokyo Game Show.

The cooperative action RPG FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES has been completely remastered, with brand-new features that make the experience more enchanting than ever. Playing with friends or solo, explore a stunning fantasy world and make new memories with fantastic characters and fun action-RPG gameplay.

New features for the game include:

  • Updated Visuals and Audio – Experience the world of FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES in stunning new ways, with upgraded graphics and audio updates enhancing the magical adventure like never before.
  • New Character Voiceovers – Playable heroes come to life with brand-new voiceovers as they cast spells and battle ferocious monsters.
  • New Online Multiplayer – Play online with up to three friends to overcome the dangerous monsters and dungeons that fill the world*. No players are left behind, as the game supports cross-play functionality.
  • New Dungeons and Bosses – Challenging new dungeons and bosses have been added to the game, allowing for even more fun and exciting gameplay opportunities.
  • New Character Appearances and Items – Stand out with brand-new looks and artifacts to equip and use throughout your magical journey.

For more information, please visit https://sqex.link/tig.

Related Links:
Official Website: https://sqex.link/tig
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasy
Twitter: http://twitter.com/finalfantasy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finalfantasy/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/finalfantasy

Win Pokémon Detective Pikachu on Blu-ray

Andrew Edney
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2
Win Pokémon Detective Pikachu on Blu-ray

The world of Pokémon comes to life in Ryme City when Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ Pokémon Detective Pikachu arrives on DVD, Blu-ray™, 3D Blu- ray™, 4K Ultra HD and 4K Steelbook on 16th September. Get it first on Digital Download now.

To celebrate the release, we are giving three lucky winners the chance to get their hands on a Blu-ray™.

When detective Harry Goodman goes missing, his son Tim (Justice Smith) and Harry’s former Pokémon partner Detective Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds) join forces to unravel the tangled mystery. Chasing clues together on an epic adventure through Ryme City, they uncover a shocking plot that could destroy the whole Pokémon universe.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu also stars Kathryn Newton (Lady Bird, TV’s Big Little Lies, Blockers) as Lucy, a junior reporter following her first big story. The supporting cast includes Suki Waterhouse (Insurgent, Love, Rosie, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), Omar Chaparro (Overboard, Kung Fu Panda), Chris Geere (TV’s Modern Family, TV’s You’re The Worst, Ill Behavior), multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter Rita Ora (TV’s America’s Next Top Model, Fifty Shades Of Grey), Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai, Inception, Godzilla) andBill Nighy (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest).

How to enter to win

We have three copies of Pokémon Detective Pikachu on Blu-ray to give away.

Win Pokémon Detective Pikachu on Blu-ray

The closing date is 12.00am on 22nd September 2019.

This contest is only open to those in the UK – sorry!

© 2019 Legendary and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. © 2019 Pokémon.

For further information on Pokémon Detective Pikachu, follow @WarnerBrosUK or visit www.warnerbros.co.uk

Watch The Surge 2 ‘You Are What You Kill’ Trailer

Sean McCarthy
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0
Watch The Surge 2 ‘You Are What You Kill’ Trailer

The Surge 2: Pick your load-out in the most violent way possible with the new You Are What You Kill Trailer

The Surge 2 brings the nanomachine nightmare of Jericho City to players everywhere on September 24 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. To survive this brutal world you will need new equipment – and The Surge franchise’s iconic limb-cutting mechanics provide just such an opportunity. In this new video see how every weapon, every piece of enemy armor and equipment can be targeted, torn off, and equipped to your exo-rig. This produces new builds, letting you destroy your enemies in ever-more-satisfying ways.

Combat in The Surge 2 is quick, brutal, and packed with decision making. With new and deadly techniques like directional parries, drones, and brand new weapon types, The Surge 2 upgrades everything. Your style is your own, from picking implants and armor set bonuses to how you use energy, stamina, health or ammunition. Combined with an intricate world to explore and incredible, unique bosses, The Surge 2 is an action-RPG experience like no-other.

Pre-orders are now available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and come with the URBN Gear Pack, which includes a new armor set, two new weapons, and other cosmetics and equipment.

The Surge 2 releases September 24.

Watch the Greedfall Launch Trailer

Sean McCarthy
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0
Watch the Greedfall Launch Trailer

GreedFall is just four days away from release! The fantasy RPG, developed by Spiders Studio in partnership with Focus Home Interactive, embarks on its great journey on September 10, on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Today, the soaring Launch Trailer is here to sweep you away to adventure and heart-wrenching conflict.

The mysterious and magical island of Teer Fradee looms on the horizon, a beacon of hope for your disease-ridden homeland. Uneasy relationships simmer between the island’s many factions, both settler and native, as you arrive as a diplomat and seeker of a cure.

Freedom and the power to choose both lie at the heart of GreedFall. Shape your story from character creation to conclusion, carving your path through impactful decisions and your choices in talents, skills and attributes. Choose which companions to bring on your journey, carefully considering their talents and loyalties, while crafting equipment for your entire party to look and play the way you want. Befriend, betray, and make the toughest choices as you shape your destiny and the island’s.

Greedfall launches on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on September 10th 2019.

The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut Out Now

Sean McCarthy
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0
The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut Out Now

inXile Entertainment, the studio acquired by Microsoft and founded by Brian Fargo, is proud to announce The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut is now available on Xbox Game Pass, the PlayStation Store, and digital PC stores such as Steam and GOG for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Retail copies for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X will arrive September 6 in Europe and October 4 in North America.

The Director’s Cut is loaded with new features, fixes, and content, making it the truly definitive edition of The Bard’s Tale IV. Along with an Unreal Engine update that has the game looking, playing, and sounding better than ever, The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut directly addresses feedback received from the game’s initial launch with thousands of fixes and tweaks included. Those who already own the PC game will receive the Director’s Cut content and improvements as a free update.

New features of The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut include:
–        A new end-game chapter that adds hours of additional content
–        New enemies, items, and weapons, including dwarven master-crafted weapons
–        Thousands of fixes and improvements across the game
–        Refined and more feature-rich UI
–        More class/gender character creation options
–        Rebalanced combat and encounters
–        Additional difficulty settings
–        Full gamepad support across all platforms

Each version of The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut includes bonus in-game items, with the Deluxe Edition on PC offering a wide range of art, music, and the original (and remastered) The Bard’s Tale Trilogy series of games.

More information:
inXile Twitter
inXile Facebook
inXile YouTube

War Revealed as Playable Character in Darksiders Genesis

Sean McCarthy
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0
War Revealed as Playable Character in Darksiders Genesis

War, the Rider of the Red Horse, is both honorable and savage. The youngest of the Four Horseman, but his age is no indication of his experience on the battleground. He has battled countless enemies with his furious weapon Chaoseater and the protection of his impervious armor. Always by his side is Ruin, War’s phantom steed. Ruin is both mighty and graceful with its blackened coat and fiery hooves and mane. War was wrongly framed by Abaddon for starting the Apocalypse too soon and was imprisoned for over one hundred years by The Charred Council. Well, at least he has beautiful long and white hair. Without split ends.

In Darksiders Genesis you can choose to play either War or his brother Strife, and head into combat side by side in two player cooperative mode. The story takes place before the events of the original game when Lucifer, the enigmatic and deceptive demon king, plots to upset the Balance by granting power to master demons throughout Hell. If you are a melee type of gamer, War is your (gauntlet) left-hand.

Darksiders Genesis is an action/adventure that tears its way through hordes of demons, angels, and everything in-between on its way to Hell and back with guns blazing and swords swinging. Genesis gives players their first look at the world of Darksiders before the events of the original game, as well as introduces the horseman Strife.

Features

  • Blast angels and demons as the gunslinging Horseman Strife, playable for the first time
  • Swap between the powerful swordsman War and Strife instantly in frenetic, single-player gameplay
  • Explore the epic world of Darksiders and wreak havoc with a friend in two-player cooperative mode
  • Experience a brand new story campaign that takes place before the original Darksiders, exploring the origin of the Seven Seals
  • Grow in strength and power as you collect items, abilities, weapon enhancements, creature cores and more

Darksiders Genesis will release on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Google Stadia later this year.

For more information about Darksiders Genesis please visit the official website: www.darksiders.com. Or follow Darksiders on Twitter for the latest news and updates @darksiders

Watch the GEARS 5 Official Launch Trailer – The CHAIN

Sean McCarthy
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0
Watch the GEARS 5 Official Launch Trailer – The CHAIN

In Gears 5, you get to explore vast new worlds, face brutal new enemies, and uncover the dark secret hiding just below the surface of Sera and Kait herself.

The piece is driven by the Fleetwood Mac classic “The Chain”, covered by Evanesence lead vocalist, Amy Lee. This darker, warped version of the classic song twists the original’s meaning to embody the dark threat of Kait’s bloodline calling out to her.

GEARS 5 launches on September 10th, but from the 6th, those who purchased the GEARS 5 Ultimate Edition can play right now thanks to early access as well as subscribers to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: https://www.xbox.com/xbox-game-pass

Assassin’s Creed The Rebel Collection Announced for Switch

Sean McCarthy
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0
Assassin’s Creed The Rebel Collection Announced for Switch

Ubisoft has announced that Assassin’s Creed The Rebel Collection will be available exclusively for Nintendo Switch on December 6th, 2019. Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection includes Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag with all single-player DLCs and Assassin’s Creed Rogue. From becoming the most feared pirate in the Caribbean to transforming into the ultimate assassin hunter, players will have the opportunity to discover or rediscover two major opuses from the Assassin’s Creed series fully playable offline and on-the-go with Nintendo Switch.

This exclusive compilation takes full advantage of the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch, including enhanced features such as Handheld Mode, HD Rumble, Touchscreen Interface, Optimized HUD, and Motion Control Aiming.

Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection includes:

  • Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag: Players will sail into the Golden Age of Piracy, where pirates have established their own lawless Republic. Playing as Edward Kenway, the most feared pirate captain in the Caribbean, drawn into the ancient war between the Assassins and Templars, they will take part in world-famous battles, discover hidden treasures, and earn the respect of legendary characters like Blackbeard. The game’s vast open world features countless remote islands where corruption, greed, and cruelty are commonplace.
  • All single-player DLCs: Play as Aveline during a rogue period of self-discovery, unsure of her alliances, but more committed than ever to defending and liberating slaves. In Freedom Cry, former slave Adewale finds freedom as a pirate aboard Edward Kenway’s ship. 15 years later, Adewale becomes a trained Assassin to free the slaves and avenge them. Both these DLCs and more will be available in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

Assassin’s Creed Rogue: Amidst the chaos of the French and Indian War, players will embrace one man’s slow descent into darkness, forever shaping the future of the American colonies. As Shay Patrick Cormac, they will transform from a loyal member of the Assassin Brotherhood into the ultimate assassin hunter. On a perilous journey through America and the icy cold waters of the North Atlantic, players will take the perspective of a Templar for the first time in franchise history.

For more information on Assassin’s Creed, visit: assassinscreed.com.

For the latest on Assassin’s Creed: The Rebel Collection visit the dedicated page: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/assassins-creed-rebel-collection/

To discover more about Ubisoft’s games, visit Ubisoft News: https://news.ubisoft.com

My Day at the Xbox UK ‘Gears Ink’ London Event!

Sean McCarthy
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0
My Day at the Xbox UK ‘Gears Ink’ London Event!

There is no escaping the launch of GEARS 5 which if you purchased the GEARS 5 Ultimate Edition or are a subscriber to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you now have early access to the game from today (06/09/2019) and Xbox had certainly doubled down on the marketing ahead of the game’s launch. Across six cities around the world, Los Angeles, Berlin, Melbourne, Paris, Mexico City and our very own London, Xbox ran a special celebration event for the launch of GEARS 5 early access called ‘Gears Ink’ and yours truly managed to go to London….and it quickly became the most memorable day of 2019 for me!

I have been fortunate and lucky enough to be able to go to press events and game launch events over the years, but the GEARS Ink event was truly something very special. I learned that the Xbox UK team took point on this event, with branding and concepts for the London Event that were then used for all the events across the six cities which is staggering but amazing to see the Xbox UK team getting that level of recognition, especially when XO19 will be held in London in November.

Arriving at the London venue, The Bike Shed in Shoreditch London, the vibe was already being generated just walking up to the place before being greeted at the door by the amazing Xbox UK team. Walking into the place and it immediately blew me away to see how the building had been decorated amazingly with the ‘Gears Ink’ branding and it looked great.

Guests at the event were also able to get first time hands on with the multiplayer modes of GEARS 5 and the brand-new co-op Escape mode which for me, will no doubt be my go-to mode after the campaign alongside Horde Mode. GEARS 5 on Xbox One X’s in full 4K was breathtakingly stunning, the character models and maps just popped out of the TV screen running at 4K and 60fps across all the game modes. Starting off with the MP and being a little rusty with Gears PvP, picked up the brand new Kait Xbox One Controller which is striking all by itself and jumped into a match with other guests. The cover system has been refined and feels so intuitive now getting in and out of cover as you explore the map hunting down the opposing team. Now I am going to use the classic “distracted by how gorgeous it looks” excuse here, because in the first 5 minutes of playing this mode, I was killed three times by Linda Hamilton, which is not something I ever expected to say when it comes to a GEARS game. Finally getting to see the Terminator: Dark Fate characters of Sarah Connor and the Exo-skeleton T-800 in game was simply awesome. After Linda Hamilton took me down…a few times..I was then blindsided by Emile from HALO: Reach so you can say that my first ten minutes with GEARS 5 was definitely something to remember!

Now of course with the event being called ‘Gears Ink’ you may be forgiven for wondering what the Ink meant in the title, well not only were guests able to get exclusive first hands on time with GEARS 5, but a very lucky chosen few were also able to get a unique Gears inspired tattoo from one of three iconic tattoo artists on the day. Now this was probably the first sign of the incredible luck I was going to experience this day, as when I arrived and was asked if I was here for a tattoo and explained that whilst registering for the event, I was told due to overwhelming demand that I would be on the waiting list but upon arriving at the venue the quite frankly, and you will hear a lot of praise from me to the Xbox UK team on site, there was a opportunity to have one done so I immediately jumped at the chance. The tattoo artist I was fortunate to get was Emma Budonis with her assistant MiaLeo from the ‘Through my Third Eye’ studio based in London.

Each of the three artists came up with their own designs and after being met with a hello and incredible hug from Emma, because she is a self-confessed hugger, I was asked the pre-tattoo checks like checking to make sure I had eaten already and if I was ok to go ahead. Then I was able to look at the choices of design to have but one stuck out more than the others and I simply had to have it. I have a couple of tattoos already but from over ten years ago so I was rather excited to have the tattoo done and Emma and MiaLeo were so brilliant, constantly checking to make sure I was ok throughout the session but also just having a good chat about gaming and tattooing etc. It took just over an hour, which was the allotted time each artist has because they were scheduled to do tattoos all day, right up to 10pm when event closed. After completion I was given an aftercare kit to properly keep the tattoo healed and protected over the next 10 or 14 days that it would take to heal, but I was very happy with how it came out.

The surprises did not end there for the day, as I carefully rested my arm to let the new tattoo heal, the event had poster signings with the illustrators behind the Gears Ink logo and Bound by Blood designs, Luke Preece and Bill Elis which I sadly missed as I was having my tattoo done. This signing was then followed by the voice actors behind the characters of JD and Del from GEARS 5, Liam McIntyre and Eugene Bryd also signed posters for fans in the afternoon. I also have to say just how friendly and humble these two guys are, they took photos with fans and chatted away about the game, I was even able to talk with them for a good 20 minutes and they even took a photo of my tattoo to send to the developers over at Coalition back in the US.

The afternoon was dedicated to the fans at home unable to come to the event as the LIVE stream began hosted by Simon Miller, who is also a genuinely nice guy who took ten mins out to have a chat with me and complimented me on my recent joining of the “dome club”, with streams of the opening to the GEARS 5 campaign, showcasing the new Escape mode and a streamer vs streamer challenge with members of the Xbox On team, Benny Central and Leah leading the teams. The streams were also offering giveaways throughout the day. It was also a bonus to see just what it takes to put a professional live stream together and believe me when I say that behind the camera focused on the action, there is a massive team of people ensuring it all goes to plan and they run around like you would not believe!

As the afternoon progressed, I chose to head home in order to enjoy the stream as a fan, but just being at the event was an honest privilege and pleasure. So thankful to every member of the Xbox UK team who ran the event but special shout out to Charleyy Hodson and Samuel Bateman who behind the scenes handled the staggering social media for the event as well as the live streams, them and their team who put this event together deserve the highest of high fives for their dedication and vision for Gears Ink.

The event was so popular that they have actually extended it, so today Friday 06/09/19 you can head down to The Bike Shed, Old Street London, and see the event for yourself and enjoy it which I hope you are able to do if you have the chance.

Oh before I end I mentioned how the tattoo was just the start of the many surprises or my incredible luck that I had yesterday, well….when I got home and put the LIVE stream on, they kicked off the biggest giveaway of the day, the chance to win the brand new and exquisite GEARS 5 Limited Edition Xbox One X console….and halfway through playing the opening tutorial of the game as early access kicked off at 9PM UK time that day, my phone went berserk…..and then I was told….I WON THE CONSOLE!!!

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