“Sonic Forces: Speed Battle” Makes Its Global Debut

Posted by Ashley Williams 

Today SEGA ® Networks, Inc. launches Sonic Forces: Speed Battle, the much-anticipated real-time multiplayer game that pits players against opponents from around the world in action-packed battles. Sonic Forces: Speed Battleis now available to download for free (with rewarded ads and in app purchases) from the App Store™ for iPhone™ and iPad™* - and it’s already optimized for the iPhone X™. Additionally, the game is coming to Google Play™ for Android™ devices on November 16, 2017**.
 
Developed by HARDlight™, the UK-based studio known for Sonic Dash™, Crazy Taxi™: City Rush, and Sonic Jump™, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle features 15 playable characters from the upcoming Sonic Forces™ console game, including fan favorites like Classic Sonic, Knuckles, Amy, and Omega, as well as lesser-seen characters like Zavok, Metal Sonic, and Chaos. At launch, the game offers 12 tracks, set across three unique environments, two of which were inspired by the Sonic Forces console game. Players can build a roster of characters, leveling up their squad in an effort to battle their way up global and regional leaderboards.
 
“With its fast-paced multiplayer action, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle continues our vision of bringing entertaining, high-quality titles to the mobile space,” said Takashi Iizuka, VP of Product Development of SEGA of America™. “We look forward to seeing how fans respond to the unique runner style and competitive gameplay.”
 
“With our combined experience making racing games and runners, in Sonic Forces: Speed Battle, we set out to make a battle racing game that is - above all things - fun to play, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.” said Chris Southall, who heads up HARDlight. “Each game sees you matched with three close rivals to compete online in fast-paced, real-time, first-across-the-line battles. Use skill and strategy to navigate the exciting arenas of play, collecting and deploying items on the track to thwart your competitor’s progress. There’s a wide variety of power-ups and characters that we are sure will keep fans delighted as over time they fight to win and rise through the ranks, accessing ever more challenging levels.”
 
Download Sonic Forces: Speed Battle now to satisfy your need for speed and - if you’re any good - victory!

For those who want a double dose of Sonic Forces, the console game - a fast-paced action platformer - will launch on November 7th, 2017 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
*Sonic Forces: Speed Battle is not currently available in Japan, Korea, or Mainland China
 
** Although Sonic Forces: Speed Battle is now only available on iOS, the dev team is hard at work to perfect the experience for a vast number of Android devices and will be ready to launch on the Google Play Store on November 16th, 2017.

SteelSeries Announces Tenkeyless Version of its APEX M750 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Posted by Young Jeohn 

Today, SteelSeries announced a ten-keyless variant of its APEX M750 mechanical gaming keyboard, the Apex M750 TKL. It features the high build quality and esports performance of the original M750, but in a compact and transportable 10-keyless design.

The M750 TKL uses SteelSeries’ QX2 mechanical switches, features a sleek and durable 5000 Series aluminum metal-alloy frame with a black matte finish, ultra-bright, individual RGB LEDs, and is compatible with SteelSeries Engine apps for crucial in-game notifications, to give gamers the ultimate combination of beauty, performance and customization.

The keyboard was designed for competitive esports. Its durable design and small size is easy to transport to tournaments or events without fear of it being damaged. The 10-keyless design optimizes the spacing between the keyboard and mouse, bringing gamers’ hands closer together to improve ergonomics for long gaming sessions.

Users can still take full advantage of all SteelSeries Engine apps on the M750 TKL, like Discord Chat Integration, ImageSync, Audio Visualizer, PrismSync and GameSense.

SteelSeries just announced its sponsorship of renowned esports player, Sander “VoO” Kaasjager, who used SteelSeries products throughout his career. He prefers 10-keyless during competition.

“I use a relatively low sensitivity, so I need all the desk real estate I can get,” Kaasjager said. “The SteelSeries M750 TKL has no numpad, and all the awesomeness of the regular M750, so I never have to worry about hitting my keyboard again!”

The APEX M750 TKL is available now at https://steelseries.com/apextkl for $119.99.

Anime NYC to Host "Infini-T Force" Screening with Producer Kaz Haruna

By Justin D Williams

Anime NYC powered by Crunchyroll today announced Kaz Haruna, Producer of Tatsunoko Production’s highly-anticipated “Infinit-T Force,” will appear as a Guest of Honor in partnership with the largest manga and anime publisher in America, VIZ Media. VIZ Media will present an “Infinit-T Force” screening at the convention in addition to a panel featuring Haruna and an autograph signing for fans.

Anime NYC is a Japanese pop culture convention coming to the Javits Center (655 W. 34th St.) November 17-19, bringing fans together with creators and companies from across America and Japan. Kaz Haruna and VIZ Media’s “Infinit-T Force” events are the latest high profile features added at the show, which also includes highlights such as a day-long tribute to “Sailor Moon”; the U.S. premieres of the live-action “Fullmetal Alchemist” and “Gundam Thunderbolt: Bandit Flower” films; the NYC Ramen Summit showcasing globally-renowned ramen chefs; and the Anime Diva Night concert starring exciting performers straight from Tokyo.

“Infini-T Force,” created in celebration of Tatsunoko Production’s 55th anniversary, pulls together four of the studio’s most iconic characters, creating a team-up of legendary Japanese heroes Gatchaman, Tekkaman, Hurricane Polimar, and Casshan. Tatsunoko Production is one of Japan’s oldest animation studios and pioneered the industry with memorable hits like “Speed Racer” and “Gatchaman,” and their new “Infini-T Force” presents a look into anime’s technological future with its use of 3D CGI.

As part of VIZ Media’s “Infini-T Force” panel, Haruna will be joined onstage by noted classic anime expert Mike Toole, where they will discuss both Tatsunoko and “Infini-T Force’"s unique places in anime history. Anime NYC’s “Infini-T Force” schedule is as follows:

• “Infini-T Force” Special Screening - Fri, Nov 17 - 7 PM - Panel Room 1
• Inside the Action of “Infini-T Force” with Kaz Haruna - Sat, Nov 18 - 2 PM - Panel Room 1
• “Infini-T Force” Signing with Kaz Haruna - Sat, Nov 18 - 4:30 PM - Autograph Room

“We’re honored to work with VIZ Media to present Kaz Haruna, Mike Toole, and ‘Infini-T Force’ at Anime NYC,” said Peter Tatara, Anime NYC’s Show Director. “Truly a special event, ‘Infini-T Force’ celebrates the past half-century of Japanese animation, and we’re excited to bring this tribute to New York City!

“VIZ Media is thrilled to bring the excitement and action of ‘Infini-T Force’ to Anime NYC’s inaugural event,” said Charlene Ingram, VIZ Media’s Director of Animation Marketing. “We’re looking forward to meeting all the fans in the Big Apple for a special inside look of Tatsunoko’s anniversary project and the classic heroes featured."

VIZ Media’s “Infini-T Force” events are exclusively open to Anime NYC attendees, with tickets to the convention available now at www.animenyc.com. Anime NYC passes range from $35-60.

In addition to Kaz Haruna, Anime NYC’s guests include Fumihiko Sori, Masaki Tachibana, Naruyoshi Kikuchi, Yoko Ishida, Chihiro Yonekura, TRUE, Cherami Leigh, Cristina Vee, Danny Choo, LeSean Thomas, and Stephanie Sheh, and its partners and sponsors include VIZ Media, Crunchyroll, Funimation, Kinokuniya, Kodansha, Sentai Filmworks, SUNRISE, Tokyo Otaku Mode, Vertical Inc, and Yen Press.

ABC's TGIF Shows Now Streaming Exclusively on Hulu

Posted by Justin D Williams

Hulu announced a new agreement with the Disney-ABC Television Group for the exclusive U.S. subscription video-on-demand rights to all episodes of iconic sitcoms. Boy Meets World, Home Improvement and Dinosaurs. The deal will mark the long-awaited SVOD debut of the complete libraries of hit series Boy Meets World and Home Improvement. In addition, all episodes of fan favorite Dinosaurs, from The Jim Henson Company, will also become available to stream in SVOD exclusively on Hulu. All titles will begin streaming on Hulu September 29th.

The series will join hundreds of episodes of previously announced hit shows from America’s favorite Friday night lineup from the 1990s on Hulu – including Full House, Family Matters, Step by Step, Perfect Strangers and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper – and the agreement will make Hulu the exclusive subscription streaming home to the largest collection of series from the original “TGIF” lineup with the addition of Boy Meets World and Dinosaurs. All series launch exclusively on the service beginning September 29th, just in time for the 30th Anniversary of Full House and the 25th Anniversary of Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.  

After premiering in the 1990s as part of ABC’s “TGIF” lineup, Boy Meets World became a hit family series that went on to air for seven seasons. The series remains just as beloved to date and has been syndicated, as well as inspired spinoffs. The complete series will make its subscription streaming debut on Hulu on September 29th.

Emmy® Award- and Golden Globe®-winning sitcom Home Improvement was one of the most-watched sitcoms of the 1990s. Based loosely on the standup comedy of series star Tim Allen, the series ran on ABC from 1991 to 1999 and has never been available through a subscription streaming service.

Lastly, cult favorite “TGIF” series, Dinosaurs, will also become available to stream on Hulu on September 29th. After airing in the 1990s under ABC’s original “TGIF” lineup, the family sitcom from Jim Henson Productions was recognized for its efforts to cover topical issues including environmentalism and endangered species, and still inspires numerous cultural references today. The news emphasizes Hulu’s commitment to bringing together some of the most iconic and popular series throughout the years, all on one platform. In July, Hulu announced a separate deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution for the exclusive streaming video on-demand rights to all episodes of iconic series Full House, Family Matters, Step By Step, Perfect Strangers and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.

Over the past year, Hulu has signed a significant string of content agreements that have made the streaming service home to fan favorite series including The Golden Girls, The OC, 30 Rock, Power, This Is Us, Atlanta and more.