Tag: gaming

NERF NEWS: Epic Games/Fortnite to Partner with Hasbro/Nerf to make blasters!

Epic Games/Fortnite X Nerf teamup!
Hi Friends! Been awhile. Make sure to check me out on Facebook and Instagram.

Got this from my Inbox:

Hasbro will be announcing the news via press release next week, here is some further information about the partnership:
·         Hasbro has partnered with Epic Games to introduce NERF Fortnite blasters and MONOPOLY Fortnite.
·         The MONOPOLY Fortnite game, which brings a battle-building twist to the iconic Fast-Dealing Property Trading game, will debut at most major retailers globally Oct. 1, 2018.
·         The NERF Fortnite blasters (avail. Spring 2019) will immerse fans into the player-versus-player action of the game, letting them play out the Battle Royale in real world settings with blasters and accessories that emulate the onscreen battles Fortnite is known for. 

So it’s crazy enough that Nerf landed the Overwatch blaster license for Rival  but now they have Fortnite too? And don’t forget, G.I. Joe is due for a revival soon if I heard some whispers at Toy Fair right.

So the big question for me is that some of the phrasing up above doesn’t have me sold entirely on the blasters for Fortnite being darts or Rival. Key points being:

  • They would have said Rival. Also, Overwatch is already there.
  • They don’t mention blasting power or any mention of darts either.
  • “Real world settings” tells me Augmented Reality. A la Laser Ops Pro.


    • HERE’S WHY:

  • Laser Ops Pro is the new hotness. During the call earlier this summer, they had plans to support Laser Ops Pro through 2019 at LEAST.
  • Again with the real world settings. It sounds like there’s a lot of programming to do, or it’s already in an app waiting to go. Fortnite has a mobile app already, Nerf has their matching system and network all set to go with Laser Ops Pro. Complete with in-game power ups. Might want to keep an eye on your apps to see if any patches/updates are coming.
  • “Emulate the onscreen battles” they say. Again between power ups and abilities of an app, maybe putting together a defense house, collecting materials, and getting that potion aren’t so off the mark for gameplay.
  • The single player light on the blaster is purple. LIKE THE STORM! #illuminati

    That’s all I got here for this, we’ll see maybe by Toy Fair or hopefully later this year. Thanks for visiting!

    •

    NERF Rival x OVERWATCH Reaper Wight Edition blaster revealed! (SDCC 2018)

    Blizzard Entertainment arrived at Comic-Con International: San Diego with a surprise reveal for fans of Overwatch®: a sneak preview of the NERF RIVAL OVERWATCH REAPER WIGHT EDITION blaster. Designed in the style of Reaper’s signature accessory in Overwatch, the blaster is not only true to the game, but also a fully functional NERF toy.
    The Wight Reaper Blaster is the first in the series developed in a collaboration between Blizzard Entertainment and the NERF Rival brand to bring the iconic Overwatch accessories to life. Fans of the team-based action game will enjoy custom NERF RIVAL rounds with the Overwatch logo that are specifically colored for each blaster. The blaster will hold eight NERF RIVAL rounds, which it can propel at up to 90 feet per second. It will be equipped with a spring-action mechanism, a ready indicator, and a safety lock.
    The NERF RIVAL OVERWATCH REAPER WIGHT EDITON blaster will launch in 2019.
    Discuss! Image direct from Hasbro, not a screencap from the video!
    To compare (taken from this site – https://www.artstation.com/artwork/44V84)-
    Nerf’s made a pretty big move at working on Overwatch styled blasters. The game is still running strong in eSports circles, has a large user base, a large cosplay community, and a continually growing entity on all fronts. Just recently, a new hero was announced so the game continues to provide content, and the constant “nerfs”. It took a lot 
    Overwatch logo’d ammo? Color-specific? Could be collectible, if that’s what you like. No telling still on the price, but here’s hoping it avoids the price of some licensed goods as the Boba Fett or Deadpool Nerf Rival sets were at first.
    Functionality wise, some folks are hoping for a hammer style prime. My guess is sliding pump-action under the barrel. There’s a chance that hammer could be a pull handle for a priming arm, but I hope that isn’t the case. It says 8 round magazine, and I’m thinking it loads from a door by the hammer, where that little piece sticks up. 
    Another theory (but maybe the least likely, considering the performance) is the blaster shoots two rounds simultaneously like the Nerf Rival Atlas. The barrels could be the indicator, but considering the performance of the Atlas on the second shot, I hope that’s not the case. Give me 8 good shots at 90 fps and don’t worry about multishot lackluster madness.
    Ultimately, we won’t know until it hits prototyping, and by then it will hopefully be February if something hasn’t leaked by then. I don’t have much hope for the price to be reasonable, BUT there’s a good chance (as with the Deadpool blasters) that these blasters will be released in non-Overwatch skins for a bit lower price as well, that will just take time. What do you think? Play of the Game or utter Defeat?

    Overwatch X Nerf press release! Nerf this, #Nerfnation

    Everyone loving the Nerf Vortex releases? How about this news?

    HASBRO JOINS BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT’S OVERWATCH® IN THE FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE AS MASTER TOY LICENSEE
    Hasbro to Create Wide Range of Overwatch®Play Experiences
    PAWTUCKET, R.I. & SANTA MONICA, CA – MAY 21, 2018 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) today announced that they have signed a licensing agreement with Blizzard Entertainment to become the global master toy licensee for the Overwatch® franchise. Hasbro will create a wide range of play experiences including NERF products, games and more, based on the growing Overwatch® universe and its characters. 
    Overwatch is a highly-stylized team-based action game set in Earth’s near future. Featuring 27 playable heroes with unique powers and abilities, Overwatch immerses players in intense multiplayer showdowns where they must band together to keep the world safe from rising conflict. Overwatch is also the basis for the Overwatch League®, the first major global city-based esports league, featuring teams from Asia, Europe, and North America.
    “We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Blizzard for the Overwatch franchise,” said Samantha Lomow, senior vice president, Hasbro. “The roster of bold, diverse characters, and a passionate following of more than 40 million players have inspired our teams to create an amazing product line that will not only appeal to the passionate Overwatch fan base, but also attract new fans into the Overwatch universe.”
    “Overwatch has really taken on a life of its own with our global community, so it’s been important to us to work with partners who share our passion and commitment to quality when it comes to translating the spirit of the game into new real-world play experiences,” said Matthew Beecher, VP, Blizzard Consumer Products. “With Hasbro’s rich history of innovation and a long track record of bringing amazing worlds to life for new audiences, we couldn’t imagine a better or more appropriate teammate.”
    The fight for the future will reach a new stage in January 2019, when Hasbro releases Overwatch® blasters in its NERF Rival line. Additional product categories will be launched Fall 2019 in the US and international markets. 

    I have a slew of questions out to Nerf, stay tuned! 

    Tek Recon’s 2nd Effort! – Appeal to Kickstarter!

    Tek Recon’s already a little over HALFWAY to their goal, but that was the easy part.  Now comes the real effort, to finish the race and bring the total home.

    To make it happen, we need to make our voices heard to Kickstarter.  Whether it is through their Facebook, Twitter Feed, or emailing them at press@kickstarter.com, we need to let them know about Tek Recon running on their own site, that it has such a great following, and to highlight Tek Recon on their weekly email blast.

    This might be the effort that pushes Tek Recon over the top, and as great and welcoming the reception has been so far, the work is only 50% done.  All the great perks and effort put out there so far can’t stop unfinished, we’ve all done great now let’s finish the job.

    Let Kickstarter know!  Reach out to them and ask them to support Tek Recon with placement in their email blast!

    Not sure what to say?  Here’s an EXAMPLE of what you can say –

    “Dear Kickstarter, 

    As a recent first time project backer and avid blaster fan I am writing you to ask your help to get TEK RECON the visibility needed to hit it’s funding goal.
    I love this concept and product and believe there are many others blaster and gaming fans like me that would love to get their hands on TEK RECON.

    Please help us see this project funded so that we can experience the next level of Live Action Online Gaming. On behalf of the very large blaster community I request that you include TEK RECON in your next Weekly Email blast and help us see this project funded.

    I appreciate your helping bring this product to life!!!

    Thanks!” 
    Don’t forget to sign it 😉
    You’ve got your orders, let’s go to work.

    Tek Recon goes to E3! Press Release received!

    “TEK RECON: E3 BOUND AND BRINGING LIVE ACTION ONLINE GAMING TO LIFE!

    FOLLOWING A VERY EXCITING KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED NEW GAMES TO BE SAMPLED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT E3 JUNE 11-13 IN LOS ANGELES



    TORONTO, May 21, 2013 – TEK RECON, one of the most anticipated new product launches of 2013 will be available for demonstration and sampling by fans and consumers for the first time at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, California June 11-13, 2013.
    E3 will immediately follow a crowd funding campaign hosted on Kickstarter that began May 9th.  The response to TEK RECON from gamers, tech enthusiasts, and blaster fans has been exceptional as backers and players from all over the world have reached out to provide valuable feedback, insight and support. The campaign is currently more than 50% funded and tracking to exceed the kickstarter goal of $50,000.
    Gamers, adventure seekers and fans of technology, get off the couch and into the game as we need your help to create a revolutionary new way to connect and play! TEK RECON Blasters feature a first of its kind design with real trigger action, authentic recoil and specially designed reusable “NRG Rounds”.
    To optimize the battle and team experience TEK RECON developed a free “Live Action Online Gaming” app to enhance blaster battles. Simply connect your mobile device to the blaster to bring video game styled play to life through mobile and GPS technology.  The free TEK RECON App will be available for iOS and Android devices, enhancing real battle experience through an interactive heads up display, live chat, vision modes, and more.
    “Bringing TEK RECON to market is the most ambitious and exciting launch in our company history,” stated Brad Pedersen CEO of TEK RECON Inc. “Two years ago we set out on a mission to bring video games, online connectivity and social interactive play together through innovation and great product design. The outcome, TEK RECON has come to life and created a phenomenal play experience that has exceeded our expectations.”
    The time is now to be one of the first to experience Live Action Online Gaming and change the way you play. For more information on this product and the KICKSTARTER campaign please visit TekRecon.com.
    Take a live look at the Tek Recon Blasters during the E3 2013 Show in Los Angeles, CA at Booth #5636 in the West Hall.”
    And the buzz just keeps on going for Tek Recon! From Toy Fair now to E3… who knows what’s next?

    Tek Recon Update #3: Firing demo and Trigger explanation!

    Fresh update from Tek Recon.  Pretty much says it all right there.  And holy crap.  A proper semi-auto trigger pull OR pump-action fires the blaster, you can use either mode.  The pump-action works a bit better for rapid fire, while the trigger I guess allows for that steady shot.

    What I wonder is if there is a range distance between either mechanism, as that is what it sounded like in some earlier updates.  No priming the blaster like a shotgun then pulling the trigger as I initially reported/thought, but just straight up semi-auto action.  No flywheels, no priming, no additional steps.  Just point and shoot.  Havok or Hammer Head, take your pick.

    Well done, Tek Recon.  Well done.

    KICKSTARTER STATUS:

    $19,000+ raised with 24 days to go!  Not too shabby at all.

    And from their FAQ:

    “I have had a number of questions as it relates to the NRG Rounds with there performance and safety. First off know that the product will meet all the safety requirements for CPSIA, CHPA and EN protocols. The NRG Rounds not only describes the shape and performance of the product but stands for: N – Non Marking R – Reusable G – Gaming They make a firm impact but are safe
    There will be refills available and they will retail for $4.99 for a pack of 25 units.”