Archive - 2015

Square Enix PAX Prime 2015 Game Line-up and Events

2015/08/21
boothby
Geek News, News, PAX

square-enix-1

LOS ANGELES (August 20, 2015) – Square Enix® today announced its lineup for Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) Prime 2015, coming to Seattle Aug. 28 – 31, 2015. This year’s lineup features stand-out titles, including the first US playable demo for Just Cause® 3 – Avalanche Studios’ vast open-world action adventure experience, the soon to be released Lara Croft® GO – the latest puzzle experience from Square Enix Montréal, and the continuing episodic experience, Life is Strange™. Fans will be able to get hands-on with some of the publisher’s biggest titles, including FINAL FANTASY® XIV: Heavensward™, FINAL FANTASY XV –EPISODE DUSCAE™- 2.0, FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS®and DRAGON QUEST HEROES®: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below™. All games in the lineup will be playable at Booth #3646.

SQUARE ENIX will also host a number panels, giving fans the opportunity to interact and converse with the talented teams behind each game.

Let’s GO! Going from Hitman® GO to Lara Croft GO

Cerberus Theatre from Noon to 1 p.m., August 28
Join moderator Greg Miller and key developers behind Hitman GO and Lara Croft GO as they take a deep dive in the process of crafting innovative mobile games from big AAA franchises. They will discuss the challenges of distilling the complex universes of well-known PC/console games and transforming them into unique experiences for completely different platforms. Panelists will include three members of the Square Enix Montreal team: Daniel Lutz, Game Director, Antoine Routon, Lead Engineer, and Thierry Doizon, studio Art Director.

Just Cause 3 – A BEAUTIFUL PLAYGROUND OF CREATIVE DESTRUCTION

Sphinx Theatre from 3 to 4 p.m., August 28
Join Avalanche Studios’ Fred Hooper (Lead VFX artist) and Niklas Norin (Lead AI Designer) alongside Havok’s Cormac O’Brien as they reveal how their technology and expertise combines to create the incredible destruction and chaos that lies at the heart of Just Cause 3. Hosted by Greg Miller, you’ll learn exactly how they created the beautiful 400 square mile sandbox packed with possibility, compelling enemies and the largest, most realistic explosions and destruction ever seen in a videogame.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided® – Bringing Adam Jensen to life

Sphinx Theatre from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., August 28
Greg Miller hosts Jean-Francois Dugas, Jonathan Jacques-Belletête and Elias Toufexis, respectively Executive Game Director, Executive Art Director and the actor for Adam Jensen on Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. They will provide insight on what it takes to fully realize a character such as Adam Jensen, an augmented covert agent, on the new generation of consoles and PC. While Elias will share his thoughts on doing mocap and recording dialogues, our developers will dive into his story and design, as well as their goals for the experience of playing as Adam Jensen in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. You will also get the opportunity to ask them questions about the game and their careers in the video game industry.

HITMAN – THE ART OF ASSASSINATION

Hydra Theatre from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., August 28
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/SquareEnixPresents
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SquareEnixPresents
Join HITMAN Art Director Jonathan Rowe and Lead Writer Michael Vogt for an hour long journey into the design philosophy behind the visual and narrative universe of the world of assassination. Hosted by Game Informer’s Mike Futter, the pair will delve into the process behind the creation of the trademark living, breathing world of HITMAN and give numerous insights and examples into the design process for visual and narrative storytelling in a world where the main character says very little. How does art direction and story design impact the player experience in a complex game like HITMAN? The panel will end with a playthrough demo of the ‘Showstopper’ mission from the upcoming HITMAN game as well as a moderated Q&A.

FINAL FANTASY XIV®: Koji & Soken’s Wild Ride

Grand Hyatt Seattle Hydra Room 12:00 p.m. – 1:00p.m., Saturday, August 29
Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/finalfantasyxiv
Join FINAL FANTASY XIV Sound Director Masayoshi Soken and Localization Lead Michael-Christopher Koji Fox as they discuss the music and lore of FINAL FANTASY XIV! What does Soken have up his sleeve? You won’t want to miss out.

FINAL FANTASY XV Active Time Report LIVE

Grand Hyatt Seattle Hydra Room 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Saturday, August 29
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/SquareEnixPresents
Fans will be in for a treat as FINAL FANTASY XV Director Hajime Tabata will be taking the stage in North America for the first time at PAX Prime as part of the ongoing Active Time Reports. In addition to sharing a few personal stories about the development of the game, he will be sharing some insights into the recently revealed trailer. Join us on Saturday as we discuss one of the most highly anticipated games from Square Enix.

Lara Croft GO Launch Event

There will be a launch party at the Hard Rock Café co-hosted by IGN on Friday, August 28 starting at 7 PM to celebrate the recent launch of Lara Croft GO. PAX Prime attendees can check out the game and chat with the Square Enix Montreal development team while visiting the Lara Croft GO fan art contest gallery, organized in collaboration with Child’s Play. While you’re there, why not grab a traditional Montreal poutine!

HITMAN: Put a Hit on Cancer

Square Enix, HITMAN, and GameChanger are partnering up to put a hit on cancer, and need PAX attendees to become Agent 47®. Come to the pop-up barbershop at the Square Enix booth where you can shave your head to resemble Agent 47’s iconic bald look. For each head shaved at the show, Square Enix will donate $47 to GameChanger Charity and their mission of supporting children battling cancer.

For those who want to participate but prefer the hair-keeping role of a handler, you can still put a hit on cancer and receive a free Steam code for Hitman Absolution® by simply making a donation of at least $1.00 to GameChanger Charity.

Visit www.47vsCancer.org to make your donation, receive your game code and join Agent 47 in support of children with cancer.

Additionally, limited quantities of the FINAL FANTASY XIV “Before the Fall” original soundtrack and the “From Astral to Umbral” arrangement album will be available for purchase at the booth.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: BEFORE THE FALL Original Soundtrack
Event SRP: $50 (Sales Tax included)
The “Before the Fall” soundtrack features music from FINAL FANTASY XIV Patch 2.2 through 2.5 and includes a bonus code for an exclusive in-game “The Primogs” minion, a set of five musical moogles.


FINAL FANTASY XIV: FROM ASTRAL TO UMBRAL
Event SRP: $40 (Sales Tax included)
Popular songs from FINAL FANTASY XIV have been transformed into splendid band and piano arrangements in this album. This is the first official arrangement album for the title.

The full lineup of titles from Square Enix include:

JUST CAUSE 3

Platform: PC, PlayStation®4, Xbox One
Developer: Avalanche Studios
ESRB: RP
Available: 12/1/15
Summary: The Mediterranean republic of Medici is suffering under the brutal control of General Di Ravello, a dictator with an insatiable appetite for power. Enter Rico Rodriguez, a man on a mission to destroy the General’s hold on power by any means necessary. With over 400 square miles of complete freedom from sky to seabed and a huge arsenal of weaponry, gadgets and vehicles, prepare to unleash chaos in the most creative and explosive ways you can imagine.

LARA CROFT GO

Platform: Android, iOS
Developer: Square Enix Montreal
ESRB: TBD
Available: 8/27/15
Summary: Lara Croft GO expands the turn-based puzzle gameplay and takes you on an adventure set in a long-forgotten world. Explore the ruins of an ancient civilization, discover hidden secrets and face deadly challenges as you uncover the myth of the Queen of Venom. PAX Prime attendees will witness a never-before-seen take on the iconic franchise featuring challenging gameplay, gorgeous visuals and a mesmerizing soundtrack, all at your fingertips.

LIFE IS STRANGE

Platform: PC, PlayStation®3 system, PlayStation®4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Developer: DONTNOD
ESRB: RP
Available: Now Available (Episodes 1 – 4)
Summary: Developed by DONTNOD Entertainment, the Paris-based studio who released their debut game REMEMBER ME™ last year the game takes place in the fictional town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon, where senior student Max Caulfield returns after a 5 year absence. Reunited with her former friend Chloe, the pair begin to uncover the uncomfortable truth behind the disappearance of fellow student Rachael Amber.

DRAGON QUEST HEROES: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below

Platform: PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system
Developer: Omega Force from Koei Tecmo Games
ESRB: T for Teen
Available: October 13, 2015
DRAGON QUEST®, one of the most iconic RPG series from Japan, will be transformed into a full-scale action RPG in the West. Players must rise up against insurmountable odds, challenge swarms of enemies and conquer gigantic monsters. It is filled with characters and monsters designed by world-renowned artist Akira Toriyama. Also, Yuji Horii, director and creator of DRAGON QUEST®, and Koichi Sugiyama, the renowned composer closely tied to the series, are closely involved in bringing this title to life. Fans can stop by the “Slime Wall,” a physical wall on display at the booth, where fans can squash and defeat the horde of slimes. In addition, the demo area allows fan to take on and challenge the all-mighty monster, Gigantes.

FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS

Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: January 26, 2016
FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS focuses on cooperative play with friends and utilizes a refined party system allowing Explorers to master over 20 new and familiar jobs—including Knight, Monk, Black Mage and White Mage—to defeat the realm’s mightiest monsters and even recruit them for battle. Players will have the ability to call upon the powers of eidolons like Ifrit and Bahamut, as well as transform into other legendary characters from the FINAL FANTASY series via the Trance feature.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward

Platform: PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Windows PC
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: T for Teen
Available: Now
Face off against one of the new bosses in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward – Ravana- in the Primal Battle Challenge and win an exclusive “I BEAT RAVANA” T-shirt.  Heavensward expands the critically acclaimed MMO FINAL FANTASY XIV with a an all-new storyline surrounding the city of Ishgard and the Dragonsong War, a brand new race, new jobs and more.

FINAL FANTASY XV -EPISODE DUSCAE- 2.0

Platform: Xbox One® the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: Now
The update to the FINAL FANTASY XV -EPISODE DUSCAE- demo features improved mechanics, fresh character interactions, new team combo attacks, additional side quests and a battle with the monstrous catoblepas, FINAL FANTASY XV -EPISODE DUSCAE- 2.0 follows the journey of crown prince Noctis and his trusted party as they wander the unpaved, expansive Duscae region in search of a way to Cauthess.

Cities: Skylines After Dark Expansion Release Date

2015/08/20
boothby
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

Cities: Skylines After Dark expansion announced

STOCKHOLM – Aug. 20, 2015 — Paradox Interactive, a publisher of games and a civic-minded somnambulist, today announced that “After Dark,” the first expansion for the hit city-building game Cities: Skylines, will release worldwide on September 24, 2015.

The expansion, which will include a broad variety of features, such as a day-and-night cycle, new nighttime city services and options, and much more, will be available to players of Cities: Skylines on PC, Mac, and Linux for $14.99 via digital distributors everywhere.

To give curious city constructors a glimpse of what awaits them in After Dark, Paradox has released the first weekly design diary from Cities: Skylines developer Colossal Order, along with a new batch of in-game screenshots showing several of the substantial sundown surprises that await players.

Read about the changes that go into a city at night in the first After Dark diary:  forum.paradoxplaza.com/cities-skylines-after-dark-dev-diary-1-night-time-what-is-it

In After Dark, the sun will set on mayor-players’ in-game cities – but it will rise once nighttime is over, so nobody needs to worry. Towns will look – and behave – differently at night, with new leisure-focused nightspots, popular beachfront properties that thrive during the daytime and new systems such as taxicabs, prisons, bike lanes and much more.

For more information on Cities: Skylines, visit www.citiesskylines.com

Ninja Gaiden 3 Ryu Statue Variants for PAX Prime

2015/08/20
boothby
Geek News, News, PAX

ninja-gaiden-3-logo

LOS ANGELES, Calif., – Leading toy manufacturer Multiverse Studio Inc. revealed today that two new exclusive variants of the critically acclaimed Ninja Gaiden® 3 Ryu Hayabusa statue will be available exclusively from ThinkGeek. Visit the ThinkGeek booth at PAX Prime 2015 (Booth Sky9) to get your limited edition Ryu Hayabusa Bludgeoning variant and Retro Blue variant.

Each variant statue is limited to 100 pieces.

PAX Prime 2015 is happening August 28th through August 31st, 2015 in Seattle Washington.

NG3Hayabusa_thinkgeek-retroblue_promo_v17AUG2015

The Retro Blue Ryu Hayabusa variant statue features:

  • Dual Katanas
  • Blue Paint Scheme

NG3Hayabusa_thinkgeek-bludgeoning_promo_v17AUG2015

The Bludgeoning Staff Ryu Hayabusa variant statue features:

  • Lunar Staff with Sheathed Katana
  • Extra Blood and Gore

For more information about upcoming Ninja Gaiden products, please visit http://www.multiverse-studio.com/products/ryu-hayabusa.html

The Gallery: Call of the Starseed HTC Vive Demo at PAX Prime

2015/08/20
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PAX, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News
The Gallery: Call of the Starseed screenshot

The Gallery: Call of the Starseed screenshot

Vancouver Island, August 19, 2015  –  Attendees of PAX Prime 2015 will get an exclusive look at The Gallery: Call of the Starseed, a launch title for the HTC Vive.

Channeling inspiration from magical 1980s fantasy adventures, Call of the Starseed is the first step in the episodic journey of The Gallery, a VR adventure that takes place through both realistic and fantastical environments as you set out in search of your sister, Elsie. As Alex, you must walk through Elsie’s footsteps in order to unravel the mystery of her unexpected disappearance, all the while uncovering a much greater narrative.

Watch the PAX Teaser trailer here: 

Through partnerships with industry giants Intel, HTC, Nvidia and Maingear, a very special demonstration of The Gallery will be shown by Cloudhead Games at PAX Prime at the spacious Portland Room of the Grand Hyatt Hotel — located just across from the Washington State Convention Center. Players will have the opportunity to test out one of the first full-experiences for HTC’s Vive VR technology.

This will also mark the first time that developer’s exciting new Blink locomotion technology will be available to the public; an innovative, nausea-free locomotive technology that scales spatially, and offers a play experience catered to your environment. Once relegated to science fiction, experience this immersive consumer technology with the HTC Vive at PAX Prime.

In addition to being available during the duration of the show, Cloudhead Games is offering 8 lucky winners a pass to Jump the Q at Pax Prime, putting winners on the fast track to the future of VR media.

Just Follow or Like Cloudhead Games on Twitter or Facebook to be entered to win. 2 winners will be announced each day.

Official Website: www.cloudheadgames.com
Game Site: www.thegallerygame.com

King’s Quest Update News to Reveal at PAX Prime

2015/08/20
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PAX, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

kings-quest-screen-1

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Aug. 20, 2015 – Sierra™ and independent developer The Odd Gentlemen are excited to announce today that the initial details for the second chapter of the newKing’s Quest™ will be revealed to the world public at a special panel event at PAX Prime.

The “Adventure Games Revival: King’s Quest Rebirth and Reveal” panel will take place on Friday, Aug. 28 at 3 p.m. in the Wyvern Theatre. In a discussion moderated by gaming journalist Geoff Keighley, Creative Director Matt Korba and Producer Lindsey Rostal of The Odd Gentlemen will explore the cherished origins and modern renaissance of adventure games. Actress Zelda Williams*, voice of Amaya Blackstone, will also be present as a special guest panelist. The group will delve into the highlights and challenges of reimagining one of the genre’s most treasured names before pulling the curtain back on King’s Quest’s next chapter, launching later this year.

The Odd Gentlemen will also be joined by indie developer FuturLab, creators of Velocity 2X, coming Aug. 19 to Xbox One and PC, to chat with fans at Sierra’s Booth #6015 during PAX Prime.

Sierra released a new gameplay trailer today celebrating the enthusiastic reception King’s Quest’s debut chapter – titled “A Knight to Remember” – has received since it arrived late last month. As an old King Graham shares tales from his youth with his curious granddaughter Gwendolyn, the game transports players back in time to experience the charming characters, puzzles and wit behind Graham’s greatest untold stories.

The first chapter of King’s Quest is now available as a digital title on the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems through the PlayStation®Store, Xbox One and Xbox 360 on the Xbox Games Store, and Windows PC via Steam for $9.99. It is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and Up) by the ESRB. To keep up with the latest news as the second chapter approaches, please visit www.sierra.com, and follow Sierra on Facebook and Twitter.

*Panelists subject to change.

Ash vs Evil Dead Key Art Released

2015/08/19
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News
Ash vs evil dead key art promo image

Ash vs evil dead key art promo image

August 19, 2015 – “Ash vs Evil Dead” is the long-awaited follow-up to the classic horror films The Evil Dead.  The 10-episode half-hour series is executive produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, and Bruce Campbell, the original filmmakers, and Craig DiGregorio who serves as executive producer and showrunner.

Campbell reprises his role as Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario, and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead.  When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons –personal and literal.  Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its “Evil” grip.

The cast is led by Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) in the role of Ash Williams, Lucy Lawless (“Salem,” “Spartacus,” “Xena”) as Ruby, a mysterious figure who believes Ash is the cause of the Evil outbreaks, Ray Santiago (“Touch,” Meet the Fockers) as Pablo Simon Bolivar, an idealistic immigrant who becomes Ash’s loyal sidekick, Dana DeLorenzo (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas) as Kelly Maxwell, a moody wild child trying to outrun her past, and Jill Marie Jones (“Sleepy Hollow”) as Amanda Fisher, a disgraced Michigan State Trooper set to find our anti-hero Ash and prove his responsibility in the grisly murder of her partner.

“Ash vs Evil Dead” premieres Saturday, October 31st at 9:00pm ET/PT exclusively on STARZ with a 10-episode season.

For more information visit our Facebook Page and follow @AshvsEvilDead on Twitter.

Join the conversation with #AshvsEvilDead and #STARZ.

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights Tickets Now On Sale

2015/08/19
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News

Universal-Horror-Nights-Halloween

Universal City, CA, August 18, 2015 – Tickets are now on sale for “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood as Southern California’s premier Halloween event unveils a slate of new mazes, an exciting hip-hop dance show, a new cutthroat Terror Tram experience and terrifying Scare Zones, beginning Friday, September 18, 2015.

Tickets to this year’s event are available for purchase at www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/hollywood, including a “Killer Deal Nights” ticket option with discounts of up to $25 on select dates as well as a Front of Line ticket option which enables guests to enjoy priority access to each “Halloween Horror Nights” maze, “Terror Tram,” Jabbawockeez show and theme park attractions.  Advance purchase is recommended as event nights will sell out.

“Halloween Horror Nights” dates are: September 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, October 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, and November 1, 2015.

“Halloween Horror Nights” brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror inspired by TV and film’s most compelling horror properties.  This year’s line-up includes:

 

All-New Mazes and Show:

  • “Guillermo del Toro Presents Crimson Peak: Maze of Madness” is inspired by the visionary filmmaker who directed, co-wrote and produced the upcoming October 16Legendary and Universal Pictures feature film. The three-dimensional living replica of the film is designed to send guests spiraling through the chilling world and into the footsteps ofCrimson Peak’s lead character, Edith Cushing, first as they venture from her home in America, then to the decaying and haunted Allerdale Hall mansion in a remote English countryside. With a foreboding “Beware of Crimson Peak” message that echos from Edith’s past, guests will navigate a labyrinth of paranormal tortured souls who have born witness to the estate’s dark history of unspeakable acts…and who continue to reside in vengeful, ghostly forms.
  • Bringing together the most sinister of scenes from all three films, “Insidious: Return to the Further,” investigates unexplained phenomena in the Lambert family’s eerie Victorian home as guests find themselves at a séance that unleashes chaos and horror. They’ll journey into “The Further” – a supernatural realm that houses tormented spirits – and face deadly ghosts and demons like the Woman in Black and Oxygen Mask Demon, that will stop at nothing to infiltrate the world of the living.
  • “The Walking Dead: Wolves Not Far,” inspired by season 5 of AMC’s critically-acclaimed, Emmy Award®-winning television series, this all-new maze will feature twice as many walkers in the longest and most gruesome maze ever built at Universal Studios Hollywood.  Following in the footsteps of “The Walking Dead” cast, guests will begin their journey at the Terminus safe-haven compound, where an unspeakable hunger has consumed the demented souls of those dwelling within. As the chaos ensues, guests will encounter even greater atrocities as they stumble upon dismembered “W” walkers, witness the horror of victims besieged by the living dead, and step onto the loading dock of the Del Arno Food warehouse to face hordes of “W” walkers.
  • The hilarity of this genre-defying blockbuster movie, This is the End, will take a dark turn in this all-new maze experience, “This is the End 3D,” that will come to life in hypnotic 3D. The end of the world will begin as guests head to the ultimate A-list party at James Franco’s new Hollywood Hills home before the Apocalypse strikes, and they find themselves trapped in a life-or-death struggle against the demons of the underworld.  With the fate of humanity at the crossroads of heaven and hell, “This is the End 3D” will offer defining moments for those guests brave enough to tempt the devil as their destiny hangs in the balance to be damned for eternity or raptured to heaven engulfed in a sea of blue light.
  • Halloween, hailed as one of the greatest horror films of all time and starring Jamie Lee Curtis in her acting debut, will come to life in the demented new experience, “Halloween: Michael Myers Comes Home.” The haunted maze will take guests through the tormented town of Haddonfield, where on one fateful Halloween night in 1963, a six-year-old child by the name of Michael Myers inexplicably and brutally stabbed his sister to death with a kitchen knife. Guests will relive the terror that a maniacal Michael Myers inflicted upon the once quiet town after his escape from a psychiatric hospital to take bloody revenge on new and unsuspecting victims.
  • The visually stunning, yet terrifying “AVP: Alien vs. Predator” maze is back by popular demand to entangle guests in the middle of an epic and primal war between the universe’s most deadly species in a horrifying haunted attraction inspired by the Twentieth Century Fox cult sci-fi franchise.  This menacing maze will bring to life the violent creatures cohabitating our world as it pits two rival alien species in a fight to the death with Earth as their battleground.  “AVP:  Alien vs Predator” will uncover a dangerous alien spaceship carrying a race of hunter aliens known as Predators and a threatening new alien life form that uses human hosts to propagate its species.  After crash landing in a remote section of America and escaping to the countryside, the Alien and Predator become hunter and prey with guests caught in the crossfire.
  • The all-new “Terror Tram: Survive the Purge” experience, inspired by Universal Pictures’ blockbuster film series, invites guests to a disturbing “Purge Party,” luring them with exclusive access to the world-famous backlot and thrusting them into the film’s depraved world in which all crime is declared legal as part of the government’s annually sanctioned 12-hour Purge, and where citizens take to the streets to dispose of the country’s less desirable humans without fear of retribution. Recognizing that not all citizens choose to hunt during The Purge, the newly endorsed “Purge Party” welcomes guests to honor this proud national tradition by watching the night’s dramatic events unfold on large video screens set up around the famed Universal backlot – until the experience quickly turns into an unforgettable living nightmare.
  • Jabbawockeez, the highly-accomplished, award-winning hip hop dance group and universally recognized as America’s best dance crew, will bring their innovative choreography, intricate synchronized style and signature white masks to Universal Studios Hollywood in an electrifying all-new show created exclusively for “Halloween Horror Nights.” Currently starring in the acclaimed “PRiSM” show at the Luxor in Las Vegas, and following up with a newly reimagined performance at MGM Grand Las Vegas this fall, the Jabbawockeez are considered dance movement pioneers, having shattered the glass ceiling for dance groups worldwide as the first dance crew to ever headline their own show in Las Vegas.

Scare Zones:

  • “The Purge: Urban Nightmare,” inspired by Universal Pictures’ disturbing blockbuster films, will greet guests with pure unadulterated fear, bringing to life the turmoil and pandemonium that awaits those vulnerable to masked vigilantes in search of new victims during the government’s annually sanctioned killing spree.
  • “Exterminatorz” introduces hideous hybrid creatures—part pests, part human—spawned from years of dangerous chemicals recklessly dumped down the drains by irresponsible humans. These now persecuted pests arise from the cesspools to turn the tables and retaliate on their human oppressors.
  • “Corpz” features an army of decaying World War I soldiers known as “The Lost Generation,” who have risen from their dank, muddy graves to haunt the streets of old Paris.
  • Krampus, the demonic Christmas Devil, returns in “Dark Christmas,” a Pagan-themed scare zone where demonic creatures hunt disobedient children and drag them to hell.

As a complement to the nighttime event, Universal’s most popular rides and attractions will also be open to guests.

Razer Working With Intel on RealSense VR Camera

2015/08/18
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Tech News
Razer Intel RealSense Announcement image

Razer Intel RealSense Announcement image

SAN FRANCISCO (Intel Developer Forum) – Razer, a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers, is working with Intel to deliver a consumer-ready desktop and VR-enabled camera based on Intel RealSense technology for a wide range of experiential applications.

With Intel RealSense technology incorporated into a new Razer product design, users can expect to enjoy significantly enhanced game broadcasting and VR gaming capabilities.  Among the novel features of this technology is automatic background removal, which allows game streamers and video conferencing users to remove or replace backgrounds for a more entertaining and immersive experience.  Intel RealSense Cameras are also capable of 3D scanning, motion and gesture recognition, allowing product designers to bring real-world objects and bodies into virtual spaces easily. Many more features and related applications are anticipated for the Intel RealSense technology-enabled Razer device.

“Razer is excited to be working with Intel, using Intel RealSense technology to help pioneer work for game broadcasting, as well as with VR, with support from the growing OSVR movement,” said Min-Liang Tan, co-founder and CEO of Razer.  “Gamers will, we expect, be able to enhance their broadcasting and VR experience in unprecedented ways.”

“This is a great opportunity to make Intel RealSense technology easily accessible to the gaming and VR communities. We are proud of the beautiful design of Razer’s Intel RealSense Camera peripheral and we look forward to enabling innovation in the gaming world together.” – Dr. Achin Bhowmik, general manager of Perceptual Computing

Razer at the Intel Developer Forum:

At the Intel Developer Forum 2015 held in San Francisco, Intel and Razer have teamed up to showcase multiple broadcasting and OSVR demos using Intel RealSense technology, a modified OSVR Hacker Dev Kit by Razer, powered by computers using Intel processors

The demos will include both Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality applications running on PCs.

Learn more about Razer and Intel RealSense technology at www.razerzone.com/realsense and www.intel.com/RealSense