Archive - 2016

Wreck-It Ralph Sequel Announced

BURBANK, Calif. (June 30, 2016) – Wreck-It Ralph is heading back to the big screen, and this time, he’s wrecking the internet. The Oscar®-nominated Walt Disney Animation Studios team from the original film is re-teaming for the follow-up, including director Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “The Simpsons”) and producer Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Bolt”). Phil Johnston (writer, “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Zootopia,” “Cedar Rapids”) joins Moore as director and a writer on the project. John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman return as the bad-guy-turned-good, Ralph, and the girl with the game-winning glitch, Vanellope von Schweetz. The untitled sequel will hit theaters—literally—on March 9, 2018.

The filmmakers and Reilly made the announcement on Facebook Live today: https://www.facebook.com/Disney/videos/10153760073335954/

“From the moment we started working on the first ‘Wreck-It Ralph,’ we knew there were so many possibilities with these characters,” said Moore, who has been developing it since shortly after the release of the first film, and while directing this year’s critically-acclaimed hit “Zootopia” with Byron Howard. “This time, Ralph’s wrecking wreaks havoc on the Web—as only he can do. Characters we loved in the first film are back and we are ecstatic to be working with them—and the actors who voice them—once again.”

“The world of the internet is the perfect place to send Ralph and Vanellope,” said Johnston. “The scope and scale are so vast and the possibilities for comedy are endless.”

“Ralph is a character very near and dear to my heart,” added Reilly. “I’m really looking forward to playing the big lug again. Making the first ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ was one of the most special experiences I’ve ever had and I’m really looking forward to bringing him back to life. So many kids I’ve met all over the world are excited to see him again, too. They tell me all the time!”

When “Wreck-It Ralph” opened on Nov. 2, 2012, it turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film at the time of release. Nominated for an Oscar® and Golden Globe® for best animated feature, “Wreck-It Ralph” won the PGA Award for outstanding producer of an animated theatrical motion picture as well as five Annie Awards, including best animated feature, director, cast and screenplay. The film was named best animated feature by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, earned outstanding achievement in casting for an animated feature by the Casting Society of America, and won the Kids’ Choice Award for favorite animated movie.

DISNEY CROSSY ROAD WRECKED

At 12 p.m. PT today, Disney’s hit mobile game, Disney Crossy Road, will be wrecked by Ralph in celebration of the announcement. As fans play through the 12 different Disney and Pixar worlds of Disney Crossy Road, Ralph may appear and ‘wreck’ part of their gameplay.

“Wreck-It Ralph has been one of the most popular worlds to play in Disney Crossy Road, so it made perfect sense to celebrate Ralph’s return by letting him go outside his world and ‘wreck’ other parts of the game,” said Chris Heatherly, SVP & GM, Disney Apps and Games. “We are big fans of the first film, as are our players, and can’t wait to see how the next chapter unfolds.”

“GIGANTIC” DATE-CHANGE

The animated feature “Gigantic,” originally announced as Disney’s March 9, 2018, release, will be released on November 21, 2018.

The Bunker Gameplay Trailer

London, UK, 30th June 2016The first look at gameplay of the upcoming, live action title The Bunker has been revealed today in a new trailer. Created by highly experienced teams of filmmakers, game writers and developers at Splendy Games and Wales Interactive, and co-published by Green Man Gaming Publishing and Wales Interactive, The Bunker is a completely live action game, starring Adam Brown (The Hobbit) and Sarah Greene (Penny Dreadful). The game is due to launch on PC and console in September with a mobile version coming later this year.

The first gameplay trailer showcases the isolation, fear and unexpected mystery hiding in a nuclear bunker.

Players control John, the last survivor in an underground government bunker after a nuclear attack wiped out England. The bunker holds many secrets, and when John’s routine is thrown into chaos, he must face his fears and uncover the terrifying mysteries held underground. The game is a completely live action experience filmed on location in a real decommissioned nuclear bunker located in Essex, England.

Key Features –
An incredible cast, including Adam Brown (The Hobbit), Sarah Greene (Penny Dreadful), Grahame Fox (Game Of Thrones) and Jerome St. John Blake (Star Wars)
Totally live action – No CGI, no motion capture, shot on location in a genuine decommissioned nuclear bunker
A complex, twisting plot written by award-winning screenwriters behind Broken Sword, The Witcher and SOMA
Hidden collectables, top secret documents and private recordings which begin to reveal the hidden secrets of The Bunker
Neo-retro soundtrack by composer Dom Shovelton

The Bunker is a Splendy Games co-production with Last Chance Films and Wales Interactive and is published by Green Man Gaming (PC), Wales Interactive (Console)

GENRE: Adventure
DEVELOPER: Splendy Games / Wales Interactive
PUBLISHER: Green Man Gaming Publishing (PC), Wales Interactive (Console)
PLATFORM: PC, Console, Mobile
RELEASE: September 2016 (PC / Console), Q4 2016 (Mobile)

Pre-purchase The Bunker on Green Man Gaming

Shout! Factory Returns to San Diego Comic-Con for 2016

June 30, 2016 – Now a mainstay at San Diego Comic-Con International, pop-culture purveyor Shout! Factory returns to the convention in 2016 with a dynamic lineup, featuring captivating panel events, celebrity autograph signings, a showcase of new and upcoming home entertainment products, Comic-Con exclusive items and engaging booth activities.  Fans and convention attendees are invited to join in on the excitement at theShout! Factory booth (#4118) on the main convention floor. Fan favorite stars scheduled to attend at this time include: Joel Hodgson (creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000), Jonah Ray (Nerdist, The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail), Felicia Day (Geek & Sundry) Gail Simone (Red Sonja, Birds of Prey), Gregg Berger (Transformers: The Movie, Gargoyles) and Misty Lee (Ultimate Spider Man).

Calling all MSTies! In the not too distant future- Saturday, July 23rd at 8:30 pm in Room 24ABC, to be precise- for the panel Mystery Science Theater 3000 is Back! As the excitement mounts for the upcoming new episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000, join Joel Hodgson (creator, MST3K), Felicia Day (Geek & Sundry) and others discuss the show’s record-breaking crowdfunding campaign, and reveal behind-the-scenes info on Season 11!

Genre and horror film buffs, collectors and pop culture enthusiasts alike won’t want to miss An Inside Look at Shout! Factory and Scream Factory. At 8 pm on Friday, July 22nd   in Room 29AB, join Brian Ward (Director of Blu-ray and DVD Production) and Jeff Nelson (Sr. Marketing Director) as they make special announcements and unveil exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming Blu-ray/DVD collector’s editions and new movies coming to theaters this fall. A fan-driven insider’s event filled with lively discussion and more than a few surprises, this panel discussion and Q&A will be moderated by Julia Cunningham, host of Entertainment Weekly’s “LA Daily” on Sirius XM.

Showcasing highly anticipated current and upcoming offerings from Shout! Factory’s most popular brands, the Shout! Factory Booth (#4118) will once again be an essential destination on the convention center floor. The booth also features convention exclusives, autograph signings, daily sweepstakes giveaways and much more.

For continuing updates on Shout! Factory’s Comic-Con activities and news, please follow us on Twitter @ShoutFactory, on Instagram @shoutfactory, and the studio’s official Facebook page www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial.

Schedule Of Shout! Factory Events At Comic-Con International 2016

Wednesday, July 20th

Preview Night

Thursday, July 21st

10:00 am         Power Rangers appearance at Shout! Factory booth

11:00 am         Gail Simone and Misty Lee signing for Red Sonja: Queen Of Plagues,

-12:00 pm       the new animated comic based on the Dynamite comic.

Friday July 22nd

10:00 am         Power Rangers appearance at Shout! Factory booth

2:00 p.m.        Meet Spot, a.k.a. Cthulhu, from the upcoming Howard Lovecraft & The Frozen

Kingdom animated feature.

3:30 pm          Scream Factory Presents “Return of The Living Dead” Signing with Thom

                        Mathews (Freddy) John Philbin (Chuck) and Sean Clark (host of “Horror’s

Hallowed Grounds”)

8:00 pm          An Inside Look at Shout! Factory and Scream Factory Panel in Room 29AB.

Brian Ward (Director of Blu-ray and DVD Production) and Jeff Nelson (Sr. Marketing Director) make exclusive announcements, deliver sneak peeks from upcoming releases and more! Moderated by Julia Cunningham, host of Entertainment Weekly Radio’s “LA Daily” on SiriusXM.

Saturday, July 23rd

12:00 pm        Photo opportunity with Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot from Mystery Science  Theater 3000.

–3:00 pm   

2:00 p.m.        Meet Spot, a.k.a. Cthulhu, from the upcoming Howard Lovecraft & The Frozen

Kingdom animated feature.

4:00 pm–         MST3K Event at Camp Conival presented by Nerdist and Geek & Sundry

4:30 pm          Join Nerdist and Geek & Sundry for Camp Conival: a trip back in time to classic pop culture summer camp! Swing by the Conival Main Stage on the second concourse at Petco Park for a special Q&A with Joel Hodgson, Felicia Day, and Jonah Ray. Camp Conival does not require an event badge and is open to the public.

5:15 pm        Signing with the cast of next season of Mystery Science Theater 3000! Series

6:15 pm          creator Joel Hodgson,  Jonah Ray and Felicia Day will be in attendance.   

8:30 pm          Mystery Science Theater 3000 is Back! Panel in Room 24ABC. Joel Hodgson (creator, MST3K), Felicia Day (Geek & Sundry) and others discuss the show’s record-breaking crowdfunding campaign, and reveal behind-the-scenes info on Season 11.

Sunday, July 24th

11:00 am         Gregg Berger signing with exclusive Transformers: The Movie (30th

                        Anniversary Edition) poster

12:00 pm        Appearance by Ladybug and Cat Noir of Miraculous

1:00 p.m.        Meet Spot, a.k.a. Cthulhu, from the upcoming Howard Lovecraft & The Frozen

Kingdom animated feature.

 

Shout! Factory Booth (#4118) Comic-Con Exclusives  

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Buttons

Be Miraculous! We’re selling DVDs and giving away these “spot on” limited-edition collectibles. Stop by and say “Be Miraculous” to get your own Miraculous button! Limited to one per person.

 

Scream Factory Button Packs

For the 4th consecutive year, we’re giving away the highly collectible Scream Factory 5-button pack! This year, the titles we’ll be flaunting are top secret! Stop by the booth and ask for your set to reveal what we have in store for you this fall!

 

Shout! Factory, Shout! Kids And Scream Factory Home Entertainment

Highlights For SDCC 2016

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension Collector’s Edition

Shout Select’s inaugural release is the Collector’s Edition of the beloved ’80s cult classic! On Blu-ray for the first time, this Collector’s Edition comes loaded with bonus features, including a comprehensive retrospective featuring brand-new interviews with members of the cast and crew, and an additional disc of bonus features. Brilliant brain surgeon Banzai (Peter Weller) just made scientific history. Shifting his Oscillation Overthruster into warp speed, he’s the first man ever to travel to the Eighth Dimension and come back sane! But when his sworn enemy, the demented Dr. Lizardo ( John Lithgow), devises a plot to steal the Overthruster and bring an evil army of aliens back to destroy Earth, Buckaroo goes cranium to cranium with the madman in an extra-dimensional battle that could result in total annihilation of the universe!

Army of Darkness  Collector’s Edition

Bound in human flesh and inked in blood, the ancient “Necronomicon” – the Book of the Dead – unleashes unspeakable evil upon mankind in this outrageously hilarious third chapter of Evil Dead Trilogy from legendary director Sam Raimi (Darkman, Drag Me to Hell) and producer Robert Tapert (Ash vs. Evil Dead).  Army Of Darkness Collector’s Edition, featuring the Theatrical Cut of the film, the Director’s Cut (with 15 minutes of extra footage), the International Cut and the TV version (in standard definition). This definitive collector’s edition is jam-packed with bonus content, including new interviews with star and co-producer Bruce Campbell and the cast, special make-up effect artists Howard Berger, Tony Gardner, Robert Kurtzman, and Greg Nicotero, audio commentary, alternate and deleted scenes and much more – all collected in a special 3-Disc Blu-ray set!

Invasion of the Body Snatchers  Collector’s Edition

The seed is planted…terror grows. Invasion of the Body Snatchers Collector’s Edition Blu-ray features a new HD transfer and comes packed with new bonus features, including interviews and audio commentary with cast and crew, and a limited-edition collectible slipcover with newly rendered artwork. In the terrifying sci-fi classic, the residents of San Francisco are becoming drone-like shadows of their former selves. As the phenomenon spreads, two Department of Health workers uncover the horrifying truth: Mysterious pods are cloning humans — and destroying the originals!

Manhunter Collector’s Edition 

The first film to feature the iconic character Hannibal Lecktor, Manhunter follows former FBI profiler Will Graham (William Petersen, To Live and Die in L.A., CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) as he reluctantly returns to his old job to track a horrific serial killer known as the “Tooth Fairy.” But in order to get into the mind of this maniac, Graham must face another: Lecktor (Brian Cox,X-Men 2, Red), the imprisoned psychiatrist whose own insanity almost cost Graham his life… and whose insights into the “Tooth Fairy” could prove as dangerous as the killer himself. This Collector’s Edition features more than 5 hours of bonus content, including over 2 hours of new interviews,

Middleman: The Complete Series

Think your life has its wild twists and turns? You’ve got nothing comparable to the adventurous life of twenty-two year-old aspiring artist Wendy Watson as she gets recruited by a top secret agency to fight comic book-esque criminals under the guidance of her straight-laced boss who introduces himself only as…The Middleman. Based on the series of graphic novels by acclaimed writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach (“Lost,” “Medium”), this fan favorite live-action series aired on ABC Family.

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir – Spots On!

Wildly successful on Nickelodeon, legions of fans worldwide know that Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir is superhero super fun! When the treacherous Hawk Moth uses his evil energy to transform the citizens of Paris into super villains, only two amazing heroes stand in his way: Ladybug and Cat Noir! With the help of their magical pets, this incredible duo team up to outwit Hawk Moth and keep their city safe… but their biggest challenge might be getting through school. You see, Ladybug and Cat Noir are actually Marinette and Adrien, a pair of young students who live what seems to be a normal life. But even for these two, it’s hard to juggle schoolwork, friends, family and growing up when every day is a super-powered adventure!

My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: Season 5

When Twilight Sparkle and her best friends — Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Spike — come across a town full of ponies with the exact same Cutie Mark, the gang has to learn a very powerful lesson about individuality. And the adventures just get better from there! This four-disc DVD set features all 26 episodes of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic’s fifth season and includes bonus features!

Mystery Science Theater 3000 Vol. 36

In this election year, we present two candidates for president of Mystery Science Theater 3000 Volume XXXVI. Representing the Comedy Central Party, Joel Hodgson, a champion of long-suffering cinephiles, leads the botty politic in two memorable episodes replete with inspired riffs and wacky host segments.  Representing the SyFy Channel Party is Mike Nelson, a riff-ormer whose doctrine of laughter at any cost is clearly in play on the other two delirious episodes in this collection. We urge you to hear them both out as they take on some of the cheesiest movies of the day and lay out their visions for a funnier tomorrow.  Includes the episodes Stranded In Space City Limits, The Incredible Melting Man and Riding With Death.

Red Sonja: Queen of Plagues 

Red Sonja, the She-Devil with a Sword, intends to pay back a blood debt owed to the one man who has gained her respect… even if it means leading a doomed army to their certain deaths! Who is Dark Annisia, and how has this fearsome warrior accomplished what neither god nor demon has been able to do: force Sonja to her knees in surrender? An epic tale of blood, lust, and vengeance, Queen of the Plagues takes Red Sonja from the depths of her own grave to the heights of battlefield glory. This animated feature-length film is features the voice talent of Misty Lee, with art by Walter Giovani and based on the comics by Gail Simone.

Return of the Living Dead Collector’s Edition

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the cemetery, those brain-eating zombies are back and hungry for more tasty mortals! Writer/director Dan O’Bannon (Alien, Lifeforce) puts an uproarious spin on the zombie apocalypse movie in 1985’s cult classic The Return Of The Living Dead. Considered one of the campiest undead romps of its time, the film features a killer soundtrack with tracks from many songs from punk artists such as The Cramps, T.S.O.L. SSQ and 45 Grave. The Collector’s Edition boasts a brand new 2K scan of the film and over 12 hours of extras! 

Super Sentai Zyuranger: The Complete Series

See where the worldwide phenomenon began with Super Sentai Zyuranger, the original Japanese series that inspired the Power Rangers franchise!  When the sinister witch Bandora is released from her prison after 170 million years, five warriors from an ancient time are woken from suspended animation to once again defend Earth from Bandora and her evil horde. Armed with enchanted weapons and giant robotic deities known as the Guardian Beasts, it’s up to these warriors to defeat Bandora and her monsters before she can exact revenge upon the Earth for the death of her son.

Session 9

It looms up out of the woods like a dormant beast. Grand, imposing… abandoned and deteriorating, the Danvers State Mental Hospital, closed down for 15 years, is about to receive 5 new visitors. Donning protective gear, the men of the Hazmat Elimination Co. venture into the eerily vast and vacant asylum that is filled with an evil and mysterious past. Rampant patient abuse, medieval medical procedures and rumors of demonic possession are some of the many dark secrets the hospital holds – but then so do each of the men.  Directed by Brad Anderson (The Machinist), Session 9 features a talented cast including David Caruso (CSI: Miami), Peter Mullan (War Horse, Trainspotting), Paul Guilfoyle (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), Josh Lucas (American Psycho), Stephen Gevedon (Show Me a Hero) and Brendan Sexton III (The Killing, Boys Don’t Cry).

They Live Collector’s Edition

Horror master John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing) directs this heart-pounding thriller in which aliens are systematically gaining control of the Earth by masquerading as humans and lulling the public into submission. Humanity’s last chance lies with a lone drifter who stumbles upon a harrowing discovery  — a unique pair of sunglasses that reveals the terrifying and deadly truth. They Live boasts a bounty of special bonus content, a collectible cover featuring newly rendered retro-style artwork, a reversible wrap with original theatrical key art and much more!

About Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Factory Productions, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Shout! Factory Films, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

2K and Blind Squirrel Games Announce BioShock: The Collection

June 30, 2016 – It’s been nine years since Irrational Games and 2K pulled you to terrifying depths in the underwater city of Rapture with BioShock, five years since your return to Rapture in BioShock 2, and three years since you skyhooked across the floating city of Columbia in BioShock Infinite. For the first time, fans of the BioShock franchise can experience all three award-winning adventures remastered for current-gen consoles and digital PC. The moment you’ve been waiting for is here – BioShock: The Collection will launch on September 13, 2016 in the U.S. (September 15 in Australia and September 16 internationally).

Working with Blind Squirrel Games, 2K remastered BioShock and BioShock 2 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC and BioShock Infinite for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, making them look better than ever. BioShock: The Collection brings the three titles together, complete with all single-player DLC as well as a never-before-seen video series, “Director’s Commentary: Imagining BioShock,” which includes insights from Ken Levine – over $100 of content – for only $59.99.

For more information, please visit the official 2K blog here: https://blog.2k.com/news/bioshock-the-collection-announcement

The Assembly Gets Release Date and Two New Trailers

Thursday 30th June, 2016 – nDreams, the UK’s largest developer/publisher solely focused on creating virtual reality (VR) games and experiences, are thrilled to announce that The Assembly – the studio’s first major title for high-end VR headsets – will be released on PC for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive next month, on Tuesday 19th July, priced at $29.99 / €24.99 / £19.99.

The Assembly is an immersive, interactive story in first-person VR for mature audiences. The game centres around the eponymous Assembly, an enigmatic collective that has hidden itself from the world so as to conduct its experiments outside the constraints of government scrutiny and society’s morals. But what secrets is it hiding? What will it sacrifice in the name of progress? That’s for players to discover by taking on the role of two different protagonists, who both have the chance to shake the foundations of this mysterious organisation.

Designed as a perfect introduction to virtual reality, The Assembly includes a player-tested control scheme custom built for VR to ensure comfort, so that both newcomers to the medium and more experienced VR gamers can explore The Assembly’s world as comfortably as a flatscreen first-person game. Players of The Assembly will also be able to switch to a non-VR mode, which features a reworked UI designed to be played on a monitor.

A non-VR version of The Assembly will also be released alongside the VR version and will be available to purchase for PC through Steam, priced at $19.99 / €19.99 / £14.99. This edition of the game will include an option that allows players to upgrade to VR at any time in order to experience The Assembly as originally intended.

To mark this announcement, nDreams has released a pair of new videos – a Preview trailer that sheds light on the Assembly’s lofty ambitions and clandestine achievements, plus an extended gameplay video with developer commentary to show what players can expect from their journey through the Assembly’s secret underground bunker.

Star Trek: Frontiers Tabletop Game Available Now

Hillside, NJ — June 29, 2016 WizKids is pleased to announce the availability of the highly anticipated strategy game, Star Trek: Frontiers.  Designed by Andrew Parks, Star Trek: Frontiers puts a new spin on the bestselling board game Mage Knight, by Vlaada Chvátil.

Star Trek: Frontiers hits stores today, and is designed for 1 to 4 players with multiple competitive, cooperative and solo scenarios.

Work together to defeat hostile ships or compete to explore and uncover hidden mysteries. Players will need to overcome obstacles to expand their knowledge and use their leadership as they adventure in order to be victorious in their exploration!

Pick up Star Trek: Frontiers ($79.99 USD) at your friendly local game store today!

For additional information and images, please visit: http://wizkids.com/star-trek-frontiers/

Star Trek: Frontiers is under license by CBS Consumer Products.

SteelSeries Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Huge Giveaway

** UPDATE ** SteelSeries has updated their giveaway with a trip to Dreamhack Winter in Sweden. They also are doubling the amount of Ultimate Set-ups they’re giving away – another 25 winners will be awarded over the next week!

Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s new:

  • Doubled the number of Ultimate Setups from 25 to 50
  • Added the “Ultimate DreamHack Experience” (Trip and seats for you and a friend to DreamHack Winter + Meet and greet with the pros + Shopping spree at DreamStore)
  • 25 winners (including Valve trip) have already been selected and added to the “Winners” section

Visit http://steelseries.com/15 to enter the “Ultimate Setup Giveaway” Sweepstakes. Terms and conditions are at the bottom of the page.

CHICAGO – June 29, 2016 – SteelSeries, a leader and innovator in gaming peripherals, celebrates 15 years of gaming innovation with a massive giveaway of more than 400 prizes worth an estimated $40,000. Top prizes include “Your Ultimate Setup” gaming bundles, an all-expenses paid trip for two to Seattle, and a complete gaming system featuring a state-of-the-art gaming laptop.

Starting today, fans can enter the “Ultimate Setup Giveaway” by visiting www.steelseries.com/15 for a chance to win SteelSeries gaming bundles, gift cards, limited edition games, exclusive swag and more. Contestants will be asked to choose their favorite four SteelSeries products to enter the giveaway and will receive a custom URL address upon completion. Sharing their custom URL with friends will earn them bonus entries for more chances to win. After entering, SteelSeries will send each entrant a coupon code for 15% off all purchases on www.steelseries.com.

“Our community has supported us for 15 years and enabled us to become trailblazers in the peripherals market and this is one of the ways we would like to thank them,” says Ehtisham Rabbani, SteelSeries CEO. “From our first mouse pad to our latest line of keyboards, mice and headsets, we’ve understood the importance of listening and engaging our audience – and we want to further that relationship for years to come.”

Prize Highlights

–      “Your Ultimate Setup” prize bundles – four SteelSeries products chosen at entry
–      All-expenses paid trip for two to Seattle, WA for a private tour of Valve HQ + “Your Ultimate Setup” bundle
–      MSI GE62 Apache Pro gaming laptop + SteelSeries “Your Ultimate Setup” bundle
–      SteelSeries products and exclusive 15th Birthday Celebration swag
–      Gift cards to be used with Steam, Riot and Blizzard
–      Overwatch Collector’s Edition and more

More than 400 winners will be selected at random, contacted through e-mail, and announced during the two-week event, with the biggest number of winners announced on the last day, Friday, July 15. SteelSeries will also be celebrating its official birthday on July 15 with its team of streamers and brand ambassadors across the world through special events and surprise announcements.

To participate in SteelSeries’ massive birthday giveaway and for a complete list of prizes, go to www.steelseries.com/15.

Escape from Tarkov Alpha Gameplay and Screens

June 29, 2016 – As a follow-up to the recently released Alpha gameplay footage for Escape from Tarkov, Battlestate Games is today making available a new screenshot pack from the game. The new screens, taken directly from an Alpha build of the the upcoming MMO/FPS combat simulation, showcase the various areas of an embattled chemical factory in the city of Tarkov, where danger lurks around every corner.

Screenshots

The Walking Dead Attraction Review at Universal Studios

The Walking Dead walk through attraction, the latest feather in Universal Studios Hollywood’s cap, is scheduled to open on July 4. However, we were among the lucky few to get access the attraction at a recent park media event which saw several members of the AMC show’s cast and crew in attendance. As alluded to, The Walking Dead attraction is based on AMC’s hit series, The Walking Dead, which is based on Robert Kirkman’s amazing comic series, The Walking Dead. No, this just isn’t a grab for Google search terms, there is just a lot of The Walking Dead zombie goodness to go through.

The Walking Dead walk through attraction can best be described as a Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights maze taken to “11”. The sets, props, and animatronics are all outstanding and look like they belong on the set of the television show. The starting cue area of the attraction was populated by Negan’s goons – however I am unsure as to how many of the actors will be on-site during actual operating hours.

the-walking-dead-attraction-004-universal-studios

A big positive aspect of the attraction was that guests are permitted into the experience in groups of about 5 people at one time. The attendants space the small groups out just enough so that each one gets an individual experience. Hopefully they can continue this when crowds get larger. I have found that a cattle call of guests can ruin an attraction like this – especially one that features tight corridors and timed effects/scares. Smaller groups also help make the attraction more intimate – it feels like your group’s personal story of the zombie apocalypse instead of just an animatronic museum to walk five feet, look, and repeat ad nauseam. With these group sizes, you ARE part of the experience.

Also used, albeit with way more restraint than in the park’s Horror Nights mazes, are some smell effects! Again – they are sparingly used to a much greater effect in The Walking Dead attraction, which I appreciate. I have always felt Horror Nights mazes rely on those scents too much, but I digress…

the-walking-dead-attraction-039-universal-studios

After going through the gauntlet of Negan’s goons, you end up in the Harrison County Hospital featured in The Walking Dead’s pilot episode (where Rick wakes up, confused and hurt). From there, it is a very cool walk down memory lane – going sequentially though the (so far) six seasons of the AMC show. You will visit several of the show’s major locations – all made real by some seriously talented craftsmen. The prison, Arno Farms, and a lot more are featured so look sharp for little Easter Eggs planted about the various sets you’ll walk through.

A big question we kept wondering was what would happen to the attraction during the park’s annual Halloween season Horror Nights event? Would it become a maze or would it stay the same. It appears as though that the attraction will get additional set pieces, live-actor talent, etc to ratchet it to an even scarier level! This is a brilliant move by Universal Studios and I can’t wait to experience it first-hand when the scary season comes around. Does this mean that the attraction will take the place of any other The Walking Dead experience for Halloween Horror Nights? Time will tell.

the-walking-dead-attraction-050-universal-studios

Speaking of live actors – yes, there are definitely live actors portraying both the living, the dead, and the walking dead inside the attraction. However, more of the scares and gimmicks come from some amazing animatronics than a traditional haunted house with live monsters around every corner. This smaller amount of live actors does not detract from the experience, however, as the actors that are in the walk through attraction are used to great effect and, as I mentioned, the animatronics and props are incredible.

Overall, The Walking Dead walk through attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood is a terrific addition to the park and shows off a lot of elements from the AMC television show which fans will love. I definitely recommend checking The Walking Dead attraction out when it opens on July 4, it is a scary and fun romp through an amazing television show brought to life all around you.

The Walking Dead Media Event Photo Gallery

System Shock Kickstarter Launches Free Demo Available

Vancouver, WA (June 28, 2016) – System Shock, the breakthrough FPS/RPG hybrid and one of the most influential video games ever produced, is being given a full reboot by the team at Nightdive Studios and a Kickstarter campaign has been launched to allow fans to help with the financing.

Originally released in 1994, System Shock ushered in a new era of action gaming. Combining a compelling storyline with innovative RPG elements, System Shock was a ground-breaking title that would influence numerous other games such as BioShock and DeusEx. Now System Shock is being redone from the ground up for today’s PC and console players.

“This is a full-fledged reboot of a classic game into something new” said Stephen Kick, CEO of Nightdive Studios. “As well as including members of the original team, such as famed concept artist Robb Waters, we have been expanding to include a number of industry veterans with years of AAA development experience having worked on games such as Fallout, Tomb Raider, Skyrim and Wasteland.”

Robb Waters, Concept Artist for both the original and contemporary versions of the game added “When I was first approached by Nightdive, I was excited at the opportunity to revisit my original work. However, it has turned into much more than that. I have been able to completely re-envision the unfortunate occupants of Citadel Station in a way that technology would not permit in 1994.”

The Kickstarter will be live beginning on June 28th, 2016, at 12 PM PST and will allow all visitors to download a fully playable demo.

Find the Kickstarter page at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1598858095/system-shock