Archive - 2017

Knott’s Berry Farm Announces NYE 2017 Plans

2017/12/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

BUENA PARK, CA (December 2017) – The countdown to the New Year is on at Knott’s Merry Farm with  midnight fireworks, live entertainment, and special extended hours for the one-night event. Guests can say goodbye to 2017 as the park celebrates with memorable festivities including Knott’s Merry Farm seasonal performances throughout the day on December 31st. The Knott’s New Year’s Eve celebration gives guests front row seats to the final Seasons of Fun event, of year as the park rings in 2018 with a park wide party unlike any other.

The New Year’s celebration features entertaining activities for the whole family including a family-friendly comedian Chipper Lowell, live bands throughout the park, salsa lessons and more. Guests are invited to count down the final moments of 2017 with festive music, party hats and noisemakers making this last night of the year extra special. The spectacular firework celebration sets the sky above Knott’s ablaze at the stroke of midnight as colorful fireworks light the start of the New Year. The nighttime extravaganza offers a stress-free night perfect for family and friends to come together and create new memories by starting a new tradition at Knott’s.

This year’s line-up of cannot miss entertainment:

·         Jumpin’ Joz Band and Memories Swing Dancers invite guests to jump, jive & swing to the sounds of Jumpin’ Joz. The resident “swingers” are always looking to teach some of their signature dance moves!

·         Reindeer Rockers Duo will have guests rockin’ around the Christmas tree with rock and blues versions of classic Christmas songs at the all-new Boardwalk BBQ Restaurant.

·         DJ Howly brings the party to the farm for a special New Year’s celebration with high energy music perfect for dancing, all taking place at the Calico Mine Stage.  The Calico Mine Stage will also offer a musical performance by Vanity Band, a top 40s band that will keep crowds singing and dancing as the clock approaches midnight.

·         Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies will have the crowd’s toes tappin’, hands clappin’ and guts bustin’ performing live in the Birdcage Theatre.

·         DJ JC and Salsa Instructor Maria will teach guests how to salsa and dance their way to the New Year with the top Hispanic hits of the decade in Fiesta Village.

·         To celebrate the New Year the beloved Peanuts characters will be offering a special nighttime meet and greet right next to the Calico Mine Stage. 

·         Midnight Fireworks Spectacular, guests can ring in the New Year with a bang as the park’s sky wonderfully lights up for an aerial fireworks display that will leave the young and young at heart in awe.

·         Dining at the Farm: A New Year’s Eve celebration is not complete without a delicious meal. Spur’s Restaurant is serving up a special New Year’s Eve buffet from 4pm-10pm; prices are $34.99+tax for adults, $29.99 for Seniors (62 and over) and $18.99+ tax for kids (11 and under).

The seasonal fun continues with Knott’s Merry Farm’s festive lineup of entertainment, delectable foods and holiday shopping:

·         Merry Christmas, Snoopy!, in this exciting show filled with whimsy and spectacular ice skating, Snoopy enjoys all of the best parts of the season, including trimming the Christmas tree, awaiting Santa’s arrival and attending the festive Christmas Ball!

·         When the sun sets on the farm, the buildings and paths in Ghost Town twinkle brightly to the beat of holiday favorites as snow gently falls. Guests can enjoy the nightly Snow and Glow experience throughout most of Ghost Town.

·         The Calico Tree lighting Ceremony features the Calico Mayor, carolers and the friendly Calico Saloon cast as they invite guests to sing around the tree for an illuminating Christmas celebration.

·          The holiday season celebration continues at Camp Snoopy with A Peanuts Guide to Christmas, at the Camp Snoopy Theatre, featuring a delightful mash up of holiday songs with a cheerful and heartwarming dose of the Peanuts Gang.

·         In the intimate setting of Ghost Town’s historic Bird Cage Theatre, guests can catch a live performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol or O. Henry’s A Gift of the Magi.

·         Cameo Kate and Dakota Dan host a musical holiday celebration with a special performance in the Calico Saloon Christmas Show. The old west revue show offers plenty of laughs and audience interaction in the toe-tapping, knee-slapping journey

·         Savor the ultimate comfort foods with Knott’s world-famous holiday treats. Santa’s Christmas Cabin serves up holiday delights like Santa’s homemade cookies, warm roasted nuts, hand-made tamales and more. Guests can also enjoy the all-new Holiday Pizza at Hollywood Hits, as well as the legendary cooking at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. 

·         The bustling streets of Calico also celebrate the sounds of the season with the Knott’s Calico Carolers as they harmoniously sing classic holiday tunes for all to enjoy.

·         Relax and unwind in Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village, as Ghost Town transforms into a shopping wonderland filled with dozens of local artisans selling their unique gifts.

 

Knott’s New Year’s Eve Celebration is included with regular daytime admission. Park hours on New Year’s Eve are 10am to 1am. A 2018 Knott’s Season Pass is a great way to visit on New Year’s Eve. A 2018 Season Pass includes one free visit to enjoy in 2017 unlimited visits in 2018 with no blackout dates, discounts on select food and merchandise, and access to exciting year-round seasonal events. A Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2018 to Knott’s Berry Farm and a Gold Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2018 to both Knott’s Berry Farm and the newly expanded Knott’s Soak City Waterpark with no blackout dates. Now at the Lowest Price of the Year, Regular Season Passes start at just $92.00 or six easy payments of $15.33 and Gold Season Passes are $110 or six payments of just $18.33. These offers end January 7, 2018. Applicable taxes and fees apply online. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.

To purchase Season Passes or tickets, or for more information about Knott’s Berry Farm, visit www.knotts.com or download the Knott’s mobile app for your smartphone today.  And join the conversation using #KnottsNYE.

World of Warships Blitz Coming to Mobile in January

2017/12/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Mobile News, News

December 23, 2017 — Wargaming Mobile is excited to announce that World of Warships Blitz launches January 18 on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Mobile gamers on tablets and phones will soon be able to engage in epic naval combat that combines teamwork, tactics, and skill to rule the seas in an action-packed free-to-play online shooter.

Developed in partnership with KingNet, World of Warships Blitz will let players battle each other from a massive roster of 90 legendary warships from Japan, ​USA, Germany​ ​and​ the ​USSR. ​Players can choose between ​four​ ​distinct​ ​classes such as ​agile​ ​destroyers, well-rounded​ ​cruisers, ​powerful​ ​heavy​ ​battleships​ ​and​ ​long-range​ ​tactical​ ​aircraft carriers. Captains will be able to take to the seas in rapid 7-vs-7​ player​ ​battles,​​ team​ ​up​ ​with​ ​friends,​ unlock​ ​new​ ​ships, and take part in exciting single player missions.

“As a mobile game, World of Warships Blitz is casual, easy to learn and super competitive,” said Thaine Lyman, Head of Shooters at Wargaming Mobile. “Short battles, easy controls, and an impressive roster of ships are all right there from launch. We’re happy to welcome World of Warships Blitz into the Wargaming Mobile portfolio.”

World​ ​of​ ​Warships​ ​Blitz​ ​will​ ​support​ ​the​ ​unified​ ​Wargaming.net​ ​ID, which​ ​allows players to​ ​switch​ ​between​ ​platforms​ ​and​ ​devices​ ​while​ ​retaining​ ​all in-game​ ​progress.​ In World​ ​of​ ​Warships​ ​Blitz,​ players on both iOS and Android will be able to​ ​play​ ​together​.

Both iOS and Android players can pre-register here, starting December 23 to receive the Aurora Premium ship when the game has officially launched!

To learn more about World of Warships Blitz, visit the official website:

https://wowsblitz.com/

International Space Station Tour VR Out Now

2017/12/22
boothby
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

December 21st, Warsaw, Poland. The International Space Station has never been so accessible! Now you can visit all its modules, take a closer look at the astronauts’ everyday work and feel like you’re really in orbit around the Earth, without leaving your own home!

International Space Station Tour VR is now available exclusively and for FREE on Windows Mixed Reality (https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9P49RQXTSQ1K). The app, which has been developed by Warsaw-based studio The House of Fables, will allow you to see Earth from 400 km above the surface and experience what it’s like to be an ISS crew member.

The app is an educational tour of the International Space Station (ISS) created using incredible 360º technology. High-quality photos taken by the European Space Agency and videos recorded by Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti make this a one of a kind, immersive experience.

Working on ISS Tour VR was a very challenging, yet rewarding experience – said Adam Robaszyński-Janiec, The House of Fables CEO. For me, the ability to create apps like this is what VR is all about. Thanks to this amazing technology we can give people the chance to visit places they’d never be able to visit otherwise, and experience things that normally only a few of us can experience – such as visiting the ISS – Robaszyński-Janiec added.

International Space Station Tour VR allows space enthusiasts to visit all eight modules of the station (American, European, Japanese and Russian), and to learn more about its facilities by watching movies, interacting with its equipment and reading about how it all works.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION TOUR VR – MAIN FEATURES

  • Windows Mixed Reality headset and controller support
  • The ability to watch videos from the International Space Station while staying inside the VR environment
  • An amazing 3D model of the ISS, which can be placed in Microsoft’s Mixed Reality Cliff House
  • The immersive experience of being an astronaut working on the ISS, completely free.

More information about the app and other titles by The House of Fables can be found on the official website: http://www.thehouseoffables.com and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHouseofFables/.

Star Conflict: Journey Update Released

2017/12/21
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

December 21, 2017 – StarGem Inc. and Gaijin Entertainment released an update, code named “Journey”, for Star Conflict, their intergalactic MMO action game. The transformative update will contain many important changes that gradually roll out including a redesign of the leveling system – players will earn new ranks, receive new space ships and active modules throughout the story campaign as they explore the farthest corners of the known universe and its inhabitants. In addition, players will now be able to further expand their space fleet with new ranks (16th and 17th). These new ranks are the pinnacle of technological progress. Existing ships within their fleet will receive new active and protective modules.

Star Conflict’s “Journey” will take place gradually to ensure proper balancing, but during the implementation of the full update, from December 19th through January 18th, all players’ flotillas will be replenished with a free new ship Object NY18. When entering the game, pilots will receive a special container daily with the ship’s parts in it and must assemble it. Resembling a flying saucer, Object NY18 can intercept the control of enemy missiles and direct them to desired targets. It also boasts the ability to create a temporary spherical shield behind which the Allies can hide from enemy fire. Object NY18 will suit both beginners and experienced pilots. Depending on the number of selected modules, its rank can be changed from 5th to 15th.

Existing ships within the fleet will be improved over time, but pilots can already try out almost two dozen modules, guns, and modifiers for Command fighters. Those who cannot wait to get their hands on the newest ships of the top 16th rank will be able to acquire them faster by completing special tasks in January.

From December 19th – January 9th, players can earn xenochips and galactic standards taking part in tournaments, completing tasks, and simply winning battles. Rewards can be spent in the game store on special bundles, premium ships, and premium account. Also for the holiday season, there is a 50% discount on all goods in the store.

Read more about the latest changes on the game’s website: http://star-conflict.com/en/news/1362-star-conflict-1-5-0-journey-en

Civilization VI iPad Launch Trailer

2017/12/21
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, Mobile News, News

Austin, Texas — Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, the 2016 Strategy Game of the Year, is available today in the iOS App Store for a limited-time discounted price of $29.99** on iPad, with the first 60 turns free to play. Rebuilt with touch controls, Civilization VI is the first flagship entry in the award-winning turn-based strategy franchise to be playable on iOS. Your empire is now mobile.

Originally created by legendary game designer Sid Meier and published by 2K Games, Civilization is a turn-based strategy game in which you attempt to build an empire to stand the test of time. Become Ruler of the World by establishing and leading a civilization from the Stone Age to the Information Age. Wage war, conduct diplomacy, advance your culture, and go head-to-head with history’s greatest leaders as you attempt to build the greatest civilization the world has ever known.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI includes:

  • EXPANSIVE EMPIRES: See the marvels of your empire spread across the map like never before. Each city spans multiple tiles so you can custom build your cities to take full advantage of the local terrain.
  • ACTIVE RESEARCH: Unlock boosts that speed your civilization’s progress through history. To advance more quickly, use your units to actively explore, develop your environment, and discover new cultures.
  • DYNAMIC DIPLOMACY: Interactions with other civilizations change over the course of the game, from primitive first interactions where conflict is a fact of life, to late game alliances and negotiations.
  • COMBINED ARMS: Expanding on the “one unit per tile” design, support units can now be embedded with other units, like anti-tank support with infantry, or a warrior with settlers. Similar units can also be combined to form powerful “Corps” units.
  • LOCAL MULTIPLAYER: In addition to traditional multiplayer modes, cooperate and compete with your friends in a wide variety of situations all designed to be easily completed in a single session.
  • A CIV FOR ALL PLAYERS: Civilization VI provides veteran players new ways to build and tune their civilization for the greatest chance of success. New tutorial systems are designed to introduce new players to the underlying concepts of Civilization so they can easily get started on a path to victory

World of Warships: Battle of the North Cape Announcement

2017/12/21
boothby
Geek News, News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News

December 21, 2017 — In the run up to the holidays, World of Warships is excited to announce its Battle of the North Cape event. This historically inspired campaign runs from December 21 to January 17 and players can earn the legendary Royal Navy Battleship Duke of York, in addition to other warships throughout the campaign.

To add Duke of York to their navy, players need to successfully complete a set of 5 challenging campaign missions. In doing so, not only will they earn the ship, but will also be rewarded with an array of items from the special holiday collection, including photos and pieces of warships, emblems, flags and medals.

Commanders that conquer the challenge and then secure their first victory in their newly acquired Duke of York will open another set of campaign missions, letting them instantly earn five researchable Tier VI warships and a camo for each ship, regardless of their current Tech Tree progress:

  • Ernst Gaede (German destroyer)
  • La Galissonnière (French cruiser)
  • Queen Elizabeth (British battleship)
  • Fushun (Pan-Asian destroyer)
  • New Mexico (US battleship).

World of Warships is also injecting some more holiday spirit into the game with the return of Secret Santa. Proving extremely popular with the community last year, players can become a Santa, gifting in-game items to a friend or even a random player.

Learn more about the holiday campaigns:

Bloody Zombies Nintendo Switch Launch Trailer

2017/12/21
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, Trailers / Videos

(Farnborough, United Kingdom) December 20. 2017 – Video game publisher nDreams and Paw Print Games have announced their E3 award-winning co-op brawler Bloody Zombies is coming to Nintendo Switch™, the new home gaming system that people can also take on the go, on 23rd December for £10.99/€13.49/$14.99.

Bloody Zombies on Switch features extensive multiplayer support, with online and local co-op brawling for one to four players. Set in a London wasteland, bloody zombies have taken over the city and four survivors must fight together to beat back the rotting hordes across the game’s full campaign. Bloody Zombies’ highly refined freeform combat is both an evolution and refinement on genre greats, featuring an expansive, unlockable moveset that can freely be chained into brutal, discoverable combos. With extensive support for the Nintendo Switch console, Bloody Zombies features full controller and play mode support, allowing you to go from TV to handheld to table top and play with your preferred controller input.

Check out the trailer here:

“We’re delighted that Bloody Zombies is joining the host of wholesome family-friendly titles, like Skyrim, Doom and LA Noire, hitting the Switch this holiday season.” said David Corless, VP of Publishing, nDreams. “What could make Christmas more festive than helping your Granny take down a seven-foot zombie with a samurai sword, all whilst playing together on your new Switch console?”

“We’ve gone to town to create a game that is a truly modern evolution of the brawlers that we love,” said Antony White, Co-Founder and Director at Paw Print Games. “With extensive multiplayer options, an expansive campaign, and a combat system inspired by some of our favorite titles, we’re sure it will be enjoyed by genre fans and anyone else who cannot resist punching a zombie in the face!”

Universal Studios Hollywood Makes Googles 2017 Year in Search List

2017/12/20
boothby
Geek News, News

Universal City, California – December 20, 2017 – According to Google’s 2017 Year in Search campaign, Universal Studios Hollywood topped the list of Travel Destination Activities based on their aggregation of trillions of search queries.

Trending searches are defined as having the highest spike in traffic over a sustained period in 2017 vs prior year.

According to Google, Year in Search reflects the spirit of the times as they strive to capture the year’s new and exciting search terms. Trending terms generally better identify what people were curious about in 2017 relative to 2016. More information is available at google.com/2017.

As the #1 tourist destination in Los Angeles and one of the most progressive theme parks anywhere, Universal Studios Hollywood inspires guests from across the globe to step into the world of movie-making magic and experience immersive, groundbreaking attractions based on today’s most compelling movies and television shows.

With its recent unprecedented multi-million dollar investment to reimagine the decades old theme park, Universal Studios Hollywood has undergone a top to bottom makeover resulting in 75 percent of the destination completely transformed.  The dramatic changes that have taken place in recent years have substantially altered the look, feel and experience of the theme park to redefine Universal Studios Hollywood as an entirely new destination.

Since its inception over 50 years ago, Universal Studios has lifted the veil on Hollywood’s most illustrious industry, placing guests at the heart of favorite movies and television shows. It continues to be at the top of its game, taking innovation, imagination and inspiration to meteoric levels working in collaboration with some of the most influential filmmakers in the business and the greatest minds in entertainment—Steven Spielberg, Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Peter Jackson, Michael Bay, Chris Meledandri, Greg Nicotero and JK Rowling—to create intriguing rides and attractions. 

Spellbinding attractions situated within immersive lands include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter TM, “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” and “Springfield,” located adjacent to the “The Simpsons Ride.”  Popular rides include “Transformers: The Ride—3D,” “Jurassic Park Ride,” “Revenge of the Mummy” indoor rollercoaster and “AMC’s The Walking Dead” attraction.

The world-famous, behind-the-scenes Studio Tour remains Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, staying true to its roots of immersing guests in the awe-inspiring world of movie-making magic. 

Helmed with an expert guide, the Studio Tour provides remarkable access to movie sets on a real working studio lot bringing millions of guests onto areas of an authentic movie and television studio typically restricted to authorized movie production personnel and into that elusive world motivated by three compelling words: lights, camera, action.

From soundstages and productions sets to such thrilling attractions “King Kong 360 3D” inspired by director Peter Jackson’s blockbuster movie and “Fast & Furious-Supercharged,” based on the global blockbuster film franchise, the Studio Tour places guests at the front line of Hollywood movie-making.

As Universal Studios Hollywood looks towards the future, 2018 will offer guests another exciting year of entertainment including the introduction of the all-new DreamWorks Theatre featuring Kung Fu Panda.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.