Archive - 2017

For Honor: Season 3 – Tribute Mode Reveal Trailer

September 12, 2017 – Tribute is a new 4v4 multiplayer objective mode coming to For Honor. The new game mode challenges players to find and return Offerings to their base to receive Blessings. Each of these Blessings provide buffs across the team giving players strategic choices on where to place their Offerings. The For Honor team will share more information on Tribute during the weekly Warrior’s Den on Thursday, September 14 at 9:00 am PDT: twitch.tv/forhonorgame

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal in collaboration with other Ubisoft studios,* For Honor offers an engaging campaign and thrilling multiplayer modes. Players embody warriors of the three Great Factions – the bold Knights, the brutal Vikings and the deadly Samurai – fighting to the death on intense and believable melee battlefields. The Art of Battle, the game’s innovative combat system that puts players in total control of their warriors, allows them to utilize the unique skills and combat style of each hero to vanquish all enemies who stand in their way.

For more information about For Honor, please visit forhonorgame.com and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ForHonorGame and on Twitter at twitter.com/ForHonorGame.

For the latest on For Honor and all Ubisoft games, please visit ubiblog.com.

The Evil Within 2 Race Against Time Trailer

September 13, 2017 – Time is not on your side in The Evil Within 2. As Sebastian Castellanos, you will face unimaginable terrors as you fight to find your daughter within the nightmare of STEM and get her out safely before the entire system crumbles around you. On top of the hideous creatures that roam the streets, you’ll also have to contend with the likes of Stefano and Theodore – twisted individuals who have made their horrific homes inside of STEM and are warping the weakened world to suit their wills. Should the world be completely destroyed, there won’t be any escape for Sebastian or Lily.Check out the newly released gameplay trailer:

The Evil Within 2 will launch worldwide Friday the 13th, October 2017 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The Evil Within 2 has been rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information about the game, visit www.TheEvilWithin.com.

Okami HD Announced for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows PC

September 12, 2017 – The much loved and highly acclaimed BAFTA award-winning visual masterpiece Okami HD will be coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One both physically and digitally and as a digital download for Windows PC across North America on December 12, 2017 for MSRP $19.99. Experience a tidal wave of colorful action by downloading the new trailer and assets from the press site here.

The original game, released to critical and consumer acclaim in 2006, was hailed as one of the most beautiful games ever created, and this latest release with its renowned Sumi-e ink art style is now even more breath-taking as the graphics have been updated to take advantage of modern high resolutions. Okami HD will be compatible with Xbox One X and PS4 Pro while featuring stunning 4K graphics on Xbox One X, PS4 Pro and supported PC hardware.

In Okami HD players take on the role of Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess who inhabits the form of a legendary white wolf Shiranui on a quest to defeat Orochi, an eight-headed demon and tyrannical monster responsible for turning the world into a ruined wasteland. Players must use Amaterasu’s magical abilities and arsenal of items, attacks and Celestial Brush techniques to restore the land of Nippon to its previous glory full of life and color. Along the way, Amaterasu will be called upon to help a cast of quirky and intriguing characters and defeat a bevy of brutal enemies to rid the land of Orochi’s curse.

Players will be able to choose between playing in a modern widescreen format or the original 2007 release’s 4:3 ratio. Interactive loading game screens from the original game are also included, allowing players to earn bonus demon fangs which can be traded for in-game items.

Halloween Horror Nights 2017 Preview Video

September 12, 2017 – “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood, brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror.  This year’s event will feature a new slate of unrivaled film and television production quality mazes, frightful scare zones and a fully re-imagined “Terror Tram” experience – all uniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties.

As Southern California’s most extreme Halloween event, “Halloween Horror Nights” is designed to taunt, terrorize and torment guests as they navigate the darkness from one frightening maze to another.

New terrifying mazes and attractions include:

  • The Shining, inspired by the iconic psychological thriller.
  • “American Horror Story: Roanoke,” based on FX’s critically-acclaimed, Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning television series.
  • “The Horrors of Blumhouse,” inspired by prolific filmmaker Jason Blum’s movies, the maze features iconic and unnerving moments from The Purge franchise, Sinister movies and upcoming Happy Death Day.
  • “Insidious: Beyond the Further,” inspired by Universal Pictures and Sony Picture’s upcoming supernatural thriller Insidious franchise including, Insidious: Chapter 4.
  • “SAW: The Games of Jigsaw,” based on the SAW film series and the upcoming series installment, JIGSAW.
  • “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” based on Starz’s comedy horror television series.
  • “Titans of Terror,” which unites slasher film villains, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees and Leatherface.
  • “Titans of Terror Tram: Hosted by Chucky,” will transport guests into a nightmare of carnage pitting guests against these four horror icons—Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees and Leatherface—led by infamous serial killer doll Chucky on the world-famous studio backlot.
  • “The Walking Dead,” Universal Studios Hollywood new permanent attraction inspired by AMC’s record-breaking television series.
  • The Jabbawockeez award-winning hip hop dance crew returns by popular demand.

NASCAR Heat 2 Launch Trailer

CHARLOTTE, N.C.  Sept. 12, 2017 – 704Games, NASCAR Team Properties’ exclusive console simulation-style video game licensee, has released NASCAR Heat 2 for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC. It is available today for $49.99 at major retailers, as well as digitally via the PlayStation®Store, Xbox Games Store and Steam.

Retail editions* of NASCAR Heat 2 also include a voucher for $50 off the purchase of any ticket (certain restrictions apply**) for any remaining 2017 and all 2018 NASCAR-sanctioned events at one of eight Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE:TRK) locations across the U.S.

NASCAR Heat 2 is all about your rise to become a champion,” said 704Games CEO Paul Brooks. “We’ve created a heart-pounding racing experience that captures the true action, drama and glory of America’s top motorsport.”

Developed by Monster Games, NASCAR Heat 2 features NASCAR’s top drivers, teams and tracks across three national racing series: the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™. These series offer unique racing challenges, introducing six new tracks to master, including three road courses, two ovals and one dirt track. Climb the ranks and rise to the top of the pack in career mode, take on the fiercest competitors in 40-car online multiplayer, or go head-to-head against friends in two-player split-screen multiplayer.

NASCAR Heat 2 is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB. For future updates, visit www.nascarheat.com, and follow the game on Facebook and Instagram.

*Offer available while supplies last.
**See voucher for complete details.

Apple Unveils iPhone X

Cupertino, California — Apple today announced iPhone X, the future of the smartphone, in a gorgeous all-glass design with a beautiful 5.8-inch Super Retina display, A11 Bionic chip, wireless charging and an improved rear camera with dual optical image stabilization. iPhone X delivers an innovative and secure new way for customers to unlock, authenticate and pay using Face ID, enabled by the new TrueDepth camera. iPhone X will be available for pre-order beginning Friday, October 27 in more than 55 countries and territories, and in stores beginning Friday, November 3.

“For more than a decade, our intention has been to create an iPhone that is all display. The iPhone X is the realization of that vision,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s chief design officer. “With the introduction of iPhone ten years ago, we revolutionized the mobile phone with Multi-Touch. iPhone X marks a new era for iPhone — one in which the device disappears into the experience.”

“iPhone X is the future of the smartphone. It is packed with incredible new technologies, like the innovative TrueDepth camera system, beautiful Super Retina display and super fast A11 Bionic chip with neural engine,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone X enables fluid new user experiences — from unlocking your iPhone with Face ID, to playing immersive AR games, to sharing Animoji in Messages — it is the beginning of the next ten years for iPhone.”

iPhone X introduces a revolutionary design with a stunning all-screen display that precisely follows the curve of the device, clear to the elegantly rounded corners. The all-glass front and back feature the most durable glass ever in a smartphone in silver or space gray, while a highly polished, surgical-grade stainless steel band seamlessly wraps around and reinforces iPhone X. A seven-layer color process allows for precise color hues and opacity on the glass finish, and a reflective optical layer enhances the rich colors, making the design as elegant as it is durable, while maintaining water and dust resistance.

The beautiful 5.8-inch Super Retina display2 is the first OLED panel that rises to the standards of iPhone, with stunning colors, true blacks, a million-to-one contrast ratio and wide color support with the best system-wide color management in a smartphone. The HDR display supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, which together make photo and video content look even more amazing. The addition of True Tone dynamically adjusts the white balance of the display to match the surrounding light for a more natural, paper-like viewing experience.

iOS 11 is redesigned to take full advantage of the Super Retina display and replaces the Home button with fast and fluid gestures, allowing customers to naturally and intuitively navigate iPhone X. Simply swipe up from the bottom to go home from anywhere.

Face ID revolutionizes authentication on iPhone X, using a state-of-the-art TrueDepth camera system made up of a dot projector, infrared camera and flood illuminator, and is powered by A11 Bionic to accurately map and recognize a face. These advanced depth-sensing technologies work together to securely unlock iPhone, enable Apple Pay, gain access to secure apps and many more new features.

Face ID projects more than 30,000 invisible IR dots. The IR image and dot pattern are pushed through neural networks to create a mathematical model of your face and send the data to the secure enclave to confirm a match, while adapting to physical changes in appearance over time. All saved facial information is protected by the secure enclave to keep data extremely secure, while all of the processing is done on-device and not in the cloud to protect user privacy. Face ID only unlocks iPhone X when customers look at it and is designed to prevent spoofing by photos or masks.

The new 7-megapixel TrueDepth camera that enables Face ID features wide color capture, auto image stabilization and precise exposure control, and brings Portrait mode to the front camera for stunning selfies with a depth-of-field effect.

iPhone X also features a redesigned dual 12-megapixel rear camera system with dual optical image stabilization. The ƒ/1.8 aperture on the wide-angle camera joins an improved ƒ/2.4 aperture on the telephoto camera for better photos and videos. A new color filter, deeper pixels and an improved Apple-designed image signal processor delivers advanced pixel processing, wide color capture, faster autofocus in low light and better HDR photos. A new quad LED True Tone Flash offers twice the uniformity of light and includes Slow Sync, resulting in more uniformly lit backgrounds and foregrounds.

The cameras on iPhone X are custom tuned for the ultimate AR experience. Each camera is individually calibrated, with new gyroscopes and accelerometers for accurate motion tracking. The A11 Bionic CPU handles world tracking, scene recognition and the GPU enables incredible graphics at 60fps, while the image signal processor does real-time lighting estimation. With ARKit, iOS developers can take advantage of the TrueDepth camera and the rear cameras to create games and apps offering fantastically immersive and fluid experiences that go far beyond the screen.

The new camera also delivers the highest quality video capture ever in a smartphone, with better video stabilization, 4K video up to 60fps and 1080p slo-mo up to 240fps. The Apple-designed video encoder provides real-time image and motion analysis for optimal quality video.

Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting on both the front and rear cameras brings dramatic studio lighting effects to iPhone and allows customers to capture stunning portraits with a shallow depth-of-field effect in five different lighting styles.

With iOS 11, iPhone X supports HEIF and HEVC for up to two times compression and storage for twice the photos and videos.

The TrueDepth camera brings emoji to life in a fun new way with Animoji. Working with A11 Bionic, the TrueDepth camera captures and analyzes over 50 different facial muscle movements, then animates those expressions in a dozen different Animoji, including a panda, unicorn and robot. Available as an iMessage app pre-installed on iPhone X, customers can record and send Animoji messages with their voice that can smile, frown and more.

A11 Bionic, the most powerful and smartest chip ever in a smartphone, features a six-core CPU design with two performance cores that are 25 percent faster and four efficiency cores that are 70 percent faster than the A10 Fusion, offering industry-leading performance and energy efficiency. A new, second-generation performance controller can harness all six cores simultaneously, delivering up to 70 percent greater performance for multi-threaded workloads, giving customers more power while lasting two hours longer than iPhone 7. A11 Bionic also integrates an Apple-designed GPU with a three-core design that delivers up to 30 percent faster graphics performance than the previous generation. All this power enables incredible new machine learning, AR apps and immersive 3D games.

The new A11 Bionic neural engine is a dual-core design and performs up to 600 billion operations per second for real-time processing. A11 Bionic neural engine is designed for specific machine learning algorithms and enables Face ID, Animoji and other features.

The glass back design enables a world-class wireless charging solution. Wireless charging works with the established Qi ecosystem, including two new wireless charging mats from Belkin and mophie, available from apple.com and Apple Stores.

Apple gave a sneak peek of AirPower, an Apple-designed wireless charging accessory coming in 2018, which offers a generous active charging area that will allow iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone X customers to simultaneously charge up to three devices, including Apple Watch Series 3 and a new optional wireless charging case for AirPods.

Pricing and Availability

  • iPhone X will be available in silver and space gray in 64GB and 256GB models starting at $999 (US) from apple.com and Apple Stores and is also available through Apple Authorized Resellers and carriers (prices may vary).
  • Through Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program, customers in the US can get iPhone X, with the protection of AppleCare+, choose their carrier (no multiyear service contract required) and have the opportunity to upgrade to a new iPhone every year. The iPhone Upgrade Program is available for iPhone X at apple.com and Apple Stores in the US with monthly payments starting at $49.91.4
  • Customers will be able to order iPhone X beginning Friday, October 27, with availability beginning Friday, November 3, in Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, the US and US Virgin Islands.
  • Apple-designed accessories including leather and silicone cases in a range of colors will be available starting at $35 (US), while a new iPhone X Leather Folio will be available for $99 (US). Lightning Docks in color-matching metallic finishes will also be available for $49 (US), prices may vary.
  • Every customer who buys iPhone X from Apple will be offered free Personal Setup in-store or online to help them customize their iPhone by setting up email, showing them new apps from the App Store and more.5
  • Anyone who wants to start with the basics or go further with iPhone X or iOS 11 can sign up for free Today at Apple sessions at apple.com/today.

The 17th Door Announces New Location and Theme for 2017

FULLERTON, California, September 12, 2017 – The West Fullerton Shopping Center is now home to one of the scariest, most intense, and most interactive haunted houses in the country. The 26,000 guests who attended The 17th Door last Halloween season will be thrilled to learn the creators have an all new prison maze and a Virtual Reality experience (add-on) in store for 2017. This year’s haunt will be larger and longer (over 35 minutes), more intense, and more suspenseful with a new theme, new location, all new rooms, and more innovative scares! Will you be able to make it through all 35 minutes of terror and escape all 17 doors? Or will you cry “Mercy?”

  • Third season starts September 22 with select dates running through October 31
  • Pre-sale tickets now available at www.the17thdoor.com
  • Regular ticket prices start from $22; VIP Speed Pass ticket prices start from $27
  • Located at The West Fullerton Shopping Center: 1851 W. Orangethorpe Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92833

STORY

…and so it continues. Our Paula has committed a heinous crime and it is now time to pay the price. A lengthy sentence to be served in the most gruesome and hellish of prisons. Much worse than the troubled and miserable life of our depressed college sophomore. Welcome to Perpetuum Penitentiary, a place of darkness born only in nightmares. For within these stone walls, you will meet true suffering and despair. Prayers for mercy unanswered. Evil pervading its every space. Paula’s space. This detour through hell is her new reality. The question is… will it be yours? The sadistic warden has agreed to unsupervised visitation. Go cautiously, one-by-one, as the residents of Perpetuum have no concept of confinement and no intentions of behaving. And they are thirsty, longing for the smell and taste of new blood. No one escapes. Your only hope is to survive. Are you scared? You will be.

“I’m very excited about the new theme this year,” said The 17th Door co-owner Heather Luther. “All new sets. New characters. New innovations. New scares. New everything! Guests can expect things to be very very different, and of course they should expect the unexpected!”

Pre-sale tickets for this year’s season are now available online at www.the17thdoor.com. Act fast because they sell out quickly!

The 17th Door is designed for a mature audience, preferably 16 years of age and older, as guests will find themselves in intense situations. All guests must still sign a liability waiver and the actors are allowed to touch guests. At any point during the haunted house experience, guests may use the safe word “Mercy” to be escorted out. They will be given the option to rejoin their group in the next room or leave the haunt entirely.

The 17th Door 2017 Haunt Experience Dates:

  • September 22-23 and 29-30
  • October 1, 5-8, 12-15, 18-22, 24-31

Ghostbusters Pinball Launches for Xbox One

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – September 12, 2017 – Stern Pinball, Inc., the world’s oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball machines, proudly announces the availability of Ghostbusters for Xbox One players on the Stern Pinball Arcade. The Stern Pinball Arcade was developed in partnership with FarSight Studios, the makers of The Pinball Arcade. The Stern Pinball Arcade is the most realistic and accurate digital pinball game ever created. Ghostbusters joins Stern Pinball’s other modern classics with 100% accurate gameplay and graphics, along with the most realistic physics ever in a digital pinball game.

The Ghostbusters pinball experience highlights the humor of the film as the player progresses through the game. The game also includes custom speech by original “Ghostbusters” cast member, Ernie Hudson, who guides the player to become the newest member of the Ghostbusters team. Besides chasing down Slimer, battling the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and capturing ghosts, other exciting features include:

  • Outstanding, strategic pinball gameplay with “paranormal” magnetic slingshots

  • Combative open field drop targets

  • Unique skill shots, captive balls and video modes

  • Random rewards and multiple unique multiball modes, including the flipper reversing Mass Hysteria multiball!

“Ghostbusters is one of our most beloved pinball machine releases from the last year. We’re excited to bring the colorful fun and nostalgia of Ghostbusters to the Stern Pinball Arcade,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball.

Coming Soon!

Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon Story Trailer

Burlingame, Calif. – September 12, 2017 – Today KOEI TECMO America detailed its action-packed demon slaying combat system, including a new Servan type which will aid players during battle, in GUST Studio’s latest title, Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon. Slated for release on October 24, 2017, Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon will be available for the Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC via Steam®.

As Aluche and her battle party set off on their journey to defeat the Moon Queen, they will encounter a variety of devious and dastardly demons; some of which mean to bring them harm and others which wish to join them on their quest. The mighty Striker type Servans are invaluable assets to any battle party, transforming from their demonic forms to powerful weapons which Aluche can wield in battle. Controlling the Striker type opens up a plethora of abilities to aid in combat situations, improving Aluche’s skills in either long range or close combat depending on which particular Servan she relies upon.

Making the most of the eccentric cast of human and demonic companions is incredibly important in securing victory, and players will be able to choose their dream battle party to give them a selection of unique abilities. The beautiful Lilies are able to perform an impressive combination attack with Aluche, Double Chase. When requirements in battle are met this attack can quickly change the tide of the fight, causing overwhelming damage to anyone in its path. Active Skills, used by Aluche, and Special Skills, activated by the Lilies, can also offer a boost to Aluche’s team in the form of increased health, attack or defense.

Amidst the waves of demons which plague the land are large fiends — devastating boss creatures which will require Aluche and company to utilize not only their innermost strength, but the environments around them as well. Breaking barrels of flammable liquid, for example, can be used to coat the enemy in flame accelerant so that an elemental fire attack will do considerably more damage! Aluche will encounter a unique selection of bosses from Vallderossa, a giant spider which uses its webs to fight, to the Blue-Blooded Fish Joe, which hides underground waiting for an opportunity to strike.

A selection of post-launch bonuses were also announced today for players who purchase Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon within 3 months from launch. On the Nintendo Switch™ players will receive a free download for the Fatal Frame Yuri Kozukata Outfit, whilst those on the PlayStation®4 will obtain the Deception Timenoid Restrains Costume.

Pre-ordering both of GUST Studio’s upcoming titles, Blue Reflection and Nights of Azure 2, will unlock special collaboration costumes for both games. Nights of Azure 2’s Aluche will be able to wear Hinako’s School Uniform Costume, whilst Blue Reflection’s Hinako will be able to don Aluche’s armor. Players can obtain the DLC bonuses from both games either through pre-ordering retail versions and/or purchasing each title digitally on PlayStation®4 during their respective early purchase periods. Steam® users are also able to obtain these costumes through purchasing the “Gust costume bonus bundle: Blue Reflection & Nights of Azure 2”, available from the launch of Blue Reflection until 4 weeks after the launch of Nights of Azure 2.

To celebrate the announcement, KOEI TECMO America has released a captivating new trailer which further details the gripping story of Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon, alongside a first look at the blood thirsty bosses which stand in the way of Aluche’s goal. Screenshots of the dastardly Striker Servans are also included featuring; Pitz, the piercing bee-type Servan, Aile, a bird surrounded by blue flames, Dampf, the mechanical Golem, Alice, a creature which summons the power of rabbit dolls, Dur, the swift and reliable Servan and Glanz, the crystallized Golem.

For more information on Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon, please visit the official website at www.koeitecmoamerica.com/nightsofazure2, Like KOEI TECMO America on Facebook at www.facebook.com/koeitecmous and become part of the #KTfamily by following KOEI TECMO America on Twitter at @KoeiTecmoUS. This title has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

JJ Abrams Returning for Episode IX

Just posted up over at the official Star Wars website, J.J. Abrams will be returning to the franchise to write and direct episode IX. This, after Colin Trevorrow was fired from the production.

The Official Post:

J.J. Abrams, who launched a new era of Star Wars with The Force Awakens in 2015, is returning to complete the sequel trilogy as writer and director of Star Wars: Episode IX. Abrams will co-write the film with Chris Terrio. Star Wars: Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Abrams, Bad Robot, and Lucasfilm.

“With The Force Awakens, J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy,” said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.

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