Archive - 2018

Assetto Corsa Compitizione Early Access Trailer

2018/07/31
boothby
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

STAVELOT, BELGIUM – July 31st, 2018 – During the SRO press conference on Friday, July 27 – held during the 70th edition of the illustrious Total 24 Hours of Spa race – Kunos Simulazioni revealed the release date of Assetto Corsa Competizione, the new official Blancpain GT Series game published by 505 Games. The game will be accessible on PC via Steam’s Early Access program beginning Wednesday, September 12, 2018. Kunos also revealed a new trailer for the upcoming racing simulation game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI-Q-C0koSU.

In his speech, Marco Massarutto, co-founder and brand & product manager of Kunos Simulazioni, introduced some of the features offered by Assetto Corsa Competizione. Offering an extraordinary level of simulation quality that allows players to experience the unique atmosphere of this GT3 Series, the game features official drivers, teams, and all cars & circuits with the highest level of accuracy and attention to detail. Taking full advantage of Unreal Engine 4, Assetto Corsa Competizione will ensure the highest quality rendering with photorealistic weather conditions and graphics to reach a new standard in driving realism and immersion racing. Motion capture technology is used to create the animations of mechanics and drivers in an even more realistic fashion and guarantee a high level of player engagement during races, pit stops and driver changes.

Following the Early Access launch, in September Assetto Corsa Competizione will receive monthly expansion updates to introduce new cars, tracks and features until the final release of the game in early 2019. The final version of the game will also offer a wide selection of difficulty settings, and a deep and efficient rating system, able to offer the perfect multiplayer challenge for any type of driver – from newbies to skilled professionals. Kunos will optimize the game for competitive players with the full sets of racing classes and special events, and the option to face toughest challenge – a full 24-hour race, with options for driver swaps in both single and multiplayer modes.

During the Total 24 Hours of Spa racing weekend, a preview version of Assetto Corsa Competizione was playable in the paddock area of the Spa-Francorshamps circuit, thanks to a special videogame tournament officially supported by SRO Motorsports Group, organizer of the Blancpain GT Series. This was the first e-sports initiative proposed by SRO Motorsports Group for the Blancpain GT Series E-Sports, supported by Pirelli, AK Informatica, RSeat and Fanatec with amazing rewards for the best drivers. The top three virtual pilots of Assetto Corsa Competizione were officially celebrated on the circuit podium:

1st: Enzo Bonito (Italy)
2nd: Kamil Franczak (Germany)
3rd: Hany Alsabti (Germany)
The conference is accessible here:

Full SRO conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QH6pEZLOek
ACC presentation (starting at 45’37”): https://youtu.be/fQtiVpa6u4M?t=45m37s
For additional information about Assetto Corsa Competizione, check the Steam product page (https://store.steampowered.com/app/805550) and the official Assetto Corsa website, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

2018 Midsummer Scream Post Mortem and Photo Gallery

2018/07/31
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News, Screenshots / Photos

Bring on the Halloween season: Midsummer Scream 2018 is officially in the history books! Midsummer Scream ran from July 28th to July 29th at the Long Beach Convention Center and got us all in the spirit of the scary season despite the 85 degree/85 percent humidity weather. We arrived on Saturday morning and fought for parking, then got into the convention center. We were once again impressed with the Long Beach Convention Center. It had ample AC – especially when considering the sheer number of people walking around, as well as a tasty little cafe area. Other Southern California convention centers could learn a thing or two from them.

Once we walked onto the exhibit floor, it was like being hit with a wave of Halloween joy. People walked up and down the aisles, browsing and shopping, and we saw vendors selling FX equipment, toys, handmade crafts, and more. The folks from the Mystic Museum even had a recreation of their highly-received “Slashback Video” video store on the show floor. Knott’s Scary Farm had a cool photo op available for attendees as well as a limited edition event pin, while Six Flags Fright Fest had a makeup demo setup. Monsters being made up from here were later seen in the Hall of Shadows, but more on that later. The exhibit floor also saw some celebrity signings, such as Cassandra Peterson (“Elvira”) and Kimberly J. Brown (“Marni” from Halloweentown) – each looking like they were having a blast talking with fans.

The Hall of Shadows, Midsummer Scream’s dark zone of mini-haunted experiences, has been greatly expanded. Not only were there a lot more mini-haunts in the area, but there were also specialized vendors (some selling glow in the dark props, masks, etc) and exhibitors. With all the haunters displaying their work in the Hall of the Shadows, it is hard to select our favorite, but we think that honor would go to Murder House Productions Trick ‘r Treat maze. Their attention to detail in recreating scenes of the movie was incredible. Also showing off their skills in the Hall of Shadows was the “Decayed Brigade”, a pro-sliding group made up of former and current scare actors. Six Flags Fright Fest brought a small haunted walk-through activation to the Hall of Shadows, complete with monsters and more all ready to scare attendees.

Midsummer Scream saw a number of panels and presentations, including those from the big haunted attractions in Southern California. Knott’s Scary Farm announced a new scare zone called the “Forsaken Lake”, while Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights unveiled a Trick ‘r Treat scare zone. Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor unveiled a revamped attraction this year with maze designs from Jon Cooke of Plague Productions. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour also unveiled a number of new mazes for its upcoming “Horror Made Here” event, including some based on “The Exorcist” and “IT”. In a wonderfully surprising turn, Midsummer Scream hosted a Hocus Pocus anniversary panel which saw actress Thora Birch talking about her experiences making the movie. The panel even had a trio of Sanderson sisters-look alikes performing, quite well, “I Put A Spell on You”.

This brings us to the only real problem facing Midsummer Scream: Parking. Unfortunately, the event parking was completely overloaded this year and it took quite a while to find a spot. Even then, we ended up parking a good distance away and having to leg it back to the convention center. I don’t know what can be done to solve this situation, but I hope it is something that can be addressed for next year.

Midsummer Scream has already announced its dates for next year and you can find it at the Long Beach Convention Center on August 3rd and August 4th, 2019. And, with that, we wish you a happy beginning to the scary season as we will start seeing more updates released from your favorite upcoming haunted attractions, preview events to report on, and a lot more. Happy Halloween! 🎃

Photo Gallery

The Sinking City Gameplay Trailer

2018/07/31
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Kiev, Ukraine, July  31, 2018 – Bigben and Frogwares Games have revealed a new gameplay trailer for The Sinking City, an open world, action investigation game inspired by the work of H.P. Lovecraft. This new trailer divulges more elements about its main character’s mental state, his interaction with the immersive sprawling open city of Oakmont and the game’s unsettling atmosphere.

Charles W. Reed is a private investigator in New England in the 1920s. Tortured by his past and otherworldly visions, he finds himself in Oakmont, Massachusetts, seeking salvation from the creeping insanity that afflicts him. The city of Oakmont, once a trade harbor known for its lucrative smuggling business, now lives in secluded isolation from the rest of the world under a flood of supernatural origins. In this place of decay and superstition; players will have to deal with the dregs of mankind, follow clues they wish they had never found and unveil a cosmic horror threatening the world itself.

A Close Shave  – Gameplay Trailer can be viewed here

The Sinking City is set for release on March 21st 2019 on PC, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One.

Shenmue I & II Story Trailer

2018/07/31
boothby
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

July 31, 2018 – To celebrate the upcoming re-release of Shenmue I & II on new platforms, we’ve worked with Corey Marshall, the English-version voice actor of Ryo Hazuki, to create a series of videos exploring the basics of the legendary saga – starting with the story! Watch the first episode HERE:

Exploring first and foremost the setting and story of Shenmue I & II, in this episode Corey guides us through Ryo’s tale of investigation and revenge for his father’s murder, and the mystery of the Dragon Mirror that his father kept hidden and eventually died to protect. Ryo’s quest of retribution against Lan Di, the man in the Chinese robes who assassinated his father before his very eyes, took him from the faithfully represented town of Yokosuka to different locations across China, meeting many allies along the way.

On August 21st, new players can get immersed into Ryo’s quest to find justice on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

Shenmue I & II is now available for pre-order digitally on Steam, Xbox Marketplace and PSN with a 10% discount, and from SEGA approved digital retailers*. The physical edition is available to pre-order from US and EMEA retailers.

For all the latest information on Shenmue I & II, go to: https://shenmue.sega.com/

*Please check here for an exhaustive list of digital retailers and more details as to what constitutes a SEGA approved retailer.

This is the Police 2 Early Launch Trailer

2018/07/31
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Vienna, Austria/Minsk, Belarus, July 31st, 2018: What’s wrong with our publishing buttons? Somebody write us a ticket: After forgetting to press the ‘Go Live’ button for the original This Is The Police PC release, this time we pressed it a bit too early… So ignore our previous 2 August release date: This Is the Police 2 is out… now! And that two-day head start is good, as Sharpwood desperately needs a new Sheriff. We hope you’re ready to report for duty.

Watch the release trailer on YouTube:

Listen to the soundtrack on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/qz32T9oYmiU

This Is the Police 2 is out now on PC, Mac and Linux as digital version:

This Is The Police 2 will also launch on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Nintendo Switch™ and the Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X later this autumn.

McFarlane Toys Announces Fortnite Collectible Figures

2018/07/30
boothby
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

TEMPE, ARIZONA, — July 30, 2018 — McFarlane Toys today announced a new partnership with Epic Games to create a range of Fortnite™ premium collectible figures, related accessories and resin statues, in a deal brokered by IMG.

The new Fortnite branded collection will feature seven-inch premium figures from the Fortnite franchise and high-end accessories.

“The Fortnite brand has taken on global status and continues to grow each day. The game, with its sense of skill and irreverent fun, now has hundreds of character options to choose from, which is a tremendous blueprint for making any successful toy and action figure line,” said Todd McFarlane, CEO and Founder of McFarlane Toys.

“The developer’s art team at Epic Games wants to bring that same attitude into the creation of their toys, and everyone here at McFarlane Toys will be doing all we can to bring Fortnite fans the very best products,” said McFarlane. “With such a deep and visually interesting library to choose from, I have no doubt that we will be able to showcase both current and ‘classic’ looks from the Fortnite franchise. After talking with some of the top creators at Epic Games, I’m delighted they are as stoked about our partnership to make cool toys as we are!”

Donald Mustard, Worldwide Creative Director of Epic Games commented: “We’ve been fans of Todd and McFarlane Toys for years and years, and it’s been a dream come true to have an opportunity to collaborate with them. I’ve seen some of the prototypes and they’re so sweet… I think players are just going to be blown away.”

Launching in Fall 2018, the collection will be available for purchase from mass retail stores.

Fortnite is the action building game from Epic Games that lets you drop into a massive 100-player PVP Battle Royale or team up with friends in a co-op campaign to Save The World against a horde of monsters. Craft and loot in giant worlds where no two games are ever the same. Fortnite™ Battle Royale is free and available on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, and soon, Android.

Holosun Expands LA County Operations

2018/07/30
Jerry Paxton
Action Sports, Airsoft News, Articles, Geek News, News, Tech News

Walnut, CA – Holosun Technologies Inc., a premium optics manufacturer based in southern California plans to expand its operations in Los Angeles County. This move will allow the company to build upon its growth in the optics industry as well as attract, hire and retain exceptional talent. Holosun, which manufactures, imports and distributes red dots sights, tactical lasers and accessories, will embark on a $7 million move of its headquarters from Walnut California to the City of Industry, California.

“This move will afford us the room we need to we expand our operations and product offerings over the next decade. Our new facility will house our customer service, sales support, and shipping / receiving departments as well as our assembly operations. Additionally, as we continue to grow our business, we will explore manufacturing many of the components used in our products at the new facility,” comments Holosun Business Development Manager, Louis Craig.

The company estimates that it will add positions in assembly, customer service, shipping and receiving. Holosun has previously moved 2 times in the past 3 years as a response to their business growth.

Halloween Horror Nights Reveals Stranger Things Maze Key Art

2018/07/30
boothby
Geek News, Halloween, News

Universal Parks & Resorts, July 30, 2018 – Things are about to get turned upside down at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights’ with the first look reveal of the “Stranger Things” maze key art designed exclusively by Kyle Lambert, the official illustrator of the mega-hit Netflix original series.

Featuring the series’ cast standing adjacent to the predatory Demogorgon, the ominous image depicts a nearly palpable account of what guests can expect to experience when the “Stranger Things” maze debuts as part of “Halloween Horror Nights” this fall.

The “Stranger Thing” maze, inspired by season one of the Netflix series, will come to life at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort, beginning, Friday, September 14, and at Universal Studios Singapore, beginning Thursday, September 27, 2018.

The parallel universe, referred to as the Upside Down, that terrorized the small town of Hawkins, Indiana in “Stranger Things,” will bring the chittering, predatory Demogorgon to “Halloween Horror Nights” to stalk unwitting guests as they encounter iconic scenes, characters and environments from the mesmerizing series.

Working collaboratively with Netflix, along with the creators and executive producer of the blockbuster series—Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer and Shawn Levy, the mazes will be authentic representations of “Stranger Things,” designed to transport guests into artfully recreated scenes and storylines. From the menacing Hawkins National Laboratory, under the U.S. Department of Energy, to the Byers home adorned with an erratic display of flashing Christmas lights and the eerie Upside Down woods oozing a shower of floating orb-like spores, the chilling new mazes will offer surprising twists and unexpected turns around every corner.

Universal Studios’ “Halloween Horror Nights” is the ultimate Halloween event. For more than 25 years, guests from around the world have visited “Halloween Horror Nights” to become victims inside their own horror film. Multiple movie-quality mazes based on iconic horror television shows, films and original stories come to life season after season, while the streets of each park’s event are transformed into highly-themed scare zones with menacing scare-actors lunging from every darkened corner.

For more information about “Halloween Horror Nights” visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Unveils Revamped Experience for 2018

2018/07/30
boothby
Geek News, Halloween, News

LONG BEACH, Calif., (July 30, 2018) – Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Southern California’s most authentically terrifying haunt, will once again rise from the depths on September 27, drenched in legend and oozing with a sordid past. Regarded as one of the most haunted places on Earth, the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor is a thrill-seekers’ delight, blurring the lines of history and hysteria, and for the 2018 season, the event will disorient fans with an entirely NEW park footprint along with NEW maze designs, INTERACTIVE alternate paths, and THRILLING live entertainment.

“This coming season attendees are invited to descend into Dark Harbor’s newly, Omni-immersive and hyper-enhanced mazes for its darkest season yet,” stated Charity Hill, Executive Producer of Dark Harbor. “With a myriad of voluntary experiences, alternate paths, secret bars, and hidden passages we are proud to deliver a choose-your-own-adventure mega haunt.”

Put on a detective’s hat and retrace the steps of Samuel the Savage to solve the gruesome murders in B340. Re-live childhood nightmares playing hide-and-seek with Scary Mary and her sinister teddy bear in Lullaby. Escape the Ringmaster’s big top before becoming a specimen in the oddities museum of Circus. Head to boot camp with Half Hatch Henry for a reimagined storyline of the fan-favorite maze, Deadrise, to experience Captain’s rigorous training camp. Feeling Intrepid? Traverse the John Brown Shipyard and try to hide from the lurking creatures in the Scottish Highlands aboard Iron Master’s express train to hell. Clock-in to a shift aboard the infamous Grey Ghost and avoid Chef’s chopping block while working up an appetite for flesh in the maze FEAST.

At Midsummer Scream on Sunday, July 29, the producers of Dark Harbor announced a devilishly-perfect addition to their creative team, the sinister & twisted mind of Jon Cooke. The NEW Dark Harbor Production Designer brings with him over a decade of experience designing some of SoCal’s most celebrated theme parks and haunted attractions.

As Dark Harbor’s darkest and most sinister season approaches, those daring enough to set foot on property will navigate a bone-chilling 9-degree Ice Bar, dodge hundreds of devious entities, seek out hidden havens, indulge in devilish treats, imbibe intense concoctions, survive Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch Sinister Swings, brave the Panic 4D Experience, and white-knuckle death-defying aerial and fire stunts for the haunt’s most frighteningly immersive season yet.

Let the countdown begin: 6 blood-curdling mazes, 5 weeks of terror, 3 new secret bars, 2 electrifying stages, 1 way out…

The annual haunt returns to the Queen Mary on September 27 and continues to scare those who dare on select nights through November 2. General Admission ticket prices start at just $20 online with optional limited upgrades to Fast Fright, Evil Express, VIP, Ultimate Scream, Creepy Cabanas, and Private Patios (available while supplies last). For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.queenmary.com/dark-harbor.

Jump Force Bleach Character Trailer

2018/07/30
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

July 30, 2018  – BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today has released a new trailer featuring Ichigo, Rukia, and Aizen from the hit anime and manga series, BLEACH. They join characters from DRAGON BALL Z, NARUTO, and ONE PIECE in JUMP FORCE for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, and PC via STEAM®.

Ichigo Kurosaki – The main protagonist of BLEACH, Ichigo has been given the powers of a Soul Reaper. With these powers Ichigo must defend humans from evil spirits and guide those who have passed away to the afterlife.

Rukia Kuchiki – Another Soul Reaper, she gifts Ichigo his powers after learning that he can see supernatural beings.

Sosuke Aizen – The main antagonist of the BLEACH series, Aizen is a captain of the Fifth Division until he betrays the Soul Society.

The new trailer highlighting the BLEACH characters in JUMP FORCE can be found at the following YouTube link: