Archive - 2018

Universal Studios Hollywood Rings in 2019 with EVE

Universal City, California, November 29, 2018 – Universal Studios Hollywood rings in 2019 with EVE, Hollywood’s biggest and most exciting New Year’s celebration, including an all-new Ultimate EVE package, on Monday, December 31, with extended theme park hours to 2:00 a.m.

EVE is included in the price of theme park admission and invites guests to spend the day and night enjoying its many popular rides and attractions with a special park-wide party starting at 9:00 p.m., featuring multiple DJs and live music entertainment hubs, that will culminate simultaneously at midnight with a traditional New Year countdown and a spectacular fireworks display.

The all-new Ultimate EVE package is a featured addition to this year’s event, inviting guests to celebrate in style. Package highlights include theme park admission starting at 6:00 p.m., access to private lounges, buffet dining, private cash bars, reserved VIP viewing areas for the dazzling fireworks display, a complimentary, midnight champagne toast, commemorative 2019 party favors and unlimited Universal Express access to all rides and attractions.

Starting at 9:00 p.m., Universal Plaza, Simpsons Plaza located in Springfield™ and an area near “Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride” will transform into three uniquely-themed party hubs, featuring a variety of music, from rock ‘n’ roll to electronic dance music to Latin pop, and the celebration will continue with enhanced DJ shows and after-party entertainment until 2:00 a.m.

A selection of food and beverages, including specialty desserts, champagne, beer, wine and specialty cocktails, as well as 2019 memorabilia will be available for purchase.

To purchase tickets for EVE or the Ultimate EVE package, click here.

With its festive environment, guests can toast the New Year with the spirit of the holidays already resonating throughout Universal Studios Hollywood.

The highly-anticipated return of “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM brings glistening snowfall for the first time ever to Hogsmeade village along with “The Magic of Christmas at HogwartsTM Castle,” a breathtaking digital light projection experience, which continues through January 6, 2019.

More information, including special EVE Preferred Hotel Packages, is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

Six Flags Great Adventure Holiday in the Park Review

From our dear friends and correspondents in New Jersey, here is one family’s thoughts on Six Flags Great Adventure’s Holiday in the Park event!

Dad: We had a blast at Six Flags Holiday in the Park at Great Adventure in New Jersey. This was the first year we were able to attend (and the first time going there for the kiddos), and I would highly recommend it as it’s the perfect time to visit provided you can handle the cold. They do a great job decorating the park with lights and holiday themed items, and because there is a little chill in the air, it isn’t nearly as crowded as the summer and fall.

We dressed in layers and it ended up being about 40 degrees the day we attended. We split our time on outdoor and indoor activities, stopping by some of the fire pits to warm up when needed. There were barely any lines for the rides and coasters, the longest we waited was about 10 minutes for the Ferris wheel. Everything else was just walk up and ride, including all the coasters – many allowing you to just stay on if you wanted to go again (yeah Joker!). It is worth noting that they do have the frontier section closed off, but the rest if all up and running with the exception of a few rides (listed on their site).

They have the holiday feast available to go along with the theme, and everything from the turkey to the mashed potatoes and stuffing and hot chocolate was a treat. The shows were okay, and a nice break if you wanted to get out of the cold. As a family, we loved it, and it is now our preferred time to visit the park since there aren’t major crowds to contend with, the rides are easily accessible with little to no wait and it’s decked out so nicely.

Son (8 years old): Here are some family friendly things to do in the park. Sit near a campfire, go to Wonder (show), do the mirror maze, go on the Ferris wheel, and go on Dark Knight. Some of the park is closed but there not long lines. Next to Poinsettia Peak is where they have all different foods. You get a main meal plus two sides. If you go on The Joker make sure your shoes are on tight. If you go on Justice League, it might have technical difficulties because when my family and I rode on it, it broke (for 5 minutes).

Daughter (11 years old): I absolutely love Six Flags Holiday In The Park. I loved all the decorations, they go all out. There is a huge Christmas Tree to greet you when you walk in. Also there are lights strung everywhere. There are huge ornaments and snowmen too!! From the Ferris wheel you could see all of the lights, it was so pretty especially at night. I loved the Cirque show because there were a variety of amazing acts like a juggler and trampoline artists. The food was so good and so was the hot chocolate. Finally, all the rides were super awesome especially the 4D Justice League ride. I hope you are going because it is so fun.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures Tabletop Game Announced

SAN DIEGO, CA (November 29, 2018) – IDW Games are excited to announce the next tabletop adventure for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures. Expanding on the system of TMNT: Shadows of the Past, this tabletop miniatures game will be coming to Kickstarter in January and will be action-packed with new miniatures, tiles, and Adventure Comics for both TMNT fans and miniature game players.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures will be both a co-operative and 4v1 adventure set in IDW’s TMNT universe. Kevin Wilson, the designer of TMNT: Shadows of the Past, will be returning to oversee development of the game, while Pete Walsh and Dan Lansdown, founders and admins of the Shadows of the Past online community, will join the team to take the lead on design, including the oft-asked-for A.I. rules to allow for fully cooperative game play.

Jerry Bennington, IDW Publishing’s VP of New Product Development, says, “We are looking forward to continuing with more Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stories on the tabletop! The fans are excited for more, and Pete and Dan have expanded on the amazing game system built by Kevin Wilson to create a foundation for great gameplay and storytelling. With new art and miniatures, TMNT fans are going to have a lot of fun with these new games.”

The Kickstarter campaign for the first two volumes of the game, Change is Constant and City Fall, will launch in January and feature new miniatures, characters, tiles, and fan favorites for all new adventures. With 30 new unique miniature sculpts and iconic art, this game will launch the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into their next incarnation on the tabletop.

“We want to use Kickstarter as a way to bring the fun of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures to more fans and gamers, while allowing us to create even more components and elements for the game that would not be possible through regular retail release,” says Jerry Bennington. “This will be the first in a series of Adventures-branded miniatures games that will bring some of the industry’s most iconic properties to the tabletop, so fans will have a lot to look forward to through 2019.”

Prior to the Kickstarter campaign, fans attending PAX Unplugged (Nov. 30 – Dec. 2) will have the opportunity to demo the game at IDW Games booth #3148. For more information on the Kickstarter and game previews join the TMNT Adventures Facebook Group to be a part of the community.

Overkill’s The Walking Dead Season Two Trailer

STOCKHOLM – Nov. 29, 2018 – Starbreeze, Skybound Entertainment and 505 Games have announced the start of season two of OVERKILL’S The Walking Dead on Windows PC via Steam. Included for all players who own the standard and deluxe editions of the co-op multiplayer action game, this first major content update introduces a new full-length story mission, improved tutorial support for newcomers and the highly requested addition of in-game voice chat.

Season two picks up with the main group of survivors facing new challenges in the aftermath of season one’s finale, including a powerful new enemy fortified on Washington, D.C.’s historic Capitol Hill. The first episode – “No Sanctuary” – sees players stage a daring raid on a Georgetown church to rescue a potentially life-saving informant. Season two will feature nine episodes from November 2018 to June 2019, containing new missions, playable characters, weapons, mods and other surprises along the way.

OVERKILL’s The Walking Dead has also been updated with new features driven by player feedback since the game’s launch earlier this month. In-game voice chat is now supported within Steam, enabling players to better communicate and coordinate with each other. A new video tutorial available in game – “The Survival Guide” – offers first-time players a more robust introduction to the game’s core mechanics with helpful advice for staying alive. Finally, restructured files will help the development team continue updating the game with new content and improvements at a quick and reliable pace.

Inspired by Robert Kirkman’s original graphic novels and developed by OVERKILL – A Starbreeze Studio, OVERKILL’s The Walking Dead is a four-player co-op shooter where players must band together on a variety of missions to find survivors, secure supplies and survive. Use stealth to evade enemies tactically, or dismember walkers limb from limb with brute force and firepower. Each of the game’s playable characters has their own special abilities, skill trees, squad roles, play styles and background stories.

Both OVERKILL’s The Walking Dead standard edition and OVERKILL’S The Walking Dead Deluxe Edition, containing the full game, its first and second seasons of content, the Night Raid Collection cosmetic DLC, a digital artbook, and the game’s digital soundtrack, are available now via Steam. The newly added OVERKILL’S The Walking Dead Starter Edition is available now for $29.99 and features the game’s full first season, with season two and onward content available for purchase via Steam. OVERKILL’s The Walking Dead will arrive on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One around the world in February 2019. Console pre-orders are available now digitally and at most major retailers.

OVERKILL’S The Walking Dead is rated M (Mature) by the ESRB and PEGI 18. For more information, visit OVERKILL’S The Walking Dead on Steamhttps://www.overkillsthewalkingdead.com, and follow the game on FacebookTwitterYouTube and Instagram with #OTWD.

DJI Unveils Osmo Pocket Stabilized Camera

November 28, 2018 – DJI, the world’s leader in creative camera technology, today announced Osmo Pocket, a highly compact three-axis stabilized camera created for everyone. Designed to be incredibly easy to use, Osmo Pocket offers a host of intelligent features to help capture creative videos and photographs in a portable form factor.

“Innovation is at the heart of every product we create and DJI Osmo Pocket is here to change the way photos and videos are captured, not just by professionals but by parents, couples, adventurers, travelers, and everyone in between,” said Roger Luo, President at DJI. “Osmo Pocket is a portable personal camera crew and we can’t wait to see how people use it to capture their stories and share them with the world.”

Small yet powerful
At just over 4 inches tall, Osmo Pocket is DJI’s smallest three-axis stabilized camera. It redefines DJI’s family of handheld gimbals offering features never before seen in a product this compact. A 1/2.3-inch sensor records 12-megapixel photographs and 4K video up to 60fps at 100Mbps in stunning detail. Osmo Pocket also uses built-in dual microphones and advanced noise-canceling algorithms to ensure you capture high quality audio to match your footage. Furthermore, a battery life of up to two hours shooting video in 4K, 30fps means you can always rely on Osmo Pocket to capture your story no matter where you are at the very best quality.

Smooth, stable video
Building on DJI’s experience creating gimbal technology, Osmo Pocket helps capture stable video for all of life’s moments. The state-of-the-art three-axis mechanical gimbal compensates for movements and smooths these motions so you can focus on composition and subject matter. Whether you are taking videos of your vacation or documenting special holiday moments, Osmo Pocket helps ensure your video comes out smooth.

Simple and smart
Designed with ease of use in mind, Osmo Pocket doesn’t just let anyone shoot cinematic footage; it empowers creativity.  The gimbal camera uses a 1-inch integrated touch screen that provides a high quality live view as well as the ability to toggle through the various shooting modes, adjust settings, review footage and gain access to a full suite of creative features including:

  • ActiveTrack-DJI’s image recognition algorithms allow Osmo Pocket to recognize and follow subjects of your choice, perfect for capturing family moments easily with the tap of your finger.
  • FaceTrack– FaceTrack takes ActiveTrack one step further. With enhanced ActiveTrack algorithms, FaceTrack automatically recognizes a human face and locks the subject in center of the frame at all times. It does not identify individual faces, but keeps the camera centered on one. To initiate FaceTrack, simply select selfie mode and the camera will detect your face.
  • Timelapse & Motionlapse– If you’re looking to turn minutes into seconds, Timelapse is perfect for capturing unique content with the effect of the world moving faster around you, while Motionlapse adds the dynamic element of camera movement to your Timelapse.
  • FPV Mode– FPV Mode lets you capture your greatest adventures by recording video from your perspective. Instead of locking the gimbal to maintain the horizon, FPV tells the camera to follow your every tilt and lean, shooting dynamic footage exactly as you experienced it.
  • 3×3 & 180° Panorama– For capturing breathtaking wide-angle photos, Osmo Pocket offers two Panorama modes. 3X3 takes an expansive 9 images in total while 180°mode captures 4 images. Osmo Pocket software stitches them together automatically so you can focus on the framing of the scene.

Unlock the full power of Osmo Pocket
A universal port under the touchscreen allows users to connect their mobile devices that use iOS Lightning or USB-C. Upon connection, the new dedicated DJI Mimo app will automatically open and serves as a monitor, while in-app menu offers a variety of intelligent features and recording modes:

  • Story Mode – Bring creative editing to your video with a host of preset music, video transitions and coloring. Choose one of 10 fun templates and Mimo will handle the camera movement for you. After finishing, Mimo automatically generates your very own short story, ready to be shared.
  • Pro Mode –If you want even more control over your content, “Pro mode” gives you access to camera setting adjustments and exposure settings to let you create exactly how you want, from rich video in bright conditions to a perfect handheld long exposure photo at night. Whatever you want to shoot, Osmo Pocket and DJI Mimo let you explore and expand your creativity. Osmo Pocket automatically detects and illuminates low-lit scenes into bright photos. This helps eliminates the need for a tripod, and you can rely on the gimbal to keep the camera still for a shutter speed of up to three seconds. Illuminate the dark, or capture the movement of light in a “light painting.” You’re only limited by your imagination.

A versatile tool with a range of accessories
An ecosystem of accessories unlocks the potential of Osmo Pocket:

  • Accessory Mount-The accessory mount makes Osmo Pocket compatible with action camera accessories so you’re able to capture your adventure footage, such as when mounted on a helmet, backpack or your wrist.
  • Wireless Module-The wireless module supports Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth transmission between Osmo Pocket and your smartphone, providing remote access to the camera feed and control of Osmo Pocket; perfect for setting up a Timelapse or Motionlapse on a busy city street.
  • Controller Wheel-The wheel allows you to precisely control gimbal movement (left-right or up-down) enabling you to easily adjust the composition of your shot. Re-center the gimbal or switch to selfie mode easily with dedicated buttons on the handle.
  • Expansion Kit- The expansion kit includes the Accessory Mount, Wireless Module and Controller Wheel.
  • ND Filters Set**-Specifically designed for Osmo Pocket, ND filters attach to the front of the camera to reduce the amount of light entering the sensor. The ND Filter Set offers several levels of filter darkness and allows for more control over the camera’s aperture, exposure time, and sensor sensitivity settings.
  • Waterproof Case**-Bring a unique underwater perspective to your footage using the Waterproof Case which can be placed at a depth of 60 meters.
  • Extension Rod**-The Extension Rod attaches to the Lightning or USB-C port and provides 31 inches of reach to Osmo Pocket, opening a world of new creative angles that are normally difficult or impossible to get. A gimbal control joystick and camera button on the handle were designed for remote control when using the Extension Rod and a tripod was added to the bottom for expanded use cases
  • Charging Case**-This dual-purpose case not only protects Osmo Pocket while in transit but charges it as well. Dedicated sections were added into the case for your MicroSD card and ND filters so you can quickly grab your Osmo Pocket and know you’re ready to capture those moments and adventures.
  • 3.5mm Adapter**-The 3.5mm Adapter allows you to connect an external microphone if you prefer to capture audio using a separate device.

**coming soon

Price and Availability
Osmo Pocket retails for $349 USD and will be available for pre-order at store.dji.com, DJI Flagship Stores, DJI Authorized Retailers and additional retailers beginning today. Pre-orders will start shipping December 15th. For more information on all the new features and capabilities of Osmo Pocket, please visit www.dji.com/osmo-pocket.

The Crew 2 – Demolition Derby Release Date

SAN FRANCISCO – November 28, 2018 – Today, Ubisoft announced that Demolition Derby, the second free update brought to Ubisoft’s open world motorsports game, The Crew® 2, will be available on December 5 on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X and Windows PC.

The Demolition Derby update introduces a new Demolition Derby discipline where competitors must try to earn a top-three spot by getting the highest score in a limited amount of time. Two new arenas have been built to house the destruction. The Bonneville Salt Flat where players will earn points by crushing their opponents’ cars while avoiding obstacles like being smashed by an elevator, a spring-loaded boxing glove or other cars. And a new circuit built in the heart of the Tucson aircraft cemetery, where players will be able to push their opponents off of the track for even more devastation. In addition to the Demolition Derby discipline, the update brings the highly anticipated PvP mode to The Crew 2. Starting at the Rookie level, up to eight players can compete against each other in a variety of disciplines, such as Street Racing and Motocross, in a constantly renewed selection of events across the US map. Players eager to shift the competition into top gear can enter in the in-game PvP leagues for higher stakes and rewards.

Four new demolition derby cars will be included in the update and for the first time in The Crew 2, whether in a specific mode or in freedrive, the demolition derby cars will be completely destructible.

The update will also feature more high-octane contests, including exclusive Drift, Alpha Grand Prix and Rally Cross challenges as well as additional skills and in-game activities.

As part of The Crew 2’s monthly vehicle drop, the Audi RS3 LMS – 2017 and the Aeroboat – VS12 – 2018 are now available for all players to access.

The release of Demolition Derby is the next step in the The Crew 2 post-launch development schedule, and the team is committed to continue introducing ample new content through regular updates in the months ahead. September saw the release of the first major free update, Gator Rush and the Hovercraft discipline. For more information on The Crew 2 post-launch plans, please visit: www.thecrewgame.com/postlaunch

Developed by Ubisoft Ivory Tower,* a studio based in Lyon, France, The Crew 2 lets players experience the thrill of the American motorsports spirit inside a fully redesigned USA. The game’s playground pushes physical boundaries to let driving and open world fans test their skills in nonstop competition and exploration. From coast to coast, drivers can explore America and compete to become the greatest motorsports champion by collecting a wide variety of exotic cars, bikes, boats and planes, and dominating the motorsports scene on the land, on the water and in the air. They can find challenges and inspiration among four different motorsports families: street racing, off-road, pro-racing and freestyle, and will be given a broad set of options among a wide selection of vehicle types.

Just Cause 4 ‘One Man Did All This?’ Trailer

LOS ANGELES (November 27, 2018) – With just one week before the launch of JUST CAUSE® 4, Square Enix® is proud to present a new look at Rico Rodriguez through the eyes of the dominant rival faction known as The Black Hand.

Exclusive gameplay combined with live-action and set to an intense soundtrack from world renowned DJ/producer, Slushii, JUST CAUSE 4’s “One Man Did All This?” trailer delivers a humorous look at the destructive power rogue agent Rico Rodriguez can deliver this December 4. See Rico from the perspective of the enemy militia – The Black Hand – as faction leader Gabriela Morales listens to firsthand accounts of Rico in action from those who survived. From reigning down destruction onto an enemy base to tethering shipping containers with explosive barrels, see what makes the exciting JUST CAUSE series unlike any other.

Set in the fictional South American world of Solis, JUST CAUSE 4 takes the series’ incredible destruction and unique physics to a whole new level with the introduction of tornadoes and other Extreme Weather events. JUST CAUSE 4 has four distinct biomes: Rainforest, Grasslands, Alpine & Desert. With each biome offering its own individual, fully simulated weather event, players will have a truly unique experience as they traverse this deep, diverse world.

JUST CAUSE 4 is a landmark entry in the series, and will release on December 4, 2018 on Xbox One, PC and the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system.

Jam City Acquires Bingo Pop Team

LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 28, 2018 – Jam City, a leader in mobile entertainment, today announced that it has acquired Bingo Pop, one of the top bingo mobile games worldwide, from Uken Games. The veteran Bingo Pop team has joined Jam City and will continue to manage game operations from Jam City’s new Toronto studio. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“We are so proud to be continuing Jam City’s rapid global expansion with the acquisition of one of the most popular bingo titles, and its highly talented team,” said Chris DeWolfe, co-founder and CEO of Jam City. “This acquisition provides Jam City with access to leading creative talent in one of the fastest growing and most exciting tech markets in the world. We look forward to working with the talented Jam City team in Toronto as we supercharge the live operations of Bingo Pop and develop innovative new titles and mobile entertainment experiences.”

Canada is quickly becoming a haven for top game developers, engineers, designers, and artists from around the world given its prestigious universities, universal healthcare, affordable housing and diverse communities. In addition, more than 35,000 students are enrolled in digital gaming related programs across the Toronto and Ontario regions. “Jam City is looking forward to tapping into the large pool of talent across the region and expanding our operations in such a vibrant and trend-setting city,” said DeWolfe.

“We are incredibly proud of what the Bingo Pop team has accomplished in creating a leader in the mobile bingo game category. We’re confident that Jam City will be a great home for Bingo Pop and the talented team behind the game in its next phase of growth,” said Chris Ye, co-founder and CEO of Uken Games. “Following this deal, we are excited to focus on the continued success of our iconic trivia titles and introduce brand new game franchises to players around the world. We are fully committed to continue hiring and investing in Toronto as a global hub for gaming.”

Jam City’s acquisition of Bingo Pop follows the company’s recent announcement of a multi-year partnership with Disney.

BATTLETECH: Flashpoint – Release Trailer

STOCKHOLM – Nov. 27, 2018 – Paradox Interactive and Harebrained Schemes today announced that BATTLETECH’s much-anticipated first expansion, BATTLETECH: Flashpoint, is available now for $19.99 MSRP on Steam, GOG, Paradox Plaza and other digital retailers.

BATTLETECH’s first-ever expansion adds new gameplay, depth, and over 30 hours of new content to the mercenary experience. Introducing Flashpoints: high-stakes, branching short stories that link together mercenary missions, crew conversations, special events, critical choices, and rare bonus rewards to take BATTLETECH’s endgame and Career-Mode gameplay to the next level.

Flashpoints embroil players in the feuds and machinations of the various Great Houses of the Inner Sphere, and are designed to keep even the most hardened mercenary commanders on their toes. In addition to narrative twists and turns, some Flashpoint stories include consecutive deployments in which players can’t repair or heal between missions, while others feature infiltration contracts that restrict the tonnage of deployable BattleMechs.

Beyond adding over 30 hours of exciting Flashpoints to BATTLETECH, this expansion comes complete with three new ‘Mechs (including the highly anticipated Hatchetman), a challenging new mission type, and a new tropical biome for the biggest and most challenging BATTLETECH experience yet.

Alongside Flashpoint, BATTLETECH also received a free update today, adding a slew of new content to expand the base game. Update 1.3 features an all new Career Mode, which challenges players to begin the game with the Argo in a random system where they will attempt to survive and thrive without the big payout from story missions. Update 1.3 also features revamped MechWarrior-abilities based on fan feedback, a revision of the reputation system that lets the player really feel the effects of their actions, new events with cameos from legendary MechWarriors, new Mercenary contracts (with pirates!), and more. For all the details on the added content, please see the full 1.3 update notes here: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/live-battletech-update-1-3-flashpoint-expansion-and-localization-beta-release-notes.1131637/

Legion of Doom Update for Teen Titans GO Figure! Launch Date

ATLANTA – Nov. 27, 2018 – Cartoon Network has announced that the super-sized “Legion of Doom” update for Teen Titans GO Figure!, the blockbuster sequel to the best-selling mobile game Teeny Titans, will launch on Dec. 6, 2018. On the heels of this update, the global mobile game franchise has hit a milestone with over one million downloads.

“Legion of Doom” will introduce a highly requested fan feature: multiplayer battles! Face off with friends and other players with new Teeny Titans figures – including Lex Luthor, Cheetah, The Riddler and more – to climb the ranks and earn exclusive figures. The update also lets you visit the Hall of Doom and adds brand-new tournaments, figure repaints and fun missions to keep your journey going for hours on end.

Teen Titans GO Figure! is developed by Grumpyface Studios based on Teen Titans Go!, Cartoon Network’s popular animated series from DC and Warner Bros. Animation, and inspired by the hit summer Warner Bros. Animation film “Teen Titans GO! To The Movies,” which is now available on digital. The game combines the adorable 3D stylized figures, action-packed battles and exciting shopping system of the original Teeny Titans with a new adventure featuring the Justice League. Experience fan-favorite characters and locations from the DC universe while collecting and battling nearly 100 customizable figures, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Black Lightning, Swamp Thing, Shazam and more.

Teen Titans GO Figure! is available now for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets on the App Store, Google Play and Amazon Appstore. This game is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) by the ESRB and licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of DC Entertainment.