Author - Jerry Paxton

Disneyland Holiday Festivities 2013 Review

2013/12/18
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Misc Review, News, Reviews

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Disneyland has once again performed a holiday makeover on both of its Anaheim, CA parks. At Disneyland, the large thoroughfare of Main Street, USA has been totally decked out for the holidays, with a gigantic Christmas tree located right when you walk into the park. There is also garland and holly strung up all over to bring in the season. Over in New Orleans Square, the holidays have taken a more creole twist, with New Orleans inspired decorations merged with some Halloween stuff. The reason for this is because the “Haunted Mansion” ride has been turned into the “Haunted Mansion Holiday” experience, with a [The] Nightmare Before Christmas makeover. Frontierland gave some old-world Americana holiday decorations, and we were very impressed with all the lights decorating the various buildings as day turned to night.

Over at Disney’s California Adventure park, the holiday transformation is also on display. In the park’s Buena Vista Street themed area, old Hollywood style gets made over with lights, Christmas trees, and lots of holly. The most drastic holiday makeover of either park, however, is that of the new Cars Land themed area. Already featuring some beautiful art designed inspired by the Cars movie franchise, the holiday version of the area is a thing of beauty. Each of the various shops and buildings have their own unique style and theme based on the character that owns or inhabits it. In a move of genius, each of the Cars Land shops and buildings has its very own Christmas tree made from various pieces of automotive equipment. Hanging snowflakes are constructed out of wrenches, license plates adorn trees, and one Christmas tree is literally a towering mass of tires. The attention to detail is exquisite.

Cruise through the images of our day’s adventure below, and we highly recommend you check out the Disneyland transformation before its over!

[easyreview title=”Disneyland Holiday 2013 Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

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Thief – Stories from The City Part 2 Trailer

2013/12/18
Jerry Paxton
News, PlayStation 3 News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News, Xbox One News

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Montréal (December 18, 2013) – Square Enix® and Eidos-Montréal™, the award winning studio behind the critically acclaimed Deus Ex: Human Revolution®, today released the second trailer in a series of stylized videos that focus on the rich narrative and characters of THIEF’s corrupt and broken city.

Each trailer in the series tells a story from the perspective of a different character describing life in the broken, repressed City that is being ravaged by the ruthless Baron Northcrest and the mysterious sickness known as ‘The Gloom’.

“Let me tell you about the City. 
We both know a thing or two about survival. We have grown old together.
Time and again it has been brought down, only to rise from its own ashes.
But this time is different. The balance has shifted;
There will be blood. Seeping, oozing; bleeding from every artery in this city.
But still… there is one who may yet be the key.
One who fears the light inside him as much as the darkness.
Yes… He will do nicely”

Nobody knows how old the Queen of the Beggars actually is; rumor has it she’s as old as The City itself. Some say that although she is blind – she sees through the eyes of the rats that riddle the city streets. Despite being on the lowest layer of society, the Queen of the Beggars operates the beggar’s court with more respect, diplomacy and wisdom, than many of the people with real positions of power in the City. She is a wise, some say all knowing character whose words, beliefs and judgements should be revered.

THIEF is due for release on February 25, 2014 in North America.

Trailer

Knotts Berry Farm Unveils New Years Eve Plans

2013/12/17
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News
1 Comment

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BUENA PARK, CA – The countdown to the New Year is on at Knott’s Merry Farm! With special fireworks, live entertainment, and extended hours, plus Knott’s signature rides and attractions, Knott’s New Year’s Eve celebration is the place to ring in 2014.

Special one-night-only entertainment serves up family fun for a variety of ages and interests, including the Midnight Party on the Midway! Count down the New Year with music, stilt walkers, party hats, and noisemakers for everyone. And new this year, the Knott’s Sky Cabin, adorned with special lighting effects, will dramatically rise to the top of the “K” tower to count down the final moments of 2013. The cabin will reach the top at the stroke of midnight and the skies above Knott’s will be ablaze with colorful fireworks!

There’s live entertainment everywhere you turn. Adding to the line-up of can’t miss performers are:

  • Krazy Kirk & The Hillbillies! From the deep country hills of Anaheim, these boys will have toes tappin’ hands clappin’ and guts bustin’ during the best darn musical comedy show ever performed on the Wilderness Dance Hall stage.
  • The Reflexx, the ultimate 80’s party band, headlines the Calico Square Stage with a blast to the past of radical music from Depeche Mode, Flock of Seagulls, A-Ha, and more. And before The Reflexx take the stage, DJ REESSO spins popular high energy music in the Calico Square.
  • Comedy Magic of Dana Daniels will fill the Boardwalk Ballroom with uproarious laughter as he combines clean comedy, astounding magic, and a psychic parrot in his show.
  • Sharp Turn Ahead will headline the Camp Snoopy Theater with the up-and-coming teen duo’s fresh combination of energetic acoustic guitar and smooth keys, playing original tunes and covers of today’s pop hits.
  • Salsa Dancing with Louie Angon, DJ JC & Snoopy invite you to show off your dance moves at Fiesta Plaza and groove to the beat of this spicy music scene that’s Hot Hot Hot!
  • Party in the Dance Hall is home to boot scootin’ line dancing and two-stepping good times led by Dusty, the line dance caller on the Wilderness Dance Hall stage (between Krazy Kurk sets).
  • It’s Christmas, Snoopy will present encore performances into the evening. Join Snoopy and his pals as they skate their way through the joys of the Holiday season.
  • Snoopy’s Magical Nights of Lights features thousands of sparkling lights and holiday music throughout Camp Snoopy all night long, beginning at dusk.

Knott’s New Year’s Eve Celebration is included with regular daytime admission. Park hours are 10am to 1am. A 2014 Knott’s Season Pass is a great way to visit on New Year’s Eve. 2014 passes offer a year of family fun and includes one free visit in 2013. And for a limited time, purchase a Season Pass for as low as six easy payments of $13! 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.

New Trent Unveils PowerPak Ultra

2013/12/17
Jerry Paxton
News, Tech News

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FREMONT, Calif. – Dec. 17, 2013 – The New Trent PowerPak Ultra is the ultimate outdoor accessory for users who need to keep their USB-based devices juiced while in the most extreme environments. Featuring a rugged exterior and IP-67 rating, the PowerPak Ultra can survive most drops and can be temporarily submerged in water for up to 30 minutes without damage.

The PowerPak Ultra features 14,000 mAh of power, meaning it is powerful enough to store 700% of the average smartphone’s battery life. The powerful battery pack features two USB ports able to simultaneously charge any combination of smartphones, tablets or other USB-based device.

The New Trent PowerPak Ultra is available now in black or orange for $69.95 at NewTrent.com and Amazon.com.

For more information on the PowerPak Ultra and all of New Trent’s award winning products, “like” Facebook.com/NT.Fans and follow @NewTrent on Twitter and Instagram.

Mad Catz Unveils Saitek X-55 RHINO H.O.T.A.S.

2013/12/17
Jerry Paxton
News, Peripherals News
1 Comment

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San Diego – December 17, 2013 – Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (NYSE MKT/TSX: MCZ) announced today that the Saitek X-55 RHINO H.O.T.A.S. (Hands On Throttle and Stick), a product designed and developed to give flight simulation enthusiasts the most realistic flight experience at an affordable price, is expected to ship to consumers in early 2014.

The X-55 RHINO is styled after modern fighter jet control systems and was built from the ground up to deliver a multitude of customizable options never before seen in an H.O.T.A.S. system. Whether flying a modern fighter, single- or multi-engine aircraft, or even a retro single-seat plane, the X-55 RHINO supplies all the control surface options required to achieve the exact level of aerial performance aspiring pilots demand. The X-55 RHINO features enhanced 16-bit hall-effect sensors in the axes, four swappable springs for the joystick so you can dial in your preferred stick tension, and twin lockable throttles with a friction adjustment knob that can be set on the fly.

“Our Saitek brand strives to replicate reality and deliver a great experience to the flight simulation community,” said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz.  “We believe the X-55 RHINO accomplishes these goals and is another example of our ability to deliver outstanding products to passionate consumers.”

For detailed product information, please visit http://www.saitek.com/x55/

Dying Light Night Time Gameplay Trailer

2013/12/17
Jerry Paxton
News, PlayStation 3 News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News, Xbox One News

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Warsaw, Poland, Dec 17, 2013 – Techland and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment released today a new gameplay video from Dying Light, showcasing the darker side of the game’s revolutionary day-and-night-cycle mechanic. The video gives a glimpse into different strategies that players will adopt depending on the time of day in order to survive.

Slow, apathetic, and easily visible, the infected are not much of a threat in daylight. A skilled courier, sure of their parkour skills and smart enough not to engage in combat with too many enemies, can effortlessly avoid larger groups of the infected or escape beyond their reach. But this relatively safe state of affairs is turned upside down as the sun sets!

At night, it is you who is at a disadvantage. Without daylight, the senses of the infected become more acute while their thirst for human flesh skyrockets. They run, jump, and climb, so there is really no place where you are safe anymore. They grow in strength, which means fighting them is not even an option. Those of them who were too afraid of light to come out during the day now swarm the city hunting for you. Still, there is something even worse lurking in the shadows…

What tactics will you use to survive the night? Will you put your trust in your agility and try to outrun the infected despite the odds? Or use the lack of light to your advantage and sneak past them? Remember, your decision determines if you will see the sunrise today!

Dying Light is a first-person action survival horror game set in a vast and dangerous open world, where players scavenge for supplies during the day as to be best prepared to survive the night. The game will launch for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in 2014.

For details visit DyingLightGame.com and facebook.com/DyingLightGame.

GX Gaming Releases the GX Gaming DeathTaker, Imperator Pro, and GX-Speed

2013/12/17
Jerry Paxton
News, Peripherals News
1 Comment

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December 17, 2013, Chino, California – GX Gaming, the gaming series of peripheral maker, Genius, today introduces the White Edition of the GX Gaming DeathTaker, Imperator Pro and GX-Speed to North America.

This special collection by GX Gaming has arrived just in time for the holiday season. The new DeathTaker, Imperator Pro, and GX-Speed in white create a zone of cool around any gamer, and serve as an excellent complement to any white themed gaming setup.

    • DeathTaker White Edition is a nine button precision gaming mouse with up to 5700 dpi. It has X/Y axis independent dpi adjustments that enable more flexible, in battle, modifications. The weight adjustment system enhances mouse control at high speed.
    • Imperator Pro White Edition has 17 NKRO to prevent missed key presses. There are six independent macro keys as well as two USB ports so gamers don’t lose connectivity. The white body and cable highlight the grey keycaps and red lettering.
  • GX Speed White Edition is a new soft gaming mouse pad specifically designed for the DeathTaker White Edition. It is thinner, larger, and white themed. The natural rubber base gives a stronger surface grip that will not slip.

Both the DeathTaker and Imperator Pro White Edition are equipped with a full speed CPU and built-in memory to prevent macro settings from being blocked in-game. This gives gamers a 1ms boost in response time, or about 8 times quicker than without. They come with a pure white no tangle braided cable with gold-plated USB connector. The white theme is made even more distinctive by the 16 million RGB backlight system. Each unit can be programmed to your unique color needs, matching or contrasting your case and components precisely.

With MMO/RTS game orientation, comfortable design and outstanding performance in all games, the White Edition of the GX Gaming DeathTaker, Imperator Pro and GX-Speed Mousepad is the ideal choice for game addicts.

GX Gaming White Edition Series:

DeathTaker: http://www.gx-gaming.com/?action=products_detail&wtype=feature&id=1
Imperator Pro: http://www.gx-gaming.com/?action=products_detail&wtype=feature&id=3
GX Speed: http://www.gx-gaming.com/?action=products_detail&wtype=feature&id=13

Lian Li Releases the PC-V358 M-ATX Chassis in North America

2013/12/17
Jerry Paxton
Hardware News, News

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December 17, 2013, Keelung, Taiwan – Lian-Li Industrial Co. Ltd, today releases the brushed aluminum M-ATX cube chassis – PC-V358 – in North America.

Front Hinge for Easy Access

The PC-V358 provides plenty of working space for DIY builders. Builders can swing open the top and front panel of this brushed aluminum chassis providing easy access to the internal components.

240mm Radiator Support

240mm radiators as well as AIO liquid cooling kits can be installed on a hinged bracket. The bracket is secured by thumbscrews and can be swung open on its hinge to allow for easy access of the internal components. The bracket can also be removed for fan/radiator mounting as well as taken off completely if not being used.

Compartmentalized Heat Zone Design

The Lian Li PC-V358 has a two compartment design that separates the hardware into heat zones. The top section holds the motherboard, graphics card and 2.5” drives, while the bottom compartment holds the PSU and 3.5” hard drives.

Two front 120mm fans with dust filters bring cool air inside the chassis. A rear 120mm fan pulls the hardware damaging hot air out.

Full Hardware Compatibility

The PC-V358 can hold an impressive amount of hardware. VGA cards up to 330mm (12.9”) and power supplies up to 200mm (7.8”) in length are supported. The PC-V358 also supports CPU coolers up to 130mm in height.

Up to six 3.5” hard drives and two 2.5” drives can be installed inside this fully aluminum chassis. This M-ATX chassis also supports slim optical drives.

Tool-Less Installations and Features

The PC-V358 has pop-off side panels for simplified installations, upgrades and maintenance. All the hard drives, 3.5” and 2.5”, can be mounted tool-lessly with thumbscrews with rubber suspensions. Additionally, both hard drive cages can be completely taken out with the removal of a couple of thumbscrews.

Connectivity

The I/O panel is located at the front of the right side panel. Connections include two USB ports and HD audio.

Price and Availability

The PC-V358 will be available at the end of December on Newegg for the suggested retail price of $179.

Video product overview of the PC-V358:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65Ncj6SAa0s

PC-V358 product information and detailed specifications:

http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-v358/