Author - Jerry Paxton

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk is Now Open

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk is now open. The innovative, original concept restaurant serves an extensive menu of brunch, lunch and dinner items along with sumptuous milkshakes, desserts and delectable confectionary treats, and is hosted by character ambassadors and world travelers Penelope and Jacques, to deliver an entirely new take on culinary inspirations for the entire family.

This uniquely inspirational restaurant is reminiscent of a Victorian steampunk chocolate emporium. Its interior is adorned with a collection from Penelope’s archives of chocolate research and various steampunk gadgetry and inventions complete with L.A.-based artisans’ paintings of steampunk airships journeying through the sky atop the interior dome. The dynamic exterior façade features a giant clockwork marquee and towering 97-foot smokestacks.

Within the eclectic space, guests can enjoy a full-service restaurant, a Dessert Foundry for grab-n-go over-the-top milkshakes and a Candy Smith counter to experience a cornucopia of sweet treats, including 30 different flavors of macarons, truffles and an expansive offering of deliciousness, along with unique apparel and themed collectibles.

Executive Chef Carlos Garcia sits at the helm of The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen orchestrating a symphony of exquisite meals and desserts, prepared fresh to order within its two behemoth kitchens under the watchful eye of the restaurant’s skilled Sous Chefs.

From crisp salads and hearty soups to tasty burgers, flatbreads and steaks, The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen caters inspirational fare to every member of the family.

Sample tempting menus items include signature Chocolate Almond Bread, Avocado Bruschetta, Truffle Fries, Pork Belly Sliders, Coffee and Chocolate Stout Wings, Waldorf Chicken Salad, Toothsome Niçoise, French Onion Soup, Forest Mushroom Flatbread, Classic Margherita Flatbread, Southern Fried Chicken BLT, Chicken Cordon Blue sandwich, Red Ruben sandwich, Fork & Knife Ribeye Steak Sandwich, Croque Monsieur, Tour de France Burger, May Contain Bacon Burger, Brisket Burger, Teriyaki Burger, Wild Mushroom Chicken Risotto, Shrimp Macaroni & Cheese, Grilled Teriyaki Salmon, Brisket & Wild Mushroom Meatloaf and Toothsome Signature Beef Tenderloin…to name but a few.

Brunch features such mouth-watering options as: Nutella & Banana Crepes, Apple Pie Crepes, Beef & Mushroom Crepes, Berries and Cream Waffles, Banana Foster Waffles, Chocolate Brioche S’mores French Toast and several quiches.

Jacques Specialty Milkshakes include Red Velvet, Brownie, Cookie Jar, Espresso Buzzzz, Key Lime Pie, Heavenly Hazelnut, Marshmallow Crisp, Strawberry Cheesecake, That’s Mint and Pineapple Upside Down.

Sweet Sundaes and Desserts include Brookies, Cookies & Cream, Apple Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Strawberry Shortcake, and Chocolate Brownie Bark, Chocolate Crème Brulee, Classic French Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Potted Cream, Flourless Chocolate Gooey Cake, and Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding.

A kid’s menu and vegan Beyond Burger® options are available.

Hand-crafted libations include a Chocolate Old Fashioned, Spresso ‘tini, Cacao Nut Margarita and more are available for diners 21 years or older with valid photo ID.

Reservations can be made by visiting the website, and valet parking validation is available for diners.

More than just an eclectic restaurant, The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen features an entertaining backstory whose origins are as enticing as the food. Unlike most dining establishments, the eatery is hosted by two highly regarded steampunk ambassadors, Penelope and Jacques.

As the story goes…the love of chocolate is at the core of Penelope’s family. Penelope, an innovator at heart, created Jacques, her trusty robot and confidant, to travel and explore the world. Upon returning to her small cottage home in London, England, after an extended trip abroad, Penelope discovered that her parents ventured out on a quest to find her, leaving a simple message – “We have set out to join you in your adventures. Surely the world isn’t so big that we can’t find you. We shall look for you wherever chocolate can be found.”

Thus, Penelope knew what she had to do. Armed with the insight she had on all things chocolate, Penelope created The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Her mission to share her passion and love of the sweet treat with the world was also grounded in the hope that one day her parents would find her.

Spectacularly dressed in Steampunk attire, Penelope and Jacques frequent The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen to await her parents’ arrival and to share their adventures and innovations with guests.

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen is exclusive to Universal Parks & Resorts and is one of three worldwide locations, including Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Beijing Resort. The arrival of the restaurant coincides with the 30th anniversary of Universal CityWalk and is located adjacent to the popular Universal Cinema, an AMC® theater.

More information about Universal CityWalk and Universal Studios Hollywood is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Regular updates can be found on Universal Studios Hollywood’s social channels Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

The Pathless Coming to Nintendo Switch and Xbox Platforms

The Pathless, a mythic adventure game developed by Giant Squid and published by Annapurna Interactive, will launch for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Xbox X|S digitally on Feb. 2, 2023.

Developed by the award-winning team behind ABZÛ and first launched in 2020, The Pathless sees players take on the role of the Hunter, a master of archery who travels to a mystical island to dispel a curse of darkness that grips the world. The Hunter must forge a connection with an eagle companion to hunt corrupted spirits, being careful to not become the hunted. Players will explore misty forests full of secrets, solve puzzles in ancient ruins and be tested in epic battles.

iam8bit and Skybound will also release a The Pathless physical retail edition for Switch, with details being revealed in the coming weeks.

To stay up to date on the latest news, please visit The Pathless.game and follow the Annapurna Interactive and the official @GiantSquidology and @A_i Twitter accounts.

RØDECaster Pro II Firmware Update Announced

RØDE has today announced a major firmware update for the RØDECaster Pro II featuring advanced sub-mixing functionality and more, making the world’s most powerful all-in-one audio solution for content creators even more powerful.

The RØDECaster Pro II now supports advanced sub-mixing for all outputs, giving streamers and content creators even more flexibility over their audio.

Since its launch, the RØDECaster Pro II has seen multiple updates based on user feedback, introducing new features, functionality and interface enhancements. The last major update, version 1.0.7, added advanced routing capabilities for the RØDECaster Pro II’s USB outputs for easier integration into streaming setups. The new update takes this functionality to the next level, allowing users to independently adjust the level of every audio input for each of the ten audio outputs, including the headphone and monitor outputs, the Bluetooth channel, on-board recording mix, and the three USB outputs. This is particularly useful for streamers who need to create custom sub-mixes for different audio destinations, such as stream and chat applications and their headphone mix. This feature solidifies the RØDECaster Pro II as the most powerful audio console for livestreamers, as well as podcasters and content creators.

In addition to the new advanced sub-mixing feature, firmware 1.1.1 introduces a number of system optimisations and workflow improvements, including the routing of voice effects, which are now applied to each individual channel in multitrack mode, allowing users to capture these effects while maintaining the flexibility in post-production that multitrack recording offers.

The RØDECaster Pro II’s companion software RØDE Central has also been updated to mirror all of the configuration options now available on the RØDECaster Pro II itself, including setting up the advanced APHEX® audio processing, SMART pads and custom sub-mixes.

Firmware version 1.1.1 for the RØDECaster Pro II is available for direct download now. The latest version of RØDE Central can be downloaded here.

Road 96: Mile 0 Official Announcement Trailer

DigixArt and Ravenscourt are thrilled to unveil Road 96: Mile 0, the prequel to the critically acclaimed Road 96 that follows the original’s narrative adventure roots while tying in heartfelt musical scenes. The game is due to release digitally on April 4 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch.

Channeling the same ‘90s vibes found in Road 96, today’s announcement trailer for Road 96: Mile 0 features the brand-new track “Land Locked Heart” by The Midnight.

Road 96: Mile 0 is set in White Sands, Petria´s only luxurious community, and takes place just before the life-shaping road trips of Road 96. Players will alternate between the roles of Zoe and Kaito, two teenagers with opposite backgrounds and beliefs.

Two teens, two worlds:

Fans of Road 96 will remember Zoe, one of the main characters of the original game. She comes from the rich side of White Sands and her father works for President Tyrak´s government as the Minister of Oil.

Kaito – a character from developer DigixArt’s first game, Lost in Harmony – on the other hand, was born in rough, impoverished Colton City. After moving with his family to get away from Colton City’s pollution and find new jobs, Kaito finds himself in White Sands as well. It’s been two years since this move and they are now close neighbors to the Tryak abode.

Intrigued by his dark demeanor, Zoe gets closer to Kaito and the two develop a strong friendship. This budding friendship with Kaito eventually exposes Zoe to disturbing truths about her country and even her own father. Through this new-found relationship, players will discover what made Zoe flee her home and the truth behind the 1986 Border Attack that sets off the events of Road 96.

“In Road 96 Mile 0 we wanted to show where Zoe is coming from and why she left her comfortable life, said Yoan Fanise CEO of DigixArt. “But we didn’t create Mile 0 in the conventional way. We went the crazy route, using metaphorical music sequences where you ride along on the beliefs and doubts of Zoe and Kaito. The funny part is that YOU choose how you want them to evolve.”

Zoe and Kaito´s inner worlds:

Varying the narrative-driven gameplay of Road 96: Mile 0 will be sections that let us explore the thought processes of both Zoe and Kaito through psychedelic musical rides. Skating through these rhythm-based segments, players will make impactful narrative and emotional decisions that shape the journey of the game’s two protagonists.

The Midnight:

Backing up today’s emotional announce trailer for Road 96: Mile 0 is the brand-new song “Land Locked Heart” from American synthwave band The Midnight, which will be released as a single soon. Designed to reinforce the emotional experience for players, “Land Locked Heart” is the first track from the Road 96: Mile 0 official soundtrack.

“This song is about the paradox of coming home. Even though it’s where you were formed and where the evidence of the origin story is all around, there comes a time when it no longer feels like home. Eventually it feels like a place you must escape from, or be destined to continue in a story that isn’t yours. We’re excited to see the song come to life in Road 96: Mile 0,” said The Midnight.

Road 96: Mile 0 is a narrative adventure game combining powerful storytelling with emotional music. Developed by DigixArt and published by Ravenscourt, the game is launching digitally on April 4, 2023.

Follow DigixArt:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/digixart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digixart/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digixart/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digixart

Hotel Renovator Release Date Trailer

Focus Entertainment and Two Horizons are excited to announce that Hotel Renovator, the simulation game where you design the hotel of your dreams, will release on March 7 on PC and later this year on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The wait will soon be over for fans of the genre eagerly anticipating this collaboration between two experts in developing and publishing top simulation experiences. Pre-orders are now open on Steam and will grant access to special in-game items with the “Palace Furniture Set” DLC.

Embrace the endless possibilities

Let your creative instincts run wild in Sandbox Mode, or uncover your grandfather’s past and carry on his legacy in Story Mode, taking matters into your own hands after you inherit a run-down hotel, using smart management and sharp investment to take your hotel on a journey from shabby to glory! From interior architecture to decoration and hospitality, draw upon over 2,000 furniture items and elements to turn your unique vision of hotel design and customer experience into a 5-star business.

Hotel Renovator will offer mod support at launch, giving players endless possibilities to create unique content and share their designs to inspire a vibrant community of renovators! That community will grow to include console players later this year, with a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S launch scheduled for 2023.

Startup Company Console Edition Out Now

Startup Company Console Edition, the hit business sandbox simulation from developer Hovgaard Games and publisher 2Awesome Studio that sold more than 400k units on Steam, celebrates its grand opening today on PlayStation 5|4, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.

Disrupt industries as a CEO leading a startup with a small, humble team. Develop a new dating app for singles, threaten social media giants with an innovative new platform, or create and maintain a fresh gaming streaming service. Grow from a loner with an idea into an industry titan, but it takes more than just a good leader to thrive.

Hire and train a team of Researchers, Developers, and Designers to achieve maximum productivity. Expand employee responsibilities, promote and compensate the best team members with an increase in salary, and part ways with those who don’t turn out to be a good fit. Discover new features to implement and consider how the company can best grow from its investments before making the next move.

With a happy workforce and an evolutionary workload, sit back and watch profits soar. Decorate the office to be the best environment for employee productivity and continue to renovate as the company grows in head count. Rearrange the office layout, set up server rooms with appropriate cooling, and upgrade in-office technologies to keep up with the competition.

“Startup Company Console Edition utilizes a never-before-seen game engine, optimizing the experience for consoles,” said Jonas Hovgaard, Founder, Hovgaard Games, “In addition to revamped menus, refreshed console controls, and updated UI and user experience, consoles players can look forward to frequent post-launch updates featuring a new language.”

Startup Company Console Edition releases today for $12.99 on PlayStation 5|4, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch with a celebratory, limited time 10% discount on Xbox and Nintendo platforms. It supports English, French, German, Spanish – Spain, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Turkish, Italian, Hungarian, Korean, Japanese, Dutch, Czech, and Polish languages.

For more information, follow 2Awesome Studio on Twitter, and visit the official pages for 2Awesome Studio and Hovgaard Games.

Not For Broadcast VR Announcement Trailer

Stop the presses! There’s still more news from developers NotGames and publisher tinyBuild this week. It’s time to get your hands dirty in the editing room as you press those buttons, turn those dials and palm-slam in those ad tapes, as Not For Broadcast VR immerses players in the wild, chaotic and frequently hilarious world of live TV.

Launching on March 23rd, Not For Broadcast VR brings the cult PC hit (a finalist for the 2023 IGF grand prize with over 400,000 copies sold on PC) to VR on Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro and SteamVR. Check out the debut trailer below for a glimpse at just how strange a business television can be.

Not For Broadcast plunges players into the only-slightly-mad world of British live broadcast television. Set in alternate 1980s Britain where everything seems slightly off, players begin their job as editor for Channel One’s National Nightly News show. There’s no room for rehearsal, but the show goes on, no matter how temperamental the newscasters and their guests get. It’s your job to make sure it goes smoothly. Pick the perfect camera angles, bleep out any swearing (or dangerous ideas), and make some tough calls. No pressure, just remember: Your choices will come back to haunt you.

Despite the nerve-jangling job you’ll be doing, live news editing is made easy thanks to the patented Channel One editing deck interface, now reworked for VR! Use your digital digits to switch video feeds with a single button, clear up static with an easy tuner interface, and pick just the right sponsor’s tapes to run during breaks. Just keep an eye on the ratings – you’re in the business of attention, so keep those audiences on the edge of their seat.

Not For Broadcast VR turns the tension up to eleven by putting you directly in the editor’s chair. It might seem like a simple job at first—switch those camera angles and clean up the airwaves—but be prepared for anything. As the chaos mounts, you’ll be rerouting limited power supplies, frantically trying to cool down overheating electrics, avoiding electrocuting yourself on malfunctioning hardware and stranger things still. Nobody told you that news editing was a full-contact sport, but now you’re in the thick of it.

A huge indie hit on PC (with over 400,000 copies sold), Not For Broadcast VR launches on Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro and SteamVR on March 23rd, alongside the game’s debut on Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

Remnant: From the Ashes Nintendo Switch Announcement Trailer

Fight the root of all evil – on the go! Remnant: From the Ashes comes to the Nintendo Switch on March 21st. Available for purchase at € 39.99 / $ 39.99 / £ 34.99 / AU$ 59.95.

Explore dynamically-generated worlds that change each time you play through them. Each of the game’s four unique worlds is filled with monstrous denizens and environments that will provide fresh challenges with each playthrough. Adapt and explore – or die trying. The hostile environments will greet you with tough-as-nails enemies and epic bosses. Slay the monsters, earn experience, grab the loot and upgrade materials to prepare and approach each encounter in dozens of unique ways.

Remnant: From the Ashes is coming to Nintendo Switch™ on March 21st, 2023, and is already available for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Hi-Fi RUSH Official Launch Trailer

During Xbox and Bethesda’s Developer_Direct, Tango Gameworks took fans by surprise with the announcement and launch of an all-new game, Hi-Fi RUSH – an over-the-top, single player rhythm action game unlike anything seen before from the award-winning studio behind Ghostwire: Tokyo and The Evil Within. Hi-Fi RUSH is available NOW through Game Pass on Xbox Series X|S and PC, as well as through the Microsoft Store, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.

Hi-Fi RUSH is a rhythm action game set in a colorful world where everything is driven by the beat of the music – from the trees swaying in the environment to every hit landed during combat. Combat sequences perfectly align to the rhythm of the music, allowing for gameplay that is not only exhilarating but also extremely satisfying. A player’s moves aren’t dictated by the music like in a traditional rhythm game — players have the freedom of a full action game. However, inputting actions with the beat amplifies the player’s attacks along with the music.

Players take on the role of Chai, a free-spirited slacker with rockstar ambitions. During a technological procedure to receive a robotic arm, he finds an unexpected “bonus” when his music player is fused within his power unit. If that wasn’t enough, the company behind the experiment labels him a “defect,” making him a target for deactivation. With a squad of corporate overlords and an army of robots after him, Chai must defend himself through rhythmic combat and the help of a motley crew of allies to take down the company’s ruthless business leaders and escape.

Featuring licensed tracks from iconic rock bands including Nine Inch Nails and The Black Keys, Hi-Fi RUSH is sure to bring the beat and beat down and is available through Game Pass on Xbox Series X|S and PC, as well as through the Microsoft Store, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.

For all the details, please head to Bethesda.net at: https://bethesda.net/en/article/1NiBHswbYY2uJSdAUK6Gtg/hi-fi-rush-revealed

World War Z: Aftermath on PC Gets Horde Mode XL

Saber Interactive’s World War Z: Aftermath, the ultimate co-op zombie shooter inspired by Paramount Pictures’ blockbuster film, has unleashed its most diabolical creation yet: the massive Horde Mode XL! Available exclusively on PC, PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S, this new twist on the classic game mode follows the same rules you know… but scattered among the standard waves of enemies are special XL waves bursting with over 1,000 hungry, hungry zombies. You and your team will have to pull out all the stops to survive this overwhelming challenge.

In addition, all World War Z: Aftermath and World War Z players on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC get a free update today featuring new mutators for the standard Horde Mode Z mode, a revamped weapon progression system, and two deadly new weapons: the sai knives and tri-barrel shotgun. The sai knives are the perfect dual-wielding melee weapons to deal additional damage to special zombies, while the tri-barrel shotgun shreds zombies at close distances and can be upgraded from three barrels to four barrels.

Starting today, World War Z: Aftermath is available natively on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S for $39.99. World War Z: Aftermath: Deluxe Edition, featuring two bonus melee weapons — the Sledgehammer and Dual Cleavers — as well as the Explorer Weapon Skins Pack, is also available for $49.99. PlayStation®4 and Xbox One owners can upgrade to these new versions of the game for free on their respective platforms and experience all the action in stunning 4K|60 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X (4K not supported on Xbox Series S).

Powered by the next generation of Saber’s dynamic Swarm Engine™, World War Z: Aftermath lets you play on your own with AI squadmates or in co-op for up to four players with full crossplay between PC and consoles. Take on hordes of ravenous zombies with all content from World War Z: Game of the Year Edition, including full episodes in New York, Moscow, Marseille, Jerusalem and Tokyo, plus two new campaign episodes in Rome (including Vatican City) and the Kamchatka peninsula. Experience the heart-pounding immersion of Aftermath’s optional first-person mode, decimate the undead with a new melee system, and level up eight unique classes with distinct play styles and customizable loadouts.

For the latest World War Z news, visit www.WWZgame.com, and follow the series on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.