Author - boothby

The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle Starts Tonight

2017/06/23

Universal City, CA, June 23, 2017 – Beginning this evening, guests are invited to see “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” in a whole new light when Universal Studios Hollywood debuts its all-new “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle,” featuring a dazzling light projection experience against the backdrop of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

As night falls on Hogsmeade village, “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” will shine brightly with an awe-inspiring spectacle that showcases the four houses of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin and culminates with awesome beams of lights that fan into the night sky.

The colorful state-of-the-art light display and special effects projection, designed to dance across the stunning Hogwarts castle, will be accompanied by a special musical arrangement created by Academy Award-winning composer John Williams based on his original scores composed for the film series. The musical arrangement that will emanate in a surround sound environment was conducted by prolific arranger William Ross and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra in London.

“The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” will take place multiple times a night during its summertime run.

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood is a masterful recreation, faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including as its iconic focal point, Hogwarts castle.

From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” transports guests of all ages to the very places they watched on the silver screen.

The architecturally stunning land also includes the incredibly captivating and highly acclaimed “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” thrill ride, now enhanced with 4K-HD and ride film projecting at an astounding rate of 120 frames-per-second for an even more immersive glimpse into Harry Potter’s world, as well as “Flight of the Hippogriff™,” Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor family coaster.

“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” resonates with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverages at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks™ and Hog’s Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts.

A foray through the shops adds to the authenticity of the land with eight retail venues and locations, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges™, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium™ of Confiscated Goods.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

ABC Television Unveils D23 Expo Presence

2017/06/23

boothby

Geek News, News

BURBANK, Calif. – June 22, 2017 – Be among the first to learn the secrets of what’s ahead on ABC’s hit series Once Upon a Time; join Modern Family’s Nolan Gould as he hosts an ABC Summer Fun & Games panel featuring some of your favorite ABC Comedy kids playing a live, real-time game of Celebrity Family Feud; and meet some of your favorite ABC stars in-person during special meet & greet/photo op sessions at D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, July 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Panels and Presentations:

ABC Summer Fun & Games

Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m., D23 Expo Arena

Join us as ABC Summer Fun & Games comes to D23 Expo. Modern Family’s Nolan Gould hosts a game of Celebrity Family Feud with some of your favorite ABC Comedy kids, including Daniel DiMaggio & Logan Pepper from American Housewife; Miles Brown and Marsai Martin from black-ish; Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler and Ian Chen from Fresh Off the Boat; Aubrey Anderson-Emmons from Modern Family; and Kyla Kenedy and Mason Cook from Speechless. Immediately following the game, the stars will take questions from the audience.

Once Upon a Time

Saturday, July 15, 3:15 p.m., D23 Expo Arena

After six seasons, the residents of the Enchanted Forest enter season seven facing their greatest challenge yet as the Evil Queen, Captain Hook, and Rumplestiltskin join forces with a grown-up Henry Mills and his daughter Lucy on an epic quest to bring hope to their world and ours. Along the way, fairy-tale characters—both new and old—search for true love, find adventure, and take sides in the ongoing struggle of good against evil as classic tales are once again twisted and reimagined. Join co-creators and executive producers Edward Kitsis (Lost) and Adam Horowitz (Lost), along with series star Colin O’Donoghue (Captain Hook), as they discuss what’s in store for our returning favorites, as well as the new additions to the Once Upon a Timeuniverse. The panel will be moderated by D23’s Jeffrey Epstein.

On the Show Floor at TALENT CENTRAL

Meet & Greets/Photo Ops

Meet and have your picture taken with some of your favorite ABC stars at Talent Central, located on the show floor. Following is the appearance schedule (subject to change):

Friday, July 14

4–5 p.m.

General Hospital stars Michelle Stafford and Chloe Lanier

Saturday, July 15

1–2 p.m.

black-ish stars Miles Brown and Marsai Martin

1:30–2:30 p.m.

Fresh Off the Boat stars Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen

2:30–3:30 p.m.

American Housewife stars Daniel DiMaggio and Logan Pepper

5:15–6:15 p.m.

Once Upon a Time star Colin O’Donoghue and co-creators/executive producers Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz

Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 are available for $81 for one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $72 for a one-day adult admission and $53 for children 3–9. Multi-day tickets are also available. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2017, visit D23Expo.com.

Dynasty Warriors 9 Gameplay Trailer

2017/06/22

boothby

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox One News

Burlingame, Calif. – June 22, 2017 – KOEI TECMO America today revealed exciting new combat mechanics and exploration features slated to debut with the upcoming installment in developer Omega Force’s long-running action franchise, DYNASTY WARRIORS 9. An impressive new trailer released alongside today’s announcement provides a closer look at the beautifully rendered environments and dynamic combat systems that players can look forward to.

DYNASTY WARRIORS 9 introduces exhilarating new combat mechanics to the series’ signature “one versus thousands” style gameplay with the State Combo System. This new system allows players to perform 3 different attack styles – Trigger Attacks, Flow Attacks and Finish Attacks – each dealing progressively more damage. Trigger Attacks allow players to create the start of an explosive combo, leading to Flow Attacks, which adapt to the enemy’s current state. Successful combos allow for a Finish Attack to be performed, delivering a final blow that eradicates any foes caught in its path. These new enhancements aim to create a thrilling and fluid experience unlike any previous entry in the franchise.

Augmenting the series’ first true open world is another immersive innovation introduced in DYNASTY WARRIORS 9: the Interactive Action system. Players will be able to fully utilize their surroundings for the first time in theWarriors franchise with the ability to climb buildings and mountains, wield grappling hooks to traverse walls, and make use of objects like oil barrels in battle. These new actions offer a breadth of new possibilities for players to take advantage of while travelling around third-century China, or when caught in the heat of battle!

Unifying the classic, time-tested action iconic to the Warriors series with a variety of new features, characters and content in an expansive open world environment, DYNASTY WARRIORS 9 aims to deliver the most immersive and ambitious DYNASTY WARRIORS experience to date. Platforms, release timing, and more information on the game’s new features, characters, and narrative will be unveiled in the coming months.

For more information and to stay up-to-date on DYNASTY WARRIORS 9, please visit the official website at www.koeitecmoamerica.com/dw9, 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.

Total War: WARHAMMER 2 – First Look Campaign Map

2017/06/21

boothby

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

June 21, 2017 – Creative Assembly have unveiled a stunning new video, taking viewers on a journey across two continents of Total War: WARHAMMER II’s huge campaign map in this Campaign First Look video.

The journey begins in the High Elves’ homeland of Ulthuan, where The Great Vortex crackles with magical energy on the Isle of the Dead; its dangerously unstable presence a magnificent but ominous sight that dominates the immediate landscape. The High Elves who reside there are led by Prince Tyrion and, as the video swoops down towards the White Tower of Hoeth and past the Fortress Gates of Ulthuan, you begin to get an understanding of the proud, highly developed people who live there.

Across the treacherous oceans and into Lustria, we see several races from the Old World who have set up outposts, while rogue armies roam the continent in search of riches. You will need to decide whether to enlist them to your cause or put them to the sword in your quest for dominance. The ruins of ancient cities, overrun by the jungle-landscape are there to be exploited… will you build new settlements there, or risk calamity while you delve them for treasure, magical artifacts, and other rewards?

Over on the Turtle Isle, the High Elf Arch-Mage, Teclis, campaigns far from home, deep in Lizardmen country. The Slaan mages rule over the region, directing the Lizardmen armies and their great Saurian beasts according to their Great Plan. If they can revitalise their Geomantic Web, unseen lines of power that connect their ancient cities, their chances of enacting their Great Plan will be greatly increased.

Finally, we are introduced to two Lizardmen Legendary Lords: the Slann Mage-Priest Mazdamundi, who has adopted the Astromancy stance to gain greater insight into his lush surroundings, and the famed Saurus Old-Blood Kroq-Gar, as he prepares to lead a Lizardmen force into battle against the High Elves at The Fallen Gates.

Total War: WARHAMMER II is due to launch on September 28th. You can pre-order the extremely limited Serpent God Edition here: getwarhammer2.totalwar.com, or the standard physical edition here: http://store.steampowered.com/app/594570/. For more information about Total War: WARHAMMER 2 and on how to pre-order, log on to www.totalwar.com.

Escape from Tarkov to Feature WARTECH Gear

2017/06/21

boothby

Geek News, News, Windows PC News

Moscow, Russia – June 21, 2017 – Battlestate Games, developers of the ultra-realistic military FPS/MMO game, Escape from Tarkov, today unveiled a partnership with military equipment maker, WARTECH, whose gear will be featured in the game when it launches later this year.

WARTECH produces high quality, special purpose tactical gear. The company ensures that all its equipment meets both special-purpose and military needs through extensive research and development, and works directly in cooperation with many special forces and police agencies. WARTECH uses high-quality materials and performs uncompromising endurance testing in various environmental conditions on all of their gear.

Escape from Tarkov will include WARTECH gear such as slings, tool packs, tactical vests and much more, all of which will be available to players in-game as Escape from Tarkov approaches final release.

Escape from Tarkov is a hardcore story-driven military MMO featuring elements of FPS and RPG. The game’s storyline takes place in the Russian city of Tarkov, which has been sealed off by roadblocks and plunged into chaos as warfare rages between private military companies throughout the urban battlefield. Escape from Tarkov’s Hazardous Environment Combat Simulator employs a number of custom system modules to create incredibly immersive gameplay and make players feel the reality of their surroundings. Combatants will be able to customize their weapons, creating nearly-limitless, though realistic, combinations of weapon features, while learning skills that can improve, or, in a new twist, degrade over time, depending on how much use they get from players.

To learn more about Escape from Tarkov visit www.escapefromtarkov.com, ‘Like’ the game on Facebook and follow the game’s development on Twitter@bstategames for all the latest developer updates and news.

Players can get a chance for access to Escape from Tarkov testing stages by placing a pre-order on the official website: www.escapefromtarkov.com/preorder-page

Hellion Cinematic Trailer

2017/06/21

boothby

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

June 21, 2017 – Set in a distant future where mankind is no longer confined to Earth, the new Hellion cinematic trailer gives viewers a glimpse of the disaster that struck humanity’s attempt to build the first interstellar colony. Beginning with intimate shots of the crew’s quarters—scattered personal belongings floating through the cabins—the trailer hints at the dark force that drove the colony and its inhabitants to the brink of extinction. Set against the backdrop of a looming sun, the odds of survival are made clear amidst the desolation and vastness of space. With humanity’s descent into fear, anger and violence, Hellion’s cinematic trailer suggests that maybe the stars really are better off without us.

Cities: Skylines – Playstation 4 Edition – Announcement Trailer

2017/06/21

boothby

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos

June 21, 2017 – Cities: Skylines is an award-winning management game now available for PS4 with all of its robust city-simulation gameplay and unique charm along for the ride. Build the city of your dreams! Plan road networks, bus lines and parks. Create smog-filled industrial estates or a quiet beach town powered by renewable energy. Manage policies, energy and economy and play the popular After Dark expansion and make your city a different place at night.

Pillars of Eternity – Complete Edition: Console Announcement Trailer

2017/06/21

boothby

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox One News

June 21, 2017 – Pillars of Eternity, the ultimate role-playing experience on PC, comes to Xbox One and PlayStation 4, this fall! Created by and for role-playing fans by Obsidian Entertainment, masters of the RPG genre, Pillars started as a Kickstarter project, where it shattered all funding goals and pulled in more than 75,000 backers. From there, it released to broad critical acclaim, won dozens of awards, and has been a fan favorite on the PC. Now, Paradox Arctic has adapted this unmissable RPG for an entirely new audience on major consoles — bringing Pillars’ fantastical world, tactical combat, and unforgettable story to fans on a whole new platform. Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition includes all previously released additional content from the PC version, including all DLC and expansions in a single package.

But Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition goes beyond just offering everything together. Paradox Arctic has thoroughly updated the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the award-winning RPG for play with a controller, and have entirely redesigned the UI for easy viewing on televisions. Players will be able to easily navigate the game’s detailed character creation, real-time-with-pause combat, and party management from their couches thanks to new TV-friendly menus and controls.

Disney Store to Unveil New Collections and Collectibles at D23 Expo 2017

2017/06/20

boothby

Geek News, News

Pasadena, Calif. — June 20, 2017 – Disney Store today announced the new collections and Limited Edition sets to launch at this year’s D23 Expo 2017, Disney’s ultimate fan event held at the Anaheim Convention Center July 14–16. The never-before-seen collections celebrate milestone anniversaries and everyone’s favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars characters.

D23 Expo 2017 attendees will be introduced to the new Disney Designer Collection and get a first look at the newest collections debuting at this year’s event, including exclusive Disney Store pieces from Her Universe, the Art of Snow White collection, MXYZ Vinyl Mini Blind Box Collectibles, and, for the first time ever, a D23 Expo Marvel collection from Disney Store.

In addition to the chance to shop special products not yet available to the general public, fans will have the opportunity to meet some of the artists and designers who created these exciting new collections.

Highlights of the collections include:

Disney Designer Collection: Formerly known as the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection, the Disney Designer Collection takes the classic assortment beyond the fairytale to tell the iconic stories of Disney’s legacy of film history and introduces three series: Fairytale Series, Folktale Series, and Pixar Animation Studios Series. At the event, Guests will have the opportunity to purchase three of the new Limited Edition dolls:

o Fairytale Series: Pinocchio (limited to an edition size of 1,023)

o Folktale Series: Mulan (limited to an edition size of 523)

o Pixar Animation Studios Series: The Incredibles (limited to an edition size of 1,023)

Guests at the event also will have the opportunity to preview and pre-purchase a set of the five Limited Edition dolls releasing at Disney Store locations and DisneyStore.com September – November (each limited to an edition size of 6,000):

o Fairytale Series: The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Robin Hood

o Folktale Series: Moana, One Hundred and One Dalmatians

Disney•Pixar: In partnership with John Lasseter and the Pixar Animation Studios team, the Disney Store shop at D23 Expo 2017 will offer a special collection featuring some favorite Pixar characters.
MXYZ Vinyl Mini Blind Box Collectibles: The newest vinyl blind box collection features eight iconic characters in the Disney Store MXYZ art style—perfect for collecting and trading. Retailing at $5 each, the mini-sized characters come with a key chain attachment to add a pop of fun and personalize accessories, bags, and more.
Star Wars: Fans won’t have to go to a galaxy far, far away to find an expansive assortment of Star Wars merchandise at D23 Expo 2017. The Disney Store shop will feature Star Wars apparel, accessories, drinkware, and, of course, collectibles. Notable highlights of the assortment are the Limited Edition Star Wars Elite Series Premium Action Figures, featuring iconic Hero and Villain duos: Princess Leia and Darth Vader; Rey and Kylo Ren; and Jyn Erso and Director Orson Krennic. Each duo retails for $79.95 and is limited to an edition size of 1,000.
Milestone Anniversaries: Disney Store will celebrate three milestone anniversaries at D23 Expo 2017: Oswald the Lucky Rabbit’s 90th, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ 80th, and Bambi’s 75th. Each anniversary will be celebrated with a special assortment.
Disney Tsum Tsum: Disney Tsum Tsum fans will be delighted with a new Limited Edition set released each day. Each unique set will bring Guests’ favorite characters and stories to life through adorable mini and micro Tsum Tsums.
Minnie Mouse Signature Collection: The next product installment of the beloved fashionista Minnie Mouse features a collection of apparel, accessories, and a Limited Edition doll of Minnie, stylish as always.
Marvel: For the first time ever, Disney Store will offer a Marvel collection at D23 Expo. The assortment includes Limited Edition collectibles, including a pin set, lithograph set, and ornament set.
Her Universe: Ashley Eckstein, founder of Her Universe, created exclusive pieces for Disney Store that will be available for the first time at D23 Expo 2017. The never-before-seen products are featured within the Minnie Signature, Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel collections.

D23, the official Disney fan club, is once again partnering with Disney Store to offer an array of fan favorite items at this year’s D23 Expo. Many items will proudly boast a D23 Expo 2017 stamp of approval seal, indicating it was made specifically for this year’s event, celebrating Disney’s amazing fans and the special Disney anniversaries and iconic collectibles Guests love—available first to all Guests at D23 Expo.

Artist Signings: Learn About the Magic Makers Behind Some of the New Collections

The product designers and artists will be available for autograph signings following their respective panels at the Oh My Disney stage, exclusively for Guests who purchase select products from the Disney Store shop at D23 Expo 2017:

Friday, July 14

o Jessica Fuchs and Steve Thompson, Disney Folktale Series Artists

4:30 p.m. – Interview at Oh My Disney Stage
5 p.m. – Product signing
Saturday, July 15

o Jessica Fuchs and Steve Thompson, Art of Snow White Artists

5 p.m. – Interview at Oh My Disney Stage
5:30 p.m. – Product signing

Disney Store will offer a limited quantity of StorePass tickets per day in an effort to minimize wait times for our Guests who wish to shop. StorePass tickets will be available beginning at 9 a.m. each day at the StorePass desk located adjacent to the StagePass distribution area in Hall A. The StorePass will provide Guests with a shopping experience timeslot, between 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Guests can visit the Things to Know page at D23expo.com for more details.

Additional details and updates about Disney Store D23 Expo events and activities will continue to be updated on www.D23expo.com, on the forthcoming D23 Expo app, and on Facebook and Twitter @DisneyD23.

The Disney Store shop at D23 Expo 2017 comprises more than 5,000 sq. ft. of retail space and is located directly across from the Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI) Pavilion.

Disney Books in the DCPI Pavilion

Fans and collectors will be able to purchase the latest bestselling books and D23 Expo-exclusive titles in the DCPI Pavilion and the Disney Dream Store. After experiencing Disney Publishing Worldwide’s series of panels and presentations, Guests can bring home Disney’s featured Disney Editions and Disney books that celebrate the artistry, history, and legacy of The Walt Disney Company.

In addition, the DCPI Pavilion will also be home to select titles available for purchase only to D23 Expo 2017 Guests before they go on sale to the public this summer, including:

A Kiss Goodnight (Richard Sherman, Floyd Norman)

On sale August 22, 2017

Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation (Mindy Johnson)

On sale September 5, 2017

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: The Search for the Lost Disney Cartoons (Dave Bossert)

On sale August 29, 2017

Art of Coloring: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

On sale July 18, 2017

Throughout the weekend, Disney Publishing Worldwide authors, illustrators, artists, and Imagineers will meet with Guests and host book signings at Talent Central and in the Disney Dream Store:

Friday, July 14

Alex Hirsch, Rob Renzetti, Stephanie Ramirez (Gravity Falls: Journal 3)

12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

Talent Central

Daron Nefcy, Dominic Bisignano (Star vs. The Forces of Evil: Star and Marco’s Guide to Mastering Every Dimension)

12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

Talent Central

Pam Brandon (Delicious Disney)

3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

Disney Dream Store

Michael Singer (Disney Pirates: The Definitive Collector’s Anthology)

5:30 – 7 p.m.

Talent Central

Mindy Johnson (Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation)

6 – 7 p.m.

Disney Dream Store

Saturday, July 15

Pam Brandon (Delicious Disney)

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.

Disney Dream Store

Ridley Pearson (Kingdom Keepers)

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Talent Central

Victoria Saxon (Poster Art of Cars)

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Talent Central

Dave Smith (Disney Facts Revealed)

6 – 7 p.m.

Talent Central

Sunday, July 16

Dave Smith (Disney Facts Revealed)

10 – 11 a.m.

Talent Central

Dave Bossert (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: The Search for the Lost Disney Cartoons)

1 – 2 p.m.

Talent Central

Marty Sklar, Vanessa Hunt (Maps of the Disney Parks)

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Talent Central

Floyd Norman (A Kiss Goodnight)

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Talent Central

Talent will only be signing titles purchased at D23 Expo 2017. Proof of purchase will be required. Presentations, locations, and talent and artist signings are subject to change.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 are available for $81 for one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3 – 9. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $72 for a one-day adult admission and $53 for children 3 – 9. Multi-day tickets are also available. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2017, visit D23expo.com.

To find a local Disney Store, Guests can visit www.DisneyStore.com/storelocator or call (866) 902-2798. Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Register, become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/DisneyStore, or follow along on Instagram www.instagram.com/DisneyStore and Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyStore.

The Mage’s Tale Launch Trailer

2017/06/20

boothby

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

(Newport Beach, CA – June 20, 2017) – inXile Entertainment proudly announces that The Mage’s Tale, a VR action RPG is now available on Oculus Rift and Touch. Led by Brian Fargo, inXile Entertainment is the developer behind some of today’s most revered RPGs, such as 2014 Game of the Year Wasteland 2 and Torment: Tides of Numenera, a 2017 Develop Awards nominee. The company currently has The Bard’s Tale IV and Wasteland 3 in development.

Set between the events of The Bard’s Tale III: Thief of Fate and the upcoming The Bard’s Tale IV, and buried deep within the dungeons below Skara Brae, The Mage’s Tale’s 10+ hour game ($39.99) offers players a unique chance to revisit – and step inside – the world. As an apprentice to the kidnapped Mage Alguin, players must learn to craft hundreds of magical spells, explore dangerous dungeons, solve ever-increasingly difficult puzzles, and fight hordes monstrous creatures.

· Oculus Store: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/rift/1018772231550220/