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Quake Champions – Burial Chamber Arena Trailer

March 22, 2017 – We’re back with another sneak peek at one of the incredible Arenas coming to Quake Champions. This week, we’re taking a look at Burial Chamber, a gothic and grim combat space with wicked lava pools, tight corridors, and treacherous open spaces, where no one is safe from enemy Rockets and Rails. Skill is required to traverse this Arena, lest you find yourself tumbling to a molten death. Get your first look at Burial Chamber in this new video.

About Burial Chamber

The bones of a massive beast decorate the entry to this massive tomb. Hazardous platforms at the Perilous Outcropping dot the sea of lava, providing an ideal sniping spot for those skilled enough and brave enough to make the leap. With its winding tunnels and low ceilings, the claustrophobic grave sites of the Molten Underground offer up the opportunity for heavier Champions to do some serious splash damage, while the Lava Falls could provide an excellent chokepoint for skilled tacticians. Just be careful to avoid being pushed into the lava, which is a prevalent threat throughout the map.

**REMINDER: Sign-ups are now open for the Closed Beta, expected to launch in the coming weeks, at the game’s official web site: www.Quake.com.

Want more Quake Champions? Learn more in these features and videos:

Quake Champions – Blood Covenant Arena Trailer

Quake Champions – Nyx Champion Trailer

Disney Pixar Announce Nationwide Tour for CARS 3

BURBANK, Calif. (March 21, 2017) — Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3” is hitting the road this month with Road to the Races, a nationwide tour inviting fans of #95 to gear up for the upcoming big-screen release. Life-size, character look-alikes of five-time Piston-Cup champion Lightning McQueen, tech-savvy trainer Cruz Ramirez and the sleek next-gen racer Jackson Storm will be rolling into 27 cities coast to coast to celebrate the new movie, which opens June 16, 2017.

“We are going to kick off the tour at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World on Thursday, March 23,” said Lylle Breier, senior vice president, worldwide marketing partnerships and special events for the Walt Disney Studios. “There will be fun activities for the whole family—plus a sneak peek of the movie.”

The roster of cities includes Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Denver and Los Angeles, among others—the full list is available at CARS3tour.com. The “Road to the Races” nationwide tour wraps up in California with a visit to NASCAR at Sonoma at the Sonoma Raceway June 24-25, 2017, and the life-size character cars will also roll onto the red carpet for the “Cars 3” world premiere on Saturday, June 10, 2017.

A host of sponsors have signed on to support the tour, which includes a variety of activities.

  • Alamo Rent A CarSM is hosting a street art booth and will bring “Cars 3” to life with a giant coloring mural featuring Lightning McQueen and friends, along with a color pencil pack souvenir.  Owned and operated by Enterprise Holdings, Alamo Rent A Car offers low rental rates and a hassle-free customer experience at the most popular travel destinations around the world.
  • Coppertone® is creating a racer pit crew that encourages visitors to take part in a tire-changing activity and photo-sharing opportunity. A leader in the sun care industry, Coppertone is made by Bayer HealthCare, LLC.
  • Crest® and Oral-B® celebrate the Road to the Races tour, providing fans with an opportunity to create a digital postcard with Lightning McQueen and get “Cars”-themed oral care products. Crest and Oral-B are the first step to enjoying a lifetime of healthy smiles.
  • Dole®, the leader in fresh, quality produce, invites visitors to fuel up and recharge their batteries, sample high-octane fruit and vegetable smoothies, collect “Cars 3”-inspired recipes and discover how Dole and Disney are working together to make healthy living fun and easy for families. To see more of Dole’s exciting promotions around summer family fun, visit www.dole.com/Cars3.
  • Mattel presents an interactive play area, which sends Lightning McQueen and other racers down the gravity drop and launches them into action in new play sets that feature locations from the movie. Also on display will be a collection of die cast racers from past and present. Mattel is the leading global childhood development and play company.

Fans will be able to catch a sneak peek of the movie in the Cinetransformer Mobile Movie Theater. Visitors will also be able to take photos with the life-size character cars.

In addition, the sports national youth program NASCAR Acceleration Nation will display the science behind NASCAR racing, and elements from the NASCAR Hall of Fame will allow attendees to get up close and personal with the history of NASCAR.

Mack Trucks, Inc. will transport the life-size character cars on the coast-to-coast tour.

Schedules are subject to change without notice, and attractions may be unavailable for unscheduled reasons.

Troll and I Launch Trailer

March 21, 2017 – Walnut Creek, CA – Video game publisher Maximum Games, in partnership with developer Spiral House, today announced that the mythical action adventure game, Troll and I, is now available for $49.99 on thePlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC via Steam®.

“As our first release of 2017, Troll and I kicks off our ambitious year with a splash. We are thrilled to bring gamers into the expansive world of Otto and Troll,” said Christina Seelye, CEO of Maximum Games. “Troll and I is an adventure that tests a unique friendship, and promises an exciting and surprising experience for players.”

In Troll and I, gamers will embark on an enchanting journey with the title’s two main heroes – the nimble Otto and powerful Troll. With the ability to play solo or with a friend in local couch co-op, players must guide Otto and Troll through the majestic mountains and lush forests of Scandinavia as they try to dodge and defeat various enemies, including mythical orcs unleashed from the depths of the Earth and ruthless hunters after a bounty that can be claimed by Troll’s capture.

Otto and Troll possess special contrasting abilities that complement one another’s strengths and weaknesses. Troll is known for his highly damaging attacks that can crush enemies in a single blow, while Otto incorporates a stealthier approach to take down enemies. In addition, Otto and Troll can cohesively act as one to defend themselves against their foes. With a dynamic duo like Otto and Troll, the local split-screen co-op feature allows for a shared collaboration between friends, playing side by side.

Troll and I was developed by Spiral House and is published by Maximum Games. The game is available now in North America and will be releasing on March 24, 2017 in Europe for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and digitally on PC, with the Nintendo Switch coming soon. This title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

Please visit http://www.trollandi.com for more product information.

For the latest news on Troll and I, please follow the official Facebook and Twitter pages.

For more information on Maximum Games, please visit: http://www.maximumgames.com.

Resident Evil: Vendetta One Night Only Cinema Event

DENVER – March 20, 2017 – Based on the worldwide videogame phenomenon, the CG animated film “RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA” will hit movie theaters worldwide this year. The film will be released internationally on May 27, 2017, and in the U.S. and Canada on Monday, June 19 for a special one-night event from Fathom Events, Park Circus and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions.

“RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA” is the third installment in the massively popular CG animated film franchise, following “Resident Evil: Degeneration” (2008) and “Resident Evil: Damnation” (2012). Derived from Capcom’s “Resident Evil™,” one of the bestselling video game franchises of all time (72 million + copies sold), “RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA” features the fan-favorite characters Leon S. Kennedy (Matt Mercer), Chris Redfield (Kevin Dorman) and Rebecca Chambers (Erin Cahill). The film is produced by Marza Animation Planet (“Space Pirate Captain Harlock”), executive produced by Takashi Shimizu (“The Grudge”), written by Makoto Fukami (“Psycho Pass”) and directed by Takanori Tsujimoto (“Bushido Man”).  

  • Tickets for Canadian screenings go on sale Friday, March 24 and can be purchased at www.cineplex.com
  • Tickets for U.S. screenings of “RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA” can be purchased online beginning Friday, March 31, 2017 at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices.
  • For information about all other territories, visit the Park Circus website.

“We are thrilled to bring ‘RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA’ to the big screen for its U.S. debut,” Fathom Events CEO John Rubey said. “This sequel is even scarier and more thrill-inducing than the previous titles, with mind blowing CG animation that should be seen on 40-foot screens with the highest quality sound and visuals to further enhance the fan experience of this beloved franchise.”

Nick Varley, co-CEO of Park Circus said, “We couldn’t be more delighted to be working with our colleagues and longstanding partners at Sony Pictures to be bringing ‘RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA’ to cinema screens around the world. We know that the thrills, adrenalin, action and incredible CG animation that characterize this long-awaited sequel will be welcomed with open arms by audiences across the globe”

Army of Darkness Getting New Comic Series for 25th Anniversary

March 20, 2017, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Dynamite Entertainment is proud to launch Ash Vs. The Army of Darkness, an all-new series in the popular comic book franchise based on the 1992 cult favorite film, with a #0 issue at the introductory retail price of only $0.99. This great value, billed as “S-Mart Special Pricing” as a in-joke to hardcore AOD enthusiasts, will welcome new fans as the perfect comic book “impulse buy”. The opening chapter in the latest Army of Darkness epic comes courtesy of the red-hot writing team of Chad Bowers and Chris Sims (X-Men ’92, Swordquest), along with artist Mauro Vargas (Crossed: Badlands).

For 25 years, Ash Williams has been waging a war in film and comics against the Army of Darkness. Now, Dynamite Entertainment is proud to present the next thrilling chapter, kicking off in this special prelude! Ash may be the Chosen One, but that doesn’t mean he can hold down a steady job at S-Mart. When he’s scrambling for employment, will he find himself once again thrown into battle against the Deadites? Here’s a hint: The book ain’t called Ash: The Guy With A Regular Job Who Doesn’t Battle Against The Forces of Evil.

“Army of Darkness, and really Sam Raimi’s entire filmography, is such a major influence on how we approach storytelling,” says co-writer Chad Bowers. “Being turned loose inside that sandbox and having a chance to add to the AOD mythology feels like something we’ve been working toward for years, and hopefully it reads that way, too. And I dare anybody to tell me Ash Williams isn’t the toughest ass-kicker in horror! What he lacks in brains, he more than makes up for by having a chainsaw for a hand. That’ll get you a long way in this world!”

“I saw Army of Darkness when I was nine, and I’ve literally described it as a life-changing experience. It might’ve been the most influential movie I’ve ever watched — in terms of the stories that I like and how much I love smartass everyman heroes that stumble into having to do the right thing — and almost everything I’ve written has had a variation on that idea kicking around in it,” says co-writer Chris Sims. “One of our big goals whenever we sit down to write a new story is to keep things moving fast enough that nobody has a chance to get bored, and with Ash, escalating those situations was so much fun.”

“Chad and Chris bring such vibrant life to their scripts; they translate their own enthusiasm so incredibly to the work, and they are Army of Darkness fans through and through. Teaming them with Mauro Vargas, an exceptional rising star (especially in the realm of hardcore horror), will ensure that longtime fans and curious newcomers are more than satisfied!” says Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. “Celebrating AOD’s anniversary with a 99-cent introductory-priced #0 issue is a great way for our retail partners to welcome as many customers as possible to the world of Ash Vs. The Army of Darkness with minimal risk. Put copies on your store shelves and watch as impulse buys ensue — Ash is back, and we couldn’t be happier!”

The 99-cent debut issue of Ash Vs. The Army of Darkness features a cover by superstar artist Nick Bradshaw (Wolverine & The X-Men). Five variant editions are available as retailer incentives for comic shops that support the launch issue with stocking thresholds. These variant editions include three “Sneak Peek” editions by Reilly Brown (Deadpool & Cable), series artist Mauro Vargas (Crossed: Badlands), and Pasquale Qualano (Doctor Who); a “Blood Red” Line Art cover edition by the aforementioned Nick Bradshaw; and a J. Scott Campbell “13th Anniversary Flashback” cover edition, re-presenting the very first Army of Darkness comic book cover when Dynamite launched its flagship title in 2004.

Army of Darkness is a 1992 fantasy/comedy film with strong horror elements starring Bruce Campbell (Burn Notice), the third installment in a trilogy featuring reluctant hero Ash Williams. Directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man), the film saw its tough-as-nails, wise-cracking protagonist transported from the modern era to the Dark Ages in his continuing war against demonic evil. Army of Darkness generated a dedicated fan following for its premise and lead actor. Since 2004, Dynamite Entertainment has been the proud home to Army of Darkness comic books.

Ash Vs. The Army of Darkness will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ April 2017 Previews catalog, the premiere source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in June. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies with their local comic book retailers. Ash Vs. The Army of Darkness will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, and Dark Horse Digital.

SXSW Gaming Awards 2017 Winners Announced

Austin, TX – March 18, 2017 – SXSW® Gaming Conference and Festival has announced the winners for the 2017 SXSW Gaming Awards sponsored by IGN and Imaginary Forces. The winners in 23 different categories, were revealed during the fourth annual Gaming Awards ceremony, which was hosted by WWE® Superstar Xavier Woods® and popular gaming broadcaster OMGitsfirefoxx.

Award winner highlights include Game of the Year winner Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (Sony Computer Entertainment / Naughty Dog); Mobile Game of the Year winner Pokémon GO (Niantic); Esports Game of the Year winner Overwatch (Blizzard Entertainment); Tabletop Game of the Year winner Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Fantasy Flight Games); Trending Game of the Year winner Overwatch (Blizzard Entertainment); and Fan Creation of the Year winner Brutal Doom 64 (Sergeant_Mark_IV).

Submissions for the SXSW Gaming Awards opened in August 2016 through the official Gaming Awards page and closed in December. Finalists for the SXSW Gaming Awards categories were selected and voted on by the SXSW Gaming Advisory Board and select staff, consisting of more than 40 industry experts well-versed in everything gaming and geek culture. Once finalists were revealed, the general public, along with the Advisory Board, were invited to cast their vote on IGN.com to help determine the winners in each category, which were unveiled and honored at tonight’s SXSW Gaming Awards ceremony.

2017 SXSW Gaming Awards Winners:

  • Excellence in SFX
    Battlefield 1 – Electronic Arts / EA DICE
  • Excellence in Musical Score
    DOOM – Bethesda Softworks / id Software
  • Excellence in Technical Achievement
    Battlefield 1 – Electronic Arts / EA DICE
  • Excellence in Visual Achievement
    Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Sony Computer Entertainment / Naughty Dog
  • Excellence in Animation
    Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Sony Computer Entertainment / Naughty Dog
  • Excellence in Art
    Firewatch – Panic Inc. / Campo Santo
  • Excellence in Convergence
    Batman: The Telltale Series – Telltale Games
  • Excellence in Multiplayer
    Overwatch – Blizzard Entertainment
  • Most Memorable Character
    Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Nathan Drake
  • Most Promising New Intellectual Property
    Overwatch – Blizzard Entertainment
  • Most Fulfilling Community-Funded Game
    Starbound – Chucklefish Games
  • Excellence in Gameplay
    DOOM – Bethesda Softworks / id Software
  • Excellence in Design
    Dishonored 2 – Bethesda Softworks / Arkane Studios
  • Excellence in Narrative
    Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Sony Computer Entertainment / Naughty Dog
  • Matthew Crump Cultural Innovation Award
    That Dragon, Cancer – Numinous Games
  • Gamer’s Voice Multiplayer
    Arena Gods – Supertype
  • Gamer’s Voice Single Player
    Owlboy – D-pad Studio
  • Fan Creation of the Year
    Brutal Doom 64 – Sergeant_Mark_IV
  • Trending Game of the Year
    Overwatch – Blizzard Entertainment
  • Esports Game of the Year
    Overwatch – Blizzard Entertainment
  • Tabletop Game of the Year
    Arkham Horror: The Card Game – Fantasy Flight Games
  • Mobile Game of the Year
    Pokémon GO – Niantic
  • Video Game of the Year
    Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Sony Computer Entertainment / Naughty Dog

The SXSW Gaming Conference & Festival is a unique combination of geek and gaming culture featuring Expos, Awards, and Programming over three days.

For the full list of 2017 SXSW Gaming Award winners, visit gaming.sxsw.com/awards/.

Boomerang Roller Coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm Has Last Ride on April 23

BUENA PARK, Calif, (March 17, 2017) – Knott’s Berry Farm says goodbye to the park’s veteran rollercoaster, Boomerang on April 23rd. Riders will have one last chance to ride the reverse shuttle rollercoaster starting now and throughout the duration of Knott’s annual springtime Boysenberry Festival which kicks off April 1-23.

The 27 year-old rollercoaster has been a staple in the recently renovated Boardwalk area, replacing the historic “Roaring 20’s Corkscrew” in 1990.  Since its opening, Boomerang has taken thrill-seekers on an enthralling two minute ride forward and backwards on its 875-foot track.

Guests will have the opportunity to take a last ride on Boomerang during the popular Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, a celebration of Knott’s Berry Farm’s historic roots anchored by the flavorful boysenberry. Newly expanded this year to 23 days, Knott’s will be showcasing a unique selection of over 75 boysenberry-inspired items from tasty food creations and rare wines to one-of-a kind merchandise that commemorates Knott’s renowned history.

For over 75 years, Knott’s has created memories for families and park goers of all ages; the park has been home to multiple thrilling rollercoasters and family attractions. The park’s team will continue to assist in strategically advancing the park’s development as it continues to grow throughout the years along with our guests.

A 2017 Season Pass is a great way to enjoy memorable events and a year of family fun. Season Passes can be purchased online starting at $91.00 or 6 easy payments of $15.16. 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.

Starfighter Inc Kickstarter Relaunches

SAVANNAH, GA, March 17, 2017 — Straight from their popular hands-on multiplayer debut at PAX East, Impeller Studios unveiled their Kickstarter re-launch today (link) and hit 25% funding in its first hours. Their first attempt attracted 5,389 backers, but only reached 90% of their goal, so no funds came from it. Lead designer, David Wessman (X-Wing series of Star Wars Space Combat Simulators™, Blood Wake™, and Saints Row™) explained, “Last time we pitched the vision of our concept, but this time we can actually show it. The response from space sim fans and core gamers at PAX East was amazing. We’ve been able to create a multiplayer combat experience in space that is both realistic and fun.”

Project Director, Jack Mamais (designer of critically acclaimed Crysis™ & director behind the popular MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries™ title) attributes this to a very hard working team and the power of Epic’s Unreal Engine 4. “It certainly doesn’t hurt that we also have the support of some industry heavyweights such as Alienware, Logitech. Nvidia, Oculus, Thrustmaster, and Valve.”

Leading the team’s ambitious goal to have an engaging narrative is Rusel DeMaria,author of original Star Wars™ fiction for the X-Wing and TIE Fighter games and narrative lead. From their Kickstarter page: “Mission outcomes affect the balance of power and allow players to drive the evolving narrative. Thus the player community will collectively have a real effect on the corporate power struggles and politics of the Starfighter Inc. universe.”

David continued, “Every time we demo our game, we gain new fans and true believers. This is the sort of project that people get really passionate about – even folks who had no previous interest in space combat sims! We’ve been extremely fortunate to attract some amazing talent. A great example is the compelling video (link) narrated by esteemed actress Emma Samms (General Hospital, Dynasty). We’re very grateful that she donated her time to record this video! You’ll also find it under the Narrative section of the Kickstarter campaign.

Now we’re ready to rock with this new campaign. And as the Kickstarter continues over the next 30 days, we’ll reveal even more details about the ships, weapons, missions, and our innovative narrative system that will keep players immersed and directly involved in the events and the evolving universe of Starfighter Inc. We’ll also be posting more videos as well as interviews with members of the team. And we might also have some surprises (Pilot Aptitude Test – hint, hint) in store for our fans and backers.

Starfighter Inc.’s first Kickstarter Live stream is scheduled for this Sun. March 19th at 4PM Eastern: “Multiplayer Gameplay Q&A” and will be hosted by the game’s director, Jack Mamais.

“I am super excited to see the crazy space fighter child of the X-Wing and MechWarrior 2 teams.” – Luke Crane, Head of Games at Kickstarter

“It was great to meet you guys at PAX East last week. Your passion for this game shows and you and your game were a highlight of my first PAX experience. It’s only right; then, that you are also my first Kickstarter pledge!” – Chris G. (from Kickstarter comments)

Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/impellerstudios/starfighter-inc-0

The Surge Gets a Strong, Faster, Tougher Trailer

March 17, 2017 – Deck13’s upcoming hardcore Action-RPG The Surge today unveils a new CGI trailer, showcasing intense, visceral combat between man and machine. After exploring Warren’s first day at the office in the previous trailer, we now witness him battling mechanical foes deeper within the CREO complex.

Megacorporation CREO works to reverse the devastating effects of climate change, but the facility is hit by a mysterious, catastrophic event. After awakening from a blackout caused by this disaster, Warren is thrust into a deadly new world. Robots gone haywire, insane augmented co-workers, and rogue AI―it seems like everything wants him dead.

Players are pitted in a desperate fight to survive, engaging these unpredictable foes in tight, visceral melee combat. Grow in power with The Surge’s next-gen looting system: Target and slice specific limbs off your enemies in battle, then equip the weapons or armor you dismember!

The Surge arrives May 16 and is available to pre-order now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and, PC. Visit the official website for more info.