Author - boothby

Factory Entertainment Gets George R.R. Martin License

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Concord, CA – Factory Entertainment, Inc., the Concord, California-based producer of licensed toys and collectibles, announced today that it has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with renowned novelist, screenwriter and television producer, George R.R. Martin.

Best known for his international bestselling epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, which includes A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, George R.R. Martin is considered to be by Time Magazine, one of the most influential people in the world.

Factory Entertainment will be debuting its first product at New York Toy Fair, February 14th through the 17th, 2015 (booth #4952), a collectible plush of George, dressed in his trademark fisherman’s cap and suspenders. Featuring 10 exclusively recorded audio quotes, Mr. Martin truly speaks for himself!

A number of other products are currently in development.

“We’re thrilled to have been selected to partner with George R.R. Martin to produce collectibles honoring one of the most iconic contemporary figures in fantasy literature” said Jordan Schwartz, President and CEO of Factory Entertainment. “We cannot wait to debut what we have in store at Toy Fair,” Schwartz continued, “we’re sure that fans of Mr. Martin’s work will love what they see!”

Cities: Skylines Gets Release Date and Trailer

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STOCKHOLM – February 10, 2015 – Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order, architects and constructors of mighty gaming monuments, are happy to reveal that Cities: Skylines, the city simulation game for PC, Mac, and Linux, will be in the hands of aspiring building magnates and town planners everywhere on March 10th. Starting today, players can also pre-purchaseCities: Skylines and receive in-game items and other content.

To celebrate this announcement (and also because Paradox and Colossal Order are just really lovely people), a brand new gameplay trailer has been released alongside a pre-order campaign offering additional content and items for anyone purchasing the game prior to March 10th. This includes:

•    Five additional in-game items (Basketball Court, Botanical Gardens, Merry-go-round, Bouncy Castle, Dog Park), adding fun, style and practicality to any town!
•    Digital art book containing building blueprints and other original concept art
•    Four digital postcards

Cities: Skylines can be pre-ordered at www.citiesskylines.com.

Get a look at the lively cityscapes of Cities: Skylines in the new trailer here:

Bethesda Announces First Ever E3 Press Conference

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Okay…. This COULD be it… Expect BIG things as the company has never done a press conference quite like this be4ore…. (See what I did there?)

So, keep your seat belts on and tray tables in their upright positions as E3 is only 4 months away! (I did it again!)

**Note: I have no insider info on what they will actually be showing, I am running on pure hopes & dreams here.

D23 Announces 2015 Event Lineup

MICKEY MOUSE

BURBANK, Calif. – February 9, 2015 – In 2015, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will bring back many of its beloved events while adding a selection of new experiences for members.

CINDERELLA LIGHTS UP THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS: On March 12 members will be treated to a screening of Walt Disney Studios’ upcoming release Cinderella, followed by a reception exclusively for D23 Gold Members. The event will take place following The Walt Disney Company 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. (Members do not need to be shareholders to attend the screening.)

SPECIAL SCREENING EVENTS ON THE DISNEY STUDIO LOT: Starting this month, D23 kicked off another year of memorable screenings designed with fans in mind. On February 8, D23 screened 101 Dalmatians, which included the premieres of two new short films; a panel featuring Disney Legend and animator Floyd Norman, Lisa Davis (voice of Anita), and Mimi Gibson (Lucky); a special gift and more. Other experiences on the Studio lot in 2015 will include The Parent Trap and a special 75th anniversary celebration of Pinocchio, as well as a screening of the “Peoples and Places” featurette Disneyland, U.S.A., with special guests in honor of Disneyland’s 60th anniversary.

D23’S LUNCH WITH A LEGEND: Back by popular demand, in 2015, D23 will continue these intimate gatherings with Disney Legends this spring and fall. In 2014, D23 Members joined such Legends as Marty Sklar, Floyd Norman, and Bill Farmer for private luncheons on The Walt Disney Studios lot.

D23 DAY AT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS AND ARCHIVES: D23’s members-only tours of the historic Studio lot and Walt Disney Archives in Burbank return, highlighting historic moments from Disney film, television, and theme parks. Tours will take place this spring (date TBD), June 20, and November 7.

D23 MEMBER VIP STUDIO TOURS: A new event for 2015, D23 will offer this unique experience only to D23 Gold Members. It will include a tour of the Studio during a working day on the lot, along with a special lunch with a Disney Legend and a unique VIP gift. Each limited-capacity experience will include new tour stops and unique moments sure to bring smiles to Disney fans. Events will be held on May 29 with Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith and November 6 with a Legend to be announced soon.

LIGHT UP THE SEASON: An annual tradition exclusively for cast members and employees of The Walt Disney Company, Light Up the Season marks the official start of the holidays on the Studio lot. This year, D23 Members will enjoy their own specialLight Up the Season event, complete with carols, cocoa, and a tree lighting.

D23 is also bringing more events to members across the country in 2015:

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME VIP EXPERIENCE: On March 15, D23 Members are invited to see the new theatrical production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. D23 Members save 20 percent on their tickets, receive a limited-edition pin, and will enjoy a post-show talk-back with the musical’s Academy Award®-winning lyricist Stephen Schwartz.

A TASTE OF DISNEY AT SILVERADO VINEYARDS: D23 Gold Members are invited to a day at Silverado Vineyards in Napa, Calif., the winery founded by Diane Disney Miller and her husband Ron. On March 13, guests will enjoy a lunch, tour, and wine tasting experience along with a special gift.

BREAKFAST ON BROADWAY: A select number of D23 Gold Members will enjoy private shopping at Disney Store Times Square on March 14 with a special discount; a continental breakfast at the New Amsterdam Theatre, home to the Broadway hitAladdin; and a gift at this exclusive, complimentary event.

D23 MEMBER NIGHTS AT NEWSIES—ON TOUR: Disney fans are cheering for the Tony®-Award winning Newsies, now on tour. This year, D23 Members in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Toronto are invited to see the show, with premium seats on special nights and a talk-back with the cast following the show. (Some shows already sold out.)

DISNEY STORE MEMBER MIXERS: Since 2013, D23 has given members a peek at reimagined Disney Stores across the country—from Kansas and Nevada to Michigan and Texas. This year Disney Store will once again invite D23 Members for exclusive mornings of shopping, discounts, games, and goodies at new locations in Riverside, Calif., Lexington, Ky., Raleigh, N.C., Burlington, Mass., and many more.

ADVANCE SCREENINGS: In 2014, D23 Members were able to attend previews ofMaleficent, Big Hero 6, and Into the Woods in cities such as New York, Orlando, Chicago, and Atlanta. This year, in partnership with Walt Disney Studios, D23 will screen a selection of upcoming releases.

FANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION—HOME EDITION: With D23 members spanning the country—and the globe—look for an exciting new twist this year on D23’s annualFanniversary Celebration that all members will be able to participate in, no matter where they live.

D23 EXPO 2015: The biggest Disney event of all takes place August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center when all the wonderful worlds of Disney come together for three magical days. From sneak peeks, concerts, and exhibitions to celebrities, Disney luminaries and more, there’s something for every Disney fan at the D23 Expo. Tickets are available now at D23Expo.com.

Dates, ticketing information, and more D23 events will be announced throughout the year, including new, member special events in Orlando. Full details on D23’s lineup of 2015 special events can be found at www.D23.com/events. All events and dates are subject to change.

Current event calendar:

  • February 25: D23 Member Night at Newsies—On Tour, San Francisco (sold out)
  • March 12: Cinderella Lights Up the Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
  • March 13: A Taste of Disney at Silverado Vineyards, Napa, Calif.
  • March 14: Breakfast on Broadway, New York City
  • March 15: The Hunchback of Notre Dame VIP Experience, Millburn, N.J.
  • Spring 2015: Lunch with a Legend, Burbank, Calif.
  • Spring 2015: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives, Burbank, Calif.
  • April 14: D23 Member Night at Newsies—On Tour, Los Angeles (sold out)
  • April 30: D23 Member Night at Newsies—On Tour, Dallas (sold out)
  • May 9: The Parent Trap, Burbank, Calif.
  • May 29: VIP Studio Tour with Disney Legend Dave Smith, Burbank, Calif.
  • June 10: D23 Member Night at Newsies—On Tour, Washington, D.C. (sold out)
  • June 20: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives, Burbank, Calif.
  • June 25: D23 Member Night at Newsies—On Tour, Boston
  • July 15: D23 Member Night at Newsies—On Tour, Toronto
  • July 18: Disneyland U.S.A., Burbank, Calif.
  • August 14–16: D23 Expo 2015, Anaheim, Calif.
  • Fall 2015: Lunch with a Legend, Burbank, Calif.
  • September 26, Pinocchio, Burbank, Calif.
  • November 6, VIP Studio Tour, Burbank, Calif.
  • November 7: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives, Burbank, Calif.
  • December 4: Light Up the Season, Burbank, Calif.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99) and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

Knott’s Supreme Scream to Color Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

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February 9, 2015 — This Valentine’s Day week through the end of March (seven weeks), Supreme Scream, towering over 312 feet in the air, will be lit in pink and glow for miles in honor of the Knott’s for the Cure program.

At dusk, starting Monday, February 9 – Friday, March 27, Supreme Scream along with the famous Calico Mine Ride, Knott’s Berry Farm Main Gate and the Camp Snoopy waterfall, will glow pink in support of Knott’s for the Cure, a second annual partnership with Susan G. Komen® Orange County.

The Knott’s Berry Farm for the Cure program, running January 5 – March 27, will help raise money for breast cancer awareness, screening, treatment, and support right here in Orange County and fund groundbreaking research. Proceeds from special pink online tickets, $39 adults & $35 Jr./Sr. available online only at knotts.com, and exclusive merchandise will benefit Komen Orange County.

Mortal Kombat X New Features Trailer

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February 6, 2015 — Today, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and NetherRealm Studios released the latest video for Mortal Kombat X, which gives fans an overview of the numerous features that they can experience in the upcoming game. Additionally, viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at Faction Wars as NetherRealm Studios team members discuss details of how this feature will connect Mortal Kombat X players around the world.

Mortal Kombat X will be released worldwide on April 14, 2015 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Windows PC.

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Gratuitous Space Battles 2 Enters Open Beta and New Trailer

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February 6, 2015 — Positech Games is pleased to announce that the follow up to 100,000 plus selling Gratuitous Space Battles is available from today on open beta. Unsurprisingly named Gratuitous Space Battles 2, this new title once more does away with all the long winded base building and delays found in other strategy/management/simulation space-based games. Simply construct your ships from modular components, arrange them into fleets, give them orders and then sit back, watch the laser beams fly, hulls explode and hopefully win the day – or is that night, hard to tell in space.

A sequel wouldn’t be a sequel without a heap of new stuff and GSB2 doesn’t disappoint. Head of Positech Games and its lead (only) programmer, Cliff Harris, has been listening to what players of the original game loved and didn’t love so much plus what they would like to see in a follow-up. Here’s what’s been added:

  • Designer ships – No two cruisers need ever look the same again thanks to the in-built visual ship-editor; design your ships your way and then show them off in online battles
  • Presented in glorious technicolor – Brand new built from scratch purpose built graphics engine makes the action look 100% better*
  • More ships – Choose from a number of new ship classes
  • Expand your horizons – Built-in and easy to use multi monitor support
  • Mods rule – Easy to edit text and CSV files readily available
  • Keep in line – Pre-set formation orders now retain their shape regardless of number of ships lost
  • Give us a lift – Carriers are now required to transport all fighters into the battlefield
  • Fill me up – Fighters now have limited fuel and need to refuel at their parent carrier

Gratuitous Space Battles 2’s open beta is available now for PC from http://www.gratuitousspacebattles2.com/register.html for 500 Martian Kriptogs or in earth money $24.95USD, that’s about £16.50. Those purchasing now will receive access to the beta plus a Steam key for the full release that will also see Mac and Linux versions plus additional languages added.