Author - Jerry Paxton

Spirit Halloween Unveils Axe-clusive Giveaway to Lizzie Borden House

Spirit Halloween, the nation’s largest Halloween retailer, is dusting off the cobwebs to kick off a weeklong celebration of Halfway to Halloween, officially declaring the start of the 2024 spooky season.

For its first scare of the year, the brand is offering fans the chance to win a stay in one of the nation’s most haunted houses – the notorious Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA. In collaboration with US Ghost Adventures, Spirit Halloween will give one lucky winner and up to 12 members of their coven a private stay in the horror-filled house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

With the house all to themselves (not including ghostly residents, of course), the winning group will enjoy all the makings of a haunting holiday, including:

  • An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings
  • A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear
  • A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room
  • A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course
  • The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II
  • Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

For even more to scream about, Spirit Halloween fanatics eager to step back inside their favorite store should mark their calendars for Thursday, August 1 for the Grand Opening of the brand’s flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The annual event is a must-do for Halloween fans – with exclusive early reveals, games, treats, themed photo ops, and activities for the whole family – fans will make memories that will haunt them forever.

For those who would rather die than miss out on anything Spirit Halloween, keep an eye on Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and SpiritHalloween.com to be the first in the know on reveals and news all week long.

Pacific Rim Pinball Announced

Go big or go extinct. Prime your senses for a neural handshake and step into the cockpit of a Jaeger. It is on you to cancel the apocalypse when Pacific Rim Pinball comes to Pinball FX on May 16!

Play through all the excitement of the first Pacific Rim movie and use your pinball skills to strengthen the link between Raleigh and Mako while resisting the double event of Leatherback and Otachi – if you can get the ball to the bumpers you may even drift with the Kaiju! Wield those flippers well and you might even overload the reactor of Gipsy Danger and seal the Breach once and for all.

“The scale and the stakes are always big in Legendary Entertainment’s franchises,” said Mel Kirk, COO of Zen Studios. “Translating the epic action of the film into the confines of a pinball cabinet proved quite the challenge, and we might have failed – this pinball experience will burst out of the machine and your screen!”

Pacific Rim Pinball becomes available May 16 for Windows PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as on PlayStation 5|4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

For more information and updates, visit zenstudios.com.

‘Pinball FX’ is a trademark of Zen Studios, Ltd. Game code © 2007-2024 Zen Studios, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Alien: Rogue Incursion Announcement Trailer

Survios, the industry-leading virtual reality studio, in collaboration with 20th Century Games, officially announces Alien: Rogue Incursion will be coming to PlayStation VR2, PCVR via Steam, and Meta Quest 3 for Holiday 2024. Fans can wishlist the upcoming single-player, action-horror game for PlayStation VR2 starting today, with additional platform wishlisting available in the future.

Alien: Rogue Incursion fully immerses players in a harrowing VR journey deep into the Alien universe with an all-new storyline of an ultimate mission that tests their courage, wits, and skill to survive the terrors of the “Perfect Organism.”

“Our team at Survios are huge fans of Alien and have been building Alien: Rogue Incursion for a long time, honing our ability to pair the most technically advanced, immersive, and engaging VR experiences with best-in-class franchises,” said TQ Jefferson, Chief Product Officer at Survios. “This fully original story embraces all our favorite elements from 45 years of Alien, from kinetic action and heart-pounding exploration to our terrifyingly resourceful Xenomorphs that will truly make your skin crawl. We can’t wait for fans to get their hands on it this holiday season.”

Truck Driver – Heading North Launch Trailer

Strap in for an exciting ride along scenic Nordic routes as Truck Driver® – Heading North DLC has arrived today on Steam. All for the price of €12.99/ $12.99, you can enjoy extra hours of gameplay as you meet new faces and take on fresh trucking missions in the beautiful country of Mangefjell. But wait, there’s more! To celebrate the launch, we’re offering a limited-time 15% discount! Check out the new trailer for a sneak peek at what Truck Driver®: Heading North has in store!

Deathbound Console Announcement Trailer

Tate Multimedia and Trialforge Studio are thrilled to announce that Deathbound, the upcoming single player party-based soulslike, will be launching on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S day-in-date with PC. Refuse Death, embrace the fallen, and conquer a brutal reality where Life and Death were never more conflicted.

Set in a ruthless dark fantasy world where Faith and Science were never more at odds, the unforgiving world of Deathbound is brimming with appalling creatures and unyielding warriors. The unholy crusade cannot be forged alone, as players must call upon Ziêminal’s dead for any hope of survival. Bind with fallen warriors found throughout the world and dynamically transform between each character seamlessly mid-combat with Deathbound’s one-of-a-kind 4-hero soulslike party system.

The fallen are individual characters all with their own unique skill sets, combat styles, and rich history who share a single vessel. The relationships between characters also must be taken into effect as it greatly impacts gameplay. The Church of Death and Cult of Life are at odds with one another. Aligning opposing factions close to one another in the vessel will cause conflict, resulting in consequential combat effects. Alternatively, strong synergies with shared beliefs may offer combat buffs that can spell disaster for the ruthless boss awaiting steel and magic.

No matter the creed, the fallen must fight as one. Throughout combat, players will charge a sync meter shared across all the characters. When the opportune moment presents itself, dispel the sync meter and unleash a devastating Morphstrike with the combined power of the party. When faced with a menacing foe, a precisely executed Morphstrike can be the deciding factor between life and death.

Deathbound launches simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store in 2024. Those eager to experience binding may do so right now with a demo available on Steam. As players await the launch of Deathbound later this year, they can begin crafting an unbreakable synergy by wishlisting Deathbound on Steam and joining the official Deathbound Discord server.

Driving Survival Sim ICEBOUND Steam Page Now Up

ICEBOUND offers players a captivating experience as they navigate through harsh environments in a snowcat called Beast; combining elements of simulation genre, survival and exploration. In ICEBOUND, players assume the role of Henry, tasked with exploring treacherous landscapes in a snowcat while facing various challenges and dangers. From extreme weather conditions to hostile wildlife and unknown forces, players must utilize their wit and resourcefulness to survive in this unforgiving world.

To learn more about the game, visit: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2868080/ICEBOUND/

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Joins XBOX UNHALLOWEEN SALE

Xbox players, beware… The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has joined the XBOX UNHALLOWEEN SALE, running from April 23rd until April 29th, 2024!

For non-Game Pass players, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is available for purchase at a 40% discount, while Game Pass subscribers can buy The Texas Chain Saw Massacre at 40% off and receive the Danny and Nancy character DLC FREE with purchase!

And for you non-Xbox players, enjoy all the fresh meat lining up for the slaughter!

As well, the new bloodied Wildflower Outfit DLC for Sissy will be available for all players on April 30th, just in time for Spring. Whether you’re ready for a frolic in the fields or a murder in the meadows, this 70s-style dress is easy, breezy, and brutal.

And don’t forget to check out the latest Outfit Pack for Ana, released on April 16th for all players, and featuring multiple, colorful outfits and shoes.

Robosen Unveils MEGATRON Auto-Converting Decepticon

Robosen Robotics Innovation, Inc – a leading innovator in the field of consumer entertainment robotics, today announced during a Hasbro Pulse Fan Stream, the World’s First Auto-Converting Decepticon leader – Megatron! Joining the growing line of TRANSFORMERS robots created by Robosen and licensed by leading toy and game company Hasbro, the Flagship Megatron enters the battle against the Autobots with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Grimlock already available and on the market for order. The Flagship Megatron, first Decepticon collectible in the range, is now available for pre-order at Robosen.com and will retail on pre-sale for $899 USD for a 30-day window before moving to its standard price of $1,199.

After over 3 years of rigorous R&D, the talented team at Robosen has successfully produced a new, awe-inspiring conversion process with Megatron changing from robot to tank instantly, via app or voice! Coupled with a comprehensive set of functions, including automatic convertible movements from tank to robot, a new and more fluid bipedal walking algorithm, integration of 112 ultra-bright LEDs, an arsenal of incredible included weapons, and a brilliant silver-metallic finish that embodies the true essence of the ominous leader. The Flagship Megatron is poised to dominate any Autobot that stands in his way at a staggering 21” tall and is equipped with 36 servo motors along with 118 microchips powering it from the inside.

Robosen continues to develop a truly interactive experience for the millions of TRANSFORMERS fans worldwide, with its ever growing cast of TRANSFORMERS robots, which can now stage engaging scenes through Mini-Theater (a feature within the app), bringing these beloved characters to life right before your eyes! With all this astonishing technology and capabilities built into the Flagship Megatron, Robosen completes the savage leader in the most authentic way possible – building in the treasured talents of Frank Welker, the original voice of the 1984 G1 Megatron himself! Going into the studio specifically for this launch, Frank Welker recorded over 270+ unique lines and beloved phrases, which allow users to experience Megatron like never before, and in the most genuine way.

“We have been eagerly waiting to launch the most incredible, high-end TRANSFORMERS robot available on the market,” said Hansen Su, Founder and CEO of Robosen. “Our engineers have brought Megatron to life! Through the 50 engaging actions built in – the original voice of Frank Welker – to the most amazing converting process we have been able to achieve. Megatron in either tank or robot mode will bring any fan pure joy when they see it for the first time! It’s a beautiful product – we can’t wait for customers to get theirs!”

“Released in time for the TRANSFORMERS franchise’s 40th anniversary this year, the Flagship Megatron offers an exciting expansion to our existing line with Robosen as we introduce the first Decepticon to the mix. Now, fans can play out the battle between good and evil with stunning, state-of-the-art bots as we honor the franchise’s legacy and embark on the next four decades of action and adventure,” said Casey Collins, President, Licensed Consumer Products, Hasbro.

All Robosen products and collectibles are meticulously designed and crafted with state-of-the-art, high-grade metal alloy parts, combining a classic industrial design with the most cutting-edge robotic technology, while providing an ultimate entertaining experience filled with programming, and pure fun!

NOPE Challenge Out Now

Happy Manic LLC is launching NOPE CHALLENGE, a psychological VR game based on facing and overcoming over 40 phobias, today on Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest Pro today at 10 am PDT. The immersive title features intense challenges designed to push players through their fight, flight, or freeze response as they complete objectives like scaling the sides of buildings or running from robot clowns.

NOPE CHALLENGE is an exhilarating VR game that allows you to confront popular phobias, including clowns, spiders, and heights. In the game, you are tasked with overcoming common phobias by completing a series of intense challenges that involve climbing, sneaking, and solving puzzles. Nine challenges with varying levels of difficulty, introduce different mechanics. Each challenge is thoughtfully designed to ensure players never plateau and constantly face new challenges and stimuli to help improve their fear response.

The NOPE CHALLENGE also features the NOPE Button, which you can hit at any point to escape challenges and retreat to the Breather Space. This calming place features a rock garden and koi pond where you can relax and catch your breath before getting back into the action. Along with calming activities, you can reflect on the challenges you’ve faced in the trophy room and learn more about common fears at the Phobia Kiosk.

Critical Role’s Candela Obscura Comes to LA for One-Night-Only LIVE Performance

Today Critical Role, a leader in innovative cross-platform storytelling, officially announced the first-ever Candela Obscura live show, taking place at The United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

This one-night-only performance will feature Candela Obscura game designer Spenser Starke leading the session as Game Master, with Critical Role founders Matthew Mercer (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingon, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth), Laura Bailey (The Last of Us, Spider-Man 2), and Marisha Ray (The Last of Us: Part II, Fallout 76), accompanied by guest star Khary Payton (The Walking Dead, Teen Titans Go!), taking on the roles of our valiant investigators. Taliesin Jaffe (Helsing, The Legend of Vox Machina) will serve as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.

Set in a fictional world known as the Fairelands, Candela Obscura is an original anthology horror series that follows an esoteric order of investigators, ranging from professors to criminals to mediums, who join the secret order of “Candela Obscura” and work together to confront mysterious, chaotic, and supernatural forces. The general public is unaware of the otherworldly truths of these paranormal phenomena, and the organization known as Candela Obscura works to maintain that secrecy and keep the world safe. Leveraging gaming as a story mechanic, these esoteric protectors use guile and teamwork to root out ancient horrors before they spread throughout the Fairelands.

“Critical Role built a new genre of entertainment” – Forbes

“A macabre tale filled with body horror, intrigue, deception and heart. An absolutely compelling and immersive watch.” – CBC

“Critical Role’s horror anthology has a cineliterate delivery that makes it more like watching a movie – even for those rolling the dice.” – Dicebreaker=

“The world of Candela Obscura is deep and filled with mystery and intrigue.” – Comicbook

Tickets are available Monday, April 29th at 10am Pacific at critrole.com/events. Doors open at 6:45pm PT, with the show starting at 8pm PT. VIP ticket holders will be able to experience a special pre-show character creation process and the formation of the evening’s Candela Obscura circle at 5:30pm PT. A livestream of the performance will be available on Critical Role’s Twitch (twitch.tv/criticalrole) and YouTube (youtube.com/criticalrole) channels on May 30, 2024 with the VOD being made available June 3, 2024.

More information is available at critrole.com/events.