Author - Jerry Paxton

Queen Mary to Start Allowing Stays in Haunted Cabin

2018/03/31
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News

LONG BEACH, Calif., (March 30, 2018) – The Queen Mary, dubbed one of the “Top 10 most haunted places on Earth” by Time Magazine, is pleased to announce the notoriously haunted Stateroom B340 will once again be available for overnight guests starting Friday, April 13th. Featured on SYFY Channel’s  Ghost Hunters and the British TV series Most Haunted, room B340 offers thrill seekers and scare enthusiasts the unique opportunity to spend the night in the axiom of all alleged paranormal activity at the Queen Mary. Room reservations will be available at 877-342-0742.

“Several of the cabins onboard the Queen Mary are considered haunted. But, the stateroom with the most infamous reputation is room B340,” said Stephen Sowards, General Manager of the Queen Mary. “The last time the room was occupied by a guest was in the 1980’s. For decades we’ve had thousands of visitors request to occupy the room, and after 30 years, we are excited to once again extend the offer to our guests.”

Stateroom B340 has a large volume of recorded paranormal activity with many stories of haunted encounters noted in the ship’s logs. Reports date back to the final ocean voyage in 1967 and include complaints from guests staying in B340 claiming that someone was knocking on the door in the middle of the night. Other complaints include bathroom lights turning on by themselves, the sink faucet turning on and off on its own, and unexplained bathroom doors shutting. Some guests have reported the covers of their bed being pulled off while asleep and waking to see a dark figure standing at the foot of the bed.

During voyage years, the space encompassed three third class staterooms, and has since been remodeled to become one large guest room suite. A perfect blend of authentic style and modern amenities, B340 is larger than the average cruise ship cabin. Featuring operable portholes and offering all the modern conveniences of a contemporary hotel, the famously haunted stateroom offers a true ocean liner experience. In addition to standard hotel room amenities, B340 will supply a chest with unique items available for guests to amplify their overnight haunt experience, including a Ouija board, tarot cards, crystal ball, and ghost hunting equipment.

The Queen Mary’s year-long haunted attractions and tours continue to draw thrill-seekers of all ages in 2018 with continued updates and enhancements. Since its soft opening in winter of 2017, the re-inspired Ghosts and Legends Tour has added more frights with a new scene, more ambient lighting, and elevated scare factors all in hopes to strengthen the presence of the Queen Mary’s resident ghosts. Additional haunted attractions offered onboard the Queen Mary include Paranormal Shipwalk, Dining with Spirits, and Paranormal Investigation. The Paranormal Investigation tour invites guests to join ship para-investigator and ParaXplorer Project founder Matthew Schulz as he leads visitor investigators into the depths of the RMS Queen Mary’s purported active locations.

Cabin reservations for stateroom B340 will be available for booking Friday, April 13, 2018 and start at $499 per night. Reservations are available at 877-342-0742.  Check-in is at 3 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.  For more information, or to purchase tickets for the haunted attractions and tours, please visit queenmary.com

FX Networks Unveils The LEGION Chamber

2018/03/30
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News

March 30, 2018 – Last night, FX Networks officially unveiled The LEGION Chamber, an artistic video installation inspired by the FX drama series Legion which allows fans to step inside a 360-degree micro-theatre featuring a one-of-a-kind presentation by the internationally-acclaimed Marco Brambilla Studio. An extraordinary visual art piece hosted at Goya Studios in Hollywood this weekend (March 30 – April 1) only, The LEGION Chamber takes fans on a surreal journey through main character David Haller’s altered states of reality forcing them, like him, to question what is real and what is not. Once inside, participants will find themselves disconnected from the outside world – literally – and fully entrenched in David’s hypnotic digital realm. Legion, the acclaimed drama series from creator and executive producer Noah Hawley, will return to FX on Tuesday, April 3 at 10 PM ET/PT.

The LEGION Chamber hours and location details are below:

HOURS

  • Friday, March 30th – 11AM – 7PM
  • Saturday, March 31st – 11AM – 7PM
  • Sunday, April 1st – 10AM – 6PM

LOCATION

Goya Studios, Stage C
1541 N. Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, Ca 90028

For more information on how to experience The LEGION Chamber, go to facebook.com/legionfx.

WonderCon 2018 After Action Report

2018/03/30
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Screenshots / Photos, WonderCon

WonderCon once again returned to the Anaheim Convention Center and we were fortunate enough to attend. The little brother to the San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon sees tons of exhibitors, cosplayers, and fans turn out to shop and congregate. This year, there seemed to be a lot more attendees walking the show floor, perusing the exhibitor booths for things to purchase and ogle. Last year at WonderCon, I purchased an Ultra Saber and proudly wielded it around the floow while taking pictures. This year, I picked up a Soul of Chogokin Gypsy Danger being sold several days before its advertised street date!

The Anaheim Convention Center does have food for when you get hungry – although, I would highly recommend leaving the center for lunch and heading over to the Anaheim Hilton which is located smack dab against it. The Hilton there has a great restaurant that is not frequented by many con guests so you can usually get right in when all the other attendees slog it out in the food courts. The restaurant has great convention day burgers that I recommend. Outside the convention center, you could also find a long row of food trucks, all with their own style of cuisine. If you couldn’t find something you liked there, you were just lying to yourself.

Past the food trucks, one could find AMC’s The Terror Experience based on their new show, The Terror. The experience, like most experiences at conventions, was short, but a lot of fun and I hope it’s a harbinger of things to come for WonderCon. Small interactive installations are something that fans LOVE at San Diego Comic-Con and seeing someone do it at WonderCon was great. My only advice would have been to put the experience closer to the convention center instead of forcing guests to walk through food truck row – that place was super crowded and we almost couldn’t find the experience with as far down as it was.

Panels are a huge part of the San Diego Comic-Con, but WonderCon has steadily been gaining notice by the entertainment industry and this year saw some good panels – including one from Warner Bros. Pictures which featured the cast and crew of Ready Player One! Also fun were the Geek & Sundry panels – which also included a live taping of “Talks Machina”, the after show component of their popular web series, Critical Role.

Overall, this year’s WonderCon was the best yet, and a great warm up to what I hope to find at the San Diego Comic-Con in July.

Photo Gallery

Thermaltake Unveils Pure Plus 12 LED RGB Radiator Fan TT Premium Edition

2018/03/30
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Hardware News, News

Taipei, Taiwan－March 30th, 2018－Thermaltake today announced the release of the Pure Plus 12 LED RGB Radiator Fan TT Premium Edition (3-Fan Pack). It features a silent yet powerful 120mm PWM fan and a digital 16.8 million colors LED ring that is designed with 9 addressable LEDs. The Pure Plus 12 RGB is a newly added member of the TT RGB PLUS Ecosystem that enables users to control the LED lighting and fan speeds via Thermaltake’s patented TT RGB PLUS Software and TT AI Voice Control. In terms of the fan design, the Pure Plus 12 RGB utilizes hydraulic bearing and compression blades with 9 blades design, maximizing the cooling performance without sacrificing quiet operation.

For more details on Thermaltake Pure Plus 12 LED RGB Radiator Fan TT Premium Edition (3-Fan Pack), please visit: http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00003232

Respawn Now Official Gaming Chair of HSEL

2018/03/29
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. – Mar. 29, 2018 – The High School Esports League (HSEL) announced today that RESPAWN Products, a North Carolina-based gaming furniture maker, is now the official gaming furniture provider for affiliated high schools participating in the HSEL’s programs and tournaments across the United States.

The HSEL is a high school league that provides high school level competition across thirteen different games and has over 10,000 students participating. By supporting young student esports athletes with the structure and resources to compete in an organized esports league, HSEL gives their players the opportunity to attract university-level team interest and potential monetary scholarships. The spring season for the HSEL closes April 2nd – students and administrators interested in signing up their school teams can contact: sponsorships@highschoolesportsleague.com.

“We understand the importance of equipping our young adults and esports athletes with the right equipment for play, and so we look forward to working with RESPAWN so that our network of high schools can gear up,” said Mason Mullenioux, CEO of HSEL. “Through this partnership with RESPAWN, we aim to provide the ability for our high school players to experience the same high quality gaming furniture that professionals use in esports competitions around the world.”

Backed by a pedigree in ergonomic furniture, RESPAWN is a leader in the gaming furniture space making quality gear that meets gamers’ specific needs at an accessible price point. RESPAWN has committed to supporting esports through a number of partnerships, including at the collegiate level with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE).

“It’s important to us to invest in the future of esports on the ground floor, which is currently the amazing group of players playing at the high school level in HSEL,” said Blake Zalcberg, CEO of OFM, Inc. “We are ecstatic to outfit these young professionals with gear they can be proud of and that will help them boost their game to the collegiate level.”

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Announced for Pinball FX3 this April

2018/03/29
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

San Francisco, CA – March 29, 2018 –  Today, Zen Studios announces two new exciting tables based on Star Wars™: The Last Jedi™, coming to Pinball FX3 on April 17. With one table based on the overall plot of the film and another more focused on Luke Skywalker’s hideaway on Ahch-To Island, the Star Wars Pinball: The Last Jedi pack will be available for download on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and Windows 10, as well as on the App Store, Google Play, and Mac through the Zen Pinball and Star Wars Pinball apps.

Both tables in the Star Wars Pinball: The Last Jedi pack reimagine memorable moments from the film in an interactive way only Pinball FX3 can deliver, from fast-paced pinball action to an advanced leaderboard system and RPG-like progression. Sound effects straight from the film complement an authentic Star Wars soundtrack, as animated 3D models bring everything to life. Join Luke Skywalker, Rey, Finn, Chewbacca, R2-D2, BB-8 and Captain Phasma—even Porgs!—in galaxy-spanning antics from the far reaches of the Outer Rim to Luke’s hideaway in the Unknown Regions.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Survive a First Order onslaught as the Resistance, train Rey in the ways of the Force on Ahch-To, and defend Finn from Captain Phasma, blasting away at stormtroopers as BB-8. Jump a ramp to shoot down TIE fighters, fight off Kylo Ren’s TIE Silencer, and teach Rey that the Force isn’t just moving rocks!
Star Wars: Ahch-To Island – Luke Skywalker (reluctantly) welcomes you to his secluded hideaway. Train Rey in the ways of the Force, convince Luke to join the Resistance and help Chewbacca deal with some Porg problems. You’ll even get a taste of everyday life on the island as Luke, including reminiscing about his Rebellion days through R2-D2’s hologram projections. And when the lights go off during a multiball mode? Let’s just hope the Force is with you…
“We at Zen are happy to celebrate five years of making fan-favorite Star Wars Pinball tables,” says Mel Kirk, VP of Publishing at Zen Studios. “Once our Star Wars Pinball: The Last Jedi pack is released, players will be able to choose from no fewer than 16 robust tables set in that iconic galaxy far, far away. We’ve built an incredible community over the years, and we hope to keep pleasing them through Pinball FX3 for years to come.”

For more information on Star Wars™ Pinball: The Last Jedi™ as well as the rest of Zen’s library of digital titles, please visit blog.zenstudios.com.

UCI Announces Second Course in Esports Management

2018/03/29
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Industry News, News

IRVINE, Calif. (March 22, 2018) – With the Esports industry expanding to record heights, the market is expected to generate approximately 1.5 billion dollars in revenue by 2020 – which means it is increasing at a rate of 40 percent per year. This attracts many who are interested in combining their love of video games with an opportunity to make it a viable career. To meet this demand, the University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education (DCE) is offering a new online course titled, “Effective Communication in Esports.” As the market continues to flourish, the industry will have an increased demand for professionals with the right mix of training, passion and knowledge. Enrollment for the online course is now open, with the course running from May 7 to June 17.

“Passion for Esports will no longer be enough to secure a job in the industry,” said Stephane Muller, director of business programs for DCE. “To be able to remain competitive in such a rapidly expanding market like Esports, one must have a foundation of understanding to set yourself apart from others and earning a certificate program in Esports is a great way to establish that authority.”

Effective forms of communication are essential in every industry, particularly in Esports, where decision makers often hold different levels of knowledge. In this course, participants will learn how to apply presentation tactics and communication strategies to specific Esports scenarios. Students will gain hands-on practice and hone all major types of communications for emails, written proposals and presentations.

“Esports is an industry, a discipline, and a craft. All of this is new and being shaped by the market,” said Jonathan Pan, course instructor at DCE, former Product Manager at Riot Games and currently on the Community and Esports team at Amazon. “A few years ago, having great passion alone would be enough to get into the industry. Most of the top content creators, casters, and corporate Esports professionals are where they are at today because they got in early, was good, and rode the growth wave. Those days are over. With hundreds to thousands of applicants for every open Esports role today, you either need to have a connection in the industry or demonstrate some level of effort beyond passion to get an entry level role. Getting a formal education such as the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education Esports certificate program, demonstrates that level of effort.”

UCI Division of Continuing Education is currently developing an Esports Management Certificate Program that will provide a comprehensive understanding of the Esports and online gaming industry. Curriculum will include plans on how to execute an Esports tournament, project management skills and how to create a business plan for a team, community event or any other opportunity geared towards the Esports audience. Sign up here to stay informed of this unique opportunity.

For more information on the “Effective Communication in Esports” online course, please visit here or call (949) 824-9796.

Jurassic World Evolution Release Date Trailer

2018/03/29
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

3/29/2018 – Frontier Developments is pleased to announce that Jurassic World Evolution is coming to PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One digital-first on June 12, 2018. A physical release will follow for PS4 and Xbox One on July 3, 2018.

That puts Jurassic World Evolution availability right in the launch window for the Universal’s upcoming blockbuster Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, making for some good prehistoric company during the “dino” days of summer.

Take a look at the release date announce trailer featuring lots of gameplay footage, right here:

And finally, Frontier also announced that pre-orders for the standard and digital deluxe editions (featuring five extra dinosaurs) are available on Steam, PSN, Xbox Live and the Frontier Store RIGHT NOW. Those who pre-order before launch will also receive a platform-exclusive helicopter skin and off-road vehicle skin.

Square Enix PAX East 2018 Lineup Announced

2018/03/29
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PAX

LOS ANGELES (March 29, 2018) – Playable demos, developer panels, fan activities and giveaways are among the many offerings from SQUARE ENIX® at this year’s PAX East, taking place April 5-8 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Fans who visit the SQUARE ENIX booth, #11017, can obtain special prizes and play current and upcoming projects including FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, FINAL FANTASY® XV WINDOWS EDITION and popular mobile titles FINAL FANTASY XV POCKET EDITION and DISSIDIA® FINAL FANTASY OPERA OMNIA™.

Fans will also bear witness to the first-ever North American FINAL FANTASY Trading Card Game (“FFTCG”) Crystal Cup tournament, held at the Westin Boston Waterfront’s Commonwealth Ballroom onApril 6-7. Players who pre-register for the tournament will compete for a seat at this year’s FFTCG North American Championship. New players are invited to visit the SQUARE ENIX booth for lessons, while experienced players can participate in Sealed Format FFTCG events and Gunslinger Challenges to earn a FFTCG Promo Card. Chocobo™’s Crystal Hunt card game demos will also be available at the booth’s merchandise section.

For more information and to pre-register for the FINAL FANTASY Trading Card Game Crystal Cup tournament, please visit fftradingcardgame.com.

Other fan activities at the SQUARE ENIX booth include:\

  • The FINAL FANTASY XIV Byakko Battle Challenge, where fans can challenge Byakko to win an “I Beat Byakko” t-shirt
  • A photo opportunity featuring backgrounds from DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY OPERA OMNIAand NieR:Automata™.
  • Daily giveaways, including:
    • DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY OPERA OMNIA button pins
    • FINAL FANTASY XIV Online foam samurai swords
    • FINAL FANTASY XV POCKET EDITION limited edition t-shirt

SQUARE ENIX will also host a series of developer panels at PAX East, providing fans with an in-depth look at the latest game developments and upcoming updates.

FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION: Making it Yours
Friday, April 6, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (EDT) at Albatross Theater, Boston Convention Center
FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION, released on March 6, 2018, features mod support for expanded playability. Join FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION Manager Shigefumi Tanaka and Global Brand Manager Raio Mitsuno as they offer a glimpse into new ways to further enjoy the game.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online
Saturday, April 7, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (EDT) at Albatross Theater, Boston Convention Center
Join special guests Natsuko Ishikawa (Main Scenario Writer) and John Crow (English Localization Lead) from the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online team as they discuss the writing and story of Stormblood™.

NieR:Automata 
Saturday, April 7, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (EDT) at Albatross Theater, Boston Convention Center
Reminisce on a 2017 fan favorite as panelists YOKO TARO (Director), Yosuke Saito (Producer) and Keiichi Okabe (Composer) celebrate the one-year anniversary of the critically-acclaimed NieR:Automata.Those who attend the panel will receive limited NieR:Automata branded pins.

The full lineup of titles from Square Enix includes:

CHOCOBO’S CRYSTAL HUNT
Developer: Square Enix
Available: Now
CHOCOBO’S CRYSTAL HUNT is a fun, fast-paced card game for all ages. Use intuition and observation skills to send cute Chocobos on a journey to steal opponents’ crystals. All cards feature brand-new illustrations made specifically for CHOCOBO’S CRYSTAL HUNT.

DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY OPERA OMNIA
Platform: Android, iOS
Developer: Square Enix, Koei Tecmo
Available: Now
DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY OPERA OMNIA continues the DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY adventure on mobile devices, where players can form parties from dozens of their favorite FINAL FANTASY heroes and villains and equip them with a variety of weapons from the series. The mobile game features an extensive story and strategic turn-based combat that the FINAL FANTASY series is known for.

FINAL FANTASY Trading Card Game 
Developer: Square Enix
Available: Now
The FINAL FANTASY Trading Card Game (“FFTCG”) is the result of a close collaboration between Hobby Japan and Square Enix. Designed by former trading card game champion Taro Kageyama, the game has received high praise for its blend of strategy, luck and fast-paced gameplay, making it very versatile and appealing to all kinds of audiences.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online
Platform: MAC, PC, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: T
Available: Now
With more than 10 million players globally, FINAL FANTASY XIV Online continues to deliver on the promise of bringing the best of the FINAL FANTASY experience to the online realm. Players can begin the adventure, fight their way and live their story in FINAL FANTASY XIV Online. A free trial is available athttp://www.ffxiv-freetrial.com.

FINAL FANTASY XV POCKET EDITION 
Platform: Android, iOS, Amazon Fire HD 10
Developer: Square Enix
Available: Now
FINAL FANTASY XV POCKET EDITION is an all-new adventure that retells the beloved story of FINAL FANTASY XV, giving fans and newcomers alike the freedom to journey through Eos whenever and from wherever they want. The mobile game features the main characters and story of the console version and newly-announced FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION, with an adorable art style and casual touch controls optimized for mobile devices.

FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION 
Platform: PC
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: T
Available: Now
With FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION, players can journey through Eos in ultimate quality. Boasting a wealth of bonus content and supporting ultra high-resolution graphical options and HDR 10, fans can now enjoy the beautiful and carefully-crafted experience of FINAL FANTASY XV like never before.

GRAVEL
Platform: Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Windows PC
Developer: Milestone
ESRB: E for Everyone
Available: Now
Celebrating off-road arcade racing, GRAVEL takes players to exotic locations around the world, where they’ll compete in extreme challenges across more than 50 tracks as they choose from dozens of the most iconic vehicles ever created. Say hello to the four disciplines of GRAVEL: Cross Country, Wild Rush, Speed Cross, and Stadium Circuit. Delivering an adrenaline-fueled combination of fun and thrills, gamers will enjoy a wild single-player experience that’s centered around the Gravel Channel. Presenting the Offroad Masters, a new experience that will accompany players as they battle through 60 events along the road to fame and glory.

LIFE IS STRANGE : BEFORE THE STORM
Platform: Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Windows PC
Developer: Deck Nine
ESRB: M for Mature
Available: Now
LIFE IS STRANGE™: BEFORE THE STORM™ features Chloe Price, a 16-year-old rebel who forms an unlikely friendship with Rachel Amber, a beautiful and popular girl destined for success. When Rachel’s world is turned upside down by a family secret, their newfound alliance gives them the strength to overcome their demons.

MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS – THE OFFICIAL VIDEOGAME
Platform: Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Windows PC
Developer: Milestone
ESRB: E for Everyone
Available: Now
Featuring innovative track designs and authentic stadiums, Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame is the most realistic and immersive Supercross experience thanks to the following features:

  • The official 2017 Monster Energy Supercross Season;
  • Official bikes, iconic tracks, and athletes from both 250SX and 450SX Classes: Chad Reed, Ken Roczen, reigning champion Ryan Dungey and others will race across official challenging tracks;
  • An exciting career mode with extreme customization options for both riders and bikes;
  • A powerful track editor for endless gameplay possibilities. Thanks to the track editor, players can create their own custom tracks, race on them and share them online. Once uploaded on the server, users can “like” other gamers’ creations, vote on their favorite tracks and increase the prestige of the track designer;
  • Stunning visuals for an immersive gameplay experience;
  • Online modes include multiplayer with up to 12 players who can race on both official and customized tracks.

NieR:Automata
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, STEAM®
Developer: Square Enix, PlatinumGames Inc.
ESRB: M
Available: Now
Developed in collaboration with PlatinumGames Inc., NieR:Automata is a new third-person action role-playing game (RPG) and follow-up to the 2010 cult hit NIER®. The game recently won “Best RPG of the Year” at the D.I.C.E. Awards and offers a fresh blend of action and RPG gameplay styles. The game’s all-star development team consists of producer Yosuke Saito (DRAGON QUEST X/NIER), director YOKO TARO (Drakengard®/NIER), character designer Akihiko Yoshida from CyDesignation, Inc. (FINAL FANTASY XIV / BRAVELY DEFAULT®), game designer Takahisa Taura from PlatinumGames Inc. (Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance), and composer Keiichi Okabe from MONACA, Inc. (TEKKEN / Drakengard / NIER).

About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix, Inc. is affiliated with a global network of leading development studios such as Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 135 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 75 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 63 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

Ready Player One VR Games Rolling out to VR Arcades

2018/03/28
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

Seattle, WA – March 28, 2018 – The battle for OASIS is on at VR Arcades nationwide starting this week! HTC VIVE ™ today announced it is bringing experiences inspired by “Ready Player One” to life for consumers at location-based VR arcades across the country as a prelude to the film’s release on March 29, 2018.

“VR offers the ability to tell stories in an entirely new way for film audiences; they’ll be able to immerse themselves in worlds inspired by ‘Ready Player One’ like never before,” said Joel Breton, GM of Vive Studios. “With this program, we’re making great VR content available to arcades across the nation as a celebration of the movie and everything that VR can be.”

VR content inspired by “Ready Player One” will begin rolling out starting today at 35 VR arcades, with more to come. These titles were developed by many of VR’s most prominent developers and produced by Vive’s in-house publishing arm, Vive Studios.  Titles available in these arcades include:

The OASIS beta is the 2018 beta phase of the immersive virtual universe from the film Ready Player One, which is set in 2045. In the OASIS beta’s ever-expanding universe, players are able to explore, compete in, and launch multiple VR experiences using their own custom avatars. Global leaderboards track the performance of all players as they earn points (coins) throughout the following experiences: Rise of the Gunters, Battle for the OASIS, and Gauntlet.

o    Battle for the Oasis

Help to save the OASIS by defeating waves of IOI Sixers. Advance through the trenches of Planet Doom towards the snowy planes that surround Anorak’s Castle. With an arsenal only possible in the OASIS, you must stop IOI from gaining control.

o    Rise of The Gunters

Fight against a nearly invincible army of highly trained IOI Sixers. This mission is not for the faint of heart or first timers. Proceed with caution as you defeat Sixers, collect their coins, find power ups, and survive a merciless onslaught of hyper-explosive kinetic action for as long as it takes. The OASIS is yours. Take it back from IOI by yourself or with up to two fellow Gunters!

o    Gauntlet

Navigate through a seemingly endless dungeon while the undead seek to destroy you. Collecting Gold will improve your score and eating food will restore your health, but only your bow skills will ensure that you make it out alive.

  • Aech’s Garage in Sansar

Walk into the extraordinary world of Aech’s Garage in VR as interpreted from the original ILM design for Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One.”  Inspired by the virtual universe of the OASIS in 2045, Aech’s Garage represents the culmination of VR as it exists in the year 2018. Available viaViveport.

  • The Distracted Globe Music Experience in TheWaveVR

Step inside the fantastical space inspired by The Distracted Globe zero-gravity dance club scene from “Ready Player One.” TheWaveVR experience will let anyone immerse themselves in the dance club scene with specially-designed avatars, `80s visuals and music, plus the ability to fly to the music in zero gravity. Available via Steam.

To visit the Oasis and walk in Wade Watts’ footsteps, visit one of the following arcades featuring exclusive Ready Player One VR content:

City Arcade Name & Website
Albuquerque, NM (Coronado Mall) All Out Zone VR Arcade
Albuquerque, NM (Cottonwood Mall) All Out Zone VR Arcade
Austin, TX Originator Studios
Brooklyn, NY Yokey Pokey
Chandler, AZ VR Junkies
Charlotte, NC LiVReal
Daly City, CA Fliptout Gaming
Duluth, GA iSimU VR Arcade
Ellsworth, ME Rush Hour Gaming
Honolulu, HI VR Junkies
Houston, TX Omniverse
Lake Oswego, OR Red Rider VR
Las Vegas, NV Vegas VR
Los Angeles, CA IMAX VR Centre
Mechanicsburg, PA FeVR Gaming
Miami, FL Loft VR Arcade
Midland, TX Pandoras Box
Myrtle Beach, SC Myrtle Beach VR
New York, NY IMAX VR at AMC Kips Bay 15
New York, NY IMAX VR at Regal E-Walk Stadium 13
New York, NY VR Bar
New York, NY VR World
Norman, OK Immersion House
Orem, UT VR Junkies
Provo, UT Virtual Experience
Raleigh, NC VR Junkies
Salt Lake City, UT VR Junkies
Santa Fe, NM All Out Zone VR Arcade
Seattle, WA Portal
Slidell, LA Holotech
Slovang, CA Space VR
St. Augustine, FL VR Gaming – The Great Escape
Terre Haute, IN Accushot VR World
Toronto, ON IMAX VR at Scotiabank Theatre
Washington DC Ekstasis VR Arcade (Augment Arcade)

In addition to these VR arcades, Microsoft Stores will feature Ready Player One content in 65 locations starting March 29. Additional arcades and retail locations will be added over the coming weeks. To see the most current list, please visit: https://locator.vive.com/.

These titles are also available for in-home Vive use via Viveport and arcade use via VIVEPORT Arcade. For more information, visit: www.viveport.com.