Author - Jerry Paxton

Halloween Horror Nights Maze Preview 2018

2018/09/11

Geek News, Halloween, News, Screenshots / Photos

Getting the chance to take a behind-the-scenes maze tour at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights was always something that interested me. So I was over the moon when actually invited to attend one. I had the chance to take a walk-through of both the Stranger Things and Trick r Treat mazes while still under construction. So, I entered the studio through an employee-only gate and got carted down to the backlot. Now, we were only able to take photographs of certain parts of each maze, but I tried to get the best shots I could for you guys.

Trick r Treat

Located in the same spot as The Shining was last year, Trick r Treat sets out to recreate various scenes from the cult classic horror film. It accomplishes this in a similar style as The Shining did, using spartan, black hallways with chapter titles on the walls to introduce the scene guests are about to encounter. The maze goes through most of the big chapters of the film, and it should please fans of the movie. Guests who have not scene Trick r Treat may feel a bit lost – my advice to them is, naturally, SEE Trick r Treat! It is an amazing horror film that has become a yearly part of my Halloween tradition. One of the standout scenes we previewed was the school bus that was driven off the cliff and into the quarry. They have fabricated an entire school bus front end and the set dressing is amazing. They even have “Rhonda” there holding her lit Jack-o’-Lantern.

Stranger Things

Stranger Things is going to be outstanding. Not only does it represent the first time the studio has allowed a maze to be built inside a sound stage, but the production value and design going into it look top notch. This maze is housed in Stage 29, which was used by a large number of movies including To Kill A Mockingbird, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and even Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Its tall ceiling allows for very big sets to be built within and can definitely see plenty of room to accommodate a “Mind Flayer” hovering above guests should the maze return next year. This year, however, is all about season one of the hit Netflix show, and the maze takes you through all the locations of the season – from the woods to the Byers house and even Hawkins elementary school.

Photo Gallery

We had a great time getting the chance to see early looks at both of these mazes and can’t wait to check out the finished product later this week!

17 Years Later: Remembering 9-11

2018/09/11

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

17 years ago this morning, a group of terrorists carried out a well-planned and organized attack on our nation. Today, in anniversary of this infamous attack, we should say “Thank you” to the first responders and military servicemen and women who ran and still run towards danger. We should say “I love you” to those important to us as we never know just what life has in store. We should say “We remember” to one another and educate our youth on the gravity of that day. And we should always remember that, while the world is full of people hoping for a better tomorrow, there are those that would have that tomorrow come at our expense.

“The price of peace is eternal vigilance”
-Leonard H. Courtney

American Wilds Expansion Announced for Spintires: MudRunner

2018/09/11

Jerry Paxton

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

September 11, 2018 – Though development of MudRunner 2 was announced just a few days ago, Saber Interactive is continuing its support for Spintires: MudRunner. Even more new content is on the way soon, as the American Wilds Expansion releases October 23. Watch the Teaser Trailer now!

Spintires: MudRunner will also make its debut on Nintendo Switch later this year in November, along with all content released to date including American Wilds.

The American Wilds Expansion features a number of highly-requested additions, including 2 new sandbox maps inspired by the rough lands of Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota, new challenges to tackle, and seven of the most iconic US trucks from household brands including Hummer, Chevrolet and Western Star…. This means a total of over 30 vehicles, 60 add-ons, 10 sandbox maps and 11 challenge maps in the Spintires: MudRunner – American Wilds Edition, which brings together the new expansion, base game and DLC content.

Overcome muddy terrain, raging rivers, and other obstacles that realistically react to the weight and movement of your vehicle, powered by the game’s advanced physics engine. Armed with your map, compass, winch, and driving skills, go solo or join up to three others in the coop multiplayer. On PC, download mods created by the passionate community for truck-loads of content and an ever-evolving Spintires: MudRunner – American Wilds experience.

The American Wilds Expansion, as well as the American Wilds Edition that includes the base game and all of the previously released DLCs will release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on October 23 and for the first time on Nintendo Switch in November.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice TGS 2018 Trailer

2018/09/10

Jerry Paxton

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

September 10, 2018 – We have a new Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice trailer to share today that debuted at Tokyo Game Show. View it here:

Your death won’t come easily. Introducing Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, a fantastical, dark and twisted new gameplay experience from developer FromSoftware, creators of Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, and published by Activision, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a third-person, actionadventure game with RPG elements. The single-player game puts players in the protagonist role of a hardhearted warrior whose mission is to rescue his master, a young lord who is the descendant of an ancient bloodline, and exact revenge on his arch nemesis. Set in the re-imagined world of late 1500s Sengoku Japan; a brutal, bloody period of constant life-and-death conflict, in Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice you are the “one-armed wolf,” a disgraced and disfigured warrior rescued from the brink of death.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice will be available on March 22, 2019 for PlayStation® 4, PlayStation® 4 Pro computer entertainment systems, Xbox One video
game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, including the Xbox One X and PC via Steam.

LEFT ALIVE The Invasion of Novo Slava Trailer

2018/09/10

Jerry Paxton

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

LOS ANGELES (Sep. 10, 2018) – Leading up to Tokyo Game Show 2018, SQUARE ENIX® today unveiled a brand new trailer for the upcoming survival action shooter, LEFT ALIVE™ .

The new trailer introduces the game’s three main protagonists, each with their own stories, missions and paths to salvation. Set during a devastating invasion in war-torn Novo Slava, LEFT ALIVE tells a human story of survival.

To watch the LEFT ALIVE – The Invasion of Novo Slava trailer now, visit:

Dead or Alive 6 Release Date Trailer

2018/09/10

Jerry Paxton

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

Burlingame, Cali. – September 10, 2018 – KOEI TECMO America is excited to announce that DEAD OR ALIVE 6 will officially launch worldwide on February 15, 2019. The long-awaited new installment in Team NINJA’s iconic fighting game series will be released across digital and retail platforms for the PlayStation®4 Computer Entertainment System, Xbox One, the all-in-one games, and entertainment system from Microsoft, and digitally on Windows PC via Steam®, showcasing the evolution of true fighting entertainment.

Coupled with the official release date, Team NINJA revealed the first details on the DEAD OR ALIVE 6 digital pre-order bonuses. PlayStation 4 owners who take advantage of pre-order sales will score a unique DOA6 theme as well as obtaining “The Female Tengu” Nyotengu as a playable character. Xbox One gamers who pre-order the title will also be able to download Nyotengu to their roster on top of receiving a pre-order bonus costume for the legendary Ryu Hayabusa.

A special Early Purchase Bonus program for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One owners was also announced, as gamers who digitally purchase DOA6 by March 14, 2019, will receive a bonus costume for one of the game’s most popular characters, Kasumi. Gamers who enter the Early Purchase Bonus program on Steam will collect the Kasumi costume as well as Nyotengu as a downloadable character. In addition, Team NINJA unveiled a Digital Deluxe edition of the game for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam that will include a set of 25 extra costumes, three bonus musical tracks, a DDX exclusive Kasumi costume, and an exceptional character added to the lineup, the formidable Kasumi clone, Phase 4.

For more information on the pre-order bonuses as well as DEAD OR ALIVE 6’s special Digital Deluxe Editions, please visit our official website at https://www.teamninja-studio.com/doa6/us/. Also, be sure to Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DeadorAliveGame; and Follow us on Twitter @DOATEC_OFFICIAL.

World of Tanks: Mercenaries Unveils September Unlockables

2018/09/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Xbox One News

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (SEPTEMBER 7, 2018) — Award-winning online game developer and publisher, Wargaming.net, today announced a series of new and exciting special events for its massively multiplayer PS4/Xbox tank combat game – World of Tanks: Mercenaries. Throughout the month of September, the over 17 million registered World of Tanks: Mercenaries players worldwide can close out the summer with a bang, with opportunities to unlock new maps, vehicles, prizes, and more. Summer vacations may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end too!

The first major event of September is called Take Point. In it, players just need to jump into the game and complete daily Ops to rack up points. The more points earned, the more prizes unlocked! There are ten different types of prizes, ranging from Silver, Consumables, and Premium time, to a mighty Premium tank in the form of the Scourge Kirovets-1! The Scourge has excellent armor, making it well-primed for direct attacks — it’s a formidable vehicle that everyone will want to add to their collections. Take Point will run until September 28.

Wargaming is also proud to observe Tankman Day, a national day of great importance in Russia which honors the role of tank crews of World War II. To commemorate this special day, players around the world will be able to earn triple XP on first victories on September 8 and a whopping 5x XP on their first win on September 9. There’s even a special Tankman Day Emblem available to add to tanks in the ‘Customization’ tab!

Players may additionally take part in the Fight For Your Academy event, which runs from September 19-23. All players will be randomly assigned to one of six Academies, with a special emblem voucher allowing them to champion an Academy’s colors while in battle. When ready for battle, they must work together with other players from around the world to prove that their Academy is the best! XP will be earned in battles throughout the event, and those who score the most completions for their Academy will be rewarded with Premium time and Crew Vouchers.

Alexander the Great wept when he had no more worlds left to conquer, but with a fan-favorite map returning to the Multiplayer battles rotation on September 18, players will have no such troubles. The quaint and secret hideaway in the mountains known as the Hidden Village returns. This place is not built for war, meaning players must tread carefully as they explore all of its strategic possibilities…

The Mercenaries roster continues to expand this month, offering even more Contracts to unlock powerful vehicles with unique Mercenary Crews at the helm. Players can take on tank Contracts that they may have missed to build the Mercenaries Tech Tree and earn the following tanks for free in the coming weeks:

SmoothMan (available September 18): A mobile Medium Tank with great armor. It’s captained by Blood Falcon, an all-American hero with an incredible fighting spirit.
Caboose (available September 18): A Light Tank that’s a potent union of Japanese and German engineering prowess. It’s manned by Hidden Death, a Chinese Mercenary who fights to protect and support his family.
Thresher (available September 25): A well-armored Light Tank with an aggressive weapon. It’s operated by Dark Fox, a New Zealander who served under British command during World War II before going rogue and seeking revenge against Axis forces.
Stubbs (available September 25): A reckless Light Tank that moves like a snake and strikes with the same rapid intensity. It was commandeered by Crazy Snake, an erratic, aggressive, and unhinged Mercenary who can distract enemies as his teammates go for the jugular.
Bulwark (available September 25): A hulking Heavy Tank that can soak up a lot of punishment on behalf of its allies. It’s under the command of Exiled Wolf, a self-reliant and formidable American Mercenary.

The very first Premium Mercenary vehicle is also available in the World of Tank: Mercenaries store until October 2! The incredible Trinity Mk II is a modified version of the tank that completed a daring mission in War Stories: The Heist, and it has plenty of hellraising new features to give it an edge on the battlefield. It has excellent defensive capabilities, with a triple layer of formidable spaced armor — making it one of the most well-armored Medium Tanks in the game. The Trinity Mk II is also captained by the Sonic Valkyrie crew, an Italian freedom fighter who can repair tracks quickly and has a lower chance of taking critical damage!

There’s plenty to keep new recruits and seasoned veterans busy on the battlefield in World of Tanks: Mercenaries this September. To stay on top of all the latest news and events coming to the game, visit the official portal: https://console.worldoftanks.com.

WB Studio Tour Horror Made Here 2018 Quick Interview with Gary Soloff

2018/09/09

Jerry Paxton

Articles, Geek News, Halloween, Interviews, News

Recently, we got to ask Gary Soloff, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Director of Marketing, a few questions about the upcoming return of their Horror Made Here event. Horror Made Here, taking place on the Warner Bros. Studio lot, provides guests with a plethora of scary things to do and see during the Halloween season. You can find our review of last year’s event here, and out interview questions with Gary below:

1.) How did these new mazes/experiences for Horror Made Here come together? How was it working with the filmmakers to create them?

A) They really came together through us sitting down and brainstorming what horror films, storylines and characters from our franchises would resonate with guests. Working with the filmmakers and executives at New Line Cinema was an incredible experience. They helped guide us with certain aspects of the mazes/scares and really made it so that we could create something that was just as scary as the films and authentic to the filmmakers vision. When guests come to experience Horror Made Here they will feel as if they are a character in the film.

2.) What were some of the challenges or unexpected surprises in designing this year’s Horror Made Here event as a whole?

A) I think one of the challenges was that we had to be selective in the attractions and mazes we were creating. We wanted to dive a little bit deeper and give fans what they wanted to see, but also provide an intimate and authentic experience. So, narrowing down our selections for this year’s event was difficult.

IT’s Neibolt House from 2017 Horror Made Here

3.) Has the Horror Made Here footprint changed at all this year from last time – will it still be mainly located in the Stars Hollow area?

A) The event will take place on our Midwest backlot (home to Stars Hollow and Rosewood). We are including more mazes, expanding the footprint of each maze (for example The Conjuring maze will encompass two sets this years) and we are adding active waiting so the scares begin the moment you get in line. We also are activating the whole Midwest backlot, with the addition of our Fangtasia bar, Lost Boys retro-arcade, Crave Inn Café, our Devil Drop ride and our center stage. Guests will truly be partying on hallowed ground.

4.) Aside from the new mazes/experiences, should guests be on the lookout for any differences or changes from last year’s event? — And thanks for taking the time to answer these!

A) Guests should be on the lookout for an expanded experience with more mazes and scares. We really tried to create a deeper intimate experience for guests such as active waiting, more food selections in more locations instead of food trucks. We are excited to add two unique experiences, the Exorcist Forbidden Screening (Set in the church on the backlot) and Nightmare on Camp Crystal Lake. Nightmare on Camp Crystal lake is a stop on the back lot tour where guests will have to get off the cart and walk through our Jungle backlot set. We are bring the final dream sequence to life from Freddy vs Jason…no sleeping bag required.

The Warner Bros. Studios Tour’s Horror Made Here event runs various days in October. You can find dates/times, ticket information, and more over at their official website!

OVERKILL’s The Walking Dead Closed Beta Date

2018/09/07

Jerry Paxton

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

September 7, 2018 – Starbreeze, Skybound Entertainment and 505 Games have announced the PC-exclusive closed beta of OVERKILL’S The Walking Dead will begin on Oct. 9, 2018. The news was revealed in a developer livestream hosted by Global Brand Director Almir Listo and Executive Producer Saul Gascon, showcasing new footage* of the Underpass level recently previewed at gamescom.

Closed beta access is guaranteed with PC pre-orders of OVERKILL’s The Walking Dead, available now via Steam and https://www.overkillsthewalkingdead.com. Players who purchase the game’s standard edition will receive a single closed beta invite, while deluxe edition pre-orders will receive four closed beta keys to share with friends. Additional closed beta details will be shared with the community soon.

Inspired by Robert Kirkman’s original graphic novels, OVERKILL’s The Walking Dead is a four-player co-op multiplayer shooter where players must band together on a variety of missions and raids to find survivors, secure supplies and stay alive. Use stealth to evade enemies tactically, or dismember walkers limb from limb with brute force and firepower. Each of the game’s four playable characters has their own special abilities, skill trees, squad roles, play styles and background stories.

OVERKILL’S The Walking Dead will launch globally on Windows PC on Nov. 6, 2018. It will arrive on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One on Feb. 6, 2019, in the Americas and Feb. 8, 2019, in Europe and other territories. Console pre-orders are available now digitally and at most major retailers.

For more information, visit https://www.overkillsthewalkingdead.com, and follow the game on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram with #OTWD.

Seeker, Slayer, Survivor DLC Announced for Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

2018/09/07

Jerry Paxton

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

Irvine, California – September 4th, 2018 – Independent developer Obsidian Entertainment, in partnership with indie powerhouse publisher Versus Evil revealed during their panel at PAX West the next major paid DLC release, titled “Seeker, Slayer, Survivor” for Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, will release on September 25th.

“Seeker, Slayer, Survivor” is heavily focused around combat with a wide variety of deadly adversaries’ hell bent on destruction as players face down everything from dueling wizards to regenerating spiders. Based along three pillars of combat, the DLC will challenge Deadfire players in a new way. Choosing the Seeker, combat tasks players with looking for a solution to take down their foe, while the Survivor has combat that challenges fighting skills against waves of enemies, and finally the Slayer puts players in combat that will see their party go up against some truly fearsome creatures in a battle to the death.

“Delving into a rich story, exploring fascinating new environments, and unearthing powerful items are still crucial, but players will experience combat trials like they have never seen before as combatants in the Crucible” said Brandon Adler, DLC Game Director for Obsidian.

Add to that a host of additional bug fixes and balance improvements, Seeker, Slayer, Survivor adds an action packed DLC full of challenges, puzzles and deadly adversaries to take down.