Author - Jerry Paxton

First Wave of Screamfest Horror Film Festival Line-Up Announced

September 8, 2016 – On behalf of the Screamfest Horror Film Festival, we are pleased to share with you the first wave of the 2016 lineup which was announced today on EW.com. The festival will run from October 18-27, 2016 at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. Film festival badges are currently on sale to the general public at www.ScreamfestLA.com and individual film tickets will be available soon. Actress Lydia Hearst will serve as ambassador for the festival.

THE MASTER CLEANSE (USA) 2016
Directed by Bobby Miller
Written by Bobby Miller
Cast: Anna Friel, Johnny Galecki, Anjelica Huston, Oliver Platt
LA Premiere
Down, out, and heartbroken, Paul attends a spiritual retreat to cleanse himself and fix his broken life but soon discovers that the cleanse releases more than everyday toxins…a lot more. The feature debut from Bobby Miller (TUB), THE MASTER CLEANSE is a trippy and fantastic journey that examines how we deal with the things that weigh us down in life, ultimately asking the all-important question: given the opportunity to literally face your demons, what would you do?

TRASH FIRE (USA) 2016
Directed by Richard Bates, Jr.
Written by Richard Bates, Jr.
Cast: Adrian Grenier, Angela Trimbur, Fionnula Flanagan, AnnaLynne McCord, Matthew Gray Gubler, Sally Kirkland, Ezra Buzzington, Ray Santiago, Molly McCook
LA Premiere
When Owen is forced to confront the past he’s been running from his whole adult life, he and his girlfriend, Isabel, become entangled in a horrifying web of lies, deceit and murder. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll be scarred for life.

THE CRUCIFIXION (USA) 2016
Directed by Xavier Gens
Written by Carey Hayes, Chad Hayes
Produced by Leon Clarance, Ara Keshishian, Peter Safran
Cast: TBD
LA Premiere
THE CRUCIFIXION is a supernatural thriller based on true events that touches on the universal themes of life vs. death and good vs. evil. The project stars Sophie Cookson (Kingsman: The Secret Service), is written by the Hayes Brothers (The Conjuring) and produced by Peter Safran with Xavier Gens (Hitman) directing.

MY FATHER DIE (USA) 2016
Directed by Sean Brosnan
Written by Sean Brosnan
Produced by Sanja Banic, Orian Williams, Sean Brosnan, Pierce Brosnan
Cast: Joe Anderson, Gary Stretch, Candace Smith
LA Premiere
Deaf and mute since having his hearing knocked out at the age of 12, Asher has been training for almost two decades to avenge himself on Ivan, the man that killed his older brother 21 years ago. And now that his nemesis is out of prison, he gets his chance. But Asher’s target also happens to be his father.

FEAR, INC. (USA) 2016
Directed by Vincent Masciale
Written by Luke Barnett
Cast: Lucas Neff, Caitlin Stasey, Chris Marquette, Stephanie Drake, Mark Moses, Abigail Breslin
LA Premiere
Fear, Inc. follows a company of degenerates who can be hired for a premium to bring your greatest fears to life. But when horror junkie Joe Foster’s customized scare seemingly begins, he and his friends must decide if this company is there to scare them, or make them pawns in their own sick game.

BEDEVILED (USA) 2016
Directed by The Vang Brothers (Berlee and Abel Vang)
Written by Berlee Vang, Abel Vang
Cast: Saxon Sharbino, Mitchell Edwards, Brandon Soo Hoo, Victory Van Tuyl, Carson Boatman, Alexis G. Zall, and Jordan Essoe
LA Premiere
Five teenagers receive an invite to download a Siri-like app. Once they accept this app which calls itself Mister Bedevil, it begins to torment each of them by tapping into their worst fears. To stop this malevolent force, the teens must learn to trust and depend on each other’s wits and courage.

INICUO: THE BROTHERHOOD (MEXICO) 2016
Directed by Alejandro G. Alegre
Written by Alejandro G. Alegre
Cast: Isaac Pérez Calzada, Marcos Duarte, Verónica de Alba, Guillermo Jair, Rodrigo Ostap
LA Premiere
After a voyage of discovery FEDERICO creates a new religious cult. He kidnaps FERNANDO, a former collaborator, which will try to leave as heir of worship in the midst of a slaughter justified by their own past tragedies.
ABOUT SCREAMFEST HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

Formed in August 2001 by film producer Rachel Belofsky, Screamfest Horror Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that gives filmmakers and screenwriters in the horror and science fiction genres a venue to have their work showcased in the film industry. Among the numerous films that have been discovered and/or premiered at the festival include “Paranormal Activity,” “30 Days of Night,” “Trick ‘r Treat” and “The Human Centipede.” For more information, visit www.ScreamfestLA.com.

PS4 Pro Announced with Trailer

September 8, 2016 – Sony Interactive Entertainment Unveils PlayStation 4 Pro, Delivering Enhaced PS4 Experience

Sony Interactive Entertainment today announced the introduction of PlayStation 4 Pro (PS4 Pro) (CUH-7000 series) computer entertainment system, which delivers enhanced experiences through improved image processing capability and support for 4K quality images. PS4 Pro will be available on November 10, 2016, in Japan, North America and Europe at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of 44,980 yen, US$399, €399 and £349. This marks the first time ever in the history of PlayStation that a higher-end system will be introduced in the middle of the platform’s lifecycle. PS4 Pro will complement the standard PS4, including the slimmer and lighter model also announced today.

By boosting the performance and capability of the system architecture including the CPU and GPU, PS4 Pro allows games to deliver graphics with far more detail and unprecedented visual precision. Users with 4K TVs will be able to enjoy all PS4 titles in higher quality, such as 4K quality resolution and faster or more stable frame rates. In addition, PS4 Pro supports 4K video playback to deliver 4K streaming video services such as Netflix and YouTube.

HDTV owners will also be able to enjoy the enhanced gameplay experiences on PS4 Pro, as the system delivers 1080p resolution for all PS4 games and higher or more stable frame rates for some supported titles.

Furthermore, looking ahead to the future of imaging technology, all PS4 systems including PS4 Pro will support HDR imaging technology, which enables the reproduction of brightness and darkness while realizing a much wider range of colors. Users who own an HDR-compatible TV will be able to enjoy supported games and other entertainment content with visuals that are more realistic, strikingly vivid and truer to the way the human eye sees the real world.

“Today marks an exciting new milestone for PlayStation as we unveiled the high-end PS4 Pro in the midst of the console lifecycle, catering to gamers who are looking for a heightened PS4 experience,” said Andrew House, President and Global CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment. “By accelerating the innovation cadence at PlayStation, we’re introducing choice in the marketplace, enabling gamers to choose the PS4 model that meets their needs. Ultimately, with titles that leverage the potential of PS4 Pro – plus PlayStation VR launching soon – all PS4 owners continue to benefit from having the best place to play.”

The form factor of the new system inherits the slanted body design of the previous models and the body design consists of three layers of blocks, symbolizing the powerful presence of the PS4 Pro and its solid feel, with mirror finished PlayStation family mark emblazoned at the center of its top surface. PS4 Pro also comes with an additional USB port in the rear in addition to two USB ports in the front for connecting additional devices including the PlayStation VR virtual reality system.

The hard disk drive capacity of the PS4 Pro is 1TB to accommodate more games, demos, download contents and favorite gameplay videos.

Every PS4 game title, including those already available and those launching in the future, will run on all PS4 including PS4 Pro. Furthermore, all the PS4 system employs the same user interface and shares the same online community for multiplayer gaming and network services.

SIE will announce details of PS4 Pro with its robust lineup of games from 3rd party developers and publishers as well as from SIE WWS towards its launch and will continue to further enhance the entire PlayStation ecosystem.

Titanfall 2 Customization Trailer and Angel City Details

September 7, 2016 – Today, Respawn is revealing that the first post-launch map, Angel City, for Titanfall 2 will be available in December. This fan favorite map from the original Titanfall will be fully remastered, and players will be able to use all the exciting new Pilot and Titan gameplay mechanics on the classic map.

The map will be free to all players, but those that want to jump in early can get a three day head start by pre-ordering any edition of Titanfall 2 from any retailer. Check out the full blog here for more cool content coming to those who pre-order and more of what will be included in the Digital Deluxe Edition. The blog also includes a new video that shows off some of the new customization elements in Titanfall 2.

Apple Watch Series 2 Announced

SAN FRANCISCO — September 7, 2016 — Today, Apple® introduced Apple Watch® Series 2, the next generation of the world’s most popular smartwatch. Apple Watch Series 2 is packed with incredible fitness and health capabilities including a water resistance 50 meter rating for swimming,*  and built-in GPS so users can now run without an iPhone®. Apple Watch Series 2 also features a dramatically brighter display and a powerful dual-core processor. Combined with the performance enhancements of watchOS® 3, Apple Watch Series 2 makes it even easier to access third-party apps, receive and respond to notifications and conveniently use Apple Pay®. Apple Watch Series 2 will be available in more than 25 countries beginning Friday, September 16.

“We’re thrilled with the response to Apple Watch and how it’s changed people’s lives. We are committed to fitness and health and think our customers will love the new capabilities of Apple Watch Series 2,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “With a powerful new dual-core processor, water resistance 50 meters and built-in GPS, Apple Watch Series 2 is packed with features to help our customers live a healthy life.”

Fitness & Health 

Apple Watch Series 2 is rated water resistant 50 meters for swimming, surfing or just playing in the pool. For swimmers, Apple developed all-new algorithms after hundreds of hours of research for two new workout options, pool and open water. Apple Watch Series 2 can count laps, track average lap pace and auto-detect stroke type to accurately measure active calorie burn.

With built-in GPS, Apple Watch Series 2 records precise distance, pace and speed for outdoor workouts such as walking, running or cycling, without needing to take an iPhone. Users can begin an outdoor workout immediately as Apple Watch Series 2 uses Wi-Fi, GPS and locally stored satellite data to quickly identify their location. On completion of an outdoor workout, view a route map that shows variations in speed in the Activity app on iPhone. Whether running, going for a swim or walking between meetings, the Activity app on Apple Watch Series 2 counts all daily activity towards the Stand, Move and Exercise rings.

Advanced Technology
Apple pioneered the custom designed System in Package (SiP) for Apple Watch, and continues to develop this breakthrough technology with the second generation S2 chip. With a dual-core processor, the S2 chip takes performance to a new level, making Apple Watch up to 50 percent faster. In addition, a new GPU has been added, which delivers up to two-times-greater graphics performance. Apple Watch Series 2 also features a dramatically brighter display — at 1,000 nits, it’s more than two times brighter— making this the brightest display Apple has ever shipped, so it’s even easier to see important information at a glance when outside on a sunny day.

watchOS 3
watchOS 3 features significantly improved performance that makes it even simpler to launch favorite apps instantly, either from the watch face or with the new Dock, which displays the latest information already updated in the background. New fitness and health capabilities include the breakthrough Breathe app, designed to encourage users to take a moment in their day to do deep breathing exercises for relaxation and stress reduction. The Activity app now includes the ability to share, compare and compete, keeping friends and family motivated. There is also a customized experience for wheelchair users to close their Activity rings, in addition to dedicated workouts.

Apple Watch is even more personal with new watch faces including Minnie Mouse, Activity and Numerals. Simply swipe edge-to-edge to swap out a new watch face and with the new Face Gallery in the Apple Watch app on iPhone, it’s even easier to customize watch faces and discover third-party apps.

Apple Watch Lineup
Apple Watch Series 2 is available with all the new fitness and health capabilities in lightweight aluminum or stainless steel cases, paired with a wide variety of gorgeous new band colors.

Apple Watch Series 1 is available in lightweight aluminum and combines the new powerful dual-core processor and GPU with all the incredible features of the original Apple Watch, making it up to 50 percent faster and available to even more customers, starting at just $269 (US).

Apple Watch Edition™ now comes in a beautiful ceramic, that embodies craftsmanship with a lustrous white case and all the incredible features of Apple Watch Series 2. Ceramic is one of the hardest materials in the world — more than four times harder than stainless steel — with a beautiful, white, pearl-like finish, making Apple Watch Edition extremely scratch-resistant.

Pricing & Availability 

  • Apple Watch is available in two different case sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm. Apple Watch Series 1 will be available in gold, rose gold, silver or space gray aluminum cases paired with a Sport Band and starts at just $269 (US); Apple Watch Series 2 will be available in gold, rose gold, silver or space gray aluminum, or silver or space black stainless steel cases paired with a wide variety of bands starting at $369 (US); and the new ceramic Apple Watch Edition starts at $1249 (US) from Apple.com, Apple Stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers and carriers. For local availability, visit locate.apple.com. Apple Watch Nike+ starts at $369 (US) and Apple Watch Hermès starts at $1149 (US).
  • All-new Apple Watch Band Kits in gorgeous new colors are available, beginning today.
  • Customers will be able to order Apple Watch Series 1, Apple Watch Series 2 and Apple Watch Edition beginning Friday, September 9, with availability beginning Friday, September 16, in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK and the US.
  • Apple Watch Nike+ will be available to order on Apple.com beginning Friday, September 9, with availability in late October, in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK and the US.
  • Apple Watch Hermès will be available beginning Friday, September 23 in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macau, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK and the US.
  • Apple Watch Series 1, Apple Watch Series 2 and Apple Watch Edition will be available beginning Friday, September 23 in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Cayman Islands, Croatia, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Greece, Guam, Hungary, Jersey, Kuwait, Macau, Monaco, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia and the US Virgin Islands.
  • Apple Watch Series 1, Apple Watch Series 2 and Apple Watch Edition will be available beginning Friday, October 7 in India and Mexico.
  • Apple Watch Series 2 requires iPhone 5 or later running iOS 10 or later. watchOS 3 and iOS 10 will be available beginning Tuesday, September 13 as a free software update. Some features are not available in all regions or all languages.
  • Every customer who buys Apple Watch from Apple will be offered free Personal Setup, in-store or online,** to help set up and personalize their new Apple Watch with calendars, notifications, apps and more.
  • Anyone who wants to learn more about Apple Watch or watchOS 3 can register for the free workshops offered at every Apple Store®.

Star Trek Timelines – Star Trek 50th Anniversary Trailer

September 7, 2016 – Ahead of Star Trek’s 50th anniversary tomorrow Disruptor Beam, the company behind the hit mobile game Star Trek Timelines, have just released their 50th Anniversary Celebration trailer narrated by Q himself, John de Lancie! We would love for you to post and share, or simply include as part of any 50th anniversary coverage you may have planned for Star Trek.

The new trailer showcases the legacy starships across the different shows and films from Star Trek alongside action-packed gameplay of Star Trek Timelines – all delivered with Q’s memorable flair. Furthermore, Disruptor Beam has listened to fans and showcased a first look at the USS Enterprise NX-01 (from the series Enterprise) – a highly-anticipated ship that fans have been clamoring for – and will reveal more information on when players can earn the ship in-game.

More information and assets can be found below! If you are looking to include games as part of the discussion for any 50th anniversary stories, please let us know and we can put you in touch with the Lead Designer or Executive Producer from Disruptor Beam who are both BIG Star Trek fans and could comment on Timelines and its development, but also what Star Trek has meant to them over the years.

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada unleashes Tau Empire screenshots

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada, Tindalos Interactive’s RTS videogame adaptation of Games Workshop’s classic tabletop game, unveils the upcoming Tau Empire fleet with exclusive images! The Tau Empire fleet will be available end of September, and will be playable in Battlefleet Gothic’s multiplayer modes. In the meantime, all Battlefleet Gothic: Armada owners are invited to join the Tau Beta that starts tomorrowSeptember 8.

As announced several months ago, the Tau Empire faction will be free to all Early Adopters of the game on Steam. The Early Adopter offer applies to all Steam pre-purchase owners, as well as those who bought the game on Steam during the first two months following the game’s release (before June 21, 2016). Players who purchased Battlefleet Gothic: Armada after June 21will be able to purchase the Tau Empire as DLC later this September.

The alien Tau Empire has rapidly expanded across the galaxy, aided by highly advanced technology and a total dedication to the Greater Good philosophy. Their fleets excel at long range, with powerful weapons dealing massive amounts of damage from afar. Skilled Tau admirals can eliminate the bulk of an enemy fleet before they can even get within boarding distance. The Tau have access to a wide array of upgrades and traits to improve their Torpedoes and Ordnances even further.

The Tau Empire DLC releases later this September on Steam and is free for all Early Adopters.

All players who own the game can join the Tau Beta that starts tomorrow September 8.

Space Hulk: Deathwing CoOp Screens and Pre-Order Info

September 7, 2016 – Powered by Unreal 4, Space Hulk: Deathwing is a first person shooter, with tactical elements set in Games Workshop’s gritty Warhammer 40,000 universe. Today’s screenshots showcase an elite Terminator squad of the Deathwing as they cleanse a gigantic Space Hulk of the Xeno threat.

Space Hulk: Deathwing is playable cooperatively as well as in single player. You can join forces as up to four friends, with each of you playing a tactical role in Space Hulk: Deathwing. As the Librarian, you can take up arms with the infamous Storm Bolter and harness psychic powers to unleash destruction on the enemy. The heavy weapon support can mow down Genestealers with his assault cannon, while the Apothecary is tasked with keeping the squad alive. The melee-oriented assault class can shred foes with brutal assault claws, or barge through the front line with shield and power mace. Finally, a tactician specialist can support the team with a passive buff as well as other abilities, which is useful for controlling the swarms of Genestealers. Teamwork is the key to success against the insurmountable enemy force, constantly flooding through the tunnels and corridors of the Space Hulk.

Players will be able to pre-order the game on Steam at 10am PDT, and will benefit from the following bonuses:

  • 15% off the price of the game
  • 1 in-game weapon – the Lost Mace of Corswain

 

Batman: Return to Arkham Release Date Set

September 6, 2016 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced that Batman: Return to Arkham will be available beginning October 18, 2016 for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One. The bundle includes remastered versions of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, as well as all of the Game of the Year edition bonus and downloadable content ever released.

The newly revealed Official Batman: Return to Arkham Side-by-Side trailer showcases the game’s improved graphics, upgraded models, environments, lighting, effects and shaders. Batman: Return to Arkham is being remastered by Virtuos using Unreal Engine 4, and will be available for a suggested retail price of $49.99/€49.9/£39.99.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is where it all began. Originally developed by Rocksteady Studios and released in 2009, the game pushed the envelope for action, adventure and super hero games and exposed players to a unique, dark and atmospheric adventure taking them to the depths of Arkham Asylum. Featuring an original story, gamers can move in the shadows, instill fear amongst their enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham City’s most notorious villains, including Harley Quinn, Bane, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy and Scarecrow, who have taken over the asylum.

Batman: Arkham City is Rocksteady Studios’ 2011 follow-up to Batman: Arkham Asylum. The game builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of Batman: Arkham Asylum, sending players soaring through the expansive Arkham City – the maximum security “home” for all of Gotham City’s thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds. Featuring an incredible Rogues Gallery of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals including Catwoman, The Joker, The Riddler, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Mr. Freeze and many others, the game allows players to experience what it feels like to be The Dark Knight and deliver justice to those confined within Arkham City.

Batman: Return to Arkham is based on DC’s core Batman license and is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. Fans can visit http://Facebook.com/batmanarkham for more information about the game.

Police Tactics: Imperio Release Imminent

Mönchengladbach/Germany, September 6, 2016 –  The long wait is finally over! The new real time strategy game POLICE TACTICS: IMPERIO by astragon Entertainment will be released on Wednesday, September 7th for PC and Mac!

The inhabitants of the metropolis Newport Falls are eagerly awaiting the help of the local police under new leadership, that shall ensure law and order. In POLICE TACTICS: IMPERIO, the players slip into the role of the young officer Harvey Croft and assume the position of the city’s chief of police. As the first line of defense in the fight against organized crime the whole potential of his police units is at his disposal: Patrolmen have to be sent onto the streets and crime scene investigators as well as special units have to be trained. Consulting witnesses and collecting clues and hints is also part of the daily business as a law enforcer. Beside different unit-types, the players can of course fall back on various realistic operational vehicles, which can appear in the look of either German or US-Police units.

In the fight against organized crime the deployment of policemen will not be enough – an essential part of the work as police chief is the management and ideal usage of the department’s budget.

In POLICE TACTICS: IMPERIO players will climb the career ladder to the top and unlock more and more city districts, units and upgrades. On their dangerous path they will solve thrilling cases, investigate felonies and prevent daily infractions all over the city in a dynamic day- and night cycle.

POLICE TACTICS: IMPERIOwill be available for 19.99 Euro/19.99 USD/14.99 GBP on Wednesday, 7th of September, 2016.

More information:

Website: http://www.policetactics-game.de/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PoliceTacticsGame

The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series – A New Frontier Coming in November

September 2, 2016 – During our panel at PAX West today, Telltale took the stage to deliver some additional details surrounding the highly-anticipated third season of The Walking Dead.

Since its unveiling at E3 in June, the title and release window for the next season of the series have been tightly under wraps. Today, we can announce that ‘The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series – A New Frontier’ will be premiering this November on consoles, PC/Mac, and mobile platforms. The series will also be available for purchase on a special ‘Season Pass Disc’ for consoles, which will include the premiere episode for the third season, as well as access to all subsequent episodes in the five episode season for download as they become available.

“This third new season will serve as both a continuation of what’s come before in our story, as well as an all-new beginning set nearly four years after the outbreak events of Season One,” said Kevin Bruner, Co-Founder and CEO of Telltale Games. “As a harrowing and horrific drama, ‘A New Frontier’ will explore beyond what it means to survive in a world ravaged by the undead, and will see our characters confronting the new rules of order and justice in a land being brutally reclaimed and rediscovered by what’s left of humanity itself.”

Players will take control of series newcomer Javier, a man struggling to keep his family together in the new world, while also playing as Clementine, now a teenage survivor holding secrets of her past while fighting to protect family of her own.

“When we began this series, we explored what it meant to protect a character like Clementine at all costs,” said Kevin Boyle, Executive Producer on the series. “Years later, meeting her for the first time, Javier will begin to unravel the mystery of who Clementine has become, as her story intersects with his – both of them still driven by the things they value most long after society’s collapse.”

‘The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series – A New Frontier’ will be premiering this November. For more news and information on the third season, stay tuned to telltale.com, follow @telltalegames on twitter, and on follow our page on
Facebook.com/TheWalkingDeadGame.