Author - Jerry Paxton

Fix It – The Handyman Simulator

VIS Games and Aerosoft are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated Professional DIY Simulator, Fix It – The Handyman Simulator, will be released on Steam for PC on June 4th 2024. You can already wishlist the game on Steam for PC!

Fix It – The Handyman Simulator puts players in the work boots of a real tradesperson ready to run their own handicraft business. Start your self employed life by putting your skills on the market, invest in the right tools and skills and be on hand to support your clients with all of their very important requests.

From electrical and gardening work to installing plumbing systems, painting walls, and laying floors, the game offers a wide range of activities to keep players busy, working and earning a living. Invest in a vehicle to get your equipment from A to B, schedule work calls efficiently and do your job well!

Key Features:

  • Own and manage your own business, balancing finances and inventory management
  • Complete various tasks, including electrical work, installation, gardening, renovation, and more
  • Explore an open game world, navigating through a detailed and lifelike landscape
  • Choose from three different vehicles and three purchasable locations to expand your business
  • Utilize a wide range of tools and building materials to redesign and renovate properties
  • Earn money by completing jobs and invest in new vehicles, locations, and design options

“We are pleased to finally reveal the release date for Fix It – The Handyman Simulator, we truly hope our game will resonate with players who enjoy simulation games and are searching for something refreshing and engaging. We can’t wait for June 4th, we’re looking forward to seeing how well tradespeople everywhere will do when they open their businesses!” – Aerosoft

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Available Now

Today we are proud and excited to launch Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming and Game Pass.

In Hellblade II, the sequel to Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, we see the return of Senua in a brutal battle for survival through the myth and tyranny of Viking Iceland. It is a game from the heart, where our small team of around 80 developers have crafted an experience that aims to immerse you in Senua’s world and story. Our bold mission as a studio is to ‘Craft Life Changing Art with Game Changing Tech’, by which we mean we aim to push the boundaries of technology and techniques in order to create a game, and an experience, that leaves you thinking and feeling.

Immersion drives our work at Ninja Theory, with our belief being that if we can immerse you in Senua’s Saga, we can take you on an unforgettable journey. Our belief is also that believability is the route to this immersion, and so our team has painstakingly worked to bring our reality into Senua’s.

The game is set in real locations in Iceland, recreated through satellite data and photogrammetry. Our characters are digital doubles of real people and their costumes first made as real clothing through historically authentic techniques and materials. And all our character animations starts life as real movement from our incredible cast on our performance capture stage.

It is not only our presentation that is based in ground-truth reference, but so to are the narrative themes in Senua’s journey – in particular Senua’s experiences of psychosis. Senua is a person who lives in an unshared reality. She sees things that others don’t, hears things that others don’t and has unique beliefs about the world.

In order to realize Senua’s experiences of psychosis in a truthful way we have, as we did on Senua’s Sacrifice, worked closely with our friends and partners in the world of neuroscience and lived-experience. Their generosity, openness and support has given us the opportunity to understand what living with psychosis can be like, in the hope that Senua feels like a real person going through a very personal mental health journey.

I’d like to take this as an opportunity to thank our team and collaborators for devoting themselves to Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II as a true passion project. I’d also like to thank you, our fans, for your support throughout the development of Hellblade II. It has meant so much to us.

Now, it is time to turn down the lights, put your headphones on and join Senua for, what we hope is, an unforgettable journey into Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.

Larian Studios Announces New Warsaw Office

Larian Studios, the independent game developer behind Baldur’s Gate 3, the critically acclaimed RPG and winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards, is about to set up base in one of the greatest RPG development hubs in the world with the launch of a new studio in Warsaw, Poland.

As the team ramps up development on its next games, Larian is excited to boost its existing 24-hour development cycle with the addition of this seventh studio. Larian Studios Warsaw will be joining a global team of sister studios in Quebec, Dublin, Guildford, Barcelona, Ghent, and Kuala Lumpur.

“The decision to open a permanent studio in Warsaw shows how serious we are about encouraging creativity, collaboration, and innovation in the heart of Poland’s lively gaming scene,” said Ula Jach, Head of Studio. “We’re thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with the abundant talent and expertise of the region, especially considering Poland’s strong reputation as a hub for RPG and gaming enthusiasts.”

Swen Vincke, CEO of Larian Studios, said, “Visiting the Game Industry Conference last year confirmed what I’d been thinking for a while – there’s a lot of talent here and a lot of devs who think like us. On top of that, many of them want to work on RPGs, so it’s a match made in heaven.

“Our plan for the Polish studio is very simple. Build a team that can work on our two – very ambitious – new RPGs and enjoy the fruits of their labor. We’re a very bottom-up company, so I’m eager to see what new things they’ll bring us. I think it’ll work really well.”

More information on Larian Studios Warsaw, including job listings, can be found on the studio’s website.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is out now on PC, Mac, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

More information on Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on the official website. You can stay up to date with the latest Larian Studios news via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and the official Discord server.

Survival: Fountain of Youth Launch Trailer

Survival: Fountain of Youth, the single-player open-world survival crafting game set in the 16th-century Caribbean islands from developer Odinsoft and publisher Twin Sails Interactive, drops anchor for its 1.0 release on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store today. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions will follow later this year.

The 1.0 release caps off Survival: Fountain of Youth’s Early Access voyage with a treasure trove of content including Bimini Island, the fifth and final region. Discover new additions including quests, challenges, survival tasks, skill effects, perks, animals, weather types, achievements, a fearsome final boss, the Ark ship, quality-of-life updates, and this tale’s epic conclusion.

Join Juan Ponce de Leon’s legendary expedition to find the fabled Fountain of Youth and set sail for the Caribbean islands. Raging storms render the crew shipwrecked and scattered across the mysterious archipelago. Survive the unforgiving elements and battle wildlife using skill and what little the islands have to offer. Establish a base, collect materials, craft equipment, manage resources, and uncover the secrets of the mythical Fountain of Youth.

Explore the islands in search of supplies, surviving crew members, and a means to escape. Harvest trees and stones to cobble makeshift structures, rafts, tools, and weapons. Discover raw materials and upgrade to cabins, full-fledged ships, and even firearms. Hunt down local fauna from chickens to buffalo, or fight for survival against blood-thirsty predators like jackals, sharks, and pumas.

New and returning survivalists will be able to experience the final region of Bimini Island, a new ship called the Ark functioning as a fully mobile base, and fresh recipes including grenades, iron armor, trophies, and more. Face the final boss, a natural-born killer ready to protect the island’s most prized possession. The implementation of an advanced customizable difficulty system empowers explorers to choose between a tough-as-nails or casual experience.

Star Wars The Black Series Yoda Force FX Elite Lightsaber Review

TBDFor Star Wars fans, wielding a lightsaber is a dream come true. The iconic weapon of the Jedi and Sith, lightsabers have captured imaginations since the franchise’s debut. Hasbro’s Star Wars The Black Series Yoda Force FX Elite Lightsaber brings that dream closer than ever before, offering a movie-quality replica packed with features that will have you feeling like a true Jedi Master.

Unboxing a Galaxy Far, Far Away

The Black Series packaging immediately sets the mood. Stark black with a glossy finish, the box features Yoda prominently, lightsaber ignited, ready to take on the Empire. The box also highlights the features of the saber, including advanced LED technology, progressive ignition, and movie-inspired sound effects.

Opening the box reveals the wonderfully crafted hilt, modeled after Yoda’s lightsaber from “The Book of Boba Fett.” It’s a chunky, bronze-colored hilt that fits perfectly in adult hands, but might be a bit large for younger wielders. Despite its size, the hilt feels lightweight and well-balanced, important for those extended lightsaber duels. All the greebling and markings on the hilt are meticulously detailed, giving it a truly authentic look and feel. The activation switch and button are situated comfortably on the lower part of the hilt, easily accessible for one-handed operation.

Illuminating the Force Within

Activating the lightsaber with a satisfying click ignites the blade in a dazzling display of light and sound. The advanced LED technology produces a vibrant green blade that simulates the actual effect from the movies. The blade illumination is smooth and seamless, no distracting flicker here.

But the magic truly comes alive with the sound effects. From the smooth whoosh of the blade igniting to the crackle of a blaster deflection, the sounds are crisp, clear, and perfectly in sync with the movement of the saber. The inclusion of a battle sequence mode adds another layer of immersion, letting you recreate iconic lightsaber battles from the movies with pre-programmed sound effects.

A Masterful Recreation, With a Few Quirks

One of the most impressive features of the Yoda Force FX Elite Lightsaber is its progressive ignition effect. Just like in the movies, the lightsaber blade ignites gradually, building in intensity until it reaches full power. This seemingly minor detail adds a significant amount of realism to the experience. Another great feature is the wall-cutting effect. Swinging the saber produces a pulsating white light at the tip, mimicking the effect of a lightsaber slicing through a wall. It’s a fun addition that adds to the sense of power and control.

However, the lightsaber isn’t without its minor drawbacks. The hilt, while beautifully crafted, might feel a bit too chunky for some wielders, especially those with smaller hands. Also, the blade itself is not removable, which some collectors might prefer. Another thing to consider is that this lightsaber is not intended for actual combat. The polycarbonate blade is durable enough for basic practice swings, but against anything more solid, it could break.

Overall: A Lightsaber Worthy of a Jedi Master (4.5 out of 5 stars)

The Hasbro Star Wars The Black Series Yoda Force FX Elite Lightsaber is a truly impressive replica that will delight Star Wars fans of all ages. The combination of advanced LED technology, movie-inspired sound effects, and features like progressive ignition and wall-cutting effects create an immersive and realistic lightsaber experience. While the hilt size might not be ideal for everyone and the blade is not removable, these are minor quibbles in the face of the saber’s overall quality and features.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a casual fan looking to ignite your inner Jedi Master, the Hasbro Star Wars The Black Series Yoda Force FX Elite Lightsaber is a fantastic choice. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility, so wield your lightsaber wisely. May the Force be with you!

Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant Celebrates 90th Anniversary

The story of Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant begins in the 1920s when Walter and Cordelia Knott began farming their acres of leased land in the farm community of Buena Park. To make ends meet, Cordelia began serving hot biscuits and homemade preserves to customers of the family’s roadside produce stand. Word spread, and by 1934 it became necessary for Cordelia to expand her menu to include her now famous country-fried chicken.

On opening day on June 13, 1934, Cordelia served eight 65-cent dinners on her own wedding china. By 1940, visitors were standing in line for hours to enjoy Walter’s boysenberries and Cordelia’s chicken. The challenge of entertaining the crowds led Walter to create an authentic Ghost Town on the property and Southern California’s first “themed” amusement park was born. Today, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant serves an average of 1,000 chickens daily to eager diners.

As this year marks its 90th anniversary, we are celebrating the legacy of this beloved establishment through a wide range of offerings all year long:

  • May 25 – September 2 – Start your day in a berry special way at the Berry Family Breakfast event, featuring delicious dishes and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. Available on select weekends from 8 am to 11 am, starting from May 22 through September 2.
  • June 13 – Party like it’s 1934 and celebrate with us as we receive a Resolution of Recognition from the Office of Senator Janet Nguyen, commemorating our 90 years of excellence in the community. Those in attendance will be the first to grab exclusive anniversary merch.
  • Select Dates in June and July – Seniors 65+ can treat themselves to a delightful Early Bird Senior Buffet Dinner every Tuesday from 3 pm to 5 pm, starting from June 18, June 25, July 2, and July 9.
  • July 6 – Join us as we celebrate National Fried Chicken Day! Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant has served over ninety million pounds of fresh chicken over the past 90 years! Enjoy special fried chicken dishes and celebrate this delicious occasion with photo ops and a discount only available on this day.
  • August – Experience a blast from the past with our new Throwback Happy Hour Flights. These flights will feature popular drinks from the past 9 decades and are only available at the bar from 11-3PM.
  • Select nights of Knott’s Scary Farm in September and October: Experience a spooky Midnight Breakfast Buffet every Friday to Sunday from 12 am to 3 am, featuring a variety of breakfast favorites and packaged with a commemorative Scary Farm T-shirt.
  • November: Join us for Cordelia’s Tea Party – A 90th Anniversary Celebration. Enjoy a traditional tea party experience, featuring unique tea blends, delicious treats, and a commemorative teaspoon.
  • December: Join us on select weekends from 8 am to 11 am for Santa’s Breakfast. Meet Santa Claus, enjoy a delicious breakfast and receive a commemorative plush.

WHEN:         The 90th Anniversary of Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant will be celebrated all yearlong

WHERE:       Knott’s Berry Farm – 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

Dungeons and Dragons – Vecna: Eve of Ruin Available Today

The notorious lich Vecna is weaving a ritual to eliminate good, obliterate the gods, and subjugate all worlds in Vecna: Eve of Ruin – available for purchase everywhere starting today!

In this high-stakes adventure for characters level 10-20, Dungeon Masters and players will have the ability to unlock their full potential and travel through memorable locations that begins in the Forgotten Realms, before venturing into Planescape, Spelljammer, Eberron, Ravenloft, Dragonlance, and Greyhawk, as they race to save existence from obliteration. Guided by legendary allies fans may recognize from D&D’s lore, players may take on 30 terrifying new monsters from across the multiverse in their quest.

Buy Vecna: Eve of Ruin beginning today at Amazon, your local game store, or at D&D Beyond.

F1 Arcade Announces Las Vegas Location

F1® Arcade, the world’s first F1® experiential hospitality brand, today announces Las Vegas as its third U.S. venue due to open in 2025. F1 Arcade will bring its first-of-its-kind experiential venue with show-stopping hospitality and an electrifying atmosphere to The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, which is attached to the destination’s iconic Caesars Palace Las Vegas.

F1 Arcade’s US expansion comes as the sport continues to gain impressive viewership and attendance figures across the US. Last year’s inaugural FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2023 attracted over 315,000 fans and this year the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2024 was sold out with record-breaking attendance figures of 275,000 (up from 270,000 last year). The FORMULA 1 PIRELLI UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX in Austin also continues to deliver some of the highest attendance figures on the calendar and fans are growing across the US, with a 28% increase in social media followers in 2023 vs the previous year, making the Americas one of the sport’s largest audiences on YouTube and TikTok.

The Las Vegas opening marks the next phase of an ambitious U.S. roll-out plan following the opening of its first U.S. location in Boston Seaport in April. F1 Arcade will open in Washington D.C. this Fall 2024 and plan to open 30 locations globally across the next five years.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the F1 Arcade experience to the vibrant Las Vegas Strip following the successful launch of our first U.S. location in Boston Seaport last month. The adrenaline pumping experience of fans racing head-to-head on iconic circuits against their friends and family while overlooking the Las Vegas Strip will be truly exceptional,” said Jon Gardner, US President of F1 Arcade.

Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer, Formula 1 and Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc. said: “As Formula 1 continues to build on the success of last year’s inaugural Grand Prix, it’s exciting to see F1’s presence in Las Vegas continue to grow with the opening of a flagship F1 Arcade. The latest venue announcement symbolizes the increasing appetite for F1 in Las Vegas and will become a go to attraction for visitors outside of race weekend”.

Covering over 21,000 square feet, spanning two floors with an exceptional terrace offering views of the Las Vegas Strip, the flagship Las Vegas venue will be the largest F1 Arcade to date. F1 Arcade will share an entrance with co-tenants including Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, alongside an impressive lineup of dining and retail options. Guests will be welcomed to a best-in-class Formula 1 social racing experience and incredible hospitality offering. They will be able to immerse themselves in the world of Formula 1 by getting behind the wheel of the cutting-edge full-motion simulators and racing the world’s most iconic tracks.

“As an iconic global destination,The Forum Shops continually elevates its offerings, delivering unparalleled experiences alongside its prestigious collection of luxury boutiques and dining options,” said Jonathan Murphy, Co- President, Mall Platform “With the introduction of F1 Arcade, we’re excited to enhance the allure of the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World, providing our guests and shoppers with a world-class entertainment experience.”

The venue will showcase a striking 41-foot-long bar, offering guests the chance to enjoy signature cocktails and ‘Designated Drivers’ mocktails, playfully named in homage to the Grands Prix as well as a variety of globally inspired dishes. The venue will feature an exceptional 3,550 square foot private room and will bring further excitement to the Strip with Formula 1.

Fans and non-fans are invited to visit f1arcade.com/us/vegas and follow @f1arcadeusa on Instagram for all F1 Arcade news and updates.

Tour de France 2024 Multiplayer Trailer

The Tour de France 2024 game is revealed today in a new video that focuses on one of the biggest new features of this edition: the multiplayer mode. Highly anticipated by players, this new Criterium mode allows 6 players, each controlling two cyclists, to compete against each other during a stage. The rules are simple: whoever finishes first wins the race! However, conditions can completely change between races.

Therefore, each player controls a team of two riders: a leader and a team-mate. And each player has four types of teams: a “flat” team, a “hill” team, a “mountain” team and one called “versatile”.

In addition, different settings will be chosen randomly at the start to create varied conditions that players will need to adapt to each time. After the stage is chosen (selected randomly from all stages available except for time trials), the game selects a distance (between 30km and 50km) and the type of team that players will need to control. The game will also change a game setting such as whether a team-mate is in the race or the ability to take a feed. This randomness creates a variety of situations that will need to be understood and evaluated if you want to gain the upper hand and be the first to cross the finish line.

Purple Rain Coming to 4K Ultra on June 25th

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of its theatrical release, Purple Rain, the iconic 1984 film starring Prince in his film acting debut, will be available for purchase on 4K Ultra HD Disc and Digital for the first time on June 25.

Purple Rain will be available to purchase on June 25 on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc from online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Fandango at Home and more.

Purple Rain stars music icon Prince in his first film role as The Kid, alongside Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, Olga Karlatos and Clarence Williams III.

The film was directed by Albert Magnoli from a screenplay by Magnoli and William Blinn and was produced by Robert Cavallo, Joseph Ruffalo and Steven Fargnoli.  The original songs were composed and produced by Prince.

Purple Rain won the Academy Award® for Best Original Song Score (Prince), the Grammy Award® for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special (Prince and the Revolution), and the NAACP Image Award® for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (Prince).

In 2019, Purple Rain was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

Purple Rain will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc for $33.99 ERP and includes an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the theatrical version of the feature film in 4K with HDR and a Digital download of the film. Fans can also own Purple Rain in 4K Ultra HD via purchase from select digital retailers beginning on June 25.

For the 40th Anniversary of Purple Rain, the film has been completely restored digitally from an 8K scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative (OCN).  The picture was also conformed to the original theatrical release aspect ratio of 1.85:1 to provide the most authentic theatrical presentation framing ever to be released to the home. The digitally restored picture was color graded in High Dynamic Range (HDR).  The film’s audio was also restored from the original Dolby Stereo (LCRS) archived 35mm magnetic film source elements containing the separate dialogue, music, and effects (DME) tracks.  These restored elements along with the 20th anniversary’s 5.1 multi-channel print master were used to complete a newly remastered 5.1 presentation for the film.

About the Film
Rock star Prince makes a spectacular feature film debut in this highly autobiographical blockbuster that won both an Oscar® and a Grammy®. Headstrong, vulnerable young musician The Kid (Prince) struggles with his own inner demons and with his alcoholic father who beats his mother.  But the madness infects his music, fueling a sound that transforms the struggling young rocker into a star.

The Purple Rain 4K UHD Disc includes the following previously released special features:

  • Commentary by director Albert Magnoli, producer Robert Cavallo and cinematographer Donald E. Thorin
  • First Avenue: The Road to Pop Royalty – featurette
  • Let’s Go Crazy – music video
  • Take Me with U – music video
  • When Doves Cry – Music Video
  • I Would Die 4 U/Baby I’m a Star – music video
  • Purple Rain – music video
  • Jungle Love – music video
  • The Bird – music video
  • Sex Shooter – music video