Author - Jerry Paxton

Razer Reveals WYVRN: AI-Powered Gaming Ecosystem

3 weeks ago

Razer™, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers, today unveiled WYVRN, a groundbreaking developer platform meticulously designed to empower game creators to redefine the development process and deliver the best and most immersive gaming experiences.

Built for game developers, it delivers futuristic directional and realistic tactile sensations, Razer’s customizable cutting-edge AI capabilities, Sensa HD Haptics immersive experiences, vibrant RGB Chroma lighting effects to match in-game events, and leverage THX® Spatial Audio+ to immerse gamers in a 3D soundscape. WYVRN will help create standout AI-powered games that captivate players by transforming titles and standing out in the competitive gaming industry. This is also enhanced by seamless Unreal Engine integration, enabling developers to build products and experiences that will define the future of AI gaming with a single SDK.

“WYVRN positions Razer at the forefront of the AI gaming evolution,” said Quyen Quach, VP of Software at Razer. “We’re empowering both players and developers with AI tools that transcend traditional boundaries, enhancing gameplay and streamlining development. This is just the beginning of our commitment to providing developers with the resources to create the most immersive and innovative gaming experiences.”

WYVRN: A Comprehensive Ecosystem for Game Development Excellence

WYVRN is a comprehensive ecosystem designed to streamline workflows, enhance creativity, and elevate player immersion. Built on four core technology pillars: Razer AI Tools, Sensa HD Haptics, Razer Chroma RGB, and THX Spatial Audio+—WYVRN enables developers to push creative boundaries, future-proof projects, and gain a competitive edge.

Razer AI Tools: Empowering Developers with Intelligent Automation and Enhanced Player Engagement. Razer AI Tools help transform the player experience and game development with tools such as Razer AI Game Copilot and Razer AI QA Copilot. Designed to enhance gaming experiences by providing in-game guides, real-time esports coaching and enable game developers to increase QA testing efficiency, cutting development cost and reduce time to market.
1. Razer AI Game Copilot: Introduced as Project Ava at CES, Razer AI Game Copilot is a smart AI gaming assistant designed specifically for gamers—now able to be integrated directly into games. Capable of offering real-time expert advice, game guides, adjustable levels of interactivity, and more. It empowers players to push beyond traditional play and fully embrace the future of immersive, AI gaming experiences and interactive entertainment—whether they’re tackling high-stakes esports matches or navigating complex challenges in non-competitive games.
  1. Elite Esports Coaching: Gamers can master the meta for competitive titles with real-time insights as they play—driven by gameplay data from top esports teams and athletes. Gamers can analyze and review performance with a personalized post-match recap that can highlight key plays and areas of improvement.
  2. Tailored Guidance & Game Guides: For competitive PvP titles, Razer AI Game Copilot provides pre- and post-match analyses, actionable insights, and performance feedback to boost skill and improve game experience across different genres of games. In exploration or single-player challenges, it offers subtle hints and tips to help players overcome puzzles and in-game obstacles without giving away the thrill of discovery.
  3. Adjustable Interactivity: The copilot’s level of interaction is fully customizable—from proactive reminders and warnings to reactive, on-demand hints—ensuring that assistance is delivered in a way that complements the player’s style and preserves immersion for a seamless AI gaming experience tailored to the individual.
  4. Deep Game-Specific Intelligence: Trained on rich, genre and game-specific data, Razer AI Game Copilot understands the intricacies of each supported title. Whether analyzing gameplay strategies in esports or guiding players through single-player challenges, it leverages in-depth knowledge to enhance the overall gaming experience.
  5. Seamless UI Integration: Razer AI Game Copilot delivers real-time tips, guides, and analytics via an unobtrusive overlay, keeping all essential information at your fingertips—no need to alt-tab.
  6. Customizable Experience & Multilingual Support: With options to choose voice, personality, and support for multiple languages, Razer AI Game Copilot adapts to a global audience and helps gamers play to their maximum potential in their own personalized way.
  7. Hardware Optimizations: Beyond gameplay advice, Razer AI Game Copilot offers insights on hardware performance, helping players optimize settings and configurations to get the best performance out of their systems.
2. Razer AI QA Copilot: Razer introduced AI QA Copilot, an advanced, AI-powered quality assurance solution for game developers that integrates with existing QA teams to boost bug detection efficiency and reduce time to market. Testers can focus on gameplay or manually tagging bugs while the tool becomes a QA tester’s assistant by automatically detecting bugs, crashes, and performance issues—generating detailed reports complete with screenshots, clips, and event logs. Integrated as a plugin for Unreal engine and running on the cloud, Razer AI QA Copilot can help testers identify more bugs, accelerating testing cycles allowing games to reach the market sooner.
  1. Gameplay-Aware Bug Detection: Razer AI QA Copilot integrates with Quality Assurance teams to boost testing efficiency by automatically tagging bugs based on game design. Bugs are tracked in real time, allowing testers to focus on gameplay or manually notate additional unintended mechanics.
  2. Automatic Report Generation: A detailed gameplay report is generated after the testing session, outlining all bugs identified by the QA Copilot. The generated report also includes automatically captured video clips of the flagged behaviors. Razer AI QA Copilot includes any potential steps for bug reproduction, empowering developers to take quick action.
  3. Seamless Integration: Available as a plugin for Unreal, Unity, and Custom Engines using C++, the AI QA Copilot fits directly into your existing workflow, streamlining the process of converting detected issues into actionable tasks.
  4. Performance Metrics Monitoring: Razer AI QA Copilot tracks essential performance data—such as frame rate, memory usage, and load times—to identify and address performance bottlenecks early in the game development cycle.
  5. Pre-Built Genre Templates: Utilizes ready-made templates tailored to various game genres, reducing the need for manual scripting and enabling faster, hassle-free setup for QA testing assistance.
3. Razer Partners with Side™: Razer and Side, a global video game development and services provider with over 30 years of QA experience, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to leverage the new Razer AI QA Copilot to speed up the QA process. The Razer AI QA Copilot will be integrated into side’s in-house global QA teams to help boost testing efficiency.
Razer Sensa HD Haptics: Feel the Future of Gaming Immersion. Razer announced a partnership with SimHub, a leading platform in haptics for racing sims, to integrate Sensa HD Haptics in over 90+ racing titles, such as the Assetto Corsa franchise. Through partnerships with leading game developers and the integration of over 100 game titles, gamers can now be fully immersed in the gameplay with the incredibly realistic and complex haptic feedback of Razer Sensa HD Haptics through Razer Freyja—the world’s first HD Haptics gaming cushion—and Razer Kraken V4 Pro gaming headset. Experience the new Sim Racing setup at any RazerStore Sensa Experience Zones worldwide from March 21, 2025 onwards.
Next-Generation Razer Chroma RGB: Elevating Visual Experiences with Dynamic Lighting. First debuted at CES 2025, the Razer Next-Generation RGB Chroma empowers game developers to deliver a new level of player immersion with new 3D reactive lighting effects. The new volumetric Chroma enables developers to create dynamic lighting effects that react to in-game actions in real time, plunging players into a visually immersive experience. It provides granular control over lighting parameters, allowing for the creation of breathtaking environments and deeper player customization.
THX Spatial Audio+ Game Plug-in: Create Immersive 3D Soundscapes with Pinpoint Accuracy. Introducing THX Spatial Audio+ plug-in for WWISE, enabling 7.1.4 THX immersive audio over headphones. This delivers lifelike 3D soundscapes with precise positional accuracy, enhancing player awareness and immersion. THX also supports IAMF (Immersive Audio Metadata Format) from the Alliance for Open Media, ensuring future-proof compatibility with emerging audio standards.

Further enhancing developer support, the WYVRN SDK is natively integrated with Unreal Engine 5.5. All Unreal Engine 5.5 users can enable WYVRN technologies directly from the Unreal Editor, streamlining workflows and enabling developers to implement advanced features with minimal effort. This eliminates complex coding, allowing creators to focus on their vision and accelerate game development. The introduction of the WYVRN Ecosystem marks Razer’s commitment to leading the AI gaming revolution. Today, about 55,000 developers are already using Razer’s SDKs, and many are interested in embracing these AI tools to enhance player experiences, streamline game development, and push gaming technology forward.

Availability

WYVRN is now live at www.wyvrn.com. Developers can download the platform and access detailed documentation and sample projects. Early access programs are available for select partners.

Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced Launch Date

3 weeks ago

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Windows PC News

Prepare for battle and celebrate 28 years of unparalleled 4X strategy with the release of Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced coming to Steam on April 4! Holistic Design, Inc. and V Publishing are joining forces to reimagine the legendary Emperor of the Fading Suns franchise for both loyal fans and newcomers. Will you rise to power or watch your empire crumble? The path to victory is up to you!

Step into a universe teetering on the edge of chaos. As one of five powerful Royal Houses, you’ll command forces across land, sea, air, and the vast expanse of space, as you navigate tough decisions that have monumental consequences. Trade, build, and engage in diplomacy with the Church, Merchant League, and alien races. Enjoy a dynamic single-player experience or fight and scheme with up to five players in multiplayer. There has never been a better time to experience this classic 4X franchise with the enhanced edition.

The fate of humanity is depending on you as Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced releases on April 4th on Steam for $9.99USD! Strategy savants ready to wage war across air, land, sea, and space can stay up to date by joining the Discord and visiting the official website.

Grit and Valor – 1949 Official Launch Trailer

3 weeks ago

Jerry Paxton

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

Grit and Valor – 1949, the dieselpunk real-time tactics roguelite from developer Milky Tea and publisher Megabit, is now available on Steam. Set in an alternate-history World War II, command an elite squad of resistance mech pilots against the technologically superior forces of the Evil Axis.

In Grit and Valor – 1949, players must strategize their every move adapting to dynamic battlefields and overwhelming enemy war machines. With a blend of tactical decision making, roguelite progression, and intense boss encounters, the game challenges players to make split-second decisions and discover the best strategy for survival.

Key Game Features:

Evolved-Real Time Tactics Gameplay – Each new region and battlefield you enter presents a new challenge with unique combinations of enemy waves and terrain.
Build The Ultimate Mech Squad – You have the freedom to customize and configure your squad of Mechs and Pilots to adapt your tactics for each new mission.
Roguelite Replayability – No two playthroughs in Grit and Valor – 1949 are the same, ensuring every battlefield is as deadly and unpredictable as the last.
Four Distinct Regions – Grit and Valor is set across four distinct regions, each with unique gameplay mechanics, challenges and a variety of randomly generated battlefields to overcome.
Alternate History Dieselpunk Setting – The Axis have seized control of Europe using giant mechanized warriors to turn the tide of the war.

“We’re thrilled to officially launch Grit & Valor – 1949 alongside Megabit” said Kevin Campbell, Producer at Milky Tea. “Our team has poured passion into blending deep tactical gameplay with a gripping post-war narrative, and we can’t wait for players to experience the unique strategic challenges that define this genre.”

Following today’s launch on PC, Grit and Valor – 1949 will arrive on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Epic Games Store in Summer 2025.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Arrives to PlayStation Plus

3 weeks ago

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 5 News, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

During April, PlayStation Plus players can enjoy the award-winning multiplayer asymmetrical horror experience of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre for free. Jump into the hellish but beautiful world honoring the legacy of the 1974 film as either a notorious member of the Slaughter Family or as one of their many Victims.

Players can choose between the iconic Leatherface or one of the original characters crafted alongside Kim Henkel. Regardless of which side you choose, each playable character has a unique ability and perks to allow for malleable and exciting gameplay. Fans of horror may recognize the likeness of Skeet Ulrich as Wyatt, Barbara Crampton as Virginia, and Bill Moseley as Bones.

With six maps and multiple weather variants, you are placed right in the throes of a horror film. New players can hop right into a private match to explore maps by themselves or party up with seasoned players. The unique 3v4 gameplay makes each match feel unpredictable and exhilarating. As a Victim, gather bone scraps to stab Grandpa, gather lockpicks, unlock all basement doors, turn off the generators, and help your teammates escape. As a Family member, lock down the property, set traps, gather blood for Grandpa, and make sure not a single Victim gets out.

Players can enjoy an array of cosmetics for both Victims and Family members including the newly completed Content Pass. The Content Pass features Wyatt (Victim), Bones (Family), Execution Pack IV, Summertime Outfit Pack, 2003 Leatherface, Sunday Best Outfit Pack, and Denim Outfit Pack. The Content Pass features over $45 of DLC for a fraction of the cost at $19.99 USD. This is a great option for newer players who want to catch up on DLC.

The team is thrilled to bring in some new meat to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Happy hunting!

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is available on Playstation®4, Playstation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store. For more news and community discussion, be sure to check out game’s official subreddit, r/TXChainSawGame, or join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

RailGods of Hysterra Slithers Into Enters Early Access April 23

3 weeks ago

Jerry Paxton

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

RailGods of Hysterra, a cooperative base-building survival action game set in a twisted Lovecraftian dreamscape from developer Troglobytes Games and publisher Digital Vortex Entertainment, leaves the station and heads into the mysterious wilds of Early Access Wednesday, April 23 2025.

Venture forth alone or with up to four friends into a world of waking nightmares, where the Old Gods of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos emerged victorious, twisting the earth and its inhabitants into unspeakable horrors. Defy their might by forging a bond with a powerful RailGod, an ancient abomination from beyond the stars fused with a mighty locomotive.

Board the train and expand it with custom cars for storage, loot, and workbenches. Navigate shifting hellscapes armed with axes, firearms, and spells, battling eldritch horrors and fanatical cultists — or capture them to feed the wheeled monstrosity. Seek the RailGod’s pounding heart to purge the creeping madness and unlock devastating GodKeeper abilities.

Resist mental torment while foraging for new materials and clues, then return to the RailGod to purge the mind of unearthly visions, develop new skills, and gear up for the next adventure. While the journey is long, this rolling base of operations is never far away – but remember, it always needs to feed… and it has a taste for flesh.

What’s New in Early Access

Improved Ranged Combat – Enhanced targeting, projectile mechanics, and responsiveness.
Inventory Filters and Optimization – Streamlined item management for a better user experience.
Polished Combat Feedback – More impactful hit reactions, animations, and combat feel.
Madness Level Gameplay – Expanded mechanics tied to the Madness system, adding new strategic elements.
Connected Chests – Improved resource management by linking storage across carriages.
Corrupted RailGod Gameplay – New mechanics and interactions with a corrupted version of the RailGod.

“To fans of cosmic horror, survival games, and those who just love trains, we’re happy to shout ‘ALL ABOARD!’” said Digital Vortex CEO and Co-Founder Alex Izotov. “This is an adventure we’ve been working on for a long time, and your feedback will be instrumental in shaping RailGods of Hysterra into its final form.”

“We at Troglobytes are thrilled to invite all players to get on board the RailGod and wander through the Lovecraftian world we crafted with so much love and passion! See you all in Hysterra, and remember: Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn!” said Saverio Caporusso, CEO and Lead Designer at Troglobytes Games.

RailGods of Hysterra is coming to Steam Early Access Wednesday, April 23, 2025, followed by PlayStation 5, and will support English, French, German, Russian, Spanish – Spain, Portuguese – Brazil, Simplified Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Turkish languages. Wishlist on Steam and stay up to date by visiting the RailGods of Hysterra official site, follow on X/Twitter and Facebook. Join the official Discord server to receive notifications on development progress and to provide feedback.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Nightmares & Visions Update Out Now

3 weeks ago

Jerry Paxton

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

Today, Fatshark releases its latest free update, Nightmares & Visions. This free update brings a new wave-based activity, significant improvements to the end-game mode Havoc including four new mutators, an overhaul to the Ogryn Talent Tree, a time-limited special event, and more!

This Free Update releases today across all platforms, PC (Steam and Microsoft Store), Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. To celebrate the Nightmares & Visions update, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is currently 50% OFF on Steam.

The Nightmares & Visions free update features:

New game activity – Mortis Trials:
- Wave-based feature: upon reaching level 13, rejects will be able to mash through waves of enemies in visions induced by the ship’s Psyker, Sefoni. Each time players venture into the Psyker’s visions, they will be able to build new and exciting playstyles by selecting randomized abilities and buffs for the duration of the trial.
  - Choose Your Indulgence, Shape Your Playstyle – Before the battle begins, players select an Indulgence, each offering unique buffs that enhance combat styles. Pyrokinetic and Voltaic focus on elemental damage, Fulminator blends both, Death Dealer excels in close-quarters ranged and melee combat, and Colossus boosts survivability.
  - Trials of Endurance – Mortis Trials unfold in 12 escalating waves, with every third wave introducing an objective to complete. Success grants supplies and stronger buffs, culminating in a final gauntlet where players unleash their full potential.
  - Uncover lore and backstories: by overcoming the Mortis Trials, players will unlock memory echoes, granting them access to secret information on some of the main characters present on the Mourningstar.
Havoc mode gets a refresh: the end-game experience testing the resolve of the most seasoned operative reaches a new juncture with improvements and new daunting challenges.
- Improvements:
  - Havoc Assignment Rank Overhaul: making progression clearer and more rewarding for all players. Now, everyone who participates in a mission will rank up if they meet the new progression criteria, making teamplay more fulfilling.
  - Introducing Campaigns to Havoc: To keep gameplay fresh, Darktide will introduce a rotation system for mission pools and mutators in Havoc challenges, ensuring variety across play sessions. With the Nightmares & Visions update, players will have their ranks reset to the nearest threshold based on the highest rank reached since the introduction of Havoc last year.
- New challenges: fresh horrors are joining the fray with four new mutators added to Havoc:
  - Heinous Rituals: heretics are attempting to summon a new kind of Daemonhost, disrupt their rituals, or face the consequences.
  - The Encroaching Garden: specific enemies will heal their allies. If these are not dispatched promptly, they will rapidly regenerate the ranks of the heretics.
  - Rampaging Enemies: Fallen enemies empower their allies with a surge of strength, making tactical planning crucial to avoid being overwhelmed.
  - Enraging Elites: injured Elites will become enraged, increasing their attack and movement speed, and giving them immunity to crowd control effects.
Time-Limited Special Event “A Day At The Theatre”: following the release of Nightmares & Visions, Darktide will be hosting a special event focusing on playing Mortis Trials, which takes place in the theatre of the mind of the ship’s Psyker.
Ogryn Talent Tree Rework: The Ogryn class is getting his Talent Tree revamped, giving players more build opportunities.
- The Ogryn talent tree has been overhauled to expand viable melee builds, introduce stronger tank and support options, and improve ranged combat effectiveness. Melee builds are no longer locked into heavy attacks, with new talents supporting both light and heavy strikes. Tank-focused players now have more tools to define their playstyle, while ranged builds benefit from a reworked Burst Limiter Override, allowing for stronger explosive and sustained fire builds.
- Movement and survivability have also been improved, with dodging now staggering enemies and new passives enhancing damage resistance and coherency Toughness regeneration. Additional talents allow for hybrid playstyles, rewarding Ogryns who mix melee and ranged combat. Overall, this rework increases flexibility, making the Ogryn feel more impactful and adaptable in every fight.

And more! We will also be bringing a few balancing changes as well as general improvements made to the game.

Starship Troopers: Extermination Prepares for Major Updates

3 weeks ago

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 5 News, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

The fight for Valaka is far from over! Starship Troopers: Extermination is gearing up for two major updates that will bring thrilling new gameplay mechanics, significant optimizations, and long-awaited additions to the battlefield. Offworld Industries is doubling down on immersive, large-scale co-op warfare—because in the Federation, the battle never stops!

Patch 1.3 – Evolving the Battlefield

Available now, Patch 1.3 introduces:

Dynamic Sky & Weather System – Valaka, Boreas, and Agni Prime now feature Day & Night cycles and Dynamic Weather, creating an ever-changing battlefield for troopers. Each planet has unique weather systems, adding new challenges. The Sandstorm Mutator has been revamped with varying intensities, from mild to blinding. New Extreme Weather Mutators include thunderstorms, blizzards, and ashstorms, making survival even tougher.
Staged Weapon Reloads – No more frustrating interruptions! All weapons (except the Sp.L.I.T Shotgun and Sp.L.I.T Shotgun Slug) now feature progressive reload stages. If you’re forced to stop reloading mid-combat, you’ll resume from the last checkpoint rather than starting over.
Quality-of-Life Enhancements:
- XP for Disconnections – Players will now earn XP if they disconnect due to crashes or server issues—traitors, however, won’t be so lucky.
- Improved Company System – Invite friends to your company directly from their profile or request to join a company, even without an invitation.
Key Optimizations & Bug Fixes – Smoother combat, better performance, and a more polished experience.

For the full list of changes, check out the official patch notes.

Patch 1.4 – What’s Coming Next?

Offworld Industries isn’t stopping there—Patch 1.4, set to arrive later this year, will introduce even more game-changing additions:

Underbarrel Attachment for Morita MK1 – A highly requested feature is finally making its way into the arsenal, opening the door for future Morita MK2 & MK3 upgrades.
Broadcast Heroism System – Become a Federation war reporter! Recover Federal Network Broadcast Cameras on the battlefield and capture the chaos to boost your squad’s Morale XP. Side objectives in ARC and Horde modes will now feature these thrilling recording opportunities.
And many more updates and Quality-of-Life Enhancements

With these updates, Starship Troopers: Extermination continues to raise the bar for cooperative, large-scale warfare. Stay connected on Discord and Steam for the latest news as the Federation prepares for its next deployment!

Inspired by the Starship Troopers film, Starship Troopers: Extermination is an action-packed co-op FPS where players join the Deep Space Vanguard to fight relentless Arachnid hordes across hostile planets. Developed by Offworld Industries, the game launched in Early Access on May 17, 2023, with its full release on October 11, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Butterbeer Season: A Must-Do for Harry Potter Fans

3 weeks ago

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Misc Review, News, Reviews

Ready to start the day!

The familiar strains of Hedwig’s Theme swelled as I stepped through the arched entrance into Hogsmeade, and suddenly, the mundane world of Hollywood faded away. It was the fourth day of Butterbeer Season at Universal Studios Hollywood, and the air buzzed with a magical energy that was palpable. I’d come prepared for a day of sugary indulgence, but what unfolded was a full immersion into the Wizarding World, a sensory feast that went far beyond the beloved beverage.

My first stop, of course, was one of the the iconic red Butterbeer carts. A line had already formed, but the anticipation was a delightful part of the experience. The cart, a charmingly rustic wagon straight out of the films, was adorned with butterbeer steins celebrating the butterbeer goodness. I ordered the classic frozen Butterbeer, its creamy, butterscotch-like sweetness a familiar comfort.

Best Butterbeer Season deal ever!

We then ventured into Zonko’s and Honeydukes candy shop. We walked the aisles featuring all manner of wizarding world treats when my eyes landed upon a number of butterbeer replica carts hanging from hooks by small straps. At only $15, it was an absolute steal! A meticulously crafted model, complete with tiny wheels and a removable lid, it even came filled with miniature Butterbeer candies ready for the eating. A perfect souvenir, and a testament to the attention to detail that Universal Studios is known for. We also picked up some of the new butterbeer chocolate bars that had just been released! I was so excited to try it and was pleasantly surprised by white and golden white chocolate – the butterbeer flavor was rich and refreshing.

Across the cobbled street, Ollivanders wand shop was shrouded in an air of mystery. The line for the wand selection experience snaked out the door, and I could hear the hushed whispers of excited witches and wizards hoping to be chosen. Instead, I browsed the shop’s display of wands, each one unique and crafted with intricate detail. I did look for those much talked-about Generation 2 wizarding world wands but unfortunately they are not available here on the West coast just yet. These new wands, which feature lights and haptic feedback, are only available at Universal Studios Orlando right now.

All aboard the Hogwarts Express!

The midday sun beat down, and the promise of more Butterbeer treats lured me towards the Three Broomsticks. The rustic tavern was packed, but the aroma of roast chicken and butterbeer pudding was irresistible. I opted for a hearty lunch, and selected the roast chicken salad, a delightful surprise with its fresh, tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a medley of sweet fruits. It was a refreshing contrast to the sugary delights that permeated the rest of Hogsmeade. For dessert, I couldn’t resist the Butterbeer cream puff. It was a masterpiece of culinary artistry, a delicate pastry shell filled with a light, airy Butterbeer cream. The contrast between the savory pastry and the sweet cream was simply divine. I also sampled the Butterbeer lolly, a frozen treat that perfectly captured the essence of the beloved beverage. The icy sweetness was the perfect way to cool down, and I hoped they will keep it on the menu even after Butterbeer Season concluded.

After lunch, I decided to explore the rest of Universal Studios Hollywood. The park, a sprawling wonderland of movie magic, offered a welcome respite from the wizarding world. I wandered through Springfield, U.S.A., the vibrant home of The Simpsons, laughing at the witty signs, props, and displays. The world famous Universal Studios Studio Tour, a must-do for any visitor, took me behind the scenes of Hollywood’s biggest productions, revealing the secrets of filmmaking and showcasing iconic sets. I marveled at the scale of the backlots, the intricate details of the soundstages, and the sheer ingenuity of the special effects. The Jaws experience is always a crowd-pleaser, as is the Earthquake experience. When Universal Studios puts its talents into immersing guests within a physical environment, it always puts out top-notch experiences.

Butterbeer Season merchandise!

The WaterWorld stunt show, a high-octane spectacle of stunts and explosions, left me breathless. The performers, skilled athletes and actors, plunged into the water, battled pirates, and performed death-defying feats. I was reminded that Universal Studios Hollywood isn’t just about recreating fictional worlds; it’s about celebrating the art of filmmaking and the power of storytelling.

As the sun began to set, I returned to Hogsmeade, eager to experience the village in its twilight splendor. The castle of Hogwarts, illuminated against the darkening sky, cast a long, dramatic shadow over the village. The atmosphere was magical, a blend of excitement and tranquility. I decided to try the Butterbeer fudge, a rich and chewy treat that melted in my mouth. Then I strode into Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a dark ride that merges cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling. The attraction transported me into the heart of the Harry Potter universe and I always have to ride it when I visit Universal Studios. At the end of the ride, it send guests into Filtch’s Emporium and they have LOADS of Butterbeer Season merchandise available. From shirts to patches, pins, and much more, you can find it there! Thanks, Filtch!

Thanks for reading, I’m late for potions class!

As the park began to close, I lingered in Hogsmeade, savoring the last moments of my Butterbeer Season adventure. The village, bathed in the soft glow of the streetlights, was a picture of enchantment. I left Universal Studios Hollywood with a heart full of magic, a stomach full of Butterbeer, and a bag full of memories. The Butterbeer Season event was more than just a celebration of a delicious drink; it was a reminder of the power of imagination and the enduring magic of the Wizarding World. And that $15 dollar Butterbeer cart? It was the perfect little reminder of a perfectly magical day.

Universal Studios Butterbeer Season
March 1 – May 31, 2025

Photo Gallery

Weird Kids Ashley Johnson and Taliesin Jaffe Unpack Growing Up in Hollywood

3 weeks ago

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Movie News, News

Weird Kids, a new podcast featuring former child stars and current Critical Role resident weird kids Ashley Johnson (The Last of Us, Blindspot) and Taliesin Jaffe (Hellsing, The Legend of Vox Machina), is now available, with new episodes every Tuesday exclusively on beacon.tv.

The series takes a deep dive into the surreal, hilarious, and often chaotic reality of growing up in Hollywood. Johnson and Jaffe share their personal stories, behind-the-scenes memories, and insights into navigating the entertainment industry as “weird kids.”

WHO:

Ashley Johnson (The Last of Us, Teen Titans, Growing Pains)
Taliesin Jaffe (The Legend of Vox Machina, Mr. Mom, St. Elsewhere)

WHEN & WHERE:

The first episode is available on Beacon.tv, the Critical Role YouTube channel, the Weird Kids YouTube channel, and podcast platforms.
New episodes drop every Tuesday at 5 AM PT, exclusively on Beacon.tv.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Follow @TheWeirdKidsPod on Instagram and YouTube for highlights and behind-the-scenes content.

The Outlast Trials Season 2.1 Out Now

3 weeks ago

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

The Outlast Trials receives a new update today, adding new twisted experiments, and new Limited-Time events that take place at Murkoff’s ever-shifting psychological prison of nightmares. Welcome to Season 2.1 of Project Breach, available as a free update for all the 3.3 million owners of The Outlast Trials on Steam, Epic, PlayStation, and Xbox stores.

A major event is starting to unfold with Amelia at its center as she attempts to take a stand against Dr. Easterman’s sick experiments, aiming to undermine his control over the Sinyala Facility. She is reaching out to the Reagents for help, admitting the road to freedom won’t be easy. But if they want a real chance to escape, they must spread the word and wait for her signal. Stay alert—her clues are out there.

As Amelia prepares to make her move, Murkoff tightens its grip, ramping up surveillance across the Sinyala Facility—under the guise of a “therapy safety measure”. Surveillance cameras now monitor select Trials.

Reagents will face disturbing new moral trials in two new MK-Challenges:

Stash the Contraband

Economies based on narcotics crumble without their primary market. Steal the drugs, hide them securely, and we will let you out.

Kidnap the Mistress

Prostitutes receive more honest confessions than priests. Identify the pervert by his tastes, kidnap his dominatrix, deliver her for interrogation, and we will let you out.

New Limited-Time Event: Under Surveillance & New Tasks

With Reagents playing a crucial role in Amelia’s plan, Season 2.1 introduces new Limited-Time Event as well as tasks to complete in the Trials:

Find the Schematics hidden in Trials to help Amelia hack the Sleep Room Terminal.
Locate the Broadcast Television and watch Amelia’s message before Murkoff intercepts it.
New Tasks: “Help me…” – Amelia is working on something big. Can you assist her by completing key tasks?

New Limited-Time Amelia Catalog

Prepare for the therapy with Amelia’s exclusive outfit Catalog, available to unlock by completing Trials and earning in-game Stamps. The catalog will only be available during the Under Surveillance Limited-Time event. Once the event ends, the catalog will be removed, and any unspent tokens will be lost

One-Year Anniversary Celebration

Join us in celebrating the one-year anniversary of welcoming Reagents into the Sinyala Facility. To mark the occasion, a special set of tasks is now available, offering exclusive anniversary rewards! Make sure to complete the tasks to claim your in-game rewards before the Tasks expire on April 22nd.

Project Lupara Deluxe Catalog – Bonus Page

For those seeking even more customization, new cosmetics are now available in the Project Lupara Deluxe Catalog. These high-value items require a significant time investment to unlock.
For a full list of additional content, fixes, and balancing changes