Author - Jerry Paxton

Knott’s Merry Farm Begins November 21

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BUENA PARK, CA. (November 2015) – Starting November 21, Knott’s Berry Farm is filled with the spirit of the holiday season as it wondrously transforms into Knott’s Merry Farm! The perfect place to make holiday memories and traditions invites guests to celebrate with thrillingattractions, live entertainment, a crafts fair, festive food, lavish holiday decorations, and nightly snow in Ghost Town.

Returning this year, the PEANUTS® gang, and a cast of world class ice skaters perform in the breathtaking ice show, Merry Christmas, Snoopy! in the 2,100 seat Charles M. Schulz Theatre. In this whimsical show, Snoopy enjoys all of the best parts of the season, including trimming the Christmas tree, awaiting Santa’s arrival, and attending the Christmas Ball!  Select dates, November 21 – Jan 3 (dark Wednesdays).

The Wilderness Dance Hall in Ghost Town transforms into Santa’s Christmas Cabin for the holiday season. Here, the young and the young at heart can share their wish lists with jolly ol’ St. Nick and take home a picture of the occasion.  Indulge in holiday delights like Santa’s homemade cookies, mouthwatering pastries, fresh roasted nuts, seasonal craft beer, and decadent cinnamon rolls. Knott’s world-famous holiday treats can be found all throughout Ghost Town, including fresh poured-to-order maple lollipops at the Gold Trails Hotel, holiday churros from the Churro Factory, and warm gingerbread men baked at the Farm Bakery.

The Ghost Town and Calico Railroad will once again invite guests to celebrate Christmas on Engine 41.  Vintage railcars are filled with an ever-changing group of cheery Ghost Town denizens eager to share their busy Christmas plans. A perfect reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, the Camp Snoopy theater will debut an all-new show, Christmas Time is Here, Charlie Brown. The show features a delightful mash up of some of your favorite holiday songs with a cheerful and heartwarming dose of the Peanuts gang.

Relax and unwind in Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village, as Ghost Town transforms into a shopping wonderland filled with dozens of local artisans selling their unique gifts.

Can’t-miss highlights of the Village include powerful chainsaw sculpting and elegant glass blowing demonstrations. Entrance to the Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village is free Monday through Thursday, November 23 – December 10, and is included with theme park admission every day. Strolling the pathways of Ghost Town, the Calico Carolers share the sounds of the season through songs and hand bell chimes. In the intimate setting of Ghost Town’s historic Bird Cage Theatre, Knott’s melodrama company brings to life Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and O. Henry’sA Gift of the Magi with daily performances.

When the sun sets on the Farm, the buildings and paths in Ghost Town will twinkle to the beat of holiday music while snow gently falls.  This year, snow falls across even more of Ghost Town, from the School House to the Saloon and down to the Assay Office.  Another nighttime tradition at Knott’s Merry Farm is Snoopy’s Merriest Tree Lighting show on the Calico Square Stage. This whimsical tree lighting features a cast of marching toy soldiers, the loveable Mrs. Claus, dancing snowmen, and the world’s most famous beagle, Snoopy!

The toe tappin’, hand clappin’, comedy and bluegrass of Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies continues their Knott’s Merry Farm residency this holiday season in the Birdcage Theatre on select nights.  Plus, the upbeat blue grass quartet, the Ghost Town Miners, make their eagerly awaited return to the Fireman’s BBQ stage. Southern California’s finest live bluegrass bands can only be seen at Knott’s Merry Farm.

The perfect stocking stuffer is now on-sale! A 2016 Season Pass includes one free admission in 2015, unlimited visits in 2016 with no blackout dates, discounts on select food and merchandise, and access to exciting year-round seasonal events. For affordable year-round fun for everyone on your “nice” list, Season Passes start at just $81.00, the best price of the year for a limited time.

To learn more visit knotts.com or call (714) 220-5200. Join the festive conversation using the holiday hashtag #MerryFarm on the Knott’sFacebook or Twitter pages.

Triborn Panel Announced for Comikaze 2015

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The cast and crew of TRIBORN will be hosting their first Comikaze panel this Halloween at 1:00pm. If you’ll recall, TRIBORN started as the Aliens fan film, Alien Identity, before being given a cease and desist letter from 20th Century Fox. Now, the project has been re-tooled as TRIBORN and features a ton of very talented people both in front of and behind the camera. Check out the panel details below!

Panel Details

Come meet the cast and creators of TRIBORN, a Science-Fiction Action Thriller by Sonnet Realm Films. In this panel discussion the creators and designers will talk about their inspirations behind their vision, and the actors will give a little insight about their characters. Come join the adventure that will make independent cinematic history. #JoinTheAdventure www.TRIBORNmovie.com @TRIBORNmovie www.facebook.com/TRIBORNmovie

  • Date and time: Saturday, October 31, 2015 – 1:00pm
  • Panel Length: 50 Minutes
  • Room: 502B
  • Genre / Topic: Film
  • Moderator: James Ganiere

Participants: Adam Sonnet – Director/Writer (Sonnet Realm Films, Space Command)Elle Viane Sonnet – Actress (Space Command, Star Trek: Phoenix)Carrie Henn – Actress (Newt from Aliens)Neville Page – Creature Designer & Actor (Prometheus, Avatar, Star Trek)Patrick Kilpatrick – Actor (Minority Report, Star Trek Voyager, Sarah Conner Chronicles)Ricco Ross – Actor (Aliens, Mission Impossible)Rico Anderson – Actor (Star Trek: Renegades, Bones, Criminal Minds)Carmine Downey – Master martial artist and Spec Ops Military consultant serving as the Triborn Stunt Coordinator.

Paradox Interactive Acquires White Wolf Publishing from CCP Games

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STOCKHOLM – Oct. 29, 2015 – Paradox Interactive, a global games developer and publisher, today announced the acquisition of White Wolf Publishing from CCP Games in an all-cash deal. Now a subsidiary of Paradox Interactive, White Wolf Publishing is a licensing business that owns and manages intellectual properties including World of Darkness, Vampire: The Masquerade and Werewolf: The Apocalypse. Led by CEO Tobias Sjögren, former EVP of Business Development at Paradox, White Wolf Publishing will operate as an independent entity with a dedicated team.

White Wolf Publishing has a long history of producing gaming universes that span mediums, including tabletop and collectible card games, PC games and books. Paradox Interactive acquired all of White Wolf’s brands, and its new subsidiary will pursue development opportunities across relevant categories of games under the White Wolf Publishing name.

“Like Paradox’s games, White Wolf’s properties have dedicated, passionate communities. While there are similarities in spirit, White Wolf’s IPs have very different themes than Paradox’s titles, and deserve their own brand and team,” said Fredrik Wester, CEO and President of Paradox Interactive. “We have great respect for White Wolf’s gaming worlds and see big opportunities for their expansion in the future under our new subsidiary.”

“Over the last 20 years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with beloved studios like DICE and Paradox on the business management side of games, and as a developer earlier in my career. I look forward to bringing my experience to bear as we pursue new ways to interact with White Wolf’s universes,” said Tobias Sjögren, CEO of White Wolf Publishing. “The White Wolf IPs are well suited for all kinds of media and we see great potential to expand them in the future.”

“At CCP, we have great admiration for the White Wolf brands and communities, and it was extremely important to us that the acquiring company share the same respect and understanding,” said Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games. “With Paradox, we know we are leaving the brands in good hands.”

For more information about White Wolf Publishing, please visit www.whitewolf-publishing.com.

New Battlefleet Gothic: Armada Screenshots Released

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October 28, 2015 – Battlefleet Gothic: Armada, the RTS videogame adaptation by Tindalos Interactive of Games Workshop’s classic tabletop game, today reveals the Ork fleet for the first time! First hinted at in the Gameplay Trailer last month, in a post-credits sequence, the Ork ships are presented today in all their badass glory in new screenshots.

Orks are not your typical space-faring species. Their ships are usually built from scrap, hulks of other ships, and in some rare cases even from asteroids. But what their ships lack in reliability is made up for with sheer firepower and particularly strong prow armor. “More Dakka” would be their motto, and charging forward, all cannons blazing and ramming the enemy ships is a totally valid “tactic” in the mind of any Ork captain.

Developed on Unreal Engine 4, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada is an RTS in which the player takes command of one of these battlefleets composed of the most powerful spaceships from the Imperial, Chaos, Eldar and Ork forces, in a no-quarter given struggle for the control of the Gothic sector of space. Players will be at the center of every fight, commanding fleets of gigantic ships as the Chaos unleash a sequential chain of surprise attacks on Imperium naval bases – the start of 20 years of warring in the sector.

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada offers deep management of every ship composing the player’s fleet, both during and between battles. From the fastest frigates to the gigantic, miles-long battleships, the player will customize all aspects of his ships: weaponry, defense and support sub-systems, etc… each customization affecting the very performances of the ship and the special abilities available during battle. From battle to battle, the admirals and crew of surviving ships will gain experience and promotions, improving the battle-readiness of the ships for future, bigger and more dangerous battles.

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada will release on PC in 2016

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Divinity: Original Sin – Enhanced Edition Launch Trailer

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October 27, 2015 – Acclaimed RPG Divinity: Original Sin – Enhanced Edition is now available for PS4 and Xbox One, in retail stores and for download… discover a sneak peek at what awaits you in Larian Studios’ new hit RPG, with the official Launch Trailer!

Having won over 150 awards and nominations, Divinity: Original Sin has become a must-have game for all RPG lovers, and the Enhanced Edition brings a wide range of improvements and new content. We’ve previously showcased the online and offline cooperative features with its Co-op Trailer, and its turn-based, tactical combat in the Combat Trailer.

Designed for consoles, the slick and stylish interface allows the player to seamlessly switch between inventory, spells, and skills. Each player has full control of their own UI, in and out of split-screen mode.

Featuring brand new content, drop-in, drop-out online and offline multiplayer, three new difficulty modes, and a host of new features (check the website for more information!) Divinity: Original Sin – Enhanced Edition brings an unprecedented, content rich experience to PS4 and Xbox One that may surprise both RPG fans and new players alike.

Divinity: Original Sin – Enhanced Edition Edition is now available on PS4 and Xbox One, in retail stores and for download.

The Park Launch Trailer

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Oslo, Norway – October 27th, 2015 – A day at the park… a lost teddy bear… a missing child. So begins the story of Lorraine, a mother that must face every parent’s worst nightmare when her son goes missing in Atlantic Island Park. While amusement parks should be happy places, the one you visit in ‘The Park‘ is anything but. Freak accidents, grotesque killings and ghostly hauntings have inspired many sensational headlines, and locals worry that the park is far from done claiming innocent lives.

Funcom’s first-single player experience in almost ten years, ‘The Park‘, launched on Windows PC today and is now available for purchase on Steam, Humble Store, NVIDIA GeForce NOW Store, GreenManGaming and GamersGate at a 23% promotional discount ($9.99). ‘The Park‘ is a one to two hour adventure focusing on intense storytelling and exploration instead of combat and action. Players must explore the dilapidated amusement park and face panic and paranoia as they progress through a narrative written and created by an award-winning team of storytellers.

“Thanks to similar games in the narrative space, such as ‘Gone Home‘, ‘Dear Esther‘ and ‘The Stanley Parable‘, we are confident that there is a place in the gaming industry for shorter, intense experiences,” says Funcom creative director Joel Bylos. “Technically, it explores the limits of what is possible for a team to achieve with a small budget, short deadline and a strong focus.”

Known largely for its massive-scale online games, ‘The Park‘ is Funcom’s first game built on a relatively small budget and short development cycle. The team’s ambition has been to create a short, but intense experience with solid quality production values.

For more information about ‘The Park‘, please visit the official website at www.theparkgame.com.

Tales of Halloween Live Tweet Party this Wednesday

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[Hollywood, CA] Epic Pictures Releasing invites fans to join the directors & cast of TALES OF HALLOWEEN to screen the film and live-tweet with them on Wednesday, Oct. 28th at 9:00pm ET.

Directors prepared the following invitation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFF6bXlImnE

During the live-tweet, the cast and directors will be providing exclusive behind-the-scenes fun facts, giving away prizes and answering fans¹ questions in real-time via Twitter and on video via Periscope.

To join the live-tweet, fans rent or buy the movie and hit PLAY when Wednesday at 9:00pm Eastern / 6:00pm Pacific.

Directors/cast comments will be available on search using #TalesOfHalloween.

Fans are also invited to submit their questions in advance and receive discount to via Vimeo following this link: http://goo.gl/forms/T5v7P97Ryp or e-mailing directly to: LIVETWEET@TOH-MOVIE.COM.

Additional information on our Facebook event page: http://po.st/TOHLiveTweet

Other Information:

Pillars of Eternity 500,000 Copies Sold

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IRVINE, Calif. and STOCKHOLM — Oct. 23, 2015 — Obsidian Entertainment and Paradox Interactive today announced that Pillars of Eternity, the critically acclaimed computer role-playing game (CRPG) made possible by a record-setting crowdfunding campaign, has crossed a new milestone, and has now sold over 500,000 copies worldwide. Including fans who backed Pillars of Eternity on Kickstarter, over half a million players have purchased the game worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games on Steam this year. Pillars of Eternity has gone on to be one of the best reviewed PC games of 2015, and in addition to its two-part expansion The White March, Obsidian has plans to continue to expand upon its rich universe across several forthcoming releases.

“Every one of these milestones, from the completion of our crowdfunding campaign to the game’s release and beyond, is a surreal moment when you consider where this journey began,” said Feargus Urquhart, CEO of Obsidian Entertainment. “Pillars of Eternity has been a life-changing experience for me, and for everyone involved in its creation. Knowing that over half a million people have gotten to share in that is both flattering and humbling. I want to deeply thank all of our fans and supporters. We can’t wait to share what we’ve got next for the world of Eora.”

Following the release of Pillars of Eternity in March, 2015, Obsidian Entertainment has announced several additions and expansions to the world, lore, and gameplay of the award-winning CRPG. An expansion to the based game, titled “The White March,” was announced as a two-part addition, with Part I releasing in August, 2015. A tabletop card game based on the Pillars of Eternity world, Lords of the Eastern Reach, has also been announced for a 2016 release. In addition, several digital books (“eBooks”) are slated to release this year featuring the characters and lore of Pillars of Eternity, authored by members of the game’s core writing team, including Carrie Patel, Eric Fenstermaker, and Paul Kirsch.

“It’s very encouraging to see so much enthusiasm for the classic CRPG alive and well within the gaming community,” said Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive. “It’s a genre we’re very fond of ourselves, as evidenced by the large number of Pillars of Eternity backers within our own company. Given that Paradox itself grew from tabletop-inspired strategy games, we’ve always believed there was plenty of room for the ‘classic’ genres to thrive, and we’re very proud to see half a million players agree with us.”

Pillars of Eternity is a CRPG inspired by classic titles such as Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment, which features an original world and game system that evokes and improves upon the classic experience. Funded via Kickstarter in late 2012, raising $4.5 million through both backer pledges on Kickstarter and Obsidian’s own website, Pillars of Eternity has been a project of passion both for the development team and for the loyal fans who have made it possible.

For more information on Pillars of Eternity, visit eternity.obsidian.net.