Author - Jerry Paxton

The Alters Last Variable is Out Now

11 bit studios and The Alters development team are proud to present The Alters: Last Variable – a roughly 20-hour expansion to the award-winning, personal survival sci-fi game, out now on all platforms.

Jan Dolski’s mission didn’t end when the credits rolled on The Alters. Well, perhaps more to the point, Jan Scientist’s mission didn’t end. In this powerful new storyline, packed with new mechanics, new Alter types, and more, players will assist this particular version of Jan in conducting the research of a lifetime.

The Oasis – a lush paradise emerging from desolation – becomes Jan’s obsession. One he cannot comprehend alone. So once again, he must assemble a crew from alternate versions of himself. A Geologist. A Biologist. A Chemist. A Physicist.

Science is everything for these Jans. But can we really understand everything?

Shout! Studios Returns to San Diego for Comic-Con 2026

A longtime must-visit destination for pop culture enthusiasts, Shout! Studios /Radial Entertainment is your SDCC home for fan-driven entertainment favorites, from beloved series to anime to cult classics and more! This summer, Shout! makes its return to the San Diego Convention center at booth #4118 for San Diego Comic-Con 2026.

Shout! will showcase several exclusive giveaways (while supplies last) that bridge fan-favorites and collector culture. Fans of the classic sci-fi comedy series Mystery Science Theatre 3000 can pick up an exclusive pin only available at SDCC. We’re putting the ‘Mystery’ into MST3K with three price tiers, Big, McLarge and Huge, of exclusive surprise merch. Select limited edition 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBooks such as John Carpenter’s horror mystery classic The Fog or GKIDS’ Arcane: League of Legends Season Two purchased at the booth will come with one-of-a-kind 11×13 posters. Enthusiasts of Steve Kostanski’s Deathstalker will be gifted TCG-style trading cards with the purchase of a Deathstalker Blu-ray and Deathstalker comics posters signed by director Steve Kostanski and star Daniel Bernhardt for orders over $100 will also be available, while supplies last.

Shout! Studios /Radial Entertainment will be onsite with an impressive variety of 4K UHD, Blu-ray™, SteelBook®, and box set releases with exclusive convention deals, from the most popular new releases to cult favorites. Guests who spend $100 or more will snag a free Hex Deck with any combination of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth and Dark Crystal collector’s sets, Enamel Pin Sets, and Worm Plushies, while supplies last. Hong Kong Cinema Classics fans can stack savings by grabbing all three classics -A Better Tomorrow Trilogy, Hard Boiled, and The Killer -for $10 off. LAIKA devotees and Studio Ghibli collectors can save on bolstering their collection by purchasing any three SteelBooks from each studio for $5 off, with a lineup that includes LAIKA’s Coraline, ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings and Studio Ghibli’s Grave of the Fireflies, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, and the beloved Spirited Away.

Beyond the exclusives, Shout! invites you to booth #4118 to capture your SDCC experience at our photobooth, featuring backgrounds from several of our most popular film and television releases including Speed Racer, Day of the Dead, The Transformers: The Movie, The Killer, and the 10th anniversary of Kubo & the Two Strings.

For continuing updates on Shout! Studios /Radial Entertainment Comic-Con activities and news, please visit radialentertainment.com and follow us on socials @Shout_Studios and @RadialEnt.

Shout! Studios/ Radial Entertainment Booth (#4118) Comic-Con Exclusives

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Riffrax Experiments Pins

  • On Sale at Shout! Studios Booth (#4118)
  • Arcane: League of Legends Season Two Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray + 11×13 posters
  • The Beastmaster Collector’s Edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • A Better Tomorrow Trilogy 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • The Boxtrolls Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • Cloud Atlas Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • Coraline Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • The Dark Crystal Limited Edition Collector’s Set 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • The Dark Crystal Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • Day of the Dead Limited Edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • Deathstalker Triple Feature Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray + signed posters, card sets, & comics, while supplies last
  • The Fog Limited Edition SteelBook® UHD/Blu-ray + exclusive poster, while supplies last
  • Grave of the Fireflies Limited Edition SteelBook® Blu-ray/DVD
  • Hard Boiled Deluxe Limited Edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • Howl’s Moving Castle Limited Edition SteelBook® Blu-ray/DVD
  • The Killer Deluxe Limited Edition 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • Kiki’s Delivery Service Limited Edition SteelBook® Blu-ray/DVD
  • Kubo And The Two Strings Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • Labyrinth Limited Edition Collector’s Set 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • Labyrinth Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • Nightcrawler Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • ParaNorman Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • Perfect Blue Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray
  • Princess Mononoke Limited Edition SteelBook® Blu-ray/DVD
  • Shaun The Sheep: The Complete Series Blu-ray
  • Spirited Away Limited Edition SteelBook® Blu-ray/DVD
  • The Transformers: The Movie 35th Anniversary Limited Edition SteelBook® 4K UHD/Blu-ray + 18×24 posters, while supplies last
  • Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Cracking Collection 4K UHD/Blu-ray Collector’s Edition

Enamel Pins and Additional Merchandise

Dark Crystal Hex Decks

Dark Crystal Enamel Pin Sets

Labyrinth Hex Decks

Labyrinth Enamel Pin Sets

Labyrinth Worm Plushies

MST3K Mystery Bag Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3

EverQuest Legends Unveils San Diego Comic-Con Panel

Get ready to return to Norrath! The team behind EverQuest Legends are heading to San Diego Comic-Con 2026 to present a panel to take you on their unforgettable journey to the fan-favorite MMO from 1999, and we’d love for you to join!

During the panel, the creators of EverQuest Legends, Dave “Sysyphus” Youssefi (executive producer), Eda “Secrets” Spause (project director), Sean “Rogean” Norton (senior engineer), and Rae “Ailia” Brewer (lead technical designer) will provide an inside look at how a classic fantasy adventure is being reimagined for today’s players, with behind-the-scenes stories, modern gameplay design insights, and exclusive reveals and first looks. Dave, Eda, Sean, and Rae will partake in a Q&A session moderated by Linda “Brasse” Carlson (senior community manager).

Panel Title: From 1999 to EverQuest Legends: Reimagining a Fantasy Icon for a New Generation
Time: Saturday, July 25, 12:00-1:00 p.m. PDT
Location: Room: 28DE

SDCC Giveaways

Panel attendees will be able to grab an exclusive EverQuest Legends San Diego Comic-Con poster and a collectable pin featuring the Froglok, EQL’s froggy fan-favorite.

EverQuest Legends will launch on July 28, 2026 and pre-orders are available now at EverQuestLegends.com.

Disney Announces Incredible Lineup of All-day Programming for D23 2026

Today, Disney announced a spectacular slate of programming happening during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa, the highly anticipated event coming to Anaheim, California on August 14, 15, and 16, 2026. D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is the can’t-miss event of the year for Disney fans of all ages and there are even more ways for fans to experience all the worlds of Disney like never before with nostalgic panels, showstopping performances, and all-new offerings. With full-day Sunday D23 Fan Passes still available, along with Afternoon Only Fan Passes for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, there’s so much for Disney fans to discover.

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event brings together the stories, characters, and experiences that have inspired generations of fans around the world, offering an unparalleled celebration of the creativity, innovation, and enduring legacy of The Walt Disney Company. As Disney continues to create new ways for audiences to engage with the worlds they love, this event serves as the ultimate gathering place for fans—pulling back the curtain on the company’s most exciting upcoming projects while celebrating the deep emotional connections that make Disney fandom unlike any other.

“At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, the magic never stops,” said Michael Vargo, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. “From the moment the first guest walks through the doors of the Anaheim Convention Center to the final curtain at the Honda Center, every hour is filled with something extraordinary. This is where fans become part of the story and every part of the Disney universe comes to life.”

The lineup of stage programming is a celebration of Disney past, present, and future, packed with legendary talent, milestone anniversaries, and all-new reveals across three unforgettable days. Music fans can experience Disney Legend and eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken in a rare one-man concert, join Broadway and animation stars for some of the best Disney hits of the ’80s and ’90s at the Disney Rewind Concert, and hear Grammy®-nominated vocalist and Emmy® winner Seth MacFarlane and other special guests celebrate the timeless Muppets songbook. Milestone anniversaries take the spotlight with 75 years of Alice in Wonderland, 35 years of Beauty and the Beast, 25 years of KINGDOM HEARTS, and 65 years of Marvel’s Spider-Man—while members of the newest class of Disney Legends sit down for an intimate conversation. With showstoppers like D23 Mousequerade: The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest presented by AT&T and the all-new Disney Experiences Auction, there truly is something extraordinary across every stage.

PROGRAMMING RESERVATION INFORMATION

Guests can unlock even more magic at the Anaheim Convention Center through the randomized Reservation Selection Process (“Reservation RSP”), which will distribute reservations for select presentations and experiences based on preferences and availability.

The Reservation RSP will be open from Monday, July 20, at 12 p.m. PT through Friday, July 24, at 12 p.m. PT. Guests may rank their choices and request reservations for groups of up to six people for most offerings.

Confirmed reservations will be emailed beginning August 7. While reservations are not guaranteed, standby queues will be available for presentations at Anaheim Convention Center Event stages, Talent Central, and most Show Floor Experiences.

Honda Center shows are available only to D23 Ultimate Fan Pass and D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass ticket holders. There are no reservations or standby queues available for the Honda Center shows.

SPECTACULAR SLATE OF STAGE PROGRAMMING

Each day at the Honda Center, fans will experience never-ending surprise and delight moments, performances, and announcements, as well as sneak peeks at the incredible films, shows, attractions, experiences, and more coming from Disney’s creative powerhouses and groundbreaking innovators.

Friday, August 14 – Disney Entertainment Showcase

Friday night, the world-class storytellers of The Walt Disney Company will take center stage at the Honda Center for the Disney Entertainment Showcase. Guests can expect surprise celebrity appearances, exclusive first looks at upcoming films and series, exciting new announcements, and unforgettable musical performances. The star-studded presentation will celebrate the stories audiences love while offering an exclusive preview of what’s coming next across Disney’s movies, television, games, and live stage productions.

Saturday, August 15 – Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase

Join host Neil Patrick Harris for a journey into the stories shaping the future of Disney Experiences around the world. Building on the ambitious projects announced in 2024, this year’s showcase will take fans deeper into the creative vision behind what’s to come, hearing directly from the Imagineers, storytellers, artists, and innovators bringing these experiences to life. Inspired by the Carousel of Progress, Neil will guide the show and lead engaging conversations with the people creating the future of Disney Experiences—complete with behind-the-scenes looks, special performances, exciting announcements, and a few surprises along the way.

Sunday, August 16 – Disney Legends Awards Ceremony

Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will feature tributes and memorable moments celebrating the lasting impact of this year’s honorees, bestowing Disney’s highest recognition to a distinguished group of creatives, performers, and leaders, including Chris Berman, Jerry Bruckheimer, Susan Egan, Eric Goldberg, Anne Hathaway, Bob Iger, Kim Irvine, Dwayne Johnson, the Jonas Brothers, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Alan Tudyk.

Across all five stages at the Anaheim Convention Center, fans can experience a wide variety of panels, presentations, and performances, including:

A New Feature Length Documentary from Leslie Iwerks

Discover how Disney’s greatest storytellers draw inspiration from the parks where their worlds were always meant to live, featuring a panel with top filmmakers and special guests, followed by the debut screening of Leslie Iwerks’ new feature coming to Disney+.

Hey Jonas! Live at D23: Celebrating Disney Legends

Celebrate Disney Legends Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas during a live recording of their hit iHeartPodcast, Hey Jonas! Hear unforgettable Disney stories, behind-the-scenes memories, and special guests as they celebrate this incredible milestone together.

Disney Rewind Concert

Relive the magic of VHS vibes with the ultimate throwback event showcasing some of the best Disney hits of the ‘80s and ‘90s, filled with nostalgic favorites performed by Disney and Broadway stars, including Disney Legends Bill Farmer and Jodi Benson, as well as incoming Disney Legend Susan Egan.

A Whole New World of Alan Menken

In this rare, one-man concert Disney Legend and eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken shares the songs and stories behind legendary Disney films and beloved stage and screen musicals that have shaped generations of audiences around the world.

D23 Mousequerade: The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest presented by AT&T

Join host Nina West for the return of the ultimate Disney costume contest. Fans will showcase their Disney-inspired creations on the runway, so join us to vote alongside judges Yvette Nicole Brown, Ashley Eckstein, and Bobby Kim.

The Simpsons: Stories from Springfield

Join the cast and creative team of The Simpsons as they explore the art of storytelling in Springfield, from character-driven comedy and cultural satire to finding fresh stories more than three decades later.

The Muppets Musical History with Seth MacFarlane

Join Grammy®-nominated vocalist and Emmy® winner Seth MacFarlane and other special guests for a conversation about the timeless Muppets songbook. Seth will share the inspiration behind his upcoming Muppets orchestral album.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 3

Join the cast and producers behind Percy Jackson and the Olympians for a must-see celebration packed with behind-the-scenes stories and exciting teases as Season 3 brings The Titan’s Curse to life later this year on Disney+.

Camp Rock 3: The Next Generation

Fresh off the world premiere of Camp Rock 3, join the stars as they share behind-the-scenes stories and favorite moments from bringing a new era of the beloved Camp Rock franchise to life.

Bluey: From the Backyard to the Big Screen

Join the team behind Bluey and get stuck into everything you’d ever want to know about the homegrown Aussie icon turned true-blue global phenomenon. Take a journey from a backyard in Brisbane all the way to the big screen in 2027’s The Bluey Movie.

The Disney Experiences Auction – Rare and Remarkable Finds

Through live and online bidding, join your host Bret Iwan (official voice of Mickey Mouse, Disney Fine Artist) to discover select, verified pieces from Disney’s theme parks and resorts that are ready for their next chapter with the fans who treasure them most. Auction information and registration instructions coming soon.

LEGO Star Wars Screening Event

Experience a special screening of an all-new LEGO Star Wars animated adventure filled with iconic characters, unexpected laughs, and action-packed fun. Perfect for Star Wars and LEGO fans of all ages. More details to come.

Lettuce Show You How We Make Bob’s Burgers!

Order up! The Emmy®-winning Bob’s Burgers creative team takes you from script to screen through a live demonstration featuring voice cast, live drawing, storytelling insights, and a closer look at how they bring the episodes you know and love to life.

Scrubs: Scrubbing Back In

Celebrate the return to Sacred Heart with a conversation with the cast and executive producers of Scrubs featuring behind-the-scenes stories, fan-favorite moments, and a look at why the revival resonates today— daydreams and all.

Beauty and the Beast: A Tale as Old as Time

Celebrate 35 years of Disney Animation’s classic tale Beauty and the Beast—from the screen to the stage and beyond—with filmmakers and stars from the animated feature film and the Broadway production it inspired, including Disney Legends Paige O’Hara, Don Hahn, and Mark Henn, as well as incoming Disney Legend Susan Egan.

Zootopia: Ten Years in the Mammal Metropolis

Celebrate ten years of Disney Animation’s Zootopia films—from theaters and Disney+ to Disney Parks attractions around the world—with the stars and filmmakers behind the mammal metropolis, including Jared Bush, Byron Howard, and Michael Giacchino.

Beyond the Magic: Disney Pin Trading

A panel discussion with the Pin Trading product design team on their role, concept design, and the innovation in pins. The panel will include a D23 talent host and Pin Trading design team with a visual presentation to go with the discussion.

The Quests Ahead for Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game (A.K.A. Ravensburger)

Join the Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game team at Ravensburger as they share what fans can expect from upcoming set releases in 2027 and beyond, future events fans won’t want to miss, and more exciting behind-the-scenes details. They will cover all the highlights of developing this amazing card game as well as some thrilling announcements that you won’t want to miss.

DEEP DIVE into KINGDOM HEARTS

Join us for a journey through light and darkness as we commemorate 25 years of KINGDOM HEARTS. Discover how this saga united Disney, Pixar, and Square Enix, with insights from the creative minds, character voices, and more behind the magic.

Disney Legends in Conversation

Hosted by Disney Legend Robin Roberts, listen in as members from the newest class of Disney Legends partake in an enlightening conversation about their storied careers.

Disney & Nat Geo: Capturing the Wonder of Nature

Go behind the scenes with Disney and National Geographic storytellers as they explore how animals, ecosystems, conservation, and real-world adventures have inspired some of Disney’s most beloved stories, projects, and experiences.

Animating the Action: Disney Magic Live on ESPN

Discover how ESPN and Disney are redefining live sports storytelling—bringing iconic characters and immersive worlds from Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Mickey and Friends, and more into animated broadcasts that elevate the fan experience.

Disney | Marvel: A Legacy of Stories presented by M&M’S

Chart the legacy of Disney and Marvel storytelling through classic comics, epic crossovers, and unique insights from Marvel creatives and Disney archivists. Session includes M&M’S and M&M’S Marvel Mini Poster Fan Packs giveaway.

Future of Digital Comics: Disney, Marvel, & WEBTOON

Explore beloved worlds in a whole new way as Disney, Marvel, and WEBTOON come together to spotlight iconic comics stories reimagined for WEBTOON’s immersive, mobile-first vertical format.

Celebrate 65 Years of Marvel’s Spider-Man!

From the recent return to the big screen in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, to fan-favorite animated series including Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, Spider-Man’s 1,000th comic, toys, and more, Spidey’s been an enduring pop culture icon for nearly 65 years. Join us to celebrate Spider-Man with sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes stories, and more.

Marvel Fanfare

Join Marvel Comics for a talk about the enduring appeal of Spider-Man, his biggest stories from the past 65 years, and more. After the panel, fans will receive an exclusive comic giveaway.

Making Disney Magic with Ron Clements

Legendary Disney Animation director Ron Clements takes you inside his new book, Making Disney Magic, along with very special guests from his prolific legacy of animated films, including Disney Legends Jodi Benson and Mark Henn, as well as incoming Disney Legends Susan Egan and Eric Goldberg.

Floating Mountains: A Conversation with Joe Rohde

Join Disney Legend Joe Rohde for an exclusive discussion of his memoir Floating Mountains. He’ll explore creativity, collaboration, and his work on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Aulani, and beyond—offering rare insight into one of Disney’s most visionary artists.

HUZ: Drawn to Life

Discover Disney Animator Ron Husband’s inspiring story in a new Disney+ documentary from Don Hahn. Hahn and a panel of animators and storytellers share behind-the-scenes stories in a celebration of the artistry and mentorship behind many Disney classics.

Walt Disney: 125 Years of Inspiration

Join D23 as we salute Walt Disney’s 125th birthday. Hear from those who knew him, legends who were inspired by Walt and continue his legacy, plus enjoy some special performances—all inspired by, and in fun celebration of, Walt Disney.

Disney Music Presents: The Art of the Score

Grammy Award®-winning composer Michael Giacchino shares an inside look at his creative process—across Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel—and how he develops music that supports a filmmaker’s vision, featuring a special performance by Anthony Gonzalez.

Disney and The Grammys®: A Musical Legacy

Disney Grammy Award®-winning musical artists reflect on the songs, stories, and creative choices that shaped their careers—and the enduring legacy they continue to build across generations.

Ink & Paint at Disney Animation

Experience the magic behind the Disney Animation Ink & Paint Department come together before your eyes—from rough animation by incoming Disney Legend Eric Goldberg, to an inker transferring the image onto a cel, and then a painter bringing it to life with vibrant color.

Your Dream, Your Valley: Disney Dreamlight Valley

Join us to celebrate Disney Dreamlight Valley, a life-sim adventure game that lets you build and explore a world filled with Disney magic, rich stories, and beloved Disney and Pixar characters. Join the game’s creators for a retrospective and an exciting sneak peek at arrivals in 2026.

Disney Style Around the World

Enjoy a showcase of iconic Disney fashion and exciting product reveals from around the globe and hear from panelists Bobby Kim (Vice President, Global Creative Director for Disney Consumer Products), Tiia Chandler (Senior Director, Global Brand Partnerships for Crocs), and Lily Aldridge (supermodel, mother, entrepreneur, and Disney Style fangirl).

Disney-fying Your Home with Interior Design Magic

Fandom meets interior design with a panel of those who have infused Disney magic into their homes—from minimalist to the extreme design and decor—there’s endless ways to bring Disney’s films and parks to life in your very own home.

The Force of Innovation – Hasbro’s Grogu Animatronic

Join the galaxy’s favorite foundling and the development team behind Hasbro’s Ultimate Grogu collectible as they discuss the expertise and ingenuity needed to bring a character to life as an animatronic… and maybe reveal a few secrets along the way.

The Impact & Legacy of Disney Toys

Disney’s 100‑year toy legacy comes to life as experts Alex Miller, David Pacheco, and Becky Cline explore how Disney toys shaped the company, the industry, and generations of fans through stories, rare art, and iconic artifacts.

Worlds of Tinker Bell: Never Land to Pixie Hollow

Join host Ashley Eckstein and special guests as we explore the magical evolution of Tinker Bell from Peter Pan (1953) to her own enchanting universe in this lively celebration of a favorite Disney fairy.

20 Years of Enchanted: A Love Letter to Disney

Join host Nina West and director Kevin Lima as we celebrate 20 years of Enchanted with a fast-paced, Easter egg-filled tribute featuring special guests and surprises from the Walt Disney Archives collection.

75 Years of Nonsense: Alice in Wonderland

Celebrate 75 years of Disney Animation’s Alice in Wonderland with a look back at rarely seen art from the production and go behind the scenes of the newly restored version of the classic film.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians 65th Anniversary

Celebrate Disney Animation’s pioneering feature film with a look back at rarely seen art from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library.

Searching for the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House

Join Disney artist Kevin Kidney as he shares about his journey to the tropical island to visit the original filming locations from Swiss Family Robinson (1960)—including the legendary tree house that inspired the Disneyland Park attraction.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks: 55 Magical Years

Disney’s dazzling musical has been enchanting audiences since 1971. This multi-media presentation uses rare photos and art to weave a behind-the-scenes spell about the Oscar®-winning masterpiece—including the involvement of Walt Disney himself.

The Sherman Brothers on The Record

The Sherman brothers began their Disney career at what is now Walt Disney Records. Grammy Award®-winning producer and Disney Music Historian Randy Thornton shares rare recordings, demos, and interviews from his many years collaborating with “The Boys.”

Great Moments with Walt Disney

Disney historian Tim O’Day and editor of Disney Files magazine Ryan March share humorous stories and rare video footage of Walt Disney, showing the comedic side of the man behind the magic.

Houses Walt Built: The Walt Disney Family Museum

See rare photos and hear intimate stories about Walt and Lillian Disney’s Woking Way, Carolwood, and Smoke Tree Ranch homes.

The Carolwood Foundation Presents: Walt’s Barn

Come take a ride on the Carolwood Pacific Railroad as you discover the history of Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn. Along the way you’ll learn about our discoveries, secrets, and upcoming projects. All aboard!

Restoration at Disney: Preserving our Legacy

Fans will learn how the award-winning Disney Restoration team preserves and restores its vast library of classics, from Steamboat Willie to The Sound of Music. They’ll also get to hear about the challenges and surprises encountered during the process.

Sounds Delightful: An Illustrated Audio Adventure

Disney artist and historian Stacia Martin gives fans an all-new nostalgic trip through Disney music throughout the decades, playing some of her favorite clips from her personal collection of rare and vintage vinyl records.

The Spotlight Stage presented by Fandango will once again return to the show floor with a host of panels, interviews, presentations, musical groups, and interactive moments for fans to enjoy all day long, including the return of the popular D23 Disney Stars Trivia Showdown and sing-alongs with Nina West, as well as exciting performances like Mëtal Möuse: The Music of Disney – Electrified! With demos and lessons in voice acting, sketching, dancing, and more, the Spotlight Stage presented by Fandango is the place for fans to find some extra magic while immersing themselves in the largest show floor in event history.

For more information on Spotlight Stage presented by Fandango offerings as well as the full schedule of programming across the Anaheim Convention Center, visit D23.com.

Remedy Entertainment Announces CONTROL Resonant Panel at San Diego Comic-Con

Today, Remedy Entertainment, a globally renowned video game company based in Finland, announced that the cast of the upcoming game CONTROL Resonant will make an appearance on Saturday night at San Diego Comic Con.

Saturday July 25th, 6:30PM – 7:30PM

CONTROL Resonant: Exclusive Updates with Cast Members – Room 6BCF – Remedy Entertainment invites you to join actors Sean Durrie (Dylan Faden), Matthew Porretta (Dr. Darling), Frankie Kevich (Zoe De Vera), and Courtney Hope (Jesse Faden) as they offer a deep dive into the world of the upcoming CONTROL Resonant while discussing their characters and their work on the game.

For the latest news and updates on CONTROL Resonant, visit the official channels:

Discord: https://www.discord.gg/remedygames
X (Twitter): https://x.com/ControlRemedy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/controlremedy/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/remedygames.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Control.Remedy/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@remedy.games

The Truth About the Insta360 Electric Suction Cup

Insta360 Electric Suction Cup Mount Review

If your desk looks like a graveyard of cracked lens protectors and dented action cameras, I completely feel your pain. Anyone who films action-related content knows the pure, unadulterated fear of mounting a rig to the outside of a car, skateboard, or even the side of a hard saddlebag. For years, we relied on traditional, passive suction cups. You would pump a little plastic plunger, stick the camera to your door panel, and basically just pray. You spend the whole drive or ride staring at your side mirror, waiting for that awful clatter of metal and glass bouncing down the highway.

But you know what? The tape-and-prayer era of rigging is officially over. Insta360 recently dropped their Insta360 Electric Suction Cup Mount, a smart, motorized grip that promises to monitor its own pressure continuously. It retails for around $89.99 for the single unit, which feels like incredibly cheap insurance for your gear. But does this little robotic barnacle actually work under pressure? Let’s check it out and see if it earns a spot in your gear bag.

Built Like a Tank

Let’s be honest right off the bat. When you trust a piece of plastic with a $500 camera, you want it to feel premium. The physical hardware itself, the actual materials used on the Insta360 mount, feel incredibly robust. The base uses a 4.5-inch suction pad made from a specialized, temperature-resistant silicone rather than standard, cheap rubber. This is a huge deal. Standard rubber gets brittle in the freezing cold or melts into a porous mess in the summer. This silicone compound is rated to survive extreme temperatures from a freezing 5°F all the way up to a scorching 131°F.

Up top, the mount rocks a standard NATO rail, along with 1/4″-20 and 3-prong action camera adapters. The double ball-head design rotates a full 360 degrees, making horizon leveling super easy. It feels practically indestructible.

But here is a weird contradiction. Insta360 markets this beast to extreme sports junkies and off-roaders, rating it to survive a massive 800G impact. Yet, it possesses absolutely zero weather sealing. None. The user manual literally tells you not to use the mount in the rain. Professional reviewers have firmly warned that the digital display and the internal pneumatic sensors are entirely exposed to moisture. If you hit a dense patch of fog or a sudden summer drizzle, you have to pull over and tear down your rig immediately. Action cameras are universally marketed as invincible, so pairing them with a mount that fears a puddle is a highly frustrating experience.

The 53% Heart Attack

Here’s the thing that makes this device tick. The central hub houses a miniaturized vacuum pump powered by a 1000mAh lithium-ion battery. You press the silicone pad firmly against your car door, push a button, and the motor whirs to life, sucking the air out until the digital display hits 100% pressure.

How does it behave when you’re actually out on the road? The algorithm managing this pump is fascinating, but it is also where things get highly controversial. If the silicone seal gets slightly compromised and air slowly leaks in, the motor does not kick back on right away. Let me explain. Independent testers artificially sabotaged the seal to see how the software reacts. They found that the pressure has to plummet all the way down to about 53% before the motor finally wakes up and rapidly repressurizes the vacuum back to 100%.

Allowing the grip to drop by nearly half before intervening is a wild engineering choice. It aggressively conserves electrical energy, giving you a staggering 120 hours of standby battery life on a single charge. It holds. It really holds. But it completely freaks out professional cinematographers. If you are running a heavy camera payload, a 50% drop in grip strength feels way too risky. Many creators are begging Insta360 to add a custom firmware setting, allowing users to force the motor to kick on at an 80% or 90% threshold for peace of mind.

The Physics of the Invisible Pole

If you want to capture those crazy, sweeping third-person shots that look like a drone is chasing your car, a single mount simply won’t cut it. The torsional leverage of a long stick will literally rip a single 4.5-inch cup right off the glass. That brings us to the heavy-duty $299.99 Dual/Triple Electric Suction Cup Car Mount kit.

This massive setup uses rigid 18mm carbon fiber support rods to link two or three electronic bases together, creating a sturdy triangular foundation. By distributing the intense aerodynamic drag across three separate anchors, you can safely run the proprietary Insta360 Action Invisible Selfie Stick up to a meter away from your vehicle at highway speeds.

A quick digression about getting your hands on this gear. If you ever find yourself frantically scrambling for rigging equipment before a weekend track day in Southern California, you are in luck. The physical retail footprint for these specialized kits is surprisingly great. Big-box stores like the Best Buy at the Orangefair Mall in Anaheim usually carry the heavy-duty $300 Triple mount right on the shelf. Or, if you need serious expert advice for a complex custom car rig, legacy institutions like Samy’s Camera just down the street in Santa Ana have you completely covered. It is nice to know you can grab this highly specialized hardware locally without waiting days for e-commerce shipping.

Flying Blind Without Bluetooth

Now, we have to talk about the software, or rather, the lack of it. Honestly, Insta360 makes some of the most polished mobile apps in the entire photography industry. Their AI tracking and editing suites are legendary. But the Electric Suction Cup operates as a completely “dumb” piece of isolated hardware.

It lacks a basic Bluetooth transmitter. Why does this matter? Well, if you stick your camera onto your rear bumper or the passenger-side roof, you cannot see the little digital screen on the mount. You have absolutely no way to check the battery life or the real-time suction pressure from the driver’s seat. You are driving completely blind. Having those pressure telemetry metrics beamed directly into the Insta360 phone app would drastically reduce driver anxiety.

The Rivals in the Rearview Mirror

Insta360 is not the only player in this new mechanized mounting game. The competition is heating up fast. SmallRig just dropped their 5-inch Electric Suction Cup for around $119.99 (though you can frequently find it on sale for around $83.99). SmallRig took the opposite approach to battery life. Their mount features a larger 2000mAh battery, but it automatically repressurizes the exact moment the vacuum drops below a strict 75% threshold. It only lasts 30 hours instead of 120, but it provides a significantly more rigid, unyielding grip for heavier setups.

Then you have the premium Tilta Hydra Alien Mini ecosystem. Tilta directly solved the weather issue by giving their massive 6-inch electronic cup an IPX5 water-resistance rating. They also sell an optional wireless monitoring screen so you can view your pressure data from inside the car cabin. Insta360 really needs to watch their back here, because rivals are actively fixing their biggest blind spots.

The Final Verdict

So, should you buy the Insta360 Electric Suction Cup Mount? Yes, absolutely, but you need to understand its limits. At $90, it is a phenomenal entry into active camera rigging. It fundamentally changes the way you approach automotive and action filming by eliminating the constant dread of an unexpected drop. The 120-hour battery efficiency is brilliant for long cross-country road trips.

You just have to be willing to live with the quirks. You must meticulously wipe down your car panels so the tiny white filter does not clog with dust. You have to frantically unmount it if the sky gets dark and it starts to rain. And you have to trust that the 53% re-pressurization algorithm knows exactly what it is doing. If you can navigate those minor headaches, this robotic mount is a wildly capable tool that will effortlessly elevate your driving footage.

Overall Rating 4 out of 5

Pros

  • Holding Power: It provides an incredibly strong and reliable grip.
  • Battery Efficiency: The algorithmic pressure management allows the 1000mAh battery to last for a staggering 120 hours..
  • Value: At $89.99, it brings automated, active-suction technology to a highly accessible price point.

Cons

  • Zero Weatherproofing: The complete lack of weather sealing is the biggest complaint.
  • No App Integration: Lack of Bluetooth connectivity to monitor the battery/status remotely.
  • Loose Repressurization Threshold: The motor waits until the vacuum pressure drops to roughly 53% before kicking back on.

SNEG Bringing 6 Classic PC Titles to Steam and GOG Including Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor

To coincide with its Steam publisher sale through July 27th, boutique publisher SNEG has today revealed that it will be bringing a slew of classic PC titles to Steam and GOG. Following its preservation initiative with Warhammer Classics, SNEG’s upcoming batch of lost gems includes the heritage D&D title Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor, along with strategy stalwarts Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria and Soldiers at War.

That’s not all, as SNEG has also resurrected the French action-RPG Dark Earth, and classic survival horror titles Ecstatica 1 & 2.

D&D fans will be happy to see Stormfront Studios 2001’s Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor. This homage to the legendary 1988 Pool of Radiance was praised for its faithful, turn-based adaptation of D&D 3rd edition rules.

Meanwhile, Infinite Interactive’s 2003 outing Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria continued the iconic Warlords strategy series, known for its fantasy setting and tactical 1v1 battles.

Also included is French developer Kalisto Entertainment’s 1997 cult classic action-adventure game Dark Earth, which showcased the region’s unique take on sci-fi fantasy. Set in a post-apocalyptic ruin following a meteor collision with earth, players embark upon a journey as a protector of one of the last remaining bastions of civilization.

Other European curios include Andrew Spencer Studio’s early survival horror action-adventures Ecstatica 1 & 2. Originally published by the iconic Psygnosis in 1994 and 1997 respectively, these put players in the role of a nameless traveler 928 AD Northern Europe, encountering an ominous village overrun by demons.

Rounding out the package is Random Games’ 1998’s Soldiers at War, which offered a tactic-based WWII campaign where players take control of American soldiers across single-player and PvP skirmishes.

“At SNEG, we love bringing classic games back to life – especially the ones that were ahead of their time, or just unusual in interesting ways,” said Artem Shchuiko, Director at SNEG. “This curated slate of 6 games is a great example of that. Each of them tried something interesting and pushed PC gaming in its own way, with all the creativity, ambition, and even technical limitations of its era. We believe these games deserve to be available again – for players who remember them, for people discovering them for the first time, and hopefully even for creators who may find a spark of inspiration in these lost gems.”

Wishlist SNEG’s upcoming catalogue – or buy their already available titles – during the SNEG Publisher Sale on Steam.

SPACEBALLS: THE NEW ONE to Go Ludicrous Speed at San Diego Comic-Con

SPACEBALLS: THE NEW ONE is preparing to go to ludicrous speed at San Diego Comic-Con! Join the cast and filmmakers as they land in Hall H on Friday, July 24 at 4:00 p.m. And remember: please keep your Schwartz inside the convention center at all times.

SPACEBALLS: THE NEW SYNOPSIS

Somehow, Dark Helmet has returned! Forty years after the events of the first Spaceballs, fifty years after the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, and one year after the events of The Devil Wears Prada 2, the galaxy is once again under threat. A threat so evil, so unstoppable, so completely lacking in any original ideas, that it has vowed to bring back the past… every last bit of it.

With Lone Starr in hiding, Queen Vespa on the throne, and the Schwartz stretched thinner than a franchise releasing TV episodes theatrically, the only hope for the galaxy is Vespa’s undisciplined son, Prince Starburst, and a mysterious Palace advisor named Destiny. Together, they must find Lone Starr, Yogurt, and any other iconic legacy characters fans are demanding before they discover the hard way that, while some threats you can fight, the reboot is not one of them.

Agefield High: Rock the School Launches This August

Your back to school list is growing with Agefield High: Rock the School arriving August 12th on Steam. Inspired by the hilarious and chaotic comedies of the early 2000’s, Agefield High is your chance to be the big man on campus. With graduation on the horizon, play as Sam and become a legend!

How you navigate the tumultuous life of a small-town high schooler is up to you, but all roads lead to Sam and his friends rocking the school and ending the year with a bang! Explore the open world of Agefield, stick it to the school bullies, and make some extra cash to look fly while doing it. Just steer clear of teachers and cops if you’re skipping class and being a hooligan!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3562580/Agefield_High_Rock_the_School/

About Agefield High:

  • A Senior Year to Remember (or Regret): Follow Sam’s journey through 30+ main missions filled with humor, rebellion, and teenage drama.
  • Raise Hell Across Agefield: Freely roam the school campus, town center, neighborhoods, and countryside in a fully open world.
  • Side Hustle Your Way to the Top: Take on side hustles, earn cash, and complete mini missions to become the talk of the school.
  • Go to Class…or Don’t: Attend or skip classes while navigating schedules, routines, and consequences.
  • Your Look, Your Legacy: Upgrade your look with new clothes, bikes, hairstyles, and more.
  • Pop-Punk, Satire, and Zero Chill: A pop-punk soundtrack, vibrant visuals, and satirical tone bring the era to life.

Study up and wishlist Agefield High: Rock the School on Steam now! Then stay tuned for more information as the release date approaches, including an update on when Agefield High will come to consoles.

Why Insta360 Mic Pro’s Noise Cancellation Destroys the Competition

Insta360 Mic Pro Wireless System Review

If you have ever recorded a video in public, you know the exact feeling of the “creator walk of shame.” You are walking down a busy street, talking to a camera, and clipped to your collar is a giant, glowing, glossy plastic box that practically screams, “Look at me, I am making a video!” It is awkward. Even worse, many of these modern clip-on microphones have bright, flashing LEDs or massive, reflective company logos that ruin the look of your outfit on camera.

Insta360 wants to solve this design headache with their new Insta360 Mic Pro Wireless system. The standard bundle which includes two transmitters, a receiver, and a hardshell charging case retails for $329.99. That is a premium price, putting it right in the ring with heavy hitters like the DJI Mic series and the RODE Wireless PRO. But the Mic Pro has a clever trick up its sleeve.

The front of each circular transmitter features a 1.22-inch, six-color E-Ink display. You can upload custom images, show graphics, or station logos directly through the mobile application. Because it is E-Ink, the screen only saps power when the image actually changes. Once your logo is set, the image stays there permanently, even when the transmitter is powered off.

You can even set it to a solid black or grey background to blend in with your clothing, effectively camouflaging the microphone on camera. Additionally, because there is no active backlight, the screen exhibits zero refresh-rate flickering or weird visual patterns when captured on camera. Honestly, it is a brilliant idea that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner.

Why Three Mics Beat One

Most traditional clip-on wireless microphones rely on a single omnidirectional microphone capsule. It is a simple setup that captures sound in a broad sphere, but it means you cannot change how the microphone behaves in a noisy room. The Mic Pro changes the game by packing a three-microphone array arranged in a tight triangle right inside its round chassis.

Using smart digital processing, the system combines the audio from these three capsules to create four selectable pickup patterns. Let me explain how this works in the field:

  • Omnidirectional Mode: This is your standard setting, capturing sound in all directions. It is great for natural field recordings where you want to capture the atmosphere of your surroundings alongside your voice.
  • Cardioid Mode: This focuses the capture zone directly in front of the mic, rejecting noise from the sides and rear. If you slide the transmitter onto your camera’s cold shoe, it acts like a directional shotgun mic, saving you from carrying extra gear.
  • Figure-8 Mode: This profile captures sound from the front and rear while rejecting lateral noise. It is highly useful for quick, two-person interviews where you can place a single transmitter on a table between you and capture both voices with balanced clarity.
  • Super-directional (Voice Focus): This uses adaptive beamforming to lock onto your voice in extremely noisy spaces.

Here is a quick contradiction, though. While these patterns are incredibly versatile, they are digitally synthesized using software math rather than physical acoustic tubes. If you cover one of the physical mic ports with a heavy winter coat, it can throw off the digital calculations, making your voice sound slightly artificial. But when kept clear, the flexibility it offers is phenomenal.

NPU AI Noise Cancelling

Vlogging outdoors is a constant battle against noise. Traffic, wind, construction – they all conspire to ruin your audio. The Mic Pro tackles this with an onboard neural processing unit (NPU) chip designed specifically for intelligent noise reduction.

In technical tests against running office fans, the “Strong” noise cancelling setting completely killed the background drone. It outperformed the DJI Mic 3 by a wide margin under identical conditions, keeping the voice sounding remarkably clean and natural without that watery, digital distortion that cheaper microphones suffer from.

You get both Weak and Strong settings, giving you the flexibility to adapt to your environment. However, keep in mind that Strong noise cancellation is disabled when using the super-directional Voice Focus mode to prevent phase cancellation artifacts. If you are vlogging in a noisy coffee shop or recording on a breezy day, this noise reduction engine is easily one of the best in the business.

Audio Samples

Standard Wind Level

Heavy Wind Level

32-Bit Float and Onboard Backups

Every creator has experienced the gut-wrenching feeling of checking their footage only to find the audio clipped and ruined because someone laughed too loudly. To prevent this, each Mic Pro transmitter comes loaded with 32GB of internal flash memory. It functions as a standalone recorder, capturing up to 44 hours of uncompressed audio.

More importantly, it supports 32-bit float internal recording. Think of 32-bit float as the audio equivalent of shooting RAW photos. It captures a massive dynamic range of 168dB, making digital clipping physically impossible.

If a subject suddenly shouts, you can simply pull the volume down in DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro later, recovering the audio perfectly with zero distortion. The internal system also splits your files into 30-minute segments automatically, ensuring that even if your camera battery dies mid-shoot, your audio files remain safe and uncorrupted.

If you shoot on compatible cameras like the Ace Pro 2 or X5, the Direct Connect feature lets you pair the transmitter directly over Bluetooth. This bypasses the physical receiver entirely, keeping your setup clean and incredibly light.

Real-World Scratches and Case Quibbles

As brilliant as the audio tech is, we need to talk about where the physical design falls short. Honestly, the hardware has a few frustrating quirks that become obvious after a few days in the field.

Let’s start with the mounting clips. While the backing plates on the mic and clip are metal, the guide rails on the transmitter housing are thin plastic. Removing the clips requires significant physical force. If you slide the clip off-angle, it can easily tear the soft silicone casing or damage the plastic rails.

Then there is the charging case. It is a sleek hardshell box, but the designers made a classic mistake: the furry windmuffs do not fit inside the case while attached to the transmitters. You have to pull them off every single time you put the microphones away.

Even worse, there is no designated slot inside the hard case to store the 3.5mm camera cable. You are forced to carry these accessories in a separate soft neoprene bag, which defeats the purpose of an all-in-one charging case and makes it easy to lose your cables on a hectic set.

Additionally, the companion app feels surprisingly intrusive. It constantly prompts you to register an account, pushes promotional ads, and has even sent sales notifications to macOS desktops.

Finally, action camera users should be careful. If you pair the Mic Pro with a GoPro Mission 1 Pro, you might encounter garbled, popping audio over stock firmware. In extremely hot environments (exceeding 110°F), the GoPro’s processor can thermal-throttle, causing the USB-C audio stream to disconnect completely. In those harsh conditions, you’ll have to rely strictly on the transmitter’s internal 32-bit float backup files.

Is It Worth Your Money?

Ultimately, the Insta360 Mic Pro (2 TX + 1 RX) Kit is a highly advanced, premium audio tool that delivers spectacular sound quality. The three-mic array, incredible noise cancellation, and unique E-Ink branding faceplates make it a standout choice for professional videographers and active content creators.

However, the fragile plastic clip rails, the bulky receiver, and the charging case storage limitations keep it from being a flawless masterpiece. If you are already in the Insta360 camera ecosystem, it is a fantastic, seamless upgrade. For general camera users, if you can live with the case quirks and the bulky transmitters, the stellar sound quality and E-Ink customization make it highly worth the investment.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Pros
  • Spectacular audio with 3-mic array
  • Customizable, power-saving E-Ink screens
  • Best-in-class NPU active noise cancellation
  • Bulletproof 32-bit float internal backups
  • Direct wireless pairing to action cameras
Cons
  • Windmuffs do not fit inside case
  • Bulky transmitters drag down light shirts
  • Companion app has heavy ad bloat