Author - Jerry Paxton

Framework Unveils Ryzen AI Max Powered Mini-PC and Ryzen AI 300 Laptop

Today, we introduced the Framework Desktop, a tiny 4.5L Mini-ITX desktop powered by AMD’s massive new Ryzen AI Max processors.  Pre-orders are open now, with first shipments in early Q3 2025.  When AMD shared the Ryzen AI Max with us, we immediately knew we had to use it.  It has up to 16 CPU cores at 5.1GHz boost clock, discrete-level Radeon 8060S graphics, and support for up to an insane 128GB of unified LPDDR5x.  That enables 1440p or higher gaming on the heaviest titles, big creative and workstation workloads, and true local AI use cases.  This is an absolute monster of a processor, and we shifted our roadmap a year ago to make space for it.  In a desktop form factor, we get to unlock every bit of its performance with 120W sustained power and 140W boost while staying quiet and cool.

You may still be wondering, why does Framework need to build a desktop?  Aren’t desktops already modular and upgradeable?  They are.  In fact, the desktop PC ethos is part of what inspired the Framework Laptop to begin with.  The desktop world is amazing.  There is a broad, long-lived, interoperable ecosystem with hundreds of brands and hundreds of millions of consumers participating.  You can build, upgrade, repair, and personalize to the limits of your imagination (and budget, and desk space), and share your amazing creations with all of the other true believers.  We want to make this space as accessible as we possibly can by building a desktop that is simultaneously small and simple and incredibly powerful and customizable.  Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the culture around PCs and PC gaming first-hand.

With that in mind, we leveraged all of the key PC standards everywhere we could.  Framework Desktop’s Ryzen AI Max-powered Mainboard is a standard Mini-ITX form factor with ATX headers, a PCIe x4 slot, and a broad set of rear I/O (including 2x USB4, 2x DisplayPort, HDMI, and 5Gbit Ethernet), so you can drop it into your own case if you prefer.  We developed a semi-custom 400W power supply with FSP in a standard Flex ATX form factor.  We use standard 120mm CPU fans with a thermal system co-developed with Cooler Master and Noctua, and you can choose to bring your own fan as well if you prefer.  We enabled two PCIe NVME M.2 2280 slots for up to 16TB of storage and Wi-Fi 7 through an RZ717 Wi-Fi module.

Framework Desktop brings the PC ethos around customization as well.  You can choose between black and translucent side panels, select an RGB fan, and attach an optional carrying handle to bring it with you to LAN parties (or just to your living room).  We also designed the front panel of the case to be made up of 21 color-customizable tiles, and we’ve open sourced the design so you can 3D print your own too.  We also brought over the Expansion Card system from Framework Laptops, with two slots at the front of Framework Desktop enabling front port customization.

There is one place we did have to step away from PC norms though, which is on memory.  To enable the massive 256GB/s memory bandwidth that Ryzen AI Max delivers, the LPDDR5x is soldered.  We spent months working with AMD to explore ways around this but ultimately determined that it wasn’t technically feasible to land modular memory at high throughput with the 256-bit memory bus.  Because the memory is non-upgradeable, we’re being deliberate in making memory pricing more reasonable than you might find with other brands.

The top-end Ryzen AI Max+ 395 configuration with 128GB of memory starts at just $1999 USD.  This is excellent for gaming, but it is a truly wild value proposition for AI workloads.  Local AI inference has been heavily restricted to date by the limited memory capacity and high prices of consumer and workstation graphics cards.  With Framework Desktop, you can run giant, capable models like Llama 3.3 70B Q6 at real-time conversational speed right on your desk.  With USB4 and 5Gbit Ethernet networking, you can connect multiple systems or Mainboards to run even larger models like the full DeepSeek R1 671B.

The base Framework Desktop comes in even lower, with the 8-core Ryzen AI Max 385 configuration with 32GB of memory starting at $1099.  All of the systems are DIY Editions, meaning you can choose to bring your own storage and operating system.  This is the easiest PC you’ll ever build, and we’ll be publishing step-by-step guides and videos to get you there.  Framework Desktop supports both Windows 11 and a range of popular Linux distros like Ubuntu and Fedora, along with gaming-focused OS’s like Bazzite and Playtron.  You can also pre-order the Mainboard on its own today, starting at $799.  This is truly a game-changing processor from AMD, and we’re excited for you to see what we’ve done with it in the Framework Desktop!

AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series Powered Framework Laptop 13

We’re excited to announce the new AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series-powered Framework Laptop 13, available for pre-order today with first shipments in April.  These bring new processors, Wi-Fi 7, a revamped thermal system, a next-generation keyboard, and new Bezel and Expansion Card color options.  It looks (mostly) the same on the outside, and we’re glad!  It means we can continue to deliver on the promise of longevity by keeping Framework Laptop 13 fully upgradeable and repairable in a thin, light 13.5” form factor.  That means that any Framework Laptop 13 owner, going all the way back to the original 11th Gen Intel Core version in 2021, can pick up the new modules and upgrade the computer they already own to the latest technology.  We’ve kept all the great improvements from the last generation too, with a 61Wh battery and optional 2.8k 120Hz 13.5” 3:2 matte display.

First, the biggest change is of course our move to AMD’s new Ryzen AI 300 Series processors, which bring a fantastic jump in performance.  These use Zen 5 CPU cores along with Radeon RDNA 3.5 graphics.  In addition to 6-core Ryzen 5 and 8-core Ryzen 7 configurations, for the first time, we also have a top-end Ryzen 9 HX 370 option that brings 12 CPU cores at up to 5.1GHz boost and 16 GPU cores.  That means you can play modern game titles at a surprising framerate.  Historically, this level of graphics performance would have needed a discrete GPU, and it’s amazing to see it now in an ultraportable, efficient laptop.  Because this processor also has a 50 TOPS NPU, it supports Copilot+ and an increasing number of ROCm-compatible open source AI toolkits.

Alongside that performance, we’ve kept the system quiet and cool with a revamped thermal system.  This now leverages one large 10mm heatpipe and Honeywell’s awesome PTM7958 phase change thermal interface material.  Also on the Mainboard, we’ve kept support for two slots of DDR5-5600 memory, upgradeable to 96GB, and one PCIe 4 M.2 2280 storage slot, upgradeable to 8TB.  We’ve additionally brought connectivity up to Wi-Fi 7 using AMD’s RZ717 module.  Finally, on the four Expansion Card slots, the rear two support USB4 and both of the front two now handle USB 3.2 plus DisplayPort, enabling up to four simultaneous display outputs.

One other quality of life change is on our new second-generation keyboard.  We kept the same awesome-feeling 1.5mm key travel and worked with our keyboard partner Lite-On on a new key structure on the wide keys (e.g. spacebar and shift) that reduces buzzing when your speakers are cranked up.  For our pre-built configurations pre-loaded with Windows 11, we have updated keyboard artwork with a Copilot key.  Don’t worry though; as always we have our DIY Edition where you can bring your own memory, storage, and operating system.  These come with an alternate set of keyboard artwork options with no Windows logo for all of you using Linux and BSD.  We continue to prioritize Linux, with official support for Ubuntu and Fedora and community support for a broader set of distros.

One last area we’re especially enthusiastic about is expanding color customization options.  We’re bringing transparency back to consumer electronics!  We kicked off new injection molding tooling to re-enable the Translucent Bezel, and we’re taking this opportunity to add Translucent Purple, Green, and Black too.  We have a new set of Translucent USB-C Expansion Cards to go with them as well.  The combination looks truly fantastic and reflects back to a golden age of consumer electronics industrial design.

We can’t wait to see what you think of our latest updates.  AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series starts at $899 (USD) for DIY Edition and $1099 for pre-built systems.  You can pre-order the new Mainboard on its own starting at $449.  This is our seventh iteration on Framework Laptop 13, and we’re excited to continue making it better every year.  To make Framework Laptop 13 more accessible, we’re also keeping previous generation AMD Ryzen 7040 Series systems in production, starting at a newly discounted price of $749.  All of these products are available to pre-order or order today, shipping to all 32 countries we deliver to.

Framework 12

Today, we shared an early preview of the new Framework Laptop 12, a durable, repairable, upgradeable, 12.2” touchscreen convertible notebook.  This computer is the purest manifestation of our vision and product philosophy at Framework, and is in many ways the product I started the company to create.  We build products to fix what we see as a broken industry, and few categories are as emblematic of the problems with consumer electronics as entry-level laptops.  They tend to be janky, locked-down, disposable, underpowered, and frankly, boring machines.  Shamefully, these are the products that PC brands market for use by students and young people around the world.  Instead, we believe these are the people who most need thoughtfully designed, long-lasting computers.

That brings us back to Framework Laptop 12.  We designed this computer from the start to take all of the upgradeability and longevity of Framework Laptop 13 and bring it into a smaller, lower cost, more flexible, and more colorful form factor.  We’re introducing it in five bold colorways, each with an optional color-matched stylus.  The two-tone look isn’t just for show, either.  We overmolded shock-absorbing TPU over rigid PC/ABS plastic with an inner metal structure for robustness.  In the event you ever do manage to break it, it’s also our easiest product ever to repair.  We took all of the design for repairability learnings from Framework Laptop 13 and 16 and pushed them even further in Framework Laptop 12. We’ll be sharing more on that on the path to launch.

We also designed this laptop to be unusually powerful for its class.  Instead of using a typical small-core processor, we brought in the full 13th Gen Intel Core processor in i3 and i5 variants.  We enabled support for up to 48GB of DDR5-5200, 2TB of NVMe storage, and Wi-Fi 6E, all of which are modular and upgradeable.  We also customized the 1920×1200 display to deliver >400 nit brightness along with touch and stylus support.  As always, we’re supporting both Windows 11 and Linux too.

Even though we had students in mind when we began developing this product two years ago, we found as we iterated through prototypes that every adult who tried it wanted one too!  I’ll personally be switching to a Framework Laptop 12 as my primary laptop now that we’ve announced it.  We’ll be sharing much more detail on specifications and pricing as we get closer to the launch of Framework Laptop 12.  We’ll open pre-orders in April, with first shipments in mid-2025.  This is a defining product for us, and we can’t wait for you to try it.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Hits The Screens Again for 20th Anniversary

Today, Lucasfilm announced the return of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith’’ to the big screen on April 25 to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary. The film will run in U.S. theaters and select international territories for one week only and will be available in several formats, including, for the first time, 4DX. 4DX features high-tech motion chairs that sync with over 21 effects, all designed to complement the narrative of the film.

Renowned graphic artist Matt Ferguson created an exciting new poster for the re-release event.

“Revenge of the Sith” takes place years after the onset of the Clone Wars, when the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists. When the sinister Sith unveil a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles and from its ashes rises the evil Galactic Empire. Jedi Hero Anakin Skywalker is seduced by the dark side of the Force to become the Emperor’s new apprentice – Darth Vader. The Jedi are decimated, as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Master Yoda are forced into hiding.

The film stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz as Yoda, Jimmy Smits, Peter Mayhew, Ahmed Best, Oliver Ford Davies, Temuera Morrison, Anthony Daniels, Silas Carson, Kenny Baker with Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu and Christopher Lee as Count Dooku. George Lucas wrote and directed the film.

Razer Introduces Powerful New Razer Blade 18 and Blade 16 Available for Pre-order

Razer™, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today unveiled the Razer Blade 18 (2025) – the most powerful Razer Blade ever. The Blade 18 embodies Razer’s ability to bring a premium desktop experience that delivers superior gaming performance and empowers intensive creative workflows, while on the go. Additionally, the Blade 16, showcased at CES 2025, along with the newly announced Blade 18 are now available for pre-order today Razer.com and RazerStores.

A Portable Powerhouse: Game and Create Flawlessly with the All-New Razer Blade 18 

  • Big Screen Experience Made Faster: The world’s first 18″ dual mode display letting you switch seamlessly between UHD+ 240HZ for detail and FHD+ 440Hz for maximum speed.
  • The Most Powerful Laptop Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 ​L​aptop GPU – Unlocking the maximum Total Graphics Power (TGP) available for the most demanding tasks and games.
  • Latest Desktop-Grade Processing: Intel® Core™ Ultra 200HX series processors give gamers, creators, and professionals enthusiasts level performance for consuming and creating on the go.
  • 280W of TPP (Total Package Power): Pushing mobile compute to the max with our most advanced thermal engineering solution ever.
  • Desktop Features Made Portable: Bringing advanced connectivity, enhanced audio|visual experience, and gaming keyboard features to portable computing.

Unparalleled Performance and Fidelity

The new Razer Blade 18 stands to be the most powerful Blade ever featuring the latest technologies that drive elite-level performance and visual clarity by offering:

  • World’s First 18” Dual Mode Display for Unprecedented Versatility: Featuring the world’s first 18” dual mode display with native UHD+ (3840×2400) 240Hz and FHD+ (1920×1200) 440Hz resolutions and refresh rates, 3.0ms response time , and DCI-P3 100% color gamut; Calman Verified and factory-calibrated,  Blade 18 offers gamers and creators ultra-high-definition visuals when detail is needed and breakneck refresh rates for ultra smooth gaming experiences needed for competitive gaming.
  • Desktop-Level Processing in a Thin Chassis: At just 21.99mm (~0.86 in) thin from its thinnest point, the Blade 18 is the slimmest 18” Intel® HX-class system*. Powered by the Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 275HX, which is engineered for uncompromised performance boosting to 5.4GHz with 24 Cores and 24 threads, the Blade 18 excels in intensive tasks from AAA gaming to content creation and can be easily pushed further with its overclocking capabilities via Razer Synapse.
  • Exceptional Graphics Performance: Armed with up to an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 Laptop GPU pushing up to 175W ​of maximum graphics power ​in the slimmest-in-class chassis, maximizing performance in a portable package. NVIDIA 50 Series Laptop GPUs, powered by the latest NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, bring game-changing capabilities to gamers and creators. Multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, an advanced AI-powered rendering suite designed for GeForce RTX  50 Series  GPUs. Utilizing Tensor Cores, DLSS 4 enhances frame rates while maintaining sharp, high-quality visuals comparable to native resolution. ​​​​DLSS Multi-Frame Generation can generate up to three additional frames for every traditionally rendered frame. Combined with the full DLSS suite, this technology boosts performance by up to 8X compared to conventional rendering. ​Equipped with a massive level of AI horsepower, generate images at unprecedented speed, and unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio. Plus, access NVIDIA NIM microservices – state-of-the-art AI models that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, agents, and workflows with peak performance on NIM-ready systems​​.​​​

*Based on comparable 18” gaming laptops available in the US market as of Feb 19th, 2025.

Desktop Features, Made Portable

The Blade 18 is engineered to maximize performance and bring a desktop-level user experience by providing these features, including:

  • 280W Total Package Power (TPP), Maximum Cooling: The Blade 18’s advanced thermal management system, featuring the thinnest exhaust fins in its class with a vapor-cooled chamber, maximizes graphics power and maintains desktop-class performance in a thin design. Featuring Razer’s biggest chamber ever with a 3-fan system that quickly and efficiently dissipate​s​ heat, ensuring optimal performance.
  • All-New Redesigned Keyboard: Offers a more enjoyable typing experience due to a new redesigned scissor switch that allows for 35% more travel distance versus the last generation Blade 18 and a responsive 63g actuation force. The Blade 18 now includes a 10-key numeric keypad for enhanced productivity, and dual-LED backlighting per key powered by Razer Chroma RGB for more extensive customization.
  • Desktop Levels of Connectivity: The Blade 18 features 2x Thunderbolt™ ports (1x Thunderbolt 5 | 1x Thunderbolt 4), Wi-Fi 7, HDMI 2.1, Bluetooth 5.4 and Gigabit LAN, ensuring blazing fast transfer speeds and ample amounts of connectivity to suite every user’s need.
  • THX ™ Enhanced Audio: Each Blade 18 boasts a high-fidelity six speaker system with       THX ™ Spatial Audio and pre-tuned audio profiles, providing 7.1 virtual surround sound for an immersive and cinematic audio experience.
  • Crystal Clear Video and Sound: The Blade 18 includes a 5MP camera featuring Windows Hello with a privacy shutter, allowing for clear video and audio calls with its dual microphone array.  

The Razer Blade Advantage

Razer possesses extensive knowledge and expertise in crafting gaming laptops that offer a unique user experience. By prioritizing not only superior performance but also the quality of materials, exceptional customer support, and environmental sustainability, Razer ensures that every Blade delivers the best possible experience in every aspect.

Each Blade is precision milled from a single block of T6 aluminum to form a rigid unibody design, the Blade 18 is treated with a sand-blasted texture for a smoother finish and to remove blemishes and impurities. The anodized matte finish bonds color to the metal for improved resilience and is treated with a fingerprint-resistant coating.

Along with impeccable build quality, Razer Blades come with an industry-leading battery warranty of up to 2 years. Razer’s award-winning customer service team ensures that users receive top-notch service and support. For those seeking extra peace of mind, RazerCare offers up to 3 additional years of coverage in select regions.

Every Razer Blade released in 2025, including the Blade 18, marks the first generation of Razer Blades to use recycled aluminum for the chassis, bringing Razer one step closer to achieving its goal of incorporating recycled material across 100% of the product line-ups by 2030.

Razer’s newly redesigned laptop packaging removes plastic bubble wrap in favor of an innovative cardboard structure that provides effective impact cushioning while being widely recyclable through standard programs. By optimizing its dimensions and weight, the design helps lower emissions associated with transportation and warehouse storage. Made from FSC-certified cardboard—sourced from responsibly managed forests—and printed with soy-based ink, the packaging reduces petroleum-based components in the recycling process. While recyclability depends on local waste management systems, this plastic-free approach supports better material recovery and reuse. This approach reflects our commitment to minimizing environmental impact while delivering a premium unboxing experience.

The Blade 16 (2025) Now Available for Pre-order 

Razer Blade 16

Announced at CES 2025 and now available for pre-order, the newly redesigned Blade 16 is Razer’s thinnest gaming laptop. Packed with features, it offers an exceptional balance of portability and performance, making it ideal for any gamer to experience top-tier performance on-the-go.

Razer Blade 16 Features:          

Reimagined Innovative Design

  • The thinnest gaming laptop ever designed by Razer achieving a slim 0.59-inch profile at its thinnest point.
  • New thermal hood design that effectively manages thermals with a new vapor chamber cooling solution that covers 57% of the motherboard and features 0.05 mm thin exhaust fins for greater heat dissipation.

Peak AI-Powered Performance

  • Features up to a NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 Laptop GPU, with 24 GB of GDDR7 VRAM and pushes up to 160W of maximum graphics power.
  • First Blade First Blade 16 to be powered by an AMD Ryzen™ processor, up to an AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370, with an NPU that features up to 50 TOPS for access to Copilot+ experiences, including powerful image creation tools with Cocreator, live translations when watching international content with Live Captions, and improved Windows Studio Effects to boost their presentations.
  • Packs a crystal clear QHD+ 240Hz OLED display offering Calman Verified color profiles and a blazing fast .2ms response time.

Best-in-Class Experience

  • Redesigned keyboard with a deeper 1.5mm travel distance, for 50% more travel vs the last generation Blade 16, and ~63g of actuation force for a more responsive typing experience. 
  • Upgraded 6-speaker audio system for a richer listening experience featuring THX™ Spatial Audio.

Pre-orders for Blade 16 and Blade 18 start today at Razer.com, RazerStores, and select retailers.  For more information, please visit Razer.com.

Exclusive Razer.com and RazerStore Pre-order Bonus: 

  • The New Razer Blade 16: For a limited time, pre-order at Razer.com or RazerStores and receive the all-new X-Ray Razer Skin for Blade 16 plus a USB-C Dock.
  • The New Razer Blade 18: For a limited time, pre-order at Razer.com or RazerStores and receive the all-new X-Ray Razer Skin for Blade 18 plus a Laptop Stand Chroma.

Cubic Odyssey Demo Out Now for Steam Next Fest

Gaijin Entertainment is pleased to announce that the demo version of Cubic Odyssey, an open-world adventure, is participating in the Steam Next Fest that is being held from February 24th (18:00 GMT) until March 3rd (18:00 GMT). The demo is already available to download on the Cubic Odyssey Steam page, and players are welcome to add the game to their Steam wishlist.

The demo is single player only and consists of one planet that players are free to explore while meeting the locals, fighting enemies, mining ore, building bases and fixing their spaceship. It would take a few hours for the players to get through the basic quest and get introduced to the game’s mechanics. The demo is dedicated to the Miner class who has the perfect set of skills for the first foray into the Cubic Odyssey universe.

Cubic Odyssey is an indie game developed by Atypical Software and published by Gaijin Entertainment. It will become available for purchase on Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2025. The exact price and the release date will be announced later.

About Cubic Odyssey

Cubic Odyssey is an open-world adventure where a player explores vibrant planets, crafts tools, builds vehicles, takes on diverse quests, and fights the Red Darkness as the epic story of saving the galaxy unfolds before them. The game features seamless ground, air and space traversal, as well as optional co-op mode.

TRON: Catalyst Release Date Trailer

Big Fan, a Devolver Digital publishing label, with developer Bithell Games and Disney Games, today announced the release date for its story driven adventure, TRON: Catalyst. The isometric, action-infused game will welcome you into its enthralling digital world when it launches June 17, 2025 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch: https://www.bigfangames.com/games/tron-catalyst.

Today’s thrilling new launch date trailer features Exo, the highly resilient and resourceful program with the incredible ability to initiate time loops that is central to TRON: Catalyst’s captivating adventure. Exo must gain control over her mysterious abilities and uncover the unexplained ‘Glitch’ that threatens the Grid, all while evading the pursuit of Conn, a malevolent agent of Core.

Battle as Exo on-foot in agile combat and explore the Arq Grid on Light Cycle to complete missions, gaining crucial insights to help advance Exo’s quest. Using the Glitch’s time-rewinding abilities to learn from her mistakes, Exo will need to navigate warring factions to unlock new paths and uncover the secrets of the Arq Grid. TRON: Catalyst provides fans new adventures in the Grid offering more stories from the beloved TRON universe with more of the gripping, neon-accented action fans have come to know and love.

Wishlist TRON: Catalyst on PC or your favorite console through the official website (https://www.bigfangames.com/games/tron-catalyst) to stay plugged in for future updates.

Knott’s to Celebrate Boysenberry Festival 10th Anniversary

This year’s Knott’s Boysenberry Festival is a little sweeter! Southern California’s first theme park is marking its 10th anniversary of the beloved festival that celebrates the famous berry with more than 80 savory and sweet boysenberry menu items, a new line-up of shows, live music, 10th anniversary merchandise, and a wide selection of local crafters and artisans. Knott’s Boysenberry Festival operates daily from March 28 through April 27.

Cheers to 10 Years with Boysenberry Beer

There’s no better way to celebrate 10 years of the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival than experiencing more than 80 signature boysenberry menu offerings. New savory items include “The Stack” boysenberry BBQ pulled pork over boysenberry corn bread and coleslaw, French toast stuffed with boysenberry cream cheese, and Thai crunch peanut salad with boysenberry peanut dressing. New sweet treats include boysenberry cheesecake crisp pie, a vegan white chocolate and boysenberry tart, and a boysenberry ice cream sandwich. Returning favorites include boysenberry elote, boysenberry honey garlic chicken wings, and boysenberry sausage on a hoagie. Guests can wash it down with one of the many boysenberry drinks such as a boysenberry sangriaboysenberry and lavender lemonade, boysenberry tequila smash and so much moreA great way to enjoy it all is by purchasing a tasting card priced at $55. The tasting card offers six tastings from several boysenberry-inspired dishes and drinks. Tasting cards are available at Knotts.com or at the theme park. Season Passholders can receive an even sweeter deal by purchasing tasting cards online. Until March 30, Passholders can buy tasting cards online for $45 ($10 discount).

New Boysenberry Entertainment 

No boysenberry festival is complete without a boysenberry pie eating contest, and this year has a twist. The NEW Boysen Bear’s Pie Kitchen Games in Calico Park invites guests to help thwart those sneaky coyote pups, Moxie and Brawny, from stealing all the pies! Once they save the day, they can celebrate on the Calico Mine Stage at the Boysen Bear’s Pie Eating Contest. The adventures continue at the Birdcage Theatre with The Great Bank Robbery, an all-new show that will have the audience cheering the hero and booing the villain.

Knott’s Preserved is back as guests are taken on a musical journey from the little ghost town of Calico to the Seaside Boardwalk of the Roaring ’20s to commemorate the park’s heritage. Also returning is Old MacDonald’s Barn, a tribute to one of the farm’s original attractions. Guests of all ages can enjoy the cutest critters on the farm, including horses, goats, and other furry friends. At the History of the Boysenberry Museum at Town Hall, guests can learn all about the little berry that had a big impact on the Knott family and Southern California. In the streets of Ghost Town, the yearly Boysenberry Festival Crafts Fair will be back in full swing with unique boysenberry-inspired artisan products from over two dozen local craft vendors. Also, returning to The Factory Store, come celebrate all things Boysenberry with fan favorite the “Tied Up in Knott’s” art show featuring pieces by the Knott’s community of artists.

Boysenberry Deals at Knott’s Hotel

After a long day of boysenberry fun, guests are invited to stay on the farm at the newly renovated Knott’s Hotel, only steps away from the park. The Knott’s Hotel celebrates the legacy of Walter and Cordelia Knott by blending invention, tradition, and imaginative style into a captivating 322-room “guest house.” The Boysenberry Festival package includes overnight accommodations, one day admission per person registered, one boysenberry tasting card (valid for six tasting items), one single-use Fast Lane per person registered, and hotel parking. Guests can book at knottshotel.com.

The best way to savor every day of the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival and other Seasons of Fun is with a 2025 Season Pass. Get unlimited visits, food, and merchandise discounts, plus so much more! For more information about Knott’s Berry Farm, visit knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app. On social media, join the conversation using the hashtag #BoysenberryFestival.

Compact & Kuromi-fied: Razer Ornata V3 TKL Kuromi Review (Mecha-Membrane & RGB)

The Razer Ornata V3 Tenkeyless Kuromi Edition keyboard is a captivating blend of functionality and visual flair, catering to gamers and Kuromi enthusiasts alike. It takes the solid foundation of the Ornata V3 Tenkeyless and infuses it with a playful personality, making it a standout option for those seeking a unique and expressive typing experience. While the standard Ornata V3 Tenkeyless is a capable keyboard in its own right, the Kuromi Edition elevates the aesthetic appeal with its distinctive design elements.

The most striking feature is undoubtedly the Kuromi-themed keycaps. The black and purple color scheme, along with the scattered Kuromi icons, creates a visually engaging experience. The keycaps themselves are well-made, with a smooth and comfortable feel. The low-profile design promotes a natural typing posture, reducing strain during extended use. The mecha-membrane switches offer a unique typing experience, combining the tactile feedback of mechanical switches with the soft touch of membrane keyboards. This hybrid approach provides a satisfying “clicky” feel while maintaining a comfortable typing experience.

The keyboard’s tenkeyless form factor makes it ideal for users with limited desk space or those who prioritize portability. The compact design doesn’t compromise functionality, as it retains all the essential keys for gaming and everyday use. The inclusion of dedicated media keys adds to the convenience, allowing for quick access to volume control and playback functions. The magnetically attached wrist rest is a welcome addition, providing comfortable support during long typing sessions. The soft-touch material feels pleasant against the skin, and the magnetic attachment ensures a secure and stable connection.

The Razer Chroma RGB backlighting adds another layer of personalization. With customizable lighting effects and 8 distinct lighting zones, users can create a visually stunning setup that reflects their personal style. The integration with Razer Synapse software allows for further customization, enabling users to synchronize the lighting with other Razer peripherals. This feature enhances the overall gaming experience, immersing users in a world of vibrant colors and dynamic effects.

However, the Kuromi Edition’s price premium compared to the standard Ornata V3 Tenkeyless is a factor to consider. While the aesthetic enhancements are undeniable, the additional cost might deter some users. The value proposition depends on the individual’s priorities and the importance they place on the unique design elements.

In conclusion, the Razer Ornata V3 Tenkeyless Kuromi Edition is a well-rounded keyboard that successfully combines functionality, comfort, and visual appeal. It delivers a satisfying typing experience, thanks to its mecha-membrane switches and ergonomic design. The Kuromi-themed aesthetics add a playful touch, making it a standout option for fans of the character. While the price premium might be a concern for some, the overall package is compelling for those seeking a unique and expressive keyboard.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Pros:

  • Unique Kuromi Design
  • Comfortable Typing Experience
  • Compact and Portable
  • Customizable RGB Lighting
  • Dedicated Media Keys

Cons:

  • More expensive than standard Ornata V3 Tenkeyless
  • Limited Kuromi Theme Implementation

Buckshot Roulette Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass

CRITICAL REFLEX and developer Mike Klubnika announced today during the ID@Xbox Showcase as part of IGN Fan Fest that Buckshot Roulette, the acclaimed horror-themed twist on Russian roulette, will arrive on Xbox Series X|S later this year, as well as on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. Watch a new trailer showcasing the deadly game of chance you can expect when you enter the nightclub…

Buckshot Roulette is Russian roulette with a 12-gauge shotgun. Dive into a gritty underworld nightclub. Face off against The Dealer or your friends. Strategically use items to better your odds. Brace yourself as you pull the trigger. Load the chamber, press your luck, double down. There’s no prize for second place.

Buckshot Roulette released to critical and popular acclaim on Steam in 2024, scoring an 85 on Metacritic and racking up nominations at The Indie Game Awards and The Horror Game Awards. The game has sold over four million units to date.

The Xbox debut of Buckshot Roulette will feature multiplayer for two to four players, added to the game in a free Steam update last year, as well as powerful new items that can change a round in a flash. It’s time to roll the dice with your life. Good luck.

Buckshot Roulette is available now on Steam for $2.99|£2.49|€2.99. For more information, follow CR Channel on Twitter and join the CR Channel Discord community for the latest news, engaging discussions and more.

Unleash the Fury (and Cuteness): Razer Leviathan V2 X Kuromi Edition Review

The Razer Leviathan V2 X Kuromi Edition soundbar presents itself as a charming fusion of audio functionality and whimsical design, targeted at a specific niche of gamers and Sanrio enthusiasts. It’s a product that doesn’t shy away from its aesthetic focus, proudly displaying its Kuromi-themed embellishments. This soundbar is not merely a re-skinned version of its standard counterpart; it’s a statement piece, a deliberate nod to the character’s mischievous allure.

The initial impression is undoubtedly dominated by its visual appeal. The standard Leviathan V2 X, while functional, lacks the personality that the Kuromi Edition so readily exudes. The purple fabric covering the front-facing speakers, the matching buttons, and the randomized Kuromi icons that adorn the soundbar’s body create a cohesive and engaging visual experience. It’s a testament to Razer’s attention to detail, transforming a mundane audio peripheral into a delightful accessory. The subtle skulls on the sides and the prominent Kuromi figure on the top add further layers of visual interest, ensuring that this soundbar stands out from the crowd.

Functionally, the Leviathan V2 X Kuromi Edition maintains the core features of its standard iteration. It offers a straightforward audio experience, relying on a USB Type-C connection for both power and audio delivery. This single-cable solution simplifies setup, minimizing desktop clutter. The inclusion of Bluetooth 5.0 provides wireless connectivity, allowing for seamless switching between devices. This versatility makes it suitable for a variety of scenarios, from gaming sessions to casual music listening.

The audio performance is adequate for its intended purpose. The two full-range drivers and passive radiators work in tandem to produce a balanced sound profile. While it may not rival dedicated high-fidelity audio systems, it delivers clear and crisp audio suitable for gaming and multimedia consumption. The bass response, while not overwhelming, adds a decent level of depth to the overall sound. The soundbar’s compact form factor limits its ability to produce a wide soundstage, but it still manages to create an immersive audio experience for desktop users.

The Razer Chroma RGB lighting adds another layer of customization. With 14 lighting zones, users can personalize their setup with a variety of lighting effects. The integration with Razer Synapse software allows for further customization, enabling users to synchronize the lighting with other Razer peripherals. This feature caters to users who value aesthetic cohesion and personalized setups.

The build quality is satisfactory, though not exceptional. The plastic construction feels sturdy enough for everyday use, but it doesn’t exude the same level of premium feel as high-end audio equipment. The buttons are responsive, and the overall design is functional and user-friendly.

The price premium for the Kuromi Edition is a factor to consider. While the visual enhancements are undeniable, the additional cost might deter some users. However, for fans of Kuromi and those seeking a unique aesthetic, the price difference is likely justified. It’s a matter of personal preference and the value placed on the design elements.

The Leviathan V2 X Kuromi Edition is not designed to impress audiophiles. Instead, it targets a specific audience that values both audio functionality and visual appeal. It’s a soundbar that prioritizes personality, transforming a mundane peripheral into a statement piece. It’s a solid option for casual gamers and multimedia users who want a compact and stylish audio solution. While its audio performance is not groundbreaking, it delivers a satisfactory experience for everyday use. The Kuromi-themed design adds a unique touch, making it a desirable accessory for fans of the character.

In conclusion, the Razer Leviathan V2 X Kuromi Edition soundbar successfully blends audio functionality with a distinct aesthetic appeal. It’s a product that understands its target audience, delivering a charming and functional audio experience. It’s a soundbar that isn’t trying to be something it’s not, knowing that it’s niche is style and adequate sound for everyday use.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Revenge of the Savage Planet Launching 8th May

Independent Developer Raccoon Logic have revealed self published sci-fi adventure Revenge of the Savage Planet, will launch on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC on 8th May, with the digital Cosmic Hoarder Edition granting 3 day early access from 5th May. Available day one with Xbox Game Pass, the satirical sequel brings back everything you loved from your first trip to deep space, but with more planets, gear, critters, laughs, some interstellar corporate conflict for good measure, and this time in third person.

Abandoned on an alien planet with no job and no plan by Alta Interglobal, your now former employer, you’ll need to utilize every tool in your arsenal as you attempt to return home. Thankfully, that arsenal is well stocked, allowing you to use gathered resources to craft the right tool for the job, from goo cannons and lassos to pistols and mag forks, all your exploration needs can be met… for the right price.

With not one but three editions on offer, rejoining the pioneer program has never been this easy. The editions available at launch will be:

$39.99 Super Standard Edition – Digital Only

  • Revenge of the Savage Planet
  • Cinco de Mayo Trash Panda (First Month Only)
  • Xbox – Available Day One with Game Pass

$49.99 Cosmic Hoarder Edition – Digital Only

  • Revenge of the Savage Planet
  • Cinco de Mayo Trash Panda (First Month Only)
  • 3-Day Early Access
  • Shama Lama’s Influencer Accelerator Program (4 Missions)
  • Cinco de Mayo Trash Panda Suit
  • HR Enforcer Deluxe Suit
  • Gold Lamé Space Suit
  • Official Soundtrack and Artbook
  • Xbox – Cosmic Hoarder Edition Upgrade Available to Game Pass Members on May 5th

$49.99 D1 Retail Edition – Physical Retail Only

Day-1 Special Retail Edition Bonus:

  • Revenge of the Savage Planet
  • Cinco de Mayo Trash Panda Suit
  • Hott Whiz Deluxe Skin
  • Scratch and Sniff Pack-In