Author - Jerry Paxton

Age of Wonders 4: Empires & Ashes Gameplay and Release Date Revealed

Paradox Interactive and Triumph Studios today announced details for Age of Wonders 4: Empires & Ashes, a major expansion for the hit fantasy strategy game. This pack comprises the largest content addition in Age of Wonders 4 to date, introducing an industrial culture of war, a new avian physical form, an added victory condition, new Tomes of Magic, mounts, missions, and more. Empires & Ashes will launch November 7, 2023 for a suggested retail price of $19.99/£16.99/€19.99. Players who purchased the Premium Edition of Age of Wonders 4 or the Expansion Pass will receive Empires & Ashes when the expansion launches.

In Age of Wonders 4: Empires & Ashes, players can ‘fly’ in the face of the tradition, combining magic and steel with new techniques to create mighty war machines and lay waste to enemy cities. The Reaver culture is hellbent on driving society forward through industry, and by unlocking the Seals of Power, players can claim a new kind of victory and control the Astral Sea.

“Age of Wonders 4 continues to evolve with ongoing development and community feedback. To add new and different elements to our fantasy world, we’re adding a new culture into the mix that will help shape new stories,” said Lennart Sas, Co-founder of Triumph Studios and Director of Age of Wonders 4. “We will add many features on top of this industrial warfare, like the Avian Form and Seals of Power victory condition, alongside one of our biggest free content updates, the Golem Update, which we built based on direct community feedback. Together with our players, we have many more worlds to explore!”

Age of Wonders 4: Empires & Ashes Key Features:

  • Reaver Culture: Push progress forward at any cost in the Reaver culture, whose industrial might is fueled by conquests and raids. These expert engineers have mastered the art of binding magic to technology to achieve unparalleled power and dominance.
  • Avian Form: Hatch your most cunning strategy yet with the new Avian Form, complete with a set of traits and customization options.
  • 4 New Tomes: Sharpen your anti-magic prowess, unlock the secrets of transmutation, and muster legions of machines and automatons. Bring forth magical mechanical wonders and dominate the battlefield like never before.
  • New Seals of Power Victory Mechanic: Locate and claim the Seals of Power to control access to the Astral Sea – and hold them long enough to control the realm in a fan-favorite Age of Wonders victory condition!
  • 2 New Story Missions: Fight alongside Laryssa in order to stop the rampaging forces of Chaos from destroying the Astral Sea.
  • A New Ancient Wonder and Infestation Location: Unearth a new hidden wonder and explore infested derelict workshops. Harness the power of ancient relics and clear the path to greatness!
  • New Wildlife Units and Mounts: From bear mounts to scrap hermits, ready to heed your orders, or fall before your might.
  • 6 New Music Tracks: Let 6 new tracks transport you to a world of fantasy and adventure!

In addition, Empires & Ashes will launch alongside a large free content update, the Golem Update, which adds new game features for all players. The Golem Update includes:

  • Item Forge: Create new equipment for your heroes and march into battle with unparalleled power and style
  • War Coordination: Give specific instructions to your vassals to aid you in times of war
  • Form Trait Rework: Design your race’s inherent physical abilities with new levels of freedom
  • New Events: 25 new in-game events to encounter, themed around war and conquest
  • Improved Water Gameplay: Graphical and mechanical improvements to sailing the seas on the world map and in combat
  • New Spellbook Interface: Browse your available spells from a proper Wizard’s tome

For more information about Age of Wonders 4, visit https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/games/age-of-wonders-4/about.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake Out Now

Today, KOEI TECMO America and developer Kou Shibusawa introduced a variety of new features and enhancements to their recently announced strategy game, Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake, including new officers, scenarios, visuals, voices, and more. Kou Shibusawa’s tactical military simulation is currently under development and will be available digitally in early 2024 on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and Windows PC via Steam®.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake is based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII with Power Up Kit, complete with both the “All Officers Play” and “All Periods Scenarios” features, as well as a host of new content to deliver the most complete Romance of the Three Kingdoms experience to date.

Among the new additions, the number of officers has been increased from approximately 600 to 1,000! With the newly added officers and forces that were not in the original game, players can enjoy new events and relationships between the officers for an even more authentic experience. The “All Periods Scenarios” feature has also been updated to offer more than 55 scenarios, including fictional scenarios – most in series history! From the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty to the final age of the Three Kingdoms period, players can choose any officer and period they’d like to play, creating numerous combinations for an ideal playthrough.

To enhance the Romance of the Three Kingdoms experience, new visuals and voices have been added. Combining 2D and 3D graphics, it retains the atmosphere of the original title while being renewed with rich graphical expression. The number of voices has also been increased, with officers displayed in beautifully rendered graphics speaking to players in a variety of situations, with animated movies featuring full voices being used for important events*.

The battlefield map has also been reworked, from a single 2D picture to a mix of 2D and 3D. Battlefields are created using the latest 3D technology, while distant landscapes are rendered as ink paintings to help create both powerful battles and an immersive experience!

Combat in Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake remains turn-based, just like the original title, but the system has been fundamentally restructured, the result of Kou Shibusawa’s 20 years of know-how since the launch of Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8. While the remake retains the key features of RTK8 — simple rules that make it easy for beginners, a map that combines field and siege battles, and the use of terrain – the tempo and balance of the game have been greatly improved. With the addition of new features such as “Link Forged”, players will discover an easy-to-play yet highly tactical combat experience.

The events that color the drama between characters can be found in the new “Tales” feature. This feature will allow players to check the conditions, outcomes, and branching of different events, so they know how to trigger the ones they want or how to avoid other events altogether. Historical events as well as general events are displayed, so that even beginners can check the conditions when they are not sure what to do, helping guide them in their play.

In addition to events involving different officers, they will be linked through “Destiny” – the fate that connects two officers. There are two types of “Destiny”: “Symbiotic” and “Antagonistic”. “Symbiotic” makes it easier to have a good relationship with an officer, while “Antagonistic” makes it more likely to have a bad relationship. Depending on how players choose to progress, non-historically related characters can by linked by “Destiny”, and as relationships deepen, “Linked Forged” will occur in battles and missions, providing significant benefits.

To help players easily keep track of the relationships and “Destiny” of the officer they play, a new “Relationship Chart” feature has been added. With this feature, players will be able to keep tabs on rivals, good friends, or anyone deeply involved in their lives. By interacting and working with characters they are close to, players will obtain greater achievements and this will also contribute to the protagonist’s growth. As relationships deepen, it will lead to events that will become turning points in the officer’s life, such as sworn siblings, marriage, and child rearing. Relationships depicted in the chart are not only historical, but players will see them change dynamically depending on how the gameplay unfolds!

For more information on Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake , be sure to visit the official site, Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/koeitecmous and Follow us on Twitter @koeitecmoUS.

World of Warships Collides with Heroes of Might and Magic III in October Content Update

Wargaming, the publisher and developer of the leading naval battle MMO World of Warships, is celebrating the spookiest season of the year with plenty of treats for players to dive into! Among these is a special collaboration with the iconic strategy game Heroes of Might and Magic III, with six new Commanders to take the helm and lead any fleet to victory. This update also introduces a festive “The Last Voyage of Transylvania” Operation for Halloween sure to make players shiver with fright, alongside three new Japanese battleships in Early Access and four vessels coming to the game just in time for Black Friday.

Might and Magic in World of Warships

Heroes of Might Magic III makes an exciting appearance just in time for the most mystical month of the year! Six new Commanders from the iconic turn-based strategy game come on October 19 in Warships to assert naval dominance over the high seas. Each of these Commanders comes equipped with their own unique voice-over, including original voice actors reprising their roles for Catherine Ironfist of the Castle and Sandro of the Necropolis. These high-fantasy captains all come with ten skill points, ready to lead any armada to victory. A new map directly inspired by Heroes of Might and Magic III can be found in the Armory where players will unlock the Commanders alongside various resources like credits, experience points, free access to a Premium account, and economic bonuses.

In addition, World of Warships has also introduced a special DLC bundle on sale at a 50% discount on Steam, which includes the iconic Commander Sandro, premium account access, and plenty of in-game bonuses, rewards, and credits. This bundle doesn’t just contain World of Warships DLC, though, as players will also receive a copy of Heroes of Might and Magic III HD Edition.

Three New Japanese Battleships

Dropping anchor in a newly updated Kure Port, Tier VIII Yumihari, Tier IX Adatara, and Tier X Bungo all sail into Early Access. Available for purchase via the Japanese token temporary resource, these ships encompass the signature high firing range and good accuracy of Japanese gun-bearing ships. Alongside their large-caliber main battery guns, these vessels have slots for either the “Fighter” or “Spotting Aircraft” consumables to accommodate their lower Hit Point pools. To celebrate these additions to the game, a themed collection has also been added, rewarding those who complete the 60-piece collection with a Mount Fuji Sunrise permanent camouflage for Yumihari.

Hair-raising Halloween Operations

This update also introduces plenty of creepy content just in time for Halloween! Alongside the addition of standard and Premium Jack-o’-Lantern Containers, a special, spooky Operation comes to the game. Running across regional servers from October 25 to November 9, this mission finds players escorting and defending Transylvania on her perilous journey to find and destroy a portal and prevent the Forces of Darkness from spreading any further. To compensate for this tricky predicament, ships of all types spanning Tier VIII-IX can participate in this year’s Halloween Operation – with the bonus of special modifiers to balance out performance.

Starting November 3, players can find additional Containers for Black Friday 2023 in the Armoury, and four new ships added to the game. This includes the highly requested American destroyer Black B and three other battleships and cruisers from Japanese, German, and Soviet navies.

You can find the full patch notes here

Coresair Unveils M75 Air Wireless Gaming Mouse

Corsair, a world leader in high-performance gear for gamers and content creators, announced the launch of their definitive ultra-lightweight wireless mouse for top FPS play, M75 AIR WIRELESS. Sporting a modern and sleek mouse shape for maximum comfort and control, M75 AIR puts players in position for victory, every match.

With its symmetrical shape meticulously crafted from the ground up, M75 AIR ascends to the pinnacle of competitive mouse design. Through a rigorous process, every contour, outline, and button placement was diligently reworked until the optimal shape took form.

At 60g, nothing weighs the ultra-light M75 AIR down, so you can move as nimbly as possible. Anything not absolutely essential for competitive FPS play was excluded, resulting in CORSAIR’s lightest gaming mouse to-date. Serious gamers will clamor to experience M75 AIR’s extraordinary combination of shape and lightness firsthand.

With M75 AIR, moving and aiming is as easy as a simple flick – opponents won’t know what hit them. 100% PTFE mouse feet provide an incredibly smooth glide on any playing surface, letting nothing come between you and impressive mouse sweeps and maneuvers. An ultra-precise CORSAIR MARKSMAN 26K DPI optical sensor tracks even near-imperceptible movements and micro adjustments flawlessly.

M75 AIR’s superior technology gets actions from your hand to the screen in the blink of an eye. Zero-delay CORSAIR QUICKSTRIKE buttons and optical left- and right-click switches register inputs at hair-trigger speeds, transmitted lag-free over SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS or Bluetooth®. A long-lasting battery enables you to carry your team up to 100 hours* between charges, and with USB wired mode, you can go one more round even while your mouse is charging.

To commemorate this release, extremely limited quantities of a special M75 AIR Launch Edition will be available exclusively on the CORSAIR webstore. Garbed in stunning thunderbolt yellow, the M75 AIR Launch Edition bundle includes a limited-edition mouse pad, high-performance glass mouse skates, and grip tape.

With M75 AIR, the quickest, most powerful mouse for FPS gaming is in the palm of your hand.

*via Bluetooth®.

Availability, Warranty, and Pricing

The CORSAIR M75 AIR WIRELESS gaming mouse is available immediately from the CORSAIR Webstore and the CORSAIR worldwide network of authorized online retailers and distributors.

The CORSAIR M75 AIR WIRELESS gaming mouse is backed by a two-year warranty, alongside the CORSAIR worldwide customer service and technical support network.

For up-to-date pricing of the CORSAIR M75 AIR WIRELESS gaming mouse, please refer to the CORSAIR website or contact your local CORSAIR sales or PR representative.

Web Pages

To learn more about the CORSAIR M75 AIR WIRELESS, please visit:

https://www.corsair.com/m75-air

For a complete list of all CORSAIR gaming mice, please visit:

https://www.corsair.com/c/gaming-mouse

Total War: PHARAOH Launch Trailer

SEGA® Europe, Limited and The Creative Assembly™ Limited. are proud to announce the launch of Total War™: PHARAOH on Steam for Windows PC. A return to the historical roots of the iconic strategy game franchise, Total War: PHARAOH immerses players in the turbulent events of the Egyptian New Kingdom period where they’ll determine the fate of three great cultures as they fight for survival amid the cataclysmic Bronze-Age Collapse.

REWRITE HISTORY IN YOUR VISION

A strategy game where turn-based civilisation management and real-time strategy battles collide, Total War: PHARAOH empowers players to rule an iconic Bronze-Age civilisation and rewrite history in their own vision. Manage your empire in matters of diplomacy, economy, and military strength, before commanding thousands of soldiers and war machines in intense tactical conquests across a vibrant recreation of this turbulent age.

Total War: PHARAOH – KEY FEATURES:

    • Events Inspired By History: Experience an authentic recreation of Ancient Egypt and witness the death of Pharaoh Merneptah as you prepare your people to stand against the civilisation defining events of the Bronze-Age collapse.
    • Unearth Ancient Egypt: Uncover a beautiful and vibrant recreation of Ancient Egypt at the height of its power. From the fertile banks of the river Nile to the windswept, arid deserts of the Sinai Peninsula and the mountainous crags of ancient Anatolia, this magnificent visual reimagining brings the beauty and brutality of Egypt’s most tumultuous era to life.
    • Diverse Playstyles: Wage war with three unique Bronze-Age Cultures; the Egyptians, Hittites and Canaanites and choose one of their historical leaders to command your armies. Charm the courts as peerless diplomats, charge into battle as unwavering commanders or cause chaos as fearless warlords.
    • Conquer The Bronze-Age: Prove your legitimacy to become Pharaoh, or Great King, and expand your growing empire on a campaign map that spans the rich cultural hubs of Egypt, Canaan and Anatolia.
    • Near-Infinite Possibilities: With a brand-new Campaign Customisation feature, no two campaigns will ever feel the same. Determine how you play with an extended range of options, such as random starting positions for all factions, detailed resource settings, the ability to toy with natural disasters and much more.
    • Dynamic Weather: Enemy armies aren’t the only challenges to overcome on the battlefield. Lead your soldiers through sudden and dramatic shifts in weather, such as thunderstorms and sandstorms, and witness the tides of battle turn as it directly impacts the surrounding terrain.
    • Worship The Gods: Pledge your allegiance to the gods of this ancient world with nineteen deities to choose from, spread across each of the cultural pantheons. Show enough reverence to earn gameplay bonuses but disrespect them at your peril.
    • Newcomer Friendly: The new tutorial system is perfect for brand-new players and those requiring a refresher course on the mechanics of the game. Here players will learn basic and advanced techniques of generalship and engage in a narrative experience that leads into the main campaign.
    • And Much More: Emulate the deeds of past Pharaohs, customise your bodyguard, embark on grand sieges, manipulate the courts, fight back against the mysterious Sea Peoples invaders and much more.

Star Trek: Infinite Out Now

Paradox Interactive and Nimble Giant Entertainment today launched the sci-fi grand strategy game Star Trek: Infinite, under license from Paramount Consumer Products, on PC and Mac. In this Star Trek grand strategy game, players are empowered to lead one of four major factions in the galaxy, navigating complex choices through emergent gameplay. Fans can purchase the interstellar adventure for $29.99/£29.99/€29.99 or the Deluxe Edition—featuring a digital artbook, the game soundtrack, and an in-game music pack featuring fresh compositions from Star Trek’s original soundtrack composers—for $39.99/£39.99/€39.99 on Steam.

Star Trek: Infinite delivers dynamic gameplay and opportunities for intricate decision-making, plunging players into the heart of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Set about two decades prior to the era of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Infinite lets players shape the fate of the galaxy by leading one of four formidable Quadrant Powers: the United Federation of Planets, Romulan Star Empire, Cardassian Union, or Klingon Empire. With utmost fidelity to Star Trek lore, the game introduces fresh avenues for exploration as players navigate the complexities of empire management, handle intricate economic systems, and interact with enigmatic civilizations.

Star Trek: Infinite represents a monumental achievement for our team at Nimble Giant Entertainment. We’ve poured our passion for the Star Trek universe into every aspect of the game, striving to create an experience that captivates both long-time fans and newcomers alike,” said Martin Cao, CEO of Nimble Giant Entertainment. “With its rich storytelling and deep strategic gameplay, we hope that Star Trek: Infinite will become a beloved addition to the Star Trek gaming legacy.”

“We’ve been working closely with Paramount Consumer Products to ensure that this game faithfully captures the intricate lore of Star Trek,” said Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive. “It’s a true voyage into the heart of the Star Trek universe, allowing players to shape the galaxy’s destiny through grand strategy.”

Star Trek: Infinite Key Features:

  • Your Star Trek Story: With Star Trek: Infinite there is no singular way to play. Whether you wish to take the route of diplomacy, espionage, warfare, or a mix of all of these, there are multiple paths to victory. You are in command, and the fate of the galaxy is in your hands! *** Choose Your Faction: Choose between the United Federation of Planets, Klingon Empire, Romulan Star Empire, or Cardassian Union. You will take on the role of the leader in charge of all the major decisions of your faction as the game unfolds. With each faction having their own unique styles of play, your decisions determine how successful you are in reaching your goals.

  • Iconic Characters: Star Trek: Infinite has been meticulously created to provide an immersive Star Trek experience while allowing you to shape the story of your playthrough according to the choices you make as the leader of your chosen faction. As you take on the role of the Federation, you’ll have the opportunity to recruit iconic captains and officers, including Picard, Janeway, Sisko, and Data to name a few. Meanwhile, other factions offer their own set of iconic characters to enlist, such as Gowron, Makbar, Garak, and many more.

  • Diverse Starships: Beyond the potential cast of characters you recruit to your faction, the game grants you access to a range of starships from the Star Trek universe, tailored to each faction’s arsenal. From the Federation’s reliable Intrepid– and Defiant-_class ships, the menacing Cardassian _Galor-class vessels, the sleek Romulan D’deridex, or even the formidable Klingon Negh’Var battleships.

    • Of course, the U.S.S. Enterprise-D can be developed and added to the Federation fleet through the bespoke storytelling system developed for Star Trek: Infinite.

  • Deep & Complex Strategy: Star Trek: Infinite is built upon the core systems of Stellaris, leveraging the deep and complex system and making them its own. Aspects of these systems have been streamlined and simplified to better resonate with the Star Trek franchise.**

Conan the Barbarian Free Text Adventure Out Now

Heroic Signatures, a Funcom IP subsidiary, is pleased to give Conan the Barbarian fans a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the Hyborian Age. In a free new text adventure available directly on the Heroic Signatures website, players can test their wit and courage in an encounter with Conan the Barbarian. Players who succeed in gaining Conan’s favor will be awarded with a link where they can sign up for a chance to win a magnificent new full-size poster of the Hyborian Age map, created by talented artist Francesca Baerald.

Funcom also recently released Age of War – Chapter 2 for their open world survival game Conan Exiles, a free major update with significant improvements and reworks to game systems like loot and purges. As with each Chapter, it comes with a new Battle Pass brimming with cosmetic armors, weapons, building pieces, and more.

Today’s new text adventure is closely tied to Conan Exiles. Inspired by classic Choose Your Own Adventures, it takes place within the confines of the Dusky Coil Inn, a location in Conan Exiles, but lets players type in any action they wish to perform.

Working with developer and writer Lo Terry, Heroic Signatures wish to balance some of the freedoms of AI with the tailored scenarios and characters of Conan’s world. While the player can attempt to do whatever they want, odd and frivolous behavior will invite the contempt of Conan himself, and reduce the chances of winning the contest. The game is infused with all of Robert E. Howard’s stories, as well as additional lore within the Conan universe, creating a fun experience for anyone seeking to be immersed in the Hyborian Age.

As the official Conan website receives a fresh coat of warpaint, new Conan adventures await everywhere. Play the text adventure and join the competition before issue 3 of the Conan comic book arrives on October 27, as well as the launch of a new monthly series of digital Conan short stories on October 26.

The Conan text adventure is available to play right now on the Heroic Signatures website.

Company of Heroes Collection Out Now on Nintendo Switch

Feral Interactive are pleased to announce that Company of Heroes™ Collection is now available on Nintendo Switch.

Company of Heroes Collection comprises the celebrated WW2 real-time strategy classic and both its expansions, Opposing Fronts and Tales of Valor, in one battle-hardened bundle. Using a bespoke control scheme designed for Nintendo Switch, tactics and orders are easily conveyed, and facilitate the fast-paced squad-based combat in fierce battles from the D-Day landings through to the liberation of Normandy.

Company of Heroes Collection is available now on the Nintendo eShop for $29.99 / €24,99 / £19.99.

Note: Company of Heroes Collection is single-player only at launch, with multiplayer planned for a post-release update.

Universal Studios Hollywood Unveils Return of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Grinchmas

Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates the festive holidays with eagerly awaited seasonal favorites, “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” and “Grinchmas,™” beginning Friday, November 24, 2023, and running daily through Monday, January 1, 2024. All holiday activities are included in the price of theme park admission.

Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” brings the spirit of the holiday season to the village of Hogsmeade™ as the land is transformed with merry décor of shimmering lights, decorative garlands and festive wreaths. Guests can take delight in special holiday a cappella performances from the Frog Choir, stroll through the village shops while sipping delicious hot Butterbeer™ or savor festive fare at Three Broomsticks™.

Beginning at dusk each night, “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts™ Castle” will dazzle with stunning imagery as the impressive light projection show illuminates Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, bringing the iconic Hogwarts™ castle to life and infusing the land with the sounds of an arrangement of music from the Harry Potter film series.

Guests can commemorate their Christmas visit to Hogsmeade Village with a variety of exclusive keepsake items available for purchase, including personalized ornaments, sweaters, scarves and stockings.

The spirited “Grinchmas” Who-bilation also returns with an all-new daytime performance featuring the Who-Bee Doo-Wops group, Who-ville’s latest musical sensation rocking out to hip-swinging, bell-ringing holiday classics for the Whos and guests to enjoy.

The familiar and festive topsy-turvy 65 foot-tall “Grinchmas” tree, adorned with hundreds of ornaments and thousands of LED lights will stand tall within Universal Plaza, entertaining guests with a nightly tree lighting ceremony and snowfall flurry, bringing good tidings and season’s greetings to all.

“Grinchmas” activities will include photo opportunities with the GrinchTM and his faithful dog Max, a chance to spend time with Cindy-Lou Who as she leads daily story time for young guests looking to learn “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and visit to the Who-ville post office to mail a merry postcard sharing three good deeds.

A themed craft area will provide guests the opportunity for jolly holiday decorating by creating paper ornaments to adorn the Grinchmas tree or to take home as a holiday souvenir. Plus, a selection of themed Who-tacular sweet treats, including the Grinch Donut and hot cocoa, will be available for purchase.

Adding to the theme park activities, Universal CityWalk Hollywood will be dressed for the holiday season with spirited décor and a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree featuring more than 200,000 LED lights. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen presents a new seasonal milkshake, available both at the Foundry milkshake bar and in the dining room. The ever-popular Voodoo Doughnut will entice guests with delicious seasonal flavors to celebrate the holiday spirit. Antojitos Cocina Mexicana serves up a variety of festive-themed drinks, including Mistletoe Mule, Chestnut Horchata and Apple Cider Margarita. NBC Sports Grill & Brew spreads holiday cheer with a tasty Peppermint Martini, and Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville® whips up a deliciously creamy and joyful drink with its Co-co-Colada. VIVO Italian Kitchen offers an assortment of flavorful drinks with the Winter Martini, Apple Cheer Martini and Hot Apple Cider, which is available as a non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverage. Guests must be 21 years or older+ and have a valid photo ID to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

Admission to Universal CityWalk is free. More information is available at www.CityWalkHollywood.com.

House Flipper 2: the Sandbox Mode Announced

Frozen District, creators of the critically acclaimed House Flipper series, are ecstatic to shed light on the highly anticipated feature set to debut in House Flipper 2: the Sandbox Mode. This all-new sandbox experience elevates the home renovation gaming experience to new heights. Players are no longer limited to merely flipping existing homes; the Sandbox Mode empowers them to craft houses from the ground up, answering years of dedicated fan feedback from forums and beyond. Prepare to swap your mop for a brick hammer as House Flipper 2 releases on December 14 on Steam.

While Story Mode remains a beloved feature from House Flipper 1, now Sandbox mode promises to give fans what they were missing – and more. Such is the vastness of this sandbox — or perhaps “arena box” would be more apt — that Frozen District’s level designers constructed every house in House Flipper 2’s Story Mode using the Sandbox Mode. This grants players access to the same sophisticated tools wielded by the game developers, essentially transforming this mode into an advanced level editor.

Key Highlights of the Sandbox mode:

  • New Sandbox Mode: Build from scratch with unparalleled creative freedom.
  • Advanced Building Tools: Use grid snapping or free placement for meticulous design.
  • Customization & Flexibility: Clone styles, alter wall heights, or relocate entire houses.
  • Landscaping: Shape and mold the environment, from rolling hills or deep basements.
  • Material Customization: Dynamic options to change wall patterns, colors, and more.
  • Floor Plan View: Top-down planning mode for detailed design and layout.
  • Expanding Furniture Library: Over 1,500 items, and growing, for detailed interior designs.
  • Undo & Redo at Will: Simply undo or redo steps, offering players unmatched flexibility.
  • Endless Design Customization: From adjustable walls to a vast color spectrum for painting.
  • Creations & Community Sharing: share your house creations with the broader community.
  • Seamless & Dynamic: Insert windows without prior cut-outs, construct basements, and alter landscapes in real time.