Author - Jerry Paxton

Dark Matter TV Unveils ‘Darktober’ Halloween Programming

2023/09/30

As the witching hour draws near, Dark Matter TV, the premier destination for horror and genre enthusiasts, is set to send chills down the spines of streaming competitors and thrill-seeking viewers alike with its bone-chilling Halloween event. Beginning October 1, Dark Matter TV, an AVOD division of TriCoast Worldwide, invites horror aficionados, fear enthusiasts, and adrenaline junkies to embark on a sinister journey into the depths of horror entertainment like never before. DARKTOBER promises a month-long fiesta of frights, offering exclusive new film and television programming, captivating social media contests and giveaways, and an array of engaging activations designed to ignite the darkest passions for all lovers of horror.

“As the leading horror and genre-specific streaming platform, we understand the deep love our audience has for the macabre,” said Strath Hamilton, CEO of TriCoast Worldwide. “Our ‘Darktober’ event is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our dedicated viewers, and inviting new fans to join us this spooky season into the dark side of entertainment.”

Check out a few of the sinister treats that Dark Matter TV has in store for audiences during “Darktober”:

EXCLUSIVE AND NEW PROGRAMMING

Dive into the darkness with a carefully curated selection of horror and genre content that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Exclusive and new film and television programming includes:

BLACK BOX: A new anthology series created by Tom Sokalski. Five, half-hour episodes exploring futuristic technology, apocalyptic worlds, and sci-fi horrors. Episodes include “Gearhead”, “Ignurence”, “Obliteration”, “Godmachine”, and “Quarantine”.
TRAIN TO BUSAN: A 95% certified fresh™ cult classic that delivers a thrillingly unique take on the zombie genre.
THE WAILING: A 99% certified fresh™ South Korean horror/mystery. Shortly after a stranger arrives in a little village, a mysterious sickness starts spreading. A policeman, drawn into the incident, is forced to solve the mystery in order to save his daughter.
THE GOLEM: A chillingly effective horror story rooted in rich folklore, blending centuries-old stories with timely themes. During an outbreak of a deadly plague in Lithuania, a mystical woman must save her tight-knit Jewish community from a gang of ruffians led by a local landowner, but the entity she conjures to protect them is a far greater evil.
COURTNEY GETS POSSESSED: A soon-to-be cult classic horror/comedy from directors Madison Hatfield and Jono Mitchell. Best Local Feature Winner at the 2022 Atlanta Horror Film Festival. Releasing on Digital + VOD Friday, November 3, coming soon to Dark Matter TV.

RESURRECTED PROGRAMMING

Carefully curated comedies, classics, and international horror films brought back for your home viewing pleasure:

RE-ANIMATOR (1985): A horror/comedy where a medical student brings his headless professor back from the dead with a special serum. Starring Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, and Barbara Crampton.
AUDITION (1999): A Japanese horror/mystery where a widower takes an offer to screen girls at a special audition, arranged for him by a friend to find him a new wife. However, the one he fancies is not who she appears to be after all.
THE SLAYER (1982): Two couples become stranded on a rugged isle, and are haunted by a supernatural beast, drawn to the wife of one of the couples, who dreams of its killings. Starring Sarah Kendall, Frederick Flynn, Alan McRae, and Carol Kottenbrook.
BRAIN DAMAGE (1988): A horror/comedy where one morning, a young man wakes to find that a small, disgusting creature has attached itself to the base of his brain stem. The creature gives him a euphoric state of happiness, but demands human victims in return.
RINGU (1998): The infamous Japanese horror/mystery that inspired Gore Verbinski’s ‘The Ring’. A reporter and her ex-husband investigate a cursed video tape that is rumored to kill the viewer seven days after watching it.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTESTS + GIVEAWAYS + ENGAGING ACTIVATIONS

Join the “Darktober” conversation on social media for a chance to win free premiere tickets, spine-chilling prizes, horror merchandise boxes, social media shoutouts, and exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content. Audiences in Los Angeles will also be able to immerse themselves in the world of horror through interactive experiences, premieres, virtual events, and more. Follow Dark Matter TV’s channels below and keep an eye out for your chance to win:

Dark Matter TV’s “Darktober” event promises to be a heart-pounding celebration of all things horror, making it the ultimate destination for everyone located in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil seeking a thrill this Halloween season.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure Spooky Celebration Trailer

2023/09/29

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, Mobile News, News, Trailers / Videos

The season grows spooky and frights arrive on chilly winds. Sunblink and Sanrio today release the second major content update for Hello Kitty Island Adventure, a narrative-driven life simulation game embracing friendship and positivity starring Hello Kitty and Friends, now available exclusively on Apple Arcade.

It’s Kuromi’s favorite time of the year! “Update 1.2 – Kuromi’s Spooky Celebration” brings all kinds of tricks and treats, including much-requested player-owned cabins, new mysteries to uncover with a friend in the haunted mansion, new outfits and furniture, and numerous quality-of-life improvements.

Key new features and content include:

Home Sweet Home – Players can finally claim a cabin as their very own and decorate it to their heart’s content! Plus, guests at a player’s island can even decorate their own Friendship Cabins. Build vacation homes together and watch friends decorate in real time!
New Visitors Baku, Berry & Cherry – Kuromi’s not alone during this spooky season: Baku arrives as a new permanent visitor, providing you can attract him with an especially Spooky cabin. Berry and Cherry, aka Lloromannic, will also be traveling and causing mischief throughout the month.
Spooky Celebration – From October 1 to November 6, players can trick-or-treat with Sanrio characters and get spooky treats! Trade spooky treats for exclusive furniture at the Spooky Event Stand and grab some limited-time outfits from the daily reward calendar.
The Story Continues… – Meanwhile, Kiki & Lala reveal even more of Cloud Island, while Retsuko discovers that Friendship Island is losing its color. Team up with friends or investigate this mystery solo to save the day.

V Rising Getting New Updates Prior to Full Launch

2023/09/29

Jerry Paxton

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

Stunlock Studios today have published their latest dev blog post for V Rising, providing new insight into some of the many features being worked on ahead of the upcoming launch of the full game, planned for Q2 2024.
The devs have been hard at work upgrading V Rising’s foundations to create a more stable and well-supported 1.0 version of its game engine to ensure a smoother game experience. All this will be ready in time for the reveal of a brand-new, yet to be named zone; a dark and icy realm found beyond Hallowed Mountains, where new weapons, enemies, and a formidable challenge awaits! Fans will rejoice as news of live events, revamped spell mechanics, and enhanced character customization are all in development to expand on this already immersive vampire experience. Most importantly, the devs are completing the player journey with the much-anticipated end game. Check out the dev blog for more information on how the V Rising experience will be expanded upon:

“Prepare for the zenith of your Vampire saga! We’re crafting an experience that feels like the grand finale of an age-old legend, and naturally, such a grand tale requires a grander stage. The ground beneath your feet will expand ever further, and once more, you’ll feel the call of bloodshed bringing you to new places…”

Click here to check out Dev Blog #21: The Next Chapter

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Lord of Nothing DLC Unveiled

2023/09/29

Jerry Paxton

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

Today, Owlcat Games is excited to unveil Lord of Nothing, the fifth DLC out of six planned for its critically acclaimed cRPG, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. Lord of Nothing takes players through new locations, introduces them to new characters, and pits them against new foes. The DLC launches for PC and consoles on November 21, 2023.

Lord of Nothing, the fifth DLC for Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, picks up where Through the Ashes left off, continuing the story of Sendri and Rekarth. As more pieces of the mystery behind Sendri’s behavior appear amongst the unforgiving lands of ice and darkness, more and more dangerous enemies and creatures will emerge from the evil overtaking Golarion. But not all hope is lost, for a new companion, strange new allies, and even the intervention of the Commander, the player’s avatar from the main storyline, will guide the adventurers toward the truth and all that comes with it.

Key features of Lord of Nothing include:

There’s Weakness in Flesh: Meet your brand new android companion, Penta, and use their enhancing skill to forge a path.
The Dark Will Thaw Your Soul: Trudge through the frozen realm, explore a mysterious wizard tower, brave the Shadow Plane, and continue your adventure across many new locations.
Something Wicked This Way Comes: New enemy types will appear to slow you down at every turn, with brand-new mechanics needed to vanquish them.
All Shall Come to Light: Discover the mysteries behind Sendri’s odd behavior and stamp out the evil spreading from the corners of Golarion.
There is Much More to Learn: 15 new archetypes, new spells, feats, and more.

Lord of Nothing will be available on November 21, 2023, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, as well as macOS.

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is an isometric story-driven RPG where players take their own custom-created characters into the Worldwound to close the rift into the Abyss and bring peace back to a shattered nation. How this is accomplished (if at all) is for the player to decide. With 25 classes, 12 player races, and a neverending arsenal of magic and abilities, the story of the WorldWound is for players to write.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Gets A Leatherface from Greg Nicotero

2023/09/29

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Gun Interactive and Sumo Nottingham are excited to work with horror legend Greg Nicotero to bring fans of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre a fully playable and new Leatherface. In the video below, Gun Interactive CEO Wes Keltner sits down with KNB EFX Founder Greg Nicotero to discuss the collaboration. Renowned for his iconic special-effects work on horror titles from Creepshow 2 to The Walking Dead, Greg details the creation of a totally new Leatherface with features such as a new saw, new sounds, and new kills.

Greg Nicotero is an icon of horror and a master of his craft, making his first foray into the gaming industry with his collaboration with Gun and Sumo. Starting his journey as a special makeup effects artist on Day of the Dead, Nicotero has brought to life true terror and realism throughout his influential career. He has not only dominated but also innovated and pushed the horror genre into a realm of realism where his work sticks with you long after a film has faded to black.

“What’s so rewarding about working alongside Greg is his wealth of knowledge, his experience with practical effects, makeup and the art of creature creation. He’s touched so many horror franchises over the years, it just made sense to bring him on board. And when the two of us get together, it’s like kids in a candy store! We had a blast working on this,and bringing that vision to life is something both Gun and Sumo are very proud of.” – Wes Keltner, CEO and President, Gun Interactive

Stay tuned for further details on the release of Nicotero Leatherface, coming this October at $15.99.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is available on Playstation®4, Playstation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, as well as Game Pass on Xbox and PC.

Fans can follow TXChainSawGame on Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for news and to interact with the community.

United 1944 Survivor Mode Gameplay Trailer

2023/09/29

Jerry Paxton

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

A free playtest of Novarama’s upcoming WWII-themed first-person shooter begins today. Starting now and until Sunday October 1 at midnight PT, battles are waged across the French cities fighting for liberation and in the North Africa operations. You’ll need a lot more than just your shooting skills to stay standing, however, as this unique take on urban fighting features crafting and building as centerpieces of survival. And speaking of survival, let the team show you the new Survivor mode they’re debuting now:

You’ll be scavenging for resources, fortifying bases, defending outposts, crafting your gear and fighting the enemy in WWII battles that aim to be realistic yet rooted in fun gameplay. Squad up in 16v16 domination matches in the WWII theaters of a new map set in a French city, where the push inward of the Allies was at its peak after D-Day, and a revamped and improved North Africa map, with better team balancing and new landmarks. Many new features have been implemented following player feedback, including an updated day-night cycle, improved movement, and new guns.

This is your chance to prove yourself not only in action-packed domination matches, but also in an all new survivor mode! This new mode appears today for the first time and takes the scavenging and open construction approach to a whole new level of tension. It’s a dog-eat-dog world: everyone is an enemy, and your only means of staying alive is what you can find around you. Look for resources, explore the city, and set up improvised bases anywhere as you fight for survival. Build, raid, kill, steal, scavenge, and destroy as you need for survival. Play for as long as you want, do your best to stay standing, and extract with as much loot as you’re capable of. Will you become a survivor of World War II… or will your bones be buried forever in this city?

This closed beta runs uninterrupted for almost three full days starting now and ending on Sunday October 1 at midnight PT, with servers in Europe, North America, and Asia to ensure that all players in these regions get a smooth experience in the battle trenches. To request access to the beta, you can click the ‘Request access’ button on the UNITED 1944 Steam page and join the official Discord server for developer updates, feedback and technical support. Please note that while the development team has ensured that capacity is large enough, submitting a request DOES NOT guarantee that you’ll have access, so we encourage you to enlist now! If you participated in the previous beta of UNITED 1944, you don’t need to request access again, as you can download the game directly and load up straight into battle anytime during the weekend!

A Twitch drops campaign is also taking place now, creators can participate by linking their account and broadcasting the game, granting their viewers with a weapon charm and a character outfit.

Acolyte of the Altar Official Trailer Released

2023/09/29

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Windows PC News

Experience a single-player dark-fantasy card-based boss rush unlike any other! Black Kite Games is ecstatic to announce Beast-hunting deckbuilding roguelike Acolyte of the Altar, which will launch for PC via Steam. Throughout the world roam the Beasts, docile but powerful giants which the Acolytes seek to use as offerings to their Patron gods. As an Acolyte, progress through randomly generated floors while using a wide variety of cards to defeat these deadly Beasts in Acolyte of the Altar.

But there’s a twist. The colossal Beasts in Acolyte of the Altar become enraged as battles go on, and so the longer they live, the more powerful they become. This means players are encouraged to defeat them quickly, before the Beasts reach their full potential and consume your creatures or counterattack your spells.

As you progress through each randomly generated battle, you’ll need to balance your mana pool while summoning powerful creatures to chip away at each Beast efficiently. Take down a Beast and offer its body to the Patron to unlock new Gifts such as multicasting spells or even a jellyfish companion that can shock your opponents!

Variety and strategy are key components to Acolyte of the Altar. Each time you play, you encounter different Beasts, meaning no two runs are the same. Build your deck to adapt to the bosses and learn to bring them down by using the plethora of cards you have at your disposal.

This game features full creature combat and synergies, which while common in multiplayer card games, are rare in single-player deck-builders. This means you can summon an army of creatures with a health and attack stat and have them interact with each other and the opponent with more ability variety than other games in the genre.

Features:

Over 100 cards, each with detailed art, and a variety of effects (some cards even have additional effects in different situations)
20 unique Beasts to defeat, all with distinct characteristics.
De-limb the Beasts to deprive them of their powers before they become enraged.
Survive the onslaught of foes across randomly generated floors while building up your deck.
Offer Beasts’ body parts to the Patron to unlock new Gifts.
Customizable challenge mode after beating the main game.

I Expect You To Die 3: Cog In The Machine Launch Trailer

2023/09/29

Jerry Paxton

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

Schell Games today launched I Expect You To Die 3: Cog In The Machine, the latest title in the award-winning spy-themed VR puzzle series, for SteamVR. Agents can purchase the game now for $24.99 USD on Steam.

Get a glimpse at the fun, surprising hijinks unleashed by the game’s robots in the Robot Antics trailer here:

The most intricate installment of the series, I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine transports players to a revamped world of high-stakes espionage where they follow a gripping main storyline full of twists and turns. Players traverse six action-packed locales using telekinesis with spy-tastic gadgets to solve unique puzzles and foil the plans of the evil megacorporation Zoraxis. Throughout their journey to save the world, players will meet the cunning Dr. Roxana Prism, the newest villain in the series, along with her cheeky sidekick Robutler, and experience even more hilariously unexpected ways to die.

I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine offers a comfortable, seated VR experience from start to finish, requiring minimal movement and preventing motion sickness. Select levels in the threequel offer an added movement option for players looking to get up close and personal with their surroundings. With accessibility in mind, more people can enjoy the I Expect You To Die experience now without sacrificing gameplay.

In this game, players will

Master the Art of Espionage: Fans, old and new, will embark on six heart-pounding missions transporting them into the secretive world of elite spies. As each level unfolds, a cascade of challenges emerges, guiding players closer to the puzzle’s solution. Wield complex gadgets and use the power of telekinesis to conquer unforeseen obstacles.
Unravel the Web of Deception: Players should prepare to be immersed in a gripping narrative that unravels the mystery of a missing inventor. They will delve into the depths of deception as they take on the role of a secret agent, using their skill and cunning to solve deadly puzzles and save the world from the clutches of evil.
Go Undercover in Style: For the first time in the franchise, players can choose from an array of Agency-approved super-spy attire before jumping into the action. Equipped with hats, watches, and gloves, VR spies can personalize their experience before every new level..
Discover an Immersive Experience: Players will step into a comfortably seated VR adventure that promises a wild ride from start to finish. The game’s design minimizes movement, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience free from motion sickness. For those seeking an extra level of immersion, select levels in the threequel offer an added movement option, allowing players to get up close and personal with their surroundings and truly feel like a secret agent on a mission.

BlizzCon 2023 First Look at Events and Programming

2023/09/29

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Industry News, News

As Blizzard prepares to welcome the community to BlizzCon® 2023 on November 3-4, a third wave of ticket sales will take place on Friday, September 29 at 12 p.m. PDT. Here’s a first glimpse into some of the events and programming to expect in person.

Community Night: watch the community take to the stage
Opening Ceremony: this year’s biggest news and key reveals
Overwatch®: Meet the New Hero
Spend Time Together: meet friends and share stories
Play Upcoming Content: for Dragonflight and Classic
March of the Murlocs: join in the tradition
Overwatch® World Cup: One team will take home the cup
Hearthstone® Duel-A-Dev: challenge us!
Warcraft Rumble® Rumblemania: exhibition matches
Diablo IV® Hell’s Ink: get the Dark Lord’s mark
Shareable Moments
World of Warcraft® Guild Clash: who will come out on top?
Buff Your Inventory: leave with a free BlizzCon backpack
Inclusion Nexus: celebrate what connects us
Darkmoon Faire
Horadric Library
And more to be revealed

Tickets
Tickets will be sold through AXS. More information about BlizzCon tickets can be found at BlizzCon.com. For those who can’t make it to the show in person, BlizzCon 2023 will be live-streaming all arena content for free. Details for a new set of in-game goodies for this year’s event called the BlizzCon Collection (previously called Virtual Ticket) will be shared soon – stay tuned to find out more.

Be sure to check out the blog for further details. Stay up to date with BlizzCon and all things Blizzard here: https://www.twitter.com/Blizzard_Ent

Matrix Games Celebrates Command’s 10th Anniversary

2023/09/28

Jerry Paxton

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

Matrix Games released Command: Modern Air/Naval Operations, the universal military simulator designed to faithfully replicate every logistical and combat aspect of modern air and naval battlefields. In 2019, the simulator was updated to the new version, Command: Modern Operations, which includes numerous improvements and the ability to engage in conflicts on land as well.

Over the past few years, countless additional scenarios for Command: Modern Operations have been published, covering events from the recent past and hypothetical futures. For example, the DLC Showcase Ford Class focuses on the hypothetical engagement of the USS Ford aircraft carrier strike group in the seas off a war-torn Angola. Falklands reenacts the key phases of the eponymous 1982 conflict. The Command Live series encompasses specific scenarios such as a hypothetical crisis between Europe and Russia in the aftermath of Brexit, or a hypothetical conflict between India and Pakistan. This series of scenarios is continuously expanding, with the upcoming addition of the Showcase Desert Falcon scenario on October 10th, set in a hypothetical coup in Chad in 2027.

The success of Command: Modern Operations has been recognized over the years by critics and players. Just recently, the simulator was nominated for the prestigious British TIGA 2023 award in the “Educational, Serious or Simulation Game” category.

Since 2017, Matrix Games has ventured into the professional market with Command: Professional Edition, a version tailored for defence organisations and contractors.

These organizations and entities utilize Command: Professional Edition for training operators and officers in planning and decision-making, examining logistics and conducting in-depth operational planning, analyzing the outcomes of tactical and strategic scenarios, and concept development studying the effect of planning and equipìment in any kind of engagement. They also use Command to guide future technology investment, platform design and force composition, as a training space for AI systems and even in Info operations to fight Chinese propaganda. The Professional version allows for the editing of every parameter in a scenario, from hard factors like platform data, to soft factors like rules of engagement and doctrine. This is combined with extremely detailed outputs that let you track every event that occurs in the simulation from sensor detections to weapons engagements and logistics.

It is the only professional simulation software capable of processing all domain warfare faster than real time, anywhere on the globe. Its database includes nearly every front line aircraft, ship, sub, sensors and weapon for every country in the world and lets you run engagements from the tactical to operational scale.

To date, Command: Professional Edition is used by over 150 defence organisations across 23 countries including the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps; UK DSTL, RAAF, Luftwaffe, as well as contractors like Boeing, BAE, and Lockheed Martin

Last week, from September 18 to 23, the annual Command User Event (CUE) was held in Rome at the prestigious Casa dell’Aviatore. The event saw the participation of hundreds of professionals, high-ranking officers, and industry operators who discussed the uses of Command Professional Edition. In addition to testimonies from operators who use the simulator daily, CUE featured high-profile conferences with speakers such as Colonel (Ret.) Tim Barrick, Director of Wargaming at Krulak Center for Innovation & Future Warfare, Analyst Jaime Etherton from UK DSTL, and Dr. Pei-Shiue Hsieh from the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (Taiwan).