Author - Jerry Paxton

Universal Studios Holidays 2023 Review – Grinchmas, the Wizarding World, and lots More!

The holiday season has once again hit the beautiful hills of Universal Studios Hollywood and, with it, comes Grinchmas and Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Grinchmas is back at the Universal Plaza location with a massive Grinchmas Tree! The festivities become even more eye-catching at night when all the beautiful lights begin to glow. The Universal Plaza is not the biggest area, so be in line for the tree-lighting ceremony early, as it gets pretty long. Once inside the plaza, you can enjoy pictures with Max and the Grinch! You can even enjoy a large assortment of Grinchmas-themed goodies from the food stands around the plaza. Our pictures with the Grinch and Max were amazing; the Grinch was everything you would expect him to be. Max was the sweetest dog, and his soulful eyes were magical.

Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter brings the yuletide season to J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. I love seeing Hogsmeade all decked out for the season. The park introduced spooky Death Eaters for the Halloween Horror Nights event, and seeing the transformation to the merriest time of year is outstanding. Walking around the snow-capped buildings, grabbing a hot butterbeer from the Hog’s Head Tavern, and taking a spin on Flight of the Hippogriff was a blast, and we spent so much time just walking around the streets and shops. We even witnessed a wand ceremony at Olivanders, and one of our party members was selected for it! Even though the Southern California sun was beaming down on us during our visit, the Universal Studios set decorators did such a good job we felt colder than it was. I have no idea if or when the Diagon Alley expansion will happen at our Hollywood park, but I would love to see it happen. I need to ride on the Hogwarts Express! Also, stick around in the evening as the Holiday Lights at Hogwarts Castle show is spectacular.

Over in Super Nintendo World, not much has changed regarding bringing in the holiday season, but given the popularity of the land and its young age, I am not surprised. You can still enjoy everything that Super Nintendo World has to offer during the holiday season, such as eating a great meal at the Toadstool Cafe and racing against Bowser in Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge! On the day we ventured into the Mario Bros.-inspired glory, guests needed a reservation to get on the ride and get into the cafe, so be sure to make one early if you’re interested! Aside from the ride and cafe, there is a great gift shop with Super Nintendo World goodies only found at Universal Studios. It’s a great place to find stocking stuffers for the people on your Christmas list!

The world-famous Universal Studio Tour didn’t change much for the holiday season, although it is still jam-packed with various fun experiences and glimpses of movie magic. I would love to see Courthouse Square up close and personal one day, but on our Studio Tour that evening we had to avoid the area altogether (maybe they were filming there?). We also didn’t go through Earthquake, which was a bummer as I am a much bigger fan of experiences with practical effects work rather than movie screens and 3D glasses – but, I digress… Overall, the studio tour is a must-do event at Universal Studios – it’s tradition!

Photo Gallery

Universal Holidays is a must-see event filled with joy and fun for the whole family. The event runs from now until January 1st, 2024 (so weird to type that!) and the Universal Holidays experience is included with the cost of general admission. Be sure to check out the Universal Studios website for ticket information and more!

Truck & Logistics Simulator Out Now

Truck & Logistics Simulator, the open-world transportation simulator with cross-platform multiplayer from the sim vets at Aerosoft and developer Simula Games, completes its delivery with a version 1.0 launch on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5|4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One today. The simulator is already available on Nintendo Switch.

Manage a fledgling logistics company with a handful of forklifts to its name on an immersive journey to transform it into an industry titan. Tackle missions and challenges to fund the acquisition of everything from delivery vans to heavy trucks. Master over 30 vehicles, each with realistic physics and damage systems, as well as fully detailed interiors, while facing multi-step delivery missions where the right vehicle is the key to success.

Use profits from completed jobs to customize each vehicle in the fleet to match personal preference or address specific mission parameters. Load up vans and trucks with precious cargo and travel to the delivery point, avoiding speed cameras and police patrols on the lookout for reckless drivers eager to cut corners and expedite deliveries. Learn the intricacies of each vehicle with steering wheel support on PC and consoles for added immersion.

A work order shared is a burden lessened, so team up for greater profits in cross-platform multiplayer that supports up to 24 simultaneous drivers. Collaborate on multiplayer-specific jobs like escorting heavy transport convoys with specialized equipment. Explore the world with a partner to unearth hidden secrets across a diverse environment, experiencing waterways, rural hills, and industrious metroplexes throughout the full day/night cycle.

“Truck & Logistics Simulator fans know to expect a high-fidelity experience from their developers,” said Maarten Janello, Product Manager at Aerosoft. “We are excited to bring the 1.0 release onto platforms today, giving the community the meaty experience their appetite demands from simulation games.”

Truck & Logistics Simulator version 1.0 launches today on Steam for Windows PC for $19.95/€19.95 and digitally on PlayStation 5|4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One for $29.99/€29.99. The retail box version releases on December 7th. It features English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Hungarian, Romanian, and Simplified Chinese-language support.

Panzer Corps 2 Axis Operations 1946 is Out Now

Experience World War II rewritten. The new major expansion Panzer Corps 2: Axis Operations – 1946 for the popular turn-based strategy game has launched today on Steam. Renowned strategy publisher Slitherine invites players to explore a tantalizing ahistorical take on a massive Axis invasion of the United States with a new in-depth campaign, thirty new scenarios, hosts of new units, and more.

Panzer Corps 2: Axis Operations – 1946 uses the ahistorical campaign path established in previous expansions as a springboard, offering a massive and original strategic campaign exploring a joint German-Japanese invasion of the continental United States. It is the final, grand instalment and a fitting climatic ending for all those players who took the first steps in Panzer Corps 2 ahistorical campaigning.

To bring the necessary level of authenticity to this major expansion, expert historical consultants ensured all the details in this “what if” campaign were up to scratch. This means Panzer Corps 2: Axis Operations – 1946’s thirty new ahistorical campaign scenarios are anchored in a believable context, from the Battle of San Francisco, Alamo 1946, or the Second Battle of Wichita.

Panzer Corps 2: Axis Operations – 1946 is specifically designed to welcome new players next to returning veterans. A new tiered objective system is featured. Primary objectives influence campaign progression and are created to be manageable for all players. Bonus objectives are off the beaten path, purely optional, with players rewarded with extra prestige resources. Lastly, Elite objectives give an exciting, extra challenge, including massively overpowered enemy armies.

Players of Panzer Corps 2: Axis Operations – 1946 have the option to import their core forces, which completed the previous Axis Operation 1945 East campaign. They can also opt to use a preset core force to launch the Axis Operations 1946 Amerika campaign directly. Imported forces can seek additional challenges through increased difficulty settings, advanced game modes, and elite objectives. Preset forces contain a balanced amount of experienced units plus a variety of heroes suitable for new and returning players.

Drowned Lake Extended Reveal Trailer

During today’s PC Gaming Show, indie developer Monumental Collab and publisher CRITICAL REFLEX revealed a new trailer officially announcing Drowned Lake, a story-driven horror fishing game with survival elements in development for PC. Pilot a boat into the heart of the forest and investigate its ominous waters to fish out the terrifying secrets hidden in the darkness. Unravel the truth in a mystery told from three unique perspectives, inspired by the legends and nightmares of Brazilian folklore and influenced with a retro VHS aesthetic.

Deep in Brazil’s coastal forest is the Drowned Lake, an area of folk tales and legends, where many who trespass never return. When Bento, a student in his twenties, goes missing in this sinister place, it sets off a twisted story to discover the truth. Explore your surroundings by boat from a top-down perspective, collecting evidence with a fishing rod, while solving puzzles in first-person adventure-like segments. But try to avoid disturbing these troubled waters too much. Remember: you’re not safe here.

Key Features

  • A Non-linear Horror Story, Told From Three Perspectives: Explore the most forbidding reaches of the forest as a firefighter, a journalist and an elderly fisherman. Unravel the mystery and each character’s true motives in an interactive narrative where your choices matter.
  • Scour Dark Waters for the Truth: Collect evidence and uncover what hides beneath the surface of the Drowned Lake by exploring, fishing, investigating, and solving puzzles.
  • Beware Making Noise: As you probe the forest’s farthest depths, your choices and actions may increase your noise level, attracting unwanted attention from the horrors of the night.
  • Discover the Nightmares of Brazilian Folklore: Experience a tragic, twisted tale inspired by the unique melting pot of Brazilian culture and mythology.
  • Investigate in First-Person Mode: Navigate narrow areas, complete intricate puzzles, and experience the true terrors the darkness hides in first-person POV sections inspired by escape rooms and classic horror games.

Drowned Lake builds on the success of Monumental Collab’s Our Lady of the Drowned Lake, an original nautical horror experience created for the 2022 GMTK Game Jam. The development team has a shared passion for weird horror, producing multiple experiences for game jams over the years. The studio most recently released the free found-footage horror game TELEFORUM, which launched earlier this year to “Very Positive” player reviews on Steam.

Horror-Themed Pinball M Out Now

Brace yourselves, horror aficionados and pinball enthusiasts! Zen Studios, the pinball wizards behind the acclaimed Pinball FX series, today unleash a new nightmare into the pinball realm with their new spine-tingling pinball platform – Pinball M. Prepare to tilt into terror as Zen Studios horrifies PlayStation, Xbox, Steam and the Epic Games Store with Pinball M – TODAY! Pinball M will launch on Nintendo Switch on December 28.

Pinball M boasts a sinister lineup of pinball tables available day one, designed to keep players on the edge of their seats from the moment they plunge into the darkness. Prepare to face your deepest fears with Zen’s own Wrath of the Elder Gods – Director’s Cut, Dead by Daylight PinballChucky’s Killer Pinball, and The THING Pinball in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences. To complete the launch table lineup, Duke Nukem’s Bigshot Pinball delivers a wild and uninhibited extravaganza, complete with bubble gum.

But the horror doesn’t stop there! Pinball M introduces never-before-seen features that will plunge players even deeper into the nightmarish realms.

Play Corners

With Play Corners, the haunting ambiance of each table creeps beyond the gameplay, immersing you in 3D environments in the table menus. You can customize your Play Corners with an array of chilling decorative elements that can be earned through gameplay, making the perfect space to reflect your own twisted tastes.

Profile Banners

Pinball M also touts a multitude of other new and malevolent features that will keep even the most experienced pinball players wickedly entertained. Player profiles become their own personal banner of horror, as you customize with a wide range of haunting options showcasing your unique and terrifying identity.

New Challenges

Engage the tables like never before in the Dread Challenge and Shiver Challenge. Reach the point threshold in Dread to give yourself another minute to reach the next one. Accumulate and survive as long as you can. Can you brave the Shiver Challenge? The table lights dim to almost total darkness and you have to navigate your ball based on your instincts.

Community Features

With Pinball M, pinball is no longer a solitary gaming experience. Players can engage in a variety of new community features where modes like the Nightmare Trails await! Each day, random objectives materialize to torment and test players, accompanied by separate daily leaderboards that intensify the spirit of competition.

This is just the beginning of the horrors that await in Pinball M. Stay tuned for spine-chilling updates, as additional pinball tables are planned to release later this year with more expected to come in 2024.

Don’t miss your chance to immerse yourself in the darkness and unleash your pinball prowess in Pinball M. Get ready to tilt into terror like never before! For more information visit www.pinballm.com.

About Zen Studios

Zen Studios is a leading global producer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for all major digital game platforms. Recognized as one of the premier gaming studios in the world, Zen has worked with some of the most iconic entertainment studios, including Lucasfilm, Marvel Entertainment, NBC Universal, and FOX Digital Entertainment.

Zen’s Pinball FX franchise has defined video game pinball excellence since 2007, and critically acclaimed titles like Circus Electrique and Operencia: The Stolen Sun have proven its devotion to creating captivating RPGs. Zen Studios joined Saber Interactive in November 2020. For more information on Zen’s library of titles, visit zenstudios.com.

Universal Studios Hollywood to Ring in 2024 with NYE Plans

Universal Studios Hollywood invites guests to ring in 2024 with EVE, Hollywood’s hottest New Year’s Eve celebration featuring multiple dance locations, a captivating fireworks display and access to select rides and attractions, on Sunday, December 31 with extended hours until 2:00 a.m.

Included in the price of theme park admission, EVE is the ultimate way to usher in the new year. Beginning with a full day of theme park fun, guests can enjoy award-winning rides and attractions, before transitioning to a park-wide celebration and special midnight countdown to 2024.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s unforgettable night begins at 9:00 p.m. as the theme park transforms into a thrilling celebration, including designated dance party zones with DJs spinning an eclectic medley of music from pop, rock and hip-hop to EDM and Latin music. Unique photo opportunities located around the theme park will also provide a sparkling backdrop to capture and share memorable moments from the night.

Guests will countdown and toast to the new year as a dazzling fireworks display punctuates the nighttime sky. Plus, a winter snowfall and confetti will add to the celebratory feel in the air within designated areas.

An array of food and beverages, champagne, beer, wine and cocktails will be available for purchase. Guests must be 21+ and have a valid photo ID to purchase alcoholic beverages.

It’s a day and night filled with exciting entertainment and one-of-a-kind attractions, including the newly opened SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, mega-attraction “Jurassic World—The Ride,” Illumination’s award-winning “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash” and “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and the world-famous Studio Tour. Guests can visit Springfield, U.S.A. and “The Simpsons Ride™” and experience heart-pounding thrills on “Transformers™:  The Ride-3D” and “Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride.”

While rejoicing in the New Year, visitors can enjoy festive holiday activities such as “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” featuring “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts TM Castle” which brings the iconic Hogwarts castle to life in a stunning spectacle. The Who-bilation continues at “Grinchmas” where joyful park-goers can delight in the wonderous Who-ville and meet its legendary resident, The Grinch and his faithful dog Max, plus the Whos.

Holiday festivities at Universal Studios Hollywood run daily now through Monday, January 1, 2024.

To purchase tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood, which includes Holidays and EVE access, guests can click here.

New Cycle Release Date Trailer

Core Engage and Daedalic Entertainment are proud to announce that the developer’s debut title, New Cycle, will launch into Early Access on January 18th, 2024. The survival city-builder is set on a post-apocalyptic Earth ravaged by solar flares and reduced to settlements reminiscent of early civilization. Players must take lessons and knowledge of the past into each new day, hoping to carry forward into a future for humanity.

Watch the release date trailer for New Cycle here:

New Cycle is a dieselpunk-inspired city-builder with an emphasis on survival. You are the leader of a small group of settlers seeking refuge after a catastrophic solar flare desolated the Earth. You start with only a basic settlement, a few hungry workers, and many unfulfilled needs. Over time, as your population grows, new challenges for your colony will emerge —fluctuations in morale, disease outbreaks, power losses, and resource demands will all test your capabilities as a leader. Nothing is ever certain, but each new day is another opportunity to rebuild what was lost and return humanity’s dominion over the earth.

Looking into the bright dawn of Early Access in January, Turkish developers Core Engage are excited to inject fresh energy into the survival city-building genre by elevating tried and true hallmarks both narratively and mechanically. With the unique crisis component around the sun and climate changes reminiscent of today’s ecological concerns, New Cycle honors the existing elements while entertaining innovation in light of the new world and circumstances. Early Access will feature two different gameplay modes (campaign and sandbox), three different biomes, 54 buildings, 47 producible resources, three classes of society, eight different stages of development, and an inventory of 3D assets divided into three main eras and art style approaches.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn New Trailer

A44 Games, in collaboration with publisher Kepler Interactive, unveiled the stunning new gameplay trailer for their highly anticipated gods-slaying Action-RPG, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn at this year’s PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted. Scheduled for release in Summer 2024, the game is set to send players on a journey only they can survive on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store).

Watch the brand-new trailer:

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn takes place in a breathtakingly beautiful yet perilous open world where magic and guns collide. Taking control of Nor Vanek, alongside her mystical companion, Enki, players find themselves in a relentless battle against the gods and their menacing army of the dead. They must hone their combat skills using an enthralling mix of gunpowder and magic to reclaim the lost City of Dawn as the world around them plunges into chaos. Switch seamlessly from magic to weapons-based combat and partner with Enki to deliver devastating attacks on towering enemies. As the gods seek to rule over everything they call home, Nor must become more than a soldier if she’s to save humanity.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn launches on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), in Summer 2024. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn will also be available day one with Xbox Game Pass. For more information visit www.playflintlock.com.

Resident Evil 4 VR Mode Launch Trailer

Got something new for ya, stranger! Resident Evil™ 4 VR Mode is welcoming players to enter the world of survival horror on Dec. 8, 2023. Step into the boots of Leon S. Kennedy and experience his action-packed journey closer than ever with PlayStation®VR2. This immersive new way to enjoy the award-winning title will be available as free DLC for all PlayStation®5 owners of Resident Evil™ 4.

A free demo for Resident Evil 4 VR Mode is creeping to the PlayStation™ Store the same day. The Resident Evil 4 VR Mode Gameplay Demo provides a 360° look at the game’s opening and new features, including the Shooting Range, where players can experiment with weapons and get a feel for the realistic controls.

Resident Evil 4 VR Mode supports the full main story campaign and delivers an added level of immersion to Leon S. Kennedy’s harrowing rescue mission. The experience lets players see the terrifying world directly through Leon’s eyes and soak in his surroundings with the 4K HDR display of PlayStation VR2. Resident Evil 4 VR Mode further enhances the atmosphere with 3D audio so players can hear the threats lurking around every corner.

In addition to grounding players in this hostile environment, Resident Evil 4 VR Mode heightens the realism with PlayStation VR2 Sense™ technology. The intuitive controls provide new ways to interact with the world. Weapons can be handled with natural motions, including unique gestures for reloading specific firearms, such as handguns, shotguns, and rifles. This also extends to the game’s enhanced knife action for those close encounters.

Resident Evil 4 VR Mode also features a Shooting Range mode that provides a training ground to help players hone their combat skills by testing out the aiming, firing, and reload mechanics for each weapon.

Resident Evil 4 is available now across PlayStation 5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The title is also set to debut on iPhone 15 Pro and all iPads and Macs with the M1 chip or later on Dec. 20, 2023.

Turtle Beach Unveils Stealth Ultra Wireless Smart Game Controller

Best-selling gaming headset and accessory maker Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: HEAR), today unveiled its eagerly anticipated first-wireless controller for Xbox and PC, the Designed for Xbox Turtle Beach® Stealth™ Ultra Wireless Smart Game Controller. Turtle Beach’s new king of wireless game controllers delivers ultra-premium performance through precision-crafted components and customization options for Xbox and PC gamers who demand the best. The Stealth Ultra features Turtle Beach’s proprietary low-latency wireless connectivity to Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, and Bluetooth® for gaming on supported Smart TVs and Android mobile devices. Stealth Ultra’s tactile microswitches provide fast, reliable responses and are designed to last up to five times longer than standard buttons found in other controllers. AntiDrift™ thumbsticks eliminate drift for precise control, and adjustable short and long-pull triggers ensure a response suited to the game being played.

Turtle Beach’s Stealth Ultra Controller also introduces a first-of-its-kind full-color Connected Command Display that lets gamers customize RGB lighting, game & chat audio settings, thumbstick sensitivity, mappable buttons, and more. Plus, patented Turtle Beach technology also lets gamers receive social notifications from their phone in the Connected Command Display dashboard on the controller. The Stealth Ultra also features adjustable power modes with the ability to provide up to 30-hours of battery life on a single charge, with power delivered via the included low-profile charging dock that also acts as a convenient place to store the controller when not in use. Turtle Beach’s Designed for Xbox Stealth Ultra Wireless Smart Controller is available for pre-order today for $199.99 MSRP from www.turtlebeach.com and participating retailers worldwide. Stealth Ultra launches December 15, 2023.

“The Stealth Ultra’s premium components, build quality, and features elevate it beyond any other controller in the market today, and firmly establishes it as the must-have controller for gamers who want the best,” notes Cris Keirn, Interim CEO & SVP of Global Sales, Turtle Beach Corporation. “Turtle Beach controllers have been designed to provide the ultimate in control and to integrate features far exceeding the category. The all-new Stealth Ultra is a supreme testament to that ideal and another clear example of Turtle Beach continuing to deliver on that promise to our fans.”

The Stealth Ultra’s innovative full color Connected Command Display not only keeps gamers connected while playing, but also offers extensive settings and adjustments accessible right on the controller’s dashboard. A patented, Turtle Beach-exclusive feature only available on Stealth Ultra, the Connected Command Display shows social media notifications from your phone on the controller’s dashboard, meaning no more glancing away from the game and missing key moments while checking notifications. The Stealth Ultra’s Connected Command Display also gives players access to on-the-fly adjustments for 10 on-board profiles for different game genres or character loadouts. The display also allows gamers to adjust key controller performance aspects, like button mapping, thumbstick response, dead zones, and vibration intensity, as well as adjusting its visual style with 16.8 million different RGB colors so you can set your preference for aesthetics, notifications, and low battery warnings.

Beyond customization and appearance, the Stealth Ultra is designed for longevity and reliable performance. It features premium materials throughout, including soft-touch finishes and a comfortable ergonomic shape with micro-cooling channels, as well as tactile microswitches rated at a five million click lifecycle in the D-Pad, ABXY cluster, mappable buttons, and bumpers for reliable, faster responses with every press. The Stealth Ultra’s AntiDrift thumbsticks use contactless Hall Effect sensors to enhance accuracy and improve durability, and two extra sets of domed thumbstick caps are included for added customization. The trigger stops are adjustable for short hair triggers in action or FPS games, to full travel distance for fine adjustment of throttle and braking in racing games. Plus, four mappable quick-action buttons let gamers configure their exact control preferences depending on the game being played.

The included low-profile, high-speed charge dock provides Stealth Ultra a convenient place to rest and charge when it’s not in use. There are also a variety of adjustable power modes, including Eco Mode that turns off RGB lighting, allowing gamers to extend the Stealth Ultra’s battery life up to 30-hours on a single charge. High-speed USB 3.0 charging gets the controller back to 100% charge in under two hours. The charge dock also has a built-in USB port for connecting the controller’s wireless transmitter, and only takes up one USB port on Xbox or PC. The Stealth Ultra also comes with a 10ft / 3m USB cable, providing the ability to play and charge when needed.

The Stealth Ultra wouldn’t be a true Turtle Beach game controller without the brand’s standard suite of audio features. As with Turtle Beach’s award-winning Recon and REACT-R controllers, the Stealth Ultra also enhances any wired gaming headset connected via the 3.5mm jack with exclusive Turtle Beach-only audio features, including Superhuman Hearing® for a competitive advantage, EQ audio presets, game and chat volume mix, mic monitoring, and more. Turtle Beach’s Pro-Aim™ Focus Mode also returns in the Stealth Ultra, which allows gamers to tune thumbstick sensitivity for enhanced long-range accuracy and is selectable as a preset for any of the four mappable buttons on the back of the controller.

Dual-rumble motors in the Stealth Ultra’s handles and triggers provide immersive vibration feedback and are also adjustable through the Connected Command Display dashboard. Beyond the Connected Command Display, gamers can also update and adjust the Stealth Ultra’s settings and customization options through the Control Center 2 companion app which will be available on Xbox, PC, Android, and iOS mobile devices. When not in use, the Stealth Ultra controller, charge dock, cables and additional thumbcaps can be stored in the included hardshell travel case. Plus, the travel case features a built-in slot to charge the Stealth Ultra while in its case.

For more information on Turtle Beach’s groundbreaking Stealth Ultra controller and other award-winning controllers, gaming headsets, simulation products, and other gaming accessories, visit www.turtlebeach.com and be sure to follow Turtle Beach on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.