Author - Jerry Paxton

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Gets Huge Patch

2023/09/05

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News, Xbox Series X News

Respawn Entertainment and EA have released the biggest update yet for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, adding a bevy of performance improvements, bug fixes, and optimizations across every platform with Patch 7.

On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, Patch 7 makes sweeping improvements to Quality and Performance modes, better hitting the resolution and framerate targets.

On PC, Patch 7 introduces support for NVIDIA DLSS. a super-sampling technology that can improve performance for some users.

Please find the full patch notes below:

This patch introduces several performance-related improvements* on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S including:
- Performance mode has been completely reworked to substantially improve player experience.
  - A number of GPU and CPU optimizations – along with disabling Ray Tracing – has resulted in a better player experience, including a solid 60 FPS in Performance mode.
- Quality Mode has also received optimizations to help reduce FPS fluctuation and introduce other visual improvements.
Variable Refresh Rate support added for PS5
Additional performance & optimization improvements for PC, including DLSS support.
Save system tweaks to help prevent save game corruption
Fixed issues where players could not retrieve their XP after dying under certain circumstances.
Various crash fixes
Various bug fixes & improvements across all platforms, including fixes for cloth, lighting, and UI.

* Note: cinematics in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor are locked to 30 frames per second.

PAX West 2024 Dates Revealed with Matt Mercer to Keynote

2023/09/05

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Industry News, News

Show organizers ReedPop and Penny Arcade revealed today that PAX West 2024 will return to the Seattle Convention Center for Labor Day Weekend from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, 2024. Additionally, PAX Unplugged, the most attended tabletop gaming convention on the East Coast, welcomes voice actor and Critical Role Game Master, Matthew Mercer, as the Storytime keynote speaker at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Friday, Dec. 1.

PAX Unplugged 2023, taking place Friday, Dec. 1, to Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, will feature fan-favorite anime and video game voice actor Matthew Mercer as the keynote speaker for a fun and personal Storytime. Mercer’s many credits include the Game Master for the web series Critical Role, the voice of Ganondorf in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Trafalgar Law in One Piece Film: Red, Jotaro Kujo in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures: Stardust Crusaders among countless others.

As PAX West 2023 draws to a close, the West Coast’s most-attended gaming event will return on next year’s Labor Day weekend. Friends, families, and gamers from all over the world will have a chance to visit the Seattle Convention Center from Friday, Aug. 30, to Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, to check out the most-anticipated games, watch intense tournaments, and attend delightful panels featuring their favorite content creators and game developers.

“PAX Unplugged is what I want around the end of the year, as more and more of my gaming time is spent around a table,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder of PAX, Penny Arcade, and Child’s Play. “Plus, this is the show where you can get the purple versions of the shirts and coats and stuff.”

Media and content creators can register for PAX Unplugged here. Potential attendees can purchase three-day badges for $85, and pick up single-day badges for $40 each. Families can pick up Sunday Kids Day badges for their children aged 7-12 for $13 each.

For more information, such as information on PAX West 2024 tickets, follow PAX on Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, and Instagram.

Exorcist: Believer Official Second Trailer

2023/09/05

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

Exactly 50 years ago this fall, the most terrifying horror film in history landed on screens, shocking audiences around the world. Now, on Friday, October 6, a new chapter begins. From Blumhouse and director David Gordon Green, who shattered the status quo with their resurrection of the Halloween franchise, comes The Exorcist: Believer.

Since the death of his pregnant wife in a Haitian earthquake 12 years ago, Victor Fielding (Tony winner and Oscar® nominee Leslie Odom, Jr.; One Night in Miami, Hamilton) has raised their daughter, Angela (Lidya Jewett, Good Girls) on his own.

But when Angela and her friend Katherine (newcomer Olivia O’Neill), disappear in the woods, only to return three days later with no memory of what happened to them, it unleashes a chain of events that will force Victor to confront the nadir of evil and, in his terror and desperation, seek out the only person alive who has witnessed anything like it before: Chris MacNeil.

For the first time since the 1973 film, Oscar® winner Ellen Burstyn reprises her iconic role as Chris MacNeil, an actress who has been forever altered by what happened to her daughter Regan five decades before.

The film also stars Emmy winner Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale, Hereditary) as Victor and Angela’s neighbor, and Grammy winner Jennifer Nettles (Harriet, The Righteous Gemstones) and two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz (Fosse/Verdon, Bloodline) as the parents of Katherine, Angela’s friend.

When The Exorcist, based on the best-selling book by William Peter Blatty, was released, it changed the culture forever, obliterating box office records and earning 10 Academy Award® nominations, becoming the first horror film ever nominated for Best Picture.

The Exorcist: Believer is directed by David Gordon Green from a screenplay by Peter Sattler (Camp X-Ray) and David Gordon Green, from a story by Scott Teems (Halloween Kills), Danny McBride (Halloween trilogy) and David Gordon Green, based on characters created by William Peter Blatty.

The film is produced by Jason Blum for Blumhouse and by David Robinson and James G. Robinson for Morgan Creek Entertainment.

The executive producers are Danny McBride, David Gordon Green, Stephanie Allain, Ryan Turek and Atilla Yücer. Universal Pictures presents a Blumhouse/Morgan Creek Entertainment production in association with Rough House Picures.

PDP Afterglow Wave Xbox Series X Controller Review

2023/09/05

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Peripheral Review, Peripherals News, Reviews

The PDP Afterglow Wave Xbox Series X controller is a wired controller with several customizable features. The controller has eight different LED lighting zones that can be customized to your liking, two programmable back buttons that can be mapped to any button on the controller, and built-in audio controls that allow you to quickly adjust the volume, game/chat balance, and mic mute. The controller is made of a durable plastic material that feels sturdy and is also lightweight, so you can game for hours without feeling fatigued. The controller is compatible with the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and PC platforms.

The overall feel of the PDP Afterglow Wave is good for lack of a better adjective. It feels similar to the Microsoft controller and shouldn’t feel strange or take much getting used to. The biggest performance issue I discovered while using the controller is that PDP opted for a squishy D-pad on the Afterglow Wave. The standard Microsoft controller has a much crisper, clicky D-pad, which helps to provide tactile feedback to the player. PDP’s Afterglow Wave is mushy and, while it does work, doesn’t provide much tactile feedback.

The biggest draws of the PDP Afterglow Wave are its RGB LED lighting and programmable buttons. The controller is compatible with the Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. It is also officially licensed by Microsoft. It is designed to be comfortable to hold, with a contoured grip that fits snugly in the hands. The controller also has textured triggers and bumpers, which provide a good grip. The back buttons are also well-placed and easy to reach.

The PDP Afterglow Wave Controller is made of durable materials and feels comfortable to hold onto. The textured triggers provide a good grip, and the back buttons can be programmed to any controller command. The RGB lighting is customizable through the PDP Control Hub app, which is available for iOS and Android devices. Getting the controller plugged into the game console was simply and should not prove challenging.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Overall, the PDP Afterglow Wave Xbox Series X controller is a great choice for gamers who are looking for a wired controller with some programmable buttons and lighting. If you’re looking for a wired controller that offers a little bit of extra flair, the Afterglow Wave is a great option – especially at $44.99! Just know it’s not the most premium of options.

Fluentalk T1 Handheld Translator Review

2023/09/04

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Reviews, Tech News, Tech Review

The Fluentalk T1 is a handheld translator device that supports 40 languages and 93 accents. It can be used for online, offline, and image translation. The T1 comes with a two-year global mobile data plan right out of the box, so you can use it anywhere in the world without worrying about connecting to WiFi. It also has a built-in speaker and microphone, so you can easily converse with people who speak other languages.

The Fluentalk T1 supports 40 languages, more than most other translator devices on the market. This makes it a great option for people who travel frequently or work with people who speak other languages. Also, the Fluentalk T1 can be used in three modes: online, offline, and image translation. The online mode is the most accurate but requires an internet connection. The offline mode is still accurate but doesn’t require an internet connection. The one downside of the offline mode is that the number of supported languages drop to the 14 most spoken (as opposed to 40 in online mode). In my usage, I found offline mode to be very accurate and functional – at least as good as most translation smartphone apps. The image translation mode allows you to translate text from images.

The Fluentalk T1 features a built-in speaker and microphone, which allows you to have conversations with people who speak other languages easily. This is a great feature for people traveling or working with people who speak other languages.

The Fluentalk T1 has a 4-inch HD screen, which makes it easy to see the translations. The screen is also bright, so you can use it in direct sunlight. The Fluentalk T1 has a long battery life, which means you can use it for multiple days without recharging it. This is a great feature for people who are traveling or who are on the go. The Fluentalk T1 is very easy to use. The interface is simple and intuitive, and the buttons are large and easy to press.

The Fluentalk T1 is one of the more expensive translator devices on the market. However, it is worth the price if you need a reliable and accurate translator device. The accuracy of the translation can vary depending on the language and the accent. However, the accuracy is generally good, and the device is constantly being updated with new language models.

Many have criticized the use case of this device when smartphones are so readily available. I guess there is some point there – smartphone apps can perform translation for you. But, I think they’re missing the point of this device though. For me, the Fluentalk T1 is a discrete translation device with better on and offline performance than most smartphone apps. If I am walking around another country grabbing my morning coffee, keying up the Fluentalk T1 dangling around my neck with its included lanyard is a focused choice. I’m not just another tourist on their phone being distracted. If you are set on using your smartphone for translation, you should know that Timekettle does offer a smartphone-focused translator device separate from the T1. The Timekettle Zero has the same performance as the T1 but instead interfaces directly with your Android or iOS device.

Overall

The Fluentalk T1 is a powerful and versatile translator device. It is a great option for people who need to communicate with people who speak other languages. However, it is important to note that the accuracy of the translation may vary depending on the language and the accent. If you are looking for a reliable and accurate translator device, the Fluentalk T1 is a great option.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Tenants Pets DLC Launch Trailer

2023/09/01

Jerry Paxton

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

Animal lovers and property management enthusiasts can rejoice as Developer Ancient Forge Studio and publisher Frozen District announce the release of the highly anticipated Pets DLC for The Tenants, available now on Steam. This exciting expansion introduces a new dimension to the game, allowing players to craft pet-friendly homes and cater to a wide array of adorable animals.
Paws and Play the Trailer!

A Haven for Pet Lovers

In the Pets DLC, players can expand their property empires by welcoming a variety of charming creatures, from dogs and cats to raccoons, mini pigs, parrots, fish, hamsters, and much more. Beyond finding suitable homes for human tenants, players now have the unique opportunity to foster meaningful relationships between the tenants and their cherished pets. Strengthen bonds by interacting with pets, playing games, offering treats, and ensuring your rental business thrives.

Unveil Your Creativity

The expansion includes over 500 new pet-friendly items and furniture pieces, enabling players to customize apartments to perfectly suit their tenants’ furry and feathered companions. With four new Elite Contracts to complete, players can demonstrate their expertise in creating ideal living spaces for pet owners. Additionally, players can undertake a mission to transform an old animal shelter into a pet paradise, where stray pets can find loving homes.

Unlock a Secret Prize

In addition to introducing a special mission, “Parrot Collector,” where players can unlock a secret prize by accomplishing unique objectives within the game, the Pets DLC includes new gifts, furniture, services, and sabotage options. Even a brand-new phone app for pet management!

The Tenants Pets DLC is out now on Steam available for USD 9,99 for those who already own the base game.

Start building your empire with a pet-friendly twist and witness the growth of your rental business as you cater to the needs of animal enthusiasts in the virtual world of Wondersville.

Support the game by buying or gifting The Tenants to friends on Steam, GOG, and Epic Store.

Are you interested in joining Uncle Steve in this one-of-a-kind world of providing and handling tenancy? Join us in The Tenants Discord community, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and find out more information on our official website.

The Thaumaturge Story Trailer Released

2023/09/01

Jerry Paxton

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

In the upcoming RPG, The Thaumaturge, from developer Fool’s Theory and publisher 11 bit studios, a thaumaturge is a miracle worker who bears both a gift and a burden at the same time. This parallel holds true for Wiktor Szulski, the game’s titular protagonist, who is drawn back to the tumultuous streets of 20th-century Warsaw by family matters.

The gift of thaumaturgy is intertwined with family legacy, passed down through one’s ancestors. This mystical inheritance significantly shapes Wiktor’s life journey. In turn, his sister Ligia is deeply fearful of her brother endangering his life in pursuit of unearthly entities and their hosts.

As only a thaumaturge can tame these ethereal entities—known to a select few as Salutors—utilizing their mystical abilities to discover secrets hidden within the human soul and speak to the Darkness, no one understands quite like Wiktor how everyone suffers their own demons.

Discover Wiktor’s fate and take a walk in 1905 Warsaw, as The Thaumaturge releases on PC later this year. From August 23rd thru 27th at gamescom in Cologne, Germany, players will be able to try the first-ever public demo of the game at the 11 studios booth B028 in hall 10.1.

War Thunder Sons of Attila Update Trailer

2023/09/01

Jerry Paxton

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

Gaijin Entertainment announces that the next major update of the online military action game War Thunder – “Sons of Attila” – will be released in September. A line-up of Hungarian armored vehicles will be added to the game, representing all stages of the country’s military history – from the 39.M Csaba armored vehicles of World War II to the modern Lynx KF41 BMPs, which began entering service last October. Dozens of other types of ground, naval and air military vehicles will be added to War Thunder, as well as new maps, improved visuals and more.

“Hungarian designers have created quite a few interesting vehicles that will expand the range of possible setups for players,” explains Vyacheslav Bulannikov, War Thunder game director. – At the same time, their characteristics will correspond to the available documents, so we hope that players will not see any Hungarian bias in the new vehicles”.

The first version of the armored car, the Csaba (named after the youngest son of Attila, leader of the Huns), was developed by Hungarian engineer Nicholas Straussler in 1932, and in 1939 the mass production for the Hungarian army began. The machines were actively used in World War II battles in Yugoslavia, the USSR and Poland, and eventually in Hungary itself. High speed, independent suspension and 20mm cannon make the 39.M Csaba a good scout at the initial ranks of War Thunder.

Lynx KF41 is an infantry fighting vehicle developed by Rheinmetall AG, currently in service only in Hungary and produced at a joint venture plant in the Hungarian city of Zalaegerszeg. BMP is equipped with the latest ADS hard kill active protection system, which detects enemy missiles, determines the trajectory of flight, calculates the approximate location of the hit, fires a counter munition that destroys the enemy shell a moment before it touches the armor. Also, Lynx KF41 is equipped with the Lance 2.0 weapon module with Rheinmetall Wotan 35 mm autocannon and Spike ATGMs, operating on the “fire and forget” principle.

The line-up of armored vehicles of Hungary will be implemented as part of the Italian ground vehicles research tree.

Other new additions to the update include, for example, the first American superdreadnought “Texas”, the Soviet flamethrower tank TO-55, the American fighter jet F-16C version Block 50, the Chinese-Pakistani tank MBT-2000 & more.

You can learn more about new vehicles, maps, and other Sons of Attila content from the development diaries on the game’s official website.

Starfield Available Now in Early Access

2023/09/01

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

Starfield, the first new universe in over 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4, is available now worldwide in early access on Xbox Series X|S and PC. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.

In case you missed it, you can check out the Starfield Live Action Trailer here:

Starfield releases for everyone on September 6 on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Players can still pre-order now or play day one with Game Pass. There is still time to pre-order the Premium Edition to grant players up to five days early access to the game, dependent on purchase date and subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences.

Additionally, Bethesda Game Studios and composer Inon Zur’s collaboration on Starfield’s soundtrack is rolling out today on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other streaming services. From the moment the game starts with the main theme, “Into The Starfield,” to the closing notes of “A Home in the Galaxy,” Starfield’s score embodies the notion of exploration, mystery and the wonder of space.

To learn more about Starfield, check out the official website here.

Six Flags Great Adventure Details Fright Fest 2023

2023/09/01

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News

Six Flags Great Adventure, The World’s Ultimate Thrill Park, announces its’ fall line-up of events celebrating 30 years of Fright Fest. This demonic lineup features all-new haunts including The Conjuring and Saw X as well as fan-favorite entertainment and attractions. While daylight hours are reserved for the family-friendly Kids Boo Fest and Oktoberfest, the theme park will pull out all the stops for 30 nights of fright.

Fright Fest, presented by SNICKERS®, will have guests screaming in fright with eight heart-racing haunted houses, six terrifying scare zones and four ghoulishly entertaining shows around every pulse-pounding corner.

“We are ready to bring nightmares to life with the most horror-ific Fright Fest in our 30-year history,” said Six Flags Great Adventure Park President Brian Bacica. “With 2 iconic new haunted houses and freakish fan favorites, guests who dare to enter may never leave during 30 nights of wickedly frightful fun.”

Fright Fest Preview Nights ─ September 8 and 9

Be the first to experience Six Flags Great Adventure’s 30^th Fright Fest with this exclusive preview event. With the purchase of a Fright Fest preview ticket, guests will gain access to six of our most popular haunted houses, five spooky scare zones and two frightfully entertaining shows – Freak Show and Blade Drummers – in addition to other thrilling rides and attractions.

30^th Anniversary of Fright Fest ─ Select Days September 15 and October 31

Nighttime festivities take a frightening turn. Families with young children, those with sensory sensitivities, and those who scare easily are encouraged to exit the park. Haunting attractions include a fan-favorite ghoul parade, live stage shows, terrifying scare zones, plus eight haunted houses for the ultimate scare. Fright Fest will also feature the theme park’s enhanced dining and beverage options in the all-new RIP Lounge, fall shopping including popular Fright Fest hoodies, and a world-class lineup of rides and attractions. All daytime Fright Fest attractions are included with park admission while some evening attractions require a separate fee.

Highlights of the Fright Fest 30^th anniversary include:

Eight Haunted Houses:

The Conjuring ─ Inspired by the film The Conjuring, dare to enter the secluded farmhouse of the Perron family that has been terrorized and plagued by sinister spirits (opening at Fright Fest on September 15);
SAW X ─ Do you want to play a game? Experience the return of Jigsaw as you attempt to survive his ingenious and terrifying traps in the untold chapter of his most personal game yet, inspired by the upcoming release from Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures, SAW X (opening at Fright Fest on September 15);
Aftermath ─ The zombie apocalypse has struck a sole lively town. In order to survive, follow the escape route and avoid the infected with help from the evacuation team, if they are still alive;
Bloodshed ─ Come take a tour of Momma’s farm, but be warned, family values here are a little different;
Reflections of the Dead ─ If you come face to face with ghosts that haunt the artifacts within, you better find your way out quickly, or you just might become the next one behind the glass;
Big Top Terror ─ Take caution when following the forest trolls into this forgotten carnival. Once you meet the freaks within, they will make sure you never leave;
The Manor ─ Me. Manor invites you and his many ghostly guests to his 12^th annual funeral party, and it has a strict ‘dead on arrival’ policy; and
Fears ─ Fears Co. is a morally sound corporation specializing in exposure therapy. When they tell you they will cure you of your fear, they aren’t lying;

Five scare zones:

The Conjuring
Clown Town
The Curse of Blackbeard’s Bounty
Bloody Fountain
Demon District

Monstertainment:

The Awakening
Unleashed
Dead Man’s Party
Freak Show
Blade Drummers

Fright Fest Power Hours ─ Select Weeknights

Fright Fest Power Hours return this October. Experience thrills and chills with access to hauntingly frightful houses, scare zones and epic thrilling attractions.

Fright Fest haunted attractions will operate on 30 chilling nights including September 8-9, 15-17, 22-24, 29-30 and October 1, 6-8, 12-15, 18-22 and 25-31.

“Family-Friendly” Kids Boo Fest ─ Weekends September 16 through October 29

Six Flags will adorn the theme park in its fall finest with mums, pumpkins, cornstalks and hay bales. Kids Boo Fest attractions for families will include trick-or-treating in Cornstalk National Park, the Hunt for Boo, a live show called Witch’s Brew and fun-filled wagon rides.

About Six Flags Great Adventure, Wild Safari and Hurricane Harbor

Six Flags Great Adventure is the World’s Largest Thrill Park with world-class, award-winning rides like Kingda Ka, Nitro, El Toro and Jersey Devil Coaster. The park offers two areas just for the littlest guests and great family rides for the whole family, plus entertainment, shopping, and a wide variety of dining options. Its Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure is one of the largest self-guided drive-through safari outside of Africa and gets guests up-close to more than 1,200 animals from around the globe in the privacy of their own vehicles. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is one of the Northeast’s largest waterparks with more than 25 refreshing attractions for the whole family. sixflags.com/greatadventure

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 27 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For nearly 62 years, Six Flags has entertained hundreds of millions of guests with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions. Six Flags is committed to creating an inclusive environment that fully embraces the diversity of our team members and guests. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com.

Like us on Facebook @SixFlagsGreatAdventure

LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s23) THE CONJURING and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s23) SAW X and all related characters and elements ®, TM & © 2023 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.