Today, in celebration of 90 years of Donald Duck, one of the internet’s hottest celebrity interview shows, Hot Ones, released a custom episode with special guest Donald Duck. Put up to the challenge by Daisy Duck and with support from Mickey Mouse, in this episode, Donald is set to prove he can take on the heat of a special curated set of Disney hot sauces over cauliflower wings as host Sean Evans dives into a series of questions for the famous duck with a heart of gold. This episode highlights Donald’s history while also showing why he’s famously known to be temperamental.
Donald Duck is an iconic character and has played a key role in Disney’s unparalleled storytelling legacy. Donald’s relatable frustrations with everyday life and events have made him one of the world’s most famous personalities. His popularity and accomplishments both on and off screen have earned him numerous accolades, including a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame and having his webbed footprints immortalized in cement outside the famed Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
“Mickey Mouse and his friends, including Donald Duck have always been a part of popular culture so it only made sense that Donald and Mickey appear on one of the most recognized internet shows with celebrity guests,” said Tim Pennoyer, director, Brand Marketing, The Walt Disney Company.
Animation for Donald Duck on this custom episode of Hot Ones was done by the Walt Disney Animation Studios team, led by legendary animator Eric Goldberg best known for animating Genie in Disney’s Aladdin (1992) and directing Disney’s Pocahontas (1995). Tony Anselmo voiced Donald Duck and Bret Iwan voiced Mickey Mouse for this special appearance on Hot Ones.
“It’s been a great honor to direct two of our greatest stars, Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, on this special episode of Hot Ones. Of course, Donald can get a bit cranky at times, but all of the artists involved loved animating him!” said Goldberg. “It was a blast working with Sean Evans and the Hot Ones team, and the voices of Donald, Tony Anselmo, and Mickey, Bret Iwan.”
As we continue to celebrate Donald Duck and Mickey and his friends, expect to see them in even more fun and new ways. Be sure to watch this custom episode of Hot Ones here.
In Spring 2025, Universal Studios Hollywood will introduce guests to Universal Fan Fest Nights, an all-new interactive and immersive separately ticketed event that brings the most compelling worlds of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Gaming and Anime to life from the creators of its highly-acclaimed Halloween Horror Nights event.
Featuring a slate of all-new, thrilling and unique fan favorite experiences, the inaugural Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025 at Universal Studios Hollywood will debut these exciting properties with more to be announced soon.
Star Trek: This experience is inspired by the Star Trek universe, one of television’s most enduring franchises, which is known for its groundbreaking storytelling that addresses social, political and cultural issues as well as entertaining millions of fans. Star Trek’s optimistic view of the future and reflection on what it means to be human has inspired generations of dreamers and doers.
Back to the Future: This exciting experience is inspired by the blockbuster 1985 Back to the Future movie. The groundbreaking adventure sparked one of the most successful trilogies in film history, won an Academy award and launched a franchise that would go on to generate almost $1 billion globally.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: 2024 has been a banner year for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (D&D). On the heels of the acclaimed film, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and the smash hit video game Baldur’s Gate 3, D&D is celebrating 50 years of the WORLD’S GREATEST ROLEPLAYING GAME. More than 64 million D&D fans love rolling dice, slaying monsters and envisioning themselves as the amazing heroes they all are inside.
Universal Fan Fest Nights will be a limited-time, after-hours experience, exclusive to Universal Studios Hollywood that will showcase a dynamic line-up of captivating, immersive in-world experiences along with engaging celebratory activations throughout the theme park, from live entertainment to cosplay, inviting guests to embrace their favorite characters and share their enthusiasm with like-minded fans.
“For decades, Universal Studios Hollywood has been a leader in creating and executing innovative special events that are consistent with our brand,” said Scott Strobl, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Universal Studios Hollywood. “From our esteemed Halloween Horror Nights event to this all-new Universal Fan Fest Nights experience, we are thrilled about how this breakthrough program will continue to elevate the guest experience in an all-new way.”
Additionally, fans can look forward to an enticing menu of themed foods and new merchandise, including collectibles, apparel, drinkware, accessories and more, to show off their fandom during Universal Fan Fest Nights and beyond.
Universal Studios Hollywood invites guests and fans to visit Universal Fan Fest Nights to sign up and be among the first to learn about Universal Fan Fest Nights as details become available.
More information about this unique, breakthrough themed event will be shared soon.
Door 407 has announced that its hit RTS game Diplomacy is Not An Option will leave PC Early Access and officially launch into 1.0 on Oct. 4, 2024 – watch the epic new trailer revealed during gamescom now!
Set in a medieval fantasy realm, Diplomacy is Not an Option is a base-building survival RTS with an active pause, where your choices decide the destiny of the world. Players step into the well-worn shoes of the minor Lord, forced to fight…like, all the time. And always outnumbered. With over 25,000 enemies ready to attack your castle, you’ll need to build your walls, raise loyal armies, and battle on an entirely new scale. If you hope to survive, you’ll need to master engineering, your economy, and even magic.
Since launching into Early Access in February 2022, Diplomacy has received very positive reviews, building a dedicated community of players. The game’s 1.0 launch will feature the complete story campaign, bringing its total content to over 100 hours of gameplay.
1.0 Features:
Over 30 hours of content in a single playthrough
Over 100 hours of content in total across more than 25 missions
At least 3 factions to follow in their respective story arcs
Multiple choices shaping the story in different ways
At least 6 possible endings
A variety of mission goals – from defending your castle, attacking enemy cities, and building your settlement in harsh conditions to escort missions, killing massive bosses, and building unique monuments
Right on time for Gamescom, Microids and Savage Level are pleased to announce that the tactical RPG Flint: Treasure of Oblivion will be released on October 24, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This announcement is accompanied by a story trailer highlighting Captain Flint’s quest and his crew, as well as the game’s unique comic book-inspired artistic style. Visitors to Gamescom will have the opportunity to experience Flint: Treasure of Oblivion in preview at the Microids/Astragon Entertainment booth, Hall 6 – Stand B060.
About Flint: Treasure of Oblivion:
Get ready to embark alongside Captain Flint, his first mate Billy Bones, and his crew of sea wolves in search of a legendary treasure promising freedom and fortune. With its original narrative using traditional comic book expression, Flint: Treasure of Oblivion invites players to immerse themselves in a historically documented pirate adventure sprinkled with fantasy elements. Flint: Treasure of Oblivion promises not only adventure but also strategic depth thanks to its turn-based combat that refreshes genre basics by drawing inspiration from role-playing and board game mechanics, particularly through dice rolls. When players form their crew, each member brings unique skills, allowing them to tailor their strategy to their play style. During tactical phases, players can use skill and attribute cards to enhance their team members and gain an edge over opponents. Raise the sails and uncover the buried secrets in the distant lands of Flint: Treasure of Oblivion.
Key Features
TURN-BASED TACTICAL COMBAT: A good preparation is key! Choose your crew members with unique abilities, obtain new skills, improve your dices. During the tactical phases, use cards to trigger skills and attributes and influence the fight with dice throws.
COMIC-BOOK NARRATIVE: Enjoy a narrative which, beyond the usual codes of comics (onomatopoeia, speech bubbles), offers players original and dynamic comic strips.
EXPLORATION: Discover a magnificent world, from the French city of Saint-Malo to the exotic landscapes of central America. Visit diverse environments (cities, camps, jungle, caves…) powered by Unreal Engine 5
HISTORICALLY-INSPIRED PIRACY WORLD: The game faithfully recreates a world of piracy, incorporating historical elements (language, costumes, weapons) making the experience even more immersive
On September 17th, Arrow Video presents director Marcus Nispel’s reimagination of Friday the 13th in a 4K UHD Limited Edition 2-disc set, featuring the Theatrical Cut and the extended Killer Cut, packed with bonus content.
One of the most recognized horror franchises of all time, Friday the 13th follows a group of teens who head to a nearby lake for a weekend of fun, sun and debauchery. They soon discover that their vacation spot harbors a dark and violent past, and it’s only a matter of time before the clueless teens face the wrath of the hockey mask-wearing Jason Voorhees (Derek Mears, Swamp Thing). Nispel’s blood-soaked remake of Friday the 13th was lensed by acclaimed cinematographer Daniel Pearl (Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and a cast that includes Jared Padalecki (Supernatural), Danielle Panabaker (The Flash), Amanda Righetti (Captain America: The First Avenger), Aaron Yoo (A Nightmare on Elm Street), and Willa Ford (The Anna Nicole Smith Story).
The special features include two new commentary tracks on the Theatrical Cut; one commentary track on the Killer Cut; 3 new interviews with the director, writers, and cinematographer; a video essay; a trivia track; 3 archival featurettes; deleted scenes; trailers and TV spots; an EPK; and an image gallery.
Director Sergio Martino’s suspenseful and brutal giallo, Torso, arrives on Sept 17th in a 4K UHD Limited Edition, featuring a brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative from Arrow Films.
The young women of Perugia, a picturesque university town in Italy, are being murdered by a sex-obsessed killer using a scarf. In fear of being the next victims, Jane (Suzy Kendall, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage) and her friends flee to a remote countryside villa. The only problem? The killer has followed them, leading to yet another murderous rampage. The cast features John Richardson (Black Sunday), Luc Merenda (Shoot First, Die Later), and Tina Aumont (Fellini’s Casanova).
The special features include an audio commentary; five cast, crew, and critic interviews; a director’s Q&A; alternate opening and closing credits; trailers.
On September 17th, the sci-fi action film Chronicles of Riddick gets a brand new upgrade in the form of a 3-disc 4K UHD and Blu-ray Limited Edition, featuring fresh 4K restorations of the Theatrical and Director’s Cuts of the film, approved by director David Twohy.
Vin Diesel returns as Riddick in the epic continuation of the Pitch Black franchise. Five years after the events of the first film, Riddick is still on the run from bounty hunters. It is a friend’s (Keith David, They Live) distress call that lands Riddick in the middle of a war between the forces of good and the Necromancers, a world-devouring race of aliens led by the Lord Marshal (Colm Feore, Thor). Riddick may be the galaxy’s only hope as the lone survivor of the only race to stand against the dreaded Necromancers. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Judi Dench (Skyfall), Karl Urban (The Boys), Thandiwe Newton (Westworld), Alexa Davalos (Clash of the Titans), Linus Roache (Mandy), and Nick Chinlund (Con Air).
The special features on the 3-disc 4K UHD and Blu-ray sets include an all-new feature-length making of, interviews, commentaries, archival featurettes, deleted scenes, guided set tours, cut scenes, a television special, and trailers.
On September 24th, Battle Royale director Kinji Fukasaku’s classic thriller The Threat makes its U.S. debut in a Blu-ray Limited Edition.
Advertising executive Misawa (Rentarō Mikuni, Fugitive from the Past) lives the dream of post-war Japan: he has a good job, an amazing house, and a perfect wife and children. It all comes crashing down when two escaped prisoners invade his home and threaten his family and way of life. This release marks the first time that Fukasaku’s intense mystery/thriller is available outside of Japan. Featuring Rentarō Mikuni, Masumi Harukawa (Intentions of Murder), Kō Nishimura (Yojimbo), and Hideo Murota (A Fugitive from the Past).
The Blu-ray special features include a new audio commentary track, a new video appreciation, theatrical trailer, and an image gallery.
Welcome to the sixth episode of Frostpunk 2: City Unbound! Today’s episode focuses on the improvements made to the game’s interface and how it adds to the overall smoothness of Frostpunk 2.❄️
The team has added a new Zoom-in stories feature, which lets players observe scenes from around their city in greater detail. This feature helps accentuate the human dimension that is integral to the spirit of Frostpunk. In addition, the team has added new buttons and menus that make basic city management easier and also enable players to quickly deal with arising emergencies.
The Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI is a gimbal that aims to elevate your smartphone videography, promising professional-level stabilization and intelligent tracking capabilities. Having put it through its paces, I’m ready to share my thoughts on whether it delivers on those promises.
Design and Build
Right out of the box, the Smooth 5S AI feels sturdy and well-constructed. Its predominantly plastic build doesn’t feel cheap, and the ergonomic design fits comfortably in hand, even during extended use. The control layout is intuitive, with a joystick, mode button, and record button easily accessible with your thumb. The gimbal’s arms extend smoothly to accommodate most smartphones, and the spring-loaded clamp holds your phone securely in place.
Zhiyun has paid attention to the finer details in the design. The axis arms are crafted from a textured translucent material, which not only adds visual interest but also provides a more tactile experience when adjusting the gimbal. The control panel features a sophisticated dual-layer cover design, with a translucent shell adding depth and intrigue. Multi-layer spraying techniques create a smooth, glossy finish that feels premium to the touch. Furthermore, the handle is thoughtfully wrapped in textured silicone, offering improved grip and comfort during extended shooting sessions.
AI Tracking & Gesture Control – A Dynamic Duo
A standout feature is the magnetic AI tracking module, a testament to Zhiyun’s innovation. This compact yet powerful module attaches effortlessly to either the front or rear of your phone, offering flexibility in framing your shots. Intuitive gesture control adds another layer of convenience, allowing you to effortlessly manage tracking functions without fiddling with the app. Within the ZHIYUN app or your phone’s native camera, you can initiate and stop recording, or even define custom framing for precise tracking. Imagine capturing stunning long-distance solo videos with ease – this module makes it possible.
But Zhiyun takes it a step further with integrated multi-task gesture control. Simple hand movements can now trigger a variety of actions, from activating or deactivating subject tracking to initiating smooth zoom or capturing a quick photo. This hands-free control elevates your filmmaking experience, allowing you to stay in the moment and capture those spontaneous, fleeting moments without missing a beat.
Stabilization and Performance
The Smooth 5S AI boasts 3-axis stabilization, and in practice, it works exceptionally well. Walking, running, or even shooting from a moving vehicle, the gimbal effortlessly smooths out your footage, resulting in cinematic-looking videos. The motors are powerful enough to handle even larger phones without struggling, and there’s minimal noise during operation.
The AI tracking module, coupled with the gimbal’s stabilization and gesture control, creates a powerful trio for capturing dynamic and engaging videos. Whether you’re vlogging your adventures, filming a dance routine, or documenting a family gathering, the Smooth 5S AI keeps your subject in focus and your footage steady, even when you’re on the move.
The gimbal’s companion app, ZY Cami, offers a wealth of features to enhance your filmmaking experience. From basic controls like focus and zoom to advanced modes like timelapse and panorama, there’s plenty to explore. The app is user-friendly and connects seamlessly to the gimbal via Bluetooth.
Battery Life
The Smooth 5S AI’s battery life is impressive, lasting for several hours of continuous use. This means you can confidently shoot an entire day’s worth of footage without worrying about running out of juice. The built-in battery also powers the magnetic fill light, which is a welcome addition for shooting in low-light conditions.
Limitations
While the Smooth 5S AI is a fantastic gimbal, it’s not without its flaws. The magnetic tracking module, while convenient, can occasionally lose its grip if your phone is subjected to sudden movements or impacts. Additionally, the app’s interface can be a bit overwhelming at first, with a multitude of options and settings to navigate.
Conclusion
Overall, the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI is a highly capable smartphone gimbal that delivers on its promise of smooth, stabilized footage and intelligent tracking. The magnetic AI tracking module and integrated gesture control elevate the user experience, making it easier than ever to capture professional-looking videos. The thoughtful design touches, like the textured axis arms and silicone handle, enhance both the aesthetics and usability of the gimbal. If you’re serious about smartphone videography, the Smooth 5S AI is a worthy investment.
The 2024 Knott’s Scary Farm lineup includes a total of 10 mazes, five sinister scare zones, three hair-raising shows for a total of 31 terrifying nights beginning September 19 and running through November 2. With more than 50 years of original, never-ending nightmares, unimaginable scares and innovative thrills, Knott’s Scary Farm has left no tomb unearthed, no crypt unrattled and no fear untouched.
New Offerings
Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman (Maze) – Become immersed in a living fairy tale in an 18th century colonial township that’s under siege by an inhuman monster who has a sick penchant for eating fingers. As night descends, Eight Fingers Nine emerges from the shadows in search of fresh meat. His vicious bite penetrates deep, causing sleep paralysis which holds his victim in sway while he slowly consumes their flesh. Step lightly and beware the dark, or you may be the main course at his next meal!
Widows (Maze) – The night of the arachnid is upon us! Enter a web-covered nursing home where demonic, eight-legged black widows emerge from their silken tunnels to possess the withered bodies of the elderly residence. Their sole purpose is to secure a mate and hatch a clutch of eggs before sunrise. Will you climb into their web and succumb to their dark desires?
Yours Cruelly, Elvira EXXperience – Walter Knott Theater
Room 13 – Violent murders at The Blind Tiger interrupt the Prohibition-era revelry on Memory Lane. A dangerously delicious new cocktail named The Devil’s Elixir seems to be at the root of the mayhem, but where did the mysterious green aperitif come from? The answers may lie at the heart of the extravagant Argive Hotel, where many have checked in to Room 13… but none have checked out.
Cinema Slasher – Venturing through the mystical Midnight Theater, guests travel through the silver screen and into a trilogy of slasher movies. As they are swallowed into the world of gothic horror, they become the movie characters who try to escape the wrath of the dangerous Slasher. The theater opens its doors once again, daring those brave enough to buy a ticket to Cinema Slasher!
The Chilling Chambers – In honor of the first maze in Knott’s Scary Farm’s prestigious history, the 10 Chilling Chambers gives a nostalgic nod to Scary Farm’s past while terrorizing the audience of today. Guests are thrust beyond the threshold of an ominous towering cathedral that leads to terrifying classic maze themes from Knott’s Scary Farm’s infamous history.
Bloodline 1842 (Final Year) – Enter the battlegrounds one last time of the war-torn streets of the city of Valdonia. Armed with only your wits and courage, find the remaining Daybreakers and help them destroy the King of the Valhymphri.
The Grimoire – Turn the page and enter the world of an ancient relic whose dark stories exist purely to turn your greatest nightmares into reality. Enter the world of a mysterious spell book and escape the demonic creatures inside or be eternally trapped within!
Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind – Within the canvas tent lies the secret of the most potent force in the universe: the human mind. A hypnotic session with Professor Mesmer can cure all phobias, including snakes, spiders, darkness, claustrophobia and much more!
Wax Works (Final Year) – Buy a ticket for the final showing of the most amazing wax museum the world has ever seen! The figures look so lifelike you’ll swear you saw them move. And it’s rumored that blood-curdling screams can be heard as victims are horrifyingly submerged into a scorching hot cauldron of bubbling wax.
Origins: The Curse of Calico – Pierce the veil of time and discover the secret of the evil fog that hangs over Knott’s Scary Farm in Origins: The Curse of Calico. Unearth the sinister paranormal activity that plagues the town as Sarah Marshall is put on trial for her suspected crimes of witchcraft.
Returning Scare Zones
Knott’s Scary Farm is far more than a collection of haunted attractions. Every night monsters take over the streets and turn theme-park midways into murderous scare zones. From the world-famous Ghost Town Streets to the Boardwalk area filled with evil clowns, there’s nowhere to hide in Knott’s Scary Farm.
Ghost Town Streets is where Scary Farm began! The dark streets of Calico are the original and largest, most fear-filled scare zone that started it all. Terror lurks around every corner as the fog-filled alleys hold monsters of every size. Good luck finding a safe passage through the cursed town.
Return to the dark decadence of a bygone era as The Gore-ing 20’s scare zone terrorizes even the bravest and most brutal souls. The revelers at The Blind Tiger, the secret speakeasy on Memory Lane, danced their way into oblivion when their decadence brought upon them a deadly curse.
Step right up and come face to face with your worst nightmares on the Boardwalk. Deviant clowns and circus freaks are dying for your undying attention in the CARNEVIL scare zone. Smell the cotton candy as the maniacal midway monsters close in on you.
The Lake underneath Silver Bullet recedes to reveal the Forsaken Lake scare zone, where gothic creatures ravaged by the dark and murky waters wander from their crypts. Each night brings new terrors as a funeral procession makes its way to the spirit world.
In The Gauntlet, characters return to invade Camp Snoopy, but with an updated twist. Guests will again encounter the King and Queen of the realm, maniacal jesters, brutal barbarians, wicked wizards and lawless peasants. They’ve all returned with an onslaught of fresh terror.
Returning Favorites
The Hanging: The Errors Tour (Show) – Wagon Camp
The town of Calico is once again under siege! It’s up to the Lawman and the Hangman to rise up and battle the evildoers in all out bloodfest featuring the vilest villains of the past year. Grab a seat at the Wagon Camp and bear witness to the ultimate skewering of pop culture. This show is not for the squeamish!
Conjurers (Show) – Bird Cage Theatre
You won’t believe your eyes when our skilled Illusionist takes the stage in the heart of Calico. Get there early as seats have been known to vanish.
Timber Mountain Log Ride: Halloween Hootenanny (Attraction Overlay) – The Timber Mountain Log Ride residents celebrate the Halloween Hootenanny, which adds a seasonal twist to a park favorite. Mysterious creatures of Timber Mountain that live out in the woods and caverns join the citizens as they honor the season at the Halloween Hootenanny. The Ride’s interior features surprises as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper band, the town’s green witch, and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns all set to an original soundtrack by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies.
Into The Fog: A Scary Farm Tribute Art Show – The Factory Store
Into the Fog is an art show specially curated for the discerning Scary Farm fan. The show is home to a collection of original art by unique and talented artists from across the country. These artists have drawn inspiration from Knott’s Scary Farm’s rich decades long history and we’re certain you’ll find an original or print you’ll want to take home with you. Along with the Scary Farm art show, you can find all sorts of souvenirs any Halloween fan will be dying to make their own.
Le Magnifique Carnaval du Grotesque (Show) – Calico Mine Stage
Step right up and walk into the mystique and darkness of the malevolent Le Magnifique Carnaval Du Grotesque. A collection of death-defying feats and carnival acts that will delight your darkest desires and fill your senses with terror and delight.
Knott’s Scary Farm Admission
Scary Farm Pass – Enjoy the ultimate Scary Farm experience with unlimited visits to all event nights. A Scary Farm Pass is just $159 for a limited time. Knott’s Season Passholders can currently get a Scary Farm Pass for the discounted price of $155. Limited quantity available.
Single Night tickets – Buy tickets at knottsscaryfarm.com and save with prices as low as $59.99. Knott’s Season Passholders receive a discount on single-night tickets. Taxes may apply.
Fright & Fast Lane – Ride and scream all night long with unlimited priority access to all mazes plus priority boarding on all Fast Lane rides. Fright & Fast Lane starts at $150 and varies by night. Separate Scary Farm event admission is required and not included.
Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-fet – Boo-fet offers a special chance to dine with the monsters of Scary Farm. Meals include a 2024 souvenir bottle and one digital download photo with a monster at the Boo-fet location. After dinner, enjoy early entry into select areas of Knott’s Scary Farm before it opens to other mortals. Boo-fet early entry will be to the mazes Bloodline 1842, Wax Works and two all-new mazes. The Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-fet dinner starts at $45 when purchased online. Taxes may apply. Separate Scary Farm admission is required and not included.
Knott’s Scary Farm Vacation Packages – Turn your Scary Farm experience into a gruesome getaway with an overnight stay at the all-new The Knott’s Hotel. The Knott’s Hotel Package includes a one-night stay and hotel parking. Depending on the package, each registered guest can receive daytime admission to Knott’s Berry Farm, admission to Knott’s Scary Farm on the night of arrival, an exclusive Knott’s Scary Farm t-shirt, Fright & Fast Lane for unlimited priority access to all mazes and select rides at the park, Pre-Scare Dinner Experience at the Knott’s Hotel with early entry into select areas and access to the breakfast buffet.
Event Parking – All season-long parking is valid for Knott’s Scary Farm nights. Knott’s Scary Farm General parking is $35 per vehicle and can be purchased online or at the parking booth upon arrival. For those looking to park closest to Knott’s Scary Farm, Preferred Parking is $50 per vehicle at our Grand Preferred Lot and subject to availability.
Knott’s Scary Farm Event Details
Knott’s Scary Farm has welcomed millions of visitors for over 50 years of never-ending nightmares and has become an institution in the Southern California theme park landscape. This year, the event returns on September 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, October 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, November 1 and 2. Knott’s Scary Farm is open 7:00 pm – 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7:00 pm – 1:00 am on select Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Due to the explicit and frightening nature of the event, it is not recommended for children under 13.
A chaperone policy will remain in effect for all Knott’s Scary Farm event nights. Under this policy, all guests ages 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old to be admitted into the park. The chaperone must present a valid government-issued photo identification with date of birth at ticket entry. One chaperone may accompany no more than ten guests ages 15 or younger per day. In addition, the chaperone must accompany their party during entry, remain inside the park during their visit, and be available by phone throughout their stay. Guests 16 years of age or older may be asked to present a valid government-issued photo identification (driver’s license, state-issued ID card, passport) with date of birth at entry to verify their age. If unable to verify proof of age, guests may be denied entry into the park. Guests ages 15 years old or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone will be subject to ejection.
In addition, a bag policy will remain in effect for this year’s Knott’s Scary Farm. Clear plastic bags smaller than 12” x 12” x 6” as well as non-clear wristlets or clutches no larger than 5”x 8”x 2” are allowed at Knott’s Scary Farm. All bags are subject to search prior to entry.
For more information on Knott’s Scary Farm, including admission, park hours, and events, visit knottsscaryfarm.com. Join the scary conversation by using #ScaryFarm on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
Today, BioWare published their latest development blog titled PC Features for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The blog offered a look at the Dragon Age: The Veilguard team’s dedication to PC optimization, with over 200,000 hours of performance and compatibility testing.
Additionally, the blog discussed the game’s controller support, upscaling and ray-tracing implementation on PC, Steam Native status, as well as other advanced settings and options that underscore how getting the PC experience just right was crucial for the development team.
Hello everyone,
Today, we want to specifically touch on the PC experience for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The Dragon Age franchise started out on PC, and we wanted to make sure PC is a great place to play our game. Many of us at BioWare are PC players ourselves, and when testing, PCs made up 40% of our platform testing effort, with over 200,000 hours of performance and compatibility testing. Getting the PC experience just right was crucial to us and we created a dedicated team to focus on PC. We can’t wait for you to experience it for yourselves!
Let’s talk about inputs first. We wanted to ensure the controls and UI are a good experience for both KBM and controllers; so we did close to 10,000 hours of user research testing to make sure of it. Dragon Age: The Veilguard will feature native support for PS5 DualSense controllers with haptics support in addition to the standard of Xbox controllers & keyboard + mouse. Additionally, you can seamlessly transition between controllers or keyboard + mouse while playing or in menus. There are many different ways to play our game; so, in order to allow you to find the most comfortable set-up, we’ve added the ability to customize class-specific keybinds that you can easily switch between. This means that your Rogue Rook can use a different set of keybinds than your Warrior Rook, if you’d like!
Along with the standard resolution options, we also have full support for 21:9 Ultrawide monitors. Don’t worry; we didn’t forget the cinematics, either – just disable the option titled “Cinematic Aspect Ratio.” This will remove the enforced black bars; so you can watch the cinematics in full ultra widescreen glory. No matter what size monitor you’re rocking, you can adjust your FOV with an FOV slider in the Settings. There will be an option for uncapped framerate, as well. We’re also launching with full HDR support.
Most changes to Graphics and Display Settings are reflected in real time, and you can see the impacts of those changes through the cutout in the UI. This will help you make informed decisions as you tweak your game to look exactly how you want. For a full list of Settings, check the rest of the blog below!
We know a lot of you play on Steam, and we wanted to meet you where you are. We’re happy to be completely Steam Native for Dragon Age: The Veilguard! We’re already Steam Deck Verified; and with Cloud Save on Steam supported, you can seamlessly switch back and forth between your PC and your Steam Deck as much as you want, with no interruption to your progress. We also have Remote Play enabled if you’d rather play on your TV! If you’d like to utilize it, there will be a completely optional linking process to your EA Account.
If you want to hear about a few advanced settings and options for the PC community, let’s go over that now. We support a suite of Ray Tracing features, as well as an “Ultra RT” mode for extremely high end rigs. We have several types of upscaling available: NVIDIA DLSS 3, FSR 2.2 which has been heavily modified, specifically for the game, and XeSS. We also support DLSS 3 with frame generation and NVIDIA Reflex. As we have more PC features to share, we’ll circle back on those before launch.
We’re inching closer to our release date of October 31, 2024! We still have more information coming on Combat, the Companions, Exploration, and more; so keep your eyes peeled on our socials. We are eager to see your battle stations running Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the resulting screenshots. Chat soon!
The Dragon Age Community Team
To summarize the above, check out an overview of the PC specs and features we’re ready to unveil now:
Display Features
Full Support for 21:9 Ultra Wide Resolutions
Ability to Uncap Frame Rate
VSync, including fractional rate VSync
HDR Support
Optional Upscaling (DLSS 3, FSR 2.2, XeSS)
NVIDIA Reflex
DLSS 3 Frame Generation
Optional Dynamic Resolution Scaling
Cinematic Aspect Ratio (Disable this option for cinematic 21:9 ratio)
Graphics Settings
Presets Available (Low, Medium, High, Ultra)
Texture Settings
Texture Quality
Texture Filtering
Light & Shadow Settings
Lighting Quality
Contact Shadow
Ambient Occlusion
Screen Space Reflections
Volumetric Lighting
Sky Quality
Ray Tracing Settings*
Ray-Traced Reflections
Ray-Traced Ambient Occlusion
Ultra Ray Tracing
Geometry Settings
Level Of Detail
Strand Hair
Terrain Quality
Terrain Decoration Quality
Visual Effects Quality
Camera Effects
Depth of Field
Vignette
Motion Blur
Post Processing Quality
Field of View
Controls
Class-specific Keybinds
Keyboard + Controller Bindings
*Ray Tracing can be “ON” or turned to “Selective”. Selective Mode enables Ray Tracing features in specific areas that can best take advantage of the feature.
Incoming message from the United Citizen Federation! Offworld—in collaboration with Sony Pictures Consumer Products—has arrived at gamescom ‘24, showcasing its up to 16-player FPS Starship Troopers: Extermination ahead of the game’s launch on PC, PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X | S consoles this coming October 11th. Witness the terrifying Tanker Bug in action and get an inside look at General Rico’s Special Operations Group (S.O.G.) in this exclusive developer diary that aired during the Future Games Show!
In the Dev Diary trailer, key members of the Starship Troopers: Extermination development team share more information about the new features coming with the game’s launch onto consoles on October 11th. The Tanker bug is a new enemy variant that is as deadly as it is massive, appearing just as it did in the 1997 film and necessitating careful strategy and teamwork to take it down. This ferocious and massive bug breathes fire and appears randomly during matches, challenging players with its unpredictable nature and formidable strength. The Tanker Bug will take more than bullets to bring down; players will have to use General Rico’s wits to find its weak points to defeat it.
Boreas, meanwhile, is the new ice planet infected by a bug meteor. Set to debut alongside the console launch, this chilling environment presents a new battleground where players will face mutated bugs that have adapted to the frosty environment, creating brand-new enemy variants: the Frost Drone and Frost Warrior.
Project Lead Peter Maurice revealed new details regarding the game’s single-player mode, which features the iconic Casper Van Dien reprising his role as General Johnny Rico. Code-named Special Operations Group (S.O.G.), this new mode sees the player undertake a multitude of missions dispatched by the General himself, as he forms the Spec Ops division within the UCF to bring together the best of the best for top-secret assignments. Varying in scope and objectives, these missions are designed to prepare soldiers for the more challenging 16-person multiplayer missions; more missions will be added in subsequent content updates beyond the October 11th launch.
For those in attendance at gamescom, visit Hall 10.1, Booth E021 to try out the multiplayer mode against the merciless arachnids and take photos with a life-sized replica of an enemy Arachnid—as well as General Rico himself, Casper Van Dien, alongside the Starship Troopers German Division cosplayers.
Casper Van Dien and members from the Dev team will be available for a meet & greet on Thursday, August 22nd from 6:00 pm CEST in Hall 10.1, Booth E021. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the actor in person and find out more about his role in the game.
