Embark on a Journey to the East: The first Railway Empire 2 DLC is out now on PC, PlayStation®4|5, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. The new scenario sees you expand into the Balkan and transport wealthy Europeans from Vienna all the way to Constantinople with new, luxurious trains. Maximize your profits with adjustable ticket prices for the new luxury rail lines between Vienna and Constantinople. Six new engines are at your disposal to steam your way through the rough terrain of the Carpathian Mountains.
Author - Jerry Paxton
Guests are in for a double dose of Knott’s hospitality with the return of the highly-anticipated Knott’s Boysenberry Festival and the grand unveiling of the new Knott’s Hotel. The annual festival inspired by the little berry that started it all opens March 8, and just steps away, the Knott’s Hotel debuts its multimillion-dollar transformation, a new distinctive farmhouse-style overnight experience inspired by park founders Walter and Cordelia Knott. Guests will have the opportunity to indulge in more than 75 recipes at this year’s festival, ranging from savory to sweet; each food and drink item has a unique boysenberry twist that can only be found during this season. The boysenberry on top includes a full lineup of shows, live music and a wide selection of local crafters and artisans for guests of all ages to enjoy. Knott’s Boysenberry Festival operates daily through April 7 and Friday through Sunday April 12 – 28.
Boy-OH Boysenberry
This year’s event will feature a blend of entirely new menu offerings and the return of fan favorites. Discover some truly inventive and original savory creations, including this year’s chicken tikka marsala with boysenberry curry sauce and pork loin slices over mashed potatoes with a creamy boysenberry mustard sauce. Indulge your sweet tooth cravings with berry-infused dessert items throughout the festival, including the new boysenberry and chocolate stuffed cookie, lemon bar with a boysenberry compote and boysenberry brownie parfait. A great way to enjoy it all is by purchasing a tasting card priced at $55. The tasting card offers six tastings from a number of boysenberry-inspired dishes and drinks. A variety of signature boysenberry items will also be available for purchase a la carte. Tasting cards are available at Knotts.com or the theme park.
Boundless Boysenberry Entertainment
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival also comes with endless entertainment throughout the park. From musical performances to fun interactive games, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Guests are invited to celebrate the heritage of California’s original theme park with the show Knott’s Preserved. Through song, dance and storytelling, the audience takes a musical journey from the little ghost town of Calico to the Seaside Boardwalk of the Roaring ’20s to commemorate the heritage of the park. All aboard for a boysenberry bon voyage at the legendary Bird Cage Theatre with a special presentation of the comedy melodrama Riverboat Revenge. Guests are challenged to try their berry best in Boysenberry Fun and Games in Calico Park or head over to Calico Mine Stage for the wildly entertaining Boysenberry Pie Eating Contest. Young ones and the young at heart are invited to cozy up to the cutest critters on the farm, including horses, goats and other furry friends at Old MacDonald’s Barn, a tribute to one of the farm’s original attractions. Those unfamiliar with the berry that started it all are encouraged to grab a slice of history in the History of the Boysenberry Museum in Town Hall. Stroll through the streets of Calico and browse through all the unique boysenberry-inspired artisan products available at the Boysenberry Festival Craft Fair, with over two dozen local craft vendors.
Knott’s Hospitality Reimagined
Knott’s Berry Farm proudly unveils the completion of its multimillion-dollar hotel transformation, introducing a new name and overnight experience that honor founders Walter and Cordelia Knott. The Knott’s Hotel celebrates their legacy by blending invention, tradition, and imaginative style into a captivating 322-room guest haven for park and business guests alike.
This metamorphosis includes a redesigned guest registration that opens to the lobby great room, a charming new outdoor courtyard, an expanded gift shop, and a new coffee bar, The Pantry, featuring freshly brewed Starbucks coffee and grab-n-go items. Every guestroom and suite has been renovated, boasting hand-crafted accents that exude upscale farmhouse chic.
Thirty Acres Kitchen, the new full-service hotel restaurant, offers farm-inspired delights and classic American cuisine. Paying homage to the original 30 acres of the Knott’s farm and Cordelia Knott’s culinary finesse, the restaurant promises seasonal menu items to complement the park’s themed areas, festivals and events as well as an expanded outdoor dining veranda. A spacious double-sided wrap-around bar seamlessly extends the down-home charm into the lobby. Here, guests can enjoy locally inspired craft cocktails and small plates, surrounded by the cozy and eclectic ambiance that defines the Knott’s Hotel experience.
Among the renovation highlights is the comprehensive redesign of all 20,000 square feet of meeting space, complete with updated cutting-edge technology, positioning Knott’s Hotel as Orange County’s premier destination for corporate meetings, weddings, special events, and seated dinners for over 300 guests.
For an enhanced Knott’s Berry Farm experience, the Knott’s Hotel offers an exclusive Boysenberry Package that includes park admission, tasting card, parking and overnight accommodation—providing the perfect blend of convenience and indulgence. For reservations, visit knottshotel.com.
The best way to savor every day of the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival and all the other Seasons of Fun is with a 2024 Season Pass. Get unlimited visits, food and merchandise discounts, plus so much more! For more information about Knott’s Berry Farm, visit knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app. Join the conversation using the hashtag #BoysenberryFestival
McFarlane Toys has announced their collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences to expand their Movie Maniacs brand with a range of posed figures and corresponding digital collectibles based on some of NBCUniversal’s most iconic characters. Coming to retail this spring, in a nod to fan favorite comedies of the 1980s and 1990s, the first wave of figures includes Jake Blues from The Blues Brothers, Andy Stitzer from the 40-Year-Old Virgin and The Dude from The Big Lebowski. Fans can be on the lookout for many more exciting and nostalgic characters to come in future waves. Each incredibly detailed, 6” figure includes a numbered art card, scenic backdrop, and is posed on an environmental base. A digital collectible will also be released of each figure.
“It’s pretty cool to bring fans even more of their favorite characters – now from the rich library of NBCUniversal. With the recent launch of McFarlane Toys Digital, we have the unique ability to expand our Movie Maniacs brand, which began back in 1997, beyond our expertly detailed figures and into the digital world by offering our fans a new way to showcase their collections. NBCUniversal’s collection of iconic characters and stories make them an ideal partner for this exciting new venture” said Todd McFarlane, founder, and CEO of McFarlane Toys.
Product is launching this spring and will be available online and at retail worldwide. All digital products will be sold in conjunction with their physical collectibles and will be redeemable at mcfarlanetoys.digital.
Adventure awaits as Curious Hedgehog and Showpath Entertainment unite with Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro to bring the first-ever officially licensed DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (D&D) theatrical production to the stage this spring – The Twenty-Sided Tavern! Gather your party and experience the interactive theatrical adventure that has captivated critics and audiences worldwide, with previews starting at Stage 42 (422 W 42nd St) in New York City on Friday, April 19, 2024, and an official opening of Sunday, May 5, 2024. Exclusive pre-sale tickets will be available starting February 29th. Interested fans can sign up at thetwentysidedtavern.com for pre-sale access. General public on-sale begins Monday, March 4th.
A global phenomenon and leader in cross-platform fantasy entertainment, D&D is the most popular tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) in the world, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. As part of the festivities, producers David Carpenter (Slava’s SnowShow, PUFFS), Sarah Davis Reynolds, and David Andrew Laws of Curious Hedgehog, along with David Hutchinson and Nathan Brine of Showpath Entertainment (MONOPOLY Lifesized, The Paddington Bear Experience, The SpongeBob Musical) present an all-new, unique, and audience-engaging production that just might involve dungeons, possibly even dragons, and is guaranteed to be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
“As passionate gamers and D&D players, the partners at Curious Hedgehog set off on a quest to redefine what a live interactive experience can be. What started as a D&D-style RPG onstage with folding tables and a box of props has grown beyond our wildest imagination,” says David Carpenter. “From day one we forged a deep connection with gamers and non-gamers alike by bringing them a whole new type of experience by fans for fans. When David Hutchinson at Showpath and the Hasbro team approached us about this collaboration, it was a perfect match. Together we are taking experiential entertainment to the next level.”
At DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern, the audience is not just a viewer but the “fourth player,” influencing key decisions via Gamiotics, a browser-based software that allows you to vote on where the story will go — what characters appear, what experiences they explore, and more. With a cast of five actors and over 30 playable characters, audiences will experience an expansive fantasy world set in the Forgotten Realms, and face riddles, puzzles, combat, and more, to help shape the story. Laughter will flow like ale and with the audience in full control and exciting reveals around every corner, no two shows are alike! For those seeking a more daring experience, there are opportunities to join the action onstage and test your strength (or dexterity, or wisdom, or charisma) through a variety of rollicking games, including trivia, charades, and the ever-popular Fantasy Beer Pong. Featuring behind-the-scenes talent from popular theatrical shows such as Dimension 20, Marvel’s Rogers: The Musical, Beavis and Butthead and more, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern is the game you know and the experience you’ll love but bigger and better than ever.
Called “A sure-fire hit,” by the British Comedy Guide, and declared “fantastic fun… utterly excellent” by Broadway World, the original experience played sold-out engagements in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Chicago Tribune raved that the show is “a total blast, not least…due to the pleasure of being surrounded by so many kindred spirits.”
The worldwide growth and popularity of D&D has spawned a diverse array of immersive products, content, and experiences including a massive and passionate community of players, expansive maps, countless game guides, live events, streaming shows, an award-winning AAA video game, and a major motion picture – DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Honor Among Thieves.
Casting is currently underway for this production. Experienced actors with a background in improv and a deep understanding of fantasy and D&D are encouraged to submit their portfolios for consideration. To learn more about casting, please visit the RWS Global Submission link HERE.
Previews begin April 19th and the quest officially launches on Sunday, May 5th. Plans to launch a national tour are already under way. Tickets to DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern will go on sale via thetwentysidedtavern.com, telecharge.com, or by calling 800-447-7400. Adventurers curious to learn more can join the community via Discord.
Focus Entertainment and DON’T NOD are extremely proud to release Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, the narrative action-RPG where you take on the roles of two skilled ghost hunters and partners facing challenging decisions with profound consequences for both the living and the dead. Watch the launch trailer now and immerse yourself in a compelling and memorable adventure on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Life to the living, death to the dead
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is an all-new title crafted by renowned studio DON’T NOD, known for their acclaimed titles such as Life is Strange and Vampyr. Discover New Eden in 1695, where communities of settlers are plagued by a dreadful curse. As Banishers, step into their lives, investigate the source of evil, unravel chilling mysteries, explore diverse landscapes, and interact with unforgettable characters whose fate lies in your hands.
Antea and Red are trained spirit-hunters, protecting people from lingering specters. But when tragedy strikes and Antea herself becomes a ghost, will you honor your Banisher oath or sacrifice the living in a desperate bid to bring your beloved back?
Face a tragic twist of fate now in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden.
Crown Wars: The Black Prince has unveiled a new gameplay video today to coincide with the launch of preorders. The new video transports you to a medieval dark fantasy world with turn-based combat between factions. There are three key tips to remember if you want to win in Crown Wars: The Black Prince: planning and positioning are crucial for attacking enemies and defending effectively; finding higher elevations will grant accuracy and critical hit chance bonuses; and exploiting environmental and class synergies can be the difference between success and failure during missions.
In Crown Wars: The Black Prince, you are plunged into the middle of the Hundred Years’ War as several royal families engage in violent conflicts to decide who will control the most powerful kingdom in the western world. But a powerful Evil lurks in the shadows, and it could change the course of history. An occult and unholy organization known as the Order is sowing chaos across the kingdom in its quest for power.
Steam Page
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1658920/Crown_Wars_The_Black_Prince/
Today, Quantic Dream and Sand Door Studio are proud to announce the release of Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior, a new tactical hack ‘n’ slash published under the label SPOTLIGHT by QUANTIC DREAM.
The game is now available on PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store at a recommended retail price of $24.99. To celebrate the release, partner platforms will offer a 20% discount during the first week of launch, for a suggested retail price of $19.99.
“We’ve put much creativity and care into Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior, and I am so excited to see how players will challenge themselves and make the game their own,” states Thibault Legouet, Game Director at Sand Door Studio. “It is an honor to lead the development of Sand Door Studio’s inaugural game, and to see a bright idea from our student project grow into a full-blown game. I hope players will have tons of fun strategizing, challenging themselves, and summoning an army of their past selves to save the kingdom of Antala.”
Thanks to the godlike powers of the game’s protagonist, Imë, players can rewind time a few seconds in the past and summon clones – remnants – to overpower their enemies. Each arena can be defeated in countless ways with a combination of remnants, spells, and weapons, bringing a strategic approach to battle.
Additionally, players can push their limits by changing the difficulty of settings and adding combat modifiers to unlock new rewards with a special game mode called “Figments of Battle.” By replaying and optimizing each arena, they can challenge themselves to rise to the top and beat the game’s high scores.
The game is fully dubbed in English and is also available with subtitles in the following languages: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Latin American Spanish and Turkish.
Furthermore, Quantic Dream and Sand Door Studio have released the game’s official soundtrack on digital streaming platforms, available today in partnership with KidKatana Records. The soundtrack blends various music genres – such as electronic, dark ambient and industrial tribal – and the composers Thomas Lanza and Pablo Gomez have taken inspiration from artists like Ulf Söderberg, Steve Roach, and Tzol’kin, among others.
This unique piece of music is available here.
People Can Fly and Incuvo S.A. today released a major update for Bulletstorm VR. Today’s patch for the PlayStation VR 2 and Steam VR provides fixes for multiple crashes and bugs, improves the AI on select enemies, adds several quality of life improvements and more. See here for additional information: https://bulletstorm.com/patch-notes/
Additionally, the developers recently released a patch on January 26 for Meta Quest 2 and 3 which decreases crashes happening on the platforms by 75%, improves enemy AI drastically, fixes occasional soft-locks in menus and features many quality-of-life improvements within the brutal sci-fi first-person VR shooter. The second patch for Meta platforms is in development.
People Can Fly and Incuvo S.A. will be releasing various patches for all platforms in the coming weeks which add new quality-of-life improvements, gameplay enhancements, AI balances and more to give players a thrilling, kick-ass virtual reality Bulletstorm experience they’ll enjoy playing for years to come.
Players can learn more about upcoming patches on Bulletstorm’s official Twitter/X account, and read more about each update’s specific fixes at bulletstorm.com/patch-notes. For more information on this title, please visit https://bulletstorm.com/.
Can you feel the love in the air? ‘Love Ascended’ is sweeping ARK survivors off their feet with an array of enchanting new treats and delights! This new in-game event celebrating Valentine’s Day, kicks off today in ARK: Survival Ascended and will continue to spread joy and affection until Tuesday, February 20, 2024, on Official Servers.
Every year new holiday items are lovingly added and this year is no exception! Love Bugs have invaded the ARK island, with new event items including a Valentine’s Fishing Rod and Love Bug Hearts, and a host of new event skins including Heart Spring Hat, Cuddle Rex Sweater and Love-Bed.
Today saw the first two Premium Mods launched in the ARK: Survival Ascended mod store for PC: ‘Svartalfheim’ and ‘Gaia Potions Plus’. These Premium Mods bring high-quality content built by full-time player-creators supported by the community, and today marks the first two examples on PC, to follow on console in the weeks ahead. To date more than 100 million mods have been downloaded by Survivors in ARK: Survival Ascended on both consoles and PC, made by over 600 creators. To view all the nearly 1,500 mods available visit the official home of ARK: Survival Ascended mods on the CurseForge page.
Today, we invite you to dive into the Outcast – A New Beginning demo, available on both PC and consoles. Experience firsthand the thrill of soaring through Adelpha’s skies with your jetpack or confronting giant mechs on the ground. Witness the power of Cutter Slade’s customizable weapons, as you find the best way to dismantle the invading robot forces with style.
Get a taste of the action now and decide for yourself if you’re ready to join the resistance when Outcast – A New Beginning launches on March 15th, 2024.
Get the Demo here:
PC – Steam: https://thqn.net/oanb-steam
PlayStation 5: https://thqn.net/oanb-psn
Xbox Series S/X: https://thqn.net/oanb-xbox