Author - Jerry Paxton

Nights of the Jack Returning for 2022 Halloween Season

LA’s leading immersive event, Nights Of The Jack, the ultimate Halloween experience for the whole family, is back this year for the 5th year and promises to be bigger and brighter than ever. Welcoming over 100,000 people every year, greater LA area residents and celebrity fans alike are expected to visit Calabasas for the annual event, that includes thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, immersive scenes, nearly mile-long walking trail, premium food, beverages and cocktails and much more. Tickets go on sale on August 23, 2022 at 6:00am PT at NightsOfTheJack.com, and opening night is Friday, September 30, 2022.

Nights Of The Jack is Halloween fun for everyone. Adults, families and children alike are welcome and won’t want to miss this hair-raising feast for the senses. Spooky but never scary, kids will love the enchanted renditions of their favorite characters in pumpkin-form and have fun amongst the big multi-sensory scenes. Adults will appreciate the artistry and craftmanship of the elaborate sets and be able to enjoy alcohol from two full bars. Everyone can enjoy picking out Halloween gifts and light-up items from the souvenir shop.

Nights Of The Jack is hospitality-forward and offers a premium food and beverage experience, including some of LA’s best food trucks, such as Cousins Maine Lobster and Vivace Pizza. The Spookeasy is a high-end full bar and will have ample Halloween treats for adults, including top shelf spirits, cocktails, craft beer and wine. There will also be sweet treats, coffee, hot cider and cocoa nightly for everyone, with special additional dessert trucks on Wednesdays.

Thirty miles northwest of Hollywood, tucked in the Santa Monica Mountains, there’s a strange and shadowy wonderland that everyone’s been whispering about. This year, the immersive walking trail is back, and guests are encouraged follow the nearly a mile long trail at King Gillette Ranch, glimmering at every turn with blazing gourds around every corner. This season, the Nights of the Jack creative team has summoned jack o’ lanterns from every mystical sphere and devised a spook-tacular illuminated light show under the autumn sky and created new carves, new installations and tons of new photo moments.

Nights Of The Jack is also available for private events and corporate sponsorships and features a private 100-person VIP bar that can be closed off for private parties.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating our 5th annual Nights Of The Jack this year in Calabasas,” in a joint statement said by Nights of the Jack co-founders, Ben Biscotti and Tony Schubert. “We look forward to entertaining everyone again with an immersive Halloween event that appeals to adults, families and children of all ages!”

Main Attractions:

  • Immersive Walking Trail – nearly 1 mile of bright Halloween lights and festival jack o’lanterns
  • Pumpkin Carver – watch live pumpkin carvings from experts
  • Souvenir Shop – purchase fun light-up items and Halloween gifts
  • The Spookeasy – enjoy craft beer, wine and cocktails

Details:

  • Dates: Nights of the Jack will be open to the public for 25 dates beginning September 30 through October 31
    • September 30 – October 2 (Opening Weekend)
    • October 6–9 (Friends & Family Weekend)
    • October 12–16
    • October 19–31
  • Times: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
  • Location: King Gillette Ranch: 26800 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302
  • Tickets: www.nightsofthejack.com
  • Price:
    • Weekdays: $29.99-34.99
    • Fridays: $39.99-44.99
    • Saturdays: $44.99
    • Sundays: $39.99
    • 2 years and under are free admission.
    • Each ticket will grant you access to the event at the day and time of selected slot.

Guests can also celebrate a little bit of Calabasas’ history from this very location that inspired the event. According to legend dating back to 1824, a rancher from Oxnard spilled a wagonload of pumpkins in Calabasas while on the way to Los Angeles and later, hundreds of pumpkins sprouted alongside the road.

Nights Of The Jack is committed to ensuring the safety of all patrons and staff. To see what health and safety measures the staff will be taking, visit here.

Razer Unveils Basilisk V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse and Mouse Dock Pro

Razer™, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the Basilisk V3 Pro, a next-gen customizable wireless gaming mouse built for performance and complete customizability. Being Razer’s most advanced gaming mouse to date, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro sets a new standard for the enthusiast gaming community with a Razer HyperScroll Tilt Wheel, Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3, 10+1 programmable buttons, Razer Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor, wireless charging with Razer Mouse Dock Pro and Wireless Charging Puck (both sold separately), and more.

“The Basilisk V3 Pro is our most feature-rich gaming mouse to date, with all the bells and whistles to blow the competition out of the water,” said Chris Mitchell, Head of the PC Gaming Division at Razer. “Essentially, the Basilisk V3 Pro gives gamers every feature they could ever want, and more customization options than ever before.”

Customizability on a New Level

Powered by Razer Chroma™ RGB, the Basilisk V3 Pro features 13-Zone Chroma Lighting with Full Underglow, giving gamers the ability to customize each zone from over 16.8 million colors and countless lighting effects, while experiencing greater immersion as they react dynamically with over 200 Chroma-integrated games. With the use of the award-winning Razer™ HyperScroll Tilt Wheel, players can either speed through content in a free spin until stopped, or switch to tactile mode for more precision and satisfying feedback that is ideal for cycling through weapons or skills.

Favored by millions worldwide, the mouse’s signature shape and iconic form with 10+1 Programmable Buttons perfectly supports different grips, while its numerous easy-access buttons allow for an endless combination of commands and macros for cutting-edge ergonomics and control.

Incomparable Performance

Best-in-class precision, high-intensity low-latency gaming, improved durability, and speed are all features that perfectly sum up the next-gen capabilities of the Basilisk V3 Pro. Achieving a complete resolution accuracy of 99.8%, the Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor offers a powerful sensor solution equipped with AI functionality such as Smart Tracking, Motion Sync and Asymmetric Cut-off – for ultimate performance at the highest levels of play. With the Smart Tracking feature, the Basilisk V3 Pro auto-calibrates across different surfaces so that it is able to maintain a consistent lift-off distance no matter what surface it’s used on, allowing gamers greater control and accuracy, even on glass.

In addition, the Basilisk V3 Pro sports Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3 for absolutely zero double-clicking issues and no debounce delay while still featuring a more tactile feel, and an even longer click lifespan. These switches are rated for a click lifecycle of up to 90-million clicks, increasing durability by over 25% compared to the previous switch generation.

Wireless Connectivity with Multi-Device Support

The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro also incorporates Razer HyperSpeed Wireless for a 2.4 GHz connection so that gamers can enjoy an ultra-responsive experience with speeds 25% faster than other wireless tech. Thanks to multi-device support, gamers can streamline their setup and free up a USB port by connecting both a compatible wireless Razer keyboard and the Basilisk V3 Pro to a single dongle. Also boasting Bluetooth connectivity as well as a Type C connection, this allows for more versatility and seamless device switching. The Basilisk V3 Pro is also compatible with Razer’s newly released 4K Hz HyperPolling Wireless Dongle to allow gamers to achieve absolute control with a true 4000 Hz wireless polling rate.

Upgrade to Next-Gen Wireless Charging

Along with the Qi-certified Basilisk V3 Pro (when Wireless Charging Puck is attached), today Razer also announced the new Razer Mouse Dock Pro with an Integrated 4K Hz Transceiver. Offering Magnetic Wireless Charging for a seamless, convenient experience, charging has never been more intuitive. Gamers can replace the regular mouse cover puck with the wireless charging puck (included with Mouse Dock Pro) in a compatible Razer mouse and charge the mouse by placing it onto the dock – which has a magnetic fit that stays secure while charging.

The Mouse Dock Pro also features an integrated Razer HyperPolling 4K Hz Transceiver for true 4K Hz wireless polling rate, and 8 Razer Chroma RGB Lighting Zones, with the ability to choose from 16.8 million colors for customizable style and greater game immersion.

ABOUT THE RAZER BASILISK V3 PRO

  • 4-way Razer™ HyperScroll tilt wheel with electronically actuated notched and free-spinning modes
  • 10+1 independently programmable buttons
  • Razer™ HyperSpeed Wireless (with Multi-Device Support), Bluetooth, and Wired support via Razer™ Speedflex Cable Type C
  • 13 Razer Chroma™ RGB lighting zones with full underglow and true 16.8 million customizable color options
  • Razer™ Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor
  • Up to 750 inches per second (IPS) / 70 G acceleration
  • Razer™ Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3
  • Up to 90 hours Battery Life (HyperSpeed)
  • On-board memory (4+1 profiles)
  • Approximate size: 130 mm / 5.11 in (Length) x 75.4 mm / 2.96 in (Grip Width) x 42.5 mm / 1.67 in (Height)
  • Approximate weight: 112g / 3.95oz (Excluding cable)
  • Dock Compatibility: Razer Mouse Dock Pro with Razer Wireless Charging Puck (both sold separately)

ABOUT THE RAZER MOUSE DOCK PRO 

  • Built-in Razer™ HyperPolling 4K Hz transceiver
  • Anti-slip base
  • Compatible device: Basilisk V3 Pro
  • Approximate size: 83.5 mm / 3.28 in (Length) x 56 mm / 2.2 in (Width) x 43.5 mm/ 1.71 in (Height)
  • Approximate weight: 112 g / 3.95 oz
  • USB Type C port for power and data
  • Inside the Box: Razer Mouse Dock Pro, Razer Wireless Charging Puck, High-speed USB Type A to Type C cable

ROCCAT Kone XP Air is Out Now

ROCCAT, Turtle Beach’s (Nasdaq: HEAR) award-winning PC gaming peripherals brand, today announced the worldwide retail availability of the new Kone XP Air Wireless RGB Customizable Gaming Mouse with Rapid Charge Dock. The Kone XP Air is the wireless version of the Kone XP – the culmination of 15 years of research and development to produce an industry-leading multi-purpose gaming mouse. The wired version of the Kone XP has not only turned heads with its stunning RGB effects but has also impressed when it comes to performance.

Like its wired counterpart, wireless the Kone XP Air features meticulously perfected ergonomics, multiple buttons, and 29 assignable functions to make it one of the most customizable wireless PC gaming mice on the market. Adding a stylish AIMO-enabled RGB Rapid Charge Dock, ROCCAT’s Stellar Wireless technology, and Bluetooth® connectivity make the Kone XP Air even more versatile.

ROCCAT’s Kone XP Air is the perfect blend of design and technology. Coming from a long line of iconic gaming mice, the Kone XP Air offers stunning 3D RGB lighting, as well as ROCCAT’s precise Owl-Eye 19K DPI optical sensor, and ridiculously fast Titan Optical Switches. Expertly crafted ergonomics deliver supreme comfort for extended hours of play, while multiple buttons and the Kone XP Air’s 4D Wheel expand the mouse’s capabilities to 29 programmable functions thanks to ROCCAT’s Easy-Shift [+] technology. The Kone XP Air’s translucent shell not only offers a view of its vibrant RGB lighting zones, but also allows the wireless mouse to achieve a weight of just 99g.

In addition to the reimagined AIMO RGB lighting, the Kone XP Air boasts ROCCAT’s incredibly reliable 2.4GHz Stellar Wireless technology, as well as Bluetooth connectivity allowing the mouse to be paired with multiple devices.

At the heart of the Kone XP Air is ROCCAT’s smooth and precise Owl-Eye 19K DPI optical sensor that perfectly tracks every movement, and at all speeds, for gamers who always want to have the upper hand over their competitors. Additionally, outstanding heat-treated PTFE feet make for a smooth glide across desktops. Inside the Kone XP Air PC gamers will find none other than some of the fastest switches available – ROCCAT’s Titan Optical Switches. The ridiculously fast Titan Optical Switches deliver unprecedented response speed and incredible durability, with a 100 million click life cycle.

The Kone XP Air comes complete with a stylish AIMO-enabled RGB charging dock. The Kone XP Air is part of the AIMO eco-system allowing the mouse and its charging dock to display up to 16.8 million colors and to communicate with other AIMO-enabled products, such as the Vulcan TKL mechanical RGB gaming keyboard to guarantee a unique lighting experience across gamers’ set-ups. The Kone XP Air’s Rapid Charge Dock provides up to five hours of playtime with just 10 minutes of charge. Fully charged, the Kone XP Air provides up to 100 hours of gameplay. As a backup for gamers who might have forgotten to recharge their mouse, the Kone XP Air also comes with ROCCAT’s PhantomFlex™ USB-C cable.

For more information on the latest ROCCAT PC gaming products and accessories, visit ROCCAT.com and be sure to follow ROCCAT on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Avatar Returning to Theaters in 4K High Dynamic Range

James Cameron’s Academy Award®-winning 2009 epic adventure “Avatar,” the most successful film of all time, returns to theaters September 23 in stunning 4K High Dynamic Range. Check out the new trailer and new poster art to celebrate the rerelease of the 2009 film.

Written and directed by Academy Award® winner James Cameron, “Avatar” stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver. The film was produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau. Nominated for nine Academy Awards® including Best Picture and Best Director, the film won three Oscars®, for Best Cinematography, Production Design and Visual Effects.

Twitter: @OfficialAvatar @20thCentury

FB/IG: @avatar @20thCenturyStudios

Railway Empire 2 and Dungeons 4 Announced at Gamescom with Trailers

Publisher Kalypso Media are thrilled to announce that two new sequels will be making their debut at Gamescom 2022 in Cologne, Germany. Railway Empire 2, the successor to the award-winning railway management simulator; and Dungeons 4, the newest addition to the popular tactical dungeon management game series – both developed by Kalypso Media’s in-house development studios. Kalypso Media will be offering the press an exclusive first look at both titles at the Gamescom Business Centre in hall 4.2, booth number B021/C022. Please reach out to the Kalypso PR team to book an appointment.

Railway Empire 2 – Enjoy traveling by train? Railway Empire 2, the highly anticipated successor to the award-winning Railway Empire, is in development by Gaming Minds Studios (Gütersloh) and will be arriving at the station in 2023. Railway Empire 2 is an exciting addition to the series in which players can experience the railway management simulator better than ever before. Take over a small train company during the 19th century in Europe or in North America and commence your journey to establishing the greatest railway corporation on the continent. Players will experience huge, realistic maps, 60 detailed historic steam engines, and improved track construction with real-time terraforming. Whether it’s relaxed model-making or intricate transport simulation, Railway Empire 2 has gameplay options that will appeal to calm conductors and savvy railway business owners alike. All aboard for 2023, when the title will be released with Xbox Game Pass for console and PC and will be available on Xbox Series X|S consoles, Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch™.

Kalypso Media is also delighted to announce that the long-awaited Dungeons 4, developed by Realmforge Studios, will be invading the overworld in 2023. The Absolute Evil’s quest is not yet complete, and with Thalya, the dark elf sorcerer, still by his side, it’s time to continue spreading chaos and destruction. In this impending new addition to the popular dungeon management series, players can control even more despicable creatures in even larger dungeons. Take on the 20-mission long, fully narrated campaign, or use two-player co-op multiplayer to double the destruction and manage your dungeon with a fellow evil friend. Dungeons 4 will emerge from the darkness in 2023 when the title will be available with Xbox Game Pass for console and PC and will be released on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch™.

Police Simulator: Patrol Officers Release Date Trailer

The Brighton Police Department is getting plenty of reinforcements, because soon console gamers will also be able to go on virtual patrol. Police Simulator: Patrol Officers by developer Aesir Interactive and publisher astragon Entertainment will be released on 10 November 2022 for PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. The PC version will leave the Early Access phase on the same day and will then also be available as a full version in stores and on Steam™. But fans can also look forward to new content even after the release.

The announcement trailer shows what everyday life looks like for the Brighton police officers on the console.

But the journey is far from over with the release of the game. Police Simulator: Patrol Officers will continue to be provided with free updates and content as well as new DLCs in the time after the release, some of which are:

  • A brand-new powerful vehicle: The Urban Terrain Vehicle will be available to anyone who pre-orders the game for PC and consoles or who bought or will buy the game during the Early Access phase. From release, the additional patrol vehicle will be available as DLC at a price of 2.99 Euro/2.49 GBP/2.99 USD.
  • An additional alternative to stop fleeing suspects: By aiming or using a stun gun or by aiming the police gun, fleeing suspects can be made to stop. With one of the free updates, stopping by physical force will also be possible.
  • Hand out multiple tickets: When Brighton residents commit offences, virtual enforcement officers can ask them to pay a fine or warn them. A free update will bring the possibility to charge all amounts cumulatively into the game.
  • Even more co-op fun: When patrol officers go on patrol together in co-op mode, the communication between them must work perfectly. A free update will implement helpful command shortcuts into the game with which they can communicate even better and in a more targeted manner. Only through perfect teamwork will they be able to keep law and order in Brighton.

Police Simulator: Patrol Officers by developer Aesir Interactive and publisher astragon Entertainment will be available on 10 November 2022 for PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S for 39.99 Euro/34.99 GBP/39.99 USD. In addition to the release on consoles, Police Simulator: Patrol Officers will also leave Steam™ Early Access and be subsequently available as a full game for PC for 29.99 Euro/24.99 GBP/29.99 USD.

TAIKO NO TATSUJIN: Rhythm Festival Game Modes Trailer

Leading video game publisher and developer Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. today released an all-new trailer highlighting the many exciting features and play modes in the upcoming game TAIKO NO TATSUJIN™: RHYTHM FESTIVAL, coming to Nintendo Switch™ on September 23, 2022.

Take a tour of bustling Omiko City with fun-loving tour guides DON-chan and Kumo-Kyun to see how TAIKO NO TATSUJIN: RHYTHM FESTIVAL lets players drum to the beat of their own heart. Visit the Thunder Shrine to play the original Taiko Mode and the new Concierge Mode – Improvement Support, where players can master the most challenging sections of songs. Get the band together with party games in Taiko Land, where up to four players can compete in “couch co-op” as they drum different parts of songs or go head-to-head with another player with their hand-selected toys in the unique and colorful Great Drum Toy War mode. Take your skills on a global tour in Dondoko Town, competing with players from around the world on the road to becoming a Taiko master.

In TAIKO NO TATSUJIN: RHYTHM FESTIVAL, players will hone their drumming skills through 76 songs, choosing between motion, touch, or button control, and customize their experience by earning Don Coins as they play. The game will be the first title in the series to offer the Taiko Music Pass giving players access to a catalog of more than 500 songs along with monthly updates adding new songs.

NBA 2K23 Next-Gen Gets All-New MyNBA Features

2K today unveiled the details and changes coming to MyNBA* in NBA® 2K23 for PlayStation® 5 (PS5™) and Xbox Series X|S players. Experience the ability to change the very fabric of NBA history with newly introduced Eras, creating new iconic moments with NBA legends and classic teams.

“This is a banner year for MyNBA, and our team is incredibly excited for fans of the game mode to explore the changes that have been in the making for over a decade,” said Erick Boenisch, VP of NBA Development at 2K and Visual Concepts. “MyNBA Eras takes the in-depth MyNBA experience of years past and plugs it into some of the most iconic periods of the NBA, allowing players to explore endless ‘what if?’ scenarios in the most authentic way possible.”

MyNBA provides players with a time machine that allows them to start a new MyNBA save at a specific point in NBA history called an Era. Players can play through solo, or join up with friends and choose to either relive or rewrite key moments, including:

  • The Magic Vs Bird Era: Starting in 1983, players will find themselves in the heat of the Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird rivalry that took over the league. Fans can rewrite 1980’s NBA history while they compete to draft the likes of Michael Jordan, Akeem Olajuwon, or any of the other NBA legends who were drafted in that legendary decade;
  • The Jordan Era: Beginning in 1991, The Jordan Era puts players right at the beginning of Jordan’s dominant run with the Chicago Bulls. They will battle with Isiah Thomas’ “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons, John Stockton and Karl Malone, Olajuwon’s Houston Rockets, and Patrick Ewing’s New York Knicks for a chance to claim 1990’s basketball supremacy;
  • The Kobe Era: The Kobe Bryant era takes fans back to 2002, where a new generation of talent had emerged in the West, including Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs, Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks, and of course, the Black Mamba himself, Kobe Bryant. In addition to competing against the legends of this era, players will also be fighting for draft position in anticipation of the legendary 2003 draft class;
  • The Modern Era: The previous MyNBA experience is now dubbed the Modern Era. Longtime fans of the mode can continue to start with the most up-to-date rosters available and enjoy the traditional MyNBA experience.

Each Era received a variety of updates to recreate the atmosphere of the times. Every team has at least one unique court along with unique uniforms. Additionally, a specific filter system was intricately designed to recreate the television experience of watching these games as they were originally broadcast, and every expansion team and franchise relocation is accounted for in-game.

For full details on the new MyNBA updates coming to NBA 2K23 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, check out the latest Courtside Report. Stay tuned for additional deep dives in the coming weeks to reveal even more of what’s new in NBA 2K23.

NBA 2K23 is currently scheduled for release on September 9 for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms. For more information, please visit the NBA 2K23 official website.

A Plague Tale: Requiem Gameplay Overview Trailer

A Plague Tale: Requiem, the sequel to the critically acclaimed A Plague Tale: Innocence by Asobo Studio and Focus Entertainment, has revealed a new Gameplay Overview Trailer. The game will also be present at Gamescom from August 24–28, with a demo to play at the event on the same dates. Additionally, Focus Entertainment will launch its “In Focus” behind-the-scenes video series on August 30 to present the making of A Plague Tale: Requiem ahead of its release on October 18!

Embark on Hugo and Amicia’s next journey and venture south of 14th century France before setting sail to a mysterious island in the Mediterranean Sea. Brave a terrible fate and find a cure for Hugo’s illness thanks to Amicia’s new resources—including the use of alchemy to manipulate fire, the long-distance power of a crossbow, her cunning use of terrain, and her ability to wrestle out of an enemy’s grasp. Choose to strike from the shadows or unleash hell with the help of Hugo’s new powers: to perceive surrounding enemies’ movements while moving stealthily and manipulate hordes of rats to decimate entire squads of soldiers.

Attendees will get to play one of the first chapters of the game at Gamescom from August 24–28. The public will find the demo at Microsoft’s booth (Hall 8.1, Stand B-051 – C-058). It will offer Gamescom visitors the opportunity to play the same level shown at the Tribeca Festival for those who missed it in June. Another demo will be shared with press attending Gamescom, letting them experience the level seen in the Extended Gameplay Trailer hands on.

Finally, Focus Entertainment launches its “In Focus” behind-the-scenes video series on August 30, sharing exclusive interviews with developers from Asobo Studio, the team behind A Plague Tale: Requiem.

A Plague Tale: Requiem will release October 18 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®5, PC, and in Cloud Version on Nintendo Switch. The game will also be available on day one with Xbox Game Pass for Console, PC and Cloud. Pre-order now and sign up as a Focus member to get the latest info and upcoming exclusive offers for A Plague Tale: Requiem and the whole Focus catalog.

Wreckfest for Mobile Available for Pre-Register

​Gimme fuel, gimme fire, gimme that which I desire! Only 5 days after international publisher and developer HandyGames’ surprise announcement of WRECKFEST mobile you can pre-register this gaming pearl on Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store!

Go full throttle wherever you go!

Now it is your turn to pre-register this neck-breaking, dust-eating, sheet-metal-bending mayhem for your mobile device!