Author - Jerry Paxton

Knott’s Spooky Farm Returns for 2023

2023/09/06

Enjoy the spooktacular Halloween season at Knott’s Spooky Farm, a family-friendly Halloween celebration. Families can join in on the ghoulish fun as the park transforms with themed décor and wicked fun around every corner. The Fall Season of Fun offers Halloween-themed activities that celebrate the season, including trick-or-treating, a lineup of original shows, and pumpkin decorating. Knott’s Spooky Farm will be taking place in the daytime, Thursdays through Sundays, September 28 through October 29, 2023, plus Columbus Day and Halloween.

Kids can participate in a memorable trick-or-treating experience in the spooky streets of Ghost Town, where they will interact with an array of spooky but friendly shopkeepers and show off their festive Halloween costumes. Guests can also visit the Livery Stable to get close and personal with the Creepy Critters of Calico. Spiders, bugs, and more await at our Creepy Critters Corral. Whimsical jack-o-lanterns surround Calico Park as it changes into an enchanting Pumpkin Patch location for families to enjoy the season’s atmosphere with photo ops. Guests can get in the spirit by decorating their very own themed cookie or pumpkin right in the heart of Ghost Town. Miniature pumpkins or Halloween cookies will be available for a nominal fee. Little ghouls are also encouraged to strut their stuff and show off their Halloween Costumes in the Calico Carnival Costume Cavalcade hosted by some of your favorite town citizens at the Calico Mine Stage. Also at the Calico Mine Stage, Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies are back for a country concert like no other, with plenty of high-energy music and comedy on tap.

Gals and ghouls are in for a treat as the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre Show is back with their Halloween-themed show at Birdcage Theatre. These peculiar puppeteers will amaze all with a spooky puppet show that will have little ones and adults entertained all day.

The residents of The Timber Mountain Log Ride will celebrate the Halloween Hootenanny, which adds a family-friendly seasonal twist to a park favorite. The ride’s interior features surprise after surprise 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. The fun continues for little ones at the Calico Mine Ride as it undergoes a fantastical transformation into a candy wonderland! Grab a seat to explore the caves and caverns for candy confections, but keep an eye out for the elusive Pink Fairy.

Knott’s Spooky Farm runs daytime Thursdays through Sundays, September 28 through October 29, 2023, plus Columbus Day and Halloween, and is included with regular park admission. The best way to enjoy Knott’s Spooky Farm and all of Knott’s Seasons of Fun for the remainder of 2023 plus all of 2024 is with a 2024 Season Pass. A Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission to Knott’s Berry Farm with no blockout dates, and a Gold Season Pass includes unlimited admission to both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City Waterpark with no blockout dates. Regular Season Passes start at just $99 or 11 easy payments of $6 after initial payment. Hurry before these offers end on October 31, 2023. Applicable taxes and fees apply. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.

For more information on all the exciting things that are going on at Knott’s Berry Farm, visit us online at knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smartphone. Join the conversation by using #SpookyFarm on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy Launch Trailer

2023/09/06

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News, Xbox Series X News

You will meet some friends, some foes, but all are unforgettable – Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy is OUT NOW for PC, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One™, Xbox Series S/X™, and Nintendo Switch™. Watch the release trailer here:

Traverse breathtaking landscapes in Trine’s deepest and visually richest chapter to date, with an all-new cast of characters and the longest campaign of the series! Whether by yourself or playing with up to three friends in online and local co-op, the upgraded puzzle difficulty system keeps things fresh, adapting the challenge to the number of players.

Wield magic as Amadeus, the master of arcane arts, swing your sword as Pontius, the knight in shining armor (who loves pie!), or play as the cunning thief Zoya – the choice is yours! An action-packed journey awaits our heroes of Trine. Battle monsters and solve puzzles to save your friends and family in time!

Trine 5 is developed by Frozenbyte in Helsinki, Finland and is available for PC, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One™, Xbox Series S/X™, and Nintendo Switch™ at an SRP of € 29.99 / $ 29.99 / £ 24.99.

Links & Info:
Website: https://trine5.thqnordic.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/trine
Steam: https://thqn.net/t5cc-steam
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trineseries
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trineseries

Dune: Spice Wars Release Date Trailer

2023/09/06

Jerry Paxton

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

Dune: Spice Wars, the ultimate Arrakis 4X strategy experience developed by Shiro Games and published by Funcom, is set to release out of Early Access on September 14th. The full release will bring the sixth major content update since the game entered Early Access, introducing the opulent and politically sharp House Ecaz. With a total of six factions now warring over the priceless spice, the pursuit of power is as unpredictable as the sands of Arrakis themselves.

Throughout Early Access, Dune: Spice Wars has continued to grow and be refined thanks to a clear content roadmap and feedback-based updates.

The new arrivals, House Ecaz, wield power like a paint brush, rapidly expanding its influence across the hostile canvas of Arrakis, where sun and sandworm devour all. The prestige of their artworks grants them unique power over the Landsraad, letting them stand toe-to-toe with even the Atreides in terms of political clout.

Dune: Spice Wars is a grand strategy 4X game played in real-time, with countless paths to planetary domination and control over the spice. In solo or multiplayer, gain the upper hand through any combination of intrigue, warfare, politics, industry, and subterfuge.
The sci-fi masterpiece by Frank Herbert, Dune, is the narrative foundation upon which Dune: Spice Wars is based, and it informs the game’s design deeply, going beyond flavor and setting. The epic scope, Machiavellian plotting, and brutal backstabbing shine through every facet of the gameplay, which remains easily accessible thanks to clear tutorials and an easy to learn, but hard to master array of systems and mechanics.

Dune: Spice Wars releases out of Early Access on September 14. Explore the game in full detail on the official website: https://dunespicewars.com/.

Former ThinkGeek Brand Rollacrit Unveils New Bag of Holding Kickstarter

2023/09/06

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Tech News, Trailers / Videos

A long time ago, in a previous life, there was the original Bag of Holding which pop culture fans loved and carried to conventions all over the world to hold their swag. However, as time passed, these bags started to be riddled with tape and broken zippers. But gaming lifestyle brand, Rollacrit, (made up of ex-ThinkGeek employees) decided too many years have passed and it was time to bring back a new Bag of Holding for the 2020s – bigger, stronger, customizable and more “holdier” than any of its predecessors. Now from the minds that brought you the original Bag of Holding, a new Kickstarter campaign launched today, September 5th 2023, adding another exciting chapter in Rollacrit’s company history. The bag base tier is $125.00 for those pledging on Kickstarter during its campaign (expected retail is $175).

In 2021, Rollacrit had an enormously successful Kickstarter campaign and fulfillment for their pun-tastic dungeon exploration tabletop game, Heroes of Barcadia (backed by over 13,700 people); the game is now in its robust retail release for the masses. So what was next for Rollacrit? After listening to so many people asking for a new, improved Bag of Holding, they made the decision to resurrect, revamp and tear the original bag apart and build it stronger. The new bag is ready to go anywhere because it even meets TSA requirements for a carry on and can function as a backpack with straps hidden in the back compartment. A bag fit for an adventurer needs to hold up to more than just daily use.

“When Rollacrit was formed, one of our missions was to resurrect some of our favorite old products with a new twist. We’ve learned a lot since that original Bag of Holding and we’ve put some solid time into research, development and magic,” said Rollacrit CEO Erin Zipperle. “We’re ready to bring the bag into the 2020s with a new and improved Bag of Holding but it can only be revived with fans support via Kickstarter!”

Void Crew First Gameplay Video Released

2023/09/05

Jerry Paxton

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

Prepare to traverse the cosmos like never before with Void Crew, the highly anticipated, first-person, co-op space action-adventure game set to take the universe by storm. From the dedicated team at Hutlihut Games, Void Crew boasts an array of groundbreaking features, including innovative tactile mechanics, heart-pounding space battles, and a galaxy of exploration, all culminating in an experience that promises players unprecedented freedom and endless chaos.

Catch the first gameplay video hosted by gaming luminary Jesse Cox and three of the brilliant minds behind Void Crew: Daniel Windfeld (Creative Director), Laurids Binderup (Lead Game Designer), and Javier Garcia (Game Engineer). Join them on an unforgettable journey through the stars as they showcase the game’s dynamic features and give you a first look at its gameplay before it kicks off into Steam Early Access on September 7.

Grab your friends and dive headfirst into the immersive co-op gameplay that Void Crew offers. Team up as intrepid space explorers forging bonds as you navigate the treacherous unknown. Command your ship together as you face human scavengers and hostile aliens alike while pulling off daring missions in and out of your vessel. Void Crew delivers unparalleled co-op experiences that will solidify friendships and create unforgettable memories.

Freedom of Play Meets Unleashed Chaos

Void Crew isn’t just a game; it’s a canvas for creativity and chaos. Experiment with a multitude of tactics, harness tactile mechanics to manipulate your environment, and embrace the sheer freedom to play your way. From meticulously orchestrated strategies to gleeful mayhem, the game lets you forge your destiny among the stars. It’s an experience where every session is a unique adventure, driven by player choices and wild imaginations.

Void Crew is set to blast off into Steam Early Access this Thursday, September 7, allowing players to become a part of a galactic odyssey right from the outset. This is your chance to shape the game’s evolution, contribute valuable feedback, and experience its growth firsthand.

Join the official Void Crew Discord community to connect with fellow spacefarers, share your experiences, and engage with the developers. Player feedback is central to the evolution and direction of Void Crew as the team moves towards version 1.0. You can also check out the game’s development roadmap on Steam. Get ready to experience the boundless wonders of Void Crew and embark on a journey that transcends the stars!

Slender: The Arrival Comes to PS5 and Xbox Series X this October

2023/09/05

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox Series X News

It has been a month since veteran independent video game developer Blue Isle Studios first announced that Slender: The Arrival will be given a long-awaited 10th Anniversary Upgrade. We now have a date to unleash the bone-chilling adventure, starting October 18 be whisked back to a dark and familiar world completely reimagined. Every shadow, every material and every hair-raising encounter with the mysterious Slender Man will be rendered in the stunning detail only possible with Unreal Engine 5. This revisualized version of Slender: The Arrival is now available for pre-order.

That’s not all, a brand new chapter has been announced. Those of you willing to brave the darkness will find a new story where Charlie Matheson’s father experiences his worst nightmare. This free addition to the game offers a sneak preview of what’s to come.

This marks the first time Slender: The Arrival will appear natively on current generation consoles with the opportunity to pre-order today on Xbox Series X|S ($19.99), followed by PlayStation 5 ($19.99) on September 19. As a pre-order bonus, Blue Isle Studios is giving out a free copy of Valley with all pre-orders.

“It’s been 10 years since the original launch and we’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to improve and add to the game. There are many more Slender Man stories to tell, and we cannot wait to deliver on these experiences.” – Alex Tintor, Co-Founder & Lead Designer at Blue Isle Studios.

Legendary Comics Presents Sleep Terrors Horror Graphic Novel

2023/09/05

Jerry Paxton

Comics News, Geek News, Halloween, News

Legendary Comics, a trailblazer in the world of graphic novels (Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong, Dune: The Official Movie Graphic Novel), is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their newest spine-chilling masterpiece, Sleep Terrors. This heart-pounding adventure horror graphic novel, written by acclaimed author Cavan Scott and brought to life with illustrations by Stephanie Son, is set to captivate readers with its gripping narrative and haunting visuals. The graphic novel is scheduled for release on September 5, 2023, inviting readers to embark on an unparalleled journey into a world where nightmares take on a terrifying reality.

In Sleep Terrors, readers will be plunged into a realm where dreams and reality collide in a mesmerizing tale of suspense and supernatural intrigue. Terri, our protagonist, once believed she was safe upon awakening, only to find that her nightmares had followed her into the waking world.

Ever since a life-altering accident left her in a coma, Terri’s existence has been plagued by narcoleptic episodes during the day and disturbing visions during the night. However, her dreams take a chilling twist when they transform into grim prophecies, manifesting as violent events that stain reality with bloodtrails. As Terri grapples with the terrifying realization that her dreams are becoming all too real, her struggle to stay awake drives her to madness.

Sleep Terrors seamlessly blends action-adventure, horror, and supernatural elements, promising an unforgettable reading experience that will resonate with fans of diverse genres.

PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2 NEW GENESIS Fall 2023 Events

2023/09/05

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

SEGA today shared a new NGS Headline, a program to inform players about the present and future of Sega’s free-to-play online action RPG, PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2 NEW GENESIS, with information on current operations, future updates, and campaigns. Today’s NGS Headline outlined events coming to PSO2: NGS this Fall, such as the Autumn Event, Limited Time Quests, and AC Scratch Tickets! Watch the newest NGS Headline here.

Autumn ’23 (September 6)

The Limited-time Event Autumn ’23 will begin on September 6th. Autumn leaves will dance across the Aelio Region, and Central City will be transformed into an O-tsukimi, or moon-viewing, theme. Moongaze Rappy, Moongaze Emperappy, and Moongaze Great Rappy will all be joining us for this event. Players will enjoy gazing up at the moon with our cute, feathered pals.

Xitre is the navigator for this event and has a Happi coat with a Rappy drawn on the back. There seem to have been issues with the supply chain due to aggressive enemies so talk to Xitre to help out. The Augment Sezun Automfevre ’23 is effective against Seasonal Enemies, so make good use of any weapons you have with it during this event.

Items available in the Seasonal Points Exchange Shop include the Stamp STP: Noroshi – Yummy! and items to change the Vital Gauge Design. There will also be alternative color Motion Change items and Portable Holograms. Players can also get Scratch Tickets to draw the Autumn ’23 Special Scratch. In addition, the Alcinq weapon series will be available in all weapon categories for this season’s event.

There will also be ARKS Records for the Field Race Dreisen Plant Board (Stage 1): Solo during this same period, so be sure to take on that challenge as well. A Limited-time Quest Drill: Unidentified Region A32 will also be available alongside this event. This is a Rapid Saturation Attack Mission-type quest, the same as the Drill: Crisp Autumn Aelio Defense and other previously released quests. Compete for Quest Points that you can earn by delivering the final blow to enemies. Completing this quest unlocks a Limited-time Quest and a Title Task, so take on the challenge and snap up Seasonal Points, Titles, and Autumn ’23 SP Scratch Tickets! The Autumn ’23 Special Scratch lineup includes new Weapon Camo and Music Discs, as well as Portable Holograms and other items.

Limited-Time Quest – Drill: Moonlight Invasion ’23 (September 13)

Starting September 13th, a Limited-time Quest titled Drill: Moonlight Invasion ’23 will be available. This is an update of a quest that was released last year where players will once again be able to enjoy co-op combat with those characters we’ve all missed. Enemy levels and rewards have been enhanced from last year’s quest, so this is a quest you don’t want to miss.There is also a new Limited-time Task and Title Task that can be unlocked by completing this quest.The ARKS Records for this event are for Trainia: Slope Style, for Solo and All Classes.

Limited-Time Quest – Caldera Clean-Up Op (September 20)

The Limited-time Quest: Caldera Clean-Up Op launches on September 20th. The quest is set in Stia and can accommodate up to 24 players. The Transport Trucks used by Supply Unit Traspo have broken down again, and the swarm of enemies and boss enemies turned Megalotix gathered there is getting larger and larger. Cover the Transport Trucks until they can be repaired, making good use of the falling Lava Bombs. Completing this quest will unlock Limited-time Quests and Title Tasks, so take on the challenge and snap up Seasonal Points, Titles, and Autumn ’23 SP Scratch Tickets! ARKS Records will be held for the Field Race: North Aelio Board (Stage 1).

Limited-Time Quest – Drill: Autum Night Aelio Defense ’23

Look sharp, ARKS! The Limited-time Quest: Drill: Autumn Night Aelio Defense ’23 is coming straight at us! This is an enhanced version of the quest released last year, with boosted enemy levels and rewards. This quest is a Rapid Saturation Attack Mission, so aim to max out your Quest Points with decisive blows to destroy enemies! Plus, completing this quest will unlock Limited-time Quests and Title Tasks, so tackle the challenge to grab Seasonal Points, Titles, and Autumn ’23 SP Scratch Tickets! ARKS Records will be held for Trainia: Vanishing Path II, for Solo and All Classes. Take up the gauntlet and give it a spin!

The Global version of PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2 NEW GENESIS includes fully localized text and character voices in English and will remain content current with the Japanese servers. Details can be found at https://ngs.pso2.com/. For additional up-to-the-minute updates, players can follow @play_PSO2 on Twitter, @PSO2Official on Facebook, and @play_pso2 on Instagram.

Company of Heroes Collection Nintendo Switch Trailer

2023/09/05

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, Trailers / Videos

Developed by Feral Interactive, the military masterpiece Company of Heroes will be launching on Nintendo Switch this autumn as a single collection containing the base game and both expansions.

Company of Heroes Collection marks the console debut of the game that redefined real-time strategy, bringing with it epic campaigns based on the liberation of France by Allied forces in World War II. From the daring beach assaults of D-Day and on into the Battle of Normandy, players will command both Allied and Axis forces in an action-packed offering which includes both the base game and its two expansions — Opposing Fronts™ and Tales of Valor™ — in one storming package.

With a bespoke user interface and controls designed for play on Nintendo Switch, the full battlefield will be under the player’s command. Intense tactical combat takes place across 41 squad-based missions, with moment-to-moment encounters shaping the course of each battle. A customisable Skirmish mode is also included, with unique factions, multiple game modes and a wealth of maps, offering enormous replay ability and rewarding bold experimentation.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Gets Huge Patch

2023/09/05

Jerry Paxton

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.