Author - Jerry Paxton

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Unveil D23 Expo Plans

2022/07/28
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa will return for a spectacular in-person event in Anaheim with special surprises for fans of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. With exciting pavilions, captivating panel presentations and special retail experiences, fans can explore and be the first to learn about never-before-seen details of new themed lands, attractions, shows and more.

The Disney Parks and Experiences Wonderful World of Dreams pavilion invites attendees to step into the new stories, attractions and adventures Disney Imagineers are bringing to life around the globe. Fans will discover behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction coming to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, the transformation of EPCOT, new Frozen-themed experiences, Disney Cruise Line, live entertainment and more.

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro will take to the Hall D23 stage Sunday, September 11, at 10:30 a.m. for A Boundless Future: Disney Parks Experiences and Products to share a look at new details of highly anticipated projects in development around the world. The fan-favorite presentation is sure to feature see-it-here-first moments and surprises.

D23 Expo is the place for fans to shop for new and limited-edition merchandise from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic, plus items celebrating Disney100 and D23 Expo. Attendees can visit the D23 Expo Marketplace for a new, immersive retail experience with products from shopDisney.com and Disney Parks. The Walt Disney Imagineering Mickey’s of Glendale shop is returning to D23 Expo this year, this time with three unique retail spaces tailored to different categories and experiences: Mickey’s of Glendale Main Store, Mickey’s of Glendale Pin Store and D23 Expo Shop x Mickey’s of Glendale.

Guests at D23 Expo will get first access to DisneyMe, an all-new digital avatar in the Play Disney Parks app. This experience empowers guests to express their Disney style by creating their own unique DisneyMe. To celebrate the launch of DisneyMe as part of Disney Uncharted Adventure on the Disney Wish, guests at D23 Expo will be invited on a quest that can only be completed at the Expo. Attendees will uncover specially designed Disney Wish and D23 Expo digital clothing and accessories for their DisneyMe around the show floor.

Starting in September, D23 Expo guests will need to download the latest Play Disney Parks app to be ready to create their DisneyMe and join the DisneyMe D23 Expo Quest during the convention.

Throughout the weekend, fans can dive deeper into the world of Disney through several special panel presentations:

Inside Look at the Society of Explorers and Adventurers
Friday, Sept. 9, 10:30 a.m., Backlot Stage
An inside look at the continuing development of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers — what it means in the Disney parks and how these stories continue to grow. Disney Imagineers are joined by Julie Kagawa to talk about her first two books in a series of novels that tie into the lore of S.E.A.

A Peek Behind the Curtain at the Walt Disney Imagineering Illusions and Special Effects Development Lab
Saturday, September 10, 10 a.m., Walt Disney Archives Stage
Learn about the legacy of Walt Disney Imagineering’s Illusions and Special Effects Development Lab, including the work created by Yale Gracey for the Haunted Mansion and other early projects, plus a behind-the-curtain look at the present-day magical process that is so unique to Imagineering.

Uncovering Treasures from the Marty Sklar Collection
Saturday, September 10, 12 p.m., Walt Disney Archives Stage
Join Walt Disney Imagineering Ambassador Bob Weis and Leah and Leslie Sklar, the wife and daughter of the late Disney Legend and Imagineer Marty Sklar, as they discuss some of the treasures they’ve discovered while going through Marty’s collection from his more than 50 years with Walt Disney Imagineering.

Dreaming, Designing and Bringing to Life the Disney Wish
Saturday, September 10, 4 p.m., Backlot Stage
Disney Imagineers fresh off the launch of the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet — the Disney Wish — talk about their experiences bringing this ship to life. From the wondrously themed spaces and imaginative kids clubs to the first-ever Disney attraction at sea, the ship brings to life fantastical stories you know and love like never before.

Walt Disney Imagineering: 70 Years of Making the Impossible, Possible
Sunday, September 11, 1 p.m., Premiere Stage
For seven decades, the magic-makers at Walt Disney Imagineering have blended limitless imagination with cutting-edge technology to create groundbreaking experiences that bring together families and friends to create lifelong memories. Join Imagineers past and present as they discuss the core elements of storytelling and innovation that bring dreams to life for guests from all around the world.

Disney Parks Through the Decades: A Disney Ambassador Perspective 
Sunday, September 11, 4 p.m., Walt Disney Archives Stage
Join us for a conversation with Disney Ambassadors spanning the decades, including 1966 Disney Ambassador, Connie Lane, and 1971 Walt Disney World Ambassador, Debby Dane Browne. From representing Walt Disney at Disneyland in the 1960s, to opening Walt Disney World: experience the history of Disney Parks like never before.

The World of Duffy & Friends Revealed
Sunday, September 11, 4:15 p.m., Hyperion Stage
Disney Imagineers discuss the origin and continuing popularity of Duffy & Friends, including the newest friend who has become a global phenomenon — LinaBell!

D23 Expo is sold out. Select presentations will be streamed for guests at D23 Expo Live! For more information, visit D23Expo.com.

*Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage not available everywhere. Guests under 18 need their parents’ permission first. Some features require separate theme park admission.

Six Flags Great Adventure Launches Fright Fest Hiring Spree

2022/07/28
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News

During the dog days of summer, Six Flags Great Adventure, The World’s Ultimate Thrill Park, turns its attention to monsters. In preparation for this season’s Fright Fest, the theme park will host a series of hiring events from July 30 through Aug. 13 to find talent for more than 200 scare actor, FX makeup, technician, costuming and greeter positions for the fall season. The Northeast’s Largest Halloween party, which runs select days Sept. 16 to Oct. 31 and promises to be scarier than ever, is looking for those with a passion for Halloween, live theater and scaring.

Fright Crew Positions Available:

  • Scare Actors/Ghouls: Deliver scares in indoor and outdoor haunted houses. Previous acting experience a plus but not required. Must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Special FX Makeup Artists: Transform actors into monsters. Professional makeup education and airbrush experience preferred. Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Greeters/Ambassadors: Help facilitate guests in haunted houses and theaters. Previous experience a plus but not required. Must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Entertainment Technicians: Assist with lighting, sound and special effects. Some experience preferred. Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Costuming: Coordinate and organize scare actor costumes. No experience necessary. Must be at least 18 years of age.

Hiring Dates & Auditions:

July 30 at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm:      Scare actor/ghoul auditions

July 31 at 2:30 and 4:30 pm:              Scare actor/ghoul auditions

Aug. 5 & 6 at 5:30 pm:                        Hiring Event for all Fright Crew Positions & Auditions for Ghouls and Makeup Artists

Aug. 12 & 13 at 5:30 pm:                    Hiring Event for all Fright Crew Positions & Auditions for Ghouls and Makeup Artists

How to Apply:

First, apply online at www.sixflagsjobs.com, select Six Flags Great Adventure, More Opportunities, and select from “Fright Fest Ghoul,” “Entertainment Technician,” and “Entertainment/Events Ambassador” (greeter and costumer) or “Special FX Makeup Artist”. Then, join one of the park’s open hiring dates and/or auditions. Appointments are not required. Auditions required for scare actor and makeup artist positions; interviews required for all other Fright Crew positions. Hiring dates will be added to the events calendar for late August, and online applications are welcome anytime.

Audition/Hiring Event Location:

Six Flags Great Adventure Employment Center, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ. Use employee entrance next to 607 Monmouth Road, Cream Ridge, NJ. Auditions may last up to 1.5 hours.

Visit https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/events/fright-fest-hiring-spree for more information.

V/H/S/99 Premieres on Shudder this October

2022/07/28
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, Movie News, News

Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, announced today the return of Studio71’s hit found footage anthology franchise, V/H/S, with an all-new installment, V/H/S/99. The Shudder Original Film will release in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, October 20 and will feature renown genre filmmakers Maggie Levin (Into The Dark: My Valentine), Johannes Roberts (47 Meters Down, Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City), Flying Lotus (Kuso), Tyler MacIntyre (Tragedy Girls) and Joseph & Vanessa Winter (Deadstream).

V/H/S/99 harkens back to the final punk rock analog days of VHS, while taking one giant leap forward into the hellish new millennium. In V/H/S/99, a thirsty teenager’s home video leads to a series of horrifying revelations.

“V/H/S/94 set a new bar for what is already a fantastic film franchise, featuring some of the best horror anthology segments in recent memory by an incredible lineup of filmmakers,” said Craig Engler, GM of Shudder. “We knew immediately that we wanted to continue the series, and what the producers have come up with in V/H/S/99 will be the biggest and best film yet in the series, and we can’t wait for Shudder members to see it.”

“The last year of the 90’s was a perfect playground for us” said producer Josh Goldbloom. “DVD’s surpassed VHS, Blair Witch took the world by storm, and Y2K fears created a sense of apocalyptic dread. Add to that 6 of the most creative genre filmmakers in the world, and we’re confident this is the biggest, baddest, and most wildly savage V/H/S yet!”

“Fans of our franchise are going to love V/H/S/99,” said executive producer Michael Schreiber. “Each new film in the series is the chance to showcase a different ensemble of talented and diverse filmmakers, and I’m extremely proud of the work that V/H/S99’s filmmakers have put in to bring their terrifying visions to life.”

The franchise’s last Shudder and Studio71 collaboration, V/H/S/94, debuted to rave reviews from film critics, with The New York Times calling the film “a grisly, gory gem,” and a 90% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. V/H/S/94 was the biggest movie premiere in Shudder history, setting a record for the most viewers during its opening weekend, and it continues to be a top performing title nearly a year later.

Producers include Goldbloom for Cinepocalypse, Brad Miska for Bloody Disgusting, David Bruckner (V/H/S, The Night House, Hellraiser), filmmaking collective Radio Silence (Chad Villella, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, & Tyler Gillett; Ready or Not, Scream), and James Harris. V/H/S/99 is executive produced by Schreiber & Adam Boorstin for Studio71.

The deal was negotiated by Emily Gotto and Nicholas Lazo on behalf of Shudder and Schreiber and Federico J. Blanco on behalf of Studio71.

Spirit Halloween Grand Opening Event this Saturday

2022/07/28
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, Movie News, News

As Spirit Halloween gets ready to open its doors on another Halloween season, fans are already lining up outside the flagship location in Spirit Halloween’s hometown of Egg Harbor Township, NJ in advance of Saturday’s Grand Opening event. It’s going to be a scary good time – and we’d like to invite you down for the festivities.

Spirit Halloween is marking the start of spooky season with a killer grand opening event in Egg Harbor Township. To add to the event, the trailer for Hideout Pictures’ Spirit Halloween: The Movie will premiere with movie stars Donovan Colan, Dylan Martin Frankel, Jaiden J. Smith and Marissa Reyes making an appearance. Super fans in attendance will partake in pre-opening activities including tarot readings, games and family-friendly activities. Spirit Halloween representatives and city officials will be on hand for an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:55 a.m.

Destroy All Humans! 2 – Reprobed Locations Trailer

2022/07/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

Citizens of planet Earth, you can run but you can’t hide from us! The new trailer for Destroy All Humans! 2 – Reprobed shows a variety of locations for players to explore, demolish, wreck, tear down, destroy…. Leave a path of chaos wherever you go! Maybe a skyscraper in Bay City, that beautiful bridge in Albion, or the KGB headquarters – what will be your next target?

Visit Bay City, Albion, Tunguska, Takoshima and Solaris to seek your revenge and claim those pesky Human settlements in the name of the Furon Empire.

Destroy All Humans! 2 – Reprobed releases on August 30th, 2022 for PC, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series S/X. The SRP for the standard edition is $ 39.99 / € 39.99 / £ 34.99. The Dressed to Skill Edition is available at an SRP of $ 54.99 / € 54.99 / £ 44.99.

Toy Soldiers HD for Nintendo Switch Put on Hold

2022/07/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch

We regret to inform you that we must hold the release of Toy Soldiers HD for Nintendo Switch for a bit longer.

Although we passed extensive quality assurance testing it was discovered that the game’s software is not communicating properly with the consumer version of the console when in multiplayer mode.

Our partners are collaborating with us to quickly implement a solution. Collectively, we all want you to be able to enjoy the full Toy Soldiers HD experience. Whether in single or multiplayer, we want you to experience the game’s hybrid FPS tower defense gameplay. Survey the battlefield, carefully place your units before the first wave of attackers arrives, and then jump directly into the action and control machine guns, artillery, mortars, flamethrowers and more.

We look forward to seeing you take to the skies and rain down fire from above, take out enemy bombers or earn your victory in exciting dogfights as you pilot the first airborne war machines. Control fearsome armored vehicles and tanks with explosive firepower as you win the war and earn your upgrades for the next thrilling battle on the road to victory!

We will keep you updated and look forward to releasing the game soon.

In the meantime you can reach us on Twitter and Discord and Facebook.

From the Team at Accelerate Games

Regiments Announcement Date Trailer

2022/07/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

MicroProse is happy to announce that Regiments, its new Cold War RTS, will be available on Steam on the 16th of August.

What is Regiments?
Regiments is a Real-Time Tactics set in Germany 1989. The Cold War has gone hot, and the inferno is raging. Lead your Regiment through the fires of conflict and the fog of war. Break through the lines, call in artillery, maneuver, feign retreats, stage defenses, counter-attack. Do not relent.

What is the Regiments experience?
It’s 1989 and the flames of a New War are flaring up. Thousands of square miles of German landscape will become a stage for sweeping battles between the best NATO and Warsaw Pact has to offer.

Lead your Regiment through the inferno of a wide-scale Cold War conflict in this new Real-Time Tactics game. Break through the lines, call in artillery and air support, maneuver, feign retreats, and stage mobile defenses. Do not relent.

The Platoon Command system lets you orchestrate battles with unprecedented precision and ease. No need to micromanage every infantryman – you’re a Commanding Officer, not a sergeant.

Form your force on the fly. Selecting the main Regiment is just a start. You can expand your army during the game by calling in unique Task Forces, each bringing its own equipment and off-map support options.

Main features

  • Several dynamic operations, encompassing warfare around the Inner German border
  • Three distinct skirmish modes with varied, dynamic objectives
  • Aggressive, competent AI that can challenge experienced RTS players
  • On-the-fly force customization, rewarding adaptability, and creativity
  • Deep game mechanics, simulating the Cold War era mechanized fight with great detail
  • Four key Cold War Factions: Soviet Union, USA, West Germany, and East Germany
  • Visceral visual effects, bringing the WWIII to your screen in all its terrifying glory
  • Over 60 authentic vehicles modeled, combined into a multitude of different formations. Deploy such iconic vehicles as Leopard 2, T-72M or M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle
  • Smooth learning curve and high accessibility even to novice RTS players
  • Refined controls that make commanding hundreds of soldiers a breeze

X Prequel PEARL Official Trailer

2022/07/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

See where the nightmare began. Watch the official trailer for PEARL, the prequel to X, directed by Ti West and starring Mia Goth. Filmmaker Ti West returns with another chapter from the twisted world of X, in this astonishing follow-up to the year’s most acclaimed horror film. Trapped on her family’s isolated farm, Pearl must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she’s seen in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, temptations, and repressions all collide, in the stunning, technicolor-inspired origin story of X’s iconic villain.

STARRING

Mia Goth, David Corenswet, Tandi Wright, Matthew Sunderland, Emma Jenkins-Purro

WRITTEN BY

Ti West & Mia Goth

DIRECTED BY

Ti West

Halloween Horror Nights Announces The Weeknd Haunted Maze

2022/07/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News, Trailers / Videos

For the first time ever, multi award-winning artist The Weeknd joins forces with Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights to inspire all-new, terrifying haunted houses based on his record-breaking “After Hours” album. Beginning September 2 at Universal Orlando Resort and on September 8 at Universal Studios Hollywood, guests will spiral into the twisted mind of this mysterious artist to experience “The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare.”

Global phenomenon, The Weeknd, is renowned for his groundbreaking music that blends daring, provocative lyrics with innovative sounds and ominous undertones. “After Hours” is The Weeknd’s fourth consecutive number one album and has spawned multiple chart-topping hits, including “Too Late,” “Heartless,” “In Your Eyes” and the wildly popular single “Blinding Lights” – which is ranked as the #1 Greatest Hot 100 Hit of All Time by Billboard. This fall, select tracks from the riveting album are being reimagined as a horror movie soundtrack for the outrageously haunting experience at Halloween Horror Nights.

The dark undercurrent behind The Weeknd’s enigmatic persona will permeate the all-new Halloween Horror Nights haunted houses on both coasts. With the eerie sounds of “After Hours” reverberating throughout the experience, guests will step into a surreal living nightmare filled with grotesque characters and themes inspired by The Weeknd’s music and short films. As they’re stalked by slashers, bandaged maniacs, gruesome toad-like creatures and other unfathomable horrors from the mind of the artist, guests will be challenged to survive the night while trapped within the terrifying, unexpected world of “The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare” – a place that only exists in The Weeknd’s vivid imagination and from which one may never escape.

“I always wanted my own Halloween Horror Nights haunted house as Halloween has always been significant to my music, so this is a total dream come to life. I feel like my music videos have served as a launching pad for a collaboration like this, and I cannot wait for people to experience this madness!” said Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye.

“We are thrilled to take guests inside of the mind of The Weeknd, who is a Halloween Horror Nights fan himself,” said John Murdy, Executive Producer of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.  “This is an unprecedented haunted house that is going to shatter the expectations of our guests and immerse them in an unforgettable experience that is equally unexpected and terrifying,” added Charles Gray, Senior Show Director for Entertainment Creative Development at Universal Orlando Resort.

All tickets are on sale now for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort, which begins Friday, September 2 – including online savings on single-night tickets and a variety of Frequent Fear Pass options that allow guests to experience the horror on multiple nights. Guests can also stay close to the screams with vacation packages that include hotel accommodations, one-night admission to the event, tickets to all three Universal Orlando theme parks, and benefits exclusive to Universal Orlando hotel guests, such as Early Park Admission to the theme parks during the day and access to a dedicated Halloween Horror Nights entry gate at night.  Plus, guests can take their visit to the next level with upgrades such as the guided R.I.P. Tour, Express Pass, the daytime, lights-on Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour and Scareactor Dining – where guests can fuel up for the fear with a themed dinner buffet and special photo ops with scareactors on select nights. Annual passholder discounts on select products are also now available, and Florida residents can save on vacation packages when they stay two nights or longer. For more information on all offers and ticket products, click here.

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood begins on Thursday, September 8, and all tickets to the terrifying event are now on sale. Tickets purchased online or at the Universal Studios Hollywood front gate provide guests with Early Event Admission to select houses, beginning at 6pm each night of Halloween Horror Nights (subject to change). Universal Studios Hollywood offers a variety of Halloween Horror Nights ticket options, including General Admission, Universal Express, After 2pm Day/Night, the premium R.I.P. Tour and popular passes, Frequent Fear and Ultimate Fear, which allow guests to experience the scares again and again. Click here for more information about each ticket type and for terms and conditions.

Both events will run select nights through Monday, October 31, and more details and haunted houses will be revealed soon. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

MultiVersus Open Beta Available Now

2022/07/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News, Xbox Series X News

Warner Bros. Games today announced the Open Beta for MultiVersus, the all-new free-to-play platform fighter videogame in development by Player First Games, is now available in the Americas, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Players in these regions can now download the game on PlayStation®5 (PS5™) and PlayStation®4 (PS4™) consoles, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, and PC, with full cross-play support and dedicated server-based rollback netcode for robust online competition.

MultiVersus brings together a variety of beloved heroes and personalities to team up with or compete against in epic battles, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Harley Quinn (DC); Shaggy and Velma (Scooby-Doo); Bugs Bunny and Tasmanian Devil a.k.a. Taz (Looney Tunes); Arya Stark (Game of Thrones); Tom & Jerry (Tom and Jerry); Jake the Dog and Finn the Human (Adventure Time); Steven Universe and Garnet (Steven Universe); Iron Giant (The Iron Giant); LeBron James (Space Jam: A New Legacy); Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith (Rick and Morty); an extraordinary original creature named Reindog; and many more to come.

Featuring matches with a strong focus on cooperative gameplay, every fighter is outfitted with a deep set of combat mechanics that distinguish the game’s fresh take on 2 vs. 2 gameplay. This allows combatants to boast customizable movesets that combine dynamically with other characters as they battle for supremacy. From Wonder Woman and her Lasso of Truth attack unexpectedly paired with Shaggy and his sandwich projectile, to Arya Stark’s face-swapping ability complementing Superman’s laser vision, the impossible can become possible through surprising team combinations and matchups.

Players have a number of ways to experience MultiVersus, including the 2 vs. 2 team-based cooperative mode, 1 vs. 1 matches, 4-player free-for-all, co-op vs. A.I. matches, custom online lobbies, The Lab (practice mode), tutorials, and local play matches supporting up to four competitors. The game’s fun filled multiplayer bouts can be set against the backdrop of various reimagined environments from awe-inspiring worlds, such as the Batcave (DC), Tree Fort (Adventure Time), Scooby’s Haunted Mansion (Scooby-Doo), Sky Arena (Steven Universe), and other recognizable locales.

MultiVersus Founder’s Packs are currently available for purchase via the Standard, Deluxe, and Premium Editions including different levels of in-game content. For more information, visit MultiVersus.com/Founders-Pack. Additionally, a Preseason Battle Pass is currently available allowing players to complete challenges and unlock in-game rewards. There is a free option open for all players and a premium option requiring an in-game purchase to participate. The Preseason Battle Pass is live now through Aug. 8, followed by a full Season 1 Battle Pass beginning Aug. 9. All player progression and rewards unlocked will be retained through the life of the game.

For additional information about MultiVersus, visit MultiVersus.com or join the community conversation on Twitter (@MultiVersus), YouTube (MultiVersus), Instagram (MultiVersusGame), Facebook (MultiVersus), and Discord (MultiVersus).