Author - Jerry Paxton

SAG-AFTRA Reaches Potential Agreement to End Video Game Strike

LOS ANGELES (September 25, 2017) – SAG-AFTRA has reached an agreement to end the strike against 11 video game companies that has been waged since October 21, 2016.

The terms of the tentative agreement, which was reached early Saturday morning, include a new bonus structure that provides an additional payment to performers. The bonus payment, which is due no later than the release date of the game, is based on the number of sessions worked on each game, beginning with a $75 payment on the first session and totaling $2,100 after 10 sessions worked.

“This is an important advance in this critical industry space. We secured a number of gains including for the first time, a secondary payment structure which was one of the members’ key concerns,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. “The courage of our members and their fortitude these many months has been admirable and I salute them. We are always stronger together.”

Keythe Farley, chair of the SAG-AFTRA Interactive Negotiating Committee, said the strike delivered key victories for member performers in the video game community.

“The bonus payments we have now are significantly larger now than what we had 11 months ago. And the existence of additional payments beyond your session fee is in the video game world for good, both in our high-budget and independent promulgated agreements,” said Farley. “Those are the victories that this strike has brought us.”

Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez, who was the lead negotiator on the new contract, said that the deal includes significant improvements in the area of transparency.

“The new transparency provisions will enhance the bargaining power of our members’ representatives by requiring the companies to disclose the code name of project, its genre, whether the game is based on previously published intellectual property and whether the performer is reprising a prior role,” said Rodriguez. “Members are also protected by the disclosure of whether they will be required to use unusual terminology, profanity or racial slurs, whether there will be content of a sexual or violent nature and whether stunts will be required.”

The deal also contains an employer commitment to continue working with SAG-AFTRA on the issue of vocal stress during the term of the agreement. Moreover, the agreement does not include several proposals sought by management, including a provision that would have fined performers for being late or distracted at session, another that would have required agents to submit performers for low-paying “atmospheric voice” sessions or face fines, and a possible revocation of their union franchise, and another that would have allowed employers to use their permanent staff to do covered work outside of the collective bargaining agreement.

The contract will next be reviewed by the SAG-AFTRA National Board at its October meeting.

SteelSeries Rival 310 Gaming Mouse Review

SteelSeries has released a new version of its Rival gaming mouse series, the Rival 310, at a more budget-minded $59.99 price point. Does this latest version of the Rival hold up to its predecessors and give gamers a good value for their dollar? Read on to find out!

In terms of its design and layout, the SteelSeries Rival 310 is similar to the older Rival 300 gaming mouse. However, the Rival 310 features some refined ergonomics and futuristic styling that make the mouse a bit more streamlined. This means that the height curve of the Rival 310 is not as acute as was the Rival 300’s. Being a “palm gamer”, meaning I rest the palm of my hand on the mouse when gaming, it is not quite as comfortable as the Rival 300 was. However, it is by no means uncomfortable and I found the enhanced optical sensor to be extremely responsive to my input. Additionally, the SteelSeries Rival 310 is lighter than its predecessor by about 42 grams, meaning that it is a lot easier to move around if you are a twitch-gamer using it for tournament play.

What’s so special about the sensor? Well, the Rival 310 features a SteelSeries TrueMove3 optical sensor, with 100-12000 CPI sensitivity in 100 CPI increments. The sensor claims to feature no hardware acceleration or movement prediction allowing gamers to have true 1 : 1 movement. Does it do this? Well, I think so! It’s a hard metric to test but, in my gaming experiences with the Rival 310 I was not disappointed in the least as far as its performance goes.

The Rival 310 does make use of SteelSeries’ Prism lighting system, which allows the mouse to display colors in two different RGB zones for more customization. Additionally, the mouse is fully-compatible with the SteelSeries Engine 3 software, which allows the user to configure the mouse options. The build-quality of the Rival 310 is also improved over its predecessor by way of SteelSeries providing it with mechnical Omron switches in its buttons rated at 50 MILLION clicks! This is a huge upgrade over the Rival 300, which was outfitted with proprietary switches rated at 30 million clicks. Unfortunately, if you are a left-handed gamer, you better look elsewhere for your gaming mouse needs as the Rival 310 is right-handed only. SteelSeries does make the Sensei 310, which is an ambidextrous mouse and uses similar features under the hood.

I used the SteelSeries Rival 310 through numerous click-heavy rounds of Battlefield 1 and loved it. The biggest issue I had was that the mouse felt a bit too light for my own personal tastes. Even though it might bump the cost of the mouse up slightly, I would like to see some removable weights for the Rival 310. Thanks to the ergonomic design and rubberized grip areas on the sides of the mouse, I never lost my grip on it during even the most furious rounds of combat. I also played several hours of isometric RPG, Divinity: Original Sin 2 with the Rival 310 and it performed flawlessly and comfortably.

Overall, the SteelSeries Rival 310 is an outstanding gaming mouse with a budget-friendly price point. You can find them now at the SteelSeries website as well as other retailers.


SteelSeries Rival 310 Review Score

[mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#dd3333″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#dd3333″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#dd3333″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#dd3333″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star-o” color=”#dd3333″ type=”fa”] (4 out of 5 Stars)


 

Raiders of the Broken Planet Available Now

San Sebastian de los Reyes, Spain – September 22nd, 2017 – MercurySteam, the award winning independent development studio behind the multi-million selling Castlevania: Lords of Shadow series and the critically acclaimed Metroid: Samus Returns, today announced that Raiders of the Broken Planet is out now for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Available as a free download on Steam, the Xbox Store and the PlayStation Store, the Prologue contains two missions, 4 characters and sets the stage for the incredible story to follow. The first campaign of the 2017 Season – Alien Myths – is available to purchase for €9.99/$9.99/£9.99. Containing four missions, a gripping story, four new characters, new weapons and more, Alien Myths represents incredible value for players who want to visit the Broken Planet and participate in the unforgettable adventure the Raiders are embarking on.

“Raiders of the Broken Planet is easily the most ambitious title MercurySteam has ever produced. It has taken us three years to get here and I’m so proud to be launching thePrologue and Alien Myths campaign today! We hope players can see the amount of love and passion that has gone into this title,” said Enric Álvarez, Co-Owner of MercurySteam. “We want the barrier of entry to be as low as possible which is why we have a freePrologue, followed by individual €9.99 campaigns, as opposed to a €60 retail release. Publishing Raiders of the Broken Planet ourselves gives us the freedom to make these decisions.”

Three more campaigns will be released at regular intervals: Wardog Fury, Hades Betrayaland Council’s Apocalypse. Each campaign will tell a new parallel story focusing on different members of the Raiders while also adding new playable characters. Campaigns will cost €9.99/$9.99/£9.99 individually. The parallel nature of the stories ensures players can jump in at any time, enjoying the adventure in any order they please. Playing all four campaigns will reveal even more about the mystery at the centre of the Broken Planet.

For the ultimate Raiders of the Broken Planet experience, players can purchase the Founders Pack for €39.99/$39.99/£39.99. The Founders Pack includes access to every campaign on launch and additionally grants players immediate access to three new characters, Mikah, Dr. Kuzmann and Ginebra, 10 days prior to full release, without having to purchase them with in-game currency.

In Alien Myths, Harec and the Raiders must find the legendary Protectors but they need the help of Shae, Harec’s old flame, in order to help him do it. Shae doesn’t trust him, though, after how things ended last time. Across four intense missions, he’ll also recruit three more Raiders: Hans, Mikah and Ginebra. Each character has dramatically different play-styles with unique abilities, weapon proficiencies as well as different strengths and weaknesses. Alien Myths is an exhilarating adventure that encourages you to play missions again and again, either as part of a Raider team or going rogue as the Antagonist.

In Raiders of the Broken Planet you pick your protagonist and work together with three other players in a counter-operative adventure. The biggest idea underpinning the game is something akin to Dark Souls, whereby a single player, The Antagonist, can invade a match just as it begins and choose to fight alongside the bad guys against the four-player human team. The goal of this Antagonist is stop the Raiders and prevent them from achieving their mission objectives, which change from scenario to scenario in each mission.

View the #DevShouts – Character Focus: Konstantin video: https://youtu.be/YW-8YlmpJ-Y
View the #DevShouts – Character Focus: Lycus video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrMrY3BFivU&feature=youtu.be
View the #DevShouts – Character Focus: Alicia video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtK92oplFT4
Check out the Alien Myths Gamescom trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2M8hzCftKo
Check out the website: http://www.raidersofthebrokenplanet.com

Umarex Acquires Official GLOCK Airsoft and Airgun License

ARNSBERG, GERMANY (September 22, 2017) – UMAREX GmbH & Co. KG (UMAREX) headquartered in Germany receives the first worldwide license from the well-known Austrian weapons manufacturer, GLOCK, for the reproduction of its internationally recognized pistols. UMAREX is thus writing a new chapter in its success story as the world market leader in licensed replica handguns. Eyck Pflaumer, managing partner of UMAREX, summarizes the results of the intensive negotiations, “For years now, the trust between our two companies has been growing and we are looking forward to further developing this relationship with GLOCK. From November 2017 onwards, gun fans will find the first replicas of these famous pistols in outdoor retail locations almost everywhere in the world.”

Founded in 1963, GLOCK has been setting the global standard for handguns with polymer frames for decades. UMAREX and GLOCK are two world market leaders meeting on equal terms, the best prerequisites for a successful partnership. UMAREX will in the future build the famous GLOCK pistols in the categories “Airguns” (4.5 mm / .177) and “Airsoft” (6 mm). GLOCK replicas will be distributed worldwide through sporting goods dealers, except in France and French territories. Umarex USA and the Elite Force Airsoft group of Umarex USA will distribute the world-leading GLOCK pistol replicas exclusively throughout North America. Distribution in the USA is expected to begin first quarter 2018. Particularly attractive for collectors, the license allows the replicas to carry the original markings and be marketed in authentic packaging.

Knott’s Scary Farm Opens for 2017

September 21, 2017 – The most haunting Halloween event in Southern California, Knott’s Scary Farm, returns tonight with unimaginable scares and innovative thrills for its 45th season. The fully transformed park will feature 13 uniquely haunted mazes and attractions, including the return of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, for her last performance as she bids farewell to the Scary Farm crowds with an all-new show.

Knott’s Scary Farm is back for 25 horrifying nights from September 21 – October 31. This year’s Knott’s Scary Farm experience has all the ingredients of a truly terrifying nightmare, but unlike most dreams, Knott’s Scary Farm is a nightmare you can’t wake up from.

New for 2017:

Journey through an abandoned carnival ride where cruel carny folk still linger in the shadows in Dark Ride one of Knott’s Scary Farm’s newest maze. Survive the wrath of the murderous 7-foot tall creature that haunts the old woods surrounding The Hollow  in Pumpkin Eater. Armed with only a faulty flashlight, face the terror of the Green Witch’s house completely in the dark in Trick or Treat: Lights Out.  And every night, over 1,000 monsters spill out onto the streets and turn theme park midways into terrifying scare zones.  From the world famous Ghost Town Streets to the Boardwalk area filled with evil clowns, there’s nowhere to hide at Knott’s Scary Farm.

This year, the event returns September 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 October 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. Knott’s Scary Farm is open 7:00 pm – 1:00 am select Thursdays, Sundays, Monday and Halloween Night and 7:00 pm – 2:00 am Fridays and Saturdays.

Knott’s Berry Farm- 8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, CA 90620

Knott’s Scary Farm has welcomed millions of visitors over the past 45 years and has become an institution in the Southern California theme park landscape. Due to the explicit and frightening nature of the event, it is not recommended for children under 13. This year’s Knott’s Scary Farm experience is where nightmares never end!

For more information on Knott’s Scary Farm please visit knottsscaryfarm.com; or join the conversation by using #ScaryFarm on FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

America’s Scariest Haunted Houses from The Houses October Built 2

The folks behind the upcoming The Houses October Built 2 (our review will be online soon for this one) have released their infographic showing off the scariest haunted houses in the United States of America. Click on the image below to see the full view!

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TITLE: THE HOUSES OCTOBER BUILT 2

IN THEATERS AND AVAILABLE ON VOD AND DIGITAL HD: September 22, 2017

DIRECTOR: Bobby Roe

WRITERS: Zack Andrews, Bobby Roe

CAST: Brandy Schaefer, Zack Andrews, Mikey Roe, Bobby Roe, and Jeff Larson

SYNOPSIS: Recovering from the trauma of being kidnapped last Halloween by the Blue Skeleton – a group who take “extreme haunt” to another level – five friends decide they must face their fears in order to move on. Heading back out on the road to visit more haunted house attractions, signs of the Blue Skeleton start appearing again and a new terror begins…

GENRE: Horror

DISTRIBUTOR: RLJE Films

YOUTUBE TRAILER:  https://youtu.be/bATQnJzkOp8

Knott’s Spooky Farm Announced for 2017

Buena Park, Calif. (August 2017) – The annual daytime, family-friendly Halloween celebration, Knott’s Spooky Farm, takes place weekends, September 30 – October 29 and Halloween Day. The kid-inspired “spooky” celebration will feature activities for ages 3-11, including trick-or-treating, a live show and costume contest with the Peanuts gang, and a Dia De Los Muertos Celebration. The fall daytime Seasons of Fun event is included with regular park admission.

Kids ages 3 -11 can participate in Trick-or-Treating throughout Ghost Town, and interact with an array of spooky but friendly Shopkeepers. New this year, Stanley Scarecrow has opened the Livery Stable for guests of all ages to get close and personal with the Creepy Critters of Calico.

The Grand Sierra Railroad in Camp Snoopy transforms to a one-of-a-kind experience which takes riders on an adventure, along with the Peanuts Gang, to Camp Spooky with added special Halloween theming effects. Then come to Camp Snoopy Theatre to show off your best Halloween costume at the Peanuts Costume Contest and afterwards, join Peanuts characters in a Peanuts Dance Party!. Additionally, families can watch the Peanuts Gang in The Monsters Are Coming, Charlie Brown, where they’ll have guests of all ages singing and dancing along to classic Halloween tunes.

This Halloween season, the Timber Mountain Log Ride mystically converts into the Halloween Hootenanny by adding a new family friendly twist to a park favorite. Every year the citizens of the Timber Mountain invite the mysterious creatures that live out in the woods and caverns of the area to join them as they celebrate the season at the Halloween Hootenanny.  The ride’s interior will feature new fun surprises as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper band, the town’s green witch and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns.  The seasonal ride will also feature an original song performed by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies.   Open for day and night guests, this is the perfect family experience for all to enjoy this Halloween season.

In Fiesta Village, join the Dia de Los Muertos Celebration in the Fiesta Stage area for an interactive, non-scary, educational celebration of the season. The themed area offers a walk through village filled with photo ops, educational activities and face paintings at a nominal fee. Then visit the Ghastly Gallery in the Boardwalk Ballroom for a slate of entertaining activities including a live show and opportunities for your little ghouls to participate in drawing their best “monsterpiece.”

A 2018 Season Pass is the best way to experience Knott’s Spooky Farm. With a 2018 Season Pass you will get to enjoy all of the Seasons of Fun next year but will also receive one free admission to use in 2017. You can get your Season Pass now at the Best Offer of the Year! A Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2018 to Knott’s Berry Farm with no blackout dates, and a Gold Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2018 to both Knott’s Berry Farm and the newly expanded Knott’s Soak City Waterpark with no blackout dates.  Regular passes are just $92 or nine easy payments of $10.22 and Gold Season Passes are $110 or nine payments of just $12.22. These offers end October 29, 2017. Applicable taxes and fees apply online. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.

Knott’s Spooky Farm runs weekends September 30 – October 29 from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Halloween Day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is included with regular park admission. For more information on all the exciting things that are going on at Knott’s Berry Farm, visit us online at knotts.com and follow the conversation using #KnottsSpookyFarm.