Author - Jerry Paxton

Witchfire Launches in Early Access

The Astronauts are thrilled to announce that their RPG Shooter Witchfire is now live in Steam Early Access! The dark fantasy FPS also launches with a new patch called “The High Stakes” update, which introduces the legendary stakegun, Striga; this fearsome firearm, allows players to impale or gib enemies with brutal force. The update also adds achievements, a new Witch Vault, and enhanced visuals across every region. Additionally, core mechanics like Stamina and Calamities have been redesigned and rebalanced to better support the fantasy of becoming a powerful witch hunter.

Striga will be available early in the game as a token of appreciation for all players who have already bought the game, and those who buy it during Early Access on both Epic Games Store and Steam.

Steam Early Access | Launch Discount:
The game, priced at $39.99 USD, has a 10% discount for the next 14 days to celebrate the Steam Early Access launch!
About the gameWitchfire is a single-player RPG shooter from the creative minds behind Painkiller and Bulletstorm. Embark on perilous expeditions, vanquishing foes to enhance your powers and arsenal. Scavenge valuable resources and retreat to your sanctuary, or push your luck by confronting Familiars— the powerful guardians of the witch.
Overcome the Witch and her minions.
Skill and knowledge are essential for success in the battle against the Witch of the Black Sea and her witchfire-fueled army. If you die, you have one chance to return and claim what you lost— or regroup and tackle different enemies.
Go on Expeditions.
Explore vast, immersive biomes and select your battleground to confront the Witch’s forces. Each completed encounter strengthens you and your arsenal during this expedition through our roguelite system, called Arcana. There are countless ways to build your Preyer and dominate the Witch.
Become a deadly Preyer.
Only the most wicked individuals can transform into Preyers, undead assassins sustained by witchfire flowing through their veins.
In the base of operations called the Hermitory, you can choose from a wide selection of distinctive weapons, spells, and artifacts to build your own Preyer.
Take the risk.
On each expedition, you can extract your looted items or, if you feel confident, confront the Witch’s Familiar to unlock new areas with powerful new items and upgrades.
Uncover the mystery of the lost cargo.
Piece together a forbidden story from the past that can save the future.

Reign Of Terror Fall 2024 Opens Sept 27th

Reign of Terror Haunted House, the top ranked Professional Walk-Through Haunted House in the U.S. (2023 Yelp all-time #1 national review winner) premieres an all-new layout and room configuration, plus a new 11th haunted attraction in a new expanded facility to create a staggering production for Fall 2024. Featuring a mind-bending 142 bone-chilling rooms, 11 inter-connected horror themed attractions, all indoors and grown to now cover over 32,000 square feet of floor space in the single largest indoor haunted house in Southern California, Reign of Terror will open by popular demand for new high 18 nights, starting September 27, and continuing September 28, October 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, November 1 and 2. With its facility located within the Janss Marketplace, located off the 101 Freeway, at the intersection of Hillcrest Drive and Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks, it is easily accessible for all of Southern California and beyond. Reign of Terror (“ROT”) hours are 7:00pm – 11:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, 7:00pm – 10:00pm all other nights. On average, 40 to 45 minutes or more are required for guest to complete a walk-through of this massive haunted house.

Every one of ROT’s 11 haunt-themed attractions has been renovated, expanded or enhanced with new features to make the entire experience fiendishly refreshed. Highlights include, but not limited to:

  • An All New Fully Featured Attraction: “Forest of Fear”, where the seemingly friendly beacon of a full moon shining through the trees leads to unexpected encounters, both human and in-human
  • Customized, fully automated, 10 foot-tall larger than life fully animatronic grotesque monsters engaged in gruesome activities. These custom creations cannot be found anywhere else, outside the Reign of Terror.
  • A run-away Ghost Train will appear seemingly out of nowhere, with no place to turn.
  • Visitors will also encounter all new transitional sections featuring creepy courtyards, graveyards, and other strange spaces full of unpleasant surprises.
  • Lurking throughout the 142 rooms are 96 individual, live, or nearly alive, actors, props, creatures and various other malevolent beings, ready to appear and pounce without a moment’s notice.
  • All new multi-sensory experiences throughout with new sinister sound tracks, sound effects, surprising scents and smells, and visual and lighting special effects to immerse visitors in multi-levels of creepy fear and shocking startles.
  • Outside, while waiting in line, all new photo-ops, roving monsters and line entertainers, music and continuously playing horror-themed video clips add another layer of entertainment before even entering the facility

Reign of Terror’s incredible high level of detail, theming and overall fun will be evident again across all the changes made to our 11 inter-connected attractions. These attractions are named and described as:

  • FOREST OF FEAR: Follow the moonlight through a dense wooded place where bizarre creatures scurry and backwoods cabins offer unpleasant welcome
  • CONTAINMENT: Check in to an incarceration facility full of murderers and maniacs creating mayhem
  • MINER’s REVENGE: Venture deep into an abandoned mine where cave-ins, TNT blasts and lost miner spirits roam
  • The VICTORIAN HAUNTED MANSION: Home to a gothic collection of abandoned rooms and family tragedy, still occupied by unfortunate victims
  • ASYLUM: Where the patients are running wild
  • INBRED: The unkempt cabin where strange people live off the grid and feed off unwitting visitors
  • UN-HALLOWED GROUND: A once clean church, now inhabited by pagan monks who tend to their sacrilegious scriptures behind the walls
  • INFECTED: After a disgruntled worker crashed his classic Chevy pickup, laden with toxic chemicals, through the wall, horrible after effects take hold on everyone trapped inside
  • QUARANTINE: This forgotten military outpost continues to run heinous experiments producing the most repellent results imaginable
  • FUN HOUSE: It’s all fun and games inside this twisted, run-down amusement center. It’s ok if visitors don’t like clowns. The clowns inside don’t like the visitors either.
  • CASA BLOOD: When Granny gets upset, it results in blood and gore all over the floor…and through the walls of this house of unspeakable horrors

Other fan favorites return this year, including “The White-Out Experience”, “Slime Bog”, “Vortex Tunnel”, “Cave-In” , “Fire in the Hole”, “Widow’s Den”, “Invisible Specter”, “Flying Banshees”, “Zombie Hoard”  and “Pick Your Poison”, each creating uniquely disturbing, unusual sensory experiences.

All new Merchandise inside. Since ROT started stocking specialty merchandise inside the exit of the Haunt, we’ve consistently sold out of our unique selection of items. For 2024, we have greatly expanded our selection of macabre merchandise, gifts, souvenirs, collectables, apparel, accessories and much more. We have taken over a year to curate a vast collection of one-of-a-kind items, only available inside Reign of Terror’s merchandise section. Hundreds of individual items are available, only during our Haunt Season.

In addition, due to popular demand, returning this season, a “Lights OUT” special event, will run for one night only, on Saturday, November 2. Visitors to “Lights OUT” walk through all 142 rooms in total darkness, lit only by one small glow stick per group. It is highly recommended for visitors to come to Lights OUT as their bonus, end of season extra visit, only after visiting Reign of Terror’s regular production where all lighting and special effects run as usual. This will allow visitors of Lights OUT to truly appreciate and enjoy how different it is.

Ticket prices range from $42 to $47 for General Admission and $67 and $72 for Immediate Access (Immediate access allow ticket holders to enter a brand new, exclusive access point to go straight to the first room of the Haunt). Tickets are available for purchase now online through our website at www.ROThauntedhouse.com . Tickets can also be purchased at the Box Office at our entrance door, starting 6:30 p.m. each night. Box Office sales are cash only. All tickets are scheduled with an arrival time window each night. Timed ticketing helps reduce wait times and limit crowding. Capacity is limited each hour. Anyone holding a ticket and in line for entrance prior to closing time each night is guaranteed entrance. Parking is FREE.

For more information, visit www.ROThauntedhouse.com. Also follow us on Instagram @rothauntedhouse

Reign of Terror succeeds in providing more than good scares and fun times, by giving back to the community. Because Janss Marketplace provides space for the event in over 32,000 square feet of indoor space, the haunted house is able to donate significant proceeds from entrance fees to the Conejo Recreation and Parks District and other causes. Each year, our annual donation benefits the District’s Thousand Oaks Teen Center, Young Artists Ensemble programs, and the Conejo Theatre for Everyone, which gives special needs youth the opportunity to perform. ROT has also makes consistent annual donations to other charitable organizations, including multiple Animal Rescue and Shelters, Make-A-Wish, Cancer Research, Wildfire Relief funds and more. Over the years Reign of Terror has generated nearly $450,000 in donations.

Reign of Terror Haunted House 2024 Quick Facts

  • Location: 285 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks CA 91360
  • Open 18 nights. 7pm – 11pm Fridays, Saturdays. 7pm – 10pm all other nights
  • Over 142 custom horror themed rooms to walk through
  • 11 different, interconnected attractions target a different type of fear
  • Covers 32,000 sq feet of indoor floor space, making it the single largest indoor haunted house in all of Southern California.
  • New Facility and New Layout: We’ve moved right next door to our previous facility and re-built a whole new experience, unlike ever seen before
  • New Characters: A horde of new gruesome characters will join our army of scare actors, props and animatronics throughout
  • New Experience: A whole new look with all new, creepy twists and turns
  • New Props, New Effects: Upgrades and new state-of-the-art special effects have been added throughout.
  • Special Event Adventure: “Lights OUT” – After you see Reign of Terror once, come back again on November 2 to be terrified all over again, this time in TOTAL darkness.

Reign of Terror Haunted House has won numerous haunt industry awards including,

  • Ranked #1 Professional Haunted House in the U.S. in 2023 (Yelp award gained from Yelp’s measurement of reviews and feedback submitted for all-time, nationwide)
  • “Oscares Award, Best Haunt”, from The Haunted Attraction Association (National)
  • “Must See Haunt in the U.S. (one of 31 nationwide)” from Haunted Attraction Magazine
  • “Best Professional Haunt”, from CreepyLA
  • “Best Halloween Attraction in Los Angeles”, from Hollywood Gothique
  • “Best Haunted House in California”, by Parade Magazine

Rebellion Unveils Limited Edition Sniper Elite Jacket

Rebellion, one of the world’s most successful independent video game developers and publishers, has announced the Sniper Elite Jacket to celebrate the upcoming release of Sniper Elite: Resistance.

Designed in collaboration with renowned London fashion brand ARK/8, the Sniper Elite Jacket infuses a classic design with modern elements and draws its inspiration from the legacy of the iconic World War 2 jacket. While maintaining its distinctive military aesthetic, unique touches include a custom lining featuring the iconic Sniper Elite logo over a topographic map. The result is a piece that is as versatile as it is stylish and perfect for fans of the series who value both heritage and innovation.

Product specifications:

  • 100% cotton with a wax coating
  • Authentic military style in classic olive green
  • Custom and unique Sniper Elite game-inspired lining
  • Two spacious chest pockets with flaps and press studs
  • Two added bottom pockets for extra essentials with additional side entry pockets
  • Full length zipper closure with press studs
  • Two Interior pockets to keep your valuables safe
  • Epaulettes for added military flair
  • Distinctive Sniper Elite patches on sleeves
  • Durable canvas tape for added reinforcement and style
  • Two needle stitched articulated gusset allowing freedom of movement
  • Adjustable cuffs and drawstring waist for a tailored fit
  • Sniper Elite and ARK/8 exclusive ‘contract’ label
  • Suitable for wearing all-year round

The limited-edition jacket is available to order through the Rebellion Store.

Launching in 2025, Sniper Elite: Resistance tells a gripping new standalone story that runs in parallel with Sniper Elite 5. Harry Hawker, agent of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), takes the lead role for the first time in the series as he discovers an insidious new Wunderwaffe – something so powerful, it guarantees the Nazis would win the war.

For the latest news and updates, please visit sniper.com and be sure to follow Sniper Elite on our social channels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. We are excited to continue delivering thrilling experiences to our dedicated community and look forward to your ongoing support.

Turtle Beach Unveils Redesigned Stealth 700 Headset

Leading gaming accessories maker Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: HEAR) today announced the global availability of its new premium wireless multiplatform gaming headset, the redesigned Turtle Beach® Stealth™ 700. This third iteration of Turtle Beach’s best-selling premium wireless gaming headset brings massive upgrades to the series, with new features like CrossPlay dual wireless transmitters that make switching between devices quick and easy, plus simultaneous Bluetooth® 5.2 connectivity. Massive 60mm Eclipse™ dual drivers delivering powerful, unparalleled sound, and a long-lasting 80-hour rechargeable battery life are also significant upgrades. The Designed for Xbox, PlayStation®, and PC editions of the Stealth 700 are all available for purchase at www.turtlebeach.com and participating retailers worldwide for $199.99/£179.99/€199.99 MSRP.

“Elevating a fan-favorite gaming headset like our Stealth 700 is always a balance between true innovation and continuing to deliver the performance that’s made this such a popular model generation after generation,” said Cris Keirn, CEO, Turtle Beach Corporation. “Our new Stealth 700 delivers significant feature upgrades over earlier versions and the competition, all while retaining the original $199.99 MSRP that’s made this a best-selling premium wireless gaming headset for years.”

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 wireless multiplatform gaming headset for Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Steam Deck™, and mobile is redesigned for a third generation of premium gaming prowess. Gamers can dominate on consoles and PC with the Stealth 700’s CrossPlay dual wireless transmitter system, which includes two wireless USB transmitters allowing gamers to easily change the headset’s audio source at the touch of a button. Additionally, simultaneous Bluetooth 5.2 keeps players connected to their mobile devices while never losing game audio. The new Stealth 700 also features massive and powerful 60mm Eclipse™ Dual Drivers, a third-generation flip-to-mute mic with A.I. noise-cancellation and echo reduction to ensure gamers sound excellent, a whopping 80-hour battery life with quick-charge functionality, and much more.

The Stealth 700’s dedicated PC version adds 24-bit, 96kHz high-fidelity wireless audio and Waves 3D sound enhancements, plus a 16-bit, 32kHz high-bandwidth microphone. The Designed for Xbox Stealth 700 is available in cobalt blue/gold or black/silver, while the PlayStation version is available in white/silver or black/silver. The Stealth 700 PC version is available in black/silver.

Gamers can also download the Turtle Beach Swarm II app for mobile devices and on PCs, allowing them to customize their Stealth 700 settings to their preference, and to do firmware updates for optimal performance.

For more information on the latest Turtle Beach products and accessories, visit www.turtlebeach.com and be sure to follow Turtle Beach on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Six One Indie Showcase 2024 Teaser Trailer

45 indies. 75 minutes. The Six One Indie Showcase returns with its fifth consecutive zero-barriers indie game showcase on September 19th via SixOneIndie.com and IGN. Mark your calendars and catch a glimpse of the event in the Showcase Hype Teaser below!

Beginning with the Play Now Pre Show at 8:50AM PT/11:50AM ET, the Showcase features never-before-seen world premieres, digital showcase debuts, and exclusive news from 45 indie developers and publishers such as Akupara Games, Playtonic Friends, and Kaizen Game Works. Once the Showcase ends, audiences will be able to delve deeper with over 20 exclusive developer interviews, hands-on previews, and the Six One Indie Showcase Steam Event featuring discounts and demos from current participants and Showcase Alumni.

The Six One Indie Showcase aims to offer promotional opportunities to indie developers that may not have the means to highlight their games within the traditional showcase ecosystem of the industry. What began as a small DIY passion project has blossomed into a professionally produced premiere presentation while maintaining the zero-barriers, zero-cost values in benefit of the developers. With a passionate and ever growing following of indie enthusiasts, the team at Six One Indie are overjoyed to continue their work elevating diverse indie developers through Showcases and The Indie Game Awards celebrating excellence within the indie scene.

Save the date: the Six One Showcase returns on September 19th, 2024! Find out more about the upcoming Six One Indie Showcase by visiting the official website.

Pinball M Camp Bloodbrook Announcement Trailer

Zen Studios — the leading global producer and publisher of digital pinball video games — today announced Pinball M and Pinball FX’s newest original pinball table addition, Camp Bloodbrook, at the inaugural horror video game showcase Fantastic Games: Presented by Day of the Devs. Horror fans can get their hands on the new ‘80s campy slasher-themed content pack just in time for Halloween on October 24, 2024.

Tilt into terror with Zen Studios’ Camp Bloodbrook, a horrifying new pinball table designed to scare even the most fearless players. Travel back in time to the classic ‘80s with Jacob Wells, the “Wellbound”, and utilize every ounce of your pinball skills to escape. Determine if the campfire stories told here are pure fiction, or if they were written in blood all along.

Camp Bloodbrook Key Features:
  • Nightly scavenger hunts! Did you hear something in the woods? It’s probably nothing…
  • Compete against our skilled counselors in hide and seek. Competition here is DEADLY serious
  • Homesick already? We hope your flipper aim is true — otherwise, you’ll never leave…
  • Wade out to our lovely lake in a canoe, but beware of the stirring water
  • Participate in a 2-stage Wizard Mode where evil never sleeps for long

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Presents Rush Week

Today, Gun Interactive is thrilled to announce that Rush Week—the new, free game mode coming to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre—will launch on Thursday, September 26th for players who have purchased the Content Pass, and on Monday, September 30th for all other players. Focusing on fan-favorite killer Johnny Slaughter, this 1v6 multiplayer mode will let players experience horror through a Giallo-influenced, late 70’s slasher lens.

The goal is simple: survive. Play as 6 different Sorority Girls racing against the clock to escape from Johnny, or as the Killer himself. Differing from the base game, players will have new escape options as well as a few new key items such as a wrench, a knife, and pepper spray, that allow players to protect themselves. Check out the gameplay trailer below!

Johnny and six new playable Sorority Girls will be randomly assigned at the start of the match. This two-story Sorority House features multiple spots to run and hide in, including a locked basement that can be explored. Traversal is similar to the original game, with multiple windows that can be jumped out of, ladders to climb, and even an attic area with its own unique escape option.

While the Sorority Girls will not have any perks, there are key items scattered throughout the house to help them escape, including objects that allow them to call the authorities. If the police are called successfully, players have a limited amount of time to survive in the Sorority House with Johnny. There is an Attic Pole that can be used to make your final escape via an attic hatch, but be warned: at most only two Sorority Girls can escape through that exit, and Johnny players can also break the ladder to render that route useless.

The Sorority Girls can buy themselves time by using various weapons and distractions like the wrench, the knife, and the pepper spray, as well as an all new mechanic using perfume that can be thrown at him to reveal his location.

Johnny’s objective is to Hunt. With each execution, he will get stronger, making him more lethal the longer a match goes. Within ‘Rush Week’ there will be a Fear system in place where if a Sorority Girl has a high level of Fear, Johnny can smell that fear and find them easier. So, it’s important for the Sorority Girls to complete objectives in order to lower their amount of fear or Johnny is going to get them.

Devised under the consultation and blessings of Kim Henkel himself—writer of the screenplay for the original 1974 film—Rush Week ushers in a new era of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Set several years after the events of the original film, Rush Week allows Gun Interactive to explore and create within the world of Texas while still adhering to the authenticity of their game.

Players hoping to experience this unique game mode early can do so with the purchase of the official TCSM Content Pass, which additionally unlocks Execution Pack 4. The Content Pass will go on sale for $19.99 USD on September 26th, 2024.

In addition to the default cosmetics of Pajamas, Cheerleader, and Nightie, everyone who plays ‘Rush Week’ will unlock the Towel and Laundry Day cosmetics for FREE, for life! But you gotta be quick, as the offer only lasts until the October patch when the two cosmetics will move to the shop at $1.99 each.

And for additional details about Rush Week, check out the latest post on the TCSM Community Hub. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is available on Playstation®4, Playstation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store. For more news and community discussion, be sure to check out game’s official subreddit, r/TXChainSawGame, or join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Double Dragon Revive TGS 2024 Announcement Trailer

Ahead of the 2024 Tokyo Game Show, Arc System Works America, Inc. today revealed a slate of voice talent, new characters, and game mechanics for the upcoming Double Dragon Revive. The new title in the hit fighting video game series will launch on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam next year.

View the just-released trailer here offering fans a look at Double Dragon Revive’s stages and each of the character’s action-packed moves, including new ones such as Basic Attack, Grab, Hyper Blow, Mid-Air Hyper Blow, and Finishing Blow. During Tokyo Game Show, fans will have hands-on playtime with the highly anticipated title at Arc System Works’ Booth 08-C10. Gain an upper-hand on enemies in battle with Critical Assaults. Also on-site, earn a free specially-designed button by answering survey questions via a QR code at the booth! During each day of the Tokyo Game Show, there will be stage events tied to the game.

For the first time ever, voice actors will lend their incredible talents and add a new layer of depth to the game’s beloved characters. Jack Dillon and Robbie Daymond will bring life to heroes Billy and Jimmy Lee, respectively. Roper and Abobo will also be voiced by Elliot Knight and Isaac C Singleton Jr.

Beyond the beloved brother duo, Double Dragon Revive will feature four new enemy types, each with their own unique voice: Williams (Adin Rudd), Joji (Brent Mukai), Ahn (Rebecca Wang), and Mihn (Taylor Harvey).

For more information, please visit the Arc System Works website.

Matchbox Driving Adventures Official Launch Trailer

Mattel, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAT), a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, in collaboration with Outright Games, a leading publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment, today launched Matchbox™ Driving Adventures, a competitive driving adventure game developed by Casual Brothers, available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Developed for families and younger gaming audiences, Matchbox Driving Adventures evolves the car play experience far beyond the toy aisle. Players can select and customize 12 original Matchbox die-cast vehicles, chase rogue cars, and escape hazards to earn medals and rewards and become Matchbox racers.

Set on Matchbox Adventure Island, key features of Matchbox Driving Adventures include:

  • Find Your Adventure: Travel across Matchbox Adventure Island’s six biomes, like the bustling City Center or a perilous Volcano, and complete missions to unlock new areas of the island for the Matchbox Adventure Squad.
  • Challenges Await: Players adventure at their own pace, tackling increasingly difficult missions from chasing cars and escaping hazards like snowballs, alligators and a giant octopus—all to earn medals and rewards to unlock new models.
  • Unique Customization: Original Matchbox vehicles, including the Dune Dog™ and Flame Tamer™, can be customized with various colors and finishes to suit players’ tastes. Carefully select a car based on weight, speed, handling and boost to get the job done or for an extra competitive edge.
  • Solo or Multiplayer: In Competition Mode, race on a single track or in a championship with up to four players in local multiplayer on 14 unique tracks with four variations each.
  • All Levels Welcome: Skilled players can choose from three difficulty settings and use detours and speed boosts to overtake opponents. Younger players can use ‘Auto-Accelerate’ and ‘Lane-Assist’ for support in both Adventure Mode and Competition Mode.

Enotria: The Last Song Official Launch Trailer

Jyamma Games’ action-packed Enotria: The Last Song is out now on PC via Epic Games Store and PlayStation 5. In this sunlit souls-like action RPG, you, the Maskless One, are the only entity not bound by fate, free to master your destiny. Harness the power of unique Masks, spells, weapons, abilities, and more to take down formidable foes and defeat the Authors of your world’s script.

In Enotria: The Last Song, the Maskless One’s world has been gripped by the Canovaccio – a twisted eternal play that only you can end. Adopt the masks of defeated enemies to harness their strength and unlock various abilities to help you survive this Italian landscape, using Ardore to dynamically alter reality along the way. Defeat bosses and enemies using over 120 different weapons, 45 spells, parry modifiers, abilities, load-outs, and more – with more than 150 million different build combinations, the customization is limitless.

For players who joined the fight in the demo on Steam earlier this year, Jyamma Games has an important message to help prevent progression halting crashes in the full game experience. To avoid these complications, please remove the demo build and its save files from your PC before you choose New Game from the main menu. Once this is complete, your journey to end the twisted eternal play may begin!