Today, Ubisoft announced that Discovery Tour: Viking Age, an educational experience allowing players to explore and interact with the history and culture of the Viking Age world, will release on October 19. Discovery Tour: Viking Age will be free for all owners of Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla, available on the same platforms as the main game. The PC standalone version of Discovery Tour: Viking Age will be available via Ubisoft Connect and on the Epic Games Store for $19.99. For the very first time in the Discovery Tour franchise, Discovery Tour: Viking Age will also release as a standalone on Stadia, Luna, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S | X in early 2022.
Following Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt and Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece’s line, the brand-new chapter of the Assassin’s Creed educational expansion will shed light on the Viking era and allow players to discover more about the history and traditions of the time. Designed in close collaboration with historians and archaeologists, this non-violent, interactive learning experience is an engaging deep dive into the Viking Age in ninth-century Norway and England.
For this new opus in the series, the development team in Ubisoft Montreal has changed the formula to make the experience even more fun and informative. Discovery Tour: Viking Age puts the narrative and storytelling at the heart of the experience; players will step into the shoes of Viking and Anglo-Saxon characters of the time and live their big and small stories. During their memorable adventure, they will interact with the world and its inhabitants while discovering many details and anecdotes about the time period.
Since its beginnings, the Discovery Tour Team has always worked with a wide variety of partners. The immersive approach of the Discovery Tour, the knowledge of our experts and historians, and the featuring of real artefacts from our partners’ collections give rise to many collaborations and projects. The museum partners that have contributed images for Discovery Tour: Viking Age include:
Hampshire Cultural Trust (HCT) is Ubisoft’s main partner for Discovery Tour: Viking Age, managing 23 museum and arts attractions across Hampshire and caring for 2.5 million objects relating to Hampshire’s rich and internationally important heritage. The Discovery Tour provides a unique glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in and around Winchester through a selection of rare objects, including the exceptional Winchester Reliquary, the sole surviving holy relic in Britain from the time. In addition to this collaboration with the Discovery Tour: Viking Age, Ubisoft’s strategic partnership with HCT will bring history to life in spring 2022 in Winchester through a unique, immersive cultural experience, which will blend real action with video projection, storytelling and objects from the trust’s collections; the experience will be complemented by an Augmented Reality tour of Winchester in the lore of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla produced by Sugar Creative, one of the UK’s leading creative studios.
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It has a vast collection of items including artefacts from every age of written civilization. A partnership with the British Library was key to Ubisoft to give players the best access to medieval manuscripts and illustrations directly linked with the Viking Age.
The Réunion des Musées Nationaux – Grand Palais photo agency is a public industrial and commercial institution under the authority of the French Ministry of Culture. It has been officially responsible for promoting collections of France’s national museums. Each year, it captures more than 20,000 new on-site shots to further expand the agency’s collection, which is universally available online. They have been an essential partner since the very first Discovery Tour. Their vast collections have been key in supporting Ubisoft’s artefact driven approach to the Discovery Tour: Viking Age, enabling players to look at items such as the Bayeux Tapestry or the Sutton Hoo helmet.
York Archaeological Trust operates the Jorvik Viking Centre in the UK, which has interpreted the archaeology of York’s Coppergate dig for the benefit of all audiences. The Discovery Tour has allowed Ubisoft to present some of these finds in a new medium, adding authentic period detail to the immersive environment of the Discovery Tour and demonstrating the importance of the city during the Viking Age as a commercial, religious and political hub.
The National Museum of Denmark, Nationalmuseet, consists of a network of 20 museums all over the country with a collection of unique items covering a large part of Danish history. Putting artefacts under the spotlight from the National Museum of Denmark’s collections truly added depth to the Discovery Tour, demonstrating amazing crafting skills and esthetics and a chance to see how reputation, family and social bounds are described as such vital elements.
Preston Park Museum & Grounds is the local Museum serving the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees. Preston Park Museums & Ground gave the Discovery Tour team the unique opportunity to highlight two key elements from the Viking Era; the new Anglo-Scandinavian culture that emerged from funerary art, and one of only two near-complete Viking era helmets in the world; the Yarm Helmet. Preston Park Museum has a special Viking touring exhibition arriving early 2022 in which there will be events that incorporate the Discovery Tour: Viking Age.
Today, CCP Games released Gateway, the third Quadrant of 2021 for the spacefaring MMO, EVE Online. Quadrant 3: Gateway introduces the first installment of EVE Online’s revamped new player experience and skill training. CCP Games has also announced that it is launching EVE Online on the Epic Games Store on September 23, bringing its flagship game to more players.
Gateway focuses on a series of themed activities welcoming new and returning players to EVE Online. To celebrate the Quadrant’s launch, CCP has released this trailer below:
EVE Online’s revamped onboarding experience is a rich, emotionally-driven narrative available for players arriving in-game for the first time. It introduces players to a fresh cast of characters that teach the essential features and controls, including how to pilot a ship, survive a firefight, make money, and more. After completing the training program, players will have a solid understanding of how to thrive amongst the stars.
“It is the best time in EVE’s 18-year history for pilots to fly into New Eden,” said Bergur Finnbogason, EVE Online’s Creative Director. “The heart of EVE Online has always been its players. For Quadrant 3 we are opening up the Gateway for new Capsuleers into EVE Online, starting with the new player experience. I’m excited to see how these new pilots will shape the game for years to come!”
In addition, Quadrant 3: Gateway will add new content and balance updates, such as changes to resource distribution that signal the start of greater updates to the scarcity of resources in New Eden. Players can expect to see further resource distribution changes in the fourth Quadrant of 2021, which kicks off November 2021. To learn more about Quadrant 3: Gateway, head over to this blog post.
As part of the revamped skill system, Gateway also introduces customizable skill plans to EVE Online. Created with character development in mind, skill plans allow players to build, and share, a list of skills without purchasing or injecting them first. The streamlined system provides players with a better understanding of how skills function and help achieve aspirational goals. More information on skill plans can be found in the blog here.
“There are many ways to learn and grow in EVE now, whether it’s the training program, skill plans, or EVE Academy,” said Merkelchen, a member of the CSM 16, EVE’s democratically elected council of player representatives. “The veteran community is excited about this and there is truly no time like the present to jump into EVE, no matter how familiar you are with it.”
A whole new generation of players will soon be warping into New Eden when EVE Online comes to the Epic Games Store on September 23. This launch will make EVE Online the premier MMO on the platform.
EVE Online can be downloaded for free by visiting www.eveonline.com. For all the latest information about the game, please visit EVE News.
Razer today announced the launch of their most advanced controller ever, the Wolverine V2 Chroma. Playable on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles as well as PC, Razer has taken decades of competitive excellence and R&D from their best-in-class PC peripherals lines and engineered these learnings into the all-new Wolverine V2 Chroma. Features include:
Razer™ Mecha-Tactile Action Buttons and D-Pad for super-fast actuation and response times
6 Additional Multi-function Buttons (2 top bumpers plus 4 back triggers)
Interchangeable Thumbstick Caps (Includes extra dome and taller recessed thumbsticks)
Hair Trigger Mode with Trigger Stop-Switches
New L-Shaped design and fulcrum with Full-Coverage Wraparound Grip
Powered by Razer Chroma™ RGB
The Wolverine V2 Chroma pro controller is the cornerstone of Razer’s new ‘Connect. Compete. Conquer.’ campaign focused on showcasing the competitive advantages by playing with the Razer family of products while on console.
For more information on the Wolverine V2 Chroma, please see here.
The new Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma is the ultimate controller for Xbox and PC players, boasting some of the fastest actuation and response times of any controller on the market through a combination of Razer’s ultra-responsive Mecha-Tactile switch technology and a stable, competition-focused wired connection. This controller is a must-have for any serious competitor looking to take their talents to the next level.
WHEN: Available Now WHERE:Razer.com, RazerStores and authorized retailers. PRICE: $149.99 USD / €159.99 MSRP
Today premium gaming audio brand EPOS reveals the USB-connected H3 Hybrid and wireless H3PRO Hybrid gaming headsets, providing high-quality digital audio experiences and new features for a wide range of immersive experiences for all gamers.
Following the critical success of the recently released H3 wired closed acoustic headset, the EPOS H3 Hybrid launches today, boasting multiple connectivity options, a removable boom arm, simultaneous Bluetooth® for audio mixing, and a long-lasting battery for on-the-go Bluetooth® audio – unlocking the Power of Audio anywhere. The H3 Hybrid is compatible with PC, Mac®, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4™, PS5™, Nintendo Switch™ and Bluetooth® compatible devices.
H3 Hybrid – Available Now
The H3 Hybrid brings true to life gaming audio and user versatility together. The H3 Hybrid is crafted with renowned EPOS engineering and high-quality gaming audio, achieving acoustic clarity and deep bass with exchangeable USB and 3.5 mm console cables. The headset is available in Onyx Black and Ghost White colorways.
The H3 Hybrid provides up to 37 hours of Bluetooth® audio, offers multiplatform compatibility, and is equipped with simultaneous Bluetooth® connection, dual microphones, EPOS Gaming Suite compatibility and a detachable boom arm for next-level gaming.
For gamers looking to take their play to the next level, the H3 Hybrid offers an array of features to unlock the Power of Audio, including:
· Long Lasting Battery Life with Bluetooth® – A single charge provides up to 37 hours of Bluetooth® audio and up to 24 hours when playing on a 3.5 mm console cable connection. Dual connectivity (3.5 mm cable and Bluetooth®) provides up to 19 hours of play.
· Simultaneous Bluetooth® Connection for Audio Mixing – When paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth®, simultaneous connectivity allows players to chat with friends using their favorite third-party app while gaming on their preferred platform via USB or 3.5 mm cable. Separate intuitive volume control enables players to balance each audio stream.
· Convenient Magnetic Detachable Boom Arm – Gamers can easily detach and reattach the microphone with a magnetic connection in the boom arm. When the boom arm is removed, a cover plate protects the connectors and keeps the H3 Hybrid’s sleek, seamless look.
· Dual Microphones – The H3 Hybrid includes a secondary microphone in the ear cup that allows gamers to pick up calls when wearing the headset on-the-go without the main boom arm microphone attached to the headset.
· Multiple Connection Options – The H3 Hybrid allows for multiple connection options with included USB cable for PC, 3.5 mm cables for consoles and Bluetooth® for mobile devices
· EPOS Gaming Suite – When connected to a PC through USB, players can download the EPOS Gaming Suite to unlock 7.1 surround sound and tailor audio and microphone preferences
Game. Stream. Spectate
Guaranteeing convenient use across all devices and all use cases, both at-home and on-the-go, the H3 Hybrid delivers versatility for all types of players.
H3PRO Hybrid – Coming Soon Expanding on its H3 Hybrid counterpart, the H3PRO Hybrid meets the needs of demanding gamers looking for wireless freedom and high-quality audio. The H3PRO Hybrid will debut in Sebring Black, while boasting long-lasting battery life, and proprietary EPOS wireless technology delivering lag-free transmission – all without sacrificing performance.
More features and details will be announced soon.
Both the H3 Hybrid and H3PRO Hybrid will offer quality-of-life features to enhance users overall gaming experience, including intuitive smart buttons for quick control of audio settings, instant mute by lifting the boom arm, lightweight adjustable fits, integrated volume control on the ear cup and exchangeable ergonomic ear pads.
Price and Availability
The EPOS H3 Hybrid gaming headset is available now at eposaudio.com/ gaming and from selected retailers at a suggested retail price of $179 USD/$259 CAD.
Further details on the H3PRO Hybrid will be announced soon. Gamers looking to learn more about the H3 series can read more here and sign up for latest news.
As the summer winds to a close & we start planning for fall & everyone’s favorite spooky season, Fathom Events has scheduled eight weeks of creepy, electrifying, and monstrously fun features in movie theaters nationwide. So, gather up your spooky squad and head on down to your local cinema for some tricks and treats. Last one there is a rotten pumpkin! 🎃 👻
Tickets for all events are available at www.FrightFest.com/FrightFest and through participating cinemas’ box offices. For the most updated list of exhibiting movie theaters, visit the Fathom Events website. (Participating theaters are subject to change).
Fathom Fright Fest 2021 features a lineup of scary movies sure to thrill EVERYONE: “Carrie 45th Anniversary,” “Dracula and Frankenstein Double Feature,” “Studio Ghibli Fest 2021: Spirited Away 20th Anniversary,” “Scream 25th Anniversary,” “The Evil Dead 40th Anniversary,” “Scream 25th Anniversary,” “TCM Big Screen Classic Presents: The Silence of the Lambs 30th Anniversary,” “Studio Ghibli Fest 2021: Howl’s Moving Castle,” “RiffTrax Live: Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes,” “The Call (The Uncut Experience),” “The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man Double Feature,” and “ParaNorman.”
Carrie 45th Anniversary
Sunday, September 26 & Wednesday, September 29
Based on the best-selling Stephen King novel, Carrie (Sissy Spacek) is a high school loner with no confidence, no friends… and no idea about the extent of her secret powers of telekinesis. But when her psychotic mother and sadistic classmates finally go too far, the once-shy teen becomes an unrestrained, vengeance-seeking powerhouse who causes all hell to break loose in a frenzy of blood, fire, and brimstone! Piper Laurie, John Travolta, and Amy Irving are terrific in this horror classic.
Dracula and Frankenstein Double Feature
Saturday, October 2
Celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Universal Monsters with a special double feature of the original Dracula and Frankenstein! Plus, fans will get an exclusive tour of the Universal Studios lot!
The original Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi, launched the Hollywood horror genre and defined the iconic look and frightening character of the famed vampire. Towering ominously among the shadows of the Carpathian Mountains, Castle Dracula strikes fear in the hearts of the Transylvanian villagers below. After a naive real estate agent succumbs to the will of Count Dracula, the two head to London where the vampire hopes to stroll among respectable society by day and search for potential victims by night. The inspiration for hundreds of subsequent remakes and adaptations, this classic film directed by Tod Browning, is the signature adaptation of Bram Stoker’s story with its eerie passion, shadowy atmosphere and thrilling cinematography.
An unforgettable masterpiece, the original Frankenstein stars Boris Karloff as the screen’s most tragic and iconic monster in what many consider to be the greatest horror film ever made. Tampering with life and death, Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) pieces together salvaged body parts to bring a human monster to life. The mad scientist’s dreams are shattered by his creation’s violent rage as the monster awakens to a world in which he is unwelcome. Featuring groundbreaking makeup by Jack Pierce, director James Whale’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece novel blends themes of horror, isolation and compassion, and remains one of the most shocking movies of all time.
Studio Ghibli Fest 2021: Spirited Away 20th Anniversary
Sunday, October 3 (dubbed in English), Monday, October 4 (English subtitles), & Wednesday, October 6 (dubbed in English)
Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation.
Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time.
The Evil Dead 40th Anniversary
Thursday, October 7
The ultimate experience in grueling terror! Grindhouse Releasing and Fathom Events celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sam Raimi’s horror classic THE EVIL DEAD with an exclusive nationwide screening introduced by star Bruce Campbell.
Ash (Campbell), his girlfriend Linda (Betsy Baker), his sister Cheryl (Ellen Sandweiss), and couple Scotty (Hal Delrich), and Shelly (Sarah York), drive to a remote cabin in the woods for a fun getaway. While there, they find the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis (aka “The Book of the Dead”), an ancient tome whose text reawakens the dead when read out loud. After unintentionally releasing a flood of evil, the five friends must fight for their lives or become possessed.
Scream 25th Anniversary
Sunday, October 10 & Monday, October 11
25 years after its theatrical debut, SCREAM remains a wildly entertaining and terrifically terrifying cinematic experience. Directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, the film is a brilliant deconstruction of the horror genre that pays homage to the conventions of slasher films while upending them with clever twists and witty dialogue.
After a series of mysterious deaths befalls their small town, an offbeat group of friends led by Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) becomes the target of a masked killer. As the body count rises, Sidney and her friends turn to the “rules” of horror films to help navigate the real-life terror they’re living in. The film also stars Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, Jamie Kennedy, Rose McGowan, and Drew Barrymore.
Fans who attend the special event will also be treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the film featuring vintage interviews with Wes Craven, Kevin Williamson, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and more.
TCM Big Screen Classics Presents: The Silence of the Lambs 30th Anniversary
Sunday, October 17 & Wednesday, October 20
Invite an old friend for dinner and to see this event that includes exclusive insights from Turner Classic Movies.
When a psychopath named Buffalo Bill is murdering women and believing it takes one to know one, the FBI sends Agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) to interview a demented prisoner: Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a cannibalistic psychiatrist whose fascination with the young agent is as great as his hunger for murder. As their relationship develops, Starling is forced to confront not only her own demons, but also an evil so powerful she may not have the courage to stop!
Studio Ghibli Fest 2021: Howl’s Moving Castle
Sunday, October 24 (dubbed in English), Monday, October 25 (English subtitles) & Thursday, October 28 (dubbed in English)
From director Hayao Miyazaki and the legendary Studio Ghibli, Howl’s Moving Castle is an Academy Award®-nominated acclaimed fantasy based on the novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones.
Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a curse on Sophie and turns her into a 90-year-old woman. On a quest to break the spell, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent moving castle and into a new life of wonder and adventure. But as the true power of Howl’s wizardry is revealed, Sophie finds herself fighting to protect them both from a dangerous war of sorcery that threatens their world. Featuring the voice talents of Lauren Bacall, Christian Bale, Billy Crystal, Blythe Danner, Emily Mortimer, and Jean Simmons.
RiffTrax Live: Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes
Tuesday, October 26
There’s still evil up there at the old Amityville house. A group of priests gathers to quell the demon that has long plagued this lovely five-bed, four-bath Dutch Colonial full of old-world charm and lots of curb appeal. BUT – the evil escapes! Which should have been made obvious by the movie’s title. And how does it escape? Like all evil does: by possessing a tacky floor lamp, getting sold at a garage sale and shipped to Los Angeles, where most evil household décor eventually finds a home.
Soon the demonic floor lamp begins its reign of terror in the home of an innocent family, killing pets and home repairmen, forcing children to use power tools in unsafe ways, and possessing the soul of the youngest sister Jessica, who immediately begins to act like a total jerk.
It’s up to the young priest Father Kibbler to save the family and confront the evil lamp, face-to-bulb, before more people die. Okay, more people DO die, but can Father Kibbler finally put an end to it? Join Bill (Corbett), Mike (Nelson), and Kevin (Murphy) in theaters nationwide for the perfect Halloween treat—a night with Rifftrax Live and Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes!
The Call (The Uncut Experience)
Wednesday, October 27
From the creator of Final Destination, Lin Shaye and Tobin Bell star in this terrifying tale of death from the fall of 1987. After a tragic accident, a group of small-town friends must survive the night in the home of a sinister couple. One by one, their worst nightmares quickly become reality as they enter the realm of The Call. Four Friends. One Phone Call. 60 Seconds. Stay Alive.
This Uncut Experience features deleted scenes and an interview with the director following the film.
The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man Double Feature
Saturday, October 30
Universal is celebrating the 90th Anniversary of their Classic Monsters with a special double feature of the original The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man. Plus, fans will get an exclusive tour of the Universal Studios lot!
The signature adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man stars Claude Rains as a mysterious scientist who discovers a serum that makes him invisible. Covered by bandages and dark glasses, the scientist arrives at a small English village and attempts to hide his amazing discovery. He soon realizes, however, that the same drug which renders him invisible is slowly driving him insane and capable of committing unspeakable acts of terror. Directed by James Whale, the horror classic features groundbreaking special effects by John P. Fulton that inspired many of the techniques that are still used today.
“Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.” In 1941, The Wolf Man introduced the world to a new Universal movie monster and the mythology of the werewolf was redefined forever. Featuring a heartbreaking performance by Lon Chaney Jr. and groundbreaking make-up by Jack Pierce, this story of a cursed man who transforms into a deadly werewolf when the moon is full has not only become a masterpiece of the horror genre, but of all time.
ParaNorman
Tuesday, November 16
In this comedy thriller from LAIKA, a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can the town call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman, who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he’ll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul-whisperer bravely summons up all that makes a hero – courage and compassion – as he finds his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits. Voice Cast: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, Elaine Stritch, Bernard Hill, Jodelle Ferland, Tempestt Bledsoe, Alex Borstein, and John Goodman. Produced by Arianne Sutner and Travis Knight. Written by Chris Butler. Directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler.
This exclusive one-day event also features a special behind-the-scenes tour of LAIKA Studios!
Techland has published the second Audio Stories from the Dying City series. The audiobook “Antigone” introduces players to a love story in a postapocalyptic world. The audio story is available here:
This time Techland invites everyone who likes such stories to listen to the words of an older woman who, during a meeting with a young couple from The City residents, offers them accommodation. During the long night, she will tell them a long-forgotten story that goes back to the very beginning of the pandemic.
In a place such as The City, where love is put to the hardest of tests—death, some people still find a way to overcome the challenges it presents. How? Listen to Antigone, our second audio story and see for yourself.
Dying Light 2 Stay Human published by Techland, will be released on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X | S. Pre-orders can be placed at dyinglightgame.com/preorder.
SnowRunner, the ultimate off-road driving experience from Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment (previously Focus Home Interactive), announced today that in partnership with Jeep, two iconic Jeep trucks have rolled into the SnowRunner garage! Available to purchase now as standalone DLC on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC, the Jeep Dual Pack debuts two new high-performance scouts: the Wrangler-Rubicon and the CJ-7 “Renegade.”
These legendary trucks are part of the renowned CJ class (short for “Civilian Jeep”), which came into service as open-bodied, compact pickup trucks, noted for being the first mass-produced four-wheel-drive civilian car in the world.
The CJ-7 “Renegade” and Wrangler-Rubicon are lightweight scouts like no other, with powerful modern engines, easily capable of clearing shallow to medium-depth mud. Jeep’s signature custom suspension system also has excellent performance in rock-crawling and other rugged terrains.
SnowRunner and its Year 2 Pass are out now on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. You can grab the game and all content from the Year 1 Pass with SnowRunner – Premium Edition. For more information, visit our official store page.
“It’s alive, it’s ALIVE…!” In celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Universal Monsters, four classic movie monsters from the golden age of horror return to big screens nationwide this Halloween season for a two-day double feature film event series, courtesy of Fathom Events and Universal Studios.
As part of the anniversary events, fans will be treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Universal Studios lot and see where these fan-favorite monsters made their big screen debut and became legendary.
The series kicks off with the original Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi, which launched the Hollywood horror genre, and the unforgettable masterpiece Frankenstein starring Boris Karloff. The Dracula and Frankenstein Double Feature will play in movie theatres on Saturday, October 2 at 1:00 p.m. (local time). The series then continues with the signature adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man starring Claude Rains, and The Wolf Man featuring a heartbreaking performance by Lon Chaney. The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man Double Feature will play in movie theaters on Saturday, October 30 at 1:00 p.m. (local time).
“When it comes to the horror genre, nothing is more significant than Universal’s classic lineup of monsters,” said Tom Lucas, Fathom Events Vice President of Studio Relations. “From the moment these characters hit cinemas 90 years ago, they’ve been stirring audiences’ imaginations with wonder and nightmares, and we’re pleased fans of both old and new will once again see them larger-than-life on the big screen.”
Tickets can be purchased online at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. A complete list of theater locations is available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
ABOUT THE FILMS
“Dracula and Frankenstein Double Feature” Saturday, October 2
The original Dracula defined the iconic look and frightening character of the famed vampire. The inspiration for hundreds of subsequent remakes and adaptations, this classic film directed by Tod Browning, is the signature adaptation of Bram Stoker’s story with its eerie passion, shadowy atmosphere, and thrilling cinematography. Towering ominously among the shadows of the Carpathian Mountains, Castle Dracula strikes fear in the hearts of the Transylvanian villagers below. After a naive real estate agent succumbs to the will of Count Dracula, the two head to London where the vampire hopes to stroll among respectable society by day and search for potential victims by night.
Considered by many to be the greatest horror film ever made, the original Frankenstein features one of the screen’s most tragic and iconic monsters. Directed by James Whale, the adaptation of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece novel blends themes of horror, isolation, and compassion, and remains one of the most shocking movies of all time, featuring groundbreaking makeup by Jack Pierce. Tampering with life and death, Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) pieces together salvaged body parts to bring a human monster to life. The mad scientist’s dreams are shattered by his creation’s violent rage as the monster awakens to a world in which he is unwelcome.
“The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man Double Feature” Saturday, October 30
H.G. Wells’ “The Invisible Man” stars Claude Rains as a mysterious scientist who discovers a serum that makes him invisible. Covered by bandages and dark glasses, the scientist arrives at a small English village and attempts to hide his amazing discovery. He soon realizes, however, that the same drug which renders him invisible is slowly driving him insane and capable of committing unspeakable acts of terror. Directed by James Whale, the horror classic features groundbreaking special effects by John P. Fulton that inspired many of the techniques that are still used today.
“Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.” In 1941, “The Wolf Man” introduced the world to a new Universal movie monster, and the mythology of the werewolf was redefined forever. Featuring Lon Chaney Jr. and groundbreaking make-up by Jack Pierce, this story of a cursed man who transforms into a deadly werewolf when the moon is full has not only become a masterpiece of the horror genre but of all time.
Disney+ and Marvel Studios invite you on an unexpected holiday getaway, unwrapping the official trailer and teaser poster for “Hawkeye,” a new series set in post-blip New York City. Former Avenger Clint Barton has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible? Maybe with the help of Kate Bishop, a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a Super Hero. The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton’s past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.
Starring Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, “Hawkeye” also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d’Arcy James and newcomer Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez. Helmed by Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie, “Hawkeye” debuts exclusively on Disney+ on November 24, 2021.
Creative Labs has been knocking it out of the park for some time with their lineup of USB DACs (Digital Audio Controller)/headphone amplifiers. The latest in this lineage is the Sound Blaster X4. Featuring a variety of input/output options and audio-enhancing features, the X4 is an incredible piece of kit. In terms of its design, the Sound Blaster X4 takes after its older brother, the Sound Blaster X3. It is 5.14 inch by 5.14 inch box with a protruding round knob on the upper side and all decked out in a gumetal gray color scheme. It measures only 1.6 inches tall, so it’s a very discrete presentation.
On the front side of the Sound Blaster X4, you’ll find two 3.5mm ports – one for an external microphone and the other for a set of headphones.The round knob on the upper side of the X4 is encircled with a pretty LED ring light. That large knob is used to control the volume as well as balance the volume from multiple inputs. Also on the upper side of the Sound Blaster X4 are three push button controls. The button on the left puts the large knob into audio balance mode while the center button cycles through the various EQ modes built in to the Sound Blaster X4. You can also customize and assign your own mappings to the various EQ modes using the Creative app (available on your PC as well as iOS and Android app stores). The right button allows you to toggle between your speaker out put and headphone output as well as engage/disengage the SXFI mode when using the headphones.
On the rear side of the Sound Blaster X4 are even more connectivity ports. There you’ll find four 3.5mm line out ports – one for front, side, rear, and subwoofer channels. There is also an optical ouput port as well as a 3.5mm line/optical-in port. Finally, there is a USB-C port which will allow you to connect the Sound Blaster X4 to either a power wall adapter (not included in the box) or your PC. When plugged into your PC, the Sound Blaster X4 not only receives power from the USB port but, also, audio from the PC. One of the many good things about the Sound Blaster X4 is that, when plugged into your PC, it acts as an external Sound Blaster sound card.
Another good thing about the new Sound Blaster X4 is that you have so many options in terms of output. You can send audio to headphones but also a 2.1, 5.1, or 7.1 channel speaker system or even to a separate AV receiver by way of the optical output. It should be noted that while the PlayStation 4 can connect to the Sound Blaster X4 by way of an optical cable, the newer PlayStation 5 requires the user to pick up an HDMI to optical converter box to get sound to the Sound Blaster X4.
Of course, the Sound Blaster X4 is also a headphone amplifier – up to 600 Ohms to be specific. This means that you can push your audio out to the higher-end cans out there, providing some BIG sound. Now, if you attemp to use a low impedance headphone on the Sound Blaster X4, you might notice some hissing at higher volumes when no other audio is being played – this is because the Sound Blaster X4 is simply sending too intense of a signal to them. If you want a premium audio experience, be sure to invest in some decent headphones – especially when using the Sound Blaster X4.
The biggest issue I had when using the Sound Blaster X4 was setting the device up via the Creative apps on my smartphone. While the Creative app is used for the main setup, you must also use the SXFI app to setup the head mapping for the SXFI technology to work with your headphones. It was not a very straightforward or user friendly process.
There are some interesting changes from the Sound Blaster X3 that should be noted. Strangely, the X4 only handles a maxmum audio playback resolution of 24-bit and 192 kHz while the X3 played audio back at a maximum resolution of 32-bit at 192 kHz. This doesn’t seem to make a big difference as 24-bit is still beyond what a human being can discern. Also, the Sound Blaster X3 supported a maximum recording resolution of up to 24-bit at 192 kHz while the X4 only supports a maximum of 24-bit at 96 kHz. Again, these don’t really matter in real-world usage, but I thought it important to note the differences.
In this day of virtual meetings, many companies are creative technology to help us navigate its ups and downs. Creative Labs has introduced their free SmartComms Kit and the Sound Blaster X4 is fully compatible with it. The SmartComms Kit software acts as a software noise gate to help filter out background noise while increasing the volume and quality of the user’s voice. It also allows for automatically muting and unmuting the microphone by simply detecting when the user is speaking. In my testing, it was not a “golden BB” solution to virtual meeting voice audio but it definitely helped other people hear me more clearly and I appreciate anything that can accomplish that – especially when its free!
Overall, the Creative Labs Sound Blaster X4 is a full features USB DAC and headphone amplifier with a ton of features for both audio enhancement and connectivity. The X4 is out now and retails for $149.99 on Creative Labs official website.
