The producers of Midsummer Scream are thrilled to announce a surprise event kicking off the Halloween season to take place the weekend of August 14-15, 2021 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Awaken the Spirits! will feature over 200 spooky vendors, live entertainment, and a presentation stage where fans will learn what’s in store for Halloween 2021 from the likes of LA Haunted Hayride, Delusion, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Winchester Mystery House, and others.
“The entire team is excited to be able to create live events once again,” says David Markland, Executive Director of Midsummer Scream. “Awaken the Spirits! will allow us an opportunity to bring together fans and professionals from the Halloween and haunt community to celebrate and prepare for what will be a great ‘spooky season’.”
After the pandemic caused Midsummer Scream to cancel their flagship event for the past two years, the team has ramped up production on several related projects for a strong end to 2021. Midsummer Scream’s Screaming Room Film Festival presented by HorrorBuzz will be held at the Frida Cinema in Santa Ana July 10-11. Season’s Screamings, Midsummer Scream’s dark holiday convention, takes place December 17-19, also at the Pasadena Convention Center. Next summer, Midsummer Scream returns to Long Beach for its highly anticipated 5th Anniversary show July 29-31, 2022.
“Once we were certain Southern California was allowing live events again, we felt it was extremely important to do something for our longtime supporters, and create a showcase for the theme parks and attractions to inform the public what each of them will be doing for Halloween,” says Gary Baker, Executive Producer of Midsummer Scream.
“Since there are so many questions concerning haunted attractions and events this year, we really wanted to create a solid platform for that information to be relayed directly by our partners.”
Midsummer Scream and the Pasadena Convention Center are working in accordance with all CDC, state, and local guidelines governing requirements for events and gatherings of this type.
For breaking information about Awaken the Spirits! and other upcoming Midsummer Scream events, follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @midsummerscream and sign up for the newsletter at MidsummerScream.org.
“Monsters at Work” takes place the day after the Monsters, Incorporated power plant started harvesting the laughter of children to fuel the city of Monstropolis, thanks to Mike and Sulley’s discovery that laughter generates ten times more energy than screams. It follows the story of Tylor Tuskmon, an eager young monster who graduated top of his class at MonstersUniversity and always dreamed of becoming a Scarer until he lands a job at Monsters, Incorporated, and discovers that scaring is out and laughter is in. After Tylor is temporarily reassigned to the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team (MIFT), he must work alongside a misfit bunch of mechanics while setting his sights on becoming a Jokester.
Produced by Disney Television Animation and inspired by the world of Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award-winning “Monsters, Inc.,”the series introduces new monster characters alongside returning favorites. Billy Crystal and John Goodman reprise their beloved roles as Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan. Ben Feldman stars as the voice of Tylor Tuskmon, alongside other new cast members including Mindy Kaling as Val Little, Henry Winkler as Fritz, Lucas Neff as Duncan and Alanna Ubach as Cutter.
Universal CityWalk Hollywood, located adjacent to Universal Studios Hollywood, scores with today’s opening of its newest dining establishment, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, leveling up the concept of sports-themed dining with state-of-the-art HDTV screens at the iconic destination.
A sleekly designed addition to Universal CityWalk, NBC Sports Grill & Brew is reflective of NBC Sports’ award-winning coverage and unparalleled collection of media partnerships that include the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, Roland Garros, and many more.
With an array of HDTV screens broadcasting continuous, in-depth sports coverage, NBC Sports Grill & Brew is prepared to offer guests the MVP treatment. Visitors can enjoy dining upon converted shuffleboard and foosball tables amid sports-inspired décor, including specially commissioned art pieces and a custom neon NBC peacock logo.
Universal CityWalk spectators and al fresco diners alike will also be awed by the giant media wall located at the restaurant’s front exterior. Measuring a whopping 23 feet by 13 feet, the HDTV monitor will put guests at the front row of the latest sports action.
A look at the restaurant’s expansive menu, curated by Universal Studios Hollywood’s Executive Chef Marie Grimm, NBC Sports Grill & Brew covers all the bases by providing a fresh take on traditional pub fare, including tasty appetizers, flavorful sandwiches and burgers, fresh salads, hearty grain bowls and indulgent desserts.
The inspired menu includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options as well as traditional fare with an array of cleverly themed courses.
These include:
The Starting Lineup features mouthwatering appetizers from Wings and Fish Tacos to Loaded Nachos and an Artisan Pretzel. Home Run Handheld takes burgers to new heights with such tempting fare as Roadside Chili Burger, Gruyere Burger, Beyond Burger, Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich and the Brat Pretzel Press. The Chili Bowl and The Grain Bowl add tasty twists to The Bowl Games menu section.
In the mood for a crunchy salad, On The Green pleases with Classic Chicken Caesar Salad, Grilled Steak Wedge and Nashville Hot Chopped Chicken Salad. Game Time is serious with Smoked BBQ Pork Ribs, Farmhouse Fried Chicken, Broccoli & Cheddar Mac ‘n’ Cheese, NY Strip Steak and Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon.
Final Play rounds out the meal for the home stretch, including Warm Apple Strudel, Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie with Stout Ice Cream and a variety of Floats. A la carte Side Lines add even more options to the extensive menu with extras including Tater Tots, Crinkle Cut Fries, Grilled Vegetables, Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Cornbread.
A refreshing complement to the menu, the restaurant also features a full bar and an extensive selection of over 40 beers, including the 862 as an IPA or seasonal draft custom-made to the Universal CityWalk Hollywood location.
Looking to customize their beverages, diners can create their own beer flight, build their own mule cocktail or select from a list of craft cocktails and wines.
World of Warships, the widely popular free to play naval combat game from developer and publisher, Wargaming, has released Update 0.10.6 making available Dutch Cruisers in early access, two seasons of Brawls, and more visual and technical improvements.
The main event for Update 0.10.6 is the addition of Dutch Tier IV-IX cruisers in Early Access. These mighty ships have high caliber firepower, rock solid armor at high tiers and great maneuverability, but a short firing range.
Starting from Tier VI, they will come equipped with a brand-new type of armament – Airstrike. Based on real world examples of the low altitude bombing principle, it will allow players to call in aircraft and have it bombard the specified area with HE bombs. These explosives are equipped with drogue parachutes to slow their descent, and prevent planes being hit by the shrapnel.
The AI controlled aircraft will have a maximum operating distance of 10–13 km and it won’t be able to spot enemies. It will however be highly effective against low-mobility targets such as battleships and large cruisers. This ability gives players a fresh way to strike enemy ships hiding behind the cover of islands.
To access new Dutch cruisers for free, players will need to complete combat mission groups and earn a new temporary resource – Dutch Tokens. The same resource will be available in free daily bundles, random bundles for doubloons, and in bundles for community tokens.
Besides the ships, players are able to obtain the Kinderdijk Windmill patch, a commemorative flag and themed camouflages.
Finally, to celebrate the event the historical Rotterdam port has been added, which authentically recreates the look of the famous harbor city from the 1950s.
Update 0.10.6 will also feature two seasons of Brawls. All players will be able to participate in 3 vs 3 battles on Tier VI and Tier VII ships.
A number of visual and other enhancements have also been made, including the updated AI that will result in more realistic behavior of bots. In addition, a Hall of Fame tab has been added to Clan Battles, showcasing the winners of previous seasons.
All the details, developer notes can be found HERE.
In 1994, a group of teenagers discover the terrifying events that have haunted their town for generations may all be connected — and they may be the next targets. Based on R.L. Stine’s best-selling horror series, FEAR STREET follows Shadyside’s sinister history through a nightmare 300 years in the making. FEAR STREET Part 3: 1666, the final chapter of Netflix’s epic summer movie event, premieres this Friday, July 16, only on Netflix.
Halloween season is creeping up and Spirit Halloween, the world’s largest specialty Halloween retailer, is looking for 35,000 seasonal employees to join the scary fun team for the 2021 season. Employment opportunities are available at over 1,425 Spirit Halloween locations throughout U.S. and Canada, and in this role, you can avoid working the graveyard shift.
In addition to working alongside Halloween obsessed teammates, this year Spirit Halloween is offering prospective employees opportunities for early hire pay incentives, along with flexible scheduling, competitive salaries, and bonus opportunities. Plus, employees will be dressed to kill all season long with a 30% discount on all Spirit Halloween merchandise, including the highest quality costumes and bone chillingly cool animatronics this side of Crystal Lake.
Candidates interested in a range of seasonal positions available now through November can find more information at Work4Spirit.com.
“It’s a competitive job landscape and we know candidates are looking for opportunities where they can learn and grow, while also having fun in a collaborative and high energy environment,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO at Spirit Halloween. “At Spirit Halloween, we live and breathe Halloween 365 days a year, our associates’ passion and dedication are what got us through the most challenging year in recent history and we are looking for team members to join us in celebrating what we anticipate to be the spookiest Halloween ever while experiencing the excitement that Spirit brings to all of its locations.”
Specializing in costumes, décor and accessories for children, teens, and adults, Spirit Halloween creates a completely immersive Halloween experience for everyone that includes an exclusive line of eye-popping animatronics. Each year, Spirit Halloween introduces hundreds of new items to meet the needs of Halloween-obsessed fans everywhere. A delightful mix of traditional Halloween products along with the latest in pop culture trends. It’s all available at Spirit Halloween.
Many team members are inspired year after year with Spirit’s community giving. At the heart of Spirit Halloween is Spirit of Children, a program that focuses on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families. Since its inception in 2007, Spirit of Children has raised more than $77 million for partner hospitals across the country. Donations to Spirit of Children stay within local communities, with 100 percent of funds going to Child Life departments at partner hospitals.
For the inside scoop on all things Halloween, follow @SpiritHalloween on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Visit SpiritHalloween.com, where die-hard Halloween fans can shop anytime, anywhere, every day of the year.
Now that we are seeing the proverbial light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, so many of our favorite Southern California attractions have opened their doors again. The latest to do so is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. Warner Bros. Studios has upgraded their tour experience, which some fun new things for guests to do and see during their visit.
The biggest changes to the experience are where it begins and ends. In the past, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood began with guests parking at the WB corporate office across the street from the studio and waiting in a lobby on the ground floor. It was a spartan location that’s saving grace was a Starbucks utilized by WB employee and tour visitor alike. Now, the studio has its very own parking garage as well as tour building. The WB Studio Tour store, where guests could purchase exclusive merchandise, has been moved to this starting location. And, yes, there is a Starbucks location there as well. Gotta have my morning coffee! The Storytelling Showcase room is a very cool walk down memory lane to acquaint tour guests with some of the studio’s history prior to embarking on the shuttles. This room is incredible, with a “miniature” version of the studio’s iconic water town as well as model versions of the various soundstages found on the lot. Along the walls are various Warner Bros. film and television props and moments, and the room’s frigid AC was a welcome vacation from the Southern California heat. After checking out the Storytelling Showcase, guests are moved onto the shuttles.
The tour experience itself is very similar to its pre-COVID self. During the tour, you’ll tour exterior (and some interior) sets, be provided with some amazing trivia by the tour guides (who’s knowledge of studio history is darn-near astounding), and even go through the Stage 48 From Script to Screen walk-thru building. Along the way, you’ll notice that the old studio store building at Stage 48 has been converted into a larger Central Perk and Friends Boutique for those Friends fans out there. They have recreated various sets from the venerable television show throughout and you can even pick up a coffee or treat at the bar.
After touring the studio and Stage 48, guests are shuttled over to the Action and Magic Made Here walk-thru experience, where guests can view various costumes, interactive sets, and a whole lot more from their favorite DC and Harry Potter films. There are also some pretty great photo ops to be had here, so I highly suggest taking advantage of them. I especially liked seeing the Batmobile from the 1989 Tim Burton/Michael Keaton film, BATMAN. That was always my favorite growing up and I couldn’t believe I was standing right there next to it!
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is back and better than ever. Tickets start at $57 dollars for SoCal residents and are available at the official tour website.
Today, Disney+ revealed the official trailer for “Behind the Attraction.” Narrated by Paget Brewster (“Criminal Minds”), the 10-part series gives viewers an exclusive peek “behind the curtain” of the most beloved attractions and destinations at Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, from Jungle Cruise to “it’s a small world” to the Haunted Mansion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. “Behind the Attraction” delves into Disney Parks’ rich, amazing history using archival and never-before-seen footage and photographs to unveil how the attractions came to be and how they’ve been refined over the years as new ideas surface and technology evolves. “Behind the Attraction” begins streaming on Wednesday, July 21, on Disney+ with five episodes at launch, and five additional episodes coming to service later this year.
The following episodes will be available on Disney+ on Wednesday, July 21:
Jungle Cruise: Join a skipper for the story behind Jungle Cruise, and try to spot the backside of water! When Walt decided to create the original immersive attraction, he tasked Imagineers with building a river AND the mechanical animals to populate it.
Haunted Mansion: Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion — enter if you dare! When Walt Disney developed the attraction, he didn’t specify if it should be funny or scary, and so it became a perfect blend of both.
Star Tours: Lightspeed to Endor! A long time ago…Disney created Star Tours, a thrilling simulator attraction that takes guests to a galaxy far, far away. It inspired Imagineers to build a whole new land — Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Discover the ups (and downs!) of creating this gravity-defying attraction set in the eerie world of Rod Serling’s renowned “Twilight Zone” television series. Then hold on tight as Imagineers reimagine the Disney California Adventure Park version as Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Space Mountain: You’re about to hear the story of Space Mountain in T-minus 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…launch! Walt’s vision of an attraction that simulates space travel was a design challenge Imagineer John Hench tackled head on, creating a signature structure in Disney Parks around the world.
“Behind the Attraction” is executive produced by Dwayne Johnson (“Jungle Cruise”), Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Brian Gewirtz and Kevin Hill from Seven Bucks Productions, and Brian Volk-Weiss (“The Toys That Made Us”), Robin Henry and Cisco Henson from The Nacelle Company. Brian Volk-Weiss directs the series.
The legendary strategy franchise is back, combining heart-pounding combat with new layers of strategy in a breathtaking Mediterranean setting. Relic Entertainment™ and SEGA® Europe Ltd. are thrilled to reveal that Company of Heroes™ 3, the latest instalment in the critically acclaimed strategy franchise, is coming to PC in 2022! Those eager to get their hands on the game won’t have to wait until then – visit CompanyOfHeroes.com to join CoH-Development and get access to the Pre-Alpha Preview for Company of Heroes 3 via Steam right now!
Players who join Relic’s CoH-Development program, which is powered by Games2Gether™, can expect an early glimpse at the campaign experience. Signing up is free, and it will give players exclusive insights into how the game is being made, as well as a voice in its development. Players who link their Steam account today, will have access to the Pre-Alpha Preview until 2nd August 7 PM PDT / 3rd August 3 AM BST.
Mediterranean Theatre & New Features
Company of Heroes 3 is bringing the series’ intimate boots-on-the-ground storytelling to a brand-new theatre of war, unlocking authentic new tactics, factions, and a wealth of untold stories from World War II. The Mediterranean is a place of immense variety, from windswept Italian mountain passes to harsh North African deserts and coastal vistas. On this new frontline, intelligence trumps speed.
In Company of Heroes 3, the critically acclaimed Company of Heroes gameplay has been enhanced with authentic new features, making for the deepest tactical experience to date – all powered by the Essence Engine 5, the latest evolution of Relic’s proprietary real-time strategy technology. On the Dynamic Campaign Map, players command ground, air and naval forces and build supply lines as they lead the Allies’ campaign to retake mainland Italy from the entrenched Axis forces. The long-term choices you make here will affect not only the battles you fight, but the story of the war itself.
In single-player modes, Full Tactical Pause gives players a new level of tactical control over the pacing on the battlefield. By freezing the action, players who choose to employ Full Tactical Pause will be able to coordinate all their actions at once, thinking through every move in detail without the pressure of doing it all in real-time.
“We’re really excited for players to experience Company of Heroes 3 right from the pre-alpha stage and to receive their valuable feedback,” said Justin Dowdeswell, General Manager at Relic Entertainment. “We’ve been co-developing the game with some of our fantastic community members for years now, and they have been instrumental in providing consistent and meaningful feedback at every step of the development process. We are ready to expand that program in a massive way with our fans around the world via our CoH-Development program, which has been made possible by Amplitude Studios™’ superb Games2Gether platform.”
For more information about Company of Heroes 3 head to www.companyofheroes.com, where players can also sign up for CoH-Development. You can follow the game on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. For more information about SEGA Europe, log on to www.sega.co.uk and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube on Twitter.
Razer™, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers (Hong Kong Stock Code: 1337), today announces the Barracuda X Wireless Multi-platform Gaming and Mobile Headset, for gaming on multiple devices at home or outdoors. Offering true versatility and freedom backed by long-lasting comfort, powerful drivers, and a crystal-clear mic, the Barracuda X is an all-purpose, 4-in-1 wireless headset compatible with PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Android devices.
Many modern wireless headsets are designed for use either at home or on-the-go, and switching between devices can be a time-consuming process, with unpairing and pairing over Bluetooth often leading to connection issues. The Barracuda X has been designed with ease of use and versatility in mind – with its reliable ultra-low latency wireless connection combined with a comfortable, sleek, and ergonomic design, powerful Razer TriForce drivers and a detachable, Discord-certified[1] Razer HyperClear Cardioid microphone, it is the perfect all-in-one-solution for multi-platform gaming.
“Many of the headsets out there that are marketed for multi-platform use can only achieve this using a wired connection,” says Alvin Cheung, Senior Vice President of Razer’s Peripherals Business Unit. “The Razer Barracuda X combines high-performance gaming features and true 4-in-1 wireless connectivity with the design and ease of use of lifestyle headphones. The result is a single, multi-purpose headset, ideal for all-day-long gaming no matter which platform you are using or where you are.”
One design to rule them all
The Barracuda X was developed from the ground-up as a versatile, multi-platform headset with a strong focus on style and comfort. Razer’s engineering team used their years of expertise to integrate Razer’s industry-leading audio technologies in a comfortable wireless gaming headset equally suited to indoor and outdoor use.
The Barracuda X has undergone an extensive design process, dictated by fit, comfort, and simplicity, resulting in a concave surfaced design for reduced bulk, clean lines and a harmonious blend between yoke and ear cup, for a sleek, stylish look. The low-profile ear cups are angled to fit every ear shape and can be adjusted and swiveled for a personalized fit. With plush memory foam ear cushions, and a thick, soft, lightweight headband for a pressure-free fit, the Barracuda X weighs just 250g, perfect for all-day comfort.
Effortless plug and play
The Barracuda X comes fully equipped with all necessary accessories for the ultimate out-of-the-box multi-device experience. At the heart of the multi-platform capability of the Barracuda X is the Razer HyperSpeed Wireless USB-C Dongle, with which the Barracuda X can be seamlessly connected to a PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch or Android devices as a plug and play device with no pairing process or software and driver downloads required.
For situations where a USB-C connection isn’t available, the Barracuda X is supplied with a USB-C to USB-A adapter cable, ideal for PC or docked Nintendo Switch use, and for further compatibility, a 4-pole, 3.5mm jack is also available when an analog connection is needed. The Barracuda X is also supplied with a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, for a battery life of up to 20 hours of continuous use.
Fine-tuned for full fidelity
The Barracuda X features the latest in Razer’s audio technology. Using the Razer TriForce 40mm Drivers, the Barracuda X provides high-end audio performance for bright and clear audio, with individually tuned high, mid and low range frequencies for clearer trebles, a rich midrange and powerful bass, delivering an immersive audio experience.
Featuring a detachable Razer HyperClear Cardioid Mic, the Razer Barracuda X supplies ultra-clear voice comms, regardless of the platform you’re gaming on. The microphone on the Barracuda X offers improved voice isolation excluding more ambient noise from the back and sides, increased sensitivity for greater low frequency response, and an optimized housing for added clarity and accurate voice pick-up.
The Barracuda X wireless gaming headset is the one headset to play them all, with versatility, a lightweight design and simple plug-and-play wireless connection for seamless 4-in-1 use across PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Android devices.
ABOUT THE RAZER BARRACUDA X
Headphones
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity: 96dBSPL/mW@1KHz by HATS
Drivers: Customized Dynamic 40mm Driver
Inner ear cup diameter: 60 x 40mm
Connection type: USB Type C or wired 3.5mm connection
Cable length: 1.5m / 4.92 ft
Approx. weight: 250g / 0.55lbs
Oval ear cushions: Full-ear coverage with fabric and plush leatherette, for sound isolation and comfort
Microphone
Frequency response: 100 Hz – 10 kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio: ≥ 60 dB
Sensitivity (@1 kHz): -42 ± 3 dB
Pick-up pattern: Unidirectional
Discord-certified
On-earcup controls
Volume up and down
Mic mute on/off toggle
Audio Usage
Wireless audio usage: USB-C dongle
Wired audio usage: 3.5mm analog
Surround sound: Only available on Windows 10 64-bit
