Author - Jerry Paxton

gamescom: Opening Night Live Featuring Kojima and More

2019/08/06

August 6, 2019 – Host Geoff Keighley welcomes visionary Game Director Hideo Kojima and more game development teams live on stage. Today gamescom, the world’s largest event for video and computer games, and producer Geoff Keighley (The Game Awards) announced the first details of gamescom: Opening Night Live, a spectacular live showcase of world premiere game content and announcements. The new show, airing in front of more than 1,500 fans at Koelnmesse, the site of gamescom in Cologne, Germany, will stream internationally across all major game streaming platforms in English, with local translations available in more than 8 languages.

Some of the publishers scheduled to make announcements and debut world premiere content during gamescom: Opening Night Live include: 2K, Activision, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Bungie, Capcom, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, GoogleStadia, Koch Media/Deep Silver, Private Division, Sega, Square Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, THQ Nordic GmbH, Ubisoft and Xbox Game Studios. A number of independent game studios will also make announcements. Additional details on specific games and game content will be revealed in the coming days leading into Monday, August 19.

“I’m so excited to bring the gaming industry together for this unique night that will celebrate many of the biggest games at gamescom that are coming out later this year and in 2020 and beyond,” said Geoff Keighley, producer/host, gamescom: Opening Night Live. “Fans watching the stream around the world should expect an overview of what to expect during gamescom week, updates and reveals on some of the most anticipated games coming in the months ahead, as well as announcements of new projects too.”

Several stars from the games industry will appear on stage. Today it is also confirmed that visionary game director Hideo Kojima will make a special live appearance during the show to present a new look at Death Stranding, set for release on November 8, 2019 worldwide for PlayStation 4 from Sony Interactive Entertainment.

gamescom: Opening Night Live streams live across various platforms globally on Monday, August 19 at 8 p.m. CEST / 2 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m. PDT at http://www.openingnightlive.com

Limited Tickets for gaming fans to attend the live show now available at https://tickets.koelnmesse.de/gamescom2019_en

Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival Passes Out Now, More Events Revealed

2019/08/05

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, Movie News, News

August 5, 2019 – Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival, (SHIFF), is a celebration of outstanding genre cinema in the historic cradle of the American Supernatural, showcasing NEW FEATURE FILM PREMIERES, SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY SCREENINGS, LIVE ON-STAGE EVENTS, IN-PERSON GUESTS AND MORE! For more fest info and updates visit www.sleepyhollowfilmfest.com

Full line-up and schedule will be announced soon but early VIP PLATINUM PASSES and GOLD PASSES, which include access to ALL of our Music Hall events (featuring the ones listed here and still many more to be announced), are available now.

Individual Tickets will be available in the future, but purchasing VIP PLATINUM and GOLD PASSES now is the best way to ensure you experience as much of the entire festival as possible.

VIP PLATINUM PASSES and GOLD PASSES also include free access to additional, to-be-announced films and live panel programming at our WARNER LIBRARY venue.

VIP PLATINUM PASS $375 – Limited Amount!
Includes ALL Music Hall venue events
Reserved section seating
1st Entry to all events
Attendance at Opening Night Reception
1st Free Access to Warner Library venue events
Limited Edition SHIFF Enamel Pin and T-Shirt
Official SHIFF 2019 poster
Festival Tote Bag

GOLD PASS $235 ($275 after Sept 10)
Includes ALL Music Hall venue events
2nd Entry to all events
2nd Free Access to Warner Library venue events
Official SHIFF 2019 poster
Festival Tote Bag

CHILDREN’S PASS (Ages 13 and under) $95*
Includes ALL Music Hall venue events (except NEVERMORE and PLAN 9)
Free Access to Warner Library programming
Official SHIFF 2019 poster
*Children with Children’s Pass must be accompanied by a VIP or GOLD pass-holding, adult guardian to all shows.

Tarrytown Music Hall SHIFF program includes these exciting events:
(NOTE: Opening and Closing Night Films and MORE – still to be announced)

SPECIAL SCREENING: D23 – The official Disney Fan Club celebrates the 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW. A rare, big-screen showing of the classic 1949 animated short, and more, with guest speakers.

LIVE STAGE EVENT! NEVERMORE: An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe
Renowned actor Jeffrey Combs (RE-ANIMATOR, STAR TREK, THE FRIGHTENERS) performs his acclaimed one man show on 10/12/19. Combs’ astounding portrayal of Poe has been hailed by The L.A. Times as “A landmark performance,” and NEVERMORE has enthralled audiences across North America, with critically heralded shows in Los Angeles, Montreal, Baltimore and NY’s Lincoln Center. Directed by Stuart Gordon and written by Dennis Paoli.

U.S. PREMIERE SCREENING: PHANTOM OF WINNIPEG
A phantastic feature-length documentary chronicling the unique 40+ year obsession the inhabitants of Winnipeg, Canada, have had with the Brian DePalma cult film PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE. Wickedly entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt, this savvy doc features appearances by Winnipeg locals, original PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE stars Paul Williams and Gerrit Graham, producer Edward R. Pressman, filmmaker and pop culture guru Kevin Smith and more! In-person Q&A with the filmmakers, producer Edward R. Pressman (PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE, THE CROW, WALL STREET, AMERICAN PSYCHO) and more to be announced.

SPECIAL SCREENING: PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE
The original, classic 1974 Brian DePalma cult film sensation, starring William Finley, Paul Williams, Jessica Harper and Gerrit Graham, rocks the Music Hall in all its explosive, rock-infused glory. In-person Q&A with producer Edward R. Pressman, make-up artist Tom Burman, and more to be announced.

LIVE STAGE EVENT! DANA GOULD PRESENTS “PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE”
Legendary comic Dana Gould leads a knockout comedy cast, scheduled to include Bobcat Goldthwait and other comic all-stars, and surprise guests in a rollicking, one-of-a-kind, live reading of Ed Wood’s infamous “PLAN 9” screenplay.

20TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING: TIM BURTON’S SLEEPY HOLLOW
A special screening of director Tim Burton’s wild, visually euphoric 1999 take on the immortal Washington Irving tale, starring Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci and Christopher Walken. In-person Q&A with guest to be announced.

EAST COAST PREMIERE SCREENING: MAKING APES: THE ARTISTS WHO CHANGED FILM
An exciting, eye-opening feature length documentary about the Hollywood artists who created the iconic makeups seen in the original 1968 classic PLANET OF THE APES and their important impact on cinema. Features interviews with makeup artists and actors from the original film franchise, modern makeup artists and filmmakers, including Guillermo Del Toro, John Landis and Joe Dante, who were deeply influenced by the franchise. In-person Q&A with director William Conlin and original “Apes” make-up artist Tom Burman.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: A SALUTE TO DARK SHADOWS – In 1970-71, Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown were original locations for the theatrical films HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS and NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS, with local Lyndhurst Estate doubling as the iconic Collinwood Mansion, home of TV’s first family of Goth. Jim Pierson, longtime curator of the franchise and producer of the documentary MASTER OF DARK SHADOWS, and other guests, dig deep into the private archives of Dan Curtis Productions to present a never-before-seen look behind the “screams” of the durable movies based on the iconic TV series.

35TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING: THE NEVERENDING STORY
A special screening of the beloved 1984 fantasy feature film directed by Wolfgang Petersen. Host Tim Greiving (NPR, THE NEW YORK TIMES), moderates a Q&A with the film’s empress herself, actress Tami Stronach.

25TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING: THE CROW
A special screening of the acclaimed and influential 1994 gothic cult hit directed by Alex Proyas, starring Brandon Lee and Ernie Hudson, based upon the the James O’Barr comic. In-person Q&A with co-screenwriter David J. Schow and renowned producer Edward R. Pressman

MIDNIGHT MADNESS! 35TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART IV – THE FINAL CHAPTER
A late-night screening of the infamous 1984 sequel within the immortal horror franchise that saw the iconic Jason Vorhees meeting his… end? In-person Q&A with legendary FRIDAY THE 13TH composer Harry Manfredini

MORE MUSIC HALL VENUE FILMS and EVENTS to be announced!
(All of which will be included, in addition to all currently listed above, with any VIP PLATINUM PASS and GOLD PASS purchases).

SHIFF is currently accepting film and script submissions, which can be entered via www.sleepyhollowfilmfest.com.

Visit Sleepy Hollow NY at www.visitsleepyhollow.com and follow SHIFF at @SHIFF2019 on Twitter, @sleepyhollowfilmfest on Instagram and on Facebook.

DDO Getting Hardcore Server League

2019/08/05

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

August 5, 2019 – Daybreak Games announced during Gen Con 2019 in Indianapolis that it will introduce a Hardcore League server to Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO), the award-winning free-to-play MMORPG developed by Standing Stone Games. The three-month experience, which begins August 16 and ends on November 15, will test the skill of players with the ultimate penalty for failure – permadeath!

During the Hardcore League, goals will be set for players, and their progress will be based on two factors, each with their own ladder: One will test the player’s ability to conquer as many quests as possible and the other will test the player’s ability to survive in the hardest mode ever brought to the game.

Some of the goals and cosmetic rewards planned for the Hardcore League include:

Reaching a Total Favor of 1750 – Eyes of Darkness cosmetic
Reaching a Total Favor of 5000 – Bloody Footprints cosmetic
Gaining 10 Reaper Enhancement Points – Special Tattered Cloak
Gaining 20 Reaper Enhancement Points – Blood Reaper Pet
A cosmetic prize will be awarded to anyone who can reach Level 20. The top 100 winners of the two ladders will be immortalized in the Hall of Heroes, and any character who reaches at least Level 5 on the server will be recognized in The DDO Chronicle newsletter.

When the Hardcore League ends on November 15, players will have a limited time to transfer any character from the Hardcore Server to any of the existing DDO servers of their choice – even characters who have died. These dead characters will miraculously find their way out of the nether realm to reenter the world of the living and resume play like a normal character. It is not possible to transfer a character from another world to the Hardcore League.

The Hardcore League Server is a members-only experience available to VIP subscribers and Season Pass holders. Please visit DDO.com for more information.

WWE 2K20 Trailer and Cover Art Revealed

2019/08/05

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

New York, NY – August 5, 2019 – 2K today announced current Raw® Women’s Champion Becky Lynch® and WWE Superstar Roman Reigns™ as the cover Superstars for WWE® 2K20, the forthcoming release in the flagship WWE video game franchise. Lynch and Reigns will serve as ambassadors for WWE 2K20’s worldwide marketing campaign – “Step Inside” – which invites players to enter the world of WWE and face a variety of new and exciting challenges in the virtual ring. WWE 2K20 is currently scheduled for worldwide release on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and the Xbox One family of devices, including the Xbox One X and Windows PC. Players who purchase the WWE 2K20 Deluxe Edition or Collector’s Edition will receive in-game bonuses, including playable Superstars Chyna, Hulk Hogan, Mankind and The Rock®, in addition to the Standard Edition game.

“My career has been about breaking barriers and doing what nobody else has done before. Being the first female Superstar on the cover of a WWE 2K video game is no exception,” said Becky Lynch.

“As a gamer myself, being on the cover of WWE 2K20 alongside ‘The Man’ Becky Lynch and joining the likes of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Cena is a huge career and personal milestone for me,” said Roman Reigns.

WWE 2K20, in direct response to fan feedback, will include several franchise firsts alongside streamlined gameplay and a variety of popular modes. The story-driven, objective-based 2K Showcase: The Women’s Evolution will follow the careers of the Four Horsewomen – Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley®, Charlotte Flair® and Sasha Banks®. Controls will be streamlined to allow new players to jump into the game more easily, while experienced players will still enjoy a challenge.

In addition, WWE 2K20 players will be able to compete as both male and female Superstars in MyCAREER and Mixed Tag matches, while last year’s popular WWE Towers returns with exciting new challenges, including a story-driven Tower centered around the career of Roman Reigns.

The game will also introduce a new service model – WWE 2K20 Originals – set to deliver a wealth of 2K Showcase add-on content for player exploration beyond the game’s initial launch. Each of the WWE 2K20 Originals will present a new playable world and its own unique theme, with more details to be announced in the coming months. WWE 2K20 Originals is downloadable content that may require additional purchase.

“Becky Lynch and Roman Reigns embody passion, determination and perseverance, and they’re both major game changers within the larger WWE landscape,” said Chris Snyder, Vice President of Marketing for 2K. “They are the spirit of WWE 2K20, which is going to introduce changes requested by our fans. They asked for female-driven MyCAREER and 2K Showcase offerings, and we’re giving them just that, as well as streamlined controls and our brand new WWE 2K20 Originals. We can’t wait to reveal more details soon.”

In addition, 2K today announced details surrounding WWE 2K20 premium product offerings:

About the WWE 2K20 Deluxe Edition

Players who purchase the WWE 2K20 Deluxe Edition, available in both physical and digital varieties at participating retailers, will receive in-game bonuses for the PS4™ system, Xbox One and Windows PC. Offering more than 35% in savings, the WWE 2K20 Deluxe Edition includes the following items:

Copy of WWE 2K20 video game with Deluxe Edition packaging;
Accelerator – Take control of your WWE 2K20 experience with the Accelerator. Players can gain access to all unlockable content available at launch via the game’s Purchasable section and take full control of the overall rankings and attribute levels of all playable characters;
Kickstart – Get a leg up in your MyCAREER by unlocking and boosting your MyPLAYER ratings and attributes with 25 additional Attribute Points and 8 Additional Skill Points. Plus, get a 25,000 VC starting bonus to unlock more Superstar parts, Moves and more! In addition to this, start with all Boost Slots unlocked plus 15 free Boosts, 2,000 free Tokens and 400 free Deluxe Tokens;
Complete set of WWE 2K20 Originals content packages (more details to be announced);
Additional bonus digital content, including playable Superstars Chyna™, in her first WWE 2K appearance, Hulk Hogan, “$500 Shirt” The Rock®, and Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection Mankind™ (more details to be announced);
WWE SuperCard Limited Edition Cards (included with physical versions only).

About the WWE 2K20 Collector’s Edition

Players who purchase the WWE 2K20 Collector’s Edition at participating retailers will also receive in-game bonuses for the PS4™ system and Xbox One. Offering more than 40% in savings, the WWE 2K20 Collector’s Edition is available in physical format only, features a 20^th Anniversary of SmackDown theme and includes the following items:

Copy of WWE 2K20 video game with Collector’s Edition packaging;

Accelerator – Take control of your WWE 2K20 experience with the Accelerator. Players can gain access to all unlockable content available at launch via the game’s Purchasable section and take full control of the overall rankings and attribute levels of all playable characters;
Kickstart – Get a leg up in your MyCAREER by unlocking and boosting your MyPLAYER ratings and attributes with 25 additional Attribute Points and 8 Additional Skill Points. Plus, get a 25,000 VC starting bonus to unlock more Superstar parts, Moves and more! In addition to this, start with all Boost Slots unlocked plus 15 free Boosts, 2,000 free Tokens and 400 free Deluxe Tokens;
Complete set of WWE 2K20 Originals content packages (more details to be announced);
Additional bonus digital content, including playable Superstars Chyna™, in her first WWE 2K appearance, Hulk Hogan, “$500 Shirt” The Rock®, and Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection Mankind™ (more details to be announced);
Physical collectibles including:
- Exclusive WWE SmackDown! Ring Skirt Relic Piece (2002-2008)
- Limited Edition WWE SmackDown! Legend Autographed Plaque (Kurt Angle™, Rey Mysterio® or Edge®)

WWE SuperCard Limited Edition Cards.

About WWE 2K20

Developed by Visual Concepts, a 2K studio, WWE 2K20 is rated T for Teen by the ESRB. WWE 2K20 is currently scheduled for worldwide release on October 22, 2019 for the PS4™ system, Xbox One and Windows PC.

Dark Harbor Unveils New “Rogue” Haunted House for Dark Harbor

2019/08/05

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News

LONG BEACH, Calif., (August 4, 2019) – Brace for impact as The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor releases a storm of fear like no other in the all-new maze: Rogue. Dark Harbor’s newest maze will take guests through the frightening voyage that nearly changed history. Sparking the creation of the Hollywood blockbuster The Poseidon Adventure, the 95-foot wall of blackness sent waves of panic through the marine community and re-defined science as we know it. All who dare will grasp for air as they plummet with fear, clinging to survival in the newest, spine-chilling maze.

As the tale goes, while transporting American troops during World War II, the RMS Queen Mary became known as the Grey Ghost. During a stormy December crossing from New York to Scotland, the famed ocean liner was broadsided by a monstrous force of nature: later classified by NOAA as a “rogue wave”.

Dark Harbor attendees will roll into the tide of this historic moment by becoming fully immersed in the panic and chaos of Rogue’s impact with deafening water effects, complete darkness, floor to ceiling seafoam, and even experience the feeling of being capsized. All those aboard will hold on to dear life, as the Grey Ghost attempts to keep herself afloat.

In addition to the announcement of the all-new maze, the producers of Dark Harbor announced at Midsummer Scream, on Sunday August 4, for the first-time ever, Dark Harbor guest will have access to never-before-seen depths of the Queen Mary. In one of the newly re-imagined mazes onboard the historic ocean liner, attendees can now walk through the infamous Door 13. Dubbed one of the most haunted areas on the ship, legend has it that an 18-year old crewman was crushed to death by Door 13 in 1967, and now Dark Harbor guests can walk-thru the iconic location. Guests can also venture 6-fathoms below sea level submerged in the notorious Boiler Room to indulge in the newest secret bar offered at Dark Harbor nightly.

Southern California’s most haunted Halloween event will welcome MORE scares than ever before with the season’s most authentically frightening experience available. Dark Harbor tells the truly haunted, historic tales of the Queen Mary through the infamous spirits of Captain, Chef, Iron Master, Samuel the Savage, Graceful Gale, Half-Hatch Henry, Scary Mary, Voodoo Priestess, Ringmaster, plus hundreds of their bloodcurdling henchmen await to tempt your fate.

Live your nightmares aboard the Queen Mary with newly-intensified returning mazes Feast, B340 and Lullaby. Circus and Intrepid prove even more twisted and darker than before with new immersions and even more twisted scares for the 2019 season.

With Dark Harbor’s disturbingly creative minds, 6 mazes, 13 bars, fire shows, aerialists, sliders, Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch Sinister Swings, Panic! 4-D Experience, zombie DJs, Barrel Room Tastings, R.I.P. Lounge, and much more, Dark Harbor 2019 is certain to be a freakishly fun time.

The annual haunt opens its gates on September 26 and continues to scare those who dare on select nights through November 2. General admission ticket prices start at just $20 online, with Fast Fright, Evil Express, RIP Lounge Passes, Creepy Cabanas and lodging packages available. Dark Harbor is offering a 40% discount on general admission for select nights until August 5 at 11:59pm with promo code SCREAM. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.queenmary.com/dark-harbor.

Granblue Fantasy: Versus RPG Mode Announced

2019/08/05

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News

Torrance, CA – August 4, 2019 – XSEED Games, the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., is pleased to announce that Granblue Fantasy: Versus, a the new fighting game byfrom Cygames from and ARC SYSTEM WORKS, the developers of Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, will include an “RPG Mode”. The “RPG Mode” allows players to experience the game as an action RPG, with an original Granblue Fantasy: Versus storyline replete with beautiful cutscenes and boss battles against giant Primal Beasts. Additionally, a fully developed training system which will be very familiar to Granblue Fantasy fans will be implemented.

In Granblue Fantasy: Versus, power, skill, and spirit collide in a quest to find the true champion of the ring. Players can take on AI opponents or fight against human opponents in local or online two-player matches. Five characters will be available in the playable demo, starting with Gran, the protagonist of Granblue Fantasy, who travels the skies with his winged companion Vyrn and a mysterious girl, Lyria, who saved his life. Other characters include Katalina, an ex-imperial knight sworn to protect those she holds dear; Charlotta, the virtuous captain of the Lumiel Order of Holy Knights; Lancelot, a dual-wielding master swordsman; Ferry, a ghost with a whip and spectral pets; and Percival, the ‘Lord of Flames’ who wields a blazing longsword.

Developed by Cygames and ARC SYSTEM WORKS and published in North America by XSEED Games, Granblue Fantasy: Versus is in development on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB. A launch date will be disclosed at a later time.

Creepshow Coming to Halloween Horror Nights

2019/08/04

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News, Trailers / Videos

Universal City, CA, August 3, 2019 – “Creepshow” will scare the creep out of guests when this all-new “Halloween Horror Nights,” maze, inspired by the 1982 cult classic movie and Shudder’s all-original anthology series, debuts as part of Universal Studios Hollywood’s wildly popular nighttime event, kicking off on Friday, September 13.

The original Creepshow movie, created by legendary director George Romero, and the all-new series, debuting on Shudder’s streaming service, reimagined by acclaimed make-up artist, director and executive producer, Greg Nicotero, invites “Halloween Horror Nights” guests to step into the anthology’s comic book pages to experience five terrible tales of terror guided by The Creep, the skeletal namesake of the comic book.

“I’ve partnered with Universal Studios Hollywood and ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ for years and it’s a thrill to bring ‘Creepshow’ to life for the fans as part of this year’s iconic event,” said Greg Nicotero. “I consider myself honored to have had the opportunity to work alongside George Romero and many other groundbreaking filmmakers who have inspired me. So to be able to create a television show based on the Creepshow movie, and then see it come to life as a ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ maze is a great way to pay tribute to this legendary filmmaker and introduce this incredible anthology series to a fans old and new.”

“We’re thrilled to bring this beloved horror classic to ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ as well as introduce our fans to the upcoming Shudder series,” said John Murdy, Executive Producer, “Halloween Horror Nights.” We’ve had a long association with Greg Nicotero as part of ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ and getting the opportunity to again work with his talented special effects team at KNB FX brings a whole other level of authenticity to this incredible maze experience.”

Capturing the essence of the original film that touted, “the most fun you’ll have getting scared,” to Shudder’s assertion that “a new generation of horror has risen from the dead,” the five frightening fables featured in the maze include:

“Father’s Day” – Years ago Nathan Grantham, the cruel patriarch of the wealthy Grantham family, was murdered by his long-suffering daughter on Father’s Day. Now Nathan’s maggot-infested corpse has risen from the grave to take revenge on his inheritors…and finally claim his Father’s Day cake.

“The Crate” – An unlucky janitor finds a long-forgotten shipping crate under the stairs of a science hall in a small east coast college. Little does he know, the crate contains a ravenous beast that’s been hibernating for over a hundred years…and it’s just woken up.

“They’re Creeping Up On You” – Eccentric billionaire Upson Pratt lives in a hermetically sealed “germ proof” penthouse apartment in Manhattan but he still has a bug problem. When a citywide blackout cuts his power, Mr. Pratt’s pest problem is about to get a whole lot worse.

“Gray Matter” – Ritchie Grenadine, an alcoholic former factory worker, unknowingly ingests a strange mutagen after guzzling a can of cheap beer. Now an alien fungus has taken over his rundown apartment and his body…creating in him an insatiable hunger that can’t be quenched by his favorite ale.

“Bad Wolf Down” – The surviving members of a decimated American army platoon in the North of France during World War II are holed up in a small village jail awaiting the German army to overwhelm them. The clever lot, however, have an ace up their sleeve that the German’s won’t expect; the men are all werewolves and tonight is a full moon.

“Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror. Featuring an all-new slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes and frightful scare zones uniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties, “Halloween Horror Nights” will taunt, terrorize and torment guests with spine-chilling haunted attractions as part of Southern California’s most extreme Halloween experience.

All tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood are on sale now. Updates on “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood are available online at Hollywood.HalloweenHorrorNights.com and on Facebook at: “Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood,” Instagram at @HorrorNights and Twitter at @HorrorNights as Creative Director John Murdy reveals a running chronicle of exclusive information. Watch videos on Halloween Horror Nights YouTube and join the conversation using #UniversalHHN.

Zombieland: Double Tapper Mobile Game Announced

2019/08/02

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Mobile News, News

CULVER CITY, CA – AUGUST 1, 2019 – Sony Pictures Television Games today announced a collaboration to publish the new mobile game, Zombieland: Double Tapper, based on Sony Pictures highly popular Zombieland franchise. Developed in conjunction with Tilting Point and Metagame Studios, pre-registration for the game is available today on iOS and Android.

A wacky road trip through iconic American locations that have been overrun by the undead, the upcoming Zombieland: Double Tapper idle RPG will feature a large roster of heroes to collect, upgrade and customize, including familiar faces from the films. Players will have no excuse not to “nut up or shut up” when armed with a huge arsenal of unique weapons that offer fun and creative ways to dismantle hordes of zombies.

“We are very excited to bring the Zombieland universe to mobile devices,” said Paul Joffe, vice president, Sony Pictures Television Games. “The game will provide hours of entertainment for fans of the Zombieland franchise, as well as anyone who enjoys killing hordes of undead.”

“We’re thrilled at the opportunity to display our skills and dedication in co-developing a title with such a beloved franchise,” said Samir El-Agili, president of Tilting Point. “At Tilting Point, we’re confident in our UA funding and expertise, best-in-class AI tech, and deep understanding of free-to-play mobile games to ensure success for Zombieland: Double Tapper and to provide a game players everywhere will love.”

“Sony Pictures Entertainment has given us the opportunity to explore the Zombieland universe in time for this fall’s highly-anticipated sequel,” said Daniel Nay, co-founder and CEO of Metagame Studio. “As our fans know, Zombieland is the perfect match for our sense of humor, and we look forward to bringing them another outrageous game.”

For all the latest information when available and to pre-register for the Zombieland: Double Tapper!, visit Zombielandgame.com and the Google Play Store.

Sony Pictures’ Zombieland: Double Tap makes its way to U.S. theaters on October 18, 2019.

Razer Unveils Viper Mouse with Optical Mouse Switches

2019/08/02

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Peripherals News

SHANGHAI, CHINA (CHINAJOY 2019) – Razer^TM, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today introduced the Razer Viper, a lightweight gaming mouse designed in collaboration with esports professionals and featuring the new Razer Optical Mouse Switches. Housing Razer’s 5G Optical Sensor and minimizing the desktop drag with the Razer Speedflex Cable, the Razer Viper has been fine-tuned for absolute control in competitive play.

Sporting new Optical Mouse Switches

The Viper is the first Razer mouse to feature the new Optical Mouse Switches, Razer’s fastest switches that offer three times the actuation speed of traditional mechanical mouse switches.

Traditional mechanical switches send electrical signals via metallic contact, creating a residual bouncing effect that can introduce multiple signals. To make sure only a single click is registered, a debounce delay is used – resulting in a slower response time.

With Razer’s Optical Switches, no physical contact is required to send a signal. By using an infrared light beam that passes through a shutter to fire an electrical signal to the computer, the switches respond instantaneously to every finger press, making sure every action is executed to the player’s intent.

With each switch durable for up to 70 million clicks, the Viper’s Optical Mouse Switches are built to withstand the rigors of competitive matches, while delivering the speed and precision players demand.

Field-tested by the pros

Setting a new benchmark for esports mice, the Razer Viper has been field-tested by some of the world’s top esports athletes. MIBR CS:GO legend Epitácio “TACO” de Melo has been using a prototype of the Razer Viper in tournament matches over the past year.

“As soon as I laid my eyes on the Razer Viper, I fell in love with it because the shape is just perfect,” said TACO from MIBR. “The click of the optical switches feels smoother and faster, and the flexibility of the cable makes it awesome for CS:GO.”

Featherweight for hard-hitting performance

At just 69g, the Viper is Razer’s lightest wired mouse ever. The lightweight design is achieved without the need of a skeletal shell, resulting in a solid, ambidextrous chassis that does not compromise on strength and durability. The Viper’s low-weight chassis design is built to meet the rigorous demands of esports competition.

The Viper features the new Razer™ Speedflex Cable. Using a new, low-drag cable covering, gamers will experience less friction and snagging along the normal pinch-points, minimizing desktop and ‘edge drag’ to make large unhindered swipes and snag free movements.

The Razer Viper is fitted with Razer’s acclaimed 5G Optical Sensor, sporting a 16,000 DPI native resolution, 99.4% resolution accuracy and tracking at 450 Inches Per Second (IPS).

Extreme customizability

The Razer Viper is the product of Razer’s continuing collaboration with some of the world’s top esports athletes, resulting in several tournament-grade features for competitive play.

DPI settings can be fine-tuned through the Razer Synapse 3 software and stored using the Viper’s on-board DPI storage, allowing users to instantly access to their personal settings wherever they are. The Viper is fitted with eight programmable buttons, customizable with macros and secondary functions, giving users quick and easy access to critical actions.

“The Razer Viper has been designed ground up in collaboration with some of Team Razer’s best esports athletes”, says Alvin Cheung, Senior Vice President of Razer’s peripherals business unit. “With Optical Mouse Switches and Razer’s market-leading 5G sensor in an ambidextrous, lightweight mouse, the Viper delivers the high-performance precision and control needed to succeed in any of today’s competitive games.”

For more information on the Razer Viper, please visit www.razer.com/gaming-mice/razer-viper

ABOUT THE RAZER VIPER

Razer™ Optical Mouse Switches for ultra-fast response
Razer™ 5G Optical Sensor, 16.000 DPI
Up to 450 Inches Per Second (IPS) / 50 G acceleration
69g lightweight design for swifter, controlled swipes
Razer™ Speedflex Cable for minimal drag and smooth control
Onboard DPI storage for personalized settings wherever you go
Eight Programmable Buttons for extended customizability

PRICE & AVAILABILITY

$79.99 USD / €89.99 MSRP

US/CANADA – Razer.com, Amazon.com, BestBuy.com and Best Buy store shelves on Aug 1 at 5PM PDT / 8PM EST

Global – NOW

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Unveils 2019 Revamp Details

2019/08/02

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News, Trailers / Videos

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 2, 2019) – The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride announced plans today for a completely reimagined and unparalleled haunted experience for 2019, including an expanded lineup of event attractions and ghostly theme for the very first time. Produced by Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, the highly anticipated Halloween attraction will return to Griffith Park for the 11^th consecutive year onSaturday, September 28 – Saturday, November 2, 2019.

Pre-sale tickets will be available beginning Friday, August 9, 2019 at 10:00AM PT at LosAngelesHauntedHayride.com. For the very first time and due to popular demand, the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride will be open following Halloween, through Saturday, November 2, 2019.

This year, the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride will transform the Griffith Park grounds into Midnight Falls, an eerie and mysterious fictitious village set in 1985, where time stands still and it is always Halloween. Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group is making a sizeable investment this year, resulting in an entirely new experience, from new attractions to new characters. Every scare zone, maze, ride, character, set and narrative are entirely new and reimagined.

New and revamped attractions will include:

Midnight Falls Town Square: Located in the center of the small town, the annual Midnight Falls Halloween Festival comes to life with joyous decorations, Jack O’ Lanterns and glowing orange lights. The Town Square will feature a stage with high-spirited entertainment, food and beverage booths, a psychic and Midnight Falls townsfolk such as the City Councilman and Pageant Queen lurking in the shadows. However, despite the celebratory atmosphere, there is an unsettling sense of foreboding – all is not right in this peculiar place.
Midnight Mortuary Haunted House: The dark and ominous house at the end of the street looms over Midnight Falls. Owned and operated by the Marlow family for decades, guests can tour the local funeral parlor to reveal its sinister secrets.
Roadkill Ranch: Just on the outskirts of Midnight Falls inside the forest, an open-air maze experience awaits. At Roadkill Ranch, mysterious ranch hands are responsible for collecting the main highway’s deceased varmints. However, their hack methods of body disposal come back to bite with an insatiable vengeance as characters come back to life and haunt the visitors in a high-energy haunted maze through a barn, corn fields and hay stacks.
Trick-or-Treat: A unique take on a traditional haunted maze, trick-or-treaters go door to door of 12 local homes inside Midnight Falls. However, it is soon discovered the ghoulish residents have far more tricks than treats. The wondrous magic of a traditional neighborhood Halloween celebration is turned upside down as terrors stalk the streets in Trick-or-Treat.
Haunted Hayride: Within the foothills of Midnight Falls, crowd favorite, the Hayride leads to a thrilling adventure of horrors afflicting the town. Out in the darkness, a portal has opened spilling hideous creatures from its rotted mouth. The spirit of Halloween comes to life surrounding helpless victims brave enough to board the Hayride.
Escape Rooms: Additionally, attendees will have the option to partake in three individually-themed, short-play escape rooms at an additional cost of $5.00 per game.

Tickets for the 2019 Los Angeles Hayride will go on sale Friday, August 9, 2019 at 10:00AM PT at LosAngelesHauntedHayride.com. Ticket prices range from $34.99-$109.00 per person. Pre-sale discounts will be available August 9-16 ($10 off), August 17-23 ($7 off) and August 24-31 ($5 off). Regular prices will take effect on September 1.

Additional details and seasonal events will be announced in the coming months. For more information, please visit LosAngelesHauntedHayride.com.