Author - Jerry Paxton

Midsummer Scream Reveals Hall of Shadows for 2026

2026/07/07

The massive Hall of Shadows dark zone returns to Midsummer Scream, the world’s largest Halloween and horror convention, featuring a monstrous array of haunted attractions, photo ops, and live entertainment August 7 to August 9 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Passes for this year’s show are on sale now at MidsummerScream.com.

With the 2026 Hall of Shadows theme of “Descent Into Darkness,” guests are invited to venture beyond the veil into a world of perpetual nightfall, where the most ambitious collection of haunted attractions in Midsummer Scream’s history have been assembled. Creating the entry portal experience this year is Eulogy Collective, Southern California’s only year-round haunted attraction. With each step deeper into the hall, guests will encounter vignettes and characters from its various seasonal overlays, each more twisted and macabre than the other.

Universal Horror Unleashed is bringing the heat from Las Vegas with a terrifying character encounter that marks the attraction’s blood-soaked debut at Midsummer Scream. Guests will get up-close-and-personal with some of the attraction’s most infamous icons.

Lionsgate Entertainment returns for their third year with an all-new walk-through attraction, inviting guests deep into the woods, where they’ll come face-to-face with an ancient evil.

All passes for Midsummer Scream include admission to every attraction in the Hall of Shadows. Guests holding Gold Bat VIP credentials will enjoy priority access to most attractions in the Hall of Shadows, bypassing General Admission standby queues. Hall of Shadows will be open to guests all three days of Midsummer Scream — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 7 to August 9.

“I sound like a broken record every summer,” says Rick West, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Midsummer Scream. “But yet again, this year’s Hall of Shadows is absolutely the most intense and ambitious lineup of haunts and attractions we’ve ever assembled at Midsummer Scream. It’s so exciting to welcome the team from Universal Horror Unleashed — this is the first time we’ve hosted an attraction from Las Vegas; a very important bridge between the SoCal and Southern Nevada haunt communities. Of course, we’re also thrilled to have Lionsgate returning with a brand-new walk-through for fans to experience. Our friends at Eulogy Collective will set the tone for everyone’s descent into the darkness and fog-filled belly of the beast, where fans will find more than 15 unique attractions created by some of the most talented haunters anywhere in the world.”

Within the darkened expanse of the Hall of Shadows, guests can explore an incredible assortment of haunted attractions, chilling displays, thrilling photo ops, and live entertainment that include:

A visit to the Hawkins National Laboratory for some photographic fun provided by Rawl of the Dead
A terrifying witch hunt through a cursed forest led by H&L’s Realm of Horror
Kooky, spooky home haunt fun with the return of Clowns v Skeletons
A shot of fear and a round of terror as guests explore a ramshackle Floridian distillery presented by Straite to Hale
The eerie, hallowed grounds of a long-forgotten Celtic graveyard known as The Haunt With No Name… Yet
The Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns Bar, serving up spooky libations for guests 21 and older, in the glow of dozens of grinning gourds, courtesy of Thirteenth Floor Entertainment
A blood-sucking horde hidden away for generations within a dilapidated manor fromFear Farm
Another go-around with your favorite soapy and sudsy monsters from The Haunted Carwash
A totally tubular romp through an old movie theater showcasing some of the best horror flicks of the 1980s, presented by The Dreich Society
A chilling exploration through whisper-filled halls of the Shadows Hollow Asylum, created by Realm of Shadow
The continued twisted cinematic misadventures of Sid from Toy Story, from Monclova Media Group
And an abandoned old morgue where forgotten souls refuse to decay in silence, from Black Casket Productions.

The Decayed Brigade returns to Long Beach with three days of slider exhibitions that must be seen to be believed. Fans of all ages gather each year in the Hall of Shadows to witness this epic display of inhuman agility and terrifying precision. Midsummer Scream guests can catch this world-class sliding team on Friday night, followed by three shows daily both Saturday and Sunday.

All of this and more await within the fog-filled corridors of the Hall of Shadows, as fans dying to get in pry open the doors to Midsummer Scream the evening of Friday August 7, in Long Beach.

Guests will want to plan their weekend in advance — “like” panels and presentations, as well as attractions they’re interested in, connect with fellow fans, and browse hundreds of vendors with the official Midsummer Scream app, now available as a free download in the Apple and Android stores.

For breaking information about Midsummer Scream, sign up for our digital newsletter at MidsummerScream.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook by searching @midsummerscream.

Pearl Abyss Brings Crimson Desert to Gamescom 2026

2026/07/07

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, PlayStation 5 News, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

Pearl Abyss today announced its presence at Gamescom 2026, where it will partner with Samsung to showcase the acclaimed open-world action-adventure Crimson Desert with an immersive public exhibit and a series of developer presentations highlighting the game’s technology and production.

From August 26-30, visitors can find the booth in Hall 09.1, Stand B020–C029, where attendees will experience the world of Pywel on Samsung’s latest gaming monitor hardware, including the 32-inch Odyssey G8, the industry’s first 6K gaming monitor with Dual Mode, offering either an ultra-high 6K resolution at 165Hz or a 3K resolution at an ultra-responsive 330Hz.

The booth will feature hands-on gameplay of Crimson Desert, live stage presentations, exclusive goodie giveaways, photo opportunities, and appearances from cosplayers inspired by the game’s characters and world.

Ahead of Gamescom, Pearl Abyss has also been invited to participate in Gamescom dev, Europe’s largest game developer conference, taking place August 23–25 at Koelnmesse in Cologne. The company will host two technical sessions exploring the artistic and engineering innovations behind Crimson Desert.

The first developer session, “How We Filled the Vast Continent of Pywel,” will examine the team’s world-building methodology, including how player exploration informed the design of Pywel, sample-based environment production workflows, and automated world-building pipelines that helped maintain visual consistency across the expansive open world. Developers will also discuss lessons learned while balancing vegetation density, terrain complexity, landmark placement, and environmental storytelling.

The second session, “Scaling Open World Creation in Crimson Desert with an In-House Engine,” will focus on Pearl Abyss’ proprietary BlackSpace Engine. The session will explore the engine’s approach to creating dynamic, living environments while delivering realistic scale, atmosphere, environmental density, and seamless world simulation. Attendees will also gain insight into procedural terrain generation tools and biome-based placement systems that enabled efficient large-scale world creation while preserving artistic control and regional identity.

The sessions will be presented by Geun-tae Ahn, Senior Leader of the Art Level Division, and Jin-hwan Kim and Jin-ho Yoon, Senior Leaders of the Game Engine Graphics Division. Designed for environment artists, rendering programmers, and technical artists, the presentations will provide practical insights into the production processes and technologies behind Crimson Desert.

Following the game’s successful launch in March, Crimson Desert surpassed 6 million copies sold within its first three months, marking a significant milestone for Pearl Abyss.

Crimson Desert is now available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Game Store and Apple Mac.

For more information, please visit the official website and follow Crimson Desert on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

Razer Goes Back to School in Style with this Gift Guide

2026/07/06

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, Peripherals News, Tech News

As students gear up for another academic year, balancing heavy coursework with late-night gaming sessions requires a versatile setup. Whether you are commuting across campus or trying to maximize space on a compact dorm desk, Razer’s latest lineup has you covered.

Here is a look at some of the best gaming products to elevate your productivity by day and your gaming by night.

Razer Blade

This premium laptop bridges the gap between the classroom and the gaming desk. Its sleek, highly portable design makes it easy to lug across campus, while its top-tier specs ensure it can crush both heavy academic workloads—like video editing or compiling code—and intense late-night multiplayer sessions.

Available on the Razer Store and Amazon starting at $2,299.99.

Basilisk V3 Pro 35K

A highly adaptable wireless mouse that is perfect for dual-duty use. Whether you are quickly scrolling through lengthy PDF textbooks for research or needing pixel-perfect aim in a first-person shooter, its ultra-precise 35K sensor and tunable scroll wheel provide exactly what you need.

Available on the Razer Store and Amazon for $159.99.

Rogue Backpack V4

Protect your expensive tech from the elements and the rigors of college life. This rugged backpack features a dedicated, cushioned compartment for your laptop and a durable, water-resistant exterior to keep your gear safe whether you are trekking to the library or walking across campus in the rain.

Available on the Razer Store and Amazon starting at $109.99.

Razer Kraken V4 Pro

Immersion is the name of the game with this premium headset. Featuring advanced haptic technology that lets you actually feel the audio, it is just as excellent for blocking out noisy dorm mates during a remote lecture as it is for pinpointing enemy footsteps in your favorite games.

Available on the Razer Store and Amazon for $399.99.

BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%

Desktop real estate is usually a luxury in student housing, which is where this compact mechanical keyboard shines. It trims the footprint down to save you valuable desk space without sacrificing the tactile typing experience and fast actuation required for serious gaming and writing term papers.

Available on the Razer Store and Amazon for $299.99.

Iskur V2 NewGen

Avoid the dreaded “gamer posture” during those inevitable all-nighters. This ergonomic chair is engineered with advanced, adjustable lumbar support to promote healthy seating habits, keeping you comfortable and focused whether you are cramming for midterms or gaming until sunrise.

Available online at Razer.com and in RazerStores across the country for $649.99.

Netmarble Unveils Major Solo Leveling: KARMA Reveals At Anime Expo 2026

2026/07/06

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, Mobile News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, unveiled a new wave of details for their upcoming game Solo Leveling: KARMA during Anime Expo 2026, including an expanded look at the game’s original storyline, the debut of the all-new Corrupted Hunters, a brand-new trailer and key art, and the surprise casting of acclaimed actor Troy Baker as the Monarch of Destruction.

The panel titled “Solo Leveling: KARMA – Expanding Universe” took place on July 4th at the JW Marriott Diamond Ballroom in Los Angeles, where Aleks Le, the English voice of protagonist Sung Jinwoo, joined members of the development team to introduce fans to the game’s expanded universe.

During the presentation, Netmarble revealed additional details about Solo Leveling: KARMA’s original storyline, which explores the untold 27-year war between Jinwoo and the Monarchs. Following the events of the original series, Jinwoo enters the Dimensional Gap after using the Cup of Reincarnation, embarking on a prolonged conflict against the Monarchs that has never been depicted before.

Fans also received their first look at the Mutated Hunters, who are the original enemies created by the Monarchs to eliminate Sung Jinwoo. Gameplay footage showcased Jinwoo battling these formidable foes while teasing the emotional conflict that arises as familiar faces return as enemies.

Created exclusively for Anime Expo 2026, brand-new key art and a promotional video were also unveiled. The artwork features Solo Leveling: KARMA’s original version of Sung Jinwoo alongside Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, the Mutated Hunters, and additional original characters unique to the game. The trailer concludes with a teaser hinting at another major reveal coming this September.

One of the biggest surprises during the panel was the announcement that acclaimed actor Troy Baker will voice Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, in Solo Leveling: KARMA. Although Antares has previously appeared in promotional materials for the game, this marked the first official reveal of his English voice actor.

Unable to attend Anime Expo in person, Troy shared a special video message with fans: “I really do love the show, and I’m freaking out. I’m proudly stepping into the shoes of the Monarch of Destruction, the King of Dragons, Antares.”

Aleks Le also treated attendees to a live dubbing performance using an in-game story sequence that recreated an intense confrontation between Sung Jinwoo and Antares. Attendees were also treated to a first look at new game footage, giveaways, a Q&A session, and a trivia contest where the winners received exclusive posters signed by both Aleks Le and Troy Baker.

Solo Leveling: KARMA is currently in development as a roguelite action RPG for mobile. Featuring isometric hack-and-slash combat, players combine different weapon types, buffs and combat upgrades to create unique builds and experience a different style of battle with every run.

A full recording of the “Solo Leveling: KARMA – Expanding Universe” panel is now available on the official YouTube channel.

Following the event, Netmarble is also hosting a giveaway on the official X account for fans in North America from July 6th through July 12th, with five winners receiving a collaborative poster signed by Aleks Le and Troy Baker.

Turok: Origins Official Gameplay Trailer

2026/07/06

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

Today Saber Interactive, in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, revealed a new gameplay trailer for Turok: Origins. Coming this fall to PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2, this fast-paced, sci-fi shooter breathes new life into the legendary dino-hunting franchise, complete with a new look and gameplay featuring solo and co-op action. Watch today’s new gameplay trailer now and dive into the reborn legend that is Turok: Origins!

In Turok: Origins, players will take on the mantle of the mystical Order of the Turok, heroic guardians of unimaginable power locked in a battle for survival against ferocious dinosaurs and a terrifying alien threat that seeks to destroy all human life in the galaxy. Unleash devastating attacks on enemies with powerful weapons and abilities in both first-person and third-person action. Embark on a high-stakes adventure across the treacherously beautiful Lost Lands, on your own or together with friends, and unravel the mysteries that hold the key to saving humanity.

Key Game Features

Hunt Alone or Together: Take on the adventure solo or team up with friends in online co-op as you battle to save humanity from extinction.
Battle Dinosaurs, Aliens & Bosses: Face ferocious dinosaurs, deadly alien forces, and massive boss encounters that will test your skill, strategy, and teamwork.
Wield a Powerful Arsenal: Unlock and upgrade an arsenal of futuristic weapons, from plasma rifles and sniper weapons to bows, shotguns, and experimental alien technology.
Harness Turok Powers: Collect Echoes and unlock powerful abilities to customize your combat style, enhance your strengths, and gain the upper hand in battle.
Explore the Lost Lands: Journey across breathtaking worlds filled with ancient ruins, dense jungles, alien landscapes, and hidden secrets as you uncover the mysteries of the Lost Lands.

Razer Unveils Espeon & Umbreon Collection

2026/07/06

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, Peripherals News

Razer™, the leading global gaming lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the launch of the Razer | Espeon & Umbreon Collection, developed in partnership with The Pokémon Company International. The collection is now available on Razer.com, at RazerStores worldwide, and through select retail partners across the United States, Latin America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

As Pokémon celebrates 30 years, the lineup pays tribute to some of the most iconic Eevee Evolutions, capturing the contrast between Espeon’s radiant energy and Umbreon’s calm, nocturnal presence by blending expressive detail with the performance and reliability gamers expect from Razer.

Designed for a range of playstyles, each product in the collection features Razer Chroma™ RGB lighting, ergonomic design, and responsive inputs, helping players create a complete Pokémon gaming setup for PC gaming, streaming, and everyday play.

Razer Kraken V4 X – Espeon & Umbreon Edition

Dive into a cosmic soundscape with a wired gaming headset featuring velvety earcup cushions, enchanting Chroma™ RGB, and crystal-clear audio.

Razer Ornata V3 Tenkeyless – Espeon & Umbreon Edition

Low-profile and ergonomic, this gaming keyboard pairs responsive mecha-membrane switches with striking Chroma™ RGB illumination and a magnetic wrist rest for lasting comfort.

Razer Cobra – Espeon & Umbreon Edition

Keep every aim in the stars with a lightweight wired gaming mouse featuring ultra-durable optical switches, cosmic Chroma™ RGB underglow, and balanced swipes with pixel-perfect accuracy.

Razer Gigantus V2 – Medium – Espeon & Umbreon Edition

Velvety smooth and responsive, this soft gaming mouse mat combines a textured micro-weave cloth surface with playful detailing for focused, effortless control.

Whether drawn to Espeon’s radiant energy or Umbreon’s enigmatic presence, the Razer | Espeon & Umbreon Collection is designed for every moment of play. From focused daytime sessions to late-night gameplay, the collection brings together Pokémon-inspired design and high-performance features in a cohesive setup built to fit seamlessly into any routine.

For more information on the Razer | Espeon & Umbreon Collection, including the full list of participating partners, visit https://rzr.to/espeon-umbreon.

Slitherine Acquires Blood Bowl Video Game License From NACON

2026/07/06

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, Industry News

Slitherine has announced that it has acquired the licence and publishing rights and back catalogue for the acclaimed Blood Bowl video game franchise from NACON, further expanding the publisher’s growing portfolio of Warhammer strategy titles developed in partnership with the Warhammer brand.

As part of the agreement, Slitherine will continue working closely with long-time series developer Cyanide Studio, the team behind previous Blood Bowl titles, while also moving forward with the next Warhammer Blood Bowl game previously announced by NACON.

Originally created by Games Workshop in the 1980s, Blood Bowl has become one of the most recognisable and enduring fantasy sports strategy franchises in gaming, combining turn-based tactical gameplay, brutal on-pitch violence, and the unmistakable dark humour of the Warhammer universe.

Marco Minoli, Director of Publishing at Slitherine, commented: “Blood Bowl is one of the most iconic and distinctive strategy franchises in videogames, and we’re genuinely honoured to help shape its future alongside Cyanide and Warhammer.”

“We have enormous respect for what Cyanide has built over the years, and we’re excited to continue working closely with the team to support and grow the series together with its passionate community.”

The acquisition continues Slitherine’s wider expansion across the strategy and tactics space, following a series of recent publishing partnerships and catalog acquisitions announced by the company over the past year.

Slitherine also confirmed its intention to continue actively supporting and expanding the Blood Bowl video game with a strong focus on community feedback, long-term development, and ongoing player engagement.

Patrick Pligersdorffer, CEO of Cyanide, also said: “We are delighted to partner with Slitherine to ensure the future of the Blood Bowl video games. Slitherine has proven its expertise, publishing high-quality strategy games. We believe it is a perfect match”.

Further information regarding the next Warhammer Blood Bowl title will be shared on July 22nd, during the Slitherine Next Event. Tune in from 5:00 PM BST / 6:00 PM CEST to be the first one to find out:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/SlitherineGames

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/slitherinetv

The Alters: Last Variable Official Gameplay Trailer

2026/07/06

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

The Alters: Last Variable is an expansion to The Alters, in which Jan Scientist awakens from cryosleep with a singular purpose: to solve the mystery of the Oasis. Launching July 13th on all platforms, this 20-hour expansion deepens the game’s personal survival mechanics and thought-provoking sci-fi narrative – qualities that earned the original a DICE Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year and a BAFTA nomination for Best Narrative.

Years have passed since Jan Scientist refused to leave the planet. The world has transformed around him. And he realizes what he’s always feared: this work cannot be done alone. So he begins creating again – versions of himself shaped by different expertise. A Geologist. A Biologist. A Chemist. A Physicist. Together, they cover every possibility that needs to be studied.

Across years-long planetary cycles, Jan must Terraform barren sectors into habitable zones, extract and refine exotic substances, and unlock research tiers to push the boundaries of scientific understanding. Yet discovery comes at a cost – the planet responds with escalating threats: earthquakes, radiation surges, and the passage of time itself. Field Labs offer the given Alters refuge to conduct research during surface expeditions, but ageing without cryosleep’s protection remains inevitable.

As his team struggles under the weight of differing philosophies—each convinced their own vision of science is correct – Jan faces an impossible choice: will they fracture under the pressure, or conduct research that could define a legacy?

The Alters: Last Variable launches July 13, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S:

The next story focuses on Jan Scientist(s): Jan Scientists, with their perfectly aligned minds, can offer the expertise needed to unravel the phenomenon of the Oasis.
Explore new regions and terraform them: Each transformation shifts the landscape, spawns new resources, and awakens the planet’s defensive mechanism – more frequent earthquakes, severe radiation waves, and other threats.
Expand underground and survive cycles: Build in different soil types, construct new components, and research new modules like the Cryosleep Chamber, which will buy you more time and let you witness the long-term effects of your scientific actions.
Develop new tech and set field labs: Each planetary cooldown offers a brief window to explore a dramatically changed surface, and Field Labs introduces new assignments for alters to continue their work while you cryosleep.

Resident Evil Survival Unit × Monster Hunter Collaboration Begins

2026/07/06

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, Mobile News, Trailers / Videos

Aniplex Inc. today announced the launch of a limited-time collaboration event between Resident Evil Survival Unit, the mobile strategy game co-developed with JOYCITY Corporation, and CAPCOM’s globally acclaimed Monster Hunter series. The event begins today and will be available for a limited time worldwide.

First released in 2004, the Monster Hunter series is a globally popular hunting action franchise in which players cooperate to track and defeat massive creatures across expansive natural environments. The series is widely recognized for establishing cooperative multiplayer hunting as a core gameplay experience and has built a dedicated worldwide fanbase.

This collaboration introduces Monster Hunter–inspired gameplay elements into the post-apocalyptic world of Resident Evil Survival Unit, highlighting tactical mind games with iconic monsters and a wide variety of event content that deliver a new level of cooperative and competitive gameplay.

Monster Hunter Collaboration Event Details

During the event period, players will encounter iconic monsters from the Monster Hunter series within Resident Evil Survival Unit.

Racing Master adds Nürburgring Nordschliefe, Map Studio, Off-Road Racing and More

2026/07/03

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

NetEase Games today announced that Racing Master, the high-quality racing game developed in collaboration with CODEMASTERS®, is shifting gears this summer with the introduction of major new content. The update introduces new game modes, including Map Studio , and Off-Road Mode, alongside new tracks, iconic cars, World Cup – themed activities, and more car unlock opportunities for players.

Race Iconic Circuits and Build Your Dream Garage

The legendary ‘Green Hell’, the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and a brand new Mexico Circuit are joining Racing Master, giving players more world-class tracks to conquer, from one of motorsport’s most legendary challenges to a vibrant new course inspired by Mexico.

Petrolheads will also have plenty to look forward to, as the Bugatti Chiron and McLaren 570S join the game’s growing garage, bringing two more dream cars for players to drive, customize, and collect.

Racing Master will also offer more rewarding ways to expand players’ garages, including a free Extreme-class purple car every half season and a new vehicle exchange shop where players can redeem cars in a highly cost-effective way.

Create, Cruise, and Conquer New Terrain

Racing Master is now expanding beyond traditional racing by giving players more freedom, both on and off the track. With the addition of Map Studio , players will be able to build their own racing stages, design custom challenges, and share their creations with the community, turning every player into a potential track creator.

Beyond the competitive circuit, the newly joined Off-Road Mode lets players take on new terrain behind the wheel and new challenges for competitive racers at the wheel of iconic vehicles like a Jeep or the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

This summer, get behind the wheel and feel the excitement of high-speed driving in Racing Master.

To learn more about Racing Master, please visit the official website and follow the game on its official social channels for the latest updates, event details, and community activities.