Author - Jerry Paxton

Halloween Horror Nights Unveils Retro Thursday Plans

2019/09/18

Universal City, CA, September 18, 2019 – This year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood, like totally, time travels to the 1980s with Throwback Thursdays in celebration of the decade’s bad to the bone darker side featured in a host of all-new terrifying mazes.

From classic 1980s movies such as Ghostbusters, Creepshow and Killer Klowns from Outer Space to contemporary shows and films inspired by the decade, including “Stranger Things” and Us, there is something totally gnarly about this era that comes to life during “Halloween Horror Nights.”

Highlights of Throwback Thursdays include a not-so-friendly welcome from Chucky himself, live tribute band and DJ dance party hosted by Beetlejuice, classic ‘80s music videos and songs played throughout the event as well as themed food that will have guests spazzing and saying, Eat my Shorts!

To help guests capture the spirit of the ‘80s, they are invited to sport their finest decade-worthy attire trends, from leg warmers and high waisted jeans to scrunchie hair ties, fanny packs and shoulder pads.

Throwback Thursdays will take place every Thursday night during “Halloween Horror Nights” and is included as part of admission to the event. All dates are: September 19-22, 26-29; October 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27, 31; and November 1-3, 2019.

Tickets are available at Hollywood.HalloweenHorrorNights.com and advance purchase is recommended as event nights will sell out. Following are the various tickets options:

Universal Express One-time priority access to all mazes, Jabbawockeez performanceand theme park rides.
Multi-Night Passes
Ultimate Fear Pass: scare all event nights

Frequent Fear Pass: scare 25 select nights

After 2 p.m. Day/Night Combo Experience the park’s popular daytime attractions, and

remain for the terror that awaits at “Halloween Horror Nights.”

R.I.P. Tour Groups of up to 12 can scare in style with the new R.I.P. Tour

featuring a VIP guide, unlimited Universal Express access to all mazes, attractions and Jabbawockeez show, private VIP trolley transportation to backlot mazes, interactive themed photo ops and special tour of the Universal backlot, gourmet buffet dinner at the VIP Dining Room & Lounge, access to lounges for drinks and desserts, and complimentary valet parking.

This year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” maze and attraction lineup includes:

“Us,” an all-new maze based on the blockbuster film from Universal Pictures and visionary Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele
“Ghostbusters,” Sony Pictures’ classic 1984 film comes to life for the first time ever in this all-new maze
“Stranger Things,” based on seasons 2 and 3 of Netflix’s critically-acclaimed supernatural thriller
“Killer Klowns from Outer Space,” the popular 1980s horror sci-fi film lands at “Halloween Horror Nights” in this all-new chilling maze
“Creepshow,” maze inspired by the 1982 cult classic movie directed by George Romero and Shudder’s brand new anthology series, reimagined by acclaimed make-up artist, director and executive producer, Greg Nicotero
“Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man,” inspired by Universal’s original cinematic monsters and the movie studio that invented the horror film genre
“House of 1000 Corpses,” inspired by Lionsgate’s 2003 cult classic film and directed by multi-platinum recording artist and filmmaker Rob Zombie
“Holidayz in Hell,” an all-original maze featuring demented versions of everyone’s favorite seasonal celebrations
“Curse of Pandora’s Box,” an all-new original maze based on the twisted Greek mythology tale
“The Walking Dead,” Universal Studios Hollywood’s permanent attraction inspired by AMC’s popular television series
The Jabbawockeez award-winning hip hop dance crew returns by popular demand with an all-new, high-energy performance created exclusively for “Halloween Horror Nights”

For updates and exclusive “Halloween Horror Nights” content, visit Hollywood.HalloweenHorrorNights.com, like Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood on Facebook; follow @HorrorNights #UniversalHHN on Instagram and Twitter; and watch the terror come to life on Halloween Horror Nights YouTube.

Cross Roads Escape Games Unveils The Seance for 2019 Spooky Season

2019/09/17

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News

ANAHEIM, Calif., (September 2019) – Summon the dead and step beyond the veil in the world premiere of The Séance, written and directed by Madison Rhoades. Eight guests will sit around the table with Madam Ruby and take part in her ritual. But who or what will be waiting for you on the other side?

This hour-long performance is a frightening interactive theatre experience with live actors and special effects. You will be required to interact with your surroundings and others, living or dead, in the room.

The Séance is NOT an escape room, although it is created by Luke and Madison Rhoades, owners of Cross Roads Escape Games. With a background in theatre, Luke and Madison are going back to their roots to create a theatrical show but where audience is in the middle of the action.

This husband and wife team is determined to break the entertainment mold and continue to create more unique interactive experiences.

Tickets range from $45-$60 per person. The experience is 60 minutes long and for up to 8 guests over the age of 16. Shows are available October 2nd- November 3rd, Wednesday-Sunday until midnight. Limited tickets are available. Please be aware this show involves light touching, strobe lights, fog, and smells. Audience must be able to navigate stairs on their own.

Tickets: $45-$60 per person, on sale now at www.CrossRoadsEscapeGames.com/the-seance/
Ages: 16 and up with a parent or guardian’s permission.
Run: 10/02/19- 11/03/19. Wednesday- Sunday.
Warnings: Contains light touching, strobe lights, fog, smells, and stairs.

Playbill: https://crossroadsescapegames.com/the-seance/the-seance-playbill/

Location: 4245 East La Palma Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92807
Email: Info@CrossRoadsEscapeGames.com
Phone: (714) 572-1004
Facebook: @CrossRoadsEscapeGames
Twitter: @CRescapegames
Instagram: @Cross_Roads_Escape_Games

For more information visit www.CrossRoadsEscapeGames.com/the-seance/

MXL APS Podcasting Bundle Audio Podcast Starter Kit Review

2019/09/16

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Reviews, Tech News, Tech Review

MXL is a long-time maker of audio equipment – with a large assortment of products. They have also provided some very interesting bundle packages to those creators wanting to get into the video and audio game. One of these bundles is the APS Podcasting Bundle. Featuring all the hardware you need to get started, the MXL APS Podcasting bundle is a terrific choice for the podcaster or streamer looking for a microphone solution. The MXL APS Podcasting bundle is made up of three products: The MXL BCD-1 Live Broadcast Dynamic Microphone, MXL BCD-Stand microphone stand, and the MXL Mic Mate Pro. Let’s take a look at each of these products and why they justify the bundle’s price point.

The MXL BCD-1 microphone features a cardioid polar pattern and XLR connector. Requiring 48v of Phantom Power, the microphone was built for radio broadcasts and professional-level use. It displays great side audio rejection (meaning less ambient noise interference from the sides and rear) as well as an internal, built-in shock mount. Usually, you have to purchase shock mounts separately from the microphone. With the built-in shock mount of the MXL BCD-1, you can skip that step – or – buy an additional shock mount for even better shock reduction. The choice is your’s and will depend upon your needs and recording environment. In my testing of the MXL BCD-1 microphone, I found it to be an outstanding option with excellent audio pickup. The sound is rich, clear, and will increase your content’s production value. They even include a windscreen and swivel mount in the microphone box. By itself, the microphone costs around $150 dollars.

The MXL BCD-Stand microphone desktop stand pairs terrifically with the MXL BCD-1 thanks to its articulating arm and multiple mount options. Included in the kit are both a wall mount and a clamp mount which allows for great flexibility in where the BCD-Stand is mounted. The articulating arm features mostly smooth movement (save for some rough rotational movement) and provides just enough tension to keep itself in place once manipulated. Even more impressive is that the BCD-Stand comes with a built-in XLR cable routed through the arm. This makes connecting your BCD-1 to your Mic Mate Pro a very easy thing to do without having to worry about cable management. The drawback to this would be that if something ever happened to the cable, you won’t easily be able to replace it as the cable is laid within the armature itself. By itself, the MXL BCD-Stand retails for about $70 dollars.

The MXL Mic Mate Pro allows you to adapt a pro-level XLR microphone into a USB input for your computer’s digestion. It even supplies a connected XLR microphone with 48v of phantom power. By itself, the MXL Mic Mate Pro retails for about $90 dollars. One of the coolest things about the Mic Mate Pro is that it does not require any software to connect to your computer. It is absolutely plug-and-play, allowing you to record from that pro-level BCD-1 without issue. The Mic Mate Pro even features a headphone monitor port as well as gain and monitor level knobs. The one drawback to the MXL Mic Mate Pro is that it connects to your computer by way of a mini-USB to USB-A cable. Those aren’t the most common these days so be careful not to lose it, otherwise you’ll be buying more on Amazon.

Overall, the MXL APS Podcasting Bundle is an outstanding option for those creators looking to setup their home recording studio. By bundling these three products together, MXL has allowed creators to save some money when compared to purchasing them individually. Not only is money being saved, but the products themselves make setting up one’s home, office, or dorm recording studio VERY simple by way of easy to use instructions.

America Remembers September 11, 2001

2019/09/11

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

18 years ago this morning, a terrorist group carried out a heinous attack on our country. Thousands lost their lives and it turned not only the Unites States but also the rest of the world into a more chaotic and scary place to live. This morning we give thanks to our first responders, armed forces, and brave civilians who were, and are, still being directly affected by this attack in some way.

Razer Unveils Thermal Cooling Apple iPhone Cases

2019/09/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Peripherals News

IRVINE, USA– Razer™, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced a range of protective mobile phone cases featuring a brand-new thermal cooling technology, compatible with the new 2019 iPhones (iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max), 2018 iPhones (iPhone Xr, Xs, Xs Max), and Razer Phone 2. The new Razer Arctech™ range uses Thermaphene™, a Razer proprietary, custom-designed heat-dissipating layer, to significantly reduce phone operating temperatures.

With today’s handsets capable of running more graphically complex games, heat build-up has become a growing issue – it can reduce performance and strain battery life, which can dramatically hinder the playing experience. Most phone cases exacerbate this problem by trapping heat between the phone case and the handset.

The Razer Arctech cases feature a combination of thermally-conductive layers to effectively dissipate heat, allowing for better phone performance and improved battery life. They have been designed to allow unhindered network connectivity, ensuring smooth gameplay and video streaming as well as working seamlessly with Qi-certified wireless chargers.

“Smartphone users want to protect their handset but still enjoy maximum performance and battery life,” says Alvin Cheung, Senior Vice President for Razer’s peripherals business unit. “The new Razer Arctech cases deliver great protection, stylish looks and fantastic cooling to keep those gaming sessions going longer.”

Lose the heat, win the game

The Razer Arctech cases are made up of three layers:

The Thermaphene layer to absorb and then transfer heat away from the phone body whilst preventing dirt and dust from entering the case,
A soft microfiber layer to cushion the handset and protect it from scratches
A perforated exterior polycarbonate/thermoplastic elastomer case to protect the handset from drops and shocks.

Thermaphene is a thermally-conductive material that dissipates heat. In independent testing against similar style cases, the Razer Arctech case maintained temperatures up to 6° Celsius lower than the comparison case. Throughout the 2-hour test cycle, the Razer Arctech case kept the handset below the manufacturer’s maximum recommended operating temperature whilst the comparison case climbed above this level within 20 minutes and remained there for the remainder of the test.

Choose your case, keep your cool

The Razer Arctech cases are available in two versions: Arctech Slim and Arctech Pro, both featuring Thermaphene for enhanced cooling performance. Each case will be available in Black, Quartz and Mercury color schemes.

The Arctech Slim case is designed for those wanting protection with the minimum of impact upon the form factor of their handset. Designed to fit comfortably in the hand, the Arctech Slim design complements the iPhone button and port layout whilst providing the premium experience in cooling and scratch protection.

The Arctech Pro and Arctech Pro THS Edition cases feature a scratch-resistant back plate, four shock-absorbent sidewalls and are certified for up to 10ft/3m drop protection to give the utmost defense from the knocks and bumps of daily use.

Razer Arctech cases will be available from launch for the following smartphones:

iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
Razer Phone 2

Razer Blue Light Screen Protector

Also announced today is the Razer Blue Light Screen Protector; a durable, scratch-resistant screen protector and blue light filter, designed to protect users from eyestrain and the handset from screen damage.

The Blue Light Screen Protector filters out shorter wavelength light to reduce screen glare, whilst maintaining the displays color vibrancy and clarity, allowing for longer gaming or streaming sessions.

Made from ultra-thin tempered glass and compatible with most smartphones including the new iPhone 11 series, the Blue Light Screen Protector still gives full touch functionality and is compatible with Apple Touch ID.

ABOUT THE RAZER ARCTECH SLIM

Thermaphene performance layer for improved heat dissipation
Vented channels for increased air flow
Wireless charging-compatible for greater convenience
Network performance-friendly for unhindered connection
Intuitive button and port access for easy use
Thin, ergonomic design for practical comfort

ABOUT THE RAZER ARCTECH PRO & PRO THS EDITION

Thermaphene performance layer for improved heat dissipation
Vented channels for increased air flow
10ft/3M drop-certified for heavy-duty protection
Wireless charging-compatible for greater convenience
Network performance-friendly for unhindered connection
Intuitive button and port access for easy use

PRICE & AVAILABILITY

Razer Arctech Slim
$29.99 USD / €34.99 MSRP

Razer Arctech Pro
$39.99 USD / €44.99 MSRP

Razer Arctech Pro THS Edition
$44.99 USD / 49.99€ MSRP

Blue Light Screen Protector
$39.99 USD / €44.99 MSRP

Available for purchase from Razer.com and Amazon.com – 10^th September, 2019

For more information on the new Razer Arctech cases, please visit see here.

For more information on the new Razer Blue Light Screen Protector, please see here.

LEGO Star Wars Battles Mobile Game Announced

2019/09/03

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Mobile News, News

Burbank, Calif. – Sept. 3, 2019 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, The LEGO Group and Lucasfilm today announced LEGO® Star Wars™ Battles, a brand-new action strategy game designed specifically for mobile devices that blends iconic LEGO® Star Wars™ characters, vehicles, and locations with real-time, one-versus-one multiplayer battles.

Developed by TT Games Brighton and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Playdemic, LEGO Star Wars Battles allows players to mix and match characters and vehicles from all eras of the Star Wars galaxy, building a deck of light side or dark side forces to battle in fast-paced, competitive matches. With intuitive touch controls, players will deploy troops and build LEGO towers on the battlefield to defend and capture territory as they attempt to destroy their opponents’ base.

“We’re very proud to extend the LEGO Star Wars video game legacy with LEGO Star Wars Battles, a new experience built from the ground up for mobile devices,” said Jason Avent, Studio Head, TT Games Brighton. “We hope players will enjoy the unique combination of LEGO Star Wars with deep strategy in deck building and innovative territory capture by constructing LEGO towers.”

“For over 15 years, LEGO Star Wars video games have been offering a unique take on Star Wars, engaging and delighting fans around the world,” said Douglas Reilly, Vice President, Lucasfilm Games. “We are thrilled to bring new LEGO Star Wars experiences to mobile audiences with LEGO Star Wars Battles, which introduces new ways to play in a galaxy far, far away that is still uniquely LEGO.”

“LEGO Star Wars Battles brings all of the action and light-hearted charm of LEGO games to an ever-growing, global audience of mobile players,” said Sean McEvoy, Vice President, Digital Games, The LEGO Group. “It’s easy to pick-up and play and offers fun, fast-paced LEGO gameplay for both new and experienced players.”

Featuring content from all nine saga films, Star Wars™: The Clone Wars™, and Rogue One: A Star Wars™ Story, players can collect iconic heroes and villains such as Luke Skywalker, Rey, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Boba Fett, and Darth Vader, along with characters such as Porgs, Stormtroopers, Battle Droids, and a variety of vehicles from AT-ATs to TIE bombers, and even the Millennium Falcon. As players progress and level up, they will unlock different arenas based on familiar Star Wars locales, including Scarif, Naboo, Hoth, Endor, Geonosis, and more.

LEGO Star Wars Battles is coming in 2020 to the App Store and Google Play and will be available to download for free with in-app purchases.

Follow LEGO Star Wars Battles at:

Facebook: Facebook.com/LEGOStarWarsGame

Twitter: Twitter.com/LSWGame (@LSWGAME)

Instagram: Instagram.com/LEGOStarWarsGame

Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit Out Now

2019/09/03

Jerry Paxton

Book News, Geek News, News

9/3/2019 – Starting today, the Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit is available everywhere, including your local game store, book stores such as Barnes & Noble, or in store or online at retailers like Amazon and Target.

The D&D Essentials Kit is the newest introductory product from D&D and a perfect addition for your next new product round-up or holiday gift guide.

Everything new players need to know to start playing the world’s greatest storytelling game can be found in this one kit including dice, maps, and cards to guide early play. The kit provides just the right amount of context to get a game started by breaking down the cooperative storytelling game for the D&D-curious, allowing them to harness their imaginations and explore a fantastic world full of court intrigue, feats of acrobatics, and acts of heroism.

This box contains the essentials you need to run a D&D game with one Dungeon Master and one to five adventurers. The included rulebook on-boards players by walking them through how to make their characters, and the pre-made adventure, Dragon of Icespire Peak, introduces a framework for 1-on-1 gameplay – allowing for small-group play!

For more information about the kit go to dungeonsanddragons.com

Final Fantasy VIII Remastered Official Launch Trailer

2019/09/03

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox One News

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 3, 2019) – One of gaming’s most cherished RPGs returns today on modern platforms with the release of FINAL FANTASY® VIII Remastered on the Nintendo Switch™ system, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, PC (STEAM®), and the Xbox One family of devices.

Marking the 20th anniversary of the game’s original release, FINAL FANTASY VIII Remastered features newly rendered visuals that breathe life into the game’s characters like never before. Players step into the shoes of SeeD recruit Squall Leonhart and resistance fighter Rinoa Heartilly as they work together to save the world from the military nation of Galbadia.

The remastered version includes the following boosts to enhance the experience:

Battle Assist: The ability to always have maxed out HP and ATB, and trigger Limit Breaks at any time.
No Encounters: An enemy encounter option that allows players to enjoy the storyline uninterrupted. While enemy encounters are turned off, players can still enjoy the story’s event battles.
3x Speed Boost: Play through the game with three times the speed.
The STEAM version will also receive additional functions, including All Items (possess all items except for a few certain items), All Abilities, GF Max Level, Max Gil, Max Magic, All Limit Breaks, and All Cards (possess max number of Triple Triad® Cards except for Rare Cards).

EMG Hudson H9 Gas Blowback Airsoft Pistol Review

2019/09/01

Jerry Paxton

Action Sports, Airsoft News, Airsoft Reviews, Articles, Geek News, News, Reviews

The EMG Hudson H9 aims to bring the futuristic design, function, and quality of the real steel Hudson H9 into the airsoft market. A joint project between EMG and Hudson, the EMG Hudson H9 features a striker fired design with CNC machined aluminum slide and frame. For those of you unfamiliar with the real steel version, Hudson’s H9 was designed to modernize the classic 1911 firearm design. Unfortunately, Hudson has officially gone bankrupt, meaning the days of this airsoft pistol being produced may be limited.

In terms of build quality, the EMG Hudson H9 gas blowback pistol is made from CNC’d metal parts and the slide has a very short profile to keep the shooter’s hand closer to the bore axis. The pistol is actually made from AW Armorer Works and their construction quality is quite evident. If you have ever fielded an Armorer Works airsoft pistol before, you know they perform very well right out of the box and the EMG Hudson H9 is no different. It has a very unique “straight pull” trigger system and no hammer being a striker fired platform. The grip is stippled in several spots and provides excellent friction – especially if you like to wear tactical gloves. One of the more interesting things about the EMG Hudson H9 is that there is an included, optional thumb safety lever that can be easily installed. The barrel is threaded internally if you remove the orange tip (which we never recommend officially), so you can attach some suppressors, etc to the end of it. Also, the rail system is a bit odd, being much lower than more standard pistols. If you put a light or laser on the pistol, it is a bit more awkward to reach.

In the field, the EMG Hudson H9 performs great, with FPS ranging around 330-350 FPS with .2 gram BBs. The recoil of the pistol is snappy, with such a light slide installed, and helps sell the recoil effect. Like the real steel firearm, the EMG Hudson H9 has a very low axis of recoil spring in the front of the frame. In terms of accuracy, it seemed like our model was shooting lower than out point of aim in most situations – we had to increase the hop up a bit more than we expected to get our accuracy up to our desired performance.

Overall, the EMG Hudson H9 is a beautiful piece of airsoft kit, replicating a real steel platform cut down way before its time.

Photo Gallery

D23 Expo 2019 Photo Gallery Part One

2019/08/30

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Screenshots / Photos

Disney’s 2019 D23 Expo has officially concluded and, boy, what an amazing expo it was. We took in presentations on upcoming Disney park expansions (including Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser), saw incredible cosplayers, and even did a little bit of shopping for Disney merchandise. Here’s the first photo gallery we have for you from the show!