Author - Jerry Paxton

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Classics Made Here Review

2018/04/11
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Misc Review, Movie News, News, Reviews, Screenshots / Photos

Recently, we got the chance to checkout a preview of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood’s new “Classics Made Here” tour which takes a look at some of the more classic films and TV shows to film on the Warner Bros. lot. This is just the latest in a series of great events hosted by the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. Last year, they began a DC Universe exhibit which features numerous costumes from DC/Warner Bros. films such as Wonder Woman. During October, they hosted their “Horror Made Here” event, which allowed guests the chance to enjoy a haunted attraction based around the lot’s town square. A town square, I might add, that has been the filming location for TV shows like Gilmore Girls and Pretty Little Liars to movies like Monster Squad and Postcards from the Edge.

We arrived at the Warner Bros. lot in the early afternoon and got the chance to explore the previously-mentioned town square.  It’s really amazing just how many things were shot here. Then we covered a short press conference from Danny Khan, the director of the studio tour, which also featured venerable film critic Leonard Maltin and classic film actress Carole Cook (The Incredible Mr Limpet, American Gigolo, Sixteen Candles)! This lasted for about twenty minutes and was really interesting as Cook had several funny anecdotes to regale the attendees with. After the press conference, we were treated to a slightly abbreviated version of the Classics Made Here tour, and it provided us a fascinating look into Hollywood’s past. Seeing locations where movies like Casablanca and Blade Runner were filmed was a real experience. I was also excited to find out that the lot’s town square area was used in the big outdoor numbers of 1962’s The Music Man!

One of the coolest things about taking the Warner Bros. Studio Tour is that you never know when you’ll have a celebrity sighting. It is a working lot and they are filming things all the time. On this trip around the lot we traveled right past Todd Stashwick (Supernatural, 12 Monkeys, The Riches) who was walking with an unknown individual from the studio commissary! So a big tip to you tour-takers: Always keep your eyes open and cameras ready while on the tour! Where is my photo of Todd Stashwick, you may wonder? Well, I didn’t listen to my own advise and had my camera down as we rode by…. Yeah.

But, I digress, as we continued on the tour and entered Stage 48: From Script to Screen, the end of the line for the tour that takes guests through the process of making a movie or TV show and, even more exciting, houses a VERY impressive array of screen-used memorabilia. Oh, it also houses the actual Central Perk set from this little-known TV show called FRIENDS…. So be sure to take your photo there! As part of the Classics Made Here tour, you’ll find some amazing pieces of clothing and various costumes from classic Warner Bros. films. For instance, you’ll see wardrobe worn by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca! That 1942 picture is easily one of the most famous films of all time and, right there, 76 years later are their costumes looking fresh and new. Other things to take in while walking through Stage 48 are costumes worn by some of the female heavy-hitters of classic film like Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, and many more.

Of course, you’ll also see some amazing props like the actual airship model which flies over Los Angeles in the film Blade Runner and one of the actual Smith & Wesson Model 29-1 revolvers used by Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry. They even have a real Oscar for guests to hold – they are quite heavy! There are some fun green screen photo ops at the end of the Stage 48 experience but those are paid ops, so if you want them you will have to make some purchases.

Overall, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood continually impresses me with the tour options and events they put together. Classics Made Here is a terrific tour option for those of you film buffs who take a focus on the Hollywood classics of yesteryear. The Classics Made Here tour runs Fridays and Saturdays starting on May 4, 2018. You can find out about all of the studio tour options as well as ticket info and more at the official Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood website.

Photo Gallery

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Announces the 2018 Injustice 2 Pro Series

2018/04/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Xbox One News

BURBANK, Calif. – April 10, 2018 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) today announced the 2018 Injustice 2 Pro Series Presented by Samsung and SIMPLE Mobile, the second season of the global esports program for NetherRealm Studios award winning Injustice 2.

The 2018 series has Intersport, a leader in sports, entertainment and lifestyle based media and marketing platforms, teaming up with Samsung, SIMPLE Mobile, Gamestop, Northern Arena, Gamelta and a to be named European program to offer players of all ranks across the globe a chance to compete in different programs for a slice of the $150,000 USD prize pool.  The best performers from the various programs will have the chance to qualify for the 2018 Injustice 2 Pro Series Grand Finals Presented by Samsung and SIMPLE Mobile taking place this fall.

The 2018 Injustice 2 Pro Series Presented by Samsung and SIMPLE Mobile – Announce Trailer can be viewed here:

The 2018 Injustice 2 Pro Series Presented by Samsung and SIMPLE Mobile will feature five live competitions throughout North America and Europe, in addition to three online cups where competitors can earn points to qualify for 12 spots in the Injustice 2 Pro Series Grand Finals.  Four spots in the grand finals will be reserved for winners of different programs: Canada’s Northern Arena Injustice 2 Elite Circuit, Latin America’s Liga Latina, a European program with more details to come, and a last chance qualifier spot.

This year’s Pro Series will be managed and executed by the esports team at Intersport, a Chicago-based marketing and consulting firm that is teaming up with Samsung and SIMPLE Mobile as the competition’s presenting sponsor.  In addition to exhibiting its latest products for the fighting game community to experience first-hand, Samsung will provide exclusive Injustice 2 offers and promotions to customers throughout the Pro Series.

For more information, or to sign up for an Injustice 2 Championship Series Presented by Samsung and SIMPLE Mobile, visit www.injustice.com/esports.

Injustice 2 is the super-powered sequel to the hit game Injustice: Gods Among Us that has been nominated for nearly 50 awards and honored as Fighting Game of the Year by 13 organizations, including the 21st D.I.C.E. Awards and The Game Awards 2017.  Featuring a massive selection of DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains, players can personalize iconic DC characters with unique and powerful gear earned throughout the game. Additionally, for the first time, gamers can take control of how their characters look, fight and develop across a variety of game modes.

For more information about Injustice 2 please visit www.injustice.com or to join the Injustice 2 conversation on Facebook, Twitter and the official forums.

 

Enimine Announces RF Airsoft Mine Indiegogo Campaign

2018/04/10
Jerry Paxton
Action Sports, Airsoft News, Articles, Geek News, News, Tech News

April 10, 2018 – Military technology moves quickly, while that of airsoft doesn’t fit the current technological development at the same rate. A lot of not-working or unrealistic mines are available on the market, and almost all of them work by a pressure trigger. There cannot be any hope to hit the target with a single mine in a vast playground. Hence the idea of Enimine, a technological and innovative bouncing land mine for airsoft, with remote trigger by a microwave radar and the total coverage of a perimeter of about 10 meters.

The project, developed by idea3Di, has just landed on the Indiegogo website for the launch of a crowdfunding campaign, which will allow to produce it on a large scale.

But how is Enimine made?

Enimine is mainly composed of three parts: the bouncing mine, the launch base and a RF remote control. Unlike other common land mines, Enimine has a microwave radar which can be activated with an RF remote control; it detects movements in a PERIMETER of about 10 meters and it triggers the launch and, subsequently, the detonation of the bouncing mine filled with gas and BB’S.

The gas shoots BB’s in all directions up to a distance of about 7 meters. Moreover, the bouncing mine is reusable. To make it even more realistic, Enimine has been equipped with a disarm
system: just hit it for 3 times and it will trigger and detonate. And through the RF remote, it can be deactivated or triggered instantly. Enimine can be buried for ¾ of its body and the whole system is powered by a rechargeable Li-Po 7.4v battery.

“We created this team – explain the designers – to develop a series of technological and innovative projects. Enimine is part of a long series of works we are doing together. We chose again the crowdfunding to test how much our product can attract the users’ attention. What we want is to see our ideas carried out and we would like to invent many more. That’s why we think crowdfunding seems the best way “.

The design process began by developing the release mechanism, the gas compression system and the electronic board, three essential steps for the feasibility of the project. Drawings processed on the PC, then taken to the third dimension through several 3D prints, allowed to perform the first tests. During the second prototyping phase, prototypes were made in aluminum and steel by CNC machines both for a resistance matters, both to carry out the best tests about efficiency and functionality. Tests that allowed to see their product grow from time to time and, therefore, to improve it.

In the third phase, Enimine was field tested, with optimal and surprising results.

“We’re working on Enimine for about 2 years – says the idea3Di Team – but we play Airsoft for more than 10 years. Our passion for this sport led us to create something that was still missing and that players will no longer be able to do without.”

Such an accurate prototyping process, combined with the study of several production techniques and the assembly of different materials – such as metals and plastic – allowed the idea3Di to overcome the limitations met during the creation process and to get a perfectly functional product tested to last. There are those who, having previewed and tested it, said about Enimine:

“Very useful for players and effective in every situation. A big step forward for the Airsoft.” Proof is in the pudding!

Indiegogo Link

Blizzcon 2018 Dates Revealed

2018/04/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

IRVINE, Calif.—April 9, 2018—Team up with your friends and family and get ready for a journey to Southern California for BlizzCon® 2018, Blizzard Entertainment’s epic celebration of games and esports and the communities that bring them to life. Tickets to the main event, taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center on November 2 and 3, will go on sale on two dates: Wednesday, May 9 and Saturday, May 12.

BlizzCon is one of the biggest gaming events of the year, giving gamers everywhere a chance to connect and geek out over their shared passion, learn more about Blizzard’s worlds and games directly from the creators, cheer on their favorite esports stars through world-class competition, and much more. Last year’s sold-out show once again drew a maximum-capacity crowd to the Anaheim Convention Center, with millions more watching online via free live streams and the BlizzCon Virtual Ticket.

This year’s event will again commence with the esports action of BlizzCon Opening Week, taking place at Blizzard Arena Los Angeles from October 25 to 29, where the initial rounds of the StarCraft® II World Championship Series Global Finals, the Heroes of the Storm® Global Championship Finals, andWorld of Warcraft® Arena World Championship Finals will unfold. The competitions will culminate in Anaheim on November 2 and 3, where the champions of these tournaments along with those of the Overwatch® World Cup and Hearthstone® Global Games will be crowned.

“BlizzCon is our favorite time of the year at Blizzard,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “It’s our chance to meet and really get to know the people behind the terran commanders, demon hunters, and Tracer mains we play with every day—to share our passion for games and esports with each other, and celebrate what being in the Blizzard community is all about. We can’t wait to see everyone at the show.”

The first BlizzCon ticket sale will take place Wednesday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m. PDT; the second ticket sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 12 at 10:00 a.m. PDT. Tickets can be purchased for $199 USD each (plus applicable taxes and fees) through the online ticketing service Universe. Tickets include two-day admission to the main event in Anaheim on November 2 and 3, and attendees will receive a commemorative BlizzCon goody bag containing a cache of loot for their favorite Blizzard games. Visit www.blizzcon.com for complete details.

An exclusive dinner to benefit CHOC Children’s, a pediatric health system in Orange County, California, will take place the evening of Thursday, November 1. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet Blizzard developers, artists, and community representatives, all while supporting a great cause. Tickets to the benefit dinner, which include BlizzCon admission, are limited in number and will go on sale Wednesday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. PDT for $750 each. Blizzard Entertainment will donate the net proceeds from the event to CHOC Children’s.

For the first time, esports fans heading to Southern California for BlizzCon will have an opportunity to attend BlizzCon Opening Week in person. A limited number of tickets to Opening Week events at Blizzard Arena Los Angeles in Burbank, California will go on sale later this year—further details will be announced in the months ahead.

Gamers around the globe who aren’t able to attend in person will have the chance to enjoy BlizzCon from just about anywhere via the Virtual Ticket, which offers live streaming coverage of the event and a variety of bonus content, including this year’s BlizzCon in-game items. More details on the BlizzCon 2018 Virtual Ticket, including pricing, availability, and programming information, will be announced at a later date.

Prospective BlizzCon attendees can make advance hotel reservations now and receive special BlizzCon rates by booking through the BlizzCon hotel website.

To keep up on the latest BlizzCon 2018 news, visit the official site at www.blizzcon.com.

Solo: A Star Wars Story Official Trailer

2018/04/08
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.

The film stars Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, and Paul Bettany.

Ron Howard directs “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” and Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur and Simon Emanuel are the producers. Lawrence Kasdan, Jason McGatlin, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller serve as executive producers. Jonathan Kasdan & Lawrence Kasdan wrote the screenplay.

Killing Floor: Incursion PSVR Launch Date

2018/04/06
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News

ROSWELL, GA — Apr. 6, 2018 — Tripwire Interactive, developers of the award-winning Red Orchestra and Killing Floor franchises, announced that its highly anticipated virtual reality action horror title, Killing Floor: Incursion, will launch worldwide for PlayStation®VR on May 1, 2018 for $29.99 USD/ €29.99 Euro. Expect more exciting details about Killing Floor: Incursion for PlayStation VR from Tripwire Interactive President John Gibson on the official PlayStation Blog.

Playable in the Sony booth at PAX East this weekend and available for pre-order later this month on the PlayStation Store, Killing Floor: Incursion for PlayStation VR will come with a timed exclusive Holdout Mode map, “The Crucible”, which finds players defending locations against increasingly deadly hordes of enemies in a frenetic, arcade-like action experience. In addition, players can expect the PlayStation VR version to include all post-launch content updates released for HTC VIVE and Oculus Rift platforms, including the Hardcore difficulty mode, Katana weapon, leaderboards, and more.

A brand-new, standalone title based on the critically acclaimed Killing Floor franchise, Killing Floor: Incursion charges players with taking on the role of an elite Horzine Security Forces soldier. Team up with allies to fend off the horrific Zed hordes with a wide array of guns, blades, and more. Players may freely explore environments, scavenging for weapons and ammo while searching for the best locations to hold the line against the monster onslaught. Battle in diverse areas from creepy farmhouses to high-tech facilities. Complete Horzine Security Forces missions and unlock the secrets of the Zeds’ mysterious origins.

Currently available for HTC VIVE and Oculus Rift, Killing Floor: Incursion takes the action horror genre to the next level on PlayStation VR with a fully-realized, made-for-VR, story-driven adventure. Play alone or with a friend in co-op mode, explore diverse environments from creepy farmhouses to high-tech facilities – and fight to survive against the horrific Zed hordes with a variety of weapons, including pistols, shotguns, axes, and even the occasional leftover limb.

Today’s Killing Floor: Incursion launch date announcement for PlayStation VR also follows a significant milestone for the original Killing Floor game that started it all. Since it first released on PC in 2009, the original Killing Floor recently surpassed five million units sold on Steam. Killing Floor 2 also continues to perform well as a top played multiplayer game on all major platforms following the recent release of the free Killing Floor 2: Infinite Onslaught Content Update.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Killing Floor: Incursion news and information at www.KillingFloorIncursion.com.

You can also keep track of Tripwire Interactive at any of these online channels: www.tripwireinteractive.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tripwireinteractive, Twitter at https://twitter.com/TripwireInt, Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tripwireinteractive/ and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/tripwireinteractive.

snakebyte Shipping New Console Peripherals

2018/04/06
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Peripherals News

San Diego, CA – April 6th, 2018 – snakebyte® group, leading innovators of consumer electronics hardware, announced today the shipping of the new Charge:Tower product line for PS4™ and Xbox One.

Simple, yet essential, the new Charge:Tower range is an ergonomic storage solution, neatly housing multiple games and movies, bringing order to the clutter typically found in many gaming environments, while managing to expand console connectivity and, with some products in the range, even provide an elegant charging solution to console controllers!

Included in the range are the following products:

  • PS4™ / Xbox One – Charge:Tower:

Each model subtly different to match the design and finish of the PS4™or the Xbox One, the Charge:Tower safely houses up to 15 games or Blu-ray™ movies reducing clutter and allowing for each title to be accessed simply and quickly. Designed to sit alongside the console, the Charge:Tower effortlessly blends in and adds expanded connectivity to your gaming universe, thanks to the inclusion of twin USB ports on the front of the tower, allowing gamers to connect multiple devices to their console.

  • PS4™ / Xbox One – Charge:Tower Pro:

The Charge:Tower Pro adds even greater functionality to the gamers’ rig. Again featuring storage for up to 15 games and Blu-ray movies, as well as the twin USB ports featured on the regular Charge:Tower, the Charge:Tower Pro adds a detachable Charging Dock which securely attaches to the peak of the tower, storing and charging up to two official controllers!  Gamers purchasing the Xbox version also receive two 600mAh rechargeable battery packs, neatly slotting in to the official controller and providing up to five hours of continuous gameplay per charge. The LED charging status indicator lets gamers know instantly if their controller is ready for action, providing an all-in-one solution to clutter, connectivity and charging!

Nick Repenning, CEO for snakebyte USA commented, “As we get deeper into the console cycle, it’s natural that gamers have slowly amassed a large collection of physical games, multiple controllers and various accessories. The Charge:Tower line is a simple yet highly effective way of solving many of the problems so common to the average gaming setup, at a highly cost effective price. The new range continues our strategy of supporting gamers with an ever-expanding range of high quality, useful accessories that won’t break the bank.”

For more information, visit snakebyte and follow snakebyte on Facebook, and Twitter.

Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn Release Date Trailer

2018/04/06
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

MAPLEWOOD, N.J., and WATFORD, United Kingdom – April 5, 2018 – Saber Interactive and Wired Productions have revealed with a new trailer today that Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn will launch globally on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™ and Windows PC on June 5, 2018. The full game will be available for digital download on those platforms for $19.99. Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn will also be bundled as a physical boxed product with unannounced DLC at major retailers for $29.99 on the PlayStation®4 system and Xbox One and $39.99 on Nintendo Switch.

Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is an action-packed beat ‘em up starring the one and only Big Diesel himself: Shaquille O’Neal. Battle the hordes of Hollywood and hell on a one-man journey to avenge your fallen home and martial arts master. Beat down foes with devastating combos, face off against outlandish celebrity bosses, and unleash your fury with a variety of hard-hitting weapons and power-ups.

Saber has previously announced that anyone who purchased NBA Playgrounds on Nintendo Switch prior to June 10, 2017, will receive a free copy of Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn on Switch upon release. In addition, Saber will share more specifics in the future regarding timing and delivery of rewards for Indiegogo backers of Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn directly via the game’s Indiegogo page.

Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is a co-production of Saber Interactive and Big Deez Productions and published in partnership with Wired Productions and Mad Dog Games. This game is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB.

Ubisoft Announces Creation of Ubisoft Winnipeg

2018/04/06
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Industry News, News

WINNIPEG, CANADA, April 6, 2018 — Today, Ubisoft announced plans for a new phase in the company’s Canadian expansion into the Province of Manitoba. The Ubisoft Winnipeg studio joins a global network of more than 13,000 Ubisoft team members operating in over 30 countries around the world, with 4,500 of those based in Canada.

The Honourable Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman, and Dayna Spiring, President and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg, joined Yannis Mallat, CEO of the Ubisoft Canadian Studios, and Darryl Long, Managing Director of Ubisoft Winnipeg, for the announcement.

“We are pleased to welcome Ubisoft to Manitoba and look forward to working together to grow our tech talent pool and unleash the true economic potential our province holds,” said Minister Pedersen.  “This private capital investment in Manitoba will create new jobs and opportunities for Manitoba students and graduates in the interactive digital media, information and communications technology fields.”

UBISOFT WINNIPEG   
Ubisoft plans to invest $35 million (CAD) in the Province of Manitoba, creating 100 new jobs in at the studio over the next five years. As part of the Ubisoft Canadian Studios collective development teams in Montreal, Quebec City, Saguenay, Toronto and Halifax, Ubisoft Winnipeg will play a strategic role as a AAA co-development studio dedicated to developing tools and technology that enable teams to create immersive, engaging game worlds for players.

“The mandate for the Ubisoft Winnipeg studio is important and will directly support many of our most successful, world-renowned brands, such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry and Watch_Dogs – all games that are based on an open-world and systemic gameplay approach,” said Mallat. “The creation of these massive digital worlds is increasingly complex, and it’s critical that our development teams have access to the best tech and tools to continue to develop the most innovative games in our fast paced, highly competitive market.”

A NEW STUDIO TO SUPPORT A THRIVING LOCAL ECOSYSTEM
To achieve its mandate, the studio will attract, grow and develop talent in the province that will contribute directly to the future success of Ubisoft games. Ubisoft Winnipeg will hire Engineers, Tool Programmers, Technical Artists and talent from other specialized areas of expertise to support its ambitious mandate.

“With its thriving local techno-creative industry, and innovative university and college programs that combine creative arts, IT and computer science, Winnipeg is truly a hidden gem for talent in the video game industry,” said Long. “Knowing the city and the people behind all the initiatives driving economic growth through creativity and innovation, I am extremely excited about what we will achieve with this new studio.”

“When I first met with Ubisoft, I was hopeful our meeting would lead to an announcement like this and I am thrilled we are now in a position to officially welcome Ubisoft to Winnipeg,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “Winnipeg’s Information and Communications Technology sector has seen tremendous growth recently and adding a world-renowned company like Ubisoft is excellent news for Winnipeg.”

Ubisoft Winnipeg will work closely to help grow the local techno-creative industry through local partners focused on economic development and education.

“Our YES! Winnipeg team has worked tirelessly over the past two years to welcome Ubisoft to Winnipeg,” said Dayna Spiring, President and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg. “Our team facilitated meetings between Ubisoft and local industry stakeholders, helped navigate a smooth market entry for the company, and helped them become welcomed into Winnipeg’s business community. This is a huge win for Winnipeg.”