Author - Jerry Paxton

Stranger Things Maze Announces for Halloween Horror Nights

Universal City, CA, Orlando, FL, April 3, 2018 – For the first time ever, Universal Studios HollywoodUniversal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Singapore are partnering with Netflix to bring “Stranger Things” to life at this year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” events.  Fans of the series will get the chance to brave the Upside Down and confront the supernatural as each park debuts all-new mazes inspired by season one of the critically-acclaimed series.

The parallel universe, referred to as the Upside Down that terrorized the small town of Hawkins, Indiana in Netflix’s mega-hit “Stranger Things,” will bring the chittering, predatory Demogorgon to “Halloween Horror Nights” to stalk unwitting guests as they encounter iconic scenes, characters and environments from the mesmerizing series.

Working collaboratively with Netflix, along with the creators and executive producer of the blockbuster series—Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer and Shawn Levy, the mazes at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Singapore will be authentic representations of “Stranger Things,” designed to transport guests into artfully recreated scenes and storylines. From the menacing Hawkins National Laboratory, under the U.S. Department of Energy, to the Byers home adorned with an erratic display of flashing Christmas lights and the eerie Upside Down woods oozing a shower of floating orb-like spores, the chilling new mazes will offer surprising twists and unexpected turns around every corner.

Universal Studios’ “Halloween Horror Nights” is the ultimate Halloween event. For more than 25 years, guests from around the world have visited “Halloween Horror Nights” to become victims inside their own horror film. Multiple movie-quality mazes based on iconic horror television shows, films and original stories come to life season after season. And, the streets of each park’s event are transformed into highly-themed scare zones where menacing scare-actors lunge from every darkened corner.

Halloween Horror Nights begins Friday, September 14 in Hollywood and Orlando and on Friday, September 28 in Singapore. Additional details about the events will be revealed soon. Select tickets and vacation packages for Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights are on sale now. For more information about “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort or Universal Studios Singapore, visitwww.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

Acetech AC6000 Airsoft Chronograph Review

Airsoft chronographs have been relatively stable in terms of features until recently, with models that attach to rifles and some that even boast wireless communication. However, the basic chronograph hasn’t changed all that much. Acetech’s newest airsoft chronograph, the AC6000, is trying to push the basic chronograph to the next level and is, without a doubt, the most solid chronograph I have gotten the chance to use. The Acetech AC6000 features a plastic, dark gray body with silver accents and feels very well built. It measures roughly 5 inches by 4 inches with a height of 2.4 inches, making it easy to transport to a game in your tactical bag. It has a five-way control pad on the front as well as a power button and large LED screen. On the bottom of the AC6000, you’ll find a standard tripod mount as well as the battery door, which is easy to open and close. The Acetech AC6000 is powered by 4 AAA batteries and the battery life seems to be excellent – at least in my dealings with the unit. On the back of the chronograph, you’ll find a mini-USB port which is an additional way you can power the unit! It should be noted that this port will not charge batteries – just power the chronograph. Still, if you are out of batteries on the field but remembered to bring your USB battery, you are all set.

Functionally, the Acetech AC6000 airsoft chronograph features an enlarged, 36mm diameter tube with an increased number of sensors to accurately measure any projectiles passing through it. This enlarged tube diameter is an outstanding addition as it not only allows for more accurate readings but also less room for error based on where you are pointing the muzzle in relation to the chronograph. I am sure we are all aware of the frustration of shooting a BB into a chronograph only for it to display an OUT error or inconsistent number. This problem becomes worse when you have a bigger mock suppressor or flash hider on the airsoft gun.

The screen is super crisp

The LED screen of the Acetech AC6000 is beautiful and easily the best on any airsoft chronograph I have seen. It is bright, crisp, and using the directional control pad to navigate through the various menu options is straightforward. The AC6000 has a 25 shot memory in it so you can easily compare your readings when switching out BB weights. Also, you can change the BB weight on the measurement screen – this is a big deal as you usually have to change this setting on an entirely different screen. The entire Acetech AC6000 experience is based on providing a great user experience to the person using it.

Overall, the Acetech AC6000 airsoft chronograph is an exceptional choice for players looking to accurately measure their airsoft gun’s velocity. The Acetech AC6000 retails from $80 to $90 dollars depending on the retailer. This is on the higher-end of the airsoft chronograph price spectrum – however, the AC6000 is a high-end airsoft chronograph and that price point is just fine for the value and features you’re getting with it. You can also check on some popular airsoft retailer websites as there are coupon codes that can be applied to your purchase. It should be noted that Acetech does make a lesser-expensive airsoft chronograph called the AC5000, however that one does not have the same quality of display and larger tube diameter – not mention some other bonuses found on the AC6000.

Acetech Product Links

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Ample Natural Meal Replacement Shake Review

It is an unfortunate aspect of video gaming that, sometimes, people can get addicted and take things too far. Some people have gamed for so long, without eating or drinking, that they even died at the keyboard! A less dramatic situation might be when you are playing a overnight session of your favorite MMO with a guild and can’t break away for sustenance. Ample might have a solution for you with their meal replacement shakes. Admittedly, I was off-put by how the Ample meal replacement shake comes to you. It is a bottled powder that, when mixed with water, milk, or juice becomes the meal replacement drink proper. I unscrewed the cap and smelled the contents. The tan colored, course powder had a neutral scent that alleviated my concerns. Now I was just curious what to mix it up with. I decided on non-fat milk and began carefully pouring the milk into the bottle. I filled it to the top of the label and shook it with a moderate amount of intensity. The powder blended up very well and I did not get nearly as many clumps as I expected – especially for a non-micronized powder.

After preparation, I opened the bottle again and took a swig. The taste was bland – not offensive at all but not very tasty. The consistency was a bit “iffy”, having a chalky texture that wasn’t that great – but, that’s what you get for having healthy oils and dietary fiber floating about. I finished my bottle and went about my business. Thankfully, the Ample meal replacement shake did help me feel fuller longer so that I didn’t have to eat a full meal for a while after. If you are looking to replace one of your daily meals with an Ample drink, I think you will be pleased with the results. I believe the secret of this is in the aforementioned dietary fiber. It tricks your body into feeling like it has eaten something better than other meal replacement drinks made mostly of sugar. Also, unlike some other meal replacement options I have digested, the Ample formula did not upset my stomach at all, which is a big benefit.

Nutritionally, I think it is important to read some of the ingredients in the mix, which Ample has kindly listed out, with verbosity, on the label. I am big on making sure I take in enough protein to support my workout routine. If the Ample meal replacement drink didn’t have enough, that would probably be a “deal-breaker” for me with regards to future usage. Thankfully, Ample has put 27 grams of the proteiny-goodness in each bottle! Furthermore each bottle has 10g of dietary fiber and 10g of unsaturated fats. The formula does have 10g of saturated fat and 490mg of sodium, so factor that into your diet before drinking. If you are using Ample as a true meal replacement, these shouldn’t affect you too much – but, as always, consult your doctor before going on any diet plan or trying any new meal replacement drinks. If the standard formula, which contains whey protein, is not your cup of meal replacement drink, Ample also offers both “ketogenic” and “vegan” formulas.

Overall, Ample meal replacement drinks do a good job of providing sustenance to you when needed – especially if you are unable to make a meal on your own due to whatever is going on in your life: Work, chores, or long gaming tournaments. Ample is available in a variety of sizes, formulas, and quantities. Check out the official website for more info!

Queen Mary to Start Allowing Stays in Haunted Cabin

LONG BEACH, Calif., (March 30, 2018) – The Queen Mary, dubbed one of the “Top 10 most haunted places on Earth” by Time Magazine, is pleased to announce the notoriously haunted Stateroom B340 will once again be available for overnight guests starting Friday, April 13th. Featured on SYFY Channel’s  Ghost Hunters and the British TV series Most Haunted, room B340 offers thrill seekers and scare enthusiasts the unique opportunity to spend the night in the axiom of all alleged paranormal activity at the Queen Mary. Room reservations will be available at 877-342-0742.

“Several of the cabins onboard the Queen Mary are considered haunted. But, the stateroom with the most infamous reputation is room B340,” said Stephen Sowards, General Manager of the Queen Mary. “The last time the room was occupied by a guest was in the 1980’s. For decades we’ve had thousands of visitors request to occupy the room, and after 30 years, we are excited to once again extend the offer to our guests.”

Stateroom B340 has a large volume of recorded paranormal activity with many stories of haunted encounters noted in the ship’s logs. Reports date back to the final ocean voyage in 1967 and include complaints from guests staying in B340 claiming that someone was knocking on the door in the middle of the night. Other complaints include bathroom lights turning on by themselves, the sink faucet turning on and off on its own, and unexplained bathroom doors shutting. Some guests have reported the covers of their bed being pulled off while asleep and waking to see a dark figure standing at the foot of the bed.

During voyage years, the space encompassed three third class staterooms, and has since been remodeled to become one large guest room suite. A perfect blend of authentic style and modern amenities, B340 is larger than the average cruise ship cabin. Featuring operable portholes and offering all the modern conveniences of a contemporary hotel, the famously haunted stateroom offers a true ocean liner experience. In addition to standard hotel room amenities, B340 will supply a chest with unique items available for guests to amplify their overnight haunt experience, including a Ouija board, tarot cards, crystal ball, and ghost hunting equipment.

The Queen Mary’s year-long haunted attractions and tours continue to draw thrill-seekers of all ages in 2018 with continued updates and enhancements. Since its soft opening in winter of 2017, the re-inspired Ghosts and Legends Tour has added more frights with a new scene, more ambient lighting, and elevated scare factors all in hopes to strengthen the presence of the Queen Mary’s resident ghosts. Additional haunted attractions offered onboard the Queen Mary include Paranormal Shipwalk, Dining with Spirits, and Paranormal Investigation. The Paranormal Investigation tour invites guests to join ship para-investigator and ParaXplorer Project founder Matthew Schulz as he leads visitor investigators into the depths of the RMS Queen Mary’s purported active locations.

Cabin reservations for stateroom B340 will be available for booking Friday, April 13, 2018 and start at $499 per night. Reservations are available at 877-342-0742.  Check-in is at 3 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.  For more information, or to purchase tickets for the haunted attractions and tours, please visit queenmary.com

FX Networks Unveils The LEGION Chamber

March 30, 2018 – Last night, FX Networks officially unveiled The LEGION Chamber, an artistic video installation inspired by the FX drama series Legion which allows fans to step inside a 360-degree micro-theatre featuring a one-of-a-kind presentation by the internationally-acclaimed Marco Brambilla Studio. An extraordinary visual art piece hosted at Goya Studios in Hollywood this weekend (March 30 – April 1) only, The LEGION Chamber takes fans on a surreal journey through main character David Haller’s altered states of reality forcing them, like him, to question what is real and what is not. Once inside, participants will find themselves disconnected from the outside world – literally – and fully entrenched in David’s hypnotic digital realm. Legion, the acclaimed drama series from creator and executive producer Noah Hawley, will return to FX on Tuesday, April 3 at 10 PM ET/PT.

The LEGION Chamber hours and location details are below:

HOURS

  • Friday, March 30th – 11AM – 7PM
  • Saturday, March 31st – 11AM – 7PM
  • Sunday, April 1st – 10AM – 6PM

LOCATION

Goya Studios, Stage C
1541 N. Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, Ca 90028

For more information on how to experience The LEGION Chamber, go to facebook.com/legionfx.

WonderCon 2018 After Action Report

WonderCon once again returned to the Anaheim Convention Center and we were fortunate enough to attend. The little brother to the San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon sees tons of exhibitors, cosplayers, and fans turn out to shop and congregate. This year, there seemed to be a lot more attendees walking the show floor, perusing the exhibitor booths for things to purchase and ogle. Last year at WonderCon, I purchased an Ultra Saber and proudly wielded it around the floow while taking pictures. This year, I picked up a Soul of Chogokin Gypsy Danger being sold several days before its advertised street date!

The Anaheim Convention Center does have food for when you get hungry – although, I would highly recommend leaving the center for lunch and heading over to the Anaheim Hilton which is located smack dab against it. The Hilton there has a great restaurant that is not frequented by many con guests so you can usually get right in when all the other attendees slog it out in the food courts. The restaurant has great convention day burgers that I recommend. Outside the convention center, you could also find a long row of food trucks, all with their own style of cuisine. If you couldn’t find something you liked there, you were just lying to yourself.

Past the food trucks, one could find AMC’s The Terror Experience based on their new show, The Terror. The experience, like most experiences at conventions, was short, but a lot of fun and I hope it’s a harbinger of things to come for WonderCon. Small interactive installations are something that fans LOVE at San Diego Comic-Con and seeing someone do it at WonderCon was great. My only advice would have been to put the experience closer to the convention center instead of forcing guests to walk through food truck row – that place was super crowded and we almost couldn’t find the experience with as far down as it was.

Panels are a huge part of the San Diego Comic-Con, but WonderCon has steadily been gaining notice by the entertainment industry and this year saw some good panels – including one from Warner Bros. Pictures which featured the cast and crew of Ready Player One! Also fun were the Geek & Sundry panels – which also included a live taping of “Talks Machina”, the after show component of their popular web series, Critical Role.

Overall, this year’s WonderCon was the best yet, and a great warm up to what I hope to find at the San Diego Comic-Con in July.

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Thermaltake Unveils Pure Plus 12 LED RGB Radiator Fan TT Premium Edition

Taipei, Taiwan-March 30th, 2018-Thermaltake today announced the release of the Pure Plus 12 LED RGB Radiator Fan TT Premium Edition (3-Fan Pack). It features a silent yet powerful 120mm PWM fan and a digital 16.8 million colors LED ring that is designed with 9 addressable LEDs. The Pure Plus 12 RGB is a newly added member of the TT RGB PLUS Ecosystem that enables users to control the LED lighting and fan speeds via Thermaltake’s patented TT RGB PLUS Software and TT AI Voice Control. In terms of the fan design, the Pure Plus 12 RGB utilizes hydraulic bearing and compression blades with 9 blades design, maximizing the cooling performance without sacrificing quiet operation.

For more details on Thermaltake Pure Plus 12 LED RGB Radiator Fan TT Premium Edition (3-Fan Pack), please visit: http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00003232

Respawn Now Official Gaming Chair of HSEL

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. – Mar. 29, 2018 – The High School Esports League (HSEL) announced today that RESPAWN Products, a North Carolina-based gaming furniture maker, is now the official gaming furniture provider for affiliated high schools participating in the HSEL’s programs and tournaments across the United States.

The HSEL is a high school league that provides high school level competition across thirteen different games and has over 10,000 students participating. By supporting young student esports athletes with the structure and resources to compete in an organized esports league, HSEL gives their players the opportunity to attract university-level team interest and potential monetary scholarships. The spring season for the HSEL closes April 2nd – students and administrators interested in signing up their school teams can contact: sponsorships@highschoolesportsleague.com.

“We understand the importance of equipping our young adults and esports athletes with the right equipment for play, and so we look forward to working with RESPAWN so that our network of high schools can gear up,” said Mason Mullenioux, CEO of HSEL. “Through this partnership with RESPAWN, we aim to provide the ability for our high school players to experience the same high quality gaming furniture that professionals use in esports competitions around the world.”

Backed by a pedigree in ergonomic furniture, RESPAWN is a leader in the gaming furniture space making quality gear that meets gamers’ specific needs at an accessible price point. RESPAWN has committed to supporting esports through a number of partnerships, including at the collegiate level with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE).

“It’s important to us to invest in the future of esports on the ground floor, which is currently the amazing group of players playing at the high school level in HSEL,” said Blake Zalcberg, CEO of OFM, Inc. “We are ecstatic to outfit these young professionals with gear they can be proud of and that will help them boost their game to the collegiate level.”

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Announced for Pinball FX3 this April

San Francisco, CA – March 29, 2018   Today, Zen Studios announces two new exciting tables based on Star Wars™: The Last Jedi™, coming to Pinball FX3 on April 17. With one table based on the overall plot of the film and another more focused on Luke Skywalker’s hideaway on Ahch-To Island, the Star Wars PinballThe Last Jedi pack will be available for download on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and Windows 10, as well as on the App Store, Google Play, and Mac through the Zen Pinball and Star Wars Pinball apps.

Both tables in the Star Wars PinballThe Last Jedi pack reimagine memorable moments from the film in an interactive way only Pinball FX3 can deliver, from fast-paced pinball action to an advanced leaderboard system and RPG-like progression. Sound effects straight from the film complement an authentic Star Wars soundtrack, as animated 3D models bring everything to life. Join Luke Skywalker, Rey, Finn, Chewbacca, R2-D2, BB-8 and Captain Phasma—even Porgs!—in galaxy-spanning antics from the far reaches of the Outer Rim to Luke’s hideaway in the Unknown Regions.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Survive a First Order onslaught as the Resistance, train Rey in the ways of the Force on Ahch-To, and defend Finn from Captain Phasma, blasting away at stormtroopers as BB-8. Jump a ramp to shoot down TIE fighters, fight off Kylo Ren’s TIE Silencer, and teach Rey that the Force isn’t just moving rocks!
Star Wars: Ahch-To Island  Luke Skywalker (reluctantly) welcomes you to his secluded hideaway. Train Rey in the ways of the Force, convince Luke to join the Resistance and help Chewbacca deal with some Porg problems. You’ll even get a taste of everyday life on the island as Luke, including reminiscing about his Rebellion days through R2-D2’s hologram projections. And when the lights go off during a multiball mode? Let’s just hope the Force is with you…
“We at Zen are happy to celebrate five years of making fan-favorite Star Wars Pinball tables,” says Mel Kirk, VP of Publishing at Zen Studios. “Once our Star Wars PinballThe Last Jedi pack is released, players will be able to choose from no fewer than 16 robust tables set in that iconic galaxy far, far away. We’ve built an incredible community over the years, and we hope to keep pleasing them through Pinball FX3 for years to come.”

For more information on Star Wars™ Pinball: The Last Jedi™ as well as the rest of Zen’s library of digital titles, please visit blog.zenstudios.com.

UCI Announces Second Course in Esports Management

IRVINE, Calif. (March 22, 2018) – With the Esports industry expanding to record heights, the market is expected to generate approximately 1.5 billion dollars in revenue by 2020 – which means it is increasing at a rate of 40 percent per year. This attracts many who are interested in combining their love of video games with an opportunity to make it a viable career. To meet this demand, the University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education (DCE) is offering a new online course titled, “Effective Communication in Esports.” As the market continues to flourish, the industry will have an increased demand for professionals with the right mix of training, passion and knowledge. Enrollment for the online course is now open, with the course running from May 7 to June 17.

“Passion for Esports will no longer be enough to secure a job in the industry,” said Stephane Muller, director of business programs for DCE. “To be able to remain competitive in such a rapidly expanding market like Esports, one must have a foundation of understanding to set yourself apart from others and earning a certificate program in Esports is a great way to establish that authority.”

Effective forms of communication are essential in every industry, particularly in Esports, where decision makers often hold different levels of knowledge. In this course, participants will learn how to apply presentation tactics and communication strategies to specific Esports scenarios. Students will gain hands-on practice and hone all major types of communications for emails, written proposals and presentations.

“Esports is an industry, a discipline, and a craft. All of this is new and being shaped by the market,” said Jonathan Pan, course instructor at DCE, former Product Manager at Riot Games and currently on the Community and Esports team at Amazon. “A few years ago, having great passion alone would be enough to get into the industry. Most of the top content creators, casters, and corporate Esports professionals are where they are at today because they got in early, was good, and rode the growth wave. Those days are over. With hundreds to thousands of applicants for every open Esports role today, you either need to have a connection in the industry or demonstrate some level of effort beyond passion to get an entry level role. Getting a formal education such as the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education Esports certificate program, demonstrates that level of effort.”

UCI Division of Continuing Education is currently developing an Esports Management Certificate Program that will provide a comprehensive understanding of the Esports and online gaming industry. Curriculum will include plans on how to execute an Esports tournament, project management skills and how to create a business plan for a team, community event or any other opportunity geared towards the Esports audience. Sign up here to stay informed of this unique opportunity.

For more information on the “Effective Communication in Esports” online course, please visit here or call (949) 824-9796.