Author - Jennifer Paxton

Six Flags Great Adventure to Raise Wages in 2018

2018/03/06
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, News

JACKSON, N.J. ─ March 6, 2018 ─ Six Flags Great Adventure today announced that it is has raised the wages of key park positions for the 2018 season, which kicks off March 24. Jobs in culinary services, ride operations and park services (janitorial) begin at $10 to $10.50 per hour for day shift and $10.50 to $11.50 for night shift, an approximate $2 per hour increase over 2017.

“This wage increase is a demonstration of our commitment to being the employer of choice for central New Jersey,” said Christine Parker, Six Flags’ director of human resources and administration.

Recently named one of the Nation’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® by The National Association for Business Resources for the second year in a row, Six Flags offers a wide variety of positions and paid internships, and provides team members many benefits including advancement opportunities, reward and recognition programs, educational scholarships, free park admission, incentives from area businesses and much more.

New applicants can walk in to the Employment Center without an appointment during regular operating hours, or visit one of two spring job fairs. The park will host its final job fair prior to the March 24 season opening on March 11. New applicants are encouraged to visit www.sixflagsjobs.com to complete an online pre-employment application, and rehires can complete their online rehire packet.

Six Flags Spring Hiring Events:

  • Job Fairs – March 11 and May 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
    • All new applicants are welcome. Six Flags Employment Center.
  • Employment Center Walk-Ins – Mondays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • All rehires and new applicants are welcome.

Where to Apply:

Available Positions:

Ride operations, retail, games, park services, culinary services, admissions, guest relations/VIP services, market research, loss prevention, security, landscaping, safari guides, lifeguards, entertainment performers and show technical support, accounting, cash control, corporate alliance brand ambassadors, public relations and human resources.

More information is available at www.sixflags.com/greatadventure

Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 Official Teaser Trailer

2018/02/28
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

February 28, 2018 – Walt Disney Animation Studios has released the official teaser trailer for Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2. The film reunites Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz as they enter the wide world web and, undoubtedly, get into all sorts of adventures. The film is set to release on Thanksgiving!

About Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2

Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 leaves Litwak’s video arcade behind, venturing into the uncharted, expansive and thrilling world of the internet—which may or may not survive Ralph’s wrecking. Video game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) must risk it all by traveling to the world wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet—the netizens—to help navigate their way, including a webite entrepreneur named Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site “BuzzzTube.” Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and Phil Johnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Cedar Rapids,” co-writer “Zootopia,”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt”), “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-Ralph 2” hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.

Funcom Unveils Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden

2018/02/28
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

OSLO, Norway – February 28th, 2018 – Of course the world ends, it was just a question of time. Extreme climate change, global economic crisis, a lethal pandemic, and increasing tension between old and new superpowers. For the first time since 1945 nuclear weapons were used in armed conflict. Mushroom clouds rose from east to west before the dust settled. The humans are gone. The Mutants are here.

Funcom, the independent games developer and publisher, and Bearded Ladies, a Sweden-based game development studio that includes former ‘Hitman’ designers and Ulf Andersson the designer of ‘PAYDAY’, today announced a brand-new game called ‘Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden’. Proudly standing out as a tactical adventure game, it combines the tactical turn-based combat of ‘XCOM’ with real-time exploration and stealth gameplay, wrapping it all up in a deep storyline set on a post-human Earth.

The game, which is being developed by Bearded Ladies and published by Funcom, is set to release in 2018 on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Players must take control of a team of unlikely heroes, such as Dux (a crossbow-wielding, walking, talking duck) and Bormin (a boar with serious anger issues), and help them navigate a post-human Earth with its abandoned cities, crumbling highways, and mutated monsters on every corner. The ultimate goal: save yourselves by finding the legendary Eden.

“It’s an unusual label for a game, but tactical adventure really fits the bill, no duck pun intended,” says Executive Producer Ulf Andersson at Bearded Ladies. Andersson is also known for being the designer of the 2011 megahit ‘PAYDAY’. “Our goal is to blend the deep and tactical combat of ‘XCOM’ with a branching storyline that unfolds as you explore overgrown forests and abandoned cities with your team of Mutants. Mixing that with real-time stealth gameplay gives you a unique way to approach or avoid combat situations you encounter while exploring.”

For more video material, screenshots, and more information about ‘Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden’, please visit the official website that launched today on www.mutantyearzero.com.

Funcom will be showing off the first ever live gameplay at GDC 2018 in San Francisco in March. Demos will be held behind closed doors at the Moscone Center showfloor. Those interested in checking out the game and meeting with the developers can get in touch with Funcom to set up an appointment.

‘Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden’ is powered by Unreal Engine and will be available on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 in 2018. The game is based on the classic ‘Mutant’ IP that has spawned several popular pen and paper role-playing games since the 1980s, including the current ‘Mutant: Year Zero’ from Free League and Modiphius Entertainment. The IP is owned by the Cabinet Group and the interactive rights are controlled by Heroic Signatures, a company owned by both Cabinet Group and Funcom.

Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia Gaelic Cinematic Trailer

2018/02/23
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

February 23, 2018 – There are multiple routes to a glorious victory in Thrones of Britannia. For Flann Sinna, King of the Gaelic Kingdom of Mide (later High King of Ireland), there is one that is truly coveted – uniting the lands into a new, greater kingdom. To realise his ambition Flann plots a dangerous alliance with the nearby Viking factions, a gamble which may not pay off.

See Flann Sinna’s unholy allegiance with the Vikings in the King Flann Sinna Trailer, premiering today here:

Players can achieve their ambitions of unification in Thrones of Britannia via the Kingdom Victory Condition. Achieving this victory involves carefully plotting a path through a branching narrative of unique objectives.

Check out how the Mide faction play with a slice of Campaign gameplay in the Mide Campaign Let’s Play here: https://youtu.be/rE46BWFTBLE

Further new details on Thrones of Britannia can be found on the Steam page, here: http://store.steampowered.com/app/712100/Total_War_Saga_Thrones_of_Britannia

For more information:

Total War website: www.totalwar.com

Total War on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TotalWar

Total War on Twitter: www.twitter.com/totalwar

FINAL FANTASY XV Windows Edition Demo Date

2018/02/22
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 22, 2018) – Fans will be able to experience all of Chapter 1 and fully explore the tutorial and opening quests of the epic adventure in Eos through an upcoming demo for FINALFANTASY® XV WINDOWS EDITION. This free demo will be available ahead of the game’s release on STEAM®, Origin and Windows 10.

Exclusive in-game items and bonuses have also been revealed for fans who pre-purchase or purchase FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION:

STEAM

  • From now until May 1, players who purchase or pre-purchase the game from STEAM will receive the Half-Life® Pack, which features:
    • In-game costume for Noctis based on Gordon Freeman, star of the legendary Half-Life first-person video game series including the HEV Suit, Scientist Glasses and Crowbar
  • The Half-Life Pack will also available for FINAL FANTASY XV MULTIPLAYER EXPANSION: COMRADES
  • Players who pre-order the game from STEAM will receive the bonus “FFXV Fashion Collection” containing a selection of T-shirts for Noctis to wear, including:
    • The strength-enhancing EPISODE GLADIOLUS Tee
    • The HP recovery rate-increasing EPISODE PROMPTO Tee
    • The critical hit rate-increasing EPISODE IGNIS Tee
    • The maximum HP-increasing COMRADES Tee

Origin*

  • Players who pre-order the game from Origin will receive the bonus “FFXV Decal Selection,” containing an array of colorful decals for the Regalia car celebrating Gladiolus, Prompto and Ignis, along with the men and women of the Kingsglaive.

*Details regarding the early purchase bonuses for Origin will be announced at a later time.

Microsoft Store

  • The save data from the Windows 10 version of FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION is compatible with the Xbox One version of FINAL FANTASY XV. In addition, a post-launch update for FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION will enable Windows 10 and Xbox One cross play for FINAL FANTASY XV MULTIPLAYER EXPANSION: COMRADES.
  • Players who pre-order the game from the Microsoft Store will receive the bonus “FFXV Powerup Pack,” containing Dodanuki, a sleek sword created by a legendary bladesmith that reduces enemy defense with each slash. The pack also includes 10 phoenix downs and 10 elixirs.

Additional details regarding the game’s pre-order bonuses are available here: http://sqex.to/FF15PC

FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION features:

  • Expanded Map: Insomnia City Ruins – all-new side quests and enemies such as Cerberus and Omega will be available through the expanded map of the Crown City of Insomnia. Players can also take on a battle with the Rulers of Yore.
  • A fully-controllable Royal Vessel boat, expanding the world of Eos and allowing players to explore the area between Cape Caem and Altissia. Players will also be able to fish aboard the vessel and discover new fish and recipes.
  • A new accessory that can activate the new action “Armiger Unleashed” – players will be able to unleash powerful attacks while the Armiger is summoned. After collecting all of the royal arms, players will be able to find an accessory in an unidentified part of the world, enabling access to Armiger Unleashed.
  • A new first-person camera mode, allowing players to experience the game from Noctis’ perspective.
  • More than a dozen pieces of downloadable content including weapons, Regalia car skins and item sets.
  • All current season pass content including: EPISODE GLADIOLUS, EPISODE PROMPTO, MULTIPLAYER EXPANSION: COMRADES and EPISODE IGNIS.
  • Archive – players can review the “Cosmogony” stories scattered throughout the FINAL FANTASY XV world. Additional local myths and legends will also be placed in various new locations. Through them, players will be able to obtain more information about the world.
  • Quest to obtain and strengthen Regalia Type-D.

The game supports Native 4K and 8K resolutions with HDR10 and DOLBY ATMOS® along with ongoing mod support. Minimum, recommended and 4K HDR PC specifications for players looking to enjoy the ultimate experience on PC are outlined below.

Minimum Specs Recommended Specs 4K HDR Specs
OS Windows® 7 SP1/ Windows® 8.1 / Windows® 10 64-bit Windows® 7 SP1/ Windows® 8.1 / Windows® 10 64-bit Windows® 10 64-bit Fall Creators update
CPU Intel® Core™ i5-2500（3.3GHz and above）
AMD FX™-6100 （3.3GHz and above）		 Intel® Core™ i7-3770（3.4GHz and above）
AMD FX™-8350（4.0 GHz and above）		 Intel® Core™ i7-7700 （3.6GHz and above）
AMD Ryzen™ 5 1600X （3.6GHz and above）
Graphics Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 760
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050
AMD Radeon™ R9 280		 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 6 GB VRAM
Radeon™ RX 480		 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1080 Ti
Main Memory 8GB 16GB 16GB
Screen Resolution 720p 1080p 4K HDR (2160p)
Hard Disc Free Space on SSD OVER 100GB OVER 155GB
Sound Card DirectSound® Sound Card, Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos
DirectX® DirectX 11
Other DVD-ROM／DVD-ROM Drive*, mouse, keyboard, gamepad**
*A DVD-ROM Drive (one-sided 1 layer / 2 layer) is required
**Game is compatible with gamepad but not required

*Note if the customer’s computer doesn’t meet the operating environment requirements, or even in the case that it does meet the environment requirements and recommended requirements, there will be cases where the operations may not function correctly due to the combinations or compatibility between each of the drivers, hardware and software.

*Note that the physical version disc is an installer only. Internet connection as well as STEAM account registration is required in order to play the game. Any internet access fee or connection fee must be covered by the customer.

For more information on FINAL FANTASY XV, visit: http://www.finalfantasyxv.com/

FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION will be available on March 6. This game is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings.

EA PLAY 2018 Announced

2018/02/22
Jennifer Paxton
E3, Geek News, News

February 22, 2018 – Electronic Arts is returning to the heart of Hollywood once again with EA PLAY 2018. At the core of EA PLAY are amazing games, fun experiences and thousands of players that bring these gaming communities to life. This summer, the three-day event will include more EA brands, more hands-on stations and more entertainment than ever before. If viewing from home, pull up for a front row seat because EA.com is gearing up to deliver breaking news, behind-the-scenes stories and live content to take players deep inside the games. Or get a different view through the lens of some of the world’s biggest community creators – whether that’s on YouTube and Twitch or Facebook and Twitter, among others. These are the biggest games of the year, and some of the world’s biggest names in social media will be vlogging and streaming directly from the show.

  • Where: Hollywood Palladium
  • When: June 9-11, 2018
  • Time: Saturday 2pm – 8pm; Sunday & Monday 10am – 8pm

At EA PLAY 2018, players looking for intense action will have a chance to play the next Battlefield™ experience, all the upcoming EA SPORTS™ games, and get an inside look at the stunning new action game, Anthem™. For a more lighthearted fare, gamers will get to play The Sims™ 4, as well as EA’s biggest mobile hits. For those able to make it to Hollywood, there’s a lot in store: hundreds of game stations, awesome game demos, lots of experiences for attendees and families, including music, art, food, souvenirs and entertainment for everyone.

Tickets will be available this Spring. EA will be introducing a new ticketing system to give players better hands-on access to their favorite games. Stay tuned over the coming weeks and months to learn more about EA PLAY 2018 including ticket availability, entertainment, program schedule and more.

Whether they are attending in person, watching the livestream via EA.com or enjoying content from their favorite creators, EA PLAY is the event that brings all gamers together, all over the world.

To stay informed about EA PLAY, sign up for the newsletter below or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Pizza Connection 3 Beta Sign-Ups and Release Date Change

2018/02/06
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News

Wiesbaden, 06 February 2018 – The release date of the highly anticipated business simulation Pizza Connection 3 has been moved to March 22, 2018. In addition developer Gentlymad Studios updated the Pizza Connection 3 Beta and offers 100 new Slots for fans to participate and help to provide precious feedback.

If you want to have the chance to win one of the coveted beta keys, you can register at Assemble entertainment at the following address:

http://betatest.assemble-entertainment.com/en/PC3

The selected participants will be notified by E-Mail.

Last but not least new screenshots of Pizza Connection 3 have been released!

Assemble Entertainment will release Pizza Connection 3 on March 22 Europe-wide in retail and worldwide digital for PC, Mac and Linux (SteamOS) at a recommended retail price  of €29.99. The business simulation is being developed by the Assemble-own developer Studio Gentlymad in Wiesbaden. Pizza Connection 3 can be pre-ordered on various digital portals, for example Steam, with a 15% discount.

Solo: A Star Wars Story Super Bowl TV Spot

2018/02/04
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

Tonight, during the Big Game, the highly anticipated first look at SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY premiered. Feel free to share it with your readers. And, get ready for tomorrow, when the SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY teaser trailer debuts during “Good Morning America.”

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY opens in U.S. theaters on May 25, 2018.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY

LUCASFILM

Website and Mobile site: www.starwars.com

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Follow us on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/starwars

Follow us on Instagram: @StarWarsMovies

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 and Paul Bettany.

Knott’s Berry Farm Peanuts Celebration 2018 Review

2018/01/28
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, Misc Review, News, Reviews, Screenshots / Photos

The first annual Knott’s Peanuts Celebration is underway at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. Bridging the gap between the “Merry Farm” and the “Boysenberry Festival”, the Peanuts Celebration celebrates exactly that: The Peanuts Gang and their contribution to the park’s identity over the years.

Walking into Knott’s Berry Farm on a cool Southern California Winter’s day, I was pleasantly surprised to see multiple photo booth/opportunities setup for guests to enjoy. The placement, being so close to the entrance, did make the area somewhat crowded, but it passed quickly as I waled into Ghost Town. While park makeovers like the Merry Farm and Scary Farm are pretty invasive, the Peanuts Celebration decor is much more minimal, but still a lot of fun. You will see kites stuck in trees, several photo opportunity booths, new Peanuts Celebration signage, and more.  The livery stable in Ghost Town has been transformed into “PigPen’s Pigpen” where you can see some livestock as well as take photos with Pig-Pen – who was never featured as a character in the park until now!

The Calico Mine Stage features two different shows – one in the daytime called “Music Goes Round and Round” with Sally and Schroeder, and one in the evening called “Woodstock’s Musical Festival” which has the whole gang joining in the fun. One really cool offering in Ghost Town was over att the Bird Cage Theatre, where you could learn to draw your favorite Peanuts characters and watch Peanuts specials during downtime. What used to the be the fan-favorite Halloween Haunt Museum has been transformed into “Inside Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz” and is a sort of Peanuts museum, going into their creation and evolution over the decades.

Making my way into the Boardwalk, I happened upon several members of the Peanuts gang riding on a small trolley, waving at the kids as they passed by. I am not sure where they were going, but the trolley was cool. I also got the chance to check out some of the new Peanuts Celebration-themed snacks and deserts that Knott’s has made for the event…. Man they are tasty treats – my favorite being the Charlie Brownies. You can check out some of the offerings in the photo gallery below but, rest assured, if you like sweets you won’t be disappointed! Fiesta Plaza, a sometimes underused area of the park, is now home to the “Lucy and Sally’s Fiesta Fantasy” musical show. Camp Snoopy, as one would guess, has had a huge amount of extra stuff added for the kids. From new area decor to the kid-sized Grand Sierra Railroad makeover, and even a big stage show at the Camp Snoopy Theatre called “Lucy and Charlie Brown’s Balancing Act”, it’s a lot of fun.

Of course, along with all this, you still can enjoy the normal stuff that Knott’s Berry Farm has to offer. The park’s upcoming roller coaster, Hang Time, is track-finished and looks pretty has a very impressive silhouette in the Boardwalk skyline. Also, the weather is playing rather nicely right now in Southern California – warmer than you’d expect for Winter but also with plenty of cooler days, making it a great time to visit the park.

Overall, the Knott’s Peanuts Celebration is a terrific time – especially for the kids, and runs on weekends from January 27 through February 25, 2018, plus Presidents’ Day. The best part is that there is no extra fee to attend the celebration – all those extras are included with your regular park ticket. Knott’s Berry Farm is open most every day and you can find hours of operation, ticket purchasing info, and more over at their official website.

Photo Gallery

Ubisoft Unveils Sam Personal Gaming Assistant

2018/01/24
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

SAN FRANCISCO — January 24, 2018 — Today, Ubisoft® announced Sam, the company’s first personal gaming assistant to enhance players’ gaming experience. Sam leverages players’ profile information, game library, friends, community and Ubisoft services to deliver tailored tips and information. Sam is in open beta and can be accessed now through the free Ubisoft Club mobile app. Currently, Sam is available in English only in Canada, with plans to extend the open beta to more markets in the coming months.

Sam is part of Ubisoft’s efforts to continue innovating the Ubisoft Club and delivering new benefits to members. When gamers want to know about a release date, see a trailer, discover Easter Eggs in a game or chat with Sam about the best Assassin in the series, Sam will direct them to the appropriate page on the Ubisoft website or elsewhere on the web. By chatting through voice or text input, players can ask Sam anything about Ubisoft games and services through Sam’s chatbot Q&A feature. Sam is directly linked to a player’s Ubisoft account, which allows it to analyze their latest matches and provide tailored hints and tips through the Daily Login feature which is introduced with Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Siege. Sam will analyze why a player is struggling during matches and will proactively send a video tip from the community. As Sam is in beta, additional features are planned in the coming months to enrich the service offered to the Ubisoft players.

Sam leverages Google Cloud’s Dialogflow Enterprise Edition, an end-to-end development suite that uses natural language processing to build conversational interfaces. This technology will continue to help the dev team interpret and answer questions from users, as well as highlight the frequently asked questions for faster addition to Sam’s database.

“With Sam, our ambition is to create an innovative and helpful service for players, one that knows them and helps push them get more out of their gaming experience. Sam provides a more personalized experience for our fans and delivers them what they need faster, so they can spend less time searching and more time playing,” said Stephanie Perotti, vice president of online services at Ubisoft. “Incorporating Google Cloud’s Dialogflow Enterprise Edition has helped us work dynamically and iterate faster so we can better service our fans.”

For more information on the Ubisoft Club, please visit https://club.ubisoft.com.

The Ubisoft Club mobile app can be downloaded on Google Play and App Store.