Liverpool, United Kingdom – September 1st – Independent studio, Atomicom and publisher GamesCo, today announced that JCB Pioneer: Mars, its survival sandbox game, is now available on Steam Early Access. Set on the titular red planet, JCB Pioneer: Mars asks the player to utilise hard science in their attempts to successfully colonise its dusty wilds. Taking the wheel of futuristic, ultra-rugged JCB vehicles, players must explore the alien landscape, mine precious materials, construct large-scale buildings and research new technologies to ensure humanity’s future lies beyond planet Earth. View the launch trailer here.
“JCB Pioneer: Mars brings the harsh reality of the red planet to life with detailed high definition graphics, vehicle physics and weather effects as you prepare Mars for human colonisation,” said Andy Santos, Design Director of Atomicom. “Launching with over 20+ hours of content, we are excited to hear the player response that will shape our future development roadmap.”
“At JCB, innovation is in our lifeblood and we are constantly exploring new thinking andJCB Pioneer Mars provides a vision of the tools needed for future space colonisation”, said Worldwide Marketing Director, Michael Plummer. “It’s been an incredible experience for our visionary design team to build a series of futuristic heavy-duty construction and mining vehicles, optimised for exploration and mining on Mars”.
JCB Pioneer: Mars begins as the player awakes from a crash, surrounded by the wreckage of their Lander vehicle amidst falling debris and hurtling winds. Survival is the first goal–the location of oxygen and the establishment of an outpost. As the player slowly begins to establish themselves on Mars, learning to combat the planets fierce and hostile weather patterns, they’ll begin a larger operation of colonisation. Life-support infrastructure is crucial but so to is the mining of natural resources, part of a broader mission to save an ailing Earth.
JCB Pioneer: Mars is a hardcore blend of survival and construction gameplay set on the hostile, alien planet. Meteor strikes, dust clouds and electrical storms all threaten the player’s survival and chances of a successful colonisation effort. But equipped with the futuristic, heavy-duty construction and mining vehicles specifically designed by JCB Engineers, every would-be astronaut has a chance of surviving and thriving in the face of extreme planetary challenges. Esteemed astrophysicist, Dr Maggie Lieu, provided advice to Atomicom during the development process, as well as making an in game cameo appearance.
August 31, 2017 – 704Games, NASCAR Team Properties’ exclusive console simulation-style video game licensee, has released a new developer diary for NASCAR Heat 2. In addition to the standard events fans know, NASCAR Heat 2 raises the stakes with six new courses, including three road tracks, two ovals and one dirt track. This latest video takes a look at the moves the team is taking to ensure each and every scenario feels as true to life as possible when racing.
Developed by Monster Games, NASCAR Heat 2 sports NASCAR’s top drivers, teams and tracks, expanding on the core experience of last year’s NASCAR Heat Evolution with a deeper career mode supporting all three national racing series, the return of two-player local multiplayer, expanded online multiplayer functionality, and upgraded visuals, physics and damage models.
NASCAR Heat 2 is expected to launch on Sept. 12 in the U.S. on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC via Steam for $49.99. It is available to preorder now at www.NASCARHeat.com and is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB.
Buena Park, Calif. (August 2017) – The most haunting Halloween event in Southern California, Knott’s Scary Farm, returns with unimaginable scares and innovative thrills for its 45th season. The fully transformed park will feature 13 uniquely haunted mazes and attractions, including the return of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, for her last performance as she bids farewell to the Scary Farm crowds with an all-new show. Knott’s Scary Farm is back for 25 horrifying nights from September 21 – October 31. This year’s Knott’s Scary Farm experience has all the ingredients of a truly terrifying nightmare, but unlike most dreams, Knott’s Scary Farm is a nightmare you can’t wake up from.
The new season will bring unnerving nightmares to life as it debuts three all-new, unique haunted attractions, each introducing new menacing storylines and heinous never-before-seen characters.
Dark Ride(New for 2017) – Guests will journey through an abandoned carnival ride where cruel characters still linger in the shadows in Dark Ride, Knott’s Scary Farm’s newest maze. The carnival attraction has become a refuge for sideshow freaks and now those shunned performers have created an ominous world where they plan to unleash terror on those who enter. Dark Ride will lead brave visitors through a treacherous path and into the bowels of a long neglected attraction as sinister shadows and horrifying scenes cast darkness over the once pleasant ride.
Pumpkin Eater(New for 2017) – Daring guests will attempt to survive the wrath of the murderous 7-foot tall creature that haunts the old woods surrounding The Hollow in this year’s new maze, Pumpkin Eater. The notorious creature is on the prowl, hidden within the dark confines of the haunted town he once terrorized. To escape the sinister Pumpkin Eater’s wrath all who enter must go on a quest through the silent town of victims, face a cave of crawling insects and solve the labyrinth of thorns that blocks the only way out.
Trick-or-Treat: Lights Out (New for 2017) – Scared of the dark? Returning more sinister and twisted than ever before, guests are invited to step inside the Green Witch’s haunted home and venture through its dark pathways in Trick or Treat: Lights Out. Armed with only a faulty flashlight, brave visitors must face the terror of the Green Witch’s house completely in the dark. Featuring new state-of-the-art effects, unexpected scares and other eerie surprises, Trick-or-Treat is back to terrorize like never before.
Returning Favorites
Returning for the last and final year at Knott’s Scary Farm, Elvira is back with a bang, in a brand new spectacular farewell show, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. The exclusive performance will pay homage to the Queen of Halloween’s celebrated comedy-horror film, complete with musical numbers, dance and humor. Knott’s Scary Farm will be the exclusive home of Elvira for her final performance this Halloween season.
Special Ops: Infected – The city is in need of brave soldiers looking to stop the zombie apocalypse in an all-out war against the undead in this interactive experience, Special Ops: Infected. Armed with specially designed laser guns, brave groups of guests will embark on a mission to find the cure to the infection by navigating through sprawling city streets and buildings. The popular attraction includes blood thirsty zombies, more interactive targets than ever before, along with multiple action-packed surprises hidden around every corner.
Shadow Lands – A fulfilling life ensures a soul safe passage into eternity, but what happens to the souls of soldiers slain in battle? The Shadow Lands maze invites valiant wanderers to fight off demon samurais whose souls are cursed to rot within the depths of purgatory. Guests will embark on a quest through a sacred shrine, an ancient Japanese temple and into the midst of the shadow lands.
PARANORMAL, INC. – A fan favorite, Paranormal Inc., returns to Hayden Hill for another bone-chilling year. Featuring high flying aerial stunts and scares, guests investigate a haunted hospital. Where demonic spirits have been detected throughout the mysterious halls and new unexpected bloodcurdling surprises are hidden around every corner.
Red Barn – The horrifying, blood-soaked Red Barn re-opens its doors, filled with carnivorous animals seeking to prey on human flesh in the park’s goriest maze. Legend has it, the farmer who owns the barn was transformed into a heinous creature who sends his sadistic sons to procure food and new victims. None dare enter the barn, for those who enter, never escape.
The Tooth Fairy – This twisted tooth fairy steals more than just baby teeth as he drags his victims out of their bedroom window and into a world of cruel dentistry. Unbelievable special effects include a blackout room through which guests must feel their way out, a disorienting x-ray strobe light room, and a final encounter with the terrifying tooth fairy himself. Say aahhh.
Voodoo – Order of the Serpent: The haunting legend of Papa Legba continues as guests follow him on his foreboding journey to conjure the serpent demon goddess in the outskirts of New Orleans. Trudge cautiously through the cursed swamps of the Deep South, where creatures search the murky bogs for their next bloody sacrifice and demons curse the innocent with Voodoo hexes.
The Hanging®: – A live stage show on the Calico Mine stage irreverently looks back at the year’s pop culture with killer comedy. Notorious for its special effects, pyrotechnics and high-flying stunts, The Hanging is a no-holds-barred assault on pop culture’s most infamous moments of the past year. A must see parody!
Scare Zones
Knott’s Scary Farm is far more than a collection of haunted attractions. Every night monsters spill out onto the streets and turn theme park midways into murderous scare zones. From the world famous Ghost Town Streets to the Boardwalk area filled with evil clowns, there’s nowhere to hide at Knott’s Scary Farm.
Ghost Town Streets is the original and largest, most terrifying scare zone that started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog, while the notoriously startling sliders lunge from every fog-filled corner of the land. Fiesta De Los Muertos features colorful costumes and larger than life stilt walkers in a dark scare zone. In the Boardwalk, clowns crave your undying attention in the CarnEVIL scare zone. Returning for a second year, The Hollow scare zone will terrorize guests as they find themselves in a war between three covens of witches and their armies of the undead. The fog-filled streets along with the army of the undead treacherously blend into the shadowy night as they frighten all whom they encounter. Featuring an all new fiery finale, The Hollow is a practically all new with a themed maze to accompany it.
Knott’s Scary Farm Pass & Admission
– The Knott’s Scary Farm Pass returns for the 2017 season and offers unlimited visits to all 25 event nights. Current 2017 Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholders can purchase the pass at the limited time price of $80 and non-passholders can purchase the Scary Farm Pass for just $90. Prices valid through Sept. 17 or while supplies last. Plus applicable taxes and fees.
– Single night tickets – Buy ticketsat KnottsScaryFarm.com and save up to $35 off the regular main gate price of $75. Knott’s Season Passholders receive a discount on single night tickets. Applicable taxes and fees apply to online orders.
– Fright & Fast Lane – For the first time ever, ride and scream all night long with unlimited priority access to all mazes plus priority boarding on all Fast Lane rides. Fright & Fast Lane starts at $80 and varies by night. Separate Scary Farm park admission required, and not included.
– Combo Tickets offering admission plus Fright & Fast Lane are an especially great value starting as low as $115 plus applicable taxes and fees. This combo is only available online. Save up to $40 with this admission plus Fright & Fast Lane Combo and Knott’s Season Passholders save up to an additional $5.
– Scary Farm Boo-Fet + Early Entry – Offered at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant and Spurs Chophouse, munch with monsters before Knott’s Scary Farm opens each night. Meals include a 2017 souvenir bottle, which includes unlimited complimentary refills on the event night and $1.00 refills for the rest of the 2017 season. After dinner, enjoy early entry into select parts of Knott’s Scary Farm a few minutes before it opens to other mortals. Boo-fet dinner is $28.99 + applicable taxes and fees when purchased online and $33.99 + tax when purchased at the door. Separate theme park admission required, and not included.
– Knott’s Scary Farm General parking is $20 per vehicle and can be purchased online or at the parking booth upon arrival. Applicable taxes and fees apply to online orders. All Season Long Parking is valid for Knott’s Scary Farm nights.
Knott’s Scary Farm has welcomed millions of visitors over the past 45 years and has become an institution in the Southern California theme park landscape. This year, the event returns September 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 October 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. Knott’s Scary Farm is open 7:00 pm – 1:00 am select Thursdays, Sundays, Monday and Halloween Night and 7:00 pm – 2:00 am Fridays and Saturdays. Due to the explicit and frightening nature of the event, it is not recommended for children under 13. This year’s Knott’s Scary Farm experience is where nightmares never end!
For more information on Knott’s Scary Farm, including admission, park hours and events, visit knottsscaryfarm.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smart phone. Join the scary conversation by using #ScaryFarm on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
GHENT, Belgium – Aug. 31, 2017 – Larian Studios has today announced Fane, the sixth and final origin character in Divinity: Original Sin 2. Fane is undead, the final playable faction in the game, and appears as a ghoulish skeleton to the denizens of the world of Rivellon. Undead characters are much more than spooky skeletons, however, and include some fundamentally different gameplay mechanics in Divinity: Original Sin 2.
Larian Studios has also today unveiled full details on the Divinity: Original Sin 2 Collector’s Edition. One thousand units of the Collector’s Edition are now available for $169 on a completely new and revamped Divinity: Original Sin 2 website, including an all new online shop, at shop.larian.game. The Collector’s Edition includes:
A Steam key for Divinity: Original Sin 2
Box featuring art of each of the four major races of Rivellon
A combination velvet-lined dice tray and Dungeon Master’s Screen, featuring art of the Mask of the Shapeshifter on the outside, and the Hall of Echoes on the interior
A 10.2-inch figurine of Fane, featuring interchangeable skull head and rotating Mask of the Shapeshifter
A Chronicles of Reaper’s Coast lorebook
A Compendium of Riveollonian Artwork art book
Color printed map of Reaper’s Coast
Full Divinity: Original Sin 2 instruction manual
For a first look at the Collector’s Edition and Fane, check out a new Kickstarter update video at https://youtu.be/7B5rJ_VG7Lw.
Players of Divinity: Original Sin 2 can create their own custom undead characters as well, and can choose which race their character belonged to prior to their death. This means that players can choose from undead Human, undead Dwarf, undead Elf, or undead Lizard character models. Customer undead characters have the unique undead racial abilities and traits, not the traits of the race the character once lived as. When an undead character hides his face with a simple hood, citizens of Rivellon will perceive the character as it’s former living race.
Fane was an eager and ambitious scholar entombed by his elders for pursuing forbidden knowledge, and has emerged after centuries of isolation into a very different world than the one he left. Fane enters a Rivellon that fears the site of a fully animated skeleton strolling through town – when he reveals his true form people will flee in fear or attempt to fight him. He and other Eternal characters must disguise themselves with a magical item called the Mask of the Shapeshifter.
Creating the mask comes at a gruesome cost – a fresh corpse is needed and the face must be ripped from it. Once crafted, the Mask of the Shapeshifter allows undead characters to don the appearance and unique racial abilities of any other race in the game. For example, Fane can shift to a Dwarf for better prices from a Dwarven merchant, or shift to an Elf to dine on a corpse and learn their memories with the Elven racial ability Corpse Eater. Multiple masks can be made, and they can even be used by other living characters to disguise themselves as other races, allowing them to approach situations in new ways. If players decide to create their own character, or just play a different origin story, Fane will still appear in the game, where he can be recruited as a companion.
Fane and his origin story are the product of a collaboration between the Larian Studios writing team and famed RPG game writer Chris Avellone. The inclusion of the undead race were part of a stretch goal during Divinity: Original Sin 2’s Kickstarter campaign.
The first act of Divinity: Original Sin 2 is now available on Steam Early Access at http://store.steampowered.com/app/435150/. Download today or wait until launch for the full and final version on September 14th!
Keep up with all things Larian and Divinity on social media:
August 31, 2017 – Activision, Bungie, 72andSunny, RSA Films, and Framestore have come together to create a blockbuster live-action trailer for the global launch celebration of Destiny 2, a first-person action game, and the evolution of its award winning, internationally acclaimed predecessor, Destiny.
The two-minute live-action spot, “New Legends Will Rise,” depicts Destiny 2’s heroic character, Cayde-6, as he rallies three Guardians into a battle to defend Earth against the invading Red Legion. The spot is directed by Kong: Skull Island Director, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, and set to ‘Sabotage’ by Beastie Boys.
Destiny 2 is available worldwide on Sept. 6 for PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and Oct. 24 on PC and as the first non-Blizzard game to be offered digitally via Battle.net®, Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming service
The 60-second “New Legends Will Rise” live action film debuts on network television, Saturday, Sept. 2, in the Epic College Football Match Up between the University of Alabama and Florida State University.
Vienna/Austria, Novi Sad/Serbia, August 31, 2017: Aquanox: Deep Descent’s new single and multiplayer demo was shown to press and consumers last week at gamescom in Cologne. Following the great reception it received, THQ Nordic and Digital Arrow are proud to present the gamescom gameplay trailer.
he atmospheric trailer begins by showcasing the oppressive and gloomy feel of the cold post-apocalyptic underwater world, accompanied by a minimal soundtrack, before launching into some exciting action scenes. By the end of the trailer, you will also get a glimpse of something that looks like a giant underwater creature – maybe a nod to some epic Pacific Rim-style monster fights coming in the future?
August 31, 2017 – Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…take on the terrifying great white shark in Jaws™ Pinball! Based on the blockbuster film, this virtual pinball experience lets you relive your favorite moments with a gameplay twist. Turn the tides by playing as the shark in several game modes or start modes based on select movie scenes!
Jaws™ Pinball will release in the upcoming Universal Classics™ Pinball collection for Pinball FX3 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, and for Zen Pinball on iOS, Google Play and Mac. The collection also includes tables based on Back to the Future™ and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial™
Jaws Pinball Table Features:
Find and defeat the great white shark threatening Amity Island in Quint’s Main Modes!
Terrorize Amity Island’s local residents and visiting tourists in the Jaws Main Modes!
Keep the ball in play during the Raging Sea mode as the table becomes unsteady and the sea takes control!
Start different multiballs, play fast-paced frenzy modes and max out your score!
Set sail as night falls or navigate just before sunset!
JACKSON, N.J. — August 31, 2017 — Six Flags Great Adventure, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Entertainment, today announced that it will premiere the world’s first thrill ride themed to the DC Super Hero CYBORG in 2018. Inspired by the movement of a gyroscope, CYBORG Cyber Spin will deliver an unrelenting and intense anti-gravity experience as it whirls guests on three axes high above the ground.
“Six Flags leads the industry in thrill ride innovation; it is part of our DNA,” said Park President Neal Thurman. ”Six Flags Great Adventure is home to an unparalleled collection of record-breaking attractions and we are excited to be adding CYBORG Cyber Spin, the first of its kind in North America. Like the Super Hero CYBORG of the JUSTICE LEAGUE, this futuristic, hi-tech ride will be unlike anything our guests have ever seen or experienced before and it is the perfect new thrill ride to expand our new Metropolis section.”
CYBORG Cyber Spin features a unique futuristic triple box design that allows the gondola to spin around three separate axes while rotating forward, backwards and sideways simultaneously at up to 70 feet in the air for intense and continuous movement. Seated 24 across with over-the-shoulder harnesses, riders will experience a thrilling combination of negative and positive gravitational forces. By night—this bold, new attraction promises to light up the New Jersey skies beckoning thrill seekers from near and far.
CYBORG Cyber Spin highlights include:
Unpredictable flips and pivots at heights up to seven stories (70 feet) above the ground;
Floorless seats that leave riders’ feet dangling as they whirl through the air;
Dazzling nighttime light display; and
Located in Metropolis adjacent to JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis.
Six Flags Great Adventure is also announcing the start of 2018 Season Pass sales with its special Flash Sale through Labor Day weekend featuring the best deal of the year—savings up to 70% on a 2018 Pass.
August 31 through Sept. 4, guests will receive a free upgrade to a Gold Season Pass with every Pass purchased. Gold Season Passes include admission to both Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor, and any other Six Flags theme park, as well as free parking and special admission offers for friends.
2018 Season Passes provide unlimited visits any operating day for the rest of 2017 (including park admission to Fright Fest® and Holiday in the Park®), and all of 2018. Pass holders may also purchase a Premium Season Dining Pass, which includes a lunch, dinner, and snack during every park visit, plus they will receive a 2018 All Season Drink Bottle for unlimited drink refills.Premium Season Dining Passes may be used at any Six Flags theme park.
COMET is showing a GODZILLA MOVIE MARATHON LABOR DAY MONDAY SEPTEMBER 4!
COMET is a new free network dedicated to science fiction programming. We are available on television, online at CometTV.com and on our free app on ROKU and APPLE TV. COMET offers a range of sci-fi movies, from cult classics to blockbusters, popular TV series and unique programming events.
SAN DIEGO – Aug. 30, 2017 – Daybreak Games has released its largest update of the year for the massive arena shooter H1Z1®: King of the Kill®. The update introduces a new weapon — the Hellfire 4-6 submachine gun — and revamps the game’s core mechanics and gunplay to provide players with the best combat experience yet.
The Combat Update further increases the pace and action of H1Z1 by simplifying navigation mechanics, improving combat mechanics and weapon roles, and more. Highlights include:
New Weapon: Players now have the option to spray down opponents with the fast-firing Hellfire 4-6 submachine gun, which was designed for close-quarter fights.
Intuitive Gunplay: All guns have been rebalanced to give each weapon a distinct play style and have been modernized with improved weapon ballistics, hitmarkers, recoil and animation for better proficiency and precision.
Dynamic Cameras: The camera system has been improved to better showcase characters and make it easier to move and loot around the world.
New POIs: Five new points of interest have been added to increase variety in fights and to the map: East Valley Shopping Center, Harris County Fairgrounds, CWP Water Treatment Authority, CWP Utilities Compound 62, and a remade Sunny Pines residential area.
Improved Navigation: The compass has been updated to ease navigation through the world, including the ability to place a waypoint marker on the map.
And More: Various world systems improvements have been implemented, the ability to shred footwear has been added, bleed mechanics have been simplified, and throwables have been upgraded to be more efficient to use and equip.
The Combat Update also introduces a new Skirmish mode, Weapon Roulette. In Weapon Roulette, players start the match with a random gun equipped with infinite ammo with no other guns or ammo spawned into the map to loot. At certain population thresholds during the match, all players will have their current weapon replaced with a new weapon and ammo at random.
