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‘Tis the season! The holidays 2023 are upon us. You know what that means? Spending quality time together, appreciating what you’re thankful for, and gift-giving galore. You can’t deny that gift-giving is a major part of many holidays. It’s that time of the year to shower the geek in your life with something special they’d enjoy.   

Holidays gift-giving doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to be able to afford the best gift for your loved one. Obtaining flashy gifts like the newest gadgets, video games, or the latest style trends is a thing of the past. What’s better than to gift your favorite geek a book they will enjoy reading? Books can make a great gift for any gift-giver on a budget. Even if you choose to gift a book to a non-reader who doesn’t typically enjoy reading a novel, there are plenty of how-to books geared toward crafty or artistic individuals.  

So, whether you like mystery, romance, or any lengthy book to dedicate your time to, check out this savvy guide for the best books the geek in your life is sure to love. 

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

For all the romance geeks and young adult literature fans, this one is for you. New York Times bestselling novel Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon is about young love and the ability to learn how to love again after losing faith in true love. Protagonist Evie Thomas no longer believes in love after she sees a couple kissing and is later struck by visions depicting the exact moments when the couple gets together and drifts apart. As Evie tries to figure out her newfound ability, she finds herself learning to dance with a boy named X, whom she slowly begins to fall for. The last thing Evie wants is to fall in love when all she knows about love is it never ends without heartbreak.

Gaslight by Femi Kayode

True crime goes international in this next installment in Femi Kayode’s Philip Taiwo crime series, which debuted with Lightseekers in 2021. Gaslight picks up when investigative psychologist Philip Taiwo returns from the United States to Nigeria along with his family. His investigation begins at a Nigerian megachurch where Taiwo’s sister asks him to investigate a case involving the bishop of the church and the wife he is accused of having murdered. Although a body has yet to be found and the mystery is on, all the fingers point to Bishop Dawodu.    

The Remarried Empress Vol. 1 from Alphatart

You’re not an official geek until you’ve added manga to your reading list. Whether you’re a dedicated manga fan or new to the genre, you should know that manga is filled with creative animation designed to tell a story primarily through graphic expression.

Listed as one of the best books of 2022 by Barnes & Noble, The Remarried Empress follows Empress Navier and Emperor Sovieshu, who are perfect for each other. Serving as the pillars of the land, the public believes the two share a ride-or-die relationship. This relationship appears as strong as can be until the emperor stumbles upon a woman in the forest and ends up developing feelings of attraction. With the determination to not be broken in spirit, Empress Navier makes it her life mission to remarry a man of her liking.

Gilmore Girls: The Official Cookbook by Elena Craig and Kristen Mulrooney

Gilmore Girls fans everywhere, rejoice! If you want to whip up something quick and crafty, look no further. Gilmore Girls: The Official Cookbook is your answer. A USA Today Bestseller and named one of People‘s 50 Food Faves of 2022, Gilmore Girls: The Official Cookbook features recipes inspired by the hit 2000s series, Gilmore Girls. Do Stars Hollow, Luke’s Diner, and the DragonFly Inn sound familiar? Filled with more than 50 recipes, this cookbook holds scrumptious and iconic recipes straight from the set of Gilmore Girls. 

How to Draw Anime Characters from Fluffels House

If you thought crafty books were just limited to cookbooks, think again. If you’re not the type of reader to dedicate time to reading a longer narrative and prefer novellas and other short reads, you can find the same enjoyment in a how-to book. Many manga readers are just as fascinated by the graphics as they are with the story itself. With only a few words and killer animation, they can be vividly creative. Ever wonder how animation starts?

A how-to draw book can take you through the process. How to Draw Anime Characters: Step-by-Step Guide to Draw Your Own Original Characters from Simple Templates removes the complexity behind professional illustration with a step-by-step process. With How to Draw Anime Characters, aspiring artists will learn techniques like choosing the right colors and gaining an artistic perspective on facial features. Released in early 2023, this book is ideal for teens and adults.

Divine Rivals: A Novel by Rebecca Ross

Finally, we can’t end an official gift guide for geeks without adding fantasy fiction to the list. With a large number of engaging fantasy fiction and sci-fi books on the market, choosing the right type of story can often feel overwhelming. Sci-fi books are often filled with complex themes that can be difficult to grasp. This is when fantasy novels come into play. Whether you’re a novice fantasy reader or have an avid interest in the genre, Rebecca Ross’s Divine Rivals is a must-read. A first in a newly developed series, Divine Rivals: A Novel focuses on two young journalists finding love through a magical connection. While fighting for this love, protagonist Iris must fight for her brother and ultimately the fate of all humanity.

Add or give one or more of these trending reads to your bookshelf this holiday season. All books are available at Barnes & Noble or where major books are sold.

Good evening, folks! Today I want to discuss some news that find to be very interesting. So, let’s get started, shall we?! The first one is that the Season of the Force is coming to Disneyland next spring.  Season of the Force at Disneyland is returning to Disney Parks next year—and a beloved Star Wars ride will likely be getting an upgrade as part of the Star Wars attraction and experiences takeover, which annually brings new overlays, Lucasfilm merch, and galactic-themed foods. Along with the full slate of what to expect in 2024 at the Disneyland Resort, Disney Parks has confirmed that the long-teased new adventures on Star Tours will be featured from April 5-June 2 during the Season of the Force. During Star Wars Celebration, Grogu and Din from The Mandalorian were potentially teased as appearing on the attraction. Yet, more recently at Destination D23, it was also hyped that Ahsoka characters might be seen as well. So, it’s safe to say at least that the Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni crew of characters will be making their way to Star Tours at Disneyland. Although we have to admit that we’re holding out hope for an Andor destination because flying through the Eye of Aldhani would easily top anything else. In addition, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will, for the first time, be filled with music in the evenings. Guests who view the nightly fireworks show from Galaxy’s Edge will get a special synced musical experience. Along with that, Hyper Space Mountain will return for the addition as well!! Definitely don’t want to miss it!

In the other news…  The Pixar Fest will be returning from April 26-August 4, 2024 with a new version of the “Together Forever” a nighttime spectacular at Disneyland. In addition, Disney California Adventure will get Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration, a brand-new daytime DCA parade, something some people have called for recently. New Pixar characters, including Turning Red’s Mei, a phenomenal character costume that debuted at Shanghai Disneyland earlier this year, and Elemental’s Ember and Wade, will debut as part of the event.

Next… The show called Fantasmic! will be returning to Disneyland on May 24, 2024, but it will be without Eddie Murphy as the dragon that was burned by the fire. Some people were really lokking forward to seeing the dragon come back. But they will have to get used to it and I still think that people will be glad to see it debut.

Next one… Disneyland is once again rolling out discounted, multi-day ticket offers exclusively for Southern California residents. Beginning on Dec. 5, Southern California residents can purchase three-day single park tickets for $225, allowing guests to visit Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure on weekdays. The $276 three-day single park ticket deal is good for weekend visits, theme park officials announced Tuesday. The weekday tickets can be used on Monday-Thursday visits, while the weekend tickets can be used on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The three-day, one-park tickets can be used on non-consecutive days and guests can purchase Park Hopper and Genie+ add-ons. The discount tickets can be used from Jan. 2 through June 2, 2024, subject to park reservation availability, according to a news release. Under the deal, single-day tickets cost $75 per day for the weekday ticket deal and $92 per day for the weekend ticket. In comparison, a typical one-day, one-park ticket costs between $104 and $194, while a single-day park hopper ticket can cost between $169 and $259. Additionally, the Genie+ service typically costs $30 per day. Proof of residency within Southern California ZIP codes 90000-93599 will be required to purchase and use the tickets, according to a news release.

The last news… The Pixar Place Hotel will be opening up to the public on January 30, 2024. Pixar Place Hotel will evoke the inspiration and humor that goes into every Pixar film, while celebrating the artistic process. Showcasing early sketches to finished design, the art and decor will highlight vibrant Pixar stories, revealing some never-before-seen artwork. When the lobby is complete, you will see even more unique art inspired by Pixar films and be greeted by the iconic Pixar Lamp balancing atop its ball, with an imaginative mobile of beloved Pixar characters floating from the bright skylight above. The mobile will depict the beginning stages of Pixar filmmaking, when animators create the characters’ designs with their most basic shapes and colors. The characters you’ll see are at the beginning of their journey, just as the guests who step into the lobby begin their own story at the Disneyland Resort! If you’re ready to “dive in” to the fun now, you and your family can frolic at the hotel’s new “Finding Nemo”-themed splash pad and pool area! Recently opened for guests of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, this rooftop oasis features Pixel Pool, which is lined with relaxing loungers, along with Nemo’s Cove pop-jet splash pad, and the not-to-miss Crush’s Surfin’ Slide, a 186-foot-long water slide inspired by the coolest sea turtle in the ocean. The adjacent play court and pool bar will open later this fall. Near the pool, you can gather with friends on comfy couches surrounding fire pits inspired by some of Pixar’s more hotheaded characters, including Jack-Jack from Pixar’s “The Incredibles” and Anger from Pixar’s “Inside Out.” Back in the lobby, browse through the new gift shop STOR-E — a playful take on the Pixar film name “WALL-E” — featuring Pixar-themed apparel and toys, plus more Disneyland Resort souvenirs and sundries. Plus, a new and expanded fitness center recently opened, offering treadmills, free weights and more complimentary for hotel guests. Keep an eye out for a mural of Mike and Sulley running on a treadmill, inspired by Pixar’s “Monsters University.”  Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is open and welcoming guests during this transformation and offers the added benefits of staying on property at the Disneyland Resort, including a dedicated entrance across the street with direct access to Disney California Adventure Park. *

Wow!! Disney has released a lot of interesting news!! I think they want people to keep coming back to Disneyland because apparently Universal is going to build a Kids Park in Frisco, Texas. Disney must have saw the news of Universal.

So, what are your guy’s thoughts about the Disney news I listed above?! I would love to hear your comments on this and which news stood out to you the most? Pick one!!!

Stay tuned for Disney updates.

The post Some Disneyland News appeared first on The Nerd Element.

The fifth generation of home video game consoles brought about many of the firsts to the world of gaming. This includes widespread real-time 3D graphic rendering, analog controls, CD-ROMs as standard game media, full-motion video, and a massive diversification of the video gaming genres. The original PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64 collectively gained more than 4,000 mainline gaming titles during this era, a few of which were groundbreaking and influenced the industry in subsequent generations.

1999’s Urban Chaos was one such game, as it broke new ground by featuring one of the first Black woman video game protagonists: Officer D’arci Stern. As such, the cultural impact of this gaming gem can’t be overstated. In an era in which game releases such as Max Payne and Final Fantasy VII are being remastered and remade left and right, this particular gem of the late ’90s emerges as a prime candidate for a revival.

Urban Chaos was set in the fictional Union City at the turn of the millennium. In the role of D’arci Stern, the player navigates the crime-driven and corrupt world of Urban Chaos as a representative of law-and-order, engaging in hand-to-hand combat and investigative missions. The game is set in largely free-roaming maps. While it isn’t a truly open-world game, it most certainly resembles open-concepts, as you can easily switch between indoor and outdoor environments and even switch areas with relative ease.

Considering that the protagonist D’arci Stern was a police officer fighting crime, the game involved combat that relied on a rather complex fighting system, allowing players to use weapons and hand-to-hand combat. Stern’s arsenal included guns but also kicks, punches, throws, sliding tackles, knives, and baseball bats, all of which were at the player’s disposal during missions. Those who wanted to immerse themselves further into the gameplay could arrest their enemies, which would ultimately make the populace more friendly towards the cops.  

The free-roam environments, though not as big as those in modern games, did include indoor areas, people to talk to, fights to intervene in, and several additional missions. The other missions included hostage rescues, suicide prevention, and many other activities that might require police assistance. In short, the game had well-developed driving and combat mechanics before Grand Theft Auto 3 was a thing, as well as a strong and independent woman lead, who fortunately wasn’t as sexualized as Lara Croft from Tomb Raider.  

Introducing an African American woman lead in the late ’90s was a bold movie in more ways than one. The world of gaming, which has been dominated by male protagonists, has seen its fair share of women stars. However, none of them escaped rampant sexualization within the gaming industry and culture of the time. A woman explorer threading the caves and dungeons in shorts? Really? We’re looking at you, pre-2013 Tomb Raider.

But D’arci was more than just a character. She was a statement: a strong, competent, and complex character who broke the previously established stereotypical mold for representation in gaming. She was portrayed as a no-nonsense rookie cop who’s not afraid to get dirt under her fingernails if that meant that bad guys would end up behind bars. This rendered her quite refreshing as a character. The groundbreaking portrayal of her character was mirrored in the game’s reception: Urban Chaos for PC received high praise for both its character design and the overall design and narrative.

It’s worth noting that not everyone shares fond memories of this game. Following its release on Microsoft Windows in 1999, the game was also released for the original PlayStation and Sega Dreamcast right on the cusp of the 2000s. However, the game didn’t fare as well on consoles due to technical limitations that hindered performance and player experience. As a result, many age-old reviews of this game on PC vs. console talk about it as if they’re talking about two entirely different and separate releases.

But the truth is that Urban Chaos deserves a modern remake or a complete overhaul due to the cultural impact it had upon its release. Not only did it introduce a fantastic African American woman protagonist, but it also proved a strong point that law enforcement can actually arrest bad guys without killing them. This would provide a really strong message in today’s “Defund the police” era. A new remake could benefit from the current graphics and gameplay that have limited the original while also introducing D’arci Stern to a whole new generation of gamers.

The gaming world has evolved quite a bit over the past three decades. Re-imagining the gritty world of Union City in stunning detail is now more a question of budget rather than technological limits in gaming. However, representation in gaming, with respect to African American woman leads, still makes for a rather short “best of” list. Apart from the recently released Forespoken, the decades-old Urban Chaos, and Assassin’s Creed Liberation — which we’ll cover in a subsequent story — there are not a lot of African American lady leads in gaming.

That should change. Urban Chaos definitely deserves a place in today’s gaming world, and its portrayal of African American woman protagonists makes it ripe for a revival and perfect as an icebreaker.

Video game fans have been safely enjoying the excitement/terror of a post-nuclear wasteland since 1997. That’s when Fallout and its ’50s-era Cold War aesthetic first came to stores. Since then countless sequels and spinoffs have turned the game into one of genre’s most successful franchises. Now Fallout is ready to conquer another medium entirely. It’s getting its very own show from Amazon. What kind of story can gamers expect from the Prime Video Fallout adaptation? Who’s behind it, and who will star in it? And when will we get a chance to see it?

The Game Awards 2023 did give us yet another peek into the series with some new footage that wasn’t in the trailer. It isn’t much but we are glad to see it, especially because CX404 the dog-like character is in it. (More on him later.)

Here’s everything we know about Prime Video’s Fallout series so far.

Title

Prime Video’s adaptation will share the same name as the original game, Fallout.

Fallout‘s Plot

We officially have our first full look at the Fallout series. Prime Video released the first trailer for the show and it teases a dangerous wasteland of a world. But it’s clear the show understands its dark humor as well.

Prime Video has shared an official Fallout series synopsis, setting us up for what’s to come. It reveals, “Based on one of the greatest video game series of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. 200 years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind — and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird, and highly violent universe waiting for them.“

Additionally, we know that the series is “set in the future post-apocalyptic Los Angeles.” It will also tell an “original story based on Fallout that will be part of the canon of the games.” 

The first image from the show featured a glimpse at the franchise’s all-new Vault 33. And more recent looks have revealed Fallout‘s main characters including Walton Goggins’ The Ghoul, Ella Purnell’s Lucy, Aaron Moten’s Maximus, and Kyle MacLachlan’s Overseer Hank.

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There will also be an adorable animal involved. In the Fallout games, a dog called Dogmeat exists as an NPC companion character that accompanies players on their adventures. According to a blog post from Amazon, the live-action Fallout series’ cute canine isn’t called Dogmeat, but instead is named CX404. But this pup, too, will serve “as a companion navigating the post-apocalyptic world.” Maybe this dog is Dogmeat’s distant cousin. After all, it would be pretty cool to see a Dogmeat Easter egg in the show. Regardless, we’re sure CX404 is a very good boy.

Interestingly enough, it looks like this Fallout dog belongs to Walton Goggins’ The Ghoul on the Prime Video series. That character is definitely shaping up to be our anti-hero, so giving The Ghoul the best relationship with Fallout‘s cutest creature will likely go some way to help balance out his more nefarious tendencies. We’re excited to see how the story unfolds for our new dog friend and all the other characters in Fallout.

Behind the Scenes

Fallout comes from Bethesda Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, and Kilter Films. The latter is the production company of executive producers Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan, creators of HBO’s Westworld.

Writers Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner will also serve Fallout co-showrunners and executive producers. Nolan directs the first three episodes.

Fallout‘s Cast

The show stars: Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Walton Goggins (The Hateful Eight), Aaron Moten (Emancipation), Moisés Arias (The King of Staten Island), Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks), Sarita Choudhury (Homeland), Michael Emerson (Person of Interest), Leslie Uggams (Deadpool), Frances Turner (The Boys), Dave Register (Heightened), Zach Cherry (Severance), Johnny Pemberton (Ant-Man), Rodrigo Luzzi (Dead Ringers), Annabel O’Hagan (Law & Order: SVU), and Xelia Mendes-Jones (The Wheel of Time). 

Fallout‘s Release Date

Prime Video celebrated the 26th “Fallout Day” by announcing when the series will premiere via a Pip-Boy-style message. The show begins its post-apocalyptic adventure on April 12, 2024.

That’s a lot closer than it sounds, which means we should start getting trailers and more information soon, too. When we do you’ll find everything you need to know about Prime Video’s Fallout right here.

Originally published on October 23, 2023.

The post Prime Video’s FALLOUT Series Drops Another Trailer at The Game Awards 2023 appeared first on Nerdist.