FREE MICROIDS VIDEO GAME DEMOS ON STEAM

Are you a PC gamer? If so, you will want to check out several playable demos that will be available for FREE on Steam, offering players a sneak peek at some of the most anticipated titles from video game publisher Microids. The free demos will be available starting Monday, October 14, at 1 PM EST, as part of Steam Next Fest. Demos will be available for Empire of the Ants, Flint - Treasure of Oblivion, Amerzone - The Explorer's Legacy, Little Big Adventure Twinsen's Quest, and The Smurfs - Dreams. 

EMPIRE OF THE ANTS

Experience an immersive journey and defend your lands through tactical and strategic battles in an epic, microscopic world. Become #103,683, the Ant Savior: lead your colony, rebuild a home, protect it, make it prosper, and conquer new territories throughout different seasons. Exploration, strategy, combat skills, and alliances with local wildlife will be crucial to emerge victorious from the many challenges lying ahead. 

Inspired by Bernard Werber's bestselling Empire of the Ants, the game offers a strategic experience right off the pages of the iconic book series. Empire of the Ants will be available on November 7, 2024, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

FLINT: TREASURE OF OBLIVION

Prepare to embark alongside Captain Flint, his first mate Billy Bones, and a crew of seasoned pirates in search of a legendary treasure that promises freedom and fortune. With a unique narrative style inspired by traditional comic books, the tactical RPG Flint: Treasure of Oblivion invites players into a historically inspired pirate adventure mixed with a touch of fantasy. Flint: Treasure of Oblivion is scheduled for a November 14, 2024 release for PC.

AMERZONE: THE EXPLORER'S LEGACY

As a young journalist, you’ve been entrusted with a crucial mission: to cross the globe and reach the heart of a mysterious, faraway land. Your goal is to bring back the last egg of the mythical “Great White Birds”. According to legend, they are bound up with the fate of the only country they call home: a land with strange, dangerous plants and wildlife that has been devastated by years of bloody dictatorship.

Solve puzzles, find clues that will help you along your way, and get immersed in the spirit of adventure, the beauty of the landscapes and the depth of the story. A release date for this PC video games has not been announced yet.

LITTLE BIG ADVENTURE: TWINSEN'S QUEST

 First released in 1994 as “Little Big Adventure”, this action-adventure classic by Frédérick Raynal (Alone in the Dark) captivated audiences worldwide. With new artistic direction, updated gameplay, and a completely remastered soundtrack by Philippe Vachey, this remake brings back the original magic with a modern twist. Players will rediscover the enchanting world of planet Twinsun, master the Magic Ball for exciting adventures, and dive into a deep narrative, all while exploring reimagined levels for a smoother experience. 

Little Big Adventure – Twinsen’s Quest will be available digitally on November 14, 2024 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

THE SMURFS: DREAMS

Embark on a brand-new adventure in the world of the Smurfs with the 3D platformer by Ocellus Services, The Smurfs - Dreams, where dreams collide with the darkest nightmares. Whether playing solo or with a friend, explore enchanted or eerie locations and dive into your favorite Smurfs’ dreams through levels packed with varied gameplay in this magical adventure. Each world brings its own unique challenges, offering a fully immersive experience where imagination comes to life. 

The Smurfs - Dreams will be available on October 24, 2024, in physical and digital editions for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, and in digital formats on PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store) and Xbox One/Series.

NICKELODEON SMURFS TV SERIES DVD GIVEAWAY

Picture this! Spending a laidback Saturday morning watching Smurfs cartoons. Courtesy of Nickelodeon, I have a morning's worth of cartoons to giveaway with a DVD filled with episodes from Season One of The Smurfs. Don't miss out on this very Smurfy blog giveaway!

Available at retail starting January 31, 2023 from Nickelodeon Home Entertainment is the THE SMURFS, SEASON 1, VOLUME 3 on DVD. This home video release contains episodes 19-26 of the new Nickelodeon animated television series. Join the Smurfs as they play epic pranks on one another, celebrate Mother’s Day, make a new monkey friend, and more all the while trying to escape the evil wizard Gargamel.

One lucky entrant of this ageekdaddy.com giveaway will receive for free The Smurfs, Season 1, Volume 3 mailed to them upon the DVD's retail release. Complete the rafflecopter entries below before January 31, 2023 to be eligible to win. Must be a United States resident over 18 years old to enter. Nickelodeon Home Entertainment is responsible for fulfilling the prize. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Smurfs Season One adventures continue as Gargamel plants a crystal ball to spy on the Smurfs and they turn the tables on him! Vanity attempts to cure a zit and turns himself into a lizard instead. After being captured by Gargamel, Papa Smurf, Willow and Vanity offer to help him impress his mother, and so much more!

The Smurfs: Season 1, Volume 3 episodes: 

• The Smurfs Show 
•  Smurfboards / Monkey See, Monkey Do 
• Flying Ace / Lab Assistant
•  Order of Merit / Smurfy Mother’s Day! 
• Leaping Lizards / Cover Story 
• Papa Times Two / Fake News 
• You’re Fired! / Mirror, Mirror on the Armoire 
• Smurfing Places / Poet Slam

This blog has not received any compensation or free products related to this post and is simply hosting the giveaway as a benefit to its readers. The DVD has a suggested retailed price of $10.99

NICKELODEON THE SMURFS ON DVD

No trick I'm treating one lucky ageekdaddy.com reader to a free DVD of The Smurfs: Season 1, Volume 2 courtesy of Nickelodeon and Paramount Home Entertainment. This DVD contains the 9 episodes of the second half of the first season of this year's The Smurfs run on the Nickelodeon cable network. Just complete the rafflecopter entries below before 11:59pm October 22, 2022 for a chance to be the lucky entrant to receive the DVD. Must be a United States resident over 18 years old to participate in the giveaway. Paramount Home Entertainment is responsible for fulfillment and delivery of The Smurfs DVD.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Smurfs have a new home on Nickelodeon! Join these beloved blue gnomes as they go on all new adventures full of the charm, absurdity and humor of the original television cartoons to even greater heights. La la La la La welcome back to the enchanted forest of The Smurfs!

The Smurfs adventures continue in these animated Nickelodeon adventures as Blossom and Brainy are transported to an alternate universe. Papa Smurf holds a vote to see who will act as Rescue Smurf, Gargamel tries to transform into a Smurf, Dreamer becomes a knight, and so much more! This Smurfy collection of stories contains episodes 10 - 18 of Season One of Nickelodeon's The Smurfs.

The Smurfs: Season 1, Volume 2 features these episodes:

• The Pluffs!
• The Majestic 5 / Kitchen Flutz
• Chef Soup / Adventures in Smurfsitting
• The Round Up / Waffle Wednesday
• Funny Mommy / Smurfy Day Care
• Smurfy Secrets
• Crashing Gargamel's Party/The Curse of the Smurfs' Treasure
• Storm Loses her Mojo / Pop Out
• Knight Smurfalot / Forget Me What?

Thank you to Paramount Home Entertainment for providing a DVD for my family to enjoy plus one to giveaway. The Smurfs: Season 1, Volume 2 is available now at most major retailers where videos are sold.

This post has affiliate links, which means this blog could earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn't cost you anything extra, ageekdaddy.com just has to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!

Enjoy a Smurfy Family Movie Night

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free **

Have yourself a Smurfy good time watching the newest Smurfs movie.  SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE is now available to add to your home video library on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  This animated movie has received an "A" CinemaScore with general audiences and a rare "A+" with those under the age of 18, making it a perfect selection for a family to enjoy together.

When the evil wizard Gargamel discovers information about a previously unknown village of Smurfs, he heads out to capture them.  Smurfette discovers what the wizard is up to and heads out to find the village first so she can warn its inhabitants.  Of course her friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty aren't going to let her go alone and join in the quest.

Together the four smurfs embark on a race through the Forbidden Forest filled with exotic plants and magical creatures in an effort to find the mysterious lost village before Gargamel does.  It is a rollercoaster of a journey full of action and danger that leads to the revelation of the biggest secret in Smurf history!

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE features an all-star voice cast, including platinum-selling recording artist Demi Lovato as Smurfette, Emmy-nominated comic actor Rainn Wilson (The Office) as Gargamel, Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) as Clumsy, Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike) as Hefty, Danny Pudi (Community) as Brainy and Mandy Patinkin (Homeland) as Papa Smurf. Directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2) from a screenplay by Stacey Harman (The Goldbergs) and Pamela Ribon (Moana), SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE is based on the characters and works of Peyo.  Pierre Culliford (1928 - 1992) was a Belgian cartoonist who crafted comic strips under the pseudonym "Peyo" with the Smurfs being one of his most successful and popular creations. 

I watched all the Smurfs cartoons and played with the collectible figures as a kid myself so it is nice that my own children can enjoy them as well through watching SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE.  I particularly appreciated that this story went back towards the Smurfy vibe of the '80s compared to the last two live action with CGI films that had a more contemporary comedic focus.  My kids really enjoyed the animation and getting a look inside the magical world of the Smurfs in this movie.  Our whole family had a great time watching this movie together!

In addition to the feature presentation, the home video version of SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE is full of bonus material.  There are 10 fun and interactive featurettes, including Meghan Trainor's "I'm A Lady" music video and "Lost Village Dance Along" where you can join in a Smurf dance party.  You also have to check out the included step-by-step tutorials on how to draw your favorite Smurfs contained within three "how to" videos. 

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE has a run time of around 90 minutes.  It is rated PG for some mild action and rude humor.  For more information about the film, please visit smurfsmovie.com

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE PRIZE PACK GIVEAWAY

My kids became really excited when they saw the trailer for the upcoming Smurfs: The Lost Village movie that is arriving at theaters on April 7, 2017 while we were waiting for the live action version of Disney's Beauty & The Beast to begin.  They love the Smurfs and really want to see the newest animated motion picture featuring them. To share my family's excitement for the new Smurfs movie, I'm co-hosting a giveaway with The Hopping Bloggers for an awesome Smurfs themed prize pack worth more than $65 which includes:

• $25 Fandango Gift Card
• The Smurfs on Blu-ray
• The Smurfs 2 on Blu-ray
• The Smurfs Set of 3 Plush Dolls
• The Smurfs Toy House

Synopsis In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history!

Smurfs: The Lost Village hits theaters on April 7, 2017!

Connect with Smurfs

Official Site | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #SmurfsMovie

Enter to win this Smurfs: The Lost Village Prize Pack using the form below.

Entry-Form

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY IS GREAT FOR PRESCHOOLERS & EARLY READERS

I've been taking my children to FREE COMIC BOOK DAY for the last several years although they've been too young to read themselves.  This event on the first Saturday of May is when publishers team up with comic book shops to promote their industry to consumers by offering free samples to anyone who visits participating stores that day (well that is while supplies last because most stores normally run out of stock by mid-afternoon).  My kids flip through the pages enjoying the artwork and have me read the stories to them for weeks following our FREE COMIC BOOK DAY visit.  Sharing comic books with my kids through this annual event has been a fun day of bonding with my son and daughter while promoting creativity, imagination, and reading with my children.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY had done a nice job of making sure the event provides a selection of comics targeted to preschoolers and early readers that parent can feel comfortable giving to their children.  This year's event is on Saturday, May 3, 2014 and will be featuring ten titles suitable for young readers including:

Published by PERFECT SQUARE this comic features all new adventures featuring Hello Kitty and her friends.  It will also feature a sneak peek of an upcoming tribute book celebrating Hello Kitty's 40th anniversary.

In FANTAGRAPHIC BOOKS "A Matter of some Gravity" saucy sorceress Magica De Spell turns Scrooge's life sideways-literally! when she distorts the forces of gravity.

PAPERCUTZ brings the Smurfs to Free Comic Book Day.  This comic features never-before-seen stories from Peyo starring everyone's favorite blue bombshell: the Smurfette! It's Smurftastically FREE!

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS is bringing Sonic the Hedgehog & Mega Man to the party.  It is providing TWO free comic books in ONE.  It will showcase storylines from both characters' universes in a flipsided combined issue.

BOOM ENTERTAINMENT will feature samples from all their popular children's series including Peanut & Garfield.

Two years ago ARCHAIA published an incredible hard cover Free Comic Book Day edition featuring its popular MOUSE GUARD series.  ARCHAIA continues to be one of the leading supporters of this event by publishing another great hard cover comic book this year!

CAPSTONE is celebrating its award winning series JELLABY.  This comic book about ten year old Portia and her beloved purple monster Jellaby will feature two short stories, including the exclusive, never-before-in-print adventure "The Knot."  

DC COMICS will also be providing a TEEN TITANS issue for Free Comic Book Day.

To find a participating comic book retailer near you, CLICK HERE.  Don't miss out on Free Comic Book Day!

Free Comic Book Day has lots of offering this year for the youngsters in your house

The first Saturday in May is one of the favorite days of the year in our house … it’s FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!!!  While you may think this event is aimed to cater only to teens and adults, it actually has a very large array of giveaways aimed at preschool to elementary school aged children.  I took my children last year to a local comic book store for the event when they were only 3 years old and we picked up a lot of great age appropriate stuff that they could flip through on their own to enjoy the artwork or I could enjoy spending some time reading to them.  Some of the titles we picked up last year were The Smurfs, Yo Gabba Gabba , Disney’s TinkerBell, and Sonic the Hedgehog.  

The kids are 4 years old this year learning the alphabet and their letters but still can’t read.  Nothing less we’ll be going to Warp 9 Comics on Saturday, May 4, 2013 to pick up some more titles that we can enjoy together as a family and can be fun tools to encourage an appreciation of artwork and reading with our children.   Hey and you can’t beat the price … FREE!!!!  

Here’s a list of a few of the comic books that will be available this year that are focused to a preschool to elementary school age audience:

SESAME STREET & STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE 

On side one, Elmo, Cookie Monster, The Count and Super Grover teach you about the magic of reading comics! It's GUARANTEED to chase the clouds away!

On side two, join Strawberry Shortcake and friends on 3 berry sweet adventures!

Includes "The Blue Flu", "The Hunt for Blackberry's Treasure", and "Blueberry's Book Tour".

It's a bushel of fun! 

CLICK HERE for a preview

THE SMURFS 

THE SMURFS return to Free Comic Book Day with two stories never-before-seen in the US! Gargamel has tormented the Smurfs time and time again, always vowing his revenge on the small creatures. But what happens when he is forced to tangle with someone bigger than him- a nasty Ogre? Will the Smurfs let the Ogre destroy Gargamel, or will they decide to help their oldest foe?  Find out in "The Ogre and the Smurfs"! 

CLICK HERE for a preview

DISNEY FAIRIES: TINKER BELL

Papercutz presents DISNEY FAIRIES featuring Tinker Bell, along with comics from the new hit series, STARDOLL! There's only one fairy in Pixie Hollow who can't fly- Water-Talent Fairy, Rani. Why doesn't Rani have wings? Was she always this way? Find out in "Tinker Bell and the Wings of Rani".

CLICK HERE for a preview

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

"Worlds Collide: PRELUDE" - It's TWO free comic books in ONE! Just in time for the start of the epic Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man crossover event, "Worlds Collide," comes a primer issue exclusively for Free Comic Book Day! Witness the journey these two epic heroes from both Sega and Capcom took to finally meet each other - Mega Man's journey chronicled on one side, and Sonic the Hedgehog's on the other! This is the must-have primer for the biggest comic book event of 2013 - as video game icons Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man meet for the very first time anywhere - featuring art from both Sonic and Mega Man comic book fame! 

CLICK HERE for a preview

NFL RUSH ZONE

 A referee's flag is corrupted by the power.  The Guardians must arrive at the Bengals-Titans game and get that flag before the referee throws it, bringing it to life.  And the villainous Coach Carnage is on the recruit for his interstellar team "The Visitors," and it's up to the Guardians, with the help of previous draft picks, to stop him from ruining the draft and taking this year's recruiting class.

CLICK HERE for a preview

PIPPI LONG STOCKINGS

Drawn & Quarterly offers a second FCBD title for the first time this year and it will feature one of the world's most beloved and popular characters, Pippi Longstocking! The Pippi Longstocking Color Special will offer a sneak peak at the brand new Pippi Longstocking title that D+Q will publish in May 2013 to coincide with FCBD. Pippi Longstocking was created by Astrid Lindgren and has developed a dedicated fan base of both children and adults for over six decades. The comics presented here were originally published in Swedish in the 1950s and are now being presented for the first time ever in English. This will be the perfect All Ages comic book, ideal for developing a new readership of kids in the 6 to 10 age set. 

CLICK HERE for a preview

 KABOOM! COMICS

An explosion of All-Ages awesomeness from KaBOOM! this Free Comic Book Day! Sure to be one of the most popular offerings this Free Comic Book Day, the KaBOOM! Summer Blast is 48 pages chock-full of the most popular all-ages comics on the stands today! Featuring excerpts from Adventure Time, Peanuts, Regular Show, Bravest Warriors, Garfield, Ice Age and some brand-new surprises

CLICK HERE for a preview

Don't know where to go to find a comic shop participating in FREE COMIC BOOK DAY? No problem, just go to this link, enter your zip code, and viola you will be provided with the information you need:  http://www.freecomicbookday.com/StoreLocator

On a finale note WOLVERINE ( aka Hugh Jackman ) wants you to go ... watch this video message and make sure you take advantage of this great event:

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU