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HHN XXI Speculation II


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Today Universal launched it's teaser for Halloween Horror Nights 21. We now have official dates, times and various ticket options and packages.

We also got a tagline:

"Be careful what you wager... Because nobody beats the house".

We know speculation starts to pick up when this happens and minds start to go places even our deepest darkest nightmares can't go.

We ask EVERYONE to respect each others ideas, and speculation. No one member here is better than the other when it comes to posting speculation. Yes, some know more than others, some claim to know more, some act like they know more, and well some think they are TJ. We're all here to have fun and enjoy a good discussion, not to call out others, and not to call people trolls or newbies. Remember each and everyone one of us started some year and on some site/forum. We read and we learned. Every year we will have a new batch of members not as in the know as us experienced ones, please keep that in mind and show them the way. :)

Since this IS the second version of speculation, as with last year it will be more moderated. When the HHN site fully launches we will move to more of a general based discussion. Keep it mature, and most of all enjoy and have fun.. as it should be.

Thanks everyone!

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You can also read the official press release sent to us from Universal.

Your Fate Awaits

Here is a picture of Fate, a un-used ICON created for Halloween Horror Nights XV (2005). This DOES NOT mean she will be this years ICON, bit the picture is here for reference and speculation.

fate-hnn.jpg

Edited by mz_
Added Fate picture.
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Guess we were right all along about the whole gambling theme. I mean, it is 21 after all so why brush it off like that?

I think it's very likely we'll get a casino-themed house this year. The question is, what kind of approach are they going to have on it?

I think we will get nine haunted houses this year judging by that 7x7 hint, but alas only four scarezones instead of six. I hope they will be descent-sized scarezones.

Like we expected, the price went up to $82. Sigh.

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The price increase bothers me. I shudder to see the Rush of Fear/FFP+ w/ Express prices.

9 houses and 4 zones? I can't recall if the permit scrutinization ruled that out or in. I'd almost prefer 8 houses if it meant us getting six zones... the park has been empty enough as it is.

Casino house and zone is all but guaranteed. Everything else is up for grabs.

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I'm not necessarily getting a Vegas vibe from the site; to me it seems more like a "Boardwalk Empire" feel with the music speaking to another decade. Vegas wasn't an official gambling hot spot until the 1950s.

In addition, I think the notion of a female icon would be terrific...I am intrigued by the theme this year and can't wait to see how it plays out...

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How much was a FFP last year? 69.99? I don't even remember what i paid for my FFP with express. I'm gonna go with the FFP with express again this year no matter the price because it's worth it when you go 5 nights. Well if it's under 200 anyway. As for the icon I would like to see the Fate character as the icon. All the hints do seem to be hinting towards a female icon so I guess it's possible. I really do like the theme the more I think of it. It seems to be a 30's or 40's casino based on the music. I will be happy with that but I don't want the whole Vegas casino theme.

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Speaking of the VIP lounge do you guys think that will be back in some form or another?

I'm thinking that it was probably a 20th anniversary, one time only type of thing, but I loved it and really hope it's back. Even if we don't have any exhibits or talks with A&D, it would still be worth the $10 to go in there, have a place to buy drinks without waiting in line, and get to interact with the scareactors when they go through cast changes.

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I wonder if the Dead Man's hand has any involvement. Not the chopped off hand on the website, but the hand of cards, what I mean.

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I wonder if the Dead Man's hand has any involvement. Not the chopped off hand on the website, but the hand of cards, what I mean.

I honestly don't know how they could do a casino theme and not have the Dead Man's hand be apart of the event in some way. I would almost feel cheated if there wasn't some small mention at least.

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I'm feeling Queen of Spades here, as she is covered up by the Ace of Spades. I feel like A&D wouldn't want to make her too much like Bloody Mary, though, and would probably end up being more like a mixture of the Terra Queen and Chance in terms of imagery. However, with this type of character, it would be hard to have a human backstory, unless it is the story of a woman somehow cursed to be trapped inside the deck or what-have-you.

That being said, I doubt the actual theme will be a regular Casino where "if you lose, you die". It will probably be more of a Hostel/Saw situation, with wagers and bets. And perhaps the name of the gamble/torture house is The Queen of Spades.

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I'm sort of partial to the idea of the "House"itself being the icon...as in some sort of unavoidable unknowable irresistable unstoppable force that compels debts owed to it to be paid in the most gruesome and unpleasant fashion possible. Perhaps some sort of Lovecraftian elder God that just happens to have a yen for gaming. I can also see a Dealer-type mascot, but he would just be a conduit to a greater force, the "House". When a poor sucker loses his bet...and they always do...the Dealer could just smile, shrug, and look up, waiting for the hammer he knows is about to fall. And of course we aren't playing for money, we're playing for souls.

Is that too subtle? Or am I just high?

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I think you're on to something Bruce. From what I have been reading on other sites, we need to look closer to the meanings of the cards used in the imagery.

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I'm sort of partial to the idea of the "House"itself being the icon...I can also see a Dealer-type mascot, but he would just be a conduit to a greater force, the "House". When a poor sucker loses his bet...and they always do...the Dealer could just smile, shrug, and look up, waiting for the hammer he knows is about to fall.

Similar to the Universal Palace / Usher relationship...

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Speaking of the Queen of Spades. I'm not sure many have heard this story but I remember reading it in European Literature and it could be adapted quite nicely to the situation, especially if it was set in a more 1920's -1940's era.

Hermann, an ethnic german, is an officer of the engineers in the Imperial Russian army. He constantly watches the other officers gamble, but never plays himself. One night Tomsky tells a story about his grandmother, an elderly countess. Many years ago, in France, she lost a fortune at cards, and then won it back, with the secret of the three winning cards, which she learned from the notorious Count of St. Germain. Hermann becomes obsessed with obtaining the secret.The countess (who is now 87 years old) has a young ward, Lizaveta Ivanovna. Hermann sends love letters to Lizaveta, and persuades her to let him into the house. There Hermann accosts the countess, demanding the secret. She first tells him that story was a joke, but Hermann refuses to believe her. He repeats his demands, but she does not speak. He draws a pistol and threatens her, and the old lady dies of fright. Hermann then flees to the apartment of Lizaveta in the same building. There he confesses to have killed the countess by fright with his pistol. He defends himself by saying that the pistol was not loaded. He escapes from the house with the aid of Lizaveta, who is disgusted to learn that his professions of love were a mask for greed.

Hermann attends the funeral of the countess, and is terrified to see the countess open her eyes in the coffin and look at him. Later that night, the ghost of the countess appears. The ghost names the secret three cards (three, seven, ace), tells him he must play just once each night, and then orders him to marry Lizaveta. Hermann takes his entire savings to Tchekalinsky's salon, where wealthy men gamble for high stakes. On the first night, he bets it all on the three and wins. On the second night, he wins on the seven. On the third night, he bets on the ace - but when cards are shown, he finds he has bet on the Queen of Spades, rather than the ace, and loses everything. When the Queen appears to wink at him, he flees in terror.

Hermann goes mad and is committed to an asylum.

It was also adapted in a famous Opera by Tchaikovsky.

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I'm sort of partial to the idea of the "House"itself being the icon...as in some sort of unavoidable unknowable irresistable unstoppable force that compels debts owed to it to be paid in the most gruesome and unpleasant fashion possible. Perhaps some sort of Lovecraftian elder God that just happens to have a yen for gaming. I can also see a Dealer-type mascot, but he would just be a conduit to a greater force, the "House". When a poor sucker loses his bet...and they always do...the Dealer could just smile, shrug, and look up, waiting for the hammer he knows is about to fall. And of course we aren't playing for money, we're playing for souls.

Is that too subtle? Or am I just high?

The way you wrote that out I keep going to Nyarlathotep, and his many avatars. But I think it is subtle, maybe not to us but to to the public.

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Just thinking, it doesn't have to necessarily be supernatural. Back in the urmm, maybe the 30's and so on, in big casinos didn't they used to off the people who were cheating? I like the feeling of organized crime this year. But if that's not scary enough, they could always make them "The Undead Mafia." Where they collect the souls of the people who lose to stay alive for so long. Or something along those lines.

Also, are we expecting to have regular site updates with little clues here and there, almost like the Palace in '09?

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I think sinister is right...first thing I thought of was pirates.

And vegas is getting thrown out a lot, though I dont think that's quite as creepy as a hole in the wall, underground casino type place. Like maybe a pirate ship.

Edited by MrBungle
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I love ideas that start simple but can be expanded in miraculous ways like what is occurring this year(similar to HHN18's doctors office). Last year I felt the lantern seemed too deep and complex from the start.

Also, on the flash intro, just pointing out how the Queen of Spades is smirking and holding a dagger so I could definitely see her being personified.

Another idea that just popped in my head is if they had two woman icons named Fate and Luck, they could be creepy twins or sisters spreading dismay together.

Edited by DarkFoama
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Guest HHNPicMan

While I like everyone's speculation. I have noticed that some ideas have not been thrown out.

Why does a gambling have to do with America? What about 1920's Morraco Africa region. Casablanca? Or here is the big one, dare I say........ French Riviera? They were gambling overseas long before America came into play.

Also, everyone seems to mention a casino themed house, but what about a bar themed house. For many people, turning 21 dosent mean gambling. It means drinking legally. Would it stand to reason that we may likely see a bar (drinking-joint) type house?

Just some speculation!

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I think sinister is right...first thing I thought of was pirates.

And vegas is getting thrown out a lot, though I dont think that's quite as creepy as a hole in the wall, underground casino type place. Like maybe a pirate ship.

No no if you were to follow my Twitter account you would see that I was having a bit of fun with my friends, at the expense of you all speculating. Truth of the matter I indeed DO NOT feel that it is Pirate related. I am a bit of a prankster and many here know that.

From what I have seen so far, just like you all here. There are a few things that stick out for me.

1. The Music - In the past the music is dead on giving us a time period, very much like HHN18. We were given a piece of music that fit the era.

2. The Font - The Font used does two things, confirms the time period and introduces the mood.

3. The Cards - Much like Jacks Cards they serve as a " Character " or Subject matter. In this case it seems to surround Death.

4. The Table - It's wood so we are not in a Casino

So If I had to guess I feel that this year deals with someone or group that is using a " Speakeasy " type place to do their dirty deeds during the prohibition era 1920's But just like everyone's guess here. Mine is a shot in the dark.

And Lastly I leave you with this 3HANDS TRAILER

My work from 3HANDS

Edited by Sinister
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