Star Wars The Clone Wars Recap – Everything You Need To Know Before Season 7

Say what you want about the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, but without it, we wouldn’t have received the best canon Star Wars property outside of the movies themselves: the Star Wars The Clone Wars animated series by Dave Filoni and Henry Gilroy.
Originally running from 2008 to 2014, it was six seasons worth of epic and expansive Star Wars on a scale that’s never been seen before. It also introduced us to now-iconic characters like Ahsoka Tano, Captain Rex, and more, as well as fleshed out the Prequels in a way that made up for those movies’ flaws.
Thanks to Disney, we are now officially getting Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7, which will also be its final season.
What Is Star Wars The Clone Wars?

If you’ve ever watched the Prequels, you’d know that the end of Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones sparked the beginning of the Clone Wars (which was also mentioned by Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope). The events in Star Wars The Clone Wars takes place after Attack Of The Clones, bridging the gap between that movie and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith.
Ahsoka Tano

Ahsoka Tano is perhaps the single most important character and the main protagonist in Star Wars The Clone Wars. To those unfamiliar with her, Anakin Skywalker was given an apprentice by Master Yoda, and it was a young female Padawan named Ahsoka Tano. She developed from being annoying as hell character that fans hated to becoming one of the most beloved characters in the franchise several seasons in.

She grew throughout the earlier six seasons of Star Wars The Clone Wars to become a confident and strong Jedi in her own right. When we last saw her in The Clone Wars, a fellow Padawan named Barriss Offee framed Ahsoka for an attack on the Jedi Temple, resulting in Ahsoka’s banishment from the Jedi Order.

Although Barriss’s plot was eventually uncovered, Ahsoka rejected the Jedi Order’s offer to be reinstated as a Jedi. Disillusioned and having lost her faith in the Jedi Order, she abandoned it and her master, Anakin Skywalker, in what was one of the saddest moments in Star Wars history.

We never did find out where she went after that, as even her later re-appearance in Star Wars: Rebels didn’t reveal her direct actions in the aftermath. Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 will explore what she did, as she participated in the Siege Of Mandalore (the final major conflict before The Clone Wars ended, leading to the rise of the Empire).
The Clone Troopers

The Clone Troopers were a major part of Star Wars The Clone Wars, and I’m not talking about some random unnamed Clones. There were some important fan-favourite named Clones, such as Captain Rex of the 501st Legion, Commander Cody and ARC Trooper Fives.

These Clones are often the beating heart of the series, showing us what it feels like to be bred solely for war and being expendable soldiers; not having the privilege of being powerful Jedi. War is hell and brutal, but we never really see much of that in the movies (besides 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, that is).

While Commander Cody was last seen tragically forced to turn on Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith (which resulted in his death), we never did find out what happened to Captain Rex. Captain Rex does make an appearance later as an older man in Star Wars Rebels, though it was never revealed how exactly he broke free of the Order 66 conditioning.
Mandalore

With only 12 episodes in Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7, the spotlight will surely be on the highly-anticipated Siege Of Mandalore. During this battle, the Republic and the Jedi Order attempt to liberate Mandalore (home planet of the Mandalorians) from the control of Darth Maul and the terrorist group Death Watch.

This will be an extremely vital piece of Star Wars lore, as we will finally learn more about badly this affected Mandalore (and by extension, the Mandalorians), to the point that they still haven’t recovered their previous status even after the Empire fell post-Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi (as seen in The Mandalorian Season 1).

From the looks of the most recent trailer, it is also possible that Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 will overlap into the events of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith, as it has been mentioned in the canon novel ‘Ahsoka’ that Order 66 and the final battle in the Siege Of Mandalore will happen concurrently.

Bo-Katan of Clan Kryze, the previous leader of the terrorist group Death Watch is the one who recruits Ahsoka Tano. It’s undetermined whether they’re working with the Republic and Jedi or not, but it’s more likely that they’re working as a sort of guerilla group fighting to reclaim Mandalore on the side.
The Jedi

In the Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 trailers, we’ve seen Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, and several other Jedi. It remains unclear what roles these characters will play in the final season of the series. However, Anakin Skywalker may still be reeling from losing his Padawan and learning about Padme’s pregnancy. That, plus with the stress of participating in The Clone Wars, we will see him spiralling more towards the Dark Side.

Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu can be seen together, so it’s easy to surmise that they could likely be leading the Clones in the Siege Of Mandalore. It certainly makes more sense that the focus will be more on Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker rather than any of the other Jedi, as this will be a defining period of time in their lives.
What Is Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 About?

Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 will consist of 12 episodes, comprising of three main story arcs. The first will focus on the elite Clonetrooper squadron called ‘The Bad Batchâ€™, also known as Clone Force 99.

They are an elite clone commando squad led by Sergeant Hunter, notorious for their “desirable” genetic mutations, unorthodox fighting style and dangerously reckless attitude.

The second major story arc will revolve heavily around Ahsoka Tano herself, as we learn more about what she’s been doing since leaving the Jedi Order. In this story arc, Ahsoka will be hiding in the depths of Coruscant, where she will meet two sisters named Trace and Araba.
This storyline will take place on the Level 1313, the infamous seedy sector filled with the galaxyâ€™s worst scum (that was supposed to be the main setting for the ultimately-cancelled Star Wars 1313 game).
The third and final arc of Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 will then culminate in the epic and massic Siege of Mandalore.
When Is Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 Releasing?

Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 7 will premiere exclusively on Disney Plus starting from 21 February 2020, with a new episode every week on Friday onwards.
In the meantime, check outÂ my top tenÂ Star WarsÂ characters of all time, orÂ head on over hereÂ for the chronological guide toÂ Star Wars The Clone Wars (and the best story arcs in the series to date).
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLW2jkd6E7g&w=560&h=315]


Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation Code Fairy Vol. 3 Is Now Live On PS4 & PS5

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia has announced that Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation Code Fairy Vol. 3 is now available on PS4 and PS5.
Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation Code Fairy Vol. 3 is a single-player battle action game that features an original story of a secret unit of the Principality Of Zeon from the One Year War. Fans of the franchise will want to know this previously-untold story.
The protagonist, Alma Stirner (CV: Ayane Sakura), has been appointed as the leader of the “Noisy Fairy”, a secret squad under the direct control of the Principality of Zeon’s Kycilia. Mia Brinkman (CV: Hiyori Kono) is a mechanic while Helena Hegel (CV: Yo Taichi) is a sniper.
The gameplay and controls are similar to that in Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2. While playing solo, you not only control the protagonist, Alma, but also direct the strategic actions of fellow pilots Mia and Helena to work together and utilize their pilot skills to gain the upper hand in the war. This is an element unique to Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation Code Fairy Vol. 3.
The game also introduces two new Mobile Suits:
Gundam Pixy (LA)

A Gundam type MS for ground warfare that was secretly developed by the Earth Federation Forces. This custom-made machine was piloted by Lilith Aidan, the ace of the Witch Hunt Squad, who was active on the North American front.
The shooting armament is also well-balanced for short to medium range, and compared to the base machine, it can be operated for general purposes.
This MS can be obtained as a playable unit in Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2 once episodes 6 to 10 (Vol.2) are cleared on normal mode.

Efreet Jaeger

One of the prototypes produced in small numbers as a ground warfare MS located between Gouf and Dom was remodeled for Helena Hegel.
A dedicated live sniper rifle that can switch bullet types has also been developed, making it an all-rounder that can also intercept anti-aircraft.
This MS can be obtained as a playable unit in Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2 once episodes 6 to 10 (Vol.2) are cleared on hard mode.

In addition, Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2 save data interlocking is also supported. If you clear certain conditions with Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation Code Fairy Vol. 3, you can get 6 “Units from Code Fairy” that can be used in Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2. If you clear certain conditions in Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2, a new mission will be unlocked in Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation Code Fairy Vol. 3.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


The Avengers: The Origin Of The Name and How Captain Marvel Influenced It

Marvel’s strong, independent female protagonist movie, Captain Marvel, was just released last week. It serves as an origin movie for Marvel’s strongest hero, as well as a bridge movie between Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, signifying the end of MCU’s Phase 3. It’s speculated that Captain Marvel will play a pivotal role in defeating the purple villain, Thanos.
But, in all that fracas, let’s not forget how The Avengers Initiative began.
SPOILER INCOMING
Threats From Above
Our first sighting of intergalactic threats came from the movie Thor (2011), and the incident was referenced in 2012’s The Avengers during their banter-slash-quarrel on the Hovercarrier.
The Destroyer
Here’s part of the script from the scene in case you’ve forgotten;
Nick Fury: Last year earth had a visitor from another planet who had a grudge match that leveled a small town. We learned that not only are we not alone, but we are hopelessly, hilariously, outgunned.
Thor: My people want nothing but peace with your planet.
 Nick Fury: But you’re not the only people out there, are you? And, you’re not the only threat. The world’s filling up with people who can’t be matched, they can’t be controlled.
The inception of The Avengers Initiative is due to the looming threats coming from outer space. Even in Captain Marvel, it was stated that they never anticipated that the threats would come from above and that they ‘would search for more heroes’. This is the point where Fury proposed The Avengers Initiative, which was then named The Protector Initiative, to have a group of heroes to protect Earth from unknown threats where ever they came from.
Little did Fury know that most of the future threats would come from elsewhere, and not from the other continents.
Stark’s Stark Determination
One of the memorable scenes in The Avengers movie is the banter between Iron Man and Loki on top of Stark Tower. In my opinion, this is one of the scenes that strengthens the Avengers as their name implies, especially as we step into Endgame.

In case you need to jog your memory, here’s some help;
TONY:Â You’re missing the point. There’s no throne, there is no version of this, where you come out on top. Maybe your army comes and maybe it’s too much for us, but it’s all on you. Because if we can’t protect the Earth, you can be damned well sure we’ll avenge it.
That exact line cemented it for me. It was disastrous during the events of the Battle of Wakanda, and yes they failed to prevent The Snappening, and the whole universe lost half of its population.
And from this line, it’s clear that the what’s left of the Avengers will definitely kick Thanos where the light doesn’t shine.
They will avenge the universe in Endgame, with the help of Captain Marvel.
Speaking about avenging.
Carol Danvers’ Callsign
I don’t know about you, but it’s funny how Nick Fury was inspired by Danvers’ callsign. In the movie Captain Marvel, we see that Danvers’ callsign sparked the idea and was put in the stead of ‘The Protector Initiative’. Stay with me, yeah? Okay, remember 2012’s Avengers, in which Agent Coulson meets his untimely demise at the hands of Loki.
Here’s a snippet of the line from the scene:
Agent Coulson: It’s okay, boss. This was never going to work… if they didn’t have something… to…
It’s implied that he was about to say ‘avenge’. So, therein lies the true namesake of the Avengers. It’s true to a certain extent, because, in my opinion, the Avengers got their act together after Coulson’s death, effectively ‘avenging’ him, therefore being fit to the moniker.

In Captain Marvel, however, the name was taken from a callsign slapped to the side of Carol Danvers’ F-14D Tomcat. I just feel that something as arbitrary as a callsign couldn’t have been the namesake of Earth’s Greatest Defenders. I mean, who did Danvers avenge anyways to justify her the callsign? Again, it’s as arbitrary as it gets, not unlike those badass callsigns you get in the story of any of the Ace Combat games.

With all that said, I have nothing against the recent movie, but in fact, it actually hyped me up for Endgame,Â and I’m sure those who went to watchÂ Captain MarvelÂ is hyped for the next movie. Not to mention, there are so many questions clouding my thought, such as how strong is the ‘strongest Marvel superhero’? What’s her role in Endgame? What would Thanos look like being hit by a Photon Blast? Well, we can only wait and find out on 26 April when Endgame hits the big screens.


Dead or Alive 6 Delayed, But Not For Long

Developer Team Ninja and publisher Koei Tecmo have announced that Dead or Alive 6 will be delayed from its initial release date of 15 February 2019 to 1 March 2019. It’s only two weeks at most, so gamers won’t have to wait long for the game to come out.
“The title’s development is already near complete; however, we would like to take more time to further polish its balance, gameplay, and expressivity,” said Dead or Alive 6 producer and director Yohei Shimbori in an official statement.

“In return for your patience, we commit to bringing you the best Dead or Alive gaming experience. I am truly sorry for the inconvenience caused by the release delay of Dead or Alive 6.”

Just yesterday, the official Twitter account for Dead or Alive 6 teased at a possible beta session in the near future. Though no official announcements have been made, surely it’s just a matter of time before the demo eventually releases, especially now that the game is confirmed to be delayed.
Dead or Alive 6 will be released for the PS4, Xbox One and PC on 1 March 2019. In case you missed it, a new character using Pencak Silat as her chose fighting style will be making her debut in the upcoming game.


Kingdom Hearts Gets Yet Another Mobile Game With Project Xehanort

What’s with mobile games and Kingdom Hearts? Well, we’re getting yet another one with Project Xehanort. It is slated to release sometime in 2020 for Android and iOS devices with in-app purchases. There’s even already a tagline attached to the game, which explains its premise in one simple sentence:

â€œWhy did he become the seeker of darkness?â€

That’s right, the Kingdom Hearts Project Xehanort mobile game spinoff will likely be exploring the origin of the main antagonist of the Dark Seeker Saga (which ended with 2019’s Kingdom Hearts 3); Master Xehanort himself.
Those who played Kingdom Hearts 3 will have already seen glimpses of Xehanort as a young teen in flashbacks featured in the game, where he can be seen playing a Kingdom Hearts version of chess against a younger Master Eraqus (the master of Ventus, Terra and Aqua).
Project Xehanort isn’t even the game’s official title. In fact, Square Enix is currently holding the Guess the Name Twitter Campaign, where anyone who correctly guesses the real title will win prizes.

The Guess the Name Campaign is here! Tell us what YOU think the title of the new KH experience will be and win big!ðŸŽ‰
10 winners will be selected! Campaign ends 1/28 at 6:59 p.m. PT!
For official rules and conditions, view the rules here: https://t.co/G8NEwh5gEo
Good luck! pic.twitter.com/TQEoLaLBlQ
â€” Project Xehanort (@projectxehanort) January 23, 2020

Project Xehanort will actually be the third mobile game to spawn from the Kingdom Hearts franchise after 2008’s Kingdom Hearts: Coded (or its expanded version 2010’s Re:coded) and 2017’s Kingdom Hearts: Union X (which originally released as Unchained Ï‡ in 2015.
In the meantime,Â check out my review ofÂ Kingdom Hearts 3Â hereÂ orÂ check out my detailed discussion of the franchiseâ€™s past, present, and future here (spoilers ahead).


What I Want From The Inevitable Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man 2 Game

Marvel’s Spider-Man is a success even before it launched thanks to fanboy and game journalism hype dating back to the last few E3s. But you know what? The final product earns its merit badge.
I bought my copy, finished it, and thought it was a great first step in making Spider-Man games again. God bless Marvel for giving this IP to Sony and Insomniac, away from the milking-happy hands of Activision and the way they exhaust Beenox by making them rush out half-assed Spider-Man games.
I even agree with most of the points Kenn brought up in his Amazing review of Insomniac’s latest. Obviously, some things needed work (which I’ll bring up later), but it’s a decent jaunt. I have played various crappy super-hero games back in the day (like the Megadrive and Sega Saturn/PlayStation 2D platforming junk) and thankfully Marvel’s Spider-Man isn’t one of them.
There will probably be a sequel in the works, but for now here’s the official word from the game’s creative director (and former games journalist) Bryan Intihar:
Nothing to announce [regarding a sequel] but we obviously want to keep you engaged in our Spider-Man universe. Thatâ€™s why we said right off the bat youâ€™re going to have three drops of DLC. Itâ€™s not just activities in the city, this is a full story. Youâ€™re going to be able to get a pretty chunky, new experience.
So why not we just throw our predictions and suggestions in the hat? Even if these ideas might end up as DLC expansions (which is fine in itself), it’s still a win for casual, hardcore, and comic book fan gamers alike.
Oh and there will be some spoilers here, so I’ll leave this on here.

Without further ado, here’s what I want:
Have The Main Baddies Roam Around New York
To make the game’s New York City a bit more of a living city, why not crank up the challenge a few notches and have guys like The Shocker, Rhino, and some of the Sinister Six foes crop up at random to fight Spider-Man at random? It’s not like The Raft can hold these goons for too long anyway.
I personally enjoyed the Taskmaster challenges and fights because after completing some of the Bomb and Stealth Challenges, I was ambushed by the supervillain himself. He basically mirrors you when you fight him, so at this point, you need to already know how to pull off Perfect Dodges and counterattacks. It’s the light version of the Bayonetta vs. Jeanne/Lumen Sage fight.
Bring In Some Form Of Venom & Make It A True Mirror Match
It’s been established through one of the Backpack Tokens that Eddie Brock is part of this Insomniac Spider-Man universe. And at the end of the game, the symbiote is one of Osbourne’s next project post-game. Sooner or later in either the game’s future DLC or a sequel down the line, we’ll be seeing the symbiote taking over Peter Parker, and then Peter himself fighting against it, which then leads to Eddie Brock getting the symbiote suit somehow.

Gameplay-wise, this can be a mirror-match of sorts like that Bayonetta scenario I mentioned. Your Spider senses do not work against the symbiote, so you’ll need to really learn when to dodge and when to counterattack without any prompt and aid. Oh and to spice things up and make it tougher, the symbiote can somehow nullify your Focus Healing so you really need to dodge right and pay attention.
Bring In The Rest Of The Spider-Man Villains
While we’re at it, how about we bring in more enemies into the fray? There’s a lot Insomniac can pick and create stories & missions around, like oh say Hammerhead (below), Mysterio, Kraven the Hunter, Sandman, Hydro-Man, the Hobgoblin, the Lizard, Chameleon, the Enforcers, and a ton more.

Open Up New York Further
Marvel’s Spider-Man gave us a lovely digital version of New York City. The expansions and sequels can open up the state further. There’s Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island.
Each of these districts are big enough to house a couple more activities and missions for the webheaded wizard to faff about in. With a bigger playground, that also equals more criminal factions to fight against.
Bring In The Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four
With Disney already acquiring the rights to Fan4stic/Fantastic Four and X-Men, Marvel’s first family can now collaborate with Spider-Man for future stories in the game. Imagine the possibilities similar to Spider-Man Web of Shadows or even the 90s 16-bit Spider-Man games: Wolverine and Spider-Man together again. Johnny Storm and The Thing help out Spider-Man defeat The Mole Man and/or Doctor Doom.
Or have Captain America and Spider-Man going to Latveria to fight a slew of D-lister villains, Doctor Doom again, and Doom bots just like in that old PC game in the 80s. Except good.
If the stars align in Insomniac’s favour, we may need to be holding onto our copy of Marvel’s Spider-Man a lot longer than usual. And we may finally see this suit in the next Spider-Man game….

Put In A Mission Board So We Can Replay The Main Story Missions
Marvel’s Spider-Man will have a new game plus mode down the line, so why not they implement an option for us to replay the epic story missions? The Amazing Spider-Man games last generation pulled that off just fine; why didn’t Insomniac Games do this early on?
Make The Supporting Cast Segments Optional
My only big gripe from giving this game a high mark -I’d probably give it a 70 out of 100 in retrospect- is that the bits with Mary-Jane Watson as a reporter and Miles Morales sneaking through places really breaks the flow of the game.
I understand that it can work from a story standpoint and can flesh out how important the two are in the grand scheme of things. And they do not wear out their welcome. But whether I’m in the museum as MJ talking to the curator in cahoots with The Kingpin, or if I’m sneaking through a Sable group checkpoint and hacking TV monitors to distract guards, I’m thinking to myself “when the f*** am I going to start beating up these guys?”

Imagine the werewolf bits in Sonic Unleashed; they really put a damper in the running-platforming-action segments that are the main focus of the game, and somehow do not complement the overarching design.Â In this context, Insomniac made us play the side characters in sections that are the complete opposite of the main game’s open-world action momentum and pacing.
Make It Tougher
It’s rather telling of a game when you have game journalists bragging online about getting Platinum trophies for an open world game less than a week in before a game’s launch. I’m not knocking my fellow peers about their skill or even comment on Insomniac’s overall game’s difficulty curve.

Truth be told, the game is not that hard even in the highest difficulty mode if you’ve at least played through games like Bayonetta or Devil May Cry on the highest difficulty level. My advice: Insomniac should make better trophies with challenging objectives to achieve.
Compare this game with the Batman Arkham trilogy: most of us might feel a much larger sense of accomplishment with the latter than the former because a number of game mechanics in the trilogy are quite strict with its nuances.
In Closing
Long story short, Marvel’s Spider-Man is not a complete masterpiece. It’s still great fun though. Among the marquee PlayStation titles, it sits at number 2, with God of War being number 1 and Detroit: Become Human sitting at number 3.
Marvel’s Spider-Man is a spectacular first step in making Spider-Man games great again. And with all of these ideas I mentioned above and with Insomniac Games’ ability to thrive with its sequels (see Ratchet & Clank), I’m pretty confident that their next web-laced wonder will make fans rightfully scream “Excelsior!” with pride.


The Sims 4 Welcomes Holiday Season 2022 With Special Deals

Publisher Electronic Arts is running a brand-new sale across EA App, Steam, Playstation Store, and Microsoft Store.

A variety of EA video game titles are currently on sale, including The Sims 4. There’s no better time for longtime fans and players of the simulation game to get the lowest offers on Expansion Packs, Game Packs, and Stuff Packs.

Here are all the discounts for Sims 4 games and pack types below:

Sims 4 Game Pack Sale
The majority of the game packs are currently 30% off. Werewolves and My Wedding Stories Game Packs are discounted at 25% off.

Sims 4 Expansion Sale
Aside from the High School Years, all Sims 4 Expansion Packs are available for a 55% discount.
Sims 4 Stuff Pack Deals
All exciting Stuff Packs offered are at a 30% discount.The holiday deals are only available for a limited time for each platform:

The Xbox deal is available now until 2 January 2023.
PlayStation 4 sale is live now until 6 January 2023.
The steam sale ends on 5 January 2023.
EA App/Origin sale ends on 10 January 2023.


Toy Story 4 Is No Child’s Play With Huge Opening Weekend

Disney continues to dominate the 2019 box office as Toy Story 4 is the company’s next movie to top the charts with a massive $238,000,000 opening weekend at the global box office amidst glowing reviews (including our own, which you can check out here).
Toy Story 4‘s box office revenue will only continue to grow as the good word-of-mouth spreads, and even those skeptical of the franchise due to how well 2009’s Toy Story 3 ended will be compelled to watch the latest Disney Pixar offering.
Meanwhile, the Child’s Play reboot starring Mark Hamill as the iconic Chucky doll only managed to garner a total of $14,055,540 in the United States alone, with international numbers yet to be taken into account. That will definitely factor into Orion Pictures’ plans for future sequels.
According to Variety, summer 2019’s ticket sales have been pacing behind last year’s stronger summer movie season, with a 6 percent decrease in box office revenue. That is due in part to the less-than-expected and disappointing box office performances of recent big-budget movies like X-Men Dark Pheonix, Men In Black International, and Godzilla King Of The Monsters.
It seems that this year’s summer movie season peaked early with Avengers Endgame, which is currently less than $40 million behind all-time box office number one Avatar but that will likely change soon after the movie’s upcoming re-release.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUrfRXnINxU&w=560&h=315]


Beware Of Far Cry 6 Beta Email Scams, Warns Ubisoft

There are Far Cry 6 beta emails going around that may seem legit but are actually fake scams. This has been confirmed by Ubisoft themselves earlier today, as several influencers reported receiving suspicious beta codes for the upcoming game.
The fake Far Cry 6 beta invite was reported by YouTuber theRadBrad. The phishing email even appeared to feature an official Ubisoft address and an embargo with a special password for access. However, clicking on it will result in the installation of malware that “watches your screen and records everything you do.”
While details on the malware and fake email weren’t shared, Ubisoft confirmed that it was a scam and users should ignore it if they receive similar emails.

We can confirm the email regarding FC6 beta access is a phishing attempt. It has been reported. Please do not respond if you have received this email or similar. Thank you for the report! https://t.co/G7jBlRS6IW
— Ubisoft Support (@UbisoftSupport) February 19, 2021

It wasÂ announced late last year in 2020Â thatÂ Far Cry 6 would be delayed beyond its original 18 February 2021 release date. The company has yet to reveal a new official release date but a leaked listing indicates that Far Cry 6 may be slated to launch for the PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia on 26 May 2021.


Star Wars KOTOR 2 Is Coming To Mobile Devices Next Week

Aspyr and Lucasfilm have announced thatÂ Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic IIÂ is slated to launch on Android, iOS, and iPad later this month on 18 December 2020.Â
Star Wars fans don’t need an introduction to Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic II. For those who don’t know, it is the 2004 sequel to 2003’s Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic RPG by BioWare. To this day, both games are fondly remembered as two of the best Star Wars games ever made.
In addition, both games also added a lot to Star Wars lore, though most of that is now regarded as non-canon Legends.
However, new shows and movies like The Mandalorian and Star Wars Episode IX The Rise Of Skywalker have slowly re-introduced certain elements from these games back into canon, like the HK-87 assassin droids appearing in Season 2 Episode 5 Chapter 13 The Jedi and a Darth Revan easter egg.
According to developer Aspyr,Â Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic IIÂ on mobile will be optimized for mobile devices. Pre-order and pre-registration are available now on both platforms.


There’s Going To Be A Smash Bros. Clone Featuring Nickelodeon Characters [Update]

Update [15 July 2021]: Korra from Avatar: Legend of Korra, Ren & Stimpy, and CatDog will be in the game.
In a move that’s probably 10 years too late, publisher GameMill Entertainment and developers Ludosity and Fair Play Labs will be making a 2D arena fighting game using Nickelodeon characters and properties.
It’s called Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, and it’ll be out this fall for PC, PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Ludosity is known for making a pretty fun platform fighting game called Slap City, and it did mention that Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl will include rollback netcode for its online play. Looks like this title may be more than just licensed game mediocre fare.
The following characters will be on the roster:

Danny Phantom (Danny Phantom)
Helga (Hey Arnold!)
Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
Lincoln Loud (The Loud House)
Lucy Loud (The Loud House)
Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
Nigel Thornberry (The Wild Thornberrys)
Oblina (Aaahh!!! Real Monsters)
Patrick Star (SpongeBob SquarePants)
Powdered Toast Man (Ren & Stimpy)
Reptar (Rugrats)
Sandy Cheeks (SpongeBob SquarePants)
SpongeBob SquarePants (SpongeBob SquarePants)
Zim (Invader Zim)
Korra (Avatar: The Legend of Korra)
Ren (Ren & Stimpy)
Stimpy (Ren & Stimpy)
CatDog (CatDog)

Modes include single-player and multiplayer mode with four-player local and online competitive play. The game will have 20 stages to fight in including Jellyfish Fields from Spongebob SquarePants and the Technodrome from TMNT. Yeap, the Ninja Turtles are still under Nickelodeon; what times we live in indeed.
Check out the gameplay below, and the placeholder box art.


UK Regulators Block Microsoft-Activision Blizzard Acquisition

So, Microsoft’s plan to acquire Activision Blizzard for a whopping US$69 billion has been blocked by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over concerns that it would harm the growth of cloud gaming. This comes after the CMA provisionally opposed the deal in February due to similar concerns about cloud gaming.
However, last month, the CMA seemed to change its mind and stated that new evidence suggested the merger would not significantly harm competition in console gaming. This led many to believe that the deal would be approved this month and subsequently by the EU in May. But the CMA’s concerns about cloud gaming have apparently caused a major setback.
The CMA argues that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision would further strengthen its dominance in the market by giving it control over important gaming content such as Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. Microsoft already controls an estimated 60-70% of global cloud gaming services, and the CMA is worried that the company would make Activision’s games exclusive to its own cloud gaming service, thereby hindering competition. The CMA also found Microsoft’s proposed solutions to alleviate these concerns to be insufficient.
Microsoft plans to appeal the CMA’s decision, and it remains to be seen whether this will be a fatal blow to the acquisition. Activision shares have already dropped 11% in response to the news. It’s interesting to note that the CMA’s main concerns revolve around cloud gaming, while Sony’s opposition to the deal centres on access to Call of Duty. Nvidia, one of Microsoft’s competitors in the cloud gaming space, has expressed support for the acquisition and signed a 10-year deal with Microsoft to continue bringing Activision’s games to Nvidia platforms. It’s unclear whether the UK’s refusal will prompt the EU and the US to follow suit.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has blocked Microsoft’s US$69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard over concerns of potential harm to competition in the cloud gaming market. Despite some recent indications that the deal might be approved, the CMA’s concerns regarding Microsoft’s dominance in the cloud gaming space seem to have ultimately derailed the acquisition. Microsoft has announced that it will appeal the ruling, but it remains to be seen what the outcome of that appeal will be. Meanwhile, the decision is likely to have significant implications for both companies and could potentially impact future mergers and acquisitions in the tech industry.


Paladin Devs’ Next Game Is A Free-To-Play Co-Op Multiplayer Shooter

Hi-Rez Studios is best known for their free-to-play online multiplayer games like the mythology-based MOBA Smite and the Overwatch-like Paladins. Now they’re dipping their toes into the more conventional co-op third-person shooter genre with a new game titled Rogue Company.
Co-developed with First Watch Games, Rogue Company follows a mercenary group of the same name as the game, with players tackling objective-based missions in 2v2 Wingman or 4v4 Extraction modes. It will feature cross-play functionality across all platforms when it launches for the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC sometime in 2020.

Just like popular battle royale games Fortnite and PUBG, players begin matches in Rogue Company by parachuting down onto the map. The start of each round also allows players to gain access to a shop Ã  la Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, but it’s much more dynamic as there will be unique characters to choose from with their own loadouts, abilities, and skills, which can be upgraded and tinkered with.
Rogue Company has been in development for the past two years. Speaking with PCGamer, lead designer and former Halo world champion Scott Lussier describes the game as “dynamic combat puzzles”. What this means is that players will need to learn how to mix their own skill-set and playstyle with the variety of playable mercenaries and their respective abilities.

Lussier also said:

“We were naturally going to lean more towards CS: GO in the sense of strategic depths as it’s round-based, one life [gameplay] and that’s kind of similar to Rainbow Six Siege.
Our plan with weapons long term is that when they debut [they might] be unique to that class but they are going to be reused on future mercs as well.
So if we have Dallas [a sheriff-type character], if we do another sheriff down the road, he might have the revolver as well.
So we will be reusing guns, and that’s just for a familiarity standpoint.
So you’re not going to have as many guns as Rainbow Six Siege, but the depth is going to be there.”

Rogue Company lead narrative game designer Evelyn Fredericksen said:

“We want you to have a constructive, good gameplay experience.
So we want the maps to be not as easy, not as oh-my-gosh totally straightforward and predictable as Overwatch.
But nowhere near to the point where you’re stressing out [over] every single angle.”

In the meantime, check out the Rogue Company early look trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybR34uYuLr0&w=560&h=315]


Here Are The Best Gaming Deals For The  11.11 Weekend

“SEBELAS, SEBELAS!”. “ELEVEN, ELEVEN!” “PEET PEET PEET PEET PEET…”
You’re no doubt sick of those Shopee ads assaulting your senses on YouTube the past few days. There’s a good reason for that: 11th November is Single’s Day in China, and all China-owned commercial conglomerates are celebrating the day with sales.
Trivia: 11th November is also Remembrance Day and the birthdays of Stanley Tucci, Demi Moore, and Leonardo DiCaprio. So yeah, this Sunday is a good day as any to start shopping for cheap gaming and electronic goods.
Do pay attention to tomorrow as well since online stores like Lazada and Shopee have limited-time deals as well. We’ll be updating this news post with new deals within the weekend.
Nintendo Switch, Singapore Set (Lazada)

If you’re living in Singapore, this weekend’s as good as any to get yourself a Switch. It’s S$425, so go nuts.
PlayStation 4 Pro (Lazada)

This offer takes S$100 off the S$699 price. Really, S$599 is as cheap as you can get officially.
FIFA ’19 For PS4 (Lazada)

This year’s EA football entry will cost you RM199 if you get it from Lazada. Goal!
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild For Nintendo Switch (Lazada)

One of the best-selling and most critically-acclaimed games on the Nintendo Switch will cost you only RM198 on Lazada. Your Nintendo Switch library of games won’t be complete withoutÂ The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild!
Nioh for PS4 (Lazada)

Last year’s best Dark Souls-esque action RPG game is now on sale. You can now spend RM88 for this samurai ghost-slaying awesomeness.
God of War for PS4 (Lazada)

This year’s GOTY candidate is now on sale for RM139. It’s part action hackfest and part father-son bonding adventure set in Norse mythology. Oh, and a god who used to be into wars and stuff.
Overcooked! 2 for PS4 (Lazada)

Take note that this is the R4 version of the multiplayer cooking chaosfest. This game’s great when you want to bring your pals over for some offline couch multiplayer action.
Realme 2 Pro Offer (Shopee)

This pretty awesome and affordable powerhouse of a phone can run most of your F2P games like Dragalia Lost pretty well. With a 6.3″ Dewdrop full screen, a Snapdragon 660 AIE processor, and 3500mAh battery, it’s definitely a more affordable alternative to the juggernaut phones out there.
The 4GB+64GB version costs RM799, while the 6GB+64GB version costs RM899. The 8GB+128GB version will cost you RM999.
Portable 8Bitdo USB Wireless Bluetooth Adapter Gamepad Receiver (Lazada)

Need a stylish portable Bluetooth gamepad receiver? 8Bitdo’s got you covered. It’s going for RM46.80.
PUBG Controller For Your Phone (Shopee)

If you play a TON of PUBG Mobile and Rules of Survival on your mobile phone, perhaps you should spend RM15.26 on this. Controller handles do improve how you play, so don’t knock it until you try it.
This China-Made NES Mini With 500 Games (Shopee)

You know those Raspberry Pi3 game emulators you see in retro gaming forums? Here’s one of them in not-so-legal mass market form. Features 500 games and a low low price of RM40.55. Just remember you get what you pay for; buy at your own risk.
Razer Game Store To Launch In Lazada Malaysia and Philippines (Lazada)

It’s not a physical store, but it’s better than nothing. Highlights include indie title Stifled costing RM39, Tesla vs Lovecraft costing RM31, and Another Sight costing RM26.31.
If you’re from the Philippines, check out deals from your side of the world here.Â


God Of War Prequel Comic Gets New 2021 Release Date

Last year, it was announced that a comic book miniseries titled God Of War Fallen God would finally explore what happened between 2010’s God Of War 3 and 2018’s God Of War. However, it was later delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Dark Horse Comics official website, the first issue of God Of War Fallen God is now slated to launch on 10 March 2021.
It will be helmed by Chris Roberson (iZombie, God Of War), drawn by artist Tony Parker (God Of War, This Damned Band), coloured by Dan Jackson (The Strain, The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys), and lettered by John Roshell (Overwatch Anthology, Astro City).
The official synopsis reads:
â€œGod Of War Fallen God follows Kratos after conquering Zeus and thwarting Athena.Believing himself to be finally free of his bondage, he sets sail for the desert in an attempt to distance himself from his home and his shame only to find his rage and guilt follow close behind.Kratos rages against the one foe that has proven to be unconquerable, himself.But a war against oneself is unwinnable, and only invites madness.â€

In other related news, the sequel to 2018’s God Of War was officially revealed in September 2020 during a PlayStation Showcase live stream. Titled God Of War Ragnarok, it is slated to launch sometime in 2021.
(Image Credit: Reddit)


The Cos-Mic Cosplay & Doujin Fair 2022 Is Happening This Weekend

The Cos-Mic Cosplay & Doujin Fair will be celebrating all things geeky at the Sunway Clio Exhibition Centre this weekend from 25 to 26 June 2022, with plenty of activities and performances to keep you entertained all weekend. Best of all, admission to the event is completely FREE for everyone.
You can stay tuned on their official Facebook page for more details and information.
Here’s what to expect from the event this weekend:
Cosplay Guests
Be enthralled by Cos-Mic’s all-star lineup of special cosplay guests! Attendees will stand a chance to meet and greet their favorite cosplay idols throughout the event.
These include:

https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/117671667610772
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/118071200904152
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/118585050852767
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/118897177488221
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/120307247347214
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/120865820624690
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/121163757261563
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/121254990585773
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/121619333882672
Cosplay Competition
You can show off your cosplay skills and stand to win up to RM1,000 at Cos-Mic’s Cosplay Competition.
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/122503097127629
Stage Activities
Throughout the day, you’ll be treated to a wide variety of exciting on-stage activities. From live musical performances, to cosplay showcases and even an eating competition, there’s bound to be something for everyone onstage.
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/115828164461789
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/124044800306792
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/124046200306652
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/124047623639843
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/127237136654225
Exhibitors
There will be plenty of exhibitors to look forward to:
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/124429300268342
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/124868010224471
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/125309373513668
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/125350680176204
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/125771716800767
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/126066643437941
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/127192486658690
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/127253769985895
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/127634079947864
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/128032273241378
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/128022109909061
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/127992229912049
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/127671326610806
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/127663566611582

Doujin Hall
Feast your eyes and pick up some unique works of art from our Doujin Hall! Over 100 artists from Malaysia will be showcasing their original and fan creations at the event.
Photography Area
Dress your best and strut your stuff at the designated Photography Area! Show off your OOTD by taking a selfie at one of our themed photo backdrops. You might just stand a chance to win a prize from Cos-Mic’s Photo Contest!
https://www.facebook.com/cosmicasia/posts/128836666494272


Avert Your Eyes Madden & NFL Fans: Fortnite is Heading into the Gridiron

As if we haven’t had enough of Fortnite, Epic just announced that the battle royale game is partnering with the NFL to includeÂ NFL themed outfits from the Fortnite Item Shop starting November 9th. While Fortnite’s Battle Royale has always been free, they have been raking in the cash via purchasable in-game items.
This crossover is definitely geared for sportsfans who also play the battle royale game – more specifically, NFL supporters. We’ve seen pro footballers doing the floss dance at the recent World Cup – so we guess this crossover was just a matter of time.
So… anyone looking forward building forts and stairs while clad in the colors of the Pittsburgh Steelers?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jffp5jwtqY&w=560&h=315]
We just wonder what them Madden dudebros think of this crossover though.


Apex Legends roadmap revealed, and something else too…

Apex LegendsÂ is looking truly great, amassing 25 million unique players as of today, with a peak of 2 million concurrent players, and yet, Respawn Entertainment won’t stop improving the game, a hallmark of a great developer!

Apex Legends willÂ be following a seasonÂ pass model, not unlike Fortnite.Â The inaugural season would kick off on March, while the second season, which we may be seeing new Legends, will start in June. Season 3 would start in September and the last season in 2019 would begin in December.
As usual, all these cosmetics can be unlocked through gameplay alone, however, the battle pass would award you some goodies too.
But wait, that’s not all the news we’ll be reporting today! Data minersÂ have taken a peek at the in-game files and found some clues that would lead to something rather exciting.

LEAK:
Solo & Duo game modes found in the game files! No information about when they will be released, but we may see them very soon. pic.twitter.com/XYz8KlXeeh
â€” ApexUpdate – News & Leaks (@ApexUpdate) February 9, 2019

According to a reliable FortniteÂ data miner, ShiinaBR, there are files that makeÂ a reference to a ‘solo mode’ and a ‘two-man squad’, although there are no signs or official announcements in the roadmap that the modes would actually be implemented at all. Then again, with the success of the game, and the massive number of players, we just might see these modes making an appearance one time in the future.
Respawn and EA has also announced that a new TitanfallÂ is in the works.
With a strong and detailed roadmap ahead of us, I hope this is Respawn’s plan of hyping up the franchise before following up with Titanfall 3Â in the future.


Here’s What’s New In The Overwatch Winter Wonderland 2019 Update

We’re nearing mid-December again, folks and you know what that means. That’s right, the Overwatch Winter Wonderland annual event is back! Aside from snowy locales and some cool skins, there are some noteworthy changes to heroes.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRrKsQad9D4&w=560&h=315]
The Overwatch Winter Wonderland 2019 event will last from 10 December 2019 to 2 January 2020. It comes in the form of a free update for all players across all platforms. The event comes with event-exclusive game modes, skins, sprays, icons, and so on.
Here are some of the new skins that players can unlock or purchase in this year’s Winter Wonderland:

Two game modes from previous Winter Wonderland events are coming back: Mei’s Snowball Offensive and Yeti Hunter. For those of you looking for something new, you can try out the Snowball Deathmatch. It’s an 8-player free-for-all deathmatch where players can store only up to three lethal snowballs in Mei’s blaster. Play it to unlock new achievements and unique sprays.
Some big changes coming to the game via the new patch include replacing the Skirmish mode with “While You Wait!“. It basically allows players to choose from a selection of game modes while waiting for their next match. You can choose to go to the Practice Range, play Deathmatch, play a Custom Game, or just go on with the usual Skirmish.
In terms of changes made to heroes, it seems that the most affected ones are Orisa, Sigma, and Reinhardt. All three heroes get their barriers nerfed with Orisa’s Protective Barrier health reduced from 900 to 600, Sigma’s Experimental Barrier reduced from 1500 to 900, and Reinhardt’s Barrier Field reduced from 200 to 1600.

The developers nerfed the barriers due to wanting players to spend less time focusing on just damaging barriers. Reducing the tankiness of the tanks will defintely change the way people approach the role so they’re going to monitor whether these changes will succeed or fail in affecting the game positively.
Moira‘s Biotic Grasp healing has also been nerfed with the healing effect being reduced from 80HP/s to 65HP/s. According to the developers, this was done because her healing was deemed “too potent” thanks to it being able to heal multiple target simultaneously.
A host of bug fixes and some new features for the Workshop are also included in the latest patch. You can check out the full patch notes here.


All The Good Smile Company & Max Factory Toys & Figurines Revealed During WonHobby 33

We do miss checking out offline toy exhibitions and bazaars since the pandemic hit. It’s a good thing Good Smile Company and Max Factory Toys are showing off their latest gaming, anime, and Hololive VTuber figure line and toys online!
All these awesome toy line pics are during the WonHobby 33 exhibition during Tokyo’s Wonder Festival. Here’s a picture roundup of our top picks over the course of the busy weekend.
Cardcaptor Sakura

Hololive’s Usada Pekora

Rabbit girl gets a sleek figurine and a Nendoroid. How about that?
More Hololive VTubers In Figurine & Nendoroid Forms

(via Otaku Mode)

(via Otaku Mode)

(via Otaku Mode)

(via Otaku Mode)
Princess Connect Re:Dive Nendoroids

Kokoro and Pecorine get physical midget-sized versions of their video game counterparts.
Genshin Impact Nendoroids

The F2P RPG toy line merchandising isn’t stopping! Here’s a look at the unpainted prototypes of Aether and Lumine (boy & girl Traveler).
Arknight’s Ch’en

Anime tower defense fans unite! This Chen figurine looks pretty sweet to own.
1/7th scale Marth from Fire Emblem

Hades’ Zagreus

There’s no physical version or draft model up for photographing, but it’s good to know that Zagreus’ likeness will be in good hands under Good Smile Company.


Starfield’s Main Story Will Be 30 To 40 Hours Long

Bethesda president Todd Howard, who is also the game director for the upcoming space RPG Starfield, will be 30 to 40 hours long if you’re playing just the main storyline.
The sci-fi game’s huge number of quests is about a fifth longer than Skyrim and Fallout 4 according to an IGN interview with the director.
“This one’s ending up a little bit longer [than our previous games] and we may tune that some still. It’s more quests, so it might be 20% more than our previous ones.
Todd Howard also clarified on the “over 1,000 planets” comment he made on the Starfield gameplay trailer.
“We’re also careful to let you know that’s what [that procedural content] is.
So, if you look at space, you know there are a lot of ice balls in space, so that was one of our big design considerations on this game is, ‘What’s fun about an ice ball?’ And it’s OK sometimes if ice balls aren’t – it is what it is.
We’d rather have them and say yes to you, ‘Hey, you can land on this.’ Here are the resources, you can survey it, and then you can land and spend ten minutes there and be like, ‘OK, now I’m going to leave and go back to the other planet that has all this other content on it, and I’m going to follow this questline.’
So, we’re pretty careful about saying, ‘Here’s where the fun is, here’s this kind of content,’ but still say yes to the player and, ‘You want to go land on that weird planet, check it out, and build an outpost, and live your life there, and watch the sunset because you like the view of the moons there? Go for it.’ We love that stuff.”
I guess he’s saying that some of these 1,000 planets will be empty places you can build your own starbase and outpost at. Better hope that fast travel loading is quick, Bethesda.
Starfield will be out in 2023 for PC and Xbox Series.


SecretLab Gets Massive Temasek Funding

SecretLab has announced that it has secured a massive investment and funding Temasek subsidiary Heliconia Capital Management. According to the Straits Times, the value of the partnership is estimated between a whopping US$200 and US$300 million.
Gamers will know SecretLab as a Singapore-based company that specializes in those gaming chairs used by many fellow gamers and even famous influencers around the world, while Temasek is a commercial investment megacorporation owned by the Singaporean government.
Secretlab isn’t the first company to have received financial investment from Temasek. The list is a long one, but gamers will be interested to know that it includes gaming hardware and peripherals maker Razer, and Ascent Solutions, a company that focuses on the Internet Of Things tech.
In an interview with the Straits Times, Secretlab co-founder and chief executive Ian Alexander Ang said that the gaming chair company will benefit from Temasek Heliconia’s “long-term strategic insights and extensive contacts”.
This deal will definitely allow the relatively-new (founded in 2014) but fast-rising company to propel itself even further, in the way that Razer has previously done before. SecretLab’s (arguably) biggest achievement so far might have to be its most recent one, becoming the exclusive gaming chair partner for the upcoming Dota 2 The International, or TI9, taking place later this month.
This was revealed via European Dota 2 team Team Secret’s official Facebook page, which gives us our first look at the unique purple-themed gaming chair which will be used in the upcoming esports tournament.
https://www.facebook.com/TeamSecret/photos/a.885991808078101/2628393317171266/?type=3&theater
In the meantime, SecretLab is gearing up for its 2020 Series lineup of gaming chairs. Check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEgT58x1ha0&w=560&h=315]


Watch Us Blow Stuff Up In This 15 Minute Mighty Goose Preview

I do love me some Metal Slug action; the thrill of just casually running left to right mowing down not-Nazis, zombies, and aliens using Heavy Machine Guns and tanks called Metal Slugs just tickles my fancy so much. Which is why I’m happy to get a taste of the obvious SNK shooter tribute Mighty Goose.
Published by Playism and made by Blastmode and MP2 Games, Mighty Goose is a colourful 2D run-and-gun shoot-em-up where you play a gun-totting goose who has to fight an alien army. He’s not alone; he can get assistance from an AI partner ranging from a mallard to a pig that occasionally gives you heavy machine gun ammo.
Just like its obvious inspiration, you can wield a rapid-fire machine gun, a shotgun, and a rocket launcher. It comes with limited ammo, but the damage & destruction more than makes up for it. You can see the first 15 minutes of the game below where we go nuts and died at least once just doing so. This game isn’t easy, but at least you have hit points and a dodge button for protection & evasion.

Mighty Goose will be out on 4th June for PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One. Stay tuned for our full review.


Overwatch Japan May Have ‘Leaked’ Hero 27

Was it on purpose, purely human error or are we being led on to a totally different path? Yesterday, the official Japanese Overwatch Twitter account ‘mistakenly’ posted a tweet which may (or not) have given clues on the latest Overwatch hero, codenamed ‘Hero 27’. What they intended to do was post this following ‘teaser’ pic of Hero 27’s (supposedly) weapon:

But instead, they end up posting the drive link to the said picture, resulting in this tweet which has since been deleted.

Considering the latest hint from Blizzard ahead of the upcoming Uprising event was Ana’s mission report which spoke of Torbjorn’s injury where he lost his arm, the legitimacy of the ‘leak’ was compounded by the recently released Torbjorn’s letter to his wife, Ingrid who was pregnant with their firstborn, Brigette. many believed that the new hero will be unveiled during the Uprising event and so far, everything officially released ties in to the Reinhardt – Torbjorn camaraderie.
Ana’s mission report:

Torbjorn’s letter to Ingrid:

The official Overwatch website, PlayOverwatch translated the letter as;
My dear Ingrid,
I know that by now you have gotten news of my injuries in our latest mission. While the descriptions may sound terrible, the doctors are quite sure I’ll make a full recovery. Even Angela came to visit me! On the matter of my arm, I promise to make it my first priority to construct a suitable prosthesis that will make everyone forget that it was ever gone. If only Angela’s dreams of tissue regeneration were a reality! I told her she should be working harder!
They tell me that you have not yet gone into labor, so I am holding out hope that I will be able to be by your side back home in Gothenburg when the time comes. Just wait a little longer for me!
You may have heard that Reinhardt is responsible for saving my life. I’ve heard the story at least four different times myself, already, each time more unbelievable than the last. Exaggerations, as you know how he can be. All the same, they’ve decided to award him a commendation for “conspicuous bravery.” Could two words better describe the big oaf?
He has been bothering me insufferably at my bedside. Half in jest, I suggested that if it would shut him up, I would allow him to name our daughter, as he has been badgering me about it these past months. He, of course, took me at my word. Truth be told, I had been considering making him her godfather, and I hope you’ll forgive me for making this decision without your consultation. We can only hope she doesn’t take after him too much.
I told him that you would have to agree to any name he chose, so letâ€™s hope it’s a good one (though I fear that may be beyond his abilities, given some of the ridiculous names he gives the characters in his “true stories”). I’m getting sick of this hospital, so I am hoping to return soon.
Love,
TorbjÃ¶rn
So how does this tie in to Brigette?

We last saw her during the Reinhardt-focused animated short, Honor and Glory where she was seen persuading Reinhardt to ignore Winston’s Recall message. Brigette has been on the road with Reinhardt following Overwatch’s disbandment and like her father before her, mends Reinhardt’s armor. She is like a daughter to him and according to rumors circulating on the net (well, Reddit), fits the description of ‘Hero 27’ which will be another anchor tank ala Reinhardt and Orisa. Jeff Kaplan was also quoted as saying ‘Hero 27 is meta changing’ and if you look back at the meta trends since Overwatch launched, most, if not all were tank-influenced.
Our guess is that Brigette will be a much more nimble and agile main tank character that defies the conventional tank characteristics. Possibly a Pharah & Reinhardt style of play?Â  But our guesses are as good as yours so don’t be shy to share your theories in the comments section below.


Here’s What You Get If You Order Super Dragon Ball Heroes Early

The Dragon Ball franchise is hotter than its ever been in its 30-year history. Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission is the next game based on the iconic anime/manga franchise. Bandai Namco has revealed the pre-order bonuses for the upcoming Nintendo Switch exclusive.
Players who pre-order Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission will automatically be upgraded to the Hero Edition, which will net them fiveÂ Dragon Ball Super Physical Trading cards as well as a DLC voucher for eleven in-game early character unlocks.

Take a look at the original announcement tweet below:

Pre-Order #SuperDragonBallHeroes: World Mission on #NintendoSwitch to get the HERO Edition! It includes the game plus 5 Dragon Ball Super Physical Trading cards as well as a DLC voucher for 11 in-game early character unlocks!
Reserve yours now: https://t.co/bIxyvbRVrW pic.twitter.com/Q3NURtiMI7
â€” Bandai Namco US (@BandaiNamcoUS) February 21, 2019
However, this special deal might only be limited to the US for now, as there has been no confirmation yet from the folks at Bandai Namco SEA. For those unfamiliar with the game, Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission is a trading card arcade game, which was originally released in Japanese arcades back in 2010.
The story of the game is sort of like the Spider-Verse equivalent for the Dragon Ball franchise, as players can summon different versions of beloved Dragon Ball characters from different universes. Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission is slated to release for the Nintendo Switch on 5 April 2019.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wQiPkX-kzc&w=560&h=315]


This Week’s Borderlands 3 Black Market Vending Machine Features A Neat Takedown Weapon

This week’s new Borderlands 3 Maurice Black Market Vending Machine features a pretty neat Legendary Shotgun you can’t find anywhere except at the Maliwan Takedown raid. Meaning if you have spare cash, you can just find the machine and just buy a few copies for yourself if you’re lazy.
Maurice’s Black Market Vending Machine 7th August Location
To find this week’s vending machine, head down to Athenas and make your way to the centre of the map. Head to the part where ratches spawn; specifically the pathway that leads to the graveyard. Head to the Storm Brewin bar nearby.

You’ll find this week’s Black Market vending machine in the vicinity.

Here are the Legendary Weapons available for purchase:

Ripper SMG
Tigg’s Boom Shotgun
The Flood Pistol

Yep, the Tigg’s Boom can be bought; that’s the Legendary Shotgun that’s only available from the Maliwan Takedown raid. If you’re not up to farming the raid, just buy the shotgun within this week. If you have multiple Vault Hunters, go ahead and stock up on Tigg’s Boom; we suggest getting the variant that shoots out x13 and x16 shots.


Philippines Firms Their Regional Grip On MLBB By Dominating Malaysia At SEA Games 2023

The Philippines has done it again! The country’s representatives in this year’s Men’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament, Bren Esports, snagged their third-straight gold medal at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games’ Esports event.

Check out the schedule & results!
They swept Malaysia in the grand finals on Sunday (14 May) with a 3-0 score. It’s worth noting that the Filipino and Malaysian teams faced off before in the group stage, where Malaysia finished first and the Philippines took second place with a 3-1 record. But the Filipino squad was able to exact revenge in the playoffs and the grand finals.

Bren Esports’ team members are David “FlapTzy” Canon, Michael Angelo “KyleTzy” Sayson, Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel, Marco “Super Marco” Requitano, and Vincent “Pandora” Unigo. On the other hand, the Malaysian team was made up of players from different teams.
KyleTzy was named the game MVP in the first two matches while Super Marco was chosen in the third game. The Philippines ended the 2023 SEA Games Esports event with the highest medal count of five, including gold medals in League of Legends: Wild Rift and Men’s MLBB. They also have a silver medal for Women’s MLBB and bronze medals for VALORANT and Crossfire.

The Philippines’ dominance in Men’s MLBB dates back to the first-ever SEA Games Esports tournament in 2019, which they hosted. The inaugural event was won by a mixed roster of players from different teams while the country’s second gold medal in 2022 was won by players from Blacklist International, who were the reigning MLBB world champions at the time. ECHO, another Filipino team, is the reigning champion after defeating Blacklist International in the M4 World Championship in January.
The Philippines will have the chance to continue their streak as the M5 World Championship is set to be held in their home soil this coming December.


Summer Game Fest 2023: All The Games & Announcements

The annual Summer Game Fest took place earlier today and it was full of game announcements. Several surprises included the reveal of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 release date, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth release window, the appearance of Nicolas Cage on stage (yes, that Nicolas Cage!) and more.
Check out all the games and our full coverage below:

MORTAL KOMBAT 1 UNVEILS BRUTAL FATALITIES & GAMEPLAY FOOTAGE

PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE LOST CROWN SLATED FOR JANUARY 2024

NICOLAS CAGE SHOWS UP AT SUMMER GAME FEST, UNVEILS DEAD BY DAYLIGHT GAMEPLAY

PATH OF EXILE 2 UNVEILS FIRST LOOK AT GAMEPLAY

PLAY AS RYU & GUILE IN CAPCOM’S UPCOMING THIRD-PERSON SHOOTER EXOPRIMAL

EPIC NEW THE WITCHER SEASON 3 TRAILER UNVEILED AT SUMMER GAME FEST

SONIC SUPERSTARS IS A NEW CLASSIC 2D ADVENTURE FEATURING THE ICONIC HEDGEHOG

REMNANT 2 LAUNCHES JULY 25

LIES OF P LAUNCHES THIS SEPTEMBER, DEMO IS NOW AVAILABLE

AKIRA TORIYAMA’S SAND LAND IS GETTING A VIDEO GAME ADAPTATION

WARHAMMER 40K SPACE MARINE 2 UNVEILS FIRST LOOK AT CO-OP GAMEPLAY

ALAN WAKE 2 UNVEILS NEW GAMEPLAY FOOTAGE

WITCHFIRE SET FOR EARLY ACCESS THIS SEPTEMBER

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 SWINGS TO PS5 THIS OCTOBER

LIKE A DRAGON GAIDEN THE MAN WHO ERASED HIS NAME LAUNCHES THIS NOVEMBER

UNDER THE WAVES RECEIVES AUGUST 2023 RELEASE DATE

FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS IS NOW OPEN FOR PRE-REGISTRATION

TWISTED METAL TV SERIES UNVEILS FIRST LOOK AT SWEET TOOTH IN ACTION

PALWORLD GOES LIVE ON STEAM EARLY ACCESS IN JANUARY 2024

KING ARTHUR: LEGENDS RISE RELEASES LATER THIS YEAR

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH LAUNCHES IN EARLY 2024, WILL COME IN TWO DISCS

TAKE A PEEK AT IMMORTALS OF AVEUM’S LATEST GAMEPLAY TRAILER

JOHN CARPENTER’S TOXIC COMMANDO IS A NEW ZOMBIE CO-OP FPS COMING IN 2024


Nintendo Direct September 2023: All The Games Announced, Including Zelda Game Sequel

Nintendo’s big Nintendo Direct livestream has come and gone; we now have a slew of games to look forward to for the Nintendo Switch these next few months and the first half of 2023.
Let’s address the big news before we dive into the smaller ones:
The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Breath of the Wild 2 now has an official title: The Legend of Zelda – Tears of the Kingdom. It features hero Link riding on a rock bird and the game’s release date: 12th May 2023. I pity any game that plans to release around that period.
Fire Emblem Engage

A new Fire Emblem is confirmed. It features turn-based combat, a red/blue-haired new hero, the return of Fire Emblem 1’s Marth, a new fusion mode using a powerful ring (making the internet come up with easy engagement jokes), and a release date: 20th January 2023.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass Wave 2

The new content pass for JRPG wunderkind Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will feature a new hero named Ino and a Challenge Battle mode for you combo-freaks out there. The expansion will be out this 13 October.
Octopath Traveler II

The first Octopath Traveler sold 2 million copies or so; surely a sequel is in the works. Part 2 will feature 8 new heroes (the first letter of their names spelling out “Octopath”) and a 24 February 2023 release date. The game will also be out for PS4/PS5 and PC.
Splatoon 3 Splatfest Announced

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line

The Nintendo Switch version of Theatrhythm will brand-new music will be out next year, 16th February. They’ve even added in a Live-A-Live song inside just for kicks!
Bayonetta 3 Still Looking Awesome

Nintendo will release a deep dive gameplay video later this week. For now, here’s a short clipped trailer featuring the characters and plot description (edit: it’s below). Game’s out for Nintendo Switch on 28th October; you can pre-order the game now.

Nintendo Switch Sports

Fans will be getting a golf update this Holiday 2022, and it’s free!
Fae Farm

The folks from Phoenix Lab and Garena will be making a farm sim RPG with up to 1-4 players. Coming soon in Spring 2023.
Pikmin 4 Announcement

Nintendo lead developer Shigeru Miyamoto talks about Pikmin 4, which will feature new control modes and a “Pikmin eye level” view so that you’re closer to the action. Out in 2023.
Kirby’s Return To Dream Land Deluxe

The Wii sequel to Kirby’s 2D games gets a Nintendo Switch port. It’ll be out 24 February 2023.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack New Content

Here are the games coming out for this subscription plan:

Pokemon Stadium titles
Mario Party titles
Pilotwings 64
1080 Snowboarding
Excitebike 64
Goldeneye 007

Mario Strikers: Battle League

The soccer game is getting a 2nd Free Update featuring new players Pauline and Diddy Kong.
Harvestella

The upcoming farming RPG title gets a Nintendo Switch demo that’s out right now.
That’s pretty much the stuff we care about. Check ou the full Nintendo Direct showcase below:


Monster Hunter Stories 2 Gets July Release Date; Out For Switch & PC

Capcom just announced more details for its turn-based RPG spin-off of Monster Hunter.
Monster Hunter Stories 2 will be out for Nintendo Switch AND PC via Steam on 9th July. Players can buy the standard edition and deluxe edition. The latter contains the following:

The game (duh),
Â â€œKuan Coatâ€ outfit for Ena,
â€œRazewing Armor Alphaâ€ and â€œRazewing Armor Betaâ€ layered armour for the player,
â€œSpiky Nergalâ€ hairstyle for the player,
â€œPukei-Pukei Costumeâ€ and â€œNergigante Costumeâ€ outfits for Navirou,
â€œAdventure Buddies 2â€ and â€œ3â€ sticker sets.

If you have Monster Hunter Rise save data, you can get a Monster Hunter Stories 2 “Kamura Garb” layered armour for the player.
Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a brand-new story where you play a monster rider and initiate turn-based combat against other monster riders and untamed monsters. You can collect eggs and hatch them to build your own Monsties army with specific abilities and strengths.
Check out the RPG’s gameplay, as well as some new info on Monster Hunter Rise.


Transformers Rise Of The Beasts Trailer Unleashes Optimus Primal & The Maximals

United International Pictures Malaysia has unveiled the first trailer for Transformers Rise Of The Beasts.
Transformers Rise Of The Beasts stars Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Luna Lauren Vélez, and Tobe Nwigwe. Peter Cullen will be back to voice Optimus Prime, while Ron Perlman was chosen to voice Optimus Primal, the leader of the Maximals. As recently revealed, Pete Davidson will also be voicing the Autobot Mirage, and Michelle Yeoh will be the voice of the Maximal known as Airazor.
The synopsis reads:
Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure and introduce the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, the film arrives in theatres June 9, 2023.
Check out the trailer below:


Marvelous Announces Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion, Sequel To 2019 Mecha Game

During the Marvelous Game Showcase 2023, Marvelous announced that Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion is in development. It’s a sequel to Daemon X Machina, which originally launched for the Nintendo Switch in 2019 and for PC via Steam in 2020.
However, no other details were revealed about the project, including a release date or release window, as well as potential platforms. We only know that producer Kenichiro Tsukuda (he was the producer for Daemon X Machina and multiple Armored Core titles in the past) is returning for the sequel, as well as developer First Studio.
In the first Daemon X Machina, players control a custom player character, who commands an Arsenal mech and engages in battle with other mech enemies in third-person battles. The player avatar’s stats, abilities, and appearance can be customized in the Hangar, which serves as the game’s main hub. The Hangar is also the area where players create their custom Arsenal using body parts bought or collected throughout the game.
The brief trailer only shows us a glimpse of a mecha.

Check out the trailer below:


Blade Runner 2033 Labyrinth Game Announced For Consoles & PC

During its annual showcase for 2023, Annapurna Interactive announced Blade Runner 2033 Labyrinth for unspecified consoles and PC (via Steam). It is notable for being the publisher’s first-ever internally developed game. However, there is currently no release date or release window for the game.
Blade Runner 2033 Labyrinth is the first game in the franchise in 25 years. The original Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott premiered back in 1982, while the sequel, Blade Runner 2049, came out in 2017 (check out my review of that movie here).
Set between the original 1982 movie and 2017’s Blade Runner 2049, Blade Runner 2033 Labyrinth takes place after the events of the Black Out and asks: what does a Blade Runner do when there are no Replicants left to hunt? There are no other details about what kind of game it will be, except that it will be a cyberpunk 3d adventure.
In the meantime, head on over here for my interview with Blade Runner’s Rick Deckard himself, the legendary Harrison Ford.
Check out the trailer below:


Is Firaxis Hiring For XCOM 3?

It looks like gamers can already look forward to XCOM 3, according to a new job listing by developer Firaxis Games. It states that the company is looking to hire a Senior Visual Effects Artist “to help take the team that brought you the XCOM series to the next level.”
In case you’re not familiar, the XCOM franchise is now so iconic in the turn-based tactical strategy genre that it has essentially spawned its own unique and separate genre, similar to how From Software’s Dark Souls and Bloodborne titles gave birth to the Soulsborne genre.
The phrase “taking the XCOM series to the next level” indicates that Firaxis Games is already planning the development of a next-gen XCOM game. This means that XCOM 3 or whatever the sequel turns out to be, will probably be developed for the rumored PS5 and Xbox Scarlett consoles, both of which has not been officially revealed yet.
Other details we can glean from the job listing is that XCOM 3 is likely to be powered by Unreal Engine 4, which is a decent technological leap from the Unreal Engine 3.5 that powered 2016’s XCOM 2.
While the job listing doesn’t specifically mention XCOM 3 by name (as the game has not been officially announced yet), the sheer level of qualifications required as stated in the job listing hints that the new Senior Visual Effects Artist will be working on something pretty major for the developer, which usually means a AAA game.
If you need more proof that XCOM 3 is coming, here are two recent tweets by XCOM franchise Creative Lead Director and Lead Game Designer Jake Solomon. The second one refers to how it’s already been 3 years since 2016’s XCOM 2.

Firaxis is hiring. I’ve been here damn near 19 years. I’ll be here another 19. Good people, great games. Come join us.https://t.co/h50ePE1iY6
â€” Jake Solomon (@SolomonJake) February 13, 2019

Has it really been 3 years?
â€” Jake Solomon (@SolomonJake) February 5, 2019
The XCOM franchise is personally one of my favorites, as its harsh and punishing difficultyÂ makes for some of the most intense and satisfying gameplay. We’ll have to wait for official confirmation of XCOM 3 by the folks at Firaxis Games, though it seems like we won’t have to wait long now. In the meantime, check out this article of me revisiting XCOM 2 in detail two years after its initial release.


World of Warships Partners With Popeye the Sailor Man To Promote World Ocean Month

World of Warships have officially announced a partnership with the famous pop-culture icon, Popeye the Sailor Man to recognize World Ocean Month. World Ocean Month takes place every year in June to celebrate our ocean and has become a platform to raise awareness of the work needed to maintain the Earth’s greatest ecosystem. This collaboration will take place in tandem with a charity partnership which will be announced ahead of the content being available to purchase.

The Popeye Charity Bundle will include an in-game commander Popeye and Bluto, which also includes voiceovers, two flags, and a unique camouflage for the Tier VII USS Colorado.
Popeye, who is known as the iconic spinach-eating sailor and clean ocean advocate, is owned by King Features Syndicate, who is a home to some of the world’s most popular entertainment characters. A longtime advocate for ocean Conservation, Popeye announced his representation of The SeaCleaners in 2020. The SeaCleaners is an organization that focuses on long-term and worldwide preservation of the ocean. Popeye joined in the fight against plastic pollution and to raise awareness of its conservation efforts. This special partnership with Wargaming continues to highlight Popeye’s commitment to sustainability and ocean conservation.

“Popeye the Sailor Man is a beloved childhood favourite for many of us here at Wargaming, so having the opportunity to bring him to our waters is an honour. It feels even more special knowing we are making a contribution to raising awareness about the ocean preservation while bringing joy to our players.” Marko Valentic, Global Business Development and Communications Director at Wargaming.

“As one of the world’s most recognizable pop-culture sailors, we could not think of a better gaming partner for Popeye than World of Warships, We are thrilled that World of Warships passion for ocean conversation matches our own and we look forward to bringing this in-game collaboration to fans around the world.” Jarred Goro, vice president, licensing, North America, King Features.

World of Warships is the world’s leading free to play naval warfare from Wargaming, where players battle against each other in the largest library of historically accurate war vessels from the 20th Century. Wargaming has an established track record of supporting veteran and non-profit organizations since it has deep roots in the military community.


Star Wars Jedi Survivor Announced, Coming In 2023

EA and Respawn Entertainment have officially announced Star Wars Jedi Survivor, the sequel to 2019’s Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order, during Star Wars Celebration 2022. It is slated to launch for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime in 2023.
Not much has been revealed about the game, but Star Wars Jedi Survivor will take place five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order.
The synopsis reads:
Cal must stay one step ahead of the Empire’s constant pursuit as he begins to feel the weight of being one of the last remaining Jedi in the galaxy. Accompanied by his trusty companion BD-1, Cal will meet and ally himself with an array of unique and interesting characters on his journey. Jedi: Survivor will expand on the series’ dynamic combat in new and innovative ways. In order to survive, Cal must learn new skills and grow his connection with the Force.
The trailer teases what seems to be the Grand Inquisitor as one of the main antaonists of the game, as well as a mysterious pale figure in a bacta tank.
Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order was a major success, having sold more than 10 million units worldwide. However, EA is now no longer the only publisher to have video game rights to the franchise. Ubisoft is also making its own game, Quantic Dream recently announced Star Wars Eclipse and there’s also the Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic remake by Aspyr Media.
Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order is available now for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Check out our full review ofÂ Star Wars Jedi Fallen OrderÂ here to find out why we named it one of the best games of 2019.
In the meantime, check out the Star Wars Jedi Survivor trailer below:


Demon Slayer Season 2 Gets Exciting New Poster

Aniplex’s live-streamed “Kimetsu TV News Announcement Special” for Demon Slayer Season 2 or Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Entertainment District ArcÂ (Kimetsu No Yaiba Yuukaku-hen).
AniplexÂ also debuted a new key visual with a short teaser video:

???? ??????1????????????????????????????1??????????????????
??1??????????PV ????????https://t.co/qcEfG29m3q
???? ?????????https://t.co/dpYNyVyb84#???? pic.twitter.com/8J8OsxhGpJ
— ?????? (@kimetsu_off) July 13, 2021

However, there is still no definitive release date or release window for Demon Slayer Season 2 as of yet. It is only previously confirmed that Demon Slayer Season 2 will premiere sometime in 2021.
The entire first season of theÂ Demon Slayer anime is now streaming on Netflix Malaysia.
Check out theÂ Demon Slayer Season 2 poster and trailer below:


Darkest Dungeon 2 Starter Guide: How To Survive Your First Few Runs

Darkest Dungeon 2 goes back to the unforgiving and brutal turn-based combat gameplay of the first game, but shakes it up a bit. For one, part 2 is now a traditional roguelike title with the usual progression: one run to survive, then restart it if your entire team dies.
The game is currently in Early Access so some things may change later down the line. This starter guide should at least get you going and at least fail less runs than usual. Hopefully.
You Will Fail Your First Run
This is a guarantee, as Darkest Dungeon 2 is built to make you fail. At first, anyway. For each failed run, your torch capacity (which adds more enemy advantage the lower it gets through your journey) and item options expand further and further. So don’t get too attached with your first run; Darkest Dungeon 2 is built purposely as a roguelike with multiple replay value.
Focus On Reducing Stress

The most treasured resource you need to manage within your party is Stress. You need to actively reduce it if you want to make it through the game just fine.
Just a key point: characters with the highest strength stat that’s 50% or higher have a chance to negatively react to combat events. One early item that can help reduce Stress is Laudanum. Get that whenever you come across it. The Plague Doctor and his Ounce of Prevention ability, once upgraded, can reduce a point of Stress. Buff that ability up at the inn as soon as you can.
A note about health: healing is not quite a problem in Darkest Dungeon 2 because your party members can now heal HP automatically and in increments as you travel forward on the cart. Persistent damage debuffs also do not carry over to map travel when you exit combat; phew!
If your character’s stress goes over the roof by taking damage, suffering status effects, and even bickering with your companions, your character will trigger a Meltdown effect, where he/she suffers a huge health loss while also damaging the party relationship. That’s bad. Prioritize stress-relieving abilities when you start out your run.
Aim For Positive Relationships
Relationships in Darkest Dungeon 2 are everything. If you let your Stress level snowball, you lose relationship benefits and your party dynamic will be screwed up. Combat turns and RNG will be affected by each party member’s relationship with one another. You clearly want the positive bits to max out between two heroes; the keywords you want are Amorous, Respectful, and/or Inseparable. Having these means random buffs, combat assists, and heals.

The opposite spectrum terms are Resentful, Tumultuous, Suspicious, and Hateful. This means Stress gain will increase and all sorts of debuffs turning up, not to mention inactive turns out of spite. You will need to use consumables that improve party affinity and lowers stress levels in the next inn should these reach their negative peak.
Breakable Objects = Possible Loot
Ram stuff with your cart when you’re on the road. Sometimes the debris or rubble you knock down drop combat and inn items; very useful in a game that isn’t that generous with items.
On that note, you may want to leave a slot or two empty in your inventory. You will usually have a max capacity for item-carrying, so don’t horde items. If your inventory slot is full, you won’t get the free stuff from your cart-ramming spree.
Use your items when you can; make sure all your party members are fully equipped with combat items before a fight. However, discarding items can yield a bit of Hope; another good currency to have while in a run.
Build A Complimentary Party
Ideally, your Darkest Dungeon 2 4-party member setup should have a Tank, 2 Damage Dealers, and a Healer. Also, make sure at least one or two of your party members can target each enemy position.
Darkest Dungeon 2’s combat system is position-based; some of your party members cannot target enemies at the back position, so if you have a party that doesn’t target anyone at the back, these enemy types can fight scot-free and can end your run pretty quick.

On that note, having Damage Over Time (DOT) abilities (that afflict Burn, Bleed, and Blight) can make enemies with high HP get whittled down over time if you pile on your direct damage. Your Graverobber and Plague Doctor have Blight abilities that are helpful in your early runs; these can help weaken heavy hitters while your Man-At-Arms can just block and buff up your party’s defenses.
Plus, DOT abilities can KO enemies with Death’s Door triggers, which is the down-but-not-out condition that prolong enemy lifespans.
Keep Track Of Loathing
Darkest Dungeon 2’s difficulty is affected by two factors: the torch on your cart and Loathing. If the torch is at its brightest, your party gets combat bonuses. If it’s pretty dim, enemies get more buffs. When it’s put out, you get assaulted by the Cult, and that’s usually a tough fight to get through.
How fast does a torch dim in Darkest Dungeon 2? Well, that’s dependent on the other meter in the game: Loathing. Loathing increases when you reach the inn at the end of each world. It’s usually kept at bay by clearing enemy combat challenges marked on the map (Resistance, Lair, and Cultist encounters). Completing all three rounds of the final Guardian challenge of each map will lower Loathing significantly.
Long story short, high Loathing and a super-dim torch equal super hard combat in Darkest Dungeon 2.
Visit Shrines Of Reflection
If you see an opportunity to pick a path to visit a Shrine of Reflection, pick that. This not only gives a member of your party a new ability, but also reveals his/her backstory. Unlocking these abilities will give you more combat flexibility, though you should keep in mind that some of these stories will have a playable combat puzzle bit that can be challenging.


Ready Or Not Is A Funny & Gory Thriller About Hardcore Hide-and-Seek

Ready or Not takes a simple thriller premise and fills it up with a great presentation, some slick direction, and an endearing lead you want to root for.
The plot revolves around Grace, a young bride who plays along with her newlywed husband Alex and his family, the Le Domas, in a game of hide-and-seek that lasts until dawn. Turns out that the family intends to hunt and kill her, so she has to run and fight back while we discover that all this is a diabolical family ritual.
Desperately Seeking

The backstory behind the Le Domas family and its gaming empire is a little murky, though they made the tale of how they got into this ritual and predicament clear. Well, they presented it in a way that makes you second-guess the family’s sanity or whether the old wives tale of the family dying if they don’t fulfil their quota to their “ghostly” patriarch is a load of horses***. Still, that bit of the narrative serves its purpose and is kept simple so we can focus on what matters.
The visceral thrills and action beats are pretty gruesome and tense. The set design of the mansion where the hiding and seeking take place is on another realm of “rich person fantasy” tropes and serves as a good reminder of how unique their mentality is. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet channel the campy 80s slasher vibe with a lot more 2019 aesthetics and a punched-up script with witty moments.
Samara Weaving nails it as an initially cheerful bride who ends up scared but also takes it in and fights back with her range of fear and mixed resolve. The rest of the actors who play the messed-up rich family from the apathetic Adam Brody as one of the sons to the mad patriarch figure Henry Czerny all have their moments in the spotlight.
A Bit On The Shallow Side…

As for character building and development though, you won’t find that in here. A lot of plot details and character motivations in the third act all came out of nowhere and did not feel earned in the slightest. Sure, they were hinted at and alluded in the show’s flashback at the start of the film and during the first act, but it felt like the movie just dropped all forms of build-up and development halfway through and just did a number of revelations for the sake of it.
This is a film you can’t watch without me spoiling bits here and there to tell you why it isn’t a perfect film, so you’ll have to make do with the previous paragraph. The directors did drop the ball a bit at the end, but at least it went out with a bang or seven. I’ll say this: it’s definitely worth a full viewing, especially if you want a great blend of humour and thriller action mixed in with some well-to-do gore.
FINAL SCORE: 70/100


YouTuber Glarses Beats Razer’s Record For Largest Mechanical Keyboard

Comedy YouTuber and keyboard enthusiast Glarses has taken on Razer by constructing his own six-foot fully mechanical keyboard after having been rejected by Razer to purchase their 64x scale keyboard that was showcased at the 2018 CES show.

After being rejected by Razer, Glarses decided to build his own six-foot keyboard with a full layout and 110 switches. To achieve the best possible key action, he lubricated all the keys, which took 10 minutes just to disassemble the first key.
The keyboard features Novelkeys 64x scale mechanical MX-style switches and most of the components were custom 3D-printed with a machined aluminium case and chassis in three pieces. The space key stabilizers were also 3D printed and the space key is larger than most keyboard keys.
Due to time constraints, most of the parts were ordered without a test run, requiring hand-tuning and modifications to fit properly.
The cost of building the six-foot mechanical keyboard came to around £12,000 (US$15,000), but it was worth it for Glarses. Despite some miscalculations regarding the spring strength and a last-minute rush due to COVID, Glarses and two friends were able to assemble the keyboard in 24 hours and add the keycaps with a 30-minute hot glue rush.
The keyboard uses Novelkeys 64x scale mechanical MX-style switches, with the majority of parts being 3D printed and a machined aluminum case and chassis in three pieces. Despite the challenges, Glarses was able to create a truly unique and impressive keyboard.


Goat Simulator 3 Is Coming To Fortnite

Coffee Stain Publishing, Coffee Stain North and Epic Games have announced that the literal GOAT of video games will be landing in Fortnite.
Whilst Goat Simulator 3 releases on 17 November 2022, goat enthusiasts of the world can experience caprine mayhem early in Fortnite. From today and up until 29 September 2023 at 11.59 pm ET or 30 September 2023 at 11.59 am GMT+8, players who purchase any edition of Goat Simulator 3 on the Epic Games Store will be granted the bonus ‘A Goat’ Outfit in Fortnite.
Any time after 29 September 2022 at 11.00 am ET or 29 September 2022 at 11.00 pm GMT+8, fans who have purchased Goat Simulator 3 on the Epic Games Store can log in to Fortnite with the same Epic Games account and have the ‘A Goat’ Outfit automatically added to their Fortnite Locker.   Additionally, for players who don’t purchase Goat Simulator 3, the A Goat Outfit is making its way to the Item Shop in Fortnite on 26 November 2022.
Elin Hamberg, Lead Artist at Coffee Stain North said:
“Now we know Goat Simulator 3’s Pilgor looks different in her ‘A Goat’ Fortnite form, but our signature approach to hyperrealism simply didn’t fit in this bright and colourful game. Her arrival in this new world meant giving her a Fortnite twist, and muscles.
If the thought of transforming into a questionably named, half goat / half human hybrid rocking a ragdoll print crop top is still your thing – live your best life. We won’t judge.”
Fortnite is available on Ps5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, and PC. Alternatively, with Xbox Cloud Gaming or NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Fortnite can be played through cloud gaming on many devices (including Android phones, Android tablets, iPhones, iPads, and more).
For more information on Goat Simulator 3, trot to the official Goat Simulator 3 website. You can pre-purchase the game now on the Epic Games Store here, the PlayStation store here and the Xbox store here.


Here’s Your First Major Gameplay Look At Harvestella, The Square Enix Harvest Moon/Rune Factory Clone

Square Enix has allowed Nintendo to showcase a lot of its upcoming farming JRPG simulator mashup Harvestella. And it’s looking promising.
Despite being heavily inspired by Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons/Rune Factory, there’s a distinctive Square Enix melancholy charm to the game’s aesthetics, gameplay, and harvesting aspects of Harvestella. You play a hero with amnesia who has to explore a crash site of a recently-fallen meteor and find out why it’s causing problems in the town you’re in. Along the way, you keep your farm healthy and also spend time exploring the outskirts to deal with the plague that’s caused by the meteor.
Also, you will be taught new skills like magic from different sorts of monsters. All this will be provided with background music from Go Shiina, the famed JRPG composer known for Tales of Legendia, the God Eater titles, Code Vein, and the Mr. Driller series.
Check out the full gameplay below: