Valiant Force 2 & XII Braves’ Founder Jonathan Leong On The Ever-Competitive Mobile Gaming Space

Disclaimer: The writer of this piece has worked at gumi SG alongside XII Braves’ founder Jonathan Leong back in 2014 on various gacha projects.
Making a free-to-play mobile game with gacha elements in a field populated by Genshin Impact and Level Infinity’s “girls with guns” rail shooter is a thankless job. But it seems to be Singapore studio XII Braves’ passion that’s within their blood. The company’s co-founder & COO Jonathan Leong is no stranger to mobile game development as he has been working in places like Synthetic Nest and the Singapore branch of gumi (Brave Frontier, Phantom of the Kill, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius).
Here’s what Jonathan Leong has to say about his line of work and how tough it is to make mobile games in a very, VERY competitive “kill or be killed” space.

Can you tell us more about how you started XII Braves, and the struggles of starting a game development studio?
Chris, a friend from my school days, and in the same gaming group as I, was the catalyst for XII Braves. He was working in a slightly different industry then. One day, he called me and wanted to share his idea for a games studio. We decided to meet up on the same day itself, and discussed the idea over some drinks at a cafe.
Soon after, I reached out to my network in the gaming industry. Almost everyone I reached out to was interested in the idea of forming a games studio, and from there, we formed the founding team.
Rising Competition. While this is extremely common in many industries, we actually experienced it first-hand. When we started the studio, a lot of mobile games still had development teams of 10-20 members, having a 40-50 man team was considered as a top-tier developer. In the span of finishing developing VF1 and operating it, many mega studios with multi-million dollar budgets and franchises have entered the mobile gaming space.
Thus, it was off to the races to be creative and try to stand out in other ways. We are still producing as high quality as the mainstream market and while we can’t produce either higher quality or higher quantity, we can at least ensure that everything else in the game is still top-notch, with good game design and balance, optimization and storytelling.
What are your thoughts on making a career pivot into a creative industry such as game design?
They say being brave is partially being insane and naïve, it’s despite knowing your odds and sacrifice we have to make, and still wanting to do it. The desire to make something of our own and believing that we will be successfully, ultimately gave us the mettle and conviction to stay true to our path. Thus, wanting to create something of our own, makes it a very personal decision.
It is very demanding, but rewarding and fulfilling at the same time. Game design is extremely dynamic, organic and ever-changing. Keeping up, studying the market trends and working smart have to be done to the best of your ability, in order to have a chance to succeed.
What are your thoughts on the Singaporean games industry, and local game development?
I think going indie and trying to break into niche markets might still be possible and viable. However, going mainstream and being competitive on a global scale is still very challenging for local development studios. I think there is still a lot of catching up to do, and also clearing up a lot of misconceptions of what it actually takes to go from concept to the end user, while fully understanding the full potential and lucrative areas of the industry.
On the future of Valiant Force 2, XII Braves, and the Singaporean games industry as a whole; what do you see?
As a studio, our primary focus is always our audience and fanbase, in the games we develop and serve up to our audience, our intention has always been about entertainment and fun. We hope that in our success so far, we can and will continue to evolve together with our audience’s expectations, remaining ‘hungry’ to provide the best experience for our audience.
Can games made in Singapore and Southeast Asia go beyond F2P and mobile platforms?

Yes, as cross-platform tech continues to mature and be made more accessible for developers, being able to reach more and wider audiences across more platforms would be the natural order and trajectory.
Will XII Braves create its own pay-to-play regular retail title in the near future, or is F2P still a landscape the company is comfortable in?
There is no limit to the possibilities for us, but it’s all about timing and opportunity.
What are the lessons from the past you have learnt to make XII Braves what it is today, especially from your time back at gumi Asia?
Being in a smaller team then, we had the advantage and ability to reduce the layers between key decision makers, and the ground staff. Thus, it gave us many advantages such as faster turnarounds of feedback and decision-making, a clearer understanding of matters, and fewer gaps in terms of information, which resulted in a much more synchronized dev unit.
Another thing we did differently, while it does not work for all teams and does take up extra time, is product ownership. To encourage ownership, we involved more departments in product feedback, engagement, and brainstorming solutions. In this manner, everyone is contributing and shaping the product, not just from their technical standpoint, but also from a creative standpoint.

Valiant Force 2 is out right now in Southeast Asian regions for iOS and Android mobile platforms.


New 1TB Carbon Black Xbox Series S Launches This September

During the Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft and Xbox announced a new Xbox Series S model with bigger storage and in a sleek carbon black colour.
The new Carbon Black Xbox Series S feature 1TB of storage and will launch on 1 September 2023. It will be priced at US$349, or roughly RM1600+. Besides that, the specs will be the same as the previous model of the Xbox Series S.
Check out the trailer below:


The Last Of Us’ Merle Dandridge About Reprising Her Role As Marlene & What’s Changed In 10 Years

The Last Of Us based on the critically acclaimed video game of the same name developed by Naughty Dog exclusively for the PlayStation platforms, is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television and is executive produced by Carolyn Strauss, Evan Wells, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Rose Lam. Production companies: PlayStation Productions, Word Games, The Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog.
The Last Of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heart-breaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
The cast includes Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen, Storm Reid as Riley, Merle Dandridge as Marlene, Jeffrey Pierce as Perry, Lamar Johnson as Henry, Keivonn Woodard as Sam, Graham Greene as Marlon, and Elaine Miles as Florence. Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker also star.
Courtesy of HBO Asia, we were lucky enough to be the only Malaysian media to participate in an interview with Merle Dandridge, who plays the role of Marlene in The Last Of Us. She is reprising the same role which she also played in the games. This article has been edited for clarity.
HBO / HBO GO / Jorge Bispo
What is it like to play the same character across different mediums, transitioning from video games to live-action?
Merle Dandridge: Playing Marlene across several incarnations has been one of the great honours of my life. I got to play her in the first game, the second game, we did a stage version, there was a film adaptation that was in the works, we got into some readings, and now the HBO adaptation. So, when I first met Marlene, obviously I had to audition and seeing her on the page, she was already strong, dynamic, had so much grit and the situations she found herself in, the kind of moral conundrums and the pressure she was under and the sacrifice of self for the greater good.
Those were all such unbelievably extraordinary circumstances and for somebody to have to go through something like that, and how does that change a person, or lead them to their actual purpose, so stepping into the HBO adaptation, I had a couple of nerves because when we did it at the Naughty Dog stage, I was doing mo-cap so I had the great luxury of, let me lay down all the internal struggle, all of the emotional life and who she is and the performance I knew was going to be enhanced by the incredible team of engineers and artists at Naughty Dog.
And then this case at HBO, again, a different team of artists that outfitted me with the clothes, that put me in this beautiful wig, that gave me this extraordinarily accurate weapons belt and stepping onto the stage and seeing in real life, being able to tangibly touch all of those things that were so gorgeous in the game. It was wonderful to be able to step into that. So, I wanted to live up to it, I wanted to take her to new places. It was a fresh inspiration and a great honour to be able to take an old friend on a new ride.
What do you like about filming for a video game and filming in live-action?
Merle Dandridge: That’s very interesting. Because I come from the Broadway stage, motion capture gives you lots of room for imagination. So, really, there’s nothing you can’t do. Even if you can’t physically, you can allude to it, and it will be transformed into this, you know, whatever. Also, anything is possible, you’re on a blank stage. If you can dream it, it can be actualized in this format.
Now, in the television adaptation, I also had the great luxury of, since I first met Marlene 10 years ago, of having 10 years in the television industry, perfecting my craft in that way, so being able to marry those things around a character that I love so much was fantastic, it was beautiful. But Craig, the showrunner, often brought me on-set as a litmus test and I would lurk just to see and watch because it was so amazing to see all of the beautiful sets brought to life and all the characters re-imagined.
But I would be his litmus test because as soon I would lay eyes on something, an emotional eruption would happen and I would dissolve into tears, and I think that’s a great indicator that the things that people really loved about the game are being so beautifully translated into the HBO series.
How is the live-action Marlene different from the way you played the video game version?
Merle Dandridge: Everything had that essence to it. I had to completely untether myself from who I thought she was and perhaps the sentimentality of my performances from 10 years ago, but for several reasons. I’m a different performer, I’m opposite different performers and I had never walked in her shoes physically. I never put on the clothes, I never waded through these unbelievable sets that were so dark and dank, it gives you a renewed weight in your spirit and in your gait. I think if I had tried to bring my old ways for approaching Marlene to this, it would have suffocated the performance and so yeah.
Did you always know that you would have gotten the role for the HBO adaptation?
Merle Dandridge: Of course I hoped that I would be in the HBO adaptation but that is not a given. I think if history has told us anything, that it’s usually quite the opposite. One of the divine bits about my relationship with this piece and this story has always been is that it seems to hold hands with me along the way and in this particular way, I had the opportunity to age into Marlene. If this has come to me 10 years ago, I would’ve been too young.
I think I have also evolved as a performer. I have a lot more in my toolbox to offer her, so when Neil even brought it up to me, the creator of the game and the executive producer on the show, that it was a possibility, I was gobsmacked and extremely grateful. And then, along the way, just extremely joyful to know that this story that has been so meaningful and cherished to me and to so many people for so long is going to reach a much larger audience.
And I think as far as what we want our art to do, what we want our stories to do, the ones that are really meaningful, they really touch us, turn a mirror onto us and cause us to think deeper. And this is one of the pieces that really does that.
HBO / HBO GO / Jorge Bispo
What do you think of some fans who have had a negative reaction to some of the casting choices for the HBO adaptation?
Merle Dandridge: You know, if we didn’t have the fans and the beautiful following and the emotional attachment that they have, we wouldn’t have a job. And the reason why they are so emotionally attached and passionate about it is because we were truthful to what we were trying to do, what the source material and the stories we were trying to tell. And if we were continually trying to chase approval, in your art, in your life, in anything, you will deviate from what your true calling, what your true purpose is.
And I think that this franchise, led by Neil Druckmann and now in partnership with Craig Mazin, they are creators that look for the nucleus, the DNA, the centre of the story and they follow that first. What are we trying to say, where are we trying to go with this, how do we want to move the people who see it. And then, they will understand once they see it. The same reason that they went on a journey and fell in love with the game, they will fall in love again with this HBO adaptation.
I can say that with experience because I lurked, I watched, I saw everything and was just as moved and I have been inside of the project for over a decade. To watch Pedro as Joel and Bella walk onto the set for the first time, my spirit soared. When Pedro first spoke to me as Joel, I was astonished. The portrayal was not only so true to the source material, but also has a delightful new twist that only Pedro can bring.
Have you played The Last Of Us, and what do you think of the game?
Merle Dandridge: I am terrible at playing games, but I watched everything on YouTube. I have to watch it that way, or I watch my friends play it. Because I have so many friends who love it and family members who all sat there and watched them and experienced it with them. In the same way, Neil has always been a proponent of, Merle, you’re in so many games, you have to learn how to play, and I remember there was one that was getting a lot of attention, and he was like, all right, you got to sit down in front of this and you got to move it this way and that way.
I was like, okay, Neil, let me give it a shot. But the great privilege of the age we’re in now is that people post their gameplay a lot. I did, however, do a YouTube series or something with Troy Baker, who plays Joel in the game, watching it and being able to react to the whole thing, which was really, really fun. I had a great time with him and Nolan (North) doing that.
What was the most emotional scene for you during filming?
Merle Dandridge: There was a scenario that took me by surprise and I had just come to set getting ready to shoot my stuff. I can’t talk about the scene because it’s a little down the line in the season but the visceral response that I had to what was happening on-screen almost felt like I was being knocked in the chest. It was hard to watch and it was beautiful and it was heart-wrenching and I didn’t expect that with my attachment to certain characters or my care for the story seeing things that had only lived in my imagination played out on the screen was overwhelming at some times. I guess it just tells you how emotionally attached I am to it. I don’t know, maybe I’m just a crybaby, but this is really beautiful stuff.
Do you see Marlene as an antagonist in The Last Of Us?
Merle Dandridge: Well, antagonist is a big word for somebody who thinks that they’re doing the right thing. I think her choices are arguably a point of contention or something that is worthy of debate because it is something that we should be considering and reconsidering. What do we sacrifice? Of ourself, our own ethics? What is worth giving up for a greater purpose or vice versa? Giving up for the greater good, what do we cherish even more tightly?
I think something that is beautifully elucidated in the course of the season is that there is a strong reason and you get to feel viscerally how she came to be so steadfast and singleminded in the choices that she makes and to decide, okay, in the realm of how this world is going right now, I will hold this torch up, I will remind you who we were and what is possible if we march forward. That there is hope if we only hold on to your faith. If you only believe that tomorrow can come. It doesn’t look like it is possible right now but it is, and I will continue to reflect that to you. And for someone to say that without necessary evidence that it is true, tells you that she is a soldier that will fight until the end for what she believes is right.


PokÃ©mon-Inspired MMO Temtem Is Now Playable

A lot of people overlooked one of the most exciting announcements of late 2019: Temtem. It’s an MMO where you go around catching monsters and then use them to battle other players. Basically, it’s what people have been asking for since forever: a Pokemon MMO.

Well, I’ve got some good news. The game finally enters early access on Steam today. Players can try out the game for just RM59. Par for the course with any early access titles, don’t expect things to be working perfectly well or to even experience all the content promised in the full game.
The developers, Crema, have made it clear that this version only contains “50% of the game’s content” but basic multiplayer features are ready. You’ll be able to play co-op and see other players moving about in the world.

The full game will have more than 161 Temtems (the cute critters you can catch) and the early access version will have at least have of them. Players will be able to explore three out of the six unique islands planned for the full release.
Don’t expect the full game to be ready any time soon. Based on current estimations of the developers, the game is expected to be ready either in the second or third quarter of 2021.
To start your journey as a Temtem trainer, head on over to the game’s Steam page. Update: you may have to wait a while if you just got it – we just got word that the online queue goes beyond 14,000 or so people in line, especially after the update that makes disconnects less frequent. Not bad for an Early Access title!


Predator Hunting Grounds Stalks New Prey This April 2020

Sony Interactive Entertainmentâ€™s final State Of Play presentation for 2019 has revealed the release date for Predator: Hunting Grounds from IllFonic, the same studio behind 2017’s Friday The 13th: The Game.
Predator: Hunting Grounds is an asymmetrical 1v4 multiplayer shooter, where players either play as one of four elite human members of Fireteam or as the Predator itself and hunt your prey. The game will also be notable for introducing playable female Predators.
There are three different Predator types or classes to choose from, including

Hunter, the balanced killer (left)
Scout, agile and can quickly stalk their prey (middle)
Berserker, brutal, strong and able to take massive damage (right)

Those who pre-order the game will receive bonuses in the form of the exclusive â€˜87 Predator skin and early access to the â€œOle Painlessâ€ Mini-Gun, both inspired by the original Predator movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In addition, the Digital Deluxe Edition of the game will feature exclusive in-game items including PlayStation-themed Predator and Fireteam skins, a digital copy of Predator: Hunters by Dark Horse Comics (120 pages!), and more.

Predator Hunting Grounds is slated to release for the PS4 and PC on 24 April 2019. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ8PsxJN6eE&w=560&h=315]


Malaysia’s Streamline Launches Interactive Game For Balenciagaâ€™s Fall 2021 Collection

Malaysian studio Streamline turned the fashion industry on its head in December 2020 as the game developer of Balenciagaâ€™s Afterworld: The Age Of Tomorrow. This project delivered the largest volumetric video capture and interactive immersive 3D gaming experience in fashion history.
Afterworld: The Age Of Tomorrow is a prime example of how the enterprise can incorporate video games in the digital transformation of the global economy. Streamlineâ€™s production team, based in Kuala Lumpur, worked directly with an international luxury fashion brand to pull together the concept, cinematics and streaming elements in the Unreal Engine.
Streamline CEO and co-founder Alexander Fernandez said:
â€œIt was amazing to work beyond the games industry on a creative project of this magnitude.
The creative concepts had no limits or constraints. It was a welcome challenge to bring Balenciagaâ€™s vision to reality.
It helped us showcase to the world an advanced interactive experience that is now a key milestone for our industry in the enterprise space.â€
While Balenciaga is not the first to incorporate interactive gaming into its brand, it is the first time an international luxury fashion brand has collaborated with a Malaysian based company to launch a wholly digital in-game experience. Over its 20 year history, Streamline has supported global brands to deliver ground-breaking creative technology.
Notable examples include the Coke Zero AVTR commercial with the world’s top-selling movie, Avatar, a virtual television studio for BBC Sport, and the first virtual reality TV show, Rival Peak by Genvid Technologies.
Fernandez said:
â€œThis is only the beginning.
Digital transformation has arrived, and video game technology is the infrastructure that will bring immersive interactive experiences to every aspect of life.
It will open new opportunities for product discovery, commerce, virtual coworking, education, and social interactivity.
Welcome to the Metaverse.â€
Streamline recently announced a US office expansion enabling their teams to support its rapidly growing development of cutting-edge technologies, games, and solutions from North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
In the meantime, check out the Afterworld: The Age Of Tomorrow gameplay video below:


No, You’re Not Getting Dragon Age: Dreadwolf Before April 2024; Here’s Why

Fans of the Dragon Age RPG series looking for their next fix will have to keep waiting.
EA has announced that the upcoming RPG Dragon Age: Dreadwolf won’t be out before April 2024 during its fiscal year report for this quarter. The company shared its list of games for release for this fiscal year, which ends on 31 March 2024. This includes Super Mega Baseball 4, Immortals of Aveum, Madden 24, EA Sports FC, and NHL 24. Other titles from EA for that year include an unannounced EA Sports title and unannounced racing game.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is nowhere on that fiscal year. Possible reasons for the post-April 2024 release include Bioware general manager Gary McKay stating that the game is still in alpha status and needs more polishing, especially in its pacing and “narrative cohesion”. Leaks for the game previously surfaced and alludes to the game being a single-player action RPG game not unlike the God of War reboot, loading screens disguised as crawlspace and all.
Our thoughts? There’s a good chance a gameplay trailer for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf will be out later in 2023, most likely for the end-of-year Game Awards.


Bats*** Hard Run-And-Gun Shooter Cuphead Gets Netflix Animated Series

Ah, Cuphead; the Dark Souls of indie games or whatever title journos are giving it these days. The game that made certain critics question their purpose in life if they aren’t competent in playing through a game’s early hand-holding sections.
The 1930s’-animated nod to run-and-gun boss rush gauntlets like Alien Soldier and Gunstar Heroes is getting its own Netflix animated series courtesy of King Features Syndicate. The game’s creators Chad and Jared Moldenhauer at Studio MDHR will be serving as the show’s executive producers.
The show has no release date so far, but we do know that the game’s art style will be used to highlight protagonists Cuphead and Mugman on adventures in Inkwell Isles. Speaking of which, the next DLC for the game, dubbed The Delicious Last Course, will be out in 2020.
To wash your eyes off that scrub gameplay on the link above, here’s YouTube user horheristo showing us how to take down bosses and get an S rank for each.

You know what? That’s not the best Cuphead video, no sirree. That honour goes to this car chase video using one of the game’s boss themes. Brilliant.


Philippines Team Liyab Esports Wins LoL SEA Invitational 2019 At Conquerors Manila

After a two-day League of Legends tournament bout in The Philippines’ annualÂ  LoL fiesta Conquerors Manila, Philippines team Liyab emerges victorious.
Liyab Esports won first place and the one million PHP cash prize in the event’s SEA Invitational, beating out three other regional teams such as the SEA Serpents and SteelwolvesÂ  Gaia. With smart rotations and picks, overwhelming jungle presence, and the team’s MVP jungler DoeDoii leading the charge, Liyab was a force to be reckoned with at Conquerers Manila.
https://www.facebook.com/teamliyab/posts/2511562999168213?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBkftH28l_CrGwoH9i5KL9bHTucEU3zgYhSf_lo3Xo4YR6FHvti_Z-5psIt_ZbCC87_izJ4NXf3XM4yWzfQNyJd5DcCFdNZc5g20-UiclaQz-KjciHbDQVM6AoHSL9_igOFag222fQdUwtD7XgR1jjs3t-mSTMqGUvtc4dOZIyeLGJcS04bNvMALBAoECpoRACaIfH7Cj_PMMooxCj-2THCU4v78SMD22EPDxOapXCJSgMuM4YLAPLpZpuZ0Dqr3Z2Cz8wkxpARs1YA8DoZLGcb1Onf6XzNggyHvSRLG5E-sgD6JC7mJBBhXfqUzKSOOpqkwuzPdnzNgd8tMfQNVqawwi8RFpT7e8cfsPg3DspDngzWGmBsN7ECWFz79vZq8FCajSeJYzAnYvs4D7ASbl2_JJ_feUmOMVMM4fbluW8t0Z25KyMFfOCxXXQOds25vtYy63I0wRp7Zo1iJPAxhImg8uM0ZJCCJHL2nFK1jip_ULwQOMoBXCmtjd4IxqFUkVEqbw&__tn__=-R
Despite the team losing their LST 2019 playoffs invitational space to Thai team MEGA (ie a spot at this year’s LoL Worlds tournament), this victory proves thatÂ  Liyab E-Sports is still a Southeast Asian MOBAÂ  force to be reckoned with.
Apart from that grand finals match, Conquerors Manila 2019 also featured a celebrity showdown LoL match where top streamers and gaming personalities like Suzzysaur and Ashley Gosiengfiao play friendly skirmishes for charity. We have pics!Â Â


Returnal PC Gets Its First Patch To Fix Some Issues

Climax Studios and Housemarque have released the first PC update for Returnal since it was launched on 15 February 2023. The patch is 1.3GB and fixes a number of issues that plagued the game.
The developers have also confirmed that they are working on a performance patch that will be released sometime in the future. That one will probably include a fix for displaying the game at 3840×1600 resolution correctly.
Check out the patch notes (via Steam) below:

Fix for rare issue with music stopping during Biome entry
Fix for certain Ultrawide monitor setups not being detected in Full Screen
Fix for incorrectly detecting the Windows resolution on first boot
Fix for grass draw distance on Epic Particle settings
Fix for PSN Sign in time outs
Fix for Benchmark results rounding error

In the meantime, you can check out my review of Returnal here, or head on over here for a guide to surviving the game.


Daredevil Cancelled; Is Marvel Netflix Truly Dead?

Netflix has canceled Daredevil after three seasons. Iron Fist and Luke Cage recently received the same fate too, leaving only Jessica Jones and The Punisher as the only surviving remnants of the once-mighty Marvel Netflix franchise.
This begs the question: Is Marvel Netflix truly dead?
It might not be if Disney has anything to say about that. With the House of Mouse’s very own Disney+ streaming service launching next year, it’s certainly possible and even likely that what was once the Marvel Netflix franchise will be able to continue in some way.
Speaking with Deadline, Netflix stated that â€œWhile the series on Netflix has ended, the three existing seasons will remain on the service for years to come, while the Daredevil character will live on in future projects for Marvel.”
That definitely sounds like a Daredevil movie reboot could become a reality once again. The Man Without Fear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), anyone?
However, if Disney+ does pick up Daredevil (and the other canceled Marvel Netflix shows) from where it left off, we probably can’t expect it to be as mature (dark and gritty) as it is now.
Case in point; when Disney acquired Star Wars, the phenomenal Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series was canceled and we received the not-so-good Star Wars: Rebels in its place. Despite all that, Disney did make amends by reviving The Clone Wars for a new season.
Anything can happen to the former Marvel Netflix franchise now. If I’m being honest, I would really like a soft reboot; retaining the characters but changing the series formula.
Matt Murdock may not have seen this coming, but I can say that I did. The Marvel Netflix formula was getting stale. The failures of Iron Fist Season 1 and The Defenders was only further proof that a franchise is only as strong as its weakest link.
In my opinion, Marvel Netflix has always been afraid of showcasing too much of its comics roots, like it’s ashamed of its comic-book origins. The dark and gritty tone only really works for Daredevil and The Punisher (and to a certain extent, Jessica Jones).
I’m not saying that it has to adopt the lighter tone of DC Comics’ CW Arrowverse or even the MCU, but it could have benefitted from taking more inspiration from its source material instead of taking liberties with its current ‘less is more’ approach.
RIP the Marvel Netflix universe, and let’s hope the eventual replacement will be as good or even better than it is.
We never did get to see Daredevil’s accursed arch-nemesis in action.


Honkai Impact 3rd Makers Announce New Open World RPG For PC & Smartphones

Fans of waifu-filled action games emulating Bayonetta (minus the class); you may want to keep watch on Mihoyo’s next project.
The makers of Honkai Impact 3rd have announced Genshin Impact, an open-world action RPG slated for Spring 2020. The game will be out for PC and iOS, and so far it’s looking pretty stunning for what could be a free-to-play game.
The action looks decent and the aesthetics are colourful, to say the least. The game’s story is set in a fantasy world featuring adventurers looking for dragons and stuff. Check out the official trailer and game synopsis below to see if it’ll be your well-endowed cup of tea.

Genshin ImpactÂ is an open-world action RPG. In the world of Teyvatâ€”where beliefs in â€œThe Sevenâ€ convergeâ€”epic adventures await, fearless travelers!
Introduction
Aeons ago, the elder elemental gods gave civilization to the human race, but the world soon splintered as corruption and greed grew without check. The gods watched from their abode in Celestia and selected the worthy to sit by their side and maintain the balance that hold the world together in one piece.
Magical Universe
The world is divided into culturally unique environs and themes. Delve into the ruins of a blasted empire that went too far in forbidden technologies, scale massive gothic towers of medieval fortresses, savor fine tea from jade pavilions, spar with kenshis in Sakura woods, and let your imaginations go wild in this definitive Universe. The epic backstory and lore will enrich your thirst for more knowledge about this magical universeâ€¦
Closed beta sign-ups are open right now.


Forza Horizon 5 Update To Add Cinco De Mayo Content & New Ferrari Cars

The Cinco De Mayo celebration is coming to Forza Horizon 5 with a bunch of new events, cosmetics, and decorations. The Forza Horizon 5 Series 7 update will arrive on 26 April 2022.
For Cinco De Mayo, Forza Horizon 5 is adding new unlockable clothing items, new decorations set up all around Guanajuato, and even a new festive T-rex sculpture to place in your EventLab creations. The update also adds more than 200 new Horizon Tour championships for Series 7, as well as new Ferrari cars.

These include:

2020 Ferrari SF90 Stradale – Earn 80 points on the Series 7 Festival Playlist April 28-May25
1962 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso – Earn 20 points during the Summer ‘wet’ season on the Series 7 Festival Playlist April 28-May4
2014 Ferrari California 7 – Earn 20 points during the Autumn ‘storm’ season on the Series 7 Festival Playlist May 5-11
1992 Ferrari 512 TR – Earn 20 points during the Winter ‘dry’ season on the Series 7 Playlist May 12-18
2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo – Earn 20 points during the Spring ‘hot’ season on the Series 7 Festival Playlist from May 19-25

Check out the full patch notes here.


[Report] After 12 Long Years, You Can Finally Change Your PSN Name

PlayStation users across the world wonder for as long as 2006 if they’ll be able to change their usernames. That day may be coming according to sources close to Kotaku.
Developers of multiplayer games told the outlet that they are preparing for PlayStation Network’s upcoming name-changing option. The three people from three different studios spoke anonymously that they have been fixing bugs, tweaking settings, and made their games compatible with Sony’s plan in the past few months.
Another person in a different game studio showed a photo of a PSN profile containing the option “edit username”.Â Right now there is no timeframe for this upcoming feature, and Sony has yet to make any comments about it at this point in time.
But hey, better late than never, right?


Pixel Art Fighting Game Blazing Strike Will Be Out This Fall

2D fighting game Blazing Strike will be out on Fall 2022 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam) according to Aksys Games.
Aksys and developer RareBreed makes Games will also be releasing a limited edition of the game. This includes a full colour art book, a double CD soundtrack, and a set of collectible character cards.

Here’s a quick description of the upcoming 2D fighting game, which is sure to sate the thirst of fighting game players looking for the days of yore.
“Blazing Strike features a four-button system with six normal attacks: light, medium and heavy punches and kicks, as well as three defense moves: block, guard and parry. A Rush Trigger enables fighters to execute fast-paced attacks and movements, but using it will slowly drain the Rush Meter, sending the character into a temporary groggy state. This allows players to execute exciting combos while having to manage the Rush Meter. The game will include three play modes: Story Mode, Arcade Mode, and VS Mode, with training, sparring, and online match via Persona AI, and online play powered by GGPO.”


What To Expect From AniManGaKi 2019

One of Malaysia’s biggest animation, comics, and games (ACG) events will be returning next month. AniManGaKi 2019 is set to take place at Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre from 31 August to 1 September 2019.
Here’s what you can look forward to at the upcoming event:
Special Guests
Yoko Taro (Video Game Director)

Gamers, especially JRPG fans, can look forward to meeting the video game director maestro in the flesh. That’s right, the creator of the Drakengard and Nier games (including the critically-acclaimed Nier Automata) will be there at AniManGaKi 2019 to regale you with his mysterious masked presence.
Takahisa Taura (Video Game Director)

Here’s another treat for gamers. The Platinum Games video game director has worked on games like 2013’s Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, 2014’s The Legend Of Korra, 2016’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants In Manhattan, and contributing to Yoko Taro’s Nier franchise as well.
His directorial debut, Nintendo Switch exclusive action RPG Astral Chain, is slated to release on 30 August 2019, just one day before AniManGaKi 2019 begins.
Takebuchi Kei (Singer/Musician)

J-pop fans can look forward to a live performance by Takebuchi Kei herself. The former vocalist of Japanese band Goose house will be headlining the mini live concert at AniManGaki 2019 on 31 August 2019 at 7.30pm.
SAIDA (Cosplayer/Youtuber)

Hailing from South Korea, SAIDA is a prominent cosplayer and YouTuber best known for her portrayal of Disney princesses and characters from The Idolm@ster series. She is also one of the top 100 cosplayers in Cure World Cosplay rankings.
#kendylife (Illustrator/Digital Specialist)

Born at Kota Kinabalu and raised in Sipitang, the Sino-Kadazanâ€™s childhood interest in art matured into creating #kendylife. Currently residing in Kuala Lumpur, he is also working as the CEO at Social Grooves and Secretary at the Malaysia Infocomm Foundation.
Rikka Blurhound (Cosplayer/Crafter)

She started cosplaying in 2011, actively participating in various cosplay competitions and actively gaming in League of Legends.
Yugana Senshi Uon (Cosplayer/Crafter)

Yugana was a full-time in-house designer and visual merchandiser for high profile shopping malls in Malaysia before becoming a full-time stay-at-home mother. She then embarked into the world of cosplay in 2013.
Activities
Besides all the special and featured guests above, AniManGaKi 2019 will also feature a variety of activities for attendees to take part in. These include:
Cosplay Competition

Sponsored by Armaggeddon & TokyoNinki, participants (cosplayers) can perform sketches on stage and make their best impersonation of their characters. The winning team of this competition will receive the opportunity to compete against other Malaysian cosplay champions at the annual Cosplay Invitational later this year.
AniMangaGaKi Idol

Sponsored by SonicGear, the AniMangaGaKi Idol is another popular anchor activity in which contestants show off their singing skills and compete in front of a judging panel and live audience. The longest of its kind in Malaysian ACG events, it also jumpstarted the career of many local ACG singers.
Art Competition

Sponsored by Artist Hub, this is a pre-event activity in which participants submit their artworks online prior to the event. Winning entries will be featured at the AniManGaKi 2019 gallery area on event days. The champion will win a drawing tablet and will have their artwork featured on the back page of the AniManGaKi 2019 event booklet.
Doodle 4 AniManGaki Contest
Sponsored by Sakura, this activity is for those who love to doodle and draw. Attendees may pick up a canvas from the Sakura booth and enter the contest for free. Winning entries may even win up to RM1000 worth of Sakura products.
Carnival Games
A mini funfair, consisting of game booths, where attendees will get to test their skills and
try their luck at winning prizes by playing games like archery, shooting cans, and ball toss.
Special Interest Panels/Workshop
A platform for collaborators to showcase their works, spread awareness or educate attendees on their company/products/services.
Doujin Alley (Artist Tables)

Artists set up booths to display their works, sell handmade crafts to attendees, and fulfill
commission requests. There will be over 200 artist tables at AniManGaki 2019.
Cosplay Alley
A new section dedicated to cosplayers, where attendees can meet and greet 30 of their favorite cosplayers.
Stage & Band Performance

The AniManGaki stage will be live and ongoing with talented acts that would keep attendeesÂ entertained and inspired.
Video Game Arena

A collaborative work by Infinite Carnage Malaysia and Malaysian Touhou Brigade, participants will be able to compete in several featured esports tournaments to win prizes and earn the championship title of the year.
Exhibitor Booths
There will be over 60 booths and exhibitors consist of studios (gaming or animation), products/services, education institutions, merchandise sellers, and more at AniManGaKi 2019.

Head on over to the official website here to purchase tickets for AniManGaKi 2019. The one-day ticket is priced at RM30, while the two-day ticket is currently available for an early bird special promotion of RM55 (normal price: RM60).
The official theme for this year’s event is ‘circus’, and a total of 20,000 visitors from Malaysia and other countries are expected to attend AniManGaKi 2019.


Sunsoft Is Rereleasing Ikki As A 16-Player Vampire Survivor Clone

Sunsoft are known not just for their awesome 90s NES titles, but also arcade games like Ikki, where you play a farmer fighting off the daimyo and his army of ninjas in pixel art shooting glory.
It wasn’t that good, but Japan seems very fond of the classic. Which is why Sunsoft is bringing it back as a “roguelike” called Ikki Unite. Instead of one farmer, the game now supports 16 farmers online to fight and riot against ninjas and samurai to protect their village. Based on what we’ve seen, Sunsoft got bitten by the Vampire Survivors genre as the game plays like that: you pick a farmer, he/she has auto-attacks and sets of skills, you survive as long as possible, repeat.
Here’s the description:
“You can’t riot with just one or two people!”
The legendary “bad game” that once had people scoffing is back, and this time it’s time to unite!
It’s the autumn harvest, a time to rejoice in the fruits of labor, but a swarm of locusts ravage the land!
The village is in trouble, and yet the collectors still demand taxes… So let’s start a rebellion and get our rice back, and protect our village!
This time we aren’t alone! It’s time to Ikki Unite with up to 16 people!
It’s the MOST CASUAL of ONLINE COOP games with simple controls and satisfying gameplay!
Cooperate and dodge bullets to defeat the enemies, and collect items.
Head towards the Daikan Yashiki!
This is roguelike action… but united!
The revived arcade/NES title will be out for PC (Steam) this 2022. Check out the cute gameplay trailer and screenshots below:


Legends Of Runeterra Is Out Now In Malaysia & SEA

League Of Legendsâ€™ developer Riot Gamesâ€™ Legends Of Runeterra is finally out for PC and mobile (Android and iOS) in Malaysia and the rest of Southeast Asia as of 29 April 2020. You can download the PC version of the game here at the official website.
Legends of Runeterra is a free-to-play, digital collectible card game that requires skill, creativity and wit to win. The cards feature iconic League of Legends champions, as well as new characters originating from the world of Runeterra.
New players are encouraged to create a new Riot Games Southeast account to enable cross-platform play, as well as to gain access to full player and billing support. The game will launch with the new Rising Tides expansion, which includes a new set of 120+ cards and a new Region.
[wpvideo LiI4pyCo]
At launch, Legends of Runeterra features a total of 7 regions, 35 champions, and more than 400 cards. As a launch exclusive, players who log into Legends of Runeterra before 3pm GMT+8 on 8 May 2020 will receive a Moonstruck Poro Guardian, while new players will also receive XP Boosts to accelerate their progress in the game.
In the meantime, check out the launch trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkPpgMwPss0&w=560&h=315]


No Straight Roads Developers Announces Audio-Centric Game Ondeh Ondeh

Metronomik, the folks behind the acclaimed 2020 action music game No Straight Roads, has announced its new upcoming title named after Malaysia’s famous klepon snack: Ondeh Ondeh.Â
Ondeh Ondeh is billed as a fantastical audio-centric game. Based on the trailer, it’s looking like a 3D action-adventure title with most likely some platforming, puzzles, and obstacles to solve and defeat.

Here’s the full overview from Metronomik co-founders Wan Hazmer and Daim Dziuauddin:
“Ondeh OndehÂ will be an audio-centric game but in a totally different manner fromÂ No Straight Roads. It will also be set in a weirder and fantastical context.
Named after a Malaysian dessert of the same name,Â Ondeh Ondeh will provide players with a charming story that intertwines beautifully with captivating amounts of exploration, art, and Malaysian culture.
Thanks to the warm reception worldwide, we now have the confidence to go all-out with our Malaysian culture forÂ Ondeh Ondeh.
No Straight Roads was loved by many for its slight hints of Malaysian identity to reflect the development team and the English voice actors. Thanks to the warm reception worldwide, we now have the confidence to go all-out with our Malaysian culture forÂ Ondeh Ondeh.”
Here’s the debut teaser for the game, along with a ton of design talk and concept from Metronomik, so do check it out! The game is currently in production, so there’s no release date/window/platform as of yet.

Update [8/11/2021]: Metronomik also released the game’s OST concept piece straight out of the debut teaser. The music is done by Falk Au Yeong, with its Bansuri performance by Kristin Naigus.


The PUBG Mobile Jujutsu Kaisen Event Is Now Live

Today PUBG Mobile is officially launching its partnership with the Jujutsu Kaisen anime series. The partnership adds Cosplay Sets of the seriesâ€™ main characters, Cursed Corpse enemies, a Cursed Object Crate hunt, new special emotes and other Jujutsu Kaisen themed items. From today until 15 March 2022, PUBG MobileÂ players will have an entire month of themed content and challenges to look forward to through this exciting collaboration.
Jujutsu Kaisen has descended on Erangel and Livik. The popular anime series focuses on a high school student named Yuji Itadori, who swallows a cursed talisman, a finger of the mighty cursed spirit Sukuna, and takes the curse into his own soul. Jujutsu Sorcerers sentenced him to death, but before that happens, he must find and consume the Curseâ€™s remaining fingers.
In a first-time partnership between PUBG MobileÂ and Jujutsu Kaisen, fans will see the characters and artwork from the ShÅnen series enter the game. Yuji Itadori, along with fellow first-year students Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki and teacher Satoru Gojo will all be available through Cosplay Sets for players to collect and use in battle.
Players can battle using the new special theme mode by choosing â€˜Ranked Theme Modeâ€™ for either Erangel or Livik maps. In each map, players will find Cursed Object Crates, which contain Sealed Sukuna Fingers. Find and collect all the fingers for rewards and special achievements. These crates wonâ€™t be easy to findâ€“players who struggle can check the clues in the Cycle system to help them locate the crates.
Cursed Corpses will also be appearing in this Theme Mode. The Cursed Corpse Grenade has also been added, which when used will summon a Boss Cursed Corpse. Defeat it to earn supplies that will help players win a Chicken Dinner. Cursed Corpse Grenades can be found throughout the map as they have a small chance of randomly spawning.
Throughout the collaboration, players will also be able to accumulate Exploration Progress, either through playing the Jujutsu Kaisen Theme Mode or normal Classic Mode matchesâ€“players can earn more Exploration Progress in the Jujutsu Kaisen Theme Mode.
Collecting enough Exploration Progress allow players to earn Jujutsu KaisenÂ themed rewards, temporary special emotes, Cosplay Sets and Ornaments for main characters Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki and Satoru Gojo, custom weapon and car skins, in addition to items such as Cursed Corpse Cathy, who is available as a companion. Players who want to keep these items can upgrade them from temporary to permanent during the collaboration period. Earn Exploration Progress and start your adventure with Cathy in PUBG MOBILE now!
The PUBG MobileÂ and Jujutsu KaisenÂ Theme Mode launches today and is available on Erangel and Livik until March 15th.
PUBG Mobile is available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play Store.
[videopress oITueGIs]


KKP August 2019 Esports Roundup

If you’re looking for a helpful list of awesome esports tournaments and events happening every month, you’ve come to the right place. August 2019 is TI9 month so be prepared for some serious DOTA 2 action.
Check out what’s happening this month:
DOTA 2
The International 2019

Date: 15 August – 25 August 2019
Location: Shanghai, China
Prize pool: US$32,000,000++
Website: http://www.dota2.com/international/overview/
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti
The biggest DOTA 2 tournament in the world is back and this time, it has once again broken the record for the highest prize pool in esports history. Tune in to watch the world’s best DOTA 2 players duke it out.

“Acolyte Of The Lost Arts” TI9 Pubstomp

Date: 24 August – 25 August 2019
Location: Battle Arena Malaysia, Selangor
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/2274442545943118
Battle Arena is working together with Malaysian DOTA 2 Community TWT_DOTA to host a pubstomp situated in one of the coolest cyber cafes in Malaysia. Seats are limited so get your tickets quick!

Asterisk* x Logitech TI9 Pubstomp

Date: 24 August – 25 August 2019
Location: Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, Singapore
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1260648767453500/
All-female gaming organisation Asterisk* is teaming up with Logitech to bring you a TI9 pubstomp like no other. Take part in the lucky draw to stand a chance in winning a Logitech peripherals.

The International 2019 Pubstomp (Singapore)

Date: 24 August – 25 August 2019
Location: Bountie Esports Arena, Singapore
Website: https://www.safra.sg/dota2?fbclid=IwAR0DSkzpBvafa0kOuOi8WoFB1ora2-KIfHjjhBu8aPjZSqgTEmXJpVlDaso#.XVEtd3sRVhG
We recently covered the opening of Bountie’s epsorts arena in Singapore and if you’ve been waiting for a chance to check the place out, this upcoming TI9 pubstomp is the perfect opportunity.

ESL MY&SG Championship Season 2

Date: 20 July – 28 September 2019
Location: Online only
Prize pool: US$12,000
Website: https://pro.eslgaming.com/mysg/dota2/
Stream: https://www.youtube.com/eslasia
We’re only about halfway through the ESL MY&SG DOTA 2 Championship and things are starting to heat up. Can the top teams from Season 1 such as Flower Gaming and Dota Hero maintain their spots?

ESL Indonesia Championship Season 2

Date: 16 July – 18 September 2019
Location: Online only
Prize pool: US$20,000
Wesbite: https://pro.eslgaming.com/indonesia/dota2/Stream: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFaFM_YTvfGP8B78ligvnrA
Currently at the group stages, we’re already seeing team Boom ID lead the pack with a whopping 24 points, a 9-point lead to the current second placer EVOS Esports who is tied with Alter Ego.

ESL Thailand Championship Season 2

Date: 20 July 2019 – 29 September 2019
Location: Online only
Prize pool: US$12,000
Website: https://pro.eslgaming.com/thailand/
Stream: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpJ2ZTDp36IUaNK7WYp-q3w
In Season 1, Buriram United brought home the gold and Alpha Red walked away the second placer. This time, Alpha Red is back under a new name: 2be.Dota. Both teams are currently in the top two with Season 1’s fourth placer Cipher closing in at number 3.
This is a really exciting season and Thailand DOTA 2 fans should be tuning in.

ESL Vietnam Championship Season 2

Date: 19 July 2019 – 21 September 2019
Location: Online only
Prize pool: US$12,000
Website: https://pro.eslgaming.com/vietnam/
Stream: https://www.youtube.com/c/eslvietnam
This is the last DOTA 2 ESL entry for this article so it’d be good to let you all know that the winners of each respective ESL Championship will qualify to compete in the ESL Clash of Nations.

Fighting Games
Capcom Pro Tour Online 2019 – Asia

Date: 17 August 2019
Location: Online only
Prize pool: US$15,000
Website: https://capcomprotour.com/
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/capcomfighters
The Capcom Pro Tour regionals are back. Let’s see who gets to qualify to the global levels. Some of the players to look out for are Singapore’s Xian and Malaysia’s IamChuan.

Fightclub NRW X

Date: 17 August – 18 August 2019
Location: Cologne, Germany
Prize pool: TBA
Website: https://fightclub.hadoken.eu/
Fightclub NRW is back for its 10th season and this time, they’ll be introducing a Tekken 7 tournament into the event. As usual, Fightclub NRW is the German stop of the Capcom Pro Tour and because of the Tekken 7, this time it will also be a Dojo Tournament as a part of the Tekken World Tour.

Overwatch
Overwatch League 2019 – Stage 4

Date: 25 July – 25 August 2019
Location: Blizzard Arena, Los Angeles
Prize pool: US$1,500,000
Website: https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/
Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/overwatchleagu
We’re nearing the end of the OWL 2019 regular seasons and so far it seems that Washington Justice is leading the tournament with a +10 score. Stage 3 champion Shanghai Dragons aren’t doing so well right now with a -3 score.


Where Is MCU Phase Four In Marvel’s SDCC 2019 Line-Up?

Marvel Entertainment has announced their plans, schedule, and lineup for the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con 2019. However, Marvel Studios is strangely absent from the list of panels, as they were expected to return this year after skipping SDCC 2018.
A lot of fans seem to believe that Marvel Studios is a different entity from Marvel Entertainment, which they claim somehow explains the fact that they’re not mentioned in Marvel’s SDCC 2019 lineup.
Fans have been waiting for an official announcement regarding the MCU’s Phase Four, which is supposed to begin after Spider-Man Far From Home (which marks the end of Phase Three).
However, rumors are circulating that Marvel Studios will instead announce their MCU Phase Four plans at the D23 event, which will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, from 23 to 25 August 2019.
We’ll have to wait and see if that’s true. In the meantime, here is Marvel’s SDCC 2019 lineup so far?

Marvel Games Panel – Get an inside look at the latest and greatest from Marvel Games! Attendees will see exciting new content from MARVEL ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 3: The Black Order, Marvel’s Iron Man VR, and Marvel’s Avengers, with many unannounced surprises and panel exclusives
Marvel Television: Marvelâ€™s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – The cast and producers of Marvelâ€™s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will return to San Diego Comic-Con in epic fashion as they take over Hall H for the first time ever!
Marvel Comics #1000 Revealed: A This Week in Marvel Special Event – Join host Ryan Penagos (aka Agent M, VP & Creative Exec, Marvel) along with C.B. Cebulski (Marvel Comics Editor in Chief) and an array of Marvel creators as they dig into Marvel Comics #1,000, one of the biggest Marvel Comics projects ever assembled, and celebrate Marvelâ€™s 80th Anniversary!
MARVEL COMICS: Spider-Man – Get caught in Spider-Manâ€™s tangled web along with Executive Editor Nick Lowe.
Marvel Animation Celebrates Marvelâ€™s 80th Anniversary – Including behind-the-scenes dish on the making of classic shows, a run-down of all ten of Spider-Manâ€™s series, and a 10th anniversary retrospective of Marvelâ€™s Animation division, this is a panel you donâ€™t want to miss! Plus a special in-memoriam look at Stan Leeâ€™s greatest animation moments.
Women of Marvel: 10 Years and 200 Episodes – Celebrate ten years of Women of Marvel panels and 200 podcast episodes!
MARVEL COMICS: Next Big Thing – Legendary writer Jonathan Hickman is joined by Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski and other Mighty Marvel Guests to bring you all the latest and greatest news straight from the House of Ideas!
MARVEL COMICS: Marvel Fanfare with C.B. Cebulski – In an exclusive and intimate panel experience, Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski, along with superstar talents including Rob Liefeld and Skottie Young, will talk about anything and everything involved with Marvel Comics.
Making Comics the Marvel Way – A slew of Mighty Marvel guests take you behind-the-scenes and show you how a Marvel comic book is made!

For more details and information on Marvel’s SDCC 2019 lineup, head on over to the official website here.
In the meantime, check out our discussion for whatâ€™s next post-Avengers EndgameÂ here, or the upcoming movies you can look forward to in the MCU Phase Four (4) post-Avengers EndgameÂ here, or what the future holds for the MCU cast we all know and loveÂ here.


Free Fire Illuminates the Meta with New Patch Update

Garena has recently announced the new patch update called Illuminate, which will bring in a new weapon, a new map, and more adjustments to the meta.
The Illuminate update for both Free Fire and Free Fire MAX will bring a shiny new weapon to the hands of players in the form of the Charge Buster. The new update also adds in a new map, Alpine, for the Clash Squad game mode, on top of other adjustments to weapons and characters. The full list of updates for Free Fire and Free Fire MAX can be found below.

Free Fire
Character

Skyler: Hold-to-aim function on the skill button added for better precision.
Olivia: Increased extra HP for revived teammates.
Xayne: Longer skill active time, enhanced Gloo Wall damage increase, shorter cooldown.
Maxim: Decreased the time reduction of using Med Kits.

Clash Squad

New map: Alpine map is now available in Clash Squad and Clash Squad ranked modes.
New areas: New areas, Hangar and Nurek Dam, added to the Bermuda map.
Map balance adjustments: Bermuda map adjustment in Katulistiwa, Mars Electric, and Mill.
Bonus airdrop: Airdrop will land on the map in every round in the classic Clash Squad mode.

Battle Royale

Dam area rework: Added the Nurek Dam area from Bermuda Remastered to the Bermuda map.
Safe zone: Modified the time and speed of the first few safe zone shrinks to increase the pace of each match in the classic Battle Royale mode.
Optimizations: Players who parachute after revival will receive a level 1 helmet, a level 1 vest, a G18, and will face towards the safe zone by default.

Weapon and Equipment:

New weapon: Charge Buster.
Weapon adjustments: M1014, SPAS12, M1887, MAG-7, UMP, MP5, MP40, P90, Thompson, MAC10, Mini Uzi, Vector, M500, SCAR, AUG, Kingfisher, Flashbang.
New explosive protections: Protection from explosives added to vests.
Training Grounds
Enhanced shooting practice: New enemy-shaped targets added to Training Grounds.

Free Fire’s futuristic new gun gives us Peacekeeper vibes.
Gameplay:

Weapon tags: Weapon tags will be displayed in the player’s backpack for quick usage reference.

Craftland

Matchmaking function: The new matchmaking function will be available in Craftland. A random map from the hot list will be allocated to the match.

Free Fire MAX
Craftland

Parkour mode: Players can now customise checkpoints, and the locations of spawn points and Doom Zones in the new Parkour Mode.
New items: Barriers from Pet Mania.
Map editor: Objects can float in the air and certain objects will be stackable in Craftland.
Mode editor: Multi-team battles are now available.

360-Degree Lobby: Automatically display the team leaderâ€™s Free Fire MAX lobby to other members in the team.


New Valorant Patch Buffs Viper But Nerfs Raze & Brimstone

Riot Games has launched patch 1.04 for its tactical shooter Valorant. This latest update buffs and nerfs several agents, as well as updates the Classic pistol.
Viper gets buffed, especially her Viperâ€™s Pit ultimate. The agent can now be outside the skillâ€™s area-of-effect (AOE) for up to 15 seconds while enemies inside the AOE will have their minimap obscured.

â€œWith Viper being allowed out of her ult for such a short period of time, we felt that she was not only limited in the plays she could make, but also gave too much continuous information to her enemies.
The ability to move outside the ult smoke more freely should provide some new and interesting mind games for Viper to play â€“ and hopefully puts the strategic pressure back on the enemy.â€

The temporary damage from Viperâ€™s decay debuff, which is applied when enemies come into contact with her smokes, has also been increased from 10 to 15 per second and now sustains for two-and-a-half seconds before it starts to wear off.
Lastly, her Poison Cloud and Toxic Screen abilities now last longer when activated at the same time as they do not â€œconsume additional fuel beyond the cost of having one activeâ€.
On the other hand, Raze and Brimstone have been nerfed. The cost for both agentsâ€™ ultimate abilities, Showstopper and Orbital Strike, have been increased to seven ult points. The reason for this is because both skills were apparently too â€œimpactfulâ€ at a lower cost.
In addition, Brimstoneâ€™s Stim Beacon will no longer accidentally buff enemies, while its effect radius will not be visible to the opposing team anymore.

â€œThe Stim Beacon is meant to be a pretty situational ability but we felt that revealing Brimstoneâ€™s location and having the potential to accidentally buff enemies was making this ability significantly weaker than weâ€™d like.â€

Patch 1.04 also tweaks the Classic pistol, which is the weapon players get for free every round. Several bugs for the gun, such as running and jumping inaccuracy penalties, have been fixed, while the efficacy of the right-click spread shot has also been tuned, alongside a 10 per cent accuracy bonus while crouching or staying stationary.


Call of Duty: Mobile Garena Invitational 2021 – The Full Schedule

Asia’s biggest Call of Duty: Mobile esports event is starting this weekend, with the top 8 teams from across the region duking it out for the majority of the prize pool & the glory that entails.
The teams are:

DG ESPORTS (Indonesia)
Yoodo RSG (Malaysia)
NRX Jeremiah 29:11 (The Philippines)
NU Anarchy/NUA (The Philippines)
ALMGHTY/AMT (Singapore)
Raptors.DNS (Taiwan/HK/Macau region)
Astro.1s1k/AST (Thailand)
Sharper Esport/SP (Thailand)

There will be two stages: The Group Stage where teams fight each other in round-robin fashion, and the Elimination Stage, where the top 6 teams will duke it out in a best-of-five format to be the winner. Basically, it’s your playoffs to determine the champion.
Schedule
Group Stage Week 1
Friday, 19 March: 7pm-11pm

NUA vs AMT
Yoodo RSG vs NRX
DNS vs AMT
Yoodo RSG vs DG

Saturday, 20th March: 1pm-6pm

DG vs NRX
AMT vs AST
RSG vs NUA
AMT vs SP
NRX vs AST

Sunday, 21st March: 1pm-6pm

RSG vs AMT
DG vs NUA
NRX vs SP
DNS vs AST
DG vs SP

GroupÂ  Stage Week 2
Friday, 26th March: 7pm-11pm
Saturday, 27th March: 1pm-6pm
Sunday, 28th March: 1pm-6pm
Playoffs/Elimination Stage
Saturday, 3rd April: 1pm-5.30pm
Sunday, 4th April: 1pm-5.30pm
Stream
You can watch the stream on Garena’s Facebook page here. We’ll put up the stream when it’s ready.


The Garmin Instinct Esports Edition Watch Is Now Available In Malaysia

Garmin has officially launched the Instinct Esports Edition, a rugged GPS smartwatch with an edge; distinctively designed esports tracking feature for gaming athletes and enthusiasts. The smartwatch comes equipped with Garminâ€™s proven health and fitness technologies and utilises a dedicated esports function to monitor and analyse heart rate and stress during play.Â
Garminâ€™s new STR3AMUP! PC streaming tool also provides Instinct users with the ability to live stream biometric data to their audiences for a new streaming experience. Boasting over three days of battery life in esports mode, users can make the most of their playing time while taking their performance to the next level.
Garmin Asia Director Scoppen Lin said:
â€œElite athletes around the world rely on Garmin products to monitor and improve their performance.
With the Instinct Esports Edition, esports athletes can tap into that same technology to track and examine how their body responds to intense competition.
Players can also use Instinctâ€™s data to make adjustments in their daily lives, whether it be altering sleep patterns or activity levels, which can result in increased cognitive and physical performance during play.â€Â
Garmin Malaysia recognises the impact of Esports and its new breed of young athletes. The Instinct Esports Edition is made for elite e-gamers as well as enthusiasts who want so much more out of their games.Â
The Instinct Esports Edition is purpose-built to military standards (MIL-STD 810), yet its exceedingly lightweight design provides a distraction-free gaming experience. It provides up to 80 hours of battery life in esports mode and up to 14 days in smartwatch mode for less charging time and more time gaming.Â
The Instinctâ€™s bold black and red colours, high-contrast display and rugged design bring to life a non-traditional smartwatch. When paired with a compatible smartphone, Instinct also provides smart notifications such as email, texts, and alerts to a userâ€™s wrist so they can stay connected both during and outside of gameplay.
Garmin Instinct Dedicated Esports Activity Profile And Live Stream Biometrics

Prior to a match, users are welcome to select the esports activity on Instinct. Once activated, Garminâ€™s proven wrist-based heart rate technology1 analyzes and displays a userâ€™s heart rate and stress level in addition to the time of day and a game timer. Similar to other athletic competitions, actively monitoring stress and heart rate in real-time can provide the opportunity to manage physical and mental resources for more effective and focused competition. Once a gaming session has ended, users can sync their activity to the free Garmin Connectâ„¢ app2to view, store and analyze their data to see how their body would react in different gaming situations.Â
When using the esports activity, players can utilize Garminâ€™s new STR3AMUP! PC streaming tool to broadcast heart rate, stress level and Body Battery live and embed this data into their video streams or recordings using customizable overlays. Displaying these metrics allows players to interface with their audience and showcase â€“ in real-time â€“ the physical and mental demands of competitive play.
Designed with an emphasis on elite-tier competition, the Instinct Esports Edition provides a variety of valuable body metric analytics features1, so users can analyze and fine-tune how their body reacts to competitive play.
These include:Â

Wrist-Based Heart Rate â€“ Get heart rate data along with alerts if a userâ€™s heart rate stays too high or too low while at rest, and gauge how hard their heart is working during specific gaming moments.Â
Advanced Sleep Monitoring â€“ Users get a full picture of how they are sleeping with a breakdown of light, deep and REM sleep stages. This allows users to interpret and make lifestyle modifications for more focused play.
Stress Tracking â€“ Using Garminâ€™s heart rate variability, the Instinct Esports Edition can calculate an individualâ€™s stress level score, giving them the opportunity to optimize stress management to conserve mental and physical resources.Â
Body Battery Energy Monitor â€“ Uses heart rate, stress and sleep data to determine how much energy a user has â€“ letting them know when to play and when to rest.Â
30+ sports apps and robust activity tracking â€“ Users can train with preloaded activity profiles outside the gaming world. For athletes who want to monitor performance even further, an optional Heart Rate Monitor chest strap is available for purchase separately.Â

Price And AvailabilityÂ

The GarminÂ Instinct Esports Edition is available at a suggested retail price of RM1,399.00 on AECO e-store, authorised retailers, Lazada and Shopee.Â


Star Wars & Harry Potter Actor Paul Grant Passes Away At 56

Actor Paul Grant has passed away at the age of 56 after being found having collapsed outside of King’s Cross station in north London on Thursday afternoon (16 March 2023). He was pronounced dead at 3.49 am on Monday (20 March 2023).
However, the cause of death has not been disclosed.
The late actor was best known for playing an Ewok in Star Wars Episode VI Return Of The Jedi and a goblin in Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. He also appeared as one of the Goblin Corps in 1986’s Labyrinth, as well as starred in movies such as 1985’s Legend and the 1988’s Willow.
In a statement (via The Guardian), his daughter, Sophie Jayne Grant, said:
“I’m heartbroken … No girl deserves their dad to be taken away … He was so well known and loved [for his work]. He’s gone too soon.”
Grant leaves behind his girlfriend Maria Dwyer, his two daughters and one son, as well as his stepchildren and grandchildren.
In a statement, Dwyer said:
“Paul was the love of my life. The funniest man I know. He made my life complete. Life is never going to be the same without him.”
The late actor’s stepdaughter Stacey has also set up a GoFundMe to help raise money for the funeral.


Capcom’s Great Ace Attorney Series Will Be Released In English This Year

Capcom has announced that it will be re-releasing its Great Ace Attorney series of games in English this summer all across the world. The collection is called The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles.
The Great Ace Attorney is a spin-off of the Ace Attorney series, except it take place in Victorian London and Meiji-era Japan. The series spawned two titles: The Great Ace Attorney: The Adventure of Ryunosuke NaruhodoÂ andÂ The Great Ace Attorney 2: The Resolve of Ryunosuke Naruhodo. It also features a Victorian detective named Herlock Sholmes, ensuring that the Capcom localization team are on-point with the game’s mix of humour and wordplay.
The re-releases will feature brand-new English voice acting, 10 episodes/cases, 8 mini escapades, alternate costumes for characters in-game, and an art and music gallery. For the first time, the collection will add in an auto-advancing story mode where players can enjoy the game’s full story without doing the detective work and courtroom battles for themselves.

The two games will be out as a bundle on 27th July for Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC (via Steam).


All The Games On Tonight’s New Game+ Expo Online Stream

It’s close to the end of June and it’s still 2020, which means we have more online expos with brand new game showcases. The New Game+ Expo focuses on titles from Sega, Atlus, SNK, Wayforward, and many other third-party companies with those lovely niche games and Japanese export titles.
So yeah, steel your expectations if you’re hoping for something as bombastic as the PS5 reveal. These are third-party niche titles we’re talking about. With that said, let’s begin:
Suda51 Trolls Us With No More Heroes 3 Gameplay

Grasshopper Manufacture director Suda51 starts off with him talking about the games he’s catching up on his Nintendo Switch. The twist here is that he’s showing off No More Heroes 3 gameplay while he’s front and centre blocking it intentionally. Oh, you crazy developer you.
Harvest Moon One World

It’s a Harvest Moon game without the original developers; make of that what you will. This time, you start off in a world without vegetation and need to reintroduce society to the concept of growing your own harvest.Â Coming Fall 2020.
Tin & Kuna

Roll around a lot as an armadillo-type thing in this puzzle game. ComingÂ Fall 2020.Â
Billion Road

A turn-based Game of Life board game title that looks pretty cheap. It’s out on PC and Nintendo Switch.
Fight Crab

What the title said: crabs fighting each other 1v1 using weapons while J-pop rock blares in the background.Â Out 30th July for PC.
Samurai Shodown New DLC Character

For Honor’s Warden is the next new character in Samurai Shodown. Seems appropriate, and the SamSho roster needs a knight archetype anyway. He’ll be available tomorrow as part of the Season 2 pass and as a separate download.
Re:Zero – Starting Life In Another World

A visual novel based on the hit anime. Coming this winter for PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.
Fallen Legion: Revenant

A turn-based RPG with a unique gothic art style and a nifty line-based combat system. Coming Early 2021 to PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection

SamSho, SNK Gal Fighter, KOF R2 and more will be on this bundle for Nintendo Switch.
Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV

The final chapter in the Trails of Cold Steel series is finally getting localized in English. This title will be out for PS4 on 27th October. The game will be out for PC and Nintendo Switch next year.
Deathend Re:Quest 2

A horror JRPG from the writer of Corpse Party. Out 25th August for PC and PS4.
Idol Manager

Idolmaster and Cinderella Girls too mainstream for you? Play this idol simulator title instead. I don’t know why, but something about its 2D SimTower-like presentation and visual novel surprises screams “sleeper hit” here.Â Coming out 2020 for PC.
Danganronpa For Mobile

The hit mystery thriller whodunnit visual novel title will be on iOS and Android, starting with Danganronpa: TriggerHappyHavoc. It’s out now.
CafÃ© EnchantÃ©

Different worlds, non-humans, and a cafe: that’s the visual novel CafÃ© EnchantÃ© in a nutshell. Coming this fall 2020 for Nintendo Switch via Nintendo eshop.
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2

Made by IntiCreates, this is the sequel to the 8-bit-styled 2D platformer based on the Bloodstained franchise. If you love NES Castlevania titles, you’ll dig this.
Guilty Gear Strive

Here’s some new Guilty Gear Strive gameplay, featuring Zato1 and Millia Rage. They play exactly like in the past games, but with Strive’s “slower” pace. Out Early 2021.
Fairy Tail

Want an anime RPG? Then Koei Tecmo’s take on Fairy Tail will impress. Also, there’s a lot of anime fanservice if you’re into that sort of thing. Out 31st July for PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.
Piofiore: Fated Memories

Yet another otome visual novel, now with criminals and pretty mafia bosses you can date. Out Fall 2020 for Nintendo Switch.
Neptunia Virtual Stars

A music-based hack-and-slash starring characters from the Hyper Dimension Neptunia series. A literal console war, basically. This title will be out 2021.
Pretty Princess Party

A princess-grooming simulation where you restore your castle to its former glory and do princess stuff. Out Fall 2020.
Shiren The Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate

The OG roguelike returns in an entry based on the PS Vita port If you thought Dark Souls was tough, play this. Out 2020 for PC and Nintendo Switch.
Ys IX

The last game in the presentation, Falcom announced that they’re releasing the English version of Ys IX this year. You control Adol as he solves the mystery of Prison City with the help of his monster humanoid allies. Out 2021 for PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.
Did I expect much from this obviously anime game-focused showcase? Nope. But at least we have some gems to look forward to like those Falcom RPGs, a new Bloodstained game, and Idol Manager. I’m not kidding about the last one.


Roguelike Action RPG Risk of Rain 2 Sells A Million Copies In A Month

We enjoyed the heck out of Risk of Rain 2, but we didn’t think it would sell a ton of digital copies so quick, especially in early access mode. Glad we’re proven wrong.
Developer Hopoo Games announced after its 28 March release, the action RPG roguelike surpassed one million units sold.

“To give you guys a little bit of context, it took us almostÂ 5 yearsÂ to hit that same number on Steam for Risk of Rain 1. We are excited to see how many of you are jumping into RoR 2. Thank you all so muchâ€”we feel very lucky.”

Hopoo also said that the one million sales mark is one million units sold and is independent from the 2-for-1 promotion it had on the Steam platform. Redemptions are at 200,000 or so, which means the player count right now is just over 1.2 million. Most indie games with online capabilities wished they had that many numbers overall; these guys achieved that within a month or so.
So what’s next?
Well, finishing the game, duh. The game’s still in early access. The studio said it’s going to bring in new content in the coming months, teasing returning content from Risk of Rain 1 like survivors.

“We hope our first content update plants the seeds necessary to continue growing Risk of Rain 2 into an even better game for players.. This patch will also include quality of life updates and bug fixes! As a reminder, we will still be shipping patches containing bug fixes, alongside full localization, before the first Content Update.”

Risk of Rain 2 will leave early access in Spring 2020.


Has The COVID-19 Pandemic Killed Physical Games?

As someone who used to collect retro games 10 years or so ago, I always wonder how long the industry will last when it comes to physical items. Seems like with the COVID-19 pandemic, it may not for very long.
According to Frontier Developments CEO David Braben (makers of Elite Dangerous), he believes COVID-19 has accelerated the shift towards digital distribution (via Gamesindustry).

“We’ve seen an acceleration in the transition from physical to digital. That is a good thing. It’s probably two to three years before physical more or less goes away, and it’s probably accelerated that timescale a bit.”

The situation is a tad troubling given some tweets from experts and analysts as of late.

Regardless, it does mean that people are showing huge interest in games, just not in the typical sense like in a decade or so.

“We’re very lucky to be in a really great industry where, from a financial point of view, things are going really well. Sales are up, the number of players in our games are up quite substantially, so there’s that really positive side [to things].
Some of this is actually quite sticky. We first saw this in China, where there was quite a big uplift in players during their lockdown back in February. What’s interesting is we get foresight of things with China going back to work, and we do see a slightly higher level of sales still persisting than we did beforehand.
There’s a really strong silver lining here. The difficulty is you don’t want to be going, ‘Oh, this is all great’ because we know some people are finding it hard, some people’s partners have been made redundant or are struggling, so there’s a balance there. But overall, it’s been pretty good for our industry.”

Personally, while digital distribution is the way to go, physical games and collections will not be going away so soon. The video game collector’s market, especially the retrogaming side, will always live on as long as gaming is still a hobby enjoyed by many.
There’s really no feeling that will match having a physical copy or keepsake in your hand that digital games can emulate, no matter how practical it is in the long run. After all, sites like Limited Run will always have customers and people will always make demands for collector’s editions for specific niche titles.


Avatar The Way Of Water Unveils Epic New Trailer

James Cameron’s long-awaited sequel to 2009’s Avatar, Avatar The Way Of Water, has received a brand new trailer.
The trailer reveals our first look at Kiri, the child of Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). She is voiced by Sigourney Weaver. They also have three other children, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), and Tuktirey (Trinity Bliss).
Franchise newcomers include Kate Winslet, Michelle Yeoh, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, Edie Falco and Jemaine Clement.
The synopsis reads:
Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.
Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the film stars Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement and Kate Winslet.

Avatar The Way Of Water is slated to premiere in cinemas on 16 December 2022.


5 Valid Concerns About The Upcoming Spider-Man Game

We checked out the PS4 Spider-Man game from Insomniac Game, and so far it’s looking great and all. But with any upcoming medium or title with potential for greatness, we need to address the fact that they are some factors that are not in said subject’s favour. Especially when it comes to Marvel’s wonderful wall-crawler as he’s starring in his own exclusive PS4 game creatively labelled Marvel’s Spider-Man.
Okay, so it’s not so much “we” as it is “I”, since I’ve played a heckaton of Spider-Man games since the DOS days when he teamed up with Captain America. I’ve played the PS1 Spider-Man games done by the Tony Hawk devs where Doctor Octopus got the symbiote from Carnage and became Octopus Carnage or something like that.
I’ve even suffered through the deluge of Activision Spider-Man games from that Ultimate Spider-Man borefest to the Shattered Dimension Spider-verse crossover long before Dan Slott did that in the comics. That is one period in my career I do not wish to relive again.
So yes, I do have valid concerns for this title thanks to the wall-crawler’s tumultuous gaming history. Let’s address them here.
Too Many Villains Could Spoil The Broth
Right now, we have Mr Negative, Electro, Silver Sable, Scorpion, and a few others. While having a few of Spider-Manâ€™s rogues gallery is less inconsequential in a game than in a movie (games like this will probably last 30 hours or so), nonetheless it does raise the question: who is manipulating these guys & gals? Will the reveal shock us or will it fall flat? Also, will you be participating in Mysterio’s stunt course race bits ala Riddler Challenges, assuming he’s in this Spider-Man?Â
As fun as Batman: Arkham City and Arkham Knight was (if you weren’t playing the PC version at launch, that is), it did suffer from having too many side characters and villains distracting players from the main gist of the game. The later games were dangerously close in losing the focus of the audience with its multiple plot threads and villains, and also relying too much on its side activities.
That’s not an inherently negative point, but it can lead to a situation where players need to revel in their OCDness in completing every single side mission to really finish the game. Scavenger hunts and forced web-slinging time trials aren’t the way to being a good Spider-Man-type hero, you know?Â
Quick Time Events-Centric
Are there a lot of them? The trailer seems to indicate as much. Even friendly neighbourhood Kenn Leandre said that there’s quite a few of them in the preview build of the game.
What I’m concerned with is that the full game will have an overabundance of this in every key part of the game, when you’re fighting the Sinister Six or the equivalent of that. We’re in 2018; we want 1/4th of our action setpieces to be resolved with a few button prompts and the rest through our own actions.
This year’s God of War seems to get the balance between fighting and QTEs just right; Insomniac should take a page from that book if it wants to make their Spider-Man game a cut above the rest.Â

Overreliance On Fan Service
It’s true: games based on comic book properties with their own movie tie-ins tend to cram in a lot of trivia, easter eggs, and nods from its source material. Everyone who read the comics or sit through the Sam Raimi films might get the hint, but having too much of it means more homework for the curious players to sift through so that they get them all and appreciate them willingly.
Yes, this Spider-Man game is in another universe with some similarities to the 616 world of the OG Peter Parker, but that also means a lot of sly cameos and tidbits from the original comics obnoxiously shoved in your faces. We’re adult fans: we’re fine with the changes and the shuffling since we know this is sort of an Insomniac adaptation of the Marvel source material. Give us something new; instead of Curt “The Lizard” Connors being the mentor, maybe switch it around with other scientists/rich father figures like Norman Osborne or Otto Octavius.
At the very least, this Spider-Man story switches things up by turning Mary-Jane into a reporter instead of a bar owner or a model. Thatâ€™s quite a step-up. Plus, that aforementioned “problem” can be solved by reading up on basic Spider-Man plot points and story arcs from the 80s to 2000s. You can skip the Clone Wars bit though.Â
It Feels Like A Tooled-Up Sunset Overdrive
The wall-running in Spider-Man looks familiar, like as if it was taken from another open world game they did a long while back. Oh yes, the Xbox One third-person run-and-gun extraordinaire called Sunset Overdrive.Â
It had a snarky protagonist, it had great shooting and open world gameplay, and it was obnoxious with its humour and writing. It wasn’t a huge success despite its good intentions.
Spider-Man could fall into that writing trap with a really annoying Peter Parker, a bunch of his snarky millennial friends, and a bit of fourth-wall breaking (but not Deadpool levels, thankfully). While our friendly neighbourhood Kenn Leandre said that it’s a “jacked-up Sunset Overdrive” mod of sorts and that making a totally new game engine these days is expensive, we wonder how much of Sunset Overdrive is really in the final product.
You may get a sense of deja vu, but it’ll hopefully subside after the 10-hour mark.

It’s Similar To The Batman: Arkham Games
In a way, Rocksteady Studios is at fault for setting the bar way too high for action adventure games featuring mortal superheroes. Because of Batman: Arkham Asylum, certain superhero action games try to mimic the “ballet of destruction” free-flowing combat.
This isnâ€™t a bad thing, but it does remind players of a time when Activision was making Spider-Man games up the wazoo. Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2 were mediocre games that took the Batman Arkham game engine stylings to heart and just slapped Spider-Man on it. It felt less genuine than it should despite the new non-movie additions. We fear that for all the new things this upcoming Spider-Man game will introduce, it may still be living under the shadow of Rocksteady’s trilogy, at least in the superhero action game department.Â
https://www.facebook.com/kakuchopurei/videos/1519704324800644/


A Total War Saga Troy Mythos Is An Epic Compromise For Historical & Fantasy Fans

Platform(s): PC
Genre: Strategy, Real-Time Strategy, RTS, Turn-Based, Historical, Fantasy
I have hundreds or possibly thousands of hours across many Total War games, so trust me when I say I’m no newbie to Creative Assembly’s Total War franchise (you can even check my Steam profile for validation). I’ve admittedly always been a fan mostly because I’m a huge history buff, especially when it comes to matters of war and conflict. As such, I was never a fan of the fantasy elements introduced in the Total War Warhammer games or even the over-the-top legendary heroes featured in Total War Three Kingdoms.
To this day, my favourite Total War games are Total War Rome 2 and Total War Attila. I’m explaining all this first so that you, the reader, will have an idea of my background as a Total War player before delving into this review. I would also like to clarify that I played A Total War Saga Troy when it launched on Epic Games Store last year, but it didn’t take long before I went to the older Total War titles.

Now, about a year later, I’m returning to A Total War Saga Troy with not only the game’s new full-on fantasy Mythos expansion but also after a year’s worth of updates and patches. If you’re one of the seven million players who redeemed the game for free on the Epic Games Store but have since dropped the game, I’m sure you’re wondering whether the game is even worth returning to even with all the expansion and new content.
Well, I’m here to answer both that question and whether or not historical Total War fans should even bother with this game.
Going Full Tolkien

The biggest problem with A Total War Saga Troy at launch was how half-baked the concept felt. It felt like the developers wanted to try and hit the middle ground between history and fantasy. It ultimately didn’t work as well as it should have, feeling like the game compromised on too much. This was a bummer because the game was surprisingly stable and almost bug-free at launch, something that would have been unthinkable for the company that launched Total War Rome 2 in such a broken state back in 2013.
In actuality, not only was A Total War Saga Troy optimized and smooth, Creative Assembly did a lot of work in re-introducing the best of what came before and refining them even further; including the improved diplomacy system and legendary heroes from Total War Three Kingdoms, as well as fantasy elements with Greek gods providing buffs and benefits to the addition of mythical creatures as playable units Ã  la Total War Warhammer.
However, the biggest changes to the core Total War formula unique to A Total War Saga Troy was dividing one financial in-game currency (gold) into several different resources like food, bronze, gold, stone, wood, and more. This added more depth and complexity to the game’s economical and diplomacy systems. Now, you didn’t have to only worry about food and gold like in previous games, but instead, you’ll have to work with finite resources while building your empire.

Traditional trade agreements? Those are gone too, so you can’t just stack a bunch of trade agreements and rack up money passively that way. You can participate in barter agreements with other factions to get more resources that you lack or require. That’s a whole new dimension of diplomacy since you can take advantage of a faction requiring a certain resource in order to push the negotiation in your favour.
Oh, and another massive problem in 2020’s A Total War Saga Troy (which stemmed from another new mechanic) was the lack of cavalry. Yes, due to the game’s setting of the Bronze Age, the Greeks didn’t really use cavalry units in history. They were usually used to pull chariots or for generals to ride on. The game compensated for the lack of cavalry by having three different types of melee units (light, medium, heavy) of varying speeds. The light melee units ars essentially the game’s replacements for cavalry units.
Of course, you also had the aforementioned half-baked “truth behind the myth” units such as centaurs (which are disappointingly only men on horses) and others. It all felt like a missed opportunity with huge potential. Sure, historical Total War fans like me wanted realistic units and historical accuracy but why have a minotaur as a playable unit when it’s just a man cosplaying as a minotaur swinging a club? It defeats the purpose, not to mention that it would be equally disappointing for a Total War Warhammer fan.

The A Total War Saga Troy Mythos expansion fixes that by finally giving players access to actual giants, centaurs, harpies, sirens, minotaurs, cyclops, griffins and the like. There are three Mythic Beasts that you can hunt, but you can actually only choose one per playthrough. Getting one is no easy feat though, as it requires players to send an army on an “expedition”. Once this army embarks on the expedition, the game will give you a story decision to make every few turns.
Sending my army on a Mythic Beast expedition.
It’s a lot like those Choose Your Own Adventure-style narratives, where the decision you make will have either positive or negative outcomes. Plus, certain decisions will lock future decisions, and by the time the expedition reaches the Mythic Beast, your army might already have incurred losses along the way. In my expedition to hunt the Cerberus, I lost a few units, but also gained a few unique Siren units as part of the decisions in my storyline.
Example of an expedition decision.
The outcome of that decision.
When the expedition reaches its narrative end, that’s when you’ll actually have to engage in combat, and no, you can’t auto-resolve battles against Mythic Beasts. Before the fight, you can choose to bring in another army, and trust me, you’ll need every last man and monster to defeat these Mythic Beasts. I barely won my battle against Cerberus and his army of Shades (kind of like the ghost soldiers from The Lord Of The Rings. At least, I’d like to think so.)
That battle took me more than 20 minutes to finish and that’s with two full-stack armies. These truly are Mythic Beasts. Once I defeated Cerberus, I could use him either outside of combat like an Agent or inside my Army as a Unit. A Mythic Beast like Cerberus comes with its own unique mechanics, and Cerberus’ is that I can steal the souls of my fallen enemies to recruit units of Shade ghost soldiers.
My general and his Cerberus.
Saga Format Limitations

However, it’s not perfect. This is still very much a A Total War Saga game, so don’t expect as much depth or content as a full-fledged title like Total War Rome 2 or Total War Three Kingdoms. The limitations of the scope can be felt after spending several hours in the same campaign. Playing as Sparta after more than 10 hours, and the game suffers from the same tedious endgame that has plagued the franchise since forever.
It definitely doesn’t help that the setting is limited to Greece. You’ll just be facing similar factions to your; the only difference is that they’re either Greek or Trojan. Of course, the game tries to spice things up with unique mechanics for each faction but that only goes so far in making things fresh, especially during the bloated endgame. After more than 10 hours as Sparta, I was simply mopping up whatever settlements I could on the long journey to Troy.
Trust me, Troy is really far from where your starting position is, and Sparta is located at the bottom left of the map. There are hundreds of settlements and a massive ocean separating me and Sparta. By the time I reached Troy, I just wanted to get it over with. Fighting the same-ish Greek and Trojan factions get old after a while, which was the same problem that popped up in more focused settings like Total War Three Kingdom‘s China and Total War Shogun 2‘s Japan.

Along with Mythos comes the free 1.6.0 patch, which is a free update for everyone. It introduces a huge new mechanic call Administrative Burden. The way it works is that as you occupy more settlements and the larger your empire becomes, the more negative effects you accumulate, such as increased upkeep and more. The only upside of higher Administrative Burdens is speeding up the process of unlocking royal decrees and increasing influence. The developer calls this the “anti-snowball mechanic” but the negative effects stack up and it makes the already-exhausting micro-managing of a huge empire even more tiresome, though I guess it does add an element of ‘realism’.
The economy also feels less balanced than I expected it to be. Late-game and exclusive units are often expensive as hell not only to recruit but also to maintain. Some require a ton of gold and bronze, which is crazy. It’s no easy feat trying to juggle resources while expanding your empire. If you’re not careful, you could end up lacking one or two important resources that you’ve been either using too much of or straight neglecting.
Other aspects that remind me that this is a Saga game includes there being a lot less voice acting than I’m used to in a Total War game. You’ll miss the over-the-top voice acting of leaders and factions from previous games when the ones in A Total War Saga Troy simply remain silent most of the time.

Juggling the resources are fun at first because you’ll have to make careful decisions while spending them. Still, I miss the days when food and money are the only two resources I have to worry about in a Total War game. Little improvements like being able to filter factions by how much or how little of a resource they currently have also diplomacy easier.
Should historical Total War fans get the A Total War Saga Mythos expansion? I was sceptical at first too, but I’m glad I gave it a try, despite my initial prejudices and reservations. Even if you’re adamantly against fantasy elements in a Total War game, there’s still the free Historical Mode as part of the 1.6.0 update. While I might never really get into the Total War Warhammer games, A Total War Saga Mythos is a great compromise for those who still prefer historical flavour in their Total War games.
Still, I’m looking forward to Creative Assembly taking everything they’ve learned and implemented in A Total War Saga Troy Mythos and apply and improve in a future full-fledged historical title. Including both Mythological Mode and Historical Mode proves that the developer hasn’t forgotten its historical roots, and that’s reassuring for veteran fans of the franchise.
Pros

A Total War Saga Troy finally goes full fantasy.
Historical Mode is available for historical Total War fans.
Lots of little improvements.
One of the most stable Total War games to date.

Cons

Still plagued by long-time franchise problems, such as a tedious endgame.
Despite the addition of fantasy units, it gets old fighting the same Greek/Trojan factions.

Final Score: 70/100
Review copy provided by Sega. Played on PC.


[Report] We Won’t Be Seeing New Star Wars Stories For A While…

With Solo: A Star Wars Story doing okay in the international box offices -but not Disney money OK where they can fund a peninsular- it seems that Disney will be putting a temporary kibosh on all future Star Wars Story standalone movies.
This means no Obi-Wan Kenobi movie, no Boba Fett movie, and so forth. Nope, not even a Lando Calrissian spin-off film. According to Collider, the news came in a few days after it was revealed via the tweet below that there will be nine Star Wars movies in development.

Tom Kane seems to be somewhat in the know but very hesitant to share.. claims there are at least 9 Star Wars films in various stages of development, some individual character stories yet to be announced, but definitely not Yoda. #StarWars #AllStarComicCon
— Aaron Goins (@avgoins) June 16, 2018

Apart from the Obi-Wan and Boba Fett movie which will be directed by Stephen Daldry and Logan’s James Mangold respectively, there will be a new film series by Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi’s Rian Johnson alongside Game of Thrones’ David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Not that it won’t happen; at least until Disney is ready to invest again after recuperating from its Solo outing.
Don’t fret, Star Wars fans: Star Wars Episode IX will still be coming out in December 2019 and will be helmed by J.J Abrams. And then there’s that animated series from Dave Filoni called Star Wars Resistance which is slated later this year. And also that Jon Favreau live-action show. So really, you’re all fine with all of these new Star Wars shows. Just don’t expect callbacks and throwbacks to show up even beyond 2019.
In other news, why not read up our alternatives to Solo: A Star Wars Story’s, er, story?Â