This D&D Game Should Have Stayed In The Dungeon

Platforms: Xbox Series, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC
Genre: Third-Person Hack & Slash Borefest
We’re fortunate to live in an era where the tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons is accepted as a mainstream recreation within pop culture. You can’t turn away from the corner of the internet without some of your pals Instagramming their D&D live RPG sessions or talking about that one guild with popular voice actors acting out their D&D campaigns.
All this is in spite of Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance existing. Though if many people were to get their first impressions of the brand through this 4-player co-op action game, the brand would be doomed. Why is that? Simple: it takes one part of an actual D&D campaign -the combat- and just wears its welcome while making a lot of its supposedly simple mechanics hard to play through.
Basically, Tuque Games & Wizards of the Coast are dungeon masters with the best of intentions but botches the entire campaign with rookie mistakes.
Roll For Initiative

The plot involves famous Forgotten Realms heroes Drizzt Do’Urden, Catti-brie, Wulfgar, and Bruenor Battlehammer as they band up to defeat the evils and hordes that are running amuck through Icewind Dale. There’s a bit of plot and cutscenes here, but it all serves to transition to your dungeons and boss fights. There’s really nothing eye-popping here.
So all we have is the potentially awesome co-op looting action RPGing, right? Well, you can’t really call it much of an RPG since you can’t customize each of your heroes to a detailed degree like in a Borderlands title. You can unlock your chosen character’s skills, extra feats, and equipment, but that’s about it.
All action games live and die by their controls and archetype. D&D Dark Alliance handles these elements atrociously. All your characters feel and play sluggishly, and most of their attacks have windup times, even the quickest ones. Your character selection includes fast damage dealer (Drizzt), support archer (Catti-Brie), mid-ranged damage dealer (Wulfgar), and tank (Bruenor Battlehammer). While some characters like Drizzt and Wulfgar will do fine in both solo and co-op, the other two are at a disadvantage damage-wise if you’re attempting this game on your own. We’ll get to the “balancing” of the foes in a couple more paragraphs, because it’s a doozy.
Worst of all, the stamina system that controls your attacks and flow seem to hinder characters like Catti-Brie. See, your character’s max stamina gradually depletes if you keep attacking and using special skills, forcing you to replenish it with stamina potions or resting in camps. There’s also a bit of a reward buff you can get if you skip your rests, but at the cost of lower health and stamina.
While an interesting mechanic, it hinders some characters. You can’t spam arrow shots with Catti-Brie unless your stamina drains (which then lowers your max stamina), which leaves you in a short recovery state 90% of the time when you’re fighting. On the opposite spectrum, Wulfgar and Drizzt can spam their attacks and their evades like no tomorrow with little consequence.
Worst, the camera lock-on system is a joke: it zooms too close and actually obscures your parallel vision, making the feature even more useless than a 3rd Edition Bard.
You’re better off just free-form fight your way out of trouble, hoping your attacks land and the last hits of your combo actually landing due to the game’s not-so-hot collision detection.
Like Stale THAC0

On top of all that, enemies in the game are poorly balanced and are tacked on with unpredictable AI. While the first 20 minutes and few stages show promise of a fun-filled brawler, all its cracks start to show as you head in deeper into the proverbial Underdark. For starters, there isn’t much enemy variety to deal with. Each arena fight just throws enemies in without rhyme or reason. In fact, the bosses are just upgraded versions of enemies you met a few corridors ago, just with bigger HP bars and an army.
Half the time they take about a few seconds to react to your characters. You can even stunlock all the bosses in the game using the same melee tactics you used on the enemies you met previously; I’m not sure how I did it even, since these are accidents that happen a couple of times.
On the flip side, most enemies can kill you with a couple of hits if you somehow bump up the challenge level to your recommended level. Half of them can even knock you down with their regular attacks without any sort of telegraph as a cheap way to curbstomp your expectation past the Nine Hells.
Sure, the game is a cakewalk on level 1, but bump it up a few notches and it starts to gang up on you. The fights and damage scaling here is treated like as if you’re playing co-op, even if you plan on going solo for the entire game. Did I also forget to mention that your combo-enders from your attack strings can sometimes completely miss and veer you off course from the enemy, making you prone to back attacks without any means to parry or dodge them?
Developers Tuque Games and publishers Wizards of the Coast clearly did not take this into account, and its gameplay and levels show.
If you somehow need to find enjoyment in this D&D experience without frustration, bring a few friends along. However, if there are teammates who want to play more than one Drizzt or dwarf tank guy, you’re s*** out of luck: each session requires you to play a different character Gauntlet-style.
Long story short, just traversing through Icewind Dale in dank corridors with small deviating pathways while experiencing the combat will grate on you. It just feels like you’re at a disadvantage when all you’re doing is going through different arenas for mob fights & boss battles. I’m not expecting every hack-and-slash game to be like a Devil May Cry or Bayonetta, but D&D Dark Alliance didn’t even achieve the bare minimum when it comes to making your slugfests entertaining and feel like you’re in power within the arena space. This game isn’t going to win anything in the traversal and level design department: whether you’re fighting in a dwarven kingdom or a cultist hideout, every space and corridor looks about the same in look, feel, and pathway.
Its previous namesake titles Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance did the whole hack-and-slash gameplay much better because of the hordes you deal with, the simple yet effective controls, and the power fantasy you get when levelling up and getting great gear. Nothing in this Dark Alliance makes me feel this.
Critical Miss
If you feel the need to burn US$40 or less on a fantasy co-op experience that’s part brawler and part action, just play the Vermintide games instead. They’re a different perspective, but they emanate the same spirit and design philosophy as this D&D game, but infinitely better.
D&D: Dark Alliance is a case for people to hop on board to play the analog role-playing game it’s based on. This video game is so goddamn boring, infuriating, and repetitive, it’ll make you appreciate the intricacies of a live RPG session.
Think of this hack-and-slash as a newbie dungeon master who focuses on combat after seeing that cool roleplay bit from Critical Role and wants to recreate that, but doesn’t know the rules & know-how of what makes it fun in the first place.
Pros

The first 30 minutes seem fun…
Matchmaking seems painless.

Cons

Boring arena fight segments & level design.
Not all classes are created equal.
Cannot have the same heroes in an online party.
Boss fights and enemies are repetitive and broken.

Final Score: 40/100


Here Are June 2023’s PlayStation Plus Essential Games

Sony just unveiled the lineup of PlayStation Plus Essential games for June 2023.
This month, the first batch of games includes NBA 2K23, Jurassic World Evolution 2, and Trek to Yomi. These games are available for both PS5 and PS4 users.

Starting from 6 June until 3 July, subscribers can claim these games and add them to their collection. PlayStation Plus Essential is the basic membership tier that grants access to a selection of “free” games every month.
The best part is that once you claim these games, you can continue playing them even after the monthly period ends, as long as you maintain your subscription to PlayStation Plus Essential or a higher tier. But remember, if you let your membership expire, you won’t be able to play these games anymore unless you re-subscribe.
In case you missed it, let’s quickly recap the PlayStation Plus Essential games from May 2023. GRID Legends, Chivalry 2, and Descenders were up for grabs until 6 June.
According to Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan, around 30% of PlayStation Plus users have opted for the Premium and Extra tiers, which were introduced last summer. These tiers offer additional perks and benefits.
And here’s some great news for bargain hunters! Sony’s Days of Play sale begins on 2 June and includes discounted PlayStation Plus subscriptions. Whether you’re a new member or an existing one, you can snag a 25% discount on all 12-month plans, including Essential, Extra, and Premium/Deluxe tiers.
But wait, there’s more! Existing PlayStation Plus Essential and Extra members can also enjoy a 25% discount when upgrading their memberships to a higher tier, whether it’s for 1 month, 3 months, or 12 months.
So mark your calendars and get ready for an amazing month of gaming with PlayStation Plus Essential. Don’t miss out on these fantastic games and discounts. Happy gaming!


Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart Wins Big At The DICE Awards 2022

At the 25th DICE Awards 2022, Hazelight Studios’ It Takes Two wins Game Of The Year, but it’s actually PS5 exclusive Insomniac Games’ Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart that was the biggest winner of the show.
Besides Game Of The Year, It Takes Two also won the Outstanding Achievement in Game Design award. Meanwhile, Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart won Outstanding Achievement in Animation, Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction, Outstanding Technical Achievement, and Family Game of the Year.
There were 23 categories in total, and several games, including Halo Infinite, Lone Echo II, Marvelâ€™s Guardians of the Galaxy, and Returnal, all won multiple awards. The show also gave awards to NetherRealm Studiosâ€™ Ed Boon, who won the 2022 AIAS Hall of Fame inductee, and Microsoftâ€™s Phil Spencer, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The 2022 DICE Awards took place live at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas and it was co-hosted for the sixth year by Jessica Chobot and Greg Miller.
You can check out my 4000-word spoiler-free review ofÂ Ratchet & Clank Rift ApartÂ here.

Check out all the winners below:
Game of the Year

Deathloop
Inscryption
It Takes Two – WINNER
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Returnal

Outstanding Achievement in Animation

Call of Duty: Vanguard
Deathloop
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – WINNER
Resident Evil Village

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction

Call of Duty: Vanguard
Deathloop
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – WINNER
Resident Evil Village

Outstanding Achievement in Character

Deathloop â€“ Colt Vahn
Kena: Bridge of Spirits â€“ Kena
Life is Strange: True Colors â€“ Alex Chen
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart â€“ Rivet
Resident Evil Village â€“ Lady Dimitrescu – WINNER

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition

Deathloop
It Takes Two
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Psychonauts 2
Returnal – WINNER

Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design

Forza Horizon 5
Halo Infinite
It Takes Two
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Returnal – WINNER

Outstanding Achievement in Story

Before Your Eyes
Inscryption
Guardians of the Galaxy – WINNER
Psychonauts 2
The Forgotten City

Outstanding Technical Achievement

Battlefield 2042
Forza Horizon 5
Moncage
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – WINNER
Returnal

Action Game of the Year

Deathloop
Halo Infinite – WINNER
Metroid Dread
Returnal
The Ascent

Adventure Game of the Year

Death’s Door
It Takes Two
Guardians of the Galaxy – WINNER
Psychonauts 2
Resident Evil Village

Family Game of the Year

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise
Cozy Grove
Mario Party Superstars
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – WINNER
Warioware: Get it Together

Fighting Game of the Year

Guilty Gear Strive – WINNER
Melty Blood: Type Lumina
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl

Racing Game of the Year

F1 2021
Forza Horizon 5 – WINNER
Hot Wheels Unleashed

Role-Playing Game of the Year

Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker – WINNER
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
Shin Megami Tensei V
Tales of Arise
Wildermyth

Sports Game of the Year

FIFA 22
Mario Golf: Super Rush – WINNER
NBA 2k22
Riders Republic
The Climb 2

Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year

Age of Empires IV – WINNER
Gloomhaven
Griftlands
Inscryption
Loop Hero

Immersive Reality Technical Achievement

Lone Echo II – WINNER
Puzzling Places
Resident Evil 4 VR
Song in the Smoke
Yuki

Immersive Reality Game of the Year

Demeo
I Expect You To Die 2
Lone Echo II – WINNER
Resident Evil 4 VR
Song in the Smoke

Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game

Death’s Door
Inscryption
Loop Hero
Sable
Unpacking – WINNER

Mobile Game of the Year

Behind the Frame
Fantasian
League of Legends: Wild Rift
Moncage
PokÃ©mon Unite – WINNER

Online Game of the Year

Back 4 Blood
Call of Duty: Vanguard
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
Halo Infinite – WINNER
Knockout City

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design

Deathloop
Inscryption
It Takes Two – WINNER
Loop Hero
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction

Deathloop – WINNER
Inscryption
It Takes Two
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
The Artful Escape


Bandai Namco Announces Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash Brawler Game

During Anime Expo 2023, Bandai Namco and Byking announced the 2v2 3D action brawler game Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam). However, a release date was not announced. It will support one player locally, and up to four players online.
Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash is a 3D action brawler where players create a team from the anime’s cast of Jujutsu Sorcerers and Cursed Spirits and unleash powerful attacks with the series’ famed “Cursed Techniques” in two-versus-two combat.
The arena brawls in Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash let fans play through and relive the original story and action of Jujutsu Kaisen, where protagonist Yuji Itadori and a cast of unforgettable characters defend humanity against monsters known as Curses in modern-day Japan. The game remains faithful to the original work with visuals inspired by the series’ distinct aesthetics, with a selection of more than fifteen favorite fighters to choose from, and featuring intense action and explosive animations.
In Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash, players will be able to select their own two-versus-two teams, each capable of executing a wide array of powerful tag-team attacks and combos. Different character combinations will have unique synergies and power dynamics. By completing battles, players increase their fighter’s power level, unlocking stronger attacks as they progress.
In other recent news, Toho Animation revealed that Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 will premiere on 6 July 2023. In the meantime, check out our review of the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 prequel movie by heading over here.
Check out the trailer below:


Ra Ra Boom Is A New Indie Beat Em’ Up With Ninja Cheerleaders

Ra Ra Boom makes its official debut today as Cincinnati-based Gylee Games released the game’s official announcement trailer ahead of its first showcase at this year’s upcoming Game Developer Conference in San Francisco. Ra Ra Boom is an eye-catching, distinctive fast-paced four-player co-op beat ‘em up driven by a meaningful and emotional coming-of-age narrative about a group of ninja cheerleaders from space in a fight to save the rest of humanity on Earth.
In today’s reveal trailer, we meet the team and watch them launch into action. Each member of Ra Ra Boom’s diverse cast of playable characters – Aris, Saida, Ren and Vee – sports their own weapons and abilities, giving players four different, unique takes on combat. Play fast and loose as Aris with her scythe or bring the pain as Vee, who wields a shield and machine gun. Any way you play, you and your teammates will be dismantling the robotic opposition.

Building on the game’s core frenetic beat ’em up 2D action co-op gameplay, Ra Ra Boom incorporates huge boss battles and ranged attacks to create diverse gameplay within the traditional beat ‘em up genre. Each of the ninja cheerleaders will sport upgradeable combos for both melee and ranged attacks featuring light, heavy and special attacks to keep each fight fresh and fierce.
Ra Ra Boom also augments traditional beat ’em up gameplay with its unique integrated lane system. Integrating horizontal lanes naturally into the hand-drawn environments, you’ll be able to tell which enemy you’re targeting with a flurry of furious blows – whether in melee range or attacking from a distance using ranged attacks. With the ability to quickly switch between lanes, you can strategically target multiple opponents, racking up massive combos any true beat-’em-up fan can enjoy.

Ra Ra Boom features four playable, relatable characters all processing grief in their own way after the death of their friend and leader at the nefarious hands of Zoi, humanity’s biggest and most dangerous AI. After this rogue AI tried to destroy humanity 20 years ago, some humans managed to escape – but they didn’t get far. Now Zoi is back to finish what it started, and four teenage ninja cheerleaders who have only known life on a spaceship are the only ones capable of stopping the complete destruction of humanity off Earth.
Sporting an all-star, hand-drawn cast, each character will undergo their own character arcs which will tackle relatable topics such as mental health, friendship, trust, imposter syndrome and more. Cinematic cutscenes will assist in driving this narrative through the game, weaving each character together through the ups and downs of their quest for revenge and their mission to save the world.

The game’s initial 10 levels introduce a variety of robot enemies and bosses ready for a challenge. Players will have to hone their skills if they are going to save humanity from the evil clutches of the AI.
Ra Ra Boom will launch for PC sometime in fall 2023. You can keep up with the squad in Ra Ra Boom by following Gylee Games on Twitter @GyleeGames.
You can wishlist the game on Steam now.
Check out the trailer below:


Tekken 7 Season 3 & New Tekken World Tour Details Revealed

Bandai Namco just dropped a ton of news regarding its staple fighting game Tekken 7 to the delight of fans and pro players. Let’s go through them one-by-one:
New Characters In Season 3
In addition to more Leroy Jenkins Smith, we are also getting returning sumo wrestler Ganryu and newcomer Muay Thai user Fahkumram.

Leroy’s fighting style is Wing Chun-style kung fu complete with doggie attacks.

Clearly, Julia has some history with Ganryu and is none too pleased with the sumo wrestler’s return.

Tattoo’ed edgelord here can take a beating and has some armour properties in most of his long-reaching moves.
Tekken World Tour 2020 Revealed

The first leg of the new tournament will start in April 2020. Basically, any Tekken tournament before that will not be counted as a TWT tournament, like the Tekken 7 tournament in EVO Japan 2020.
South Korea and Japan Displayed Some Good Ass Tekken
The Tekken World Tour 2019 finals boasted some of the best high-level fights, chief of all the final few bouts from Chikurin, Ulsan, and Knee.

The top 8 fighters in the world are listed below:
1. THY|Chikurin (Geese, Akuma)
2. Fate|Ulsan (Kazumi, Bob)
3. ROX|Knee (Steve, Paul, Bryan)
4. RB|Anakin (JACK-7)
5. UYU|Double (Law)
5. Yamasa|Nobi (Dragunov)
7. UYU|LowHigh (Shaheen)
7. JDCR (Dragunov)
Also, congratulations to Philippines’ AK and Thailand’s Book for making it pretty far in the TWT 2019 Last Chance Qualifier tournament, though they were beaten by one of Pakistan’s finest: Bilal.


The New Superman Is Now Bisexual

With the comic book industry already in the LGBT storytelling and character-making slant for the past few years, it’s only a matter until someone in the Man of Steel lineage ends up in that path.
Such is the case of the new Superman, Jon Kent, who is coming out as bisexual in an upcoming issue of Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 (via IGN). Story spoilers oncoming.

Long story short, the Superman: Son of Kal-El series written by Tom Taylor and drawn by John Timms focuses on Jon Kent and his 17-year old superheroics and young life responsibilities. In issue #4 and #5, he is starting a relationship with hacktivist Jay Nakamura who is a fan of Lois Lane’s work (Jon’s mom). Here’s their first kiss in issue #5.

Here’s what Tom Taylor had to say about the storyline in an IGN interview.
“Over the years in this industry, it probably wonâ€™t surprise you to hear Iâ€™ve had queer characters and storylines rejected. I felt like I was letting down people I loved every time this happened.
But we are in a very different and much more welcome place today than we were ten, or even five years ago. When I was asked if I wanted to write a new Superman with a new #1 for the DC Universe, I knew replacing Clark with another straight white savior could be a real opportunity missed. Iâ€™ve always said everyone needs heroes and everyone deserves to see themselves in their heroes. Today, Superman, the strongest superhero on the planet, is coming out.”
Artist John Timms also adds that it is a pretty big deal going through with this storyline with Jon Kent as Superman.
“As we have seen Jon grow up in front of our eyes, it will be interesting to see him not only trying to find himself as a person but a global super hero in the complex atmosphere of modern life. On the other hand, I hope this kind of thing will not be seen as a big deal in the future. You could visualize how it could pan in the future when the most powerful man in the world is part of the LGBT community. So many things are on the horizon and beyond.”
Both writer and artist assured that while the dynamic between Jon and Jay are similar to Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane, Jay will not be shoved in a damsel role. Both Jon and Jay will tackle many things side-by-side.
You can read more about the upcoming issue and plot revelations here. Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 will be out 9th November in print and digital form.


Leaked Star Wars 1313 Screenshot Shows Off Boba Fett

I like the idea of sci-fi bounty hunters, and I’ve always been a little sad that we didn’t get to play Prey 2 and Star Wars 1313, two scrapped games which were about sci-fi bounty hunters. To remind us of what we’re missing out on, Reddit user LifeByTheSword has leaked a screenshot of Star Wars 1313, which features a character with a familiar helmet.

LifeByTheSword alleges said character to be none other than Boba Fett himself. The helmet does look like Jango Fett’s, which kid Boba was seen carrying in Attack of the Clones after Mace Windu beheaded his dad/older clone. And back in 2013, Kotaku heard from a source that the game was meant to feature Boba Fett as the main character following George Lucas’ input.
The screenshot also shows off the underworld of Coruscant in the background, and while Star Wars 1313 was meant to be a linear game, it would’ve been cool to explore this side of the planet as Boba Fett (or any bounty hunter) nevertheless. Oh well.
To see what we could’ve gotten, check out the trailer below.


The Chosen One Update Arrives In Star Wars Battlefront 2 Today

The Chosen One is finally coming to Star Wars Battlefront 2, as the massive update that arrives today will add Anakin Skywalker as the latest playable hero to hit the controversial game. However, that’s not the only thing awaiting players.
While Anakin Skywalker will cost 35,000 Credits to unlock, Star Wars Battlefront 2‘s The Chosen One update will also grant every player a whopping 60,000 Credits for free. This basically means that players can immediately unlock Anakin Skywalker without needing to grind and accumulate Credits.

Anakin Skywalker’s list of abilities indicates that he is a very strong offensive hero but slightly less capable with his defensive traits. Here are all his abilities:

Heroic Impact: Hold the ability down to absorb damage, then let go in a powerful Force push. It gets stronger the more damage you take.
Passionate Strike: A heavy Lightsaber strike that breaks guard.
Pull Dominance: Pull an enemy towards you, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
Retribution: Anakin becomes stronger as teammates take damage around him, this eventually builds into an inescapable grip that seizes all enemies around him.

What’s even more interesting is the lines of dialogue given to Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Battlefront 2. For instance, if Anakin were to meet Darth Vader on the battlefield, he will say: “I will not give in to you. Ever!”
Also, let’s not forget his most iconic line from the movies:

“I don’t like sand. It’s coarse and rough and irritating…and it gets everywhere.”

Yes, EA DICE added that into the game.

“My powers have doubled since the last time we met, Count.”
“Good. Twice the pride, double the fall.” #StarWarsBattlfrontII pic.twitter.com/GSevKHAMtb
â€” EA Star Wars (@EAStarWars) February 21, 2019
For the full patch notes of The Chosen One update, head to the official website here. In the meantime, enjoy the sand-hating Jedi Knight, Star Wars fans.


Awesome Outdoor Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Display In Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian Marvel fans are in for a treat with the release of the upcoming movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. To celebrate the movie’s release, there’s an awesome outdoor display inspired by the franchise happening at the Piazza of Starhill Shopping Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.
You can catch it from 14 April until 14 May, just in time for the Raya celebrations. The installation is totally interactive and full of colour, making it the perfect backdrop for a family portrait or a trendy OOTD pic.

But if you’re wondering what the movie is all about, here’s the scoop. The Guardians are trying to live a peaceful life on Knowhere, but things quickly take a turn when Rocket’s past comes back to haunt him. Peter Quill is still dealing with the loss of Gamora, but he must lead his team on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life. If they fail, it could mean the end of the Guardians as we know them.

The cast includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, and Maria Bakalova. James Gunn directed the film and also wrote the screenplay, while Kevin Feige produces with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nikolas Korda, Sara Smith, and Simon Hatt serving as executive producers.
Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 premieres in Malaysian cinemas on 4 May.


The Disney Fox Merger Is Now Officially Complete

It’s official, Disney now owns 20th Century Fox. The acquisition, which cost a whopping 71.3 billion. quite possibly makes the House of Mouse one of the biggest media conglomerates in the history of mankind, a massive multinational corporation the likes of which the world has never seen.
The Disney Fox merger was considered a done deal as of 12.02 am Eastern Standard Time on 20 March 2019 (12.02 pm GMT+8 on the same day). Here’s a snippet of Disney CEO Bob Iger’s company-wide memo after the acquisition closed (via CNBC):
“I wish I could tell you that the hardest part is behind us; that closing the deal was the finish line, rather than just the next milestone. What lies ahead is the challenging work of uniting our businesses to create a dynamic, global entertainment company with the content, the platforms, and the reach to deliver industry-defining experiences that will engage consumers around the world for generations to come.”
As corroborated by other sites like Techcrunch, that might spell unfortunate news for existing employees in both Disney and Fox. The Disney Fox merger is expected to result in thousands of layoffs, as both companies officially unite into one entity.
While we debate the pros and cons of the Disney Fox merger, there are several good things coming out of the acquisition. Marvel fans should be delighted that the cinematic rights to properties like the Fantastic Four and X-Men have returned to its original home. Besides that, Disney’s family-friendly brand might start becoming less stringent, as evident from the recent rehiring of James Gunn as the director of Guardians of the Galaxy 3.
Disney’s acquisition of Fox also bolsters the value of its upcoming Disney+ streaming service, as it now has a much wider pool of intellectual property to mine from. That’s not even mentioning that Disney now owns streaming site Hulu, which further helps in the company’s pursuit of pushing Netflix off its pedestal of the streaming king.
Realistically, it’s still too early to say anything about the effects of the Disney Fox merger. The coming months ahead will reveal what the immediate aftermath of the massive acquisition will be. Here’s hoping that it will mostly be for the better.
Last but not least, the featured image of this article is actually the current header/banner on the official Walt Disney Company website. As you can see, it now features previous Fox-owned properties like The Shape of Water, Avatar, and The Simpsons. Well, that was definitely fast on Disney’s part.


eFootball 2022 Version 1.0 Update Kicks Off Next Week

Konami has announced that the eFootball 2022 v1.0.0 update will be released on 14 April 2022. It’s been six months since the initial release in September 2021.
Check out the improvements and more below:
Improvements and New Elements in v1.0.0
Changes to Defending Controls and the Addition of “Call for Pressure”
Konami has decided to change the default button settings in order to make defending more intuitive. Pressing commands that were available in previous instalments will also be re-introduced into the game. Furthermore, they added a new command, “Shoulder Charge”, for you to regain possession in a more proactive manner.
Pressure: Regain possession by applying pressure to the opposition ball holder.
Match-up: Jockey the opposition dribbler with a lowered stance and finer steps. This is also effective for blocking passes and shots.
Shoulder Charge: Win the ball back by barging your shoulder against the opposition player. Especially effective when the opponent has touched the ball far from his foot, or is trying to trap the ball.
Apart from individual defending, they have also re-evaluated the elements of team defending. As such, the command “Call for Pressure” has also been implemented in the game. On top of having several players going for the ball, other teammates will also work in tandem to regain possession by blocking passing lanes as well as pushing up the defensive line.
On top of these functional additions and changes, they have also made numerous modifications to other elements of the game that are fundamental to defending in order to provide a more responsive and intuitive defending experience.
Passing Improvements and New Command “Stunning Pass”
Improvements have been made to the game with a focus on game balance and satisfaction of controls. Konami have generally increased the pass speed, so that the pace of the game matches with the aforementioned defence-related improvements. Moreover, they have also implemented a mechanism that utilises the rebound of the ball as a force of acceleration. This will be useful when performing one-touch passes, for example, for the ball speed will increase due to this mechanism. The result of all these changes is a “rhythmic passing game”, which is an important element in modern day football.
They have implemented fixes to the following points:
– Improved targeting decisions for passes
– Improved AI decision-making when receiving passes
– Improved movements when receiving passes
Following these corrections, the occurrence of unnatural passing errors has decreased substantially.
On top of that, as a new element to make the passing game all the more enjoyable, they have added “Stunning Pass” commands which allow you to kick the ball with various special trajectories. With these commands, you can dictate the rhythm of attack and put in that decisive final pass.
Additional Shooting Trajectories for Enhanced Satisfaction
Regarding shooting, Konami has made specific improvements to the following 2 points:
– Improved shooting speed, with focus on realism and satisfaction
– Adjusted the rate of on-target shots to reflect match circumstances appropriately
Furthermore, they are adding to the game a wide range of shot variations and trajectories for each situation, such as the incisive “Stunning Shot”. This will allow you to experience a variety of realistic goal-scoring scenes.
Strategic Evolution Through Improved Dribbling Functionality
In terms of dribbling manoeuvrability, Konami has made significant improvements to the following points in order to present a gratifying one-on-one experience through realistic motions. These include:
– Better ball tracking accuracy and response to L Stick inputs
– Improved response to Dash inputs
Other functional enhancements include improved response and ball behaviours for the new “Sharp Touch” command, as well as simpler feint inputs. We hope that these improvements create an enjoyable duelling experience against the opposition defenders.
Improved Online Connectivity
In order to improve the stability of online connections, as well as to reduce the number of voided matches, Konami has decided to adopt a client-server system starting from this instalment.
Additional Features for Game Plan
Konami has implemented the following additional features and modifications to the Game Plan, in order to bring back some beloved functionalities, as well as fix some issues:
– Additional features such as “Change Formation”, “Individual Instructions”, “Auto Settings”, “Sub-tactic”, “Data management”, etc.
– Improved processing load for better responsiveness
New Team Building with “Dream Team”
Previously introduced as “Creative Team”, the game mode in which you can enjoy building your very own team will be added to the game in the coming update as “Dream Team”. The name was not the only thing that changed, as Konami decided to revamp their original ideas to ensure that you will be able to create your very own dream team.
“Dream Team” is not just about building a team with the strongest players and managers. In this mode, you will be able to choose your favourite players and managers when signing them. You can then develop your players to fit your personal playstyle, which means you have almost infinite freedom to shape the team to your liking. Build your “one and only Dream Team”, with your favourite players as well as players you have developed, and bring your own style of football to life. Play against other “Dream Teams” from around the world, and experience as many titanic clashes of differing footballing ideologies as there are fans throughout the world.
Regarding eFootball 2022 Mobile Version
Konami has promised to make an announcement regarding the release of the mobile version update soon.


Here Are The Games You Can Vote For In The Golden Joystick Awards 2020

One of the world’s biggest public-voting games awards is back for its 2020 entry. Made by Future Publication’s conglomerate of publications like GamesRadar and PC Gamer to partly appease their shareholders and video game industry business partners, it’s live right now and you can determine what the best game of 2020 is.
Here are the shortlists & nominees:
Publicly voted categories:

Best Audio
Best Game Community
Best Family Game
Best Game Expansion
Best Gaming Hardware
Best Indie Game
Best Multiplayer Game
Best New / Streamer Broadcaster
Best Storytelling
Best Visual Design
Esports Game of the Year
Mobile Game of the Year
Most Wanted Game
Nintendo Game of the Year
Xbox Game of the Year
PlayStation Game of the Year
PC Game of the Year
Still Playing Award
Best Studio
Ultimate Game of the Year

Best Audio

The Last of Us: Part II
Ghost of Tsushima
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Paradise Killer
Call of Duty: Warzone
Half-Life: Alyx
Streets Of Rage 4
Resident Evil 3

Best Game Community **NEW FOR 2020**

Fall Guys
Minecraft
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Dreams
Sea of Thieves
Warframe
Fortnite
Final Fantasy XIV

Best Family Game **NEW FOR 2020**

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Fall Guys
Pokemon Sword & Shield
Minecraft Dungeons
Paper Mario: The Origami King
Moving Out
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
Super Mario 3D All-Stars

Best Game Expansion

Control: AWE
No Man’s Sky: Origins
Total War: WARHAMMER 2 – The Warden and the Paunch
Pokemon Sword & Shield – Expansion Pass
Final Fantasy XIV Patch 5.3 – Reflections in Crystal
The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu
Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath
The Outer Worlds: Peril on Gorgon

Best Gaming Hardware

PC Engine Mini
Oculus Quest 2
Razer Kishi mobile pad for xCloud
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition
Vulcan 120 Aimo Keyboard
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2

Best Indie Game

Kentucky Route Zero
Factorio
Spelunky 2
Paradise Killer
Creaks
Hades
Lair of the Clockwork God
Necrobarista

Best Multiplayer Game

Fall Guys
Call of Duty: Warzone
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Deep Rock Galactic
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope
Moving Out
Valorant

Best Storytelling

The Last of Us Part II
Ghost of Tsushima
Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition
Necrobarista
Paradise Killer
Hades
Signs of the Sojourner
If Found…

Best Visual Design

Ghost of Tsushima
Hades
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Spiritfarer
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Half-Life: Alyx
The Last of Us Part II
Final Fantasy VII Remake

Esports Game of the Year

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
League Of Legends
Valorant
Fortnite
NTT IndyCar Series iRacing
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
FIFA 20
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Mobile Game of the Year

Game of Thrones: Tale of Crows
Lego Builder’s Journey
Little Orpheus
Next Stop Nowhere
Roundguard
Bird Alone
A Monster’s Expedition
If Found…

Nintendo Game of the Year

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Pokemon Sword & Shield
Dr Kawashimaâ€™s Brain Training for Nintendo Switch
Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Paper Mario: The Origami King
Super Mario Bros. 35
Ninjala
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

PC Game of the Year

Paradise Killer
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Hades
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
Crusader Kings III
Valorant
Half-Life: Alyx
Death Stranding

PlayStation Game of the Year

The Last of Us Part II
Nioh 2
Ghost of Tsushima
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Marvel’s Iron Man VR
Spelunky 2
Dreams
Fall Guys

Xbox Game of the Year

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
Deep Rock Galactic
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Bleeding Edge
Minecraft Dungeons
Wasteland 3
Yakuza 0
Tell Me Why

Still Playing

Final Fantasy XIV
Sea of Thieves
Fortnite
Apex Legends
Pokemon Go
Grand Theft Auto Online
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
Minecraft

Studio of the Year

Mediatonic
Naughty Dog
Respawn
Paradox Studios
Sucker Punch
Infinity Ward
Media Molecule
Supergiant Games

Most Wanted

Hitman 3
Ratchet & Clank: A Rift Apart
Halo Infinite
Resident Evil 8: Village
Deathloop
Horizon Forbidden West
Kerbal Space Program 2
Elden Ring
Gotham Knights
God of War: Ragnarok
Starfield
The Medium

You can vote here now.Â


[Report] Activision Blizzard CEO Has Been Backing Republican Campaigns Using Secret Companies

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has one more uncovered skeleton in his closet.
The CEO has been secretly donating money to GOP political campaigns using secret companies. A CNBC report said that one of these companies is Norgate LLC and has contributed US$500,000 in two separate instalments to the Senate Leadership Fund during the 2020 US election campaign. Another one of these Kotick secret companies is 807080A LLC and has given huge donations to Republican causes.
Watchdog Campaign Legal Center has informed Activision Blizzard of the Norgate filings:
“The group said its researchers confirmed that the personal mailbox â€˜PMB K,â€™ which is listed on one of the Norgate FEC filings, corresponds to a single registration known as â€˜personal mailbox K.â€™ The watchdog said its research showed that the names of a Kotick foundation, Norgate and Kotick himself are registered to that mailbox.”
A Kotick spokesman has provided the following statement to CNBC:
“Over the past five years, Mr. Kotick has contributed roughly the same amount to Democrats and Republicans. His contributions are focused on candidates and causes primarily in support of veterans issues and specifically veterans employment.
His giving and that of the Call of Duty Foundation, which he co-chairs, is with the goal of ensuring all veterans have employment opportunities that reflect the sacrifices they make through their service.â€
Kotick’s largest donations have been towards the Republican party. On a related note, Kotick is expected to leave Activision Blizzard once the Microsoft acquisition of the company is complete.


June 2019’s PS Plus Lineup For Asia Is Timely

Asian gamers will have two new games to look forward to in theÂ PS Plus June 2019 lineup, and they’re arguably the most exciting games we’re receiving in months. From 5 June to 2 July 2019, PS Plus Asia subscribers will be able to redeemÂ Borderlands: The Handsome Collection andÂ Sonic Mania.
For the first time in a while, we’re receiving the exact same titles as our fellow PlayStation Plus subscribers in the US, not to mention how timely they are, considering the hype for both of these game franchises (Borderlands and Sonic) are as high as they’ve ever been in years.
With Borderlands 3 releasing in September 2019 (a whopping seven years after the release of Borderlands 2 in 2012) and the massive backlash against the Sonic The Hedgehog movie (resulting in it being delayed to rework Sonic‘s design), it’s the perfect time to include both games in the PS Plus Asia June 2019 lineup.
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection contains Borderlands 2 and Telltale’s narrative adventureÂ Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. With both of these free for PS Plus subscribers, they’ll only need to grab the newly-released Borderlands: Game of the Year Enhanced to prepare themselves for the upcoming release of Borderlands 3.
With its over-the-top shooting and zany art style, this is definitely a treat for anyone who has never experienced the insanity and sheer fun of the Borderlands franchise.
Sonic Mania

Sega mascot Sonic is not the sensation he once was during his heyday in the 90s. However, many fans and critics have praised Sonic Mania as one of the best modern Sonic games due to its gameplay staying true and faithful to the original Sega Genesis Sonic games.
It was initially released in 2017 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sonic franchise. It’s also a great choice for any Sonic fan to delve into in order to keep their minds off the mess that is the Sonic The Hedgehog Movie.
More Free Content
In addition to these two games, PS Plus Asia subscribers will also receive an Apex Legends PlayStation Plus Play Pack and a PlayStation Plus Special Theme Umbrella Festival.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below courtesy of PlayStation Asia.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmwYRe6Z5x0&w=560&h=315]


Cathedral Ticks All The 2D Action Boxes, But Doesn’t Do Anything New

Platform(s): PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Metroidvania, Indie, Retro
Cathedral is Swedish developer named Eric Lavesson and Decemberborn Interactive’s own take on the retro 8-bit Metroidvania (or Search Action) genre of games from yesteryear. What can you expect from this title? Something solid, but standard, assuming that’s a bad thing.
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

If you’ve played other Metroidvania games or Search Action titles, you’ll know what to expect from Cathedral. In what seems oddly reminscent of Shovel Knight at first glimpse, you assume the role of a knight who finds himself waking up in a cathedral and not remembering who he really is. The rest is conventional Metroidvania stuff, as you try to kill enemies, survive traps and obstacles, and solve puzzles as you traverse through the game’s levels.
You’ll go from one area to the next picking up collectibles and getting upgrades, as well as doing a lot of backtracking to previous areas in search of new paths and progressing the game. It’s something we’ve seen before, and Cathedral doesn’t add anything new or revolutionary to the genre. That being said, what it does offer is a fast-paced and fun Metroidvania title.
Gimmicks and puzzles are scattered throughout the game’s levels. For instance, one of the game early collectibles/upgrades had me going to the bottom of an area. After getting the collectible/upgrade, lava suddenly began rising from the floor and I had to quickly jump up and escape to safety. There are quite a few surprises like this sprinkled throughout the game to keep you on your toes.

There is also a RPG-like hub town in the game, where you can talk to NPCs to get side quests and buy items/upgrades. You can also teleport from portals to reach areas you’ve previously been to, so it’s not like you have to backtrack on foot all the way there. I appreciated other quality-of-life improvements as well, like generous amount of checkpoints and a bank where you can store your money. You’ll need that because you’ll lose 10 percent of your money every time you die in this game.
Also, you can actually mark specific areas in the map, so you’ll know where to come back later if you need to, which makes it less annoying when you find a room you can’t access yet or don’t want to risk exploring just yet. In addition, the visuals and music of this game will make you nostalgic for the retro days of the SNES. Most importantly, the actual gameplay and combat in the games feels smooth, fluid and responsive.
The biggest criticism I can give this game is that it doesn’t offer anything new for the Metroidvania genre. It conforms to the genre tropes well, and plays well, but there’s nothing much that distinguishes it from other titles or makes it unique in any way. Just like other classic or retro-inspired Metroidvania titles, Cathedral is an extremely difficult game, so you’ll have to be prepared for them before jumping into the game. This is certainly not a game you play to relax, that’s for sure. There were many moments that made me want to throw my controller in rage.
Church going

If you’re a Metroidvania/Search Action fan and you’re looking for something familiar, Cathedral will do more than enough to scratch that itch. You’ll likely happily spend 20 to 30 hours exploring what this game has to offer. However, don’t expect this game to be easy or feature innovative new gameplay mechanics. It’s a pretty good experience if you’re here for more of the same.
PROS

Classic Metroidvania elements.
Smooth and fluid combat and movement.
Lots of quality-of-life improvements, such as marking areas.

CONS

Doesn’t offer anything new for the Metroidvania genre.
Hard as hell.

FINAL SCORE: 70/100
Review copy provided by Decemberborn Interactive. Played on PS5. Cathedral is now available on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC.


Save Up To 75% on Battle Pass Levels With Dota 2 Bundle Sale

With The International 2022 currently underway, this means it’s time for another The International Battle Level Bundle which is now available through 30 October and offers up to 75% in savings when purchasing Battle Pass Levels all for US$29.99 (roughly RM 140).
For US$29.99, players will receive the following:

120 Battle Pass Levels
9 Immortal I Treasures
6 Immortal II Treasures
6 Collection Treasures
6 Ageless Heirlooms Treasures

The 120 Battle Pass levels from the Bundle Sale will allow players to get a whole lot closer to the  Level 148 reward Conduit of the Blueheart Personal Crystal Maiden Persona. For 120 Battle Pass Levels, Level 1 Battle Pass owners will also receive an Announcer Pack, 5 Immortal I Treasures, 5 Battle Pass Collection 2022 Treasures, and 5 Ageless Heirlooms 2022 Treasures.
Players who purchased the Level 50 and Level 100 Battle Pass Bundles will receive roughly the same number of treasures, with the addition of two Immortal II Treasures, enough levels to get the Crystal Maiden Persona, as well as the Stoneclaw Scavengers Towers, which is awarded at Level 176.
This bundle offers 75% savings on the combined value of the levels and treasures and will contribute 25% of each sale directly to The International 2022 prize pool. Each customer can purchase one bundle.
This year’s Battle Pass for The International 2022 has been controversial among fans. Many vocal fans have expressed their disappointment with the rewards that the Battle Pass has to offer, comparing it to previous Battle Passes that have more rewards for far fewer levels. Many fans also pointed out that previous iterations had more ways to earn rewards and Battle Pass levels, like the Crystal Maiden Spin Wheel, which has been absent for this year’s version of the Battle Pass without an explanation.
Fantasy Kick-off
With the final teams qualified for the Group Stage, this also marks the official start of The International 2022. To coincide with that, Dota 2 is bringing back Fantasy lineups. Dig into your card collection to make your picks. Don’t forget to study the matchups for each day and set your rosters accordingly.


Koch Media Rebrands To PLAION

After 28 years, Koch Media, the parent company of Deep Silver and Prime Matter, studios behind iconic IPs such as Saints Row and Kingdom Come: Deliverance, has announced that Koch Media is no more and will globally rebrand to PLAION.

Here is a message from PLAION co-founder and CEO Klemens Kundratitz on the name change:
“Over the last 28 years we have built an incredibly strong business, partnering with many of the best-known names in the industry. Since joining the Embracer Group in 2018, growth has accelerated and we have become increasingly diversified. To reflect the evolving nature of our business in terms not only of content, but also of geography, as we continue our expansion across the globe, we have chosen our new name to better portray who we are and the journey we are taking.
Our new name offers us the opportunity to build on our rich history as a publishing partner and our outstanding, constantly growing network of world-class development studios and creative people, to keep delivering premium service to our partners, to highlight our ambition as a global player within the entertainment industry but also to reinvent ourselves. Our vision is to enable and inspire our worldwide teams and partners, unlocking their full potential.
Our industry is incredibly dynamic, the expectations of our customers and our partners are continually evolving, and we must recognize this. Relying on our strong foundation whilst embracing change will deliver something new, something better. As PLAION, we’re building on our years of success while striving for more, much more. PLAION is a promise to deliver outstanding entertainment to our customers. I’m happy and proud to continue our journey as PLAION.”
– Klemens Kundratitz, Co-founder and CEO at PLAION
Watch the announcement video below. Visit the PLAION official website here.


Here’s What You Need To Run Anno 1800 On Your PC

Ubisoft’s city-building simulationÂ Anno 1800Â will have their open beta session begin from 12 April to 14 April. The company also revealedÂ both the minimum and recommended specs for Anno 1800 for Windows PC.
Here’s what you need.

Minimum Specifications 1080p (30FPS):

Operating System: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64bit versions only)
Processor: Intel Core i5 2500 @ 3.3 GHz, AMD FX 6350 @ 3.9 GHz
RAM: 8GB
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 (2GB), AMD Radeon R7 260X (2GB)
Direct X: Direct X 11 or 12

Minimum Specifications 1080p (60FPS):

Operating System: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64bit versions only)
Processor: Intel Core i5 4460 @ 3.2 GHz, AMD Ryzen3 1200 @ 3,1 GHz
RAM: 8GB
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 670 (2GB) or AMD Radeon R9 270X (2GB)
Direct X: Direct X 11 or 12

Recommended Specifications 1080p (30FPS):

Operating System: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64bit versions only)
Processor: Intel Core i5 4690K @ 3.5 GHz, AMD Ryzen5 1400 @ 3.2 GHz
RAM: 8GB
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 770 (4GB), AMD Radeon R9 285X (2GB)
Direct X: Direct X 11 or 12

Recommended Specifications 4K (60FPS):

Operating System: Windows 10 (64bit versions only)
Processor: Intel Core i5 4690 @ 3.5 GHz, AMD Ryzen 5 1500X @ 3.5 GHz
RAM: 8GB
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 (4GB), AMDRadeon R9Â 290X (4GB)
Direct X: Direct X 11 or 12

The game is also optimized to be played on a laptop with an Intel integrated GPU, so you won’t need a full blown rig to run this game. That’s a relief and a welcomed surprise considering the beautifully rendered world of Anno 1800. Just feast your eyes on the shots below.

Players can join the open beta beginning from 12 April through either Uplay or the Epic Games Store. The programme will last for 2 days, meaning it would end on 14 April.
Those who pre-ordered the game will receive the Imperial Pack containing extra goodies for the game. Digital Deluxe and Pioneers Editions owners will have access to exclusive content including the Anarchist character.
Don’t forget to register for the Open Beta before you head out to the beautiful world of Anno 1800.


We’re Getting A Star Ocean Reboot On PS4 & Switch…Sorta

The Star Ocean series is known for its expansive RPG gameplay and “Star Trek but anime” sci-fi narrative, though it’s only played by RPG fans who kept track of Tri-Ace and their Tales of Phantasia/Wolf Team days since 1994. Well, this year and the next (probably) would be a good time to remind people about the series; at least Square Enix seems to think so based on their latest announcement.
The publisher will be releasing an HD remaster of the Star Ocean remake on PSP, which makes this the second time they’re re-introducing the Star Ocean series to a new audience. The full name? Star Ocean: First Departure R.
The game will be out on PS4 and Nintendo Switch; no release window or date has been announced yet. To make up for the lack of info, they’ve released new artwork of protagonists Roddick, Millie, and Dorne.

In case you need a refresher course, this Star Ocean’s plot involves the trio living in a cat people-filled world called Roak who accidentally stumble upon crew members of the Earth Federation/Terran Alliance. Together, they boldly go where no man and alien have gone before in space and planet-hopping adventures to fight off the antagonistic Lezonians.
Like I said,Â Star Trek the anime.
Apart from that simple premise, the game features real-time combat, a ton of skills for characters to choose from, and an affection system that affects the game’s side narratives (ie: slight ending changes). It’ll be nice to replay this classic, especially if it means that they may go ahead with a Star Ocean 2 remake. The only thing I ask is not to shoehorn in Welch Vineyard for this remake, who is perhaps one of JRPG’s most annoying characters of all time. Unless you’re counting almost every female protagonist under 18 in Star Ocean 4.


Tango Gameworks To Reveal Its Next Big Game During Xbox & Bethesda’s Dev Show

Gamers can expect some new announcements at this Thursday morning’s Xbox & Bethesda Developer Direct showcase. One of them will be from the Shinji Mikami-led Tango Gameworks.
According to a leak via bilbil-kun (on Videogames Chronicle), the alleged new game will be called Hi-Fi RUSH and will be released in both Standard and Deluxe edition. The new Tango Gameworks title doesn’t come with a description or genre for now, but it’s said to be one of the new games announced in the showcase. The last game they made was the middling Ghostwire: Tokyo.

PREMIERE
A new game from Bethesda x Tango Gameworks will be announced (and/or released) soon (probably in Xbox & Bethesda Developer_Direct event)
Name of the game :Hi-Fi RUSH (Project Hibiki)
Will come in Standard and Deluxe Edition
Game is rated ESRB Teen (PEGI 12) pic.twitter.com/ggjZa0N2Q9
— billbil-kun (@BillbilKun) January 24, 2023

My prediction? I hope it’s a third-person shooter in the veins of Shinji Mikami’s last hyper-action game, Vanquish. The Xbox & Bethesda Developer Direct will happen on 26th January 4am GMT+8.


The Xbox Series & PS5 Versions Of Ghostrunner Will Be Ready This September

505 Games just announced that the upcoming “next-gen” versions of last year’s hit 3D sci-fi parkour ninja game Ghostrunner will be out later this year.
Ghostrunner for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 will be out on 28th September. The new versions of the game will include all modes added since its launch last year, including the time-attack style Kill Run Mode and Photo Mode. Developer One More Level will expand the game further with the upcoming roguelike Wave Mode and Assist Mode (for babies) coming soon. Also, a Ghostrunner sequel is in the works; no time frame announced so far.
For more on why we loved Ghostrunner, check out our awesome review. In the meantime, watch a video of us taking down one of the game’s major obstacles in style.


BioWare Gets A Makeover

The past few years have not been kind to one of the biggest names in the RPG video games community. BioWare‘s downfall seem to have began after the release of Dragon Age 2 and Anthem appears to the final nail in the coffin. However, the studio isn’t going to roll over and submit defeat to the “game over” screen just yet.

Aside from all the news surrounding more content for Anthem and the announcement of a new Dragon Age, BioWare is also going through a full aesthetic rebranding. Everything from their logo, company message, and even company introduction animation is being changed into a more minimalist design.
The rebranding is being done by California-based company Tolleson together with an in-house Electronic Arts team. Last year, they quietly showed off the new logo by putting it up on Twitter and now we finally get to see the bigger picture. Have a look:

As a BioWare fan who has been hugely disappointed by their recent games, I don’t really have much of an opinion on their new look. It doesn’t really tell me anything substantial aside from the fact that EA just wants to give them a new look so that it symbolises the studio is not only alive but still kicking. I don’t believe in that but hey, it’s something.
As far as I’m concerned, BioWare can only redeem themselves in two ways. First, they have to get Dragon Age 4 right because Dragon Age: Inquisition was both a critical and commercial success despite it being considered a poor sequel by fans of the first game.
Second, they should continue supporting Anthem and fix it into becoming the game it was designed to be. Abandoning it seems logical but would look bad for the studio and EA as well.
Thanks, Brand New.


Bosslogic Teases An Injustice 3 Featuring The Watchmen

Artist BossLogic (AKA Nikolai Baslajik) is a popular artist who has previously worked with major companies like Marvel and Ubisoft, who has commissioned his artwork for special posters and the like. That’s why it’s interesting that he recently posted a new piece of art on Twitter that seemingly teases Injustice 3, or Injustic3.

INJUSTIC3 @noobde 😀 pic.twitter.com/7bq4K1UBZb
â€” BossLogic (@Bosslogic) August 9, 2020
The artwork features a big old clock, which could be a reference to the recent Watchmen sequel Doomsday Clock by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. If that’s enough of a Watchmen reference, there’s also a tiny but noticeable smiley face on the left-hand side of the clock, which is obviously the same yellow badge that Watchmen’s Comedian wears.

However, it’s still not entirely clear if this is official, but he must have tagged Injustice developer NetherRealm studios creative director Ed Boon in the tweet for a reason. It’s also no coincidence that Boon will be participating in the upcoming DC FanDome event on 22 August 2020.
If this Injustice 3 turns out to be true, it will join Rocksteady’s new Suicide Squad game at DC FanDome. More information on that game will be revealed at the upcoming event as well.


The Single Player Lootbox Problem In A Nutshell

Imagine that you’ve bought a new car and I mean brand spanking new. Like any other car, it comes with a manual but this one’s a bit different. There’s a page for instructions on how to make your own seat cushions that are significantly more comfortable than the ones already in the car.
You were already informed about this peculiarity by the car dealer and you’re satisfied with the conclusion that it’s just there as an “in-case you want to DIY” kind of thing because those upgraded cushions are also available for purchase anyway.
So after a few months of driving, you start feeling it. There’s that slight sense of intrusive rigidity on your butt coming from the seat base. Your back hurts a bit from the lumbar support that feels like it has deformed.
It’s just a bit annoying on the short drives but almost unbearable for long distances. You’ve planned a trip back to your parents’ this weekend so you open up that trusty manual to see if you can get some last minute DIY done.
Ah dang it, there’s so much that needs to be done. Sure everything’s in there, even the name and location of stores that sell the materials you need but it’s a 14-step process and you’ve got to invest time in other things like work and of course, gaming. Oh, what’s this?
At the end of the instructions is actually a mini-advert for the ready-made seat cushions. Even the price is stated there and it’s just RM15 more than the amount you’d have to spend to DIY the cushions.
“To hell with it, it’s just RM15 extra. I’ll just buy the cushions.”
This is the Single Player Lootbox Problem. Instead of a car, it’s a video game and instead of seat cushions, it’s in-game items that allow you to skip the more mundane parts of the game.
Design Choices = Monetary Choices
In the above car analogy, there was no mention of how the car manufacturers deliberately designed the seat cushions to become a tolerable inconvenience. Of course, why would anyone want their customers to know about such a design choice? The same goes for gaming. It’s not something you’ll hear explicitly stated.
If you want examples, you don’t have to look too far back. Some reviews of the recently released (and well received) Assassin’s Creed Odyssey state that the game’s occasional need for grinding felt like it was complementing the microtransactions offered.
Just a year ago, Middle-earth: Shadow of War became infamous due to its lootboxes and the common criticism of how the game’s true ending was locked behind hours and hours of tedious grinding.
“It’s optional and it’s there for players who don’t have as much time” is what the developers often say but if a game was designed to be completely enjoyable and its challenges surmountable from start to end without the assistance of microtransactions, would people still be interested in buying lootboxes?
Would people spend an extra RM10 to circumvent an interesting, fun, and rewarding sidequest? Probably not.
In the end, it still remains true that microtransactions in single player games are optional and unnecessary for the completion of the games. You don’t have to fork out any extra cash to experience the well-written stories or make full use of the robust combat systems.
The question is, are we being put through hours of not-so-fun gameplay to reach the fun parts of the game?


Sifu Punches Its Way To PlayStation & PC In February 2022

Developer Slolap previously delayed Sifu from its previously planned 2021 release window to early 2022 back during the PlayStation State Of Play July 2021. Now, they have finally announced that Sifu will release for the PS4, PS5 and PC via Epic Games Store on 8 February 2022.
Sifu is a stylish yet gritty beat-em-up, featuring visceral hand-to-hand combat in a contemporary urban setting. Sloclap is best known for the indie fighting game Absolver.
Sifu tells the story of a young Kung Fu student who has spent their life training for a day of reckoning after the brutal murder of their entire family by a mysterious assassination squad. Hunt down the murderers one by one as you explore gang-ridden suburbs, hidden corners deep within the city, all the way to the cold hallways of corporate towers.
The game features the Structure system, to emulate the real combat notion of impacting and breaking the stance of your opponent, his ability to attack and defend himself. It takes the form of a gauge, for both you and your enemies.
If you manage to break your opponentâ€™s structure, you will be able to finish them with a powerful takedown, which is the opportunity to display the devastating techniques of Pak Mei. But if your own structure gauge is filled, youâ€™re unable to fight and defend yourself for a short duration and you will find yourself vulnerable to your enemies’ attacks.
Blocking attacks will quickly fill your balance gauge, and dodges will allow you to create space at key times and can be lifesavers. But more importantly, parrying hits at the right time will let you deflect the blow, unbalancing your opponent and opening opportunities to counterattack or to throw them down.
You can also avoid blows altogether, by ducking under or jumping over incoming strikes. It is particularly useful against strong hits that you canâ€™t parry or to quickly recover balance and strike back at your opponent.

You can mix strong and fast attacks to build combos, on a single enemy or go from one opponent to the other. And as you progress and unlock new skills, you will have more options available to fit your playstyle and how you like to approach challenging situations. You will be able to knock your enemies down, push them back into their allies, stun them or disarm a threatening foe. It will be particularly useful as you start fighting more and more opponents at the same time.
The developer has chosen to use a dynamic lock system for the camera, to allow for quick and responsive swapping between multiple targets. The game has been optimized for a stable 60FPS frame rate on PS4, as well as on PS4 Pro and PS5.
Besides that, players will have to make clever use of the environment such as using the furniture you can toss into your enemiesâ€™ feet, throwable items, makeshift weapons or tables you can leap across.
Last but not least, players will be able to rely on precise and powerful techniques through the focus mechanic. Focus is a resource that builds up as you fight, filling up charges that you will progressively unlock during your playthrough. Using a focus charge will slow down time and allow you to choose a weak point of your opponent to perform a devastating technique, disabling or seriously wounding your enemy. Players will be able to access different focus attacks as they unlock new skills, allowing them to adapt to specific situations they struggle with.
You can check out how the combat in Sifu works by watching the video below:


Splinter Cell Is Not Dead, According To Ubisoft

Despite what’s been going on with Ubisoft and their plethora of Far Cry and live service shooter games, the adventures of Sam Fisher are far from over.
According to IGN’s latest Unfiltered podcast episode featuring Ubisoft’s CEO Yves Guillemot, he said the company has plans for the Splinter Cell series. He answers the question concerning the series’ long-dormant state.

“When you create a game, you have to make sure you come with something different enough from what you did before.
Now, there are some people looking at, ah, the brand, taking care of the brand. So at some point, you will see something. I canâ€™t say more than that.”

The backlash towards Splinter Cell: Blacklist was also partly the reason why the series hasn’t been touched. Fans were vocal and said “don’t change this, don’t do that”, which made the team “anxious” about working on a follow-up. Guess we’ll be waiting a few more years for a new Splinter Cell game then.
The rest of the show discussed about Yves and his brother playing the early games as well as what’s going on with Beyond Good & Evil 2, which frankly is looking a little worrying as it is mimicking a slow MMORPG-like thing.


Moon Knight Hot Toys Looks Like He Was Sent By Khonshu Himself

We’ve only received two episodes of Moon Knight on Disney+ Hotstar and Hot Toys have already announced a new collectible figure of the Fist Of Khonshu.
Celebrating the entry of this incredibly cool character to MCU, Hot Toys is delighted to present #MoonKnight as 1/6th scale collectible figure, a screen-accurate figure that will make a formidable addition to your Marvel collection.
Inspired by his iconic appearance in Moon Knight series, the 1/6th scale Moon Knight figure features a newly developed head sculpt with LED light up function; wrapping bandages are fully sculpted to capture his mystic appearance; a finely tailored Moon Knight costume consisting of armor parts also cape covered with ancient symbols and patterns, fabric belt in addition to the sculpted boots; his signature crescent blades comes in variety of sizes, a crescent moon backdrop, and a figure stand.
Struggling with dissociative identity disorder, Steven Grant discovers shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector, and they must navigate their complex identities and fight on against all odds as the cloaked avenger Moon Knight.
There’s no official release date or price yet, but it’s estimated to cost a whopping RM1,068 and will likely release sometime in Q2 or Q3 2023. In the meantime, check out my breakdown of Moon Knight Episode 1 and Episode 2 here, or head on over here for my non-spoiler review.
Check it out below:


You Can Get The Darkness 2, Sid Meier’s Pirates, And More For Only $1

Humble Bundle is having a 2K Games sale right now, and there’s some sweet stuff even within the $1 tier alone.
For just $1 (RM4.33), you can get your hands on The Darkness 2, Sid Meier’s Pirates!, Carnival Games VR, and Spec Ops: The Line. I can’t speak for Carnival Games VR, but The Darkness 2 is a cathartic and bloody power fantasy shooter (rather brief though), while Sid Meier’s Pirates!Â is a fun pirate game that consumed many of my childhood hours. I wasn’t a huge fan of  Spec Ops: The Line, but it’s a playable third-person cover shooter at worst.
Moving on, for more than $11.67 (RM50.56), you’ll also get The Golf Club 2019 featuring PGA TOUR, BioShock: The Collection, Sid Meier’s Civilization III: Complete, and NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.Â
Finally, paying $20 (RM86.64) or more will get you NBA 2K20, WWE 2K20, XCOM: Enemy Unknown Complete Edition, Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced, and Borderlands: The Handsome Collection.
For perspective, BioShock: The CollectionÂ is RM119 on Steam while Borderlands: The Handsome CollectionÂ is RM150.02, so this is one heck of a deal. There’s 13 days and 14 hours left to go before the sale ends at time of writing, so you’ve got until 28 April to decide if you want to grab the bundle.


[Report] Xbox Game Pass To Be On Nintendo Switch; Could This Be A Great Idea?

Rumour has it that Xbox One games will be playable on the Nintendo Switch. According to a Direct Feed Games/Game Informer report, Microsoft plans to bring some Xbox games onto the Nintendo eShop and allow Game Pass subscribers to access the service’s catalogue on the Switch using Project xCloud streaming.
Basically, this means that Halo and Gears of War would be making their debut on the Nintendo Switch for the first time ever in console history. When Microsoft said they wanted to bring Xbox Game Pass onto many devices in mind, we didn’t think it would be on a rival company’s machine.
Yet here we are on a rumour that could be in sync with Microsoft’s decade-old plan that’s as ambitious as they come: to transition Xbox from a console to a platform, to a living room console to a service accessible anywhere.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer described the shifting focus of Xbox on a Verge article as an expansion:

“I love that console experience,” says Spencer. “Itâ€™s obviously the core of what Xbox is about, and Xbox One is our most important gaming device inside the company. Thereâ€™s no doubt about that. We also know there are millions and millions of gamers who access Microsoft [in other ways,] whether itâ€™s Windows, their phone, Skype â€” it could be many different things every day […] I donâ€™t want to dilute what the Xbox console customer feels. I want to expand what weâ€™re able to do for more customers.”

The Next Stage
So far, the expansion has been going according to their plan. To recap:

The Windows 10 Xbox app allows Xbox One owners to stream their games from their console to the PC.
Xbox Play Anywhere gives players an opportunity to play their Xbox One games in their library onto a PC (and vice versa)
Xbox Game Pass is basically the only video game equivalent of Netflix which includes Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Xbox Original games. It’ll be on PC soon enough.
The Project xCloud will be streaming Xbox games on consoles, PCs, and smartphones.
Xbox Live will be coming to iOS, Android, and Switch.

Sure, it seems that Microsoft and Xbox are playing a different game than PlayStation and Nintendo’s traditional approach. But if it helps the games industry innovate further, then we’re all for it.


Tales of Luminaria’s Soundtrack Will Be Composed By Go Shina

Bandai Namco just announced the composer for its upcoming mobile action RPG title Tales of Luminaria.
It’s none other than Bandai Namco mainstay music maker Go Shina, who is known for the best musical parts of the Tales of series, as well as for titles like Mr. Driller, Code Vein, and the God Eater series. Here’s a sample of his work in Tales of Luminaria.Â

Yep, it’s hard to believe that a mobile game RPG battle theme sounds so much better than most of the recent Tales of games’ music. What interesting times we live in.
Tales of Luminaria will be out for iOS and Android on a later date. For now, you can pre-register for the game.


Nintendo Switch Units Worldwide Sales Top 107.65 Million; Pokemon Arceus Sells Like Hotcakes

Nintendo announced in its latest earnings release that it has sold 107.6 million Nintendo Switch units as of 31 March, 2022.
A totally of 4.11 million Nintendo Switch hardware units and 55.77 million software units were sold during the three months ended 31 March. On a related note, Pokemon Arceus is the top-selling 2022 Nintendo title right now, selling at 12.64 million units. The two other best seller games are old titles from a few years back: New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe at 13.31 million units and Splatoon 2 at 13.30 million units. Here’s the full title ranking and sales numbers:
Top 10 Best-Selling First-Party Nintendo Switch Titles

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 45.33 million.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 38.64 million.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 28.17 million.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 26.55 million.
Pokemon Sword / Pokemon Shield – 24.27 million.
Super Mario Odyssey – 23.50 million.
Super Mario Party – 17.78 million.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond / Pokemon Shining Pearl – 14.65 million.
Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! – 14.53 million.
Ring Fit Adventure – 14.09 million.

Nintendo Switch Sales Numbers For Recent Titles

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – 13.31 million.
Splatoon 2 – 13.30 million.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus – 12.64 million (New).
Luigi’s Mansion 3 – 11.43 million.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – 9.43 million.
Mario Party Superstars – 6.88 million.
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics – 4.22 million.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD – 3.91 million.
Metroid Dread – 2.90 million.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land – 2.65 million (New).
New Pokemon Snap – 2.40 million.
Mario Golf: Super Rush – 2.35 million.
Miitopia – 1.68 million.
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain – 1.59 million.
WarioWare: Get It Together! – 1.27 million.
Game Builder Garage – 1.06 million.


This Avengers Endgame Big Green Surprise Was A Huge Visual Challenge

Avengers Endgame is filled with incredible visual effects, which took a lot of manpower and resources to bring to life. Industrial Light and Magic is one of several visual effects companies that worked on the movie, including the Quantum Realm, aspects of the climactic final battle, and more.
However, according to VFX supervisor Russell Earl (via io9), the hardest challenge for them was none of the above. Instead, it was the relatively lowkey effect of Professor Hulk or Smart Hulk. How did they start bringing this version of the Hulk to life?
The team began by showing Marvel Studios and the Russo Brothers footage of a Spotlight interview featuring Mark Ruffalo, to show them how that performance and temperament will be channeled into Professor Hulk.

â€œOnce we did the test we sent it down and [the filmmakers] were like â€˜This is great,â€™
[Ruffalo] doesnâ€™t have to overact or make the performance too big…We can get that very subtle performance and strive to be that mix of Mark and Hulk.â€™â€

When real work began, the team encountered a problem, in which their usual digital tool was not working well enough. They had to resort to using Disney Research’s Anyma digital tool, which is used capturing body and facial motions during voice recording sessions on animated films.
Russell’s team also had to add 10 outfits for the character, each of which required extensive adjustments in every scene just to accommodate a particular outfit. Also, can anyone imagine Professor Hulk without glasses? That almost happened, since the team had to keep adding and removing it.

â€œHis glasses were a little bit of a later addition as well. He had them and then he didnâ€™t have them and then it came back to having glasses. Obviously, everything is challenging but I think it had the largest impact in the lighting and eyelines.
Sometimes we just had to go back and do a little bit of relighting or add a little extra balance or knock down some of the shadowing so that the animation still had the same read.â€

What seemed like the most overlooked visual effect turned out to be the hardest to accomplish. In the meantime, check out our spoiler-free review ofÂ Avengers: EndgameÂ here, 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.


I’m Not Sure I’m Vibing With This Front Mission Mobile Game Announcement

Square Enix and developer Black Jack Studio will be making a new mobile game using the Front Mission name, because the beating the publisher gave with Left Alive wasn’t enough I guess.
Front Mission 2089: Borderscape is slated for iOS and Android, with preregistration now available on the game’s official website.
No release date has been confirmed. There’s also no gameplay shown save for the concept trailer. Here’s all we got from Square Enix: a story blurb.
“12°S, 91°W.
There is a fertile island, two powerful economic federations, a group of mercenaries stuck in the eye of the conflict, and a war destined to ignite.”
At least we know there are mechas and Wanzers involved. Whether it’ll be turn-based strategy gameplay mixed with the free-to-play gacha nonsense we’ve grown accustomed to, we’ll find out later in 2022.


Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered PC Specs Revealed

Sony Interactive Entertainment and Insomniac Games originally announced that Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is coming to PC on 12 August 2022 during the PlayStation State Of Play June 2022 live stream, but now a new trailer is out, as well as official PC specs for the upcoming game’s release on Steam and Epic Games Store.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered on PC comes complete with the full Marvel’s Spider-Man The City That Never Sleeps DLC, which includes three story chapters with additional missions and challenges. It will also feature:

PC Optimized Graphics
Enjoy a variety of graphics quality options to tailor to a wide range of devices, unlocked framerates, and support for other technologies including performance boosting NVIDIA DLSS and image quality enhancing NVIDIA DLAA.
Ray-traced reflections and improved shadows
See the city come to life with improved shadows and stunning ray-traced reflection options with a variety of quality modes to choose from.
Ultra-wide Monitor support
Take in the cinematic sights of Marvel’s New York with support for a range of screen setups, including 16:9, 16:10, 21:9, 32:9, and 48:9 resolutions.
Controls and Customization
Feel what it’s like play as Spider-Man through immersive haptic feedback and dynamic trigger effects using a PlayStation DualSense™ controller on a wired USB connection. Enjoy full mouse and keyboard support with various customizable control options.

Those who pre-purchase the game can unlock early game content, including;

Iron Spider Suit
Velocity Suit
Spider-Punk Suit
Spider-Drone Gadget
5 skill points

Check out the full PC specs below:

You can pre-purchase the game on Steam and Epic Games Store for a whopping RM249.
Check out the trailer below:


Ubisoft Singapore Also Has Its Own Slew Of Sexism, Sexual Harassment, & Racism Stories

Ubisoft’s status of being the “game company will all the alleged rape, abuse, and bullying” is still prevalent and isn’t doing the company any favours. Despite efforts to mask it with recent game promos and trailers, this isn’t something that can be whisked away so quick.
It seems that even Ubisoft’s Singapore branch isn’t free from the worldwide Ubisoft sh**storm. According to a Gamasutra report, a number of anonymous former workers at Ubisoft Singapore came forward with allegations of sexism, harassment, abuse, and racial insensitivity, where many of its perpetrators are people of power. This is basically a regular occurrence in the workplace. Let’s break it down:

One person claimed that they were experiencing sexual harassment upon joining the Singapore office. Their co-workers told them to “show more career line” (ie: show more of their body) if they want to get a raise.
The office also perpetuates a “bro culture” which encourages “derogatory talk or behaviour towards some women”. Racist views were “openly discussed in the studio during a normal working day.”
A “huge, almost life-size” diagram” depicting how slaves were transported to the Americas was in the Singapore office despite staff members raising objections. It was in place for at least a year.

Ubisoft Singapore managing director Hugues Ricour was also accused of sexual harassment by multiple sources. He would target women, making suggestive and inappropriate comments about their clothing during office hours, or even kiss him at work events.
 Anyone who questioned Hugues behaviour was met with retaliation; he would use his influence to make their office life miserable. HR was reportedly aware of the issue, though a formal harassment complaint was never filed against him.

Former Skull & Bones creative director Justin Farren was called out for allegedly bragging on the studio floor that he only “fucks Asian girls” and “never dates white girls”. This behaviour was reported, but nothing was done.
Former marketing product manager Jordi Woudstra, would inappropriately touch at least one woman employee during work hours despite them telling him “no”. He was moved to another building and office following multiple HR warnings, but he kept his job until his eventual departure.
The worst part? HR and management would usually push the blame back onto the accusers, asking why they didn’t do more to stop the situation. HR would not even support them, and go so far as to spread gossip and rumours.

In related news, Ubisoft Quebec and Montreal has this problem going on for years, and somehow its toxic touch just caressed and infested the Singapore branch. To quote an anonymous source: “I think Ubisoft has a culture of allowing creative directors to be aggressive and dominant and they encourage it from editorial. They always chose large, loud, alpha male figures to lead projects and so they saw the bullying and harassment as part of the job.”
Unfortunately, HR and management getting away with these shenanigans is still a thing that happens even outside of Ubisoft and Singapore, at least in the gaming industry. As someone who used to work in the industry, those in power usually get their way, be it sexual misconduct, casual racism that can purposely lower morale, or flat-out abuse and bullying that leads to power squabbles and unnecessary in-fighting/passive-aggressive behaviour.


David Cage’s Next Adventure Game About Robots Is Out This May 25

Addendum:
Here are the suggested retail prices for Detroit: Become Human in the Malaysian market:
Blu-ray Disc Standard Version: MYR 229
Blu-ray Disc Collectorâ€™s Edition: MYR 259
Digital Standard Version: MYR 209
Digital Deluxe Version: MYR 249

Detroit: Become Human, the next David Cage and Quantic Dreams “magnum opus” which is in no way apeing other sci-fi shows featuring robots who ponder about humanity and freedom, will be out later May 25. We’re still trying to figure out why we should care considering that his last few games were middling and overhyped experiences at best.
So let’s give it a shot, shall we?
-You get to decide the fate of three androids in the futuristic alternate universe of Detroit. It’s an elaborate good-looking and realistic-looking version of a Choose Your Own Adventure novel with allusions to Blade Runner’s “more human than human” questioning and answering.
Also I’m sure we’ll be getting a lot of branching paths and dialogue trees coupled with a ton of quick time event prompting. Because if that’s what people want out of games, it’s a lot of timed button presses during cutscenes.

-The game will “push the limits of the PS4 as far as [Quantic Dreams] could, with hundreds of highly realistic characters, full performance capture, scenes featuring crowds, all with a level of quality that we had never reached before.” So far it’s looking good, but there are times where the game takes quick trips to the uncanny valley.
Some people might not mind it so much, but others will wonder which human in-game is actually a replica…I mean robot. On that note, please don’t make a drinking game out of that concept; you might die from alcohol poisoning just in the first 30 minutes.
-The game will explore “a number of sensitive topics that some people may consider inappropriate or taboo for video games.” Let’s hope it amounts to more than just finger-cutting and random sex scenes without any established context.
PlayStation fans won’t have to wait long for the next David Cage masterpiece. In the meantime, if you want your “android looking for meanings of existentialism” in game form, might I suggest NieR: Automata?


Samsung Malaysia Is Offering Great Deals This Raya

From now until 7 May 2023, Samsung Malaysia is offering irresistible festive promos that are sure to make your ‘hati girang’ (heart joyful) this season. Impian Raya Bersama has something for everyone, from abah to ibu, abang, kakak and adik to all your saudara, saudari. Nothing says “Selamat Hari Raya” like gifts for yourself and your loved ones to ring in the celebrations in style.
Galaxy S23 series
Capture your fondest Raya memories with the Galaxy S23 Series’ Pro-grade Camera and Nightography. Take crisp photos and videos of family and friends from dusk till dawn with the most advanced camera sensor and fastest processor that accommodates low light and reduces noise. These Epic deals are yours when you get the Galaxy S23 series:

Free Galaxy Watch5 (40mm) worth RM1,099.
Earn 2% Samsung Rewards Points.
Up to 30% off PWP on Samsung Accessories, Galaxy Tablets, Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds series.
Enjoy RM600 instant rebate with trade-in specials.

Galaxy A14
After the Raya feast fills your belly, feast your eyes next, with a movie marathon on the awesome Galaxy A14. The expansive and smooth display and multi-day battery lets you binge the hours away on your favourite sitcoms, as well as scroll through TikTok and Instagram to stalk other people’s festivities. Get a free 1-Year Extended Warranty2 worth RM49 when you purchase the Galaxy A14 during the promo period.
Galaxy Tab S Series
Need an even wider screen to watch shows with a loved one or want to turn your funniest home videos into an Oscars masterpiece? Get the Galaxy Tab S Series and enjoy a free 1-Year VIU subscription3 worth RM99.90.
Galaxy Watch5 Pro
This strapping piece on your wrist will be the talk of the kampung this Raya. Even in a time of celebration, don’t fall behind on tracking your health with Body Composition, BP & ECG, Sleep tracking features, and more on the Galaxy Watch5 Pro! Get free Samsung Care+ 1 Year Plan4 for accidental and liquid damage with device support service worth RM149.
Don’t miss these incredible promos with Samsung’s Impian Raya Bersama by heading over here.


[Report] Tencent Is Developing A New PokÃ©mon Game

China games giant Tencent has revealed that it is working with The PokÃ©mon Company for a mysterious new PokÃ©mon game. The development of the new PokÃ©mon game will be handled by Tencent’s Timi Studio (via Reuters).
According to Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto, Timi Studio is best known for developing some of Tencent’s biggest mobile games, including Call Of Duty Mobile and popular MOBA game Arena Of Valor.

Wow, Tencent and The Pokemon Company are developing a new game (probably for smart devices).
Development taken over by Tencent’s TIMI studio, which is responsible for the company’s biggest hits (+ the upcoming Call Of Duty Mobile).
No further details yet. https://t.co/O9o7iCBkYq
â€” Dr. Serkan Toto (@serkantoto) July 22, 2019
The new Tencent PokÃ©mon game will likely be a mobile game as well, considering Timi’s other products. The Chinese publisher has yet to reveal any details or information about the game, including what platforms it will be on and what kind of game it actually is.
After the massive popularity of Niantic’s PokÃ©mon Go, DeNA’s PokÃ©mon Masters game will be next mobile title based on the franchise to be released on non-Nintendo platforms.
Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for more details in the future.


*Spoiler Alert* Let’s Talk About Those Last Bits Of Ant-Man & The Wasp

Even though Ant-Man & The Wasp is an inconsequential-yet-fun peppy ride when compared to the previous Marvel juggernaut film, there were still some bits worth contemplating about. And with the film being shown over the weekend, I’m sure you guys and gals need a spot where you can go spoiler-heavy with the discussions.
So let’s open a spoiler zone for you movie and comic buffs out there to unload sequel and spin-off possibilities and how scene X/Y/Z were cool. Loads of spoilers for Ant-Man & The Wasp, so navigate with care.

Ghost
This Iron Man villain from the comics is a girl named Ava Starr. Her dad Elihas was a former partner of Hank Pym. Because Pym’s ego was too big and didn’t want people like Elihas and another former partner Bill Foster to mess up his plans, Elihas ended up doing the quantum experiment himself. It failed and ended up killing him and his wife, but Ava herself gets the power of intangibility at the cost of her deteriorating lifespan.
Bill Foster ended up becoming a surrogate parent to Ava, but unlike Ava, he isn’t bloodthirsty and still has his heart in the right place.
Janet Van Dyne
As with most Marvel films, the good guys win without any consequence. In fact, Janet Van Dyne gets out of the sub-atomic realm with “sub-atomic” powers that can, get this, make Ghost tangible again. There is no explanation on how Janet can absorb quantum energy and disperse it like a sorceress.
And that pivotal bit where Hank and Hope Pym contact Janet through Scott Lang to give them the precise location to find her? Priceless stuff.
That Mid-Credit Scene
Scott Lang is now stuck in the Quantum zone after a quantum energy extraction run, since everyone manning the machine (Hank, Hope, Janet) is now dust thanks to the Thanos finger snap. But Hope Van Dyne’s actor Evangeline Lilly is in the Avengers 4 cast listing, so she’ll make a return as well somehow.
That End-Credit Scene
It’s just a giant ant playing drums; nothing more. A sight gag just like the Shawarma celebration in the first Avengers.

Cassie Lang
It’s heavily suggested that Scott Lang’s daughter has aspirations of being a superhero like her dad. In the comics, Scott Lang died at one point, and his daughter -now in coming of age- took up the Ant-Man mantle. All the small bits where Cassie and Scott bond together helps foreshadow the fact that she may end up in the superhero roster in the far, far Marvel future.
The Real Villain Of Ant-Man & The Wasp…
….is obviously Scott Lang’s unwillingness in having a partner and getting people dragged down to his mess, hence the reason why he didn’t want folks like the Wasp tagging along with him during that key fight in Civil War. Luckily, Cassie set him straight and we get awesome big-and-small-and-giant action scenes left and right to remind us that, hey, Marvel movies are still comic book movies aimed to be fun and entertaining.
The Real Heroes Of Ant-Man & The Wasp…
Are the action setpieces. From Wasp being all badass shrinking and unshrinking to fight off Walter Goggins’ goons -yeah we don’t remember his character’s name either- to the chase scenes involving Hot Wheel cars to even the bit where Ant-Man gets really big near the end in front of the whole of San Francisco to see. Even the scene where Hank Pym takes a trip down the Quantum Sub Atomic realm to rescue Janet is chock-full of lovely visuals and trippy sights.
Viewers may question the third act’s science and writing (and maybe the whole film’s writing), but the comic book action bits will be enjoyed by all.


[Report] Federal Trade Commission To Cockblock Microsoft & Activision Blizzard Deal

A possible plot twist to the Microsoft and Activision Blizzard deal could be happening.
According to sources from Politico, the Federal Trade Commission is likely to file an antitrust lawsuit to block Microsoft’s takeover of Activision Blizzard. The FTC Chair Lina Khan plans to “reign in the power of the world’s largest technology companies”. Several of the FTC members and chairpersons are skeptical of the companies’ intentions, though the lawsuit isn’t certain at this point.
What does this mean? Well, an antitrust lawsuit would mean Microsoft would have to fight to push forward its acquisition of the Call of Duty creators in US courts. Investigations are currently being carried out by the European Commission due to competition concerns, with recent new arguments brought up by Sony.


Eternals’ Thena Gets The Hot Toys Treatment

Hot Toys have announced a new 1/6th scale collectible figure of Thena (who is played by Angelina Jolie in Marvel’s Eternals).
As an Eternal, Thena is part of a group of ancient, immortal beings working on behalf of the cosmically powerful celestials to protect the universe. More comfortable in battle than anywhere else, Thena has the ability to use pure cosmic energy to form any handheld weapon she can think of is.
Masterfully crafted based on the screen appearance of Angelina Jolie as Thena in Eternals, the figure features a newly developed head and blonde hair sculpture with stunning likeness, beautifully tailored suit and patterned armours in champagne gold colour with metallic accent, her iconic weapons in translucent colour with gold geometric patterns including a shield, an axe, a spear, a long sword, a short sword and a dagger; as well as a figure stand.

Disney+ Hotstar recently announced that Marvel Studiosâ€™ EternalsÂ will start streaming exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar on 12 January 2022.
Marvel Studiosâ€™Â EternalsÂ follows a group of heroes from beyond the stars who had protected the Earth since the dawn of man. When monstrous creatures called the Deviants, long thought lost to history, mysteriously return, the Eternals are forced to reunite in order to defend humanity once again.
The outstanding ensemble cast includes Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi, Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo, Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite, Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos, Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari, Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig, Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh, with Kit Harington as Dane Whitman, with Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena.
ChloÃ© Zhao directs the film, and Kevin Feige and Nate Moore are the producers, with Louis Dâ€™Esposito, Victoria Alonso and Kevin de la Noy serving as executive producers. The screen story is by Ryan Firpo & Kaz Firpo, and the screenplay is by ChloÃ© Zhao & Patrick Burleigh and Ryan Firpo & Kaz Firpo.
EternalsÂ originally premiered in Malaysian cinemas on 3 November 2021. In the meantime, check outÂ ourÂ EternalsÂ review here.


Here Are The Most Important Gaming Platforms Of 2019, Just In Time For GDC

Just in time for Game Developers Conference 2019, we have a bunch of stats from Statista about game consoles and development platforms that should pique your curiosity.
So behold!

Here’s a breakdown of the survey that involved 4,000 game developers:

PC is obviously the highest with 60% most interest in and 66% currently developing games for.
The Nintendo Switch gets the biggest difference in stats: it has 45% of devs interested in the device, but only have 18% working on games for it.
Following behind respectively are the PS4, iOS/Android mobile/tablet devices, and the Xbox One.
VR and AR headsets show the most interest from developers, but even fewer who want to develop games for it.
As for the Mac, 14% are interested while 20% are developing games for it. Most likely ports of PC games.

Here are my takeaways:

PC will always be top dog in these kinds of reports because every game developer starts off building their game via a PC anyway, regardless of whether they’re using Unreal Engine or Unity. Unless you have a console exclusivity clause, they’ll default to a PC version.
I’m not sure if there are major updates to the Nintendo Switch game dev scene, but I heard these dev kits from the company are pricey and possible unintuitive. Hence the low game dev numbers for this year. Nintendo may need to change up its third-party development policy if they want more people making games for the Switch.
PS4, mobile, and Xbox One development stats are pretty much standard; no major shakeups.
VR and AR game development is at the bottom three of this chart. This further proves that unless you can make a compelling experience and the price of headsets are slashed to reasonable levels, this portion of gaming will forever remain a niche.Â

What are your thoughts about these numbers? Let us know on our page or on Facebook.