Strayed Lights Shines Bright With Its Combat, Not So Much Its Length

Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Action game
In the indie action title Strayed Lights from game studio Embers, a good defense equals a great offense.
You see, your elemental character has the ability to gather up energy and end fights with a light-based explosion by blocking and parrying enemy attacks. While you have a few offensive skills and options, the majority of the game has you figuring out enemy patterns and attacks, blocking them and also being in the correct colour doing so -red or blue. See a blue attack? Change your colour to blue and block it. Blue-red-blue? You have to quickly switch mid-sequence and parry all of them.

Thankfully the parry windows are generous here when you compare it to other hardcore titles like Devil May Cry series or any janky From Software game. You’ll still come across a difficult fight or two, but nothing as punishing as those aforementioned games.
In fact, if you fancy an indie take on an action game with a plot that’s told through lush visuals, Strayed Lights may be your jam. I get huge vibes of Ikaruga and Asura’s Wrath (right down to the quick time events!), as well as tinges of popular character action fights in the game’s many duels and boss battles. One of them even involves using fog similar to Monsoon from Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. It’s not a one-to-one replication, but the influences are apparent; Ember knows what it can put in and makes the parrying and combat the limelight of the entire adventure.
Bury The Light?

I do wish the game is a tad longer than the 3-4 hours I put in, as well as add more variety to some enemies attacks-wise. Or even puzzles; there’s only combat and exploring, with more on the former. But them’s the breaks if you want to tell an indie-sized story about elemental folks who parry their way out of danger. If anything, the game is a joy to see in motion due to its consistent art direction.
As someone who loves to see smaller studios try their own interpretation at character action using their confined limitations, it’s good to see Strayed Lights succeed at what it does while coaxing you with lovely aesthetics and a masterfully-composed Austin Wintory soundtrack.
Final Score: 80/100


Good Game Asia – Episode 3 Recap

The first gaming reality show in Asia, brought to us by Yup.gg on Warner TV, Good Game Asia pits 15 streamers and gaming personalities against each other to win a grand prize of US$200,000. The show airs every Friday on Warner TV at 7:35 PM (GMT+8). With the airing of Episode 3, there’s so much to talk about as the show has finally progressed. But we’ll get into that later.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’s EPISODE RECAP

I believe starting each episode from now on we will be met with a recap by our contestants as they discuss the events that occurred the week prior. Estelle brightens up the initial vibe as she shows how overjoyed she is with placing 1st at the end of last week. Then we’re provided with a look into the perspectives of the participants that didn’t do so well last week, namely Hades and Shin. Following this, the contestants discuss the probability of someone being eliminated this week, whether it will be a single person or multiple.
CHALLENGE – GET REAL: MEME OLYMPICS
We cut to the contestants getting ready for this week’s Get Real challenge, dubbed the Meme Olympics. The challenge entails three separate challenges, all of which would make for pretty fun party games. First is a bottle flip race followed by a game where they’ll have to swap the different colour balls from one container to another. Thirdly, the contestants have to pump a balloon and then release it into a stack of cups leaving only two winners who will go head-to-head in the final. The final game is literally threading multiple needles, the first one to finish wins. The contestants faced off against one another in a Best of 1 bracket, meaning if they lost, then they were out for the rest of the challenge.
The highlight of this challenge is definitely the banter between MakNooN and Shin as they make funny flirtation remarks throughout the first game. For some of the contestants, such as Hades, we got to see their genuine disappointment when they lost as they knew that this would affect their overall standings as a whole.
Other than the challenges themselves being entertaining to watch, there isn’t much to say about how the contestants. Although Kelvin managed to show off his naturally goofy personality as he completed the challenges. In the end, the finals were between Maser and V3nom with V3nom coming out on top.
CHALLENGE – on air
Something a bit different about this week’s On Air challenge is that there are multiple games for the contestants to stream, three to be exact and all are story games. The first is Sifu from Sloclap, Oddworld: Soulstorm and lastly Saber Interactive’s World War Z. Most of the contestants opted to play Sifu due to the hype behind it, or World War Z as the jump scares make for good content.
A lot of entertaining clips came out from this week’s On Air segment, mainly from PandaTV as he came up with an idea to get make-up done as a zombie and try to scare the others.
Rudeism had a lot more screentime as he used his niche for making controllers came in handy once again. He made a pair of gloves that were also motion controllers that he would use to play Sifu and the clip itself went viral.

Playing @SifuGame with motion controlled fists
Please cheer me on for @goodgame_asia, make my back pain worth it ? pic.twitter.com/eeTcdlq0oE
— Rudeism @ Good Game Asia (@rudeism) June 19, 2022

Another notable contestant was Fl0w3R, although he himself didn’t produce any clips worth talking about, any clip that he was featured in, he would steal the show.
A lot of focus was put on the contestants who put on lacklustre performances last week and have taken the judges’ feedback. We saw Hades trying to develop and convey more of his personality in his streams as he produced a skit in homage to World War Z. Maser did more IRL streaming, catering to both his domestic audience but also an international audience too.
Challenge – The Box / SIFU
Next up was The Box segment. This week contestants would speedrun a part of Sifu and would be ranked on their placements. For every death, they would have a 30-second penalty added on to their final time. With speedrunning becoming a significant part of Twitch and livestreaming culture, this was interesting to watch.

As the challenge progressed we got to see each contestant’s point of view as they defeated enemy after enemy. What was interesting was how by the book everyone was except Hades. Hades used actual speedrunning tactics to skip past certain areas to gain a massive time advantage. Unfortunately for Hades, he would receive a 30-second penalty as he mistimed a block and died as a result. This led to Fl0w3R taking the lead and using his raw talent for gaming to progress way ahead of his fellow contestants. This resulted in Fl0w3R taking the victory with Maser shortly behind, followed by Rudeism.
WEEK 3 LEADERBOARD

In the Judges’ Deliberation, we see Sezairi and Rai discuss the contestants’ performance, noticing how everyone has improved from last week. Most notable Maser and Cherzinga having learned from last week and stepped up their game.
With this week’s leaderboard, as usual, they started with the middle of that pack naming Kelvin, Estelle, V3nom, Ngyelling and Cherzinga in that order. The was a lot of emphasis on the named contestants’ reactions as they all had a feeling that at least one person was going to be sent home this week. Following this, unlike weeks prior, Rai was the one to name the top of the leaderboard. Ultimately the top three were Maser, Rudeism and PandaTV in 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. This meant that they would be the ones to gain access to the Swag Store later.
Surprisingly, Fl0w3R placed 4th even though the judges were extremely critical about his performances during the initial challenge and the On Air challenges to date, has not shown much of his personality but rather his gaming skills. But the win in The Box definitely boosted his placings up.
We then find out about the bottom five. Topping the bottom of the table was Melan followed by Shin. The emotions they conveyed were somewhat confusing as they can only be interpreted as a mixture of disappointment but also relief that they aren’t in the bottom three. Speaking of the bottom three, in 13th, to most peoples’ surprise was MakNooN. In 14th and 15th place respectively were Hades and A.N.G.
It was then revealed that the bottom three were going to be sent home which definitely came as shock to some. After this we cut to monologues from the contestants being sent home, talking about their disappointment but also their takeaways.
Post the bottom three leaves, we then see the remaining contestants sitting in the lounge blatantly awkward and saddened. We find out that off-camera, the contestants developed friendships and really got along well together. Most notably Shin who was in tears at the fact that MakNooN was eliminated. She went on to elaborate that MakNooN had helped her learn how to express herself more onstream and to be more comfortable with showing her real self.

To wrap up this episode, again we were treated to the Swag Store segment where Maser, Rudeism and PandaTV went to get their goods. We saw Rudeism take an Elgato Capture Card, Nanoleaf Lights and a headphone holder. Maser opted to get some speakers and PandaTV decided to save his points as he was confident that he’s going to be Top 3 next episode, so for that, we will just have to wait and see.
Critical Take

So far this is the best episode, not just for the drama but as entertainment.
Not only were the challenges enjoyable to watch but we got to see a lot more of the contestants becoming more natural and less cringe. I also enjoyed the twist of three people being eliminated in this episode. For Hades and A.N.G. I do believe that it was somewhat deserved, although entertaining in their own way, they just didn’t fit the criteria of the show.
What surprised me the most was finding out how lowly placed MakNooN was because, in my opinion, he was the highlight of the episode. He really embraced his goofiness without making it too cringe. I look forward to what’s to come in hopes that the show as a whole becomes a little less cringe, but that might be asking for the impossible. Be sure to check out our other recaps and future ones also.


Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales Is Getting The Into The Spider-Verse Suit

Insomniac Games and Marvel Entertainment have announced that the second bonus suit for Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales will be the one worn by Miles Morales in 2018’s Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse.
Best of all, when you play using the Into The Spider-Verse suit, the animations will follow suit, featuring the style of the stylistic framerate of the movie version.
For those who are not planning to pre-order the game, don’t worry, because you will still be able to unlock all the suits while playing the game.

It's earnable for everyone. Like #SpiderManPS4 The bonus is early unlocks, not exclusive content.— Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) October 30, 2020

Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is slated to release for the PS4 and PS5 on 12 November 2020. It is now open for pre-orders on the PS4 (check out all the details here).
Check him out in action in the video below:


We Won’t Be Seeing Star Wars Battlefront 3 Anytime Soon

It’s been two years since EA DICE’s Star Wars Battlefront 2 was released to controversial feedback and widespread criticism due to its excessive microtransactions and loot boxes. The developer have since made amends and rectified the problem by removing gameplay-related loot boxes and leaving only the cosmetic ones in the game.
While EA DICE is used to churning out annual sequels for the Battlefield franchise, that won’t be the case for Star Wars Battlefront 2, which means that we won’t be seeing a potential Star Wars Battlefront 3 anytime soon.
Speaking with PCGamesN at Gamescom 2019, Star Wars Battlefront 2 design director Dennis BrÃ¤nnvall revealed that they’re not planning a sequel. He believes the reason is that people seemingly don’t want sequels anymore and prefer games being supported in the long run instead.
He said:

â€œSequels are probably still viable otherwise people wouldnâ€™t be doing them but itâ€™s not the same hunger as it used to be.
We were so used to the chain of sequels, where we do a sequel then we do a season pass for a year then move onto the next game.
I think the industry has changed on thatâ€¦ before it was very transactional and we made the game and we signed up for 4 DLCs and then thatâ€™s it.
So then you focus on getting value to players out of what they paid for and if there was a system that wasnâ€™t working then you put a pin in that and say we will fix it in the sequel.
This time around weâ€™re not doing it that way.”

EA DICE’s strategy for Star Wars Battlefront 2 as of now is to “overhaul bits that aren’t working and not be afraid of changing things”. A better game will then result in a happier community, according to BrÃ¤nnvall. He states the gameâ€™s previous â€œspawnwaveâ€ spawning system (random spawning) being removed after negative community feedback as an example of that.
This is good news for existing owners of Star Wars Battlefront 2, as they can look forward to even more content in the near future. EA DICE recently announced that the game will finally be receiving an offline single-player mode (that’s not the story campaign) and Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker content.


Activision Blizzard Lays Off 50 Esports Division Employees; Will Be Less Dependent On Live Events

Sad news for shooter fans: Activision Blizzard is going to rework its esports division and it’s not for the better.
According to a Sports Business Journal interview, Activision Blizzard Esports will be restructuring its organization, which means laying off about 50 people in the company. The group’s top executive Tony Petitti said this is a result of attempting to reinvent itself during the pandemic. The people who are losing their jobs today will be receiving proper severance packages.
In addition to the 90 days severance package and a year of health benefits, laid-off staff will also receive a US$200 Battle.net gift card. Ooookay…..
The cuts are due to a mix of cost reduction and the reallocation of certain resources to other areas. Here’s what Petitti had to say:
“We learned a lot last year in terms of how the leagues can be structured for online play, and weâ€™ll look to carry forward the best practices from that. In terms of timing, itâ€™s a reaction to the realities of how the leagues are playing and what resources we need to allocate to best serve the league, owners, teams and fans.”
He also said that the business will be less dependent on live events, more specifically the Call of Duty League and Overwatch League. However, he stressed that Activision Blizzard isn’t moving 100 percent away from live events; they will get back to it when possible. For now, the future of both leagues will be online-only.
It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out later in 2021.


This Creepy Horror Adventure Game Comes From A Malaysian Studio

Cellar Vault Games is an indie game developer team based in Malaysia, and they have unveiled their latest game; Short Creepy Tales: 7PM. It’s a horror adventure visual novel game, and it looks creepy as heck, especially considering that it revolves around the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival.

The description for the game on Steam reads:

Follow the shared experience of three children for a day during ghost-month and the arrival of a young mysterious new neighbor.
Things quickly take a dark turn as what was supposed to be an offer of friendship triggers a series of strange events.

Built using Unreal Engine 4, Short Creepy Tales: 7PM is the first formal instalment of an anthology horror series by Cellar Vault Games. Taking place in a small low-cost apartment block.
Players experience one day as each of the three children living there and their attempts to invite a young mysterious new neighbour to play with them. The narrative will change based on choices made by players, and some tasks require players to do more than just engage in dialogue.

After almost a yearâ€™s work, weâ€™re proud to finally present 7PM!
Wishlist now! on Steam!https://t.co/NqOftXa3ty
.
.#ue4 #shortcreepytales #7pm #cellarvault #MYGameOn #storyrich #indiegames #IndieGameDev #horror #horrorgame #ghostmonth #nasilemak #Blender3D #steam #videogames pic.twitter.com/DXmMmvMWom
â€” Cellar Vault Games (@CellarVault) August 12, 2020
Short Creepy Tales: 7PM is slated to launch sometime in September 2020. However, no official price has been listed at the time of writing. In the meantime, check out the trailer below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mG9zSnW2KQ&w=560&h=315]
We at Kakuchopurei feel proud to see more and more local Malaysian developers making and releasing their own games. Recently, we reviewed Persona Theory Games’ Fires At Midnight, which is now already available on Steam.


New Co-Op Fantasy RPG Farming Sim Sun Haven Is Now Available

Stardew Valley meets Dungeons & Dragons in this stunning multiplayer farming simulation, and it’s getting 91% positive reviews on Steam.
Developer and publisher Pixel Sprout Studios has recently launched Sun Haven on Steam, on 11 March 2023 and successfully garnered 3,000+ positive reviews in less than a week! More than 200 new character customization options, a variety of pets, up to 8 online multiplayer and three worlds to explore are just some of the many features that will surely delight any farming sim and RPG fans.

On the surface, The game could easily be mistaken for Stardew Valley DLC, but as you go deeper – magic, dragons, monsters, and a world full of different fantasy races: Elves, Angels, Demons, Elemental, and Animal races for you to interact and even woo your way into romance. Whatever floats your boat. Players are to expect to help Sun Haven, the town flourish by any means necessary, which provides EXP (Experience Points) on each quest taken and advancing through a main questline journey with a final boss. So if you’re feeling restless from all the farming, fishing, crafting, and cooking, take on the main quest and conquer the game.
The main quest will take you outside the safety of Sun Haven and journey your way to the mythical Elven town of Nel’Vari, located in the deep forest where the Elves live in harmony with nature. The final town will be the rumoured “monster city” of Withergate. Withergate is described as a city with unending darkness and “a bustling nightlife that never ends” which sounds super interesting given three opposite worlds for players to experience.
Three interesting take from this game is there is no energy/stamina bar! Yes, that’s right. Farming, fishing, mining, crafting or even hunting monsters to your heart’s content. Second, you get to customize the time frame of your day, either you’re busy romancing or saving a character from a major catastrophe, sit back and take your time. Farming sim can take hours of gameplay in a day which for some can get forgetful to save a game before exiting, well no fret! It has an auto-save feature, which you can exit the game without any worries.
In addition to Stardew Valley, Sun Haven hosts seasonal events, including the Music Festival, Summer Barbeque, Halloween, and Winter Festival; where you can grab unique food, clothes, pets, and furniture to give that extra lifestyle to your game character.

Saving the best bit for the last – the romance system. The romance aspect is pretty similar to Stardew Valley with one key difference. When you reach 10 hearts with a romanceable character, you can start going on dates, culminating in a “spicier” date when you knock late at night on your lover’s door. Romance multiple NPCs at once, and even send them gifts every day.
Sun Haven is now available on PC via Steam and the Switch port is currently in the works and will be launched on the Nintendo Switch along with the 1.2 update, which may take a while.
In the meantime, enjoy the official Sun Haven release trailer below.


PlayStation 5 To Arrive Between April 2021 & March 2022: Analysts

Here’s another PlayStation 5 tidbit for you: experts from Rakuten Securities said that the next gen machine will be out after April 2021 and not before March 2022 (via Twinfinite). Let’s break it down:

According to folks like Rakuten Securities analyst Yasuo Imanaka, due to Sony’s latest financial results, the console will come out later than 2020.
This is in stark contrast to Ace Research Institute analyst Hideki Yasuda who pinned the release at the end of 2020. At the very least, everyone is divisive about predictions regarding the next PlayStation.
Having said that, Imanaka said that a 2020-2021 release window may not be very likely. There’s a higher chance for it to be out starting April 2021 and before March 2022.

We’re all for delaying the next generation of consoles, especially since what we’ve got right now is pretty darn sweet to look at. Perhaps if PlayStation Pro prices go down a notch, we may be experiencing more current gen fidelity instead of sticking with our old sets.
What say you, readers? Should the PS5 be primed for release on 2020 or much, much later?


We Talk To The Director Of Hi-Fi Rush About How They Kept It A Secret, Its Action, & The No Straight Roads Comparison

Hi-Fi Rush is out now for PC and Xbox, and it’s a helluva trip from the developers of The Evil Within series and Ghostwire: Tokyo. What’s really cool is that it’s a 5-year project in the making that didn’t even leak; it just came out of the woodwork during the Xbox and Bethesda Developer Direct livestream.
We managed to be the first Southeast Asian outlet to secure an exclusive interview with Tango Gameworks director John Johanas about his new action rhythm game hybrid. We ask the tough questions about the game’s design and whether its similarities with No Straight Roads is purely coincidental.
Check out the interview below.

Hi-Fi Rush is available right now. Check out our glowing review of the game here.


Free Demo For SD Gundam Battle Alliance As It Drops First DLC

Bandai Namco’s SD Gundam Battle Alliance has revealed its first paid DLC “Unit & Scenario” with a free demo available. It has also confirmed that Gundam AGE-FX and Narrative Gundam C-Packs will be included in this release. There seem to be new characters and new Mobile Suits introduced in the trailer reveal.
According to Bandai Namco, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch digital download will be up together with the playable demo version, which is now available to play on the Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, and Microsoft Store. The demo is playable up til the end of the DIRECTORY 1 mission “Tekkadan”. You can then continue your progress from the demo upon purchasing the full game.

The DLC Unit & Scenario Pack 1 “Legend & Succession” contains the aforementioned Gundam AGE-FX and Narrative Gundam C-packs have been confirmed for release in September later this year. It will feature two new playable Gundam units, two new characters, and two new missions as shown below.
Narrative Gundam C-Packs & Gundam AGE-FX

Introducing the two new characters; Jona Basta & Kio Asuno

Teaser visuals for the two new missions â€œThe Cursed Treasure


The White Lotus To Premiere On HBO GO Malaysia Next Month

From Mike White (HBOâ€™s â€œEnlightenedâ€), HBOâ€™s six-episode limited seriesÂ THE WHITE LOTUS, a social satire set at an exclusive Hawaiian resort, debuts same time as the U.S. on Monday, 12 July 2021, at 9am exclusively on HBO GOÂ andÂ HBO (Astro Channel 411), with a same-day encore at 10pm on HBO. New episodes air every Monday at the same time.
StarringÂ Murray BartlettÂ (HBOâ€™s â€œLookingâ€),Â Connie BrittonÂ (â€œNashvilleâ€),Â Jennifer CoolidgeÂ (â€œ2 Broke Girlsâ€),Â Alexandra DaddarioÂ (HBOâ€™s â€œTrue Detectiveâ€),Â Fred HechingerÂ (â€œEighth Gradeâ€),Â Jake LacyÂ (HBOâ€™s â€œGirlsâ€),Â Brittany O’GradyÂ (â€œLittle Voiceâ€),Â Natasha RothwellÂ (HBOâ€™s â€œInsecureâ€),Â Sydney SweeneyÂ (HBOâ€™s â€œEuphoriaâ€) andÂ Steve Zahn (HBOâ€™s â€œTremeâ€), the series follows the vacations of various hotel guests over the span of a week as they relax and rejuvenate in paradise. But with each passing day, a darker complexity emerges in these picture-perfect travellers, the hotelâ€™s cheerful employees and the idyllic locale itself.

Recurring guest stars include Molly ShannonÂ (HBOâ€™s â€œDivorceâ€),Â Jon GriesÂ (â€œDream Corp LLCâ€),Â Jolene PurdyÂ (â€œWandaVisionâ€),Â Kekoa KekumanoÂ (â€œAquamanâ€), andÂ Lukas GageÂ (HBOâ€™s â€œEuphoriaâ€).
The synopsis reads:

Among the employees atÂ The White LotusÂ are the fastidious resort manager Armond (Murray Bartlett), who, after a sudden trauma, begins a dramatic downward spiral – and the down-to-earth spa manager, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) who gets taken on an emotional roller coaster ride by a needy guest.
The vacationers include the Mossbacher family â€“ Nicole (Connie Britton), a successful type-A exec, who canâ€™t help but treat her family like disobedient employees; her husband, Mark (Steve Zahn), dealing with both an embarrassing health crisis and a terminal inferiority complex; their teenaged son, Quinn (Fred Hechinger), a socially awkward gamer, experiencing the wonder of nature for the very first time; their daughter, Olivia (Sydney Sweeney), and her friend, Paula (Brittany Oâ€™Grady), sharp-tongued college sophomores who cast a sardonic eye on the lifestyles and belief systems of everyone around them.
The handsome, entitled Shane Patton (Jake Lacy) is here with his beautiful bride, Rachel (Alexandra Daddario).Â  Shane and Rachel are in the throes of young love, but as they get to know each other better in this new, intimate environment, clouds of doubt appear â€“ and by the time Shaneâ€™s intrusive mother, Kitty (Molly Shannon) surprises them with an unwelcome visit, their fairytale honeymoon has begun to unravel.
And finally, there is Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge), a wealthy, unstable woman, recovering from the death of her mother, traveling alone to the hotel, looking for love and in desperate need of a massage.

Episodes include:
Episode 1: â€œArrivalsâ€
Debut date:Â Monday,Â July 12 at 9am
As a new wave of guests arrive at the White Lotus, resort manager Armond (Murray Bartlett) tries to assuage an unreasonable Shane (Jake Lacy) and his easy-going new wife Rachel (Alexandra Daddario), while spa director Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) calms a grieving Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge). Meanwhile, Nicole (Connie Britton) suggests her husband Mark (Steve Zahn) distract himself from a health scare by spending time with their son Quinn (Fred Hechinger), whoâ€™s been cast out by his sister Olivia (Sydney Sweeney) and her friend Paula (Brittany Oâ€™Grady).
Written by Mike White; Directed by Mike White.
Episode 2: â€œNew Dayâ€
Debut date:Â Monday,Â July 19 at 9am
A cautiously optimistic Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) walks a fine line with Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), while Armond (Murray Bartlett) brainstorms ways to deal with Shane (Jake Lacy). After her husband belittles her work, Rachel (Alexandra Daddario) approaches Nicole (Connie Britton) for advice. Paula (Brittany Oâ€™Grady) and Olivia (Sydney Sweeney) lose track of their stash, while a revived Mark (Steve Zahn) attempts to connect with Quinn (Fred Hechinger).
Written by Mike White; Directed by Mike White.

Episode 3: â€œMysterious Monkeysâ€
Debut date:Â Monday,Â July 26 at 9am
Stripped of his gadgets, Quinn (Fred Hechinger) reluctantly takes a scuba class with Mark (Steve Zahn), whoâ€™s struggling to process revelations regarding his late father. Hoping to reignite the spark with Rachel (Alexandra Daddario), Shane (Jake Lacy) enlists Armond (Murray Bartlett) to help plan a romantic evening. Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) leans on Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) for support as she scatters her motherâ€™s ashes at sea. Paula (Brittany Oâ€™Grady) keeps a secret from a suspicious Olivia (Sydney Sweeney).
Written by Mike White; Directed by Mike White.
Episode 4: â€œRecenteringâ€
Debut date:Â Monday,Â August 2 at 9am
After Shane (Jake Lacy) shoots down her latest career plans, Rachel (Alexandra Daddario) is further blindsided by an unexpected arrival. Just as Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) begins to take her business proposition seriously, Tanyaâ€™s (Jennifer Coolidge) attention turns to an intriguing hotel guest. Meanwhile, Armondâ€™s (Murray Bartlett) renewed commitment to sobriety is put to the test.
Written by Mike White; Directed by Mike White.

Episode 5: â€œThe Lotus-Eatersâ€
Debut date:Â Monday,Â August 9 at 9am
As Armond (Murray Bartlett) attempts to do damage control, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) tries to redirect Tanyaâ€™s (Jennifer Coolidge) focus to her business proposal. Paula (Brittany Oâ€™Grady) grows increasingly disillusioned with the Mossbachers. A sidelined Rachel (Alexandra Daddario) begins to question her future. Nicole (Connie Britton) rebuffs Mark (Steve Zahn) for airing their dirty laundry to Quinn (Fred Hechinger).
Written by Mike White; Directed by Mike White.
Episode 6: â€œDeparturesâ€
Debut date:Â Monday,Â August 16 at 9am
Rachel (Alexandra Daddario) shares some harsh truths with Shane (Jake Lacy) and confides in Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), whoâ€™s reeling from bad news of her own. As the Mossbachers turn the page on their harrowing scare, Quinn (Fred Hechinger) reveals major life plans. With nothing left to lose, Armond (Murray Bartlett) goes on an all-out bender â€“ and exacts the ultimate revenge on his nemesis.
Written by Mike White; Directed by Mike White.

THE WHITE LOTUSÂ is created, written and directed by Mike White; executive produced by White, David Bernad and Nick Hall; co-executive produced by Mark Kamine. The series was filmed on the island of Maui.
You can stream or download THE WHITE LOTUSÂ onÂ HBO GO. Download the app atÂ App StoreÂ orÂ Play StoreÂ and get a free trial. AccessÂ HBO GOÂ via Astro orÂ atÂ https://www.hbogoasia.com/.Â HBO GO is available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


The Mandalorian Makes His S.H.Figuarts Debut

2019 has ended with some of the best Star Wars-related works we’ve ever seen. I’m talking about Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and the Disney+ show The Mandalorian. There was a new Star Wars movie too but who cares about that.

S.H.Figuarts have unveiled their new The Mandalorian figurine which also includes Mando’s blaster, rifle, and holster. Before you get on your speeder and rush off to buy it, do note that it will only be released in May 2020.
Here are the figurine’s specifications:
Height: About 150mm
Material: ABS, PVC, Cloth
What’s in the box:

Body
Alternative left hand x3 types
Alternative right hand x4 types
Blaster
Rifle
Holster

The figurine is priced at Â¥6,600 (~RM250) excluding tax. You can check out the figure’s page on the official S.H.Figuarts website here. While you wait for the arrival of May 2020, feast your eyes on more images of the figurine:


Pixar’s Onward Is A Lovely Tribute To D&D

When’s the last time you’ve seen a film that pays proper respect to Gary Gygax’s Dungeons & Dragons and LARPing? I’m waiting.
While Pixar’s latest 3D animation offering Onward doesn’t outright focus on D&D, but it does pay homage to its numerous established fantasy tropes from tabletop fantasy games to collectable card games based on its universe’s actual history.
All the while, it spins its narrative about two elf brothers who go on a road trip to find a gem that helps resurrect their dad for one day. The catch? The world they live in is warped by technology and modern conveniences; all semblance of magic and old-school “questing” is gone. Blue elves with cellphones, centaurs teaching aerobics and being cops; it’s that sort of drill if you’ve made a D&D campaign set in modern times.
Coupled with the fact that the younger brother Ian Lightfoot (Tom Holland) has magic potential while the older one, Barley Lightfoot (Chris Pratt), longs for the days of yore where sword and sorcery ruled supreme, and you have a heckuva journey filled with wonder and self-discovery. Oh, and the lovely Octavia Spencer voicing a former quest-giving manticore running her own tavern to get tied into the plot in the best of ways.
Fetch Quest
This would be all the more groundbreaking if the story structure and pacing is unique to the studio. The thing is, Pixar has been doing this from the first Toy Story up until, well, Toy Story 4. The stage and faces change, but the skeleton remains the same. Here, the stage is fantasy tropes, elves, manticores, trolls, and fairies modernized and mirroring contemporary backdrops.
But really, why fix what isn’t broken? Despite the show lacking some semblance of originality, it’s told in a compelling albeit slow-building fashion and in the most visually-arresting way possible. Pixar are clearly masters of the CGI craft, and their blend of detailed fantasy tropes, and real world-like landscapes filled with suburban houses, dark abandoned houses close to gas stations, and highways.

While it may be distracting to some, I’m perfectly on board with the company trying out risky animation cocktails. In this case, it paid off in full with lush vistas and immersion aplenty.

It’s a testament to the studio’s expertise with CGI, so it’s really down to personal taste.
Mythic Quest

The overall adventure between two protagonists coming to terms with lost and what letting things go seems familiar, especially since there are so many Pixar films that have similar family-related tropes. Regardless, the show’s great ending and heartfelt message justifies its existence and sets it apart from other road trip movies.
I had a blast with this familiar-yet-fun romp; it’s probably because of seeing familiar fantasy beasts from my dungeon-mastering days back in the 90s popping to semi-life Pixar-style. It’s earnest, it has chemistry and heart, and it looks damn good just doing it.

Onward may not be an instant classic, but it still deserves its place on the “best animated show of the year” shelf until something more innovative and groundbreaking comes along at the tail end of 2020. For now, pack up for this smooth ride.

FINAL SCORE: 70/100


New Steam Update Makes It Easier To Claim Free Games & DLC

If you’re a fan of getting free PC games on Steam, this new app update will make it easier to do so (via Reddit).
The new Steam update makes building up your backlog pile in your Steam library a bit smoother, as it adds a blue Add to Library button to free games and DLC next to the usual green “Install Game”, “Play Game”, or “Download” buttons that usually appear. This lets you quickly add free content to your Steam library without starting the installation process. Previously, you have to start the installation process, making it a tad slow.

This new update also affects free DLC and add-ons for games, with examples including Dying Light 2 and Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak for this year. Honestly, it’s a long time coming and any addition that makes filling your Steam library up a little easier is welcome.


Marvelâ€™s What Ifâ€¦? Episode 2 Breakdown & Easter Eggs

The second episode of Marvelâ€™s What Ifâ€¦?Â is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia. Iâ€™ll be discussing heavy spoilersÂ so if you havenâ€™t seen it or want to avoid spoilers, nowâ€™s your chance to stop reading.
Marvelâ€™s What Ifâ€¦?Â features fan-favourite characters, including Peggy Carter, Tâ€™Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger, Thor and more. The new series, directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer and Brad Winderbaum as an executive producer, explores hypothetical stories in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It focuses on non-canonical stories like what happens if Peggy Carter became Captain Britain and if Tâ€™Challa/Black Panther was abducted by the Ravagers instead of Peter Quill/Star-Lord.
You can check out my previous breakdown of Marvel’s What If…? Episode 1 here.
If you havenâ€™t, you can check out my previous breakdown and easter egg articles forÂ WandaVisionÂ Episode 1 and 2,Â Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5,Â Episode 6,Â Episode 7,Â Episode 8Â andÂ Episode 9.
ForÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, you can check out my previous breakdowns forÂ Episode 1,Â Episode 2Â andÂ Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5Â andÂ Episode 6.
For previous breakdowns ofÂ LokiÂ episodes, check outÂ Episode 1 here,Â Episode 2 here,Â Episode 3 here,Â Episode 4 here,Â Episode 5 hereÂ andÂ Episode 6 here.
Courtesy of Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia, we were recently lucky enough to be the only Malaysian media to participate in a roundtable interview withÂ Marvelâ€™s What Ifâ€¦?Â Executive ProducerÂ Brad Winderbaum, Head WriterÂ AC Bradley, and DirectorÂ Bryan Andrews. You can check out that interview byÂ heading over here.

T’Challa Gets Taken By Yondu And The Ravagers By Mistake

Just like how Steve Rogers never received the Super Soldier Serum in Episode 1 of Marvel’s What If…?, this time the big change is that T’Challa gets kidnapped by Yondu and the Ravagers by mistake. He then grows up to be Star-Lord and thus never became the Black Panther in this universe.
What changed? Well, in this universe, Yondu ordered his subordinates to capture the target, which is why the Ravagers ended up with T’Challa by mistake.
Korath Mentions Tarnax IV, The Skrull Throneworld

Interestingly, when Korath lists the achievements of T’Challa and the Ravagers, he mentions the “Central Bank Heist of Tarnax IV”. While the MCU has never been to the planet, Tarnax IV is actually the homeworld or Throneworld of the Skrulls. Of course, we’ve met Skrulls before in Captain Marvel and Spider-Man Far From Home, including Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos and Sharon Blyn’s Soren.
In the comics, Tarnax IV is gone, having been consumed by Galactus, which is one of the events that sparked the Secret Invasion storyline (which is getting its own Disney+ TV series in the future).

It’s A Heist To Steal The Embers Of Genesis From The Collector; We Meet More Of Howard The Duck

The whole premise of the episode is that T’Challa and the Ravagers are planning a heist to grab the Embers Of Genesis from Teneleer Tivan AKA The Collector.
It’s nice to see Seth Green’s Howard The Duck getting more lines in this episode of Marvel’s What If…? than he ever did in the entire MCU. He first appeared in 2014’s Guardians Of The Galaxy and he was actually present in the climactic battle against Thanos in Avengers Endgame in a blink-or-you’ll-miss-it cameo.
And no, Embers Of Genesis doesn’t exist in the comics.
Drax Is Happy And His Family Is Alive

This version of Drax still has his family and thus, would never have met the Guardians Of The Galaxy.
Thanos Is A Reformed Good Guy

This is a surprising twist. In this universe, T’Challa is such a successful Star-Lord that he managed to defeat Thanos early and even recruit him into the Ravagers.
The running gag in this episode is a reference to the MCU version of Thanos in Avengers Infinity War and Avengers Endgame. This version of Thanos never managed to get his hands on the Infinity Stones and thus never erased half of the universe. However, it turns out that even this version of Thanos initially had the same plans and he never stops trying to sell the idea to everyone he meets like a salesman with a broken pitch.
As A Result, This Nebula Never Became A Cyborg

With Thanos becoming a good guy, this version of Nebula was never fully subjected to cybernetic enhancements. Thus, this Nebula didn’t become a full cyborg, and could even grow healthy blonde hair. However, Thanos apparently did give her one cybernetic enhancement on her eye, though it’s nowhere as severe as the one in the MCU version.
The Collector Has A Dark Elf In His Collection

Remember the Dark Elves from 2013’s Thor: The Dark World? Yeah, though it’s unclear if this is Malekith himself.
The Terribly Chatty Kronan Is Most Likely Korg

You know, this guy:

The Collector Already Has Captain America’s Shield And Thor’s Mjolnir

Impressive. This Collector must have gone up against the Avengers and won.
Hela Too

Remember Hela, Thor’s sister? Yeah.
Without The Guardians Of The Galaxy, Peter Quill Ends Up Working At A Dairy Queen And Ego Comes To Claim Him

So, if T’Challa became Star-Lord, what happened to Peter Quill? The end of the episode answers that by showing us that an adult Peter Quill is now working at a Dairy Queen in the middle of nowhere. Ego comes to claim Peter’s Celestial powers and thus take over Earth as his own.
This is a twist on what actually happens in the MCU. In 2017’s Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2, Peter Quill is Star-Lord and has the Guardians Of The Galaxy team behind his back to stop Ego’s plans. In this episode, he’s just a human who’s oblivious and thus completely vulnerable to Ego.
A Touching Tribute To The Late Chadwick Boseman

The episode ends with a touching tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. He voiced T’Challa in this episode and also recorded voices for T’Challa in three other future episodes, so we’ll still have more of the late actor to look forward to. Until then, excelsior!


Dell’s 32-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor Offers Big Visuals With Little Investment

It’s hard to find a good gaming monitor that not only has great colours and easy UI interfaces, but also a price tag that requires you to take out a loan or two. Thankfully in these past months or so, Dell has just that with its latest curved monitor entry.
Screen Time
The Dell S3222HG, or the Dell 32″ Curved Gaming Monitor, is a hefty but well-built monitor that’s meant to complement your computing lifestyle. And it does the job well with a solid price tag to boot.
At just RM1,599, you’re getting a lot here. The monitor’s curved panel features a bunch of extended colours and high contrast -the Adaptive Sync option and its FHD/VA- to make sure that anything visual-related comes out crisp, colourful, and super-clear. My Adobe Premiere and Photoshop work were made exponentially better with the monitor displaying everything I need from pixels to artifacts in the works I’m editing.
The Dell S3222HG is no slouch in the gaming department either. With 165Hz refresh rates, you don’t need a crazy expensive video card to see your games move at a high frame rate and blurs at the very minimum. The curve on the monitor also means that there isn’t any image distortion going on or even any weird glare regardless of where I’m positioned when gaming. My time with the gaming monitor using FPS titles like Halo Infinite and Borderlands 3 were looking great through the lens of the Dell S3222HG.
The monitor’s base and stand also has a hexagon hole for cable management; that’s very useful if you plan on keeping the back of your workplace tidier than usual.

Bang For Your Buck
Like we said: for just about RM1,599 or so, you’ll get a pretty solid curved 32″ gaming monitor that fills in all your needs. Be it a complimentary work monitor to complement your dual screen (or triple screen) setup that’s bright and user-friendly, to just a straight-up 165Hz easy-on-the-eyes gaming experience, the S3222HG does it all. Some of the monitor’s gamma and sRGB settings need work and need to be there, but apart from that, you won’t find much to complain about.
It’s simple really: you’re paying a pretty good price for a gaming monitor that complements your second screen tasking, or even on its own if you prefer a single-screen setup. Either way, you can’t go wrong with Dell’s entry for a gaming monitor with a ton of value for its price tag.
Pros

Excellent colour settings and calibration options.
Great gaming performance.
Good build.
Solid price tag.

Cons

Weak gamma settings.
No sRGB mode.

Final Score: 80/100

Vital Statistics

Retail Price: RM1,599
Weight: 9.5kg
Device Type: LED-backlit LCD monitor – 32″

Power Consumption (On mode): 25 W

Curved Screen: Yes

Adaptive-Sync Technology: AMD FreeSync Premium

Panel Type: VA

Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Native Resolution: Full HD (1080p) 1920 x 1080 at 165 Hz

Pixel Pitch: 0.36375 mm

Brightness: 350 cd/mÂ²

Contrast Ratio: 3000:1

Response Time: 4 ms (grey-to-grey); 1 ms (MPRT)

Colour Support: 16.7 million colours

Input Connectors: 2xHDMI, DisplayPort

Display Position Adjustments: Height, tilt

Screen Coating: Anti-glare 3H hardness

Voltage: AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)

Dimensions (WxDxH) – with stand (lowest position): 70.876 cm x 23.761 cm x 45.598 cm

Compliant Standards: RoHS, BFR-free, PVC-free


Sony Unveils First Look At PlayStation VR2 Headset & Updated Sense Controller

Sony Interactive Entertainment has unveiled the first look at the headset for PlayStation VR2 (or PS VR2), as well as the updated and final design image for the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller.
According to PlayStation Blog, the design of the PS VR2 headset was also inspired by the look of the PS5 family of products. The PS5 console has flat edges as it is meant to be displayed on a flat surface, while there was more emphasis on adding roundness to the design of the PS VR2 headset since it is meant to have constant human contact, similar to the rounded edges of the DualSense controller and Pulse 3D headset.

Other features such as the headsetâ€™s adjustable scope that places the scope area closer or further away from the face and placement of the stereo headphone jack also remain the same, so players will be familiar with it.
They have also added new features such as a lens adjustment dial, so users have an additional option to match the lens distance between their eyes to optimize their view. It also features a slimmer design with a slight weight reduction â€“ even with the newly added features such as the new built-in motor for the headset feedback. Additionally, they have also integrated a new vent design for the PS VR2 headset.
Yujin Morisawa, Senior Art Director at SIE led the headset design of PS VR2 and explains why that is his absolute favourite part of the design:
â€œWhen I started to work on the design for the PlayStation VR2 headset, one of the areas I wanted to focus on first was the idea of creating a vent in the headset to let air out, similar to the vents on the PS5 console that allows airflow. Our engineers came up with this idea as a good way to allow ventilation and avoid having the lens fog up while players are immersed in their VR games.
I worked on many design concepts to achieve this, and in the final design, you can see there is a little space in between the top and front surface of the scope that contains the integrated ventilation. I am really proud of how this turned out and the positive feedback I have gotten so far. I hope our PlayStation fans will also agree, and I canâ€™t wait for them to try it out.â€

In addition, the PlayStation VR2 also features the same tiny PlayStation symbols of the PS5 DualSense to the front and back bands of the headset. Other features include 4K HDR graphical rendering, enhanced tracking such as inside-out camera tracking, new PlayStation VR2 Sense Technology features such as headset feedback, and the new, intuitive PS VR2 Sense controller that creates an incredibly deep feeling of immersion.
However, there is no release date or release window yet for the PlayStation VR2.


The ZOWIE XL2566K Is The Official Monitor For VALORANT Champions Tour Pacific

ZOWIE, a  brand known for high-quality professional esports peripherals, has announced to be the Official Monitor Supplier for the 2023 2024 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific. The partnership marks a significant milestone for the brand by providing their latest 360Hz gaming monitor model XL2566K and its commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology for gaming enthusiasts worldwide.
The VALORANT Champions Tour Pacific is a premier esports competition that brings together some of the most skilled and talented teams from across the Pacific region to compete for the champion title. With this partnership, ZOWIE will provide their latest top-of-the-line 360Hz gaming monitors XL2566K esports gaming monitor, for the tournament in the next two years, delivering the best and seamless gaming experience for players and viewers alike.
ZOWIE’s continuous product improvements, based on extensive research into esports players’ habits and needs, reflect the brand’s commitment to enhancing their gaming experience and let them put their eyes on the most important thing- performance in the game. ZOWIE understands that players have unique visual and physical preferences, which has driven the design of every iteration of the ZOWIE monitor, prioritising clarity and comfort to create a highly precise and customisable tool that empowers serious players to achieve their full potential. The XL2566K esports gaming monitor represents the latest evolution of this commitment, boasting a 360Hz refresh rate, DyAc+TM technology, and a fast TN panel for optimised smoothness during gameplay.

DyAc+TM technology reduces motion blur, providing a clearer view for players to make flick shots and manage recoil, while the Black eQualizer colour optimisation technology enhances visibility in dark scenes without overexposing bright areas. This feature helps players recover from flashes and see-through smoke. The fast TN panel allows players to focus more and be less distracted by providing a sharp outline of moving targets. With these advanced features, the XL2566K is the perfect monitor for hardcore players who demand the highest level of performance and clarity in their gameplay.
Jeffrey Liang, the President of BenQ Asia Pacific Region, said:
“Our goal has always been to deliver the best possible gaming experience for esports players, and this partnership with the VALORANT Champions Tour Pacific is a testament to that commitment. We are proud to be the official monitor supplier for this prestigious tournament, and we look forward to supporting the esports community with our cutting-edge technology.”
Paper Rex, one of the esports teams in VCT Pacific, said:
“The reason why we love ZOWIE is that not only do they dip their heads in bringing us the best specs, but also notice these small but appreciable details. We are really looking forward to competing in the VCT Pacific tournament with the ZOWIE XL2566K, which is the most reliable monitor that players and fans alike trust. We know that players and fans alike will be blown away by the quality and performance of their products.”
ZOWIE, a trusted partner of tournaments and players, remains committed to its promise and spirit of “Strive for Perfection.” The company is constantly pushing itself to provide the best products and services to meet the needs of professional players. You can learn more about XL2566K official monitor of VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific by heading over here.


Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 Delayed To “Beyond 2021”

Hardsuit Labsâ€™Â Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 has been plagued by problem after problem since it was announced in early 2019. It was revealed to be delayed to sometime in late 2021 back in December 2020, but now publisher Paradox Interactive has confirmed that the game won’t even be launching in 2021 anymore.
In their year-end financial report for 2020, Paradox Interactive said that they have chosen to delay Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 and the game will no longer be launching in 2021.
Strangest of all, they also announced that Hardsuit Labs is no longer the lead developer on the project. Instead, they started working with a new studio, the name of which hasn’t been revealed.
They wrote:

We have now chosen to postpone the release of the game further, and we will not be launching the game in 2021.
We have also decided that Hardsuit Labs will no longer be leading the development of Bloodlines 2, and we have started a collaboration with a new studio partner to finish work on the game.
This has been a difficult decision, but we are convinced that it is the right way forward to do the game justice.

In case you are unable to access the website, you can read the Bloodlines 2 Development Update right here. pic.twitter.com/kdTp5gpBJe
— Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (@VtM_Bloodlines) February 23, 2021

In addition, they have stopped accepting pre-orders for the game, since there’s no new release date.
Weâ€™re sure the fact that firing several of the gameâ€™s important developers like itsÂ senior narrative designer,Â lead writer and creative directorÂ must have contributed to this worsening delay situation.
Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 is slated to release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC. In the meantime, check out the latest trailer below.


Tales Of Arise Ships & Sold Over One Million Copies

Tales of Arise is now the fastest-selling RPG in the Tales of franchise’s history, according to Bandai Namco.
The total worldwide shipments and digital sales for the most recent entry have surpassed one million units within less than a week after its release last Friday. The series’ overall total shipments have reached 25 million units worldwide.

For comparison, Tales of Berseria sold 2 million copies 5 years after its debut while Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition sold 1.5 million copies since its release in 2019.
The publisher has also released some art and a “thank you” video to celebrate its new milestone. Considering that past Tales of titles barely even reach this milestone (like Xillia and Zestiria previously under ex-series producer Hideo Baba’s direction), this is quite a feat and a new beginning for the series under new management.

Tales of Arise is out right now for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. Personally, it’s a solid entry.


One Piece Netflix Live-Action Show Is Currently In Troubled CGI Waters

The One Piece anime and manga is arguably the biggest franchise ever, with millions of viewers and readers tuning to the tales of Luffy and his Straw Hats Pirate crew. So that clearly screams “Netflix live adaptation”, correct? Well, some early reports seem to indicate that it’s not a good idea.
According to film info leaker Twitter user Divinity Seeker , the test screening for the One Piece Netflix show flopped hard. The show tested horribly, with complaints targeted at the bad CGI and the nonsensical story to non-fans. The latter is bad to the point where the showrunners are rewriting entire episodes so that it’s cohesive. The adaptation also has a tone problem, which jumps between goofy and serious in a jarring fashion.

From a source connected to Netflix:• Avatar: The Last Airbender will no longer release in 2023, but Netflix believes this will be their Stranger Things• One Piece tested horribly, the CGI looked bad and the story didn’t make sense to non-fans, and they’re rewriting entire eps
— Divinity Seeker (@DivinitySeeker1) April 13, 2023

To be fair, it can be hard to make the manga’s exaggerated Devil Fruit powers and other nonsense come out as believable in a live-action adaptation. Which begs the further question: who is this show for? Guess we’ll find out later this year if the show is planning on releasing this 31st August 2023.


Square Enix President Starts The New Year With Pro-NFT Stance

The 1st of January 2022 means a ton of welcome messages from various video game companies. We’ll be sure to compile the best ones in a separate article, but this one from Square Enix is attention-grabbing for the wrong reasons.
In a New Year’s open letter, Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda expresses personal enthusiasm for blockchain tokens. The letter didn’t state that Square Enix will add NFTs in its games, but he said that the company is keeping a close eye on the technology. Here’s a quote from the entire letter:
“[Square Enix will] ramp up [its] efforts to develop a business accordingly, with an eye to potentially issuing our own tokens in the future.Â I realize that some people who ‘play to have fun’ and who currently form the majority of players have voiced their reservations toward these new trends, and understandably so. However, I believe that there will be a certain number of people whose motivation is to â€œplay to contribute,â€ by which I mean to help make the game more exciting.
Traditional gaming has offered no explicit incentive to this latter group of people, who were motivated strictly by such inconsistent personal feelings as goodwill and volunteer spirit. This fact is not unrelated to the limitations of existing UGC (user-generated content). UGC has been brought into being solely because of individualsâ€™ desire for self-expression and not because any explicit incentive existed to reward them for their creative efforts. I see this as one reason that there havenâ€™t been as many major game-changing content that were user-generated as one would expect.
We do observe examples here and there of overheated trading in NFT-based digital goods with somewhat speculative overtones, regardless of the observed value of the content provided This, obviously, is not an ideal situation.”
The Twitter conversation about Square Enix’s thoughts on NFTs has been heated, to say the least.

Square Enix President saying they're  going all in on NFTs in the same month their most successful game of all time is backed up with 20k queues and has to halt sales due to a hardware shortage caused by.. NFTs pic.twitter.com/2CeorCImgV
— Sam Thorne (@Strippin) January 1, 2022

https://twitter.com/BestJonRobEver/status/1477328233209032705

2021: Wow this year sucked but 2022 will be an invigorating fresh start
Hour 1 of 2022: The president of Square Enix declares the end of fun https://t.co/3kJP1nkQgt
— Quinns ? (@Quinns108) January 1, 2022

https://twitter.com/RedMakuzawa/status/1477289215427694595

 pic.twitter.com/kjo0g6mEXm
— Brandon (@Glowing_Coffee) January 1, 2022


God Help Sony If They Don’t Announce The Last Of Us Part 2’s Release Date This Tuesday

Sony has announced the next PlayStation State Of Play presentation livestream, which is slated to air next week at 1pm PT on Tuesday, 24 September 2019 or 4am GMT+8 on Wednesday, 25 September 2019 for Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries.
You can watch live onÂ Twitch,Â YouTube,Â Twitter, andÂ Facebook.
According to PlayStation, it will run for about 20 minutes long and sport a brand new look. We should also expect new game reveals, new content from Sony Worldwide Studios, and a host of other updates, but unfortunately, there will be no PS5 news at all.

What’s interesting is that next week’s PlayStation State Of Play livestream will coincide and take place on the same day as Naughty Dog’s planned The Last Of Us 2 media event in Los Angeles.

And…here….we…..go! See you later this month @Naughty_Dog @Neil_Druckmann pic.twitter.com/LL6RZVbJc1
â€” Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) September 9, 2019
Surely it can’t just be a coincidence that both events will be happening on the same day. It can only mean one thing, and one thing only.
The Last Of Us Part 2 release date incoming.


The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Finale Explained & Easter Eggs

InÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Episode 6, we finally saw the culmination of everything that happened in the past five episodes.
Iâ€™ll be discussing heavy spoilers fromÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Episode 6 so if you havenâ€™t seen it or want to avoid spoilers, nowâ€™s your chance to stop reading.
Also, if you havenâ€™t, you can check out my previous breakdown and easter egg articles forÂ WandaVisionÂ Episode 1 and 2,Â Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5,Â Episode 6,Â Episode 7,Â Episode 8Â andÂ Episode 9.
ForÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, you can check out my previous breakdowns hereÂ Episode 1,Â Episode 2Â andÂ Episode 3, Episode 4, and Episode 5.
If you want a non-spoiler guide toÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, you canÂ head on over here.

Sam Finally Suits Up As The New Captain America

Booyah! InÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Finale, Sam Wilson finally suits up in the new Captain America suit given to him by Bucky and the Wakandans in the previous episode.
It looks pretty comics-accurate so kudos to Marvel Studios for that.

Redwing Is Alive

Remember when Karli Morgenthau killed Redwing in Episode 2? I do, and Sam has either repaired Redwing or just gotten a brand new one somehow.
I know the Marvel Cinematic Universe version is just a machine (instead of the real bird in the comics), but it’s still nice to see.
John Walker Returns To Fight Karli Morgenthau

John Walker is back and he’s returned in a brand new suit and makeshift shield. He’s not officially US Agent yet (nor does he calls himself that yet), but he’s pretty much on his way already.
However, the US Agent in the comics was never a villain. He’s an anti-hero and that’s reflected here as well. When given the choice to either save a truck full of innocent people from toppling off a cliff or go after Karli and let them die, he chooses to save the people, showing that he’s still very much a hero inside.

Sharon Is The Power Broker

It’s revealed that yes:
It’s been Sharon all along.
Sharon is the Power Broker in control of Madripoor, which makes a lot of sense.
She also kills Batroc when he threatens to reveal Sharon’s true identity as the Power Broker to the world.
Karli Morgenthau Dies After Being Shot By Sharon

In the fight between Sam and Karli, Sharon shoots in Karli before she could hurt Sam further (and perhaps even in an effort to keep her from revealing her identity as the Power Broker).
There goes the leader of the Flag-Smashers.
Sam’s Powerful Speech On Live TV

After bringing Karli’s body to the authorities, Sam confronts the Global Repatriation Council (GRC) members that he helped save and asked them whether they’ll still reset the world’s borders. When they said yes and told Sam that he wouldn’t understand how complicated the situation is, here’s Sam’s inspiring and chilling reply, which was broadcast live on TV (and seen by Isaiah Bradley and his grandson):
“I’m a Black man carrying the stars and stripes.
What don’t I understand?
Every time I pick this thing up (the shield), I know there are millions of people who are gonna hate me for it.
Even now, here…
I feel it.
The stares, the judgement.
And there’s nothing I can do to change it.
Yet, I’m still here.
No super serum, no blond hair or blue eyes.
The only power I have is that I believe we can do better.
We can’t demand that people step up if we don’t meet them halfway.
Look, you people have just as much power as an insane god, or a misguided teenager.
The question you have to ask youself is:
How are you going to use it?”
Obviously, there’s more to the speech, but it’s an extremely powerful one nonetheless.
Zemo’s Butler Kills Off The Last Of The Flag-Smashers

Yes, that’s Zemo’s butler, if you remember him from Episode 2. He kills off the last remaining members of the Flag-Smashers with a car bomb, before the scene cuts to Zemo in the Raft prison.
John Walker Is Now Officially The US Agent, As Appointed by Contessa Valentina Allegra De Fontaine AKA Madame Hydra

John Walker finally has his comics-accurate US Agent costume and Contessa Valentina Allegra De Fontaine AKA Madame Hydra (as played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) has officially appointed him the US Agent.

Bucky Has Finished His Book Of Atonement

Bucky has finally finished the book of atoning for his sins as the Winter Soldier. Perhaps now he can finally start moving on and start living as Bucky Barnes.
The Government Officially Recognises Isaiah Bradley As A Former Captain America

In what is one of the most tear-jerking moments in the MCU, Sam brings Isaiah Bradley and his grandson to the Captain America museum, where it’s revealed that the government has included an exhibit on Isaiah and his contributions as Captain America.

But Wait, There’s A Post-Credits Scene

In the post-credits scenes, the government grants a full pardon to Sharon and reinstates her as Agent Carter (though SHIELD doesn’t exist anymore).
However, Sharon is still the Power Broker, and we see her making a mysterious call to tell everyone out there that she’s ready to sell out government secrets and more to anyone willing to pay for them.

Conclusion

A lot of stuff certainly happened in The Falcon And The Winter Soldier finale. Sam is the new Captain America, John Walker is the US Agent under Contessa Valentina Allegra De Fontaine AKA Madame Hydra, Karli Morgenthau is dead but the Flag-Smashers could still live on, and Sharon has been pardoned but now she’s selling government secrets as the Power Broker.
Unlike WandaVision, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier could easily get a second season and more if it wanted to. WandaVision aimed to set up more movies, but The Falcon And The Winter Soldier can easily be expanded upon if Marvel Studios chooses to do so.
Well, true believers, it was a great first season for The Falcon And The Winter Soldier. The next one is Loki in June 2021, so keep on keeping on and excelsior!


Good Game Asia Is The World’s First Live Gaming Reality TV Show

YouTube show Good Game Asia, which involves games and streamers in a reality TV show-style contest, launched worldwide on 10 June 2022.
Hosted by the husband-and-wife team of Singaporean music sensation Sezairi and gaming community lead Syaza Tan, the show features 15 international stars battling it out in a series of challenges for S$200,000 in cash and prizes, and the right to be crowned Asia’s next gaming entertainment superstar.
The TV show will air in English on Warner TV every Friday  at 7.35pm GMT+8, as well as on Good Game Asia’s website, asia.gg featuring 1-hour pre- and post-show commentary and live streaming by the contestants and local hosts in-market.
Korean multi-hyphenate superstar Haha, known internationally for being one of the hosts of Running Man, will also be hosting weekly viewing parties through his own social media channels.
Good Game Asia will bring together a collection of seasoned veterans and new amateur gaming talent from all over Asia to Singapore, where gaming and esports are gaining tremendous momentum. Contestants will be placed in the ‘Good Game Arena’ where they will compete against themselves and each other in a series of challenges, both online, and offline around the garden city, aimed at identifying Asia’s next great gaming content superstar.
During their journey, contestants will make friends and enemies, win prizes, sponsorships, grow their fan base and drive to win a professional contract with Yup.gg. Good Game Asia pulls back the curtain on the gaming/esports industry, shows the real faces and tells the real story of what it takes to make it in the world’s largest and fastest growing entertainment category.
Gamers were selected across Asia Pacific and were eventually chosen for a variety of reasons including their personalities, audience reach, and gaming level of expertise.
Judges include Good Game Asia show creator, Cockfield along with hosts Sezairi and Syaza. Viewers can also expect to see special guest judges making an appearance throughout season. Good Game Asia will portray reality TV in a natural manner that promotes authentic engagement, as the gamers are not ‘locked-in’ but are free to come and go as they please while sticking to the production schedule and their social media and fan commitments.

Good Game Asia Director and Executive Producer, Jonathan Glazier said:
“It is important to understand that this is a ‘live’ competition. The content may not all be live, but the 10 weeks of production happen over 10 weeks in reality, enabling our social media to be live and interactive. Also, contestants will be housed together throughout the duration of the show where they will train, creating an intense and positive competitive energy. The judges and participants will also interact naturally, resulting in a complex and entertaining reality experience for viewers.”
The contestants are:

Estelle Fly (Estelle Lim) – Singapore – Streamer/Singer/Dancer/Actor
Cherzinga (Cheryl Allison Lim) – Singapore – Streamer/Fashion Blogger
Hades (Sean Goh Yi Wei) – Singapore – Shoutcaster/Analyst
Maser (Ekanun Loedphonganukun) – Thailand – Streamer
Melancholiaaaaaa (Sopita Daniels) – Thailand – Streamer
Kelvin Gaming (Kelvin Alfiando) – Indonesia – Streamer
Rudeism (Dylan Beck) – New Zealand – Streamer/Game Developer
PandaTV (Ryan Dingle) – Australia – Streamer
Ngyyelling (Tran Bao Nguyen) – Vietnam – Streamer
V3nom (Ankit Panth) – India – VALORANT Pro/Streamer
Fl0w3R (Hwang Yeong) – Korea – Former Overwatch Pro
MakNooN (Yoon Ha-Woon) – Korea – Former League of Legends Pro/Streamer
Shin Gonzaga  (Gonzaga) – Philippines – Streamer/Content Creator
Rebyczko (Valerie Byczko) – Philippines – Streamer/Cosplayer
Ang Negrong Gamer (Max Osasuna) – Philippines – Gamer/Sailor/Father

Good Game Asia can be watched online at asia.gg with subtitles in Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Thai, Bahasa and Vietnamese.

TAKE A LOOK at the other episodes we have recapped so far

Good Game Asia – Episode 1 Recap
Good Game Asia – Episode 2 Recap
Good Game Asia – Episode 3 Recap
Good Game Asia – Episode 4 Recap
Good Game Asia – Episode 5 Recap
Good Game Asia – Episode 6 Recap


Dune Delayed To Late 2021

Just days after we learnt that James Bond’s No Time To Die would be delayed to 2021, another 2020 movie joins that list.
Warner Bros. and Legendary are delaying Denis Villeneuveâ€™s Dune to 1 October 2021.
According to sources (via Collider), Villeneuve himself was supportive of the decision to delay Dune, considering that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is still affecting the movie industry worldwide and in the US.
Dune was originally slated to release on 18 December 2020. Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ Wonder Woman 1984 is still scheduled for Christmas 2020. For now, that is.
The first film of an intended duology, Dune starsÂ TimothÃ©e ChalametÂ as young prince Paul Atreides as he navigates the various forces at work trying to control his planetâ€™s valuable resource, Melange, which allows for space travel, extends life and enhances mental abilities.
The film also stars also stars:
Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica AtreidesOscar Issac as Duke Leto AtreidesStephen Mckinley Henderson as Thufir HawatJosh Brolin as Gurney HalleckJason Momoa as Duncan IdahoZendaya as ChaniStellan Skarsgard as Baron Vladimir HarkonnenSharon Duncan-Brewster as Dr. Liet KynesDave Bautista as Glossu RabbanCharlotte Rampling as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen MohiamJavier Bardem as StilgarStephen McKinley Henderson as Thufir HawatDavid Dastmalchian as Piter De VriesChang Chen as Dr. Wellington Yueh
In the meantime, let’s rewatch the trailer for Dune below. It’s all we’ll have until next year.


Sucker Punch Celebrates Sly Cooper 20th Anniversary With New Merch

2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the Sly Cooper franchise. The first game, Sly Cooper And The Thievius Raccoonus, was originally released for the PS2 back in September 2002. In a new PlayStation Blog post, Sucker Punch developers reminisce on the past two decades of the franchise and also announce new merchandise.
First, original Sly Cooper art director Dev Madan created an absolutely stunning tribute to 20 years of Sly, with a beautiful original piece of art jam-packed with references and easter eggs.
The prints of the artwork will begin shipping in early October 2022. You can pre-order starting today at Cook & Becker with shipping available worldwide.

Dev Madan has also created a brand new Sly Cooper 20th Anniversary t-shirt design available on the PlayStation Gear store, featuring brand new art of Bentley, Murray, Carmelita Fox and Sly. The 4.3-ounce, 100% combed ringspun cotton shirt also features the Sly Cooper 20th Anniversary logo on the right sleeve. This will be available for US$33.95 USD with an estimated ship date of December 2.
Shipping for PlayStation Gear is available in the following regions:

NA: Canada, USA

LATAM: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay

EU: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK

Pre-orders for both the shirt and poster are available starting today on the PlayStation Gear store.

Last but not least, Fangamer has created a brand new Sly Cooper 20th Anniversary Plush. This adorable version of Sly sits at about 9 inches tall and includes a plush cane that can attach to Sly’s hands via a magnet. Fangamer will begin shipping the Sly plush worldwide early next year, and you can sign up now at Fangamer to be alerted as soon as orders become available.

The last Sly Cooper game was 2013’s Sly Cooper Thieves In Time for the PS3 and PS Vita. I’m sure many fans of the franchise are waiting for a brand new game. However, there’s currently no indication that a new Sly Cooper game is in the works.


These Borderlands 3 Figures Are The Perfect Loot For Your Table Collection

Remember when I said a few minutes ago that these Christmas Borderlands 3 SHiFT codes are the best way to celebrate the upcoming DLC? I lied.
These figures are better.

Made by WETA Workshop, these figure of fandom stand tall at about 26cm width and 26cm height (10″w x10″h for you Westerners). Amara’s the shortest of the bunch, so she’s about 21.5cm tall. All of them cost â‚¬129.99/RM600 each.
Given that this is a WETA product, it’s pricey AND super-detailed as you can get. So if you’re a huge Borderlands 3 fan with money to burn, this is worth the shipping & ordering price. Order them here.Â


Vlambeer Shuts Down After 10 Years Of Indie Service

10 years is a long time to achieve many great things. In the case of Vlambeer, the Dutch indie studio, it’s bringing arcade gaming and roguelikes back again with Super Crate Box, Serious Sam: The Random Encounter, Luftrausers, and Nuclear Throne.
After a decade, the company that’s founded by Rami Ismail and Jan Willem Nijman will shut its doors. They’re not going out for nothing; they’ll be wrapping up their upcoming game Ultrabugs, release a prototype named FFFLOOD, and are hosting a tenth-anniversaryVlambeer and Friends sale on Steam.

Today marks Vlambeer’s 10th anniversary, which is way longer than we could've ever imagined. We had a beautiful run, made incredible games, and worked with amazing people, but it is time for new things. So we're announcing the end of Vlambeer. pic.twitter.com/jZ4dMGxNV2
— Vlambeer (@Vlambeer) September 1, 2020

In addition, both its founders will still be working in the indie scene. Here’s a quote from Rami Ismail (via Kotaku) concerning the company’s closure:

“It honestly feels surprisingly natural for us to close the studio down. It’s not really without nostalgiaâ€”Vlambeer has done incredible work with incredible people that weâ€™re very proud of over the past decadeâ€”and in working together we have grown so incredibly much from being 20-year old over-confident punks to now being 30 and more aware of our responsibilities and our abilities.”

Thanks for the awesome games, Vlambeer.


Star Wars Andor Series Delayed Almost One Month Later

Disney+ Hotstar has announced that the Star Wars series Andor has been delayed almost a whole month later from its original release date of 31 August 2022. Andor will now premiere on 21 September 2022 with its first three episodes.
The Andor series will explore a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
Diego Luna returns as Cassian Andor and is joined by cast members Genevieve O’Reilly (who will portray a young Mon Mothma), Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough and Kyle Soller. The executive producers are Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna and Michelle Rejwan. Tony Gilroy is the creator and showrunner.
Season 1 will consist of 12 episodes, taking place five years before the events of Rogue One A Star Wars Story. Season 2 will consist of 12 episodes as well, which will cover the remaining four years before Rogue One. According to Gilroy, the final scene of the series will directly lead into the events of Rogue One.
Check out the new trailer below, which reveals the cameo of Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera:


Here Are Malaysian Gamers’ Favourite Tracks On Spotify In 2020

Spotify has revealed the top artists, songs and video game soundtracks globally and in MalaysiaÂ that highlights what gamers listened to in 2020.More and more gamers are listening to music via Spotify on their gaming consoles; both PlayStation and Xbox. In 2020, Spotify saw a whoppingÂ 55 percent global increase in streaming from gaming consoles.Â
In particular, early morning (6am-9am) streaming on gaming consoles saw anÂ increase by more than 47 percent.
InÂ Malaysia specifically, streaming on gaming consoles hasÂ increased by more than 63 percentÂ in 2020.
The most-streamed tracks from gaming consoles in Malaysia this year include the following:
â€œFallingâ€ by Trevor Daniel.â€œdeath bed (coffee for your head)â€ by PowfuÂ andÂ beabadoobee.â€œThe Boxâ€ by Roddy Rich.â€œROXANNEâ€ byÂ Arizona Zervas.â€œBlinding Lightsâ€ byÂ The Weeknd.
Globally, Rap and Trap were the most-streamed music genres for gaming this year while the top video game soundtracks globally came from popular games Minecraft, Doom and Death Stranding.
The most-streamed video game soundtrack lists include:
â€œMinecraft – Volume Betaâ€ byÂ C418.â€œDoom (Original Game Soundtrack)â€ byÂ Mick Gordon.â€œDEATH STRANDING: Timefallâ€ byÂ DEATH STRANDING: Timefall.Â
A breakdown of Spotify Wrapped 2020 Gaming Top Lists globally and inÂ Malaysia can be found below.Â
Spotify 2020 Wrapped Global Top Lists On Gaming Consoles:
Most Streamed Artists Globally
Juice WRLDXXXTENTACIONTravis ScottLil Uzi VertYoungBoy Never Broke Again
Most Streamed Female Artists Globally
Billie EilishHalseyAriana GrandeNicki Minaj Dua Lipa
Most Streamed Tracks Globally
â€œThe Boxâ€ by Roddy Ricchâ€œBlueberry Faygoâ€ by Lil Moseyâ€œgoosebumpsâ€ by Travis Scottâ€œROCKSTARâ€ by DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricchâ€œFallingâ€ by Trevor Daniel
Most Streamed Video Game Soundtracks Globally
â€œMinecraft – Volume Betaâ€ by C418â€œDoom (Original Game Soundtrack)â€ by Mick Gordonâ€œDEATH STRANDING: Timefallâ€ by DEATH STRANDING: Timefall
Spotify 2020 Wrapped Malaysiaâ€™s Top Lists On Gaming Consoles:
Malaysiaâ€™s Most Streamed Artists
Travis ScottJuice WRLDThe WeekndPost MaloneJustin Bieber
Malaysiaâ€™s Most Streamed Tracks
â€œFallingâ€ by Trevor Danielâ€œdeath bed (coffee for your head)â€ by Powfu, beabadoobeeâ€œThe Boxâ€ by Roddy Ricchâ€œROXANNEâ€ by Arizona Zervasâ€œBlinding Lightsâ€ by The Weeknd


Dallas Fuel’s xQc Suspended For Homophobic Slur – The Lowdown (Updated)

Edit 21st January 2018
FÃ©lixÂ “xQc”Â Lengyel has been suspended by the Dallas Fuel for the remainder of Stage 1. An official statement released by the team read:

The receiving end of Lengyel’s outburst, Muma appears to have buried the hatchet with the Dallas Fuel tank with a tweet to clear the air and seems like the beef between the two is now over.

No hard feelings at all and I apologize for what I said back. You’re on a great team and I fully expect you to return to full force before playoffs. GL my doggie 😉
â€” Austin Wilmot (@Muma) January 19, 2018
Good on you Felix. Now just hunker down, focus on your game and don’t let pointless issues derail your career. And put a lid on it aye?

We are calling it. Dallas Fuel’sÂ FÃ©lixÂ “xQc”Â Lengyel is the Overwatch League’s Mario Balotelli. Like the problematic Italian footballer, Felix just cannot stay out of trouble. Following his team’s loss to Houston Outlaws yesterday where he was benched throughout, xQc went on a rant on Twitter as well as on his Twitch stream not long after, taking shots at Houston Outlaws players namely Jacob “JAKE” Lyon and Austin “Muma” Wilmot.
Obviously distraught with his team’s loss which sent them 0-3 in the season – where he didn’t get the chance to see any action, Lengyel’s disappointment was compounded with JAKE’s Junkrat teabagging on Fuel’s Mercy on the fourth and final map, Eichenwalde. Lengyel took it to Twitter and tweeted this:

Tbagging is ALL ok, or NONE of it is ok. When someone that is hated like @sinatraaOW does it it’s the end of the world and an unacceptable example of toxicity but when it’s someone else it’s justified? I think it’s 100% fine but stop trying to have it both ways.
â€” xQc (@xQc) January 19, 2018
Meanwhile, earlier that day in the post-match interview following Outlaws’ 4-0 win against Fuel, Houston Outlaws main tank, WilmotsÂ  was caught – surely in a playful nature – using Lengyel’s trademark catchphrase â€œrolled and smokedâ€ referring to his team’s outstanding result.
https://clips.twitch.tv/embed?clip=ResoluteSpeedyNuggetsCoolStoryBob&autoplay=false&tt_medium=clips_embed
Already riled up by Lyon, Lengyel moved on to Wilmots. Responding to that ‘taunt’, Lengyel took it to his stream to address it while at the same time pointing out at Wilmot’s sexuality who was openly gay.
https://clips.twitch.tv/embed?clip=EasyTrappedOxDansGame&autoplay=false&tt_medium=clips_embed
Lengyel’s controversial remarks caught fire and the Overwatch scene was lit. Analysts, commentators and pro players alike responded to it. Without directly responding to the tweet, Wilmot posted this tweet instead on his profile;

I’m just a boy tryna play some video games. It’s cool being one of the only LGBT players in the league and I hope I can inspire and encourage some people to be true to themselves. With that said, I don’t want it to define me as a person. I’m just playin’ some tank, dudes.
â€” Austin Wilmot (@Muma) January 19, 2018Â
Lengyel, who instantly realized his fubar during the stream clammed up and later took it to Twitter to apologize for the homophobic slur.

I didn’t say what I said on stream with malicious intent, I legit did not compute the whole thing before. I speak too fast, everything happens too fast. Everything is so fking trash lately. Hope I can turn this into something good, sorry @Muma :/
â€” xQc (@xQc) January 19, 2018
But this is the internet, folks and for someone who is competing at such elite level, such remarks cannot go unpunished. Addressing the issue, Dallas Fuel, via its official Twitter account released the following statement:

The team will be taking disciplinary action related to recent comments made by Felix â€œ@xQcâ€ Lengyel. xQc will not be active for tonightâ€™s match. Additional details forthcoming.
â€” Dallas Fuel (@DallasFuel) January 19, 2018
The Overwatch League also released an official statement on their site, stating that Lengyel has been suspended for four matches and fined $2,000 for his conduct.
As of Friday, January 19, Dallas Fuel player FÃ©lix “xQc” Lengyel is suspended for four matches and fined $2,000 for violating the Overwatch League Code of Conduct during his individual stream on Thursday evening. The Overwatch League takes standards of player behavior seriously, whether during league play or otherwise, and is committed to responding swiftly when violations occur.
As a result, Lengyel will miss the following matches:
vs London Spitfire (Jan 20)
vs San Francisco Shock (Jan 27)
vs Boston Uprising (Jan 28)
vs Philadelphia Fusion (Feb 2)
By far the most controversial player in the OWL, Lengyel’s conduct is no way acceptable and we wonder how long will Dallas Fuel remain patient with this talented yet troublesome player. He’s faced disciplinary actions prior, having been banned for throwing matches as well as abusing the report function on competitive play.
Come on man. Keep it together. You’ve been handed a wonderful opportunity here – don’t squander it.


Did The Metroid Dread Developer Forget To Credit Some People?

Metroid Dread came out last Friday to a lot of praise and fanfare, being the best return to form for protagonist Samus Aran and her search action ways. It’s also a game that developer MercurySteam can be proud of.
However, a number of ex-developers are taking issue with the Madrid-based studio. They were left out of its sections of the game’ credits (via Vandal). Ex-3D artist Roberto MejÃas said this on his LinkedIn page:
“I would like to sincerely congratulate theÂ Metroid Dread team for putting out such an outstanding game. Iâ€™m not surprised of the quality of the game though, since the amount of talent on that team was through the roof. I know this first hand because, despite not being included on the gameâ€™s credits, I was part of that team for eight months.”
He also added that while playing the game, he recognized a few assets and environments he worked on.
Former 3D character animator Tania PeÃ±aranda HernÃ¡ndez also said the following on LinkedIn about not being in the game’s credits.
“I am also very proud of the whole team! But it also saddens me to see that I am not reflected in the credits for this work that I did. It has been hard for me to see that they have considered that it should be like this when I keep seeing a lot of animations that I made in every gameplay.”
MercurySteam and Nintendo have yet to say anything public about these statements.


Warhammer Age Of Sigmar Realms Of Ruin Open Beta Is Now Live

The Open Beta for real-time strategy game Warhammer Age Of Sigmar Realms Of Ruin is now available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam. Players can download the beta on their respective platforms and jump into 1v1 cross-platform multiplayer with two complete factions, the Stormcast Eternals and Orruk Kruleboyz. No additional platform subscriptions are required to play the Open Beta on console. A Frontier account is needed to participate.
Players will take command in fiercely competitive and visually spectacular fantasy battles. They’ll engage in a brutal tug-of-war for control of the map, summoning new troops to the battlefield, gathering resources, capturing Victory Points and ambushing their opponents across multiple fronts. Alongside 1v1 online matches, the Open Beta also offers an option to play against an AI bot.
Console and PC players can try the DirectStep™ control scheme for the first time, which allows for rapid-fire movement orders, instant cycling between squads and flexible command of the battlefield on a controller. Traditional mouse and keyboard RTS controls will also be available on PC and console. To learn more about the basics of the game and how to play Realms of Ruin, players can head to the Open Beta page on the official website.
The Open Beta gives players an early opportunity to check out Frontier Developments’ world-class art and animation up close, as each unit on the battlefield draws significant inspiration from its tabletop counterparts. From the Stormcast Eternals’ brutal Annihilators and winged Prosecutors to the Orruk Kruleboyz’ lumbering Marshcrawla Sloggoth and mobs of Hobgrot Slittaz, authenticity is at the heart of Frontier’s approach to adapting this universe for the RTS genre.
In Warhammer Age Of Sigmar Realms Of Ruin, players will wage a campaign of brutal conquest in this realm-shattering real-time strategy (RTS) game set in the Warhammer Age of Sigmar universe. Players will command four unique factions in dynamic battles as part of a story-driven campaign and test their mettle against warlords afar in online multiplayer.
Players will tame the savage Realm of Beasts in a rich narrative, exploring the nature of war and survival from the perspectives of righteous champions and villainous generals. Battle for survival and dominance across a campaign featuring four major factions, including Stormcast Eternals and Orruk Kruleboyz, and experience a twisted plot, penned in conjunction with acclaimed Black Library author, Gavin Thorpe.
The Open Beta is designed to test the game’s servers and assist the developers in faction balancing, and it will end on 10 July 2023 at 11.59 pm BST. A second Open Beta is planned for later this summer, with further details to be revealed soon.
Warhammer Age Of Sigmar Realms Of Ruin is coming soon to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.


Netflix Geeked Week Day 1: The Sandman, Resident Evil & More

Netflix Geeked, Netflix’s home for all things genre entertainment, is prepping their second annual Geeked Week. Geeked Week 2022 is a free five-day virtual event celebrating Netflix’s genre series, films, and games that runs from 6 June to 10 June 2022. You can expect tons of exclusive news, new trailers, celebrity appearances and so much more.
Check out the announcements and reveals of day one below:
The Sandman

The Sandman premieres on Netflix on 5 August 2022.
There is another world that waits for all of us when we close our eyes and sleep — a place called the Dreaming, where The Sandman, Master of Dreams (Tom Sturridge), gives shape to all of our deepest fears and fantasies. But when Dream is unexpectedly captured and held prisoner for a century, his absence sets off a series of events that will change both the dreaming and waking worlds forever. To restore order, Dream must journey across different worlds and timelines to mend the mistakes he’s made during his vast existence, revisiting old friends and foes, and meeting new entities — both cosmic and human — along the way.
Based on the beloved award-winning DC comic series written by Neil Gaiman, THE SANDMAN is a rich, character-driven blend of myth and dark fantasy woven together over the course of ten epic chapters following Dream’s many adventures. Developed and executive produced by Gaiman, showrunner Allan Heinberg, and David S. Goyer.
Mark Hamill will voice Pumpkinhead in the series.

yes, you heard right: Mark Hamill will be voicing Merv Pumpkinhead in THE SANDMAN #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/gYF3HBNTJI
— Netflix Geeked @ SDCC #NetflixSDCC (@NetflixGeeked) June 6, 2022

Check out the trailer below:

The Umbrella Academy

Netflix released a clip from the upcoming The Umbrella Academy Season 3, which premieres on 24 June 2022.
The clip highlights Hotel Obsidian, a new location in the series (which is the group’s new home since the Sparrow Academy is residing at their old home). It’s inspired by the comics’ third volume, Hotel Oblivion, but is probably different in excution.

#GeekedWeek has your first look at #TheUmbrellaAcademy 's new home– The Hotel Obsidian. pic.twitter.com/IGa3BkBdSV
— Umbrella Academy (@UmbrellaAcad) June 6, 2022

Wednesday

From the imagination of Tim Burton comes WEDNESDAY — a twisted new series coming soon to Netflix. WEDNESDAY — starring Jenna Ortega in the title role, alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzman, Gwendoline Christie, Christina Ricci and more — is a sleuthing, supernaturally infused mystery charting Wednesday Addams’ years as a student at Nevermore Academy. Snap snap.

Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet Of Curiosities

The maestro of horror – Guillermo Del Toro – presents 8 blood-curdling tales of horror. This anthology of sinister stories is told by some of today’s most revered horror creators, including the directors of The Babadook, Splice, Mandy, and many more.

The Imperfects

Three twenty somethings were turned into monsters by evil scientists against their will. Now they’re on the hunt for the mad-man responsible in hopes of reversing the side-effects… but also they’re being chased by a government agency, dealing with college applications, teenage romance, random monster mutations, and all of sorts of coming of age related dramas. Oh, and the government agency has tanks.
Featuring Italia Ricci, Iñaki Godoy, Morgan Taylor Campbell, Rhianna Jagpal, and Rhys Nicholson. From show-runner Dennis Heaton, and the creative minds behind The Order, Fargo and Van Helsing.

Barbarians

Barbarians Season 2 premieres on Netflix sometime in fall 2022.

grab your shields and your swords. BARBARIANS Season 2coming 2022 #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/5N96o3XylV
— Netflix Geeked @ SDCC #NetflixSDCC (@NetflixGeeked) June 6, 2022

Resident Evil

Resident Evil premieres on Netflix on 14 July 2022.

One Piece

Our first look at the massive sets of One Piece, including The Going Merry, Miss Love Duck, and Baratie.

Alice In Borderland

Alice In Borderland Season 2 is coming soon on Netflix.

The next stage of the game has begun. ALICE IN BORDERLAND Season 2 is coming soon to Netflix #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/O6XZOCeC8l
— Netflix Geeked @ SDCC #NetflixSDCC (@NetflixGeeked) June 6, 2022

All Of Us Are Dead

All Of Us Are Dead is returning for Season 2.

Fate The Winx Saga

Get your first look at Paulina Chávez in FATE THE WINX SAGA Season 2. It’s coming in fall 2022 to Netflix.

Locke And Key

The final season of Locke And Key premieres on 10 August 2022.

Manifest

Follow the calling. Manifest Season 4 coming soon, exclusively to Netflix.

Shadow And Bone

Shadow And Bone Season 2 has wrapped production.

that's a wrap on Season 2 of SHADOW AND BONE
the cast recorded a special message to help tide us over #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/f5Eznl8nwD
— Netflix Geeked @ SDCC #NetflixSDCC (@NetflixGeeked) June 6, 2022

Sweet Tooth

Sweet Tooth just wrapped up production on Season 2.

The Midnight Club

To those before. To those after. To us now. And to those beyond. Seen or unseen. Here but not here. At a manor with a mysterious history, the 8 members of the Midnight Club meet each night at midnight to tell sinister stories – and to look for signs of the supernatural from the beyond. Based on the beloved Christopher Pike book series, and brought to life by the creators of The Haunting of Hill House.

Vikings Valhalla

Vikings Valhalla Season 2 is now in production.
Check out the bloopers for Season 2 below:

Warrior Nun

Warrior Nun Season 2 premieres in winter 2022.

1899

A visually stunning Odyssee where nothing is as it seems. The makers of the internationally acclaimed series Dark, take us to the year “1899” aboard the Kerberos.


Geek Fam To Represent Malaysia At PUBG Mobile World Invitational 2021

PUBG MOBILE and Gamers without Borders have revealed the first-ever PUBG Mobile World Invitational (PMWI), which will see 32 teams representing their countries for a US$3 million charity pool starting on 22 July 2021.
The PMWI will be an online event split into two divisions, East and West, with a champion being crowned for each. The top teams from each division will be able to choose from multiple Humanitarian Aid organisations to receive its prize pool share, supporting PMWI and Gamers Without Borders mission of fighting COVID-19.
James Yang, Director of PUBG MOBILE Global EsportsÂ said:

â€œFollowing the success of PUBG MOBILE World League Season Zero and PUBG MOBILE Global Championship in 2020, I am excited to share that we are yet again expanding our global tournament offering with the World Invitational.
We are dedicated alongside Gamers Without Borders to continuing the fight against COVID and thrilled to announce the US$3 Million charity donation being made as part of the tournament.”

Gamers Without Borders will be making a US$3 million donation to the overall prize pool. Itâ€™s a charity esports festival organised by SAFEIS (the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports) and ESL, which helps the mission to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to underdeveloped countries.
Turki Al Fawzan, CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation added:

â€œIt’s great to see a partnership between PUBG Mobile and Gamers Without Borders to unite gamers for a good cause.
The impact Gamers Without Borders had in its first edition motivated us to continue the journey this year.
Now, with Tencent supporting the cause through this partnership, we can further spread the message to leave no one behind while delivering a unique esports competition for our viewers.â€

The PMWI will be held from 22 to 25 July 2021 and divided into East and West tournaments with US$1.5 Million awarded to each team. The 16 teams in each tournament will go head to head across 20 matches and three maps including Erangel, Sanhok and Miramar.
Here is the full list of teams that will be competing:

PMWI East Teams

A1 Esports (Bangladesh)
Bigetron Red Aliens (Indonesia)
BlackList International (Philippines)
DRS Gaming (Nepal)
DSGaming (South Korea)
D’Xavier (Vietnam)
Fanatic Zombies (United Arab Emirates)
Geek Fam (Malaysia)
NASR Esports (Jordan)
Natus Vincere (Russia)
REJECT (Japan)
Stalwart Esports (Pakistan)
Team Myths (Algeria)
Valdus Esports (Thailand)
Yalla Esports (Saudi Arabia)
ZEUS Esports (Mongolia)

PMWI West Teams

19 Esports (Canada)
Alpha7 Esports (Brazil)
Chivas Esports (Mexico)
Team Destiny (Germany)
Ghost Gaming (U.S.A)
Team GODSENT (Ukraine)
GUNZ Esport (Iraq)
Konina Power (Kazakhstan)
Lakonostra MVP (United Kingdom)
Next RÃ¼ya Gaming (Turkey)
Team QLASH (France)
RAâ€™AD Esports (Egypt)
RTG Esports (Morocco)
Team ONYX (Georgia)
Team Queso (Argentina)
UDR Killers (Spain)

You can watch the PMWI on PUBG MOBILE Esportsâ€™Â YouTube,Â FacebookÂ andÂ Twitch channels, with PMWI East going live at 6pm GMT+8 and PMWI West going live at 10.30pm GMT+8.
With OnePlus as the official smartphone partner, viewers can also win a OnePlus 9 series that delivers a flagship-level mobile gaming experience, by participating and predicting the PMWI champion on PUBG MOBILE Esports social media. With just a few days left to PMWI 2021, PUBG Mobile Esports has introduced a theme song, BREATHING FLAME, to further enliven the tournament.
Check that out below: