Guilty Gear Strive 1.10 Update Patch Notes Now Available

Arc System Works just released notes for the upcoming patchÂ to its 2D fighting game Guilty Gear Strive.
Long story short, update 1.10 is a huge balance update with a lot added into the game. Each character in Strive is receiving a ton of buffs with the rare nerf or two thrown in for balance’s sake. The game’s universal mechanics also received some adjustments like throws, throw techs, Faultless Defense, and projectiles.
The update itself will be out on 15th October. In the meantime, here are the notes.
Highlights

Number of moves that can be cancelled into air dashes have increased.
Some projectile moves have less recovery, making them easier to use in neutral.
Time window for throw clashes now extended; it’s now easier to counter opponent’s throws with your own.
You can Roman Cancel at any point during the animation of throws (except for Overdrive command throws).
Faultless Defense now creates a minimum amount of pushback distance.
Psych Burst hitbox expanded.
Jump S, Jump HS, and Jump D now triggers the Counter Effect. Ky Kiske and Jack-O’s Jumping D doesn’t trigger this.
Jump S, Jump HS, and Jump D can now be jump canceled and air dash canceled.
The update will take place tomorrow at 15th October 3pm-5pm GMT+8.

Characters

Anji Mito
Dash
– Decreased the upper hurtbox directly after the animation begins.
Grounded throw
– Increased horizontal blowback.
Standing far Slash
– Decreased the lower hitbox and hurtbox.
Crouching Punch
– Reduced startup.
Forward Punch
– Increased the hitbox in front.
Forward Heavy Slash
– Anji is no longer in counter hit state after the active frames end.
Shitsu
– Reduced startup.
– Reduced recovery.
– Reduced hitstop on the first hit.
Fuujin
– Reduced startup.
– Increased base damage scaling.
Issokutobi
– Anji is no longer in counter hit state during animation.
Kou
-Added Guard Crush effect to second hit.
– Reduced the horizontal distance the opponent is sent flying back on second hit.
Issei Ougi: Sai
– No longer can clash.
Axl Low
Dash
– Reduced the upper hurtbox right after the animation starts.
Air Throw
– Fixed a bug where the forced base damage scaling would not be applied.
Crouching Kick
– Reduced Startup.
Crouching Slash
– Increased base damage scaling.
Forward Punch
– Made the opponent float higher.
Jump Slash
– Increased startup.
– Reduced active frames.
– Expanded hurtbox in front.
Jump Heavy Slash
– Reduced hitbox in front and behind.
– Increased knockback.
Jump Dust
– Reduced active frames.
– Reduced hitbox and hurtbox.
Sickle Flash
– Axl is now in a counter hit state until the animation ends.
– Increased clash level.
Rainwater
– Axl is no longer in a counter hit state after the active frames of the attack.
Sickle Storm
– The projectile no longer reduces the number of attacks to the opponent when it hits anything other than the opponent.
Chipp Zanuff
Crouching Heavy Slash
– Decreased the horizontal distance the opponent is sent flying back.
Jump Heavy Slash
– Chipp is no longer in a counter hit state after the active frames of the attack.
Alpha Blade (Diagonal)
– Increased startup.
– Adjusted the movement speed and blowback.
– Adjusted the movement speed and blowback when bounding off the stage corner.
Aerial Alpha Blade (Diagonal)
– Reduced startup.
– Moved the hitbox further back.
– Chipp is now in a counter hit state until the active frames end.
Shuriken
– Increased the distance from which the attack connects.
Wall Run
– Chipp is no longer in a counter hit state during the animation.
Facedown Knockdown
– Expanded the hurtbox upwards.
Faust
Dash
– Reduced the upper hurtbox directly after the animation starts.
Standing Punch
– Reduced startup.
Forward Punch
– Decreased the horizontal distance the opponent is sent flying back.
– Expanded the hitbox in front.
Crouching Slash
– Increased base damage scaling.
– Decreased the upper hurtbox during the end of the active frames.
Mix Mix Mix (each type)
– Faust is no longer in a counter hit state after the active frames end.
– Increased base damage scaling.
Donut
– Lowered the chance of the Donut appearing when there is already a Donut on screen
Banana
– Lowered the chance of the Banana appearing when there is already a Banana on screen
– When throwing an item, there is now a set chance that the Banana will become a Banana Peel.
Snip Snip Snip
– Decreased the horizontal distance the opponent is sent flying back.
– Reduced recovery.
– The opponent will no longer enter Afro state due to an item effect during this move.
Love
– The properties now change when activated while in Afro state.
– Faust now remains in counter hit state until the end of the animation.
Afro
– Extended the time until it disappears after touching the ground.
– No longer enters Afro state during certain animations.
W-W-What Could This Be?
– Decreased recovery.
Giovanna
Dash
– Sped up the timing when it can be canceled into other actions
Standing Kick
– Adjusted blow back
Standing close Slash
– Increased knockback
Standing far Slash
– Decreased the lower hitbox and hurtbox.
Crouching Slash
– Expanded upper hitbox.
– The second hit now triggers a counter effect.
Forward Punch
– Now floats the enemy up higher
Sepultura
– Increased base damage scaling.
Trovao
– Increased base damage scaling.
Sol Nascente
– Moved the hitbox of the initial part of the attack upwards.
Ventania
– Now floats the enemy when any hit other than the final one hits a grounded opponent.
Goldlewis Dickinson
Dash
– Reduced the upper hurtbox directly after the animation begins.
Crouching Punch
– Reduced startup.
Forward Punch
– Now makes the opponent float higher.
Aerial Behemoth Typhoon
– The trajectory now changes when activated above a set movement speed.
-When activating 47896 + HS, the counter hit state now ends when the active frames do.
– When activating 21478 + HS, the counter hit state now ends when the active frames do.
– When activating 69874 + HS, the movement speed is now the same as other Behemoth Typhoon versions.
Skyfish
– Reduced startup when activating at a Security Level above 2.
– Can now cancel the action by pressing the S button when activating at a Security Level above 2.
Burn It Down
– Increased clash level.
I-No
Standing Far Slash
– Reduced startup.
– Expanded hitbox in front.
Forward Punch
– Now floats enemy up higher.
Antidepressant Scale (all versions)
– Increased startup.
– reduced recovery.
– Increased movement speed of the hitbox.
– Reduced hitstop.
– Sped up the timing when the number of attacks increases.
– Made it easier to alter the trajectory by inputting up or down.
Sultry Performance
– Increased base damage scaling.
Jack-O
Dash
– Reduced the upper hurtbox directly after the animation begins.
Standing Heavy Slash
– Adjusted movement speed.
Crouching Slash
– Increased base damage scaling.
Forward Punch
– Reduced horizontal distance the opponent is sent flying back, while also floating them higher.
– Delayed the timing when the upper hurtbox shrinks.
Servants
– The Servants’ pushbox now disappears when the Servants vanish, preventing the opponent from being pushed away.
– Fixed a bug where the Servants would behave unnaturally when Jack-O attacks a Servant under certain conditions.
– When Jack-O activates Roman Cancel while lifting a Servant, it no longer causes a purple Roman Cancel.
Throw Servant
– Can now be activated by the diagonal input instead of only forward.
Aerial Throw Servant
– Can now be activated by the diagonal input instead of only forward.
Release Servant
– No longer activates when an upwards direction is being inputted.
Recover Servant
– No longer activates when an upwards direction is being inputted while lifting a Servant.
Attack Command
– No longer activates when an upwards direction is being inputted while lifting a Servant.
Defend Command
– No longer activates when an upwards direction is being inputted while lifting a Servant.
Defend Command (Servant)
– Increased clash level.
– Fixed a bug where the invincibility state during the animation would not be processed properly.
Countdown
– No longer activates when an upwards direction is being inputted while lifting a Servant.
Servant Shoot
– Expanded upper hurtbox and hitbox.
– Can now be canceled into Overdrives.
Forever Elysion Driver
– Can now be activated even while lifting a Servant.
– Increased the distance from which the attack can connect.
– Adjusted movement speed.
Cheer Servant On
– Can now be activated while lifting a Servant.
– Fixed a bug where Servants would behave unnaturally under certain conditions.
Ky Kiske
Forward Heavy Slash
– Ky is no longer in a counter hit state after the active frames of the attack.
Shock State
– Increased chip damage of the special moves and Overdrives during Shock State.
Stun Edge (all versions)
– Reduced hitstop.
Grounded Stun Edge (all versions)
– Increased startup.
– Reduced recovery.
– Increased movement speed of the hitbox.
Stun Edge Charged Attack (all versions)
– Reduced hitstop.
– Reduced recovery.
– Increased movement speed of the hitbox.
Foudre Arc
– Increased base damage scaling.
Sacred Edge (all versions)
– Increased movement speed of hitbox.
Sacred Edge (during Dragon Install)
– No longer reduces the number of attacks to the opponent when it hits anything other than the opponent.
Dragon Install
– Increased damage.
– The activation is now a more powerful attack when used during Shock State.
Dragon Install (while activated)
– Increased chip damage of special moves and Overdrives while Dragon Install is activated.
Leo Whitefang
Standing far Slash
– Sped up the timing when it an be followed up with a Command Normal 4 (hold standing far S or hold standing HS).
Standing Heavy Slash
– Sped up the timing when it an be followed up with a Command Normal 4 (hold standing far S or hold standing HS).
Forward Punch
– Made the opponent float higher.
Forward Heavy Slash
– Now floats opponent on grounded hit.
– Decreased the horizontal distance the opponent is sent flying back.
Command Normal 4
– Increased movement speed.
Command Normal 5 (HS while holding far standing S or S while holding standing HS)
– Reduced recovery.
Jump Slash
– Leo is no longer in a counter hit state after the active frames end.
Zweites Kaltes Gestober
– Increased startup.
– Increased base damage scaling.
Turbulenz
– Increased base damage scaling.
Punch during Brynhildr Stance
– No longer can be jump canceled.
Blitzschlag
– Increased base damage scaling.
Cancel Brynhildr Stance
– Leo is no longer in a counter hit state during the animation.
May
Sweep
– Creates less distance from the opponent on hit in the stage corner.
Forward Punch
– Now floats opponent up higher, while also reducing the horizontal distance they are sent flying back.
– Removed wall bounce effect.
Forward Heavy Slash
– Sends opponent flying up upon grounded hit.
– Reduced the amount of RISC level decrease.
– Reduced the amount of combo blowback scaling increase.
Jump Slash
– May is no longer in a counter hit state after the active frames of the attack.
Mr. Dolphin Horizontal (all types)
– Increased base damage scaling.
– Reduced the hitbox below.
Mr. Dolphin Vertical (all types)
– Increased base damage scaling during ascent.
– Reduced hurtbox above during ascent.
– Increased distance from which the attack can connect.
Millia Rage
Standing Far Slash
– Reduced the lower hurtbox and hitbox.
Crouching Punch
– Decreased startup.
Forward Punch
– Decreased the horizontal distance the opponent is sent flying back, while making them float higher.
Forward Kick
– Can now be special and super canceled.
– The opponent is now forced into a crouching state on grounded hit.
– No longer expands Millia’s pushbox, preventing the opponent from being pushed away during the animation.
– Increased recovery.
Forward Heavy Slash
– Reduced startup of the second hit.
Jump Kick
– Can now be canceled with air back dash.
Jump Slash
– Can now be canceled with air back dash.
Jump Heavy Slash
– Can now be canceled with air back dash.
Jump Dust
– Can now be canceled with air back dash.
Turbo Fall
– Can now be canceled mid-animation with some special moves.
– Millia is no longer in counter hit state during the animation.
Tandem Top (S version)
– Reduced startup.
Iron Savior.
– Fixed a bug which caused unnatural behavior under certain circumstances.
Mirazh
– Can now be canceled mid-animation with some special moves.
– Millia is no longer in counter hit state during the animation.
– Adjusted movement speed.
– Reduced the length of time during which she can phase through the opponent.
Lust Shaker
– Added knockback.
– Expanded lower hurtbox and hitbox.
– Fixed a bug which caused unnatural behavior under certain circumstances.
Winger
– Expanded lower hitbox while ascending.
Nagoriyuki
Grounded throw
– Fixed a bug where forced base damage scaling would not be applied
Aerial throw
– Adjusted the descent timing.
Forward Punch
– Reduced the horizontal distance the opponent is sent flying, while making them float up higher.
blood Rage
– The hitbox can no longer clash or be reflected.
Zarameyuki
– Reduced startup.
– Increased the movement speed of the hitbox.
– unified the size of the clash range.
Kamuriyuki
– Increased base damage scaling.
Shizuriyuki
– Can now follow up with the second hit by pressing the HS button.
– Adjusted blow back, etc. in accordance with changes to its function.
– Reduced startup.
– The second hit now triggers a counter effect.
Potemkin
Far Standing Slash
– Increased rolling time.
Standing Heavy Slash
– Reduced the hurtbox in front.
Forward Punch
– Can now be special canceled.
Forward Kick
– Decreased the amount of RISC level reduction.
– Reduced the amount of combo blowback adjustment increase.
Forward Heavy Slash
– Reduced the hurtbox in front.
Jump Dust
– Can now be special canceled when Potemkin lands.
Slide Head
– Potemkin is no longer in counter hit state after the active frames end.
– The ground cracks no longer disappear during the active frames.
F.D.B.
– Now triggers the counter effect.
– Now reflects projectiles while holding down the S button.
– Increased base damage scaling.
Garuda Impact
– Increased base damage scaling.
Heavenly Potemkin Buster
– Increased distance from which the attack connects.
Giganter Kai
– Reduced the hitbox of the projectile in front and behind.
– The interval before an attack can hit again after this connects with the opponent is now consistent.
Ramlethal Valentine
Swords
– Fixed a bug where the swords would attack in an unnatural direction under certain circumstances.
Dash
– Reduced the upper hurtbox directly after the animation begins.
Standing far Slash
– Reduced knockback.
Standing Heavy Slash
– Increased Knockback.
Forward Punch
– Made the opponent float higher.
Jump Heavy Slash
– Increased startup.
– Increased knockback.
Jump Dust
– Increased knockback.
Bajoneto (all versions)
– Fixed the location on the ground where it will be set after touching the stage corner.
– After sending out the sword, if Ramlethal takes damage before it reaches the stage corner, the sword will no longer explode when it reaches the stage corner.
Dauro
– Increased base damage scaling.
Sildo Detruo
– Changed from an overhead to a mid attack.
– Reduced base damage scaling.
– Expanded lower and behind hitbox.
Sildo Detruo
– Adjusted the movement speed and blowback.
– Reduced recovery.
– The opponent is now forced into crouching state on grounded hit.
– Added wall bounce effect.
Aerial Sildo Detruo
– Adjusted the movement speed and blowback.
– Decreased recovery.
Sabrobato
– Increased base damage scaling.
Erarlumo
– Can no longer be dash canceled on whiff
– When Roman Cancel is activated while dash canceling this move, it will now be a blue Roman Cancel.
– Can now be special canceled only immediately after dash canceling.
Erarlumo (First hit)
– Increased attack level.
– Reduced startup.
– Reduced recovery.
– Adjusted blowback.
– Sped up the timing when the follow-up is buffed.
Erarlumo (Second hit)
– Added Dash cancel.
– Increased attack level.
– Reduced startup.
– Reduced recovery.
– Adjusted blowback.
– Sped up timing when follow-up is buffed.
– Sped up timing when the follow-up can be used.
– Removed Guard Crush effect.
Erarlumo (Third hit)
– Reduced startup.
– Increased recovery.
– Adjusted blowback.
– Reduced knockback.
Calvados
– Increased clash level.
– Reduced recovery.
– Added Guard Crush effect to final hit.
Sol Badguy
Forward Punch
– Now floats the opponent up higher, while also reducing the horizontal distance they are sent flying back.
– Removed wall bounce effect.
Forward Heavy Slash
– Sol is no longer in a counter hit state after the active frames of the attack.
Bandit Revolver (all types)
– The second hit can now be performed with the K button
– Adjusted movement speed and opponent blow back due to functional changes.
– Now triggers the counter effect.
– Lowered attack level.
– Reduced recovery time.
– Expanded hitbox in front and below on the second hit.
– Increased distance from which attack connects.
– Increased base damage scaling.
Grounded Bandit Revolver
– Reduced startup time.
Bandit Bringer (all types)
– Now triggers the counter effect.
Night Raid Vortex
– Increased base damage scaling.
Fafnir
– Increased base damage scaling.
Facedown Knockdown
– Expanded hurtbox above.
Zato-1
Dash
– Reduced the upper hurtbox directly after the animation starts.
Standing Punch
– Decreased startup.
Forward Punch
– Decreased the horizontal distance the opponent is sent flying back.
Forward Kick
– Now can be special and super canceled.
– The opponent is now forced into crouching state on grounded hit.
– No longer expands Zato’s pushbox, preventing the opponent from being pushed away during the animation.
– Increased startup.
Eddie
– Reduced the amount of gauge spent when controlling Eddie with 236 + attack button while Eddie is summoned.
Invite Hell
– Expanded the hitbox in front and behind.
Sun Void (all versions)
– No longer reduces the number of attacks to the opponent when it hits anything other than the opponent.


That R-Type Final 2 Kickstarter Project Is Fully Funded

Back in the late 80s and 90s, the 2D shoot-em-up R-Type was known for its methodical approach to action. When other games were fast, R-Type was slow yet tense with its enemy swarms and level layout.
Developer Granzella decides to tap into that nostalgic well, but with a Kickstarter project to see if fans wanted another R-Type game after the one on PS2 called R-Type Final. And it seems that the demand for the creatively-named R-Type Final 2 is brimming; the project has been fully funded less than two days after its crowdfunding launch. At this point in time the project is now at 45 million yen and has 6 days left.
This sequel will feature more customization, new levels and enemies that retain the unique tug-of-war element and level design the series is known for, and a plethora of difficulty levels for old and new fans. The 16:9 ratio also helps.
You’ll also get to play as these fighter ships and their respective Force and Wave Cannons.

Here are the game’s stretch goals, ranging from unified cross-region and cross-platform leaderboards to the production of all 102 R-craft fighters. Yes, there’s a lot of them accumulated throughout the series’ run.

There’s no release date for the game yet, but backer pledge gifts will be shipped by December 2020. Score one for the incredibly niche fanbase of R-Type with their love for sleek space fighter jets to weird-as-heck alien boss designs.


Everspace 2 Is Getting An Xbox & PlayStation Port Next Month

Looter space shooter and Freelancer/Wing Commander: Privateer callback title Everspace 2 will be out on consoles soon.
Developer Rockfish Games will be releasing the Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 versions of Everspace 2 on 15 August for US$49.99. The game will be available on Xbox Game Pass as well.
In addition, there will be a physical version of the game coming out on 3rd October; this version features a steelbook case, a 64-page art book, and a digital soundtrack.
In case you missed it, Everspace 2 is out now for PC. The game has sold over 350,000 copies on Steam; it’s basically a spaceship sim with arcade-like controls and Diablo-like action RPG looter shooter mechanics and similar rewards system. Heck, the best guns in the game are gold-coloured to boot! And you have a slew of spaceships you can choose from like the super-fast Stinger to the multi-weapon Gunship.


[Rumour] Genshin Impact’s Ningguang & Keqing Might Be Getting New Skins & Costumes

Just like Barbara and Jeanne, two Genshin Impact fan-favourite characters will be getting brand-new threads in the next few months or so.
According to intel from, well, Genshin Intel, Liyue characters Ningguang and Keqing the lover of balls are getting new skins in update 2.4. The process is the same like in the 1.6 update: you either get them from an outfit store for real money, or earn them through event rewards.

A quick overview of 2.4:
1. Enkanomiya2. Shenhe (5*) and Yunjin (4*)3. Hangout quests (Ningguang, Yunjin)4. Lantern Rite rerun5. Windtrace rerun6. Alchemy event with Timaeus7. New skins for Ningguang & Keqing8. Kichiboushi outing event9. Electro Sigil Shop10. Arlecchino
— Genshin Intel (@Genshin_Intel) November 24, 2021

Update 2.4 may include hangout quests for Ningguang and Yunjin, as well as feature Lantern Rite and Windtrace festival reruns. This has yet to be announced by Mihoyo, so take all this with a grain of salt.
Update 2.3 is out right now, featuring new Hangout quests for Beidou (below) and Gorou, with the Shadows Amidst Snowstorms event happening later today. The gacha banners for Itto and Gorou will run later in December.


New Disco Elysium Update Adds Hardcore Mode And Widescreen Support

Disco ElysiumÂ is one of Kakuchopurei’s Top 30 games of 2019. It’s extremely well-written and is chock full of humour and drama. For those of you who already have the game, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a new reason to replay the game.

A new update has added Hardcore difficulty to the game. Every dice roll and stat check will have a higher chance of failing. Money will be harder to find and pharmaceutical items are more expensive. It’s a mode only for true detectives willing to become absolute disasters.
On the bright side, you’ll earn more XP in Hardcore. This will let you level up quickly so that you can at least mitigate some of the effects of being the worst detective alive.
The game will also now have widescreen support for all you 21:9 folks out there. It’s time to broaden your horizons and find out what kind of cop you are.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPP0Uy34u94&w=560&h=315]
Disco Elysium is currently on sale for RM52 in conjunction with the Steam Lunar New Year sale. For more information on the Hardcore difficulty, read here.


League Of Legends Netflix Show Arcane Wins Emmy Award For Outstanding Animated Program

Great news, animation fans and connoisseurs of rare videogame-to-show adaptations that are good.
Riot Games’ League of Legends & Fortische TV show Arcane, which airs on Netflix, has won a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program. The show has beaten the following nominees in the same category:

Bob’s Burgers
Rick and Morty
The Simpsons
What If?

Arcane has also won an award for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Drama Series/Animation, as well as Outstanding Achievement in Animation for the following team members who worked on the show: Anne-Laure To, Julien Goerge, and Bruno Couchinho.

Honored doesn’t even begin to describe how we feel about winning the #Emmy for ??????????? ???????? ???????.
Thank you to our incredible team at @RiotGames and Fortiche, the @TelevisionAcad, and the greatest fans (yes, you) for making this possible. pic.twitter.com/xFNWt4eNc7
— Arcane (@arcaneshow) September 4, 2022

Arcane’s first season definitely impressed us at Kakuchopurei for telling a great story with interesting characters, an out-there setting, and gorgeous animation, music, and sound work. Even if you hate League of Legends’ toxic online meta, you’ll still love the Netflix fantasy show. Plus, that theme song from Imagine Dragon is infectious as hell, and I’m not even a fan of Imagine Dragons.


Destiny 2 Fortnite Skins Are A Thing; Leaked Ahead Of Big Lightfall Reveal

We knew Destiny 2’s big expansion Lightfall is getting a deep dive later this week on 23rd August, but we weren’t expecting some of its skins making their way onto the world’s biggest battle royale game.
That’s the case, as Sony, Bungie, and Epic are teaming up to have its free-to-play shooters collab with each other. According to a new datamine leak, Destiny 2 will be crossing over to Fortnite by way of a Titan, Warlock, and Hunter skin for the latter game. These cosmetic armours are inspired by Fortnite’s Black Knight, Drift, and Omega skins, it seems.

Fortnite Destiny confirmed pic.twitter.com/U3kZeFY6l8
— Ginsor (@GinsorKR) August 20, 2022

There’s no additional info on whether the collaboration will extend beyond these outfits. Bungie and Epic Games have yet to comment; we think this announcement is slated for this week’s Gamescom 2022 Opening Night Live games showcase featuring Geoff Keighley.
Destiny 2’s crossover with Fortnite and its upcoming Lightfall expansion will be revealed officially on 24th August 12am ahead of the Gamescom 2022 showcase. This will be Bungie’s first showcase since its acquisition by Sony for US$3.7 billion.


Razer Launches Blade Studio Edition Laptops For Content Creators

While Razer is best known for gaming laptops, the company has launched a new lineup of laptops geared towards content creators and prosumers. The new Razer Blade Studio Edition laptops will actually be upgraded models of the existing Razer Blade 15 and Blade Pro 17, featuring the latest NVIDIA Quadro RTX and RTX GPUs.
They also come with a sleek Mercury White finish, 4K displays, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and NVIDIA Studio Drivers optimized for creating content.

Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition

4K OLED Touch Display
Intel CoreTM i7-9750H processor
NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 mobile GPU

Razer Blade Pro 17 Studio Edition

4K 120Hz display panel
IntelÂ® CoreTM i9-9880H processor
NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 mobile GPU

Razer has yet to announce the official pricing for the new Razer Blade Studio Edition laptops, but they are expected to launch sometime later this year.


Kojima Productions Wants To Work On Anime, Manga, And Movies

People aren’t really talking about Death Stranding anymore but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a success. The game sold very well all over the world and was the biggest PlayStation title debut of 2019. Hideo Kojima and his crew now has plans to do very different things.
Image from Dualshockers.
Last year, we already found out that Kojima definitely wants Kojima Productions to make movies. In a recent interview with Famitsu (translated by Dualshockers), Kojima and his long-time partner Yoji Shinkawa talked about some of things they want to work on in the future.
Shinkawa is the art director of Death Stranding and he’s been the character and mech designer of all the main Metal Gear Solid games.
One of the more interesting things they mentioned is that the duo is interested in doing a manga together. Shinkawa said that he likes being able to touch things directly so something more physical like drawing a manga is something he’d like to do.
Death Stranding had a lot of characters and weapons but very few mechs. The only I can remember are those boot-wearing robots that help you send packages. Well, Kojima wants Shinkawa to do mech design work and so mentions making an anime. Kojima expects that it’ll be a tough project but not as hard as a game project.
Kojima Productions is a video game studio first and foremost so of course, Kojima also has plans to make more games. However, he emphasises that while a “big” game is definitely in the plans, he wants to try making smaller games, such as episodic games or digital-only games.
I’m not sure if this is a hint of his next project or just something mentioned innocently but Kojima said that actor Oscar Isaac recently visited the Kojima Productions headquarters. I don’t know about you but that sounds like a classic Kojima move in recruiting big name stars for his projects.


Psychonauts 2 Provides The Best Kind Of Expansion & Closure For Longtime Fans

Platforms: Xbox Series (version played), Xbox One, PS4, PC
Genre: 3D platformer with psychic & mind themes, plus Tim Schafer Double Fine writing & wordplay
It’s been many years since the first Psychonauts back in 2005, a 3D platformer from prolific video game director and writer Tim Schafer and his Double Fine production crew. It had great humour, an interesting premise about powerful psychics-to-be and the summer camp they’re stuck in, and the same kind of feel-good storytelling, likeable characters, and fun gameplay you expect from the folks who made classics like Full Throttle and Grim Fandango memorable.
Okay, maybe the gameplay was a bit rote. But at the time 3D platformers were plentiful and had better mechanics, collectathon gameplay, and overall hooks.
Psychonauts 2 is essentially more of what made Psychonauts memorable to many fans, for better or worst. Personally, I’m all for it and really appreciate the updates and changes established in this long-time-coming sequel. And with not that many 3D platformers in the market, at least this title stands out a bit.
Change My Mind

Part 2 of main character Raz’s story arc revolves around him getting the hang of being an intern in Psychonauts Headquarters called the Motherlobe. After a much-needed recap and a mission that thrusts you straight into the heart of things, you find out that someone in HQ is trying to resurrect an old adversary called Maligula who pulled the strings in the first Psychonauts game. There’s a lot to unpack here, especially if you’re interested in finding out how the actual HQ and Psychonauts group came to be.
To say more than that would be spoilers, but I’m glad to say that Tim Schafer and Double Fine did a fantastic job with the game’s writing, story, and character development. The themes touched upon in the game’s story include trust, forgiveness, and cleaning up past messes. They’re all handled well amidst the bizarre-yet-lush landscapes you visit in many of each broken(?) character’s mind palaces, from a cooking show to a trippy 70s Yellow Submarine fever dream. There are quite a few adult themes here and there that are written and handled with class, despite its cartoonish art style which I personally adore wholeheartedly.
The returning cast like Lili and your old mentor Ford still entertain, with new characters like Otis the gadget-maker -whose vending machines you see crop up- to the other interns who pick on you and eventually befriend have their moments of charm and levity. The jazz-laden soundtrack from Double Fine composer friend Peter McConnell also helps amplify the comedic & pun-laden vibe the game is going for.
Of course, you will miss some development if you beeline through the main story, which should last you about 12 hours or so. Don’t do that: take your time exploring the HQ and its many hub worlds and surroundings, each with its own tourist map (for checklisting your collectibles; this IS a 3D platformer after all) and cast of characters residing in it. From the many Psychonaut agents like Agent Hollis to even Raz’s acrobat circus family making an appearance, they’re all interesting and colourful enough to talk to and help out.
It’s a pity that some mainstays like Sasha and Mila only get a few scenes of screentime, though to be fair they were fleshed out in the past game.
Psycho Powered

Raz has a ton of powers at his disposal. Apart from his telepathic melee fists, he can also grab objects using Telekinesis, shoot Psi Blasts, summon fire with Pyrokinesis, float and roll on a Levitation ball, and see through the eyes of others with Clairvoyance (and find hidden objects). New powerups include Mental Connections, Time Bubble, and Projection. Mental Connection lets Raz connect thoughts to open up puzzle areas and also traverse hard-to-reach places by grabbing onto white “thought” dots. It can also drag enemies to him from a large distance.
Time Bubble summons a bubble that slows down anything in its radius from fast-moving platforms to enemies. Projection lets you summon a paper-thin version of yourself to slip through cracks and tiny spaces, as well as act as a decoy for enemies to wail on. It’s also voiced by the same guy who played G.I.R. in Invader Zim, so you’ll be summoning it a lot just to hear its cute high-pitch voice acting all cute and berating you. Your powers can be improved by spending Intern points onto it; you can make the Time Bubble bigger or have Mental Connections tap onto dark connections that lead you to better loot.
Speaking of which, you can collect figments of imagination to rank up Raz, meaning more Intern points and access to better powers. The Psytanium you collect, the in-game currency, lets you buy items like Psy-Pops and Badges that let you alter your Psychonaut powers in different ways. Though I don’t really need them, save for the ones that let you store more Psytanium and Psy-Pops. Your mileage may vary, but savvy gamers will most likely stick to the powers they have and their respective Rank Up benefits and buffs.

These powers are used to the fullest in all the game’s many platforming puzzles and various obstacles, making them a thrill to play through and also revisit to collect whatever you missed. My favourites include one involving a “cooking show” where you have to beat the clock to get the dish out using the powers you have on tap, as well as a casino hospital hybrid where you need to connect the dots to activate certain areas.
Psychonauts 2 revels in its strong art direction, to the point where you want to just wander around each location you visit. Heck, even the Questionable Area abandoned amusement park, purposefully made dingy, has its many charms. It’s really fortunate that these many, many areas also play well. Some of these segments can come off as challenging too; the platforming and puzzles can get tricky in later areas, and losing halfway in a major boss fight require you to play through the segment all over again. Even if you miss something on a stage be it an emotional baggage tag or a couple of hard-to-reach figments, there’s an option to revisit inaccessible areas that are closed off for story reasons.
If it gets too hard, less-skilled players and most games journalists can toggle the game’s “invincible mode” on and just enjoy the well-crafted story. I suggest you don’t toggle it on; Psychonauts 2 isn’t completely difficult. It gets tricky, but it challenges you to a good degree and its controls are tight.
Thought Process

Unless you hate 3D platforming and its collectathon quirks and hub world-exploring tendencies, you’ll have a psychic blast with Double Fine’s latest. That said, you may not feel as much love if you weren’t a fan of the 2005 title, because it’s more of the same but improved upon and bigger. Also, switching between your four powers can be a slight pain, and you need to open up the menu to select & map the ones you want in specific situations. At least the game has the decency to stop time while you’re selecting & mapping, so it’s a nitpick-ey issue at best.
Long story short, this is the sequel Psychonaut fans deserve. It fleshes out the game’s lore to meaningful effect, it follows up on the game’s tale from start to its epic finish, and its gameplay feels more improved and upgraded than before.
All in all, a mind worth probing for months on end.
Pros

Funky art style & aesthetics.
Fun 3D platforming and exploring, with lovely mind palaces/levels to explore in.
Great story & colourful characters.
Powers & skills are fun to use.

Cons

May require some context from the first Psychonauts for maximum enjoyment.
Few fan favourite characters get little screentime.

Final Score: 90/100
Xbox Series copy review provided by the publisher. Also, there is a bug we encountered on our review build during the Hollis section early in the game that forced us to restart our progress, but it’s most likely fixed. We’ll be sure to update our review if there are notable game-breaking bugs in the future.


House Of The Dragon Gets New Trailer & Character Posters

The ten-episode HBO Original drama House of the Dragon debuts same time as the U.S. on Monday, August 22 on HBO GO. Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen.
House of the Dragon stars Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans.
Additional cast members include Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, Savannah Steyn.
Character Descriptions
Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen, at the Great Council at Harrenhal. A warm, kind, and decent man, Viserys only wishes to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy. But good men do not necessarily make for great kings.

Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon. But it is said that whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air…

Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms. She was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.

Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the king’s first-born child, she is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man.

Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, “The Sea Snake.” Lord of House Velaryon, a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen. As “The Sea Snake,” the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros, Lord Corlys built his house into a powerful seat that is even richer than the Lannisters and that claims the largest navy in the world.

Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, a dragonrider and wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon, “The Queen Who Never Was” was passed over as heir to the throne at the Great Council because the realm favored her cousin, Viserys, simply for being male.

Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, of Dornish descent, the common-born son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven.  Cole has no claim to land or titles; all he has to his name is his honor and his preternatural skill with a sword.

Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, who came to Westeros with nothing, sold more times than she can recall.  She could have wilted… but instead she rose to become the most trusted — and most unlikely — ally of Prince Daemon Targaryen, the heir to the throne.

Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower. The Hand of the King, Ser Otto loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm. As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king’s brother, Daemon, and his position as heir to the throne.

You can stream or download House Of The Dragon starting from 22 August 2022 on HBO GO by subscribing online here or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store for RM23.30 per month. You can also access HBO GO via Astro. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
Check out the trailer below:


The Murder Of Sonic The Hedgehog Is A Free Visual Novel Just In Time For April’s Fool

Sega’s April’s Fool gag is a full-fledged visual novel featuring Sonic The Hedgehog and his animal friends.
It’s a murder mystery visual novel title and it’s available right now on PC via Steam. The game takes place during Amy The Hedgehog’s birthday where she hosts a murder mystery party for her friends aboard the Mirage Express, because every mystery murder game that’s starting out is going to be in a moving train.
Trailer and key features below.
Key Features
-New and Familiar Faces: Interrogate some of your favourite characters as you figure out what happened to Sonic. Play as a new character who is starting their first day working on the Mirage Express, and meet the kind Conductor who is finally retiring from his long run with the train!
-All Aboard!: Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the Mirage Express, featuring fully hand-drawn landscapes and characters.
-Canon or Headcanon?: You know what they say: everything is canon*.


Darksiders Genesis Slated For PC & Stadia  This Year, Consoles Version In 2020

The next entry of the Darksiders series,Â Darksiders Genesis, has just gotten a new cinematic trailer which showcases new protagonist Strife’s personality, some gameplay and reveals the game’s release dates.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_BkKeHoTi0&w=560&h=315]
As shown at the end of the trailer, the PC and Stadia versions will be released on 5 December 2019 while the PS4 and Xbox One version will be launched next year on 14 February 2020. A Nintendo Switch version is also in the works but no specific release date has been given yet.
You can pre-order the game now on Steam. For those not in the know, Darksiders: Genesis is an action RPG in the veins of Diablo, but with a tag-team focus featuringÂ  Darksiders characters War and Strife. For you Darksiders fans out there, this is the first time Strife is made playable.
The game is developed by Airship Syndicate (of Battle Chasers: Night War fame), a studio comprised of the folks who made the Darksiders and Darksiders II games (under Vigil Games before they shut down). So there’s a chance this could be 2019’s *ahem* dark horse.


DC FanDome: Shazam Fury Of The Gods Reveals First Look At The Villains

Warner Bros Pictures has given us our first look at Shazam Fury Of The Gods during DC FanDome 2021.
The behind the scenes look features our first look at Lucy Liuâ€™s Kalypso and Helen Mirrenâ€™s Hespera, who will be antagonists in the upcoming movie.
Shazam Fury Of The Gods will premiere sometime in 2023.
Check out the behind the scenes pictures below:
Helen Mirren as Hespera.
Lucy Liu as Kalypso.


Sakura Wars Mobile Spin-Off Launches This December In Japan

Fans of Imperial Revue ass-kicking, prepare your phones and third-party region-breaking apps that let you play Japanese games.
Sakura Kakumei: Hanasaku Otome-tachi, the Sakura Wars spin-off, will be coming out in Japan on 15th December for iOS and Android devices (via Apple Store and Google Play respectively). The spin-off is a turn-based mobile RPG published by Sega and developed by Delightworks.
The latest trailer from Sega details the game’s key mechanics: dialogue choices ala Sakura Wars series, unique maidens who can either fight with mechas or on their own, and the Command Line Battle system.
Basically, there are six columns in combat. Your party is on the right side while the bad guys are on the left. Your band of maidens will attack the enemy team, but whether they do so efficiently and with the maximum buffs depends on which part of the columns they’re on. There are three range types: melee, mid, and, and long. Sword-brandishing maidens are better up-close while the spellcasters are more protected and can maximize damage when at the back.

Players can also equip Spiricle Amulets to boost their maiden’s stats for combat. Naturally, the gacha element revolves around getting maidens and these amulets. Sounds like something most Asian mobile gamers will jump onto, given its art style, contemporary setting, and the involvement of mechas and demons fighting each other.


Turn-Based Grand Strategy Warnament Demo Is Out Now

Indie studio Luden.io, creators of acclaimed games while True: learn() and Learning Factory, announce today that they will release a demo of their new turn-based grand-strategy game Warnament on Steam on 8 June 2023.
Luden.io also remarks that there’s a closed beta on itch.io, available to all players, for those seeking the latest build of the game. Warnament will also take part in the Steam Next Fest starting on 19 June 2023, during which the devs will celebrate several live streams to show their new game to the world (right before conquering it with their political cunning and military might!).
Warnament is a turn-based grand strategy game that boils down the complexities and subtleties of the genre to combine simple and easy-to-learn core gameplay with surprising depth and a high level of customization. You can play single-player campaigns, or challenge your foes in the online multiplayer mode for world domination! Pick a country, choose one of the six political regimes (from Democracy to Fascism), use diplomacy, trade, and of course war to make your nation thrive and put the whole world under your thumb.
Like a hyper-vitaminized version of the classic board game Risk, the simple and direct interface and mechanics allow you to jump directly into its world-spanning conflict without steep learning curves. Choose your political regimes (you can be a theocratic France by lunch and attack Berlin as a communist Luxembourg by dinner!), advance through the technology tree, govern each province individually and protect your land with defensive infrastructure – and when it’s your time to attack, send your forces by air, land and sea to crush your enemies, even using chemical or nuclear weapons if you choose to break the laws of warfare!
The game also includes a powerful map & scenario editor, which allows you to create your worlds and share them with other players. 16 maps and over 50 scenarios (from Roman Empire to the modern world map) were created by the community during the closed Alpha stage.
Check out the trailer below:


Star Wars Tales Of The Jedi Trailer Reveals October Release Date

At D23, Lucasfilm has announced that the Star Wars Tales Of The Jedi series of shorts will premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on 26 October 2022.
There will be six shorts in total. Three episodes focus on the origins of Ahsoka Tano (baby Ahsoka Tano!) and three episodes focus on a young Count Dooku.
Check out the trailer below:


PlayStation Productions To Adapt Games Into Movies & TV Series

Sony has officially announced the formation of PlayStation Productions, a studio whose primary function will be to adapt the many video game properties under the company into other entertainment mediums such as movies and TV series.
Headed by Asad Qizilbash and overseen by Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden himself, PlayStation Productions is already producing its first slate of projects at its headquarters in Culver City, California in the U.S.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Layden said:

“Weâ€™ve got 25 years of game development experience and thatâ€™s created 25 years of great games, franchises, and stories.
We feel that now is a good time to look at other media opportunities across streaming or film or television to give our worlds life in another spectrum.”

Unlike other game developers and publishers who license their game rights to other studios to produce, PlayStation Productions will handle everything in-house and firsthand, with the exception of distribution which will be by Sony Pictures. Hopefully, that means we won’t be getting duds like Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed (2016) and Blizzard’s Warcraft (2016).
Qizilbash said:

“Instead of licensing our IP out to studios, we felt the better approach was for us to develop and produce for ourselves.
One, because weâ€™re more familiar, but also because we know what the PlayStation community loves.”

He also revealed that they have actually been working on PlayStation Productions for the past two years by spending time consulting with professionals in the movie and TV industries like writers, directors, and producers.
According to Layden, PlayStation Productions is looking to Marvel Studios for inspiration and wants to do for games like what they did for comics with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He also reassured gamers that they have a plan to make sure that they’ll avoid the dreaded video game curse.

“You can see just by watching older video game adaptations that the screenwriter or director didnâ€™t understand that world or the gaming thing. The real challenge is, how do you take 80 hours of gameplay and make it into a movie?
The answer is, you donâ€™t. What you do is you take that ethos you write from there specifically for the film audience. You donâ€™t try to retell the game in a movie.”

This news is huge for not only for the PlayStation brand but also the games industry as a whole. Games, just like comics and books, are ripe for adaptation in other mediums but have lacked the same amount of attention and care.
Most recently, I found Detective Pikachu to be a step in the right direction, although it still could have been a lot better (check out the full review here). However, with the rise of PlayStation Productions, perhaps video game movies will be just as popular as comic book movies in the future.


CEO Fighting Game Championships 2023 Schedule, Livestream, & Results

Community Effort Orlando Fighting Game Championships, or CEO for short, is a pretty big deal for many fighting game fans and tournament players. The massive fighting game tournament features not just esports mainstays like Tekken 7, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Guilty Gear Strive, but also Street Fighter 6 which made its debut on 2nd June.
Also, there are a ton of high-level players in the tournament, mostly for Street Fighter 6 since sign-up numbers are close to 1,100 participants when compared with other titles. These top contenders include RB|Arslan Ash, Bandits|MenaRD, Punk, Kiba|Kkokkoma, XSET|iDom, 00|Phenom, Liquid|Riddles, GIA|Shanks, NuckleDu, FLY|Jmook, KDF|Ulsan, RB|Plup, Liquid|Hungrybox, Bandits|Caba, UYU|Jeondding, Talon|Book, RB|Anakin, Wizzrobe, Wero Asamiya, THY|Chikurin, A Foxy Grampa, Joey Fury, TUE|Shadow20z, END|Shine, Justin Wong, CRaZY|SuperAkouma, KS|Rikemansbarnet, Proton|Coach Steve, Seis Mx, Rise|Inzem, Justakid, Varrel|Pinya, Mao, Nephew, RR|Mono, Zane, FG|Marvelo, OD|FullAuto, KDF|CBM, KaneBlueRiver, Supernoon, LegendaryyPred, Smug, Liquid|Dabuz, Jibrill, Solstice, wG|ApolloKage, ScrawtVermillion, RocklandKyo, 26R|MuteAce, RayRay, 00|Veggey, HB|Docta Afrikan E.X., HawaiianShirtMan, PAR|Ty, JurassicOri, Falcon|Ghirlanda, Dragons|Raef, TUE|Genghis D0n, GOH|Yurikov, Flocker, Comite|FKang, Dinasty|Gummy, TDC|Mystic, GHZ|Chino Funkey, GCYoshi13, and NoelBHungry, to name just a few.

Schedule
GMT+8: Add 12 hours.

How To Watch CEO 2023
Watch the CEO 2023 livestream below.
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CEO 2023 Results & Highlights

Street Fighter 6
1. Bandits|MenaRD
2. Nephew (Juri)
3.Punk (Cammy, Juri)
4. StickyFingers (Manon)
5. Bandits|Caba (Guile)
5. XSET|iDom (Manon, Juri)
7. Zeke (Juri)
7. Goatgloat (Juri)
Tekken 7
1. DH|JeonDDing (Julia, Eddy)
2. KDF|CBM (Noctis)
3. Varrel|Pinya (Master Raven)
4. Kiba|Kkokkoma (Feng, Kunimitsu, Lidia)
5. PAR|PhiDX (Noctis)
5. THY|Chikurin (Leroy, Geese)
7. RB|Arslan Ash (Kunimitsu)
7. Falcon|Ghirlanda (Katarina)
Guilty Gear Strive
1. Eddventure (Jack-O)
2. TNS|MFCR (Leo)
3. FG|Marvelo (Chipp)
4. Supernoon (Bridget, Ramletal)
5. NE|Testyourluck (Nagoriyuki)
5. Dejojo (Baiken)
7. BC|LordKnight (Baiken)
7. FG|Kreator (Giovanna)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
1. Liquid|Dabuz (Rosalina & Luma, Olimar, Min Min)
2. Liquid|Riddles (Kazuya, Terry)
3. iXA|Yaura (Samus)
4. MVD (Snake)
5. CF|Riku (Steve)
5. wG|ApolloKage (Snake)
7. NS|BeastModePaul (Hero, Sephiroth)
7. 26R|Esam (Pikachu)
The King of Fighters XV
1. CN|Wero Asamiya (Kyo, B. Jenet, Iori)
2. GHZ|Chino Funkey (Ralf, Clark, Heidern)
3. Cornite|FKang (Joe, Kyo, Chizuru | Kyo, Chizuru, Krohnen | Others)
4. ON|RocklandKyo (Benimaru, Shun’ei, Iori)
5. TN|Yurikov (Meitenkun, Luong, B. Jenet | Meitenkun, Luong, Isla)
5. RB|Arslan Ash (Kyo, B. Jenet, Athena | King, Athena, Krohnen | Others)
7. Dinasty|Gummy (Chizuru, Krohnen, B. Jenet)
7. Proton|Coach Steve (Orochi Yashiro, Ryo, Krohnen)


Riot To Record Valorant Voice Chat To Root Out Toxic Players

Talk about taking drastic measures. Riot Games, the studio behind League of Legends, will start recording voice chat in its hit multiplayer online shooter Valorant for moderation purposes.
If you want to opt out of being recorded, you will have to not use the voice chat in the game. Here’s the company’s official statement:
“We know disruptive behaviour using our voice chat is a concern for a lot of players, and weâ€™re committed to addressing it more effectively.
In order for us to take action against players who use voice comms to harass others, use hate speech, or otherwise disrupt your experience, we need to know what those players are saying.”
I can’t imagine why Riot would go through such Orwellian lengths & short-term solutions to curb voice chat. Oh right: its games (and others like Dota 2) attract the worst of people due to their low ceiling of entry (they’re F2P). Exhibit #A, out of many, many more.

Today's?: It's like this MOST of the time on solo queue voice comms REGARDLESS of the game I'm playing. I usually don't give in to this like in the video; I'm silent in an attempt to not incite more. Inevitably you get to a point where you have to mute them. More perspective: pic.twitter.com/7ruWcI78tL
— Tea ?? (@Evergreenily) April 24, 2020

It’s insane, yes, but opting out of voice chat in a co-op game like Valorant that demands coordination will be a detriment. But so far, the response from players has been positive:

If people haven't heard this story: I had to quit playing VALORANT because of voice chat. 3+ yrs of being a female shotcaller in Overwatch did not prepare me for the absolute vile trash that sits in that game. Maybe this'll get me back. Not gonna lie.
— Liz Richardson (@mizliz_) April 30, 2021

So unless you know a better way to weed out toxic players via voice chat recording, Riot Games is going through with this move. It’s their game, and they have cultivated this sort of toxicity since the LoL days, so now it’s just them doing drastic clean-up. Better late than never, I suppose.


House Of The Dragon Season Two Has Begun Production

Fans of Game of Thrones who loved the prequel series should be happy with this new tidbit from HBO.
HBO has announced that House Of The Dragon’s second season has started production, along with the first official picture from said season. It’s the Iron Throne, basically.

Here’s a quote from co-creator/showrunner Ryan Condal:
“House of the Dragon has returned. We are thrilled to be shooting again with members of our original family as well as new talents on both sides of the camera. All your favourite characters will soon be conspiring at the council tables, marching with their armies, and riding their dragons into battle. We can’t wait to share what we have in store.”
The next season will feature two emerging directors B Welby and Ebele Tate to hone their skills for the show’s episodes. Season 2’s cast includes Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast include Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham.
If you need to catch up on your Targaryen dynasty drama and backstabbing showcase, you can watch House of the Dragon on HBO and HBO Go. Or just read our review here.


Sony Unveils First Look Teaser For The Gran Turismo Movie

During the Sony CES 2023 press conference, Sony Pictures unveiled our first look at the upcoming Gran Turismo movie, as well as its official logo.
Back in November 2022, it was announced that Guardians Of The Galaxy and Shazam star Djimon Hounsou and former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner have joined the cast of Gran Turismo, the live-action film adaptation from Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions based on the iconic racing game franchise.
The cast also adds Daniel Puig, Josha Stradowski, and Thomas Kretschman, as well as the previously-announced David Harbour, Archie Madekwe, Orlando Bloom and Darren Barnett. Neill Blomkamp, best known for sci-fi movies such as District 9 and Elysium, is directing the Gran Turismo movie with a script by Jason Hall (American Sniper) and Zach Baylin (King Richard).

The movie is currently described as the tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won him a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional race-car driver. Madekwe is playing the teen while Harbour is a retired driver who teaches him to drive.
The Gran Turismo movie will premiere on 11 August 2023.
The most recent game in the franchise was Gran Turismo 7, which launched for the PS4 and PS5 in March 2022 earlier this year. Check out my review of the game by heading over here.
Check out the sneak peek teaser below:


Sea Of Stars Will Be Out For Xbox Consoles As Well

The upcoming turn-based JRPG Sea Of Stars, which is looking very sweet and nostalgic while also coming across as fresh, will be gracing its starlit presence onto Xbox consoles.
Developer Sabotage Studios announced that the game will be out for Xbox Series and Xbox One on 29 August, the same time the PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5/PlayStation 4 versions will be out.
Regardless of which platform it’s on, I’m stoked to see a 90s JRPG throwback like Sea of Stars getting more love in more places. The Xbox announcement trailer and key features are listed below:
Key Features

Dynamic Combat: With every encounter harbouring threats deadly to the careless tactician, victory demands sharp timing, anticipation, and pre-emptive counters to ultra-powerful attacks.
Engaging Exploration: Climb, dive, swim and leap across a lush world brimming with life and hidden secrets, enjoying the journey between battles as much as the action itself.
Gripping Story: Become acquainted with six playable characters with rich backstories, personalities, and varied motives as the mysteries of a troubled world come to light.
All Fun, No Tedium: Enjoy combat without fear of hitting a wall and having to grind for experience or items; in Sea of Stars, defeat requires a change in battle plans, not hours of repetition to better the odds in a rematch.
Rich Universe: A sprawling, lively land, Sea of Stars‘ hosting region can be enjoyed as a standalone story or a supplemental adventure for fans of The Messenger.
Radiant Lighting: Dynamic light effects paired with a world-influencing day/night cycle to make every area feel truly alive, pushing the traditional visual limits of classically-styled 2D pixel-art games; the only way to properly tell the story of heroes conjuring the powers of the Sun and the Moon.


Wuthering Waves Closed Beta Begins 24 April

If you’re into open-world action RPGs, you might want to check out Wuthering Waves by Kuro Game. The game is hosting a closed beta test that’ll run from 24 April at 5:00 PM (PT) / 8:00 PM (ET) / 25 April at 8:00 AM (UTC+8) on PC, iOS, and Android.
If you want to participate, make sure to register on their official website before 14 April at 7:00 PM (PT) / 11:00 PM (ET) or 15 April at 11:00 AM (UTC+8).

Here are some quick answers to frequently asked questions about the beta test:

The closed beta test will only be available for limited testers, and all data will be deleted after the test.
The test is only available for testers in the U.S. and Canada districts due to IP limitations and localization progress.
You can’t change the information you submitted with the survey of the closed beta test, so make sure to double-check everything before submitting.
If you’re selected for multiple platforms, the company will send you detailed instructions for the relevant platform.
There are minimum device requirements for Android, iOS, and PC, so check those out before registering.
Each tester can only have one device on both PC and mobile platforms for the test, and you can’t change the device once you’ve logged in.
You can live stream, screenshot, and record content during the test, but keep in mind that the game is still under development, so the content may not represent the final quality of the game.


Nintendo Switch China Sales Reach Major Milestone

Nintendo and Tencent have announced that they have shipped more than one million Nintendo Switch consoles in China. This is about a year and more after the hybrid console officially launched in China back in December 2019, about two years later than the rest of the world.
According to Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad (via Reuters), these official figures suggest that the sales of the Nintendo Switch are larger than the combined sales of the PS4 and Xbox One within the same timeframe. While early sales of the Nintendo Switch were slow, they began to increase exponentially following the release of Ring Fit Adventure in China.

We estimate, when accounting for grey market units imported into Mainland China since 2017, that the total installed base of the Nintendo Switch in the country is over 4 million units.
It is already the market leader in China.
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) January 11, 2021

This is good news for the console gaming industry in China, where mobile and PC gaming reign supreme. The feat is even more impressive considering that the Nintendo Switch’s official game offerings in China are limited. Plus, millions of other gamers in the country have already obtained one via the black/grey market in the two-year span of time between its original launch in 2017 and its official Chinese launch in 2019.
Based on forecasts made by Niko Partners, Chinaâ€™s console market revenue will reach a whopping US$2.15 billion in 2024, which will be double that of 2019. This can be attributed to the success of Switch and the launches of the next-generation consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.


Here Are All The Highlights From Today’s Xbox Series X 2020 Showcase

The Inside Xbox Presents First Look Xbox Series X Gameplay live stream earlier today have given us our first taste of games coming to the upcoming next-gen console. The presentation showcased a bunch of titles featuring in-engine ‘gameplay’ footage, or rather, what they’re expected to look like running on the Xbox Series X.
Keep in mind that all of the games listed below are from third-party developers, which means that they will likely be released on other platforms like the PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, or PC as well. They are NOT Xbox exclusives.
Check out my full recap and roundup of the Inside Xbox Series X 2020 below:
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

Ubisoft unveiled our first look at ‘gameplay’ footage from the upcoming Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla. However, instead of actual unfiltered gameplay footage, the trailer simply features what seems to be staged gameplay segments with the UI stripped from them, which is not what fans expect when they hear the word ‘gameplay’.
We do get to see Stonehenge, several combat sequences and a clearer look at protagonist Eivor’s raven companion. It is slated to launch for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X sometime in Holiday 2020.
For more on everything, we know so far about Assassinâ€™s Creed Valhalla (including gameplay details and different editions), head on over here.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qloV1QSgi7g&w=560&h=315]
Bright Memory: Infinite

Bright Memory: Infinite is an all-new lightning-fast fusion of the FPS and action genres, created by the one-man FYQD-Studio. The gameplay reminds me of games like Bulletstorm or Shadow Warrior, with its fast and furious combo-heavy first-person combat.
It is set in a sprawling, futuristic metropolis in the year 2036, where a strange phenomenon for which scientists can find no explanation has occurred in the skies around the world. The Supernatural Science Research Organization (SRO) has sent agents out to various regions to investigate this phenomenon.
It is slated to launch for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X, but an official release date or window for the game has yet to be revealed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtwPMBdgPGE&w=560&h=315]
DIRT 5

DIRT 5 is the bold new off-road racing experience created by Codemasters, where players can drive the widest roster of cars from rally icons and trucks to GT heroes and more, as well as play through a star-studded Career, four-player split-screen, innovative online modes, livery editor and more new features.
It is slated to launch for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X sometime in October 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWqWXlS2NxM&w=560&h=315]
Scorn

Developed by Ebb Software, Scorn is set in a nightmarish universe of odd forms and sombre tapestry. It is designed around the idea of “being thrown into the world”. Isolated and lost inside this dream-like world, you will explore different interconnected regions in a non-linear fashion. Every location contains its own theme, puzzles and characters that are integral in creating a cohesive world.
It is slated to launch for the Xbox Series X, but an official release date or window for the game has yet to be revealed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9eg7Pzk15g&w=560&h=315]
Chorus

Chorus is a new space-flight combat shooter releasing in 2021. Become Nara and Forsaken, her sentient starfighter, on a compelling, personal journey of redemption.
Unlock devastating weapons and mind-bending abilities in a true evolution of the space-combat shooter. Explore breath-taking interstellar vistas, ancient temples and venture beyond our waking reality. Outgun, outwit, and outmanoeuvre your enemies in an epic quest to free the galaxy from oppression.
It is slated to launch for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X, but an official release date or window for the game has yet to be revealed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnRy-waJBjA&w=560&h=315]
Madden NFL 21

Super Bowl MVP and Madden NFL 20 cover athlete Patrick Mahomes unveiled that Madden NFL 21 is coming to the Xbox Series X. More information will be revealed during the EA Play 2020 live stream in June 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD4kh3-74a8&w=560&h=315]
Vampire: The Masquerade â€“ Bloodlines 2

Developed by Hardsuit Labs, players enter the World of Darkness and rise through vampire society., experiencing Seattle – a city full of alluring, dangerous, characters and factions. The player is one of the undead now but stronger, quicker, more alluring and with potential for so much more. Choose to be brutal and unflinching or cultured and seductive. Use charm, cunning, terror and sheer will to rise through vampire society. What monster will you be?
It is slated to launch for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X, but an official release date or window for the game has yet to be revealed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MzIbWbMFi0&w=560&h=315]
Call Of The Sea

Call Of The Sea is a first-person adventure puzzle game set in the 1930s that tells the story of Norah, a woman on the trail of her missing husbandâ€™s expedition. The search takes place on a strange but beautiful island in the South Pacific, filled with secrets waiting to be unearthed. It is an otherworldly tale of mystery, adventure, and self-discovery.
It is slated to launch for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X, but an official release date or window for the game has yet to be revealed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lq25iJbmMY&w=560&h=315]
The Ascent

The Ascent is a solo and co-op action RPG set in a cyberpunk world. The mega-corporation that owns you and everyone, The Ascent Group, has just collapsed. Confusion and chaos ensue, security and order are in disarray, and without protection, everyone is left to fend for themselves. Stop gangs and hostile corporations from taking over and discover what really happened.
It is slated to launch for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X sometime in 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32gaWV-5hXg&w=560&h=315]
The Medium

Become a medium living in two worlds: the real and the spirit one. Haunted by a vision of a childâ€™s murder, you travel to an abandoned hotel resort, which years ago became the stage of an unthinkable tragedy. There you begin your search for difficult answers. The Medium features a â€œdualâ€ soundtrack by Bloober Teamâ€™s Arkadiusz Reikowski and legendary composer Akira Yamaoka of Silent Hill fame.
It is slated to launch for the Xbox Series X sometime in Holiday 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw2DGm280Pg&w=560&h=315]
Scarlet Nexus

Take on the role of Yuito Sumeragi, a new recruit to the OSF aiming to become an elite psionic like the one who saved him as a child. Armed with talent in psycho-kinesis, explore the futuristic city of New Himuka and uncover the mysteries of a Brain Punk future caught between technology and psychic abilities in SCARLET NEXUS.
It is slated to launch for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X, but an official release date or window for the game has yet to be revealed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyCdiZ10Tgc&w=560&h=315]
Second Extinction

Second Extinction is an intense 3 player co-op shooter, where your goal is to wipe out the mutated dinosaurs that have taken over the planet. Teamwork is vital as you adopt the role of one of the survivors, using a combination of weapons, abilities and skills to take on the vast number of enemies.
It is slated to launch for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X, but an official release date or window for the game has yet to be revealed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAOPaSTteak&w=560&h=315]
Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Become Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza grunt left on the brink of death by the man he trusted most in the seventh entry of the long-running Yakuza franchise. Take up your legendary bat and get ready to crack some underworld skulls in dynamic RPG combat set against the backdrop of modern-day Japan.
It is slated to launch for the Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC, but an official release date or window for the game has yet to be revealed.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s5C-BG9glU&w=560&h=315]


Venom 2 Trailer Gives Us First Look At Carnage

Sony Pictures has unveiled the first trailer for Venom Let There Be Carnage, the sequel to 2018’s Venom. Tom Hardy is back as Eddie Brock, and everything looks as corny as ever. That is; until Woody Harrelson’s Cletus Kasady comes into the picture as the red symbiote monster Carnage.
Venom Let There Be Carnage is slated to premiere on 24 September 2021. In the meantime, check out the trailer and poster below:


PokÃ©mon Legends Arceus To Collaborate With K-Pop Group Itzy

The PokÃ©mon Company has announced that they have decided to tie up with Itzy, a five-member girl group affiliated with JYP Entertainment. As a first step in the collaboration, a new commercial featuring Itzy as well as a making-of video and a TikTok video will be released on 9 February 2022 for the upcoming PokÃ©mon Legends Arceus, which will go on sale on 28 January 2022.
This inaugural collaboration between PokÃ©mon and Itzy will mean that the K-pop group will appear in commercials and events related to PokÃ©mon Legends Arceus, the downloadable game PokÃ©mon Unite and the trading card game PokÃ©mon Card Game.
In addition, the hit song Wannabe, which has garnered over 400 million views on YouTube, has been chosen as the collaboration song.

Speaking about their favourite PokÃ©mon, the Itzy group members said:
Leah: I used to like “Kabigon,” but I fell in love with “Eevee” during this shoot… (laughs)

Chae-ryong: My favorite PokÃ©mon is “Eevee”! I think it’s beautiful with its sparkling eyes!


Borderlands 3’s FL4K Skill Tree Revealed; Features Pets & Pain

Who likes them some damage-dealing pet class? Then FL4K is for you. This bot lets you take control of the baddest beasties from Gearbox’s loot-and-shoot RPG and have them act as AI companions whom you can occasionally sic onto people.
Thanks to this Borderlands 3 video from Joltzdude139, we have the skill tree lowdown on the final member of the four Vault Hunters in the third game. Check out how awesome his kit is, especially if you’re the kind who would let his AI do the dirty work like the Diablo III Witch Doctor or Diablo II Necromancer.
If you want to check out the other Vault Hunter’s skill trees, click on the respective characters below:

Zane
Amara
Moze

FL4K

He’s a pet class who has priority using critical-savvy weapons like sniper rifles. And he has skills that turn him invisible ala Zer0, teleports his pets to any enemy, and summon Rakk out of nowhere.
Depending on which skill tree you go for, FL4K can have one pet/sidekick active to go along with your chosen action skill. Each pet can have up to one augment, while each action skill active can have up to two augments.
Note: we’re using PC controls for inputs here.
Additional Note: you can plan your skill tree here.
Hunter Skill Tree

Interplanetary Stalker (5):Â Hunter kill skill. Whenever FL4K kills an enemy, they gain a stack of Interplanetary Stalker. For each stack of Interplanetary Stalker, they gain a bonus to all damage dealt. Additionally, they gain a unique stacking bonus depending on the type of enemy killed. Each unique bonus can stack up to three times. Each stack decays after a short time.
Leave No Trace (3): When FL4K scores a critical hit, there is a chance for one ammo to be added to their magazine.
Second Intention (5): Hunter kill skill. Whenever FL4K kills an enemy, they gain increased reload speed. This bonus is increased if FL4K scores a critical kill.
Ambush Predator (5): While there are no enemies nearby, FL4Kâ€™s weapon handling and critical hit damage are increased.
Head Count (3): Whenever FL4K scores a critical hit, there is a chance their action skill cooldown is reduced.
Hunterâ€™s Eye (5): FL4K gains bonuses when fighting different types of enemies.
Two F4ng (5): FL4K has a chance to fire an extra projectile per shot.
The Most Dangerous Game (3): Hunter kill skill. Whenever FL4K kills a Badass or stronger enemy, they gain increased critical hit. damage, gun damage, and handling for a long time. Additionally, they receive a cash reward from the Intergalactic Bureau of Bounty Hunting.
Big Game (3): FL4Kâ€™s hunter skills become much more effective and have a longer duration.
Galactic Shadow: FL4K deals increased critical hit damage, and enemies are less likely to attack them.
Grim Harvest (5): FL4K gains increased gun damage and action skill damage.
Megavore: FL4K gains a chance to score a critical hit with weapons against any part of enemies.

Hunter Augments (For Action Skill)

Rakk Attack: FL4K sends forward two Rakk to dive-bomb enemies. This skill has multiple charges.
Rakk Open a Cold One: Converts FL4Kâ€™s Rakk to cryo damage.
Falconerâ€™s Feast: When FL4Kâ€™s Rakk damage an enemy, a portion of FL4Kâ€™s health is restored.
Flock â€˜Nâ€™ Load: FL4K sends forward an additional Rakk.
Rakkcelerate: FL4Kâ€™s Rakk have increased cooldown rate, and gain an additional charge.

Hunter Augments (For Spider-Ant Sidekick)

Spiderant Centurion: FL4K is joined by a loyal Spiderant companion, which will cause FL4K to constantly regenerate health. Hold â€˜Fâ€™ to issue an attack command, which will cause the Spiderant to charge into enemies.
Spiderant Scorcher: FL4Kâ€™s Spiderant evolves into a Scorcher, occasionally dealing incendiary damage to all enemies nearby. While accompanied by the Scorcher, FL4K constantly regenerates health and gains elemental resistance. When FL4K issues an attack command, the Scorcher will charge enemies.
Spiderant Countless: FL4Kâ€™s Spiderant evolves into a Countess, which will cause FL4K to constantly regenerate health and gain damage reduction. When FL4K issues an attack command, the Countess will burrow underground and then emerge dealing corrosive damage in an area.

Stalker Skill Tree

Self-Repairing System:Â FL4Kâ€™s maximum health is increased, and they constantly regenerate health.
Sic â€˜Em (3): Attack command has lowered cooldown and increased damage.
Furious Attack (5): Hunter skill. After shooting an enemy, FL4K gains a stack of Furious Attack. For each stack of Furious Attack, FL4Kâ€™s handling and gun damage are increased. Stacks decay after a few seconds.
Eager to Impress (5): Kill skill. Whenever FL4K kills an enemy, action skill cooldown time is reduced. Whenever FL4Kâ€™s pet kills an enemy, action skill cooldown time is reduced even more and attack commandâ€™s cooldown is refreshed.
All My BFFâ€™s (3):Â Allies share a portion of FL4Kâ€™s total health regeneration. FL4Kâ€™s pet shares twice the amount of health regeneration.
Overclocked (5): FL4K gains increased fire rate. FL4K gains increased fire rate after reloading.
Lick the Wounds: When FL4K is in Fight for Your Life, their pet will attempt to revive them.
Turn Tail and Run (3): While moving, FL4K constantly regenerates health and gains damage reduction. While still, FL4K gains gun damage and fire rate.
Hidden Machine (5): When an enemy has no target or is attacking a different target, FL4K deals increased damage against them.
The Fast and the Furryous (3): While above health, FL4Kâ€™s gun damage and movement speed are increased.
Rage and Recover (5): Kill skill. After killing an enemy, FL4K and FL4Kâ€™s pet regenerate health for a few seconds.
The Power Inside: FL4K and FL4Kâ€™s pet gain increased damage when FL4K activates an action skill. If FL4K is at full health, the increased damage is doubled.

Stalker Augments (For Action Skill)

Fade Away: FL4K cloaks, turning invisible. FL4K can fire three shots while cloaked, and each shot is automatically a critical hit. While cloaked, FL4K has increased movement speed and health regeneration.
Guerrillas in the Mist: Fade Away no longer ends after FL4K attacks, at the cost of critical hit damage and Fade Away duration being reduced.
Not My Circus: After Fade Away ends, FL4Kâ€™s pet will taunt, drawing the attention of all enemies in a huge radius. For a few seconds after taunting, the pet gains powerful damage reduction.
Until You Are Dead: The health regeneration and movement speed of Fade Away persists for a short time after the skill has ended.
Unblinking Eye: Successive hits on the same target increase FL4Kâ€™s critical damage per hit. Unblinking Eye resets every three hits.

Stalker Augments (For Jabber Sidekick)

Jabber Sidekick: FL4K is joined by a loyal Jabber companion, armed with a pistol. While accompanied by the Jabber, FL4Kâ€™s movement speed is increased. Hold â€˜Fâ€™ to issue an attack command, which will cause the Jabber to throw a radiation barrel at enemies.
Beefcake Jabber:Â FL4Kâ€™s Jabber evolves into a Beefcake, discarding its pistol and equipping a shotgun. While accompanied by the Beefcake, FL4K gains increased movement speed and maximum health. When FL4K issues an attack command, the Beefcake will summon a melee weapon to deliver a powerful attack that knocks enemies back.
Gunslinger Jabber:Â FL4Kâ€™s Jabber upgrades his gear and equips an SMG. While accompanied by the Gunslinger, FL4K gains increased movement speed and critical hit damage. When FL4K issues an attack command, the Gunslinger equips a rocket launcher to attack the target.

Master Skill Tree

Ferocity (5): FL4Kâ€™s pet deals increased damage.
Persistence Hunter (3): Increases FL4Kâ€™s gun damage and action skill duration.
Go For the Eyes (5): When FL4Kâ€™s pet attacks an enemy, the first melee attack is an automatic critical hit that deals increased damage.
Frenzy (5): Hunter skill. When FL4Kâ€™s pet deals damage, FL4K and their pet gain a stack of Frenzy. Each stack of Frenzy increases damage. The stacks decay after a few seconds.
He Bites! (3): When FL4Kâ€™s pet takes damage, the pet returns some of that damage to the attacker.
Who Rescued Who? (5): Whenever FL4Kâ€™s pet deal damage, FL4K regenerates health for a few seconds. Whenever FL4K deals damage to an enemy, their petâ€™s health is restored for a portion of the damage dealt.
Psycho Head on a Stick: Hunter kill skill. Whenever FL4K kills an enemy, their pet gains increased movement speed and damage for a few seconds.
Hive Mind (3): When FL4K takes damage, a portion of all damage they take is shared to their pet instead.
Mutated Defenses:Â When FL4Kâ€™s pet is at low health, it gains damage reduction and regenerates health. This skill has a long cooldown
Barbaric Yawp (5): Increases the power of pet bonuses granted to FL4K.
Pack Tactics (3): All damage dealt by FL4K and their pet is increased. Additionally, the maximum health of both FL4K and their pet is increased.
Shared Spirit: While FL4K is at low health, a portion of all damage they take is shared to their pet instead.
Dominance: Melee override skill. FL4K establishes dominance over an enemy, turning it into an ally for a short time. If the enemy is a beast, the duration is doubled. While under the effects of Dominance, the target constantly loses health until it dies or the effect ends. Only one enemy can be dominated at a time. An enemy can only be dominated at once.

Master Augments (For Action Skills)

Guard Skag: FL4K is joined by a loyal Skag companion, which will increase FL4Kâ€™s damage. Hold â€˜Fâ€™ to issue an attack command, which will cause the Skag to vomit acid onto enemies.
Great Horned Skag: FL4Kâ€™s Skag evolves into a larger, Great Horned Skag which will increase FL4Kâ€™s damage and gun damage. When FL4K issues an attack command, the Great Horned Skag will charge at enemies and knock them into the air.
Eridian Skag: FL4Kâ€™s Skag evolves into an Eridian Skag, which will increase FL4Kâ€™s damage and fire rate. When FL4K issues an attack command, their Eridian Skag pulls nearby enemies in by generating a singularity.

Master Augments (For Skag Sidekick)

Gamma Burst: FL4K creates a rift at a target location, teleporting their pet through the rift and dealing radiation damage to nearby enemies. Additionally, FL4Kâ€™s pet becomes irradiated, growing in size and dealing bonus radiation damage when it attacks. Using Gamma Burst while FL4Kâ€™s pet is downed or dead will revive the pet at the targeted location with 30% of its health, but will double the action skill cooldown time.
Atomic Aroma:Â While Gamma Burst is active, FL4Kâ€™s pet is surrounded by a Radiation Aura, constantly damaging all nearby enemies
Empathic Rage: For the duration of Gamma Burst, damage dealt by FL4K is increased.
Endurance: When FL4K or FL4Kâ€™s pet kills an enemy while Gamma Burst is active, the duration of Gamma Burst is extended and pet damage is increased. These effects can stack up to five times.
Burst Aid: After using Gamma Burst, the rift remains for the duration of the skill. While standing near the rift, FL4K and their allies rapidly regenerate health.


Mysterious Star Wars Project Maverick Game Leaks On PSN

A mysterious new Star Wars game has apparently leaked thanks to Twitter user and data miner @PSNRelease. He discovered a listing that was created for the game titled Star Wars Project Maverick on the European PSN backend, along with a logo image and what seems to be key art.

The game Maverick has been added to the european PSN! pic.twitter.com/H0wmojX4S1
â€” PSN releases (@psnrelease) March 4, 2020

The leaked image above curiously features Original Trilogy era X-Wings and Star Destroyers, which have led to speculations that Star Wars Project Maverick might be a spiritual successor to the classic X-Wing or Rogue Squadron space flight simulator and dogfighting games.
However, the setting looks like it could be the planet Mustafar, which is best known as the planet where the final duel between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi took place at the end of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith (as well as the place where Darth Vader’s castle is located).
According to Gematsu, further tinkling into the leaked PSN listing backend has revealed more information about Star Wars Project Maverick. Here’s what can be derived so far:

The content ID for the game is â€œEP0006-CUSA19053_00-MAVERICKBETA0001,â€ indicating that this will be a beta test version.
PlayStation VR support is listed as “no”, which means that it won’t be a VR title.
The Play Together parameter is listed as “5”, suggesting it supports multiplayer. (Play Together is a feature which enables you to start a game directly from the Party screen.)

For now, take all this with a grain of salt, as EA has yet to confirm or deny the existence of Star Wars Project Maverick. In the meantime, I gave Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order a rating of 9/10 in my review (which you can check out here).


Playable Teaser For Gothic Remake Released

The original Gothic was released back in 2001. It wasn’t exactly a best-selling hit but it became a cult classic especially in some parts of Europe and the US. Almost 20 years later, we’re finally getting to see a glimpse of a possible remake of the game.

A playable teaser for the yet-untitled Gothic remake has been released on Steam. Steam users who own any game developed by Piranha Bytes (now a subsidiary of THQ Nordic) will have the playable teaser in their library. Upon finishing the playable teaser, players can fill up a survey to help the developers know what they want fixed and included in the full game.
The playable teaser allows players to roam around the Mining Colony of Khorinis which is the starting area of the original game. According to Gamasutra, THQ Nordic is using the playable teaser to learn what fans really want from the remake whether it’d be just getting the same game with new visuals or something more.
For now, full production of the Gothic remake hasn’t exactly started. THQ Nordic will only start properly developing the game if there is a demand from the community. As someone who’s always been intrigued by the world of Gothic but never got to experience it, I’m definitely hoping the project takes off.


Final Fantasy 14 Stormblood Expansion Free To Download For A Limited Time

Square Enix is dusting off some of their classic stuff and serving it up for a new generation of players who missed out on it the first time around. Specifically, they’re giving away the game’s second expansion, Stormblood, for free to players who already have a paid subscription.
This DLC was released six years ago and was originally a premium piece of content, but now you can download it for free until 28 May.
But wait, before you start downloading, there’s a catch. It’s not free-to-play, it’s just free-to-download. So make sure you already have a paid subscription before you try to grab it.
The offer is available for both the console and PC versions of the game, but if you’re a PC player, be sure to double-check that you’re downloading the correct edition. Only the Steam download will work if you bought the game on Steam. The free offer won’t last forever, so get in quick and enjoy the game whenever you like!


Sony Is Being Sued For Limiting Game Purchases To PlayStation Store

Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC ie being sued in a lawsuit where consumers are claiming that the company is operating an unlawful monopoly by restricting purchases of PlayStation games to its inhouse store.
It’s worth pointing out that this remains a proposed class-action suit, so it might not even go anywhere in terms of being a legal case.
According to Bloomberg, many gamers said that Sony stopped allowing third-party retailers (including Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and others) to sell download codes for PlayStation games over two years ago. Since then, Sonyâ€™s PlayStation Store has been the only source for digital games on PlayStation consoles.
The consumers said:
â€œSonyâ€™s monopoly allows it to charge supra-competitive prices for digital PlayStation games, which are significantly higher than their physical counterparts sold in a competitive retail market, and significantly higher than they would be in a competitive retail market for digital games.”
What this means is that people are allegedly paying as much as 175 percent more for downloadable games than the same ones on physical, which forms the main argument and backbone of the lawsuit. At the time of writing, Sony has yet to give an official statement.
The case is Caccuri v. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, 3:21-cv-03361, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco).
In other related news, a Ramadan sale is currently taking place in the PlayStation Store and in authorised stores in Malaysia.


Malaysia Overwatch World Cup Alt Jersey Will Be On Sale Soon

Update 20th August 2019: Pre-orders for the alt jersey are now open! You can read up on the pricing, sizing, and then order the jersey here. Check out more pics of the jersey worn by the Malaysian Overwatch World Cup Team’s General Manager and Community Manager:

To make sure you’re the first to get any more news and announcements regarding the jersey and other related information, make sure to follow Team Malaysia’s Facebook and Twitter page.

Yesterday, we announced the players of Team Malaysia who will be competing in the Overwatch World Cup 2019. Now, we’re going to drop another big announcement that I’m sure everyone is excited for: the team jersey!
Front.
Back.
Dubbed the ‘alternative jersey’, this shirtÂ will be worn by the players for their public appearances such as meet-and-greet with fans, community tournaments as well as sponsor commitments between now and the actual tournament at BlizzCon in November.
This first, limited-run edition of the jersey is particularly special as it only features one confirmed team sponsor to date, with the Kakuchopurei logo printed just above the name set at the back of the shirt. Future versions will be updated with more sponsor logos as the team management locks down more partnerships leading up to the big day.
According to the team’s General Manager (who also happen to be our very own Kenn Leandre), this jersey will be made available for purchase to the public, and pre-orders will be open in batches for aÂ limited time.

“Each participating team will have to raise their own funds to get to BlizzCon. So make no mistake that all proceeds from the sale of the jerseys will go straight to that fund which in turn would cover training expenses, accommodations, travel and other miscellaneous fees”, Kenn added.

Designed byÂ TikiTaka Design, the retail prices and size charts will be announced shortly and pre-orders for the alternative jersey is expected to open around mid-August 2019. Information in regards to customisation and numbering will be revealed alongside the pre-order details.
For those of you who are keen on getting the cleanest look of the shirt, this is your only chance to get it. As a minimalist myself, I’ve always preferred jerseys with the least amount of logos but I understand why they’re there in the first place.

Disclaimer: Kakuchopurei.com is proud to announce that we have agreed on a sponsorship deal with the Malaysia 2019 Overwatch World Cup team as its Commercial & Media Partner. This agreement sees the Kakuchopurei logo printed underneath the shirt collar at the back of the shirt.


Indonesia Wins Big In The SEA Game Awards 2021

MDEC and Level Up KL recently hosted the SEA Game Awards 2021, where they pick the best of the best in indie games and Southeast Asia-made titles for the year, as well as upcoming ones.
The majority of categories were dominated by Indonesian video game companies, followed by Malaysia at a close second. Here’s the full list!
Best Game Design

Winner: Rising Hell from Tahoe Games (Indonesia)
Nominees: Tank Brawl 2: Armor Fury, The Signal State, Malice
Best Innovation

Winner: Airship Academy by Revolution Industry Games (Thailand)
Nominees: Tales of Phi, Kingdoms Reborn, Delight: The Journey Home
Best Storytelling

Winner: Delight: The Journey Home by Dream Tree Games(Malaysia)
Nominees: A Space For The Unbound, Coffee Talk, When The Past Was Around
Best Technology

Winner: Biwar: Legend of Dragon Slayer by Devata Games Production (Indonesia)
Nominees: Airship Academy, Delight: The Journey Home
Best Audio

Winner: Rising Hell (Indonesia)
Nominees: Noodle Souperstar, When The Past Was Around, Coffee Talk
Best Student Game

Winner: Water Child (available now for free) (Malaysia)
Nominees: Hadal, Clocked-In
Rising Star Award

Winner: Exist.EXE by Sky Feather Games (Malaysia)
Best Visual Art

Winner: When The Past Was Around by Mojiken Studio (Indonesia)
Nominees: My Lovely Wife, When The Past Was Around, A Space For The Unbound
Audience Choice Award

Winner: Fallen Tear by The CMD Studios (The Philippines)
Grand Jury Award

Winner: Coffee Talk by Toge Productions (Indonesia)
Check out the full broadcast below:
https://www.facebook.com/eGGNetwork/videos/1805085833213268


Cristiano Ronaldo’s Chrono Drops In Free Fire This Weekend

The Cristiano Ronaldo x Free Fire collaboration was initially announced earlier this month. In the game’s latest update, Cristiano Ronaldoâ€™s in-game character; Chrono, is now available as a playable character.
The entire world within Free Fire has been transformed into a futuristic slum universe. The arrival of Chrono marks his attempt to prevent the dystopian state of the universe from spiralling downhill further.
Players will be greeted with details of Operation Chrono as soon as they start the game. The main interface of Free Fire has been taken over by various elements of Operation Chrono, and players can take part in daily tasks for Chrono Mission to obtain various unlockables.
On spawn island, there will be a portal allowing players to travel between the new futuristic slum universe and the classic Free Fire universe.

Futuristic slum universe spawn island (above) and classic universe spawn island (below).
Play As Chrono Starting From 19 December 2020
As a hero emerging amidst the futuristic slum Free Fire universe, Chrono will be equipped with skills that will rise through the chaos. Chrono will be able to create a force field that blocks damage from enemies while being able to still attack opponents from within the force field.
Chrono and his allies within the force field will also see their movement speed increase when the skill is activated.
Players will also be able to battle in style with an entire collection of fashion items, inspired by Operation Chrono, which includes:
S Class costumes

AUG gun

Katana

New Game Modes
Two new games modes; Cosmic Racer & The Chosen One, will be available to all players.Â
Cosmic Racer is a limited time battle royale racing game mode from 13 December, where 15 teams of 2 players will compete to be the last racer team remaining.
Players can play solo or with a friend, where one is the Driver and the other a Gunner. The Driver will control the car with the ability to deploy lock-on missiles, while the Gunner is in charge of using weapons to take other cars down.

In The Chosen One, 2 teams of 4 players battle against each other, and players are awarded with points for every opponent eliminated. The first team to reach 40 points wins the match.
Across the duration of the mode, 2 players will be randomly picked for head-to-head duels. The winner of the duel will earn Bonus Time (of 30 seconds) for his team, where every elimination will earn his team double the points.Â

An all-new in-game Vending Machine will also be available in Free Fire. The Vending Machine will allow players to obtain items by using 3D tokens, which can be found through drops throughout the map. The Chosen One will be available from 19 December 2020.Â

Free Fire can be downloaded for free on both the Apple iOS App and Google Play store.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3vZFtOJz5vQ


You Can Start Pre-Loading Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Star Wars fever is full force again, my friends. The first episode of The Mandalorian just came out and we loved it. The final entry of the new trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker, is only about a month away. Best of all, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order launches tomorrow.

Those of you who have pre-ordered Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order can start pre-loading the game right now. This goes for all platforms including both Origin and Steam for PC players. Just make sure you’ve got enough space as the download will take up roughly 50GB for the Deluxe Edition on PC. The standard edition on Xbox One seems to weigh about 37GB.
For those of you who haven’t pre-ordered the game, it’s not too late to join the party. Pre-order now and you’ll still be eligible to the the standard edition pre-order bonuses such as the orange lightsaber blade colour, Bee-D-1 skin, Mygeeto & Umbaran Campaign Hilt, and Gold Squadron Stinger Mantis skin.
The Deluxe Edition pre-order gets you all of the above bonuses plus Crimson BD-1 skin, Crimson Mantis skin, a digital art book, and a Director’s Cut behind the scenes video.
Our review of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is coming soon so stay tuned on Kakuchopurei.