Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda Talks About NFTs & Game Design; Gets Roasted Online

Over the weekend, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park fame has brought up interest in NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and wants to find out more about it via a civil chat online on Twitter.

Real Saturday convo. I’m surprised by so much negative sentiment by gamers about NFTs. Can we chat?
Of all the applications, gaming is a place that *players* can benefit a LOT from blockchain.
Do they not know yet that there are eco friendly NFTs?
Lets talk, keep it civil!
— Mike Shinoda (@mikeshinoda) January 8, 2022

The result is the following take from the spinmaster himself:
Great convo here. What I think I learned:
– People are still learning that an NFT can be more than a .jpg, it could be a skin, a song, an item, a movie, a character, an environment, or a game itself. + theyâ€™re still learning that it can be low carbon footprint.
– Gamers donâ€™t trust the devs. They see â€œNFTâ€ and think â€œthis is another way to squeeze a dollar out of us.â€ The games that win will be the ones who GIVE to the community, not TAKE.
– Crypto miners have bought up a lot of hardware resources and driven up prices, which left a bad taste in peoplesâ€™ mouths. – Game quality in blockchain isnâ€™t there yet. More than anything, people want it to be fun.
Of course, this being the internet, all manner of game developers and experts on the field chime in their 2 cents about NFTs and how they do not add value. Even if you take away the NFT’s eco-unfriendly method of making them, they still have no value in the long run.

I'm a game developer and I actually wrote at length about why that's not accurate at all. If you would like to actually have that discussion I'll be happy to provide links. Ecological impact isn't even a primary concern here.
— doc (@docsquiddy) January 8, 2022

Mike Shinoda also added that by hypothetically owning an NFT item, a player is allowed to carry it into any game you want.
“Ah! So hereâ€™s something people arenâ€™t explaining: NFTs donâ€™t have to be jpgs. Imagine taking your favorite skin from Valorant, and using it Fortnite. And not paying extra, because you own it. Then using it in CoD, Minecraft, even Twitter, IG.
So many possibilities, no?”
That is not true. There are a ton of factors that make this near-impossible to do from manpower and licensing, and this is over a few select amount of items purposely made scarce for so much more cost-wise.
It should be noted that the above tweet from the man who made millennial musical classics like “Breaking The Habit” and “Paper Cut“ has been retweeted 80 times and quote retweeted 2,615 times. Here are a few good explanations from industry folks like Rami Ismail, Matt Mcmuscles, and Tim Spencer (Traveler’s Tale) as to why it’s a bad comparison and idea.

Mike, I respect your work a ton – but to a game developer this is you saying "you can buy a single note from my music and use it to control the space station". It is not how it works – interoperability barely works in one game series made by one developer.
— Rami Ismail (????) (@tha_rami) January 9, 2022

BIg fan here, Mike, but that's a very poor comparison. Others have already expressed this, but what you're proposing is a massive amount of work that's unrealistic and ludicrously complicated. NFTs are a waste of everyone's time, and the quicker they are gone, the better.
— Matt McMuscles (@MattMcMuscles) January 9, 2022

Tweets by ThatThereTim

This is aside from the points everyone else has made about the huge undertaking it’d be to make skins work across different games, something NFTs wouldn’t help because NFTs are functionally useless.
We can all “imagine possibilities” when the possibilities are pure fantasy.
— Commander Stephanie Sterling (@JimSterling) January 9, 2022

Hi Mike, your music has made a huge impact in my life and I respect you a lot. However as a game developer, I have to tell you that NFTs doesn’t magically create interoperability. Imagine taking your favorite rap lyrics and use it in other songs, most of the time it doesn’t work.
— Kris Antoni – Toge Productions (@kerissakti) January 9, 2022

I know a lot of press people and gamers follow me, so let me explain why this is deeply, unbelievably, intensely incorrect and near-impossible.
1/ pic.twitter.com/buNms0IKjd
— Xavier (@xavierck3d) January 9, 2022

Mike Shinoda also said that there is resale value in NFTs.
“This is a key point. Reselling items you acquired in game. These things have value. If you got lucky and have 2 rare items, what if you could sell or gift the 2nd. For real money, not just in game cash?”

This is a key point. Reselling items you acquired in game. These things have value.
If you got lucky and have 2 rare items, what if you could sell or gift the 2nd. For real money, not just in game cash?
There are blockchain games already doing this, and more https://t.co/ZOZIFWD6TL
— Mike Shinoda (@mikeshinoda) January 8, 2022

As much as I respect Mike Shinoda’s musical work, he is not the point of authority in this entire conversation. You see, reselling items for money in an online game is a bannable offense in most MMORPGs out there like the critically-acclaimed Final Fantasy XIV. Also, it’s not a new idea at all: see Warframe as an example.
File this one under “popular artist jumping on a bandwagon”, attempting to justify what amounts to a digital receipt pyramid scheme.


Your Hogwarts Legacy Semester Begins In Holiday 2022

During a PlayStation State Of Play live stream on 18 March 2022, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Avalanche Software announced that Hogwarts Legacy will release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime in Holiday 2022.
Hogwarts Legacy is a single-player open-world action RPG. While you can have NPC companions join you on your adventures, the story is about your own legacy.
They showed off almost 20 minutes of gameplay from the upcoming game and here’s what we know so far. Players can create their own character and assume the role of a new student who has to enroll into a fifth-year curriculum immediately. The game is set in the 1800s, and so it is set even before the events of the Fantastic Beasts films, and of course, the Harry Potter movies.
You start out the game by getting sorted into your house of choice via the Sorting Hat (Ravenclaw, please!). Then, you’ll be able to attend classes at Hogwarts, including Defense Against The Dark Arts, Potions, Herbology and more. The live stream also reveals that players will be able to explore beyond just Hogwarts, including iconic Wizarding World locations like Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest and inside the Gringotts bank.
Players will be able to make difference combos and use different playstyles according to their choice of spells. The gameplay footage also teases that players can learn Unforgivable Curses like Avada Kedavra, the iconic death spell used by Voldemort. Do you go in wands-blazing by using Accio to pull an enemy close before blasting them with Incendio? Or do you cast the Disillusionment Charm to take a stealthier approach, finishing off enemies with a silent Petrificus Totalus takedown? Different techniques will be required to counter enemy strengths and weaknesses that should make every encounter feel engaging.
The storyline seems to involve a goblin rebellion and some dark wizards/witches, but not much has been revealed. Besides that, players will be able to cultivate plants and magical beasts, as well as do side quests and complete dungeons. And yes, you can fly broomsticks and even Hippogriffs over the open world of the game.
In the meantime, check out the Hogwarts Legacy trailer below:


The Star Wars Ahsoka Series Has Found Its Sabine Wren

Star Wars fans may remember the name Sabine Wren, the Mandalorian female warrior from the Star Wars Rebels animated series. She can now join the ranks of Bo-Katan in the “animated Mandalorian to live-action” characters department thanks to recent developments in the Star Wars Ahsoka series.
Disney+ has announced that Sabine Wren, who will appear in the Ahsoka show, will be played by actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo (via Deadline). She will be in the lead role opposite Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka.
Sabine Wren is a Mandalorian warrior who made her mark being in the Star Wars Rebels Ghost crew alongside Captain Hera Syndulla, Kanan Jarrus, Ezra Bridger, and Garazeb Orrelios. At the end of the show, she teamed up with Ahsoka to search for Ezra.
The Star Wars Ahsoka show is set to begin production in early 2022, with the story written by Star Wars Rebels co-creator Dave Filoni who is probably beaming at seeing his characters come to life. The show will also include Hayden Christiansen reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader.


Here’s How to Get Your SECOND Overwatch League Hero Skin for Free

Which team and hero did you spend your free Overwatch League tokens on? Still undecided? We totally understand your conundrum. We took a while in deciding on which hero and team skin to pick before going with Moira in the gold and black colors of Seoul Dynasty. While of course, we can always purchase extra tokens separately, they aren’t exactly cheap. Each skin will cost you about 5$ (MYR20) which makes each purchase even more meaningful, and how to spend the free tokens equally stressful.

100 Tokens for one free skin is obviously not enough and if you intend to get a second skin without spending a dime, boy have we got news for you. Apparently, signing for the Overwatch League newsletter and team updates grants you 100 Tokens for you to spend in your game. Caveat being, you must sign up using the same email address as your Battlenet ID linked to your game. Additional info on the page clarifies:
“Your Battle.net and associated Overwatch accounts must be in good standing and you must have a valid Overwatch game license to redeem. Xbox OneÂ® and PlayStationÂ®4 players mustÂ link their PlayStationÂ® Network or Xbox Live account to their Blizzard Battle.net account to redeem. League Tokens will be granted throughout January and February. It may take several days for League Tokens to appear in your account.”Â Â
That’s two free skins of your choosing in a span of two days! Awesome!
Now if you’d excuse us, we need to figure out which hero is getting another gold and black makeover thanks to them free tokens.


You Can Now Pre-Load Horizon Forbidden West, Zero Dawn Sales Surpass 20 Million

Sony Interactive Entertainment and Guerrilla Games have released a new cinematic trailer for Horizon Forbidden West. They have also announced that 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn sales have sold more than 20 million units across PlayStation consoles and PC via Steam.

In addition, those who have pre-ordered Horizon Forbidden West can now pre-load the digital edition of the game ahead of its release.
Horizon Forbidden West is slated to release for the PS4 and PS5 on 18 February 2022.
Check out the trailer below, and stay tuned for our review of the game next week:


Ace Combat 7 Season Pass Trailer Teases Return Of Fan-Favourite Jet

Bandai Namco has released our first glimpse at what’s in store for the upcoming Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Season Pass with a new trailer. New content is set to begin arriving via DLC sometime in summer 2019.
Aces can look forward to three new missions, as well as three new aircrafts not based on any real-life designs. That’s all we know so far, but it’s fascinating that we’re finally going to receive more original aircraft as opposed to real-world jets, as Ace Combat 7 base game featured only one, and that’s the X-02S Strike Wyvern (which is itself an updated version of the iconic X-02 Wyvern).
While the Ace Combat 7 Season Pass trailer seems to be vague in nature and doesn’t really offer any concrete details, I noticed a split-second shot of an aircraft blueprint, which looks suspiciously like the distinctive design of the ADF-01 FALKEN.
The ADF-01 FALKEN as seen in Ace Combat Zero: Belkan War.
It might turn out to be an updated version of the fan-favorite jet, as it last appeared in 2014’s Ace Combat Infinity. However, this remains speculation for now, and we’ll have to wait for the official announcement in the near future to confirm this theory.
Here’s proof of that theory, in the form of screenshots from the Ace Combat 7 Season Pass trailer:
The exterior of what looks like an ADF-01 FALKEN, with its little miniature cameras and sensors instead of a glass canopy.
The unmistakable iconic design of the ADF-01 FALKEN.
I might be wrong, but this looks like an older Solo Wing Pixy from Ace Combat Zero: Belkan War.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is now out for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. In the meantime, check out the Ace Combat 7 Season Pass trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLlZ7kLMG6c&w=560&h=315]


New Spider-Man: No Way Home Posters Feature Sinister Six Foes

New posters have been revealed for Spider-Man: No Way Home. And if you want to see some of Spider-Man’s major foes in poster form, we’ve got you covered.
The villains featured in the posters are The Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), Elektro (Jamie Foxx), and Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina). Check them out below:

The Green Goblin was in the first Spider-Man movie in 2002, while Doctor Octopus was in Spider-Man 2 (2004). Elektro was in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014). Of course, there will be others joining the trio: more specifically Rhy Ifans’ Lizard and Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman. In addition, previous Spider-Men actors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield were rumoured to be part of the film.
Spider-Man: No Way Home will be out in theatres this 16th December.


Final Fantasy 16 Will Feature A Large World Map But No Optional Dungeons

Talk about focus fire. Final Fantasy 16, the upcoming JRPG sequel to a long-running Square Enix series, will have large maps.
It’s been stated early before the recent hands-on previews that the game will not have an open world. According to a recent Final Fantasy 16 roundtable with the game’s director Hiroshi Takai (via IGN), the in-game world of Valisthea is made up of a number of big-sized zones, which means more opportunities for non-linear exploration.
“We have – I think – four zones that are about two kilometers by two kilometers.
On the world map you have the areas that you can travel to and you select that area and then you jump to that area seamlessly. And then you follow the main quest there. And then once you finish that, you’ll go back to this hub area […] called the Hideaway.”
The Hideaway, as mentioned, is the hub where you start all your main missions and sidequests. And as a surprise for many fans, FF16 will not have hidden dungeons.
“We didn’t create any [hidden dungeons or maps] because we wanted players to focus more on the main scenario and not have this feeling that you have to go to this area and clear this area. We wanted them to focus on this and we wanted to focus our development more on the main areas. So we didn’t go out of our way to create maps that didn’t need to be visited.
However, there are areas that I guess players could consider dungeons. They’re off the field and you go deep down, but those are all connected in some way to the story. And they’re all expertly crafted dungeons. We created these as great places, we want players to go there and so we’re going to give reasons for players to go there. We didn’t want to create something that most players may not even find.”
Final Fantasy 16 will be out for PS5 on 22nd June. The game will not be delayed, according to producer Naoki Yoshida.


Diablo 4 Launches In June 2023

During The Game Awards 2022, Blizzard announced that Diablo 4 will launch on 6 June 2023.
Check out the trailer below:


Far Cry 6 Post-Launch Content Includes Crossover With Netflix’s Stranger Things

Ubisoft has unveiled the full Far Cry 6 post-launch plan. In addition to the Season Pass, which includes three DLC episodes where players will delve into the minds of legendary Far Cry villains, Far Cry 6 has revealed an extensive content roadmap to bring a steady stream of fresh content to the game following its release on 7 October 2021.
With the Season Pass, players will take control of the seriesâ€™ most notorious villains: Vaas Montenegro, Pagan Min and Joseph Seed â€“ all played by the original cast. Over the course of three DLC releases, players will embody a different villain struggling to escape the horrors of their own minds in a brand new â€œdie and retryâ€ experience inspired by the roguelike genre.
Starting with nothing more than a pistol to defend themselves, players will need to find new weapons and unlock power-ups to become stronger and progress deeper into the depths of the villainsâ€™ psyches. Blending intense action and storytelling, each DLC will provide a unique opportunity to better understand each villainâ€™s past, personal demons and motivations.

The Far Cry 6 Season Pass is included with the Far Cry 6 Gold, Ultimate and Collector Editions, and is available for purchase separately. Local prices are as follows

RM125
SG$52.90
PHP1500
IDR409,000
US$29.99

Three DLC episodes, playable solo or co-op with a friend â€“ even if they do not own the Season Pass.
The Season Pass includes:

Episode 1: â€œVaas: Insanityâ€ is planned for release in November 2021.
Episode 2: â€œPagan: Controlâ€ is planned for release in January 2022.
Episode 3: â€œJoseph: Collapseâ€ is planned for release in March 2022.

Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon. On Windows PC, Season Pass holders will receive the original game released in 2013, while console and Stadia players will receive Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon: Classic Edition.
The Blood Dragon Set, which includes seven items usable in the Far Cry 6 main game:

One outfit: Blood Dragon Gear Set
Two weapons: AJM9 and Kobracon
One vehicle: Omega Enforcer
One weapon charm: KillStar
One Fang for Hire: K-9000
One vehicle Chibi: Blood Dragon Chibi

Additionally, the fight for a free Yara will continue with the addition of regular, free content, expanding on the Far Cry 6 universe after the release of the game. Playable in solo or two-player co-op, this robust mix of content will include:
Weekly insurgencies: Every week starting from launch â€“ and available after the completion of the main campaign â€“ partisans of AntÃ³n Castillo will rise across the island of Yara and pose new threats for players to eliminate. Players will need to track them down and upon completion, they can also earn some new gear updates.
6 Special Operations: Taking place in unique new areas in the world, these operations will introduce new gameplay mechanics as players must snatch highly unstable chemical weapons from AntÃ³nâ€™s arms dealers and get to the extraction point before it overheats. The first two locations â€“ Mesozoico and Maceo â€“ will be available at launch and the other 4 maps will be upcoming additionally.
3 crossover missions featuring guest stars and beloved brands â€“ Danny Trejo, Rambo and Stranger Things.
There will be more to come as the Far Cry 6 development team is committed to building and improving on the core experience with new, yet to be revealed content.

Far Cry 6 will release worldwide on 7 October 2021, on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.


The Transformers & My Little Pony Are Teaming Up; World To End Soon?

Crossovers in comics are nothing new: G.I. Joe and Transformers have been doing this for years on IDW. But what about a seemingly 80s all-girls-cartoon-show that was revamped into a giant-as-hell pop culture phenomenon that even created an alternate demographic called Bronies?
That’s what we called “internet-breaking” in the business. No, that’s not even a term, but it’s pretty wild that 2020 is the year The Transformers and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic are teaming up.
According to a tip-off from Equestria Daily, these two titular Hasbro toy lines will be doing the comic book crossover in a four-part miniseries. The story? A spell cast by Queen Chrysalis has brought some Autobots and Decepticons to the land of Equestria. Chaos ensues.

“In My Little Pony/Transformers, the scheming Queen Chrysalis casts a spell insearch of changeling allies, but accidentally interferes with a distant Cybertronian Spacebridgeâ€¦ and brings the Autobots and Decepticons to Equestria!
As the dust settles, itâ€™s up to Twilight Sparkle, Optimus Prime, and others to overcome the menace of malevolent magic and machinery!”

The new series will be written by James Asmus, Ian Flynn, and Sam Maggs. The artists on this dream project will be Casey W. Coller, Jack Lawrence, Sara Pitre-Durocher, Tony Fleecs, and Tramontano, with special cover art by Beth McGuire-Smith. The first issue will be out this May.
All this needs now is Stan Bush to come up with some epic mash-up, combining both “The Touch” and the MLP theme.


EMERGE Esports Launches Esports & Gaming Gear Retail Collection

EMERGE Esports has announced the launch of its new retail line, EMPOWER, and an exclusive collection of co-designed apparel which will be physically available for purchase at its first pop-up store located at EMPOWER’s first venue partner, Funan Mall in Singapore located at Basement 2 from 22 to 30 October.
The pop-up will be held in conjunction with The International 2022 (TI11) hosted in Singapore, EMPOWER has partnered with professional teams on the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) including TI debutants ranked top 8 in the DPC, BOOM Esports, TI3 champions Alliance, and gaming juggernaut Talon.
EMERGE is also collaborating with Chinese esports merchandise company ONWEAR to bring two other top 8 teams in the DPC, 2022 ESL One Malaysia runner-up Team Aster, and the North American esports powerhouse, TSMFTX, onboard.
EMPOWER will not only feature the teams’ jerseys and a never-before-revealed line of apparel but will also celebrate and commemorate the gameplay highlights of the various teams. Both fans and the public will also be allowed in on an experiential tour at the pop-up as they relive the highs and learn about the history of these esports teams.

EMPOWER – The New Omnichannel Esports Retail Initiative
Working directly with the esports teams, EMPOWER is the centre of supporting esports teams and gaming figures to go beyond their home grounds. EMPOWER aims to enable esports retail distribution and representation through an omnichannel retail approach enabling fans with an easy experience.
EMERGE has identified the lack of a robust retail distribution channel and the difficulties of selling and buying from both the esports teams and their fans.
Currently, most merchandise is sold online through the team’s own e-commerce or social commerce platforms. Fans often encounter difficulties in getting hold of merchandise that are sold only in the team’s home country and verifying the authenticity of the products if they have purchased through third parties.
For its first launch, fans will now be able to shop at their preferred online or offline platform. Fans can choose to purchase ahead of time from the EMPOWER’s online store and subsequently collect their purchases at the inaugural pop-up at Funan. The collection will also be available for purchase at a later date through distribution partners such as Wanyoo Cyber Cafe, Reality Rift Arena (Bugis+ outlet), as well as at the pop-up store. EMPOWER will look to further expand its omnichannel strategy for other upcoming launches with doorstep delivery made available.
“With EMPOWER, we want visitors to immerse themselves in the esports fandom like never before, we want to emulate and build upon the traditional sports scene. Similar to traditional sports, we want to unite fans through their mutual love for their favourite esports teams and players. We are also looking to widen our omnichannel strategy and open more of such retail and experience centres across Southeast Asia, especially in big gaming economies such as Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand.”
– Koh Jia Jun, Chief Operating Officer of EMERGE Esports
#EMPOWERTHEDREAM of Esports
While the launch of EMPOWER focuses on partnering with participating esports teams in the Dota 2 pro circuit, there will be an extension to teams in other gaming titles. “The esports merchandise market holds huge untapped potential, and we believe that through our initiative we can empower teams to grow by offering them an alternative revenue stream. We have debuted with Dota 2 teams but we plan to expand to teams and esports athletes playing in other gaming titles very soon,” shares Yah Ting Zhi, Head of Talent and Team Management at EMERGE Esports.
At its first launch, fans can expect signed jerseys in limited quantities for sale, a chance to meet their favourite esports personalities at the Funan pop-up store, and one lucky fan will also be rewarded with a PlayStation 5 set. Other brands featured at the experiential store include Singapore gaming headset brand IINVICTOR and esports gaming tournament platform, GEMS. Following the launch, EMPOWER looks to introduce even more fan-based events such as meet-and-greets to bring fans and teams across the region together.


Rome: Total War Alexander Expansion To Invade Mobile Next Month

Rome Total War AlexanderÂ was initially an expansion pack released for the PC in 2006. Feral Interactive has announced that it will bring one of the most beloved titles in the franchise to Android (on the Google Play Store) and iPhones next month on 24 October 2019.
The Rome Total War Alexander expansion introduced players to the era of Alexander the Great’s Persian conquest, with Macedon being the only playable faction instead of the many factions available in the base game.
An iPad version was previously released in July 2017. As a bonus, those who already own the game on the iPad will be able to download the iPhone version for free. Both the Android and iPhone version of the game Rome Total War Alexander will be priced at $4.99, or roughly around RM20+.
Here are the Android devices officially supportingÂ Rome Total War Alexander:

Google Pixel
Google Pixel XL
Google Pixel 2
Google Pixel 2 XL
Google Pixel 3
Google Pixel 3 XL
Google Pixel 3a
Google Pixel 3a XL
HTC U12+
Huawei Nexus 6P
Huawei Honor 10
Huawei Mate 10
Huawei Mate 20
Huawei Mate 20 Lite
LG V30+
Meizu X8
Motorola Moto Z2 Force
Nokia 8
OnePlus 3T
OnePlus 5T
OnePlus 6T
Razer Phone
Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung Galaxy Note8
Samsung Galaxy S8
Samsung Galaxy Note9
Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung Galaxy S10
Samsung Galaxy S10+
Samsung Galaxy S10e
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
Sony Xperia XZ1
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
Xiaomi Mi 5
Xiaomi Mi 6
Xiaomi Pocophone F1

In the meantime, check out the launch trailer for the Android version ofÂ Rome Total War AlexanderÂ below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ot4jtxK88s&w=560&h=315]


Sonic Frontiers Ending Theme Song Is By Japanese Rock Band ONE OK ROCK

Sega has announced that the Sonic Frontiers ending theme song will be titled Vandalized by Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK.
In a press releases, ONE OK ROCK lead vocalist Taka said:
“We partnered with SEGA on Sonic Frontiers because we relate to Sonic and how he’s taken on the world after getting his start in Japan. We are based in the United States and have performed in Europe, Asia, and South America, so we are extremely happy to be able to work with the world-renowned Sonic.
This collaborative song, ‘Vandalize,’ is very upbeat and has some Japanese-inspired melodies while also sounding like a ONE OK ROCK song. It also matches the cool image of Sonic and his speed when he’s running, so please enjoy ‘Vandalize’ along with Sonic as he speeds across Sonic Frontiers.”
Sonic Frontiers is slated to release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC on 8 November 2022.
Check out the English and Japanese versions of the song below. However, these are only samples for now, and the full versions have not been made available as of yet.
English

Japanese


EA FIFA Partnership Ends, FIFA 23 Will Be The Last

EA have announced that they have ended their partnership with FIFA after almost three decades. The first ever EA FIFA game was FIFA International Soccer for the Sega Mega Drive and Genesis in 1993.
The publisher has also confirmed that 2022’s FIFA 23 will be their last FIFA game. Starting from 2024, EA will replace the FIFA franchise with EA Sports FC, promising 300+ license partners across the sport and the same great experiences, modes, leagues, tournaments, clubs and athletes.
The same modes will be in EA Sports FC as well, including Ultimate Team, Career Mode, Pro Clubs and VOLTA Football. EA also claims that more than 19,000 players, 700 teams, 100 stadiums and 30 leagues will still be there, including exclusive partnerships with the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, the MLS and more.
More details and information on EA Sports FC will be revealed in July 2023.

Join The ClubLearn more July 2023#EASPORTSFC
More details: https://t.co/3fi6YPOH2G pic.twitter.com/75FLzjOapN
— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) May 10, 2022


One Of The World’s Biggest Hentai Publishers Insists You Practice Social Distancing…

Everyone can play a part in battling COVID-19, and that includes Fakku. The hentai publisher recently announced a new initiative on Twitter in order to encourage people to stay home and practice social distancing.
“As the world continues to practice social distancing to fight the spread of COVID-19, we must come together and stay inside,” they wrote. “Starting RIGHT NOW, all subscription hentai is free for the next two weeks on FAKKU.”

As the world continues to practice social distancing to fight the spread of COVID-19, we must come together and stay inside ?
Starting RIGHT NOW, all subscription hentai is free for the next two weeks on FAKKU.
STAY HOME. FAKKU IS FREE. https://t.co/czMvU4AQvd pic.twitter.com/hgYf5wBdt0
— FAKKU (@FAKKU) March 30, 2020

In case you didn’t get the message, they added, “STAY HOME. FAKKU IS FREE.” So yeah, for the next two weeks you can read normally subscription-only stuff on Fakku for free.
Usually, a subscription would cost you US$12.95 (RM55.93) a month, so you can use this as a trial period to see if you’re into Fakku’s subscription products and whether you’re willing to dole out the cash for them. Expect to see the “Fakku is temporarily down for maintenance” quite a bit too, as many others are likely doing the same or are simply getting their fill of hentai before the free access ends.


We Talk To Werewolf By Night Director Michael Giacchino About Practical Effects & What Attracted Him To The Project

Werewolf By Night is set to be the first-ever Marvel Studios Special Presentation film to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia on 7 October 2022.
The synopsis reads:
On a dark and somber night, a secret cabal of monster hunters emerge from the shadows and gather at the foreboding Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. In a strange and macabre memorial to the leader’s life, the attendees are thrust into a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic—a hunt that will ultimately bring them face to face with a dangerous monster.?Inspired by horror films of the 1930s and 1940s, the chilling special aims to evoke a sense of dread and the macabre, with plenty of suspense and scares along the way as we explore a new corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Courtesy of Disney+ Hotstar, we were given the opportunity to interview Werewolf By Night director and music composer Michael Giacchino. This is his first feature as a director after 2018 short film Monster Challenge and Star Trek Short Treks episode “Ephraim And Dot”. He is best known for composing music in many films, including The Batman, Spider-Man No Way Home, Doctor Strange, Rogue One A Star Wars Story, Star Trek and more.
This interview has been edited for clarity. Stay tuned for the video version of this interview and the review of the series.

What attracted you to direct Werewolf By Night as your full feature?
Michael Giacchino: For me, it was a no-brainer, because I love monster movies. Always have, always will, grew up on them. My brother and I would religiously sit in front of the television set every single Saturday and watch every monster movie we could. Between Vincent Price, between Godzilla, between The Wolfman, The Mummy, all those things. Whatever it was, we didn’t care, we watched it.
What I think I love most about those films is that they showcased characters that had real, serious problems and issues that they were struggling with. None of these characters wanted to be a wolfman, none of them wanted to be someone who turns into a vampire or some monster that crushes a city. That’s not what they want, it’s what they are. And they’re being told by the world that that thing that they are is bad, is wrong, so the world turns on them and wants to kill them.
I always felt so badly for these characters. I felt like no, these are essentially people with problems that are trying to solve them and we should help them, you know. I always wanted to help these monsters. So, there’s an exploration of humanity and empathy that I was really attracted to in the telling of a monster movie.
The design for Werewolf By Night looks great. Was it all achieved mostly through practical effects and makeup?
Michael Giacchino: Yeah, yeah, everything we did, we tried to do practically. As much as we could, we did. All the sets were real, were there, so it was not done on a volume, it was not done with a lot of blue screen or green screen. They were there on set no matter what and I thought that was very important especially for a film like this, for the actors to be able to come on to set and feel comfortable in their environment, you know.
And if there was a monster in a particular scene, we were going to put a monster in a particular scene. It’s not to say that it’s without visual effects, it does have some, and it has some very good ones. In terms of the way these things go, I like them because they’re what I call invisible effects. You almost don’t even notice them in that way, so as much as we could do practically, we absolutely did and our brilliant visual effects supervisor, Joe Ferrel, took care of the rest for us. But it was really fun to try a lot of these old-school techniques, and we tried everything we could.
I was surprised to see Man-Thing being revealed in the trailers. Were there ever any plans to include any other cameos or easter eggs?
Michael Giacchino: No, not really. I mean, when you’re developing a story, you come up with all kinds of crazy things, but in the end, it boils down to what’s important and what works for the story. Never, never, never did I want to make a choice to include something just because it would make fans go crazy, you know. That’s not what I’m into.
I wanted to make sure that the story that we wanted to tell is being told and not being distracted by something that really doesn’t have anything to do with this. So, what’s in there is only what it needs, and that was always for me, kind of, the guiding rule for everything.


[Rumour] Assassin’s Creed Mirage Is Reportedly Coming This October

Rumours are saying that Ubisoft will launch Assassin’s Creed Mirage on 12 October 2023. However, that’s according to French Assassin’s Creed data miner and leaker j0nathan, who made the alleged claim in a recent YouTube video.
He also claims that the alleged release date could still shift several weeks if it clashes with the launch of another major game. It was only last year in September 2023 that Ubisoft confirmed Assassin’s Creed Mirage will be the next game in the series.
We still know next to nothing about the game, except that Assassin’s Creed Mirage will be set in 9th-century Baghdad and is described as a back to roots gameplay from earlier games in the franchise. Development of the game is being led by Ubisoft Bordeaux, the studio behind Assassin’s Creed Valhalla‘s Wrath Of The Druids expansion DLC.
We’ll probably learn more at the Ubisoft Forward 2023 on 13 June 2023.
In other recent news, Ubisoft also announced that they plan to increase the size of the Assassin’s Creed development team.
In the meantime, re-watch the reveal trailer below:


Spider-Man Far From Home Toy Leak Reveals Spider-UK

Last week, we reported that an extended clip of a scene from Spider-Man Far From Home showed Mysterio seemingly confirming the existence of the Multiverse in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He claimed to be from Earth-833, which is also home to an alternate version of Spider-Man.
A new Spider-Man Far From Home toy leak might already confirm Spider-UK’s appearance in the upcoming movie. Take a look at the leaked merchandise below:

ðŸ¤”ðŸ¤”ðŸ¤”ðŸ¤”ðŸ¤”ðŸ¤”ðŸ¤” pic.twitter.com/jPuLOtPkEE
â€” TASK the Olâ€™ Nerdy Bastard (@UpToTASK) May 7, 2019

In the comics, Earth-833 is home to its own version of Spider-Man named William â€œBillyâ€ Braddock. Calling himself Spider-UK, he is actually a member of the Captain Britain Corps, an organization that protects the Multiverse.

Braddock is his realityâ€™s version of both Spider-Man and Captain Britain in one, though he only has abilities of the former (Spider-Sense, super strength, etc) and none of the latter (mystical source of power). However, his reality was destroyed in the comics, and he also died recently.

Since Tom Holland is already British, he could even play two roles, that of the Earth-616 MCU Spider-Man and the Earth-833 Spider-UK. For more on what the Multiverse and the addition of Spider-UK could mean, head on over here for the full story.
Spider-Man Far From Home releases on 4 July 2019. In the meantime, check out the extended clip below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps-0CKP2Qpk&w=560&h=315]


NVIDIA Adds DLSS Support For Rainbow Six Siege, Doom Eternal & More

E3 2021 is here, and it brings with it some exciting RTX gaming news. Rainbow Six SiegeÂ gets NVIDIA DLSS; ray tracing and DLSS will come in a patch forÂ DOOM Eternal on 29 June 2021; and much more.
Rainbow Six SiegeÂ has added NVIDIA DLSS which was made available via aÂ game patch. NVIDIA DLSS is supported in the Vulkan version of the game andÂ boosts performance by up to 50% at 4K, enabling all GeForce RTX GPUs to game at 100+ FPS at 4K.

â€œIn Rainbow Six Siege, split-second reactions can be the difference between winning and losing. NVIDIA DLSS ensures that youâ€™ve got maximum performance and image quality so youâ€™ve always got victory in your sights.â€Â – Anthony De Rochefort, 3D Programmer, Ubisoft

With NVIDIA Reflex and the addition of DLSS, GeForce gamers are getting the ultimate Rainbow Six SiegeÂ PC gaming experience.Â Rainbow Six SiegeÂ is one of the most played games today and has been for a long time.Â The super-popular tactical shooterÂ is another triple-A title that is using NVIDIA technology to take it to the next level.
DOOM Eternal is getting an update that brings DLSS and ray traced reflections to the game. That will happen on 29 June 2021. DOOMÂ is a storied game franchise, andÂ DOOM EternalÂ launched last year to critical acclaim and the adoration of fans. Powered by idTech, idâ€™s incredibly fast game engine,Â DOOM Eternal is pushing the visual boundaries even further by adding ray-traced reflections and performance-enhancing NVIDIA DLSS.
This continues the winning streak for NVIDIA DLSS and ray tracing.Â DOOMÂ is another huge game franchise, andÂ DOOM EternalÂ is another Triple-A game that has turned to NVIDIA-pioneered gaming technologies to take their performance and image quality to new heights.
Other highlights include:

E3 continues NVIDIAâ€™s â€˜Summer of RTXâ€™ Sweepstakes, shining a spotlight on key PC gaming announcements and exciting #RTXOn games from this summer’s biggest digital events. Your readers will have unlimited opportunities to win great prizes like NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series laptops, G-SYNC displays, a custom Titanium PC, and the new GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. Check out theÂ sweepstakes page for details.
New Trailer from RTX titleÂ Icarus, which we announced recently at Computex.
NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, which includes NVIDIA DLSS and NVIDIA Reflex, announced their global launch date of August 12.
NVIDIA DLSS and NVIDIA Reflex titlesÂ Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War newÂ Season 4 is coming 17 June 2021.

Check out the trailers below:


Claim One Year Of Free Nintendo Online If You Have Twitch Prime

Twitch Prime and Amazon Prime subscribers, rejoice! You guys have about one week left to claim a year’s worth of free Nintendo Online subscription. The promotion ends on 24 September 2019.
For those who are Amazon Prime subscribers, you can actually sign up for Twitch Prime for free. So make sure you do that if you haven’t because you’ll need a Twitch Prime account to claim this awesome freebie.

If you already have Twitch Prime, here’s how to claim it:
1. Link your Nintendo and Twitch accounts to first to get 3 months of Nintendo Online.
2. 60 days later, the option to claim a 9-month individual membership will be unlocked. You can just claim it after that duration. Just mark the date in your smartphone’s calendar.
“But what if I already have a Nintendo Online subscription?”
No problem. You’re still eligible and the deal will simply extend your renewal date for free. Pretty handy, huh?


PUBG Mobile Teams Up With LINE Friends For Special Content

PUBG Mobile, one of the worldâ€™s most popular mobile games, is pleased to announce its official partnership with one of the worldâ€™s fastest-growing global character brands, LINE FRIENDS. The partnership will introduce the globally well-known iconic characters of LINE FRIENDS into the game, such as BROWN, CONY and SALLY in the form of limited-time themed items.
Starting from 18 June 18 to 14 July 2021, PUBG Mobile players will have nearly four weeks of themed events, content and challenges to look forward to in this exciting combination of two popular entertainment universes. This partnership between PUBG Mobile x LINE FRIENDS will feature multiple timed events that will run until 14 July 2021.

Meanwhile, several LINE FRIENDS themed items will also be available in-game from 24 June 2021. Players will also be able to redeem discount coupons by completing various new missions in the event centre.
The PUBG Mobile and LINE FRIENDS partnership schedule are as follow:

â€œPlay With Your Friendsâ€ In-game Event: (Phase 1) Come and give likes: June 18 â€“ June 22 and (Phase 2) Afternoon Tea Decoration: 23 June â€“ 30 June 2021
#FRIENDSQUAD Community Challenge: 20 June â€“ 27 June 2021
In-game Redemption Event: 24 June â€“ 7 July 2021
Partnerships Items available: 24 June â€“ 14 July 2021

In the first event, PUBG Mobile and LINE FRIENDS invite players to â€œCome and give likesâ€ to outfits displayed in the virtual shop window. Players will receive likes every time they log into the game. On 22 June 2021, players who have given likes consistently will be able to receive the time-limited LINE FRIENDS themed outfit â€œCONY Set.â€
With the second phase of the event that begins on 23 June 2021, players will also be able to complete daily missions to achieve â€˜Afternoon Teaâ€™ items. These items can be used to decorate their virtual dining table. After collecting enough Afternoon Tea items, players will be able to receive the time-limited Dino BROWN Backpack (Level 3).

Players can also stay tuned for the #FRIENDSQUAD Challenge, an exciting community event that begins on 20 June 2021. Those who take part will have the chance to win exclusive LINE FRIENDS items, so this is not a challenge to miss! As the event date draws near, be sure to stay tuned to the PUBG Mobile social channels for more information.
PUBG MOBILEÂ is available to download for free on theÂ App StoreÂ andÂ Google Play Store.


CD Projekt’s Next Game Will Be Set In Witcher Universe

Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t out yet, but it looks like CD Projekt Red are already planning for their next game, which may or may not be a new Witcher game.
Using the power of Google Translate, we learned through Polish website Stooq that CD Projekt Red president Adam KiciÅ„ski had told a group of journalists that production on another game would begin as soon as Cyberpunk 2077 is completed.
It’s not stated outright that it’d be a Witcher game, and as Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmed noted, the title “Witcher 4” isn’t specified. However, the company is adamant about continuing to create games set in the Witcher universe, so it’s likely that the next game will be a Witcher follow-up of some kind.
KiciÅ„ski added that all planned games at the company will either be Witcher or Cyberpunk games, so we’ll be seeing more Cyberpunk titles in the future too. CD Projekt Red will also work on multiplayer and other additions for Cyberpunk 2077 following its release.
While I’ll maintain some skepticism until an official English statement or translation comes out, it wouldn’t be strange for the studio to go back to the Witcher universe. I’m keen on having more Cyberpunk games too, though hopefully there’ll be some smaller-scale spin-off titles that come out in less than seven years after their reveal trailer.


Diablo 4: The Best Nightmare Dungeons To Farm XP In (Solo & Group)

In Diablo 4, gaining levels is everything. Whether you’re killing mobs or doing Helltide quests, you’ll be grinding all the way to level 100 no doubt. Which is why the most consistent way to do so is to unlock Tier 3 in the game, which allows you to participate in Nightmare Dungeons.
Nightmare Dungeons are souped-up versions of regular dungeons; they include different modifiers that boosts your abilities and strengthen enemies, as well as yield more XP and loot. But not all Nightmare Dungeons are made equal; some are better at delivering the goods moreso than others.
Here’s a quick top 10 list of Nightmare Dungeons you can farm either solo or with groups (via Maxroll.gg).

The Top 10 Dungeons To Farm Solo
Aldurwood: One of the shortest and easiest dungeons to complete. Features the Offensive Aspect of Reanimation for Necromancers. Located in Scosglen, The Shrouded Moors. Monsters & bosses include Werewolves and the Den Mother.
Blind Burrows: A solid farming spot with quite a convoluted layout. Features the Offensive Aspect of the Tempest for the Druid. Located in Hawezar, Fethis Wetlands.
 Monsters include tons of Spiders and Beasts.
Earthen Wound: A fast dungeon that’s great for XP farming. Houses the Utility Aspect of Singed Extremities for the Sorcerer. Located in Hawezar, Umir Plateau.  Monsters include Cannibals and Ghosts, with the Boss being Chief Marauder.
Guulrahn Canals: A fun dungeon with fast clear time for all. Houses the Trickster’s Offensive Aspect for Rogues. Located in Dry Steppes, Jakha Basin.  Monsters include Spiders and Zombies.
Onyx Hold: This one’s a fast dungeon that’s great for running your Nightmare Sigils. Contains the Storm Swell Offensive Aspect for Sorcerers. Located in Dry Steppes, The Onyx Watchtower. Monsters include Zombies and Ghosts.
Abandoned Mineworks: A dense dungeon that’s good for speed farming glyph experience, but XP farming’s good too. It’s just not as fast as the previous dungeons. Houses the Offensive Aspect of Retribution for all classes. Located in Kehjistan, Scouring Sand.  Features Spiders and Ghosts for monster types.
Champion’s Demise: A good dungeon to farm XP in. It houses the Resource Aspect of the Umbral. Located in Dry Steppes, Untamed Scraps.  The Monsters and Bosses in this dungeon are Goatmen, Spiders, and Khazra Abomination.
Crusader’s Cathedral: A pretty linear dungeon, with the first zone being pretty quick to explore and fight in. Houses the Stormshifter’s Utility Aspect for Druids. Located in Khejistan, Caldeum. Monsters include Knights and Skeletons, with the Boss being the Tomb Lord.
Cultist’s Refuge: A quick dungeon that is unlocked by completing the Nostrava Stronghold in Fractured Peaks. Features the Flamewalker’s Mobility Aspect for Sorcerers. Found in Fractured Peaks, Nostrava Stronghold.
Monsters include Cultists.
Demon’s Wake: While this dungeon has an annoying Slay All Enemies objective, it nonetheless is a better XP farming spot than the other Dungeons not on this list. Features the Defensive Aspect of Uncanny Treachery for Rogues. Located in Scosglen, Westering Lowlands.

The Top 10 Dungeons To Farm In Groups
Aldurwood: One of the shortest and easiest dungeons to complete; it’s better if your group splits up to cover more ground for the objectives. Features the Offensive Aspect of Reanimation for Necromancers. Located in Scosglen, The Shrouded Moors.
Monsters & bosses include Werewolves and the Den Mother.
Blind Burrows: A solid farming spot with quite a convoluted layout, meaning having your party split up to cover areas is a good strategy. Features the Offensive Aspect of the Tempest for the Druid. Located in Hawezar, Fethis Wetlands.
Monsters include tons of Spiders and Beasts.
Cultist Refuge: A quick dungeon that is unlocked by completing the Nostrava Stronghold in Fractured Peaks; better with friends who can cover more ground via splitting up. Features the Flamewalker’s Mobility Aspect for Sorcerers. Found in Fractured Peaks, Nostrava Stronghold. Monsters include Cultists.
Lost Archives: A dungeon filled with good loot; stock up your Sigils for this dungeon. Features the Defensive Aspect of the Protector for all classes. Located in Fractured Peaks, Desolate Highlands.
Monsters include Fallen and Ghosts, with the Boss being Spiritcaller of Frost.
Maulwood: A great dungeon to farm in. Features the Slaking Resource Aspect for Barbarians. Located in Fractured Peaks, Dobrev Taiga.
Monsters include Bandits and Werewolves.
Raethwind Wilds: A decent XP dungeon for groups. Features the Offensive Aspect of Inner Calm for all classes. Located in Scosglen, Wailing Hills.
Champion’s Demise: A good dungeon to farm XP in, but better with friends. It houses the Resource Aspect of the Umbral. Located in Dry Steppes, Untamed Scraps.
The Monsters and Bosses in this dungeon are Goatmen, Spiders, and Khazra Abomination.
Crusader’s Cathedral: A pretty linear dungeon, with the first zone being pretty quick to explore and fight in. Houses the Stormshifter’s Utility Aspect for Druids. Located in Khejistan, Caldeum.
Monsters include Knights and Skeletons, with the Boss being the Tomb Lord.
Demon’s Wake: While this dungeon has an annoying Slay All Enemies objective, it nonetheless is a better XP farming spot than the other Dungeons not on this list. Plus, with a big party, you can cover more ground. Features the Defensive Aspect of Uncanny Treachery for Rogues. Located in Scosglen, Westering Lowlands.
Guulrahn Canals: A fun dungeon with fast clear time for all. Houses the Trickster’s Offensive Aspect for Rogues. Located in Dry Steppes, Jakha Basin.
Monsters include Spiders and Zombies.


Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Creative Director Addresses Recent “Gameplay” Kerfuffle

While we didn’t take much issue with the recent Inside Xbox next-gen gameplay showcase, many others did. Especially with Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it gameplay snippets.
Yep, that’s a LOT of dislikes for a hotly-anticipated AC game.

The game’s creative director Ashraf Ismail and Xbox marketing head honcho Aaron “Xbox Series X Fridge” Greenberg said amidst the backlash that there will be in-depth gameplay coming soon. Their justification was this was all a marketing plan, urging fans to be patient.
https://twitter.com/AshrafAIsmail/status/1258539675947429889

Had we not said anything & just shown May Inside Xbox show like we did last month, I suspect reactions might have been different. Clearly we set some wrong expectations & that’s on us. We appreciate all the feedback & can assure you we will take it all in & learn as a team. ???
— Aaron Greenberg ??????U (@aarongreenberg) May 8, 2020

This isn’t going to affect AC Valhalla’s long-term plan, seeing as people WILL buy an AC game unless it isn’t anything like the past two entries. We’re all for hype, but next time, do prep for something longer than 2 minutes that’s substantial.


Hot Toys Unveils Justice League’s Aquaman 1/6th Figure

Hong Kong high-end action figure producers Hot Toys recently unveiled the 1/6th scale action figure of Aquaman, played by Jason Momoa who is set to appear in DC’s Justice League come this 16th November 2017.
As all Hot Toys 1/6th scale action figures do, Aquaman stands at about thirteen inches tall (33 cm) and comes with several swappable hands to go along with the true-to-film depiction of the character. Based on the prototype pictures, the figure comes equipped with his trusty trident and will have thirty points of articulation. The hair is sculpted tho – a wise choice considering figures with rooted hair tend to turn out pretty bad once they hit mass production.

What we love the most about the action figure tho is the intricate sculpts seen on his suit. Based on the pictures, due to the lack of creases, we are certain they aren’t form-hugging suits as seen on Superman or Batman figures; but instead sculpted right off the plastic form of the figure. However the waist area may be covered by some sort of material to aid with the articulation.
“But where’s the shirtless version!???” you ask? Our suspicion is that this isn’t going to be THE ONLY Aquaman figurine Hot Toys are going to release so we’d hold our wallets before committing to buy it. Give it a few weeks – we are confident a 1/6th shirtless Aquaman version with a different headsculpt is coming our way from Hot Toys.
Pre-orders for the figure is now open and you can expect so see it hit shelves around Q3 – Q4 2018. Based on our quick check, XL-Shop retails it at MYR838 – quite a reasonable price considering the lack of accessories, yet balanced with the sculpt work put into it.


Ms. Marvel’s Showrunner Discusses About Muslim Representation & Making It Feel Grounded

Ms. Marvel is slated to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia starting from 8 June 2022.
Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel is a new, original series that introduces Kamala Khan, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City. An avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, Kamala is a Super Hero megafan with an oversized imagination, particularly when it comes to Captain Marvel. Yet? Kamala feels like she doesn’t fit in at school and sometimes even at home, that is, until she gets superpowers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. Life gets better with superpowers, right?
Courtesy of Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia, we were given the opportunity to interview Ms. Marvel showrunner and head writer, Bisha K. Ali. Just like Kamala Khan, Bisha K. Ali is Pakistani (but she’s British instead of American). She previously worked on Netflix’s Sex Education, Hulu’s Four Weddings And A Funeral, and Disney+’s Loki (Episode 3: Lamentis). You can follow her on Twitter here.
The interview below has been edited for clarity.

Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan in Marvel Studios’ MS. MARVEL, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.
How does it feel to introduce the MCU’S first Muslim superhero?
Bisha K. Ali: Wildly emotional, unbelievable, and just, I still can’t believe that I’m a part of it. It’s so weird. (laughs) I feel really honoured to be a part of it and I feel just so many people’s hearts went into this and so many people’s personal experiences and people were so giving of their stories. Yeah, I just feel very, very lucky.
In the two episodes I watched, I love the details, like this one scene where Kamala falls unconscious and then her mom sprinkles zamzam water on her while her brother reads the ayatul kursi, as well as this other scene where Kamala and Nakia are rushing to take wudu at the masjid.
Why do you think proper representation of Muslims is important?
Bisha K. Ali: I think it’s interesting, I get asked this question a lot about why it’s important. I think it’s important for any community that’s been globally maligned and has been a marginalised community that hasn’t been seen in its fullness and its wholeness and its joy and its compassion and its love. We have had examples of it, but I think we haven’t had that on this scale and a place that has this much audience like Marvel does.
That’s incredibly important to me. Also, it’s just because that’s part of our lives and part of who we are. There’s nothing scary about it, there’s nothing terrifying about it, there’s nothing alien about it.
Like teenagers doing wudu really fast, don’t tell me you’ve never been late to masjid and been like, “oh my god, I’m so late, let’s go!” Those scenes felt really specific and I think we talked about it in the writers’ room and we were like, they’re beautiful and small moments but they mean so much to us that we get to put them on screen, and that the whole team at Marvel was like, “yeah, let’s do it!”.
It’s just a thrill, it’s so thrilling. And thank you for noticing the details! It was awesome that you did, it made me so happy when you brought that up, thank you!
Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan in Marvel Studios’ MS. MARVEL. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.
Now that the  MCU has all these Norse gods and Egyptian gods literally walking around. How did you balance those more fantastic elements with presenting the Muslim faith in a more grounded way?
Bisha K. Ali: Absolutely, great question, actually. The way to approach it that we did, I think, was that being Muslim was just part of her (Kamala Khan) life. She goes to masjid, she comes back home, there’s Eid, we all know there’s Eid, she goes to Eid, she participates in that, it’s just a part of her grounded everyday life.
She’s not a superhero because she’s Muslim. That’s not what’s happening here. She is a teenage girl who is Muslim from that community and I think there’s a big difference. And so, making sure all those things are grounded and a big part of her normal life and some of the things that influences her in terms of her emotional life and her spiritual life.
Those things are there, but those aren’t presented as fantastical elements that are part of mythology in any way. I think that line was really important for us to hold, and also, it’s just a part of her everyday life, right. Representing it in that way felt so important for so many reasons, but I think one of those reasons were the reason that you brought up today.
How do you think Ms. Marvel will resonate with viewers in general?
Bisha K. Ali: I hope she just brings people joy. She brings me so much joy, she’s so alive, so vibrant, so optimistic and so compassionate. I think those are really important values and really important traits that I don’t necessarily have (laughs). I think that’s aspirational to me, and I just hope that she just fills people with that feeling and she’s someone you’ll enjoy hanging out with and wanna spend time with. You just want to be in her world, I really hope that’s what she brings to audiences and that’s certainly what she brought to my life.


Gods Will Fall Is A Brutal Celtic Rogue-Like That Mostly Frustrates

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, PC
Genre: Action-Adventure RPG Hack And Slash
Oh, look, it’s another rogue-like action-adventure hack and slash dungeon crawler. We’ve had Greek mythology with Supergiant Games’ Hades and we’ve had Slavic culture with Breadcrumbs Interactive’s Yaga, but now UK-based developer Clever Beans have arrived with a unique twist for their game, Gods Will Fall: Celtic gods.
It’s refreshing to see developers incorporating and being inspired by different cultures and mythologies. Celtic culture is still pretty much relatively unknown compared to the likes of Greek or Norse mythologies. You’ve probably never heard of most of the Celtic gods in Gods Will Fall and those who love exploring mythologies will like the effort that’s been poured into this game’s designs for the Celtic gods.
Does it make for a fun and arduous game? Let’s delve in!
Dark Souls Of Rogue-Likes

The game starts with people revolting against gods and stranded. Players choose from a group of survivors to enter any of the many dungeons on an island and it’s up to you which to tackle first. You’ll have eight warriors at the start of the game and each will have unique skills and buffs depending on random story occurrences and what they’ve experienced. If your warrior dies, he or she gets stuck in the dungeon and you’ll have to successfully defeat the god of the dungeon to save anyone stuck there.
Just like Darkest Dungeon, the warriors who die and get saved get will always get debuffs, as they are seemingly scarred by the experience of dying and getting stuck in a literal hellhole. Meanwhile, they are more likely to get buffs and passive abilities kill gods or get to the end of dungeons, but sometimes they still get potentially get debuffs. It’s just up to lady luck. At the end of dungeons, you’ll also obtain random loot like usable items and weapons, though the weapons are just generally stronger and they don’t add much collecting incentive to the game.
The only stats that you have for each warrior are Vigour (health) and Strength (attack power). There’s not much depth to the combat, so don’t expect any combos or anything. You have a basic light attack combo and a single heavy attack, but one of the game’s unique gameplay mechanic is bloodlust. Getting hits on enemies without getting hit will accumulate bloodlust, and you can tap the LT button to activate a roar that not only heals your Vigour (health) but also gives your warrior a temporary Strength buff. It’s one of only two ways to heal (besides using healing items, but those are extremely rare), so it’s an important combat mechanic.

The biggest problem I encountered in Gods Will Fall is something that hindered the game for me. High difficulty is something I can overcome but not the frustrating and imprecise hitboxes. It’s frustrating when I reach the bosses and die because of attacks that still connects and damages my warrior despite having dodged it. Since this is a roguelike, your game ends when you lose all eight warriors.
I can’t help but compare this game to Hades. Hades’ protagonist Zagreus felt so smooth and precise to control, and it was easy to dodge enemies’ attacks in that game because of how precise and clear the hitboxes were. In Gods Will Fall, your warriors move and dodge like they’re made of clay. It feels a lot like a From Software-designed RPG; you can’t button mash your way to victory, but it’s more ambitious than its execution. The imprecise and unclear hitbox dampens the fun and skill in combat, especially against bosses. It feels like no matter what I do or how I time my dodges, these bosses seem to be able to somehow hit me and before I know it, I’m dead.
Another gameplay mechanic that I partially like is the idea that killing enemies or destroying certain objects in the dungeon will weaken the boss by lessening its health before we reach them. What this means is that you’ll go around a dungeon killing enemies and the bosses health will gradually (but slowly) decrease for each enemy that you kill. This is a fine idea, but it’s annoying for one big reason. When you’ve already killed a bunch of enemies, reached the weakened boss and die while fighting it, your next warrior will enter the dungeon with the bosses’ health restored and the enemies respawned.

Sure, I get it, this is a hard as hell rogue-like action game, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying. You’ll then have to do the same thing again, clearing out the enemies of the dungeon and reaching the boss again. Another problem with the overall gameplay in Gods Will Fall is that there’s not much incentive for you to explore the dungeons besides killing enemies and reaching the boss. There aren’t much variety or surprises once you’ve already gone through the same dungeon. The layout doesn’t change and there’s no exciting loot to collect or obtain, besides usable items that are so rare and sometimes hard to even detect (they’re tiny and blend with the environment, I only notice them via a glinting effect).
The only thing that does change are the enemies that spawn. For instance, in my playthrough, in the dungeon against the Celtic spider god, it was relatively quite easy to complete. However, in my second playthrough, that changed. While the dungeon layout and design remain exactly the same, the enemies spawning were different and much more powerful.

I suddenly had to go up against spear-wielding giant beasts and crab creatures, all of which weren’t there before in the same dungeon. I tried again, in a third playthrough, the very same dungeon. It was as easy as it was in my first playthrough, which goes to show how the developers weren’t kidding when they gave me this warning.

The game wants players to experiment and defeat the gods in any sequence that we choose, but the easiest bosses aren’t necessarily going to be as simple in your subsequent playthroughs. I guess that’s where the roguelike element of endless replayability comes into play. The combat and loot collecting are average at best, but completing these dungeons and killing these gods does feel intense and exhilarating when you win. Less so, when you die a lot.
Possible Game-Breaking Bug

I encountered a possible game-breaking bug in one of the dungeons against a Celtic god named Lochlannarg. In one of my playthroughs (after a few hours in), I entered this dungeon and my warrior froze. The world around him didn’t, so that means enemies could still kill me. I quit the game before that happened, and when I reloaded the game, it treated my warrior as if he died in the dungeon.
I then started a new game and immediately started by going to this dungeon first. My warrior froze in place again. This happened whenever I dodged or started sprinting in the Lochlannarg dungeon, so I couldn’t complete the game. Sure, I could beat the dungeon without sprinting but without dodging? That’s almost impossible in a game like this.

I really hope this bug gets fixed by the time game launches, or perhaps even in a post-launch patch. It’s hard to adhere to a challenging game’s rules when it inadvertently breaks its own & doesn’t respect the player.

Decent Dungeon Crawler

If you’re looking for a decent rogue-like dungeon crawler that’s basically a gauntlet of bosses that feels like an isometric Dark Souls game, then you should check out Gods Will Fall. There’s a bit of Lovecraftian flavour in there too along with all the Celtic gods and myth. Otherwise, you’ll get more frustration from your money’s worth. Proceed with caution like these heroes would in this hellish world.
Pros

Dark atmosphere.
Use of Celtic gods and cultural elements.

Cons

Punishing difficulty.
Frustratingly imprecise hitboxes.
Empty dungeons.
Not much depth to the dungeon crawling.
Possible game-breaking bug.

Final Score: 50/100
Gods Will Fall was reviewed on Steam (PC) via a review code from the publisher.
[videopress jP2Wupb3]


Garena To Publish Undawn In Southeast Asia Later This Year

Garena has announced that they will publish Undawn, an immersive open-world survival shooter, for gamers in the region. Unveiled at Garena World 2021, the largest gaming and esports event in Southeast Asia, Undawn gave viewers at the online event a preview of its visceral combat; wide, open world; and AAA experience on mobile and PC.Â

Undawn will thrust players into a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. It will combine both Player vs Player (PvP) and Player vs Environment (PvE) gameplay, and will have players fend off the dual threats of zombies and other humans as they fight to survive in this hellscape. Built using Unreal Engine 4, Undawn will offer a huge open world that pushes the boundaries for both graphics and multiplayer gameplay.Â

Developed by Tencent Gamesâ€™ LightSpeed and Quantum Studios, Garena will publish Undawn in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
It is slated to launch on iOS, Android, and PC later this year.
Hai Wang, Senior Director, Business Development, at Garena, said:
â€œGamers in the region have a deep appreciation for shooter games and exploring open worlds. Coupled with their highly resourceful and inquisitive natures, weâ€™re excited to bring them Undawn â€“ a game that is tailor-made to their tastes.â€Â
Rick Li, Executive Producer, Lightspeed & Quantum Studios, Tencent Games, said:
â€œGarena is the perfect partner to publish Undawn in the region. Weâ€™re confident that their unparallelled understanding of the local gaming communities and track record publishing hit titles will provide gamers in the region with a game players will love.â€Â
Undawn is currently in its pre-alpha stage of testing. You can sign up to be a pre-alpha tester here.
Check out the CGI trailer of Undawn below:
https://www.facebook.com/102308828631255/videos/486412825969367


Show Off What Kind of Gamer You Are With These Awesome Gamer Shirts

We are proud to announce our collaboration with Malaysia-based clothing manufacturer Cheapreme for our very first collection under our gamer shirts range.
Dubbed the Gamer Profile Collection, you can now show the world what kind of gamer you are. With a wide selection of gaming-inspired logos to pick from, there’s a high chance that no two designs are identical.
One (Or Three) For Everyone
It doesn’t matter whether you’re an FPS nut or an RPG fan. There’s something for everyone in our new apparel line. Best of all, our apparel will not have you breaking the bank, and the shirts are of high quality; they do not stretch even after a few machine washes!
Here’s how it works: you select up to three icons that best represent you, and then confirm your order. Check out the artwork & designs below:

Samples of the final product are as follows:

Here’s more:

Did we miss out on anything? Do let us know. Who knows? Your suggestions might be included in the next round of new gaming-inspired logos & designs!
Get your one-of-a-kind customised t-shirt under the KakuchopureiXCheapreme Gamer Profile collection here. They are available only in black for now; each ‘Gamer Profile’ t-shirt is available in sizes XS all the way to 5XL for RM49.90. Delivery fees NOT included.
Are you game? Then prove it with this top-of-the-line gaming shirt collection that is affordable!


Blazing Chrome Is The Contra Homage We Need In This Era

Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: 2D Run-And-Gun Shooter
Welp, with Konami not giving much f***s about its IPs and repackaging games in retro bundles, it’s really up to other developers to show its predecessors how it’s done. And that’s what the new 2D run-and-gun title Blazing Chrome is about: gunning down hordes of bad guys and aliens as you run from left to right, be it on foot or on a hoverbike.
Battle Runner

Developer Joymasher and publisher The Arcade Crew essentially created a tribute to Contra III: The Alien Wars, with a dash of Metal Slug robot-riding added for good measure. As either a female commando or a robot rebel, you run, you aim your gun, and blast the heck out of anything in your way that poses a threat. You have no life bar; one hit and you’re dead. It’s that easy to grasp and tougher to master; you’ll need to memorize patterns, use your reflexes to avoid surprise attacks, and select the best weapon to handle the situation. Controls-wise, they’re solid and responsive; you can go prone, melee enemies when up-close, roll out of danger, and hold a button to fix your aim to a direction. It’s the game’s way of saying “if you die, it’s mostly your fault”.
You won’t be fighting empty-handed when traversing the 6 stages. Apart from weapons like the whip gun, the charge laser, and the grenade launcher (my personal favourite), you also have access to drones that power you up until you die. They can either make you run faster and double jump, boost your firepower, or let you take 2 additional hits.
The game’s challenge is definitely on the retro hard side of things, but not unfair. The game’s default difficulty offers checkpoints, so even if you waste all your lives on your first and second try, you can still continue a few ways back from where you left off. At worst, you’ll redo a third of your progress, which isn’t too bad. And trust me, you’ll need all the help you can get dealing with the plethora of mini-bosses and main bosses. These include giant robots, giant hover jets, an alien with multiple critical spots with tentacles and ooze spurting out of them, and a few cyborg showdowns that remind you of Contra: Hard Corps‘ last few stages.
It’s Time For Revenge

Having said that, I do have a few complaints. The game’s melee attacks could use some work as they can come off as inaccurate. Using the default characters when run-and-gunning made me hold the fire button, which means by right I should be able to gun down most hordes. Funnily enough, the first-level bum-rushing baddies (the purple dudes who jump at times) take more than a bullet or two to die. While manageable in the first stage, you’ll face swarms of them later in the game, so it can get hectic switching between gunning and meleeing, resulting in too many unnecessary deaths on my side.
There’s also the fact that the game is just recreating the challenge of a great run-and-gun shooter filled with great setpieces and boss fights without innovating beyond being a homage. While that’s fine and dandy, I do feel that this holds the title back just like Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night did with the Metroidvania genre as a whole. Then again, this game is made by fans of the era; see their past efforts Oniken and Odallus as proof of that.
There’s a bunch of added incentives in finishing the game the first time around. Next to boss rush mode and Mirror mode (where the stages are reversed), you’ll unlock the game’s ninjas Suhaila and Raijin. They offer a unique playstyle; think Strider’s hack-and-slash-and-projectile gameplay but you die with one hit. Their melee attacks are fast enough to offset bumrushing baddies, but you’ll need to make an effort to dodging projectiles.
No Man’s Land

Truth be told, I’m really down with this tribute; I’m fine settling for a game that aims just to add on more to the long-forgotten genre instead of upending it and revolutionizing it as long as it knows it. I just love the thrill of having one life left just downing a giant maniac bot with nothing else but my reflexes and wit, as well as skiing through the snow blasting enemies while re-enacting a fairer version of the Battletoads speed biker jump segment.
Hell, I even love challenging myself when trying to make my joy-ridden battle armour survive a pounding long enough to reach the end of a stage, even if it’s futile. Blazing Chrome is challenging, well put-together, and replayable as heck, even if it comes off as familiar at times.
Plus, how could you not love a game that caps off its ending with an 80s-styled synth tune with its own brand of nostalgia-inducing lyrics?
Pros

Great controls and gunplay.
Short-but-sweet action.
Nostalgia-inducing 16-bit graphics and rockin’ soundtrack

Cons

Doesn’t do much to change up the formula.
Offers little apart from familiar arcade replay value.

FINAL SCORE: 70/100


After 11 Years, The Saints Row 2 PC Port Is Finally Being Fixed

The Saints Row series has always been known as the crazier cousin of the already crazy Grand Theft Auto games. Ask any Saints Row fans which entry is their favourite and most would probably answer Saints Row 2. It had the perfect balance of wackiness and seriousness.
Saints Row 2 fans will probably also tell you that the PC port was one of the most horrible things to experience. In a totally unexpected turn of events, Volition has found the game’s source code which will finally allow them to patch it up and finally make it actually playable on PC.

Volition developed the game for consoles while the PC port was handled by, get this, CD Projekt. The source code was lost in a bankruptcy auction. According to Polygon, Volition has announced that a two-person team is currently on rebuilding the game for release on Steam.
As you would expect, it’s going to take a while for the project to be completed seeing as how it’s being worked on by such a small team. On the bright side, the Ultor Exposed and Corporate Warfare DLC will finally be coming to PC.
The PC port of Saints Row 2 is infamous for being nigh-unplayable. It”s one of those PC games that would crash every few minutes, suffer from major framerate drops, and sometimes players would be stuck in missions that wouldn’t trigger the next phase despite completing objectives.
Saints Row 2 was initially released in 2008 for PS3 and Xbox 360. It was (poorly) ported to PC in 2009.


The Best Deals Of Steam Summer Sale 2021

It’s another year and it’s time for another Steam Summer Sale just in time for the long summer ahead. Steam Summer Sale 2021 will run from 25 June to 9 July at 1am GMT+8 2021.
Here are our picks for the best deals and discounts so far:
Disco Elysium – The Final Cut (RM42.25)

Arguably the best CRPG of our time, this esoteric story-heavy game may take a while to wrap your head around in. But having a party filled with your psyches and parts of your conscience/brain speaking to you like an actual RPG party while solving tasks with brute force, karaoke, and dance-offs is what makes this game stand out from the rest.
Iron Harvest (RM23.75)

You don’t see that many RTSs these days, especially one that blends in a World War 1 alternate scenario with mechas. It’s a slow game, just a heads up.
Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition (RM48)

Now that this previously-exclusive PlayStation title is on PC, it’s the best time to grab at almost half its normal price, especially with Horizon Forbidden Dawn on the horizon (pardon the pun).
Even if you’ve played the original game on the PS4, the PC version comes with several enhancements including ultra-wide support, graphical enhancements (improved reflections, dynamic foliage), graphical customization, unlocked framerate, control options and benchmarking tool.
Halo The Master Chief Collection (RM32.50)

This is virtually the most complete collection and the best way to experience the Halo franchise to date. What more do you want? With Halo Infinite coming later this year sometime in Holiday 2021 (as confirmed by Xbox head Phil Spencer), there’s still time to catch up to the saga of Master Chief and the universe of Halo.
Total War Warhammer IIÂ (RM54.06)

If you have a decent PC or gaming laptop, you should definitely check out any of theÂ Total War games by Creative Assembly for their epic real-time battles. The fantasy-based Total War Warhammer IIÂ is a great game where you can control armies of elves and dwarves, with a couple of dragons and giants for good measure. Then, just watch the chaos unfold.
Sure, you can wait for Total War Warhammer III, but that’s still many months away with a late 2021 release date (and at full price, it will be a whopping RM189 at launch).
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Game Of The Year Edition (RM25.80)

The WitcherÂ franchise has never been as popular as it is now, with a Netflix live-action series starring Henry Cavill in the titular role currently available (which was actually good) and a second season on its way. The game is still a masterpiece of narrative in gaming five years on (it released in 2015), and itâ€™s an epic game everyone should experience for themselves.
Cyberpunk 2077 (RM146.73)

Despite having a disastrous launch, Cyberpunk 2077 is still a decent game, especially and particularly the PC version of the game, which is the best platform to play the game. You can check out ourÂ review of the game here. It’s still pretty expensive, but this is the cheapest the game has ever been since launching in November 2020, so perhaps you’d want to grab it now.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate (RM102.50)

The Mortal Kombat franchise is as popular as it’s ever been, with a new live-action movie earlier this year and a new animated movie coming later this year as well. Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is what its name implies, and you’ll get a lot of content in a fighting game for that price.
Resident Evil 2 (RM35.60)

2019â€™sÂ Resident Evil 2 RemakeÂ was not only one of the bestÂ Resident Evil games ever but also a testament to how video game remakes should be done. If thereâ€™s oneÂ Resident EvilÂ game you should play, itâ€™s eitherÂ Resident Evil 4 or this remarkable remake, especially since there’s no discount on the recently-released Resident Evil Village as of yet. You can check outÂ our full review of the game here.
Sekiro Shadows Die Twice (RM109.50)

Sekiro: Shadows Die TwiceÂ is a Soulsborne game, and that means extremely punishing but oh-so-satisfying gameplay. It was one of our top games in 2019 for good reason, and gamers who relish challenges should definitely check it out. Check outÂ our full review of the game here.
XCOM 2 Collection (RM57.72)

XCOM 2 is another must-have game on PC, especially for those who love all things science fiction and anything from the tactical turn-based strategy genre. ThinkÂ Final Fantasy TacticsÂ with Soulsborne levels of difficulty.
The XCOM 2 Collection costs a whopping RM385 at full price, so this is a steal, since it contains even the game-changing War Of The Chosen expansion pack. Our advice: start the game with the expansion pack installed. Check outÂ our review of the game here to find out why.
Star Wars Jedi Fallen OrderÂ (RM124.50)

This is simply one of the bestÂ Star WarsÂ games ever made, and we say that as hardcore fans of the franchise. It features meaty Soulsborne-inspired combat with a single-player story that somehow manages to respect all threeÂ Star WarsÂ eras (Original Trilogy, Prequels and Sequels).
If that price still seems steep, itâ€™s important to note that the game is less than a year old, and thatâ€™s already at half price. Check outÂ our full review of the game here.
Valheim (RM35.10)Â

We just needed another excuse to promote this pretty nifty open-world survival viking monster-hunting game with the lo-fi graphics and the co-op element. It’s totally fun just for that thrill of discovering lots of new places and attempting to take down giant bosses of Ragnarok nature.
Persona 5 Strikers (RM146.73)

Oh yeah, this action RPG title is out for PC. If you fancy playing as the Phantom Thieves and want to liberate hearts and minds by beating up demons & distorted realities, this one’s for you.
Nier Replicant (RM186.75)

A cult classic JRPG back in 2010, now remade with better gameplay. We loved every minute of the 2021 remake; do get it when you can since it now has a 25% discount.
Trials of Mana (RM99.50)

A pwetty gwood wemake of a classic 2D action RPG. Features tons of characters to play as, some awesome action and hack-and-slash controls, and not-so-hot English voice acting.
Death Stranding (RM95.60)

Good to know that Hideo Kojima’s magnum opus is now at an acceptable price. If you fancy a lot of walking, package delivery, Kojima-isms up the wazoo, and a bunch of Hollywood faces in your sci-fi, you can’t go wrong with this incredibly divisive title.
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 (RM12.75)
Kill legions of rats in this co-op Warhammer action shooter. It’s like Left 4 Dead, but its own thing and arguably better.
Blasphemous (RM20.06)
Imagine a Metroidvania game with Souls-like gameplay, but in 2D and with grotesque pixel art. That’s Blasphemous in a nutshell, and it’s quite a sight.


Upcoming Borderlands 3 Fix Will Improve NG+ Playthroughs

To this day, some people are still replaying Borderlands 2. Of course, a lot of them are doing that simply because they don’t want to buy the game on the Epic Games Store and are waiting for the Steam release. However, it proves that replayability has always been a big focus in the series.

In the Borderlands 3 patch and hotfixes notes posted on 24 October 2019, the development outlined several key improvements that they are working on to introduce in future updates. One of the biggest and most anticipated feature is the ability to skip cutscenes.
That’s right. It’s 2019 and Borderlands 3 is still one of those games that will force you to watch every cutscene in the game even if you already have finished the game once. It’s explained that skippable cinematics are difficult to implement in the game because the game “may activate critical events” through cutscenes. Fortunately, players can expect to have a solution “soon”.
I’m also very happy to see that they are planning to expand the bank and allow players to store more equipment. The first bank expansion is scheduled to coincide with the release of Takedown at Maliwan’s Blacksite. Even better, more bank expansion is promised to be rolled out in future updates.

Another really common complaint was that the game didn’t have enough vending machines which would prompt players to miss out on selling their unwanted loot. If you’ve played the game then you know how fast common loot pile up in your inventory. Thankfully, more vending machines will be added to some of the bigger environments in the game including Athenas, Jakobs Estate, and Tazendeer Ruins.
The patch notes themselves are like a loot fountain of good news so head on over to the Borderlands 3 website to read them in full detail. For more news and updates on Borderlands 3, stay tuned on Kakuchopurei.


Fairmont Singapore x Razer Introduce The World’s First Luxury Gaming Suites

In partnership with Razer, Fairmont Singapore today unveils a first-of-its-kind gamer-centric suites that blend the sensational world of gaming with luxury hospitality, creating a premier experience that will appeal to all gamers from amateurs to pros.
Transforming three luxury suites into true gaming havens decked out with Razer’s award-winning peripherals, and paired with thoughtful hospitality touches and amenities, guests also have the option to bring their own gaming ware and gear; but still enjoy the unique experience of a safe, fun, comfortable and well-integrated environment that lets players bring their A-game to engage in a range of immersive game genres, and also explore a host of pampering lifestyle treats within the surrounds of the hotel.
Marcus Hanna, Managing Director of Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford said:
“We are pleased to partner with Razer, one of the most recognised and notable gaming lifestyle brands in the world, to introduce the ultimate gamer-centric experience marrying Fairmont Singapore’s thoughtful hospitality and Razer’s gaming innovation.
Building on our success of hosting last year’s ONE Esports Dota 2 Singapore Major, the launch of our luxury gaming suites is set to capture the gaming niche and diverse communities of players in a time when gaming has permeated the mainstream and become a ubiquitous form of fun and entertainment. At the heart of it, it also reflects our continued focus and commitment towards bringing unique experiences that appeal to the different passions and ages.”
Flo Gutierrez, Director of Global Esports at Razer, said:
“We’re thrilled to bring to life a new way for esports enthusiasts to enjoy their best games and build incredible memories with their friends in a unique location like Fairmont Singapore.
Esports has grown tremendously in popularity, becoming a familiar fixture in mainstream entertainment. And so, we have been working hand in hand with Fairmont Singapore’s team to create three unique suites made to offer phenomenal experiences to whoever enters them for a casual, hardcore, or competitive gaming experience.”
Razer Gamer & Streamer Suite for the win

Complete with 5v5 battle stations and blackout shades, this definitively-Razer gaming den is a LAN experience with widescreen monitors and luminescent green LED light strips that will make anyone feel like an esports pro about to enter their first-ever tournament. The Razer Gamer & Streamer Suite is fitted with Razer peripherals and hardware, allowing ten players to come together IRL to finesse their games or pit their skills against one another.
Each station is connected to a Razer Raptor 27, the world’s first THX® certified gaming monitor, boasting features including a 1440p resolution, NVIDIA® G-Sync Compatible and AMD FreeSync™ Premium Compatible, to bring gamers a new level of performance, immersion, and fluidity; and a high-performance Razer Huntsman V2 keyboard that feels smoother and responds quicker. Plug in the Razer BlackShark V2, the brand’s award-winning esports headset, and gamers are ready for their battles where they can hear the slightest audio cue and communicate clearly with their teammates. Gamers can be assured of playing in comfort as the Razer Iskur, an ergonomic gaming chair with a built-in, fully adjustable lumbar support system, helps them safeguard and improve posture during gaming sessions.
Gamers can choose to easily plug and play from their own laptops or battle on limited loan sets of the sleek Razer Blade 15 laptop, powered by a NVIDIA RTX 30 Series Laptop GPU that delivers higher resolutions and higher refresh rates. Programmed with the latest AAA games, the Razer Blades offer gamers an immersive, ultra-smooth experience where every frame counts to maintain their competitive advantage.
Streamers can take over the streaming booth where they can choose to display graphics on the wall-mounted TVs, or for gaming communities to watch on Twitch while they narrate and commentate on the streams. The booth will be armed with Razer’s latest broadcaster line-up for an optimised streaming experience.
Razer Console Lounge for fun and games

Step into the luxe lounge area with plush sofa and bean bags, jazzed up with the latest Xbox and PlayStation 5 consoles, along with Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma controllers that will set players up for some epic fun in their goal-chasing quests.
At the Razer Console Lounge, beginners and casual gamers can pick from a slew of AAA games like Halo Infinite and Mortal Kombat II, or light-hearted multiplayer options like Streets of Rage 4 and watch their gameplay unfold on the giant 70-inch TV screen. Those who want to exert true console dominance can put on the Razer Kaira for Xbox wireless headset that provides superior audio immersion and crystal-clear voice communications.
Tend to get the munchies during the fervent heat of gaming? Browse the dining and mini bar menus specially curated for a thoughtful fuel up and order from a selection of pizzas, burgers, charcuterie & cheese and more; as well as assorted snacks and drinks that will be served right to any of the suites to enjoy.
Accommodating up to 6 players, the suite is also perfect for intimate, casual gaming sessions amongst friends and families. To cap off an awesome experience, adjourn to one of the many popular restaurants in Fairmont Singapore such as Prego to enjoy a classic Italian meal together.
Game on at Razer Mercury Suite

Illuminated with fun, customisable colour-changing light panels that add flair to the 3v3 gaming set-up, this suite is a gamer and streamer’s paradise fitted with the latest Razer technology.
The wall-facing tables showcase the dynamic Razer Seiren V2 Pro microphone, an essential centrepiece of any streamer’s setup. Thanks to its suite of high-end features like its high pass filter and Analog gain limiter, the mics offer top-notch audio voice quality and clarity akin to those of professional radio DJs that will keep audiences hooked.
In addition, visitors can look forward to enjoying Razer’s limited-edition Razer Iskur X – Hello Kitty and Friends Edition and the Razer Lumbar Cushion, complemented with selected Razer Quartz peripherals.  The Razer Hello Kitty and Friends collection was designed to dazzle the competition with cuteness overload and inspire the sweetest victory.
Gamers can also dive into a new dimension of immersion with the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense, a gaming headset powered by haptic technology to provide realistic vibration experience for in-game sounds. From rumbling explosions to whizzing bullets, gamers will be able to feel what they hear to truly immerse themselves in a multi-sensory experience.
Whether they are looking to kick back or go hard, the gaming never needs to end when they are seated on the Razer Enki, a gaming chair that redefines all-day comfort with its built-in lumbar arch and optimised cushion density.
Fairmont Singapore’s luxury gaming suites are available to book now; opening to the public on 24th May 2022 and will be available until April 2023. Play times are from 9am to 11pm daily.
Suites are available to book in 2 or 4-hour blocks only. Pricing is as follows, subject to 10% service charge and 7% GST:

Suites
Capacity
2-hour block
4-hour block

Razer Gamer & Streamer Suite
11 persons
First 6 persons: $240; $35 per additional person
First 6 persons: S$420; S$70 per additional person

Razer Console Lounge
6 persons
S$180
S$320

Razer Mercury Suite
6 persons
S$240
S$420

All guests below 18 years’ old must be accompanied by an adult.
Each booking comes with added perks that include:

10% off overnight stays at Fairmont Singapore.
10% off dining at Prego, Anti:dote, House of WÈI and Mikuni.
Willow Stream Spa day pass at S$40 (usual price S$69) that provides access to a suite of facilities like steam baths; saunas; Jacuzzis; and hot and cold hydrotherapy pools with massaging jets.

To book, you can visit https://www.fairmont-singapore.com/offer/razer-gaming-suites/.


Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla Creative Director Fired From Ubisoft

Ubisoft’s descent continues. Weeks after the company announced its plans to conduct an internal investigation on the company’s long-standing history of abuse and sexual misconduct, it has fired Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla creative director Ashraf Ismail.
The reason? Due to the investigation being done following his stepping down from the creative director role, after he was accused by a fan for lying about his marital status in order to have a relationship with her. Official statement below (via Bloomberg):
“As a result of investigations, Ashraf Ismail has been dismissed from Ubisoft and is no longer an employee”. Full story here: https://t.co/EjGC2qz8LV?amp=1
What does this mean for Ubisoft? Well, the company needs to fix its endemic culture due to years of ignorance; it’s also been affecting its past AC titles. With high-ranking execs like chief creative officer Serge Hascoet, as well as vice presidents of editorial Maxime Beland and Tommy Francoise also resigned due to pressure from the public following these allegations. Also, those guys were responsible for reducing the roles of women in past AC games because lead women don’t sell enough copies.
Even Ubisoft Singapore has its own issues; this whole toxic culture runs deep worldwide, sadly. We’ll get to that in a bit.


Call Of Duty Mobile Season 9 Brings Gunsmith, New Characters & More

On 14 August 2020, Call Of Duty Mobile‘s latest update brings the old war era to the game, introducing Gunsmith, one of the most popular features from the Call Of Duty franchise, which allows players to fully customize their weapon loadouts in both multiplayer and battle royale game modes.
Call Of Duty Mobile‘s Battle Pass Season 9 will officially begin on 16 August 2020 featuring all-new events and content for the players.

In Season 9, the Conquest Battle Pass offers four new epic characters Nikto – Stronghold, Victor Reznov, Richtofen, and Lev Kravchenko – Soviet Dragon. Additionally, a new weapon Kilo Bolt Action enters the fray and is available for both free and premium battle passes.

With more than 50 attachments ready to be equipped for different components of your weapon, the combinations are limitless in Call of Duty Mobileâ€™s newest weapon customization feature, Gunsmith.
Check out the official Gunsmith tutorial here.

From charms to stickers to more than 60 camos are available for your next loadout. For Battle Royale, Gunsmith loadouts can be obtained from in-game airdrops during a match.
New Map – Shipment 1944Â
An iconic map from the Call of Duty series, players can expect a blistering brawl within the tight corners and sneaky containers of New Map – Shipment 1944. It is available for all Multiplayer game modes, excluding Ranked Mode.Â

Ranked Series 6 will also begin on 16 August 2020 along with the new Battle Pass season. This major update introduces many new additions such as new perks, new scorestreak, and new lethal weapon to dominate the battlefield.
Scorestreak – Shield Turret is a manual turret that can be deployed during battle and commanded by any player. Additionally, when thrown, Lethal – Thermite will burn violently for a period of time upon impact and can stick to any surface either on the wall or ground.


Tekken 8 Announces Hwoarang & His Awesome Kicks

Bandai Namco has released a new trailer for Tekken 8, now bringing in series veteran and taekwando expert Hwoarang.
Hwoarang made his debut in Tekken 3 as Jin’s rival, and has been in odds with him since then. In Tekken 8, he sports his master’s gi (Baek from Tekken 2) and has a more laid-back attitude, less into getting in fights as compared to his past behaviour. He still has his sweet bike though.
Hopefully his pirate getup from Tekken 7 is available as an extra costume. Otherwise, he still has his patented chain kick and moves, along with Heat skills to add more follow-ups and side-switching properties to his already-crazy arsenal of taekwondo moves.

Tekken 8 will be out for PC, Xbox Series, and PS5. No release date has been mentioned yet.