What’s The Most Popular Console During SEA’s COVID-19 Lockdown?

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the world and the Southeast Asian region to go into lockdown, leading gamers to find solace in games. According to statistics provided by the iPrice Group, the Nintendo Switch is the most popular console in Southeast Asia, followed by the PS4.
That statement is based on 1.5 million searches made on various online shopping platforms across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Hong Kong. The Nintendo Switch claims the throne in most of those countries, with the exception of Indonesia and Vietnam (where the PS4 is more popular).
Meanwhile, it seems ridiculous to see that even the last-gen PS3 is more popular than the current-gen Xbox One in certain countries, like Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The answer to that is simple, as the issue has always been that Xbox offers almost zero regional support in Southeast Asia.

However, since the conclusion is based on the number of searches made, this means that the result is not actually representative of which console sold the most, but only in terms of interest among the population. For instance, Nintendo Switch searches increased by a whopping 245 percent, while the PS4 only by 135 percent.

Why The Sudden Burst?
This can be attributed to the fact that most gamers might already own a PS4, considering that the PS4 has sold more than 100 million units worldwide. In comparison, many gamers might not own a Nintendo Switch. Add the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons into that and you get even more reason for why the Nintendo Switch is currently so popular.
That’s not even mentioning the scalpers exploiting the current global shortage of Nintendo Switch supply by selling the console for exorbitant prices online. Due to this, we have gamers pining for something that is considered more valuable and rarer than the PS4, which many more gamers already own, and supply is in abundance.
All of this will likely change in the next month or two, with the release of highly-anticipated PS4 games like Ghost Of Tsushima and The Last Of Us Part 2, both of which will not be available on the Nintendo Switch. Popularity is fickle, as it changes when trends and demands do.
https://www.facebook.com/kakuchopurei/videos/540111276697470/


Red Dead Redemption 2 Comes To Steam Next Week

Those of you using the Rockstar Games Launcher and Epic Games Store have probably already finished playing the single player campaign of Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC. A week later from now, us Steam boys will finally be able to join you cowboys.

Rockstar has finally unveiled the Steam release date for Red Dead Redemption 2 and it’s coming out on 5 December 2019. Unfortunately, the Steam version will not include the bonuses you would get for purchasing the game through the Rockstar Games Launcher but judging by the game’s store page description on Steam, both the Special Edition and Ultimate Edition might still be sold on the storefront.
Unfortunately, you still can’t pre-purchase the game yet (as of writing this article). So the only way to make sure you know when the game starts being sold is only by putting it in your wishlist which I definitely recommend you doing so that you will also know when the game goes on sale in the future.
Check out Red Dead Redemption 2’s Steam store page here.


The Last Of Us Showrunner & Stars Address Joel’s Fate In Part 2

The co-creators of the successful HBO adaptation of The Last Of Us and its stars are addressing the elephant in the hospital room: the fate of Joel in the second game. Spoiler warning for TLOU Part 2.

In TLOU Part 2 early on, Joel is brutally murdered by Abby, whose dad was killed by Joel in Part 1. The dad is a surgeon who had to perform the fatal surgery on Ellie before meeting his eventual fate.
Pedro Pascal, the actor who plays Joel in the TV show, said he is aware of Joel’s fate despite not playing the games or watching the scene in question. He did say the following on Esquire:
“It wouldn’t make sense to follow the first game so faithfully only to stray severely from the path. So, yeah, that’s my honest answer.”
Bella Ramsey, the actress who plays Ellie, also said the following:
“If that does take place in the show, I don’t know that I’m emotionally ready for it.”
HBO series co-writer and executive producer Craig Mazin and Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann said that nothing is off the table when it comes to Joel’s fate in Season 2.
“This should be fairly obvious to anyone by now, but I don’t fear killing characters. But the important thing to note is that neither Neil nor I feel constrained by the source material.”
The Last Of Us Season 2 will only start shooting at the end of the year, or even the beginning of 2024, so it’ll only be out between the tail end of 2024 and early 2025. It’ll be a long wait until Joel’s fate is decided in live-action form. For more HBO’s The Last Of Us, check out our features.


Bloodborne Studio Interested In Making A Battle Royale Game

It seems like the battle royale train is still going full steam ahead with no signs of stopping. Hidetaka Miyazaki, President of From Software, has stated their interest in the battle royale genre and the ubiquity of long-running ‘live service games, such as Destiny 2 and Anthem, that is the talk of the town right now.
From Software is famous for its menacingly difficult games such as Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls and Bloodborne. It even spawned a new genre dubbed Soulsborne games.
Miyazaki spoke to The Telegraph recently, and said that “there is always a possibility, as these games are definitely fun”. He added that the company is “interested in the patterns they are taking. If we did it, it might be a bit different! But weâ€™re definitely interested and thereâ€™s definitely that possibility in the future. Weâ€™d love to take a crack at them some day.”

More Sekiro Tidbits
Miyazaki also pointed out the importance of single-player adventures, like From Software’s upcoming game, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. He said it should not be ignored as it is an integral part of the games industry and is key to the industry’s longevity.
“Single-player action games donâ€™t feel too rare in the current climate,” he says. “While Devil May Cry 5 has some online elements, itâ€™s coming out two weeks before our game. And thatâ€™s a very single-player focussed experience. Weâ€™ve also had God of War and Spider-Man.”
He also added that ‘this diversity is needed in the industry’.

“We do need this diversity in the industry. Regardless of what From Software is doing, we need people making battle royale games and live services and we need people making single-player focussed experiences.
We feel that this diversity is what will keep everyone going.”

Imagine a battle royale with Soulsborne combat mechanics: it would be one hell of a game that I would look forward to.


Netflix Malaysia Lowers Price Of Basic Plan

Netflix Malaysia has announced an update to one of its subscription plans. They are now offering the Basic Plan at the price of RM28 per month, which is a RM7 decrease from its previous price of RM35.
New members who sign up will see the new price for the Basic Plan immediately starting today. This update will roll out to existing members over the coming weeks from their next billing cycle. Existing members will be notified by email and the exact timing will depend on the specific member’s billing cycle.

Kali ni, dropping down is good news ? Starting today, our Basic Plan in Malaysia is now RM28 per month for both new and existing members. pic.twitter.com/lcqMpHDJW1
— Netflix Malaysia (@NetflixMY) February 21, 2023

However, the prices for the rest of the subscription plans remain the same for now, which you can check out below:


Here’s A Recent Guilty Gear Strive Tier List From Korea’s Best 2D Fighting Game Pro

It’s already been over 2 months since Guilty Gear Strive came out. Has the current tier list and meta changed since EVO 2021?
Well, yes and no. So far we have a new character added to the base roster -Goldlewis Dickinson. Pro Street Fighter IV and Street Fighter 5 player Infiltration has his thoughts on a recent video; the results may not really surprise you.
S+ Tier
Sol Badguy
S Tier
Chipp, Leo, Ramlethal, May
A+ Tier
Ky, Millia, Giovanna, I-No, Nagoriyuki, Zato-1, Potemkin, Axl
B+ Tier
Faust, Goldlewis
B Tier
Anji
As you can tell, Sol Badguy is a league of his own because of his current kit, dangerous normals that can lead to damaging wall-carry combos, and “main character” privilege that Street Fighter’s Ryu used to have before SF5 did him dirty (pre-Season 5).
Chipp, Leo, May, and Ramlethal are pretty much securing their spot as high-damage characters in the tier list, with the latter two having easy game plans to follow. The former two require some high-level fighting game knowledge to master, though Infiltration has mentioned that he hates fighting Leo so much because of his many, MANY mixups and 50/50 situations when he gets up-close and in his Brynhildr stance.
As we’ve stressed time and again, tier lists are guidelines rather than gospel truths as they are good indicators to show how certain characters fare in the current meta. Full video below.


Monster Hunter Stories 2 Sold One Million Copies

It’s a good year to be Capcom, if game sales are concerned. Not content with the millions sold from Resident Evil Village and Monster Hunter Rise, Capcom is experiencing a windfall from its RPG title Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin.
The titular spin-off which involves monster riding, monster collecting, and tag-team turn-based combat up the wazoo, has shipped and sold one million units worldwide. Keep in mind that these are both digital sales of both the PC and Nintendo Switch versions of the game.
This shouldn’t come off as a surprise: Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a lovely RPG spin-off that takes the same exploration and trek-filled Monster Hunter gameplay, but replaces the “hunt one monster to win” mechanic with “fight a dozen of them plus one major boss in turn-based RPG fashion” and “monster collecting and party-assembling” mechanics that make titles like PokÃ©mon a hit.
Here’s the press release and also some celebratory artwork.
“TheÂ Monster HunterÂ series consists of hunting action games that pit players against giant monsters in a beautiful natural environment. Beginning with the first title in 2004, the series established a new genre in which players cooperate to hunt ferocious monsters with their friends and has since grown into a global phenomenon with cumulative sales of the series exceeding 72 million units shipped as of March 31, 2021.
The newÂ Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of RuinÂ is the second role-playing game based on the world of theÂ Monster HunterÂ series. In the game, players assume the role of the protagonist, the grandchild of the legendary Monster Rider Red, who meets a Wyverian girl named Ena before taking off on a grand adventure revolving around the Wings of Ruin.
In addition to featuring a host of popular monsters from past titles in the franchise and an engaging battle system, the seriesâ€™ world is expanded with a new focus on Monster Riders. In addition, the title garnered positive reception following a demo version released prior to launch, leading global shipments to exceed one million units.”


Luigi’s Mansion 3 Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghosts & Makes Us Feel Good…

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Genre: Nintendo-sanctioned Ghostbusters game doubling as Hotel Mario 2
It’s rather surreal that a Nintendo game starring Mario’s “lesser” brother ends up being the more charismatic and inventive one of the lot. As charming and as heroic Mario is, he’s rather boring and seems all-too vanilla. You know he’s going to win and look good doing it.
Luigi, on the other hand, is a scaredy-cat who pushes through supernatural adversities even if he’s knee-deep in fear. He’s the more interesting brother to root for, from his chattering teeth and knees to the way he leaps up in fright. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Luigi Mansion franchise since its debut on GameCube back in the day; a fun spin on a Mario side character attached with 2D-esque action-adventure game set in a G-rated horror setting; more Goosebumps than the Netflix’s House in Haunted Hill.
The past titles were a tad on the short and simple side, which is why part 3 here for the Switch fixes every problem from past entries. It’s a tad more invested in its setting, more challenging, and has a bigger landscape to explore its ghostbusting scenarios with.
Scare Tactics

The story starts with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and three coloured Toads winning a staycation in a very pristine hotel owned by one Hellen Gravely. In case you couldn’t tell by Nintendo’s clever use of the “h” word, she’s bad news as her army of ghosts kidnaps and traps the crew in portraits once nightfall hits. Everyone except Luigi, the one who conveniently is scared of ghosts even though he’s done this two previous times (three if you count the arcade shooter back in 2015).
Armed with a Poltergust ghostbusting tool, a flashlight, and a few other tools, you basically Die Hard your way up to the many floors of the hotel to rescue your pals and busts a ton of ghosts great and small. Since the higher floors are inaccessible without the appropriate lift key, you’ll have to search and fight off ghosts who are barring your progress.
Luigi here isn’t as jump-savvy like in his previous non-Mansion adventures, but the action here is more methodical and medium-paced. You can still use your flashlight to stun ghosts & spirits like in the last game, but now you can repeatedly pressÂ  A to bodyslam them multiple times before they get sucked into your Poltergust. Some ghosts will protect themselves with shades and shields, so you need to figure out how to fight them with a combination of your tools and movement knowhow.
You’ll also need theseÂ  same tools to solve the many hotel room and themed hallway puzzles to make progress. Need to move barricades? Use the plunger and attach it to the obstacle and then use the Poltergust to carry and slam it with full force. Need to find a hidden contraption to open up a pathway? Use the spectral light strobe to reveal whatever’s hidden.
Need to sort out a puzzle through a grate? That’s where Luigi’s Mansion 3’s best feature comes in: the ability to summon a green jello-like simulacrum called Gooigi.
Gone Green

Gooigi is impervious to everything except water. He can walk through grates and through spiked traps. He can also do everything Luigi can, which means any puzzle that requires double the power and suction can be solved with a quick right analog button tap. You can also have a pal come on in to take control of Gooigi, if you want.

Point is, Gooigi is a great addition that opens up new and fun avenues for puzzle-solving in the game’s expansive hotel setting, as well as co-op.

Speaking of settings, the new “mansion” you get to explore will take you about 10 to 15 hours. There are about 16 floors with their own themes and functions: apart from the starting basement and fancy rooms, you also get to tackle a medieval-themed area ruled by a ghost king and sort out a concert hall where a Beethoven-esque ghost fights you by possessing a piano. Yes, there are boss fights aplenty, and they’re fun were it not for the way the game forgets to tell you about certain buttons and controls.
The controls aren’t bad, but it’s pretty tough to switch between weapon types with the face button. The tutorial should have stressed that you can also use the L and R buttons to do the same thing without sacrificing your right analog stick aiming. Too bad this bit of info came in while I was close to the end of the game; it would have made my boss encounters a lot more tolerable.

Thankfully they do not wholly hinder the entire jolly and kinda creepy experience of Luigi’s Mansion 3. I was so engrossed in my 10+ hour Scooby-Doo ghost busting mystery adventure that I totally forgot about the game’s multiplayer additions.

Dubbed the Scarescraper, it’s a bunch of modes where you and three other colouredÂ  Luigis suck and blow the ghost-filled building with randomly-generated rooms. Obvious innuendoes aside, it’s pretty fun with its co-op based challenges and simple communication options (use theÂ  d-pad for max effect here). You can either choose to split up and tackle individual rooms, or converge when needed.Â  Trust me, you’ll needÂ  to when you have one of your own Luigis caught in a trap.
There’s also aÂ  Mario Party-esque 8-playerÂ  mode in the game, but trust me whenÂ  I say that they’re not the real meat of the experience.Â  It’s a harmless diversion at best.
Creep Show

For veterans of Luigi’s “horror” escapade, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a huge breath of fresh air thanks to its Gooigi mechanic and hotel level layout filled with innovative surprises and secrets. For newbies, you’re in for one heckuva G-rated spooky adventure that’s basically a Ghostbusters game you’ve always craved for since that one game from Activision back in 2009.
Just when you think ghostbusting in this hotel gets repetitive, along comes the next floor to surprise you.Â  That’s the beauty ofÂ  Luigi’s Mansion 3: it reels you in with its glitz and glamour like a proverbial Hotel California, then traps you when you least expect it. Unlike that hotel, this one’s guaranteed to make your stay as sublime as possible.
Pros

Fun and inventive action-adventure game.
Intuitive ghostbusting mechanics.
Lovely aesthetics & slapstick humour.
Well-designed multiplayer party modes.

Cons

Stilted camera & controls.

FINAL SCORE: 90/100


Nintendo May Flip The Switch On For VR

Video games have gone through several tech fads and gimmicks over the years, some of which have endured and others that have faded away. While Nintendo trailblazed the way for motion control gaming with the Nintendo Wii (which was emulated by the PlayStation Move and Xbox Kinect), the Japanese giant has been late in following the latest one: virtual reality or VR.
That might change soon, as Dutch gaming website LetsGoDigital has recently discovered what seems to be an application for a Nintendo Switch VR headset of some sort. The patent was applied back in February 2018, but it was only published on 22 August 2019.

Described as a â€œ3D image display system and 3D image display deviceâ€, the Nintendo Switch VR headset looks similar in design with the Nintendo Labo VR headset. What’s weird is that (just like the Nintendo Labo VR) it has no head strap, which is essentially on every other VR headset out there. It’s also made of plastic this time around and not just cardboard.
VR hasn’t really made that big of a splash in the past few years, with not even the PlayStation VR becoming the big hit that Sony was supposedly planning for. We’ll have to wait and see if Nintendo decides to go through with this new Nintendo Switch VR headset.


Soul Hackers 2 Steam Edition Comes With A Nifty OG Desktop Wallpaper

Atlus and Sega has announced a neat little bonus for players who buy the PC Steam version of Soul Hackers 2.
JRPG fans and enthusiasts who buy the PC version will get a bonus gift: an exclusive Soul Hackers 2 original desktop animated wallpaper (the kind you find in Wallpaper Engine) and still-image wallpaper. Check out the sample below:

You can get the wallpaper by purchasing either of the following PC versions of Soul Hackers 2:

Soul Hackers 2 (Steam ed.)
Soul Hackers 2 – Digital Deluxe Edition (Steam ed.)
Soul Hackers 2 – Digital Premium Edition (Steam ed.)

Here are the details of the wallpaper:

Recommended Application: Wallpaper Engine
Live Wallpaper File Format: MP4
Size (both live and still-image): 1920×1080, 3840×2160

Soul Hackers 2 will be out for PC and consoles this 26 August. The JRPG is a follow-up to the Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner spin-off series where players are put in the role of a protagonist who can summon demons digitally or mystically; the latter applies to the cult classic Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army and its sequel Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon. Apart from demon-summoning and futuristic/40s period backdrops and eras, the games also features a pale-skinned demon-summoning/fusing doctor(?) called Dr. Victor, who is either a mad scientist, a ship captain, or in this case a circus ringleader.


The Mandalorian Season 2 Premiere Goes Big From The Start

Less than one year after the debut of The Mandalorian, the first episode of the second season has premiered on Disney Plus. It’s an understatement to call the entire first season of the live-action Star Wars anything less than a massive success, so much so that Season 3 is already in pre-production as we speak.
The Return Of The Mandalorian

Directed by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian Season 2 Episode 1 ‘Chapter 9: The Marshal’ doesn’t waste any time going into the nitty-gritty and giving us an action-packed intro to the second season.
If your problem with some of the episodes in Season 1 is that nothing much happens, this episode reels you in from beginning to end, despite actually being one of the longer episodes of the series, running at almost 52 minutes in length and duration.
I won’t spoil anything from this episode, but the gist of it is that Din Djarin AKA The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) is looking for other Mandalorians in the galaxy to help in his quest to return Baby Yoda to its people.
He gets a tip, which leads him to none other than Tatooine (you know, the Skywalker family’s home planet). There, he meets an established character from canon, but this is someone you probably won’t recognize unless you’ve been reading the new official canon novels that have been published in the past few years.
That said, there are definitely some surprises in store for you in this episode. I can tell you that the Tatooine natives Tusken Raiders are involved and that the plot is a good old defending the village from a monstrous threat (hint: the threat isn’t the Tusken Raiders), but that’s all I can say without delving into major spoilers. As always, The Mandalorian is best experienced with little to no prior knowledge of what happens.
If you’re an avid Star Wars fan like me, the easter eggs in this episode will have you smiling from ear to ear. It somewhat partially answers a question that fans have been asking since before the first season even debuted. You’ll have to watch the episode to find out.
Star Wars TV Is Booming

The production value remains extremely high, which is totally expected, and it’s always appreciated that the crew behind The Mandalorian is still incorporating practical effects whenever they can. The spirit of Star Wars has always been in pioneering special effects, so kudos to Favreau, Dave Filoni, and everyone involved.
Disney is sparing no dollar when it comes to The Mandalorian. The CGI in this episode is comparable to that of high-budget movies. It astounds me every time that I’m reminded of the fact that The Mandalorian is a TV series. It further reinforces my belief that the future of Star Wars as a franchise belongs on TV (or streaming).
The rest of The Mandalorian Season 2 will release every Friday on a weekly basis on Disney Plus. If you want the exact time, look out for a new episode every Friday after 12am PT, or 3pm GMT+8 for Southeast Asian countries.
That’s all I have to say for now, but that ending stinger definitely has me hyped for next week’s episode. It’s only the first episode of the second season, and The Mandalorian is already rekindling my love for Star Wars all over again.
Well, in the words of Din Djarin himself, “This is the Way.”
FINAL SCORE: 80/100


Good Game Asia Reality Show Gets Unwelcome Visit From COVID-19

Asia’s first gaming reality show, Good Game Asia has unfortunately been hit with COVID and will be taking a short break to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
On 19 July at 6:00 PM it was announced across all their Social Media that the show will be taking a break due to COVID. Not much is known about the situation, whether it’s a contestant or a member of production team tested positive or a case of close contact.

It’s time to “Press Pause. Not Play.” pic.twitter.com/57AjyAZ051
— Good Game Asia (@goodgame_asia) July 19, 2022

We also don’t know how long the break will be but we can speculate it should be around a week or two. We should still expect an episode to be released this coming 22 July as it should have been filmed in advance, but there’s no telling if this break will be addressed in that episode.
It’s quite unfortunate that this happened right after they released what was essentially a filler episode. So we can expect to get yet another week(s) without an episode either this week or next week.
In the meantime, the production team will still be releasing exclusive content on their YouTube channel so feel free to go check their channel out for more content.

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

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


MapleStory M Collabs With Blackpink In New Update

Nexon Korea has announced the update for the collaboration between Nexon’s flagship IP MapleStory and global artist BLACKPINK.
Nexon has recently released two episodes of the collaboration videos as a preview for the collaboration project. Episode one of the collaboration videos features MapleStory gameplay experiences and each BLACKPINK member’s fashion style preferences.
In episode two, BLACKPINK members divide into two teams – BLACK team (JISOO, JENNIE) and PINK team (ROSÉ, LISA) – and use BLACKPINK’s popular songs as inspiration to design collaboration items with the game’s art design department. Those two-episode videos where BLACKPINK members talk about their gaming experiences and provide ideas for design items have garnered a lot of attention from the players.

In this collaboration, MapleStory has released two BLACK Packages, two PINK Packages and BLINK Beauty item (Face/Hair). BLACK Packages, which are designed by JISOO and JENNIE, will include a chic and charismatic concept inspired by the popular songs “Pink Venom” and “Shut Down.” PINK Packages, which are designed by ROSÉ and LISA, will include the cute, bubbly, and lively concept inspired by the popular songs “As If It’s Your Last,” “Boombayah,” “Ice Cream,” and “DDU-DU DDU-DU.”
More information and details for the “MapleStory X BLACKPINK” collaboration update can be found on the official MapleStory and MapleStory M communities in North America, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, and Korea.


Get This Sweet The Last Of Us Part 2 Dynamic PS4 Theme

Naughty Dog just released a new The Last of Us Part II Duality theme for the PS4. The artwork shifts between night and day depending on your console’s in-game clock.

Our new The Last of Us Part II Duality theme shifts between night and day based on your PS4's clock. Get it for free by using these codes on @PlayStation Store:
Americas: 4FMP-BBNM-J5L3Europe/AU/NZ/RU/ME/Africa/India: 9DEK-PKNG-N445Japan: R833-6TNN-FFXFCodes expire 2/11/21 pic.twitter.com/vcZivO5iV4
— Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) February 11, 2020

You can get it by entering the following codes on the PlayStation Store:
Americas: 4FMP-BBNM-J5L3
Europe/AU/NZ/RU/ME/
Africa/India: 9DEK-PKNG-N445
Japan: R833-6TNN-FFXF
The code expires on 11th February 2021, so you have all the time in the world to get it before it’s gone like Ellie’s innocence.
The Last of Us Part 2 will be out on PS4 this 29th May. Check out all of our coverage here.


Level-5’s Giant Mecha Action Game Is Coming Out This November….

Fans of giant mecha action and co-op gaming should do well to check out Level-5’s latest game Megaton Musashi.
The 3D action game features co-op gameplay online for up to four players, a robust story mode with tons of monsters for your customized mecha to pummel with, and an 11th November release date. The game will be out for Nintendo Switch and PS4 on that date; there’s no date of an English version so far.
Check out the gameplay below.


Meta Quest 3 VR Headset Announced, Coming This Year

Meta has announced the Meta Quest 3 virtual reality (VR) headset. It will launch in 2023, starting at US$499 for the 128 GB headset.
Quest 3 will be the first headset to feature a next-generation Snapdragon chipset developed in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies. That next-gen Snapdragon chipset delivers more than twice the graphical performance as the previous generation Snapdragon GPU in Quest 2.
It will also feature new Meta Reality technology, which lets you seamlessly blend your physical world with the virtual one. Now you can play a virtual board game on your kitchen table with Demeo, decorate your living room with virtual art courtesy of Painting VR, or dive into a fully immersive world to do things that are simply not possible otherwise.
With a 40 percent slimmer optic profile compared to Quest 2, Quest 3 is a sleeker, more comfortable headset. The Touch Plus controllers have also been redesigned with a more streamlined and ergonomic form factor. Thanks to our advances in tracking technology, we’ve dropped the outer tracking rings so the controllers feel like a more natural extension of your hands and take up less space. It also includes TruTouch haptics that first debuted in Touch Pro.
The Quest 3 is compatible with the Quest 2 catalogue of over 500 virtual reality games, apps, and experiences.
As for the Meta Quest 2, starting from 4 June 2023, the price of Quest 2 will be lowered to US$299.99 USD for the 128GB SKU and US$349.99 USD for the 256GB SKU. In an upcoming software update, they’re also updating the Quest 2 and Quest Pro GPU and CPU. Quest 2 and Pro will see an up-to-26% CPU performance increase with an up-to-19% GPU speed increase for Quest 2 and 11% for Quest Pro.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


PlayStation Ramadan Deals Offer Discounts On Games & Hardware

Sony Interactive Entertainment Singapore Private Limited (SIES) has announced the Ramadan Deals 2021 campaign, offering attractive prices on PlayStation Hardware, accessory and games for a limited time to welcome Ramadan and Hari Raya 2021 period in Malaysia.
Additionally, there will also be a sales offer for the purchase of PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) 12-month subscription on PlayStation Store (PS Store) starting from 28 April 2021 to 5Â May 2021. Many game titles will also be sold at discounted prices at PS Store.

From 28 April 2021 (Wednesday) till 12 May 2021 (Wednesday), customers can purchase the following PlayStation products from PlayStation Authorized Dealers:

PlayStation VR, at the promotional price of RM979
DUALSHOCK 4 (selected colours only), at the promotional price of RM179
Ghost of Tsushima (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM169
Crash Bandicoot 4: Itâ€™s About Time (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM169
The Last of Us Part II (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM129
Final Fantasy VII Remake (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM129
God of War PlayStation Hits (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM55
The Last of Us Remastered PlayStation Hits (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM55
UNCHARTED 4: A Thief’s End PlayStation Hits (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM55
Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition PlayStation Hits (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM55
Ratchet & Clank PlayStation Hits (Disc version), at the promotional price of RM55

From 28 April to 12 May 2021, many game titles will be available at a special price with up to 80 percent off in PS Store, including some blockbusters such as Persona 5 Strikers, Little Nightmares II Deluxe Edition (PS4 & PS5), Ghost of Tsushima, FIFA 21 Standard Edition PS4 & PS5 and Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition.
From 28 April to 5 May 2021, customers who purchase PS Plus 12-month subscription on PS Store can enjoy 20 percent off (Special price: RM127). PS Plus members can get a strong line-up of free games every month.
For PS Plus April Monthly Games, there will be a PS5 title Oddworld: Soulstorm, and PS4 titles Days Gone and X-Morph: Defence. Also, a PS4 title LEGO Worlds will be provided as a bonus title for Ramadan. Take this chance to join PS Plus now to enhance your PlayStation experience.
You can follow PlayStation Asiaâ€™s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PlayStationAsia) for updates on games, add-ons and discounts on PS Store.


Battlefield 5 Guide: How To Survive World War II One More Time

This feature is still under development.
Battlefield 5/V is out worldwide for PC, PS4, and Xbox One right now. Sure, it’s been out for early access folks a week before, but none of us wanted to head in too early since all these other awesome games last month swamped our schedule.
Now that it’s out in the wild, you might be a bit overwhelmed at what’s going on in the game. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Even if you played Battlefield 1 to death, it doesn’t hurt to read this feature to find out what’s new.
General Tips & Tricks

Squad Up!
Working with a squad is easily the best way to improve your performance. Here’s why:

You can spawn on teammates, getting you back into the action faster.
Itâ€™s always good to have someone else watching your back.

Adjust Your Aiming Sensitivity
Battlefield 5â€™s aiming is a little different when compared to other modern shooters. If you find yourself struggling then donâ€™t be afraid to head into the settings and experiment with sensitivity settings.
Use Your Upgrades
You can upgrade each weapon in Battlefield 5, adding in perks that improve recoil or reduce bullet drop. They do make a difference and are a great way to spend your hard-earned tokens.
Use Your Class-Specific Gear When You Can
You usually won’t survive for too long while playing Battlefield 5. So make every minute count. Provide support, throw out health kits, and spot enemies often, anything! You’ll get points so even if you didn’t get a kill, you’ll still make a slight difference on the field.
Don’t Pilot What You Can’t Handle
Don’t get into vehicles if you do not know how to pilot them. Every vehicle is a vital resource in Battlefield 5, so crashing one into a ditch can seriously hamper your entire team.
Be A Team Player
Kills aren’t everything. In fact, you’ll get points for just laying down suppressing fire. Work out the actions you are good at doing, then learn to contribute in that way.
You may have gotten the most kills in a match. However, if you never helped your team storm an objective, or take down armoured vehicles, then you’ll make much less of an impact on the match at large. Like most Battlefield games, it’s less about the pitch and more about getting a home run.

Get Used To Hiding Behind Cover
In Battlefield 5, it takes a long time to recover health. If you’re planning on getting back into the fight you’ll need to head off somewhere with adequate cover.
Ask For Healing; Don’t Be Shy
In Battlefield 5, you’ll start bleeding out when downed. From here you can either speed up the dying process, or call out to be healed. We recommend doing the latter until you’re at at least half health, as there are always going to be medics around to help you out. If you go down in a high-risk area, then take one for the team and hold down the bleed out button.
If you have the means to take out an enemy vehicle, then do it. There will be few others on your team that can do it as well, so do your bit and stop a vehicle in its tracks early on.
Whip Out Your Pistol If You’re Out Of Main Gun Ammo
Don’t forget to use your sidearm when you run out of ammo, it’s quicker than reloading.
Use Turrets To Defend When You Can
Each Battlefield 5 map is littered with artillery, mounted guns, and turrets. They’re all very easy ways to get kills, and you can always hop off if you can’t find anything to shoot at.
The Best Guns To Bring To This Fight

We’ll break this down to the plethora of classes in this game.
Assault Class

The best Assault weapon needs to be good at both mid and short range. Oh, and something that at least has some semblance of accuracy when firing from the hip.
StG 44 – The first assault rifle you get in the game is one of the best, mostly for its versatility. While damage may not be as high as you’d like, the weapon’s hip fire capabilities seem to suit most of the current selection of maps.
It’s got high accuracy too. If you pair this with a medium scope, you can easily tag enemies from afar. You’ll want to use incendiary grenades and dynamite with this one, treating it more as a submachine gun that can also be used at long range.
Turner SMLEÂ – By comparison to the last gun, the Turner SMLE is definitely for more patient play. It is pretty hopeless at close range, but that’s what your pistol is for. At medium ranges though, the Turner SMLE is unbeatable, especially thanks to its high accuracy, which goes a long way to counter some of Battlefield 5’s heavy bullet drop and player tracking.
You’ll want to pair this with Panzerfaust 100 so that you can fire back at any vehicles you come across, and keep a P38 Pistol by your side in case you are ambushed.
Medic Class

As a class that helps out downed teammates, you need something that dishes out high suppressing fire.
Suomi KP/-31Â – At this point in typing, Battlefield 5 is very much geared towards SMGs. Jump into any game and you’ll likely be annihilated over and over by Medics and Support players using a high rate of fire to beat you to the punch.
The Suomi KP/-31 has an obscenely high rate of fire. This means that if you shoot first and aim for the middle of an enemy, you’ll come out on top most of the time. Pair this with the ruby trench pistol and the sticks of dynamite for a potent medic combo.
Support Class

As a class who helps and buffs up the team with ammunition, you need to have the right weapon that works well with defending choke points.
Bren Gun – If you’re looking to use an LMG in Battlefield 5, then go for the Brent Gun. It has high accuracy and can be switched to a single shot mode to use over long distances.
The best part of the Bren? It’s the added stability while firing, making it a viable option when shooting from the hip. But only as a last resort.
M30 Drilling – This shotgun is the best option for support players looking to hold down a position while supplying their squad with ammo. It has an impressive range, and as long as you don’t aim too low it’s usually a one-shot kill too.
Recon Class

You like sniping and camping like those a**holes in CS:GO? This class is for you.
Kar98KÂ – If you’re after a sniper rifle in Battlefield 5 then look no further than the Kar98K. It has the slowest fire rate but the highest damage; this is perfect for soldiers with a more patient playstyle. Ensure you pair this weapon with the Longe Range Bullet upgrade, as this will reduce bullet drop and make sure you hit your mark every time.
Map Guide
Narvik

The northern portion of Narvik is at the top of a hill, while the southern section is at the bottom of the hill. It’s easier to attack downhill, so take the northern point of the map first.
If you take the southern bridge, do avoid sniping up the hill since it’ll be easier for enemies to inch closer to you.
Since most fights will happen between the north and south points, it’s best to sneak around the northern border and head towards point A and/or E as a small group.

Fjell 652

Don’t let the tranquil snow fool you; this map can get chaotic fast. The trick to surviving this place is to not stay and camp in one area for too long.
Two teams need to head to both sides of the mountain and capture points as they go. If you can leave enemy squads stranded in the middle point, all the better.
Fjell isn’t an ideal place for camping and sniping because it’s very easy to get spotted at mid-range. But if you really must snipe, at least give yourself a minute before you have to move to a new fresh spot. Preferably with backup.

Arras

This area is huge and pretty-looking. Which is why getting to points ASAP is the key to dominating this map. Get good at vehicles, because using transports here is beneficial.
Our advice? Take point E so you have a reliable spot to camp at.
If you wish to take point B, do not take the obviously exposed southern road. Instead, take the river below.

Rotterdam

Another wide open map, this area’s not as saturated as Arras but features a ton of vehicles for you to drive around in.
Set your sights north at the French white house. It’s a good spot to fall back in and defend.
Use the back alleyways in the city if you don’t want to be out in the open.
The train tracks are a great way to get from one end of the map to the other pretty quick. Also, have some Recon guys camp here so that you can secure the area.


Barbie Movie Unveils Character Posters and Barbie Land Trailer

Warner Bros Pictures has released the official posters and second teaser trailer for the upcoming live-action Barbie movie, unveiling star-studded casts, amongst many of them are variations of Barbies and Kens.
The cast is led by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as a particular Barbie and Ken, following suit with others portraying the iconic doll couple. We also get non-toy role figures such as Will Ferrell, Jamie Demetriou, and more.
The 11 Barbies

Margot Robbie – Barbie
Hari Nef – Barbie
Dua Lipa – Barbie
Issa Rae – Barbie
Sharon Rooney – Barbie
Ritu Arya – Barbie
Emerald Fennell – Barbie
Kate McKinnon. – Barbie
Alexandra Shipp – Barbie
Emma Mackey – Barbie
Nicola Coughlan – Barbie

The 5 Kens

Ryan Gosling – Ken
Simu Liu – Ken
Scott Evans – Ken
Ncuti Gatwa – Ken
Kingsley Ben-Adir – Ken

Barbie’s Cast

Michael Cera – Allan
Emerald Fennell – Midge
Will Ferrell – Mattel CEO
Jamie Demetriou – Mattel Executive
Connor Swindells – Aaron Dinkins
America Ferrera – Gloria
Ariana Greenblatt – Sasha
Helen Mirren – Narrator

The marketing team did a great job turning the posters with the aesthetic colours of Barbie and every character’s signature pose, including a short description of who they are.

Meet our Barbies and Kens ?#BarbieTheMovie pic.twitter.com/KO2pwszXNJ
— Barbie Movie (@barbiethemovie) April 4, 2023

Meanwhile, The Kens are here to look good and have fun! Fun fact, Ken is short for Kenneth Sean Carson and was introduced as Barbie’s boyfriend in 1961. In this film, we get to see the good looks of Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Scott Evans, Kingsley Ben-Adir Ken, and Ncuti Gatwa.

Meet more Barbies and Kens, and Allan… #BarbieTheMovie pic.twitter.com/ordXE57CVP
— Barbie Movie (@barbiethemovie) April 4, 2023

pic.twitter.com/qovxvooobp
— Barbie Movie (@barbiethemovie) April 4, 2023

The few non-Barbie and Ken-related roles starring Emerald Fennel plays Midge, Barbie’s best friend and Michael Cera as Allan as her husband. Human characters will be played by America Ferrera, Ariana Greenblatt, Will Ferrell, Jamie Demetriou, and Connor Swindells, with Helen Mirren voicing the narrator.

pic.twitter.com/K5ND3g8pQp
— Barbie Movie (@barbiethemovie) April 4, 2023

The Barbie Movie first introduced its first teaser trailer back in December 2023 and we finally get to see Barbie Land in the second teaser! Filled with cheerful friendly Barbies enjoying life to the fullest in the pink wonderland and Kens being charming and a hint of rivalry between two particular Kens. The trailer shows glimpses of musical scenes of Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu dancing in sync. We also get to see Barbie driving off to the ‘RealWorld’ with Ken in the front passenger seat.
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is set to premiere in cinemas on 21 July 2023.


NBA 2K22 Season 2 Kicks Off This Weekend

All new Seasons format delivers fresh content for Season 2: Follow in Michael Jordanâ€™s footsteps to achieve greatness, access new content and earn rewards, and experience the debut of â€œFirst Fridaysâ€ in partnership with Columbia Records
2K has revealed an in-depth look at Season 2 coming to NBA 2K22 this Friday, featuring its first music label partnership with Columbia Records, alongside new content across MyCAREER, MyTEAM and The W. First introduced in NBA 2K21, Seasons has expanded in NBA 2K22 to offer players more ways to level up and redeem rewards at no additional cost after reaching each new Seasons level. Season 1 of NBA 2K22 has already seen engagement from millions of players worldwide, with over 285 million quests completed, 266 million PARK games played, and players favouring LaMelo Ballâ€™s jersey above all others.

NBA 2K22 Season 2: â€˜Build Your Empireâ€™ focuses on Michael Jordanâ€™s rise to legend status and gives players a chance to achieve greatness themselves. Players can jump into the game to experience the following:

MyCAREER additions include new rewards, special Themed Mascot Outfit as a level 40 reward, Rebirth unlockable as a Quest reward, cosmetic fall updates, and events and apparel;
MyTEAM additions include Seasonal Player Reward Cards, such as a Level 1 Free Agent Michael Jordan that will lead playersâ€™ starting lineups or reach Level 40 to gain a Pink Diamond Kevin Garnett. MyTEAM also introduces new NBA 75 Domination Tier and Series I Cards and the first-ever Player Coach Cards as a reward for completing each tier in the NBA 75 Domination Tier, along with new challenges, agendas, and more;
The W* additions include a new Seasonal Clothing Bundle, 2K Breakthrough Gear, and more. Players can also make the most of their contacts, with chances to connect with legends Rebecca Lobo and former WNBA player turned WNBA coach Teresa Weatherspoon, to grow their games to take on grueling competition and accumulate more exciting rewards;
â€˜First Fridaysâ€™ debuts with a soundtrack update curated by Columbia Records that will feature artists 24kGoldn, Cochise, and SSGKobe, along with several other artists from Columbiaâ€™s roster. Even more music will be added to the soundtrack every Friday throughout the Season and each future soundtrack update will feature a mix of high-profile and up-and-coming artists to support music discovery and growth in the game.

For all the details on whatâ€™s included in Season 2 ofÂ NBA 2K22,Â check out the latestÂ Courtside Report.
NBA 2K22Â is available worldwide for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms. For more information, please visit theÂ NBA 2K22Â official website.


Here’s What Esports Can Learn From Traditional Sports

Esports is a rapidly-growing industry, with viewership soon to challenge that of traditional sports, and the historic esports medal events happening later this year at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.
However, esports remains a relatively young industry compared to traditional sports like football/soccer, which has been regulated for at least a hundred years.Â According to research conducted by the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF), there are several areas in which esports can learn from traditional sports, including:
Player-Scouting And Youth Development
Esports talent scouts already have the advantage of not having to be physically present in order to assess potential athletes. However, they can improve even more by employing the “moneyball” approach often used in traditional sports, which is to specifically search for players who fit specific squad roles.
Talent Management And Career Prospects
Pro esports athletes peak in their late teens, reaching retirement phase by the age of 25. By ensuring the implementation of proper support systems to maintain physical and mental health (like in traditional sports), former pro players can remain relevant after their career ends by delving into other aspects of the esports industry.
These include coaching, management, or even broadcasting/streaming; being commentators, observers, or even esports journalists are viable career paths after you’re past your prime.

Emphasis in Creating World Class Athletes Ahead of Hosting Tourneys
A lot of countries make the mistake of hosting world-class sporting events but failing to develop the sport involved beforehand. For example, Malaysia hosted the Dota 2 KL Major in November 2018. However, the state of local esports has not improved much since.
This has led to problems and recent controversies like pro players not receiving compensation or proper support (financial, transportation, lodgings, etc.) and more. Esports can only thrive if the responsible parties channel the funds to grassroots and community development.
Read the full report here.

How else do you think esports can improve if they take a few steps from traditional sports like football and basketball? Must we do more than just events to thrive? Let us know!


Get Your Retro Tetris Fix In This Upcoming Singapore Tournament

Are you a fan of filling in rows of lines for points and trashing your foes in the realm of puzzledom? Do you prefer working with squares and L-shaped blocks when it comes to your puzzle games? Then check out this upcoming Classic Tetris World Championship tournament in Singapore.
Details are below, along with this nifty graphic from the official Challonge page.
Date: 20 July from 10am to 6pm
Venue: James Cook University, Singapore
Registration Link: https://challonge.com/events/ctwcsingapore2019#/
Game version: Tetris on NES (8-bit US NTSC version, not Tetris by Tengen)

The winner will get a round-trip ticket to the CTWC Finals in Portland Retro Gaming Expo in October 2019. Participants will get a sweet-ass CTWC Singapore t-shirt. And of course, all Southeast Asian participants are welcome. The prize itself is worth the hassle to stay and take a break in the land of chili crab and that Marina Bay Sands structure, right?


The Biggest Mobile Legends Event In Philippines Will Be Powered By Smart

Siklab Saya is the biggest Mobile Legends: Bang Bang event and tournament in the Philippines, which will take place from November 2019 to January 2020. It will be powered by Philippines-based telco company, Smart, and cover at least eight different key venues nationwide.
With over Php20 million worth of prizes up for grabs, attendees can also look forward to:

The Mage Lair â€“Â Take photos withÂ Mobile LegendsÂ heroes and share them on social media
The Tank Booth â€“Â Test your strength like a true tank with an arm-wrestling match
The Assassin Center â€“Â Swing around a weapon like a real assassin in a game ofÂ Beat SaberÂ and play for a high score
The Marksman Range â€“Â Prove your worth as a marksman by throwing Brunoâ€™s energy ball at on-screen minions for a high score
The Fighter Pods â€“Â The ultimate testâ€”play a friendly game ofÂ Mobile LegendsÂ and win!

To participate in the activities listed above, Smart subscribers simply have to register to a Giga Games package and answer a Mobile Legends Hero quiz. Completing all of them will earn them an exclusive in-game skin and more.

Siklab Saya will feature a Mobile Legends tournament featuring major pro players battling it out. These regional tournaments will take place in key cities like NCR, Luzon, and the Visayas from November to December 2019, before culminating in the grand national tournament in NCR in January 2020.
In addition to all that, Siklab Saya will also feature fan meets across the country, raffles, themed side events, casting calls for aspiring esports streamers, cosplay contests, celebrity exhibition matches, meet-and-greets with pro esports players, and more.
The Smart Giga Games 99 offers 2GB open-access data and 1GB of Games All Day for nonstop Mobile Legends and other top mobile games for seven days. Head on over to the official website here for more details and information.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc5w83HAEWA&w=560&h=315]


We’re Getting Borderlands 2 DLC That Ties Into Borderlands 3

Update: it’s confirmed. This DLC is available for Borderlands 2 Handsome Collection owners for free from now until 9th July. The DLC will then cost you US$14.99.Â
There’s still some life left in that 7-year old Borderlands 2 engine, if this leak is of any indication.
According to a recent tweet from RobotBrush, the game will be getting a new piece of free downloadable content that will act as a narrative bridge to Borderlands 3. This add-on, called Commander Lilith & The Fight For Sanctuary, will feature new bosses, new weapons, and new loot with a possible new tier (Rainbow?).
Oh and there’s now a new level cap: it’s now bumped up to 80. Newcomers can also bump their Vault Hunters straight to level 30. Time to go back into the grind again. Official description below:

Return to the award winning shooter-looter for a new adventure that sets the stage for the upcomingÂ Borderlands 3. Sanctuary is under siege, the Vaultâ€™s map has been stolen and a toxic gas is poisoning Pandora. Fight new bosses, explore new zones, get new loot (including an entirely new tier beyond Legendary) and join up with Lilith and the Crimson Raiders to take on a deranged villain hell-bent on ruling the planet.
Returning players can pursue an increased level cap of 80, while newcomers can automatically boost to level 30 and dive straight into the action.

The DLC will be out most likely during E3 for current platforms that have Borderlands 2, according to sources at ResetEra.Â For many of us who are replaying the game in anticipation of part 3, like yours truly and his quest to get his Mechromancer and Assassin to max level, this new piece of content should see an activity spike when it’s out.
In other news, Borderlands 3 will be out 13th September for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.


All The Games At The Nintendo Indie World Showcase 2020

Nintendo just livestreamed an indie gaming showcase recently, so here’s a recap of its highlights.
The best part? Half these titles are out for your Nintendo Switch right now. And Nintendo is hosting an indie games sale. We’ll be updating this feature with game prices later today.
For now, here are the games:
Hades

Our god-like rogue-like, HADES, is coming to #NintendoSwitch this fall, when we exit Early Access on PC!
Watch our new animated Launch Trailer, and stay tuned for v1.0, where we'll be adding the true ending and much more! #HadesGame pic.twitter.com/gmP9RhIjg8
— Supergiant Games (@SupergiantGames) August 18, 2020

Our favourite roguelike of 2020 that’s still in Early Access will be on Nintendo Switch. And it features cross saving, so you can transfer your PC save to the Switch version and play it there. Out Fall 2020, when the PC version exits Early Access.
Hypnospace Outlaw
One of our 2019 darlings, Hypnospace Outlaw, will be out on Nintendo Switch. Browse through the 90s internet
Out 27th August for Switch and also PS4 and Xbox One. The game also features a physical edition complete with an old-school 90s PC box.

Thrilled to announce that HYPNOSPACE OUTLAW is coming to Nintendo Switch, Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation 4 on August 27th!
PLUS it'll be launching with BRAND NEW CONTENT on both consoles AND PC, featuring 60+ new pages, 2 hours of additional music, new games/apps, and more! pic.twitter.com/11lchgIL3p
— No More Robots (@nomorerobotshq) August 18, 2020

Spiritfarer

This game puts you in the shoes of a caretake who tends to spirits and conform to their requests before you send them away to the great void permanently. And you own a boat that takes you to spirit-laden places.
It’s coming to Nintendo Switch later today. So far it’s not coming out for other platforms like PC and Xbox One yet, despite it being announced for the latter first.
Garden Story

Vegetables coming to life and doing top-down 2D RPG stuff with fruits and other produce both domestic and wild. Your enemies? The rot. Kill them so that your garden grows, literally.
Blooming in 2021. Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Subnautica

This past 3D seafaring survival game will be out on Switch. Both the original and its sequel Subnautica: Below Zero will be out for the Switch in early 2021.
Takeshi and Hiroshi

A claymation and 2D action RPG game hybrid where you design a game and have your brother Hiroshi test it out. The claymation bits are the story while the 2D bits are the turn-based gameplay.
Out later today. This is one title that is piquing my curiosity.
Raji

An Indian-made title based on Hindu mythology and architectural marvel. Defend the world against an evil demon lord in 3D action-adventure featuring a lovely ancient aesthetic.
Also out today as a timed console exclusive.
Bear & Breakfast

Want to play a bear wandering in the wilderness populated with chatty and snarky animals? AND manage a bed-and-breakfast lot? This game will make your wish come true.

Bear and Breakfast is chill a game where you build and run a B+B in the woods, but you're a Bear. Thanks for having us, Twitterland. If you like what we're up to, consider wishlisting: https://t.co/Xay09PyiM7 pic.twitter.com/7HhRVGoiYO
— Bear and Breakfast ? (@BearBreakfast) August 18, 2020

Out 2021 as a timed exclusive for Nintendo.
A Short Hike

This fun adventure game previously on PC is now on the Switch. You hike, you explore, and find your way around in this relaxing adventure game. Out later today as a timed console exclusive.
Card Shark

An 18th-century adventure game set in France where you play cards, cheat people, and buy your way to high-stakes royal game to rise to the top. If you get caught or lose, you die. Easy. Out in 2021.
Torchlight 3

The supposedly dumbed-down sequel to Torchlight 2. If you like your action-RPG as retro as possible and show off your fort and gear, you may want to check it out when it’s out for Switch this Fall.
Manifold Garden

This puzzle game lets you shift gravity, and features a lot of starry architecture-filled vistas and environments. Out on Switch later today.
Evergate

A 2D platformer featuring a soulflame mechanic that can be used as a time-slowing device, platform-maker, and jump booster.
Out later today.
Untitled Goose Game Co-Op Mode

Yep, the classic trolling game featuring 2019’s best character, the goose, is coming to Nintendo Switch. And now comes with 2 player co-op.
The free co-op update will come 23rd September for existing versions of the game. The Nintendo Switch version will be “coming soon”.


Here Are The Best Avengers: Endgame “Avenge The Fallen” Memes So Far

A few moments ago, our very own Comicslord talked about the recent Avengers: Endgame character posters that officially revealed who lived and who died in the last Avengers film.
It’s pretty sombre and sad for some. For others, it’s a Photoshop opportunity to pay tribute to other dead fictional superheroes. Here are the best ones we’ve found so far, from video game characters to pop culture icons.

You forgot one pic.twitter.com/L6B6FKVpoW
— Nibel (@Nibellion) March 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/darth/status/1110628522886746112
https://twitter.com/emilypheller/status/1110641709069803520

Justice for the Rex in #JurassicPark 3 – #Avengers #Endgame pic.twitter.com/x8j6VK4mkp
— Neemz – The Movie Poster Guy & Jurassic Your World (@movieposterguy) March 26, 2019

When's Mahvel? #mvci #fgc #mvc pic.twitter.com/vLpXY35Slh
— Mr Toff33, Ouroboros-In-Training (@MrToffee) March 28, 2019

Last but not least: this app.
https://twitter.com/darth/status/1110639419755630592
Avengers: Endgame will be showing on 24 April in Malaysia.Â


Ladies & Gentlemen, We Have Found 2019’s Best Gaming Headset

There are way too many buzzwords and features clogging up gaming peripherals, especially with headsets. Most of them are made with style over substance in mind. Truth be told, it is necessary for peripheral makers, both legitimate and questionably so. However, an old-fashioned fella like me just want a sleek-looking headset with great sound and a decent mic with a matching price tag to go along with it.
Logitech must have read my mind because their G PRO X Gaming Headset (Pro X for the remainder of this write-up) is pretty much what I’ve wanted out of a pair of headphones that complements my gaming habits. No frills & fuss; just regular functions done exceptionally well with a fair price. Like a Rolex, but for the ears.
Aural Ecstacy?

As with any pair of headphones or gaming headsets, audio and vocal output matters. Some of these offer the best sounds but they have subpar microphones and vice versa. The Pro X has both covered to a tee in a robust fashion.
I won’t mince words: the headphones sound awesome. Playing through music to test headphones like the live version of Alice in Chains’ “No Excuses” or Yoshi Horikawa’s “Bubbles” is just straight-up aural bliss. When connected via USB and using Logitech’s hub tool (more on that later), you can adjust the stereo levels to your liking or just keep it to default and let the game’s audio take you for a ride. In my Overwatch bouts, I can hear every footstep, shot, or power-up sound and pinpoint where my opponents are coming from precisely through these headsets.
But to use this bad boy to the fullest, you will need the aforementioned Logitech G Hub app that lets you change up your microphone levels so that you can get the best output.

In fact, the headset’s Blue Voice feature (from the same guys that birthed the Blue Yeti microphone) is so crisp and clear that it’s almost an affordable substitute to a line audio input and XLR microphone setup.

This is assuming you know how to tweak your recording settings and have the patience to fiddle around with the G Hub microphone output levels. If you’re lazy, the hub even comes with some esports presets so you can hear what they hear when playing and livestreaming their CS:GOs or Dota 2s. Even if you’re not into that, you’ll have a ball just tweaking the microphone settings just for regular online play for your Destiny 2s, Division 2s, and Warframes.
I’m not sure what kind of tiny magical elves are making the Pro X sound good and create clear microphone recordings. Suffice to say, it’s hard to go back to any old headset once you put these on for a few hours.
Carry On Listening

Speaking of comfort, the Pro X is astoundingly comfortable to wear thanks to its plush earpads. They don’t squeeze your head like a vice; they just rest on your ears just dandy. Whether you’re crooning to some music for 30 minutes or playing through Overwatch in surround sound for hours, you won’t feel much when wearing these for a long while.
Just having this beast in your hands feels good. The cables you attach to it are braided and do not feel flimsy and thin. It’s not that heavy, yet it feels durable enough to withstand a few accidents thanks to its aluminium fork and steel headband.
The best part is you can wear it out in public without looking like a technicolour fool. Its choice of colours and material makes it great to bring out and carry. It’s a shame you can’t fold it into the provided black cloth bag so that you can save space when packing it. But to be frank, it’s sexy and stylish enough to be shown out in public without coming off as obnoxious.
Bad In Black
I was initially turned off by the packaging. The sleek black box that houses the headset did crop up some buzzwords amidst its oblique casing; like it’s trying to come off as a pretentious final answer to gaming headsets.
After days and hours listening and carrying the Pro X out and about, I truly believe it is. At least for headsets made last year and this year.

Truly, Logitech emerges triumphant by just creating a solid and classy product that demands to be rested on human ears. This is an apex predator that will soundblast the competition to kingdom come.

The price tag is nothing to sneeze at (RM699), but believe it when we say it is worth its weight in refined steel and aluminium. Short of spending RM1,500 on DJ-level headphones, you won’t find a better and sleeker deal than this.
Dub this one the Bentley of headsets if you wish; your eardrums won’t regret being in the bosoms of the Pro X’s outstanding build.
Pros

Amazing sound output…
…Amplified by DTS USB option.
Godlike microphone powered by Blue Voice.
Appropriately lengthy & beefy cables & jacks.
Easy to carry around.
Simple and elegant aesthetics-wise.

Cons

Headphones do not swivel or fold.

FINAL SCORE: 100/100
If you’re sold on maximum aural bliss, you can either go check out your local Logitech reseller orÂ get the headsets here.

Vital Statistics
General
Price: RM699
Length: 138 mm
Width: 94 mm
Height: 195 mm
Weight (w/o cable): 320 g
PC Cable Length: 2 m
Mobile Cable Length: 1.5 m
PC splitter: 120 mm
Headphone
Driver: Hybrid mesh PRO-G 50 mm
Magnet: Neodymium
Frequency response: 20 Hz-20 KHz
Impedance: 35 ohm
Sensitivity: 91.7 dB SPL @ 1 mW & 1 cm
Materials
Fork: Aluminum
Headband: Steel
Ear and head pads: Memory Foam Leatherette
Extra Ear pads: Memory Foam Cloth
Microphone
Microphone Pickup Pattern: Cardioid (Unidirectional)
Type: Electret Condense
Size: 6 mm
Frequency response: 100 Hz-10 KHz


Rockstar’s Work Culture Has Improved, According To New Report

Back in 2018, Kotaku published a detailed report on Rockstar’s culture of crunch. Now, a new report shines the spotlight on the studio again. This time though, it’s for positive reasons.
According to Kotaku writer Jason Schreier’s new report, Rockstar has been working on improving the working experience for its employees. An internal email from executive Jennifer Kolbe mentioned upcoming plans such as “flexible schedules”, “management and leadership training”, “anonymous” feedback surveys, and more.
The studio was also said to be working on reducing overtime. Some steps include “improving their technology pipelines and planning out more of the gameâ€™s beats in advance” for their next big project, and starting “with a moderately sized release… that is then expanded with regular updates over time” for the next Grand Theft Auto game.
The report notes that the studio’s employees still see the process of improvement as a slow one, with much of the optimism being tinged with caution. However, Rockstar’s efforts to improve can be seen at least. For example, the studio has been telling employees, who are working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that it is alright to not be productive and to focus on health and family during this time.
Considering how even CD Projekt Red couldn’t avoid crunch when it came to making Cyberpunk 2077, things might still get tough at Rockstar once development on their next big title ratchets up. For now, it’s good to know that Rockstar is at least trying to change, and that their efforts, while still in the early stages, can be seen.


Last Oasis Basic Guide: How To Survive The Latest Survival Game Wasteland

New survival MMO Last Oasis is back after suffering crippling problems. Interested in checking out its world where nomads flee from the sun with ship-like walking constructs called walkers? Maybe these basic tips will help.
Water is super important
You don’t have to eat in Last Oasis, but you’ll need to consume water, which you can get from cacti, cactus fruits, and aloe. However, that’s not the only thing water is used for.
You’ll also need water to travel from one hex to another and to respawn at your walker. Respawning costs water too, and if your walker’s water runs out, you won’t be able to respawn there.
Be careful where you park your walker
Remember the opening scene in Mortal Engines where several towns are parked in the open, and in the middle of a vast plain to boot, which made them easily spotted by big bad London? Yeah, don’t do that, unless you’re trying to lure other walkers to your location for some reason.
Last Oasis has its share of flat land, but it’s not all flat. Park your walker behind ridges or any other suitable line-of-sight-blocking terrain so that you can avoid unwanted detection.
Watch out for the Sun as well
In Last Oasis‘s Earth, the western lands have been scorched by the Sun, while the lands in the east are covered in ice. Players exist somewhere in between these two extremes,Â  but as the planet rotates around the Sun, they have to avoid being burned to a crisp.
With this being a core part of Last Oasis, and with the world map letting you know how long you’ve got before your server, or hex, gets burned, it might seem like an easy thing to remember. Still, it’s not something you’d typically see in other survival games, so better be safe than sorry and avoid losing your stuff – and your character – to the weather.
Don’t rush to leave your starter oasis…

You might be itching to venture out after building your first walker, but it’s best to reign in your exploratory urges a bit, at least in regards to travelling out of your starter oasis. You can’t travel between starter oases in the game, so venturing out of yours will leave you no choice but to enter a medium hex, which you may not be ready for.
Plus, you can’t go back to your starter oasis, so if you’d left your walker there you won’t be able to reclaim it.
… but maintain vigilance in the starter oases
Last Oasis‘ PvP gameplay extends to even the starter oases, which means that beginners aren’t exactly safe there. They’re still obviously safer than the other oases, but it would suck if you died from negligence and respawned in a normal difficulty oasis when you’re not yet prepared.
Kill Rupu for resources, but be careful of the stronger ones
Other players aside, you’ll have to contend with monkey-like creatures called Rupu. The most basic Rupu shouldn’t be a problem even for solo newbies, but there are several kinds of Rupu, and some of these are naturally tougher to deal with. Rupu Hazrakis are dangerous warriors, and the White Death even more so, and there are Rupu villages where you will find yourself outnumbered.
Having said that, Rupu and Rupu villages provide you with useful resources, so you should fight them. Just pick your fights wisely, and don’t get too bloodthirsty when you’re just starting out.
Similarly, watch out for crowded oases
This is a PvP game, and the more populated the region, the higher the chances of being ganked, naturally. While you should always be wary of other players and clans no matter the location, you might want to think twice before entering a crowded oasis, unless you’re confident in your skills/walker, or have buddies or a clan to back you up.
Transferring and favourites

To keep your precious walker safe when you logout, you can use the transfer to lobby feature. You’ll have to travel with it to the edge of the map, then simply press “escape” and then “transfer to lobby”.
If you get off the walker, you won’t be transferred along with it. This means that if you have multiple walkers, you can transfer them all this way. Alternatively, you could just focus on getting your main walker to safety, as it’s not too hard to rebuild the lighter ones.
If you’ve got a bunch of medium and large walkers, however, you can favourite up to five walkers so that they’ll be automatically transferred to the east if they get torched by the sun.
There’s also a safe logout option that doesn’t require travelling to an edge, but you’ll need to be stationary and out of combat. After 120 seconds, you and the walker you’re standing on will be logged out safely.
Use safe storage
You can make gear storage to place items in, and you can also build a base that can be packed and unpacked on your walker. Place your chests and crafting stations in those instead of on the walker itself.
Other players can break into your base by reducing your walker to half health, but they’ll need fire bolts. Some say that the fire bolts’ cost and the time it takes for them to break into walkers balance it out, but others reported having their walkers broken into pretty easily. Big clans with sufficient resources will likely have less trouble making fire bolts too.
Be on the lookout
Most walkers can be upgraded with wings, which increases their movement. It also makes them easy to see. Keep an eye out for their tell-tale design, and consider if you want speed or a lower profile for your own walker.


CS:GO Will Now Feature An Auto-Mute System

Good news for players who are tired of dealing with trolls, griefers, and abusive players in their group-based bout in Counterstrike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). Valve will be working on a new system that will help cut down in-game abuse more “precisely” than current tools.
Players who receive “significantly more abuse reports” than others will be given a warning. If the abuse reports continue at a high rate, they will be automatically muted by all other players by default. Other players will be able to unmute them if they wish. However, the muted-by-default state will remain in place until offenders earn enough XP to remove the penalty.
This is all driven by algorithms, with reports being weighted based on each account’s playtime and reporting frequency.Â “Because the new system is driven by reports,” said Valve, “it lets players establish their own standards for communication and ensure that their fellow players receive anonymous feedback when they’re out of line.”
If you want to help out, just use the “Abusive Communications or Profile” option the next time you’re teamed up with a c*** of a player.


The Batman The Bat And The Cat Trailer Breakdown

It looks like Warner Bros. has surprised us with a holiday gift after all: a brand new The Batman trailer. This new The Batman trailer is titled The Bat And The Cat. There is a lot of new footage, especially ones that feature Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman and Paul Dano as Edward Nygma/The Riddler.
That’s Jayme Lawson As Gotham Mayoral Candidate Bella ReÃ¡l

The trailer begins with Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne talking to Jayme Lawson’s Bella ReÃ¡l. She is a Gotham City mayoral candidate, and we see her accusing Bruce of not doing enough for the city with his wealth and influence. Little does she know what he actually does at night…
The Riddler Knows Batman Is Bruce Wayne

In one part of the trailer, speaking to Batman, The Riddler says:
“I’m just here to unmask the truth about this cesspool that we call a city. You’re part of this too.”
Batman replies:
“How am I a part of this?”
The Riddler then says:
“Oh, you’re really not as smart as I thought you were, Bruce Wayne.”

There’s A Dirty Secret Behind The Wayne Family

The Wayne family will have some dirty little secrets in The Batman.
Bruce says to Alfred:
“All these years, you lied to me, Alfred.”
Alfred replies:
“We all have our scars, Bruce, You’re still a Wayne.”
What are these secrets? We’ll have to wait and see.
The Batman Might Have Been Inspired By This Comic Book Storyline

Yes, I know The Batman director Matt Reeves has previously said that he was inspired by Batman Year One, but after all we’ve seen so far, The Batman looks closer to the events of Batman Zero Year by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo.
For one, the main villain of Batman Zero Year comics was The Riddler and it also served as an origin story featuring a young and inexperienced Bruce Wayne as Batman.
In The Batman movie, we know very little of what’s going to happen, but here’s why I think The Batman will adapt Batman Zero Year. A few shots in the trailer shows explosions at what seems to be the reservoir of the city.

Then, we see Gotham City getting flooded.

THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS IN BATMAN YEAR ZERO.
In the Batman Year Zero comics, The Riddler causes a city-wide blackout and special device that would allow him to control any electronic device in Gotham City. After the GCPD turns the power back on, he detonates explosives at the city’s reservoirs which floods the city. He then triggers another blackout, thereby gaining control of dystopian Gotham City in which he controls all the power and resources,
That’s not even the only thing potentially from Batman Zero Year.Â That moment in The Batman trailer when Bruce confronts Alfred about a dark secret he’s kept from him? Well, in Batman Zero Year, while Bruce was busy exploring the world and training, his uncle Phillip Kane took over Wayne Enterprises. Philip is corrupt, selling weapons and more to the criminals in the city, including the Red Hood Gang.
Also, The Riddler starts out as Phillip Kane’s assistant in Batman Zero Year. Perhaps that’s how he’ll also be connected to the Waynes in The Batman?

The Batman will take place during Bruce Wayne’s second year as the Dark Knight and it will exist outside of the main DC Extended Universe (DCEU). What this means is that this will be an alternate and different Earth. That’s all I have so far on the new The Batman trailer for now, and we only have less than three months left to wait. The BatmanÂ will premiere on 4 March 2022.
The synopsis for The Batman reads:
Two years of stalking the streets as the Batman (Robert Pattinson), striking fear into the hearts of criminals, has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City. With only a few trusted allies â€” Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis), Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) â€” amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens.
When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle/aka Catwoman (ZoÃ« Kravitz), Oswald Cobblepot/aka the Penguin (Colin Farrell), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), and Edward Nashton/aka the Riddler (Paul Dano). As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans becomes clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City.
Check out the new The Batman trailer below:


The Complete Skywalker Saga Is Coming To Disney Plus On Star Wars Day

Streaming service Disney Plus will soon become the ultimate place for Star Wars fans when the Skywalker Saga is finally completed with the release of Star Wars Episode IX The Rise Of Skywalker on 4 May 2020, which marks the celebration of Star Wars Day.
This means that the movie will be available approximately two months earlier than was previously intended (via Deadline), and it’s actually fortuitous timing too. Star Wars Day 2020 will now see not only the arrival of Star Wars The Rise Of Skywalker on Disney Plus, but coincidentally also the final episode of Star Wars The Clone Wars.
The beloved animated series is slated to conclude with Season 7’s Episode 12 ‘Victory And Death’ on 4 May 2020. In addition, fans of the franchise can also look forward to a special Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian documentary on the same day, giving them a look at behind the scenes of The Mandalorian‘s first season.
Despite what you (or I) may think of Star Wars The Rise Of Skywalker, 4 May 2020 has always been a day of celebration for fans of the franchise, and this year will be no different. In the meantime, check out my detailed spoiler FAQ of Star Wars The Rise Of Skywalker, or head on over here for my top ten Star Wars characters of all time.
Last but not least, Disney Plus has even released a new trailer to celebrate the occasion; check it out below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsq9i6dsyII&w=560&h=315]


Call Of Duty’s Popularity Increased Tenfold Thanks to Warzone

Battle royale standalone Call Of Duty Warzone has been a success so far. How much of a success?
During a recent earnings call (via PC Gamer), Activision president and CEO Daniel Alegre revealed that the Call Of Duty franchise now boasts an impressive 111 million monthly active users across all platforms.
He attributes this specifically to Call Of Duty Warzone, stating that “monthly players grew over tenfold year-over-year on PC.” What that means is that there are ten times more players on PC in 2020 compared to last year in 2019.
In addition, Alegre also said that Call Of Duty Warzone has succeeded in attracting players to Call Of Duty Modern Warfare as well, thereby resulting in the highest first-year sales in franchise history.
He continued:
“Across platforms hours played in the Modern Warfare universe where approximately seven times higher year-over-year versus the prior title. We again saw substantial year-over-year growth in premium game sales as Warzone players chose to upgrade to the full Call of Duty experience. Modern Warfare‘s first-year sales are the highest in Call of Duty‘s history with two-thirds of lifetime units sold digitally.”
In recent news, Activision also confirmed that Call Of Duty Warzone won’t be changing to a new engine when Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold WarÂ releases for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Battle.net on 13 November 2020.


Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken Is Fine For Kids But Doesn’t Dive Deep Enough For Older Viewers

After several years of mediocre movies, DreamWorks Animation finally changed that streak last year with The Bad Guys and Puss In Boots The Last Wish; we called it their best movie in years. Both films featured unique and dynamic visuals that distinguished them, following the footsteps of Sony Pictures Animation’s trailblazing Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse.
Does Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken continue that trend? Of course not.
The Little Calamari That Could

From the get-go, Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken looks like it’s marketed more toward kids and teens. Watching the movie just reaffirmed that for me. Does that mean the movie is bad? No, Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken is not a bad movie by any standard, but it’s definitely on the lower tier of DreamWorks Animation’s list of works. It’s less Shrek and How To Train Your Dragon but more Trolls or Madagascar. After last year’s amazing offerings (The Bad Guys and Puss In Boots The Last Wish), it’s definitely disappointing to see that Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken is DreamWorks Animation just going back to their old visual style instead of continuing the unique and dynamic visuals of their 2022 animated movies.
What is Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken about? Well, it’s essentially a coming-of-age story where the titular protagonist, Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor), discovers that she can turn into a giant Kraken and that changes her life forever, disrupting her plans to attend prom and be just a normal teenager. It’s very similar to the premise of Pixar’s Turning Red, Luca and The Mitchells Vs The Machines from several years ago, with elements of The Princess Diaries and maybe even Shrek (not judging people by how they look, even if they look like a monster). It’s everything we’ve seen before, so Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken will feel extremely predictable.

Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken does have the potential to be a better movie. The movie also tries to subvert some tropes, like having the antagonist be someone younger viewers would usually never expect to be evil. The fact that this movie comes out just a month after Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid is ironically funny, but the Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken would have been a much better and interesting movie if they delved more into subverting and playing with those tropes instead of mostly playing it safe. In addition, Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken also explores subject matter such as generational trauma and the protagonist experiencing panic attacks, but these are mostly played for laughs and are resolved too easily and cleanly, which lessens the impact.
That being said, like I previously mentioned, Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken is ultimately more of a movie that younger viewers like kids or teens will enjoy the most, and there’s really nothing wrong with that. Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken can be fun and sweet, and thankfully, it wasn’t boring at all even for an adult like me, despite being predictable and familiar. You could say the same thing about Turning Red and Luca, both of which aren’t exactly beloved either (they’re just fine but unremarkable), and I would say that Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken is very, very similar.
Squid Worth

Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken feels like DreamWorks Animation resting their laurels. Again, it’s disappointing to get just a mediocre animated movie from them, but it seems like 2023 isn’t the year for them (a third Trolls movie is their only other movie this year). Hopefully, DreamWorks Animation will continue to develop unique and dynamic visuals like The Bad Guys and Puss In Boots The Last Wish. Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken is fine, but with Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse raising the bar even higher recently, an “okay” movie just doesn’t cut it anymore, especially from a world-class studio like DreamWorks Animation.
FINAL SCORE: 50/100
We attended an early screener of Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken courtesy of United International Pictures Malaysia. Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken is slated to premiere in Malaysian cinemas on 29 June 2023.


Fallout: New Vegas Director Would Love To Work On The Series Again

Josh Sawyer, the director of Fallout New Vegas back in the day, said that he would see himself working on the series again in the future.
During a Kinda Funny Games interview, the Obsidian design director said that working on Fallout: New Vegas was super fulfilling and fantastic, and was also a crazy development because it was only 18 months.
“I love Fallout, I love the setting, I could see myself working in it again, but you know, we’ll see where the future takes me.
I’m not really sure,” he responded. “I haven’t thought about it in quite a while because again, it kind of came into my life and then floated away. In the past, I’ve said you know people have talked about New Orleans. I do think California or the Midwest would also be very interesting.
“I’m a big believer in finding things that, obviously I have to be passionate about it as a director, but also that the team is really excited about, and also that works within the larger idea of the property.”
He also brought up his latest game, Pentiment, as a comparison point since it’s a way smaller game compared to the Fallout franchise, thus he has to take into account the game’s bigger vision.
“Working on something like Pentiment, which is just its own thing in the middle of nowhere, I can kind of make decisions more or less however I want, but when it’s part of a larger IP and franchise it has to kind of work within a larger vision of ‘what is Fallout?’ and I don’t get to decide everything about that, it’s not my thing.
“So yeah, I think there’s a lot of cool places in the US. A lot of people have also talked about what about Fallout in other parts of the world, I think those are interesting as well. I don’t know, I think there’s lots of cool opportunities. It really depends on what the moment is and what the team looks like.”
For more on Obsidian’s latest game Pentiment, check out our review.


After So Much Neglect, The Fantastic Four Will Now Be Part Of The MCU + More!

After so many years have passed and after so many terrible films, the Fantastic Four will finally catch a break and head to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Spider-Man: Homecoming director Jon Watts will be directing the upcoming film.

Jon Watts will direct the new feature film for Marvel's First Family, Fantastic Four! pic.twitter.com/Eu26ghxbGT
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020

And that’s not all: Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed the following in a Marvel/Disney/Star Wars investor stream for the public:

A third Ant-Man film in the works called Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Peyton Reed to direct, with actress Kathryn Newton to play Cassie Lang and Jonathan Majors to play Kang the Conqueror.
Christian Bale will be playing Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder.
Marvel heroine America “Miss America” Chavez will appear in Doctor Strange 2, which will tie in with WandaVision and Spider-Man 3 (ie the one with Spider-Man actors Tobey Macguire and Andrew Garfield)
A Guardians of The Galaxy Holiday Special written and directed by James Gunn, scheduled for Christmas 2022 and shot alongside Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be the movie to jumpstart MCU’s Phase Four.
On the Disney+ side, Feige announced three new Skrull-focused series: Secret Invasion (starring Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn), Ironheart featuring Dominique Thorne as main character Riri Williams (ie the new Iron Man), and Armor Wars starring Don Cheadle as War Machine. This will go alongside the Loki, Wandavision, and other Disney+ shows that were previously announced & in production.

Samuel L. Jackson is back as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn from Captain Marvel returns as the Skrull Talos in Marvel Studios' Original Series Secret Invasion. Coming to #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/AuInHMuBRW
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020


Bomb Rush Cyberfunk Is Just Jet Set Radio With A New Coat Of Paint

Indie developer Team Reptile released a trailer to their upcoming 2021 game Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, and if it looks similar to a certain Sega Smilebit rollerblading graffiti-tagging title, you are correct.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (BRC) makes no attempt at hiding its Jet Set Radio/Jet Grind Radio influences and roots. In fact, that series composer Hideki Naganuma is going to be making music for BRC. Even the premise is similar, sans rollerblades.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, 1 second per second of advanced funkstyle. Start your own cypher and dance, tag, trick, face off with the cops and stake your claim to the extrusions and cavities of a sprawling metropolis.

And you know what? I am perfectly fine with this. The world needs a new HD successor to Jet Set Radio and its genius grinding, running, acrobatics, and graffiti-tagging open-world nonsense. Hopefully, the indie team do not bite off more than they can chew; making a sprawling semi-linear set of city levels ripe for racing & tagging is no small feat.
If you want to see what the indie team’s previous efforts are, check out their last game Lethal League Blaze.


The Largest PRISM+ Store Launches At IOI City Mall In Malaysia

PRISM+, the consumer tech brand best known for its gaming monitors and 4K Android TVs, has announced the launch of its latest store at IOI City Mall. Measuring 1,193 square feet, the brand’s latest physical store is its biggest yet in Malaysia and will look to serve the large suburban community of Klang Valley. The grand opening of the PRISM+ IOI City Mall Outlet will be held on 3 February 2023, with the first 50 customers set to enjoy exclusive deals with free gifts worth up to RM629.
Situated in the East Wing of IOI City Mall, the brand’s latest outlet measures out at 1,193 square feet and is the brand’s biggest-ever physical retail store. At launch, customers will be able to physically experience all of PRISM+’s popular products, with more to come as the brand plans to expand into the smart home appliance industry.
The IOI City Mall Store Launch will be the first milestone in 2023 for the brand in Malaysia, as it looks to build on its success in the previous year following year-on-year (YOY) revenue growth by 45 percent from 2021 to 2022 and after opening its first-ever physical store in Malaysia at Sunway Pyramid.

Eric Kam, Country Director of PRISM+ Malaysia, said:
“Malaysia has been an exceptional market for us, and our brand has been met with an amazing reception. The launch of the PRISM+ IOI City Mall retail store underlines our commitment to investing in the market and gives us another opportunity to value-add to our audience here.”
In addition to its own products, the outlet will also offer an extensive range of Logitech G’s latest gaming gear, including mice, keyboards and headsets. Beyond its gaming, productivity and home entertainment range of consumer electronics, PRISM+ is also looking to introduce its range of smart home appliances to consumers in Malaysia later this year.
They are also looking to use the launch of their latest store as a springboard for their expansion plans – and are currently exploring a nationwide physical presence by the end of 2023.
Eric adds:
“We are currently exploring launching up to ten stores in various states across the country to future-proof ourselves as we look to move into the IoT space. With a lot of these smart home appliances, we see the need for our audience to physically experience the products before making big-ticket purchases.
Despite challenging economic conditions, we are confident in our products and the value that they offer our consumers, with plans to offer more premium lifestyle essentials at affordable prices.”

In addition to increasing its physical presence, PRISM+ is also looking to enhance its digital channels. Late last year, the brand entered into a regional partnership with TikTok for both Singapore and Malaysia to onboard onto the platform’s Seller Programme. Despite having only been active since November 2022, PRISM+ Malaysia’s TikTok Seller streams have garnered over 27,100 views in just a total of five TikTok Live sessions since its launch, averaging more than 5,000 live viewers per stream.
Grand Opening And Exclusive Discounts

The PRISM+ IOI City Mall store will hold its grand opening on 3 February 2023 at 10 am. The brand will be giving out newly launched PRISM+ products as well as exclusive discounts on selected offerings for the first 50 customers. The exciting deals are as follows but customers will be limited to only one free gift of each type per purchase:

1x FREE F240n 24” 165Hz Gaming Monitor (Worth RM629) for any purchase of a PRISM+ Q55-QE 55” 4K Android TV at only RM1799
1x FREE Elevate Stand (Worth RM299) for any purchase of an X340 PRO 165Hz 34” Ultrawide Monitor at only RM1599
1x FREE Arc Lite Monitor Arm (Worth RM229) for any purchase of an X240 144Hz Gaming Monitor at only RM599
W220v 22” Productivity Monitor at only RM299

Logitech G enthusiasts will also benefit from an additional 15 percent off all promotional prices, with a maximum of one keyboard, one mouse, and one headset per customer.
For more information on price, details, and specifications on current PRISM+ products, you can visit the official website here.


PlayStation Announces New DualSense Edge PS5 Controller

During Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022, PlayStation announced the DualSense Edge wireless controller for the PS5, which will be the console’s first-ever high-performance, ultra-customizable controller developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
According to PlayStation Blog, the DualSense Edge wireless controller features a number of hardware and software-based customization options for creating a completely personalized controller experience, including:

Ultra-customizable controls: You can make the DualSense Edge wireless controller uniquely yours by remapping or deactivating specific button inputs and fine-tuning your aim by adjusting stick sensitivity and dead zones (the distance your analog stick moves before it’s recognized in a game). In addition, each trigger is adjustable with options to tailor travel distance and dead zones to your preference. For example, you can manually reduce travel distance of the triggers for faster inputs in competitive FPS games or reduce the dead zone for precise throttle control in racing games.
Ability to save multiple control profiles: Once you’ve found your ideal control settings, you can save them to unique profiles and swap between them on the fly. With the DualSense Edge wireless controller, you’ll always have your preferred controls for your games ready to go, whether you’re facing Norse gods and monsters in God of War Ragnarök, or rival players in an online battle royale.
On-controller user interface: The dedicated Fn button allows you to easily adjust your setup while staying focused on the in-game action – quickly swap between your pre-set control profiles, adjust game volume and chat balance, and access the controller profile settings menu to set up and test new control iterations while in game.
Changeable stick caps and back buttons: Three types of swappable stick caps (standard, high dome, and low dome) help you stay comfortable in game while maintaining grip and stability. The two swappable sets of back buttons (half-dome and lever) can be configured to be any other button input, putting more essential controls at your fingertips.
Replaceable stick modules: Play longer with the ability to fully replace each individual stick module on the controller (replacement stick modules will be sold separately).
Built-in DualSense wireless controller features: The DualSense Edge wireless controller retains the signature comfort and immersive experience of the DualSense wireless controller when playing supported games, including haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, built-in microphone, motion controls, and more.

In addition to the included stick caps and back button sets, the DualSense Edge wireless controller comes with a USB Type-C braided cable, which uses a connector housing to lock into the controller so it’s much less likely to slip out at a crucial moment. The included carrying case, which keeps your DualSense Edge wireless controller and components together and organized in one place, allows you to charge the controller via USB connection while it’s stored in the case.
However, there is no release date yet for the DualSense Edge PS5 controller.


Nintendo Director States That Backwards Compatibility Is Easier Than Ever

In a Q&A following the publication of Nintendo’s latest financial results, Nintendo director Shigeru Miyamoto acknowledged that it’s easier than ever to offer backwards compatibility but failed to mention any hints or plans for the next Nintendo console.
While Miyamoto didn’t specify which direction Nintendo consoles will be following, he did state that he believes backwards-compatibility is easier to implement in the modern era than in the past.
Translated by VGC, he said:
“In the past, we provided a service known as the ‘Virtual Console’ that allowed users to play older video games on new consoles with newer hardware. As long as the hardware remained unchanged, those games could continue to be played.
However, the publishing rights to video games are complicated, and we have said that we would only add titles after securing the necessary rights.
Of course, video games developed for dedicated consoles were created in different development environments for each console,” Miyamoto continued. “As a result, when the hardware changed, the development environment could not necessarily be reused, and so the video games that had been released on older consoles could not be played on newer consoles without additional modification.
Recently, however, the development environment has increasingly become more standardised, and we now have an environment that allows players to enjoy older video games on newer consoles more easily than ever before.
However, Nintendo’s strength is in creating new video game experiences, so when we release new hardware in the future, we would like to showcase unique video games that could not be created with pre-existing hardware.”