11 Things I Love & Hate About The New Mortal Kombat

Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Genre:Â NetherRealm-branded 2D fighting with ninjas
Right from the game’s launch trailer (which came out days before its 23 April release date), developer Netherrealm Studios are doing a throwback with their latest Mortal Kombat. Combining the new from MKX and the old from MK9, Mortal Kombat 11 ends up being a hodge-podge of awesome fighting coupled with some new-age problems that thankfully isn’t going to sour the entire experience.
I’ll break it down to 11 reasons why because numbers.
#1. LOVE: The meaty single-player experience.
You can’t just release a barebones fighting game without mandated features like a story mode and some unlocking shenanigans; remember when Street Fighter V came out as a paid beta a few years back? MK11 comes with a bevvy of options for practicing, playing, and multiplayer.
Want to just learn the ins and outs? Play the game’s in-depth and super-detailed tutorial featuring basic and advanced mechanics to character trials and tutorials. Just want to find out what happened after Mortal Kombat X? Play the story mode which should last you a good 4 to 5 hours.
Want to just unlock stuff in the game’s Krypt? Play through the Tower of Time and Klassic Tower to net you koins for unlocks and character endings. I have issues with the unlocking that I’ll get to later, but at least you’ll get your triple-A money’s worth with most of MK11.
#2. LOVE: The revised fighting.
The fact that the game switches to more footsie-oriented gameplay mean that players can’t rely too much on combos that can take half you lifebar away like in past MK titles from NetherRealm. I talked about this bit in detail in my previous write-up and my stance is still the same: this focus on neutral and old-school fighter gameplay is sorely needed.
The meter management and defensive options too help keep the fights a lot more than just combo-juggling mayhem matches. Not to say that it isn’t fun, but MK really needs to be more than just a slight upgrade from MKX.
Plus, it’s fun to watch on an esports level to see players outguess the other with solid fundamental play & tactics.
#3. HATE: “Janky” MK controls.
I’ll have to harp on the game’s controls: unless you came straight from a 3D fighting background, MK’s controls are not like Street Fighter/Japanese-made 2D fighting game controls. The “rustiness” and “awkward” feel when inputting moves will take some time getting used to, especially if you can’t pull off some simple special moves even after turning off Negative Edge and other control options.

#4. LOVE: The gritty/colourful aesthetic balances.
While MKX was gritty and “realistic”, I do miss the saturation and wacky art sense from past titles. Good thing NetherRealm decided to blend the two to create what could be the series’ finest-looking coat of paint to date.
From ruined landscapes like the deserted Shaolin Temple to the Black Dragon Nightclub, every locale exuberates an outlandish, alien, and unique aura that preserves the series’ fantastical over-the-top tone. The character designs still impress; I love the fact that you can customize and switch between classic and new-school Sub-Zero and Scorpion.
Regarding the series’ Fatality finishers, they manage to hit that sweet spot between “bloody” and “absurdly hilarious”. If you’re still scarred by MKX’s snuff film torture porn kills, MK11’s finishers are the antidote.
#5. LOVE: The roster’s new zoning additions.
As someone who likes his keepaway and footsie games kept dirty, I approve of characters like The Kollector, Cetrion, and MK9’s Noob Saibot. Regardless of their variations, they have a ton of ranged and poking tools that can keep enemies away and possibly rage-quit.
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#6. LOVE: The rest of the cast’s diversity.
I don’t mean the female outfits, though they’re fine. Every character’s play style feels balanced for all kinds of players. If you don’t like zoning characters, go for up-close savvy folks like Sonya Blade, Jax, and new hard hitter Geras. Want to lay down traps and make opponents come to you? Erron’s revamped fighting style lets you do just that. Need to play as someone a little more esoteric? Frost’s mix of head-popping moves and blade-spinning robot tricks can hook you up.
The best fighting game framework lets you play whoever you want regardless of cast size. While not as huge as past games, MK11’s roster makes it up with quality and variation updates. Oh and it’s really fun to customize your chosen guy/gal with the items and equipment you get ala Injustice 2.
#7. LOVE: The story mode fanservice.
There is a lot to love about NetherRealm’s latest single-player offering. The game starts off with Dark Raiden storming the in-game NetherRealm ruled by zombie Liu Kang and Kitana. After that botched siege, a time-warping Elder God named Kronika enters the fray to gather enough power to erase and start time over.
The heroes will have none of that; luckily they’re assisted by the younger versions of the cast like Jax and the OG a-hole Johnny Cage. Yes, they’ll be short moments like future Johnny working with young Johnny, and young Jax working with his daughter Jacqui. True, fighting game stories aren’t exactly known to be deep and logical, but it sure as hell entertains to a degree.
Fans will definitely get a treat seeing some characters making a comeback, while newbies can just relish in the insanity that follows.

#8. HATE: The story mode’s resolution.
Without giving anything away, let’s just say it ends on an ambiguous note. Also, you get a “special” character to use in the story but it’s a cosmetically-different version of an existing fighter. It’s still leagues better than whatever story mode Capcom and Bandai Namco can craft up for their respective fighting games.
#9. HATE – The grinding.
Time hasn’t been kind to the current way of playing games. Every title nowadays from your online loot-and-shoot titles requires you to stay online, grind for in-game currency tirelessly on the same missions, and tests your patience with its stingy loot drops.
Enter MK11’s new Krypt, where you have to stay online, spend thousands of koins to unlock chests and items without any clue on what you’re getting, and then tirelessly play through the Towers of Time (random series of fights with random properties/obstacles; like Injustice’s missions) crafting arbitrary objects to unlock more things. It’s the worst kind of time-waster; the kind that doesn’t seem to give the same kind of returns for your patience.
#10. HATE – The arbitrary difficulty that comes with said grinding.
The Towers of Time can really put the beatdown on you if you don’t use Konsumables (which are limited FYI). While the enemy AI isn’t a cheat, it’s the handicapping that will break your spirit. There will be challenges where you fight a Kano who can call in unblockable airstrikes every 4 seconds while your attacks can only do half damage. Also, the missiles can either deal 10 percent damage to your health or reverse your controls. Talk about being incredibly unfair and time-wasting.
#9 and #10’s problems are a clear case of producers and publishers trying to stick mobile game-style grinding on a fully-paid title with upcoming DLC. It doesn’t work and it serves to turn many MK fans off especially when all they want to do is just play through the game without any of this extra bull.
#11. (???) – The online mode.
Okay, I lied. I only have 10 points worth contesting to justify this game’s awesomeness. I can’t play online yet since it’s not even out for public consumption. Give me a few days and I’ll get back to you on this; perhaps my score may be adjusted if the online is not as hot as it should be.
Is Mortal Kombat 11 a true comeback for fans and new players? Possibly so. Is it the perfect one that eclipses Mortal Kombat 9’s debut? No, it’s not, but at least fans will get a deserving helping of over-the-top violence and fun fighting. Sometimes, that’s more than enough to maintain your place in the Western fighting game battlegrounds.
Pros
– Lovely aesthetics.
– Refined Mortal Kombat fighting mechanics focused on footsie/neutral play.
– Meaty tutorial to teach you fighting game ins and outs.
– Fun single-player modes (to a point).
– Customization options are immersive.
Cons
– Mobile game-levels of unnecessary grinding.
– Towers Of Time’s arbitrary difficulty spikes.
– Will not convert fighting game fans stuck to Japanese-made titles.
FINAL SCORE: 80/100


Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 Will SOLDIER On With Original Story [Update]

Story originally published on 28th April.
Update: added new translations regarding Final Fantasy VII Remake sequel’s state.
With Final Fantasy VII Remake being a critical darling everywhere, many of us are waiting on for the eventual sequel. Square Enix producer Yoshinori Kitase clarified that the sequel (or Remake Part 2) will continue as the original FFVII always have.
Here’s a quote from the Final Fantasy VII Remake Ultimania book (translated via Twitter):

“Weâ€™re not drastically changing the story and making it into something completely different than the original. Even though itâ€™s a Remake, please assume the story of FF7 will continue as FF7 always has.”

In addition, director Tetsuya Nomura said that the company plans to launch future sections of Final Fantasy VII Remake in smaller and more detailed chunks in order to “speed up the development process”. Which means we may be exploring the town of Kalm, Nibelheim, and Gongaga soon enough. Or maybe fight the Midgar Zolom in an epic 3-part battle. This will depend “on how many parts the overall story will be.”

“If we divide the story into large parts, itâ€™ll take longer to make. If we divide it into more detailed smaller sections, then developing it will be faster. I hope to release the next one as soon as possible.”

Co-director Motomu Toriyama, Naoki Hamaguchi, and battle director Teruki Endo added that they are in the current stages of planning the sequel, which means “nothing is solid yet”.
“The Remake’s first installment was centered in Midgar,” said Toriyama. “However, the next installments will take place in areas that to be honest I’ve forgotten about, so I’ll have to rewatch gameplay to revisit them. For example, after the characters leave Midgar, how exactly did they end up in Kalm again?”
Hamaguchi said that they will have to consider reimagining the world map from the original game.

“We would like to have the next game allow the player to experience the vast world of FFVII. However, if we are to create a large world, we have to consider how exactly we can do so while also telling a dramatic story.”

Endo said that he would like to be more involved in the game as a whole and contribute new game designs to the Final Fantasy series. “Within this story-driven gameplay, I would like to challenge myself into making better gameplay elements.”
In case you’re wondering what the fuss is about, check out our review of Final Fantasy VII Remake. I said in my glowing review that the game is a successful experiment that blends the old game’s narrative with new gameplay and battle mechanics fit for a 2020 game.


WB Games & NetEase Launches Harry Potter Magic Awakened Worldwide

Warner Bros. Games and NetEase have announced Harry Potter Magic Awakened, the highly anticipated, free-to-play collectible card roleplay game (RPG) set in the wizarding world is now available. Starting today, players in various territories can download the game for free on the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android.
Co-developed and co-published by Warner Bros. Games and NetEase Games, Harry Potter Magic Awakened is the latest title released under Portkey Games, the label dedicated to creating new mobile and videogame experiences inspired by the wizarding world that place the player at the center of their own adventure.
David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Games, said:
“With the global launch of Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, we are partnering with NetEase to further expand the Wizarding World for mobile players worldwide with the game’s distinctive art style and immersive game design that propelled it to hit status in China. Mobile gaming remains a critical part of our strategy, and with its magical gameplay, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened was created specifically for the fans as an opportunity to further grow in the space with one of our biggest franchises.”
Ethan Wang, Senior Vice President, NetEase Inc., said:
“From the intricate mechanics of the collectible card system, to the linework of the game’s art style, we have collaborated with Warner Bros. Games on every aspect of development to ensure an authentic adaptation of the wizarding world in Harry Potter: Magic Awakened. The game has achieved great success thus far and positive fan reception among current players, and we are delighted to now welcome a global audience into this magical universe.”
Harry Potter Magic Awakened is a free-to-play, immersive collectible card (CCG) and massively multiplayer (MMO) wizarding dueling game featuring a blend of strategy roleplay (RPG). Set ten years after the Battle of Hogwarts, players will experience all the hallmarks of a wizarding education and embark on a riveting new story, featuring familiar faces from the original series and new characters alike.
As players progress, they will learn spells that can be cast through the form of cards. Players will need to harness these spells, devise unique strategies and form winning combinations – learning what to cast and when – as they venture through increasingly challenging trials, duel other players and master the magic in their own illustrious wizarding journey.
Check out the trailer below:


[Rumour] Steven Spielberg Will Not Direct Indiana Jones 5

It’s true: there will be a fifth Indiana Jones movie. However, it may not feature the man who has been behind the camera of the franchise since day one.
According to a Variety report, director Steven Spielberg may be stepping down from directing Indiana Jones 5, but he will still be the show’s producer. Harrison Ford will still return as the titular character.
So who will take over the director role? Sources say that it could be Logan’s James Mangold, though the official papers haven’t been signed yet. Because of the director search, the film may not be out in time for its planned July 2021 release date.
Harrison Ford said the following regarding the film’s progress (via The Playlist):

“We want it to be the best. Weâ€™ve got some scheduling issues and a few script things still to do, but we are determined to get it right before we get it made.”


You Can Thank Battleborn For Making Borderlands 3 “Great”

Fans of the franchise have a certain hero shooter game to thank for Borderlands 3, and no, it’s not Overwatch. It’s actually Borderlands developer Gearbox Software‘s very own 2016 title, Battleborn, which fizzled out and was overshadowed by Blizzard’s success with Overwatch.
In an interview with Metro UK, Borderlands 3 art director Scott Kester discussed how it felt like to develop the only AAA game with stylized visuals instead of photo-realistic graphics, amongst other topics.

“By the grace of the beautiful 2K, they allowed us to say, â€˜Hey, we want to try this Battleborn thing, we just want to kind of reset our palette, weâ€™re gonna try this thingâ€™.
And we did it andâ€¦ you know, if we didnâ€™t make that game Borderlands 3 wouldnâ€™t be as good as it is now. It made us think about things a little different.
Iâ€™ve worked on this game for over four years now, itâ€™s been in development for a while.
The second I finished Battleborn I essentially started going into this. To us it wasnâ€™t about, â€˜Hammer it out, hammer it out! Letâ€™s punch it out, letâ€™s punch it out!â€™
It was like, â€˜Letâ€™s make the right thing. Letâ€™s get it there and then weâ€™ll take our timeâ€™.
But also, weâ€™ve put so much junk into this game. Itâ€™s frikkinâ€™ huge. Itâ€™s considerably more content than weâ€™ve put into anything else.”

While Battleborn ultimately failed and later transitioned into being a free-to-play title, the experience and lessons learned to develop that game was invaluable to the folks at Gearbox Software. Without Battleborn, Borderlands 3 could have been just another derivative sequel with nothing new to show for.
For more on Borderlands 3, check out how SHiFT codes and VIP codes work or learn more about Moze The Gunner’s skill tree here.


Bomb Rush Cyberfunk Announced For PlayStation And Xbox Platforms

Team Reptile, developers of Lethal League, Megabyte Punch and Lethal League Blaze announced their 3D action adventure platformer, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is coming to PlayStation and Xbox platforms later this year.
The launch will be shortly after Nintendo Switch and PC release on August 2023. Gematsu reported the studio would release other versions “roughly one or two weeks later,” it seems September would be the safe bet.

According to their official blog post, director Dion Koster stated that the final touches are being applied to Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. “Right now we are doing the final touches on the game. Making this game has been a great time, a very natural avenue for us and a personal one for me. That is not to say there were no difficulties, but already the fact that I am dancing in my own game certainly makes me feel that it goes beyond the idea of a product. Heading more into having a blast and just expressing ourselves.”
Koster also confirms that Team Reptile will continue to create similar titles regardless of the reception the game receives in the upcoming months. “This way of thinking has evolved during the course of the development of BRC and I can still see so much more depth to explore in the mixture of street and fiction, cyber and funk. So that’s why, regardless of reception, I would like to formally announce we will be creating more of these type of games after Bomb Rush Cyberfunk.”
In Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, players control a graffiti writer whose head was removed and replaced with a robotic one. He then joins the Bomb Rush crew, which includes Tryce and Bell. They aim to travel to All City to unravel who cut off Red’s head and how deeply his human side connects with the world of graffiti. Find new members to join the crew around the city. Paint vibrant graffiti, donn unique outfits and get new funky tunes to play on your flip phone.
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk will launch for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam on 18 August 2023.


[Report] This Official Diablo Artbook Ad & Tweet Confirms Diablo 4 & Diablo 2 Remaster [Update]

It’s official, I guess? Does “our suspicions are confirmed” sound about right? There’s going to be a Diablo 4 according to this alleged bit of news.
Website Gamestar.de reported (via Reddit) that a new artbook, “The Art of Diablo”, will be released shortly after this year’s BlizzCon. The ad on an upcoming issue of Gamestar magazine, due out 23rd October, stated the following (translated from German): “featuring more than 500 artworks from Diablo 1, 2, 3, and 4“.

The book is written by the company’s senior in-house writer Robert Brooks; it will also be out this November. Also, since the magazine will be out this week, there’s a good chance we’ll get a Diablo 4 teaser followed by a major reveal at this year’s BlizzCon.
[Update]: Twitter user Metro, known for his track record of confirming BlizzCon leaks, said that not only Diablo 4 will be announced, but a Diablo 2 remastered is in the works.

For anyone who cares, diablo 4 and diablo 2 remastered will also be announced. 🙂 #BlizzCon2019
— Metro (@Metro_OW) October 18, 2019

I do wonder if it’s enough to quell the current anger the company is facing right now.Â
[Update 27/10]: Here’s an excerpt of Lilith, one of the antagonists who will be appearing in Diablo IV.


First Look At Disney+ Moon Knight Costume Reportedly Leaks

It’s been a while since we last heard any news about the Disney+ Moon Knight series. However, apparently a screenshot of Oscar Isaac in full Moon Knight costume.
You can head on over here to check it out real quick before it’s eventually taken down. Still, take all this with a grain of salt since the source has yet to be verified.
Moon Knight is often described as Marvelâ€™s answer to DCâ€™s Batman, but heâ€™s actually more complicated. Moon Knightâ€™s real name is Marc Spector, and heâ€™s also a wealthy millionaire with gadgets and stuff. However, what distinguishes Moon Knight is that he also suffers from dissociative identity disorder, which means that he has multiple personalities.
Not only that, but heâ€™s not just named Moon Knight for no reason. He has superhuman powers due to his connection to the Egyptian god Khonshu, which gives him enhanced strength, endurance and reflexes. He also wears an all-white costume at night, so you know that heâ€™s not exactly all there mentally.
Most recently, he fought against the Avengers to steal their powers for Khonshu (in the Age Of Khonshu arc, check it out). He actually defeated the likes of Thor, Doctor Strange, and Ghost Rider, so we now know that he has the capacity to be more powerful than just a â€˜crazy Batmanâ€™.
Moon Knight is one of several Marvel series in the works on Disney Plus, but it doesn’t have a release date yet.


Twitter Is Filled With Cats Watching New Indie Game Stray

Stray, the newest adventure game where you play a cat in a city full of robots, is out now. And real-life cats are starting to take notice.
Players from all over the world are taking to Twitter to share photos and videos of their cats watching the adventure game. In fact, a Twitter account called Cats Watching Stray has been created to catalogue the best parts.
Here they are, in no particular order.

Our cat loves it too! pic.twitter.com/y2EF3x25YD
— Robin Gray (@ThatRobinGray) July 20, 2022

Shes O B S E S S E D @CatsWatchStray pic.twitter.com/6PCfPsTKVF
— Trash Queen ? @Grandia 1 (@Trashqueen_01) July 20, 2022

He watched for and hour straight without moving @CatsWatchStray pic.twitter.com/dsFKbKEMEI
— uninhibyted (@uninhibyted) July 20, 2022

My cat wont let me play this game ??#Stray @A_i @CatsWatchStray pic.twitter.com/X7tyFSL2v7
— Retr0?// #StraySweep? (@vanishinggracee) July 19, 2022

?#Stray #ps5 #PlayStation5 #Playstation #straygame #straycat #CatsOfTwitter #PS5Share pic.twitter.com/L8IzWS4q2w
— ? ??????????? (@unbotheredbb) July 19, 2022

@CatsWatchStray pic.twitter.com/Ohwc0uTu82
— ray (@tlouified) July 20, 2022

Wrote a #Stray review over the weekend but tbh my cat's review is the only one that mattershttps://t.co/AeGyMVJNZo pic.twitter.com/1dlOd66Fxp
— Charles Villanueva (@cfsvillanueva) July 18, 2022

Stray is clearly one of Annapurna Interactive’s best indie titles to date. Read our spoiler-free review to find out why.


Why Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite Didnâ€™t Make The Evo 2018 Cut

Just a few hours ago, Red Bull Gaming and the Evolution Championship Series folks just announced the gaming lineup for their annual EVO Championship SeriesÂ (or “Evo” for brevity’s sake) tournamentÂ  for this year via Twitch.
The games are:
â€¢ Tekken 7 (Sunday Finals)
â€¢ Super Smash Bros. 4
â€¢ Street Fighter 5: Arcade Edition (Sunday Finals)
â€¢ BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle
â€¢ Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 (Sunday Finals)
â€¢ Injustice 2
â€¢ Super Smash Bros. Melee (Sunday Finals)
â€¢ Dragon Ball FighterZ (Sunday Finals)
Screencap credit: Flynn Siew. Thanks, Flynn.
Notice anything missing? Well if you’re a fan of the original 3v3 hyper-fighting genre, you may have noticed that last year’s Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite is not included in the main event. The game will be relegated as a side tournament.
And here’s the kicker: one of the games here, BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle, isn’t even out yet. The Evo organizers are basically saying that a game that isn’t even completed and fully-tested at this point in time is more fit to be in a major worldwide fighting game tournament’s main event spotlight than Capcom’s recent 2v2 effort.
Hell, two Smash Bros. games, one of them being an old-ass game at that, are even more worthy of the spotlight than a Marvel vs. Capcom game.
It speaks volumes about the quality, community, and state of Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite, truth be told. So how did it come to this?

#1. No X-Men Characters
Probably the biggest elephant in the room. Back then with X-Men: Children of the Atom and X-Men vs. Street Fighter, we had mainstays like Wolverine, Storm, and Magneto. The Versus series wouldn’t be where it was without the X-Men, so it feels like a betrayal of sorts to not include them in this entry.
Even so, the thought of them being included later as MvCI DLC is also quite a sting: as if the devs and publishers and other watchful corporate eyes are admitting through their actions that they’re not good enough to be in this time around.

#2. It Looks & Sounds Like Garbage (When Compared To Past MvC Games)
When the last iteration of MvC looked better than your recent title, you know you have problems. The game’s art style went for a less cartoony and stylized heavy-on-the-black-ink look in favour of a more “realistic-yet-comic-like” style instead with less lighting and saturation.
Guess they should have just gone back to their comic book roots more, eh?
The clip that confirmed Combofiend his position in Capcom.
#3. It Experienced Bad PR Pre-Launch
I think everyone last year heard about the infamous GameSpot interview where Capcom reps Peter “Combofiend” Rosas and Michael Evans said the following quote regarding the lack of mainstay characters in the new MvC.
“If you were to actually think about it, these characters are just functions. They’re just doing things. Magneto, case and point, is a favorite because he has eight-way dash and he’s really fast, right? Well guess what, Nova can do the same thing, Captain Marvel can do the same thing. Ultron can do the same thing.”
“It’s just the function that people are associating with the character, and there’s no shortage of that. We made sure that all proper playstyles can be represented with our current roster.”
Simply put, the community did not like being taken for a ride, what with all the character exclusion and questionable aesthetics of the game pre-launch. Capcom didn’t do too much to placate them, so this escalating blunder and eventual apathy for the game is pretty much on them.
There’s a pretty good article on MvCI’s problems from our neighbours down south; go take a look here.
As a bonus, here are a few comments online that mourn the loss of MvCI in the Evo 2018 spotlight.

https://clips.twitch.tv/embed?clip=AnimatedLovelyGuanacoThunBeast&autoplay=false&tt_medium=clips_embed
Â
Still, this could be a wake-up call for Capcom if they want to make this series relevant again. They just need to buck up and just listen to what the community wants. The game itself is actually solid, what with the 2v2 fighting, the controls, and the Infinite Stones in tow. They should focus on the rest of the game from roster to aesthetics.
Long story short: better luck next year, Mahvel.


Here’s When Battlefield 5 Firestorm Battle Royale Will Go Live

With only two days left until the launch of Battlefield 5‘s long-awaited Firestorm battle royale mode, gamers must be wondering when exactly they’ll be able to actually start playing. We’re here to tell you when that will be.
According to Twitter fan account @BFBulletin, Battlefield 5 North American Community Manager Jeff Braddock has confirmed in a reply on the social media platform that Firestorm will go live “before noon EU”.

Before noon EU.
â€” Jeff Braddock ðŸ”¥ ðŸŒª (@Braddock512) March 24, 2019
That means Battlefield 5 Firestorm will launch sometime today on Monday, 25 March 2019 around or before 7PM GMT+8 for regions in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and more. That also translates to roughly 7AM EST or 4AM PST in the United States.
In other related news, Firestorm developer Criterion Games recently clarified that Battlefield 5‘s battle royale mode will not be going free-to-play, unlike Apex Legends, which is also published by EA. Read the full story here.
In the meantime, check out the official Firestorm gameplay trailer below to get all hyped up before the battle royale mode’s eventual launch later today.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxGMp3h9S7w&w=560&h=315]


Roller Champions Dragon’s Way Goes Live Tomorrow In A Free Update

Ubisoft has announced that Dragon’s Way, Roller Champions’ new themed season, will go live on 5 October 2022 at 12am GMT+8 for all players. Dragon’s Way is available for free on Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Ubisoft Store, and Epic Games Store).
Starting from 5 October 2022, Roller Champions’ community will discover the new theme of the season inspired by martial arts and age-old traditions from Asia. Dragon’s Way brings new themed maps, as well as technical features improvements such as full cross-platform features, and an improved live schedule of modes and minigames.
Players will be able to refine their skills in the brand-new Bangkok Arena, Zen Temple, and Dragon Temple. To let players fully experience Dragon’s Way new environments, only the three new arenas will be featured for the first two weeks, starting on October 5. All arenas from previous seasons will be available again afterward.
In this new season, players can invite their friends for a game, no matter the platform they use thanks to cross-play invites. Dragon’s Way also improved the matchmaking, and stability of the game to create a better and smoother experience than ever.
To spice up player’s routine, every week of Dragon’s Way will present a different mode or skatepark minigame, all of which will continue to reward players with fans and contribute to their progress in the Roller Pass. Dragon’s Way offers players more superstars, Roller Champions’ themed characters, to choose from than any season before, which now come with their own customized backgrounds.


XP Boosts & Discounts Ride Into Red Dead Online Later This Week

This week, Red Dead Online is getting some XP boosts and discounts to make your life in its virtual, multiplayer wild west a bit easier.
Bounty Missions, including Legendary Bounties and Bounty Hunter Free Roam Events, will be receiving a 50 percent Role XP Boost, while Showdown Modes and Races get a 50 percent XP Boost.
There will be no 50 percent off discounts, sadly, but you do get 30 percent off some Bounty Hunter items like the Schofield Revolver and Bolt-Action Rifle Bounty Hunter variants, along with the Reinforced Lasso. There will also be a 30 percent discount on the LeMat Revolver and Repeating Shotgun.
There are extra goodies if you are a PlayStation Plus member or have a Twitch Prime account. If you’re the former, you will get three Moonshiner Mash Refills and three Trader Resupplies for free. Meanwhile, the latter will get a free Collector’s Bag and the Polished Copper Moonshine Still Upgrade.
Finally, Rockstar Games also revealed that this week’s featured series is Read Dead Online’s battle royale mode, Gun Rush: Teams.


Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Will Continue Online

The Season 5 Playoffs of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Professional League Malaysia and Singapore will be held from 1 May to 3 May. The tournament will be happening online, just as others have done during this COVID-19 pandemic, with Yoodo as the official digital telco.
The matches, which will be played every day from 2pm, will be streamed on MLBB’s Facebook page and on Astro Arena with Bahasa Malaysia commentary, while the MLBB YouTube Channel’s stream will be in English.
“The upcoming Playoffs will be played entirely online as a measure to safeguard the health and safety of all our players, fans and crew,” said Moonton Director of Esports Lucas Mao.

“We apologise for not being able to bring the on-ground experience that fans love. At the same time, we commend the fans who have been staying home and following the guidelines set by local authorities during this challenging time. Thereâ€™s no better time to sit back and enjoy the esports action that we have in store at the Playoffs, which is going to be an exciting one.”

The last four seasons have seen two Malaysian and two Singaporean teams take the win, with players from those winning teams making it into Season 5’s Playoffs as well. This season’s Playoffs will see Resurgence (SG), Geek Fam (MY), EVOS SG (SG), Team Bosskurr (MY), Orange Esports Reborn (MY), Todak (MY), Team SMG (MY), and Axis Esports (MY) competing for a top prize of RM109,700.


Cris Tales Guide: How To Survive This JRPG Tribute

Indie RPG Cris Tales is out right now for PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PS4. It’s as old school as they come, albeit with a lovely coat of 2D paint and a turn-based combat system that requires some timed button presses and past/present/future manipulation.
See, the game’s heroine Crisbell can cast Past and Future Crystal spells during battle to turn the left part of the screen into the past and the right side of the screen into the future, which leads to all sorts of time acceleration and de-ageing shenanigans.
Here are some tips to help you out in this indie JRPG.
Time Your Button Presses
You can enhance your blocks and attacks by precisely timing a button press. The screen will darken to show you the right timing. If you played games like the Mario & Luigi RPGs on Nintendo consoles, you’ll do fine here once you get the timings down pat.
Experiment With Your Status Effect & Time Powers
Play around with combinations of status effects and time powers. For example, normally a burn status will deal some minor damage each turn to an enemy. However, if you throw that enemy into the future, they will take all the burn damage they would have accumulated over time all at once, dealing
large burst damage.
Willhelm’s plant Yucandra skill may not do much in the present, but you can accelerate the plant’s growth by casting the Future Crystal spell on it. Or use the Past Crystal spell first, then cast the plant skill, and then break the Past Crystal Shard. These techniques will immediately activate the Yucandra’s AoE abilities, be it poison, healing, or explosions.
Your Time Powers Will Affect Enemies Differently

Enemies might get stronger or weaker depending on if they are thrown into the past, present or future. Combine these with status effects from magic attacks to make the most of these weaknesses. For example, if you cast poison on an enemy (Wilheim’s Poison Yucandra skills), you can use Crisbelle’s Future Crystal spell to instant-kill that same enemy, since it accelerates the poison’s damage-over-time effect to the max. Conversely, you can weaken some enemies to their “infant” state by using the Past Crystal spell on them.
Use Regression & Speed Up
Crisbellâ€™s regression spell can be used to remove harmful status effects. This will be crucial to surviving some of the more lengthy and dangerous encounters. Crisbell’s Speed Up magic is also helpful in making one of your party members take more turns than usual. So if you want a spell-casting powerhouse like Cristopher cast a few paralyzing Lightning spells in a row, buff him with Speed Up ASAP.
Use The Hint Button
You will get lost in Cris Tales’ lush artwork, and the game doesn’t really give you much of a map. Use the hint button, quest journal, and character dialogue to guide you to your next destination.

Stock Up & Visit The Innkeeper
Before you start a main story quest or explore a dungeon, buy potions and status effect curatives. Cris Tales is pretty old school with its approach at times; while it warns you about an oncoming big boss or story shifts that will block off remaining incomplete sidequests, you still need to prep on your own. There will be times where you need antidotes to cure poison, since the effect lingers even after combat.
Also, do rest at an inn when you can. They’re cheap and won’t cost much. Tents that you use in dungeon save points will cost quite a bit here, so saving money helps.
Write Stuff & Locations Down
We’re not sure why, but Cris Tales’ map locations do not have names on them, and dungeons don’t have their own mini-maps. While the latter is basically-designed, you may want to bring up a pen and notebook to jot some things down, or use a good ol’ word processor open next to the game.


Keanu Reeves’ Johnny Silverhand Will Return In Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Expansion

During a new Night City Wire live stream earlier tonight, CD Projekt Red has announced that the Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty expansion is coming in 2023 exclusively for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PS5 (as well as Stadia). Last-gen consoles like PS4 and Xbox One will not be getting the expansion.

Nothing much has been revealed about Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty, except that it will feature protagonist V swearing to “serve the New United States Of America”, whatever that means. In addition, Keanu Reeves (see featured image) confirmed that Johnny Silverhand will somehow return in the expansion, though of course, the details have not been revealed.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Free Fire MCP Majors Season 3 Kicks Off With Best Teams From Malaysia, Cambodia & Philippines

Free Fire esports fans all across Malaysia, Cambodia, and the Philippines (MCP) can look forward to a series of exciting battles between pro players, old and new, as the MCP Majors Season 3 (MCP Majors S3) tournament moves into its League Stage on 11 March 2022.Â
The MCP Majors S3 will feature the top 10 teams from the Qualifiers Finals, and 8 seeded teams from the Free Fire Challengers Malaysia and Philippines series, otherwise known as FFCM and FFCP. Local fans can anticipate the return of familiar veterans like Vete Esports and AKO Ligers and the performance of rising contenders like HARDTOGET.

The League Stage will take place over four weeks, from 11 March to 3 April, where 18 teams will duke it out for a spot in the Grand Finals every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 8 pm, GMT+8. The top 12 teams will then compete for the prestigious championship title in the Grand Finals on 16 April after advancing from the League Stage. Both the champion of the MCP Majors S3 and the first runner-up will also get to compete at the Free Fire World Series (FFWS) 2022 in May.Â
Free Fire players and esports enthusiasts alike can root for their local teams and win prizes by tuning in to the League Stage, which will be live-streamed weekly on Free Fire Philippinesâ€™ official Facebook and YouTube.
Free Fire can be downloaded on both theÂ Apple iOS AppÂ andÂ Google Play.


Green Lantern TV Series Ordered By HBO Max

HBO Max has officially ordered the Green Lantern TV series, which will be written by Seth Grahame-Smith (writer of 2017’s The Lego Batman Movie) and Marc Guggenheim (co-creator of CW’s Arrow TV series and a writer of 2011’s Green Lantern movie).
According to Variety, HBO Max’s Green Lantern will depict the adventures of many Green Lanterns. These include Guy Gardner, Jessica Cruz, Simon Baz, Alan Scott, Kilowog, and even future Yellow Lantern Sinestro.
However, weirdly enough, sources claim that Hal Jordan, Jon Stewart and Kyle Raynor (three of the most popular Green Lanterns) will not be part of the series.
The first season will consist of 10 one-hour episodes, and it will apparently be one of Berlanti’s most expensive shows to date. That’s to be expected, considering how the hard-light constructs of the Green Lanterns would require a lot of visual effects to bring to life.
At this point, anything would be better than the 2011 Green Lantern movie.


Toxic Crusaders Is Making A 4-Player Beat Em Up Comeback

Remember the 90s when animation studios would make all-ages cartoons out of R-rated movies like Robocop & Rambo? Well, movie-making house Troma Entertainment, famous for its violent and sexual films as well as for producing talent like James Gunn, made a cartoon called Toxic Crusaders in 1991. Said cartoon was based on the Toxic Avenger series of films; their contents are as different as night and day, with the latter being incredibly R-rated.
Fast forward to 2023, publisher and developer Retroware are making a 4-player beat-em-up based on the 90s cartoon. The game features offline co-op, old-school pixel-based graphics, and tons of beat-em-up action. Playable characters in the roster so far include Toxie, Junkyard, Nozone, Major Disaster, Headbanger, Mrs. Junko, and Yvonne.
The devs worked closely with Toxic Crusaders/Toxic Avenger creators Troma Entertainment and its founder Lloyd Kaufman, so you can expect cameos from films such as Poultrygeist, Class of Nuke’Em High, and Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD.
Toxic Crusaders will be out for PC (Steam) and consoles in late 2023. Gameplay trailer’s below complete with a remixed theme song from Psychostick.

Key Features

The triumphant return of the Toxic Crusaders, just when we needed them most!
Pulse-pounding beat ’em-up action for up to four players
Gorgeous full-colour pixel art graphics
A stunning soundtrack that’ll make you party like it’s 1991
Amazing comic book cutscenes featuring the voices of TeamFourStar (Dragon Ball Z Abridged)
Seven playable characters, each with their own unique moves and powers
Seven unique stages taking you from the streets of Tromaville to Planet Smogula and beyond!
Surprise cameos (each more surprising than the last) from across the Troma Cinematic Universe!


That Rocking Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order Theme Song Is Now On Spotify

If you’ve played Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order, you’ll surely remember that awesome rock song playing out of nowhere during the opening sequence and the Arena segment. Cal Kestis can even be heard mentioning (when the song was playing in the game) that he recognizes the band in a meta moment.
That song was actually the Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order theme song, ‘Sugaan Essena’ by Mongolian heavy metal band The Hu, who made their debut at Coachella in April 2019. You can listen to it now on Spotify and iTunes.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJZfEh3EciU&w=560&h=315]
The Huâ€™s ‘Sugaan Essena’ was written specifically for Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order in a unique language authentic to the Star Wars franchise, and not actually sung in their native language. A behind-the-scenes video interview with the band provides more insight into how they made the unique song, which can be viewed below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGcem7JFvEg&w=560&h=315]
I gave Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order a rating of 9/10 in my review (which you can check out here).


Sony Interactive Sets Up Southeast Asia Hub In Singapore

The times, they are a-changing.
Sony Interactive’s Southeast Asia division has now set up its headquarters in Singapore (via Geek Culture). Previously, Sony Interactive’s Asia hub was working out of Hong Kong, with a PlayStation Asia office in Singapore.
The new division, which will be responsible for all marketing and distribution of PlayStation consoles and games in all of Singapore and Southeast Asia, will be led by its head of Asia Business Operations and PlayStation veteran Katsuhiko Murase. Murase said that the new Sony Interactive Asia hub in Singapore will be leading the Asia teams to expand PlayStation’s business. Other higher-ups who will be helming the Asia hub will be Asua West Commercial Lead Mustafa YiÄŸit and SIE Hong Kong’s Jacqueline Chiu.
This does explain why the Singapore market received the PS5 earlier on 19th November while the rest of Southeast Asia like Malaysia and The Philippines received their local versions a few weeks later. Gamers in SEA did kick up quite a fuss last month over this, among other things. Still, better late than never, right?


Tribe Gaming Are Your First Official Call Of Duty: Mobile World Champions

The 2022 Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship was a highly anticipated event that took place this past weekend and brought together some of the best players from around the world as they compete for a prize pool of US$1,700,000. After a long weekend of gruelling competition, Tribe Gaming emerged as the champions, earning the coveted title of World Champions.
Since 2020, Tribe Gaming has been one of the top contenders for the title as they have remained the most dominant team in the North American region. The team was made up of some of the best players in the world, including Boris “BoLu” Lunin, Jezz, Angel “Marshy” Gonzalez, Maiwand “Vague” Zai, Brian “Tectonic” Michel and their substitute David “Slothy” Alvarado.

After topping their group, Tribe didn’t have the best start to the Playoffs as they were knocked down into the loser’s bracket in the first round of the Playoffs by China’s most dominant team in Wolves losing the series in a nail-biting 2–3.
Tribe would go on to face the number-one team from Europe, STMN Esports knocking them out in a clean and convincing 3–0 fashion. Using that momentum, they would go on to steamroll the Philippines’ Smart Omega in another dominant 3–0.
After Wolves sent Tribe into the lower bracket, they themselves met the same demise at the hands of Luminosity Gaming losing 1–3. Landing on the other side of the lower bracket meant that Tribe would have the perfect opportunity to get revenge on the Chinese team. When these two teams finally met once again, even with the momentum that Tribe had, it was still extremely close with Wolves taking Map 1 Summit Hardpoint in a 17-point game. But Tribe came back swinging winning the next three games and winning the series 3–1 and sending Wolves packing.
But Tribe wouldn’t be able to rest just yet as in the lower bracket final they would go on to face Brazil’s last hope in iNCO Stalwart. iNCO had defied expectations and had dominated the upper bracket, not dropping a single map until the upper bracket final where they finally met their maker and got sent down into the lower bracket by none other than Luminosity, 1–3.
Possibly demoralised from their loss against Luminosity, iNCO was completely dismantled by Tribe Gaming 3–0, solidifying Tribe’s spot in the Grand Final where they would go on to face their former teammates and regional rivals in Luminosity Gaming.

The Best of 7 Grand Final was intense and closely contested, with both teams giving it their all. As Luminosity were from the upper bracket side, they were given a 1–0 advantage to start the series, but that wouldn’t stop Tribe as dominated the first three maps of the series. Although being down 1–3, and with everything on the line, Luminosity wouldn’t go down without a fight and took the next Hardpoint and Search and Destroy.
With the series all tied up at 3–3 and both teams at tournament point, it all went down to Map 7 Summit Control. With the score going back and forth, it came down to the final round of Control, and Tribe came out all guns blazing, completely shredding Luminosity’s lives and stalling them until the timer reached zero. And with that Tribe were crowned the first official Call of Duty: Mobile World Champions.
Tribe Gaming’s victory was a testament to their hard work and dedication to the game over these past couple of years. With constant debates between who’s better and ‘West vs. East’, we now know for certain that the West is, for now, the best. They were deservedly rewarded with the lion’s share of the prize pool and a custom-made trophy to commemorate their achievement.
Overall, the first in-person Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship was a thrilling and exciting event, and Tribe Gaming’s victory was a well-deserved one. Although there were multiple technical issues throughout the event, I thoroughly believe that this event was a massive success and a much-needed one since the game’s launch. As for Tribe, the team demonstrated incredible skill and determination throughout the tournament, and they will no doubt be remembered as one of the greatest Call of Duty: Mobile teams of all time.


Arrowhead Game Studios Drop The First Trailer For Helldivers 2

8 years after the first instalment, Arrowhead Game Studios dropped a trailer for the IP’s long-awaited sequel at this year’s PlayStation Showcase.
We heard rumours about the shoot ’em up getting a sequel last year but since then we’ve heard nothing… Until now. The trailer follows you’re stereotypical propaganda-esque enlistment advertisement as the soldier speaking gives the viewers a brief introduction to the world of Helldivers.

Helldivers 2 will take a completely different approach from its predecessor. Most notably, the game is no longer a top-down game, but rather a third-person over-the-shoulder shooter. We can expect the game to drop later this year on PS5 & PC.
More details will come at a later date but for now, check out the trailer linked below.


PS5 Supply Problems To Only Ease Up By 2024

We’re in the second year of the PS5, and the latest Sony console is still extremely difficult to find and buy. Most places are still out of stock and even when they get new ones, these PS5s get snapped up in a heartbeat. According to a Sony financial presentation, that problem will continue until at least 2024.
Sony acknowledged the problems with the PS5 supplies, and the slides show while the PS5 outsold the PS4 in its first year (2020), it fell behind in the year after (2021) due to supply issues. The company is not expecting PS5 supplies to normalize and for sales to overtake the PS4 again until at least 2024, which is still two years away from now.
To combat the PS5 shortage, there’s nothing they can realistically do. The chip shortage means that it’s impossible to make more PS5s. Recently, all they can do is increase the production of PS4 consoles, which does nothing to really satisfy the demand for the PS5, especially as more and more current-gen exclusives begin to launch in the near future.


[Rumour] Call Of Duty Warzone Mobile Is In Development

Activision may have accidentally revealed that Call Of Duty Warzone is in development for mobile platforms like Android and iOS, according to new job listings posted on LinkedIn. They posted a message last week on their official LinkedIn page about new job listings, which stated:
“Activision Mobile has put up new roles!
Teams are focused on Live Operations and content expansion across CoD Mobile and Warzone.
Our dev teams are dedicated to mobile and comprised of all major disciplines.
We’re hire globally, and in addition to Art and Production we’ve opened new roles for Engineering (Graphics & C++) and Designers (Game/System).
Drop in and drop us a line.”
Check out a screenshot of the post, in case it’s ever deleted. At the time of writing, it’s still up.

Earlier in March 2021, Activision sent out a survey about Call Of Duty Mobile and referenced both Warzone and Verdansk coming to the mobile game.
However, take all this with a grain of salt for now. Activision has yet to officially announce or confirm Call Of Duty Warzone for mobile. In other related news, the previous modern version ofÂ Call Of Duty Warzoneâ€˜s Verdansk map will never come back again, according to developer Raven Software.


Netflix May 2023: Our Picks & Highlights

I’m sure you won’t want to waste time sifting through Netflix’s extensive catalogue of shows and movies just to decide on what to watch. The streaming giant updates its site every day, week, and month with new content, so I’m here to save your precious time.
Here are my personal recommendations and highlights for Netflix Malaysia’s May 2023 lineup and how to fill up your free time with worthwhile content at home:
Ultraman Season 3 (11 May 2023)

The final season of Ultraman will premiere as the tale of the Warriors of Light heads toward a climax riddled with mysteries. The Ultraman anime has garnered huge popularity both in Japan and around the globe since Netflix began streaming Season 1 in 2019 and Season 2 in 2022. Ultraman finally reaches its magnificent conclusion in this final season.

Mulligan (12 May 2023)
Mulligan. Nat Faxon as Matty Mulligan in Mulligan. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023
When most of Earth is destroyed by aliens, can a few survivors rebuild what’s left of America and form a more perfect union? Mulligan – a new Netflix comedy series created by Robert Carlock and Sam Means (best known as the creators of 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Black Knight (12 May 2023)

In a dystopian 2071 devastated by air pollution, the survival of humanity depends on the Black Knights — and they’re far from your average deliverymen.

The Woman King (12 May 2023)
Viola Davis stars in THE WOMAN KING.
The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness, unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life.

The Mother (12 May 2023)
The Mother. Jennifer Lopez as “The Mother” in The Mother. Cr. Doane Gregory/Netflix (c)2023
After years of hiding out in the Alaskan wilderness, a deadly assassin returns to rescue the daughter she loved from afar. It stars Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Fiennes, Lucy Paez, Omari Hardwick, Paul Raci, and Gael Garcia Bernal.

FUBAR (25 May 2023)
Fubar. Arnold Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner in episode 101 of Fubar. Cr. Christos Kalohoridis/Netflix © 2023
Heroes don’t retire. They reload. Arnold Schwarzenegger is starring in his first series ever!
When a father and daughter learn that they’ve each secretly been working as CIA Operatives for years, they realize their entire relationship has been a lie and they truly don’t know one another at all. Forced to team up as partners, FUBAR tackles universal family dynamics set against a global backdrop of spies, fantastic action and humor.
Also starring Monica Barbaro, Milan Carter, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Jay Baruchel, Andy Buckley, Aparna Brielle, Barbara Eve Harris, Fabiana Udenio and Gabriel Luna.

For more highlights on what’s coming too Netflix Malaysian in May 2023, check out the sizzle reel below:


The Godfather Actor James Caan Dies At 82

Legendary American actor James Cann has passed away at the age of 82.
The late actor’s family announced the news in a statement shared via Twitter on 7 July 2022.
The statement reads:
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
Caan was born in the Bronx in 1940 and was best known for his portrayal of Santino “Sonny” Corleone in 1972’s The Godfather. His performance earned him a best supporting actor nomination at the Academy Awards as well as the Golden Globes. He reprised the role in 1974’s The Godfather Part II, making a cameo at end of the film.


First-Ever League Of Legends Pacific Championship Series Begins Next Year

Asia Pacific and Southeast Asian League of Legends fans rejoice! 2020 will be the start of something grand in the LoL esports scene for this region. Riot Games is working together with a few companies to organise a new LoL esports tournament.

The League of Legends Pacific Championship Series (PCS) begins next year on 8 February 2020. Both the LoL Master Series (LMS) and LoL Southeast Asia Tour (LST) will be merged into the PCS. The tournament covers Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.
Riot Games are working together with FunPlus Esports (owner of Worlds 2019 champion FunPlus Phoenix) and Garena to organise the tournament. The tournament will run in a best-of-one format and double-elimination playoffs. All the matches are planned to be hosted online due to the geographical diversity.
A total of ten teams will be taking part in the PCS. Here are the nine that have been revealed:
1. ahq eSports Club (Taipei)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO29jp3kn7Q&w=560&h=315]
Established in September 2012, ahq is one of the regionâ€™s most celebrated esports organizations, having achieved competitive success across a variety of esports titles, while representing the LMS region in multiple World Championships.
2. Alpha Esports (Taipei)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRPW_ONrVHA&w=560&h=315]
Alpha made its debut during Season 9 of the LMS. With a brand new team roster, Alpha is looking to make a name for itself in the PCS.
3. J Team (Taipei)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o10AIT3pcI8&w=560&h=315]
J Team debuted during the 2016 LMS Summer Split and has consistently ranked as one of the top teams in the region. They performed incredibly well in 2019, winning the LMS Summer Split and cementing a spot at the World Championship in Europe. J Team is owned by acclaimed musician Jay Chou.
4. G-Rex Gaming (Hong Kong)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkqlw3p4yjo&w=560&h=315]
Owned by Emperor Entertainment Group, G-Rex Gaming is one of Hong Kongâ€™s most respected entertainment enterprises. Despite being a young esports organization, G-Rex represented the LMS at Worlds in 2018.
5. Hong Kong Attitude (Hong Kong)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bSm3dbsU3w&w=560&h=315]
Founded in 2013, Hong Kong Attitude is considered amongst the top esports organizations in the region and has competed at multiple World Championships, including this yearâ€™s event.
6. Resurgence (Singapore)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XmWo90A57o&w=560&h=315]
Established in 2017 with a vision to elevate the Southeast Asian esports scene, Resurgence (RSG) is the largest esports organization in Singapore.
7. Liyab Esports (Manila)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER-TpQJmA3M&w=560&h=315]
In just a short span of time, Liyab has become synonymous with Filipino esports. Having recently undergone a rebrand and name change (they were formerly known as Mineski), the heart and spirit of the team remain distinctly Filipino and they are hungry for recognition on the regional stage.
8. Nova Esports (Bangkok)

In mobile esports, Nova has won multiple world championships over the years and is committed to bringing their champion DNA to PCS. With their unique culture and play style, they are set to take on the old guard of professional LoL esports.
9. Talon (Hong Kong)

Talon is an esports organization that has clinched championships across multiple esports titles in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Thailand. They are setting their sights on the PCS and are committed to delivering an exhilarating and competitive fan experience.

The tenth and final team has yet to be revealed. A PCS website will be launching soon, complete with details of broadcast platforms, match schedules, and more. For now, it’s advised that fans follow the PCS Facebook page for more news and updates.
You can read the official announcement by LoL Esports here.


Our Top Picks For Mods In The Resident Evil 4 Remake

The recently-released Resident Evil 4 Remake is really living up to its original game. It has many graphics enhancements, quality-of-life improvements and a lot of gameplay changes as well. Here we’ve compiled our favourite mods to spice up your Resident Evil 4 Remake gameplay. Trust me, you’re going to want to check this list out.
QUALITY OF LIFE MODS
1. HEALTH BARS

Health Bars by GreenComfyTea
You know what’s annoying? Shooting your all your bullets and wondering “HOW ARE THEY NOT DEAD YET!!?” Well, we’ve got that problem solved for you. With health bars on all your enemies, you know just how much damage you need to dish out. This does break immersion but if you value convenience over that, then this is the mod for you.
This mod doesn’t just let you see health bars, it also shows you which weapons are the best to use for damage.
2. SIMPLE FOV

Simple FOV by blackholesun01
If you’re a blind rat like me, this mod is truly a dream come true. This mod lets you adjust your FOV (and does not effect picking up items or cutscenes). This will also help people who get motion sickness from low FOVs in games. Say goodbye to missing loot you might have missed without this mod.
3. DEADLY HEADSHOTS

Deadly Headshots by alteredbeast
This mod makes headshots an insta-kill. One shot to the head and BOOM dead. In the game, if you hit headshots you’re punished for it in a way, as it often leads to Las Plagas emerging. If you’re tired of that, well, this mod will cure all your problems. You still need to nail those headshots, which can be hard if you’re a terrible shot… like me. Get this mod and become the new Leon Wick!
Speaking of Leon Wic, here are some mods that you HAVE TO check out for fun.
1. KEANU REEVES

Keanu Reeves by Crazy Potato
Big fan of John Wick? Well good news, you can now become Leon Wick. Channel your inner assassin and perform some crazy moves seen in the movies. Players will take on challenges in game with Keanu’s signature style and moves.
2. SHIRTLESS LEON

Shirtless Leon by TrieuPham
Yes, it does what’s expected. This mod removes Leon’s stylish jacket and body armor so you can get a faceful of those… nips.
3. LEON KENNEDY TRAMP STAMP

Leon Kennedy Tramp Stamp (Full Game) by TrieuPham
If shirtless is too much for you, and you want to make him look spicier, this mod gives Leon a thong, a tramp stamp and a cute crop top.
4. Kratos Leon (Full Game)

Kratos Leon (Full Game) by TrieuPham
You can also play Leon as the iconic Kratos from God of War looking like a complete God of Sparta.
5. Ashley 2B colour theme

Ashley 2B color theme by vainiuss1
If you’re a big fan of Nier Automata, this is a simple texture mod that changes Ashley to resemble 2B from Nier Automata. It’s not really a big chance since it’s only a basic texture mod, this only changes her hair colour as well as the colour of her outfit. 2B Ashley suits the aesthetic of the remake if you ask me. Please note that this doesn’t impact her model or any voice lines in the game.
6. BANANA GUN AND SPOON KNIFE MOD

BANANA GUN AND SPOON KNIFE MOD by Stevebg23
Praise Steve! This mod gives a comical weapon modifcation that swaps out your handgun for a Banana and your knife for a Spoon. Go forth trying to kill your enemies without laughing your ass off!
7. SHREK – GET OUT OF MY SWAAAAAAAMP!

Shrek by Iven
GET OUT OF MY SWAAAAAAAAAMP! Everyone’s favourite ogre makes his return in this remake by replacing Salvador, the chainsaw man. Picture a large green ogre running towards you with a giant chainsaw. I can’t decide whether it’s scary or funny. PLUS, the expression on his face is always a smile so…. that makes it even more terrifying if you ask me.
HOW TO INSTALL MODS IN RESIDENT EVIL 4 REMAKE
If you are new to installing mods, don’t worry we’ve got you covered. Just follow these simple steps!

Go to the download page found on the links on the mod you want to install.
Save the file to your hard drive as you would any other downloaded file.
Read and follow special instructions from the uploader.
Run the installer program and allow it to run if you get a warning.
Select your preferred language for the installation process.
Read and accept the license agreement.
Choose the default installation path and create a start menu folder if desired.
Keep the default file extension associations for best results.
Review your choices and click “install” to begin the installation process.
Uncheck the box if you don’t want NMM to open after installation.
Click “Finish” to exit the installer.

Once the installation is complete, you should see a new “Nexus mod manager” button on your desktop. You can run Nexus mod manager anytime using this button. And Ta-da! You’re good to go!

Those are our top picks for mods to use in the latest Resident Evil 4 Remake. We hope you make good use of this information and enhance your experience with them! If you do end up using these mods, or find more, do feel free to tag us with pictures, clips or even videos of them on our socials!


Is Moonton Forcing Esports Teams To Drop Wild Rift For Mobile Legends? [Update]

A little rough-housing against the competition is fine and all, but this latest report may be taking things a bit too far.
Mobile Legends developer Moonton is reportedly forcing esports organizations to drop League of Legends: Wild Rift teams, or flat out not create one, thanks to a signed exclusivity contract with the company (via WRCompetitive).

The news broke out when Team Secret CEO John Yao, who now has a Philippines Wild Rift team, stated that the ability to participate in multiple titles is crucial to the survival of esports organizations. In order for the exclusivity to work, Moonton’s compensation needs to be justifiable to just stick to one side of the mobile MOBA train.
Keep in mind that Mobile Legends is a major esport in Southeast Asia, regardless of its dubious status of being a tad similar (legally distinct, if we’re being honest) to Riot Games’ MOBA. But that game popped up first way before Wild Rift entered the scene, so Moonton already had years to create the esports scene they’re thriving in today.
What Is Riot Games’ Response?
In response, Riot Games SEA esports project manager Ban Chee reassured folks that the company will not restrict SEA teams from competing in other esports.

Been receiving multiple enquiries regarding WR teams in Indonesia. We would like to reassure our players that Riot SEA does not restrict WR SEA esports teams from participating in other mobile esports leagues, & we empower our teams to exercise freedom of choice in this space.
— Ban “ChisinX” Chee (@chisinRPL) July 8, 2021

Well, that settles things then. Moonton may need to lighten its current stance on competition if it wants to keep playing the esports long game.
According to sources close to us, Moonton’s MPL policies do not ask teams for exclusivity. While player roster is exclusive, the branding of the teams and organisations are not. For example, if Team A is playing with MPL Indonesia, they can compete in Wild Rift if there is a separate player roster, or if there are transfers during the regular season.
Due to commercial contracts, some teams have to cooperate with Moonton due to a previous agreement, thus are tied to an exclusive requirement on team branding. Apart from that, all teams are allowed to refuse the commercial program and still continue to compete in MPL.
Long story short, this is far from over. But at long as a team has two separate teams for both games, everything may seem golden for now.


Road to Avengers Infinity War: Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 3 Recap

The time is almost here for the Avengers to assemble! Avengers Infinity War will be releasing in Malaysia next week on 26th April 2018. Now I’m going to recap Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) from Captain America: Civil War (2016) to Black Panther (2018).
13) Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Captain America: Civil War felt more like an Avengers 2.5 instead of simply being the culmination of Steve Rogers’ trilogy of movies. This was another highly-anticipated MCU movie since it was going to adapt the famous Civil War storyline from the comics. What we got, in the end, was one of the best MCU movies. This movie was also notable for breaking the Avengers apart and introducing the Black Panther and Spider-Man into the MCU.
The movie starts with a flashback to when the Winter Soldier / Bucky Barnes was still under HYDRA, where we see him being dispatched against an automobile in the year 1991. It turns out that he was the assassin who killed Tony Stark’s parents. Fast forward to the present and we see some of the Avengers involved in an operation to capture Crossbones / Brock Rumlow from stealing a biological weapon in Nigeria. That mission ended badly when an explosion damaged a building and killed several civilians. The fall out of the mission is that the UN is preparing to pass the Sokovia Accords, which is the MCU’s version of the Superhuman Registration Act from the comics, in order to regulate and oversee the team’s actions. A bomb later kills King T’chaka of Wakanda at the Sokovia Accords conference, where the killer looks to be the Winter Soldier. T’chaka’s son, T’challa who is the Black Panther vows to kill his father’s killer. It turns out that Baron Zemo is the true villain behind the bombings, and he’s been brainwashing Bucky into committing the acts, in order to turn the Avengers against each other. Stark assembles a team of his own to fight against Rogers’ team. They fight at an airport, where James Rhodes becomes paralyzed in the aftermath while most of Rogers team are captured. At the end, when Tony finds out that Bucky killed his parents, he fights Bucky and Rogers to a standstill and Zemo’s plans are fulfilled. The Avengers are officially disassembled. The movie ends with Rhodes recuperating with the help of Stark tech and Rogers saving his team from the Raft prison.
In the mid-credits scene, Bucky is granted asylum in Wakanda and chooses to return to cryogenic sleep until his brainwashing is cured. In the post-credits scene, Peter Parker tests a new gadget built by Stark for him.
14) Doctor Strange (2016)

This movie was a pleasant addition to the MCU because it finally introduced true magic elements into the MCU. Doctor Strange is a hard character to pull off due to his psychedelic and quirky roots but Marvel Studios managed to do it. This movie was notable for revealing another of the Infinity Stones, the Time Stone, which will be vital for Avengers Infinity Stone.
Stephen Strange is a neurosurgeon who severely injures his hand in an accident, rendering him unable to continue his work. This brings him to the fabled land of Kamar-Taj, where miracles happen and the Ancient One lives. He hears of the place from a person named Pangborn, who had his legs cured there. Strange meets Mordo and the Ancient Mordo, where they reveal that other dimensions and the astral plan exist. Strange learns at Kamar-Taj and he learns from Wong the librarian that Earth is protected from threats from other dimensions by a shield generated from three buildings called Sanctums, in New York City, London, and Hong Kong, which are all connected and accessible from Kamar-Taj. The sorcerers of Kamar-Taj protect these from threats like Dormammu. In order to defeat Kaecilius and Dormammu, Strange had to use the forbidden Eye of Agamotto AKA the Time Stone to reverse everything that happened. Dormammu left Earth alone after Strange stuck him inside a time loop. Mordo leaves after finding Strange and the Ancient One’s use of the dark arts as unnatural. Strange becomes the new Sorcerer Supreme of Earth.
In the mid-credits scene,Â Strange decides to help Thor, who has brought his brother Loki to Earth to search for their father Odin, leading to the movie Thor: Ragnarok. In a post-credits scene, Mordo confronts Pangborn and steals the mystical energy that he uses to walk, declaring that Earth has “too many sorcerers”.
15) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

The MCU’s cosmic side continues with the second GOTG movie, which remains standalone from the events that happen on Earth. This movie is notable for adding Mantis into the team and Quill meeting his real father. Other than that, it’s pretty much standalone.
The movie starts with the team doing a mission for the Sovereign Ayesha. The mission goes wrong when it turns out that Rocket stole from Ayesha. They escape the planet and crash land on another planet where they meet Ego, who reveals himself as Quill’s father. Ayesha hires Yondu Udonta and his Ravagers to find the GOTG. It turns out the man who initially hired Yondu and the Ravagers to kidnap Quill was Ego himself. Ego is one of the Celestials, whose consciousness is tied to a planet. Ego reveals to Quill that in his travels, he planted seedlings on thousands of worlds which can terraform them into new extensions of himself, but they can only be activated by the power of two Celestials. He has been impregnating women from countless worlds to find an heir who inherits the same Celestial power. The team stops Ego’s plans but Quill seemingly loses his power and Yondu dies in the process.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has a bunch of mid-credit scenes and one post-credits scene.Â Kraglin takes up Yondu’s telekinetic arrow and control-fin; Ravager leader Stakar Ogord reunites with his ex-teammates; Groot has grown into a teenager; Ayesha creates a new artificial being with whom she plans to destroy the Guardians, naming him Adam (who is actually Adam Warlock from the comics) and a group of uninterested Watchers abandon their informant, who is discussing his experiences on Earth. He’s Stan Lee.
16) Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

The movie no one thought would ever happen in the MCU. It still happened. The first MCU movie to feature the friendly neighborhood wall-crawler himself was pretty much standalone, in the vein of GOTG Vol. 2, with the exception of Tony Stark’s cameo. The movie was notable for Peter’s growth as a hero and him realizing the suit isn’t what makes a hero.
The movie focuses on Peter Parker’s life after the events of Captain America: Civil War, where he’s still learning the ropes of being Spider-Man. He keeps stumbling into the activities of Adrian Toomes AKA the Vulture, who has been appropriating the alien tech from the Battle of New York (The Avengers, 2012). Tony Stark reclaims the high-tech suit he gave to Peter when he fails to stop a ferry from breaking apart. He fights Toomes with only his old suit, to stop him from stealing Stark tech. The movie ends with Peter declining Stark’s invitation to join the Avengers and he receives the high-tech suit, which he puts on just before Aunt May enters his room.
In the mid-credits scene,Â an incarcerated Gargan approaches Toomes in prison. Gargan has heard that Toomes knows Spider-Man’s real identity, which Toomes denies. It looks like the start of the Sinister Six, as Gargan is supposed to be the Scorpion from the comics.
17) Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

2017 is the first time ever that 3 MCU movies were released in the same year. All 3 were most;y standalone and were important only in furthering the story arcs and progression of its own heroes. Thor: Ragnarok had ramifications for the universe as a whole too and directly leads to the events of Avengers: Infinity War.
The movie starts with Thor unsuccessful in his search for the Infinity Stones and being captured by the fire demon Surtur in Muspelheim. Thor defeats Surtur after listening to Surtur talking of bringing the end of Asgard through Ragnarok. Thor returns to Asgard to force Loki into helping him search for their father, Odin. They ask for the help of Doctor Strange. Odin reveals that he is dying and that his death will allow his first-born, Hela, Goddess of Death to escape her prison. She destroys Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, and takes over Asgard. Thor and Loki escape and find themselves on the planet Sakaar. They meet the Grandmaster and the fallen Valkyrie. Thor is forced to participate in the Contest of Champions, where he faces the Hulk. It turns out that Hulk was also stranded here after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). They stage a revolution against the Grandmaster and return to Asgard to face Hela. They bring about Ragnarok in order to stop Hela and Thos loses his right eye in the process. Thor and the others, along with surviving Asgardians escape Ragnarok on the Grandmaster’s space vessel.
In the mid-credits scene, they are intercepted by an even larger ship, presumably owned by Thanos. In the post-credits scene, the Grandmaster encounters his subjects who rebelled.
18) Black Panther (2018)

This is the last MCU movie before Avengers: Infinity War hits us. Surprisingly, in my opinion, it’s also the best MCU movie to date, after Captain America: Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. This movie is also pretty much standalone but its own mythology is expansive in scope on its own.
The movie starts with a flashback to the past, telling us about how Wakanda was formed when the tribes united under the Black Panther and Vibranium. They’re the most advanced nation on Earth but pretend to be a Third-World country. In 1992, the King of Wakanda T’chaka visits his brother N’Jobu in the US, where he was accidentally killed to protect another undercover Wakandan named Zuri. He covered up the death and left his brother there, not knowing that his brother had a son. In the present, King T’challa completes the coronation ceremony by defeating M’Baku leader of the Jabari Tribe to complete his trial for the crown. T’challa learns of Erik Killmonger, who is actually the son of N’Jobu, making him his cousin and a contender for the throne. Erik concocts a plan to reclaim the crown by defeating T’challa in a ritual ceremony. T’challa, with the help of his genius sister Shuri and CIA agent Everett Ross fight against Erik and W’kabi. Erik dies andÂ T’Challa establishes an outreach center at the building where N’Jobu died to be run by Nakia and Shuri.
In the mid-credits scene, T’Challa appears before the United Nations to reveal Wakanda’s true nature to the world. In a post-credits scene, Shuri helps Bucky Barnes with his recuperation, as it turns out that his brainwashing has been cured and people are now calling him the White Wolf.
It’s almost here, folks!
That’s a wrap for recapping all 3 Phases of the MCU before Avengers: Infinity War arrives. I’m personally incredibly hyped for the movie. Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for more coverage on Avengers Infinity War.
Here are the Phase 1 and Phase 2 recaps. If you wanna know where the Infinity Stones are before watching Avenger Infinity War, check out this article where I tell you where each of them is in the MCU right now. If you wanna know what exactly happens between Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War, check out this article for the events that transpired just before Infinity War.


CS:GO ESL Pro League Season 11 Is Going Online Due To Coronavirus

Most organisers and companies have opted to cancel their upcoming events in 2020 due to the threat of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, including major ones like E3 2020. However, others have chosen to hold their events in empty/vacant locations or go online instead.
The ESL has announced that the upcoming ESL Pro League Season 11 CS:GO tournament will be played online, the finals of which will now take place at a studio location in Europe, with no live audience. It was originally supposed to be held at the 1stBank Center in Denver, Colorado.
In a statement on their official website, ESL said:

“This decision was largely motivated by the fact that Malta, the country of our originally planned studio location, has instituted a wide range of travel restrictions and quarantine regulations as of today.
We fully support all measures aimed at containing the Covid-19 dynamics as much as possible.
These travel restrictions have made it impossible for a large amount of staff and the majority of teams to make their way to the planned season location.
Because of this, instead of having over a hundred players, coaches, team members and ESL staff in a single location over multiple weeks, teams and players will be playing their matches either from home, team houses or in suitable boot camp locations in Europe and play out their matches on dedicated online servers.”

According to ESL, participating teams and the Counter-Strike Professional Players Association have been “extremely supportive” of this decision. Full refunds for tickets will also be available, with further instructions to arrive from the 1stBank Center in the near future.
Going online is a good alternative to cancelling events, as it means that they can still go on with few caveats and less loss for all parties.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-cMhyljlm0&w=560&h=315]


[Report] New TRON Game In The Works By Ubisoft

We may be going back to the Grid while some Daft Punk-style OST plays in the background.
Assuming this piece of news is even true – this is Disney we’re dealing with- I’m pretty surprised that someone out there wants an open-world game based on TRON, perhaps one of Disney’s underrated sci-fi film series. Here’s what we know (via Reddit):

The game will be developed by Ubisoft. The project was started by Ubisoft Shanghai around 3 or so years ago, with production ramping up at this point in time.
Its aesthetics is closer to the previous film TRON: Legacy than the original, right down to the Daft Punk music.
The title’s focus in open-world design is verticality and transportation; Light Cycles and Jets can be called in anytime in the open world.
The game’s single-player and multiplayer modes are connected; players will get to interact with the same characters and world.
So far, the title is sounding more like a Destiny clone but set in the TRON universe. Players can customize their avatar with different ID disks, swords, shields, and so forth for combat.
Arena-style online PvP will also be the game’s other feature to complement its heavily-focused online nature.
Internally, the game is set for a 2021 release but is subject to change.
Which platforms? So far it will be on current-gen but right now Ubisoft’s focus is on next-gen platforms.Â

Take all this with a grain of salt, but I for one will look forward to a game that will do the TRON franchise justice. Even if it might end up as another Ubisoft sandbox game.


Anthem Tips and Tricks: How To Survive Bioware & EA’s Bastion

Anthem is now out for the public, so it’s time to suit up in your Javelin and fly off into the wild and dangerous horizon of the Bastion. EA and Bioware’s attempt at a loot-and-shoot game isn’t without its problems, but it’s a decent start.
So what better time than now than for Kakuchopurei to dish out some tips and tricks on how to maximize your fun with Anthem. After suffering through the pre-Day One version of the game, we can assure you that you’re in for a (hopefully) fun time if you follow our guide.
Learn To Combo & Dish Out Combo Effects
Since the game couldnâ€™t be bothered to tell you about chain combos, let us help you. You need to sort out your Primer abilities (the move that starts combos) and your Detonator abilities (the move that ends combos).

When you use a Primer ability on an enemy, they will usually have an elemental cloud/symbol on them: they can be either frozen, on fire, in gas, or frizzled by lightning.
Once you see that cloud, thatâ€™s when you use a detonator ability to deal extra damage and a bonus combo effect.
Whoever detonated a combo will get a beneficial combo effect. These are different for each Javelin. Interceptors gain elemental aura AND a damage-over-time buff to their attacks. Colossus deals bonus damage over a small area near the detonation area. Storm shares the elemental status with enemies near the detonation area. Finally, the Ranger deals additional bonus damage to the detonated target.

Combos are important not only for extra damage against higher-level enemies but to also gain extra buffs for your party and debuffs for enemies. Look out for equipment and items that have the key words “Chain Combo” to make combo-making easier in the long run.
Play Missions On Hard (Except For Strongholds)
If you want to get the most experience and loot, play missions and free play mode on Hard. You’ll be teamed up with players automatically so you won’t be going at it alone in case you’re underlevelled.
You may not want to do this for Stronghold missions unless you’re all geared up and at Level 30. Strongholds have a ton of Elite enemies; ie bad guys who hit really hard and take little damage. You’d be a liability to your team if you’re dying too many times.

Learn To Make Quick Turns
You do this by flying first, then press the hover key mid-flight (C for us), turn quick, then press the flight button (Left Shift for us). This is easier to perform on a controller than on a keyboard+mouse setting, but you should learn to do this technique early to make traversal easy and flexible.
For you keyboard and mouse players, the best way to do this quick turn is to aim/iron sights mid-flight (RMB), then let go of the button and press the flight button.
Pick Up Green Enemy Drops
The ammo refills will fill up your mag. So go straight to shooting once you pick up that green pack. This is pretty useful if you’re using a Light Machine Gun and your magazine clip is almost out.
Farm For Coins In Freeplay
Don’t depend entirely on your weekly Alliance System payout to get money. Fly around in freeplay mode and you’ll occasionally get big coin dumps from the chests scattered about.
Tinker With Your Flight & Swim Controls
There are three separate sliders for flight and swimming controls. Keep your sensitivity close to your aim sensitivity, but start by turning response and precision down to zero then work your way up.
Salvage In Bulk
Once in a while, head down to your vault in Fort Tarsis. Mark your unused items as junk and then salvage all of it in bulk.
Use Water & Waterfalls When Flying
Cool off your engines by flying through the waterfalls in the Bastion. They’ll make you fly longer and overheat less. Rain also cools down your engine. Take advantage of the world’s erratic and summer-like weather.

Craft Later
Right now when you’re grinding from levels 1 to 20, don’t fret too much about crafting. You’ll be getting enough loot to boost your power level.
Save Your Consumables For Endgame
When you’re level 30 and you can access Grandmaster difficulties, that’s the best time to use your consumables. Don’t waste them while you’re on Hard difficulty.
Check Out The Lore On The Side
Enjoy the world of Anthem, but maybe have this vid on your side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMfaztJclLI
Picking Your First & Second Javalin

When you reach level 30, you’ll unlock all the four Javelins you get to use in Anthem. But early on, you get to pick one to start with and one when you’re level 10 or so. So which two should you go first? Ideally, you should pick one Javelin to suit your current playstyle, then pick the second one to cover up the flaws of your main Javelin.
In Mr Toffee’s case, he would pick the Interceptor first because he likes to dart around really fast with a rogue archetype, then go for the Colossus as his second pick to have a tank-like Javelin. So really, it boils down to your playstyle in these loot-and-shoot games. We’ll divvy up the Javelin descriptions for you to make it easier to choose.
Ranger – if you like all-rounder classes, this one’s for you.
Colossus – meant to defend and hold the ground while pelting foes with minigun and grenade launcher salvos. If you like holding the fort and keeping enemies away from your territory, go for this class.
Storm – dies fast, but has more shield when hovering and has the highest damage output among the classes. If you like playing glass kite classes and love mage archetypes, the Storm is for you. Pretty much an OP class if you don’t get hit and if you find a good spot for cover.
Interceptor – hit-and-run one-on-one melee class, with damage-over-time attacks that debuff foes for your main DPS heavy hitters to mop up.


AirAsia Is The Official Airline Partner For WESG 2018

AirAsia has been hinting a lot about its esports initiative, but now it can go full-on official with its involvement. During a press conference on Friday morning, representatives from the World Electronic Sports Games (or WESG) announced that it will be teaming up with Malaysia’s own low-cost airline services as its official airline partner for the upcoming WESG tournament this year and the next.
Keep in mind that WESG is an Alibaba initiative, so there’s a LOT of money riding into this.
The airline’s sponsorship deal with Agri Mind Sdn Bhd will provide flights, media value and cash prize in support of the region’s WESG events this season. This, in turn, will also allow the airline to help push the expansion of esports in Asia even further.

#AirAsia as Official Airline Partner for World Electronic Sports Games in Asean#WESGhttps://t.co/rj9CXGQy46
— airasia Super App (@airasia) June 29, 2018

“In terms of esports enthusiasts,” said AirAsia executive chairman and AirAsia X Group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, “Asia is one of the fastest growing regions in the world with 9.3 million fans, a number expected to grow 36.1 per cent every year through to 2019. As an innovative digital company, we are thrilled to be the title sponsor and to contribute to esports by supporting Asean’s top professional esports athletes to compete at the global tournament.”

As the title sponsor, AirAsia’s brand will be integrated across WESG Asean’s digital platforms and tournaments.
The WESG Asian online registration in each country is opened from 1 June to 31 July. These 10 countries will run its own online tournaments followed by national finals (LAN) from 1 Aug to 30 September. To recap, the games used will be Dota 2, StarCraft II, Vainglory, Pro Evolution Soccer 2019, and CSGO.
The Asian Regional Grand Finals will be held in November 2018 and the International Grand Finals will be held in March next year.Â You can register here atÂ sea.wesg.com/registration.
Previously, AirAsia made a deal to sponsor Mineski’s Dota 2 team, acquired Mobile Legends team AirAsia Saiyan, and planned to bring mobile esports games onboard its flights. It’ll be a matter of time until AirAsia announces a physical esports hub.


Blizzard Cancels BlizzCon 2022 Online Show

The past few weeks and months have been rough for Blizzard due to workplace abuse allegations and the statewide lawsuit that followed. The company’s annual BlizzCon showings of 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to COVID-19, and now 2022’s show is also following suit.
In a letter to the game company’s community on Blizzard’s website, the developer said that putting on a massive show and event like BlizzCon takes a lot of time and energy. The company said that this time, its time is better spent towards “supporting our teams and progressing development of our games and experiences”.
“The first BlizzCon was held 16 years ago, and so much has changed in the time sinceâ€”most notably, the multiple ways in which players and communities can come together and feel like they are a part of something bigger. Whatever the event looks like in the future, we also need to ensure that it feels as safe, welcoming, and inclusive as possible.”
So basically, Blizzard is taking some downtime to “reimagine BlizzCon”, when in fact it’s also taking time to reflect and possibly change itself from within due to the company’s recurring problems from within. Don’t forget: BlizzCon is the same event where ex-employee Alex Afrasiabi and his group would hang out at the infamous Cosby Suite, as well as having its developers mock a fan for suggesting that female WoW heroes should be dressed in something other than bikini armour.
Given all of this, it’s probably best for BlizzCon to take a break.


Gungrave G.O.R.E. Drops This November

Prime Matter and Studio Iggymob have announced that Gungrave G.O.R.E will launch for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on 22 November 2022.
In Gungrave G.O.R.E, play the gun-wielding badass anti-hero of your dreams as you mow down tons of enemies in a gory ballet of bullets and experience a story of vengeance, love and loyalty, all in a beautiful third-person action shooter, combining the best that Eastern and Western game design has to offer.
As the titular Gunslinger of Resurrection, you become the badass anti-hero of your dreams, an ultimate killing machine, brutalizing your foes without mercy. Taking cover and retreating is not an option for Grave, he only ever goes full steam ahead, preferably right through his enemies.
It features stylish third-person shooting meets close-range martial arts, creating seamlessly flowing action as you crush your enemies in a gory ballet of bullets. Utilize your unlimited ammo Cerberus pistols and your transformable EVO-coffin to unleash devastating combos in pursuit of maximum damage and style.
Strap in for a wild ride, an epic and emotional story of vengeance, love and loyalty, with more than 12 hours of gameplay in the story mode, for Gungrave fans and newcomers alike. The game is set in Southeast Asia.
Check out the trailer below:


Bethesda Will Donate US$1 Million To COVID-19 Relief

This “new normal” world set in a COVID-19 environment is bringing out the good in people. Companies as well; Bethesda Softworks said it will donate US$1 million to local and international “front-line organizations” working to support the effort to fight the pandemic.
The ginormous cheque will be split three ways:

US$500,000 will be given to Direct Relief, a charity which is directly involved in COVID-19 relief efforts, including the critically important work of providing personal protective equipment to health care workers.
US$250,000 will go to UNICEF, which partners with front-line responders around the world to keep children and their families safe and protected.
US$250,000 will be donated to local COVID-19 relief efforts within the communities where we work and live. These recipients will be chosen by our individual studios and international offices. This way we can support worthy charities fighting COVID-19 in our local communities across the world.

We do wonder where Bethesda get all of that money from. Guess that Fallout 76 Wastelander update did wonders to their goodwill. Or it’s probably Doom Eternal; yeah, that’s it.


Here’s How You Can Play Planet Zoo’s Two-Week Beta

As a big fan of Zoo Tycoon 2, I’ve been waiting for years to get my hands on a true successor to the series and it looks like Planet Zoo will fill that void in my heart.
The game’s exclusive beta will start on 24 September and end on 8 October 2019. However, it will only be available to those who have pre-ordered the game. You can do that right now through the game’s Steam page. Go, do it right now.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HANxaztC4M8&w=560&h=315]
The beta will allow players to test out the Franchise Mode, Steam Workshop support, as well as many of the game’s features and content. Only Scenario 1 of Career mode will be playable because the devs don’t want to spoil the story ahead of launch.
You read that right. This is a zoo management game with a storyline.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to play Sandbox Mode. However, there will be a bunch of community activities and giveaways that will be held throughout the beta period. For you streamers out there, do note that you can stream the beta and make everyone else feel jealous.
For more information, read the official news post here.


Fate Fantasy: Strategy RPG Launches Open Beta On Android

Loongcheer Game announced today that its role-playing strategy game, Fate Fantasy: Strategy RPG has entered an open beta test on the Google Play Store. The game features a gallery of over 75 heroes, five different factions, unique strategic gameplay, and a diverse PvE and PvP system.
Player assumes the role of an adventurer who must unravel the complete story through chapter gameplay. The story begins with the legend of the goddess countless years ago. As a result of the goddess’ guidance, the mainland was a peaceful place for people to live and work. The peaceful life was short-lived as the evil war dawned against humanity. The goddess was left with no strength and plunged into a deep sleep. This has caused mankind to stand up and sounded the clarion call to fight back. The brave man successfully sealed evil and made the war come to an end. The chapter gameplay will unveil the entirety of the game plot.
Assemble Your Team

A total of 75 heroes representing five factions assemble balanced teams of Water, Fire, Wind, Light, and Dark. As opposed to other RPGs, Fate Fantasy does not give its heroes active skills. However, heroes can receive a skill using the weapon they used and each weapon holds specific skills. Using General and Fate weapons will enhance General Mastery and Exclusive Mastery, which remain combat power bonuses.
Player strategies are prominent throughout the game. To increase damage to enemies, pay attention to the attribute counters to choose a route that will win the battle more quickly and move into a favourable terrain to protect the hero.
Diverse PvE and PvP Gameplay
The PvE gameplay system is well thought out and has a balanced level of difficulty, offering players to grab props as fast and wide as possible. For instance, completing missions in the Boss challenge can earn experience points (EXP) for team advancement; the Secret Realm of Trials, a time-limited game, help to acquire necessary materials; Sweep Dungeon provides the Hero Shard in ranking up. The gameplay systems will be unlocked in groups of more than six.
Compete against other actual players in the Arena and rank up through the grades: starting from Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and finally to King. Participate in Guild Hunting by joining the guild. Take the top spot and surpass other superiors.
Fate Fantasy: Strategy RPG is available to download from the Google Play Store for early access. For more information about the game, join its official Discord channel.


So Activision Blizzard Has An In-House Character Diversity Rating Graph For Its Games Like Overwatch…

Ever wonder why Overwatch was so popular back in 2016? It’s not just the shooting and PvP multiplayer action; it’s also because of the game’s diverse cast of races from white characters to coloured heroes. And that’s all sorted in-house at Activision Blizzard, like as if it wants to automate race tokenism.
A report on Fanbyte stated that the company has publicized a tool that boils diversity design down to pre-defined metrics. Technically, that’s what King is doing, a company that is under the Activision-Blizzard umbrella. Employees at King have created a tool that breaks down character attributes and rates them on how diverse they are. This is to guard against unconscious bias and exclusion when it came to the creation of its games and characters.

Said metrics are listed by culture, race, age, cognitive ability, physical ability, body, type, facial features/beauty, gender identity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. The tool’s default is a heterosexual white male; the more “colourful” and “ethnic” a character is, the more points they get. Examples include Ana from Overwatch.
Long story short, this system is great for making a race tier list for your game so that it is inclusive for everyone in the current gaming woke generation. To be fair, it worked for Overwatch because from 2016 onward, people can’t shut up about how diverse the character selection was and how they feel represented by a character’s represented race.
Then again, this kinda paints a bad picture on a company already under fire for harassment and other sorts of PR nightmare. Truth be told, this is a helpful tool behind-the-scenes for people who want to make their game more diverse character-wise, but we do wonder why these companies are braying this out loud.