Ubisoft Forward E3 2021: All The Games & Announcements

E3 2021 officially kicks off with the Ubisoft Forward 2021 live stream, featuring various release date announcements and new game reveals.
Check out the games below:
Avatar Frontiers Of Pandora

Avatar Frontiers Of Pandora is a first-person, action-adventure game developed by Massive Entertainment â€“ a Ubisoft studio, in collaboration with Lightstorm Entertainment and Disney.
Built using the latest iteration of the Snowdrop engine, and developed exclusively for the new generation of consoles and PC, Avatar Frontiers Of Pandora brings to life the alluring world of Pandora with all of its beauty and danger in an immersive, open-world experience.
In this new, standalone story, play as a Naâ€™vi and embark on a journey across the Western Frontier, a never-before-seen part of Pandora. Explore a living and reactive world inhabited by unique creatures and new characters, and push back the formidable RDA forces that threaten it.
Avatar Frontiers Of Pandora will be powered by the new Snowdrop Engine and launch for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime in 2022.

For Honor

You can now play the new season Mirage in For Honor. A new hero will arrive on 22 July 2021.

Brawlhalla Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be playable characters in Brawlhalla on 16 June 2021.

Watch Dogs Legion Bloodline Expansion

Players will be able to play as the first game’s protagonist, Aiden Pearce, in the upcoming Bloodline expansion, which will launch sometime in early July 2021.

Riders Republic

Riders Republic is launching for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC on 2 September 2021. You can register now for the chance to take part in upcoming betas.

Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege is getting cross-play between PlayStation and Xbox consoles in early 2022.
The new season North Star and Operator Thunderbird will arrive on 14 June 2021.

Just Dance 2022

Just Dance 2022 is coming to many platforms on 4 November 2021.

Assassin’s Creed Vallhalla Siege Of Paris

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Siege Of Paris DLC will launch sometime in summer 2021.

Werewolves Within

Werewolves Within is a feature film based on the Ubisoft VR title of the same name. Directed by Josh Ruben (â€œScare Meâ€), and written by screenwriter, bestselling author, and Ubisoft Women’s Film Fellowship Recipient Mishna Wolff (â€œIâ€™m Downâ€), â€œWerewolves Withinâ€ is set in the small town of Beaverfield. When a killer terrorizes the snowed-in residents of the small town, it falls to the new forest ranger to find out who – or what – lurks among them in this hilarious horror whodunnit
The ensemble cast includes Sam Richardson, Milana Vayntrub, George Basil, Sarah Burns, Michael Chernus, Catherine Curtin, Wayne Duvall, Harvey GuillÃ©n, Rebecca Henderson, Cheyenne Jackson, Michaela Watkins, and Glenn Fleshler. Werewolves Within opens in theatres on 25 June 2021 and on VOD on 2 July 2021.

Far Cry 6

Let AntÃ³n Castillo teach you a dictatorship lesson… With his 13-year-old son Diego following in his fatherâ€™s bloody footsteps, AntÃ³n has the future of Yara clenched tightly in his hands.
Far Cry 6 will launch on 7 October 2021 on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC. The Season Pass will come with villains and Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon.
Check out the brand new cinematic clip below:

Rainbow Six Extraction

Rainbow Six Extraction will launch for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC on 16 September 2021. It will also feature cross-play across platforms at launch.
As the threat grows, our Operators rise to meet it. In Extraction, Rainbow Six has been united under REACT. Their mission: learn about the enemy, stop it spreading at all costs . . . and leave no one behind.
Hibana has gone Missing in Action. See Operator Ela, Lion and Nomad under the command of Eliza â€œAshâ€ Cohen, mount a daring rescue mission, as they use intel, teamwork and improvisation to save one of their own from a dangerous new enemy.
Check out the cinematic and gameplay trailers below:

Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope

Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope is a sequel to turn-based tactical strategy game 2017â€™s Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle.
Cursa, a mysterious and malevolent entity seeks out energy to further its nefarious plans, plunging the galaxy into chaos. Twisting the planets with its evil influence, itâ€™s determined to consume all the energy of the Sparks, uncanny creatures formed by the fusion of Lumas & Rabbids, and destroy all who stand in its way. To bring order back to the galaxy and save the Sparks, Mario and friends team up with Rabbids heroes in a journey through mysterious and ever-surprising planets.
It’s coming sometime in 2022.
Check out the cinematic and gameplay trailers below:

Rocksmith+

Rocksmith+ is described as the only subscription service that offers interactive music learning using official song masters and personalized real-time feedback. You can register for the closed beta on PC starting today. However, there is no release date as of yet.

You can check out the full live stream below:


The 30 Best Games Of 2021: #22

Every day from December to January, we’ll be posting our top 30 games of 2021 daily. Here’s number 22.
#22: NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC
With the success of NieR Automata, it’s no wonder that Square Enix greenlit a remaster of its predecessor, which we’re sure Yoko Taro was happy to help make. NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is more than just a visual remaster because it managed to make the game modern enough to feel good playing on current-gen expectations. The graphics have been improved, the game runs better at faster framerates and even the combat has been refined.
That’s not even mentioning the game’s many endings and convoluted story that Yoko Taro is famous for. This game is definitely a treat for JRPG fans, especially for those still waiting for Yoko Taro’s next major game (whatever that will be, we’ll probably have to wait a while). NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…Â doesn’t feel or play like a 10-year-old game and that’s an achievement.
We also have to add that the game’s Ending E is what every single JRPG and Nier fan has waited 10 years for. It’s a fitting and well-earned conclusion that warrants the remake’s existence and then some.


First Warhammer Age Of Sigmar Realms Of Ruin Open Beta Takes Place Next Month

During the PC Gaming Show 2023, publisher and developer Frontier Developments announced that the first Warhammer Age Of Sigmar Realms Of Ruin open beta will take place on the weekend of 7 July 2023 to 10 July 2023.
In Warhammer Age Of Sigmar Realms Of Ruin, players will wage a campaign of brutal conquest in this realm-shattering real-time strategy (RTS) game set in the Warhammer Age of Sigmar universe. Players will command four unique factions in dynamic battles as part of a story-driven campaign and test their mettle against warlords afar in online multiplayer.
Players will tame the savage Realm of Beasts in a rich narrative, exploring the nature of war and survival from the perspectives of righteous champions and villainous generals. Battle for survival and dominance across a campaign featuring four major factions, including Stormcast Eternals and Orruk Kruleboyz, and experience a twisted plot, penned in conjunction with acclaimed Black Library author, Gavin Thorpe.
Warhammer Age Of Sigmar Realms Of Ruin is currently in development for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam. However, there is no release date or release window yet.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Fortnite World Cup 2020 Is Cancelled

The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the life of yet another major esports event.
Epic Games has cancelled the Fortnite World Cup competition in 2020 due to the pandemic, health concerns, and difficulties in organizing and running an event while employees are working from home.
Here’s the official statement via Twitter:

“For the rest of 2020, all Fortnite competitions will be held online. Due to the limitations of cross region online competition, there will not be a Fortnite World Cup in 2020.”

Physical Events – For the rest of 2020, all Fortnite competitions will be held online. Due to the limitations of cross region online competition, there will not be a Fortnite World Cup in 2020.
— Fortnite Competitive (@FNCompetitive) April 30, 2020

While this year may be tough for Epic Games to host large offline events, the company is confident that they will go through with a Fortnite World Cup 2021. This is quite a significant blow against the Fortnite esports scene, as last year’s major tournament featured a US$40 million prize pool and huge traffic count both offline and online.
But hey, it’s not like as if Fortnite is going anywhere. That recent Travis Scott in-game concert and its results are proof of that.


New Call of Duty: Vanguard Story Trailer Gets All Serious & Action-Heavy

Activision just released its new story trailer for its upcoming multiplayer World War 2 soldier-filled shootfest Call of Duty: Vanguard.
It’s basically filled with all the action movie tropes you expect from a blockbuster Hollywood film depicting their fantastical version of World War 2, right down to the gruff British voiceover gathering the best members for an elite squad to take down the Third Reich. Though at the same time it may play out fine if you’re into the single-player CoD campaign stuff.
And loads of European accents; can’t forget those.

Looks cool enough; this may either be a pure single-player experience or a series of co-op missions with an overarching story. Guess we’ll find out how it’ll play out when Call of Duty: Vanguard hits stores this 5th November for consoles and PCs.
Oh, and if you pre-order the game digitally, you’ll get the Night Raid Mastercraft gun for CoD: Black Ops Cold War and CoD Warzone, as well as operator Arthur Kingsley.


Here’s When The King Of Fighters XV Open Beta Starts

SNK just announced the latest new character in its upcoming 2D fighting game The King of Fighters XV. Most importantly, it also announced the game’s open beta dates.
The game’s latest character reveal is Dolores, a woman who can summon rocks and stones out of nowhere. This character is a medium who can speak to the earth and control holy soil. She’s also on team Heidern alongside new character Isla.
KOF XV’s open beta will be available for PS4 and PS5 players, and will feature eight characters to play as:

Yashiro
Shermie
Chris
Dolores
Shun’ei
Kyo Kusanagi
Iori Yagami
Chizuru

The beta also offers offline training and online room matching. Here are the open beta dates & timings:
Malaysia, Singapore, The Philippines: 20th November 11am to 22nd November 10:59pm
KOF XV will be out for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series on 17th February 2022.


Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid Comes To PC And Launches Season 2 Pass

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid launched on consoles earlier this year and most critics gave it a very strong score of “meh” but a number of Power Rangers and fighting game fans have been absolutely in love with the game.

Developer nWay Games are rewarding those fans with not only the launching of the Season 2 Pass but also bringing the game to PC via Steam.

Unfortunately, the PC version isn’t available in Malaysia, Singapore, and most of Asia, similar to the console versions. I’m not sure why this is the case but it probably has to do with licensing or Saban and Hasbro not wanting to disturb the Super Sentai markets.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6i8sT9IN5I&w=560&h=315]
Fans will definitely appreciate the new characters and skins coming with the Season 2 Pass which includes Anubis “Doggie” Cruger from SPD, fan-favourite Red Ranger Eric Myers from Time Force, and Dai Shi the big bad of Jungle Fury. There will also be a new Tommy Oliver skin for the White Ranger.
Aside from the new characters and skin, players will also get the Space Patrol Delta Base arena and new ultra “Delta Squad Megazord“. I’m really happy for Space Patrol Delta fans around the world because coupled with the debut of Doggie, this season is dedicated to them. The new arena, ultra, and also banners come for free with the game’s latest update.

You can purchase the Season 2 Pass today through each platform’s respective digital stores for US$14.99. For those of you who want to buy each character separately, that can also be done.
For more information, check out the game’s website. It’s also probably blocked in Asian regions so take note.


How To Pre-Order the Coolest Hot Toys Spider-Man Figure Ever

Just in case you haven’t noticed, we here at Kakuchopurei love our Marvel superheroes, Insomniac’s Spider-Man game, and due to budget constraints, measured doses of Hot Toys now and then. And to our pleasant surprise, we’ve found the perfect concoction which includes all three.
In what could very well be the most awesome Hot Toys and video games crossover for the ages, Hot Toys recently unveiled the comic book version of the Iron Spider which should send any Spider-Man fan into a frenzy. And it’s now open for pre-order.

According to Hot Toys’ official website, the Civil War comic book-accurate figure which stands approximately 30-cm tall will come with a host of interchangeable hands, web-effect accessories and three, removable gold-coloured spider arms called “Waldoes”.
Unlike previous figures inspired by Marvel’s Spider-Man game figures, this Iron Spider figure will be a mixture of a suit and plastic pieces, most prominently on the knee section which theoretically allows a wider range of motion.
This version of the Iron Spider is a definite upgrade from the MCU Infinity War/ Endgame Spider-Man figure which pales in comparison. I mean come on. Look at them.

As icing on the cake, you won’t have to break the bank for the action figure, assuming you pre-order it, that is.
Retailing from RM889.00, the figure is scheduled for release around Q2-Q3 2020.
Sweet right? It gets better.
In the past, we are sure you’ve read our articles pertaining to Hot Toys and were left hanging as to not being able to purchase nor place pre-orders for those figures. We hear you; for the first time ever, we are proud to announce that we are taking pre-orders for this specific action figure, in limited quantities.
A deposit of RM150 is required to book your unit, with the rest to be paid upon pick-up of said figure. This should leave you ample time to save up the remainder of the cost rather than coughing up a lump sum.
If you’re on-board this venture, do fill in your details in the link. We will be in touch shortly.
Important notice:Â

The deadline of this pre-order is December 20th 2019.
No refunds on pre-order items.

Disclaimer: Team Kakuchopurei do not gain any monetary benefit from the pre-orders; it is simply us doing our bit in sharing the hobby and making it more accessible to our readers.


Guilty Gear Strive Season Pass 1’s First Character Is A Coffin-Wielding Heavy Of Absolute Defense

Arc System Works just announced its first new character in its Season 1 Pass. It’s none other than the giant secretary of absolute defense Goldlewis Dickinson.

He seems like a new heavy grappler archetype in the veins of Potemkin, but with far-reaching footsie moves including his coffin-swinging heavy moves and orbital laser-summoning via his red eye. His buddy in the coffin, obviously an alien, can launch projectiles and perform an uppercut Dust attack.

He will be available for download via Season Pass 1 on 27 July.
Check out his official description below:
Goldlewis is the first-ever Secretary of Defense in the history of the United States who is also an active-duty military officer.
With his excellent judgment and ability to lead based on his extensive combat experience, he has garnered immense popularity and earned the trust of those around him.
His personal combat prowess is said to be equivalent to the entire White House Security Force, and it is no exaggeration to say that the security and authority of the United States are established due to his presence, making him the mainstay of the nation.
Arc System Works also announces the release dates for the rest of the Season 1 Pass characters. They will be out in August 2021, sometime in 2021, and early 2022. We’re guessing two of those slots will be reserved for Happy Chaos and Asuka (That Man) if the datamine turned out to be true.
The Season 1 Pass will also feature 2 additional battle stages, a GGST Additional Color Pack, and Another Story scenario.


[Rumour] Rainbow Six Quarantine Renamed To Rainbow Six Parasite

Rainbow Six Quarantine was originally announced back in E3 2019 to be a three-player co-op shooter with a horror/zombie twist. Recently, Ubisoft announced that they would be changing the title of the game to distance it from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and a change in PlayStation Network files has reportedly changed the name to Rainbow Six Parasite.
Initially discovered by MP1st, the leak includes an image from the file belonging to the PS4 of the dash, boot, and save data icon of a game titled Rainbow Six Parasite. Check out the image below, courtesy of them:

However, Ubisoft has yet to officially confirm the new title for Rainbow Six Quarantine, so take everything with a grain of salt for now. The original description for the game is as follows:
Tom Clancyâ€™s Rainbow Six Quarantine is a 3-player squad-based survival FPS being developed by an entirely new team at Ubisoft Montreal.
The Rainbow Six operators will face off against a mysterious threat infecting human hosts and their surroundings.Â  Prepare to launch into tense, chaotic, and totally unpredictable missions as you and your squad risk everything every time you step into quarantine.
In the meantime, rewatch the E3 2019 trailer below:


Here’s Why Sony And Quantic Dream Aren’t BFFs Anymore

Amidst the David Cage Star Wars rumours going around, it’s safe to say that his company Quantic Dream may not be close with Sony and PlayStation anymore. You’d be right to assume that, since recent news have cropped up regarding both companies and their relationship with one another.
While Quantic Dream’s partnership with Sony was at its peak during the PlayStation 3 era and the Heavy Rain exclusivity, it went on a downward spiral when it came to its recent adventure game Detroit: Become Human. That’s because when Quantic Dream was thinking up of character scenarios, the team originally had four protagonists instead of the three we had in the final game. The scrapped fourth character was a “whore” Android that featured “blond hair and huge boobs”. The shelved-protagonist-for-obvious-reasons came with controversial scenarios that sat outside Sony’s comfort zone, and was one of the reasons the company wrapping up its three-game deal with Quantic Dream.
While the deal ended, Quantic Dream was reportedly working on an open-world space game for the company codenamed Project Karma. Here’s what insider Tom Henderson, who broke the Star Wars Quantic Dream story, had to say:
“The project was dubbedÂ Project KarmaÂ and eventually turned toÂ Project Solstice. The game had been in development for around two years.Â Project Karma/SolsticeÂ was eventually cancelled as Sony wanted their third and final title in collaboration with Quantic Dream to be on aÂ Detroit: Become Human Kara demo that Quantic had created. Quantic Dream was also having game engine difficulties with an open-world game.“
Whether Project Karma morphed into the Star Wars project or not, no one can say for certain until Disney makes an official announcement and releases the game. We’ll say this: whatever Quantic Dream cooked up for the “whore” android must have been way more controversial and saucier than whatever happened in The Last of Us Part 2 between Abby and Owen on the boat, since Sony wholeheartedly approved that scene from developer Naughty Dog. That, and all the dog-killing and character assassinations going on, but to each their own.


Talon Esports Take Down MIBR On Home Soil At VCT 2023 LOCK//IN

During the third day of the VALORANT Champions Tour 2023 LOCK//IN in São Paulo, Talon Esports triumphed over the hometown team MIBR in a decisive 2-0 victory.
Despite losing one of their top players, Partiphan, to wrist surgery in early January, Talon Esports proved once again why they’re renowned for being an underdog team that dominates in international LANs.
Talon Esports faced a significant loss when their key player, Patiphan “Patiphan” Chaiwong, was unable to compete due to wrist surgery. Despite this setback, they beat the local Brazilian team MIBR in a 2-0 victory.
They even had a heartwarming walkout before the match, with each player holding up papers with Patiphan’s face on them to show support. The team had to adjust to the unexpected departure of their star player and made do with a substitute duelist, Apiwat “garnetS” Apiraksukuma.
But even with this obstacle, the team had practised hard and came into the game prepared. According to Thanamethk “Crws” Mahatthananuyut, the sudden change of plans was a challenge, but they overcame it with a lot of practice.
In Talon Esports’ series against MIBR in the VALORANT Champions Tour 2023 LOCK//IN Brazil tournament, garnetS made his international LAN debut, and he did not disappoint. Despite being a rookie, he made some critical plays that helped his team win rounds.

12 rounds for @Talon_esports. #VCTLOCKIN pic.twitter.com/5oA6nUz0Rq
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) February 15, 2023

In contrast, Panyawat “Sushiboys” Subsiriroj, one of the more experienced players on the team, was the best performer across both maps. Playing as Killjoy, he helped Talon Esports eliminate MIBR from the tournament, despite being against the crowd for most of the game.
The crowd even cheered for the Talon team towards the end. Crws, another experienced player, had to take up a new role in the team, becoming the main controller instead of being an initiator. He did well, dominating on Haven as Omen with creative lurks and clutch shots.
Although there was some role-mixing on the team, Talon Esports still managed to emerge victorious.

Another round for @Talon_esports as they build their lead. #VCTLOCKIN
Watch live: https://t.co/io2c23tsMd pic.twitter.com/mKJ1bhlmVj
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) February 15, 2023

Talon Esports has advanced to the next round of the VCT 2023 LOCK//IN tournament, while MIBR had to pack up and go home without a single win. Despite the support of the local fans, MIBR just couldn’t compete with Talon’s international experience.
MIBR’s coach, Matheus “bzkA” Tarasconi, said that the team felt a lot of pressure going into the match, as it was their first international LAN tournament together. However, he still believes that they have a strong roster and coaching staff and that they can win a trophy in the future.


Here Are The Oscars 2023 Winners, Everything Everywhere All At Once Is The Biggest Winner

The Oscars 2023 (Oscars 95 or Academy Awards 2023) didn’t have a big dramatic slap but it’s still awesome.
Everything Everywhere All At Once was the biggest winner, with seven awards from eleven nominations, including Best Actress, Best Director and Best Picture. Plus, our very own Michelle Yeoh won Best Actress.
In addition, if you’re looking to watch Everything Everywhere All At Once, you can watch it on HBO GO in Malaysia, or catch it in cinemas (it’s currently showing in limited screenings).
Check out the list of winners and nominees for each category of the Oscars 2023 below:
BEST PICTURE

Everything Everywhere All at Once – WINNER
Top Gun Maverick
Avatar The Way of Water
TÁR
Elvis
The Fabelmans
Banshees of Inisherin
All Quiet on the Western Front
Triangle of Sadness
Women Talking

Best Picture goes to…'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Congratulations! #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/lYJ68P97qf
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST ACTOR

Brendan Fraser, ‘The Whale’ – WINNER
Austin Butler, ‘Elvis’
Colin Farrell, ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’
Paul Mescal, ‘Aftersun’
Bill Nighy, ‘living’

Best Actor in a Leading Role goes to Brendan Fraser! #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/rWIHrR9BS9
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST ACTRESS

Michelle Yeoh, ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ – WINNER
Cate Blanchett, ‘TÁR’
Ana de Armas, ‘Blonde’
Andrea Riseborough, ‘To Leslie’
Michele Williams, ‘The Fabelmans’

Of all the universes, we live in the one where Michelle Yeoh makes history as the first Asian woman to win the Best Actress Oscar—love that for us! #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/Nb5CvKIwew
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST DIRECTOR

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
Martin McDonagh
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE – WINNER
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
THE FABELMANS
Steven Spielberg
TÁR
Todd Field
TRIANGLE OF SADNESS
Ruben Östlund

Congratulations on your win for Best Directing, Daniels! #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/6f4sqLnLkJ
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST ANIMATED FILM

‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ – WINNER
‘Marcel the Shell with Shoes On’
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’
‘Turning Red’
‘The Sea Beast’

The first Oscar of the night goes to @pinocchiomovie for Best Animated Feature #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/KxO3OSiWlH
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once – WINNER
Barry Keoghan, Banshees of Inisherin
Brendan Gleeson, Banshees of Inisherin
Brian Tyree Henry, Causeway
Judd Hirsch, Fabelmans

Congratulations to Ke Huy Quan on winning Best Supporting Actor! @allatoncemovie #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/VEI3I0bZDh
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Angela Bassett, ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’
Kerry Condon, ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’
Hong Chau, ‘The Whale’
Jamie Lee Curtis, ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ – WINNER
Stephanie Hsu, ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’

You never forget your first. Congratulations to @jamieleecurtis for winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress! #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/hHdUTNhTQW
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM

ALL THAT BREATHES
Shaunak Sen, Aman Mann and Teddy Leifer
ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED
Laura Poitras, Howard Gertler, John Lyons, Nan Goldin and Yoni Golijov
FIRE OF LOVE
Sara Dosa, Shane Boris and Ina Fichman
A HOUSE MADE OF SPLINTERS
Simon Lereng Wilmont and Monica Hellström
NAVALNY – WINNER
Daniel Roher, Odessa Rae, Diane Becker, Melanie Miller and Shane Boris

Congratulations to 'Navalny,' this year's Best Documentary Feature Film! #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/xOp8ujCa4k
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

An Irish Goodbye – WINNER
Tom Berkeley and Ross White
Ivalu
Anders Walter and Rebecca Pruzan
Le Pupille
Alice Rohrwacher and Alfonso Cuarón
Night Ride
Eirik Tveiten and Gaute Lid Larssen
The Red Suitcase
Cyrus Neshvad

'An Irish Goodbye' is taking home the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film! #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/hXZrfyCbq4
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

All Quiet on the Western Front – WINNER
James Friend
Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
Darius Khondji
Elvis
Mandy Walker
Empire of Light
Roger Deakins
Tár
Florian Hoffmeister

The Oscar for Best Cinematography goes to James Friend for his work on 'All Quiet on the Western Front' @allquietmovie #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/YvM6bbVWXi
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
Heike Merker and Linda Eisenhamerová
THE BATMAN
Naomi Donne, Mike Marino and Mike Fontaine
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER
Camille Friend and Joel Harlow
ELVIS
Mark Coulier, Jason Baird and Aldo Signoretti
THE WHALE – WINNER
Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Annemarie Bradley

And the Oscar for Best Hair & Makeup goes to…'The Whale' #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/SthtO76sFQ
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

BABYLON
Mary Zophres
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER – WINNER
Ruth Carter
ELVIS
Catherine Martin
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
Shirley Kurata
MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS
Jenny Beavan

Ruth E. Carter makes history once again! With her second win for Best Costume Design tonight, she is now the first Black woman to win multiple Oscars in any category. @theblackpanther #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/AmcrQKJNyZ
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT – WINNER
Germany
ARGENTINA, 1985
Argentina
CLOSE
Belgium
EO
Poland
THE QUIET GIRL
Ireland

The Oscar for Best International Film will be on a one-way flight to Germany ??. Congratulations to the @allquietmovie team! #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/zBVBeRdtD0
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM

The Elephant Whisperers – WINNER
Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga
Haulout
Evgenia Arbugaeva and Maxim Arbugaev
How Do You Measure a Year?
Jay Rosenblatt
The Martha Mitchell Effect
Anne Alvergue and Beth Levison
Stranger at the Gate
Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones

'The Elephant Whisperers' wins the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film. Congratulations! #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/WeiVWd3yM6
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse – WINNER
Charlie Mackesy and Matthew Freud
The Flying Sailor
Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby
Ice Merchants
João Gonzalez and Bruno Caetano
My Year of Dicks
Sara Gunnarsdóttir and Pamela Ribon
An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It
Lachlan Pendragon

The Oscar for Best Animated Short Film goes to…'The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse' #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/4GtDj0rGM0
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT – WINNER
Production Design: Christian M. Goldbeck; Set Decoration: Ernestine Hipper
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER
Production Design: Dylan Cole and Ben Procter; Set Decoration: Vanessa Cole
BABYLON
Production Design: Florencia Martin; Set Decoration: Anthony Carlino
ELVIS
Production Design: Catherine Martin and Karen Murphy; Set Decoration: Bev Dunn
THE FABELMANS
Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Karen O’Hara

Best Production Design Oscar ? 'All Quiet on the Western Front'
Congratulations to the talented production design team behind @allquietmovie! #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/q6bym2jXE0
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT – WINNER
Volker Bertelmann
BABYLON
Justin Hurwitz
THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
Carter Burwell
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
Son Lux
THE FABELMANS
John Williams

Music to our ears! Volker Bertelmann is the winner of this year's Best Original Score Oscar for his work on 'All Quiet on the Western Front.' #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/iS9K3QA4MR
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
Frank Petzold, Viktor Müller, Markus Frank and Kamil Jafar
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER – WINNER
Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett
THE BATMAN
Dan Lemmon, Russell Earl, Anders Langlands and Dominic Tuohy
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER
Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White and Dan Sudick
TOP GUN: MAVERICK
Ryan Tudhope, Seth Hill, Bryan Litson and Scott R. Fisher

'Avatar: The Way of Water' wins Best Visual Effects #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/U7xJ0D20tO
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

The Banshees of Inisherin
Written by Martin McDonagh
Everything Everywhere All at Once – WINNER
Written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
The Fabelmans
Written by Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner
Tár
Written by Todd Field
Triangle of Sadness
Written by Ruben Östlund

Congratulations to Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (the Daniels) on winning Best Original Screenplay for 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/LrKzqxOJKi
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

All Quiet on the Western Front
Screenplay by Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson & Ian Stokell
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Written by Rian Johnson
Living
Written by Kazuo Ishiguro
Top Gun: Maverick
Screenplay by Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie; Story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks
Women Talking – WINNER
Screenplay by Sarah Polley

'Women Talking' claims the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Congratulations, Sarah Polley! #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/FOANDKOjis
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST SOUND

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
Viktor Prášil, Frank Kruse, Markus Stemler, Lars Ginzel and Stefan Korte
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER
Julian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Dick Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers and Michael Hedges
THE BATMAN
Stuart Wilson, William Files, Douglas Murray and Andy Nelson
ELVIS
David Lee, Wayne Pashley, Andy Nelson and Michael Keller
TOP GUN: MAVERICK – WINNER
Mark Weingarten, James H. Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor

The Oscar for Best Sound goes to…'Top Gun: Maverick' #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/zog6ZAvNjf
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

APPLAUSE
from Tell It like a Woman; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
HOLD MY HAND
from Top Gun: Maverick; Music and Lyric by Lady Gaga and BloodPop
LIFT ME UP
from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; Music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Goransson; Lyric by Tems and Ryan Coogler
NAATU NAATU – WINNER
from RRR; Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyric by Chandrabose
THIS IS A LIFE
from Everything Everywhere All at Once; Music by Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski; Lyric by Ryan Lott and David Byrne

'Naatu Naatu' from 'RRR' wins the Oscar for Best Original Song! #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/tLDCh6zwmn
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

BEST FILM EDITING

The Banshees of Inisherin
Mikkel E.G. Nielsen
Elvis
Matt Villa and Jonathan Redmond
Everything Everywhere All at Once – WINNER
Paul Rogers
Tár
Monika Willi
Top Gun: Maverick
Eddie Hamilton

'Everything Everywhere All At Once' made the final cut! Congratulations on the Oscar for Best Film Editing, Paul Rogers! #Oscars #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/EnWdbuELYL
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023


Psychonauts 2 Developer Working On Multiple Projects

Tim Schafer and his company Double Fine are definitely busy post-Psychonauts 2.
Right after releasing a patch for the game, the founder and his team revealed that the company is now working on “multiple new projects”. According to a post on their fig.co page, the company has split its teams in order to explore several new ideas and visual styles.
“The studio is already splitting up into various teams and starting different projects that we think youâ€™ll enjoy. We like experimentation here at Double Fine. Every game is a chance to explore new ideas, new visual styles or gameplay, emotions, and more.”
In addition, there will be more Psychonauts 2 content to come. For more on that game, check out our glowing review.Â


GRID Will Have A 40-Car Mode But Only On One Platform

It’s been about a month since the release of Codemasters’ GRID reboot. The game isn’t exactly considered a racing masterpiece and fans of the series seem to agree that a lot of improvements need to be made. However, Codemasters is far from done with the game as they have more to offer in a future release.

Scheduled to be launched near the end of 2019, the Google Stadia port of GRID will feature a 40-car race mode that Development Director at Codemasters Mark Green says is only possible on Google’s cloud gaming platform. Coupled together with promises of the game running in 4k 60fps on Stadia, it’s definitely going to be impressive. If it works, of course.
In an interview with Wccftech, Green gives a lot of praise towards the Stadia, even citing that GRID on Stadia is comparable to running the game at max settings on PC. When asked about his experience developing the game for Stadia as compared to consoles and PC, here’s what he said:

“Development on any new hardware is always equal parts exciting and interesting. Perhaps the area with the biggest difference was the streaming, but also the ability of Stadia to talk to other Stadia so quickly transforms some ideas around multiplayer â€“ for example developing a whole new mode for GRID Stadia which has 40 cars on track at the same time, something that just isnâ€™t possible with other hardware.”

In the same interview, Green expresses interest in adding cross-play to GRID but reaffirms that it’s not something set in stone yet. He also believes that Stadia’s integration with YouTube could hugely impact the way we play games.
For the full Wccftech interview, click here.


Two Point Campus Might Seem Familiar, But It’s Lovely Comfort Sim Food

Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PS5, PS4
Genre: Sim game from ex-Theme Hospital developers
We all know that education is the foundation of any existing society. As a former college student myself, I always did wonder how a campus or university is run, but all that studying and getting distinctions got in the way.
Welp, with Two Point Campus, at least my general understanding of being an institute boss has been expanded somewhat, albeit in comedic and entertaining ways. While it may be similar to developer Two Point Studio’s previous hospital care efforts, this successor has enough changes and upgrades to entice everyone who has an inkling for customizable sim games with some dry humour peppered here and there.
Undeclared

In this new simulation title from Two Point Studio (ex-Bullfrog devs who made the classic sims Theme Park and Theme Hospital), you play as a school administrator whose objective is to build the best education environment and campus with the given budget and objectives. You’re given a budget and you can increase your campus pay by making the student pass level high, the syllabus you’re given upgraded to a higher level (meaning more rooms & classes), and upgrading the campus grounds so that it’s litter-free, looks proper and savvily decorated, and with happy students. Of course, keeping students happy means they’re willing to pass courses, so you have to spend money on events and fulfilling random wish lists (like buying items to decorate the grounds). But if the students and campus levels up, you get bonus cash to go with your monthly income, which leads to more spending and upgrading, as well as beautifying your campus to higher heights.
Or you could just go to sandbox mode and bump up/down the settings so that you can either get super-creative -budget be damned- or challenge yourself with making the best out of a disaster-filled situation. Either way, you still need to fulfill random objectives to gain Kudosh points, which lets you upgrade more customization options and items like love seats, water coolers, fancy posters of made-up bands in the game world, and even club spots. Making more club spots and water cooler-like objects makes the students more friendlier and thus more eager to pay you more tuition fees. It’s a helluva balancing act; sometimes you may need to overhire staff like teachers and janitors while also placating to the many, many demands from students. All this can cost a lot of money, possibly requiring loans you have to pay back with interest too. And then there are the random disasters like earthquakes that mess up your campus to rival invaders who require you to hire security-specialized janitors to weed them out.
And when you’re given a scenario to manage a campus with little to no money, you will have to take out a loan that requires payment in the future with interest. Certain levels like the Performance Art and Party level require you to get money through a strict level-up system and keep your students/teachers happy. These stipulations and objectives do keep the game really fresh and variable since there are multiple ways to solve the cash flow crises in these stages. My personal favourite is the Archaelogy level where all the classes are outdoors, but you get bonuses if your students manage to uncover artefacts. You can either sell them or have them on display to increase the happiness level of the campus-goers. And then you also have to keep your students cool since this level is incredibly hot for them.

So what’s different in this Two Point game apart from the setting, aesthetics, and that it’s not set in a hospital? To be honest, just a few requested items. These include the aforementioned sandbox mode where you’re free to do whatever campus you want, a copy-paste room feature so you can make clones of already-perfect rooms in a different campus, and a whole lot of customization for each different room ranging from decorations to even adjusting room sizes. It’s all very painless once you’ve accustomed yourself to the UI in an hour or two via the key campus missions. I had no problems making my dream campus filled with nothing but robotics and science classes.
Speaking of missions, you’re given a linear level tree until you’re done with the knights Nobelstead campus grounds. You can choose between wizardry and sports campus, arts and archaeology, and a slew load more, with the final stage being one giant Two Point University plot of land where everything is interconnected. They’re all fun to play and are challenging in their own right, be it trying to string up money from upgrades or just managing clean-up duties and happiness levels post-disaster. If I’m being frank, I’m only doing the campaigns if I’m feeling a bit more mellowed out by the free-and-easy nature of the game’s sandbox mode. Try as I might to just push on through with the different levels and stipulations, I just fell back to seeing my figurative ant farm college simulation, pressing the fast forward button just to see plans (and disasters) in motion. Riveting stuff, really.
If you wish to challenge yourself, some of the later campuses can really wrack your brain and requires more thorough planning. One thing that irks me: you can’t make multiple save states (in case your current trajectory in a mission goes downhill), which makes your decisions have more meaning since it’s hard to backtrack. This may frustrate some who like to chart their progress.
Not-That-Bad Education

If you’re feeling deja vu with your Two Point Campus experience, that’s because the devs are just falling back on what they’re very comfortable with: making sim games that are both free-and-easy and challenging depending on your mood. The game’s interface, aesthetics, and school-sorting mechanics are really well put-together, and will make you a fan easily with its charm. It’s not super-detailed like your spreadsheet sim games or anything from Paradox Interactive, but it isn’t meant to be.
For what it’s doing, Two Point Campus gets more than a passing grade for just being a fun sim that lets you tweak the experience how you see fit. True, you can spend 20 hours just completing each campus site and getting all the stars, but Two Point Studio’s latest is a forever kind of experience, as long as you’re not sick of being a campus despot, building toilets and dormitories far apart from one block to the other. And juggling between spy school syllabus’ and literal clown college.
Pros

Campus theme & outlandish courses feel more lively & colourful.
Great simulation controls and user interface.
Loads of freedom when creating your dream campus.
A good amount of challenge in campaign mode.

Cons

Similar to the past Two Point game, if that’s even a bad thing.
Incredibly tricky last few stages.
One save per stage; no multiple slots unless it’s Sandbox mode.

Final Score: 80/100


Disney+ Hotstar Unveils New The Mandalorian Season 3 Key Art & Featurette

Disney+ Hotstar has shared brand-new key art and an exciting featurette for The Mandalorian Season 3, streaming exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar starting 1 March 2023. Watch the new featurette and join Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Rick Famuyiwa and others as they explore how The Mandalorian and its fan-favourite character Grogu rose to engage the world and win the hearts of viewers across the globe.
The journeys of the Mandalorian through the Star Wars galaxy continue. Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin has reunited with Grogu. Meanwhile, the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history. The Mandalorian will cross paths with old allies and make new enemies as he and Grogu continue their journey together.
The series stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Amy Sedaris, Emily Swallow and Giancarlo Esposito. The directors of the eight-episode Season 3 include Rick Famuyiwa, Rachel Morrison, Lee Isaac Chung, Carl Weathers, Peter Ramsey and Bryce Dallas Howard.
Jon Favreau is the showrunner/head writer and serves as an executive producer along with Dave Filoni, Rick Famuyiwa, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson. Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck are co-executive producers.
In the meantime, check out our breakdown of The Mandalorian Season 3 trailer here.
Check out the key art and featurette below:


Call Of Duty Mobile Gameplay Modes Detailed

Call Of Duty Mobile is set to go beta for Android and iOS users in selected regions all over the world in the coming weeks, but now we have more details about what gameplay modes are going to be in the game. According to Dot Esports, there will reportedly be two modes in Call Of Duty Mobile; Simple Mode and Advanced Mode.
Firstly, Simple Mode is essentially a mode for casual players who are looking for quick games. In this mode, if the player’s crosshair hovers over an enemy, they will start to automatically fire their weapon. It does sound weird, but it also means that this mode will lack strategies and probably only for those who like to go in guns blazing.
Meanwhile, Advanced Mode is catered towards the more hardcore players, especially those who are used to playing the mainline games on PC or consoles. Just like any other Call Of Duty game, the player’s weapons only fire if they want it to. Plus, they can even customize and reassign the game’s buttons to suit their playstyles.
Besides that, players can look forward to seeing familiar faces from past Call Of Duty games in Call Of Duty Mobile, including Mason and â€œSoapâ€ McTavish. Servers may also be limited to only eight to ten players in a single game, which will make for more efficient and manageable multiplayer experiences.
Android and iOS users can already pre-register now on the official website here to prepare for when the game goes beta in their respective countries. As of yet, Activision has not announced a release date for the full version of Call Of Duty Mobile.
In the meantime, check out the trailer for the mobile game below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a42gXZQ-eII&w=560&h=315]


Naruto Is Ninja Running Into Fortnite Next Week

Naruto: Shippuden is coming to Fortnite.
Yeah, you read that right. Anime franchise Naruto is officially crossing over into Fortnite. However, we still don’t have any details on which character will be available as skins in the game or any new items, but we won’t have to wait long. The Fortnite Naruto collaboration will launch on 16 November 2021.
Epic Games announced the news in a tweet from the official Fortnite account. The game will apparently be adding content from Naruto Shippuden, the anime of which originally ran from 2007 to 2017. Perhaps we’re getting Naruto character skins and Naruto-themed items like sprays, back-blings, music tracks, and loading screens.
We’ll just have to wait and see what’s in store.

Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/11JclYcXir
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) November 10, 2021


CoD Warzone Adds New Trios Snipers & Shotguns Mode In Latest Update

Infinity Ward has released a new playlist update for Call Of Duty Warzone on 13 April 2020 across all platforms, with new modes and cosmetics. This comes just after Season 3 of the battle royale game recently kicked off last week on 8 April 2020.
The biggest new addition of the update brings a new Scopes and Scatter Guns mode, also known as Snipers and Shotguns. In this mode, players will be limited to just shotguns and snipers, instead of having access to the full arsenal of Call of Duty Modern Warfareâ€™s weaponry.
This will force players to rely on successfully blending long and close-range combat together in order to win. However, this new mode is exclusive only to Trios for now, and there’s no word yet on if or whether it will be added to other modes in the future.
Meanwhile, the April 13 update also reintroduces Drop Zone in Call Of Duty Modern Warfare‘s multiplayer, where teams earn points by defending a given zone. The more players inside, the more points the teams will be able to accumulate.
Drop Zone originally launched for the first time in Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3, and it’s making a triumphant return now. Last but not least, there are new cosmetics, including two new bundles featuring emblems, operator skins, and more.
The Twin Dragons bundle features the following items:

Kingly Splendor – Assault Rifle
The Alchemist’s Dream – Handgun
Soul Of The Mountain – Emblem
Spirit Of The Spring – Emblem

While the Cleanup Crew bundle includes the following:

Irradiated – OTTER skin
Meltdown – Sniper Rifle
Wire Tap – Handgun
Acid Rain – Watch
Ice Breaker – OTTER Finishing Move
Don’t Go Nowhere – OTTER Quip
Drainage – Calling Card
Terminal Patrol – Emblem
1 Battle Pass Tier Skip

Starting from 17 April at 10am PDT (18 April at 1am GMT+8) until 20 April 2020 at 10am PDT (21 April 2020 at 1am GMT+8), players will also earn double the EXP across Warzone, Special Ops, and Modern Warfareâ€™s multiplayer modes.


Zootopia+ Spotlights The Movie’s Best Supporting Characters Like Flash The Sloth

2016’s Zootopia is one of the best modern Disney animated films. It explored complex subject matter like prejudice, stereotypes and racism behind the veil of adorable anthropomorphic animals. However, the movie never received a sequel or spinoff. Until now, that is. Zootopia+ is the latest spinoff series for a Disney animated movie after Big Hero 6’s Baymax and Cars’ Cars On The Road.
Animal House
So You Think You Can Prance – “Zootopia+” heads back to the fast-paced mammal metropolis of Zootopia in a short-form series that dives deeper into the lives of some of the Oscar®-winning feature film’s most intriguing characters, including ZPD dispatcher Clawhauser (voiced by Nate Torrence). Clawhauser persuades his boss, Chief Bogo (Idris Elba), to audition for “So You Think You Can Prance.” The stakes are high as the ultimate prize is a dream-come-true opportunity to dance on stage with superstar Gazelle. Directed by Josie Trinidad and Trent Correy, and produced by Nathan Curtis, “Zootopia+” streams on Disney+ beginning Nov. 9, 2022. © 2022 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
When does Zootopia+ take place? Well, the clue lies in its name. Unlike Cars On The Road or Baymax, Zootopia+ isn’t a sequel to the movies. It’s unique in that the episodes in Zootopia+ take place during the events of the Zootopia movie and revisits certain scenes from the movie. The events of each episode will tie into or expand on specific scenes in the movie by focusing on stories featuring the movie’s supporting characters, including Fru Fru the shrew; Clawhauser the cheetah; and Flash the sloth.
However, you don’t need to have watched the Zootopia movie to enjoy Zootopia+, though I’d still recommend watching the movie to understand better appreciate how these episodes fit into the movie. There are six episodes in Zootopia+ Season 1 and each episode is short but sweet; only 6 to 10 minutes each. Yeah, you can pretty much finish the first season of Zootopia+ in one sitting if you want to.
The Real Rodents of Little Rodentia – “Zootopia+” heads back to the fast-paced mammal metropolis of Zootopia in a short-form series that dives deeper into the lives of some of the Oscar®-winning feature film’s most intriguing characters. In “The Real Rodents of Little Rodentia,” newly engaged Fru Fru (voiced by Leah Latham) kicks off wedding planning with enthusiasm and flourish—at least until her scene-stealing cousin Tru Tru (Michelle Buteau) arrives to assume the role of Shrew of Honor. A battle for the spotlight ensues until a close call with a giant donut reveals that for better or worse, no one knows you better than family. Directed by Josie Trinidad and Trent Correy, and produced by Nathan Curtis, “Zootopia+” streams on Disney+ beginning Nov. 9, 2022. © 2022 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Still, Zootopia+ is worth watching despite being so brief. There’s not much to spoil, but each episode is fun. Each episode has a theme or gimmick, so it’s fun to see the animators and teams being creative with the series. One episode is a riff or parody of The Real Housewives, while another is a musical episode. Zootopia+ isn’t as creatively diverse or unexpected as Cars On The Road, but it’s still fun watching these supporting characters getting more screen time, especially Flash the sloth (who is probably one of the best and most memorable characters from the movie). It’s also great that many of the voice actors from the movie reprised their roles for Zootopia+ (some of whom I was surprised to see returning).
In addition, Zootopia+ looks just as good as the original movie. The best thing about these new spinoff series is that their brief duration allows Disney to maintain feature-film-level of animation quality. All six episodes of Zootopia+ Season 1 translate to a runtime of less than an hour, but it’s worth checking out for a fun time with family and friends.
FINAL SCORE: 70/100
We received an early screener of Zootopia+ courtesy of Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia. Zootopia+ is slated to premiere on 9 November 2022 on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia.


New Zombie Survival Reality Show Shuffles Into Netflix August 2023

Netflix has confirmed its upcoming zombie-themed Korean reality show, Zombieverse is coming to the streaming platform this 2023, teaming up with Kakoa Entertainment.
The giant company has captivated viewers following the former success of its zombie-themed series: Kingdom (2019) and All of Us Are Dead (2022). Seeking to expand even further, Zombieverse might just scale things up a notch. In this reality show, survivors must work together to find water, food, transportation, and shelter. They are assigned daily tasks that must be completed to earn the supplies they need. If one of them gets “bitten”, they are out of the game.
The official description reads:
In Seoul, where a zombie virus outbreak has run amok, who will outwit the undead in the face of challenging quests and come out alive?

Prolific directors, Park Jin-kyung of MBC’s iconic entertainment show “My Little Television” and Moon Sang-don of “Hey! First Time in Korea?” will helm the series. Meanwhile, the production team behind ‘All of Us Are Dead’ will be in charge of the art direction. Whereas, the choreographers from ‘Kingdom’ will train the selected “zombie” extras in giving a full horror experience for contestants and viewers alike.
Stars of the pilot season will feature notable Korean entertainers such as actress Lee Si Young (Sweet Home) and Noh Hong-chul (The Hungry and The Hairy). The series also stars comedian Park Na-rae, rapper DinDin, Tsuki from Kpop group Billlie, former Doosan Bears pitcher Yoo Hee-kwan, Kim Jin-young of “Single’s Inferno 2,” urologist Hong Seong-wu, and TV celebrities Jonathan and Patricia Yiombi.
Director Park said the series began with a simple question, “How would people react if zombies appeared in the real world?”
In a recent Netflix press release, Park cited:
“There will be new zombies, survivors and unique scenes, which have not been seen in the existing zombie-themed projects. The likes of bumper car-steering or swing boat-riding zombies will entertain the viewers to their fullest.”
Zombieverse, an eight-part series, premieres worldwide exclusively on Netflix on 8 August 2023.


You Can Already Pre-Load The Marvel’s Avengers Beta On PS4

The first closed beta weekend for Marvel’s Avengers is taking place this weekend from 7 to 9 August 2020 exclusively for those who have pre-ordered the game on the PS4. Crystal Dynamics has announced that the Marvel’s Avengers PS4 beta is now available for pre-load.
However, the Marvel’s Avengers PS4 beta will only be playable starting from 9pm GMT+8 on 7 August 2020 for those in Malaysia and Southeast Asia (and 9pm on 7 August 2020 in other respective time zones as well). The beta will end at 9pm GMT+8 on Sunday, 9 August 2020.

The Marvel’s Avengers Pre-order BETA for PS4 opens at around 9PM on Friday in your respective time zone and ends at around 9PM on Sunday. ðŸ•˜
â€” Marvel’s Avengers (@PlayAvengers) August 7, 2020
For those who pre-ordered the game on Xbox One and PC, the closed beta will be from 14 to 16 August 2020 (alongside an open beta for PS4 players). Lastly, an open beta across all platforms will take place from 21 to 23 August 2020.
Check out our first impressions and preview of the Marvel’s Avengers beta here. Marvel’s Avengers is slated to release for the PS4, Xbox One, PC and Stadia on 4 September 2020.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIKzNtUbOK8&w=560&h=315]


Wo Long Dragon’s Vein Crystals Guide: How To Find Them All

The action RPG title Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is out now and features the same kind of hardcore action combat courtesy of developer Team Ninja at Koei Tecmo.
With hardcore combat comes the means to heal yourself. Wo Long has you using Dragon’s Cure to heal yourself like the Estus Flasks from Dark Souls and other similar titles the ex-Ninja Gaiden makers are cribbing from. Thankfully, you can upgrade them so that you get more healing power out of them; this is essential for future boss fights.
To increase the Dragon’s Cure pot potency, you need to find Dragon’s Vein crystal and essences. The crystals increase the maximum number of charges before your next battle flag visit (your bonfire). The essence increases how much damage you heal when you activate it. Both are essential to find.
Here’s a guide on how to find these important items.
Wo Long Dragon’s Cure Pot Upgrade Locations
We will list down the chapter/stage and the crystal/essences in the area.

Mission: Two Chivalrous Heroes
Dragon’s Vein Essence Location

After slaying the Zhuyan boss, you’ll find a blacksmith named Zhu Xia. Continue on past the zombies and head inside the large building. At the back, there is a chest containing the crystal.

Mission: The Yellow Heaven Burns
Dragon’s Vein Essence Location
After placing the second battle flag, climb the ledges where the archer is. Continue on to find a tiger sleeping in front of a chest that’s near the wooden gate and one of the flag placements. It contains the essence.

Mission: The Valley of Crying Wraiths
Dragon’s Vein Essence Location
After you raise the battle flag that’s up a ladder, head down the hill and you should see the trash-eating panda on your right. Continue on to find two tiger enemies.
Kill them and claim the item on the ground as your prize.

Mission: The Demon Fort of the Yellow Heaven
Dragon’s Vein Crystal Location
Once you open the fort’s gate that’s behind the battle flag, turn to the left. Fight the ogre guarding the entrance. The Crystal is on the bench in the vicinity of the fight.

Mission: In Search Of The Immortal Wizard
Dragon’s Vein Essence Location
From the Battle Flag after beating the Zhupolong (crocodile miniboss) head to the right and go to the end of the room. Turn left and climb the wall to reach the camp. Turn left and jump across the vines until you reach the essence. It’s directly above the Battle Flag.

Mission: Fall of the Corrupted Eunuch
Dragon’s Vein Essence Location
To find this one, you need to locate the Luoyang Dungeon keys. From the battle flag on the ground floor where the purple water lake is, head inside the cell with many zombies inside close to the flag and defeat them. The key is next to a body near a brazier.
To get the essence, go to the opposite side of the purple lake, and just before the entrance to the room with a torch outside, turn left. Open the cell door here with the key and take the essence. The key works on every cell, so don’t worry about it being a one-use item.
Dragon’s Vein Crystal Location
When you reach the battle flag just before the boss, head around the right side of the large temple. Kill the enemies there first. Then find the crystal that is lying next to the bamboo trees on the other side of the tiny bridge.

Mission: The Battle of Hulaoguan Pass

Dragon’s Vein Essence Location
After beating the corrupted axe-wielding soldier in the side camp battle flag (just before the main fort) hop onto the ballista and fire arrows at the wooden barricade that blocks the path to the chest on the scaffolding ahead. The essence is inside the chest.

Mission: Darkness Over The Hanshui River
Dragon’s Vein Essence Location
Head to the left from the final battle flag and reach the item at the end. From here, double jump onto the small hut with a balcony to find the chest inside.

Mission: Tyrant’s Final Banquet

Dragon’s Vein Essence Location
After killing the crocodile mini-boss, climb up the rafters and leap to the hanging cage that’s suspended above the water. The essence is just there.
Dragon’s Vein Crystal Location
As you enter the bamboo garden, jump up the wall to the right. You can also reach the walkway by defeating the axe-wielding soldier guarding the stairs. Once here, walk to the other end of the walkway and just before turning right, leap down the small gap to the left to claim the crystal.

Mission: Fate of the Entertainer
Dragon’s Vein Essence Location
After activating the second battle flag, continue past the temple. Head to the bridge over the pond with the tiger patrolling the area and a wizard on top. The essence is at the top of the bridge.

Mission: War’s Flames Blaze Fiercely
Dragon’s Vein Essence Location
After draining the river and revealing the dragon’s head, go back to the tunnel of the previous dungeon and turn right when you go to the bottom of the stairs.
Defeat the stone statues and go down the now fully revealed stairs to the bottom of the pool. Climb up the other side to claim the essence.


Like A Dragon: Ishin! Feels Like Coming Home After 10 Years

Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S
Genre: Period drama hack-and-slash
If you’re a fan of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, you’re likely familiar with its digitized actors and captivating stories. Like A Dragon: Ishin!, the latest release, takes things up a notch by giving the series a period drama spinoff, taking Kiryu and his gang back to the 1860s and immersing them in a samurai story.
It’s a fresh take on the series but might feel like familiar territory for long-time fans. Originally released in Japan as a PS3 exclusive back in 2014, the new PC version is a mostly-faithful remake with a few tweaks, some recasting, and updated graphics, but nothing too drastic. This puts the game in a unique position since the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series has been exploring new territories lately, like their turn-based system in Yakuza 7, but Ishin! is a decade-old game getting a modern facelift. It’s a bit like having one foot in the past and the other in the present.

Even though Ishin! brings back many of the franchise’s classic elements, it still falls into some of the same storytelling traps as previous games. But if you’re a fan of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, you’ll feel right at home with Ishin! You’ll explore the open world, fight lots of bad guys, and sit through plenty of long cutscenes that reveal character motivations and secrets. It’s basically the same kind of game that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has been making for years, just with a new setting and story.
The game was originally only released in Japan, but fans were excited when the series producer said in 2019 that a North American and European version was being considered. Well, now it’s 2023, and that localization has finally happened. Set in 1860s Japan, Ishin! is a return to the series’ traditional roots after the last game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, changed things with turn-based combat and a smaller cast of characters.

Size Doesn’t Matter

Just because something’s old doesn’t mean it’s not good, and that’s definitely the case with Yakuza’s latest game, Ishin. If you’ve played any of the Yakuza games before, then playing Ishin will feel like slipping into a familiar and comfortable sweater, albeit one that’s been stretched out a bit. The town of Kyo (aka Kyoto) is yours to explore, with plenty of odd characters to befriend, restaurants to try, and street thugs to beat up. And if you’re a fan of the Yakuza series, you’ll be happy to know that many of the core characters from past games make an appearance, albeit in historical roles.
While Kiryu goes by the name Ryoma Sakamoto in Ishin, he’s essentially the same lovable character with a new haircut and the same gruff voice that can convey a wide range of emotions. It’s like the intentional typecasting of Danny Trejo in his roles.
But Ishin’s story is more ambitious than your typical Yakuza game. It takes place in the 1860s, a time of political upheaval and imperial loyalist uprisings in Japan. Ryoma finds himself caught up in all of it, adding personal stakes to the already complex political landscape. The performances by the actors are top-notch, especially in the main story cutscenes.
And while some of the characters are familiar, others, like Soji Okita (a reimagining of Goro Majima), take on more violent and menacing roles. Ryoma is also different from Kiryu in that he’s more worldly and focused, less naive and confused.
The game is an excellent starting point for newcomers, thanks to its standalone story and glossary of terms. But what newcomers and veterans alike will get from Ishin is a game with two distinct parts. On one hand, it’s an episodic period thriller, full of dramatic twists and turns and real-time combat. On the other hand, it’s a man-about-town simulator with plenty of minigames and side quests to keep you busy. The transition between the two can be jarring, but it’s a formula that has worked for the Yakuza series for ten games now. Even when I was trying to rush through the main story for my review, I found myself getting lost in the city of Kyo and its distractions.

Rock, Paper, Scissors… Gun!
Ishin may not have the sprawling world of Grand Theft Auto or Fallout, but it’s a compact little world that packs a punch. Every step you take leads to something interesting or someone intriguing. The side quests might not be as polished as the main story, but they are certainly more diverse, spanning genres from tragic to screwball comedy, often featuring mini-games and, of course, the game’s fighting system.
The combat system in Ishin is familiar to fans of the series, allowing you to switch between four different fighting styles at will. From bare-handed brawling to traditional samurai swordplay, from trick-shooting with a revolver to a hybrid sword-and-gun style that blends all three, the combat system is exciting once you get the hang of it. The only downside is that the boss battles take a lot of hits to knock down, which makes for some hilarious scenes when Ryoma is surrounded by low-HP goons.

Compared to the more humorous fighting style of Yakuza, Ishin’s combat is more brutal and gory, with enemies getting impaled, sliced, or shot at point-blank range. Ryoma’s Heat Actions, the super moves that consume his special bar, are also more serious, as he mostly just straight-up stabs his opponents. However, it does create a bit of a disconnect with the story since Ryoma doesn’t seem to be too concerned with whether his enemies live or not outside of cutscenes.
One unique feature of Ishin is the Trooper system. As part of his mission to find the masked assassin that killed his adoptive father, Ryoma infiltrates the Shinsengumi, a brutal government police unit. This unlocks a full JRPG-style dungeon crawling mini-game, where you clear out bandit caves and forts. To aid you in this endeavour, you can collect Trooper cards that act like a rudimentary gacha magic system, letting you equip and call in healing, buffs, or damage-dealing attacks. There are even a few special cards that summon characters or animals for spectacular finishers.

Despite the fact that the fighting is a bit more serious in Ishin, there are still plenty of comical moments. It’s hilarious when the four bandits you just shot ten times each all get up, apologize for their rudeness, give you an item, and scurry off home. While the combat can be a bit stiff and limited until you unlock more moves, I had a good time once I’d bulked up Ryoma’s Wild Dancer fighting style to say that is was overpowered and broken is an understatement. And let’s not forget that it’s also pointedly unrealistic, with minibosses taking a comical number of slashes to knock down—but then again it is a hack-and-slash.
Ishin’s farming minigame is not as exciting as previous cabaret club management in past Yakuza games, but it’s a cute and relaxing way to bond with teenage partner-in-farming/delivery girl Haruka. However, the farm is out of the way, and I found it easier to go into the karaoke bar or gambling den to enjoy minigames.

The PC port offers a good range of graphical options and tweaks, and it’s unlikely to tax your hardware either, but there is one notable problem with shader stutter. Due to the game not doing its homework up front, the first time a new effect is used, the game pauses a couple of frames to process it for your specific GPU. While there’s little to complain about with Ishin, it feels a little bit dated, and the key problem it faces is a value proposition. There are 11 English-language entries in the series released in the past five years on Steam alone, many of which are great and can be picked up for a pittance compared to Ishin’s full-fat price tag.

Is It Worth It?
Underneath it all, Like a Dragon: Ishin still has that wacky humour the series is known for in the West. It pops up in sub-stories where Ryoma runs into a foreigner who’s obsessed with samurai culture or stumbles upon a cult blocking a street with their erratic dancing. And of course, there is the series’ classic minigames, like a rhythm game inspired by nihon buyo dancing or growing veggies and cooking meals at your home with a young girl you’ve taken under your wing. These activities are nothing new, but they do add a fresh coat of paint.

Overall, Like a Dragon: Ishin! offers an interesting twist on the usual Yakuza formula with its historical samurai theme. Mechanically, the game is solid, including the combat and minigames, and it features familiar faces and tons of fan service in a vivid historical world. However, the game’s value proposition may be an issue for some players, as its full price tag is higher compared to other Yakuza titles that are just as good and often more affordable.
While Ishin! is a good addition to the Yakuza series, it still suffers from its cartoonish humour and jarring ending. The game is a comforting breath of fresh air regardless while it maintains your typical Yakuza mechanics but in a completely different time and place. It’s like coming back to your home town after 10 years and seeing how much has changed; still familiar but different all at the same time.
If you’re a fan of the series or the samurai theme, the price may be steep for some. Still, I highly recommend giving Like a Dragon: Ishin! a try just for its ambition and execution alone.
Pros

Gripping drama.
Great historical setting that will enthral & immerse you.
High-level production values with voice acting and cutscenes aplenty.
Big side quest and main quest offerings that will keep you busy for the whole year.

Cons

Cartoonish humour & jarring ending equals bizarre story tone.
Not as in-depth and impactful as past Yakuza titles like Yakuza Zero.
Some tech issues for the PC version.

Final Score: 80/100


King of Fighters XV Gets Special Animated Short From Masami Obari

You may remember anime character designer & director Masami Obari for his art style and vision, with shows like Gowcaiser and the Fatal Fury animated films with his stylized character designs and interesting interpretation of the female anatomy.

Just today, the esteemed artist/director and his animation crew has worked on a new The King of Fighters XV special animated short, featuring characters old and new posing and being all action-like in a new trailer. It’s not as flagrant as in the 90s fan service-wise, but it still is worth a look. Also, there’s a glimpse of the game’s last boss at the start of the trailer, so there’s that little piece of nugget.
Check it out below, as well as a cut featuring just the female cast:

KOF XV will be out on 14th February for Xbox Series, Xbox One, PC, PS4, and PS5.


Pikmin 4 Drops On Nintendo Switch This July

During Nintendo Direct February 2023, Nintendo announced that Pikmin 4 will launch for the Nintendo Switch on 21 July 2023. It’s the long-awaited sequel to 2013’s Pikmin 3.
Chart a mysterious planet with curious plantlike Pikmin that come in different types in Pikmin 4—like the brand-new Ice Pikmin! The capable canine, Oatchi, will also help to overcome big challenges.
Check out the trailer below:


These Ubisoft Games Are Heading To The PS5 & Xbox Scarlett

Ubisoft has confirmed that several of their upcoming games will also be receiving official releases on next-gen consoles PS5 and Xbox Scarlett, which means that they will be the first confirmed cross-generational games for the company.
According to IGN, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot revealed the news in a Q&A session held after he announced Ubisoftâ€™s earnings for the first half of the 2020 financial year. Most of these games were recently delayed to 2020, so they’re ripe to take advantage of next-gen consoles as well.
There will be five of these cross-generational titles, including:

Watch Dogs Legion
Rainbow Six Quarantine
Gods And Monsters
An unannounced AAA game
An unannounced AAA game

Guillemot said:

â€œThe five titles will be on this generation and next generation of consoles, and they will take full advantage of all the new features that are coming with the machines.
Which are actually going to be extremely interesting for players, as youâ€™ll be able to download new content a lot faster.
Players will experience better framerate, so there are lots of very good elements that will come with those new machines.â€

However, we still don’t know the new release dates for these titles, but it’s safe to assume that they are likely to be released near the next-gen consoles’ release window of Holiday 2020, or potentially even earlier.


Monster Hunter World Iceborne Developers Explains Why There Is No G-Rank And More

Fans of the Monster Hunter series are keeping their eyes on the upcoming massive expansion for Monster Hunter World. Ryozo Tsujimoto and Kaname Fujioka, Iceborne development team leaders, held an interview during E3 and addressed some questions like Iceborne players playing together with non-Iceborne players, why the ‘G-rank’ naming scheme was dropped and more.
Removing ‘G-rank’
G-rank is the highest known hunter rank in the Monster Hunter series and features tougher monsters with more valuable loot. Some monsters are only available in G-rank.
Ryozo Tsujimoto spoke to 4Gamer, revealing that the nomenclature has been altered so it is more streamlined.

â€œMonster Hunter WorldÂ has players connect around the world globally, so from a communication standpoint we thought it better to streamline the title and rank names. This time â€˜Gâ€™ has been replaced byÂ Iceborne, and G Rank has been named Master Rank.â€

Kaname Fujioka, executive director, said: “The ‘G’ was there for the impact,” while laughing.
The vicious Tigrex
This means that G-rank is here to stay, albeit under a different name. So, don’t worry about not being to hunt harder monsters, it’s still here.
The Clutch Claw
The Clutch Claw is the latest addition to the hunter’s arsenal of tools and weaponry, designed to close in the gap and mount enemies.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtHUH2aU1UQ]
The Clutch Claw was created on the concept of using the environment and creating your own openings to attack using it. The Clutch Claw provides one direct option to do so by yourself, according to Fujioka.
Riding Small Monsters

Fujioka pointed out that players will be able to ride small monsters like the Jagras or the Girros after completing a certain challenge. Players will have access to a flute that unlocks the ability to ride small monsters. It won’t be immediately available after entering Iceborne.
Playing With Non-Iceborne Players
Players owning the IceborneÂ expansion can match up with non-owners, and can use the new actions as well. Tsujimoto did say however, that non-owners cannot accept Master Rank quests nor use the new actions.
Kicking Off Iceborne

Fujioka stated that players can immediately begin playing the Iceborne expansion if they’ve defeated the final boss. Upon installing the expansion, players will immediately begin the event of crossing the ocean to Hoarfrost Reach.
Balancing Master Rank
In previous games, ‘G-rank’ had only tweaked the status values of monsters, meaning they have increased stats. Fujioka said that’s about to change:

â€œIn the past, we only tweaked the status values of monsters, but in recent years if you donâ€™t mix it up people will feel itâ€™s boring and repetitive, so weâ€™ve also added new actions that monsters can perform. If youâ€™ve played recent G Rank games, there shouldnâ€™t be a big difference.â€

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is coming to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 6 September, while the PC version will have a Winter release.
If you’ve missed it, we’ve covered all of the new attacks coming in Iceborne, which you can check out here.


ROG Unveils Strix G15 & G17 Advantage Edition Gaming Laptops With All-AMD Internals

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has announced the ROG Strix G15 and G17 Advantage Edition gaming laptops â€” the worldâ€™s first with new AMD Radeon RX 6800M GPUs, paired with AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX CPUs. Both laptops bristle with features carefully chosen to unleash the potent performance potential of these components.Â
ROG Intelligent Cooling pushes the performance of ROG Strix G Advantage Edition laptops to the next level, utilizing cutting-edge techniques to give gamers the sustained power needed to play longer and multitask more. Advantage Edition laptops use liquid metal thermal compound on not only the CPU but also the GPU. To further accelerate heat dissipation, ROG engineers developed a highly efficient vapour chamber that fully covers critical components, including the muscular 16-phase VRM.
Strix G Advantage Edition laptops allow gamers to choose between a competition-ready 300 Hz / 3 ms FHD display panel or a gorgeous, higher-resolution WQHD 165 Hz / 3 ms screen, both of which complete the AMD synergy with FreeSync Premium technology that ensures ultrasmooth graphics output.
Wrapped in a sporty chassis inspired by athletic gear, the Strix G Advantage Edition is designed to impress in every gaming arena. The unique aesthetic includes subtle references to the AMD DNA, along with Customizable Armor Caps and Aura Sync lighting that let gamers fully personalize the looks. With leaps in substance and style, everyday players can get more out of the game, and serious competitors can get the edge they need to thrive.

Worldâ€™s first laptops with AMD Radeon RX 6800M GPU, paired with Ryzen 9 5900HX CPUÂ
Ever since the creation of the first ROG product â€” the original Crosshair motherboard â€” ASUS has collaborated closely with AMD to empower every gamer. ROG Strix G15 and G17 Advantage Edition gaming laptops take that partnership to new heights. By doubling up on AMD components with high-end Ryzen and Radeon processors, they blitz through competitive play, streaming, entertaining, and everything in between.
Strix G Advantage Edition gaming laptops are the first to use the all-new Radeon RX 6800M, the flagship chip from the Radeon RX 6000 Mobile Series. These new graphics processors bring next-generation performance and power efficiency to gaming laptops. Theyâ€™re built on an AMD RDNAâ„¢ 2 architecture that combines ray tracing, computational, and traditional effects to enable more lifelike visuals and deeper immersion. The Radeon RX 6800M has ample power for silky-smooth graphics in a wide variety of games.Â
Part of the latest Ryzen 5000 Series, the powerful Ryzen 9 5900HX CPU is manufactured with cutting-edge 7 nm technology and designed from the ground up to deliver the most immersive gaming experience possible in a laptop. It flexes 8 cores and 16 threads to speed through heavy multitasking and multithreaded workloads. Advanced cooling helps the CPU run on up to 90 watts of sustained power on its own, and you can push the power limit even with the ROG Armoury Crate utility.Â
AMD-exclusive SmartShift and Smart Access Memory technologies provide a distinct advantage by allowing the CPU and GPU to work more closely together. SmartShift amps up performance on the fly by dynamically shifting power between the CPU and GPU depending on the demands of the workload. Whether youâ€™re pushing high frame rates in the latest games, rendering complex 3D objects, or editing cinematic videos, it constantly optimizes to ensure power is available where itâ€™s needed the most. The hardware boosting interface and machine learning algorithms behind this technology can improve performance by up to 15%.Â
Smart Access Memory pumps up performance in many gaming scenarios by improving data transfer between the GPU and CPU. Conventional systems create a bottleneck by only allowing the CPU to access a small fraction of graphics memory at a time. Smart Access Memory removes this restriction to harness the full potential of PCI ExpressÂ®, allowing the CPU to access all the GPU memory at once.
Gamers can support their multitasking habit by pairing the Ryzenâ„¢ 9 5900HX CPU with up to 32GB of high-performance DDR4-3200 RAM. They can do more in the moment, fill their games library, and save their best plays on up to 1 TB of superfast NVMe SSD storage that loads everything at warp speed. The Strix G Advantage Edition also comes with an additional M.2 slot that makes it easy to add terabytes of extra space.
ROG Intelligent Cooling innovations level up performanceÂ
ROG Intelligent Cooling brings out the best in the powerful Ryzen CPU and Radeon GPU, lifting peak performance while lowering noise levels. In addition to enabling high clock speeds right out of the box, our sophisticated design has enough thermal headroom to go beyond. The Turbo Operating Mode increases the GPU wattage above stock, and you can push even more power through the processors using the Manual mode in Armoury Crate.
The cooling upgrades in the ROG Strix G Advantage Edition gaming laptops start with exotic liquid metal thermal compound on both processors, improving heat transfer and lowering temperatures by as much as 14Â°C. The right amount must be applied meticulously for the best results, so we developed a patented process that works at scale. This patented process makes the Strix G15 and G17 Advantage Edition the first mass-produced laptops with liquid metal on both processors.
Thermal efficiency is further improved by a massive vapour chamber that covers the CPU, GPU, VRAM, and voltage regulation circuitry. Artfully laser-engraved to highlight the hardware underneath, this cooling feature was designed specifically for the Advantage Edition. Compared to conventional heat pipes that only transfer thermal energy along their axis, vapour chambers spread it across their entire area, which improves dissipation in small spaces. The comprehensive coverage and huge footprint maximize redistribution to the heatsinks, raising the thermal headroom by 25 W compared to the standard Strix thermal module.Â
The Strix G Advantage Edition also adopts the latest Intelligent Cooling features found on other 2021 ROG gaming laptops. Like the rest of the Strix series, it radiates heat from four heatsinks and fan outlets in the flanks. Two Arc Flow fans improve airflow by up to 17% for the CPU and 20% for the GPU with no increase in noise. Each fan spins 84 blades capped by special tips that follow an aerodynamic wave pattern that reduces turbulence. The blades each taper down to just 0.1 mm at the base to move more air, and theyâ€™re made of a liquid-crystal polymer strong enough to maintain its structure at high speeds.
To further amplify airflow, Strix G Advantage Edition laptops use a new version of ROGâ€™s signature self-cleaning cooling system. Dust accumulation on heatsinks and fans slowly compromises cooling over time, so Strix laptops channel particles out of the chassis to ensure reliable long-term performance. Shorter anti-dust tunnels in the latest models clear the way for 15% more airflow while still preventing harmful buildup.
Advanced cooling technology extends to the keyboard, which takes player comfort into careful account. Many laptops can become uncomfortably warm to the touch during prolonged play, so we created a CoolZone design that strategically places vents under the keyboard to reduce surface temperatures. In the Advantage Edition, itâ€™s paired with a new IR sensor that monitors those temperatures in real-time, allowing the system to make adjustments to keep the keys below 40Â°C.
Versatile display options let gamers play the way they want
ROG Strix G Advantage Edition laptops let users define their next-gen visual experience with a choice of two exceptional displays framed by super-narrow bezels, both available in 15-inch and 17-inch sizes.
Esports enthusiasts can choose a picture-perfect pairing with blazing fast 300Hz gaming panels. Tournament-level refresh rates combine with the high-powered Radeon GPU to let players catch every moment of the action and react as fast as their reflexes allow. The 3 ms response time makes fast-paced motion super sharp, producing a cleaner view for accurate target tracking.Â
Gamers who want fluidity with greater detail should look to new options that take WQHD resolutions up to a 165 Hz refresh rate with a 3 ms response time. The higher 2560×1440 resolution showcases more of your environment, and the experience is all the more immersive with full coverage of the cinematic-grade DCI-P3 colour gamut.
FreeSync Premium technology completes the AMD experience on all the display options. It synchronizes the refresh rate with the GPUâ€™s frame rate to eliminate screen tearing, minimize stuttering, and reduce input lag. Combined with high refresh rates, this Adaptive-Sync implementation makes gameplay more fluid and immersive, no matter what game is being played.
Double down on gaming immersion with upgraded audioÂ
ROG Strix G15 and G17 Advantage Edition gaming laptops feature twin Smart Amp speakers that fire sound directly at the user from behind the keyboard. Theyâ€™re tuned with DolbyÂ® Atmosâ„¢ technology for a multidimensional soundscape with incredible detail. Atmos can also create compelling virtual 5.1.2-channel surround sound for stereo headsets that puts players in the heart of the action and helps them pinpoint enemy movements with precision.
To make team communication clearer, Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation eliminates up to 95% of background noise from both input and output audio. Developed using a deep neural network for super-high accuracy, this algorithm can be applied to any mic and configured on a per-app basis, so users can target chat software while preserving in-game sound. The two-way filtering is especially useful, processing output audio to help gamers hear teammates better. And because noise-cancelling runs on the CPU, the GPU is free to hit higher FPS.
Game in style anywhere
The ROG Strix G Advantage Editions empower gamers to take on new challenges while staying compact, mobile, and stylish. The laptops pack serious gaming power into portable chassis with footprints up to 7% smaller than the previous generation. Larger 90 Wh batteries enable long life on the road with up to 11.4 hours of video playback, while fast charging gets to 50% in just 33 minutes. Support for USB-CÂ® charging adds the flexibility to run everyday activities like web browsing and streaming videos off a smaller USB-C adapter up to 100 W. Users can also charge from USB power packs to break free from wall sockets.
Subtle textural details add new dimensions to our classic Original Black coloring, visually distinguishing the all-AMD editions from other members of the 2021 ROG Strix family. The 360Â° chassis design has something to see from every angle.Â
Customizable Armor Caps let gamers show off their true colors with a new level of chassis personalization. We created a unique design in Challenger Red just for the Advantage Edition. The laptop also comes with two additional styles in the box, and itâ€™s easy to swap them to add a pop of personality or match your mood. For modders or players who think further outside the box, we also provide a template for making 3D-printed Armor Caps in any color, style, or material.Â
With Aura Sync lighting, you can take customization out of the realm of static colors and into a whole new playing field of effects and visualizations. Tasteful RGB accents shine across the exterior, from the four-zone keyboard to the triple-edged light bar that illuminates the environment.
Ready for anything
Despite being more compact than ever, these gaming powerhouses have a full assortment of ports strategically placed for a tidy setup. There are enough ports at the back to power a multi-monitor desktop with all the cables neatly out of the way, including the main power jack, HDMIÂ®, gigabit Ethernet, USB Type-A, and DisplayPortâ„¢-enabled USB-C.Â
Two more USB ports await peripherals on the left side along with an audio jack for a headset, keeping additional cables out of the way of right-handed mouse users. WiFi 6 (802.11ax) networking rounds out the package with support for peak wireless interface bandwidth up to 2.4 Gbps on compatible networks, plus smarter traffic management that enables lower latency through higher efficiency. WiFi coverage is strengthened by ROG RangeBoost technology that enhances reception by evaluating the signal strength of four internal antennas and then picking the best pair to use for the location, minimizing dead spots and increasing range by up to 30%.
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
ROG Strix G15 and G17 Advantage Edition gaming laptops will not be available for Malaysia market as of now.

SPECIFICATIONSÂ
ASUS ROG Strix G15 and G17 Advantage Edition

Processor
AMDÂ® Ryzenâ„¢ 9 5900HX

Graphics
AMDÂ® Radeonâ„¢ RX 6800M

Operating system
Windows 10 Pro

Display
15.6″Â
FHD (1920×1080) IPS-level panel, up to 300Hz/3ms, 100% sRGB, FreeSync PremiumÂ
WQHD (2560×1440) IPS-level panel, up to 165Hz/3ms, 100% DCI-P3, FreeSync PremiumÂ
17.3″Â
FHD (1920×1080) IPS-level panel, up to 300Hz/3ms, 100% sRGB, FreeSync PremiumÂ
WQHD (2560×1440) IPS-level panel, up to 165Hz/3ms, 100% DCI-P3, FreeSync PremiumÂ

Memory
Up to 32GB DDR4 3200MHz

Storage
Up to 1TB PCIeÂ® SSD

Keyboard
Backlit chiclet keyboard
4 Zone RGB

AudioÂ
2 x speakers
DolbyÂ® Atmosâ„¢Â
Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation
Smart AmpÂ

I/O ports
15.6″
3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-CÂ® with DisplayPortâ„¢1.4 and Power Delivery 3.0
1x LAN RJ-45 jack
1 x HDMIÂ® 2.0b
1 x Audio combo jack: Mic-in and Headphone
1 x Power (DC) input port
17.3″
3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
1 X USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-CÂ® with DisplayPortâ„¢1.4 and Power Delivery 3.0
1x LAN RJ-45 jack
1 x HDMIÂ® 2.0b
1 x Audio combo jack: Mic-in and Headphone
1 x Power (DC) input port

Connectivity
2×2 multi-antenna WiFi 6 (802.11ax)Â Â
BluetoothÂ® 5.0Â

Battery
90 Wh with Fast Charge technology

Dimensions
15.6″
354.9 x 259.9 x 22.69 ~ 27.2 mm
17.3″
395 x 282.1 x 23.4 ~ 27.5 mm

Weight
15.6″
2.4 kgÂ
17.3″
3.0 kgÂ


The PS5 Final Fantasy 16 Bundle Launches In Southeast Asia On 22 June

Sony Interactive Entertainment Singapore Private Limited has announced that two versions of the PS5 Final Fantasy 16 Bundle will be available in Southeast Asian countries on 22 June 2023.
The PS5 Digital Edition Bundle will be available at a suggested retail price of S$759 / RM2,339 / IDR9,079,000 and the PS5 with Ultra HD Blue-ray disc drive will be available at S$889 / RM2,769 / IDR10,579,000 / THB20,790.
Each type of bundle includes a PS5 console (Digital version or disc drive version), a DualSense Wireless Controller, and PS5 software Final Fantasy XVI Voucher Card (Terms and Conditions Apply) and digital bonus items: “Braveheart” Weapon, Gil-boost Accessory “Cait Sith Charm”, Exp-boost Accessory “Scholar’s Spectacles” (Digital bonus items may be available for purchase at a later date.).
The bundles will be available at PlayStation Authorized Dealer, Sony Stores and authorized retailers on 22 June 2022 onward. You can check the store locations by heading over here.
Final Fantasy 16 is slated to launch for the PS5 on 22 June 2023.
Check out the bundles below:


2D Roguelite Game Source Of Madness Will Haunt You This May

Publisher Thunderful and developer Carry Castle will be releasing its upcoming 2D search action roguelite game Source of Madness next month.
Source of Madness will be out on 11th May for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch; it’s currently in Early Access for PC right now. The game pits you as an acolyte who fights through nine biomes filled with all manners of cosmic horrors. The level layout for each biome is randomized, meaning no two encounters are the same.
Here’s the overview of the game via the press release:
“With Source of Madness we wanted to make a roguelite that does more than simply rearrange level layouts and enemy combinations, but rather creates all new unholy beasts to face off against in each playthrough. We knew we were opening Pandora’s box by unleashing so many permutations of machine learning AI monstrosities, but thanks to our audience of Early Access players, we were able to ensure that this multi platform launch is as polished as can be.”
Check out the smooth and slick action below.


Former Dallas Fuel & London Spitfire DPS Joins NRG Overwatch Contenders Team

After a disappointing first season in the Overwatch League where he was traded out and saw his contract terminated prematurely, a top-tier DPS star and Genji specialist may have found his path to redemption and at that, a way back into the big leagues.
Former KongDoo Panthera, Cloud9 KongDoo, London Spitfire and Dallas Fuel DPS,Â Dong-jun “Rascal” Kim have joined NRG Esports’ Overwatch Contenders North American roster for Season 2. As confirmed by NRG’s Twitter account, Rascal will join the likes of Swon, Smex and Poise competing in the second-tier pro-Overwatch scene under the banner of the owners of Overwatch League team, San Francisco Shock.

NRG Esports and @TheEventsDC are excited to welcome @Rascal to the #Overwatch Contenders team we can’t wait to see you in DC!
FIGHTING! ðŸ‘Š https://t.co/RsSiyMQXic pic.twitter.com/zRtR2YMvnF
â€” NRG Esports (@NRGgg) June 15, 2018
Despite entering the Overwatch League as one of the world’s best Genji players, Rascal’s failure to dislodge Birdring and Profit as starting DPS for the London Spitfire saw him traded to the struggling Dallas Fuel. Following a series of internal disagreements and clash of personalities, mainly with Fuel’s former Head Coach Kyky, Rascal was released not long into Stage 3 of the Overwatch League and has been without a team since.
Signing up with NRG’s Overwatch Contenders team is the best way forward for him, as both seasons 2 and 3 of the Contenders will take place well before the second season of the Overwatch League starts. This allows him ample time to showcase his abilities and skill; hopefully justifying his return to top tier competition – perhaps via San Francisco Shock.
Commenting on the move, Rascal tweeted;

It’s been a bumpy road… But i am ready to compete once again. https://t.co/AM8WYcCa9x
â€” Rascal(ë™ì¤€) (@Rascal) June 15, 2018
We wish him all the best as we can’t wait to see him tearing up the scene with clutch Dragon Blades in North American Contenders.


Philippines’ Inigo Anton Wins ERacing GP Series Season 8

Philippines Sim Racer Inigo Anton has won the 8th edition of the eRacing GP Global Edition Series to take the title for the first time in his seventh season in the Championship.
Anton and Ar Muhammad Aleef from Singapore came into the final round of eRacing GP Global Edition 8 tied on points at the top of the championship table. As the two best drivers from their respective countries fireworks were expected and both drivers duly delivered.
In race one, Anton got a good start from pole position however a small mistake near the end of lap one caused him to run wide, which then allowed Aleef through into the lead. Anton then had to defend from Kodi Latkovski, who is the FIA world Champion from the 2019 motorsport games. Anton was just able to hold on to second as all three drivers pulled away from the field.
Aleef, who is also a 3-time Global Edition Champion and soon came under pressure from Anton who is only 18 years of age. Interestingly enough both drivers were also teammates when they took fourth place at the biggest ERacing competition in the world – The Lemans 24 Hours Virtual race in January earlier this year.
As the field went into the last quarter of the race, Anton finally managed a move down the inside of turn 6. He then held off for the win to take the championship lead from Aleef. In race two, Aleef got his revenge after hitting the front quite early in the race. He would go on to win race two with Anton in second and Malaysia’s Alister Yoong in third.
Inigo bagged fastest lap in both races and along with his pole position meant that he was crowned champion for the first time in eRacing GP. In the other 3 categories raced for at eRGP, there were championship wins for Malaysia’s Nico Sage in Silver edition, Muhammad Dzikri in Bronze, and a debut championship victory for Keith Moh in the Copper Edition.
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