Man Arrested After Threatening Square Enix With A “Repeat Of Kyoto Animation”

If you were to spend a lot of money gachaing for a mobile game, it’s perfectly acceptable to voice your complaint out in a respectable manner, or just try to manage your spending habits better. What isn’t acceptable is to threaten the game publisher responsible for the game with promised acts of arson similar to a recent tragedy.
That’s what 40-year old Kenichi Hiratsuka allegedly did; send a threatening email to Square Enix to burn down the company’s Shinjuku office. According to Fuji Network News, it reads:

“Gimme my money back for your shitty game. Want me to do a repeat of Kyoto Animation?”

He is referring to last month’s fire in Kyoto Animation’s Fushimi studio, which killed 35 employees and was started by a suspected arsonist.
Hiratsuka admitted to sending the message to the police. “I was pissed after losing at a game, so I ended up sending the message”. He had no gasoline or any other flammables in his place.
There is no official record on how much Hiratsuka spent on the mobile game, though we suspect it’s around the US$2,000 mark or so.


Sega Releases Music Video For Fishing Track From Sonic Frontiers

SEGA has released Fishing Vibes Somewhere In The Starfall Islands, a video showcasing the soundtrack from Sonic Frontiers (now available on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam). In this video, animation from Sonic Team has been paired with the BGM from a fishing spot in the Starfall Islands, a stage from Sonic Frontiers.
Tomoya Ohtani, Sound Director of Sonic Frontiers, said:

“I thought that the fishing spot in the Starfall Islands would be a nice, chill spot for players, so I decided to go with a lo-fi hip hop track for the BGM. I wanted to combine the music with lo-fi animation, so I asked Yui Karasuno, a designer from Sonic Team, to create the video.
Our combined efforts have led to a finished product that’s the pinnacle of “chill”. I would be happy if you could watch and listen to this video when you want to relax or as background music for when your work.”
In the meantime, head on over here for my review of Sonic Frontiers or check out my guide on how to be a supersonic hedgehog.


Daredevil & Other Marvel Series Are Leaving Netflix Next Month

It looks like Marvelâ€™s live-action shows on Netflix are leaving the streaming service starting on 28 February 2022 or 1 March 2022. The six shows that originally premiered on Netflix, including Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, The Punisher, Iron Fist, and The Defenders now feature an advisory in the top-left corner that they will soon be removed from the streaming service.
According to sources from Polygon, the rights to the Marvel Netflix shows has reverted to Disney, but Disney has yet to officially confirm or deny the rumours at the time of writing. This isn’t much of a surprise, considering that Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock AKA Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk AKA Kingpin have already crossed over to the Marvel Cinematic Universe via Spider-Man No Way Home and Hawkeye, respectively.
We’ll have to wait and see if there’s any truth to all this, but the signs are definitely pointing in the right direction. It’s time for these characters to be featured in the MCU proper.


Apex Legends Mobile Is Still Going To Happen

During their third-quarter earnings call, EA answered several questions, one of which was regarding the mobile version of Apex Legends. Apex Legends Mobile (not the official name) was initially announced late last year, with scarce details.
Thanks to the new financial report, we now know that the publisher is working with a Chinese developer on Apex Legends Mobile.
However, EA doesn’t reveal the name of the Chinese developer, choosing to instead keep it a secret for now. This isn’t the first instance of a Chinese developer with Western publishers on AAA mobile games. For example, Tencent subsidiary TiMi Studios developed Call Of Duty Mobile for Activision.
According to games industry analyst Daniel Ahmad, EA chief financial officer Blake Jorgensen said:

â€œRolling mobile out in China, you need to have a partner, and weâ€™re, as weâ€™ve said in the prepared remarks today, working with a partner there.
Weâ€™re very excited about the opportunity.â€

Electronic Arts has confirmed they’re working with a partner in China to create a mobile Apex Legends that will be released globally.
For reference. Activision worked with Tencent for Call of Duty Mobile. Blizzard partnered with NetEase for Diablo Immortal. pic.twitter.com/oCJzlsksi3
â€” Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) January 30, 2020

EA chief executive Andrew Wilson previously stated that Apex Legends Mobile would be available sometime in the 2021 fiscal year, which officially begins on 1 October 2020. However, that was from last year’s financial report, and no official release date has been revealed at the time of writing.
Call Of Duty Mobile recently took over the world by the storm with over 100 million downloads, so it’s not a surprise that everyone else is jumping on the mobile bandwagon. That’s clearly where the money is in the games industry right now.


MediEvil PS4 Demo Goes Live Today

Although it was leaked almost an entire day earlier, the PlayStation State Of Play live stream confirmed that the MediEvil PS4 remake demo has gone live on the PlayStation Store.
The MediEvil PS4 demo provides players with more incentive than just trying out the game ahead of its release. Players who manage to discover Danâ€™s Helmet item (an elusive piece of armour that appeared in the Japanese version of the original PS1 game) in the demo will be awarded an extra challenge when equipped in the full game.
Dubbed the Short-Live Demo, it is now available to download on the US PlayStation Store. It will be playable from today until 7 October 2019 at 7am PT (or 10pm GMT+8 on the same day). However, at the time of writing, it is still not available on the Asian PlayStation Store.
MidiEvil PS4 is slated to release on 25 October 2019. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfIMvVEiiNI&w=560&h=315]


PUBG Is Going Futuristic With A New Mobile Game

PUBG Corporation has announced a new mobile game called PUBG New State for Android and iOS devices.
Set in 2051,Â PUBG: New State takes place years in the future on a new map called Troi, featuring futuristic weapons and vehicles, like drones and deployable combat shields. It has a certain Call Of Duty Black Ops vibe to it. Players will also apparently be able to modify their weapons with attachments similar to that in other battle royale games like Apex Legends.

PUBG New State will actually be the third PUBG game to be released. However, it is only the second title to be developed by the original PUBG creators PUBG Corporation. This is because the popular PUBG Mobile was actually developed by Chinese developer Tencent. I’ll say this; PUBG New State does look a lot better than PUBG Mobile in terms of visuals.

PUBG New State will be available on Android and iOS sometime later in 2021, with alpha tests also set for later this year. For now, you can pre-register on the Google Play Store here.


New PS5 System Update Adds DualSense Edge Support

Sony has released a new firmware update for the PlayStation 5.
The new firmware, called the version 22.02-06.50.00 update, adds support for the upcoming DualSense Edge wireless controller. The update also improves system performance, though this bit isn’t specific or clear on what’s being worked on.
Speaking of Edge, the new DualSense Edge will be out on 26 January for RM999 in Malaysia. Here’s a quick press blurb on the controller which left out the part where the DualSense Edge has less battery life than the original controller:
“[T]he DualSense Edge wireless controller features a host of hardware and software-based personalization options, including button remapping, the ability to fine-tune stick sensitivity and triggers, options to swap between multiple control profiles, and a unique on-controller user interface.
You can make the DualSense Edge wireless controller uniquely yours with the included three changeable sets of stick caps and two changeable sets of back buttons.
Everything will come bundled in the included carrying case, and you can even charge the controller via USB connection while it’s stored in the case to make sure you’re always ready for your next play session.”


Cyberpunk 2077 Is Already The Top-Selling Game On Steam

We still have about three weeks or so until Cyberpunk 2077 launches on 10 December 2020. However, the latest game by CD Projekt Red is already at the top of Steam’s most recent weekly best-selling games list.
The Steam charts for the last week ending on 22 November 2020 show that Cyberpunk 2077 is now the top-selling game on the platform. What this means is that a lot of gamers are already pre-ordering the game almost a month before launch.
Other games on the Steam top-seller list include trending games like Phasmophobia and Among Us, as well as the recently-released Destiny 2 Beyond Light expansion and the soon-to-be-released Total War Warhammer 2 The Twisted And The Twilight DLC. Xseed-published game Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin also made it in the top 10.
Cyberpunk 2077 is slated to release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, and Google Stadia on 10 December 2020.
In the meantime, check out the latest PC specs for the game here, or head on over here for the contents of the game’s final Night City Wire live stream.


You Can Now Pre-Load Destiny 2 Beyond Light

Developed by Bungie,Â Destiny 2 Beyond LightÂ is the latest major expansion for the looter shooter. It will introduce a changed universe, with a new destination, new adventures, and even new powers to explore.
It is slated to launch on 10 November 2020.
According to Bungie, you can already pre-load Destiny 2 Beyond Light. While the Xbox One and PC versions of the game will be auto-updated as soon as they’re available, PS4 users will need to manually check for updates to ensure pre-loading starts.
PS4: From 9 November 2020 at 12pm GMT+8 (PS Plus subscribers will be able to pre-load even earlier, from 7 November 2020 at 12pm GMT+8).
Xbox One: From 10 November at 11am GMT+8.
PC: From 10 November at 11am GMT+8.
STORAGE REQUIREMENTS: Below are the updated storage requirements for Destiny 2 Beyond Light:
PlatformDestiny 2 Install SizeStorage Space Needed for InstallationXbox Series X/S65.7 GB65.7GBPS570.78 GB70.78 GBPS470.78 GB171.68 GBXbox One65.7 GB65.7 GBPC69.7 GB186.2 GB

https://youtube.com/watch?v=cthLUnEqT5k


Knockout City Is Going Free-To-Play Less Than A Year After Launch

Knockout City developer Velan Studios has announced that the online dodgeball game will go free-to-play and be self-published by them starting with the arrival of Season 6 this spring. EA will no longer be the publisher of the game, which originally launched on 21 May 2021.
In addition, Knockout City Season 5 Greatest Hits will begin on 1 March 2022. It will be a celebration of the best that the first year of Knockout City had to offer, such as Superpowers, Chain Reaction, Basketbrawl, and more, including some surprises.
In its blog post, Velan Studios said:
The other big change happening over the first few seasons of Year 2 is that we (Velan Studios) are going to be self-publishing Knockout City! From the day we founded our studio, weâ€™ve worked to deliver revolutionary new game experiences to you, our amazing community of players.
We couldnâ€™t have introduced Knockout City to the world without the incredible support of EA Originals, but now as we switch to free-to-play, the natural next step is for us to take over publishing responsibilities and work even more closely with our community.
We have exciting plans for Knockout City, and bringing publishing in-house will allow us to fully realize our vision for the long-term future of this game. Thereâ€™s so much to look forward to, because this is just the beginning.
Those who purchased Knockout City before the start of the upcoming free-to-play Season 6 will receive a special Season 6 Loyalty Bundle that will include exclusive legendary cosmetics, XP boosts, and 2,000 Holobux.
Knockout City is available now for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam and Origin.


Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 3 Delayed To June

If you were looking forward to the next season of Fortnite Chapter 2, it looks like you’ll have to wait.
Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 3 has been delayed to 4 June 2020, Epic Games revealed in a blog post earlier today. As such, Chapter 2 Season 2 will continue to go on beyond its initial 30 April 2020 end date.
There’ll still be new content to look forward to in the battle royale though. Epic wrote:

“Thereâ€™s lots of content coming in the current Season.
We have multiple game updates on the way that will deliver fresh gameplay, new Challenges, bonus XP, and a couple more surprises up our sleeve!”

The trailer for Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 2 (what a mouthful, eh?) showed up back in February, giving us a fun look at its spy theme and, er, banana skin. Now that Chapter 2 Season 3 has been pushed back, we’ll have to wait a little longer to see what it offers and whether it can top the sight of a banana onesie.


New Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition Screenshots Make The Original Obsolete

Nintendo initially gave us our first look at Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition in last month’s Nintendo Direct Mini 2020. It is slated to release for the Nintendo Switch next month on 29 May 2020.
The official Twitter account for the upcoming game has released various new screenshots depicting multiple characters, including Shulk, Fiora, Melia, and more. Japanese blog Hachima has compared these new screenshots with those from the original Wii version of the JRPG.
You can see how much more detailed and crisp the new visuals are, which will make the original game almost impossible to return to once Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition launches. The expressions on their faces look more natural and realistic, as opposed to the blurry older versions.

ã€Žã‚¼ãƒŽãƒ–ãƒ¬ã‚¤ãƒ‰ ãƒ‡ã‚£ãƒ•ã‚£ãƒ‹ãƒ†ã‚£ãƒ–ãƒ»ã‚¨ãƒ‡ã‚£ã‚·ãƒ§ãƒ³ã€ã§ã¯ã€ã‚°ãƒ©ãƒ•ã‚£ãƒƒã‚¯ã‚‚ãƒªãƒ‹ãƒ¥ãƒ¼ã‚¢ãƒ«ã—ã¦ã„ã‚‹ã‚“ã§ã™ã‚‚ï¼
ä¸»äººå…¬ã®ã‚·ãƒ¥ãƒ«ã‚¯ï¼ˆãƒœã‚¤ã‚¹ï¼šæµ…æ²¼æ™‹å¤ªéƒŽã•ã‚“ï¼‰ã¯ã“ã‚“ãªæ„Ÿã˜ã€‚ãƒ¢ãƒŠãƒ‰ã‚’æ§‹ãˆã‚‹å§¿ã€ã‹ã£ã“ã„ã„ã§ã™ã‚‚ï¼#ã‚¼ãƒŽãƒ–ãƒ¬ã‚¤ãƒ‰ pic.twitter.com/h3CFRaDolr
â€” ã‚¼ãƒŽãƒ–ãƒ¬ã‚¤ãƒ‰ç·åˆ (@XenobladeJP) April 27, 2020
Check out the comparisons below, all of which feature the Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition screenshots on top, with the original Wii version equivalent below them, respectively.

Besides improved visuals, Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition will also feature improved battle HUD and menu screens, as well as remastered and remixed music. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVfMySwUibQ&w=560&h=315]


Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone Reboot Is Coming Out Soon

2019 actually marks the 60th anniversary of the iconic and classic horror/sci-fi anthology series The Twilight Zone, which made its debut in 1959. A lot of shows have tried to emulate (or was inspired by) the show’s groundbreaking (at the time) format and shock value, most notable of which is Black Mirror.
That’s why it’s no coincidence that the current maestro of horror, Jordan Peele, is not only the executive producer of the new The Twilight Zone reboot, but he is also assuming the role of Rod Sterling all those years ago, presenting and narrating each episode of the upcoming series.
Peele has proven himself worthy of stepping into Sterling’s shoes, with horror hits like 2017’s Get Out and this year’s Us under his belt. Us was only recently released to widespread critical acclaim, and we also reviewed it here.
Confirmed actors for The Twilight Zone reboot so far include Taissa Farmiga, Adam Scott, John Cho, Kumail Nanjiani, Allison Tolman, Jacob Tremblay, Steven Yeun, DeWanda Wise, Ginnifer Goodwin, Sanaa Lathan, Tracy Morgan, Greg Kinnear, Zazie Beetz, Seth Rogen, and Chris O’Dowd.
The Twilight Zone reboot is slated to premiere on 1 April 2019 exclusively on streaming service CBS All Access. If you liked Black Mirror (or any other anthology TV series in the past 6 decades), you owe it to yourself to watch the series that started it all (although it’s a reboot).
In the meantime, check out the most recent trailer for Jordan Peele’s The Twilight Zone reboot below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni8trFWcp-c&w=560&h=315]


PUBG Mobile Royale Pass Season 19 Comes With Traverse-Themed Cosmetics

PUBG Mobile officially launched the Royale Pass (RP) Season 19 under the “Traverse” theme and as part of the version 1.4 update that brought new gameplay, mechanism and vehicle. PUBG MOBILE players and the community can experience the latest content including exclusive outfits, weapon skins, emotes, ornaments, and many more which differ from the previous season.
The ranks of all players have been reset according to their final rank at the end of season 18, and players can unlock various in-game rewards, all of which are playable and available for free via the App StoreÂ andÂ Google Play Store.
Royale Pass Season 19 content update has 100 ranks with exciting rewards in each rank. The rank will be unlocked if players are able to complete various missions and weekly challenges given or alternatively purchase ranks to climb up faster with 100UC per rank.
Players can use the Wheel of Fate feature to choose an outfit, between General Beetle or Queen Beetle outfit, when they reach the rank of 100 RP.
The items will be even more attractive from rank to rank, especially after touching the 100 RP rank, players can get a skin collection outfit and weapons, starting from Garden Observer set, Trendy Kitty set, Queen Beetle – Mini 14, and Wonderland – AKM.
The reward items that can be obtained during the Royale Pass (RP) mission is as follow:

Royale Pass
Item
Royale Pass
Item

RP 1
Garden Observer Suit
RP 50
Trendy Kitty Set

RP 5
Garden Observer mask
RP 60
Bug Exterminator Grenade

RP 10
General beetle Dance
RP 70
Crimson Beetle Helm

RP 15
Avatar Royale Pass 19
RP 85
Avatar General Beetle

RP 25
Border Avatar Royale Pass 19
RP 90
Wonderland AKM

RP 30
Gemstone Scarab Backpack
RP 100
General Beetle Set or Queen Beetle Set

RP 40
Finish Ancient Vine

Players can also increase their Royale Pass rank, through teamwork with the new RP Team feature. With this feature, players can work together and complete various kinds of missions together. Additionally, there is also a Royale Adventure event to explore each station and collect every supply that can be exchanged for a Wonderland motorcycle skin.
Apart from the beginning of season 19, PUBG MOBILE esports will soon start the biggest esports tournament in Southeast Asia, PUBG MOBILE Pro League Southeast Asia (PMPL SEA) Season 3, happening from 21 May and runs through till 23 May 2021.
This match will showcase the best PUBG Mobile teams in the Southeast Asia region who will fight to be the champion. This event is not only anticipated by fans but also by world celebrities including Rich Brian, the artist who serves â€œSYDNEYâ€ as the official song of PMPL, you can also check the special message here.
Don’t miss it, watch and support your favourite team at PMPL SEA Season 3!


Vanillaware’s 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Livestream Premieres Tomorrow; Here’s How To Catch It

VanillaWare is best known for titles like Odin Sphere Leifthrasir and Dragonâ€™s Crown Pro. Their last game was over three years ago, and fans are anxiously awaiting the next one. They won’t have to wait long, because the developer will be hosting a special live stream reveal for the game tomorrow on 18 July 2019.
A five-minute video will premiere at 12pm JST (or 11am GMT+8) on Youtube and Periscope. Perhaps we will finally receive a definite release date and more details about the upcoming game in the video.
On the same day, Atlus will host a live stream featuring special guests on YouTube and Periscope. The pre-show will begin at 6pm JST (or 5pm GMT+8) while the main show is set for 8pm JST (or 7pm GMT+8).
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is described as a “dramatic adventure” divided between adventure segments and battles involving the titular mecha Sentinels. Set in a fictionalized 1980, the story follows thirteen high school students as they are dragged into a futuristic war.


Gear Up for Malaysia’s First CoD:WW2 LAN Event of 2018

Game lounge pioneers, Kitamen are organizing the first, nationwide Call of Duty: World War 2 LAN tourney on the PS4 this month. Starting with their outlet in Shah Alam this 11th of February, the tour will also be held at two other venues; Sungai Petani in Kedah and Muar in Johor ensuring that even gamers outside of the central area aren’t forgotten. With a total prize pool of RM4500 across all three locations, winners of each region stand to win the following –
Champions: RM700
Runners-up: RM500
Third place: RM300
Yep. RM1500 is allocated to winners of each region so that tallies it all up to RM4500 in total.

The tournament structure:

4v4 Team Match
Double Elimination Knock-Out.
Best-of-three; Hardpoint (Game 1), Search and Destroy (Game 2), Capture the Flag (Game 3)
Final match will be best of 5.

Now you’re asking – how much to enter? It’s free, really. Except for the ‘Commitment Fee’ of RM10 to secure your team slot, which will be returned to you on tournament day. Peripherals such as headsets and controllers will be provided, although participants are encouraged to bring their own gear.
For more info, you can head over to Kitamen’s official page on Facebook. Registrations are now open and you can sign up your team here as well. (for Shah Alam).


Batman Soul Of The Dragon Trailer Teases 70s Kung Fu Fury

The first funky trailer for Batman Soul Of The Dragon has arrived. It is set to be the first DC Comics animated movie to premiere next year; 12 January 2021 on Digital and 26 January 2021 on Blu-Ray.
The R-rated animated movie is an Elseworlds story set in the 1970s, featuring kung fu action galore. It’s not based on anything from the comics, so it will be interesting to see what kind of kung fu shenanigans Batman will get into.
The Dark Knight (voiced by GrimmÂ star David Giuntoli) will team up with Ben Turner/Bronze Tiger (Arrow star Michael Jai White reprising his live-action role) Richard Dragon (Mark Dacascos), and Lady Shiva (Kelly Hu) under the tutelage of O-Sensei (James Hong).

The voice cast also boasts Josh Keaton as Jeffrey Burr, alongside Grey Griffin, Chris Cox, Erica Luttrell, Robin Atkin Downes, Patrick Seitz, Jamie Chung, and Eric Bauza.
The official synopsis reads:
“Set in the midst of the swinging 1970s, this Elseworlds adventure finds Bruce Wayne training under a master sensei. It is here that Bruce, along with other elite students, is forged in the fire of the martial arts discipline. The lifelong bonds they form will be put to the test when a deadly menace arises from their past. It will take the combined efforts of Batman, world-renowned martial artists Richard Dragon, Ben Turner, and Lady Shiva and their mentor O-Sensei to battle the monsters of this world and beyond!”
It sounds like something from those classic martial arts films. It will be directed by Sam Liu, and executive produced by the legendary Bruce Timm of Batman The Animated Series fame, amongst others.
Batman Soul Of The Dragon is only one of several exciting DC Comics animated movies coming in 2021, including a Batman The Long Halloween adaptation and a Justice Society World War II movie.
Check out the trailer below, courtesy of an exclusive first look from IGN:


Xbox Games Showcase & Starfield Direct Double Happening On 12 June

Microsoft has announced that the Xbox Games Showcase will be live-streamed on 12 June 2023 at 1am GMT+8. It will be immediately followed by Starfield Direct, a deep-dive into Bethesda Game Studios’ highly anticipated sci-fi RPG.
The Xbox Games Showcase will feature new surprises and first looks at what is coming to Xbox, PC, and Game Pass. Meanwhile, Starfield Direct will invite you inside Bethesda Game Studios to learn much, much more about Starfield, with tons of new gameplay, developer interviews, and behind-the-scenes insider information.
Like last year, there will also be an Xbox Games Showcase Extended airing on 14 June 2023 at 1am GMT+8, with in-depth interviews focused on the news from the Xbox Games Showcase as well as game updates.
You’ll be able to watch the live streams through a variety of outlets, and in over 30 languages, and American Sign Language, British Sign Language and English Audio Descriptions.

YouTube.com/Xbox
Twitch.tv/Xbox
Twitch.tv/XboxASL
Facebook.com/Xbox


Malaysian-Representative Visual Effects Artist Shortlisted For Epic Games’ Women Creators Programme

Update (21/8/2022): The headline has been rectified to portray the story accurately and to avoid confusion regarding Zubaida Nila’s nationality. Kakuchopurei regrets the error and apologizes to Zubaida Nila for any inconvenience caused.
Epic Games’ Unreal Engine has announced the conclusion of the second edition of The Women Creators Programme on 11 August, 2022. The initiative, in partnership with Open Air Films, ASIFA India and Perforce Software provided India and Southeast Asian women producers with a paid six-week virtual in-depth training and mentoring programme.
The programme, the first of its kind for Epic in Southeast Asia, aims to equip the next generation of real-time animators, with a particular focus on inspiring and empowering women creators in India and Southeast Asia. From over 178 applications across Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, 21 women were shortlisted to be mentored by former Unreal fellowship graduates.
These include Singaporean Digital Creative Director Jessica Tan, Indonesian Producer Ellen Xie and Visual Effects Artist Zubaida Nila, who is representing Malaysia.
Zubaida Nila.
The finalists underwent one-on-one mentoring and virtual workshops, ending phase 1 of the program with a pre-visualization demo and evaluation. The creators then entered the second phase of the programme, where they learned the latest VFX techniques in real-time world building, lighting, sequencing, and virtual production using cloud-driven virtual machines. After the final training and assessment, they were given the opportunity to showcase their short films and share more about their journey and inspirations during the event.
Zubaida Nila, a visual effects artist and virtual production researcher, was deeply interested in elevating her lighting, post-process and FX skills with the evolving features of Unreal Engine 5 to create cinematic-ready content for ICVFX (in-camera visual effects) for films and commercials. Taking part in The Women Creators Program 2022 has allowed her to experiment and have control over high-end rendering processes.
Zubaida debuted her first CGI short film at the Women Creators Programme — titled “Into The Devigation”. The short film addresses the behind-the-scenes struggles of post-production artists and their magical aspiration to transition to a surreal less technologically chaotic environment.
In a statement, Zubaida said:
“The Women Creators Programme has been a huge milestone in my virtual production career path – from being inspired to being confident with my CGI skills using the most popular game engine, Unreal Engine!
I am blessed for the opportunity to have been trained by the Unreal Evangelists, other mentors and most importantly, building an amazing support system with the fantastic creators. The programme is a great incubator to encourage more women to develop the industry technical skillsets and strengthen female representation in the VFX & Virtual Production field.”
Shruti Verma, Business Lead – India and Southeast Asia, Epic Games, said:
“The Women Creators Programme 2022 builds on the success of the first edition, with the programme expanding into Southeast Asia for the first time this year. Our goal is not just to nurture some of the top women professionals in the VFX space, but to also build the foundation of an ecosystem of women creators, storytellers, producers, and animation professionals. We hope the finalists have been well-equipped by the mentorship and training to bring their ideas to life with Unreal Engine.”


Avengers: Endgame Officially Returns To Cinemas With Extra Goodies

Disney is definitely going for the record of the US$2.78 billion (RM11.6 billion) set by James Cameron’s Avatar as Kevin Feige confirmed that the superhero blockbuster will get a theatrical rerelease with extra footage that wasn’t included in the movie’s initial release.
Avengers: Endgame‘s earnings currently stands at US$2.74 billion globally.

According to Screen Rant, Feige told them that it isn’t anÂ extended cut of the 3-hour epic, but it will have extra surprises for people who stay.

“Not an extended cut, but there will be a version going into theaters with a bit of a marketing push with a few new things at the end of the movie. If you stay and watch the movie, after the credits, thereâ€™ll be a deleted scene, a little tribute, and a few surprises. Which will be next weekend.”

When asked when is the movie returning, Feige told ComicBook.com that it will be returning next weekend.

“I don’t know if it’s been announced. And I don’t know how much… Yeah, we’re doing it next weekend.”

Who would’ve thought that we’re going to fill in the cinemas again given the hype surrounding the movie. Interestingly, the movie will be returning next weekend, a few days before Spider-Man: Far From Home‘s premiere, allowing fans to relive the Endgame moments before moving on to the neighbourhood friendly web swinger.


Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance Remaster Gatecrashes Current Consoles This Week

CRPG fans got a different Baldur’s Gate experience back in 2001 when Interplay released a spinoff of the hit CRPG series on PS2 and Xbox back in 2001 onward. Instead of it being an epic single-player CRPG, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance was a multiplayer action RPG with some D&D stuff in it.
Now console gaming fans will get to relive their co-op fantasy action RPG experience with the Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance remaster for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch this 7th May. That’s this week, come to think of it. For US$29.99, you get enhanced graphics and up to 4K resolution on supported platforms, and also local co-op play.
Check out the short trailer below:


Psychonauts 2 Guide: How To Brave Through Double Fine’s Latest

Psychonauts 2 is out now for Xbox consoles, PS4, and PC. It comes highly recommended if you love awesome storytelling and fun 3D platforming gameplay featuring mind powers and puns aplenty.
Here are some basic tips to maximize your experience as Raz the intern.
Explore & Pace Yourself
Psychonauts 2 isn’t a speedrun kinda game; it’s a 3D platformer with wide-open spaces and hubs filled with secrets and collectibles. You can even uncover a sidequest or two as you explore the many open areas such as the Motherlobe, the Quarry, and the Questionable Area theme park. Go hang out with Raz’s family, or talk to a bunch of oddball characters or two; there’s a lot of fun stories and jokes to dig up.
Figure Out The Best Psychic Skills To Rank Up First

At the start of the game, you begin with these basic psychic skills: Levitation, PSI-Blast, Pyrokinesis, Telekinesis, Clairvoyance, and your melee attack.
You’ll gain new ones along the way, in this particular order:

Mental Connection: Connect and grapple between thought bubbles placed throughout the game, enabling you to traverse unreachable spots.
Time Bubble: Slows down objects and enemies in a time bubble.
Astral Projection: Summons a Raz Archetype with GIR’s voice and can squeeze through small and tiny crevasses. Acts as a decoy during combat.

We suggest spending your early Intern Credits on the following:

Telekinesis Rank II: Extra Mustard. Fling objects with increased force to deal more damage.
Telekinesis Rank III: Sleight of Hand. Cooldowns between TK plucks are shortened.
Pyrokinesis Rank II: Bonfire. Wider fire range.
Levitation Rank II: Wrecking Ball. Hurt enemies while you’re rolling on your ball.
Mental Connection Rank II: Sucker Punch. Grapple enemies, then damage them after with a quick knuckle sandwich.
Time Bubble Rank II: Quick Time. You can use Time Bubble a tad more frequently.

Turn On “Triple Jump To Glide” and “Levitation Ball Pulldown From Glide” If You Want Extra Powers To Map
If you like using Levitation but don’t want to have it equipped on your trigger buttons all the time, try this tip. In the Controls option, turn on the following: “Use Triple Jump To Glid”e and “Levitation Ball Pulldown From Glide” (via Seth Marionello). This will allow you to seamless transition from gliding to Lev Ball on the ground.
That way, you have one extra psychic power to map (for combat purposes) and you can use Levitation without needing to equip and unequip it.
Once You Get Astral Projection And Fully Upgrade Your Mental Connection Rank, You Can Start 100%ing The Previous Stages

The Astral Projection and the Rank 5 Mental Connection powerup (where you can connect dark thoughts) are the last few powerups you need before you can collect every single thing in Psychonauts 2.
In fact, after you finish the game, you can continue playing post-game to get 100% in each level. You can use the Brain Tumbler in Sasha’s Lab to go to the Collective Unconscious to revisit past minds and fever dreams.Â In other words, don’t worry about getting locked out of collecting everything in the game while in the story mode itself.

Psychonauts 2 Psychic Skills List
All inputs are using the Xbox controller.
Melee
Rank I: Base Power. You have a punch and an airborne ground pound.
Rank II: Dodge Attack. Press X while dodging to execute a Dodge attack. Requires 1 Intern Credit to unlock.
Rank III: Slap Happy. Get in an extra attack with your melee combo.
Rank IV: Shockwave. Add a radial shockwave to your ground pound that damages and pushes enemies back. Costs 5 Intern Credits to unlock.
Telekinesis
Rank I: Base Power.
Rank II: Extra Mustard. Fling objects with increased force to deal more damage. Requires 1 Intern Credit to unlock.
Rank III: Sleight of Hand. Cooldowns between TK plucks are shortened.
Rank IV: Swift Lift. Objects that are stuck in place are plucked faster. Costs 5 Intern Credits to unlock.
PSI Blast
Rank I: Base Power.
Rank II: Overcharge. Hold to charge your blast for a bigger explosion upon release.
Rank III: Mind Mag. Gain an additional blast before having to recharge.
Rank IV: Chain Brain. On impact, bursts into smaller PSI Blast projectiles that do less damage.
Pyrokinesis
Rank I: Base Power.
Rank II: Bonfire. Pyrokinesis burns a larger area. Requires 1 Intern Credit to unlock.
Rank III: Slow Cooker. Pyrokinesis damage duration is increased.
Rank IV: Tres Bon Fire. Pyrokinesis burns a MUCH larger area. Costs 5 Intern Credits to unlock.
Levitation
Rank I: Base Power.
Rank II: Wrecking Ball. Your Levitation Ball will damage enemies if you slam into them at higher speeds.
Rank III: Pouncy Ball. Hold X to compress your Lev Ball, then release to bounce high in the air.
Rank IV: Levastation! Increases the devastation of Wrecking Ball attacks. Costs 5 Intern Credits to unlock.
Clairvoyance
Rank I: Base Power.
Rank II: Lasting Gaze. Revealed hidden objects stay visible longer.
Rank III: Mental Block. Take no damage for a brief period when entering Clairvoyance.
Rank IV: Limitless. Your powers are no longer restricted by cooldowns. Costs 5 Intern Credits to unlock. Requires Rank 102.
Mental Connection
Rank I: Base Power.
Rank II: Sucker Punch. Dishes out a free knuckle sandwich to incoming grappled enemies for bonus damage.
Rank III: Think Fast. Cooldowns between enemy grapples are shortened.
Rank IV: Dark Thoughts. Connect to Dark Thoughts to reach previously untraversable areas.
Time Bubble
Rank I: Base Power.
Rank II: Quick Time. Decreases cooldowns between Time Bubbles.
Rank III: Time Zone. Time Bubble affects a large area rather than a single target.
Rank IV: Overstay. Increases Time Bubble duration. Requires 7 Intern Credits to unlock.
Projection
Rank I: Base Power.
Rank II: Medi-Pal. Your Archetype has a healing presence that slowly restores mental energy.
Rank III: Two-Ply. Your Archetype can take twice as much damage. Requires 5 Intern Credits to unlock.
Rank IV: Paper Cuts. Enemies take damage when they melee attack your Archetype.

Psychonauts 2 Video Walkthroughs
Here are the walkthroughs for each level in the game beyond the first.Â It’s spoiler-filled, so here’s your warning:

Hollis’ Classroom & Hollis’ Hot Streak (Stage 2)

Compton’s Cookoff (Stage 3)

Strike City – Ford’s Brain (Stage 4)

Psi King’s Sensorium (Stage 5)

Cruller’s Correspondence (Stage 6)

Ford’s Follicle & Tomb of the Sharkophagus (Stage 7 + 8)

Cassie’s Collection (Stage 9)

Bob’s Bottles (Stage 10)

Lucrecia’s Lament (Stage 11)

Fatherland Follies (Stage 12)

Final Boss Fight

All Memory Vault Locations


Is Fortnite’s Latest Season Going To Shake The Meta Up?

Recently we were treated with a Kaiju vs. Mech battle smack dab right in the middle of the Fortnite map. It may have just been around 4 or 5 minutes long but it was pretty damn awesome to watch. Nothing of that scale was ever done before in Fortnite.
Season 10 is not too far away now and everyone’s excited to see what’s in store. With each new season comes new skins, cosmetics, map changes, challenges, and more. Season 9’s final week of challenges was supposed to end around 18 July 2019 but it seems that the season is getting overtime and have been extended to around 1 August 2019.
So far, not much has been revealed about Season 10. No release date yet but we’re expecting it to drop a bit after 1 August 2019. The only confirmed details are just two teaser images that were uploaded by the Fortnite official Twitter account.
“Think back. 8.1.2019”
Look forward. 8.1.2019
The captions attached to the images seem to imply that time will be a major theme in Season 10. The image captioned “Think back” is actually showing the Dusty Depot in its un-meteored condition. For those of you unfamiliar, the Dusty Depot was destroyed by a meteor all the way back in Season 4.
The second image showing a mech is possibly the flip side of this theme. If the Dusty Depot represents a return of something from the past then the mech could be the something that has come from the future. Note that the logo on the left side of the image is actually the same one you’d find on the Visitor.

The Visitor was a character featured in Season 4 and was a time traveller who was also responsible for the rifts we see throughout the map.

The Visitor.
There’s a strong possibility that these irregularities in time will be represented in the form of a map change and perhaps even a mech suit for players to wear. Unfortunately, speculation is all we have at the moment as no other details have been revealed.
The Fortnite World Cup 2019 just concluded with Bugha bringing home the grand prize of US$3 million. The finals were watched by more than 2 million live viewers. It’s no doubt that Fortnite esports is big and every season introduces new elements to the meta.
With potential map changes such as the restoration of an area that is now an abandoned research facility plus the possibility of an uber-weapon like a mech, things can get very unpredictable.
So are you excited to see the Dusty Depot possibly coming back? Or are we going to get a new version of the The Visitor’s skin? Will we be able to pilot mech suits and obliterate everyone like we could back then with the Infinity Blade?
Let’s wait and find out.


This Is Hideo Kojima’s Plan For A Death Stranding Sequel

It’s been almost a month since the long-awaited launch of Death Stranding, and many gamers have already finished the game, clamouring for a sequel to the game [Really?!? – Mr Toffee]. Kojima has revealed what he would do for a follow-up to his divisive game.
In an interview with Vulture, Kojima briefly touched on what he would do with a Death Stranding sequel, and if he would want to work again with Norman Reedus. He said, that if he were to work on a sequel with Norman Reedus again, he would:

â€œ…would start from zero.â€

Yes, that’s literally all he said on the matter. It could mean that a new game would simply take place in the same world or universe as Death Stranding, but feature a brand new story unrelated to Sam Porter Bridges’.
Regardless of how vague that is, fans of the legendary games figure will still lap up whatever he produces next, so let’s brace ourselves for more mysteries to come in the future. In the meantime, check out our review of Death Stranding here.


Halo Infinite Designer Leaves 343 Industries

Halo InfiniteÂ designer Kolbe Payne has officially left 343 Industries. According to a recent tweet (via GameSpot), 7 January 2021 was his last day working for the developer and he is now working for Darksiders franchise developer Gunfire Games.
Previously, Payne was a campaign level/gameplay designer on Halo Infinite from April 2019 to January 2021. According to his LinkedIn page, he worked for 343 Industries on a contractual basis. Although he’s now at Gunfire Games, it’s unclear what game he’s working on as a newly-appointed junior level designer at the studio.
Gunfire Games’ last title was 2020’s Chronos: Before The Ashes for the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

It's time I updated this! Today is my last day on Halo Infinite. Excited for the future. ? pic.twitter.com/dGY7eoABzh
— Kolbe Payne (@kolbepayne) January 7, 2021

The game was originally supposed to launch in Holiday 2020 butÂ has been delayed to sometime in 2021. Payne isn’t the first to leave the project, as one of the directors also left 343 Industries last year.
In the meantime, stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for all the latest news on the Xbox Series X, and check outÂ all the latest updates and developments on all things Xbox to date here.


All The New Games From The 505 Games Showcase

505 Games has a few titles to announce for its summer showcase. If they’re anything like their previous titles Chorus and Ghostrunner, we’re in for a unique ride.
We had an early sneak preview of the showcase and the titles involved; here they are.
Among The Trolls

Among The Trolls is an upcoming first-person survival game from Forbidden Studios, who are made up of ex-Skyrim and game engine Unity developers. You’re thrust into a Finland forest after dire circumstances, and somehow got lost in it. You also find out that there are trolls and invisible fairy folk running around the place you’re stuck in. So you’re on your merry way to survive in the forest while finding out the mysteries and legends of trolls and Finnish folklore that’s entrapped in the world.
This title looks like the most chillax game of the lot; you just scrounge and forage for materials and fix things/eat to survive while exploring the pretty but seemingly barren Finland forest. You still need to manage your energy and hunger levels, and create shelter and weapons as soon as you can. Luckily, your character can gain Sisu (Grit), Vaki (Magic) and Lykky (Luck) that can help you survive among the trolls, either to help you survive or befriend magical beings along the way. Apart from all of that, the game feels and looks more serene than you think, delivering a supposed “audiovisual experience” that combines nostalgia, strangeness, and modern/ancient instrumentation alongside authentic Nordic nature sounds.
Among The Trolls will be out in 2022 in Early Access form for PC (Steam). The game will be divided into four chapters, with the first one launching first. After a few months, the next chapter will be released.
Stray Blade

A pretty nifty-looking action RPG made by a small German team called Point Blank Games. You are stuck in a fantasy world and the only way out is to kill the major bosses situated all over the continent. Helping you out is your midget wolf buddy Boji who can support you and assist you with weaponry and buffs. But for the majority of the fighting, you’re on your own.
Luckily, the game features really flexible combat controls and Devil May Cry-style techniques; no handguns but lots of swordplay and magic. The weapon progression is tailored so that you can master all weapons without losing your progression with the one you’ve held on to.
Stray Blade will have a beta happening soon this year on PC; you can sign up on the website here. The full game will be out for PC and consoles in 2023.
Miasma Chronicles

From Bearded Ladies, the devs who made Mutant Year Zero, comes this new game featuring a tag-team duo in a post-apocalyptic universe. The kid in the trailer above has a sci-fi glove that manipulates metal and dark matter.
That’s pretty much it, save for these screenshots that teases how the gameplay might look like. It looks like a third-person action adventure title with combat and stealth elements.

Miasma Chronicles will be out in 2023 for PC and consoles.
Which Ones Look Good?
If you’re into relaxing first-person survival titles with some good tech backing it up, you have Among The Trolls. This may be a hidden gem to some when it’s out, but personally it’s not for me.
The one I’m looking forward to is Stray Blade, because I could use some action RPG high-flying swordfighting in my system. The beta should be available sometime in 2022 for PC users, so that’s something to look forward to.
I wish I could say more about Miasma Chronicles apart from saying that you’ll probably control it XCOM-like but in real-time. It’s hard to say, but don’t count this out yet as it’s from the same folks who gave us the zany Mutant Year Zero. We just need more than a cinematic trailer though.
On that note, we should point out that the showcase talked about Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising. You probably read our review and saw our videos, but here’s a link to point you to that direction in case you forget.


Level-5 Hard At Work On A New Ni No Kuni Game

It’s been a year plus since the last Ni No Kuni title –it’s good stuff, FYI– but somehow or other, its developer Level-5 is hard at work making a sequel at the moment.
At least, according to its president Akihiro Hino (via Nikkei & Dualshockers), who said that a new game in the fantasy series is confirmed. The title will be announced or be in public view after the release of the upcoming film at the end of August. That’s a lot of faux Ghibli-stylized action to look forward to this year.
In the meantime, why not be happy at the fact that the first game is getting a remastered version for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch?


HBO GO April 2023: Our Picks & Highlights

I’m sure you won’t want to waste time sifting through HBO GO’s extensive catalogue of shows and movies just to decide on what to watch. The streaming site updates its site every day, week, and month with new content, so I’m here to save your precious time.
Here are my personal recommendations and highlights for HBO GO April 2023 lineup and how to fill up your free time with worthwhile content at home:
Memory (8 April 2023)
M_06677_RC(right) Liam Neeson stars as “Alex Lewis” in director Martin Campbell’s MEMORY, an Open Road Films / Briarcliff Entertainment release.Credit: Rico Torres | Open Road Films / Briarcliff Entertainment
When Alex, an expert assassin struggling with memory loss, refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organisation, he becomes a target. Stars Liam Neeson, Guy Pearce, Monica Bellucci, Taj Atwal, Ray Fearon and Harold Torres.
Premieres Saturday, April 8 at 9pm on HBO (Astro Ch 411) and HBO GO.

Barry Season 4 (17 April 2023)

Created by Alec Berg and Bill Hader, follow as Cousineau is hailed as a hero as Barry’s arrest has shocking consequences. It’s all been leading up to this – the explosive and hilarious final chapter of Barry. Stars Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Anthony Carrigan, Henry Winkler, Robert Wisdom, Michael Irby, Fred Melamed, Andrew Leeds, Patrick Fischler and Jessy Hodges.
Premieres Monday, April 17 at 10am on HBO (Astro Ch 411) and HBO GO.

The Last 10 Years (21 April 2023)

Twenty-year-old Matsuri Takabayashi learns that she only has ten years to live due to an incurable disease. She decides to not dwell on her life and to not fall in love, but she meets Kazuto Manabe at a school reunion. Stars Nana Komatsu, Kentarô Sakaguchi, Yûki Yamada, Nao Honda, Lily Franky and Hideko Hara.
Premieres Friday, April 21 on HBO GO.

Minions The Rise Of Gru (22 April 2023)

The mischievous Minions are back for more wacky adventures with the untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain. Stars the voices of Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Taraji P. Henson, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin.
Premieres Saturday, April 22 at 9pm on HBO (Astro Ch 411) and HBO GO.
Check out our review here.

Love & Death (27 April 2023)

This limited series tells the true story of Candy and Pat Montgomery and Betty and Allan Gore – two churchgoing couples enjoying their smalltown Texas life… until an extramarital affair leads somebody to pick up an axe. Elizabeth Olsen and Jesse Plemons star in this riveting drama written by David E. Kelley and directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.
Premieres Thursday, April 27 on HBO GO.

You can subscribe to HBO GO online at https://www.hbogoasia.my/ or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store for RM23.30/month. You can also access HBO GO via Astro. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.


Cyberpunk Bartending Action N1RV Ann-A Announced, Due 2020

Calling all fans of VA-11 Hall-A, the pretty awesome cyberpunk visual novel for PC that focuses on bartending, awesome chatter with corgis and sex dolls, and awesome neo retro-esque music (at least in my humble opinion). Developer Sukeban Games is releasing an upcoming visual novel set in the same universe called N1RV Ann-A ~Trouble In False Paradise for the PC, Nintendo Switch, and PS4.

https://www.facebook.com/kakuchopurei/videos/244312112926365/
The bad news? It’s coming out in 2020. While we wait with bated breath, here’s what we know:

Like we said, it takes place in the same universe as VA11 Hall-A, but instead of Glitch City, the main locale is Saint Alicia, an “idyllic tourist paradise with an upscale bar called N1RV Ann-A.”
Saint Alicia itself is nice on the outside but “harbours mafia extortion, human trafficking, and other sordid crimes” as its main economy.
Our main character this time is bartender Sam, who is in a relationship with a partner named Leon who moonlights as a Yakuza. On top of that, she has to take care of her 8-year old son Tony.
If it’s anything like the first game, we may have multiple endings depending on how well you interact with your customers.

Check out the sweet, sweet retrotastic screencaps below. I really dig the placement of the Save/Load options on the top left and how “90s PC bishoujo game-like” it looks.
Two more years until it’s out. Hope you like waiting!


New Star Wars The Rise Of Skywalker Video Reveals First Look At Ed Sheeran Cameo

Disney and Lucasfilm have released a new video that looks back on the past 40 years of the Star Wars franchise, tugging nostalgia strings of every fan. It mostly shows footage from the Original and Sequel trilogy, which shows a lack of respect for the Prequels. Weirdly enough, George Lucas is only glimpsed for a second in the video, despite the fact that the franchise wouldn’t even exist without him.
However, the video is just over two minutes long, so they couldn’t have crammed everything from the past four decades in it. Severa snippets do reveal behind the scenes look at the upcoming Star Wars Episode IX The Rise Of Skywalker, with our first look at the two cameo roles of two famous celebrities.
This includes renowned singer Ed Sheeran, who will cameo in the upcoming movie as a First Order stormtrooper, likely similar to the way that James Bond actor Daniel Craig did in Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens. Take a look at the British singer below, all smiles in a stormtrooper suit.

Meanwhile, the other famous celebrity to receive a cameo in the upcoming movie is award-winning actor and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, best known for his music on Broadway productions as well as movies like Disney’s Moana and even Star Wars The Force Awakens.
He can be seen in the video wearing what seems to be a Resistance fighter garb, alongside Naomi Ackie, who plays new supporting character Jannah in Star Wars The Rise Of Skywalker.

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker is slated to release on 20 December 2019. In the meantime, check out the new video below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mml9IGoDia8&w=560&h=315]


McLaren F1 Race Car Recreated In LEGO Form

LEGO has announced the LEGO Technic McLaren F1 Race Car. It’s essentially a recreation of the famous F1 car in LEGO form.
For 2022, the LEGO Technic designers have worked closely with the designers at McLaren Racing. Both sets of experts developed their model at the same time, making this a very special collaboration. Just like the real car, this LEGO Technic version features a V6 cylinder engine with moving pistons, steering, suspension and differential.
This is a detailed model replica of McLarenâ€™s 2022 F1 car with this LEGOÂ® Technic McLaren Formula 1 Race Car (42141) building set for adults. It includes features like the V6 cylinder engine with moving pistons, steering, suspension and differential for precision cornering
This LEGO Technic McLaren F1 model measures over 5 in. (13 cm) high, 25.5 in. (65 cm) long and 10.5 in. (27 cm) wide. It’s coming out on 1 March 2022, but you can bookmark the page for the LEGO by heading over here.
Check it out below:


Here’s How You Can Score A Razer-Themed Proton Iriz

Razer Pay is set to be the official e-wallet for Malaysia Tech Week 2019 (MTW19) and to celebrate that occasion, Razer Fintech (the financial tech arm of the company) will be giving away a Razer Edition 2019 Proton Iriz.
MTW19 is a city-wide festival of industry-driven events that will bring together the best of Malaysian corporates, ecosystem partners, investors, regulators, and tech start-ups along with delegations from around the world to the tech hub of Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The giveaway contest began on 1 June 2019 and has since received over 200,000 entries. You can do the same if you have the Razer Pay app installed on your phone. Here’s what you have to do to win a Razer-themed green and black Proton Iriz:

Each transaction made with Razer Pay will count towards one entry.
The higher the number of entries, the higher the chances of winning the Proton Iriz.

The giveaway will end on 30 June 2019.
Razer Pay is available now on the Google Play Store and iOS App Store. In the meantime, feast your eyes on the Razer Edition 2019 Proton Iriz below.


Overwatch League: Atlanta & Toronto – Same Colors, Two Totally Different Philosophies

A few days back, two new Overwatch League franchises, Toronto Defiant and Atlanta Reign unveiled their official names and colors. Many would point out how their decisions to go with red and black is akin to school kids copying each other’s work without making it so obvious.

But the similarities stop there.
Upon revealing their rosters – or at least, an early list of it – both teams appear to be at opposite ends when it comes to their preparation for the upcoming Overwatch League season. Atlanta went down the Philly Fusion route of fielding a combination of top-tier DPS players, supported by equally impressive supports and tanks lineup from various regions.
They signed former 6nakes support, StevenÂ “Kodak”Â Rosenberger who is an upcoming German talent and has been dubbed the ‘Jjonak of the West’ while Russian DPS IlyaÂ “NLaaeR”Â Koppalov could be regarded as the second coming of ShaDowBurn. However, the biggest name to join Atlanta Reign is none other than the highly controversial (yet entertaining)Â DanielÂ “dafran”Â Francesca.
Notorious for intentionally throwing games in the past which resulted him being banned from the pro circuit for a while, dafran was easily one of the best players yet to set foot on the Overwatch League stage. Building a franchise has always been hard and to run one consisting of players from several regions with no commonality apart from wearing the same colors – that’s a gigantic task.
Some succeeded as in the case of Boston Uprising who went through Stage 3 undefeated while the Philadelphia Fusion went all the way to the Grand Finals. On the other hand… well justÂ ask Dallas Fuel.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbGv759-FTk&w=560&h=315]
On the opposite side of the spectrum (and more inland), we have the Toronto Defiant. Unlike Atlanta, Toronto went down the safer route of recruiting (so far) an all-Korean lineup. Led by league veterans in ex-LA Valiant flexÂ Kang-jaeÂ “envy”Â Lee and Se-hyeonÂ “Neko”Â Park, formerly of Boston Uprising, it’s fair to say that Toronto are better equipped compared to their similar-shaded rival.

Toronto, your Defiant roster is finally here. âœŒï¸ #OWL2019 #RiseTogether
Main Tank: @yakpung
Main Support: @Aid_OW
DPS: @owivy2, @dohyung6130
Flex Tank: @envyow
Flex Support: @ow_neko pic.twitter.com/vImkj711ZQ
â€” Toronto Defiant (@TorontoDefiant) October 30, 2018
Toronto are also stacked in the coaching department, as they are led byÂ Beom-joonÂ “Bishop”Â Lee, formerly of London Spitfire. Former Seoul Dynasty coaching staffÂ Yoon-hoÂ “Bubbly”Â Cho is also on board as Bishop’s assistant while ex-LA Valiant coachÂ Dong-wookÂ “Don”Â Kim will serve as strategic coach.
However, familiarity does not guarantee success as well, as seen in the capitulation of Season 1’s pre-season favorites Seoul Dynasty. Their identity and strength turned into their biggest weakness as their rivals quickly figured them out, and formed some really impressive counters as the season progressed. By the end of the season, not only the Seoul Dynasty, who consisted of top; almost God-tiered players miss out on the playoffs, they found themselves languishing in 8th.
We aren’t going to say which method is best – be experimentative ala the Atlanta/ Boston/ Philly way or stick to the tried and tested method of toeing familiarity by forming (yet another) all-Korean setup. Either method works as we saw proponents of these these polarizing philosophies clash in Season 1’s Grand Final match.
Time will tell and we will revisit this topic at the end of Season 2.
In the meantime, what do you think of the different philosophies when building an Overwatch League – or for that matter – any esports roster? How would you build one?
Comments section is right down below.


Samurai Maiden Is Part Action Game, Part Ninja Romance Simulator

D3 Publisher, the same publishers behind the Earth Defense Force and Onechanbara series, has revealed a new action game project that’s in line with its vision of otaku gaming: Samurai Maiden.
Teased a couple of days ago, D3 Publisher just released a full-fledged trailer for the upcoming game, where schoolgirls get transported to feudal Japan and beat up enemies of that time period with swords and other things while looking cute. You play main girl protagonist Tsumugi Tamaori who ends up recruiting female ninjas in that era to survive and find a way home, using the blade of Nobunaga to cut down supernatural enemies across the underworld.

As you can tell from the trailer below, the action is fast-paced and the cheesecake factor is pretty high. The game also has a romantic element where Tsumugi and her ninja squad bond and hang out, as well as unleash new and powerful techniques instigated by passionately kissing each other.

Yep, sounds like a D3 game alright.
Samurai Maiden will be out in Winter 2022 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5.


Overwatch’s Echo Speaks Singlish, Apparently

The most noteworthy thing about Echo, the newly revealed Overwatch hero, is probably their ability to morph into enemy heroes and copy their skills. However, some attentive players have also noticed that the hero has a hint of Singlish in their lines.
Twitter user @Caldoran took to the platform to share their discovery. While “spamming Blinks as Echo-Tracer”, they noticed the hero saying the word “shiok”, which is used by both Singaporeans and Malaysians. TimeOut explains as a word “To describe something delicious or simply good” with.

Real talk: I chanced upon this voice line while spamming Blinks as Echo-Tracer. (Pics unedited. Promise.)
For the uninitiated, "shiok" is distinctively ??/?? slang and used to convey pleasure or enjoyment.
Please confirm if Echo is Singaporean @PlayOverwatch @westofhouse! ? pic.twitter.com/eO3kVFBe0l
— Caldoran (@Caldoran) March 20, 2020

Unfortunately, Malaysia can’t really claim this one as in response, Overwatch lead writer Michael Chu confirmed that Echo’s creator, Dr. Mina Liao, was Singaporean. “Liao was, confirm plus chop,” he said. Echo sees themselves as Liao’s “echo” and seems to have some of the latter’s personality, so in a way, Echo is Singaporean too.
Still, it’s cool to see some Southeast Asian representation in Overwatch. I wonder what other Singlish phrases have yet to be discovered.


New SD Gundam Release Date Confirmed, Bonuses Detailed

Earlier this year, Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia announced SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam). It will officially be released on 28 November 2019, with the original Japanese voiceover and English subtitles.

There are two versions of the game available for purchase, including the Standard Physical/Digital version and the Premium G Sound Edition (Digital). The latter featuresÂ 35 additional Gundam anime theme songs and OST music collections for fans of the franchise.
Those who purchase any version of the game by 25 December 2019 will receive the following Early Purchase Bonuses:

A PS4/Nintendo Switch port of 2002’s SD Gundam G Generation Monoeye Gundams (which was originally released on the Bandai WonderSwan)
Additional Unit: Sisquiede (Titans Color)
“Modifications: Starter Set” acquisition quest

As for the SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays Premium G Sound Edition, here’s the full list of all 35 additional Gundam anime theme songs and OST music collections:

In the meantime, check out the latest trailer for SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays below, showcasing Relena Peacecraft (CV: Akiko Yajima), Lacus Clyne (CV: Rie Tanaka), Marina Ismail (CV: Ayumi Tsunematsu), and Kudelia Aina Bernstein (CV: Yuka Terasaki).
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbSwvQ3ALRQ&w=560&h=315]


Worms Rumble Is Out Now For Xbox, Nintendo Switch, & Epic Games Store

The very first real-time Worms game, a series that prides itself on being turn-based, is now out for all major platforms.
Published and developed by Team17, Worms Rumble is available for Xbox Series, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via the Epic Games Store. The game is also available on Xbox Game Pass. In addition, the team has released a free update for the game: a new arena called “Spaceport Showdown”. And if you have the console versions, you can get console-exclusive skins like the Series Green Hoodie for Xbox versions and the Patchwork Bear (blue and red like the Switch) for the Nintendo Switch version.

We tried out a lot of Worms Rumble for a few hours or so; it’s definitely a comeback to the old days of 2D real-time action combat with mad physics. We only wish the online portion isn’t so broken; being based out of SEA, we expected this to happen. Your mileage may vary if you’re playing the game outside of SEA servers.


The PlayStation VR Wasteland Finally Has Its Oasis – Moss

Platform: PS4 (requires PlayStation VR headset)
So you spent about RM1,400 on the PlayStation VR headset 2 years ago. From then on out, you must have felt like one of those suckers with the case of FOMO (fear of missing out), reading online rags about the hyped-up VR device. Truth be told, there weren’t any games worth justifying that amount of money.
We’ve got good news for you poor unfortunate souls out there: now there’s a game that gives a shred of hope to you poor fellows out there: a humble little game called Moss.
Moss is what happens when you combine the whimsical with the unnecessary. Part puzzle-platformer and part fantasy storybook whimsical nonsense, Moss is about a mouse named Quill who is tasked with saving her uncle after their mousey kingdom is overthrown by a fire-breathing snake. You as a player, dubbed the Reader, acts as a powerful force of good that helps out the denizens of Moss.

What’s cool about this game is that the use of the PSVR here blends both the immersive-ness of VR and the traditional method of character movement. You control Quill yet at the same time you can move your head around as the Reader to search for clues that can help the mouse out in her escapades and the current stage’s puzzles.
Developer Polyarc made use of the game’s VR capabilities to the fullest. Every single scene in the game is a friggin’ diorama made for mice (but not for men). From the squirrel emblems on the curtains and panels to the top of the bookshelves hiding little things here and there, you know there’s a huge amount of love being put in Moss’ aesthetics. It’s like you’re in a European-made fantasy RPG where you get to kay-poh around and search every nook and cranny.
None of this would mean jack if we didn’t have a lead character worth a damn. And Quill is worth a hundred damns. From beginning to end, we felt as if we had a tiny mouse friend in real life ala Stuart Little, but more proactive. She even high-fives you at times and you can interact with her like said mini-companion comparison.
And the puzzles! Damn these are some creative level designs that suit the PSVR’sÂ focus. While you’re controlling Quill, you act as an overseeing eye to spot and help out in creative puzzles. We can’t spoil anything, but trust us when we say that you’ll be like “woah” when you solve the puzzles using a combo of your wits and Quill’s skillset.
We’ll just put this Jesse Cox playthrough here to show you what I mean by how it makes players loom over the field like a god, but is obligated to protect and help out the most charming character of 2018 so far.

Moss may not be a conventional game, but at the very least it set the standards pretty high for VR storytelling. And it also adds to the case that the PSVR is not just a hunk of white plastic with VR gimmicks. We need more devs like Polyarc to create more immersive meaningful experiences like this and not one-trick ponies like Farpoint and that Batman tech demo.
In other words, buy this without hesitation if you have a PSVR collecting dust somewhere in your storage closet. If not, maybe wait until the headset is at a reasonable price?


Tunic, The Cute Zelda Clone With A Fox, Will Be Out Next Year

Tunic, an upcoming action adventure game from developer Finji, will finally be out for Xbox Series, Xbox One, PC, and Mac via Steam on 16 March, 2022. It says so right on the new trailer below:

Here are the game’s features from the Steam description page:

Explore a hostile and intricately-connected world of shady forests, sprawling ruins, and labyrinthine catacombs.
Fight mighty bosses deep beneath the earth, high above the clouds, and in places stranger still.
Collect the missing manual pages, bursting with hints and original full-color illustrations.
Discover hidden treasures to help you on your way.
Unearth secret relics, secret techniques, secret puzzles, andâ€¦ listen, thereâ€™s a lot of secrets!
Featuring sound design by Power Up Audio (Celeste,Â Darkest Dungeon,Â Subnautica: Below Zero).
And an original soundtrack by Lifeformed (Dustforce,Â Double Fine Adventure).


[Leak] Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Will Be Broadcasted On Disney+

A leak has emerged that Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War will be broadcasted on Disney+.
The long-awaited return of the cult classic by none other than Tite Kubo has been anticipated since the original series finished a decade ago on 27 March 2012.
The anime fandom exploded with excitement with the announcement of the series’ renewal, especially with Tite Kubo’s immense involvement in the anime’s development.
The synopsis for Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War goes as:
“The thousand-year blood war arc begins after the shocking Soul Society goes on the offensive and covers the world in a war that reached deep into the Soul Palace itself. During the war, several new forms are found, and new abilities are learned on both sides including Quincy’s final form Vollständig.”


Happy Valentine’s Day: The Best Couples & Duos In Video Game History

The middle of February is the season of love. Love for your significant other. Love for your best friend(s). Love for your paternal and maternal unit. Love for your siblings. And for brick-and-mortar stores & restaurant owners, the big love for the many male suckers who are paying for special V-Day bouquets and roses through their noses.
But we digress. It’s a joyous week filled with hearts and lovey-dovey emotions. We’ve got a treat for you: we’ve featured our favourite couples and duos in this Kakuchopurei special. Keep in mind that we’re counting both romantic and platonic relationships because love comes in many different forms.
Have fun watching! We probably missed a few, so sound off your favourite couples/duos here in the comments box or on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/kakuchopurei/videos/1337251229712622/?permPage=1


Risk Of Rain Returns Is Hopoo Games’ Farewell To The 2D Roguelike Platformer

2013 2D action platformer roguelike title Risk Of Rain was a pioneer in the day, with many people still swearing by it up until now. Next year, the game will get its biggest and last update.
Developer Hopoo said that the next big Risk of Rain update, dubbed Risk of Rain Returns, will be in remastered form and will be out sometime in 2023; probably 8th November, since that’s the game’s anniversary. The update will add in new survivors, secrets, artifacts, expanded multiplayer, and more improvements.
Hopoo Community Manager Jonathan Cheetham said that this isn’t just a new coat of paint for the classic 2013 title.
“Risk of Rain Returns completely overhauls the original and introduces a ton of new content. It has an upgraded code base so we will be able to continue to update and add to the game with features that weren’t previously possible.
Risk of Rain Returns is a whole new game and an upgraded experience from the original Risk of Rain.”
Check out the announcement below:


Atlus Is Teasing A New Soul Hackers Game [Update]

ATLUS has launched a new countdown teaser website, as well as an official Twitter account, that teases a new Soul Hackers game. The countdown is set to end at 7 pm GMT+8 on 21 February 2022.
The website opens with the following â€˜loadingâ€™ text:
Hello HUMAN
We want to collect your information
> Checking device compatibility
> Notice: Please, do NOT take your hands off the device
> Call â€œSoul Hackâ€
> Sequence start
The first tweet from the official Twitter account reads:
â€œHello, we are Aion. Please follow this account. Your cooperation is needed. soul-hackers.jp #SoulHackersâ€

??????????Aion??????????????????????????????????????https://t.co/NHmlkxhKEf#????????
— ?????????2???? (@soulhackers_atl) February 17, 2022

The second tweet reads:
â€œAion has predicted the end of mankind. To avoid the end, we will begin a sequence today at 20:00 JST. Please observe and cooperate. soul-hackers.jp #SoulHackersâ€

Aion????????????????????????????????20??????????????????????https://t.co/NHmlkxhKEf#????????
— ?????????2???? (@soulhackers_atl) February 17, 2022

The Soul Hackers franchise is basically part of the bigger Shin Megami Tensei brand, similar to Persona, but it’s under the subseries Devil Summoner, of which there are many other games as well such as Raidou Kuzunoha. Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner Soul Hackers was originally published by Atlus for the Sega Saturn in 1997, but it was later ported to the PS1 in 1999, and Nintendo 3DS in 2012.
Soul Hackers distinguishes itself from other Shin Megami Tensei games by featuring a unique cyberpunk aesthetic. The teasers so far have hinted that the new one will be the same as well.
Update: The full unveiling will happen on 21st February at 7pm GMT+8.

We’ll have to wait until next week for the full reveal, so stay tuned on Kakuchopurei.


Castlevania Studio’s New Anime Blood Of Zeus Is A Greek Epic

Produced by Powerhouse Animation Studios of Netflix’s Castlevania anime fame,Â Blood Of Zeus is an upcoming original anime created by Charley and Vlas Parlapanides.
Set in the world of Greek mythology, it is slated to premiere on 27 October 2020. We even included it in our Netflix October 2020 lineup highlights.

The synopsis reads:
In a brewing war between the gods of Olympus and the titans, Heron, a commoner living on the outskirts of ancient Greece, becomes mankind’s best hope of surviving an evil demon army, when he discovers the secrets of his past and his true heritage as a son of Zeus.
Supergiant Gamesâ€™Â HadesÂ has been taking the world by storm since it recently left Early Access on Steam (check out our review here). Perhaps this series will scratch more of that Greek mythology itch for fans.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Blizzard Responds To Bliztchung’s  Punishment, Returns Prize Money

Blizzard has finally issued a follow-up statement regarding the punishment dished out towards Hong Kong Hearthstone player Chung “blitzchung” Ng Wai for his politically-charged statement.
President of Blizzard Entertainment J. Allen Brack wrote a blogpost not just to announce the reduction of Chung’s punishment but also to provide further clarification as to why Chung and the casters who interviewed him were suspended.
Chung was initially suspended from Hearthstone Grandmasters participation for one year. That period has now been reduced to six months. He will also be receiving his denied prize money.Â  The two casters who were fired have also been given a six-month suspension.
Brack says Chung’s performance in the Hearthstone Grandmasters still goes hand-in-hand with Blizzard’s value of Play Nice; Play Fair. As to why Chung’s suspension isn’t outright rescinded, Brack explains that what Chung did is still considered inappropriate because it took “the conversation away from the purpose of the event and disrupting or derailing the broadcast.”

“One of our goals at Blizzard is to make sure that every player, everywhere in the world, regardless of political views, religious beliefs, race, gender, or any other consideration always feels safe and welcome both competing in and playing our games.”
– J. Allen Brack, President of Blizzard Entertainment
In attempt to quell rumours regarding Blizzard’s apparent political bias, Brack says that none of this was influenced by the company’s relationships in China. He’s saying it isn’t about what Chung said that got him in trouble, but rather the time and place of Chung’s statement.

The specific views expressed by blitzchung were NOT a factor in the decision we made. I want to be clear: our relationships in China had no influence on our decision.
– J. Allen Brack, President of Blizzard Entertainment
Esports consultant Rod “Slasher” Breslau has been very vocal concerning Blizzard’s actions relating to the issue. Regarding Brack’s statement, Breslau believes that Blizzard’s claim of being neutral is either “totally bullshit” or that the company is “entirely inept” at its top levels.

J. Allen Brack says China had 'no influence' on Activision Blizzard's initial decision
this is either totally bullshit or Blizzard is entirely inept at the top, Brack pic.twitter.com/EFAuYXPD9o
— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) October 12, 2019

No matter what Brack says, the damage to Blizzard’s reputation has been done. A lot of players have already deleted their Blizzard accounts and are taking part in boycotting Blizzard’s popular online games such World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and Overwatch.
Read Brack’s full statement here.


Warner Bros. Games Might Announce New Superhero Titles In An Upcoming DC Event

We may finally get a sneak peek at Warner Bros. Games’ next big DC Comics title this August.
WB Games recently announced it will be taking part in the upcoming digital DC FanDome event which is all about, you guessed it, the DC Universe. The event will take place on 23rd August 1am MY/SGT/GMT+8.

So what will the game be? Well, here’s what we gathered:

The game will be developed by Batman: Arkham Origins developer WB Montreal.
The game may be a Batman Arkham-style title, focusing on the Court of Owls storyline in the comics.
What about Rocksteady? Well, they seem to be working on another game based on a different DC series. Unfortunately, it may not be a Superman title. Still, any game made by that team may turn out just as good as the Batman Arkham trilogy.

Apart from those possible games, you’ll also get to hear about upcoming DC films and TV series in the DC FanDome event. These include Aquaman,Â The Batman,Â Batwoman,Â Black Adam,Â Black Lightning,Â DC Super Hero Girls,Â DCâ€™s Legends of Tomorrow,Â DCâ€™s Stargirl,Â Doom Patrol,Â The Flash,Â Harley Quinn,Â the SnyderCut ofÂ Justice League,Â Lucifer,Â Pennyworth,Â SHAZAM!,Â The Suicide Squad,Â Supergirl,Â Superman & Lois,Â Teen Titans GO!,Â Titans,Â Watchmen,Â Young Justice: Outsiders and Wonder Woman 1984.
Oh yeah and DC comics too. Can’t forget about those, right?


Blade Runner Actor Dies At 75, Starred In Kingdom Hearts 3

Veteran Dutch actor Rutger Hauer has died at the age of 75 on 19 July in his home in the Netherlands after battling a brief illness, according to his agent, Steve Kenis (via Variety).
Hauer was best known for his legendary portrayal of the Replicant leader Roy Batty in the classic 1982 science fiction movie, Blade Runner. His monologue at the end of the movie remains one of the most moving and iconic speeches in cinematic history.
He also starred in other movies and TV series, like 2017’s Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, Sin City (2005), Batman Begins (2005), True Blood, and Channel Zero: Butcher’s Block.
What many may not realize is that Hauer even voiced a character in the highly-anticipated Kingdom Hearts 3 released earlier this year. He had the honor of replacing the late equally-legendary actor Leonard Nimoy (of Star Trek‘s Spock fame) in voicing franchise antagonist, Master Xehanort.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EtUIF8kEbs&w=560&h=315]
Rest in peace, Rutger Hauer.
I leave you with his iconic monologue/speech from Blade Runner.

“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe.
Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.
I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the TannhÃ¤user Gate.
All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
Time to die.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU7Ga7qTLDU&w=560&h=315]


BlizzCon Returns In November; Here’s How You Can Get Tickets

BlizzCon is one of best gaming conventions with community members from all over the globe spending the weekend full of gaming, esports, cosplay, camaraderie, and the latest Blizzard Entertainment news.

BlizzCon 2019, slated to happen at Anaheim, California, features a ton of activities such as in-depth developer panels, esports competitions, and highlights on the community’s creativity. BlizzCon is also expanding to include more active hall space at the convention centre as well as the new “BlizzCon Pregame Festivities”, a fun and casual gathering running outside of the convention centre on the day before the show.
J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment, said that ‘BlizzCon is a home away from home for the Blizzard community.’ He added by saying, “It is a place where online friends can meet up in real life and new friendships are formed. Weâ€™re looking forward to welcoming everyone to the show this year, reconnecting, celebrating, and sharing some of our latest developments.”
How To Buy BlizzCon 2019 Tickets
There will be three choices of passes for you to choose from via this link. We’ll provide a breakdown below for your easy perusal.
The first option is the core ticket, the BlizzCon Pass. This will net you all the following below;

Live Event Ticket
BlizzCon In-Game Goodies
Choice of BlizzCon 2019 Commemorative Collectible
BlizzCon Pregame Festivities (Thursday)

The next option is new and introduced this year, called the BlizzCon Portal Pass, which has the core experience above with added benefits such as;

Night at the Faire (Darkmoon Faire Thursday access)
Portal Pass Lounge (with private concessions, chances to meet Blizzard employees and esports pros, and more)
Concierge Support
Preferred Parking (access to paid parking at lots close to the convention)
Separate Registration Lines
Separate Security Lines
Early Entry to Convention (Friday and Saturday morning)

The full package, the crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me, the BlizzCon Benefit Dinner PassÂ offers members both of the benefits listed above, and more such as;

Dinner with Blizzard
Signed Blizzard Artwork
Mythic Stage Reserved Seating Area (for Opening Ceremony and Community Night)

BlizzCon 2019 Commemorative Collectible
All of the passes above entitles you to the choice of a special high-qualityÂ BlizzCon 2019 Commemorative Collectible. You can pick either an Orc Grunt statue or Human Footman statue, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Warcraft universe.

They will be producing quantities based on what people choose, so to accommodate production deadlines and have everyoneâ€™s statue ready in time for pickup at BlizzCon, members who purchased passes are required to choose their options at the time you purchase your passes.
If you’re really interested in attending, you can check out their official website here, and book a hotel ticket through BlizzCon’s hotel website and receive special rates.


Mobile Legends Partners With KFC For Special Bundle Deals

The Mobile Legends Bang Bang Professional League (MPL Malaysia) is powering up Season 8 of the esports league tournament with the nationâ€™s favourite fried chicken brand, KFC Malaysia! The exclusive collaboration starts from 13 August 2021, with power-packed deals for MPL MY fans.Â Â
Fans and players of MPL Malaysia are in for a Finger Clickinâ€™ Good game as exclusively crafted KFC xÂ  MLBB themed POWERUP bundle meals will be made available via the KFC Delivery on the KFC app throughout Season 8 from 13Â August to 21Â October 2021. These bundles will constantly be refreshed from time to time.
To redeem, simply follow these steps:Â

 Step 1: Log in to KFC App.Â Â
 Step 2: Click the “%” icon to go to the “Bucketful of Deals” page where exclusive offers await!
Step 3: Find the MLBB POWERUP bundle deals, click to redeem & proceed with your order.Â

To celebrate the 131st birthday of Colonel Sanders in September, KFC will be giving away special cheat codes and one million worth of In-game Diamonds via KFC Malaysia social pages to power up their games and belly. Not only that, 11 fan-favourite characters representing the famed KFCâ€™s 11 secret herbs and spices will be featured in the campaign, and players can look out for exciting KFC giveaways including vouchers in selected live streams.Â Â
Moonton Games Business Development Manager Fikri Rizal Mahruddin said:
â€œWe are excited to work closely with KFC to provide our fans and players exclusive bundle deals to fuel up their gameplay. Please look forward to the collaboration and the tournamentâ€™s Regular Season that is starting very soon!”
KFC Malaysia Chief Marketing Officer Chan May Ling said:
â€œKFC is proud to partner with YouTube & MOONTON Games to power up the competing players and fans with wholesome meals made fresh daily served to them via our safe and easy contactless services, so theyâ€™ll be Finger Clickinâ€™ ready for the Playoffs!
We look forward to joining in the fun of intense esports gaming experience while simultaneously celebrating the enthusiastic passion of our MalaysianÂ youths.”
MPL Malaysia Season 8 gathers the best ten teams to compete for a prize pool of US$100,000. The winner and runner-up will get a chance to represent Malaysia for upcoming regional or international tournaments. You can catch the action at the official YouTube channel here.
https://www.facebook.com/mplmy.official/posts/384586023280880


Guilty Gear Strive Bedman? Gets Start Guide; Features Follow-Up Nonsense

If you like playing heavy hitters with follow-up attacks while having a little girl follow you around on the battlefield, Bedman? may be your Guilty Gear Strive character of choice.
The upcoming playable character has a starter guide courtesy of Arc System Works. He has a projectile and a few combo moves, each of them featuring follow-up properties when in a particular state called Error 6E. One of his Tension moves gets him to said powered-up state instantly.
Check out the man in action below, as well as his oddly-named special moves.

Bedman? will be available as DLC on 6th April. The fourth and final character in the Season 2 Pass, Asuka, will be out on May 2023.


Ezra Miller’s The Flash Movie Will Reset The DCEU Into The New DC Universe

James Gunn has confirmed that the upcoming The Flash movie will reset and reboot the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) into the DCU (DC Universe).
During a press conference, DC Studios co-presidents James Gunn and Peter Safran explained how the rest of the upcoming four DCEU movies, Shazam Fury Of The Gods (17 March 2023), The Flash (16 June 2023), Blue Beetle (18 August 2023), and Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (25 December 2023) will lead into the new DCU.
Gunn said (via Collider):
“So, how can we take these things together and make them make sense and have them unified and have it one real universe?…I think that we’ve gotten lucky with the next four movies, frankly, because we have Shazam, which leads into Flash, which resets everything which then goes into Blue Beetle, which is totally disconnected…
But the one thing that we can promise is that everything from…our first project forward, will be canon, and will be connected. We’re using some actors from the past, we’re not using other actors from the past. But everything from that moment forward will be connected and consistent.”
So, there you have it, folks. We’re probably getting something like Flashpoint from the comics in the upcoming movie. For more details and information on the DCU’s new Chapter 1 Gods And Monsters slate, head on over here.


Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order 2 Reveal Reportedly Coming This Year

Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order 2 is reportedly getting an official reveal sometime this year, and sooner than we expect.
According to Giantbomb reporter Jeff Grubb (sourced from Nibel on Twitter), EA and Respawn Entertainment will allegedly announce the sequel to 2019’s Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order before E3 2022 in June 2022. He also claimed that the game will be launching in late 2022, though he also confessed that a 2023 release date is more likely at this point.
However, EA and Respawn Entertainment have yet to comment on the rumour, so let’s take everything with a grain of salt for now.
Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order is a major success, having sold more than 10 million units worldwide. However, EA is now no longer the only publisher to have video game rights to the franchise. Ubisoft is also making its own game, Quantic Dream recently announced Star Wars Eclipse and there’s also the Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic remake by Aspyr Media.
Star Wars Jedi Fallen OrderÂ is available now for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Check outÂ our full review ofÂ Star Wars Jedi Fallen OrderÂ hereÂ to find out why we named itÂ one of the best games of 2019.


[Rumour] Dragalia Lost Will Feature Persona 5 Characters As Guests

Dragalia Lost’s Euden & company will be getting visitors from modern-day Tokyo soon.
According to a recent datamine of a new Dragalia Lost update, some line of code seem to mention characters from the Nintendo Switch action game Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers. This is obviously a spin-off to the Shin Megami Tensei spin-off RPG Persona 5, a title renowned for bringing out the worst in JRPG and Nintendo Switch trolls as of this year.
The characters are:

Joker (main character)
Morgana
Panther (Anne)
Sophia (Persona 5 Royal new character)
Arsene

This shouldn’t come as a surprise since Dragalia Lost developer Cygames featured Persona 5 characters in their other mobile RPG juggernaut Granblue Fantasy back in 2018. The datamine list also highlights a few other guest characters from that aforementioned RPG series:

Cagliostro
Eustace
Feena
Grimnir
Lecia
Orchis
Nephren
Gatov
Lucius
Monika
Cowtits Narmaya

In any case, 2021 is looking like a lovely start to the next chapter in Nintendo and Cygames’ team effort.


Call of Duty’s Free Battle Royale Mode Is Out Tomorrow

After dozens of leaks and rumours, Activision finally dropped official news regarding its battle royale offering using the Call of Duty name.
It’s officially called Call of Duty: Warzone and it’s free-to-play. And it doesn’t require any Call of Duty base game: it’s a standalone you can get tomorrow on 11th March.
Check out the official reveal in action, complete with a classic LL Cool J rap ditty.

This battle royale FPS will have you fighting 149 other players while outrunning a deadly cloud of gas encircling a giant map. Apart from the last man standing mechanic, there’s also another mode in Call of Duty: Warzone called Plunder. In this mode, you search the map for loot and kill players to steal their cash.

The map in question is a new bigass location called Verdansk which stitches together different Call of Duty locations into one big new playground of war. The map features a city, a bunch of forests and mountains, and a bunch of notable landmarks like a lumber yard and a dam.
Oh, and if you own Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, you can play the game 4 hours early before everyone else.

You can get more info from a previous report we did yesterday. And yes, you can stay tuned to our review of the mode on Kakuchopurei, because most of us aren’t sick of battle royales that seem more polished & refined than both PUBG and Fortnite.


Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold War Unveils Epic Launch Trailer

Publisher Activision and developers Treyarch and Raven Software have released the launch trailer forÂ Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
Check out the overview of the game, via Activision:
1981. The Cold War is at its peak. World powers grapple for control and a hidden threat looms. InÂ Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, players will engage in deniable operations, fighting the battles that never happened to stop a conspiracy decades in the making.A mind-bending single-player Campaign awaits, withÂ Black OpsÂ protagonists Alex Mason, Frank Woods, and Jason Hudson teaming up with an all-new crew to track down a mysterious enemy known only as Perseus.
In the next generation ofÂ Black OpsÂ Multiplayer, players can travel the globe from the deserts of Angola to the frigid Black Sea in a fully-connected, cross-play experience including 6v6, 12v12, and 40-player Fireteam battles, as well as an all-new Zombies co-op experience in the Dark Aether story, â€œDie Maschine”.
However, the Zombies Onslaught mode will be a timed exclusive for PlayStation consoles until 1 November 2021.
Call of Duty Black Ops Cold WarÂ is slated to release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC viaÂ Battle.netÂ on 13 November 2020. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.


Here’s Why You No Longer Need EXP Share In PokÃ©mon Sword & Shield

We’re less than two months away from the highly-anticipated release of PokÃ©mon Sword and Shield and with a whole new generation of PokÃ©mon, as well as a bunch of improvements and new features. Long-time fans of the franchise will be delighted to learn that you will no longer require the much-coveted EXP Share item in the upcoming games.
Why?
In previous games, the EXP Share item is crucial to make it easier in increasing the levels of your weaker PokÃ©mon, as it enables any PokÃ©mon holding the item to receive 50 percent (or part) of the experience gained by the PokÃ©mon who participated in the battle.
In an interview with GameInformer, director Shigeru Ohmori revealed that the EXP Share won’t be available in PokÃ©mon Sword and Shield. This is because every single PokÃ©mon in your party will now receive equal amounts of experience from every battle.
This is a game-changing new feature, as it is now much easier and less complicated to ensure that your whole PokÃ©mon party is strong enough and avoid them from becoming too under-levelled. Kudos to the folks at GameFreak.
PokÃ©mon Sword and Shield are slated to release for the Nintendo Switch on 15 November 2019. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaF9iJ9bzUM&w=560&h=315]


Kakuchopurei Talks To AESF and JESU Presidents About Esports

Our trip to Japan wasn’t just about Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition. It also wasn’t about awesome arcade games and Instagram pics of virtual squid girls singing for fans with green and purple glowsticks.
No, it was also about finding out the future of Asia’s esports movement. It’s really important to find out what Asia’s two major esports federations are doing to further the scene. So without further ado, Kakuchopurei is proud to publish these two exclusive video interviews featuring Kenneth Fok from the AESF and Hideki Okamura from JESU.

Great things are happening in esports this year and in 2020. If you’re excited as us, let us know on this website or on Facebook.


Valorant Announces Domestic Leagues Going Into 2023

Riot Games have come out and announced an overhaul to the Valorant Challengers system going into 2023.
Challengers will play an important role in bringing attention to up-and-coming talent critical for the long-term success of Valorant, testing teams aspiring to play in the International leagues, and bridging the sport and the game.
Next year, will expand Challengers to cover more players in more regions. Additionally, teams starting in Challengers will have a pathway into the international leagues and, eventually, global events.
In 2023, Challengers will encompass more than 20 leagues around the world, ensuring every Valorant player has a path to realize their competitive dreams. These Challenger Leagues will provide highly organised competitions that begin with open qualifiers and ladder the best teams into two splits of multi-week regular season play. Each Challenger split will culminate in a playoff tournament where a single team will be crowned as that league’s champion.
To ensure that these players and teams receive the attention their skills deserve, the biggest Challenger leagues will receive dedicated broadcast windows that will be scheduled to avoid conflicts with international league matches.

PROMOTION INTO INTERNATIONAL LEAGUES
Each year, international leagues will expand by one team, until hitting a cap of 14 teams in 2027. Teams who win Challengers Ascension will earn a two-year promotion into their territory’s international league. Promoted teams will have the opportunity to prove themselves against the international league teams during the VCT season, receive similar league benefits, and have an equal chance to qualify for Masters and Champions. After two years, teams will return to their league to battle their way back through Challengers and Ascension tournaments.

The Valorant dev team is focused on ensuring the core experience meets the expectations of players at scale. Riot also has huge ambitions for integrating this system directly into the VCT. Looking ahead to 2024, the top teams emerging from this system will get a chance to qualify directly from the game into Challengers.
Riot wants to create a seamless connection between Valorant and the VCT at a global scale through a bridge of make-or-break moments where the lowest ranked Challenger teams have to defend their place against the newest batch of online superstars. More on this system will be shared before the end of the year.
Later this fall, Riot will be releasing specific information about each region’s open qualifiers, Challenger schedule, and the Ascension tournaments. This will provide aspiring teams with a clear roadmap on the next step of their VALORANT journey. As the VCT 2022 season wraps up, we can expect Riot to share more information on international leagues, global events, and partnered teams in the coming weeks.


One Of The Worst 5-Star Genshin Impact Characters Is Getting Significant Buffs Soon

It’ll be a few days until Genshin Impact’s version 1.3 update comes out; it’s essentially a Lunar New Year festival in the game’s universe featuring a new character named Xiao, a way to score top-tier 4-star characters for free, and a Pokemon Snap-style minigame to go along. Oh, and a tower defense minigame too. Fun!
But those aren’t the only highlights. It seems that some weak characters are getting the buffs they need. Like the 5-star Geo support hero Zhongli. Basically, his Geo Shields will be more useful and viable. In fact, all Elemental shields will be getting a buff.
Let’s break down the general mechanics update (thank Kumikones!):

Geo Shields will now have “150% Physical DMG and Elemental DMG Absorption”, instead of the previous “250% Geo DMG Absorption. This not only affects Zhongli but also others like Noelle and whoever picks up a Geovishap Hatchling Geo Crystal.
Shield for everyone will be strengthened by 15%. Additionally, characters protected by a shield will have the following special characteristics:

Now, let’s talk about Zhongli’s improved kit.

Zhongli’s Dominus Lapidus is getting a buff. Basically it will cause nearby Geo energy to explode that also creates a Stone Stele, in addition to a nifty Jade Shield. Said shield can now decrease Elemental and Physical RES of enemies in a small AoE by 20%. The effect doesn’t stack though.
Zhongli’s Dominance of Earth Ascension Talent now buffs up his normal attack, charged attack, and plunging attack DMG by 1.39% of his max HP. His Stone Stele, resonance, and hold DMG is also increased by 1.9% of his max HP, in addition to the original talent’s Planet Befall DMG buff.

That’s a pretty big deal, considering a lot of folks have complained about the lack of progress regarding Zhongli. Oh, and top-tier 5-Star Hydro penniless astrologist Mona also gets a tweak:

Mona’s Talent “Illusory Torrent” gets optimized: When Mona is hit, she can use Illusory Torrent more quickly, as is the case with sprinting for other characters.

Other notable updates include:

Controller support added for devices running iOS 14 or above. Currently, the following controllers are supported: Xbox Wireless Controller (Bluetooth Version), Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, PlayStation DualShock 4 Wireless Controller, some other Bluetooth Wireless Controllers designed for iOS.
A quick delete function has been added to the mailbox. Does not delete unread mail or mail with unclaimed attachments.
New photography method added for the PS4 version. Take a photo and save it to the PS4’s local storage in one single action.

The full updates list can be read here. For more on update 1.3, head here.