5 Things I’ve Learned When Starting Monster Hunter: World

Capcom’s sole meal ticket to relevance is out on PlayStation 4. Just when you thought it was going to ruin your next childhood franchise, along comes this game to restore faith into ye ol’ Capsule Computer. Yeap, it’s Monster Hunter and it’s finally making a comeback to its console of origin(ish) after hanging around with Nintendo and its portable/Wii U base.
I’ll cut to the chase: this is the Monster Hunter you need to play if you want to get knee-deep into the series. It’s accessible to a point and still gives you a chance for you to wrap your head around the world and bestiary before it kicks your teeth in with one-hit kills and stomps. There’s an option called Expedition mode where you can take your time exploring each part of the island and hunting down the wildlife big and small.
Heck, it’s my first time in this rich series that has a nation in gaming heat other than the Dragon Quest RPGs. Now that I’ve finally figured out the appeal of this game, it’s time I share with you my little tips from playing the game for 10 hours straight to watching my other Monster Hunter expert pals get through it in 50 hours.
Here’s a quick guide on how to enjoy your stay in the giant-ass island of Monster Hunter World. I’m under the assumption that you’ve already been through the tutorial section of the game, so my tips are diving straight into the nitty-gritty.

#1.Get Used To The Controls.
As a fan of action games like Bayonetta and one who dabbles in Bloodborne, I find the transition into Monster Hunter World a little perplexing at first, from a controls standpoint. With the former, all your attacks are on the face button while the dodge is on the right trigger. With the latter, all my attacks are on my trigger buttons.
With MHW, your special attack and your run/sheathe weapon button are on R2 and R1 respectively. So being the conditioned butterfingers that I am, I found myself occasionally sheathing my weapon by accident as I’m wailing onto a felled beast. Or worse, when it’s charging at me.
Point is you may need to get used to the button placements since there’s no way to configure them.

I can’t fault Capcom since I see the design logic; since these beasties run away halfway in a fight, you should have your sheathe/run button at the most convenient part of the controller.
The long sword is great for beginners like me.
#2. Master At Least 5 Weapons.
When you start, it’s wise to pick a weapon you’re comfortable with. Go to the Training Room to sort that out. Try out each of the different weapons in the game. Then go for the beginner friendly ones like the Sword & Shield and Long Sword.
After that, you should plan and figure out which of the 5 you’re going to be switching back and forth with. Different monsters require different tactics be it a speedy approach or a methodical break-each-part method.
My personal top 5 weapons are Long Sword, Great Sword, Gun Lance, Hammer, and the Bow.

#3. Eat & Get Pumped. Every Time.
At your home base, there’s a one-eyed cat that serves you platters than buff your stats for missions and expeditions. You lose these buffs if you die once or if you leave mid-way from a quest or expedition.
These buffs are useful in giving you a fighting chance; use them when you can. Plus you get to see the chef and his cronies prep the meal for you; that animation’s really cute & stylish.

#4. Get Your Bounties On.
There’s a spot in the main hub Astera called the Resource Center. Here, you can get different bounties (side quests like collect mushrooms, kill small wildlife) and investigations (kill 2 big monsters, or capture them). It’s one of the only ways to get Armour Spheres, which you need to upgrade your armour.
Make it a habit to get your bounties, clear them, and then do them again. You can complete them in a middle of a mission or an expedition, and there’s no restriction. If you meet the criteria at any point out in the field, you get to cash them out for your spheres.
Monster Hunter: World does encourage farming; LOTS of it. ButÂ  thanks to this bounty system, you can at least get a ton of cumulative and easy rewards out of menial labour.

#5. Invite Pals When Possible (Your Close Ones)
A Monster Hunter that teams up together, slays together. However, with bigger rewards come bigger caveats: monsters scale up in health. The worst-case scenarios I’ve encountered was teaming up with a bunch of strangers, hunt down one Barroth with the four of us, only to have two of our “pals” drop out on us and having to deal with a fully-regenerated mud monster.
Which is why it’s best to encourage your more trustworthy gaming pals to get this game for themselves. Again, this is one of the more accessible Monster Hunter games out there.
So now’s the time as any to group up, kick some scaley Rathalos ass, and then farm for that Rathalos armour set (or a better one).

Got some more wisdom bombs for us? Are you a Monster Hunter pro who wants to help others with your advice? Come post your tips & tricks on Kakuchopurei then!


Tis The Season to get RM250 Off On PS4 Hardware and Bundles

PlayStation Asia has announced a special â€œ13 Days Specialâ€ campaign to celebrate the festive Christmas season, offering an attractive RM250 off on selected PS4 hardware and bundles.

The campaign will run from December 21, 2018, to January 2, 2019, so you have plenty of time to grab your own PS4 console. Here’s a list of promotions as part of the “13 Days Special” campaign:

PlayStation 4 Party Bundle â€“ RM1,199 (Original Price: RM1,449), includes additional free DUALSHOCKÂ®4 Wireless Controller
PlayStation 4 HITS Bundle â€“ RM1,099 (Original Price: RM1,349)
PlayStation 4 Pro (1 TB) â€“ RM1,549 (Original Price: RM1,799), includes additional free DUALSHOCKÂ®4 Wireless Controller
PlayStation VR with PlayStation Camera â€“ RM1,379 (Original Price: RM1,129)

The new PS4 HITS Bundle offers a Jet Black PS4 system (500 GB) with three games, including Sony Santa Monicaâ€™s God of War, Detroit Become Human, and The Last of Us Remastered. Meanwhile, the PS4 Party Bundle offers a Jet Black PS4 system (500 GB) with two games, including FIFA 19 and Overcooked 2.

The “13 Days Special” campaign will be available at all participating PlayStation Authorized Dealers, Sony Stores, and Sony Centres. Head on over to this link to locate the nearest branch.


Watch Dogs Franchise Creator Joins NetEase Games Montreal

NetEase has announced that Jonathan Morin is the new Creative Director for NetEase Games Montréal. Jonathan has more than 24 years of experience making AAA games, as he played a key role in shaping the Watch Dogs franchise at Ubisoft and contributed to the Far Cry series and other AAA brands in the past.
Jonathan will help lead NetEase Games Montréal to create a new IP, powering NetEase’s mission to become one of the biggest video game publishers in the world. The arrival of Jonathan at NetEase Games Montréal follows multiple announcements of major talent hires, as well as new NetEase studios, including Quantic Dream in France, Jackalope games in Austin and Nagoshi studio in Japan.
Established in 2019, NetEase Games Montréal has allowed the global publisher to secure a foothold within one of the world’s most thriving video game development hubs, as NetEase sets its ambitions to enter the console and PC AAA market.
In an official statement, Jonathan said:
“I am excited to announce my new adventure as Creative Director at NetEase Games Montreal. I am privileged to join a passionate and talented new team to create our own IP. This is the beginning of something special for me and I cannot wait to say more…”


343 Industries’ Bonnie Ross Exits Company

It was announced on Twitter earlier today that 343 Industries founder and head, Bonnie Ross has left the studio that currently is responsible for Halo.
The statement reads “While I had hoped to stay with Halo until we released the Winter Update, I am letting you know I will be leaving 343 and attending to a family medical issue,” she continues.
“I am incredibly proud of the work everyone at 343 Industries has done with Halo Infinite, the Master Chief Collection, the Halo television series and so much more. It has been an honour to serve alongside the team for the last 15 years and to be a part of a universe that I love.”

pic.twitter.com/dy2HAbyPaV
— Bonnie Ross (@PlutonForEver) September 12, 2022

In a statement to Windows Central, Microsoft clarified that effective immediately, head of production Pierre Hintze will take over as studio head in Ross’s place. He will lead the ongoing development of Halo Infinite, The Master Chief Collection, and future games. Bryan Koski will be the general manager of the franchise and Elizbeth Van Wyck will be in charge of business and operations.

Ross has been with Microsoft for the past 28 years and lead 343 Industries for 15 of them. She has worked on a large number of Halo games, including Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Halo Infinite.


Survival Shooter Mission EVO Launches On Google Play Store In Malaysia & SEA

Mission Evo is publisher Nuverse’s latest exciting title, offering best-in-class gameplay for both survival and action-shooter fans. Developed on the powerful Unreal Engine 5 and brought to you by Nuverse – the publishers of Marvel SNAP!, players can embark on an unforgettable journey through a vast post-apocalyptic map, where the threat of hostile players and A.I. enemies loom around every corner.
Mission EVO combines the best parts of action-shooter and survival games to produce heart-pounding gameplay. Each round of Mission EVO begins with players scattered across the game’s large map, known as Emberland, each armed with a simple starting axe. Players must harvest resources to construct a home base to protect themselves from threats such as opposing players and A.I.-controlled zombies, while also venturing out to harvest Ember, one of the resources that will decide the victor of each round.
Unlike typical Mobile Shooter games, victory in Mission EVO isn’t always decided in a firefight. Each round of Mission EVO takes place over the course of 7 real-time days, where players are able to log in or out to complete objectives as they choose. Players will have to pursue victory through various means, whether it be combat by seeking out other player shelters, or simply construct an impenetrable fortress to fend off would-be attackers. Those looking for a special challenge can even cooperate with friends to tackle the Raids and defeat special Boss enemies for valuable loot.
The game also features an extensive building system, allowing players to design and create the fortress of their choice, with multiple research paths offering plenty of crafting options that support a variety of strategies and playstyles. Bases are an integral part of survival in Mission EVO, acting as the players’ lifeline, item storage, and defence against enemy players looking to steal your hard-earned resources.
Developed by the experienced professionals at Nuverse, Mission EVO combines the best elements of the top gaming genres. For battle royale and survival pros, the game offers the intense resource management, base-building, and exciting firefights you’ve come to expect from the genre, with the added twist of an expansive PvE experience that includes Raid Bases with challenging fights against unique Bosses. Meanwhile, MOBA and Strategy players can enjoy the deep teamwork and planning involved in scouting out the map and constructing the perfect base to protect them against enemies.
Whether you’re a shooter fan, a MOBA fan, a competitive gamer, a casual player, or anything in between, there is definitely something for you in the world of Mission EVO.
Mission EVO is currently available on Google Play Store.


This Is How Japan Ranks Its Final Fantasy Games

NHK recently gathered the thoughts and opinions of 468,000 Japanese folks to ask this one important question: what’s the best Final Fantasy game ever?
Here’s the breakdown. If you’re expecting to be surprised by the country’s picks, well, you really don’t know Japan at all…

Final Fantasy XÂ
Final Fantasy VIIÂ
Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy XI
Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy III
Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XII

Here are Japan’s top 10 Final Fantasy characters…

Cloud
Yuna
Aerith
Vivi
Zidane
Emet Selch (FFXIV)
Tidus
Lightning
Tifa
Zack Fair

….and their favourite bosses & Summons

Knights of the Round
Kefka
Hades
Anima
Omega
Valefor
Braska’s Final Aeon
Bahamut Type-0
Sildra (FFV)
Safer Sephiroth

They even listed down their favourite music tracks from the series:

“At Zanarkand”
“Battle at the Big Bridge”
“Eyes On Me”
“In Search Of Friends”
“Blinded By Light”
“One-Winged Angel”
“Aerith’s Theme”
“Melodies of Life ~ Final Fantasy”
“Main Theme” (Final Fantasy)
“Those Who Fight Further”

Some takeaways:

More females love Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy IX within the top five.
It’s a shame that FF Tactics isn’t in the top 10, but at least it’s still hanging with some of the big boys.
Final Fantasy XI has been defunct for a while, which goes to show how revolutionary and impactful it was at the time.
How in God’s name is FFXIII better than FFXII?
Lightning and “Blinded By Light” are probably the only good things that came out of Final Fantasy XIII. The main game, that is; the sequels are fine.
I’m not at all surprised at the Knights of the Round and Kefka taking the top two slot in the boss/summons department. They’re pretty badass.
How did “Eyes On Me” rank higher than the bottom 7? It’s not exactly Faye Wong’s best song, you know…

If you want the correct list games-wise, head here. I know I’m right.Â Stay tuned this month for the correct listing for the best Final Fantasy music tracks of all time.


The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power Trailer Teases Sauron & Balrog

During San Diego Comic-Con 2022, Amazon Prime Video unveiled a brand new trailer for The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power.
Most notably, the trailer mentions Sauron by name, which is the true antagonist of the entire franchise. The end of the trailer also shows us the series’ version of the iconic Balrog, the fire Maiar demon that is famous for being in Peter Jackson’s The Lord Of The Rings trilogy of movies.
Anson Boon as Sauron.
The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.
Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
The Lord Of The Rings The Rings Of Power is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 2 September 2022. The first season will consist of eight episodes. Again, as a reminder to all Tolkien fans, this series will take thousands of years before the events depicted in the iconic fim trilogy directed by Peter Jackson.


New Paradox Game Is Pulled Because It Stole Halo Artwork

Paradox Interactive has officially pulled Stellaris Galaxy Command after fans discovered that the mobile game blatantly stole and reused the artwork of an artist from Halo developer 343 Industries (via Kotaku).
Check out this in-game screenshot from Stellaris Galaxy Command…

…and compare it with this original artwork by 343 Industries artist Kenny Magnusson, which was created during the development of 2012’s Halo 4.

It seems like someone just took the Halo 4 artwork and lazily photoshopped it, hastily removing the Pelican dropship (but bizarrely leaving the ramp behind) and not even bothering to erase the UNSC logos on the tanks.

While Paradox is publishing the game, Stellaris Galaxy CommandÂ is actually being developed by Hong Kong studio Gamebear (still in beta), whose previous mobile title Nova Empire already looks like a Stellaris clone right down to its UI.
Paradox has since posted an official statement on the mobile game’s official Twitter account, apologizing for its mistake:

Stellaris: Galaxy Command players.
We have an important statement for you, regarding the current suspension of our game’s servers. pic.twitter.com/F8Way6ar9a
â€” Stellaris: Galaxy Command (@StellarisMobile) October 15, 2019

The publisher has taken the game offline for now in order to do a full content sweep and look for other stolen content if any. There’s no word yet on when or if the game will be made playable again.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lkbynv8Abg&w=560&h=315]


Sony Is Refusing To Refund Cyberpunk 2077 On PS4

The Cyberpunk 2077 post-launch drama continues, especially for those on current-gen/last-gen consoles like PS4 and Xbox One, whose experience has been buggy and prevalent with issues.
Even after CD Projekt Red advised players to request for refunds from PSN or Xbox yesterday, it seems like Sony didn’t get the memo for some reason.
According to users from ReseteraÂ andÂ Twitter, Sony is reportedly telling players that they won’t refund PS4 copies of Cyberpunk 2077. Instead, they’re telling players to wait for the major patches that will be coming in January and February 2021.

So today’s update, Sony support refused another refund  for #Cyberpunk2077. They said even if the devs say refund it, they won’t do it. Lied about the game not being broken and lied about what CDPR stated. Tl:dr you are stuck with a broken game, wait til patched. Some support. pic.twitter.com/MsyI11VCGO— Mgs2master2 (@mgs2master2) December 14, 2020

@PlayStation @AskPlayStation you guys are complete clowns. @CDPROJEKTRED @CyberpunkGame stated I can get a refund and you guys want to tell me this pic.twitter.com/gynnaMw9E0— Koda ? (@ThatBoiKoda) December 14, 2020

@PlayStation @CDPROJEKTRED @YongYea @TheQuartering Literally sony playstations response to people regardless of #CDProjektRed statement on refunds #ripoff pic.twitter.com/WwhJfeL4nN— Heather (vggsheagurl) (@Heatherma29) December 14, 2020

Since @PlayStation won’t refund me for this trash game . Here ya go pic.twitter.com/ZiKbQmLY1K— Pablo (@ilovemypastime) December 14, 2020

@CyberpunkGame So, CD Projekt Red came through and said they'd agree to refunds for PS4 owners.Sony?  Not so much.  If you downloaded it, they will not refund the title. pic.twitter.com/TUutotHl3b— Tony Bruno (@Avindair) December 14, 2020

@PlayStation just denied my refund request for #Cyberpunk2077, stating "There are two large patches coming in Jan and Feb…" Disappointed they let this game through when it clearly wasn't optimized for older consoles.  Guess the release date should have been February 2021 ????— Jacob Rangel (@AvocadoWars) December 14, 2020

Sony won't let me do refund @PlayStation @AskPlayStation one of you is not clear to the customer— Mohammed Alsharif (@MdmDalsharif) December 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/Dyscrazia13/status/1338532338536419342

Sony refused refunds for preorders given its more than 14 days old. I had 0 playtime on my console and wanted to refund and they refused. Goes to show, only order physical copies, and only from amazon at that— Hrathen (@DTvedt) December 14, 2020

Why is this happening? Apparently, a lot of these refund requests aren’t in line with the Sonyâ€™s refund policies, which are have been notoriously strict and only been given in very rare circumstances.
If you’re still trying to get a refund for Cyberpunk 2077, you can still try contacting the developer directly from now until 21 December 2020 by emailing them at helpmerefund@cdprojektred.com.
In the meantime, check out our in-depth guide on Cyberpunk 2077 here.
Cyberpunk 2077Â is now available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, and Google Stadia.


Attack On Titan The Final Season Announced Ahead Of Part 2 Finale

After the broadcast of the final episode of Attack On Titan Final Season Part 2 in Japan, the official Twitter account for the anime announced that Attack On Titan The Final Season will premiere sometime in 2023.
The manga received an anime adaptation by WIT Studio in 2013. Season 2 came in 2017, followed by Season 3 which was divided into two parts. The first part aired in 2018, while the second premiered in April 2019.
Studio MAPPA took over the franchise for Season 4, which was titled Attack On Titan Final Season. It started airing in December of 2020 and had a total of 16 episodes. After it finished airing in March 2021, Part 2 was announced. Attack On Titan Final Season Part 2 started in January 2022 but is ending with its final episode on 4 April 2022.
No details have been unveiled, except for a brief teaser trailer and key visual.
Check them out below:


Park Beyond Is An Inconceivable Fun-Filled Ride That Feels Hollow In The End

Platforms: PC (version reviewed), PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Simulation, Management, Sandbox, 3D City Builder
Theme park simulation games have been around since the early 90s and made it mainstream thanks to the RollerCoaster Tycoon series by Atari. What makes the magic of a park sim is that players can unleash their creativity for hours on end building out-of-the-world experience theme parks that defy the law of physics and having to oversee every aspect of a theme park with ease.
At its best, developer Limbic Entertainment’s Park Beyond hits these highs with amazing rides, a straightforward upgrade system, and an immersive world filled with vivid colours and impressive graphics. However, the building sim does not leave a memorable impression on me with its finicky keyboard shortcuts, and complicated park management system that may overwhelm new players and frustrate season players, along the ride.

Tricky Coaster

The game begins with a refreshing perspective: You wake up in your bedroom and head over to the work desk to look at some designs before folding one into a paper aeroplane and throwing it out of the window. As a result, you’ll be taken right into the tutorial through that open window, where you’ll be introduced to Blaize. Here, Blaize will guide you through the introductory segment as well as the process of building a roller coaster to reach that throw-paper plane.
The tutorial is pretty straightforward on the basics of building a roller coaster, connecting point A to point B, and continuing to do so until the tutorials are complete. It may seem simple in which you’ll have to create tracks, loops, and adjust angles to make a functional roller coaster. In my experience, it wasn’t easy having to navigate the keyboard shortcuts and simultaneously having to zoom in and out adjusting the tracks until it reaches the finish line. It took me hours just to finish the tutorial. I recommend having to skip the tutorial and straight jump to the Sandbox mode if you’re purely intent to make the most out of Park Beyond.

Fun With Risk
The most fun about the game is undoubtedly the elaborate rides you can create and the “impossification” feature. This newly introduced mechanic lets you channel visitors’ happiness into buffing up facilities and park rides (available in the second level of the campaign and the Sandbox mode). Players can place showstopping structures such as an enormous Medusa head, and upgrade rides to improve its appeal and overall design. The Ring of Fire, when impossified, will become larger and more dangerous looking. However, impossifying your park exponentially poses a severe and catastrophic financial risk.

The success of your park depends on multiple factors, most notably, “trends”. The park visitors are fickle, and they pick and choose their favourite rides and food stalls at will. There are times when parkgoers may stand still in ride queues, jamming up the woodwork. Other times, they may circle the park endlessly, creating obstacles for others.
However, this seems very random, whether it is due to bugs or design choices. In one moment, you can have an extremely successful ride, but in the next, it can be abandoned, costing you money for maintenance. No clues/hints were given on why visitors react a certain way, even with the park analytics given and spending hours micromanaging every aspect of building a successful theme park.
The majority of my time with Park Beyond wasn’t all smooth sailing, bugs I have encountered are the music in missions and sandbox mode stutters infinitely and texture clipping occurs when using optional camera modes. Frequent crashes to the desktop without error messages. These have greatly damper my experience in a much potential park sim game.

Last Ride
In essence, Park Beyond is highly recommended if you want to build an improbable rollercoaster in sandbox mode with unlimited funds. However, if you are seeking anything more than creating grandiose parks, and are more interested in business management than roller coaster physics, it’s not worth picking up. There’s a lot more to pick apart, but overall the simulation aspect is just not worth delving into especially with other cheaper and more detailed fares out there.
Park Beyond may have lightyears ahead with its impossification mechanic, but other features and bugs encountered made it not worth the while of spending hours sinking in the game.
PROS

Stunning 3D visual
Sandbox mode
Impossification feature

CONS

Lack of balance in obstacles
Cumbersome keyboard controls
Bugs and stutter performances.

FINAL SCORE: 40/100
Review copy provided by Publisher Bandai Namco.


Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Yule Christmas Festival Is Now Live

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla players can look forward to free seasonal content every three months, starting with this month’s Yule Festival (via Ubisoft).
Eivor’s settlement, Ravensthorpe, is now covered in snow and Yuletide decorations. Players can also take part in various quests that involve singing, drinking, contests, and more drinking.

YULE FESTIVAL
The Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Yule Festival will take place from 17 December 17 2020 to 7 January 2021, with many festivities to enjoy and rewards to garner.

During the Yuletide celebration, players can expect to get entangled with various festivities ranging from drunk brawls (yes, you read that right), archery challenges, and more.

Partaking in said festivities will get you Yule Tokens to redeem for some festive rewards at the Festival Shop.

MÅdraniht Ceremonial OutfitMÅdraniht Tattoo SetMÅdraniht Ceremonial SeaxMÅdraniht Ceremonial ShieldTraditional Yule GarlandSacrificial AltarRitual Tree OrnamentsCozy Fire PitYule Beech Tree
It’s important to note that the event will be accessible to players only after having completed one story arc (Grantebridgescire or Ledecestrescire) and do note that you will only be able to get the festival rewards during the Yule Festival window.
In addition, the Helâ€™s Damnation Theme is available via the Store, purchasable by Helix Credits.

If youâ€™re looking to really impress, the Niflheim Theme will become available on 22 December 2020 in the Store as well.

Join the Yule Festival and capture your favourite photo or video for a chance to win The Art of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and 50 Euros-worth of Helix Credits. The contest will run from 17 December 2020 through 1 January 2021 on Twitter.

You can learn more about the contest, rules, and prizes in thisÂ Holiday Community Contest post.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla River Raid Update
Aside from the new skills and abilities that will be unlocked in February 2021, a new game mode called the River Raid will introduce THREE new (and replayable) maps that will be brimming with new Gear, Silver, Runes, Books of Knowledge, and much more.

More details about this new game mode will become available in early 2021, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, check outÂ our full review ofÂ Assassinâ€™s Creed ValhallaÂ here, orÂ head on over here for our guideÂ on how to be the best Viking in the game.


Zack Snyder’s Justice League Star To Reprise Role As Iris In The Flash Movie

Kiersey Cleoms is set to reprise her role as Iris West, the romantic interest of Barry Allen, in the upcoming The Flash movie.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Clemons has closed a deal to return. She will first be seen portraying the character in the upcoming Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which will premiere on 18 March 2021.
It was previously revealed that Michael Keaton (who starred as the Dark Knight in Tim Burton’s Batman movies) will also reprise his role as Bruce Wayne AKA the Batman in the upcoming The Flash movie,
Directed by Andy Muschietti, The Flash movie will begin shooting in London sometime in April 2021 and is slated to premiere on 4 November 2022. It was described as a “soft reboot” by the director in last year’s DC FanDome event.


The Witcher Monster Slayer AR Mobile Game Is Coming Later This Month

Are you ready for a Pokemon Go-like experience set in the world of The Witcher?
The Witcher Monster Slayer is a free-to-play AR (augmented reality) exploration game for Android and iOS mobile devices that challenges you to become an elite monster hunter. As you explore the real world around you, each step will take you deeper into a dark fantasy adventure unlike any other.
It is slated to launch on 21 July 2021.
You will track monsters, learn their habits, and prepare for battle. Select the best weapons and armour, and brew powerful witcher potions to gain the upper hand before you begin a battle. As you gain experience and take on more dangerous foes, you will need to improve your skills, your gear, and your tactics in order to become a monster slayer of true renown.
The key features include:

TRACK YOUR TARGETS â€” Use real-time weather conditions, time of day, and all your witcher senses to hunt monsters living around you.
EXPLORE ADVANCED AUGMENTED REALITY â€” Make the dark fantasy world of The Witcher your reality with AR features that change your perception of places you thought you knew.
EMBARK ON ADVENTURES â€” Experience quests that propel you through deep, story-driven adventures inspired by The Witcher series.
GATHER TROPHIES FROM FALLEN FOES â€” Defeat dozens of different beasts and grow a collection worthy of a true monster slayer.

Best of all, you can now pre-register the game on the Android Google Play Store by heading over here.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Rogue Company’s New Gameplay Trailer Looks Fun, But Not Special

Hi-Rez Studios, the devs behind Paladins, Tribes: Ascend, and Global Agenda, have debuted a gameplay trailer for their new Mercenary-themed third-person multiplayer shooter Rogue Company.

As seems to be the norm these days, it looks like it’d feature unique characters with personalities and special abilities instead of generic dudes. There’s a lot more emphasis on the regular shooting than those abilities in the trailer, but you do see a katana being thrown, a grenade-loving character using his grenade launcher, and an enemy-pinging ability.
I’m sure that those abilities will be fun to use in-game, but in terms of gameplay reveal purposes, the game’s zip lines look way more interesting. I also like how characters spawn by wingsuit-flying onto the map, though it’s probably just a gimmick.
I think the game still looks entertaining despite the unexciting-looking abilities, but if it’s not free-to-play, I struggle to see how it’d hook people. Then again, the audience reception to the trailer is way more positive than I expected.
Rogue Company will be out on PC (via Epic Games Store), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch “later this year”, with alpha signups available on the website. It’ll also support crossplay and cross-progression across all platforms, which is neat.


Harmonix Reveals A Promising Music-Mixing Game For 2020

Harmonix, the same folks who brought you the good parts of Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and the old-school Amplitude, have announced its latest music project Fuser.

Fuser is a DJ simulation where you build song mashups on the fly that may end up magical and not cacophonous. You have four turntables across the bottom of the screen. They’re colour-coded and tied to different instruments and vocals. All songs in Fuser is split out into the same four components, meaning you can mix and match whatever you want.
You can take drums from one song and then add vocals from another, while topping it off with synths and guitars from two other songs. Yes, you can have the vocals of Smash Mouth’s “All Star” while playing the drums of The Clash’s “Rock The Casbah” while mixing it with Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear The Reaper”. And somehow it will come out sounding pretty awesome thanks to Harmonix’s method called beatmatching.

If you’ve played Harmonix’s DropMix, it’s essentially that game, but without the cards and the tabletop stuff that made the game convoluted and obscure.
Think of this as the next step in Beatmania and DJ Max, except you don’t hit or scratch notation charts. You are creating your own flow and beat. So where’s the challenge? You can earn more points in-game by changing up your tracks occasionally within a 3-minute frame. Keep a track on for too long, and you’ll lose points and the crowd will boo you. You can also earn points by completing on-the-fly requests, like using more 90s songs or playing more rock music, or dropping discs on the downbeat.
Or you could just freestyle it. Harmonix are balancing between creating a skill-based video game and an open-ended gaming experience. With 100 songs to play around with, it’ll take a while until you get bored with Fuser. Below is a chunk of the playlist:

Fuser will be out in 2020 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.


Here Is Your First Look At The Dynasty Warriors Movie; It’s Gloriously Ridiculous

So yeah, there’s going to be a new Dynasty Warriors film out. Fresh out of the “success” of Dynasty Warriors 9, we get this trailer.
Cheesy rock music, dudes getting beaten up by one sole guy with a polearm and long facial hair, some nonsensical plot element involving “Musou” energy and only a few heroes in the era being able to use it; sounds just about right. Check it out below.

Given the source material, the film will be produced by China 3D Digital Entertainment Limited and will be directed by Hong Kong director Roy Chow Hin Yeung. It will be out in 2019 with Koei Tecmo’s full official blessing.


Garfield Lasagna Party Brings The Pasta When It Launches Next Month

Microids, in partnership with Paramount Consumer Products, has announced that the party game Garfield Lasagna Party, developed by Balio Studio, will be available on 10 November 2022 on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Garfield, Odie, Arlene and Nermal have imagined the craziest mini-games for their huge Lasagna Party you are invited to! Be ready to give your best to finish ahead of your opponents by winning as many of the 32 mini-games as possible. Here is a taste of some of the yummy challenges you will compete with your friends:

Catch it: Be the first one to catch the toast, but beware of the burned slice!
Dog Panic: Escape the horde of dogs while avoiding obstacles and reach the finish line in the first place.
Featherweight: Memorize the food packed by your opponents, but be careful not to swallow any chilli peppers. The player who eats the most wins the mini-game.
Last Lasagna: Hold on to the lasagna for as long as possible to earn the most points whilst using the tomatoes to slow down your opponents.
Slice & Dice: Slice the pizza to split the right amount of pepperoni on each slice!
Spring Cleaning: Use your broom to push as many items as possible out of your area.
Under the light: Collect as much lasagna as possible before the time runs out while avoiding Jon’s spotlight!
Aspiring Artist: Follow the line the best you can.

The game features more than 30 mini-games in famous Garfield environments such as Jon’s house, the pizzeria or Dr. Liz’s pet clinic. You will play as one of the four iconic characters from Jim Davis’ iconic comic: Garfield, Nermal, Arlene & Odie.


Our Favourite Hari Raya Cards From Video Game Publishers & Developers

Just like with Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri comes with its own specialized green-themed holiday cards. Video game companies from all over Asia create special ones to celebrate this glorious time.
Check out our favourites below:
Metronomik

Zuke and Mayday are in traditional garb in this simple-but-sweet Metronomik greeting card.
Streamline Studios

The trademark Streamline hamster takes a break with this green-laden ketupat-filled artwork. Ace!
Persona Theory

Here’s an adorable one from the folks behind the upcoming adventure titles Fires at Midnight and Kabaret.
Toge Productions

This Indonesian dessert is called Kolak. A mixture of coconut milk, brown sugar, and pandan leaf as the base, and cooked with bananas, sweet potatoes, or tapioca balls. It's a very popular iftar dish during holy month of Ramadan.#EidMubarak to all of you who celebrates it! pic.twitter.com/o0pJwxGW5h
— Coffee Talk ?? (@coffeetalk_game) May 24, 2020

To celebrate their pixel art-intensive Coffee Talk adventure game further, the devs decide to post a pixelated version of the famous Indonesian dessert Kolak.
Mojiken Studio

Let's celebrate Eid at home with homies and closest people ?? pic.twitter.com/Oi0Lec7YIa
— Mojiken Studio (@MojikenStudio) May 24, 2020

The folks behind the upcoming adventure game A Space For The Unbound created this quick Twitter video. And also this A Space For The Unbound-themed greeting image.

Happy #EidMubarak! Wish you happiness on this beautiful day!#asftu #gamedev #indiedev pic.twitter.com/C9n5i8imtS
— A Space for the Unbound ? WISHLIST NOW! (@ASFTUgame) May 24, 2020

Talk about pulling off double duty!
MDEC

Here’s a vector-filled greeting image from Malaysia’s Digital Economy Corporation, complete with the “fight COVID-19” motto that’s commonplace these days. It’s always good to stay positive anyway, so good on them!
Infinite Carnage
https://www.facebook.com/InfiniteCarnage.InC/posts/1899983540137259?__cft__[0]=AZXpye0MjBsSvqtB76BGJis–36xxr5B7EWC9wk604SGbuDPnATqykOtBZNzAs7dn9BEynIIg4sQYXzuZQ2uWf6ahTAg-4zUEJXhl180aEa6PKhtIM7mRHyvhiAatq-cG6XxUYnq-4GA_vpsaHh290HDx00ayb_osu39SgrKZi4FUA&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
One of Malaysia’s awesome fighting game groups left this cute message for the holidays.
Flash Vision
https://www.facebook.com/FVesport/posts/698224547628615?__cft__[0]=AZU7K2527BWL2Ha05Bau7Yl242rp9WJ9268EZGwwMm8KdaGxeuaY6K-6KSLKS_Pv-Kg9eBEOVRoZzdP50P8rItEFA4skCGYZ-Bxeh_u_4Jn2RQQ67OAAouOBVtaNMOc07Ev2eXvnpDtt0qRV2GX06O6ZQyeg-2MVJw1AKLx-vfVrYw&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
A lovely poem from one of Malaysia’s prominent fighting game groups.
The Magic Rain

Our cool partners (who showcase our videos and features time and again) created this special Hari Raya greeting card that bucks the green-filled trend of all traditional cards. Good on them!
I’ll bet a few of you are wondering where our Hari Raya contributions are. Well, they’re out in the YouTube wilds; you can check them out here. Do subscribe to us while you’re at it; we totally appreciate it!


Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Slashes In With Cool New Weapons & Moves

Monster Hunter: WorldÂ is Capcom’s number one selling game of all time, pushing up to 12.4 million units acrossÂ the PS4, Xbox One and PC.
Naturally, they’re going to capitalize on this its first major expansion in September titled Iceborne,Â now featuring a ton of cool moves and beasties to slay.Â The expansion will feature many fan-favourite monsters like the Nargacuga as seen in this trailer.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1P4HLHwz-0]
But that’s not the main point of the story here. I did mention new action and animations for your trusty old weapons. Check them out below:
Sword & Shield
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVGdJfbI9QI]
Dual Blades
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLyKRirLnHk]
Great Sword
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLWsVX5SzYI]
Long Sword
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdFOa9P6B3c]
Clutch Claw
The Clutch Claw is Monster Hunter’s latest gadget in the hunter arsenal, allowing hunters to grapple onto monsters. The gadget is also used to perform devastating attacks or even guide the monster momentarily.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtHUH2aU1UQ]
Conclusion
All the featured weapons above with their new animations got me extremely stoked! My favourite move would be the Long Sword Iai , or “foresight draw slash” for those not familiar with sword stances. It has “anime weeb” written all over it, and I’m a sucker for anime-inspired attack moves.
I’m truly hyped for this game, but it seems that I’m stuck between IceborneÂ which releases on 6 September and Borderlands 3, which the latter is coming a week apart from Monster Hunter World‘s largest expansion ever. Both of the games require commitment and patience.
Not that I’m complaining; September is a helluva great month to be a gamer!


Auto Chess Guide: How To Position & 3-Star Your Way To Victory

This guide is continuously under development, given Auto Chess’ ever-updating state.
Drodo’s popular hit game, Auto Chess, is now available on iOS and Android, and tons of MOBA players are enjoying the game. In fact, Auto Chess is coming to PC via Epic Games StoreÂ since Drodo broke off with Valve to create their own version, prompting Valve to come up with Dota Underlords, which is played in a similar vein. Hell, Riot Games has its own version too.
Auto Chess is basically the same game asÂ Dota 2 Auto Chess, retaining the same mechanics without the Dota 2 aesthetics. To-may-to, to-mah-to.
The game is still in its infancy, which means players of all backgrounds are still figuring out the best strategies in becoming the sage of the chessboard. For this guide, we will be using the names from Auto Chess Origins and Auto Chess for Android and iOS devices respectively.
The Basics: Getting Started
Overview
Auto Chess pits 8 players over multiple rounds. The goal is to be the last person standing.
The game starts by purchasing a chess piece with Gold. You’ll be fighting AI creeps for first three rounds. This is so you can build up your Gold economy as well as your items. After the creep rounds, you’ll be facing the other players in the same fashion.
If you battle AI units, they will occasionally drop items which you can pick up by tapping on them. If you battle other players, no items will drop. However, if you win, you’ll deal damage to the opponentâ€™s health based on how many of your pieces remain on the board. Conversely, youâ€™ll lose health if all of your pieces are destroyed.
Chess Pieces
Chest Pieces have either an active or passive ability. These pieces will cast their active skill once the mana bar is full. Pieces gain mana when inflicting damage. Some pieces gain mana faster than others. Certain items boost mana generation = More abilities cast.
Chess Pieces can be combined to become powerful units. Three chess pieces of the same level can be combined to the next tier. For example, to create a Two-Star Unit, you need to combine three One-Star Unit. Same goes to Three-Star Units, you’ll need to combine three Two-Star Units.
Each piece has an inherent race that could be exploited to your benefit. Place multiple pieces of the same race on the board and itâ€™ll confer a special unit bonus. You can tap the icons towards the top right of the screen to see what buffs are active at any time during the match, or how many units of a particular race you need to meet the next requirement.
The level of your avatar, the green goblin dude, determines how many pieces can be on the board at one moment. Higher levels also unlock higher rarity pieces with AOE abilities or higher damages.
Gold Economy
It’s important to keep an eye at your Gold because it is used to buy chess pieces as well as upgrade your avatar. So don’t spend it all in one go.
Gold is also used to reroll what the Piece Store offers you for 2 Gold.
You can also boost your avatar’s EXP using 5 Gold.
Piece Lineup

And now comes the meat of the game. Your lineup determines the outcome of the battle. There are 10 classes in the game. Here’s the breakdown of the units:

AssassinÂ

Soul Breaker (1 Gold)
Water Spirit (2 Gold)
Phantom Queen (2 Gold)
Abyssal Crawler (2 Gold)
Lord of Sand (3 Gold)
Viper (3 Gold)
Shadow Crawler (3 Gold)
Shining Assassin (4 Gold)

Druid

Unicorn (1 Gold)
Wisper Seer (2 Gold)
Warpwood Sage (2 Gold)
Razorclaw (4 Gold)

Hunter

Egersis Ranger (1 Gold)
Skull Hunter (2 Gold)
Dwarf Sniper (3 Gold)
Wind Ranger (3 Gold)
Siren (4 Gold)
Tsunami Stalker (5 Gold)

Knight

Frost Knight (1 Gold)
Hell Knight (2 Gold)
Lightblade Knight (2 Gold)
Evil Knight (3 Gold)
Argali Knight (3 Gold)
Dragon Knight (4 Gold)

Mage

Ogre Mage (1 Gold)Â
The Source (2 Gold
Shining Dragon (2 Gold)
Flaming Wizard (3 Gold)
Thunder Spirit (3 Gold)
Tortola Elder (4 Gold)
Blight Sorcerer (5 Gold)

Mech

Sky Breaker (1 Gold)
Heaven Bomber (1 Gold)
Ripper (2 Gold)
Devastator (4 Gold)

Shaman

Defector (1 Gold)
Storm Shaman (4 Gold)

Warlock

Desperate Doctor (2 Gold)
Shadow Devil (3 Gold)
Poisonous Worm (3 Gold)
Venomancer (4 Gold)
Soul Reaper (4 Gold)
Dark Spirit (5 Gold)

Warrior

Tusk Champion (1 Gold)
Redaxe Chief (1 Gold)
Stone Spirit (1 Gold)
Abyssal Guard (2 Gold)
Swordman (2 Gold)
Werewolf (3 Gold)
Pirate Captain (4 Gold)
Berserker (4 Gold)
Doom Arbiter (4 Gold)

Witcher

Taboo Witcher (1 Gold)
Fallen Witcher (3 Gold)

Find units who can disable, such as the Pirate Captain with his Ghost Ship ability which can stun multiple units in the vicinity. Also prioritize units who can help keep your tanks and damage-dealers alive like Unicorn, or keep their mana pool stocked up like The Source.
Whenever you start a new round, you can reroll what you have offered for 2 Gold, or lock the offer when you want a piece but is running low on Gold. When you lock your offer, you won’t be dealt with a new offer in the next round.
Piece Positioning: Getting To “Higher” Ground
Positioning is key to keep yourself from being trampled over the board.
In essence: Place melee units in front of the line and ranged at the back. This strategy goes deeper than it actually is. You are advised to place tank units in front as they aggro and absorb most of the opponents’ damage output while ranged units dish out damage.
We also found out that the Stone Spirit and Redaxe Chief are perfect candidates to place close to the front, while the Dwarven Sniper is best placed behind for optimum efficiency. Much like any fight, put the high HP guys in the front and the squishy gunners/ranged folks at the back.
However, be careful of flankers. Some enemy units, especially Assassins, tend to jump and flank your units, causing your line to break. Counter this by placing a tank or melee unit at the backmost row.
Shell formation.
You can also create a shell formation. This is when you gather all your squishy units in the corner while having all the tanky unit’s like a shell. This strat causes the enemy unit to attack the tankiest unit, in the case the Redaxe Chief, while your other units close in. There is also close to no space for flanking attacks.
Mid-Game
When your enemies are starting to have units with AOE ability, you can spread your pieces to three a side or similar. Getting caught in Pirate Captain’s Ghost Ship while in Shell Formation isn’t something you want.
All this depends on what piece are dealt with you so act accordingly. You don’t need to stick with one formation, always be on your feet.
NEXT: Items, Encyclopedia, & Misc.


The King of Fighters XV Is Revealed; Looks Cartoony Than Ever

After a short delay, SNK finally reveals its next King of Fighters fighting game: The King of Fighters XV.
The trailer features the following characters: Kyo Kusanagi, Shi’en, K’, Leona, Benimaru, and Mai Shiranui. Apart from the colourful art style and some close-up action, not much is revealed, at least until next week. Furthermore, SNK will be producing an animated short directed by one Masami Obari.
Here’s a quote from creative director Eisuke Ogura about the status of the game’s development:

“Weâ€™re focusing on keeping the seriesâ€™ staple of being fast-paced, while also adding elements to make it more exciting. Weâ€™re able to do things now for both sound and visuals that were impossible back when developingÂ XIV, so weâ€™re taking our time making sure each element is refined. Right now, weâ€™re focusing on brushing up features and optimizing the game. Though I expect some obstacles to get in our way, weâ€™re planning to have it ready to ship this year.”

KOF XV will be out 2021. No console or platform has been announced yet, but we’re guessing it’s for PS4, PS5, and PC.

We also have the reveal of the next two characters in the upcoming Samurai Shodown Season Pass 3: Cham-Cham and The Last Blade 2′s Hibiki. Cham-Cham will retain her hit-and-run rushdown gameplay from the past games and will be out mid-March 2021.


Nintendo Launch New Animation Studio Nintendo Pictures

Nintendo has officially launched the website for its new animation studio, Nintendo Pictures.
It was announced back in July that Nintendo planned to acquire Japanese CG company Dynamo Pictures, with the intention being to acquire 100% of its outstanding shares and make it a wholly owned subsidiary.
Following the acquisition, Dynamo Pictures was to be renamed to Nintendo Pictures Co, Ltd, at which point it would “focus on the development of visual content utilising Nintendo IP”. The deal was expected to close today, and has done so, hence the launch of the new Nintendo Pictures website.
The website shares a company message that reads in Japanese: “Through our videos, we aim to make Nintendo characters known to customers around the world and create one-of-a-kind videos that will remain in their memories forever. To this end, each and every one of our employees will work hard to create an organisation that can continue to grow, by always considering what could be interesting to customers around the world, and engaging in production work that they enjoy themselves. We will continue to take on the challenge of providing unique and surprising images to customers around the world, transcending generations and eras.”
As Dynamo Pictures, the company has produced CG for a number of movies and TV shows, including Yuri on Ice, Aya and the Witch and season two of Netflix‘s Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045.
With the acquisition, you’d understandably assume this would result in Nintendo producing more movies and TV series but it should be noted that Dynamo does specialise in developing visual content for games too. Dynamo has provided motion capture for titles such as Death Stranding, Nier Replicant, Monster Hunter World and Person 5 along with the CG for Final Fantasy XIII-2.
Other notable works are the collaborations Dynamo has done with Nintendo in the past. They helped with the CG cutscenes in Metroid: Other M, and produced a series of Pikmin ‘short movies’ in collaboration with Shigeru Miyamoto for display on Wii U and 3DS.
The planned rebranding to Nintendo Pictures is not to be confused with Nintendo Studios, which recently appeared on copyright listings for the upcoming Super Mario animated movie.
Although the listings didn’t give any further information, it appears that Nintendo Studios may be a new subsidiary set up by Nintendo to handle future visual entertainment such as movies or TV shows.
Similar subsidiaries include Marvel Studios LLC and PlayStation Studios LLC, which are subsidiaries of Walt Disney Studios and Sony Interactive Entertainment respectively.


Bayonetta 3: How To Unlock The Game’s Secret Chapter

Bayonetta 3, the new action game from Nintendo, Sega, and PlatinumGames, has a ton of collectibles and unlockables ranging from new hair colours to even alternate chapters to existing quests, as well as additional demons you can use and summon with the Devil Slave witch tech.
The biggest one, however, involves a picture book you can buy early in the game. It hides an entirely different game you can play for a few minutes involving a younger Cereza in a storybook fantasy world with a nifty witch spell mechanic.
Here’s a video guide on how to access the secret game.

Basically you have to buy the Old Picture Book from Rodin, then head to Chapter 1-2, 4-1, and 13-2 in the Ginnungagap Chaotic Rift transition planes. The three keys for the book are located in three of these areas. You’ll need at least the spider and bird Demon power-ups to reach the areas housing the keys.
Once you collect all three, you’ll then unlock the book and play through the secret chapter with little Cereza. Enjoy!


Loki Joins Fortnite Later This Week

Inspired by Marvel Studios’ The Avengers, Loki Laufeyson himself is the headliner of July 2021â€™s Crew Pack; going live for active Fortnite Crew members at 8am GMT+8 on 1 July 2021.
This Pack features the Loki Laufeyson Outfit, his classic accessory theÂ Lokiâ€™s Cape Back Bling, the glow stick of destinyÂ Lokiâ€™s Scepter Pickaxe, theÂ Chitauri Chariot GliderÂ (not of Asgard or any world known), and theÂ Lokiâ€™s Welcoming Loading Screen.

The Loading Screen up close:

MORE FORTNITE CREW BENEFITS: SEASON 7 BATTLE PASS, MONTHLY V-BUCKS, AND THE JUNE CREW PACK
SEASON 7 BATTLE PASS
Fortnite Crew subscribers always have instant access to the current Seasonâ€™s Battle Pass. This means that active subscribers during the present Chapter 2 Season 7 automatically get its Battle Pass.
If you already bought the Chapter 2 Season 7 Battle Pass before subscribing during the Season, a one-time 950 V-Bucks return will be applied to your account.

1,000 V-BUCKS EVERY MONTH
Active Fortnite Crew subscribers receive 1,000 V-Bucks every month. These V-Bucks are received on the day of subscribersâ€™ billing date. Signed up on 28 June 2021? Youâ€™ll be granted 1,000 V-Bucks upon sign-up, then while subscribed, 1,000 V-Bucks on28 July 2021, then on 28 August 2021, and so on.
JUNE CREW PACK: MECHA CUDDLE MASTER ACTIVATES
Though the July Crew Pack is approaching, players donâ€™t need to worry if theyâ€™re also interested inÂ Juneâ€™s Crew Pack. As long as you subscribe to Fortnite Crew before June 30 at 8 PM ET (when players begin to receive the July Crew Pack), you will automatically receive Juneâ€™s Crew Pack.

After travelling to a different dimension, Cuddle Team Leader returned as Mecha Cuddle Master in time for June. In addition to the Mecha Cuddle Master Outfit, Juneâ€™s Crew Pack includes the Psytronic Bow Back Bling, Nuzzle Jet Pickaxe, and Cuddle Mech Wrap. (The Outfit, Back Bling, and Pickaxe come in three different styles.)
As well as the Crew Pack, Juneâ€™s benefits include the Mecha Power and Mecha Power (Instrumental) Lobby Tracks, featuring the music fromÂ Mecha Cuddle Masterâ€™s reveal trailer.

In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Resident Evil 4 Remake Gets Adorable Anime Shorts

With less than a week to go until the launch of Resident Evil 4 Remake, Capcom has released the first episode of a series of anime shorts for the game, titled Leon And The Mysterious Village. Produced by Nippon Animation, the first episode is titled “Looking For Ashley” and is currently available to watch on YouTube. (Editor’s note: this ad campaign is clearly parodying the 1974 anime series Heidi: Girl of the Alps).
Resident Evil 4 Remake is slated to release for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC on 24 March 2023 later this week. In the meantime, check out the first episode of the anime shorts below:


Our PS Plus December Games Are Actually Better Than The US

Asian gamers always get the short straw when it comes to PlayStation Plus offerings. For instance, PS Plus subscribers in the US received Yakuza Kiwami and Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition in November 2018, while we only received Beyond: Two Souls and Metronomicon: Slay the Dance Floor.
For the first time in a while (past several months), we’re finally getting better games than the US. Our PS Plus December 2018 lineup includes underrated gems like Gravity Rush 2 and God Eater 2: Rage Burst. Meanwhile, US gamers are only getting SOMA and Onrush.
Look, I’m not saying SOMA and Onrush aren’t great games in their own right. I’m just pointing out that (comparatively in terms of value and content) Gravity Rush 2 and God Eater 2: Rage BurstÂ to be arguably better.
Gravity Rush 2 (PS4)

This action-adventure PS4 exclusive released to little fanfare in 2017, despite featuring innovative and refreshing gameplay. Fans of the game will understand how freeing and exhilarating it feels to control the game protagonist Kat’s ability to manipulate gravity, using the Dualshock 4’s under-utilized touchpad and motion gyroscope controls.
Although Gravity Rush 2 managed to accumulate a healthy community of fans and a cult following, it was ultimately not enough for Sony, who pulled the plug on the game’s server in July 2018. However, it’s still a great single-player game that everyone should play.
God Eater 2: Rage Burst (PS4)

Think of the God Eater franchise as something of an anime version of Monster Hunter, albeit based in a post-apocalyptic wasteland filled with mutated humans-turned-monsters called Aragami. Instead of bone swords and bow guns, God Eater 2: Rage Burst features uncannily huge weapons like giant swords and hammers, that can also transform into humongous guns and rifles.
It’s a great decision to offer God Eater 2: Rage Burst as a PS Plus free game now, with God Eater 3 slated to release worldwide next year on February 8, 2019. Japanese gamers will receive the game several months earlier on December 13, 2018.
Katamari Damashii No Vita (PS Vita)

The PS Vita may be dead but Sony isn’t forgetting Vita owners just yet. The Japanese version of Touch My Katamari will be available to play as a PS Plus free game, having originally launched way back in 2011.
Asian PS Plus subscribers will be able to download all three games starting from December 6, 2018, to January 9, 2019. In the meantime, check out the PlayStation Plus December 2018 lineup trailer below, courtesy of PlayStation Asia.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrqTLvyH3dI&w=560&h=315]


Total War Pharaoh Announced, Coming This October

SEGA and Creative Assembly have announced Total War Pharaoh, the first new historical Total War in a long time after all the Total War Warhammer titles and pseudo-history fantasy titles like A Total War Saga Troy. The last historical title was Total War Three Kingdoms in 2019.
In Total War Pharaoh, the newest entry in the award-winning grand strategy series, immerse yourself in ancient Egypt at the zenith of its power and experience the dramatic events that threaten its destruction.
The setting is this:
With the end looming for the great Pharaoh Merneptah, the people of Egypt cry out for a new leader. Many desire the power of the throne, but the path to becoming Pharaoh is a perilous one. Unearth a breathtakingly vibrant recreation of the Bronze Age Collapse as you battle societal disarray, face natural disasters and fight to protect your people against waves of invaders.
Prove your legitimacy to become Pharaoh, or Great King of the Hittites, and expand your growing empire on a campaign map that spans the rich cultural hubs of Egypt, Canaan and Anatolia. With a choice of eight Faction Leaders, step into their unique playstyles and take charge of diverse unit rosters. Whether you’re charming the courts as a peerless diplomat, charging into battle as an unwavering commander or causing chaos as a fearless warlord, become a leader that history will remember.
The base game contains eight playable factions from three diverse cultures:

Egyptian: Ramesses, Seti, Tausret, Amenmesse
Canaanite: Bay and Irsu
Hittite: Kurunta and Suppiluliuma

With a brand-new Campaign Customisation feature, no two campaigns will ever feel the same. Determine how you play with an extended range of campaign customisation options, such as random starting positions for all factions, detailed resource settings, the ability to toy with natural disasters and much more.
Total War Pharaoh will launch on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store sometime in October 2023.
In the meantime, check out our review of A Total War Saga Troy MYTHOS here. In addition, check out my review of Total War Warhammer 3 and Immortal Empires here.
Check out the trailer below:


Christoph Waltz Wants To Be In Another Alita Movie, But…

What I remember best about Alita: Battle Angel, apart from that stunning Motorball scene, was the sight of Christoph Waltz carrying an oversized rocket hammer. While I’m not sure how much he liked carrying that hammer around, Waltz is definitely a fan of the overall experience of acting in Alita, as he very much wants to be involved in a sequel.
Speaking to Collider, the actor expressed his enthusiasm for the idea of being in another Alita movie. “Of course! Of course I would! But, you know, Iâ€™m as wise as you are. I havenâ€™t heard anything and Iâ€™m a little disappointed and surprised that I havenâ€™t heard a thing so far, because I know that it has followers,” Waltz said.

“I know that people liked it and aside from what others said, I loved it and I liked working on it and I liked the result.”

However, now that Disney has acquired Fox, who originally released the movie under the 20th Century Fox banner, Waltz doesn’t have high hopes that a sequel will happen. “You know, it was Fox and Fox doesnâ€™t exist anymore. Now itâ€™s Disney,” he said.

“Maybe it doesnâ€™t fit into the Disneyfication, but I have no clue. I have no clue. Maybe theyâ€™re working on something and I wouldnâ€™t be the first person to hear, but meanwhile, I havenâ€™t heard anything.”

AlitaÂ earned $404 million globally on a budget of $170 million. That doesn’t signify massive success in my eyes, so I had doubts that a sequel was going to happen anyway. Having said that, Terminator Genisys did marginally better with a global gross of $440 million on a budget of $155 million, and while it didn’t receive a sequel, Paramount still continued the franchise with (the mediocre) Terminator: Dark Fate.
As for the Disney thing, Alita was only rated PG-13 (although it did get pretty brutal at times), and with the House of Mouse even saying that they won’t tone down Fox’s R-rated properties, the movie’s content might not be a big issue for them. Still, it’s been over a year and there’s yet to be any news of a sequel, so regardless of the reason, it looks like fans will have to continue waiting and join Waltz in his disappointment.


Streamline Studios Nominates New Managing Director For Malaysian Branch

Streamline Studios has announced new leadership for its Malaysian office. the company’s former General Manager Richard Cheah will be serving as the managing director for the Malaysian regional headquarters.
Here’s the official statement from Streamline CEO Alexander Fernandez:
“In the past two decades, Streamline has committed to cultivating the most diverse and global team possible. We are proud of Richard’s progression to Managing Director and will continue to nurture our local talent and provide sustainable career paths in the global games industry.”
Richard Cheah, who is from Kuala Lumpur, started his career at Streamline as a junior project manager back in 2013, working on major titles like Street Fighter 5 and Cyberpunk 2077; the assets and artwork side of things anyway. Here’s a quote from the man himself about his new role:
“My dream has come true. “I am delighted to be in a position now where I can make meaningful change to the lives of Streamliners and the games industry ecosystem in my home country. Seeing where the industry is heading, I’m looking forward to shaping this next phase of Streamline’s growth and creating jobs.”
On a related note, Streamline has recently opened a Japan office as well as recruited former chairman of PlayStation Worldwide Shawn Layden as part of the company’s advisory board.


Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Will Receive A Massive 1.04 Update Tonight

It’s been two weeks since Assassin’s Creed Valhalla launched, and many players have suffered plenty of bugs while playing the game. I myself have encountered several bugs, including a rather frustrating corrupted saves issue.
All of that will hopefully change later tonight when the Assassin’s Creed Vallhalla update 1.04 drops at 8pm GMT+8 on 26 November 2020 across all platforms.
Here are the size of the update for each platform:
Xbox Series X/S – 5.3GBXbox One – 4.9GBPS5 – 2.5GBPS4 – 4.1GBPC – 4.3GB
The Assassin’s Creed Valhalla 1.04 patch will bring tons of new content and improvements. When I say that, I do mean a lot.
I’ll list down the official patch notes below, but highlight the biggest improvements and fixes that I can identify after my own experience of sinking many, many hours into the game.
Interestingly, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game will soon give players an option between Graphics or Performance modes.
Notably, many players (including me) have discovered that they stopped being able to collect any more Fabric in the game after a certain point, which means that they’re locked out of upgrading their bow and arrow/rations, as well as completing a particular altar offering.
That issue will be fixed, as will many others. What’s weird is that the patch notes does mention several improvements to Save Games, but we’ll have to wait and see if the corrupted saves problem will truly be solved by this patch.
Content
Graphics/Performance Mode Introduction
Added an option to the game that allows players to choose between Performance or Visual Quality.Feature breakdown:
This option is available for Xbox Series X/S and PS5.Choosing PerformanceÂ allows the game to adapt the resolution and graphic settings to maintain 60FPS.Choosing QualityÂ enables the game to run maximum resolution and graphic settings while maintaining 30FPS.Default valuesÂ since the launch of the game are as follows:Xbox Series X / PS5: PerformanceXbox Series S: Quality
Miscellaneous
Added a new background image to the title screen.Added various VFX to enhance visuals.Added an option that will automatically assign all nodes on the path when acquiring a central skill.Added rune categories to the rune menu. All runes are now categorized in Weapon & Armor runes.Added a warning when switching from a language that supports TTS to one that doesn’t.Sliders can now be moved with left/right arrows on M&K and controllers.Increased fabric limit to 82.Added fabric to traders once the settlement has reached Level 6.Added offering altar requirements to the world map.
Balancing
Updated gear quality and gear to their correct values.Added Assassination damage stats on the character stats page.Removed duplicate gear from inventory.Heavy and light attack stats will now adjust correctly based on acquired skill nodes.Heavy attack modifiers will no longer be applied to range attacks.
Game Improvements
Performance and Stability
Improved stability and performance.(Xbox Series) Improved experience on Xbox Series X/S consoles including screen tearing.(PC) Addressed a VRAM/RAM leakage issue when alt-tabbing to desktop.
Save Games
Corrected some instances where Load Game would not display save games correctly.Renamed Cloud saves to make them more distinguishable from regular saves.Previously the cloud save was only highlighted with a Cloud icon. Now theyâ€™ll be called, for example, â€œManual Save Cloudâ€Removed Cloud saves from the Save menu. This will ensure that it cannot be overwritten unintentionally.Added a notification when a cloud save retrieval has failed.
Graphics, Audio, Animation
Addressed various graphical issues across the board.Addressed various FX issues.Addressed various instances of clipping issues.Addressed various visual issues with Eivor’s cloak.Addressed various instances of player or NPC animation issues.Addressed various audio issues.Addressed various lighting issues.Shadow resolution on High will now use correct values.
World
Addressed various texture or object placement issues.Addressed some instances where the player could become stuck in specific locations.Fish in Norway will now spawn in bad weather.Crows will no longer randomly fall from the sky in Asgard.
Gameplay, Combat, AI
Addressed various bow-aiming issues.Improved NPC and Boss behaviour across the board.NPCs will now react to the player stealing.Addressed an issue where dogs would start levitating when Eivor starts to pet them.Blocking Springald projectiles will now consume stamina, as intended.Zealots that were hit with a sleep dart can now be stun attacked.Zealots will no longer heal themselves while in player vicinity.Guards who clearly saw Eivor shoot their ally will now turn hostile.Guards will now hear the impact of dead bodies dropping to the ground.Improved guard reactions to whistling.Improved disguise behaviour in distrust zones.Shooting bows from the Longship now consume arrows.Players will now be able to air-assassinate sleeping NPCs.Improved fish-reeling behaviour.Addressed an issue where the horse wouldn’t use the gallop animation in combat.The crowd will now cheer during drinking games.Reworked sliding mechanic.
Quests, World Events, Side Activities
Addressed an issue where the assassination sequence wouldn’t play for some targets.Addressed various texture issues during cutscenes.Addressed various issues with quests or world events that prevented players from completing them.Players can no longer use the fishing tool or the horn during the drunk walk with Tewdr.Subquests will now display the correct “Part of” parent quest.The memory stream can now be chosen when starting a New Game if Hold Alternative option is set to ON.Increased frequency of experienced travellers.
User Interface / HUD
Addressed various issues with the User Interface/HUD.Addressed various localization issues.Addressed various Mouse- and Keyboard-related input issuesSecrets will now be discovered when synchronizing a Viewpoint. (This does not apply to Pathfinder difficulty)Experienced travellers are now highlighted on the world map and on the compass when in proximity.Addressed an issue where the map wouldn’t update once players got intel from an experienced traveller.Increased Odin’s Sight radius and enemies will now be highlighted for longer.Improved radius in which Synin reveals keys.Reduced Synin’s view distance of materials.Improved the objective beam behaviour.Settlement building beams can now be seen using Odin’s Sight.Improved enemy target-lock mechanic.“Sell all trinkets” will now be greyed out after all trinkets were sold.Bossesâ€™ power levels will now be displayed on their health gauge. This does not apply to regular enemies.Regular brightness settings will no longer apply to HDR exposure settings.The Codex will no longer foreshadow or spoil some events.(A11y) Desktop entries and content on Layla’s laptop are now narrated when Menu Narration is ON.(A11y) Colourblind filters are now applied correctly to mini-quest log and raid tutorial.
Abilities and Skills
Addressed an issue where players couldn’t use any abilities anymore when the Dive of the Valkyries ability was interrupted.Ally NPCs or horses can no longer trigger body traps.Addressed a display issue where the poisonous powder trap could become invisible after using Synin.Adjusted chain-assassination behaviour. Players will no longer be able to assassinate a target who was tackled to the ground.The Secondary hand slot will no longer be available when a two-handed weapon is equipped (pre-heavy dual-wield skill).Flaming powder traps will now explode when walking over the arrow.
Raids
“Force Open” will now be displayed correctly even if nearby allies are in combat.Addressed an issue where allies would not help Eivor to open a door during Raids.Allies will now return to the longship once a raid is complete.Added a timer until players can restart a raid that was just completed.
Photo Mode
Effect values can now be adjusted with arrow keys or WASD.The no-filter option will now work correctly.The Territory panel is no longer displayed in Photo Mode.Changing filters will now work as intended.Addressed an issue where an Online Service Error could occur temporarily when looking at photos on the world map.Snow FX will now centre to the camera instead of the player in Photo Mode.
System
(PC) Updated readme files to show correct PC specifications.Added additional checkpoints to some boss fights.Addressed an issue that led controllers to vibrate constantly.Addressed an issue where players could become stuck in a black screen after closing the menu with start.(PC) Updated the autodetect config for Nvidia Geforce 1650 S.
In the meantime, check outÂ our full review ofÂ Assassinâ€™s Creed ValhallaÂ here, orÂ head on over here for our guideÂ on how to be the best Viking in the game.


Captain Tsubasa Rise Of New Champions Update Adds Hirado Middle School Story & Scramble Match Mode

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Asia has announced the release of the “Hirano Middle School Story”, which comes as as a new route in Story Mode, as well as with the new mode, “Scramble Match” today for Captain Tsubasa Rise Of New Champions. The paid downloadable content, “Episode of Rising Stars”, will be released tomorrow, 31 March 2022.
Free update: New mode “Scramble Match”!
The new mode, “Scramble Match” has been released as free update today! Scramble Match is a new competitive mode where regular soccer matches have been spiced up by the introduction of various items. Using items will now make it easier to attack and leads to a greater chance of scoring goals.
A full list of the distinctive range of items available has been published on the game’s official homepage.
Free update: New “Hirado Middle School Story” route within “Episode of New Hero”!
The “Hirano Middle School Story” is a new route in the Story Mode “Episode of New Hero”, where you will be playing as a new first year student. This has been released as a free update today!
“This will be the last pass I ever receive…”
As the dark horse from Nagasaki, Hirado Middle School has long proven a thorn in the side of Nankatsu Middle School.
Having grown through their matches against Nankatsu and affected by the retirements of Jito and the other third-years, Hirado has changed tack from their strategy of feigning weakness to a more straightforward style, where they are always playing to their full strength.
With Sano at the core of this new approach, the question that remains is how their newest player (your own character) can combine with him and contribute to Hirado’s success…
New paid DLC: “Episode of Rising Stars”!
The newest paid DLC for the title, “Episode of Rising Stars”, will be released on 31 March 2022. “Episode of Rising Stars” is a story set in a hypothetical timeline midway through the Junior Youth World Challenge in the “Episode of New Hero” story, depicting what might have happened to the players behind the scenes.
This new story also contains three missions; clearing each mission unlocks the next part of the story, and eventually allows you to acquire new players with different ?-level abilities.
The characters in focus during this newly released story are Hikaru Matsuyama, Taro Misaki, and Karl-Heinz Schneider – all of which have been given fascinating stories to play through. We hope fans of the game will try them all.


Ludwig Joins Moist Esports As Co-Owner

YouTube streaming star Ludwig Ahgren has become a co-owner of Moist Esports, an esports organisation founded by Charles White Jr., more commonly referred to as MoistCr1TiKaL.
He made the announcement by appearing in a video alongside the organization’s founder. This comes after Ludwig signed an exclusive streaming deal with YouTube in November 2021.

A new friend has appeared!? @LudwigAhgren pic.twitter.com/rSvhs7kZ6O
— Moist Esports (@MoistEsports) January 25, 2023

In the announcement video, Ludwig discussed Moist Esports’ competitive achievements and their decision to not accept sponsorships from crypto companies, which have become increasingly popular among esports organizations. He asked MoistCr1TiKaL if the organization had to spend a lot of money to achieve their success, to which MoistCr1TiKaL responded that Ludwig had been given a lot of money by YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki to burn.
MoistCr1TiKaL has previously stated that he is willing to lose money on Moist Esports because of his passion for the organization. The organization has earned several awards, including a Rocket League Major trophy and a Smash major championship at CEO. They also compete in Apex Legends and Splitgate.
Ludwig has been expanding his content efforts and has recently organized a chessboxing event and a Ludwig x Tarik VALORANT invitational. With the new funding, Moist Esports could potentially expand to other games and ventures in the future.


New Naruto One-Shot Manga Is Available Now Online For Free

Guess what, fellow fans? Naruto is making a comeback! I kid you not. Masashi Kishimoto, the genius behind the manga series, has blessed us with a fresh one-shot.

Brace yourselves for Naruto: The Whorl Within the Spiral, dedicated to none other than the beloved Minato Namikaze, who stole the show in the Naruto P99 Popularity Poll. Kishimoto sensei has poured his heart and soul into this extended one-shot, and the wait is finally over!
What’s the new 55-paged Minato Namikaze One-Shot about?

Prepare to be transported back to Minato’s early days as a ninja, long before he rose to the glorious position of Hokage. You’ll tag along with Minato and his original genin team as they face epic battles together.
This one-shot also delves deep into the blossoming love story between Minato and Kushina, leaving you with a big grin on your face and maybe even blushing a little. Oh, and did I mention it reveals the story behind Minato’s creation of the legendary Rasengan and how he managed to tame the fearsome 9-tailed beast, Kurama, within Kushina?
And let me tell you, Kishimoto’s artwork in this one-shot is jaw-dropping. It’s a visual feast that takes this masterpiece to a whole new level of awesomeness. It just goes to show that Naruto’s world still holds boundless potential, and Kishimoto knows how to tap into it.
Now, here’s the best part: you don’t have to wait a second longer to get your hands on this highly anticipated gem. The new Naruto one-shot, “The Whorl Within the Spiral,” focusing on Minato Namikaze, is available in English right now on Manga Plus.
So what are you waiting for? Dive into the adventure and immerse yourself in the world of Naruto once again.


Streamer Kai Cenat Banned For The 4th Time

Kai Cenat, a popular live streamer with over 3.5 million followers on Twitch and 3 million subscribers on YouTube, has been officially banned from Twitch since 26 January.
This isn’t Cenat’s first rodeo though and has a history of being banned multiple times in the past. According to the StreamerBans site, which started tracking Cenat’s channel in 2021, his first two bans were for one day each in July and August, but his third ban, issued in March 2022, lasted for an entire month.

? Twitch Partner "KaiCenat" (@KaiCenat) has been banned! ?https://t.co/b3E7QWuWQl#twitch #ban #fourthban #partner #twitchpartner ?
— StreamerBans (@StreamerBans) January 26, 2023

The duration of the ban is not known. Twitch has not provided any official statement or reason for the ban. The speculated reason for the ban is due to an incident where Cenat ate edibles and passed out on a live stream, as Twitch’s terms of service prohibit drug use. But it’s possible that there might be another reason for the ban.
It is uncertain how long Kai Cenat’s latest ban from Twitch will last, but it is possible that it could result in a permanent ban. However, Twitch has shown leniency towards popular streamers in the past, allowing them multiple chances before issuing a permanent ban. For instance, Amouranth has been banned multiple times but none of the bans have been permanent. Cenat’s popularity may also work in his favour, with a less severe punishment or a shorter ban duration.
On the other hand, a permanent ban was issued to Dr Disrespect, whose ban reason was never made public. Similarly, Twitch has not given an official reason for Cenat’s ban, but many fans believe it is related to the incident where he ate edibles and passed out on a live stream.


Overwatch Summer Games 2018 Is Now Live

Whip out those summer clothing (what am I talking about – it’s always summer here in Asia!) and put on those trainers as the Overwatch Summer Games is now in full swing til the end of the month (31st August).
As usual, you can expectÂ new skins which were teased for the past few weeks, a newÂ  LÃºcioball map – Busa Stadium – andÂ the return of all the previous Summer Games items. So here’s a quick recap of what’s in store for this year event:

Over 50 newÂ 2018 Summer Games itemsÂ
6 new Legendary Skins â€“ Cabana Ana, Fastball Zenyatta, Gridironhardt Reinhardt, Lacrosse Roadhog, Waveracer D.Va, and Catcher Winston
3 new Epic Skins â€“ Mexicana Sombra, Ã‰ireannach Moira, and Tre Kronor Brigitte
Over 200 total Summer Games themed cosmetics from throughout the years to collect; now at a reduced cost.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEvBBVyZM2o&w=560&h=315]
Also not forgetting is the return of Lucioball and its competitive mode – the best way to farm for lootboxes in bid to land that sweet, sweet Waveracer D.Va skin.

But we have some minor gripes though, as we think this year’s content is quite lacking. With only six new legendaries and no new mode, we were kind of hoping for Blizzard to introduce a new arcade mode; an official version Genji tennis perhaps?
What do you think of this year’s Summer Games Event items? Yay or nay?


PlayStation Hit By Gender Discrimination Lawsuit From Former Employee

Sony Interactive Entertainment and PlayStation are facing a lawsuit by a former employee. As reported by Axios, a former PlayStation IT security risk analyst named Emma Majo is suing the company for alleged pay disparity, wrongful termination, and gender-based discrimination.
In the lawsuit, Emma Majo claimed that women working at PlayStation were paid less than male employees with the same jobs and responsibilities, as well as that they were not given promotions and equal compensation. She further alleges that Sony â€œtolerates and cultivates a work environment that discriminates against female employees”.
The wrongful termination happened after she claimed that she reported the discrimination to Sony with a signed statement in 2021. After that, the company fired her on the grounds of a department being eliminated, even though she said that she wasn’t even part of that aforementioned department.
In her career dating from 2015, Majo claims to have seen bias against women, both cis and trans. She remained stuck in the same position for six years and she alleges that male supervisors, like security director Yuu Sugita, would decline to speak with women if the door is closed. If a male employee is in the same room, they would only speak with him.
At the time of writing, Sony has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. This comes less than a week after Sony spoke out against sexual misconduct and toxic work environments at Activision Blizzard.


The vivo T1 Series Launches In Malaysia With Two Variants

vivo today officially debuted its T1 series with the vivo T1 5G and vivo T1x smartphones that provide mobile gamers with turbo performance in Malaysia. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon® 778G 5G processor and supported by a 4700 mAh battery with 66W FlashCharge, vivo T1 5G is equipped with a 6.44” 90Hz AMOLED Fullsense Display that provides an immersive experience to gamers. Protected by the Vapor Chamber Cooling System that covers a heat dissipation area of 32,923mm2, the smartphone also pushes the limits of current cost-effective gaming for global consumers.
Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer of vivo Malaysia, said:
“vivo T1 Series was specifically designed for the growing number of mobile gamers around the world who are seeking high-performance mobile phones that are cost-efficient while bringing their gaming potential to the next level. The launch of the vivo T1 Series is a testament to vivo’s ongoing efforts to provide consumers with industry-leading products that feature powerful performance, innovative gaming features, excellent battery life, and a turbo-charged immersive gaming experience.”
Industry-Leading Turbo Performance
vivo T1 5G is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon® 778G 5G processor. From performing basic operations to processing graphics, running artificial intelligence (AI) and every task in between, consumers will be blown away by its speed. Its large-capacity 4700 mAh battery supports 66W FlashCharge and greatly reduces charging time.
With a heat dissipation area of 32,923mm², which is three times the phone’s surface area, vivo T1 5G always stays cool and delivers peak performance. The industry-leading VC (2,097mm²) also has an innovative heat dissipation design that quickly conducts heat away from the smartphone.
In pursuit of higher performance, the newly updated Multi-Turbo 5.5 uses an AI algorithm to allocate computing power and optimize the processor, memory, system, and more. This update greatly enhances the efficiency of resource allocation and memory usage. The innovative Extended RAM 2.0 technology also supports more apps (up to 25 apps) running in the background and ensures users can always switch smoothly between apps, allowing them to unleash the smartphone’s firepower on their mobile games.
The vivo T1x, on the other hand, is powered by a Snapdragon 680 processor, which allow smooth operations and gaming sessions. The device is also fitted with a 5000mAh battery which supports 18W Fast Charge, giving plenty of worry-free usage time. Available in 4GB+64GB and 8GB+128GB configuration, the vivo T1x is also equipped with the innovative Extended RAM 2.0 technology, allowing up to 4GB of idle memory to be used as extended RAM to make switching between apps smoother and runs them without lag. The vivo T1x also supports expansion storage up to 1TB, so users can save all the digital assets as they wish.
Turbo Performance Mobile Gaming Experience
For mobile gamers, vivo T1 5G provides turbo performance for users to easily enjoy entertainment and graphic-intensive games. Backed by the smartphone’s turbo performance, the gorgeous 6.44” 90Hz AMOLED Fullsense Display ensures super smooth visuals. vivo T1 5G display offers stunning colours and details, including lifelike graphics and text with razor-sharp clarity, providing gamers with a dynamic and cinematic gaming experience. It also has a bright local tone mapping (LTM) display with a peak brightness that reaches 1300 nits, enabling gamers to experience vivid colours.
The vivo T1 5G also offers a turbo-charged immersive gaming experience. The gaming feature is enhanced with Ultra Game Mode to provide a more indulgent sensory experience that users can switch modes with one easy tap. A carefully calibrated Z-axis linear motor responds quickly to gaming actions with compelling vibrations. The 4D Game Vibration immerses gamers in a world where every move feels real.
The customized super loudspeaker has a 0.9cc super-large sound chamber, delivering even more powerful bass. The speaker diaphragm produces richer details, ensuring users can enjoy higher volumes and enhanced sound quality. The Smart PA (power amplifier) technology intelligently adjusts how the speaker works in different situations to extend its lifespan, providing realistic, deep, and rich sounds.
The vivo T1x is equipped with a 6.58-inch FHD+ Incell display which delivers bright colours and vivid details. Users will also enjoy the smooth 90Hz refresh rate when watching movies or playing mobile games and protect their eyes with a built-in blue light filter. The vivo Multi-Turbo 5.0 enhances network connection, system processor speed and power-saving performance to a whole new level. vivo T1x also comes with a cooling solution across four components, keeping the device cool even in intense gaming sessions.
Comfy Grip and Powerful Night Shots
With vivo T1 5G’s superb design, users will feel the turbo engine design with its 3D curves on the back cover, and the innovative glitter AG texture with a 400nm super-strong nano-coating on the surface, giving it a smooth and comfortable grip. The vivo T1 5G will be available in two new colours – Turbo Black and Turbo Cyan.
For users who want to capture memorable life moments, the vivo T1 5G has an AI Triple Camera system that features rich colors and contrasts. The 64MP main camera has an F/1.79 large aperture that captures superb details for every situation. Super Night Mode, which is optimized by denoising and multi-frame merging algorithms, empowers users to capture every magical moment at night with more revealing images. The camera system also boasts an 8 MP camera and a 117° ultra wide-angle camera to help users capture expansive views.
Users will also be able to capture memorable moments with vivo T1 5G’s 4K ultra-high-definition videos. They can even double the fun by recording with both the front and rear cameras at the same time using the Dual-View Video feature.
The vivo T1x features a slender 2.5D design at, offering a comfortable and premium hold with its thin 8.0mm thin body and weighing just 182g. The rear cameras are elegantly organised and crafted into vivo’s signature Dual-Tone Step, inviting users to explore the powerful imaging technologies within. The latest addition is available in two colour options – Gravity Black and Space Blue. Both variants use a frosted curtain coating technique that boasts strong anti-fingerprint feature and delivers a silky feeling.
The vivo T1x houses a 50MP main rear camera that redefines high definition photography, coupled with a Bokeh Camera and Super Macro Camera for an elevated mobile imaging experience. Over in the front, the vivo T1x is fitted with a 8MP Super Night Selfie camera for clear photos throughout the day. The Personalised Portrait Mode and AI Editor included enable users to immerse in fun photography moments.
Pricing and Availability

The vivo T1 5G is priced at RM1,299 while the vivo T1x 4GB+64GB and 8GB+128GB configuration is at RM699 and RM899 respectively. The vivo T1 Series are now available for purchase at vivo Malaysia’s official E-store, and vivo Malaysia’s official flagship store on Shopee and Lazada.
From 25 April to 24 May 2022, vivo Malaysia will be hosting its T1 Series First Sale, offering amazing gifts and deals to customers who purchase the devices. Throughout the T1 Series First Sales, the vivo T1 5G is offered at RM1,249, while the vivo T1x 4GB+64GB and 8GB+128GB configuration is at RM649 and RM799 respectively. All devices will come with a 1-Year Screen Crack Protection and a 1-Year Extended Warranty.
Customers who purchase the vivo T1 5G are also entitled to purchase a vivo TWS 2 ANC at RM99 only (rsp RM369), while customers who purchase the T1x 8GB+128GB variant are entitled to a free colour earphones. The vivo T1x 4GB+64GB variant are also entitled to the free colur earphones for purchases made on vivo Malaysia’s official E-store and Lazada.


Star Trek Discovery Season 3 Finishes Filming, Says Series Legend

It’s been almost a year since Star Trek Discovery Season 2 ended, and we still don’t know much about the upcoming Season 3.
In a now-deleted post by Jonathan Frakes (best known for his portrayal of William T. Riker in Star Trek The Next Generation), the Star Trek veteran and legend revealed that Star Trek Discovery has finished filming and production as of today on 24 February 2020. We’d love to share it but posting it up here risks us getting flagged again so you’ll just have to take our word for it.
In addition, alleged key art of Star Trek Discovery Season 3 was supposedly leaked last week (which can be seen in Frakes’ now-deleted tweet). We did cover the leak but our article has since been taken down by DMCA ruling due to copyright infringement claims by Star Trek IP owner CBS.
It looks like the same thing has likely happened to Frakes’ tweet as well. Perhaps CBS doesn’t want to officially reveal anything as of yet, so they must have told him to delete the tweet, merely hours after it was posted. If it was taken down on behest of CBS, it probably means that it’s true.
Plus, Commander/Captain Riker wouldn’t lie, would he?
Besides playing Riker in Star Trek The Next Generation, Frakes has also directed many episodes and movies in the Star Trek franchise over the years. This makes him a legend in Trekkie/Trekker circles, which in turn makes him a credible source for all things Trek.
It’s bizarre that CBS is keeping a tight lid on everything related to Star Trek Discovery. Case in point; there isn’t even an international version of the Star Trek Discovery Season 3 trailer available for viewing on YouTube at the time of writing, despite the fact that it was initially unveiled at New York Comic-Con 2019 back in October last year.
It’s not like Star Trek Discovery is even that good, anyway. It’s probably like The Last Jedi or The Rise Of Skywalker of Star Trek at this point. Do yourselves a favour and watch the vastly-superior Star Trek Picard instead.
If it is true that Star Trek Discovery Season 3 has wrapped up filming, we could be seeing a release date pretty soon, perhaps sometime later this year. Star Trek Picard is set to end its first season by the end of March, so the earliest possible time for Star Trek Discovery Season 3 is April 2020 onwards.


Here’s The First New Spider-Man In Into The Spider-Verse 2

The Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse sequel was only confirmed last week, and we already know who is going to be the first new Spider-Man we’re going to be meeting in the upcoming movie. The movie’s co-director Phil Lord confirmed that the Japanese Spider-Man or Supaidaman will be making his debut in the sequel via a reply to a tweet several days ago.

Heâ€™s designed!
â€” Phil Lord (@philiplord) November 5, 2019
For those unfamiliar, the Japanese Spider-Man, also known asÂ Supaidaman,Â was the version of the famous web-slinging hero in Toeiâ€™s 1978 live-action Tokusatsu series. It originated out ofÂ a licensing dealÂ between Stan Lee and Toei, givingÂ us an entirely bizarre new take on Spider-Man, namely Takuya Yamashiro of Earth-51778.
His backstory is closer to Superman than that of mild-mannered Peter Parker. Yamashiro is a young motorcyclist who encounters an alien from Planet Spider, who grants him both the superpowers of his Western comics counterpart as well as a giant robot named Leopardon to battle Professor Monster and his villainous Iron Cross Army.
While it only ran for a single season, the influence of Japanese Spider-Man is wide-reaching in a particularly weird way, as Leopardon actually built the foundation for Toeiâ€™s later Sentai shows to use giant robots of their own, becoming Super Sentai in the process. Without Supaidaman, Super Sentai (or the Power Rangers) as you know it today wouldnâ€™t exist.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2 is slated to release onÂ  8 April 2022. In the meantime, watch this video of clips from the Japanese Spider-Man to get you acquainted with the character.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFYIRZoyavw&w=560&h=315]


Netflix’s Dragon Age Absolution Animated Series Drops Next Month

Netflix has announced that all six episodes of the first season of the Dragon Age Absolution animated series will premiere on 9 December 2022.
Dragon Age Absolution is a new series from BioWare and Red Dog Culture House set in the same franchise as the one that started with 2009’s Dragon Age Origins. The story will follow Kimberly Brooks’ Miriam, an eleven mercenary who was once a slave in Tevinter and who must now become the hero she was born to be.
The synopsis reads:
“When a heist against the most powerful man in Tevinter goes south, an elven mercenary named Miriam (Kimberly Brooks) is forced into a desperate fight for survival. Now, to save herself and her friends, Miriam will have to confront the tragic past she’s spent a lifetime trying to escape.”

The cast includes Kimberly Brooks, Matthew Mercer, Ashly Burch, Sumalee Montano, Phil Lamarr, Keston John, Josh Keaton, and Zehra Fazal.
The characters and their descriptions, as revealed by Netflix, is as follows;

Kimberly Brooks as MIRIAM – A pragmatic elven mercenary who escaped enslavement in Tevinter, Miriam is closed-off to many who know her. But her heroic nature shines through when she’s forced to confront the nation that destroyed her life, and the man at the heart of her misery.
Matthew Mercer as FAIRBANKS – A veteran freedom fighter, Fairbanks leads our heroes with a warm-hearted sense of adventure, a pair of daggers, and a dashing smile to boot.
Ashly Burch as QWYDION – A bubbly Qunari mage with a penchant for explosions, Qwydion is an open-hearted, easily-distracted blabbermouth who can level a building or cure a hangover, depending on the situation.
Sumalee Montano as HIRA – An idealistic mage, Hira hopes to rekindle her relationship with Miriam while advancing her relentless crusade against Tevinter. But a terrible secret will put both at risk.
Phil LaMarr as ROLAND – Despite his effortless demeanour, the charming Roland possesses unmatched grit. When disaster looms and all seems lost, Roland is as sure as the blade he wields.
Keston John as LACKLON – A dwarven Lord of Fortune, Lacklon is a gruff fighter, a born brawler, a complete glory hound, and just enough of a coward to make sure he stays alive.
Josh Keaton as REZAREN – Born to privilege and plagued by tragedy, Rezaren sees himself as a good man in a wicked world. Intelligent and charismatic, Rezaren is determined to build a better future for everyone in Tevinter, no matter the cost.
Zehra Fazal as TASSIA – Dutiful and hardworking, Tassia turns a blind eye to everything that doesn’t meet her moral standards. But even she won’t be able to ignore the sins of Tevinter (or Rezaren) forever…

Dragon Age Absolution will feature “an ensemble of new characters inspired by Dragon Age lore, including elves, mages, knights, Qunari, Red Templars, demons and other special surprises”. So far, we’ve seen Leliana and Cassandra from Dragon Age and Dragon Age 2 pop up in the trailer below.