Here’s When & Where To Catch The League Of Legends 10th Anniversary Livestream [Update]

Update 11/10/19: Times in PST and GMT+8 added.
We’re less than a week away from the League Of Legends 10th anniversary livestream and Riot Games has revealed the schedule of what to expect on the day of the celebration, prior to the main event livestream.

10amÂ on 15 October 2019 PST (1am GMT+8 on 16 October 2019) – Rioters worldwide kick off a day of celebrating, both in-game and across digital platforms.
2.30pmÂ on 15 October 2019 PST (5.30am GMT+8 on 16 October 2019) – League of Legends and TFT showmatches air live Twitch and YouTube.
5.30pmÂ on 15 October 2019 PST (8.30am GMT+8 on 16 October 2019) – League Of Legends 10-Year Celebration pre-show hosted by Dash.
6pmÂ on 15 October 2019 PST (9am GMT+8 on 16 October 2019) – Riot Pls: 10th Anniversary Edition.

The developer will also be sharing the first look at this year’s SR preseason update and TFT’s “set two” content. It looks like LoL fans will have a lot to look forward to next week.

Riot Games will be celebrating the ten year anniversary of League Of Legends with a special commemorative livestream event at 9am on 16 October 2019.
The livestream will be available in the following languages on the channels below:

English
Vietnamese, Thai, Bahasa Indonesia & Traditional Chinese

In the 10th anniversary edition of the Riot PIs livestream, Riot Games will look back at some of the most memorable League Of Legends moments from the past decade.
In addition, fans can look forward to a glimpse of what the future will hold, including an exclusive first look at this year’s pre-season changes, as well as Teamfight Tactics’ next major content update.
Riot Games Southeast Asia General Manager Justin Hulog said:

â€œBuilding a passionate global community around League of Legends over the past decade is truly the accomplishment we are most proud of.
Building a passionate global community around League of Legends over the past decade is truly the accomplishment we are most proud of.
This special edition of Riot Pls will showcase our appreciation and commitment to players.
We hope each of them will join us to celebrate all of the victories and unforgettable moments that weâ€™ve shared!â€

Yesterday, Riot Games announced that League Of Legends has reached a whopping 8 million concurrent players and that they have updated the game’s official logo, which you can check out below.


Captain Marvel’s 90s-Themed Website Teases Iconic Fantastic Four Villain

Marvel has recently launched an official website for Captain Marvel, and it looks just like a gaudy site from the 90s. With its exaggerated fonts and animation, the Captain Marvel website won’t look out of place in 1995 (which is also coincidentally when the upcoming movie will take place).
The 90s-themed Captain Marvel website has information about the movie and its characters, a simple ‘Spot The Skrull’ game, as well as a couple of links leading to Fandango and the movie’s trailer, amongst others. However, the biggest easter egg can be found right there on the website’s URL, which begins with “https://i.annihil.us/”.
It spells out the name, Annihilus, who is actually one of the Fantastic Four’s most iconic villains. Well, maybe not as iconic as Doctor Doom or Galactus but still a major one nonetheless, especially in the larger scheme of the Marvel universe.

First appearing in 1968, Annihilus is the ruler of another dimension called the Negative Zone. In the comics, he became a threat to the entire universe when he invaded with his Annihilation Wave, a massive fleet of warships filled with countless insectoid armies. With his Cosmic Control Rod, he can go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Silver Surfer or any heavy hitter.
Still my favorite Marvel Comics crossover event.
This Annihilus tease could mean one of several things. He could be making his unannounced debut in Captain Marvel (either in the movie itself or a post-credits reveal) and become the potential ‘other villain’ that’s going to be featured in Avengers: Endgame. Fan theories and rumors have been going around that a bigger and more powerful villain will likely appear in Avengers: Endgame.
Even if he turns out to be absent in both Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame, there’s always a chance that Marvel could be saving him for their eventual Fantastic Four movie, now that they’re in the process of regaining the rights to their First Family (via Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox).
The most likely explanation for all this is that “https://i.annihil.us/” is simply the domain server name for Marvel websites, though it’s definitely much more exciting to believe that it’s a deliberate easter egg for now. If not, the 90s-themed Captain Marvel website is still pretty cool and you should check it out.
I’m looking forward to seeing how or if Annihilus will be making his way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Captain Marvel is slated to release on 7 March 2019. In the meantime, head on over here to learn more about the characterâ€™s history and origins, or check out my breakdown and analysis of the most recent Captain Marvel trailer here.


World Of Warcraft Shadowlands Chains Of Domination Drops Later This Month

Azerothâ€™s champions must unite the four covenants of the Shadowlands and face the Jailerâ€™s forces when the next chapter in the Shadowlands story; Chains Of Domination, goes live on 29 June 2021.
World Of Warcraft Shadowlands Chains Of Domination will offer players tons of new content to experience including:

New Zone: Korthia â€“Â Discover the new quests and secrets waiting in this mysterious new zone that the Jailer has pulled into the Maw.
New Raid: Sanctum of Domination â€“Â Climb the far reaches of Torghast in this 10-boss raid leading into an epic showdown with the Dark Lady herself, Sylvanas Windrunner.
New Mega-Dungeon: Tazavesh, The Veiled Market â€“Â Explore the exotic wares, merchants, and creatures of this Broker bazaar, which culminates in a high-stakes heist involving powerful artifacts from Azeroth.
Shadowlands Flying â€“Â Take flight in the four covenantsâ€™ zones of Bastion, Maldraxxus, Ardenweald, and Revendreth.
And More â€“ Players can look forward to Shadowlands Season 2 for Mythic+ (with a new keystone affix, Tormented) and PvP; updates to Torghast, Tower of the Damned; as well as new cosmetic armour, pets, mounts, and achievements.

In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


[Report] Halo Infinite Is Getting A Battle Royale Mode

We still know almost next to nothing about the next new installment in Microsoft’s most iconic gaming franchise, Halo Infinite, after its initial reveal at last year’s E3 2018. However, it looks like the highly-anticipated game might be getting a battle royale mode.
According to journalist and Microsoft insider Brad Sims (via ResetEra), his sources claim the Halo Infinite battle royale mode will be “Halo-esque” and not like other popular battle royale titles such as Apex Legends and Fortnite.
Check out these direct quotes from Brad Sims’ video when discussing Halo Infinite‘s battle royale mode:

â€œIâ€™m also hearing that Microsoftâ€”or Halo, 343 [Industries]â€”is going to bring Battle Royale to the next-generation Halo game.
Now itâ€™sâ€”I donâ€™t know what form itâ€™s gonna take. Iâ€™m hearing that itâ€™s going to have some Halo-esque to it.
Like, theyâ€™re not gonna just rip Fortnite and Apex Legends at this point because when it ships, itâ€™s gonna be pretty late if you think about it from when those games released.
And so they donâ€™t want to, you know, replicate exactly what theyâ€™re doing but theyâ€™re gonna bring something along that flavor to the next-generation Halo multiplayer.
Still working on the exact details, but it is in the early development stages so things can and often will change.”

For now, we’re going to have to take Sims’ report with a grain of salt. Halo Infinite developer 343 Industries announced adamantly last year that the upcoming game won’t be featuring a battle royale mode, but for a game this early in development, anything can change, especially considering how massively popular Apex Legends became.
Perhaps more will be revealed about Halo Infinite at E3 2019, so stay tuned on Kakuchopurei.
In the meantime, you can watch Brad Sims’ video below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1l2OLHse1M&w=560&h=315]


Can Your PC Run Battlefield V ? (Updated)

Update 7th June 2018:
Electronic Arts’Â Global Community Engagement Manager, Dan Mitre recently clarified via Twitter that the PC requirement specs detailed in the earlier report were inaccurate and that they were merely placeholders.
With E3 just around the corner, expect EA to release the updated details soon enough.

Recently, incorrect minimum PC specs for #Battlefield V were published as placeholders. We havenâ€™t announced our minimum or recommended specs for Battlefield V yet. Stay tuned!
â€” Van Vitre (@dan_mitre) June 5, 2018

While Battlefront V will only hit stores in October, you can prep your rig to run the game starting today as EA and DICE recently unveiled the minimum specs to run the game.Â  As revealed on the Origin Store, the layman explanation would be that – if you were able to play Battlefield 1 on your PC, then you’re in the clear as the requirements are similar which begs the question – is Battlefield V essentially an ‘expansion’ of Battlefield 1? We will hold our judgement til the game hits.
Anyways,Â  here are the specs:
OS:Â 64-bit Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
Processor (AMD):Â AMD FX-6350
Processor (Intel):Â Core i5 6600K
Memory:Â 8GB RAM
Graphics card (AMD):Â AMD Radeonâ„¢ HD 7850 2GB
Graphics card (NVIDIA):Â nVidia GeForceÂ® GTX 660 2GB
DirectX:Â 11.0 Compatible video card or equivalent
Online Connection Requirements:Â 512 KBPS or faster Internet connection
Hard-drive space:Â 50GB
Battlefield V releases October 19. Featuring a 4-player co-op mode, EA claimed that the game will have no loot boxes nor Premium Pass shenanigans, so yay!
You can read more about everything we know about Battlefield V here. Also, follow our TCSS podcast where we talk about the game in full detail.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb1MR85XFOc&w=560&h=315]


The Studio Ghibli Theme Park Opens This November

Studio Ghibli is one of the most famous animation studios in the world, and just like Disney, they will soon be opening their own theme park. It will officially open to the public on 1 November 2022 (via Twitter).
The park is being built within the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, near Nagoya in Central Japan on a site that is 200 hectares (494 acres). The project is a 34 billion Yen (US$295 million) joint venture involving Studio Ghibli, the government of Aichi Prefecture and the Chunichi Shimbun newspaper. Construction began in 2019 and Studio Ghibli is handling the creative side of the project.
The park will reportedly feature five themed areas. The area based on My Neighbor Totoro will be the first to open. Two more areas â€” one themed around Princess Mononoke, while another inspired by Kikiâ€™s Delivery Service and Howlâ€™s Moving Castle will open sometime next year.
Local media in Japan are reporting that there will be rides, but not high thrill attractions like large-scale rollercoasters. Studio Ghibli wants it to be a more natural and nature-friendly park that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Check out my review of their latest movie, Earwig And The Witch,Â byÂ heading over here.
See below for the full lineup ofÂ Studio Ghibli films available on Netflix:

NausicaÃ¤ of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

Castle in the Sky (1986)

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Kikiâ€™s Delivery Service (1989)

Only Yesterday (1991)

Porco Rosso (1992)

Ocean Waves (1993)

Pom Poko (1994)

Whisper of the Heart (1995)

Princess Mononoke (1997)

My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)

Spirited Away (2001)

The Cat Returns (2002)

Howlâ€™s Moving Castle (2004)

Tales from Earthsea (2006)

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008)

Arrietty (2010)

From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

The Wind Rises (2013)

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)

When Marnie Was There (2014)

Earwig and the Witch (2020)

??????????????? pic.twitter.com/w6GsIgaGdc
— ??????? STUDIO GHIBLI (@JP_GHIBLI) January 27, 2022


Check Out This 8-Inch Handheld Gaming Laptop

GPD have made an 8-inch handheld gaming laptop called the GPD Win Max, something which makes my mind go blank and my eyes blink in confusion. But it’s real indeed, and it can apparently run games ranging from Rainbow Six: Siege and Apex Legends to Metro: Exodus and Red Dead Redemption 2.
Of course, it’s not running those games at 1080p 60 FPS, but it’s still impressive the way seeing Doom or The Witcher 3 run on the Switch is. According to GPD’s benchmarks, Metro: Exodus ran at an average of 47 FPS while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare ran at an average of 51 FPS. Its tests were done using the following specs:

i5-1035G7
16GB LPDDR4X 3733
512GB NVMe SSD /
1280 Ã— 800 resolution
Windows 10 HomeÂ version 1909

It’s also got an in-built gamepad to fulfill the handheld part. It feels both weird and cool, seeing a gamepad as part of a laptop. I’m not sure how comfortable it’d feel in practice, however.
If you’re intrigued by the GPD Win Max, you can check it outÂ in detail over here.


PlayStation Days Of Play 2020 Sale Is Starting Next Week

Sony Interactive Entertainment Singapore Private Limited (SIES) has announced that its PlayStation Days Of Play sale will be returning next week from 3 June to 16 June 2020, offering great deals and discounts on various PS4 games, software, and peripherals.
PS4 exclusives will be offered at discounted prices, with some as low as RM55. Check out the best deals below:

Death Stranding Standard Edition – RM169
Nioh 2 Standard Edition – RM169
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Standard Edition – RM145
Marvelâ€™s Spider-Man Game of the Year Edition – RM119
Dreams Universe Standard Edition – RM119
Days Gone Standard Edition – RM119
God Of War HITS – RM55
The Last Of Us Remastered HITS – RM55
Uncharted 4: A Thiefâ€™s End HITS – RM55
Ratchet & Clank HITS – RM55

I personally recommend Nioh 2 (check out my review of the game here), and this will be the cheapest it’s ever been since launching in March 2020. Personally, it’s better gameplay-wise and more accessible than Sekiro Shadows Die Twice (which I also reviewed).
In addition to all the games, the following hardware deals can also be found at PlayStation Authorised Dealers nationwide in Malaysia (check out the full list here):

PS4 MEGAPACK (Model: CUH-2218BB01, 1TB HDD) at a promotional price of RM1,099 (normal price: RM1,349)
PS4 Pro God Of War / The Last Of Us Remastered (Model: CUH-7218BB01,
1TB HDD) Bundle at a promotional price of RM1,399 (normal price: RM1,799)
PS4 DUALSHOCK 4 Wireless Controller at a promotional price of RM179*
(normal price: RM239)

There will also be exclusive PS Plus offers available during this promotion. Those who purchase 12 Months PS Plus Membership Card from retail stores will receive an extra 4 Months membership for free.


Huawei MateBook D16 Improves on the D15 On So Many Aspects

Allow us to be brutally honest here.
The Huawei D16 laptop is one of those laptop models which at first glance, may not be on your radar when screening for your next laptop to purchase. It looks generic and Apple fanboys will instantly point out its similar silhouette to the MacBook. But honestly, you don’t need an Apple fanboy to spot this ‘homage’.
However, with the D16 already ticking the necessary boxes in the style department, it also packs substance and sensibility into its overall package making it a very attractive proposition for anyone in the hunt of a reliable work or study laptop within the RM3599 to RM4000 range. How? Let us explain.
Silver Lining
If we are to describe the look of the D16 in one word, it would be “clean”. No unnecessary nor garish lines to distract you from its industrial, straight-to-the-point look. Mimicking the look of the MacBook isn’t a bad thing at all. Huawei basically acknowledges what works, and added its own twist to an already successful design. No wrong here. The utilitarian design works for us, and even with its aluminum chassis, the laptop is reasonably light, tipping the scales at a respectable 1.7kg.
Mind you, this IS a 16-inch laptop. Since it is a work laptop, it is worth noting that ports aren’t an issue with the D16 as it comes with the following to maximize your productivity:

USB-C x 1 (support data, charging and DisplayPort)
USB-C x 1 (support data, charging)
USB3.2 Gen1 x 1
USB2.0 x 1
HDMI x 1;
and the most important of all according to some tech journalists (not us), a 3.5 mm headset and microphone 2-in-1 jack x 1

The review unit we were handed ran on 12th Gen Intel i5 chip and 16GB of RAM. This configuration retails at RM3999. A more affordable setup – at RM300 less – would see the RAM halved to only 8GB of RAM. If you somehow want more muscle for your machine, an Intel i7 option is available for RM4799. The i7 version only comes in the 16GB of RAM variation and regardless of your processor, the D16 is equipped with 512GB of storage.
The screen is probably one of our favourite aspects (heh) of the D16. The 16-inch screen is laid out in a 16:10 aspect ratio which as a result, allows more real estate to be shown on a single page. Coming off our daily driver which also sports a 16:10 aspect ratio – the ThinkPad X1 Nano – I can assure you that this aspect ratio should be the new standard for all work and study laptops. A wider screen allows more info into a page which in turn, less scrolling of a page.
The screen panel is sturdy and lays almost flat, at a 178-degree angle. Why it has to be that flat, we don’t know. Moreover considering that the D16 does not come with touchscreen capabilities. It is also isn’t the brightest screen out there, making working on it a pain under intense lighting – like when you’re in a cafe with the sun shining straight at it. All things considered, Huawei still managed to cram all of these 16-inch laptop features into a frame synonymous with devices sporting a smaller screen. So overall, great work!
Just like the previously-reviewed D15, typing on the D16 is a joy. Key travel is fantastic with satisfying feedback to each tap of the keyboard. The keyboard for the D16 is backlit so working in the dark is now no longer an issue, and for heavy-duty typists – it feels durable enough to withstand even the worst of rage typing. Short of a having standard keyboard used for a desktop PC, you are getting an almost full-sized layout with the D16. A full number pad is laid out gloriously on the right side of the keyboard although we doubt any of us would hardly use it.

There is already a full set of number keys at the top row of the keyboard, so why is the need for more numbers to occupy the right side of the layout? It’s a waste of resources and we feel Huawei could have invested a bit more on the trackpad instead as it felt cheap and undersized.  And since most of us are still working from home, we feel it is worth pointing out that the D16 keyboard was able withstand the full weight of a chonk feline who decided to take a stroll on the laptop while I was distracted by a phone call.
The culprit
Speaking of calls, the D16 comes with a respectable 1080p camera for your Zoom or Google Meets sessions. Far from potato-quality cameras laptop users have gotten accustomed to before, still images and videos taken on the D16 camera are clear and crisp. However, we do wish that it came with a physical privacy shutter.
Battery-wise, like most work laptops, the D16 should withstand medium use when running solely on battery. We got through about four hours of use before reaching out to the charging cable. But thanks to the 60W charging, getting the device juiced up to ‘safe’ levels should be quick. The fact that the D16, like the D15 utilizes USB-C to charge its battery is a godsend especially for those always on the go. Who wants to pack two different sets of chargers, right?
A Workhorse That Packs A Punch
Comparing this to the D15, while both look similar, the D16 packs way more punch – even in its basic form. If you were attracted to the D15’s offering but desire something meatier and have some extra cash to spend, then D16 is the answer. Purchasing the Huawei MateBook D16 at Huawei’s online store should net you a one year extended warranty for free. So we do suggest you check it out here.
FINAL SCORE: 80/100
A review unit of the MateBook D16 was sent to us for review. Test unit specifications; i5/16GB/512GB with the RRP of RM3999.


Jon Favreau Shows Off Badass Figure Based On His Hit TV Show

A few months ago, Hot Toys revealed a new 1/6th scale The Mandalorian Collectible Figure based on the hit Disney+ show. It will only be released around the end of 2020 but looks like someone lucky already has their hand on it.

The official Hot Toys Twitter account recently uploaded a photo of The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau holding the awesome figurine. Mando isn’t wearing his full Beskar armour in this version of the figurine but I’m pretty sure that’s coming in the future.
For more information on the 1/6th scale figurine, check out our article here. It comes with a blaster rifle and a battle-damaged Stormtrooper helmet too!


Star Wars Ahsoka Trailer Reveals August 2023 Release Date & First Look At Some Characters

During Star Wars Celebration 2023, Lucasfilm released the first trailer for Ahsoka, the upcoming Star Wars series which will premiere on Disney+ Hotstar sometime in August 2023.
The trailer gives a closer look at Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla, the return of Chopper the droid from Star Wars Rebels. Ray Stevenson plays a mysterious dark-side lightsaber-wielding villain. We also get our first glimpse at live-action Grand Admiral Thrawn, who will be the main antagonist of the series.
Check out the trailer below:


Don’t Expect Halo Infinite News At The Video Game Awards 2020

The Video Game Awards 2020 is slated to take place at 8am GMT+8 on 11 December 2020. The nominees are expected to be announced later this week, and as usual, there will be lots of major game reveals.
However, now we know what not to expect; Halo Infinite. In the weekly discussion thread on the Halo subreddit, 343 Industries community director Brian Jarrard confirmed that they’re working on a community update, but that it won’t be ready in time for the VGAs.
He wrote:
â€œFull disclosure we donâ€™t have anything planned for the VGAs but are hoping to offer at least a high-level update within the next few weeks so we can kind of restart this journey together after the holidays.Putting together something like a demo or a big beat for the VGAs is an enormous amount of work and would cause challenges with the current milestones of the holidays.”
Several important people in development have left the project (including one of the directors), so it remains to be seen what state Halo Infinite is actually currently in. The game was originally supposed to launch in Holiday 2020 butÂ has been delayed to sometime in 2021.
In the meantime, stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for all the latest news on the Xbox Series X, and check outÂ all the latest updates and developments on all things Xbox to date here.


You Have 24 Hours To Grab Total War Saga Troy For Free

At the time of writing and as of 9pm GMT+8 today on 13 August 2020, A Total War Saga: Troy is now available exclusively for PC on the Epic Games Store.
However, you only have 24 hours to grab the game for free and keep it forever, so make sure that you redeem the game before 9pm GMT+8 on 14 August 2020.
As part of the â€œA Total War Sagaâ€ series, the game is smaller in scale and focuses on a specific historical setting/conflict. In this case, itâ€™s the Trojan War in ancient Greece, which supposedly lasted 20 years according to myth and legend.
The game will be exclusive to the Epic Games Store for one year before it launches on Steam sometime in 2021. Head on over to the Epic Games Store here to grab A Total War Saga: Troy for free now.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-PXNPqdZcE&w=560&h=315]


Despot’s Game Exits Early Access In Mid-September

The joint-venture between publisher tinyBuild and developer Konfa Games, the roguelike tactical auto-battler Despot’s Game: Dystopian Army Builder will leave Early Access and launch for Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on 15 September for US$11.99 / €19.99 / RM25.60.
The game was initially launched in Early Access for PC via Steam on 14 October 2021.

To commemorate the release, Despot’s Game prequel Despostim 3k will be available for free for PC via Steam from 4 August to 7 August 2022. Players who purchase Despot’s Game before it leaves Early Access on 15 September will also receive the downloadable content “Despot’s Game: Challenges” for no additional charge.
Despot’s Game departs Early Access with reworked mechanics, brand-new quests, strange never-before-seen enemies and mutations, and an expanded soundtrack to terrorize amnesic humans. Equip rag-tag units with 50 weapons from 10 unique classes for near-endless possibilities on the battlefield.
Transform terrified (and naked!) humans into battle-ready gunslingers, fearless laser sword-wielders, stalwart stale pretzel-throwers, and much more. Face off against 60 different monsters ranging from giant skeletons and undead zombies to the mythological beast Cerberus and giant man-eating cabbages.

Turn the tide of battle by mutating the armed masses. Buff up poor souls with defence-boosting thicker skin and increased attack, or take things to the next level by combining mutations to blur the lines between Summoners and Shooters to create humans that charge into battle with rapid-firing robots at their sides. Walk a darker path by invoking the “Glory to Satan” ritual to summon an eldritch tentacle by sacrificing an innocent newcomer.
Tyrants seeking a break from narrowly escaping the clutches of abominable monsters can jump into the all-new Massacre mode for a more classic auto-battler gameplay with quick, back-to-back multiplayer matches to see whose motley crew can come out on top.

A colourful, quirky pixel art style brings Despot’s Game to life with numerous references to pop culture icons in an unimaginable battle mashup to the sound of upbeat tracks sure to keep players pumped at each turn of the mysterious labyrinths.
“Despot’s Game represents our childhood and all of our love for gaming wrapped in one,
The weapons are filled with easter eggs that represent movies, TV shows, games, and books we read growing up. It’s really fun to see players’ excitement when they recognize and relate to them as well because, without our community, it wouldn’t have been possible to create this game.”
– Nikolay Kuznetsov, Game Creator at Konfa Games


[Report] Alleged PlayStation 5 Details Revealed; Here’s What We Know

There’s nothing as hype-inducing as a short news piece about a new console, especially when it’s dealing with the next PlayStation. The latest batch of rumours come from a source called SemiAccurate (via ResetEra). Previously, these guys have predicted that NVidia and Nintendo collaborated toÂ make the Nintendo Switch, as well as the inner workings of the PlayStation 4 back in 2012. Still, take this with a grain of salt.
Here’s what we know:
-The PlayStation 5 will be using AMDâ€™s next generation Navi GPU from AMD. The company’s new chip will be out late 2018.Â The Navi GPU will deploy a scalable GPU design with many smaller Navi GPU dies interconnected through AMDâ€™s super-fast Infinity Fabric technology, as well as the mysterious â€œNextGen Memory.â€
-The PS5’s CPU will be the AMD Zen processor. What is this Zen? Let Wikipedia tell you:
“Zen is the codename for a computer processor microarchitecture from AMD, and was first used with their Ryzen series of CPUs in February 2017.The first Zen based preview system was demonstrated at E3 2016, and first substantially detailed at an event hosted a block away from the Intel Developer Forum 2016. The first Zen-based CPUs codenamed “Summit Ridge” reached the market in early March 2017, Zen-derived Epyc server processors launched in June 2017 and Zen-based APUs arrived in November 2017.”
–The PS5 will have Virtual Reality goodies, whatever the hell that is. Sony will be doubling down on the technology, even though it sorta didn’t really work with the PSVR. Maybe call it a comeback?
-As we’ve reported earlier, a number of 3rd party game makers have PS5 dev kits.
Again, these are just speculations, hence the bracketed word on this article’s title. We’ll have to wait and hear from Sony PlayStation later this E3. Or at the tail end of 2018. In the meantime, please enjoy this picture of PlayStation’s latest April’s Fool shenanigan.
https://www.facebook.com/PlayStationAsia/photos/a.159028020796545.32430.158782694154411/1889753274390669/?type=3


Grace Esports Win India’s First All-Female VALORANT LAN

India’s first-ever all-female VALORANT LAN event has crowned its champions, with Grace Esports taking the coveted trophy. The Windows 11 Skyesports Grand Slam 2022, powered by AMD, was held at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on 16 and 17 February, as part of the India Gaming Show initiative.
Grace Esports dominated the two-day tournament, winning both matches in the group stage before defeating Balak Paneer 2-0 in the Grand Finals. The team’s captain, Rose, was confident about their chances but was careful not to be overconfident. She thanked the team’s supporters and sponsor, Kappa, for their help throughout the competition.

Meow16k, a member of Grace Esports, expressed her delight at being a part of the first all-female VALORANT LAN event, thanking Skyesports for organizing the competition and giving them the opportunity to play on stage. The event was held at the JetSynthesys Gaming Arena, and JetSynthesys, the parent company of Skyesports, sponsored the India Gaming Show 2023.
“We were confident [of winning] but we were avoiding overconfidence and we obviously have a lot of people who support us to thank,” said Rose, the team captain of Grace Esports. “We also want to thank Kappa for having our back throughout the tournament.”
“I feel really great,” added Grace Esports’ Meow16k after the win. “First of all, this is the first all-female VALORANT LAN. Thanks to Skyesports for organizing such a great event and bringing a chance for us to play on stage. And yes I am feeling fabulous, first LAN and it’s in our pocket.”
Overall, the event was a huge success, showcasing the talent of India’s female VALORANT players and giving them a platform to compete at the highest level. The organizers, sponsors, and players can all be proud of what they accomplished, and I look forward to seeing more events like this in the future.


Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 2 Is Not Happening, Confirms CD Projekt Red

Sorry, Cyberpunk Edgerunners fans. It looks like Cyberpunk Edgerunners won’t be getting a second season after all.
In an interview with Japanese publication Famitsu, CD Projekt Red Japan community manager Satoru Honma said that there were no plans for Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 2.
As translated by VGC, Honma stated:
“I personally would like to continue to work with Japanese studios to produce more anime in the future, partly because we have received very good feedback.
However, just to be clear, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was planned as a standalone work, so there’s no such thing as ‘we are actually working on Season 2 in the background’.
Even if we could make more anime in the future, I don’t know if it would be Season 2 or something completely different.”
He confirmed that Cyberpunk Edgerunners was indeed a standalone project. However, the bright side is that there’s hope for CD Projekt Red to make more anime set in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe. It’s just that it probably won’t be related to or be a sequel to Cyberpunk Edgerunners.
In the meantime, head on over here for our article on all the easter eggs and references we found in Cyberpunk Edgerunners, or you can watch the video version below:


Five Things We Learnt From The Captain Marvel Press Conference In Singapore

We attended the Captain Marvel press conference at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre earlier today, and we’ve got some details and tidbits for you folks straight from the cast and directors of the upcoming 21st movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Nick Fury’s Finally Getting Some Action Again

Despite being a mainstay of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the very beginning, Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury has only been seen actively fighting in several movies, most notably of which includes 2012’s The Avengers and 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. After that, he’s been mostly absent and we’ve missed seeing the former Director of SHIELD kicking some butt again.
Fortunately, Jackson confirmed that there will be fighting scenes for Nick Fury in Captain Marvel. A journalist asked him whether we’ll be seeing fighting scenes involving Nick Fury, to which he simply replied with a sardonic “Yes”. It will be great to see a younger version of the future Director of SHIELD in his prime getting down and dirty with some alien scum.
A Whole Lotta Goose In Captain Marvel

Speaking about Carol Danvers’ pet cat Goose (who might or might not be an alien) in Captain Marvel, the movie’s co-director Anna Boden replied:
“I remember that very early on in the development process, (Marvel Studios President) Kevin Feige looked at one of our outlines and said, we need a hundred percent more of that cat in there, and he got that, and so did you.”
Goose might be the first pet animal in the MCU to receive its very own official poster. This is one cat that will definitely be a highlight in the upcoming movie, so look out for the orange cute ball of fluff that is Goose.
Brie Larson Wants To Team-Up With Ms. Marvel

You read that right, folks. Brie Larson’s dream for the eventual or possible Captain Marvel sequel is to team-up with Kamala Khan AKA Ms. Marvel. When asked about which superhero Larson wants to pair up with in a sequel, she replied:
“My dream would be that Ms. Marvel gets to come in to play in the sequel.”
Fans have long clamored for Kamala Khan to appear in the MCU, ever since the character originally debuted in Captain Marvel issue 14 in 2013 before going on to star in her own extremely successful solo ongoing series in 2014. As one of the few prominent Muslim characters of South Asian descent in comics, she’s now one of Marvel’s most popular legacy characters (characters who inherit or adopt the mantle of an often older or more experienced superhero).
Samuel L. Jackson Misses Stan Lee, As Do We All

Samuel L. Jackson gave a poignant and touching tribute to the late Stan Lee when asked about how the legend has personally impacted his life. Here’s his reply:
“I generally ran into him (Stan Lee) at premieres, and occasionally he might show up on set somewhere. But I’ve been reading comic books all my life, so Stan’s been one of the great influences of, you know, my life in terms of who they are, how I feel about them, what I think they can do, what I think I’m capable of, and what it means to be portraying particular characters, and he’ll be missed.”
Jackson also revealed that Stan Lee “might still end up in every Marvel movie” due to the thorough 3D scanning that stars in a Marvel movie have to undergo before getting their costumes. Larson claimed that the process involves hundreds of cameras scanning your body, which is supposedly so detailed that it could probably be used to create a “hologram.”
It sounds creepy, but this seemingly explains the uncanny yet realistic younger versions of Grand Moff Tarkin and Princess Leia seen in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
The Captain Marvel Costume Made Fighting Harder

When asked by fellow Captain Marvel co-star Samuel L. Jackson about how it felt to cope with fighting in the costume, Brie Larson explained that wearing the suit made every activity about “40 percent harder”, including scenes where she had to perform rolls and lift herself from the edge of a train.
She added that it felt like “treading water all day” in a “restrictive rubber suit, which made all the actual stunts she managed to successfully perform in the movie even more impressive, especially now that we know how difficult it was to move around in it.

Take a look at the cast and directors of Captain Marvel at the press conference in Singapore below:

				Samuel L. Jackson

				Brie Larson

				Gemma Chan

				From Left to Right: Gemma Chan, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Captain Marvel is slated to release in cinemas on 6 March 2019. In the meantime, head on over here to learn more about the characterâ€™s history and origins, or check out my breakdown and analysis of the most recent Captain Marvel trailer here.


Let’s Talk About That Killer Reveal In The New God Of War

God of War is an awesome game with so many breathtaking and killer moments, and we’re not just talking about just the combat either. There’s a bit later which will lay to rest every old-school fan’s complaints about the series not catering to its previous fanbase. Far from it.
What on earth am I talking about? Halfway through the game, this particular bomb drop. Want to know what it is? It’s rather spoiler-heavy.
Last warning.

…
…
…
…
…
Okay, so Kratos gets his pair of friends back after he’s told that he needs to go to Helheim to save his dying son, where it’s eternally cold and no flames have ever burned in the realm. You know which ones I’m talking about, old-school God of War fans.

Yes, the Blades of Chaos are back and they feel so great in this game. The actual reveal is really done well and it also involves a short cameo of someone from Kratos’ past. Check out the full scene below.

It even comes with its own Skill Tree; this time the Blades of Chaos does Runic damage more and doesn’t stun enemies, if it even does that at all.

Plus, he gets to use it in Helheim as an operating tool for a dead troll…

There’s also another cameo from Kratos’ past.

Yep, that’s Zeus. A.k.a Kratos’ real dad. That’s all in Kratos’ head because Helheim plays mind games with its denizens.
So these part (among many other major bombshells which I won’t spoil yet) should ease some old-school fans about the series’ new-yet-old direction. Same gritty violence, and a return of an old friend coupled with some nods to the past. What’s not to love?


Castlevania Spiritual Successor, Bloodstained, Finally Gets Release Date

Alright, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night fans! We’ve finally received our release date for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night after many delays. And it’s 18 June for Xbox One, PS4, and PC platforms. Nintendo Switch owners will get theirs 25 June. That’s just a month or so away, Metroidvania fans!
Apart from that, we get a nice launch trailer where developer Koji Igarashi and crew address the many, MANY complaints of the game, case in point the graphics and how unwieldy the game feels.

If this game turns out alright, we may be getting another new Kickstarter crowdfunding success story, unlike that one other game that tried to be a Mega Man successor.


Does Anthem Deserve Redemption?

Bioware is a classic case of how the mighty has fallen. Before, it was a juggernaut with games and franchises like Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic, the Mass Effect trilogy and the Dragon Age titles. The developer’s fall from grace began with 2017’s Mass Effect Andromeda, the last straw of which was 2019’s Anthem.
Anthem was dead on arrival last year, criticized for its shallow and repetitive gameplay with none of the developer’s once trademark genius for epic RPG games. One year from its initial launch, Bioware has announced that they are currently hard at work ‘redesigning’ or ‘reinventing’ the game, planning for a ‘relaunch’ in an attempt to emulate Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 14.
According to the blog post, the developer said that they will be:

“…focusing on a longer-term redesign of the experience, specifically working to reinvent the core gameplay loop with clear goals, motivating challenges and progression with meaningful rewards
â€“ while preserving the fun of flying and fighting in a vast science-fantasy setting.”

For this reinvention of Anthem to happen, Bioware admits that it will be stopping new seasonal content for now, though players can still look forward to events, store refreshes, and the recycling of past seasonal content.
Unfortunately, Bioware doesn’t even give a vague release window for this Anthem redesign, but they do mention that the project will probably take “months”. A major overhaul of a game like will realistically take a long time, especially if the studio is still working on other games at the same time.
I predict that the earliest (and best) potential release window for this redesigned Anthem is near (either before or after) the official launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. By doing that, Bioware can capitalize and take advantage of the hype surrounding the next-gen consoles.
What Now?

However, the question remains: Does anyone even still care about Anthem at this point? The game (and Mass Effect Andromeda) made gamers lose faith in the developer, and that’s not going to change with a redesign or complete overhaul. It’s essentially a waste of precious time and resources at this point.
They would be better off just working on an entirely new game which gamers are actually passionate about, like a new entry in the Dragon Age franchise (which they’ve actually been teasing since 2018).
Other smaller developers are even picking up the slack left behind by Bioware, like Spiders with GreedFall (check out my full review of that game here). If they’re not careful, Bioware’s crumbling legacy will be all that’s left of the once-great developer.


Star Trek Might Be Teasing Next Movie With Klingon Twitter Takeover

Grab your Phasers and helm your stations, Starfleet cadets, the next Star Trek movie might be announced soon. Earlier today, the official Star Trek Twitter account was ‘taken over’ by Klingons for several hours.
It seemed like a harmless joke at first, perhaps a way for the social media folks to spice up the account just after Halloween. To my surprise, the tweets not only teased a glimpse at a possible new Star Trek movie announcement but also a first look at what is a new design for the iconic Klingon D7 class battle cruiser.
The first tweet during this Star Trek Klingon takeover was accompanied by an image showcasing the new Klingon D7 class battle cruiser The Klingon text can be roughly translated to “Revenge is a dish best served cold,” which is totally what a Klingon would say.

âš”ï¸ðŸâ„ï¸ðŸ’¥ðŸŒŽðŸ’¥ pic.twitter.com/CG6XknAAcN
â€” Star Trek (@StarTrek) November 1, 2018
The next couple of tweets were filled with quotes based on Klingon philosophy, like “There is no honor in attacking the weak, you must earn victory.” and “We do not fight merely to spill blood but to enrich the spirit.” After a bunch of these, the account started being filled with references and images from the rebooted Star Trek movies, also referred to as the Kelvin timeline by fellow Trekkies/Trekkers like myself.
They even posted a picture of Chris Pine’s divisive Captain Kirk, for Kahless’ sake.

This species instills no fear. pic.twitter.com/77V2mEUscr
â€” Star Trek (@StarTrek) November 1, 2018
The Star Trek Twitter Klingon takeover then ended with what might be the actual teaser. The short clip, running at merely 5 seconds long, contains frames of the Kelvin timeline’s version of the Starship Enterprise getting attacked by Klingon Birds of Prey.
The most teasing part of the teaser is the split-second glimpse of a date.

Our work here is done. All that is left is the battle. #QAPLAâ€™ pic.twitter.com/p7FOtzMYnU
â€” Star Trek (@StarTrek) November 1, 2018
An official announcement of something related to Star Trek and/or Klingons will be coming on November 2, 2018. I really hope it’s a new Star Trek movie, or maybe even a teaser for what’s in store for the upcoming Season 2 of Star Trek Discovery.
Some fans are saying that it is highly likely a promotional stunt for theÂ Star Trek Fleet CommandÂ mobile game, but personally, that would be a bit disappointing.
Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for whatever it might turn out to be. Qapla!


League of Legends Starts 2023 With Aurelion Sol Comprehensive Gameplay Update

Riot Games kicks the New Year off with a Big Bang as they release the highly anticipated comprehensive gameplay update (CGU) for the champion Aurelion Sol, who has had low pick rates in League of Legends.
The update was first mentioned in the April 2022 Champion Roadmap and further details were provided in July 2022 by Rob “KingCobra” Rosa. In August, Ryan “Reav3” Mireles shared the updated ability kit for Aurelion Sol. This news is exciting for Aurelion Sol mains as their favourite Star Forger may finally become meta once again.
The most noticeable change is that Aurelion Sol no longer has three orbiting stars around him. The SkinSpotlights video examined each of the new abilities in his kit and they are as follows:
COSMIC CREATOR – Passive

Aurelion Sol’s damaging abilities grant Stardust, permanently improving his abilities. Each ability’s bonus is listed in its respective section.
BREATH OF LIGHT – Q

Channel toward the cursor for a few seconds, damaging the first enemy hit and splashing reduced damage on nearby enemies. Each time an enemy takes 1 cumulative second of channelling, Breath of Light deals an additional burst of damage. Bursts against champions grant Stardust.
Breath of Light deals increased damage to champions and its range increases with Aurelion Sol’s level.
Stardust increases the burst’s damage.
ASTRAL FLIGHT – W

Aurelion Sol flies over terrain toward the target location but is revealed through Fog of War to nearby enemies while flying. Aurelion Sol can cast other abilities while flying. During this time, Breath of Light has no cooldown or maximum channel duration and deals increased damage.
Astral Flight’s remaining cooldown is reduced whenever an enemy champion Aurelion Sol recently damaged dies.
Stardust increases Astral Flight’s max range.
SINGULARITY – E

Summon a black hole for a few seconds, damaging enemies and slowly pulling them toward the centre. Singularity grants Stardust per second for each enemy champion in the black hole.
The centre of the black hole executes enemies below a percentage of their maximum health, granting Stardust based on the type of enemy executed.
Stardust increases Singularity’s size (including the centre zone) and execute threshold.
FALLING STAR / The Skies Descend – R

Falling Star: Crash a star into the earth, dealing magic damage and stunning enemies hit. Falling Star grants Stardust for each enemy champion hit.
Stardust increases Falling Star’s size. Gathering 75 Stardust transforms Aurelion Sol’s next Falling Star into The Skies Descend.
The Skies Descend: Drag a giant star down from the heavens, significantly increasing the size of the impact zone, increasing damage dealt, and knocking enemies up rather than stunning them. A massive shockwave spreads from the edge of the impact zone, damaging and slowing champions hit.
Stardust increases the size of the impact zone.
Alongside all of this, the Star Forger will have an all-new kit of abilities to accompany the same splash art, model, and sassy voiceover.

				Ashen Lord

				Mecha

				Storm Dragon

SkinSpotlights posted a gameplay reveal for the Star Forger on 5 December, indicating that the CGU is almost ready for release. It is likely that the CGU will be released with League of Legends Patch 13.1.


PC Tests For Halo 2 and Halo: Reach’s Forge Are Being Planned

Less than two weeks after the unanticipated Steam launch of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, 343 Industries is making preparations for testing for Halo 2 and Halo: Reach‘s Forge.
“We’re currently planning for our next flight to include content for Halo 2, Halo 2 Anniversary, Halo: Reach‘s Forge & Theater for PC, and potentially some Halo: Reach audio fixes,” 343 wrote in a blog post.

“These fixes are still in progress, so currently they may or may not come in our next series of flights.” Flighting refers to 343’s “early access play sessions” via the Halo Insider Program.

What I’m excited for the most are those potential Halo: Reach audio fixes. I had a good time with Reach, but the muffled audio on PC really did sour the experience. You can hear the difference between the PC version’s current audio and the Xbox 360’s in the video below.

Still, I’m looking forwardÂ to experiencing Halo 2 and Halo: Reach‘s Forge too. Guess I shouldÂ hurry up and finish Combat Evolved Anniversary’sÂ campaign in the meantime.


LEGO Brings Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck To Life

Update (1/5/2022): The LEGO Tallneck is available right now in Malaysian LEGO outlets for RM399.90.
Original story (15/2/2022)
LEGO and Guerrilla Games have announced the LEGO Tallneck from Horizon Forbidden West.
With its disc-shaped head, tall stature, and good-natured disposition (especially compared to some of the machine threats that are lurking in the Forbidden West), the Tallneck is one of the most iconic and well-loved machines from the world of Horizon.
Part of the LEGO sets for adults, the Horizon Forbidden West LEGO Tallneck uses clever building techniques to capture the machineâ€™s authentic details, and measures over 34 centimetres (13.5 inches) high. You can display the Tallneck on a stand with details from the Horizon landscape, such as a birch tree and a rusty traffic light. Also included is a LEGO Aloy Minifigure featuring her bow and spear, and even a Watcher with either blue, yellow or red eyes.
LEGO Model Designer Isaac Snyder said:
â€œI fell in love with Horizon Zero Dawn the first time I played it. Itâ€™s a futuristic world full of gorgeous scenery, strong characters, threatening machines, and a rich story.
The Guerrilla designers were a huge inspiration and help in capturing the spirit of this universe in LEGO form. The Horizon fan community is so creative, and this model is dedicated to their passion and imagination.â€
The Horizon Forbidden West LEGO Tallneck set will be available from May 2022.
In the meantime, check out my review of Horizon Forbidden West here. Horizon Forbidden West is slated to release for the PS4 and PS5 on 18 February 2022.


Shadow Warrior 3 Is Delayed To Next Year

In a move that will surprise no one, in a time where game companies are pushing back games due to development and pandemic-related reasons, the next Shadow Warrior game is delayed.
Publisher Devolver Digital and developer Flying Wild Hog are pushing back Shadow Warrior 3 from its 2021 release window to 2022. The game will be available for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Shadow Warrior 3 pits you as ninja warrior assassin guy Lo Wang who is tasked with recapturing an ancient dragon that escaped from its eternal prison. He, together with ex-boss-slash-nemesis-and-now-sidekick Orochi Zilla, is tasked to stop the impending dragon-led apocalypse through oodles of fantastical stages and levels, using his swords and guns to take care of business.
Here are the game’s features at the “back of the box”:

Bring a Katana to a GunfightÂ â€“ Conduct a symphony of death with each encounter by mixing overwhelming firepower with devastatingly precise katana strikes as you dash in and around the demonic hordes.
Fancy FootworkÂ â€“ Flow between nimble movement techniques including air dashes, wall running, double jumps, and the fancy new grappling hook busts your combat and movement options wide open in every battle.
Execute Then AnnihilateÂ â€“ Execute spectacular finishing moves to claim a piece of your conquered foe and unleash its powers back on the horde in a burst of unstoppable fury and powerful magic.
Dynamic Combat ArenasÂ â€“ Each environment is lined with hazardous structures and devices that can be activated to add another layer of creative choice to the offensive strategy.
Neo Feudal JapanÂ â€“ Trek across a mythic Asian land infused with the magic and technology of ancient samurai, now overrun by the demonic yokai from Japanese folklore.
Funny BusinessÂ â€“ Brace for expertly delivered one-liners from Lo Wang, pointed banter with Zilla, and an intense thrillride of absurd predicaments on the way to turning doomsday into a new day.


Company Of Heroes 3 Reveals More Details On Its Dynamic Campaign Map

The legendary strategy franchise is back with Company Of Heroes 3, combining heart-pounding combat with new layers of strategy in a breathtaking Mediterranean setting. For the first time in the history of the franchise, step into the role of a World War 2 general on the brand new DynamicÂ Campaign Map and determine the course of the Allied campaign in Italy day by day, battle by battle.
With a birds-eye view of the theatre, players will make decisions that impact both the tactical battles theyâ€™ll be playing, as well as the course of the war itself. Â To close 2021 on a high for all things Company Of Heroes 3, Relic Entertainment has prepared a deep dive Developer Diary video, where players can learn more about the origins of the new DynamicÂ Campaign Map.
The developers discuss some of the exciting new systems, decisions players will have to make, and how the new Dynamic Campaign will affect the classic RTS gameplay that players know and love. Players can also find out more about new resources and mechanics on the Dynamic Campaign Map, such as Partisans, Air and Naval forces, and how these systems can be used to turn the tide of the conflict.
It sounds like Company Of Heroes 3 is skewing closer and closer to a Total War sort of system. Perhaps that means we’ll have more versatile RTS games in the future. Fingers crossed for a Total War World War 1.
Company Of Heroes 3Â is slated to release for PC sometime in 2022.


Gunfire Reborn To Launch On PS5 & PS4 This June

Get your controllers ready because Gunfire Reborn is coming to PS5 and PS4 on 1 June, according to the announcement from publisher 505 Games and developer Duoyi Network.
The game features a mix of adventure, first-person shooter, roguelite, and RPG elements where you can control unique heroes and explore random levels while collecting various weapons. If you’re playing with friends, you can team up with up to three other players for some four-player cooperative play.
For those who prefer physical copies, a physical edition will be available for PS5 for US$29.99. If you’re interested in pre-ordering, you can do so now at different retailers like Amazon and Play-Asia.
Gunfire Reborn was initially launched in Early Access for PC via Steam on 22 May 2020 and had its full release on 18 November 2021.
Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One versions were launched on 27 October 2022. With every restart, you’ll experience a brand-new adventure because each level is random, featuring different heroes, weapons, and items to collect.

Key Features

First-person shooter, roguelite, and RPG combined gameplay. Construct diverse Builds through death cycles for a different experience.
Elaborate, yet randomized stage experience.
Over 100 different items and various weapons.
Many heroes and multiple game plus with different game mechanisms.
Unique art style.
A cooperative, level-based adventure.


Diablo 4’s Server Slam Shows That Its Network Infrastructure Can Take It Like A Champ

Folks, we’ve come to a point where we hope that a game we pay US$60 for would be stable enough to run without any hiccups. Titles like the latest Star Wars game to even Redfall prove that sometimes big budgets do not equate stable PC product. Thankfully, Diablo 4’s latest beta aims to squash those perceptions.
Activision Blizzard’s latest beta session for Diablo 4, title the Diablo 4 Server Slam, is basically the same as the last few betas. Except this time, there are low queue times, stable performances, and a good amount of UI and balance changes. People are actually happy about this Server Slam, which seems to have done its job painting a good image for the game. This is evident with posts like below which praises the Server Slam via a tongue-in-cheek post.
 Server Slam is a total ripoff! by      u/AnotherSoftEng in      Diablo

The game also received some nice design and mechanical changes: lovely font work and UI, better drip feed of loot as you progress through the game thus making weapons of higher tier valuable than before, and some class buffs and balances. While the Necromancer got overtly nerfed with weaker minions and skeletons, Blizzard buffed them midway during the Server Slam so that they can take a few hits before they die off.

Definitely hearing the feedback on the Necro nerfs.  I'm feeling 'em too.  Remember, balance is journey, not a destination – it takes tweaking to get it right.
— Rod Fergusson (@RodFergusson) May 13, 2023

Otherwise, the class upgrades for the beta seem viable. I had to switch up my Sorcerer tactics so that she burns things more with Firewall and Fire Shield, while my Rogue had to rely on Poison Imbuements and Puncture/Twisted Knife combos just to have both DPS and DOTs aplenty while darting around like a madman. Barbarian and Druid received some standard buffs involving their damage-dealing skills. We’re still far from making a judgment call on which class is the best since the level cap is 20, but so far every class is fun.
Sure, I had a disconnect or two halfway, especially when trying to queue for the Ashava fight. But other than those few instances of annoyance, everything in the Server Slam feels hunky dory. If Blizzard aims to showcase how stable the servers will be at launch (touch wood), then it did a good job with this short beta session that brazenly decides to happen at the same time as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom weekend. Ballsy, to say the least.
Diablo 4 will be out for PC and consoles this 6th June.


Kojima’s P.T. Has A New PC Remake, Here’s How To Play It

It’s been about 5 years since Hideo Kojima released the Silent Hill playable teaser P.T. The planned Silent Hills game would be cancelled a year later and P.T. was forever removed from the PlayStation Store. Ever since then, fans have been trying to remake the demo on PC multiple times.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV_4X9YwgmQ&w=560&h=315]
Good news for those of you who have been itching to replay P.T. or never got the chance to play it when it was on the PS Store, a new PC remake has just been completed. You can thank Artur ÅÄ…czkowski, the man who single-handedly developed the remake using Unreal Engine.
The best thing about this fan remake is that it’s completely free. You can download it here. Obviously, this isn’t as polished as the original P.T. nor does it contain every detail that was present in that demo. Still, it’s a very impressive feat.
Prior to this, there was another attempt to remake P.T. for PC but that version is no longer available for download.


Cross Symphonic Is 2019’s Upcoming Musical Tribute To PS1’s Chrono Cross

Did you love the deconstructivism and sombre narrative of Chrono Trigger’s sequel on the PS1? Most importantly, did you relish in the majestic soundtrack created by Yasunori Mitsuda, arguably one of the most important composers in video game history? Then you’ll love the Cross Symphonic album.
Created by composer John Paul Hayward, the upcoming album will be featuring 70 minutes of cinematic music that will be recorded by a live symphony orchestra and choir. The album has been officially approved by Yasunori Mitsuda and rights holder Septima Ley, though keep in mind that it’s still a fan-made tribute. John told Kakuchopurei exclusively that getting in touch with both parties was the toughest part of this project.

“Theyâ€™re both extremely busy and with so many fans constantly releasing cover songs and albums of Mitsudaâ€™s music it can be hard to stand out in the crowd. Once I was able to get into direct contact with them the process was surprisingly quick. After listening to my plans for the album and looking over a few scores they granted me approval to move forward with the album.”

The recording will be done in Nashville Tennessee by a 75-player band. According to John, that number is comparable to the size of most major film score orchestras used on films like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.
So why Chrono Cross? John said that he’s a fan of the game’s story.

“Itâ€™s both a casual experience, yet a deep and twisting labyrinth of storytelling. There is a ‘classic-ness’ to the story that really intrigues me, touching on themes of jealousy, betrayal, adventure, comradery love, deception; all things that could make up a classic Shakespearian tale. There are so many layers to the plot and world which you can easily miss without enjoying the experience any less.”
I make it a point to replay Chrono Cross every year or two, and I still discover a new detail or connection that enhances the world and lore every time I play. You could argue Iâ€™m just a bad player and missed all of it on the first go, but Iâ€™ll chalk it up to Chrono Cross‘ wonderfully rich and diverse world. A good part of that is thanks to Yasunori Mitsudaâ€™s brilliant soundtrack.
His use and combination of different ethnic ensembles and instruments breathe life into the archipelago of El Nido. You can almost sense their tradition and culture through the music as if they have a general and style unique to their little archipelago, which is really an incredible feat.”

Just like yours truly, he’s also in the minority that loved Chrono Cross as a de facto sequel to Chrono Trigger. I’ll be sure to write something about that closer to Chrono Cross’ birth month.
Speaking of which, the album will be out on 18 November of this year, to celebrate the game’s 20th anniversary. You can help fund for the live recording on Kickstarter starting tomorrow.


Junkie XL Teases The New Justice League Snyder Cut Theme

Last month’s DC FanDome event gave us our first look at the Justice League Snyder Cut, but today has revealed even more teases, in the form of a sneak peek at the upcoming score by composer Tom Holkenborg, best known as Junkie XL.
During his panel on DC FanDome, Junkie XL appeared to tease part of the new Justice League theme. However, he clarifies that it remains unfinished for now.

https://twitter.com/RTSnyderCut/status/1304841489000869890

He said:
â€œIâ€™m so excited to be back and finish â€˜Justice Leagueâ€™ with Zack Snyder, the Zack Snyder cut. I canâ€™t tell you how excited I am. But thereâ€™s a lot of work that needs to be done, obviously, even though I already did a lot of work. Right now, Iâ€™m finishing an action bit with the new Justice League theme, and I want to preview a little bit of that.”
Junkie XL was the original composer for the Justice League movie but was replaced by Danny Elfman when director Joss Whedon took over the film for the 2017 version.
HBO Asia also recently confirmed that the upcoming Justice League Snyder Cut will also premiere in Asia on HBO GO (including Malaysia and wherever the platform is available) when it launches sometime in 2021.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=z6512XKKNkU


The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special Breakdown & Easter Eggs

The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special is the second Marvel Studios Special Presentation film and is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia.
The synopsis reads:
In the The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, the Guardians, who are on a mission to make Christmas unforgettable for Quill, head to Earth in search of the perfect present. The Marvel Studios’ Special Presentation stars Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot and Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Sean Gunn and The Old 97’s with Michael Rooker and Kevin Bacon.
Here are some of the easter eggs that are noteworthy. Spoilers below, so here’s your warning:

An Animated Flashback To When Yondu Was Still Alive And Star-Lord Was Still A Kid

Surprisingly, The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special begins with a brief animated sequence (like a Rankin Bass/Star Wars Holiday Special animated segment with rotoscoping) that takes place when Yondu is still alive and Peter Quill AKA Star-Lord is still just a kid. Apparently, Peter is teaching Yondu all about Christmas.
It sounds like Michael Rooker returned to reprise his role and voice Yondu. The end credits confirm it.
Cosmo’s First Time Speaking In The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Cosmo The Dog already appeared in the post-credits of 2014’s Guardians Of The Galaxy but he/she never spoke. In the comics, he/she is a telepathic/telekinetic dog with a Russian accent, whose origins are actually as a canine Cosmonaut from Earth.
This is the first time that we see Cosmo using her telepathic and telekinetic abilities in the MCU. She is voiced by none other than Maria Bakalova, who is best known for starring in 2020’s Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and 2022’s Bodies Bodies Bodies.
After Avengers Endgame And Thor Love And Thunder, The Guardians Are Now Helping Rebuild Knowhere

So this is what the Guardians are currently up to. If you don’t remember, Thanos destroyed Knowhere in 2018’s Avengers Infinity War in his search for the Infinity Stones.
Drax And Mantis Goes To Earth To Find Kevin Bacon

Just like the trailers teased, Drax and Mantis go to Earth to find and bring Kevin Bacon to Peter in order to cheer him up on Christmas, seeing as they haven’t found Gamora yet.
A Reference To Kevin Bacon’s First feature Film Role

After kidnapping Kevin Bacon, they asked him about his past “exploits”, including as Mantis puts it, “when you fought and defeated the super strong masked killer Jason Vorhees in the woods”?
That’s actually a reference to Kevin Bacon’s first-ever feature film role, which was as a supporting character who gets killed via an arrow through the neck in 1980’s Friday The 13th, which was the first in the horror franchise.
If you’ve never seen that, check it out below, it’s an iconic horror movie slasher kill in pop culture:

A DC Easter Egg That’s Interesting Considering Recent Events

Yeah, this is an obvious Batman DC Comics easter egg anyone can catch. However, the interesting thing is that by the time that The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special releases, James Gunn will already be the DC Studios co-CEO and co-chairman.
Nebula Gives Bucky’s Arm To Rocket

This is a funny little throwback to when Rocket asked Bucky, “how much for the arm?”, in 2018’s Avengers Infinity War. Rocket later says, “oh, I’ll get that arm”.

Four years later, he finally does.

Yondu Gave Star-Lord His Element Guns During Christmas

That’s heartwarming.
Mantis Reveals That She’s Peter’s Sister

Mantis reveals that Ego was her father too and that she’s actually Peter’s half-sister.
Post-Credits Scene

There is a post-credits scene but as expected, it’s just another joke scene, with Rocket and Cosmo putting Christmas lights on Groot. It ends with Rocket saying, “Now we gotta have another special.”, which is probably a joke, or it could mean another Guardians Of The Galaxy special is in the works. Who knows?
That’s it, folks, until the next one, excelsior!


The Boys’ Homelander Nendoroid Announced & It Is Suspiciously Adorable

At Anime Expo 2023, Good Smile Company announced a new Nendoroid figure for Homelander from Amazon Prime Video’s live-action adaptation of The Boys.
Details about the series will probably be coming at a later date. That being said, the Nendoroid does look too adorable, considering how vile he is as a villain.

The Boys Season 3 concluded its eight-episode run on Amazon Prime Video in 2022 and while Season 4 is already confirmed, we’re getting that spinoff series, Gen V, first. The Boys spinoff series was originally announced almost two years ago in September 2020, but Gen V finally received its own teaser trailer in late 2022.


Square Enix Trademarks A Bunch Of Final Fantasy VII Names & Terms [Update]

Square Enix has filed trademarks for the following titles and terms in Japan, Europe, Canada, Australia, and the USA:

“Ever Crisis”
“First Soldier”
The Shinra Electric Power Company logo

These trademarks were made public today. If you’ve been keeping tabs on Final Fantasy games, you know darn well that these are related to 1997 hit RPG Final Fantasy VII and the 2020 remake. See, “Ever Crisis” is similar title-wise to past Final Fantasy VII spin-offs Before Crisis and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII; the latter PSP game stars fan-favourite Zack Faire.
The “First Soldier”? It’s a reference to everybody’s favourite RPG villain Sephiroth. And the Shinra Electric Power Company is the main evil organization in Final Fantasy VII. In any case, Square Enix is far from done with Final Fantasy VII Remake and the brand in general, especially with its recent sales numbers.


CD Projekt Buys Ex-Bioshock Dev Studio To Make A New RPG

CD Projekt announced that it has bought indie developer The Molasses Flood for a new big project.
The Molasses Flood was formed by ex-Irrational Games developers, the team that made BioShock and BioShock Infinite. The company was also staffed with developers who worked on Halo 2 and Rock Band. The company’s most recent game was Drake Hollow.
The Molasses Flood announced that it was joining CD Projekt to work on its Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077, and Gwent projects. More specifically, the indie studio will be working on a completely new game in the universe of an existing CD Projekt IP.

 pic.twitter.com/4HJ8daxWJK
— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) October 22, 2021

The company will be keeping its name while CD Projekt will be helping the indie studio’s “culture and growth”.


Kingdom Hearts 3 Re:Mind TGS 2019 Trailer Teases Iconic Keyblades & New Playable Characters

Square Enix has released the new Kingdom Hearts 3 Re:Mind DLC TGS 2019 trailer. Though it still doesn’t reveal a definitive release date or window for the upcoming DLC besides sometime in Winter 2019, it does feature more interesting footage that will keep fans of the franchise happy.
According to the official description, Kingdom Hearts 3 Re:Mind will feature

â€œA familiar realmâ€.
New boss battles (where players will be able to switch characters).
A new form or forms for Sora to master.
A story where players will learn more about the members of Organization XIII.
Obtain additional Keyblades by downloading a free update.

While the trailer doesn’t reveal much, it gives us not only a glimpse of Sora’s new Dark form and what seems to be his Final Form from Kingdom Hearts 2 in a boss battle against Xigbar (Luxu), but also the return of iconic keyblades like Oathkeeper and Oblivion.
Sora’s Dark Form and Oblivion?
From the looks of the trailer, players might be able to look forward to playing as Kairi, Axel (Lea), Roxas, Xion, Aqua, Ventus, and Lingering Will (the remnants of Terra’s soul stuck inside his armour). These will all be during the final confrontations as seen near the climax of Kingdom Hearts 3‘s main story.
Sora’s Final Form and Oathkeeper?
We might learn more about Kingdom Hearts 3 Re:Mind when TGS 2019 officially starts on 12 September 2019. In the meantime, check out the trailer below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4D_Cu9Ad0s&w=560&h=315]


Malaysian Institution Claz’room College Partners With Level Infinite

Malaysian Creative Multimedia Art institution Claz’room College has announced its partnership with Level Infinite, a global gaming brand under the world-renowned Tencent Games, to enhance education quality and support the development of young talent in Malaysia’s digital creative industry. The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding signals both organisations’ commitment to providing students with access to cutting-edge curriculum, mentorship opportunities, and practical experience to prepare them for careers in the dynamic creative multimedia arts industry.
The publisher of PUBG MOBILE will send creative professionals to provide regular guidance and coaching to students in the creation of multimedia art content. These experienced professionals will share their insights and knowledge of industry demands and commercial requirements with students, allowing them to develop the skills necessary for success in the industry and giving them a competitive edge in their careers.

Managing Director, Yang Ning Tung, said:
“The importance of bridging the gap between education and growing industries in enhancing the local creative multimedia arts industry must be brought to everyone’s attention. This partnership between Claz’room College and Level Infinite is a monumental step in the right direction, and we are thrilled to announce it. Young creatives in our community will have access to countless opportunities.”
Through this partnership, Level Infinite will tap into Claz’room’s vast pool of talent to develop innovative business solutions. The company will curate a collection of exceptional artworks for commercial use, as well as incorporate some of them into the PUBG mobile game. The students responsible for the artworks will be credited when their works are publicised, thereby promoting their artistic vision to a global audience. In addition, Level Infinite has also allocated internship quotas for Claz’room students in an effort to continue cultivating these talents beyond the classroom, within the dynamic local digital creative industry.
Eugene Chin, Country Manager of Level Infinite added:
“Our local talent has tremendous potential, and we want to enhance talents in the digital creative industry. With this collaboration, we aim to give back to the community by working with Claz’room College to bring a variety of exciting activities to both students and the general public. Our efforts align with the government’s goals to contribute to a rich and diverse digital media sector and generate high-value employment opportunities, enabling a large number of young talents to pursue their passion for gaming.”
Oliver Ye, Head of Southeast Asia Region Publishing, Tencent Games said:
“We have always maintained a goal in mind to make PUBG MOBILE a game that Malaysians can enjoy and resonate with. This collaboration further enhances that vision as we can now work hand in hand with Claz’room to nurture students with hands-on experience for PUBG MOBILE, making it a game not only made for Malaysians, but by Malaysians as a result.”

The first of many public activities planned as part of the collaboration is a 3D Zbrush Sculpting Workshop on 25 March 2023 at 10 am at Claz’room College. Participants will learn from professional PUBG MOBILE creators and get an in-depth look at the sculpting process used in the game, followed by a demonstration of 3D printing.
Registration for the workshop is now open, and interested participants are encouraged to secure their attendance by clicking on the link provided here. The occasion also witnessed the launch of Claz’room College’s Art Exhibition, displaying Claz’room students’ artwork.


Black Panther Star To Play The First Black Samurai In History

Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman has signed on to play Yasuke, the first and only African samurai in history. Yes, this may sound like an adaptation of Afro Samurai, but it’s actually based on a real person in Japan a long, long time ago.
In the 1600s, Yasuke was a slave to Jesuit missionaries brought to Japan from Mozambique, which was under Portuguese control at the time. He was supposedly the first black man to ever set foot in Japan, earning him the attention of warlord Nobunaga Oda.
He later served as Oda’s retainer, but historical records are spotty as to whether he was really a full-fledged samurai or not. However, he was given his own ceremonial katana and assigned the duty of being a weapon bearer.
Netflix’s Narcos co-creator Doug Miro will be writing the script, but there’s no official word yet on who will be directing the movie. Here’s what Chadwick Boseman had to say about his upcoming role as Yasuke (via Deadline):

â€œThe legend of Yasuke is one of historyâ€™s best-kept secrets, the only person of non-Asian origin to become a Samurai.
Thatâ€™s not just an action movie, thatâ€™s a cultural event, an exchange, and I am excited to be part of it.â€

It remains to be seen how this movie will turn out. Remember Tom Cruise in 2003’s The Last Samurai? Yeah.
If you’re wondering where this article’s featured image is from, Yasuke has been featured in a video game, Team Ninja’s 2017 action RPG Nioh for the PS4 and PC. He was the 19th boss in the game known as the Obsidian Samurai, protecting the corpse of Nobunaga Oda. Check out the boss battle against Yasuke below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1pzzpI_Riw&w=560&h=315]


Here Are Some Total War: Three Kingdoms Tips To Rekindle Your Romance

This guide is still in development…
Total War: Three Kingdoms is the best Total War game in this current strategy gaming generation; just ask our expert Kenn Leandre. It’s also a very robust game with tons of mechanics that can be hard to grasp from the get-go.
Luckily, we’re here to help. Here are some tips on how to be a good diplomat and also get the heroes you want to create your own Romance of the Three Kingdoms revision.
Update 1:Â
Here are additional Three Kingdoms tips and play styles for you to utilize for a smoother transition to being the Emperor of China. Do note that these are a mixture of sneakier and more cunning plays; on top of the earlier discussed basic guides.
Be Mindful of Your Armies Positions… and Everyone Else’s
Always be ready to strike first, regardless of the political climate. While allegiances can be brokered anytime in Three Kingdoms, they can change on a whim as well. Pay close attention to armies movements on the map, especially when a red triangle suddenly appears within your territory. This signifies a hostile force; a faction which has not brokered Peace, Non-Aggressive Pact or even Military Access is operating within your borders.
A good preventive measure would be to station an army within one or two turns away from key positions and locations. When possible, place your defending armies in an ambush position to catch intruders off-guard.
Synchronize Your Movements to Deadly Effect
Of course it is fun to simply send full-strength armies into battle or capture an enemy’s settlement but you know what’s better than capturing one settlement per turn? How about capturing several at once?Â  Utilising the awareness gained from observing enemies’ movement as stated above and tracking other neighboring faction’s deteriorating perception towards you, you can instantly punish their decision to declare war with swift strikes that will make them wish they have a save file somewhere.
Playing as Liu Bei, we noticed Cao Cao’s armies’ odd movements on the map towards my farming settlement of Yingchuan, just a turn after refusing my call to arms against the Yellow Turban rebellions. I thought we were pals, CC. And what’s with the party up north? We sensed a rat.
In response, we stationed four of my armies to be within striking distance of four key Cao Cao settlements; with the strongest one led by Guan Yu focusing on his capital – the City of Chen. We ordered the other tree armies to camp near Chen and Yangzhou livestock farms along with the City of Yangzhou for good measure.
A Cao Cao offensive on my Yingchuan farm was met with a swift, quadruple hit on his other territories which not only crippled his army, but also his economy. Guess which faction folded in less than ten turns?
Keep Track of Population Happiness, Food, & Corruption Rate
While the meat of the fun in Three Kingdoms is obviously its battlegrounds, the key element which keeps them going are the upkeep of your territories. Although money allow you to employ the best armies, Three Kingdoms implements a complex system of passive factors that affect overall income.
A smart move early on is to determine which are the main sources of income for each settlement. Once this is established, you can start focusing on building corresponding buildings to encourage its growth. But do keep a close eye on corruption which can cripple even the most profitable region.
If kept unchecked, corruption can go as high as 50% and once a settlement makes over 4-5k gross income per turn, is a very significant factor to your faction’s economic growth.
Next: Political Plays


Bill & Ted Face The Music Is Coming To Malaysian Cinemas Later This Month

Bill & Ted Face The Music has finally received an official release date in Malaysia. According to GSC Cinemas, the highly-anticipated sequel to the cult classic franchise will release in Malaysian cinemas on 28 August 2020.
https://www.facebook.com/GSCinemas/videos/725543811338756/?__xts__[0]=68.ARAGqi2mfhnW7-49fIfgjxIF3TPU8wigyM7GKwTYlcSwVhE_jQrlyR9rMpAs9rlLK_NVXGslsiisqyA9ye5K04KKYYqx2IMpII4sVCgWZBL6pkmCHn7HW9-Y_lxW9dJaPxIK-iJ-9OGzeoi1Wot-PFTKl0_DHHSOyCE_xqPwDs_fQ2xatFlw_TOX59DZBNNb210nx5BrZQalAFu0158SoS-xfT8g_ApQOmpKfFcQu8cf0p0QCfedVEkNH3o2dYwHhLP6RhEVLRUyShGJUh9AJ6bRPa0FG2QrWKe7bPLD3lZVTMU2Rte6juVE2y7WJBJa9GElIND_DqsGt34oPPGEVPkpjYI&__tn__=-R
During the recent Comic-Con At Home 2020, a new trailer was unveiled, revealing more of what to expect, including Alex Winters and Keanu Reeves reprising their iconic roles as Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted â€œTheodoreâ€ Logan. It teases the duo embarking on another time-travelling adventure to steal music from their future selves.
At the same time, Wilhelmina Billie â€œLittle Billâ€ Logan (Brigette Lundy-Paine) and Thea â€œLittle Tedâ€ Preston (Samara Weaving) (the daughter of Bill and Ted, respectively), also embark on their own excellent adventure.
For context, it’s been almost 30 years since 1991’s Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey and more than that since the legendary first movie, 1989’s Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
Check out the radical trailer below, dudes:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gPGeAYo3yU&w=560&h=315]


The Made In Abyss Game Launches This Fall

Spike Chunsoft and Chime Corporation announced that Made In Abyss Binary Star Falling Into Darkness will launch for the PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam sometime in Fall 2022.
Made In Abyss Binary Star Falling Into Darkness is a 3D action RPG in which players themselves descend into the world of the Abyss and grow through their experience in its depths. In addition to a story mode in which players can relive the story of the anime while learning the basic system and how to progress in the game, there is also an original story supervised by series author, Akihito Tsukushi. Many characters from Made in Abyss appear, and event scenes are fully-voiced by the cast from the anime. Fans are sure to enjoy the dark fantasy that remains true to the unique flavor of the original work.
In the game, the story begins with Riko and Reg’s meeting in the first episode of season one. This marks the start of their great adventure, and together they travel to Seeker Camp in the second layer of the Abyss. Another story takes place many days after Riko and Reg depart for the Abyss. The world’s sole remaining, unconquered chasm, the Abyss, is the stage where many adventures are born… and disappear. Those who appear in these stories are mesmerized by the power of the Abyss and aim for the bottom of the netherworld. The story about to be told is of the adventures of a nameless Cave Raider in the Abyss.
The game will be available in both standard and Collector’s editions. The Collection’s Edition will include a hardcover “Cave-Raiding Notebook”, as well a 24-by-36 inches cloth poster featuring exclusive artwork by Kinema Citrus. There will be options for both Japanese and English text and audio.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Relive Your WoW Memories With The Creators In This Nostalgic Video

We’re less than a week away from the release of World Of Warcraft Classic and fans are gearing up to relive their glory days of fighting for the Alliance or the Horde. To commemorate the occasion, Blizzard assembled members of the original WoW team for an epic play session with the game that launched or propelled many of their careers.
The WoW Classic With Creators video features original WoW game designers Alex Afrasiabi, Tom Chilton, Jeff Kaplan, Pat Nagle, and Aaron Keller as they discuss their fondest memories developing the game (while also playing the game).
WoW Classic is slated to release at 3pm PDT on 27 August 2019 or 6pm GMT+8 on 28 August 2019 for Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia. In the meantime, check out the WoW Classic With Creators below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iquurVrL4l8&w=560&h=315]


Marvelâ€™s What Ifâ€¦? Episode 8 Breakdown & Easter Eggs

The eighth episode of Marvelâ€™s What Ifâ€¦?Â is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia. Iâ€™ll be discussing heavy spoilersÂ so if you havenâ€™t seen it or want to avoid spoilers, nowâ€™s your chance to stop reading.
Marvelâ€™s What Ifâ€¦?Â features fan-favourite characters, including Peggy Carter, Tâ€™Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger, Thor and more. The new series, directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer and Brad Winderbaum as an executive producer, explores hypothetical stories in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It focuses on non-canonical stories like what happens if Peggy Carter became Captain Britain and if Tâ€™Challa/Black Panther was abducted by the Ravagers instead of Peter Quill/Star-Lord.
You can check out my previous breakdown ofÂ Marvelâ€™s What Ifâ€¦? Episode 1,Â Episode 2,Â Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5,Â Episode 6Â and Episode 7 here.
If you havenâ€™t, you can check out my previous breakdown and easter egg articles forÂ WandaVisionÂ Episode 1 and 2,Â Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5,Â Episode 6,Â Episode 7,Â Episode 8Â andÂ Episode 9.
ForÂ The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, you can check out my previous breakdowns forÂ Episode 1,Â Episode 2Â andÂ Episode 3,Â Episode 4,Â Episode 5Â andÂ Episode 6.
For previous breakdowns ofÂ LokiÂ episodes, check outÂ Episode 1 here,Â Episode 2 here,Â Episode 3 here,Â Episode 4 here,Â Episode 5 hereÂ andÂ Episode 6 here.
Courtesy of Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia, we were recently lucky enough to participate in a roundtable interview withÂ Marvelâ€™s What Ifâ€¦?Â Executive ProducerÂ Brad Winderbaum, Head WriterÂ AC Bradley, and DirectorÂ Bryan Andrews. You can check out that interview byÂ heading over here.
Recently, we also interviewedÂ Marvelâ€™s What Ifâ€¦?Â EditorsÂ Graham Fisher and Joel Fisher, Animation SupervisorÂ Stephan Franck, and Head of Visual Development and Character DesignÂ Ryan Meinerding. You can check out that interview byÂ heading over here.

Ultron Took Control Of Vision’s Body Before The Avengers Could

It looks like the trajectory of this universe changed from the events of 2014’s Avengers Age Of Ultron. Ultron obtained Vision’s body before the Avengers could. He took over Vision’s body and laid waste to Earth.
He turns the world into a wasteland by launching the world’s nuclear warheads.

Ultron Kills Thanos By Cutting Him In Half

Thanos arrives on Earth to get the Mind Stone, but Ultron simply kills him by cutting him IN HALF.
Ultron With The Infinity Stones Is Much Scarier Than Thanos

Ultron personally destroys Asgard, The Sovereign, Sakaar, Ego, and Xandar. He even encounters Captain Marvel on Xandar and easily kills her.
Sure, Thanos killed half the population of the universe by snapping his fingers but it almost killed him in the process.
Ultron destroyed the universe with his own hands.
Ultron Grows So Powerful That He Can Sense The Watcher

Ultron grows so powerful that he can see the Watcher watching him and thus becoming aware of the multiverse, causing the Watcher to be afraid. According to the Watcher, this has never happened before.
The Red Guardian’s Shield

While searching for Arnim Zola’s files at a KGB base, Black Widow finds the shield of Red Guardian. Red Guardian is Alexei Shostakov, who was played by David Harbour in Marvel’s Black Widow movie. This is a cool easter egg, considering that we’ve never seen this shield in any of the MCU movies so far.

Avengers Endgame Easter Egg

In Avengers Endgame, Black Widow sacrificed herself by letting go of Hawkeye’s hands to fall to her death. The same scene is mirrored in this episode of What If, with Hawkeye in Black Widow’s place instead.
This version is a bit bleaker in that Hawkeye’s last words before falling to his death is that he “doesn’t want to fight anymore”, revealing his broken will.

You can watch the original Avengers Endgame scene below:

The Watcher Vs Ultron

Ultron breaks into the space between universes and fights the Watcher. The Watcher goes toe-to-toe with Ultron, proving that he’s a cosmic-level being that’s not to be trifled with. However, he’s ultimately overpowered as well.

There’s A Universe With Steve Rogers Becoming President; The Ultimate Universe?

Near the end of the episode, Ultron and the Watcher enter a universe where Steve Rogers AKA Captain America is becoming the President of the United States.
This has happened before in the comics, but not in the main 616 universe. It happened in the Ultimate universe line of comics, where Steve Roger did become President during the United We Stand story arc in the Ultimate Comics The Ultimates Issue 16.

The Episode Ends With The Watcher Asking For The Help Of Doctor Strange Supreme

The best What If episode yet ends with the Watcher asking for the help of Doctor Strange Supreme from Episode 4.Â We already know that they will be teaming up with Party Thor from the previous episode (see below).
Thatâ€™s all for this week, folks. Until next week for the What If Season 1 finale, Excelsior, true believers!


The Best Shazam! Stories You Should Read

This article was originally published back in 2019, but with the sequel, Shazam Fury Of The Gods, coming out soon on 16 March 2023, we’re updating this article with several new additions.
Check them out below:

Of all the DCEU movies so far, Shazam! could be considered the riskiest to date. Compared to the likes of DC’s Trinity (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman) and even Aquaman, Shazam might be the most obscure character to receive an adaptation. That will soon change with the release of the upcoming movie, Shazam!
Not only is Shazam the original Captain Marvel, but he’s also almost as old as Superman. If Superman is the grand-daddy of comic book superheroes, then Shazam is probably the grand-uncle. After almost 8 decades, there have been some great Shazam comics published over the years.
Celebrating the release of Shazam!, I’ll list down my personal recommendations for the six (6) best Shazam stories everyone should read.
1. Shazam! Volume 1 (2013)

Written by the brilliant Geoff Johns and drawn by Gary Frank, this run is the best starting point for new readers, as it ignores the past 80 years of established history and proceeds to tell a fresh and modern take on the classic superhero.
As part of The New 52 relaunch, this run was actually featured in the pages of the Justice League comic. It’s now available in one complete volume, collecting all the issues from Justice LeagueÂ #0, 21, 7-11, 14-16, and 18-20.
There’s also the fact that the Shazam! movie cites Geoff Johns’ reimagined take as its main inspiration. If you’re looking for something close in style to the movie, then this run would be the most ideal.
In fact, once you’re done reading the full volume and interested in more, Geoff Johns recently started a new Shazam run with artist Dale Eaglesham, which is currently only several issues in.
2. Shazam! The Monster Society Of Evil (2007)

This graphic novel is another fairly-recent and modern take on Shazam’s origins, with many hailing it to be one of the best in the history of the character. Written and drawn by Jeff Smith, it was meant to be an all-ages reimagining of Shazam but it turned out to be so much more.
The story is still great despite its kid-friendly tone, successfully encapsulating all the essential elements of the hero. In this version, Shazam’s arch-nemesis Dr. Sivana is also the Attorney General of the United States, and so he uses that to his advantage, lending more depth to the villain than just being a mad scientist.
However, Shazam! The Monster Society Of Evil is a standalone story, which takes place out of the main DC universe. Still, that shouldn’t stop anyone from enjoying this comic.
3. The Trials of Shazam! (2006-2008)

Written by Judd Winick and drawn by Howard Porter, The Trials of Shazam! was a 12-issue limited series, which was unique because it starred not Billy Batson, but Freddy Freeman.
The story focuses on Freddy proving his worthiness to adopt the mantle of Shazam from Billy, along with all the powers and responsibility that comes with it. Winick puts a higher emphasis on magic and mysticism in his run with the character.
4. The Power of Shazam! (1994-1999)

For many, The Power of Shazam! was one of the more definitive takes on the superhero. This take on the character began in 1994 with the release of Jerry Ordway’s iconic graphic novel, which retold the origins of Shazam. It was so well-received that it spun into an ongoing series which ran for 45 issues from 1995 to 1999.
The Power of Shazam! graphic novel and 45-issue run were largely inspired by the Golden Age of comics so some elements may feel a bit dated. That said, readers can expect a lot of great classic elements too, like the original Shazam family and retro villains. It’s a great introduction to Shazam’s lore.
5. Shazam! Power of Hope (2000)

Even if you’re not an avid comic book reader, there’s a good chance that you’ve probably seen the gloriously lush and detailed hyper-realistic artwork of the legendary artist Alex Ross. While he mostly draws cover art, the rare occasions that he actually draws entire comic books are sights to behold, and the Shazam! Power of Hope graphic novel is one of them.
Written by both Paul Dini and Alex Ross, this standalone graphic novel focuses on telling an emotional story that will hit you right in the feels. There’s not much conventional comic book action, but the inspiring and touching story more than makes up for all that.
Here’s a gist of the story: Billy Batson AKA Shazam receives a letter from a terminally-ill boy in a hospital and he decides to spend a few days in the ward. As Shazam, Billy tries to give what little hope he can to the children’s lives by taking them on flying escapades and regaling them with stories of his superhero exploits.
6. Superman/Shazam: First Thunder (2006)

If you’re the type of fan who likes his/her comic books to be dark and somewhat ‘mature’, then Superman/Shazam: First Thunder would be right up your alley. This also applies for all those DCEU fans who have come to expect a certain grittiness with their DC heroes.
Superman/Shazam: First Thunder is a 4-issue miniseries written by Judd Winick and drawn by Joshua Middleton. This comic recounts the first meeting between Shazam and Superman, but the best part of it all is how it develops the relationship between both heroes.
Shazam looks up to Superman due to the fact that he is still actually a kid, and Superman later learns to respect Shazam as well for the unique burden that Billy has to bear. Overall, it’s a great classic team-up arc where the readers learn more about both characters by the end of the comic.
7. The New Champion Of Shazam (2022)

This is actually the most recent Shazam comic and it doesn’t feature Billy Batson as the protagonist. It mostly focuses on the current sole champion of Shazam, who is Mary Broomfield AKA Billy’s foster sister. It’s a great comic for the character to showcase how she’s different from Billy and how she struggles with the full power of Shazam while juggling university life.

There you have it folks, the ComicsLord’s best Shazam stories that everyone should read. In the meantime, head on over here if you’re looking for more of a primer or introduction to Shazam’s history and origins instead.


Destiny 2’s Haunted Forest To Return This October According To Emblem Description Update

Destiny 2 fans will be getting their All Hallow’s Eve treat in a form of a fifteen-minute mission later this month.
According to two emblem descriptions pointed out by PolygonÂ there will be a tally for Terrors defeated for this year. You can find these updated descriptions on the Terror’s End and Deep In The Woods emblems; they’ve had these updates since the release of Destiny 2: Shadowkeep.

Players can safely assume that the Haunted Forest will make a comeback sometime this month; from 29th October to 19th November according to the game’s roadmap.
As a reminder, this mode challenges solo players to get as far into the forest as possible in 15 minutes while shooting down hordes and adds. You can definitely score new rewards in this year’s iteration, so that’s something to look forward to.


Razer Launches its Official Headquarter in Bangsar

Razer, the top brand when it comes to gaming, is putting a huge effort into developing Malaysia as a hub for the financial technology (fintech) leadership with the official launch of their new headquarters in Malaysia.

Min-Liang Tan, the company’s chief executive officer and co-founder, said that Razer would continue to invest in Malaysia as its hub for fintech efforts in Southeast Asia.

“It is the first country in the world to be ready for Razer Pay and we see the Razer Malaysia office as a natural springboard for our fintech efforts in the region,” he said at the official launching ceremony of Razer Headquarters at UOA Corporate Tower in Bangsar South today.

Min-Liang Tan also pointed out that the new investment for the headquarters marked the rising significance of Malaysia to Razerâ€™s ecosystem growth which houses over 280 employees.
The launch event was officiated by Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Razer Pay In The Area
Min-Liang also said that Razer would explore further ways with UOA to integrate Razer Pay such as its carpark system enabling users to pay their parking fees using the app without waiting in queues.
Bangsar South-based merchants will also start accepting Razer Pay, as they will begin offering rewards programmes enabled by Razer Pay such as coupons and flash sales to help customers save time and money.
Min-Liang stated the new headquarters will also serve as Razer’s commitment to developing the Malaysian esports scene. They are also the official e-sports partner for the upcoming 2019 SEA Games.
He said Razer will put an effort together with the government and industry partners to develop the next generation of tech-talents in Malaysia while collaborating with higher learning institutes to provide training and mentorship programmes and offer exchange programmes across the regional Razerâ€™s offices.
Razer’s involvement in the Malaysian esports industry can only thrust our industry upwards. I hope this can promote other big names of the esports industry to follow Razer’s path in building the esports world in Malaysia.