Street Fighter V Winter Update Stream Showcases Rose & Dan’s Movesets

The latest Capcom stream showcases new Street Fighter V updates, most notable two new characters from the Season 5 pass and a new battle mechanic. Let’s break it down:

Rose

The Italian magic gypsy makes a return in Street Fighter V as Menat’s boss. She retains most of her Soul powers from past Street Fighter games, though with some updates:

Her anti-air doesn’t make her jump this time around; she uses her scarf while on the ground.
Her V-Skills include tarot cards (for V-Skill 1) and her Soul Satellite from SFIV (V-Skill 2). The former powers up her moves while curses her target, while the latter gives her some form of one-hit protection until she gets hit.
Her V-Triggers make her warp around the screen (V-Trigger 1) and summons a bunch of illusions for multi-hit combo purposes (V-Trigger 2). I’m guessing with her moveset and (hopefully) untouched crouching MP, V-Trigger 2 will see the most play.
She still has Soul Spirals as combo-enders, as well as a Soul Punish move that places timed “Soul mines” that act as trap moves.

Dan

We now get to see more of the Saikyo master’s moves and usefulness.

His V-Skill 1 allows him to cancel out of each special move. His V-Skill 2 makes him do a unique attack, but you can actually cancel that move to another special move. However, if you fail to cancel it, his V-Skill 2 will leave him wide open.
Essentially, Dan’s taunts are now high-level canceling moves for expert players who want to chain special moves with a supposed joke character.
His V-Trigger 1 is a super fireball that can be charged. A fully-charged fireball can multi-hit and wall bounce an enemy, though you can just cancel to it after a confirmed hit and just let it go uncharged.
His V-Trigger 2 powers up his Gadouken and Koryuken, opening up a ton of combo possibilities.
His Legendary Taunt is still a thing.

V-Shift

Because a lot of people complained about how defensive options in SFV are limited, the developers are bringing in V-Shift. This new skill is a special backdash that consumes V-Gauge. You cannot throw or hit an opponent while he/she is in a V-Shift invincible state. If an opponent lands a wake-up attack or anything similar when V-Shift is activated, this initiates a slow-motion bit with both fighters and make the activating character invincible AND able to pull off a unique V-Shift-Break attack that homes in onto the opponent.
This attack will knock them down, put some distance between them, and puts the activator in an advantageous state, meaning your opponent cannot quick rise from the attack. While this is a much-needed defensive option that’s arguably superior to V-Reversals, this move can also be baited by high-player players, much like how a Guilty Gear/Blazblue Burst can be baited.
Premium Pass

Capcom also announced a Premium Pass & Character Pass. The former costs US$39.99 (with more stuff + character Season 5 Pass)) while the latter costs US$24.99 (with less stuff, but still the Season 5 character pass). To alleviate fan’s concerns, Eleven is going to be a bonus character in the Season 5 pass; he’s basically a random select character, mimicking a random fighter in the roster while retaining its creepy white colour scheme. Which means that final SFV character slot is still unannounced.
But enough about that: check out these new Premium costumes, including the return of Cammy’s doll outfit.

Street Fighter V‘s Season 5 update will start off with Dan and the V-Shift mechanic, which is due 22nd February. That’s this month, so let’s hope to see an influx of SF players coming in in Southeast Asia later this month.
The Fighting Game Community Reception
Needless to say, a lot of fighting game folks are intrigued with the upcoming update and battle system additions. Top SFV player Punk said that while he’s happy with the update, this may make Dhalsim a top-tier character in Season 5. He plays Karin, FYI.

Smh I’m happy about the update but damn that V-Shift made sim from top 5 to top 1 smh. I thought I was happy but it’s just sadness.
— Panda | Punk (@PunkDaGod) February 11, 2021

Southeast Asian Street Fighter champ RZR|Xian said that players will need to relearn everything about the game now that 50/50 situations are manageable with V-Shifts.
https://twitter.com/XianMSG/status/1360027393235165185?s=20
Here are some words from one of the best grappler pro players: Itabashi Zangief.

??????????????1??????????
?????????????????????
— ??????? (@Itazan_Kuma) February 11, 2021

Here’s a comment from NASR| Big Bird:

Vshift is interesting, I'm glad it wasn't new CA
I wonder how it's properties are like though
— NASR | Adel ? #EVO2022 (@Bigbird_fgc) February 11, 2021

Top European player Luffy is happy that his main is back.

BYE R.MIKA
— Olivier Hay (@Louffy086) February 11, 2021

Meanwhile, NVD Phenom is bummed out that there still isn’tÂ  new costume for Necalli.

1584 days since Necalli got a new costume https://t.co/RcqXFIi5zl
— Phenom (@PhenomSF) February 11, 2021

Here are more insights from the best in the FGC.

Capcom super delivered in today’s stream…
You got me back playing SFV now when all the new stuff comes out
— Justin Wong (@JWonggg) February 11, 2021

V-Shift is definitely going to add a huge dynamic element to the game and have tons of more "what's going to happen" situations à la UMvC3 dhc battles…
I hope it doesn't become super degenerate or too rewarding for some characters but it will be an interesting journey
— CLG | Brian_F (@Bri4nF) February 11, 2021

It looks like even if your opponent does V-shift on your normal you can still cancel that normal into other special moves or V-trigger to make yourself safe possibly. I think there's going to be so many new mind games with this new mechanic. I'm excited!!! pic.twitter.com/3mhhZgz4dg
— JB (@TryhardJB) February 11, 2021

There’s so much to talk about with this Winter Update Reveal.
-Dan has crazy oki and looks fun to play-Rose has satellite orbs, genei jin, orb placement (Somebody check if @Louffy086 is ok) -V-Shift (Ty for not doing CA2) -Training stage is darker -Eleven-Oro pic.twitter.com/FYafAA9iiq
— Alex Valle ??????+? (@TheAlexValle) February 11, 2021

YEAAAAAAAAAAAA CRUSH COUNTER CR HP AND SAKURA JUGGLE THANK YOU CAPCOM I LOVE YOU
— Bandits MenaRD??(?? ??????) (@_MenaRD__) February 11, 2021

As a Birdie player, I can relate to the last tweet.


Nintendo Acquires Luigi’s Mansion 3 Developer

Nintendo has acquired Canadian developer Next Level Games, which is expected to officially close on 1 March 2021.
Next Level Games has developed several Nintendo titles in the past, including:
Super Mario StrikersÂ for Nintendo GameCube.Mario Strikers ChargedÂ andÂ Punch-Out!!Â for Nintendo Wii.Luigiâ€™s Mansion: Dark MoonÂ andÂ Metroid Prime: Federation ForceÂ for Nintendo 3DS.Luigiâ€™s Mansion 3Â for Nintendo Switch.
In the meantime, you can check out our review of Luigi’s Mansion 3 here.

Nintendo has also provided a full context for the acquisition, which you can check out in full here:
Next Level Games is a video game development company based in Vancouver, Canada which has nearly two decades of experience creating video games for various console platforms. More recently, Next Level Games has worked exclusively with Nintendo in developing software titles for the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch systems, including titles in the critically acclaimed Luigiâ€™s Mansion series of video games.Next Level Gamesâ€™ shares are currently held entirely by its owner-directors and employees. A number of owner-directors recently determined that the time is right for them to sell their shares, and Next Level Games, therefore, began exploring potential sale transactions. Completion of the Acquisition will serve to secure the availability of Next Level Games development resources for Nintendo, including development expertise, as well as facilitate an anticipated improvement in development speed and quality by enabling closer communication and exchange of staff with the Nintendo development team.The Acquisition is expected to close on March 1, 2021, pending satisfaction of all relevant terms and conditions, including shareholdersâ€™ approval, regulatory approval under the Investment Canada Act and other customary closing conditions.


JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R Gets Early Access Demo Next Week

If you fancy throwing some “ora ora” punches with your magic ghost, you’ll want to get in on the JoJo game’s upcoming early access demo.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R is getting an early access demo for PS4 and PS5 users, which will run from 16 to 22 June. The demo will feature four playable characters: Jonathan Joestar, Jotaro Kujo, DIO, and Jolyne Cujoh.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R is due out for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PC (Steam), and Nintendo Switch on 1st September.


New Tekken 8 Gameplay Trailer Showcases Kazuya Mishima

Tekken fans, you’re in for a treat as Bandai Namco has just released a new gameplay trailer featuring one of the most beloved characters in the franchise, Kazuya Mishima.
This latest video is part of a set of trailers that the developer released earlier this month, showcasing not only the gameplay mechanics but also the return of another fan favourite, Nina Williams.
As for the game’s release, no dates have been announced yet, but we do know that it will be available on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam. Fans have been eagerly waiting for the release of Tekken 8 ever since the announcement of its development, and the new trailers have only added to the hype.
With the game being developed for the latest generation consoles and the PC, we can expect a significant improvement in graphics, sound, and gameplay. Tekken 8 is expected to build upon the success of the previous titles in the franchise and introduce new elements that will keep fans engaged for years to come.
So, keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned for more updates on Tekken 8.


Roller Champions Launches Next Month With Its Kickoff Season

Ubisoft has announced that Roller Champions will launch on 25 May 2022. The free-to-play, team PvP sports game will be available with cross-play on Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X/S and PS5, as well as PC through the Ubisoft Store. Roller Champions will also be available on the Nintendo Switch at a later date.

In Roller Champions, players compete in two teams of three to be the first to reach five points by throwing the ball in the goal. But there is more to it: the more laps you make around the elliptical arena, the more points you will get, provided your team maintains ball possession. Speed along the arena walls, use several tackling maneuvers efficiently and work with your teammates to claim victory over your opponents and roll up to glory.

By winning matches and climbing the leaderboards, the doors of increasingly renowned stadiums and leagues will open, all the way up to the Elite Champions’ league. Along their journey, players will have the opportunity to gain fans, discover new maps, compete in time-limited game modes, and fully customize their Champion as they see fit. In addition to the many unlockable items, exclusive cosmetic rewards can be acquired with the Roller Pass each season.

Rollers Champions can be played alone with similarly skilled opponents through the cross-play matchmaking system, or with friends. To pursue your quest to glory on the same profile wherever you are, cross-progression is also available on all platforms. And thanks to the skatepark, which acts as a social hub, players can meet up and practice, or simply enjoy a few minigames together.


Check Out Who’s Qualified For The Upcoming Capcom Cup 2018

With the final Street Fighter V Capcom Cup qualifiers tournament over and done with yesterday (via Red Bull Conquest), we now know which top-tier fighting game player will be playing in the Capcom Cup 2018 tournament next month.
Here’s the full list.
1. FOX|Tokido (Akuma) â€” 4,431
2. FD|Fujimura (Ibuki) â€” 2,971
3. Mouz|Problem X (M. Bison, Abigail) â€” 2,771
4. CYG|Fuudo (R. Mika, Birdie) â€” 2,301
5. FAV|Sako (Menat) â€” 2,241
6. FOX|Justin Wong (Menat) â€” 1,911
7. UYU|NL (Cammy) â€” 1,842
8. UYU|OilKing (Rashid) â€” 1,840
9. Ghost|NuckleDu (Guile, Cammy, R. Mika) â€” 1,721
10. CYG|Daigo (Guile) â€” 1,642
11. RB|Luffy (R. Mika) â€” 1,491
12. FD|Haitani (Akuma) â€” 1,433
13. DouyuTV|Xiao Hai (Cammy) â€” 1,270
14. NVD|Phenom (Necalli, Guile, M. Bison) â€” 1,242
15. Rise|Caba (Guile) â€” 1,172
16. NASR|BigBird (Rashid, Zeku, Ken) â€” 1,152
17. RB|Gachikun (Rashid) â€” 1,114 (Asian Regional Qualifier)
18. RZR|Xian (Ibuki) â€” 1,063
19. The person who will get first in Capcom Cup 2018 Last Chance Qualifier.
20. CJ Truth (Cammy) â€” 1,023
21. RB|Bonchan (Nash, Karin, Sagat) â€” 1,012
22. Mago (Cammy) â€” 993
23. REC|Punk (Karin, Kolin) â€” 933
24. DNG|Itabashi Zangief (Abigail) â€” 923
25. FOX|Momochi (Kolin, Ken, Akuma) â€” 921
26. Fursan|Verloren (Cammy) â€” 850
27. AB|StormKubo (Abigail) â€” 861
28. Liquid|Nemo (Urien, G) â€” 781
29. CYG|Chris Tatarian (Ken, Akuma) â€” 772
30. Rise|MenaRD (Birdie, Akuma) â€” 682 (Capcom Cup 2017 Champion)
31. NASR|AngryBird (Zeku, Akuma) â€” 211 (European Regional Qualifier)
32. CrossoverRD (Akuma) â€” 161 (Latin Regional Qualifier)
…and here’s the bracket according to Eventhubs.Â This is subject to change, but I think the Eventhubs guys got this down pat if the top-seeded players are paired against the low-seed fighters.

FOX|Tokido (Akuma) vs. CrossoverRD (Akuma)

NASR|BigBird (Rashid, Zeku, Ken) vs.RB|Gachikun (Rashid)

UYU|OilKing (Rashid) vs.FOX|Momochi (Kolin, Ken, Akuma)

Ghost|NuckleDu (Guile, Cammy, R. Mika) vs. DNG|Itabashi Zangief (Abigail)

CYG|Fuudo (R. Mika, Birdie) vs. CYG|Chris Tatarian (Ken, Akuma)

DouyuTV|Xiao Hai (Cammy) vs. CJ Truth (Cammy)

FD|Haitani (Akuma) vs. RB|Bonchan (Nash, Karin, Sagat)

FAV|Sako (Menat) vs. Liquid|Nemo (Urien, G)

FD|Fujimura (Ibuki) vs. NASR|AngryBird (Zeku, Akuma)

Rise|Caba (Guile) vs. RZR|Xian (Ibuki)

CYG|Daigo (Guile) vs. REC|Punk (Karin, Kolin)

UYU|NL (Cammy) vs. Fursan|Verloren (Cammy)

Mouz|Problem X (M. Bison, Abigail) vs. Rise|MenaRD (Birdie, Akuma)

NVD|Phenom (Necalli, Guile, M. Bison) vs. [Capcom Cup 2018 Last Chance Qualifier]

FOX|Justin Wong (Menat) vs. AB|StormKubo (Abigail)

RB|Luffy (R. Mika) vs. Mago (Cammy)
Are you looking forward to Capcom Cup Pro Tour later on 14-16 December? Let us know!


Rumbleverse To End Service After Six Months Of Wrestling Action

Sad news for battle royale and wrestling/fighting game fans.
Rumbleverse, a free-to-play brawler, will be out of the count after six months of being in the ring. The game came out on 11 August for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
The F2P title will end its service on 28 February according to Epic Games and developer Iron Galaxy. This really sucks considering that the game is doing something different with the battle royale style of games, and does it well.

We have an important announcement to share. On February 28, 2023, Rumbleverse servers will go offline. Players who have made any purchase since launch will be eligible for a refund. We thank you so much for playing. Please see the full details on our blog https://t.co/VNJ9U7bCeX pic.twitter.com/qi9clgDerb
— Rumbleverse (@Rumbleverse) January 31, 2023

The full sunset message is below:
Rumblers, we have an important update on the future of Rumbleverse.
Iron Galaxy Studios and Epic Games are very sorry to share that Season Two will be the last for Rumbleverse. This project has been a labour of love to create a new experience in a popular and highly competitive genre for games. If you’ve been a part of that journey, we thank you—whether you jumped into the first playtest after our reveal, or just shot yourself out of the cannon for the first time.
Live services for Rumbleverse will go offline on Tuesday, February 28, at 10 a.m. CST.
Any player who has spent money on Rumbleverse is eligible for a refund of money spent on or in the game. This includes the purchase of a Rumbleverse Battle Pass or Brawlla Bills on any platform. We will share a FAQ page with additional refund information soon.
Later today, we are deploying the final update to Rumbleverse. We are closing the store and opening the full experience to every player. The current Battle Pass will be granted to everyone. Your XP gains will be doubled so you can fast-track unlocks for every rank. Quads, Trios, Duos, and Solos will be live and we’ve unlocked additional accessories and emotes in the game for free as well.
There is still fun we can have together before the sun sets on Grapital City. The remaining weeks will be a chance to celebrate the competitive spirit you’ve brought to this game. There will be more livestreams to play some games with the developers and let them pull the curtain back to share some behind-the-scenes moments from the creative process that built this city.
We’re so grateful for the players who have joined us in the Rumble. Thank you. If you’re curious about our future plans, check out the open letter to the community on the Iron Galaxy blog.


Remedy Has Signed Two Publishing Deals, Next-Gen Games Involved

Control developer Remedy Entertainment has signed a couple of publishing deals with an unnamed major publisher.
One of the projects is a triple-A multi-platform title that’s in pre-production and was previously known simply as the “unannounced third project”, while the other is a “new smaller-scale project” from the same franchise. Both games are making use of Remedy’s Northlight engine and will launch on next-generation consoles in addition to PC.
“The partnership extends Remedyâ€™s strategy of creating and developing its own IPâ€™s into long-term franchises,” announced Remedy.
The studio says that more details about the partnership will be revealed in a press release “later today”, so it won’t be long before we know who they’ve teamed up with and what they’re working on. Something tells me that it’s either Alan Wake-related or a new IP entirely.
For more on Remedy’s latest, check out our review of Control as well as its GOTY 2019 video.


The Nintendo Switch Is Getting A Wireless Witcher 3 Controller

PowerA is a brand well-known for making video game accessories especially for the Nintendo Switch. Not too long ago, they released the Nintendo Switch Overwatch protection case which was leaked way ahead of the game’s Switch version reveal.
In conjunction with the recent release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition for the Switch, PowerA is going to release another one of their “enhanced” wireless controllers and this time it will be Witcher 3-themed.Â  I have to say, it looks pretty damn slick. Check it out:

I imagine most people won’t be comfortable playing a game like The Witcher 3 just using their Joy-Cons, especially in docked mode. So if you’re a big Witcher fan and still haven’t gotten yourself a wireless controller, this might be worth your money. Judging from reviews I’ve read, PowerA controllers are comfortable and reliable but of course, you should do your own homework and judge it yourself.
The controllers aren’t out yet but they are open for pre-orders on the PowerA online store. They cost US$49.99 (~RM210) each.
Thanks, Aksiz.


WitcherCon Lineup Includes The Witcher Season 2 & More

Today, Netflix and CD Projekt Red released the show schedule for their upcoming global virtual fan event WitcherCon, the first-ever multi-format event dedicated to The Witcher universe.
The full lineup includes a number of interactive panels, each of which also holds a host of exclusive surprises from The Witcher live-action series and forthcoming anime feature. The event, hosted by Julia Hardy, will also be studded with special short-form content, giving never-before-seen insights into the production and creative processes behind the Witcher universe.

The schedule of panels is as follows:
The Witcher Season 2: Deck of Destiny
Panel Guests: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, MimÃ® M Khayisa, Paul BullionÂ
Destinies collide when the cast and showrunner of Netflix’s The Witcher draw cards from an enigmatic deck of fan questions that will determine the path of the panel and the immediate fate of the guests. But these are no ordinary cards; prepare for surprise reveals, backstage insights, and a dash of chaos as our panellists take us through their journey of filming Season 2.
CD PROJEKT REDâ€™s Memories from the Path: Stories Behind The Witcher GamesÂ
For over 13 years, the Witcher series of games has captured the imagination of gamers worldwide. Now, the developers behind the games discuss how they brought their immersive stories to life; before revisiting old memories, uncovering forgotten artifacts, and reminiscing about their favourite moments from the franchise
Geralt of T-Rivia
Panel Guests: BÅ‚aÅ¼ej Augustynek, Philipp Weber, Declan De Barra, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
Itâ€™s a meeting of the Witcher masterminds as key creators of the Witcher games and The Witcher Netflix series team up to test their knowledge of the wider Witcher universe. In this pub quiz-style game, behind-the-scenes tidbits and spoiler-y sneak peeks are prized just as much as the correct answers.
CD PROJEKT REDâ€™s The Witcher: Beyond Video GamesÂ
Panel Guests: RafaÅ‚ Jaki, Bartosz Sztybor, Åukasz WoÅºniak
From detective noir to dark horror â€” all the way to the Old World and beyond, prepare to experience The Witcherâ€™s expanded universe with the latest details on the upcoming comic books and board game inspired by the franchise.
Tales from the White Wolf: A Conversation with Henry Cavill, hosted by Josh Horowitz
To close out WitcherCon, fans will hear from Geralt of Rivia himself, Henry Cavill, who will sit down with moderator Josh Horowitz (MTV & Comedy Central host) for an in-depth conversation about fantasy, destiny, and the wider Witcher Universe. The White Wolf may even have a surprise or two in store.

Available on both Twitch and YouTube, WitcherCon will first air at 1am GMT+8 on 10 July 2021. Fans will be able to watch WitcherCon across two separate streams, with each one containing exclusive content. The second stream, which also airs on Twitch and YouTube, will begin at 9am GMT+8 on 10 July 2021.
For more information on all things WitcherCon, including the full event schedule, please visit the official website:

Link to YouTube Channel
Links to Twitch Channels

It’s important to note that while the event will be filled with content fans are bound to enjoy, in the name of setting appropriate expectations, CD PROJEKT RED has informed that no new The Witcher game will be announced at WitcherCon.
In the meantime, check out the synopsis for Netflix’s The Witcher Season 2 below:
Convinced Yenneferâ€™s life was lost at the Battle of Sodden, Geralt of Rivia brings Princess Cirilla to the safest place he knows, his childhood home of Kaer Morhen.
While the Continentâ€™s kings, elves, humans and demons strive for supremacy outside its walls, he must protect the girl from something far more dangerous: the mysterious power she possesses inside.


These Are The Top Tier Mortal Kombat 11 Kharacters You Should Main

If you’re still wondering who to really main in Mortal Kombat 11, look no further than this tier list from Mortal Kombat pro player MK_REO. He’s renowned for his multiple EVO top 8 placings for games like MKX and Injustice 2.
If you don’t have time to watch the video, here’s a breakdown for each kharacter from tiers S to B. Chances are you’ll see these fighters online more often in online play. Just keep in mind: this is more a reference point than a “be all end all” bible. You still need to understand the game’s fundamentals to be a good player; these characters can make that ascend a little easier.
All inputs are in numbers; direction inputs are “b”, “f”, etc.
“S” Tier

Erron Black
The MKX menace has a lot of 50/50 mixups and fast moves like Gun Parry via his Rifle Stance. When pulled off correctly, they make opponents stand still and be immobilized, making this the best time for Erron Black to close the gap and do mixups, or just drop an acid bomb for damage-over-time effects.
Geras
This grappler-brawler has the highest damage output in the game, with some nifty interactable setups via his freeze time stop move. His all-purpose string is pretty fast, safe, and can be Super cancelled (at least the first three inputs).
Scorpion
Boon’s Main is still top tier up to this day because of his trademark teleport. He can cancel air attacks with it, do some crazy mixups, and just force opponents to play his neutral game. You can also forget to play zoning against him.
Sonya Blade
Another heavy hitter character; she has insane mixups thanks to her b1 and b12b14 combos that will keep opponents guessing. She also has one of the best fireballs in the game.
Sub-Zero
This all-rounder character has great staggers, offensive attacks (b31, or b3312), and one of the fastest overheads in the game. Thanks to his low attacks like his slides and pokes, forcing your opponent to duck block and going for the 50/50 game is pretty easy. If you want to zone with him instead, use the Dead of Winter variant.
“A+” Tier

Baraka
MK9’s returning character is pretty darn strong thanks to his normals, his crazy footsies, and his hard-hitting moves. He also has one of the best command grabs in the game next to Geras.
Cassie Cage
An all-rounder who is worth maining thanks to her selection of mid-attacks along with her great stagger via Forward+4. Can also zone with the best of them.
Jax
Use 433 and 42 to stagger foes and gain a momentum. He has the mixups and a nice command grab to get this done.
Liu Kang
A fast rushdown character with good staggers and great methods to get up-close.
Noob Saibot
He’s a lovely zoner character like his MK9 iteration who has the best neutral (use 4221) and footsie game in the series. He will have variations where his close-ranged and mid-ranged game will be buffed slightly, but he’s your standard keepaway guy with his magic shadows and quick “gotcha” portal move.
His Fatal Blow is a low-hitting tracking move that deals 320 damage; perfect for those other “gotcha” moments.
“A” Tier

Cetrion
A decent zoning character who will force opponents to come to her. She has zoning tools up the wazoo and full-screen frame traps with her boulder and geyser moves. She will space you out like nobody’s business if you’re not careful.
Kabal
Great normals, great range, and great ways to convert damage from his moves. If you want good jump attacks, he’s your go-to guy.
Jacqui
She is a rushdown-type character with decent neutral attacks to keep her opponents in a good distance.
Kollector
While a decent footsie/zoner character with good reach and range, he’s outclassed by the likes of Noob Saibot and Erron Black. Still, he can create mind games with his teleports and his bola-cancel/ground carpet flame attack. Also, he has great combo strings and fast mids that you should exploit.
Skarlet
She has great zoning tools and decent strings, but as time progresses, she needs to work harder for her wins. Her zoning tools have higher recovery compared to this list’s other zoners, and her strings have gaps that allow opponents to interrupt her.
B Tier
Kitana, Jade, Johnny Cage, Kano, Raiden, Kung Lao
Low Tier
Shao Kahn, Kotal Kahn, Frost, D’Vorah
Check out REO’s video in full for more information. To show that the tier lists from pros are pretty similar in a way, we’ll also put in commentator Sajam’s tier list.

To sum it up, both tier lists feature Geras, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya, Erron Black, Baraka, Noob Saibot, Liu Kang, Jax, and Cassie Cage as characters with better winrates and optimal move sets to dominate the other cast members.


Disney Grants Dying Star Wars Fan’s Wish Of Watching Episode IX Early

Time isn’t always on our side, especially when we’re stricken with a sickness that indicates we don’t have much time left in the world. Such is the case of one Star Wars fan in the UK and thankfully, he’s gotten the attention of Disney.
Photograph from ExpressFM.
Disney’s chairman and CEO Robert Iger recently tweeted out that Disney will be showing Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker early to a terminally patient at Rowans Hospice in Hampshire England. This was in response to the Rowans Hospice Twitter page tweeting out a request back in late November and garnering more than 1,000 retweets.

Can you help? We have a patient who’s a HUGE #StarWars fan. Sadly, time is not on his side for the 20th Dec. His wish is to see the final Star Wars film #RiseOfSkywalker with his young son. If you know ANYBODY who might be able to make it happen, please share with them. Thank you
â€” Rowans Hospice (@RowansHospice) November 26, 2019
One of the biggest reasons why this got the attention of people at Disney is thanks to Mark Hamill himself being one of the people that respondedto the tweet. He urged the hospice to directly contact Disney and wished them “Good luck!” in making sure the patient’s wish is fulfilled.

On this Thanksgiving, we at @Disney are grateful to be able to share #TheRiseOfSkywalker with a patient and his family @RowansHospice. May the force be with you and with us all!
â€” Robert Iger (@RobertIger) November 28, 2019
The screening was carried out on 29 November 2019 and the patient himself has expressed great appreciation towards Disney and everyone that came together to make this possible for him and his son. To him, it’s the equivalent of winning a million pounds.

“I am a huge Star Wars fan and what I am going through is completely dire. Then to top it all, I thought I wasnâ€™t going to see the film I have been waiting to see since 1977! I still canâ€™t believe it. The only way I can describe this to you is to say that this must be what it feels like to be told you have won a million pounds!â€
– Patient at Rowans Hospice.
It’s these kind of stories that remind us why we love Star Wars. It’s about people banding together to make dreams come true and show that the Force isn’t just something limited to a galaxy far, far away but that it’s also what connects us all in our love for each other and for the heroes that we see on-screen.


Hogwarts Legacy Is Already One Of The Best-Selling Games On Steam

We’re about one month away from the launch of Hogwarts Legacy (on current-gen consoles and PC) but the game is already one of the top sellers on Steam. The game is currently available to pre-purchase or pre-order as it grabs a position on the Top Sellers list on Steam this week.

Pre-ordering the Digital Deluxe Edition of the game will grant players early access to the game, which begins on 7 February 2023, giving them a three-day head start. There hasn’t been a major Wizarding World or Harry Potter game release in years but Hogwarts Legacy promises to finally change that for fans of the franchise.
Hogwarts Legacy is launching for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam on 10 February 2023, followed by PS4 and Xbox One on 4 April 2023, and Nintendo Switch on 25 July 2023.


Which City Should Host PSXSEA 2018?

So earlier today, we ran a news article confirming that after a successful event in Kuala Lumpur last year, PlayStation Experience is returning to Southeast Asia in 2018.
However, not much was revealed apart from the teaser posted on PlayStation Asia’s Facebook page. No dates, no additional info, no location, the non-works.

While we shared our wishlist pertaining to this year’s event in the earlier post, the big question remains; where will PSXSEA 2018 be held? Will it return to Kuala Lumpur? What about other Southeast Asian countries?
This post will discuss the case for each major city in the SEA region; their strengths,Â main selling point and weaknesses in hosting Sony PlayStation’s largest gaming exhibition outside of Europe and North America.
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaÂ

“Why not return to where it all began?”

The Malaysian crowd turn out in droves last year. Getting in the queue as early as 5am in the morning, the line snaked past several blocks which caused the local authorities to step up and maintain order. That alone was proof that the gaming scene in Malaysia is thriving and PlayStation is indeed a powerhouse over there.
The relatively central location of Kuala Lumpur amongst other SEA countries makes it a perfect midway point for everyone from Jakarta to Bangkok, Singapore, and Manila. We assume PSXSEA 2018 to take place around August and with no public nor school holidays happening, flights in and out, as well as accommodations,Â  are manageable.
Case Against: Kuala Lumpur already hosted the first PSXSEA so hosting it immediately soon after would be unfair to gamers from other SEA countries. Pass it around, bro.
Singapore, uh … Singapore?

“Malaysia’s done it? *Takes out measuring tape* We can do it better!”

Singapore is well known for hosting world-class events and no other city in the region even come close to the city’s infrastructure. There are several ready-made locations within the Singapore CBD district which would easily accommodate PSXSEA and with its super-efficient public transport, traffic congestion around the locale can be effectively avoided.
Singapore is also home to many local game developers as well as international publishers (think Ubisoft, SIE, 2K) so logistics-wise, would be a perfect choice.
Case Against:Â Â Singapore is the most expensive city in SEA – let’s not beat around the bush here. Attending PSXSEA in Singapore would cost non-Singaporean attendees a small fortune. By hosting it in Singapore, you can guarantee a significant drop in the number of attendees from Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines simply due to financial constraints.
There is also a glut of game events already happening in Singapore which PlayStation have been part of, namely the annual GameStart. Singaporeans have had their fill so perhaps they could sit it out this time?
Bangkok, ThailandÂ

“à¸à¸¢à¹ˆà¸²à¸™à¸±à¸šà¸žà¸§à¸à¹€à¸£à¸²à¸à¸à¸à¹„à¸›!”

Bangkok is an interesting city which everyone should consider visiting at least once in their lifetime. The atmosphere in the city is awesome, the Thais are among the friendliest people on Earth and Bangkok is home for the best street food scene in Southeast Asia.
Game-wise, the burgeoning esports scene in Thailand should not be taken lightly and they have one of the most rapidly growing gaming communities in the region. For your information, Bangkok is set to host one of the Overwatch World Cup stages this year and that alone says a lot about their capabilities to host world-class events.
The PlayStation store at Siam Paragon is proof of Sony PlayStation’s dedication to the local video games market and they can take it further by choosing Bangkok as their next PSXSEA venue.
Case Against:Â It has to be pointed out that English, while spoken widely, isn’t the primary language in Thailand. However, this is a small hump since everyone you meet would be fast to lend a hand whenever approached.
Manila, PhilippinesÂ

“It’s more fun in the Philippines!”

Just like Bangkok, Manila is oft-overlooked when it comes to hosting video games events in SEA and it’s time for that trend to stop. The successes of local-led gaming events, most notably ESGS (E-Sports and Gaming Summit) are proof that the Filipinos are ready for the big brands and have the numbers to back it up. Easily among the most passionate gamers in Asia, PlayStation is assured of a loud, boisterous and interactive crowd in Manila.
The Filipinos are also the most vocal when compared to gamers from other SEA countries and if feedback is what Sony looking for, then look no further. Cuz if it’s from the Filipinos, they come in buckets.
Case Against:Â Manila is a little out of the way (distance-wise) for most visitors from other SEA countries. This alone may be the biggest hurdle but we don’t think it’s too much of a deal breaker. No problem.
Jakarta, IndonesiaÂ

“You call that a crowd?”

Let’s see – what’s SIE’s metric for a successful PSXSEA 2018? The number of games featured on the show floor? Number of times a particular hashtag got mentioned in social media? The cumulative number of likes gained by their social media influencers? Or the number of people that walked through that entrance?
Make no qualms about it, Sony – host PSXSEA 2018 in Jakarta and you will easily hit record numbers that would go unrivalled for years.Â In a market that is starved of official brand events, the Indonesian scene is thriving with passionate content creators and enthusiastic crowd with reach which would put the four earlier mentioned cities to shame.
Also, the relatively lower cost to operate in Jakarta makes this city an even more enticing prospect which should deliver the best ROI for the organizers.
Case Against:Â Perhaps SIE Asia isn’t ready for such scale? We know they are still learning the ropes in organising events of this magnitude and would prefer to scale it up gradually before jumping to the deep end.

Which of these five cities have the strongest case? Are you from any of them? Then do share us your thoughts on why Sony PlayStation should consider selecting your city to host the 2018 PlayStation Experience in Southeast Asia.
As usual, keep the discussions civil and constructive aye?


You Can Now Purchase Overwatch World Cup Team Jerseys From Blizzard Store

If you are reading this, guess what? You now get the 2018 Overwatch World Cup jerseys as well! Details here:Â 2018 Overwatch World Cup Jerseys Now On Sale

Yes.
You read it right. As of last night, you are now able to purchase the team jerseys as worn by the players at the recent 2017 Overwatch World Cup from the Blizzard Store. However, this is only limited to the final eight teams; so sorry, no Japan or Finland shirts on sale for you.
Retailing at US$55 a pop, the shirts, sadly does not come with naming and numbering options and *WE THINK * are available for a limited time basis. Fancy picking up one? Check them out below:

You can purchase your 2017 Overwatch World Cup team jersey of choice right now at the Blizzard StoreÂ or if you fancy some Overwatch League team colors, check back tomorrow as the OWL team jerseys should be added into the store by then.
South Korea successfully defended their title at the recently concluded 2017 Overwatch World Cup held at Anaheim during BlizzCon last month. For a full recap of it, check it out here.


Netease Is Suing Blizzard For US$44 Million

Netease has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard after the long-term partners ended the China licensing deal earlier this year in January.
The move basically screwed over Chinese players who religiously played World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Warcraft III: Reforged, Overwatch, StarCraft and StarCraft 2, Diablo 3, and Heroes of the Storm. In fact, many of them owe their livelihoods to WoW.
A report by Chinese publication Sina Technology (via WoWhead) said that Netease’s lawsuit is seeking US$43.5 million to cover refunds for discontinued games and services, as well as compensation for unsold merchandise inventory and deposits on undeveloped games. This also includes “unequal provisions favouring Blizzard Entertainment” in the licensing agreements between the pair.
Whether Activision Blizzard will offer compensation and reparations, we’ll never know for the next few months until this is resolved, or whether they would respond since they have their hands tied.


Pixel Platformer Horace Is Free On Epic Games Store

Game genres are often simple things. You can easily identify a game’s genre by comparing it to games with similar gameplay and themes. What happens when a game shares similarities with more than 3 genres?

Well, you get a game like Horace, that’s what happens. At first glace, Horace appears to be another pixel platformer churned out from the indie dev sphere. Give it a whirl and you’ll find out that it’s way more than meets the eye.
There’s obviously a lot of platforming in Horace but you’ll also find 3D sections, racing and skiing minigames, flying sections, and a few more surprises I don’t want to spoil. It’s one of those games that challenges what it means to belong to a genre.

You play as a robot named Horace. Your task is to seek out the people who bought you and bring them together again. You see, you sort of went into sleep mode and woke up years later after getting chummy with your owners only to find out everyone’s gone.
Do prepare tissues as the game has been known to be one heck of tearjerker. Worry not though, I also heard it packs a good sense of humour too. I’m definitely interested in trying it out soon.
Check out Horace’s EGS store page here.


The 30 Best Games Of 2021: The Full List [Update]

First up, happy holidays! The Kakuchopurei team will be taking a break from 25th December until 1st January 2022. Unless something breaking pops up news-wise, there won’t be frequent updates save for our 30 Best Games post and probably something Star Wars-related.
So. 2021. What a year, huh? Where to begin?
To be frank, most of the nonsense that plagued 2020 has carried over to 2021. On top of that, a lot of Southeast Asian countries are facing their own troubles. We do know that Malaysians have to deal with both a metaphorical, political, and literal climate hazard the whole year.
Beyond that, there’s a lot more that happened in the games industry that is just sickening. NFTs, occupational hazards, workplace abuse, non-accountability, the works. It’s a lot to take in.
In spite of all this, there is one constant we can turn to: making up our own best video game list and curating the best titles we’ve played so that you take our usually good advice and cure yourself of boredom/depression/melancholy/what-have-yous.
Why are we doing this? We know our quick clips, guides, and features get more traction than a self-made awards listicle; why spend time on something like this? Vanity, if we’re being honest. And also it’s what we love to do: make suggestions and showcase our knowledge.

We know we can curate the hell out of our hobby, and tell you the damn games you missed out on. OK, you may have bought some on this list, but we have a lot more to recommend, especially at full price without any discount of sorts. Because they’re worth it. I’ll bet you that some of our picks are beyond the norm. And trust us: we’re not peppering our list with obscure-for-the-sake-of-obscure games; we’re putting in titles we’ve played extensively. Nor are we rushing to publish our list in early December when w know damn well there are other games coming out before the year ends that should be considered on our list. We’re keeping our list honest and genuine in other words.
Besides, if you’re going to follow a Best Of games list, at least follow people who aren’t blatant corporate shills. Don’t let an ad-filled awards show dictate your taste and preference. Follow our lead; we’re usually right.
Here are the top 30 games on our Best Of list; we’ll be revealing them from this week of December until mid-January 2022. It may not have the game you want, but the one you need.
Kakuchopurei Best Of 2021 Honourable Mentions

These games are just a shy from reaching our personal top 30 games. Nonetheless, they’re still great and should be added to your collection if you haven’t already.
Mass Effect- Legendary Edition: “I’m Commander Shepard, and this is my favourite remaster of the first game in all of the Citadel”.
No More Heroes 3: Not as insightful as the last two games, but it’s still a laugh riot. We dig the RPG segments & some of the twists.
Hot Wheels Unleashed: It’s okay to finish at second, especially with slick arcade racing controls and action like this.

Demon Turf: Fun little 3D platformer with some spunk and an innovative save-anywhere mechanic.
Tails of Iron: A 2D action RPG about a mouse taking back his throne and killing frogs. With a story narrated by Doug “Geralt of Rivia” Cockle.
NEO- The World Ends With You: The follow-up to the hip RPG from Square Enix ditches obtuse controls for fun KH-style combat.
The Ascent: Need a cyberpunk game with more shooting than you possibly need? And with co-op that now works? Jump in.

Eldest Souls: A 2D boss fight gauntlet that’s fair, fun, exhilarating, and will sate your hardcore action thirst until Elden Ring comes out.
Rising Hell: 2D roguelike platforming fun where you go from bottom to top busting out sick melee moves.
Chorus: It’s been a while since we had a fun space sim that plays like an arcade shooter.
The Gunk: Image & Form’s first foray in 3D action is short and sweet, while featuring a cute narrative between a couple and their interstellar troubles.
Kakuchopurei Best of 2021: The 30 Best Games (Updated every day starting 27th December)
#30: Record of Lodoss War – Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth
#29: Streets of Rage 4 – Mr X Nightmare
#28: Resident Evil Village
#27: Ratchet & Clank – Rift Apart
#26: Returnal
#25: Scarlet Nexus
#24: Ys IX – Monstrum Nox
#23: Kena – Bridge of Spirits
#22: Nier Replicant
#21: The Artful Escape
#20: Forza Horizon 5
#19: The Legend of Tianding
#18: Solar Ash
#17: Ruined King – A League of Legends Story
#16: Bravely Default 2
#15: Cyber Shadow
#14: Loop Hero
#13: Moonglow Bay
#12: Halo Infinite
#11: Final Fantasy XIV – Endwalker
#10: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
#9: Unsighted
#8: Fuga – Melodies of Steel
#7: Guilty Gear Strive
#6: Metroid Dread
#5: Inscryption
#4: Shin Megami Tensei 5
#3: Deathloop
#2: Psychonauts 2
#1: Chicory

The Best Video Game Soundtrack Of 2021


Mechamato Showrunner Talks About Inspirations, Plans For A Movie, Toys & Music

Mechamato is an awesome new cartoon with action and comedy that’s ready to power on to screens in Malaysia and around Asia on Saturday, 4 December 2021 on Cartoon Network (Astro Channel 615 HD).
The star of the series is a boy named Amato who becomes the master of a destroyer robot called Mechabot with the ability to mechanize objects. Together they track down other robots that escaped from a prison ship that crash-landed on Earth. The show is created by Monsta, which is based in Cyberjaya in Malaysia and is actually a prequel to their previous animated series, BoBoiboy.

Courtesy of WarnerMedia Malaysia, we were lucky enough to participate in a roundtable interview with Monsta Chief Content Officer and Mechamato showrunner Anas Abdul Aziz (above), as well as WarnerMedia Head Of Kids Asia Pacific Leslie Lee (below). This interview has been edited for clarity.

You collaborated with Bandai for Mechamato. Can you tell us more about what that process was like?
Anas Abdul Aziz: Actually, we teased that before when we met Bandai like a few years before COVID-19 to share more about Mechamato. Actually, we were just showing what the animation is about, and trying to get what they thought about it and they loved it. But most of it, the development was mostly from Monsta. The story is from us, the design and the characters, everything was internally from us.
On when we will be announcing anything with them, I think we will have to wait for announcements in the future. I just wanted to let you know that the main development of the story, the production, it’s all internally from Monsta.
How long did it take to produce and animate Mechamato?
Anas Abdul Aziz: I met with Leslie a long time ago that we pitched the idea of Mechamato to him and as he said in the other session, it was a long evolution of many designs and many ideas. I actually can’t remember when was the first time. I think it was sometime in 2017 or 2018 that we showed the first idea to Leslie and then it’s just a matter of waiting for the right timing to write the episodes and meet the production. At Monsta, we are an animation company that does multiple IPs, so when the timing was right, we went straight into the Mechamato production.
Mechamato‘s development started as a whole not just as a series first, just as a concept of the characters, what the world was about, and then we wanted to make a movie and everything else. But when we wanted to start the series, then it’s just writing the series’ episodes and because everything was already laid out. The whole concept was already formalized then, and next was just showing it to Leslie’s team and getting their feedback. Everything else was history. I think we first started in 2017, or 2018. For the production itself, I think we started in 2019.
Leslie Lee: I think with Mechamato, the first time I watched it was very, very different. If I remember, it was aimed at a slightly younger audience, like a preschool bridge kind of programming. We exchanged ideas and all that. That’s how it became a bit older. Amato became a little bit older, the robot Mechabot became a little bit edgier, that kind of thing. I think, in terms of the evolution that Cartoon Network and I and Anas had, it’s gone through a lot of iterations and evolutions to what it is today, four or five years ago.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you couldn’t release the Mechamato movie before the series comes out. How will that affect viewers?
Anas Abdul Aziz: Don’t worry, we’ve made the series in mind that it has to be something that anyone can watch and understand immediately. You don’t have to watch the movie or whatever. That’s the purpose of a good theme song that tells us about the story. So, we want the episodes of the series to be self-contained. You watch one episode and if you watch another episode, even if you miss the previous episode, you can still know what the story is about. Mechamato is more about the concept, the relationship between Amato and Mechabot, the powers, and what they do with it on a daily basis.
What a singular episode is about is more important than watching previous episodes. We want it to be this way and we talked about this with Leslie’s team. This way will be able to penetrate more markets and will also enable us to get more audiences. They can watch one episode, like it, and they can be part of the fanbase.
How are you planning to market Mechamato outside of Malaysia and Southeast Asia?
Leslie Lee: The show is going to be available on Cartoon Network across Asia Pacific, meaning Australian and New Zealand kids will be able to see it. Kids from Korea and Japan and all of Southeast Asia will also be seeing it in December. It will be dubbed in local languages. For example, in Japan, it’s in Japanese. In Korea, Korean. In Thai, it’s going to be dubbed in Thai as well. Obviously, in Malaysia, it will be available in both Bahasa Malaysia and English.
Anas Abdul Aziz: We’ve already listened to some of the auditions that Leslie’s team sent for the different languages and we’re quite impressed with the amount of support and effort that their team did to make sure that the voice actors in different languages really sounded as good as it was in the original language, English and Bahasa Malaysia. I grew up watching anime, so listening to the Japanese and Korean dubs, I was quite surprised by the voice actors that they selected for us to choose. I haven’t listened to the full episodes because we got to wait for when they release later on Cartoon Network. But very, very excited and thanks so much to Leslie’s team for that great support on the localization.

Which character was the most challenging to adapt from the movie to the series?
Anas Abdul Aziz: Personally, I don’t think there were any problems with interpreting any characters from the movie to the series because like I said before, when we developed the show, we developed it as a whole concept of a show. It can be a series, it can be a movie, I think there wasn’t much of a challenge there.
I will tell you that the main ones we focused on have always been Amato and Mechabot and their relationship together. Amato is like this kind good-natured boy who has crazy ideas, creative ideas, and Mechabot was sort of like a grumpy robot that wants to destroy robots. He has this ability to ‘mechanize’ objects into other devices, so they’re basically on opposite ends. But because of the show’s nature that they have to work together because Amato is the master to Mechabot, Mechabot has to listen to whatever Amato says.
So, there’s a cool dynamic that’s sort of brotherly love. You know, you don’t like your brother but you still love him and you have to listen to him and do whatever he says. That’s the kind of dynamic relationship that we show in the episodes. You’ll see that more as the episodes go along. So, I think there’s not much difficulty in that.
Just to add, even though the story is about robots, it’s about those relationships that I think everyone can relate to. Like a sibling rivalry, like brotherhood, like friends, and that is at the core of what Mechamato is about. It’s about two guys having different opinions and belief systems but working together perfectly to become Mechamato.
What else were you inspired or influenced by while making Mechamato?
Anas Abdul Aziz: The creator of this show is Nizzam. He did a lot of the early episodes, writing, and then he worked with me for me to be the showrunner. Our inspirations have been mainly from shows that we watched as kids or from our childhood years that inspired this creativity. I think one of them is Doraemon, that kind of show where, “oh my god, I wish I had a robot that can make my life easier”. That’s one of the main inspirations.
Also, Nizzam loves shows that have big robots, Gundam and stuff like that. That’s also the main inspiration but I think those are inspirations from cartoons but our inspiration for the story itself is mostly just our childhood experiences from when we were kids. You know, when we would put on some cardboard around when our moms and dads bought a big TV, we take the box and we wear it and we were suddenly robots and stuff like that. That is an experience that I believe all kids from around the world actually went through once upon a time.
I think it’s that kind of child-like behaviour, imagination and innovation that we were inspired, that we want to bring back into our animation that modern kids can actually embrace. At the end of the day, in a life filled with gadgets, computers and TVs, when it comes to a kid, the most powerful part is their imagination. We can make kids start imagining again and they’ll be entertained for hours. I mean, I was entertained for hours when I was playing with my friends as kids.
Leslie Lee: For us at Cartoon Network, it’s also about the fact that the show, and the quality of the show, is going to make Mechamato an evergreen hit. Very much like Ben 10, for example. Ben 10 is maybe 20 years and if you watch the first season of Ben 10, it’s still as relevant as before. I think Mechamato will be in that kind of league where, if you watch it 15 or 20 years from now, whatever the advances in animation quality, the story is still ultimately at the heart of the core of what makes a great show and I think Mechamato has that relevance for generations to come and that’s one of the wonderful things about it.

At the end of every episode, the end credits feature a Mechamato-themed DIY craft sequence. Whose idea was it to put that during the credits?
Anas Abdul Aziz: That was Nizzam’s idea. We were already animating episodes back-to-back and still figuring out the new song and opening sequences. And then, let’s say we’ll do an end credit sometime, we’ll just figure something out. Nizzam came up with the idea and said, “I watch a lot of TikTok videos and there’s a lot of creative DIY stuff. Why don’t we do something like that?” Something that kids can do.
That was Nizzam’s idea and it was basically a concept of we wanted kids to watch the episode and then, when the credits come, oh my god, and we want them to run over to their room and get their materials and make their own DIY creations. Because like I said, the whole core of this show is about creativity and innovation. It’s not all about the robot battles, it’s about the creativity of the child. That was Nizzam’s idea that he came up with, and that was very difficult to shoot during the pandemic. We had one guy shooting at home and another person editing in another house and two people communicating through Whatsapp and email on giving ideas and trying to get materials during the pandemic was difficult. We managed to do it and it looked pretty good.
Will Mechamato be available on HBO GO?
Leslie Lee: Yes, it will be available on HBO GO as well. But we don’t have a release date yet.

Did any of the Monsta team voice any of the characters?
Anas Abdul Aziz: I voiced Amato’s father, Aba. BoBoiboy’s grandfather. A lot of the internal team voiced some side characters that you have to see when it comes out. Nizzam does not voice anyone. He doesn’t want to do any recording for now because he’s too busy nowadays. But I think the only person is just me. I do voice a few robots, you’ll have to see when it comes out. I can’t tell you which one. As a teaser, I think I voiced a robot with a very bad French accent. But he’s voiced by a different person in English at the Miami dubbing studio. But I voice him in the Bahasa Malaysia version.
Do you already have plans for a movie or anything else?
Anas Abdul Aziz: We do have plans to release a movie. The movie, as we mentioned before, that is on hold, because first, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but more importantly, because we had to focus more on the series that is coming out in less than two weeks. Our production shifted towards the series. We’ll be talking and announcing the movie when the time comes sometime next year (2022).

What are your thoughts on the current animation industry?
Leslie Lee: For us, it’s a testament to the quality and universality of Malaysian animation, especially with Mechamato, for us to be able to travel all the way to Australia and New Zealand, to Japan and Korea. You wouldn’t see that in many of the other shows and I think that’s really how great the show is in terms of being able to cut across demographics and cultures. I think Malaysian animation has come a long way. It’s not just made for Malaysians anymore. It’s made for the world and I think that’s what sets it apart from other countries as well. Kudos to Anas and the team for being able to achieve that in such a short time.
Anas Abdul Aziz: I agree with Leslie. I think the Malaysian animation industry is really healthy. As you remember, in 2019 there were three animated movies that came out at the same time. People were calling it ‘tahun animasi’, animation year. It was really good and then COVID-19 happened, so that disrupted everyone’s plans. But I think on our side, Monsta just keep on working when the pandemic happened, just kept on developing and planning our new animation that we were going to release. We were trying to keep ourselves busy and sure enough, when we started to release Mechamato’s information and animation and trailers, the support had been really, really great.
I think it’s just a matter of time for us to actually test our own strength to see how far our animation can go further and it’s always been a dream come true to be able to release animation in the Asia Pacific region. Thanks so much to Cartoon Network for helping us and hopefully, since Cartoon Network has lots of counterparts around the world, hopefully, the other counterparts can pick it up. I hear there are some negotiations from other regions but we’ll have to wait for Leslie’s official announcements when it happens.
Can you tell us more about the plans for the merchandise and toys?
Anas Abdul Aziz: Internally, at Monsta, we’ve been producing a 1:1 scale of Mechabot and a lot of people have been asking about that. We’ve definitely been developing something internally to make consumer products, to make toys and merchandise. We have not shown it yet, but there’s definitely things cooking in our kitchen, and we’ll be able to share sometime soon. Hopefully, as soon as the series comes out, but we are planning something.
When can we expect a soundtrack of Mechamato to release?
Anas Abdul Aziz: I think our branding team is already working with a music distributor to release the songs on multiple platforms. We’re working on that because we at Monsta produce a lot of the songs and there are also new songs in the show itself. There’s one episode where a few characters sing in a rap battle, so we have to release them as well.

The first and second episodes of Mechamoto will debut at 3pm GMT+8 on Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5 2021, respectively. New episodes air every weekend same time thereafter.


This IT Pennywise Hot Toys Figure Is Creeping Us Out

It Chapter Two came out earlier this month and turned out to be a great sequel to 2017’s It Chapter One (check out my review of the sequel here). Bill SkarsgÃ¥rd’s portrayal of Pennywise the Dancing Clown AKA It in both movies have been creepy as heck, and Hot Toys has successfully replicated that in a 1/6th scale collectible figure.
The It Chapter Two Pennywise 1/6th scale collectible figure comes with a smiling head sculpt and a fanged head sculpt that reveals his monstrous pointed teeth. The face is so detailed that you can see the cracks and realistic skin texture of the figure.
Fans of the movie (and original source material) will be glad to learn that it also comes with Pennywise’s iconic red balloon, as well as Georgie’s paper boat and his right severed arm. That’s how macabre this figure of It is.
According to the official website, it is slated to release sometime in the first or second quarter of 2021. Check out pictures of the It Chapter Two Pennywise 1/6th scale collectible figure below.


LifeAfter Season 4 Adds Its Biggest Zombie Swarm & New Battle For Survival Mode

The most popular Open World Doomsday Survival Game LifeAfter has launched its new version — Season 4: The 2nd Outbreak on 4 November 2021. Levin City is under siege by the biggest zombie swarm ever! In a time when things are getting out of control and strange phenomena are taking place everywhere in the doomsday world, survivors must defend the city and safeguard their hard-fought homeland!
The update comes with the debut of heavy vehicle Iron Stride-54 and new gameplay Battle for Survival, as well as rich rewards for players such as limited Facelift card, commemorative outfit and furniture.
LifeAfter is an Open World Doomsday Survival Game that has 200 million registered players worldwide since its launch in 2018. Players are facing scarce resources, harsh weather, and dangerous wild lives, and from scratch collect resources, build houses, make tools and weapons, and fight alongside with teammates to make and defend a home in a post-apocalyptic world.
Biggest Zombie Sward Ever, Levin City Siege Battle Begins
In Season 4, players first have to face a zombie swarm of unprecedented scale. Countless new Infected will be attacking Levin City! This horrifying shift requires every survivor to unite to defend and retake Levin.
Zombies swarm is one of the key features of the zombie apocalypse genre. Our update this time will be focusing on that as wellâ€”besides the swarms youâ€™ll encounter in stages, theyâ€™ll show up during map exploration, creating a compelling visual and battling impact. The dev team has optimized the Infected, making them more realistic and affording them more features. For example, the life they had before they turned zombie will have an impact on their behaviours; athletes more agile and lawyers more prudent. These optimizations aim to arouse fear in players just like they first came to the doomsday worldâ€”an instinct fear when facing death and corpse.
In addition, a great number of machineries of war will be introduced for the first time in this update, such as tanks and helicopter gunships, and tactical gears like turrets and rocket launchers. Survivors will be able to operator these weapons to lay suppressive fire on the Infected and take back Levin City!
New Gameplay â€œBattle for Survivalâ€, Witness the Epic Battle
Season 4 comes with a new gameplay mode called Battle for Survival. Different from the concept â€œstagesâ€ which everyone has been familiar with, in Battle for Survival players will go through a battle that lasts for 14 days! There will be different quests and storyline development each day and as the protagonists of the battle, every choice and action of survivors will make an actual impact on the doomsday survival. These two Battle for Survival will first be faced by survivors in this update:
Mass Crisis: Black orbs of unknown nature appeared all around the world. Survivors who go to investigate are attacked by new Infected near the orbs. What will they do when a teammate turns Infected and how will they counter these unknown orbs?
Dusk of Levin: After the Mass Crisis, a lot of pollen appeared around the world. Survivors follow the source and end up coming to Levin City. Infected grow stronger by exposure to pollen and the sudden eclipse. Survivors need to rescue refugees while fighting pollen Infected and find out the last clue.
Prepare for the Season 4, Rich Bonus Waiting for You
To celebrate the launch of Season 4: The 2nd Outbreak, the operation team has prepared rich bonuses for players to better cope with the new unknown threats! Starting now till November 17, 2021, for 14 days, log in to the game each day to claim rewards!
These include all kinds of materials, Formula Shard, limited Facelift Card, Season 4 commemorative outfit, furniture and pendants. Donâ€™t miss out!
The world of LifeAfter enters a new chapter in Season 4. In the face of massive zombie swarms, how will survivors choose between offence and defence? The new game mode Battle for Survival also brings constant challenges. As a survivor of the doomsday world, show your courage and defend your homeland!
You can download the game by heading over here.


Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Update To Add 60FPS For PS5 & Xbox Series

Ubisoft has announced that Assassin’s Creed Odyssey will release an update for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The update will arrive on 24 August 2021 at 2pm GMT+8.
Here are the patch sizes & info according to the official website:
Patch Sizes:Â Â

Xbox One:Â ~370MB
PlayStation 4: ~470MB

Game Improvement:Â Â

This update adds 60 FPS support when running the game on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 through backwards compatibility.

Missing Ancient Greece? A new title update for Assassin's Creed Odyssey will be deployed on August 24, adding 60FPS support when running the game on Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5 through backwards compatibility! #AssassinsCreed
— Assassin's Creed (@assassinscreed) August 23, 2021


Kingdom Ashin Of The North’s New Trailer Is Creepy & Intense

Venture into the vast forests, a forbidden land where a strange plant grows. Netflix unwraps the trailer for Kingdom Ashin Of The North, taking us back to the beginning of the great tragedy that fell upon Joseon and a story of Ashin, and the origins of the resurrection plant.Â
The tragedy began in the depths of the northern region of Pyesa-gun, an area that has been forbidden for 100 years where dead bodies were suddenly discovered. We meet young Ashin who loses everything in a blink of an eye when her village is horrendously attacked. Driven by loss and with vengeance on her mind, Ashin makes it her mission to â€œkill every living thingâ€. The anticipation builds as we unravel the calamities that besiege Joseon.
The special episode reveals the origins of the resurrection plant that triggered a tragic blood bath across Joseon and the woman abandoned by all; Ashin.

Young Ashin (Kim Si-a) discovers the powers of a strange plant that can bring a dead person back to life. Concerned about Ashin, her father warns against searching for it; however, the young girl was dissuaded given her motherâ€™s serious illness. Ashin returns to the forest in search of a resurrection plant when she hears the echoes of screams.
Ashin wishes for â€œthem to shed tears of bloodâ€, foreshadowing an exciting tale of vengeance.
Kim Sia plays the young Ashin, and Gianna Jun plays the older character in unfolding the backstory of the woman who appeared at the end ofÂ KingdomÂ Season 2 shrouded in mystery and subject to much conjecture. Park Byung-eun reprises his role as Min Chi-rok, a young man who encounters Ashin in the freezing cold northern regions.
His character later becomes the Head of the Royal Commandery Division who helps Crown Prince Lee Chang fight against the conspiracy to seize the throne and the infected from overtaking the royal palace. Director Kim Seong-hun and writer Kim Eun-hee, the duo leading theÂ KingdomÂ series, team up again for this special episode for fans around the world eagerly waiting for the tale of Ashin.
The epic story ofÂ Kingdom: Ashin of the NorthÂ delves into the very origins of the resurrection plant and the infected that have turned Joseon into a bloodbath.
Kingdom Ashin Of The North unveils the mystery of Ashin and the epic origins of the resurrection plant on 23 July 2021, only on Netflix.
Check out the new trailer below:


DC’s Aquaman: Rotten Fish or Prime Cut Sashimi?

Aquaman is the best DCEU (DC Extended Universe) movie to date, not that the bar was high to begin with. After a string of disastrous and mediocre (at best) movies, the franchise was in dire need of revitalization or even an emergency reboot. Thanks to Aquaman, that’s not necessary anymore.
Aquaman is not the live-action debut of the DC Comics superhero (that goes to 2017’s Justice League) but it is historic for being the iconic character’s first-ever solo movie.

It’s not an exaggeration for me to say that it is the first great non-Trinity (not Batman, Superman or Wonder Woman) DC movie ever.

A Balance of Different Elements That Somehow Work

Aquaman is not grimdark like the other DCEU movies, nor is it too comedic like some of the MCU movies. It strikes a pretty awesome balance of the two, and one that I would like to see more of in upcoming entries. The movie is also very much a James Wan movie, imbued with many of the director’s signature touches. What do I mean by that?
Kinetic and Dynamic Action

I don’t always like mindless action movies, but I remember watching James Wan’s Furious 7 and being impressed by the fighting scenes in that movie, especially when Hobbs was fighting Shaw at the beginning of the movie.

Imagine the same kinetic and dynamic action choreography and camera work in Aquaman.

The fights are intense and most importantly, I could see every single punch and weapon swing very clearly -which is often not the case in poorly-shot action scenes from other superhero movies. Trust me, you’ll go “Whoa!” several times throughout the movie.
A Touch of Horror
Besides that, it’s incredible how James Wan has even managed to incorporate some horror elements in Aquaman, seeing as the horror genre is his forte. It was surprising to see how well that scene that worked in a movie like this. The creatures from the Trench (you can see them in the trailer) look like aquatic Xenomorphs, along with what seems to be a Jaws homage too.
… And Romance Too?
Not only does Aquaman feature action and horror, but there was even a scene or two that seems to belong in a rom-com movie. Inaudible (but filled with music) montages with the protagonist and his love interest frolicking around in a small romantic Italian town shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
A scene like that in a superhero is liable to make me cringe and roll my eyes, but this one didn’t.
Great Villains, No CGI Monstrosities Here
Hot damn, that looks good. (And it looks even better in motion)
A great superhero movie can only be as good as its supervillain (or supervillains). That’s where all the previous DCEU movies have faltered, giving us CGI monstrosities like Batman V Superman’s Doomsday, Suicide Squad’s Incubus, and Justice League’s Steppenwolf instead of compelling villains like The Dark Knight’s Joker or the MCU’s Loki. Granted, a CGI villain can still work if the narrative and writing are good (as evident with Avengers Infinity War’s Thanos).

Having said that, I’m happy to confirm that the villains in Aquaman are fleshed out characters and interesting in their own right.

Not only are they wonderfully portrayed, but no DCEU villain has looked better than Aquaman’s Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). King Orm (Patrick Wilson) doesn’t look half-bad himself, especially when he finally dons his complete Ocean Master suit.
Both of them have decent motivations for going up against Aquaman, the reasons for which I won’t spoil here. These backstories make the villains more sympathetic to the viewer (more so with Black Manta and less so with King Orm). These characters will surely stick in the minds of viewers a lot longer than Doomsday or Steppenwolf did (and for the right reasons).
What’s Better Than A King? A Hero

How about Aquaman and other supporting characters, you ask? I have good news on that front too. If you thought Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) was annoying and too surfer-dudebro for your liking in Justice League, rest assured that he is definitely a better and stronger (narratively) character this time around.
The trailers might make it seem like Aquaman is trying to be an underwater Black Panther, but it’s not. Though both Aquaman and Black Panther are kings, the circumstances facing each respective heroes are different. For instance, Arthur Curry is not yet a king at the beginning of the movie, and he does not want to be. Instead, he develops throughout the movie and grows into a hero who reluctantly shoulders the responsibility and burdens that comes with being a monarch.
Strong Supporting Cast

Additionally, the supporting characters all contribute to the movie in their own way, as Aquaman boasts perhaps the strongest supporting cast of any DCEU movie to date. Mera (Amber Heard) is not simply Arthur’s love interest but is highly capable of holding her own in fights and even saves the hero on more than one occasion (damsel in distress she is not).
The veteran actors and actresses also do fine jobs with their roles, elevating Aquaman to even greater heights (depths?). Willem Dafoe’s Nuidis Vulko, Nicole Kidman’s Atlanna, and Dolph Lundgren’s King Nereus are all simply amazing, as are some of the other minor roles as well (Look out for Julie Andrews as the voice of the Karathen, a Kraken-like creature).
The visuals and cinematography in Aquaman are awe-inspiring, especially when I looked at the majestic city of Atlantis, the depths of the Trench, and another undersea city that looks sort of like the one in The Little Mermaid. The Atlanteans are varied in design too, as some of the other sea-dwellers have distinctive mermaid-like or crab-like designs according to which undersea kingdom they hailed from.
Best DCEU Movie To Date
Yes, this scene is kind of, sort of in the movie, though in a different context and he doesn’t say those words.
In terms of comic-book accuracy, Aquaman takes a lot of source material from Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis’ New 52 run which began in 2011. The different undersea kingdoms, the deep Atlantean lore, Arthur Curry’s origins, and more are mostly inspired by that particular run. It’s no wonder then that Geoff Johns is also one of the writers for the movie.

If you’re a disenchanted DC fan or generally a comic book fan (or even normal viewers), you owe it to yourself to give Aquaman a chance, despite the failures of past DCEU movies.

This is the movie that has successfully brought a new spark to the DECU, breathing new life into the dying franchise. Superman couldn’t save the DCEU, and neither could Wonder Woman, but Aquaman might be the only one who can (and will).

Aquaman has single-handedly given me hope again, giving me good reasons to be excited for next year’s Shazam! and Wonder Woman 1984.

Final Score: 80/100
Aquaman opens in Malaysian cinemas on December 13, 2018. We caught the movie on TGV Cinemas IMAX via press screening, courtesy of Warner Bros Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wcj6SrX4zw&w=560&h=315]


Yes, Diablo 4 Has A Rare & Large Butcher Running Around Sanctuary

If you’ve played Diablo 4 long enough, you know that the action RPG has a surprise boss in the form of The Butcher. He comes in unannounced in any Dungeon, has attacks that slow you down, and can pull you in with his chain for maximum melee punishment.
What most of us do not know is that there’s a rare and large version of The Butcher running around. As founded by action RPG-focused guide site Icy Veins, you can come across the world’s biggest Butcher by chance.
 So uh… anyone know why we found a Giant Butcher? He appeared this big by      u/IronHeart_777 in      diablo4

Apparently user IronHeart_777 came across this alpha Butcher when he and his friends were running a Nightmare Dungeon. Turns out that to get this version of the Butcher, the Nightmare Dungeon needed to have an Avenger modifier in it, where enemies grow in damage and size as monsters near them are killed. So yeah, luck is involved somewhat since The Butcher’s appearances are pretty random.
Diablo 4 is out right now for PC and consoles. Head here for our guides for the action RPG.


Resident Evil Village’s Monsters Were Originally Much More Aggressive

Capcom has released a new video on YouTube that reveals some of the internal struggles and issues that the developer had to face and overcome while making Resident Evil Village.
The game launched for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC earlier this month. It was a massive success, selling over three million units to date, probably because of how good the game turned out to be (check out our review of the game here).
The video features several members of the game’s development and QA teams speaking about how difficult it was to work on the game during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. What’s interesting is that they had to make a pretty significant change to the game’s core gameplay.
According to Resident Evil Village director Morimasa Sato, an earlier version/build of the game was originally harder, featuring more aggressive enemies which would swarm players with overwhelming numbers. However, this made the game unnecessarily more frustrating and not necessarily scarier.
Sato said:
“The original concept for Resident Evil Village was heavily based on “a struggle to survive”.
How much should we try to frighten players?
How aggressive and terrifying should enemies be?
We put a lot of work into these things.
At one point in development, we conducted a focus test with a group of players.
The enemies were very aggressive, but the players found that they didn’t need to think that hard while playing because of this.
In an attempt to understand what to fix, we also shared what we discovered with QA.”
QA Manager Shutaro Kobayashi said:
“I remember having a really strong negative reaction.
The game’s content was completely divorced from what the development team thought they had made.
The playtesters’ first impressions of Resident Evil Village were:
There are too many enemies, and they’re overly aggressive.
Plus, there isn’t enough ammo.
This made the combat uninteresting.
This also made the combat frustrating and boring, and incredibly tiring to play.”
How did they fix the game into what it is now?
Well, Sato and the rest of the development team had a solution.
Sato explained:
“The players shouldn’t mindlessly react to the game but engage the game and even second guess themselves, then finally overcome their fears and the obstacles in front of them.
These points feed into that “struggle to survive”.
Then, it becomes a matter of how players will react to the changes.
How much can the narrative and level design create these waves of emotion?
We struggle a lot trying to tackle these concepts.
“Give them space.”
Rather than making the players panic by just throwing aggressive monsters at them, we make them paranoid about if and how they’re going to be attacked, and worry about where the next enemy will be.
Then, when an enemy appears, it’s relentless.
We consciously focused on improving the pacing.
I think that’s when it started to click.”
You can check out the full 7-minute video below:


HBO’s The White Lotus Anthology Series Renewed For Season 3

HBO’s Emmy-winning anthology series The White Lotus, from Mike White, will return for a third instalment following a new group of guests at another White Lotus property.
The first instalment, which premiered July 2021 and was set in Hawaii, received 20 Emmy nominations across 13 categories and ten wins, the most wins of any program that year, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. The second instalment, set in Sicily, debuted on October 31 and will conclude on December 12. Its first episode has already been watched by more than 7.6 million viewers, and last week the series hit an all-time weekly high, ranking as the #1 title overall on HBO Max.
Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films quote:

“Reflecting on The White Lotus’s humble, run-and-gun origin as a contained pandemic production, it’s impossible not to be awestruck by how Mike orchestrated one of the buzziest and most critically acclaimed shows. And yet, he’s only continued to reach new heights in Season 2, which is the ultimate testament to Mike’s raw, unparalleled vision.
His courage to explore the uncharted waters of the human psyche, paired with his signature irreverent humour and buoyant directing style, have us all dreaming of more vacation days at the resort we’ve come to adore. We couldn’t be more thrilled to get the chance to collaborate on a third season together.”

Mike White, creator, writer, and director quote:

“There’s no place I’d rather work than HBO and there’s no people I’d rather partner with than Casey Bloys, Francesca Orsi, Nora Skinner and their incredible team. I feel so lucky to get this opportunity again and am excited to reunite with my amazingly talented collaborators on The White Lotus.”

The White Lotus Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on HBO GO. The second season is still ongoing.
You can subscribe to HBO GO online at https://www.hbogoasia.my/ or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store for as low as RM23.30/month. You can also access HBO GO via Astro. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.


Riot Games & ESL Malaysia Announces Merdeka Show Featuring Wild Rift & Valorant Influencers

Riot Games Southeast Asia and ESL Malaysia have announced the League Of Legends Wild Rift and Valorant Merdeka Show. In conjunction with Malaysia’s 64th Merdeka celebration, Riot and ESL Malaysia are bringing together gaming and esports influencers who are active in the Wild Rift and Valorant local communities. They will be playing in a variety of fun games throughout three episodes, each with distinct Malaysian themes.Â
The influencers will be split into two teams, Team Nasi Lemak and Team Roti Canai based on the games that they play. Wild Rift influencers Ikuto, Ellemonade, and Sahaja Gaming will be in Team Nasi Lemak while Valorant influencers Soultannn, Emi, and Sya Meoow will be in Team Roti Canai.

Each influencer will be dressing up according to the themes of each episode. We will see them having fun in costumes that channel Malaysian nostalgia and cultural beauty. In light of the COVID situation in Malaysia, every influencer will be participating from the comfort of their own homes to ensure their safety and protection.Â
The release dates for each episode are as follows:Â

 Episode 1 – 31 August 2021.
 Episode 2 – 1 September 2021.
 Episode 3 – 2 September 2021.

In each episode, the influencers will compete against each other in various games that test their artistic skills and knowledge regarding the country. There will also be questions focused on elements from Wild Rift and Valorant to challenge the influencersâ€™ understanding of their favourite games. It isnâ€™t just all fun and games. Getting wrong answers during the games will be met with humorous punishments such as having to keep their hands up or speaking in a funny way for the rest of the episode.
Viewers can take part by answering questions posted at the end of every episode and those who provide the best answers will win interesting prizes. There will also be polls for viewers to vote for their favourite teams.Â
To provide a helping hand for Malaysians struggling during the pandemic, Riot will also be donating US$3,500 to Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) who has been serving marginalised communities in Malaysia for over 13 years; these include the homeless, urban poor and Orang Asli populations.

 In recent years they have strategically expanded their focus upstream of the poverty curve to reach the urban poor via Food Bank and Empowerment Programs. These programs aim to provide assistance to the most vulnerable segments of the community before they fall into complete poverty and hardship. Esports and gaming fans who wish to donate to KSK can visit their website and also watch videos of their charity work on YouTube.Â
Tune in to each episode on the official Wild Rift Malaysia Facebook and YouTube pages as well as the official Valorant Facebook page.


Train To Busan Sequel Peninsula Gets Potential Release Date

The zombie smash blockbuster Korean hit movie Train To Busan is officially getting a sequel and it’s titled Peninsula (or simply Bando in Korean), and we might also already know the expected release date for the upcoming movie.
According to Korean site Hallyulife, a source from the distribution company â€˜NEWâ€™ said:

â€œWe are preparing for the market release by summer 2020, but the schedule for international release has not been decided yet.â€œ

Previous reports have claimed that Peninsula is slated to premiere on 12 August 2019. Although that has yet to be confirmed, it looks like a summer 2020 release window is confirmed for the Korean domestic market.
Director Yeon Sang-ho is returning for Peninsula, which began production earlier this year in June 2019. It will continue the story of 2016’s Train to Busan, as the surviving remnants of humanity tries to escape a zombie-infested South Korea.
Peninsula will star Korean actors Kang Dong Won and Lee Jung Hyun, as well as Lee Re, Kwon Hae Hyo, Kim Min Jae and Goo Kyo Hwan.


2023 Will Be Indie Game Dead Cells “Biggest Year” Since Launch

Developers Motion Twin and Evil Empire launched its 2D roguelike Metroidvania title Dead Cells since 2018, but they have still been busy making and adding content for the game since. Players have been enjoying the game’s free updates and paid DLC, and it looks like it won’t be stopping anytime soon.
The developers said on a recent blog post that the game’s latest DLC The Queen and The Sea isn’t their last content update for Dead Cells.
“Heading into 2023 we won’t be slowing down, in fact we’ll be stepping things up! It’s going to be by far our biggest year since the 1.0 launch and we’re thrilled to show you what we’ve been cooking up behind the scenes.
What we’re getting at here is that we’re very much in the mid-life of Dead Cells. We’re not sneaking out at night to get drunk on street corners anymore, but we’ve still got plenty of life in us before our knees start to give in.”
And to prove that, they published a roadmap:

To recap, the game will finally get the requested Panchaku (pan + nunchucks) in Summer 2022, a Boss Rush mode in Fall 2022, and more new stuff in Winter 2022 and 2023. Exciting times for people still playing Dead Cells; I might want to head back to the game in the near future! In the meantime, check out the Panchaku in action:

There are also some rebalancing plans and ideas in progress. Here’s what the team suggests:
Buffs:

Hard Light Sword and Pistol: slight damage buff to the sword and attack speed buff to the pistol
Queen’s Rapier: the delayed slice hits sooner
Maw of the Deep: attack speed buff
Wrecking Ball: first and last attack are faster
Leghugger: now jumps on a nearby target before launching its reactivation attack + keeps its growth state across instances of the object in a run
Gilded Yumi: charge time slightly decreased + now crits reliably on Mama Tick (to be consistent with Impaler)
Killing Deck: damage buff on the first 2 attacks
Hand Hook: now also crits when the thrown enemy hits another entity
Greed Shield: can now trigger once per enemy every 10 seconds + damage buff
Frantic Sword: crit multiplier is now inversely proportional to your life (when at or under 50% max life)
Abyssal Trident: slight damage buff
Shrapnel Axes: slight damage buff
Pollo Power: now fires 1 more egg + damage buff
Crowbar: now also crits on beast enemies (hand-picked, think “non-humanoid, non-mechanic”)
Lightning Bolt: now crits one tick earlier and damages you 1 tick later
Spiked Shield: crit damage buff

Nerfs:

Smoke Bomb: scaling heavily nerfed (it was following the same formula as the stats)
Grappling Hook: same as Smoke Bomb
Boy’s Axe: damage nerf + can’t roll the Extra Ammo affix + can’t be affected by Ammo mutation
Bladed Tonfas: slight crit multiplier nerf
Lacerating Aura: cooldown now starts at the end of the effect instead of starting at cast
Maw of the Deep: its root is now less effective on bosses
Crusher: its slow is now less effective on bosses
Hunter’s Grenade: no longer provides stats
Rapier: damage nerf
Sonic Carbine: damage nerf
Hokuto’s Bow: procs less often + damage bonus nerfed

We loved Dead Cells; check out our review on why it’s awesome.


EVO 2021 Exclusive Offline Tournament Cancelled

If you’re hoping to see a livestream of a major fighting game tournament series play out with players in the same space, do we have some bad news for you.
The EVO 2021 Showcase in Las Vegas, dubbed as a triumphant return to form after 2020, has been cancelled. The organizers of EVO have announced this on Twitter recently.
“Due to the continuing complications of COVID-19 and the spread of the Delta variant we have made the tough decision to cancel the EVO 2021 showcase. The players invited to participate in the EVO 2021 Showcase represent many of the best fighters in the world. We’re incredibly saddened to cancel the event.”

Update regarding the Evo 2021 Showcase: pic.twitter.com/DjUbNXV3EP
— EVO (@EVO) September 29, 2021

While this year’s EVO 2021 Online was held, well, online across various regions, the Las Vegas EVO 2021 Showcase was planning on bringing in 40 pro fighting game players to compete for a US$125,000 prize pool, split across five fighting games which included Street Fighter 5, Tekken 7, and Guilty Gear Strive.
Guess fighting game fans will have to wait until 5th to 7th August 2022 for the next offline EVO tournament in Las Vegas.


The Lord Of The Rings Gollum Drops This September

Nacon and Daedalic Entertainment have announced that The Lord Of The Rings Gollum will launch for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam on 1 September 2022, and for the Nintendo Switch sometime later in 2022.
The Lord Of The Rings Gollum, based on the legendary The Lord Of The Rings trilogy of books by J.R.R. Tolkien, tells of Gollum’s experiences from behind-the-scenes in the first chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring.
After losing his precious ring to Bilbo Baggins, Gollum decides to leave the Misty Mountains and embark on a perilous journey that leads him from the dungeons of Barad-dur to the realm of the Wood-elves in Mirkwood. In order to survive the dangers of his journey through Middle-earth, Gollum has to sneak and climb and use all his cunning. He also has to deal with his Hobbit-self—Smeagol.
It’s up to the players if they want Gollum to have the upper hand when it comes to making important decisions, or if they prefer to allow Sméagol to take over. Gollum will also encounter well-known characters from the books as well as a few new faces.


Malaysian Representation At Dota 2 Lima Major

Dota 2’s Lima Major is just around the corner but in recent years, I’ve noticed that there are fewer Malaysians compared to past years. As a game that Malaysians excel at, it put Malaysia on the esports map of the world when it came to looking for up-and-coming talent in Dota 2.

Check out the schedule we did for the Lima Major!
Unfortunately, as time has gone on, it seems as if there have been fewer Malaysians competing at the highest level. While that’s not entirely false, this misconception comes from the fact that there are just no predominantly Malaysian rosters.
While that is the case, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t going to be any Malaysians at The Lima Major. In fact, Malaysia ranks as the fifth most-represented region just behind the Philippines with seven players out of the 90 players attending.
So let’s list them out, according to which teams they represent:

PSG.LGD

Jin Xiang “NothingToSay” Cheng is best known for his exceptional skills in the mid-lane, and his ability to play a wide variety of heroes. NothingToSay began his professional career in 2018 and quickly rose to prominence in the Southeast Asian Dota 2 scene. In 2021, he joined the Chinese team PSG.LGD, and helped lead them to a second-place finish at The International 10, the most prestigious tournament in Dota 2. NothingToSay’s aggressive playstyle and mechanical prowess make him one of the most exciting players to watch in the Dota 2 competitive scene.

Knights

Knights is another Chinese team that is home to not one, but two Malaysian players. First, we have Vincent “AlaCrity” Hiew who at this point in his career is considered a staple in the Malaysian Dota 2 scene. Known for his impressive skills and unparalleled talent in the game. With his quick reflexes and strategic approach, he has proven time and again that he is one of the best players in the region. Whether he’s playing as a carry or a mid-laner, AlaCrity always manages to dominate his opponents, securing victory for his team.
Next, we have Wei Lun “FelixCiaoBa” Chong. With his exceptional skills and quick thinking, he has gained a reputation as one of the best carry players in the Southeast Asian scene. FC has been playing Dota 2 for over five years and has been a part of several professional teams, including WarriorsGaming.Unity and Royal Never Give Up. He is known for his aggressive playstyle and excellent laning skills. Fans love watching his thrilling games, where he always puts up a good fight. With his dedication and passion for the game, FC is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the Dota 2 world.

EHOME

EHOME, the last Chinese team on this list is also home to two Malaysian players. As their carry is Sim An “mks” Wong. A young gun coming out of Malaysia who began competing reputably back in 2020. After playing for Singapore’s RSG for most of last year, mks was picked up by Chinese esports powerhouse EHOME back in December.
To partner with him, EHOME also brought in RSG’s offlaner, Qian Yu “xiaoyu” Lee who actually got his start in the Chinese lower leagues with iG.X. After making his way back to Southeast Asia, he was quickly brought back to China during the offseason to pair with mks.

Geek Slate

Formerly known as Geek Fam, although their roster is mainly comprised of Filipinos, Geek Slate is a Malaysian esports organisation. And as a Malaysian org, it only makes sense that they would at least have one Malaysian on their roster—well two if you count the coach. But we’re going to focus on the Malaysian that’s actually going to be playing and that’s none other than Roger “Roddgeee” Tan who has been competing in Dota 2 for almost a decade and has been a part of several professional teams, including Team SMG and RSG.
Roddgeee is known for his exceptional support play, and his ability to make clutch plays that can turn the tide of a game. His teammates admire him for his selflessness and dedication to the team. Fans love watching him play because of his calm demeanour and his ability to keep his team organized and focused during intense games. With his talent and leadership skills, Roddgeee is a valuable asset to any team.

Talon Esports

And last we have the Hong Kong-based esports org in Talon Esports who have Chon Kien “Oli” Chan. Oli has spent the last four years with Invictus Gaming. There, the 26-year-old Malaysian player became the winner of DOTA Summit 11, Dota Pro Circuit 2021: S1 – China Upper Division and ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021, and also got into the top three at the end of ESL One Birmingham 2020 – Online: China, DPC CN 2021 /2022 Tour 3: Division II, MDL Chengdu Major and DPC CN 2021/2022 Tour 2: Division II, among others.
If you want to know when these players play then feel free to check out the schedule I did for the Major.


The Top 20 2D Fighting Game Characters Of All Time (Part 2)

As a genre, fighting games have always been home to some of the most iconic and memorable characters in fighting game history. Hereâ€™s our pick of the top 20 2D fighting game characters of all time based on their design, moveset, lore, history, popularity, and sheer coolness factor.
This is the second half of the two-parter list. If you want to find out who was #20 to #11, head here for part 1.
#10. Mai Shiranui

Probably the most recognisable female fighting game character of all time next to Chun-Li, thereâ€™s just something about special her design and personality that charms fans on another level. Shes flamin’ hot not just in looks, but also in skills. She’s able to literally conjure fire AND keep all her clothes (or lack thereof) intact thanks to her pyrokinesis ninja techniques.
Even though SNK and the King of Fighterâ€™s franchise have waned in popularity in recent years, she still continues to make appearances in other games such as Dead or Alive and even the mobile game Kingâ€™s Glory. Sheâ€™s been around for over 25 years now and clearly, fans still canâ€™t get enough of her.
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