We Try to Answer Five Major Plotholes From Avengers Infinity War – *SPOILER ALERT*

By now most of you have watched Avengers Infinity War. Some even twice or more than that. We don’t blame you. Each of our team members have watched the movie at least twice (including the special media preview).
However, we at Kakuchopurei.com are sure that you folks, like us, walked out of each screening wondering about some scenes and potential plotholes in the otherwise perfect superhero movie. With that many characters crammed into about 150 minutes of screentime – surely some minor, non-essential scenes were left on the cutting room floor. While they were not detrimental to the overall storyline, they would have left some of us pedantic folks itching for some sort of explanation.
These plotholes listed here are solely related to the scenes depicted movie alone, and are not in any way dependent on previous MCU movies. We decided to gather our thoughts and come up with some answers that we feel not only answer our curiosity, but also keeps everything in the final cut intact.
But before we go any further …. as usual….

All set? Cool. Let’s go.
1. Why Didn’t Anyone See Peter Jumping Out of A Moving School Bus?
He was on a bus, traveling on a bridge possibly heading out of Queens – surely someone saw his antics right? What if everyone else were so fixated on the yuuuuge alien ship hovering over Manhattan? Yes. Possibly. Although this does defy belief as some of the drivers would still have seen him swinging out of a moving school bus. Especially the driver of the cars trailing the bus Peter was in.

What if it was all deliberate? We believe that his actions here will be catalyst for the main plot in the next standalone Spider-man movie; of him struggling to keep his identity a secret. What if someone recorded him on that bridge and tracked the school bus’ origins? What if he is forced to come public as Spider-man in the next movie? Everything happens for a reason in the MCU.
2. Where Did Bruce Got Hold of the Hulkbuster Suit?
There are a few plausible theories here. First, it could be via Rhodey who was holding fort at the Avengers headquarters. Easily Stark’s most-trusted individual (apart from Piper of course), Rhodey would have had all the relevant access and clearance to any of Tony’s tech.

A second more plausible theory was that it was delivered to Wakanda via Friday at Rhodey’s behest. As seen in the scene where Tony instructed Friday to deliver ‘package 17-A’ to Peter, the same could be done by Rhodey to send the same suit to Banner in Wakanda. We saw it in the trailers – Banner posing next to the Hulkbuster arm so we might be getting that deleted scene detailing it in the director’s cut in the near future.

3. Banner & Shuri’s Discussion About How the Stone Was Connected to Vision Just Doesn’t Make Sense
This part we have no solid answer to. Our best guess? Probably it was a minor retcon of what happened in Age of Ultron for the sake of fitting in Shuri’s smarts into Infinity War. Because that exchange just did not make any sense.

As we recall, it was Ultron with the help of Dr. Helen Cho in Avengers: Age of Ultron who attached the Mind Stone to the body which we came to know as Vision.Â  While true, it was Stark and Banner who uploaded Jarvis into the body after the battle in Seoul, we cannot recall them doing anything which directly came in contact with the yellow Infinity Stone. A nitpick for some but if you gonna stick with the continuity of things, might as well bring Dr. Helen to the scene in Wakanda as well. Although the final decision was most probably due to scheduling conflict or ease of story flow.
4. Was Star-Lord Aware of Dr. Strange’s End Play Vs Thanos?
Almost everyone who have seen the movie are labeling Star-Lord as the biggest idiot in the galaxy and the one most responsible for everything. Letting his emotions get the better of him caused them to lose the fight and ultimately the Time Stone to Thanos. But what if it was all part of the big play? What if he was aware of a large chunk of the plan but emotions got hold of him – and Strange knew and counted on this to happen?
Let’s rewind back to The Maw’s ship before it crash-landed on Titan.
Totally unrelated
Strange explicitly told Tony – if it ever came to him (or) Spider-man’s life or the Time Stone, he would not hesitate to protect the stone. We know that Strange is the most pragmatic Avenger of the lot – even more pragmatic than Tony so the fact that he was quick to give away the Time Stone just because Tony got stabbed by Thanos made little sense. Never once was Strange seen forming a rapport with Stark and it was unlike him striking a bargain with Thanos for the life of a person he barely knew.
Being a surgeon himself prior to his career as Master of the Mystic Arts, Strange would have known whether Stark’s injury was fatal yet chose to quickly give up the Time Stone to Thanos. Also, keen-eyed viewers would have noticed that he disabled the spell that locks his necklace allowing Thanos to easily grab it off his neck mid-fight.

Our guess was that Quill and the rest of the Guardians only knew about the plan up to the point of Gamora being dead. No one knew of this fact apart from Strange and Tony. They both knew that the attempt to remove the gauntlet would not work, and had it all set up.Â The key was to make it all believable in Thanos’ eyes – Quill’s reaction was premeditated and who better to pull off this masterstroke than Doctor Strange.
The idea of forcefully removing the gauntlet from Thanos’ arm was probably scenario #14,000,604 (which Quill actually played his part to a T) and when all ‘fails’, the 14,000,605 became their last resort.
The reactions at the end when most of them turn to dust was completely genuine, though except for Strange. He knew what would happen yet went on with it, sacrificing himself in the process.
5. How Did Thor Knew Where to Go Next After He Got Hold of Stormbreaker?Â
It all seemed convenient doesn’t it. Of all the places to go, he chose to head to Wakanda straight fromÂ Nidavellir. He hasn’t been in contact with any of the Avengers since Age of Ultron yet he convenientlyÂ Â jumped into the heat of the battle without any explanation whatsoever. HOW?

Our guess was that once he got hold of Stormbreaker, Rocket & Thor made contact with the rest of the Guardians who got him up to speed. Stark, who was with them on Titan would have directed Thor on where to go to and BAM!Â God of Thunder and Lightning with his trusty Rabbit and Tree to the rescue.
Another theory would be him blindly flying to Earth and realized what was happening in Wakanda. Follow the chaos and he knows he will find Thanos. But that would be too much of a stretch since we doubt he’d have the knowhow to get to Wakanda. But he does have access to the Bifrost now. So we are going to sprinkle some movie logic to make it more believable here.
Other plotholes worth pointing out:

Where are Valkyrie, Korg, Meek and Skurge during Thanos’ attack? – Our best bet was that they are all dead
Will Wong ever get that tuna melt? – Probably at the end of Avengers 4. The shawarma moment 2.0
Why didn’t they just try cutting off Thanos’ arm? – All that battle and the only physical injury he got was a cut to his cheek from Stark’s kick, and that stab at the end by Thor’s Stormbreaker axe. Thanos would be super aware of this and probably added extra protection to himself – especially with the Space Stone in his possession. He purposely removed his armor the moment he got hold of it so it may allude to invincibility to cuts.

So what other plotholes you’ve noticed in Infinity War? As usual the comments section is down below and we will *try* to justify your queries using movie logic. If you have your own theories and answers for the holes pointed above, share them as well.
Just keep the comments healthy yes?


DNF Duel Leak Confirms New Characters, Rounding Up The 16 Fighter Roster [Update]

Update: Added the trailers for the Launcher, Troubleshooter, Swift Master, Enchantress, and Lost Warrior.
Original story
DNF Duel’s fighting game roster is getting bigger, thanks to a new leak.
Reddit user Ereki-KO has released leaked footage (via Rooflemonger) for the game; basically a new trailer featuring the roster. There are two characters that have yet to be officially announced: the Launcher and the Enchantress.
The Launcher (previously labelled Mechanic) is the blonde lady you saw in the last official DNF Duel trailer. She blows things up with her heavy ordnance and guns.

The Enchantress is the elf girl below. She’s a spellcaster in the Dungeon Fighter Online games who uses witchcraft. Here in the fighting game, she has a Super where she summons a giant bear puppet to smash her opponents to oblivion.

Next up is the Troubleshooter, a subclass of the Agent in Dungeon Fighter Online. He fights with a square sword, a shotgun, and explosives. He drinks alcohol to buff up his attacks at the cost of his health.

The next character is the Swiftmaster, a mage who uses wind and speedy spells to overwhelm enemies; an airbender if you will.

Finally, we have what we can assume is the big boss of the whole game. He’s at the top of the game’s leaked box art.
Finally, we have the Lost Warrior, who we assume is the last boss in the game’s Story Mode. He has a slew of sword moves and teleportation tricks, which would make him a crowd favourite for characters who have unique movement tricks and spacing tools.

That’s all we have so far: five upcoming characters for DNF Duel that have yet to be officially revealed. To recap, the current roster right now, excluding the five, include the Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Vanguard, Striker, Dragon Knight, Ranger, Kunoichi, Crusader, and Ghostblade. That makes it a total of 16 characters.
DNF Duel will be out on 28 June for PS4, PS5, and PC. In the meantime, check out the entire DNF Duel character trailers & gameplay footage below to get yourself hyped up for more anime fighting goodness.


Red Bull OG Documentary Chronicles Intense Rise of Defending Dota 2 Champions

Last year, Dota 2 team Red Bull OG unexpectedly became champions at The International 2018 (also known as TI9, one of the biggest esports tournaments in the world). It was the ultimate underdog story, and unsurprisingly, it’s been adapted into a documentary.
Developed by the Emmy Award-winning Red Bull Media House, the documentary, titled ‘Against All Odds’, chronicles the rise, fall, and rising again of team OG from its humble beginnings to winning the TI9 in 2018.
It follows the journey and experiences of Johan â€œN0tailâ€ Sundstein, SÃ©bastien â€œCebâ€ Debs, Jesse â€œJerAxâ€ Vainikka, Anathan “ana” Pham, Topias â€œTopsonâ€ Taavitsainen, and coach Cristian â€œppasarelâ€ Banasean in their hard road that culminated in being crowned the champions at The International 2018. The reason why this is a big deal is because the team roster that achieved victory at TI9 was formed just three months before the tournament began, which means that they had to enter it the hard way (competing with thousands of other teams through open qualifiers just for a spot in TI9).

They also broke the historical record for winning teams in The International. A Western team won the first TI in 2011 while an Eastern team won the following year. This trend would continue until Red Bull OG broke the ‘curse’ in 2018 (an Eastern team should’ve won that year according to the trend).

We were lucky enough to catch a premiere screening of ‘Against All Odds’ alongside the Red Bull OG team in the flesh at Sunway University yesterday. As someone who’s not much of a Dota 2 fan, the overall tone of the documentary feels like other conventional sports documentaries you may have seen; inspiring and emotional.
The emotion comes from seeing how far the Red Bull OG team has come over the years, and the heated rivalry between fellow co-founders Tal “Fly” Aizik and Johan “Notail” Sundstein. While Notail is still a member of team OG (and the current captain), Fly has since left the team for Evil Geniuses.
Red Bull OG faced off against Evil Geniuses in the semi-finals of TI9, resulting in a harrowing three matches between both teams. Red Bull OG won two of the three matches, earning them a spot in upper bracket finals, completing Notail’s revenge against Fly for abandoning the team they formed together.

However, the documentary did feel a tad too long, running at just over one hour and twenty minutes long. Nevertheless, it’s a well-made documentary that captures all the blood, sweat and tears leading to Red Bull OG’s historic win at TI9.

Who doesn’t like an underdog story anyways? ‘Against All Odds’ is now available to watch for free on Red Bull TV now.
Check out pictures from the Against All Odds screening event at Sunway University below:


Blizzard Cancels Overwatch Nintendo Switch Launch Party In New York

Blizzard is supposed to hold a massive Overwatch Nintendo Switch launch party event at the Nintendo World Store in New York City, US, on Wednesday, 16 October 2019. However, it seems that the developer/publisher has suddenly cancelled the upcoming event via a tweet earlier today.

Please be aware that the previously announced Overwatch launch event scheduled for Wednesday, 10/16 at NintendoNYC has been cancelled by Blizzard. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
â€” Nintendo NY (@NintendoNYC) October 15, 2019
While no official reason was ultimately provided by Blizzard, it’s not difficult to discern why. The company is currently still under fire and suffering backlash for the recent incident where Hearthstone pro player Blitzchung received a suspension and stripped of his prize money after being caught making pro-Hong Kong statements during a Blizzard-hosted tournament stream.
Blizzard has since reduced Blitzchung’s punishment by halving the suspension period to six months and restoring the prize money to him. However, there was no coming back from Blizzard’s earlier actions, as many have gone onto the Internet and the public to protest against the company for what they’ve done.
Blizzcon is taking place from 2 to 3 November 2019, which is less than three weeks from now. It remains to be seen how all of this will affect the company’s biggest and usually, most celebrated, event of the year.
Overwatch is slated to release for the Nintendo Switch today on 15 October 2019.


Star Trek Lower Decks Could Have Been A Fan-Favourite In A Different Universe

It’s Star Trek Day 2020, as Star Trek fans everywhere celebrate the day that Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek The Original Series debuted on 8 September 1966. The latest show in the franchise to grace our screens is the animated Star Trek Lower Decks, which is halfway into its first season with five episodes to date.
How is the animated series so far? Does it indicate an overall good direction in the future of Star Trek?
Before I go on about Star Trek Lower Decks and the rest of the franchise, let me clarify that I never grew up with Star Trek. I was born in 1994, and Star Trek has never been nearly as big of a cultural phenomenon as Star Wars here in Malaysia. Even so, I finally took the time to watch every episode (and movie) of Star Trek in 2016.
It took me one year and four months, but I finished everything, and only then was I proud to proclaim myself as a bonafide Star Trek fan. Good timing too, considering the latest generation of Star Trek began in 2017 with Star Trek Discovery, then Star Trek Picard earlier this year and now, Star Trek Lower Decks.
I’ll get to how I feel about the overall direction of Star Trek, but first I’d like to discuss what I liked, and disliked, about Star Trek Lower Decks after its first five episodes.

Developed by Emmy Award-winner Mike McMahan (best known for Rick And Morty and Solar Opposites), Star Trek Lower Decks focuses on the junior members of the crew serving on one of Starfleetâ€™s least important ships, the Starship Cerritos, in 2380.
Ensigns Mariner, Boimler, Rutherford and Tendi have to keep up with their duties and their social lives, often while the ship is being rocked by a multitude of sci-fi anomalies, which is par the course for a Trek series.
What distinguishes Star Trek Lower Decks from other series in the franchise is that we’re finally able to see what the daily lives of the rest of the crew on a starship. Normally, we would only be privy to the lives of the highest-ranked bridge crew.
This animated series essentially expands on the Star Trek The Next Generation Season 7 Episode 15 ‘Lower Decks, which also shifted the focus of an entire episode onto a group of junior members on a starship.
Starfleet Junior

Star Trek Lower Decks’ humour is ultimately closer to the outrageous jokes in Rick And Morty than conventional Trek. That said, while many of the jokes in Star Trek Lower Decks can be generally funny, the best of them are those that intentionally pokes fun at established Trek tropes or canon. These are often veiled or disguised as fun easter eggs and references for Trekkies/Trekkers to notice.
These include jokes at the way Starfleet members fight (seen in episode 3 when Commander Jack Ransom fought an alien in the same ‘martial arts’ style infamously used by Captain Kirk against a Gorn in Star Trek The Original Series Season 1 Episode 18), how the Prime Directive is always cited as a reason for non-interference but is often just a used as a convenient plot device (as seen in episode 5 when an alien attempts to stop the destruction of his home by mentioning the Prime Directive to Captain Carol Freeman), and more.
At first, I was really apprehensive of how Star Trek Lower Decks was making fun of and disrespecting the franchise at its expense. However, after five episodes, I discovered that I enjoyed the series, despite the fact that the only truly memorable jokes for me were the ones that explicitly reference Trek canon.
The rest of the jokes and humour (which don’t explicitly reference Trek lore) are often hit-or-miss and falling flat at the worst of times. Perhaps the biggest problem lies in the fact that it’s genuinely difficult to write a decent sci-fi comedy. There are good ones like 1999’s Galaxy Quest, Red Dwarf, and even the recent Seth McFarlane’s The Orville (specifically more on that later), but they are far and few in between.

Even after five episodes, it’s not easy to discern who Star Trek Lower Decks is for. Right now, it’s leaning more towards being catered to fans of the franchise who’d understand the many easter egg jokes and references.However, much of the humour doesn’t exactly mesh well with the tone of conventional Trek, and more like a less offensive version of the jokes in Rick And Morty.
It seems like the showrunners know all this, and have created the protagonist Ensign Boimler (voiced by Jack Quaid) as sort of a surrogate for Star Trek fans. You know, too rigid and unrelenting when it comes to ‘rules’ (read: Star Trek lore). This is also why Ensign Mariner (voiced by Tawny Newsome) is there to slowly ease Star Trek fans into the humour of Star Trek Lower Decks.
Would I recommend Star Trek Lower Decks to Star Trek fans and casual viewers alike? As of now, the answer to both is yes. Contrary to what casual viewers may think, Star Trek doesn’t always take itself so seriously. It occasionally pokes fun at itself through fun self-referential and meta episodes like Star Trek Deep Space Nine Season 5 Episode 9 ‘Trials and Tribble-ations’ and more.
What About The Future Of Star Trek?

There, I said it: I like Star Trek Lower Decks. However, it’s far from indicative of current Star Trek as a whole. What about the flagship live-action shows like Star Trek Discovery and Star Trek Picard? It would probably take too long for me to list down all my grievances with those series, but it’s no secret that I dislike them.
First of all, despite being set in the Prime timeline (of TOS, TNG, etc.) instead of J.J. Abrams’ Kelvin timeline of the new reboot movie trilogy, it’s clear that Alex Kurtzman (who is the Kevin Feige of the franchise, as he oversees all of Star Trek) has taken more than simply visual and design aesthetic inspirations from the latter.
It’s like Kurtzman is forcibly applying gritty edginess to the franchise and trying to make it darker than it needs to be. Look, I won’t deny that the franchise has always had its dark moments, but it’s never been like this.
Again, it’s not like everything was perfect in the Star Trek universe, look at the dirty Dominion War in Star Trek Deep Space Nine (not to mention the Bajoran-Cardassian conflict). In Star Trek Deep Space Nine Season 6 Episode 19 ‘In The Pale Moonlight’, Captain Sisko had to commit unspeakable and questionable acts in times of war.
Still, Gene Roddenberry’s optimistic and utopian vision of the future was still very much there even then. It still felt like this was humanity at its best, and it was a place where you wanted to live.
Unfortunately, now it’s all been replaced with a cynical and miserable tone, which feels more in sync with the current reality of the world than what is supposed to be a better future for all. That’s not what Star Trek is about. If I wanted that, I would rather rewatch 2004’s Battlestar Galactica or watch more of the brilliant The Expanse.

I hope this doesn’t sound too corny but watching Star Trek used to instil hope in me and made me want to actively strive to be the best person I can be. In the current state of the world ravaged by COVID-19 and selfish politicians, a dose of optimism about the future would be more appreciated than ever.Star Trek just doesn’t feel much like Star Trek anymore.
Another Final Frontier
Bizarrely enough, I can still get that by watching Seth McFarlane’s The Orville, which is frankly truer to Gene Roddenberry’s original vision than current Star Trek is. There are currently two seasons of the show. While the first may be a bit rough around the edges, the second season features some truly great standout episodes, including two-parter episodes in the vein of Star Trek The Next Generation‘s very best.

My only advice to all fellow Star Trek fans is this; do yourselves a favour and watch The Orville. A third season is already on its way. Oh, and it’s plenty epic as well. Look at this clip of a space battle scene from The Orville Season 2.


Half-Life: Alyx Looks Great In These New Gameplay Videos

Valve has dropped three gameplay videos for its upcoming VR game Half-Life: Alyx, and it’s looking pretty darn good.

The first video focuses on ambience as Alyx navigates a zombie-infested train station, while the second video takes place in a ruined building. The third video sees Alyx engaging in a firefight with the Combine. The first two show off some puzzle gameplay as well.
It seems that Alyx’s only weapon is a pistol, but as the first video shows, you can upgrade it at certain points in the game. The second and third videos show off modded versions of the pistol, but I wonder if using the same gun all the time will get stale even with upgrades.
I don’t think that looking at the environments will ever get boring though. Powered by Valve’s Source Engine 2, this is the most beautiful City 17 yet. The environmental detail and lighting are pleasing, while the second video provides some stunning sights.

Making the environmental details better is the interactivity you have with them, thanks to physics. In the third video, Alyx opens a car door to shield herself from gunfire and later catches a Combine grenade before tossing it back.
In IGN’s gameplay video, Alyx puts on a construction helmet. When she passes a barnacle, it snatches up the helmet, but not the character. It’d be interesting to see what other tactics players can come up with.
There were two other notable features. One was Alyx’s dialogue, which I thought was a very refreshing change of pace from Gordon Freeman’s silence. The other is the movement.

There are three types of movement styles, and each video shows off one of these: Teleportation locomotion, Continuous locomotion, and Shift locomotion. Teleportation and Shift both involve Alyx materializing at a new location, although Teleportation is instantaneous while Shift is more like Dishonored’s Blink.
Continuous resembles standard FPS movement. Continuous looks like the least-immersion breaking one, but the other two do seem useful for relocating in a fight. You can judge for yourself with the videos above.
Half-Life: Alyx will launch on Steam on 23 March 2020. If you own a Valve Index headset or controller, you can get the game for free, as well as additional content.


Singaporeâ€™s First Hakken Anime Store Is Now Officially Open

First established in 2019 as an online shopping platform,Â Hakken! has officially opened first physical anime storeÂ in collaboration with MUSE Communication Singapore, one of the largest Japanese animation licensors and distributors of official anime goods in Southeast Asia (SEA).
The 2200 square feet retail space will featureÂ a completely new and exciting anime retail concept. Like we previously reported, customers can look forward to experiential elements such as the specially curated Themed Features section, where anime lovers can enjoy immersive themed set-ups that highlight scenes from popular animes.
Singapore has previously hosted some of the biggest anime conventions in the region, including C3 Anime Festival Asia, Singapore Comic-Con (SGCC) and Doujin Market. Hakken!â€™s first physical store aims to offer a unique anime retail experience to bring together local anime and manga fans by providing them with a safe and creative space to bond over and share their love.
It will be the only retail store in Singapore where anime fans can be a part of their favourite anime titles through official themed set-ups. Visitors will be able to get up close and personal with life-size figurines of Rem and Ram from the anime Re:Zero âˆ’ Starting Life in Another World and over 2,600 official goods, including accessories, collectibles, figurines, plush toys, and stationery from more than 21 notable licensed titles in the anime industry.
MUSE Communication Singapore Jeff Lee said:
â€œSingapore is one of the most vibrant anime hubs in Southeast Asia, and we see plenty of room for growth for the anime retail scene here.
We hope to bring the liveliness and spirit of the anime world to our fans and consumers with the launch of the physical Hakken! store and the unique elements it carries.
We were inevitably focused on battling and recovering from the effects of COVID-19 last year, and many events were forced to cancel. However, we are nearing the light at the end of the tunnel, and we canâ€™t wait to introduce a whole new experience that the anime world offers.
To build a self-sustaining ecosystem of creators and consumers, we will continue working closely with established licensors, partners, and every facet of the Japanese pop culture community such as cosplayers and consumers, to cultivate a strong anime following.
With this, we hope to increase not only accessibility but also desirability towards original content, in which we also hope to deter the rampant act of piracy within the industry and restore the confidence of anime creators to produce content that is adored on the global stage and which fulfills the industryâ€™s rising demand.”
MUSE Communication Singapore currently holds the rights to various anime and manga IP, including Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Sword Art Online, Attack On Titan, Jojoâ€™s Bizarre Adventure, One Punch Man and others.Â
The Hakken! physical outlet is now open to the public and is located at Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, #07-08. The opening hours are from 10am to 10pm, every day of the week.Â
For more on what Hakken! has to offer, you can check out their online store byÂ heading over here.


Celebrate Batman Day With HBO GO, Bat-Tech AR App, Cartoon Network & Giveaways

The fight for justice goes global to honour the enduring legacy of the iconic Super Hero on Batman Day, which takes place on 18 September 2021.
Throughout the whole of September, DC and Warner Bros. is recognizing the iconic characterâ€™s longevity and impact across comics, film, television, and more, with a massive collection of partnerships, special releases and initiatives in honour of the Dark Knight.
Here in Singapore, fans can immerse themselves in all things Batman with an exciting line-up of activities, special programming, themed merchandise, cutting-edge bat tech and contest giveaways. We made sure that there is something for everyone in the family, with celebrations culminating on Batman Day on 18 September 2021.
Swoop In For Some Amazing Giveaways

Want to show the world your love for Batman and snag some awesome loot?
HBO Asia is hosting an AR filter on their Instagram page to encourage fans to get creative with a virtual Bat-Mobile.
Simply post your best shot with the Bat-Mobile AR filter, tag @HBOASIA on Instagram or @DCASIAOFFICIAL on Facebook and use the hashtags #HBOASIA, #DCASIAOFFICIAL and #BATMANMONTH to enter the contest which will run from 10 to 24 September 2021.
With a virtual Bat-mobile at your beck and call, Batman month is shaping to be a wild ride.
Suit Up With The First-Ever Batman Bat-Tech AR App

The AR appÂ DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition launched in August 2021 to entertain young ones with immersive experiences. On Batman Day, a new mission will drop, continuing the Bat-Tech app storyline. Players will be able to infiltrate Mr. Freeze’s lair and discover the bank heist was a diabolical diversion just as the Bat-Tech App was being hacked by The Riddler.
Can The Riddler actually use Batman’s technology against him to find the Batcave? Batman needs you and the entire Knightwatch team to help stop these Super-Villains.
The app is available on both theÂ Play StoreÂ and on theÂ App Store.

Check Out In The Latest Bat-Tech Merchandise
While the caped crusader often flies solo, he always has a network of allies that provide him with the help he needs. In that same spirit, we teamed up with the following partners to bring you an awesome line-up of merchandise that cater to Malaysian fans of all ages.

Lazada

Calling all Batman fans! Keep your eyes peeled for our first-ever Batman Month celebration on Lazada! From 20 September to 3 October 2021, look out for attractive deals of up to 70 percent off and giveaway prizes to be won!

Royal Selangor

A collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Entertainment,Â Royal SelangorÂ has recently launched their Limited Edition Batman collection! Head over to the online store for more information.

Aurora Italia

Get ready for some actions withÂ Aurora Italia Zack Snyderâ€™s Justice League Collection â€“ Batman Limited Edition 1g ($AU999.9) 24K Gram Bar! Shop online now.

Spin Master

Gotham City is in trouble and needs your help! Join heroes Batman and Robin to help save Gotham City from the villains The Joker, King Shark, and more withÂ Spinmaster FigurinesÂ today! Shop at Lazada store now.

LEGO

Builders everywhere can battle against the bad guys with their favouriteÂ Batman LEGOÂ collection. Check out at Lazada online store.

Vidi Velocity

Who says sports attire can’t be fashionable? AtÂ DC Sports Malaysia, you’ll be able to find a comfortable yet stylish dry-fit Batman outfit for your daily sports activity.

Funko

Your Batman collection is never complete without owning the entireÂ Funko PopÂ Batman collection! Check out the collection on Lazada today!
Get Your Fill Of Crime-Fighting Action With Special Programming

Animation fans can catch up on some Batman-led crime-fighting action over the weekends withÂ special programming on Cartoon Network (Astro Channel 615) at 7.30pm for the whole month of September.
BATMAN DAY PREMIERE

18 SEPTEMBER 2021:Â LEGO DC Batman Family Matters

BATMAN MONTH SPECIALS:

4 SEPTEMBER 2021: LEGO DC Attack of the Legion of Doom!
5 SEPTEMBER 2021: LEGO DC Justice League: Gotham City Breakout
11 SEPTEMBER 2021: LEGO DC Justice League Vs Bizarro League
12 SEPTEMBER 2021: LEGO DC Justice League Cosmic Clash
19 SEPTEMBER 2021: LEGO Batman DC Super Heroes Unite
24 SEPTEMBER 2021: Scooby-Doo & Batman: The Brave and The Bold

And if streaming is your thing, don’t miss out on more Dark Knight action onÂ HBO GO, including two seasons ofÂ PennyworthÂ which follows the journey of Alfred becoming Batman’s most trusted butler. There are also two seasons ofÂ BatwomanÂ where a sassy woman with a difficult past is given a second chance to survive the tough streets of Gotham.
No less thanÂ NINE Batman moviesÂ starring your favourite versions of Bruce Wayne, from Peter Weller, Christian Bale to Heath Ledger, Ben McKenzie and Ben Affleck are on offer. And a stack of other animated Batman titles from the DC Universe is also available to stream.

The Road To DC FanDome
Finally, make sure to save the date for DC FanDome 2021 on 17 October 2021. Batman Month is just the start of a journey that will culminate in biggest virtual showcase of new movies, games, shows and comics! Stay tuned for the latest updates at DCFanDome.com.
You can read more about whatâ€™s in store for DC FanDome 2021 byÂ heading over here.
During DC FanDome 2020, the most popular announcements and reveals were trailers for Matt Reevesâ€™Â The Batman, Warner Bros Montrealâ€™sÂ Gotham KnightsÂ and theÂ Justice League Snyder Cut, all of which attracted more than 150 million views in total.
In the meantime, you can check outÂ our coverage of everything related to DC FanDome 2020 here.


Nier Replicant Is Making The Right Moves With Its Revamped Combat So Far

2010’s Nier by Cavia and Square Enix has a masterful story buried in its dark fantasy conventions and memorable characters. It also had a lacklustre action game attached to it, if I’m being honest. Everything felt sluggish to play and not as precise as it should.
With the 2021 Nier “remake” dubbed Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139â€¦. (which I am not typing out again out of brevity’s sake), developer Toylogic is taking the backbone of the last game, Nier Automata, and reworks it into the original Nier plot & structure. The remake feels brand new so far, but similar enough to exude its pathos & emotional key scenes to gut-punch you where it counts.

The most obvious changes in the remake are the graphics: this is clearly a game that needed a visual overhaul. The 2010 version wasn’t quite a sight to behold as it was too similar to the art style of many generic games around that time. Here, everything looks more in line with Nier Automata and is all the better for it. The 60 frames-per-second-and-more also helps to make the action butter-smooth and easy on the eyes and senses.

Gameplay-wise, it’s apparent that the overhaul was sorely needed to bring people’s focus back to Nier’s origin point but with modern sensibilities cultivated since the original’s 11-year debut prior. The Junk Heap section, the Aerie boss fight with Hook, and the Northern Plains section may seem familiar to folks who played the game back in 2010, which is honestly only a fraction of you. There’s a reason why the OG game had cult status.
Essentially this Nier experience will be a brand new one for everyone that’s hard to go back to, no matter how much you want to make a comparison. So far in my few hours playthrough, I’m just trucking on even though I know what happens. I played the 2010 version and never wanted to revisit it, knowing this version exists.
The basic controls are the same: you play as the title character Nier and his quest is to cure his sister Yonah of the Black Scrawl disease, no matter what it takes. He comes across friends like the potty-mouth warrior lady Kaine, the arrogant yet well-meaning Grimoire Weiss the talking book, and gentle Emile. He also will fight a ton of Shades, from tiny monkey-mimicking ones to giant boss-like effigies with bullet hell patterns and giant swings they throw at our titular hero. Fortunately, Nier himself has light attacks, heavy guard-breaking attacks, a fancy dodge, a parry/block defensive move, and the Grimoire to shoot his own magic bullets and long-ranged spells from.

True, he has a similar arsenal in the 2010 game, but it feels so much better here. This is because of the aforementioned 60fps+ movement, the spot-on precise controls, and the fact that Toylogic is recreating what made Nier Automata become 2017’s GOTY: Platinumgames’ involvement.
My few hours of previewing the game equals no dull, boring, and awkward spot while slashing my way through Shades and defeating Hook all over again in a new coat of paint.
A substantial one, at that, while not changing too much to justify the “remake” branding with new rearranged music, re-recorded lines from the original VOs, and expanded weapon stories. Think of this as a much-needed and thorough sandpaper work on a rough piece of antique woodwork.
Plus, the main character Nier looks a lot younger than the 2010 Gestalt original, as the devs and the game’s original creators like Yoko “Moonface” Taro are using the young Nier for the first time outside of the Japan release. It helps to have your protagonist look like a bishie, for mass appeal and non-gender specific cosplay potential, when the world goes back to normal, hopefully by the time 2021 comes to a close.
Speaking of this year, Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139â€¦. will be out on this 23rd April to celebrate the anniversary date of the 2010 Nier, appropriately enough.


Final Fantasy VII Remake Trophies Reveal A Lot Of Collectathons

Final Fantasy VII Remake is out in certain regions already, so naturally there should be a trophies list in-game to keep track of. Here it is, if you’re curious.
Before that…

Here’s what we can gather from the achievements below:

There are 18 chapters in the game.
Other achievements include dealing huge damage to staggered enemies, staggering them once, completing minigames, collecting all the collectables; standard stuff.
There’s a trophy that gets you some praise from the super-thirsty-for-SOLDIER-boy Jessie if you complete the game’s motorcycle mini-game.
There’s a Hard mode once you beat the game.
The game’s playtime? We’re estimating about 30 hours or less.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Trophies List

Master of Fate – Earn all FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE trophies.
Onetime Gig – Complete Chapter 1.
Escape Artist – Complete Chapter 2.
Mercenary Endeavors – Complete Chapter 3.
Night on the Town – Complete Chapter 4.
Plan E – Complete Chapter 5.
Lights Out – Complete Chapter 6.
Trapped like Sewer Rats – Complete Chapter 7.
Reunited – Complete Chapter 8.
Never the Bridge – Complete Chapter 9.
Sewer Survivor – Complete Chapter 10.
Paranormal Investigator – Complete Chapter 11.
The Collapse – Complete Chapter 12.
Broken Dreams – Complete Chapter 13.
Picking Up The Pieces – Complete Chapter 14.
The Pizza in the Sky – Complete Chapter 15.
No Appointment Needed – Complete Chapter 16.
Emerging from Chaos – Complete Chapter 17.
Destiny’s Crossroads – Complete Chapter 18.
Warming Up – Win a battle.
Weakened Resolve – Exploit an enemy’s weakness.
Bonds of Friendship – Free a bound ally.
Staggering Start – Stagger an enemy.
Music Collector – Collect 3 music discs.
Gotta Start Somewhere – Complete a quest.
My First Ability – Max out a weapon’s proficiency.
Materia for Beginners – Level up an orb of material.
My First Summon – Invoke a summon.
Biker Boy – Get praised by Jessie at the end of the motorcycle mini-game.
Heavenly Dart Player – Rise to the top of the Seventh Heaven darts leaderboard.
Cleanup Crew – Obtain the Chocobo & Moogle material.
In Lockstep – Bypass the delta-level security lock in Mako Reactor 5.
Crate Annihilator – Complete all Normal difficulty Whack-a-Box challenges.
Summon Slayer – Defeat a summon in battle.
Sultan of Squat – Complete all squat challenges.
Dancing Queen – Receive a gift from Andrea for being a dance superstar.
Returning Champion – Emerge victorious from a Colosseum sparring session.
Snappy Dresser – Obtain three bridal candidate outfits.
Dressed to the Nines – Obtain all nine bridal candidate outfits.
Whack-a-Box Wunderkind – Complete all Hard difficulty Whack-a-Box challenges.
Peeress of Pull-Ups – Complete all pull-up challenges.
Best in the Business – Complete all quests.
Disc Jockey – Collect all music discs.
Building Character – Attain level 50 with a character.
Staggering Feat – Deal 300% damage to a staggered enemy.
Intelligence Agent – Complete all battle intel reports.
Weapons Expert – Learn all weapon abilities.
Master of Mimicry – Learn all enemy skills.
Hardened Veteran – Complete all chapters on Hard difficulty.
Hidden Trophies – 5 (will update once we unlock them)

Final Fantasy VII Remake will officially be out on 10th April. Unless you’re in Australia or parts of Europe, in which case it’s probably out now.


Hawkeye Will Release Its First Two Episodes On Premiere Day

Disney+ and Marvel Studios have finally unveiled a new teaser trailer for the upcoming HawkeyeÂ series.Â HawkeyeÂ will premiere onÂ 24 November 2021.
The new teaser trailer doesn’t reveal much, but it does confirm that Hawkeye will premiere with its first two episodes. This also means that Hawkeye will only run for 5 weeks since there will only be a total of six episodes in its first season.
The synopsis reads:
Hawkeye is an original new series set in post-blip New York City where former Avenger Clint Barton aka Hawkeye has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. But when a threat from his past shows up, Hawkeye reluctantly teams up with Kate Bishop, a 22-year-old skilled archer, and his biggest fan, to unravel a criminal conspiracy.
Starring Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, Hawkeye also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian dâ€™Arcy James, and newcomer Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez.
You can check out my breakdown of the previous trailer by heading over here.


Riot Games’ K/DA Reveals Latest EP Title & Release Date

K/DA is a virtual K-pop girl group comprised of characters from Riot Games’ League Of Legends; including Ahri, Kai’Sa, Akali, and Evelynn. The company has announced the title, cover and release date of their latest upcoming EP.
Title: ALL/OUT
Release Date: 6 November 2020

They became a mainstream sensation in 2018, with their debut single POP/STARS reaching the top of iTunes (#1 K-Pop Chart, #2 Pop Chart), Billboard (#1 World Digital), and 170M+ DSP streams.  The music video for POP/STARS has reached 340 million views to date, making it the most successful debut for a K-pop group in YouTube history.
Recently, K/DA’s latest single THE BADDEST also reachedÂ #1 on Billboard’s World Digital Sales ChartsÂ during the week of 12 September 2020 and has reached over 20 million views on YouTube since its release.


WB Montreal Teases New Batman Game Announcement For Today

Batman Arkham Origins developer Warner Bros Games Montreal is teasing an announcement for its rumoured new Gotham Knights Batman game apparently set around the Court of Owls storyline for today on 18 August 2020 at 11am ET, or 11pm GMT+8 on 18 August 2020.
Fans have followed a new tease to a website called r3dakt3d.com, which currently features the words, “We have be3n expecting you 8/18”, followed by a 24-hour countdown timer.
Check out the official tweet below:

_ _  . _ _  . _ _ . _ _ _  @r3dakt3d pic.twitter.com/AkuasxjP5i— WB Games Montréal (@WBGamesMTL) August 17, 2020

Of the three emblems shown, one looks like an Owl, but it’s still too early to say for now. Warner Bros Games Montreal has launched aÂ teaser websiteÂ and they are set toÂ announce their new gameÂ at DC FanDome on 23 August 2020.


The Next Assassin’s Creed Valhalla DLC Arrives This August

Ubisoft just announced the release date of the next Assassin’s Creed Valhalla DLC, which will definitely be shorter than the main game just like the Ireland DLC. That’s a plus point, by the by.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: The Siege of Paris, will be out on 12th August. The DLC is set in Francia, of course, and will have Eivor participating in a new set of quests in the largest post-Roman barbarian kingdoms in Western Europe. The expansion will feature new weapons, abilities, gear, and skills.
Infiltration Missions will make a return here, which will let players decide how they’ll go about with their assassination mission. Check out the stabby viking action below:

To prepare players for the DLC, the Sigrblot Season will kick off later this week on 29 July. This raiding season limited event will run from that date until 19th August and will feature a ton of events which include flyting (insult fighting in that era), fighting tournaments, and dice games. The event will also feature three new quests, new settlement decorations, customization items, and new weapons like the sword of Skrognung. That piece of exclusive event gear can only be purchased with Sigrblot tokens until the end of the festival.
To participate in the Sigrblot Season, your Eivor needs to already be in England and completed either the Grantebridgescire or Ledecestrescire narrative arcs. Your settlement also needs to be at level two. To play The Siege of Paris, it’ll cost you US$25; if you have the Season Pass already, you’re good to go when it’s out later this August.


After 7 Seasons, Voltron: Legendary Defender Is A Great Case For Anime Adaptations

This post is originally from The Last King podcast. Do check out their awesome audio shows here.Â
Adaptations are a tricky thing to pull off. Steer too far from its source material and you get an alien product that may not gel with its target audience. Stay too close to the source word for word, and you’ll chase off people who want to see a different directorial take on the subject matter. That’s why the Lord of the Rings trilogy is a darn good adaptation while Avatar: The Last Airbender by M. Night Shyamalan is reviled by both critics, casual moviegoers, and fans.
While it’s one season away before its eventual conclusion, I can safely say that Voltron: Legendary Defender is a heartfelt adaptation of the classic 80s series Voltron, which itself is based on the Beast King GoLion anime.You can check out all of the old Voltron cartoons on this channel, but the more I rewatch it, the more I realize why I don’t go back to the original.
It’s a product of its time: Lotor and Zarkon’s Galra Empire does something bad, Team Voltron gets to the bottom of it, and there’s a Ro-Beast they need to fight. And Allura probably gets kidnapped or hesitates because she’s inexperienced and it’s a time when it’s OK to put women soldiers on the bench.
Its Japanese source material is still a few layers deeper with some lore about the lions and the gestalt bot they form, but it’s hard to sit through. At the very least, it’s a guilty pleasure of a series that is better watched while inebriated.
Trust the same team who did Avatar: The Legend of Korra -Studio Mir,Â Joaquim Dos Santos, & Lauren Montgomery- to turn things around with an adaptation worthy of the series. I’d even go as far as to say that this show supercedes its source material even if we’re officially up to its 7th season. I’ll explain why:
Actual Character Depth

For an all-ages show, there’s a lot to keep track here. You have your main characters Shiro, Keith, Lance, Pidge, Hunk, and Princess Allura. Each of them have their moments in the spotlight throughout the 7 seasons, like Pidge’s true identity, Keith’s lineage & his conflict with Allura, and Hunk’s story arc early on in the season. Later seasons bring in darker plotlines in the story; seeing as the galaxy is in constant warfare thanks to the Galra Empire, there’s always someone presumed dead or missing amidst the chaos. Oh, and the narrative adds more galaxy traveling than its predecessors. More on that later.
Even bad guys like Emperor Zarkon, Hagar, and Prince Lotor have their own backstories revealed over time, at least after the second season. In some ways, we see that they have the best of intentions for their nation, but their minds are corrupted by a combination of Quintessence “poisoning” and making amoral decisions for their nation’s greater good.
They even made Altean captain Coran fun. Instead of being a background prop with a moustache like in the original Voltron, they made Coran eccentric and (sometimes) competent. Props to Rhys Darby for fleshing out this guy in full.

All in all, the show introduces some twists but they flesh it out rather well in an episode or two, or even have that narrative span out in more than a single episode. The showrunners opt not to stick to tradition and trusts its audience to keep up story-wise.
Scaling Power Levels
As with any shonen anime or show that mimics these tropes, you need to have unassuming heroes learning things and be outclassed early on so that they can “git gud” and eventually surpass tougher obstacles in later seasons. It shows character growth; it’s really no fun to see shows where a hero is almighty and solves all problems in a template shonen anime unless it’s satire (like One Punch Man).

From the first season up to the seventh, we get to see the Voltron paladins go from “n00bs” to powerhouse warriors. The power scaling of our heroes gets higher over time. They struggled with a lone Emperor Zarkon in the first season, then managed to barely defeat him in a fight in later seasons when he uses a Robeast.
Having this sort of power scaling means that you get to see guys like Shiro, Keith, and Lance grow as characters and showing off new weapons their Lions can generate out of thin air if they will it. Even the Alteans have their moment in the spotlight combat-wise, especially with Allura and her Season 2 badassery. Speaking of which…
Large-Scale Fights….

I think Season 7’s last half showcases the power of animation and grandeur anime tropes where the heroes have to reclaim what was theirs from the big bads. Voltron: Legendary Defenders rely more on the long-term plan and build-up when it comes to pacing. Rather than have a large-scale fight in an earlier season or so, they save the best for last and even make some encounters a tad more personal, like the fights with Lotor and his all-female armada.
If we’re talking about older episodes and arcs, even the first & second seasons have impressive setpieces and battles like the bit with the rock alien tribe’s liberation, and that epic showdown in season 2 where Allura and the Blade of Malmora faced off against Hagar and her druids to help dissipate the forcefield protecting Zarkon when he’s fighting Voltron.

And I mentioned “galaxy traveling” earlier on; all these action scenes and fights take place in so many different places, be it the paladins fighting with their weapons or in their Lions. We get awesome forest fights with tree mechas, a couple of epic duels and showdowns in and out of space, and alternate dimension shenanigans.
Just when you think the animation studio did their best, they top it off with better ideas that are either large in scale or big in stakes.
…With Badass Mechs
Next to the titular gestalt mech, we get a lot of cool robot and mecha designs. Any shonen anime-style series needs impressive designs and visuals to wow its audience, and this show never fails to impress. We get different Robeasts, a bunch of Neon Genesis Evangelion Angel-esque monstrosities, and a unique take on a gestalt mech.

Jesus, I could never forget Zarkon’s personal Robeast; it’s like a Gundam from the depths of Hell. If Hell was filled with sharp mecha designs.
Its Fervorous Fan Base…
I’m still on the fence whether this is a good thing or not. Go to any Pinterest or Tumblr, type in Voltron Legendary Defender, and watch as your browser is filled with so much fanart and shipping art, you might as well print out the pics and make a museum exhibit out of it. RM2 per entry would do to set you for life financially.
In all seriousness, this Voltron adaptation joins the ranks of other popular animation that has a huge shipping fandom. I say if they have more people tuning into the show due to Tumblr art, more power to the show for an ever-growing fanbase.
…And Its Comedic Bits

There’s no harm in having some downtime episodes; Voltron Legendary Defenders has them and they’re pretty refreshing. For every serious plot point and galaxy adventure the team experiences, we get a few offbeat episodes where the team gets stuck in an interplanetary mall, or even shrunk down to the size of ants, or even gets trapped in a game show where they have to compete against their Galra adversaries. They even shoved in Sven from the 80s Voltron show somehow and made a joke out of it. Talk about the mother of all throwbacks!
This show even has its own Dungeons &Dragons-centric episode. As we all know, any TV show with a D&D episode not called Big Bang Theory is always A+ material in our books (see Community, Futurama, etc…)
To Sum It Up
While it’s not as impactful as all-ages fare like the Avatar series (The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra), Voltron: Legendary Defender is still a lovely series to get into. In their quest to pay tribute to Beast King GoLion and Voltron: Defender of the Universe, the team led byÂ Joaquim Dos Santos & Lauren Montgomery ended up creating a far, far better show that improves upon its legacy tenfold.
It’s disheartening that the upcoming season’s the very last one, but at least it won’t be outstaying its welcome. I’m pretty confident that the show will end on a very high note since it has quite a cliffhanger in Season 7.


This Might Be Your Last Chance To Get Hot Toys Guardians Of The Galaxy Figurines

In commemoration of the release of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3, Hot Toys has revealed a teaser for new Hot Toys figures for the latest versions of the superhero team.
From the teaser, we can see that Drax, Groot, Mantis, Star-Lord, Nebula and Rocket will be getting new Hot Toys figures. However, surprisingly, the brand new character, Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) is not in the image. Perhaps he will be announced later after the movie has been released.
https://www.facebook.com/hottoys/posts/pfbid0p7323W8jJyZrwo5bSCuA5oKA2gfeRptscAjNhc2F2mzeY5Y6yRsouBUQzSmAupMXl
More details will probably be revealed at a later date. In the meantime, check out our spoiler-free review of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 by heading over here.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 is slated to premiere in Malaysian cinemas on 4 May 2023.


Why Is Division 2’s New Raid Unimaginably Tough For Console Players?

When Ubisoft released the new raid for their top-notch looter-shooter, The Division 2, PC players had a blast, completing the raid within hours of the raid’s release.
The four-boss raid was tough for PC players, but it was nearly impossible for console players. It took console players three days before a single completion of Operation Dark Hours.
This clip below is PS4’s World’s First completion.

The gap between the two platforms was said due to the sluggish console aiming and movement compared to players on the PC. The raid requires players to react in mere seconds with accurate DPS on the move such as rapid turning, a challenge for console players, especially with crutches such as sluggish animation and lower framerates.
While console players spend an average of 10 hours per boss, the veteran PC teams are having no issue clearing the entire raid under an hour.
Most problems stem from the mechanical aspect of the game, but some players are also pointing out that the PC players have an advantage of uncapped frame rates and snappy controls.
Redittor Viper114Ã‚Â said that “Rather than introducing nerfs to the encounters at this time while things are still fresh, instead there should be changes made to the console versions to compensate for the differences over the PC version.”
Another popular looter-shooter, Destiny 2, has a website that tracks Destiny 2 raids, has shown that for the raids released on Destiny 2 since it was available on console and PC, console players have usually only lagged behind be a matter of hours, not days.
The PS4 raid leaderboard forÃ‚Â The Division 2Ã‚Â as of Sunday morning. Source: Kotaku
With only a total of 2 PS4 teams and 1 Xbox One team claiming completion on their respective consoles, it’s only a matter of time before Ubisoft has to step in. So far, the developers haven’t commented on the issue nor patched anything in the game.


Razer Announces Wolverine V2 Controller For Xbox Series X

Razer has announced the Wolverine V2 controller designed for Xbox Series X/S.

It features Razerâ€™s Mecha-Tactile Action Buttons and Mecha-Tactile D-Pad, delivering greater precision and advanced customization.
Razerâ€™s proprietary Mecha-Tactile Action Buttons are equipped with a 3-million tap life cycle for greater durability and a reduced actuation distance of 0.65mm for 35 percent faster actuation than standard membrane buttons.
The Razer Wolverine V2 also features two programmable multi-function buttons, configurable through the Razer Controller Setup designed for Xbox, allowing gamers to remap the front-facing buttons for added control and advanced customization.
Last but not least, it also features a Hair Trigger Mode with trigger stop sliders, for an ultra-fast rate of fire.Â Â
The Razer Wolverine V2 will be available for US$99.99 or roughly RM409+ starting from 19 November 2020.


Devs Of Orcs Must Die Unveils Kid-Friendly Dungeon Crawler, ReadySet Heroes

One of the great things about owning a game console is that it’s a great tool for bonding time with family and friends. For those of you trying to find more co-op or competitive games to play with family members, especially the younger ones, ReadySet Heroes might be what you’re looking for.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm6CAK0yJcs&w=560&h=315]
Developed by Robot Entertainment who brought us the hilariously gory Orcs Must Die games, ReadySet Heroes is a mash of the dungeon crawler and arena battle genres. You’ll be racing through dungeons and collecting loot but here’s the catch: an opposing team is racing through the same dungeon.
The word ‘racing’ is used intentionally here. Whoever gets to the end of the dungeon first will initiate a winner-takes-all arena brawl. The faster you go through your run of the dungeon, the more prepared you’ll be for the final brawl.

Everyone begins with a wooden sword. By defeating monsters and looting, you’ll get better weapons, armour, and spells. Progression doesn’t take that long as the dungeons are designed around a “drop in, clear a dungeon, and drop out” concept.
Multiplayer can be played both online and locally. Couch multiplayer will support up to 4 players on split screen. You can even team up locally and play against others online.

ReadySet Heroes will be released on 1 October for PC on the Epic Games Store and on 2 October 2019 for the PS4. The digital standard version is expected to be priced at RM79 on the Playstation Store.


Metro Exodus PS5 & Xbox Series Version Is Now Available

Today Deep Silver and 4A Games are pleased to announce the launch ofÂ Metro ExodusÂ for Xbox Series X/S and the PS5 computer entertainment system.
The Gen 9 version ofÂ Metro Exodus runs at 4K/60FPS with full Ray Traced lighting throughout on Xbox Series X/S and PS5. The base game and DLC expansions feature both 4Aâ€™s ground-breaking Ray Traced Global Illumination (RTGI) and the Ray Traced Emissive Lighting techniques pioneered in the original release of Metro ExodusÂ and The Two Colonels expansion across all content.
The next-gen consoles see dramatically reduced loading times thanks to the use of their SSD storage optimizations, boast 4K texture packs, and a range of platform-specific features including spatial audio and controller latency improvements on Xbox Series, and support for the haptic features of the PS5 Dual Sense controller.
These enhancements are a free upgrade to all Gen 8 owners, or via theÂ Metro Exodus Complete Edition â€“ a high-value physical edition for franchise newcomers. This Complete Edition includes the base game and both DLC expansions: The Two Colonels and Samâ€™s Story.
Features

Enhanced for the latest consoles â€“Â Enhanced to utilise the power of Xbox Series X/S and PS5 including 60FPS, up to 4K resolution a Field Of View slider for the first time in the series and Ray Traced lighting.

Enhanced for Xbox Series X |S â€“ Optimized for platform-specific features including spatial audio and Smart Delivery support. Xbox Series X will boast full Ray Traced lighting, 4K 60FPS and Xbox Series S will deliver full Ray Traced lighting, 60FPS and 1080p resolution. Available via Smart Delivery.

Enhanced for PlayStation 5 â€“ Optimized for platform-specific features including DualSense Haptic Feedback support and 3D Audio, alongside full Ray Traced lighting and 60FPS 4K visuals.

The Complete Package â€“ IncludesÂ Metro ExodusÂ and all DLC content â€“ The Two Colonels and Samâ€™s Story.

Experience Sandbox Survival â€“ Flee the shattered ruins of dead Moscow and follow a gripping story that links together classic Metro gameplay with huge, non-linear levels.

Deadly combat and stealth â€“ Scavenge and craft in the field to customize your arsenal of hand-made weaponry, and engage human and mutant foes in thrilling tactical combat.

Explore a hostile world â€“ Embark on journey that spans an entire year through spring, summer and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter. Discover the Russian wilderness, brought to life with day/night cycles and dynamic weather.


PGA TOUR 2K23 Have Created Tony Finau’s Dream Course

Tony Finau, the winner of the 2022 3M Open, Rocket Mortgage Classic, and Cadence Bank Houston Open, has inspired a new dream course that was announced today by 2K and HB Studios. PGA TOUR 2K23 players can now access the Finau Fresh Country Club, a brand new dream course that was created by VctryLnSprts with input from Tony Finau himself. This course is available today and is free to all players.
Tony Finau’s dream course, the Finau Fresh Country Club, has been brought to life by VctryLnSprts. Set in the mountains with tranquil lakes and tall pine trees, this course is inspired by Finau’s native Utah and includes a variety of features from a par-3 island green to a dogleg right signature hole.
PGA TOUR 2K23 players can play this new course now and participate in an upcoming in-game society event starting Monday, 13 February. VctryLnSprts has also created a video showcasing PGA TOUR 2K23’s Course Designer, the tool used to design the Finau Fresh Country Club, which allows players to create highly detailed dream courses with custom features.
In addition, the WM Phoenix Open x PUMA Golf apparel is now available in the Pro Shop. Players can earn a cactus sun hat by playing three rounds at the WM Phoenix Open in MyCAREER. The Pro Shop also offers a WM Phoenix Open x PUMA Golf snapback, polo shirt, shorts, and socks as in-game MyPLAYER apparel.


Garena Free Fire To Add Bollywood Star As Playable Character

Garena Free Fire has announced that their latest character addition will be Indian superstar Hrithik Roshan. He will be the game’s first playable Indian character, and his in-game name will be Jai.
Roshan is one of the most popular actors in Bollywood, having starred in movies like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Dhoom 2 and Om Shanti Om.
However, this isn’t the first time that real celebrities have entered Free Fire as playable characters, as Roshan joins the likes of Brazillian DJ Alok and Indonesian actor Joe Taslim.
All of this is part of the developer’s efforts to entertain and engage local Free Fire communities with gaming experiences specifically tailored to their preference.
More details and information are expected to be revealed later this week. Garena Free Fire is a free-to-play battle royale game available for Android and iOS devices from the App Store and Google Play.

        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Garena Free Fire MAX IND (@indiaofficialfreefire)


The Little Mermaid Trailer Teases Part Of Your World Song

At the Studio Showcase Day 1 at D23, Disney has unveiled the first teaser trailer for the upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid movie. The trailer teases part of the movie’s version of the iconic Part Of Your World song.
The Little Mermaid is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
The film stars singer and actress Halle Bailey (“grown-ish”) as Ariel; winner Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton,” “Snowpiercer”) as the voice of Sebastian; Jacob Tremblay (“Luca,” “Room”) as the voice of Flounder; Awkwafina (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) as the voice of Scuttle; Jonah Hauer-King (“A Dog’s Way Home”) as Prince Eric; Art Malik (“Homeland”) as Sir Grimsby; Noma Dumezweni (“Mary Poppins Returns”) as Queen Selina; with Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Being the Ricardos”) as King Triton; and Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” “Bridesmaids”) as Ursula.
“The Little Mermaid” is directed by Rob Marshall (“Chicago,” “Mary Poppins Returns”), and written by David Magee (“Life of Pi,” “Finding Neverland”), with a live-action story adaptation by David Magee, Rob Marshall, and John DeLuca (“Tony Bennett: An American Classic”), based on the short story by Hans Christian Andersen, and the Disney animated film by Ron Clements and John Musker.
The film is produced by Marc Platt (“Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” “Grease Live!”), Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “In the Heights”), Rob Marshall, and John DeLuca, with Jeffrey Silver (“The Lion King”) serving as executive producer. The score is by Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin”), who won two Oscars for the music in the animated version of “The Little Mermaid,” with music supervised and produced by Mike Higham (“Mary Poppins Returns,” “Into the Woods”). Music is by Alan Menken, lyrics are by Howard Ashman and new lyrics are by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid is releasing in cinemas on 26 May 2023.


Our Awesome Philippines Gaming Weekend Videos On One Page

Our very own Mr Toffee went down to The Philippines for what could arguably be a good gaming weekend for the region.
Why? Because the gaming community get to experience two big gaming fiestas: the ElectronicÂ  Sports & Gaming Summit (ESGS) and Conquerors Manila 2019. One deals with new gaming experiences and hardware, while the other is focused on the country’s ever-growing League of Legends community and esports side of things. Also, two major esports teams from the country were hailed as champions during that glorious period. They were Liyab Esports for their LoL national competition win in Conquerors, and TNC Predator for their in ESL Hamburg 2019’s major-level Dota 2 tournaments.
In other words, it’s a fiesta of gaming with well-earned victories. Which is why we also joined in and managed to score these exclusive interviews from the Philippines’ finest. From renowned streamers to industry veterans, here they are:


CoD Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered Is Now Live On PC & Xbox One

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered is now available for the PC via Battle.net and Xbox One. It is a complete enhancement of the original 2009 game’s critically-acclaimed single-player experience, including the full campaign with 4K resolution and HDR support on console.
In addition, the PC version of the game features uncapped framerate and ultrawide monitor support. Players who purchase the game will receive the Underwater Demo Team Classic Ghost Bundle, which includes the UDT Ghost Operator skin inspired by the â€˜The Only Easy Dayâ€¦Was Yesterdayâ€™ campaign level that featured an action-packed hostage rescue attempt from an oil rig in the arctic.

Alongside the Ghost Operator skin, players will also receive two weapon blueprints, a weapon charm, new finishing move, voice quip, animated calling card, and emblem, as well as two Battle Pass tier skips for immediate access in 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and battle royale Call of Duty: Warzone.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered previously launched for the PS4 earlier. All versions of the game still feature the controversial “No Russian” mission (which is the reason the game is banned in Russia) and lack online multiplayer modes.
Check out the PC spec requirements below:
Minimum

Operating System: Windows 7 64-Bit (SP1), Windows 8 64-Bit, or Windows 10 64-Bit
Processor: Intel Core i3-4340 or AMD FX-6300
Video: Nvidia GeForce GTX 670/Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon HD 7950 – DirectX 11.0 compatible system
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Storage: 80 GB available hard drive space
Internet: Broadband Internet connection

Recommended

Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit (with the latest update)
Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600X Processor
Video: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970/Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon R9 390/AMD Radeon RX 580 – DirectX 11.0 compatible system
Memory: 12 GB RAM
Storage: 80 GB available hard drive space
Internet: Broadband Internet connection

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x993FRC4rXA&w=560&h=315]


WitcherCon 2021: The Full Schedule

WitcherCon 2021 is happening later tonight, assuming you’re into Witcher, RPGs, dark fantasy shows, and Henry Cavill. Here are the details on what to expect and how to watch it.
Will There Be A New Witcher Game Announced?
No, they won’t. This was made clear by CD Projekt.
What Can We Expect Then?
You’ll get a proper look at The Witcher Season 2 on Netflix and maybe a release date, stories on the making of The Witcher RPGs, a look at the Witcher anime film, and an appearance from Witcher actor Henry Cavill.
How To Watch WitcherCon In Malaysia & Singapore

WitcherCon 2021 is this Saturday, 10th July at 1am and 9am GMT+8. There are two streams to catch; here are the channels where you can watch them:
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/cdprojektred
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thewitcher
WitcherCon Stream 1 Schedule (1am GMT+8)

The Witcher Season 2 Q&A:Â The main event will featureÂ “surprise reveals” and a “dash of chaos” as The Witcher cast members and showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich answer fan questions about the Netflix show.
Welcome to Gwent:Â This will be a video from CD Projekt Red introducing viewers to Gwent.
The Witcher Season 2 Yen/Ciri panel:Â Actors Anya Chalotra (Yennefer) and Freya Allan (Ciri) discuss their characters and what to expect from them in the new season.
Stories behind the Witcher games, part 1:Â A bunch of CD Projekt developers discuss the creation of the Witcher RPGs, reminiscing about “old memories” and “uncovering forgotten artifacts.”
Geralt of T-Rivia:Â A trivia panel with Hissrich, as well as Declan De Barra, showrunner of upcoming prequel showÂ The Witcher: Blood Origin, and two CD Projekt quest designers, BÅ‚aÅ¼ej Augustynek and Philipp Weber.
Inside Kaer Morhen:Â A dive into the lore behind Kaer Morhen, the castle where witchers were once trained.
Monster Slayer presentation:Â A look atÂ CD Projekt’s Witcher AR game, which is out this month.
The World of The Witcher Figures:Â A panel about Witcher figurines.
A conversation with Henry Cavill:Â The stream closes with a chat with Geralt himself, Henry Cavill, who may “have a surprise or two in store.”

WitcherCon Stream 2 Schedule (9am GMT+8)

The Witcher Season 2 Q&A (Rebroadcast)
Welcome to Gwent (Rebroadcast)
CD Projekt’s The Witcher â€“ Beyond Videogames:Â This panel will feature “the latest details on the upcoming comic books and board game inspired by” The Witcher.
Stories behind the Witcher games, part 2:Â Quest designers Augustynek and Weber continue the conversation about CD Projekt’s RPG series.
Geralt of T-Rivia (Rebroadcast)
Strokes of Genius:Â A “behind the scenes” look at Studio Mir’s upcoming Netflix anime movie The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.
Monster Slayer presentation (Rebroadcast)
The World of The Witcher Figures (Rebroadcast)
Inside Kaer Morhen (Rebroadcast)
A conversation with Henry Cavill (Rebroadcast)

You can get more info on the official website.


Amazon Renews The Boys For Season 4

Amazon has renewed The Boys for Season 4 just one week after the launch of the series’ Season 3.
According to Amazon (via Variety), over the first three days of its third season, the worldwide audience for The Boys grew by 17 percent from Season 2, and 234 percent from Season 1 during the same post-launch period across all three seasons.
The Boys Season 3 stars Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Dominique McElligott, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capon, Karen Fukuhara, Nathan Mitchell, Colby Minifie, Claudia Doumit and series newcomer Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy.
New episodes of The Boys Season 3 will premiere each Friday on Amazon Prime Video, leading up to the Season 3 finale on 8 July 2022.


Night In The Woods Developer Has Died Following Abuse Allegations

Night in the Woods developer Alec Holowka has passed away due to suicide. The news was announced by his sister Eileen Mary Holowka through her Twitter account which has now been set to a private.

Just a few days ago, Depression Quest developer ZoÃ« Quinn published tweets calling out Alec Holowka for allegedly raping her back when the two were close. After news of Alec’s suicide broke out, Quinn deleted her Twitter account. You can read the notes she posted here.
Following Quinn’s call-out, two of Night in the Woods‘ leads, Scott Benson and Bethany Hockenberry decided to cut ties with Holowka.

This week, allegations of past abuse have come to light regarding Alec Holowka, who was coder, composer, and co-designer on Night In The Woods. We take such allegations seriously as a team. As a result and after some agonizing consideration, we are cutting ties with Alec.
â€” Night In The Woods (@NightInTheWoods) August 28, 2019

So far, no proper investigation has been done to confirm Quinn’s accusations but it’s too late for Alec to get any form of justice whether it’d be defending himself against those accusations or being punished for his alleged crimes.
ZoÃ« Quinn made public her story after reading about another game developer’s story of being sexually assaulted by a fellow game developer. Game designer Nathalie Lawhead accused and called out music composer Jeremy Soule, who had worked on games like Skyrim and World of Warcraft.
Most recently, former Phoenix Wright voice actor Ben Judd was accused of exhibiting sexually inappropriate behaviour towards some of his acquaintances in the video game industry. Details here.


Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold War & Warzone Adds Die Hard’s John McClane & Rambo

A new trailer for Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold War, Warzone and Mobile â€™80s Action Movie update shows our first glimpse of Die Hard‘s John McClane and John Rambo in action. It’s stylized like an â€™80s action movie, complete with a campy and over-the-top voice-over as well as lots of action.
According to PlayStation Blog, the â€™80s Action Heroes event kicks off Season Three Reloaded with limited-time bundles, game modes, and event-specific rewards, in addition to the weapons, maps, and other features already expected during this season.
And two iconic â€˜80s action heroes are crashing the party.
John McClane (Launch)
Get John McClane in the Die Hard bundle in the Black Ops Cold War and Warzone Store from 19 May to 18 June 2021, including the Legendary Operator; a Finishing Move; three Legendary Weapon Blueprints â€“ one tactical rifle, two SMG, and one assault rifle; a Legendary Calling Card and Emblem; an Epic Watch and Charm.
John Rambo (Week Two)
Find the Rambo bundle in the Black Ops Cold War and Warzone Store from 19 May to 18 June 2021. This bundle includes the Legendary Operator; two Finishing Moves, including one using his signature bow and arrow; three Legendary Weapon Blueprints â€“ an assault rifle, an LMG, and a Knife Blueprint; a Legendary Calling Card and Emblem; and an Epic Watch and Charm.
Note: Rambo and John McClane are brand-new Call Of Duty Operators; these are not skins for previously released Operators.
New Limited-Time POIs and Mode in Warzone
Explore the massive Nakatomi Plaza from Die Hard, including optional missions that can be completed for in-game rewards. Do you dare attempt a break-in of the vault?
Numerous campsites around Verdansk have been converted into Survival Camps as a homage to Rambo: First Blood Part II. Scavenge the eight sites for loadout items and dog tags, which can be spent at the new CIA Outpost in northwest Verdansk.
Be the Action Hero in Power Grab (Launch)
In Power Grab, over 100 Operators are dropped into Verdansk with a smaller circle collapse and five stages that progress faster than usual, and no Gulag to fight your way out of upon death.
Either revive your squadmates via the Buy Station or earn the right to revive them by collecting Dog Tags, which are dropped by Operators when they are eliminated and can also be found as rewards for completing Contracts, and in rare cases, in Supply Boxes.
Each Dog Tag collected brings you one notch up a reward ladder: Earn a UAV, a Respawn Token, Advanced Gas Masks, and Specialist Bonuses.
The Combat Bow and Ground Loot
Straight from Black Ops Cold War, the Combat Bow adds an explosive punch to any loadout when found in Verdansk or Rebirth Island. Find it and other action movie weapons for a limited time in the updated Warzone Ground Item Pool.
New Multiplayer Maps and Game Modes
Standoff (6v6, Launch)
First introduced in Black Ops II, Standoff is a 6v6 medium-sized map that features a timeless three-lane feel and provides plentiful opportunities for outsmarting your opponents.
Duga (Multi-Team, Launch)
Welcome to Duga, another region of the Ural Mountains thatâ€™s ready for Multi-Team Multiplayer modes after spending some time in Outbreak. Duga offers something for every playstyle, whether youâ€™re fighting through the central admin offices, the bus depot, chemical processing plant, or the massive array tower.
Die Hardpoint (Launch)
Fight against the clock in a cranked-up twist to Hardpoint called Die Hardpoint. Work alongside your squad to capture Hardpoints and eliminate enemies in a race to gain 200 points, or the most points before time expires. Capturing a Hardpoint will give you a movement speed boost (the first of five potential buffs) and set your timer to 30 seconds. But beware: these buffs come at the cost of your life in explosive fashion when the clock hits zero.
New Content for Zombies Outbreak
Cranked 2: No Time to Crank (Launch)
All players start with a Knife, as well as all Mystery Box locations active and restocked with different armaments, including more Support items. Eliminating your first Zombie starts a Cranked Timer. Keep it ticking with each elimination, with the timerâ€™s duration decreasing as rounds progress.
Unlock Two Free New Weapons
Fill out your Secondary Weapon category with two new weapons:

Baseball Bat: Melee (Launch Week) â€“Â Take a big swing with this classic bruiserâ€™s melee weapon, as you knock away zombies and enemy Operators with the new Baseball Bat. (Note: The Baseball Bat will enter Warzone in Season Four after â€œspring trainingâ€ in Black Ops Cold War Season Three Reloaded.)
AMP63: Pistol (In-Season) â€“Â This personal defence weapon is a cross between a self-loading pistol and a fully automatic SMG. Expect high amounts of damage in a short amount of time.

Obtain the AMP63 and Baseball Bat during Season Three Reloaded by completing their in-game challenges or by purchasing a Blueprint version when it appears in the Store.
Live May 20
Season Three Reloaded of Black Ops Cold War and Warzone goes live on PlayStation this May 20. Experience all this and more, including fresh bundles in the Store like the Deathâ€™s Veil Maxis bundle and the Tracer Pack: Nuclear Distillery Mastercraft bundle. Now get out there and blow some stuff up. See you online.
Rambo and McClane will be playable operators, and the Verdansk ’84 map will add Die Hardâ€™s iconic Nakatomi Plaza skyscraper. The update will arrive for all platforms on 20 May 2021.
In the meantime, check out the trailer below:


Here’s How Many Episodes The Obi-Wan Kenobi Series Will Have

Several months ago, it was revealed that Ewan McGregor is going to reprise his iconic role as the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in an exclusive live-action Disney Plus series. However, details were scarce then, due to the secretive nature of Disney and all things Star Wars-related.
In an interview with Men’s Journal, McGregor confirmed that the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series will take place between Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of the Sith and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. He also clarified that he’s been keeping this Disney Plus series a secret for the past four years.

“It’s a f***ing massive relief.
Because for four years, I’ve been having to lie to people about it.
The storyline sits between Episode III and Episode IV.
The Jedi Order was falling apart.
It will be interesting to take a character we know in a way and show him…
Well, his arc will be quite interesting, I think, dealing with that the fact that all the Jedi were slaughtered with the end of Episode III.
It’s quite something to get over.”

According to McGregor, the Obi-Wan Kenobi series will feature six (6) hour-long episodes. Before you get too excited, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has confirmed that while the script has already been completed, production for the series will only begin sometime in 2020.
That means the earliest possible release date for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series is likely in late 2020 or early 2021. In the meantime, McGregor is preparing for the role by rewatching the Star Wars Prequel trilogy to “get closer and closer to how Obi-Wan felt while Alec Guinness was playing him”.
There are two other live-action Star Wars series set to make their debut on Disney Plus, the first of which will be The Mandalorian on 12 November 2019 (check out critics’ reactions here) and the Rogue One spinoff starring Cassian Andor and K2SO, which remains in development.


The Dragon Nest “Sequel” On Mobile Is Now In Closed Beta

One of the most popular Asian MMORPGs is coming out with a highly-anticipated mobile version this year. World of Dragon Nest is the latest installment in the Dragon Nest series and will be a mobile exclusive.
Just yesterday, the game launched its Closed Beta Test (CBT) registration and only 30,000 players would be allowed to participate. It only took three hours for the registrations to be completely filled. The CBT was open to 5 countries in the Southeast Asian region: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The game was initially released in November 2018 but only for Korea. This will be the first instance of an English version being playable for the SEA region.
The CBT will last for eight days starting from 1 August to 7 August 2019. The last two days of the CBT will be used for testing the PVP mode and also the Cash Shop. Participants will receive free diamonds to be used in the Cash Shop.
World of Dragon Nest isn’t exactly a sequel to the original MMORPG. The game will basically tell an alternate version of the original game’s story. It begins with Velskud returning to the past to right his wrongs and undo his betrayal which eventually lead to the ruined world as shown in the following trailer.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcHcmcuPRBI&w=560&h=315]


Persona Live-Action TV Shows & Movies Are In The Works By Sega

Sega is working on adapting Atlus’ popular Persona franchise into live-action TV series and movie adaptations
Speaking with IGN, Toru Nakahara, Sega lead producer on the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movies and Sonic Prime TV series, as well as head of entertainment productions for film and TV, said:
“Atlus’ worlds are filled with high drama, cutting-edge style and compelling characters. Stories like those from the Persona franchise really resonate with our fans and we see an opportunity to expand the lore like no one has seen — or played — before. Together, Sega and Atlus, are working to bring these stories and worlds to life through new mediums and for new audiences.”
However, Sega didn’t confirm which production companies that they’re looking to work with, but they did confirm that they’re currently exploring live-action film and TV projects with various studios and producers.
The Persona franchise is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022, so it’s the best time for an announcement like this. Recently, they also announced that Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable are releasing on current consoles like PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Let’s hope that Sega can repeat the success of their live-action Sonic The Hedgehog movies with the Persona franchise.


Dota Underlords’ Player Count Is Higher Than Team Fortress, GTA V, and Warframe

Who knew that a game where you place Dota “chess pieces” and see an auto-battle can become so friggin’ popular? That’s the case with the recently-in-beta Dota Underlords, Valve’s own take on Auto Chess following that game’s success this year.
Less than 24 hours after launch, the game is now one of the most-played games on the Steam PC gaming platform. It has amassed 115,097 current players and peaked at 202,334 at this point in writing. The game is sitting in fourth place just below Dota 2, PUBG, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, while it’s languishing just above Rainbow Six Siege, ARK, Warframe, Grand Theft Auto V, and Valve’s own Team Fortress 2.

Do expect the game’s numbers to rise beyond just Steam current player tallies, considering that Dota Underlords is also out on mobile and is downloaded more than 100,000 times on Google Play. Valve will have its work count out for them as Riot Games has Teamfight Tactics and Epic Games has the original Auto Chess flavour.
Stick around with us for an upcoming Dota Underlords guide; we’re still playing the heck out of it amidst our busy schedule. If you’d rather play its rival Auto Chess, we have a guide for that too.


What Makes No Straight Roads’ Music Special? (SoundScape)

The latter half of 2020 is off to a good start if game soundtracks are just as epic as this Malaysian game from Metronomik. Find out why we dig it with two examples.

Timestamps
0:00 – Intro
1:17 – Vs. Sayu (all versions)
3:33 – Vs. 1010 (all versions)


Forspoken Limited Review Codes Raise Alarming Concerns

According to several gaming websites and Youtube channels, Forspoken review codes have not been received ahead of the review embargo Monday, January 23, as questions mount over the game’s quality.
Prominent reviewers from various gaming sites, along with Youtube games critic, Skill Up, have spoken out that they have not received Forspoken’s review code from Square Enix. This is in spite of reviews set to embargo one day before the game’s 24th January launch date.
Meanwhile, others mentioned how Square Enix PR informed them that the review codes will only be provided until either Monday or even on the launch day. This is especially for the PC version since Square Enix is waiting for a Day One patch before releasing the codes.
The topic of the lack of codes was first started by the owner-writer of VGC, Andy Robinson, who called the incident “an extremely rare occurrence,” via Twitter.

It looks like VGC sadly won't be publishing a Forspoken review on Monday, since Square Enix has decided not to supply us with code. That's an extremely rare occurrence for us, so read into it how you like.
— Andy Robinson (@AndyPlaytonic) January 20, 2023

One of the most famous and respected game review channels on Youtube, Skill Up, quoted Andy’s tweet and shared their side of the story, calling it a “huge red flag.”

Have now heard from (or about) 7 major outlets/reviewers who did not get review code for this. As always, no outlet is entitled to code but this ‘limited code’ is a huge red flag. I also haven’t heard of any outlet having access to PC code yet (but can’t confirm this). https://t.co/XXAs3MYgxE
— Skill Up (@SkillUpYT) January 20, 2023

It is true that outlets are not entitled to review game codes from publishers. But this causes concern, which usually means there might be some issues with the final product. This may not be the case for Forspoken, however, due to many disappointed with the demo and a recent Youtube leak showing the game’s first hour of gameplay, there isn’t much positive press surrounding it.
We from Kakuchopurei have yet to receive any review codes for the upcoming Playstation 5 and PC game as well, but we’ll definitely review the game at launch. If you’re planning to purchase the game on PC, get ready to gear up your gaming machine.


Disney Delays Black Widow & Other Movies To 2021

This is it, folks.
Disney has delayed almost all of its movies in 2020 to next year in 2021. Only two movies are left for 2020, which includes Free Guy and Pixar’s Soul. Oh, and there are also several 20th Century Fox left for the rest of 2020 as well.
The biggest impact that these delays have is on the planned schedule of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 4, which was slated to begin Black Widow.
Check out the full list of Disney’s new release dates for their upcoming movies (via Variety):
The Empty Man (23 October 2020)Pixar’s Soul (20 November 2020)Free Guy (11 December 2020)Death Of The Nile (18 December 2020)The King’s Man (12 February 2021)Black Widow (7 May 2021)Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (9 July 2021)Deep Water (13 August 2021)Eternals (5 November 2021)West Side Story (10 December 2021)
Disney’s decision might have been potentially influenced by the fact that Warner Bros’ Tenet only managed to garner US$251.1 million since premiering earlier in September 2020. It looks like the movie industry and cinemas everywhere will be taking much longer to recover from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In the meantime, check out the Black Widow trailer below:


Capcom Announce Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

Capcom recently unveiled an exciting game during the Xbox Games Showcase, bringing forth colossal Yokai creatures, an array of supernatural battles, and the possibility of teaming up with friends. This fresh creation, titled Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, comes from the talented minds behind Resident Evil and Monster Hunter.
While it’s not directly linked to the dormant Onimusha franchise, Path of the Goddess draws inspiration from it, showcasing a captivating blend of otherworldly visuals and traditional Japanese architecture. For a glimpse into the action-packed gameplay, be sure to watch the reveal trailer provided below.


Dead Island 2 Exceeded One Million Sales In Just 3 Days

It’s been well over a decade since Dead Island 2 was first revealed. And now it’s out since last Friday for PC and consoles, with no signs of its sales dying down anytime soon.
In a press release on Monday, Deep Silver has claimed that the game has reached the one million sales milestone within just three days. It said players had logged 11 million hours of playtime, died 28 million times, and slayed over 1.1 billion zombies since it’s been released.

The title was first announced in 2014, the zombie action RPG has suffered a series of delays and changes of developers during its production cycle. Originally, Spec Ops: The Line studio Yager was working on it before development duties were then taken over by Sumo Digital. In 2019, Dambuster, which is an internal Deep Silver studio, took over development in 2019.
If you haven’t watched the trailer for Dead Island 2, go watch this kick-ass trailer.

You can check out our review here, and our guide for it over here!


EVO Online Cancelled; Co-Founder & CEO Removed For Sexual Misconduct

Dark tidings have arrived in the international fighting game circuit. The online version of annual major fighting game tournament EVO is cancelled due to the many allegations made against EVO president Joey “MrWizard” Cuellar concerning his sexual misconduct involving children. The fact that companies like Capcom, Bandai Namco, and NetherRealm, as well as prolific players like SonicFox, have pulled out of EVO Online probably led to the eventual demise of this year’s tournament.Breaking: following Capcom (Street Fighter), Nether Realm (Mortal Kombat), Bandai Namco (Tekken, DBFZ) and several dozen high profile FGC players/casters pulling out of EVO, EVO Online has now been canceled and MrWizard will be removed from the company entirely pic.twitter.com/4j1eG7pvu0— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) July 3, 2020How Did This Happen?In the middle of this week, a Twitter user accused MrWizard of inappropriate behaviour toward him and other boys during the 90s and 2000s.Â MrWizard then posted the following on Twitter.“I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt anyone. I was young and reckless and did things I’m not proud of. I have been growing and maturing over the past 20 years, but that doesn’t excuse anything. All I have been trying to do is become a better person. Once again, I’m truly sorry.”Following the Twitter posts, EVO has placed him on administrative leave.Â “We are aware of the accusations made against Joey Cuellar. The behaviour in these accusations runs directly counter to EVOâ€™s mission of building a safe, welcoming environment for all of our players and attendees. We take this responsibility seriously. Accordingly, Joey has been placed on administrative leave pending a third-party investigation.”https://twitter.com/EVO/status/1278573278118899712This also led to many, many people and video game companies pulling out of EVO. These include Sajam, Tasty Steve, James Chen, SonicFox, Nakkiel, Capcom, NetherRealm Studios, and Bandai Namco, among a few.Â Also I won’t be participating any longer in Evo online.— SonicFox (@SonicFox) July 2, 2020We stand in solidarity with those who have spoken out against abuse. We will be pulling MK11 from EVO Online.— NetherRealm (@NetherRealm) July 2, 2020pic.twitter.com/pgUcBnRwl9— Street Fighter (@StreetFighter) July 2, 2020This was followed by the eventual cancellation of EVO Online and firing of MrWizard, along with a message stating that the organization will do better. Co-Founder Tom Cannon is now the CEO of EVO.Â https://twitter.com/EVO/status/1278859734099963904It is unfortunate that all the hard work to make an online fighting game tournament with an international standing is undone because of a founding member’s past sexual misdeed. I’m pretty bummed out too, but whatever that happens after this, please do not harass and do the whole “guilty by association” thing to the fine folks who have made EVO what it is, as well as the event as a whole.These includes the offline juggernaut hype moments-filled fights to the speculation on how an online fighting game tournament featuring Skullgirls and Killer Instinct will pan out. Now we’ll never know about the latter.Â I stand behind the players, commentators & teams in their solidarity against the event/organization I'm a part of, @EVO. To all of our partners and to our community, I cannot even begin to understand the pain/contempt you must feel. We have to show change. We have to be better. https://t.co/QqxvSHzxYp— Mark Julio ??????? (@MarkMan23) July 3, 2020I haven't been able to put my thoughts of sadness, disgust, and frustration together in the past week and especially in the last 24 hours. We've been working incredibly hard to bring a great show for everyone, and while its unfortunate it won't be seen its the right call.— Chris Ceg (@chrisceg) July 3, 2020


Celebrate Disney+ Hotstar Day At Sunway Pyramid From Today To This Weekend

Disney+ Hotstar Day is back with a four-day extravaganza that will kick off on 8 September 2022. This event will bring all the best shows from Disney+ Hotstar – from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more to life under one roof.
As part of the celebration, Disney+ Hotstar is rolling out the blue carpet for fans in Malaysia at Sunway Pyramid. Grab your friends and loved ones and discover the six experiential zones:

Disney’s Pinocchio: Puppet Painting Activity – Let your imagination run wild and design your very own wooden puppets.

Pixar: Cars on the Road popcorn stand – Refuel and power up at this cafe with some delicious popcorn.

Marvel’s’ She-Hulk: Superpowered Photo Op – Showcase your super-strength here!

Star Wars: Squadron Flight Mission – Calling all flight enthusiasts, embark on a mission and experience the thrill of defending the Rebel Alliance!

The Zone: Kinetic Running Game – Put your trainers on and get in the Zone by completing a mystery task.

Ejen Ali: Interactive Bouldering Mission – Become the best Ejen recruit by climbing the obstacle wall swiftly while avoiding the lighted beams!

In addition, fans can expect photo opportunities with mascots from Ejen Ali, exclusive Disney+ Hotstar giveaways and special appearances from our very own Malaysian celebrities including Ummi Nazeera and Anna Jobling over the weekend.
Event details below:

Date:
 8 – 11 September 2022 (Thursday – Sunday)

Time:
 10am to 10pm

Venue:
 Blue Atrium @ Sunway Pyramid, Lower Ground

Stay tuned on Kakuchopurei for coverage of Disney+ Day all week as well!
In the meantime, courtesy of Disney+ Hotstar, check out my interview with Cars On The Road voice actor Larry The Cable Guy, who voices Mater, by heading over here for the written article, or you can watch the entire interview below: