Rockstar Games Shows Off ‘GTA Trilogy’ Enhancements

October 22, 2021 Jamal Michel

Earlier this month, Rockstar Games announced that Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition was dropping on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the Rockstar Games Launcher. The long awaited remastered collection of some of Grand Theft Auto‘s most iconic titles is finally within reach, and today Rockstar Games shared more details about the trilogy coming November 11.

Movies, Video GamesLeave a comment

Sony Pictures Reveals Official Trailer for ‘Uncharted’

October 21, 2021October 21, 2021 Jamal Michel

The first real look at Columbia and Sony Pictures’ Uncharted is finally here. The film adaptation (or prequel in this instance) of the hit PlayStation franchise starring Tom Holland, Sophia Taylor Ali, Antonio Banderas, and Mark Wahlberg showed off an action-packed adventure with its official trailer reveal.

Gaming, Video Games1 Comment

‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ to Introduce New Features in Final Free Update

October 16, 2021October 16, 2021 Jamal Michel

Remember Animal Crossing: New Horizons, that one cozy game that blew up in popularity during the pandemic? Well, it’s set to release one last free update with tons of newer and cuter features for islanders to play around with. After months of mini and seasonal updates that added different content to ACNH, players will finally get their hands on new items, meet new villagers, and explore new activities on their island.

DC Comics, Video GamesLeave a comment

‘Gotham Knights’ is the Next Batman Game to Debut at DC FanDome

October 16, 2021October 16, 2021 Dominic Mah

A new trailer for Gotham Knights, the next Batman-themed game from WB Games Montreal, premiered at DC FanDome today. Fandome is a one-day online event showcasing upcoming releases from DC Comics and Warner Brothers. The first Gotham Knights trailer debuted at 2020’s inaugural FanDome, revealing a Bat-Family (if not family-friendly) approach with Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, and Red Hood as the main cast. Here’s the latest look at Gotham Knights:

DC Comics, Video GamesLeave a comment

New Trailer for ‘Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League’ Debuts at DC FanDome

October 15, 2021October 16, 2021 Dominic Mah

A new trailer for Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, the highly-anticipated video game from Rocksteady Studios, premiered at DC FanDome today. Fandome is a one-day online event showcasing a barrage of upcoming releases from DC Comics and Warner Bros. The makers of the Arkham Asylum games revealed the title at 2020’s inaugural FanDome, and since then details have been scanty. Here’s the new look at Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, which features welcome appearances from Green Lantern, Flash, and the Batmobile!

Reviews, Video GamesLeave a comment

‘Tales of Arise’ Review: Rising to the Occasion Never Felt So Good

October 15, 2021October 20, 2021 Bray Lawrence

I have spent most of my life playing Japanese role playing games. From the Final Fantasy series to the Shin Megami Tensei series, I have enjoyed several different JRPG titles from Japan. But one in particular was always hit or miss for me, and that was the Tales series. I bounced off of Abyss and Beseria, never owned a Gamecube to play Symphonia, finished Vesperia and liked it, but never felt the pull of replaying it. So to say that Tales of Arise is one of the best JRPGs to date is an understatement. Tales of Arise captures what makes JRPGs timeless while evolving and creating a new vocabulary of play through its storytelling and combat that I hope other studios take note of.

Gaming, Video GamesLeave a comment

Blaseball Developers Announce ‘Where Cards Fall’ Coming to PC and Nintendo Switch

October 14, 2021October 14, 2021 Jamal Michel

If you were on your computer last year, you might have brushed up against a baseball simulator that took the internet by storm. Blaseball, developed by the award-winning video game studio The Game Band, is an absurdist take on baseball that “encourages participants to bet (no real world money involved!) on the outcome.”

Gaming, Video GamesLeave a comment

‘Call of Duty: Vanguard’ Drops First Look at Zombies Mode from Treyarch Studios

October 14, 2021 Jamal Michel

There can’t be a Call of Duty release without the inclusion of their flagship Zombies mode, and today new details were finally revealed. From the first introduction back in Call of Duty: World at War in 2009, to the latest version by Treyarch Studios (in partnership with Sledgehammer Games) in Vanguard, players have been exposed to all manner of gameplay features that focused on staving off hordes of zombies. Today, Activision showcased a first look at the new mode coming to their latest title November 5, which features a franchise-first crossover with the studio whose legacy goes back to the mode’s humble beginnings.

Gaming, Video Games1 Comment

Sony Introduces Lottery-Style Registration for a Chance to Buy a PS5 During the Holidays

October 14, 2021 Jamal Michel

Between the pandemic, online bots, scalpers, and increasing demand, the PlayStation 5 is soon to be a year from launch and still a challenge to get your hands on. Sony recently announced that, for the coming Holiday season, they will be holding a lottery-style registration event that will give consumers the chance to purchase one of the limited PS5 Consoles in stock directly from PlayStation.

Gaming, Video GamesLeave a comment

What the Hell is Going on With ‘Ghost Recon Frontline’

October 13, 2021 Jamal Michel

Last week, Ubisoft dropped the reveal trailer for its upcoming, 100-player battle royale title Ghost Recon Frontline. The trailer features gameplay footage and talking points from members of the Ubisoft Bucharest team, all of whom passionately speak on this project three years in the making. With games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and PUBG having already established substantial footing in the BR genre, fans were vexed at the announcement, so much so that Ubisoft subsequently delayed Frontline’s first closed test indefinitely.

Gaming, Video Games2 Comments

Shiny Zacian and Zamazenta for ‘Pokémon Sword’ and ‘Shield’ Comes with a Twist

October 13, 2021October 13, 2021 Jamal Michel

PokéBeach, the popular fan site and gathering place for all things Pokémon news and rumors, recently announced that GameStop will soon be distributing codes for shiny versions of the legendary Galar Pokémon Zamazenta (Pokémon Shield) and Zacian (Pokémon Sword). Japan and South Korea were the first regions to get their hands on distributions of the shiny Pokémon and now the codes are making their way west. The first distribution, said to be for Zamazenta, will reportedly take place October 22.

Gaming, Video Games

‘Street Fighter V’ Teams Up with Breast Cancer Research Foundation for New Costumes

October 12, 2021October 13, 2021 Jamal Michel

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in an effort to bring much needed attention to the ongoing battle patients and researchers have had with the disease, Street Fighter V has teamed up with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The foundation is also the largest private funders of breast cancer research in the world, and Capcom have partnered with them on the newest cosmetics coming to the game.

Gaming, Video Games

Rockstar Games Announces ‘Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition’

October 8, 2021October 8, 2021 Jamal Michel

It’s not GTA 6 news but it is significant gaming news nonetheless. Today, Rockstar Games announced that the long awaited (and long rumored) Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is coming later this month to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the Rockstar Games Launcher on PC.

Gaming, Video Games

Sora’s ‘Smash Bros.’ Reveal Proves it’s Sakurai’s World and We’re Just Living In It

October 5, 2021October 5, 2021 Jamal Michel

Masahiro Sakurai, the designer, creator, and ruler of all things Super Smash Bros., has at last revealed the final character to join the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster. After months of speculation, hoards of Reddit posts, and countless Twitter threads, Smash players finally got to say hello to Sora in all his polygonal glory. Sakurai made the announcement during today’s special Smash Bros. presentation called ‘Mr. Sakurai Presents.’ The one-man hype train has ushered in some of the most memorable moments and reveals in the history of Smash, and it’s no surprise he again brought the internet to its knees with today’s presentation.

Television, Video Games

Production Begins on HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’

September 26, 2021September 27, 2021 Mike Manalo

I realize there’s been controversy from haters who disliked the second game. But to be quite frank, I’m not one of those people, and for my money Neil Druckman’s The Last of Us remains one of my favorite video games of all time! It is a beautiful story about humanity, love, loss, mistakes, regrets and redemption. The relationship between Joel and Ellie is one of the most beautiful human stories ever developed in any game.

Interview, Video Games

DevTalks: Hunter Young, 3D Environment Artist on ‘Halo Infinite’

September 26, 2021September 27, 2021 Jamal Michel

Ahead of this week’s Halo Infinite Flight, the beta testing period that pits players against one another (or against bots for the first time in Halo), The Nerds of Color got to catch up with one of 343 Industries’ 3D artists to talk shop — but mostly to gush over how incredible the game looks and feels. Hunter Young had a lot of jitters leading up to the reveal of Halo Infinite‘s multiplayer mode this past summer, but when the hype calmed down and the dust settled, he felt even prouder to be part of the team ushering in a new era of Halo.

Interview, Video Games1 Comment

DevTalks: Solo Developer Stephen Ddungu Talks Amazing New ‘Sword of Symphony’

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021 Jamal Michel

Stephen Ddungu recently took social media by storm for the work he showcased from his newest, independently developed JRPG video game called Sword of Symphony. Music is at the heart of Stephen’s personal journey but also the incredible indie project that first had thousands talking on TikTok.

Gaming, Interview, Video Games

DevTalks: Olivia Dunlap of ‘To The Rescue!’ — a Sweet and Charming Dog Shelter Simulator

September 14, 2021 Jamal Michel

This past summer, video game showcases and conferences revealed some of the most unique indie titles to hit consoles, and To The Rescue! had fans and gamers talking the moment it was revealed. Little Rock Games is the modest studio behind the thoughtful dog shelter simulator that tasks players with nearly all the responsibilities of running a shelter, while providing charming visuals and immersive mechanics throughout.

Gaming, Interview, Video Games

NOC Interview: Quintin Smith of People Make Games on “Roblox Exploitation”

September 6, 2021 Jamal Michel

Like many games finding a surge in popularity at the height of the pandemic, Roblox has amassed a following that could rival the likes of Fortnite with its appeal to younger audiences. However, after weeks of careful research, Quintin Smith, journalist and presenter at People Make Games, discovered that Roblox frequently, and unflinchingly, exploits young video game developers on its platform.

Animation, Television, Video Games

The VO Actors of Global Majority You Need to Know: Robb Moreira

August 30, 2021August 30, 2021 Edward Hong

Over the past three years, I’ve encountered some truly remarkable voiceover actors from the PGM (People Of Global Majority) community, so remarkable that I thought it would be a worthwhile endeavor to dedicate an article about themselves, their accomplishments, and where you can find them and do so every week. When will this end? Most likely never so as I cackle at the infinite posts this may generate, I am so very happy to tell you all that my spotlight for this week is on Robb Moreira! (Banner design once again done by the incredible VO artist/graphic designer Belsheber Rusape Jr.)

Reviews, Video Games1 Comment

‘12 Minutes’ Wasn’t Long Enough to Be Compelling

August 28, 2021August 28, 2021 Bray Lawrence

It has been four days, eight hours, fifty minutes and twenty-nine seconds since I played 12 Minutes and I’ve been perplexed as to how to write this review. Normally, this would be kind of a good thing. The moment of reflection that comes after seeing something that feels profound, provoking an introspection as to why it resonated so much doesn’t happen with 12 Minutes.

Cognitive Dissonance, Video Games1 Comment

An MLK Exhibit Came to ‘Fortnite’ and We Had a Lot of Questions

August 27, 2021August 27, 2021 Jamal Michel

Epic Games partnered with TIME Studios to bring players an exhibit commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s in Washington, D.C. The timed, 20-minute virtual experience takes place inside the sandbox builder Fortnite Creative and arrives in time for the 58th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The biggest question following the reveal of the event was, of all virtual spaces, why Fortnite?

Marvel, Reviews, Video Games

‘War for Wakanda’ is Proof Black Panther Needs His Own Game Already

August 26, 2021August 26, 2021 Jamal Michel

War for Wakanda — Marvel’s Avengers free expansion — dropped last week, and T’Challa’s exploits defending his homeland from the likes of A.I.M. and Ulysses Klaue revitalize the game in considerable ways. When Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics announced their All-Access weekend ahead of the expansion on July 31, their player count spiked to over 10,000 gamers through the weekend, well above the game’s average of around 800 since its release last September.