‘Alan Wake Remastered’ Brings a Brilliant Cult Classic to a New Generation

November 17, 2021November 18, 2021 Bray Lawrence

It started like a dream. I never thought I would be playing Alan Wake again after 10 years. Most of the plot, gameplay, and characters felt like mere shadows of a half remembered dream I had. Moments of the sequences I enjoyed mixed with the frustrated “eh” feelings I had for the combat, left me wondering if revisiting this game now that I am closer to the age of the titular character would change the shape my thoughts from what I thought of it before.

Interview, Video Games

DevTalks: Dinga Bakaba, Director at Arkane Studios, Talks ‘DEATHLOOP’

November 15, 2021November 28, 2021 Jamal Michel

Back in October, The Nerds of Color caught up with game designer and Arkane Studios legend, Dinga Bakaba, to talk his latest next-gen masterpiece DEATHLOOP. The sci-fi first-person shooter released to critical reception in September, and Bakaba shared details of the game’s development, including the impact of boasting such a diverse cast of characters. After industry veteran Romuald Capron recently stepped down as Arkane Studios’s game director of 16 years, Bakaba was officially named his successor following DEATHLOOP‘s wildly successfully launch.

Movies, Video Games

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.

Reviews, Video Games

‘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 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.

Interview, Music

Super Smack is Ready to Smash Stereotypes and the Industry with New EP

October 1, 2021October 1, 2021 Bray Lawrence

Super Smack is a Filipino American rapper that has been leveling up in the music game ever since his first ep, Neon Red, hit streaming services. With a unique blend of gaming culture, anime references, good vibes, and a message for change, Super Smack’s pens music that blend pop and rap in ways that make the nerd in any of us step on the dance floor.

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.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Marvel

Hard NOC Life 234: Falling Down the Rabbit Hole

September 13, 2021September 13, 2021 Hard NOC Media

Keith, Britney, and Dominic are back on Hard NOC Life to break down the new trailer for The Matrix Resurrections and tumble down the rabbit hole of Marvel movie speculation. They also give their thoughts on the latest episode of What If and the merits of Marvel Zombies.

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.

Gaming, Interview, Video Games

Dhayana ‘MissDeusGeek’ Sena Talks Gaming, Representation, and Women of Xbox Initiative

August 25, 2021 Jamal Michel

Representation in gaming has grown in size and in demand over the last decade, and countless gamers, content creators, and advocates believe there is still much work to be done to make the space a safer one for gamers of all backgrounds. Australia and New Zealand content creator and gaming influencer Dhayana Sena, who also goes by Miss Deus Geek, is one of those advocates whose voice is making waves.

Animation, Anime, Gaming

The VO Actors of Global Majority You Need to Know: Krizia Bajos

August 23, 2021August 23, 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 Krizia Bajos!

Interview, Video Games

DevTalks: Fabien Weibel, Indie Game Developer of ‘Haven Park’

August 21, 2021August 28, 2021 Jamal Michel

Indie game development is a precious process, especially for Fabien Weibel. The animator and game developer took to focusing on his passion project during last year’s pandemic, and after pouring hundreds of ours into the making of it he finally released Haven Park this summer. We had the chance to catch up with Fabien to talk Haven Park and also his approach to creating the Animal Crossing-like game under the conditions of the pandemic.

Gaming, Interview, Marvel

‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Narrative Team Talks ‘War for Wakanda’ Expansion

August 16, 2021August 16, 2021 Jamal Michel

Marvel’s Avengers highly anticipated War for Wakanda DLC drops tomorrow and gamers are preparing for the arrival of the king of Wakanda himself. It was announced this summer that T’Challa would be voiced by the illustrious Christopher Judge (God of War, 2018), and also that T’Challa was going to bring fans a different kind of story from the folks at Crystal Dynamics.

Interview, Movies

Joe Keery Discusses His New Film, ‘Free Guy’

August 9, 2021August 11, 2021 Sophia Soto

Joe Keery plays Walter “Keys” McKeys in 20th Century Studios’ new adventure-comedy Free Guy. The highly anticipated film will finally hit theaters on August 13. The actor is best known for his role as Steve Harrington on Stranger Things, which is heading into its fourth season in 2022.

Interview, Movies9 Comments

Having a Great Day at the ‘Free Guy’ Press Conference

August 9, 2021August 9, 2021 Mike Manalo

Do you hear that sound? The sound of Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” getting louder and louder? Do you know what that sound means? It means we’re getting closer to the release of, honestly, one of my favorite movies of the year so far, Free Guy.

Movies, Reviews1 Comment

NOC Review: ‘Free Guy’ is The Biggest Surprise of the Summer

August 5, 2021August 5, 2021 Mike Manalo

There was a little bit of buzz surrounding the original Ryan Reynolds vehicle, Free Guy ever since it was supposed to debut back in July of 2020. It was, of course, sadly delayed two more times due to the pandemic, as all movies we’ve seen this year were. And in that timeframe, as anticipated, big blockbuster franchises from F9 to Black Widow, and A Quiet Place to The Suicide Squad, seemingly overshadowed the buzz for this one with star power and dedicated fanbases, hungry for explosive action. But after seeing it for myself, all I can say is we should have never let this one fall off our radars.

Marvel, Video Games

‘Marvel’s Avengers: War for Wakanda’ DLC Launches in August

July 29, 2021July 29, 2021 Jamal Michel

Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix have been on a tear with news and updates regarding the new DLC for their Avengers roleplaying game. While the player base has seen substantial decline since the game’s launch September of last year, the recent news about War for Wakanda has many players understandably hyped.

Gaming, News, Video Games1 Comment

Activision Blizzard’s Toxic Culture is Part of a Larger, Ongoing Conversation about Video Games

July 27, 2021July 28, 2021 Jamal Michel

This week, employees at Activision Blizzard plan to walkout in protest over work conditions and leadership’s poor response to workplace treatment of women — particularly women of color, transgender women, nonbinary people, and other marginalized groups, according to a Kotaku report. On July 20, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a la w suit alleging that the company cultivated a toxic and sexist, “frat boy” workplace environment, and since the bombshell news dropped, scores of former and current employees, reporters, and gaming leaders have voiced their concerns over the lack of accountability on the part of Activision Blizzard.

Animation, Gaming, Streaming

Teaser Trailer for ‘The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf’

July 22, 2021July 22, 2021 Mike Manalo

More great news for you Witcher fans! The upcoming animated movie, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf is coming on August 23. And yesterday, Netflix dropped the first teaser for the anticipated movie, which you can watch right here:

Hard N.O.C. Life, Streaming

Hard NOC Life 226: Why are Critics Dunking on ‘Space Jam’

July 19, 2021 Hard NOC Media

Keith, Britney, and Dominic welcome back Jamal to figure out why everyone else is hating on LeBron James’ Space Jam reboot — a film the whole crew loved. Jamal is also here to plug our Twitch channel and Gaming Newsletter so be sure to subscribe to both! Later, Keith, Dom, and Britney break down the Loki finale and what it all means for the future of the MCU.

Marvel, Movies

Deadpool and Korg Team Up for Hilarious ‘Free Guy’ Reaction Video

July 13, 2021July 13, 2021 Mike Manalo

OH MY GOD! Deadpool is officially part of the MCU guys!

In an email sent out today by the Deadpool Corps entitled “[Draft] Deadpool Integration Test Email #1” (timely, Reynolds!), ~~20th Century Fox~~ ~~20th Century Studios~~ Disney included a link to an unlisted video featuring everyone’s favorite Merc with a Mouth AND Korg from the MCU, meaning — DEADPOOL IS OFFICIALLY PART OF THE MCU! THIS IS HIS FIRST CANON APPEARANCE (…I think? Maybe?…Not?)

Conventions, Streaming

Highlights from the First Ever WitcherCon

July 9, 2021July 12, 2021 Mike Manalo

Today was the first ever WitcherCon! And all of the hardcore fans of Netflix’s The Witcher along with the long running game series were treated to sneak peeks at the upcoming season and exclusive inside-looks from their favorite stars.

Gaming, Video Games

‘Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut’ Set to Arrive in August

July 1, 2021July 1, 2021 Jamal Michel

Sucker Punch announced today that Ghost of Tsushima, their Japanese masterpiece of an RPG, is getting a director’s cut release on both PS4 and PS5 August 20. Players will experience the brand new Iki Island and loads of additional content, new features, and some PS5 exclusive enchantments that will further elevate the critical hailed title.