A good chair is always a worthy investment, especially when seven or more hours in a day are spent at the desk. The difference between choice picks and run-of-the-mill models is, after all, similar to the tiered experience on a long-haul flight, as one leaves stiffness and sore muscles in its wake, while the other, with a proper support system, provides a first-class upgrade to what’s generally out there.

With a myriad of options, however, finding the perfect fit can be a chair-llenge. Comfort is key, but the lack of a universal, one-size-fits-all mould brings other factors into the equation, as no two body structures are identical. To that end, the Omnidesk Loft ergonomic chair ticks off the major checkboxes of ergonomics and aesthetics, serving up a fitting sitting companion to its mix of table offerings. 

Like its table counterpart, the company’s latest features an elegant design that blends nicely into any room or office space. Rather than head the route of gaming chairs with PU-covered seats, the Loft is a more traditional chair, decked out with a breathable mesh material that has become the standard with home or office chairs of its kind, ensuring a cooler sitting experience for users living in hotter climates. This minimalist touch extends to its colour options as well, of Charcoal (Black), Lunar (White), and Sage (Green), with the review unit coming in Sage. 

Assembling the Loft is a straightforward process. Weighing in at 21kg and supporting up to 136kg, it is relatively easy to put together, and comes in 8 parts, excluding the optional headrest. It took two people approximately 20 minutes to assemble the chair using the carefully laid out instructions, so don’t feel daunted by the prospect of piecing one with a friend, or even on your own. Priced at S$899, the chair embodies a blend of modern design and functionality and if you’re seeking additional comfort, an optional headrest can be added for S$59.

The Loft’s backrest boasts a geometric pattern crafted from 3D knit fabric, which offers great breathability and adapts to the body’s natural contours. The chair’s intuitive controls, located at the base of the seat, feature the subtle BOCK German mechanism, allowing for up-and-down adjustments to ensure optimal comfort. It is easy to reach and fuss-free to navigate the controls.

The chair is cosy and fits snugly for extended periods, particularly for petite users. However, the experience falls short for larger individuals due to the limited armrest space, the lack of functionality to swivel, and a seat that lacks sufficient room, making it feel cramped and restrictive.

The adjustable lumbar support, located at the rear of the chair enhances overall comfort by providing tailored back support, with a design that allows for perfect contouring to the natural curve of one’s spine, promoting better posture and reducing strain. While the chair supports a recline range of 105 to 125 degrees, the locking mechanism is not as intuitive as others. Unlike chairs where you simply pull the lever while adjusting the recline and it locks when you let go, this chair requires more effort. You have to use your body weight to push the backrest against its resistance, then pull the lever to lock it. Even then, the mechanism only locks at certain angles, making it less user-friendly. If left unlocked, the backrest immediately springs back to its original upright position, which can catch users off-guard. 

Armrest functionality, too, also lacks finesse. Upward adjustments are done without buttons, but lowering them requires users to go all the way up, then down, and finally to the desired height. It’s a cumbersome process, with the somewhat flimsy build casting doubt on their overall stability. 

As for seat height adjustments, the Loft ensures a smooth and gradual affair – a great change from abrupt movements seen with other chairs. This allows for precise height adjustments without sudden shifts, and this seamless touch extends to its five wheels, facilitating easy movement. The same goes for adjusting the seat’s depth, which is effortlessly done via a lever on the left side. 

The standout feature here, though, is the soft material. Not only does the 3D knit fabric offer breathability, it feels comfortable to the touch, is never prickly, and strikes a fine balance between cushioning and firm support. The comfort is especially welcome for prolonged periods, but it brings up some humidity-related concerns.

For users in Singapore or similar warm climates, increased perspiration is inevitable without air conditioning and can seep into the mesh fabric, making it prone to developing an unpleasant smell over time. Our tests revealed that while the mesh fabric does a good job of repelling water, it still absorbs some moisture. As such, users may want to steer clear of the chair post-exercise to prevent potential sweat and odour absorption or avoid spillage in large quantities. 

The backrest’s triangular design – combined with its mesh fabric that has holes and an intricate knit with additional openings – also poses a maintenance challenge, as dirt, dust and other forms of debris can easily accumulate in the crevices.

When compared to other ergonomic options like the Ergotune Vesby and Hinomi X1, retailing for S$899 and S$799 respectively, the Omnidesk Loft is positioned at a higher price point. There are features to love, such as a sleek design, comfortable material, and effective lumbar support, marrying aesthetics with functionality. Still, the various shortcomings raise doubt about its overall value, making it difficult to justify the premium cost. 

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Omnidesk Loft Ergonomic Chair – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Anime titles are a dime a dozen, and a new competitor is stepping into the field as Strinova, the free-to-play 5v5 anime-style shooter from developer iDreamSky, will open time-limited testing in Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and South Korea from 21 to 25 August.

While not officially launched overseas, the game has already attracted widespread attention in the global esports community, making its debut at Esports World Cup this year alongside well-known heavyweights like Apex Legends, Overwatch 2, PUBG, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and more. The game touts the core characteristic of free switching between 2D and 3D forms, as well as familiar mechanics involving dodging bullets and traversing narrow spaces.

Each character in Strinova is bound to a primary weapon, an active skill, a passive skill, and an ultimate skill, with the choice of a secondary weapon that includes grenades, long swords, flamethrowers, and more. Players can accumulate resources, unlock attribute enhancements, and even change the effects of the ultimate skill during battles, which has made the game a lot more strategically attractive and playable.

Coupled with the “Stringify” feature, which changes a character’s attack surface and movement pattern, the tactical shooter looks to spice up close combat and adds more depth to the traditional shooting and navigation experience. The longer time-to-kill (TTK), referring to the time it takes for a player to eliminate an opponent in a game, also opens up more options outside of shooting, such as gathering information, occupying geographical advantages, and directly rescuing teammates.

Interested parties may sign up for the closed beta on the official website and gain access to Strivona from 21 August, 8pm (GMT +8). The network test will end on 25 August at 8pm.

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Free-to-Play Shooter ‘Strinova’ Announces Closed Beta For Southeast Asia appeared first on Geek Culture.

COSCON Matsuri, debuting this August in Singapore, promises an exclusive gathering not just for any cosplay enthusiast but for an adult audience. Dubbed ‘Singapore’s Biggest Private Cosplay Event’, this private function is strictly for those over 18. Adding to the intrigue, TENGA, supported by local adult toy retailer Horny.sg,  is a proud sponsor and will feature a booth showcasing their products.

Excitingly, one attendee will also have the chance to win fabulous prizes in this exclusive giveaway. The prize pack (worth over S$850) includes:

• Hilton Orchard Staycation for one night, from 17 – 18 August during COSCON Matsuri (worth S$400)
• TENGA Gyro Roller Rechargeable Male Masturbator + Rolling Cup (worth S$349.90)
• Iroha – Ukidama Hana – Floating Illumination Bath Light Vibrator (worth S$81.30)
• Iroha Intimate Care – Intimate Wash Moist 135ml Jasmine Scent (worth S$23.20)

Mark your calendars for this one-of-a-kind cosplay event where fantasy meets reality behind closed doors, and don’t miss your chance to win these exclusive items from Horny.sg.

ENTER NOW TO WIN

For a chance to win this prize pack of premiums (worth over S$850) simply complete these steps: 

1. SHARE THIS POST and TAG a friend or more** you would like to enjoy these products with.
2. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM and/or TELEGRAM. And Horny.sg on Instagram as well**
3. Fill in the form and answer the question(s) below.

Give us a LIKE below if you haven’t done so yet, so you won’t miss out on future similar giveaways!

The giveaway is open to all residents of Singapore. The giveaway closes on 11 August 2024 @23:59hrs (GMT+8). 1 lucky winner with the correct answer will be picked at random and contacted via email by 12 August 2024. Good luck!

**These steps are entirely optional, but we greatly appreciate it if you choose to show some support to Geek Culture by sharing and tagging the post so that we may be able to bring more giveaways to you all in the future!

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Geek Giveaway: Win A Staycation & TENGA Premiums At COSCON Matsuri  appeared first on Geek Culture.

Onigiri, a classic snack made of rice shaped into a ball and seaweed wrapped around it, has a new secret ingredient that adds a salty twist. Shaping the balls are pretty girls who press the rice between their sweaty armpits, and attract long queues, as well as curious onlookers.

And these sweat-infused rice balls do not come cheap. They’re considered a rare delicacy in Japan, and some stalls even allow customers to watch the odd onigiri-making process. Of course, the process is safe for consumption: all ingredients are properly handled, and apparently, it tastes no different.

There’s even several published manga about such a concept, which has captivated eager fans of the genre, and artists who enjoy drawing it. Like it or hate it, you can’t deny the thought of someone attractive putting their sweat, but not tears, into your food is an intriguing one.

Would you dig into these sweat-infused but delicious onigiri balls? Why not take a trip to Japan to find out?

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Bite Into Onigiri Rice Balls Pressed With Sweat-Infused Armpits Of Pretty Girls appeared first on Geek Culture.

Street Fighter fans rejoice! Officially licensed by CAPCOM and published by A PLUS JAPAN INC, mobile game Street Fighter: Duel is finally here, available on the App Store and Google Play, supporting English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

The game will see the return of world-famous fighters and deliver an action-packed experience. Join your favorite characters including Chun-Li, Ryu, and Ken as they challenge Suzaku Castle, and punch their way into Shadaloo City, all while searching for the mysterious organization behind everything. Gather fighters and experience the nostalgic stories of Street Fighter!

In Street Fighter: Duel, players can choose between six different move archetypes consisting of Wind, Thunder, Flame, Infernal, Master, and Legendary factions and to  defeat different enemies, can select from different combinations of factions for the most optimal play. Tweak your fighters and apply arrangement strategies, and produce unique combo structures like a seasoned fighter. Once the ‘Super Combo Gauge’ is full, players can release the ultimate move and combo with one tap.

Here’s a sneak peek at the trailer released today.

The developers created an original character collection and development system, bringing a whole new RPG experience. Players may promote their fighters through ‘Training’ and ‘Awaken’. Defeat time-limited bosses, challenge players from all over the world in ‘Arena’, and join the PVP ‘Final Showdown’, enjoy the hot-blooded tournament!

As of 27 March, pre-registrations in South East Asia for Street Fighter: Duel have reached two million and those who have participated during the pre-registration phase will receive a limited Avatar Frame, Fighter Mystery Pack, Arcade Coins, and other massive rewards.

The pinnacle of fighting games continues its journey on mobile! Download Street Fighter: Duel now, to join the fight alongside millions of players and start your journey to the top!

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post ‘Street Fighter: Duel’ Exits Beta, Brings Fight To Southeast Asia appeared first on Geek Culture.

Gamers of all age groups will all have a memory of legendary fighting game, Street Fighter, and be prepared to fight once in 2024 publisher A PLUS Japan is bringing back Street Fighter in a whole new experience, in the form of Street Fighter: Duel, where the fight now moves with you anywhere on your phone.

Pre-registration is open now on App Store and Google Play for players in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The game will be available in English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

Street Fighter: Duel has a massive roster of popular fighters new and old, and offers game mechanics to improve each fighter. Players will have a chance to get their favourite fighter and build them to the top. With this unique character system, players will gain a sense of accomplishment when each of their fighters level up.

For long-time fans, Street Fighter: Duel brings back the one thing we all miss – the iconic stages of the franchise, such as the airfield, bathhouse, night scene, and more. Additionally, the game has optimized visuals for mobile phones, making the stages more realistic and vivid than ever before!

The gameplay is optimized for mobile platforms with game modes such as character training and arena. Mechanics like auto combos and EX-Move are also added to make the game enjoyable for players. These new features will bring a unique combat experience to the players in the official version that will be released this March. Pre-register today!

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Pre-registration For ‘Street Fighter: Duel’ Mobile Game Opens For Southeast Asia Gamers appeared first on Geek Culture.

Albion Online, the fantasy MMORPG from Sandbox Interactive, launched its massive Wild Blood update on 16 October, and central to it is a brand-new weapon line: Shapeshifter Weapons. These Staffs are Albion’s most elaborate weapon line to date, allowing players to shift into the forms of fantastical beasts, with their own spells and abilities, while in combat. This brings a whole new element to Albion’s ‘You are what you wear’ system, giving players the potential to take on more than one role at once. Here, we take a closer look at what these weapons offer.

How They Work

There are a total of seven different Shapeshifter Weapons you can use, each with its own abilities and strengths – dealing damage, disrupting enemies, healing allies, and so on. Their power comes from manipulating reality – for example, one spell can turn enemies into helpless little rats!

Using these abilities in human form builds up Shift Charges, and these unlock the weapons’ true potential – the ability to transform into Shape form. Each Shapeshifter Staff has an associated Shape – a powerful, magical creature with its own qualities, ranging from fragile damage dealer to immovable tank – and Shift Charges provide energy for a Shape’s unique abilities. Here, we take a closer look at each of these Seven Shapes

• The Shadow Panther is a sneaky assassin that turns invisible when no enemies are nearby, letting it ambush enemies but also make a stealthy escape.
• The Sylvian is a hulking tree-like form, which provides additional health and healing in group fights. It can also give your allies a powerful shield that grants immunity to forced movement effects, and can spread its roots to slow enemies.
• The Spirit Bear is an aggressive tank that excels at disrupting enemies. When low on health, it becomes enraged, speeding up its cast times and increasing its damage and CC duration.
• The Werewolf is a bruiser with high sustain. When attacking enemies, you can gather their blood from the ground, boosting your health and speed and making you extremely difficult to shake off.
• The Hellfire Imp deals very high damage but has low defense. It can also resurrect in human form after death, albeit with low health and with your transformation on a long cooldown.
• The Runestone Golem, by contrast, is an unstoppable and immovable force, immune to all forced movement. The more shift charges you have, the larger it grows and the more health it gains. It can also create a stone wall that traps enemies in front of you, where you can beat them up with your giant fists
• The Dawnbird is a majestic eagle that can deal very high damage from a safe distance. Its mightiest ability is Judgment, a beam of immense energy that strikes down from the sky, dealing massive damage to all enemies in the impact radius and making the Dawnbird a particularly dangerous force in large-scale fights.

Combat Strategies

As entering Shape form overrides your human armor stats, it’s possible to completely switch roles mid-combat. For instance, wearing Plate Armor with a Prowling Staff makes you a tank in human form, and a deadly assassin in Shape form. Also, buffs persist after transformation, so wearing a Hunter Jacket and transforming into a Werewolf means you can carry over your auto-attack buff, making your Shape form even more ferocious.

Switching back and forth between forms in this way makes for a uniquely active playstyle, which offers a lot of versatility and really lets players show off their skills. Shapeshifter Weapons are going to be a truly valuable, powerful addition to combat in Albion, so choose your Staff and join the fight!

Learn more about the update here.

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Peek Into The Armoury Of Albion Online’s Wild Blood Shapeshifter Weapons appeared first on Geek Culture.

Yo Joe! A retro-style brawler in a similar vein to Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge and Streets of Rage 4 is coming from developer Maple Powered Games and publisher Freedom Games. G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is a pixel art side-scrolling beat ’em up that’s coming to PC and Nintendo Switch in 2024.

In G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra, players will get to navigate land, air, sea, and even space through iconic locations like Cobra Island, the Pit, Cobra’s top-secret underwater base. Players will take on the ferocious forces of Cobra from Troopers to Ninja Vipers and HISS Tanks, to the deadly Crimson Guard and more.

The game supports up to 4 players in both online or couch co-op in either Story or Arcade Mode. Lovingly detailed hand-drawn pixel art and classic-style cartoon cutscenes combine for the ultimate G.I. Joe experience featuring an arcade-inspired soundtrack from legendary composer Tee Lopes (Sonic Mania, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, Streets of Rage 4 – Mr. X Nightmare DLC) and from Crush 40’s lead vocalist Johnny Gioeli (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020).

Freedom Games has yet to make an announcement on the full roster, but it looks like the current list of playable heroes are Duke, Snake Eyes, Scarlett and Roadblock. Boss fights to be expected are Destro, Serpentor, Baroness, and of course Cobra Commander.

Judging from the end slate of the trailer above, it looks like we might be expecting more “Hasbro Retro Arcade” games based on its various IPs soon. We sure won’t mind having a retro-style beat ’em up based on G1 Transformers, with couch co-op support. Hasbro, please make it so!

G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra will be released in Q1 of 2024 on PC and Nintendo Switch.

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post G.I. Joe Gets Retro Beat ‘Em Up Arcade Game For PC & Nintendo Switch In 2024 appeared first on Geek Culture.

Calling all commanders, MISSION START! Metal Slug: Awakening, the latest mobile version of the well known arcade and console game has launched its Open Beta on 22 August on both Android and Apple iOS. Metal Slug: Awakening is licensed by SNK, developed by Tencent and distributed by VNG Games. Regarded as one of the most popular casual games that has entertained players for more than two decades, the influential gaming IP has certainly gained a special place in every gamer’s heart since it made its arcade debut.

As the latest version of the classic IP series, Metal Slug: Awakening has instilled a comprehensive upgrade across all its iconic features, ranging from the characters to its gameplay – captivating all commanders to revisit the glorious yet exciting arcade gaming experience that mixes modern gameplay mechanics with a touch of nostalgia!

Diverse Gameplay Backed By Numerous Skills

While replicating the IP’s signature World Adventure gameplay as well as replenishing most of the classic scenes with refined 3D visual upgrades, Metal Slug: Awakening also optimizes mobile operating systems, thus giving the commanders a brand new yet familiar visual and gaming experience.

Wide Variety of Attacks Are Added While Retaining Most Of the Classic Easter Egg Surprises

On top of the comprehensive advancements of characters, missions and adventures, Metal Slug: Awakening also brings its iconic and nostalgic Easter egg surprises to the mobile version! From the iconic fat Marco to the undecayed mummies, the game not only fully restored the signature elements of Metal Slug, but also diversified multiple features of the game – promising a casual yet thrilling gaming experience to the commanders.

For experienced commanders who are no longer new to the game, they will certainly be amused by the iconic elements and little surprises of the game, including the rewarding blue and white-striped shorts raised by the NPC Hyakutaro, as well as his signature salute gesture, and the coins-dropping Djinn. All of these  Easter eggs invoke a sense of familiarity, and fans of the series will no doubt recall the good old times and their fond memories of the various commanders. 

Brand New Vehicles That Give You A Flexile Battlefield

With the brand-new SV-001 tank, navigating the vehicle has become more mobile-friendly, as it is now equipped with bullet-shooting systems that give remarkably fast-paced attacks and more damage towards enemies! Other than that, the iconic camel installed with flaming modes has also been made available, along with the familiar spring-legged drilling car and numerous unique vehicles that can further empower and support commanders for better attacks in every battlefield.

Numerous Weapons That Stimulates A Competitive Battlefield

Heavy Machine Gun is certainly an unforgettable trademark of the game that can easily resonate with fans of Metal Slug! Besides replicating the iconic weapons, Metal Slug: Awakening has also added numerous brand-new gun collections! Commanders can now retest the power of original weapons including Heavy Machine Gun and Rocket Launcher, while also checking out the latest collection, which includes the Gattling, Boxing Gun, Saw Launcher, and more, which are available for every commander to pick anytime and anywhere.

Wait no more and download the game on Google Play & App Store now!

7 Open Beta Exclusive Rewards That You Should Not Miss Out!

1. Exclusive Open Beta Rewards With 130 FREE Draws! – 130 draws will be given to every commander in the first month! Dig and gain an advanced epic weapon, and 5 rare weapons. You may even unlock more characters and heroes.
   
   How to Participate? Head to the main city, locate the Events section, and find the 130 Treasure Hunt event. Complete the guided tasks or gameplay to earn a generous bounty of rewards!
   
   
2. 2-Star Orange-graded Blazing Heavy Machine Gun For All! – Complete missions and claim the highly sought-after rare epic weapon – the “Blazing Heavy Machine Gun”. There are also multiple Treasure Hunts, Coins and Fragments to be claimed.
   
   How to Participate? In the main city, locate the Open Beta Celebration section, and look for the New Recruits Event. Complete the daily designated tasks to collect fragments and synthesize them to obtain and upgrade the blazing weapon.
   
   
3. Seven-Day Login Rewards, Redeem the Original IP Hero and the Legendary Super Vehicle! – Start the first day strong with orange-graded weapon fragments followed by the iconic original IP hero – Nadia Casey on the second day. By the seventh day, every commander will be rewarded with the legendary Metal Slug super vehicle!
   
   How to Participate? In the main city, navigate to the Open Beta Celebration section and locate the 7-Day Login event. Check-in daily for 7 consecutive days to unlock exclusive rewards. Don’t forget to bump into our long-lost NPC friend – Hyakutaru for surprises!

4. Invite Your Friends & Win Orange and Gold Fragments – Invite your friends to register for the game and receive rare weapon fragments for the Ender weapon and stand a chance to exchange the Epic Gold weapon fragment.
   
   How to Participate? In the main city, find the Open Beta Celebration section and look for the Points Redemption button.
   
   
5. Chubby is Mighty! Transform into Chubby Marco with Apples – Join the transformation craze and claim items to upgrade your appearance. Simply transform your characters with apples and redeem the original IP advanced hero, Nadia Casey!
   
   How to Participate? Look for the Open Beta Celebration section in the main city and locate the Chubby Marco event. Alternatively, use transformation items in Andrew’s Small Town to collect apples and exchange them for coins.
   
   
6. Open Beta Name Tag Giveaway – Collect coins and exchange them for permanent thematic name tags!
   
   How to Participate? Enter the main city, locate the Open Beta event, and access the Redeem Store to win the rewards.
   
   
7. First Top-Up Benefits! – Top up any amount and receive a powerful hero – Eva Glen. She’s an AOE damage specialist with electrifying chain abilities, giving you an explosive firepower experience. Permanent themed name tags, rare gears, and machine parts are also up for grabs!
   
   How to Participate? Enter Store, look for the Special Offers, and click the First Top-Up event.

For more information about Metal Slug: Awakening, stay tuned to the official Facebook page, Facebook Group and Discord.

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Open Beta For Legendary Arcade Game ‘Metal Slug: Awakening’ Launches On Mobile appeared first on Geek Culture.

Linda Hamilton, renowned for her role in the Terminator film series, is set to make her debut in the fifth season of Stranger Things.

The news of Hamilton’s participation was officially announced during Netflix’s 2023 global TUDUM fan event, streamed live from São Paulo, Brazil.

While specifics regarding Hamilton’s character remain under wraps, her inclusion adds to the lineup of celebrated 80’s sci-fi figures appearing in the popular Netflix series. With her entry, fans can anticipate even more thrilling moments in the upcoming season of Stranger Things.

Additionally, Hamilton is recognizable for her memorable roles in the television series Beauty and the Beast which aired from 1987 to 1990. Her stellar performance in this role garnered widespread praise, leading to her nomination for two Golden Globe awards and an Emmy award.

Hamilton joins a roster of esteemed ’80s stars who have graced the world of Stranger Things. This list includes the likes of Winona Ryder, Sean Astin, Paul Reiser, Matthew Modine, Cary Elwes, and Robert Englund.

February 2022 brought the bittersweet announcement that the upcoming fifth season of Stranger Things would serve as the series finale. As of now, there’s no premiere date set for the fifth season, nor has the production process begun.

Even though the core series is drawing to a close, Netflix and the Duffer Brothers are already strategizing ways to expand the beloved universe into a more expansive franchise. An animated series is the most recent project to receive the green light.

Netflix has also revealed plans for a stage play, coinciding with the formation of the Duffer Brothers’ Upside Down Pictures as part of a new overall deal with Netflix. The stage show, slated for a debut in London’s West End, is set to transport audiences to Hawkins in 1959.

The first four seasons of Stranger Things are currently streaming on Netflix.

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Linda Hamilton Dives Into Upside Down In ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 appeared first on Geek Culture.

Brace yourself, Avatar fans. Netflix recently provided an exciting glimpse into its upcoming live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

The sneak peek was unveiled during Netflix’s TUDUM event. This brief title reveal cleverly navigates us through the elemental themes central to the narrative (water, earth, fire, and air), all set against an appropriately enchanting soundtrack.

While the fresh teaser might be sparing on details, it does serve to whet appetites with one crucial piece of information: the series launch is set for 2024. The brief glimpse has certainly set the stage for the forthcoming streaming premiere on Netflix.

Unfolding in a war-scarred Asiatic world, the story centers around individuals with the unique ability to manipulate, or “bend”, one of the four elements. Amidst this chaos, Aang (Gordon Cormier) emerges as the “Avatar”, the sole being with the potential to bend all four elements. His destiny is to restore peace to a world tormented by the Fire Nation.

Accompanied by his newfound allies Katara (Kiawentiio) and Sokka (Ian Ousley), Aang embarks on a journey to master the elements. However, they’re relentlessly hunted by the banished Prince Zuko (Dallas Liu) of the Fire Nation. Zuko is driven by a desperate need to redeem his lost honor, which he believes can only be accomplished by capturing the Avatar.

Alongside the sneak peek, new images were released as well:

Since 2018, the much-anticipated live-action adaptation of the beloved franchise has been under development. The project, set to make its Netflix debut next year, boasts a star-studded cast including Daniel Dae Kim, Arden Cho, Tamlyn Tomita, and several others. This rendition is poised to bring the Avatar universe to life like never before.

In addition to the forthcoming live-action series, Avatar fans have more to celebrate. An animated feature film is slated for release in 2025, marking the franchise’s first foray into full-length animated movies.

This film is the initial installment in a series of three planned animated Avatar films, a collaboration between Paramount and Nickelodeon. The Avatar universe is indeed expanding in exciting new directions.

The Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action will debut on Netflix in 2024.

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Netflix Teases First Look For ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Live-Action, Coming 2024 appeared first on Geek Culture.

From K-pop to K-dramas and all things Korean, there’s no denying that Hallyu (Korean Wave) has taken the world by storm. Thanks to the rapidly growing interest in Korean content, we are now spoiled for choices when it comes to the best of Korean content via streaming services. 

Given that their audience is predominantly Asia, many streaming platforms have been building up their Korean content library, and we’ve noticed Disney+ ramping up their K-drama offering, actively partnering with major Korean broadcasters including SBS and JTBC, to bring the widest and latest Korean content to audiences around the world.

Here are our 2023 top picks for Korean dramas on Disney+ :

#1 Dr Romantic Season 3 (April 2023)

We love a good medical series. The highly anticipated third season of Dr Romantic follows the story of a genius doctor who works at a rural hospital, Doldam Hospital. This time the 16-episode series is a lot more intense as it revolves around the hospital’s new department Regional Trauma Center, where the doctors spend more time dealing with critical injuries, emergencies and accidents.

Fans of the first two series will rejoice the return of a few familiar main characters, like Dr. Teacher Kim or Kim Sa-bu (Han Suk-kyu, Recipe for Farewell and The Prison), Seo Woo-jin (Ahn Hyo-seop, Business Proposal and Lovers of the Red Sky), and Cha Eun-jae (Lee Sung-kyung, Weighlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and Call it Love). If you were cheering for Woo-jin and Eun-jae in the previous season, you’ll enjoy watching their relationship develop even further in this installment. 

Although it’s not necessary to watch the previous seasons (both are available on Netflix), you might find some of the backstory helpful to piece together some of the scenes.

#2 Call it Love (February 2023)

As the name implies, Call it Love is a melodrama about a girl who started off seeking revenge, but falls in love with the intended target instead. If you jump to this right after Dr Romantic Season 3, you find a familiar face in Lee Sung-kyung (Dr Romantic 2 & 3 and Weighlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo), who plays series lead Sim Woo-joo, whose life is changed when her father’s mistress kicks her whole family out of their home. This triggers Woo-joo to take revenge on the mistress’s son, Han Dong-jin (Kim Young-kwang, On Your Wedding Day and The Secret Life of My Secretary) and well, you can guess what happens next. 

The 16-episode series reveals the harsh realities of life, compelling both characters to become more understanding individuals who end up changing for the better. Overall Call it Love has a slow pace and melancholic tone, but the series has been praised for its thoughtful details, realistic storyline and rich characters who resonate well with audiences.

#3 Revenant (June 2023)

Revenant is a 20-episode occult mystery thriller series of a woman who is possessed by an evil spirit, and starts noticing mysterious deaths around her. Kim Tae-ri, well-known for her work in Twenty-Five Twenty-One and The Handmaiden, takes on her first leading role in a thriller drama as Go San-young, who attempts to get rid of the evil spirit by teaming up with a Korean folklore professor, Yeom Hae-sang (played by Oh Jung Se, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay and Hot Stove League). This series is written by popular screenwriter Kim Eun-hee, whose previous work includes hit thriller dramas like Signal and Kingdom.

#4 Shadow Detective Season 2 (July 2023)

We know, it’s not here yet but we cannot wait. The second installment of Shadow Detective continues to follow the journey of veteran detective Kim Taek-rok, who is on a mission to clear his name. Lee Sung-min, the most recent winner of the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Leading Actor in Reborn Rich, has been praised for his performance in the first season, which is also on the streaming service. 

The eight episode first season sees Taek-rok respond to an anonymous threat for a murder he did not commit, and to figure out who the actual murderer is, Taek-rok is forced to review his past cases and join forces with a younger peer who recently joined his precinct, Kook Jin-han (Jin Goo, Descendents of the Sun and A Superior Day).

#5 Moving (August 2023)

This upcoming fantasy action thriller series is adapted from a webtoon series written by Kang Full, whose previous works have been made into movies including Hello, Schoolgirl and The Neighbor. The 20-episode series, directed by Park In-je, who also directed Kingdom Season 2 and The Mayor, follows a group of teenagers and their parents with superpowers. While the teens try to hide their powers from others, their parents try to shield them from people who want to use the teens for their powers. This webtoon will also shed light on how these adolescents navigate their growing pains and relationship with their parents. 

Moving features a star-studded cast from Jo In-sung (Unexpected Business and It’s Okay, That’s Love), Han Hyo-joo (W and 20th Century Girl), Ryu Seung-ryong (Life is Beautiful and Miracle in Cell No. 7) to Go Youn-jung (Alchemy of Souls and Sweet Home).

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Top 5 K-Dramas To Watch On Disney+ In 2023 appeared first on Geek Culture.

At the MomoCon pop culture event held in Atlanta, Georgia on May 2023, Michaela Jill Murphy, also known as Jessie Flower, updated fans about potential casting changes for the upcoming and currently untitled animated Avatar: The Last Airbender movie, set to be released in 2025.

Flower, who voiced the fan-favourite Earthbender character Toph in the original Nickelodeon series (2005-2008), suggested that the original voice cast may not reprise their roles in the new film.

“If you’re an actor, you’re always interested in being called back for a project,” Flower said, “I think they’re going to be recasting for pretty much everything. It’s not like people are going to clamor and be like, ‘Bring back the originals!’”

Flower went on to commend the unwavering commitment of creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino to their future series plans. They have remained firm in their vision since The Last Airbender, even when it clashed with fan expectations, including delivering their chosen ending, not a fan-desired extension.

She mentioned their refusal to create a fourth season despite fan pressure. Although this suggests they won’t bend on recasting, Flower is eager to embrace their upcoming chapter as a fan. “They have a vision, and they execute it the way they want to. I’m sad because I would come love to come back and do stuff, but you know I’ll be cheering from the audience with everyone else!”

The upcoming Avatar film will bridge the gap between the original Avatar series and its follow-up, The Legend of Korra (2012-14). The plot will follow the original team, now maturing into adulthood, as they strive to heal the world in the aftermath of the devastating conflict with the Fire Nation.

In this period, Aang takes on the momentous task of restoring the Air Nomads and lays the foundation of Republic City, thereby driving the world toward the advanced state we see in Korra. This era significantly shapes the evolution of the Avatar universe after the original series. 

Original creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino, commonly referred to by fans as Mike ‘n Bryan, will be writing the script for the movie. Lauren Montgomery (The Last Airbender, Voltron: Legendary Defender) will return to direct the movie. Overseeing the project will be Avatar‘s executive producer, Eric Coleman.

This movie is part of a trilogy of animated Avatar films coming from Nickelodeon’s Avatar Studios. The studio aims to produce a wide array of original content rooted in the cherished The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra universe. At this point, it’s unclear whether the movies will connect as sequels or function as individual stand-alones.

Avatar Studios is also gearing up for another Paramount+ exclusive series. According to a tease from Avatar News in December, this new series will track the subsequent Avatar following Aang and Korra, with an expected release in 2025.

The new film, Avatar: The Last Airbender, is set to premiere on 10 October 2025.

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Original Voice Cast Will Not Return For New ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Animated Movie appeared first on Geek Culture.

In the famed Star Wars prequel series, Natalie Portman was a standout, bringing life to the character of Padmé Amidala. Now, it appears she would be open to returning if extended an invitation by Lucasfilm.

This revelation came to light during her participation in GQ’s interactive segment, Actually Me, where she responded to a Reddit query about the potential comeback of both her and her character in future Star Wars ventures.

“I have no information on this,” she said. “No one’s ever asked me to return, but I’m open to it.”

In the same video, Portman delved into the creative influences behind Padmé’s attire and revealed an intriguing anecdote from Episode II – Attack of the Clones. She confessed to having held onto one of Anakin’s braids from the film, a memento that unfortunately went missing at a later stage.

She also amusingly affirmed that Taika Waititi, in a momentary lapse of memory, had forgotten her previous involvement in the franchise and queried her interest in participating in a Star Wars film.

In the prequels, Padmé Amidala is a committed senator who champions galaxy-wide liberty, all while covertly being wed to Jedi knight Anakin Skywalker. Although Padmé’s narrative arc reached its end in Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, the possibility of her comeback is not entirely improbable.

The Disney+ series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, has already pulled off epic comebacks for Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker and Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon Jinn, originally from Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace, also made a return to the series.

Padmé’s story arcs have further unfolded in various Star Wars platforms, including a trilogy of young adult books and the popular Clone Wars television series.

Considering the comeback of the characters previously mentioned (and Padmé’s resurgence in other Star Wars media), the odds seem promising that a call to Portman might be on the horizon.

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post Natalie Portman Open To ‘Star Wars’ Return As Padmé Amidala appeared first on Geek Culture.

We recently published our beginner’s guide to Albion Online when the sandbox MMORPG launched its new Asian server, Albion East, in March. Now a major new patch for the game expands and improves the features introduced with the Beyond the Veil update, focusing on the strange and ancient realm known as the Mists.

This new trailer from Albion Online’s developers, Sandbox Interactive, showcases some of the new features included in the patch:

In celebration of the launch, Sandbox Interactive has also announced double Twitch Drops from May 8-15. These additional drops can be earned by watching any Albion stream that has even Drops enabled on Twitch.

For this major content patch, we took a look at some of the newest zones for players to discover.

The Mists: Opportunity and Mystery

Knightfall brings new features and improvements to the Mists, the new gameplay region introduced with last year’s Beyond the Veil update. These features and improvements are intended to provide players of all types and levels a chance at big rewards, regardless of whether they play alone or in groups, and whether they’re veterans or just starting out. 

First up, Coffers are treasures that only reveal their location to nearby players, meaning they reward those who explore the Mists, and will not serve as an immediate target for all players in the zone. And Caches offer individualized loot for clearing mob camps in the Mists, rewarding those who participate in this content with reserved loot, though attacks by other players always remain a possibility, heightening the sense of danger.

Knightfall Abbey: A Remnant of Former Glory

Knightfall Abbey, a mysterious dungeon within the Mists, is an atmospheric realm of crumbling stone and beautiful stained-glass windows. Shimmering entrances to this dungeon will fade in and out of existence in the Mists, providing temporary access. Once inside, players will have to face the undead remains of the former Arthurian Knights whose halls they have invaded. 

Clearing an area unlocks treasures as well as ancient shrines that give powerful offensive and defensive buffs, providing a boost against not only the undead, but against other adventurers who may have invaded the dungeon as well. And as the Mists begin to close in, a final treasure is revealed, offering further riches to the last player remaining.

Check out this recent Dev Talk on Knightfall Abbey from Albion’s Game Director:

New Items, Traders, Roads of Avalon Changes, and More

Knightfall brings brand-new items and crafting components. A new face in Brecilien, Eralia Wayfarer, trades new items to adventurers with sufficient standing. New Avalonian and Brecilien Capes offer unique defensive capabilities. Mystic Owl mounts carry players swiftly through the world, enemies in the Roads of Avalon now drop Avalonian Energy to strengthen their connection to new Avalonian Capes, and the Roads overall have been updated with new enemies, pathways, and gameplay opportunities.

And last but not least, Knightfall brings a huge number of quality-of-life changes to the game, from extensive combat balancing to a new WASD movement system to a “travel mode” that features a semi-transparent map overlay. Items can now be repaired directly in the Marketplace UI, and character gender can now be changed. The patch is rounded out with major optimizations to mobile and controller gameplay, new guild logos, Season Winner statues, and skill icons, and much more. For the complete list of changes, see the official patch notes.

Albion Online is free to download and play now!

The Baroness

Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there’s terror to be sown and coin earned, that’s where she will be with guns akimbo.

The post MMORPG Albion Online’s “Knightfall” Patch Goes Live appeared first on Geek Culture.