It’s back to the drawing board for Sony Pictures TV and Amazon MGM Studios, who are starting from scratch for Prime Video’s God of War, a series based on PlayStation’s smash hit video game of the same name.

According to Deadline, this comes after the departure of showrunner and executive producer Rafe Judkins, alongside fellow executive producers Hawk Ostby and Mark Fergus. The trio left the project after completing various scripts for the show’s first season, with the studio reportedly considering a move to a different creative direction by hiring a new writing team for the series.

The series was first announced in 2022 and is set to follow the events of 2018’s God of War, which sees protagonist Kratos journeying with his son Atreus to the highest peak in the realm to scatter his late wife’s ashes.

Santa Monica Studio’s God of War franchise remains one of the most well-known IPs in gaming, spanning a total of seven games across four generations of PlayStation consoles. Originally focused on Greek mythology, 2018’s soft-reboot transitioned the series to the Norse realm, earning universal acclaim alongside its 2022 sequel, God of War Ragnarok.

Produced by Sony Pictures TV and MGM Amazon Studios, and in association with PlayStation Productions, the God of War series has been in production since March 2022. Despite the departure of key creative personnel, Santa Monica Studio’s Cory Barlog and Yumi Yang will remain as executive producers on the project, alongside head of PlayStation Productions Asad Qizilbash, senior producer Carter Swan, and Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post Amazon & Sony Overhauling ‘God of War’ TV Series With New Creative Team appeared first on Geek Culture.

Xbox has wrapped up its Partner Preview Showcase today, unveiling both cinematic and gameplay trailers for its upcoming games. With a slew of titles announced in just a short, roughly 30-minute livestream, here’s a handy round-up of everything shown.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is an upcoming soulslike action role-playing game featuring intense combat utilising a mix of swordplay and magical abilities. The game follows protagonist Wuchang as she unravels the secrets of her past while afflicted by the horrific Feathering disease. The title launches day one with Xbox Game Pass in 2025.

Alan Wake 2: The Lake House DLC

As Agent Estevez, players will return to Cauldron Lake and explore the twisted halls of the Lake House, a mysterious facility set up by the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC), and unravel the dark mysteries within in Alan Wake 2’s upcoming expansion, coming 22 October 2024.

FBC: Firebreak

Have you ever played 2019’s Control and thought, “I wish I could play this in first-person and with my friends”? Well, good news folks, FBC: Firebreak is a three-player co-op shooter set within the FBC where players can get up close and personal with the Hiss and pump them full of lead. The game is set to release in 2025.

Cronos: The New Dawn

Coming in 2025, Cronos: The New Dawn is an upcoming combat-driven third-person survival horror game by Bloober Team, the minds behind Layers of Fear, The Medium and Blair Witch.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

The latest trailer for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii shows off more of the game’s bombastic combat, alongside a first look at its naval battles, which evokes the same feeling as those seen in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. The game launches on 21 February 2025.

Mouse: P.I. For Hire

For anyone who loves classic cartoons but wishes they were a little less kid-friendly, Mouse: P.I. For Hire will scratch that itch in 2025 with a gritty, noir-fuelling first-person shooter, presented in black-and-white for that extra nostalgia kick.

Subnautica 2

Dive into the deep and face the alien horrors lurking below in Subnautica 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero, coming 2025.

Mistfall Hunter

Mistfall Hunter adopts the well-established extraction shooter formula with an RPG twist. Kill creatures, collect loot and try to get out unscathed when the game launches in 2025.

Eternal Strands

Coming in early 2025 as a Day One Game Pass title, Eternal Strands pits players against massive foes with a combat system centred around combining spells of three different types: Frost, flame and kinetic.

EDENS ZERO

Adapted from Hiro Mashima’s hit manga, EDENS ZERO takes players to the stars and beyond as they adventure across the Sakura Cosmos. The fantasy action RPG is set to release in 2025.

Wheel World

Deck out your bike and hit the road in Wheel World in early 2025, a semi-open world biking title featuring a cell-shaded art style reminiscent of 2021’s indie hit, Sable.

The Legend of Baboo

Coming 2025, The Legend of Baboo follows Sepehr and his loyal dog Baboo as they embark on a journey through magical lands to rescue their family from a dark and ancient evil. But here’s the more important question: will we be able to pet the dog?

Phasmophobia Xbox Release

Chicken out and leave your friends behind in Phasmophobia, as the widely popular ghost-hunting horror game finally gets its Xbox release on 29 October 2024.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post Xbox Partner Preview 2024 Showcases ‘Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’, ‘Alan Wake 2’ DLC And More appeared first on Geek Culture.

Since its reveal at the Xbox Game Showcase in June, the JPRG-inspired fantasy epic Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has attracted much fanfare with a stylistic take on turn-based battles. But its momentum isn’t stopping anytime soon, as a new trailer revealing the game’s voice cast and release window continues to feed into the hype.

Developed by French studio Sandfall Interaction, the forthcoming title features a stacked voice cast that includes Andy Serkis, Charlie Cox, and Ben Starr. The former two are familiar names in the film industry, best known for portraying Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies and Daredevil in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, respectively. Serkis is introduced as the voice of Renoir, while Cox breathes life into protagonist Gustave.

Starr, a rising talent after his breakout role as Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy XVI, plays Verso, a mysterious — and presumably villainous — figure with unknown origins. The rest of the cast has no shortage of star power either, with Shala Nyx (Cyberpunk 2077, The Old Guard) voicing the warrior Sciel, Jennifer English (Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3) as Maelle, and Kirsty Rider (The Sandman) as Lune.

Rich Keeble (Good Omens), Devora Wilde (Lae’zel in Baldur’s Gate 3), Tracy Wiles (Baldur’s Gate 3), and Maxence Cazorla (Ineffable) are also part of the roster, though their roles have yet to be announced.

As revealed in the trailer, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be released for Xbox Series X|S and PC in Spring 2025. It won’t be an easy time for the original IP, however, as established heavyweights like Monster Hunter Wilds, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Avowed are all due within the same window.

Still, its Reactive Turn-based combat system should offer a fresh breath of air, combining turn-based mechanics with real-time aspects such as quick time events and timing-based actions in both offense and defense. The Belle Époque-set game follows Gustave and Lune as they attempt to stop the Paintress, whose god-like powers can kill everyone of a given age she draws in the sky.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33′ — Andy Serkis, Charlie Cox & Ben Starr Lead Stylish RPG Out Spring 2025 appeared first on Geek Culture.

The highly-anticipated return to the Underworld isn’t quite the complete experience yet, but it might as well be. Five months after Hades II launched in early access, Supergiant Games’ beloved roguelike has rolled out its first major content update, packing so much new content that its patch notes on Steam come in at over 3,500 words.

Aptly titled the Olympic Update, the surprise rollout opens up a whole new region, which isn’t all that difficult to guess. Protagonist Melinoë will be heading up to Olympus, the mountain of the gods, with the final Nocturnal Arms in hand — a new pair of jetpack gauntlets called Xinth, the Black Coat. Players can visit multiple new locations in Olympus, alongside fresh additions to several other existing areas.

Athena and Dionysus, who were both in the original Hades, are also set to appear. There are certainly some artistic choices here, especially with the latter wearing nothing but leopard-print underwear, while boons from the Goddess of Wisdom are always welcome (Deflect, anyone?). Two new animal familiars, Raki the Raven and Hecuba the Hound, can be befriended, and Melinoë now has access to two new allies with unique keepsakes.

Prometheus, a Titan known in Greek mythology for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to humans, will debut as the apparent boss of Olympus. Voiced by Ben Starr of Final Fantasy XVI fame, the character is set to bring the surface route “closer to the Underworld route’s level of completion”.

As mentioned, the latest update for Hades II is, well, supergiant, but other notable additions include 2,500 new voice lines in total, new music, “dozens” of new cosmetic items, a new world map that appears when Melinoë moves between regions, and native support for Macs with M1 chips or later. There’s also the option to listen to a 27-minute-long dramatic reading of the patch notes if the usual reading doesn’t cut it.

Beyond the Olympic Update, Supergiant plans to add a “climactic confrontation” after the new region, more boons, and improved enemy variety. The next major update for Hades II is expected to bow in early 2025.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Massive ‘Hades II’ Update Adds New Region, Weapons, Half-Naked Dionysus & More appeared first on Geek Culture.

Hailed as the first true Nintendo 64 (N64) clone console, Analogue’s upcoming release, the Analogue 3D, will feature full compatibility with all original N64 game cartridges, allowing players to revisit their favourite titles from an era long past.

In addition, the console also plays N64 games in an upscaled 4K resolution via HDMI cable, a major selling point for those frustrated with the infamously messy nature of N64 emulation. For those seeking a more traditional experience, original display modes and support for original N64 controllers are offered.

The Analogue 3D is powered by 3DOS, the company’s proprietary operating system built for the console. Serving as an evolution to its predecessor, the AnalogueOS, the new system will offer N64-specific features alongside support for save states and taking screenshots.

Although the Analogue brand is well-known among classic game fans due to their versions of other consoles such as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and the Sega Genesis, the Analogue 3D marks the company’s first foray into the N64 generation.

The Analogue 3D will cost US$249.99 and is set to launch in Q1 of 2025, with preorders beginning on 21 October 2024. For its full technical specifications, check out its official webpage.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post Analogue 3D Console Plays Nintendo 64 Games In 4K For Just US$250 appeared first on Geek Culture.

IO Interactive, the developers behind the Hitman games, have teased details about Project 007, their elusive upcoming title set in the universe of James Bond, which will reportedly feature Bond’s origin story.

Speaking to IGN, studio head Hakan Abrak shared that Project 007 will be developed and published entirely by the company and that the title’s production is going “amazingly well”.

The game is set to feature an original Bond story, with heavy emphasis on the character’s beginnings. “What’s exciting about that project is that we actually got to do an original story. So it’s not a gamification of a movie. It’s completely beginning and becoming a story, hopefully for a big trilogy out there in the future. And equally important and exciting, it’s a new Bond,” Abrak revealed, “It’s a Bond we built from the ground up for gamers.”

IO Interactive is behind the immensely popular Hitman game series, known for its open-ended world design that encourages multiple approaches to its objectives. With the series now on hiatus, this leaves room for the studio to focus its efforts on developing a James Bond game worthy of the heights of 1997’s GoldenEye 007.

“It’s been almost 15 years since the last game.” added Abrak, “I just hope we’ll do a thing that will define James Bond in gaming for years to come. And that is not only one game, but that we create a universe for gamers to own for many years to come that we can grow with that next to the Bond on the movies.”

Having previously announced the project in 2020, IO Interactive is currently keeping a tight lip when it comes to the finer details of Project 007, with Abrak concluding, “I don’t have an update today, but believe me, it’s itching here as well to be talking about it soon.”

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post IO Interactive’s ‘Project 007’ Will Be Young James Bond Origin Story appeared first on Geek Culture.

Video game music is one of the more underrated aspects of gameplay, but enthusiasts would know there’s plenty to delight in the artistry of vocals, sweeping instrumentals, crescendos, and more. For fans of PlayStation titles, the industry heavyweight is set to bring various iconic tunes to concert halls across the globe in 2025, with tickets available for purchase now.

PlayStation: The Concert World Tour will mark its first live music under the gaming banner, featuring a mix of visuals and music that celebrates worlds of God of War, The Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, and Horizon franchises amongst others. Per the official blog post, attendees can expect “innovative technology and world-class production”, alongside “a stunning fusion of multi-layered visuals, immersive surround sound, and an all-star ensemble blending classical and modern instruments.”

“The legendary scores from composers like Gustavo Santaolalla (The Last of Us), Joris De Man (Horizon), Ilan Eshkeri (Ghost of Tsushima), and Bear McCreary (God of War) will reach new heights, offering fans a unique, deeply immersive live concert experience,” it adds.

The music extravaganza will kick off with a world premiere on 19 April 2025 in Dublin, Ireland before heading to over 200 cities across Europe, the U.K., the U.S., and beyond. The performance dates for these regions have been announced, with more information about other world locations due “very soon”.

The complete tour schedule so far is as follows:

• 19 April: Dublin, Ireland
• 21 April: Birmingham, U.K.
• 22 April: Manchester, U.K.
• 23 April: Leeds, U.K.
• 24 April: Newcastle, U.K.
• 25 April: Glasgow, U.K.
• 27 April: Wembley (London), U.K.
• 29 April: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• 30 April: Paris, France
• 1 May: Frankfurt, Germany
• 2 May: Amnéville, France
• 3 May: Brussels, Belgium
• 4 May: Stuttgart, Germany
• 6 May: Berlin, Germany
• 7 May: Hamburg, Germany
• 8 May: Dusseldorf, Germany
• 9 May: Zurich, Switzerland
• 11 May: Bologna, Italy
• 13 May: Budapest, Hungary
• 15 May: Sofia, Bulgaria
• 17 May: Vienna, Austria
• 18 May: Munchen, Germany
• 20 May: Prague, Czech Republic
• 21 May: Lodz, Poland
• 23 May: Copenhagen, Denmark
• 24 May: Gotenburg, Sweden
• 25 May: Oslo, Norway

Taking place in 2025, the PlayStation Concert World Tour has opened sales for early access tickets, exclusively for the PlayStation community. Tickets go on sale for the general public on 18 October.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post PlayStation: The Concert World Tour Brings Iconic Tunes To Life For First Time In 2025 appeared first on Geek Culture.

Sony Pictures has announced a 25 April 2025 release date for their upcoming movie adaptation of the hit horror game Until Dawn, almost a week after the end of filming.

Originally developed by Supermassive Games, 2015’s interactive drama horror game Until Dawn will bring its signature spooks and thrills to the big screen next year, only a few months ahead of the game’s 10th anniversary. The film will be directed by David F. Sandberg, who helmed 2019’s Shazam! and its 2023 sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, alongside producer Gary Dauberman, who also wrote the movie’s final script.

The upcoming film is described as an “R-rated love letter to the horror genre” inspired by the events of the game, which featured a slasher mystery revolving around eight friends on a retreat to an isolated mountain lodge.

Peter Stormare is set to reprise his role as Dr. Hill, alongside his fellow castmates Ella Rubin (The Idea of You), Michael Cimino (Love, Victor), Ji-young Yoo (Expats), and Odessa A’zion (Hellraiser). The upcoming film marks a resurgence of the title a decade after its original launch, alongside the Until Dawn remake, which was released on PlayStation 5 and PC earlier this month.

The Until Dawn movie hits theatres on 25 April 2025.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post ‘Until Dawn’ Movie To Hit Theatres April 2025 appeared first on Geek Culture.

It’s over 9,000! 3D area brawler Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is a smashing success, selling three million copies worldwide, 24 hours after its launch on 11 October.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO marks the first sequel to the Budokai Tenkaichi series in 15 years, and rose to the top of Steam’s most-played charts during its early access period. The game launched with a 122,554 peak player count, the highest number of any Dragon Ball game on the platform. The title currently holds a 24-hour peak of 68,509 players on Steam, with 43,205 players at the time of writing.

Among the fighting games on the platform, Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO sits triumphantly on its throne. In comparison, Street Fighter 6 saw an all-time peak of 70,573 players, while Tekken 8 peaked at 46,139 players. The game’s player count also dwarfs the franchise’s previous releases, with the next-highest peak player count being that of Dragon Ball FighterZ, which topped at 44,303 players.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero was developed by Spike Chunsoft and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Based on the immensely popular animanga series, the game delivers a stunning recreation of the series’ iconic battles, with a healthy dose of fan service in the form of an impressively in-depth battle customisation system.

For more Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, check out our unboxing of its Premium Collectors Edition below:

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post ‘Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO’ Sells 3 Million Copies In 24 Hours appeared first on Geek Culture.

Amazon Prime Video’s Secret Level series will feature a star-studded cast, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Hart, Claudia Doumit, and more, as revealed via a leaked trailer.

According to MP1st, the trailer appeared ahead of its stipulated 10 December release date. Although it was swiftly taken down via a DMCA takedown notice from Amazon, viewers were quick to extract its list of stars.

Below is the leaked list of the series’ main cast:

• Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Kevin Hart
• Keanu Reeves
• Heaven Hart
• Temuera Morrison
• Ariana Greenblatt
• Emily Swallow
• Gabriel Luna
• Ricky Whittle
• Patrick Schwarzenegger
• Merle Dandridge
• Claudia Doumit
• Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
• Clive Standen
• Michael Beach

Secret Level is an upcoming animated anthology series with each of its 15 episodes being based on a different video game series. Titles featured will include hits such as God of War, Ghost of Tsushima and Armored Core. The series comes from Blur Studio, the folks behind the critically acclaimed Love, Death & Robots.

The series is also set to feature an episode based on Concord, PlayStation’s late hero shooter which was notoriously taken offline a mere two weeks after its launch. It has yet to be seen if Amazon will proceed with airing that particular episode.

Secret Level will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 10 December.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post Amazon’s ‘Secret Level’ Trailer Leaks, Reveals Cast Of Arnold Schwarzenegger And Kevin Hart appeared first on Geek Culture.

Word about a Destiny 2 mobile game has been spreading for a while now, and the rumours are now reality. Bungie’s popular shooter series is making its way to Android and iOS platforms soon, with an alpha test slated for 1 November.

Titled Destiny: Rising, the upcoming title is touted as an “epic” free-to-play shooter set in “an alternate Destiny timeline” during the post-Collapse era. It will explore game lore before the existence of the Tower and the emergence of Guardians while retaining certain elements from the franchise, including familiar PvE and PvP modes and hero characters.

China-based NetEase Games is developing the project and has been granted creative freedom to craft its own storyline and vision. The developer preview video dives into more details, but fans can expect to pick from a fixed roster instead of creating their own Guardian based on Hunter, Warlock, or Titan classes.

Additionally, Destiny: Rising is set to feature single, co-op, and competitive multiplayer modes, with each character having unique abilities and stories. Enemies like the Hive, Fallen, and Vex are expected to return, joining the usual Ghosts, Lightbearers, Iron Lords, and Warlords found in the Destiny universe.

There will also be controller support, alongside an option to switch between first-person and third-person view. Powerful weapons can be equipped to fight against darkness enemies in new locations like Jiangshi and the Red Sea Rift, with a new Mythic weapon rarity class unlocking access to a new weapon type.

While details on the monetisation system are sparse, the FAQ page writes that “a good part of the main campaign” and “at least one map for all game modes” will be available in the alpha test. No firm release date has been set for Destiny: Rising, but it’s coming first to the U.S. and Canada as a closed alpha test on 1 November. Registration is now open at NetEase’s website.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Free-To-Play ‘Destiny: Rising’ From Bungie & NetEase Coming To Mobile appeared first on Geek Culture.

It’s time to plug back into the Grid. Tron: Catalyst, the latest game set in the world of Tron and the sequel to 2023’s Tron: Identity, has been announced with a 2025 release window.

Developed by Bithell Games and published by Devolver Digital alongside its subsidiary Big Fan Games, Tron: Catalyst is described as “an all-new story-driven, isometric action-adventure game, set in the immersive and diverse locations of the Arq Grid.”

Set in the Arq Grid, first introduced in Tron: Identity, players will take on the role of Exo, a courier who gains a mysterious power known as the Glitch after a package explodes. Armed with this new ability, they must now fight to escape the pursuing peacekeepers and unlock the mysteries of the grid.

Marking a departure from the original’s visual-novel gameplay style, Tron: Catalyst will feature a top-down camera perspective, with a dynamic combat system mixing up melee and ranged Identity Disc abilities, alongside the Light Cycle battles the series is known for. Composer Dan Le Sac also returns to work on the game’s soundtrack.

The official game description reads, “The Arq Grid stands on the brink of collapse. With your Identity Disc and Light Cycle, fight to escape by wielding the power of the Glitch loop. Electrifying action and a rich story combine in a new adventure set within Disney’s iconic Tron universe.”

Tron: Catalyst is set to release in 2025 for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post Game Sequel ‘Tron: Catalyst’ Announced For 2025 appeared first on Geek Culture.

Imagine being 28 years old and playing video games for the better part of 16 years. Then you find yourself at a new job covering video games, among other things, in early September, and on the first day of work, you’re told that the company is sending you to TGS that very same month.

That’s Tokyo Game Show, the annual video game convention held annually in Tokyo, Japan. Yes, Japan – home of Nintendo, Bandai Namco, Square Enix, Sony, PlayStation, and Sega – and if you are a gamer, you’ll understand it when they say there is no video games culture without Japan, and TGS is the mecca that all gamers yearn to experience. 

So, long-time gamer, a new job, and an all-expense ticket to the ultimate video game convention, complete with full media credentials – that’s like winning the lottery and meeting the girl of your dreams that same week. Sure, there have been visits to local game events in Singapore, from GameStart Asia to the upcoming Gamescom Asia… but that’s like replacing an A5 Miyazaki Wagyu steak with one from the neighbourhood Char Grill Bar – it’s similar but definitely not the same. And there’s no way those events can be compared to TGS, and going in with little idea of what to expect (I was a first-timer, after all), what eventually awaited me was both incredible and intimidating at the same time. 

So strap in, and let me take you on a virgin TGS 2024 experience for those who are preparing for that eventual trip, and for those who realise they’ll never make it there. Never say never because you never know if the things learned along the way on this inaugural trip can help any of you potential convention attendees out there looking to make full use of your first foray into the world of gaming cons.

Day one of the convention was as hectic as it was exciting, and the first thing you learn is that TGS isn’t technically in Tokyo. The global gaming event is held at Makuhari Messe, a massive convention centre in Chiba City, just outside of Tokyo (Yeah, CGS doesn’t have that nice of a ring to it), which meant it took more than an hour by train to get there from our hotel in Shinjuku. Along the way, the sight of fellow attendees on the packed train, some in cosplay outfits, should have provided indicators of how crowded the convention space would be, but it never prepared me for just how crowded it got.

Upon exiting the station, that’s when realization, along with a massive daisy chain of people shuffling their way towards a building in the distance, set in. It was only when the crowd moved closer that the scale of the event truly hit me. TGS is spread across 11 halls and 2 separate buildings, requiring a rather substantial walk in between. Was there even enough time to make it through everything? 

The exterior of the convention centre was plastered with huge posters of upcoming games, including Doom: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Here’s a fun fact—Bethesda, one of the world’s biggest game developers and publisher of both games, isn’t even at TGS and had only bought up all the ad space outside, which is something they apparently do every year.

Once inside, and after receiving the coveted media pass, it was onwards to the halls, via the VIP media entrance, no less. Almost immediately, the chatter in the halls and all sorts of noises coming from the various booths started to overwhelm, but in a bizarre way. You start hearing familiar music overlapping one another, and while you might not be able to put your finger on it, your brain registers a level of familiarity.

In most instances, you’ll never know where the music or sound comes from but sometimes, you’ll hear the distinctive “!” sound from the Metal Gear series and upon looking up, you see the massive Konami booth at the opposite end of the hall, and catch sight of the giant LED screen playing promotional videos for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.

Alas, the iconic sound attracted almost everyone else as well, as we all made a beeline towards the booth only to realise that a substantial queue had already formed for the much-anticipated demo. And therein lies my first TGS mistake of constantly returning in the hopes of seeing a shorter queue, instead of prioritising exploring everything else TGS had to offer. 

And offer it did. Every booth at the show had some form of centrepiece to draw attention. Giant statues were the most common sights, from Bandai Namco’s giant Goku statue to Square Enix’s massive ceiling-mounted Slime. Some booths even had live shows playing, like the one at SEGA / ATLUS, which featured a live-action performance reenacting cutscenes from role-playing game, Metaphor: ReFantazio.

So what do all these booths and events have in common? My first learning point.

Prepare For Leg Day

Be prepared to walk, or at least spend prolonged hours on your feet. Once inside the various halls, you’ll realise that there are no seating areas whatsoever, and between exploring the various booths or waiting in line for game demos, you are going to be spending most of your time on your feet. To prepare accordingly, wear comfortable shoes and thick socks to prevent abrasions and blisters.

There are seating areas in the corridors outside the convention halls, but due to its layout, constantly walking in and out of the hall can be time-consuming. There are specific exit and entrance points for attendees, and these are situated on opposite ends of the building. Very much like how most shopping centres work, this means that you have to walk almost the entire stretch of the halls just to exit, and vice versa, so it makes much more sense to stay within the confines of the hall, to save both time and energy.

After exploring the halls and figuring out which game demos I wanted to try out, I made the (bad) decision to return to where it all started, Konami. Instead of the shortened queue I had previously hoped for, the crowd had ballooned to an almost impressive amount (it would turn out to be the largest crowd I encountered throughout the experience). 

As I really wanted to try out the demo for Metal Gear Solid, I reluctantly joined the seemingly never-ending queue, only to be met with learning point number two.

The Importance of Translation Apps

Language barrier is a big issue in Japan, with a majority of the folks at the event unable to speak conversational English. The evolution of TGS to cater to a global audience means that by this time, every game booth should have at least one English-speaking staff member, but to avoid the awkward situation of staff frantically scrambling to find that one person who can understand you, it’s probably best to use translation apps to help you in a pinch. 

Here’s the thing, don’t even bother with any fancy voice-to-text translation software you might have because the crowd at the convention halls are loud, and these apps will simply fail to pick up your voice amidst the chatter that constantly fills the hall. Stick with the manual way, and type out your queries.

Conversely, camera translation apps such as Google Lens are a godsend. Game booths prominently feature signs (which are entirely in Japanese) detailing important information such as queue times or availability, and having an app to translate them can help avoid disappointment. Taking my experience waiting in line for Metal Gear Solid’s demo as an example, it turned out demand was much higher than expected, resorting to them handing out tickets on a first-come-first-serve basis, subsequently only allowing ticket holders to try out the game’s demo. This was what caused the massive lines I was unfortunately right in the middle of.

Unbeknownst to me, the ticketing period was already closed, and staff members were holding up signs conveying this information. I wasn’t aware of this fact and continued waiting until my stupidity was conveyed to me via a Google-translated conversation with staff. Translating the sign beforehand would have prevented my ensuing disappointment, and saved precious time to try out other games.

After the whole Metal Gear mishap, I moved on to check out other titles, but at this point, there were long queues at practically every booth, and with the convention’s closing hour looming ever closer, I decided to spend the rest of my time doing a little bit of recon. 

Formulate A Game Plan On Day 1

With so many booths to explore, demos to try out, and so little time, I realised it was essential to have a plan of action beforehand, to make full use of the time available. TGS 2024’s operating hours were from 10 am to 5 pm, which didn’t leave enough time to fully experience everything it had to offer. Making the decision to spend day 1 exploring in preparation for day 2 ended up being the right move, as it gave me the leeway to immerse myself in the atmosphere of TGS. Booths came in all shapes and sizes, some tucked away in corners or less travelled locations, so it became sort of an adventure navigating the various nooks and crannies trying to find a hidden gem.

And it paid off, oh it really did. Near closing time, I was wandering around aimlessly getting ready to leave, when I chanced upon a familiar sight in the corner of my eye. It was the silhouette of a character I recognised from a trailer viewed a few months prior – Phantom Blade Zero. 

Needless to say, Phantom Blade Zero skyrocketed to the top of my “to-try” list for day 2. This really goes to show that no matter how hard you try to plan, a gaming convention as large as TGS will always find ways to surprise you. Having a game plan is important but always keep an open mind and explore. Who knows, you just might chance upon something that surprises you. Like a phantom.

Prioritise Demos On Day 2

Now armed with a clear game plan, I headed into day 2 as a man on a mission, making it a point to reach just as the convention hall doors opened at 10 am. Once in, I immediately made my way to Phantom Blade Zero and was one of the first in line. Needless to say, the demo did not disappoint, and honestly, I’m still thinking about the roughly 10 minutes I spent with it, and you can share in that experience with my preview here.

Second on my agenda was Dynasty Warriors: Origins, one of the few games that shaped my gamer life. And here I was, and words can’t describe the feeling of playing the demo, and getting to experience the next evolution of my favourite game franchise ahead of everyone else. 

Next, I headed to the booth for The First Berserker: Khazan, a title I had no prior knowledge of, but I was lured to due to a massive LED screen that surrounded the entire booth. Like most other booths, this one had a rather long queue, but I had an ace up my sleeve – my media pass. One flash of my pass and I was brought to a separate counter, and one exchange of information later, I had secured a demo slot exclusively for me. Media privileges sure felt good.

One thing to note though, tailor your expectations regarding the game demos. Most of them last only 15 minutes each (with a select few being up to 30 minutes), so prepare to spend more time queuing for the demo than actually playing it. Here’s a pro tip – prioritise queues with 10 or so people versus empty ones. Game demos operate in batches, and an empty queue signifies that the previous batch has just gone in, requiring a wait time equivalent to the demo’s entire duration. Joining a line of people might seem counterproductive, but the chances of the ongoing demo reaching its end is much higher, leading to shorter wait times.

The First Berserker: Khazan marked the last of my planned titles to try, and I used the remaining time left trying demos that had shorter queues (like Dragon Age: The Veilguard), and also exploring the merchandise shop, where I acquired Silent Hill and Fallout themed pins to deck out my backpack. As just like that, two days flew by, and I was left with an experience I would never forget.

Overall, the entire game convention experience, especially for a newcomer, can be wrapped up with a single word – overwhelming. From the crowds to the sights and sounds, prepare for a literal assault to all your senses, and that’s okay, I’ve learnt that it’s all part of the experience. It can all be quite stressful for first-timers, but with proper planning and focus, your first gaming convention can be both an exciting and fulfilling adventure.

My closing advice for all you potential convention goers? Start small. Gamescom Asia 2024, held in Singapore from 18 to 20 October, might be your best bet. Baby steps people, you’ve got this.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post TGS 2024 Was A Hectic, Eye-Opening Learning Experience For This Noob Lifelong Gamer appeared first on Geek Culture.

The spiky-haired, finger-pointing lawyer that is Phoenix Wright may be the face of Capcom’s Ace Attorney series, but the significance of his sharp-witted, level-headed rival prosecutor Miles Edgeworth cannot be understated. Two halves of a truth-seeking duo, the legal aces have thrown countless ‘Objections!’ at each other in court, working together on opposing sides to find the truth. 

But as longtime fans would know, that hasn’t always been the case. Miles has mellowed out throughout the games, going from Demon Prosecutor and reluctant ally to a trusted confidante, earning him a permanent spot in the list of all-time favourites. After witnessing his growth from an external lens, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection presents the chance to step into the shoes of the titular character and dive into his inner psyche. 

Instead of courtroom drama, however, players will take to the streets and engage in battles of wit at crime scenes and relevant places of interest. It signifies a heavier lean into the mystery genre and point-and-click influence, but retains the spirit of its progenitor wholeheartedly, from the over-the-top flair and eclectic personalities to dramatic twists. 

Set between the third and fourth mainline entries – Trials & Tribulations and Apollo Justice respectively, to be exact – the duology marks the first official localisation of Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit, following its Japan-only release in 2011 that subsequently received a wonderful fan translation. 

The sequel joins 2009’s Ace Attorney: Miles Edgeworth, released internationally in 2010, in fleshing out the gameplay loop of examining scenes, collecting evidence, making observations, and interrogating suspects to bring them to apollo justice. A refreshing and enjoyable change in pace, the compilation is a stark reminder of its underrated nature, reinforcing the collective enthusiasm for Miles as a major recurring figure – even if it doesn’t necessarily escape the shadow of the mainline titles. 

The most distinct tweak right off the bat is the enhanced HD visual presentation, bringing a charming glint to the character designs. In a neat pivot, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection features newly-drawn iterations of the original sprites, spawning fluid animation and polished portraits that fit nicely into the 16:9 aspect ratio. Fans looking to relive the Nintendo DS experience can opt for the original graphics, but they don’t look the best on bigger displays like TVs and monitors. On the console’s 6.2-inch screen, the less crisp visuals are easier to forgive.

Navigation marks another departure from tradition. Unlike its mainline counterparts, the duology offers direct control over Miles, who can move around in a space – as opposed to jumping between different menu screens – and interact with both objects and people of interest. It’s also more grounded, eschewing the series’ recurring supernatural and mystical elements for step-by-step deductions, so don’t expect to break Psyche-Locks, summon spirits, Perceive abnormal twitches, or analyse erratic emotions. There’s only one way to solve the case here, and it’s with good ol’ logic. 

In fact, Logic comes as a new addition to Ace Attorney Investigations Collection, where players have to manually make connections between two pieces of information and draw new conclusions. Piecing them together correctly often sparks a sense of satisfaction, joining the Little Thief mechanic in spicing up gameplay.

Owned by Miles’ energetic sidekick Kay Faraday, the simulation device allows her to re-create and investigate old crime scenes to progress, with the freedom to jump between the past and present versions of them proving handy in uncovering fresh clues. It gets an upgrade in the sequel, bringing the ability to map out a crime scene at multiple moments in time, bathed in a green glow. 

Rebuttals, meanwhile, tread on familiar territory. Building on the cross-examination face-offs in court, these brief debate sequences pit Edgeworth against various opponents as he dissects testimonies, presses for more information, and shouts out objections when a contradiction appears (sounds familiar?). The signature speech bubble always makes for a welcoming sight, but like all the other entries in the series, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection suffers from the same structured linearity. 

Essentially, the game follows a single thread of logic, where the correct piece of evidence or conversational topic needs to be presented at the right time. There’s a rigidity to the process that fans should already be used to, and the occasional frustration that follows this step-by-step flow still persists, especially where far-fetched reasoning leaps (even by Ace Attorney standards) are concerned. 

The reprieve is that Miles’ reactions to wrong responses or guesses brings an entertaining touch to the whole affair – more so than playing as the Phoenix Wright, whose behavior and humour align fairly closely with his personality. Here, some of the prosecutor’s inner monologue and statements are at odds with his level-headed, composed demeanour, humanising him in a way that adds to his growth from the original trilogy.

Part of the portrayal can also be attributed to his interactions with the supporting cast, which includes series regulars Dick Gumshoe, Franziska von Karma, and Larry Butz, as well as returning side characters like Wendy Oldbag (plus, a special cameo from Phoenix and Maya and Pearl Fey). It’s his dynamic with Kay that stands out, however, softening out his stern-faced, straight-laced edges – a development that carries over to Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit.

While Ace Attorney: Miles Edgeworth makes for a good time, much of the heavy lifting is done in the subsequent outing. The first game takes a while to find its footing, so its execution is a little loose and flimsy, ending up more on the middling side of things with some less-than-memorable cases. But it walked so Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit could run, and boy, does it sprint to a gratifying high. With improved storytelling and characterisation, the sequel alone is worth playing through the lows of the original title.

For starters, Mind Chess turns Rebuttals into a more engaging affair. A countdown timer now appears at the top of the screen, and players will have to poke holes at a testimony and use logic to overwhelm opponents before it runs out. Aggression won’t always work, though, as this virtual chess space also offers the option to stay silent, allowing Miles to bide his time and wait for the subject to walk into a trap. 

The mechanic works to greater effect past the first two cases, introducing a sense of urgency to the problem-solving process that never overstays its welcome. Despite the adrenaline boost, the stakes do still feel lower as compared to the courtroom battles, sharing the same issue as its predecessor, and can sometimes lead to a tonal mismatch between expectations – descriptors like “epic” or “cool” come to mind – and reality, such as the anti-climactic interrogation of Miles’ childhood friend and bumbling comedic figure Larry.

Some may find that the cases in the collection take longer to complete, especially for the finale, and it’s nothing new. Where Ace Attorney: Miles Edgeworth tends to drag developments out for too long, however, Prosecutor’s Gambit finds a sharper edge in its tighter pacing and more streamlined storytelling. The slow-burn opening paves the way for a gripping, mind-blowing conclusion to the saga, and the mysteries, each with their fair share of twists and red herrings, are intricately woven into a cohesive narrative. Not every case is perfect, of course, but there’s often the fun element to look forward to with hardly moments of boredom, alongside interesting locations. 

Characterisation, too, feels more fleshed out here. As Miles’ dynamics with his companions have already been established, there’s a stronger and easier connection to the main cast. There’s a layered veneer to new faces, both allies and foes alike, that takes time to unravel, revealing more to them than meets the eye (in classic Ace Attorney fashion). It’s common for players to change their impression of certain characters, where some will grow on them, and others, evoking strong emotional responses. In a welcome nod to Miles’ past, one of the cases turns back the clock to feature his father Gregory, which is a nice dose of fan service. 

The callbacks can also be a bit of a double-edged sword because while they are a given for spin-offs, the nostalgia occasionally comes across as overdone and deters Ace Attorney Investigations Collection from cementing an identity strong enough to stand on its own. At least its reputation for eccentric characters and punny names remains intact, spanning groan-worthy and puzzling to genuinely witty ones. 

To that end, there’s little to complain about the localisation of Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor’s Gambit. Admittedly, there are moments where the fan translation seems to be a better fit – such as Sebastian Debeste, the unofficial name of Eustace Winner that sparked many “I’m the best” jokes with hilarious comebacks from Miles – but it reads naturally and smoothly enough. Be it legalese or regular jargon, the information is presented in a palatable, digestible manner, even if it gets a little verbose at times. 

Like all of its re-released counterparts, Ace Attorney Investigations Collection adds a Story Mode feature that acts as a helpline for players who are stuck at any point in the game and advances the story on their behalf, from automatically playing out dialogue to choosing the right piece of evidence. It does dilute the experience, however, and disables trophies and achievements when activated, so a hint system might be more ideal as an alternative. 

Other quality-of-life improvements include an episode and chapter selection, as well as the ability to review character dialogue through the History tab and switch between the original and new soundtrack arrangements from both titles. As expected, the duology promises quality music in spades, whether it’s the thrilling, pulsating beats of the Pursuit Theme, or the chirpy and distinctive character scores.

The arrival of Ace Attorney Investigations Collection marks another exciting landmark for series veterans, now that every game in the lineup (except the Professor Layton crossover title) is available to play in English on modern hardware. Despite stepping away from courtroom drama, the bundle still wears the charming, outlandish flair of its forebears proudly, doing a great job at combining new elements with what fans loved about the original trilogy – quirks and all. The wager doesn’t always pay off, particularly in the first game, but the delight of diving into some of the best storytelling in the series makes an iron-clad argument to embark on a new adventure. 

And one with a fan-favourite protagonist to boot? No objections there. 

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Ace Attorney Investigations Collection – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Valve has added a new disclosure to its video game distribution storefront Steam, clarifying that users do not own the games they purchase and instead only have access to a license for the product bought.

The addition to Steam’s shopping cart page now reads, “A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam.”

The reasoning for the addition has not been officially confirmed, but it is likely due to a new law. In September 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law forcing digital storefronts to clearly state that customers are purchasing a license to use digital media, rather than owning the actual product.

This comes as a direct response to companies removing content from users’ accounts. In April 2024, after the shutdown of the online-only racing game The Crew, Ubisoft began deleting the game directly from players’ accounts. Sony also attempted to remove Discovery shows from PlayStation libraries in December 2023 but backtracked the move shortly after.

With the law coming into effect in 2025, Valve has likely added the new disclosure to get ahead of it. With digital storefronts banned from using terms such as “buy” or “purchase” for any digital products other than a license, Valve already seems to have covered its bases.

Kevin Low

Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.

The post You Don’t Own Your Games, Says Steam To Customers In Updated Disclosure appeared first on Geek Culture.