Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 2184

The POKÉMON Intro Is Brought to Life When Rendered in 3D

Our collective love of Pokémon might be endless. As you might expect from a nerdy website, we’re absolute suckers for anything related to Ash Ketchum and his endless quest to “catch ’em all,” including this 3D rendering of the show’s opening credits.

WAIT A SECOND! We just put it together. “Ketchum” sounds an awful lot like “catch ’em” doesn’t it? Oh boy, we’re gonna have to re-watch everything now that we finally connected that! How were we so blind!? Now if we could only figure out what the word “Pokémon” has to do with these pocket monster things.

Shared via a recent post on wwg.com, this 3D Pokémon intro was created by YouTube’s QuickDrawCreate. The channel itself is chock full of quick-paced tutorials on how draw, create, model, and animate a myriad of characters from film and television using Autodesk’s Maya modeling software. It seems that every so often, QuickDrawCreate puts their creative money where their creative mouths are and demonstrates their tutorials in a grand piece like the one above. Compare it to the original animated intro, and you’ll see they’ve done a spot-on job recreating it.

There’s something about the original cute Pokémon rendered in 3D that makes us want them to exist in real life more so than ever before. We all got a taste of what that could be like with Pokémon GO, but Squirtles and Bulbasaurs on our phone screens just don’t cut it anymore after seeing Ash cuddle up next to his. Actually, on second thought, it might not be the best idea to have Pokémon IRL considering how horrifying they’d have to be outside of a cartoon. Yeah. We take it back. You can keep ’em all, Ash.

What Pokémon would you want to see rendered in the mighty third dimension? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

Image: QuickDrawCreate

What? Pokemon Go Uses Science and Math?

Sobering Facts Collide with Creepy Fiction in HBO’s Beware the Slenderman (Review)

In May of 2014, two 12-year-old Wisconsin girls led a friend into the woods, stabbed her repeatedly, and left her for dead. (Fortunately the victim was located in time, and recovered after a long hospital stay.) When interviewed by police, the girls–Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier–claimed that they’d committed the crime to gain favor with “Slenderman,” which is sort of a contemporary boogeyman whose popularity has grown thanks to countless creepy photos and scary stories on the internet. It’s a piece of pop culture that has periodically crept into headlines over the past few years, so it was only a matter of time before some documentary filmmakers decided to tackle the story.

Fortunately those filmmakers are working for HBO, an outfit very well-known for its high-quality non-fiction films. With Beware the Slenderman, director Irene Taylor Brodsky seems fully intent on not only digging into why whys and the hows of this tragic story, but also on offering an honest, unflinching look at the girls’ behavior, families, and possible motivations for the attack. And this is why documentaries are so important: read a brief news story about Morgan and Anissa and you’re likely to dismiss them as inhuman monsters who were raised by ignorant fools–but after learning a bit about each family, you begin to realize that not everything is so black and white.

It’s easy to cast people as simple villains, and it certainly feels good to do so after something terrible happens, but Ms. Brodsky takes great pains to illustrate that, while Morgan and Anissa did commit a horrific crime, perhaps there were extenuating circumstances that made the two girls so deluded, confused, and angry.

Alienated, lonely adolescents can sometimes take refuge in the darkest of places, and that seems to be what happened here. Firmly convinced that the Slenderman legend was real, these two emotionally unstable girls went and stabbed their friend 19 times–but why? The film makes the case that Morgan and Anissa were more outcasts than bullies, that they had very few friends besides each other, and that perhaps one (or both) of them are suffering from severe mental issues, each one feeding of the other’s neediness.

Beware the Slenderman also makes the (very clear) case that there are some deep, dark, scary things to be found on the internet, and that parents should pay attention to what their kids are up to online. The fact that one of the girls seems to suffer deeply from true schizophrenia just makes the story all the more tragic; Morgan seems to believe that she and her victim are still friends.

Of course the film spends some time dissecting the origin and the impact of the relatively new Slenderman phenomenon, but for the most part we’re focused on the crime, the court case, and the confused parents who are trying to discern how they could have prevented the attack. It’s natural to want to choose “easy villains” when you hear a story like this, but Beware the Slenderman does an impressive job of covering the issues from every angle. It could be that Morgan and Anissa were simply “born bad” (which is highly unlikely) or perhaps they’re victims in their own right. Emotionally unstable kids can do some terrible things, especially when provoked by terrifying ideas, but hopefully frank, honest films like Beware the Slenderman will help make us all a little more attentive to these things in the future.

4 non-slender burritos out of 5

Images: HBO

Scream at a Wall: DROUGHTS, MASTODON, PALLBEARER, and More!

Wipe the blood from your teeth and get in the pit: it’s time for a recap of this week’s best hardcore, metal, and punk rock. It’s a new year and the perfect time to get amped up on some new heavy tunes. Looking for some new death metal to bring into your life? Got you covered. Need some grindcore to get your wedding reception off on the right foot? Say no more. Strap in, kiddies; it’s time to rock.

 

 

We’re kicking things off this week with a premiere from the band Droughts. These guys play a brand of frantic post-hardcore that worms its way into your soul and stays there: think bands like Hot Cross, Modern Life is War, and Touche Amore. We’ve insanely stoked to be sharing the track “Marionette” from their upcoming LP, Stay Behind. You can hear it below and experience the wall of sound Droughts brings first hand. Raw and kinetic, Droughts’ sound walks a line of total control and complete chaos. There’s an undeniable energy to this track, something visceral and real.

You click the pic above to pre-order Stay Behind and listen to “Marionette” below.

 

Boy oh boy, do we love Tournament’s sleazy sound. It’s punk as all hell and it brings with it a sense of audio carnage that can only be visually captured with a montage of sex, violence, and horror. Fortunately for us, Derrick Beckles (VICE TV, TV Carnage, Adult Swim) did just that. The track “Ooze” crashes through your speakers while shit blows up, ladies dance, and battles ensue. It’s madness, in the best possible way. Tournament just finished playing a Planned Parenthood benefit out in NYC, which is just another reason to love them. This is what rock n’ roll is all about, people. Fight the power, embrace the carnage, and rock ’til you drop.

 

There’s something so joyous about discovering a new awesome band. We’ve just learned about Drip-Fed and they are freaking rad. They mix punk rock and post-hardcore into a mean cacophony of riffs and screams that will rattle your bones and shake your spirit. The end result is something wholly unique and beautifully fervent; a true one of a kind. “The Shivers” is an earnest and impassioned song that we’ve had on repeat for days, because it’s just too good. Drip-Fed is a band to watch, no doubt.

(PunkNews)

 

Stop everything. Mastodon, guys. Mastodon. The lords of the riff have returned and we welcome them with violent praise and bloody sacrifice. The final day of March 2017 will bring the band’s new LP Emperor of Sand into the world and our souls are quivering in anticipation. The first single from the album is a jam called “Sultan’s Curse” and it’s a beauty. Tonally, it falls somewhere between Crack the Skye and Once More ‘Round the Sun. It’s catchy and, at times, hypnotic. Of course, it’s also Mastodon, so there’s plenty of furious guitar work and frenzied drumming, too. It’s good, in other words. We’re ready for more. We’re ready to worship at the feet of the kings. We’re ready for Emperor of Sand.

 

Pallbearer are a band that just keeps getting better and better. We caught them last year when they opened for Baroness, and it was a kickass show. These guys are spacey, heavy, and filled with doom. Their stuff is filled with harmony, but there’s a dark edge to it, too. Take, for instance, the newly premiered track “Thorns.” It manages to be both ugly and beautiful, light and dark. You call them doom metal, no doubt, but there’s more to Pallbearer than that. They’re pushing boundaries, crafting a sound that’s big and all-consuming. They’re Cthulhu in sonic form. If you haven’t experienced them, we highly recommend you give the track below a spin. You should also try to catch them when they hit your town on tour, because seeing them live is a real treat.

 

That’s it for us this week. Got a grindcore, deathcore, hardcore, metal, or punk jam you think the world needs to hear? Let us know about it in the comments below.

Image: Mastodon/Reprise

Gif: Cartoon Network/Regular Show

Benjamin Bailey writes for the Nerdist and can be found on Twitter talking about Godzilla, comic books, and hardcore music.

Everything We Know About STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI So Far

The next Star Wars film will continue the saga films. Episode VIII, I’m sorry, The Last Jedi, directed and written by Rian Johnson will pick up where The Force Awakens left off and carry us further into the post-Return of the Jedi era. Yes, it’s exciting. Now that we have a couple new Star Wars films behind us, many fans are taking off the Leia buns for The Last Jedi, uncovering their ears, and soaking up all the information they can before the film’s release. If you’re ready to learn every fact we know about The Last Jedi so far (just like the title says!), you’re in the right place. Let’s break it down.

Title

Lucasfilm has announced the title of Episode VIII is The Last Jedi. With the cat finally out of the bag as of January 23, Johnson shared a post on Instagram showing the title in the opening crawl.

Felt so good to drop this into the cut this morning.

A photo posted by Rian Johnson (@riancjohnson) on Jan 24, 2017 at 10:06am PST

I’m not freaking out. You’re freaking out.

Thanks to io9 for bringing that to our attention.

It'll always be Space Bear to me.

— Pablo Hidalgo (@pablohidalgo) January 23, 2017

The working title for the film may very well have been Space Bear. Yep.

Release Date

Star Wars: The Last Jedi will arrive to theaters on December 15, 2017.

Returning Cast

Many faces seen in The Force Awakens will be back for Episode VIII. These returning cast members have been confirmed: Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma), and Andy Serkis (Supreme Leader Snoke).

The production announcement video featured Hamill and Ridley on Ahch-To:

A little peek of Maz, courtesy of Johnson’s Tumblr:

http://rcjohnso.tumblr.com/post/142244762595

And John Williams isn’t exactly what I would call a cast member, but this is where I’ll note he’s returning to compose music for The Last Jedi.

New Cast Members

And how about some new faces and characters? Disney and Lucasfilm confirmed Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, and Kelly Marie Tran are all on board for The Last Jedi. No details have been revealed about who they’re all playing yet.

Story Details

The Last Jedi will continue the Skywalker saga. We don’t have any kind of official synopsis yet, but we do have vague comments from cast members, less vague comments from Johnson, and straight up rumor and speculation. Let’s stick with firsthand tidbits.

In a January 9 interview with USA Today, Johnson said we’ll learn more about our new heroes, Rey, Poe, and Finn in Episode VIII: “I wanted to know more about each of them, and that doesn’t just mean information or backstory. Figure out what’s the most difficult thing each of them could be challenged with now — let’s throw that at them and dig into what really makes them tick by seeing how they handle that.”

He also said The Last Jedi will go into the relationship between Luke and Rey with Luke being the “emotional entry point” into the film. The movie will begin exactly where The Force Awakens left off.

And in unsurprising news, the Millennium Falcon is back. Johnson posted a photo of the Falcon’s Dejarik table months ago:

A photo posted by Rian Johnson (@riancjohnson) on Jul 7, 2016 at 5:04am PDT

This post will be continuously updated as we learn more about the film, so stay tuned for the eventual synopsis, trailer, poster—all the juicy information.

Images: Lucasfilm/Disney

Breaking Down the Surprising Amount of CGI in A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS

Since you clicked on this article, chances are pretty good that you’ve already completed–or are in the middle of–a quality binge watch of Netflix’s new show A Series of Unfortunate Events. We find the show, based on the children’s books by Lemony Snicket (the pen name of author Daniel Handler), breathtakingly beautiful and much more immersive than that of the 2004 adaptation starring Jim Carrey. We think part of that immersive quality is because of the intricate world created by the VFX team over at Zoic Studios.



A recent post on io9 brought Zoic’s VFX reel to our attention and we’re floored by just how much detail went into creating the world that the Baudelaire children find themselves in. As you would expect for some of the more impossible or dangerous things that happen, the series has its share of CGI alterations. This is especially true when it comes to the poker-playing and snake-charming tendencies of the youngest Baudelaire child. Watching the series from now on will make us wonder whether or not the adorable infant actress Presley Smith (Sunny) ever filmed her scenes with the rest of the cast, due to all the digital additions that seemed so real and innocuous. For instance, being held one-handed high above NPH’s head looks real and is completely possible to do in real life but we recognize how dangerous that could be. Since there’s no such thing as an stunt-infant–it makes sense that there are certain things baby wranglers (or “parents,” if you want to use boring words) won’t let their child do and are probably best to accomplish via CGI.

What really surprised us is the level of CGI involved in the exterior shots and just how much of it was green-screened. We understand that the locations the Baudelaires travel to are fictional, but we weren’t expecting so much of, well, almost everything to be built digitally. We were kind of hoping for some grand and ornate set pieces of one of the homes or a creepy real location or two to sneak their way into the show. However, it seems Lemony Snicket’s world is just a little too fantastic to exist in real life. This, however, actually speaks volumes about the actors’ abilities (especially the children’s) to pull us further into that world, knowing that they spent their time filming against so much green screen and things that just weren’t there at all.

What digital effect in the video were you certain was real? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

Image: Netflix

Why Even Non-Wrestling Fans Will Enjoy This Year’s WWE Royal Rumble

This weekend it doesn’t matter if you stopped watching professional wrestling years ago, nor does it matter if you have ever watched it, because the WWE‘s annual Royal Rumble is not only the single best, most exciting match the company puts on, it’s the only one that can truly be enjoyed by fans and non-fans alike. And that’s never been truer than it is for this year’s Rumble, which has more legendary names and possible winners than ever.

Not to mention it won’t cost you a dime to watch.

Before we try to convince you why you should watch (and if you’re wondering why we care, it’s because we love the Royal Rumble so much we look forward to it for 364 days a year, and want more people to discuss it with), understand you can see the whole pay-per-view for nothing on the WWE Network (a streaming site that has numerous options to watch), by signing up for a free one-month trial. It starts live tonight at 7 p.m. eastern, but can be viewed any time thereafter on-demand on the Network.

So we’re basically offering you a copy of our favorite band’s album and begging you to listen to it just because we love it so much. WE’RE THAT GUY AND WE DON’T CARE.

If you don’t know what the namesake Royal Rumble match entails, it’s a battle royal that starts with two wrestlers, and every 90 seconds (some years it’s 30, some it’s 60…it varies) another wrestler joins (they enter based on a “random” draw). It continues like that until 29 wrestlers have been thrown over the top rope and have had both feet hit the ground, eliminating them. The winner gets to go on to headline WrestleMania, the professional wrestling Superbowl.

While that stipulation makes the outcome so important and exciting (and trust us when we say there is nothing quite like the Rumble match), it also makes it so only the biggest stars can win. The WWE needs someone famous enough to be in such a prominent position at the company’s signature event, and since this is all booked (a.k.a. scripted), usually at least 20 contestants in the Royal Rumble can’t really win. Though that doesn’t mean they can’t be important.

So while someone like the charismatic (and real life nerd) Xavier Woods won’t win, he could get one of the annual “Iron Man” spots, where he stays in the match for an hour and looks like a star even when he’s eliminated. Or you could get a great, surprise showing from a unimportant guy like Mojo Rawley, whose character is defined by being super high energy all the time (he doesn’t “get hype,” he “stays hype”). Rawley is a giant man even in a company of giant men, and letting him shine in the match could help him be taken more seriously by fans, which could help propel him to bigger and better things in the future.

But we get it; you aren’t necessarily here for two guys you haven’t heard of. But don’t worry, this year’s Royal Rumble is for you, the non-fan, as much as it is for us, the weekly viewers.

Here are the biggest names in the match that you have probably heard of or seen before.

The Undertaker (4/1 odds)

Yes, that Undertaker, who made his WWE debut in 1990, is still wrestling, but unlike almost all other years he is in the Royal Rumble match. He’s a part-timer these days, so any appearance by the Dead Man feels extra special, but considering that he might win and go on to a huge (possibly final) match at WrestleMania makes this one even better.

Goldberg (5/1)

The former WCW superstar returned to the ring after being away for twelve years, and even though he is 50 now he looks amazing. His first match back was against the normally unbeatable Brock Lesnar, whom Goldberg beat in about 90 seconds. It’s still fun to chant “Goooooooold-beeeerg, Goooooooold-beeeerg,” but his presence here is far from being about nostalgia. He might win.

Brock Lesnar (16/1)

Speaking of the Beast Incarnate, the former UFC champion is still the most believable pro wrestler in the world, not only because he looks like a monster, but he can make you believe his opponents are in actual mortal danger when they wrestle him. These odds are way, way too low. Anytime Lesnar fights it’s much-watch, but after what happened between him and Goldberg a few months ago it’s going to be especially crazy this time.

The Miz (16/1)

Not only did the former Real World star fulfill his dream of becoming a WWE wrestler, he is a former world heavyweight champion who just so happens to be doing the best work of his career right now. The Miz would be a slight surprise, but few would be as deserving and capable of being back at the top of the company. Not to mention The Miz has tons of crossover appeal to the mainstream media, which the WWE is obsessed with.

John Cena (MAYBE)

Why maybe? Because John Cena isn’t technically in the Royal Rumble as of now. He has a match for the World Heavyweight Championship earlier and if he wins that he won’t be in the Rumble (though that might mean his opponent and current champ A.J. Styles will be, and he’s been the MVP of the company since making his WWE debut last year, so hopefully the loser of this match is put in). John Cena is still the biggest, most famous current star the WWE has, so he’s going to be involved at WrestleMania one way or another, and in a big role. Even if he’s not in the Rumble, Cena and Styles should have an incredible match.

Big Show (80/1)

“The World’s Largest Athlete” probably won’t win, but the WWE is teasing a showdown between the veteran giant monster versus the new giant monster, Braun Strowman, which means we might get a massive face-to-face during the Rumble, which will be one of the most exciting moments of the entire match.

Chris Jericho (10/1)

Another star that has been around forever, but who just so happens to be one of the best, most loved characters in the company today, even though he is technically a heel (bad guy). Few wrestlers are getting the reaction he does every show, and with good reason–he’s been amazing in his most recent run. (How good as he been? He made a literal list of grievances the most popular part of Monday Night Raw, and has turned calling people a “stupid idiot” into an art form.) Jericho winning would bring down the house, and even though he is on the back nine of his career he’s still one of their most marketable and best stars.

Randy Orton (4/11)

The betting markets all seem to know something since Orton appears to be the favorite to win (though the WWE loves to make changes at the 11th hour to avoid making the match predictable). Orton is one of the most under-appreciated superstars they’ve ever had, with a resume that compares to anyone. His work with Bray Wyatt, the Bayou cult leader he is currently a disciple of (and someone else that could win the match), has been some of the most interesting work he’s done in years, and Orton has been at the top of a WrestleMania card before, so he can pull it off.

Triple H (MAYBE)

Last year’s Royal Rumble winner has only been on one show since the last WrestleMania, but it was a huge moment as he helped Kevin Owens win the Universal Championship.

(Sidenote: Owens is one of the best wrestlers non-fans might not know but should, especially since if he loses his belt to Roman Reigns earlier in the night he could end up in the Rumble and maybe even win it. Reigns, who has headlined the last two WrestleManias–yeah, he’s important to WWE–will probably be in the Rumble if he loses to Owens).

Triple H will definitely be involved with WrestleMania, most likely fighting Seth Rollins (another star you might not know but who is one of the biggest wrestlers in the company), and the Rumble officially starts the “road to WrestleMania,” so odds are he’ll be involved some way in this match, which means he might end up in it. (We also think Rollins, currently not in it, will find a way in himself. We certainly hope he does.)

And these are just the names of people even casual or non-fans will know. It doesn’t include great current wrestlers that have a real claim to deserving a win in this match, like Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Sami Zayn, Rusev, Baron Corbin, Sheamus, and Cesaro. Normally the match has way too much filler, but not this year’s. Only 22 of the 30 participants have been named, and while a few of those will go to old-timers (like say a Hacksaw Jim Duggan) in nostalgia spots (which you will get way too excited for), some of them will go to genuine surprises that will blow the roof off the place.

And if all of those mega-stars aren’t enough to get you to watch, or the zero-dollar price tag isn’t enticing you either, just remember this: you can gamble on the match by having people over to watch it and having everyone throw some money into a pot. Draw random numbers 1-30 (groups of 5 or 6 work best), and if the wrestler that comes out in one of your numbers wins, you win the pot.

It’s the most exciting, completely out-of-your-hands gamble that you’ll ever make.

There’s a reason we obsess about the Royal Rumble match all year.

Who do you want to see win? Grapple with our comments section below and tell us.

Featured Image: WWE

Everything We Know About MASS EFFECT: ANDROMEDA so Far

It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly five years since the release of Mass Effect 3; it’s truly been quite the journey to the release of Mass Effect: Andromeda, due out in less than two months. Since it was officially announced back in 2015, Bioware kept many of the details and changes that were on the way vague, up until our first real look at the game during E3 2016. The developer revealed even more on N7 day last year, and will presumably continue to drop hints up until the game’s release.

Looking for a comprehensive rundown of everything that’s on the way? Here’s everything we know so far:

When it’s releasing

Though it was originally slated to release Holiday 2016, we received word early last year that the game would unfortunately be pushed back a few months. After nearly a year of keeping the date a secret, the folks at Bioware hit CES to announce that the game will finally be hitting shelves on March 21. Players will be able to grab the title on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Commander Shepard says goodbye.

After the events of Mass Effect 3 came to disappointing end in 2012, so did Commander Shepard’s involvement in the series. As many expected, Bioware confirmed that they were taking the series “far away from and long after the events of the original trilogy.” Following that reveal, we learned a bit more about both of those teases; the title will take place 600 years after Mass Effect 3 in the Andromeda Galaxy (hence the name!).

To mark the turning point in the series, the developer released a special teaser in which Fem Shep (voiced by Jennifer Hale) signed off and said her final farewell. While bittersweet, Bioware’s passion for the pivot was palpable during their EA Play 2016 video. Check it out below.

It wasn’t until the video above that we got our first peek at the game’s fearless protagonist. In the gorgeous trailer, a mysterious female character emerged from a cryogenic pod and whispered “we made it.” Aside from the brief bit of story, the developer also explained a bit more about the project, including the fact they made an effort to build on things fans love about the series, and take it to new heights.

Though it came as no surprise, Bioware also revealed that the game was entirely built on EA’s exclusive Frostbite 3 engine. If you’re unfamiliar with the engine, or what it means, games like Dragon Age: Inquisition, Star Wars Battlefront, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, and Battlefield 1 all utilized it.  We’ve already seen Andromeda in action on it, and so far, so good (and gorgeous).

The Andromeda Initiative

Some time during Mass Effect 2, the Nexus Space Station was launched into deep space, along with several Arks, in search of a new home planet for humanity. Once in Andromeda, the Arks were supposed to rendezvous with the Nexxus to commence the Pathfinder Expedition, but when the inhabitants of the Hyperion Ark (which holds nearly 20,000 humans, including our protagonists) woke up after being in cryo-statsis for 600 years, they found themselves in the wrong location and marooned in space. With all contact between them, the Nexxus and the other arks lost, their only hope is to determine if the nearest planet, Habitat 7, is safe.

Meet the Tempest crew

With Shepard out of the picture, the protagonist slack will be picked up by either Sarah or Scott Ryder (depending on which gender you want to play as). While giving players two gender options for the main character isn’t anything new, the cool thing is that this time around, the characters are siblings. That means that you’ll be able to interact with whichever sibling you didn’t choose during the game. Of course, that doesn’t mean they’ll be able to go on missions with you. It’s a different approach that I’m curious to see in action.

The playable siblings are the offspring of Alec Ryder, the Pathfinder (senior mission officer) of Station Hyperion, and a member of the original task force that left the Milky Way Galaxy. Liam Kostas is the station’s idealist and Security and Crisis Response specialist. The Biotic Cora Harper—who many are suspecting might be a relative of the Illusive Man thanks to her last name—is the ship’s Operations Specialist who recently spent time working with a group of Asari Commandos. Last but not least is the A.I., S.A.M. (a.k.a. Simulated Adapted Matrix), created by Alec Ryder to boost situational awareness, problem solving, and tactical enhancement via neural link to Alec. Meanwhile, a Salarian named Kallo Jath will act as pilot of the Tempest.

Aside from the humans, there are several characters that can be recruited. So far, we know of Peebee, a recruitable Asari who Bioware described as a bubbly yet blunt lone wolf who is “constantly looking for clues and things she can study,” particularly when it comes to alien technology. Then, there’s Vetra, another recruitable character, who is a female Turian we still don’t know much about—aside from the fact that she’ll have a loyalty mission at some point in the game. Another big recruitable character is the Krogan named Drack, who, like Vetra, will have a loyalty mission.

As we can already tell from the confirmed characters, several familiar races are making a return. Of course, because we’re not in the Milky Way Galaxy anymore, there will be new races to meet, and fight—including the Kett, the first foreign species the player will encounter in the game. From what’s been revealed so far, the group, led by the villain Archon (revealed in the video above) appear to be the main antagonists in Andromeda. That said, the developer also hinted that not every member of the race will be an enemy of the Hyperion squad.

 Combat

Though the title still features cover-based shooting, it will be much more dynamic this time around. Additionally, hot-keyed abilities will be replacing a wheel, and traversal will change with the use of a jet pack (for quick side-dashes, and a higher viewpoint during battle). Like past entries, the player will still issue commands to the squad, and queue attacks.

As for the largest changes, the paragon/renegade (good/evil) system has been replaced by a wider spectrum of responses, and players will no longer be required to pick a starting class. Rather, you will instead assign skills  you want, and build your character from there. With the ability to re-spec your character’s skill points at specific times, this opens the door for more variety in character builds.

PRO TIP: In MEA, you can craft your own krogan-style hammer and name it GRABTHAR'S HAMMER.

That one's free, folks. #space

— Ian S. Frazier (@tibermoon) January 17, 2017

Exploration and Crafting

Andromeda will be significantly large than Mass Effect 3, with entire planets available for exploration. Each  of these planets will reportedly have a different biome to explore, which can be traversed either by foot or via the Nomad vehicle (similar to the Mako buggy of the past, but without vehicular combat) which boasts customizable speed, and appearence.  Players can explore freely, or take on missions. As for the Tempest ship, players cannot pilot it manually, but will instead select planets on the interactive map, which was changed with the intention of cutting down on load times.

Players will also be able to craft powerful weapons (including swords, and hammers!) using blueprints they’ve acquired, and then name them. Want a Krogan hammer named Grabthar’s Hammer? Let your imagination run wild.

Multiplayer

While Andromeda‘s multiplayer take’s place within the campaign’s fiction, it will no longer affect your progress. During multiplayer, you play as a member of the Apex Force, a group tasked with defending and fighting waves of powerful aliens. If that sounds familiar, its because it was the core setup  seen in Mass Effect 3‘s multiplayer. Players will be able to unlock card packs with in-game credits or via microtransactions

Romance

And now the part you’ve been waiting for. Yes, the romance system is back and updated for Andromeda. Both inter-species and same-sex relationship options will be making a welcome return. This time, however, Bioware is aiming to make relationships more natural and realistic, with different levels of intimacy. That means that in addition to romantic relationships, you will be able to form platonic friendships with other characters.

To make relationships more realistic, the developer explained that different characters will want different things; some prefer to get physical right away, while others keep walls up until you’ve gained their trust. They’ve also gotten rid of “the hard line”, which in the past referred to the point where characters can’t be romanced beyond a certain point. As of right now, it’s unclear how many characters will be romanceable. All we know is that they’ve included more romances than ever before.

What are you most excited to see when Mass Effect Andromeda launches on March 21, 2017? Let us know in the comments below, join the conversation on Facebook, or start one with me on Twitter: @Samantha_Sofka.

A Comic Book-Loving Councilman Got Sworn in With Cap’s Shield

California Councilmember Lân Diệp, an Americorps alumnus, former legal aid attorney, and “Road trip enthusiast,” did something in government recently that so few seem to be willing to do: swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America… while wearing a very sweet replica of Captain America’s shield.

While there may not be enough scientists or engineers in government (yet), the people of the great State of California in San José’s 4th District can be certain that there is at least one magnificently qualified nerd now representing them. Diệp, who has a stellar background in public service, has been collecting comic books since he was in the third grade, and according to The Washington Post, he owns a working Ghostbusters Ghost Trap as well as “a piece of kryptonite under glass.”

Today someone I don’t know sent me, the Mayor, & a department head a package that only we can accept. Legit or opening salvo of Hydra plot? pic.twitter.com/5Sf6pi1PJJ

— Lân Diệp (@LTDiep) January 26, 2017

Diệp told the Post that he had already had his official group swearing in, and decided to have some fun with this swearing in, which was apparently his third. And while Diệp is doubtlessly inspired by Cap’s ideals, he said that he pulled out the ol’ cranium-cracking vibranium because he had “this really cool shield that [he] never get to show anybody.” (Dear, Mr. Diệp. Please start a Nerd Party. Both kinds.)

Diệp emphasized that the reason he held Cap’s shield while he took the oath of office is because he wanted to “bring a moment of levity to the proceedings,” and that even though he takes the job seriously, he takes himself “less seriously.” Diệp also posted an article of his swearing in with the hashtag #GovernmentCanBeFun.

Whatever gets more people to pay attention to local government. #GovernmentCanBeFun https://t.co/AAlHkVqX4Z

— Lân Diệp (@LTDiep) January 24, 2017

As far as Diệp’s continuing implicit duty to the nerds of America, it’s likely his S.H.I.E.L.D.-inspired ideals won’t be fading from his memory any time soon, as Cap’s protector will be hanging in his office. There, it will be seen by “all enemies foreign and domestic,” (*cough* Hydra *cough*) as well as anybody who can appreciate a top-notch replica.

What do you think about Diệp’s swearing in using Cap’s shield? Be a good citizen and participate in this critical political discourse in the comments below!

Images: Inverse

But what if a rival councilmember has a lightsaber?

Live-Action Neko Atsume Movie Trailer Reminds Us That Cats Need More Media Love

The internet loves cats; that much is for certain. Where else are you going to be able to find an unlimited supply of cat fail compilation videos to watch at 3 in the morning? While not all cats are created equal, they certainly have a collective reputation among feline fanatics. The average stereotype of a cat will take the unwavering love provided by their owner and repay that kindness by being reclusive, resistant to cuddles, and fiercely independent. This is a glaring contrast to how we view dogs–labeling them as “man’s best friend” and praising them for their unwavering loyalty and willingness to play fetch without glaring at us.

Canine companions take center stage when it comes to being the protagonists of media, like games or live-action movies; they’re often featured as the focal point and regarded as “positive”. Cats are usually the sidekick or villain, serving as a sassy companion or antagonist to compliment a dog’s inherently good nature. Cats are clearly marketable, but their portrayal in cinema fails them. The 2001 title Cats & Dogs paints an antagonistic view of its housecats, with the plot revolving around their evil plan to make humans allergic to dogs. The sequel follows the same formula, with a different way for the cat-agonist to be a menace to dog-kind.

When it comes to film, it doesn’t help the cats are harder to train for the camera. This could be in part to their more self-reliant nature, whereas dogs instinctively run in packs and obey the alpha (the trainer). I’m not sure about you, but I’m more likely to have my dog come running toward me after I call her name as opposed to my friend’s cat, who decides when and at what time she’d like sit on my hand. Was I trying to play Dungeons & Dragons? Too bad, because I have a cat on top of my character sheet now.

In popular games that feature animals, the cats are always left out or are featured in such a small way that it’s hardly worth including them to begin with. Take the 3DS title Nintendogs. Gameplay consists of picking out a pup from a wide variety of breeds and then proceeding to take care of and train it for competitions. The +Cats attached to the title in later installments is a clear afterthought, with far less cat content than dog. There are more options presented to a player who chooses a puppy as opposed to a kitten. You can pick between standard, oriental, or long hair at the shelter…but there are more than 9 options presented to dog lovers.

And then there’s Neko Atsume. This mobile app game published in 2014 changed how cats are portrayed and received. They’re chill with different personalities. You start with a completely empty house, void of any four legged friends. You set out food and then slowly, over time, a variety of cats will come to take over your environment. There’s no hissing, clawing, or dogs in sight. Plus it casts a light on the softer side of cats, where they do like us humans. It highlights the cats out there who are big softies. The mobile game is relaxing as it is addicting, and has spawned merchandise for its more popular cat characters that stand out from the litter. 

Because of its success as a game,  Neko Atsume is getting a Japanese movie slated for release sometime in 2017. Although there are no English subtitles for the trailer or any plans to release the film domestically, the premise of the movie follows a successful novelist who retreats to the country in hopes of getting over his writer’s block. Then come the cats. Hoards of them. They’re cute, relaxed, and ready to change this man’s life in a positive way.  The trailer for the upcoming film adaptation reminds us why people hoard cats. It’s because they’re purr-fect just they way they are.

Are you excited for the Neko Atsume movie? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on our Facebook page.

Images: YouTube/AMG Entertainment 

JOHN WICK Is Somehow Better With Michael Jackson Noises

The 2014 action-packed thriller John Wick seemed to come out of nowhere and surprise audiences as one of the best films Keanu Reeves has ever done. The gritty and ultra-violent action sequences on display in the film gave us something new; when most action films rely on impossible situations, it was refreshing to see fights that looked believable and had consequence. As far as we were concerned, John Wick was a perfect action film and couldn’t possibly be improved upon. That was, of course, until we saw it mashed up with the vocalizations of Michael Jackson.

Brought to our attention by a recent post on Polygon, YouTuber Dean Wyatt took a fight scene from John Wick and dubbed over every grunt, groan and death noise with the iconic vocalizations of the King of Pop. Some may recognize this type of video as akin to ones that re-cut Smash Mouth in a number of ways or ones that mess with different aspects of Bee Movie (for some reason) and are what The Verge refers to as a “technical meme”. In our opinion, mashing up Michael Jackson’s “hee-hees” and “shamones” with any action sequence would make it hilarious but doing so to John Wick is an extra kind of special because we know how brutal the events in the movie actually are.

Wyatt may have started something huge in the realm of memes and we sincerely hope this particular kind of mash-up becomes as wide-spread as the Smash Mouth ones.  And although we didn’t need another reason to look forward to John Wick’s sequel coming to theaters on February 10th, we’re hoping the action sequences in it will supply Wyatt with more material for this particular type of mash-up.

What are your thoughts on John Wick: King of Pop? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

Image: Lionsgate

It’s a good time to revisit our John Wick interviews: