Here are all the comic & video game references in the DC movie. We’ll be talking about the whole film, so here’s your spoiler warning:

Green Lantern Insert

The opening credits of Blue Beetle had a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, featuring a green light flashing at the Scarab. Yeah, any moment now with a new Green Lantern entry, Warner Bros.

Palmera City

Superman has Metropolis; Blue Beetle/Jaime Reyes has Palmera City. This version of the comic book city is a Florida with a huge distinct rich/poor class dynamic.

Daily Planet & LexCorp

Even with Metropolis far away, Palmera City has many, many ads for the Daily Planet and LexCorp. Daily Planet is the news publication Clark Kent/Superman works for, while LexCorp is a tech conglomerate owned by his nemesis Lex Luthor.

Classic Blue Beetle Suits

So yeah, there is a Ted Kord in the film. See, he’s been missing in the film, presumed dead at this point. Jaime, Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine), and Rudy Reyes (George Lopez) ended up at Ted’s secret lair underneath his mansion. There, you can see his gadgets and also all three Blue Beetle classic suits. Yep, old-school Blue Beetle’s in the film alright, with the gadgets and the flying Blue Beetle vehicle: the Bug!

They also found out that the first Blue Beetle who bonded with the Scarab is one Dan Garrett. He’s the first Blue Beetle in the 60s. In the film, he got help from Ted Kord in the bonding process.

The Power Glove

One of Ted Kord’s gadgets is a modified Power Glove (made by Mattel for the NES console in the 90s) complete with a shield and giant fist for defense and offense. Jaime’s sister Milagro Reyes (Belissa Escobedo) uses this in the climactic battle.

Final Fantasy VII’s Buster Sword & Limit Break

This one’s in the trailer as well, but there’s a follow-up in the final movie.

Jaime uses the sword in the fight against the bad guy Carapax (Raoul Max Trujillo). Jaime also performs Blade Beam as one of his attacks, a level 2 Limit Break move Cloud uses in Final Fantasy VII.

Scorpion’s Harpoon

Jamie while in Blue Beetle form says “get over here” as he drags main bad guy Carapax to him for the final battle. That’s a Mortal Kombat reference; Scorpion says this when he confirms his Harpoon move.

Blue Beetle Post-Credits: Sequel Bait

At the end of the movie when all is said and done -Jaime defeats the evil corporation and gets the girl- the movie cuts to the Kord hideout. After the song “All Out Of Love” by Air Supply plays for a short bit, we get a message stating that Ted Kord is alive.

We doubt a sequel is going to happen given the new DC Universe’s shift to a new continuity, but who knows? It really depends on how Blue Beetle does in the next few weeks at the box office.

If Blue Beetle does end up doing well enough at the box office, we might be able to see the debut of another iconic DC hero soon; Booster Gold. Back in February 2023, James Gunn already confirmed that a Booster Gold TV series is part of the first phase of the upcoming DC Universe (DCU) reboot.

Since that’s the case, it’s possible that the voice in the first post-credits scene of Blue Beetle isn’t Ted Kord himself, but actually Booster Gold instead. That’s because he’s saying “Ted Kord is alive”, and it’s rare that someone would refer to themselves in the third person. If it was Ted Kord himself, he would have said that “I’m alive.” or something to that effect.

In the comics, Booster Gold is the best friend of Ted Kord Blue Beetle ever since their Justice League International days. When Ted Kord died before the events of Infinite Crisis, Booster Gold even tried to go back in time and try to bring him back to life. That could be the case in the Blue Beetle post-credits scene as well; perhaps Booster Gold have been searching for Ted Kord all this time and has found him, but now he needs help in the journey so that’s why he left the voice recording in the Blue Beetle cave.

The game teaches you most of what you need to finish your missions, but here are some tips and tricks that you can check out before playing the game. These are spoiler-free, so we won’t be spoiling any of the story elements. In the meantime, head on over to our full review of the game here.

Don’t Forget To Always Use The Memory Mechanic AKA Quick-Save AKA Save Scumming

It’s an integral mechanic in the game, and while the game already has a feature where it reminds players to use it from time to time, it’s best to quick-save as often as possible. There’s no limit to the Memory saves, so it’s there for you to abuse it. As a tip, try to quick-save every single time you’ve killed an enemy, or just before you’re about to execute a complicated plan. It’s frustrating when you fail to execute a complex plan properly and you’re forced to set it all up again. Remember, it only takes one click to do so in Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew.

You Can Actually Run Through Enemy View Cones If You’re Fast Enough

Yeah, you don’t need to be crouching and sneaking all the time. Sometimes, with a little finesse and good timing, you can run through an enemy’s view cone without alerting them. However, keep an eye on the red colour flowing through the enemy view cones in order to time your runs correctly.

Keep A Lookout For Interactable Objects In The Environment, Which Can Be Easily Missable

It’s easy to ignore or miss out on using or interacting with the environmental objects in the game. Some of them are easily missable, such as rocks or boulders that you can push onto enemies, cannons that can shoot and knock them out, stacks of boxes that can crush your enemies, and more. So, pay attention to what’s available around you.

Try To Use Different Characters On Each Mission

There’s usually nothing stopping you from using your same favourite characters on most missions in the game. However, in order to unlock upgrades faster, change them up and use different characters for each mission. Characters who don’t go on missions gain vigour, so when you do use them later, they add more points to unlock the next upgrade.

These Chests Contain Ammo But Are Easy To Miss, And Guns Can Be Helpful In Emergencies

Guns can really help in many situations, where you can dispatch enemies easily from afar. However, the game doesn’t really tell you that you can actually get more ammo during missions. Just look out for boxes/chests like in the picture above, which contain ammo. This is crucial, since you’ll need to rely on guns a lot more in the more complex missions near the endgame.

That being said, Gran Turismo is just the latest of many racing or car-focused movies throughout the history of pop culture. Cars have been the subject of many movies, even ones that don’t necessarily focus on racing themes or elements. For this feature in particular, we will bring up

Need For Speed (Game To Movie)

Based on the hit EA series back in the 2000s onward, this game is about fast cars, getting chased by cops for breaking the speed limit and tweaking out your cars so you can vroom vroom as fast as you can. It’s quite a fun series if you stick to the ones involving police chases and fast cars; the simulation-wannabe spin-offs we can do without (*coughSHIFTcough)

The Need For Speed movie stars Aaron Paul and is trying to be a Fast and Furious movie, but really flops on its face for being a dull and predictable factory-churned-action film. Everyone here was just doing it for a paycheck and there’s not much of this movie that wows and stand out for many viewers. At the very least, the director put the Ford Shelby Mustang and Koenigsegg Agera R cars (alongside other fast fancy vehicles) to good use.

Meanwhile, the games are doing OK; the last entry back in 2022, Need For Speed Unbound, mixed Instagram/Tik Tok aesthetics with street racing. It ain’t half-bad; we just wished EA gave it the marketing push it deserved.

Speed Racer (Anime To Live-Action Movie)

Based on the hit 70s anime series, this show features a guy named Speed Racer who fights crime while racing in crazy series in made-up locations all over the world. It clearly hasn’t held up over time, but it’s still a riot to watch because of how rooted it is in its timeline.

The Wachowski-directed film in 2008 is full of anime energy and is as faithful an adaptation as you can get. Naturally, it failed at the box office because the movie-going crowd at the time wasn’t really into any form of anime, much less live adaptations of it. Thankfully the film had a cult following and is beloved by movie fans and anime aficionados because of its direction, its breakneck speed, its quirky cast, and over-the-top nature. Long before Alita: Battle Angel proved that Hollywood adaptations of anime shows can be great, Speed Racer was ahead of its time.

Mad Max: Fury Road (Movie To Game)

We’re going in reverse here. The George Miller-directed film is a long-ass car chase scene that enthrals and excites due to its direction, its visuals, and its simple-but-captivating plot with our titular hero Mad Max in the middle. Mad Max: Fury Road is essentially a giant-ass chase sequence, but one told with style, panache, and depth.

The game based on the film is a pretty fun open-world action-adventure title with a ton of driving and destruction; it sadly wasn’t in the critic’s darling eye as it was in a year dominated by bigger titles like The Witcher 3. Still, the Mad Max game eventually found its fan and is still played a lot to this day; at least the PC version. It’s going for RM38 right now and it’s a steal for what you’re getting. 

Initial D (Manga/Anime To Arcade Game)

Here’s one more entry in reverse gear: the manga/anime series Initial D gets a plethora of video game adaptations, thanks to renowned arcade machine makers Sega.

When you think early 2000s, anime, and racing, you think Initial D and nothing else. The Japanese manga about street racing from Suichi Shigeno has an anime adaptation, or a boatload of them, which introduces people to the wonderful world of eurobeat long before Eurovision. The show and movie adaptations are generally a love letter to the Toyota AE86 (Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX from the late 80s).

The games themselves are no slouches in the racing department: they’re pure arcade racing fun if you’re into driving on narrow cliffside roads and having eurobeats blasting into your ear for the duration of the course. It’s hard to believe that it got its start in 1998 for Game Boy, before Sega stepped in and gave it the arcade racing magic treatment it deserves.

Twisted Metal (Game To TV Show)

The most recent entry in the “car game to film/TV” adaptation list has to be Sony’s own car combat racing title, Twisted Metal.

The PS1 Twisted Metal and Twisted Metal 2 were breakthrough multiplayer action games where you pick your vehicle of choice, go nuts and kill everyone on screen, and even play through a story mode involving a shady guy who can make your dreams come true. But most of us during the late 90s just played it for the multiplayer hardcore version of Mario Kart battle mode on split-screen; it was the coolest thing to do at the time.

The TV show that came out this year on NBC Peacock doesn’t really delve into that, though it touches on cars, vehicle destruction, and a maniacal clown named Sweet Tooth who drives a souped-up ice cream truck. And even that spiel doesn’t last beyond the first few episodes based on our review. 

Got any more adaptations to bring up? Are there any that are stuck in your mind? Let us know on our social media and YouTube page. Meanwhile, you should go check out our ode to racing games on our recent Main Game episode.

Recall the two previous VALORANT Champions spectacles that rocked stages in Germany and Turkey. Well, hold onto your seats because Riot Games is dialling it up even more for 2023. They’ve chosen the flashy locale of LA to host the grand finale and wrap up the first year of the partnered league setup. Talk about pumping up the intensity!

Imagine this: sixteen powerhouse teams from EMEA, the Americas, the Pacific, and China all converging under the spotlight for this season’s ultimate brawl. What’s really captivating is that this event marks the first-ever international VALORANT gathering in North America. The region has gone wild for the game, with big-league teams like Sentinels, OpTic Gaming, and 100 Thieves stealing hearts. And mark my words, fans are expected to flood into Los Angeles to witness the thrilling matches live and in person.

Ready for the full download on VALORANT Champions 2023? Keep this page saved because we’ve got all the details. And rest assured, we’ll keep this article up-to-the-minute with any fresh, exciting updates that come our way. It’s game time!

NOTE: All Times & Dates will be in (UTC+8)

Details

Date: 6–26 August (UTC+8)
Venues:

• [Group Stage + Playoffs] Shrine Expo Hall, 665 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007, United States
• [Top 4] Kia Forum, 3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305, United States

Format

• Group Stage: 6–13 August
  • 4 groups of four teams in a double-elimination (GSL) format.
  • All matches are Best of 3
    • Top 2 teams from each group advance to the Playoffs
• Playoffs: 16–20 and 24–26 August
  • Double-elimination bracket
  • All matches (excl. Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final) are Best of 3
  • Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final are Best of 5

Final Results

Teams

• Evil Geniuses – Americas League
• NRG – Americas League
• LOUD – Americas League
• KRÜ Esports – Americas League
• Fnatic – EMEA League
• Team Liquid – EMEA League
• FUT Esports – EMEA League
• Giants – EMEA League
• Natus Vincere – EMEA League
• Paper Rex – Pacific League
• DRX – Pacific League
• T1– Pacific League
• ZETA DIVISION – Pacific League
• EDward Gaming – China
• Bilibili Gaming – China
• FunPlus Phoenix – China

Group Stage

Matches

Group Stage

7 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – Team Liquid [0] vs [2] Natus Vincere (Group D – Opening Match)
6:00 AM (UTC+8) – DRX [2] vs [1] LOUD (Group D – Opening Match)

8 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – FUT Esports [2] vs [0] T1 (Group B – Opening Match)
6:00 AM (UTC+8) – Evil Geniuses [2] vs [0] FunPlus Phoenix (Group B – Opening Match)

9:00 AM (UTC+8) – Natus Vincere [1] vs [2] DRX (Group D – Winners Match)

9 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – NRG [0] vs [2] Bilibili Gaming (Group C – Opening Match)
6:00 AM (UTC+8) – Fnatic [2] vs [0] ZETA DIVISION (Group C – Opening Match)

9:00 AM (UTC+8) – Evil Geniuses [2] vs [0] FUT Esports (Group B – Winners Match)

10 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – Paper Rex [2] vs [0] KRÜ Esports (Group A – Opening Match)
6:00 AM (UTC+8) – EDward Gaming [2] vs [1] Giants (Group A – Opening Match)

9:00 AM (UTC+8) – Fnatic [2] vs [0] Bilibili Gaming (Group C – Winners Match)

11 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – Team Liquid [0] vs [2] LOUD (Group D – Elimination Match)

6:00 AM (UTC+8) – FunPlus Phoenix [0] vs [2] T1 (Group B – Elimination Match)

9:00 AM (UTC+8) – Paper Rex [2] vs [0] EDward Gaming (Group A – Winners Match)

12 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – KRÜ Esports [0] vs [2] Giants (Group A – Elimination Match)

6:00 AM (UTC+8) – ZETA DIVISION [0] vs [2] NRG (Group C – Elimination Match)

13 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – Natus Vincere [1] vs [2] LOUD (Group D – Decider Match)

6:00 AM (UTC+8) – FUT Esports [2] vs [0] T1 (Group B – Decider Match)

14 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – EDward Gaming [2] vs [0] Giants (Group A – Decider Match)

6:00 AM (UTC+8) – Bilibili Gaming [2] vs [0] NRG (Group C – Decider Match)

Playoffs

17 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – Fnatic [0] vs [0] LOUD (Upper Bracket Quarterfinal)
6:00 AM (UTC+8) – Paper Rex [0] vs [0] FUT Esports (Upper Bracket Quarterfinal)

18 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – DRX [0] vs [0] Bilibili Gaming (Upper Bracket Quarterfinal)
6:00 AM (UTC+8) – Evil Geniuses [0] vs [0] EDward Gaming (Upper Bracket Quarterfinal)

19 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – TBD [0] vs [0] TBD (Lower Bracket Round 1)
6:00 AM (UTC+8) – TBD [0] vs [0] TBD (Lower Bracket Round 1)

20 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – TBD [0] vs [0] TBD (Upper Bracket Semifinal)
6:00 AM (UTC+8) – TBD [0] vs [0] TBD (Upper Bracket Semifinal)

21 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – TBD [0] vs [0] TBD (Lower Bracket Quarterfinal)
6:00 AM (UTC+8) – TBD [0] vs [0] TBD (Lower Bracket Quarterfinal)

25 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – TBD [0] vs [0] TBD (Upper Bracket Final)

6:00 AM (UTC+8) – TBD [0] vs [0] TBD (Lower Bracket Semifinal)

26 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – TBD [0] vs [0] TBD (Lower Bracket Final)

27 August

3:00 AM (UTC+8) – TBD [0] vs [0] TBD (Grand Final)

Where to Watch?

Twitch / YouTube / Facebook

One of the minds behind the Commander Masters is Max McCall, a game architect at Wizards of the Coast. In an interview, he shares insights into the process of designing the set, the inspiration for the set’s art style, and even advice for beginners interested in Commander.

For those new to Commander and maybe Masters sets in general, how would you describe Commander Masters?

Commander Masters is a set celebrating the Commander format. Just as Commander is a format of legendary creatures and legendary stories, Commander Masters features powerful reprints, returning legends, and four new Commander decks for fans of the format. Every Set Booster contains a borderless card, and the Draft Boosters are great for drafting a Commander deck. You’ll have an exciting time opening packs regardless of your booster of choice.

How long has this set been in the works?

We started thinking about themes in late 2021, but we really kicked off Commander Masters in earnest in early 2022.

Out of all the cards in Magic’s history, how do you pick which ones to put in the set?

Every Magic set has reprints that we think are a good fit for the set’s worldbuilding, but Masters sets are a little different. Masters sets are all reprints, and so the worldbuilding is more of a collage than a single holistic vision. With Masters reprints, we look to cards we think players will be excited to see return, and for Commander Masters, we were especially focused on cards people enjoy in Commander like Jeweled Lotus and the Deflecting Swat cycle of instants that are free if you control your Commander.

What was the inspiration for the portrait card style?

The portrait art style was inspired by our wanting to make a card treatment to call special attention to players’ Commanders. Typically, Magic art shows whole-body shots of characters in a dramatic pose or in the midst of doing something awesome. The portraits came from a different mindspace – ‘What would a glamour shot of my Commander look like in a magazine?’

Which of the 4 preconstructed decks is your favourite?

My favourite preconstructed deck is the Eldrazi Unbound deck – Zhuludok, Void Gorger is the Commander for that deck, and Zhuludok gives all of your big colourless spells double cascade, so when you cast them you get to spin the wheel and see what other spells from your deck you’ll get to cast for free. All of your turns become much more exciting when you start cascading!

How long have you been playing Magic / How long have you been a part of Wizards of the Coast?

I’ve been playing Magic since 1996; I worked for Wizards for a few years from 2011 to 2014 and returned in 2018 and have been working on ways to get Plow Under reprinted ever since. I couldn’t get it in Commander Masters, but I have high hopes for bringing the joys of land destruction to more people in the future.

What’s your favourite Commander that you play? What style or theme of Commander do you enjoy playing?

My favourite commander is Daretti, Scrap Savant – I like building decks that come out of the gates quickly and try to move things along by casting as many gigantic creatures as possible, and Daretti is a lot of fun for that.

What’s your number one tip for a new player looking to get into Commander?

If you’re new, Commander can be very daunting – there are so many cards, and decks can be hard to build, and it seems like everyone you’re playing with has their own pet decks they’ve been playing with for years and you’ll never catch up. But it’s okay! Everyone’s always looking for more folks to play Commander with, and because it’s multiplayer the atmosphere isn’t as competitive. Pick your favourite Commander and some cards to go with it and throw a deck together and go out and have some fun.

Commander Masters is now available and offers four different product lineups, including Set Booster Packs, Commander Decks, Collector Booster Packs, and Ultimate Draft Booster Packs. To purchase, visit Magic The Gathering’s official website.

From 5th August to 7th August (GMT+8), we witnessed a ton of high-level play, and a lot of Twitter posts from the Las Vegas showfloor highlighting the best. From Marvel vs Capcom 3 returning to the main stage to even some cameos from ex-Capcom producers, we’ve got them all.

Check out the highlights of this year’s biggest fighting game tournament below, along with some memorable tweets that go along with it.

with Ono san in Vegas. pic.twitter.com/zG6vPNuB8G

— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) August 5, 2023

pic.twitter.com/FBZ6qrwtJS

— sharkparty ? (@sharkpartyqq) August 6, 2023

« Fighting Game is something so great » #EVO2023 pic.twitter.com/E792jO2X25

— Kayane (@Kayane) August 7, 2023

??????? pic.twitter.com/ko13JnxCoz

— ????/Zoo-Law (@zoolaw3) August 5, 2023

What a spectacular weekend. #Evo2023 pic.twitter.com/076YJ4jdd8

— Street Fighter (@StreetFighter) August 7, 2023

My heart is full. Wish I could’ve been there irl with y’all for the #EVO2023 finals ??

Thank you for a weekend I’ll never forget. Congrats to AngryBird & shoutout to Mena for taking my boi Luke up there! Hearing the crowd erupt in MEMPHIS… I’ll hold this moment dear forever ? pic.twitter.com/rH3q2SX9SZ

— Aleks Le ? PER SO NA (@AleksLeVO) August 7, 2023

Here are my personal recommendations and highlights for Prime Video Malaysia’s August 2023 lineup and how to fill up your free time with worthwhile content at home:

The Lost Flowers Of Alice Hart (4 August 2023)

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart tells the emotionally compelling story of Alice Hart. When Alice, aged 9, tragically loses her parents in a mysterious fire, she is taken to live with her grandmother June at Thornfield flower farm, where she learns that there are secrets within secrets about her and her family’s past.

Set against Australia’s breathtaking, natural landscape, and with native wildflowers and plants providing a way to express the inexpressible, this enthralling family drama spans decades. Alice’s journey as she grows from her complicated past builds to an emotional climax when she finds herself fighting for her life against a man she loves.

The Killing Vote (10 August 2023)

The Killing Vote is based on a popular webtoon which explores the meaning of justice and features a nationwide death penalty vote against vicious criminals. The story highlights a mysterious figure who carries out the death penalty according to the results of the vote, and the police who are pursuing them.

Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Orchestra Concert Mugen Train Arc (15 August 2023)

Featuring the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Demon Slayer concert is the second in the series following a similar event held previously. Fans will be able to enjoy music from the Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie along with animated clips at the showings.

Tebus (17 August 2023)

Live now, tomorrow might never come! A bodyguard kidnaps a jewelry heiress out of depression to purchase a heart in the black market for his ailing brother The kidnapping exposes Ana’s stepfather’s plan to have Ana killed, so together they fight back to take what is rightfully hers.

Harlan Coben’s Shelter (18 August 2023)

Harlan Coben’s Shelter follows the story of Mickey Bolitar after the sudden death of his father leads him to start a new life in Kasselton, New Jersey. Mickey quickly finds himself tangled in the mysterious disappearance of a new student at his school, Ashley Kent, which leads to uncovering unimaginable secrets within their quiet suburban community.

With the help of his friends, the inventive Spoon, and secretive Ema, Mickey pulls back the sleepy facade of Kasselton to reveal a dark underground that may hold the answers to decades of disappearances, deaths, and legends—-and perhaps even Mickey’s own complex family history.

Already On Prime

Here are some additional movies that are already available on Prime Video Malaysia:

Leftenan Adnan

Prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking tale of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering patriotism in the epic masterpiece, “Leftenan Adnan”! This cinematic gem gloriously commemorates the true story of a Malaysian hero whose bravery reverberates through the ages!

From the opening scenes, “Leftenan Adnan” grips your heart with a powerful patriotic embrace, celebrating the essence of Malaysia and its indomitable spirit. The film takes you on a poignant journey back to the tumultuous era of World War II, where Lieutenant Adnan bin Saidi, portrayed magnificently by an outstanding cast, rises as a beacon of hope for the nation.

Kabhi Khushi Khabie Gham

“Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” is an absolute holiday delight! With heartwarming family reunions and extravagant celebrations, this movie captures the true essence of the festive season. The vibrant Diwali scenes, adorned with sparkling lights and colorful rangoli, immerse you in the spirit of joy and togetherness.

The snow-covered holiday sequences in picturesque locations add a touch of magic to the story. Amitabh Bachchan’s emotional speech during the holiday gathering tugs at your heartstrings, leaving you teary-eyed yet filled with warmth. This timeless classic is a perfect watch for the holidays, reminding us of the value of family, love, and happiness!

‘James Bond’ Movie Series

The James Bond movie series is an exhilarating rollercoaster of action, intrigue, and suave sophistication! From the heart-pounding opening scene in “Skyfall” atop Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, to the jaw-dropping ski chase in “The Spy Who Loved Me,” each film is a mesmerizing adventure! Bond’s charm, gadgetry, and daring escapades keep us on the edge of our seats! 007 is a true cinematic masterpiece!

Bawaal

A beautiful Hindi romantic comedy across Europe starring the beautiful and talented Jahnvi Kapoor.

For RM25 per month, after a seven-day promotional trial, customers in Malaysia can sign-up for Prime Video and enjoy a great selection of entertainment, from local Originals and local licensed titles to global Amazon Original movies and TV series. To get started, you can visit https://www.primevideo.com/, or download the Prime Video app on your mobile device.

But you know what kept our sad hearts sane while we see our friends share clips from said concerts? Eargasm-level sounds from the Q-800c Q-Series (henceforth called the Q-800 for brevity’s sake) soundbar blasting Muse’s Uprising. Sorry neighbours. You had your turn with your Taylor Swift. “Plug-In Baby” is up next.

Jokes aside, the Q-800c is the perfect compliment or addition for any home entertainment system enthusiast, be it for those just dipping their toes, or the ones waist-deep in it. Not just limiting itself to audiophiles or cinephiles who put above-average emphasis on sound quality, but also to gamers who prefer to experience sound effects through proper speakers instead of gaming headsets.

Now we aren’t experts when it comes to sound systems but we consider ourselves well-versed in would be entertainment and the best way to consume them. And in our books, we have identified several key areas that make a sound system worth getting; ease of installation, user experience, overall performance and of course, value.

Symphony Of The Night (And Day)

For the first portion, the Q-800 can be linked up to your Q-series TV via several methods although the best method would be through the HDMI eARC port. This is to maximize its performance and should be a straightforward installation as long as you stay close to the instructions manual. However, one standout feature of the Q-800c is that it is the world’s first Dolby Atmos surround sound system which can be connected wirelessly. Perfect if you are aiming for a minimalist setup devoid of wire clutter.

By using the Q-Symphony feature, the audio is vastly improved as the system melds the sound output from your TV with the ones coming from your soundbar for that even more cinematic experience. However, it is worth noting that the True 5.1.2ch Sound works best in small to medium-sized living rooms as the soundbar bounces off the sound from your ceiling to give that surround sound experience.

Needless to say, while the soundbar may appear beefy compared to other models in the market but trust us; that beefiness is all worth it once you hear what’s being pumped out of this baby. Once connected to your television, there are several ways to control the sound volume. You can easily swap between your TV remote, the Samsung SmartThings app or if an app is being cast from your mobile device, the in-app sound controls.

Catch Main Game on RTM 2 every Saturdays and reruns on Sundays, 6PM on RTM Sukan!

Sound has always been given a backseat when it comes to home entertainment spaces and we would be the first to admit – we thought the same too in the past. But the fact is that, the experience of consuming a good movie is instantly elevated once paired with a quality system which pumps out high-quality audio. You would immediately realize; visualization is just half of the experience. Otherwise, why would the cinemas invest heavily in sound technology, right? Speaking of which, we can’t wait to experience Oppenheimer with the Q-800c. Remind us to warn our neighbours about an impending blast.

Master Blaster

Speaking of blasts, while FPS gamers would go with their headsets for better directional sound awareness over a soundbar, those who often play single-player games with huge vistas and ambient noise would love the Q-800c. Cue grand symphonies or impactful cinematic cutscenes or perhaps even quick-time event segments – nothing beats experiencing it with such a powerful audio punch. Games which put a high emphasis on sound effects excel as well. Playing Diablo IV with sound emitting from the Q-800c – nothing beats the sound of clanking steel. Even the sound of barrels being broken is amplified. And let us tell you this – Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was made for the Q-800c. Just imagine hearing the swooshing lightsabers throughout.

If you’re the sort who enjoy having music play in the background as you do your chores or even work, music coming from the Q-800c feels punchy but not overdoing it with the bass. Our go-to music when testing audio stuff is mostly Daft Punk so safe to say – “Lose Yourself to Dance” has never sounded so good.

We paired the Q-800c with the 75-inch QLED TV and by golly – we don’t think we can go back to consuming our favourite shows or music the old way anymore.

Would we recommend it? Of course we would – assuming you have the want to transform your living room to a space worth living in, alongside a sizeable bank balance. At a retail price of RM3,639.00, the Q-800c isn’t chump change but it’s well worth the investment.

FINAL SCORE: 90/100

Timeslipping

The trailer features Ke Huy Quan’s debut in the MCU as the mysterious Ouroboros or OB for short, who works at the TVA. He knows what is happening to Loki, who finds himself forced to travel to various points in time uncontrollably. According to OB, the phenomenon is called Timeslipping, but he doesn’t really get the chance to explain what it actually is in the trailer.

We’ll probably learn more in the series itself.

Midway Plaisance Is Where The World’s Columbian Exposition AKA Chicago’s World Fair Took Place Back In 1893,

Ergo,

Victor Timely Is Very Likely There In 1893

We see Loki and Mobius travelling to this place, where the words “Midway Plaisance” can be seen on the pillars of the entrance.

What’s interesting is that Midway Plaisance was the location of the World’s Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World’s Fair) in Chicago, USA, in 1893 (which really did take place in the real world). It’s a world’s fair similar to the future (but fictional) Stark Expos in the MCU.

The Ferris Wheel is another clue that confirms both the location and the year. The original Ferris Wheel made its debut at the Chicago’s World Fair.

So yeah, there you have it, folks. Confirmation of where and when Victor Timely is hiding.

Another Reason Why Victor Timely Is There And Then

In the post-credits scene of Ant-Man And The Wasp Quantumania, we saw Victor Timely presenting something and it’s very likely that he’s doing so at the Chicago’s World Fair in 1893. All clues are pointing to that.

What is he presenting? It might be the world’s first robot/android AKA the original Human Torch. In the comics, he influenced Phineas Horton to create Jim Hammond AKA the original Human Torch, who was a sentient android with fire-based powers.

However, the timeline is not right. 1893 is too early. In the comics, the Human Torch was created in 1939. Therefore, it is probably something else.

Zaniac Is Not A Random Name

In the comics, Zaniac is the name of a demonic entity that would possess human hosts and turn them into killer monsters. One of these humans was an actor named Brad Wolfe. The comic that featured his first appearance was published in 1982, so that’s likely the year this entire sequence in Loki Season 2 will be set in as well.

That’s actor Rafael Casal playing Brad Wolfe.

You can watch the full Loki Season 2 trailer below:

Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF), developed by Scott Cawthon, proves the point that greatness in gaming can still be achieved through simplicity even in this day and age. Despite its unassuming mechanics and modest visuals, FNAF has managed to carve a lasting niche in the horror genre, captivating millions of players worldwide and creating hundreds of fan-made games in the same format, as well as countless official sequels and spinoffs in the same series.

It’s easy to see FNAF as this big indie horror game icon, but it started in a way humbler fashion than it is now.

Within The Dark

Back then when the game came out, I was curious about what the buzz was surrounding this new horror game, but it looked rather simplistic, so the game caught me off guard. It seemed like it was another generic indie horror game without much substance, cheap jumpscares and mediocre graphics, but I was pleasantly surprised (and horrified) with what I was met with.

One of the defining aspects of FNAF’s gameplay lies in its minimalistic approach to gameplay. The game places players in the role of a security guard in a haunted pizzeria where animatronic characters roam freely at night. The objective is to survive the night by monitoring the establishment’s security cameras and conserving your limited power while avoiding the animatronics’ deadly attacks. If they approach you, close the door until they go away and keep track of where they are. Sounds simple enough, right? The genius of FNAF lies in its ability to create an atmosphere of dread and tension through these simple mechanics.

As the nights progress and the difficulty increases, there are no extra weapons, abilities or complex controls added on as players must rely on their wits and strategic thinking to survive. The lack of hand-holding and minimalistic design grants a sense of agency and immersion, making every decision and action crucial for survival.

Jump scares are a tried-and-tested trope in horror, but FNAF utilises them rather differently. By creating an environment where the threat is always lurking, the game keeps players perpetually on edge. The threat of the looming jump scares is what has players more scared than the actual jump scares themselves, leaving players in a state of panic every time they get close to death.

Mysteries Upon Mysteries

Beneath FNAF’s seemingly surface-level gameplay lies a deep and intricate lore that captivated players, fueled speculation and created fan theories that boosted the game into the viral sensation we know it as today. As players progressed through the nights and uncovered hidden clues and Easter eggs, they pieced together the dark history of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza and the animatronics’ malevolent spirits.

The game’s fragmented storytelling approach, with newspaper clippings, phone calls and hallucinations, encouraged the community to engage in collaborative exploration. The non-linear approach to the narrative in this game was very appealing, prompting players to come back and discover more of its secrets. There were YouTube channels dedicated to unravelling and discussing these mysteries, trying to understand the lore and breaking down each clue that was given as the FNAF series went on.

The intentionally minimal visual design of FNAF enables players’ imaginations to roam free, intensifying their fear. At first, the game leaves a lot of the animatronics’ looks to the imagination, tapping into the primal fear of the unknown. Moreover, the game restricts the player’s field of view, as they remain in the same location and rely on static camera angles to increase the suspense. FNAF took a subtle but effective method of manipulating the players’ perception, which contributed to the overall sense of dread that is found throughout the game.

However, even with the actual game aside, FNAF’s impact extended far beyond; it became its own massive community and space for the gaming community. Streamers and content creators embraced the game, sharing their reactions and theories with millions of viewers. The game’s simplicity and accessibility allowed a wide range of players to engage with it, leading to a vibrant and diverse community that continued to grow over time.

It’s worth noting that the fervent FNAF community has spurred a wealth of creative fan projects, ranging from art and stories to custom games and animated content. Scott Cawthon left the lore of FNAF somewhat open-ended at first, piecing the bigger picture together with each instalment in the series, which invited discussions and debates, fostering a sense of camaraderie among players as they collaborated to uncover the secrets of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.

Simple, Yet Effective

On paper, Five Nights at Freddy’s should not have been as successful as it was. It had very simple and repetitive gameplay, rather dated-looking graphics and predictable jumpscares with not much more to add to the pure gameplay side of things. However, Scott Cawthon designed the game in such a way that it used these downsides to its advantage, turning a rather unassuming game into a mysterious and intense game that captivated a whole community.

Thanks to the reactions and content created from the original game, FNAF became more than just a game and instead became a phenomenon, completely shaping the indie horror genre and creating an active and passionate community that still creates content, theories, memes and music based on the game to this day.

Five Nights at Freddy’s has proven that sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most powerful. As long as players are seeking thrilling experiences and developers willing to think outside the box, FNAF’s influence will continue to resonate throughout the gaming industry for years to come.