Uncover an Emotional Tale of Loss and Growth in the Narrative-Driven Puzzler Today
Walnut Creek, Calif. (April 6, 2021) – Indie publisher Modus Games and developer Sketchbook Games are pleased to announce that Lost Words: Beyond the Page is now available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. The title was previously available on Google Stadia exclusively.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page is an atmospheric puzzler revolving around the touching story of a young girl named Izzy coming to terms with life’s hardships by creating the adventure of a lifetime within the pages of her diary.
Watch Izzy bring her memories to life within today’s launch trailer:
Penned by renowned writer Rhianna Pratchett (Mirror’s Edge, Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider), Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a captivating adventure wrapped in an overarching and undeniably touching narrative. The title has earned a wealth of awards during its lifetime, including ‘Best Indie Game’ at Game Connection Paris, ‘Excellence in Narrative’ at DevGAMM, ‘Best Audio Design’ from TIGA, ‘Special Selection Indie Award’ at Reboot Develop and ‘Best Story’ at Game Connection USA.
In the game, players will interact with the words within Izzy’s diary to solve challenging puzzles and build unique platforming segments to progress through an evolving and aesthetically wondrous landscape. As players leap between the words on each page, they become useful stepping-stones and puzzle-solving methods to unlock each new chapter.
About Modus Games Modus Games is one of the fastest-growing video game publishers in the world. The label prides itself on providing AAA publishing services to talented independent developers across the globe. For more information, visit www.modusgames.com.
About Sketchbook Games Sketchbook Games is a multi-award-winning studio founded by game designer Mark Backler, who previously worked at companies such as EA, Lionhead, and Sony, on a variety of games including Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and the BAFTA award winning Fable 2. The company is based at the Colchester Games Hub and is developing Lost Words: Beyond the Page in collaboration with Fourth State.
Norman Reedus to bring Daryl Dixon to life in free-to-play mobile game
NEW YORK and Greater Zurich Area, Switzerland — April 6, 2021 — FunPlus, a leading mobile game developer and publisher, and its KingsGroup studio today announced through its partnership with AMC that the beloved TheWalking Dead character Daryl Dixon is joining the free-to-play strategy game, State of Survival.
Starting on April 15th and running through October 2021, Daryl Dixon will be a playable character hero with a customized storyline within the State of Survival universe. Daryl will be accompanied by his notable canine companion Dog, also from the television series, as they fight off hordes of zombie attacks. Actor Norman Reedus who plays Daryl Dixon on AMC’s global smash hit series has lent his voice and likeness to the in-game character, creating an immersive experience in State of Survival.
Mr. Reedus also recorded a video message about the collaboration, which can be viewed here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdi8Hp8bnd4
“It’s an honor to introduce one of the most captivating characters from AMC’s The Walking Dead into State of Survival,” says Chris Petrovic, Chief Business Officer at FunPlus. “We have worked closely with AMC and Norman Reedus to create something truly exciting for fans of The Walking Dead, and we can’t wait for our players to jump into the game as the legendary Daryl Dixon.”
“The Walking Dead’s Daryl Dixon has emerged as one of the most pre-eminent zombie slayers in the genre,” says Clayton Neuman, VP of Games at AMC. “Finding a way to bring him and his unique survival skills into a brand new post-apocalyptic setting was a creative challenge and a privilege — and the end result is an absolute treat for SOS players and series fans alike.”
To participate in the global pre-registration, please visit https://sos.kingsgroupgames.com/thewalkingdead and sign up before the April 15th deadline. If the pre-registration goal is reached before April 15th, players in game will receive exclusive rewards. Additional rewards will be made available by inviting friends to participate.
AMC is home to some of the most popular and acclaimed programs on television. AMC was the first basic cable network to ever win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series with Mad Men in 2008, which then went on to win the coveted award four years in a row, before Breaking Bad won it in 2013 and 2014. The network’s series The Walking Dead is the highest-rated series in cable history. AMC’s current original drama series are Better Call Saul, Fear the Walking Dead, Soulmates, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond and forthcoming 61st Street, Kevin Can F*** Himself and Pantheon. AMC also explores authentic worlds and discussion with original shows like Talking Dead, AMC Visionaries and Ride with Norman Reedus. AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, SundanceTV, BBC America and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile.
About FunPlus
Founded in 2010, FunPlus is a world class, independent game developer and publisher headquartered in Switzerland with operations in Spain, Sweden, Russia, United States, Singapore, Japan, and China. As an organization that fosters the best creative talent in the world and employs nearly 1,700 people, the company has developed and published mobile games that have ranked in the #1 spot in nearly 70 countries, which includes State of Survival, King of Avalon and Guns of Glory. FunPlus studios include KingsGroup, Puzala, and Seven Games, each part of a growing global network of developers working on unique brands of staple genres including strategy, puzzle, and role-playing games.
The FunPlus brand powers FunPlus Phoenix (FPX), one of the world’s most successful esports organizations.
Borderlands® 3 “Show Me the Eridium” Mini-Event has returned, New Loot Machines Arrive April 8
All players can collect tons of rare Eridium for the next week, as well as utilize Crazy Earl’s Reroll and Maurice’s Black Market Vending Machine when they’re added on April 8
Another Borderlands® 3 limited-time mini-event has kicked off, and starting April 8, two new machines are being added to the base game: Crazy Earl’s Reroll and Maurice’s Black Market Vending Machine, both of which will be available to all players at no additional cost.
Crazy Earl’s Reroll is a huge boon to Vault Hunters looking to get the most out of their gear. In exchange for some Eridium, Crazy Earl’s contraption will replace the existing Anointment on a specified item. Anointments are powerful effects that can unlock the full potential of your character build. By rerolling the Anointments on your favourite pieces of gear, you can create the most optimized loadouts.
As for Maurice’s Black Market Vending Machine, all we know is this vending machine offers top-tier Legendary loot and will be hidden in a new location within the base game each week. It’ll be up to the Borderlands community to track down Maurice’s Black Market Vending Machine each week and see what he’s got.
But that’s not all! From now through April 8, you can take advantage of the limited-time Show Me the Eridium mini-event in Borderlands 3. You can expect Eridium drops from standard enemies, increased Eridium drops in Mayhem Mode, discounted Eridium costs to use Moxxi’s Vault Line slot machine, and a discount on all the items sold by Crazy Earl in the Cargo Bay of Sanctuary III. This is the perfect time to snag tons of the rare Eridium element, especially if you’re preparing for the incoming raid boss.
As part of the Director’s Cut add-on launching on April 8, you can take on a raid boss encounter against a humongous Varkid known as Hemovorous the Invincible. In order to open the door to Hemovorous’ lair on Pandora, your group will need to deposit 500 Eridium to prove you’re serious about taking on this endgame challenge. By stocking up on Eridium now, you’ll have the means to confront the raid boss straight away, though you could also choose to spend some Eridium at Crazy Earl’s Reroll to perfect your loadout ahead of this intense battle.
The Show Me the Eridium mini-event runs until April 8, ending just before the launch of Director’s Cut and the update containing the two new machines. If you don’t own Director’s Cut yet, you can purchase it individually or as part of Borderlands 3Ultimate Edition or Season Pass 2.* The add-on will bring all-new ways to play, including a monstrous raid boss, new murder mystery story missions, and behind-the-scenes content.
In addition, Director’s Cut includes three Vault Cards, which are your tickets to a new progression system featuring daily and weekly challenges. By completing challenges, you gain progress toward unlocking themed rewards, including unique Legendary gear, tons of new cosmetic items, and a brand new in-game resource: Diamond Keys.
To learn more about how Vault Cards and Diamond Keys work, you can refer to this comprehensive guide on borderlands.com. Please note that, at this time, Vault Cards can only be accessed by players who own the Director’s Cut add-on and can’t be purchased individually or separately. Similarly, Diamond Keys must be earned through gameplay and cannot be purchased individually or separately.
Borderlands 3is available now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Mac, Stadia, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. For assets and additional information, please visit newsroom.2k.com.
*Requires a copy of the Borderlands 3 base game to play.
Borderlands 3 is developed by Gearbox Software for 2K. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
NBA® 2K21 Arcade Edition Launches Today on Apple Arcade
Players Can Now Experience an All-New Basketball Simulation Game Optimized for Apple Devices
2K has announced the launch of NBA® 2K21 Arcade Edition on Apple Arcade, delivering an all-new basketball simulation game experience to Apple’s video game subscription service, available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac devices.
NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition offers a one-of-a-kind basketball experience, built with a graphics engine that delivers impressive gameplay resolution across Apple devices, while also boasting significantly improved visuals, AI, and animations.
Players can experience the thrill of stepping into the shoes of their favourite NBA stars and take their game to the next level across a variety of exciting modes:
Play 5-on-5 basketball featuring the latest NBA roster from the 2020-2021 season in Arena Quick Match;
Experience fast-paced, over-the-top games on street courts in Blacktop Quick Match;
Join a friend in Online Multiplayer to play cross platform via the Game Centre;
Start a journey toward NBA legend status in MyCAREER and spend hours navigating through personal storylines and progression.
Feel more immersed in the game with tight controls, slick camera angles, and realistic player attributes across ball-handling, speed, shooting, and defence, all while experiencing even more control with an Xbox or PS DualShock controller that can be used with any Apple device.
To play NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition, subscribe to Apple Arcade on any iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac device*. For more information on the included modes, features, supported languages and more, visit the Apple App Store.
ATTENTION EVERY PONY! MY LITTLE PONY: PONY LIFE SEASON 2 DEBUTS ONDISCOVERY FAMILY CHANNEL APRIL 10
The Laughter Continues with 14 New Episodes about the Funny Side of Friendship Beginning Saturday, April 10 at 11:30/10:30c
(Miami, FL) – Mark your calendars, every pony! MY LITTLE PONY: PONY LIFE is back for a second season of friendship, magic and laughs with the Mane 6 starting April 10 at 11:30/10:30c on Discovery Family. The eOne produced series will also stream live and on demand on Discovery Family GO, the network’s TV Everywhere app.
Season 2 of MY LITTLE PONY: PONY LIFE continues to feature the Mane 6 galloping through Sugarcube Corner. Together, they discover mysterious objects, uncover puzzling scenarios and experience binding moments. The second season of MY LITTLE PONY: PONY LIFE challenges the Mane 6 with tough decisions that test their strength, such as Rarity having to choose between her friends or the opportunity of a lifetime she’s presented with. MY LITTLE PONY fans should look forward to endless adventures with unexpected twists and turns in every episode.
Each 11-minute bite-sized episode of season 2 of MY LITTLE PONY: PONY LIFE features stories accompanied with humor and sparks of magic. In the series premiere episodes titled “Cute Impact & The Crystal Capturing Contraption,” Twilight Sparkle makes a startling discovery but instead of telling her friends, she decides this is one problem she must solve alone. Meanwhile, in hopes of becoming Equestria’s newest pony news reporter, Fluttershy interviews the rest of the Mane 6 about the coming Cotton Candy Comet, but Pinkie Pie is too distracted to help.
Discovery Family is a joint venture of Discovery Communications and Hasbro. Discovery Family is programmed with an inspirational mix of family-friendly series and popular animation franchises, and ranks as the #1 most co-viewed kid’s network among Kids 2-11 watching with an Adult 18-49 in Total Day for four years running. Families can enjoy their favorite shows anytime, anywhere through Discovery Family GO – the network’s TV Everywhere app offering live and on demand access to your favorite Discovery Family series and specials.
About eOne
Entertainment One Ltd. (eOne) is a talent-driven independent studio that specializes in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content. As part of global play and entertainment company Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS), eOne’s expertise spans across film, television and music production and sales; family programming, merchandising and licensing; digital content; and live entertainment. Through its extensive reach and scale, and a deep commitment to high-quality entertainment, eOne unlocks the power and value of creativity. eOne brings to market both original and existing content, sourcing IP from Hasbro’s portfolio of 1500+ brands, and through a diversified network of creative partners and eOne companies including: international feature film distribution company Sierra/Affinity; Amblin Partners with DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, and Reliance Entertainment; Makeready with Brad Weston; unscripted television production companies Renegade 83, Daisybeck, Blackfin and Whizz Kid Entertainment; live entertainment leaders Round Room Live; world-class music companies Audio Network, Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang; and award-winning emerging content and technology studio Secret Location.
TASOMACHI: Behind The Twilight Discovers 14 April, 2021 Release Date on Steam
TOKYO – 5 April, 2021 – TASOMACHI: Behind The Twilight, the gorgeous 3D exploration platformer set in a mysterious Far-Eastern fantasy world from developer and triple-A Japanese game industry veteran nocras and publisher PLAYISM, steps foot onto new lands Wednesday, 14 April, 2021, on Steam and GOG for Windows PC.
Explore the beautiful landscape and undertake the various trials of an imagined world inspired by the art, culture, and geography of East Asia and late-90’s collect-a-thon platformers. Artist-turned-game developer nocras’s impressive resume includes credits on multiple AAA titles, including 3D design on Final Fantasy XIII-2 in addition to Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, and 2D art for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as well as Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
As crash-landed explorer Yukumo, double jump, dash, and airdrop through dungeons, temples, and various scenic locations, complete with a “Photo Mode” to commemorate the many beautiful sights. Take on these challenges at a relaxed pace with no life gauges or hit counters to worry about while jamming out to a soundtrack by Ujico*, a Japanese musician with more than 1 million YouTube subscribers and 600,000 monthly Spotify listeners.
Between levels, visit the city that serves as home to the Nezu Tribe, a cat-like species providing Yukumo with requests to complete various tasks in exchange for valuable collectibles and resources. Find new areas by repairing Yukumo’s airship, discover ancient temples, and traverse cherry blossom-covered gardens and snow-covered mountain ranges. Earn new outfits and items to decorate Yukumo’s house among the Nezu Tribe.
“I enjoy making 2D and 3D art for myself and others, but I felt a need to express myself and the beauty of the world, which I could only do properly through a video game of my own,” said nocras, the sole developer of TASOMACHI. “It also feels like the world unfairly abandoned the collect-a-thon platformer, and I want to bring that genre back with beautiful visuals that create the same sense of melancholy and joy that I originally felt in my youth.”
TASOMACHI: Behind The Twilight releases on Wednesday, 14 April, 2021, via Steam and GOG for Windows PC, with Japanese, English, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) language text.
nocras is an artist and independent game developer known for his environmental art, with the goal of translating the world he creates in his art into three-dimensional, interactive experiences. He’s contributed to multiple Japanese AAA titles, such as 3D design at Square Enix on Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, and freelance 2D art on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Xenoblade Chronicles 2.TASOMACHI: Behind The Twilight is his debut independent game.
Known for bringing popular indie games from Japan, including Touhou Luna Nights, Fight Crab, La-Mulana 2, Bright Memory, and DEEEER Simulator, PLAYISM was created with the global indie community in mind. The company focuses on helping developers every step of the way, from localization to distribution of their games.
There is no doubt about it. Television consumption has changed dramatically from where it was twenty years ago. It is super hard to keep an audience’s attention these days with platforms such as Youtube on the rise, as kids and adults alike can simply find their entertainment from a short video, rather than dedicate actual time to invest into a sitcom or episodic adventure. That said, current streaming services are offering more accessible ways to enjoy your favorites from the past, which are indeed getting a boost from nostalgic parents who are passing these shows on through their own kids, in an attempt to keep a few televised legacies alive.
Sure, there are plenty of current shows that are popular and scratch the itch of watching a piece of entertainment unfold, but there is nothing wrong with remembering the past fondly. That is what this Pop Capsule is all about. Today, we are going to celebrate one specific television block that in my opinion will go down in history as representing the most memorable night in television history. Grab some popcorn, hop onto that orange couch, and let’s get ready to SNICK!
For those new to this, a television block is a group of programming that remains mostly the same week to week, but receives date specific theming, crossovers, and consistency so viewers can stay with the same network for a set period of time. Some fine examples include TGIF, which mainly featured the likes of Family Matters, Step by Step, Boy Meets World, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and one other random rotating program that was mainly thrown in as a test for the network. Another strong block in history was Disney’s One Saturday Morning, which had a longer run-time, featuring Disney’s Doug, Pepper-Ann, Recess, and so much more that it would take a lot longer than a simple retrospective to detail it all.
Notice a theme? Since the 70’s and even earlier, networks would mainly target families and children, as these markets proved productive in bring in a recurring viewership from week to week. As long as the programming remained intact, viewers would return week after week to get their fix of their favorite television programming.
In the mid-90s, television was developing an edge as viewers were changing. The whole family market still existed, but network heads realized that children were now receiving their own independence with entertainment consumption, largely due to the lower price of a TV, and the ease of adding a cable or satellite connection in every room of a household. Since launching Nicktoons and other kid-centric programming, Nickelodeon was on the rise as the most popular television networks across TV. With a bit of brain-storming and a few select shows to pilot, the channel introduced SNICK to its Saturday night line-up.
Shows such as Clarissa Explains it All, Roundhouse, and Ren & Stimpy proved to bring in viewers, and with the advertising campaigns in place, the block was a success. To be honest, those programs are not what I am hungry to reflect on. I like Clarissa fine, as it was a decent live-action comedy that captured its time well, and while I don’t recall much of Roundhouse or care for Ren & Stimpy, those programs do have followings that are still fond of that original line-up. Yeah, that isn’t my SNICK, and for most audiences from the time, it isn’t theirs either – as to be quite honest, most do not think of Clarissa or Ren & Stimpy and instantly associate those shows with SNICK. They simply place them with the Nickelodeon brand as a whole. No, the prime line-up where SNICK would gain its identity would be what would come in October of 1994. This is when Nickelodeon doubled down on marketing, upped budgets, and made an attempt to create properties for children that mimicked other blocks from that same time with actual kids in mind.
When you talk about SNICK, you really have to discuss the programs within that made kids like myself tune in week to week. Keep in mind, this is my telling through my own experiences with this block, so even one or two years of age difference will certainly have different results in nostalgia from this piece. Let’s start from that ‘94 block and move forward a bit, shall we?
Oh yeah, Spoilers Ahead!
The Secret World of Alex Mack was one of the most enjoyable shows on television when it debuted. The premise centered around a pre-teen girl who was doused with a mysterious chemical in a freak accident while on her way from school, and basically revolved around her trying not to be captured by the chemical plant who created the substance, where she would surely be subjected to tests or even worse. Yeah, not exactly relatable by any means in terms of a plot device on paper, but it still felt real enough due to the characters within the program. Alex led the series as our protagonist, and ended up having superpowers after her accident that made her extraordinary. She could zap streams of electric out of her fingers, squint and gain telekinetic abilities to lift objects and people alike, and turn into a puddle of water (or silver goo?) to go underneath doors or through pipes. If you have ever heard of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon dubbed “The Impossibles”, it was kind of like that but with all the powers condensed into one being.
The balance of the show came with Alex’s sister Annie, a promising young science student whom she confided in after the accident, acting as a mentor to Alex while she dealt with her new abilities. Annie was always curious about the limits of her sister’s powers, having her undergo health and body tests consistently, while still keeping her in check from displaying these abilities in public. Also in the loop with the accident was Mack’s best friend Ray, who was far less cautious and more spontaneous than Annie. Ray was all about Alex having fun and using her powers for personal gain. Alex’s parents were rather clueless. She had a loving and modern mother, and her father actually worked at the same plant where GC-161 was made, acting as an unknowing resource for a lot of Annie’s research. Alex had other friends as well who remained unaware of her secret for the entire show’s run. As antagonists, we had Vince, Dave, and the devious Danielle Atron. Vince was a maniacal and loyal security guard who was hell-bent on capturing the child who got soaked with the substance, while Dave was the not-so-bright driver who caused the accident with the chemical to occur. Danielle however was the head of the plant, and would stop at nothing to find the kid that got away from the scene, as performing tests on the subject would prove it was a chemical safe for human consumption, making her billions.
I think I got all of that, or at least the basics from memory as I re-watch this show quite often. It wasn’t just “oh, look at this girl with powers” that made the show work or even entertaining. It was that despite unrelatable circumstances, this show felt real to kids. Alex continued going to school, day after day – where she was met with the temptations of high school crushes, catty enemies, and passing grades. Annie dealt with her sister, but she also had to put her own goals to the side while trying to ensure the safety of Alex, and Ray dealt with a bit of jealousy as his best friend utilized what seemed like “cool” powers, despite always being hunted. I’m not going to say that this was some Emmy-Award winning script, as yes, it got a bit silly at times, but the cast was endearing and mostly, real enough to feel like people you could understand.
Alex Mack worked because it was able to fit its plot device in what would simply be a teenage sitcom, offering slices of excitement and suspense while the cast dealt with ordinary dilemmas. Ray has a big basketball game, should Alex help him cheat? Alex needs to pass a test; does she use her powers to get the scores? Plots like that kept the show interesting enough to last three seasons. Eventually, Ray got a new friend that added a bit of a foil for Alex named Louis, and Annie would go off to college. After the latter, Alex’s mom found out about her secret and took up the role as “mentor” to Alex, all before the satisfying finale. Basically, Alex was captured and everyone would find out about her abilities, all before being saved by a former antagonist who met his own moral dilemma that built up throughout the series. The Secret World of Alex Mack was fantastic for its time as it just simply fit in its era, and even though some have tried similar plots, have never met that same kind of success due partially to the timeslot it was featured in. Will this show be remembered by television historians? No, not at all. I think it will be remembered by those who watched it unfold however, as I find this to be such a special program that is packed with a lot of heart and decent writing.
Moving on…
Fresh out the Box. Stop, look and Watch! Ready yet? Get Set! It’s ALL THAT!
That intro should be memorable enough to viewers where they can instantly put their favorite sketch into their brains as soon as its uttered. All That was a teen-sketch comedy, with skits played out by teens, aimed at viewers around the same age. While the show has seen several reboots and relaunches over the years, it was the original SNICK run where it got its legs, and catapulted a few cast members to stardom, at least temporarily. I remember when I first tuned into All That during SNICK with my parents, and they were not too fond of it. That was because despite being “PG-ish”, it had a bit of an edge for kids, as most skits were focused on kids and teens simply doing what was fun, rather than what was “educational”.
Before we talk about those skits, it is important to state the cast that made this program work. First, there are the “anchors” of the series, that were featured more prominently due to their knack for comedy. Familiar names like Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Lori Beth Denberg, and Josh Server proved to be the most memorable of the original cast, creating famous sketches such as Good Burger, Vital Information, Earboy, and of course Miss Fingerly’s classroom. Joining those names and just as memorable were the likes of Katrina Mitchell, Angelique Bates, and Alisa Reyes, contributing other great characters and sketches with their youthful charisma and offerings week to week. Adults Kevin Kopelow and Dan Schnieder (head writers for the show) also added to the on-screen program, rounding out a terrific cast that made the program work so well.
The sketches were very ahead of their time, featuring slightly random comedy sequences from the cast, where they of course played kids, but also managed to tackle pop culture through adult impersonations to boot. Kenan brought out his Cosby impression quite often, which revolved almost completely around Jell-O pudding. Kel worked his magic playing “Okrah”, a gentle yet humorous parody of Oprah. It was like someone finally understood what kids wanted to watch, and at that time it was a show that basically made light of everything your parents found entertaining. The cast were just so perfect for the concept, as they – unlike other cringeworthy comedies generally put out for the same market, were actually funny. This wasn’t your parent’s Saturday Night Live, it was the show that took the piss out of ideals of perfection, politics, and general expectations of the adult life.
All That, without being offensive or silly was able to say “don’t clean your room” and “brush your teeth with chocolate” in the timespan of ten minutes, while still managing to appeal to an audience that was in an age of discovering the truths of the world. These kids also did a lot to act, as they would be caked in make-up and messes for what would be just a few minutes of entertainment, and managed to be more memorable than half of the “corporate” lesson-learning sitcoms that children were forced to sit through during home and school life. Of course, Good Burger (which would later get its own full-length theatrical feature) was great, but other skits were just as good and remain funny after all of these years. Who here remembers the loud librarian, who would bring out jackhammers while demanding the silence from children? How about the lemonade scammer, who would frequently scam money from unsuspecting adults? Again, this was a nice spitball aimed at what it means to “grow up”, giving audiences a reminder that it was still cool to be a kid.
As time passed, cast member changes began to occur. First, Angelique bowed out after two seasons, being replaced with a very young, and very funny Amanda Bynes, who would eventually be a mainstay for the network until the turn of the decade. Katrina Johnson and Alisa Reyes (two of my personal favorites) would leave the next season, where Nick would bring in Danny Tamberelli (Little Pete from The Adventures of Pete and Pete), Christy Knowings, and Leon Frierson. With the debut of season 4, we got those cast changes, a new title sequence introducing the big move from Universal Studios to Hollywood, and even more endearing sketches that continued to keep the show relevant. All That was on top of the world, but the original cast were also ready to expand outward. Lori Beth Denberg would leave the next season to begin a role on The Steve Harvey Show, and by the next season, Kenan and Kel would also part ways due to focus on their own careers and television show, which was also featured on Nick.
I don’t know, maybe I was just getting older, but I feel when Lori Beth left, the show just started to lose the spark. Find an episode of season five or more so season six. Sure, Christy, Josh, Danny, Mark (who was introduced prior), and Amanda were still present, but it just didn’t have that same effect. It was as if All That got a bit too wrapped up in creating the next breakout star and sketch, and forgot about that formula that made it work, which was having a consistent cast that effortlessly flowed between all of the segments within. The comedy got more physical in a juvenile manner and less meaningful to kids as a result. To sum it up, you don’t ever announce that you are for kids to appeal to them, you just let that feeling come organically – and I think the writers kind of fell short in the latter years of the show. Eventually, the series would end and get a new cast to start a new generation of fans. By this time, original viewers had moved on to MTV and other networks as they grew up, and that second cast is still enjoyed by their audience, despite the fact that I personally was rather absent for it.
From the musical guests to the clever humor, the original run of All That can never be replicated, despite the many times the network has tried. It wasn’t just a sketch comedy show, it was a time, an era, and a product of its own generation that probably will only make sense to those who were there. The newest iteration of All That is funny and I love the involvement of the original cast, but there was just something special about getting a block of time dedicated to you, with a musical guest that rounded out the program and left you excited for what the next week had in store. When All That ended, we all kind of grew up, and that sucks – but at least it can be known as such an influential program for years to come as Nick tries to re-find its current identity.
So, for the third show in the block, we always got a rotating spectrum of programs that were not necessarily built on the Nick platform, but still fit within the SNICK universe. For these I won’t go as far into detail, but they are definitely worth mention. Space Cases is probably the most prominent, which featured Walter Jones (who played Zack in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), as well as a good grouping of young actors in what was basically a kid’s version of Star Trek. Due to this program not being available for years, my memory isn’t as strong as it used to be for this show, but I do remember loving this program as even though most of the cast were teenagers, it still managed to bring the viewer into its universe through strong storytelling. Space Cases tackled death, mature issues, and felt as if it were written for a more intellectual viewer.
If you were a kid in the mid-nineties, it was kind of a taboo to be into Star Trek and Star Wars, as it was the era of grunge and rebellion. While Alex Mack and All That fit into that bubble, Space Cases was a bit of an odd duck as it kind of brought you into to this unknown world and felt like a guilty pleasure during the block. I remember when I first watched the show, not being impressed as it came off as a bit cheesy. As I watched and actually gave it a chance however, I found myself actually being hooked in and even considering it as a highlight of Saturday night. I think Space Cases would be something today that would be extremely popular, as the last two decades have revived science fiction back into the mainstream and the strong storytelling and themes within Space Cases may make it one of the most overlooked programs to ever exist on television.
The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo and The Journey of Allen Strange I can kind of talk about together, as they were not SNICK exclusive for their network tenure, and seemed to be shoved into the SNICK slot as an introduction, rather than a feature, as eventually both would move to other nights on Nick. Shelby Woo featured a female student who solved small crimes with her friends, and was your live-action Scooby Doo set in a teen comedy world, without the talking dog. Pat Morita was also Shelby’s beloved grandfather who ran an inn, and brought a bit of star power to the program. Basically, Shelby was an intern for a police station and took cases that were either not important to the force, or seemed to be impossible to crack. The Journey of Allen Strange was about an alien boy ends up living with a family, and must hide his identity by going to high school and trying to act human despite having quirky alien instincts. This one was fine as well, but felt a bit like Alf meets Alex Mack and even though it was on SNICK longer than Shelby Woo, was a little less memorable overall.
Kenan and Kel needs no introduction to most. This show was basically centered around two best friends and featured Kenan coming up with a plot to either make money or benefit, dragging along his dimwitted friend by the name of Kel, who would always foil the said plot unintentionally before each episode concluded. It was a goofy, buddy-comedy for kids, and managed to take a lot of tropes from sitcoms such as Laverne and Shirley and Saved by the Bell, and spin them to make them a bit more accessible for the current market. I loved Kenan and Kel and in many ways, it may be one of the most popular creations to come from the SNICK line-up, but I don’t know if everyone remembers it from the SNICK line-up. Kenan and Kel isn’t just a SNICK thing, they were two actors in a show that was so popular, they ended up becoming the face of the network. That’s a pretty big deal, and Kenan went on to be the longest running cast member on Saturday Night Live, so if you’re a kid from this era, I am sure you can at least see that piece of your childhood weekly on network television and be proud that you were a part of watching that star grow.
This is where the SNICK block gets a bit dark.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? was like Space Cases – still a Canadian produced show on a lower budget, but undoubtedly one of the most beloved products from SNICK overall. This program featured kids meeting every week around a campfire in the woods, where one would tell a scary story for their friends. The stories would of course play out with separate actors, filmed in different locations, and each have a theme based on different scenarios from week to week. Compared to Goosebumps, which was a bit sillier, Are You Afraid of the Dark was darker and had far more intense episodes. Want to see a sea monster’s flesh rot off with acid? Kidnapping? Kids losing their faces? Yep, all that was present. It was like a take on Tales From the Crypt, minus the gore, sex, and language, but still felt “cool enough” to older viewers, or younger ones looking for a weekend thrill.
I think the formula that made viewers come back wasn’t just the stories, but the teens who told them. Viewers, even at a young age, get used to and familiar with who they watch on TV. That is why that cast changes are a big deal even more so for these programs aimed at kids, as they pay attention. After all these years, characters like Gary, Tucker, Frank, Betty Ann, and Kiki I can all remember from the top of my head, and I also remember who told what story on a good day. While watching, I would always be more inclined to be excited for a story coming from a cast member I liked because despite being in just a few minutes of every episode, the show did well enough to define these characters so we could see the direction each story would take. As an example, Frank was the tough guy, so his stories would be a bit scarier. Tucker was the youngest, so his would be a bit of a surprise when they suddenly grew darker. Sure, the acting in these tales was not always the best and some things are laughable as an adult, but there are still some old episodes that you go back and watch and think “how did they get away showing this to kids?”. Ending SNICK with this show was a genius move that absolutely cemented its success, and when it left, the block was never the same.
SNICK was about the content it had within it, but it also made the whole night feel like an experience. From the commercials and advertising that ran through-out, everything felt cohesive. Nick would also feature many special hosts, usually from All That or another program from the network, and that also gave viewers a way to connect to every show. We got to see crossovers from All That to Alex Mack, and Nick would also highlight the importance of the block by occasionally adding a special episode of Rugrats or another program that would be a feature of the month of sorts.
If you remember, the huge episode of Rugrats that announced the plot for The Rugrats Movie premiered on SNICK.
Sure, there were many shows after these and SNICK would live on for years after each ended, but tying them all together is what made the block so relevant. The Amanda Show was huge for Nick and found its place in the line-up for a couple years, but truly I don’t think SNICK felt the same as by that time, All That and every other show had concluded, and we had Nick Cannon hosting what was essential “SNICK HOUSE”, a name now branded to kind of catapult him as the face of the network for kids. Again, that is fine for those who enjoyed it, but it was never the same.
SNICK meant Saturdays were here and gave you something to look forward to. After it concluded each week, it was time to reset, and look forward to the next. It was a television block unlike any other, as it was made for kids, by kids, and seemed to capture that with programming and promotions that understood the audience they were playing for. Nickelodeon has been in this identity struggle for years as it still attempts to create its next big hit, but seem to have forgotten who they are appealing to. Kids don’t want to be kids; they want to be like everyone else. SNICK was all about making them feel like they had a rightful spot on the couch in front of the television, with programming that was able to make you forget the kid part and simply take time to escape all of those simple problems that plagued an adolescent mind.
Go watch some old commercials, or find a few of these shows on streaming services. You will quickly understand the impact of the one Saturday night of television that finally listened, and gave a generation a voice.
Putting together clues and solving a mystery is always a good feeling and doing that in a visual novel has become something of a rarity outside of a few certain series. Kadokawa Games looked to remedy that situation a bit with their Kadokawa Mystery Games series that started in 2016 with Root Letter and now Root Film, the second game in the series, has been released in the West. Serving as a completely separate entity, outside of being located in the same prefecture, is this mystery visual novel worth diving into?
Story
Players will find themselves taking on the role of two seperate protagonists, Rintaro Yagumo who goes by a pen name of Max Yagumo after winning a film competition years prior, and an up and coming actress simply known by her stage name, Riho. Max has been struggling to find his next big break when he is given the chance to take part in the revived Shimane Mystery Drama Project that was cancelled over a decade ago where three directors compete to prove who can create the best mystery film within this region of Japan.
Unfortunately for Max and the rest of the Yagumo film crew, the project itself is thought to be cursed due to mysterious deaths that occurred during the project’s previous filming attempt. This revival attempt only seems to prove the curse is real as things quickly take a turn for the worse as the crew encounters more murders while attempting to create a film of their very own. As for Riho, this young actress comes across similar incidents of murder in her line of work and through a power that both protagonists possess, synesthesia, the two believe that they are the only ones capable of finding the truth behind these murders.
While Root Film may feature two protagonists, in reality the game mostly focuses entirely on Yagumo’s story as he is given five particularly lengthy chapters while Riho is only given two total. A lot of attention has also been given to making sure that, while every chapter focuses on solving a different case, that nearly every aspect of these cases ties together in some way or another in the end. While we cannot go into detail to avoid spoilers, we can mention that sometimes even the smallest details can play the biggest role and can carry all the way through multiple chapters only to play a key role in the end.
Thanks to this quality of writing the team is capable of developing some amazing twists and tricks to shock players as they progress through the story and make for an incredibly interesting set of mysteries to solve. That being said, there are more than a few moments that the pacing does feel a little off as players will likely figure out certain twists long before they are actually able to complete the chapter. It also doesn’t help that progress often involves examining a number of locations that, while interesting in their own right, have no actual relevance to the story though this does feel a bit intentional.
Due to the game being set in the real Shimane prefecture players will be able to travel to actual locations in the area and more often than not the game is more than willing to give players history lessons about why these specific locations have special significance, are great places for tourism, feature great food, and more. This does help give the world a more realistic feel to it as, well… it is a real location but it can feel like a bit too much fluff at times.
With great mysteries to solve and some solid worldbuilding Root Film already offers a great storyline but it also helps that the game features a sizable cast of widely varied characters. The core cast of characters features some great personalities and bounce off one another well while the numerous side-characters that players will meet and interact with also are well-written, most of the time for good reason as they rarely appear as one chapter characters and often play a later role, making sure to keep players engaged with almost every aspect of the story by trying to tie everything together as much as possible.
Gameplay
As a visual novel players will be expected to do plenty of reading in Root Film though there is a bit of an investigative element as well. Players can travel to various locations that are available to them on the map and, if possible, interact with any characters or items at these locations. It is worth noting that although there are no alternative endings or special routes for players to unlock, there’s extra world building and little quizzes hidden across the locations if players travel to them when they don’t have to.
As for the clues players will uncover, as mentioned before both Yagumo and Riho possess “synesthesia” which allows them to immediately lock-on important clues and make a mental note of them that they will not be able to forget. These clues can be obtained from talking with characters, interacting with objects, and more though players are prevented from advancing the story until they trigger the proper sequence of events so it is impossible to actually fail to find everything necessary to advance. That being said, thanks to the game not properly advancing at all unless players find a specific interaction point it can lead to some trial and error, especially since a few locations require multiple searches after a failed attempt or two.
These clues are then used in a relatively oddly designed “fighting” mini-game where Yagumo or Riho will interrogate a suspect and select the right clues to prove that they are lying. The mini-game is very simple in nature giving players plenty of wriggle-room for failure with incorrect guesses only damaging their health a bit while a correct guess immediately heals them and pushes to unlocking the truth. This makes for an interesting mini-game that doesn’t really do too much other than to give players the feeling like they are actually solving the case finally even if they have already figured things out themselves.
Visuals & Audio
Root Film really shines when it comes to how it likes to present itself. This comes from the unique combination of taking gorgeous character designs with vibrant colors and placing them against highly detailed background pieces of background art that vary wildly depending on the location. Whether this is due to the game’s setting in the Shimane prefecture or due to the developers putting a lot of work into the background art, it helps bring the game’s artwork to life which is great given that the actual character portraits are not animated in any form which is a bit disappointing. It is also worth noting that while localizing a visual novel is always going to be a significant undertaking players will need to be ready for more than a few errors and typos that still persist.
It is also nice to note that, while Root Film only features the original Japanese voice cast, every line of dialogue in the game is voiced by some well-known Japanese voice actors and actresses which is a great touch for this mystery visual novel. As for the background music, the game features a number of standard pieces of music though the only real stand out tracks appear during the more dramatic moments of the story.
Overall
Keeping a player interested in solving multiple mysteries can be a difficult challenge but Root Film manages to do so easily by making sure that players never feel like any interactions with main or even side-characters feel like a waste of time and actually trying to tie things together as much as possible throughout the many cases that players have to solve. Sure, there is a bit of an excessive amount of tourism fluff mixed in with the mysteries and some of the mysteries themselves are too predictable for their own good but Root Film still manages to hold strong and deliver a great performance.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
22 Million Registered Players Milestone Announced Alongside New Details on PlayStation®5 Version, Patch Content, and Digital Fan Festival 2021
SQUARE ENIX® today revealed fresh details for FINAL FANTASY® XIV: Shadowbringers™ Patch 5.5 alongside a new trailer during the latest Letter from the Producer LIVE broadcast. Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida also shared a new milestone in the growth of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online community, which has now reached 22 million registered players.
Titled “Death Unto Dawn,” Patch 5.5 will be split in two parts and sets the stage for the upcoming fourth expansion, Endwalker™. Part one is scheduled for release on 13th April and brings with it the highly-anticipated third chapter of YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse—the NieR-inspired alliance raid featuring the work of guest creators Yosuke Saito and YOKO TARO. The patch also brings an abundance of new story and battle content, system updates, and more.
The Patch 5.5 trailer is available here:
During the Letter from the Producer LIVE presentation, Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida revealed new information about the PlayStation®5 console version of FINAL FANTASY® XIV Online, which will launch into open beta alongside Patch 5.5. In addition to previously announced upgrades, such as framerate improvements, faster load times, and 4K resolution support, this new release will also include DualSense haptic feedback, new trophies, and 3D audio support.
Users with a PlayStation 4 license registered to their account can upgrade to the PS5 Upgrade Edition at no extra cost at the start of the open beta period, while new players can experience the game on the PlayStation 5 via the Free Trial version. The full PlayStation 5 version will be available for purchase following the conclusion of the open beta.
Further details on Patch 5.5 content are outlined below:
· New Main Scenario Quests – Prospects of peace may soon fall to ruin, as Fandaniel and the Telophoroi scheme to recreate the Final Days, and ominous towers rise in all corners of the realm. With the servants of chaos amassing at every turn, will the Scions uncover their plot before it is too late?
· New Alliance Raid: The Tower at Paradigm's Breach– The third chapter of the NieR-inspired YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse alliance raid series.
· “Sorrow of Werlyt” Questline Finale – With adamantine armour and a beating, blood red core, the Diamond Weapon is the culmination of countless sacrifices and untold suffering. When the ultimate triumph of the VIIth Legion's monstrous Weapon project descends upon Werlyt, who will be saved, and who shall fall?
· New Trial: The Cloud Deck – Players can face off against the fearsome Diamond Weapon in this latest trial, which will be available in both Normal and Extreme difficulties.
· New Dungeon: Paglth'an – Players can tackle this new story dungeon alongside fellow adventurers or a party of non-player characters via Trust System compatibility.
· “Save the Queen” Questline Update – This latest update includes a new field area, “Zadnor,” an increased resistance rank cap, final enhancement of resistance weapons and more.
· New Unreal Trial – The next powered-up primal, Leviathan, has returned from A Realm Reborn to terrorise level 80 heroes, providing them with a hefty challenge and chances at unique rewards.
· Crafter Updates – High-level crafters can look forward to new content in Patch 5.5 that will earn them special achievements and unique crafting tools.
· Ishgard Restoration Update – As a new age dawns in Ishgard, luminaries from across Eorzea have been invited to the Firmament to take part in a ceremony commemorating this momentous occasion. Players can obtain rewards by participating in gatherer- and crafter-focused events which will occur during these periodic celebrations.
· “Explorer Mode'' Update – The Explorer Mode feature will be expanded to include level 70 dungeons. Explorer Mode allows players to explore dungeons free from danger to capture striking and fun screenshots while enabling the use of mounts and minions. Players will also now be able to use performance actions while in dungeons, such as playing musical instruments.
· Performance Action Updates – A new instrument will be added with Patch 5.55.
· Job Adjustments for PvE and PvP Actions, New Custom Deliveries, New Mounts and more.
Further details about the upcoming Digital Fan Festival on 15th – 16th May were also revealed. On 15th May, fans can expect an exciting keynote filled with new information on Endwalker, a developer panel, and a piano concert. 16th May’s events will also provide enjoyable content for fans, with a Letter from the Producer LIVE and a concert from THE PRIMALS. For more information on the Digital Fan Festival 2021, visit the official website here: https://fanfest.finalfantasyxiv.com/2021/eu/
The recently announced fourth expansion pack of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga, Endwalker, is scheduled to release autumn 2021 for PC, Mac, the PlayStation®5 system, and the PlayStation®4 system. Endwalker is the culmination of the Hydaelyn and Zodiark story, in which Warriors of Light will encounter an even greater calamity than ever before, and will bring an abundance of new content, including multiple new jobs, an increased level cap, vast new areas, adjustments to the battle system, as well as a variety of new battle, crafter, and gatherer content.
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker’s teaser trailer can be found here:
With over 22 million total registered players and a new expansion on the way, there has never been a better time for newcomers to begin their adventures in the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga. The recently expanded Free Trial now includes all content from A Realm Reborn and the Heavensward™ expansion (and updates through Patch 3.56), as well as an additional playable race (Au Ra), and three additional playable jobs (Dark Knight, Astrologian, and Machinist). Free Trial players can enjoy hundreds of hours of award-winning gameplay and story experiences equivalent to two full FINAL FANTASY titles, without limit on playtime.
Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 161 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 82 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 82 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
From the Developers of Planetary Annihilation and Monday Night Combat Comes a New Western-themed Battle Royale
SEATTLE, WA – April 2, 2021 – Team GRIT, a new game development and publishing studio established by industry veterans, has today announced GRIT, an all-new Wild West Battle Royale where players test their merit against 99 other opponents in the ultimate showdown. Players have a chance to start playtesting in an early beta build starting today where they can immediately jump into the lawless world of GRIT. The first beta test starts Today – Friday, April 2nd, at 8am PT – 4pm PT with the second beta test beginning Saturday, April 3rd, 4pm PT – 6pm PT and finally the third beta test happening Sunday, April 4th, 4pm PT – 6pm PT.
Future beta tests are planned before the game heads into Early Access, but for this beta weekend limited keys are available, so get your GRIT Key now on Steam before it’s too late: https://store.steampowered.com/app/738090/GRIT/
GRIT features:
Wild West Royale – Saddle a trusty horse and venture across the frontier. Battle 99 other cowboys in solo, duo, and squad gunfights.
Perk System– Look for weapons that make all-in poker hands to gain special perks. Gather specific hands to craft different styles of play. There’s advantages and tradeoffs to be made depending on the cards you’re collecting – will you go all-in on gunslinging, focus on patching up your wounds after each skirmish, or find some other winning combination
Ride Through the West – Bond with your horse, riding and controlling your trusty steed with multiple speeds. Feeling lazy? Use the equine beast o’ burden as extra inventory. Horses are a great way to stay mobile, escape the all consuming calamity storm, and fire on-the-go. If you’re feeling daring and have the gumption, steal your foe’s horse and ride like the wind.
Tools o’ the Trade – Over 20 weapons and a whole host of cowboy equipment are there to help you and yours to the top of the gunslinger rankings. Weapons are projectile-based, so you’ll need to be a crack shot, lead targets, and account for gravity.
All Aboard – Steal loot and a seat on the last train outta town. Take charge and use the locomotive to stay inside the battle royale ring.
ABOUT GRIT This town ain’t big enough for the two of us. It surely ain’t big enough for all 100. Ride or die in the ultimate wild west battle royale, where there’s more to winning than aiming true. Saddle up and ride across town, building the best poker hand from found weapons to make a killing. Grab the best shooter to-hand and gun your way to infamy on the new frontier. Explore the towns, oil fields and plains of the untamed west as you try to hitch a ride on the last man alive train. But hold on to your 10 gallon hat – it’ll protect you as you’re shootin’ up a storm! If a gunslinger shoots you down, keep your hat on – a 1v1 wild west showdown could put you back in the game if you got a quick draw.
ABOUT TEAM GRIT Team GRIT is a new game development and publishing company established by veteran industry insiders Bob Berry and Jon Mavor, creators of Planetary Annihilation and Monday Night Combat. Based out of Seattle, the development team at Showdown is committed to making fun and engaging titles that bring players together. Their first game, GRIT, is an Old West Battle Royale.
