Monthly Archives: February 2018

Discovery Producers Explain Season 1 Ending

Full spoilers follow for the Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 finale, "Will You Take My Hand?", as well as everything that has led up to this point.

Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts can breathe a sigh of relief, having finally brought the first season of their Star Trek revival to the air (well, the stream) after being under quite a bit of scrutiny from not just fans of the revered franchise but also industry pundits wondering if Trek was still viable in the age of Peak TV. Fortunately for us, Berg and Harberts have proven that not only is Star Trek still achievable on the small screen, but it can thrive and evolve and take the series to entirely new places creatively.

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A Personal Story About Gaming as Pain Relief

My name is Nathanael, and this is a story about why I play games, what they mean to me, and how they help me to cope with chronic pain. It will be a look back on my life so far, my experience as a gamer, and the games that have helped me.

In writing this piece I hope that other people in pain can find some commonalities in what I have to say, and together we can keep looking for new worlds to live in, escape to or in which we can simply spend a few hours away from our worries.

(Oh, and just be clear at the outset - in what follows I by no means want to imply that I’ve had the worst or the hardest life. I’ve had amazing opportunities, worked with incredible people, and had a support network that got me where I am today.)

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I Haven’t Made a Single Kill in PUBG Yet, but I Love It…

I have not yet bested any opponents, nor do I have any chicken dinners to my name. Hell, I've barely fired a weapon in anger outside of the chaotic pre-game lobby but, regardless, I'm new to PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and I'm finding it absolutely thrilling.

Without a PC powerful enough to run it and a general disinterest in online shooters (with a few exceptions), it's taken me a long time to come around to the idea of PUBG. Yet, as a big fan of slower-paced, more methodical shooters, such as old-school Ghost Recon and Operation Flashpoint, and the fact that its primary mode allows me to play in isolation, in picking up the (admittedly still-wonky) Xbox One version, I've discovered a game that feels like it was tailor-made for a lone-wolf like me.

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V The Movie Officially Announced

A movie based on the '80s sci-fi series V is coming from the show's original creator, Kenneth Johnson.

V The Movie will presumably retread the story of the two-part mini-series, which focused on human-suit-wearing reptilian visitors to earth who may or may not be there for nefarious purposes. The series focused heavily on humanity's reactions to the 'Visitors', including those who resisted against assimilation. The 1983 mini-series was followed by 1984 sequel V: The Final Battle, a short-lived 1985 series, and a 2009 reboot starring Morena Baccarin.

Deadline reports that the movie will be the first project for a reborn Desilu Studios, originally founded in 1950 by Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball.

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New Splatoon 2 Amiibo, Map, and Weapon Coming Soon

A pair of new amiibo, as well as a new map and weapon are coming soon to Splatoon 2.

The amiibo are of Splatfest hosts Pearl and Marina, an they'll be available in a two-pack later this year for $25 USD. Details regarding their specific functionality have yet to be revealed.

For a sneak peek at the figures, check out the reveal trailer below:

A new map called Goby Arena and a new weapon known as the Dark Tetra Dualies, which allows the wielder to do for consecutive dodge rolls, are also on the way for Nintendo's ink-based shooter.

Check out the gallery below to see a few images of the new map and weapon, courtesy of Nintendo Versus on Twitter.

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Harrison Ford’s Contributions to Solo: A Star Wars Story

Harrison Ford contributed to Solo: A Star Wars Story by helping the new Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) and director Ron Howard capture the essence of the beloved character.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said Ford provided Ehrenreich with some valuable insight about what makes Han so special. Ford recalled how George Lucas developed Han in the original trilogy when he met with the new Solo actor.

"What

did so beautifully for Alden was he talked a lot about what he remembered when he first read Star Wars, and what George had done with Han," Kennedy said. "Who the character was and the conversations he had for so many years with George about how that character developed."

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Labyrinth of Refrain, More NIS Titles Coming West in 2018

During its annual press event, NIS America made several announcements regarding when those in the west can expect to play the publisher's lineup of upcoming titles.

Here's an overview of all the big news that was revealed during the livestream:

Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk will get a physical and digital release for PS4 and Switch, as well PC via Steam, this fall in North America and Europe. The game was released last year in Japan for PS4, and for Vita in 2016.

An $80 USD Limited Edition—containing an art book, soundtrack, lapel pin set, and more—is now available for preorder for PS4 and Switch.

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Comparing Luke and Rey’s Cave Visions

One of the most dissected scenes in Star Wars: The Last Jedi is Rey’s foray into the cave on Ahch-To. The film, especially on a first viewing, is wrought with tension, and nothing encapsulates this more clearly than Rey’s journey of self-discovery. This metaphor is a consistent trope in film and literature, and often does more to put the spotlight on specific characters than might be at first perceived. Not unlike Luke’s Force vision in The Empire Strikes Back, the cave reveals the truth of what lies beneath the surface of the hero.

An exploration of the cave is a motif that has been around since the days of the Greek philosopher Plato. Plato believed that the cave investigates the confusion between what is authentic and what is false. In other words, it’s so much more than a spelunking field trip. It’s a physical journey as well as a metaphorical journey into self-discovery. Rey explores the depths of the cave, but, in all actuality, is looking inside of herself to discover the truth of who she actually is.

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