Mass Effect: N7 Day is Coming!

Now that we're all done with the Halloween festivities, it is time to fire up our PCs/consoles and prepare for another fine day of Reaper hunting! Yep, November 7 is just a few days away and Bioware has prepared a pretty hefty number of activities and events for ME fans to enjoy. N7 day is just around the corner, and if you what to know how you can celebrate? Read the rest after the jump.

PILDER NYAN! Chogokin and Hello Kitty Celebrate Joint 40th Anniversary

Chogokin and Hello Kitty are celebrating their individual 40th anniversaries, and to commemorate the event, Tamashii Nations will be releasing a special limited edition Chogokin Hello Kitty. Yep, Hello Kitty is getting it's own giant sized Go Nagai-inspired super mecha complete with rocket paws. 

The Chogokin HK comes with its' own base/stand and mini-Hello Kitty pilot (just like Mazinger, the cockpit is on top of the head, it even has the transparent cockpit). The small triggers on the arms allows the robot to fire it's paws. Taking a cue from Go Nagai's Getter Robo, Hello Kitty's mecha also has three variable forms (though it does not split into three different crafts). It can switch to land, water, and air mode. Lastly, by pressing a button on the bottom of the robot, you can switch between three different expressions (or basically different eye colors -standard black, alert red, and flashing yellow).

Hello Kitty's mecha stands at around 10.5cm while the mini-Kitty pilot is around 2.3cm, parts are composed of die-cast metal and ABS resin. It will hit store shelves by June 2014 with a pretty decent price tag at ¥4,400. A prototype of the figure will be on display a couple of days from now at the TAMASHII NATION 2013 event to be held at Akihabara UDX from November 1-3.

Editor's Note: Chogokin is written as chougoukin in Japan. Bandai Namco officially translates it without the u's in their press releases, hence "Chogokin".

Batman to Appear in Japan's Puzzle and Dragons

Puzzle and Dragons has been the number 1 mobile game in Japan for quite some time now, so it is not surprising that the folks at Warner Bros. Games has decided to team up with GungHo in order to promote the upcoming Batman Origins game. The tie-in? Gotham's caped crusader will be appearing some capacity in Puzzle and Dragons.

The images were found by some ingenious Chinese fans who were combing through the data for the game's 6.1 update in Japan. Aside from the Dark Knight, assets for Joker, Catwoman, and Robin have also been found.

Magazine Photo of John Hurt in Doctor Who Reveals 8th and 9th Doctor Costume Details

While Paul McGann and Christopher Eccleston will not be part of the 50th Anniversary special for Doctor Who, it appears their wardrobe manages to make it. John Hurt will be portraying an all new incarnation of the Doctor (revealed in last season's finale) who is said to have been the one who went through the Time War.

In a recent coverage of the upcoming finale by UK magazine SFX, they featured a close up photo of John Hurt (as seen above). Looking at the photos, it is easy to see how 8th's more steampunk-formal looking attire has slowly morphed into the more modern outfit worn by 9th. Hurt's attire serves as a very clever bridge between the two.

More notably, Hurt's incarnation is sporting a device peeking out from his coat. It appears to be the back end of a Sonic Screwdriver's handle. Though at closer inspection, it does not resemble any of the known Sonics used by the Doctor.

Superman: Still Looking Good at 75 Years

DC Comics and Warner Bros have put up an impressive video celebrating Superman's legacy for the past 75 years. This animated short combines the skills of Zack Snyder (director of Man of Steel) and Bruce Timm (the legend behind many of DC's WB animated series). There's plenty of great references crammed in just 2 minutes and 15 seconds of video.

Atari Takes the Spotlight on a Kickstarter Documentary

World 1-1 is the first part of an all new documentary series that focuses on the history of video games. The project is nothing short of ambitious, but for a couple of gaming enthusiasts with plenty of video production experience, the sky is the limit. They've already finished the script, and they even managed to tie down some pretty big names associated with what is essentially the genesis (the religious reference, not the SEGA system) of the modern day video game industry. With just a little over 20 days to go on Kickstarter, this project could use every bit of support it can get -catch the KS intro vid after the jump.

SFX Poster for Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary has a Faux Pas

We're totally excited for the upcoming 50th anniversary episode: The Day of the Doctor. But seriously, someone in SFX (for those unfamiliar, it is a UK magazine) or BBC really has to start checking promotional photos more carefully. As awesome as it may be to have David Tennant, John Hurt, and Matt Smith on a single photo, one can't help but look at the text on top and not giggle like a gradeschooler.

Apparently, SFX has been pretty consistent with this. Check past the jump to see more of their previous DW-themed S_X covers.

Pre-Order Time! I Know that Voice DVD Sign Ups are Now Open!

We love voice actors, they're a strong part of sci-fi and fantasy culture. From animated TV shows, to video games, it is the voice of these wonderful people who have breathed life to fiction's most iconic characters.John Di Maggio, the voice of Bender in Futurama, is directing a small indie documentary featuring some of the most famous voices to ever appear on the credits of our favorite shows and games. The film is expected to come out near the end of the year and anyone interested in getting a copy should head on over the site of I Know that Voice and sign up for the V.I.P. list. Signing up allows you to get updates and news about the project, and more importantly, a chance to pre-order the DVD. Di Maggio will also be giving away autographed IKTV posters to every 100th person who signs up. More info and second trailer after the jump.

Gundam Build Fighter Gets an English Subbed Simulcast via YouTube!

There's a new Gundam TV series out in Japan and if you're a non-JP speaking fan just aching to catch the latest fan-subs of the show, fret no more. Sunrise has decided to give everyone the easy choice to just watch the show (with complete English subtitles) on their official Gundam YouTube page.
It is a big step for fans of the series and the fact that Japan is actively trying to bring its culture beyond the borders. Also, the YT video channel can be viewed from any region -so one could literally say that Gundam Build Fighters is being marketed on a global scale.

For more about the TV show and to watch the first episode, hit the jump.

Mass Effect 3's Happy Ending! MEHE-Mod Gives Players an All New Conclusion to the Game

Mass Effect 3's ending is nothing short of controversial and debated. But one thing is certain: not all fans are happy with it (some fans are, some aren't). If you are among those who liked the existing three options for the ending, then good for you (The Extended Cut DLC was often more than enough for many players). But for other Mass Effect players, they wanted more. 

MrFob, a member of the Bioware forums is one such player. He wanted more, and he knew that there were other players who felt the same way. So he went on to create the MEHEM, also known as the Mass Effect Happy Ending Mod. This is among the most popular fan-made mods of the game and one that even the admins of the forum boards seem happy about it. Sadly, for PS3 and X360 players of the game, this mod is not available (it only works for the PC version of the game).

Without spoiling the actual details of the Mod's ending, MEHEM takes players on a slightly different course of events once you start moving towards the giant pillar of light near the end.
Mass Effect 4 (or whatever it will be called) is still a long time coming; and if you have a PC version of ME3 and have finished all the DLC's, MEHEM is a good reason to get back into the single player side of things. Catch the trailer of the mod after the jump.

A Farewell to the Pioneer of Dramatic Military Fiction: Tom Clancy

Today we remember the man who gave us The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, Jack Ryan, The Sum of All Fears, Ghost Recon, and other thrilling stories. Tom Clancy passed away on October 2, 2013 at the age of 66, at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. His family has opted to keep the exact nature of his death private.Fans of his books and the movies/games based on his works will still have one last Clancy-made story to enjoy: his last book, Command Authority, will be released on December.

Mighty No.9 Coming to Playstation 4 and Xbox One (and the Vita and 3DS)!

As of the moment we're writing this, Keiji Inafune's Mighty No. 9 Kickstarter project has managed to reach 3.2 million USD -well over thrice the original 900,000 goal. Along the way, one of the biggest stretch goals has been reached: digital versions of the game for next gen systems like the PS4! With the next stretch goal at 3.5 million (and a promise of porting the game to the Vita and 3DS), there's still a bit of excitement in the air (c'mon people! only a few hours left, pledge if you haven't!). 

Crowdfunding is a powerful tool, and it is something that is pretty much accessible to all fans of almost any medium (not just games!). With Kickstarter alone, we've seen a TV series brought back to life (Veronica Mars made 5.7 million, more than twice the original 2 million target), several films at the Sundance film festival were produced, and in the world of gaming, we've seen both games and systems find much needed funding directly from fans.


For fans of the blue bomber, Inafune's decision to step outside of Capcom's direction and pave his own path has allowed him to deliver something that fans have been wanting for some time now: an honest-to-goodness Rockman game. Granted that it will not be the same character, but every fan of the series is more than willing to take Mighty No. 9 as a true spiritual successor -complete with the full support of almost everyone who made the original. And sometimes, that's all we gamers truly want.

[UPDATE] Two more stretch goals reached and a little over an hour left!

Yep! The game is heading to portable systems! 

[UPDATE] Mighty No. 9's Kickstarter has closed and they have amassed over 4 million USD in funding! The amount reflected on the Kickstarter page is around 3.845 million, and there's an additional 186,000 from Paypal pledges -which means that the final stretch goal of 4m and the reward of a special online battle mode will be available in-game.

Here's the Music for the Captain Harlock Movie

Without a doubt, the Captain Harlock movie released early last September was breathtakingly awesome -if you are a fan of the series. The Leiji Matsumoto inspired character designs, there's also the expected dark portrayals of the inner psyche of the our scarred protagonist, the young man discovering the value of having an individual principle (though not quite Cosmo Warrior Zero),  and of course, the concept that sheer will and determination can strengthen everything you touch (hotblooded-awesomeness, check!). It's a great movie with astounding visuals to match -of course, it does cater to a niche crowd so those who are unfamiliar with Harlock may want to pass.

Anyway, Universal Music Japan has been nice enough to share the music video of "L'amour dans ton coeur". Which serves as the main theme of the film. Catch the vid after the jump.

Soylent Cosplay's Liara T'Soni Makeup Gets the Asari Look Right

Here's some quick, but much deserved props to Sal of Soylent Cosplay. Her amazing work looks stunning on camera. Notice the fine details on the scalp and the detailing on the neck -plenty of attention to detail here. If there's any truth to those Mass Effect movie adaptation rumors, this fan-made look certainly sets a good standard to follow.

[Soylent Cosplay]

Space Qube: A Shooter That Lets You Build Your Own Spaceship

Yes, we built a TARDIS. But hey, when you're travelling thousands of light years and blasting away at 3D pixel baddies, having a nice comfy ship that's bigger on the inside helps. Of course, this little time-lord piece of machinery is not the only thing out there. Thanks to Space Qube's impressive ship builder tool, there are already over two thousand user-generated ships available online. Expected space-faring favorites such as the X-Wing and TIE Fighter are already out there, along with a few stray Gundams and other geekish favorites.

As for the game itself, Space Qube is a fun space shooter for the Apple iOS, the controls are easy to learn and most of the game is centered around making your own ship. Hit the jump for our quick review of the game.

Our Complete List of Sci-fi and Fantasy TV Shows this October

October is just around the corner! And while we're all still dazzled by the amazing pilot of Marvel's Agent's of SHIELD, there will be no time to recover. Awesome sci-fi and fantasy TV shows are gonna keep on coming for the next few weeks. So it's time to bring out your organizers and track these amazing new titles for next month!

Unmasking Tali'Zorah Vas Normandy

Bosh'tet.

This was pretty much the general consensus and reaction of Mass Effect 3 players who have opted to romance the Quarian engineer, Tali, in the game. Why? Because Bioware didn't bother creating a proper unmasking for her. The above image is the scene witnessed by Tali-romancing players nearing the ending parts of ME3. So what's the big deal? Read about it after the jump.

Bayonetta Anime, Bloody Fate, Coming this November

Fans of Hideki Kamiya's Bayonetta games are going to get a nice little treat this November with a full length anime-movie titled, "Bayonetta: Bloody Fate". Not much word on what part of the game's storyline this will touch up on, but most bets are that it will be bridging the gap between the first game and the upcoming sequel. Catch the trailer after the jump.  YWHJGNNKXA55

We Bid Farewell to Nintendo’s Hiroshi Yamauchi (1927-2013)

Hiroshi Yamauchi died of pneumonia on September 19, 2013, and is survived by 4 children. Nintendo Co., Ltd. continues his legacy.

He may have never designed, developed, or wrote games, but through him, we now enjoy a massive and constantly growing video game industry. It was Hiroshi Yamauchi’s vision and strong beliefs in the future of console gaming that turned Nintendo into the powerhouse it is today –and with it, all the iconic legacies the Japanese game company bore fruit to. But more than the man who gave rise to console gaming, Mr. Yamauchi was also a philanthropist, and a family man.

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary: Today is the Day that Filming Began

It has been quite a journey for the longest running science fiction TV series. As we count down the days and weeks to November 23, let us not forget this day, September 20. This day holds a very significant date for many of the people involved behind the scenes of the original series. Today is the day that they first started filming Doctor Who.

Our Complete List of Sci-fi and Fantasy TV Shows this September

From all new shows to all new seasons, September is starting out to be one of the best times to be sitting on the couch with a remote control on hand (or a TiVo keeping track of things). Regardless of how you’re catching the latest episodes, what matters is not missing out on a single one. So here’s our list of upcoming (and currently running) shows for everyone to keep track of (in order of appearance).

Zombie Featurette: Walking Dead, Infectonator Hotchase, and Haunted Hollywood Sports!

October is just a few weeks away and that means we’ve got a massive load of undead goodness just waiting to be enjoyed. And this week, we’re giving everyone the choice of how they would like to deal with zombies. First, you can watch them like we’ve always had since the days of Romero’s first film. Next, you can simulate being in control of them in an awesome new free app. Or, lastly, you actually get off the couch and deal with them in person (you’ll have to trek over to Bellflower, California, but it will be worth it)! 

Here’s a peek of what’s below the jump:

Walking Dead Season 4 is coming out on October 13. With last season’s cliffhanger taking a totally different direction from the comics (which are also awesome), it’s going to be hard to predict what new sort of trouble Rick and the rest of the survivors will be getting into. But one thing is for certain: who everyone’s favorite character is.

Toge’s Infectonator Hotchase is finally out on the Apple iOS. This is the first of the several zombie-themed app games that we have been waiting for and it certainly does not disappoint.

Haunted Hollywood Sports tickets are available! If you missed out on last year’s events, then you better not miss this one now. They’re also adding in new features like the Venom (which adds the additional thrill of surviving against traps aside from dealing with the undead) in addition to the already impressive Zombie Killhouse. 

Bioware Staff Gets a Sneak Peek at New Mass Effect Game

Well that’s a bit of a confusing title. But yes, there’s enough progress in the new Mass Effect game to actually put together a solid video to make people excited. Sadly, the team working on the game has decided to show the trailer to only a very select number of viewers: basically, Bioware employees who are not part of the dev team. 

There’s no information about what they saw either. It’s been confirmed all throughout the web that a bit of video was indeed shown, but everyone’s kept mum about all details. Some fans familiar with graphics/front-end design are saying that the first set of footage would usually involve rendered location shots and set pieces, and maybe a few integrated and animated character models as well. There’s also talk that it would make sense if they show off a new user interface or even a mock of the planned game mechanics (basically, pre-rendered footage that envisions the final in-game look).  If they’re far along production (and we seriously doubt it at this point), there’s also that small chance that the video teased a bit of the story or events of the next game.

So what did they really get to see of all the possible examples above? We have no idea. But a recent tweet from Bioware Community Manager Jessica Merizan says that the work is “absolutely stunning”. Odds are it’s a graphically impressive scene rendered with the all new Frostbite engine, but we’re not counting out the possibility that they’re watching a pencil sketch slideshow of Wrex whacking the Star-Child with the business end of an M300 Claymore. 

Or maybe something like this:

Again, this is NOT the footage. We just wish it was.

There’s no telling when any of us common folk will ever be able to see the special footage. But knowing that Casey Hudson and his team are getting the job done is certainly something that us ME fans should be happy knowing.

For our full coverage about the upcoming Mass Effect game, head over here.

The Vita TV is a Game Changer – And People Keep Forgetting theDualshock 4

Sony’s launching an all new living room takeover device, and it is as small as a modern smart phone, and with a price tag that defies belief. Meet the Vita TV. This unassuming plastic nugget of gaming goodness is both sleek, stylish, and as the industry analysts are saying: a game changer. While many gamers across the internet are giving praise to the device, they are also complaining about one massive flaw: the Vita TV has no touch control input (it supports the PS3 controller) and as such, it lacks compatibility with a massive number of the Vita’s best titles (like Gravity Rush). While this is true, many people seem to be forgetting the fact that the Vita TV could also be compatible with the upcoming PS4 Controller. 

…oh, you know, upcoming Sony controller that has a touchpad? Yeah, that one.

The Mass Effect 4 News Collective

[Last Updated: 09-05-2013]

The original Mass Effect trilogy is probably one of the most epic sci-fi game series ever made. So the fact that there is a new one in the making is something that the fans cannot help but get excited about. With the next game rumored to get a 4/4/2014 release, there's plenty of questions being thrown around and even more rumors that pose as answers.

So in order to help everyone wade through this massive amount of information across the internet, we've put together everything we know so far about ME:4.