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Ever since Mortal Kombat 9, NetherRealm Studios has included some interesting guest characters for their fighting games, and with their parent company being Warner Bros. Interactive, they have plenty of iconic characters to utilize. From the nightmarish Freddy Krueger to the deadly Xenomorph, creative director Ed Boon is always hinting at what fighters will be coming next in the form of DLC. So who else might show up to battle with the world’s greatest heroes and villains of Injustice 2? Find out what unpredictable surprise guests we think will be appearing below.
WARNING: This review quotes lyrics from the album that contain strong language.
Lana Del Rey has released her latest music video for the single “Love,” the first from her unreleased fifth studio album slated to be released later this year. The video itself centers around a typical tale of romance set in Del Rey’s trademark “West-Coast” setting until the pair of lovers ride off into space, vintage car and all.
We talk about the monumental event that was The Grammy Awards this year. We breakdown winners, losers, performances, and performers.
by Dalton Martin The net neutrality laws are the product of Barack Obama’s presidency, and now with Republicans in control of the House, the Senate, and the White House, these laws may soon be undone under Trump’s administration. For those unaware of what exactly net neutrality is, it’s the concept that Internet service providers (ISPs) should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites. This would prevent a company like Comcast from throttling Internet traffic, or give preferential treatment in exchange for payment. Opponents of these regulations see net neutrality as an unfair power grab by the government, while proponents stand by their belief that corporations should never have direct control on what can be accessed online. While the Obama administration did introduce a set of successful rules to fight off Internet service provider’s lawsuits back in 2015, these regulations can quickly be removed once the President-elect steps into office. Donald Trump has previously voiced his issues over President Obama’s “attack on the internet,” which has led to speculation that the President-elect may work to remove the regulations. [embed]https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/532608358508167168[/embed] If Trump were to fight for the removal of Obama’s rules, the FCC would be required to give public notice and have open comment periods. The process of removal would be delayed by at least a few months, allowing net neutrality advocates time to rally up huge support for maintaining the rules in place. Ultimately, the decision comes down to the commissioners, and Republicans will have a 3-2 majority. At that point, neutrality advocates would be able to sue the commission, but in a previous ruling over net neutrality, the courts ruled that the FCC has the discretion to remove broadband providers as common carriers, which is the only thing protecting net neutrality at this point. Even if a Trump-controlled FCC does not pursue the removal of net neutrality, nothing is to stop a Republican Congress from taking steps into their own hands. Representative Gary Palmer (R-AL6) previously stated in 2015 that, “The FCC’s ‘net neutrality’ erodes the authority of Congress.” The Alabama Congressman further went into detail stating, “By putting Internet content under the thumb of federal bureaucrats, this ruling threatens free speech.” It appears that the Congressman and President-elect have a very similar stance on the issue of net neutrality. The RNC’s official stance on the matter also appears to match up. Under the issue of Internet freedom, the party’s platform states: “We will consistently support internet policies that allow people and private enterprise to thrive, without providing new and expanded government powers to tax and regulate so that the Internet does not become the vehicle for a dramatic expansion of government power.” Republicans in Congress have previously tried to pass a variety of bills that limit the FCC’s regulatory authority and eliminate net neutrality rules. One of the most infamous of those being the Internet Freedom Act that threatened to wipe out net neutrality rules entirely. With the threat of a presidential veto now removed, nothing is stopping Congress from making amendments to the regulations protecting net neutrality. Those in favor for net neutrality can take solace in knowing that the complete elimination of the FCC’s rules protecting net neutrality is mostly unlikely, as most Republicans cannot agree as to whether to completely eliminate the regulations or to just change how much control the FCC has on the matter. It is impossible to accurately predict what could happen to net neutrality this early on. Everything at this point is pure speculation based on previous efforts and off-hand comments. Net neutrality is still a strong thing to care about, especially in a time where technology is so intertwined into our day-to-day lives. So needless to say, it should be interesting to see if net neutrality can survive this new era of Trump.
by Dalton Martin The years may have started coming and didn’t stop coming since the last installment to the Shrek saga back in 2010, but it has been revealed that everyone’s favorite ogre with a brogue accent is one step closer to returning to the big screen, and this time, things may get a little groovy baby. In an interview with The Hollywood News, Shrek veterans Walt Dohrn and Mike Mitchell revealed that screenwriter Michael McCullers will pen Shrek 5. Being no stranger to projects involving Mike Myers, McCullers has previously written for both Saturday Night Live and the second and third Austin Powers movies. In the interview, Mitchell seemed hopeful of the future project stating, “They’ve got a pretty good story, It’s being written by Michael McCullers who wrote [for] the Austin Powers films. He came up with a really great idea that they’re exploring.” Dohrn also added, “There’s more story to tell there and we’re ready to help tell it for sure.” [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b4sqeXD3FE[/embed] Later in the interview Mitchell confirmed another sequel to one of his other movies, the 2005 adventure comedy Sky High. “It’s between [Shrek 5] and we’re working on a sequel to Sky High. We’ll see how that goes.” With these two announcements, it seems as though the nostalgia train is still going full steam ahead in Hollywood and it should be interesting to see if the popularity of both can garner a box office success whenever they release in the distant future.
by Dalton Martin @DaltynMartin Those who were familiar with the Xbox Indie Games program before Microsoft pulled the plug on it may remember a wide array of classic selections to choose from such as one of the many Minecraft clones or the abundant supply of dating simulators that showcased scantily clad females on their digital covers. Interestingly enough, this is the very hive of scum and objectivity where Amazing Princess Sarah originated. As to why Microsoft allowed this truly horrible game to be remastered for the Xbox One is completely beyond me, as the game wasn't worth the time or money the first time around. The Amazing Waste of Time Amazing Princess Sarah starts off with a demon queen kidnapping and seducing a king, with the titular heroine then proceeding to go on a rescue mission to rescue her father. Along her journey she will fight the same five enemies ad nauseam, journey through uninspired castle with annoying platform sections and fight giant bosses that take about 3 minutes to defeat. With all the time the developers must have put in programming the ridiculous amounts of pixelated boob jiggling for each female character, it's completely insulting to deal with such a horrendously repetitive and unoriginal game. To say this game was probably the biggest waste of my time would be an understatement, even when it took me less than a day to finish it. The Amazing Objectification For all the recent strides in the representation of females in video games, Amazing Princess Sarah takes everything a few steps back. It doesn't take much time to figure out just what demographic this game is appealing to with achievements titled 'Slap that Fatty' and 'Let's have a Quickie.' Even an end-game mode features a nude, albeit censored, version of Sarah that leaves enemies 'stunned.' All of this reeks of pure desperation on the developers end to cover up a rather archaic and flawed game. The Only Really Amazing Mechanic The only redeeming quality Amazing Princess Sarah has is in its unique take on the familiar combat style of Kirby games. Sarah has two major attacks: her sword and her immense strength, which allows her to throw every object in-game, including the corpses of her enemies. These enemies will have a special effect unique to them when thrown such as archers combusting into arrows on contact and the walking bombs will just simply explode. It is a complete shame such an interesting mechanic was downplayed in favor of pandering to adolescent teens who have never seen breasts before. Tl;DR Amazing Princess Sarah is about as click-bait as a game can get, appealing to the sudden resurgence in retro-looking titles like Shovel Knight and Undertale, yet having almost no substance from a game that advertises itself as a throwback to classic Metroid-vania styled adventures. Those hoping for anything more than a repetitive non-inspired game that loves to flaunt boobs around will be disappointed they wasted even just $6 on this poor excuse of an indie game. + Interesting combat mechanics reminiscent of Kirby games -Once you've played one level, you've played them all -6 terribly put-together endgame modes -Boob jiggling emphasize too much -Horrible level design to make platforming segments infuriating Originally posted on February 2, 2016
by Dalton Martin Gravity Falls is one of those rare shows that transcends the age threshold for a typical ‘kids shows.’ In a generation plagued by abominations like Johnny Test and every live Disney Channel show in existence currently, it is great to see such greatness rise to the top and garner almost universal acclaim, and with the four-year show finally coming to an end, it is the perfect time to look back on what made this show so great. The Characters For some reasons, creators of shows for kids just cannot seem to nail a relatable character anymore. Every show on the Disney Channel seems to have the same outlandish plotline of some teen living in Los Angeles trying to make it big as a successful dancer/singer/actor. None of these characters come off as being even remotely relatable. Gravity Falls not only nails one relatable character, but ends up making most of the ensemble of truly outlandish character more realistic than anything these live shows have been spewing out these past 10 or so years. The main characters, Dipper and Mabel Pines, come off being the most endearing characters ever, each being embodiments of childhood adventure. Mabel’s quirkiness and carefree nature perfectly pairs up perfectly with Dipper’s intelligence and rashness. Almost anybody can watch this show and see themselves as one of these characters alone. The main cast is rounded off with Grunkle Stan, the relative Dipper and Mabel is staying with during their time in town. Stan is a wonderfully enigmatic character, both being a tough-as-nails jerk the first few times we are introduced to him, but slowly opens up to his niece and nephew the deeper into the show we go. There is one particular episode that touches on the polarizing relationship between the two kids and their Grunkle that makes both Dipper and Mabel question if they can truly trust the shady Stan. But, these little details expand upon the message of family, as most tend to have secrets, yet they’re able to get past them. Where the Pines may be directly related, the familial bond extends to the numerous secondary characters that are about as equally fleshed out as the main protagonists. Soos, the loyal handy man, becomes a sort of older brother for Dipper, often going together to figure out the secrets of the town. The other employee of Grunkle Stan’s Mystery Shack, Wendy Corduroy, is another integral secondary character, both being the love interest for Dipper and being a strong role model for Mabel. The World Building Unlike most cartoon shows that like to focus on telling one-off stories with little to no narrative, Gravity Fallstends to make sure everything, and everyone, is in the show for a purpose. Whether it is a vague hint of a mystery pertaining to a single episode, or the images of Bill Cipher, the eccentric main antagonist of the second season, spread across the first few episodes before he is even properly introduced, it’s always great to see when show creators take the proper time and care to beautifully craft something amazing. One of the best examples of this is in the very first episode where gnomes are just briefly mentioned before becoming heavily entwined in the plot seemingly out of nowhere. At the episodes end, the gnomes are dealt with and you’d imagine they’d never be relevant again, however they come back for many episodes, usually being an important ally for Mabel and Dipper. But it is not just the gnomes that fit this role, almost everything, and everyone, comes back at some point after an initial introduction, whether it’s the unimportant background character that turns out to be a time-traveler, or mysterious tomes left behind by an unknown individual. For those who watch Gravity Falls, it is the most rewarding experience to connect the dots and realize how something so innocuous in one episode, becomes an integral plot point in the next. The Mystery While Gravity Falls will hook you with the characters and it’s elaborately crafted world, the over-lying mystery of the titular town will keep you coming back for more. The show is notorious for keeping it’s audience in the dark, with only the faintest flicker of light being a guide to the truth behind all of the mysteries present in the show. Who is the author of the mysterious book? What is the endgame of the enigmatic antagonist Bill Cipher? What is Dipper’s real first name? All of these questions, and much more, are always present in the series, causing many fans of speculate endlessly. It doesn’t help when at the end of every episode there is a cryptogram to figure out that ranges from being a short epilogue to it’s pertaining episode, or a subtle hint at things to come. It may take awhile to get the truth of one mystery, the payoff is incredible, especially once you suddenly figure out the answer was always right in front of your face the entire time. The constant stream of mysteries and conspiracies slowly made the show into a giant hit, with many fans corresponding online to figure out every little detail. As a result, a show that was meant to be for a younger demographic instantly sucked in parents and teens alike. Gravity Falls isn’t just a series of one-off tales, but rather an expanded narrative with a ton of secrets and hidden details to be discovered that adds to the story. Never before has a show had so many conspiracies intertwined within its narrative outside of classics like X-Files or Twin Peaks. It’s easy to see how series creator Alex Hirsch has instilled that sense of adventure and mystery most children experience as they grow up. Having not all the mysteries answered by the end of the show mimics a sense of reality as not all questions are answered every time. Thanks for Visiting Gravity Falls As sad as it is to see the series finally come to an end, I completely understand why it had to, and I applaud Alex Hirsch for sticking with the endgame he envisioned, and with the show at it’s end, now is the perfect time to binge watch this 40 episode masterpiece. If you have yet to experience this wonderful show, I more than encourage you to do anything in your power to do so. I firmly believe Gravity Falls will go down as a modern day classic that will be looked back on years to come, it’s just that good. Must Watch Episodes Dipper vs. Manliness In an odd coming of age tale, Dipper decides it’s time to become a “real” man after failing a manliness test game at a diner. After being taunted by Stan he seeks the help of the overly masculine Manotaurs. This episode is a beautiful take on how easy it is to conform to typical social norms and how toxic they can sometimes make us. For a kids show, this is one particularly deep episode I definitely recommend checking out. Fight Fighters This episode focuses on the love-triangle between Wendy, Dipper, and Wendy’s current boyfriend, Robby. With both Dipper’s and Robby’s jealousy getting out of hand, Robby challenges Dipper to a fight. Dipper, being the pipe-sized wimp that he is, naturally summons Rumble McSkirmish, a clone of Street Fighter’s Ryu to help him even the odds. With tons of nostalgic nods to past video games, the message of how to not resort to violence to solve problems perfectly resonates in this episode. Weirdmageddon Part 2: Escape from Reality Being the second entry in the three-part series finale, this episode is my personal favorite. Delving into a child’s psyche of never wanting to grow up and to escape change is amazingly encapsulated in this episode. The trio of Dipper, Soos, and Wendy venture into the unknown as they attempt to rescue Mabel from the clutches of Bill Cipher. What starts out as a recovery mission, turns into a personal battle against giving into a delusional reality where everything you ever want and need is there. This is truly one of the deepest stories told in Gravity Falls, and is probably my most favorite episode in the entire series.
Premiering on Good Morning America, the first look at the latest in the Star Wars franchise has finally been released to the public and boy was there was a ton to soak in. Luckily for you, we have compiled a short list of five things that have us at Byte excited for Star Wars: Rogue One after viewing the trailer.
On this episode, the editors sit down to discuss mob mentality and the anonymity of the internet and the problems that arise from it. Check it out!
Often considered the pinnacle of the point-and-click adventure games back in the 90’s, Day of the Tentacle has always been a cherished LucasArts classic. However, it is still a relic of the past and its age definitely shows despite the fresh coat of paint Double Fine Productions has slathered for the remastered edition.
In honor of Women’s History Month, Byte is doing a month long Byteing Question about the most iconic female characters and why they matter. Every day two writers will look at two characters that are important to them in many different ways. Today, we look at Bulma and Calaena
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In the great mash of buttons, the editors convene to talk about the Always Online gaming trend. Check it out!
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In a surprising announcement, Microsoft and development studio Psyonix jointly announced that the hit indie title Rocket League will be the first Xbox One game to utilize cross-network play between Microsoft’s console and PCs.
The Board gathers to highlight their thoughts on Co-op games and the conservation of certain games, films and music! Check it out!
In honor of Women’s History Month, Byte is doing a month long Byteing Question about the most iconic female characters and why they matter. Every day two writers will look at two characters that are important to them in many different ways. Today, we look at Harley Quinn and Asuna
Gravity Falls is one of those rare shows that transcends the age threshold for a typical ‘kids shows.’ In a generation plagued by abominations like Johnny Test and every live Disney Channel show in existence currently, it is great to see such greatness rise to the top and garner almost universal acclaim, and with the four-year show finally coming to an end, it is the perfect time to look back on what made this show so great.
