Reviews, Video games

Age of Empires 2: The Three Kingdoms, First Impressions

Age of Empires II has been a cornerstone of my gaming life.

It was a crucial part of my childhood and remains a title I keep coming back to, even decades later. Since the release of the Definitive Edition in 2019, we’ve seen several expansions breathe new life into this classic but the recent release of The Three Kingdoms promises to be the biggest update since The Conquerors, which came out over twenty five years ago.

As someone who plays Age of Empires II regularly and follows the game’s evolution closely, I wanted to share my thoughts on this new expansion, how it compares to those that came before, and whether it’s worth the £15 price tag. Continue reading Age of Empires 2: The Three Kingdoms, First Impressions

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Hololive, Vtubing

Saying Goodbye to Gawr Gura – The Face of a Generation

On May 1st, 2025, Gawr Gura will graduate from Hololive, words that have shaken not only the Hololive community, but the wider VTubing world as well.

Since her debut in September 2020, Gura has been the face of VTubing, a symbol of its explosive global rise and mainstream recognition. But now, the time has come for her to leave this chapter behind and, as she herself might put it, return to the ocean. Continue reading Saying Goodbye to Gawr Gura – The Face of a Generation

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Hololive, Vtubing

A farewell to Nanashi Mumei

Nanashi Mumei will graduate from Hololive on April 28th, 2025.
She originally debuted in August 2021 as part of Hololive Council, alongside Tsukumo Sana, Ceres Fauna, Ouro Kronii, and Hakos Baelz—with Sana and now Mumei being the first two members of Council to graduate.

On March 27th, 2025, Mumei announced her upcoming graduation, citing internal misalignments and chronic health issues as the reasons for her departure. Mumei has long battled a chronic cough, which unfortunately has limited her ability to work and stream as much as she may have wished during her time with Hololive.

As she prepares to say farewell, let’s take a moment to look back on Mumei’s time in Hololive and celebrate everything she accomplished. Continue reading A farewell to Nanashi Mumei

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Hololive, Vtubing

A farewell to Murasaki Shion

Murasaki Shion will be graduating on the 26th of April 2025. She’s been a long-standing member of Hololive, debuting back in 2018 and will be the 2nd member of Gen 2 to graduate after Minato Aqua.

Shion has been a part of Hololive for almost 7 full years and she was one of the first members to be scouted by Cover Corp rather than audition a significant milestone for Hololive’s development back in 2018. She’s seen the company grow into what it is today, and she leaves behind a strong legacy. For non-JP fans this will be a short recap of her time in Hololive and what she achieved. Continue reading A farewell to Murasaki Shion

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Hololive, Vtubing

Gawr Gura Graduation Announcement – FAQs and Reflections

On March 19th, I wrote a piece on graduation following Murasaki Shion’s announcement. Since then, two more graduations have been confirmed: Nanashi Mumei and now Gawr Gura from Hololive English.

Rather than repeat the same sentiments from that article, I’ve decided to keep this short and frame it as a FAQ-style reflection, offering some clarity based on what we currently know. Continue reading Gawr Gura Graduation Announcement – FAQs and Reflections

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Film and TV

Why the Minecraft movie really concerns me

The anticipated Minecraft movie, set for release after 11 years, raises concerns about media adaptation, resembling an extensive advertisement rather than a quality film. Despite heavy marketing and merchandise, its potential for creativity appears lacking compared to the successful LEGO movie. Nonetheless, viewers remain hopeful for unexpected quality. Continue reading Why the Minecraft movie really concerns me

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Video games

The Cost of Overexpansion: How Bungie and Hi-Rez Mismanaged Their Success

The article discusses the challenges faced by game studios Bungie and Hi-Rez as they expand into multiple projects. While trying to balance their main hits with new ventures, both companies have suffered from quality issues and resource mismanagement. The need for focused development and sustained player engagement is emphasized to avoid failure. Continue reading The Cost of Overexpansion: How Bungie and Hi-Rez Mismanaged Their Success

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Hololive, Vtubing

Let’s talk about Graduation

Murasaki Shion’s impending graduation from Hololive marks a notable increase in departures, the fifth since August 2024. This trend reflects various personal reasons, shifting dynamics within Hololive, and the rise of indie VTubers. Despite the emotional impact, graduations allow talents to transition positively, while new generations and affiliations offer a fresh direction for the agency. Continue reading Let’s talk about Graduation

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