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Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 096: Mup Shorts – Good Times with Dungeon Saga Origin

After introducing Sarah (Clem’s wife), the three of us recap our fun Dungeon Saga Origins game. Contents Warnings: lots of laughter and a bit of foul language – all signs of a great night.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm!

When you’re already the least popular kid in school, the last thing you need is someone stealing your lunch money. That’s essentially what happened to Peni Parker in Marvel Rivals, where NetEase Games’ latest “bug fix” transformed one of the few viable Vanguards into a walking punching bag.

From trap master to sitting duck. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

In a game where Duelists outnumber Vanguards more than two-to-one, you’d think developers would handle their tank heroes with kid gloves. Instead, the March 13 update effectively kneecapped Peni Parker’s entire kit, leaving tank players wondering if they should just join the Dps bandwagon.

The community’s reaction? About what you’d expect when someone takes your already situational character and makes her “practically unplayable.” But in a surprising twist, NetEase has actually listened—and what they’re promising might just save Peni from the bottom tier.

How a...

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 095: Mup Shorts – Firefight Narrative Campaign: Fun Times on Tersia Prime

Chris, and Clem discuss their recent narrative mini campaign for Firefight, created on the spot to let Chris try out his new Gcps army during one of our classic gaming weekends in Berlin. Follow the (mis)adventures of Thomas Christersen (better name pending), a Gcps major deployed to Tersia Prime and tasked to perform “routine peace keeping operations. See also the crossover episodes with The Manticlore podcast where we cooked a similar campaign for Zac and Ash! The indie...

Marvel Rivals has quickly established itself as one of the most dynamic hero shooters on the market, but a frustrating meta is emerging that’s driving players up the wall faster than Spider-Man on a caffeine binge.

The meta that has you saying “damn it all to hell.” | Image Credit: NetEase Games

You’ve seen it in your ranked matches—that moment when you realize the enemy team is running triple tank, triple healer, and your heart sinks. But here’s the kicker: it’s not the enemy’s strategy that’s the problem. It’s your own team’s Duelist mains who are making this nightmare possible.

The culprit? Those damage-obsessed players who seem physically incapable of understanding a fundamental concept: damage without kills is just a free ultimate charge for enemy healers. And NetEase Games apparently didn’t anticipate just how stubborn these players could be.

Why your...

At its core, Marvel Rivals is a team-based PvP brawler, which has players duke it out in teams against each other. The game also features a wide selection of game modes, each offering a unique experience.

These modes can be divided into Convoy, Domination and Convergence – available in both ranked and unranked variants, with specific maps designed for each mode.

There also exist two bonus arcade game modes – Conquest and Doom Match with an additional, limited-time Clone Rumble being there as well.

Best Team Combos For All Match Types in Marvel Rivals Marvel Rivals features a ton of game modes, of varying quests and challenges | Image Credits: Netease Games

There exist a few ideal team compositions for each game mode, many of which perform a lot better when compared to the rest. More on these ‘ideal’ team compositions below, sorted per map:

Convoy Yggsrasill Path (Attack): Magneto/Groot/Hela...

Marvel Rivals has continued to dominate the hero-shooter landscape since its release this past December. The game’s combination of an Overwatch 6v6 format with a roster of the most popular pop-culture characters has managed to grab everyone’s attention.

Marvel Rivals needs to expand its roster. (Image via NetEase Games)

Marvel Rivals debuted with 33 playable heroes, and NetEase has brought tons of new exciting additions to the game. Currently, gamers can’t help but wonder where the hero shooter’s roster might go next, but developer NetEase Games would make a massive blunder by not bringing one X-Men that has just been resurrected.

Why Juston Seyfert belongs in Marvel Rivals

Marvel Comics has introduced us to tons of unique X-Men characters who have left their mark. However, in the early 2000s, we were introduced to Juston Seyfert, the young hero who transforms sentinels into an ally.

Unfortunately, Juston was...

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 094: Mup Epic Warpath – Episode 1: The Hype is Real

With the delivery of the Epic Warpath kickstarter only a couple of months out, the hype is growing for this upcoming Mantic game! We discuss what we like about it and what we are looking for, as well as our preparations for when our kickstarter pledges finally reach us.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where...

Even though it’s been a while since the release of Marvel Rivals, it’s still the hottest game in the town. Millions of players are hopping into the hero-shooter on a regular basis, as they simply can’t get enough of the game, all thanks to NetEase Games’ consistent updates.

The ranked mode in Marvel Rivals needs massive changes. (Image via NetEase Games)

That’s unless you’re someone who plays the Competitive side of Marvel Rivals. Sure, it’s a fun mode, but as you climb the ranks, things get worse. Many in the community believe that the ranked ladder is a complete nightmare, especially Vanguard players who have had enough.

Vanguard mains have given up in Marvel Rivals

Over on Marvel Rivals‘ official subreddit, user TyDitto has voiced their frustration against the current state of ranked play in the hero-shooter. Although the player is flexible in choosing roles,...

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 093: Mup Monthly – Thrice Warded Barrows

Chris, Clem & Gerry run through the last Month of Mantic gaming.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm! Thanks for downloading and listening to the Mantic Universe Podcast, please get in touch with us at manticuniversepodcast@gmail.com

You can also check out the...

Marvel Rivals has quickly established itself as a worthy contender in the hero shooter arena, with NetEase delivering a surprisingly well-balanced roster of heroes that would make even Thanos nod in approval. But there’s one glaring issue that’s making players pull their hair out in frustration.

Master of metal, slave to reload times. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

We’re talking, of course, about the Master of Magnetism himself. While Magneto has risen to S-tier status among the Vanguard heroes, there’s something decidedly un-magnetic about his reload speed. It’s so painfully slow that players could probably finish their taxes, learn a new language, or witness the heat death of the universe before getting back into the action.

And it’s not just a minor annoyance—it’s actively hampering what should be one of the most satisfying tanks to play in the entire game.

Why Magneto’s...

Anybody who’s familiar with the Marvel Universe, especially the MCU, would know how Hawkeye has always been the underdog of the Avengers, a tradition that follows through in Marvel Rivals. The hero has always been overshadowed by the flashiness of other heroes like Iron Man and Thor, while he was stuck with his petty bow and arrows.

Bigger heroes overshadow Hawkeye in Rivals | Netease Games

Surprisingly, the depiction of his character in the comics isn’t that straightforward. Hawkeye, in the paper format, has a better arsenal than one could imagine, including the use of trick arrows, which many fans hope to see appear soon in Rivals as well.

Hawkeye and his trick arrows in Marvel Rivals: The player base calls for a rework Hawkeye is severely underpowered in Marvel Rivals | Netease Games

In an attempt to capture a bigger audience, the developers of Marvel Rivals over at Netease...

The Thing from Marvel Comics was added to NetEase Games’ Marvel Rivals recently, and he quickly proved himself to be one of the strongest Vanguard heroes in the game. However, to get the most out of this hero, players need to work with their teammates, which can be a tough task in some ranked games.

The Thing was added to Marvel Rivals as a part of the season 1.5 update (Image via NetEase Games)

The Thing’s Embattled Leap ability allows him to apply damage reduction to himself as well as his teammate, which is certainly a useful ability on the battlefield. However, some ranked players, especially the ones in the Bronze league, have complained that this ability is useless because teammates refuse to push in.

Some Marvel Rivals players believe that this one ability of The Thing is useless

The Thing is one of the most popular heroes among the Marvel Rivals community right now,...

Sometimes playing Marvel Rivals can feel like a full-time job, especially if you are the main breadwinner in your family. Because just like your real-life dynamics, you sometimes have to carry the weight of all of your teammates inside the game, and it can take a toll on you, particularly if you are a Vanguard player.

Marvel Rivals has a lot of different characters | Netease Games

There are three different classes of characters in this hero-shooter game. And the one that’s supposed to be tank, called the Vanguards, are undoubtedly the most underrated of them all. To begin with, not many players out there think of playing a tank character, and it’s a nightmare come true for those who do.

What it feels like to be a Vanguard main in Marvel Rivals Groot, one of the Vanguards in the game | Netease Games

We get it; there are different characters in the game,...

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 092: Mup Lore Warpath Edition – The Universe of Warpath

Claudio and Wiki Dave begin their exploration of the universe of Deadzone, Firefight, Dreadball and Star Saga. Also known as the Warpath Universe.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm! Thanks for downloading and listening to the Mantic Universe Podcast, please...

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 091: Mup Armada: Blood in the Water w/ Mantic Games Blake Shrode

Mark, Andrew and Blake cast off with the first episode of Mup Armada.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm! Thanks for downloading and listening to the Mantic Universe Podcast, please get in touch with us at manticuniversepodcast@gmail.

The Avengers might have assembled, but the MCU isn’t done dropping game-changers. Anthony Russo, one-half of the directing duo behind Avengers: Endgame, knows exactly what sets Marvel apart, and it’s not just the superpowers.

The Russo Brothers | Image by Gage Skidmore, licensed under Cc-by-sa-3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

While franchises rise and fall, the MCU still holds a storytelling weapon that other movies can’t replicate. And with Secret Wars on the horizon, that advantage could be bigger than ever.

Anthony Russo on the MCU’s secret weapon and the story that brought the Russos back Joe and Anthony Russo with Chris Evans on the sets of Avengers: Infinity War | Credits: Marvel Studios

The Russo Brothers are back in the MCU game, and they’re bringing a secret weapon. After stepping away from Marvel to build their own creative empire, Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo are now...

Marvel Rivals has been on a roll lately, with a massively successful Season 1. The update brought with it multiple additions, including bug fixes and optimizations – along with a total of 4 new heroes.

The Fantastic Four joined Marvel Rivals in their entirety for Season 1, and developer Netease Games still has a lot more planned for the future of the game. One probable character could, however, tip the scales for Wolverine of all characters – assuming that their interaction is implemented properly.

Fan imagines Ant-Man in Marvel Rivals A fan imagines Ant-Man in Marvel Rivals | Image Credit: Netease Games

As detailed within a Reddit post on the r/marvelrivals subreddit, Ant-Man could be a very cool addition to Marvel Rivals.This concept comes courtesy of user u/LOOWEEpsd, who has also graciously shared concept art and gameplay stills of the Avenger in action.

This is how I imagine Ant-Man in Marvel Rivals!

byu...

Cheating in multiplayer games is a constant annoyance, which no developer seems to have a concrete solution for. However, Riot Games’ Valorant can often be credited as having one of the better anti-cheat solutions out there – at least in terms of effectiveness.

Vanguard has been banning large hordes of cheaters consistently for quite some time, and it could be argued that Valorant is one of the few games that take cheating (especially in competitive levels) a lot more seriously as opposed to the competition.

Valorant bans 500,000 bot accounts globally Valorant banned 500,000+ bot accounts | Image Credit: Riot Games

As detailed within a recent X post from GamerDoc (@ItsGamerDoc), Valorant has managed to pull off yet another massive ban wave, targeting a large number of bot accounts this time around.

We have launched another bot ban wave on Valorant, this time targeting ~500k accounts globally. Again, if you haven't manually leveled your accounts,...

Marvel Rivals offers 3 distinct classes for players to experiment with – Vanguards, Duelists and Strategists – with each class offering their own unique strengths and weaknesses. While Strategists behave more or less like a Support class would, there is a fair bit of overlap between the Vanguard and Duelist classes.

In particular, this has caused some serious balancing issues within the game, with many players outright refusing to use more than a single Vanguard in a team – even if it ensures an easy victory.

Marvel Rivals players are choosing Duelists over Vanguards Duelists are a lot more popular in Marvel Rivals | Image Credit: Netease Games

Interestingly, it would appear that most Marvel Rivals players avoid using Vanguards. While Vanguards are more of a ‘tank’ class, they are also capable of Dps, and effectively dealing with larger groups, aka – crowd control.

In fact, most of the teams one would find themselves paired with consist of barely 2 Vanguards,...

When Sue Storm made her debut alongside Mr. Fantastic in Marvel Rivals, the fans couldn’t get enough of her. For many players, her versatile powers combined with abilities that favour strategic gameplay have made her an easy pick.

The Blood Shield Skin for Invisible Woman | Image Credits: Marvel Rivals

But let’s be honest, people like her not only for her abilities- it’s also about those jaw-dropping skins. If you’re on the hunt for one such exclusive Blood Shield skin then you’re at the right spot. Here’s a lowdown on how you can snag the skin for yourself.

Reach Through the Ranks: From Bronze to Gold Marvel Rivals Season 1 Release Image | Image Credits: Marvel Rivals

To obtain the skin, players need to first rise through the ranks and reach Gold, which is possible only in Competitive mode within a limited time window. Originally the Blood...

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 090: Mup Shorts – UK Masters 2025

Roving Reporter Flash Danny swoops in to Clash 2025, to speak to players, TOs and tries to take home the big prize – Best in Race for Humans.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm! Thanks for downloading and listening to the Mantic Universe Podcast, please...

Sweden’s Viaplay continues to head back towards the black, as its fourth quarter financial results showed dramatically shortened losses.

The Nordic streaming service reported a Q4 operating loss of SEK92M ($8.6M), way down from SEK2.7B last year when the company was firefighting huge financial gaps and moving to a new strategy based around unscripted programs and sports. Q4’s net loss was also significantly down, from Sek 2.86B to SEK230M.

When associated company income (Aci) and items affecting comparability (Iac) were removed, Viaplay actually made an operating profit of SEK174M.

Clearly, a huge chunk of the turnaround has come from cuts, as total net sales in Q4 were actually down slightly at Sek 4.83B, from SEK4.9B a year ago. Full-year sales were also down slightly, from SEK18.57B in 2023 to SEK18.49B this year, but losses fell from a whopping SEK10.28B to SEK558M.

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 089: Mup Halo: Tip of the Spear w/ Uktc Winner Issac Borno

Wiki Dave and James-005 manage to find a Quantum Translocator and warp Uktc winner Issac Borno onto the pod. Whats his perspective of the recent tournament and future of the game?

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm!

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 088: Mup Lore – Ratkin Slaves Lore; and Orcs and Gnorr and Abyssals and Dwarfs

Wiki Dave and Mark dive into the new year and tackle the hardest faction to talk about, the Ratkin Slaves. Shining Gnorr anyone?

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm! Thanks for downloading and listening to the Mantic Universe Podcast,...

Epic Games is brutal with cheaters, as one should be. The most recent victim of the developer’s might is Morgan “RepulseGod” Bamford, who was convicted during the 2023 Fortnite Championship Series (Fncs) Grand Finals.

Epic Games will not let any cheater get away without facing serious consequences. Image Credit: Epic Games

It took almost 2 years for the lawsuit to be closed and the 3 brutal punishments laid down by Epic Games came into effect. RepulseGod is going to pay a huge price for his actions.

Epic Games has set an example by punishing RepulseGod The 2023 Championship series was full of drama. Image Credit: Epic Games

RepulseGod was convicted of cheating during the Fncs Grand Finals, he had given his account to someone else, Forbes, to unfairly qualify for the tournament and when Epic Games learned about it, it was game over for him.

These 3 brutal punishments are the developer’s way...

Cheaters are one of the biggest concerns in any live-service game, which is why developers need to invest a lot of time and resources into building a good anti-cheat mechanism that prevents these cheaters from ruining the experience of playing the game for everyone.

Cheaters are unable to hinder Marvel Rivals’ successful run. Image Credit: NetEase

Though not all developers seem to have mastered the art of making good anti-cheats, Ricochet, which is Call of Duty’s anti-cheat, does a terrible job of catching cheaters, unlike Riot’s Vanguard and NetEase’s anti-cheat.

Marvel Rivals’ anti-cheat seems to be working efficiently Net Ease’s anti-cheat seems to be doing a great job. Image Credit: NetEase

Marvel Rivals is a competitive hero shooter featuring superheroes from all across the Marvel universe. The game has steadily risen to fame in a couple of months following its release.

However, with the increase in popularity,...

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 087: Mup Halo – Nightfall

James-005 is back from the Uktc for a debrief with Wiki Dave. What happened at the first big Halo Tournment? Edited by Wiki Dave.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm! Thanks for downloading and listening to the Mantic Universe Podcast, please get in touch with us at manticuniversepodcast@gmail.

With Marvel Rivals taking the hero shooter genre by storm, NetEase Games has proven they know how to make superheroes feel powerful and unique. From Storm’s weather manipulation to Iron Man’s high-tech arsenal, each hero brings something special to the battlefield.

So many heroes, so few who actually enjoy taking damage. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

But there’s one glaring issue that’s becoming harder to ignore: the severe shortage of Vanguard heroes. While Duelists are practically falling over each other to deal damage (18 and counting!), the tank roster is looking thinner than Bruce Banner before his morning coffee. And with The Thing’s upcoming arrival barely moving the needle, it’s time to look elsewhere for beefy additions.

Speaking of which, Captain America: Brave New World has now introduced a certain crimson-colored powerhouse who could be exactly what Marvel Rivals needs. Sure, the early reviews might be mixed,...

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 came in October 2024, and since then the game has had a strange ride. Sometimes, people become hugely fond of this title, sometimes the same people are bashing this game. Initially, the game was thrashed for its new movement mechanics along with poor launch maps.

According to CoD fans, every game of the franchise is the “worst.” | Credit: Activision.

After that issues with servers, Ttk/Ttd, and operators continued to grow. But that didn’t stop that game from becoming the CoD title with the best-ever launch in the franchise. Even after so many controversies, people don’t just stop whining about the game. And the sad part is that this tendency sustains for every Call of Duty title.

Not the bugs and the issues, the fans are the biggest enemies of Call of Duty Despite having a great Campaign story, fans tagged Vanguard as the “worst CoD” as well.

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 086: Mup Shorts – Firefight Campaign; Play along at Home

Chris & Clem talk to Zacama13, from the Manticlore Podcast about our play along at home 3 game Firefight Campaign. Edited by Fred.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm! Thanks for downloading and listening to the Mantic Universe Podcast, please get in...

Conclave, Nosferatu and Wicked won the awards for contemporary, period and sci-fi/fantasy film, respectively, at the 2025 Costume Designers Guild Awards.

All three films are nominated for the costume design Oscar, alongside A Complete Unknown and Gladiator II.

Other winners at the 27th annual ceremony, which took place Thursday night at The Ebell of Los Angeles, included Hacks, Shogun and Dune: Prophecy, which won the contemporary, period and sci-fi/fantasy awards, respectively, for TV. The Masked Singer won the award for excellence in variety, reality-competition and live television. And Shogun won a second award for excellence in costume illustration, one of two awards it was nominated for in that category.

The CDGAs, hosted by Nobody Wants This star Jackie Tohn, honored Emilia Pérez‘s Zoe Saldaña with this year’s spotlight award, Janelle Monáe with the vanguard spotlight award, Jenny Beavan with the career achievement award, Salvador Perez with the...

“Nosferatu,” “Wicked” and “Conclave” have won the feature film awards at the Costume Designers Guild Awards, which were handed out on Thursday night in Los Angeles.

“Conclave” won in the Excellence in Contemporary Film category, “Wicked” won in Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film and “Nosferatu” won in Excellence in Period Film, the CDG category that most closely corresponds to the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.

In the last 15 years, one of the winners at the CDG Awards has gone on to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design nine times, with the guild’s period film winner taking six of those awards and the sci-fi/fantasy winner taking three. Only once in that period, with “Little Women” in 2020, has the Oscar winner not been a CDG nominee.

All three CDG winners are nominated for the costume-design Oscar, along with “A Complete Unknown” and “Gladiator II.”

In television categories, “Shōgun...

NetEase Games’ Marvel Rivals offers an exciting roster of 35 characters from the Marvel Universe. However, the community feels that it is still not enough. Many popular characters, especially from the MCU, are still missing from the game, and fans believe that it is about time NetEase adds them to the game.

Marvel Rivals fans want to see some more Vanguards in the game (Image via NetEase Games)

The game features plenty of Duelists, so gamers want NetEase to start focusing on Vanguards and Strategists. A great starting point would be adding these 3 popular characters as Vanguards, but only if NetEase gives them the ability to constantly fly.

NetEase Games must add these three heroes as Vanguards to Marvel Rivals

Marvel Rivals features some strong Vanguards, however, none of them have the ability to purely fly. A viral post on the r/marvelrivals subreddit has suggested that NetEase Games could introduce Sentry,...

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 085: Mup Halo: Oni Sword Base

Dave and James-005 prepare for the Uktc Halo Tournment and dive into the recent Halo: Flashpoint news. Atriox is coming! Edited by WikiDave.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm! Thanks for downloading and listening to the Mantic Universe Podcast, please get in touch with us at manticuniversepodcast@gmail.

The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild will present its 2025 Vanguard to the Research Council of Makeup Artists during the Muahs Awards next month. Rcma Makeup is being honored for its significant contributions to the make-up and hair styling industry that has left a lasting impact on the craft.

The group will be feted at the 12th annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards on February 15 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.

“This year we are honoring the legacy of the Rcma, a pillar in the make-up and hair styling community for over 60 years” Muahs President Julie Socash said in a statement. “Their products have been used by many of our members, enhancing the creative designs of iconic characters in film, television and theater.”

The Research Council of Makeup Artists was organized to serve the betterment of professional makeup in the film, TV and stage industries. In doing so, founder Vincent J.

In Marvel Rivals, speed is key, and the stakes are always high. One second players are coordinating perfectly to execute the perfect combo, and the next, a rogue hero swoops in and wrecks the entire plan. And that hero is likely Wolverine, claws out, who has caused Vanguard players to scream for help.

Vanguards are not safe, if one hero is on the battlefield. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

When the entire strategy revolves around having a tank absorb hits and hold the line, nothing throws a wrench in that more than this clawed menace charging in and slashing through the defenses like they’re made of paper. Let’s just say the Vanguard mains are not fans of the hero right now.

Why Wolverine is such a menace in Marvel Rivals He has been a menace to the tanks. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

Vanguard heroes are the backbone of any team in Marvel Rivals.

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 084: Mup Lore – The ups and downs of twentytwentyfourlore

Ups. Downs. Mark & Wiki Dave try not to kill each other. Edited by Fred

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm! Thanks for downloading and listening to the Mantic Universe Podcast, please get in touch with us at manticuniversepodcast@gmail.com...

Coming across hackers and cheaters in multiplayer games is quite common nowadays. They can completely ruin the gaming experience, especially if it is a competitive video game such as Valorant. Riot Games has been trying its best to take down cheaters, however, there has been a spike in the number of cheaters recently.

The number of hackers was increased in Valorant due to Riot’s holiday code freeze (Image via Riot Games)

Riot Games has developed its own anti-cheat system called “Vanguard,” which is able to detect cheating at the kernel level of a player’s computer. The head director of Vanguard recently gave fans an update about what steps the team is making in order to reduce the number of cheaters after the holiday code freeze at Riot Games.

Riot Games is determined to reduce the number of cheaters in Valorant

In an article posted on X, the head...

Action icon Jackie Chan has completed principal photography on “The Shadow’s Edge,” a high-stakes thriller that marks his second collaboration with Chinese helmer Larry Yang. The duo previously struck gold with “Ride On,” which dominated Asian box offices in 2023, becoming Japan’s highest-grossing Chinese import and landing among Malaysia’s top three Chinese releases of the year.

Set against the neon-lit backdrop of Macau, the film stars Chan as a veteran surveillance expert pulled out of retirement by the local police force. He’s tasked with mentoring a crack team of young detectives to hunt down an elusive gang of thieves that has been running circles around law enforcement. The narrative pits old-school surveillance tactics against cutting-edge tech in what’s being billed as a tension-filled game of cat and mouse.

The project assembles a powerhouse cast that bridges generations of Asian entertainment. Chan shares the screen with Zhang Zifeng,...

Hong Kong-based Golden Network Asia will commence sales on Jackie Chan-starrer The Shadow’s Edge, at the upcoming European Film Market (EFM).

Directed by Larry Yang, the action heist film stars Chan as a retired surveillance expert who is rehired by the Macau Police Force to team with elite young detectives and capture a group of wanted criminals. A cat-and-mouse showdown plays out between traditional tracking techniques and state-of-the-art technology.

Emerging actors include Zhang Zifeng of acclaimed 2021 drama Sister, Ci Sha of box office hit Creation Of The Gods I and its upcoming sequel, and Wen Junhui who is better...

Jackie Chan’s newest film The Shadow’s Edge has wrapped principal photography.

Directed by Chinese director Larry Yang, filming commenced in October 2024 in Macau.

The Shadow’s Edge marks the second collaboration between Jackie Chan and Larry Yang, after they also worked together on Ride On, which was released theatrically in more than 30 countries.

Ride On became the highest-grossing Chinese film in Japan since 2022 and ranked among the top three highest-grossing Chinese films in Malaysia in 2023.

In The Shadow’s Edge, Jackie Chan stars as a retired surveillance expert from the Macau Police Service, who is rehired by the Police Force to collaborate with a team of elite young detectives to help capture a group of cunning thieves. In a tense confrontation between traditional tracking techniques and state-of-the-art technology, the police and criminals engage in a battle of wits, setting the stage for a cat-and-mouse showdown between good and evil.

The Shadow’s Edge...

In the fast-paced world of Marvel Rivals, the Vanguard archetype stands out for its ability to survive in battles for longer. While not the most attractive heroes to play, they are certainly the best at absorbing damage that would otherwise be directed toward teammates, making them formidable tanks.

The game has various archetypes that players can pick from. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

With large health pools, shields, and various forms of damage mitigation abilities, these heroes should be the backbone of many teams. However, despite being able to take a beating, their steep learning curve makes them a challenge to master, and as a result, they are often overlooked by many.

Understanding the role of Vanguards in Marvel Rivals The recent poll shows that players are more focused on playing the Dps heroes. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

Just like in other games where tanks are crucial to the team’s success,...

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 083: Mup Monthly – Festive Firefight

Chris, Clem and Gerry wrap up 2024. We talk Firefight, tables, Halo and topic of the Month is the Mantic Vault. Edited by Fred.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm! Thanks for downloading and listening to the Mantic Universe Podcast, please get in touch with us at manticuniversepodcast@gmail.

Marvel Rivals has seen plenty of upcoming content leaked with no sign of slowing down, as three new Vanguard and Duelist heroes have been found.

The team behind Marvel Rivals recently made a major promise for new hero releases, promising fresh arrivals for "each half of the season." As such, fans can expect new playable characters in Rivals every month and a half, and with over 18 more additions leaked, there ought to be regular content for a long time.

Meet Marvel Rivals' New Vanguard & Duelist Heroes Read full article on The Direct.

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 082: Mup Stories – The Lost King’s Secret

‘The Lost King’s Secret’ – a Kings of War Story. Written and guest appearance by Tom Freeman; storytelling by Wendy; voice acting by Jack; podcast production, mixing and hosting by Walt. ‘Five Segments to Success’ – a Deadzone Story. Submitted by Barnaby; production, mixing and storytelling by Mike; music arrangement by Carrie; theme selection by Kevin. Audio clips and sound effects – Used with thanks – sound effects by Freesound Community from Pixabay; ambiences by Tabletop Audio.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends!

Viaplay Content Distribution has boarded the anticipated drama series “Vanguard,” a gripping portrayal of Swedish media mogul Jan Stenbeck played by Jakob Oftebro.

Produced by Flx for Svt in collaboration with New8 Alliance, the five-part series was directed by Goran Kapetanović.

“Vanguard” was penned by Alex Haridi, Lotta Eriksson (“The Hunt for a Killer”) and Helene Lindholm (“The Hunt for a Killer”), based on Per Andersson’s acclaimed biography “Stenbeck: A Biography of a Successful Businessman.”

Viaplay Content Distribution has boarded international sales rights to the series and will unveil the first episode to buyers during Viaplay Content Distribution’s London Screenings event in February.

The show charts Stenbeck’s “transformative 1970s New York years to his meteoric rise and enduring legacy in Sweden’s media landscape. It chronicles the high-stakes deals, groundbreaking innovations, and the family rivalries that shaped his life.

“At 35, Jan Stenbeck appears to have it all:...

As important as it is for Marvel fans, Daredevil: Born Again is as important for the Call of Duty fandom. It includes the return of Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio), Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), and more. It’s a blast for Marvelites.

One of the villains of the show is White Tiger, played by Kamar de los Reyes. Now if you aren’t aware of this name, you may know the actor better by the character he played; Raul Menendez from Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. I can still feel the menacing but charming look on me every time he appears on the screen, even now, all these years later.

Kamar de los Reyes Will Appear as White Tiger in Daredevil: Born Again

Maybe some are aware of this already but for those who don’t know, this will be the last posthumous appearance of the actor. Kamar...

Here’s the latest episode of the Mantic Universe Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. Listen to long-time Nerdly writer Chris and his co-hosts Clem, Mark, Walt and Fred share their passion for Mantic Tabletop games. Deadzone, Kings of War, Firefight and more!. Battle reports, hobby talk, growing the community and more.

Mantic Universe Podcast – Episode 081: Mup Halo – Winter Contingency Event Mantic HQ

The only show, that actually talks about Halo! The Needler is cool, fight me! Wiki Dave & James005 talk Halo Event at Mantic HQ. They also miss references. Edited by Fred.

Please remember to give us a review, and tell your friends! Thanks to Mantic Games. Our Podcast is 100 per cent unofficial. Please tell your friends, give us a 5-star review, where you are listening to this and apparently writing a written review helps with the almighty algorithm! Thanks for downloading and listening to the Mantic Universe Podcast,...

When Cardfight!! Vanguard first debuted in Japan back in 2011, few could have guessed it would one day become one of the longest-running anime series ever made. However, during the Bushiroad New Year's Announcement 2025 event on January 13, it was revealed that Cardfight!! Vanguard is now aiming for a major milestone: 700 episodes produced.

Created by Bushiroad, Cardfight!! Vanguard is a massive multimedia franchise—a blend of Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!—centered around its immensely popular collectible trading card game. Beyond the cards and anime, the franchise has spawned a wide range of merchandise, including video games, manga, figures, and even live-action movies.

Cardfight!! Vanguard Is Joining the Ranks of Naruto: Shippuden and One Piece On the Road to Episode #700

YouTube

Currently, the Cardfight!! Vanguard anime series—some parts of which have been dubbed into English and screened worldwide—has reached 582 episodes. This means fans still have a ways to go before hitting the 700-episode mark.

Marvel Rivals, the action-packed third-person shooter created by NetEase is taking the gaming world by Storm! Since its release on December 5, 2024, the game has reached the third rank on Steam’s most-played chart based on the number of current players.

Many players are excited to log in and play their favorite Marvel characters in-game whether or not they are viable in the current meta. Some players just want easy-to-play characters like Groot or Punisher to learn the gameplay mechanics better before trying out the advanced ones like Spider-Man or Black Panther.

A still of Rocket Raccoon sitting on Groot’s shoulder in Marvel Rivals | Credits: NetEase

Some of the high-ranked players who have a better understanding of the game have taken to social media to share their knowledge about the gameplay mechanics. One such player shared a few deadly tricks that can be used with one of the easiest characters in the game,...