Murphy's Multiverse

Author: Joseph Aberl

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Leak Offers First Look at ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Jemma Simmons

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Leak Offers First Look at ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Jemma Simmons

    We have discussed Marvel’s Avengers here quite often. There were the leaks of War Machine and Black Panther’s design. Among them, there was a strange audio leak teasing a ghost-related storyline featuring Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Jemma Simmons. Of course, as a fan of the series, I was excited to see this character potentially getting added in a later update. Well, it looks like she might already be in the game but not in the way you would think.

    Avengers data miner @mmmmmmmmiller has been a reliable source in the past. He revealed quite a few details on the game and was the one to showcase War Machine’s initial design. He initially pointed out that there were voice files for the character. Well, it looks like he managed to get a good look at the character’s earlier in-game design.

    Okay, so she looks nothing like Elizabeth Henstridge, which shouldn’t be surprising. They would have to pay to use her likeness in the game. Also, as Miller points out, this is not a finalized character model as she isn’t in the final build of the game. Still, there are many big takeaways from this. It seems that her unique mission might’ve been scrapped at some point in development.

    Miller also confirms she was far into development, so they might still want to use the existing assets later. He does point out she may have been replaced by Maddy Cho, which is interesting if you consider she is part of the Inhuman Resistance rather than SHIELD. It could be that they used the character model as a template. I have to point out that her surroundings would place her in Substation Zero, so we will see if there is more to this story. I hope to see her added to the Helicarrier in the currently unused science lab.

    These weren’t the only older models he could find that got replaced later on. Sadly, it also debunks the other leak that Big Hero 6‘s Go-Go Tomago could make an appearance, as we finally get a reveal for the character, who was named Tanaka in the audio files. Jitterbug was also in these audio files, so it may confirm that these ended up unused at some point in development.

    It is interesting to see these NPCs so far into development before they got scrapped. They have names, audio files, and rendered models, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we still see them added at a later date. Hopefully, we will see these characters return as the game grows. Simmons’ inclusion would also be perfect once they add Quake, who is mentioned in the game and was part of the DLC leak a while back. Still, this is a nice look into what may have changed throughout development and could tease what else might be coming our way further down the line. 

    Source: Twitter (Simmons), Twitter (Characters)

  • Looking Back to What Could’ve Been ‘Silent Hills’

    Looking Back to What Could’ve Been ‘Silent Hills’

    A few years back, I started this tradition of replaying the franchise of Silent Hill. The PlayStation franchise reinvented our understanding of survival horror, as it introduced us to a much more personal nightmare. Each entry in the franchise puts you in the shoes of a new character. Their visit to the quaint town of Silent Hill leads them to face their demons. The suburban town is invested with manifestations of their innermost nightmares, as it forces them to accept their past actions. It wasn’t scary because of a lack of ammunition or a creepy monster. It was what it forced us to think about while playing it.

    We haven’t seen the franchise return since its last mainline entry Silent Hill: Downpour in 2021. Even then, the original team that developed the franchise, known as Team Silent, hasn’t worked on a game since Silent Hill 4: The Room. Konami hasn’t shown much love to the franchise since, as it shipped from one external developer to the next. There was a glimmer of hope in 2014. A secret teaser at the end of the Playable Teaser, or P.T. for short, revealed that it was for a game titled Silent Hills. Hideo Kojima started work on a project together with the film director Guillermo Del Toro and acclaimed horror manga artist Junji Ito. It seemed like the perfect team for such an ambitious project, but suddenly Konami pulled the plug on the game.

    So, the wait continues with the franchise making a somewhat return in Dead by Daylight as DLC. The upcoming The Medium game also pays tribute to the franchise with its former composer Akira Yamaoka joining the production. It almost seems like we are at the point where the franchise will live on through tribute games. Yet, there are rumblings of PlayStation potentially working on a brand new entry for their upcoming next-gen console. Sadly, we never got an announcement or official tease, so it could just be a pipedream. There was even the rumor that Sony wants Kojima‘s new development firm Kojima Productions to work on the project that he once had to delay after purchasing the rights from Konami.

    I would love to see Kojima‘s Silent Hills project come together. Junji Ito is one of my favorite manga artists, whose works, like Uzumaki or Tomie, will brand themselves into your mind. At the time, we even got a concept trailer that showcased what kind of insane and horrific visuals we could’ve experienced once the project was released. It would’ve been interesting to see how Japanese horror would’ve meshed with the Western influences the original games were inspired by. Yet, no matter how interesting the monsters could look like, the game still is a character study at heart that uses the foggy town to explore the inner workings of regret, depression, and whatever may affect our fragile minds. Well, sometimes specific imagery and memories are enough to get the gears turning.

    Source: Metacritic (Downpour), IGN, Game Informer, CNet, RockPaperShotgun, Inverse, YouTube (Teaser), YouTube (Concept Trailer)

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Dev Stream Teases Inhumans, AIM Lab Update, Loot Revamp and So Much More

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Dev Stream Teases Inhumans, AIM Lab Update, Loot Revamp and So Much More

    Just today, we got the first full look at Black Panthers’ costume leaked online for Marvel’s Avengers. It was a little something to tide us over until the next update arrives. Players are still anxiously waiting for the first release of the AIM Cloning Lab, which is being teased by Crystal Dynamics. The good thing is that the developers have been very active in their communication. You’ll find them reacting to tweets, Discord chats, and Reddit throughout the day to find the best to solve people’s issues. The developers are very passionate about the game, and it shows. Today, we got a live-stream of the developers that highlight this fact. It included their Community Manager @StrumSlinger and one of the developers from behind-the-scenes Phil, who many might recognize from his many Reddit posts. We didn’t get any reveals as it was a community stream. Yet, they did answer a lot of questions that included some teases for the future. 

    Before we get into any game-related topics, I have to highlight the biggest reveal from this stream. Crystal Dynamics, like many other companies, was hit hard by the pandemic. They confirmed that motion-capture work is happening, but they have to abide by the two-week quarantine rule putting them back weeks. Not just that, they also had to face the California wildfires, which don’t even count issues that they face in their own homes, such as power outage or Internet loss. All this can set you back days or even weeks of work. With the mo-cap reveal, an afternoon of recording turns into multiple weeks of work. The honesty was a great touch, and it must’ve been hard. They also confirmed that all these delays were because of these circumstances. We would’ve seen most of this content much earlier. It doesn’t make it easier for anyone, but I do believe that it is essential to note what kind of circumstances these developers are facing. Even with all of this happening, they still manage to get out patch after patch, which I believe is impressive.

    Now, let us recap the reveals and major talking points from the stream:

     

    • There was a brief mention that caught my attention. It seems a small little addition will be available with an upcoming patch that focuses on a highly demanded Inhuman. CD highlighted it is a small addition. So, this could be a character showing up in an outpost, or maybe even a short cutscene. My theory right now is that it is Inferno, also known as Dante Pertuz. He had a brief cameo in the campaign, so we hopefully get more of him.
    • A frequent question during the stream focused on if they will add Marvel Cinematic Universe skins. It seems they are actively looking into it and that new skins for every character are already in development.
    • One major reveal is that they are actively working on multiple new villains. Currently, the game only includes four Villain sectors, excluding MODOK and Monica from the campaign. So, it is a welcome and needed change to give an incentive for the daily challenges. The way they phrased it gives me some hope that we could see their addition outside of character expansions. So far, it got confirmed that every new character received a unique villain, but that would restrict them quite a bit. I think smaller villain updates could add some flair to the faction missions that tend to repeat very frequently.

    • Our hosts also mentioned that they are adding some complexity to bosses, so that is an exciting prospect. There was mention of the AIM Cloning Lab as the first step towards that direction. It’ll be interesting to see how this game evolves once its content updates start rolling out.
    • They teased the AIM Labs quite heavily. So, there is a chance we might see it sooner rather than later. There was mention that they are doing some final testing over the weekend, so if everything goes well, we could see it next week potentially. They teased a larger patch update, so there might be a connection here. Do not expect Kate before the Labs update. 
    • They are actively looking at revamping their loot system. CD has some short-term and long-term plans for its development, which is promising. I shared my idea of a weapon slot that could add some incentive with visual changes and even gameplay adaptations. If you’re interested, you can check it out here. They also confirmed they are looking into loadouts as well, which will help people with their builds.
    • Currently, they are not planning on anything relating to PvP, so that probably should not be expected anytime soon. I do believe there is potential here with inspirations from Secret Wars or Avengers Arena. Heroes fighting each other is a tradition of its own at this point.

    • Events are coming, but as a result of the current issues, it will take some time. We can potentially expect seasonal additions once things calm down, so here’s looking forward to it.
    • There was a brief mention of them working on better ways to communicate with the community. As I mentioned above, they’ve been much more active. However, they are trying to find new ways to effectively tease content changes and additions, which might be their way of solving the “soon” issue. We got another tease of the road map, which seems to be taking shape. We could see it during the upcoming November War Table video.
    • There were rumors on Reddit that Thor got nerfed, as his Heroic rating is very high. Luckily, those rumors were untrue through an official confirmation during the stream.
    • CD also mentioned some other minor updates. They are working on changing up existing content, highlighted the issue with Captain America’s slow running speed, and that the trophy bugs might get fixed with the next update.

    Overall, this was a fun stream to watch. Yes, we didn’t get any timings, but that wasn’t the point of the stream. They took their time to be as transparent as they can while spending time with the community. A personal highlight was the reveal that Phil created a Mjolnir prop, which got used during the motion capture. There were some fun moments, and sadly I didn’t have the opportunity to join them in a game. Hopefully, I’ll get the chance in a future stream, as they are planning on making this a weekly event. I believe we are slowly nearing the end of the dry spell with Avengers, but I know as little as everyone else. The delays have made it difficult for many, which is understandable, so hopefully, the November War Table video isn’t too far away, and we finally get to see the game grow.

    Source: Twitch

  • ‘WandaVision’ Adds Jolene Purdy in a Recurring Role

    ‘WandaVision’ Adds Jolene Purdy in a Recurring Role

    We got a rather sneaky reveal for an additional cast member in the upcoming Disney+ show WandaVision. Deadline just reported the casting of an HBO satire titled The White Lotus. The listing included five additions. Among them was the mention of Orange Is the New Black‘s Jolene Purdy. In the same article, they point out that she just recently wrapped filming for the upcoming MCU series. Not only that, but she also has a recurring role. This reveal signifies her involvement with multiple episodes throughout the season. There is a chance that she might be one of Wanda’s neighbors. So far, there has been no confirmation on this casting, so this is a great surprise. Purdy is well-known for her appearances on Under the Dome, The Magicians, and she even appeared in 2001’s Donnie Darko.

    It is also interesting that it confirms that the series has only finished up recently. WandaVision still is rumored to release in the upcoming month, so they will be finishing up the effects on the later episodes as it releases. Plus, they will most likely have a Christmas break for a few weeks, which would give them more time to work on the post-production. We currently still don’t have a release date for the series. At least they seem to be aiming for a 2020 release for now. Hopefully, we will get a release date announcement in the comings weeks. The Mandalorian’s second season just released, so Disney doesn’t have to worry about the marketing cannibalizing each other.

    Source: Deadline, IMDb

  • How ‘THE MANDALORIAN’ Chapter 9 Turns Nostalgia Into World-Building

    How ‘THE MANDALORIAN’ Chapter 9 Turns Nostalgia Into World-Building

    Finally, after a long wait, the second season of The Mandalorian has released. The show did not waste any time and continues where the first left off. Our new favorite Mandalorian Din Djarin is now responsible for a young child that is somehow related to Yoda. Now, he sets out into the galaxy to find others of his kind to bring back the young force-sensitive child home. The last season was filled with Easter Eggs and references to the first two trilogies. It expanded the universe in a way we had yet to see, but there is something about how the second season opens that confirms how well this show handles nostalgia. The Mandalorian isn’t just an Easter egg hunt, as it uses these familiar elements to further build upon a galaxy we once believe to know like the back of our hand.

     

    Before you continue, be wary that there will be some major spoilers for the episode. So, only continue at your own risk if you have yet to watch it.

     

    After the infiltration of an underground fighting arena goes wrong, Mando once again returns to Tatooine. In a way, this planet might be the most visited place in the galaxy. At first, we get some familiar shots from the original trilogy and the last season. The fifth episode Gunslinger, which took place on the same planet, was heavily criticized for focusing too much on nostalgia, and it almost feels like it is going down the same path again. Yet, after we briefly catch up with Amy Sedaris‘ Peli Motto and get a nice moment of character growth, it splinters off from the familiar. The story truly starts the moment he enters the village of Mos Pelgo. Finally, we visit a new location on this desert planet with its history and characters.

    Now, the selling point of this episode is the appearance of Cobb Vanth, played by a former gunslinger Timothy Olyphant. I believe fans from the Extended Universe will recognize that name. The first time we meet him, he is wearing a very familiar outfit. Yes, it is, in fact, that of Boba Fett, who we last saw fall into a Sarlacc Pit. The moment that showed how this series pays tribute to the Star Wars history and its last season is the moment Vanth takes off the helmet. In the Mandalorian creed, you cannot take off your helmet. We physically see Din shocked even if we can’t see his face. The show doesn’t hold our hands and have Pedro Pascal explain that no Mandalorian should do such a thing. Din seems to have no connection with Fett, so there was also no in-universe reason for point out the original owner of the Beskar armor. Those that have seen the original will make the connection automatically. Viewers, who are new to the franchise, might even be inspired to read up on it.

    There are a lot of great little ways it uses visuals from the franchises’ history. Vanth’s speedster was made out of one of Anakin’s pod racer engine. Mando used a similar cry that Obi-Wan used in A New Hope to communicate with the Tusken Raiders. Yet, this time they aren’t just chased away but spent time with, which had got teased in the previously mentioned episode. Now, we get to explore how Raiders survive in the desert and what traditions they have. We saw glimpses of this worldbuilding when they spent more time with the Jawa’s in the first season. We also get introduced to the ecosystem of Tatooine, such as the various creatures that live there. The Sarlacc Pit was a giant creature that lived under the sand that seemed beyond our understanding. Well, we now get introduced to its natural enemy, the Krayt Dragon, which is the main focus of the episode.

    All of these elements not only pay tribute to the franchise’s history but uses them to extend our understanding of this universe. The smartest aspect is how everything in this episode is due to their connection to Boba Fett. His armor creates this immediate connection to the Sarlacc Pit and Tatooine. It takes place in the desert, so it uses some old Western film elements to ease you into the new season. So, the logical next step is to finalize that connection with a massive reveal at the end of the episode. It only truly works if you know anything about the franchise’s history. Yet, it also works for new viewers, as one can make most of the connections from the episodes’ general set-up based on nostalgia. It is hard to believe that this is only the first episode, and I am curious how they expand the Star Wars galaxy in the future.

    Source: IndieWire

  • First Full Look at ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Panther Leaked

    First Full Look at ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Panther Leaked

    Marvel’s Avengers teased during its premiere that we will see Black Panther added to the game at one point. The reveal was shortly after the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman, so they decided to postpone it out of respect to the actor. It was a fitting decision at the time, and we’ve been very anxious about what design they may have cooked up over at Crystal Dynamics. A while back, someone shared a cropped version of what looked to be a Black Panther costume. This snippet was then confirmed by Avengers data miner @mmmmmmmmiller to be true at the time, but we never got the full view of it. Well, as Miller was sharing some icons from the game, which seem to be connected to future missions, a user going by @Evan18217824 shared the first full look at Black Panther.

    The thing that confirms this design is that it matches the snippets we saw initially. The additions on the shoulders are a dead giveaway that this is the same design that was confirmed. This take on the character is unique, but it does feel fitting. Instead of a bodysuit, it has these armor-like elements to highlight T’Challa’s Royal position. I especially love the attention to detail here, as his symbol is on the chest plate surrounded by what seems to be traditional Wakandan inscriptions. Of course, we will get various other costumes, so this may be the default design for his story arc.
    In general, I like this design, as it’s such a unique take on the character. The idea of using a traditional king’s armor is an interesting one to focus more on his role within the African country. I am curious to see what other costumes they include and if we get this design in action once the promised November War Table video is released. Still, we finally got a good look at the character and something to tie us over until Kate Bishop is playable.

     

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ Suit Revealed for ‘Spider-Man: Miles Morales’

    ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ Suit Revealed for ‘Spider-Man: Miles Morales’

    We are only a few weeks away from PlayStation’s Spider-Man spin-off finally releasing. The new game will focus on Miles Morales growing into his role as Spider-Man. It was a fantastic reveal during the PS5 reveal event, and everything we saw of the game was already quite promising. Now, they are adding an easter egg for fans of the character. Spider-Man: Miles Morales is paying tribute to his cinematic debut Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse by including an original animated costume from that film.

    The animation looks beautiful. It even seems like Insomniac has even adapted the animation style of the character to fit the way the design. If you look closely, you can even see some pop-ups of Onomatopoeia when you punch someone. We did get something similar, as the 2018 game also included an animated Spider-Man costume that paid tribute to the original 90s Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

    As Miles just recently had his cinematic debut, it made sense to add the costume from his first cinematic appearance. Some might have noticed that he is part of the pre-order, but Insomniac has confirmed that you can unlock the costume in-game, so there is no exclusivity deal. I have to say that these costumes look amazing. My personal favorites so far are the one that includes Spider-Cat and the Daft Punk-inspired suit. I cannot wait to see what other designs they might have ready once the game releases on November 12th.

    Source: Twitter

  • Leaked Funko Pops Offer First Full Look at Anthony Mackie’s New Falcon Suit

    Leaked Funko Pops Offer First Full Look at Anthony Mackie’s New Falcon Suit

    It is crazy to think that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier originally was going to release in August. Now, we are still anxiously waiting for a release date. WandaVision took its place as the first MCU original show on Disney+, but we don’t even know when that will air. Still, the pandemic has not stopped the production of tie-in products that tease what we can expect from these series. Not too long ago, we got our first look at a very comic-accurate Zemo through his leaked Funko Pop. Now, we got another closer look at the Funko Pops that gives us a great first full look at Anthony Mackie‘s Falcon suit for the upcoming series. We only got glimpses of it in the initial poster.

    The first poster teased a stronger focus on red, which is paying tribute to the characters’ original costume. The back of the box confirms that three Funko Pops are available from the series. There is a chance, however, that these are just a limited run. Still, there is no sight of that Captain America costume that Falcon will most likely wear once he accepts his new role. His Funko also includes the returning Red Wing, who we briefly saw in Captain America: Civil War. It will be interesting to see if his companion gets a bit more action in the upcoming series.

    I also have to mention the parallel between Winter Soldier’s star and that of Captain America’s shield. It’s a small visual added to the box that serves no real purpose, but I love this kind of detail. These are certainly must-buys for fans of the MCU and these respective characters. Hopefully, we will get a trailer soon that shows these new costumes in action.

    Source: DisPops IG (Full Look), DisPops IG (Back)

  • Schrödingers’ Khonshu: More Myth Than Moon Knight’s God

    Schrödingers’ Khonshu: More Myth Than Moon Knight’s God

    Moon Knight is a fascinating character and a great addition to Marvel Studios’ Disney+ line-up. Initially, he was Marvel’s answer to Batman. He even had moon-shaped versions of the Batarangs. Yet, the character grew into his own as time went on. Marc Spector is commonly known for having a Dissociative Identity Disorder, so he started to adopt a variety of names and identities over the years. One of his most recent additions was the detective, Mr. Knight. The most iconic aspect of Moon Knight is also his relationship with a God known as Khonshu. In a mission in Egypt as a mercenary, he gets betrayed by his employer Raul Bushman. Left for dead, an Egyptian God gave him a new lease on life. He would, later on, believe that this encounter was nothing more than an illusion. Yet, the Moon God’s influences stuck with him in his designs. His disorder also made him an unreliable narrator, so it was uncertain for quite some time if he was real. As the show is slowly starting production, it is unclear if Khonshu is an actual character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

    Well, that was until a report by The Direct was pointing to the addition of four Egyptian characters. This casting is interesting if you consider that Moon Knight’s main base of operation in New York City. One character’s definition is as a female lead. So, they will play somewhat of an essential role in the series of some kind. Now, this may tease that Khonshu’s past is a massive part of the story. The hiring of Mohamed Diab also highlights that the characters’ Egyptian heritage will have some influence, so it makes sense to explore this mystical aspect of the MCU. Thor is proof that Gods do exist, so this would allow us to get another perspective on one of the many undiscovered corners of the MCU.

    Yet, Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige toyed a bit with audiences when he announced the show initially. He said that Marc might be crazy, which opens a lot of questions. Khonshu, as a character, adds a lot of depth to this universe, so it would be a waste for him not to exist. Yet, at the same time, they could use him as a red herring to make you question the sanity of Spector. If Khonshu exists, we will be learning about his history with the other Gods. It also allows us to uncover how their existence played into the MCU’s past. Plus, they can use that aspect to make you accept Khonshu exists in Spector’s view of the world before pulling the rug from under your feet. This aspect is what sells Moon Knight as a show. It isn’t as crazy as WandaVision‘s sitcom-based multiverse shenanigans, but it can screw with its audience. As I mentioned before, Marc is an unreliable narrator, so if he retells the story of Khonshu, there is a chance it is just all made-up in his head. It would also open up the possibility to see his already broken mind fall apart as he begs for a God for help that does not exist.

    In the comics, Khonshu is very much a tangible existence. He even got into conflict with the Avengers, which ended up with him fighting Robbie Reye’s Ghost Rider and Black Panther. In Avengers Vol. 8 #37, he ended up losing and being apprehended by the team of heroes. Even if he exists in the comics, it doesn’t chain the series to do the same. He may be an illusion by Spector after seeing an idol of the lunar God shortly before he passed out. It’s a great way to play with expectations, especially as it allows the director to play around with some crazy visuals. I do hope we get the design from Moon Knight Vol. 7 that features him in a white suit with a bird skull instead of a head. It’s such an iconic visual that can also add a unique atmosphere to this show, as he may seem like just one of the many personalities. Yet, in his thirst for vengeance is manipulating Marc to follow a darker path. Right now, we have no idea as they could go either direction. We might get to meet a real Egyptian God, or just the remnants of a broken mind. Until Moon Knight releases on Disney+, he is Marvel Studios’ Schrödingers’ Cat.

    Source: The Direct, YouTube

  • First Details on ‘Final Fantasy XVI’ Story and World Revealed

    First Details on ‘Final Fantasy XVI’ Story and World Revealed

    Just recently, we got the reveal of Final Fantasy latest numbered entry. XVI is set to explore the game’s original fantasy setting moving away from its more futuristic development. We only got a brief trailer teasing the overarching plot and playstyle. Now, Square-Enix has revealed some details on the game’s setting and characters through an official website. Funny enough, the following image of this world was leaked a while back without any confirmation until this point.

    The game will take place in the world of Valisthea, which is studded by so-called Mothercrystals. These crystals bless the inhabitants with aether, which is their source of magic. Of course, with great power came greed and the world finds itself in the middle of a war. At the heart of it, all are the Dominants. These are people that have the ability to summon the most powerful and deadly creatures, which are known as Eikons. These are this game’s version of the summons, which were teased in the trailer.

    Our protagonist is Clive Rosfield, who was believed to be a Dominant, as he was the son of the Archduke of Rosaria. The Phoenix, however, ended up choosing his younger brother Joshua, which led him to dedicate his life to swordsmanship. He made it his mission to protect his younger brother. They were also raised alongside Jill Warrick, who was taking in as a ward by Rosaria after her homecountry in the Northern Territories have fallen. Their lifes are met by tragedy as a dark Eikon named Ifrit would set them all on a dangerous path. It also push Clive on a very dark path, which is teased in the official poster for the game, which includes a clearer picture of the Phoenix and Ifrit.

    Source: Official Website