Predicting the new Smash characters

By Katherine Simon / August 23, 2019

Arguably the biggest crossover event in all of gaming, many people are excited to see which of their favorite video game characters will make their way into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. While there are some people who get way too heated over which characters make it in or not, there’s something incredibly fun about trying to guess which beloved gaming icons will make the cut while also seeing what kind of unexpected fighters Sakurai and his team will throw at us next. With the first two DLC fighters of Smash Ultimate being candidates that nobody would’ve expected, Piranha Plant and Persona 5’s Joker, it seems like just about anything goes when it comes to who could be potential candidates.

---

---

BYTE

EVO 2019 player guide

By Blake Chapman / August 23, 2019

The fighting game community has become one of the most prolific in all of esports. Year after year thousands of combatants flock to tournaments and test their strength in the pursuit of both impressive monetary prize pools as well as global recognition. As we head straight into the group stages let me give you a quick player guide and some useful predictions of who might be sitting on the main stage in top 8.

---

BYTE

Behind the redesign of 'Sonic the Hedgehog'

By Katherine Simon / August 22, 2019

I’m sure by now you’ve already heard about the backlash the Sonic the Hedgehog movie has been receiving lately, most notably for Sonic’s uncanny design. Ever since the design was initially leaked, everyone and their mother has been tearing this naked man-hog apart. The mockery only increased when the trailer dropped just a few days ago and we finally saw Sonic with realistic human teeth and the proportions of a weird toddler-adult hybrid. Even Byte’s own Tanner Kinney couldn’t help but join in on the Roast of Sonic, and we’ll be following up on his thoughts with this feature.

---

BYTE

State of the YouTube: YouTube’s half-hearted shrug against harassment makes no one happy

By Tanner Kinney / August 22, 2019

Well, unfortunately for YouTube they found themselves in scalding hot water once again. And unlike the last few times, this case can truly set a precedent for the future of the platform.

---

BYTE

An Open Letter to ‘Minecraft’: Thank you for 10 years

By Blake Chapman / August 22, 2019

The world of video games has gone through a plethora of innovation and evolution. The jump from pixels to polygons, the advent of online play, and all the warfare between console and pc loyalists are just a few examples. All of these stories and more have only added to the history of the most expressive and interactive entertainment medium the world has ever known. When looking back on the most impactful moments in gaming that have come during my lifetime, I can not help but think of Minecraft. The memories and hours spent building my own world have impacted me in more ways than I may ever realize. As we pass over the first 10 years of this monumental game, it seems best that I reflect on my own experiences that made this game so special to me and millions of others across the world.

---

---

BYTE

History of: Queer Media

August 22, 2019

From The Symposium to queer pulp novels of the 50s and 60s, it’s easy to say that queer media has come a long way. We no longer have to know a person who knows a person who has a secret gay book that we can borrow, nor do we have to suffer through the terrible writing and plotlines of those pulp novels. 

---

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ delivers on its thesis for terror

By Blake Chapman / August 21, 2019

With great stylistic choices in direction and writing, 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' packs plenty of memorable scares.

---

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold’ is a weird and occasionally entertaining adventure

By Katherine Simon / August 21, 2019

'Dora and the Lost City of Gold’ is not a movie that needed to exist at all, but for what it was, it could’ve turned out worse. 

---

ENTERTAINMENT

Slipknot’s ‘We Are Not Your Kind’ is a dark and exhilarating return

By Brandon Carson / August 16, 2019

 Slipknot has truly created something special with 'We Are Not Your  Kind'. It is an album that feels like a work of art, a quality that a  lot of metal albums are lacking today 

---

---

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ is worth seeing, but not Tarantino’s best

By Emily Worrell / August 15, 2019

 Although the multiple storylines do slow down the pacing a bit, it’s not  enough to make this romp through 60’s Hollywood unenjoyable. 

---

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw’ is a dumb, but entertaining joyride

By Anthony Herring / August 15, 2019

 As the first spin-off of the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise, ‘Hobbs and  Shaw’ firmly steps down on the gas pedal and provides an entertaining  experience. 

---

ENTERTAINMENT

Be prepared, ‘The Lion King’ is a cinematic headache

By Trevor Sheffield / August 6, 2019

With neutered renditions of classic Disney numbers, cringeworthy recreations of iconic moments, and a genuine lack of innovation, let it be known: 'The Lion King (2019)' is bound for financial success...but even Mufasa’s trampled corpse has more life in it. 

---

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Midsommar’ provides a hypnotically horrific summer solstice

By Daniel O’Connell / August 6, 2019

 'Midsommar' is a real summertime treat. Ari Aster brings his A-game in creating this modern-day 'Wicker Man.'

---

---

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Toy Story 4’ is bound to make competition reach for the sky

By Trevor Sheffield / July 8, 2019

Despite some narrative “fat” and a somewhat muddled sense of cohesion regarding its many setpieces, 'Toy Story 4' manages to justify its existence alongside one of the greatest trilogies of all time by crafting a story close in tone to the one that started it all.  

---

ENTERTAINMENT

Sizzy Rocket’s ‘Grrrl’ is out of this world

June 30, 2019

Sizzy Rocket delivers the same alt-pop sound listeners have come to love, but more polished and personal with her sophomore album ‘Grrrl.’

---

ENTERTAINMENT

Review: ‘Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Vento Aureo’ Episode 31: “Green Day and Oasis, Part 2”

By Katherine Simon / June 17, 2019

 Between the adaptation of a much-beloved scene and the appearance of a fan-favorite character, ‘Green Day and Oasis, Part 2’ continues the arc’s momentum by delivering an incredibly action-packed episode. 

---

NEWS

Country singer, comedian Granger Smith’s son, 3, dies in ‘tragic accident’

By Tt Shinkan / June 6, 2019

Country singer, Granger Smith, who’s most known for the song “Backroad Song” and his comedy alter ego, Earl Dibbles Jr. announced Thursday on both Twitter and Instagram that his 3-year-old son, River Kelly Smith passed away due to a “tragic accident.” 

---

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Rage 2’ is glorious, chaotic fun

By Daniel O’Connell / June 6, 2019

 While far from being a perfect game, ‘Rage 2’ is still plenty of fun.  

---

ENTERTAINMENT

‘The Hustle’ wins my money

By Savanna Keller / June 6, 2019

‘The Hustle’ is an entertaining and clever film, despite its lack of substance.

---

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Brightburn’ is a terrifying take on a classic character

By Anthony Herring / June 2, 2019

 By wholly delivering on its premise on an evil Superman-like character, 'Brightburn' provides an entertaining experience that will shock audiences