Culture
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition Modernizes a Multiplayer Classic
When Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles launched on the GameCube in 2003, it was seen as a pretty significant departure from the main Final Fantasy series. In addition to being a Nintendo exclusive, the title kept little from its brethren aside from the very basics laid out within the Final Fantasy universe (magic, dungeons, etc.) and put an emphasis on multiplayer rather than one person controlling the entire party. It also picked up a number of awards and nominations and launched a handful of sequels and spinoffs while developing a devoted following outside of the more mainstream series. This summer, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition was announced and released, meaning that modern gamers would finally get a taste on the innovation they may have missed 17 years ago. Althou...
New Releases and Concerts Come to SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream Next Week
If you missed the excitement this week on SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream, you can thankfully still watch the sets from Prema777, Ghost Liotta, Tatiana Demaria and more on Twitch for a few more days before they move to YouTube. Don’t worry about our lack of Friday plans though (thanks, COVID cancelations), as we’ll be back on Monday for a full week of brand new livestreams. Not only will there be live sets from GILT, John-Robert, ONR, and Charming Liars, but we’ll also have an exclusive showcase from Pop Can Records and a premiere from the one and only Kulick. Life is uncertain and things are always changing, so keep an eye on Twitter and Instagram for any information on date swaps or surprise guests. Oh, and don’t be shy about helping us keep the Twitch stream’...
Los Blenders, Mario Kart, and More Come to SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream Next Week
This week has already been a banger, and we’ve still got some time with Running Touch later today on SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream. That comes after we’ve already seen some sweet sets from the likes of Kelsy Karter, Dot Cromwell, LUNA AURA, and more — all of which you can still catch on Twitch for a bit longer before they move to YouTube. We’re not taking our foot off the gas pedal next week though, as we kick things off with a dual set from Prema777 and iNTeLL (who also happens to be second-generation Wu-Tang Clan). From there, we’ll jump to electronic supergroup Ghost Liotta, our Mexico City favorites in Los Blenders, and a little Mario Kart action from the Paper Jackets crew. You’ll definitely want to stay in touch with us via both Twitter a...
Square Enix Reveal New Track From Pulse: FINAL FANTASY XIV Remix Album Ahead of Release
For those who can’t wait until tomorrow to hear some more remixed tunes from Final Fantasy XIV, Square Enix has given SPIN access to “‘Neath Dark Waters” a few hours early. Pulse: FINAL FANTASY XIV Remix Album features 14 of the game’s top tracks, all remixed and reimagined in ways as they’ve never been heard before. Considering that the original soundtrack was popular enough to spawn a concert series and significant fanfare, it’s no surprise that the physical pre-orders have long since sold out (although more are coming in a few weeks for those who want to be added to a waiting list). For the digital crowd, the album will also be available on all major streaming platforms at midnight local time. In the meantime, check out this exclusive reveal of “‘Neath Dark Waters” a...
Kelsy Karter and More Headline SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream Next Week
It’s Friday and we’re hitting you with a double shot of streaming today courtesy of the Swedish rockers in Solence and a live celebration with LUVK and VenessaMichaels on SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream. We’ve also already seen electrifying sets from the Foxies, Akinyemi, Irontom, and the Happy Fits (all of which are still on Twitch for another week or so before they move to our YouTube page). Since we like to look toward the future, we’re already going to let you know what we’ve got in store for next week. Lumer and Skofee will kick things off on Monday and Tuesday, and then Kelsy Karter will take over the stream live on Wednesday ahead of the release of her latest album, Missing Person, on Friday. Thursday evening will be a very special production from Luna Aura, a...
Concerts, Video Games, and More Come to SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream Next Week
So far, this week on SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream has been pretty good. We had an acoustic set from Lewis Del Mar last night, an epic 3-hour performance from Lotus on Monday, and some other good times. If you missed them, you can still catch them on Twitch for another week or so before they move to our YouTube page, but we’ve also got another set of streams ready for next week (after today’s performance by Xanthe Alexis). We’ll be starting the week off with sets from the Happy Fits and NYC-based rapper Akinyemi, keep it going strong through the midweek thanks to the Foxies and Irontom, and then close things out with some tunes and Rocket League live from Sweden with the hard rockers in Solence. It’s as globe-spanning and genre-bending a week as we’ve had in quite ...
Lotus, Peach Tree Rascals & More Headline Next Week on SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream
This week on SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream featured live sets and Q&As from the likes of Eivør and Zeke Thomas (which you can still watch on Twitch for another week or two before they move to YouTube, but we’re already gearing up to bring some more new and exciting live video content to you next week. After kicking things off with a performance and fan Q&A from Lotus, we’ve got some can’t-miss sets from artists like Peach Tree Rascals and Lewis Del Mar and a Mario Kart-fueled hangout session with Paper Jackets to get you through the week. It’s a little bit of something for everyone, because we could all use some variety in our lives these days. For those of you who are new here, you’ll want to check out both Twitter and Instagram fo...
Jonah Ray: To All the Bands I’ve Had Before….
I started playing drums in the fourth grade. All I wanted to be at the time was the drummer for Metallica. Just to be clear, I didn’t want to be Lars. I just had this fantasy leading up to my first-ever Metallica concert that Lars [Ulrich] would somehow see me on the upper lodge of the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu and go “YOU!” Everybody would stop down. James [Hetfield] would shield his eyes from the stage lights to see who Lars was pointing at. Kirk [Hammett] would smile knowingly, because he too must’ve seen me and just “knew maaaaan.” The whole crowd would turn up to see me, the 11-year-old kid flanked by his brother and older cousin Kalani (our chaperone for the night). The 11-year-old boy sitting directly behind the bored Japanese businessmen who hadn’t headbanged ONCE during the show...
Marvel’s Avengers Puts Gamers in the Shoes, Capes, and Mechanized Suits of Their Favorite Heroes
If you pay attention to video games and/or superheroes, you’ve probably seen at least one headline that the new Marvel’s Avengers game is “surprisingly good.” Considering the gaming community’s love of hating on “live service” games (titles which are based around ongoing content updates rather than a single comprehensive experience at launch) and criticism of anything related to a property as large as Marvel (like the idiotic puddle-based debate ahead of Marvel’s Spider-Man), it’s no surprise that much of the discourse surrounding Avengers is about how it’s significantly better than certain pockets of the internet expected. Truthfully, the team at Crystal Dynamics are in the midst of a wildly uphill battle to live up to fans’ ridiculous expectations and put forth the first proper Avengers ...
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 Remaster Brings New Energy to Classic Games
With the remaster of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 set to release on PC, PlayStation and Xbox on Sept. 4, skateboarding fans young and old are preparing to pick up the sticks once again to return to the iconic series. What was once considered a bit of a holy grail when it came to desired remasters — and an unlikely one due to how many songs would need to be licensed to replace the legendary soundtrack — is mere days away from reality after being in the works for years, and it’s no mere high definition re-skin of the 20-year-old classics. Filled with new skateboarders and features, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is more of a brand new game built around the core of the originals than a cheap glossy makeover (the latter of which already happened once with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD back in 2012)....
Nigerians embrace British Council digital library
As part of efforts to restore and encourage a reading culture among Nigerians, the UK embassy’s British Council in Nigeria has launched a globally renowned digital library following temporary closure of its physical libraries. The newly launched digital library is to facilitate self-paced convenient learning, make educational and entertainment resources available and also provide access to numerous IELTS preparation content to support a large number of Nigerian youth and test takers. According to the British Council Country Director, Nigeria and West Africa Lead, Lucy Pearson, for many years, the British Council has been renowned all over the world for its libraries and the closure of its physical libraries in Nigeria was a sad one. Lucy said she is delighted to see the launch of the new B...
Every Time I Die, American Authors, and Baker Grace Lead This Week’s Schedule for SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream
This week’s schedule for SPIN’s Untitled Twitch Stream might be the best (and most diverse) yet. Sure, last week was pretty cool with Hinder closing things out on Friday after shows from artists like M.A.G.S. and the Milwaukees — all of which you can still see on Twitch for now before they get moved to YouTube. We’re starting the week off in just a few hours with something we’ve never done before, as Keith Buckley from Every Time I Die will be giving out download codes and vinyls for the soundtrack of the brand new No Straight Roads. There’ll be at least a handful of each available, so don’t miss them this afternoon. From there, things will swap over to some more unforgettable live performances from artists like American Authors, Baker Grace, and more before hittin...
