Source: Daniel Bader / Android Central

When Diablo Immortal was initially announced in November 2018, it didn't get the greatest reception. Fans weren't happy that Blizzard was turning to the mobile market, and had fears of microtransactions and pay-to-win features bogging down the game.

Since then, Blizzard has done a lot to quell any fears that players might have, and Diablo Immortal has gone from the black sheep to bell of the ball, with two successful closed alphas and a ton of love, both critically and from fans.

As the game continues its second alpha test period, we got the chance to sit down with Senior Combat Designer Julian Love and Senior Narrative Designer Justin Dye of Blizzard, We spoke about Diablo Immortal's design, narrative, and how the team was excited to return to some of the biggest moments in Diablo's history for a game that may already be one of the best Android games out there.

One of the first thing players may notice when they get the chance to jump into Diablo Immortal is that it takes place right in between Diablo 2 and 3. This wasn't by accident; Blizzard wanted to look back in the timeline and figure out how things came to be.

"Honestly, there's this very interesting period between Diablo 2 and 3 that just doesn't have enough detail at the moment," Dye said. "It was a huge opportunity, right? There's so much ground to tell story there."

Story isn't the only thing that features callbacks to the world of Diablo. Many of the dungeons found within Diablo Immortal are crammed with lore and locations from past games. When asked whether or not it was tough to strike a balance between bringing in new content and utilizing their vast backlog of lore, Dye noted that there wasn't a metric for these kinds of design choices, but there was never a struggle in coming up with decisions.

It's entirely new for Diablo immortal, but it brings on themes and and world building from the past and lets you kind of be there in a new way.

"Usually someone will pitch the idea, we'll kick it around, see how it feels," said Dye. "But in general, I don't think that there's ever been too much of an honest struggle in that kind of thing, because in truth, we sort of just follow the passions and see where they go. So in general, if anything, I feel like getting those has been easy."

"The game right now takes place in only about 10 areas," Dye continued. "Many of them are not even from Diablo 2, and a whole bunch of them are new places we've never been to before. So in general, it's a fun challenge."

The decision to include things from Diablo's past doesn't just extend to its narrative. Diablo Immortal features many classes from past Diablo games, fitted with entirely different movesets to help things flow better in a mobile game.

According to Love, shifting movesets for classes was an opportunity for Blizzard to once again merge the new with the classic. "We want to bring back favorite classes that are very familiar, that people love, and so that that's sort of what informs the lineup," Love said. "And then there are some challenges that you always face when you bring a game to a different platfor. Those usually show up in the size of the screen, how far away you are from it, and then, of course, the controls and the inputs are different."

Some examples of that can be found in the Crusader's Falling Sword skill, which is now a two-step skill that lets you place your AOE damage. "We always kind of want to do stuff like that with a PC version of Diablo, but it just never felt right with that input scheme because of all the pressure that it puts on your mouse hand to constantly dance around the screen," Love said. "But here, with this control set, it felt really natural because you're just moving your thumbs around."

"There are some challenges that you always face when you bring a game to a different platform."

Speaking of the Crusader, the classic Diablo character made its way into Immortal in the latest closed alpha session, and gave players the chance to experience some new mechanics. Love explained that deciding to bring back any class always stems from the excitement the team at Blizzard has, as well as how fans may receive it.

"The first thing you want to test is, what's the team's excitement for it? And then we also look out in the world and see well, what was the temperature of the audience for it? What did they love? What do we think that they would like based on what they're doing today and the response that they had? Then, that goes to inform the decision."

Aside from the Crusader class, one of the other major additions to the most recent alpha was the Helliquary. This system allows players to track down elite demon enemies and take them down in groups. Once you defeat a demon, you'll be rewarded with gear that can permanently buff your character and change the way you play.

Because the mode is so new, Blizzard isn't sure if they'll implement any limits onto how much the Helliquary can be ranked up, but they're excited at what it can bring to the game.

"This is another [way to] collect and make decisions around what you think are the buffs that play better to your playstyle or your characters kit choices," said Love.

"Of course, as those kit choices change, you may go back and rethink some of this. So there's a lot of tension between the Helliquary buffs and your other overall kit. Then, of course, this can get tweaked again by your goals with what you're doing with respect to Challenge Rifts. So there's a lot of opportunity for depth and strategy in that system." Dye also explained that Blizzard will be watching the system carefully as players get acquainted with it, and that they'll always be looking at things and trying to figure out how to make it better based on feedback from players.

One of the biggest challenges that Diablo Immortal faces as it grows is how to adapt a game like Diablo known for some of its co-op abilities to mobile devices. When asked if co-op gameplay is something the team is focusing on, Love mentioned that they were, but that there's two sides.

"I think that if I'm going to paint two different sides to the equation, one is its value as a thing that players on their own are working towards," Love explained. "And that's very akin to goals that players used to assign themselves in games like Diablo 2 where there wasn't really an endgame system, and so they would make things up for themselves like 99 became the very first big goal that was obvious."

Love went on to say that the other aspect of the design is making sure that players don't ever feel as if there's only ever one outcome for any given situation. "But the other side of it is an opportunity to group up, right? To share that moment with other people and to take that big monster down, that's a really valuable thing too. The negative that can come out of that, though, is if the answer is always group up, and nobody finds value in doing it as a single-player experience, then that that might be a reason for us to question how that works, and the way that that players are going about it.

"We are still looking at systems throughout the entire game with a focus on how much time does something take"

Another huge focus on Diablo Immortal is in making sure that players don't feel like moments take too long. "We are still looking at systems throughout the entire game, with a focus on how much time does something take. How are the players who are playing alpha now engaging with those things?" Love said. "For instance, are they doing things to subvert the time length that something takes because that's the problem for them, is that this takes too long? And that's an opportunity for us to make make adjustments to get it into the zone."

Love went on to say that he knows players will always try to circumvent things regardless of what's implemented so the team is trying to find the best balance in how players play and how things are designed. "No matter how you design it, if there's a way for them to change it, they will always do that to their advantage. So we have to design with those two ideals in mind."

One of the last things we talked about regarding Diablo Immortal is the recently announced PvP system, known in-game as the Cycle of Strife. Asked if the team faced any challenges implementing such a large system into the game, Love spoke about how bringing a system like that into Diablo Immortal was a big design challenge, but that the team was steering things to a healthier gameplay experience. Dye chimed in to discuss the thematics of the Cycle of Strife, and how Blizzard hopes to make the mode give players the feeling that they're really part of a group.

"There's an almost endless number of dark houses that can be formed. You can build your own right now, and get your friends together and be the next Immortals, right?" Dye said. "That's the spirit of the system. So the Shadows have that renegade, get a group together, change the world kind of feeling. Meanwhile, the Immortals, while they are often separated to do things, the goal is to make them feel unified. You have 500 people, but they're at the same time together."

Diablo Immortal may not have been announced to much fanfare, but Blizzard developers have put in the work to prove that they are more than serious about making this game something that will effortlessly slot into the world of Diablo. With a heavy focus on lore, gameplay that doesn't fall into the trap that many mobile games do, and a committment to keep the fans involved, the studio looks to have a potential hit on their hands whenever Diablo Immortal releases to the masses.

In the meantime, you can still try out Diablo Immortal if you happen to live in Australia and are on an Android device. The game is currently going through its second round of alpha testing, so if you want to dive back into the world of Sanctuary, sign up and see if you're one of the lucky players to be invited.

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Diablo Immortal interview: Blizzard devs talk about merging the old with the classic in newest entry - Android Central

Tom Noie: We're back....and suddenly, it's summer around these here parts. Think it actually snowed the last time we chatted about Notre Dame hoops. None of that today in Northern Indiana, where temperatures will push toward 90. Weather aside, it's always basketball season in these parts. There's plenty to ponder and discuss when it comes to the Irish. To join, be sure to include your name and hometown. And with that, you know the drill - let's light this chat candle.

Bob: Who are some of the top recruits ND has a realistic chance with ? Donovan Clingan a possibility ?

Tom Noie: Bob: Buckle up, because this answer might take some time to chew through. Deep breath. OK, let's go...Notre Dame currently has around 20-25 names on its recruiting board for the Class of 2022. Topping that list are Donovan Clingan, a 6-10, 220-pound center from Bristol, Conn. and guard Rodney Rice, 6-4 from Potomac, Md. Notre Dame's immediate needs are twofold - a point guard and a big man. Who else might be on the short list? It's odd to say but it's true - it's too early to tell given that the staff has not been allowed to recruit off campus, really for the last two recruiting cycles, because of the pandemic. Recruiting finally will get back to some semblance of normalcy when college coaching staffs can get back out on the road in July. The Irish staff wants/needs that time to actually see kids in person. Recruiting solely off video and getting to know kids through Zoom is a tricky proposition. So July's going to be big to focus even more on a core group of maybe 10 guys that they feel are best fits.

Tom Noie: But, alas, it's not that easy given where we are in college basketball. Notre Dame will have seven players - Paul Atkinson, Robby Carmody, Dane Goodwin, Prentiss Hubb, Nate Laszewski, Cormac Ryan and Trey Wertz - in line to graduate in the spring of 2022. Seven guys is a lot, but hold on. Of those seven, only Atkinson is out of eligibility. The other six have the option of returning for another year (and maybe more). That kind of muddles the recruiting crystal ball. What if Hubb returns? What if Ryan and Wertz? Do the Irish still need to find a point guard? Dane Goodwin already has indicated a desire to return for a fifth year. Then, with all that, there's also the ever-present transfer portal. This offseason, there were some 1,500 players in the portal. How will Notre Dame use that moving forward? Some schools will recruit the portal with more of an emphasis than high school kids. It will be fascinating moving forward how the Irish will construct their roster.

Bob: What does Anthony Solomon bring that some of the other assistant coaches have lacked ?

Tom Noie: Bob: First, let's cover this base - Anthony Solomon is expected to return for his third stint as an assistant coach. He'll replace Scott Martin, who will rotate back to video/recruiting coordinator. Martin was supposed to serve in that role last year before Ryan Ayers left for personal reasons. Solomon's hiring could be official as soon as the end of the week. What does he bring that the current assistants lack? How about everything?

Tom Noie: One reason - maybe one big reason - Notre Dame has found itself on the outside of the NCAA tournament looking in for the last four years is there was nobody on the staff that could/would really challenge Mike Brey or the players. Solomon will do that. He has an edge. He has experience. he has wisdom. He has an attitude and mentality that this program has lacked, really since he left following the 2015-16 season. If you want to say he's the "bad cop" on the staff, that fits. He just has that something that can reach guys. He's tough. He's fair. People respond to him. Notre Dame hoops hasn't been past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament under Brey without Solomon. That's not a coincidence.

Joe /Granger: How big of an addition will Coach Slo be on the recruiting trail!!...

Tom Noie: Joe: On a scale of 1 to 10, how about a 12? He'll go get guys that guys on the current staff haven't been able to get.

Dwight, NC Arkansas: I believe having Anthony Solomon returning to the staff is a real positive. Given Mike Brey's age, is it conceivable that Solomon was getting valuable coaching experience elsewhere and is now returning as a viable head coach at ND at some point in the future? He certainly knows ND as well as anyone not named Brey.

Tom Noie: Dwight: Good points on knowing this culture and this university, but it would be a hard sell to the Irish hoops fan base to bring in someone who went 24-88 in his only head coaching stint at Saint Bonaventure. And the Atlantic 10 as we know is nowhere near the Atlantic Coast Conference. No, I think Solomon's best as an assistant who can be a great resource for the head coach.

Eddie: What is the status of Robby Carmody? How many years of eligibility does he have left?

Tom Noie: Eddie: Robby Carmody has yet to play a full season of college basketball, which means he has at least four years of eligibility remaining - five if you count the additional year the NCAA has given student-athletes because of the pandemic, but that's sort of silly. He's not going to be in college - be it at Notre Dame or somewhere else if he chooses to reset his college experience - for eight years. Carmody was close enough health-wise to contribute last season, but it got too late in the season where there was little benefit to bring him into the mix. He's expected to be full go certainly for preseason camp in fall. Maybe for summer pickup sessions.

ND Hoops Addict, South Bend: Any news or rumblings on crowd expectations for football or basketball games? Will I get to use my season tickets this year?

Tom Noie: ND Hoops: look around at what's happening elsewhere in college football. And even, NFL or Major League Baseball. News that Pro Team A, B and C or college D, E and F are slowly upping attendance capacities or opening them up to 100 percent is a really good sign for Notre Dame. I'd be shocked if Notre Dame wasn't close to 100 percent by the Sept. 11 home opener against Toledo and at capacity for all sports for the 2021-22 school year. That's where all this is trending. If - and that's a big IF - there are no setbacks from coronavirus numbers, it should be business as usual from a fan experience at Notre Dame this season. In all sports.

Guest: Do you expect notre dame to make the tournament next year. Bill Tinley park

Tom Noie: Bill: The baseline expectation for this program should be to make the NCAA Tournament. Will they in 2021-22? I want to say yes, but the core of this group is going to have to show something and do something that it has yet to do the last three years. Maybe the additions of Paul Atkinson at center and Anthony Solomon on the coaching staff should be enough to push this program back to Selection Sunday. Unless there's marked improvement from the core, it's going to be difficult to get there.

Jim from Berlin, CT: Tom it's great to hear from you after a long pause following the end of the basketball season. In your opinion has Mike Brey basically worn out his welcome in South Bend? I worry that mediocrity has now become the norm for Irish men's basketball and reaching the Big Dance is now nothing more than a pipe dream. How many more losing seasons do we have to put up with before Brey finally calls it quits?

Tom Noie: Jim: Good to hear from you. Let's get a "normal" season to really drill down on where this is all headed for Mike Brey and the future of the Notre Dame men's basketball program. Missing four straight NCAA Tournaments is inexcusable and unacceptable, and everything else, but rewind to each of those seasons - Notre Dame lost Bonzie Colson and Matt Farrell to injury in 2017-18 yet still was the first team out of the Field of 68. Lose those two guys, and it's a tough sell to get back to the NCAA. Next year, lose Rex Pflueger and turn the program over to freshmen who weren't ready. Yeah, they weren't getting in that year, or the following. You just don't go from 3-15 in the ACC to tournament team in one year. 2019-20, pandemic aside, that team should've done more to get in with seniors T.J. Gibbs and John Mooney and Rex Pflueger. Last year? Too many unknowns in a pandemic to point to the NCAA and say gotta get there. Let's have a "normal" season when everyone stays healthy (on and off the court).

Real Rob in Dallas: Tom, now that Coach Solomon has been brought back for the 3rd time and this time as an Associate Head Coach, it sure looks like Balanis is the odd man out. Do u see him moving into an ops role so we don't have too many cooks in the kitchen?

Tom Noie: Rob: This feels like an answer I'd give about the starting lineup, but if the season started tonight, Rod Balanis would be the associate head coach, Anthony Solomon and Ryan Humphrey would be the assistants and Mike Brey would be the head coach. Still think there has to be one more move - if they could create a different role (non-coaching) for Balanis and bring in another veteran assistant coach as another voice/recruiter that would align nicely I believe there's value in having Rod Balanis on this staff, but maybe in a different kind of role at this stage of his career.

mike: I.U gets a new coach and there recruiting goes wild. So is it that Brey is not able to recruit or is it the higher ups just will not allow it. Attendance at most games is real bad but why would you expect people to go to games if the school will not allow the team to be competitive. I have season tickets for thirty years thinking ever year it will be different but I think I am done.

Tom Noie: Mike: Indiana is Indiana, one of the top five or six blueblood programs in college basketball. Are we really comparing what happens down in Bloomington to what happens in South Bend as apples to apples? Because it's way different than apples to oranges or anything else. Attendance at Notre Dame games has been average at best (even in the best of years). And Notre Dame believes it can and will be competitive in the ACC, but it's going to do it on its terms. It's not a one-and-done destination. It's not going to take recruiting risks that other schools in the ACC can take. It's going to do it its way. Look at Notre Dame for what it is and not what others are doing and the frustration level might fade. Might.

Nick Ventura: How is Robby Carmody progressing and is there hope that he can contribute this year and if so in what role?

Tom Noie: Nick: Touched a little earlier in the chat about Robby Carmody's health. His role remains a blank slate. Notre Dame went out and added two more guards to an already crowded perimeter with J.R. Konieczny and Blake Wesley. That right there tells you that the window of opportunity may have closed a bit on Carmody. It's up to him to push it back open and carve out a role for himself. Stay healthy and figure it out.

Tony: Tom, coach Brey talked about getting a defensive asst coach. I dont see any movement. Have you heard anything? Bringing back Slo is good if it happens but soon this staff will be able to hit the road to recruit.

Tom Noie: Tony: Anthony Solomon will be hired as an assistant coach and will be in charge of overhauling the Irish defense. He's going to earn his salary, because that end of the court is a complete teardown/start over. If anybody can do better, it's Slo. He'll get those guys' attention and get them to compete. That right there is a start on that end.

Tony: Tom, how come it seems Brey puts out fewer offers and is always later than other coaches. I understand the academics need to be good. But, shouldnt this be checked on a head of time. Any rumblings that he leads for any recruits?

Tom Noie: Tony: Academics is a BIG reason for that. Like, everything has to be right and up to date on the transcript before the Irish proceed. And for anyone to hang their hat on getting offer A before offer B is kind of silly. Like, this kid's going to go to this school because they offered first? But what if the other school is a better fit? Don't get so hung up on offers. In journalism, it's often better to be right than to be first. Same can be said for hoops recruiting. Be right instead of first. What does first really mean? Not a whole lot. And it's too early in the recruiting cycle for reasons explained above to think Notre Dame leads for any given recruit. Recruiting has been on ice since the pandemic. It will get back to some sort of normalcy in July where coaches can actually get out and see kids. That's huge.

Dan - Chicago: I assume that there will be no more additional players (specifically, transfers) added to this year's team besides Atkinson and the freshmen?

Tom Noie: Dan: Given what the transfer portal looks like (currently about 1,500 kids) I'd not assume anything. Cormac Ryan was a late portal addition (June 2019). As of now, Notre Dame has no plans to utilize that last scholarship, but if a perfect guard jumps into the portal this afternoon or next week or next month, the Irish certainly will have interest.

Dan - Chicago: Will anyone sit out this year to preserve eligibility. I assume only the freshman would be potential candidates for this.

Tom Noie: Dan: Good question - and it may not be open only to freshmen. The plan last year was to play the long game with Tony Sanders, who in a normal year would've gone the five-year route. What if the perimeter is too crowded for him this year? What if power forward Elijah Taylor struggles to get up to ACC speed? I don't see one of the two freshmen going on the five-year plan. At least, not now. What if the returning guys are lights-out good and efficient and operating as one? Might be a consideration down the line. Would be a good problem to have.

Joe Asbury Pk Nj: Why does Coach Brey believe not carrying a full roster of scholarship players is a good strategy ? It seems we are constantly down to under 10 healthy players . This has to effect practice along with games no ?

Tom Noie: Joe: Personal preference for Brey, who would rather have 10-11 guys all relatively happy with their roles than carry 13 guys and have two leave after season's end. Brey comes from the Mike Krzyzewski way of thinking that a shorter bench is a better bench. Brey also believes that the law of injury averages that have crippled this program since 2017-18 HAVE to eventually turn. The Irish were under 10 healthy guys last year because Elijah Taylor underwent ankle surgery and Robby Carmody cracked his kneecap. Brey still believed nine was enough - if he didn't, he wouldn't have sat Carmody the entire year. The injury thing's gotta swing back the Irish way this year, doesn't it?

Bruce, Centralia, IL: Tom, I doubt that anyone doubts Coach Breys ability or his fit with the program. That said, I have observed a distinct drop off in energy from him over the last few seasons, on the sidelines and especially in the postgame. Have you observed the same thing, and if so, do you ascribe it to age, to this group of players being frustrating to coach, or to some other factor that might not be visible to the rest of us? Thanks very much.

Tom Noie: Bruce: Welcome to the grind that is college basketball. It's hard enough to be up and energetic all the time when your team is winning and all is going good. When it's not - and that's certainly been the last four years - everything about it is hard. Last season, especially because of COVID and the uncertainty staffs operated sometimes not day to day but hour to hour. Losing takes a toll on every head coach, especially someone like Brey who always seemingly had the right answer or button he could push. That's been draining since this core group were freshmen - he hasn't been able to reach them to the point where they can produce. There's something missing, and still might be this season. I thought two years ago that Mike Brey would contemplate leaving. He didn't. Same this year. Didn't happen. When you talk to him away from the coach-media setting, he's got all the same energy and juice he did in 2015-16. He believes he can get back to that. That's half the battle. Now actually go do it.

Andrew from Plymouth, IN: Do you anticipate a transfer sometime between the end of summer workouts and the beginning of the season? There aren't enough minutes for everyone so atleast one player is going to be frustrated with their lack of expected minutes. Someone like Tony Sanders is also probably headed for a redshirt season, which will be difficult to swallow coming off a season in which he actually got minutes on the court. I don't imagine Brey changes his philosophy and starts rotating in the way a team like Florida State does in that up to 10 players get significant minutes. How do you think this shakes out?

Tom Noie: Andrew: Whatever rotation writing that might be on the wall in summer and preseason already is there. It's no secret who the main guys are and will be. The returning guys know that, so it's not going to reach a point in August or September where someone says, whoa, didn't see that coming. That includes Tony Sanders. He played a total of 79 minutes last season, so that might be a reach to say it will be difficult for him to be handed a lesser role - especially if a bigger role awaits down the road. That's the kind of guy Notre Dame gets. They know what the current picture looks like and what the bigger picture will look like.

Tom Noie: And Florida State? Funny you brought up that program. What the Seminoles have done the last few seasons in-season has been remarkably consistent, but man, what happens in the NCAA? Too many guys who don't really look like they know their roles. There is a such a thing of having TOO many guys. That's an example. Regular season, it works in their advantage. Post-season, it works to their disadvantage.

xmustico: Do you think Elijah Taylor could be an underrated part of next year's team? Could he be the Colson (as a freshman) that comes off the bench and provides good minutes while guys like Atkinson and Laz get some rest. Big fan of Philly players and think they could use more of that toughness on this team.

Tom Noie: X: That would be a great story in a program really void of great stories the last few years. For too long, it's been we get what we see and we haven't seen anything close to what we need to see for this program to be considered among the top half of the ACC. Maybe Elijah Taylor hits the college basketball ground running with his surgically-repaired left ankle and becomes that junkyard-dog type of guy that Bonzie Colson was early in his career. That would be a wrinkle we haven't seen from the Irish in too long. I've tired of seeing the same old guys do the same old stuff. Some new energy is a must.

P. Rose: The starting five is pretty set, we assume, with some possible fluctuation on number 5 and first off the bench. Who do you anticipate being the 7th and 8th man of 2021-22 season?

Tom Noie: P: Your standard late-spring answer is coming....ready. Too early to tell. We just have no idea about the 7-8-9-10 spots in the rotation. As mentioned in the previous question, can Elijah Taylor take a role and run with it? If so, he's a main guy. What can Robby Carmody provide? If anything, given his age, he's going to have a case for bench minutes. How about Matt Zona? Then you have the two freshmen. Where/How do they fit? I'm anxious to see this team play in summer (if we're allowed). We usually get a really good indication on how all the pieces fit in June and July.

Andy from Bryan,Ohio: Thanks for taking my question...Mike Brey has been a God send for ND hoops and very few coaches could do what he has done.But everything eventually comes to an end...in your estimation/opinion,what does Mike Brey's successor look like?..What is that snapshot?..Not necessarily asking for possible names as much as strengths to build on the last 20 years?

Tom Noie: Andy: A young guy with a pedigree of success - either as an assistant coach (like the NBA) or a head coach at a mid-major who has the potential to make that leap to the elite that is the ACC. What I don't see is a coach who's been around the block and we're doing this same possible coaching dance four or five years later. Brey took this job 21 Julys ago with the belief of making it his own. There's someone out there that has the same dream - and potential. Who's going to find him? Can they find him?

Pat, Springfield, IL: Thanks for offering this opportunity. Any idea what the non-conference schedule will look like? Will the season start around the usual time, mid-November?

Tom Noie: Pat: Good question, and from every indication in this pandemic world, college basketball is going to look a whole lot more like college basketball in 2021-22. That means fans in the stands. That means closer to 30 games. That also means the return of the November MTEs (multi-team events). Notre Dame is part of one and will go back to Maui for the first time since winning it in 2017 (and Brey going shirtless with the lei). The Maui field is Butler, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Oregon, Houston, Chaminade, Saint Mary's and Notre Dame. I'd think a first-round game between Notre Dame and Wisconsin or Notre Dame and Butler might be in the works. Notre Dame also will play a non-league road game at Howard (MLK Day) while it looks like the game against Kentucky will be at home (Dec. 11) instead of Madison Square Garden. There's the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge where Notre Dame is on the road (maybe Ohio State???) and the Crossroads against Indiana. That's seven non-league guarantees to go with a 20-game ACC schedule.

Steve Duff: Thanks for your great work on Irish hoops Tom. Two questions for you. In my view, player development has stagnated for several years. Do you think there will be marked improvement from the old guys on the roster or have they hit their ceilings and this is who they are? Also, how much impact will Atkinson and the two South Bend freshmen have this season? Thanks and keep doing your thing!

Tom Noie: Steve: Great to hear from you and really great stuff. You nailed it. Player development has stagnated. Guys that are supposed to get better or are expected to get better haven't gotten better (outside of John Mooney who became a backboard beast). Maybe some of that is coaching. I don't know if Ryan Ayers ever reached any of the guards in his time. Let's see if Anthony Solomon can take a run at elevating Prentiss Hubb's game or Dane Goodwin's game. My concern about this season is that this core is what it is - an average outfit. I'd love to be wrong about that and would be pleasantly stunned to see this core chase an NCAA bid. Atkinson's going to be a main guy the minute he arrives on campus - just plug him in and let him play. Konieczny and Wesley, I'll go the wait-and-see route. Both are talents whose talents are nowhere near ACC ready. Yet.

Mike,New Jersey: Hey Tom, Any chance we see an ND alumni team in the TBT this summer? Bonzie, Mooney,Auguste,Farrell,Abro etc. all having solid careers overseas. It would be a shame it they never got together to compete.

Tom Noie: Mike: Good call. Maybe throw in there V.J. Beachem and Demetrius Jackson and Steve Vasturia and Martin Geben as well. Jerian Grant too. I know there have been early discussions about getting a team together (my source is pretty connected....lol), but haven't heard anything lately. May reach out to my guy and see where that sits. John Mooney likely wouldn't be an option - he's got NBA options coming after his season in Australia. A lot of the Notre Dame alums have discussed a team last year. It didn't materialize because of COVID. Hopefully it does this year.

Guest: Gary From Elkhart; I read where Hunter Dickinson went to Michigan because his girlfriend was going there.Sounds like a last minute package deal to me what say you?

Tom Noie: Gary: That and Cost of Attendance (where student-athletes are offered a financial stipend on top of their scholarship) was better than what Cost of Attendance student-athletes get at Notre Dame. The girlfriend angle was only part of the story, but why let that ruin the narrative? Mike Brey walked out of his last meeting with Hunter Dickinson convinced he was coming to Notre Dame. Like, he he had a verbal commitment. And then he didn't. Ahhhhh.....recruiting!

joe from the south side: Tom: First question on FB, then strictly hoops. Recently, you had the chance to meet with or talk to Marcus Freeman. I forget which. Seems like you were extremely impressed. What about him made you so effusive with praise?

Tom Noie: Joe: Wasn't me. None of his have actually done anything face-to-face with anybody with Notre Dame football (or any athletics) since March 2020. I have listened in on some of the Zoom pressers that Marcus Freeman has participated in. Extremely well spoken. Grounded. Measured. Gets it. You can tell why kids want to play for him.

joe from the south side: Tom: Your thoughts on Solomon returning. Remember, you laughed at me for suggesting Grant and Solomon as a package.

Tom Noie: Joe: And I'm still laughing. Anthony Grant's a UD guy with really strong connection/relationship with Don Donoher. He's not going anywhere. I'm surprised it will be third time around with Anthony Solomon. He was really good the first two stints, but this one will be tougher for myriad reasons. Let's see how it plays out. I'd be stunned if it didn't work.

joe from the south side: Tom: Let's assume the first 6 are set (Atkinson, Hubb, Ryan, Nate, Dane, Wertz). IYO, who are the next in line candidates to contribute? Two guys with at least some experience---Sanders and Zona? Or, the second coming of Vasturia, (JRK) or arguably the best athlete on the roster but a pretty big ego (Wesley)? I am assuming that the injuries to Carmody and Taylor remove them from the discussion, at least for today. Pretty hard to see Carmody coming back from all of those injuries, and Taylor missing a whole year puts him in a hole, I think.

Tom Noie: Joe: Too many unknowns up and down and all around the next-in-line guys after the first six. All have potential, but all have red flags that say, no, not happening right away. I'm not aboard the Sanders-Zona experience train. They barely got a taste last year - certainly not enough to say yeah, they're ready. And then, like you said, have the two injured guys and the two freshmen. Summer workouts/pickups will offer a better idea how these pieces fit.

Greg in Chicago: Do you see ND starting an annual series with one or two schools (say Marquette or DePaul) now that the IU/PU/ND/Butler classic will appear to go away?

Tom Noie: Greg: And not a moment too soon for the Crossroads, which long wore out its welcome as a hoops doubleheader destination, at least for Notre Dame, which runs a very distant fourth (or fifth) in terms of fan support at Bankers Life. Anyway, I digress. Notre Dame and Marquette will renew its rivalry beginning in 2022-23 with a home and home (one game in Fiserv, one game in Purcell). Then it would be time to jump back and do something with UCLA. DePaul's got to get a little better (OK, a whole lot) to make that series worthwhile. But anything in late December would be better than Indianapolis. There's only so much IU a guy can take.

Greg in Chicago: What do you see as the 1 thing that absolutely must happen with this team to make it back to the NCAA tournament and conversely, what do you think is the biggest hurdle the program currently faces?

Tom Noie: Greg: This core has to show SOMETHING from a competitive/cruel standpoint where they just go and beat people. They play as one. They move the ball and get rolling confidence-wise and just run through with wins for long stretches. That's a big ask because we've seen next to nothing in that department the first three years. The biggest hurdle will be the confidence game - last time these guys were on a court together, they trailed an ACC opponent by 50. FIFTY! That's hard to do. The Irish did it. Can't do it again.

Erik (Granger, IN): Thanks for being here! What makes UVAs packline defense so good, why dont other teams (ND) try something similar, and what does it take to defeat it?

Tom Noie: Erik: Tony Bennett recruits to it - getting smart guys who embrace defense and aren't enamored with stats. You want to play 35 minutes and score a lot of points and showcase your skills, Virginia's not going to be for you. It's a greater good type of approach. Come to Virginia, embrace defense, frustrate opponents and win a lot of games and the personal accolades will come. Too many kids today don't want to play that way, which is why it hasn't caught on. To beat it? Think one and two and three plays ahead. Be so decisive in the post that you don't give them time for the double team to come. I covered Baylor's second-round tournament game against Wisconsin at Hinkle in March. You could just feel that the Bears were thinking a play or two ahead AS a play was unfolding. Be quick, be decisive, be sure and it eliminates the effectiveness of the packline. Oh, and shot-makers also don't hurt!

Erik (Granger, IN): Has Anthony Solomon had success at the coaching stops between ND stints? If not, why do you think hes been more successful here at ND?

Tom Noie: Erik: Only at Dayton, where the Flyers were Final Four caliber before the pandemic wiped clean that season. He's had success at Notre Dame because he understands the type of kid who chooses that place. He can reach them. He can relate to them. That's why he's headed back for stint No. 3.

mschleet: Will Notre Dame hire another new coach? If so, any names that may be considered?

Tom Noie: Eventually. A few. How's that for to the point? LOL

Dwight, NC Arkansas: IU has in recent weeks picked up 2 apparent quality portal transfers which may help them greatly. Does ND have needs that a transfer could help fill? I understand there are a LOT of transfers out there. I realize the 'proper fit' is of prime importance/

Tom Noie: Dwight: Not really. Not yet. Here comes the standard Mike Brey loyalty response in a chat. The perimeter's packed. The low post will be Paul Atkinson's to man. Notre Dame could go out and get another veteran transfer big or veteran swing guy but Brey wants to see what he has in Elijah Taylor and Matt Zona, and Tony Sanders and Robby Carmody to an extent. There's no shortage of possible rotation guys on the current roster. How that shakes out, that's going to the be $64,000 (and more) question.

GEorge from El Segundo, CA: HI Tom; hope you and yours remain safe and well. Monty Williams appears to be on his way to NBA Coach of the Year. Just wondering if there Is there any current relationship between Irish basketball and Coach Williams? Thank you.

Tom Noie: George: Notre Dame hoops held a Zoom call during the pandemic (want to say early or mid summer last year) with Monty Williams and the members of the basketball team, which was cool to see. Outside of a quick conversation or text, there hasn't been much between Mike Brey and Monty - mainly because their seasons overlap. Monty hasn't been able to get back and be around the program and the program's a little far away from PHX.

Bruce, Centralia, IL: Tom, Im excited about Atkinson coming in as a grad transfer. Can you give us a profile of his game please - strengths and limitations, and what his ceiling might be in the ACC? Thanks very much.

Tom Noie: Bruce: Start with the fact that the last time he played a college basketball season (he sat out 2020-21 after the Ivy League shut down because of COVID) he was the league player of the year. Ivy League or not, that's pretty impressive. He's been a double-digit scorer and rebounder at Yale. That should translate to the ACC. And he's older, which means a more mature body to absorb the pounding bigs take in this league. At one point, he was the most sought-after transfer before the portal blew up. He had his share of suitors. He'll be a consistent presence in the post. Right there is a good start. There's a lot to like, but also a lot we don't know.

Guest: Why do we struggle to recruit big physical skilled players?

Tom Noie: Outside of North Carolina, which seems to grow guys who are 6-11 and rebound and are athletic on trees down there in Chapel Hill, it's become a guard/perimeter game. It's hard to find a 6-11 guy with the skills that are needed in today's game. Though Notre Dame's run of bigs - Jack Cooley, Zach Auguste, Martin Geben - was pretty good, and pretty underrated. Those guys were big and physical, but also understood that to become skilled was a process and it was going to take time. Bigs today - like many elite prospects - want to play right away and get their NBA clocks started. Notre Dame's more developmental when it comes to that area. Might always be.

John from Orlando: Will Monty Williams be the next Head Basketball Coach at the University of Notre Dame? And does Jack Swarbrick have a mediocrity fetish, as express by the long tenures of Mike Brey and Brian Kelly?

Tom Noie: John: Might be out in the sun too long down there. Why would someone just named NBA Coach of the Year give up the paycheck and the lifestyle at the game's highest level to go coach in college? Not seeing it. Also funny that you can go 43-8 in the last four years as Brian Kelly has and be considered mediocre. Been reading too many internet message boards. Get out of the dark ages my man!

Lee from Lancaster, SC: Hi Tom, which player must have a MVP type season if the Irish are to get back into the NCAA tournament?

Tom Noie: Lee: Prentiss Hubb. Not from a stats standpoint, but from a leadership standpoint. An Alpha standpoint. From a jump on my back and I'll carry us where we need to go standpoint. Here's the rub - I don't know if that's in his nature - or anybody else's on the roster - to be that needed Alpha like a Pat Connaughton or Jerian Grant or Ben Hansbrough or Troy Murphy. You can add all the guys you want and shuffle the staff all you want, but if you don't have that one guy who others will run through a wall with, it's going to be really hard to go where you need to go.

Guest: Hi Tom. Been a follower for years & appreciate your work & dedication to the ND program. Just quick question: is it difficult to follow the baskelball program right now, as closly and passionately you do, without having or sharing a gut feeling that we're all just waitung for a change, whether warranted or not? Thanks, Tom.

Tom Noie: Guest: Great name, by the way. To your question, it's absolutely not difficult because that change that seemingly everybody wants or expects or hopes for just isn't happening anytime soon. The season is going to be the season, just like the previous 23 for me as the Notre Dame beat writer. Each one is a journey with so many twists and turns and storylines. There haven't been many where you're like, ugh, I can't muster the energy to cover this team. Hey, I've been there as the last couple seasons have wound down, but if this season started tomorrow, I'd be ready to roll. There's a lot of intrigue, both for the immediate and distant future for the program. Let's go!

Harold Cox: Why cant ND get the big shouldered rebounders other teams seem to have in endless supply? ND relies on three point shots. When those shots miss and become 1 and done plays. ND then doesnt get rebounds? Other teams always seem to have four or five but not the Irish?

Tom Noie: Harold: It's not the big-shouldered rebounders that hurts the Irish efforts on the backboard as much as it is want-to. That will change with Anthony Solomon. Trust me. He'll get guys who haven't rebounded to rebounded.

jimwdi1996@gmail.com: What is the status of ND Men's Basketball going into 21-22, good or middle of the pack??

Tom Noie: Jim: Gotta be middle of the pack, right? For a team that was down by 50 last time out, that's as good as it gets for now.

Tom - South Bend: I'm very unhappy with NDs new ticket policy. Since I do not have a mobile phone, and do not plan to get one, I guess that leave me out in the cold when it comes to renewing my season tickets for all ND sports.

Tom Noie: Tom: Gotta get going and join 2021 or be left out in the cold. It's the way of the technological world. Adapt or get left behind. Kind of like newspapers, so I can relate.

Guest: Steve Diebold, Louisville KY Who is going to be a difference maker for the team next season? Do we have any players with enough talent to carry the Irish to something more than a .500 record with a middle of the ACC pack finish?

Tom Noie: Steve: We've waited three years on this senior class that collectively was ranked among the nation's Top 15 when they signed. We're still waiting. When does that waiting end? There are pieces here and key guys there, but for anything good to happen for this program, it sits on the shoulders of Prentiss Hubb and Dane Goodwin and Nate Laszewski. Like, let's go. If you can't or don't show us this season, then when? They're not the overwhelmed freshmen or uncertain sophomores or want-to-be-good juniors. They're seniors, which means it's their time. Is there enough there to breakaway from the middle of the pack in the ACC? There simply has to be.

Mark from Roswell, GA: Hi Tom. Why hasn't Brey signed a backup point guard behind Hubb. He usually brings a freshman in behind a senior. I know we have a plethora of shooting guards, but no true backup point guard. What if Hubb goes down, we are in big trouble. I know Cormac can play point, but he is too slow to keep up with the ACC point guards.

Tom Noie: Mark: Good to hear from you, but a question first - how do you go about finding a "backup" point guard? Most point guards believe they're good enough to be lead guards, right? There's just not a specific market for a "backup" point guard. You recruit a guard at a school like Notre Dame and in a league like the Atlantic Coast Conference, that guy's going to want the ball in HIS hands. Not wait for someone else to hand it to him. As a result, it's backup point guard by committee. Brey pushed Trey Wertz into that role last year. He'll be better in it this year. So will Cormac Ryan. Keep an eye on Blake Wesley. There are enough handlers to be handlers, even in the ACC.

Adam: Tom: When Slo was on staff during the Elite 8 run, was he doing a lot of defense then?

Tom Noie: Adam: Probably, because it seldom was an issue those two seasons the way it was last year. There may have been only a game or two along the way where you thought, sheesh, they're not guarding anybody in 2015-16. Last year, it was an every-day issue. That has to change.

Guest: Is Robby Carmody expected to be 100% by fall? Any other injury updates?

Tom Noie: Easiest answer of the day - yes and no. Thanks for stopping by! LOL

Bill from Orlando: Tom, Thanks for holding these chats. They are an interesting and welcome diversion from the daily tedium. I have an opinion and a question to offer.

Bill from Orlando: oops. First to the opinion: Looking over the roster of returning players, I see a team with a NIT ceiling; to return to the NCAA I think Paul Atkinson will have to be better than Durham was, and at least one of the two freshman will have to consistently provide quality minutes. Now the question: Do you think Anthony Solomon will make that much of a difference for ND's defense? I know they performed better in that area in his previous stints, but that is relative (they have never been great on D during Brey's tenure). When I saw the announcement of Solomon's return, it struck me as a comfort-level hire. Best.

View original post here:
Chat Transcript: You had Notre Dame hoops questions - a lot of them. Here are some answers - Notre Dame Insider

Valheim has enjoyed a lot of success out of the gate in early access, and now there are a ton of people who are waiting to see what kind of content is added to the game in the coming months. Valheims developer Iron Gate Games has indicated that the first big update for the game, titled Hearth and Home, is on the way, and today it shared more teasers for the incoming update. The company also shared that its been working on some graphics updates as well.

Specifically, Iron Gate says that it has been working on graphics updates for the troll, the second boss named The Elder, and the third boss named Bonemass to give their old models some new fresh looks. The new looks, Iron Gate says, better align with how the company envisions Valheim, but unfortunately, we didnt get to see any images of the new models for The Elder or Bonemass.

We did, however, get to see an image of the new troll model, which you can see embedded above. If you havent played Valheim in a while, the new troll might not look dramatically different from the old one, but the new model does have more hair and improved nails. Its also noticeably more muscular than the old model, so you can look forward to encountering these buff behemoths roaming the black forest when this update arrives at some point in the future.

Iron Gate didnt share too much regarding the Hearth and Home update, though it did publish two teaser images which weve included both above and below. The first image is a tiny one that seems to focus on a pair of player feet potentially wearing new boots resting at what could be the base of a new throne. The second image shows off what could be a new type of ore, which lines up with the fact that Iron Gate says there are many new items relating to it.

Sadly, we didnt get a release date for the Hearth and Home update today, with Iron Gate saying that it wont decide on one until the update is in a state that its happy to release it in. Well keep an eye out for that release date and any new teasers Iron Gate decides to share, but in the meantime, try to figure out what is being teased in those two new images above.

Go here to see the original:
Valheim devs tease Hearth and Home update additions, show off buff trolls - SlashGear

A new pop top in Denver's University neighborhood, by Ascent Contracting, architect John Collins, and Studio 8.18 Engineering. Photo by VirtuanceHome

That is the question many Denverites are pondering as they balance the need for more space with the challenges of entering the citys competitive housing market. Here, local contractor and pop-top expert Justin Bride offers helpful insights and advice.

Its a common conundrum: Your Denver bungalow was cozy when you bought it, but is downright cramped now that your family has grownand spent the past year cooped up together inside. Do you sell it and hope to score a new house of your dreams in Denvers competitive marketassuming the proceeds can cover the cost of sizing up in a city where the average single-family home price is quickly approaching $675,000? Or do you work with what you have by finding ways to stretch your square footage?

Justin Bride, principal of Ascent Contracting, Inc., has helped many clients navigate the latter path since founding his Denver-based residential and commercial contracting company in 2012, and has become a proponent of the practice along the way. Popping the top gives homeowners the opportunity to have a brand-new house in a historic neighborhood or an area of town that they already have grown to love, he explains. Most of the time, people want to open up their whole first floor, and having that pop top to accommodate bedrooms really justifies creating the first-floor layout youve always envisioned. It gives you more of a blank slate so you can get what you wanta really functional and energy-efficient home where there wasnt one before.

While many people associate popping the top with removing the entire roof to accommodate a full second story, Bride notes that smaller projects can have a big impact, too, from incorporating dormers to transform a partially used second floor into a spacious bedroom suite, to adding a back-of-house addition with a rooftop deck.

Imagining the possibilities is the easy part. For help with the practical considerations, we asked Bride to share his insights and advice:

5280 Home: What are the benefits of vertically expanding a home?Justin Bride: Any time you add square footage to your home, especially in todays market, youre adding value to your propertywhereas with an interior remodel, the value add may be more subjective. One of the reasons why [popping the top] is so prevalent in the city of Denver is that if there are site constraintsa smaller lot, or part of the site is already occupied by a detached garage, which you see all over Denver propersometimes it makes more sense to go vertical to get the square footage you want.

Does it cost less to build vertically?In terms of the price-per-square-foot cost for new construction, its similar to go up versus out. However, this cost is always closely related to the nature of the remodelin particular, how much remodeling of the existing square footage needs to be done to accommodate the new square footage. Sometimes, a single-story, or even double-story, back-of-house addition can be less expensive than a pop top on a per-square-foot basis because the owners may not need to remodel their existing home, resulting in a lower overall project cost.

In Denvers hot housing market, can homeowners expect to quickly recoup their investment in a pop top?It would be fantastic if they could recoup all of their construction costs by the time the project is done. But its safer to hope that within two to five years, they will have recouped all of their construction costs and be net positivewith the understanding that everything is market dependent. We know that the property values of homes with pop tops weve done in 2016 and 2017 are already much higher than the owners total investments.

Does popping the top take less time than expanding outwardor even starting from scratch?Building a new house requires the longest timeline: When we do a scrape-and-build, we project 12-14 months, and sometimes they go over that. Our pop tops tend to fall below a year, but anymorebecause theres so much demand, not to mention the challenges of getting materials in the COVID worldbelow 10 months is a pretty aggressive schedule.

Building out [with a new addition] can have a similar overall timeline. Our back-of-house additions might peak at nine or 10 months and can be six to eight months. But with a back-of-house addition, the homeowner has the ability to live in the house for a certain portion of time. With a pop top, you really have to be out the entire time for everyones safety.

What are the structural requirements for a pop top, and does the typical century-old Wash Park bungalow meet them?Many Denver houses, especially those that were built between the early 1900s and about 1930 or so, were really well built. Whether they have brick or concrete foundations, they can almost always accommodate a pop top. In the best-case scenario, if all the conditions are right and the house was built later than the mid-1920s, which was when they started to use concrete foundation walls with continuous footers, there doesnt have to be anything done structurally to accommodate the pop top. But most of the time, its good to anticipate that light to moderate foundation support will be needed, in the form of helical piers or concrete pads.

Is it necessary to hire an architect?For a pop top, an architect is really necessary because were adding square footage, there are rooflines and stairways to be considered, and most importantly, were stylistically blending old with new, which requires expertise. Thats not to say that a homeowner needs to start by engaging an architect. Its just as good to engage a reputable contractor, who can then recommend an architect and start the project collaboratively.

Who hires the structural engineer?The architect facilitates working with the structural engineer because structural design is typically part of the architectural design phase. The same is true with mechanical design, as in HVAC design. That wasnt a necessity a few years ago, but in 2018, Denver began requiring a certain level of mechanical design with any project adding more than 30 percent to the existing square footage.

Speaking of rules, does zoning limit how much you can expand?Absolutely. In addition to setback requirements, there are two big factors that come into play: Most of the Denver residential zoning classifications limit building coverage such that youcan only have about 32.5 percent of your lot covered with a covered space. So, if you have a 10,000-square-foot lot, your house can only have a 3,250-square-foot footprint. If you have a two-story house, thats 6,500 square feet. Most lots in Denver are more like 5,000 to 7,500 square feet, and so most houses with pop tops have them because their footprint was maxed out at around 2,000 square feet.

The other constraint is whats called the bulk plane envelope, which you can visualize by imagining a tent, with 45-degree roofs, over a house. In most Denver residential zoning classifications,the tent can have a peak height of 30 feet, but at the property lines, the peak height is about 17 feet. The newly expanded house has to fit within that tent.

In Denver, do you have to bring the entire house up to code once you start adding on?You have to bring every area of the house, or even wall of the house, that you touch up to code. But these codes arent just there to give government code-writers something to do. Most are really well written and make a lot of sense. The energy codes, for example, are written so people dont have $400-per-month heating bills in the winter.

Are there other regulatory responsibilities to consider?The homeowner typically doesnt need to be concerned with [managing] things like plan submissions, building permits, and inspections, besides the time commitment that will be required. These days in Denver, the timeline from submitting plans to having the permit in hand is normally about three months. However, if the house happens to be a historic home or is located in a historic neighborhood, the project also has to be approved by the citys Landmark Preservation Commission to ensure the addition will be built in accordance with the character of the neighborhood. That can add a good chunk of time.

Its a big commitment. How can homeowners decide if its right for them?Weve had so many clients get into the process and realize its not worthwhile because their existing house just isnt right for them, or because other neighborhoods make more sense, or because they just dont want to go through the long, arduous journey to complete the project. But for the clients who do pull the trigger, the following are always the biggest reasons why:

Community.They have a strong bond with their neighborhood and neighbors, they love their schools and parks and local shops, and feel this is where they want to see their family grow.

Love for the process. Homeowners who really enjoy the remodels we get into are those who love going to showrooms and getting immersed in the world of options; people who really relish making those selections and being a part of it. For those who dont like that process, the best thing to do is hire an interior designer. But its important to remember that every final decision still has to be made by the homeowner.

Creating a legacy. Clients who opt to pop the top often like the idea that the changes theyll make will be enjoyed not just by their family, but potentially by generations and families to come.

A sense of history. This is where I get to be a little bit of a romantic. I love construction and imagining the skilled craftsmen who put their blood, sweat, and tears into building these homes. Theres a real piece of history in each one of these Denver homes. I love the idea of contributing to it, and good candidates for a pop top do too.

See the article here:
Should You Pop the Top on Your Home? - 5280 | The Denver Magazine

For claritys sake, Sam Wilson and John Walker will be referred to here by their aliases instead of Cap, Fake Cap, New Cap, Jerk Cap, etc. That would only get confusing. But, make no mistake, Sam Wilson IS the new Captain America.

Thats really been the main purpose of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, hasnt it? To fill in the arc from the end of Avengers: Endgame to the next time Captain America is seen onscreen, played by Anthony Mackie. Just handing off the shield would have felt a little slight for such a legendary character (although the video clips of audiences cheering if the Cap reveal in this episode had happened in a movie theater would have been cool). And so the MCU has given the new Captain America an origin story in the form of a six-episode miniseries, while also pushing forward the redemption of the Winter Soldier, setting up a new villain in the Power Broker, and bringing U.S. Agent into the fold. (We clearly havent seen the last of him or Julia Louis-Dreyfuss Val, both welcome additions to future films and series.) Wilson never really had much of an origin story as the Falcon in the MCU, but now hes become a dense study in themes of responsibility, power, and the dark history of the country hes going to not only defend but repair as the new Captain America.

The season often felt rushed and lacked some depth in its analysis of race and power in this country, but it served its narrative purpose and provided some solid entertainment along the way. Its hard to say yet how The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will be remembered because, like so much MCU product, its hard to gauge its full impact until we see how it ripples through future projects. It was flawed but fun. Only time will tell if it was substantial.

The finale opens where the last episode ended a lockdown at the GRC. Bucky is there already, Sam is on the way, and even Sharon has made it into the country, bringing along some nifty Ethan Hunt disguise tech that hasnt been seen since Natasha used it in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. (Its called a Photostatic Veil, if youre curious.) It turns out, Karli was waiting for Sam to get there to start the fireworks. Sam flies through a window (heroes dont take doors), and says, Im Captain America. Hell yeah, you are. Karli tries to talk Bucky out of fighting for the wrong side, but hes deep in his feelings, talking about the nightmares of who he has killed in the past, trying to warn Karli that she will someday have the same.

There are a bunch of quick action beats in an extended sequence that takes up about half of the finale. Sharon uses a mercury vapor bomb on a Flag Smasher; Sam fights Batroc and proves hes gotten pretty good with that shield; Bucky uses a motorcycle to launch himself at a Flag Smasher; Walker comes for Karli, who gets the great line, I dont want to hurt people that dont matter. Dont tell American Hero John Walker that he doesnt matter.

Sam saves some hostages from a helicopter by literally removing its evil pilot, but the first main non-action beat comes when Walker is given a chance to save burning hostages or keep seeking vengeance, and he takes the latter option. Its a subtle beat that indicates where hes at in terms of heroism, even if that mind-set doesnt last long. Moments later, Karli escapes with the hostages and drives a truck of them over a railing. The truck teeters on the edge of demise, but Walker finally makes the heroic decision and tries to pull it back to safety before being attacked by Flag Smashers. Sam arrives to save the day. People applaud.

Theres about to be a true showdown when Batroc fires smoke bombs to help Karli escape. Sam has heat-vision goggles! He leads this new trio with Bucky and Walker to track them, but Carter has already found Karli, fully revealing, through some truly clunky dialogue, that she is the Power Broker. Batroc tries to blackmail more money out of Carter, who shoots him, and gets shot herself by Karli. Sam bursts in and fights with Karli well, Karli fights and Sam defends. He wont fight. How noble. Karli gets a gun on him but gets shot by Sharon. Its a sad, blunt end to an interesting character, murdered by someone who once financed her. Sam brings her body to her fellow revolutionaries. Death is always the end for extremists in the MCU, but the people who really pull the strings rarely face justice.

In a scene thats certain to divide fans and critics of this show, Sam gets to drop a few speeches on senators and council members. He notes how labels like terrorist, refugee, and thug only lead to problems of blame and responsibility. This isnt about easy decisions, Senator. (And yet this scene feels a bit too easy in terms of writing.) Even Isaiah Bradley is watching at home, nodding in approval. Sam says he has no serum and no blond hair. His only power is belief that people can do better (and some Stark wing tech that can pull pilots from helicopters, but whatever). He speaks about representation and encourages people in power to ask the right questions, like why did Karli die trying to stop them?

To start the cleanup scenes to the season, the remaining Flag Smashers are dispatched by Zemos Alfred. Zemo smiles hearing the news on the radio, and Val does the same seeing it on her phone. Shes with Walkers wife as the former Cap becomes the U.S. Agent. Bucky goes to offer a little closure to the father of a man he murdered, and maybe even a second date with the waitress from the premiere.

Finally, Bradley tells Sam that hes special. A season that has often felt rushed earns that criticism most of all here, going from there will never be a Black Captain America last episode to an approving hug an episode later. They talk about it not being an easy fight, but there are definitely parts of this season and this episode in particular that felt way too easy. One wonders how much more fulfilling it could have felt with more time to really dig into the themes of the show.

It all ends with a party! As On and On, by Curtis Harding, plays, Bucky, Sam, Sarah, and the locals celebrate on the pier. Thats what the MCU does. It goes on and on. But now it has a new Captain America.

Post-credits scene! Sharon Carter gets an apology from the government and is allowed back into it, even given a new job. Theres a truly clunky fade to her outside the Capitol, calling someone to reveal her dark side. The Power Broker is now in the U.S. government, ready to sell its tech and secrets to the highest bidder, something that feels like it may have been her endgame all along, financing the Flag Smashers in a way that allowed her back into the fold. Look out.

The first fight between Sam and Batroc is a clear echo of the first fight between Steve Rogerss Captain America and Batroc in the opening of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. While that was a sequel, it was the first time that fans saw Cap fighting in modern times, and its a nice reflection that Sams first fight as Cap is against the same enemy.

The episode ends with a new title: Captain America and the Winter Soldier, making its narrative purpose in the MCU even more defined.

Speaking of that, doesnt this put to bed any rumors of Chris Evans returning to the MCU as Captain America? Those always seemed a little silly, but it would be almost narratively impossible now. At least for a few years.

When will Sam and Bucky discover that Sharon is the Power Broker, the one who really financed all this chaos? The next movie? Another series? Never?

Thanks to everyone for reading all season!

Keep up with all the drama of your favorite shows!

See the article here:
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Finale Recap: All-New Captain America - Vulture

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has never had a shortage of player-created additions. Everywhere you look there's mods ranging from small and strange, like playable Waluigi, to expressive and expansive, like the removal of the game's cel-shaded aesthetic. Breath of the Wild's modding scene is over four years old, with hundreds upon hundreds of mods for both the Wii U and Nintendo Switch versions of the game to pick from. For something to stand out of the pack, it'd have to be truly impressive.

Enter The Legend of Zelda: Second Wind - A Breath of the Wild Expansion. What originally started out as a group of smaller, individual mods for minimal changes to Nintendo's epic, such as replacing out-of-bounds chests, has ballooned into one of the biggest mods I've ever seen. In fact, it's a little unfair to call Second Wind purely a "mod" and not an unofficial expansion pack, because it's bigger than either of the two officially sanctioned DLC packs Breath of the Wild originally received shortly after its launch in 2017.

Second Wind is a fully-fledged expansion to Breath of the Wild, bundling in new regions to explore, new weapons to unlock and experiment with, and even brand new Shrine trials to undergo with Link. There's plenty to parse with the Second Wind mod, which you might've seen written up on Gamesradar. It's so big in fact, that everything mentioned here is only part one of the mod, called Labors of the Hero, with the enigmatic part two slated to arrive further down the line.

"The very foundation of anything we do within this project revolves around creating something cool for a series we love," development lead of Second Wind, CEObrainz, tells me through Discord. Second Wind's development is operating on such a large scale that its dedicated Discord channel has over 12,000 members, approximately 5,000 of which are beta testers for part one, Labors of the Hero. Despite the staggering number of developers working remotely around the world, CEObrainz asserts that this isn't a problem in the slightest, as it's instead allowed for a diverse range of experiences and talents to blossom.

Second Wind feels like an amalgamation of disparate ideas, brought under one roof and bundled into one epic mod. CEObrainz tells me that although Second Wind began life as a group of smaller mods, such as the impressive Hyrule Rebalance mod and the Survival of the Wild mod, these laid the foundations for a lengthy roster of fan-developers coming together for something bigger and better than ever before. "Lylah, one of the lead devs, came up with the Second Wind name and logo and from that point the expansion truly began to take shape."

The Labors of the Hero part of Second Wind will actually introduce new story-centric quests for Link to undertake, with a flowing narrative embedded within. CEObrainz tells me that the developers recognize that "nothing we do can truly fall in-line with the events that took place in this Hyrule," but they still believe there's interesting ideas to be explored off this beaten path. These include a girl living under the iron fist of her father, who wants to become an adventurer like Link, to the grandson of a Hylian noble who wants to make amends for his family's past misdeeds. There's some genuinely fascinating concepts in here, and they're proof of how Second Wind's developers seek to compliment Hyrule's existing stories, not override them.

"Second Wind fixes the rewards by making it so you actually get something tangible for the effort you put into the game"

It's these quests that allowed new gameplay aspects in Second Wind's Labors of the Hero to flourish. "Things really picked up once quests were figured out and events were experimented on," CEObrainz says. "Currently, we try to ensure that everything we do is related to something else. There are no additions to Second Wind that are added just for the sake of being there, and in doing that we ensure all members who contribute something feel as if their work has true importance no matter how big or small that addition is." As the developer's modding capabilities expanded over the years, so too did the new gameplay aspects being introduced in Second Wind, like items such as arrow quivers for Link to utilize.

"If every weapon gets its own sheath and can magically appear, then I think it's fine if the same applies to bows with their quivers." Two expert modders within the team, DarkGuard and Moonling, created arrow quivers specifically for Second Wind reflecting something that the developers feel should've been there from the beginning.

Some of the modding team had certain wishes of Breath of the Wild, and Second Wind lets them see those wishes realized. "As much as I love the open world area's and encounters, I really miss the dungeons from classic Zelda games," a modder called Gray tells me. That nostalgic longing for Breath of the Wild to better reflect the history of the series is shared by other members of the Second Wind development community; for example, modder Normies Progress designed new Shrines for the mod that offer different rewards than the weapons and items that would break after a finite amount of uses in the core game. "Second Wind fixes the rewards by making it so you actually get something tangible for the effort you put into the game, the shrines get reworked to look completely different and even become more like classic Zelda dungeons in some cases," DarkGuard says.

"I've gotten a lot of excited comments over the masks from Majora's Mask that've been added"

There's a lot to be tested in Second Wind, hence the horde of over 5,000 beta participants eager to try this mod for themselves. CEObrainz jokes that receiving such volumes of feedback has really reminded them just how hard a job Nintendo has of actually balancing their games. "We've learnt how to improve on the intuitive nature of puzzles, mechanics, dialogue and the overall structure of the mod," they say of feedback so far.

Elsewhere, other developers like Sven Cakemann has seen genuine excitement from players upon seeing some of the additions present in Second Wind. "I've gotten a lot of excited comments over the masks from Majora's Mask that've been added," they tell me. "Generally, the feedback has been akin to 'wow, this is really neat!' and some general suggestions on making them act more like they did in [Majora's Mask]. Unfortunately, there are some limitations on what we can do (like, no transformations), but hopefully with some recent developments we can get all the masks/hats to be unique, or at least be useful."

Right now, CEObrainz and the rest of the modding team for Second Wind plan to release Labors of the Hero later this year for the Wii U version of Breath of the Wild, playable via the Cemu emulator for PC. That's not to say they don't plan on supporting the Nintendo Switch version further down the line though, as they plan on turning their attention to the portable version of Nintendo's game once the Wii U version is complete.

As for the future of the mod itself though, CEObrainz is keeping their cards close to their chest with part two of Second Wind. "A lot of Part Two is secret to everybody (even some of the team members)," they tell me. "What I can share is that anyone who is a Ghibli fan will be able to see the things we do and associate some aspects of it with those films and yes, we do plan on adding at least one proper old-school dungeon." Labors of the Hero might be in the pipeline for release later this year, but part two of Second Wind is further off on the horizon, without so much as even a name to it just yet.

It's clear that there's a lot of love and passion being poured into Second Wind by the development team, scattered around the world. It's fascinating to see a team of over 5,000 playtesters and developers brought together under one roof by the wish to expand upon one of their favorite games. Breath of the Wild has offered player-created wonders consistently over the four years since its launch, but Second Wind might be one of the most noteworthy yet.

Second Wind could help keep you busy while you're waiting for Breath of the Wild 2, which still has no release date. In the meantime, you can check out the Best Zelda: Breath of the Wild mods.

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Inside The Legend of Zelda: Second Wind the Breath of the Wild mod that's bringing new stories and regions to Hyrule - Gamesradar

Focus Features has set production with Gareth Neames Carnival Films on Downton Abbey 2.

The original principal cast will all once again return for the second film which began production last week and is set to release Christmas 2021 on December 22, 2021. Original stars includes Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Imelda Staunton and Maggie Smith.

In addition, Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West will join the cast. Downton creator Julian Fellowes will once again write the films screenplay, with Emmy winners Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge back to produce with Fellowes. BAFTA and Emmy-nominated director Simon Curtis (My Week with Marilyn)will join the filmmaking team to direct the sequel.

The first film, which took more than $230M and was based on the TV juggernaut of the same name, followed a Royal Visit to the Crawley family and Downton staff from the King and Queen of England and ended with a ball fitting for the Royal Family.

Gareth Neame, the films producer and executive chairman of Carnival Films said: After a very challenging year with so many of us separated from family and friends, it is a huge comfort to think that better times are ahead and that next Christmas we will be re-united with the much beloved characters of Downton Abbey.

Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski added: Theres no place like home for the holidays, and we cant imagine a better gift than getting to reunite with Julian, Gareth, and the entire Downton family in 2021 to bring the Crawleys back home for their fans.

Focus Features and Universal Pictures International will distribute.

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Downton Abbey 2 Sets Release Date As Production Gets Underway With Original Cast Back & Dominic West Among New Additions - Deadline

Staff report| The Tuscaloosa News

The University of Alabama System board of trustees has approved commercial lease agreements that will bring Texas-based Whataburger and Mobile-basedMediterranean Sandwich Co. to UA-owned properties on the Strip.

The new restaurants will occupy suites on either end of the former site of Holler and Dash Biscuit House at 1130 University Blvd. Whataburger will be in Suite A5 and theMediterranean Sandwich Co. will be inSuite A1.

This will mark Tuscaloosa's third Whataburger: the area's first Whataburger opened in 2017 at 1301 McFarland Blvd. E, followed by the 2018 opening of the second location at 820 Skyland Blvd.

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Whataburger serves fresh, made-to-order burgers in more than 810 locations. Its menu features burgers made with 100 percent pure beef and fresh-cut vegetables, along with chicken strips, French fries and milkshakes.

Right now, the Mediterranean Sandwich Co. operates fourrestaurants, three in Mobile and one in Daphne.

According to its website, the Mediterranean Sandwich Co.'s menu includes handcrafted gyros, stone-toasted flatbread paninis, signature wraps, fresh-cut salads, homemade soups and orzo pastas.

SPORTS: Meet The Tuscaloosa News Super 5 all-area high school boys basketball team for 2020-21

Other recent additionsto the Strip include plans to open a Jersey Mike's Subs at 1207 University Blvd. andPJ's Coffee of New Orleans, which has opened at 1201 University Blvd.

The UA System trustees approved the five-year commercial lease agreements for Whataburger and the Mediterranean Sandwich Co. at its April 9 meeting.

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Two new restaurants are coming to the Strip near the University of Alabama campus - Tuscaloosa Magazine

The clubhouse at Cherry Hills Country Club is getting a $50 million facelift.

The private club at 4125 S. University Blvd. in Cherry Hills Village is gearing up to demolish the south end of its clubhouse and replace it with a new two-story, 67,000-square-foot facility, according to a board member.

Renovations will include an indoor golf simulator, a fitness studio, meeting rooms and a new basement with around 10,000 square feet. The banquet facility for weddings and other events, which has been two separate rooms, will now be one larger room.

There will also be dining areas and an outdoor patio with western-facing views on the second floor, where employee offices used to be. The buildings footprint will remain largely the same.

The reason why I think our members believe its important is so we can continue to be relevant, said Charles Maguire, who sits on the clubs board and executive committee. We needed to upgrade our facilities and provide a better member experience.

He added, We see country clubs like ours are no longer joined based on the decision of a husband or wife, but it tends to be more of a family decision. So, we need to make sure were providing all the amenities families would like to see at country clubs.

The most recent renovation was the $12 million addition in 2005 of the 30,000-square-foot north end, which includes the mens locker room and an exhibit that recognizes famous players who have played at the club. That portion of the building is not part of the latest project.

Provided by Mark P. Finlay Architects

Maguire declined to disclose the project budget, describing it only as a substantial amount. Multiple sources familiar with the project told BusinessDen the budget is approximately $50 million.

Roughly half of the project will be paid for by the members, but the club has also secured a 20-year loan to finance the other half, Maguire said.

The initial clubhouse was built in the 1920s, and then there were a series of additions over the years. So, as a result, it had become a combination of additions onto the structure, Maguire said. Not all of the clubhouse had a basement, and there were varying heights, plus the ballroom portion of the clubhouse was built in the 50s. So, it had been put together in pieces over many years and didnt have a great flow.

More than 64 percent of the clubs 450 resident members voted in favor of the project in January 2020, according to Maguire. Cherry Hills hired Connecticut-based Mark P. Finlay Architects and Englewood-based JHL Constructors. The club is about to complete an asbestos abatement with plans to begin demolition next week.

Cherry Hills, which opened in 1922, features an 18-hole, par 72 regulation course, as well as a nine-hole par-three course. There are also tennis courts and a lap pool.

The total square footage of the clubhouse will be around 97,000 square feet when work is done. The club hopes to complete the project in November 2022, ahead of the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2023, which the club will host for the third time.

The clubhouse has been closed since pandemic restrictions increased in November, but the club has set up temporary facilities on the course chipping green including a pro shop.

Cherry Hills has also temporarily rented a property to act as a satellite clubhouse called Club 22, which opened last week, at 8100 E. Union Ave. in the Denver Tech Center, where McCormick & Schmicks previously operated.

Its a place where members can gather and dine and have meetings, and it also allows us to keep part of our staff employed during this time, Maguire said.

In November, BusinessDen reported thatCherry Hills general manager and head golf pro had lefttheir positions for other opportunities. Andrew Shuck, former head golf pro for Charlotte Country Club in North Carolina, started as Cherry Hills head golf pro this month. Maguire said the club is still searching for a general manager.

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Cherry Hills Country Club teeing off on $50M clubhouse renovation - The Denver Post

Terry Fontenot has been particular and exact with his free-agent signings in his first offseason as Falcons general manager. His type has usually been reliable veterans willing to sign one-year deals, but in the rare case, Mike Davis was signed to a two-year contract the most total capital Fontenot shelled out this offseason. The roster is now starting to take form a little over a week away from the draft, and Fontenot has kept true to his word that the Falcons will sign free agents from positions of need and draft based on the best player available. He has done a masterful job filling the holes on the roster to give himself the flexibility to take whichever path he sees fit come the draft.

The only new offensive addition since my depth chart analysis from a couple of weeks ago is Cordarrelle Patterson, who is listed as a running back on the team roster page. Since Ito Smith has now been released, the running back depth chart is Mike Davis RB1, Cordarrelle Patterson RB2, and Quadree Ollison RB3. The committee approach Arthur Smith has vowed to use in Atlanta will be spearheaded by Davis and Patterson, who I think can be an effective one-two punch in this system.

The guys that will be paving the way for those running backs seem almost set in stone, but the depth surely needs addressing. From left to right, the offensive line is comprised ofJake Matthews,Matt Gono, Matt Hennessy,Chris Lindstrom, andKaleb McGary the most competitive starting lineup the roster currently has to offer. Josh Andrews was brought in but has to be more of a camp body than anything. Dwayne Ledford is one of the best in the business, so I expect exponential improvement throughout the season from Hennessey and McGary, and Fontenot may add a body or two before the draft.

Theyll be protecting Matty Ice, who is the only quarterback on the roster. His backup will come from the fourth overall pick or a veteran free agent because I cant see Arthur Smith being comfortable with a late-round rookie as Ryans first replacement. The wide receiver group is as good as solidified with Julio Jones,Calvin Ridley, andRussell Gageas the starting X, Z, and Y positions, respectively, with backupsChristian Blake,Olamide Zaccheaus, andChris Rowlandalso under contract.

The last position group is the tight ends, which are good enough to go into Week 1 with but isnt a particularly threatening group outside of Hayden Hurst. The depth chart reads Hurst, Lee Smith, Ryan Becker, and Jaeden Graham in that order. Hurst is reliable in both the pass and run games, but the group would be much better if Smith were TE3 instead of TE2, which would signal another addition is needed.

Moving onto the defensive side of the ball, which needed the most help in terms of personnel. The secondary is starting to take shape as the front seven was already closer to completion with Grady Jarrett,Marlon Davidson,Tyeler Davison,Deadrin Senat,John Cominsky, Jonathan Bullard, andSteven Means the last two being the most recent additions. Dante Fowler is the only threat of an edge rusher on the roster, but hehasto improve drastically to have any chance of signing more than a one-year deal next free agency. Behind him is Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, and opposite of Fowler will be a combination of Barkevious Mingo and Brandon Copeland.

The second level of the defense is a bit top-heavy, though Copelands versatility enables him to play both outside and off-ball linebacker. Deion Jones will be commanding the Will and Foyesade Oluokunwill play the Mike. Mykal Walker will be the first man up and surely push for playing time as he showed well in limited snaps his rookie year. Dean Pees loves linebackers flexible enough to cover tight ends and running backs man-to-man, and Walker was one of the highest graded at just this at his position.

Moving on to the third level of Pees defense, which was the position group that neededthe mostaddressing, bar none. Fontenot signed Erik Harris earlier in free agency to a team-friendly one-year deal, and his ceiling is low meaning the Falcons know exactly what hell give them. Then the Falcons recently signed Duron Harmon to add to the safety room, and I couldnt be happier this from my piece on what Harmon brings to Atlanta:

Behind them is TJ Green a new addition and Jaylinn Hawkins, who shouldnt be written off even if hes only played 72 snaps at safety; hes a steady contributor on special teams and could compete for the fourth safety spot. The cornerbacks werent as glaring of a need as the safeties, but the starters arent entirely reliable. Fabian Moreau and A.J. Terrell will likely start as the boundary corners unless Fontenot drafts a cornerback in the first or second round, but neither has been consistent in defending elite wide receivers. Behind them will be a combination of Isaiah Oliver,Kendall Sheffield, and Ty Hall, who will compete for the nickel role. Fontenot has done a wonderful job rounding out the roster in anticipation of the draft. I tip my hat to the front office for finding reliable, cheap veterans who can be stopgaps in the meantime while Smith builds an adequate culture for the next class of free agents, who Fontneot could potentially spend more money on as the cap opens up next year.

Excerpt from:
Analyzing the Falcons depth chart a week away from the draft - Yardbarker