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Posts tagged as “Gaming”

NagaTech announces NAGATECH LAKAN, the company’s first gaming laptop   

September 17, 2024

Cristina Joy Valerio, writing for Yugatech;

The NagaTech LAKAN features a 15.3-inch QHD+ IPS display with 240Hz refresh rate and 2560 x 1440 resolution. It comes with either a Ryzen 7 8845HS or a Ryzen 9 8945HS processor with two GPU options: either the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or the RTX 4070.

For storage, it has either a 16GB or 32GB RAM that is configurable up to 64GB while having a 512GB SSD storage that can be upgradable. Windows 11 Home or Pro comes in the laptop.
The NagaTech LAKAN has a starting price of PHP 69,995.

This is the official announcement as posted on NagaTech’s official Facebook page;

Introducing: The NAGATECH LAKAN.
Our first step towards gaming and high performance laptops.
Quick Specs:
QHD+ 2560x1440p 240hz 15.3″ IPS Display
Ryzen 7 8845HS / Ryzen 9 8945HS
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB / RTX 4070 8GB
512GB SSD / Upgradable
16 / 32GB DDR5 5600mhz RAM / Up to 64GB
1080p IR Camera + Per-Key RGB Backlit Keyboard
Windows 11 Home / Pro
1-Year full coverage local warranty (parts + labor) + 7 day returns
Starting price: PHP 69,995 (4060/Ryzen7/512/16)

NagaTech, is a Philippine-based laptop maker. The company said that units for their laptops “are arriving end of Sept/start of Oct for local techies to give in-depth reviews.” and they plan to sell “online (directly through our Website) and Shopee this December.”

Last August, the company announced NAGA SIPAG, a high-performance productivity laptop with the following specs;

Intel Core Ultra 5
512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
16GB DDR5 RAM
14” 2880x1800p 120hz 100% sRGB Display
100w PD Charger + 1080p Webcam

Specs of PlayStation 5 Pro   

September 11, 2024

Scott Stein, writing for CNET;

PS5 Pro specs

  • Upgraded GPU with support for advanced ray tracing and AI-driven upscaling
  • USB-C (x2, front), USB-A (x2, rear), HDMI 2.1 output, Ethernet
  • 2TB SSD for storage
  • Wi-Fi 7

What’s included in the PS5 Pro box (and what isn’t)

  • PS5 Pro console
  • DualSense controller
  • HDMI, USB-C and power cables
  • Horizontal stand feet
  • Sold separately: Vertical stand ($30), Disc drive ($80)

Sony announces PlayStation 5 Pro   

September 11, 2024

Hideaki Nishino, CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment;

We developed PS5 Pro with deeply engaged players and game creators in mind – as many have asked for a console that runs even higher fidelity graphics with smoother frame rates at 60FPS. We achieved this on PS5 Pro with several key performance features.

  • Upgraded GPU: With PS5 Pro, we are upgrading to a GPU that has 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5 console and 28% faster memory. Overall, this enables up to 45% faster rendering for gameplay, making the experience much smoother.
  • Advanced Ray Tracing: We’ve added even more powerful ray tracing that provides more dynamic reflection and refraction of light. This allows the rays to be cast at double, and at times triple, the speeds of the current PS5 console.
  • AI-Driven Upscaling: We’re also introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-driven upscaling that uses a machine learning-based technology to provide super sharp image clarity by adding an extraordinary amount of detail.

PS5 Pro provides gamers with amazing graphics at high frame rates. You can hear Mark Cerny, lead architect for PS5 Pro, discuss the key innovations from PS5 Pro in the following video presentation. This presentation provides a deep dive into the key performance features that make PS5 Pro truly special.

The PS5 Pro console will be available at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $699.99 USD, £699.99 GBP, €799.99 EUR, and ¥119,980 JPY (includes tax). It will include a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed in every PS5 Pro purchase. PS5 Pro is available as a disc-less console, with the option to purchase the currently available Disc Drive for PS5 separately.

PlayStation 5 Pro will be available for pre-orders on September 26th, 2024, at direct.playstation.com and at participating retailers in territories where direct.playstation.com isn’t available. On October 10, 2024, pre-orders will be available at all other participating retailers.

Asus ROG Ally X now in the Philippines

August 25, 2024

Asus has finally launch the ROG Ally X in the country. Asus ROG Ally X is the company’s (2nd) entry to the handheld gaming PC market.

The Asus ROG Ally X is a handheld gaming console with a 7-inch, 1920×1080 120Hz IPS LCD touchscreen, powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and AMD Radeon RDNA 3 graphics. Its 7-inch display features a 120Hz refresh rate, 7ms response time, and 500 nits brightness. The console also has a 1TB M.2 SSD (2280), 24GB of RAM (LPDDR5) and a 80Wh (4-cell Li-ion) battery.

The Asus ROG Ally X comes with a controller and a power brick, and is pre-installed with Windows 11. The ROG Ally X also has a Zero Gravity thermal system and dual fans to keep it cool and quiet while gaming. You can checkout the full specs of the ROG Ally X here.

The Asus ROG Ally X will retail for ₱56,995 and available in all ROG official store partners nationwide.

Esports World Cup Draws Large Crowds

July 31, 2024

Esports World Cup is still on going and will not conclude until 25th August, so the numbers are still under wraps but as of today, the Saudi Press Agency is reporting that Esports World Cup, which is currently being hosted in Riyadh Boulevard City, saw a large number of “guests and visitors from Gulf and other countries.”

There are a total of 500 clubs from different countries and more than 1,500 players participating in the Esports World Cup, the largest event in the history of the gaming and esports sector.

via SPA;

Amer Al-Marri, a visitor from Qatar, expressed his fondness for the distinguished and global organization of the tournament, indicating that coming from Doha along with a group of friends was specifically to attend this global event. He praised the professional level of competitions thanks to the participation of skilled players and qualified teams around the world. The visitor also expressed his admiration for the atmosphere in the Boulevard Riyadh City, through various entertainment activities and events that fit everyone’s taste.

Mohammed bin Mubarak, a visitor from Bahrain, explained that he came with his brothers and other relatives to attend the Esports World Cup. He hailed the great efforts of the Kingdom in receiving the participants and the professional and wonderful organization of the tournament, noting that Riyadh has become a global destination for tourism, entertainment, and sports.

Aside from the usual spots in Boulevard Riyadh City, tourists also explored historical and tourist sites in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia to host the first Olympic Esports Games

July 14, 2024

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) have announced a 12-year partnership to host the Olympic Esports Games.

The Esports Games will be held regularly, but details like specific timing, game titles, qualification process, and venue selection are still under discussion by the IOC Session.

Saudi Arabia is currenting hosting the inaugural Esports World Cup in Riyadh Boulevard City. The Esports World Cup will be 8 week event the started last July 10th.

You can read the full text of IOC press announcement here.

Youtube announces Playables

May 30, 2024

Youtube has announced the release of Playables — a collection of free games you can play directly on the platform, which you can find in the Explore menu of the main YouTube Home page, either on desktop (web) or the iOS and Android app. Youtube’s Playables have been available in select users for testing before becoming available to YouTube Premium subscribers last year.

There are more than 75 games now available to play directly on YouTube Playables – lightweight, entertaining games like Angry Birds Showdown, Words of Wonders, Cut the Rope, Tomb of the Mask, and Trivia Crack.

Youtube is not the only company to add games in their service, Netflix in 2021 introduced Netflix games in their platform.

Riot Games and Moonton Games have settled their Intellectual Property Dispute

April 2, 2024

Riot Games finally withdrew all lawsuits against Moonton for alleged copyright infringement.

History

The first time Riot Games filed a lawsuit against Mobile Legends was in 2017, for the supposed copyright infringement of their assets, in addition to stylistic similarities. Prior to this, Riot Games had reached out to Google to remove Mobile Legends from the Play Store. However, Moonton relaunched as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang before Google could take action. The court dismissed the copyright infringement lawsuit in 2017. Tencent, which is currently the parent company for Riot Games, again filed a case against Moonton CEO Xu Zhenhua for allegedly violating the non-compete clause in his contract. The lawsuit settled for $2.7 million. Despite Tencent’s win against Moonton, the case details never revealed if Xu Zhenhua did in fact infringe on copyright. Riot Games still filed lawsuits against Moonton in the following years for a variety of reasons, including title card similarities – the Mobile Legends Bang Bang title card was updated the following year as League of Legends released its new logo in 2019.

Comparison of Art Styles

Stylized metallic gold logo "League of Legends" against black bacground
League of Legends new logo in 2019
Stylized metallic gold logo "Mobile Legends Bang Bang" on black background
Mobile Legends Bang Bang most recent logo receives ire for allegedly copying Riot Games

Moonton’s 515 Unite isn’t an exception to the similarities between the two franchises. It shares visual aesthetics with some sections of K/DA’s POP/STARS, and a closer examination reveals definite similarities in both the music and artistic style.

League of Legends’ virtual Kpop Group K/DA

Moonton’s 515 Unite

Just more recently, Moonton has released a new hero that closely resembles Riot Games’ Arcane character Vi. The new Mobile Legends hero Julian has been criticized by League fans as an amalgamation of League’s Sylas and Arcane’s Vi.

New Mobile Legends: Bang Bang hero Julian from Moonton
League’s Sylas official skin splash art from leagueoflegends.com
Vi from Riot’s Arcane

Moonton’s Guinevere Psion of Tomorrow skin also sparked comparisons, with its design having a striking resemblance to League of Legends’ K/DA Ahri skin.

K/DA Ahri’s official skin splash art from League of Legends
Guinevere from Mobile Legends: Bang Bang featuring Psion of Tomorrow skin with fox tails

Following ongoing legal disputes, Riot Games and Moonton Games have settled their differences under undisclosed terms.

MSI Claw Gaming Console now for Preorder in Saudi Arabia

March 15, 2024

The MSI Claw Gaming Console is now in Saudi Arabia, their entry to the growing popularity of handheld gaming console category. The MSI Claw Gaming Console was first revealed in CES 2024 earlier this year, the MSI Claw is now available for preorder in Saudi Arabia. The MSI Claw Gaming Console will be competing with Asus, Lenovo and Steam.

The MSI Claw Gaming Console is said to be the world’s first gaming handheld powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor, Intel’s newest flagship CPU optimized for premium thin and powerful laptops (and handheld), that features 3D performance hybrid architecture, advanced AI capabilities, and available with built-in Intel Arc GPU. The Claw will be running Windows 11 Home right out of the box which can also be upgraded Windows 11 Pro and it features an Intel Arc Graphics card on a 7-inch touchscreen display with 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It two 2W Hi-Res speakers, a 6 cell (53Whr) Li-Ion battery, a Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI port, a microSD slot, and features a fingerprint scanner built in to the power button for added security.

There will be 3 available variants of MSI Claw Gaming Console which is differentiated by the their CPU, CPU Speed and storage size but all other components will remain the same. You can head to specs page of the MSI Claw Gaming Console for more details.

In Saudi Arabia, the based model MSI Claw Handheld Gaming Console with Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and 512 GB storage is priced at SR 3,299, which is around Php 48,944.50, while a more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and 512 GB variant will be available at SR 3,799, that’s Php 56,362.58.

The availability of the MSI Claw Gaming Console in the Philippine market is yet to be announced.

Sony PlayStation 5 and Games on Sales in the Philippines starting this 18th until 31st December 2023

December 18, 2023

Sony Playstation are currently on Sales in the Philippines for a limited time, they offer discounted price for PS5 Console, Peripherals and Game Titles. The offer will be available at participating retailers, which you can find by going to https://www.playstation.com/en-ph/local/retailers/.

PS5 Consoles Original SRP  Promotion SRP 
PlayStation®5 Console PHP 30,790 PHP 23,990
PlayStation®5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Bundle PHP 33,890 PHP 27,090
PlayStation®5 Console – Two DualSense™ Wireless Controllers Bundle PHP 33,990 PHP 27,190
PlayStation®5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Bundle PHP 36,290 PHP 29,490
Peripherals Original SRP (Local Currency) Promotion SRP (Local Currency)
PULSE 3D™ Wireless Headset PHP 5,590 PHP 4,990
PULSE 3D™ Midnight Black Wireless Headset PHP 5,590 PHP 4,990
PULSE 3D™ Gray Camouflage Wireless Headset PHP 5,590 PHP 4,990
DualSense® wireless controller PHP 3,990 PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Midnight Black PHP 3,990 PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Cosmic Red PHP 4,290 PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Nova Pink PHP 4,290 PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Galactic Purple PHP 4,290 PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Starlight Blue PHP 4,290 PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Gray Camouflage PHP 4,290 PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Metallic Red PHP 4,290 PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Metallic Blue PHP 4,290 PHP 3,190
Game Title Original SRP (Local Currency) Promotion SRP (Local Currency)
PS5 PlayStation®5 Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut PHP 3,490 PHP 1,990
PS5 PlayStation®5 God of War™ Ragnarök PHP 3,490 PHP 1,990
PS5 PlayStation®5 The Last of Us Part I PHP 3,490 PHP 2,490
PS5 PlayStation®5 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales PHP 2,490 PHP 1,490
PS5 PlayStation®5 Horizon Forbidden West™ Complete Edition PHP 2,990 PHP 1,990
PS4 PlayStation®4 Horizon Zero Dawn PlayStation Hits PHP 1,099 PHP 550

Sony PlayStation also have deals available in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. If you’re from these country, check out the source link to know the

Source: playstation.com

Sony PlayStation Portal Remote Player now available for Pre-order in Saudi Arabia

December 12, 2023

Here’s something for the gamers, the Sony PlayStation Portal Remote Player is now available for pre-order in Saudi Arabia.

First announced last August, The Sony PlayStation Portal Remote Player is more of an accessories to the PS5, since you can use the device to stream and play PS5 games from your console to the PlayStation Portal. The Portal connects to the PS5 via Wi-Fi and supports all PS5 games that are compatible with Remote Play. This includes both first-party and third-party games, as well as VR games. The Portal also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio.

You can pre-order your Sony PlayStation Portal Remote Player from Extra and Sony World, for SAR 949 or around ₱14,000.00. Customers who will pre-order the Sony PlayStation Portal Remote Player will receive their devices by February 2024.

Twitch to shut down business in Korea

December 6, 2023

In a surprising announcement, Amazon-owned streaming platform Twitch has announced that it will shut down operations in South Korea effective February 27, 2024. The company cited a “prohibitively expensive” operating costs and network fees as the primary reasons for this decision.

Twitch has been operating in Korea for several years, but it has faced ongoing challenges due to the country’s high network usage fees. These fees, which are significantly higher than in other countries, have made it difficult for Twitch to operate profitably in the country.

In an effort to reduce costs, the company experimented with peer-to-peer streaming and also limiting stream quality to 720p, but Twitch’s financial burden of operating in Korea is still 10 times more expensive than in most other countries.

This decision is a significant blow to the Korean gaming community, which has relied on Twitch as a platform for streaming and watching esports competitions. Twitch has also been a valuable source of income for many Korean streamers, who will now need to find alternative platforms to broadcast their content.

The shutdown of Twitch in Korea is a reminder of the challenges faced by global technology companies operating in countries with high network usage fees. It also highlights the importance of Korea’s internet service providers in ensuring that the country remains an attractive destination for technology companies.

The closure of Twitch in Korea is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s gaming community. Twitch has been a popular platform for Korean gamers to stream their gameplay and watch esports competitions. With Twitch gone, Korean gamers will need to find alternative platforms to watch and participate in the gaming community.

There are several alternative streaming platforms exist for Korean gamers, including YouTube Gaming, AfreecaTV, and Kakao TV. However, these platforms do not have the same global reach as Twitch, and they may not be as popular among Korean gamers.

It is unclear what will be the future of Twitch in Korea. The company has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Korea in the future, but it is unclear when or if this will happen.

In the meantime, Korean gamers will need to adapt to a new streaming landscape without Twitch. It is possible that the closure of Twitch could lead to increased popularity for other streaming platforms in Korea. However, it is also possible that Korean gamers will simply watch and participate in the gaming community less often.

Rockstar Games release trailer of GTA VI

December 6, 2023
Rockstar Games release trailer of GTA VI

Song: Love Is A Long Road
Artist: Tom Petty
Written by Thomas Earl Petty and Michael W. Campbell
Published by Universal Music Works on behalf of Wild Gator Music (GMR) and Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Gone Gator Music (ASCAP) and NotoriousJBPSongs (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

The trailer confirmed a number of rumors surrounding the game, first is that it confirmed the first female protagonist ala Bonnie and Clyde, then the release of the game which will be in 2025 and that the game will be available in both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

The GTA VI is the eighth main Grand Theft Auto game, following Grand Theft Auto V, and the sixteenth entry overall. The game have been in development for 10 years.

Ayaneo Slide Handheld Gaming PC announced

November 21, 2023

Ayaneo has officially launched their latest handheld gaming PC – the Ayaneo Slide, the first handheld gaming PC from Ayaneo to feature a full keyboard.

The Ayaneo Slide is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U cpu. with 6-inch 1080p IPS display, It also has a full QWERTY (RGB) keyboard, a QWERTY physical RGB keyboard will appear when you sliding the display up, similar to the Sidekick. The Ayaneo Slide also features a touchpad, and a hall-sensing joystick with up to 64 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 4TB M.2 NVMe SSD for storage.

Here are the notable specs of the Ayaneo Slide;

  • 6” FHD IPS display, 1080p resolution, 368ppi, 400 nits, 100% sRGB, 85% DCI-P3
  • AMD Ryzen 7 7840U
  • QWERTY physical RGB keyboard
  • 28W maximum TDP
  • “3+2” Triple Copper Tube Cooling System
  • RAM: up to 64GB LPDDR5x
  • Storage: Up to 4TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD
  • Wi-Fi 6E
  • Bluetooth 5.2
  • 2x full function USB Type-C
  • Power button fingerprint sensor
  • OS: Windows 11 Home with AYASpace 2 Software Manager
  • Dimension: 226 x 90 x 28.5mm (37.5mm at controller)
  • Weight: 650g
  • Battery: 46.2Wh battery
  • Colors: Sunrise White, Bright Black

The Ayaneo Slide will allow you to access and download games from various game platforms, including but not limited to Steam, Xbox, Origin, Epic, and Ubisoft Connect. The Ayaneo Slide is available for pre-order now on Indiegogo. The starting price is US$899 for the 16GB + 512GGB model and US$1,5999 for the 64GG + 4TB variants. A special discount will available to those who will preorder the Ayaneo Slide.

Valve announces Steam Deck OLED with bigger display and better battery life

November 11, 2023

Valve just announced the new Steam Deck OLED, a update to the 2 year old Steam Deck. Like what the name suggest, the new Steam Deck OLED will feature a 7.4” HDR OLED Touch screen and up to 1,000 nits in brightness.

Spec-wise the new Steam Deck OLED will feature a 7.4-inch OLED Display with 1280 x 800 x RGB resolution with 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR) and up to 90Hz; a new 6 nm APU,
16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (6400 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and a 50Wh battery that will last for 12 hours of gameplay. You can checkout the full specs of the new Steam Deck OLED here.

The new Steam Deck OLED will be available this Nov. 16th with a $549.00 price for the 512GB model and $649.00 for the 1TB variant.

Nintendo developing a live action adaption of The Legend of Zelda

November 9, 2023

Nintendo has announced that they are developing a live action adaption of The Legend of Zelda.

The film will be produced by Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto, who co-created The Legend of Zelda and Avi Arad, former head and CEO of Marvel Studios, now the Chairman of Arad Productions Inc., who has produced many mega hit films like ‘Iron Man (2008),’ that started the MCU; ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ and ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,’ as well as ‘Venom’ and its sequel, just to name a few.

Nintendo also announced that Wes Ball, will be the director of the film. Ball is known for directing all three Maze Runner film and the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

The film will be co-financed by Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., with more than 50% financed by Nintendo. The theatrical distribution of the film will be done worldwide by Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.

With the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, it’s not surprising that Nintendo will be looking at their other IP and developing them into film franchise.

Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion

October 15, 2023

Microsoft has officially acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, the deal has now been finalized after a lengthy regulatory review. The announcement was made by both company and published official statement on their respective website. Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard, and he and his team will maintain their focus on driving efforts to further strengthen the company’s culture and accelerate business growth. Once the deal closes, the Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer, CEO, Microsoft Gaming and will be part of Microsoft’s Xbox Team.

Activision Blizzard is one of the largest and most successful video game companies in the world. It is the publisher of popular franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Candy Crush, and Diablo. Microsoft is already a major player in the gaming industry with its Xbox console and Xbox Game Pass subscription service. However, the acquisition of Activision Blizzard gives Microsoft a significant boost in market share and makes it the third-largest gaming company in the world, behind Tencent and Sony.

When the deal was first announced, it faced regulatory pushback and was delayed due to concerns about competition in the cloud gaming market. To address these concerns, Microsoft made several concessions, including giving consumers in the European Economic Area free licenses to stream their Activision Blizzard games. Microsoft also signed agreements with console rivals Nintendo and Sony, promising them access to Call of Duty games for 10 years.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was the last regulator to approve the deal. The CMA stated that the concessions made by Microsoft were a “game-changer” that would allow for competitive prices and better services.

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer and Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, write a letter/email to announced the acquisition.

Valve launches Counter-Strike 2

October 2, 2023

Counter-Strike 2, the sequel to the popular first-person shooter game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, was released on September 27, 2023. The game was developed by Valve and is available for free on Steam.

Counter-Strike 2 features a number of new features and improvements over its predecessor, including:

  • Built on the Source 2 engine, which provides sharper graphics, more realistic physics, and better performance.
  • Includes a number of new maps and weapons, as well as updated versions of classic maps and weapons from the 10 year old Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
  • Together with the updated classic game mode, there will be new modes available in the CS 2.

To get the new game, you can download the 27GB CS2 for free from Steam.

Sony Announces PlayStation Portal Remote Player, a Dedicated Device for Streaming PS5 Games

August 24, 2023
Sony Announces PlayStation Portal Remote Player, a Dedicated Device for Streaming PS5 Games

Sony has announced the PlayStation Portal remote player, a dedicated handheld device that allows users to stream PS5 games to a different location in their home. The Portal features an 8-inch LCD screen with 1080p resolution and a refresh rate of 60fps, as well as two controllers that are similar to the DualSense controller.

The Portal connects to the PS5 via Wi-Fi and supports all PS5 games that are compatible with Remote Play. This includes both first-party and third-party games, as well as VR games. The Portal also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio.

The PlayStation Portal remote player is scheduled to be released later this year for $199.99 or around . It will be available in black and white. Sony did not provide any details regarding the specs and other details of the remote player.

Aside from the PlayStation Portal remote player, Sony also announced the Pulse Elite wireless headset & Pulse Explore wireless earbuds.


Pulse Elite is our new wireless headset that offers lossless audio and comes with a retractable boom mic and AI-enhanced noise rejection capable of filtering background sounds. A charging hanger is also included with the product for a convenient charging and storage option. Pulse Elite will be available for $149.99 USD or around SAR 564.


Pulse Explore is our first set of wireless earbuds, providing a premium portable audio experience with dual microphones and AI-enhanced noise rejection capable of filtering background sounds. It also offers lossless audio and comes with a charging case. The Pulse Explore is the first device from Sony to provide wireless earbuds to the mass consumer market using planar magnetic driver technology. Pulse Explore will be available for $199.99 or around SAR 751.96. Sony will share more details such as specs, when pre-orders begin and launch dates.

In addition to the devices that Sony announced, the company unveil the PlayStation Link, a proprietary wireless technology that will seamlessly connect the Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore to the PlayStation Portal remote player. The PlayStation Link offers low latency, lossless audio and easy switching between multiple PlayStation Link hosts such as PS5 with the USB adapter and PlayStation Portal. A PlayStation Link USB adapter will also be sold separately as a standalone item, and can be used on PC and Mac, and be able to connect Pulse Elite or Pulse Explore to non-PlayStation device.

Another advantage of the PlayStation Link is that Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore can simultaneously connect to a PlayStation Link supported device (PS5, PC, Mac, or PlayStation Portal) and a Bluetooth supported device. For example, Pulse Explore can be connected to PS5 (via the USB adapter) using PlayStation Link and also to a mobile phone through Bluetooth at the same time. While playing on PS5, gamers can instantly answer a call and hear it through the same Pulse Explore earbuds.

Google Play Pass Launches in the Philippines, Offering Access to Hundreds of Games and Apps

August 24, 2023

Google Play Pass, a subscription service that gives users access to hundreds of games and apps without ads or in-app purchases, has launched in the Philippines.

The service is available for a monthly price of PHP 109 or receive savings if you pay for the annual pricing of PHP 999. It includes a curated selection of games and apps from different genres, including action, adventure, puzzle, simulation, and more.

Some of the popular games included in Google Play Pass are Stardew Valley, Monument Valley, Terraria, and Sonic the Hedgehog Classic. There are also a number of productivity apps available, such as Evernote, Trello, and Pocket Casts.

To sign up for Google Play Pass, simply open the Google Play Store app on your Android device and search for “Play Pass.” You can then sign up for a monthly or annual subscription. This subscription service is compatible with any Android device running Android 4.4 and above; and Google Play Store version 16.6.25 and above.

Google Play Pass is the equivalent of Apple Arcade and Xbox Game Pass.

Source: Yugatech

Kobe Bryant to be featured on the cover of NBA 2K24

July 9, 2023

Laker Legend and NBA HoF Kobe Bryant will be featured on the cover of two editions of NBA 2K24; NBA 2K24: Kobe Bryant Edition and NBA 2K24: Black Mamba Edition. This is not the first time that Kobe Bryant graced the cover of NBA2k, he was the cover athlete for NBA 2K10, NBA 2K17 (Legend Edition) and NBA 2K21 (Mamba Forever Edition).

Cover of NBA 2K24: Kobe Bryant Edition

Cover of NBA 2K24: Black Mamba Edition

Kobe Bryant is a 5-time NBA championships, was an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, a 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a two-time NBA Finals MVP. Bryant also led the NBA in scoring twice, and ranks fourth in league all-time regular season and postseason scoring. He was posthumously voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. Bryant’s name is often included in the GOAT debate with Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lebron James.

Both copies of the game are now available for pre-order and will be release September 8, 2023. NBA 2K24: Kobe Bryant Edition will retail for $69.99, while the NBA 2K24: Black Mamba Edition is priced at $99.99.

Source: NBA

Video: Watch Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 gameplay

May 25, 2023

Sony just reveal the game play of their upcoming Marvel’s Spider-man 2 for Playstation 5. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is the follow-up to Sony’s Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise.

This is the description in the video;

Kraven’s Hunters are in pursuit of Dr. Curt Connors, AKA The Lizard, and Spider-Men, Peter Parker and Miles Morales, need to stop them.

Launching Fall 2023, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is the next game in PlayStation’s critically acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise. Developed by Insomniac Games in collaboration with Marvel Games and PlayStation for the PlayStation 5 console.

In the game, Peter Parker and Miles Morales will the playable character with villains like Dr. Curt Connors / The Lizard and the introduction of Kraven the Hunter.

Your playable Spider-men will have a Symbiote Black Suit, web wings to fly or glide and use new abilities like the Thunder Burst.

Sony mentioned that the game will be available in Fall 2023.

Sony unveil details of their Project Q device and Wireless Earbuds

May 25, 2023

At the Sony PlayStation Showcase Event, Sony has announced the details for ‘Project Q.’ The PlayStation Project Q is a handheld gaming device that will play games installed on your PS5 and streamed over WiFi. It features 8-inch LCD screen capable of up to 1080p resolution at 60fps, that is placed in between PS5 controller that’s been cut in half.

Also announced at the event is PlayStation’s first-ever official wireless earbuds. The earbuds will be compatible with PC, Playstations and Smartphones via bluetooth connectivity.

No official name and pricing have been announce for both Project Q and the earbuds, Sony will surely provide more details about the two devices once its officially available later this year.

Steamdeck now available in Saudi Arabia

February 13, 2023

Steamdeck is now available in Saudi Arabia. You can purchase Valve’s handheld gaming computer – Steamdeck from Xcite, which from a quick lookup, appears to be the only local retailer to sell the gaming device. Before, if you want to purchase Steamdeck, you can either need to contact someone from the United States or buy it from the gray/black market.

The Steamdeck is a handheld gaming computer developed by Valve Corporation. Released on February 25, 2022, the Steam Deck can be played as a handheld or connected to a monitor in a similar manner to the Nintendo Switch. Steamdeck is designed to designed for playing Steam-based game, but can also support third-party storefronts like Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, or Origin. The user can also replace the preinstalled SteamOS with a different operating system entirely, since it supports multi-booting.

Here are the pricing of Steamdeck, based on Xcite’s website listings;

  • SAR 2,498.99 – Steamdeck 64GB eMMC
  • SAR 3,199.00 – Steamdeck 256GB NVMe SSD
  • SAR 4,199.00 – Steamdeck 512GB NVMe SSD

Here’s the full specs of the Steamdeck;

Compute
Processor AMD APU
CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz (up to 1.6 TFlops FP32)
APU power: 4-15W
RAM 16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels)
Storage 64 GB eMMC (PCIe Gen 2 x1)
256 GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4 or PCIe Gen 3 x2*)
512 GB high-speed NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4 or PCIe Gen 3 x2*)

Controls and Input
Gamepad controls A B X Y buttons
D-pad
L & R analog triggers
L & R bumpers
View & Menu buttons
4 x assignable grip buttons
Thumbsticks 2 x full-size analog sticks with capacitive touch
Haptics HD haptics
Trackpads 2 x 32.5mm square trackpads with haptic feedback
55% better latency compared to Steam Controller
Pressure-sensitivity for configurable click strength
Gyro 6-Axis IMU

Display
Resolution 1280 x 800px (16:10 aspect ratio)
Type Optically bonded IPS LCD for enhanced readability
Display Size 7″ diagonal
Brightness 400 nits typical
Refresh Rate 60Hz
Touch Enabled Yes
Sensors Ambient light sensor

Connectivity
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 (support for controllers, accessories and audio)
Wi-Fi Dual-band Wi-Fi radio, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, 2 x 2 MIMO, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac

Audio
Channels Stereo with embedded DSP for an immersive listening experience
Microphones Dual microphone array
Headphone / mic jack 3.5mm stereo headphone / headset jack
Digital Multichannel audio via DisplayPort over USB-C, standard USB-C, or Bluetooth 5.0

Power
Input 45W USB Type-C PD3.0 power supply
Battery 40Whr battery. 2 – 8 hours of gameplay

Expansion
microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
External connectivity for controllers & displays USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt-mode support; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, USB 3.2 Gen 2y

Size and Weight
Size 298mm x 117mm x 49mm
Weight Approx. 669 grams

Software
Operating System SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
Desktop KDE Plasma

Images and video from steamdeck.com

EA to shutdown Apex Legends Mobile after 90 days

February 1, 2023

EA’s Respawn Entertainment, the makers of Apex Legends, just announced that they will sunset the the mobile version of Apex Legends. In their announcement, the company said that players with existing Syndicate Gold can keep playing the full game until 4 PM PDT on May 1st, 2023, which is when the game will stop operating on all regions.

The game publisher did not provide any reason for the decision except that the game “fall short of that bar for quality, quantity, and cadence.” The company added that both “Respawn and the Apex Legends team remain excited about mobile as a platform and look forward to new opportunities to serve players there in the future.”

Blizzard Entertainment to suspend most of its services in China starting this January 2023

November 20, 2022

After it failed to reach an agreement with China’s Netease Games, US gaming giant, Blizzard Entertainment will suspend most, if not all of its services in China starting this January 2023. Both Netease Games and Blizzard Entertainment where not able to extend their 14-year licensing agreement, since started 2008.

It’s unclear how failed extension will affect both companies and but all is not lost, since Blizzard’s mobile game Diablo Immortal will continue operating under a separate agreement with NetEase.

Here’s the official announcement by Blizzard Entertainment;

IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 16, 2022– Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. announced today that it will be suspending most Blizzard game services in mainland China due to the expiration of the current licensing agreements with NetEase, Inc. on January 23, 2023. This includes World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, Warcraft® III: Reforged, Overwatch®, the StarCraft® series, Diablo III®, and Heroes of the Storm®. Diablo Immortal® co-development and publishing is covered under a separate agreement between the two companies.

Blizzard Entertainment has had licensing agreements with NetEase since 2008, covering the publication of these Blizzard titles in China. The two parties have not reached a deal to renew the agreements that is consistent with Blizzard’s operating principles and commitments to players and employees, and the agreements are set to expire in January 2023.

We will suspend new sales in the coming days and Chinese players will be receiving details of how this will work soon. Upcoming releases for World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, Hearthstone: March of the Lich King, and season 2 of Overwatch 2 will proceed later this year.

“We’re immensely grateful for the passion our Chinese community has shown throughout the nearly 20 years we’ve been bringing our games to China through NetEase and other partners,” said Mike Ybarra, president, Blizzard Entertainment. “Their enthusiasm and creativity inspire us, and we are looking for alternatives to bring our games back to players in the future.”

Partnership like this is not uncommon in the gaming industry, since Riot Games partnered with Chinese gaming company Tencent distribute League of Legends in the country before the Chinese company acquired Riot Games for around $400 million.

Nintendo launches Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda

November 16, 2021

To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the original The Legend of Zelda game, Nintendo recently launch the Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda system, it’s a standlone Game & Watch handheld system that where you can play three retro Zelda games; The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.

If you have the Game & Watch: Super Mario, then this device is the exact same thing, like the screensize, metalic finish and those rubbery buttons, the main difference is the green color theme and has “The Legend of Zelda” plastered on the front and center of the device.

In the United States, the Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda retails at $49.99 or around SAR 187.50, but you can expect it to be priced in the Kingdom the same as Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros which is around SAR 400.00.

This article was first published on KabayanTech

Grand Theft Auto Trilogy now on Nintendo Switch

November 15, 2021

A remastered version of Grand Theft Auto Trilogy; GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas is now available for Switch users.

All three games are collectively available as ‘Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition’ which is available on Nintendo.com and Nintendo eShop on your device for $59.99 or around SAR 255.00.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition includes:

Grand Theft Auto III
It all starts in Liberty City. With the revolutionary freedom to go anywhere and jack anyone, Grand Theft Auto III puts the center of the criminal underworld at your fingertips.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Welcome to the 1980s. From the decade of big hair and pastel suits comes the story of one man’s rise to the top of the criminal pile. Grand Theft Auto returns with Tommy Vercetti’s tale of betrayal and revenge in a neon-soaked tropical town full of excess and brimming with possibilities.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Five years ago, Carl “CJ” Johnson escaped the haze of Los Santos, San Andreas…a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs, and corruption. Now, it’s the early ‘90s. On his return to the neighborhood, CJ is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets.

This article was first published on KabayanTech

Netflix Games now on iOS

November 10, 2021

After officially announcing Netflix Games for Android, Netflix Games will now be available for iOS users as well. The new gaming service will be available to Netflix subscribers with no ads, no extra fees and no in-app purchases.

Just like with the Android version, games that are available for Netflix Games on iOS are; Stranger Things: 1984, Stranger Things 3: The Game, Shooting Hoops, Card Blast, and Teeter Up. League of Legends spinoff – Hextech Mayhem: A League of Legends Story will also be available on Netflix games. Hextech Mayhem: A League of Legends Story will be cost you $10 on Nintendo Switch and PC but free if you have a Netflix subscription.

There are of course some things that you need to keep in mind when you play Netflix Games using your Netflix account and your Netflix profile.

  • Since Netflix Games have a maturity rating, you cannot use a Netflix profile to a Netflix Games with a high maturity rating.
  • Netflix Games can be played on multiple devices on the same account and just like with your Netflix account, there will be a limit on how many device you can use the same Netflix account. If you ever hit your limit, you can sign out of devices not in use, or remove them from your download devices.

From the looks of things, Netflix will make Netflix Games free as long as you are a subscriber, which is not a bad thing and could be a good strategy to grew and keep its subscribers.

This article was original posted on KabayanTech – Netflix Games now on iOS

RuneScape releases mobile version of the game

June 22, 2021

RuneScape, a fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed and published by Jagex Games Studio, just release the mobile version of their iconic PC game, which was first released in January 2001.

In their official announcement, the company said;

Today is a significant moment in RuneScape’s history, ushering in the next chapter of our cross-play vision and our quest to bring RuneScape to everywhere we can. We have finally arrived on Mobile!

Moments ago, we finished our final pre-launch checks and they are all green. Deployment of RuneScape around the world has begun, marking June 17th as our official launch day for iOS and Android.

Before the release, Jagex launched a pre-registration campaign which has reached more than 1.8 MILLION registrations in all 5 tiers.

RuneScape can be downloaded on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

This article was first posted on Extradot.Net.