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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Take a sneak peek at new accessories revealed at today’s Showcase — the Project Q device for playing games installed on your PS5 and streamed over WiFi, plus our first official wireless earbuds offering lossless audio on PS5 and PC.
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 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
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.”
We have made the decision to sunset Apex Legends Mobile.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Netflix Games is coming to iOS! Starting tomorrow, you can access Netflix Games through the Netflix app on any mobile device, anywhere in the world. pic.twitter.com/LoHYFi4xBX
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.
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.
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.
Take your adventures with you this summer, #RuneScapeMobile is available for free on iOS and Android!
Lenovo officially announces Legion Phone Duel 2, their next gaming phones.
The Legion Phone Duel 2 features a 6.92-inch screen that is powered by two batteries, two USB-C ports, and two actual spinning fans. Together with the two fans, the Legion Phone Duel 2 also have a vapor chamber to cool the new Snapdragon 888 processor that’s powering the phone.
The phone will feature a 44MP pop-up camera with an ultra-wide 84-degree autofocus lens that Lenovo claims can be used by streamers for its incredible detail plus excellent low-light performance.
Legion Phone Duel 2 will have up to 18GB of RAM (LPDDR5) and up to 512GB (UFS 3.1) of storage. As for its OS, it will run Lenovo’s ZUI 12.5, based on Android 11, right out of the box.
The phone will be available in two colors; Titanium White and Ultimate Black, and will initially be release in China this month, and select markets in Asia Pacific and Europe in May, with the following price tag; €999 (around ₱57,625) with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and a bundled charging dock; €799 (around ₱46,088) as a standalone phone with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.
Lenovo has yet to announce if the Legion Phone Duel 2 will be release in the Philippines.
Here’s the full spec sheet of the Legion Phone Duel 2;
Special features
· ATA 2.0 (Advanced Technology Architecture)
· Octa-Trigger in a ‘console controller-like’ array with Quad Ultrasonic Shoulder keys, Dual pressure touch buttons, Dual Capacitance keys input
· Nearly 16.8M possible RGB lighting color combinations
· Dual HaptiX – Dual X-Axis Haptic Vibration Linear Motors
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform with 5nm processor technology
AI beauty mode / Background remove or replace/ Virtual avatar/ Counting-down selfie / Portrait photography/ Night mode/HD photo
Video recording: 4K video recording at 30 fps, or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps, or 60 fps, 720p HD video recording at 30 fps / Slow motion mode: 720P@240fps, 720P@120fps, 1080P@120fps
Rear Camera
64MP OmniVision® flagship OV64A image sensor, f/1.9 aperture, 1.0 µm pixel, 7 lens, 82° field of view
16 MP f/2.2 aperture and 123° field of view 1.0 µm pixel
Video recording: HDR 10+ video recording at 4K@30fps, 8K video recording at 24 fps, 4K video recording at 30 fps, or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps, or 60 fps, 720p HD video recording at 30 fps / Slow motion mode: 720P@240fps, 720P@120fps,1080P@240fps, 1080P@120fps /Audio Zoom/Director mode /Dual mode
Operating System
ZUI 12.5 based on Android 11
Battery
Battery: 5500mAh (2750mAh x 2)
Turbo Charging: up to 90W quick charging (sold separately); Fast Charging: 65W quick charging14
Audio
· Dual front-facing speakers and Dolby Atmos®
· 7-magnet stereo speaker with dual smart amplifier for louder, deeper and less distorted sound effect
· Equivalent to dual 1.6 cc speakers
· Audio Output: 48 kHz / 16-bit standard (USB-C output)
· Game Mode for better in-game sounding experience with localization capability
· Four Microphones with noise reduction technology
Microsoft has updated the Xbox App, for both the iOS and Android, to introduce a number of cool features like “console remote play, remote game installs, chat and more.”
The announcement was made by Harrison Hoffman, Senior Program Manager for Xbox;
The new Xbox Beta app is now available for Android and iOS, keeping you connected to Xbox, wherever you are, featuring console remote play, remote game installs, chat, and more! Check it out!
Both the Xbox Series X and Series S are available with the following retail price;
Xbox Series X 1 TB – SAR 2,299.00
Xbox Series S 512 GB – SAR 1,349 (at Extra, it mentioned that the storage is 1 TB).
The pre-order period starts on September 22nd, 2020 until November 6th, 2020 while quantities last. Shipping for the Xbox Series X is expected to be between November 7th , 2020 and November 12th, 2020, while the shipping for the Xbox Series S will be between November 13th , 2020 and November 18th, 2020.
Sony has finally announce the pricing for the Playstation 5 and Playstation 5 Digital edition, and if you are in Saudi Arabia, this is where you can preorder the PlayStation 5 and its pricing.
It appears the only the PlayStation 5 With Blu-Ray Disc is the model that’s available and it will retail for SAR 2,299. While the DualSense™ wireless controller is available for SAR 348.00.
For those who preordered the gaming console, the expected shipping date will be between November 19th – November 25th.
Microsoft just release the pricing and availability of Xbox Series X and Series S. The Xbox Series X will retail for $499 (USD) or around SAR 1,871.64, while the Series S will have a pricetag of $299 (USD) or around SAR 1121.49.
This is the tweet…
Xbox Series X: $499 (ERP) Xbox Series S: $299 (ERP)
The Playstation 5 will be available in two models; PlayStation 5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray drive and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition without a disc drive.
Together with the console, Sony will made peripherals for the PS5; the DualSense controller and charging station, HD camera, Pulse 3D wireless headset, and media remote that matches the black and white color theme of the console. All peripherals and the gaming console will sport a black and white color theme and with a slick futuristic design. The PS5 will support majority of the PS4 games, which is great news for those who have a library of PS4 titles.
DualSense controller
Sony did no provide details regarding the price but the console and peripherals will be available this fall.
Horizon Forbidden West
On the software or game title side, here are the games that will launch with the PS5 console;
Grand Guilds, a story-driven, tactical RPG with unique card combat mechanics is now available on Steam, Nintendo Switch and game subscription platform Utomik. The game is developed by Filipino Game Developer Drix Studios.
Asus is expected to announce their updated gaming laptop lineup, an entire suite of gaming mice, cooling solutions, chassis, router, and headphones, and gaming phone.
Sony releases the first trailer of the God of War for PS4, now for preorder and will be available on April 20, 2018.
Living as a man outside the shadow of the gods, Kratos must adapt to unfamiliar lands, unexpected threats, and a second chance at being a father. Together with his son Atreus, the pair will venture into the brutal Norse wilds and fight to fulfill a deeply personal quest.
