Gaming
PlayStation unveils the PS5 ‘Slim’
Same power, smaller body
Another longstanding, widespread rumor proven to be true. Sony PlayStation has officially unveiled a smaller PlayStation 5 (PS5) design that comes with detachable Blu-ray disc drive. Sony isn’t calling it as such, but this will inevitably called the PS5 “Slim.”
The PlayStation Blog detailing the announcement says “The new PS5 has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models.”
Instead of two covers, this new design features four. The top portion comes in a glossy look while the bottom ones come in matte. The bottom ones provide the provision for a Disc Port where the detachable Blu-ray drive.
For retail, you have the option to but the Blu-ray drive outright, inside the box, or purchase it separately later on.
Price and availability
The PS5 “Slim” will be available starting November 2023 in the U.S. at select local retailers and direct.playstation.com. It will roll out globally in the following months. Once inventory of the current PS5 model has sold out, the new PS5 will become the only model available.
Pricing are as follows:
US
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – US$ 499.99
- PS5 Digital Edition – US$ 449.99
Europe
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive — EUR 549.99
- PS5 Digital Edition — EUR 449.99
UK
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive — GBP 479.99
- PS5 Digital Edition — GBP 389.99
Japan
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive — JPY 66,980 (includes tax)
- PS5 Digital Edition — JPY 59,980 (includes tax)
The Digital Edition of this new-look PS5 confirms previous rumors of a PS5 with a detachable Blu-ray disc drive.
A horizontal stand will be included with the new PS5 model. Meanwhile, a new Vertical Stand compatible with all PS5 models will be sold separately at USD 29.99 | EUR 29.99 | GBP 24.99 | JPY 3,980.
Update as of October 18, 2023 — Southeast Asia Pricing
| Country | New PS5 with Blu-ray Disc Drive | New PS5 Digital Edition | Blu-ray Disc Drive (Separate) | New Vertical Stand |
| Singapore | SGD 799 | SGD 669 | SGD 159 | SGD 44.90 |
| Malaysia | MYR 2,499 | MYR 2,069 | MYR 529 | MYR 149 |
| Indonesia | IDR 9,699,000 | IDR 8,199,000 | IDR 1,839,000 | IDR 499,000 |
| Thailand | THB 18,690 | THB 15,690 | THB 3,790 | THB 1,090 |
| Philippines | PHP 30,790 | N/A | TBD | PHP 1,690 |
| Vietnam | VND 15,990,000 | N/A | TBD | VND 799,000 |
Entertainment
Box office: Brand New Day set to surpass US$ 2 billion, drives Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 resurgence
Sony Pictures’ fourth Tom Holland feature film sets records
The box office performance of Spider-Man: Brand New Day has been nothing short of spectacular.
Sony Pictures’ fourth feature film featuring Tom Holland as the titular protagonist broke the domestic opening day record.
This feat narrowly beat the previous record set by another Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film in Avengers Endgame.
That strong opening continued in the next few weeks as Brand New Day became became the fastest to reach the US$ 500 million mark, breaching the milestone in just seven days, per LA Times.
The movie is already the highest grossing film of 2026, beating Toy Story 5.
Which such massive success so far, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is on pace to beat Avengers: Infinity War for worldwide total gross.
With over US$ 1.7 billion grossed in just two weeks, the film is projected to surpass any point between the US$ 2.1 billion to US$ 2.3 billion mark.
It will become only the eighth ever film to surpass that mark once it reaches at least US$ 2 billion.
The others are: Avatar (2009), Endgame (2019), Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), Ne Zha (2025), Titanic (1997), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), and Infinity War (2018).
However, Endgame still holds an advantage, thanks to its international launch in major markets. The epic conclusion to the MCU’s Infinity Saga grossed US$ 2.79 billion during its 2019 run. And you will have to adjust that value slightly due to inflation.
In the Philippines, a strong market, Brand New Day has just eclipsed the PhP 1 billion mark, which is roughly about US$ 17.2 billion.
For comparison, it will definitely surpass Infinity War at some point, while Endgame grossed PhP 1.8 billion total or about US$ 34.56 billion at the time.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 experiences resurgence
Moreover, the film’s success also triggered a transmedia halo effect with Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 also experiencing a resurgence in sales and player engagement.
Per IGN citing Alinea Analytics, since the film’s release, the game sold over 300,000 more copies across PlayStation 5 and Steam within a two-week span.
This is the equivalent to over US$ 11 million in revenue for Sony and Insomniac Games.
Plus, for the first time since the title’s launch in 2023, it experienced more than one million daily active users.
A combination of movie hype plus some timely discounts contributed to the game’s resurgence, also proving that the Spider-Man franchise has always been one of the biggest and most relevant IPs of all time.
Gaming
Ghost of Yotei gets a story expansion in October
The Complete Edition comes with the expansion and a roguelike mode.
Ghost of Yotei is a classic RPG experience set in the same universe as its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima. In my opinion, Atsu’s journey of revenge feels a lot more fun than Jin’s battle to save his homeland. If you’re in the same boat, Ghost of Yotei is coming back on October 1 with brand-new content.
Without delving too much into spoiler territory, Ghost of Yotei has a conclusive ending. Rather than shoehorning a forced epilogue, Echoes of Sekigahara, the title of the upcoming story expansion, explores Atsu’s past.
As with Tsushima’s expansion, Echoes of Sekigahara features a new map with new enemies, weapons, and collectibles. It will be set in two different time periods.
Besides the story expansion, the upcoming update also has a new mode called Most Wanted, which Sucker Punch Production describes as their “spin on a roguelike.” The mode explores Atsu’s experience as a headhunter, feeding her with bounties and earnable perks.
The two new content expansions will come with in the upcoming Ghost of Yotei Complete Edition. The new edition, coming on October 1, will also come with the co-op Legends mode. It also has a few perks and customization options. The edition will sell for US$ 70.
If you already have the base edition, you can grab an upgrade for only US$ 15. If you don’t want to pay for the upgrade, the game is still getting a few minor tweaks.
SEE ALSO: Ghost of Yotei review: A tale sharpened by vengeance
Gaming
Marvel Wolverine Limited Edition PS5 bundle SEA pricing
Available in Battle Yellow and Adamantium Limited Editions
The first look for the Marvel Wolverine Limited Edition PlayStation 5 Console bundle and accessories have just released.
The console inspired by the raw power of Wolverine and Insomniac’s Battle Reborn suit (Battle Yellow) and claws (Adamantium).
Along with its preview, here are the suggested retail price (SRP) details for markets in Southeast Asia:
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle
- SG$ 849
- MYR 2,799
- IDR 11,399,000
- THB 20,990
DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition and Adamantium Limited Edition
- SG$ 115
- MYR 419
- IDR 1,549,000
- THB 2,890
- PhP 5,411
- VND 2,399,000
PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro Console Covers – Battle Yellow Limited Edition and Adamantium Limited Edition
- SG$ 101
- MYR 369
- IDR 1,359,000
- THB 2,590
- PhP 4,767 (Battle Yellow only)
- VND 2,099,000 (Battle Yellow only)
The bundle and accessories will be available beginning September 15 in limited quantities. Pre-order will start from August 19 in local retailers, save for the PS5 and PS5 Pro console covers.
In Singapore, DualSense Wireless Controller – Marvel’s Wolverine Adamantium Limited Edition will be available exclusively through select retailer channels in limited quantity.
Marvel’s Wolverine releases on September 15 for PlayStation 5 consoles.
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