Gaming

This year’s ASUS ROG laptops are here

Also featuring TUF Gaming and new gaming desktops

Published

May 29, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

For a brief moment this month, the new ASUS Gaming lineup took over the brand’s spotlight for gamers. Of course, though the brand-new lineup has successfully carved a niche for itself, it’s a prelude to the main event: the launch of this year’s ROG and TUF notebooks.

This week, ASUS has officially announced new ROG and TUF laptops and desktops with the RTX 5000 series.

The next evolution of ROG Strix

A lot of gaming notebooks these days are going for subdued designs. Rather than the sharp and edgy form factors of yesteryear, today’s zeitgeist involves designs that can fit comfortably in more professional settings. All that goes out the window with the new ROG Strix SCAR and Strix G lineups.

Loud and proud to be a gamer, the lineup boasts the brand’s AniMe Vision, a strip of dot-matrix lights that can be customized to show off any message or graphic you program it to do. It also comes with a full-surround RGB lighting to give the illusion that the notebook is floating.

In front, the family comes with a ROG Nebula HDR display. The screen has a dual-layer ACR film that can reduce reflections by 55 percent and boost contrast by 4.5 times.

Under the hood, all the different models in the series can ship with up to the GeForce RTX 5090 GPU. Meanwhile, most variants can come with the next-gen Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX. As an exception, the AMD-built Strix G16 features the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX processor.

The Strix SCAR 16 and 18 can wield up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe Gen 4 storage. Meanwhile, the Strix G16 and G18 comes with up to 32GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 storage.

Further, the new lineup comes with the brand’s first tool-less bottom panel, allowing for easy tinkering and upgrading.

The ROG Zephyrus is back with more improvements

If you’re a fan of the more subdued designs, the new ROG Zephyrus duo exudes both its gaming DNA and a sense of elegance. It has a premium CNC-machined aluminum chassis and a Slash Lighting array.

Though the new series is designed to be thin for portability, it still made improvements to its cooling system. With an improved heat pipe design and new Arc Flow fans, the laptops can last longer even under intense loads.

Both models come with the ROG Nebula Display. However, the Zephyrus G14 puts out 3K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, while the G16 comes with 2.5K resolution and 240Hz refresh rate.

Inside, the Zephyrus G14 wields a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and up to an RTX 5070 GPU. The Zephyrus G16 comes with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor and a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU.

TUF Gaming gets a modest upgrade

Once again, the TUF Gaming lineup brings out ASUS’s capabilities in bringing premium gaming performance and robust durability into one package. The TUF Gaming F16 comes with up to the Intel Core i7-14650HX, 16GB RAM, up to 1TB of SSD storage, and up to the GeForce RTX 5070.

It also comes with a 16-inch WQXGA 165Hz display. It’s only 1.79cm thin and 2.2kg light. Finally, it has a sizable 90Whr battery.

New gaming desktops in the market

Besides notebooks, ASUS also launched new gaming desktops for more robust gamers. The new ROG G700 comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF chipset and up to a GeForce RTX 5080 GPU.

It’s built with the ASUS B860 motherboard for better durability. Additionally, much like the ROG notebooks, the ROG G700 has tool-less upgradeability so you can keep gaming for years to come.

Meanwhile, the TUF Gaming T500 is a gaming beast hiding in a tiny package. It comes with an Intel Core i7-13620H, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD storage, and the GeForce RTX 5060 or 5060 Ti.

Price, availability

The ROG Strix SCAR 18 costs PhP 359,995. It comes bundled with an ROG Gladius III Mouse, an ROG backpack, 3 months of Game Pass, and a warranty package.

The Strix SCAR 16, which comes with the same bundle, will sell for PhP 259,995.

Meanwhile, the Strix G16 starts at PhP 134,995. The Strix G18 sells for PhP 209,995.

At a slightly lower price, the Zephyrus G14 starts at PhP 159,995, while the Zephyrus G16 starts at PhP 199,995.

The new TUF Gaming F16 starts at PhP 99,995.

For desktops, the ROG G700 starts at PhP 179,995, and the TUF Gaming T500 will reveal more information later in June.

Gaming

Bloodborne is getting an R-rated animated film adaptation

And it’s going to be produced by Sony and Jacksepticeye.

Published

April 14, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

FromSoftware fans are eating well these days. Though gamers are still anticipating the arrival of The Duskbloods on the Switch 2, the studio’s other franchises are getting well-deserved nods for adaptations: Sekiro, Elden Ring, and now, Bloodborne.

Sekiro has already been slated for an anime adaptation for a while now. Meanwhile, Alex Garland recently confirmed that he is adapting Elden Ring for A24. Today, Sony Pictures has confirmed that the studio is working on an R-rated animated film based on Bloodborne.

Via Variety, Sony Pictures president Sanford Panitch says that the upcoming adaptation will keep the game’s essence of horror and gore. With a name like “Bloodborne,” you can’t have an adaptation without a heaping of blood.

Besides Sony, the animated project has another big name attached to its production: YouTuber Jacksepticeye. Throughout his career, the creator has been vocal about considering Bloodborne as his favorite game of all time. He even has a tattoo of the Hunter’s Mark on his forearm. For this project, Jack will be a co-producer.

Though the creator’s skill in filmmaking is still a relative unknown, Jack’s love for the game should give the project a gamer’s voice. If anything, Markiplier’s recent Iron Lung adaptation offers optimism that YouTubers can also create decent films.

Gaming

Honkai: Star Rail 4.2 launching next week

New characters, 3rd anniversary rewards, more

Published

April 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

It hasn’t even been that long since Version 4.1 of Honkai: Star Rail dropped, and now, the space fantasy RPG will launch its Version 4.2 update on April 22.

Called “So Laughed the Masses,” this update continues the Trailblazers’ adventure in Planarcadia. The state of the Phantasmoon Games has grown increasingly complex, following the announcement that the victor will permanently become the Aeon of Elation.

Even more plots and schemes are bound to surface as Research Society of Happy Smiles leader Fulwish invites all Supplicants to a public debate. Trailblazers must successfully navigate every hurdle, obtain more Wishpower, and resolve the hidden crisis.

In Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.2, all-new limited 5-star characters Silver Wolf LV.999 and Evanescia will become playable companions.

Furthermore, limited 5-star characters The Dahlia, Castorice, and Firefly, as well as Tribbie, Sunday, and Feixiao, will all appear respectively in the first and second-phase Warp events.

Trailblazers will also be able to unlock the brand-new Path of Elation.

The Version 4.2 update coincides with the third anniversary of the space fantasy RPG, and the title has prepared a series of special events and generous rewards for players.

Players can get 20 free pulls, Stellar Jade giveaways, and free character redemptions. And for a chance to win a Silver Wolf LV.999-themed car and other surprise gifts, simply participate in the “Aha’s Chosen: Spreading Elation Everywhere” online event.

For more on the update, here’s the latest trailer from HoYoverse:

Gaming

Honor of Kings: World opens sign-ups for PC Alpha Test

Be among the first to explore Primaera

Published

April 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

TiMi Studio Group has announced the first-ever overseas closed PC Alpha Test for Honor of Kings: World.

Players can register now via this link for a chance to experience the Eastern Fantasy multiplayer action RPG.

The anticipated title is rooted in the globally renowned MOBA game, Honor of Kings, which has 260 million monthly active users.

The RPG counterpart expands the series’ vast lore, turning it into an open world filled with adventure, mystery, and legendary heroes for players to explore.

It is set against the backdrop of Eastern Fantasy and infused with futuristic elements. It introduces players to “the Flow,” a powerful and mysterious force shaping the fate of the world.

In Honor of Kings: World, players begin their journey as students at the prestigious Jixia Academy before venturing across the continent of Primaera.

Along the way, they will encounter iconic heroes, forge alliances, and ultimately challenge the “Chain of Fate” to create their own legend.

Alpha Test details

Participants in the Alpha Test will gain early hands-on access to the game whilst development continues.

This early test will provide valuable insight into core gameplay systems and offer players a first look at the world and features of Honor of Kings: World.

Features include:

Free exploration of the Primaera continent
Dynamic combat system with dual hero Flow Styles
Rich blend of PvE adventure and competitive PvP experiences
Skill-based combat with precise parries, perfect dodges, and highly responsive action gameplay
Cooperative multiplayer boss encounters with evolving mechanics
Social features such as shared world hubs and co-op activities
Home building, farming, and crafting systems

The test will be open to select countries in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia. The title will be available only in English for now, but more languages are expected to be added.