Gaming

Here are the five best announcements from BlizzCon 2019

Diablo 4, Overwatch 2!

Published

November 2, 2019

Luigi Leonardo

Image source: Blizzard

You have to admire Blizzard’s guts. Despite all the controversy, Blizzard pushed through with its annual gaming extravaganza, BlizzCon. Amidst all the protests, BlizzCon 2019 was just as bombastic as the hype predicted. The gaming publisher revealed major announcements for almost all of its properties — Overwatch, Diablo, World of Warcraft, and Hearthstone. Surprisingly, the company also issued another statement regarding its recent controversies with China.

Here are the top five announcements at this year’s BlizzCon:

Diablo 4

“Don’t you guys have phones?” Do you remember this infamous line from last year’s BlizzCon? Instead of launching the much-awaited Diablo 4, Blizzard announced the most insulting curveball in video game history: Diablo Immortal, a mobile version of the popular hack-and-slash game.

Finally, Blizzard has turned things upright. In this year’s event, the company has announced the fourth game in the demonic series. Diablo 4 will pick up years after the events of the previous game. This time, adventurers are hunting down a familiar devilish baddie from Diablo II, Lilith, mother of the very first nephalem.

Besides an announcement trailer, Blizzard has also confirmed three classes: Barbarian, Sorcerer, and Druid.

Overwatch 2

It feels like only yesterday when Blizzard launched Overwatch. Since then, Overwatch has grown into one of the most successful Blizzard titles ever. Even today, the game is still a burgeoning community all over the world.

Without stopping for a breath, Blizzard has announced the sequel to the beloved game. Overwatch 2 will finally feature a much-awaited PvE co-op story mode. Of course, the game will also bring back the acclaimed multiplayer mode featuring new maps, new heroes, and new abilities.

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands

As the company’s oldest ongoing titles, World of Warcraft is getting an all-new expansion, Shadowlands. In the new expansion, Sylvanas Windrunner takes on the current holder of the Lich King’s throne, Bolvar Fordragon. However, the undead elf doesn’t want the Frozen Throne’s power. Instead, she wants to take it apart forever.

The new expansion comes after the title’s recently launched Classic edition, a rerelease of the game’s vanilla mode. It also follows the latest expansion, Legion.

Hearthstone: Descent of Dragons

Naturally, Blizzard’s other Warcraft-inspired title, Hearthstone, is earning an expansion of its own, Descent of Dragons. Featuring new cards, the Dragon-themed expansion introduces a new mechanic called Invoke: a synergistic effect with Galakrond, the expansion’s most major card. It also introduces Side Quests, a mini-quest mechanic playable in-game.

Additionally, Blizzard has announced a new mode, Battlegrounds. Essentially, the new mode introduces an Auto Chess mechanic.

Blizzard’s second apology

Speaking of Hearthstone, Blizzard president J. Allen Brack took to the stage for a fresh new apology. In the statement, Brack finally says “I am sorry and I accept responsibility.” At the very least, the company is making an official apology.

However, the speech wasn’t exactly a direct response as it is a general promise to do better. As such, Brack does not mention China, Hong Kong, or Blizzard’s ties to the former. For all the company’s bombastic announcements, Blizzard is still in the mire of a PR nightmare.

Gaming

Level Infinite launches Gangstar Mirage City exclusively in PH

A blend of high-speed street racing, exploration, more

Published

April 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

Level Infinite has launched a brand new mobile title exclusively available in the Philippines: Gangstar Mirage City.

Players can enjoy a blend of freedom, action, and dynamic gameplay in the free-to-play multiplayer open-world mobile game.

It is set in a near-future metropolis of Rooklyn, where thrilling action, player choice, and unpredictable moments collide.

Mirage City is the latest chapter in Gameloft’s renowned Gangstar franchise, with more than 250 million registered users.

It brings an expansive open-world gameplay to mobile, powered by high-fidelity graphics and detailed environments tailored for mobile play.

At its core, Mirage City is about freedom. As such, players can alternate between story-driven content and free-form exploration. They can navigate the city, build an empire, and define a personal journey.

There’s high-speed street racing, explosive encounters, and dynamic city events. Moreover, there is deep customization across vehicles, properties, and lifestyle, plus a wide range of activities in-game.

Being a Philippines-exclusive, title, the open-world RPG supports Tagalog text as well to bring the experience closer to its audience.

For now, the game is available for download via Google Play for Android devices.

Gaming

The Steam Controller is coming out on May 4

It will cost $99.

Published

April 28, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The best part of the Steam Deck is its portability. However, an underrated aspect of the handheld console is its button layout. Unlike its contemporaries, the Steam Deck has two trackpads on either side of the device. Now, that same layout is coming to the Steam Controller.

The Steam Controller was part of the trio of innovative devices that Valve announced late last year. While the spotlight is on the Steam Machine, the Controller is also enough to whet any gamer’s appetite.

Besides the convenient layout, the Steam Controller offers easy integration with Steam. The peripheral can communicate with any device — PC or mobile — that has Steam or the Steam Link app installed. As such, it’s easy to take control of your gaming library straight from the controller.

The only catch, though, is that it works solely on Steam. Any other game that has its own separate launcher, such as Genshin Impact, cannot be used with the Steam Controller unless they’re added directly to Steam.

The Steam Controller is launching on May 4 globally. It will retail for US$ 99.

On the flip side, Valve has not announced when the rest of its hardware will launch. Both the Steam Machine and the Steam Frame have not made appearances yet, reportedly because of the ongoing issues with RAM production all over the world. However, the company is still optimistic about releasing these devices within the year.

Gaming

Beast of Reincarnation coming to PS5 this August

One-person, one-dog action RPG

Published

April 25, 2026

GadgetMatch

Game Freak is set to release a new action RPG in August called Beast of Reincarnation. It is the developer’s first title outside of the Pokémon series. It arrives August 4th on PlayStation 5, with pre-orders now available.

The physical edition will include the same DLC content as the Digital Deluxe Edition as a purchase bonus:

Brown Shiba Skin
Black Shiba Skin
Oni’s Hat
Big Dipper
Amber x 100,000
Multiple crop seedlings

Beast of Reincarnation is a fusion of real-time and turn-based combat. It is dubbed as a “one-person, one-dog action RPG” set in a beautiful yet harsh post-apocalyptic, Year 4026 Japan.

In the game, humanity’s only hope lies with Emma, an outcast shunned from society for her affliction. Joining her is the blighted dog, Koo.

Together, they embark on an expansive adventure — alone yet together. Relying on each other is all they have as they journey through a world of impermanence, where forests suddenly burst forth amidst the wasteland.

As players progress, Emma and Koo’s bond and abilities blossom. They can customize the playstyle with unique skill trees, gear, and spirit stones to survive the world. They can also choose a preferred loadout which includes ranged, stealthy, and aggressive combat.

The duo fights as a unit, with Emma’s sword abilities leading the charge while commanding Koo to unleash various techniques in a hybrid combat system. This is integral as players will discover a brutal narrative, as well as dangerous truths hidden behind every character.