PlayStation is kicking off 2026 the Chaewon way.

Sony has officially teamed up with KIM CHAEWON of LE SSERAFIM for its New Year “Love of Play” campaign, blending cozy moments, playful energy, and very real gamer vibes into one stylish collaboration that spans videos, promos, and some surprisingly cute merch.

At the heart of the campaign is a four-part video series built around how we actually play: Family, Friends, Sisters, and Solo. The first episode, Family, is already live, with the remaining episodes rolling out daily from February 4 to 6. Each one leans into a different mood, but the message stays the same—PlayStation fits whether you’re gaming alone, hanging out, or sharing the screen with people you love.

Chaewon, meanwhile, is clearly having fun with it.

Chaewon’s PlayStation picks

In an interview released alongside the campaign, she shared that her very first PlayStation game was Stray on PS5—yes, the cat one—and that she instantly fell for its atmosphere and puzzles. She also tried out a full lineup of DualSense controller colors during the shoot, calling out Chroma Indigo for its elegant look, while admitting that Midnight Black still feels the most “her.”

And when asked about the most fun game she’s played so far? Astro Bot took the crown, with Chaewon praising the DualSense’s haptics and adaptive triggers for making the experience feel extra special.

Naturally, PlayStation is turning that energy into rewards. Fans across Asia can join upcoming social campaigns for a chance to win DualSense wireless controllers signed by Chaewon, with more details dropping on PlayStation Asia’s Instagram channels.

Festive New Year Sale 2026

The collaboration also ties directly into PlayStation’s Festive New Year Sale 2026, which runs from February 6 to 19 at participating retailers. Expect discounts on PS5 consoles, accessories, and a long list of games, including Astro Bot, God of War Ragnarök, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Stellar Blade, Ghost of Yotei, and more. Deals vary by market, but this is one of those sales where both hardware upgrades and backlog shopping make sense.

There’s also a lifestyle twist.

PlayStation has partnered with South Korean brand Wiggle Wiggle for a limited-edition “Love of Play” merchandise set featuring PlayStation-branded home slippers, acrylic clips, and coasters. The set is available through select PlayStation Asia social activities, including a live Instagram Stories sticker contest where fans can decorate a template, post it, and tag PlayStation Asia for a chance to win.

The Wiggle Wiggle collab is available in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, making it a fun bonus for fans who like their gaming gear a little more colorful.

More Chaewon content is still on the way, too. PlayStation will release additional short-form videos, including “Unstoppable Play!” on February 5 and “Balance Game” on February 11, exclusively on its official Instagram and Facebook channels.

Between the videos, the sale, and the merch, this PlayStation x Kim Chaewon collaboration feels less like a one-off endorsement and more like a full-on New Year mood—and honestly, that tracks.

HoYoverse has announced Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.6, titled Encore for an Old Dream. The update launches on February 6 across all platforms.

Version 2.6 acts as an interlude after Season 2’s climax. It brings players back to Sixth Street. The update centers on dreams, love, and New Eridu’s annual Gilded Carrot Day celebration.

The spotlight falls on the debut of idol group Angels of Delusion. Two new Agents, Sunna and Aria, join the roster. The update also introduces new events, system improvements, and festive rewards. These include an Inter-Knot Membership and lucky draws tied to a massive 4 billion Polychrome prize pool.

As Gilded Carrot Day approaches, New Eridu lights up. Festive decorations fill the streets. Tension still simmers beneath the surface.

The Phaethon siblings take on an urgent commission involving an illegal intelligent entity. This leads them back to Sixth Street and into another partnership with Jane Doe. The celebration also reaches the 404 Error music venue, where Angels of Delusion prepare for their first live performance. An enigmatic vocal coach guides them. Even with Hollows looming, the city keeps dreaming. Songs find their audience. Someone always stands guard. This is New Eridu.

Angels of Delusion fight as a coordinated unit. Sunna and Aria lead the charge in Version 2.6.

Angels of Delusion

Sunna is an S-Rank Physical Support Agent. She boosts Attack and Anomaly teammates. Her companion, Bubblegum, marks enemies with Cat’s Gaze. Players can detonate these marks to deal damage and buff the entire squad. Her Ultimate delivers a heavy hammer strike and triggers a Quick Assist.

Aria joins as an Ether Anomaly Agent. She serves as the group’s lead vocalist. She features two forms: a construct form and an idol projection. Aria specializes in high burst damage against enemies affected by Attribute Anomalies. She excels in direct confrontations.

Supporting them is Bangboo Biggest Fan. The fan club president restores HP over time. It can also increase squad Attack when at least two Angels of Delusion members are present. Sunna and Aria will receive new outfits, with Aria’s costume featuring a dual-form design. S-Rank Agents Yixuan and Yuzuha will also return via rerun banners.

The main event, A Harmony of Delusions, puts Proxies behind the scenes. Players act as backstage staff for Angels of Delusion. They manage training schedules and social media activities. The event features rhythm-based gameplay and an expanded Marcel Adventure with new maps and mechanics.

Hollow Zero

Hollow Zero also expands with a new mode called Operation Matrix. It introduces weekly rotating themed stages with unique mechanics. Teams consist of three Primary Agents, one Bangboo, and one Auxiliary Agent. New Resonia and Agent-specific Gears deepen strategy. A new Sweep function also streamlines progression.

Rewards roll out alongside several optimizations. Agents Lycaon and Harumasa receive enhancements. Pan Yinhu gets a new outfit through a limited-time event.

A special Inter-Knot Membership event begins today. Players can earn Polychrome through daily activities. Login rewards total 3,300 Polychromes. From February 14 to 23, Gilded Surprise, Wonderful Boo-ns offers daily lucky draws. Players get a chance to share the 4 billion Polychrome prize pool.

HoYoverse will also launch a global fan initiative titled Sugar Rush: Cuteness Saves the World. The campaign includes worldwide collaborations, offline events, and themed activities. Fans can earn exclusive merchandise such as towels, light sticks, and T-shirts. More details will be shared through official channels.

Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.6 launches February 6 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PC, iOS, and Android. New and returning players can still log in to claim the free S-Rank Agent Zhao. The game is rated Teen by the ESRB and PEGI 12.

The inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026 has just secured a US$ 45 million funding commitment, the Esports World Cup Foundation has announced.

This three-part funding commitment is structured to support the esports ecosystem through player and coach prizing, club release incentives, and national team development.

The first ever ENC will include a US$ 20 million in total prize money, paid directly to players and coaches across 16 titles.

The ENC introduces a placement-based prize framework, applied across all game titles. It is designed to be clear and player-centric.

Every qualified participant earns prize money and is guaranteed a minimum of three matches. Equal placement earns equal pay, meaning the same finishing position plays the same amount per player across all titles.

For a quick overview, the first-place finisher earns US$ 50,000 per player, whether competing in a solo or team title. Second-placers get US$ 30,000 per player, and third-placers get US$ 15,000 per player.

For team titles, payouts scale with roster size, so the result is consistent and transparent for everyone competing.

Meanwhile, the EWCF will provide US$ 5 million in club incentives for esports clubs that release and enable their professional players to participate in ENC.

In addition, there will also be another US$ 20 million for the ENC Development Fund. This supports official national team partners with logistics, travel, program operations, marketing, and the long-term growth of national team pathways.

The ENC 2026 is set to debut from November 2 to 29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It will move to a rotating host-city model, bringing nation-based esports to major cities around the world.

The event is to be held every two years. Among confirmed titles for 2026 include Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, and DOTA 2.