Gaming

Apple Arcade launches biggest expansion, adds 30 games

Including some App Store classics

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Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade just added 30 games to its already expansive library in hopes of getting more people to subscribe. The service is introducing two new game categories: Timeless Classics and App Store Greats. Arcade Originals are playable across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Timeless Classics and App Store Greats are available on iPhone and iPad.

Timeless Classics includes universally loved, quintessential genres with titles like Good Sudoku by Zach Gage, Chess – Play & Learn, and Backgammon, while App Store Greats brings some of the best award-winning games from the App Store to Apple Arcade, including Threes!, Mini Metro, and Fruit Ninja Classic, all ad-free and fully unlocked.

New originals are also making their way to Apple Arcade like NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition, Star Trek: Legends, and Fantasian (from the creators of Final Fantasy VI).

Here’s some of the games you should look out for

NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition (2K Games)

NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition on Apple Arcade delivers stunning gameplay and the hit basketball simulation experience to the service. From 5-on-5 basketball featuring the latest NBA roster to over-the-top games on Blacktop, “NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition” is filled with a variety of exciting game modes as players step into the shoes of their favourite NBA stars. The game features performance optimisations and higher graphic quality to deliver an authentic NBA experience in all its visual glory on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.

Simon’s Cat: Story Time (Tactile Games Limited)

The latest game based on the highly popular animated series gives Simon and his cat their biggest challenge yet. When the tranquility of suburban life is threatened by a huge building site, they mobilise the neighbours to help restore the mysterious “wasteland” before the diggers destroy it all. As the clock ticks down, players will solve challenging match-three puzzles to help the community rebuild the gardens under the critical eye of the curmudgeonly next-door neighbour, Mr. Potts, who has a secret ancestral connection to the wasteland, which he intends to keep buried forever.

Star Trek: Legends (Tilting Point LLC)

The fate of the universe is in the player’s hands as they step into the role of their favourite “Star Trek” heroes and villains in the hit franchise’s official team-based RPG. Players will embark on missions, experience epic turn-based combat, and make choices that influence the entire story as they take command of the U.S.S. Artemis. They’ll warp into the Nexus, where they’ll discover new worlds and recruit over 40 of their favourite characters from the entire franchise. Each legend has its own unique set of skills, abilities, and weapons, from Spock’s Vulcan nerve pinch to Worf’s deadly bat’leth.

Fantasian (Mistwalker Corp)

From the creator of Final Fantasy, comes the next breathtaking adventure from industry legend Hironobu Sakaguchi. Fantasian is an exciting, new RPG set against a spectacular backdrop made from over 150 handmade dioramas that blends physical environments and 3D characters.

Meanwhile, classic titles include the following: Checkers Royale, Chess – Play & Learn, Flipflop Solitaire, Good Sudoku by Zach Gage, SpellTower, and Mahjong Titan; and App Store Greats BADLAND, Blek, Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition, Reigns, and The Room Two.

Pricing and Availability

Apple Arcade is available for US$ 4.99/ SG$ 6.98/ PhP 249 per month with a one-month free trial. Customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or Apple TV receive three months of Apple Arcade for free.

Apple Arcade is part of Apple One’s Individual (US$ 14.95/ SG$ 16.95 / PhP 375) and Family (US$ 19.95/ SG $22.95 / PhP 495), monthly plans, with a one-month free trial.

 

Gaming

Esports Nations Cup 2026 secures US$ 45M funding

ENC to elevate global esports with structured national ecosystem

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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.

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Gaming

CODE VEIN II now available for consoles, PC

Launch trailer previews characters, combat gameplay, more

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Bandai Namco’s CODE VEIN II is now available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

A new launch trailer has also been revealed, previewing the Soulslike action RPG’s characters, combat gameplay, and more.

Players can experiment with the character creator demo and create their own ideal character for the game.

The demo showcases how in-depth and detailed players can get when creating their own character. It allows for them to experience Photo Mode in the base of MagMell to take pictures of their looks.

Additionally, players who try the demo are allowed to carry their created looks over into the game.

CODE VEIN II is set in the dystopian near future, focusing on the stories of Revenants who must fight against their terrible fate.

In this reality, civilization has collapsed due to an event called the Resurgence.  Humanity has only managed to survive, thanks to immortal vampire-like creatures called Revenants.

However, the sudden appearance of Luna Rapacis has turned these Revenants into mindless cannibals.

As a Revenant Hunter, the protagonist is tasked to save the world. Joining him in a journey 100 years into the past is a young girl.

In the process, they will witness the history-changing drama as they try to save the world from ruin.

The game is a combination of exploration action, wherein players can venture through dangerous areas and tackle powerful foes.

Combat against enemies are mainly hack-and-slash, while the protagonist can also explore the world like in the case of riding a motorbike.

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Gaming

Xiaomi SU7 Ultra makes Gran Turismo 7 debut

Xiaomi’s premium, high-performing electric sedan joins the GT7 roster

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Xiaomi’s high-performing electric sedan, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, is now on the acclaimed racing simulation, Gran Turismo 7.

The premium EV debuted as part of the “Update 1.67” patch, marking Xiaomi’s first entry into the storied Gran Turismo franchise.

Players worldwide can now experience the prowess of the high-performance luxury car on the game’s virtual tracks.

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra represents a new addition to the series’ curated lineup, following an official collaboration announcement last June 2025.

As a benchmark in racing simulations, the Gran Turismo series is recognized for its hyper-realistic driving experience and stringent vehicle selection criteria.

The EV was test-driven on multiple occasions in several locations, including Beijing, the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and the Tsukuba Circuit.

To ensure an authentic experience, Xiaomi EV’s vehicle dynamics performance team traveled to Polyphony Digital’s studio for the final driving experience validation.

In reality, the SU7 Ultra is powered by an in-house developed Dual V8s + V6s Xiaomi Hyper TRi-Motor system.

It delivers 1,548 horsepower and achieves 0-100km/h in 1.98 seconds. The production version previously set a lap time of 7:04.957 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

To celebrate the launch, Gran Turismo 7’s developer will host a two-week official lap-time challenge on the title’s historic Monza circuit.

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