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

Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.7 available on March 24

Featuring Hollow Champions tournament, new Agents

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Version 2.7 of Zenless Zone Zero will become available on March 24 across platforms. Called “Champions Never Fall to the Past”, the update features the Hollow Champion competition and new agents.

The Hollow Champion competition sweeps across New Eridu — hosted by TOPS — spreading excitement as far as beyond the city center.

Competitors can take home high-stakes rewards, including the rare Porcelloy W-Engine. The tournament’s scale draws not only familiar allies, but even several unexpected participants.

There’s the Public Security’s Metropolitan Order Division, aside from the Cunning Hares and Sons of Calydon. It is said that the Calydon’s Sweepers will also step into the competition.

New Agents emerge

Furthermore, among the figures emerging from the shadows is the infamous Black Wolf Romeul. In battle, Romeul can activate a Corruptive Barrier for increased CRIT Damage Resistance and Interruption Resistance. This also causes opponents to continuously lose HP.

To break through this barrier, teams must be capable of delivering sustained Anomaly damage. This adds a new tactical layer for those wanting to challenge him.

Moreover, Cissia of the Metropolitan Order Division will also enter the race. As an S-Rank Electric Attack agent, Cissia gains three stacks of Venom upon entering battle.

Each stack deals Electric damage, while temporarily increasing her own CRIT Rate. The Venom gradually dissipates over time, but Cissia can also generate additional stacks through her EX Special Attack. As the stacks accumulate, she may expend them with her Basic Attack, Serpent’s Kiss.

Joining Cissia is the Angels of Delusion lineup, captained by their dancer, Nangong Yu. The S-Rank Ether Stun Agent enhances her team’s Anomaly Buildup Rate against Stunned enemies.

During combat, she automatically regenerates Downbeat over time. Additional Downbeat is also restored whenever a squad member inflicts Anomaly on enemies.

Once the Downbeat is sufficient, she can unleash powerful charged attacks to extend the enemy’s Stun duration. This is while her own Stun and Anomaly buildup accelerates. Meanwhile, her Ultimate can activate Ether Veil: Delusion Reprise to boost the squad’s entire Attack.

Proxies can unlock an exclusive faction wallpaper after collecting all members of Angels of Delusion. In addition, S-Rank Ice Rupture Agent Yidhari and Electric Attack Agent Seed will also return to Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.7.

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Gaming

Infinix expands SEA footprint with more official MLBB tourney partnerships

Infinix becomes MPL Indonesia, MSL Thailand official partner

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Infinix has announced a landmark expansion of its partnership with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Esports.

As part of the strategic move, Infinix is now the official partner of various MLBB tournaments across Southeast Asia.

The smartphone brand is now the Presenting Partner of the MLBB Professional League (MPL) Indonesia, as well as the Titling Partner of the MLBB Development League (MDL) Indonesia.

Infinix also strengthens its regional footprint further as the Official Sponsor of the MLBB Super League (MSL) Thailand.

These partnerships build on successful collaborations with the Philippines and Malaysia, deepening Infinix’s commitment to the region’s most competitive markets.

Next-level fan, community engagement

As an official partner, Infinix will deliver comprehensive end-to-end support for the tournaments. This includes supplying tournament-grade hardware and executing localized fan engagement initiatives.

Infinix’s AIoT devices are also going to be on display at the tournaments. Moreover, their flagship regional esports IP, the Infinix Campus Cup, will bring the competition to campuses with offline matches played on Infinix gaming phones.

Uniting Southeast Asian markets

The 2026 MLBB Tournament Series officially kicks off on March 20, with the brand powering the opening matches of MPL Philippines and MSL Myanmar as their Official Gaming Phone.

On March 27, Infinix will debut its presence at MPL Indonesia Season 17, followed by the opening of MDL Indonesia three days after.

As a presenting partner, Infinix will also crown the MPL Indonesia season champions with the “KINGFINIX” title.

The regional expansion continues on April 3 with the start of MPL Malaysia and MPL Cambodia. Infinix’s strong presence across the region then culminates with MSL Thailand on April 18.

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Gaming

Valve is embroiled in a lawsuit with New York over loot boxes

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Valve has been embroiled in an odd war as of late. A few weeks ago, the New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the gaming company for allegedly encouraging children to gamble through loot boxes primarily found in Counter-Strike 2. Today, Valve is fighting back by declaring how little its loot boxes have to do with gambling.

For years, governments have had a problem with loot boxes. To them, the mechanic makes it too easy for gamers to fall into a gambling addiction. In essence, loot boxes are earnable packs that contain a single or a number of random items that the player can use for their game. Most of the time, these items are purely cosmetic and don’t give a gameplay advantage.

Like Blizzard before it, Valve is also defending its loot boxes as non-essential to how players engage with their games. “There is no disadvantage to a player not spending money,” their statement reads.

Additionally, Valve says that their loot boxes are no different from Pokémon cards and Labubu blind boxes. As such, the company is also defending their users’ right to transfer obtained items to other users, as with two players trading cards or Pop Mart figurines.

Now, these items have monetary value in the market. In the same way, a rare Counter-Strike 2 skin can fetch thousands of dollars. However, Valve says that they are already proactive in shutting down accounts made only to gamble and avoiding pro-gambling businesses.

Valve is capping off its statement by saying that the NYAG is forcing the company to collect more information from its users, especially those using VPNs to prevent being located in New York. The company says that it will continue to protect user data, despite the demand.

SEE ALSO: Valve is delaying the launch of the Steam Machine

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