Gaming

ESRB has a new label for games with loot boxes

A welcome addition

Published

April 15, 2020

Kenrick Buduan

Every gamer out there must have encountered the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) label in one way or another. Game trailers always display the label, and it is also found on every packaging. The label acts as a friendly guide to what everyone can expect in a game that they just purchased. Plus, it limits a certain game to certain demographics.

Today, ESRB has introduced a new label for games with loot boxes. Well, it is not exactly a new label, since it is a small addition to a change done by the regulatory board last 2018. This small addition adds the disclaimer “Includes Random Items” after the In-Game Purchases notice below the label. Still, this addition is a big one that the board treats as a new label for games.

Anyone who encounters this label shall know that the game they’re about to play contains loot boxes. Loot boxes are a thing now in most games these days. These are items that encourage a player to purchase it in return for a reward. What differentiates this from normal in-game purchases is the element of mystery. A player who purchased a loot box doesn’t know what will be the reward thereafter. The rewards are simply randomized.

The move by ESRB comes at a time when loot boxes are being criticized for luring certain demographics and encouraging unwanted purchases. Game developers like EA were criticized for relying on loot boxes to boost purchases on some games such as Star Wars Battlefront 2. With the new labels, every gamer can now easily spot which games are bundling loot boxes to a great effect.

Source: The Verge

Gaming

Microsoft dictates that a new Fallout game is coming

Microsoft cancelled an Avowed sequel to focus on Fallout.

Published

July 10, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Bethesda used to be a bastion for RPG experiences. Today, however, the company prefers living off its older properties such as Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76. For a while now, the question has been: When will Bethesda release a new game in either of their two biggest franchises? Well, according to a report, a new Fallout game might be coming soon.

As of late, Microsoft has been restructuring its studios. In fact, the company might shut down the studio behind the Dishonored series and the upcoming game based on Marvel’s Blade. Now, as part of that reshuffling (via Bloomberg), Obsidian Entertainment has been told to cancel a sequel to Avowed and focus on a new Fallout game.

It’s a huge change. Microsoft has notably stayed away from its more popular franchises for a while now. The latest Fallout game is still Fallout 76. The latest Elder Scrolls game has been in development for a long, long time now. Only DOOM, via last year’s The Dark Ages, got a new title recently.

To be clear, it’s unknown whether we’re getting the true Fallout 5 or another iteration of the online 76. If it’s really the fifth mainline entry in the franchise, it’s coming at a very opportune time. The franchise is currently on a high, riding the popularity of the TV series of the same name. Fans will surely enjoy a follow-up.

To fuel things further, Josh Sawyer, the director behind the universally lauded New Vegas, is reportedly spearheading the production of the new game.

Gaming

HoYo FEST 2026 details announced; tickets on sale from July 16

Join the celebration

Published

July 9, 2026

GadgetMatch

HoYoverse’s annual flagship fan celebration in Southeast Asia, the HoYo FEST, as officially been announced with tickets selling starting July 16.

Fans across Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore can enjoy four days of interactive experiences, live entertainment, and more activities featuring HoYoverse’s famed titles:

Genshin Impact
Honkai Impact 3
Honkai: Star Rail
Tears of Themis
Zenless Zone Zero

In addition, the gathering will spotlight a first look at the upcoming Honkai: Nexus Anima. The game will be offered at the Experience Zone so visitors can be among the first to try through limited hands-on sessions.

Fans can expect the following experiences at each HoYo FEST:

Check-in Zone: Kick off your journey with activities across all six titles, plus exclusive freebies
Game Booths: Jump into immersive mini games inspired by the aforementioned titles
Hands-on experiences for Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero
Merch: Grab fan-favorite HoYo FEST merchandise from event-exclusive standees and pillows to Character Giftboxes and more
Artist Alley: An even larger creative hub for artists and fans to showcase, sell, and share HoYoverse-inspired art
HoYo FEST Stage: Feel the excitement with Open Stage performances, the Cosplay Runway Walk, and vibrant community showcases

Tickets will be available in the following categories:

1-Day Pass
1-Day Fast Pass with priority access and exclusive collectibles
4-Day Pass (3-Day Pass in Singapore)

Venue details:

Bangkok: Central Ladprao, BCC Hall
Ho Chi Minh City: Sky Expo, Hall A4
Jakarta: Pondok Indah Mall 3, City Hall
Kuala Lumpur: Pavilion Exhibition Centre Bukit Jalil, Hall 1-3
Manila: SPACE at One Ayala, Hall A-D
Singapore: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 403

Gaming

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced available worldwide now

It’s available on all major platforms.

Published

July 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last year was the year of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the franchise’s first Japan-themed entry. This year, however, the series is coming back to the one of its most popular worlds outside of Japan: pirates. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is now available on all major platforms.

Set during the Golden Age of Piracy, Black Flag Resynced brings players back into the boots of Edward Kenway, a vagabond pirate turned assassin. As he navigates the mysterious battle between Assassins and Templars, he travels the entire Caribbean and meets iconic pirates like Blackbeard and Anne Bonny.

This time, the 2013 game has been reengineered from the ground up using the latest Anvil engine. Besides amazing graphics, the remake has updated combat, new characters, and more narrative content.

Starting today, players can get Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Ubisoft Store, Ubisoft+, Steam, and Epic Games Store.

The Deluxe Edition packs the digital-only edition with the Master Assassin Character Pack and the Master Assassin Naval Pack. Meanwhile, the Collector’s Edition includes the Deluxe Edition and a catalog of physical goodies (Edward’s Figurine, an Edward wearable metal brooch, an exclusive SteelBook, a cloth map).