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

Globe, AcadArena launch Esports merit scholarship

Who knew playing video games has its benefits to your education?

Published

September 22, 2020

Gab Orlina

By this time, some students are already having online classes as a result of the pandemic. Even so, the younger generation still finds time to play video games to their hearts content. For others, while school hasn’t started yet, they use this time to hone their skills in otherwise competitive titles. Now, Globe and AcadArena have something very special planned that will provide more opportunities to college students.

As part of their student organization support system Alliance, Esports AcadArena is launching its first Esports merit scholarship. In partnership with Globe, this scholarship hopes to provide financial assistance through active participation in Esports activities. Essentially, student organizations from member universities may avail of this scholarship for select students.

The scholarships offers three types of merit depending on the student’s activities within their organization. There is the Family Good Game Grant which offers financial assistance to the student’s family provided he qualifies in AcadArena’s tournaments. Also, there are Competitve and Leadership Merits granted onto individuals with good chararcter and performance.

To know more about the Alliance Program or if your organization is interested in applying, visit AcadArena’s webiste.

Gaming

Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent ZeniMax for $7.5 billion

Gearing up for the console war

Published

September 22, 2020

Shivam Vahia

Microsoft has announced it’ll be acquiring ZeniMax Media for US$ 7.5 billion. The gaming company is behind many high-profile titles like Doom and Fallout. Furthermore, the gaming company owns Bethesda Softworks, which owns top-sellers like The Elder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, and Dishonored.

To be more precise, the deal includes multiple divisions like Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios.

The announcement comes just a week after Microsoft’s failed bid for the short-video app, TikTok. Instead, Oracle and Walmart won the race and officially became technology partners of the game. However, the gaming acquisition will immensely help the Redmond based giant sell its Xbox console.

“All of their great work will of course continue and grow and we look forward to empowering them with the resources and support of Microsoft to scale their creative visions to more players in new ways for you,” Xbox head Phil Spencer said in a blog post announcing the news.

The new Xbox and PlayStation are scheduled to come later this year and this deal gives Microsoft an edge in terms of game exclusivity. With the Coronavirus outbreak, gaming has picked up radically in 2020 and the future looks bright in the short term.

Microsoft will be seeking to bring all of the new studios’ upcoming titles to Xbox Game Pass on day one across Xbox consoles and PC.

Gaming

Buying a PS5? You might not have to wait long for a discount

This is according to a report by iPrice Group

Published

September 22, 2020

Rodneil Quiteles

The pricing and availability of the PlayStation 5 was revealed in a recent showcase.It also showed off the various games coming to the next-gen console. However, not everyone may be rushing to get their hands on the PS5. If you’re one of the few who are holding off, here’s how long you should wait.

According to a report by e-commerce aggregator iPrice Group, pricing for the new console might see a price drop as early as May 2021.

They came to this conclusion after studying the price history of the PlayStation 4 Pro — the console that precedes the PS5. They collected and compared selling prices of the console throughout the years on over 150 online shopping websites.

The average online selling price for Sony consoles tends to drop by six percent (6%), six months after the release and up to eight percent (8%) after a year.

The discounts also tend to come with game promotions where the consoles come bundled with certain early releases. The pricing discounts come from partner retailers. Sony itself doesn’t slash prices right away.