Gaming

Facebook introduces monetized streaming for gamers

Competes with Twitch and YouTube

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Since the explosive popularity of Twitch and YouTube, becoming a professional streamer and entertainer has become an alluring option for work. Using their popular Live platform, Facebook joins the fray with their own program for gamers.

Following a recent press release, the mainstream social network introduces a specialized package for gaming creators dubbed the Gaming Creator Pilot Program. The package aims to draw streamers away from the clutches of other streaming platforms.

Much like its competitors, the pilot program offers quality streaming that proves enjoyable for streaming audiences. Whereas the current settings for Facebook Live stream are 720p and 30fps, the program allows enrolled streamers to livestream at 1080p and 60fps.

As with Twitch, the pilot program will focus on monetization for its streamers. However, unlike the above streaming platform, Facebook will not offer subscription options that viewers can pay for. Instead, viewers can leave tips for the streamer, similar to Twitch’s Bits system.

The announcement comes shortly after the social network signed a deal with ESL Gaming. Alongside the program, Facebook is already the main broadcast platform for the CS:GO Pro League and ESL One events.

The program is still in its very early stages, hoping to attract more streamers as it gains more traction. At its current state, Facebook isn’t likely to offer the pinpoint specialization of either Twitch or YouTube. However, they hope to attract more streamers with their massive mainstream audience. As of 2017, Facebook already has more than two billion users worldwide.

Facebook’s massive reach also includes visibility on other popular Facebook-owned platforms like Instagram and Oculus.

As it is still in its infancy, it’s still too early to tell whether the Gaming Creator Pilot Program will take off. One thing’s for sure: Everyone wants in on the tempting allure of professional streaming.

SEE ALSO: Facebook is working on a video conferencing device — report

Gaming

GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT launches in March 2027

Gundam pilots face the Apocalypse.

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Gundam Rogue Orbit

GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT will launch on March 5, 2027, bringing a new action-focused sci-fi story to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia also opened pre-orders for the game and released a new trailer. The footage offers a closer look at its story, gameplay, characters, and a mysterious black Mobile Suit with glowing red eyes.

The game puts players in the cockpit of the Gundam Helix. Players take on the role of RE-X, a pilot who joins a group of soldiers fighting against the Apocalypse, an unknown threat facing humanity.

Build your own Mobile Suit

GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT gives players several ways to customize the Gundam Helix for combat.

Players can equip different weapons, frames, thrusters, and Apocalypse Units (AP-U). They can also select their own color scheme.

Each weapon comes with its own actions and skills. This lets players adapt their approach as battles move across expansive ground and aerial environments.

RE-X will also encounter several characters throughout the story.

Vii is RE-X’s Haro companion and serves as an intelligent assist unit built specifically for the Gundam Helix. April Freeman is the captain of the Stellarvane, an independent special-duty vessel that takes on missions against the Apocalypse.

Meanwhile, Elaine Galath is a knight commander and skilled Mobile Suit pilot who leads her forces from the front lines. Big Paul leads a group of sand pirates who hunt the Apocalypse while raiding wealthy transports to distribute supplies to settlers.

Sophia also appears as the game’s heroine. She is a mysterious girl who monitors RE-X’s situation.

Three editions available

GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT will be available in Standard, Deluxe, and Collector’s Editions.

The Standard Edition includes the base game and an Early Unlock Earth Blue Color Customization. The bonus is available with packaged early purchases and digital pre-orders.

The Deluxe Edition adds the Premium Mod Skins Set, a 14-color Mobile Suit Color Pack, Digital Artwork & Music Selection, and a Mission Reward Booster.

The Collector’s Edition includes all Deluxe Edition content, along with a steel case, five GUNDAM Card Game promo card designs, and an HG 1/144 ARK-10 GUNDAM HELIX model kit in the Earth Blue version.

GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT launches March 5, 2027, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

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Gaming

Lenovo Legion teams up with Quiccs

A new Filipino gaming collectible

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Legion Quiccs

Lenovo Legion is bringing gaming and Filipino design together through a new collaboration with toy designer Quiccs.

The partnership was unveiled at SuperManila Comic Con on September 6 as part of Lenovo’s campaign for its Legion Gen 11 devices. It introduces a special Lenovo Legion x Quiccs collectible that reimagines Quiccs’ signature character with a Lenovo Legion-inspired design.

The collectible also comes in customized Lenovo Legion x Quiccs packaging, combining the identities of the Filipino artist and gaming brand.

A collaboration rooted in gaming

Legion Quiccs

The partnership brings together two of Quiccs’ interests: gaming and design. The toy designer is also an avid gamer who plays titles such as DOTA 2 and Counter-Strike.

During Lenovo Legion’s stage program at SuperManila Comic Con, Quiccs joined Charlotte Koa, Lenovo Consumer Business Lead, for a panel hosted by Gino Quillamor. They discussed the collaboration and the story behind its design.

“Gaming has always been something I enjoy, so getting the chance to bring my design into the Legion world made this collaboration especially interesting for me,” said Quiccs.

For Lenovo, the partnership is also a way to connect with the local gaming community through Filipino creative talent. Koa noted that gaming culture extends beyond playing games and includes communities, creativity, personal expression, and shared interests.

Legion x Quiccs promo starts September 18

The collaboration will extend beyond the SuperManila Comic Con showcase through the Lenovo Legion x Quiccs Promo 2026.

Running from September 18 to October 31, 2026, the promo gives customers a limited-edition Legion x Quiccs freebie with every qualifying purchase of select Lenovo Legion and LOQ devices from authorized participating stores.

Depending on the device purchased, freebies include 12-inch or 3-inch collectible toys, exclusive jerseys, and sticker packs. Customers can redeem the promo up to five times, with the freebie provided upon purchase.

Lenovo Legion was also a Platinum exhibitor at SuperManila Comic Con. Its booth gave convention-goers a chance to experience Legion devices and see the Quiccs collaboration.

Through the partnership, Lenovo Legion and Quiccs aim to bring gaming and Filipino creative culture closer together, turning gaming-inspired design into collectibles that fans can enjoy beyond the screen.

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Now Playing: Elden Ring Tarnished Edition

Is the Switch 2 port worth the price?

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Elden Ring

How do you review one of the greatest games of all time?

Elden Ring is one of those games that needs no introduction. Launched in 2022, the difficult fantasy RPG rapidly skyrocketed into the year’s top spot. Then, it got even better with 2024’s Shadow of the Erdtree, a sizable DLC that packed in a new map with new challenges. Now, I’ve reviewed both and found them well worth the price of admission. So, what else is there to say?

Well, late last month, Elden Ring launched its much-awaited port for the Switch 2 through a Tarnished Edition, a bundle that conveniently pairs the base game with the DLC in one package. In an instant, there are now two new things to talk about: How well does the game perform on a Switch 2? What does the Tarnished Edition add?

Is Elden Ring worth getting for the Switch 2?

Compared to the original Switch, the second Switch features a way better processor. Games aren’t locked to the limitations of yesteryear: 720p resolution, 30fps. However, the Switch 2 still isn’t the best console for chasing performance. Personally, I’ve been using it almost exclusively for first-party Nintendo games and older (and smaller) titles.

That said, Nintendo has grandiose dreams for its latest console. Starting with Cyberpunk 2077, the console wants to be a home for modern games, too, and Elden Ring is the perfect candidate for that.

Naturally, a Switch 2 port can fill fans with consternation especially after they’ve experienced the legendary game on more powerful consoles. Is the Switch 2 a good match?

Yes, if you don’t mind playing at 30fps. Unfortunately, Elden Ring is locked to only 30fps on the console. Though a good chunk of the population is clearly fine with the framerate, it’s a bit of a struggle for me especially in handheld mode.

Maybe it’s my aging eyes, but having a game so close to my face but locked at 30fps doesn’t make for a good time. I got dizzy pretty quickly. It also didn’t help that the handheld mode had several stutters.

As with other games on the platform, docked mode had significant improvements. Sure, it’s still locked at 30fps, but a consistent framerate is much better than a stuttering one. Despite the downgrade, the Switch 2 can handle the game well.

Is the Tarnished Edition worth getting?

Most FromSoftware games will get a complete edition eventually. All of the Dark Souls titles got one, and Elden Ring is no exception.

The biggest difference here is that the Tarnished Edition is technically exclusive to the Switch 2. It’s the only package available for the console. It includes the base game, the expansion pack, two new starting classes, new skins for Torrent, and new armors. It’s the most comprehensive way to play the entirety of Elden Ring, excepting Nightreign.

If you’re on another platform, the Tarnished Edition updates — the new classes, skins, and armors — are available only through a Tarnished Pack purchased separately. Is it worth the price?

The most exciting part of the update is the addition of two new classes: Heavy Knight and Idus Knight. For me, I prefer the Heavy Knight, a hardy class focused on heavy armor, endurance, and strength. It’s a very straightforward class for those who prefer direct damage. Idus Knight, on the other hand, focuses on dexterity and faith, if you prefer playing with quicker attacks and miracles.

The rest, in my opinion, is just cherry on top. The new armor and customization options are nice to have, but I don’t have a strong feeling that it’s worth the price of an extra DLC.

Is Elden Ring Tarnished Edition your PlayMatch?

As I said, it’s hard to review the special edition or a port of a universally acclaimed game. Focusing on the minutiae of performance and slight upgrades doesn’t feel like it does Elden Ring justice. The game earned 2022’s Game of the Year for a reason.

That said, I can’t recommend Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree enough. If you haven’t played it yet and only have a Switch 2, the Tarnished Edition gets a Swipe Right and a Super Swipe.

However, if you’ve already finished the game and have no intention of playing it elsewhere (especially on a potentially weaker platform), this gets a Swipe Left. You can shell out a few bucks for the Tarnished Pack, though, if you really want to support the game.

SEE ALSO: Elden Ring review: Should you play the hardest game of 2022?

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