Gaming

Genshin Impact announces 4.8: Emilie, limited-time map, events

Available starting July 17

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Genshin Impact’s version 4.8 update is dropping on July 17, 2024, HoYoverse announced. “Summertide Scales and Tales” will feature a brand-new summer map, Simulanka. This will allow players to try out limited-time events and win rich rewards. A new five-star character, Emilie, will also make her debut.

There will be various seasonal events taking place around Simulanka. These include mini-games and bonuses. One is “Boreal Flurry” where players can shoot balloons while enjoying an aerial experience overlooking the new map.

Another is “Flying Hatter’s Trick” which is a claw machine-like game. Travelers will need to capture as many moving toy figures as possible. Moreover, “Metropole Trials” will require them to assemble two teams of characters to take on combat challenges.

Up for grabs from such mini-games are Starsail Coins  that may then be used to draw figurines which can be displayed on “Good Shelves” scattered throughout Simulanka. These shelves may be obtained as a reward for completing all main stories in the new map. They can then be placed in the Serenitea Pot as summer souvenirs.

New outfits

Furthermore, Kirara and Nilou will show up in new outfits. Players will get Kirara’s phantom burglar-themed outfit by accumulating “Excerpts of Bliss” as they collect “Jubilant Feathers” and open “Fairytale Troves.”

On the other hand, Nilou’s new floral-themed outfit will be available at a limited-time discount in the store.

New 5-star character

Lastly, new five-star Dendro polearm user Emilie will make her debut. A perfumer from Fontaine, she has unique abilities, allowing players who recruit her to deal more damage to Burning enemies.

Her combat mechanics revolve around the Lumidouce Case, which inflicts Dendro damage from time to time. If enemies are affected by the Burning effect, the Case can be upgraded and deal even greater damage based on her attack. It also benefits from greater attack range and faster attack speed.

Emilie’s Story Quest, “Pomum de Ambra Chapter,” delves into her second identity as a “forensic cleaner” expert in crime scenes. This quest uncovers the mystery surrounding teh “Auguste” flower.

The new character’s debut and Yelan’s rerun will appear in the latter half of Version 4.8 Event Wishes. Reruns of Navia and Nilou, meanwhile, will take place in the first phase.

Other updates

Players will also enjoy more optimization updates in Version 4.8.

First, players will now be able to store Encounter Points and use them later to claim Daily Commission rewards. New Long-Term Encounter Points can be converted from excess points accumulated beyond the daily limit. This can be done by collecting specific items, opening chests, or completing event objectives.

Cooldown for World Bosses, which cost 40 Original Resin to claim rewards, has likewise been drastically reduced from five minutes to just 10 seconds. This enhancement enables smoother challenges, quicker Resin consumption, and conversion of Long-Term Encounter Points for Daily Commission bonuses.

For those with an eye for graphics, characters will also enjoy a new unique trailing effect while sprinting. This new 4.8 feature is called “Echo.”

Gaming

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3

With new gameplay, story details

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The Blood of Dawnwalker

Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco Entertainment have revealed a fresh wave of details for The Blood of Dawnwalker, confirming its release on September 3, 2026.

The upcoming dark fantasy open-world action RPG is headed to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with pre-orders now live across digital storefronts and retail. The announcement came alongside the game’s “Road to Launch” event, which packed in new gameplay footage, story reveals, and system requirements.

Story, gameplay, and a deeper look at Vale Sangora

A new story trailer introduces key characters surrounding protagonist Coen, a Dawnwalker caught between humanity and vampirism. Set in the fictional Vale Sangora in the Carpathian Mountains, the game leans heavily into choice-driven storytelling, where allies, enemies, and outcomes shift depending on player decisions.

Rebel Wolves also showcased over 10 minutes of gameplay captured from a recent PC build. The footage highlights narrative-driven exploration, where uncovering secrets and completing activities can unlock abilities or alter how events unfold. The core idea is simple: every action carries consequences, shaping both the story and the state of the world.

Developers including Piotr Kucharski, Daria Bury-Zawada, Maciej Wiśniewski, and Dorota Rutkowska also broke down key systems and design philosophies in a new dev diary.

Motion capture, editions, and system requirements revealed

A behind-the-scenes segment featured former UFC champion Jan Błachowicz, who contributed motion capture work for Bakir, one of the game’s antagonists. His involvement adds a layer of realism to combat, with a focus on weight and impact in every strike.

Rebel Wolves also detailed multiple editions of the game. Alongside the standard digital version and retail Day One Edition, players can opt for the Eclipse Edition, which includes bonuses like a world compendium, soundtrack, and comic book. A Collector’s Edition will also be available in limited quantities.

Official PC system requirements were likewise shared during the event, giving players a clearer idea of what hardware they’ll need to run the game.

A dark fantasy journey shaped by choice

Set in 14th-century Europe during a time of war and plague, The Blood of Dawnwalker follows Coen’s struggle against Brencis, a powerful vampire lord ruling over Vale Sangora. As a Dawnwalker, Coen walks a fine line between two worlds, gaining unique abilities while dealing with the cost that comes with them.

Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game emphasizes player agency, blending open-world exploration with branching narrative paths. Whether forming alliances or facing off against enemies, every decision feeds back into how the story unfolds.

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

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Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo out now on Switch 2 and Xbox

Free demo now live

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is making its way to more players, and you can jump in right now.

Square Enix has released a free playable demo for the acclaimed RPG on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC. Better yet, your progress carries over to the full game when it launches on June 3, 2026.

The demo includes Chapters 1 and 2, giving players a substantial slice of the experience right from the start.

A look at the opening chapters

Chapter 1 revisits one of the most pivotal moments in the story — the Nibelheim incident. You take control of a younger Cloud alongside Sephiroth as they investigate a mysterious outbreak of monsters. It’s a story beat longtime fans will recognize, but still hits hard with its modern presentation.

Chapter 2 opens things up. Cloud and the crew step into the Grasslands, where the game starts to flex its scale. Expect a mix of combat encounters, exploration, side activities, and even the in-game card battler Queen’s Blood.

Combat blends real-time action with command-based strategy, now enhanced with Synergy Abilities. The demo also introduces “Streamlined Progression” options like unlimited HP/MP and faster ability unlocks, letting players focus more on the story if they choose.

Pre-orders and physical bonuses

Pre-orders are now open across platforms, with a 20% discount available until June 10, 2026.

Digital editions come with in-game bonuses like Summoning Materia, armor sets, and accessories. Meanwhile, early buyers of the Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition get a little extra — a collectible Magic: The Gathering–Final Fantasy Zack Fair card featuring variant art by Tetsuya Nomura, available while supplies last.

Preparing for the final chapter

Set beyond Midgar, Rebirth follows Cloud and his allies — including Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII — as they pursue Sephiroth across a wider world. New companions like Yuffie and Cait Sith join the journey, adding more personality and dynamics to the party.

Already released on PlayStation 5 and PC, the game has racked up over 125 perfect review scores and more than 40 Game of the Year awards. With its arrival on Switch 2 and Xbox, the remake trilogy is now nearly fully playable across modern platforms.

That puts more players in position for what’s next: the third and final installment, which is currently in development.

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Gaming

Level Infinite launches Gangstar Mirage City exclusively in PH

A blend of high-speed street racing, exploration, more

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Level Infinite has launched a brand new mobile title exclusively available in the Philippines: Gangstar Mirage City.

Players can enjoy a blend of freedom, action, and dynamic gameplay in the free-to-play multiplayer open-world mobile game.

It is set in a near-future metropolis of Rooklyn, where thrilling action, player choice, and unpredictable moments collide.

Mirage City is the latest chapter in Gameloft’s renowned Gangstar franchise, with more than 250 million registered users.

It brings an expansive open-world gameplay to mobile, powered by high-fidelity graphics and detailed environments tailored for mobile play.

At its core, Mirage City is about freedom. As such, players can alternate between story-driven content and free-form exploration. They can navigate the city, build an empire, and define a personal journey.

There’s high-speed street racing, explosive encounters, and dynamic city events. Moreover, there is deep customization across vehicles, properties, and lifestyle, plus a wide range of activities in-game.

Being a Philippines-exclusive, title, the open-world RPG supports Tagalog text as well to bring the experience closer to its audience.

For now, the game is available for download via Google Play for Android devices.

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