Gaming

UK blocks Microsoft-Activision deal

Citing anti-competition claims for cloud gaming

Published

April 27, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Last year started with a bombshell for the gaming industry. Out of nowhere, Microsoft announced that it will acquire another giant in Activision Blizzard. However, the deal has yet to push through. Throughout last year, a few countries sought to block the deal from pushing through. Now, a block is surely happening. The United Kingdom has announced the Microsoft-Activision deal has been effectively blocked in the country.

Today, the country’s Competition and Markets Authority announced the decision and the reasoning behind the block. According to the decision, allowing the deal to be pushed through will stifle competition across the board. Should the deal happen, Microsoft will own 60 to 70 percent of the market share. The company can reportedly block its own titles from appearing on competing platforms.

To appease lawmakers, Microsoft recently inked agreements with Sony and Nintendo for the Call of Duty franchise. The shooter franchise will appear on those platforms even following Microsoft’s acquisition.

Now, the United Kingdom’s case now hinges on another aspect of the industry: cloud gaming. Though the segment has yet to really make an impact on the industry as a whole, Microsoft’s acquisition will allow for a major advantage to push through.

For its part, Microsoft is not done with the case. The company will appeal the decision and continue to push for the deal to go ahead. That said, even the United States is going through the deal with a fine-tooth comb. The deal is far from its conclusion.

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).