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

Ubisoft Forward: Free trials, discounts on titles, drops

Tune in on June 13

Published

June 10, 2023

GadgetMatch

Viewers will get the chance to secure items from different games when they tune in to this year’s edition of Ubisoft Forward on June 13.

They will simply have to watch the livestream on Ubisoft’s Twitch and YouTube channels, or through one of Ubisoft’s official co-streamers.

Here are the items up for grabs:

Watch for 15 minutes: “Slumbering Ikran” Na’vi Weapon Trinket from Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Watch for 20 minutes: “Base Camp Duffel” from Riders Republic
Watch for 30 minutes: “Eugene” Raven Skin from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Watch for 45 minutes: “Oasis Initiate of Alamut Dye” from Assassin’s Creed Mirage

Ubisoft Forward will begin at 1:00 a.m. Philippine time, after a 15-minute pre-show. The main event will then be followed by a post-show for a deeper dive into some of the showcased games.

The stream will showcase an exclusive look at upcoming games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, The Crew Motorfest, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and more.

Discounts, free trials

In celebration of the event, Ubisoft is also offering a free trial for its subscription service, Ubisoft+.

Players who sign up for Ubisoft+ Multi-Access will receive a free seven-day trial subscription, granting them access to the Ubisoft+ library on PC through Ubisoft Connect, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.

From June 8 to 21, the Ubisoft Store is also offering major discounts on selected titles:

70% off: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Complete Edition
75% off: Anno 1800
33% off: The Settlers: New Allies

There will also be an additional 20% off discount when players use the code UBISOFT20 upon checkout.

Gaming

vivo Y35: Up your mobile gaming for less

Entry-level mobile gaming

Published

June 10, 2023

GadgetMatch

Gone are the days where smartphones with capable gaming specs were limited to those in the upper mid-range up to the flagship categories.

Nowadays, customers can get a borderline entry-level phone which can hold its own for mobile games. Not just any mobile games, but those require moderate to sometimes even a heavy workload. One of them is the vivo Y35.

The vivo Y35 is powered by a Snapdragon 680 processor, and has a spacious 256GB internal storage capacity. On top of that, the phone boasts of 8GB base RAM, plus 8GB of RAM expansion. This helps make sure it can handle your favorite mobile games.

The phone also has a 6.58-inch LCD FHD+ 1080p display with 90Hz, so users are guaranteed of seeing their favorite heroes or characters in crystal-clear detail.

Aside from these, the device also has an Esports mode and a Do Not Disturb feature to further optimize the gaming experience.

The vivo Y35 supports 44W fast-charging. It lets users juice its battery back up to 70% in just about 34 minutes. Best of all, the vivo Y35 has become even more affordable at PhP 12,999. That’s PhP 2,000 off its original SRP when it was released. It’s available in Dawn Gold and Agate Black colors.

This article is a sponsored press release by vivo Philippines.

Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth coming early 2024

Second of the Remake trilogy

Published

June 9, 2023

GadgetMatch

Square Enix has released a new trailer for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to excite gamers even more for its 2024 release in Asia on PlayStation 5.

The Summer Game Fest 2023 trailer previewed the title’s gameplay. It also showed story elements and its expansive world that players can look forward to experiencing starting in “early 2024.”

Thanks to Square Enix’s previous easter eggs, it can be expected that there will be new characters with more action outside of Midgar. This mimics the feeling players of the original game. The world opened up following the events that transpired in Midgar.

The trailer also showcased new combat mechanics. Characters like Yuffie and Red XXIII were seen doing team-up attacks. Our main girls Tifa and Aerith were also shown doing the same.

Though yet to get an exact release date and price, the second entry to the Final Fantasy VII remake project is already anticipated by many. Oh and something that caught people’s eyes — the end of the trailer says Rebirth will have two (2) discs.

It will continue the story in Final Fantasy VII Remake, which has earned tremendous praise from players and critics globally.

The first of the remake trilogy garnered more than 20 perfect scores. It also became the highest-selling digital release on PlayStation in Square Enix’s history.

Watch the trailer.