Gaming

Microsoft accidentally reveals the next Xbox Series X

Coming next year

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Accidentally revealing the next Xbox probably wasn’t on Microsoft’s bingo card this year. However, the ongoing court proceedings between Microsoft and the FTC have turned the company into an open book. Practically everything about Microsoft’s plans and opinions are out in the open. Now, the biggest revelation (so far) is the next Xbox coming in 2024.

As you might have seen, an entire tome’s worth of documents were recently released to the public today. Among these documents are Microsoft’s desire to acquire Nintendo and Bethesda’s future games. Today, via The Verge, Microsoft has also revealed its plans for an Xbox Series X refresh coming next year.

The next Xbox Series X

The upcoming console, codenamed Brooklin, takes the current generation’s power and packs it into a new form factor, bigger storage space, and an improved controller. The biggest change, as is apparent with the associated images, is the design change. Instead of the rectangular form of the current Xbox Series X, the Brooklin will have a cylindrical design.

Because of the change, the console will lose the disc drive, opting instead for a larger 2TB drive inside. It will also come with a USB-C port for power delivery. For connectivity, it will come with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.

It will retail for US$ 499.

The Sebile controller

The other big announcement is a new controller codenamed Sebile. It will feature haptic feedback and an accelerometer. Users will be able to wake the controller by simply lifting it from a table. It also promises connectivity to the cloud and improved button handling.

Additionally, the document reveals that the controller’s battery is swappable. The thumbsticks are also modular, hinting at the same customizability as more advanced controllers are today.

The Sebile is expected to be announced later this year and to be launched sometime in 2024. It is also expected to cost US$ 69.99.

What else is new

In other news, a diagram associated with the document also reveals a refreshed Xbox Series S codenamed Ellewood coming a bit before the Brooklin. The unannounced console will feature 1TB of storage and will retail for US$ 299.

Microsoft also anticipates that the next generation of Xbox — that is, beyond the Series X|S — will arrive sometime in 2028. That’s still quite a long time for the Series X|S generation.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft was planning to buy Nintendo

Gaming

How to change your Nintendo eShop region

Hint: You can’t find it on your Switch.

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With Nintendo finally opening the eShop and Nintendo Switch Online in the Philippines, you might be wondering how you can switch your account’s region to the right country. After all, before today, you might have set your shop to the neighboring Singapore or other countries that aren’t named the Philippines. If you’re in the same boat, here’s a quick how-to, so you can enjoy paying for services in Philippine peso.

First, you need to log into your Nintendo Account. Take note: you can do this only through their website via a browser, so don’t fiddle around with your Switch or Switch 2 just yet.

Upon logging in, you’ll be redirected immediately to your profile’s information, including your country or region of residence. Just click Edit and select your desired country in the drop-down menu.

Nintendo will then present you a few notices regarding changing your region. The important bit is that you can’t carry over your account balance to the next region. So, if you have a hefty sum tucked away in your current region, it might be wise to spend it before switching. Likewise, your credit card might not work if it was issued from the current region.

Once you agree to the terms, everything’s set!

All you need to do is access the eShop on your console and sign in again. Afterwards, the corresponding services should be in your currency of choice.

For a list of detailed changes and prices, check out our coverage here.

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Gaming

ICYMI: PKL 2026 belongs to BOOM Esports

Crowning the present and the future

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Another Esports calendar in the Philippines wrapped up nicely this past weekend, only from the other side of the MMORPGs. At the Samsung Hall in SM Aura last November 9, the fourth installment of the Honor of Kings official Philippine league came to its exciting conclusion as four teams entered with rich prizes up for grabs. Here’s what went down on the final day of the Philippines Kings League Fall 2026:

Early in the afternoon, the third split of the Kings Campus Series crowned a new champion hailing all the way down from Cebu. In a thriller of a five-game series, the University of Cebu Webmasters took down the University of Sto. Tomas Teletigers Helios, 3-2, and took home the grand prize of Php 140,000. From start to finish, both teams exchanged heart-stopping plays and showed excellent flashes of teamwork that brought the series to a decider. 

In the evening, the culmination of the PKL for 2026 took place with the Fall 2026 Grand Finals between the reigning champions in BOOM Esports against JGames Esports. Last November 8, JGames earned a place in their first ever Grand Finals after besting TNT Tropang Alab in a full best-of-seven series. However, even with all the momentum coming from their run in the Lower Bracket, JGames would only settle for 2nd as Boom Esports dominated the matchup, 4-1 and became the first back-to-back champions of the PKL.

The night capped off with a showcase of the three Philippine representatives to the Honor of Kings International Championships in Jakarta this December.

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Gaming

GTA VI pre-loading now available on PS5, Xbox

Get ready for Leonida

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Players who digitally pre-ordered Grand Theft Auto VI can now pre-load the game ahead of its launch.

Rockstar Games confirmed that pre-loading is available to all digital pre-order customers. Those who purchased the code-in-box version can also begin downloading once they receive and activate their codes.

The announcement also reveals new performance details for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

GTA VI targets 30fps on consoles

Rockstar says Grand Theft Auto VI was built from the ground up for the current generation of consoles.

The game targets 30 frames per second on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

According to Rockstar, this approach allows the game to maintain the visual fidelity and density of Leonida’s environments.

The developer says it is pushing both platforms to their limits to bring the game’s expansive world to life.

PS5 Pro gets exclusive visual enhancements

PlayStation 5 Pro players can expect additional graphical improvements.

These include enhanced image clarity through PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) and ray-traced shadows exclusive to the PS5 Pro.

The PS5 version also features integrated DualSense haptic feedback, with adjustable settings for accessibility.

Rockstar is also highlighting improved spatial audio through Tempest 3D Audio and faster loading times on PlayStation consoles.

Cloud gaming and Remote Play support

Grand Theft Auto VI will also be playable through Xbox Cloud Gaming on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

The cloud version will use Xbox Series S graphics settings. However, performance may vary depending on internet speeds and other streaming conditions.

The game will also support Remote Play on both PlayStation and Xbox.

Alongside the announcement, Rockstar released a new video featuring “Blood in Your Eyes” by Tove Lo, taken from Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album.

Players can visit the official GTA VI website for more information.

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