Gaming
Monster Hunter Wilds: Open Beta test, PS5 hardware
A lot to go through!
Eager to get your hands on Monster Hunter Wilds? Well, a lot of us will actually get a chance to play early. Capcom just announced a limited-time Open Beta Test along with plenty of other information about the game.
From Friday, 1st November 2024, at 11:00 AM (GMT+8) to Monday, 4th November 2024, at 10:59 AM (GMT+8), players can participate on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam for PC. Even those who are not subscribed to PlayStation Plus on PlayStation 5 or Game Pass Core/Ultimate on Xbox Series X|S can join the Open Beta Test.
Additionally, an exclusive early access play period for PlayStation®Plus members will take place from Tuesday, 29th October 2024, at 11:00 AM (GMT+8) to Thursday, 31st October 2024, at 10:59 AM (GMT+8). PlayStation®5 owners subscribed to PS Plus are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.
All of these were announced at the Monster Hunter Wilds Showcase along with plenty of information about the game.
Open Beta test overview
Before anything else, here’s what you can expect on the upcoming Open Beta test. It includes three content types: ‘Character Creation’, ‘Story Trial,’ and ‘Doshaguma Hunt’.
Character Creation
You can set body types. This increases the freedom of character creation (there will be no gameplay changes based on body type).
Character creation information from the Open Beta Test will carry over directly to the final version. During the beta period, you can create and redo your characters as many times as you like. Go ham with it.
Story Experience Quest & Doshaguma Hunt Quest
In the ‘Story Experience Quest,’ you can play through the beginning of the story. This includes cutscenes and a basic tutorial, leading up to the hunt for Chatacabra.
In the ‘Doshaguma Hunt Quest,’ you will aim to defeat the Alpha Doshaguma that leads the pack.
In the above-mentioned quests, you can enjoy multiplayer gameplay by sending out an SOS Flare to connect with online players. If no one answers your call, up to three NPC support hunters will join you to assist in the hunt.
By speaking with the handler, Alma, at the quest counter, you can make detailed settings regarding conditions such as the number of players in multiplayer. Whether you want to challenge the quest with four players or bring along a Palico and call in one NPC support hunter. Play the game however you like.
During the open beta test, it will be possible to register friends across different platforms (friend registration information will not carry over to the final version).
Open Beta Test Rewards
- Pendant: ‘Palico Teddy’
- Item Pack
The developers prepared a ‘Pendant’ and an ‘item pack’ for those who play the Open Beta Test. These can be used to decorate weapons and equipment in the final version. The rewards will be available as downloadable content after the release date.
Open Beta Test Schedule
The pre-download for the open beta test requires at least 29 GB of free space.
PlayStation 5 PS Plus Subscriber Exclusive Early Access
Event Date and Time (GMT+8):
October 29, 2024 (Tuesday) 11:00 AM to October 31, 2024 (Thursday) 10:59 AM
Note: Pre-download is scheduled to start on 28th October 2024 (Monday) at 11:00 AM.
PlayStation 5 / Xbox Series X|S / Steam
PlayStation 5 version: Those who are not subscribed to PS Plus can also participate,
box Series X|S version: Those who are not subscribed to Game Pass Core or Ultimate can join as well.
Event Date and Time (GMT+8):
November 15. 2024 (Friday) 11:00 AM to November 4, 2024 (Monday) 10:59 AM
Note: Pre-download is scheduled to start on 31st October 2024 (Thursday) at 11:00 AM.
The latest instalment in the series, Monster Hunter Wilds, is set for a simultaneous global release on 28th February 2025 (Friday) for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam for PC Windows.
Special Edition DualSense and PS5 cover
The game will also feature a Special Edition DualSense control and PlayStation 5 cover. The DualSense looks like a non-shiny edition of Volcanic Red with markings related to the game. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 cover comes in black with minimal Monster Hunter markings on the bottom if the PS5 is in standing position.
Monster Hunter Wilds is getting a special PS5 DualSense controller and cover to commemorate the launch of the game!
We are assisting with pre-orders for this item, so please read the pre-order process in each item’s description!https://t.co/4dI83LzZRu pic.twitter.com/tOqv82F37s
— Aitai☆Kuji (@AitaiKuji) October 23, 2024
Starting on November 22, 2024, players from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam will be able to pre-order the controller from select retailers for SGD 119 / MYR 419 / IDR 1,549,000 / THB 2,890 / PHP 4,890 / VND 2,399,000.
The DualSense wireless controller — Monster Hunter Wilds Limited Edition will be available from February 28, 2025. It’ll release alongside the much-anticipated game. Availability may vary by country/region, so be sure to check your local retailers.
Monster Hunter Wilds is now available for Pre-order:
PS5 version:
- Singapore: https://store.playstation.com/en-sg/concept/10005176/
- Malaysia: https://store.playstation.com/en-my/concept/10005176/
- Thailand: https://store.playstation.com/en-th/concept/10005176/
- Indonesia: https://store.playstation.com/en-id/concept/10005176/
- India: https://store.playstation.com/en-in/concept/10005176
Capcom is celebrating the arrival of Yasmine, the first-ever Filipina character in the Street Fighter series, with an official community event in the Philippines this August.
The Official Street Fighter 6 ‘Yasmine’ Community Event takes place on August 9, 2026 at Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant in Palanan, Makati. Doors open at 2:00 PM, with tournament matches, community activities, giveaways, and free play sessions scheduled throughout the day.
Meet Yasmine, Street Fighter 6’s first Filipina fighter
Yasmine joins Street Fighter 6 as the first playable character in the game’s Year 4 roster.
According to Capcom, she learned to fight alongside her older brother under the guidance of her grandfather. After her brother’s disappearance, she returns to combat using high-speed Eskrima techniques while wielding a Karambit knife.
She is joined in the Year 4 lineup by Arjun, Tifa from the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, and Bosch. Her release also coincides with balance updates for the entire Street Fighter 6 roster.
Yasmine becomes available on August 3, 2026 for players who own the Year 4 Character Pass or Year 4 Ultimate Pass.
Community tournament and exclusive merchandise
The Makati event will feature a double-elimination tournament, beginning with Best-of-3 matches before switching to Best-of-5 during the Top 8 Finals.
The schedule includes:
- 2:00 PM: Doors Open, Player Check-in, Controller Button Checks, and Free Play Warmups
- 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Welcome Speech & Official Street Fighter 6 Yasmine Gameplay Showcase
- 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Tournament Pools
- 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Top 8 Finals (Main Stage Broadcast) & Prize Presentation Ceremony for Champion, 2nd and 3rd Placements.
- 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Premium Community Giveaways, Group Photo Ops, and Closing Remarks
- 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Free Play and Community Networking
Attendees can also receive exclusive event merchandise while supplies last, including a Yasmine-themed T-shirt, lanyard, keychains, and themed food and refreshments.
Capcom says admission is subject to venue capacity and will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Watch the event online
Fans who cannot attend in person can watch the tournament live through the Capcom Asia Official YouTube Channeland the Enduins Games Official YouTube Channel.
Capcom also teased additional announcements, including appearances from cosplay personalities, fighting game veterans, and content creators, which will be revealed closer to the event.
Street Fighter 6 Yasmine community event details
- Date: August 9, 2026
- Time: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Venue: Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant, Palanan, Makati City
- Tournament: Double-elimination (FT2, Top 8 FT3)
- Livestream: Capcom Asia Official YouTube Channel and Enduins Games Official YouTube Channel
Gaming
Most of the world’s PlayStations will be officially useless by 2028
PlayStation’s disastrous no-disc policy is now a lot worse than you thought.
Last week, we lamented the loss of the PlayStation disc. As we described, the loss isn’t just a major blow to nostalgia for aging gamers, but it also puts a huge question mark on game ownership. Well, there’s another wrinkle that the world is slowly realizing. By deleting physical discs, PlayStation has effectively blockaded their entire service from countries without an official online store.
If you haven’t heard, PlayStation is ceasing the production of physical discs for new games starting 2028. The console will become an all-digital platform. Now, we can blather on and on about how this sucks for ownership, but all gamers will still have access to games online at the very least. Right?
Wrong.
Not every country has an official PlayStation Store or the ability to create a PSN account. In fact, a staggering amount don’t; 121 countries (or 62 percent of the entire world) don’t have official access to the online storefront.
If you live in any of these countries, you’re likely familiar with some unofficial solutions: that is, setting your country elsewhere where the store exists. But, because it’s an unofficial solution, doing this is technically against PlayStation’s policies and can result in bans.
That being said, as noted by users on Reddit, this means that, on a very technical and legal level, these 121 countries will no longer be able to buy physical or digital games starting 2028. Because of a clarified policy, you can still play older games, but if you want to play the latest Call of Duty or NBA 2K, you are out of luck.
There’s no official list of affected countries, other than those collated by others manually. But if you’ve never been able to set your own country on the PlayStation Network, you’re a part of it.
Gaming
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced comes to life at Skypark Macau
Themed event lets fans experience the game in real life from July 17 to 26
Assassin’s Creed fans are invited to celebrate the launch of Black Flag Resynced through a limited-time themed experience at the Skypark Macau Tower.
The experience will run from July 17 to 26, and will feature elements from the title brought into a real-world setting. There’s themed installations, photo opportunities, and exclusive event rewards.
Aside from that, there is a concept art gallery and replica props inspired by the action-adventure.
The experience opens to the public from 11:00 A.M. on Friday, and will remain available until the last Sunday of the month.
It will be more fulfilling to come on the first day, as there will be exclusive merchandise sold only on July 17.
Guests who purchase the game on-site, or present proof of purchase of the game at the event will be eligible to redeem an exclusive item, available only until supplies last.
Moreover, those who complete an eligible activity during the Assassin’s Creed event period at Skypark Macau will receive a paper scroll replica of the “Letter for Duncan Walpole”, while supplies last.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is a faithful remake of 2013’s Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag. Rebuilt from the ground up and powered by the latest Anvil engine, the game features updated visuals, enriched gameplay, and new narrative content.
Set during the Golden Age of Piracy, the game invites players to sail the Caribbean as Edward Kenway. The rebellious pirate captain is drawn into the centuries-old conflict between Assassins and Templars.
As the protagonist pursues glory and fortune, he crosses paths with legendary figures such as Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Calico Jack. All this while the fate of everything the pirates have built hangs in the balance.
The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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