Gaming

Niantic releases official statement on Pokémon Go global rollout

Published

August 4, 2016

Michael Josh Villanueva

Here’s a breakdown of what we know about Pokémon Go‘s global release so far in order of date:

The game is out now in the Philippines and 14 other countries in Asia and Ocenia. Swing by this page for the full list.
As of today, August 4, Pokémon Go is now available in Central and South America. The news comes just in time for the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil. The world’s best athletes training in Pokémon gyms could be a thing now. Yay!
Nintendo announced on July 27th that Pokémon Go Plus, the watch-like companion device that alerts you of nearby monsters, will be available in September, not late-July.

Pokémon Go debuted in France and Hong Kong on July 25. Reports said the game has seen more than 75 million downloads between the iOS and Android app stores.
Pikachu is home. Pokémon Go was released in its native Japan on July 22, two days after servers were originally scheduled to go live.
On July 17, the game was unleashed in Canada.
July 16th marked Pokémon Go’s launch in 26 other countries across Europe, namely Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Pokémon Go went live in Italy, Spain, and Portugal on July 15.

As Pokémon Go finds its way to more users around the world, the question on everyone’s minds is: Where will the coveted augmented-reality game launch next?

As of this writing, the game is only officially released in 37 countries, including Australia, Canada, the U.S., and most of Europe. Yes, we’re counting!

Of course, that hasn’t stopped speculation from mounting. Some websites even went as far as saying that Pokémon Go will be made available in some parts of Southeast Asia by July.

Now, we can say with certainty that won’t be the case. Fortyseven Communications, the PR firm of Pokémon Go developer Niantic Labs, earlier released a statement on behalf of the company, saying the game developer can’t give a release date for Pokémon Go for the rest of the world.

“The team is currently heads down working on the game. We do not have any announced plans for countries beyond New Zealand, Australia, US and Germany at the moment.”

That doesn’t mean the app isn’t on its way to more regions, including Southeast Asia, where it has been reported that servers were temporarily turned on for a few hours. Regardless, it’s best to keep expectations in check until further notice.

And word may be out soon. In a recent interview with Reuters, Niantic Labs chief executive John Hanke said he wants a wider rollout for Pokémon Go, adding he expects 200 more countries and regions to join in on the fun “relatively soon.”

Pokémon Go took the world by storm recently, and has since seen more daily active users than Twitter and Tinder, and people spend more time time on it than on Facebook. It has even overtaken the mighty Candy Crush Saga.

It is estimated the game generates millions within minutes, and it isn’t even available in most parts of the world yet. Perhaps even more impressive, Nintendo has doubled in market value since the game’s release.

For our part, we’ve set up our own Pokémon Go watch, which entails round-the-clock hourly checks of the app and related content on the web. As soon as we have an update, you’ll be the first to hear it.

This story was published on July 15. It has been edited to reflect Pokemon Go’s availability to more regions and details from Retuers’ interview with Niantic head John Hanke.

[irp posts=”7858″ name=”Pokémon Sun and Moon out now”]

Source: IGN Southeast Asia

Related Topics:Niantic Nintendo Pokemon Go

Computers

AMD launches Radeon RX 9050 graphics card

Affordable GPU option for AAA titles

Published

July 30, 2026

GadgetMatch

AMD has launched the new AMD Radeon RX 9050 graphics card, expanding the Radeon RX 9000 series with an affordable option.

This brings AMD RDNA 4 gaming technologies to mainstream gamers with a retail price of US$ 279.

The particular GPU is designed for responsive gameplay at 1080p. That’s for esports and modern AAA titles.

Some popular titles it can run at high frame rates on a 1080p resolution include: Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 6, Pragmata, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Valorant, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, to name a few.

This highly efficient, drop-in upgrade features a 92W TBP and fully supports the latest AMD FSR technologies, next-gen raytracing, and high-quality AV1 video streaming.

Key specs:

Architecture: AMD RDNA 4
Compute Units: 16
VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
Game Clock / Boost Clock: 1.92 GHz / Up to 2.60 GHz
TBP: 92W

In line with the Radeon RX 9050 launch, AMD has also released AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 26.7.1.

This driver introduces official day-one support for Radeon RX 9050, alongside early multiplayer access for Gears of War: E-Day.

Users can download the software here.

Gaming

NBA 2K27 gameplay trailer showcases new dunk mechanics, Rucker Park, and more

First gameplay details revealed

Published

July 29, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

NBA 2K27 is giving fans their first look at this year’s gameplay.

2K has released the official gameplay trailer for NBA 2K27, showcasing enhanced visuals and several gameplay updates ahead of the game’s September 4 launch. The trailer also features cover athletes Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose while teasing changes across Gameplay, MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, and the MyPLAYER Builder.

The publisher also confirmed the Preseason Breakdown: NBA 2K27 Game Reveal, which streams on August 18 at 10:00 AM PT. During the presentation, 2K will reveal this year’s biggest gameplay innovations and mode updates before Early Access begins on August 28 for Deluxe Edition and Ultra Edition owners.

Smarter AI and a new Dunk Meter headline gameplay changes

NBA 2K27 introduces several gameplay refinements based on community feedback.

AI defenders now contest shots more effectively and hold their defensive positioning better, especially in online modes like The REC. The changes aim to create a more balanced experience on both ends of the floor.

The game also introduces a fully dynamic Dunk Meter. Instead of locking in the timing at takeoff, the meter continuously evaluates defensive positioning throughout the dunk attempt. Open driving lanes create a larger green window, while late defensive rotations shrink it, making each dunk attempt feel more responsive to the action on the court.

MyPLAYER Builder expands with more Badges

The MyPLAYER Builder now features 53 total Badges, up from 40 in last year’s game. Players can also experiment with 19 brand-new Badges designed to support more specialized builds.

Cap Breakers are also making a return. This time, players can preview attribute boosts directly inside the Builder before finalizing their character.

MyTEAM and MyNBA receive community-requested updates

MyTEAM introduces the franchise’s first unified Auction House across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The shared marketplace creates the largest pool of community-listed cards in the mode’s history. It should also make card prices more consistent across supported platforms.

Winning an auction is now faster, too. Purchased cards go straight into your collection without a verification delay.

MyNBA also receives several franchise management updates that reflect today’s NBA. These include second apron salary cap rules from the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement and the ability to offer No-Trade Clauses to free agents.

Rucker Park comes to MyCAREER

The City returns with the same centralized layout introduced last year. This time, however, it gets a new nighttime look filled with neon lights.

NBA 2K27 also recreates the legendary Rucker Park. The iconic streetball court serves as the setting for this year’s MyCAREER prelude story, Fire & Concrete, and also appears in the Street Kings mode.

NBA 2K27 launches on September 4 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. Players who purchase the Deluxe Edition or Ultra Edition can jump in early starting August 28 through Early Access.

Watch the full trailer.

Gaming

God of War Laufey finally confirms its highly anticipated launch date

Set your calendars next year.

Published

July 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

It’s about time we get excited for God of War Laufey. The upcoming entry into the acclaimed franchise takes off on a tangent as it follows Faye, Kratos’s late wife, as she traverses an afterlife filled with similarly deceased gods. It’s a different perspective but with still the same action we’ve come to expect from the series. Now, we know when to expect it: February 16.

In the ongoing Norse saga, Faye’s death is everything. Her passing pushes Kratos and Atreus towards a path that eventually led to Ragnarok. In Laufey, a deceased Faye wakes up in Everywhen, an afterlife where gods from different mythologies converge. She then discovers that the carefully laid plans she made to help her husband and her son are unravelling, so she has to find a way to save the living world from past the veil.

Laufey will still have the iconic battles that the God of War series is known for. However, because Faye is nimbler than the burly Kratos, fighting is more fast-paced with a mix of grounded and air-based fighting. All in all, there’s a lot to be excited about for Laufey, despite its different take on the series.

Over the weekend, during San Diego Comic Con, PlayStation confirmed when the title is launching. Thankfully, it’s not a long wait. God of War Laufey is launching for the PlayStation 5 on February 16 next year.

Additionally, Santa Monica Studio has also confirmed that Kratos will lead another entry after Laufey.