Gaming

PlayStation’s Concord shuts down two weeks after launch

Will go offline on September 6

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Sometimes, a company looks like it can do no wrong. However, once in a blue moon, the same company comes up with a true stinker that puts its reputation down a peg. Today, the PlayStation, normally a bastion for good first-party titles, has quickly pulled the plug on its latest game, Concord.

After launching on August 23, Concord opened to barely a whimper. According to IGN, the title sold only an estimated 25,000 copies. Steam even says that the highest peak of gamers concurrently playing the game was only 697 players. While this sounds like something that happens every now and again in the industry, it’s still a glaring mark for a game with Sony’s backing.

Today, less than two weeks since launching, Sony and Firewalk Studios have decided to shut the game down. Starting September 6, the live-service game will be taken offline.

Anyone who purchased the game through the PlayStation Store, Steam, or the Epic Games Store can ask for a refund. Those who have a physical copy can also ask for a refund.

While it looks like the game is truly shutting down, it’s unclear what the studio is planning for the long-term. In the shutdown announcement, game director Ryan Ellis said that the studio will “explore options, including those that will better reach our players.”

Regardless, Concord is now dead in the water. Though launching as a full-priced live-service game, Concord was a first-person shooter that aimed to go up against free-to-play competitors like Overwatch and VALORANT. It even launched around the same time as Valve’s free-to-play shooter, Deadlock.

SEE ALSO: Secret Level is a show that features all your favorite games

Gaming

PlayStation announces a new duotone DualSense color

Can PlayStation finally stop making gaudy colorway options?

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The PlayStation 5 has been out for several years now. Despite how much time the console has had to marinate, the DualSense controller has honestly failed to impress with its variety of colors, especially when compared to the vibrant colors of the DualShock 4.

Of the nineteen available colors on the PlayStation website, only three options are, to me, worth the expensive price tag: Chroma Pearl, Chroma Teal, and the 30th Anniversary Edition. All the rest are either solid colors that clash horribly with the black panel or peppered with gaudy decals.

Just look at how terrible this looks.

If you have the same aversion to PlayStation’s creative choices as I do, the DualSense just got a new color option that might (or might not) appeal to you: the Icon Blue Special Edition.

Blue isn’t a new color for the controller. PlayStation has a healthy lineup of blue options such as Cobalt Blue and Chroma Indigo. However, in this case, the Icon Blue Special Edition lays it on thick on the duotone scale.

The main chassis is practically the same shade as Cobalt Blue. However, the touchpad, the bottom portion, the joysticks, and the PlayStation button are a lighter shade of blue.

For decals, the touchpad has translucent and subtle PlayStation buttons. On the back, the controller has “Pureisutēshon” written in katakana.

The design itself is giving off heavy Mega Man energy. In a sense, the colors do look loud. However, it’s a step in the right direction. It isn’t insisting on the black casing that clashes with everything except monochromatic colors. Hopefully, PlayStation develops more duotone options.

The Icon Blue Special Edition will become available in the United States starting on October 20. It sells for US$ 84.99.

SEE ALSO: Marvel’s Wolverine slashes onto PlayStation 5 in Fall 2026

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Xbox ROG Ally X price, availability in the Philippines

ASUS, Xbox bring the next-gen handheld to local gamers

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Xbox ROG Ally X

ROG has officially announced the arrival of the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X in the Philippines. These are powered by the latest AMD Ryzen Z2 Series processors.

Price and availability

The ROG Xbox Ally X is priced at PHP 56,995. Meanwhile, the standard ROG Xbox Ally will retail for PHP 36,995. Both will be available starting October 16, 2025, at ASUS and ROG Exclusive Stores nationwide.

Pre-orders run from October 7 to 16. The first 100 customers who sign up will receive a free ROG Xbox Ally 2-in-1 Premium Case worth PHP 2,995. Each purchase also comes with a Game Pass subscription and a 2-year international warranty. Interested buyers can learn more or register at ROG’s official pre-order page.

Built for all-day gaming comfort

The new ROG Xbox Ally Series was designed with player comfort in mind. Both models feature an all-new chassis with improved ergonomics, redesigned palm rests, and Xbox-inspired texturing for a better handheld grip. The ROG Xbox Ally X also includes impulse triggers, adding tactile feedback for more immersive gameplay.

Seamless Xbox experience

Working closely with Xbox, ROG has optimized the Ally’s software for a true handheld Xbox experience on Windows 11. Players are greeted with a full-screen Xbox interface at startup. It offers easy navigation, customizable widgets, and quick access to settings via the Game Bar.

Despite the streamlined experience, users still retain the freedom of a full Windows PC — meaning mods and non-Xbox games remain accessible.

Xbox ROG Ally

Power meets efficiency

Under the hood, the ROG Xbox Ally X runs on the new AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor. It delivers high performance for demanding titles.

Meanwhile, the base ROG Xbox Ally is equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor. It’s built for balanced performance and better battery life.

Both models support AMD’s latest features — including FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), Radeon Super Resolution (RSR), and Fluid Motion Frames (AFMF) for smoother gameplay.

Optimized for handheld play

Xbox has also introduced a Handheld Compatibility Program, tagging titles as Handheld Optimized or Mostly Compatible to ensure smooth play on launch.

The program works alongside features like shader preloading for faster load times and upcoming AI-powered tools, such as Automatic Super Resolution and AI-generated highlight reels, which will roll out next year.

Designed to go anywhere

The ROG Xbox Ally 2-in-1 Premium Case was built specifically for the new handhelds, featuring a water-resistant shell, weather-proof zippers, and a soft inner lining. It also includes a detachable pouch for the 65W charger — ideal for on-the-go protection.

@gadgetmatch Our first l👀k at the ROG Xbox Ally X! #rogxboxallyx #gamescom2025 #gamescom @_asusrog ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

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Gaming

realme 15 Pro named official M7 World Championship gaming phone

realme keeps foot on mobile gaming gas pedal

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realme 15 Pro

realme continues to keep their foot on the gas pedal when it comes to mobile gaming.

The smartphone company’s realme 15 Pro 5G has been named official gaming phone of the M7 World Championship, which is the latest iteration of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang flagship global tournament.

Aside from its powerful cameras, the 15 Pro also features a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor, GT Boost, and a 144Hz display.

Moreover, the phone has a 7000mm² Airflow Vapor Chamber to ensure it delivers on pro-level mobile gaming performance.

It also has a 7000mAh battery and supports Bypass Charging to for long sessions, including for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

On the local front, realme Philippines has already opened registrations for the realme Regional Wars 2025.

The nationwide tournament presented by Converge ICT Solutions Inc. pits the country’s top collegiate teams against one another across four regions: NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

After regional eliminations, the top two squads will advance to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and Grand Finals.

The champion team earns the right to represent at the Campus PlayFest 2025 Group Stages, where they will compete against the top universities in Manila.

The Regional Wars Competition is open to students aged 18-22 with teams required to come from the same university or school.

Prize pot for the regional tournament is at PhP 200,000 plus realme 15 Pro units for each member of the champion squad.

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