Gaming

Riot Games lays down Esports plans for VALORANT in 2021

In partnership with seven Esports organizations across Southeast Asia

Published

October 15, 2020

Gab Orlina

Riot Games struck gold when they introduced the world to VALORANT, their take on team-based shooter games. With the launch of the VALORANT Ignition Series, they hoped to kickstart their game’s rise in Esports. With 2020 possibly ending soon, they turn their focus to the future of the game, and providing more competitive opportunities. For them, that all begins in 2021 as they lay down plans for Southeast Asia!

Essentially, Riot Games partnered with seven Esports organizations across Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong for regional tournaments. These tournaments hope to bring the best out of these markets when it comes to the character-based 5v5 shooter game. Now, it will be up to these organizations to host these tournaments and showcase intense and high-stakes action. Eventually, teams who participate and win have a chance to represent their country on the international VALORANT stage.

Also, Riot decided to extend the invitation to the collegiate ranks to cultivate the next generation of gamers in the Esports scene. These will bring an exciting series of tournaments to college students who wish to experience the thrill of insane competition.

To know more and possibly participate, kindly reach out to the following organizations for your respective markets:

Mineski Philippines (Esports) and AcadArena (Collegiate) for the Philippines
The Gaming Company for Malaysia and Singapore (Esports)
PGL and Eliphant for Singapore Collegiate
Professional Gamers League and Eliphant for Singapore (Collegiate)
Talon for Hong Kong and Taiwan (Esports)
Taiwan Mobile and TeSL for Taiwan (Collegiate)
ESL for Thailand
ONE Up for Indonesia

Update as of October 21, 2020

In addition to these 2021 plans, a nationwide VALORANT tournament is already underway in the Philippines via VALORANT First Strike: Philippines. The eight teams that will battle it out in this PhP 500,000 (around US$ 10,300) tournament will advance from the Mineski VxV community cup. Registration is ongoing and will close on October 28, 2020.

On other VALORANT tournaments

RIOT: Mineski has been appointed to handle official VALORANT esports and collegiate in the Philippines for 2021, but this doesn’t stop other organizers from running their own community VALORANT tournaments. We are always looking to support community-led initiatives and competitions, and organizers will be able to work directly with Riot on grassroots activities.

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.

Gaming

FINAL FANTASY X | X-2 HD Remaster launches on Nintendo Switch 2

Classic RPGs returng

Published

July 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and Square Enix have announced that FINAL FANTASY X | X-2 HD Remaster is now available on Nintendo Switch 2. Physical copies are also on sale across Southeast Asia.

The collection brings together FINAL FANTASY X and FINAL FANTASY X-2, two of the most celebrated entries in the long-running RPG franchise. Both games feature enhanced HD visuals while preserving their original stories and gameplay.

Two classic adventures in one package

In FINAL FANTASY X, players follow Tidus, a star blitzball athlete whose journey becomes intertwined with the summoner Yuna as they travel across the world of Spira to confront a devastating threat.

Its direct sequel, FINAL FANTASY X-2, takes place two years later. Players take control of Yuna alongside Rikku and Paine as they uncover ancient mysteries and face new enemies.

The release also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original launch of the game in Japan, giving longtime fans and newcomers another opportunity to experience the pair of RPG classics at home or on the go.

Bandai Namco notes that physical edition availability may vary by country across Southeast Asia.

Watch the launch trailer below:

About the FINAL FANTASY series

The FINAL FANTASY franchise has entertained players for more than 35 years. Known for its cinematic storytelling, memorable characters, imaginative worlds, and technical innovation, the series has sold more than 212 million copies worldwide.

Gaming

NBA 2K27 cover athletes unveiled: Wemby, Clark, DRose

Pre-orders now open for the 3 editions

Published

July 23, 2026

GadgetMatch

The NBA 2K27 cover athletes have been revealed as pre-orders have become available.

San Antonio Spurs all-star Victor Wembanyama has been unveiled as the cover athlete for the NBA 2K27 Standard Edition.

Meanwhile, WNBA star Caitlin Clark is gracing the Deluxe Edition cover.

Rounding out the trio is 2011 NBA MVP and Chicago Bulls legend Derrick Rose for the Ultra Edition.

The game will launch worldwide on September 4 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Steam. Early access is available by August 28.

First-look images of the game showcases some of NBA’s younger stars, like Cooper Flagg and Cade Cunningham.

Also shown for the first time is Jaylen Brown in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey, ahead of his debut with his new team after being traded from the Boston Celtics for Paul George.

Pre-orders are now open, and availing of any edition early entitles customers to a 10,000 VC bonus.

The Standard Edition is priced at US$ 69.99.

Pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition (US$ 99.99) enables players to unlock these perks:

100,000 VC
Up to 7 days early access
MyTeam content: Full ’27: Series Team 1 Selection, Triple Threat Park Free Agent Pack, 5x ’27: Series 1 Packs, 2-Hour 2XP Coin
MyCareer content: 25x 6 Types of Skill Boosts, 25x 3 Types of Gatorade Boosts, 2-ahour 2XP Coin, Victor Wembanyama Jersey, Caitlin Clark Jersey

Meanwhile, in addition to the perks under the Deluxe Edition, those who pre-order the Ultra Edition (US$ 149.99) shall also get:

135,000 VC (instead of 100,000)
Season 1 Pro Pass + Summer Pass
NBA 2K27 Ultra Edition MyTEAM Player Cards (via The Exchange): Guaranteed 98 OVR by Dec 2026, guaranteed Invincible by May 2027
Roses Oversize Hoodie