Gaming
Summer Game Fest 2024 highlights: All the major announcements
Everything you need to know
Over the weekend, the Summer Game Fest 2024 dropped a lot of new trailers, release dates, and surprises on various titles, rom 2D side scrollers to new-gen horror games and sequels to familiar favorites. We’ve compiled all the major announcements here, in case you’ve missed them.
Street Fighter 6, Zenless Zone Zero updates
First off, we have already published two separate stories on Street Fighter 6 and Zenless Zone Zero.
Capcom’s latest fighting game installment is already entering its second year, and it will have a Fatal Fury crossover. On top of that, M. Bison, who first appeared in Street Fighter II: Champion Edition, returns on June 26.
READ: Street Fighter 6 Year 2 features M. Bison, Fatal Fury crossover
Meanwhile, HoYoverse’s latest action title is confirmed for a July 4 global release across all platforms.
MORE: Zenless Zone Zero releases on July 4
Alan Wake 2 Night Springs DLC out now
Among the announcements at the midyear gaming conference that didn’t need a long wait. The Night Springs DLC for Remedy Entertainment’s horror-survival game, Alan Wake 2, is already available as of June 8.
The First Descendant coming this July
Another title that is dropping soon is The First Descendant, a free-to-play sci-fi shooter from NEXON Games. The third-person looter shooter is powered by Unreal Engine 5, tailor-built for new-gen consoles. The game lets players become descendants and save the world. It also supports both solo and co-op missions. It will be available on July 2 for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.
Lego Horizon Adventures is coming to PlayStation 5
Previously available only on Nintendo Switch and Steam, Lego Horizon Adventures will come to PlayStation 5 in late 2024. Players take on the role of Aloy, who is on a quest to guide heroes through the lush wilderness and save the world.
Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions confirmed for September 3
Meanwhile, Harry Potter fans will soon finally get to play quidditch themselves as Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions has been announced for a September 3 release. It will be available across several platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, as well as PC via the Epic Games Store and Steam.
No More Room in Hell 2
For those into more horror titles, Torn Banner Studios has announced No More Room in Hell 2. It’s been 13 years since its predecessor was released by Lever Games, and this sequel promises to be even gorier and gruesome. It’s been announced that the title will have early access this Halloween. For more details, check the trailer below.
Star Wars Outlaws
Moreover, a lengthy trailer for the first ever open world Star Wars title, Star Wars Outlaws, has been unveiled to give fans a better look. Ubisoft’s game has Kay Vess as its star. It set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and will launch later this year.
Batman: Arkham Shadow
The trailer for Batman: Arkham Shadow revealed a lot on the VR title’s story, characters, and its main villain, Rat king.
Blumhouse horror titles
Blumhouse, which is known for its array of horror films, ventures into the gaming scene as well. They will be collaborating with various studios to release multiple games, including Fear the Spotlight, Grave Seasons, Sleep Awake, and Crisol Theater of Idols, to name a few.
Power Rangers Rita’s Rewind
Fans may live the life of a power ranger in this old school-style, 2D side scroller where they will take on villains as the original rangers themselves. It’s a fresh take that features an original story, but players will definitely get a familiar feel once they’ve immersed themselves. The title will release tentatively this 2024 as well.
Civilization VII coming in 2025
For those into titles with an ancient historical setting, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is releasing next year. There aren’t much details yet except this teaser trailer. The title will succeed Civilization VI which has released in 2016.
Along with Civilization VII, EA has announced an all-new skate game. Although it’s still early into the latest game’s development, playtests and sign ups are available.
Gaming setups don’t have to look like dedicated gaming rooms. IKEA and Xbox are making that easier with their new YXSTABY collection.
The nine-piece collection combines IKEA’s furniture design expertise with Xbox’s understanding of gaming. It brings together functional furniture and playful accessories inspired by Xbox controllers.
IKEA launched the collection in the Philippines on November 4 at its Pasay showroom. The event featured interactive room setups that demonstrated how the furniture fits into everyday homes.
The launch also included a cosplay runway inspired by IKEA’s iconic blue and yellow FRAKTA bag. Guests explored immersive gaming stations and experienced the collection firsthand.
Gaming furniture designed for everyday homes
YXSTABY addresses the challenges of fitting gaming setups into shared living spaces. Its furniture supports different gaming positions while keeping accessories organized.
The gaming lounge chair accommodates both forward-leaning gameplay and relaxed reclining positions. A rolling side table keeps gaming accessories within reach.
The collection also includes flexible storage for cables and accessories. Its felt inserts protect stored items, while its foldable design doubles as a laptop stand.
Families can also move their gaming setups between rooms. A TV stand with castors makes it easier to relocate equipment without dedicating an entire room to gaming.
Xbox controller-inspired accessories
Xbox’s influence extends beyond the collection’s gaming furniture. Several accessories take inspiration from familiar controller elements.
The Gaming D-pad cushion recreates the controller’s distinctive directional button. A stainless steel platter also borrows its design from the D-pad.
Another standout is the tilting thumbstick stool, which takes inspiration from an Xbox controller’s analog stick. A mirrored display box gives collectors a dedicated space for controllers and other gaming memorabilia.
Bringing gaming into Filipino homes
IKEA Philippines Sales Leader May Castillo highlighted the collection’s relevance to local households.
She pointed to the Philippines’ strong gaming culture and the country’s high engagement with video games across different devices.
IKEA Philippines Selling Manager Sarah Cox said the collection draws inspiration from Xbox controllers and how gamers actually play. It also incorporates IKEA’s playful approach to furniture design.
The collaboration brings together two brands with different strengths. IKEA understands how people use their living spaces, while Xbox understands what players need from their gaming setups.
The result is furniture that makes gaming more convenient without making the rest of the home feel like a gaming room.
Can you believe that it’s been over eight years since Bethesda announced The Elder Scrolls VI. Since then, we’ve seen neither hide nor hair of the upcoming title. Today, the studio has mercifully revealed a tiny bit more about the game including its title and setting.
Historically, the Elder Scrolls franchise is not known for its numbering. It’s not The Elder Scrolls III, IV, and V; it’s Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim. Now, we know what The Elder Scrolls VI will be called — Sentinel.
The name is also a huge clue as to where the game will take place. Besides being the name of the game itself, Sentinel is also the capital of Hammerfell, a region in northwest Tamriel. The teaser, which shows a sword being uncovered from a pile of sand, confirms this. After all, the Alik’r Desert is one of the region’s highlights.
Now, Hammerfell is not a new region for players. The region, especially the titular Sentinel, was previously featured in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. Obviously, not a lot of gamers would have played this classic game before, so a return will introduce the region to a lot more modern players.
Unfortunately, despite throwing us a bone with the name and the setting, Bethesda did not reveal when the title is coming. Given that Grand Theft Auto VI is launching very soon, the time is ripe for the launch of another much-awaited title.
SEE ALSO: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is out now
Riot Games is celebrating the return of virtual K-pop group K/DA with new music, exclusive skins, and major gameplay updates in League of Legends: Wild Rift Patch 7.3.
After a six-year hiatus, K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER, the group’s newest track and the title track of an EP featuring three additional songs. The release marks a new chapter for the virtual group, which brings its latest musical era to the mobile MOBA through the new HEATBRINGER skinline.
To celebrate the comeback, Riot Games hosted FIRE IT UP: The K/DA Comeback Party in the Philippines. The event brought fans together for a listening party featuring music from across Riot Games’ virtual acts, live Wild Rift gameplay, community activities, and exclusive photo opportunities.
Attendees also experienced live AAA ARAM matches featuring gameplay disruptions and augments inspired by Riot Games’ musical universe, including HEARTSTEEL, Pentakill, and TRUE DAMAGE.
K/DA returns with new HEATBRINGER skins
The K/DA comeback introduces the HEATBRINGER skinline, featuring new looks for the group’s four original members: Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai’Sa.
The skins give the champions a new visual identity inspired by K/DA’s latest musical era, with fiery red and white elements that bring their stage presence to the Rift.
The collection also includes Prestige K/DA HEATBRINGER Evelynn.
The new skins are exclusive to Wild Rift and are scheduled to launch on November 4, 2026.
The comeback extends beyond the cosmetics. With FIRESTARTER and its accompanying EP now available on major music streaming platforms, K/DA’s return brings together Riot Games’ music and gaming communities.
Wild Rift Patch 7.3 overhauls marksmen and item builds
Beyond the K/DA celebration, Patch 7.3 introduces significant gameplay changes that reshape champion builds, jungle strategies, and objective control.
One of the biggest changes targets marksmen, giving critical-strike builds more room to scale. Base critical-strike damage increases from 175% to 200%, while the attack-speed cap rises from 2.5 to 3 attacks per second.
Several marksmen also receive individual adjustments, including Ezreal, Kai’Sa, Twitch, Lucian, Caitlyn, Draven, Miss Fortune, Samira, Zeri, Jinx, Vayne, and Ashe.
The item system gets an overhaul to support these changes. Players can explore new or redesigned options, including Hexoptics, Yun Tal Wildarrows, Fiendhuler Bolts, Stormrazor, Rapid Firecannon, and Immortal Shieldbow.
Lifesteal also receives changes intended to support basic attacks, on-hit damage, and abilities treated as basic attacks.
Support items are part of the update, too. Echoes of Helia is positioned toward offensive supports who want to convert damage into healing, while Ardent Censer, Staff of Flowing Water, and Harmonic Echo also receive changes.
Jungle changes reward efficient farming
Patch 7.3 also changes how junglers approach the early and mid-game.
The updated jungle system rewards consistent camp clearing with bonus gold and introduces a catch-up mechanic for junglers who fall behind. This reduces the pressure to constantly gank and encourages players to balance farming with opportunities to assist their teammates.
Clearing camps also progresses Ecosystem Protection stacks, allowing Smite to scale from 600 to 1,000 and eventually 1,400 true damage.
These changes make efficient farming more important when preparing to secure major objectives such as Baron Nashor, Rift Herald, and Dragons.
Epic monsters also adjust to the pace of each match, scaling according to the average player level rather than simply growing stronger as time passes.
Turrets receive substantial changes as well. Plating now extends to outer, inner, and inhibitor turrets and remains permanently. The new Crystalline Overgrowth mechanic lets turrets accumulate crystals that champions can detonate with their first basic attack.
Together, these changes place greater emphasis on lane pressure, defensive positioning, and coordinated pushes. Winning team fights remains important, but teams must also turn their advantages into meaningful objective damage.
Hwei, Sylas, and Rek’Sai join the roster
Patch 7.3 expands the champion roster with three additions: Hwei, Sylas, and Rek’Sai.
Hwei, the Visionary, brings a flexible set of abilities to the mid lane. His Subject: Disaster, Subject: Serenity, and Subject: Torment ability groups give him tools for dealing damage, supporting allies, and controlling opponents.
Sylas offers explosive damage and crowd control. His kit includes an ability that pulls enemies into a stun-to-knock-up combination, while Kingslayer restores health based on his missing health. His ultimate lets him steal an enemy champion’s ultimate ability.
Rek’Sai brings another approach to initiating team fights. Her Unburrow ability knocks up nearby champions, while her ultimate helps her track nearby enemies before striking.
These additions give players more options for adapting their team compositions and strategies.
Ranked play and game modes get updates
Competitive players also get changes to Ranked and Legendary Ranked.
The S/A and MVP scoring systems now evaluate performance according to a player’s lane and champion role instead of relying on a single universal metric. Strong performances can also yield more Ranked energy.
Legendary Ranked receives adjustments to its seasonal entry requirements for former Grand Masters, alongside a new trial format designed to help top performers advance from Legendary Commander Rank.
Players looking for something different can also try Rift Rumble, a new 3v3 mode played on a symmetrical map. Teams battle for kills and compete to capture ultimate stones that can change how their champions secure eliminations.
Meanwhile, AAA Realm continues to evolve with a music-themed season and new augment cards. These include Sonic Waves, which draws inspiration from Riot Games’ musical acts, including HEARTSTEEL, Pentakill, and TRUE DAMAGE.
A new era for K/DA and Wild Rift
With FIRESTARTER, the HEATBRINGER skins, and a sweeping gameplay update, Patch 7.3 connects Riot Games’ music and gaming communities through a shared celebration.
K/DA’s return gives fans a new soundtrack and fresh looks for their favorite champions, while the gameplay changes introduce new ways to approach champion builds, jungle farming, and map control.
Players can follow Wild Rift Philippines’ official social media channels for updates on the latest patch, champion releases, and in-game content.
K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER.
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