MoreFun Studios has revealed the heart-pounding first gameplay trailer for Arena Breakout: Infinite. Together with the trailer, the game developer announced that Arena’s closed beta will be kicking off on May 8th for PC players.
Arena Breakout: Infinite throws you into the heart of the Dark Zone, a war-torn region brimming with both danger and opportunity. As a skilled mercenary, you’ll face off against other players, raid for valuable loot, and build your fortune in this competitive environment.
The game is a first person shooter that will feature competitive gameplay and immersive graphics and audio. Arena Breakout: Infinite is slated for a late 2024 launch on Steam and the game’s official website. The game will be free-to-play.
The closed beta will offer access to two popular maps – Farm and Valley – located within the war-torn Kamona region. Players will experience the series’ signature intense firefights and high-risk gameplay. But remember, survival and extraction are key to securing your loot and walking away a wealthy mercenary.
The debut gameplay trailer pulls no punches, showcasing Arena Breakout: Infinite’s commitment to ultra-realistic and immersive tactical action. Witness the intense gunfights and strategic maneuvers that await players on the battlefield. Buckle up for a white-knuckle experience.
Arena Breakout: Infinite has garnered a staggering 100,000 wishlists on Steam within a mere three days of its announcement. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the closed beta! Register now at https://www.arenabreakoutinfinite.com. Spots are limited, and beta testers will be randomly selected from registered users.
Marvel and NetEase have just announced a brand new game – Marvel Rivals. The new PvP shooter will throw your favourite Marvel heroes and villains into the arena as Doctor Doom and his future counterpart wreak havoc on the timestream. The game leans into the familiar aesthetics and feel of games like Overwatch and Valorant. It will also feature an original story crafted by the team at NetEase.
Marvel Rivals Announcement Trailer
From what Marvel Games and NetEase have revealed, Marvel Rivals will be a third person shooter. The game will feature a robust roster of heroes and villians including familiar faces from The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and even Marvel’s X-Men. Characters like Black Panther, Spider-Man, Magneto and Magik have already been revealed for the upcoming Alpha test scheduled for May.
Gameplay seems to build on the PvP gameplay we’ve seen in games like Overwatch and Valorant. Players will be able to play as their favourite Marvel heroes and villains to take out the opposing. Think of it as having your own Civil War battles like in the movies or comics. The 6v6 setup will allow you to also create combo attacks and synergies between heroes. In the trailer, Marvel and NetEase showed off The Hulk powering up Iron Man with Gamma rays to produce a devastating blast and Rocket jumping on Groot to take on a group of enemies. There seems to be more hero synergies possible in the game which we will have to discover when the game launches.
Marvel Rivals will also feature a diverse and evolving set of maps. These will cover familiar places like Asgard to story specific places like Tokyo in 2099. As you play, you’ll also be able to use the environment to get an edge on your enemies. You’ll be able to corner enemies by taking down walls or even set traps as you prepare your hero synergy to deliver a devastating blow.
The game is billed as a free to play game coming to the PC soon. So, if history is any indicator, we can expect some form of microtransaction for monetisation. Hopefully, it will be less offensive than NetEase’s mobile games. That said, Marvel Rivals will be available in Alpha starting May 2024. There’s no word on the actual release yet.
eSports and gaming have faced uphill battles regarding public perception and misconceptions. For the longest time, gaming has been seen as a “waste of time” or even a “lazy activity” regardless of its platform. eSports, on the other hand, has come under fire for not being “sporty” enough and a “sedentary” activity. However, in recent years, scientific research has shown that gaming helps with mental acuity and interpersonal skills. More and more research has been pointing to gaming and eSports being as intense as regular sports.
Goodday – yes, the milk company – is looking to help deliver this message to Boomers and those with these common misconceptions. To do that, they are looking to form Malaysia’s first senior esports team. For the first time, you’ll need to be at least 50 years old to take part in this gaming competition. You simply have to submit your application at the Goodday Charge website. (psst…. if you’re under 50 years old, just submit an application for your Boomer!) Once the application goes through, there will be a round of interviews after which 10 successful applicants will undergo a comprehensive gaming crash course. They will also be able to win their share of RM20,000 worth of prizes.
Those of us who follow esports will be familiar with the rigours and training that esports athletes go through. Well, the 10 Boomers who make it into the team will be put through a 3-day boot camp. During this boot camp, they will be put through the same training that the athletes go through. Of course, they won’t be doing those Karate Kid runs and exercises but they will be getting a taste of the rigours of an esports athlete. Their course will cover five essential pillars: Trained Skill, Strategy, Exercise, Diet and Sleet, Teamwork and Communication. The competition will culminate in a three-day training and preparation period with a 5v5 competition of Counter Strike 2.
“We hope through this experience, the older generation will come to understand and appreciate the effort, skill and dedication displayed by esports professionals and move towards accepting that it is in fact a sport on par with others. I look forward to gamers and enthusiasts using this as an opportunity to share their world and experiences with their elders by signing them up for the search.”
The competition comes on the heels of Goodday sponsoring the development of the National eSport Development Guideline (NESDEG). The guideline was launched in partnership with Hannah Yeoh and the Ministry of Youth and Sport. It is designed to protect esports athletes and ensure the development of the esports industry in Malaysia. Goodday has also appointed xNova, Malaysia’s most successful esports athlete, as the face of its Goodday Charge revamped packaging. Goodday Charge is a specially formulated chocolate milk that contains vitamin B complex and essential nutrients and is touted to help esports athletes with sustained energy for better concentration and performance.
Submissions for the competition are ongoing and will end on April 8, 2024. If you’re a gamer, help your boomer understand your passion for gaming by submitting an entry for them.
Happy Pokémon Day trainers! Nintendo took to the internet today to let us know what to expect in the coming year when it comes to Pokémon… and we like what we see. Of course, it seems like Creatures Inc., The Pokémon Company and Nintendo might be taking it a little bit easy for 2024… or maybe they’ve got something they’re not telling us just yet. That said, this year isn’t without excitement. Let’s break down what they announced.
New Content for Current Games
They kicked things off with the announcement of a number of Terra Raids coming to Paldea. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will get Terra Raids featuring the Kanto starters: Blastoise, Venusaur and Charizard. This would be the second time Charizard is being featured. Things will be kicking off with Venusaur on February 28 2024. Blastoise will be featured starting March 6 2024 and Charizard will return on March 13, 2024. Each will be available for roughly 5 days.
The Legendary Beasts will be making their way to Pokémon Sleep. Raikou will be leading the pack in March 2024 with its Entei and Suicune coming soon. Speaking of Legendaries, Koraidon and Miraidon will also be heading to Pokémon Cafe Remix. You’ll be able to get one of them to stay at your cafe during the limited-time distribution. Miraidon will also be heading to Pokémon UNITE together with Ceruledge and Falinks. Miraidon will be available as a 3-day limited license. Cafe Remix will also be featuring Gimmighoul coins for certain puzzles.
Pokémon’s stable of games will also be having in-game events to commemorate the Pokémon Day celebrations. Pokémon GO will be spearheading the celebrations with a tie-in with the Pokémon Horizons anime. Pikachu wearing Cap’s hat will be making its debut. It will also introduce the move Volt Tackle to the game. Together with Pikachu, Charcadet, Ceruledge and Armarouge will be making their debut. Don’t be surprised if Liko and Roy show up in your pictures either! New Sync pairs will also be joining Pokémon Masters EX. Geeta and her Glimmora and Silver and his Tyranitar lead the charge of Sync Pairs.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
It looks like the Pokémon Trading Card Game is getting a brand new app experience. Literally less than a year after the release of Pokémon TCG Live, the Pokémon Company and Creatures Inc. are looking to release another version of the app that will bring more features and a more social aspect to the digital experience.
The new TCG Pocket app will be developed in collaboration with DeNA. From the direct, we could gather that the trio of collaborators are looking to make a more well rounded experience including an immersive virtual experience with things like extended card art and immersive artwork. Not much has been revealed but we’re looking forward to see how they plan to change the experience yet again.
Pokémon Legends Z-A
Of course, they buried the lead during the Pokémon Direct! The highlight was the promise of returning to Kalos! Not only were we left hanging with the absence of Pokémon Z, Mega Evolutions have been sorely missed. In an announcement trailer at the tail end, Nintendo announced that we’d be gearing up for an Urban redesign of Lumoise City, the largest city in the Kalos region. This will be happening in the second entry into the Legends series – Pokémon Legends Z-A.
It goes without saying that we’re more than expecting some exploration of Zygarde and its origins in the game. However, we’ve got a little bit of a tease for Mega Evolution which will undoubtedly be coming back in the game. The game is set for release in 2025 so we’re amped to learn more over the year.
A Case of Pikachu and the Unowns
With everything announced, there was a small question of Pikachu and the Unowns. At the beginning of the stream, Pikachu is seen running across the screen with several Unowns. If you’ve forgotten, the Unowns are Pokémons that are designed around the alphabet. In the stream, Pikachu was followed by a group of Unown arranged in two lines: E,K,O,P,E,O,N,S / P,E,T,R,N,S,M. Pikachu returned at the end with another group of Unowns arranged in a single line: S,O,E,Y,U,E; A question mark (?) Unown was trailing behind.
What do you think they are telling us? Let’s decipher the code in the comments below.
Speculation has been rife since last week that Microsoft plans to move away from the current status quo of having exclusive games for its Xbox console. In fact, rumours hinted at the Xbox going the way of the dinosaurs. However, earlier this morning, Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond and Matt Booty – three of the top execs at Xbox – took to the Xbox Podcast to set the record straight. In the podcast, Phil Spencer stresses that the information was already in the pipeline to be shared but was expedited due to the leaks last week.
There were a number of things discussed in the 23-minute episode of the podcast, but we’ve summarised everything here. So here’s what you should know:
1. Xbox Exclusives are Here to Stay… for now
Phil Spencer cut to the chase during the podcast and addressed the elephant in the room head-on. In a nutshell, Xbox exclusives are here to stay. Microsoft is not pivoting its strategy to get rid of platform exclusives. Phil Spencer stressed that exclusives remain a key component of Xbox’s go-to-market strategy. That said, he did highlight that the games market as a whole seems to be moving away from exclusive – hinting at a possible future without platform exclusives altogether. However, Matt Booty made one point very clear: GamePass will remain Xbox exclusive.
This isn’t too surprising though. We’ve seen platform exclusives slowly shift to timed exclusives. One of the most obvious examples of this is Sony itself with IPs like God of War, Final Fantasy and even Horizon making their way to the PC after a period of exclusivity.
2. Four Xbox Games are Heading to PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch
With that said, four Xbox exclusives will be breaking exclusivity. These games will be heading to the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. While no specific names were given, the execs did highlight that these games are at least a year old and are – mostly – community-driven. Phil Spencer was very clear that Starfield and the upcoming Indiana Jones game will remain Xbox exclusives.
The games that are making their way to other platforms are seen as either “smaller games that were never really meant to be built as kind of platform exclusives” or “first iterations of a franchise” that would benefit from being on other platforms. It seems pretty likely that these games are likely live-service games; particularly because Phil Spencer did mention that this move would justify further investments.
3. It’s All About Growth
The decision to take these games over to other platforms lies solely in growing Microsoft’s games business. With the closure of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the company is focusing on growing the business and sustaining the double-digit revenue growth it has seen. To achieve this, the four games need to grow their player base and that is only achieved through expanding the availability of these games.
In addition to this, the move to make games more accessible is also aiming to create a larger awareness of the Xbox platform. Yes – they used the word “platform” instead of console. This is very likely how we can see the Xbox brand evolve in the future. Already, we have Xbox GamePass which covers the Xbox Console, XCloud and PC. The next generation of hardware is likely geared to take these experiences further. A cloud-based handheld Xbox anyone?
All in all, it seems like everything is still status quo at Xbox. However, it’s worth noting that the status quo at Xbox is very different than before thanks to the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The company’s growing footprint as a publisher is forcing it to grow beyond just Xbox exclusives. Studios like Activision Blizzard and Zenimax will continue to develop multi-platform games while Microsoft Game Studios continues to seek ways to grow its engaged user base.
Square Enix has just dropped a gaming bombshell for PC players – Dragon Quest Builders is now officially available on Steam! This beloved block-building role-playing game is making its mark on the PC platform, bringing along some exciting features and bonus content.
For those unfamiliar with Dragon Quest Builders, get ready for an immersive sandbox gaming experience. Builders are tasked with the monumental challenge of rebuilding the once-ruined realm of Alefgard. It’s not just about stacking blocks; it’s about crafting unique items, gathering materials, and unleashing your creativity with limitless possibilities.
The PC version comes with upgraded crafting features and includes the “Terra Incognita” DLC – and the best part? No additional cost! If you’re already a fan of Dragon Quest Builders 2 and own it on Steam, you’re in for a treat. There’s a discounted price waiting for you to snag Dragon Quest Builders.
Now, let’s delve into what makes this edition stand out. The upgraded crafting features and “Terra Incognita” bring a whole new dimension to the game. Builders can unpack giant posable monster figures with the Boss Monster Model Set, illuminate the night sky with the Astronomy Set, and even wear a Pixel Ring for that extra flair. Oh, and did we mention a magic carpet? Yes, you can observe, build, and explore your structures from the sky, accompanied by special music.
For the PC enthusiasts, here are the system requirements to ensure a smooth gaming experience:
Whether you’re a seasoned builder or a newcomer to the Dragon Quest world, this PC release promises endless creativity and family-friendly RPG fun. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to embark on this epic journey in Alefgard – start crafting your story today!
If you’re aiming for the ultimate gaming combo, check out the Dragon Quest + Dragon Quest Builders 2 Bundle Edition on the Steam Store Page.
Happy building, adventurers! May your blocks be sturdy and your quests epic.
As we move into 2024, what better way than to start the first weekend with some new games.
For those who want to save on some cash after the festive sales, exploring demos on steam is the perfect solution. Besides, this is a perfect way to try out new games and different genres to see if the vibes match.
In this article we will be listing 5 entertaining and diverse game demos on steam that you should check out. If we miss any great demos on Steam do feel free to write in the comments below.
Prepare to fight off other players in this Tetris style fantasy inventory management autobattler game. Similar in mechanics to Backpack Hero, you will be buying items and strategically place them in your back to fight other real players to climb the ladder. With different styles of plays and heroes, this demo is constantly being tweaked and updated. A nice little strategy game to fill up your weekend.
Recently released Nov, 2023, Bopl is a fun couch/online battler similarish to Smash Bros. Have fun with changing the environment you can manipulate to literally crush your foes. Choose to attach rockets to fly islands away or set things on fire. The choices are many and they are all yours as you find new combos to use with or against your friends. There are no bots so bring a friend to play, Bopl supports up to 4 players.
Released earlier last year in May, 2023, Bread & Fred is a cute co-op platformer game. Playing as two penguins, your goal is to help navigate them up the top of the snowy summit. You will be timing your jumps and swinging each other across gaps hoping not to fall down the mountain. This game is great for playing with your significant partner or potential partner as the New Year starts off.
If you don’t have anyone to play with, there is a single player mode available. You get to play with Jeff, a pet rock. Only issue is you can’t blame Jeff if you fall, this climb is all on you.
Released recently in Oct, 2023, dotAGE is a fun survival roguelite turn based city builder. For those who love board games and resource management, this game should be right up your alley. Take on the role of the villager elder as you navigate and plan around Doom and Prophecies of the Apocalypse to save your village. As a bonus this works well on Steam Deck and has an active single developer happy to fix bugs in this game of passion 9 years into the making.
Releasing soon on 26 Jan, 2024, TEKKEN 8 will soon be fighting it out with Street Fighter 6 for the attention of all fighter game players. In the demo you will be able to test out Story Mode, Arcade Quest, Super Ghost Battle, Player vs. Player, Player vs CPU, and Gallery Mode. You will have access to 3 stages, Urban Square (Evening), Yakushima, and Sanctum while playing with popular characters Paul Phoenix, Jin Kazama, Lazuya Mishima, and Nina Williams. Also there has been talks on the web that is might be possible to unlock the other characters to try out on the PC version of the demo.
Square Enix recently hosted the SaGa Glimmerfest 2023 34th Anniversary Livestream. During the livestream, the publisher surprised everyone with the announcement of the next game in the series – SaGa Emerald Beyond. The latest instalment of the SaGa franchise is set to launch on April 25, 2024, on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC (Steam), and iOS and Android devices.
SaGa Emerald Beyond follows two protagonists in search of answers. The first, Tsunanori Mido, hails from the esteemed Mido family and stands out with a unique ability to control kugutsu puppets. He joins the Cathedral Project, a group exploring other worlds, with the goal of repairing his city’s weakening barrier and recovering lost spiritual energy.
The other, Ameya Aisling, operates under the pseudonym Yumeha Izumi. She is a Miyako City schoolgirl with a hidden identity. Originating from Pulchra, she is in search of her lost mana. She follows the mysterious emerald waves in search of it. The two characters are just the tip of the iceberg as long-time SaGa players will know. The game will undoubtedly feature many other characters for us to fall in love with.
The new game will also be introducing new mechanics. The new Glimmer system is a unique take on the traditional JRPG battle styles. It will incorporate turn-based combat for those wanting a more vanilla JRPG. Players will need to level up their characters to learn new moves as they take down new enemies. You can also use powerful United Attacks with the right skills, tactics and Formation.
If this is your cuppa tea, you can now add SaGa Emerald Beyond to your wishlist on the Nintendo Switch store, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Steam. Pre-order details will be unveiled at a later date.
Cloud gaming is about to leap into the future, so get ready, gamers! The launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming on Meta’s VR headsets is bringing a groundbreaking new method to play hundreds of titles, all without a console.
You’ll be able to play various games with the Xbox Cloud Gaming platform, including AAA titles like Starfield and Forza Motorsport. All you need to start your new experience with VR is to ensure your Meta Quest software is updated. Of course, you’ll also need a fast internet connection and an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
There is a catch, though, you can’t use the controllers that come with the Meta Quest. Instead, you’ll need to use controllers like the Xbox Controller, the DualShock 4 (PlayStation 4), or the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. As of now, the DualSense controller (PlayStation 5) is unsupported, but Meta has said support is on the way.
When using the Xbox Cloud Games app on the Meta Quest, users will be interacting with the app on a big, user-customisable, 2D virtual screen. This screen will display app your games for you to launch and interact with. Meta Quest 3 and Pro players can access full-colour passthrough technology, letting them watch their real-world surroundings even as they stream and play their games.
This beta is only available to Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro headsets. So, those who have any of the older generation of Meta Quest Headsets will be unable to access Xbox Cloud Games.
The season of holiday gifting and sales are upon us! If you have been thinking about spending your hard-earned money on your loved ones (including yourself), here’s the first of many gift guides to look forward to this month.
Whether it is a gift for a gamer-on-the-go or a serial multitasker, Lenovo is highlighting a collection of their tech this holiday season:
Lenovo Legion Go (Price TBA – available soon on Lenovo Malaysia’s official stores)
Legion Go is Lenovo’s answer to a handheld gaming device with the guts of a PC. It’s got detachable controllers for ultimate flexibility. It also comes with a 10-point touchscreen for intuitive controls, and enough juice to last thanks to Super Rapid Charge.
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (RM9,499)
The Yoga Book 9i is a dual-screen laptop that folds, flips, and flexes. Its Multimode+ feature turns it into everything you need – whether it be a laptop, a tablet, or an e-reader. It’s portable and comes with a whole ecosystem of accessories, allowing you to work creatively wherever you are.
Lenovo Legion 9i (RM16,039.01)
For serious gamers and content creators, this powerhouse of a laptop comes with a self-contained liquid cooling system. It boasts buttery smooth performance and packed with high-end specs. Of course, this also means that this beast comes with a similarly high-end price tag.
Lenovo Tab P11 (2nd Gen) (RM1,699)
The Tab P11 is a versatile tablet for streaming, designing, and even some light gaming. For multitaskers, split-screen mode allows you to easily tackle two tasks at once. The Lenovo Precision Pen 2 is also a perfect accessory for jotting down notes or doodling. Looking to do some emails or want a boost in productivity? Just snap on a keyboard and you have a tablet for both work and play.
Lenovo R27fc-30 27″ Monitor (RM849)
Immersion and low-latency is important to enjoying gaming and viewing content. If you’re looking to do either, consider this 27-inch curved monitor monitor. It comes with 280Hz refresh rate and 0.5ms response time for smooth video performance. Want to set up multiple screens? No problem. The LTPS stand lets you adjust it to your preferred viewing angle, so you can game, create, and enjoy in comfort.
