Specials

Representatives from Tokyo Game Show were present in the Philippines last week to invite Filipinos to join the much-awaited annual gaming event this side of the world. Gamers, developers and the media were invited to know more about the Show and its benefits to the general gaming crowd, which is set to gather 250,000 visitors this year. Tokyo Game Show is home to big reveals from major gaming consoles and game publishers, as well as the latest in independent gaming development, virtual/augmented reality, entertainment, peripherals and the like. ...

Esports and Gaming Summit 2023 established itself to be a major hub for the gaming scene in the Philippines. In the past, it has hosted esports brands from major tech companies like Acer (Predator), ASUS (Republic of Gamers) and MSI. Last year’s edition has SEGA (Atlus) and Riot Games (League of Legends). This year, they are celebrating their 10th year edition by hosting the event at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, which is also a host to several major exhibitions. ...

Following my trip to the Farlight 84 Philippines Summit, the fast-paced hero battle royale is now available for download for the PC through Steam. Farlight 84, a new star on the FPS game genre, reports that it has received 10 million downloads worldwide, a huge milestone during its early access phase. Farlight 84 brings a fresh take on the battle royale and shotting game segment by putting emphasis on high mobility, player abilities and teamwork. ...

Farlight 84 Philippines Summit gathered the biggest names in gaming and esports media for a night showcasing what the game has to offer in the future—and they are sure geared up for domination. I did not expect the sharp popularity of Farlight 84 among all of the online games that went popular here in the Philippines. A multi-platform game—released April this year and available on Android, iOS and the PC (and recently through Steam)—is gradually gaining traction. The latest SteamDB numbers show that the game has an all-time peak of 41,396 from 2 months ago. ...

Philippine Game Dev Expo or PGDX is set to gather gamers, game developers and people with similar interests under one roof through a showcase of amazing activities and wide business opportunities. Organizers CBZN Perspective and Game Developers Association of the Philippines are hopeful that this event—the first of its kind in the country—will spark more interest in game development. What’s in it for Gamers and Developers at PGDX? PGDX co-presented by PLDT and SMART will have a business conference, B2B matching, an Indie Game Showcase and expo for Exhibitors and Artists throughout the weekend. ...

Otaku Expo Tanabata Festival is back, covering all of Megatrade Hall this weekend! Most people know Tanabata as a star festival held on July 7, but a conversation with Allineus had me Google the keyword “Tanabata season.” After a few clicks, I saw this post from Japan Guide which reads: Because the 7th month of the year roughly coincides with August rather than July according to the formerly used lunar calendar, Tanabata is still celebrated on August 7 in some regions of Japan, while it is celebrated on July 7 in other regions. ...

Anime Idol Convention, an event which fused anime and idol culture, is coming back this 2024! AiCon showcases the idol culture that catches the interests of the country’s anime audience. This event features activities which gather fans, such as cosplay, singing and dance contests plus an artist alley filled with fan-made merchandise from various mixed-media franchises. As long as you are a fan of anime idols, you are welcome here! Bring your love and passion for your anime oshi to the AiCon stage. Scouts (judges) will be present to determine whose star shines brightest, giving that idol-like vibe, which you only see in the stories you love. ...

OtaCute’s Japanight Cosplay and Anime Club returns with its latest installment, East Meets West, happening this Saturday, July 8 at Brooklyn Warehouse in Recto, Manila. Here are the events happening there: Last year’s DJ Lineup—DJ Bori, Zeroblade and NicDroid—returns with this year’s guest DJs Sigrid, Kaori Ramos and Siglus. Hibana also returns to the fray, performing Wotagei for the club’s audience. Wiljanz, a two-time representative for the Philippines at the Cyalume Dance World Battle, leads the group. ...

The Philippine TOYCON is set to hold its 20th edition at SMX Manila on the weekend of July 7 to 9—and as part of the festivities, here are the highlights you should not miss, taking some paragraphs out of the official press release: TOYCON this year will feature almost a hundred toy exclusives from partner exhibitors, with top toy brands like Funko, Lego, Bandai, Hot Toys, Pop Mart, JoyToy and many others. ...

Gravity Game Hub announced that Ragnarok Origin reached 10 million pre-registrations Wednesday April 5. Special rewards are unlocked for all players. Ragnarok Origin retains the lore while stepping forward in reinventing traditional massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). This means that battles can now be affected by weather conditions, and outcome of quests may be influenced by plot choices. In addition to the recreation of the Midgard continent, Ragnarok Origin offers six diverse major classes. Graphics, combat, and social features are upgraded. ...