| (Image Source: PinoyGamer.ph/C2E4/Collegiate Cyberathlete Association) |
Campus Legends Southeast Asia (CLSEA), the region's pioneering inter-tertiary eSports tournament, officially commenced, marking a new era for collegiate gaming across Southeast Asia. Organized by Collegiate Cyberathlete Association (CCA), supported and sanctioned by regional National eSports Associations and Federations and, produced by Singapore-based Intellectual Property (IP) powerhouse C2E4, the tournament aims to bring together passionate student gamers to represent their countries and institutions with pride and skill.
In partnership with leading game developers Capcom and MOONTON Games, CLSEA 2025 features two of the most electrifying eSports titles – Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) and Street Fighter 6 (SF6) – as students from 11 countries across the region battle through national qualifiers for a shot at the Regional Grand Finals in Singapore on November 1, 2025. Beyond the competition in Singapore, all the participants will go on a Learning Journey program that aims to foster cross-cultural exchange and friendship among participants while providing in-depth exposure to various aspects of the Gaming and Creative industry via workshops and visits to Institute of Higher Learning and Studios. The national qualifiers are already underway, with Singapore's having concluded last August 3, 2025. These will be followed by national finals across Southeast Asia — including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam — taking place throughout August and September. The remaining spot for Street Fighter 6 will be decided through an open Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) in October, open to all college students in the region.
Beyond national pride, participants will compete for scholarships and cash prizes, further solidifying CLSEA's and CCA's role in supporting youth development through gaming. "What started as a local inter-school tournament aimed at connecting and inspiring youth through eSports in Singapore has evolved into a regional platform that brings together the finest student talent across Southeast Asia. Campus Legends Southeast Asia is more than just a competition. It's a celebration of youth, passion, and the potential of games to develop character, careers, and community. We are proud to see this vision grow beyond borders, and we remain dedicated to nurturing the next generation of eSports leaders in the region," said CCA Chairman Dennis Ooi.
* * * *
Los Angeles To Host Global eSports World Finals 2026
 |
| (Image Source: Global eSports Federation) |
The Global eSports Federation (GEF) recently announced a landmark partnership with GEF’s flagship Global eSports World Finals awarded to the City of Los Angeles in California, U.S.A. The Opening Ceremony of the Los Angeles 2026 Global eSports World Finals (#GEG26) is slated to be held on December 4, 2026.
Following a competitive process involving cities worldwide, Los Angeles was selected by the GEF Board as the host city for the 2026 Global eSports World Finals Games with the Los Angeles Times Media Group serving as host partner. This decision underscores Los Angeles’ global reputation as a hub for sport, entertainment, and culture. The agreement was formalized at the Los Angeles Times headquarters and marked by the presence of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel. “For many people around the world, Los Angeles symbolizes the epicenter of sport, entertainment, music, culture – a world of limitless possibilities. As the United States prepares to celebrate 250 years since its founding, our global community from 180 Member Federations is excited to join in these historic celebrations and share in the city’s remarkable energy at the Los Angeles 2026 Global eSports World Finals Games,” said GEF President and CEO Paul J. Foster.
“With less than three years until the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Los Angeles is alive with anticipation. eSports adds to that momentum, bringing its global energy and uniting gaming, sport, and a new wave of entertainment. Los Angeles Times Media Group is proud to help anchor this milestone event for our city and the world at the Los Angeles 2026 Global eSports World Finals Games,” said Los Angeles Times Media Group Executive Chairman and CEO Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. This announcement is the first step in a major strategic collaboration which includes plans for a state-of-the-art eSports stadium at the Los Angeles Times’ El Segundo campus.
* * * *
KRAFTON To Participate In eSports Nations Cup
 |
| (Image Source: KRAFTON Inc./eSports World Cup Foundation) |
KRAFTON Inc. announced that it will participate as a partner in the eSports Nations Cup (ENC), organized by the eSports World Cup Foundation (EWCF). ENC is the world’s first global multi-title national eSports competition where top players represent their countries and regions. The inaugural event is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 2026. Global leading game publishers including KRAFTON, Electronic Arts, Tencent, and Ubisoft will join as partners of the competition. Each partner company will establish a national ranking system, qualification methods, and tournament formats that reflect the unique features of their games and the expectations of their fans, providing eSports fans worldwide with the highest level of competitive environment.
National teams from key regions across the globe — including North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Africa, Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania — will compete in ENC. All participating players will receive guaranteed prize money, with an identical reward system applied across each title. The competition will be held every two years, providing a more stable foundation for players, coaches, and eSports organizations to operate. It will also establish a system to support publishers, clubs, and partners in running long-term national team programs. The tournament is built on the operational expertise of the world’s largest multi-title eSports competition, the eSports World Cup (EWC), and will introduce a new form of international eSports competition through national representation. “Nation versus nation competition is the ultimate expression of sport. The ENC makes this a reality for eSports, giving every fan a flag to rally behind and every player the pride of representing their country. It’s a stage to create heroes, inspire the next generation, and, together with our partners and stakeholders, build the national ecosystems that will accelerate the growth of eSports worldwide,” said EWCF CEO Ralf Reichert.
KRAFTON's Head of PUBG eSports Minho Yi said, “It is highly meaningful for KRAFTON to participate as a partner in ENC which will mark a new milestone in eSports together with our global partners. We will make every effort to ensure that our games and fans can experience new glory on this national stage.”
* * * *
Pearl Abyss And Plaion Seal Worldwide Distribution Partnership
 |
| (Image Source: Impulse Gamer/PLAION) |
PLAION is thrilled to announce its distribution partnership with Pearl Abyss for the upcoming launch of the highly anticipated new IP Crimson Desert. As part of this collaboration, PLAION will lead the global physical distribution of the title, leveraging its extensive international network and experienced local teams. This partnership builds on Pearl Abyss’s strong global presence and reputation, ensuring Crimson Desert reaches players around the world with excellence.
Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure game set in the beautiful yet brutal world of Pywel. Players follow Kliff, leader of the Greymanes – a band of battle-hardened mercenaries – who must fight to save these lands from an impending catastrophe. As they explore the vast landscapes of Pywel, players will engage in intense battles, defeat formidable monsters, collect valuable loot, and follow the story of the Greymanes’ journey with next-generation visuals. Pearl Abyss Chief Business Officer Kevin Kim said, "PLAION is already proving to be a strong partner for Pearl Abyss as we continue to grow in overseas markets. Partnering with PLAION with their global footprint will allow us to bring Crimson Desert to even more fans around the world. We are pleased to partner with a physical game distributor that shares our ambitious vision of an adventure set in the beautiful yet brutal continent of Pywel."
“We are proud to work with Pearl Abyss to bring Crimson Desert to players across the globe. Our global footprint and experienced territory teams will bring fans the incredible experience of Crimson Desert. This collaboration is a testament to PLAION’s growing commitment to and strength in the Asia Pacific region and highlights our ongoing mission to become a global force in videogame publishing,” said PLAION Partners CEO Craig McNicol. With strong industry expertise and category-leading market presence, PLAION is well positioned to support Pearl Abyss’ growth. PLAION is a trusted leader in the gaming space, known for delivering excellence in global videogame publishing and distribution.
* * * *
NARAKA: BLADEPOINT Unites With Shanghai Museum To Bring Ancient Chinese Treasures Into Its Treasure-Hunting Game Mode
 |
| (Image Source: Enduins/NetEase Games) |
NetEase Games and developer 24 Entertainment are excited to launch the first-ever collaboration between free-to-play wuxia battle royale Naraka: Bladepoint and the prestigious Shanghai Museum, adding two legendary real-life artifacts to the popular Rift Traversal mode as Extreme Relics, alongside an exclusive, artifact-inspired outfit for hero Ziping Yin and the Treasure Chamber Exhibition Hall feature. The collaboration is now live and will run until next year, introducing a total of eight Great-Red-quality treasures in the process.
Following the July update to Rift Traversal which introduced a new treasure-hunting game mode where players scavenge for loot across dynamic maps, vying for rare finds while surviving against rivals, this collaboration will give adventurers the chance to uncover priceless real-world treasures within the game. The rush of finding such legendary relics is unmatched, and this partnership will hide these exceptional historical masterpieces in Naraka’s Holoroth map, connecting the thrill of in-game discovery with the wonder of real-world cultural heritage. Players will soon be able to discover even more historically significant treasures recreated in stunning detail, adding a new dimension of artistry and storytelling to their adventures in the wuxia battle royale. The first two Great‐Red – quality treasures from the Shanghai Museum’s world-class collection appearing in the Rift Traversal loot pool from today are the Famille-rose Bat and Peach Vase — recreated with meticulous attention to color, pattern, and composition, symbolizing longevity and prosperity — and the Camel and Sogdian Rider, a Tang-Dynasty masterpiece faithfully reproduced in-game to match its vibrant glaze and exquisite detailing. Both treasures can be obtained through the in-game "Rift Traversal" gameplay with the newly launched ‘Collection Gallery’ gameplay where players can appreciate these two artifacts in their collection at any time.
In honor of these legendary treasures, Naraka: Bladepoint will release a collaboration-exclusive Ziping Yin outfit inspired by the colors, motifs, and refined elegance of the the Famille-rose Bat and Peach Vase, fusing traditional Chinese artistry with NARAKA’s aesthetic. Players participating in the Land of Treasures activity can receive this outfit as a gift. NARAKA has a history of weaving cultural preservation into its world through unique collaborations with museums and cultural institutions. Past highlights include the “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains” project which reimagined the iconic ink-wash masterpiece as a 3D lobby where players could soar on a kite across its living scenery, and the integration of the Zenghouyi Bells from the Suizhou Museum. These ancient bronze-age relics, famed for producing two harmonious tones, were not only visually represented but also sonically sampled, allowing players to experience the same resonant sounds that once echoed through royal ceremonies. Together, these projects showcase NARAKA’s dedication to preserving and reimagining Chinese heritage in immersive and innovative ways. For more information on the Naraka: Bladepoint Exquisite Artifacts Archive Project, visit the game's official website at https://www.narakathegame.com/.
* * * *
Netmarble Announces September 4, 2025 Global Launch Date For The King Of Fighters AFK
 |
| (Image Source: Inven Gaming/Netmarble Corporation) |
Netmarble, a renowned developer and publisher of high-quality games, recently announced that THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK will be officially launching worldwide on September 4, 2025. Based on SNK’s legendary The King of Fighters IP, the game has already drawn strong anticipation from fans around the globe with more than 1.5 million pre-registered players to date.
Pre-registration is still open via the game's official website, Google Play, and Apple App Store, allowing those who have pre-registered to become the first to experience the game upon the official launch. In addition, users will receive generous rewards including up to 3,000 Summon Tickets and the Unique-grade fighter Vice simply by playing the game. Additionally, the first summon is guaranteed to offer one of eight popular Legendary-grade fighters that allows players to begin their adventure with a powerful ally. THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK has already gained strong momentum through its Early Access in Canada, Indonesia, and the Philippines which began in May. The game received favorable reviews from players for its faithful adaptation of The King of Fighters franchise, charming retro pixel visuals, and accessible gameplay that appeals to both longtime fans and new players.
THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK is based on SNK’s “The King of Fighters” IP. The game features iconic fighters from “The King of Fighters” series reimagined in pixel art graphics that gamers are familiar with from THE KING OF FIGHTERS R-2 on Neo Geo Pocket Color, allowing players to build their own team of favorite characters and enjoy dynamic combats. The excitement intensifies with 5v5 team battles, and players can strategically create their decks by combining different characters and formations. “THE KING OF FIGHTERS” is an iconic fighting game series that led the fighting game craze in the 1990s with over 15 titles released to date. THE KING OF FIGHTERS and its characters have been receiving strong support among fans around the globe for decades as the series’ systems and stories have evolved over time. For the latest news and information on THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK, visit the game's official website at https://kofafk.netmarble.com/en and follow its Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube accounts.
