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| (Image Source: TriplePoint PR/Entertainment Software Association) |
The ESA Foundation (ESAF), the public service arm of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), recently announced that IGN Entertainment, one of the world’s leading games and entertainment media brands, will serve as an official sponsor of the foundation’s annual Nite to Unite on March 10, 2026 in San Francisco, California. The event brings together leaders from across the video game industry to raise funds to support scholarships, career opportunities, and nonprofit organizations that empower the next generation of creators. The gala will be hosted at the historic Palace Hotel where guests will enjoy an evening of celebration, networking, and entertainment while raising funds for ESAF’s mission to help students and nonprofit organizations working in the STEAM space.
“IGN Entertainment has always uplifted the creativity of the gaming community, and we’re excited to continue working together to champion the next generation of diverse talent. Their support as a three-time sponsor underscores the power of collaboration between industry leaders and the ESA Foundation in ensuring that students can pursue their dreams in the video games industry,” said ESAF Managing Director Sue Madden. “IGN Entertainment is thrilled to once again partner with the ESA for Nite to Unite next year. This event is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when the entire gaming community comes together. Our partnership extends across our family of brands, including Humble Bundle, which through its gaming ecommerce platform has raised more than $272M (272 million dollars) for over 34,000 charities worldwide. Supporting gaming-related causes and empowering creators has always been core to Humble’s mission, and this year’s dedicated bundle will once again help fund the ESA Foundation’s important work. The Foundation’s impact on future generations of game makers is vital, and we’re honored to continue standing alongside them in that mission,” said Ziff Davis Media Inc. President of Gaming and Entertainment Yael Prough.
Funds raised from Nite to Unite directly support ESAF’s scholarship programs and charitable initiatives which have already provided more than $20M (20 million dollars) in grants and scholarships to women and underrepresented students aspiring to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) and games used for education purposes. For more information on ESAF's Nite To Unite 2026, visit the event's official website at https://www.theesa.com/foundation/nite-to-unite/.
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New York Game Awards Announces Two-Day Weekend Festival For 2026 Edition
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| (Image Source: Variety.com/New York Videogame Critics Circle) |
The New York Videogame Critics Circle (NYVGCC) is set to organize a two-day festival at Manhattan’s famed SVA Theatre on January 17-18, 2026 in anticipation of the 2026 New York Game Awards. NYVGCC is excited to announce that, in honor of the awards’ 15th anniversary, the festival’s opening night, GG Fest, will comprise of various industry panels and a Supergiant Games: Unplugged concert, which will be exclusively available globally, featuring award-winning composer Darren Korb and longtime collaborator Ashley Barrett.
NYVGCC Co-Founder and President Harold Goldberg stated, “We continue to grow our programming for the New York Game Awards each year, but our organization felt a special pull to go even bigger while paying homage to our roots for our 15th anniversary. The expansion to a two-day festival speaks to the power of what we’ve been able to grow with our organization, and we hope people enjoy the content line-up we’ve secured that celebrates the best of games and the best of New York. There’s so much more to reveal!” The 15th annual New York Games Awards on January 18th, on the other hand, will be co-hosted by 2020 Andrew Yoon Legend Award winner and former Nintendo of America President abd CEO Reggie Fils-Aimé and NYVGCC CEO Harold Goldberg. Tickets for the NY Game Awards and the GG Fest can be purchased through Eventbrite for either $80 each or $140 for both events, entitled to premium seating at the NY Game Awards. Additional information on the GG Fest and the New York Games Awards 2026 will be revealed in the coming months.
NYVGCC’s nonprofit Playing With Purpose writing program, offering extensive journalism and game narrative writing classes and workshops to schools and shelters throughout New York City, is mostly funded by the New York Game Awards with students and interns from the Laboratory School for Finance and Technology, The High School of Fashion Industries, Ellis Prep, Mott Hall 3 Middle School, TAPco, and other institutions benefitting from the said program through their most recent coursework.
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Netmarble's Brutal Dark Fantasy MMORPG “Raven2” Launches Worldwide
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| (Image Source: Vulcan Post/Netmarble) |
Netmarble, a renowned developer and publisher of high-quality games, officially announced the grand launch of its brutal dark fantasy MMORPG Raven2, now available worldwide on both mobile and PC. The launch spans 150 countries across North America, Southeast Asia & Oceania, and Europe, and is available in 16 languages. Powered by Unreal Engine, Raven2 showcases unrivaled graphics, and a vast universe set in a dark fantasy realm where players become a member of the Special Corps bearing the “Cursed Stigma”. As they investigate strange and perilous phenomena unfolding across the world, they embark on a journey to vanquish demons and uncover the secrets behind the world's fate. Raven2's large-scale guild-based battles are all hallmarks of a truly immersive, high-quality MMORPG experience.
To commemorate the game's launch, Raven2 is rolling out a variety of events with generous rewards. All players who join and log in by December 17 will receive an exclusive special package that includes the Heroic-Grade Holy Garment “Sailor of the Horizon” Summon Scroll. In addition, the Rookie Special Corps Member Growth Journal I event is now live, offering rewards such as Rare-Grade Inheritor's Equipment Chests, Heroic-Grade Elite Spec. C Member's Equipment Selection Chest, and more based on the level achieved. The Rookie Special Corps Member Special Training Mission is also underway where players can obtain an Inheritor's Equipment Selection Chest. Those who complete all missions will be rewarded with a Heroic Familiar Summon Scroll. A special Crystal event is now running as well. Players can earn Crystals by leveling up and compete for a spot in the top 100 to win a share of one million Crystals. Players can also claim a special tax fund of one million Crystals in each server's Market by participating in the guild activity.
For more information on Raven2, visit the game's official website at raven2w.netmarble.com, join the conversation via the game's official forum at https://forum.netmarble.com/raven2_gb, and follow Raven2 on YouTube, Facebook, and Discord to stay updated.
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Xsolla And Scaffold Institute Partner To Launch Game Accelerator Program Helping Studios Build, Polish, And Pitch Their Projects
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| (Image Source: Business Wire/Xsolla) |
Xsolla, a global video game commerce company that helps developers launch, grow, and monetize their games, recently announced a new partnership with the Scaffold Institute to launch the Xsolla x Scaffold Game Accelerator Program. This 12-week initiative is designed to guide early-stage studios through the process of creating a playable demo and a publisher-ready pitch deck, providing them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed.
As competition intensifies in the global gaming industry, small and mid-sized studios often struggle to refine their creative visions while proving commercial viability to investors and publishers. The Xsolla + Scaffold program bridges this gap by pairing Scaffold’s venture studio program with Xsolla’s publisher expertise, creating a framework that enables studios to bring their projects forward confidently. Key advantages of the Xsolla + Scaffold accelerator include:
• Structured Learning: Participants complete tailored Xsolla course modules such as “Pitching to Publishers”, “Game Marketing”, “Publisher Deals”, and “Demo Milestones”, building the foundation for both creative and business growth.
• Practical Development Goals: Each studio is tasked with delivering a refined 5–15 minute playable build and a long-form publisher pitch deck by the end of the program.
• Industry Access: Studios will present their projects to a curated group of publishers and investors during a remote showcase event arranged by Xsolla.
• Expert Insights: Pre-recorded video sessions featuring industry specialists provide guidance on marketing, funding, live services, and production. While many experts contribute to content creation, only a select few are directly engaged with studios based on program needs.
“Independent creators are the lifeblood of our industry, and this collaboration provides them with clear pathways to refine, showcase, and secure opportunities for their games. Working with Scaffold allows us to deliver practical tools and connections that help turn creative visions into commercial success,” said Xsolla Senior Vice President for Global Industry Relations and Funding Justin Berenbaum. “Our venture studio program was designed to help developers take the most important step in their journey: raising capital. By joining forces with Xsolla, we’re giving Canadian studios an almost unfair advantage: both the market perspective and the industry access they need to move from idea to impact,” said Scaffold Institute Executive Director Matt Toner. The Xsolla x Scaffold Game Accelerator Program launched its first cohort in September 2025, with additional cohorts scheduled in early and mid-2026. For more information, please visit https://xsolla.pro/scaffold.
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The Witcher In Concert Comes To Asia
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| (Image Source: Sakura Index/CD PROJEKT RED) |
Globally renowned video game publisher and developer CD PROJEKT RED proudly announces The Witcher In Concert is continuing its global tour with new venues announced for several Asian countries including South Korea, China, and the Philippines — with more dates to be revealed in the future. The immersive concert experience, created to celebrate 10 years of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, brings to life the open-world role-playing game's timeless score with a live orchestra performance. Tracks from The Witcher 3 and its expansions are accompanied by cutting-edge visuals and gameplay, as well as select members of Percival Schuttenbach — co-composers of the game's soundtrack well known for their iconic tracks.
Following a successful run of concerts across Europe and the United States, The Witcher In Concert is bringing the celebration to venues in cities such as Seoul, Shanghai, and Manila with additional venues to be announced in the future. Prior to the multi-stop tour in 2026, a two-day run is planned for November 29–30, 2025 at the Marina Bay Sands Theatre in Singapore with tickets already available to purchase. "The Witcher community across Asia expressed incredible excitement when we first announced The Witcher In Concert. To finally take the music to them is something we've been looking forward to for a long time. I'm already looking forward to 2026 — and I hope our community is also looking forward to experiencing Geralt's journey with us!" said The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt co-composer Marcin Przybyłowicz. The multi-nation concert tour across Asia in 2026 will kick off in Seoul, South Korea at the Kyung Hee University's Grand Peace Palace on January 31, 2026 followed by Shanghai, China at Newbund 31 on March 21, 2026 and Manila, Philippines at the Solaire Theatre on March 28–29, 2026. Ticket sales for the 2026 concerts will be staggered across a short period of time with Seoul going on sale first this October 28, followed by Shanghai on October 30, and Manila on November 26 (with a pre-sale starting on November 14). Each stop will also feature unique commemorative merchandise for attendees to purchase.
"Our community in Asia has always been an important part of CD PROJEKT RED's journey with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Whether it's in the form of fanart, cosplay, music, modding, handwritten letters, or so many other creative outlets, we are always amazed by the passion and excitement that they bring to the game. With The Witcher In Concert, it was important for us to create a fitting tribute for so many shared memories — and the opportunity for one more adventure with Geralt," said CD PROJEKT RED Community International Lead Carolin Wendt. The Witcher In Concert is created in collaboration with GEA Live and RoadCo Entertainment, producers of live entertainment events in over 40 countries worldwide. Those interested in learning more about the global tour, seeing the full list of announced venues, or staying up to date with newly announced stops can find information on The Witcher In Concert website at thewitcher.com/concert.
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KRAFTON To Unveil Palworld Mobile On G-STAR 2025
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| (Image Source: KRAFTON Inc.) |
KRAFTON will be exhibiting at the gaming event "G-STAR 2025" for the ninth consecutive year, which will be held at BEXCO in Busan, South Korea on November 13-16, 2025. At its booth located at BEXCO Exhibition Center 1's BTC Hall, KRAFTON is set to unveil "Palworld Mobile". Currently in development by PUBG STUDIOS under license from Pocket Pair Inc., "Palworld Mobile" inherits the main elements of the original game such as collecting and raising "Pals," surviving in an open world, and building while providing intuitive operability optimized for the mobile environment. Furthermore, it offers a new gameplay experience through strategic battles that make use of a variety of skills.
The original "Palworld", launched last January 2024 on Steam via early access, became a global hit with a total of over 32 million players worldwide. At the KRAFTON booth, visitors can try out "Palworld Mobile", mini-games, and enjoy special events. Additionally, the immersive fan space "CAFÉ PUBG" themed around "PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS" which was well-received at previous exhibits, will be making a comeback, offering interactive events and activities. Additional details such as exhibit titles, booth design, and event program will be announced in the coming weeks.
