| (Image Source: PinoyGamer.ph/Phygital International) |
Games Of The Future (GOTF) has announced that Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) will feature in its MOBA Mobile event in Astana. The tournament will include sixteen teams invited by GOTF who will compete for the US$900,000 prize pool. The lineup includes returning competitors from GOTF 2025 and new challengers making their Games Of The Future debut. The sixteen teams set to compete are Bumblebees, Bigetron, PRO eSports, Geekay eSports, Aurora, Bushido Wildcats, Team Spirit, FUT eSports, Alpha7 eSports, Entity7, DFYG, The MongolZ, Falcons, Team Vamos, ONIC, and Selangor Red Giants. This summer, MLBB returns to Games Of The Future for a second consecutive year, bringing its fast-paced, high-stakes action back to the global phygital stage.
For GOTF 2026, MLBB will be contested in a five-on-five format, with top teams from around the world battling for a total prize pool of US$900,000. The competition will take place at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace in Astana on August 6-9, 2026 as part of a broader multi-discipline program spanning both mobile and PC titles. “What makes MLBB stand out isn't just what happens inside the venue, it's what happens beyond it. At GOTF 2025, millions of fans who couldn't be in Abu Dhabi were still part of the moment, through streamers co-casting live in their own languages, building their own communities around every match. That kind of organic reach is something you can't manufacture. MLBB brings its entire world with it wherever it competes, and that's exactly the standard we want at the Games Of The Future 2026,” said Phygital International Publisher Relations and IP Licensing Lead William Al-Badeesh. In 2025, the MLBB event saw ONIC secure the MOBA Mobile title after a dominant run, defeating Aurora Gaming in the final. The matchup brought together standout talents including Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol of ONIC and Mehmet “Lunar” Ilgun of Aurora Gaming, highlighting the global competitiveness of the discipline. That momentum translated into strong audience engagement. MOBA competitions were among the most watched at the event, accounting for 45 percent of total viewership, reinforcing their position as a major draw for global eSports audiences. For 2026, MLBB will again feature alongside DOTA 2 in the MOBA PC competition, strengthening the role of the genre within the event’s multi-title lineup and its appeal to global eSports audiences.
Building on the success of previous editions, GOTF 2026 is expected to bring together more than 900 participants from over 50 countries in Astana on July 29-August 9, 2026. The event is expected to attract more than 100,000 spectators on-site with hundreds of millions more tuning in worldwide across broadcast and streaming platforms. Further details on MOBA Mobile qualification pathways, participating teams, and the full competition schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. To stay up to date with the latest news on Games Of The Future 2026, follow @gamesofthefutureofficial on social media or visit the official Games of the Future website at https://gofuture.games/. Fans can also relive the MLBB action from last year on Phygital+, Phygital International’s dedicated Direct-to-Consumer platform, at https://tv.gofuture.games/.
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Blacknut And Acclaim Announce New Multi-Title Partnership Bringing Classic Energy And Fresh Arcade Spirit to Cloud Gaming
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| (Image Source: Blacknut) |
Blacknut and Acclaim recently announced a new partnership bringing four titles to Blacknut’s cloud gaming catalog — The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest, Katanaut, GRIDbeat!, and Basketball Classics — that are slated to release within the summer of 2026. “Great games deserve to be played everywhere. Partnering with Blacknut allows us to bring our diverse lineup of Acclaim titles to players around the world with the accessibility and convenience that cloud gaming provides. As we continue to build out this new renaissance for the Acclaim brand, we focus on exceptional independent games and beloved experiences, partnerships like this help us reach new communities and will keep great games in players' hands for years to come,” said Acclaim Director of Publishing and Strategic Partnerships Marc Anthony Rodriguez.
The collaboration highlights a shared ambition to make these distinctive, high-energy games more widely accessible through cloud gaming, while exploring new ways to extend the reach of creative and gameplay-driven experiences to broader audiences. “We’re excited to welcome Acclaim into the Blacknut ecosystem with a lineup that reflects bold creativity and strong gameplay identity. Each of these titles brings something distinct — from fast-paced action to rhythm-driven challenge and nostalgic arcade spirit. Partnerships like this show how cloud gaming can extend the life and reach of great games while opening new opportunities for publishers looking to grow their audience globally,” said Blacknut Vice President for New Business and Licensing Nabil Laredj. With this launch, Blacknut continues to expand its catalog — now exceeding 1000 games — reinforcing its position as a leading subscription-based cloud gaming service offering instant access to a diverse range of premium titles across devices.
For Acclaim, the partnership reflects a renewed focus on distribution models that prioritize reach, flexibility, and player accessibility, especially for titles that blend arcade sensibilities with modern design. Both companies emphasize that this collaboration is part of a broader, ongoing conversation around how publishers and cloud platforms can work together to bring games to players without friction, device barriers, or complexity — an increasingly relevant topic as the industry gathers for Gamescom.
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Legend Of YMIR Launched First-Ever Seasonal Growth Server
| (Image Source: PinoyGamer.ph/WEMADE) |
WEMADE’s blockbuster MMORPG Legend of YMIR recently launched its first-ever seasonal growth server, “Bootcamp”, for the global service last June 30, 2026. Designed as a fresh environment where new, returning, and existing players can compete on equal footing, Bootcamp allows players to quickly experience YMIR's core content without barriers to entry. Now available in Asia, South America, and North America & Europe (NAEU), Bootcamp is a seasonal, high-speed progression server where all players create new characters under equal conditions and focus on rapid growth within a limited timeframe.
Both new and returning players — who may have felt discouraged by the accumulated power gap — as well as veterans seeking a fresh challenge, can start on a level playing field to test their skills through strategy and dedication. The key feature of this server is its “exceptional growth support” where various benefits will be offered throughout the nearly 10-week season to help players rapidly level up their characters to Level 60. Players can significantly accelerate their progress using hunting EXP boost potions — which provide up to a 300% experience bonus — available daily in the exclusive Bootcamp Shop for just 100 Silver. Additionally, a full set of temporary Epic equipment and various progression rewards will be distributed for free. This reduces the time spent on repetitive grinding, allowing players to enjoy core gameplay elements — such as clan formation and large-scale competitive content — much sooner. At the end of the season, characters that reach the required level can be transferred to the main servers. This allows players to continue their journey on the live servers using the characters they powered up during the Bootcamp. This content is designed for players seeking a sense of achievement in a shorter timeframe as well as for those looking for a fresh start. According to a WEMADE representative, “The Bootcamp is a stage where everyone can start on equal footing and compete fairly. Our goal is to provide an accessible entry point for new and returning players, while offering existing players the excitement of a new competition. With the Bootcamp serving as a new milestone, we will continue to focus our efforts on delivering a deeper MMORPG experience to a wider global audience through Legend of YMIR.”
Meanwhile, WEMADE successfully concluded the “YMIR Cup World Championship Season 2” which was held last June 27-28, 2026. The tournament introduced a new competition format called “Life Mode” where character revival opportunities were limited, making the matches more thrilling and intense. The event was broadcast live on official channels and received enthusiastic support from fans worldwide. More information and updates on Legend of YMIR and Bootcamp can be seen on the following online channels:
• Official Website: https://www.legendofymir.com/
• Discord: https://discord.gg/legendofymir
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WEMADEGlobal
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LegendofYMIRGL.ph
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MOZA Racing Returns As Title Sponsor Of FIA F4 Global eSports Championship 2026
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| (Image Source: MOZA Racing) |
The FIA F4 Global eSports Championship presented by MOZA Racing returns for the 2026 season, continuing to establish itself as one of the most competitive and direct pathways into virtual single-seater racing. Building on the success of powering the previous season, MOZA Racing is proud to once again support a championship that brings together emerging eSports talent from around the world to compete at the highest level of Formula 4 simulation racing for a $35,000 prize pool.
The 2026 season will once again feature the Regional Tour series leading into the Global Championship, bringing together elite drivers worldwide. Competitors can now start their journey to compete in the FIA F4 Global eSports Regional Tour across three regions — the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific — on the iRacing platform. The top 10 drivers from each region will earn their place in the Global Championship, which begins in October. The Global Championship will continue with its established eight-round format, starting on October 31. Drivers will compete across four doubleheader events held on October 31, November 7, November 14, and November 21. Throughout the season, competitors will battle their way out for a share of a $35,000 prize pool, with all races broadcast live across iRacing’s official social media channels. Last season delivered unforgettable moments on track, with intense wheel-to-wheel battles and the rise of standout talents who proved themselves on the global stage. MOZA Racing is proud to continue its role in this evolving chapter of eSports racing, building on a partnership that helps push the boundaries of competitive sim racing. As an official iRacing partner, MOZA Racing provides high-performance sim racing hardware fully compatible with iRacing's 360Hz Mode and Wheel LFE, delivering smooth, highly detailed force feedback that enables drivers to experience greater precision, enhanced road feel, and a more authentic racing experience — helping them perform at their best.
To learn more about MOZA Racing’s ecosystem of professional sim racing gear, visit www.mozaracing.com. For more information on the FIA F4 eSports Global Championship presented by MOZA, visit www.iracing.com/fia-f4-esports/.
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Xsolla And SABAH.HUB Sign Memorandum Of Understanding To Strengthen Azerbajian's Ecosystem
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| (Image Source: Business Wire/Xsolla) |
Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, recently announced the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SABAH.HUB, an Azerbaijan-based innovation and investment platform headquartered in Baku. The signing ceremony, which took place last July 1, 2026, marks a pivotal milestone in the Xsolla-Ministry/IDDA partnership, fulfilling a key requirement for collaborating with local organizations in 2026. The partnership is designed to support educational initiatives, talent development, career opportunities, entrepreneurship, startup growth, and international partnerships. As part of the collaboration, Xsolla and SABAH.HUB will work together to provide students, entrepreneurs, investors, and global technology leaders with direct exposure to current industry practices and commercial opportunities in the global games market.
As part of the collaboration, Xsolla will support a range of community-focused activities, including educational gaming programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, bootcamps, hackathons, and networking events. The partnership is designed to strengthen Azerbaijan's digital talent pipeline, accelerate innovation in the video game ecosystem, and foster closer collaboration between students, entrepreneurs, technology professionals, educational institutions and industry leaders. Together, these efforts aim to position Azerbaijan as a regional hub for video game development, technology, and innovation. Key initiatives under this strategic partnership and MOU will include:
• Baku ID (Baku Investment Day): Azerbaijan's innovation event, expected in fall 2026, serves as a Regional Nexus bridging startups, investors, and ecosystem players across Emerging Europe, Türkiye, MENA, and Central Asia to drive the ecosystem forward.
• SABAH.city: An upcoming 20-hectare technology park and innovation cluster will be created serving as the new epicenter of Azerbaijan's innovation ecosystem.
• University & Talent Network: Access to a nationwide network of universities and students, helping develop the next generation of technology and game industry professionals.
“Azerbaijan is emerging as one of the most exciting video game development ecosystems in the region, backed by a young, tech-savvy population, growing government support for digital innovation, and a strategic location bridging Europe and Asia. We see enormous potential here, not only to develop games, but to create an ecosystem that enables talent, startups, and technology companies to build products, partnerships, and innovations for the global market in Azerbaijan. This partnership with SABAH.HUB is about investing in the future,” said Xsolla Regional Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations Anatoly Strutinsky. “This partnership is more than a collaboration, it’s a shared commitment to accelerating innovation, creating meaningful opportunities, and strengthening our ecosystem. By working with Xsolla, we can empower local talent and position Azerbaijan as a thriving hub for innovation and sustainable economic development,” said SABAH.HUB CEO Rahim Bayramli. For more information about the Memorandum of Understanding between Xsolla and SABAH.HUB, visit https://xsolla.pro/SABAHHUB.
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Where Light And Dark Play: Razer Reveals Espeon & Umbreon Collection
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| (Image Source: Razer/The Pokémon Company International) |
Razer™, the leading global gaming lifestyle brand for gamers, recently announced the launch of the Razer | Espeon & Umbreon Collection, developed in partnership with The Pokémon Company International. The collection is now available on Razer.com, at RazerStores worldwide, and through select retail partners across the United States, Latin America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
As Pokémon celebrates 30 years, the lineup pays tribute to some of the most iconic Eevee Evolutions, capturing the contrast between Espeon’s radiant energy and Umbreon’s calm, nocturnal presence by blending expressive detail with the performance and reliability gamers expect from Razer. Designed for a range of playstyles, each product in the collection features Razer Chroma™ RGB lighting, ergonomic design, and responsive inputs, delivering a cohesive setup that shines from day to night.
• Razer Kraken V4 X – Espeon & Umbreon Edition (£109.99 GBP / $109.99 USD / €119.99 EUR MSRP): Dive into a cosmic soundscape with a wired gaming headset featuring velvety earcup cushions, enchanting Chroma™ RGB, and crystal-clear audio.
• Razer Ornata V3 Tenkeyless – Espeon & Umbreon Edition (£139.99 GBP / $119.99 USD / €129.99 EUR MSRP): Low-profile and ergonomic, this gaming keyboard pairs responsive mecha-membrane switches with striking Chroma™ RGB illumination and a magnetic wrist rest for lasting comfort.
• Razer Cobra – Espeon & Umbreon Edition (£69.99 GBP / $49.99 USD / €54.99 EUR MSRP): Keep every aim in the stars with a lightweight wired gaming mouse featuring ultra-durable optical switches, cosmic Chroma™ RGB underglow, and balanced swipes with pixel-perfect accuracy.
• Razer Gigantus V2 – Medium – Espeon & Umbreon Edition (£29.99 GBP / $29.99 USD / €34.99 EUR MSRP): Velvety smooth and responsive, this soft gaming mouse mat combines a textured micro-weave cloth surface with playful detailing for focused, effortless control.
Whether drawn to Espeon’s radiant energy or Umbreon’s enigmatic presence, the Razer | Espeon & Umbreon Collection is designed for every moment of play. From focused daytime sessions to late-night gameplay, the collection brings together Pokémon-inspired design and high-performance features in a cohesive setup built to fit seamlessly into any routine. For more information on the Razer | Espeon & Umbreon Collection including the full list of participating partners, visit https://rzr.to/espeon-umbreon.
