POCO Carnival 2025 in Singapore highlights innovation

Source: POCO. The POCO X7 Pro.

POCO's biggest celebration of the year, POCO Carnival 2025, returns to Singapore from August 14 to August 27*. Held under the theme Ride Bold, Win Loud, this year's POCO Carnival is both a showcase of new product innovations and a thank-you to the global fan community. 

Featured products include: 

POCO F7 Pro 

Equipped with the upgraded Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, Xiaomi HyperOS 2, and a 2 K display, it handles demanding tasks with ease while offering a rich and vivid visual experience. Paired with a 6,000 mAh (typical) battery, 90 W HyperCharge, and upgraded LiquidCool Technology 4.0, POCO F7 Pro is engineered to stay fast, stable, and cool under pressure.

POCO X7 Pro

POCO X7 Pro is powered by the Dimensity 8400-Ultra - the most powerful chipset ever in the X Series. Paired with Xiaomi HyperOS 2 and enhanced with WildBoost Optimization 3.0, it delivers smooth, responsive performance even during intensive gameplay. 

Featuring a 6.67" CrystalRes 1.5 K 120 Hz AMOLED display, a 6,000 mAh (typical) battery, and a 50 MP optical image stabilisation (OIS) main camera, all in a sleek design, POCO X7 Pro is built for those who want more power, for less.

Also part of the Carnival lineup are the POCO F7, POCO X7, and POCO M7 Pro. The F series features higher-end models, while the M series is more entry-level. The X series sits in between in terms of performance and capabilities. 

Fan challenges and giveaways  

POCO will launch two global fan activities across X and Facebook, including a word puzzle challenge and a visual hunt game. To mark POCO's 7th anniversary, users are also invited to post stories under the #MyPOCO7Years hashtag for a chance to win exclusive gifts. 

Promotions

Customers can enjoy promotional prices for the POCO F7 Pro and X7 Pro while stocks last from August 14 8 pm to August 27, on Shopee and Lazada, and from August 19 to August 27 on mi.com

Highlights include:

Product	Variant	Recommended retail price (S$)	Promotional price (S$)
POCO F7 Pro	12 GB + 512 GB	729	549
POCO X7 Pro	12 GB + 512 GB	499	439

 

*Starting dates for the POCO Carnival differ: August 19 to August 27 for mi.com, and August 14 8 pm to August 27 for Shopee and Lazada.

Kramnik to play Alcántara in rematch on Chessarena.com

Source: World Chess. Kramnik (left) will replay José Alcántara (Jospem, right) in August 2024.

World Chess, a chess organisation committed to enhancing the global mass market appeal of chess, will host Clash of Claims 2, a chess rematch after the first Clash of Claims between Vladimir Kramnik and José Alcántara ended in controversy. The event will feature live commentary from prominent figures in the chess community and interactive segments for viewers.

Kramnik, the 14th World Chess champion, has been actively sharing evidence of what he believes indicates cheating in online chess tournaments. With the ease of access to software that could help players cheat, the results of some online tournaments have led to accusations of deception.

Following Kramnik’s claims, a hybrid approach was suggested in June this year with Kramnik playing against Grandmaster José Alcántara, a well-known online chess player, in a three-day chess event. This first Clash of Claims event was held in Madrid and was a hybrid mix of in-person board games and online matches via the Chess.com platform.

Due to technical issues with Chess.com, World Chess has invited the players to return for Clash of Claims 2 in London from 19 - 21 August 2024, hosted on its Chessarena.com platform. This rematch will have stringent physical and online anti-cheating methods in place to address previous alleged shortcomings. Chessarena.com is the only online platform that has an anti-cheating engine approved by FIDE, the international governing body of chess.

Chessarena.com plans to leverage this event to highlight new platform features, including the introduction of in-game emoticons, and to run a Clash of Claims 2 promotion for new subscribers.

Ilya Merenzon, CEO of World Chess said: “We are so excited to welcome these two renowned players, once again, to the stage to battle it out in London.

“World Chess and the FIDE Arena are looking forward to resolving once and for all the fair play allegations raised by Kramnik, and to enhance the reputability of online chess tournaments.

“We are confident Chessarena.com will provide advanced anti-cheating measures and a superior platform from which the games will be hosted.

“Online chess is going through a major transformation right now. We are possibly witnessing the ultimate way to address all anti-cheating allegations — by taking an online dispute to the physical board, marking a truly hybrid approach.”

Usagyuuun to appear in Claw Stars universe

Source: Appxplore. Claw Stars will welcome Usagyuuun into its universe.

Minto and Appxplore (iCandy) will run a collaborative event that brings the iconic Usagyuuun character, instantly recognisable from stickers used in messaging apps, to the mobile game Claw Stars, Google Play's Best Pick Up & Play Game of 2021.

Minto is a leader in character IPs with over 6 B downloads worldwide. This crossover is their first-ever game collaboration for one of their leading IPs.

With games that have garnered over 40 M downloads, Appxplore's experience in game development synergises with the popularity of Usagyuuun, which has over 570 M downloads globally. Claw Stars combines the claw machine concept with the fun of collectibles into a social multiplayer game that is enjoyed by millions. The highlight of this collaboration will be the unique inclusion of the Usagyuuun character within the game. 

Players will be able to navigate their way across planets in Claw Stars, playing as Usagyuuun with their friends. To further leverage the social and whimsical nature of the IP, Claw Stars will also be introducing a set of Usagyuuun stickers that players will be able to use in their multiplayer Squadron chat.

Lim Jenn Yu, the CCO of Appxplore who heads the development of Claw Stars, said that he has always seen the greater potential of the IP through collaboration and merchandising.

“Usagyuuun fits perfectly into the Claw Stars universe and resonates with fans of both IPs; we believe this crossover will be able to increase our retention and download volume by at least 20%,” he said.

“We foresee huge fan interaction with this crossover event that will spur further expansion and growth of the fanbase. I believe this is just the first step towards more long-term collaborations with Minto and possibly introducing new IPs across our games.”

Explore

The crossover event is set to come in the next few months. 

Claw Stars is available on both iOS and Android:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appxplore.clawstars

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/claw-stars/id1515886813

Samsung launches metaverse-driven Galaxy S22 Treasure Hunt campaign

Source: Samsung. Enter the metaverse to participate in the Galaxy S22 Treasure Hunt campaign.

Samsung Electronics has followed its launch of the flagship Galaxy S22 series 5G smartphones with the Galaxy S22 Treasure Hunt campaign, aimed at providing Galaxy fans with a unique experience in the metaverse.

Set to run till 24 April 2022, the Galaxy S22 Treasure Hunt campaign comprises a treasure hunt, as well as a user-generated content event exclusive to selected markets in Southeast Asia. Users in Singapore stand a chance to win special Galaxy S22 items for their avatars and ZEPETO coins for in-game purchases. The campaign is hosted on the My House platform, a collaboration between Samsung and Naver Z’s ZEPETO – the largest metaverse platform in Asia, with more than 300 million users worldwide.

“At Samsung, we aim to create innovations that can be customised to suit a wide range of tastes. With the Galaxy S22 Treasure Hunt campaign, we want to engage the large community of Gen Z and millennial users in our region who are exploring personalised experiences in the metaverse. My House, which saw over 4 million visitors in its first month, offers new ways for users to design their dream homes and experience the Galaxy S22 series and other Samsung products in a virtual environment,” said Olivier Bockenmeyer, Regional Corporate Marketing Head, Southeast Asia and Oceania at Samsung Electronics.

First revealed at CES 2022, the My House world map allows users to decorate their homes in the metaverse with Samsung products. They can select, customise, and experience over 18 Samsung products in their virtual space, from the Freestyle, Neo QLED and lifestyle TVs like The Frame, to the Bespoke Refrigerator, Bespoke Jet, Air Dresser and more. The SmartThings Mode experience can be activated via the Galaxy Z Flip in the virtual world, where users can enjoy a home party or games in their My House living room. Targeted at Gen Z and Millennials who actively seek new avenues of self-expression, the platform builds on Samsung’s efforts to empower users with customised experiences.

"Through the Galaxy S22 Treasure Hunt and user-generated content events, we want to engage more Gen Z and millennial users to spark their imagination and creativity. We hope to be an important part of their on-going journey in exploring their individuality, and in developing their lifestyle preferences,” added Bockenmeyer.

Details:

Users can participate in the Treasure Hunt at Jeromy’s House in the My House map. Galaxy S22 gift boxes will appear every 15 minutes for a limited time. Users can win an exclusive in-app S22 effect item each time they find a gift box, and the limited virtual fashion item – a Galaxy S22 jumpsuit - upon collecting eight gift boxes.

Download the ZEPETO app from the Google Play Store. The My House map can be accessed by tapping on Recommended Map or searching for My House in the ZEPETO app’s World tab.

NVIDIA announces new Game Ready Driver, out in time for Mortal Shell update

Source: NVIDIA. Mortal Shell performance with the new Game Ready driver. Lighter green bar shows average frames per second with DLSS on.

NVIDIA has released a Game Ready Driver that coincides with the new RTX update to Mortal Shell. The driver adds NVIDIA DLSS and ray tracing to the single-player, action-RPG from Cold Symmetry.

Gamers can expect stunning ray-traced shadows to the game, and a boost to performance of up to 130% at 4K.

NVIDIA Game Ready drivers are often used as a delivery mechanism to add new features for our GeForce users. This Game Ready driver also enhances NVIDIA Reflex support for Valorant, the free-to-play shooter from Riot Games. Reflex’s Boost Mode further reduces system latency in certain CPU-bound scenarios where the render submission thread is the limiting factor. These types of CPU bound scenarios can occur when there are many objects to render on the screen at once.

Other features of the new driver include:

- Support for a native integration of NVIDIA Broadcast’s Background Noise Removal feature directly into Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), the most popular broadcasting tool for streamers.

- Support for more G-SYNC Compatible displays, including LG’s 27GP950, 2021 B1 4K Series, 2021 C1 4K Series, 2021 G1 4K Series and 2021 Z1 8K Series, along with the MSI MAG 301 RF.

- Optimal game settings for It Takes Two and Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos.

- The addition of GeForce Experience optimal settings for creative applications, with 34 applications from Adobe Lightroom to Blackmagic Davinci Resolve supported with this release.

Available on or before launch day, NVIDIA Game Ready Drivers provide the best experience for GeForce gamers because NVIDIA engineers work up until the last possible minute to optimise performance and perfect gameplay. As an additional verification of quality, every Game Ready Driver is WHQL-certified by Microsoft.

NVIDIA's latest Game Ready driver enhances Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege play

Source: NVIDIA. GeForce gamers playing Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege can enable NVIDIA Reflex with the new Game Ready driver to enjoy up to 30% lower system latency in the Vulkan version of the game.

NVIDIA continues to deliver meaningful upgrades for owners of GeForce GPUs. This week, the company launched a new NVIDIA Game Ready driver that benefits players of the upcoming Square Enix title Outriders and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege, the tactical shooter, got a patch that adds support for NVIDIA Reflex. Reflex reduces system latency for GeForce gamers. By simply downloading and installing the new driver and the patch, GeForce gamers playing Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege can enable NVIDIA Reflex to enjoy up to 30% lower system latency in the Vulkan version of the game.

The driver will also have GeForce Gamers ready for NVIDIA DLSS in Outriders when that game launches on April 1, giving them the performance headroom to maximise image quality settings.

With the addition of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege, seven out of the 10 most popular shooters are now shipping with NVIDIA Reflex support.

NVIDIA Reflex provides a free upgrade to nearly all GeForce gamers by reducing latency and improving responsiveness for GTX 10 Series and higher GPUs for Vulkan games. Latency improvements are typically higher for lower-end hardware.

The latest NVIDIA Game Ready driver also includes:

Optimisations and enhancements for new games, such as:

- DIRT 5’s new ray tracing update

- Evil Genius 2: World Domination

- KINGDOM HEARTS Series

A resizeable bar on all GeForce RTX 30 Series desktop graphics cards

Beta support for virtualisation on GeForce GPUs

New G-SYNC Compatible gaming monitors, including the Asus XG16A, Dell S2522HG, LG 7GP850/27GP83B, LG 32GP850/32GP83B and Xiaomi Mi 245 HF1, and

Fifteen new GeForce Experience one-click Optimal Game Settings profiles, including for Aron’s Adventure, Blizzard Arcade Collection and KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX.

Singtel and Riot Games Southeast Asia offer world’s first zero-rated gaming bundles for League of Legends: Wild Rift

Source: Singtel. Unlimited data for League of Legends: Wild Rift with new zero-rated gaming bundles from Singtel. 

Singtel and Riot Games Southeast Asia have partnered to offer the world’s first zero-rated gaming bundles for League of Legends: Wild Rift. Zero-rating refers to exempting the data used for a particular activity from counting towards the data cap of the user's subscription. Such data will not accumulate excess usage charges.

The five-player-versus-five-player (5v5) Wild Rift mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) brings the excitement of League of Legends, the world’s most-played PC MOBA and most watched e-sports game, to players on the go.

Exclusive to Singtel postpaid mobile customers, the newly unveiled RiotGO and RiotGO+ gaming bundles provide players with unlimited data-free gameplay, as well as up to S$40 worth of Wild Rift in-game content.

At launch, all Singtel 5G customers, including XO Plus 5G customers, will get a complimentary three- month subscription of RiotGO or RiotGO+. All other Singtel postpaid mobile customers will receive a complimentary one-month subscription to a bundle of their choice.

Gan Siok Hoon, MD, Sales & Marketing, Consumer Singapore, Singtel, said, “Mobile gaming has surged in popularity in the past year as more people turned to them for fun and entertainment during the pandemic. Seventy-six percent of our customers play games on their mobile phones and we’re excited to elevate their gaming experience with Singtel 5G and our strategic partnership with Riot Games.

"Customers can leverage RiotGO and RiotGO+ to ''max out their loadout' to enhance their Wild Rift gameplay. With fast performance being a key consideration in mobile gaming, Singtel 5G customers will also get an ultra-responsive and smoother gaming experience on Singapore’s most powerful 5G network.” 

 Within the first week of its regional open beta last October, Wild Rift was received with great enthusiasm, topping App Store and Google Play game charts in Singapore and every other market that the game was released in. With the recent announcement of the Wild Rift SEA Icon Series, the stage is set for Riot Games Southeast Asia’s expansion of mobile e-sports.

“Singapore has always been an important market for us as a mobile-first nation, and we are thrilled to partner with Singtel to deliver a world-first with RiotGO. This exciting offering attests to our commitment to constantly deliver exciting, innovative, and rewarding experiences to our players. Not forgetting with Singtel 5G, players can look forward to an off-the-charts mobile gaming experience when they play Wild Rift, be it at home or on-the-go,“ said Justin Hulog, GM, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, Riot Games.

Details:

Singtel postpaid mobile customers can choose between two bundles, RiotGO and RiotGO+, both of which boast in-game content such as extra champions and items, in addition to unlimited data for gameplay.

- RiotGO costs S$6.90/month** and offers S$25 worth of in-game content.

- RiotGO+ is priced at S$9.90/month*** and includes S$40 worth of in-game content as well as a bonus 1 GB of local data.

Sign up for the bundles.

Explore:

Watch the videos:

RiotGO, exclusively on Singtel

League of Legends: Wild Rift

*The State of Online Gaming 2019

**Promotional pricing is available until 31 March 2021. Usual price, S$7.90/month.

***Promotional pricing is available until 31 March 2021. Usual price, S$12.90/month

Mr Monopoly goes on a Singapoliday

Source: First Wave Agency & Hasbro.
Still from the game.

First Wave Agency and Hasbro have launched Monopoly Explore! SG, a digital Monopoly experience for mobile devices.

During the promotion period, which ends 30 April, players can explore Singapore, meet artisanal makers, discover products, and even win real-world rewards, including discount vouchers from partners and cash prizes, on the Monopoly Explore! SG mobile app.

Monopoly Explore! SG reinvents the classic board game by introducing tiles in categories that represent four uniquely Singaporean experiences - Foods, Goods, Faces and Spaces. The tokens are locally themed, allowing players to choose from pieces shaped like a durian, a HDB void deck table, and orchids. Players acquire tiles and explore uniquely Singaporean experiences to win rewards.

They can invite friends to play and explore Singapore’s cultural spaces such as Little India, the National Museum of Singapore, and the Arts House. Roll the dice to land on a tile, and make a move by choosing to acquire the tile to unlock more exclusive content like videos and games. Learn more about the museum's treasures for example, or take a quiz to level up and increase the chance of winning prizes.

There are also interactive minigames, such as the foodpanda City Delivery, where players get to deliver food orders around the city, and The Perfect Toast Box Kopi, where players can brew the perfect local coffee. Acquiring The Good Tile will give players an opportunity to be a good Samaritan and donate to local non-profit organisations such as The Food Bank Singapore.

Players can unlock content and activities to achieve different levels and increase chances of winning real rewards such as a weekly S$150 worth of cash and prizes, and a grand prize worth S$8,000.

“We are delighted to be able to bring our ideas to life with Hasbro. We are excited for players to experience the innovative gameplay that allows them to rediscover our beloved city, while also showcasing the unique landmarks and experiences that Singapore is known for,” said Don Tsai, Founder and MD of First Wave Agency.

Details:

Monopoly Explore! SG can be downloaded from now at the Google Play Store, and from 22 February on the App Store. It is available during a promotional period, till 30 April 2021.

Consumers are encouraged to check out the website, join the conversation using 

Hashtag: #MonopolyExploreSG

GeForce RTX 3080 and 3090 buyers eligible for Call of Duty game bundle

Source: NVIDIA. The standard edition of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War bundle will include the Woods Operator Pack and the Confrontation Weapons Pack.

NVIDIA has announced that for a limited time, buyers of GeForce RTX 3080 or 3090-equipped graphics cards and PCs will get a copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.  

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is the latest game in the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise and launches November 13, 2020. The game is a perfect showcase for the latest NVIDIA technology following the addition of immersive ray-traced shadows to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. NVIDIA effects to the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War campaign on PC include: 

 - NVIDIA RTX-accelerated ray-traced ambient occlusion, local shadows, and sun shadows effects for more immersive gameplay. 

 - NVIDIA DLSS to boost frame rates while generating beautiful, crisp game images. 

 - NVIDIA Reflex to reduce system latency. In the beta, NVIDIA Reflex reduced system latency by up to 20%. 

- NVIDIA Ansel to frame and snap unique hi-resolution screenshots. 

 - NVIDIA Highlights in Multiplayer mode, ensuring memorable in-game moments are automatically recorded and saved.  

Details: 

Gamers must buy from specific retailers and e-tailers by December 10, 2020 will get a copy of the standard edition of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The edition included in the bundle also features the Woods Operator Pack and Confrontation Weapons Pack. 

For a list of participating products and partners, visit Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War GeForce RTX Bundle home page.

Telkomsel launches Kolak Express 3 mobile game

Telkomsel's Dunia Games has released Kolak Express 3, a game that contributes to the DiRumahTerusTerhibur and #DiRumahTerusMaju initiatives which were created to ensure customers can still be entertained at home amid of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kolak Express 3 is available for download on the Google Play Store. It is the fourth game published by Dunia Games, and reflects Telkomsel's commitment to be the leading mobile game publisher in Indonesia.

Source: Telkomsel, through Dunia Games, has released Kolak Express 3. It is now available for download from the Google Play Store.

Head of Digital Lifestyle, Telkomsel, Crispin P Tristram said, "Kolak Express 3 is a manifestation of Telkomsel's commitment as the leading digital telco company that keeps moving forward to enable customer-centric products and services, including in digital lifestyle segment. Following successful releases of action genre game, ShellFire in 2018, and role-playing genre game, Lord of Estera in 2019 and Rise of Nowlin this year, we are delighted to release an easy-to-play simulation game to provide another variety of game genre in our games collection. Soon, Kolak Express 3 will also available for overseas gamers."

Kolak Express 3 challenges its players to sell kolak - an Indonesian dessert traditionally made with palm or coconut sugar, coconut milk, and pandanus leaf or banana - and serve a variety of kolak as requested by customers over 100 levels. The simple concept of the game enables Kolak Express 3 to be played by all ages.

"Dunia Games is committed to always provide games with a variety of genres to meet every customer's need across segments. This is also in line with the spirit of Telkomsel's 25th year anniversary to always dedicate all resources to create positive impacts for society. Going forward, we will also collaborate with other talents within the mobile game industry to advance the e-sports and gaming ecosystem in Indonesia," Crispin said.

Dunia Games offers payment gateway services, and provides a games and e-sports media platform online and through the Dunia Games app which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and App Store.

Minecraft celebrates 10th anniversary with new mobile game

Move over, Pokemon GO. It's Minecraft's 10-year anniversary and to commemorate the milestone the brand is launching an augmented reality (AR) mobile game, Minecraft Earth that may seem somewhat familiar to PokemonGO players.

Minecraft Earth blends state-of-the-art Microsoft technology like Azure Spatial Anchors tracking and PlayFab integration for a sophisticated AR gaming experience where gamers collect, explore, build and survive. Minecraft and PlayFab are part of the Microsoft family.

The free-to-play game, available on both iOS and Android, involves players collecting resources, fighting mobs, and gain experience points to progress in the game. Players go out in the real world to find small clusters of blocks, chests or mobs called Tappables. There are also Adventures, small slices of Minecraft worlds in life-size AR – a mine with diamonds underfoot, or trees where skeletons lurk.

Minecraft Earth features many of the Vanilla* Minecraft mobs from the existing universe along with new ones that are currently in the pipeline. Over time, players will get the chance to discover and collect unique variants and use them to populate builds, as well as gather resources and take on nearby challenges.

Just as in the existing game, players can build their own permanent creations in Minecraft Earth. Build Plates support  small, tabletop-sized environments all the way to life-size scale.

The game is optimised for social multiplayer experiences. Anyone with an AR-capable smartphone and Minecraft Earth installed will be able to join a session and interact together.

Ten years in, Minecraft continues to grow. There are now over 200 million registered users of the China edition of Minecraft. Nearly 130 million Minecraft Hour of Code sessions have been completed, and the base game has sold 176 million copies worldwide.

MINECON is also back as MINECON Live. The annual livestream about all things Minecraft will be around 90 minutes long, packed with news, sessions with content creators, and on-demand community panels. MINECON Live will be streamed on Minecraft.net and other Minecraft-owned channels on September 28 at 12 pm EST.

Source: Microsoft. Minecraft Earth poster.

Details:

Minecraft Earth is in closed beta. Find out how to get a chance to be part of the game.

Watch the trailer

Read the Minecraft Earth FAQ

*Vanilla Minecraft is the version of the game that has no gameplay modifications.

Huawei mobile gamers wil get exclusive outfits for My Omamori

Source: Huawei. My Omamori benefits for Huawei users.

Huawei Mobile Services has partnered with Original Workshop, the makers of the otome game My Omamori, to offer exclusive rewards to mobile gamers.

Otome games are games targeted at a female demographic. An omamori (お守り) is a lucky charm that is meant to provide luck or protection. 

In My Omamori, an ancient warrior named Toki Mamoru returns to the present to be the player's guardian angel. Japanese sound actor Yuki Ono voices Mamoru, and the plots are written by Taiwanese novelist Deer Li. Mamoru will also act as a virtual assistant, providing alarm, schedule management, and health reminders, and can also make recommendations on food and clothing.
 
HUAWEI AppGallery, the company's official app store, recently launched the game and is rewarding HUAWEI mobile game players with exclusively-designed outfits. Users can claim the Workplace Smarties outfit from the HUAWEI AppGallery gift centre. The complementary My Omamori print novel is currently featured in Taiwan book stores. HUAWEI users can also find a HUAWEI AppGallery QR code on book covers offering limited outfits for redemption.

My Omamori is currently available in all Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. The English version for Europe and an exclusive US version will arrive in two months.

HUAWEI AppGallery is preloaded in all HUAWEI and HONOR smartphones, and hosts more than 270 million monthly active users. A four-layer threat detection mechanism on HUAWEI AppGallery secures activities.

Details:

A HUAWEI ID is required to download My Omamori.

Get a state-of-the-art VR gaming fix at Bugis Junction and Bugis+, Singapore

Source: Bugis Junction and Bugis+. Screenshot of the Time Zombies game.

This Halloween, the Bugis Junction and Bugis+ malls in Singapore are daring shoppers to face their fears with a larger-than-life virtual reality (VR) gaming experience. This is the first time that malls in Singapore are hosting a VR experience of this scale.

For the Time Zombies competition shoppers are invited to step into the shoes of detectives travelling through time hot on the heels of Dr Virago, a time-travelling mad scientist, and stop him in his bid to spark off a zombie apocalypse. This competition uses the latest Arctic Fox wireless technology, in which players don a wireless headset that features a high definition screen and gaming headphones for an immersive surround sound experience, without the burden of cables or backpack computers.

Prizes for the top 10 players include:

• First place – S$1,000 in CapitaVouchers, a Samsung S7 edge smartphone and a Logitech speaker 

• Second place – S$800 in CapitaVouchers, a Samsung S7 edge smartphone and a Logitech speaker

• Third place – S$500 in CapitaVouchers, a Samsung S7 edge smartphone and a Logitech speaker

• Fourth to 10th place – S$100 in CapitaVouchers each. 

In addition to the top 10 prizes, daily rewards await shoppers when they participate in the Time Zombies VR Competition. They stand to receive STAR$* when they achieve a minimum game score of 1,000 points, which will be awarded daily after tabulating the day’s game scores. 

Two other non-competitive VR games are also available. Till 15 October, shoppers can challenge their fear of heights with a plank walk set 50 storeys above ground while dodging creepy crawlies flying at them with a game of Walk the Plank. The Arizona Sunshine zombie game, available from 13 to 29 October, will challenge players to scour the Arizona desert for fellow survivors of the zombie apocalypse. 

Interested?

The Time Zombies VR Competition will take place at Bugis+ Atrium, Level 2, from 13 to 29 October. To take part in the Time Zombies VR Competition, shoppers can either present a receipt with a minimum spend of S$20 in a single receipt at either Bugis Junction or Bugis+, or redeem one game play with 100 STAR$ via the CapitaStar app.

Qualifying rounds will take place between 13 to 26 October from 11am to 9pm daily. Thereafter, scores will be tabulated and the top 10 individual players will be selected on 26 October at 9pm. The competition will culminate in a final showdown among the top 10 players on 29 October from 2pm to 6pm.

To take part in the non-competitive games, head to the VR booth at Bugis Junction in front of Hotel Intercontinental with a minimum spend of S$20 in a single receipt at either Bugis Junction or Bugis+.  Alternatively, shoppers can redeem one game play with 100 STAR$ via the CapitaStar app. 

View a Time Zombies game play trailer

*Every 5,000 STAR$ accumulated can be used to redeem S$5 in CapitaVouchers. 

Toy and game sales to adults are growing

Global market research company Euromonitor International has found that games and puzzles registered 8% growth in 2016 – outpacing construction toys as the fastest growing toy category globally, but also recording the highest growth for the category since 2002.

Globally, construction toys grew 7.8% in 2016 compared to double-digit growth from 2015, but continued to hold the largest share of the traditional toys and games market at US$10 billion, followed by games and puzzles at US$9.5 billion.

Construction toys are expected to make a comeback as the fastest growing toys category globally with a forecasted compound annual growth rate of 6.8% from 2016 to 2021.

“Continued growth in sales to adults illustrates that children are retaining interest in toys into adulthood on a scale not seen in previous generations,” says Matthew Hudak, Toys and Games Analyst at Euromonitor International. “Categories with proven multigenerational appeal like construction, remote control, and action figures are therefore expected to see the fastest growth over the next five years.”

posted from Bloggeroid

Dubai-Opoly to promote Dubai as an ideal business destination

Source: Dubai Chamber. Dubai Chamber creates Dubai-Opoly game to promote
Dubai.

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced that it has launched recreational game Dubai-Opoly to promote Dubai as a global hub for business and trade.

Modelled after the Monopoly board game, Dubai-Opoly will soon hit store shelves in the UAE and GCC region, and feature some of the emirate’s most prominent landmarks and attractions. The new game complements Dubai Chamber’s efforts to strengthen the emirate’s reputation as a thriving centre of commerce and a leading tourist destination.

HE Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber said, “By launching this unique initiative, we will promote Dubai’s brand and boost its international profile. Last year, the chamber received over 600 international delegations and participated in more than 70 events abroad.”

Check Point shows how apps can be turned into Android malware

Source: Check Point blog. Watch the video.

Getting the Pokemon GO app from unofficial sources can lead to malicious app downloads, Check Point has warned.

In a video, Check Point explains how cybercriminals can repackage the Pokemon GO app for Android, turning it into malware that can steal sensitive information or spy on the unsuspecting user.



The company advises gamers to download apps that can detect and stop such repackaged malware.

Interested?
 
The official Pokemon Go app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the Apple App store, or via the official website.

Hashtag: #PokemonGo

Avoid Pokemon Go scams, malware

Source: Niantic blog.

Pokémon Go, the augmented reality mobile game that has become a global sensation since its launch in early July, has already attracted the attention of scammers and cyberattackers. While yet to arrive (legally) in Asia*, there are risks that players should be aware of, says Symantec.

In a recent blog post Symantec has detailed several Pokémon scams, from free PokeCoins and fake versions of the mobile game, to permission and privacy issues:

Free PokeCoin scams
Pokémon Go has in-app purchases, where users can spend real money to buy a virtual currency called PokeCoins. Players can spend the PokeCoins on items, such as incense to lure Pokémon to their location or eggs that hatch rare Pokémon . Those who search for discounted or free PokeCoins online are likely to encounter classic survey scams. 

"These links are widespread across the Internet, from posts on gaming forums to dedicated scamming sites. The majority of fraudulent results are posts on social media sites or videos with alleged proof that the PokeCoin hacking tool works," Symantec noted in the blog post.

Trojanised Pokémon Go apps

Trojan versions of the game targeting Android devices have appeared, including the remote access Trojan (Android.Sandorat) disguised as Pokémon Go. The threat was distributed on various download sites and gaming forums. If the malicious version of the app is installed, it displays the Pokémon Go start screen while giving the attacker complete access to the phone.

Those looking to cheat by getting rare Pokémon in a particular physical location have spoofed their GPS locations with readily-available apps that can be installed on rooted Android devices or jailbroken iPhones. While Symantec has not seen attackers disguise their malware as GPS spoofers yet, it could happen, the company warns.

Tips to stay safe with Pokémon Go include:

· Avoid downloading Pokémon Go from unofficial marketplaces, as attackers can use these sites to deliver malware disguised as legitimate apps

· Install the Pokémon Go update that removes the request for full access to Google accounts

· Stay away from game-cheating tools, as they could be fraudulent or may contain malware

· Keep your smartphone's firmware updated to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited

· Use strong and unique passwords for your Pokémon Go account

· Pay close attention to the permissions that apps request

· Install a suitable mobile security app, to protect the device and data

Interested?

The blog post also details scam methods, privacy issues and how gamers are trying to cheat in Pokemon Go.

Follow the official Twitter account for updates on availability

Hashtag: #PokemonGO

*As of the time of writing Niantic had just released the game in 26 more European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland. On July 14, the game was released in Italy, Spain and Portugal, and in the UK on July 13, and in Germany on July 12. It was originally made available in the US, Australia and New Zealand.

Walton to host Cashflow 101 gaming session this July

Source: Walton eDM.

The Walton Group (Walton), a privately-owned real estate investment and development multinational group which concentrates on pre-development land investments in North America, is running another gaming session for the Cashflow 101 board game in Singapore.

Cashflow 101, often just known as the Cash Flow game, is designed by Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki to help gamers take their first steps to aligning real life to life goals by changing the individual's perspective of cashflow and investment.

"Learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom or from a book. Inject some real fun into learning about money and investing," reads the website for Cashflow Classic, the associated mobile app. The game was first played in Singapore in 1996 and has since become known worldwide, with a community of 1.5 million according to the website.

The premise of the game is to manage assets and liabilities, trade stocks and fight your way out of the Rat Race - what Kiyosaki calls the daily grind that doesn't seem to provide any way to get to the next level. While it may sound a little dry and technical to those who are not money-minded, the experienced facilitators from Walton explain the choices at every step in simple terms to maintain a fast-paced yet enjoyable game for all.

While the game can be played online or through a smartphone, playing face-to-face with other gamers and with a good facilitator can really bring home the tenets behind good financial literacy. "I have personally learnt quite a bit from this board game myself," summarised Faith Ong Yan Ying, VP, Walton. "You will learn about the 🐀Rat Race🐀 and how to get out of our everyday mundane lifestyle by the correct planning techniques for retirement."

Interested?

The invitation-only* session can accommodate a limited number of people, so reservations are first come, first served. Request an invitation from Faith Ong by email: Yanying.ong at walton.com

Date: 14 July, 2016
Time: 6.30pm registration, 7pm gameplay. A light dinner is provided.

Each session lasts about two hours, with four to six players an ideal number per game. There is a debrief session providing feedback on individual gaming styles - and the level of financial literacy - after the game.

Venue: Raffles Place, Republic Plaza I, Level 35-01/02

Parking directions: Please keep left when entering the Republic Plaza car park. The entrance to the building is via the first floor of the main lobby. It costs S$3 every half-hour from Mondays to Fridays from 7am to 5pm, and S$3 per entry after 5pm. 

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about my first experience playing Cashflow 101 game

*The invitation is not an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any land investments, which may only be conducted using documentation prepared in accordance with applicable law. 

posted from Bloggeroid

Euromonitor: tech playing larger role in toys and games growth

The global toys and games market is poised for growth as favourable demographics in emerging markets, along with a tent pole* movie release schedule, are expected to support a 4.5% CAGR through 2020.

Global market research company Euromonitor International has found that global sales of toys and games reached US$179.7 billion in 2015 with in-game purchases and construction toys accounting for 30% of sales across the industry.

In-game purchases were the biggest driver of revenue growth for video games, increasing 21% in 2015 to reach US$44.6 billion. Mobile games reliant on purchases and the proliferation of smartphones was the main driver, but in-game purchases are becoming common in console and computer games.

Construction toys remained the fastest growing category globally for the eighth consecutive year, and the only segment to see double-digit growth at 14.2% within traditional toys in 2015.

“The release of Star Wars last year was the most significant growth driver within traditional toys with licensed LEGO construction toys recording a 16% increase,” Mykola Golovko, Project Manager at Euromonitor International, says.

Licensed toys totalled US$20.6 billion last year, translating to a 10% increase globally. While toys will see continued influence from licensing, new technologies will lead forecast growth for video games.

Virtual reality (VR) gaming had a limited impact in 2015 with only 2 million headsets sold. However, new products are expected to bring the technology to a wider audience in the period 2016 to 2020.

“With the release of Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR in 2016, the market is primed to see strong growth in the near future with annual sales reaching 25 million units by 2020,” Matthew Hudak, toys and games Industry Analyst at Euromonitor International, says.

*Tent pole movies contribute heavily to their creators' revenues and often come with merchandise tie-ins.

Cashflow Night by Walton could show you to break out of the rut and win big

A board game could help you take your first steps to aligning your life goals by re-looking your approach to cashflow and investment. "You could learn to be wealthy and that would be life changing. You could also learn to be wealthy by playing a game and that would be amazing", reads the website for Cashflow the Boardgame. The game was developed by Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki, and first played in Singapore in 1996. It has become popular worldwide, with a community of 1.5 million according to Kiyosaki.

While the marketing may seem too good to be true, the reasoning is that good investment principles cannot be memorised out of a handy textbook. On the other hand, trial-and-error experiments in real-life investing can be costly. CASHFLOW 101 (there is an advanced version called 202) was created to convey the principles of investing and wealth-building more effectively. In essence, players in groups of three to six manage assets and liabilities, trade stocks and fight their way out of the Rat Race - what Kiyosaki calls the daily grind that doesn't seem to provide any way to get to the next level.

Experience Cashflow the Boardgame in Singapore with the Walton International Group, which is hosting Cashflow Night in Singapore this June. While the game can be played online, face-to-face games with a good facilitator who can explain the nuances of the logic behind the gameplay can be crucial, explains Faith Ong Yan Ying, VP, Walton International Group. The company is a multinational, privately-owned real estate investment and development group concentrating on the research, acquisition, administration, planning and development of strategically located land in major North American growth corridors.

"I have personally learnt quite a bit from this board game myself," she said, noting that Cashflow the Boardgame can hone techniques for retirement. Initial games can be illuminating as they are most indicative of how a person's attitude towards money, she added.

Interested?

⏰ Date: 21 June 2016 (Tuesday)
⌚ Time: 7pm
🏫 Venue: Walton Office at 9 Raffles Place #35-01/02 Republic Plaza S048619

Register (via Ong Yan Ying)

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about Walton's shari'ah compliant offerings

posted from Bloggeroid