Gaming Updates : Akihabara Loses Former Sega Arcade Landmark After 32 Years

Source : 

https://geekculture.co/akihabara-loses-former-sega-arcade-landmark-after-32-years/

ChatGPT : 

The landmark Akihabara Gigo 1 arcade—formerly Sega’s flagship site—is set to close at the end of August 2025. Originally opened in 1992 as High Tech Land Sega Shintoku, the iconic red building evolved through multiple rebrandings. Its closure marks another step in Akihabara’s shift from niche gaming and anime culture to mainstream tourism.

Acquired by Genda in 2022, the arcade business continued under the Genda Gigo name. Rising rental costs likely prompted the closure. However, Genda still operates three arcades in the area and plans to convert the site into a new amusement hub. Meanwhile, Sega will open a new flagship store in Shibuya PARCO on July 18.

Gaming Updates : The best mobile games of 2025 so far (July 2025)

Source : 

https://www.pocketgamer.com/best-games/mobile-games-of-2025/

ChatGPT : 

Pocket Gamer and affiliated sites reviewed hundreds of mobile games released in 2025, selecting the best across various rating tiers. Highlights include:

⭐ 5 Stars (10/10 – Platinum Award):

- Crunchyroll: Shogun Showdown

- EvoCreo 2

- I Am Your Beast

⭐ 4.5 Stars (9/10 – Gold Award):

- Dredge, Jump King, Lara Croft: Guardian of Light, True Fear 3, Resident Evil 2, Songs of Conquest, Vampire’s Fall 2, and more.

⭐ 4 Stars (8/10 – Silver Award):

- Crashlands 2, Duck Detective, Primrows, Thronefall, Wargroove 2, etc.

⭐ 3.5 to 3 Stars (7–6/10):

- Backyard Baseball '97, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, Persona 5: The Phantom X, and more.

⭐ 2.5 Stars (5/10):

- Ultimate Chicken Horse

Games were filtered and reviewed by Pocket Gamer, 148Apps, and others in the Steel Media group, with decades of experience in mobile gaming. The list is regularly updated.

Gaming Updates : Steam Users Have Until July 17 to Claim 3 Games for Free

Source : 

https://gamerant.com/free-games-on-steam-july-2025/

ChatGPT : 

Steam users can claim three free strategy games — Battlestar Galactica: Deadlock, Field of Glory 2: Medieval, and Fantasy General 2 — until Thursday, July 17, 2025. All three games are published by Slitherine Ltd and have received "Very Positive" reviews. No subscription is required; users simply need to claim the games on their Steam store pages to keep them permanently. Steam regularly offers free games, but these giveaways are often unannounced in advance.

Sports Updates : Why tennis players grunt during matches

Source : 

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/10/sport/tennis-players-why-grunt-wimbledon-cec

ChatGPT : 

Summary: Why Tennis Players Grunt During Matches

Tennis players grunt to improve performance, regulate breathing, and release energy during strokes. Experts say grunting helps maintain rhythm and prevents breath-holding, which can hinder movement and power. It may also increase shot velocity—by up to 5%, according to studies—and psychologically pressure or distract opponents by masking the sound of the ball or disrupting timing. While controversial and often criticized as excessive or distracting, especially in women’s tennis, it’s now common across genders. For many players, grunting becomes instinctive and is tied to their intensity and playing style.

Sports Updates : China’s “moving Great Wall” basketballer makes senior team debut

Gaming Updates : What’s Next for 'MapleStory Universe'? More Ways to Play

Source : 

https://decrypt.co/327787/whats-next-maplestory-universe-more-ways-play

ChatGPT : 

Summary: What’s Next for MapleStory Universe?

Following the launch of MapleStory N, Nexpace (blockchain arm of Nexon) plans to *expand the MapleStory Universe* into a broader, more accessible ecosystem with mobile and web-based experiences by Q1 2026**.

🔹 Key Highlights:

- MapleStory N is a PC-based MMORPG where in-game items are represented as NFTs on the Avalanche-based Henesys blockchain.

- Nexpace aims to lower the entry barrier by launching over a dozen lighter mobile/web apps tied to the core game.

- First web app (launching by August 2025) will allow players to enhance items.

- Future apps will let users level characters, do quests, or grind XP on the go.

- A character rental system—where players can pay others to level up for them—is also being developed for release by early 2026.

🔧 Builder Ecosystem:

- Currently, third-party developers must get Nexpace approval and an API key to build.

- A developer portal is set to launch in Q3/Q4 2025, moving the platform toward a permissionless model.

- Builders will be rewarded in NXPC tokens, with 80% of supply reserved for contributors.

💬 Vision:

- Inspired by games like EA FC Ultimate Team, Nexpace wants MapleStory fans to casually engage with the universe throughout the day (e.g., while commuting or working), saving deep gameplay for weekends.

- All efforts aim to accommodate the aging player base, many of whom now have less time for PC gaming.

---

Bottom Line: MapleStory Universe is evolving beyond the PC with mobile/web expansions, contributor incentives, and eventual decentralization—making the iconic RPG more accessible for modern, time-strapped players.

Entertainment Updates : No longer a must-have? Why some Singapore malls are swapping cinemas for gyms and tuition centres

Source : 

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/shopping-malls-turn-sports-education-tenants-replace-cinemas-5177041

Apple Intelligence : 

• Tenant Mix Diversification: Mall operators are replacing cinemas with gyms, indoor basketball courts, tuition centres, and immersive dining experiences.

• Cinema Industry Challenges: Cinemas face difficulties due to the rise of streaming services and changing consumer preferences.

• Shift in Mall Operator Perspective: The pandemic accelerated a trend of people consuming entertainment at home, reducing the value proposition of cinemas as anchor tenants.

• Cathay Cineplexes Transformation: Cathay Cineplexes is transforming some of its outlets into education and enrichment hubs.

• Parkway Parade Example: Parkway Parade’s outlet has been transformed into an education and enrichment hub with a basketball academy and a math enrichment center.

• The Cathay Example: The Cathay along Handy Road now houses PSB Academy and other businesses, no longer operating as a cinema.

• Cinema Space Repurposing: Filmgarde Cineplexes’ space at Leisure Park Kallang will become an “immersive dining” venue.

• New Tenants at Parkway Parade: Scholar Basketball Academy is among the new tenants at level seven of Parkway Parade.

• Cinema Overhaul Plans: West Mall and AMK Hub plan to overhaul the cinema spaces formerly occupied by Cathay Cineplexes.

• Cinema Space Repurposing: Seletar Mall’s former Shaw Theatres space is expected to be repurposed, potentially for tenants like gyms or co-working spaces.

• Changing Consumer Behavior: Shifting consumer preferences and challenging market conditions are leading mall and cinema operators to reevaluate their business strategies.

• Mall Operator Preferences: Mall operators are increasingly seeking tenants that can generate consistent foot traffic throughout the day, favoring higher-paying options over cinemas.

• Tenant Selection Criteria: Mall operators prioritize tenants that can attract foot traffic, such as enrichment centers, gyms, and experiential F&B outlets.

• Reasons for Choosing Specific Tenants: These tenants are preferred because they encourage longer stays, attract customers during off-peak hours, and offer a diverse range of experiences.

• Cinemas’ Current Status: While rental payment delays are a concern, experts believe cinemas are not yet considered a significant risk for landlords.

• Cinema Space Reinstatement: Restoring a former cinema space can be expensive and time-consuming, potentially costing six figures and taking months.

• Benefits of Similar Tenants: Having a replacement tenant from a similar trade, like another cinema, can reduce capital expenditure and ensure stable income for both landlord and tenant.

• Shaw Theatres at Jem: Shaw Theatres will take over the cinema space at Jem, becoming the only cinema operator in the Jurong East catchment.

Entertainment Updates : Steam finally goes native on Apple Silicon, here’s how to try it

Source : 

https://9to5mac.com/2025/06/12/steam-finally-goes-native-on-apple-silicon-heres-how-to-try-it/

Apple Intelligence : 

• Steam Update: Steam for Mac is now a native Apple Silicon app.

• Performance Improvement: The update brings faster launch times, smoother scrolling and navigation, and improved access to Store and Community pages.

• How to Try: Users can opt into the beta by going to Steam > Settings > Interface.

• Steam Update: Steam released a beta update for macOS, addressing the upcoming deprecation of Rosetta 2.

• Rosetta 2 Deprecation: Apple announced that Rosetta 2, which allows Intel-based apps to run on Apple silicon, will be deprecated in a future macOS version.

• Future Support: Apple will continue to provide security updates for Intel-based Macs for three years and will keep a subset of Rosetta functionality for older, unmaintained games.

Entertainment Updates : How Video Games Made Me Better at Typing

Source : 

https://www.howtogeek.com/how-video-games-made-me-better-at-typing/

Apple Intelligence : 

• Typing Games’ Effectiveness: Typing games are surprisingly effective in improving typing skills.

• Engaging Learning Experience: Typing games make typing practice fun and rewarding, unlike traditional typing lessons.

• History of Typing Games: Educational games, including typing games, have existed since the early 1980s.

• Modern Typing Games: Immersive gameplay experiences that subtly improve typing speed and precision.

• Gameplay Mechanics: Progress and survival often depend on typing speed and accuracy, creating a natural incentive for improvement.

• Game Examples: Glyphica: Typing Survival and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun – Words of Vengeance demonstrate how typing can be integrated into various genres.

• Game Genre: First-person shooter (FPS) game.

• Game Rating: Mature 17+ due to blood and gore, and violence.

• Release Date: May 23, 2023.

• Gameplay Experience: Blood Typers is a unique and enjoyable typing game that can be played solo or with friends.

• Vocabulary Improvement: Typing games, like Blood Typers and Cryptmaster, subtly expand vocabulary through gameplay.

• Skill Development: Typing games offer a fun and engaging way to improve typing skills, regardless of prior experience.

Entertainment Updates : Microsoft unveils Xbox-branded ROG Ally handhelds with AMD’s new Ryzen Z2 chips

Source : 

https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-news-microsoft-xbox-branded-rog-ally-handheld-amd-ryzen-z2-gaming

Apple Intelligence : 

• Product Launch: Microsoft launched two Xbox-branded ROG Ally handhelds.

• Design: The handhelds feature Xbox-inspired design elements, including hand grips, colored rings around the sticks, and a dedicated Xbox home button.

• Hardware Specifications: The Xbox Ally X boasts AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, 24GB of LPDDR5X memory, and a 1TB SSD, while the Xbox Ally comes with the Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

• Display: 7-inch 1080p LCD panel with 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass Victus, and DXC anti-reflective coating.

• Software: Custom version of Windows 11 with a new Xbox full-screen experience designed for controller use.

• Gaming Features: FreeSync Premium support, USB 4 for external GPU connectivity, and a new initiative to identify controller-friendly games.

Entertainment Updates : PC Gamers Have 5 Free Games to Claim Right Now

Source : 

https://gamerant.com/free-pc-games-right-now-june-2025-steam-epic-games-store-egs/

Apple Intelligence : 

• Free Games on Steam: Borderlands 2, Hellslave, and Tell Me Why.

• Free Games on Epic Games Store: Deathloop and Ogu and the Secret Forest.

• Time Sensitivity: PC gamers need to act fast to claim the free games.

• Free Steam Games: Borderlands 2 (until June 8), Hellslave (until June 16), and Tell Me Why (until July 1).

• Free Epic Games Store Games: Deathloop and Ogu and the Secret Forest (until June 12).

• Upcoming Epic Games Store Game: Two Point Hospital (available June 12 at 10am CT).

Entertainment Updates : Will AI Be Replacing Your Masseur In The Near Future

Source : 

https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/asian/ai-robots-replace-human-masseur-844101

Apple Intelligence : 

• AI Massage Technology: AI robots in China provide massages and use 3D vision to target muscle tension and pressure points.

• Public Reaction: Mixed reactions from netizens, with some expressing concerns about comfort and radiation, while others prefer human touch.

• Availability in Singapore: Similar technology has been available in Singapore since 2019 through the startup AiTreat.

Entertainment Updates : Apple Arcade brings Angry Birds Bounce, UNO: Arcade Edition and more this summer

Source : 

https://www.pocketgamer.com/apple-arcade/nine-new-games/

Apple Intelligence : 

• New Games on Apple Arcade: Nine new games will be added to Apple Arcade this summer, including UNO: Arcade Edition, Angry Birds Bounce, and Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD+.

• UNO: Arcade Edition Features: UNO: Arcade Edition offers solo matches, Quick Match, and Custom Games with modifiers like Colour Showdown and Wild Swap Hands.

• Other Notable Releases: What The Car? for Apple Vision Pro, Lego Hill Climb Adventures+, Lost in Play+, and Helix Jump+ are also available.

• New Game Release: Angry Birds Bounce, a new Apple Arcade exclusive, combines slingshot action and brick-breaker mechanics.

• App Store Games on Apple Arcade: Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD+, Suika Game+, and Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets+ will be available on Apple Arcade.

• Game Updates: Updates for Fruit Ninja Classic+, Bloons TD 6+, and What the Clash? will be available.