A youth-led initiative creating safe spaces where people from diverse communities can openly share their experiences without judgment, their first event, The First Page, was held at Proud Spaces in May 2026. There, participants played social deduction games and discussed the topic of “othering”.

Their second event, Page Two: Singapore Lived Realities, invites participants to spend an afternoon playing board games followed by guided discussions exploring local everyday experiences.

Play boardgames at Page Two Singapore Lived Realities event

Open to anyone aged 18 and above, this inclusive session offers a welcoming environment to share stories, reflect on social realities, and engage with fresh perspectives. Sign up for Page Two here!

Games you can play at Page Two: Singapore Lived Realities event

About The Same Page

The Same Page is a youth-led ground-up initiative with the objective of creating safe third spaces where people of diverse communities and demographics can share their unique experiences openly without judgement.

The organization does so by hosting sessions where participants play board games, followed by a discussion on a topic related to the board game.

The organization believes its sessions should be as accessible and inclusive as possible, so sessions are open to all, aged 18 and above—regardless of race, language, religion, sexuality, nationality and gender.

League of Legends Lead Gameplay Designer Matt “Riot Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison posted a preview of LoL patch 26.17 on X on August 18, and detailed patch notes the following day.

This patch is a “stabilization patch,” with Riot taking a step back to assess the changes introduced in LoL patch 26.16.

After the latest adjustments, mages in the bot lane have seen their win rates drop across the board, though not by a significant amount, reported Riot Phroxzon. This is roughly the level of impact the team was aiming for, which is why they’re focused on maintaining that balance in this update.

The changes to Poppy and Camille have produced the intended results so far, particularly in the top lane, Riot Phroxzon added. Their support presence has been brought down following the latest adjustments.

Riot is also continuing to monitor Hail of Blades and its impact across a wider range of champions, including Master Yi, Tryndamere, and Shaco.

LoL patch 26.17 notes

Champion changes this patch are relatively standard, with most of the nerfs focused on outliers that are currently performing above the intended power level.

Roaming supports

The limited number of pro games played on patch 26.16 has shown promising movement on roaming supports, with the strategy expected to gradually filter into solo queue as players become more familiar with its limitations.

The team will continue monitoring the trend and consider stronger adjustments if necessary, but does not want to over-penalize standard roaming. Some unconventional roaming strategies are considered healthy, provided they do not become the broadly optimal choice.

Champion buffs

Yasuo and Yone

Yasuo and Yone are being encouraged to build more Crit, particularly as a first item, rather than defaulting to Blade of the Ruined King or Kraken.

Riot wants Crit to feel better for them long term, though their itemization still needs work.

LeBlanc

LeBlanc’s Attack Speed ratio was previously nerfed because of Statikk Shiv’s waveclear. Since the item has been reworked, Riot is restoring the ratio and giving her a small buff as she is not currently overperforming in any skill bracket.

Champion nerfs

Nasus

Riot’s previous Nasus changes shifted too much power toward top.

“While we suspected this change would be over-magnitude, we wanted to get a clean read on the magnitude of this lever for top vs jungle and follow up this patch after seeing how much impact it had,” Riot Phroxzon explained.

This patch reduces his overall sustain in top lane, making high stack counts harder to reach without significantly affecting his jungle performance.

Xerath

While Xerath bot remains a major part of the AP bot meta, Riot believes AP bot laners provide valuable long-term variety and a healthy level of frustration for the role.

However, Xerath is currently performing strongly in both mid and bot, particularly among average players, so he is receiving a general nerf that affects both roles.

Vayne

Vayne top is strong in higher-level play and can offer limited counterplay. Riot wants ranged top laners to provide long-term variety, but believes Vayne’s strong lane, scaling, and tankiness can be frustrating.

“We don’t think it’s too far off though and Vayne still has a structural weakness of being vulnerable to ganks, especially when she’s pushing a lot and doesn’t provide much team utility,” Riot Phroxzon explained. “This change hopefully results in her lane opponents having slightly more health in order to assist with gank attempts or trade back.”

Overall, her laning phase is being weakened slightly, while her vulnerability to ganks and lack of team utility remain key weaknesses.

System buffs

Outside of Stormrazor Jhin, the item currently has a relatively small user base. Riot believes Stormrazor has room for more power and is looking to increase its overall strength so that it becomes a more appealing option for a wider range of champions.

System nerfs

The changes to Sundered Sky and AP junglers are moving in the right direction, but Riot believes their overall impact still needs some adjustment.

Patch 26.17 will introduce another small-to-moderate nerf, with the goal of further reducing Sundered Sky’s dominance at higher levels of play while encouraging more movement among AP jungle picks.

Robin and Aventurine both receive summer-themed reworks of their kits for the occasion, each headlining their own half of the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners.

Below is a breakdown of the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners, including release date, new 5-star characters, Light Cones, and reruns.

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 release date

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 launches on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 livestream codes

Click here to redeem Honkai Star Rail codes.

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners: Complete list of characters

Phase 1 banners

Robin Summeretto headlines the first half of the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners. She takes on her role as head of the Oak Family while quietly investigating Gopher Wood’s “legacy,” all without stepping away from the stage.

In battle, she sings alongside her bird band to buff the team, building up Vibes as allies take action. Once her Vibes reach their threshold after her Skill is used, the team enters a Fever Pitch, gaining stacking attack buffs that scale with how often allies act.

Her Ultimate lets her select a teammate to act immediately and regenerate Energy, while raising her own Vibes further.

The Phase 1 Light Cone banner pairs Robin’s signature, “Rise and Sing.”

Phase 1 of Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners runs from Wednesday, August 26, 2026 through Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Phase 2 banners

The second half of the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners shifts focus to Aventurine, who trades his usual gambling den for a beach.

Aventurine Waveflair works his connections behind the scenes even during a vacation, using the downtime to test his theories about a traitor among the Ten Stonehearts.

His combat style draws on his surfer persona, attacking with a beach volleyball or by riding the waves. Using abilities, or having teammates act, builds Punchline and Fervor; once Fervor caps out, he triggers a bonus Elation Skill that hits every enemy and adds several instances of random single-target damage.

During his following Aha Instant, that Elation Skill grows stronger, scaling with the number of actions the team has taken.

Aventurine’s signature Light Cone, “Summer Rides the Surf,” is featured on the Phase 2 Warp banner.

Version 4.5 Phase 2 runs from Saturday, September 12, 2026, through Monday, September 28, 2026.

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 new Light Cones

• Rise and Sing (5-star) – Robin Summeretto’s signature
• Summer Rides the Surf (5-star) – Aventurine Waveflair’s signature
• A Little Getaway (4-star)

Honkai Star Rail 4.5’s story

With Lord Ravager Asat Pramad’s threat resolved by the Express Crew, a new danger emerges: the Voracity. Their arrival plunges Planarcadia back into crisis, pushing the Trailblazer to look beyond the planet for aid.

To find the strength needed for Planarcadia to survive, the Trailblazer sets out to evade the Voracity’s interference and reach Astropolis, the IPC’s headquarters, where navigating the company’s upper management becomes the path to securing real help.

Astropolis is framed as the crown jewel of the IPC’s business empire — both a luxury address for corporate elites and a vacation spot for tycoons and officials across the Pan-Cosmic Trade System.

This Trailblaze Continuance chapter finds the Trailblazer on an unexpected interstellar getaway alongside Robin and Aventurine, even as both companions work cases of their own in the background.

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 events

Alongside the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners, the update adds a set of new events.

Overdrive: Whirlwind Grand Prix is a racing event in which the Trailblazer takes on the role of team principal, building a crew to compete for the title of brightest new stars on the track.

Minuscule Great Adventure runs alongside the Grand Prix as a lighter, stage-based challenge event.

The Divergent Universe also receives an update, with the “Planar Fissure” and “Realm of the Strange” modes both getting double-drop events.

A new piece of Trailblaze Fashion arrives in the form of an electronic emoti standee headwear item called “Aw, Look Up Here.”

From version 4.5 onward, players can speed up story dialogue by toggling the feature on or off at any point during story missions.

The permanent mode Currency Wars: Zero-Sum Game receives an expansion, alongside system-wide optimizations.

Honkai Star Rail x Moondrop and Zenless Zone Zero collaborations

Separate from the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners, HoYoverse pairs Honkai Star Rail with audio brand Moondrop for a Sparxie-themed collaboration, bringing online and offline events across multiple regions.

A crossover with Zenless Zone Zero is also slated for a future version, bringing characters from that game into the Trailblazer’s cosmic journey.

Registration for the test is open, allowing fans to sample the high-speed chaos across multiple platforms before its slated launch in 2027. 

When does the Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta start?

Applications are open for the Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta, but the hands-on portion doesn’t begin right away. Here’s the full timeline:

Players have roughly a month to apply before SEGA locks in its testing pool, with the actual test itself running for a 48-hour window in mid-September.

How to sign up for the Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta

Getting on the Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta list takes just a few steps:

1. Head to the official Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta announcement page.
2. Sign in with the platform account you’d like to test on.
3. Fill out and submit your application before the window closes on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
4. Keep an eye on your inbox as SEGA will notify selected players ahead of the test.
5. If you’re picked, download the client and jump in when the servers open on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Not everyone who applies is guaranteed a spot, so it’s worth signing up early rather than waiting until the deadline.

What’s playable during the Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta

This isn’t a full slice of the game — it’s a focused look at the multiplayer side.

The test build runs on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5, with English and Japanese language support.

Testers have access to both online multiplayer modes, 2 maps, 6 vehicles, 4 playable drivers, and a handful of vehicle customization options to tinker with.

Notably, Nintendo Switch 2 support is planned for the full 2027 release but isn’t part of this particular test round.

Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta game modes

Two modes are on offer during the test.

Pickup Race is the more straightforward of the pair, where cabbies race to pick up and drop off as many passengers as possible before anyone else.

Cops ‘n’ Cabbies flips the tone into something more chaotic, pitting taxi drivers against police in a mode that leans harder into combat than pure racing.

Both modes support Ranked play against similarly-skilled drivers, as well as Custom Matches for players who want to set their own rules.

First look at the West Coast map in Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta

SEGA also dropped a new trailer built like a travel guide, spotlighting the game’s starting location: the West Coast. Expect sweeping coastal roads, a colorful cast of passengers, and side activities scattered across the map.

The map even features real-world brand tie-ins like IHOP and Amoeba Music, both of which make an appearance as in-game locations, with more regional partnerships expected as additional maps are revealed.

What is Crazy Taxi World Tour?

This time, though, the scope has expanded in two directions: a story-driven “World Tour” campaign following protagonist Axel across globally inspired cities, and — for the first time in series history — full online multiplayer support for up to six players across both co-op and competitive modes.

Crazy Taxi World Tour is the next entry in SEGA’s long-running arcade racing series, built around the same high-speed, open-city driving the franchise is known for.

The Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta arrives as SEGA leans further into online-first design for its arcade catalog, a notable shift for a series historically built around solo, score-chasing runs. Betting on multiplayer gives Crazy Taxi a modern hook while keeping the series’ core identity — fast cars, tight timers, and a healthy disregard for traffic laws — intact.

The test is less about final polish and more about stress-testing the online systems ahead of a 2027 launch. If Pickup Race and Cops ‘n’ Cabbies land well with testers, it could set the tone for how the rest of World Tour handles competitive play at release.

The new Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle pairs a PS5 Digital Edition with a matching DualSense wireless controller and a game code for Marvel’s Wolverine.

Pre-orders begin Wednesday, August 19 at 10am GMT+8 through participating retailers, although the console covers will not be included in the pre-order window.

For collectors who already own a PS5 or PS5 Pro, there are also Wolverine-themed console covers and two different DualSense designs to choose from.

When does the Wolverine Limited Edition Console go on sale?

The Wolverine Limited Edition Console and its accompanying accessories will be available in limited quantities beginning Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the same day when Marvel’s Wolverine the game releases.

Pre-orders for the PS5 Digital Edition bundle and DualSense controllers will open on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 10am GMT+8 through participating local retailers.

The PS5 and PS5 Pro console covers are the exception. Both Battle Yellow console covers and the Adamantium PS5 Pro covers will not be available for pre-order, so prospective buyers will need to check with local retailers for their release and availability.

Wolverine Limited Edition Console prices and accessories

Here’s how much the different Wolverine Limited Edition Console products will cost across Southeast Asia:

What comes with the Wolverine PS5 bundle?

The PS5 Digital Edition – Marvel’s Wolverine Battle Yellow Limited Edition Bundle takes inspiration from Wolverine’s Battle Reborn suit and adamantium claws, with a bold yellow finish and claw marks that reveal the console’s inner structure.

The matching DualSense controller carries the same claw-slashed design. The bundle also includes a game code for Marvel’s Wolverine.

The Battle Yellow DualSense will also be sold separately, making it an option for players who already own a PS5.

The design was created in collaboration with Insomniac Games, Marvel Games and Scottish graphic artist Jock, who contributed to the game’s key art.

Wolverine Limited Edition accessories for existing PS5 owners

Don’t want to replace your console? PlayStation is also releasing Wolverine-themed covers and controllers separately.

• PS5 Console Covers – Battle Yellow Limited Edition — compatible with PS5 consoles with and without disc drives.
• PS5 Pro Console Covers – Battle Yellow Limited Edition — brings the same yellow, claw-slashed design to PS5 Pro.
• DualSense Wireless Controller – Battle Yellow Limited Edition — available separately for players who want the Wolverine design without buying the console bundle.
• PS5 Pro Console Covers – Adamantium Limited Edition — features a metallic finish inspired by the adamantium bonded to Wolverine’s skeleton and claws.
• DualSense Wireless Controller – Adamantium Limited Edition — matches the metallic Adamantium PS5 Pro covers.

As mentioned above, the Battle Yellow and Adamantium console covers will not be available for pre-order on August 19. Instead, they’ll launch in limited quantities through participating local retailers.

In Singapore, the Adamantium DualSense will be available exclusively through select retailers, with further details to be announced through local retail channels.

Marvel x PlayStation collaborations continue to deliver

The Wolverine Limited Edition Console is not the first time Marvel and PlayStation have teamed up to turn one of Insomniac’s superheroes into collectible hardware.

The partnership dates back to Marvel’s Spider-Man in 2018, when PlayStation released a limited-edition PS4 Pro in the game’s distinctive Amazing Red finish. The bundle came with a matching red-and-white DualShock 4 controller, a copy of the game and additional downloadable content.

The collaboration continued on PS5 with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 in 2023. Alongside a limited-edition console bundle and matching DualSense, PlayStation sold the themed controller and console covers separately for existing PS5 owners.

This time around, Wolverine’s design leans much harder into the character’s rough, physical aesthetic — making the Wolverine Limited Edition Console one of the more distinctive Marvel-themed PlayStation releases yet.

The official Genshin Crunchyroll collaboration lands alongside the Genshin Impact Version 7.0 update, pairing HoYoverse’s open-world RPG with the popular anime streaming platform.

As Travelers prepare to set foot into the frigid region of Snezhnaya, this limited-time Crunchyroll Genshin Impact crossover gives players an easy way to score extra resources. From free Primogems to a special traveling companion, here is a guide on what is up for grabs and how to claim your loot.

Genshin Crunchyroll collaboration: Everything you need to know

The Genshin Crunchyroll collaboration runs for over a month, starting on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and ending on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 8:59 AM PT.

It is a claim-and-redeem promotion in which eligible Crunchyroll subscribers log in via an official campaign page to generate single-use redemption codes.

For standard Fan tier subscribers, the promotion unlocks an in-game bundle loaded with Primogems, Hero’s Wit, Mystic Enhancement Ore, and Mora.

Upgrading to the Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan tiers grants that same bundle alongside an exclusive bonus familiar, the Neo Terminal: Floating Leaf Model, better known as the fan-favorite free Aranara pet companion making its debut on the America server.

To qualify, players must hold an active paid Crunchyroll subscription in the US, Canada, or select Latin American countries (excluding Cuba) and play on the America server with an account at Adventure Rank 2 or higher.

Free trial accounts are not eligible, and all generated codes must be redeemed before they expire on Wednesday, September 22, 2026, at 8:59 a.m. PT.

How to get free Aranara pet and free Primogems in the Crunchyroll Genshin Impact collab

Follow the steps below to claim your free Aranara pet and other rewards:

1. Head to the official Crunchyroll x Genshin Impact collaboration page starting Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
2. Sign in with your Crunchyroll account to generate your single-use code(s) based on your tier.
3. Paste your code via the in-game menu or through the official HoYoverse code redemption portal.
4. Claim your free Primogems and free Aranara pet directly from your in-game mailbox.

Genshin Impact boards the train to Snezhnaya in Version 7.0

Released globally in September 2020, Genshin Impact is HoYoverse’s hit free-to-play open-world action RPG that captured millions with its anime aesthetic and massive, elemental-driven fantasy world.

Version 7.0 opens the gates to Snezhnaya, the seventh and final main nation of Teyvat. A frozen land dominated by relentless blizzards, advanced technology, and a massive train network connecting sparse settlements to the capital city of Snezhnograd, Snezhnaya serves as the home base for the Fatui.

In this chapter, players board trains across snowbound icefields, wield firearms in a brand-new third-person shooter exploration mode, and dive into an Archon Quest involving a catastrophic energy crisis.

While Genshin Impact has previously teamed up with food chains, tech brands, and external game franchises like Horizon Zero Dawn, HoYoverse is no stranger to partnering with Crunchyroll across its broader catalog. The developer previously collaborated with the streaming platform on Honkai Star Rail to offer free Crunchyroll Mega Fan trials and in-game Stellar Jades.

The Genshin Crunchyroll partnership marks the very first time Genshin Impact has crossed over with an anime streaming platform to deliver an exclusive in-game cosmetic release.

Nikke x Persona is official!

Goddess of Victory: NIKKE teams up with not one, but three Persona titles—Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal— in a crossover launching on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

The collaboration is part of the Persona series’ 30th anniversary celebrations and marks one of the franchise’s biggest crossover projects to date.

Unlike previous Persona collaborations that have typically focused on a single game, Nikke x Persona brings together all three modern Persona entries in a single event, promising an entirely new story set within NIKKE’s post-apocalyptic world.

All Nikke x Persona characters

Honoring the rich legacy of Atlus’s flagship RPG series, the NIKKE x Persona collaboration brings together the defining factions from across the franchise’s timeline.

It seamlessly unites the Phantom Thieves of Hearts (Persona 5 Royal)—high school vigilantes who infiltrate cognitive Palaces to steal distorted desires and reform corrupt adults—with the Investigation Team (Persona 4 Golden), a band of small-town students venturing into the TV World to solve a string of mysterious serial murders in Yasoinaba.

Rounding out this legendary roster is SEES (Persona 3 Reload), a specialized squad posing as an extracurricular school club to protect humanity from the monstrous Shadows that emerge during the eerie Dark Hour.

Together, these iconic teams bring their signature aesthetics and timeless heroics directly to the crossover experience.

Exclusive Nikke x Persona collaboration specials

Nikke x Persona teaser visual first look

Rather than revealing the crossover cast, the artwork features members of NIKKE’s Counters squad holding motifs representing each of the three Persona games as they prepare to deliver a mysterious gift.

Additional information about Nikke x Persona was revealed in stages through the game’s official website and social media channels ahead of the collaboration’s launch on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

A first for both NIKKE and Persona

The Nikke x Persona collaboration is significant for more than just its scale—it also marks the first time the two franchises have officially crossed paths.

Although the Persona series has appeared in numerous crossover projects over the years, they have typically centered on a single title, most notably Persona 5.

This collaboration takes a different approach by bringing together Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal in one event as part of Persona’s 30th anniversary celebrations.

The collaboration serves as a celebration of the Persona series’ modern era:

• Persona 3 Reload, a full remake of the original Persona 3 released in 2006, launched in 2024 with revamped visuals and gameplay.
• Persona 4 Golden is the expanded version of the beloved Persona 4, which debuted in 2008 before Golden released for PlayStation Vita in 2012.
• Persona 5 Royal, the definitive edition of Persona 5, which originally launched in 2016, with Royal arriving in 2019 featuring new characters, story content, and gameplay enhancements.

By spanning the franchise’s three modern RPGs rather than focusing on just one, Nikke x Persona gives fans the chance to see multiple generations of Persona represented within NIKKE’s post-apocalyptic world.

NIKKE continues its blockbuster collaboration streak

The Persona crossover is the latest addition to NIKKE’s growing lineup of high-profile collaborations, which have become one of the game’s defining features since launch.

Previous crossover events have brought characters from NieR: Automata, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Lycoris Recoil, Chainsaw Man, Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World, Resident Evil, and Stellar Blade into the game, each introducing themed stories, playable characters, and limited-time content.

It continues the developer’s strategy of pairing NIKKE with some of Japan’s biggest entertainment franchises while expanding beyond anime into acclaimed RPG series.

Let me begin by reminding you: I am the girl with two Zhongli tattoos, with a third that depicts Xiao’s and Childe’s masks. My left side limbs are Genshin Impact. When I step into HoYoFEST, I am first and foremost coming in as a fan who loves the titles that HoYoverse makes—which includes Honkai Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero—and journalist second.

Last year, we walked into a hall greeted by soft, fluffy Saurians of Natlan whom we could interact with by throwing balls at them to win prizes. (Don’t worry, no real Saurians were harmed in the process.)

Last year, we were awed by majestic Doric Greek pillars adorned with creeping vines and blooming purple flowers, framing Phainon in not just one, but two forms, as he towered over us in all his glory.

Last year, we could stand in one spot and admire 10 Zenless Zone Zero characters dominating us from above as they posed energetically on both sides of a three-panel showcase. 

But on Friday, July 31, 2026 when doors opened to HoYoFEST Singapore 2026, we were greeted by white walls, cold, grey concrete floors, and saw nothing but bobbing heads before we saw anything HoYo. 

Before doors opened at HoYoFEST 2026

HoYoFEST is HoYoverse’s annual community event that invites fans to come together and celebrate all their titles.

Tickets prices and non-existing media passes 

The convention-style format of HoYoFEST in Singapore saw its first run at Suntec City Mall’s public atrium with free entry. In 2025, it became a ticketed event held in a hall at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre with one-day passes priced at $14, $32 for all days, and a single-day Fast Pass at $48.

This year, ticket prices increased to $16 for one-day passes, $35 for all days, and $50 for Fast Pass. Despite the increase in price, HoYoFEST was still held at the same single convention hall with even barer exhibits. Instead of highlighting HoYoverse titles as its centerpieces, the crowd spent most of their time queuing, visibly occupying 60 to 70% of the space.

“Previous years, the exhibitions were built up and looked very nice. They look like they are from the game itself. But then now that it’s in the hall, it’s just a rectangle wall. There’s not enough effort to justify the price,” HoYoFEST 2026 Fast Pass attendee Sya, told Fanstanza.

As a media outlet, we were invited to attend HoYoFEST just like the past two years. The biggest difference is that instead of giving us a media pass, we were issued a free one-day ticket. On top of that, the third-party organizer conveyed that they were told to treat us like any other normal attendee without any media access, which I detail in my LinkedIn post here.

Absent branding outside the hall

While other local media left as they had other events to attend to, I chose to stand in line for one hour and 10 minutes for the delayed entry after Fast Pass holders because I am first and foremost a fan. During that slow hour, I couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast to an adjoining convention that was taking place over the same weekend.

Held over the weekend at Halls 404, 405, and 406, TableCon Quest 2026 had clear signs plastered on the outer walls for media and ticket holders, as well as a large step-and-repeat backdrop adjacent to the front door.

In comparison, HoYoFEST had a total of two A4 sized posters and one standing banner, two for ticketing and one to welcome fans at the door.

And for the same ticket prices, everyone was squashed into a single Hall 403.

Real concerns about the HoYoFEST 2026 Singapore experience

While queuing is Singaporeans’ favorite past-time, the intention for HoYoFEST has always been for the community to enjoy the festivities together.

HoYoFEST attendees pay for a ticket only to spend most of their time queuing. Everything from entry, to the merch booth, to check-in redemption, and to individual game title showcases required hours of queuing.

While queuing was also present in 2025, it seems like instead of choosing to host HoYoFEST in a larger venue, the solution was to downsize the displays and increase the amount of space for queue management.

“This is a bunch of nothing. Last year, I was so amazed with Phainon. Even for the Natlan showcase, they had full-sized plushie Saurians. Even Zenless had so many life-sized standees. There’s only four standees at HoYoFEST 2026 and the rest are behind the stage,” a participating artist, who wished to remain anonymous, shared with Fanstanza.

Naazneen, a HoYoFEST 2026 Fast Pass attendee based in Melbourne who flew back for a short trip to Singapore, shared a similar view: “I expected a bit more decorations. As we know, Snezhnaya is coming out, Tear of Themis has an anniversary, but they’re not really represented. I think it would be nicer if HoYoFEST is more themed and more immersive.”

Besides aesthetics, there were also stock issues. Despite knowing the number of tickets sold and how many participants are expected, the organizer had no more stock for the Honkai Star Rail booth freebies. 

I returned to Day 1 of HoYoFEST on Friday in the late afternoon and was told that they’ve run out, which is why there was no queue at the showcase. A friend who went on Saturday and Sunday confirmed that the no-stock situation persisted over the weekend as well.

What was most concerning was the exposed concrete ground and utility covers that had holes in them. I’ve been to so many cons at Suntec Convention Center and this is the first time I’ve noticed them because there wasn’t a single carpeted area at HoYoFEST 2026. 

Having holes in the ground is a real safety concern, especially since fans were dressing up in cosplay, some of whom were wearing heels. The risk of tripping, falling, and injuring themselves and others in a densely crowded area was high. 

Aside from exposed flooring, I noticed storage boxes and a trolley placed behind the photo booth, which also pose a danger. When it’s crowded and all you can see is the person in front of you, it is easy to walk into things that are out of place.

Public safety should be prioritized, no matter the con.

HoYoFEST 2026 Artist Alley working conditions 

Beyond public safety, Artist safety was another key concern during HoYoFEST Singapore.

Walking into Artist Alley, the physical strain on local creators was visible. Booths were crammed so tightly back-to-back that chairs were practically locked together, leaving artists with virtually no room to shift or stretch throughout the day. 

Yet, physical squeezing was only half the story because the organizational boundaries were just as rigid. Despite being officially featured artists whose work anchors the event’s grassroots charm, multiple artists shared with Fanstanza that they were barred from participating in any official HoYoFEST activities unless they secured a separate general admission ticket.

These are the very creators who are helping to draw in thousands of fans through the venue doors, and are naturally big fans of HoYoverse titles. Yet, they are not seen as equal partners, but rather, isolated vendors.

This organizational rule has been long-standing since last year when Artist Alley debuted at HoYoFEST 2025, which is why some artists told Fanstanza that they went out of their way to buy tickets beforehand just so that they can partake in the activities on the ground. 

Despite these persistent friction points, there were noticeable improvements this time around. According to one returning artist who wished to remain anonymous, the organizers adjusted the layout to minimize incidents of people bumping into artist booths.

That said, the artist still had hoped that “the hall could be larger” with wider walkways that make it easier for attendees to browse. However, they are aware that unlike other conventions, HoYoFEST is one where there’s “co-sharing of activities” and is understanding of the organizer’s decisions.

The future of HoYoFEST in Southeast Asia

While the global servers may receive the same in-game content as China, the offline activations have not delivered the same quality, apparent in this year’s HoYoFEST.

Instead of combining titles into one festival, miHoYo celebrates each game title individually on the mainland. Genshin FES was held at Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center over the span of four days from January 1 to 4 this year with larger-than-life installations, showcases, and statues.

Likewise, Zenless Zone Zero FES took place at Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou from December 26 to 28 last year that practically recreated the city New Eridu itself.

“I knew I shouldn’t expect too much because for HoYoFEST they usually pour in more on the China side of things. They do a lot of big things there. And Singapore is a very small market,” Naazneen reflected.

“For next year, I wouldn’t pay for the Fast Pass. I’m just here to hang out with my friends and collect stamps together. The normal ticket is $16 and Fast Pass is $50, which is quite a jump,” Sya added.

When casual fans start rethinking their ticket tiers, the strain flows directly to the creators whose booths depend on foot traffic and attendee goodwill. 

“I come here just for HoYo, so I think it’s still very pertinent to what I draw. A lot of my art is HoYo. But the thing is, after this year’s HoYoFEST, I’m not sure if people want to come for next year’s,” a participating artist, who wished to remain anonymous, told Fanstanza.

That warning gets to the heart of HoYoFEST’s trajectory in Southeast Asia. Fan passion in this region is deep and resilient. Even as entry costs rise and floor layouts feel cramped, fans will still show up for shiny laser tickets, exclusive merch, and a chance to celebrate the games they love.

But brand loyalty shouldn’t be mistaken for infinite patience. If HoYoFEST wants to sustain the community that powers its offline culture, future iterations will need to offer more. Heading into 2027, the question isn’t whether fans will show up—it’s whether the event will finally give them a reason to stay.

Starting August 2026, Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! is rolling out its biggest cross-border celebration yet — a wave of exclusive shops, fairs, and cafe collaborations hitting more than 140 Animate stores across Japan and other markets.

This is the third chapter in the ongoing SEGA × Animate Global Cross-Border Project, and it’s the largest one so far for the Colorful Stage fandom, spanning exhibitions, limited merchandise drops, and themed cafe items that fans have been asking to see outside Japan.

What’s happening in the Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! global rollout

The rollout has three separate, overlapping events:

1. Domestic Summer Fair – a nationwide bonus-item campaign at every Animate store in Japan, plus the online shop.
2. Overseas Only Shop & Fair – a revival of the pop-up concept first tested in Japan back in 2023, now landing in cities across East Asia and North America.
3. Gratte Cafe Collabs – themed drinks and treats at select Animate cafe counters, with their own set of collectible extras.

Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! Summer Fair 2026 in Japan

Every Animate store in Japan, plus the Animate Online Store, is hosting the Summer Fair for about a month.

It is important to note that the Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! Summer Fair 2026 event is limited to Japan, and that participants cannot request a specific design. 

Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! Only Shop and Fair schedule overseas

Eight cities and regions outside Japan get their own exclusive shop or fair window, each with slightly different dates. It is worth checking your local store’s social media before you go, since terms vary by market.

Exclusive shop dates and locations

Fair-only dates and locations

Spend the equivalent of roughly JP¥1,100 yen on Colorful Stage or Gratte items, and you’ll walk away with a randomly assigned postcard, 26 designs in total.

It is important to note that exact thresholds vary by market. Thailand’s version, for example, is set at 300 baht.

Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! Gratte Cafe Collaboration

For the coffee-and-merch crowd, select Animate locations are turning their in-store Gratte cafes into a Colorful Stage pop-up, serving “Graphic Lattes” (yes, the character art gets printed right onto the foam) and icing cookies decorated with the cast.

There’s also a separate paid bonus tied to the cafe collab: trading acrylic coasters (roughly JP¥20 extra each), sold in six character-group sets — Virtual Singer, Leo/need, MORE MORE JUMP!, Vivid BAD SQUAD, Wonderlands×Showtime, and Nightcord at 25:00. Designs within each set are assigned at random, so completionists should budget accordingly.

This isn’t the first time SEGA and Animate have teamed up. It’s the third installment in their Global Cross-Border Project, which has previously brought other SEGA IPs to Animate stores in Japan and overseas.

The event spans eight markets outside Japan: Taiwan, South Korea, mainland China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, and the US, alongside the domestic fair in Japan.

As with pop-up events like this, dates and availability are subject to change, so it’s worth a last-minute check of the official Animate pages or your local store’s social accounts before heading out.

This update focuses heavily on systemic balance. Rather than swinging a heavy sledgehammer at every outlier, Riot is taking a targeted approach: protecting core class identities while fixing the agonizing laning experiences that have crept into regular play.

Here is everything you need to know about where the Rift is headed in LoL patch 26.16.

State of bot lane mages in LoL patch 26.16

While mages in the bot lane saw a massive surge following MSI, it is now on a downward trend because teams have adapted, Riot Phroxzon reported.

Despite this, Riot still wants to address the dynamic to improve the quality of gameplay experience in regular play.

“[We want to] tap down on Support roaming, which we think is undesirable gameplay overall. Many ADC’s weren’t designed with being duelists in mind, 1v1 is less exciting and lower [the] depth of gameplay [as] players enjoy the 2v2 lane,” wrote Riot Phroxzon.

At the same time, Riot wants to preserve what makes bot mages unique—their distinct power spikes, high mana pools via Lost Chapter, and superior waveclear—without gutting the class identity.

So instead of nerfing these core mage strengths, the developers are buffing the ADC class as a systemic whole. All ADCs are receiving an increase to their baseline Magic Resist to help them endure early poke and burst damage.

“We want to give ADC’s back some power in surviving some of the early magic damage from champs that aren’t typically seen in Pro Play and are frequently killing them in early lane—for example, Brand and Swain—and buffing some of the weaker systems pieces of the class,” wrote Riot Phroxzon.

This systemic approach is also being backed by direct buffs to weaker marksman items and runes, including Berserker’s Greaves, Fleet Footwork, and Runaan’s Hurricane.

By bolstering early survival tools and item scaling, marksmen should finally have the fighting chance they need to stay afloat in lane.

Reigning in the Roaming Supports in LoL patch 26.16

The trend of support players abandoning their bot laners at level three has officially hit a breaking point. While coordinate roams make for exciting pro play highlights every now and then, the trickle-down effect into solo queue has created an unhealthy dynamic.

As explained by Riot Phroxzon above, marksmen were never designed to be isolated duelists, and forcing them into a constant 1v1 state strips away the classic 2v2 lane expression that players actually enjoy.

To put an end to immediate lane abandonment, Riot is modifying the Support Role Quest to penalize early, prolonged out-of-lane roaming. As a result, roaming supports are likely to find themselves returning to lane around level five, which naturally softens the impact of comeback experience at crucial breakpoints.

Specific champions and runes driving this hyper-aggressive roaming playstyle are taking direct hits as well. Poppy, support-role Camille, and Hail of Blades are all lined up for nerfs.

For Camille in particular, the balance team is shifting power out of her support builds and funneling it back into her home in the top lane.

LoL patch 26.16 notes

Champion buffs

Gwen

Gwen is receiving top-focused buffs aimed at making her sustain far more impactful in trades.

Azir

Azir is finally receiving help after disappearing from both pro play and solo queue win rate charts.

While recent player experimentation with Press the Attack on Azir has shown genuine promise, Riot is still moving forward with a moderate direct buff and continue to monitor Azir’s performance as more players switch over to Press the Attack.

Champion nerfs

Champion adjustments

Nasus

Despite community chatter around Nasus Jungle, Riot Phroxzon clarified that his high win rate in the jungle is largely a symptom of a shallow mastery curve and high novice proficiency.

Instead, the upcoming tweaks are specifically structured as a net buff for Top Lane Nasus while keeping his jungle presence power-neutral.

System buffs

System nerfs

Sundered Sky

Sundered Sky is generalist staple offering high damage, durability, and sustain all at once, which suppresses item diversity in the first and second item slots.

The nerf aims to reopen competition among fighter items, giving alternative choices with clearer, sharper strengths and weaknesses.

System adjustments

Magic Resist base stat buff for all ADCs

The game developer believes the relationship between burst damage and marksmen should remain consistent regardless of which lane an ADC is played in, which is why all 26 marksman champions are receiving the same Magic Resist adjustment.

Champions such as Akshan and Kindred may require follow-up balancing depending on how they perform after the patch. However, the team prefers applying systemic changes across an entire class instead of making exceptions for individual champions.

As an example, Riot Phroxzon compared the update to adjusting the base movement speed of all immobile ADCs. Even if an off-meta top lane pick like Varus didn’t need the buff, it would still make sense to apply the change universally and evaluate its impact afterward.

Maintaining consistent class-wide rules makes the game easier to balance, understand, and maintain over time, rather than having every champion follow different baseline stats.

*Full list of affected marksman champions:

• Akshan
• Aphelios
• Ashe
• Caitlyn
• Corki
• Draven
• Ezreal
• Graves
• Jhin
• Jinx
• Kai’Sa
• Kalista
• Kindred
• Kog’Maw
• Lucian
• Miss Fortune
• Quinn
• Samira
• Senna
• Sivir
• Smolder
• Tristana
• Twitch
• Varus
• Vayne
• Xayah