The games afoot

LONDON - Stocks, bonds and commodities? Old hat. Once the preserve of the super-rich, or just the eccentric, all kinds of unusual investments from vintage handbags and shares in fine art to rare Pokemon cards are now the happy hunting ground for stuck-at-home punters. Often armed with lockdown-era savings, such amateur investors are seeking higher returns beyond conventional markets where rocketing prices are prompting warnings of bubbles. They have in turn driven prices on some “alternative” assets up several hundred percent higher in the past year. And just like the no-fee trading apps such as Robinhood that enabled hordes of small-time equity traders to rattle seasoned hedge funds during the recent “Gamestonks” episodes, digital platforms are empowering wannabe investors with as little as $20 (S$26) to dabble in collectables. Value can apparently lurk in all sorts of places. Collectors’ cards based on Nintendo’s hit 1990s video game, Pokemon, have exploded in value in the … [Read more...] about The cash-flush amateurs hunting game cards, handbags and art

With the new Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade announced, fans have much to celebrate even though they might need a PlayStation 5 (PS5) for the new playable character Yuffie. However, for those who are looking for some more Final Fantasy VII Remake action without a PS5, Square Enix has got your back. Along with the new upgrade, they’ve announced two new Final Fantasy VII games that will land on the mobile platforms. Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier Fancy a battle-royale game with more flavour, especially from the Final Fantasy universe? Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier is Square Enix’s entrance to the battle royale genre. The new game will be “Set in Midgar before the events of FFVII” so there’s much for fans of Final Fantasy VII to explore. It seems like players will be using melee weapons, rifles as well as spells in this third-person primary game. Interestingly, there seem to be non-playable character (NPC) elements in the game, so perhaps there might be some … [Read more...] about Square Enix announces 2 new Final Fantasy VII mobile games

Illinois State Rep. Marcus Evans Jr. (D) is attempting to fight a surge in Chicago carjackings by pushing to ban the sales of the Grand Theft Auto video game. The New York Post reports that Evans “introduced legislation Friday to amend an existing state law that prohibits the sale of certain video games to minors.” The Chicago Sun-Time s notes the legislation, HB3531, would ban sales of other games too, targeting games that allegedly depict “psychological harm.” Evans said, “The bill would prohibit the sale of some of these games that promote the activities that we’re suffering from in our communities.” WTTW explained that 218 carjackings were reported in Chicago in January 2021 alone, which is an increase of 183 percent over the number of carjackings witnessed in January 2020. On January 29, 2021, Breitbart News reported that Chicago Alderman Stephanie Coleman responded to the surge in carjackings by hiring a private firm to provide security for an hour each … [Read more...] about Lawmaker Attempts to Fight Surging Chicago Carjackings by Banning Video Games

SEOUL: China has granted a license to a South Korean mobile game, the presidential office in Seoul said on Thursday, raising hopes of an improvement in the two countries' relations and pushing up shares in games and entertainment firms. The presidential office said it was the first licence awarded by China to a South Korean computer game in four years - though another Korean game, "Lucy: The Eternity She Wished For," published by Modern Visual Arts Laboratory, had its computer version approved by China in March and its mobile version approved on Dec. 2. China has restricted sales of South Korean games, dramas and concerts as well as tours to South Korea since 2017, in a move widely seen as retaliation for Seoul's decision to host a U.S. missile defence system. The presidential office gave few details beyond saying the licence had been granted by China on Dec. 2, and did not say what the games was called. Local media reports said Com2us had received a license from China … [Read more...] about China’s approval of South Korean game lifts hopes of better ties

REUTERS: Arsenal defender David Luiz will miss Thursday's Europa League game against Rapid Vienna as he continues to recover from a head injury sustained against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Premier League club said. The Brazil international clashed heads with Wolves striker Raul Jimenez in Sunday's league game. Jimenez was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and later underwent an operation on a fractured skull while Luiz was allowed to play on with his head bandaged before being substituted at halftime. "The cut to David's head will take some days to heal and therefore he will not be available for Thursday's match," Arsenal said in a statement. "Close care of David's cut and general monitoring of his wellbeing will continue in the coming days and David continues to be in good health." Arsenal also defended the decision to allow Luiz to continue playing against Wolves, saying "protocols were completed" with the player showing no signs of concussion. Mikel Arteta's … [Read more...] about Luiz to miss Arsenal’s Europa League game due to head injury