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Cover Will Pull Back and End Some Holostars Male Vtubers Support
Cover Will Pull Back and End Some Holostars Male Vtubers Support Cover announced that, while it will support “individual activities,” it will be pulling back on support of its Holostars male Vtubers. This means it could actually end up stop some support efforts involving projects and merchandise, though it didn’t go into extreme details. It cited “an executive decision aiming to optimize overall business” as the reason for the way it will respond in the coming fiscal year. The announcement specifically referenced the 12 Japanese members of the agency and not the 10 English members of the agency, though members of that division also took to social media to ask for continued suppor t going forward. Essentially, Cover is making this “management structure” decision as a result of cost saving to invest the Holostars money that would have gone into the male Vtubers’ division and groups as a whole into other efforts. However, the announcement seems to suggest that individual members would still be supported on a case-by-case basis. There are no specific examples and the company is vague about how drastic the changes and cuts will be, making it difficult to gauge how different things will look going forward. It also didn’t note if this will lead to graduations of existing members, as the company said it is talking with performers. However, Kageyama For example, Cover said that the Holostars cuts will affect things like original songs, merchandise, the male Vtubers getting to use the company studios for their streams or concerts, and major efforts that it would plan, fund, organize, and promote. It only said those could “be limited” in some situations, so it’s unknown which of those we could see end completely. However, Kageyama Shien's statement suggested all of that type of outreach and those performances will end. So, this choice could affect the creation of things like the Holostars short from Hololive Super Expo 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w3DbzdODKE Things like the White Day 2026 release would be the sort of element affected. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN1mkzb6wIQ Again, this messaging did seem to suggest it affects the Holostars Vtubers in Japan more than the English members due to the wording, though members of both divisions expressed sadness and requests for support in statements on social media.. Those members are Aragami Oga, Arurandeisu, Astel Leda, Hanasaki Miyabi, Kageyama Shien, Kanade Izuru, Kishido Temma, Minase Rio, Rikka, Utsugi Uyu, Yatogami Fuma, and Yukoku Roberu. The English branch active members are Axel Syrios, Banzoin Hakka, Crimzon Ruze , Gavis Bettel, Goldbullet, Josuiji Shinri, Jurard T Rexford, Octavio , Machina X Flayon , and Regis Altare. Cover asked people not ask individuals about the company’s decision out of respect for them.  The post Cover Will Pull Back and End Some Holostars Male Vtubers Support  appeared first on Siliconera .
Apr 3
Content Warning Console Versions Shadowdrop
Content Warning Console Versions Shadowdrop Following an April Fools Day 2024 debut, the game Content Warning appeared on consoles like the Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X on April 1, 2026 . While it was temporarily free when it first launched on PCs, it does cost $9.99/€9.49/£8.99 on digital storefronts. On Steam, it is now $7.99.  Content Warning is a multiplayer horror simulation. Up to four players don diving suits, grab a camera, and head to a place called “The Old World” to film what they find on expeditions. The key is that you need to survive these encounters with the footage intact so you can upload it and become famous on SpookTube. The first three days determine the rest of the course of your session, as you need to become a success and initially get 480 views by the end of that in order to keep playing. If you do, you can continue expeditions to get more money for upgrades and fame.  Here’s a trailer that shows how it looks and works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTi6n2nZb_A The console launch of Content Warning is accompanied by an update for the PC version. It adds a number of features. One is that it is fully compatible with the Steam Deck. Another is that cross-play is available on all platforms, and we’re able to enable it in the settings. This is one of multiple “games” to drop on April Fools’ Day 2026. Another is City Connection and Clover Lab’s browser-based baseball game featuring Hololive Vtubers . Content Warning is available for the Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.  The post Content Warning Console Versions Shadowdrop appeared first on Siliconera .
Apr 1
City Connection Made Hololive Baseball Game Moero: Holo Yakyuu
City Connection Made Hololive Baseball Game Moero: Holo Yakyuu As part of the Japanese April Fools’ Day 2026 announcements, Cover, City Connection, and Clover Lab released a browser-based Hololive Vtuber baseball game called Moero: Holo Yakyu that is based on Bases Loaded / Moero: Pro Yakyuu. It can be played on both PCs and mobile devices, with the official site offering an introduction to the game and link to the playable title .  There are three options to choose from when you load up Moero: Holo Yakyuu . The first one is a standard mode that gives you 20 tries to hit home runs, with Ookami Mio as the batter and Shirakami Fubuki as the pitcher. On a PC, you use the mouse to position Mio and press the left button to swing the batt. The second option locks Mio into the “bunt” stance and allows you to try to get 20 home runs that way. The final mode is an Endless option that allows you to try and get as many home runs as possible. I wasn’t able to see a way to switch to a different playable character, though Inugami Korone and Nekomata Okayu both appear on the site. This isn’t the first time a Holo Indie baseball game with Hololive Vtubers appeared. There’s also Koro-san’s Home Wan Derby . That’s a To You Games and Wit One game along the lines of Winnie the Pooh’s Home Run Derby . It costs $3.90 on Steam .  Moero: Holo Yakyuu is available to play in browsers on PCs and mobile devices as a Hololive Holo Indie April Fools’ Day 2026 game, and it’s unknown how long it will remain online after the holiday. The post City Connection Made Hololive Baseball Game Moero: Holo Yakyuu appeared first on Siliconera .
Mar 31
Riot Games reportedly working on next League of Legends title to build a Genshin-like game for Mobile and PC
Riot Games reportedly working on next League of Legends title to build a Genshin-like game for Mobile and PCRiot Games is reportedly planning its next title based on the League of Legends IP. The company’s Shanghai studio is opening multiple roles for an unannounced project currently in development, which is expected to arrive on PC and Mobile. The pivot from the future FPS title is in line with the new League of Legends … The post Riot Games reportedly working on next League of Legends title to build a Genshin-like game for Mobile and PC appeared first on GamingonPhone .
Mar 27
League of Legends: Wild Rift x Porsche collab revealed alongside racing-themed Patch 7.1 update
League of Legends: Wild Rift x Porsche collab revealed alongside racing-themed Patch 7.1 updateLeague of Legends: Wild Rift is now collaborating with the super popular car manufacturer Porsche as part of its upcoming Patch 7.1 Update. Launching on April 9, 2026, the update brings a racing-inspired theme, new champions, new skin line, collab companion, and more. Wild Rift x Porsche collaboration brings a racing-inspired theme League of Legends: … The post League of Legends: Wild Rift x Porsche collab revealed alongside racing-themed Patch 7.1 update appeared first on GamingonPhone .
Mar 26
Hololive Vtuber Calliope Perform at Apple 50th Anniversary in Japan
Hololive Vtuber Calliope Perform at Apple 50th Anniversary in Japan Cover and Apple announced that Hololive Vtuber Calliope Mori will be a part of the Apple 50th anniversary celebration. She’ll perform at the Apple Omotesando store in Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan. She’ll start at 7pm JST on March 27, 2026.  However, the official page for the performance, which also includes Tokyo Highway Radio’s Mino, hit its maximum capacity. Calliope Mori talked about both Apple and the event on her social media account, with the Hololive Vtuber also sharing a brief teaser video for the event. In it, she stated she owned a red iPod nano. Her albums are available on Apple Music and to purchase through the company’s storefront. Here’s her teaser for the event. https://twitter.com/moricalliope/status/2036578811282857996 The announcement noted she’ll perform some of her music at the event. However, Apple and Cover didn’t say which tracks we could expect. Her third and most recent album is Disasterpiece, which launched in February 2026, and it’s possible people who can attend will mainly hear tracks from that. It included “Let’s Just Crash.” That single ended up being used as the second opening theme for the Gachiakuta anime adaptation.  Calliope Mori will perform at Apple Omotesando in Tokyo, Japan on March 27, 2026, and the Hololive Vtuber’s new Disasterpiece album is available worldwide. She streams regularly on YouTube , with her next scheduled ones being a Pokemon Pokopia one at 8pm PT/11pm ET on March 25, 2026 and a Drawn to Dawn concert watch party at 7:30pm PT/10:30pm ET on March 27, 2026. The post Hololive Vtuber Calliope Perform at Apple 50th Anniversary in Japan appeared first on Siliconera .
Mar 25
Interview: Hololive Vtuber Ninomae Ina’nis Talks About Her Concert and EP
Interview: Hololive Vtuber Ninomae Ina’nis Talks About Her Concert and EP Hololive Vtuber Ninomae Ina’nis has a busy week ahead of her after an already packed few months, as she’s headlining a Drawn to Dawn concert alongside Myth gen-mate Kiara Takanashi between March 27-28, 2026 . This follows a new original song, her first EP, an appearance at HoloFes 2026, and a Monster Hunter Wilds collaboration. Siliconera caught up with her ahead of the show to talk about her music, art, activities, and future. Jenni Lada: You released a new original song called “TAKO∞TAKOVER” ahead of Drawn to Dawn. Was the launch planned to coincide with the concert all along? How long were you working on it? Ninomae Ina’nis : I had the basic concept for “TAKO∞TAKOVER” planned out for a few years! After participating in multiple live performances over the years, I became captivated with how the audience can elevate the experience of these live performances by joining in on the chanting and cheers of the song. I have not had original songs where the audience could shout and call together during the performance, so I wanted to make a really fun song for everyone to have fun singing!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sAQ1wuYzxk You also handled the art for the “TAKO∞TAKOVER” video. What inspired you to go with the design direction you chose for it? Ninomae Ina’nis : I would like to give the credit for the art direction for “TAKO∞TAKOVER” to tellingbones , who was in charge of the character design and the animations for the MV! I have worked with them before for my 3D birthday live “EVERMORE”, and when I was thinking of someone who could bring my ideas for “TAKO∞TAKOVER” to life I could not think of anyone but tellingbones!! I have always loved their character design and animation, and they have a unique style that I thought was perfect for the MV. I explained the rough idea for the song and the general direction I wanted to take in terms of the art and animation, and I was blown away by how perfect the initial character design drafts were!! The portrayal of something that is very comical whilst being dark and doomed in nature was done so masterfully with the beautiful character design and whimsical animations! I really want to give big thanks to tellingbones who really brought everything to life! Your first EP re:Vision debuted ahead of the concert too. When did you decide you wanted to put together an album like that? Ninomae Ina’nis: I have been tossing around the idea of putting together an album with original songs for many years, but it had not come to fruition due to logistical issues. However, when the discussions started for Drawn to Dawn, we were thankfully able to arrange for the creation of the EP and have it released before the concert! We could not do a full album with the limited time we had, but we were able to create an EP since I already had a solid idea and planned out which songs I wanted to release ahead of time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwWo2idQeBI In addition to the concert and your other activities, you took part in the “Speed Dating with holoMyth” event with Calliope Mori and Kiara Takanashi. What kind of preparation goes into those sorts of annual holiday streams, and is there a particular year’s event that you liked most? Ninomae Ina’nis: The Speed Dating stream this time was planned out by a director in the company and they helped oversee the entire process! This time around we oversaw and gave feedback for the illustrations and other assets created for the stream, song cover, and the SNS posts. I think this year’s Speed Dating stream was very memorable as I enjoyed the preparations and execution of the entire project, and having our kouhais fighting for our love was very cute!!  One of the other things you worked on was the new collaboration outfit designs for both Koseki Bijou and yourself for the Monster Hunter Wilds streams the two of you did. How did you decide to go with the Nu Udra and Gore Magala designs for the two of you, and did you get any assistance on Capcom’s end to help with references for your designs?  Ninomae Ina’nis: I think Bijou chose Gore Magala almost instantly and I thought it was the perfect choice for her! I had a very strong image for what her outfit would look like from the very start so I didn’t have much trouble polishing up the details afterwards. For me, I initially chose a different monster – Uth Duna – since I thought the iridescent texture of the fins could be a cool design…until Nu Udra was revealed to the world a little while later. At first I thought I would stick with Uth Duna to avoid the obvious connection to Nu Udra’s designs, but the more I looked at Nu Udra the more I was captivated by its design!! I then asked if I could change to Nu Udra for the outfit and was really happy when they allowed me to! (I was definitely not preparing a 50 page document on why it would be the greatest idea for me to switch monsters) Capcom also provided me with very detailed references of the monsters, and I was internally dancing with joy that I got to see the materials…! I was able to clearly see which part of the monster would be important to represent in the outfit so I made sure to try to incorporate as much of it in the design as possible. I heard that the actual designer of Nu Udra themselves gave feedback on my outfit design and I was very honored and extremely happy!!!! Especially since Nu Udra (and Xu Wu) were the first cephalopod monsters that was introduced in Monster Hunter Wilds, so I can only imagine the amount of thought and love they put into designing Nu Udra…and to officially design an outfit AND get feedback from them?! It felt like a dream! (I will stop here because I can talk about this all day haha) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKNI9C-yWvQ You had the hololive Super Expo 2026 at the beginning of March. What did preparation for that look like for you, specially with your own concert with Kiara coming up? Ninomae Ina’nis: I definitely remember my brain being overloaded with the number of choreo to remember for all the songs I am to perform. Dance lessons and rehearsals start months ahead of the concert and live dates, so having to remember all the choreographs for all the songs for an extended amount of time become really difficult…! Other than that, I think it was mostly trying to make sure I don’t get too sick or making sure all my tasks and schedules were on time! You’ve gotten a lot of opportunities to take part in different types of events in your years with Hololive. Is there any kind of event you haven’t gotten to do yet that you’d like to? Ninomae Ina’nis: I have been very grateful for so many opportunities over the years and being able to participate in a lot of events, so I really want to host some sort of charity event where I can give back sometime! Now that you’re coming up on your sixth year with COVER, what are your dreams for 2026? Ninomae Ina’nis: I think the last six years have really shaped me as a person and as a creator, so I want to take some time in 2026 to think about and explore new ways I can apply the knowledge and experiences I learned to create something I can to share with the world!  I also want to stream and play more games I have in my backlog since I was really focused on projects last year! Please look forward to it! Ninomae Ina’nis streams on YouTube , and she’s also active on social media . Her Drawn to Dawn concert with Kiara Takanashi will take place between March 27-28, 2026, and streaming tickets are available via SPWN and Streaming+ . The post Interview: Hololive Vtuber Ninomae Ina’nis Talks About Her Concert and EP appeared first on Siliconera .
Mar 23
Hololive Vtuber Fuwawa Abyssgard Going on Hiatus
Hololive Vtuber Fuwawa Abyssgard Going on Hiatus Fuwawa Abyssgard, one of the two twins that makes up the Hololive Vtuber pair Fuwamoco, announced she will go on hiatus for about a month starting at the end of March 2026. While she will be on break, her sister Mococo Abyssgard will stream as usual as a single performer. The duo explained this is due to a necessary surgery on stream and to ensure proper recovery time, and she didn’t share an exact return date.   Fuwawa and Mococo’s announcement started at about five minutes and 20 seconds into the stream on YouTube . Fuwawa said, “Fuwamoco has known for a while now, but actually I need to get surgery. So from the end of March, I’ll be away for around a month.” She also mentioned this is her first surgery ever, is a “major surgery,” and it “absolutely needs to get done,” but “isn’t life-threatening.” Fuwawa also said after it is done, the condition shouldn’t be an issue. She will be in the hospital for a month after it is performed and, due to strict visitation rules, won’t get to see Mococo that often. It was also emphasized that this doesn’t have to do with Fuwawa’s voice . The duo did mention Mococo will stream on her own while Fuwawa undergoes surgery and the Hololive Vtuber is on hiatus recovering. They asked for viewers to be respectful at this time. As part of that, they requested that people don’t ask how Fuwawa is during those streams. Here’s the full announcement: https://www.youtube.com/live/4aDbRLw0f1o There are some planned Fuwamoco streams ahead of this. Episode 181 of “Fuwamoco Morning” featured both of the Vtubers on March 20, 2026. Here’s the last “Fuwamoco Morning” with both of them ahead of Fuwawa’s surgery. IRyS also confirmed they will be part of her “Racing Toward Hope” 3D birthday live on March 21, 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q_Z4PVnMdk Hololive Vtuber Fuwawa Abyssgard will be on hiatus for surgery starting at the end of March 2026, and she will be away for around a month.  We may earn a commission if you purchase from certain links. Learn more here . The post Hololive Vtuber Fuwawa Abyssgard Going on Hiatus appeared first on Siliconera .
Mar 20
Hololive English Vtubers 4th Concert Set for July 2026
Hololive English Vtubers 4th Concert Set for July 2026 Cover announced Hololive English 4th Concert will be held July 3-4, 2026 and once again feature feature the company’s Vtubers performing their songs and covers. It will be held at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Ticket sales aren’t open yet, and the company will announce more details closer to the event. The initial teaser for the concert only offered very few details about the 2026 performance. We know this will be a two-day show, like some past Hololive English concerts, which means there could be different songs song by the Vtubers and schedules. We know the full title is also Hololive English 4th Concert: Serendipity. We don’t know who will be performing, but it should be Calliope Mori, Kiara Takanashi, Ninomae Ina’nis, IRyS, Hakos Baelz, Ouro Kronii, Fuwawa and Mococo Abyssgard, Koseki Bijou, Nerissa Ravencroft, Shiori Novella, Ceciliia Immergreen, Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame, Gigi Murin, and Raora Panthera.  Here’s the official teaser trailer for the event from YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDDV_JMU8GY There’s no information regarding the streaming tickets for the performances. However, Cover typically offers an option that lets someone buy digital tickets to watch these types of performances live and then rewatch them on-demand for a period of time. The Hololive English 3rd Concert was held back in August 2025 , and that time the Vtubers performed at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. That was also a two-day event, but it happened in August 2025.  Hololive English 4th Concert: Serendipity will be held at Shrine Auditorium between July 3-4, 2026. The post Hololive English Vtubers 4th Concert Set for July 2026 appeared first on Siliconera .
Mar 16
Why free games often outperform premium titles in revenue
Why free games often outperform premium titles in revenueMany people believe that free games make less money than premium titles. It seems logical at first because premium games often cost $60 or more, while free games are free to download. Charging players upfront feels like a guaranteed way to earn more. But the reality of modern gaming is different. Reports from Newzoo show that free-to-play games actually make up most of the global gaming revenue, especially on mobile and PC. Today, how a game makes money matters more than whether it costs anything to start. Premium blockbusters still grab the headlines. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and popular yearly sports franchises make billions at launch, and companies like Sony and Nintendo rely on them. Free image source At the same time, free games can earn huge sums too. Fortnite, for example, is free to download but makes billions through in-game purchases, and League of Legends became a worldwide hit without charging players to start. Similarly, online casinos and sports betting platforms often attract users with free play modes or demo versions before offering paid options, generating significant revenue through repeat engagement. Just like free-to-play games, these platforms show that optional spending and long-term user activity can be more profitable than upfront fees. The key difference is in how the games earn money, not how much they can earn overall.   How free-to-play monetization actually works Free-to-play games remove the initial barrier, attracting massive audiences. Once players are engaged, developers introduce optional purchases such as cosmetic items, battle passes, character skins, or expansion content. Only a percentage of users spend money, but scale compensates for that gap. When tens of millions of players participate, even a small conversion rate produces enormous revenue. Sensor Tower has reported that leading mobile games such as Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile have generated billions of dollars through in-game purchases. Similarly, Fortnite earns billions annually from cosmetic purchases despite being free to download. These titles demonstrate that voluntary spending can outperform one-time purchases. The model resembles subscription streaming services, where low entry cost drives adoption and recurring engagement fuels profit. Online casinos operate on a similar principle by offering free play modes to attract users before monetization occurs through optional deposits, illustrating how accessibility expands revenue opportunity.   Psychology behind spending in free games Behavioral economics plays a central role in this model. When players invest time and build progress in a game, they become emotionally attached. Spending small amounts to enhance experience feels more justified after hours of engagement. Instead of paying upfront for uncertain enjoyment, users pay incrementally once value is proven. Roblox provides a clear illustration. The platform allows users to play for free while monetizing through its virtual currency, Robux. In 2023, Roblox reported billions in annual revenue, much of it generated from microtransactions. Similarly, Call of Duty Mobile is free to download but earns billions through in-game purchases such as skins, battle passes, and loot crates. The free entry point in both games creates massive global communities, and these communities sustain the business. Premium titles, by contrast, depend heavily on launch momentum and marketing cycles. Free image source   Revenue diversification and hybrid models Many premium games now include downloadable content, expansion packs, and cosmetic marketplaces, while some free games offer paid bundles or special editions. The most successful companies blend these approaches to capture different spending behaviors. Electronic Arts, for example, earns from premium sports titles and live service elements, where players buy the base game and then spend on digital card packs or seasonal upgrades. Similarly, PUBG Mobile combines free-to-play access with optional purchases like skins, crates, and battle passes, creating multiple revenue streams from the same audience. Online casinos follow a comparable strategy, offering free demo games or spins to attract users before encouraging paid participation. Games that let players control their own risk and rewards can drive engagement and revenue. The aviator game for real money is a crash-style online game where a multiplier rises continuously, and players decide when to cash out before it resets to secure profits. This shows how free entry can attract a large audience, while the choices players make during gameplay generate spending. Combining this approach with hybrid monetization allows platforms to maximize both participation and income.   How Real-World Industries Inspire Free-to-Play Game Engagement The evolution of gaming monetization often mirrors ideas from real-world industries. Flight Simulator draws directly from aviation, offering realistic planes, controls, and dynamic weather systems that keep pilots-in-training and hobbyists engaged for years. Racing franchises like Need for Speed take cues from automotive engineering, focusing on performance upgrades, vehicle customization, and competitive circuits that are similar to real-world driving innovations. Even city-building games such as SimCity are inspired by urban planning, and farming simulators like Stardew Valley borrow from agriculture and resource management principles. Sports management games like Football Manager replicate the complexities of real-world team management and strategy, while construction and logistics games like Factorio draw inspiration from industrial engineering and supply chain optimization. Free-to-play games leverage these industry-inspired mechanics in a similar way. Instead of releasing a finished product and moving on, developers continuously update content, refine systems, and introduce seasonal events or challenges. This approach keeps players engaged over long periods, turning short-term play into ongoing interaction. Free games focus on lifetime engagement rather than one-time sales, maximizing player retention and recurring revenue.   Data driven revenue dominance Statistics strongly challenge the belief that free games earn less. Newzoo consistently reports that free-to-play games account for the largest share of global gaming revenue, particularly on mobile devices. In many markets, mobile gaming represents over half of total industry income, and most mobile titles use free access models. Tencent’s financial disclosures show substantial earnings from free games such as Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile. Meanwhile, Fortnite generated billions through cosmetic sales and battle passes despite being free to download. These figures demonstrate that revenue potential depends on scale, engagement, and monetization design rather than price tag alone. Even niche free-to-play titles can generate impressive profits if they cultivate loyal, engaged communities. Additionally, online casinos and sports betting platforms follow similar patterns, where user volume and repeat participation drive revenue far beyond initial entry costs.   Cryptocurrency and emerging payment models The digital economy continues to evolve with alternative payment systems. Some entertainment platforms are now experimenting with blockchain‑based transactions, enabling faster, borderless payments and greater user control. In gaming and wagering, titles like the aviator crypto betting game allow users to place stakes using cryptocurrency instead of traditional currency, appealing to players who value speed and privacy. This development highlights how flexible payment options can expand audience reach. Free games and interactive platforms that integrate digital wallets or crypto payments may attract global users who lack access to conventional banking systems or prefer decentralized assets. A few mainstream games and gaming marketplaces have started accepting cryptocurrency for in‑game purchases or digital items, though adoption remains limited compared with traditional payment methods. Online casinos have more fully embraced crypto to reduce transaction friction and offer fast deposits and withdrawals, further demonstrating that accessibility and innovation often matter more for revenue growth than upfront pricing structures.   Longevity versus launch revenue Premium titles often generate impressive launch numbers but may experience revenue decline after the initial sales window. Free games, by contrast, build steady income over extended periods. Continuous updates, seasonal content, and live events maintain interest and encourage recurring spending. Minecraft began as a premium title yet expanded into a long-term ecosystem through updates and marketplace content. Fortnite remains relevant years after launch because Epic Games frequently refreshes gameplay and introduces new collaborations. Even games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Roblox, which are free-to-play from the start, rely on constant content updates, limited-time events, and cosmetic sales to keep players engaged. This long-tail revenue approach shows why free access can create durable business models, emphasizing lifetime player value over one-time purchases. Free image source   Final thoughts The belief that free games generate less revenue than premium titles is rooted in outdated assumptions. Market data, corporate earnings reports, and industry analysis reveal that free to play models dominate large portions of the gaming economy. Premium games remain profitable and culturally significant, but they are not inherently superior in revenue generation. Online casinos and other digital entertainment sectors demonstrate similar patterns, relying on broad access and optional spending rather than mandatory entry fees. The key lesson for developers and investors is clear. Revenue potential depends on engagement strategy, user retention, and monetization design. Free games are not earning less because they are free. They are thriving because they understand how to convert participation into long term value.
Mar 13
How Lolajack Casino Reflects the Growth of Expanding Online Casino Game Catalogs
How Lolajack Casino Reflects the Growth of Expanding Online Casino Game CatalogsOnline casino platforms have grown rapidly over the past decade, offering players a broader range of games than ever before. Platforms such as Lolajack Casino illustrate how modern casino sites continue expanding their libraries to meet the expectations of players who want variety and innovation. The growth of online gaming has made it possible for casinos to … Continued The post How Lolajack Casino Reflects the Growth of Expanding Online Casino Game Catalogs appeared first on COGconnected .
Mar 13
League of Legends Patch 26.6 balances rising jungle picks and issues in the mid lane
League of Legends Patch 26.6 balances rising jungle picks and issues in the mid laneThe post League of Legends Patch 26.6 balances rising jungle picks and issues in the mid lane appeared first on The Escapist .
Mar 11
See All New HoloFes Hololive Vtuber Nendoroids and Figures
See All New HoloFes Hololive Vtuber Nendoroids and Figures As part of the HoloFes 2026 event in Japan, Good Smile Company shared updates on all new and previously announced Hololive Vtuber Nendoroids and figures. This included Nendoroids, Pop Up Parade budget figures, scale figures, and figma. Six of the ones shown were already at the painted prototype stage, suggesting pre-orders for them could open over the next few weeks and appear on Amazon and the official online storefront.   When it comes to Hololive Vtuber Nendoroids, nine showed up at HoloFes 2026. The two closest to launching are the ones of Hakos Baelz and IRyS, as they both appeared as painted prototypes at the event. The rest of the Advent unit appeared, as unpainted prototypes of Koseki Bijou, Nerissa Ravencroft, and Shiori Novella showed up. The newest announcement in this line involved ReGloss joining the collection, as unpainted prototypes of Ichijou Ririka, Juufuutei Raden, Otonose Kanada, and Todoroki Hajime came up . (As Hiodoshi Ao graduated, there isn’t one of her on the way.) Here’s how those all look: Images via Cover and Good Smile Company In terms of figma, we saw some in all different stages of development. The Nekomata Okayu one is already at the painted prototype phase. Ookami Mio showed up as an unpainted prototype . Hakui Koyori and Kazama Iroha will join too, but there’s only concept art for both now. While not a figma, an unpainted Houshou Marine Plamatea articulated plastic model kit prototype came up too.  Good Smile Company shared these photos of those: Images via Cover and Good Smile Company A few scale figures were on display as well. A Houshou Marine: Businesswoman Outfit version figure is in development. The 1/7 scale Tsunomaki Watame showed up unpainted. Finally, the painted Sakura Miko: Date Style Casual Outfit figure appeared. You can see those below: Images via Cover and Good Smile Company Out of all the new Hololive Vtuber figures to appear, however, the most reveals and announcements were part of the Pop Up Parade line. Since there were so many, here they all are in a list. Also, this time most of them were L Size line announcements, which are larger and more detailed than standard Pop Up Parades. Fuwawa Abyssgard Pop Up Parade Hoshimachi Suisei L Size: miComet Bear Brand Outfit Pop Up Parade L Size Houshou Marine “Ill” Outfit Pop Up Parade L Size Houshou Marine Pop Up Parade L Size Kobo Kanaeru “Ill” Outfit Pop Up Parade L Size Mococo Abyssgard Pop Up Parade Nakiri Ayame Pop Up Parade L Size Oozora Subaru Pop Up Parade L Size Sakura Miko: miComet Bear Brand Outfit Pop Up Parade L Size Shirakami Fubuki Pop Up Parade L Size Usada Pekora Pop Up Parade L Size And here are all the photos and concept art reveals for those announcements: Images via Cover and Good Smile Company The new Hololive Vtuber figures and Nendoroids are in development, and we’ll likely see pre-orders of ones of Hakos Baelz, IRyS, Nekomata Okayu, and Fuwawa and Mococo Abyssgard soon. The post See All New HoloFes Hololive Vtuber Nendoroids and Figures appeared first on Siliconera .
Mar 6
Hololive Vtuber Gundam Crossover Details Shared
Hololive Vtuber Gundam Crossover Details Shared Cover and Bandai Namco have published details for the major special collaboration project between Hololive Production and the Gundam franchise. Following Hoshimachi Suisei's contributions to the soundtrack of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX , the agency will have its Vtubers more involved with the Japanese mecha franchise. Sunrise will feature the Hololive Vtubers in new mini-stories spanning multiple episodes. This project will encompass a broad range of media, including music, merchandise, and games. One of the main highlights of this crossover will be the Mobile Suits from the Gundam franchise receiving new liveries based on the Vtuber agency and talents. The RX-78-2 Gundam will particularly get a livery that represents the Hololive Production agency. Sunrise also revealed that a number of Hololive Vtubers will also get their own Mobile Suit liveries. The following six Vtubers are being grouped as the first batch, which also serves as a teaser that more Vtubers will join the fray later on. Hoshimachi Suisei - MSN-04 Sazabi Houshou Marine - XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X1 Sakura Miko - RX-93 Nu Gundam Hakui Koyori - ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam Rindo Chihaya - RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn Shirakami Fubuki - GN-001 Gundam Exia A trailer for the crossover project has also appeared on the Japanese Gundam Channel on YouTube. This trailer includes a teaser showing how the featured Vtubers will also receive new designs for the pilot suits they will wear inside their respective Mobile Suits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iluOLHNHhR8 A booth showcasing the Gundam crossover project is also available at Hololive Super Expo 2026, which takes place at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, until March 8, 2026. Bandai Namco and Sunrise will publish more information about this collaboration at a later date. The post Hololive Vtuber Gundam Crossover Details Shared appeared first on Siliconera .
Mar 6
Shyvana rework abilities revealed for League of Legends Patch 26.06
Shyvana rework abilities revealed for League of Legends Patch 26.06The post Shyvana rework abilities revealed for League of Legends Patch 26.06 appeared first on The Escapist .
Mar 3
New Pokemon Keychains Honor Each Games’ Starters
New Pokemon Keychains Honor Each Games’ Starters Bandai Namco announced its Gashapon capsule machines will feature Pokemon keychains that honor the three starters from every mainline game starting with Pokemon Red, Blue, and Green . These will show up in Japan starting the week of March 8, 2026, and it will be 300円 (~$2) per try. The North American site hasn’t confirmed if or when we’ll see it worldwide, but Bandai Namco does tend to release these types of items everywhere. All nine of the Pokemon starters keychains cover the nine generations released so far. It starts with Pokemon Red/Blue/Green , then ends with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet . All of them consist of acrylic charms with ball chain keychains at the top.  Here’s a list of all the options. There’s no secret, and the Pokemon Winds and Waves characters aren’t represented. In each case, I put them in the order in which they appear on the keychain. Kanto: Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur. Johto: Cyndaquil, Totodile, and Chikorita. Hoenn: Mudkip, Torchic, and Treecko. Sinnoh: Chimchar, Piplup, and Turtwig. Unova: Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott. Kalos: Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. Alola: Litten, Rowlet, and Popplio.  Galar: Grookey, Sobble, and Scorbunny. Paldea: Quaxly, Sprigatito, and Fuecoco. Here are the official photos of all the keychains and the Gashapon teaser image. Image via Bandai Namco The Pokemon starters keychains will debut in Japanese capsule machines the week of March 8, 2026. The next game to appear will be the spin-off Pokemon Pokopia, which debuts on the Switch 2 on March 5, 2026. The post New Pokemon Keychains Honor Each Games’ Starters appeared first on Siliconera .
Mar 2
If You’ve Played League of Legends Forever, Here’s How To Turn It Into a Living
If You’ve Played League of Legends Forever, Here’s How To Turn It Into a LivingYou’ve already spent years mastering matchups, swimming through patch notes, and pulling off dragon steals that your friends still talk about. That time isn’t wasted—it’s experience you can turn into income if you package it the right way. In this guide, I’ll map real, practical paths for League experts who want to earn from their […] The post If You’ve Played League of Legends Forever, Here’s How To Turn It Into a Living appeared first on VGLeaks 3.0 .
Feb 27
This website will pay you to throw ranked matches in Overwatch, League of Legends, Marvel Rivals
This website will pay you to throw ranked matches in Overwatch, League of Legends, Marvel RivalsThe post This website will pay you to throw ranked matches in Overwatch, League of Legends, Marvel Rivals appeared first on The Escapist .
Feb 25
League of Legends Patch 26.05 nerfs pro-play dominators ahead of First Stand
League of Legends Patch 26.05 nerfs pro-play dominators ahead of First StandThe post League of Legends Patch 26.05 nerfs pro-play dominators ahead of First Stand appeared first on The Escapist .
Feb 25
Lollipop Chainsaw RePop Switch 2 Now Has no Release Date
Lollipop Chainsaw RePop Switch 2 Now Has no Release Date Dragami Games not only delayed the Switch 2 version of Lollipop Chainsaw RePop remake, but now doesn’t have any release date for that port. The company apologized for the sudden change on social media . It was supposed to appear on the eShop on March 26, 2026. It didn’t mention if this means the Burlesque Bunny Juliet costume planned for other versions to celebrate that release will be delayed. When explaining the delay of the Switch 2 version of Lollipop Chainsaw RePop, the statement essentially noted the remake isn’t meeting expectations. It noted the additional development time will be used for “significant updates.” It didn’t mention specific issues, but did reference the Switch version and its performance problems. This is the second delay, as it originally moved from a November 2025 window to early 2026.  The Switch version of the game launched with a number of issues that kept it from running smoothly. For example, there are multiple frame rate drops. Also, all licensed music was removed.  Lollipop Chainsaw RePop is available on the Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Switch 2 version is in development with no release date. The original appeared on the PS3 and Xbox 360. An anime and new game are also in development.  The post Lollipop Chainsaw RePop Switch 2 Now Has no Release Date appeared first on Siliconera .
Feb 24
League of LegendsLeague of Legends, commonly referred to as League, is a multiplayer online battle arena video game developed and published by Riot Games.