We are less than a month away from GameStart 2017. One of the best Gaming event in Singapore, GameStart 2017 is happening on the 14th and 15th Oct at Suntec Convention Centre. GameStart has grown from a small gaming convention since its inception to a gaming convention that is not to be missed.
Who should go to GameStart?
Credits: GameStart Asia
If you are a gamer, be it console gaming or PC gaming, you must not miss GameStart. There isn’t many convention dedicated to gaming in Singapore and GameStart is definitely one that you should not miss. This is the closest thing you can get to E3 or the Tokyo Game Show in Singapore.
Even if you are not a hardcore gamer, the event will also feature Retro and Indie game for the more casual gamers. Table top games will also be given a special area. More information on the GameStart Tabletop activities can be found at www.gamestart.asia/tabletop. Or if you like Doujin, the return of the Doujin Market will definitely delight you.
What can you expect at GameStart 2017?
Playstation and GameStart
Credits: GameStart Asia
Sony is back with twice the booth size compared to last year. This means more PlayStation booth for us to try out the latest games.
Sony Interactive Entertainment Singapore will be one of the major sponsor for the Southeast Asia Major (SEAM), the largest fighting game tournament in Asia. See players fight their way to the top in these top fighting games; Street FIghter V, Marvel Vs. Capcom Infinite, Tekken 7 and more.
Back by popular demand, Doujin Market at GameStart 2017 now has almost double the number of artists.
You can read more about last year Doujin Market at GameStart Asia here.
Credits: GameStart Asia
Cosplayer
Cosplaying is a mix of art and craft. Guest cosplayers, Astro Kerrie and Yasemin Arslan from Australia will wow you with their stunning game cosplay as if your gaming characters pop out into the real world. You can also come in your cosplay and take part in the Cosplay Runway.
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GameStart Tabletop
Credits: GameStart Asia
The Table Top dedicated zone for all things Table Top. You can buy any Table Top game your fancy or if you are not ready, rent and try out the game before making your Purchase.
Competition will also be held for table top games like Citadel, Exploding Kittens, Love Letter and Sushi Go. More details here.
We can’t wait for the event! You can now get your early bird ticket now at their website.
Meanwhile check out the highlights from GameStart 2016
The 10th Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention (STGCC) held this year at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre has manage to outdo itself yet again. A new dedicated gaming zone called the Good Game Experience and a Star Wars Experience Zone that lets you walk into Star Wars literally, this has to be the best STGCC yet!
Small Toys and Life-size Toys
Toys. That’s the reason why you go to STGCC. Upon our entry into STGCC 2017, Thor and Hulk greeted us. We knew at that moment that this convention is going to be great. Too many toys to see, too little money to buy them all.
War Machine Cosplayer
Ok he is not a toy but this cosplayer definitely brings War Machine to life with his larger-than-life armour.
Iron Man in Iron Man
So Iron Man has a Iron Man suit which has another Iron Man suit and … Ok this is getting complicated. This could be a variant of the Hulk Buster. The intricacy of the model is just amazing. I can stare at it for hours just admiring the level of details in this model.
Optimus Prime
Transformer, robots in disguise. Lots of Transformer toys ranging from the more contemporary ones to the retro version.
Hulk Buster
Thor
Street Fighter
Toys that put your Street Fighter in ‘pause’ mode for eternity. Again, 3 hours gone staring at it.
Walk into Star Wars
Entry to Star Wars World
[Cue Star Wars Opening Music] Fans of Star Wars must have been thrilled at this year STGCC. The dedicated zone to Star Wars included a plethora of things to do and see. You can take picture with life-size fan-built Rey’s Speeder, or sit down inside the Millennium Falcon and imagine you are Han Solo.
Rey’s Speeder (Rey sold separately)
I have asked myself multi-times. How can this be fan-built? It looks exactly like the one in the movie. Lucasfilm please hire them.
Storm Troopers guarding KYLO REN’S TIE SILENCER
Kylo Ren’s Tie Silencer was heavily by his storm trooper. Where is Kylo Ren?
He was spotted on board the Millennium Falcon. Visitors can take picture with this set too. Kylo Ren included.
And of course, we have Star Wars Models and toys. Loads and loads of them to satisfy the Star Wars fan in you.
Good Game Experience
This year, the gaming arm of STGCC has an entire dedicated hall that resembles the atmosphere of an E3 convention. On the main stage we have Esports screening while there are many games for you to try out in the other parts of the hall.
VR Boxing
There are multiple VR gaming station for your to experience. Provider includes HTC VIVE and PlayStation VR.
The Chillax Zone provide bean bags for your to laze on while playing games. An oasis for your tire body.
Table top games are held at the special Colosseum area of the Good Game Experience Zone.
Akiba Town Rocking STGCC
Akiba Town has a mini stage where we can all gather and release our inner Otaku through anime music.
Bye STGCC 2017, See You Next Year
And so, our STGCC 2017 adventure is over. We hope you enjoyed our coverage of the event! If you miss it this year, make sure to go for the next year event.
What’s a convention without cosplayers? These dedicated individuals bring our 2D heroes/heroines/waifus into real life with their elaborate cosplay. We manage to grab an interview with three of STGCC (Singapore Game Toy and Comic Convention) 2017 Guest Cosplayers before the event itself.
[GT] When did you start cosplaying and how did you get started in cosplaying?
[Iori] I started because I like anime and games. When I started to cosplay my favorite characters, I was excited and felt happy about it and hence, I continued on.
[GT] Cosplaying could be an expensive and time consuming hobby. What keeps you going?
[Iori] I think whatever hobby you have, when you take your hobby seriously, you will tend to spend much more money on it. But, to quit your hobby because it’s time consuming or expensive is not really something I would choose. For me, it’s fun to do cosplay and that’s why I continue this hobby.
[GT] Can you share with us the most difficult cosplay you have done? What are the challenges that you face.
[Iori] For my Final Fantasy X Yuna cosplay, I did a shoot in the sea and one at a quarry as well. When shooting in nature for the first time, I felt that it was the nearest I could get to my character. At the same time, it was not easy at all for me.
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[GT] Any tips for new cosplayer?
[Iori] There are many ways to enjoy cosplay such as wearing the costume and phototaking. Of course, there are other fun elements out there as well, so you need to explore on your own and find things that make you happy.
[GT] What upcoming cosplay project you have in your pipeline? [Iori] Probably characters from Fate/Grand Order.
[GT] When did you start cosplaying and how did you get started in cosplaying? [Shimo] I started when I was in high school when my schoolmate brought me to an event and I got in contact with cosplay.
[GT] Cosplaying could be an expensive and time consuming hobby. What keeps you going? [Shimo] My friends who do cosplay together with me and those who like me gives me strength to continue. Also, when I see a photo that I’m satisfied with, it does encourage me as well.
[GT] Can you share with us the most difficult cosplay you have done? What are the challenges that you faced.
[Shimo] For me, it will be my Rory Mercury cosplay from the series Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There! The weapon was extremely heavy and the shoes I wore were very tall as well. Hence, each shot was very exhausting for me. In my previous photobook, we went deep into the mountains and pond to shoot. For me, it was a challenging experience.
[GT ]How to you view cosplay? Is it a hobby? A passion or aprofession?
[Shimo] It’s both.
[GT] Which is your most favourite character that you enjoyed cosplaying in. [Shimo] Minami Kotori from Love Live!
[GT] After STGCC, what other convention you are going next? [Shimo] I will be going to Comic Fiesta in December as well as Winter Comiket. Please come and find me! XD
[GT] When did you start cosplaying and how did you get started in cosplaying?
[Siutao] It’s almost 10 years ago….XD At the time, my friends and I like anime culture. One of my friends who was doing doujin art asked me if I would like to try out cosplay together. So, we did our own costumes! Unfortunately, my friend who asked couldn’t make it on time so I had to cosplay alone. (Laughs)
[GT] Cosplaying could be an expensive and time consuming hobby. What keeps you going?
[Siutao] I agree it can be an expensive and time consuming hobby. Despite that, cosplay had given me so much more in my life. Like the fun and satisfaction I experienced when I did my own costume and weapon, the joy I received from cosplaying my favorite character. I also made a lot more friends through cosplay or our love for the same series. I learnt new skills in life as well, thanks to cosplay! For a hobby which takes up a good part of my life, I can’t imagine my life without it and it’s so hard to give up! (Laughs)
[GT] Can you share with us the most difficult cosplay you have done? What are the challenges that you face.
[Siutao] Probably each time when I need to do large prop for cosplay, like those I had for <Kantai Collection>. As the apartment space in Hong Kong is very limited, it’s very difficult when I have to do large props and I have issues keeping them as well. Hence, there are times when I have to think twice when I want to cosplay characters with large props or armour.
[GT] How to you view cosplay? Is it a hobby? A passion or a profession?
[Siutao] To me, it’s a hobby. Everything started out as a passion and later changed to a hobby and it hasn’t changed a bit for me. I do have my own daily job, though something I do get commercial cosplay postings as well but to call it as a profession, it’s still far off from that.
[GT] Which is your most favourite character that you enjoy cosplaying in. [Siutao] I like them all, so it’s hard to choose (laughs). However, if we are talking about satisfaction, then my most satisfied cosplay will be Kaga from <Kantai Collection>.
[GT] Any tips for new cosplayer? [Siutao] Enjoy the fun Cosplay brings to you, do what you need to do and don’t mind people’s comments and looks! Each time you are not satisfied with your cosplay, learn from your experience and take in constructive comments with an open mind. Work and hard to improve on your next cosplay!
[GT] What upcoming cosplay project you have in your pipeline. [Siutao] Cosplayers have a lot of characters they plan to do! (Laughs) I’m completing one with armour soon, so you guys can guess which it is! XD I have been thinking about it for some time but I didn’t had the time to do it properly so…(cry)
[GT] After STGCC, what other convention you are going next? [Siutao] Perhaps I will be traveling to Malaysia at the end of the year to attend event on my own.
That’s it! We would like to thank all three of them for sharing with us their cosplay journey in our interview. Want to catch a glimpse of these wonderful cosplayers? Or better still take pictures with them? Remember to come down to the 10th Singapore Toy Game and Comic Convention (STGCC) at Marina Bay Sands on the 9th and 10th September 2017. You can get your tickets online now at https://www.singaporetgcc.com/Tickets_Merchandise/
This year the Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention or better known as STGCC is officially into it's 10th year! Last year, we covered the events on the ground going from enjoying the music and dance at the Akiba Pop Stage to taking pictures of wonderful cosplayers.
We are especially excited with the new Good Game Experience Zone (GGXP). And we are talking about an entire hall dedicated just for the zone! Also for STGCC 2017, gamers who are not interested in other section of the show can buy the GGXP and Akiba zone tickets at just $9 (or $7 online) for a 1 day pass.
Of course, who can miss the cosplayers going to the event. We will be sure to take tons of photos for STGCC 2017. Guest cosplayers include Iori Mori from Japan and Siu Tao from Taiwan.
This year, Sony PlayStation has a booth at IT Show 2017 (16 to 19 March 2017). There are three experiences for players to try out.
Complete all 3 experiences and answer a simple survey to get an instant win lucky dip. Remember to get this card from their staffs who wear blue PlayStation T-Shirts.
The first game at the booth is Nioh, a samurai-kills-zombie action game.
The game was tough. I was killed in less than 5 minutes into the gameplay by a lone zombie. Maybe the player before me set the difficulty level to extreme.
Next up the new Horizon: Zero Dawn game that have received rather good reviews thus far. The game is set in a post apocalyptic world where human exists as primitive tribes hunting down machine beast. You got to try it for yourself.
Lastly the PlayStation VR. This is the second time I have tried the system. First time was at GameStart Asia in 2015. There are two booth for the VR. One features a simple Playroom game while the other is a sit down deep ocean experience.
After earning all the stamps, I got myself a free gift! Yes we are that ‘cheapo’.
The PlayStation booth is on the 4th level of Suntec Convention hall right at the left wing of the hall. IT Show 2017 is happening now from 16 of March to 19 March 2017 at Suntec Convention Center.
SINGAPORE: The wait is over. MapleStory, the free-to-play, 2D, side-scrolling massively multiplayer online role-playing game, has released the much-anticipated 5th Job Advancement that will entirely change the gameplay of MapleStory. The patch is for download since 16 November 2016 and it is live since 23 November 2016.
The 5th Job Advancement promises to break down boundaries, bridge new connections and boldly change the way players experience the game. New 5th Job skills will be introduced to all 39 characters a week later on 23 November, opening up endless play possibilities, with countless permutations and combinations for players to create the perfect game strategy.
For the very first time in the game’s history, the damage cap limit will be removed. In addition, the levelling curve from level 60 to level 200 has also been altered. This means that the experience that players require for levelling up will be significantly reduced, allowing them to quickly level up to gain special skills and strength, and making it easier to reach the 200th level required to unlock the 5th Job.
Commenting on the new patch, Quang, Managing Director at Asiasoft, one of the biggest publishers of MapleStory SEA, says, “We are extremely excited to roll out the 5th Job Advancement which players have been waiting for, for almost ten years. With a new boss, Lucid, a new continent, Arcane River, a new area, Chew Chew Island, and various revamps, the game-changing patch is definitely worth the wait. The new patch demonstrates MapleStory’s commitment to creating unique gameplay experience for every player.”
As one of the biggest games in the region, MapleStory has a wide base of active players in Malaysia and Singapore, MapleStory is ranked even higher than the most talked about games that exist today. With its consistently strong presence in both countries, its impressive 2D graphics, limitless cosmetic options and a wide variety of skills really embodies the concept of crafting your own unique gameplay experience.
New skill system – V Matrix
Key features of the V Patch
This patch will include updates such as:
New 5th Job skills introduced to all 39 characters
Levelling curve from level 60 to level 200 is reduced. This means that the experience that players are required to gain for levelling up, is significantly reduced
No damage cap limit
New skill system (V Matrix)
New Arcane system and equipment and a new level 200 Arcaneshade equipment set
Greater content rewards – players will receive better rewards in Party Quests
New continent such as Arcade River, Road To Extinction, is released (1st gateway to Black Mage)
Revamp of the User Interface – wider and cooler screens and customized adjustable quickslots
Expansion of inventory – each tab now has the capacity to store 128 items. Previously, each tab could only store up to a maximum of 96 items.
Check out our facebook contest here! This huggable Pink Bean Plushie is up for grab! Just comment on the Facebook post in the link by 9th Dec 2016 to stand a chance to win this cute plushie.
2016 is supposed to be a year for me to upgrade my iPhone and MacBook, but sadly this is not happening. I am still keeping my 2 years old iPhone 6 and my 3 years old MacBook. Dear Apple, what happen this year? I am a Apple fan no doubt but Apple is truly uninspiring this year.
First the iPhone 7…
I am a very satisfied user of the iOS. Having both an iPhone 6 and an Android Xperia Z5 premium, I have constantly rate my iPhone as a better performer in many aspects; LTE connectivity, Wifi connectivity, emails, calendar, camera, music and many more.
Sure iPhone 6s is suppose to be a minor upgrade. Faster Touch ID, 3D Touch, better camera. None of these appeals to me when iPhone 6s comes out. And by the way, 3D Touch, it is rather hard to use unless you have a great sense of how much force to apply. I’m a person who just gently tap on the screen. Applying force on the screen just seems unnaturally for me. Not to forget it can be a bit tiring too. So no updates for me when iPhone 6s came out and I gingerly waited another year for iPhone 7 which based on Apple’s release cycle should have a major upgrade over iPhone 6.
Then it happened. iPhone 7 looks almost identical to iPhone 6! The plus version has a dual lens telescopic camera. Cool but what else. Beside faster this and better that, there is absolutely nothing I find enticing enough for me to buy an iPhone 7! I just couldn’t part with the money just to get a better camera. New Jet Black colour? It’s just the color. I could just get a jet black casing and slap it onto my iPhone 6 Plus. And no 3.5mm port? I’m sure to lose that tiny lightning to 3.5mm adapter.
Initially I was tempted to buy the new iPhone 7 Plus. I was so close to parting that $1000 plus after watching the iPhone event. Life will be better with the new iPhone, I thought. Alas, it is constantly out of stock and I just couldn’t get it even after waiting a month for it. During this time, I realized how good my iPhone 6 is and came to my senses. Maybe iPhone 8 will be better. So I’m shelving the plan for a new iPhone. After all, the new MacBook Pro is going to be announced soon, I can spend my money on that instead to get a better machine.
Then came the announcement of the new MacBook Pro…
First thing in the morning when I woke up to the news of the new MacBook Pro, I was all hyped up to find out when I could buy it. Yes finally I can get a new gadget for myself this year!
But no. Apple has again made it hard for me to part my money.
Where are my ports?
New MacBook Pro (15 inch model) comes with 4 ultra fast thunderbolt/USB-C port. And surprise! I have zero USB-C devices! I connect my current MacBook to a USB 3 portable HDD for Time Machine and an external display using HDMI. My previous MacBook has no HDMI port and I bought a thunderbolt to HDMI connect. Also, I have invested in a thunderbolt to Ethernet connector. After all, my MacBook is full of thunderbolt port. It will be a worthwhile investment.
The new MacBook Pro will have no HDMI or even the old Thunderbolt port. This means I have to first buy a USB-C to HDMI (I have already bought a Thunderbolt to HDMI) and then buy another USB-C to traditional USB hub. My Thunderbolt to Ethernet and Thunderbolt to HDMI are next to useless for this new MacBook.
The new butterfly keyboard is also what that irks me. Having tried out the keyboard before, I was always so glad that my MacBook Pro keyboard feels so good to type on. This new MacBook Pro comes with second generation of this butterfly keyboard. I don’t think it is just not going to work as well as the keyboard of the current Macbook Pro.
Wait did I mention no Magsafe? The one thing about Macbook that I boast to my friend and the connector that save my Macbook multiple times when someone trips over the power cable. In the new Macbook, it is gone. Is USB-C that important for Apple to remove Magsafe? Is that why Apple Care cost more for the new Macbook?
The price…
The giant touchpad is definitely a plus. And the Touch Bar actually looks sexy and useful. So maybe I can just buy more adapters for this new machine, it may not be so bad after all. So, I went to the online Apple Store and tried to find a comparable machine to my current one.
Close to SGD4000! If I remember correctly, I bought my current laptop of comparable spec at least 200-300 less. With Apple Care and a processor upgrade it costs SGD4700 plus! For my previous MacBook, even with Apple Care I paid at least 500 less. Back in 2013 when I bought it, it was the highest available spec and comes with SSD of 512GB. This set also comes with 512 GB SSD. I was expecting at least 1TB.
The increase in price is a big big turn off. Couple with the fact that I need to buy so many adapters, it just doesn’t make sense any more. My current MacBook will do just fine. In fact it may now worth more given the ports that are available on it. Did I mention it still have a SD card slot?
New MacBook is for early adopter
I have come to the conclusion that this new MacBook is for early adopter who really have the extra money to splurge. After going through the ‘Thunderbolt is the future’ And bought all the thunderbolt adapters, I’m not going to place my bet on ‘USB-C is the future’. I will let others have a go first.
This is not a concert in Akihabara, the mecca for Otaku. It actually took place right here in Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. This year, Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention was a blast! GameTrader.SG was there to soak in the atmosphere. Check out our photos below:
Cutest Ruby Cosplay from Love Live Sunshine! You can follow Momo at WorldCosplay
Fans of Cosplayer can get their autograph poster at the event too!
Transformer, robot…erm toys in disguise!
Never meddle with a man with 2 light sabers…
Avengers Exhibition has a booth to promote the upcoming Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N, an interactive exhibition where you get to know more about the avengers. From now till 28 October, you can get an early bird discount of 15%.
Where else can you find two Deadpools dueling in Singapore?
Droids and Storm troopers galore!
It’s Mario! It’s Deadpool! It’s Deadpool Mario!
Who needs ice power when I can have Light Saber.
We are not at Madame Tussauds. Life-size Tony Stark!
Disney Princesses need their shopping fix too.
We heard it’s so dangerous they have to keep it in the glass case.
Everyone likes a bit of retro toys!
M.Bison/Vega kenna photobomb…
And with that, we end our day at STGCC 2016! See you in 2017!
Arcade gaming has evolved tremendously over the years. Today, golden age of arcade gaming maybe behind us with the proliferation of gaming consoles and PC games. But that does mean we have to give away that part of our memory.
OpenBuild SG, the affiliated local counterpart of OpenBuild in US, has been working on a mini arcade machines running on Raspberry PI and Emulation Station. They have been refining the model for some time churning out prototype after prototype. They are now ready to put these awesome big boy toys in your home! Called the Yappy Arcade Console, the machines allow you to play games from the Nintendo classics all the way to PlayStation One games.
We went down to their OpenBuild workshop at Ubi to have a look at the entire building process. All these machines are handmade by Yap, who is one of the founder of OpenBuild SG. From purchasing of the parts to cutting of the wood and finally to the assembly of the machine, all these are done in this workshop. You can check out Yap’s blog post for more details on how he build the console.
Left: Yap, the man behind all these mini arcade machine. Right: Our victorious editor Jax who just beat Yap at a game of Street Fighter.
This mini arcade console has a 10.1″ screen and a joystick with 10 buttons. Sufficient inputs even for your PlayStation games. The machine can be plug straight to your wall plug. It comes with a pair of 4Ω 3W Speakers and the brain of the machine is a Raspberry Pi Ver. B+ rev 2.
The console feels authentic to me. It is amazing how technology enable us to shrink down the good old arcade machine into this mini form loaded with way more games than a single classic arcade console. Of course, the craftsmanship deserves praises as well. While I am no expert in this field, I wouldn’t have guessed that the Yappy Arcade Console is built by hand in a workshop. It seems like the real deal to me. However, given that it is a mini arcade console, we advise against inviting your friends over for a game of bishi bashi.
Inside the gut of the machine
OpenBuild SG is now having a promotion selling these machines in limited quantity at SGD 399. After which, the price will increase. OpenBuild is willing to sell to fellow GameTrader.SG members at SGD 399 for another additional 50 sets. Just tell them that you are a member of GameTrader.SG and they will honour the price. The price of SGD 399 maybe on the high side for the younger gamers out there especially if you compared with a PS4 console which costs around SGD500 plus. However, given the price of the parts which take up bulk of the costs, the price maybe justifiable especially for the craftsmanship. Even if you don’t play it, it does look like a good piece of art to display at your geek corner.
If you wish to purchase one, you can drop a SMS to OpenBuild SG at +65 9113-1344. Yap is usually too busy in the workshop so a message will work best. You can also visit their workshop too at 65 Ubi Road 1, #01-87 Oxley Bizhub 1, Singapore 408729. Do check with them first before coming down.
Oh yes, there is also a two player version! You can contact them for more details. Happy to report that I beat Yap at Street Fighter. +1 for GameTrader! We will schedule a rematch soon.
The 2 player version of Yappy Arcade Console
PS: This is not an advertisement. Purely sharing this awesome machine with fellow GameTraders 🙂
This year the Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention or better known as STGCC is officially into it's 10th year! 
