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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.
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The post Hololive Vtuber Fuwawa Abyssgard Going on Hiatus appeared first on Siliconera .
Mar 20
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 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 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 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
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
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 26.06The 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
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 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 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 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
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
Riftbound's Spiritforged Set Already Has Several New Cards That Are Worth Thousands of DollarsRiftbound, the League of Legends TCG, has dropped its second set, Spiritforged, and collectors are already chasing several new cards are now selling for thousands of dollars.
Feb 19
Wild Rift Norra Build Guide: Skill Analysis, Best Runes and Gameplay TipsNorra is the latest mage champion to join the ever-increasing League of Legends: Wild Rift champion roster. She is an original Wild Rift character, highlighting unique ability kit provides extra utility with healing shrines and portals that create endless outplay opportunities. In this Wild Rift Norra guide, we will take a detailed look at her …
The post Wild Rift Norra Build Guide: Skill Analysis, Best Runes and Gameplay Tips appeared first on GamingonPhone .
Feb 16
Riftbound Spiritforged review: Strong League of Legends-inspired gameplay, but the TCG has some issuesThe post Riftbound Spiritforged review: Strong League of Legends-inspired gameplay, but the TCG has some issues appeared first on The Escapist .
Feb 14
League of Legends Riftbound: Spiritforged Expansion – First Hands-On Impressions of the New TCG SetGet an early look at League of Legends Riftbound's upcoming Spiritforged expansion.
Feb 13
League of Legends Patch 26.04 brings ADC rebalancing and further Dusk and Dawn adjustmentsThe post League of Legends Patch 26.04 brings ADC rebalancing and further Dusk and Dawn adjustments appeared first on The Escapist .
Feb 11
Riot Games to downsize 2XKO team after disappointing launchRiot Games has announced it is downsizing the development team behind the League of Legends 2v2 fighting game, 2XKO. The game itself has spent nearly a decade in development under the codename Project L since Riot Games acquired the fighting game studio, Radiant Entertainment, in 2016, bringing fighting game veterans and co-founders of Evo, Tony […]
The post Riot Games to downsize 2XKO team after disappointing launch appeared first on Checkpoint .
Feb 10
My Dress Up Darling and Hololive Houshou Marine Figures Teased
At Wonder Fest 2026 Winter, Aniplex teased new figures of Hololive member Houshou Marine dressed up as the My Dress-Up Darling heroine Marin Kitagawa in her anime uniform and of Marin wearing the pirate costume belonging to the Vtuber. Official concept art appeared alongside unpainted prototypes. There are no official release dates for either one yet, however.
Both of these figures are listed as Cosplay Ver takes of the characters when Aniplex shared unpainted prototypes on social media . In this situation, the characters seem designed to match the energy of the people they’re portraying. So Marine is a bit more subdued in the Marin costume. She’s holding one side of her skirt up, but she’s otherwise in a more demure pose. Meanwhile, Marine is much more energetic and over-the-top, with extravagant posing, the coat being held like a backdrop or cape, and her right hand making a peace sign.
Here are the two prototype photos, as well as the official art showing both of the designs together. These will be static scale figures when released. As such, don't expect additional face plates or arm parts for either Marine or Marine.
Images via Aniplex, Square Enix, and Cover
Square Enix handles the My Dress-Up Darling manga, while the anime is streaming on Crunchyroll , and Hololive Vtuber Houshou Marine streams on YouTube . The My Dress-Up Darling Marin and Hololive Vtuber Houshou Marine cosplay crossover figures are in development, and there's no release date for either one yet.
The post My Dress Up Darling and Hololive Houshou Marine Figures Teased appeared first on Siliconera .
Feb 9
League of LegendsLeague of Legends, commonly referred to as League, is a multiplayer online battle arena video game developed and published by Riot Games.
