The Overwatch League’s Countdown Cup tournament continued rolling on with quarterfinal matches in both regions. After yesterday’s North American Knockout rounds, four teams entered the proverbial ring with the top four seeds in the region. The Asia bracket also kicked off on Aug. 8 and three teams will move on to fight it out during the semifinal rounds.
Asia Quarterfinals
Six teams entered the Asia region quarterfinals, vying for the chance to join the Shanghai Dragons in the semifinal rounds. The Chengdu Hunters, who have been having an outstanding performance in the Countdown cup, earned a quick 3-0 sweep over the London Spitfire.
The Hangzhou Spark took a tough 3-2 win against the Seoul Dynasty, getting a rare reverse sweep. Dynasty’s newest addition, off-tank Lim “Toyou” Hyun-woo, faced off against substitute Spark off-tank Song “Sasin” Sang-hyeon as both teams changed up their usual starting rosters.
In the most anticipated match of the night, the New York Excelsior eked out a win against Summer Showdown champions the Guangzhou Charge. New York had a quick 2-0 lead before halftime, looking for a quick win, but the Charge rallied back for the next two maps. On final map Lijiang Tower, tense fights eventually lead to a 3-2 win for the Excelsior squad.
North America Quarterfinals
San Francisco Shock vs. Dallas Fuel (3-0)
As the 2019 Overwatch League champions and previous winners of the May Melee tournament, the San Francisco Shock know when to take advantage of another team’s weaknesses. The Dallas Fuel may have defeated their drama demons yesterday against the Washington Justice, but they couldn’t topple the Shock. Dallas looked alive on second map King’s Row, but the team was mostly destroyed by Lee “ANS” Seon-chang, Shock’s hitscan expert. San Francisco DPS Kim “Rascal” Dong-jun also brought out his much-improved Genji play, likely to practice for tomorrow’s semifinals.
Philadelphia Fusion vs. Los Angeles Gladiators (3-0)
The Philadelphia Fusion may be known for taking the Overwatch League to map five, but this quick match against the Los Angeles Gladiators didn’t require that level of commitment. In previous tournaments and the early weeks of the Countdown Cup qualifiers, the Gladiators suffered heavily from a lack of cohesion within their ranks. The Fusion took full advantage of this confusion, sending DPS Lee “Ivy” Seung-hyun to destroy the backline while off-tank Gael “Poko” Gouzerch harassed the front. Even though the Gladiators perked up on Numbani, they were often little match for MVP candidate Lee “Carpe” Jae-hyeok doing Carpe things for Philadelphia.
Florida Mayhem vs. Atlanta Reign (3-0)
If there was a memo out today instructing every higher-seed team to get a clean 3-0 sweep on their opponents, the Florida Mayhem certainly got the message. The Atlanta Reign has been inconsistent at best over the past few weeks, seeing enormous highs from star DPS players and incredible lows from a lack of coordination. As usual, Florida’s star DPS and MVP candidate Kim “Yaki” Jun-gi ran circles around the competition. The Mayhem obviously have their sights set on a May Melee rematch against the Shock.
Paris Eternal vs. Los Angeles Valiant (3-1)
In stark contrast to the rest of the North America quarterfinal matches, the Los Angeles Valiant dragged the Paris Eternal through a set of incredibly competitive maps. A win was a mostly expected ending to Paris’ difficult day dealing with an unfortunate power outage.
Los Angeles handed the Eternal their first loss on Lijiang Tower in the 2020 season and looked strong going into King’s Row. Unfortunately, no matter how much the rookie squad of the Valiant adapted, they were never quite ready for the absolute domination from Paris off-tank Choi “Hanbin” Hanbeen.
Even though Paris took the win and will move on to the semifinals, the team’s performance was sometimes sloppy. The Valiant made this the most competitive match of the day by fighting hard against the Eternal.
Semifinals and finals
In the Asia region, the first-seeded Shanghai Dragons will finally enter the arena during the semifinals on Aug. 9. The Dragons are looking to take another monthly tournament win, but several teams stand in their way. After the semifinal matches are over, the Countdown Cup Grand Finals begin immediately with a first-to-five match.
Shanghai Dragons vs. New York Excelsior, 3am CT
Hangzhou Spark vs. Chengdu Hunters, 5am CT
Grand Finals between the two semifinal winners, 7am CT
The North America region jumps right into the semifinals on Aug. 9, starting two hours earlier than normal to account for long games. Much like the Asia region, two semifinal matches will be held and the Grand Finals will take place immediately after.
San Francisco Shock vs. Florida Mayhem, 12pm CT
Philadelphia Fusion vs. Paris Eternal, 2pm CT
Grand finals between the two semifinal winners, 4pm CT
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
