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Grand Opening of the April 2025 Global Sources Hong Kong Shows Phase I: Esports Trend, IP Collaborations, and Blind Box Economy Reshape Future of Electronics Trade

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HONG KONG, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The April 2025 Global Sources Hong Kong Shows officially opened today. The first of three phases runs from April 11 to 14 at AsiaWorld-Expo, comprising major international trade shows for gaming, consumer electronics and electronic components. The exhibition continues to strengthen its position as the “Global Electronics Supply Chain Hub and Asia-Pacific Launchpad for Innovation”. It aims to deliver a dynamic, efficient trade platform that seamlessly integrates trend insights, product sourcing, and premium supplier connections.

The inaugural Global Sources Gaming Show debuts as an independent exhibition this year. The first phase features more than 2,000 qualified exhibitors from across Asia, showcasing over 100,000 cutting-edge products and comprehensive peripheral ecosystems that will define electronics industry trends for the coming six months. The show is projected to attract more than 60,000 professional B2B visitors globally.

Mr. Hu Wei, CEO of Global Sources, highlighted the forward-looking vision of the Global Sources Hong Kong Show amidst the rapidly changing global trade landscape. The event is pioneering a new era of trade shows by integrating comprehensive online-to-offline (O2O) solutions. The Global Sources Hong Kong Show is transforming the way exhibitors and buyers connect. Through pre-event precision marketing powered by registration data analytics, real-time digital services, cloud-based live-streamed expo experiences, and post-event promotional optimization, the show is setting a new standard for efficiency and innovation. “This comprehensive digital transformation not only creates an efficient, targeted, and all-encompassing platform for exhibitors and buyers but also champions eco-friendly green procurement,” said Mr. Hu. “It marks a milestone in the 30-year evolution of Global Sources Online (GSOL) and positions the show as an industry trend leader and an incubator for groundbreaking innovations.”

Global Sources Gaming Show Debuts as Standalone Exhibition

In its inaugural year as a standalone exhibition, the Global Sources Gaming Show has established itself as one of Asia’s premier esports peripherals events. The show features over 200 prominent brands including DAREU, AULA, PXN, VGN, FL•ESPORTS, and Morphling, showcasing the latest innovations in gaming technology.

A key highlight is the introduction of the new “KOLs and Buyers’ Favorite Gaming Gear Awards,” which features a dual scoring system: 70% from professional KOL judges and 30% from on-site buyers’ votes. The awards cover six categories—gaming mice, keyboards, chairs, monitors, controllers, and headsets—evaluating each based on design, functionality, user experience, material quality, and innovation. The top 18 products will compete in a special testing zone, where the final “Most Popular Products” will be selected.

John Kao, Vice President of Hong Kong Shows & Overseas Shows at Global Sources, emphasized the unique approach of this selection process. “By combining professional expertise with market feedback, we are breaking away from traditional exhibition models. Beyond providing clear direction for the esports hardware market, it helps buyers precisely identify premium products to gain competitive advantages., It has the potential to revolutionize the industry’s product development ecosystem.”

IP Collaborations and Blind Box Economy Spark New Consumer Electronics Trends

As Generation Z emerges as the dominant market force, their preference for IP collaborations and limited-edition products is reshaping market value propositions. Products are evolving from mere utility items to cultural symbols. In the first phase of this year’s exhibition, numerous exhibitors demonstrated innovative pathways in consumer electronics through IP crossover collaborations:

Leveraging Global IPs to Enhance Product Competitiveness
Exhibitors are harnessing internationally recognized IPs to elevate their product competitiveness. For instance, Qishun Innovation (Shenzhen) collaborates with renowned global IPs to launch a series of co-branded and licensed consumer electronics. These partnerships not only enhance product uniqueness but also increase market appeal.

Building Brand Moats Through Original IP Development
Exhibitors are creating proprietary IPs to establish distinct brand identities and strengthen their competitive edge. Exhibitor etechgroups showcases a range of consumer electronics featuring their original character IP “MEOWZART,” introducing a distinctive brand presence in the international market.

Establishing a Comprehensive IP Ecosystem
Industry leaders are adopting an integrated “IP Incubation–Licensing–Customization” model, combining co-branded partnerships with original IP development to drive global brand expansion. Trendy digital peripheral brand AKKO and its sub-brand MonsGeek demonstrate this approach through their diverse portfolio, which includes keyboards featuring popular IPs such as One Piece, Hatsune Miku, and Joy of Life, alongside their proprietary IP creations. Their “Original IP + Brand” strategy shows significant potential for international market growth.

As IP licensing and collaboration models gain momentum, market opportunities continue to expand. IP owners are increasingly exploring B2B channels and blind box business models to diversify their revenue streams. This innovative approach not only creates new monetization opportunities for IP owners but also offers manufacturers more flexible partnership options. For example, Akko introduced wholesale services for IP keycap blind boxes, pioneering B2B applications in the blind box economy. Similarly, IP Happi Class leveraged the Global Sources HK shows to showcase their Happi Town blind box series, featuring virtual community themes. The brand also organized exclusive blind box lottery events to engage buyers and explore new market possibilities.

John Kao, Vice President of Hong Kong Shows & Overseas Shows at Global Sources, remarked, “IP collaboration has evolved beyond single products into diversified experiential innovations. Pairing electronics with blind boxes not only strengthens ties with core customers but also creates new premium value opportunities. This empowers stakeholders across the value chain to tap deeper into IP’s potential and injects fresh momentum into the B2B market.” He also highlighted that, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the globalsources.com (GSOL), Global Sources has transformed its mascot IP “Show Genie” into a blind box product. These will be distributed in limited quantities through on-site user surveys, enhancing the commercial atmosphere at the exhibition.

Global Sources Innovation Awards: Honoring Excellence

The Global Sources Innovation Awards ceremony kicks off during the first day of the show. It brought together top judges from industry associations, tech media, standards organizations, and buyers to spotlight leaders in electronics innovation. The first phase awards are all about consumer electronics. Global Sources has first partnered with the prestigious European Product Design Award (EPDA)™ to launch the “Best Product Design Award,” honoring products that stand out in creativity and design brilliance.

This dual-award format is all about pushing companies to step up their R&D capabilities, gain a stronger edge in the global market, and build top-tier brand identities. It’s driving the electronics industry toward steady growth.

Mr. Hu Wei, CEO of Global Sources emphasized the importance of the award. “This recognition motivates companies to increase R&D investment and explore innovative pathways. It enables them to establish a distinct competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Moreover, award-winning products achieve enhanced market positioning, thereby expanding their global brand influence. This ceremony sets a new industry benchmark, propelling innovation and growth within the electronics sector.”

Esports Summit: Exploring New Industry Opportunities

The Global Sources Summit features a dedicated esports segment, including a themed summit and workshop. Industry leaders including Vincent Wang, Director of APAC Sports & Entertainment and Global Esports Industry at Unilumin, Jennifer Lim, Personal Project and Service-Learning Coordinator, MYP Design and ESports teacher at XCL World Academy, Doug Konopelko, Senior Manager of Education Impact at CDW, and Gerald Solomon, Founder and CEO of NASEF, will convene to explore emerging trends and opportunities in the field.

Mr. Gerald Solomon, Founder and CEO of NASEF, remarked, “The summit will offer a unique opportunity to share NASEF’s globally recognized esports education and training content, to tens of thousands of technology manufacturers and industry leaders. Esports is a billion-dollar industry with millions of players and followers around the world. Along with AI, the esports industry is the future of technology. We are excited to share what this opportunity is, and how the technology industry can take advantage it.”

The April 12 summit, titled “The Next Tech Opportunity,” will examine the evolution of esports technology, marketing strategies, and global education trends. The April 13 workshop, “The Business of Esports: A Guide to Industry Partnerships and Revenue Growth,” will provide actionable insights through case studies, assisting participants in unlocking market potential and enhancing their commercial competitiveness.

About Global Sources

Global Sources is an internationally recognized multichannel Online-to-Offline (O2O) sourcing platform that has been driving global trade for over 50 years. The company connects authentic buyers and verified suppliers worldwide with tailored solutions and trusted market intelligence through its online platform GlobalSources.com, mobile apps, industry-specific trade shows, and tailored business matching. Global Sources’ unique services have successfully provided efficient and convenient commercial services to over 14 million registered international buyers and users.

For Media Enquiry,

Market Hubs Holdings Limited

Lierence Li

Debbie So

+852 3998-4900

+852 3998-4900

lierence@markethubsgroup.com

debbie@markethubsgroup.com

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SOURCE Global Sources

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Creality K3 Now Available at $849, Making Multi-Color 3D Printing More Practical

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Creality’s four-nozzle flagship moves from pre-order to official U.S. availability, bringing faster color changes and greater creative flexibility to everyday 3D printing.

HOUSTON, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Creality today announced the official U.S. availability of the K3, its latest flagship K Series 3D printer, starting at $849. Following its pre-order debut in October, the K3 is now available for purchase, with shipments of the first pre-orders having begun on November 2.

Recognized as an IFA Innovation Awards 2026 Honoree, the K3 introduces a four-nozzle system designed to make multi-color printing faster, less wasteful, and more practical for everyday creative projects.

Making Multi-Color Printing Easier and Faster

From detailed figures and personalized gifts to decorative pieces and functional designs, color can make a significant difference in how a 3D-printed project comes together. Conventional multi-color printing often comes with a setback: more colors mean more time spent switching filaments and more material discarded along the way.

The K3 takes a different approach. Its KliTek™ four-nozzle system keeps different filaments ready in independent channels, allowing the printer to switch between nozzles in approximately 5 seconds while reducing the repeated purging required by conventional single-nozzle systems.

In Creality’s internal testing, this approach shortened total print times by up to 80% and reduced material waste by up to 85% compared with conventional single-nozzle multi-color workflows.

For makers, this means less time and filament spent on color changes, whether creating a personalized gift, a detailed display piece, or a batch of matching designs.

More Room for More Creative Possibilities

Beyond multi-color printing, the K3 is designed to grow with makers as their projects become more ambitious.

With optional accessories, its four-nozzle architecture supports different nozzle sizes within a single print, allowing users to combine finer surface details with more efficient internal structures. This gives makers greater flexibility to balance appearance, precision, and printing time without having to choose a single nozzle size for an entire project.

The K3 also offers an expandable path into multi-material printing. An optional top cover enables the use of engineering materials, while a dedicated TPU Kit expands compatibility to softer flexible filaments and soluble support materials. These options open up possibilities for projects that combine different material properties or require more complex structures.

U.S. Availability and Launch Offer

The Creality K3 is now available in the United States, starting at $849. Shipments of the first pre-orders began on November 2.

To celebrate the official launch, customers purchasing the K3 through November 30 will receive four complimentary rolls of Hyper PLA filament. Orders placed through Creality’s official online store during the promotional period also qualify for free shipping.

European availability is expected in December 2026.

For more information or to purchase, visit the Creality K3 official product page.

Performance figures are based on Creality’s internal testing. Actual results may vary depending on materials, models, and printing conditions. Advanced multi-material and mixed-nozzle capabilities require optional accessories sold separately.

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SOURCE Creality

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Epic Seven’s New Server “Foundry” Goes Live to Celebrate Official Steam Launch

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Official Steam Launch on Oct 29, Long-term positive synergy anticipated from a new influx of players and improved accessibilityNew server “Foundry” launches with various events to help players settle in quicklySpecial Side Story “Secret Rabbit Hole” Available From Oct 29 to Dec 10

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On Tuesday the 3rd, Smilegate announced that its mobile turn-based strategic RPG “Epic Seven,” developed by Super Creative, has officially launched on Steam on the 29th and also opened a new server, “Foundry”.

The Steam launch is part of a platform expansion reflecting the needs of global players. With Epic Seven now available on Steam, the world’s largest gaming platform, long-term positive synergy is expected from a new influx of players and improved accessibility. Furthermore, the Steam server introduces exclusive new features, such as controller support.

The new “Foundry” server, launched alongside the Steam service, can be accessed not only through Steam but also via the STOVE PC Client and mobile devices. For players starting Epic Seven for the first time, the new server will operate with independent matchmaking for PvP content for a limited time.

Additionally, various events will be held on the new server to help players settle in quickly. A Settlement Support Buff Event, which began on the 29th, provides various effects to accelerate Hero and account growth, along with daily free Hero summons. There will also be bountiful rewards provided, including various Equipment, growth materials, and Hero Skins, when players log in or play through content.

Global player response has also been highly positive, with over 100,000 players participating in the Steam Wishlist Event that began in August.

Meanwhile, Epic Seven will release a Special Side Story, “Secret Rabbit Hole,” from October 29 to December 10. The greatest Bunny detective, Bunny Girl Great Detective Moro, alongside her sidekick, Alencia, will investigate various incidents to stop a plot detected during a victory celebration party, uncovering the hidden truth behind the case along the way. Players can earn three pieces of Level 88 Equipment by progressing through the story and will receive a special Pet upon collecting all three new Bunny Girl characters and two skins. Additional rewards, such as Charms and Emojis, can also be earned through the concurrent “Trusty Sidekick Alencia’s Case Files” and “Lucky Board Party!” events.

For more information on Epic Seven, visit the official community and the official YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/epic-sevens-new-server-foundry-goes-live-to-celebrate-official-steam-launch-302927352.html

SOURCE Smilegate

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Benzinga Expands Support for AI-Powered Financial Innovation Through Growing Data Ecosystem

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DETROIT, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Benzinga, a leading provider of real-time financial news and market intelligence, today highlighted its continued commitment to supporting the rapidly growing ecosystem of AI-powered financial applications, with tradeInsightAI among the latest platforms leveraging Benzinga content to enhance market intelligence and decision-making.

As artificial intelligence reshapes how investors, analysts, and institutions consume information, demand for trusted, real-time financial data continues to grow. Through its APIs and data licensing solutions, Benzinga provides the news, corporate communications, and market intelligence that power a growing range of AI-driven products and workflows across the financial industry.

The relationship with tradeInsightAI reflects a broader trend of AI-native companies incorporating high-quality financial data into their platforms to generate insights, identify market-moving developments, and help users navigate increasingly complex information environments. By integrating Benzinga’s real-time financial news and corporate communications content, tradeInsightAI is further strengthening its AI-powered analysis capabilities and expanding the intelligence available to its users.

Benzinga’s data ecosystem supports a wide variety of AI use cases, including market research, event detection, workflow automation, portfolio intelligence, sentiment analysis, and real-time decision support. By delivering structured, machine-readable content through flexible APIs and licensing solutions, Benzinga enables developers, financial institutions, and technology providers to build innovative applications on a foundation of trusted market intelligence.

“AI is rapidly transforming financial markets, and we’re seeing incredible innovation from companies building the next generation of investment and intelligence tools,” said Emily Goldvekht, Account Manager at Benzinga. “tradeInsightAI is a great example of how firms are using AI to turn complex market information into actionable insights. At Benzinga, we’re proud to provide the real-time data and content that help power these emerging technologies.”

“tradeInsightAI replaces endless financial market dashboards and fragmented data feeds with pure inference, a single intelligence layer for real-time market clarity,” said Al Vinjamur, Founder and CEO of tradeInsightAI. “By combining Benzinga’s premium reporting with our domain-aware AI and quantitative pipelines, we turn information overload into edge. With upcoming pilots at some of the world’s largest banks and hedge funds, we’re defining the future of market intelligence.”

As financial institutions continue exploring artificial intelligence to improve research, analysis, and decision-making, Benzinga remains focused on delivering the trusted market intelligence that helps power the next generation of financial technology. Through its expanding network of AI-driven customers and partners, the company is helping accelerate innovation across the broader financial ecosystem.

About Benzinga

Benzinga is a leading financial media and data technology company that empowers investors with high-quality, real-time market intelligence. Through its news platform, APIs, and data products, Benzinga provides traders, financial institutions, and fintech platforms with the insights they need to make smarter investment decisions. From breaking news and analyst ratings to corporate events and alternative datasets, Benzinga’s tools help market participants stay ahead of the information that drives price movement.

To learn more, visit www.benzinga.com/apis/.

About tradeInsightAI

tradeInsightAI is a real time AI-powered financial intelligence platform that triangulates high-resolution market data, news, and alternative datasets to deliver total situational awareness for traders. Founded by a known ex-quantitative portfolio manager at one of the largest hedge funds in the world, market microstructure and AI engineers, the company’s mission is to clarify the deluge of financial information by bridging the gap between fragmented market noise and actionable understanding. tradeInsightAI’s Agentic Market Inference Engine (AMIE) unifies auction dynamics, market structure, news, social media chatter, prediction markets, filings and more through a full-stack AI engine built from the ground up to detect market shifts.

To learn more, visit https://tradeinsight.ai.

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SOURCE Benzinga

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