• Two South African gaming heavyweights, rAge and Mettlestate, have joined forces to transform the country’s most iconic gaming event into a fully immersive festival unlike anything experienced before.
• The legacy favourites stay in the loadout, while retrofuturism will bring the experience to life by combining gaming nostalgia with future-facing technology. 
• The legend remains, but everything else evolves.
• No AI was harmed in the making of this release.

Johannesburg, 29 July 2026 – South African gaming is entering a new era. After more than two decades as the country’s most iconic gaming event, rAge is preparing for its biggest evolution yet.

Descending on Fourways Mall from 27 to 29 November 2026, rAge 2026 will bring together gaming, esports, technology, creators, cosplay, anime, entertainment, competition and community in a more immersive and expansive format than anyone can imagine.

Gaming will always remain the beating heart of rAge, but this year’s spectacle has been designed from the ground up for a much broader audience. Families, young creators, technology enthusiasts, casual players, anime and cosplay fans, serious competitors, and curious first-time visitors will all find something unforgettable.

Key to this new chapter is Mettlestate, which joins rAge as a proud strategic partner for the future of the event. The partnership brings together rAge’s grand scale, heritage and cultural relevance with Mettlestate’s expertise in esports, gaming communities, live competition and audience engagement.

“This isn’t simply another edition of rAge; it is a bold reinvention of what a gaming event can be”, says Barry Louzada, managing director of Mettlestate. “While gaming remains the beating heart of rAge, every part of the experience has been reimagined to reflect how gaming culture has evolved. Today’s gamers don’t just play games. They also watch esports, follow creators, build communities, embrace technology, celebrate cosplay, create content and experience gaming as a culture that extends far beyond the screen. rAge 2026 has been built around that culture.”

rAge also boasts a new visual identity that signals the event that has officially levelled up. Bold, immersive and unmistakably rooted in gaming culture, it builds on the brand’s legendary legacy while introducing a sharper, more future-facing look. It is a visual upgrade that reflects its evolution from expo to full-scale festival.

The level up

The event will expand beyond the traditional expo format into a festival designed around participation. Visitors can expect immersive attractions, live entertainment, creator-led content, interactive experiences, community spaces and competitions. Hardcore players, casual gamers, families, anime and cosplay fans, creators, tech enthusiasts and curious first-timers will each find their own route through the event.

This year’s event will also introduce elements of retrofuturism, combining the nostalgia and visual language of gaming’s past with ideas, technology and experiences that look ahead to what the future of digital culture could become. From classic influences reimagined through new technology to immersive environments that blur the lines between then, now and next, retrofuturism will give rAge 2026 a distinctive creative identity. It is a creative direction that reflects rAge itself, honouring its legacy while looking firmly to the future.

The legacy loadout

Gaming remains the main quest. The iconic BYOC LAN, esports, cosplay, local game development, tabletop gaming, fandom, technology showcases, gear and show specials all remain firmly in play. The festival format builds out from that foundation rather than patching over the rAge experience its community has spent more than two decades shaping.

“We’ve spent 23 years building one of South Africa’s most recognised gaming brands,” says Michael James, project director of rAge. “Now we are taking the biggest step in our history. Together with Mettlestate, we’re creating something that extends far beyond an expo. We’re building a festival that celebrates every part of gaming culture, and what comes next will take it to another level.” 

Game on

This brand evolution reflects gaming’s growing influence on culture. rAge embraces that shift with a more immersive festival experience, where visitors can move between gaming, competition, creativity and live entertainment, with Mettlestate bringing its competitive and community-driven experience expertise to the event.

“rAge has always held a special place in South African gaming, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of its next chapter,” adds Louzada. “Every corner of the event has been designed to create moments worth sharing. And this November, a new era begins.”

Visitors will experience more ways to play, compete, discover and participate than ever before. Creators will have bigger stages to grow their communities. Esports will reach new audiences. Families will discover experiences designed for every generation. Brands will move beyond traditional exhibition stands into immersive activations that become part of the festival itself.

“rAge is no longer simply an expo. With Mettlestate in co-op mode, it is becoming South Africa’s premier gaming, esports, technology and digital culture festival that has the same legendary DNA with a bigger map and a premium new ally,” adds James.

The post rAge and Mettlestate Unite for South Africa’s Gaming Future appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Bringing together Maybelline New York, Garnier, and CeraVe under one unified innovation strategy, L’Oréal South Africa is launching interactive experiences designed for Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences, focusing on immersive storytelling, education, entertainment, and participation rather than traditional advertising.

As Roblox continues to grow as one of the world’s leading digital ecosystems for younger audiences, L’Oréal South Africa is positioning itself at the forefront of a new era of beauty marketing built around culture, community, and interactive experiences.

Developed in partnership with ReachPlayers, the activations integrate beauty and skincare naturally into gameplay, creating experiences that feel engaging, authentic, and memorable for players.

A Bold Vision for the Future of Beauty Engagement

By bringing together three globally recognized brands under one gaming ecosystem, L’Oréal South Africa is demonstrating how beauty companies can evolve beyond traditional media and create culturally relevant experiences that resonate with digitally native consumers.

Each activation was carefully designed to reflect the unique identity and purpose of the participating brands while contributing to a larger vision: making beauty education, confidence, and self-expression more accessible through interactive technology.

The rollout includes:

• Maybelline New York, transforming exam stress into a confidence-boosting gameplay experience centered around the FIT ME range.
• Garnier, gamifying the universal “Oh No Moment” of an unexpected breakout through an interactive Pure Active Pimple Patch challenge.
• CeraVe, creating educational skincare worlds focused on skin health, acne prevention, and dermatologist-backed routines.

Together, the experiences showcase how L’Oréal South Africa is leveraging gaming not simply as a media channel, but as a platform for immersive brand storytelling and consumer connection.

Innovation Through Partnership

The initiative reflects a collaborative effort between L’Oréal South Africa and ReachPlayers to push the boundaries of what branded experiences inside games can look like.

By combining immersive gameplay mechanics with native product integration, the partnership demonstrates how brands can become part of gameplay itself rather than appearing as external interruptions.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with L’Oréal South Africa on this groundbreaking initiative,” said Michael Anav, CEO of ReachPlayers. “What makes this collaboration so exciting is L’Oréal South Africa’s willingness to innovate boldly and embrace entirely new ways of connecting with younger audiences. Together, we are creating experiences that feel native to the gaming environment while still delivering meaningful brand storytelling, education, and engagement.”

“From the get-go with ReachPlayers, they’ve truly taken on a partnership role where they’ve tried to understand the brand, the vision, and really co-create our campaigns with us. They have spent a lot of time and close attention to detail in getting things right. They are really agile in how they work with the team and get to understand what your business objectives are. It’s a no-brainer decision.” — Melissa Signor, Digital & Advertising Manager, CDMO Team, L’Oréal South Africa

The post L’Oréal South Africa Expands Beauty Brands Into Roblox appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Now entering its eighth edition in South Africa, the Summit will once again be presented in collaboration with headline sponsor Old Mutual, alongside metaverse partner UBU. Following the success of the 2025 Summit, which attracted more than 2 000 attendees, from over 600 of local and global leading companies, and widespread acclaim from delegates, the 2026 Summit aims to push the conversation even further, exploring how rapidly advancing technologies are reshaping industries, societies and human potential itself.

With two immersive stages, an interactive expo, workshops and networking experiences, the Summit will once again create a space where business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators can engage with the ideas shaping the future.

The 2026 programme will unpack the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence, 3D printing, digital identity, quantum computing, crypto economies, human optimisation and Africa’s evolving technology infrastructure. From the rise of AI factories and agentic AI to the future of emotional intelligence in machines, this year’s line-up reflects the breadth of disruption already transforming the world around us.

The first speakers confirmed for the 2026 Summit include:

• Raoul Pal – Founder of Real Vision and one of the world’s leading voices on cryptocurrency, macro investing and AI.
• Tilly Lockey – Real-life bionic woman and disability advocate, with two of the world’s most advanced bionic arms.

• David Roberts – Internationally recognised thought leader on disruption, innovation, exponential leadership and navigating the accelerating pace of AI.
• Brandon Birchak – Human performance specialist from Las Vegas, exploring endurance breathing and the untapped potential of the human body and mind.
• Hardy Pemhiwa – President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, building AI factories, infrastructure and digital ecosystems across Africa.
• Professor Benjamin Rosman – Renowned AI researcher exploring emotional AI and the future relationship between humans and intelligent systems. Recently named among TIME’s top 100 people to follow in AI.
• Mmathebe Zvobwo – Director of market development for South Africa at Truecaller, speaking on the AI trust paradox and redefining secure communication across the continent
• Cathy Hackl – Nokia’s AI futurist and one of the leading global voices on emerging technologies, spatial computing and the evolving relationship between humans and AI.

Celiwe Ross of Old Mutual says this Summit allows for the advocacy of human-centred AI adoption, where technology enhances rather than replaces human capability. “Innovation is often spoken about in terms of technology, but its real impact is felt through people. The question for business is not only what new tools we adopt, but how we equip people to grow, respond, and lead in an environment that is constantly changing. For Old Mutual, future readiness is about building the confidence, capability, and culture needed to move forward responsibly,” Ross said.

The Summit’s metaverse experience will also return in partnership with UBU, offering attendees across the continent access to immersive digital experiences, interactive sessions, workshops and networking opportunities within Africa’s growing virtual ecosystem.

“Every year, the pace of technological change becomes harder to ignore,” said Shayne Mann, co-CEO of Singularity South Africa. “What makes this Summit exciting is not only the calibre of the conversations, but the people in the room. It is where Africa’s business, technology and creative leaders come together to engage with what is coming next and, more importantly, what role the continent can play in shaping it.”

“The conversations around AI, digital infrastructure and exponential technologies have shifted dramatically over the past year,” added Mic Mann, co-CEO of Singularity South Africa. “There is now far greater urgency around how these technologies are implemented, governed and scaled responsibly. This Summit is designed to give delegates direct access to the people building the future, while creating meaningful discussions around prosperity, opportunity and innovation in an African context.”

Further announcements, including additional speakers and ticketing information, will be released in the coming months.

For more information, regular updates, or to book, visit singularitysouthafricaSummit.org.

The post Singularity Summit Returns to Inspire Africa’s Future This October appeared first on Stage and Screen.

The appeal of this year’s event extended well beyond Pietermaritzburg, with gaming enthusiasts travelling from across the country to be part of the action. Gamers travelled from as far as Johannesburg and Cape Town, highlighting the growing popularity of the festival and its appeal to both competitive players and casual fans.

The festival transformed the mall into a vibrant gaming hub, with free-to-play stations, racing simulators and competitive tournaments creating a dynamic atmosphere across the centre court, Wimpy court and Woolworths court. Gamers of all ages engaged in a wide range of experiences, reinforcing Liberty Midlands Mall’s ongoing commitment to hosting innovative and engaging events for its community.

A key highlight of the weekend was the highly anticipated EA Sports FC 26 tournament, which saw competitive players go head-to-head in a thrilling display of skill and sportsmanship. After a series of intense matchups, Kuzakahle Khanyile secured first place, followed by Dale Nott in second place, while Siyanda N claimed third.

Beyond the competitions, the festival created a vibrant space where gaming culture could thrive. Visitors explored new technology, connected with fellow enthusiasts and immersed themselves in an experience that extended well beyond traditional retail. Interactive elements such as Gaming Bingo encouraged exploration across the festival, adding to the overall energy and engagement.

Lawrence Joubert, General Manager of Liberty Midlands Mall, says the response has exceeded all expectations. “This year’s Gaming Festival has really elevated what we set out to achieve. The scale of attendance, the level of competition and the overall atmosphere have confirmed that this event has grown into something far bigger than we initially imagined. It has become a key moment on our calendar that continues to grow and is an experience that resonates strongly with our community.”

The overwhelming success of the 2026 edition marks a turning point for the festival, positioning it as a must-visit event within South Africa’s growing gaming landscape. As momentum continues to build, Liberty Midlands Mall is set to further expand the experience in the years ahead, continuing to deliver an event that captures the excitement and evolution of gaming culture.

For more information on Liberty Midlands Mall and its events, visit midlandsmall.co.za or follow Liberty Midlands Mall on social media @libertymidlandsmall.

The post Gaming Festival Levels Up at Liberty Midlands Mall appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Across the centre court, Wimpy court and Woolworths court, visitors will discover a series of interactive zones designed to keep the energy pulsating throughout the weekend. From competitive eSports tournaments to virtual reality adventures and rhythm-based challenges, each area will offer a chance to try something new while soaking up the electric atmosphere created by fellow gamers.

Zones Filled With Action and Discovery

In the centre court, the festival’s eSports zone will host EA Sports FC 26 competitive matches, drawing players eager to prove their tactical skill on the virtual pitch. Nearby, visitors can browse the latest gaming gear at the Game4U kiosk while discovering equipment designed to elevate their play.

Movement and rhythm take over another section of the festival, where hands-free Kinect games and music-driven challenges will invite players to step forward and test their coordination. For those who enjoy immersive worlds, the virtual reality experiences will provide a chance to explore digital environments that feel both mind-bending and surprising.

Mobile gaming fans will also get to test their reflexes with high score challenges on Subway Surfers, while a keyboard rebuild race will add a fast-paced technical twist for those who know their way around gaming hardware. Over at the Woolworths court, slot racing tracks will bring a playful burst of speed to the festival, including a colourful challenge inspired by Super Mario that younger visitors are sure to enjoy.

Throughout the event, visitors will also be able to take part in Gaming Bingo. By collecting stickers from each stand and completing their card, participants will get to enter a lucky draw for a chance to win prizes.

The Race for the Championship

Competitive players will find their moment in the spotlight during the daily EA Sports FC 26 tournament hosted on the centre court. Five qualifying rounds will take place each day, with the strongest contenders advancing to the grand final on the last afternoon of the festival.

The champion will walk away with a PlayStation 5 Slim valued at R14,000, while the runner-up will receive a Nintendo Switch worth R13,000. Third place will claim a Logitech G29 Steering Wheel together with a copy of EA Sports FC 26.

Registration opens daily at 9 am and 1 pm on a first-come, first-served basis, with matches kicking off shortly afterwards.

Lawrence Joubert, General Manager of Midlands Mall, says the festival has grown into a much-anticipated moment on the mall’s annual calendar. “The Gaming Festival brings an exciting energy to the mall. It gives players a place to test their skills, discover new technology and enjoy the atmosphere that only gaming communities create when they come together.”

For three lively days, Midlands Mall will invite visitors to step into a world of competition, colour and digital adventure as the Gaming Festival 2026 returns to Pietermaritzburg.

For more information on Liberty Midlands Mall and its events, go to midlandsmall.co.za or follow Liberty Midlands Mall on social media @libertymidlandsmall.

The post Enter the Next Dimension at Pietermaritzburg Gaming Festival appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Red Horizon combines TTRO’s decades of experience in physical simulations and experiential learning with UBU’s immersive metaverse platform to create a fully interactive, role-based learning environment. Here, participants get to step into simulated organisational roles and navigate high-stakes scenarios in real time – under the guidance of RedBrain, an AI Chairman that evaluates and gives feedback on their decisions across strategy, risk, people, innovation, and performance.

This new platform signals a significant evolution in education and professional development, moving from passive instruction to immersive, data-driven experiential learning.

A Shift from Training to Simulation

Red Horizon is built on a simple premise: The most powerful learning happens when people experience complexity, not just when they study it.

In this platform, participants enter fully immersive 3D environments and assume real organisational roles, from executive leadership to cross-functional staff. Through 5 structured scenarios: chain disruptions, cyber incidents, market pivots, technology adoption and talent challenges, they learn to collaborate, debate, and make decisions under pressure.

Every decision is then analysed in real time by RedBrain, delivering immediate feedback, performance insights, and measurable outcomes that learners can use to improve their performance in each area.

The results to date have included stronger decision-making, deeper collaboration and a visible improvement in understanding what each role requires.

A Joint Vision for the Future of Education

“Red Horizon represents the next chapter in learning,” says Mic Mann, CEO of UBU. “We’re combining AI, immersive 3D environments and real-time analytics to give people a safe space to practice high-stakes decisions. As the world becomes more complex, leadership and learning must evolve with it. Red Horizon is about learning by doing, not learning by watching.”

Kirsty Chadwick, CEO of TTRO, adds, “For years, TTRO has used simulations to help organisations build capability and resilience. Red Horizon extends that philosophy into an AI-powered immersive environment. It allows us to scale experiential learning in ways that were never previously possible, while preserving the human element that makes simulations so powerful.”

Enterprise-Grade Platform Control

Behind the immersive experience, organisations now have access to a powerful backend dashboard that allows them to allocate licenses and seats, assign gamemasters and facilitators, configure role frameworks and scoring criteria, track individual and team performance, and export detailed insights and reports. This ensures that learning outcomes are measurable, scalable, and aligned to organisational objectives.

Applications Across Education and Industry

Red Horizon is designed for corporate leadership development, recruitment and succession planning, graduate and early career programmes, university competitions and experiential modules, and cross-functional team alignment initiatives.

By simulating complex environments in a safe space, Red Horizon enables participants to test their capabilities before real-world consequences apply.

The Future of Learning

As AI reshapes the workplace and industries face accelerating change, traditional learning models are struggling to keep pace. Red Horizon offers an adaptive, immersive, and data-driven alternative.

Players get to engage with colleagues as hyper-realistic avatars using their audio and text chat, debating the correct decisions to make individually in their role and then collectively as a team.

It is a structured, AI-powered strategic simulation built to prepare individuals and organisations for the future.

Experience Red Horizon

Organisations and institutions can request a private demonstration to experience Red Horizon firsthand by contacting business@playubu.ai or visiting playubu.ai to set up a demo.

The post TTRO and UBU Launch Red Horizon appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Here’s what you need to know:

WHAT’S NEW AND UNMISSABLE

• NAG Retro LAN: A plug-and-play throwback zone – no rigs needed. Comes with meals, gear, gifts, and exclusive seating inside the BYOC. Get your tickets here from NAG
• zaLUG Live Build: Help build a 9,023-piece LEGO Star Wars Death Star
• Alien: Earth – Disney Activation: Explore a crashed spaceship in a dark walkthrough with surprise moments and atmospheric effects
• Lightsaber-Building Workshop: Star Wars fans can assemble their own sabers with cosplay guides and an expanded parts range

COMPETE, CHALLENGE AND WIN

• Win an iPhone 17 in the Call of Duty Mobile Arena by Carry1st — global first play of DMZ Mode
• Beat the pros in the “Challenge the Pro” zone and join daily King of the Hill battles with 5FM
• Set the fastest lap on the Kyalami circuit in the Project Motor Racing sim at Koodoo’s stand — prize: VEX Smart Glasses worth R5,000
• Escape to win with Hashtag Escapes’ mini escape rooms — top times win trophies, LEGO art, and vouchers
• Join the Monster Hot Laps Challenge, top the leaderboard, and score free merch daily
• Show off your skills in ACGL’s fighting cups, EAFC matches, and daily racing tournaments
• Snap to win: take a selfie at PXR to score anime figurines or enter Royal Ink’s tattoo competition (R6,000 value)
• Daily LEGO build challenges in the LEGO scratch patch
• Bouldering Competition: Pull up, chalk up and show your strength at Bloc11 – tap the boulder and win prizes

WHAT TO PLAY

• Battlefield 6 Free-to-Play Zone (NAG Stand): Test the latest Battlefield title and relive the nostalgia of Battlefield 1942
• Carry1st COD Mobile Arena: Global first! Play the new DMZ mode before anyone else
• VR and Sim Rigs Everywhere: Join Apex in the Razer zone for 1v1 battles and the Turtle Beach zone to try racing and flight simulators; visit BT Games for their biggest expo showing to date with activations, simulators and builds; Citroën, and Monster racing setups—most have prizes for leaderboard winners
• Play local indie games in Home_Coded, including chaotic chickens (Mighty Peckers) and the horror-action epic OMEN and more
• Try the ROG Ally X and Rokid AR glasses at NAG’s demo zones
• Experience cloud gaming and 120” floating displays with Viture One AR Glasses from PDC
• Test the latest peripherals from Razer, TITAN, Redragon, and Turtle Beach

WHAT TO WIN

• Golden Ticket Giveaway (NAG): Each NAG Magazine could score you a modded MSI PC worth R45,000
• Anime Figurine Vouchers (PXR): Pre-show and post-show R1,000 giveaways. Take a selfie at the stand to enter
• Tattoos Worth R6,000: Snap a pic at Royal Ink and enter to win a full-day session
• Find the Character (Citroën): Spot the unique graphic on the Citroën wrap to win a car hamper
• Instant-win prizes at BT Games, NAG, Apex, and Monster
• Daily raffles and surprise merch drops
• CineCentre movie tickets, Evetech bundles, and signed comics at Anime After Hours

COSPLAY, ANIME, ART AND CULTURE

• Join over 60 artists in Artist Alley — from tattoos and trinkets to commissions and crafts
• Explore the Anime After Hours stage: J-pop/K-pop idols, quizzes, karaoke, and fan art
• Witness the cosplay showdowns on stage — novice and expert competitions, photo challenges, and kid-friendly parades

STREAM, SOCIALISE AND SHOW OFF

• Go live with SPACE.tm’s TikTok booth: creator-style sets, livestreams, and podcast interviews all weekend
• Catch 5FM’s live broadcasts with Lula Odiba and Harrison Mkhize direct from the expo floor
• Hang in the Mettlestate Lounge with free coffee, fragrance giveaways, and gaming pods
• Step into the Smash Room, and blow off steam

WHAT TO LEARN AND SEE

• Anime Industry Panels: Learn about global licensing and study and careers in Japan from JETRO, StyIP, and the Japanese Embassy
• Home_Coded Indie Zone: Meet South African game devs, test unreleased builds and score demo access before public release

SHOW SPECIALS

• The VanguardPC x Takealot stand is bringing serious gaming firepower with next-gen hardware, custom-built rigs, and exclusive show-only deals offering up to 40% off select gear. There will also be a full lineup of prebuilt and custom gaming rigs ranging from R16,999 to R89,999. Whether upgrading or building from scratch, it’s the ultimate chance to gear up for less
• BT Games will have a host of exclusive rAge Expo-only deals available at their stand. Don’t miss out – once they’re gone, they’re gone

AND ESPORTS?

• Call of Duty Finals – Powered by Monster
  Game: Call of Duty Black Ops 7
  • SA’s top 4 CoD teams invited
  • Grand final on Sunday
• Varsity Esports Finals
  Games: EA Sports FC25, Rocket League, Valorant
  • R90,000 in prize money
  • University teams from across SA
• Mamelodi Sundowns Championship
  Game: FC26
  • R200,000 prize pool
  • Qualifiers held at Puma stores + online
• Kasi Flare 2025
  Game: EA Sports FC25
  • R60,000 prize pool
  • Showcases grassroots township gaming talent
• Mastercard Nedbank Summoner Tournament
  Game: League of Legends
  • R100,000 prize
  • Grand Final on Sunday
• RGB Gaming Schools and Student Tournaments
  Games: Minecraft, Rocket League, The Finals, Overwatch 2
  • 162 students, 32 schools, 5 new champions
• Challenge the Pro and King of the Hill Zone (5FM × Goliath Gaming)
  • Daily face-offs against Goliath Gaming pros
  • Public bragging rights and prize giveaways
• ACGL Fighting Cups and EAFC Matches
  • Fighting game tournaments + football matches
  • Public competitions with daily prizes

TICKETS

Get yours now via Howler

📍 5–7 December 2025
📍 Fourways Mall Level 8, Johannesburg
📍 rageexpo.co.za.

The post rAge Expo 2025 – All you need to know appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Johannesburg, 13 November 2025 | TCL Electronics, a global leader in consumer technology, recognised as the Global No. 1 Ultra-Large Screen TV Brand (OMDIA 2024) and a prominent pioneer in home appliances, announced the expansion of its partnership with Call of Duty® alongside the global rollout of Black Ops 7. Returning as the Official TV Partner, TCL is aligning its newest QD-Mini LED technology with one of the most anticipated releases of the year, offering players an elevated visual experience designed to bring every mission, environment and detail to life.

Big-Screen Immersion for the Black Ops Universe

Call of Duty is designed for scale, detail and fast-paced tactical action—elements that come to life on big-screen displays. TCL’s QD-Mini LED TVs amplify these moments with precision dimming, high refresh rates and refined brightness that help players track movement, read environments and respond with accuracy.

TCL C7K — Higher Brightness, More Precision and Enhanced Visual Depth

Stepping up in performance, the C7K incorporates up to 2,800 local dimming zones and 3,000 nits peak brightness to deliver greater contrast and realism on a big screen. With a 144Hz native refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and optimised Game Modes with improved audio, motion stays exceptionally smooth and responsive even during high-intensity sequences. The C7K’s elevated HDR performance enhances the visibility of textures, UI elements and lighting, creating a more immersive and finely detailed experience for players stepping into the world of Black Ops 7.

TCL C6K — Fast, Fluid and Built for Players Who Prioritise Responsiveness

The C6K delivers smooth, stable performance with a 144Hz native refresh rate, VRR support and low input lag suited for fast-paced encounters. Its QD-Mini LED backlight features hundreds of dimming zones,  improving visibility in darker areas of the map and helping players identify environmental details that matter in close combat. For big-screen gaming setups, the C6K offers fluidity and speed that competitive players value.

TCL C8K — Flagship Performance for Maximum Immersion on the Biggest Screens

Set to launch in South Africa in 2026, the C8K is engineered for players seeking the most cinematic and commanding display possible. With up to 3,840 local dimming zones and peak brightness reaching 4,500 – 5,000 nits peak brightness (size-dependent), the C8K produces exceptional clarity, depth and Halo control. Combined with its 4K 144Hz display, ultra-fast motion handling, and premium QD colour accuracy, the C8K delivers a powerhouse visual experience tailored for next-generation consoles. Its QLED technology further enhances this performance by producing an ultra-wide colour range—covering 97% of the DCI-P3 spectrum—bringing over a billion rich, lifelike colours to the screen for truly immersive gameplay.

Game Master Technology: Optimised for Competitive Play

All three models feature TCL’s Game Master suite—a dedicated set of gaming tools that automatically activates low-latency performance modes, manages VRR/FreeSync stability, and provides a quick-access gaming dashboard for real-time adjustments. Shadow enhancement features also improve visibility in darker areas, giving players clearer insight during tactical moments.

Wide Viewing Angle for Shared and Multi-Position Play

TCL’s QD-Mini LED lineup also offers improved wide-angle viewing, maintaining brightness and colour accuracy even when players are not seated directly in front of the screen. Whether gaming from different positions or playing co-op with friends, picture consistency remains intact—an essential advantage for large-screen setups.

A Strengthened Partnership Built on Years of Collaboration

TCL and Call of Duty share a long-standing partnership that has grown alongside the evolution of the gaming landscape. Over the years, TCL has supported multiple franchise releases, global creator events and regional gaming activations, consistently aligning its display innovations with the visual standards of the Call of Duty universe.

From previous Black Ops titles to this year’s Call of Duty®: NEXT, TCL has collaborated closely with Activision to understand the needs of players and enhance gaming-driven features across its lineup. With Black Ops 7, the partnership enters a new chapter, combining advanced QD-Mini LED technology with one of the most iconic franchises in modern gaming.

“Call of Duty has always pushed visual innovation,” said Scott Ramirez, Vice President of Product Marketing and Development, TCL Home Theater. “With Black Ops 7 and our newest QD-Mini LED televisions, we are delivering the brightness, contrast and motion handling needed to experience the game as its creators intended.”

“Our partnership with Call of Duty reflects our shared focus on delivering immersive, high-performance experiences for players. With Black Ops 7 and our latest QD-Mini LED lineup, we’re delivering the level of clarity, motion precision and responsiveness today’s players expect from a next-generation gaming display.” Said Mr. Majid Khan Niazi, Marketing Director, TCL Middle East & Africa.

The post TCL and Call of Duty Elevate Black Ops 7 With QD-Mini LED appeared first on Stage and Screen.

A full day of thought-provoking keynote talks and panel discussions explored the cutting edge of AI, spatial computing, robotics, and digital transformation, giving delegates a glimpse into the technologies reshaping business, society, and human potential. From practical demonstrations to forward-looking insights, the Summit offered a unique platform for leaders to engage with global experts, exchange ideas, and consider how emerging innovations can be responsibly applied for real-world impact.

Some of the Key Learnings Included the Following:

Navigating Instability and Redefining Africa’s Economic Future

Opening the Summit, David Roberts reflected on the unpredictable nature of national disruption and its impact on business and society. Drawing from decades of studying conflict, he noted that instability often emerges from within nations rather than through foreign intervention, as seen in Myanmar and Sudan. He highlighted the potential consequences of a Taiwan–China conflict, given Taiwan’s dominance in advanced chip production, to illustrate global fragility.

Shifting focus to Africa, Roberts addressed South Africa’s low growth and the continent’s untapped potential, urging leaders to consider a shared currency between South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria to drive integration and stability. He stressed that technology could also tackle corruption and crime, while collective leadership is vital to retain young talent and rebuild trust. His key message was clear: Africa’s progress depends on courage, collaboration, and decisive leadership to turn volatility into long-term opportunity.

Human Centred Leadership for an African Future

Celiwe Ross, Director: Group Strategy, Sustainability, People and Public Affairs at Old Mutual, shared that leadership needs to combine technology and empathy to uplift people in changing times. She explained that Old Mutual’s priority is to improve financial wellness for individuals, families, and communities through accessible tools that support real-life needs. Ross highlighted the important shift from selling products to forming trusted relationships that recognise customers as part of interconnected communities, guided by the African value of Ubuntu.

Ross advocated that African markets require solutions built for local realities, noting that by 2050, one in four people in the world would be African, many of whom live and work within informal economies. In addition to the importance of investing in innovation, Ross emphasised that leadership success is defined by the positive change it inspires in others, keeping humanity at the centre of transformation.

Harnessing the Power of Cognitive Computing

Aaron Frank explored how cognitive computing is redefining the relationship between humans and machines. He explained that while traditional AI systems focus on logic and prediction, cognitive systems learn context, emotion, and intent, allowing for richer collaboration between people and technology. Frank reflected on how this evolution will impact industries such as education, healthcare, and finance, where human insight and machine intelligence can combine to deliver far more personalised solutions.

He encouraged leaders to view AI not as a competitor but as an amplifier of human capability, able to handle complexity at scale while freeing people to focus on creativity and problem-solving. Frank’s takeaway for African innovators was that embracing cognitive computing can accelerate progress, provided ethics, inclusivity, and human purpose remain at the centre of innovation.

The New Frontier of Human-AI Collaboration

Anita Schjøll Abildgaard challenged delegates to rethink their relationship with AI, framing it as a creative partner rather than a tool. She shared insights from her experience developing AI systems that assist scientists in research, illustrating how machine learning can unlock new forms of discovery. Abildgaard emphasised that trust and transparency are essential for humans to collaborate effectively with AI, particularly as systems become more autonomous and influential in decision-making.

She argued that the future of progress depends less on building smarter machines and more on designing better partnerships between people and technology. Her closing thought was that Africa’s greatest opportunity lies not in replicating global AI models but in developing human-centric approaches that reflect the continent’s diversity, ingenuity, and values.

Evolving Intelligence: The Next Leap in AI Innovation

Ashley Anthony highlighted how evolutionary algorithms are reshaping innovation by allowing software to improve itself through digital “natural selection.” Drawing inspiration from Google’s Alpha Evolve project, he showed how this approach enables algorithms to outperform traditional models within days, creating unique, adaptive intellectual property for businesses. Beyond technical impact, Anthony underscored AI’s human value, freeing people from routine tasks to reclaim meaningful time in their lives.

His demonstration of an offline, low-cost exam-marking app for under-resourced South African schools illustrated how context-driven design can achieve real-world results. By evolving both technology and purpose, Anthony urged leaders to see AI not only as a competitive edge but as a tool to enhance human potential, balance, and well-being.

Designing the Intimacy Economy

Cathy Hackl explored how AI and spatial computing are transforming the way people connect, both with technology and each other. She described a future where AI agents, avatars, and spatial interfaces blend the digital and physical worlds, enabling deeper intellectual, emotional, and even spiritual forms of intimacy. Hackl argued that society is moving beyond the attention economy into an “intimacy economy,” where connection and authenticity define value.

She also addressed complex ethical frontiers, from AI companions to grief support and assistive technologies, urging designers to approach these spaces with empathy and care. Her vision placed humans, not machines, at the centre of innovation, calling for intentional design that enhances human connection rather than replacing it.

Africa’s AI Advantage: Bold Vision, Real Impact

Maureen Costello, Vice President of Google Cloud for the UK, Ireland, and Sub-Saharan Africa, shared how Google’s near-complete $1 billion investment in Africa’s digital transformation is laying the foundation for AI-driven growth. From the Equiano subsea cable to the new Johannesburg Cloud region, she illustrated how infrastructure and access to advanced AI models like Gemini are empowering businesses, researchers, and students across the continent.

Costello outlined Africa’s opportunity to leapfrog legacy systems by embracing AI responsibly and collaboratively, with a focus on education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Her message was clear: Africa’s AI future depends on bold application, responsible governance, and shared partnerships that turn digital potential into inclusive economic progress.

Preparing for the Age of AGI

Peter Xing examined the economic and societal shifts expected as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) approaches, with experts predicting major breakthroughs before 2030. He discussed the dual potential of AGI, from abundance and productivity to disruption and displacement, and urged leaders to plan probabilistically across multiple futures. Xing outlined how AI is already transforming industries, driving automation, and redefining work, while creating new demands for infrastructure, governance, and ethical foresight.

He argued that survival and success will depend on adaptability, distributed energy and compute capacity, and human alignment at every level of innovation. His closing insight reframed AGI not as an endpoint but as a test of humanity’s ability to steer technology towards longevity, equity, and collective advancement.

Robotics, Live in Action

Adam Pantanowitz introduced delegates to a new generation of robotic colleagues: Maximus, a humanoid capable of complex industrial and service tasks, alongside two canine robots, Murphy and Mavis. Highlighting their practical and playful applications in logistics, security, and social care, he emphasized that these machines act as co-pilots, enhancing human capacity, safety, and creativity rather than replacing people.

The summit continues in Johannesburg on Thursday, 23 October, with the event being screened concurrently, live in the UBU metaverse.

For regular updates, follow Singularity South Africa on social media @singularityusouthafrica. To join the Singularity community of changemakers, or to learn more, visit singularityusouthafricasummit.org.

The post Global thought leaders converge for Singularity Summit in Sandton appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Presented in collaboration with headline sponsor Old Mutual and metaverse partner UBU, this year’s event will dissect the intersection of AI and leadership under the broader theme “Igniting Africa’s Future”. With over 26 global and local thought leaders already confirmed, the programme is expanding to include additional announced speakers whose expertise spans disruption, ethics, human-centred innovation and exponential technology – more speakers to be announced in the coming weeks.

New Voices, Fresh Perspectives

Singularity South Africa has confirmed 6 additional speakers who will contribute to the dialogue on leadership and AI in Africa. Paul Pagnato, CEO, founder, chairman and board member, will speak on the future of business and leadership through transparency and trust, outlining how openness can drive growth in the AI economy. Mxolisi Mgojo, former CEO of Exxaro, Business Unity SA President and current Co-Chair of B20, will share insights on steering sustainable growth and industry collaboration in an age of disruption.

Professor Bonang Mohale and Dr Preeya Daya, Sherpa and Chair of the V20, will deliver a joint session on leading change and values-driven leadership in South Africa, calling for a stronger ethical foundation in decision-making and policy design. Dr Mark Nasila, bestselling author who writes on African artificial intelligence, will present a keynote on human-centred AI: why design thinking is the missing link, in a session that will challenge traditional development models. Caroline van der Merwe, COO and co-founder, will speak on inclusive innovation: harnessing technology to empower every voice, examining how exponential tools can be applied to broaden participation and access.

A Platform for Leadership in Action

The summit will examine how Africa’s current and future leaders can unlock long-term opportunity through responsible AI deployment, bold thinking and adaptive strategies. Sessions will range from practical applications of AI in leadership contexts to broader conversations around ethical governance, human capital and innovation-driven development.

“As the pace of change accelerates, it is clear that the kind of leadership required for the AI era looks very different from what came before,” said Mic Mann, Co-CEO of Singularity South Africa. “This year’s summit is designed to give decision-makers the tools and insights to lead with vision and purpose in a world shaped by exponential technologies.”

“Our focus this year is on action,” added Shayne Mann, Co-CEO. “We are bringing together people who are not only talking about the future but actively building it. From values-led business to inclusive innovation, the conversations happening at the summit will be both strategic and grounded in impact.”

Partnering for Purpose

“Old Mutual is honoured to be the headline sponsor of Singularity South Africa 2025 at a time when the world and our business is undergoing profound change. This summit is more than a gathering of brilliant minds. It is a platform for shaping Africa’s future through exponential thinking, bold leadership and inclusive innovation. As we evolve our business to meet the needs of a rapidly shifting landscape, our partnership with Singularity reflects our commitment to empowering people, embracing technology and building resilient, purpose-driven organisations across the continent,” said Celiwe Ross, Director of Strategy, Sustainability, People and Public Affairs at Old Mutual.

The 2025 programme will include keynote sessions, immersive workshops, a curated expo and structured networking. Delegates will also have access to the summit via UBU’s metaverse experience, which mirrors the physical event and features interactive, gamified features.

To stay informed on AI the latest exponential technologies, tune into the Exponential Africa podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts or other podcast platforms. For updates or to book for the summit, visit www.singularitysouthafricasummit.org

The post Leadership and AI shaping The Future appeared first on Stage and Screen.