• 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.

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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

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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.

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