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Amazon’s Tomb Raider Series Will ‘Reinvent’ The Franchise And Interconnect It With The Games

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  • Amazon announced a Tomb Raider series last year, starring Sophie Turner as Lara Croft.
  • The series will pay homage to the legendary franchise with shooting starting in January.
  • The series’s story will interconnect with the games and the new live-action show.

Amazon is currently working on a Tomb Raider series with Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner as Lara Croft. At the announcement, the showrunners promised that it would honor the franchise’s legacy, and now, further details have been disclosed. 

The studio has revealed that the upcoming Tomb Raider series will reinvent the franchise on a massive scale. It will interconnect the new live-action series and video games into a single unified storytelling universe.

Why it matters: This new development suggests that we will likely see numerous references as well as further plot points from the video games explored in the Amazon series. 

Rise of the Tomb Raider
The Tomb Raider series is in the works at Amazon MGM

The TV series is a collaboration between Amazon, MGM Studios, and Story Kitchen, and the latter’s website has confirmed these new details. This means the games’ stories will be vital for the Sophie Turner-led series. 

It is safe to assume that the story will be interconnected with the reboot trilogy game rather than the original, as Crystal Dynamics is heavily involved. Also, the newer games are more relevant to the modern audience. 

Tomb Raider
A new game is also under development 

Nonetheless, the series is shaping up to be a great prospect. It is being led by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, an Emmy winner, being directed by Shogun’s Jonathan Van Tulleken, and shooting starts in January 2026. 

We currently don’t have a release window for the show, but it is expected to premiere sometime in 2027 or later. Additionally, a new Tomb Raider game is also in development, so fans of the franchise will be eating well. 

What are your thoughts on the Tomb Raider show’s story interconnecting with the games? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

Microsoft is Ramping Up Xbox Console Manufacturing to Prepare for GTA 6

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  • Microsoft has struggled this generation with low sales of Xbox Series consoles.
  • GTA 6 might be its big break, boosting sales in the latter stages of its lifecycle.
  • To prepare for it, Microsoft has ramped up the manufacturing of Xbox devices.

This current generation is one of the toughest for Microsoft in Xbox’s history. Sales since the start never really took off, and they even declared defeat in the console wars. However, it seems that the time for the Xbox Series to shine is near. 

With GTA 6 set for its fall 2026 release, this could be the time Xbox sees a boost in sales. To ensure they can meet demand, a new report reveals that Microsoft is ramping up Xbox console production. 

Why it matters: As GTA 6 arrives exclusively on consoles at first, both PlayStation and Xbox sales are expected to get a significant boost. Microsoft doesn’t want to miss out, so it’s increasing its stock. 

Xbox Series S|X
GTA 6’s arrival is expected to boost Xbox Series sales.

According to a Reuters report, to increase production and manage prices, Microsoft is partnering with prominent Vietnamese manufacturer Foxconn, which will manufacture up to 4.8 million Xbox gaming devices. 

This move will help them keep prices stable while meeting demand amid ongoing tariffs. Sony and Nintendo, too, had to move their manufacturing out of China to keep the prices from going even higher.

Xbox Series X
Console sales have been underwhelming this generation.

Microsoft’s move does make sense, as many would rush to buy an Xbox for GTA 6. There’s no doubt PS5 Pro would be the best place for Rockstar’s game, but the Series X is prominently faster than the base PS5 at almost the same price

So, 2026 is going to be a big year for consoles, primarily due to the arrival of GTA 6 as an exclusive. With the next-gen Xbox rumored to arrive in 2027, this could give the Series consoles a nice push towards the end.

What are your thoughts on Xbox increasing manufacturing to prepare for GTA 6? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum

How Gaming Influences Modern Cybersecurity And Why It Matters Now

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  • Modern cyberattacks employ the same quick-thinking, pattern-reading, and fast-gambling mindset as competitive gamers.
  • Gamers’ habit of acting fast to get in-game rewards makes them less cautious, leading them to fall for phishing and suspicious downloads.
  • Players seeking better performance often download tools that secretly hide or inject harmful code.

I have spent enough time jumping between ranked queues and security news to notice something that feels strange at first but makes complete sense the more you think about it. Modern gaming and modern cyberattacks look strangely alike.

The same mindset we use when we push for a clutch, like pattern reading, fast reactions, quick gambles, and constant repetition, is the same mindset attackers use every day. As gaming grows, those habits spread across millions of players. Security teams pay attention because these behaviors shape how people act online.

How Gaming Behavior Shapes Risk

Women in Gaming 2025
Attackers use fake mods, storefronts, and links because they exploit players’ rush for speed and rewards.

If you play daily, you leave a long trail of activity. Logins, device details, game history, store purchases, downloads. All of it is data. Attackers watch this because our habits reveal when we are paying attention and when we are rushing.

Anyone who games knows how fast things move. You see an update pop up, a friend sends a mod, a Discord link appears, someone says “download this texture pack”. Gamers act quickly because that is how games train us. But fast choices online often mean less caution.

That is exactly why phishing groups target players. Fake voice chats, cloned storefronts, corrupted mods, suspicious trading bots. These all work because gamers chase speed and rewards.

The push for better performance makes it worse. Many players grab random optimization tools or overlays without thinking. Some of these inject strange code in the background while looking harmless.

Attackers know players want higher FPS, lower latency, and smooth matches. They hide threats inside files that pretend to offer exactly that.

Why Security Teams Study Gamers Through Purple Teaming Exercises

Corsair Vengeance Gaming PC
Security teams run drills (“purple teaming”) to analyze gaming behavior, as quick, aggressive attacks mimic fast-moving players.

Security teams now run drills that feel like scrims. They call them purple teaming exercises. Offensive and defensive groups study how attacks unfold while trying to outsmart each other.

They look at gaming behavior because modern attacks move like aggressive players. Quick pokes. Fast escalation. Short bursts of activity. Attackers blend into normal user traffic the same way experienced players blend into chaotic team fights.

During these sessions, analysts test how fast they can spot suspicious behavior. They compare it to how players notice strange movement or unusual timing in matches. Both worlds punish hesitation. Both reward awareness.

The goal is to improve defensive tools for gaming platforms, studios, esports groups, and the smaller gaming services we use daily.

Attacks Now Target Gaming Hardware

Mouse Compromised
Research reveals that gaming mice can be equipped with spyware to monitor users.

A trend that has grown quickly is the focus on gaming hardware. Gaming PCs, cloud gaming accounts, VR headsets, and even mice are now targets. Anything with power or firmware becomes interesting for attackers.

High end GPUs are especially tempting because they can run hidden cryptomining tasks without players noticing. If performance stays good enough, most people never realize something is wrong.

Peripherals are another weak spot. Firmware on headsets, keyboards, and capture cards can be modified, and most users never check their device settings.

As cloud gaming becomes more common, stolen accounts are increasingly valuable. They are tied to strong servers, saved payment details, and entire game libraries.

What You Can Do

Data Security Ensured
Attackers now focus on high-power gaming hardware, using GPUs for hidden cryptomining or modifying peripheral firmware.

Here are simple habits that help reduce your risk.

  • Use different passwords for every gaming account
  • Turn on MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)
  • Only download mods and tools from trusted and long standing sources
  • Keep GPU, firmware, and game clients updated
  • Remove overlays and utilities you no longer use
  • Check cloud gaming login history once in a while
  • Teach younger gamers to ignore tempting offers and suspicious messages

Most attackers look for easy wins. These habits close many of those doors.

Gaming keeps expanding on new devices and platforms. Each expansion produces more data for attackers and more situations where gaming behavior affects security decisions.

Security teams already study how gamers think and how attackers copy those habits. They run tests based on the same speed and pressure we deal with during competitive matches.

In the end, it comes down to awareness. The more players understand these risks, the harder it becomes for attackers to hide in the noise.

Gaming is shaping cybersecurity, and cybersecurity is learning from gamers. These two worlds are now linked, and that is why this topic matters right now.

Call of Duty Underperforms As Others Shooters Dominate 2025 — Analysts Ring Alarm Bells For The IP’s Future

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  • Notable analysts claim that COD had a rough year as other shooters dominated instead.
  • The franchise failed to innovate, made multiple critical mistakes, and faced competition from other shooters.
  • Success in the live-service genre via annual releases is not possible, even for a big IP like COD.

Call of Duty fumbled the ball with Black Ops 7 this year after the last game’s striking reception. A flurry of negative reviews by critics and gamers, alongside poor sales, made the giant stumble against rising shooters like Arc Raiders and Battlefield 6.

Prolific industry analysts now also express that COD in 2025 has underperformed severely due to a lack of innovation, AI use, and an unrealistic campaign. This caused the big-shot FPS franchise to face serious competition for the first time in years.

However, analysts also issued a warning that COD’s current trajectory threatens its future unless it turns things around.

Why it matters: Call of Duty’s downfall was unexpected this year, placing it in murky waters against other rising shooters in the industry.

Battlefield 6 vs. COD Black Ops 7
Call of Duty has faced stiff competition for the first time in years.

Speaking with Eurogamer, The Game Business’s Chris Dring and head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics, Rhys Elliot, clarify that Battlefield 6 and Arc Raiders have innovated and used a community-first approach to thrive in the live-service market.

This led to many old-time COD players jumping ship to BF6 and other titles. Therefore, Chris revealed that the monthly active player count for COD was quite low this year, despite still mostly being above 20 million.

 Black Ops 7’s specific issues contribute to its underperformance, but in general there’s a systemic challenge: the live-service shooter market is now ruthlessly consolidated.

-Rhys Elliot, analyst.

Successful live-service titles now only stand out because of their innovative approaches to existing genres. For example, Arc Raiders broadened the extraction shooter formula for gamers, while Marvel Rivals exploited the low quality of other hero shooter titles at the time.

Finding consistent success in this segment is difficult, even for a massive, established franchise.

black ops 7 boss fight
The game was also largely criticized for its unrealistic gameplay and storyline.

Elliot clarifies that COD can no longer perform well by having annual releases, but requires exceptional games with player-first development or innovation that stands out in the FPS genre.

Do you think the next Call of Duty title will improve things for the franchise, or is it going to collapse in the near future amid rising competition? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

TEAMGROUP’s PD40 Mini External SSD Launches With 4,000 MB/s USB4 Performance

[Press Release] The TEAMGROUP PD40 Mini External SSD introduces faster and more efficient portable storage for users who need speed and reliability on the go. With its USB4 Type-C interface, the drive reaches read speeds of up to 4,000 MB/s, making large file transfers quick and smooth across laptops, desktops, and other compatible devices.

Its compact build weighs just 22 grams, and the matte black and deep red finish gives it a clean look. The rubberized texture improves grip, while the built-in lanyard hole makes it easy to carry. Available in 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB options, the PD40 offers enough space for high-resolution videos, photos, and work files without added bulk.

TEAMGROUP PD40 External SSD

Durability is a key part of the design. The IP54 rating protects the drive from dust and light splashes, and a silicone cover shields the Type-C port from debris. These additions help keep data secure during daily use. TEAMGROUP also includes a 5-year warranty for extra peace of mind.

The PD40 aims to deliver faster transfers, easy portability, and reliable protection in a compact form factor, making it a strong option for both professional and personal storage needs.

Major Star Wars Game Announcement Reportedly Coming Soon

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  • A reliable industry insider claims that a major Star Wars game announcement is reportedly on the way. 
  • The reveal is not related to Zero Company or Eclipse, sparking rumors about Jedi 3 or a Knights of the Old Republic remake.
  • The announcement is expected to come at The Game Awards 2025 event on December 11.

Despite Star Wars being an incredibly massive media franchise, its game adaptations have always been a hit or miss. However, the interest of fans in new and upcoming projects has not wavered, as speculation about them has always been rampant in the industry.

Now, a reliable insider and dataminer claims a huge Star Wars game announcement is ‘coming very soon.’ The chances of this mystery title not being EA’s Zero Company or Quantic Dream’s Eclipse suggest it may be a new Jedi or Knights of the Old Republic remake. 

Why it matters: Multiple indicators suggest that Respawn might reveal a teaser trailer for the Star Wars Jedi 3 entry in the near future.

Star Wars Game Announcement Soon
Kurakasis claims that a big Star Wars game announcement is imminent. 

As reported by Kurakasis on Twitter, a big Star Wars game reveal is around the corner, and fans are expecting it to appear during The Game Awards 2025 on December 11th.

A majority of fans argue that it’s the new Star Wars Jedi game since Respawn confirmed its development earlier this year. The title was allegedly in the works as early as mid-2023, suggesting that a teaser trailer for Jedi 3 could come out in the next week. 

The less likely candidate is the Knights of the Old Republic remake, which has been radio-silent since the 2021 announcement. It has been considered abandoned by several insiders and reports in the past, so a surprise reveal would catch everyone off guard.

Star Wars Outlaws Jedi
Star Wars games have always been popular and in demand in the industry.

There’s also no chance of this game being Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws sequel, as it was canceled during the conceptual stage due to the original game’s disappointing performance. A petition tried to convince the studio to revive the project, but nothing came of it. 

The Star Wars game might also be something completely unexpected, like Skydance’s major Star Wars entry. Regardless, it’s best to take the rumor with a pinch of salt. 

Do you think the announcement will be about Star Wars Jedi 3 or Knights of the Old Republic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Game Pass ‘Lowered The Barrier’ for Expedition 33 As It Becomes Year’s Biggest 3rd Party Launch On The Service

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  • Game Pass helped Expedition 33 reach players who wouldn’t have given it a chance.
  • The turn-based RPG is the biggest 3rd party launch on the Game Pass in 2025.
  • Sandfall’s game has been a huge breakout with multiple award wins already.

When Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was first revealed, fans were a bit skeptical about it based on its turn-based combat, as it’s not the most popular genre. However, it was an instant hit, and Game Pass might’ve helped its cause. 

Microsoft has announced that Expedition 33 was this year’s biggest third-party launch on Game Pass. The game director has stated that Game Pass helped them by lowering the barrier to entry for players. 

Why it matters: Sandfall Interactive made a title they loved and thought others would, too. They managed to hit the nail on the head, and Game Pass provided a gateway to an even bigger audience. 

Expedition 33 GOTY
Expedition 33 recently equalled Baldur’s Gate 3’s seven award wins at the Golden Joystick.

Based on how amazing the RPG is, there was no doubt it would be a hit. However, in a way, Game Pass did give it a push, as some people tried it first on the service, and then bought it on Steam later to support the studio. 

It might put people (Turn-Based) who prefer more real-time action games off, but Game Pass lowered that barrier of entry.

– Guillaume Broche

The game director, Guillaume Broche, also thanked the fans, saying that it has been an unimaginable year. He stated that Microsoft’s subscription service allowed players who might never have tried the game to try it.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
It is already among the biggest games of the year.

Yes, there wasn’t too much competition in the third-party space this year on Game Pass, but Expedition 33 was destined for success. It recently won 7 awards at the Golden Joystick, and is also the most nominated game at TGA. 

Nonetheless, it has been an explosive year for Sandfall. Some of the studio members left Ubisoft, created a small studio to pursue their passion, and it has since become a magical experience to remember. 

What are your thoughts on Game Pass helping Expedition 33 open up to more players? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

How Technology Shapes Modern CS2 Marketplaces

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  • The Counter-Strike 2 skin market is a complex, active economy, not just a side part of the game.
  • Behind a quick item trade, several technical systems work together to make it happen smoothly.
  • Serious CS2 marketplaces are different from random ones because they are transparent about fees and payout percentages.

CS2 isn’t just a tactical FPS. At least not for players like me who spend half the night checking skin prices instead of queuing up for Premier. The whole CS2 market feels like a living machine where trades fire off nonstop, and behind all of that, there’s a ton of tech working quietly in the background.

Most people only see the shiny interface, but if you care about where your skins go, the backend matters just as much as the float on your favorite knife.

What’s Actually Happening Behind A “Fast Trade”

CS2 Trade
Reliable platforms offer different transaction options, such as instant sales or slower peer-to-peer trades for better returns.

When you hop onto any modern CS2 marketplace, it looks simple. You sign in with your Steam account, throw your item in, hit sell, and boom, the trade goes through. But those smooth moments are coming from a stack of tech doing all the heavy lifting.

Steam login ties your inventory to the site without you having to type a password anywhere. Automated bots take care of deposits and withdrawals, so trades don’t depend on some human hitting “accept.”

Pricing tools read recent sales from around the market, trying to keep values from drifting too far from reality. And escrow systems make sure nobody gets scammed halfway through a deal.

When everything works perfectly, you forget any of this exists. When it doesn’t, you get stuck trades, delayed bots, or support tickets you didn’t plan on sending. That’s why uptime and stability matter way more than slick menus or dark-mode themes.

What Separates A Serious CS2 Marketplace From A Random One

A lot of trading sites look the same at a glance, but once you spend real money on skins you start noticing the small details. CS2 marketplaces built for long-term use usually make things like fees and payout cuts painfully clear instead of hiding them.

They let you choose between fast instant sales or slower peer-to-peer options for better prices. They actually log what happens to your skins so you can track them. And for expensive items, they often add extra verification before you cash out.

For players juggling high tier gloves or stickers that cost more than someone’s monthly salary, these details matter. Comparison resources help, but you still have to pay attention yourself because every marketplace treats security, fees, and user data differently.

When The Interface Hides Real Risk

CS2 Skin Market
CS2 skin market reached $6 billion before the knife trade up update.

Some platforms look clean, modern, and safe at first glance, but that doesn’t mean their tech is solid. Weak handling of Steam sessions can leave accounts exposed. Sites with little logging make it hard to prove anything when a trade messes up.

Flashy bonus promos often push people to keep huge balances on the site instead of withdrawing regularly, which is risky for obvious reasons. And some marketplaces don’t handle regional rules well, which can lead to sudden restrictions or shutdowns depending on where you live.

I treat trading sites the same way I treat money apps. How do they store info. Does support actually answer. Do they announce rule changes properly before they drop them on users. These things say more about a platform than any banner promising “fast trades.”

A Quick Mental Checklist Before You Start Trading

Whenever I try a new CS2 marketplace, I always test it like I would test a new PC build. I check the actual domain instead of clicking some random link from Discord or Steam.

I skim through the fees and withdrawal rules before doing anything else. I always try a small trade before trusting a site with something expensive.

I make sure my Steam security and the site’s security settings are both maxed out. And for major trades, I keep my own records just in case something ever goes sideways.

No checklist can make trading risk-free, but it cuts out the surprises.

Final Thoughts

CS2 trading sits in a weird spot where gaming, money, and tech all overlap. Most players are worried about price changes or whether a new case will shake up the market, but the tech running these platforms is what keeps the entire economy from falling apart.

Paying attention to how sites authenticate accounts, automate trades, and communicate with users is the best way to protect your skins.

At the end of the day, CS2 should still feel like a game. A marketplace with solid tech lets that happen by keeping the trading layer smooth, safe, and predictable for everyone who cares about the value of their digital collection.

PCs And Laptops Will Be Much More Expensive Soon; Manufacturers Helpless Amid Rising Memory Costs

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  • A supply chain source states that manufacturers are helpless in the face of rising memory and SSD prices.
  • They believe laptops, PC, and other hardware will become at least 20% more expensive next year.
  • Using cheaper Chinese memory could be a potential solution, but these kits are not ready yet.

At this point, it’s become common knowledge that memory prices are on the rise due to the ongoing shortages and sky-high demand. In fact, prices have risen so much that even console manufacturers have expressed concerns regarding the situation.

For context, a PS5 Pro is now cheaper than 64GB of DDR5 memory, highlighting the gravity of the situation. According to a new report, manufacturers claim to be helpless in this situation, stating that they can’t do much about the inevitable price hikes of components.

Why it matters: The memory crisis will not only impact gaming hardware and GPUs, but it will also lead to higher prices across consumer-grade laptops, PCs, etc.

RAM Prices
More Expensive Memory Will Push Prices Up Across The Industry

According to a new report from ZDNet Korea, manufacturers can’t do much to address the crisis at hand.

A supply chain source states that manufacturers will soon have no choice but to increase prices. It is said that products manufactured after October are already being sold at a loss in the current market, and this cannot be kept up for much longer.

The report further highlights that prices of various products could rise as much as 20% next year. Also, it is claimed that manufacturers will continue struggling to secure memory and SSD orders.

The supply of core laptop components, such as memory and SSDs, have increased. We have no choice but to raise the prices of new products by at least 20%.

In particular, the report highlights laptops and PCs as products that will be significantly impacted by the market fluctuations. One alternative that these companies have considered is the use of cheaper memory, like Chinese DDR5 modules, but this solution would require a lot of time to implement.

The source concludes that these problems might not completely go away until 2028, suggesting that now is the best time to buy products like laptops.

Eidos Montreal Has Allegedly Canceled A Legacy of Kain Revival Amid Mass Layoffs

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  • Eidos Montreal has been struck by layoffs, leading to 100 devs losing jobs. 
  • The studio has also canceled multiple projects, among which was Legacy of Kain revival.
  • Other canceled projects include a sci-fi game and a point-and-click game.

As the unfortunate trend of layoffs continues in the industry, Eidos Montreal is the latest studio to be affected. The studio, best known for Deus Ex, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Tomb Raider, has also canceled some in-development projects. 

Eidos Montreal recently laid off around 100 of its staff members and canceled some major projects, one of which is allegedly a Legacy of Kain revival. For context, the last mainline game in the franchise was released in 2003. 

Why it matters: Layoffs are always unfortunate as they lead to so many developers losing their jobs, and so many great projects being canceled before they could even see the light of day. 

Legacy of Kain is finally back (Image by Steam)
Legacy of Kain revival potentially canceled by Eidos Montreal

Based on profiles from laid-off employees (via Reddit), Eidos Montreal had a Dark Fantasy ARPG in development, which focused on reviving an established vampire IP, with a design emphasis on melee combat and parkour.

This description matches Legacy of Kain, which is a Vampire game with an emphasis on melee combat. However, it has now been canceled, despite the company stating that the recent remasters did well. 

Deus Ex
One of the other canceled projects also appears to be a Deus Ex title

The other canceled games include a sci-fi stealth game, which could be another Deus Ex project or something else. A modern point-and-click game was also canceled, and there’s also a 3v3 esports title, but its status is unknown. 

Eidos was also on board as a support studio for Fable Remake, but it seems that Microsoft didn’t renew its contract. A team of around 100 people was involved from 2022 to early 2025. Nonetheless, things don’t look good for the studio. 

What are your thoughts on Eidos Montreal cancelling Legacy of Kain revival? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

Saudi Fund to Own Nearly All Of EA After Planned Buyout

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  • The planned EA deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) would see it own nearly all of the publisher.
  • 93.4% of the company will be under the fund’s control, as it will go private following the buyout.
  • The $55 billion deal is expected to become one of the largest gaming acquisitions if finalized. 

Gaming buyouts often mark a new beginning for many studios under new leaders, often bringing both opportunities and challenges. One of the biggest independent and public firms, EA, is now also approaching this juncture with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). 

A new report now reveals that this $55 billion merger to take EA private will see PIF own a huge 93.4% of the company. The exact percent split was not known until now, which will see nearly all of the company be owned by PIF alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners.

Why it matters: The buyout would mark the biggest turning point in EA’s history if it goes through. Many gamers worry that the merger would bring major negative changes to the publisher’s multiple franchises.

EA Electronic Arts
EA boasts a variety of unique franchises in the gaming scene.

A new report by the Wall Street Journal confirms that the Saudi Fund would own nearly all of EA after the merger. The tidbit was found in a recent filing with a Brazilian antitrust regulator.

The private firm Silver Lake Partners would own 5.5% of the publisher, while Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners would assume control of 1.1%. The main Saudi investor, PIF, would have the rest of the ownership.

The deal, which is expected to close next year, would be hailed as the biggest leveraged buyout in gaming history. It is currently pending regulatory and shareholder approval; EA is planning a meeting with shareholders to vote on the proposal later this month.

ea games
EA has suffered many layoffs in recent years.

The EA buyout comes at a tumultuous time for EA, as it has suffered multiple layoffs over the years. Yearly revenues have also been stagnant for a while, and multiple of its franchises have been struggling in modern times, such as Dragon Age and Need for Speed.

Saudi Arabia’s PIF is already known to have invested in several international gaming companies, such as Nintendo and Niantic. The new move to acquire EA will see the country broaden its global presence in the growing gaming industry.

Do you think the EA deal will be approved and the company will eventually go private under the Saudi investment fund? Are you content with this potential buyout? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

PlayStation Offering AI-Generated Avatars on PSN Alongside 2025 Advent Calendar

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  • PlayStation has offered a new set of PSN avatars as part of its 2025 Advent Calendar.
  • These avatars appear to be using AI-generated art, with random text in the background confirming the suspicion.
  • This is not the first time gamers have spotted blatant AI use for art in the industry.

The use of AI-generated art in games has been a heavily debated subject recently. With AAA games like Black Ops 7 seemingly relying on art created by the technology, many gamers have raised concerns about its drawbacks and potential misuse.

Unfortunately, the industry seems increasingly keen to rely on artificial intelligence. PlayStation now appears to be using AI-generated art for its latest set of PSN avatars.

Why it matters: Many believe art created by generative AI lacks the soul and human touch that makes art so special to begin with.

PlayStation using AI avatars
PlayStation is joining the AI trend with its latest avatars

The PlayStation Advent Calendar 2025 allows gamers to watch ads and earn tickets to spend on loot. This process also rewards players with free PSN avatars, but these avatars have raised more than a few eyebrows.

Looking at the images, it’s clear that PlayStation has used generative AI to come up with the art. Inspecting the ‘Neon Brawler’ avatar closely further confirms that this technology has been used in the creation process.

The Japanese text in the ‘Neon Brawler’ avatar is made up of random characters, a classic giveaway that AI was used when creating the art for these avatars.

sony single player games upcoming
Sony Wants To Become A Creative Leader In The Single Player Experience

The sad part is that the use of generative AI will only become more widespread in the industry as time goes on. Many developers, like the Dead Space creator, are backing AI use and interested in seeing how this technology will evolve.

Therefore, it would not be shocking if more and more AI-generated avatars continued to show up on PSN in the coming months.

What do you think about the use of AI here? Share your thoughts in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.