At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
Story Highlight
Black Ops 7 is changing Call of Duty’s matchmaking, lobbies, and aim assist on consoles.
These changes have been put in place due to the threat of Battlefield 6.
Activision has shown that competition is more effective in getting player demands addressed than the community’s feedback itself.
Call of Duty has found itself in hot water following the incredible reception to Battlefield 6. Despite claiming that they did not fear competition from EA, Activision and Treyarch have rapidly made changes to more than a few core components of the series in an attempt to regain player trust and interest.
Not to state the obvious, but this would not have been possible had Battlefield 6 not pushed the series into a corner. Indeed, changes to Call of Duty’s SBMM (skill-based matchmaking), lobbies, and other elements would simply have been unheard of in any other scenario. This is exactly why competition is so vital to the industry today.
To quickly go over the changes, Call of Duty has made three key adjustments with Black Ops 7, and they’re all big in their own ways.
For starters, the ridiculous skins that plagued the franchise for over six years are seemingly going away this year. Although there’s no guarantee Activision will stick to this promise throughout the year, this is a good start for Call of Duty’s redemption.
While many were happy with this change, a cosmetic fix could only do so much to reignite player interest in Black Ops 7. It came as a shock to many, then, that Treyarch introduced a classic playlist in the game’s beta.
Fast forward to today, and this classic, mostly SBMM-free matchmaking style has been confirmed to determine the default matchmaking parameters for the game. These two changes alone were huge on their own, but Treyarch went the extra mile and confirmed the removal of disbanding lobbies for Black Ops 7.
All put together, these three updates address practically everything wrong with the modern Call of Duty title. As someone who had completely written off this year’s entry, I’m even considering jumping into Black Ops 7 on day one to simply see the classic Call of Duty formula in action once again.
Competition Matters More Than Community
The Fandom has Had A Problem With SBMM For Many Years | Image via Twitter
The big takeaway here is that competition has driven Activision to do things it never would have imagined.
Over the last six years, there has been no shortage of influencers and players voicing their discontent with Skill-Based Matchmaking and disbanding lobbies, yet Activision has ignored this feedback time and again.
The likes of ModernWarzone and CharlieIntel even attempted to communicate the community’s wishes to Activision representatives in the past, but they were told that Skill-Based Matchmaking has always been in Call of Duty.
The publisher has also come up with various justifications for why the system needs to exist, but all that data and research simply went out of the window once Battlefield 6 pushed Black Ops 7 into a corner.
This is proof that competition is more important to developers and publishers than consumer feedback. Had Call of Duty been doing well, the community’s cries would have fallen on deaf ears just as they did in the past.
However, Battlefield 6 had such an impact on the series that Treyarch even went out of its way to address the criticisms from more skilled players regarding aim assist. All of this is ultimately great news for the consumer.
Watch Out For Next Year
Black Ops 7 Is Doing A Lot Right, But These Changes Need To Stay For Future Entries
Still, one can only trust Call of Duty so much after being disappointed time and again. In my opinion, it’s easy to see how these fixes are Activision’s get out of jail free card for Black Ops 7.
For all we know, next year’s Call of Duty will restore the status quo. This is why it’s so important for everyone to continue driving these points home and voting with their wallets.
If new skins seem to go against Activision’s promise to keep the franchise grounded this year, don’t buy them. If matchmaking feels shoddy a few months into the game’s lifecycle, stop playing for a while.
Activision may not take the community’s feedback too seriously, but it will certainly react to dwindling player counts and nosediving revenue figures.
In fact, it is said that Black Ops 7 pre-orders are worse than last year’s Call of Duty, and when taking these rumors into account, Activision’s reaction doesn’t seem so surprising anymore.
Here’s hoping 2025 was the wake-up call Activision needed all along to try harder with its flagship IP.
I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
Story Highlight
Many Chinese and Russian Battlefield 6 players are review bombing the game due to poor localization.
Some Chinese players found the localization to be dramatic and worse than AI in quality.
Russian players are dropping negative reviews because there is no official Russian support in the game.
Steam reviews paint a positive picture after BF6 was praised for its fun gameplay and destruction mechanics, but a huge chunk of the player base is currently review bombing the FPS.
Chinese players are dropping negative reviews due to extremely poor localization. On the flip side, Russian players are review bombing because there is no Russian and CIS language support in Battlefield 6.
Why it matters: While many Battlefield 6 players are content with the FPS’ increased quality in comparison to BF 2042, the Russian and Chinese players are review bombing the game due to having poor to no localization.
1 of 3
Battlefield 6 Russian, Chinese, and Korean reviews are mixed.
Chinese Battlefield 6 Players are upset with poor localization.
Many Russian Battlefield 6 players are refusing to give positive reviews due to no Russian language support.
As seen on the Steam page, these players are upset with the unexpectedly bad localization experience. This has caused the individual Chinese and Russian regional scores to land at the ‘Mixed’ rating compared to other regions at the time of writing.
EA skipped adding Russian localization despite having it in past games due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, but players are furious with this decision.
While a lack of Russian support might be explainable, the poor quality of Chinese localization has confused many gamers. The Chinese voice acting and dialogue reportedly sound dramatic, with players believing AI could have done a much better job instead.
Battlefield 6 has otherwise been appreciated for being an excellent FPS.
A mixture of other global issues has also contributed to the overall negative reviews, but Battlefield Studios is already working on fixing them. However, it’s unclear whether EA will resolve the lack of decent localization in these regions.
Do you think Battlefield 6 reviews will continue to drop because of the negative localization experience? Will EA address these issues in the coming updates? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlight
Mindseye developers have published a letter calling out the studio for mistreatment.
They say the studio miscommunicated with them, leading to around 300 layoffs.
The studio didn’t trust the developers, which caused Mindseye to fail miserably.
Mindseye was one of the biggest disasters of this year. The game promised a great deal of potential, but it failed to deliver. The failure even led to mass layoffs, and now many former and current developers are speaking out against the studio.
Almost 100 developers who either used to work or are currently working at Build a Rocket Boy have accused the studio of mistreatment during the development of Mindseye. They also faced a serious crunch before the release.
Why it matters: The relation between the studio’s leadership and developers has always been rocky, with the CEO accusing them of being lazy, while the workers labelled the studio a terrible place to work.
MindsEye developers are calling out the studio for mistreatment
In a letter published by the IWGB Game Workers, over 100 past and present developers at the Mindseye studio have called it out for mistreatment. They state that there was a serious lack of communication that led to the game’s failure.
The letter states that the studio didn’t listen to its workforce at all, leading to a creativity choke. The developers were forced to work 8 consecutive hours a day, constantly, for 4 months leading up to Mindseye.
The game had a lot of potential, but failed to deliver
Even the layoffs were handled poorly. Various developers were given wrong notices and grouped in the wrong teams, leading to poor performances resulting in layoffs. The letter commands the studio to compensate them.
In the end, they call out the co-CEO, saying, ‘This is how you treat your own?‘ and want a public apology. All this is really sad, as many were excited for Mindseye because it involved former Rockstar developers, but things turned out worse.
What are your thoughts on Mindseye developers calling out the studio for mistreatment? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
Story Highlight
MachineGames is teasing a mysterious new game in its 15th anniversary poster with a question mark.
Based on previous rumours by the developers, the new title appears to be the next Wolfenstein game.
The studio is optimistic regarding its future, claiming it has plenty of stories left to tell.
Fans have been wondering about the studio’s next project since MachineGames surprised the gaming scene with Indiana Jones. The team has already subtly teased that it’s developing a new project, with many rumors implying it to be the anticipated Wolfenstein title.
Now, MachineGames is hinting at a mysterious new game while celebrating its 15th anniversary. A poster shared by the studio reveals a secret project hidden with a question mark, implying that it is in active development.
Why it matters: MachineGames is celebrating its 15 years of established and eventful legacy, so teasing a new title in the celebratory poster has sparked a lot of excitement among fans regarding what exactly it could be.
MachineGames is directly teasing its next game in the 15th anniversary poster.
As seen on MachineGames’ Twitter, the poster serves as an indirect announcement of the studio’s next endeavor. Many gamers who were unconvinced by previous rumors are now excited for what’s to come from the studio.
A series of statements shared by various developers in light of the anniversary also reveals a high morale and bright future for the studio.
With our upcoming projects, we’re well-positioned for continued growth and success. The experience gained from our work on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™ has provided valuable insights that will only enhance our future initiatives.
-Pontus Wahlin, Lead Prop Artist.
MachineGames has also teased a new Wolfenstein game in the past, by saying “We’ve always seen this as a trilogy… I hope we’re not done with Wolfenstein yet.” This confirms that the team is not done with the gritty FPS franchise. Similarly, a job listing before has suggested that the studio is working on a new Wolfenstein title.
Many fans of the Wolfenstein franchise have been asking for a new game.
On the other hand, a recent job listing implied that the Indiana Jones sequel is also underway, so it’s unclear what game MachineGames has teased in the poster.
Do you think MachineGames will work on a new Wolfenstein game next, or will it be related to another unexpected franchise? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
Story Highlight
Battlefield 6 has become the series’ biggest release to date.
It now boasts over 740K concurrent players on Steam alone, joining the 15 biggest games on the platform.
The game is also expected to receive a battle royale mode soon, potentially bringing in even more players.
Following plenty of excitement and solid reviews, Battlefield 6 is now available to the entire world. To nobody’s surprise, the game became an immediate hit, and Dice even had trouble accommodating everyone within the first few hours.
The game has even hit 740K concurrent players on Steam, signalling a gigantic milestone for the IP.
Why it matters: Battlefield 6 follows the disappointing Battlefield 2042 release from Dice. It seems the team has completely flipped the series’ reputation with this entry.
Over on SteamDB, the game currently boasts 747,440 concurrent players.
This makes it the biggest Battlefield title on the platform by a mile, with the game boasting a 7x higher player count than Battlefield 2042’s figure, which peaked at 107,376 players. What makes this milestone all the more impressive is the fact that these numbers were recorded within the first hour of the first-person shooter’s release.
Battlefield 6 is also Steam’s 14th biggest title of all time now. Even compared to the likes of Battlefield 4 and Battlefield 3, the latest release completely outshines prior entries from the IP. In fact, Battlefield 6 is the biggest release the series has had to date.
Although the franchise has always been popular and appealed to a large part of the first-person shooter fandom, this entry is now in a league of its own. Dice must now ensure it can sustain this audience through future content.
BF6 Has Broken All Past Records Held By The Series
This is something the studio has done well in the past, with even Battlefield 2042 and Battlefield 5 improving quite a bit in post-launch updates. Therefore, the future appears brighter than ever for Battlefield.
Also, the team has yet to launch the already-announced battle royale mode for the game. This component is expected to arrive in 2026 at some point, potentially setting the stage for yet another influx of players within the next few weeks.
At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.
When it comes to overclocking, the three main components are: CPU, Graphics Cards, and RAM. RAM overclocking in particular is quite popular. RAM OC on AMD AM5 has been a debate, given the design of the architecture, and it has been challenging until the release of 800 series chipsets and Ryzen 9000 series CPUs. AMD addressed the limitations and provided flexibility for higher-speed DDR5 kits.
MSI has recently released an interesting motherboard with the B850 chipset. This motherboard comes with two DIMM slots instead of four, and it is a microATX design. This board is named MSI B850MPOWER, where M refers to the microATX form factor, and Power here probably refers to the overclocking board for DDR5.
Why Trust Tech4Gamers
Nauman Siddique is the most senior hardware tester at Tech4Gamers. He brings an ocean of knowledge to the table, including unmatched expertise in motherboards.
40+ motherboards tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
800+ hours spent testing different motherboards for our reviews.
At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.
A two-DIMM design means lower tracers between the CPU IMC and the DIMM slots, resulting in a better overclocking possibility on the RAM. To make it more interesting, MSI has also provided the EZ Dashboard tool to be used with this motherboard. This tool provides the Power on/off, Reset, and Clear CMOS options, which you can generally find in full ATX motherboards. These are handy during the overclocking session when repeated BIOS entries are needed and in case, system is not stable, these buttons help to clear the BIOS settings to start afresh.
The salient features of the motherboard include:
Extreme DDR5 Memory OC
EZ Dashboard
OC Engine
64MB BIOS
Wi-Fi 7
5G Network Solution
Lightning Gen5
Quadruple M.2 Connectors
Extended Heatsink Design
Audio Boost 5
This motherboard is listed at USD 259.99.
Key Takeaways
The MSI B850MPOWER is a feature-rich microATX motherboard designed for extreme RAM overclocking with PCIe Gen5 support.
You should buy the MSI B850MPOWER if you’re into RAM overclocking, need PCIe Gen5 support, or want a compact board that delivers high performance with excellent cooling and connectivity.
You should skip the MSI B850MPOWER if you already own an AM5 motherboard or prefer a full ATX form factor instead of microATX.
The specifications include:
CPU Support
AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 series desktop CPUs
Memory Support
2xDIMM Slots for DDR5 up to 8400MHz+ (OC)
Display Interface
Support 8K@60Hz as specified in HDMI 2.1 FRL
PCIe Slots
1x PCIe Gen5 x16 slots
1x PCIe Gen4 x4 slot
M.2 Ports
2x M.2 Gen5x4 slots
1x M.2 Gen4x4 Slot
1x M.2 Gen4x2 Slot
SATA Ports
2x
Audio
RealTek ALC4080
Network
5G LAN port and wireless connectivity using WiFi 7/BT 5.4
Total 16x USB Ports (Front and Rear), including a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C
Size
243.84mmx243.84mm, mATX Form Factor
[toc]
What Makes The MSI B850MPOWER Different?
MSI has packed top-notch, killer features on a small form factor PCB, offering a rock-solid performance, particularly high-frequency DDR5 kits and their overclocking. The cooling in the power delivery segment is excellent. The black and yellow color scheme looks good. The overall performance of this motherboard is impressive, and I have only one thing to say to MSI, “Make this board in ATX size already”!
Packaging And Unboxing
Unboxing
1 of 4
Packing Box
Unboxing
Documents
Accessories
The motherboard is shipped inside a standard cardboard-made packing box. MSI has included the following in the box:
1x mATX-sized Motherboard
EZ Dashboard
WZ Wi-Fi Antenna
Cable Sticker
Quick Installation Guide
European Union Regulatory Notice
1 to 2 EZ Conn-Cable (V1)
SATA Cable
EZ Front Panel Cable
EZ M.2 Clip II Remover
3x EZ M.2 Clip II
1x M.2 Screw
Design Overview
This motherboard uses an AMD AM5 socket that supports AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000, and 7000 CPUs. Since different SKUs have different levels of support for PCIe, refer to the user manual for more details. This board comes equipped with 2x DIMM slots. The motherboard has an 8-layer Server Grade with 2oz Copper PCB.
The on-board display comes from the CPU socket via HDMI 2.1 supporting 8K@60Hz. In addition, this socket provides 20x PCIe lanes.
Two Gen5 M.2 ports are wired to the CPU socket. All slots support a maximum of 2280 form factor drives. The other two slots are wired to the chipset. The fourth slot can only operate in x2 mode.
Power Delivery To Socket
MSI uses the AMD AM5 platform (LGA 1718). This socket supports the AMD Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 series CPUs. Ryzen 9000 series SKUs are supported out of the box.
This motherboard uses a Realtek RTD2151 HDMI signal repeater chip to convert eDP signals to HDMI 2.1a, supporting up to 8K@60Hz display output.
MSI has used two extended VRM heatsink covers without a heat pipe. They still provide a maximum cooling provision for the power phases. The thermal pads are rated for 7W/mK to ensure effective heat transfer.
This motherboard has a simple layout with a black theme with yellow lines. Dragon symbol stenciling is visible on the main heatsink cover.
PWM Controller MPS2509
MOSFET MPS2159
The MSI B860MPOWER comes equipped with a 12+2+1 Duet Rail Power System wherein the 12 phases are for VCore power, 2 are for SOC power, and 1 phase for misc power. They are using 60A SPS MOSFETS.
MSI has named it DUET, meaning that every two stages will get the same PWM signal from the controller. The main driving force is the SPS MPS2309/MP2857 PWM controller, whereas the 14 phases are MPS2519/MP8766.
DIMM Slots
MSI has deployed 2x DDR5 UDIMM slots. MSI has used the SMT welding process to install slots on the PCB for better performance. A total of 128GB capacity is supported, along with support for binary as well as non-binary memory kits. The maximum supported DDR5 frequency is 10200 (OC) MHz and 5600MHz JEDEC spec. The Ryzen 9000 series CPUs support a maximum of 8400+ (OC) MHz frequency.
This motherboard supports AMD EXPO as well as Intel XMP with dual-channel and dual-controller modes. The supported memory is non-ECC and unbuffered. This motherboard supports CKD kits as well, which are also dependent on the CPU and IMC capability, depending on the POR boot frequency.
Storage Options
This motherboard has 4x M.2 slots and 2x SATA ports. Three M.2 slots are on the front of the motherboard, whereas one is on the backside of the PCB. The backside slot does not have any heatsink cover.
M.2 Ports
1 of 3
M.2 Ports
M.2 Ports
M.2 Port Backside
I am showing the M.2 ports with their covers. As you can see fourth slot does not have a cover. The PCI_E2 shares the bus with M.2_4, and it will run at x2 when both are populated.
I have removed the heatsink covers and am showing the M.2 ports. All three ports have dual thermal pads. MSI has not cut into the functionality.
Both heatsink covers have thermal pads. All slots are Key M type. MSI has provided the EZ Clip II remover tool as well to dismount and relocate the EZ Clip II as per the length of the drive.
Speaking of SATA ports, this motherboard has a total of 2x ports wired to the chipset.
PCIe Connectivity
This motherboard has a total of 2x PCIe slots. The top two slots are Gen5 x16, and the second is Gen4 x4. The top slot will operate in Gen5x4 mode for Ryzen 9000/7000 series CPU, but it will operate at Gen4/x8 for Ryzen 8700/8600/8400 and Gen4x4 for Ryzen 8500/8300 CPUs. MSI has used an extended clip on the PCI_E1 slot for convenient removal of the graphics card.
PCI_E1 is steel-reinforced and wired to the CPU socket. The other slot is wired to the chipset. MSI calls the steel reinforcement Steel Armor, and it has heavy soldered connections on the PCB to support the weight of a heavy graphics card. MSI has used the advanced SMT technology for the PCIE slot to diminish interference and electrical noise.
The PCI_E2 shares bandwidth with M2_4. They will both be at x2 if populated simultaneously.
USB Connectivity
This motherboard is packed with USB ports on the front, rear, and mid-board. It has:
4x USB 2.0 (Front)
4x USB 5Gbps Type A (Rear)
2x USB 5Gbps Type A (Front)
3x USB 10Gbps Type A (Rear)
1x USB 10Gbps Type C (Rear)
1x USB 10Gbps Type C (Front)
1x USB 20Gbps Type C (Rear)
The AMD platform is known for its generous support for USB connections, and this motherboard is no exception to that. Despite being the micro-ATX form factor, I am glad to see one USB 3.2 G20 port.
MSI has used multiple controllers on this motherboard, including ITE IT66318FN, ASM2480, ASM1543, PI3EQX10, GL3523, etc. The main IO controller is NuvoTon NCT6687D-R.
Networking Solution
This motherboard has a 5GbE LAN port on the rear panel driven by the RealTek RTL8126 controller. The wireless connectivity comprises WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E) slot and supports MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz/ 5GHz/ 6GHz (320MHz) up to 5.8Gbps. The antenna is magnetic, making its placement convenient.
Audio Solution
MSI has implemented Audio hardware on two separate layers of the PCB. They have used the RealTek ALC4080 codec in combination with high-performance Chemi-Con capacitors.
ALC4080
Audio Solution
This is a 7.1 Channel audio solution that has S/PDIF output as well. It supports up to 32-bit/384 kHz playback on the front panel. MSI has designed the isolated analogy structure for the output on the rear panel.
Chipset
RC26008
I am showing the B850 chipset after removing its heatsink cover.
OC Engine is a precision clock generator for extreme overclocking, allowing users to adjust base clock (BCLK) frequencies independently for enhanced CPU performance. MSI has equipped the RC26008 controller for this purpose.
Let’s take a look at the connectors.
Internal Connectors
Connectors
1 of 5
Bottom Connectors
Connectors - EPS
Connectors - Motherboard
Connectors - USB
Connectors - SATA
There are:
1x 24-pin Power Connector (ATX_PWR)
2x 8-pin Power Connector (CPU_PWR)
1x 8-pin Power Connector (PCIE_PWR 8pin)
1x CPU Fan Header
1x Combo Fan (Pump_Sys Fan) Header
4x System Fan Headers
2x Front Panel (JFP) port
1x Chassis Intrusion (JCI)
1x Front Audio (JAUD) port
1x Tuning Controller connector(JDASH)
3x Addressable V2 RGB LED connectors (JARGB_V2)
1x RGB LED connectors (JRGB)
1x TPM pin header (Support TPM 2.0)
2x Direct OC Jumper (JBCLK)
4x USB 2.0 ports
2x USB 5Gbps Type A ports
1x USB 10Gbps Type C ports
Nuvoton 3968S
Troubleshooting LEDs
Each fan header is powered and controlled by NuvoTon 3968S. The CPU Fan header is rated at 2A, the pump header is rated at 3A, whereas the system fan headers are rated for 1A each.
The motherboard has 4x troubleshooting LEDs. In case of an issue, the corresponding LED will remain lit until the issue is resolved.
Rear IO Panel
There are:
Clear CMOS Button
HDMI
5G LAN
USB 10Gbps Type-A
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
Audio Connectors
Flash BIOS Button
USB 10Gbps Type-A
USB 10Gbps Type-C
USB 5Gbps Type-A
USB 20Gbps Type-C
Optical S/PDIF Out
The above picture shows the backside of the motherboard.
MSI is using a Winbond 25Q512NWEN Serial Flash Memory (BIOS Chip).
EZ Dashboard
MSI has provided a handy tool with this motherboard named EZ Dashboard. This small-sized PCB can be installed in a suitable place, although it is required outside of the PC Case for convenient access. It provides the following functionality:
Clear CMOS Button
EZ Debug LED
Power Button
Reset Button
These features are commonly seen on the full ATX motherboard. Since this motherboard is mATX hence it makes sense. It is handy-dandy for the RAM overclocking sessions.
Its main connection is via a 13-pin JDASH header on the motherboard.
MSI has provided a long cable. It has three connectors:
JDASH1
JFP1
JBAT1
The JFP1 is connected to the front panel header. You can either use the PC Case front panel cable or this connector for the said functionality.
Connecting the EZ Dashboard
1 of 3
Dashboard Setup
Dashboard Setup
Dashboard Setup
Connection is easy. Connect the bulkhead connector to the EZ Dashboard and three connectors on the other end of the cable to the designated headers on the motherboard. That is it.
The EZ Debug LED, Power button, and Reset button are white static LED lit.
BIOS
BIOS Walkthrough
1 of 14
System Status
Save & Exit
MSI Profile
Precision Boost
Power Management
Overclocking
Overclocking
Overclocking
Integrated Peripherals
Hardware Monitor
MSI EZ Mode
MSI Boot
Advanced
CPU
BIOS has the same interface that I have been seeing on other MSI motherboards that are tested on Tech4Gamers. EXPO/XMP is just one click away. CPU, RAM, and Voltage settings are grouped under the OC menu. System-related configuration options are grouped in the Settings menu. Boot and Exit options are also under the Settings menu.
You can use PBO settings under AMD Overclocking. You will find predefined profiles as well, related to the thermal limit, socket power limit, etc. Clicking on Advanced will give you total control to define your own PBO profile.
Test Build
I have used the following configuration to test the motherboard:
The above is a picture showing a run of CPU-Z. You can see that the graphics card is operating at x8 link. The RAM is operating at its tested speed of 6400MT/s after loading the EXPO.
We have divided the overall tests into four major categories. These are:
CPU and Memory Tests
AIDA64 CPU and Memory Test
CINEBENCH R23.2
Blender Benchmark 4.5.0
7-Zip Compression Benchmark
3DMARK CPU Profile
Storage Tests
CrystalDiskMark
PCMARK10 Data Drive Benchmark
Gaming Tests
3DMARK Speed Way
3DMARK Time Spy Extreme
3DMARK Steel Nomad
Read Dead Redemption 2
Cyberpunk 2077
Control
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Far Cry 6
Forza Horizon 5
Overall System Tests
PCMARK10
Performance Test
Test Result
The testing was done on stock settings with EXPO loaded. PBO was disabled.
CPU And Memory Benchmarks
1 of 6
3DMARK CPU Profile
7Zip
AIDA64 Memory Benchmark
Blender Benchmark Score
Blender Benchmark
Cinebench R23.2
In Cinebench R23.2, the CPU scored 31509 points in CPU Multi Core load and 2199 points in a Single Core Load. The DDR5 kit has performed well at its tested speed of 6400MHz. The performance in the 7-Zip benchmark is satisfactory as well, with a compression result of 175.457GIPS and 201.698GIPS score in Decompression. The blender benchmark overall score was 464.39.
AIDA64 Memory Results
1 of 2
DDR5 RAM - Latency
Performance - DDR5 RAM
You can see a good boost in the memory department using overclocking and high-frequency kits. The test result from DDR5 operating at 8000MHz CL38 is impressive, but nowhere close to the score on Intel. In that sense, 6400MHz/CL30 is a sweet spot.
Storage Test
1 of 6
CrystalDiskMark PCIe Gen4 NVMe Drive
CrystalDiskMark PCIe Gen5 NVMe Drive
CrystalDiskMark USB 3.2 G20 Drive
Benchmark PCIe Gen4 NVMe Drive
Benchmark PCIe Gen5 NVMe Drive
Benchmark USB 3.2 G20 Drive
I have used:
Gen5x4 NVMe Drive
Gen4x4 NVMe Drive
USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C Drive [Rated for 1600MB/s]
All drives passed their sequential speeds in the CrystalDiskMark. The performance in PCMARK10 Data Drive Benchmark is quite well.
Gaming Test
1 of 4
3DMARK Speed Way Benchmark
3DMARK Steel Nomad Benchmark
3DMARK Time Spy Extreme Benchmark
Gaming - 1440P Result
We have a good all-around performance in the gaming benchmarks. This shows that this motherboard can handle the gaming load easily.
System Performance Test
1 of 2
PCMARK10
Performance Test
The PCMARK10 score came to 9177, which is an excellent score, and the Performance Test overall score was 11452.
Core Clock Behavior
1 of 3
Clocks at 1T Load
Clocks at Idle
Clocks at nT Load
I have a Balanced Power profile in the Windows Environment. To record the idle temperatures, the system was put on idle for 15 minutes. The idle clocks were around 4350MHz. The cores boosted to 5.625GHz under 1T load using R23.2, whereas these cores boosted to 5.455GHz under all cores load.
Thermals And Power
I have used a Watt Meter to monitor the system-wide power draw, excluding the display LED monitor.
The gaming load power draw is 315W using a budget graphics card. This power draw would be high when a high-end graphics card is deployed. The power draw behavior of the motherboard is satisfactory.
Testing was done at an ambient temperature of 26ᵒC. I have reported thermals on the CPU, graphics card, and VRM/MOSFET.
VRM Thermals – Stock
VRM Thermals – PBO
The VRM/MOSFET was doing 53ᵒC at an ambient of 26ᵒC on stock CPU settings, whereas it did 57ᵒC on PBO with 243W load. This is a good performance from the VRM cooling solution.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If
✅You are a RAM overclocker: MSI B850MPOWER is designed around RAM overclocking on the AMD AM5 platform. The motherboard can handle the RAM OC pretty well.
✅You want PCIe Gen5 connectivity: This motherboard comes with two Gen5 M.2 slots and a PCIe Gen5 X16 slot, providing the latest and fastest in the tech industry.
✅You need effective cooling for power stages: MSI has provided a good cooling solution for the power delivery circuit.
✅You prefer good value: The MSI B850MPOWER is a feature-rich and well-balanced design that offers top performance, making it a good value for your buck.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You already have an AM5 motherboard: Skip this motherboard if you already have an AM5 motherboard.
❌Micro-ATX is not your cup of tea: This motherboard is a micro-ATX form factor, which may not suit many.
Final Words
AIB partners of AMD have or are releasing a refresh of X870/B850 motherboards. MSI has recently released a micro-ATX form factor motherboard offering top-notch RAM overclocking using a 2-DIMM design. Say hello to a powerhouse, namely B850MPOWER.
This motherboard packs 12+2+1 power phases (DUETS) with enlarged heat sinks and 7W/mK thermal pads. The motherboard packs good safety features, including over-current and over-voltage protection. The BIOS interface is the same as I have seen on other MSI motherboards.
The motherboard offers PCIe Gen5 connectivity. Despite being an SFF, it offers a total of 4x M.2 slots and 2x PCIe slots. The three M.2 slots have aluminum heat sink covers with dual thermal pads. The steel-reinforced PCI_E1 slot has an extended clip for convenient handling. The motherboard also packs 2 SATA ports.
This motherboard is a beast in the memory department. It can house up to 128GB of memory with up to 8400+(OC) MHz frequency on Ryzen 9000 CPUs. The Mem Try and Extension modes are supported along with the AMD EXPO and Intel XMP profiles. This motherboard also supports the CKD Memory kits. Memory overclocking is a breeze.
Speaking of USB connectivity, this board has a strong game with a total of 16 USB ports, including a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 20Gbps port on the rear panel. Having 16 USB ports in SFF is handy dandy.
This motherboard has a 5GbE LAN port, Bluetooth 5.4, and WiFi 7 connectivity, and it comes with a handy WiFi Antenna. The on-board audio solution is an ALC4080 codec. The Rear IO panel has Clear CMOS and Flash BIOS buttons.
Another cool feature is the provision of EZ Dashboard, which is a small-sized PCB providing Power, Reset, Clear CMOS, and EZ Debug LED. These come in handy during RAM OC sessions. This PCB uses JDASH1 as a primary connection with the motherboard.
This motherboard retails at USD 259.99 and comes with a 3-year warranty.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
Story Highlight
Battlefield 6 has launched to insane demand in just the first hour.
The game has already placed hundreds of thousands of players in queues.
Similar queues were observed when the game’s open beta arrived, so it seems the full release is just as popular, if not more.
Battlefield 6 already showed signs of success when players appreciated the open beta and asked EA to extend the test. In fact, the open beta was so popular that many had to wait in queues to finally play the first-person shooter.
A few months later, history is repeating itself. At release, Battlefield 6 players are once again being put in queues as they attempt to jump into the first-person shooter.
Why it matters: EA’s first-person shooter series hasn’t been this popular in over a decade, marking a major achievement for everyone involved in this iteration of the franchise.
Battlefield 6 Game Servers Are All Filled Up | Image via Tech4Gamers
As shown above, Battlefield 6 servers seem unable to handle the sudden influx of players at the moment. Currently, the game puts new players in a queue, showing a position of 418,000.
This is interesting since many players expected Dice and EA to iron out server issues in time for the game’s full release. It seems the first-person shooter has yet again surprised EA and Dice, becoming much bigger than anticipated.
Fortunately, going by the beta, players will not be waiting too long in the queues. Dice says that queues should be relatively short and have been introduced to ensure a smooth experience as players jump into the game.
Meanwhile, the initial numbers on Steam are also incredible already. They suggest a few records will be broken by Battlefield 6 in the coming days, highlighting exactly why Activision was so concerned about Call of Duty’s competition this year.
The Game Is Expected To Sell 5 Million Copies In Just A Week
Battlefield 6 launched less than 40 full minutes ago, so it will be interesting to see how the game performs throughout the weekend. While players are struggling to bypass the queue at the moment, these issues should be mostly ironed out over the next few days.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
Story Highlight
Cyberpunk Legends: Into the Night is an upcoming narrative-driven tabletop card game.
In an interview with Tech4Gamers, the developers behind the game stated that it drew inspiration from the Arkham Horror card game.
It takes just 5 minutes to learn how Cyberpunk Legends works, and then players can make various scenarios with their favorite Night City legends.
Cyberpunk Legends: Into the Night is an upcoming card-focused tabletop game that takes players back to the early days of Night City, where it all began.
Featuring younger versions of Night City legends such as Morgan Blackhand, Santiago, and fan-favourite Johnny Silverhand, Cyberpunk Legends is set to be a fresh yet similar experience. As per the developers, the game is heavily inspired by and similar to the Arkham Horror card game.
Why it matters: The Cyberpunk universe is filled with never-ending lore and adventures that can be told for decades to come. Fans will be thrilled to experience the beginning of Night City in a unique and immersive way.
The Game’s Art Looks Amazing, And Has Doesn’t Utilize Generative AI
In an interview with Tech4Gamers, lead designer James Portnow was asked what game could be described as most similar to Cyberpunk Legends. He replied by saying:
The Arkham Horror Card Game, no doubt. And don’t get me wrong, I love Arkham Horror, but I wanted to make something a little more streamlined, that was faster to set up and faster to learn.
For those unfamiliar, Arkham Horror is a spin-off card game featuring 1-4 players, involving a series of investigations into supernatural mysteries in the city of Arkham.
Cyberpunk Legends follows a similar blueprint, yet is a more streamlined version. Going dice-free, players would have the option to choose their class currently among four different ones: Solo, Netrunner, Rocker, Nomad, each with their unique skillset.
How You Can Show Your Support For The Game || Kickstarter
From there, the game is played through a series of scenario cards that can form a campaign. To solve encounters, players would need to build a poker-hand-esque mechanic strategically.
Learning the game is quite easy, and the developers behind it believe that it should take no more than 5 minutes to do so. Cyberpunk Legends has been receiving unwavering support from the gaming community, with its Kickstarter campaign fully funded in just 19 minutes.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
Story Highlight
DICE has confirmed that you won’t see the use of generative AI anywhere in the game.
However, the technology is exciting, and they will explore it in the future.
EA has also previously shown intent to use generative AI in its game development.
Whether we like it or not, generative AI has become a huge part of game development now. Even big companies like Saga plan to use the technology. However, it appears that DICE has decided to steer clear of it with its latest release.
The developers have confirmed that they won’t be using generative AI for Battlefield 6. The prospect of the technology is quite intriguing and could be helpful, but for now, it can’t do things that a normal developer can.
Why it matters: When the term ‘generative AI‘ is associated with a game, most people think it’s a low-effort thing and therefore not worth it. So, most will be glad to know that DICE is still sticking to the basics.
Battlefield 6 won’t use generative AI for its development .
Speaking to the BBC, Rebecka Coutaz, VP General Manager of Dice and Criterion, discussed the use of generative AI in game development. She said the tech is ‘very seducing’ but they can’t incorporate it into development as of yet.
She then further discussed the tech, saying that it could be magical if used correctly. It can allow them to be more creative and is not something to be afraid of. The only challenge right now is how to use it well.
The company does want to use the tech in the future.
EA had also previously shown interest in using generative AI. However, with Battlefield 6, you won’t see the use of it in the gameplay; DICE does, however, want to explore the technology in the future to make development easier.
Anyway, Battlefield 6 is set to release in less than an hour officially. All signs point to a huge launch, as the beta managed to reach over 500,000 players. It also received pretty decent reviews and an 84 on Metacritic.
What are your thoughts on Battlefield 6 not using generative AI? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
As Tech4Gamers’ Founder and Editor-in-Chief, I bring over 13 years of PC Hardware Reviewing and 8+ years of IT Project Management experience. Certified in Google IT Support , my focus is on providing honest product reviews and analysis and fostering a strong gaming community with 130k+ members in PPG.
Story Highlight
Testing shows that the RX 9070 XT performs 31% better on average compared to the RTX 5070 Ti on Black Ops 7.
On 1440p, the RTX 50670 Ti is 23.7% slower than the RX 9070 XT, and on 4 K, 21.37% slower.
The RTX 5090 outperforms the RX 9070 XT across all presets, but the performance difference is still not vast, considering the flagship GPU’s price.
Call of Duty is widely regarded as the world’s most popular first-person shooter video game brand, with new releases almost every year and phenomenal sales. We’re talking about 30 million copies sold or more for most games published.
If you’re a CoD fan who plays on PC, you should already be aware that AMD is by far the best option. In Black Ops 7, the same thing happened as years ago, and we see AMD leading again, perhaps even more so than in Black Ops 6, with the RX 9070 XT easily outperforming the RTX 5070 Ti, and only the RTX 5090 gets ahead of it in average and minimum FPS.
Why it matters: The RTX 9070 XT was priced $150 lower than the RTX 5070 Ti and yet still gives its competitor a run for its money. The Blackwell lineup was a massive disappointment, and Nvidia should rethink its steps for future GPUs.
Black Ops Tested At 1440p With Multiple GPUs || Source: Computer Base
We currently have only beta to go on, and thanks to Computer Base tests, we already know how well various graphics cards perform. Black Ops 7 features maximum graphics, DLSS 4/FSR 4 in Quality mode, 1.5x scaling for the RTX 50/RX 9000, and XeSS Ultra Quality with 1.3x scaling for the RX 7000/6000 and Intel Arc.
The results show that at 1440p resolution, the RX 9070 XT performs admirably, achieving 203.3 FPS, whereas the RTX 5070 manages to reach 155.1 FPS, which is 23.7% slower.
On the other hand, the flagship RTX 5090 is only 12% quicker with 231.3 FPS.
In comparison, the RX 7800 XT is on the same level as the RTX 4070, achieving an average of 120 FPS. Meanwhile, the RX 7600 performs similarly to the Arc B580, but slightly less than the RTX 4060.
Black Ops Tested At 4k With Multiple GPUs || Source: Computer Base
On 4k, however, the RTX 5090 gains an advantage, being 21.5% quicker; still, as you can see, this performance increase is insufficient given its price. The RX 9070 XT continues to perform admirably, achieving 168.1 FPS, which surpasses the RTX 5070 Ti’s 132.3 FPS.
Furthermore, it outperforms it in terms of minimum FPS (120.4 FPS vs 99.4 FPS), resulting in a 20% faster performance. In terms of average and lowest frames per second, the RX 7800 XT and RTX 4070 perform almost the same.
I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
Story Highlight
Battlefield 6 players are creating impressive maps using the Portal toolkit, which is available before the game’s launch.
A player has created the iconic Shipment map from Call of Duty, and players are already requesting many others.
The map will be playable in Battlefield 6 immediately after its launch later today.
The upcoming Call of Duty title finally has tough competition after Activision played it safe with the IP for a decade, with Battlefield 6 having a huge impact on its beta numbers. However, BF6’s Portal feature is now also being used by players to compete with Call of Duty.
Battlefield 6 players are already using the immersive map-building toolkit, Portal, to create nostalgic Call of Duty maps in the FPS. A user has already created the iconic Shipment map, which will be available to play after Battlefield 6 launches later today.
Why it matters: While this milestone highlights the capabilities of Battlefield 6 Portal, it may also push many COD players to play the game instead of Black Ops 7 due to the availability of these iconic maps.
The Call of Duty Shipment map will be available in Battlefield 6 from the day of launch.
Twitter user @Matavatar is creating an accurate depiction of Shipment in Battlefield 6, and the fan reception for it has been insane. This has caused a flurry of players to request other popular Call of Duty maps.
Additionally, Matavatar is already intending to build many other iconic maps, including Nuketown, Rust, Firing Range, and more. Therefore, it’s only a matter of time before we see these other fan-favorite maps.
It’s also worth noting that this map was created only a few hours after the UGC function in Portal became available, which shows how easy it is to use the feature. We can expect to see many maps from various franchises in Battlefield 6.
Battlefield 6 Portal is an immersive map builder that is already available before the game’s launch.
It’s unknown how exactly Activision will react to these Call of Duty maps being created and played in Battlefield 6, as it may directly impact the sales of Black Ops 7 after its upcoming release.
On a side note, Battlefield 6 has received a positive 83 Metacritic score, with a variety of critic reviews praising it for making a comeback.
Do you think Battlefield 6 will have all the popular Call of Duty maps days after the game launches? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
Story Highlight
Cyberpunk Legends’ art direction intentionally differs from the Cyberpunk 2077 video game to honor the original tabletop RPG’s (TTRPG) gritty aesthetic.
Events in the game are not officially part of the Cyberpunk canon unless they are incorporated into the TTRPG by its creator, Mike Pondsmith.
The game is designed as an entry point for people unfamiliar with tabletop games or Cyberpunk lore.
The game is most comparable to the Arkham Horror Card Game, but it aims to be more streamlined and faster to learn.
Cyberpunk Legends: Into The Night is taking fans back to where it all began, the early, grimy days of Night City. Before Cyberpunk 2077’s neon chaos, this card-based tabletop game drops players into 2012, at the very start of the Cyberpunk timeline.
We got to chat with James Portnow, the game’s designer and founder of Night Crew Games, and Irene Malatesta, the art director, about how this project came together and what makes it stand out from other Cyberpunk titles.
Right away, the art catches your eye. Instead of copying 2077’s flashy look, Cyberpunk Legends goes for something raw and old-school, more true to the tabletop roots. Irene told us how the team studied every version of characters like Johnny Silverhand, Morgan Blackhand, and Kerry Eurodyne to make sure their designs felt familiar but still fresh.
Working closely with R. Talsorian Games and Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith, they’ve made sure this new take still feels like real Cyberpunk.
James explained that the game is meant to be super easy to jump into, even if you’ve never played a tabletop game before. It’s co-op, fast to set up, and doesn’t use dice, just cards.
There’s combat, puzzles, choices, and a whole lot of replayability, especially once you unlock the roguelike deckbuilding mode. Whether you play solo or with friends, there’s always a new way to mess things up in Night City.
With its Kickstarter campaign smashing goals and fans hyped to dive into the early Cyberpunk lore, Cyberpunk Legends: Into The Night feels like something special. It feels like a love letter to the world Mike Pondsmith created, told through cards, art, and a ton of passion from a team that clearly knows and loves this universe.
My very first question would be regarding the game's art, which is something that seems to be emphasized a lot and is probably the game's main selling point. Going for a completely different aesthetic from Cyberpunk 2077, what were your biggest fears of living up to the bar or your thought process on creating new designs for fan-favorite characters like Silverhand (who now resembles the original intended David Bowie/Billie Idol look), Young Blackhand, Santiago, or others?
James Portnow (game designer, studio founder): Ha, on that I’ll defer to Irene!
Irene Malatesta (art director): It’s a huge privilege and responsibility to create images of these well-known characters, and one that we all take seriously. We dove into all the existing imagery and descriptions of characters like Blackhand, Santiago, Kerry Eurodyne, and of course Johnny Silverhand to understand how they’ve been depicted before and what were the essential aspects of those characters, both visual details and personality vibes. We’re officially licensed by R. Talsorian games, and James (Night Crew Games founder and head game designer) is good friends with Mike Pondsmith, creator of Cyberpunk, so we’ve had Mike on speed dial when it comes to ensuring that our vision of the characters honor his original creative intent.
Our game is set in 2012, at the beginning of the Cyberpunk timeline, so we really wanted to capture the characters as they appear in the TTRPG. As far as the aesthetic being different from the video game, that’s intentional. We wanted to contribute and offer players a new way to experience this narrative world we love so much, and communicate the sense of grit and darkness along with hope. I think the artists we commissioned have done an amazing job in helping realize and expand the vision.
Are the events and potential storylines in Cyberpunk Legends: Into The Night considered canon within the Cyberpunk 2077 timeline, or is it a separate adventure set in the same universe?
James Portnow: Great question. It’s been a blast getting to explore and expand the early history of Cyberpunk, but to me, nothing’s canon until Mike and the crew at R. Talsorian bring it into the TTRPG. Though they’ve been great about that, we’re not even released yet, and tiny bits of Legends lore have already started to seep in…
Since the art looks so interesting, could we have an art book somewhere down the line for Cyberpunk Legends?
Irene Malatesta: A Cyberpunk Legends art book would be a dream project! It all depends on the amount of interest we get from fans. Creating a high-quality book featuring the artwork, the stories, and the incredible artists and studios we’ve worked with would be a fascinating and fun project; if we raise enough funds and get the time, we would love to do it.
How would you appeal Cyberpunk Legends to someone who hasn't played tabletop games before or isn't familiar with this genre of games?
James Portnow: This is designed to be a good entry point for new players. It’s quick to set up, quick to learn, and because the narrative has your crew coming to Night City for the first time, you don’t need to know anything about the world before stepping in.
It’s also got a lot of variety in the play; beyond just the obstacles and combat, there’s puzzles, narrative, mysteries to solve, choices to make…when I’m watching playtests, I love seeing players who might not be as familiar with tabletop games light up when they see the answer to a puzzle where no one else does. It gives them their moment to shine and to contribute to the team as they’re still getting their sea legs with tabletop play in general.
Oh, and it’s a co-op game, so all the other players are there to help you out. We’ve specifically designed the tabletalk rules to encourage people to work together while still keeping anyone from taking over and just telling people what to do.
There are multiple ways to play this game: solo, co-op, whether it's two-player, three-player, or four-player. What would you define as the best way to play this game?
James Portnow: It really depends on what you’re looking for. Personally, I love the banter and the role-playing aspects, so I like having a full party, but as you lower the player count, the combat encounters become a little more strategic. Each player has more control of the action, so the challenge becomes less one of how to communicate and a little more about solving the puzzle of how you address whatever terrible mess you’ve gotten into with the more limited card selection you have available.
Eh, as much as I say my favorite is four-player, it really is just different. After saying that last sentence, I realized how many nights I’ve spent trying to do a perfect run solo…
How would you rate the card game's replayability, and what elements contribute most to it?
James Portnow: Great question. The main game is a co-op campaign card game. This means that it’s narrative-driven, and as much as I’ve loved testing it hundreds of times, most of the variation you’re going to get is from who you play with and some of the choices you make along the way.
But there’s also a roguelike deckbuilding mode, so when you’re done with the campaign, you can use all the cards you’ve gotten to take on a tough-as-nails roguelike’ boss rush’ mode.
Cyberpunk Legend's Kickstarter campaign was fully funded in less than 20 minutes, and at the time of this writing, it has surpassed 10X of its original goal, nearing almost $800k. What is your response to the overwhelming support from the community, and what would be your message to Cyberpunk fans?
James Portnow: You’re breathtaking!
Seriously, though, this is life-changing for us. Your support means that we can focus on this game full-time and really make it become what we always thought it could be. Because we don’t see this first set as the end, it’s only the beginning. We have many more expansions and campaigns planned. We want you to be able to use the cards you get now in adventures five years from now.
So again, thank you, everyone. This support means we really get to take a shot at making that dream a reality.
Can gamers get into the card game without having played Cyberpunk 2077? Would they have the same amount of fun with the co-op card game, or would they miss out due to not knowing enough Cyberpunk lore?
James Portnow: Ha! Good question. There’s plenty of easter eggs and lore revelations for veteran players to pick up on, but we set the game in 2012 specifically so we could start at the very beginning of the Cyberpunk timeline.
Legends kicks off right at the outset of events that will have a huge impact 65 years down the timeline, but because this is where things start, it’s easy for anyone to jump in and follow along.
What inspired the decision to go dice-free and choose a card-focused tabletop experience instead?
James Portnow: I started working on this during the pandemic, and I really wanted to create something that I could play with all of my friends. This meant something with little setup time, something that was easy to pick up and bring with you anywhere, something that could be paused and restarted when needed. The fewer components I used, the easier it was to meet all those design goals.
Plus, there’s so much design space left in the card world…we see the same types of card games get trotted out over and over with minor variations; I was excited to see if we could offer a totally new experience with a deck of cards.
What are some of the features or plans that did not make it into the final version of Cyberpunk Legends: Into the Night? Perhaps a design idea you loved but failed to include due to scope or balance issues?
James Portnow: The one I’m really excited about is the possibility of players creating their own scenarios: building adventures for their friends like they could with a TTRPG. The problem was that doing so required a lot more cards than we could possibly release in the core set.
But we’re actually beta testing it with some of our Kickstarter backers. If we could give people a tool to tell unlimited stories in a way that’s a bit easier than the blank page tabletop RPGs present you with, I’d consider that a huge win.
In your opinion, which tabletop game comes closest to Cyberpunk Legends in terms of gameplay, theme, and overall experience?
James Portnow: The Arkham Horror Card Game, no doubt. And don’t get me wrong, I love Arkham Horror (I even have a copy of Arkham Horror sitting right next to me on my desk), but I wanted to make something a little more streamlined, that was faster to set up and faster to learn. I also wanted the cooperative mechanisms to be built a little more directly into the play.
But if you like the Arkham Horror style of co-op card game, with narrative, progression, and choices, I think you’ll get a kick out of Legends.
Talking with James and Irene made it clear that Cyberpunk Legends: Into The Night isn’t just another spin-off; it’s a real passion project. You can tell how much the team cares about the original world and the fans who’ve stuck with it since the tabletop days.
It’s cool seeing a game that doesn’t try to outshine Cyberpunk 2077 but instead goes back to what made the world so interesting in the first place.
With the Kickstarter already blowing past expectations, it’s obvious that people are ready for more stories from Night City, just told in a new way. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the series or someone who’s never played cards in your life, this game sounds like the perfect entry point.
Big thanks to James Portnow and Irene Malatesta for taking the time to chat and share what’s next for Cyberpunk Legends. Night City’s future looks bright, or at least neon-lit and dangerous, just the way we like it.
