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Story Highlights
We already have Lian Li’s SL Wireless fans that can connect up to 4 fans in a row with a battery and connected via a wireless USB dongle.
Other than that, stealth components are more common in the industry with backplate motherboards and back power connector-based GPUs.
Some AIO coolers allow you to have clever routing techniques that minimise the cables to make it appear wireless.
The idea of having a cable-free setup sounds like a dream for most. Not only does the entire PC build look extremely sleek, but it’ll also remove much of the hassle of installing the components itself. But what if I tell you that this dream isn’t that far away?
Cable Free Setup (Image By YT/Radium PCs)
How Far Are We From A Cable-Free Setup
Wireless gaming peripherals, especially keyboards and mice, are now being perfected to reduce latency, and they have advanced so much that wired ones often feel like a useless investment in the modern age.
Apart from these peripherals, my primary focus is on incorporating cable-free components into your PC. Although we don’t currently have wireless components, we do have a concept that suggests we’re shifting towards a wireless future.
The Future Is Already Here
We already have a wireless PC case fan that doesn’t require any wire whatsoever. Lian Li has led this innovation with their SL Wireless fans featuring LCD displays. The premise is that you slide each fan and connect them just like any other Lian Li fan, but now you also get a wireless batterypack attached to them.
And then you connect these fans via a wireless USB dongle for connectivity, and you get a completely wireless fan setup. You can choose either the standard or reverse-blade fans, and both come with the Infinity Mirror aesthetic.
“Stealth” In Gaming Components
This was the first step to actually go completely wireless. Apart from that, we also see another concept emerge in the gaming industry that isn’t completely wireless but gets the job done: the concept of stealth. This is where the components are designed in a way to hide the cables
Stealth GPUs
What’s interesting is that this has been out in the market, but many people are unaware of it. We already have the stealth series GPUs like the 5090 Stealth Ice, which is designed to hide the power cable.
5090 Stealth Ice (Image By Gigabyte)
This way, when you see the GPU from your PC, you don’t see that 12VHPWR cable dangling in front of the GPU. Instead, it is located at the back of the motherboard. I’ve always hated seeing that cable emerge because it hinders the aesthetics.
Motherboards
Motherboards hopped on this trend and are more common for stealth than other components. Boards such as the Auros stealth series offer backplateconnectivity, where you can plug the power and the cables from the backside rather than the front.
Instead, the front side is fully covered, leaving space for only the attachable components like RAM, GPU, and CPU. Even the SSD tray is hidden in a sleek way that complements the design of the motherboard.
This removes the eyesore of 24-pin and 8-pin SATA cables cluttering the front side of your board, which is usually what’s on the display. After all of this mess has been removed, it looks like an extremely neat setup.
AIO Coolers
AIO coolers are also stepping into this trend. Some AIO coolers, like the Lian Li’s Hydroshift II, allow you to cleverly minimize the cable length when you route their cables through the tubing along the radiator’s edge.
This minimizes the two tubes that go from your pump block to the radiator, and it looks as if the tubing came in a reduced length. Pair it with daisy-chained fans in a cable routing-friendly case like the Lian Li O11 Dynamic Mini V2 Flow, and you get a heavenly setup that literally looks like it’s wireless.
Lian Li HydroShift II (Image By Tech4Gamers)
What About Storage Devices?
While this is all that we’ve gotten, we can see how we can actually go all in when it comes to cable-free setup. As for the storage devices, they’re pretty hidden inside the case already.
However, we’re already seeing people shift to cloud storage, and it’ll be a matter of time before they make the complete transition and abandon storage devices like HDDs and SSDs altogether.
Verdict
All-in-all, we’re seeing a future where cable management will become irrelevant. Currently, the Stealth editions are on the expensive side, but it is expected that this will become the norm before we fully transition to a wire-free setup.
As a Senior Hardware Reviewer at Tech4Gamers with over a decade of hands-on experience, I dive deep into benchmarking GPUs, CPU coolers, and motherboards, pushing hardware to its limits. Passionate about overclocking and fine-tuning performance.
Be quiet! has released a new generation of mainstream liquid coolers named Pure Loop 3. This series has two editions: Pure Loop 3 and Pure Loop 3 LX. The users who like simplicity, novel looks, and a neutral theme would prefer the Pure Loop 3, whereas the LX edition comes with A-RGB lighting and a new take from any vendor for the block’s customization.
Be quiet! has introduced interchangeable lighting foils. The user can use any of the 10 foils that come with the cooler for more pop on the block, which is enhanced by A-RGB backlighting. It definitely looks dope in person. The LX series has 240mm, 360mm sizes, whereas the non-LX also comes in a 280mm size.
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80+ coolers tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
900+ hours spent testing different CPU coolers for our reviews.
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I am taking a look at Pure Loop 3 LX 360 variant, which is compatible with Intel LGA 115x/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets. The MSRP of this variant is USD 129.90 and Euro 119.90 with a 3-year warranty.
Here are the specs:
Radiator Dimension
397x120x27mm
Radiator Material
Aluminum
Pump Speed
3000 to 5500 RPM
Pump Connector
4-Pin PWM
Base Material
Nickel Plated Copper
A-RGB Lighting Connector
Standard 5V, 3-Pin
Net Weight
1280 gm
Fan Dimension
120x120x25mm
Fan Speed
2100 RPM at 12VDC
Fan Safety Current
0.45 A
Fan Connector
4-Pin PWM
Fan Bearing
Fluid Dynamic Bearing
Fan Life Span
60,000 hours
[toc]
What Makes The Pure Loop 3 LX 360 Different?
be quiet! is back with a bang with the release of Pure Loop 3 series liquid coolers. These coolers offer a good overall performance using ARGB and non-RGB editions. The customization option provided with the LX edition, using lighting foils, has my praise.
Packing And Unboxing
Unboxing
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Packing Box
Container Box
Box Contents
This cooler comes inside a paperboard packing box with the be quiet! standard theme. The egg carton inside the outer box has the contents. The following are provided:
1x Intel Backplate
2x Intel Mounting Brackets
4x Intel Backplate Screws
4x Locking Washers / O-Rings
4x Intel Spacer Nuts
4x Mounting Brackets Fastening Screws
1x set of AMD AM4/AM5 Mounting Brackets
4x AMD Screws
4x AMD Spacers
12x Radiator Screws
12x Fan Screws
1x Thermal Paste Tube
3x Zip Ties
1x Adapter Extension Cable
1x Sheet of 10 Lighting Foils
1x Pump Top Cover
1x User Manual
1x Safety Paper
Design
Let’s take a look at the unit.
Radiator
This cooler has a 360mm radiator made of aluminum material and has an overall dimension of 397x120x52mm. 52mm height includes the fans.
The assembly has 12 channels for coolant flow with an FPI count of 20. A gap between the two opposite end holes on the main frame is 105mm. Overall build quality is satisfactory, and I did not observe any bent or broken fins.
This generation of liquid coolers also features the refill port like the previous generations. This port is now located near the block of the radiator and features a screw plug that is compatible with a Philips screwdriver. This makes life easy when it comes to servicing the cooler in the long run, should the coolant level drop.
The tubes are in the center of near block of this radiator. The connection is concealed using a single housing of clamps. A sticker shows the serial number of the unit.
The side frame of the radiator housing has no branding. Be quiet! uses a rubber tube with a black nylon braided mesh sleeve. These tubes have a length of 410mm, and they are somewhat flexible.
Block
Be quiet! has used the basic footprint of the Silent Loop series block on this generation of Pure Loop 3 coolers. Looking at the top, one can see a frosted diffuser with A-RGB LEDs underneath. They have provided a sheet of 10x lighting foils, and you can place any foil over this diffuser for stunning visuals. This also means that you can create your own 3D foils.
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Logo Designs
Logo Designs
Logo Designs
Logo Designs
Be quiet! has provided 10x lighting foils that are interchangeable and reusable. They are easier to place and remove. All that you need to do is insert the foil into the top housing, for which you may need to bend a bit on the border of the foil. Once inside, simply put the top lid on the pump top.
The main housing is surrounded by another supporting structure that has two pre-installed screws on the sides. The rear of the block has 90ᵒ fittings on which the tubes are attached. Two single flat cables come out of the housing.
The pump is regulated using a 4-pin PWM connector. The pump is rated for 3000 to 5500 RPM speed. It uses a 6-pole, 3-phase motor for whisper-quiet operations. The other connector is 5V, 3-Pin A-RGB for the A-RGB LEDs.
The cooler has a nickel-plated copper base. It has a protective sticker. Don’t forget to peel it off.
Light Wings LX120 PWM Fans
be quiet! has provided Light Wings LX 120 high-performance PWM fans with this cooler. These fans feature a closed-loop motor design to ensure that the RPM of the fans does not change due to back pressure. Each fan has 9 frosted blades with a stripe design.
The backside has a 4-arm assembly with an angular design to provide a focused flow. One of the arms provides a path for the wires to be routed from the center to the frame. The power rating of the fans is printed on the backside.
The frame of these fans is quite sturdy. One side of it has two arrow markers showing the direction of the airflow through the fan and the direction in which the blades spin. The other side has be quiet! branding over it.
Be quiet! uses proprietary connectors on these fans. Each fan has a connector and a socket to daisy chain the fans. Since the cables are cut short, it would ease the cable management for a clean look.
Installation
The cooler is tested on the MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX motherboard using Intel Core i7 13700k. The installation steps include:
Prepare the backplate using Intel screws and O-rings.
Place the backplate on the motherboard’s backside.
Use Intel Spacer Nuts to secure the backplate on the motherboard.
Place the Intel mounting brackets on top of the Intel Spacer Nuts.
Secured these mounting brackets using the 4x screws.
Apply thermal paste on the CPU.
Remove the protective cover from the base of the cooler.
Place the block on the CPU, aligning the 2x screws on the block with the holes on the mounting brackets.
Start tightening the screws until the threads run out.
Install lighting foil.
Install fans over the radiator.
Install the radiator assembly in the PC case.
Connect the RGB cable to the motherboard.
Connect the 4-pin PWM connector cable from the Pump to the water_pump or AIO_pump header of the motherboard.
Daisy-chain the fans and connect the 4-pin connector to the CPU_Fan header of the motherboard. You can use any 4-pin header, provided it supplies the combined power of three fans.
Installation is completed.
Clearance
This cooler has a dimension of 397x120x52mm with fans. Make sure your PC Case supports this dimension.
A-RGB Lighting
This cooler uses a standard 5V, 3-Pin A-RGB connector on the pump housing, making it compatible with the RGB sync technology of motherboard manufacturers, including:
ASUS Aura Sync
ASROCK-Polychrome Sync
GIGABYTE RGB Fusion 2.0
MSI Mystic Light Sync
ARGB Design
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The cooler is tested on the MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX WiFi motherboard, and it was responding well to the changes in Mystic Sync app. The lighting foils are adding a magic to the outlook of this cooler.
Thermaltake Core P6 TG Snow Edition in an open frame layout
Here is the settings table for testing:
Clock (MHz)
Auto
Voltage (V)
Auto
Power Profile
Intel Default
Thermal Paste
Noctua NT-H2
Thermal Paste Application
Center Line
Test Run Time
30 minutes
IdlingTime
10 minutes
All Fans Speed
100% PWM Duty Cycle
Pump Speed
Stress Software
CINEBENCH R23.2
Monitoring Software
HWINFO64
Result
Be quiet! Pure Loop 3 LX 360 offers a good performance, particularly compared to the Pure Loop 2 360 cooler. The fans are quiet even at full speed, which makes it even more compelling.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If:
✅Looking for a high-performance: The be quiet! Pure Loop 3 LC 360 offers a good thermal and acoustic performance out of the box.
✅Looking for something refreshing for the visuals: The lighting foils add the missing touch to the overall look and feel of the unit, providing a next-level customization.
✅Looking for a budget cooler with no compromise: This cooler, while costing comparatively less, offers good performance.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌Already have a good liquid cooler: Skip this cooler if you already have a liquid cooler that is doing you well.
Conclusion
I have tested Pure Loop 3 LX 360, which is a new cooler from be quiet!. This cooler features an aluminum radiator having a size of 397x120x52mm with the fans. It is compatible with Intel LGA115x / 1200 / 1700 / 1851 and AMD AM4 / AM5 sockets.
This new cooler also comes equipped with a refill port, but this time, the extra coolant bottle is not provided. The nylon braided sleeved rubber tubes have a length of 410mm. The pump is rated for a 5500 RPM speed and is PWM regulated.
The pump housing has a bold, stylish outlook. It features subtle A-RGB lighting on the top. The key feature is the reusable lighting foils that can be placed over the top diffuser for ARGB backlighting. The top cover is provided separately.
This cooler comes with three Light Wings LX PWM fans. They feature a closed-loop motor design to ensure the same speed regardless of the current/voltage and back pressure. Each fan is rated for 2100 RPM. However, other data is not provided. Their life span is mediocre with 60,000 hours at 25ᵒC ambient.
The installation of this cooler is no different than the previous generation of the Pure Loop/Silent Loop series of coolers. I have tested this cooler on an Intel LGA1700 socket. It requires 19 items to install the block over the CPU.
Be quiet! Pure Loop 3LX 360 has an MSRP of USD 129.90 | Euro 119.90. This cooler packs a good overall performance at a reasonable price tag with good customization. This cooler comes with a 3-year warranty.
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
The Nintendo Switch 2 has now sold 2.4 million units in 3 months in the U.S, dethroning PS4’s fastest-selling console record by 200k units.
Furthermore, the Switch 2 has also sold 77% more units compared to its predecessor.
Video game spending has increased by 11% percent thanks to the Switch 2 compared to the same period last year.
It’s been more than 3 months since the Switch 2 was released, and despite the underwhelming hype, the handheld console is pushing numbers for Nintendo like never before.
In the U.S., the Switch 2 has now surpassed 2.4 million consoles, becoming the fastest-selling console ever. For comparison, it has a whopping 77% more sales compared to the original Switch.
Why it matters: Nintendo’s impact continues to broaden, and it has now solidified its place as a worthy competitor to other gaming giants, such as Microsoft and Sony.
Hardware – Year-to-date video game hardware spending has grown 20% versus a year ago, reaching $2.9 billion. Unit sales are up 6.5% year-on-year, with the average selling price increasing by 12.3%, to $453 per unit sold.
According to Mat Piscatella from Circana, the Switch 2 has led to an 11% increase in video game spending in the same month compared to last year. Furthermore, the previous record of PS4 selling 2.2 million in 3 months has been dethroned by the Switch 2, with a gap of 200k units.
Despite inflation and economic conditions, hardware spending has also increased by 20%, now reaching a massive $2.9 billion compared to the same period last year.
While the Switch 2 has been performing really well, fans, on the other hand, expected more from Nintendo. There aren’t many exclusives for the new handheld compared to the original Switch.
For Reference, The Steam Deck And All Other Combined Handhelds Sold 6 Million Units As Of 2024
For the few available exclusives, fans are also unhappy with the $80 pricing.
Furthermore, the promised AAA support is also proving to be quite underwhelming. On the bright side, the Switch 2 is definitely capable of these AAA games and is a strong competitor to the budget Xbox Series S console.
Have you bought a Switch 2 console yet? What are your thoughts on the handheld device? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.
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
Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has sold 5 million copies.
New content for the game is on the way, and it includes playable areas, bosses, and more.
More information regarding the update will be shared in the near future.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may be a few months old by now, but it remains one of the most talked-about games of 2025. The RPG has already sold millions of copies and garnered praise from all types of fans and critics, but it seems Sandfall Interactive is keen on giving more to its audience.
In a new update, the studio has officially confirmed more content for the RPG. The team has also announced a new sales update.
Why it matters: Sandfall Interactive has already more than proved its worth with its first release. Therefore, any additional sales will guarantee the team continues to thrive moving forward.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Has A Shot At Winning Game of The Year
According to Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has now sold 5 million units.
The team is celebrating this occasion by confirming new content, which goes beyond the typical add-ons games receive post-launch. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to receive a new playable location with more enemies and exploration opportunities.
Players can also look forward to new boss fights and costumes. Finally, more localization support is being added, leading to a total of 19 supported languages.
As for the new content, Sandfall Interactive is currently quiet. However, the team has shared an image teasing Verso and his adventures with Esquie. This element of the game was often talked about in the main story, so it seems Sandfall Interactive may be looking to expand on one of the game’s main characters.
Perhaps the best part about this announcement is the fact that all of this will be added to the RPG for free in the near future.
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
Streaming is among the most lucrative jobs within the gaming industry.
A solid career in this field requires great conversation skills, a unique identity, and more.
Streaming may not be viable for everyone, so a backup plan is also not a bad idea.
The gaming industry has grown enough to a point where streaming can be a dream career for those passionate about playing games and sharing their experiences. The likes of Ninja, Shroud, and more are among the most famous individuals in the industry today, inspiring a wave of gamers who hope to pursue a similar career moving forward.
However, streaming isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, even if it may appear to be from the outside. Once you choose this career, you become an entertainer, and your gameplay becomes more about charming and entertaining others. Moreover, it is important to actually plan out content and pick the right platform, software, and game for consistent growth.
Why it matters: Between the new popularity of competitive gaming and entertaining content, streaming has become all the rage today.
Initial Preparations
Twitch is The Most Popular Streaming Platform
For starters, choosing the right platform is key to finding success. Sticking with Twitch or YouTube is never a bad idea, but it’s always best to keep your options open.
Multistreaming also makes it incredibly easy to simultaneously showcase gameplay on YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and other platforms, so you don’t necessarily have to stick to one platform.
Moreover, a reliable streaming software can make or break the experience, so I personally recommend Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) for the task.
Setting The Mood
Whether it be their general conversation style or audience, every streamer is different from the other. One big differentiating factor comes from how streamers set up their backgrounds.
Some go for cozy setups with warm lighting, while others pursue a more energetic and electric vibe. Ultimately, there is no wrong choice here as long as you establish a unique identity.
Keeping Conversations Flowing
Streamers Like Shroud Are Great At Engaging Audiences
A major challenge associated with streaming comes from the conversations themselves. Streamers are required to constantly talk to their audience or themselves, often giving them little downtime.
Even when they aren’t reading the chat, streamers comment on in-game actions, strategies, or events. This is something that might throw new streamers off at first, but a little practice can certainly make it easier to handle conversations.
Personally, I would recommend inviting friends for the first few streams to help break the ice and entire new viewers.
Be Authentic
As I mentioned above, identity is a crucial part of a streamer. This is why it’s a bad idea to copy someone or base your entire online persona around another popular streamer.
Ultimately, the best streamers have audiences that stay for their personalities. This is why being true to yourself is so important. Also, let’s not forget how tiring it would become to constantly mimic someone else’s personality.
A Backup Plan
Of course, it’s entirely possible that you won’t succeed as a streamer, even after doing everything right.
Fortunately, gaming enthusiasts have no shortage of options. You can make some money online by writing game reviews, testing games, selling in-game items, or coaching others. Services like JumpTask even offer rewards for playing/testing games.
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
Xbox has been marketing Silent Hill F by reminding people they don’t own the game, just a license.
Some fans defended this approach, arguing that it is a fact about video games.
However, many criticised this anti-consumer approach of the Xbox and lamented the state of the entire gaming industry.
The company has been moving towards a no-hardware ecosystem by making titles available to play anywhere. However, fans have some concerns regarding the advertising that Xbox is doing, deeming it especially anti-consumer.
Why it matters: For a company that is rumored to be software-exclusive very soon, this is a troubling sign for the times ahead.
Xbox is reminding players that you won’t completely own Silent Hill f. | Source: Reddit
As spotted by a fan on Reddit, Xbox is marketing Silent Hill F with a tag underneath stating that you will only purchase the license to play the horror title and not the entire game itself.
For sure, this is an underlying fact about every video game, but no company has ever marketed a new AAA title like this before, especially on its own platform. The poster described this as an “odd” way to market video games by blatantly telling consumers they won’t be able to purchase Silent Hill f fully.
One reply highlighted that if players already knew this aspect of purchasing games online, they wouldn’t have been so accepting of the demise of physical media, with more commenters expressing anger at this reality and the current state of the gaming industry.
Some comments defended Xbox for marketing the title correctly, but many questioned the need for a law like this in the first place, which doesn’t allow you to own what you buy.
Players expressed anger at this corporate law in their replies.
Rumors have already been circulating that Xbox is going to introduce free cloud gaming with ads to make money, a move that hasn’t gone down well with players. And, with more layoffs also expected at the American gaming giant, it doesn’t seem like the PR of Xbox is getting better anytime soon.
Do you think purchasing games should only grant you a license, not ownership of the title? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.
At Tech4Gamers, I mainly cover new gaming news, leaks, and rumours. Aside from that, I love to write features about my favourite games while inserting my opinion about their different aspects.
Story Highlight
New survey shows 33% of US gamers buy games less than once per year
Only 14% purchase games monthly or more, driving the paid game market
The majority of gamers (over 60%) are playing fewer new titles despite the growing game releases
Gaming is a hobby for many, and it has become an essential part of their lives. However, no one can play every available game. With a huge number of titles already available, and more being released each year, it becomes difficult for people to decide which games to play.
As a result, gamers are buying fewer new games each year. New data shows that over 60% of gamers in the US purchase only two games or fewer per year. In fact, only 4% of gamers buy a new game more often than once a month.
Why it matters: As more games continue to release, it becomes harder for consumers to decide between buying something new or sticking with what they already own.
Hyper enthusiast, price-insensitive players are really keeping things going, especially in the non f2p gaming space.According to Circana's Q3 2025 Future of Games, only 4% of US video game players buy a new game more often than once per month, with a third of players not buying any games at all.
Mat Piscatella, the senior director at market research firm Circana, recently shared data from the company’s Q3 2025 Future of Video Games survey in the US. According to the data, only 4% of players buy new games more often than once a month.
The survey further reveals that 10% of gamers purchase a new game about once a month, while 22% buy about once every three months. Additionally, 18% purchase a new game about every six months, and 12% buy about once a year.
What stands out the most is that 33% of gamers in the US are buying new games less often than once per year. This suggests that a significant portion of the gaming population may go an entire year or more without purchasing a single new title.
The Majority of Gamers Are Not Buying New Games.
When you combine the 33% who buy less than once a year with the 12% who buy only once a year, it means that 45% of US gamers purchase one or fewer games annually.
This puts the spotlight on the 14% of gamers (those who buy monthly or more often) who are essentially supporting most of the spending in the non-free-to-play space. With fewer players buying new titles regularly, developers and publishers may face increasing challenges in driving sales for traditional paid games.
What are your thoughts on the majority buying new games less often? Let us know in the comments section below, or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.
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
The Void Interactive COO has commented on the trend of crossover skins in military first-person shooters.
He hates the trend and says that Read or Not will not follow suit.
The executive is still open to crossovers that are consistent with the game’s core themes and identity.
Crossover skins and collaborations have been all the rage in the gaming industry over the last five years, largely due to IPs like Call of Duty and Fortnite popularizing these brand deals.
However, the industry is going through a major shift. Call of Duty, for instance, has decided to step away from collaborations. Discussing this trend, the team behind Ready or Not has also spoken out against ridiculous skins in military-themed first-person shooters.
Why it matters: Call of Duty’s recent collaborations with the likes of Beavis and Butthead have created a lot of controversy.
Skins Have Gotten Out of Hand In Shooter Games Recently
Void Interactive COO Stirling R recently spoke to Tech4Gamers in an interview, and when asked about the trend of crossover skins in the shooter genre, he noted that this trend has become too popular.
In fact, the COO said that he hates what has become of realistic shooters. He also confirmed that such crossovers are out of the question for Ready or Not.
I hate what has happened to realistic shooters in the modern era with every fiber of my being.
Of course, the COO did not rule out collaborations entirely. He believes they can be a great asset to games as long as the style and thematic consistency are kept intact.
Recently, Dice made a similar statement about Battlefield, suggesting that studios, now more than ever, know exactly what players want. Despite the popularity of skins and crossovers, gamers worldwide are more interested in first-person shooters that stay true to the military themes.
Ready or Not Does Not Move Away From Its Realistic Roots
Ready or Not recently made its console debut, and it offers a one-of-a-kind experience for fans of tactical shooter gameplay. For those tired of the more arcady shooters of the modern era, Void Interactive’s first-person gameplay definitely appears to be quite enticing.
What do you think about the executive’s thoughts on skins in modern first-person shooters? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
At Tech4Gamers.com, I cover the latest news and rumours in the gaming industry, from new game releases to hidden gems and video game leaks. Furthermore, I occasionally write tech articles about video game consoles, providing insights into the hardware and software that powers our gaming experiences.
Story Highlight
Void Interactive will not add unrealistic cosmetic items or skins to Ready or Not, as they feel it would conflict with the game’s serious theme.
The developers are aware of PC performance issues and are fixing them through patches.
Optimizing the game for consoles was difficult because of the small team size, not because of a specific platform like PlayStation or Xbox.
The game was not released on older consoles, such as the PS4 or Xbox One, to avoid compromising the quality of the experience.
Ready or Not has always been known as one of the most realistic and intense tactical shooters out there, and Void Interactive’s focus on authenticity hasn’t gone unnoticed. In a recent conversation with Stirling Rank, the studio’s COO, he explained how the team strives to keep the game true to life while still being enjoyable to play.
He mentioned that they’ve never had to cut a feature because it was “too real.” Their primary challenges stem from time, resource, and technical limitations.
When it came to launching the game on consoles, Rank praised the small but skilled team that made it possible. Getting Ready or Not to run smoothly on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S was tough, especially with the game’s complex AI and detailed environments. Despite that, the team managed to deliver the same intense experience on every platform.
We also discussed the questions players have been asking, such as performance issues after the crossplay update and the long-awaited PvP mode. Rank said regular updates are helping to improve performance, with a big patch released in September. As for PvP, it’s still in development, and the team wants to ensure it aligns with the game’s serious and realistic tone.
Looking ahead, Rank shared a few hints about the future of Ready or Not. Players can expect darker and more intense missions with the next DLC, scheduled for release in 2026. The studio isn’t chasing trends like flashy skins or battle passes but is focusing on stronger storytelling, smarter AI, and the raw, realistic gameplay that fans love.
The Ready or Not 2026 DLC will introduce missions featuring disturbing and plausible real-world scenarios.
Ready or Not is undoubtedly one of the most realistic and high-stakes FPS games out there. What's one feature or behavior that the studio prototyped that ended up feeling 'too real' or uncomfortable, and how was it changed or replaced to stay within expected boundaries in the game?
Stirling Rank: I don’t think we’d ever had one. Usually, the limitation was either the technology, the time, or the knowledge around the feature. However, as we’ve been growing, we’ve managed to cover a lot more ground and refine areas where we initially wanted to “go further”.
Out of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, which ecosystem was the easier one to work with? Was it difficult for developers to optimize the game for the weaker Series S?
Stirling Rank: Every ecosystem comes with its set of challenges, and we are really happy with the job the team did optimizing the game for all these platforms. The challenges weren’t necessarily with either ecosystem, but creating performant builds at minimum settings with a small team. Our relatively small group of tech artists, artists, QA and engineers managed to achieve this in a really small timespan.
PC players have also complained about technical downgrades and performance issues ever since the crossplay update. Is the studio working on tackling these problems?
Stirling Rank: We’ve already built out a couple of patch updates for Ready or Not in post-release, including a third major patch that was just released on September 11th. We’ll continue supporting Ready or Not in post-release for a long time, and we’re always tweaking and optimizing the game for performance and fixing bugs. Many of the issues are more or less bugs that shouldn’t be present, but are symptoms of some areas in our release pipeline that we must improve.
When can we expect Ready or Not to reintroduce the promised PvP mode? The team has been radio-silent on it recently, and we'd love to hear more details about it
Stirling Rank: We’ve had a number of PvP modes over the years – from the Supporter-only pre-alpha PVP to the “hidden” PvP that some modders in the community have uncovered. These demonstrate our commitment to building a conventional PvP at some stage, but how that manifests are dependent on some significant conversations within the studio. Rest assured, there are some ideas – whatever we do, though, needs to be different.
However, for the moment, we are gearing up towards DLC3, which is planned out for 2026.
Are there any upcoming missions or maps that push the boundaries of what Ready or Not has done before?
Stirling Rank: We have provided a subtle hint as to what comes next for Ready or Not during our launch campaign via the Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes Home Invasion, Dark Waters, and the next unannounced DLC. We’ve planned that out for 2026, which will be the next major content drop for Ready or Not.
I think what we’re doing with this one brings in many confronting and genuinely horrifying scenarios that could easily occur, if the world continues in the direction it’s headed.
Any plans to introduce more complex civilian interactions or branching scenarios in missions?
Stirling Rank: Civilians could do with a fair bit of love to help make them appear more realistic. Similar with performance and bugs, we’re always optimizing the game for that core experience of realism with Ready or Not and the associated AI. Branching scenarios, likely not at this time.
Were there any planned features that were scrapped but might return later?
Stirling Rank: I don’t think it’d be a good idea for me to share anything right now unless I wanted to be wrapped in a carpet by the marketing guys at void and thrown into a freezing river. Results from that may… vary.
We've seen snippets of deeper story elements in recent missions, will narrative continuity be a bigger part of future updates?
Stirling Rank: With each DLC, we’ve grown more confident as a studio and enjoyed building out the lore and narrative further. I think it would be fair to say that the upcoming content will have a lot for fans to look forward to.
I want to bury each mission in so much lore that you could spend hours tying it together – as such, we’ve been building out the totality of the story for RoN this last year.
When porting the game to consoles, did you consider releasing on last-gen hardware like the PS4 and Xbox One? What do you think about recent games sticking to these consoles due to the existing user base so late into the current generation?
Stirling Rank: Despite the appeal of a large user base, porting Ready or Not to these old gen platforms would have unfortunately not allowed us to bring the best possible experience to everyone.
Ready or Not has consistently received updates and new content, similar to other live-service titles. Where do you see this genre in a few years, especially with so many publishers trying to jump in today?
Stirling Rank: It’s pretty hard to speak for other game developers so we can only speak for ourselves on the matter. Void Interactive is committed to continuing to support Ready or Not, both in terms of content and performance.
Ready or Not does not implement popular monetization schemes like Battle Passes or excessive skins like other games in the genre. What are your thoughts on games sacrificing their themes for over-the-top outfits and collaborations? Do you see something similar ever happening with Ready or Not in the future?
Stirling Rank: I hate what has happened to “realistic” shooters in the modern era with every fibre of my being. The furthest we went was adding the “Pink Bitch” G3A3 skin to our PvP as a gag in 2020. However, we removed that shortly after canceling the old PvP. Wacky skins and other things that thematically don’t fit are simply out of the question. Collaborations and Easter eggs are great if they fit the style, in my opinion.
Talking with Stirling Rank made one thing clear: Ready or Not isn’t just another tactical shooter trying to follow trends. Void Interactive knows exactly what kind of game it wants to be.
The focus isn’t on flashy skins or chasing mainstream appeal, it’s about realism, tension, and staying true to the experience that drew players in from the start.
It’s also nice to see how the team handles its growth. Instead of rushing out updates or chasing hype cycles, they’re planning years ahead, with DLC3 already lined up for 2026. That level of commitment shows a studio that isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
And while PvP might not be around the corner, the hints about new missions and deeper storylines suggest that Ready or Not still has a lot left to show.
Thanks to Stirling Rank and the team at Void Interactive for taking the time to chat with us. It’s always great to see a developer this grounded in its vision and still hungry to push things further.
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.
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An AMD engineer working with Microsoft has confirmed the next-gen Xbox is in the works.
This comes after rumors circulated that the company is exiting the console market.
The next-gen version could be a console, a hybrid, or even a gaming PC APU.
Xbox has been under a lot of fire lately. First, they hiked console prices, then Game Pass prices saw a massive hike of up to 50%. This led to reports that the next-gen Xbox had been cancelled, but it has been confirmed that it isn’t the case.
According to an AMD engineer, the next-gen Xbox development is moving ‘full steam ahead’ despite the rumors. They stated that they had just had a discussion about the project just a few days ago.
Why it matters: With diminishing Xbox sales and Game Pass cancellations, many expected Microsoft to exit the console market because it might not make sense for them from a business point of view.
The new report comes from a recent Moore’s Law is Dead episode, where they revealed an AMD engineer’s statement who is working on the next-gen Xbox. However, the ‘Magnus APU’ might not necessarily be a home console.
The device was originally called the ‘Xbox Project’, so it could even be a PC-Console hybrid releasing in 2027. So, while yes, the work on the next-gen device is going strong, it might not be a traditional console we are accustomed to.
The current Xbox generation has been disappointing and has lost to the PS5
The engineer hints that it could even be a gaming PC APU with the Xbox name just attached to it. Nonetheless, it is quite clear that Xbox still thinks it has a place in the hardware market, and it isn’t quitting it for now.
What are your thoughts on the next-gen Xbox? What do you expect from it? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official 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.
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The new Assassin’s Creed Mirage update will bring classic parkour back to life.
Fans have been demanding a return to simple, back-to-the-roots gameplay for the longest time.
It appears that Ubisoft is finally listening to its fans with Mirage’s free DLC.
The Assassin’s Creed franchise was once the crowning jewel of the gaming industry. It has since fallen somewhat, with recent releases being underwhelming and especially lacking the essence that made the earlier games popular among fans.
Ubisoft has acknowledged the situation, and with the latest Assassin’s Creed Mirage update, it brings back the classic parkour elements. The recent games were criticized for having an identity crisis, but this takes it back to the roots.
Why it matters: Modern games have largely abandoned the mechanics and gameplay elements that Assassin’s Creed was known for, so it is good to see the studio returning to its core elements.
Ubisoft revealed an in-depth look at the upcoming free expansion for Assassin’s Creed Mirage DLC called Valley of Memory. The developers discussed the extended story and new gameplay mechanics in detail.
For starters, manual jump, manual side, and back ejects are set to return. In earlier games, you could jump from anywhere, but in modern ones, you were limited to where the game allowed; that won’t happen anymore.
The Saudi Arabian setting also lends itself to a more natural parkour environment. Its rocky mountains and other areas make the traversal a lot more fun. However, the modern control scheme is still available.
Fans have been requesting classic parkour for the longest time.
If you don’t like the manual jump or other elements, you can disable them in the settings. However, since these were some of the things fans have been requesting for so long, there will hardly be anyone who would do this.
Nonetheless, it is great to see that Ubisoft is now finally listening to the fans. Mirage wasn’t a massive hit, but it was a decent back-to-the-roots title, and fans will undoubtedly like it better with the free DLC.
What are your thoughts on Assassin’s Creed Mirage bringing back classic parkour elements? Let us know 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.
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Battlefield 6 was only able to have impressive destruction mechanics because it didn’t port to last-gen.
Cancelling a PS4/Xbox One release helped raise the floor of the CPU and memory devs could use.
The destruction in the game is so well-optimised thanks to this decision.
Battlefield 6 has been winning over the hearts of gamers ever since the launch of its beta, which was played by over 20 million players around the globe. The game has been dominating Steam charts while its competitor, Black Ops 7, is failing to break into the top 25.
One of the most praised aspects of Battlefield 6 has been its detailed destruction mechanics that borrow elements from earlier games in the series. And, according to one of the developers, this would not have been possible with a last-gen launch.
Why This Matters: The PlayStation 4 generation of consoles was one of the greatest, but DICE has made the right decision to finally leave it behind.
“Maybe the only magic trick is that we’re not on the PS4 or Xbox One any more, So we’ve kind of raised the floor of what we have.”
Battlefield 6 will feature the most realistic destruction in the series.
While talking to PC Gamer, Battlefield 6 developer Christian Buhl revealed that the one technique that allowed them to achieve the total destruction mechanic was not porting the FPS title to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
The developer explained that cancelling last-gen releases helped them raise the floor of the CPU speed and memory, obviously improving performance overall. Hence, one of the game’s best mechanics is that PS4 won’t be getting a novelty port of Battlefield 6.
Buhl further stated that it’s a lot of work to port to an older console, as you have to optimise everything and then test the destruction mechanic all over again. Frostbite Engine was also an essential component of this equation, with destruction being a core part of the engine’s build.
Lead producer Nika Bender also discussed destruction in the interview, stating that the team drew inspiration from Battlefield 3 and 4, and incorporated this aspect to allow fans to resonate with something.
