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Hitman: World Of Assassination Hits iOS For $70, But Even iPhone 16 Pro Max Struggles

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  • The Hitman: World of Assassination iOS port struggles to maintain 30 FPS even at a 660p resolution on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
  • The game is capped at 30 FPS on the device, whereas the M4 iPad Pro doesn’t have this limitation.
  • Many CPU bottlenecks occur in dense environments, with FPS often dropping below 20 in certain spots. 

Despite having a poor track record with AAA releases on iOS devices, Apple appears to have no plans of slowing down the controversial endeavour. The Hitman: World of Assassination iOS version is now available in virtual stores for a premium price of $70.

However, the port’s performance is far from satisfactory. New tests show the M4 iPad Pro supports 30, 40, and 60 FPS, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is locked at 30 FPS.

The A18 Pro chip also suffers from a myriad of performance and optimization issues.

Why it matters: Hitman: World of Assassination, which struggles to run even at 30 FPS on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, shows that the A18 Pro chip is not yet ready to handle the port. A lot more optimization and fine-tuning is needed to make it playable.

As tested by YouTuber MrMacRightPlus, the port struggles to maintain 30 FPS at only 660p, especially in crowded zones where drops to 20 FPS and below are usual.

Toggling MetalFX upscaling or mirror reflections also doesn’t improve performance, and the texture quality is quite low but still passable outside cutscenes.

The testing shows that Hitman: World of Assassination is CPU-bottlenecked on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. MetalFX spatial upscaling can make it easier for the port to hit 30 FPS, but temporal upscaling badly tanks performance instead.

Hitman 3 Featured
Hitman: World of Assassination runs much better across PC and console versions.

The memory usage spikes dangerously high, sometimes leaving less than 500MB remaining. Potential crashes, overheating, and throttling forced the reviewer to pause gameplay and reload scenes on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The tester concludes that Hitman: World of Assassination needs major optimization on the A18 Pro and warns that even the next iPhone may struggle with the port.

Latest Updates

In the past, the Resident Evil 4 remake port has also struggled to run on the iPhone 15 Pro at 720p, with drops to 20 FPS.

Do you think Hitman: World of Assassination is too demanding for even an iPhone 16 Pro, or are these merely optimization issues holding the port back? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Hideo Kojima Says Death Stranding 2 Is ‘Just OK,’ Promises Next Game Will Be More Realistic

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  • In a new interview, Kojima discusses his primary goal of achieving realism with the Death Stranding games.
  • With the first game, he couldn’t quite hit that mark, but he admits he wasn’t able to achieve it with the sequel either.
  • As such, he considers Death Stranding 2 just okay, but for the threequel, he wants to achieve a new level of realism.

Death Stranding 2 was everything you’d expect from Kojima — stranger, more unorthodox, and better overall.

While already a solid GOTY contender, the sequel didn’t hit the right mark for the creator himself. As per Kojima’s own words, he considers Death Stranding 2 just okay in hindsight, but promises to vastly improve with the threequel.

Why it matters: Death Stranding 2 is already near-perfect, but it’s great to see what standard Kojima has for his work. As such, expect Death Stranding 3 to hit a new high.

Death Stranding 2
Death Stranding 2 Speculated To Have Sold Poorly

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Kojima discussed his goal to achieve realism with the Death Stranding games.

(I) really wanted them to make them look very natural in my game, and I did my best in (Death Stranding)

However, due to technological limitations at the time, this was impossible, but the outcome was still quite remarkable. With the sequel, however, Kojima is finally expected to reach that mark.

Hideo Kojima Death Stranding 2
Decima Engine May Be The Best In Its League

For Death Stranding 2, Kojima mentions that they took extensive time to set up an AI machine learning rig and to scan digital facial models. Still, his own words suggest that even the second attempt wasn’t that successful.

Looking back (to Death Stranding 2), I think it’s okay. But my next project, I think I want to make it more realistic.

While Kojima himself doesn’t think that he has achieved realism, players feel otherwise. Whether it’s the environment or the characters, fans struggle to distinguish between the game and the real world.

In fact, some of them used in-game characters to bypass the UK age verification on online accounts.

Latest Updates

Do you think that Kojima can reach the ceiling even higher with Death Stranding 3? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Gears of War: Reloaded Dev Declares Console War Over As Game Hits 1 Million Players

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  • Gears of War: Reloaded has reached 1 million players in total.
  • This figure counts players on PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, and Game Pass.
  • The team also says that the console wars are now over, thanks to big multiplatform releases like Gears of War: Reloaded.

Xbox recently brought over one of its biggest and oldest first-party IPs to PlayStation with Gears of War: Reloaded. In addition to revamping the graphics and adding several quality-of-life features to the title, this re-release reintroduced the series’ highly acclaimed online multiplayer.

Just four days after its initial release, Gears of War: Reloaded has now hit a major milestone. The team has also made an interesting statement about the console wars.

Why it matters: Both PlayStation and Xbox have shifted away from exclusivity. In fact, Gears of War and Helldivers 2 were released on the opposite platforms on the same day.

gears of war reloaded

Celebrating this milestone, the official Gears of War Twitter account posted an image confirming that the game had reached 1 million players. This player count comprises Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and even Game Pass.

The numbers were not the most impressive on Steam, but all put together, Gears of War: Reloaded seems to be doing well for a franchise that went six years without a mainline release.

To celebrate the moment, the team also noted that this release has contributed to ending the console war. Helldivers 2 launching on the Xbox Series S|X has done the same, with both games bridging the gap between PlayStation and Xbox gamers.

Ending the console war, one grub at a time.

Fans can look forward to more multiplatform releases from both PlayStation and Xbox moving forward. Perhaps PlayStation will port one of its flagship IPs to Xbox at some point as well.

Moving forward, Gears of War E-Day is expected to launch on PS5 next year. One of the trophies/achivements in Gears of War Reloaded also suggests that this is the case.

Latest Updates

What do you make of the team’s statement? Do you agree? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Call of Duty Size To Be Cut By Over 100GB on PS5 and PS4, Reveals Dataminer

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  • A dataminer has revealed that Call of Duty’s long-requested file size reduction is finally happening.
  • The upcoming update will cut the main HQ file size by over 100 GB on PS5 and significantly on PS4.
  • If true, Black Ops 7 will launch with a smaller install size than previous entries.

Call of Duty is notorious for taking up massive amounts of storage on consoles, often filling up the limited SSD space and frustrating fans.

That may soon change, as a dataminer has revealed promising news. Following the next update of the Call of Duty app on PS5 and PS4, the base HQ file size will reportedly be reduced by more than 100 GB.

Why it matters: Fans have long requested that Activision reduce the game’s enormous file sizes, and it seems one of the most common feedback points is finally being addressed.

Call of Duty Size Reduction
Call of Duty Seems TO Be Finally Getting The Much-Requested Size Reduction | Source: Twitter

CharlieIntel, a well-known source on Twitter for Call of Duty news, revealed that the new app update will reduce the HQ file size by over 100 GB, a highly requested feature from the community.

A dataminer has discovered through the PlayStation database that update 01.080.000 will finally bring the much-requested reduction in Call of Duty’s HQ file size. On PS5, the new update cuts the HQ size from 126 GB to 25.77 GB, a reduction of over 100 GB.

On PS4, version 01.78 shows a file size of 81 GB, whereas the 01.80 update reduces it to 62 GB. Although the savings aren’t as dramatic on last-gen hardware, it’s still an impressive change considering the console’s age.

This update will be most impactful for PS5 players, who will finally regain substantial storage space. It also suggests that the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 may ship with a much smaller install size compared to previous entries.

Some fans speculate that these long-requested optimizations are being prioritized due to the looming competition from Battlefield 6, despite a report claiming that Activision leadership does not view it as a threat.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on the massive size reduction? Share them with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.

Xbox Console Players Will Stagnate At 42 Million By 2026, Less Than Half Of PlayStation’s Active Users

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  • Xbox console players will “flatline” at 42 million by the end of 2025, according to Omdia’s research.
  • This number is roughly three times less than PlayStation’s active console users.
  • Microsoft’s focus on incorporating the Xbox brand on PC and other platforms is partly the cause of this.

Xbox has undergone a major rebrand this generation, going from PlayStation’s only competition to a software giant making millions by porting games to other platforms. Fans haven’t been big on this new software-focused approach to the business, but there is no doubt it has brought in results for the company.

However, even though sales numbers have increased, hardware sales have only decreased, and now a new report suggests that Xbox console players will flatline by the end of this year. 

Why This Matters: Going from one of the biggest hitters in the console market to partial death in a decade is a sad decline for Xbox consoles and not good for the wider industry.

Microsoft Xbox
Xbox Series consoles have massively underwhelmed in sales.

According to Game Developer’s key takeaways from Gamescom 2025, active Xbox users will stagnate at around 42 million at the end of 2025. This number comes from research done by Omdia and its Games Market Metric Database, with the article indicating that Xbox confirmed its shift away from consoles at Gamescom, putting more focus on PC.

The company is set to release a Windows PC experience that mimics the Xbox UI and incorporates the Xbox storefront in addition to other libraries like Steam, while also partnering with Asus to release the ROG Xbox Ally. Hence, it does feel like Microsoft is leaving Xbox hardware in the dust and merging the brand with the much wider PC market.

PlayStation, on the other hand, currently has 123 million active users across the PS4 and PS5, which is roughly three times more than the number of players Xbox will flatline at.

ROG Xbox Ally X
ROG Xbox Ally is another way the company is trying to reach wider audiences.

Microsoft wants to reach a billion players worldwide, and with the pillars of its brand, Xbox consoles and Game Pass, declining in pace, shifting focus to a platform that already has a billion players seems like the smartest move. However, it does signify that Xbox consoles are now an afterthought rather than being the company’s main focus.

Latest Updates

Do you think Xbox consoles will ever recover from this slump? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

Black Screen Bug Returns In Nvidia’s Latest Drivers, Many Users Report

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  • The black screen bug has returned to Nvidia’s RTX 50 series as several users on Reddit have reported their PC’s are crashing.
  • As per the comments, downloading the new drivers makes the screen go black indefinitely.
  • This problem has persisted in this GPU series, with many reports pointing out this bug in May.

Nvidia reported a historical second quarter recently, led by its AI division and a gaming sector that continues to grow every year. The RTX 50 series generated record quarterly revenue for the company, nearly double the previous high set by the company.

However, Nvidia’s new GPU has seen its fair share of issues, including low stock, melting connectors, and underwhelming performance. One flaw that has persisted for a while is a bug in the GPU that makes the screen go black, and new reports suggest that Nvidia has still not patched it completely.

Why This Matters: Nvidia promised to fix this issue earlier this year with its driver updates, but it seems like the company has failed to do so.

My 5090 probably just died.
byu/Muaxh03 inpcmasterrace

A user on Reddit posted that their RTX 5090 died while installing new drivers, with the screen going black and not coming back on. As per the post, this user tried multiple methods to fix this bug, including downloading old drivers and doing DDU. However, nothing panned out, and the GPU became hot while the fans stopped spinning.

The OP posted in the thread later on that they tried plugging the cable into the iGPU, and it miraculously fixed the bug. But many other comments under the post reported this same issue, saying they updated the driver and tried launching a game, but the screen just went black.

Another commenter pointed out that this is the second post about this bug they have seen on the subreddit and vowed not to download the new driver. This also isn’t the first time Nvidia’s RTX 50 series has run into this problem.

Nvidia RTX 50
Other players faced similar issues with their GPUs.

This same issue made waves back in May after the Nvidia 572.60 and 572.70 drivers tried to fix this issue on RTX 5080 and 5090, but players still reported black screens and crashing during gaming sessions with titles like Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 failing to boot up. We can only hope the company can fix this issue permanently this time.

Latest Updates

Do you think the RTX 50 series has lived up to its predecessors? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

Battlefield 6 Devs Don’t Want To Use DLSS As Substitute For Optimization Unlike Other Studios

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  • The technical director of Battlefield 6 has revealed that the studio won’t rely on DLSS for optimization.
  • This is quite rare, as most AAA games require upscalers for optimal results, especially on consoles. 
  • This indicates that Battlefield 6 will be optimized for most PC hardware and consoles at launch.

Nowadays, almost every major game requires players to enable AI upscalers like DLSS, FSR, or the latest PSSR. Many fans criticize this trend, arguing that games should deliver a solid experience at native resolution.

They believe 60 FPS at 2K resolution should be the bare minimum, yet this has become increasingly rare, especially in AAA titles. Developers now rely heavily on AI upscaling to give the impression of better optimization.

However, in contrast, the Battlefield 6 developers have stated they won’t use DLSS as a substitute for proper optimization, which is a promising sign.

Why it matters: While AI upscalers have become a necessity, it would be unfair to say they don’t have a place in modern games. That said, the Battlefield 6 developers are taking a strong approach by ensuring players won’t need DLSS or FSR to enjoy an ideal experience.

battlefield 6
Battlefield 6’s Beta Attracted Over 20 Million Players

Christian Buhl, the technical director of Battlefield 6, stated in an interview with PC Gamer that the team does not want to rely on DLSS. According to him, the goal is for the game to perform optimally without the need for an upscaler.

However, he clarified that players will still have the option to enable DLSS if they wish to achieve even higher frame rates.

We want Battlefield 6 to run great without [DLSS], and we want to give you the option to use it if you want. I believe all of our default performance targets are not with [upscaling] on.

-Christian Buhl

This is a pretty bold statement, as finding modern games without DLSS support is extremely rare. In most new AAA releases, AI upscaling is almost necessary if you want higher FPS.

Buhl further explained that while there are pros and cons to the different upscaling technologies, the team’s main goal is to ensure the game performs well on its own without relying on additional tools.

Latest Updates

This suggests that Battlefield 6 will be well-optimized across a wide range of PC hardware and consoles

What are your thoughts on this statement by the technical director? Share them with us in the comments section below or join the Tech4Gamers official forums for discussion. 

Injustice 3 Confirmed To Be In Development by Green Lantern and Superman VAs

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  • The voice actors of Superman and Green Lantern have confirmed that they’re recording their lines for Injustice 3.
  • A dataminer also previously revealed that Injustice 3 is under development.
  • Expect a 2028 release date for the game, as it is speculated to be in very early development.

NetherRealm Studios’ attempt to reboot the Mortal Kombat franchise wasn’t quite the outcome they expected. With a mediocre reception, support for Mortal Kombat 1 ended earlier this year, just under 2 years after its release.

Now, the studio is retreating to its other big franchise, Injustice. Voice actors for Superman and Green Lantern have confirmed that Injustice 3 is in the works.

Why it matters: The Injustice series is hailed as one of the best fighting games due to its rich lore and gritty take on DC superheroes. For the franchise to return after an 8-year hiatus is a treat for fans.

green lantern voice actor confirms injustice 3

injustice 3 confirmed superman va

Over on X (formerly Twitter), one fan revealed that he had the opportunity to meet Phil LaMaar, the voice behind Green Lantern, at the recent Nostalgia Con in Houston. While signing the fan’s Injustice steelbook, the voice actor told him that they’re working on a third Injustice game. 

Similarly, another fan posted on X that he met George Newbern, the voice behind Superman, and praised his work, especially for Multiversus, despite the game being canceled. In response to that comment, Newbern revealed to the fan that he’s recording voice lines for Injustice 3.

Batman Arkham Knight
James Gunn Met With NetherRealm Studios To Discuss A New Batman Game

All the previous cast are set to return, but unfortunately, since the passing of Kevin Conroy, Batman will be recast. As such, Roger Craig Smith seems the obvious choice as the new voice for the Dark Knight.

Previously, a dataminer leaked that an Injustice 3 is indeed in the works. Furthermore, NetherRealm Studios has also expressed interest in revisiting the franchise after Mortal Kombat 1, especially since it has been so long since the last entry.

Still, don’t expect the game to release soon. With Mortal Kombat 1 released in 2023, Injustice 3’s development likely began in 2024 at the earliest. As such, expect a few years of development, followed by a release date of 2028.

Latest Updates

Are you excited for Injustice 3? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Bungie Now Offering Players $500 Reward Just For Playing Marathon

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  • Bungie is reportedly preparing for the largest Marathon playtest yet, which will last 30 consecutive days. 
  • Players who playtest the game for at least an hour for 30 days at the specified times will earn a $500 gift card.
  • Sony also expects Marathon to launch by March 31, 2026, but this date is subject to change.

Marathon was delayed to 2026 to receive major reworks after the plagiarism allegations proved to be the final nail in the coffin amid other controversies. Insiders have since painted a grim picture, suggesting possible project cancellation and irreparable damage to Bungie.

However, new developments suggest the FPS is at least on the right track. Bungie is reportedly preparing for Marathon’s biggest playtests yet, which will last for 30 consecutive days for select invited players.

Additionally, Sony is incentivizing players by promising a $500 gift card reward for those who play for an hour daily during the playtest.

Why it matters: Bungie’s preparation for the biggest rounds of playtests for Marathon proves that the project is far from being canceled. Sony is taking it quite seriously, unlike the rumors suggested.

marathon bungie
Bungie’s Marathon has been in murky waters ever since its reveal.

As seen by The Game Post, Sony has sent a new email to selected players about a remote Marathon playtest that will last a month, from September 8 to October 7, 2025. Bungie will gather feedback by conducting daily and weekly surveys from playtesters.

We would like to invite you to join us for our Marathon 30-Day user research study!

-Bungie.

Players who play at least an hour during 3 to 7 PM PT on weekdays and 2 to 8 PM PT on weekends will be eligible for the $500 gift card reward of their choice. Those who only finish a part of the playtest will only receive a limited reward.

Upon completing the study, you will receive a $500 gift card of your choice as a thank you for your valuable time and feedback.

Bungie Marathon Game
The game has suffered through many issues during development.

Sony also clarifies that Marathon is planned to launch within its FY2025 window, by March 31, 2026. However, this date may change based on Marathon’s development.

Regardless, some gamers have called the reward a desperate move by Bungie to get players invested in Marathon after most of the community lost interest.

Latest Updates

Do you think Bungie’s reward of $500 for playing Marathon will help attract a more dedicated audience for the playtest? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

ASRock Releases BIOS 3.40 for AM5 Motherboards with Stability Fixes

[Press Release] ASRock has released BIOS version 3.40 for its AM5 motherboards, focusing on improved memory compatibility and CPU stability. The update addresses feedback from the previous release and is recommended for all AM5 users.

The update disables Memory P-State by default, boosting memory compatibility and reducing instability issues. It also adjusts the VDDCR_SOC Voltage parameters, ensuring smoother CPU performance under heavy workloads, such as gaming and content creation.

ASRock B860/H810 Motherboards
ASRock B860/H810 Motherboards.

ASRock confirms full warranty coverage for BIOS updates. Guides for Instant Flash and Flashback are available, with technical support provided for any issues related to updates.

BIOS 3.40 is available now on ASRock’s official support page. More AM5 models will receive updates progressively.

With these refinements, ASRock enhances the AM5 platform, providing users with improved memory support, enhanced stability, and a more reliable computing experience.

Lost Soul Aside Regional Restrictions Lifted Ahead of Launch

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  • Lost Soul Aside was previously unavailable to purchase in more than 100 countries on Steam.
  • The game is now available on Steam, and these restrictions have also been lifted.
  • A free demo has also been released for those willing to try the title in these regions.

Since 2024, Sony has implemented regional restrictions and PSN requirements for various games on PC. Lost Soul Aside was one such title, and while Sony removed the PSN requirement from this game not too long ago, the title was still unavailable to buy in over 100 countries.

Although no official announcement has come from the studio itself, it seems the regional restrictions have now been lifted now. According to SteamDB, the game is available in all but a few countries on the platform.

Why it matters: Many fans have seen developer Bing Yang’s indie project evolve into something much bigger over the years. This is why the restricted access on Steam was especially disappointing in this case.

Lost Soul Aside
Lost Soul Aside is no longer restricted to a few regions | Image via SteamDB

SteamDB now shows that Lost Soul Aside is only unavailable in 8 countries. These include Iran, North Korea, Syria, and more. The vast majority of countries now have access to the game, and users in these regions can even download the free demo released by the team recently.

We can also confirm that the title is available to buy on Steam. This was not the case for our region previously, much like the other PlayStation games that were restricted ahead of launch.

Anyhow, the lack of restrictions should help Lost Soul Aside reach a wider audience. The game has already hit 3K concurrent players on Steam, but the first few reviews are far from positive.

Lost Soul Aside Steam
Lost Soul Aside was previously blocked in over 130 regions on Steam

Gamers seem to be pointing out optimization and crashing issues, but the team has promised to look into the matter. Lost Soul Aside’s gameplay has also received some criticism, and these will be addressed in more detail once official reviews come out.

Latest Updates

Do you intend to purchase Lost Soul Aside? Have you already played the demo? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Paramount Reportedly In Talks To Acquire Rights For A Call Of Duty Movie

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  • A new report reveals that Paramount is reportedly in talks to acquire rights for a Call of Duty movie.
  • The new Paramount leadership is treating the deal as a priority, but no decisions have yet been made regarding the cast.
  • The new CEO wants to turn Paramount into a leader in gaming film adaptations. 

The entertainment industry is slowly shifting its focus to notable gaming series, resulting in some delightful projects over the last few years. However, filmmakers have barely scratched the surface yet, with major IPs like COD still seeing no adaptations.

Even though Xbox has previously denied interest in a Call of Duty movie, by claiming that the franchise doesn’t need that outlet, a new report suggests that Paramount is now reportedly in talks to acquire rights for such a project. 

Why it matters: New Paramount CEO David Ellison plans to launch gaming film adaptations, starting with Call of Duty, with more franchises likely to follow.

Call of Duty Black Ops 7 FT
Some Call of Duty games are renowned for their campaigns.

Notable Hollywood insider Matthew Belloni of Puck News clarifies that Paramount is actively negotiating with Xbox to buy rights for a Call of Duty movie. However, no exact details about talents, such as writers, directors, or actors, have been confirmed yet. 

This push for the COD adaptation comes from the new Paramount CEO, David Ellison. He aims to transform Paramount into a leader in gaming adaptations by targeting youth-focused franchises.

We’ve already seen this strategy come into play with the new Street Fighter movie. 

Call of Duty Snoop Dogg
Call of Duty Black Ops 7 will feature more realistic skins compared to the last few titles.

However, a past attempt to build a Call of Duty cinematic universe in 2015 fizzled out by 2020, with insiders noting the IP is tough to adapt due to Xbox’s restrictions and demands.

As a side note, the deal may fall apart at any point during the negotiations. Therefore, it is best to take this scoop with a grain of salt.

Latest Updates

Do you think Xbox will allow Paramount to create a Call of Duty movie? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

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