At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
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Ray tracing is slowly making its way into every game, with path tracing also becoming popular.
An insider believes that consoles are still not ready for the technology.
The PS6 and next-gen Xbox should bring notable ray-tracing improvements, but these might not be enough for an uncompromised experience.
Both Xbox and PlayStation are hard at work on a new generation of hardware. Plans for the new consoles include handhelds and more capable home consoles, with both types of devices meant to delve further into technologies like ray tracing and AI.
However, ray tracing, in particular, has a long way to go. Even Nvidia’s latest graphics cards struggle with path tracing without the use of frame generation, so an insider believes consoles with full ray-tracing support are up to 20 years away.
Why it matters: Ray tracing is already supported on the PS5 and Xbox Series S|X, but these consoles require sacrifices to resolution and frame rate for the technology.
Ray tracing comparison in Cyberpunk 2077
Recent discussions related to next-gen consoles led to the subject of path tracing becoming an important talking point.
Over on Neogaf, insider Kepler discussed a few features, like fast Matrix Math and 2x Intersection Testing, PlayStation and Xbox would implement in upcoming hardware to focus on full ray tracing for future titles.
He believes the PS6 and next-gen Xbox will be very capable, but they won’t necessarily offer full path-tracing support. In fact, Kepler believes that consoles are two decades away from ‘no compromises RT.’
This is something that even the $2000 GeForce RTX 5090 has yet to achieve, so the statement certainly makes sense.
Most Every Game Will Use Ray Tracing Moving Forward
Moreover, Nvidia is steadily introducing new ray tracing technologies like RTX Hair to address the more challenging parts of game rendering. These will slowly make their way to consoles as AMD catches up, so mainstream gamers will be waiting quite a while before ray tracing is available on affordable hardware in all its glory.
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.
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Microsoft is expanding its Cloud Gaming service to Game Pass Core and Standard users as well.
To be eligible, they must be registered for the Xbox Insider program.
The gaming giant is also adding select PC games to the Cloud Gaming program.
Xbox Game Pass is arguably the most viable subscription service for gamers on the market, offering access to hundreds of games in its library for just a few bucks a month. On its highest tier, Game Pass Ultimate, users also had the benefit of streaming games via Xbox’s Cloud Gaming.
Now, Microsoft has announced that it will be expanding its Cloud gaming service to other Game Pass tiers as well. Xbox Game Pass Core and Standard users enrolled in the Xbox Insider program are now eligible for the Cloud Gaming service.
Why it matters: Game Pass has always been hailed as a good value for money. The added benefit of Cloud Gaming will only further strengthen its position.
Moreover, the same eligible users will also have the privilege of streaming PC games via the Cloud Gaming program for the first time. Currently, there are only a few PC games available to stream, but the catalog is expected to expand soon.
Unfortunately, Cloud Gaming isn’t available for Game Pass PC users. With PC titles being added to Game Pass Core and Standard, one can only expect that Microsoft intends to end Game Pass PC eventually.
Furthermore, the gaming giant is already working on unifying the PC and Xbox gaming ecosystems. The next-gen Xbox console is already said to support PC games natively.
Regarding Xbox Cloud Gaming, reports have suggested that Team Green is already working on making a separate Cloud-only Game Pass tier. The gaming giant is doubling down on its Cloud Gaming program, and reports suggest that it is working on a PC-based solution for its next-gen Cloud program.
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.
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Multiple insiders have claimed that Valve is working on a home console to rival the next generation of Xbox and PlayStation.
The company also seems to be working on the successor to Steam Deck.
A reliable insider has revealed that Steam Deck 2 will be released in 2028.
Valve entered the handheld market in 2022 with Steam Deck. While it sold reasonably well, it couldn’t come close to the Nintendo Switch’s dominance.
Despite this, the company doesn’t seem to be giving up. According to several insiders, Valve is now working on a home console to directly rival Sony and Microsoft.
In addition, a new report has revealed that the Steam Deck 2 is set to launch in 2028.
Why it matters: There is not much information regarding the successor to the Steam Deck, but it is confirmed to have a next-generation power upgrade.
A Reliable Insider Has Revealed The Release Window of Steam Deck 2 | Source: NeoGAF
KeplerL2, a reliable insider with a strong track record, revealed on the NeoGAF forums that Valve is planning to release the Steam Deck 2 in 2028. While little is known about Valve’s next handheld, early speculation suggests it could feature RDNA 5 architecture if it indeed launches three years from now.
Since the release is still far away, Valve has ample time to study the market, take notes from competitors, and potentially deliver a handheld capable of surpassing the Switch 2.
Xbox has already stepped into the handheld market, and Sony is also expected to follow soon, meaning competition will be fiercer than ever.
For those curious, the Steam Deck 2 is believed to be entirely separate from Valve’s rumored home console, which recent reports suggest is currently in the testing phase and designed to rival the next-gen Xbox and PlayStation.
Valve seems to be slowly but passionately working on some ambitious projects, and with so much happening behind the scenes, fans are hopeful that official news will surface sooner rather than later.
What are your thoughts on the Steam Deck’s successor release date? Share what you think with us 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
A recent report points to an exploding capacitor on Nvidia’s RTX 5090.
The PNY ARGB OC RTX 5090 also suffered from a bent heatsink and complete hardware failure after the capacitor exploded.
PNY has promised the RTX 5090 owner an RMA.
Nvidia’s RTX 5090 is no stranger to technical issues and hardware errors. Soon after this impressive graphics card landed on the market, reports of melting connectors flooded the internet.
Some cases were so severe that they led to fires breaking out, but these reports have subsided over the last few months. It may come as a surprise, then, that an RTX 5090 owner has now come forward with the story of an exploding capacitor.
Why it matters: The RTX 5090 costs well over $2000, so users expect to see high-quality components across all variants of Nvidia’s flagship GPU. This is also not the first time a capacitor has led to a burnt RTX 5090.
PNY RTX 5090 Image via Reddit
The post titled ‘My 5090 Exploded’ was first spotted on the r/pcmasterrace subreddit. According to the user, the GPU went out with a sound as loud as a firecracker going off, with smoke and sparks following this sound.
Upon checking the graphics card, the user noticed a blown capacitor on the RTX 5090. In particular, this was a PNY ARGB OC variant of Nvidia’s flagship GPU, which wasn’t running too hot at the time of the blast.
The user also confirmed that the blown capacitor led to a bent heatsink. PNY has seemingly promised the user an RMA for the card, but the board partner has not been much help since then, leading to the user questioning how much longer he needs to wait.
Although the RTX 5090 has been known to face such problems in the past, PNY seems to be at fault in this particular instance.
The Reddit user mentioned that a Super Flower Leadex III 1300W 80+ Gold power supply was used, in addition to the already included 12VHPWR cable for the GPU, so no external factors appear to be the main problem in this case.
Anyhow, this story has received a lot of traction, so the user could receive help from PNY very soon. The board partner has already promised an RMA, so it should only be a matter of time before a replacement is offered to the user.
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 and Microsoft placed five games among the top 10 best-selling titles in the US for the month of July.
Games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skate 3+4 and Grounded 2 added to the company’s domination by debuting in the top 10.
Forza Horizon 5 and Minecraft have also remained consistent on the chart, alongside the big-hitter Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
However, Xbox is achieving its intended goals with this new method, as sales of titles owned by the company have skyrocketed to the point where half of the top 10 best-selling games in the United States are from Xbox.
Why it matters: It appears that Xbox is succeeding in selling more games and establishing itself as a dominant publisher in the industry.
July 2025 Top 20 Best-Selling Premium Games – U.S. (Dollar Sales, Physical and Digital from digital data sharing publishers, excludes add-on content)
According to Circana’s Mat Piscatella, Xbox owned five of the top 10 highest-selling games in the USA for July, showcasing software dominance over its competitors.
The titles on the list were Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 at number 5 and the brand-new Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 at number 4, marking the company’s highest entry on the chart, behind Donkey Kong Bananza and EA Sports College Football 26, along with its MVP bundle.
Minecraft and Forza Horizon 5 also joined the list, with the latter becoming a major hit on PlayStation consoles, selling over four times more copies than Death Stranding 2 and making $100 million solely on the PlayStation 5. Grounded 2 rounded out the Xbox/Microsoft domination of the charts, ending up at no.8.
Call of Duty Black Ops 6 manages to stay in the top 5 months after launch.
Do you think Xbox should keep porting its first-party games to exclusives to PlayStation and other rival platforms? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.
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.
I am taking a look at a compact tower case from XPG, which is the Valor Air Nano. The word Nano indicates its small footprint compared to the regular case, and Air indicates it is an air edition with a lot of ventilation all around, unlike the glass edition.
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 PC cases.
40+ PC cases tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
600+ hours spent testing different PC cases 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.
This case is built around the new SFF concept from Nvidia, which XPG has also released new SFF PSUs based on. This case supports mATX and mini-ITX size motherboards. Its volume is approximately 34 liters.
This case has an MSRP of USD 69.99 and comes with a 2-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Make sure to read my review of the XPG Valor Mesh as well if you’re interested in a bigger option.
Packaging And Unboxing
Packaging Box
XPG has shipped the case in a standard brown cardboard box. A picture of the PC Case can be seen on the front. The salient features and specifications are listed on the packing box.
Unboxing
The thick black color Styrofoam pads encapsulate the PC Case for safe shipping.
Accessories
The following are provided with the case:
1x Quick Installation Guide
Stand-off Screws
Storage drive screws Screws
PSU Screws
Motherboard Screws
1x GPU Support Bracket Arm
8x Rubber inserts for the storage drives
Zip Ties
Design
Main Design
XPG Valor Air Nano is available in white and black. It is made of SPCC material and has a weight of 5.15Kg. Its dimension is 357x220x436mm, and its volume is a little over 34 liters. The core design element is perforated panels all around with dust filters, hence the name Air. The case comes equipped with a GPU support bracket, as it is NVIDIA SFF-Ready certified chassis.
Let’s start taking a closer look at the Inside and Outside views, being our major categories.
Front Panel
Front Panel Design
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Front View
This case has a stylish perforated metallic panel on the front. It is a tool-less design. XPG branding in white is at the bottom. XPG has provided a desk-friendly IO port placement on the front. The panel has a magnetic dust filter as well. You can see that the front panel does not fully flush against the main housing of the case.
The main housing on the front does not have any rail mount or mount for any fan. Instead, the PSU is placed on the front from the inside. Why is that so? I have mentioned earlier that this is an NVIDIA SFF-Ready certified case, so XPG needed to utilize the internal space wisely, and this case has no chamber design.
Editor`s Note
Looking closely, you can see 4x screws that are holding the PSU bracket on the front housing. However, the left top screw is fixed and can’t be unscrewed. The legs of the bracket are flexible and can be pressed or pulled slightly so that the holes on the legs can align with the holes on the main housing. Keep that in mind, as the user guide does not provide any hint about it.
– Nauman Siddique
IO Ports
The IO ports include:
1x USB3.2 Type-C Port
2x USB3.2 Type-A Port
1x Hybrid Audio Port
1x Power Button
1x Reset Button
The power button has a nice click to it, and it does not wobble.
Rear Panel
Rear Panel
You can see a 3-pin socket over the top left. This case follows the design element of SSF cases, hence this implementation. Since the PSU will be on the front of the case, an interconnect cable is provided from the rear to the front. The area next to the socket is perforated.
A cutout is provided for the rear IO panel of the motherboard. A rail mount design can be seen for the pre-installed ARGB 120mm fan. This case has 5x non-reusablePCIe slot covers. You can also see a cover in vertical layout for the PCIe slots.
Bottom Panel
The bottom side of the case has a full-length non-magnetic dust filter. Removing that filter, you can see that the case floor has mounts for up to 2x 120mm fans and a 3.5” disk drive.
Top Panel
Top Panel
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The top panel has the same perforated, stylish design as the other panels. This panel is also tool-less. Removing this panel shows a large magnetic dust filter. However, this filter feels cheap in the hand and can easily bend.
The rail-mount bracket for the fans/radiator is now visible. It is not removable. You can either install 3x120mm or 2x140mm fans and a 240mm or a 360mm radiator. The provision of a 360mm radiator is a plus for this size case.
Internal Design
Side Panel
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The side panel is non-glass and it is not thick. I have observed quite a flex in it and on the back panel. It has the same stylish perforated design, which is the main theme of this case. The underside of the panel has a magnetic dust filter. The panel uses a latch and bolt for convenient tool-less handling.
Side Panel Removed
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Looking at the main area of the case, you can spot a motherboard tray that can house a maximum of an mATX-sized motherboard. A side bracket can also be seen. It serves three purposes:
Covers the PSU area, hence hiding the cable mess.
Comes with a provision of 1x 2.5” drive mount.
Comes with a GPU Support Bracket that can be installed in either of three vertical cutouts, as per the length of the graphics card, and can also be adjusted vertically, as per the height of the graphics card.
Side Bracket Removed
I have removed the side bracket, and now you can see the entire case. It is apparent that it does not have a chamber layout. The bracket visible on the front is for the PSU. This case supports motherboards in ITX and mATX form factors. It does not support a backplug motherboard. The motherboard tray is placed in an offset (inset) compared to the side frame.
You can see 7x cutouts around the motherboard tray for the cable routing. A large-sized cutout in the main tray is for the CPU cooler’s convenient installation. Only 6x standoffs are installed. You need to install the remaining. You can spot a cutout under the side frame for the storage drive cable routing.
Clearance
While we are at it, let’s talk about the clearance:
The maximum CPU Cooler height is 170mm, which is actually quite good given this compact case.
The maximum length of a graphics card is 370mm, which is subject to the type of PSU installed on the front and its cables.
The maximum length of a PSU is 170mm.
The PSU bracket is mounted vertically on the front. It is obvious that you should install the PSU with the fan facing the front grill or the case for fresh air intake. This bracket is secured using 3x removable screws and 1x fixed screw. Please see Editor’s Note above.
The bracket is designed in a manner that it can house ATX as well as SFX PSUs. However, there is a catch. The SFX PSUs have short cables, and it is possible that the EPS cable can’t reach the motherboard’s 12V EPS connectors. Keep that in mind.
I have removed the PSU bracket and side bracket. You can see the spacious layout available in this case. The front-mounted IO panel’s cables are located towards the floor of the case and routed outward via a vertical cutout on the side frame.
PCIe SlotsChassis Floor
This case has 5x PCIe slots that are not reusable. Remove the desired number of covers before installing the motherboard. These are vented. XPG has provided a 120mm ARGB fan on the rear of the case. This is the only fan available with the case.
The floor of the case can house up to 2x 120mm fans to draw fresh air. But these fans are subject to the height of the graphics card. A 4-slot card may not allow installing 25mm thick fans. You can also install a 3.5” drive towards the front.
Backside
Backside Panel
The backside panel is made of steel material and has same perforated angular stripe design as is on the other panels. It also has magnetic dust filter on the inner side.
A white box secured on the bottom left contains accessories. Removing this box shows the complete backside view of the case. The side frame is inset compared to the motherboard tray. XPG has mentioned the available cable management space of 35mm. However, this is only applicable for the side frame. There is a tight space behind the motherboard tray.
Multiple cable tie points are provided at various locations for cable management. You can install a 2.5” drive on the top side of the side frame.
Cable Routing
The power cable is routed from the rear to the front of the case. This is a standard SFF case design.
IO Cables
Cables
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The following are provided:
Front Panel Connectors
1x USB Type-E 3.2 Connector
1x USB3.2 Connector
1x HD Audio Connector
1x Power Plug for PSU
Test Build And Experience
I have used the following configuration for testing of this case:
I started the build with the motherboard’s installation. You need to remove the non-reusable PCIe covers first before installing the motherboard. The RAM and CPU Cooler were installed next, and I did not face any issues since the case provides ample space for your hand movement.
PSU Installation
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I would suggest installing the PSU before the graphics card. The PSU was installed on the bracket. You need to remove the bracket to install the PSU. I installed the PSU so that the fan faces the front of the case for fresh air intake.
EPS Cable Routing
I encountered an issue where the EPS power cable could not be routed to reach the EPS 12V connectors on the motherboard. Either I had to change the PSU or use an extension cable. I have used a custom extension cable available to me.
Then, I installed the graphics card. One thing that I noted is the difficulty of routing the storage drive cables from the PSU to the SSD mounted on the backside. This is when you install a liquid cooler on the top; otherwise, it is not an issue. Lastly, the side bracket was installed, and the GPU support bracket was configured to serve its purpose.
Cable Management
Cable management is not an issue in this case with a simple build.
The above are a few pictures of the test build.
Thermal Test Results
The thermal testing was done with an ambient temperature of 24ᵒC, and I have used AIDA64 Engineering Stress Test software for this purpose, using FPU and GPU.
Test Results
Despite not having air intake fans, the CPU and graphics card temperatures are within acceptable limits, albeit higher than in a case with fans.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If
✅You need a highly compact case: This case has a volume of 34 liters, and comes under the NVIDIA SFF-Ready certified case category, and provides enough space for modern hardware.
✅You are looking for an airflow case: The Valor Air Nano is designed with maximum ventilation in mind. This is why this case has perforated steel panels all around with strong dust filtration.
✅You want good specs: The Valor Nano RGB, despite being a compact case, supports a 360mm AIO on the top and the graphics card with up to 370mm length. The CPU cooler height clearance is 170mm.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You have a clearance problem: The 370mm supported length is subject to the clearance from the PSU. If you are using an ATX PSU, there is a chance that the PSU might obstruct the card. Do your homework.
Final Words
XPG Valor Air Nano is a highly compact but efficient tower case that is designed around maximum ventilation for good airflow. This is achieved by using stylish, striped, designed cutouts on all steel panels backed by good dust filtration. These panels are a tool-less design. This case does not have a glass panel.
This case can house a micro-ATX or mini-ITX-sized motherboard. VALOR AIR NANO is NVIDIA SFF-Ready certified. Its volume is a little over 34 liters. The PSU mount is on the front, whereas the power cable socket is provided on the rear. An internal power extension cord is supplied, which is a standard SFF design.
No fan mount is provided on the front, which is a clever design since the PSU mount is provided on the front. This implies that the case does not have a dual-chamber layout. However, this case has limited storage provision, and oddly, these are all at staggered locations. It can house 2×2.5” and 1×3.5” drives.
You can install a CPU air cooler of maximum 170mm height, a graphics card of maximum 370mm length, and a PSU of 170mm length. ATX and SFX/SFX-L PSUs are supported, but graphics card length is subject to PSU form factor.
Assembling a PC in this case is not a trivial task. However, keep in mind that small length of EPS cable from the SFX/SFX-L PSU will not reach the EPS connectors on the motherboard. Other than that, I did not face any issues as such.
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
A new job listing suggests id Software has already begun working on its next game.
The listing is seeking a Lead Gameplay Features Programmer with experience on consoles.
The last title, Doom: The Dark Ages, couldn’t become as big a hit as they might’ve expected.
id Software is just fresh from releasing Doom: The Dark Ages. The title managed to hit the biggest launch in the franchise’s history despite many doubting its success. And now, it seems they’ve already started work on their next title.
According to a new job listing, id Software has started development for its next game, following Doom. The listing is somewhat vague, but it does suggest that the game is already in development.
Why it matters: It appears that id Software has quickly moved on from Doom and is already planning its next title, but it is currently unclear what this title will be.
id Software has started hiring for its next title.
ZeniMax has listed a new opening for Lead Gameplay Features Programmer to join their Dallas team. We could speculate on several projects the team might be working on, but the Dallas studio is primarily known for its development assistance.
They haven’t completely worked on a major title in a while. However, based on the listing, it appears they’re working on a AAA title that will also be released on consoles. Also, they want them to work on new gameplay features.
The studio could be working on a new Quake game.
Nonetheless, there could be a few titles they are working on, and the most probable of these could be either Wolfenstein or Quake. The last Wolfenstein was released back in 2014, so it should make more sense.
However, Quake could be more likely, considering a previous job listing suggested that Machine Games would be working on the next Wolfenstein. Let’s wait for the official word, as this is just speculation on our part.
What are your thoughts on id Software working on its next game? Do you think it’s Quake, Wolfenstein, or something completely new? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the Tech4Gamers Forum.
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
Redfall became Arkane Studios’ worst-rated release, eventually leading to the studio’s closure.
The deluxe edition promised a DLC, but the developer’s shutdown means it’ll never be released.
Players who purchased the deluxe edition are still waiting for refunds despite the canceled content.
At its lowest point, the player base had shrunk so much that finding a match became nearly impossible. Despite this, some players had purchased the $100 Deluxe Edition, which promised future DLC.
Why it matters: With the studio already shut down, the promised DLC will never arrive. This makes refunds for Deluxe Edition buyers not just fair, but necessary.
Redfall Deluxe Buyers Are Still Waiting On Refunds For The Canceled DLC.
A Twitter user, SnapBlastPlay, bought the deluxe edition of Redfall at launch. Since the studio has already shut down, the user has been waiting for a refund for nearly 15 months.
What makes the situation even more frustrating is that they haven’t received any proper response. While it seems players need to submit a support ticket to get answers, SnapBlastPlay did that a year ago, only to be told that Microsoft was working on it. A year later, it appears they’re still working on it.
This comes across as extremely unprofessional for a trillion-dollar company, especially since situations like this could even open the door to case law or, in the worst case, a class-action lawsuit.
On the lighter side, fans have also been poking fun at the buyer, questioning why anyone would purchase the deluxe edition of Redfall at launch.
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
Crystal Dynamics underwent its second round of layoffs this year.
The studio says that the future of the next Tomb Raider game is unaffected by this change.
Reports say otherwise, suggesting that the game’s development is in trouble.
2025 hasn’t been kind to the video game industry, with several studio closures and game cancellations. Crystal Dynamics has suffered from similar bad luck, as their co-developed title, Perfect Dark, was recently canceled, following which the studio underwent layoffs.
Unfortunately, Crystal Dynamics has now undergone a second wave of layoffs this year, with ongoing uncertainty surrounding the next AAA Tomb Raider game.
Why it matters: Two rounds of layoffs in just over six months aren’t a good sign and indicate that the veteran studio is in a dire condition. As such, the future of Tomb Raider is questionable and in doubt.
Crystal Dynamics Announces That It’s Cutting Down Its Workforce On LinkedIn
On LinkedIn, Crystal Dynamics announced these layoffs due to ‘evolving business conditions,’ saying:
This decision was not made lightly. It was necessary, however, to ensure the long-term health of our studio and core creative priorities in a continually shifting market.
The number of affected employees remains uncertain; however, the studio currently comprises more than 200 people across three offices. Embracer Group had also promised to shield the studio from layoffs, but this is the second time they have broken their promise.
Regarding Tomb Raider, the studio stated that the game’s future remains unaffected by this decision. Despite this statement, there is no formal announcement regarding the development progress.
Previously, a report revealed that the studio had been struggling with the development of Tomb Raider, which now seems increasingly plausible by the day. Neither Crystal Dynamics nor Embracer Group appears to acknowledge the game’s release date in their list of upcoming releases.
Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider game is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, with development funded by Amazon Games. With only a few months left until 2025 ends, it’s unlikely that we’ll get a teaser now. At best, expect an unveil for the game next year.
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
Unreal Engine 5 has faced heavy criticism due to widespread performance issues in games.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has addressed these concerns directly.
He explained that most problems arise because developers leave optimization for low-end hardware until the very end of development.
Unreal Engine 5 is perhaps the most controversial engine in the industry. While it allows games to look absolutely stunning, it also comes with major problems. Nearly every game developed on it has suffered from noticeable performance issues.
Why it matters: Developers are chasing Unreal Engine 5 for its incredible potential, but many of their games end up plagued with severe performance issues.
Almost All UE5 Games Have Performance Issues
In an interview with This Is Game, Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, explained the real issue behind games facing severe performance problems. While all of these titles share one thing in common: being developed with Unreal Engine 5. However, Sweeney believes the engine itself is not to blame.
According to him, the real problem lies in developers failing to optimize properly. He explained that many studios start by building their games for high-end hardware and only shift to optimizing for lower-end systems at the final stages, leaving them with little time to refine performance.
The primary reason Unreal Engine 5-based games don’t run smoothly on certain PCs or GPUs is the development process. Many developers begin by developing games for high-end hardware, then optimize and test on lower-spec devices in the final stages.
The Main Concern of This Engine Is The Stuttering Problem
Sweeney believes that optimization isn’t an easy task; it is a very difficult one, and that is exactly why it should be implemented early in the development process.
While Unreal Engine 5 has faced plenty of criticism, what Sweeney said makes a lot of sense, and developers should definitely take note.
He further explained that Epic Games plans to address this issue with two main approaches: strengthening support for the engine and providing better training for developers.
What are your thoughts on Tim Sweeney’s statement? Do you agree with him? 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 Devil May Cry 5 director believes he would not have been able to improve the series any further.
He states that competing with the series will be challenging moving forward, but the future is unpredictable.
Hideaki Itsuno also wishes Capcom the best of luck for future Devil May Cry titles.
Hideaki Itsuno, the developer credited for much of Devil May Cry’s success, left Capcom last year. Following his departure, he began working on a completely original action IP, even hiring several veteran developers who had worked alongside him at Capcom.
Since Hideaki Itsuno’s next release is set to be an action game, comparisons with Devil May Cry were inevitable, and the director was recently asked to comment on potential competition with his own work. He holds Devil May Cry 5 in high regard and believes competing with the title will prove to be challenging.
Why it matters: Devil May Cry 5 is widely considered one of the best modern action games, so upcoming titles are practically guaranteed to be compared with this release.
Hideaki Itsuno Believes DMC 5 Was His Best Work On The Franchise
When asked by VGC about his thoughts on competing with Capcom’s future Devil May Cry releases, Hideaki Itsuno stated that he remains very proud of his work on the last game.
He believes that it may not even be possible to outdo his own work from 2019, but the director noted that he held a similar belief after Devil May Cry 4 was released. As such, the developer has shown an ability to outdo himself time and again.
Devil May Cry 5, by and large, is considered the pinnacle of the franchise. Although some die-hard players prefer the core gameplay of past entries due to removed features like inertia and reversals, the general reception to this title was incredibly positive.
I’m extremely proud of Devil May Cry 5, and I don’t think I can improve on it, so competing is going to be hard.
This is why Hideaki Itsuno believes it will be challenging to create something better. Anyhow, he remains excited to push action games to their limits again, and with various veteran developers by his side, the director might just be able to outdo himself again.
DMC5 Has Sold Over 10 Million Units
As for what is next from Devil May Cry, rumors suggest a remake is in the works as the next entry.
Capcom’s plans remain a mystery for now, but the team is hard at work on season 2 of the recently released Netflix adaptation. Hideaki Itsuno also wishes the publisher good luck for future entries in the series.
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Gears of War Reloaded launched on the PS5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC yesterday.
The game is also available on Steam, but it has only reached 4,800 concurrent players on the platform.
In addition to the low player counts, the reviews are mixed so far.
Gears of War Reloaded’s announcement came as a huge surprise a few months ago. Not only did Xbox confirm the series’ debut on PlayStation, but it also revealed that the franchise would be heading to Steam for the first time.
Needless to say, fans were excited to return to the series’ roots. Many even expressed excitement for the returning multiplayer mode, but it seems the game’s release has not lived up to this buzz, at least on Steam.
Why it matters: Because Gears of War multiplayer has not been relevant for many years, fans were expected to revisit the latest rendition of the IP in big numbers.
According to SteamDB, the game has failed to even reach 5,000 concurrent players on the platform. Nearly 24 full hours after the game’s release, it still sits at a concurrent peak of 4,819 players.
The game’s player base is split across multiple platforms, and Game Pass likely accounts for a large portion of the players on PC, but many expected higher player counts on Steam due to the multiplayer.
Gears of War established a massive multiplayer community as early as 2006, so many legacy players were expected to return for this re-release. Unfortunately, it seems this has not been the case, and the reviews on Steam are also far from spectacular.
Of the 641 reviews, only 49% are positive. It seems most of the negativity revolves around persistent crashes that are plaguing a large chunk of the PC audience.
Gears of War Reloaded Is The Second Big Remaster Of The Original Title
Anyhow, Gears of War Reloaded could still show better numbers once the weekend rolls around. Given how popular the series was on the Xbox 360, a few more players may join the game soon.
This should help stir interest in the franchise ahead of Gears of War: E-Day. The upcoming prequel is set to launch next year, introducing a whole new generation of players to the long-running Xbox IP.
