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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Laura Fryer, a former member of the Xbox team, has criticized the company’s recent handheld.
She states that it serves no purpose, as it utilises existing hardware and runs Windows 11.
The handheld will not play console Xbox titles either, making it unappealing for most people, according to the former executive.
Microsoft officially announced the Xbox handheld earlier this month, and reactions to the new hardware have been mixed so far.
While fans appreciate the company’s attempt to branch out, others believe the handheld needs to offer more than just a tweaked ROG Ally experience. In fact, one of the founding Xbox members believes that nobody has a reason to buy this handheld.
Why it matters: Xbox’s decision to enter the handheld market appears natural after the success of the Nintendo Switch, but the company’s first step is more half-hearted than most expected.
Laura Fryer, a veteran of the original Xbox team, recently discussed Microsoft’s plans for the future. She noted that the team had previously focused on hardware innovation, alongside software support, as a key component of the business, and the ROG Xbox Ally shows a shift away from this trend.
As Laura Fryer points out, the handheld runs Windows and only supports Xbox Play Anywhere titles on PC. Therefore, console-only titles, such as Ninja Gaiden Black or Sonic Unleashed, will not be playable on the handheld.
This makes the hardware more akin to a Windows PC with a few specific Xbox features. The former Xbox team member argues that gamers may as well build a proper PC instead or invest in a Linux-based handheld, such as the Steam Deck.
Laura Fryer also noted that the ROG Ally itself is quite expensive, so choosing the Xbox ROG Ally over other options would not save gamers much money. For context, rumors suggest this handheld will start at €599.
She concluded the video by stating that the Xbox hardware division is essentially dead at this point.
There’s literally no reason to buy this handheld. As one of the founding members of the Xbox team, I’m not pleased. I think Xbox hardware is dead.
Microsoft’s First Handheld Is An Xbox-Branded ROG Ally
Interestingly, this is not the first time an executive has criticized the Xbox handheld. Previously, the Blizzard boss argued that Microsoft should focus on games instead of making unnecessary hardware.
What do you think about Laura Fryer’s assessment of the ROG Xbox Ally? Share your opinions on the handheld in the comments below, and visit the Tech4Gamers Forums for more interesting news.
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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An insider says not to expect a Resident Evil 1 Remake for a few years down the line.
Instead, Capcom is working on a Code Veronica or a Zero Remake next.
Resident Evil Code Veronica and Zero remakes are in high demand, and with internal interest to pursue these projects, it’s easy to see why they might be prioritised.
Since Capcom’s revival of the horror FPS franchise with Resident Evil 7, remakes of the earlier entries have become a tradition between new mainline releases. With the second, third, and fourth entries already remade, it seems only natural that Capcom would eventually consider a remake of the first entry as well.
The Japanese developer has other plans. According to a new report, Capcom has no plans for remaking Resident Evil 1 and instead, Code Veronica and Zero will receive a makeover first.
Why it matters: Capcom’s release of Resident Evil Remakes in a non-chronological way has been quite confusing for fans.
Insider On Next Resident Evil Game Beyond Requiem
Resident Evil leaker Dusk Golem claims a Resident Evil 1 Remake isn’t currently in development at Capcom. However, the possibility of the project isn’t dismissed, and a Remake would eventually happen somewhere down the line.
A Resident Evil 0 Remake would make the most sense, especially since it is the first ever entry in the franchise. Both Code Veronica and Zero Remakes have been high in demand among fans by Capcom, as indicated by a survey conducted a while ago, so it makes sense why they’re headed in this direction.
Developers who initially worked on Resident Evil Zero are interested in revisiting the project. Additionally, Resident Evil Zero’s smaller scale makes it one of the easiest titles to remake.
Currently, all resources are allocated towards Resident Evil Requiem, which is scheduled for release next year. As such, expect a Code Veronica or a Zero Remake by 2027 or 2028.
Are you excited for a Resident Evil Code Veronica or a Zero Remake? Let us know what you’d expect from Capcom next down in the comments, or at the Tech4Gamers Forums.
Lead the comparison and blog writing teams at Tech4Gamers.
Oversee teams with a keen eye for detail and precision.
Ensure hands-on writing, with benchmarks and testing as guiding principles.
Guarantee the delivery of the best possible results in concise yet impactful tech tales.
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PC & Laptop motherboards are only designed to function so you get distortion and hiss, which DAC/AMP eliminate.
They unlock the potential of your high-end microphone and headset, which otherwise would feel flat or underpowered.
Once you buy them, you rarely need to upgrade them for even a decade, so you can instead upgrade your headsets or microphone.
When you think about a DAC/AMP setup, you might think about audiophiles such as musicians and people who do voice-overs. However, it isn’t limited only to them anymore because it is a basic requirement if you want to reach the full potential of your sound inputs.
DAC AMP Setup (Image Credits – YT/BadSeed Tech)
Why Do You Need A DAC/AMP?
Most people invest in a high-end headphone and they’re pumped to hook it onto their computer and when they do, they’re left with disappointment. What they don’t realize is that the problem isn’t with their new headphone, it is with their computer.
Motherboards Aren’t Designed For Sound Quality
See, computer motherboards have built-in sound cards that aren’t created to provide the highest quality audio output; they’re only designed to give you audio that functions.
Even the higher-end motherboards and gaming laptops lack this feature. But why does it happen in the first place? You see, your motherboards has tons of components attached to it, all of which generate electrical noise.
Comes With Built-In Sound (Image By Tech4Gamers)
When you use a 3.5mm headphone jack, this noise leaks into the audio signal path. This is why you’re wondering why you hear some form of hiss or distortion, even if it’s very slight.
But, How Do They Work?
This is where a DAC & AMP setup comes in. Simply put, a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter) converts the digital signals from your PC into analogue audio. While a standard DAC won’t be of much use when paired with an AMP (Amplifier), you get to experience the full quality of your audio device.
Most of these come with adjustable knobs and switches, allowing you to control the volume and gain levels. They are very convenient because they also allow you to simultaneously connect multiple devices, such as your console, PC, and phone.
Switching between devices is very easy, and you don’t have to remove the cables from one device and plug them into a different device, since everything can be controlled via one hub.
Full Power = Full Potential
These also support the full 48V of current, also known as Phantom Power, which your computer or laptop’s motherboard can simply not provide, and the audio ends up feeling flat and lacking bass.
Many popular headsets don’t reach their full potential if they aren’t properly powered. This is why some headsets, such as the ASTRO A40 TR and the Steel Series, come with their own Amplifier.
ASTRO MixAmp Pro TR (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Advantageous In Gaming
In gaming, the difference between using headphones with and without a DAC and AMP setup is like night and day. With this combo, you get a sense of realism and precision because the sound is clearer.
This means that you get better positional accuracy and catch sounds such as the enemies’ footsteps and direction from where the shots have been fired more accurately because the sound spectrum doesn’t get lost in the mud. Even if you’re using In-Ear Monitors (IEMs), it is recommended that you use them through a DAC/AMP setup so you get the most out of them.
Best For Immersion
Videos and other media sounds also become more immersive, and you can now hear the dialogues with clear articulation. This combo allows separation and depth where the background sound won’t overshadow the vocals.
Best For Immersion (Image Credits – YT/ Hardware Canucks)
Must For Mics Too
Apart from being a must for headphones, DACs and AMPs are also much needed for microphones. While USB can operate many mics, you’d be surprised to see how big of a difference it makes when you plug them through this combo using an XLR cable.
The difference is just as apparent as it is for headsets, where the mic picks up your voice more clearly and at a further distance because it is powered correctly, thanks to this DAC & AMP combo.
It also unlocks a microphone’s true potential, especially a condenser mic like the Syntech RGB GlowMic. Unlike a dynamic mic, a condenser mic needs phantom power, which an AMP provides. Moreover, it also eliminates the background hiss and distortion that is a big issue with mics powered by a motherboard.
Must For Mics (Image Credits – YT/Optimum)
One Time Purchase Could Last A Lifetime
The best part about a DAC/AMP combo is that they almost last forever. Other components like your mouse, CPU, GPU might need an upgrade over the years, but a DAC & AMP rarely needs an upgrade.
If you invest in a good combo, it’ll be just as efficient for a decade or even more because its technology doesn’t advance much if you’re considering using it for casual use. You can later upgrade your microphone and headsets as much as you want.
Verdict
Using a DAC & AMP combo is something that you shouldn’t neglect. It is essential, especially if you’re considering buying a high-end microphone or headset. Even if you don’t have the budget for it, there are many budget options that you can opt for and then later upgrade if you want to.
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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Dying Light: The Beast game director says that open-world games are not about scale.
Instead, a handcrafted and quality-focused world will be more satisfactory for players.
Dying Light: The Beast will do precisely that and is described as an open-world playground with tons of gameplay approaches.
Over the past decade or so, video games have been opting for bloated open-world experiences that can become boring for players over time, often involving repetitive tasks and missions. Players argue that devs should value their time and deliver much more meaningful content.
Amid this escalating issue, the Dying Light: The Beast game director has stepped forward to address this concern. According to the dev, open-world games don’t specifically need to be massive to impress players.
Why it matters: Open-world games have been prioritising quantity over quality, and for the length of those 100-hour experiences, players can instead complete multiple titles within the same period.
In An Era Of $80 Games, Techland Stays Committed To Delivering AAA Titles For $60
Speaking to GamesRadar, Dying Light franchise director Tymon Smektala discussed how open-world games are not solely defined by their size.
Open worlds aren’t about scale—they’re about the feeling of being there. A smaller, hand-crafted world can feel more real and satisfying
Additionally, Smektala discussed most open-world games, where, between most hubs of activity, there isn’t much going on. While developing Dying Light games, their focus was on keeping players constantly engaged, making the experience both fun and enjoyable.
Ex-GTA Dev Says People Don’t Explore Open-World Games Because Of Gameplay Fatigue
Previously being a smaller project, the once-planned DLC has transformed into a full-fledged standalone experience. Dying Light: The Beast is set to offer around 40 hours of gameplay, with a focus on action and improved gunplay.
Dying Light: The Beast will feature an open-world playground where players can take multiple approaches to explore. Player freedom is one of the main focuses for the title, and it will only be about how creative players can get in the small town of Castor Woods, which is filled with surprises and opportunities, never letting players get tired, even for a minute.
What are your thoughts on Dying Light: The Beast so far? Do you agree with the dev’s take? Please 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.
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A cosplay and prop company has shared new images of several items related to Assassin’s Creed 4.
The company may have partnered with Ubisoft for upcoming promotional material related to Assassin’s Creed 4 Remake.
Multiple pieces of evidence suggest the remake is in development and will be revealed soon.
Although no major confirmation about the remake has come along since then, potential teasers from Ubisoft have pointed to the return of this beloved title. Just one month later, another interesting teaser has popped up on social media.
Why it matters:Evidence regarding the remake continues to pile up, and this latest social media post has given fans yet another reason to look forward to an official announcement.
Assassin’s Creed 4 Cosplay And Props via RBF Productions
As shared on Twitter, RBF Productions’ Rick Boer has shared images of props and cosplay items from Assassin’s Creed 4 Black Flag.
Although the game is still beloved to this day, it would be odd for a company to give such an old title this much attention out of the blue. This development has led many to believe that the social media post is a teaser of things to come.
Ubisoft seems to have partnered with RBF Productions to create props and costumes. These could end up being used in a potential live-action trailer based on Assassin’s Creed 4 Remake, as the gaming giant has been known to use live-action promotional material for its games in the past.
Although nothing is confirmed at the moment, reliable leakers believe the remake’s announcement is closer than ever. Therefore, there may be more to RBF Productions’ sudden interest in the decade-old Assassin’s Creed title.
Ubisoft Is Expected To Make Several Changes With The Remake
Ubisoft also passed on its annual showcase this year, so the gaming giant seems to be saving its announcements for another event. The next big gaming showcase is set to go live in August, so fans should keep an eye out for Assassin’s Creed 4 Remake potentially showing up at Gamescom Opening Night Live.
What are your thoughts on this potential teaser? Do you think the remake will be announced soon? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
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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Tides of Annihilation is set to launch in Fall 2026, according to a prominent leaker.
Tencent owns 90% of the game and greenlit the title back in November 2021.
A co-op mode is also lined up, and developer Eclipse Glow is already working on an expansion.
Since its initial reveal, Tides of Annihilation has enamoured fans with robust gameplay reminiscent of action titles like Devil May Cry, with the fantasy setting adding even more charm to an interesting premise.
Players have only been fed scraps for the past few months by developer Eclipse Glow Games, but new information from an insider has revealed some interesting tidbits, including the game’s internal release window.
Why It Matters: An action-based title inspired by Devil May Cry is much needed to release next year, following the dominance of JRPGs and Souls-likes in 2025.
The game stars Gwendolyn in a magical London.
According to insider Lunatic Ignus, Tides of Annihilation is scheduled to launch between September and October 2026, based on internal estimates.
Furthermore, the fantasy action game will feature a co-op mode, as revealed by the leaker, and the developer plans to announce this addition in 2025. Even more exciting is the news that an expansion/DLCof Tides of Annihilation is already in the works before the game even releases.
Judging from this, developer Eclipse Glow arguably has a lot of confidence in the project, and with the time they have had to make the game, it makes sense. According to the insider, Tides of Annihilation has been in development for over 3 years, as the game was greenlit back in November 2021, giving it a 5-year development cycle.
In addition, Tencent is set to own 90% of the title, meaning that most of the revenue will be generated by the Chinese gaming corporation.
The game’s combat has garnered the interest of many players.
With a Gamescom showcase about to come, in addition to a new trailer, players will get more Tides of Annihilation details very soon. If things go according to plan, a playabledemoin Q4 2025 is a possibility.
Built using Unreal Engine 5 and set in a modern London engulfed by the mythical realm of Avalon, Tides of Annihilation will have a 30-hour main story, and if the DMC-inspired combat is any good, we are in for a treat.
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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Many players across online forums are reporting that Death Stranding 2 is causing their PS5s and their other variants to overheat.
The game’s map screen is the culprit behind the technical bug; the fans go wild, and the console eventually shuts down.
The usual gameplay runs completely fine for all these affected players. A recent patch seemingly failed to fix this issue.
The launch of Death Stranding 2 has been quite successful, with some dubbing it to be one of the best gaming sequels so far. For many, the entry is already the Game Of The Year 2025 winner, but it is still not free of game-breaking bugs that are affecting many gamers.
Many players across online forums are reporting that Death Stranding 2 is causing intense overheating issues for PS5 and its variants. Surprisingly, the culprit is not the visually pleasing gameplay but rather the title’s detailed map screen.
Why it matters: A potentially game-breaking and console-crashing bug is affecting these Death Stranding 2 players. It could be detrimental to the gameplay experience and these consoles entirely if Kojima Productions does not offer a real fix soon.
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Many players are suffering from overheating issues on PS5 and its variants because of Death Stranding 2's map screen.
Many of these affected players have banded together to ask Kojima Productions for a fix.
The overheating issue still persists after a recent patch aimed to fix it.
Opening the map screen of Death Stranding 2 causes the fans of the consoles to go haywire before players get a warning that it is overheating. The machine becomes extremely hot to the touch and just turns off later.
This dilemma is mostly affecting the base PS5 and Slim players, but a few reports of PS5 Pro users have also emerged across other threads. A possible explanation is that the map screen likely uncaps the frame rate, which pushes the GPU to its limits and causes overheating.
Some players have also noted that a recent patch failed to fix the issue entirely but has somewhat reduced it. So, it might only be a matter of time before Kojima Productions completely squashes this game-breaking bug.
Death Stranding 2 has had an otherwise positive reception in the community.
Do you think Kojima Productions will manage to fix the issue of PS5 overheating in the next Death Stranding 2 patch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
As Tech4Gamers’ Wiki Editor, I dissect gaming products, offering detailed perspectives on a variety of PCMR hardware ranging from the Best Motherboards and CPUs to the Best GPUs, RAM, and PSUs.
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According to AMD’s driver support page for its upcoming Radeon AI Pro R9700 professional-class GPU, the Ryzen 5 9600X3D’s future existence has been confirmed.
I expect the Ryzen 5 9600X3D to be a binned-down version of the 9800X3D with 2 cores disabled for a total of 6 cores akin to the 7600X3D.
AMD will have to price the 9600X3D at a maximum of $275, otherwise the $215 Intel Core i5-14600K will capture the majority of the budget gaming CPU market share.
For years, AMD’s 3D V-Cache processors have been the secret weapon of PC gamers—delivering monstrous performance in games that love cache, like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Starfield.
But there’s always been a catch: The best X3D chips were expensive.
What’s even more appreciable is that AMD seems to have finally resolved its nightmare of handling dual CCDs (Core Chiplet Die) in top-of-the-line X3D CPUs that plagued the sales of a few victims including the king of the Zen 4 lineup, i.e., the Ryzen 9 7950X3D.
But what about budget gamers? AMD’s cheaper X3D offerings—like the Ryzen 5 5600X3D, 5700X3D, and 7600X3D—never quite took off despite impressive performance.
Limited availability, odd pricing, and stiff competition left them in the shadows.
But now, AMD is trying again—discreetly confirming the Ryzen 5 9600X3D in a driver support page for its new Radeon AI Pro R9700 GPU.
And this time? It might actually dominate the budget gaming CPU market.
Ryzen 5 9600X3D: What We Know So Far
Thanks to AMD’s driver listing leak, we can now reasonably ascertain quite a handful of details:
Specs & Expected Pricing
6 cores / 12 threads (likely a 8-core chiplet with 2 cores disabled, just like the 7600X3D).
Base clock: ~4.2 GHz | Boost clock: ~5.0 GHz (estimated).
64MB 3D V-Cache + 32MB L3 + 6MB L2 = 102MB total cache (vs. 104MB on the 9800X3D).
Integrated RDNA 2 iGPU (likely the same as the one in the Ryzen 5 7600X3D).
Expected MSRP: $280-300 (in line with the 7600X3D’s MSRP of $300).
Of course, we can’t forget the fact that the 9600X3D is based on AMD’s revamped Zen 5 microarchitecture that debuted with the launch of the Ryzen 9000 Series.
The Ryzen 5 9600X3D will be based on AMD’s 2nd Generation 3D V-Cache. (Image Credits – AMD)
Therefore, all of Zen 5’s architectural improvements will come as a standard upgrade over the preceding Zen 4-based Ryzen 5 7600X3D:
Zen 5 Architecture: A Big Leap
~15% IPC uplift over Zen 4 (early benchmarks show even higher gaming gains).
Better branch prediction and larger L1/L2 caches.
Improved power efficiency (same TDP, more performance).
Performance Expectations
According to testing conducted by Videocardz, the 7600X3D trailed by only 8% on average in comparison to its elder sibling, i.e., the 7800X3D.
Based on that performance differential, it’s safe to say that the 9600X3D might be within spitting range of the 9800X3D, making the former one of the best value-for-money gaming CPUs if AMD gets the pricing right.
The Competition: Can Anything Beat It?
1. Intel Core i5-14600K ($215)
14 cores (6P + 8E) / 20 threads.
Higher multi-core performance (better for streaming/productivity).
Slightly outdated platform (LGA 1700).
It has to be said—the Core i5-14600K offers unbeatable value for money.
It’s been the subject of steep discounts to the point where it’s now retailing globally for as low as $165 which is an absolute banger of a deal as far as I’m concerned.
With clock speeds ranging between 3.5 GHz till 5.3 GHz along with a count of 14 cores and 20 threads, the Core i5-14600K remains the best sub-$250 CPU with an iGPU (Intel UHD 770).
In our in-house testing covering 13 heavy-duty titles, we found that the i5-14600K trails by just 13.1% on average when compared to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. (Image Credits – Tech4Gamers)
It doesn’t matter whether your workloads are more focused towards gaming or productivity, that’s how much of an all-rounder this CPU is.
Just keep in mind that this CPU is rated for a maximum turbo TDP of 181W, so it’s almost twice as power-hungry as the upcoming 9600X3D.
Final Verdict: The New Budget Gaming King?
If AMD prices the 9600X3D right ($250-$275) and avoids inventory management issues, it could dominate the $200-$300 gaming CPU market.
Who Should Buy It?
Pure gamers who want the latest hardware with maximum FPS for the price.
Efficiency-focused builders (low power, high performance).
Future-proofers (Zen 5 + AM5 + 3D V-Cache will age beautifully).
Productivity-focused users (non-3D Ryzen 7 or Intel i5 offerings are better).
The Bottom Line
The Ryzen 5 9600X3D might finally be the budget X3D chip that delivers—without compromises.
However, AMD needs to carefully analyse the market and decide upon the 9600X3D’s MSRP because I’ll be honest, I don’t think $300 is going to fly well with consumers this time.
Sure, the 9600X3D will have a leg up over the i5-14600K in terms of future-proofing (platform support for AM5 vs. LGA 1700) along with perhaps a slight FPS boost in gaming.
However, the latter blows the former away in productivity tasks, so the minor gaming performance differential + future-proofed platform will not be enough to justify a $85 gap.
If AMD doesn’t botch the launch with exorbitant pricing and supply-demand mismatches, this could be the best midrange gaming CPU of 2025.
Now, we wait for the actual unveiling, the official MSRP and real-world pricing, and of course, the benchmarks that will subsequently follow.
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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The Rainbow Six Siege director states that games will continue to pursue crossovers.
This is largely due to the current demand for crossover skins and events.
Games could also add an option to disable such skins in the future.
Microtransactions have slowly taken over the industry, and in today’s live-service era, the most popular type of microtransaction often involves cosmetic items.
Games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege, and more sell various character skins for their players to use, but not everyone enjoys this part of these titles. According to a developer behind one of these games, however, this type of microtransaction is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Why it matters: Many players have spoken out against the practice of introducing crossovers and over-the-top skins in multiplayer live-service titles. They believe that these skins clash with the core themes of such games.
The Boys Crossover With Rainbow Six Siege Featured A Homelander SKin
Speaking to PC Gamer, Alex Karpazis, the director of Rainbow Six Siege, discussed the numerous crossovers in Ubisoft’s popular first-person shooter.
He stated that players have shown an interest in all sorts of skins, so the team is dedicated to ensuring these demands are met. While demand for more grounded skins exists, many players are still interested in the over-the-top customization that has become the norm today.
The director’s statement suggests that the same is true of other teams that follow the same approach. This is exactly why crossovers like Call of Duty and Attack on Titan have become a reality in recent years, even if the combination sounds odd at first.
Alex Karpazis also implied that studios could offer an option to disable skins in the future. This is something the Rainbow Six Siege team has already considered, but there is no announcement to make at the moment.
When it comes to skins, there’s clearly a variety to what players want. Our goal is to provide as much variety as possible.
Fortnite Features Characters Like Spider-Man, Goku, And Darth Vader
Fortnite is a prime example of a game featuring such crossovers today. As long as people continue to enjoy such crossovers, the gaming industry is unlikely to deviate from the trend.
Still, exceptions like Helldivers 2 exist even today, with Arrowhead Game Studios refusing to do crossovers with other IPs.
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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The former marketing lead claims that Nintendo feared for the company’s future during the rise of the mobile gaming era.
Nintendo believed that the handheld business was threatened because of smartphones.
However, the handheld business has coexisted with mobile gaming and grown significantly over the years.
Over the decades, Nintendo has become the dominant force in the handheld gaming industry. Handheld gaming has also been on the rise lately across multiple companies, something one would not have expected after the rise of mobile gaming began a decade ago.
However, the growth of mobile gaming also led Nintendo executives to genuinely fear for the company’s future. This tidbit was shared by the former Nintendo PR manager, Krysta Yang, who clarified that it was the one time when handheld gaming was threatened.
Why it matters: Nintendo believed that the convenience of smartphones could harm its handheld console business, as mobile gaming has become a significant part of the overall industry.
On the Kit and Krysta Podcast, the marketing lead explains that mobile gaming dominating the on-the-go scene had Nintendo showing genuine fear. The company executives had started believing it was over for handheld gaming.
[It was] the one time when we were within the company where we saw genuine fear from the executives at Nintendo.
However, Nintendo did not give up on its strategy and doubled down on pushing for handhelds in the coming years. So, instead of smartphones replacing portable consoles, both began coexisting peacefully in different parts of the industry.
Someone shared this video of this little kid, like three years old, playing games on an iPad, and you saw everyone’s face in that meeting was like, ‘it’s over for us, this is the end of the handheld market.’
Do you think Nintendo surviving and thriving in the mobile gaming era means the threat is over now, or is the handheld console business still at risk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
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New Vegas lead says turn-based genre failed because it didn’t have any technical complexity.
He said in the late 90s and 2000s, RTS mechanics were a better fit for RPGs.
This year, Clair Obscur proved that creativity can make turn-based a hit among audiences.
The turn-based genre has just exploded onto the scene thanks to the overwhelming success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. However, before that, it was part of a dying series of games that had long ago lost their charm due to a lack of innovation.
Even Fallout: New Vegas lead claims that the turn-based genre fell out in the 2000s because it started to feel repetitive and didn’t have a proper direction to head towards, including the first Fallout game.
Why it matters: The general consensus around turn-based games is that they are boring, and the combat starts to feel jarring and highly repetitive after a certain point, leading to a loss of interest.
Turn-based gameplay in Fallout 1 made it slighlty boring at times
He said back in the 90s RTS genre was what really flew off. However, turn-based was something that felt slightly underwhelming as it lacked technical depth and creativity, giving Fallout as an example.
It’s (combat) still very satisfying, but the tactical depth kind of goes away, or really, the complexity gets flattened.
– Josh Sawyer
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has proved the turn-based genre is quite alive if done right
He said (via PC Gamer) that while the overall combat was fun, it does kind of get to a point where you’re always doing nut shots and eye shots, and the complexity of it gets flattened. RTS mechanics were a better fit for the role-playing games.
Now, years later, Sandfall Interactive has proved that if there is creativity, turn-based can still be a lot of fun. Clair Obscur is the best-rated game of the year, and even Baldur’s Gate 3, with its turn-based mechanics, flew towards the GOTY award.
What are your thoughts on turn-based games? Do you like them or prefer the RTS genre? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official 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.
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FBC: Firebreak, Remedy’s latest title, flopped on launch.
It couldn’t even manage to get 2k players on Steam, and PC is the biggest market for FPS games.
Just recently, the developer has claimed that the game has crossed 1 million players, which is why fans are accusing it of lying to please the investors.
Remedy Entertainment is one of the most underrated studios, having developed gems like Control, Alan Wake, and Max Payne. While the studio remains underrated, it is pretty liked among its fandom, but it seems to be under some weird suspicions lately.
You may be aware of the disastrous launch of FBC: Firebreak, as it couldn’t even manage to attract 2k players in-game. However, despite this, the studio is claiming that the game has crossed 1 million players, which many are saying is a way to please investors by exaggerating the numbers.
Why it matters: Investors are typically harsh on studios when a game underperforms, as this often leads to layoffs and even the closure of a studio. Therefore, it is not unbelievable that a developer might try to control the narrative by lying.
Remedy Entertainment Is Being Accused of Lying About Its Latest FPS Game
Recently, the official game’s Twitter account posted that FBC: Firebreak has officially surpassed 1 million players, which seems suspicious. That is because it couldn’t even manage to attract 2k players on PC, the biggest market for FPS games.
As of last night, we have surpassed 1 million players in FBC: Firebreak. This is a significant milestone, so thank you for playing from all of us at Remedy.
The studio’s FPS currently has only 115 players, while the 24-hour peak is 164. It is also plagued with issues, so many things point toward suspicious activity from Remedy. That said, there is no proof that the developer lied about the numbers, except for the logical reasoning that can be flawed.
What do you think about Remedy potentially lying that its latest game has been performing well? Have you played it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.
