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Insider Dismisses Rumors of Next-Gen Xbox Being a PC, Confirms No Steam Integration

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  • Insider confirms that the next-gen Xbox device is a console with an SoC being developed by AMD.
  • As such, the console won’t have support for Steam or other third-party stores.
  • Xbox-PCs are still a thing, starting with the Xbox ROG Ally, which will support a variety of third-party stores.

As we approach the end of this console generation, rumours are beginning to emerge on what Microsoft will have to offer for Xbox fans in the future. Following their multi-platform strategy, leaks have suggested that the next-gen Xbox will be a PC in a console-friendly form factor.

This claim has been dismissed by an insider, though. According to him, the next-gen Xbox is still a traditional console and won’t have support for Steam.

Why it matters: With these earlier reports, Xbox fans have been concerned about the future of their platform. This report will reassure them that the gaming giant will still continue to rival PlayStation, at least in the hardware department.

next gen xbox amd soc
New Details On The Next-Gen Xbox Console Via Insider

According to comments from KelperL2, the SoC for the next-gen Xbox console is being manufactured by AMD. Moreover, the console will feature hardware-level backward compatibility with all previous Xbox generations.

KelperL2 has a solid track record of being accurate with hardware leaks in the past.

Moreover, on NeoGAF, the insider stated that the console won’t have any sort of Steam or third-party store support. According to him, such support would undermine the entire business model if users bypass the Xbox Store to purchase games on Steam at a lower cost.

next-gen xbox steam no support
Insider On Next-Gen Xbox Having Any Third-Party Store Support || Source: NeoGAF 

His words do hold some weight, though, since this would be incredibly damaging for Xbox as a manufacturer. 

Xbox’s manufacturing of a console is good news for the console space as a whole, as their withdrawal from the market would practically eliminate competition, which isn’t a desirable outcome.

xbox handheld
Xbox Dedicated Handheld Scheduled For Next-Gen Release Reportedly Cancelled

Xbox-PC will still be a thing, and Xbox ROG Ally is the first handheld to feature that nametag. The PC handheld features Microsoft’s refined gaming ecosystem, alongside support for third-party stores such as Steam, Epic Games Store, and others.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on this report? Are you excited for the next-gen Xbox console? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

CDPR Praises Clair Obscur, Says We Need More Games Like It

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  • CDPR community director praises Clair Obscur and says we need more games like it.
  • Everything in the game is outstanding, including the story, characters, and gameplay.
  • The game has been both a critical as well as a huge commercial success for Sandfall.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been a breakthrough title this year. It isn’t only a critical but also a massive commercial success. While the game is universally acclaimed by the audience, it’s getting the same treatment from studios as well. 

The Witcher and Cyberpunk studio, CDPR, has also praised Clair Obscur and says that we need more games like it to improve the gaming industry and deliver to fans what they expect. 

Why it matters: Clair Obscur is a fresh new take on turn-based games, and while it isn’t considered very popular, the title has single-handedly opened the genre to the more mainstream audience through its creativity. 

CDPR community director says the industry and fans need more games like Clair Obscur

Taking to X, the CDPR global community director raved about how good Clair Obscur is. From the characters to the storyline and the gameplay, and the music, he praised everything Sandfall has done with the game. 

I’m not going to be original here when I say we need more games like this

– CDPR community director

He stated that we need more games like this based on how good it is. This isn’t the only time it has received praise from a developer. Even the legendary Hideo Kojima talked about how great Claire Obscur is, especially based on its team size. 

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been both a commercial and critical success

It also isn’t a full-priced AAA title, which makes it even better and also still keeps the debate of the $80 game alive, whether they’re worth it or not. Nonetheless, games like Clair Obscur are something the industry should focus more on. 

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on the CDPR director praising Clair Obscur? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

 

Crimson Desert Release Date Set For November 2, 2025

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  • Pearl Abyss has confirmed the Crimson Desert release date for November 2nd, 2025.
  • There were rumors it might be delayed to 2026, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
  • It is one of the most anticipated games after the success of Black Desert Online.

Developed by Pearl Abyss, Crimson Desert, a prequel to the popular Black Desert, was announced back in 2019. While there were rumors that the title might be pushed to 2026, it seems the studio is almost done with the development. 

According to an interview with Pearl Abyss, Crimson Desert has received a release date of November 2, 2025. This comes after the studio confirmed a late 2025 release window last month. 

Why it matters: Based on how popular Black Desert was, the expectations from Crimson Desert are also through the roof. Fans will be glad to find that they won’t have to wait till next year for the game. 

Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert release date currently set for November

While the release date is set now, it can be changed if there are some issues with the development. However, based on how it is progressing right now, it is expected to meet the target release, signalling that the studio is almost done with it. 

In an interview with MTN, Pearl Abyss confirmed that Crimson Desert is now in the final stages of development. The franchise, which was an MMORPG with Black Desert, has been turned into an open-world adventure genre with the new entry. 

Crimson Desert
It is one of the most highly anticipated launches of 2025

The title seems to be inspired by popular games like The Witcher 3 and Dragon Age. Moreover, its main story is expected to last from 50-80 hours, so fans are going to be investing a lot of time into it. 

It is claimed that even Sony tried to offer exclusivity for it, but Pearl Abyss rejected. The previews have been solid with some minor criticisms. Let’s just wait and see what the studio has cooked up with the title. 

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on the Crimson Desert release date? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum. 

Borderlands 4 Adds Denuvo and Symbiote DRM, Players Worry About Performance Issues

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  • Borderlands 4 will feature two types of DRM systems: Denuvo and Symbiote, designed to prevent piracy.
  • The use of Denuvo is not new for the series, but including a second DRM, Symbiote, has worried some players.
  • Neither the developer, Gearbox, nor the publisher, 2K, has commented on the DRM implementation.

The pre-order pages list that Borderlands 4 comes packed with Denuvo and Symbiote DRM, confirming Gearbox’s plan to protect the game from piracy at launch. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as Borderlands 3 also shipped with Denuvo at launch.

However, it’s the addition of another DRM, Symbiote, alongside Denuvo, that’s concerning for most players. 

Why it matters: DRM in video games is always a hot topic, especially Denuvo. Gamers often worry that it can cause lag, FPS drops, or even shorten SSD life.

Borderlands 4 Denuvo and Symbiote DRM
Source: SteamDB

Borderlands 4 is also using a newer and less familiar type of game protection called Symbiote DRM. Some people believe that, unlike Denuvo, it works at the computer’s kernel level, which has some players concerned.

Players are concerned that it might cause problems with other programs, slow down the system in the background, or even create security and privacy risks.

The name “Symbiote” itself has caused alarm, as it is shared with a known Linux rootkit. However, it’s worth noting that the name may simply be an internal branding term for a proprietary 2K DRM, with the shared name being a coincidence.

On the other hand, Denuvo’s impact varies. Tests of games like Hogwarts Legacy and Dragon’s Dogma 2 have shown real drops in frame rates and longer load times. However, Stellar Blade shows little to no performance impact, all while utilizing Denuvo.

Neither Gearbox Software nor publisher 2K has released a statement to clarify the nature of both DRMs. However, fans are criticizing this decision. Last time fans criticized the game, Gearbox responded by saying, “don’t take our passion for granted.”

Borderlands 4 Needs To Be A Hit (Image by Tech4Gamers)
Borderlands 4 Needs To Be A Hit. (Image by Tech4Gamers)

Even with some adverse reactions, Borderlands 4 pre-orders appear to be doing well. The game comes out on September 12, 2025, with versions priced from $69.99 for the Standard Edition to $129.99 for the Super Deluxe Edition.

Latest Updates

But if the game has performance problems at launch, Gearbox might run into the same trouble they had with Borderlands 3 on PC—when players blamed Denuvo for lag and it wasn’t removed until months later.

Are you concerned about Borderlands 4 shipping with multiple DRMs? Drop your thoughts in the comments, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

PlayStation Still Sees Xbox As Primary Competition Despite Nintendo’s Success, Says Former Exec

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  • The former boss of PlayStation has revealed that the company doesn’t consider Nintendo as its competitor. 
  • He said that Xbox is still its primary competitor, as Nintendo doesn’t even appear in its business analysis. 
  • However, when it comes to the Japanese market, PlayStation does consider Nintendo a competitor. 

There are three gaming giants in the industry: PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo. All three are quite popular and cater to their own respective audiences. While Nintendo may have a slightly different target audience, its success isn’t something that is common. 

There is essentially a cult following of Nintendo that would support this gaming giant regardless of the circumstances. Despite this much success, it seems like PlayStation doesn’t see it as a competitor. Instead, it still considers Xbox as the primary competition.  

Why it matters: Xbox’s presence in the gaming industry has gotten pretty low, especially in the hardware area. While the gaming giant is still making games, it seems to have shifted its entire focus to the Game Pass. 

Despite Xbox’s shift in strategy, it is pretty surprising that PlayStation considers it a primary competitor. During a Kit & Krysta podcast episode, Shuhei Yoshida, the former PlayStation boss, revealed that the company didn’t consider Nintendo as its competitor.  

Working for PlayStation, their perception of the competition is always Xbox. They see Microsoft being the competition because Xbox is very similar – performance, hardware. Inside Sony, even when they do a business analysis, Nintendo doesn’t show up. So there’s a competition market share between PlayStation and Xbox, and somehow they don’t included Nintendo.

-Shuhei Yoshida

Yoshida further clarified that PlayStation isn’t considering Nintendo a competitor because it isn’t ignoring the gaming giant, but rather because it covers a different audience. He said that Nintendo introduces gaming to youngsters, and among them, some later shifted to more mature gaming platforms.

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle
Xbox Games Like Indiana Jones and The Great Circle Are Usually A Massive Hit on The PlayStation 5

While Yoshida has stated that the company doesn’t consider Nintendo a competitor, he did mention one exception. In Japan, Nintendo’s influence is massive, and that is the only place where PlayStation considers Nintendo a competitor in that market, which is understandable. 

Latest Updates

What do you think about Shuhei Yoshida saying PlayStation and Nintendo aren’t competitors? Do you think his points are valid? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below, or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion. 

Devil May Cry 5 Voice Actor And Composer Call For New Entry From Capcom

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  • Devil May Cry 5 has sold a total of 10 million copies.
  • This milestone has led to members of the development team calling on Capcom for a sequel.
  • Both Johnny Yong Bosch and Casey Edwards have asked the studio to make Devil May Cry 6.

Devil May Cry continues to become more popular with each passing year, and the recent Netflix adaptation has only helped the franchise grow further.

The IP’s latest release recently joined the few Capcom titles to have sold over 10 million units, leading to a few interesting conversations within the community. One of the lead voice actors also joined the discussion, asking Capcom to make Devil May Cry 6.

Why it matters: Hideaki Itsuno left Capcom last year and began working on a brand new action game. This departure has left Capcom’s biggest action IP in a difficult position.

Devil May Cry
Johnny Yong Bosch Is Expected To Become Even More Pivotal To The IP Moving Forward | Image via X

Voice actor Johnny Yong Bosch recently retweeted news of Devil May Cry 5 reaching 10 million sales worldwide. For the unaware, Johnny Yong Bosch is the voice of Nero from the last two mainline entries of the IP, and he also voiced Dante in the recent Netflix adaptation.

The voice actor’s tweet asked whether this milestone was enough for Capcom to begin working on Devil May Cry 6. Interestingly, Casey Edwards, the composer of the last game’s soundtrack, retweeted this response and asked a similar question.

These tweets indicate that multiple members of the production team are more than willing to work on a new Devil May Cry project. Unfortunately, they also suggest that nothing significant related to a new game is currently underway.

Is that enough to get DMC6 going?

-Johnny Yong Bosch

Also asking for a friend?

-Casey Edwards

devil may cry 5
Johny Yong Bosch Wants To Return For Another DMC Title

Nonetheless, it seems the world is ready for Devil May Cry’s long-anticipated return. Even Hideki Kamiya, the series’ original creator, has expressed interest in working on a remake of the first game.

Latest Updates

What do you think about everyone’s current enthusiasm for Devil May Cry? Do you want to see Capcom making a new entry in the near future? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Kojima Made Changes To Death Stranding 2 Because Testers Liked It Too Much

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  • Hideo Kojima changed crucial plot points mid-way while developing Death Stranding 2 because testers liked it too much.
  • According to the game’s composer, the creator didn’t want to make something everyone liked.
  • Instead, he wanted the sequel to be polarising.

Without a doubt, Hideo Kojima is the most popular creator in the gaming world, developing legendary titles like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding while showcasing how truly artistic video games can be.

The creator has consistently managed to subvert expectations, rather than appealing to the masses, and has revealed that this is also his plan for Death Stranding 2. And, it seems like his commitment to the bit is maximum, as the director changed some things just because early previews praised it too much.

Why it matters: Auteurs like Kojima striving to create something new is a major reason the gaming medium is relevant artistically.

Death Stranding 2
Death Stranding 2 has received rave reviews early on.

While talking to Rolling Stone, the game’s composer, Woodkid, stated that Hideo Kojima changed some crucial storylines in the sequel just because players gave glowing reviews in the early testing phase.

According to Woodkid, the director approached him mid-development and said, “We have a problem: The players like the game too much.” Kojima then proceeded to revise the script, as he felt it wasn’t polarising enough or evoking the emotions he intended for the user.

The results are too good. They like it too much. That means something is wrong; we have to change something.

-Kojima

The composer further explained that Kojima doesn’t want everyone to like what he makes because that means it’s mainstream, and people are pre-disposed unconsciously to enjoy it. Instead, the auteur seeks to move players with something different, rather than just pleasing them, and immortalise his art, rather than creating slop.

Woodkid also drew inspiration from this outlook, and the composer is creating a unique soundtrack for the game that will change depending on the player’s actions.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 is more action-packed.

With a weirder and more action-heavy story, Death Stranding 2 is set to turn things up a notch when it launches this June, boasting a 75-hour story and a 60 FPS mode that will put the first game’s visuals to shame.

Latest Updates

Are you excited to play Death Stranding 2? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

Nintendo Switch 2 Screen Still Works After Getting Hit 50 Times With A Wrench

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  • A durability test conducted by a YouTuber revealed that the console’s screen is extremely tough, continuing to function even after being struck repeatedly with a tool.
  • Nintendo chose to evolve the original Switch’s successful design rather than creating an entirely new one for the Switch 2.

This year, a console rather than a video game is one of the biggest launches. Only a week after its release, the Nintendo Switch 2 has already achieved great success. In its first four days of sales, it sold 3.5 million units, more than a month’s worth of sales, more than the Switch 1.

Thanks to the YouTuber JerryRigEverything, who showed us that the screen of the Nintendo Switch 2 is incredibly resilient, it still worked after being smashed fifty times with a wrench. The YouTuber removed the screen protector beforehand before attempting this test.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is so popular that it is currently out of stock in numerous stores worldwide. Taking advantage of this era of success and interest, this console has already sold for more than its original price. Nintendo has been careful to stay with the previous model’s design, opting instead to refine the formula that proved so successful.

The Nintendo Switch 2 screen is a 7.9-inch (20 cm) edge-lit LCD touchscreen with 1080p resolution (279 ppi), G-SYNC-powered variable refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, and HDR support.

The upgraded technology, screen, and ergonomics compensate for the greater price of the games and console when compared to the previous model. The Nintendo Switch 2 is also quite resistant to knocks.

The test that JerryRigEverything conducted using a wrench piqued our interest the most out of all the tests he had performed. We were concerned that after a few knocks, the screen would shatter, but it didn’t, and it continued to work.

Final Fantasy 16 Reportedly Sold Very Poorly On Xbox

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  • Final Fantasy 16 launched on Xbox last week, but the game is doing poorly.
  • An analyst estimates that the JRPG has sold just over 20,000 copies on the platform so far.
  • The game also failed to make it into the top 400 most-played Xbox titles last week.

Final Fantasy 16 recently made its Xbox Series S|X debut after nearly two full years of PS5 exclusivity. Following 3 million sales on the launch platform and largely positive reviews, fans were excited to see the latest iteration of the IP finally land on Xbox.

However, initial results suggest that fans have not been too keen on buying the game. In fact, an analyst reports that sales have been quite poor during the first week.

Why it matters: These results indicate that Square Enix’s flagship IP is not doing as well as it should, since JRPGs are currently more popular than ever.

Final Fantasy 16
FF16 Has Not Found The Success It Set Out To Achieve

As per an analyst from Alinea Analytics, Final Fantasy 16 sold around 22,000 copies on Xbox Series S|X in its debut week. This is a major contrast to the 3 million sales on the PS5 during the same period.

Although the game’s age likely contributed to this result, Square Enix is unlikely to be too happy with these numbers. Making matters worse, the game has failed to make it into the top 400 most-played Xbox titles during launch week.

This result may suggest that the Xbox audience is not particularly interested in Final Fantasy 16, but perhaps the franchise is simply losing its appeal. The game failed to do much on PC either, and PS5 results were far from ground-breaking in the months that followed after the initial launch excitement.

Square Enix will likely continue to support Xbox Series S|X consoles moving forward, but the gaming giant may try to shake up the formula to bring its flagship IP back to its former status.

FINAL FANTASY 16 On Xbox
FF16 On Xbox Is Following A Similar Trend As The PC Version

For now, however, Final Fantasy 16’s popularity on Xbox is only expected to dwindle in the coming weeks.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on the sales numbers? Do you think Final Fantasy can bounce back from its recent disappointments? Let’s discuss in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Sony Patents To Let In-Game NPCs React To Player Emotions In Real-Time

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  • Sony has published a new patent that aims to enable in-game assets, such as NPCs, to react to players’ emotions in real-time.
  • The patent proposes NPCs using real-world player sounds to detect mood and respond accordingly.
  • For example, NPCs in games may cheer up and sound happy if they detect the player laughing and clapping in real life, and vice versa.

Besides pushing for better accessibility, Sony has also been securing patents to improve immersion for players in games. We have discovered a new patent that aims to make NPCs more reactive and dynamic, allowing each player to experience the game uniquely.

The patent describes in-game assets like NPCs reacting to players’ real-time emotions by analyzing real-world sounds to assess mood and respond accordingly. For example, players clapping or whistling may also cause the NPCs to celebrate in response.

Similarly, a player speaking aggressively may cause the NPCs to become more defensive and cautious in their interactions with them.

 One or more of the audio input parameters are used as audio synchronization control to control at least some movements and/or interactions between at least the two assets that are present in the one or more game scenes of the game. The at least two assets may be NPCs.

Why it matters: Sony aims to enhance the NPCs in games to make them more immersive, thereby affecting gameplay for every player differently, rather than adhering to a single set of parameters.

The figure shows a method of providing audio synchronization control in game scenes of a game.

The patent discusses a system that listens for speech, ambient sounds, or music using the player’s microphones using AI. Once the player’s mood is determined, the game adjusts NPC interactions based on that analysis.

Sony argues that games currently provide a limited experience because NPC reactions are only based on standard game logic. This system enables games to deliver a more personalized experience by harnessing players’ emotions.

During play of the video game, if the user wishes to customize reaction of any game asset, the user is unable to provide such customization as the reactions of the game assets is controlled by game logic of the video game.

The figure illustrates various sources of audio data suitable for providing audio synchronization control of at least two NPCs.

Sony also mentions that the system supports multiplayer settings, allowing NPCs to be influenced by group reactions. Additionally, spectators can impact gameplay by influencing NPCs with collective cheering or chanting.

Latest Updates

Sony has also published a variety of other notable patents over the decades, including one for detecting chemicals in players’ sweat using controllers to monitor stress during gameplay and another one for expediting the development of AI-powered game remasters.

Do you think that NPCs reacting to the real-life emotions of players dynamically will improve the immersion of games? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

GAMEMAX Introduces CLAW 360 and CLAW 460 Gaming Cases

[Press Release] GAMEMAX introduces the CLAW 360 and CLAW 460, two unique new gaming cases designed for power, airflow, and future-ready compatibility. The cases feature a bold claw-inspired front panel, sculpted mesh for maximum ventilation, and the all-new GAMEMAX logo.

The CLAW 360 is a Micro-ATX case built for serious hardware in a smaller footprint. It supports GPUs up to 420mm, 240mm ATX PSUs, 175mm air coolers, and 360mm radiators. With room for 12x 120mm fans and four pre-installed ARGB/PWM fans connected to a built-in controller, it ensures excellent thermal performance.

The CLAW 460 delivers the same aggressive design with full ATX compatibility. It supports high-end components, including 420mm GPUs and 360mm radiators, and features the same vertical airflow system with four pre-installed ARGB/PWM fans. Enhanced front I/O with USB Type-C Gen 2 and dual USB 3.0 ports ensures modern connectivity, while the built-in GPU support bracket offers added durability.

The CLAW 360 starts at $67.99 (Black) and $71.99 (White), while the CLAW 460 retails for $77.99 (Black) and $81.99 (White). Check out the product page for more details.

Stellar Blade Sold 1 Million Copies on PC 19 Times Faster Than It Did on PS5

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  • Stellar Blade, on launch, broke the player record of every single player game by Sony.
  • The game has also received an overwhelmingly positive review on Steam. 
  • It has now been revealed that the game has sold one million copies on PC faster than it did on the PS5. 

Stellar Blade was finally released on PC a few days after a long period of anticipation. The game on launch broke the records of every single-player game released by Sony on PC before, as it reached almost 200k concurrent players. 

It received a pretty positive reception from the fandom, which makes sense given that it is extremely well-optimised. It hasn’t been a week since Stellar Blade was released on PC, and it has already sold a million copies. The game has sold this many copies, 19 times faster than it did on the PS5.

Why it matters: Stellar Blade was released as a PS5 exclusive on its official launch. This demonstrates the significant number of PC gamers who are willing to support games that matter to them. 

Eve Featured Stellar Blade
Stellar Blade Has Already Won The Hearts of Many PC Players

In a recent post by Ruliweb, a South Korean media, it was revealed that the title has sold 3 million copies in just three days. When Stellar Blade was released as a PS5 exclusive, it took almost two months to sell a million copies. 

 PC version sold over 1 million copies in 3 days… First domestic single console game

Many people have said that due to the timed exclusivity, fans of different platforms get tired of waiting and often don’t end up buying the game when it is released on their preferred platform. While that is true, it didn’t really happen with Stellar Blade. 

The proof of that is right in front of you. If a game is good, the fandom will buy it; it is that simple. However, it is also true that the fandom can get tired of waiting. It should also be noted that Shift Up forced Sony to remove the PSN restriction, allowing fans throughout the world to play this game. 

Latest Updates

These aspects matter, and that is precisely why the game sold this many copies so quickly. Now, imagine the sales if this game were released day one on PC.

What do you think about the game selling one million 19 times faster on PC than it did on the PlayStation 5? Which platform is your preferred one? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.

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