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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Stellar Blade developer Shift Up’s new IP has finally been unveiled.
The studio showcased new characters in the game, now titled Project Witches.
This upcoming game, set in an eastern fantasy theme, will be cross-platform and serve as a flagship IP for Shift Up.
Ever since the breakout success of Stellar Blade, Korean studio Shift Up has become one of the most exciting developers in the gaming world. In addition to the Stellar Blade sequel that is confirmed thanks to the original’s commercial revenue, many fans have been looking forward to the studio’s next IP
And now, Shift Up has finally given us our first look at its brand-new title, and to the delight of the gaming world, it will be cross-platform.
Why it matters: A promising studio like Shift Up diversifying its portfolio, rather than putting all its eggs in one basket, is a good move.
First look at Project Spirits from Shift Up.
As revealed by the developer itself, Shift Up’s next IP has been retitled to Project Spirits and will be an Eastern Fantasy-themed game playable on multiple platforms. This game is set to be the studio’s flagship IP, alongside big names like Stellar Blade and NIKKE, with hiring already underway.
In addition, the Korean developer also showed us a first look at the new theme in Project Spiritis, with the two characters giving us an idea of how the title will look. The game’s description on the Shift Up website also states that the studio is developing Project Spirits as an industry-leading quality game based on the studio’s past projects.
According to the previous roadmap released by the developer, this new IP is scheduled to launch before or during 2027, meaning there is some time before we see the previously named Project Witches on our consoles and PC.
Do you think Project Spirits will reach the level of influence and success of Stellar Blade? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.
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.
Story Highlights
Sitting up close requires you to see every pixel clearly, allowing you to identify and kill enemies quickly.
It also changes how you aim since you could be over- or under-aiming before.
Professional players usually utilize a monitor’s features and switch back to their normal positions off-season to avoid long-term effects.
Most of us maintain an ideal distance from our monitor, which is usually an arm’s length. But we often see professional players practically hug the monitor. Why is that? And is there a hidden advantage that we don’t know about? Let’s decode this.
Player Sitting Too Close (Image Credits – YT/Iridium)
Advantages Of Sitting Up Close
Firstly, we know that proximity helps visibility. The more closer you are to the monitor, the clearer you can see pixel and in a competitive setting, this pixel could very well be the head of your enemy.
Every Pixel Matters
In a static environment, usually where you hold your angles, every movement is crucial and could lead to a kill, even if the enemy peeks at you slightly. This is why we see highly skilled players detect enemies where we couldn’t even see them.
Every Pixel Is Visible (Image Credits -YT/Geeknet)
Sometimes, the slightest part of the enemy’s head is only visible when you sit up close, giving people in this sitting position a competitive advantage. Also, it’s like having tunnel vision, which allows them to focus on a target without distractions.
You Move The Mouse A Different Way
Secondly, your mouse movement changes as you reduce the distance between the monitor and your eyes. Once seated closely, you’ll find that you’re used to over- or under-aiming, which costs accurate shots.
Now, you’ll use your mouse more precisely, and hitting flick shots will become more accurate. To other players spectating, it might also appear like you’re cheating because they can’t ‘see’ how you made that shot.
Seeing Beyond The Tiny Crosshair
Another reason to sit close to the monitor is to view the enemy behind your crosshair. They do this to avoid getting the enemies blocked by the largercrosshair, and sitting closer allows them to see the crosshair along with the enemies so that they can have a good shot.
While Shroud says dot crosshairs are often disadvantageous, many pro players use them. Usually, these crosshairs are so tiny and are of very faint colors, which makes it very difficult to see if you sit even at a standard distance, so sitting up close makes it perfectly visible for them.
Dot Crosshair (Image Credits – YT/Ani)
How Do Professionals Do It Long-Term?
But you might be wondering that sitting so closely to the monitor will be harmful in the long run. While it is true that this sitting position isn’t ideal for the long run but professional players use ways to greatlely optimize it.
Use Monitors With Features
Firstly, they use high refresh rate monitors with lower input lag because you can practically see the difference when you’re up close. With these displays, flickers or ghosting on the screen are reduced.
Most esports players choose Zowie’s monitor, which is designed to provide high color uniformity throughout the panel. Its DyAc technology reduces ghosting, allowing players to see targets clearly even with high motion.
DyAc Technology (Image Credits – Zowie)
Switch Back To Normal Position Off-Season
Moreover, these players observe this position only to practise and perform for an esports event where every pixel matters. Off-season, they switch back to a normal sitting position, which you can see on their live streams.
Some Are Comfortable With It
Some players, however, find it suitable to sit up close, and it has become natural to them; this is the case for a Valorant player, noted. He is using a curved gaming monitor and must be utilizing its features to avoid eye strain.
Should You Sit Closer To The Monitor?
While it has benefits, you should know that it isn’t for everyone. Firstly, if you don’t have the right monitor, you should upgrade it ASAP because if you’re using a 60Hz monitor with fewer features, this sitting position will do more harm than good.
Too Close To The Monitor (Image Credits – YT/Upsurge)
Learning Curve
There is a learning curve, and it will take time to get used to this position. For many users, it is uncomfortable because they can’t see the whole screen without moving their heads too much.
Not Recommended
Lastly, we don’t recommend you go from a standard position to sitting up close because not all of us professional esports players are at high-stakes events. Even in the esports settings, there are some players who observe this position.
While others have other seating positions that suit them. The key is to adjust the position according to what suits you and what’s effective at the same time. Doing something that is unnatural to you will deter your aim more than it’ll improve it.
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.
Story Highlights
The MX Master 3S is designed in a shape that caters to almost everyone, regardless of their different hand shapes and sizes.
It has a precise 8K optical sensor, which works even on a thick glass, and its heavy weight allows you to use it in a tight space.
It also features a 70-day battery life, seamless 3-device switchability, side-scroll, free scroll mode, and a design that is comfortable for your hand.
Logitech has dominated the ergonomic mouse space with its MX Master series for almost 10 years since the first MX Master was released in 2015. What’s surprising is that in these 10 years, no other brand has outperformed Logitech, and their latest MX Master 3S still remains the best ergonomic mouse ever.
Logitech MX Master 3S (Image Credits – The Sweet Setup)
Only Razer was the single brand that tried to compete with Logitech’s MX series with the Razer Pro Click, but it still doesn’t come close to Logitech’s flagship model, the MX Master 3S.
Revolutionary Design
There are tons of reasons for the MX Master 3S to not only be widely successful but still remain the king of all ergonomic mice. One main reasons for its success if because Logitech kept customer in mind.
Comfort Is A Priority
You see, comfort is subjective since people have different hand sizes and grip styles that change the way a mouse feels. One person could have a drastically different experience with a mouse compared to another. Logitech kept this in mind and designed the mouse to cater to almost everyone’s grip style and hand size.
It’s designed for a palm-grip style, and its shape and size complement this grip style. With this unique design, most people can use it with a palm-grip regardless of their hand size.
Inspiration From Vertical Mouse
Logitech took the features from vertical mice, which provided users with wrist strain relief, and integrated their features into a standard mouse to create a hybrid mouse. This is why the MX Master 3S is tilted at a certain angle, much like those kept in vertical mice.
They also made the bump more ergonomic, so you can use the mouse for prolonged hours without having that sharp pain in your palm that you could otherwise have using a flat-shaped mouse or with a mouse with only a slight bump.
Ergonomic Shape (Image Credits – Tom’s Guide)
With this mouse, you don’t have to go through the learning curve that naturally comes from switching to a vertical mouse. It’s a sweet spot between the ergonomic and vertical mouse that makes it extremely comfortable for users.
No Mousepad Needed
But it isn’t limited to comfort; it extends to performance as well. The MX Master 3S comes with an 8000 DPI optical sensor, which can even track on a glass surface if it’s at least 4mm thick.
This is highly effective for most users who use it on a desk, which means you could use it without a mouse pad. Now, this is a feature you don’t typically get from every other mouse. Also, the mouse weighs 141g, so you can get precise control over your cursor even if the space is tight.
No Mousepad Needed (Image Credits – Creative Bloq)
Productivity King
It is perfect for productivity tasks, so it ranks among the top 3 best mice for graphic design to enhance your workflow. Its side-scroll feature makes it a top pick for most productivity users.
Side-Scroll
It is probably the only mouse with a side scroll that allows you to scroll horizontally. Its standard scroll wheel also comes with Logitech’s MagSpeed electromagnetic scrolling, which allows you to zip through thousands of lines in a second with immense precision, whether you use its ratchet or free-scroll modes. All of its scroll wheel and buttons are extremely silent, making it best for silent indoors and studios.
It also boasts a huge battery life: one charge can last you up to 70 days, which is over two months in a single charge. When its battery is at 0%, even a few minutes of charge gives it about three hours of use—talk about incredible battery life.
It features USB Type-C for faster charging, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of replacing the batteries. Its faster charging gives users peace of mind, which isn’t commonly found in most wireless mice.
Multi-Device Support
This mouse also features multi-device support with its Bluetooth and Logi Bolt receiver connectivity. It can seamlessly switch between three devices with the click of a button, which is crucial for users who frequently switch between laptops, tablets, and desktops.
It doesn’t have fancy RGB lights or a lighter weight, all of which make it suitable for productivity use, but also bad for gaming. While you can still try to play games on it, it won’t be ideal since it’s not made for gaming. The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro is a better ergonomic alternative to balance ergonomics with gaming.
Verdict
These features make it the best ergonomic choice and even the best mouse for productivity to this day. We believe Logitech will still dominate the ergonomic space for years if no other competitor attempts to compete with them in this area.
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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Stellar Blade game files suggest Shift Up planned a multiplayer mode for the title.
The multiplayer experience would have included both PVP and split-screen co-op gameplay.
Although this mode is not officially in the game, it could be restored through mods for the game’s PC version.
Stellar Blade heads to PC in just over a week, and with the regional restrictions now lifted, excitement for the game is higher than ever. Developer Shift Up has also released a demo on PC recently, giving players a small taste of what to expect in the full game.
This demo has given PC modders and dataminers the opportunity to delve further into the game files, revealing a multiplayer mode that never made it into the full game.
Why it matters: Stellar Blade’s combat system and gameplay would have lent itself well to a multiplayer co-op experience.
As shared on Twitter, modders have found references to multiplayer gameplay in Stellar Blade’s PC files.
They have also been able to spawn two characters in the game, which leads to the title transitioning into a split-screen view. This suggests that developer Shift Up had a major concept for multiplayer before it was eventually removed from the game.
As per the same modder, the files also reference PVP, so Shift Up may have wanted both co-op and PVP multiplayer for Stellar Blade. Although neither feature made it into the full game, PC modders could restore the scrapped multiplayer on the platform.
On the other hand, Shift Up may also pursue multiplayer for the upcoming Stellar Blade sequel. Following the first game’s success, the sequel is expected to be more ambitious in nearly every way, so the team could revisit past ideas that were left out of the original release.
Action games like Stellar Blade typically forego multiplayer, but there have been a few exceptions like God of War: Ascension in the past. PlatinumGames is also working on multiplayer action titles for the future, so more titles with multiplayer might show up in the genre moving forward.
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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People Can Fly announced layoffs with two cancelled projects.
Project Gemini and Bifrost cancellation came as a result of a lack of communication from the publisher.
This will be the studio’s second round of layoffs in just over 6 months.
Despite such significant growth over the last few years, the gaming industry is only going downhill. The repercussions of COVID-19 combined with rising inflation are causing even some of the biggest studios to downsize and cancel projects.
The latest studio to be affected by layoffs is People Can Fly. Aside from these layoffs, the studio has also announced the cancellation of two projects, namely Project Gemini and Bifrost.
Why it matters: Layoffs result in enormous losses for gaming studios and unemployment for even the most talented developers in the industry.
People Can Fly CEO Announcing Multiple Project Cancellations And Layoffs Through Social Media
In a message posted by the studio’s CEO, the publisher for Project Gemini failed to communicate properly with the title whether to pursue it further or terminate. Project Bifrost’s cancellation came due to the same result, but was also influenced by the fact that the publisher’s cash flow implied that continuing the project would not be feasible.
People Can Fly also recently entered a partnership with Sony to develop a prototype title.
The Studio Cancelled “Project Dagger” Last Year, Which Cost Them Around $20 Million.
This would mark the studio’s second round of layoffs in just a bit over 6 months. People Can Fly laid off 120 employees back in December, which also resulted in the cancellation of another project.
Currently, the studio is working alongside Microsoft for the development of Gears of War E-Day. The title is reportedly set to release sometime next year, coinciding with the franchise’s 20th anniversary.
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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Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown received a positive reception from the fandom last year.
Due to that, the anticipation for the Sands of Time remake increased a lot.
As per an insider, we may be getting a reveal soon, possibly during the Summer Game Fest.
Ubisoft lately hasn’t made many games that deserve to be praised. However, the gaming giant released Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown last year, which won the hearts of many. It is perhaps the only Ubisoft game that fans enjoyed in years, and despite that, the company didn’t treat it well.
It didn’t sell that many copies, which is why Ubisoft disbanded the whole team. That said, the fandom is still excited over the upcoming Sands of Time remake, which is set to release next year. While the release window has already been given a full reveal, a full reveal is still to be desired, which we may be getting soon.
During the latest podcast, the Now Xbox Live panel, Alex said something that hints at the reveal of the Sands of Time remake. One of the live viewers asked whether the upcoming PoP remake is in hell. Alex said, “No in hell,” so he definitely knows something about the game or has seen it.
I know some people might have more to say about Sans of Time than others.
-Axel
Axel said that he knows some people might have more to say about the game clearly implies that those people have played the game and might be present on the podcast. So, if people are already witnessing the remake, it may be shown to the world soon.
Ubisoft did reveal that the game will be released before March 2026, so we may be closer to a full reveal.
After the live ended a viewer commented “Some people might say more about Sands of Time… ??? What do you mean? Has someone in the panel seen it???? Give me hope, please!“. To this, Axel simply replied, “Can’t say anything or speak for anyone lol. But there’s a little there.”
Summer Game Fest and Xbox Games Showcase are right around the corner, so anticipating the reveal during any of the events won’t be a reach.
What do you think about the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake? Are you excited about it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.
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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Ubisoft has just greenlit a new The Crew game.
Details on the title are non-existent, but it’s still several years from launch.
Ubisoft must set the bar high for the next entry to compete with Forza Horizon, now that the Xbox-published game is multiplatform.
Ubisoft’s upcoming gaming releases are from its most staple franchises, with the French publisher now avoiding the risks of creating new IPs and returning to what it does best.
Amidst this, Ubisoft has greenlit a new The Crew game, as suggested by a reliable insider.
Why it matters: The racing genre has grown stale over the past few years, with only a handful of franchises continuing to dominate. The Crew remains one of the notable names, and a new entry would certainly be welcomed given its scale and reputation.
Insider Confirms A New The Crew Game On Social Media
This report comes straight from Tom Henderson, who has a reputation for leaking insider Ubisoft news. Aside from the title being greenlit, nothing else has been confirmed.
The next entry is still far from launch, as being greenlit simply means the pitch has been approved. The title will undergo several years of development before being released. As such, the next The Crew game is expected to release for the next-gen consoles.
Moreover, the latest title, The Crew Motorfest, was released in 2023. That said, the latest entry flew under the radar for many and isn’t considered the best of the franchise.
Ubisoft Says That Digital Games Are Just Licenses And You Don’t Own Them
Given the recent controversy surrounding Ubisoft and the lawsuits over The Crew’s servers being taken offline, effectively making the game unplayable, the French publisher has a lot to prove with its next entry.
Forza Horizon has also gone multi-platform and has been highly successful on the PS5. Competing with such a big title would be nearly impossible for Ubisoft unless they go back to The Crew’s roots to a continental map style instead of the new Horizon-esque map style featured in The Crew Motorfest.
Where do you want the next The Crew game to take place? Let us know what you’d like for the game in the comments below or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.
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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Nintendo Switch 2 is set to release on 5 June, which is less than a week away.
The console was highly anticipated, but all the hype surrounding it has faded, even though the release date is near.
That happened mainly because the gaming giant stated that every digital copy of the game released on this console would cost $80, and physical copies would cost even more.
Nintendo Switch is arguably one of the best handhelds ever released in the industry, but it seems like the legacy of this console is in danger. While the console featured some questionable $70 games, fans were able to go past that due to nostalgia and their love for that particular game.
However, the greed may now cost Nintendo as it has crossed some boundaries that angered the fans. That is precisely why there is absolutely no hype for Switch 2, even though there is less than a week left since its release.
Fans Are Criticizing Nintendo For Pricing A Game Like Mario Kart At $80
Fans are absolutely hating the fact that games like Mario Kart World would cost $80 to play. The fandom is claiming that the company designed this game for Nintendo Switch but made some last-minute changes and decided to release it for the upcoming Switch.
The game was actually designed for Switch 1. They did some quick-and-dirty changes and turnrd into a launch game for Switch 2.
Some are claiming that this isn’t even worth $10, so the company is under a lot of heat right now.
Switch 2 is the next Wii U.
You need to pay 80 dollars to unlock the buzz.
-Fans
Of course, there would be some people who would be excited about the console because Nintendo has a massive cult following. There are many who claim that the Switch 2 will fail, but it may not be possible for the handheld to perform poorly sales-wise, given its massive fan following.
That said, the fandom’s hatred is real because Nintendo didn’t really just stop at the $80 price tag. That is just for digital, as physical games would cost even more. So, all the hate is perfectly justified.
What do you think about the Nintendo Switch 2? Do you think it will perform poorly because of a lack of hype? Will you buy it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.
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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CDPR says it doesn’t want to use the same bag of tricks it used for The Witcher 3 again.
The Witcher 4 and all future projects will introduce new elements and maintain their unique identity.
This will be the company’s policy moving forward, despite its RPG-only focus.
The Witcher 3, released in 2015, set a new benchmark for the industry to follow. Ten years down the line, it’s still considered the gold standard for open-world RPGs. Despite the enormous success, CDPR says it wants to approach The Witcher 4 in a different way.
The Polish gaming giants say that despite the commercial and critical success of The Witcher 3, they want to add something new to The Witcher 4 to give the title its own unique identity, which sets it apart from the prequel.
Why it matters: CDPR has already revealed that having Ciri as the new Witcher gives them new creative choices, and player freedom is a focal point for its next release, so we can already expect many new things with the sequel.
CDPR aims to give The Wutcher 4 its own unique identity.
Speaking with the AnsweRED podcast, joint CEO Adam Badowski revealed that, initially, after The Witcher 3’s success, they wanted to adopt the same approach for all their future titles. However, they want to add new things to each release.
We don’t want to copy our own tricks all over again and again. So every game should consist of something new.
– Adam Badowski
CD Projekt RED wants to give new elements to all its future games, despite still focusing on RPGs only.
He said the studio doesn’t want to copy its tricks to all its games; therefore, The Witcher 4 and all other future releases will always have something new to give them their unique identity. And this is a general rule for the company.
Nonetheless, CDPR remains entirely focused on RPG games, despite other genres also attracting their interest. Recently, The Witcher 3 hit a massive 60 million units sold, and overall, CDPR is one of the most stable AAA studios in the industry.
What are your thoughts on CDPR giving The Witcher 4 its own identity? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
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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Former Rockstar veteran’s MindsEye is set to launch next month as an ever-evolving gaming platform.
He states that the game is expected to be supported for a whopping 10 years.
The team intends to add new experiences like open worlds, multiplayer, and more to the game in this period.
Former Rockstar Games veteran Leslie Benzies revealed his brand new action-adventure title back in 2023. Since then, the game has received various new gameplay videos and details, showcasing the developers’ vision for a linear action game experience with MindsEye.
Although MindsEye has been surrounded by much controversy lately, Leslie Benzies has high hopes for the title. In fact, he intends to support the game over a 10-year period.
Why it matters: MindsEye is implementing the live-service formula to a single-player title. If successful, this concept could pave the way for more titles that continue to expand over a period of several years.
MindsEye Launches In Just 10 Days
Speaking to Gamesindustry, Leslie Benzies outlined that his vision for MindsEye spans the next 10 years.
He stated that the MindsEye experience will constantly evolve with new content in the future. This will also include additions like multiplayer and an open world, features that are currently not in the game.
As per Leslie Benzies, player creation will be another interesting element of the game as it continues to receive updates. All of these additions will fit into the larger MindsEye universe, with the linear campaign serving as protagonist Jacob’s story.
Although this concept is certainly interesting, there is still a lot of ambiguity surrounding the studio’s plans. The recent negative press suggests that the team has a lot to make up for, and the game’s launch will ultimately decide its fate.
Many live-service titles have completely failed from the get-go recently, so MindsEye’s 10-year plan is unlikely to play out too well if it ends up facing a similar fate at release.
Still, Leslie Benzies appears confident in the concept. His experience with the GTA franchise will likely play a major role in determining whether MindsEye lives up to its full potential.
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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Xbox is planning to release a dedicated handheld OEM alongside next-gen consoles.
Now, a former Blizzard boss has questioned Microsoft’s decision to create a handheld.
According to him, the gaming giant should instead focus on making games, aligning with their current focus on becoming a publisher.
Microsoft has officially announced that it will debut a dedicated Xbox handheld alongside its next-gen console, scheduled for release sometime in 2027. However, a new report has recently suggested that the OEM has been put on hold for the time being.
Amidst this news, the ex-Blizzard boss stepped up to share his opinions on the handheld, saying that Microsoft making an Xbox handheld makes zero sense.
Why it matters: Handheld consoles have been on the rise recently, which raises the question of why Microsoft wants to penetrate an already dominated market. However, Microsoft’s strategy remains to be seen, as it is unclear how they will approach this market.
Former Blizzard Boss Taking A Jab At Microsoft || X
Mike Ybarra, former Blizzard boss and former Vice President of Xbox, questioned Microsoft’s decision to create a handheld given their new focus towards being a publisher. According to Ybarra, the gaming giant should shift its focus from hardware to game development.
In the replies, a fan asked how long it would be before they sidelined their console strategy. Ybarra replied that they already have, and the writing’s already on the wall.
Many people, even beyond Ybarra, have questioned the need for an Xbox console now that Xbox has taken the publisher route. Still, Xbox insists on remaining a hardware manufacturer, even if its next console might be the last one.
Currently, the gaming giant is determined to close the gap between Windows 11 and the Xbox ecosystem. It’s evident that they feel threatened by SteamOS, which delivers a much better performance on handhelds than Windows does.
Microsoft is expected to showcase the new version of the OS alongside Project Kennan, which is reportedly an Xbox-themed variant of the Asus ROG Ally 2.
What are your thoughts on Mike Ybarra’s statement? Do you agree with what he had to say? Let us know in the comments below or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.
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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EA recently cancelled Black Panther and shut down the cliffhanger studio.
The reason behind the cancellation was that the project had been stuck in pre-production for almost four years.
It was just beginning to pick up pace when EA decided to close the book on the matter.
Earlier this week, EA announced the cancellation of the Black Panther game, which was a result of the company’s downsizing that previously also affected Respawn Entertainment.
While Black Panther was looking to be an ambitious title, the reason behind the project’s cancellation was much deeper than just restructuring and cost-cutting. According to a new report, the game was stuck in pre-production for almost 4 years, which frustrated EA executives.
Why it matters: Normally, pre-production for a AAA game takes a year or two at most. Anything more than that would increase the development budget for the title, which could make it unlikely to succeed financially.
This report comes straight from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier. According to him, Black Panther only recently entered the ‘Gate’ phase, which EA refers to as a developmental milestone, where executives analyze the project and decide whether to continue or not.
It seems that EA executives didn’t like the pace of the project. The extensive pre-production phase was likely due to the fact that Cliffhanger Studios was just beginning to ramp up.
The studio was just beginning to pick up the pace with the hiring of new workers. Some of them were a year old, and others were a few months or weeks old. As such, the cancellation of the title and layoffs came as shocking news to them.
Plot details for the title have also emerged and would’ve pitted one of the Black Panthers against the Skrulls, a formidable enemy race from the Marvel comics. The updated Nemesis system would’ve also played a part with enemies shapeshifting as allies, remembering moves, and so on.
