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PlayStation Needs To Rethink Emphasis On Cutting Edge Graphics, Says Shuhei Yoshida

Story Highlight
  • Sony’s former President has stated that PlayStation needs to reconsider its emphasis on graphics.
  • Shuhei Yoshida thinks the company needs to rethink its strategy to appeal to a broader audience.
  • The former Sony boss previously said that graphics have plateaued.

For the past few years, the gaming world has been plagued with the serious issue of ballooning budgets for AAA titles. Games like Skull & Bones and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 have acquired development budgets similar to those of Hollywood blockbusters.

According to developers, cutting-edge graphics are a big reason for this highly unsustainable practice, as they significantly increase the development time of AAA titles. Now, Shuhei Yoshida has criticised the company’s approach to graphics, saying there are other things to focus on.

Why it matters: An ex-Sony boss echoing what many others think about game graphical quality is a good sign.

god of war raganarok PlayStation
PlayStation has pioneered cutting-edge graphics with titles like God of War Ragnarok.

In a new interview, the Sony ex-president said that the company must reconsider its emphasis on cutting-edge graphics to stay relevant. Shuhei Yoshida admitted that it has been a part of PlayStation DNA for some time now, and the users also expect such graphics from their games.

However, if PlayStation wants to continue being popular with the broader player base, it needs to change its approach and reconsider its focus on cutting-edge graphics. Yoshida did state that providing the best graphical quality to the players who want it is necessary, but it isn’t how one stays relevant in the industry.

in order to continue to be popular with users in a broad sense, we have to change our way of thinking.

Basically, the ex-president of Sony is amplifying the opinion of a large majority of gamers who want studios to focus more on story-telling. Many developers also think such graphical quality isn’t feasible consistently and will lead to extended development times.

Despite this, however, studios like Capcom are still chasing an edge in graphical quality. CD Projekt Red is another developer looking for photorealistic graphics for the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel. Considering how many think graphics have plateaued, it will be interesting to see what edge these games have.

Ghost of Yotei PlayStation
Ghost of Yotei has a budget under $100 million.

Latest Updates

Do you think there is still a graphical edge to attain in video games? Tell us in the comments below, or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

Doom: The Dark Ages Dubbed Peak of Series’ Modern Gameplay In Latest Previews

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  • Doom: The Dark Ages has received new previews and impressions from the media.
  • The game has been largely praised for its new approach to combat and level design.
  • Many even believe id Software has outdone its last two games.

Since its reveal last year, Doom: The Dark Ages has been a major source of excitement for fans of first-person shooters. Featuring a medieval setting, revamped combat, and more sandbox-style levels, the game is set to shake up the first-person shooter IP in multiple ways.

Doom: The Dark Ages has also received a new round of press impressions ahead of its May release date. To nobody’s surprise, the previews are highly positive, dubbing id Software’s upcoming title a major highlight for the entire series.

Why it matters: Doom and Doom Eternal already set a high bar for the franchise, making recent praise all the more impressive.

Doom-The-Dark-Ages
Doom: The Dark Ages Offers More Visceral Combat Than Past Games

As per the previews, the game excels at throwing a never-ending wave of demons to slaughter at players. However, it does so while offering an exciting variety of enemies. One preview even dubbed the game the peak of Doom’s modern gameplay, a major feat considering how impressive the last two games were.

Doom: The Dark Ages also received praise for its incredible implementation of the newly introduced shield, which adds a welcome layer of depth to the already impressive core combat loop.

Elsewhere, the previews state that id Software’s Kaiju-style mech battles are every bit as impressive as the core combat. They carry the same sense of satisfaction as the moment-to-moment gameplay while adding an extra sense of weight that elevates these sequences.

The level design is perhaps the biggest departure from Doom’s traditional gameplay, with the more open arenas offering a chance to explore and progress at a different pace based on the player’s preference.

As per the previews, the levels are filled with mini-bosses, environmental puzzles, and more, making exploration more than just a gimmick. These elements and more are on full display in the uncut gameplay shared by the media, highlighting the action-packed demon-slaying fans expect from the series.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on the previews and new gameplay? Are you excited about the game? Let’s discuss this in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

GAMEMAX Leader 2 – The Ultimate Mid-Tower for High-End PC Builds

[Press Release] The GAMEMAX Leader 2 is a mid-tower gaming PC case designed for high-end gaming and workstation builds. It features a bold lion-inspired design with claw marks and supports E-ATX motherboards, including ASUS BTF, GIGABYTE STEALTH, and MSI PROJECT ZERO.

Built for powerful components, it accommodates GPUs up to 425mm, ATX PSUs up to 245mm, and air coolers up to 185mm. Cooling options include up to 9x 120mm or 8x 140mm fans, four pre-installed 140mm ARGB/PWM fans, and up to 420mm radiators. An ARGB/PWM controller allows lighting and fan customization.

Modern connectivity includes a Type-C Gen 2 port and dual USB 3.0 ports. A tool-free installation system simplifies upgrades while removable dust filters ensure easy maintenance. Vertical GPU installation and enhanced cable management provide a clean build with back-connector motherboard support.

Available in black and white, priced at $99.99 and $104.99, respectively, the Leader 2 offers style, performance, and convenience and comes with a one-year warranty. Check out the official website for more info.

V-Color Unveils World’s First 64GB (32GBx2) DDR5 OC CUDIMM Memory Kit Reaching 9000MT/s

[Press Release] V-Color has introduced the industry’s first 64GB (32GBx2) DDR5 OC CUDIMM memory kit, which can reach speeds up to 9000MT/s. This high-performance memory is specially designed for Intel Core Ultra processors and Z890 motherboards.

This DDR5 memory kit delivers 64GB capacity for demanding tasks, 9000MT/s speeds in Gear2 mode at 1.4V, and low-latency performance.

V-Color collaborated with motherboard manufacturers and Intel to ensure seamless compatibility with Intel Core Ultra processors and Z890 chipset platforms. Rigorous testing confirms exceptional performance across high-end motherboards:

  • MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X 2DIMM: Stable at 9000MT/s Gear2, CL48, 1.4V with an Intel Core Ultra CPU.
  • MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi 4DIMM: Achieves 8800MT/s Gear2, CL48, 1.4V with two filler modules.
  • GIGABYTE Z890 AI Top: Optimized for AI workloads, machine learning, and high-efficiency computing.

The V-Color DDR5 SCC O CUDIMM 64GB (32GBx2) 8800MT/s memory kit will launch globally in Q2 2025 via V-Color’s official website, Amazon, Newegg, and authorized distributors.

Monster Hunter Wilds Break Capcom Sales Record; Sold 10 Million Copies in First Month

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  • Monster Hunter Wilds has recorded over 10 million copies sold in the first month. 
  • The title has set a sales record for Capcom in terms of sales in the first month of release.
  • Capcom believes the success is due to the elements integrated into the title. 

Monster Hunter Wilds has seen crazy success since its launch, especially in sales. While the overall reviews are mixed, the player base is massive, and despite a month since the official release, it’s still one of Steam’s top-selling games. 

The numbers are so big that Monster Hunter Wilds has sold over 10 million copies in just the first month, and in doing so has set a record monthly sales figure for Capcom. 

Why it matters: In just the first 3 days, the title managed to sell 8 million copies, marking a great success for the studio, and is still continuing with the upward trend. 

Monster Hunter Wilds sets sales record for Capcom

According to a new Press Release, Monster Hunter Wilds has set a new first-month sales record for Capcom. The company believes that the new elements associated with its latest release have really appealed to the audience. 

The Japanese company has also revealed that it plans to continue supporting Monster Hunter Wilds. The first free update for the title launches on April 4th, and will add a fan-favorite monster and new in-game communication mechanics. 

Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds has captivated critics and fans alike

The game also recorded huge numbers at launch. It broke the 1 million concurrent players barrier and is still averaging around 300K players daily. The only major gripe players have around it is that it doesn’t have the best optimization on PC. 

Nonetheless, Capcom will be delighted with the numbers. The company is also looking to revive its older IPs based on the success it has had with reincarnations like Resident Evil. It is safe to say, its future looks exceptionally bright. 

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on Monster Hunter Wilds selling over 10 million copies? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum. 

Sony Officially Discontinued All PS4 And PS4 Pro Models In Japan

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  • PlayStation ended shipments of various PS4 consoles, excluding the PS4 Slim, in 2021.
  • A new message on the gaming giant’s website indicates that this console has now been discontinued.
  • Sony seems completely focused on the PS5 as it looks forward to an exciting year for its latest hardware.

The PS4 marked a monumental comeback for PlayStation and Sony as a whole. Following losses and a damaged reputation with the PS3, this console quickly established Sony as the leader of the gaming industry, giving it incredible momentum that carried on into the PS5 generation.

The PS4 is still the console of choice for millions of gamers, but it seems Sony is finally ready to bid the hardware farewell. After over 10 years, the company has discontinued shipments of the console in Japan.

Why it matters: Most PS4 models were already discontinued as early as 2021. However, the PS4 Slim was still being sold for those on a tighter budget.

PS4 Console Discontinued
The PS4 Has Been Discontinued

The Japanese PlayStation website has been updated with a small disclaimer stating that neither the PS4 nor the PS4 Pro is being shipped in Japan anymore. This message was added just a few days ago, indicating that the change is very recent.

Although Sony has yet to comment on the discontinuation, the PS4 has likely been phased out globally since the PS5 is nearly five years old, and the cross-gen period is all but over.

This, combined with the fact that upcoming games like GTA 6 and Death Stranding 2 will be launched on the PS5, gives Sony little incentive to continue making more last-generation machines.

Still, for those who still use the PS4 for older titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty, the gaming giant is expected to continue offering compatibility through software updates and hotfixes.

Bloodborne FromSoftware PS4 Sony Ps5
The PS4 Was Home To Iconic Games Like Bloodborne

PlayStation is also said to be gearing up for the next generation already, with the PS6 expected to launch in 2028. Therefore, it was only a matter of time before Sony’s hardware from 2013 was left behind.

Latest Updates

At the very least, millions of fans will remember the PS4 fondly for delivering iconic games, memorable experiences, and more. What are your thoughts on the discontinuation? Let’s discuss them in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Sony Patents Controllers Designed for Longer Lifespan with Magnetic Buttons

Story Highlight
  • Sony has published a new patent that wants to integrate magnets into controllers instead of a spring-loaded mechanism for buttons.
  • The patent argues that using magnets in buttons can improve the lifespan and durability of controllers while springs wear out fast. 
  • As other similar patents suggest, Sony might integrate magnetic buttons into an upcoming lineup of PlayStation 5 controllers and next-gen models.

Console controllers usually wear out too quickly, with problems like stick drift appearing after just months of use. Now, a new Sony patent might finally be about to evolve them. 

This week, we’ve tripped over a new Sony patent that discusses controllers with magnetic mechanisms to replace the traditional springs for buttons. It discusses swapping the spring-loaded mechanisms for a more straightforward yet effective magnetic system to increase their durability. 

These proposed controllers can apply magnetic forces to reset the buttons to the original spot after they have been pressed to simplify the structure and improve their lifespan while keeping the immersiveness intact.

The Member to be operated may move from the initial position together with the first magnetic member in a state of being attached to the input device. […] The second magnetic member may bias the member to be operated to the initial position by attracting the first magnetic member.

Why it matters: Sony’s patent on a magnetic system to replace the traditional spring-loaded controller mechanism could greatly increase their durability. Currently, controllers can easily succumb to wear and tear over a short amount of time.

The image shows an exploded perspective view illustrating a portion of a component in a controller.

The patent named ‘INPUT DEVICE’ argues that using springs in controllers requires extra internal space, which makes compact designs a big challenge. Additionally, these magnetic buttons can be easily swapped without requiring extra tools.

Two magnetic components are mentioned; the first attaches buttons to the controller using the magnetic force, while the second generates a pull to reset the button back into its starting position.

An operation button is energized to an initial position using […] a spring. A space for securing the elastic force of the elastic member needs to be provided inside the input device.

The image shows a plan view of a controller according to an example of an embodiment.

In future models, Sony may replace the PS5 controller’s spring-loaded mechanism with a magnetic one, following their recent patent for controllers with magnetic, swappable buttons that adapt to different games.

It’s worth noting that some Sony controllers already use magnetic parts, so using them to replace the traditional spring-loaded mechanism will be a step in the right direction. 

Latest Updates

Sony has patented many unique ideas over the last decade, including a next-gen lip sync system to match different translations with NPC mouth movements and another to create solar-powered controllers with storage that charge under light.

Do you think the new magnetic technology can finally improve the lifespan of traditional Sony controllers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

The Last of Us Part 2 on PC Still Region Locked Despite Sony Dropping PSN Requirement

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  • While Sony has made PSN account linking optional for upcoming PC ports, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered remains unavailable in over 130 countries.
  • Even with the PSN link being optional, players in affected regions still cannot purchase the game on Steam or the Epic Games Store.
  • Another upcoming PC port, Lost Soul Aside, faces the same regional limitations.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered arrives on PC on 3 April 2025, bringing enhanced visuals, new gameplay modes, and full DualSense integration to Steam and the Epic Games Store.

However, despite Sony’s recent efforts to relax PlayStation Network account restrictions for PC players, the game remains region-locked in many countries.

Why it matters: Earlier this year, Sony announced that its upcoming PC ports would no longer require a PSN account. Even though linking an account is now optional, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered still can’t be bought in numerous countries.

The Last of Us Part 2 Region Locked PC
Regional restriction and PSN account issues remain a significant problem for Sony’s PC ports. | Source: SteamDB

The actual issue isn’t the PSN requirement – it’s that people in over 130 countries can’t create one. Hence, Sony delisted its recent and upcoming PC ports from Steam and Epic in the regions where PSN accounts can’t be made.

However, in response to player feedback, Sony has reversed this decision. The company will no longer mandate a PSN account for certain single-player PC titles, including The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. While linking a PSN account is now optional, players who choose to do so will receive in-game benefits.

Now that linking a PSN account is optional, players in regions without PSN access still see a message on Steam saying the game isn’t available where they live. Therefore, most PC players cannot experience one of PlayStation’s most acclaimed titles.

Moreover, the trend continues with another upcoming day-one PlayStation PC port on Steam: Lost Soul Aside. Despite being a third-party title, Lost Soul Aside is also region-locked in 130+ countries.

The Last of Us Part 2
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered PC requirements.

So far, Sony has not commented on the regional lock for The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PC. Gamers continue to express their disappointment about the regional restriction, but there’s been no news on a fix.

Latest Updates

Sony is releasing more of its biggest games on PC, but how they handle regional access and PSN accounts is still a major concern. For now, players in hundreds of countries hoping to experience Ellie and Abby’s journey on their preferred platform are still waiting, wondering if The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered will ever be unlocked for them.

Are you living in one of the countries affected by the regional restriction? Let us know in the comments, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Schedule I Debuts With 300K Concurrent Players And Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews

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  • Schedule I has gained 300K concurrent players in its early access.
  • The drug-dealing simulator has over 98% overwhelmingly positive reviews.
  • The game might be the closest thing one can get to playing Walter White in a game.

The biggest surprise of this month in terms of release may be Schedule I, a brand-new drug-dealing simulator from a solo developer. The game has recently released in its early access and has been the talk of the town.

Schedule I hit over 300K concurrent players today, earning an overwhelmingly positive Steam rating with 98% of 23K reviews being positive.

Why it matters: It’s nice to see an indie game getting the love and traction it deserves for its creativity. Games like Schedule I are appreciated and provide a nice break from conventional AAA releases.

schedule i
Schedule I Is One Of The Best Indie Simulators Despite Just Being In Its Early Access

Schedule I drops players in the rundown coastal town of Hyland Point. With no money or connections and just the knowledge of how to make drugs, players must climb the ranks from small-time dealers to powerful drug lords.

Players would also need to create entire operations to sell the drugs and expand the empire with properties, employees, and more. Still, you’ll need to keep an eye on the feds and rival gangs since making it big does come with its dangers.

For an indie game, Schedule I sure has a great level of detail. Certain NPCs will vomit after smoking or stab you if you charge a higher price for the drugs. Moreover, players can even rat out their friends once caught by the feds in co-op.

schedule i top seller steam
Schedule I Is Currently The Best-Selling Game On Steam

The game is currently the best-selling title on Steam, surpassing even The First Berserker Khazan and Assassin’s Creed Shadows. 

While a Breaking Bad video game adaptation exists, Schedule I may be the closest thing one can get to playing Walter White. 

Latest Updates

Have you played Schedule I yet? In the comments below, let us know your thoughts on the game, or visit the Tech4Gamers forum.

The PS5 Consoles Are Confirmed To Have VRR Stuttering Problems

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  • The PS5 has been confirmed to experience stuttering issues with VRR enabled.
  • The stutter appears approximately every 8 seconds and affects multiple games.
  • The root cause appears to be the console itself, as the issue persists across all types of monitors.

VRR effectively replaces V-sync in modern-day consoles by eliminating tear and reducing input lag by matching the monitor’s frame rate with the console’s. However, VRR on the PS5 is failing to function as intended.

A new Digital Foundry report confirms user complaints about stuttering caused by VRR on the PS5 consoles. That is now confirmed to be a console issue across the base PS5 and the PS5 pro consoles.

Why it matters: With modern consoles supporting more than 60 FPS in video games, VRR is essential to ensure smooth gameplay. However, stutters caused by VRR on the PS5 consoles defeat the entire purpose of the technology.

Digital Foundry tested the VRR issue using multiple 120Hz-supported games, including The Last of Us titles, Diablo 4, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. The problem became noticeable after about 20 minutes of gameplay, with stuttering occurring every 8 seconds.

Currently, it is unclear which games are most affected, as there is no consistent link between them. However, testing suggests the problem is tied to frame rate fluctuations. In games where the console maintains a stable frame rate, VRR does not appear to cause stuttering.

Meanwhile, Xbox consoles do not exhibit the same problem, functioning properly with VRR enabled on titles where the PS5 struggles. The only temporary workaround is to switch inputs or restart the game, which resets the stutter timer. However, this is not a practical solution.

assassin's creed shadows ps5 pro vs ps5 performance mode
PS5 Utilization Of RTGI Is Remarkable In AC Shadows

With US TVs following NTSC standards, 120Hz displays actually run at 119.88Hz. This slight mismatch may cause stutters every 8 seconds, likely due to a console-end misconfiguration assuming a true 120Hz.

For now, disabling VRR might be the best option until Sony officially addresses the issue with a fix or a detailed report.

Latest Updates

Have you encountered such stuttering issues on your PS5 consoles? Let us know in the comments below or head towards the official Tech4Gamers Forums. 

Naughty Dog Reportedly Canceled A Single Player Game Led by Until Dawn Editor

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  • Naughty Dog has reportedly canceled a single-player title in the last 3 months.
  • Joe Pettinati, the lead editor behind Until Dawn and Bloodborne, led the project.
  • The project’s development began after The Last of Us multiplayer title was shelved.

Naughty Dog can’t seem to catch a break, as the prized PlayStation studio has canceled its second project in just over a year.

An insider mentions an unannounced single-player game by the studio that was scrapped within the last three months.

Why it matters: By canceling projects, PlayStation is harming one of the best studios under its helm and wasting resources and talent. The gaming giant must realize Naughty Dog’s full potential.

Community Impact
Naughty Dog Were Reportedly Upset By The Last Of Us Multiplayer Project’s Cancelation

According to DanielRPK, who published the report on his Patreon, the single-player title was led by Joe Pettinati, a senior editor behind games like Bloodborne, Until Dawn, and more. Joe had been working on several PlayStation IPs for the past decade.

Moreover, the insider added that the project started developing right after The Last of Us Multiplayer title was scrapped. The identity of the new single-player project is unknown, but it was just shelved recently in the last 3 months.

This gives about a year of development for the single-player project, as The Last of Us Multiplayer was scrapped in late 2023, likely leaving it in early development or pre-production.

Joe Pettinati’s LinkedIn profile also reveals that he departed Naughty Dog in January, which is the timeframe that the insider gave us for the cancelation of the alleged single-player title. 

Joe Pettinati Linkedin
Joe Pettinati Recently Departed Naughty Dog || LinkedIn

Aside from this axed single-player title, the studio is also working on another project led by Avenger’s director, which has been in the works for three years. The title mentioned isn’t The Last of Us 3, but it is speculated to be a new Uncharted game.

Latest Updates

What do you think of the scrapped single-player title by Naughty Dog? What do you think the game was? Let us know in the comments below, or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

PlayStation Has An Unrivaled Team That Searches For Hidden Gems, Says Exec

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  • Phil Rosenberg commends PlayStation for helping smaller studios.
  • He states that his team is the best at finding talented but unknown studios.
  • Games like Stellar Blade, Stray, and Lost Soul Aside benefitted greatly from this team’s work.

Stellar Blade was among PlayStation’s most well-received exclusives last year, garnering praise as one of Korea’s finest AAA offerings. The title is set to receive even more attention with the upcoming PC release, giving it a chance to find an all-new audience.

Developer Shift Up’s achievements with Stellar Blade cannot be understated, but PlayStation also had a major role in the game’s success. In fact, the gaming giant has a team specifically to discover unknown gems like Stellar Blade and bring them to the forefront of the industry.

Why it matters: Smaller and mid-sized studios have become significantly better at producing high-quality games today, but they often end up overshadowed by the AAA industry.

Stellar Blade PC
Stellar Blade Was Praised For Its Gameplay, Story, And More

Phil Rosenberg, PlayStation’s SVP of Global Partner Development, recently announced his retirement after 20 years at the company.

Ahead of the executive’s exit, Sony interviewed him and discussed how his team identifies franchises and games with potential. In replying to this question, Phil Rosenberg commended the Content Ventures team’s effort.

He stated that nobody is better than this PlayStation team when it comes to recognizing games with the most potential. This is exactly why PlayStation helped with titles like Stellar Blade and Stray.

There’s nobody better in the world at finding hidden gems and nurturing up-and-coming companies that are probably off the radar for most of us.

-Phil Rosenberg

Lost Soul Aside
Lost Soul Aside Launches Later This Year

The same team helped PlayStation lead the China Hero project, which resulted in the gaming giant’s support of Lost Soul Aside, a game that may never have seen the light of day without PlayStation’s support.

Needless to say, the team will continue working with smaller and relatively unknown studios to help support promising projects, making it invaluable to Sony’s gaming division.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on these efforts? Let us know in the comments, or follow this link to the Tech4Gamers Forums for more discussions on the latest industry topics.

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