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Hollow Knight: Silksong Release Planned For No Later Than June 2025

Story Highlight
  • Hollow Knight: Silksong is aiming to release no later than June 2025, according to a reputable insider.
  • The title will be a Day One Game Pass release.
  • Xbox has also recently teased the game’s release in their upcoming lineup.

Initially announced all the way back in 2019, fans have almost given up on Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release. So far, speculations and teases of the game’s launch have only let fans down.

However, a new leak implies the game might be finally seeing the light of day. The title has been highly teased in the past few weeks, so this leak makes even more sense. Hollow Knight: Silksong is reportedly aiming for a release no later than June 2025.

Why It Matters: It’s been almost 8 years since the first Hollow Knight game was released and 6 years since the sequel went radio silent. The Metroidvania was incredibly addictive and one of the greatest releases of its genre, but being pushed so far away is uncommon for a game on a scale this small.

silksong release date
Hollow Knight: Silksong Arriving As Soon As June 2025 || Source: Social Media

The leak comes from Extas1s, a reputable insider who claims that Hollow Knight: Silksong is currently planned before June 2025 ends and will be yet another Day One Game Pass release.

Another report from 2022 also suggested a Day One Game Pass release; however, this time, Xbox itself is also teasing the game.

After years, Xbox has just teased Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release. Their new ID@Xbox blog mentioned the game as one of the awaited releases in their upcoming lineup.

xbox tease silksong
Xbox Teasing Silksong’s Release In A New Blog || Source: Xbox

One of the biggest reasons for this pushed release was that Team Cherry believed something was missing from the game. However, such a development halt still doesn’t explain the generational gap from the first gameplay reveal to its launch.

Latest Updates

Are you excited about Silksong’s release? Let us know in the comments below or visit the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Dave The Diver Interview – The Game’s Success, Future, and Secrets

Story Highlight
  • MINTROCKET added humorous cutscenes to Dave the Diver to better show the characters’ personalities, drawing inspiration from various animations and films.
  • Customizable player characters are unlikely due to the focus on the existing main characters’ stories, but could be explored in a spin-off.
  • Dave the Diver mobile version is in development, initially for China, and will be a paid, premium experience.
  • The developers believe microtransactions can be acceptable to enhance gameplay but criticize exploitative monetization practices.

Dave the Diver has won over players with its mix of underwater exploration, running a restaurant, and funny moments. The game stands out in the indie world thanks to its delightful story scenes, fun gameplay, and surprising partnerships. We talked to a developer from MINTROCKET to learn more about how the game was made, its creative choices, and what’s coming next.

In this interview, we explore what inspired the game’s humor, whether a sequel could happen, and if Dave’s weight was ever planned to change. We also discuss MINTROCKET’s thoughts on microtransactions, possible future team-ups, and their new projects. Keep reading if you’re excited to see what’s ahead for Dave and his crew!

Dave The Diver
If You Want A Serene Gaming Experience, Dave The Diver Is The Game For You.
Dave The Diver features some of the funniest character cutscenes, but what was the inspiration behind it?

MINTROCKET: At first, we didn’t plan on creating cutscenes. However, despite our characters being very unique, we felt there was no way to truly showcase their charm. So, we tried creating a simple cutscene for key moments, and it worked really well. We then decided to add more cutscenes, putting our ideas together and taking inspiration from animations and films with similar characters, so that we could make a strong impact in a short amount of time.

One pet peeve I’ve had with the game is that Dave never loses weight despite diving so often; his weight is a huge charm, sure, but is that something the developers considered or are considering adding as a feature?

MINTROCKET: One of the ideas we had on the drawing board was to have Dave’s weight based on gameplay, maybe even affecting his movement speed. But Dave’s charm comes from having a unique body shape, one that’s not typical for a diver, right? A lot of people liked that, so we decided to keep Dave just the way he is.

Has developers considered an update that lets us create our own protagonist and choose a different name for him/her?

MINTROCKET: Sometimes, users suggest that they want to create their own characters. While it’s a good idea, our game primarily focuses on the stories of the main characters, Dave, Cobra, and Bancho, so creating customizable characters might be a bit difficult. However, if we ever plan a spin-off in a different genre, we might be able to try it out.

Has MINTROCKET considered making Dave the Diver a franchise and developing a sequel in the future?

MINTROCKET: We would love to! More people than we expected have come to love Dave, and we have a lot of affection for him as well, so we definitely want to share more stories about Dave and his friends. However, creating a sequel would require a lot more ideas and exciting elements than we have now, and it would take a lot of time. For now, we are preparing a new story for the ‘In the Jungle’ DLC.

Considering Dave the Diver was announced originally for mobile in 2018 by Nexon, are the current developers planning on a mobile port of the game?

MINTROCKET: Yes, while this isn’t related to the mobile game from that time, many people have expressed interest in playing Dave the Diver on mobile, so we are currently working on it. We are initially targeting the Chinese region, but we aim to make it available in more countries in the future.

Will Dave the Diver be premium or free if MINTROCKET ever makes a mobile version?

MINTROCKET: Our goal is to bring the same experience of Dave the Diver to mobile as a premium game.

Since Nexon turned Mintrocket into a wholly owned subsidiary last year, what other projects has MINTROCKET been working on?

MINTROCKET: Currently, we are working on several new projects based on our own ideas and choices, independent from Nexon. These are mainly casual games, and we are putting a lot of effort into delivering unprecedented experiences, so please look forward to them.

Is MINTROCKET trying to out-perform Dave the Diver with its future projects, or is its success something only a few titles can achieve?

MINTROCKET: Honestly, I think achieving greater success than Dave the Diver will be difficult. This is because, in addition to our abilities, factors like luck and timing played a big role as well. However, we will do our best to be a studio that consistently delivers in ‘fun’ and ‘quality.’

Dave the Diver was nominated for a lot of awards back in 2023 (specifically the Golden Joysticks, GOTY 2023, and 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards) but didn't win any. Did the developers grief or felt the game was robbed of them?

MINTROCKET: Haha, honestly, there was a bit of disappointment from not winning, but I don’t feel like we were robbed. The games that won were excellent. I had the opportunity to meet the winners at various events and sincerely congratulated them. While winning would have been great, just being nominated is a huge honor as well, and through this process, I got to discover some amazing games.

Despite its cozy and casual appeal, Dave The Diver is actually quite tough to many. Have you considered this factor for a potential sequel in the future to make the game appealable to a much wider audience?

MINTROCKET: I saw a debate on the cozygames subreddit about whether Dave is truly cozy. I agree that it is a more challenging game than it appears to be. It requires management, has boss battles, and weapon upgrades… After launch, we took our users’ feedback into account and adjusted the areas they felt were too difficult, but I still wouldn’t call it an easy game. Nevertheless, I believe these elements contribute to the ‘fun’ of playing when properly balanced, so instead of simply making it easier, I want our goal to be focused on achieving a more reasonable balance.

Just recently, the game had a big collaboration with Like a Dragon. What collaborations can we expect in the future?

MINTROCKET: We have collaborated with amazing IPs such as Dredge, Godzilla, and Balatro, and we are very happy that many users enjoyed them. Bringing great external IPs into our game is always a cautious but fun process. You might even see familiar characters in the upcoming ‘In the Jungle’ DLC!

Despite being popular, Dave the Diver doesn't feature microtransactions, which has become a trend in modern releases. What are your overall thoughts on microtransactions in gaming?

MINTROCKET: I don’t think microtransactions are inherently bad. For example, cosmetics allow players to customize the appearance of their favorite characters, and some items help overcome in-game challenges more easily. Additionally, F2P games can reach a broader audience because they are easy to access with no additional costs.

However, the reason many games are criticized for this nowadays is that instead of using microtransactions to enhance the player’s experience, they create intentional deficiencies that can be countered by microtransactions in order to encourage excessive spending. Such exploitative monetization methods, even if they generate high revenue, will stress the players and reduce their affection for the game.

The developers were quite creative and, despite having a small team, managed to merge several genres into a single game. Do you plan on venturing into other genres, particularly beyond 2D side-scrolling?

MINTROCKET: Yes. Internally, we are already developing a different type of game, and we believe that we can showcase our strengths even if it’s not a 2D side-scrolling or pixel game. It’s important to choose a genre that can effectively highlight the core fun elements we have in mind. But of course, if it’s a genre we haven’t worked on before, a more cautious approach and extensive testing will be necessary.

Favorite roguelike games?

MINTROCKET: I used to play a variety of roguelike games. I definitely enjoyed major titles like Dead Cells and Hades, and I also had a lot of fun playing Risk of Rain 2! However, since action control requires a lot of skill, as I got older, I started to feel my limitations. Nowadays, I find myself enjoying lighter roguelike games like Balatro and Vampire Survivors more.

Dave the Diver has become much more than anyone imagined, combining humor, adventure, and management gameplay in a way that keeps players coming back. With its creative cutscenes, regular updates, and exciting partnerships, it’s clear that MINTROCKET is focused on creating great experiences.

While there’s no official word on a sequel, the team’s love for the game and its characters gives hope for more adventures down the line.

It was fascinating to hear the developers’ thoughts on the game’s design, future plans, and perspective on the gaming world. Their honesty about the challenges of making games and dedication to keeping players happy are truly impressive. A big thank you to MINTROCKET for sharing their time and insights!

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi Review: Built For Creators, Priced For Everyone

After testing the B860 Steel Legend WiFi motherboard, it is time to test the B860 LiveMixer from ASRock. The LiveMixer series aims towards content creators in particular where the focus is more on the connectivity hence you may see a less beefy power delivery design compared to the Steel Legend motherboard.

The B860 LiveMixer WiFi motherboard retails at a USD 190 price tag. This motherboard also consists of WiFi 6E, a single Thunderbolt 4 port, and an ALC1220 audio solution. However, ASRock has employed SPS MOSFETs on this motherboard.

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  • Objective testing criteria (See how we test motherboards).

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

The salient features include:

  • Support for Intel Core Ultra series 2 Processors.
  • DDR5 Memory support up to 8666 MHz (OC)
  • ASRock has used 12+1+1+1+1 Power phases for VRM/MOSFET
  • Provision of 1x M.2 Gen5 and 2x M.2 Gen 4 Slots
  • Support for PCIe Gen5 x16 slot for graphics card
  • Graphics Card Lite Release Mechanism

Key Takeaways

  • The ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi is a decent spec motherboard with PCIe 5 and Thunderbolt 4.
  • You should buy the ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi if you’re a content creator who needs lots of fast connectivity with good value for money.
  • You should not buy the if you require WiFi 7, but this is not that big of a deal.

These are the key specs:

Form Factor ATX
CPU Support Intel Core Ultra Series 2
CPU Socket LGA1851
Memory Support 4x DDR5 DIMM Slots
PCIe Support
  • 1x PCIe Gen5 x16 slot
  • 1x PCIe Gen4 x16 slot [Supports x4 mode]
On-board Graphics
  • Intel UHD Graphics
  • Intel X LPG Graphics
  • 1x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C
  • 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL
Storage
  • 4x SATA ports
  • 1x Gen5 NVMe M.2 port
  • 3x Gen4 NVMe M.2 ports
USB Ports 22x USB Ports
LAN 2.5 Gbps Dragon RTL8125
WiFi Intel WiFi 6E
[toc]

What Makes The ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi Different?

ASRock B860 LiveMixer costs a tad less than the B860 Steel Legend and its main focus is on connectivity for the content creators. This motherboard harbors 22 USB ports and is compatible with a wide variety of video capture cards. More or less it has the same feature set as on B860 Steel Legend but uses SPS MOSFETs.

Packaging And Unboxing

The main packing box is made of cardboard material. It has a black and purple color scheme. The motherboard is placed inside an anti-static container. The salient specifications and features are listed on the packing box. ASRock has included the following in the box:

  • 1x ATX-sized Motherboard
  • 2x SATA Data Cables
  • 2x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antennas
  • 1x Thermistor Cable
  • 1x Regulatory Notice
  • 1x Quick Installation Guide

Design Overview

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — Main View
Main Design (Image By Tech4Gamers)

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi motherboard is driven by an Intel LGA1851 socket and B860 chipset. The socket powers the 4x DIMM slots, 1x HDMI 2.1 port, M.2 and PCIe Gen5 slots, and a Thunderbolt port. This motherboard’s PCB is a 6-layer design using 2 oz thickened copper.

The DMI link operates at x4 PCIe between the socket and chipset. The rest of the connectivity comes from the B860 chipset including 2x Gen4x4 M.2 slots, WiFi 6E solution, Intel NUC, SATA, USB ports, Serial IO, Fan control, and Audio solution. Let’s start with the power delivery circuit of this motherboard.

Power Delivery To Socket

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — CPU Socket 1024x99
CPU Socket (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Intel 1851 socket can be found on this motherboard powering Ultra Core Series 2 CPUs. Intel has used narrow ILM mounting on this socket and aims to provide better and even pressure compared to the Intel LGA1700 socket.

The power delivery circuit has two enlarged heatsink covers. They are light gray and have cutouts on aluminum. This design does not use heat pipe and it makes sense since the power design is not that beefy to warrant extra spending. There is no LED backlighting on these covers.

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — VRM Circuit 1024x72
VRM Circuit (Image By Tech4Gamers)

This motherboard has 12+1+1+1 power phases. The main controller is SPS MPS2427 PWM. The power stages are SPS MPS2414. The upgraded 20K Black capacitor not only extends the lifespan to 20,000 hours but also increases the capacitance value from 560uF to 1000uF

DIMM Slots

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — DIMM Slots 1024x74
DIMM Slots (Image By Tech4Gamers)

ASRock has provided 4x DDR5 UDIMM slots that are on different PCB layers. This motherboard supports a maximum of 256GB memory capacity. These support Intel XMP 3.0 with dual-channel and dual-controller modes. It supports CUDIMM as well.

This motherboard supports frequencies up to 8666MHz (OC). The memory overclocking is also supported on this motherboard in addition to XMP. It supports Intel POR speed and JEDEC speed.

Storage Options

This motherboard has a total of 3x M.2 NVMe ports. These ports have a form factor of 2280/2260. All ports have heatsink covers for effective heat transfer to avoid throttling.

You can see that all heatsink covers have thermal pads. The cover on the top port uses a tool-less design. The enlarged heatsink has an anti-drop screw design.

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — M.2 Port Covers 892x102
M.2 Port Covers (Image By Tech4Gamers)

The top slot (Blazing) is PCIe Gen5x4 M.2 NVMe wired to the CPU and has a 128GB/s bandwidth rating. It has dual thermal pads. The remaining two ports are wired to the chipset and are PCIe Gen4x4.

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — SATA Connector 1024x76
SATA Connector (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Speaking of SATA ports, this motherboard has a total of 4x ports wired to the chipset.

PCIe Connectivity

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — PCIe Slots 1024x81
PCIe Slots (Image By Tech4Gamers)

This motherboard has a total of 3x PCIe slots. The first slot is full x16 slotted and wired to the CPU socket. It can’t be bifurcated or split. The other two are wired to the chipset. The top slot is PCIe Gen5x16 rated. The last slot is PCIe 4.0 x16 but operates in x4 mode. The middle slot is PCIe 4×1 and it is used for the WiFi module.

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — PCIe Locker 768x102
PCIe Locker (Image By Tech4Gamers)

This motherboard features the Graphics Card Lite Release feature. The locker has an extended clip for convenient removal of the graphics card.

USB Connectivity

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — USB Connector 759x102
USB Connector (Image By Tech4Gamers)

This motherboard is packed with USB ports on the front, rear, and mid-board. It has:

  • 1x Thunderbolt™ 4 Type-C (Rear)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Front)
  • 10x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (6 Rear, 4 Front)
  • 10x USB 2.0 (6 Rear, 4 Front)

ASRock has used several USB hubs and controllers including multiple GL852G and ASM1074. All ports support ESD protection.

Networking Solution

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — WiFi Module 775x102
WiFi Module (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Like the B860 Steel Legend WiFi, this motherboard also comes equipped with a Dragon 2.5 Gbps LAN port powered by an RTL8125 controller. The wireless solution is from Intel WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 (Intel AX211NGW WiFi Module).

Audio Solution

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — Audio Solution 1024x60
Audio Solution (Image By Tech4Gamers)

This motherboard also uses the RealTek ALC1220 codec like the B860 Steel Legend WiFi. This is a  7.1 Channel audio solution that has S/PDIF output as well.

Internal Connectors

There are:

  • 1x Thermistor Cable Header
  • 1x SPI TPM Header
  • 1x Power LED and Speaker Header
  • 1x RGB LED Header*
  • 3x Addressable LED Headers
  • 2x CPU Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
  • 5x Chassis Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
  • 1x AIO Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
  • 1x 24-pin ATX Power Connector
  • 2x 8-pin 12V Power Connectors (Hi-Density Power Connector)
  • 1x Front Panel Audio Connector
  • 2x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Support 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
  • 1x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen1 Header

Each fan header is powered and controlled by nuvoTon 3961SP. The Pump Header is rated for 3A. The CPU Fan header is rated for 1A. The other fan headers are rated at 3A each. This motherboard also has 4x LEDs to troubleshoot the system. These LEDs correspond to the CPU, RAM, VGA, and Boot.

Rear IO Panel

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — Rear IO Panel 1024x69
Rear IO Panel (Image By Tech4Gamers)

There are:

  • 2x Antenna Ports
  • 1x HDMI Port
  • 1x Optical SPDIF Out Port
  • 1x Thunderbolt™ 4 Type-C Port (40 Gb/s for USB4 protocol; 40Gb/s for Thunderbolt™ protocol)*
  • 6x USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports**
  • 6x USB 2.0 Ports
  • 1x RJ-45 LAN Port
  • 1x BIOS Flashback Button
  • 1x Line Out Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
  • 1x Microphone Input Jack (Gold Audio Jack)

* Supports USB PD 3.0 up to 5V@3A (15W) charging

** USB32_45 support Ultra USB Power

The rear IO cover is pre-installed on this motherboard. ASRock has reserved more tolerance space and allows the IO shield to be adjustable when installed, thus fitting the chassis perfectly without any mechanical issues.

Let’s go over the chipset and other chips.

ASRock has mentioned that they have tested multiple video capture devices with this motherboard. List is:

  • GC553
  • GC573
  • Bu113
  • GC311
  • GC570D
  • GC570
  • HD60 S+

BIOS

ASRock has provided a black interface in the BIOS. The interface layout is the same as I have seen on other ASRock motherboards including B860 Steel Legend WiFi with no difference as such. This is why I am not going into the details here.

Software

If you enable (enabled by default) the System Drivers Installer in the BIOS, you will be prompted to use the Auto Driver installer on the Windows startup. This is an automated utility. It will look for available drivers and updates on the server and download/install them as per the user selection.

Test Build

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — Test Setup 961x102
Test Setup (Image By Tech4Gamers)

I have used the following configuration to test the motherboard:

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — CPU Z
CPU Z (Image By Tech4Gamers)

The above is a picture showing a run of CPU-Z. We can see that the CPU is reported at almost 5400.49MHz (Bus speed was at 100.1MHz to show this value). The RAM was operating at its tested speed of 7200MT/s after loading the XMP.

Test Result

The testing was done on stock settings with XMP loaded. Intel’s default power profile is used.

CPU And Memory Benchmarks

The overall performance of the CPU and memory on this motherboard is satisfactory and competitive. The higher latencies are platform wide which is coming from Intel design. I have no observation to report here.

Storage Test

I have used a PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe drive and a Thunderbolt 4 drive which is the Sabrent Rocket Q-XTRM 2TB portable drive. The storage performance is satisfactory as well.

Gaming Test

The overall gaming performance is satisfactory.

System Performance Test

The overall system performance is excellent as well.

Core Clock Behavior

The system was left idle for 10 minutes under the Balanced Power Profile. The idle clocks were 1795MHz on the P-Cores whereas these were 3192MHz on E-Cores more or less. The clocks were peaking at 5.5GHz under a 1T load. All cores load put these clocks to 5.2GHz. These figures confirm Intel’s clock ratings for Core Ultra 265k.

Power Draw

I am reporting the system-wide power draw here. This power draw is not comparable with any other system and it only tells you the relevant power usage given this particular configuration. The four categories are:

  • System Idle Power
  • System Gaming Load Power
  • System Power with Single-Core Load
  • System Power with Multi-Core Load

I did not observe any power peak or abnormal behavior from this motherboard.

Thermals

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi — VRM Thermals
VRM Thermals (Image By Tech4Gamers)

Testing was done at an ambient temperature of 27ᵒC. The CPU was idling at 35ᵒC and the graphics card was idling at 41ᵒC. Under load, the CPU was doing 81ᵒC whereas the GPU was doing 80ᵒC.

Should You Buy It?

Buy It If

✅You plan to upgrade to Intel’s latest platform: B860 LiveMixer is a budget-oriented motherboard that still provides good enough features for your daily needs.

✅You want a good gaming experience: The ASRock B860 LiveMixer packs a PCIE Gen5-based expansion slot and M.2 slot to cover your gaming needs.

✅You are a content creator: This motherboard is equipped with 22 USB ports including a Thunderbolt 4 port and is compatible with a wide variety of video capture devices.

✅You want good value for money: This motherboard retails at USD 190 giving you a better value for your money.

Buy It If

❌You already have a Z690/Z790 motherboard: I would not upgrade if I am on Intel 13th or 14th gen platform.

Final Words

ASRock B860 LiveMixer WiFi is another mainstream/budget-oriented motherboard that is aimed toward the content creation. This motherboard is also powered by an Intel LGA1851 socket and a B860 Chipset. This motherboard comes with 3x PCIe Slots out of which one is already used for the WiFi module. It has PCIe Gen5 connectivity as well.

The storage solution consists of 4x SATA ports and 3x M.2 ports. This motherboard has one less M.2 port compared to the B860 Steel Legend WiFi. The topmost M.2 port operates at PCIe Gen5x4 whereas two slots are PCIe Gen4x4. Only the top slot has a tool-less cover.

The motherboard packs 22 USB ports (3 more than B860 Steel Legend WiFi) including a Thunderbolt port. However, this motherboard does not have a USB 3.2 20Gbps port. The Thunderbolt 4 port on the rear panel uses USB 4 tunneling and it provides PD charging of 15W.

This motherboard features a 12+1+1+1 power delivery mechanism which is less beefier than the B860 Steel Legend WiFi. The cooling provision is quite good with 8x fan headers, adequate heatsink covers, and thermal pads.

ASRock has dropped WiFi 7 in favor of WiFi 6E hence bringing the cost down. This board has a 2.5Gbps LAN port. This motherboard has the same network connectivity as on B860 Steel Legend WiFi.

The BIOS interface is the same as I have seen on other ASRock motherboards. ASRock has used RealTek ALC1220 codec which is better than ALC897 on MSI. Overall performance of this motherboard is good.

ASRock has managed to provide a better feature set in a reduced price bracket without much of a compromise compared to the MSI counterpart. The DDR5 frequency of up to 8666MHz (OC) is quite good. ASRock offers a 3-year warranty on this motherboard.

 

Steam Sales Generates Four Times Less Traffic Now Compared to 2019

Story Highlight
  • Steam sales are now much less effective than 5 years ago for generating traffic. 
  • The sales were just 7 times effective in 2025, while they drew 38x more traffic in 2019.
  • This is because a huge number of games now participate in sales, increasing competition. 

Steam is unarguably the biggest gaming platform on PC. As most gamers’ default choice, the platform has seen its popularity soar even higher in the last couple of years. However, a new report suggests that Steam Sales aren’t as effective as they used to be. 

Discounts have always been a big part of Steam’s success. Events like Steam Summer Sale and smaller ones like Daily Deals and more are central to its success, but since 2019, Steam Sales have driven 4 times less traffic compared to 2019.

Why it matters: The enormous number of games participating in the Steam Sales events makes the competition more intense than ever, making it difficult for most gamers to gain a bigger audience. 

Steam Sales are now less effective compared to 5 years ago

According to NewZoo’s report, Steam discount events aren’t as effective as they used to be 5 years ago. The individual game sales generate way more sales and traffic as there is no competition in this case, but that is on the decline, too. 

So, while sales were the major factor in increasing traffic a few years ago, external factors have now become more effective. These include influencer deals, streaming platforms, and other paid acquisitions that make the games more prominent. 

Steam recently hit a milestone of 40 Million concurrent players

Despite this new development, Steam has continued its upward trend. This year, it hit the historic milestone of over 40 million concurrent players thanks to some huge releases like Monster Hunter Wilds, Marvel Rivals, and more. 

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on Steam sales becoming less effective over the years? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers forum. 

How You Can Get Started With Counter-Strike 2 Case Openings

Story Highlight
  • The act of opening, buying, and selling cases plays a major role in the Counter-Strike 2 experience.
  • Relying on events, skin trends, and more can improve your case-opening experience.
  • Avoiding scams is also important for newcomers to this side of Valve’s first-person shooter.

Counter-Strike 2 remains one of gaming’s most popular first-person shooters today due to its highly competitive gameplay, legacy appeal, and free-to-play nature. However, the game has a completely different side that most casual players may not be aware of.

Like many other multiplayer titles, skins play a major role in Counter-Strike 2. Players can unlock custom variants of various guns and knives, giving their arsenal a unique look and identity.

Beyond the satisfaction of owning a rare knife or a skin that appeals to specific tastes, players can also benefit from these items in a monetary sense through selling cases, which unlock various in-game items, including skins.

Why it matters: Cases add a new layer to the Counter-Strike 2 experience, giving players something to work toward once the novelty of the core gameplay begins to wear off.

Unlocking Cases

Counter-Strike 2
CS2 Fans Can Find A Variety of Items Hidden Behind Cases

To gain instant access to cases once a week, players can simply upgrade to a Prime account. This account ensures case drops every week upon the completion of competitive matches.

Cases can also be bought directly from the Steam Marketplace. This option eliminates the element of randomness, but case pricing can always vary from time to time. Elsewhere, players who have skins or other valuable items lying around in their inventories can trade them for cases.

Making The Most of Your Cases

Counter-Strike 2
Everyone Is After The Rarest CS2 Skins

While cases are inherently random, players can resort to a few useful techniques to make the most of their case-opening experience. Simulators come in handy here, letting you simulate the opening process to make an informed decision.

A provably fair calculator can verify these results, and Steam users can also rely on CS2 fade checkers to judge the chances of obtaining skills with certain characteristics. Monitoring the market is another great way to stay updated on which specific skins are popular at certain times. This approach allows for careful planning that aligns with the hunt for valuable items.

Various in-game promotions offer the opportunity to obtain special cases with better chances of obtaining rare items. Following these events, such items return to standard odds, making them valuable for those who can snag them during specific events.

Avoiding Obvious Frauds

While the case-opening experience in Counter-Strike 2 is mostly positive, several platforms have been known to manipulate odds and trick gamers into spending more.

These are major concerns that can turn newcomers away from this aspect of Valve’s popular first-person shooter, but sticking to reliable platforms ensures these issues never become too bothersome.

Latest Updates

Ultimately, gamers must stay vigilant when dealing with different platforms. When done right, the act of engaging with this side of Counter-Strike 2 can be a completely new experience, one that opens up new possibilities for everyone involved.

Helldivers 2 Studio Boss Says Devs Need To Start Taking More Risks; ‘Safe Bets Are A Death Sentence’

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  • Helldivers 2 studio boss Johan Pilestedt claims developers must take more risks in their games.
  • He argues that taking safe bets and chasing trends saturates the market; it is a death sentence for the industry.
  • He wants the developers to do their own thing and pursue their own styles, which will be different from those of others that aren’t copied.

Increasing budgets and the scope of AAA games have made developers more susceptible to chasing proven formulas and avoiding risks. While this strategy can work in the short term, Helldivers 2’s boss now argues that not taking risks is causing the industry’s death.

In a new interview, Arrowhead boss Johan Pilestedt claims developers need to stop saturating the market by chasing every industry trend. He argues that taking these ‘safe bets’ is the main reason behind studio failures.

Why it matters: Helldivers 2’s boss clarifies that games must be diversified as more people play them. Instead, the developers try chasing trends, which leads to the industry’s downfall.

Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 director once said that unnecessary DEI detracts from the gaming experience.

As reported by PCGamer, Johan spoke at the GDC event against the rise of live-service games and developers who keep chasing the same formula. He clarifies that many gamers don’t want to play those games and want to spend money on more innovative titles. 

One thing I can guarantee is that those safe bets are a death sentence for the studios that try to make them. 

So, these gamers are left empty-handed as studios compete against each other and collapse. As the number of gamers has grown, the industry needs to diversify into enough unique games to satisfy all of them. This can only be achieved when studios stop playing safe.

It’s ridiculous. If everybody stopped making battle royales and made [different kinds of] games, we wouldn’t be in this position.

Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 Xbox Port Is No Longer In The Plans Anymore.

Johan clarifies that the best solution to this dilemma is for developers to chase their unique styles. To him, investing in innovative games is much better than creating a high-budget copy in a saturated genre to see it flop later on.

Latest Updates

Do you think Helldivers 2 succeeded because Arrowhead was not afraid to take massive risks with the addictive multiplayer entry? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

MSI New BIOS Update Boosts Ryzen 9 9950X3D Performance By Up To 10% In Games

[Press Release] The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a powerful gaming and content-creation processor. MSI BIOS features allow users to optimize performance further.

Updating the BIOS and chipset drivers ensures optimal performance. The latest AMD chipset driver (v7.01.08.129+) includes the AMD Application Compatibility Database driver, which, combined with a BIOS running AGESA 1.2.0.3+, boosts gaming performance.

Thanks to the BIOS update, Metro Exodus sees up to a 10% boost, while Far Cry 6 improves by 8%.

After updating to AGESA 1.2.0.3+, install the AMD Application Compatibility Database driver to fix an “Unknown Device” issue in Device Manager. 

MSI BIOS Update Ryzen 9950X3D
Metro Exodus and Far Cry 6 saw significant FPS gains.

Performance gains were observed Using Memory Try It!, High-Efficiency Mode, and X3D Gaming Mode. Monster Hunter Wilds saw a 14.5% increase compared to DDR5-4800. Far Cry 6 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider improved by around 6%.

It’s important to note that Memory Try It! and High-Efficiency Mode involve overclocking, which may affect system stability. X3D Gaming Mode impacts CPU cores and SMT, affecting multi-threaded workloads. Gaming performance gains depend on GPU and system setup.

The Elder Scrolls 6 Success May Not Shield Bethesda Devs from Online Hate, Says Ex-Developer

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  • It has recently been reported that Ubisoft plans to protect its developers after launching Assasin’s Creed Shadow.
  • On the other hand, one Skyrim veteran stated that it is inevitable for Bethesda developers not to get online harassment.
  • He further stated that the developers would still face death threats even if Elder Scrolls 6 is great. 

Over the years, the developers have been facing harassment and death threats just for developing a game some people don’t like. A former Bethesda developer stated that even if Elder Scrolls 6 is great, the team would still face harassment.

Why it matters: Bethesda has seen the most harassment online over the years, as the developers have most often released half-cooked titles at launch, resulting in negativity from the people. 

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Is Already Over A Decade Old.

Just recently, one of the former Bethesda developers, Nate Purkeypile, who’s worked on almost every title from Fallout 3 and 4 to Skyrim and Starfield, claimed that online harassment is almost inevitable for Bethesda developers.

He further stated that even if Elder Scrolls 6 is great, the developers will still receive death threats and face online harassment.

Even if The Elder Scrolls 6 is great, I’m sure there’s gonna be these hour-long YouTube videos [and] death threats yet again

– Nate Purkeypile

Nate believes that if the developer releases something people don’t like, the online people will treat you like you’re clubbing baby seals.

If you put out a game that people don’t like, the internet is going to treat you like you’re clubbing baby seals.

– Nate Purkeypile

The Elder Scrolls 6
The Elder Scrolls 6 is still many years away.

Not much is known about the Elder Scrolls 6, but if recent leaks are true, it has been reported that the next entry is Hammerfell and could be shown later in July.

Bethesda has also announced massive announcements for the rest of the year for Starfield. So, the developers have been working hard to offer some quality content, or so it appears.

Latest Updates

Not too long ago, it was reported that Ubisoft plans to protect its developers from online harassment, which many developers have faced over the years.

Nonetheless, are you excited for Elder Scrolls 6? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or join the Tech4Gamers forum.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Launches To 41,000 Peak Players And Mostly Positive Reviews on Steam

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  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally out today and has reached around 26K players on Steam in just 4 hours.
  • The RPG is also Steam’s best-selling game at the moment.
  • While the player count is low, reviews are quite positive so far.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally out after being delayed multiple times. While the game secured an 80+ score on Metacritic, many already predicted that the title would be a great success.

This prediction seems to have come true, and the game has lived up to fan expectations. However, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has only reached around 41K concurrent players on Steam so far.

Why it matters: Previous entries in the franchise, like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, have managed to secure over 62K players, so the latest entry has a long way to go.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Playercount
AC Shadows Peak Concurrent Players | Source: SteamDB

As seen in the above screenshot, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was released several hours ago on Steam, and the title has already had over 40,000 concurrent players.

While the numbers are somewhat low for now, they are likely to increase over the coming days. The weekend is just around the corner, so more players are expected to join the game, setting the stage for an even higher peak concurrent figure.

For the time being, the title already has a higher player count than recently released entries in the franchise, such as Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

Elsewhere, the reviews on Steam are quite encouraging. More than 80% of the overall reviews are positive, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows currently stands as Steam’s best-selling game.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Steam Best-Sellers
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Is Topping The List | Image via Steam Best-Sellers

It’s hard to predict how big the game will end up being on Steam, but the best-seller position indicates that the title has yet to reach its peak. For context, it has only recently reached the top position on Steam, so many players likely bought Assassin’s Creed Shadows following the positive press.

Latest Updates

Nonetheless, have you played the title? Did you like it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or join Tech4Gamers forums. 

How To Look Out For Scams When Selling Counter-Strike 2 Skins

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  • Skin trading is a major part of Counter-Strike 2, but prevalent scams can disrupt the experience.
  • These scams range from phishing to the use of bots for misleading deals.
  • Relying on safe platforms and avoiding too-good-to-be-true deals is paramount when trying to stay away from such scams.

Counter-Strike 2 is currently Valve’s biggest free-to-play title and one of Steam’s most popular games. Solid first-person shooter gameplay aside, this game thrives due to an active community that buys skins and cases.

The collection aspect, in particular, is quite engaging since many people tend to purchase skins as rare and unique collectables. These skins can also be sold on the Steam marketplace, but when selling and buying skins, it is essential to look out for scams and various types of fraud.

Why it matters: Counter-Strike 2 skins can be sold for thousands of dollars in many cases, making it essential to avoid scams.

Counter-Strike 2
CS2 Offers A Plethora of Unique And Visually Appealing Guns

One interesting part about buying and selling skins is that CS2 players cannot withdraw money from sales initially. They can use this money on Steam purchases, but third-party platforms can solve this problem.

These platforms allow CS2 players to withdraw funds from transactions and offer fair prices calculated based on market trends and community interest. Because of their ease of use, selling Counter-Strike 2 skins for real money is very intuitive, but these platforms come with their own risks.

Phishing

This is a common scam on the internet and has also made its way to CS2. Phishing essentially entails using fake sites to steal user data. In this context, phishing victims can lose their Steam accounts and inventories. For context, a similar type of scam was used to leak early clips of GTA 6.

Avoiding phishing is as simple as verifying the website you visit is authentic, something that can be done using the website’s URL. Users must also avoid sharing personal information with support services or platform administrators.

Trade Scams

This scam is more straightforward compared to phishing. In this case, scammers typically send players enticing offers and then change said offer at the last moment possible. When done right, the scammer shares a low-value CS2 skin with the other party, so it is always worth verifying key details before committing to a trade.

Another common scam in the Counter-Strike 2 trading skin involves the use of bots. These bots attempt to mimic real human behavior and eventually manipulate trades right before a deal goes through. Both trading and bot scams are similar in nature, so Steam users must be very careful when trading skins.

PayPal Trading Scam

The PayPal scam is more traditional in nature and relies on the Steam user waiting for the payment after the skin is sold. As the seller waits for the payment to arrive, the buyer swiftly blocks the other party and practically disappears. This also means that the payment never arrives.

Staying Safe Out There

Counter-Strike 2
Weapon Skins Have Been Popular Since CS:GO

While these scams are certainly intimidating, one should not avoid the potential of CS2 skin trading simply because of the inherent risks. Patience and careful communication are two components that can help Steam users avoid such scams.

Moreover, gamers must be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. These offers are typically deliberate traps that entice people into obvious scams. Relying on security measures like two-factor authentication can also help new skin traders navigate the market in a safe manner.

Latest Updates

Like any other practice, there is no foolproof method of selling and buying CS2 skins. Fortunately, the risks associated with the practice are typically quite low, and simply being careful is enough to stay safe in most cases.

Minecraft: How Mojang Keeps The IP Relevant With Real Life Events

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  • Minecraft currently holds the title of gaming’s best-selling IP.
  • Mojang has kept the series’ community happy with various real-life events in the past, and the gaming giant is returning with a similar focus for the future.
  • Following the success of Minecraft Experience last year, theme parks based on the IP are currently in the works.

Minecraft’s incredible sandbox experience has pushed it to heights nobody saw coming. The game currently sits at the top of the industry, boasting over 300 million units sold, putting it ahead of record-breaking titles like GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2.

Because Minecraft is so popular, the game boasts a healthy community of millions of players. This community is so vast that Mojang previously hosted various events for millions of fans. These events eventually faded away, but 2024’s Minecraft Experience kicked off another annual gathering for fans of the franchise.

Minecraft Experience also awarded attendees exclusive goodies and in-game rewards, making the whole event wonderful. Following this success, Mojang plans to expand real-world experiences with theme parks and more in the coming years.

Why it matters: Minecraft has been a part of the industry for nearly 14 years, spanning multiple console generations. It continues to be just as relevant today as it was during its initial release.

Minecraft Experience

Minecraft Experience
Minecraft Experience 2024 Was Considered A Success

This event was so special since it marked the first time in eight years Mojang brought fans of the series together for a real-life gathering.

Minecraft Experience gave fans a short story to follow, tasking them with saving the villagers from monsters. In doing so, fans collected food items, created obsidian, and even entered the Nether for a boss battle.

Following a successful rescue, participants were allowed to visit the gift shop, marking a strong conclusion to a memorable event.

Theme Parks

Minecraft Theme Park
Theme Parks Centered Around The Series Could Arrive In A Year or Two

Mojang and Merlin Entertainments have come together to collaborate on theme parks based on the IP. These theme parks are expected to officially open to the UK and US public by 2027.

Based on theme parks like Disneyland, Mojang aims to offer attractions such as virtual environments and various rides. Fans can also expect game-inspired hotels and other activities. If successful, Mojang could open more theme parks across the globe.

In-Game Content

In the past, Minecon participants were given exclusive capes for their in-game characters. Similarly, the latest even saw attendees receiving a unique cape, and future theme parks will likely offer similar exclusives.

This is a major incentive since players typically like to show off their exclusive items in multiplayer servers. 

Latest Updates

Making matters more exciting, the next Minecraft Experience is currently planned for 2025 and is expected to be held in Europe. Therefore, fans of this long-running series have much to look forward to, giving them a chance to interact with the larger community and make more friends who enjoy the same hobby.

AC Shadows Is ‘Possibly The Most Transformative PS5 Pro Upgrade,’ Managing To Hit 60 FPS Even With Full RTGI

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  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the PS5 Pro is the most transformative upgrade with complete RTGI on the 60 FPS performance mode.
  • However, the PS5 Pro still suffers from image quality with no implementation of PSSR.
  • The Quality and Balanced mode introduces RT reflections, which aren’t as impressive as the Performance mode.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has managed to surpass everyone’s expectations, at least in the graphical department, thanks to its implementation of RTGI.

However, the base consoles do have to sacrifice framerates to achieve this visual leap. PS5 Pro users, on the other hand, won’t have to make such a sacrifice. Featuring RTGI even in the 60 FPS performance mode, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of the biggest PS5 Pro upgrades thus far.

Why It Matters: Despite public doubts about the PS5 Pro’s hardware, Assassin’s Creed Shadows proves otherwise, delivering one of this generation’s best AAA performances.

After comparing the base Xbox Series X|S and the PS5 console, Digital Foundry released a new video on the mid-gen refresh PS5 Pro console. The tech experts have now dubbed Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the PS5 Pro as the “most transformative PS5 Pro upgrade.”

The difference between the Performance mode of the base console and the mid-refresh is substantial. The PS5 Pro features completely transformed shades on objects and diffused lighting, while the PS5 version looks flat with its baked lighting, struggling to hold a candle to its successor.

While the PS5 Pro’s lighting and shading are outstanding, the image quality takes a hit, with no improvement over the base console. Not utilizing the PSSR, despite Ubisoft’s earlier promises, the pixel crawl and blocky pattern make the game look bad while closing in.

assassin's creed shadows
The PS5 Pro Has No Usage Of PSSR With Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Moreover, testing revealed that the game was running at a 1080p resolution upscaled to 4k, with RTGI consuming much of the PS5 Pro’s GPU.

Quality and balanced modes add Ray Traced reflections, absent on the base PS5, but they aren’t much better than the 60 FPS performance mode, which balances visuals and frame rates well.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on the PS5 Pro version of the game? Do you see a substantial difference? Let us know in the comments below or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

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