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Fable May Become The Face Of Xbox’s First-Party Games

Story Highlight
  • While not well known against the likes of Witcher 3 and Skyrim, Fable redefined RPG and was held the standard for the genre a couple of decades ago. A reboot of the game is poised to make the same difference. 
  • With classic Xbox franchises like Halo and Gears on hiatus, Fable has the potential to become the new face of Xbox exclusives.
  • Playground Games’ proven track record of success fuels high expectations for Fable, and the sky is the limit regarding their creativity with a video game.

The first mainline entry in a decade and a half, Fable is getting a reboot under an entirely new studio. The first gameplay footage for Fable has been exciting and is everything that fans expected from Xbox’s revival of their most underrated franchise. 

However, the most exciting part is the timing of the game’s release. While Xbox has quite a few first-party games announced for this year, none of them have a long-running history like Fable. That is why Fable may become the face of Xbox exclusives.

Why it matters: Almost five years into the game’s development, Xbox is taking its time with Fable. Moreover, the gaming giant is giving the game development as much time as it needs in order to deliver a flawless final result.

How Fable Redefined RPGs

michael fassbender fable 3
Michael Fassbender As King Logan In Fable 3

We’ve seen an abundance of RPG releases in the last few years, with games tending to be on larger scales instead of prioritizing quality. Fable is undoubtedly the standout RPG and perfectly balances every game aspect.

The writing, story, world-building, and NPCs are perfectly mashed up, and there isn’t a single aspect that the original Fable lacks.

Even more so, Fable was the title that popularized the morality system within a video game. While it didn’t invent the feature, Fable’s implementation of morality later influenced popular titles like Mass Effect and Fallout Games. 

The amount of freedom the game gave you was mindblowing for the period: starting your own family, kicking some chickens, and going on a treasure hunt. The most fun I had was doing all these side activities without even going into the main missions.

The game’s tone and humour were great, complimented by the amazing character customization and voice acting by some great British celebrities. Some notable mentions include Michael Fassbender as the main antagonist in Fable 3 and James Corden having a small role in Fable 2

Before Skyrim and The Witcher 3, Fable was the standard for great RPGs. While much time has passed since the last release, many have forgotten the title. With so many great RPGs launching recently, Fable will be another great addition to the catalogue and repopularize the genre with some quality.

Playground Games Has Never Missed

forza horizon lambo
Forza Horizon Is One Of The Most Consistent Video game Franchises

While the earlier Fable games were developed by Lionhead Studios, which unfortunately shut down in 2016, the reboot is tasked to a well-known first-party Xbox studio. Playground Games is tasked with developing Fable and is venturing into RPG development for the first time.

Previously, being veterans in developing racing games, Playground Games’s venture into the new territory was as exciting as it was scary. The team is definitely talented and has yet to miss. I am quite confident that their streak will continue with Fable. 

Despite earlier reports that Fable’s development has seen quite a few hiccups here and there, I absolutely trust Playground Games and their creative approach, which will translate absolutely well into Fable, an RPG already known for breaking the boundaries of what’s possible in video games.

Latest Updates

Many are overlooking Fable’s potential because it’s an older franchise, but its true impact will become clear after launch when it stands out as one of Xbox’s top first-party games.

Xbox And Crytek’s New Collaboration Is Long Overdue

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  • Crytek revolutionized the gaming industry with Crysis, but their other titles, like Ryse: Son of Rome, deserve just as much recognition.
  • A product of Xbox and Crytek’s partnership, Ryse: Son of Rome still stands out for its stunning visuals, engaging combat, and gripping revenge-driven story.
  • With Crytek’s financial struggles, a renewed partnership with Xbox on Crysis 4 or maybe a new Ryse: Son of Rome game could be the key to the studio’s recovery.

I can’t emphasize enough how Crytek played a major role in the whole video game industry with the Crysis series. While that’s a separate topic, their other franchises are no chopped liver themselves.

The one that stood out for me was Ryse: Son of Rome, which was released in 2013 in collaboration with Xbox. I still believe that the title was ahead of its time and the most underrated game in the gaming giant’s catalogue.

With Xbox now being a major publisher, I believe that they should partner with Crytek once again. 

Why it matters: With Crytek now independent and in need of support more than ever, having Xbox as a publisher back them would be mutually beneficial for both companies.

Ryse Son of Rome Was Amazing 

Ryse: Son of Rome Still A Visual Masterpiece
Ryse: Son of Rome’s Visuals Were Ahead of its Time

It’s been a decade since the game’s release, and I dare say that Ryse Son Of Rome still holds up pretty well today visually and gameplay-wise, along with every other Crytek game.

I have visited ancient Rome countless times through different entertainment mediums, but none had me hooked more than Ryse Son of Rome did.

With just under 6 hours for its main story, led by a young protagonist driven by a hunger for revenge, Ryse Son Of Rome is filled with adrenaline-rushed sequences. In terms of combat, the game more than surprised me with the bloodthirsty combos and finishing animations.

Words can describe Crytek’s recreation of Ancient Rome and expand the whole story into multiple regions, with the game taking you to swamps, forests, and elsewhere. You won’t know how pure action feels if you haven’t played Ryse: Son Of Rome.

Crytek is in Need of a Partnership Desperately

hunt showdown 1896
Hunt Showdown 1896 Is An Insanely Underrated PVPVE Game

Crytek’s glory days are far from behind, but that doesn’t mean they lack talent anymore—a statement I’d choose for most veteran developers. If anything, they’ve lagged behind the competition due to a lack of finance.

Just a few years ago, Xbox reportedly met up with Crytek with rumours of the studio buyout. The same report suggested that Xbox was quite happy with Crysis 4’s development.

However, Crytek still aims to be independent. Still, their financial situation is quite unstable. The studio recently laid off 15% of its workforce and halted the development of Crysis 4 to focus on Hunt Showdown 1896.

Hunt Showdown 1896 is a great game, but it isn’t big enough to support a whole studio. Crytek does get a royalty from other games utilizing the CryEngine, but with the rising costs of developers and game development, it’s hard for Crytek to stay afloat.

Xbox and Crytek could spark another partnership almost a decade later for Crysis 4. The studio needs a bigger entity to back it up, and who better than a former acquaintance? Moreover, the game also won’t be an exclusive title. With first-party games released on rival platforms like PlayStation, Xbox has already taken the publisher route.

Latest Updates

It’s been a while since we’ve seen Crysis, and I’m certainly excited to see what Crytek does with the latest tech in this era of gaming, where many believe that we’ve already hit a plateau in visual fidelity.

Or Xbox could revisit Ryse: Son of Rome for a sequel on a much larger scale this time around.

Monster Hunter Wilds Releases To Nearly 1 Million Concurrent Steam Players Day One

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  • Monster Hunter Wilds is now Steam’s 8th biggest title with over 987,000 players.
  • The game is facing a mixed reception, with less than half of the 2,000 reviews being positive.
  • Reviews point to poor major optimization and crashing problems.

Monster Hunter Wilds already showed immense potential ahead of its release. Reaching the top spot on the list of most wish-listed and best-selling games, Capcom’s latest AAA offering was poised for great success from the beginning.

A slew of positive reviews only added to this excitement, and in the aftermath, Monster Hunter Wilds has accumulated nearly 1 million concurrent players on Steam in a matter of a few hours.

Why it matters: Very few titles on the platform can boast this milestone. It’s only a matter of time until the game exceeds 1 million concurrent players, adding another victory to Capcom’s recent streak of successes.

Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds Is Just A Few Thousand Players Short of The 1 Million Milestone | Image via SteamDB

At the time of writing, Monster Hunter Wilds has been out for a little over two hours. The game currently boasts a peak player count of 987,482, putting it among the small percentage of Steam releases with such high figures.

For context, this player count puts the Capcom release above both Elden Ring and Hogwarts Legacy, two massive titles from the past few years. The game is now Steam’s 8th most popular title by player count.

However, it seems Monster Hunter Wilds is not as unanimously liked as one would have expected. The game currently sits at a Mixed rating on Steam, with 60% of the reviews being negative.

Negative reviews point to poor optimization, crashing problems, and a few specific gameplay changes.

Monster Hunter Wilds
Players Are Upset With The Performance On PC | Image via Steam

Combining console and PC sales, Monster Hunter Wilds has likely sold at least 2 million units so far. However, because the PC audience has been less than satisfied with the technical aspects of the experience, Capcom currently risks losing a major part of its audience.

It will be interesting to see how the team deals with the ongoing problems. The RE Engine has shown to be troublesome when implemented in open-world titles, so Monster Hunter Wilds’ problems appear to stem from issues previously observed in a release like Dragon’s Dogma 2.

Latest Updates

Therefore, the gaming giant must act quickly to address ongoing issues. What are your thoughts on this release? Let us know in the comments, and visit the Tech4Gamers Forums for more discussions.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Ubisoft’s Biggest Gamble Yet?

Story Highlights

  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows has fulfilled the request of its fans and is set in feudal Japan.
  • Dual protagonists offer variety but also create a risk of unbalanced gameplay.
  • The advanced stealth and weather patterns could make or break the game.
  • The stakes for Ubisoft are high as Shadows must surpass Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro.

Everyone, including gamers and critics, is very excited about the upcoming newest installment of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Set in feudal Japan, this entry into the long-running franchise holds much promise. While the excitement for the game is understandable, many believe that Ubisoft is taking a major risk with this new installment.

Taking the ambitious gameplay and the much-requested new setting, Assassin’s Creed Shadows may become a major success or a misstep for the franchise. The game is available for pre-order on Steam. Let’s discuss why it may be a gamble.

A Long-Awaited Setting

For over a decade fans have requested an Assassin’s Creed game set in feudal Japan with the launch date of March 20 set excitement is at an all-time high. The combination of samurai, shinobi and the franchise’s classic historical storytelling seems like a perfect match.

However, developers for the game at Ubisoft face a huge challenge that being, meeting the expectations that come with this setting. Players are expecting cultural authenticity, intense combat and seamless stealth mechanics.

Assassins-Creed-Shadows-Screenshot-1
Assassins Creed Shadows – Image Credits [Pinterest]
Because other franchises like Ghost of Tsushima have already explored similar game settings successfully, Ubisoft must up its game to stand out from the rest.

A Bold Move with Dual Protagonists

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will have two playable protagonists, a shinobi assassin and a powerful samurai, Naoe and Yasuke respectively. The game won’t force players to choose between the two, players will be free to choose between the two as they please.

Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Naoe and Yasuke – Image Credits [Pinterest]
While previous games have also experimented with multiple characters, this approach holds inherent risks. Developers must balance the two distinct playstyles without one feeling superior to the other and this is no easy task.

Evolving Gameplay Mechanics

Reports say that Ubisoft is incorporating an advanced stealth system, enhanced parkour and a more dynamic open-world environment. Assassin’s Creed Shadows will also have an advanced weather system and destructible environments making the gameplay even more immersive and delivering a reactive world.

However, these innovations may come with potential pitfalls, if not worked around properly they could lead to performance issues, especially on older hardware. Considering Ubisoft’s track record of recent buggy launches concerns arise regarding the dealing of such a technically demanding game.

Competition in the Genre

The open-world action genre has become increasingly competitive over the years. Games such as Ghost of Tsushima, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Nioh have set a high bar for samurai and ninja-themed games.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Stealth
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Stealth -Image Credits [Pinterest]
Developers must make sure that AC Shadows does not feel like it’s derived from other titles or based on them, it should feel new and innovative. Borrowing too much from these successful titles may make the game feel unoriginal, whereas straying too far from the genre conventions may make players feel alienated.

Monetization and Player Trust

As we are well aware Ubisoft has faced much criticism for aggressive monetization tactics in the past. From battle passes to microtransactions the company has been accused of prioritizing revenue over player interests. 

Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Preview – Image Credits [Steam]
If Shadows leans too much on paid content, it could risk losing the trust of longtime fans of the franchise. On the other hand, if Ubisoft successfully manages to deliver fair monetization and a complete, satisfying base game, it can regain goodwill among players and boost the franchise.

The High Stakes

With recent financial struggles and declining player trust, Ubisoft is in a tough spot and needs Assassin’s Creed Shadows to be a hit. A successful game could ensure the franchise’s future and restore faith in the company’s ability to deliver peak open-world experiences.

With a playtime of around 40 hours mistakes, and some minor issues are expected, but too much and there will be a problem. If the game fails it will deal a major blow to the company and the franchise.

Latest Updates

Final Thoughts

Assassin’s Creed Shadows showcases one of Ubisoft’s most ambitious projects in years. The new setting, dual protagonists and gameplay mechanics offer exciting possibilities but also carry risk. Will the game be a major success or a failure? Only time can tell.

Massive AAA Projects In Decline As Gamers Spend Less Time Playing Games, Study Reveals

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  • A new study has revealed that AAA projects cost a lot of time and resources when there is little demand.
  • 40% of PC gamers play games for less than 5 hours a week, compared to 36% of console gamers.
  • Out of these statistics, two-thirds of PC and console gamers spend less than 10 hours a week gaming.

It is no surprise to claim that AAA titles are not as attention-grabbing as they used to be a decade ago, with various research showing that interest in them has been on a decline globally. Now, another study paints a pretty grim picture for the AAA industry.

New research unveils that AAA titles not only cost a lot of time and resources to make, but their demand is also declining. Gamers spend less time playing these titles as the market becomes more saturated.

Why it matters: Another study has shown that AAA gaming is in trouble. Projects continue to decline amid a less attentive audience.

Over two-thirds of gamers spend less than 10 hours a week gaming, a study reveals. Source: Midia Research Consumer Survey Q4 2024

According to the survey, 40% of PC gamers play less than 5 hours a week, while this figure drops to a concerning 36% for console gamers. Gamers on both these platforms game for an average of 10 hours a week. 

The research discusses that AAA games also compete with other attention-grabbing media like TikTok and YouTube. So, the attention span of gamers is already drained as the market continues to see more large-scale projects.

Since AAA games demand more attention and time than other media, the research shows that shorter AA projects are a more sustainable way forward for the industry. Games being shorter has also started becoming a selling point for projects anyway.

The Callisto protocol
Developers say cutting-edge AAA graphics no longer appeal to many gamers. 

Previously, the BioShock creator also clarified that AAA games will lose attention from the industry unless they bring major innovations. So, we might be headed towards AA dominance in the future.

Latest Updates

Do you think that so many PC gamers playing less than 5 hours a week is only a concern, or are games just too big nowadays? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Fans Notice Ciri’s Redesigned Look Now Closely Matches Her Witcher 3 Appearance

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  • CDPR’s reveal of an older Ciri as The Witcher 4’s lead sparked fan criticism over her redesigned face.
  • New behind-the-scenes footage showcased an updated model, aligning more with her Witcher 3 look.
  • The first Witcher 3 trailer showcased a vastly different facial model for Geralt, suggesting that Ciri’s model will also see further refinement before the final release.

Update: Sebastian Kalemba, a director working on Witcher 4, has clarified on social media that Ciri’s model has not been modified and remains the same. The difference noticed might be due to lighting and different angles.

Original Report:

Fans have criticized Ciri for taking the lead in future Witcher games and for her updated facial model. They complained that the new Ciri model looks nothing like its predecessor and that somehow it’s been toned down.

However, CDPR has released new behind-the-scenes footage from the trailer, which apparently shows an updated version of Ciri’s model.

Fans pointed out the difference, claiming that the new model is much more similar to her Witcher 3 appearance and greatly improved from the initial trailer.

Why it matters: Asian studios have recently accused Western developers of falling behind in character appeal. Many claimed that CDPR should follow in the same footsteps, but the updated model reveals that it hasn’t fallen behind in its work.

ciri facial model changed
Fan Points Out Difference Between Ciri’s Facial Models In New Footage || Source: X

One fan noticed that Ciri’s facial structure had changed entirely. He added that the change came to fruition because of the gamers’ pressure.

ciri facial model difference
Another Fan Points Detailed Difference In The New Facial Model || Source: X

Another fan goes deep into the differences, implying that CDPR reshaped much of Ciri’s facial features, changing her nose shape and upper lip and reworking her eyebrows.

While the changes are noticeable, it could be due to the difference in lighting between the updated footage and the initial trailer. However, it’s important to notice that this isn’t the first time we’ve seen such a huge difference in character models.

geralt facial model initial
First Facial Model For Geralt In The Witcher 3 Initial Trailer

CDPR initially revealed a vastly different facial model for Geralt compared to his final gameplay version. Once The Witcher 4’s gameplay drops, it is speculated that Ciri will look even better.

Latest Updates

Do you notice a difference in the new character model for Ciri? Let us know in the comments below, or head towards the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Hogwarts Legacy Sequel Unlikely To Meet Expectations, Claims Industry Insider

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  • Jason Schreier believes the sequel to Hogwarts Legacy will face difficulty replicating the original game’s massive popularity.
  • The initial novelty of a high-quality Harry Potter game has worn off.
  • The core appeal of the first game was fulfilling fans’ long-standing desire to experience the Harry Potter world, a sense of wonder that’s hard to recreate.

In a recent podcast, gaming journalist Jason Schreier shared doubts about the next Hogwarts Legacy game living up to the success of the first one. He thinks the initial excitement for a new Harry Potter game has already been met, so it might be harder for the sequel to create the same hype.

Why it matters: Hogwarts Legacy was a huge commercial hit. Matching that level of success would be an enormous challenge for the sequel.

Few games have created as much excitement as Hogwarts Legacy. Launched in early 2023, this open-world RPG set in the Harry Potter world quickly became a massive success, selling over 30 million copies.

However, as talks about a possible sequel grow, Jason Schreier has questioned whether a follow-up could ever match the incredibly high expectations set by the first game.

There’s no way that it [Hogwarts Legacy 2] meets those same levels of expectations because the hunger for a new Harry Potter game is so not there anymore. It’s been satiated.

-Jason Schreier

Initially, Hogwarts Legacy kept its promise, letting players create their own characters, attend classes, visit famous spots like Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade, and even fly on broomsticks or tame magical creatures.

But now that players have lived this dream, the big question is: what can a sequel bring that’s new? Developers might add more storylines, new characters, or extra areas to explore, but the magic of stepping into the Wizarding World for the first time has already happened.

Hogwarts Legacy’s success came from fulfilling years of fans’ hopes for a top-quality Harry Potter game. But now that this dream has been realized, a sequel might find it harder to create the same kind of excitement.

Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy

Moreover, fans were also concerned that WB Games’ focus on live-service features might affect the Hogwarts Legacy sequel. This led to a petition asking the developers to avoid live-service elements, which gathered over 5,000 signatures.

However, Jason Schreier has confirmed that Hogwarts Legacy 2 will not include live-service features, even though WB has been promoting the games-as-a-service model.

Latest Updates

Right now, Warner Bros. Games and developer Avalanche Software haven’t officially confirmed a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy. But considering how well the first game sold, it’s probable that the sequel is already in pre-production.

Would you be as excited for Hogwarts Legacy 2 as you were for the first game? Let us know in the comments, or join the conversation on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Hogwarts Legacy 2 Won’t Be A Live-Service Despite WB Gaming Head’s Suggestion, Says Insider

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  • Earlier reports revealed that Warner Bros. executives wanted the Hogwarts Legacy sequel to adopt a live-service model.
  • However, insider Jason Schreier has stated that the sequel won’t be based on the model.
  • The executives at the company still believe that live service games still hold promise.

Warner Bros. Games has been making the headlines in the gaming industry due to its colossal failures. Just recently, reports suggested multiple canceled projects and pitches, with the company suffering a whopping $300 million loss in just 2024.

As such, their focus is now on their prized IPs, such as Hogwarts Legacy. While the sequel was originally intended to be a live-service title, insider Jason Schreier says Hogwarts Legacy 2 won’t be based on such a model.

Why it matters: Hogwarts Legacy took the gaming world by storm, and for a sequel to be based on such a monetization-friendly concept would be risky and potentially ruin the IP.

In a recent podcast, the insider broke down the mess at Warner Bros. games, implying they’re shifting away from the live-service bandwagon. This was pretty obvious after suffering gigantic losses from games like Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League and Multiversus.

Hogwarts 2 is not going to be like a game-as-a-service (live-service)

He added that the next Batman game will not be a live-service model, as was the case with the cancelled Wonder Woman project.

According to him, Warner Bros. is going all out with the big franchises, which explains the cancelled Wonder Woman project and rejected pitches for titles like Constantine. 

Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy Has Sold 30 Million Copies To Date

Still, Warner Bros. executives believe there’s potential for live-service game success, imagining players experiencing Hogwarts as wizards alongside their friends. However, the currently announced projects don’t follow that model.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think it’s great that the sequel won’t be a live-service model? Let us know in the comments below or head towards the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Xbox Has More Unannounced Games To Reveal, Confirms Studios Boss

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  • Xbox Studios boss Craig Duncan has confirmed that Xbox currently has more unannounced games in the works.
  • However, these titles are secretive in nature, and it’s unknown if they will be announced later this year.
  • The Xbox lineup is already stacked this year, and these mysterious new games have added even more excitement.

After the huge drought in Xbox first-party releases in the first few years of current-gen consoles, the brand finally has pulled itself together. The company’s portfolio is full of popular games coming later this year, but it has more in store for us than we realized.

Now, Xbox Game Studios boss Craig Duncan has confirmed in an interview that the brand has more unannounced games to reveal in the future. That means the first-party studios under Xbox are working on more projects than they have revealed.

Why it matters: Xbox hints at a packed first-party lineup for the next few years, though details on these unannounced games remain a secret.

While speaking to Xbox in an official podcast, Craig clarified that the company is working on ‘a bunch of stuff’ that remains to be revealed. However, it is unclear what these titles are and when they will be shown to the public. 

 I spend a lot of our time playing our own games. We’ve got a bunch of stuff we haven’t announced, so obviously I spend a bunch of time with that.

-Craig Duncan, Xbox Studios Boss.

We might not have to wait much longer, as the Xbox head honcho seems to imply that these projects are out of the skeletal stages of development. So, we might be hearing more about them later this year amid Xbox’s loaded 2025 roster. 

Ninja Gaiden 4
Xbox has an exciting year ahead, with many highly anticipated releases on the horizon.

Although Xbox’s long-awaited RPG Fable has been delayed to next year, we’re looking at several upcoming launches, including Ninja Gaiden 4, Doom: The Dark Ages, and The Outer Worlds 2.

Latest Updates

Do you think these secretive games mentioned by Craig will be revealed sometime later this year, or are they years away from now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Nvidia AI Revenue Grew By Whopping 142% In Q4 FY2025 While Gaming Revenue Fell By 22%

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  • Nvidia reported over $35 billion in data center revenue for Q4 FY2025.
  • While the company is doing better than ever, gaming revenue declined over the last quarter.
  • Gaming revenue now accounts for just 10% of the total revenue, with data centers being the primary growth driver.

Nvidia has made billions of dollars from the AI boom in recent years, setting new records quarter after quarter. The company’s latest figures follow a similar trend, showing a major uplift in quarterly revenue from the data center market.

As per Nvidia, the company’s data center segment grew by a whopping 142% this year.

Why it matters: Nvidia’s profitability in the data center market highlights why its latest gaming graphics cards have not been the best. The gaming giant no longer considers this market as important as it used to.

Nvidia Data Center Revenue Q4 2025
Data Center Revenue via Nvidia

Nvidia’s figures reveal a record $35.6 billion quarterly revenue. This was already a 93% year-over-year uplift, and full-year revenue rose to a huge $115.2 billion.

In contrast, gaming revenue declined by 22% over the last quarter and 11% over last year. This discrepancy can be explained by the lack of excitement around RTX 4000 graphics cards as they reached the final part of their lifespan.

A graphic shared by Quartr highlights the divide between Nvidia’s gaming and data center revenue further. Today, the gaming segment, combined with others, contributes to less than 10% of the company’s quarterly revenue.

Nvidia Revenue By Segment
Nvidia Revenue By Segment | Image via Qaurtr on X

This trend was very different only a few years ago, in 2021. Overall, the data center segment has grown nearly 20 times, reaching $35.6 billion in revenue.

Latest Updates

At this rate, the company will likely continue to set new records in upcoming years and could permanently overtake Apple and Microsoft as the world’s most valuable company. With AI usage only expected to grow moving forward, Nvidia is positioned as one of the world’s biggest corporations and one that will be at the forefront of the upcoming AI race.

Half-Life 3 Reportedly In Final Stages of Production; Reveal Imminent In 2025

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  • Valve seems to be deviating from its historical tendency to reboot games after a major holiday break, showing positive signs for the next Half-Life entry.
  • Half-Life 3 is reportedly in the final optimization stages.
  • The game is progressing further in production and could be announced later this year.

The Half-Life 3 rumor mill has been worth keeping an eye on over the last few months. Reports suggest Valve is gearing up for an announcement in 2025, with the game reaching the playtesting phase by the end of 2024.

A new video on the subject suggests that the game has made even more progress since then. The title is now said to be in the final stage of production, with an announcement this year more likely than ever.

Why it matters: Many fans have been skeptical about recent leaks due to Valve’s silence on the matter. If the new report is anything to go by, this silence will be broken very soon.

Discussing Half-Life 3’s progress, Tyler McVicker shared his latest findings related to the project.

He highlighted Valve’s tendency to reboot projects after a major holiday break, pointing to Team Fortress 2’s sudden shift in direction from an aliens vs. humans theme to a more traditional gameplay style.

However, it seems the same is not true of Half-Life 3. As Tyler McVicker points out, the latest Dota 2 update shows not much has changed during the recent stages of development.

Instead, the changes are limited to small updates that dataminers typically observe close to the final stages of production. Moreover, evidence from the datamine suggests the team is currently focusing on optimization.

As Redditor Stannis_Loyalist explains, the AI_BaseNPC reference is a direct hint at Half-Life 3 since it has been used in past titles from the IP. Moreover, neither Dota 2 nor Deadlock use AI_BaseNPC.

It is said that Valve is optimizing the computing power needed to simulate the complex AI behavior expected in Half-Life 3. This is yet another reason why the game is expected to officially show up in 2025.

New AI Optimization For HLX (Link & Explanation in the comments)
byu/Stannis_Loyalist inHalfLife

Despite the rumors, Valve has yet to officially acknowledge the project or tease an official announcement. However, this isn’t surprising since the company is known to be quite secretive.

Latest Updates

What are your thoughts on the future of the series? Do you think a new announcement will be made this year? Let’s discuss this in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

Most Of The Callisto Protocol Devs Have Now Been Laid Off

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  • Krafton has revealed that there has been a significant headcount reduction in the Striking Distance team.
  • The former concept art director says that most of the Callisto Protocol developers have been laid off.
  • The studio is continuing to work normally on other projects despite the change.

The Callisto Protocol seemed like the spiritual successor to the Dead Space games when it was first revealed. However, the game was quite underwhelming in most areas, especially the gameplay, and even let Kratfton down in terms of sales.

Now, it has been revealed that most of the developers at Striking Distance Studios who worked on The Callisto Protocol have been laid off by the parent company Krafton.

Why it matters: The game had a solid base that could’ve turned into something special, but it failed to capitalize on those elements. As such, the studio is now looking to restructure by reducing the headcount. 

The Callisto Protocol Layoffs
Most of the developers who worked on The Callisto Protocol have been laid off.

The report first emerged when the studio’s former director of concept art posted on Linkedin stating that most of the developers had been laid off. It was later confirmed by Krafton in a statement with PC Gamer. 

Striking Distance Studios has reduced the size of its team to remain agile. The studio remains operational, and these changes will not impact any planned ongoing support.

Despite not sharing an exact figure, the company confirmed that it has significantly reduced the number of people at Striking Distance Studios. It said that the move was necessary for a sustainable environment, the studio will remain operational, and layoffs won’t affect any ongoing projects.

Callisto protocol
The Callisto Protocol was a very underwhelming release.

This is the second time we’ve witnessed layoffs at Striking Distance Studios. Glen Schofield, the creator of Dead Space, also left the studio after the game’s failure. However, despite the changes, the studio is continuing to work on other projects.

As of last year, it was revealed that the studio is working on an unannounced title based on Unreal Engine 5. This new development suggests that the game is still in the works despite the reduction in headcount. 

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What are your thoughts on The Callisto Procotol studio laying off most of its developers? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion on the official Tech4Gamers Forum. 

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