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ASRock Rolls Out New AM5 Motherboards BIOS to Fix Ryzen 9000 Boot Issues

[Press Release] ASRock has noticed reports from Reddit users facing boot issues and error codes when using its AM5 motherboards with some AMD Ryzen™ 9000 series processors.

To address this, ASRock has released the 3.20 Beta BIOS update for its AM5 motherboards, improving boot stability for these processors.

ASRock B850M Pro RS WiFi - M.2 Slots
ASRock B850M Pro RS WiFi

Users can download the update from ASRock’s official website or use the BIOS Flashback feature to make installation easy. The company remains committed to improving product compatibility and user experience.

Unreal Engine 5 Issues Might Go Away With RTX 60 Series Launch, Says Developer

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  • In an interview, Massive Damage’s Bryan Heemskerk claimed that Unreal Engine 5 issues might be resolved with RTX 6000 GPUs.
  • The developer says UE5 launched two generations earlier than it should have, causing problems for even the best hardware.
  • The game engine alone hogs a lot of performance, even without the developers adding other mechanics to their games.

We’re all familiar with the pros and cons Unreal Engine 5 brings for developers ever since it started becoming a standard. Even the latest GPUs have been unable to wholly tame the beast as performance issues in AAA games continue to persist. 

Now, Massive Damage’s Bryan Heemskerk claims that the game engine might have launched two GPU generations earlier than it should have, despite its benefits. However, he believes the problems UE5 causes might be resolved with the RTX 6000 series. 

Why it matters: Getting Unreal Engine 5 to run smoothly for PC games might only be possible by brute-forcing performance, which even the best GPUs on the market cannot wholly achieve at the moment. 

In Moore’s Law is Dead’s Broke Silicon podcast, the developer claims studios that utilize Unreal Engine 5 often face performance issues even before adding any features to their games because of the many data bottlenecks on PCs.

‘I Think The [RTX] 6000 Series will probably Run Unreal Engine 5 really well like to be honest’ 

It’s a different story for Xbox and PlayStation titles that use Unreal Engine 5 since their dedicated hardware can handle UE5’s data compression and decompression much better. Despite PCs’ power advantage, their architectural design causes UE5 to struggle.

‘you have a separate CPU and a separate GPU running over a PCIE interface with main memory going through another interface. you have all of these bottlenecks.’

GTA San Andreas Unreal Engine 5
Despite performance mishaps, Unreal Engine 5 can provide stellar visuals and gameplay. 

The developer believes that the best way for Unreal Engine 5 to function as intended for PC games is to brute force the performance. However, this is almost impossible for large-scale AAA titles with the current GPUs available.

Will the glaring Unreal Engine 5 issues be resolved once the RTX 6000 GPUs come around, or will problems like microstutters persist? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Ubisoft Asks Fans To Ignore Assassin’s Creed Shadows Quality Revealed In Leaked Videos

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  • Ubisoft has taken to social media to address the plethora of Assassin’s Creed Shadows leaks in a new statement.
  • The studio has asked fans to ignore the game’s quality in the leaks since they do not represent the final build. 
  • The team is still busy working on patches to prepare the game for the final release, meaning it has not gone gold yet.

Since its reveal, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been the subject of numerous controversies and delays. The game was then leaked to the public. Some fans were able to acquire copies early and recorded plenty of videos to spread online.

Ubisoft recently addressed gamers online and asked them to ignore the game’s quality, which has been shown in the leaks thus far. 

Why it matters: Some players are concerned with bugs they’ve spotted in the AC Shadows leaks, while others had positive remarks. So, Ubisoft’s recent statement regarding the leaks has assured many gamers. 

Ubisoft Assassin's Creed Shadows
Ubisoft took to Twitter to address AC Shadows leaks, claiming they do not show how the game’s final quality.

Ubisoft’s Twitter handle recently addressed the leaks and said that they do not represent the final version of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. So, the studio wants us not to stress about the bugs and glitches we’ve seen in the leaked videos.

The tweet also elaborates that the development team is currently hard at work to prepare patches for the game’s final release. In other words, the RPG has still not gone gold despite creeping closer to its launch date. 

Ubisoft is also pretty upset with these leaks, claiming they ‘spoil the experience’ and ‘diminish the excitement’ for players. So, the developers have requested fans to ‘stay in the shadows’ and avoid the leaks until release. 

AC Shadows
 Assassin’s Creed Shadows is expected to rival Odyssey with nearly 4 million sales in launch month.

So far, the leaks themselves have reportedly been positively perceived by many of the leakers and players. However, many minor glitches have been reported alongside the praise, such as NPCs’ mouths not moving when they speak.

Do you think AC Shadows will end up with even better gameplay and visual improvements after launch, or are the leaks enough for you to make a call? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Call Of Duty Steam Page Reveals Generative AI Usage For Game Assets

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  • Call of Duty has confirmed AI usage for generating assets in-game in Black Ops 6.
  • The game was forced to admit to the use as part of Steam’s new policy requiring developers to be upfront about AI usage.
  • The game has allegedly used AI to sell cosmetics since 2023’s Modern Warfare 3.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 has been slammed by the fans for having generic skins and loading screens. Many have even accused the game of selling AI-generated cosmetics.

Call of Duty has confirmed this on its Steam page. The developers describe generative AI tools to help develop in-game assets.

Why it matters: AI usage in video games has been highly controversial and backlashed. However, selling cosmetics with zero to minimal effort using generative models is a low blow by Call of Duty.

call of duty AI
Call Of Duty Marked As A Title Using AI || Source: Steam

Call of Duty was practically forced into admitting its AI usage as per Steam’s new policy, which requires developers to be upfront about their AI usage in the game’s production under its page.

While the game has just confirmed its usage, gamers have suspected Call of Duty of selling AI-generated cosmetics for quite some time now. This dates all the way back to 2023’s Modern Warfare 3 when Activision was first alleged to sell AI-generated skins.

While the developers haven’t specified which of the game’s assets were made via AI, many speculate it to be the zombie loading screen during the holidays.

call of duty black ops 6 ai
This Call of Duty Black Ops 6 skin has six fingers, possibly AI-generated.

Earlier reports also suggested that the developers have laid off quite a few of its 2D artists and forced the remaining to use AI for producing the game’s art, saying it is more efficient and promising.

What are your thoughts on Call of Duty selling AI cosmetics? Let us know in the comments below or head towards the official Tech4Gamers Forums.

Sucker Punch Abandoned Two Titles Before Settling on Ghost of Tsushima

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  • Sucker Punch scrapped two games before finally starting work on Ghost of Tsushima, says developer.
  • The studio was working on a title starring a magic vigilante before settling on the Japanese setting.
  • Ghost of Tsushima was a massive success and is getting a sequel set to release this year.

Ghost of Tsushima, which was released in 2020, is getting a sequel this year. But, as it turns out the action-adventure title was almost never made as the developer was looking at other options before settling on the game.

Why it matters: Ghost of Tsushima is one of Sony’s most influential exclusives and it’s hard to imagine the PS4 generation without it.

While talking to Nicolas Doucet, Ghost of Tsushima developer Brian Fleming revealed that he scrapped two projects before finally starting work on Ghost of Tsushima. In a video posted by Sony, Fleming says that Sucker Punch abandoned two ideas before settling on the feudal Japan setting.

The game we were making initially wasn’t Ghost Of Tshusima and that game wasn’t going very well.

The developer revealed that the first project wasn’t going very well so he went to Sony and asked to try again. However, the second attempt was also a failure because the team did not have a clear fantasy set for the character. 

The Ghost of Tsushima creator went into more detail about the abandoned project, saying it was about a magic vigilante who was going to be the heir to a throne and that Sucker Punch did not know how to convey that story to players.

Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima was one of the best games on PS4.

On the other hand, the premise of Ghost of Tsushima was easy to grasp, according to Fleming, as everyone knows what it means to be a samurai in Japan. And, it was probably a good idea considering the cultural impact the title has had.

Do you think Ghost of Yoeti will be a success like its predecessor? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

James Gunn Meets With NetherRealm & Rocksteady to Discuss a Potential New Batman Game

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  • DC Studios is actively collaborating with NetherRealm and Rocksteady to develop new video games.
  • James Gunn confirmed the Arkhamverse game series is not being discontinued, despite concerns following Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
  • New DC game releases are likely several years away, as developers focus on integrating them properly into the overall DC Universe.

James Gunn, CEO of DC Studios, has confirmed that talks are underway with game developers NetherRealm Studios and Rocksteady Studios to create new DC video games. The goal is to ensure that the games fit into the larger DC Universe and offer a smooth experience across movies, TV shows, and video games.

Why it matters: Earlier this year, it was reported that Rocksteady is bringing back a canceled Batman Beyond project. Now, James Gunn’s meeting with the studio adds to the growing rumors that Rocksteady might be returning to making single-player Batman games.

Batman Arkham Knight
Batman Arkham Knight

In an interview with the press at a DC event (courtesy of Comicbook), Gunn and his co-CEO, Peter Safran, talked about working together with these studios.

We sit with them [Rocksteady and NetherRealm], and we talk about characters and stories that we’re interested in and that they’re interested in.

While details about upcoming titles are still unknown, these talks show the plans to integrate DC’s storytelling across different platforms. The goal is to offer fans a better experience by linking movies, TV shows, animation, and games.

To ease worries about the future of the Arkhamverse, James Gunn assured fans that there are no plans to end the series. When asked if Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League would be the last Arkhamverse game, Gunn replied, “No way! I can’t wait for the game and hopefully more. I’m a fan!”

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s failure resulted in a $200M loss for WB Games.

However, fans excited about new DC games should keep in mind that these projects are still in the early stages. Gunn and Safran mentioned it will take “a couple of years” before the games are released, as they want to make sure each game fits into the larger DCU story and meets fan expectations.

For now, it seems Rocksteady is finished with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, as the game will not receive any more post-launch content. The game was a total disaster, forcing the studio to lay off many employees.

What are your thoughts on James Gunn meeting with NetherRealm and Rocksteady potentially for Injustice 3 or a new Batman game? Let us know in the comments, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

NetEase’s Western Funding Cuts Won’t Affect Development Of New Projects From Witcher 3 Creators

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  • The Blood of Dawnwalker won’t be affected by NetEase’s change in strategy, says co-owner.
  • The Chinese company only owns a small part of developer Rebel Wolves.
  • Funding for the dark fantasy RPG has also been secured, and fans will eventually play it.

NetEase has been the topic of contention in the gaming world these past few days after the Chinese internet giant reportedly cut investment for its western studios amidst a studio restructure. This change in strategy also affected the developers of Marvel Rivals, one of the most successful ongoing titles right now.

With major studios feeling the brunt of this decision, many titles still in development at NetEase’s Western Studios are at risk. However, The Blood of Dawnwalker is not among them as the upcoming RPG has secured funding to complete production.

Why it matters: The Blood of Dawnwalker is one of the most exciting future projects and knowing that such a passion project won’t be affected by corporate greed is a win.

Rebel Wolves The Blood of Dawnwalker
According to the CEO, the Blood of Dawnwalker is in no production trouble.

Rebel Wolves, the studio developing the title, has assured fans that NetEase is not a majority shareholder in the company and only has a minority stake. Tomasz Tinc, the studio co-owner, took to LinkedIn to put all the rumors to bed and ensure that players know The Blood of Dawnwalker is facing no issues.

The Rebel Wolves co-owner said he is aware of the reported situation, but fans shouldn’t worry as the studio is mainly owned by the employees. Tinc also revealed that the project is fully funded and that the developer is hard at work to release The Blood of Dawnwalker.

NetEase started this rumor mill after the company cut many jobs in the US-based development team working on Marvel Rivals. But, Tomasz Tinc has assured fans that the company has minimal influence on Rebel Wolves.

The Blood of Dawnwalker
The dark fantasy RPG is set to be smaller than The Witcher 3

The Blood of Dawnwalker is the new project by the creators of the ex-Witcher 3, who left CD Projekt Red to realize their crazy ideas. The upcoming dark fantasy RPG aims to have the same quality as the iconic Witcher saga and with a unique protagonist to boast this progress, the hype is through the roof.

Do you think The Blood of Dawnwalker is going to be a success? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

Monster Hunter Wilds Review Roundup – Bigger, Bolder, and Better Than its Predecessor

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  • Monster Hunter Wilds’ Metacritic score reflects its high praise, positioning it among the series’ top entries.
  • According to the critics, the game achieves its aim of being a generational upgrade over its predecessor.
  • However, some reviewers feel that the game’s easier approach and a stronger focus on the story might make it less challenging for longtime fans of the franchise.

The long-awaited Monster Hunter Wilds reviews are finally here, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Critics agree that it’s a major leap forward for the series, with its massive open world and improved gameplay.

Scoring an 89 on Metacritic, the game is being celebrated as one of the best in the franchise, living up to its goal of being larger, more exciting, and an overall upgrade from Monster Hunter World.

Why it matters: Thanks to the generally positive reviews, Monster Hunter Wilds has soared to the top of Steam’s top-selling charts.

Monster Hunter Wilds Metacritic
Monster Hunter Wilds Metacritic score.

 

The game has received outstanding scores from various gaming outlets:

  • VGC 5/5
  • Eurogamer 4/5
  • Windows Central 4/5
  • TechRadar 9/10
  • IGN 8/10
  • Screen Rant 8/10
  • Gamespot 8/10

Critics praise Monster Hunter Wilds for taking the series’ iconic monster fights to the next level. Players face off against a wide variety of massive creatures in ever-changing, movie-like settings, from windy deserts to dense jungles and fiery volcanic areas.

The game keeps its classic cycle of preparation, hunting, and crafting but adds fresh elements, such as a targeting system and the ability to change weapons during the fight.

Many critics have also called the game a huge step forward for the series. The story is more compelling, centered around a rescue mission that brings more emotion to the gameplay.

The Forbidden Lands area feels smooth and immersive, with better facial animations and character designs that make the storytelling even stronger.

However, not all reviews are completely glowing. Some reviewers note that while the game is easier to get into and more user-friendly, it might have lost some of the series’ classic difficulty.

The focus on the story and simpler gameplay could make it feel less challenging for long-time fans. Still, the multiplayer aspect stands out as a strong point, providing a seamless and fun experience.

Overall, Monster Hunter Wilds marks a big step forward for the series, combining stunning environments, exciting gameplay, and a more welcoming experience for new players.

Monster Hunter Wilds is shaping up to be a commercial success for Capcom. The game’s open beta attracted more than 500K players, and it has already become the best-selling game on Steam just three days before its official release.

Are you looking forward to playing the game on the launch day? Drop your thoughts in the comments, or join the conversation on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Obsidian Wants to Develop Pillars of Eternity Tactics After Avowed

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  • With Avowed finally out of the way, the developer’s next venture is Outer Worlds 2, but the door for other franchises isn’t completely shut down.
  • Josh Sawyer recently discussed the possibility of a Pillars of Eternity Tactics game, though its niche appeal makes financial investment risky.
  • The idea was also pitched by several Obsidian developers, so we’ll likely see PoE Tactics.

Studio Obsidian has quietly become a strong arsenal under Xbox. With Avowed finally out of the way, the developer’s next venture is Outer Worlds 2. However, the door for other franchises isn’t completely shut down.

Josh Sawyer, director for Pillars of Eternity and Fallout: New Vegas, discussed the possibility of a Pillars tactic game

Why it matters: Pillars of Eternity fans have absolutely loved the idea of a Pillars tactic game spin-off game in the past, and the possibility of one is exciting for the niche genre itself.

Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian is Working On A New Game Besides Outer Worlds 2.

In a new Twitch livestream, the director had this to say:

Pillars Tactics is a thing that a lot of people at the studio would like to work on, and there are a lot of people that like tactics games.

-Josh Sawyer

This isn’t the first time that the director has discussed the possibility of a Pillars tactic game. Just a few months ago, several Obsidian devs pitched such a title

However, since the tactic genre is very niche, investing some time in a title that wouldn’t generate enough profit would be quite a problem, per the director.

Still, the possibility of a PoE Tactics game isn’t out of the question. A spin-off title with a smaller budget could certainly keep the series alive since it’s on a hiatus

Avowed
Avowed is A Part of Pillars Oo Eternity Universe.

For a threequel, the director has bigger demands for a Baldur’s Gate 3-sized cheque for the game’s development since the second entry budget wasn’t fulfilling. Avowed is a part of the Pillars of Eternity franchise, and director Carrie Patel has already teased a future for the IP.

Would you play Pillars of Eternity Tactics? Let us know in the comments below or head towards the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

Sony Doesn’t Want to Raise PlayStation 5 Price Due to Donald Trump Tariffs

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  • Sony has employed new strategies to avoid raising the PS5 prices due to the recent Donald Trump tariffs.
  • The company will duplicate supply chains and stockpile inventory in the US to respond to potential tariffs.
  • Tariffs imposed by the US could increase the cost of PS5s, but Sony wants to prevent them from inflating consumer prices.

Compared to Xbox, the PlayStation 5 and its other models have been selling like hotcakes on sales. However, new tariffs imposed by the US government under Donald Trump could deeply impact console sales in the future. 

Now, Sony has announced new strategies to fight these tariffs without harming consumers. The company is duplicating supply chains and stockpiling inventory in the US to respond to potential tariffs and their ripple effects.

Why it matters: The price of the PS5 and the pro variant was said to increase when the tariffs were announced by Donald Trump possibly, but Sony might not raise them because of these new strategies.

PlayStation 5 Pro
The PS5 Pro was expected to increase in price because of these tariffs.

As announced in the Q3 FY2024 report, Sony expects potential impacts from the import tariffs, which are expected to be minor for now. The company will ‘respond flexibly and promptly to changing circumstances‘ to avoid raising PlayStation 5 pricing. 

Previously, a study by the Consumer Technology Association suggested that Trump tariffs could raise video game console prices by 40%. In other words, the PS5 Pro could go for as much as $700 to $980 if these new strategies fail to work for Sony.

Considering the PS5 and Pro’s pricing is already considered high by some, these tariffs could further damage the brand’s reputation. On a side note, the PS5 Pro is already behind in sales compared to the PS4 Pro in a similar time after launch.

Sony PlayStation
Sony is expected to launch its next-gen PlayStation 6 in 2028.

Whether the PS5 and the pro variant prices will be increased remains to be seen, so it is best to stay cautiously optimistic until we learn more.

Do you think duplicating supply chains and similar strategies will help Sony not raise PS5 prices, or is that inevitable? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

PS5 Pro Currently Selling Worse Than PS4 Pro In Similar Time Period After Launch

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  • The PS5 Pro has sold fewer units than the PS4 Pro in the same number of months since launch.
  • PlayStation could end up with the PS5 Pro accounting for just 10% of total PS5 sales by the end of this generation.
  • Spending on console hardware in the US has fallen drastically.

PlayStation recently announced a major sales milestone for the PS5. Following a set of troubling few years initially, the console has reached 75 million sales, with more options now available to users than before.

Last year, Sony introduced the PS5 Pro for a whopping $700, positioning the hardware as a premium console on the market. Despite the steep price, initial sales were impressive, but it seems this is no longer the case. Reports indicate the PS5 Pro is now falling behind its predecessor.

Why it matters: This sales drop-off is alarming since the PS4 Pro accounted for just 15% of the total PS4 sales. At this rate, Sony’s latest console might share an even smaller percentage of generational sales.

PS5 Pro vs. PS4 Pro Sales
PS5 Pro vs. PS4 Pro Sales via Mat Piscatella on BSKY

As per Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, the PS5 Pro is selling worse than the PS4 Pro when considering the same number of months after release. Because the PS5 Pro launched with impressive initial momentum, it was expected to match the PS4 Pro’s sales figures closely. However, it seems this is no longer the case.

It is important to note that both consoles debuted at vastly different price points. The PS4 Pro replaced the PS4’s original $399 MSRP in 2016, while the PS5 Pro cost $700 without a disc drive.

Apart from its AI-based PSSR, Sony’s latest hardware offered worse rasterization improvements than the PS4 Pro. These differences are likely to be blamed for the current sales discrepancy.

PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro Hasn’t Impressed Much So Far

Mat Piscatella also remarked that console sales are currently experiencing a double-digit decline across the board. Whether it be PS5, Xbox Series S|X, or the Nintendo Switch, hardware spending has fallen between 38% and 58% in the US.

What are your thoughts on the report? Do you think Sony will be satisfied with its most expensive hardware by the end of this generation? Let’s discuss this in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

The Thing That Transformed Gaming Most Was PlayStation, Says Ex-Activision CEO

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  • In a recent interview, the former Activision CEO, Bobby Kotick, clarified that PlayStation 1 significantly transformed gaming.
  • He clarified that the console boasted great architecture at the time, which boosted the real-time 3D tech in gaming.
  • The console introduced many 3D graphic rendering techniques that revolutionized gaming as a whole.

While innovation and growth in the gaming industry have slowed down, things were much different decades ago. The release of the original PlayStation changed the media as we know it.

In an interview, Bobby Kotick said that the console transformed gaming in contrast to every other innovation we’ve seen. The Ex-Activision CEO explains that the introduction of upgrades like real-time 3D visuals evolved gaming. 

Why it matters: Bobby Kotick agrees that the PS1 was a trailblazer in real-time 3D gaming, introducing it to the masses and paving the way for the gaming scene to evolve like never before.

In a recent episode of the Grit podcast, Bobby Kotick elaborated that PlayStation 1 was the innovation gaming needed to see the biggest growth spurt. It helped the brand legitimize the gaming business with 3D graphics and transition to CD-ROMs.

the thing that actually transformed the video game business the most was PlayStation one.

-Bobby Kotick, Ex-Activision CEO.

The 3D graphics revolution and gaming genre expansion were only possible with the architecture that PlayStation 1 introduced, influencing future consoles to further innovate in the industry.

It was a great architecture because it was the first [..Time..] being able to do Real Time 3D.

Regardless, he also argues that there is no good hardware innovation as we used to see decades ago. Despite many promises, Kotick is especially disappointed with how VR devices like Oculus have turned out so far

Microsoft Activision Blizzard
Fans are not satisfied with the results of Microsoft’s merger with Activision.

In the same interview, the former Activision CEO also claims he outright told Xbox to quit gaming because the brand lacks creativity. He believes that Xbox needs Activision to survive.

Do you think Bobby Kotick is right about his remarks regarding the first PlayStation console, or did other consoles have a bigger effect? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.