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Sony Has Reportedly Delayed Its Next Major Live-Service Title Fairgame$ To 2026

Story Highlight
  • Fairgame$, the next live-service title from PlayStation has been delayed to 2026.
  • It was originally rumored that the game would be released this year.
  • After Concord’s failure, Sony has canceled half of its live-service slate.

Sony’s live-service push has been a major topic of interest in the gaming world partly due to its colossal failure. The strategy has not only caused the studio closures but has also led to the cancellation of half the games that were supposed to be a part of this live-service push.

Obviously, there have been successful titles like Helldivers 2, but failures like Concord have soured the impact of Sony’s change. And it looks like the company is taking a step back from the genre, as its next live-service title has been delayed internally.

Why it matters: The Fairgame$ delay tells us that PlayStation is being a lot more cautious about its live-service title after Concord tanked.

According to insider Jeff Grubb, Fairgame$ has been internally delayed to 2026 by Sony. While answering questions on his Game Mess podcast, the leaker says there will be no Fairgame$ in 2025, and as far as he knows the title has been delayed to next year despite PlayStation’s confidence.

Not much is known about the upcoming live-service game from PlayStation but many worry that Fairgame$ may have the same unfortunate fate as Concord. Haven Interactive, a Canadian studio, is developing the title, and it’s confirmed to be a modern take on the heist genre.

No Fairgame$ this year. Fairgame$ as far as I’m aware has been pushed to 2026.

-Jeff Grubb

This delay may be to judge the title better as PlayStation believes that Concord failed due to a lack of internal evaluation. Hence, a 2026 release date will give developers more time to polish the title so it doesn’t get shut down like Concord creator Firewalk.

Concord
Concord has massively hurt the reputation of Sony’s live-service push.

PlayStation isn’t giving up on its live-service branch just yet and has mentioned the recent string of cancellations was a reaction to Concord flopping.

Do you think the title will be a success? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.

Games Should Never Cost $100, Says Assassin’s Creed Voice Actor

Story Highlight
  • Assassin’s Creed voice actor Abubakar Salim recently shared his thoughts on X about video games potentially costing $100.
  • The voice actor says people suggesting such a price are elitists and out of touch with reality.
  • He also said that nobody should have to choose between buying games or putting food on the table. 

Video games have been skyrocketing in price despite their declining quality over the years. The price hike to $70 still isn’t satisfying for major publishers as they hope that Rockstar sells GTA 6 for $80-100 to allow them to increase their prices as well.

Amidst this rising price situation, Assassin’s Creed VA Abubakar Salim has come forward to take a stand against rising game prices. He has branded the people willing to pay $100 for a video game “elitist” and called them out of touch with reality.

Why it matters: With rising inflation, anything more than $60 doesn’t make sense for a video game. This will only backfire for developers since the majority of gamers have already called for a potential boycott if such a situation were to occur.

assassins creed speaking against $100 game price
Abubakar Salim, Voice Behind Bayek Of Siwa On Games Potentially Costing $100 | Source: X

Moreover, Abubakar Salim also said that nobody should have to choose between buying a video game and putting food on the table. This is also why he priced his own Metroidvania project, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, at just $20.

Video game development is just getting too costly, with AAA titles requiring hundreds of millions of dollars. Moreover, canceled projects cause huge setbacks for the studios, forcing them to recoup losses by any means necessary

Deadpool
Following The Film’s Success, The Deadpool Game Sold For As Much As $140.

The scalping traditions tell us everything we need to know about players willing to play more than the normal price in order to get their hands on games and hardware

The majority of fans are already ready to pay more than $70 for GTA 6, and just a single price push will be followed by the whole industry. Even the PS5 Pro sold a lot of units despite being priced at $700.

No matter how much resistance, video game prices are only expected to go up from here.

Would you spend $100 on a video game? Let us know in the comments below, or head towards the Tech4Gamers Forum for discussion.

RTX 5080 Falls Victim To Melting Connector Issue After RTX 5090

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  • Reports previously showed that RTX 5090 connectors were melting, and the RTX 5080 seems to have followed suit.
  • It is said that the RTX 50-series is being pushed way beyond safe power limits, causing these problems.
  • Nvidia has yet to issue an official statement, but various tech enthusiasts are looking into the situation to provide more details.

Nvidia’s melting connectors have returned to haunt the latest graphics card lineup. This issue first appeared in the RTX 40 lineup, but the company later offered an improved connector with the 12V-2×6 cable.

While no such reports showed up for the latter half of the RTX 40 series’ lifespan, many users have reported various problems with their shiny new RTX 5090s. Days after initial reports, it seems the RTX 5080 has fallen victim to the same issues.

Why it matters: Nvidia’s latest graphics card lineup has already received plenty of criticism for poor performance uplifts, high prices, and more. The melting connector debacle is yet another instance of bad press that the Blackwell generation now has to face.

Does Rog Lokis molted rtx 5000 gpu 12vhpwr cable
byu/Ambitious_Ladder1320 inASUS

As per Redditor Ambitious_Ladder1320, an Asus RTX 5080 is the latest to suffer from a melted cable.

The user reports that the ROG Loki PSU and RTX 5080 combo highlighted a red warning light during normal use, followed by the monitor’s resolution and frame rate dropping after a restart.

Ambitious_Ladder1320 then observed that the GPU had been switched to PCIe x3 mode and attempted to re-plug all the cables. This was when the user noticed that the PSU side cable had melted. Fortunately, the RTX 5080 survived this incident without any damage.

As per one Reddit post, the RTX 50-series’ power limits are to blame for these incidents. The user, who describes himself as a former electrical engineer, states that the connector itself may not be bad, but excessive power limits should be avoided.

rtx 5090fe 12pin cable reaches 150C melts connectors
RTX 5090 FE seems to have a big connector problem.

According to the engineer, these GPUs should ideally stay around the 375W power limit. This is a major red flag since many of the newest Blackwell graphics cards can easily exceed this limit.

Because more and more instances of damaged cables are now popping up, various tech enthusiasts have shown an interest in the situation. Previous testing highlighted that all RTX 5090s could suffer from this problem eventually, and Gamer’s Nexus is also expected to look into the matter after the latest report.

Ubisoft Revenues Declined By Over 30% in 2024 as AC Shadows Draws Nearer

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  • Ubisoft has reported a massive 30% drop in revenue in the last fiscal year. 
  • Its net bookings also declined by over 50% in the last quarter of 2024. 
  • The company is highly dependent on Assassin’s Creed Shadows for the future.

Ubisoft’s value dropped significantly in 2024 as the company continued to struggle with failing stock values and flopped games. Overall, it has faced a huge dip in both the revenue and net bookings during the third quarter last year. 

According to the latest financial report, Ubisoft revenues declined by 31.4% and net bookings faced a 51.8% drop leading to a catastrophic 2024 for the company. 

Why it matters: The failing stocks are leading Ubisoft to bankruptcy and on the verge of being acquired, the company is heavily reliant on Assassin’s Creed Shadows for its future. 

Why Not Try Something Different, Ubisoft? (Image by Tech4Gamers)
Ubisoft is on the verge of bankruptcy after so many failed projects

As per the financial report which covers 9 months, ending December 31, 2024, Ubisoft’s revenues came down to €990 Million marking an almost 30% decline. The same trend was observed for both net bookings and digital net bookings. 

This has led the company towards a cost reduction program, that is already in the works. It is already ahead of the schedule and will be completed by the end of FY2025. This means we might see more layoffs from the company soon

Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Will Be A Make Or Break Game For Ubisoft

Nonetheless, Ubisoft seems very optimistic about Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The previews are positive and the pre-orders seem solid as well. They are in line with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the second-best-selling game in the franchise. 

So, the company has bet all its odds on Shadows which is scheduled to launch on March 20, after another brief delay. Despite controversies, its sales are looking solid and it is the title that will make or break the future of Ubisoft in the gaming industry. 

What are your thoughts on Ubisoft dropping revenues in 2024? What do you think the future of the company is? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the Tech4Gamers Forum.

RTX 5080 Vs RX 7900 XT: Our Analysis

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080

Rated: 9/10

AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT

Rated: 7.2/10


Pros And Cons

GPUProsCons
RTX 5080✅ Equipped with PCIe 5.0
✅ DLSS 4 with improved frame generation
❌ Lower ROPs, L1 & L2 Cache
RX 7900 XT✅ Higher VRAM & wider bus width
✅ Has USB Type-C support for output
❌ Lags behind in AI-based applications
Key Takeaways
  • Compared to the RX 7900 XT, the RTX 5080 showed us 24.1% better performance in 1440p gaming and it was 31.3% more effective in productivity software.  
  • Since both these cards share somewhat similar TDP ratings, the RX 7900 XT was only 1.6% more power-efficient than the RTX 5080; this difference is too small to be of any value.  
  • As of mid-February 2025, the RX 7900 XT is $386 cheaper than the RTX 5080. This price difference will increase gradually as the price of the RTX 5080 increases over time.  
  • We recommend you get the RX 7900 XT if you’re on a budget and want decent 1440p gaming performance. If you want higher performance in gaming and productivity and have a higher budget, go for the RTX 5080. 

Comparison Table

FeaturesRTX 5080RX 7900 XT
Slot WidthDual-slotDual-slot
Release DateJan 30th, 2025Nov 3rd, 2022
Power Connectors1x 16-pin2x 8-pin
Shader Cores (CUDA)107525376
TMUs336336
ROPs128192
Tensor Cores336N/A
RT Cores8484
Suggested PSU750W700W
Best Variants-Best RX 7900 XT
Best CPU-Best CPUs For RX 7900 XT

Architectural Difference

  1. Process Nodes: Even though the RX 7900 XT is two years older than the RTX 5080, it still comes with the same process node that the RTX 5080 uses, which is TSMC’s 5nm.  
  2. Clock Speeds: The RTX 5080 has a base frequency of 2295 MHz, which can be sped up to 2617 MHz. On the other hand, the RX 7900 XT comes with a base clock and boost clock speeds of 1387 MHz and 2394 MHz, respectively. 
  3. VRAM: The RTX 5080 comes with a 16GB VRAM with the newer GDDR7, and it is paired with a bus width of 256-bit. In comparison, the RX 7900 XT counters it with its 20GB VRAM with GDDR6, with a wider bus width of 384-bit
  4. TDP: There is a slight difference in the TDP, where the RTX 5080 comes with a slightly higher TDP rating of 360W, while the RX 7900 XT comes with a 300W TDP rating. 
  5. Supported Technologies: The RTX 5080’s use of DLSS 4 has an advantage over the RX 7900 XT’s FSR 3 because of its multi-frame generation technology. The RTX 5080 also has better ray tracing, thanks to its AI-driven approach. 

We’ve already thoroughly covered the differences between the RTX 5080 and the RX 7900 XTX, where the results weren’t significantly high. So, in this RTX 5080 vs RX 7900 XT, we’ll be comparing these two cards to see whether the RTX 5080 exceeds drastically in performance when compared to the RX 7900 XT.


Gaming Benchmark – 1440p

We’ve taken you through the on-paper specifications. But to see the real essence of these two graphic cards, it is important to perform a benchmark test using the same testing rig, games, and settings of these games. So, here you go. Note that the settings are kept all the way to the maximum and the games are played at 1440p.  

Recommended Test Bench

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Heart of Chornobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Heart of Chornobyl @ 1440p (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • In our first game, the RTX 5080 showed a clear performance difference of 19.8% because it obtained an average of 72 FPS. The frames barely hit the 60 FPS mark on the RX 7900 XT as they averaged 59 FPS. 
  • The 1% lows only dropped to 54 FPS on the RTX 5080, making it 11.8% more effective in this game. For the RX 7900 XT, we saw that it displayed an average of 48 FPS, which wasn’t bad, given its average FPS.

God Of War Ragnarok

God Of War Ragnarok
God Of War Ragnarok @ 1440p (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • On God Of War Ragnarok, the RTX 5080 was 17.1% ahead of its rival with its average of 171 FPS. Simultaneously, the RX 7900 XT followed behind with its average of 144 FPS, which was also decent.
  • In terms of the 1% lows, the RTX 5080 did a better job, as its frames only dropped to 155 FPS on average. On the other hand, the RX 7900 XT obtained an average of 129 FPS, resulting in an 18.3% margin. 

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2

Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2
Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2 @ 1440p (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • Here, we saw the RTX 5080 pushed with its average of 133 FPS, which has a 26.4% edge over the RX 7900 XT, which acquired an average of 102 FPS. Both cards performed above the 100 FPS mark in this game. 
  • As for the 1% lows, the RTX 5080 had a whopping 28.9% lead because its frames dipped to 115 FPS, on average. This wasn’t the case with the RX 7900 XT, as it averaged 86 FPS

A Plague Tale Requiem

A Plague Tale Requiem
A Plague Tale Requiem @ 1440p (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • We observed the highest difference on A Plague Tale Requiem, where the RTX 5080 excelled with its 137 FPS, which was astonishingly 33.2% better than the RX 7900 XT, which obtained an average of 98 FPS.
  • The 1% lows were also quite high on the RTX 5080, as they averaged 111 FPS. In contrast, the RX 7900 XT had frames that dropped to 79 FPS, which resulted in a 33.7% margin where the RTX 5080 was leading.

Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlaws @ 1440p (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • Yet again, we saw a very high margin, this time of 31.7%, secured by the RTX 5080 as it averaged 73 FPS. Whereas the gameplay on the RX 7900 XT wasn’t as smooth because it averaged 53 FPS.
  • Similarly, the 1% lows were better on the RTX 5080 than on the RX 7900 XT, as they both achieved an average of 62 FPS and 44 FPS, respectively. This makes the RTX 5080 achieve the largest 1% low margin of 34% comparatively. 

Starfield

Starfield
Starfield @ 1440p (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • In Starfield, we saw the difference was the least because the RTX 5080 obtained an average of 91 FPS. However, the RX 7900 XT performed with an average of 78 FPS, making for only a 15.4% gap.
  • For the 1% lows, the results were similar, as the RTX 5080 managed to reach 78 FPS on average. The RX 7900 XT was just 15.2% behind with its average of 67 FPS in this game. 

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 @ 1440p (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • Here, the margin grew when compared to the previous game and rose to 25.5% where the RTX 5080 performed better with its average of 146 FPS. At the same time, the RX 7900 XT performed with an average of 113 FPS.
  • In terms of the 1% lows, the RTX 5080 displayed a 23.4% higher performance than the RX 7900 XT as it obtained an average of 124 FPS, whereas the RX 7900 XT was behind with its 98 FPS. 

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Dragon Age: The Veilguard @ 1440p (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • In this game as well, we saw the RTX 5080 showed the exact same difference of 25.5%, just like the previous game, but this time, it averaged 106 FPS, which was higher than the RX 7900 XT’s average of 82 FPS
  • The 1% lows were also in favor of the RTX 5080, as it reached 85 FPS at minimum. On the contrary, the RX 7900 XT’s frames dropped to 70 FPS, which equates to a difference of 19.4%. 

Productivity Benchmarks

After going through the gaming benchmarks, it is time that we show you the productivity benchmarks of both of these GPUs since it is crucial to know the best of both worlds. We’ll show you their performance in editing, rendering, and AI image generation, so by the end of it, you’ll know which GPU is better and faster.

Adobe Premiere Pro 

Adobe Premiere Pro Score
Adobe Premiere Pro Score (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • Editing on Adobe Premiere Pro, the RTX 5080 scored 14,252 points, which was 15.8% higher than the RX 7900 XT’s 12,164 points. This shows the slight edge the RTX 5080 has over the RX 7900 XT when it comes to editing.  

Blender (Barbershop)

Blender Barbershop
Blender Barbershop (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • While rendering on Blender, the RTX 5080 took only 41 seconds to complete the render. In contrast, the RX 7900 XT finished the task in 1 minute 38 seconds. This shows that the RTX 5080 was 41.8% faster in rendering on Blender.

UL Procyon (AI Image Generation)

UL Procyon AI Image Generation
UL Procyon AI Image Generation (Image by Tech4Gamers)
  • In terms of generating images using AI, the RTX 5080 scored a staggering 4,935 points, which was way higher than the RX 7900 XT’s score of 1,758 points. This makes the RTX 5080 94.9% better in terms of AI image generation.

Overall Performance

Graphic CardsRTX 5080RX 7900 XT
Average FPS📈116.1📈91.1
1% Lows📉98📉77.6
Productivity (Rating)✏️7/10✏️5.1/10
Winner: GeForce RTX 5080

Average Framerate

After calculating the average framerates from the eight tested games, we saw that the winner was the RTX 5080. This is because the RTX 5080 performed better than the RX 7900 XT by 24.1%, on average. It also excelled in every single game without fail, regardless of how demanding the game was.

1% Lows:

Similar to the average FPS, we saw that the RTX 5080 came out on top in terms of 1% lows as well. Specifically, the RTX 5080 performed 23.2% better than the RX 7900 XT and had 1% lows, staying above the 60 FPS mark in seven out of the eight tested games. This shows how much of a smoother experience it provided.

Productivity:

For productivity, the RTX 5080 was also the winner because it was 31.3% more effective than the RX 7900 XT, especially in rendering and AI-based tasks. However, we have to give credit where credit is due; we did see that the RX 7900 XT performed with quite impressive scores when editing on Adobe Premiere Pro.

Average Power Consumption

Power ConsumptionRTX 5080RX 7900 XT
Idle20⚡11⚡
Gaming325⚡320⚡
Ray Tracing332⚡321⚡
Maximum375⚡320⚡
Winner: Radeon RX 7900 XT

Both of these GPUs share a TDP that is only slightly distinct from one another, so they have similar power consumption. We calculated that the difference is only 1.6%, with the RX 7900 XT being slightly more power-efficient than the RTX 5080. However, this difference is so slight that we consider it negligible. 

Pricing And Availability

GPURTX 5080RX 7900 XTPrice Difference
Launch MSRP💲999💲89910.5%
Current Price💲1420💲103431.5%

As of mid-February 2025, the RTX 5080’s price has been drastically increased from its MSRP. Therefore, the RX 7900 XT is currently $386 cheaper than the RTX 5080. From now on, the price of the RTX 5080 will only increase even further. As for availability, the RX 7900 XT is more widely available than the RTX 5080. 

Final Verdict—What We Recommend?

RX 7900 XT:  This is a solid 1440p card that is also excellent for editing. For its price, it does offer great performance and relatively higher specifications, which makes it an ideal budget card. It has a higher VRAM than most cards and paired with FSR 3; it pushes frames higher than 60 FPS in most games at 1440p.

RTX 5080: This is a decent release from Nvidia, but we still believe its performance is not groundbreaking. Yes, it features AI-based upscaling and uses the DLSS 4, but its price is a concern for us. For what it’s worth right now, the performance is justified, but the more its price hikes, the more it becomes an unreasonable option. 

All-in-all, we recommend you get the RX 7900 XT if you want a great 1440p card that also handles editing well and when you’re on a budget. However, if you can exceed your budget to get more performance in both gaming and productivity and want a more future-proof option, then go for the RTX 5080 by all means.  

FAQs

Which GPU will age better for future games?

Although the RX 7900 XT’s 20GB GDDR6 VRAM may help in newer games, the RTX 5080’s use of the newer DLSS 4, AI-focused approach, and PCIe 5 makes it better for future games.

Which GPU is the best bet when it comes to Ray Tracing?

Even though both the RTX 5080 and RX 7900 XT have 84 RT cores, still the RTX 5080 is better in ray tracing, thanks to its newer RT cores, higher cores & AI-driven upscaling.

Which card is better in AI workloads and deep learning?

Surely, the RTX 5080 is better in AI and deep learning than the RX 7900 XT because of its 4th-gen tensor cores, which are also optimized for AI-based tasks such as generative fill.

Does the RTX 5080 or RX 7900 XT have better Linux support?

The RX 7900 XT has better Linux support because it has better open-source drivers like Mesa and ROCm, which Nvidia’s RTX 5080 lacks.

Which is better for streaming and video editing?

The RTX 5080 is better in streaming and video editing because of its NVENC, which has AI-based AV1 encoding. It also offers better hardware acceleration for video editing software.

Why AI Will Be Revolutionary For The Gaming Industry

Story Highlight
  • Artificial intelligence has taken over the world and is already playing a major role in the gaming industry.
  • Future games will utilize the technology for ground-breaking concepts, realistic worlds, and lifelike NPCs.
  • AI will also ensure adaptive gameplay is made possible for truly immersive experiences in the industry.

Artificial intelligence has become a driving force in the gaming industry, transforming the way games are developed, played, and experienced. From automating content creation to improving in-game interactions, AI is pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

The technology is streamlining production, allowing developers to generate vast, intricate worlds while enhancing realism and player engagement. Ultimately, the technology will help push our favorite medium of entertainment forward in more ways than one.

Why it matters: Companies like Nvidia have made major strides in the field of AI in recent years. Other gaming giants like PlayStation have also incorporated AI into their hardware, making it a major selling point of the PS5 Pro and its PSSR upscaling.

AI For Gaming Security

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
AI Could Solve Rampant Cheating In Games Like Call of Duty

The rise of online gaming has brought new challenges in security, with threats like account hacking, data breaches, and in-game fraud becoming more prevalent. Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in strengthening gaming security, helping developers build safer environments for players.

AI-driven anti-cheat systems detect suspicious behavior in real-time, identifying patterns of hacking or exploitation that could give players an unfair advantage. These systems continuously adapt, making it difficult for malicious users to bypass security measures. This is very important today since games like CS2, Deadlock, GTA 5, and more can suffer massively due to rampant cheating.

Another crucial aspect of security is ensuring safe and private connections while gaming. Many players use protection services such as ExpressVPN, which encrypts online activity and prevents third parties from tracking gaming sessions.

This added layer of security reduces risks associated with public Wi-Fi networks and protects against DDoS attacks, especially in competitive gaming environments. With AI-driven security measures in place, game developers can also focus on improving player experiences without compromising safety.

Smarter NPCs And Adaptive Gameplay

AI NPC Model Developed by NVIDIA (Image credits: NVIDIA)
AI NPC Model Developed by Nvidia (Image credits: Nvidia)

Non-playable characters (NPCs) have long been a fundamental part of gaming, but AI is expected to make them significantly more intelligent and responsive.

Traditional NPCs often follow rigid, pre-programmed behavior patterns, making interactions predictable. AI-powered NPCs, however, can learn from player actions, adapting to their responses in real time. This results in more dynamic encounters and a greater sense of immersion.

Nvidia has already shown how ACE could be used for NPCs in future games. The company highlighted Nvidia Ace last year, and it has also upped its AI offerings for gamers with DLSS 4 in 2025.

Moreover, AI is being used to create adaptive environments that react to player decisions. Weather patterns, enemy strategies, and even story elements can shift based on in-game actions.

AI-Generated Everything

Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 Shows Why Dialogue And Characters Are So Important In Gaming

AI is expanding the possibilities of character creation, dialogue, and environmental design. Machine learning models allow for the generation of unique characters with distinct personalities and behaviors.

AI-generated NPCs can populate open-world games, offering meaningful interactions rather than following predictable scripts. As an example, titles like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim have experimented with AI mods that enhance NPC behavior, making interactions more lifelike and unpredictable.

Natural language processing (NLP) enables AI to create dynamic dialogue that evolves based on player choices. This is particularly relevant for RPGs, where branching narratives depend on decision-making. AI-generated stories can adapt in real time, ensuring a personalized experience for each player.

Generative AI is also revolutionizing gaming by streamlining development and reducing manual workload.

By analyzing existing assets and data, AI can generate textures, levels, and animations, allowing developers to focus more on refining mechanics and enhancing creative elements. Nvidia even believes fully AI-driven games are just a decade away.

Because this opinion comes from the biggest leader of AI-driven innovations, the technology will certainly leave its mark on gaming within the next few years. Whether it be revolutionary upscaling techniques, realistic NPCs, or completely new genres, artificial intelligence holds immense potential when used to push gaming forward.

PlayStation Considering Summer Showcase For 2025 After Disappointing State of Play

Story Highlight
  • A reliable insider states PlayStation is discussing plans to return with a showcase in 2025.
  • The gaming giant skipped this event last year after disappointing fans in 2023.
  • A showcase would allow fans to learn more about the lineup of first-party games heading to the PS5 in 2026 and beyond.

PlayStation’s latest State of Play was far from the explosive first event many expected from the gaming giant in 2025. Despite featuring exciting titles like Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Tides of Annihilation, and more, it also introduced games like Days Gone Remastered.

Meanwhile, the likes of Ghost of Yotei and the rumored God of War remasters were nowhere to be seen. With the State of Play behind us, reports now suggest a full showcase could be coming from PlayStation during the summer this year.

Why it matters: PlayStation limited itself to State of Plays in 2024, and fans have been craving more details from the gaming giant’s first-party teams. This has led to demand for a bigger event than the traditional State of Play.

The information comes from reliable industry insider Jeff Grubb, who states that PlayStation is currently debating whether it should host a major event this year.

Grubb states that a showcase would give PlayStation the opportunity to feature titles like Wolverine on the big stage. Apart from Wolverine, the gaming giant would likely share additional details on its games lineup for 2026 and beyond at such an event.

They (PlayStation) are considering a showcase.

-Jeff Grubb

Following its success last year, Xbox is also expected to have another huge event this year. As such, PlayStation could attempt to counter its rival’s momentum through a major showcase of its own.

PlayStation
Fans Want To See What Sony’s First-Party Teams Are Working On

It should be noted that Grubb accurately stated that this week’s State of Play would be mildly interesting at best. Because of his reliability on such events in the past, there is a solid chance that this report will come to fruition.

PlayStation’s last showcase also drew criticism for being quite disappointing, so expectations will be higher than ever should the gaming giant announce another event on a similar scale.

Would do you think about this report? Let us know in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.

New Tides of Annihilation Extended Gameplay Reveals DMC Inspired Combat

Story Highlight
  • Tides of Annihilation is a hack-and-slash single-player action entry that took the industry by storm in the PlayStation State of Play.
  • The game features elements similar to Devil May Cry and Final Fantasy 16, impressing many gamers with its satisfying combat.
  • No release date has yet been confirmed, but it will drop on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC next year. 

One trend we have noticed over the years is the increasing amount of Souls-like games taking over traditional action RPG games. In other words, fans have been craving satisfying hack-and-slash titles with flashy combat and deep lore over slow and tanky enemies.

This issue has started to resolve itself with the reveal of upcoming Chinese action games like Phantom Blade Zero, Lost Soul Aside, and the newly revealed Tides of Annihilation.

Announced at the recent PlayStation State of Play, Tides of Annihilation is a single-player action RPG that is set in a post-apocalyptic London. Now, the Chinese studio, Eclipse Glow Games, has revealed extended gameplay for the game.

Why it matters: The new Tides of Annihilation extended gameplay has skyrocketed player excitement.

The new gameplay reveal takes players through heart-pounding combat sequences and an eventual encounter with a boss.

The video also unveils that Tides of Annihilation heavily resembles Devil May Cry and Final Fantasy 16, a comparison you can’t help but make after being immersed in the gameplay for over 10 minutes.

Tides of Annihilation also features unique combat mechanics, such as spirit-based fighting where players can summon spectral knights to aid in battle.

Chinese Games Characters
Tides of Annihilation is set to launch sometime next year.

Another thing that has massively appealed to fans is the gorgeous character designs, something that Chinese developers have mastered compared to the West in recent years.

No release date has been announced yet, but Tides of Annihilation will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Do you think projects like Tides of Annihilation are going to usher in a new age of action titles in the coming years? Are you excited for it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

AVerMedia Launches Live Gamer ULTRA S Capture Card With Limited Discount

[Press Release] AVerMedia has just released its latest capture card, the Live Gamer Ultra S (GC553Pro).

Boasting features like 5.1-channel surround sound, high frame rate recording, and AVerMedia’s software support, the capture card unlocks a new realm of possibilities for those looking to capture and share their gaming experiences.

AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S
The Capture Card Offers Everything A Streamer Needs

According to CEO Michael Kuo, the Live Gamer Ultra S is flexible for creators. It supports 4K60 HDR pass-through, in addition to 1440p144 and 1080p240 capture. The RGB24 format also provides lifelike colors, and the 5.1-channel audio capture preserves immersive sound in videos.

In addition to these strengths, the included software set provides options like variable refresh rate (VRR) recording. Elsewhere, OBS plugins like Streaming Center Plug and AVerMedia’s Assist Central Pro serve as additional software that enhance the user experience.

For those looking to kickstart their streaming career or upgrade their existing equipment, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S is now available for $149.99. The capture card has also been discounted to $129.99 for a limited time.

CI Games CEO: Western Developers Should Learn From Chinese Studios How To Make Characters

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  • Tides of Annihilation was recently revealed during the State of Play.
  • The game has been highly praised for its characters.
  • The CI Games CEO has recently stated that Western developers should consider consulting on how to create characters that stand out. 

Recent releases from Chinese Studios like Black Myth: Wukong have seen massive success in the industry. The title has even won multiple awards, including the Steam’s Game of the Year 2024.

While Western developers are still dominating the gaming industry, CI Games CEO has made a tweet saying Western developers should learn from Chinese studios how to create characters that stand out.

Why it matters: The upcoming releases from Chinese Studios like Lost Soul Aside and Phantom Blade Zero have already been praised for eye-catching characters. 

CI Games CEO
CI Games CEO About Chinese Devs- Source: X

Just recently, The CEO of CI Games, the developers behind Lords of The Fallen, made a tweet appreciating the character of Tides of Annihilation.

Marek Tyminski retweeted a post that says that the white character looks attractive in the Tides of Annihilation because a Chinese developer developed it. The CEO wrote that the Chinese developers should consult Western developers on how to create characters that stand out.

These Chinese devs should consider consulting in the West on how to make female characters that actually stand out

-Marek Tyminski 

Black Myth Wukong Xbox Series S
Black Myth Wukong Was One of The Biggest Releases of Last Year

Not only the Tides of Annihilation but other releases from Chinese developers like the Phantom Blade Zero have been praised for creating stunning characters. On the other side, releases like Star Wars Outlaws have seen great criticism for their characters.

It’s great to see that Asian developers have been stepping up in the gaming industry. Tides of Annihilation was recently shown during the State of Play and has already received a great reception.

Phantom Blade Zero is another title from Chinese developers that fans have been waiting for a long time. Nonetheless, do you believe Western developers should learn from Chinese developers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or join Tech4Gamers forums. 

Xbox Will Release More First-Party Games on PlayStation 5 Than Sony This Year

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  • Xbox is slated to launch more first-party games of its own on PlayStation 5 than Sony this year.
  • Games like Indiana Jones, Forza Horizon 5, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and more are planned for the console.
  • Sony’s Death Stranding 2 and Ghost of Yotei are coming to PS5, and some others are also rumored for a 2025 launch.

While first-party games for consoles used to be abundant in the past decades, the same cannot be said about the current generation. The rising development costs and certain failures from both Xbox and PlayStation have resulted in limited successful releases.

Hence, Xbox has completely shifted its strategy to adopt a multiplatform approach to maximize profits. That means almost all its first-party titles will come to PlayStation.

Now, we’ve discovered that Xbox is aiming to release more first-party titles on PS5 than Sony in 2025.

Why it matters: Xbox plans to release more first-party games on PS5 than Sony in 2025, signaling a shift toward Microsoft’s growing influence in the PlayStation ecosystem.

Xbox Multiplatform
Xbox is bringing a slew of its first-party titles to PS5 as part of its multiplatform strategy.

Xbox games like Indiana Jones, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Forza Horizon 5, The Outer Worlds 2, Age of Empires 2, and Age of Mythology Retold are confirmed to launch on PlayStation 5 this year. And these projects do not include the many others that are still circulating in rumors.

Activision is expected to release a new Call of Duty game every year, so the next one will definitely be available on PS5 from day one.

Moreover, First-party titles like Halo Infinite, Hellblade 2, and Gears of War Remastered Collection, are also speculated by various credible insiders to launch on PlayStation 5 in 2025. 

On the flip side, Sony has only confirmed to release Marathon, Ghost of Yotei, and Death Stranding 2 on PS5, while projects like Fairgame$ and Marvel’s Wolverine are barely rumored for a 2025 release so far.

PlayStation is also rumored to adopt a multiplatform strategy in the future by multiple insiders.

PS5 fans hoped for more first-party game announcements in 2025 at the State of Play but were left wanting. Still, take this report cautiously, as things could shift later this year.

Do you think Xbox is going to eventually dominate the PlayStation ecosystem over the years with its roster of first-party titles? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Avowed Is Already The 3rd Best Selling Steam Game Globally In Early Access

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  • Avowed is currently third on the Steam global sellers not accounting for free-to-play titles.
  • The RPG is also topping the Steam charts in the US during its early access period.
  • The Xbox first-party title will have its full release on February 18.

Avowed has received universal acclaim from critics ahead of its release on February 18, with many calling it a beautiful game. And, from the looks of it, the sales are also following suit as the game is already shooting up the charts on Steam even before its full release.

Why it matters: The new Xbox first-party strategy is built on selling games and with its new AAA RPG topping charts, the publisher is off to a strong start in 2025.

Avowed Best-Seller
Avowed 3rd best-selling paid game on Steam.

In its early access period, Avowed has reached the top 3 of Steam global best-sellers excluding free-to-play titles. The RPG is only behind Warhorse hit Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds.

In addition, Avowed is doing even better in the US as the Obsidian’s RPG is currently holding the top spot on the country’s Steam chart. Hence, the title is off to a strong start and it hasn’t even been released yet.

The rave reviews and strong commercial performance of the RPG are a pleasant surprise for players as Avowed did not have the best PR before launch. The game had gone through multiple delays and its demo had negative feedback from players.

The RPG’s reception only got worse closer to launch with the director saying that Avowed will be janky and that fans should just accept it. With Obsidian also announcing it will skip 60 FPS on consoles, the game was checking all the wrong boxes.

Avowed
Avowed is one of many AAA titles Xbox is launching this year.

But, through a complete overhaul of its combat and the eradication of its live-service elements based on fan feedback, Avowed has won over fans for good measure and given Xbox a much-needed win.

Do you think Avowed will be a commercial success for Xbox? Tell us in the comments below or head to the Tech4Gamers forum for discussion.