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Cutting-Edge AAA Game Graphics No Longer Feasible, Say Devs

Story Highlight
  • Developers believe the pursuit of lifelike graphics in AAA games is no longer possible.
  • They argue that most people don’t care about high-end visuals.
  • Many industry veterans are in favor of budget-friendly titles.

The pursuit of better graphics in the gaming industry has always been a massive factor pushing the industry forward. Even with a slew of graphically impressive games being released in 2023 and 2024, including Alan Wake 2 and Black Myth: Wukong, the industry is still trying to aim higher.

Unfortunately, it seems this pursuit has led studios to a dead end, with developers now believing the costs have caught up and created a troubling situation.

Why it matters: The industry has suffered thousands of layoffs this year alone. From gaming giants like PlayStation and Xbox to various smaller studios, everyone is struggling today.

Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong Was One of 2024’s Best-Looking Titles

As reported by the New York Times, many developers have noted that the industry can no longer handle the constant need to one-up itself in terms of graphics.

This is mainly because high-end visuals push AAA budgets to excessive heights, creating needless pressure on everyone involved in development. When a game worth more than $200 or $300 million fails, it ultimately leads to layoffs, something that has become all too common in the industry.

In the wake of recent failures like Suicide Squad and Concord, gaming studios have lost millions of dollars this year. Moreover, the report highlights that cutting-edge graphics aren’t necessarily big selling factors in today’s market.

As per a former Square Enix executive, lifelike visuals matter to a small subset of the entire market. He argues that younger audiences are drawn toward stylized visuals seen in games like Minecraft and Fortnite.

It’s clear that high-fidelity visuals are only moving the needle for a vocal class of gamers.

-Jacob Novak

Game developer Rami Ismail noted that one solution to the industry’s current problems could be a focus on shorter and worse-looking games. This could temporarily combat the AAA industry’s ballooning budgets without turning audiences away.

2023 Next-Gen Games
AAA Games Look Better Than Ever Today

Recently, a game like Astro Bot won Game of The Year, making a solid case for more budget-friendly titles that rely on an engaging aesthetic over cutting-edge graphics. Looking at the industry’s current struggles, it will be interesting to see whether releases like Astro Bot become more popular moving forward.

What do you think will happen? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow this link to the Tech4Gamers Forums for further discussions.

GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition Dev Working On Unannounced Title For PC, PS5, & Xbox Series X|S

Story Highlight
  • Grove Street Games is working on a new unannounced title for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S.
  • The title is speculated to be a GTA 4 remaster considering the developers have previously worked on the GTA trilogy’s definitive edition.
  • This back is claimed by Take-Two’s plans to release two remasters before March 2024.

Rockstar’s revival of the GTA trilogy spanning from GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas was a move to keep fans engaged while they worked on the next instalment since this has been the longest hiatus in the series.

While Rockstar didn’t take the lead on the remaster projects, developer Grove Street Games was tasked with the GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition. The remaster wasn’t exactly a great release with many fans raising their fingers on Rockstar and Grove Street Games for such a poor release.

According to the LinkedIn profile of Jordan Kleeman, the executive producer at Grove Street Games, the developers are working on a new unannounced title for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S consoles

Why It Matters: Grove Street Games is a notable developer in the industry known for making the Ark games. The developers have once collaborated with Rockstar Games and it’s quite possible for them to do so again.

grove street games new unannounced title
Source: Jordan Kleeman On LinkedIn

That unannounced title could be a GTA 4 remaster which has been rumoured in the making for quite some while now. Rockstar has its hands full with GTA 6’s development so it would only make sense for the developer to outsource a remaster project.

A previous report also stated that GTA 4 remaster plans were scrapped following the poor reception of the GTA trilogy but it seems that Rockstar is still prevalent on the remaster considering this theory holds.

Still, it is important to notice that this is pure speculation and the unannounced title might as well be an entirely different project, accounting that Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to come out later next year.

Even so, if it is a GTA 4 remaster as speculated, Rockstar may be planning to delay GTA 6 for another year as speculated by veteran industry reporters. It wouldn’t be surprising since Take-Two’s lineup is already stacked for 2025.

Do you think the developer is working on a Grand Theft Auto 4 remaster? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums.

Disney Is Very Happy With The Results of Indiana Jones And The Great Circle

Story Highlight
  • Indiana Jones didn’t have a massive launch; it received a really positive reception from the fans and critics. 
  • However, it seems that Disney and MachineGames didn’t have massive expectations sales-wise. 
  • An insider has recently revealed that the former is quite happy with the game’s performance, and more Indy titles are now in development. 

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, one of the most anticipated titles of 2024, ended up having an underwhelming start on Steam. However, the game overall seems to have performed well sales-wise, given it was the second best-selling game in the US in its launch week. 

However, Disney owns the rights to the Indiana Jones franchise, and the giant is a little difficult to please. Due to this, fans have been wondering whether they will be getting a new Indiana Jones game, as the current one received an overwhelmingly positive reception

Fans shouldn’t worry much, as a reliable insider has revealed that Disney is happy with the game, so more titles are likely to be developed now. 

Why it matters: Before Indiana Jones and The Great Circle‘s release, many criticised it for being first person, and that the developer was too late to make a video game adaptation of the movie series. 

Jez Corden, one of the most reliable insiders, recently stated that more Indiana Jones games are on the way and that Disney has given the green light, implying the giant is happy with the game’s reception.  

A Disney insider suggested that there will be more Indiana Jones and I’ve also heard that Disney picked up the phone on some more Indiana Jones so don’t be surprised. 

-Jez Corden

This milestone is quite impressive, so we can expect more Indy games from MachineGames now. Another reliable insider previously revealed that more Indy titles are in development, and given this new information, it seems more likely now. 

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle
Indiana Jones and The Great Circle Emerges As The GOTY In A Recent Gamescom Tournament

MachineGames is also working on multiple unannounced projects, which further backs up these claims. So, it is almost certain that more Indy games will be bestowed upon us, but fans should still keep low expectations until MachineGames confirms their existence itself. 

What do you think about Disney being happy with the game’s progress and giving the green light on more titles? Have you played Indiana Jones and The Great Circle yet? Share your thoughts in the comments section below or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers forums.ech4Gamers forums.

Valve Has Begun Early Closed PlayTesting of Half-life 3

Story Highlight
  • Half-Life 3 has reportedly entered the playtesting phase.
  • An insider has pointed to elements like gravity manipulation, water physics, dismemberment, and mesh shaders for the game.
  • He states that an official announcement could be coming in 2025 if playtesting goes smoothly.

Over the last few months, the eyes of Half-Life fans worldwide glimmered with hope as rumors suggested news of the long-anticipated Half-Life 3 was inbound. Many even expected an announcement at The Game Awards, but they were eventually met with disappointment.

A few weeks later, a popular insider and data miner has shared an update. According to the latest reports, Half-Life 3 is still in the works and is now being playtested.

Why it matters: Half-Life 3 is arguably the most anticipated sequel of all time. The long wait for this title has led to immeasurable excitement, leading to buzz in the community from the smallest pieces of information.

As Gabe Follower reports, Valve has recently hired a slew of new developers.

Many veteran developers have also returned to the company after more than a decade, sparking speculation about work on Half-Life 3. These developers have previously been involved in projects like Portal, Left 4 Dead 2, and Half-Life 2.

Elsewhere, the video highlights findings related to gravity manipulation and water physics in Valve’s upcoming title. The latter is more interesting since the Source engine currently does not feature effects for water movement.

The video also discusses other interesting elements like flammable surfaces, creature dismemberment, and mesh shaders. All of these elements are expected to be part of Half-Life 3 in some capacity.

Concluding the video, Gabe Follower describes that playtesting has been ongoing for a few months. He suggests that a successful playtest could lead to an official announcement in 2025.

The company has also teased Half-Life 3 across other mediums, like the Team Fortress comic book series, strengthening Gabe Follower’s findings and conclusions in this video.

Half Life 2 Remaster
Half-Life 2 Reached New Levels of Popularity This Year

Going by the report, 2025 could be a major year for Valve. Half-Life 2 has already seen quite the resurgence this year, so a new entry could bring the series back to the limelight.

What are your thoughts on the discussion? Do you think Half-Life 3 will finally be revealed in 2025? Let us know in the comments, and visit the Tech4Gamers Forums to continue the discussion.

Square Enix Can’t Stay ‘Exclusive To A Single Platform’ Anymore Following FF7 Rebirth’s Sales, Says Director

Story Highlight
  • FF7 Rebirth director says Square Enix can’t stay exclusive to a single platform after the game only made enough sales.
  • The title made sales that were deemed to be safe, but it was nothing like Square Enix expected.
  • Square Enix is pursuing an aggressive multiplatform strategy and bringing many games to other platforms. 

Square Enix has experienced many highs and lows recently, with its recent Final Fantasy titles struggling to meet high sales expectations. The studio even dabbled with the controversial firm, Sweet Baby Inc., to improve diversity in games, only to have its revenue reduced by 27% during that period. However, it is trying to make a comeback by changing its strategies and focusing on quality over quantity.

Now, Final Fantasy 7 director Yoshinori Kitase claims that Square Enix has no choice but to go multiplatform to sell its titles well. FF7 Rebirth launched exclusively for PS5, which massively harmed its sales potential.

Why it matters: Square Enix has possibly changed tactics because FF 16 and FF7 Rebirth sales did not meet its expectations. The studio hopes the multiplatform strategy can help improve its game sales in the modern market.

Rebirth's sales were always going to be lower than FF7 Remake (Image by PlayStation)
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was a great game but failed to sell more than the first part.

In an interview with IGN Brazil, Yoshinori Kitase notes that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth sales did not disappoint Square Enix, but they left much to be desired. Therefore, he believes that going multiplatform is the only way to make good sales in modern times.

we are reaching a certain level of sales, [But] it is clear that with the modernity of games, we cannot be exclusive to a single platform.

Additionally, a notable insider recently stated that Square Enix will release all Final Fantasy titles on Xbox. Given that Yoshinori also claims to be an avid Xbox fansuch a claim is not too far-fetched. 

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth needs a whopping 6-core processor and RTX 2070 to reach 1080p at Medium Quality.

Square Enix has long been working on an aggressive multiplatform strategy. So, fans can also expect the studio to bring its other IPs to more platforms in the future.

Do you think Final Fantasy games can do better if they go multiplatform moving forward, or will it not drastically affect them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the official Tech4Gamers forum.

Astro Bot Director Hoped For Best Family Game Award; Wasn’t Expecting It To Win GOTY

Story Highlight
  • Astro Bot dominated The Game Awards 2024 by winning the Game of the Year Award.
  • It also managed to secure 3 more victories which the developer never expected. 
  • In a recent interview, the game creative director revealed that he is hoping for it to win the Best Family Game award. 

Astro Bot was initially heavily criticized by the fandom due to its $60 price tag, mainly because its prequel was free. However, the criticism disappeared as soon as the game was released.

Fans had nothing but praise regarding the title, and it is totally understandable why. While it didn’t achieve massive sales milestones, it did manage to become Game of the Year 2024. However, the developer wasn’t expecting it to win the award as the game’s creative director revealed he was hoping for it to win the Best Family Game award.

Why it matters: Astro Bot is a game that anyone can play despite their age, which makes it the perfect contender for the Best Family Game award.

Astro Bot Is Creativity At Its Peak (Image by Tech4Gamers)
Astro Bot Is One of The Most Creative Titles of 2024 (Image by Tech4Gamers)

In an interview with Famitsu, Nicolas Doucet, Astro Bot‘s creative director, was congratulated for the game winning GOTY award. He was then asked about his thoughts on the game winning in 4 categories among the 7 it was nominated in.

Nicolas Doucet revealed that he wasn’t expecting it to win GOTY as he wasn’t even sure whether Astro Bot will be evaluated as the Best Family Game.

I was very happy that many aspects of “Astro Bot” were widely seen. In particular, I was very concerned about whether it would be evaluated as a family game.

-Nicolas Doucet

Doucet further says that when he created ASOBI studio, his goal was to create a family-oriented game for PlayStation, so being nominated for the Best Family Game Award was special. 

However, Astro Bot ended up winning the Best Family Game as well as the GOTY award, which is an ultimate honor for the developer.

Of course, it was an honor to be nominated for Game of the Year and other categories, but I thought it would be very nice to win Best Family Game.

While there are concerns about the title winning Game of The Year, there is no doubt that it deserves the Best Family Game award.

What do you think about Nicolas Doucet’s comment in the interview? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers forums.

Nioh and The Rise of Ronin Game Director Plans to Announce New AAA Game in 2025

Story Highlight
  • Team Ninja released Rise of The Ronin earlier this year. 
  • During a recent interview, the director confirmed that they have plans to announce his new AAA game in 2025.
  • While nothing much has been confirmed yet, fans can expect to hear more about the project next year. 

Team Ninja has released some of the best video games, including the Nioh series and The Rise of Ronin, which was released earlier this year. It was also reported that the latter sold copies faster than the former.

Following the huge release of The Rise of Ronin, it appears that Team Ninja is already planning to announce its next AAA game next year likely during its 30th anniversary. 

Why it matters: The studio will celebrate its 30th anniversary on the 1st of January, so it’s likely that the developers have planned something exciting on the occasion. 

Rise of the Ronin
Rise of the Ronin Was Released Earlier This Year

Just like every year, 4Gamer.net has published the 2025 edition of its end-of-year interviews, where they asked over 150 creators about their plans for next year. 

One of the developers was Fumihiko Yasuda, who is known for working on titles like The Rise of Ronin, Nioh series and many others. During the interview, Fumihiko confirmed that Team Ninja has some announcements to make next year.

In 2025, Team NINJA will celebrate its 30th anniversary, and we hope to announce and release titles fitting for the occasion.’

-Fumihiko Yasuda

While the developer has revealed nothing much, we hope to hear more from the studio next year.

Rise of the Ronin
Team Ninja’s Next Title Could Be Released By Next Year

Since Rise of the Ronin was released earlier in March, likely the developer has already begun to work on its project. So, we can expect to hear more information as soon as we enter 2025. 

Nonetheless, Team Ninja has delivered great titles in the past and following their last release, fans have set high from the developers.

Are you excited about the next project from Nioh and The Rise of Ronin, game director? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or be a part of Tech4Gamers Official Forum

Epomaker P75 Review: The Best Aluminum Prebuilt of 2024?

Epomaker has been one of the most prominent keyboard companies of the past few years, and as of late, they’ve leveled up from being mostly just a distributor to a proper manufacturer. They have a lot of options ranging from plastic to metal and in all sorts of layouts.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Huzaifa Haroon is our keyboard expert with years of experience in building and testing custom keyboards.
  • 130+ peripherals tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 500+ hours spent testing different peripherals for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See how we test peripherals).

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

Today, we’ll be taking a look at one of their most well-received boards, the Epomaker P75. This model isn’t really a part of any lineup like the Galaxy series but rather a standalone product, though it shares quite a lot in common with the Galaxy70. We have the silver version in for review today, so let’s check it out.


Key Takeaways

  • The Epomaker P75 is the best aluminum prebuilt you can buy with zero compromises and a great price to back its quality up.
  • Buy the Epomaker P75 if you’re looking for a high-quality keyboard with great sound, feel, and performance that is built like a tank.
  • Avoid the Epomaker P75 if you need the best gaming keyboard, as hall-effect options will provide you with a better chance at being competitive.

Technical Specs Details
Brand EPOMAKER
Model P75
Layout 75%
Number of Keys 81 keys + 1 knob
Case Material Black/Silver (CNC Aluminum with Anodized finish) | White (PC)
Plate Material PC
Stabilizers Pre-lubed Plate-mounted
Screw-in Stabilizer Support Yes
Mounting Structure Gasket Mount
Battery 4000mAh
RGB South-facing RGB
Hot Swappable Yes
Anti-Ghosting NKRO
PCB Thickness 1.2mm
Connectivity Wired, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Polling Rate 1000Hz for wired and 2.4G, 125Hz for Bluetooth
Keycaps Profile Cherry
Keycaps Material Double Shot PBT
Front Height 22.7mm (including rubber feet)
Typing Angle 6 degrees
Keyboard Dimensions 324.2 x 135.6 x 45.3mm
Keyboard Weight 1.65kg
Package Weight around 2kg
[toc]

What Makes the Epomaker P75 Different?

The shining highlight of the Epomaker P75 is… the entire package. The amount of quality components packed inside this CNC aluminum body certainly feels like it should be worth a lot more. At only $100, it’s fascinating to see how the custom keyboard hobby has transformed from a mere TM680 build in 2021 to this beast today.

Unboxing Experience

The Epomaker P75 comes in a sleek, hard cardboard box that lifts from the top to reveal all the contents inside, just like an Apple device. There are no seals or tabs here. The box itself advertises the board nicely going over all its features on the back with a nice illustration upfront.

Epomaker P75 box (Image by T4G)
Epomaker P75 box (Image by T4G)

Inside, you get the board wrapped in plastic with the accessories toward the top, split into two sections. There’s a thick manual book right beneath the board that tells you everything you need to know to operate this board without ever downloading the software. 

As for what’s included, Epomaker has been generous:

  • 1x Epomaker P75
  • 3x Extra Switches
  • 7x Extra Keycaps
  • 1x Keycap/Switch Puller
  • 1x Allen Key
  • 1x Manual
Everything included with the Epomaker P75
Everything included with the Epomaker P75 (Image by T4G)

Design & Build 

The Epomaker P75 is built like a tank. It has a fully CNC aluminum construction that feels just as good as it looks. The board weighs almost 1.7 kilograms out of the box. It’s cold to the touch, especially in this winter climate. Every time I try to pick it up, I’m reminded that this is a premium product that will satisfy even the snobbiest of enthusiasts.

Epomaker P75 from the front
Epomaker P75 from the front (Image by T4G)

Epomaker has opted for a minimal design with the P75. The board has a matte finish, similar to that on a MacBook, that’s smooth to the touch. The bezels are mostly even around the edges, with chamfering all around and rounded-off corners. There are no icons, text, or even indicator LEDs up front, ensuring a distraction-free aesthetic.

Turn the P75 around and you’ll see a large Epomaker logo carved into the center, think of this as a pseudo-weight. The sides sort of melt inwards into the back and away from the top, giving the case a floating look if looked at from above. Compared to other options like the Lucky65 or Galaxy70, this gives the P75 a much more unique back design.

Epomaker P75 from the back
Epomaker P75 from the back (Image by T4G)

For the same reason, the side profile is also beautiful here. It makes the board feel even more premium as you see the side go from a standard box-on-wedge to these curved angular lines. When it comes to comfort, you can easily use the P75 without a wrist rest with its 5-degree typing angle paired with the 18mm front height.

Epomaker P75 side profile
Epomaker P75 side profile (Image by T4G)

Moving upwards, the USB port, along with the connection mode switch, is located on the top-left edge of the board in a recessed area. Next to these there’s also a magnetic slot to hold the wireless dongle in place. You can faintly make out the molding marks here but it’s nothing too egregious. 

Epomaker P75 USB port
Epomaker P75 USB port (Image by T4G)

Layout & Features

We see an exploded 75% layout with the Epomaker P75, which means the arrow keys and the nav cluster are separated off into the side. There’s also a knob in the corner made out of metal, and it has satisfying clicks. This is arguably the most popular layout for beginners as it’s the perfect balance between full-size that has all the keys and a compact keyboard.

Epomaker P75 knob
Epomaker P75 knob (Image by T4G)

As with every modern keyboard, the P75 is a hotswap. It features south-facing hot-swap sockets with per-key RGB. The board is also easy to get into with 6 hex screws at the back. It features a standard top and bottom case layout held together by screws with the PCB plate being friction fit in between.

Epomaker P75 top and bottom case
Epomaker P75 top and bottom case (Image by T4G)

It’s gasket-mounted with silicone beans on the plate and this works really well. It has a polycarbonate plate with no flex cuts paired with a 1.2mm PCB, also without flex cuts. The board is rocking plate-mount stabs, but the PCB supports screw-in ones, too. The Epomaker P75 is also tri-mode, so both wired and wireless.

Epomaker P75 gaskets
Epomaker P75 gaskets (Image by T4G)

The PCB has a glued PET sheet on top of it that you can’t take off; it’s like tape, but it does the same job. Epomaker has stuffed in all the usual sound dampening you’ve come to expect from a modern keyboard, including the plate foam, IXPE sheet, PET sheet, PCB foam, and some case foam.

The Fundamentals

The P75 has had a strong showing so far, can the inner components of the board continue to keep up the positive narrative?

Keycaps

The Epomaker P75 comes with doubleshot PBT keycaps in the Cherry profile. Simply speaking, these are high-quality. The legends are sharp with even thickness and coloring. The keycap molds are as thick as any other expensive set, and the dualshot process looks clean from the bottom. 

Texture-wise, these feel like your typical PBT keycaps with a smooth finish and just the tiniest bit of grain to grip your fingers. All the keys have little to no wobble, and they look great, too. The silver case paired with the white-and-blue theme makes everything pop. If you wish to go all-white, Epomaker has included extra keycaps in the box that replace the blue accents.

Switches

There are three switch options to choose from: Epomaker Zebra, Epomaker Wisteria linear, and Wisteria tactiles; we have the Zebras on our board. These are 45g factory-lubed linears with a 3.8mm long travel distance. They have a long 21mm spring as well. The bottom housing is made from nylon, the top is polycarbonate, and the stem is POM.

Epomaker Zebra linear switches in the Epomaker P75
Epomaker Zebra linear switches in the Epomaker P75 (Image by T4G)

These are absolutely fantastic switches, especially inside the P75. They sound amazing, as you’ll hear in the sound test later. They also feel very smooth and almost snappy. There is no spring ping, no weird inconsistencies in lubing, and no looseness in the housings. These have very little stem wobble, too. 

Stabilizers

Epomaker P75 uses plate-mounted stabs that come pre-lubed from the factory and they’re amazing. Every stabilized key had perfect consistency in my testing, with no ticking or rattling. These are about as good as stock stabs can get. The keycap and switch combo with the stabilizer produce a very satisfying sound as well.

Connectivity & Performance

The P75 is a wireless keyboard with both 2.4 GHz radio and Bluetooth 5.0 connections. It comes with a 4000mAh battery, which is larger than most cells and it shows. I was able to drag the keyboard through almost 3 days of moderate usage with RGB on, and you can easily get more than a week with it off.

Epomaker has aggressive power-saving measures in check, so the board turns off after 1 minute of inactivity, but you can change this in the software. What I love about the P75 is even in its inactive state it doesn’t miss any inputs. There’ll be a short delay but anything you typed will appear on screen as soon as the board lights up again.

Epomaker P75 battery
Epomaker P75 battery (Image by T4G)

As far as performance goes, I’m glad to report that you can do competitive gaming on the P75 with the wireless dongle. The latency is low enough at under 10ms that you won’t notice anything, and I didn’t face any disconnection issues either.

Bluetooth was flawless with good range; I was able to get signals across a wall into the other room. Of course, you have the USB-C port as well if you want to plug the board in, and the included cable is a nice, braided one.

Typing Experience

The Epomaker P75 offers a top-tier typing experience in every aspect. It has a very deep, creamy, and sharp sound signature that suits the aesthetic of the board well. The gasket performance is also great, as the board feels soft to type on. If you press firmly in the center, the board even sinks in so it’s a nice balance of stiff and bouncy.

The stabilizers, as mentioned earlier, are virtually perfect. The stock experience across the board (no pun intended) is at the top of the leaderboard; you cannot get anything better for this price. Moreover, because this is a mod-friendly keyboard, you can put in different switches and open it up to change the foam config and get a completely different sound.

Software

Epomaker has a very interesting software solution for the P75. There is no dedicated application; neither is the board QMK/VIA compatible. Instead, you go to an oddly named website that acts as the online software for the board. It’s available on the listing for the board, so it’s easy to find.

Once loaded up, Microsoft Edge automatically translated the page from Chinese to English but there’s a language option in the top corner as well. I also appreciate how the software works wirelessly rather than forcing you to plug in. All that being said, it’s a pretty bog-standard experience with everything you’ve come to expect, and the UI is straightforward.

You get custom keymapping with 2 layers each for Windows and Mac. You can even import or export profiles if you wish. Everything is laid out in tabs on the left side, including macros and lighting settings. There is a total of 18 RGB effects with brightness and speed controls, along with a full-color wheel to choose whatever color you want.

Should You Buy It?

Buy It If:

You’re looking for a great keyboard, bar none. The Epomaker P75 hits the home run on every aspect of a mechanical keyboard without being too expensive.

You appreciate sleek designs, as the P75 has a very clean and minimal aesthetic that will blend in with any setup.

You want a creamy-sounding keyboard that has perfect stabilizers out of the box and solid gasket performance. 

Don’t Buy It If:

You need the best gaming keyboard. Hall-effect keyboards should be on your list if you want every bit of that competitive advantage.

You can’t live without QMK/VIA support and would rather avoid using any other software.

Epomaker P75 floating in all its glory (Image by T4G)

My Thoughts

The Epomaker P75 has really got it all. Short of being a hall-effect keyboard, there are no glaring downsides, and with the $100 price tag, the value proposition here is second to none. Not only is the board creamy and satisfying to type on, but it’s actually loud, which is a nice change of pace. Often, in search of thock, companies give up on the sheer volume.

The only other board that comes in competition with this would be Epomaker’s Galaxy70, which coincidentally is the next board we’ll review. Compared to that, I prefer the P75’s finish and surface treatment, along with the simpler design. Even when put up against barebones kits like the Lucky65 V2, the Epomaker P75 offers more for your dollar.

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PlayStation To Work With More Third-Party Studios To Expand Its Portfolio With Unique Games, Says CEO

Story Highlight
  • PlayStation Studios head Herman Hulst says the company will work with more external studios to create unique titles.
  • So far, PlayStation has seemingly had a lot of success working closely with third-party studios.
  • Herman wants to create many new unique titles using external devs to expand its portfolio.

PlayStation has continued to grow its gaming franchises over the last three decades, with a plethora of games catering to every type of player. However, all this could not have been possible with the company’s first-party studios—no matter how popular and expansive they are. Many third-party studios have played a huge role in bringing fan-favorite titles to PlayStation.

Now, Herman Hulst has also pointed out the significance of external teams in helping expand PlayStation’s portfolio. It plans to work with more third-party studios to bring unique games to its IPs.

Why it matters: PlayStation’s decision to work with more external developers will ensure that its portfolio will stay fresh, providing high-quality experiences for all types of players.

Sony PlayStation Studios
Many internal PlayStation studios also have a variety of popular gaming franchises.

Speaking in an interview with Famitsu, Herman Hulst claims that PlayStation is always reviewing its gaming IPs to ensure it offers a bit of everything for everyone. It intends to work with more external studios to expand its roster with many fresh releases. 

We develop content within PlayStation Studios, but we also actively collaborate with external development studios. We have had a lot of success by working closely with external development studios.

PlayStation is actively collaborating with many third-party studios to build unannounced and creative projects. The company is also brewing many of its titles with first-party studios. 

Sony PlayStation
PlayStation’s CFO also clarified that the company faces no threats of players switching to PC.

PlayStation co-CEO Hideaki Nishino also recently said that home consoles are here to stay for a long while. In fact, the company continues to see an increase in its players and games. 

Do you think the new head of PlayStation Studios will cause the company’s gaming portfolio to evolve and grow dramatically? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the official Tech4Gamers forum.

Uncharted Changed Gaming Forever And Raised Standards, Says PlayStation CEO

Story Highlight
  • PlayStation’s current CEO has described Uncharted as a turning point for game production.
  • He discussed that this release led to a greater focus on overall quality in the industry.
  • The CEO also believes that this impact was reflected in future releases from first-party studios.

Very few gaming IPs are as revered as Naughty Dog’s Uncharted. Whether it be the second game’s explosive opening or the last entry’s flawless visuals, this series has always delivered unforgettable single-player experiences.

PlayStation also recognizes this importance, giving this IP the flagship treatment. Reflecting on the franchise, the company’s CEO recently commented on its brilliance, claiming that it changed gaming forever.

Why it matters: Despite Uncharted’s status as a dormant IP, PlayStation is well aware of its importance. The gaming giant also recognizes what made it so special.

Uncharted 4 Visual Brilliance
Nathan Drake’s Story Came To An End In 2016

During a recent interview with Famitsu, Hermen Hulst declared Uncharted as the game that had the most impact on him as a creator.

He described how various games before this series came with distinct strengths, but Naughty Dog’s work combined those strengths into a single package. Whether it be narrative, graphics, or game design, the IP excelled in all areas with its debut in 2009.

As per Hermen Hulst, this release marked a major step forward for the entire gaming industry.

When we saw Uncharted, we realized this work would fundamentally change the concept of games.

When asked to elaborate further, the CEO described that Uncharted’s influence went beyond PlayStation. He stated that the IP’s success emphasized the quality of games as a whole, something that was also reflected in the Game of The Year competitions that followed.

The work significantly raised the standard of quality in game production.

-Hermen Hulst

Uncharted
Fans Have Been Begging Naughty Dog To Bring The Series Back

Hermen Hulst also confirmed that Uncharted had a major impact on PlayStation’s future. Following Naughty Dog’s success with this IP and The Last of Us, nearly every first-party title from the gaming giant came with a cinematic flair that was initially associated with Naughty Dog’s work.

This may not have been possible without Uncharted’s initial plunge in this direction. Do you agree with Hermen Hulst? Let us know in the comments, and visit the Tech4Gamers Forums to elaborate on your thoughts further.

PlayStation CEO Says Home Consoles Are Here To Stay; Hardware Will Not ‘Disappear Any Time Soon’

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  • PlayStation co-CEO Hideaki Nishino believes that home consoles and hardware are here to stay for a long while.
  • These markets will not disappear soon just because PlayStation uses cloud technologies or caters to PC players.
  • The number of PlayStation 4 and 5 games and players is still increasing, suggesting a safe future ahead.

The changing console markets have forced both Xbox and PlayStation to adapt in different ways. While Microsoft has let go of its exclusivity strategy and made everything an Xbox, PlayStation has been transparent about adapting in a more player-friendly way. However, the concerns about the alleged decline of the console market still haunt the player base.

Now, the PlayStation co-CEO Hideaki Nishino says that the console and hardware market is not going anywhere. He believes the company is only growing in these sectors, so they will remain the core of their business. 

Why it matters: The reassurance by co-CEO Hideaki Nishino eases the worries that PlayStation is slowly abandoning the home console market to focus on PC players. The hardware itself will not disappear any time soon.

Sony PlayStation
PlayStation holds a plethora of franchises that cater to every genre and audience.

Speaking in an interview with Famitsu, PlayStation co-CEO Hideaki Nishino clarifies that the number of PlayStation 4 and 5 games and players is still increasing across the charts, and that is unlikely to suddenly change in the foreseeable future.

 It’s hard to imagine that this will suddenly change tomorrow, so I think it’s safe to say that home video game consoles will be the center of our business for A While

The hardware market is also not in danger, as even if PlayStation utilizes cloud tech—like with PlayStation Portal—then it still needs a controller and a screen.

Hideaki further suggests that the company is trying to keep a balance between console and PC players.

Xbox and PlayStation
An analyst believes that only one brand out of Sony and Xbox will survive in the future.

Additionally, PlayStation CFO Hiroki Totoki recently clarified that PS5 has not missed out on sales due to players switching to PC, as Sony does not see the PC market as a threat but rather an opportunity.

Do you think the co-CEO’s words are enough to calm the rumors that PlayStation is also focusing more on the PC platform like Xbox? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the official Tech4Gamers forum.

PlayStation Exploring Opportunities To Revive Classic IPs; Says They Are Important Assets

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  • PlayStation confirms it wants to focus on leveraging legacy games in the future.
  • This focus has come as a result of Astro Bot’s success after the platformer highlighted many of these games.
  • The likes of Jak And Daxter, Killzone, Infamous, and more have remained dormant for many years.

PlayStation has found immense success with Astro Bot in 2024. Following its win as Game of The Year, the title has established itself as an incredible platformer, but one of the major reasons behind its popularity was also the reliance on PlayStation’s rich past.

Astro Bot included more than a dozen cameos from popular first-party franchises, highlighting 30 years of Sony’s gaming legacy. This success has sparked questions about the gaming giant’s future, and Hermen Hulst confirms that PlayStation will aim to leverage classic IPs more frequently moving forward.

Why it matters: This statement is significant since another executive previously implied PlayStation lacked enough legacy IPs. The new response shows a shift in the company’s attitude toward its legacy games.

Astro Bot
Astro Bot Paid Homage To Various Gaming Franchises

Speaking to Famitsu, Hermen Hulst, the co-CEO of PlayStation, discussed Astro Bot’s success and its implications for the gaming giant’s future. The co-CEO was asked about fan demand for the revival of SIE’s IPs, and his response was quite direct.

He confirmed that the company still values its past franchises. In addition to focusing on new IPs, the gaming giant is still making strides toward bringing back and revisiting past IPs.

Our extensive IP portfolio is an important asset. We continually explore opportunities to leverage our legacy IPs.

-Hermen Hulst

For context, the likes of Jak and Daxter, Infamous, Killzone, Motorstorm, Twisted Metal, Resistance, and more have been left dormant for more than a decade. Lesser-known franchises like PaRappa the Rapper have had it even worse.

Therefore, Astro Bot’s reflection on these franchises and their importance has been a much-needed breath of fresh air for fans and PlayStation.

Sony PlayStation Killzone Infamous Motorstorm Resistance
Fans Want To See Franchises From The PS3 On Modern Hardware

Going by Hermen Hulst’s statement, fans can expect at least a few major IPs to return at some point. Whether that be through remasters or brand-new entries, however, is anybody’s guess for now.

What are your thoughts on this statement? Which franchises would you like to see returning? Let us know in the comments, and visit the Tech4Gamers Forums for additional discussions.