I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
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As per a recent report, indie games are now earning nearly as much revenue as AAA ones on Steam.
Entries like Palworld and Black Myth: Wukong has surpassed many boundaries usually associated with the indie genre.
Black Myth: Wukong generated almost a billion in gross revenue on Steam alone, while Palworld made over $390 million.
Indie games have traditionally been treated as the underdog in the vast gaming industry, with cozier and hearty titles dominating large-scale projects using passion alone. However, now, both the revenue and scope of indie games have expanded without much of the criticized corporate influence.
Now, a new report suggests that it’s only a matter of time before the indie genre catches up with the revenue earnings of the AA/AAA segment.
Why it matters: The indie games segment making nearly as much as AAA entries on Steam proves that their significance is growing at a pretty absurd pace in the industry. We could see indie titles dominating AAA-scale projects soon.
The indie games segment has seen significant growth in the last few years.
Research conducted by Video Game Insights found that the indie games segment came close to the revenue of AA/AAA games on Steam this year for the first time. Indie titles generated nearly $4 billion in gross revenue from January to the end of September, securing 48% of all the game revenue made in the industry.
This is a significant revenue jump for the indie games segment from last year’s meagre 31%. While many indie games played a collective role in making this possible, Palworld and Black Myth: Wukong were the biggest heavy hitters this year.
What are your thoughts regarding the financial growth of the indie segment this year? Let us know your opinions in the comments, or join the discussion on the official Tech4Gamers forum.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
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Nintendo has confirmed backward compatibility for the Switch successor.
It also states that Nintendo Switch Online will carry over to the new console.
A full reveal is expected by March 2025.
Despite the palpable excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2, fans have been kept in the dark for many months. Previously expected to be unveiled sometime this year, this console is nowhere to be found as we head toward the end of 2024.
Fortunately, the company has shared a small update to keep fans engaged as the wait continues. According to Nintendo, backward compatibility is officially coming to the next piece of hardware.
Why it matters: The Nintendo Switch originally launched without Wii U backward compatibility. This was an unpopular decision, but the gaming giant is not making the same mistake again.
Backward Compatibility For Nintendo Switch 2 Announced via Twitter
As President Shuntaro Furukawa stated, the Nintendo Switch successor will support software from the original console. This confirms backward compatibility, at least for digital libraries.
While the president did not comment on physical games, it would be odd to see last-generation support limited to just digital ownership. Therefore, it seems safe to assume that cartridges for the last console will also be supported.
Moreover, Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed that Nintendo Switch Online will return. These two statements suggest that the company will continue with a similar ecosystem established last generation.
This is also in line with past claims of a smooth transition between the two generations.
The Nintendo Switch Has Now Sold Over 146 Million Units
As for when fans can expect to see the system itself, President Shuntao Furukawa states that further information will be shared later. The company has also reassured investors that a full reveal is planned by March 2025 at the latest.
As the gaming giant gears up for this reveal, the Nintendo Switch is still doing quite well. The console now boasts more software sales than any previous hardware, with Pokemon alone contributing 100 million sales.
It’s good, then, that all of these games will be playable on the next-generation hardware. Are you looking forward to the Nintendo Switch 2? Let’s discuss this in the comments and the Tech4Gamers Forums.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
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Geolocation games present a simple yet satisfying gameplay loop.
Various existing titles like Jurrasic World Alive and Zombies, Run! highlight the strengths of the genre.
This genre is expected to see more exciting releases moving forward.
There was a time when Gameboys were trending, and everyone could play games anywhere. Then came the time of consoles, PCs, and VR. Then came Pokemon GO, and wouldn’t you know it, we all went outside, and the world was at peace for a month or so.
Geolocation games show us that fun can be anywhere, and they combat the norm of a sedentary gaming lifestyle. Most geolocation games require physical activity, movement, and relocation from the bedroom to the living room.
Pokemon GO Became An Instant Hit At Launch
They are perfect for people who must play something at all times and are always on the move. It’s easy to get lost in well-crafted virtual worlds, but the same can happen in the real ones.
Anyone can get carried away with gaming, and even geolocation games can take you over, and you could accidentally wander off. This can especially happen with younger players, which is why that group needs more care and attention.
Hence, in his review of Scannero, journalist Krishi Chowdhary points out the significance of knowing where your younger or older players are at all times, emphasizing some tech features for keeping them and all other players safe.
And with safety out of the way, you can now run with dinosaurs! Jurassic World Alive can combine VR with geolocation mechanics to showcase what our reality would look like with dinosaurs.
In the future, we could see even more fusions of different mechanics and games. AI is the new frontier in game development, and it could lead to more intelligent dinosaurs, Pokemon, or even zombies!
Zombies, Run! adds an element of storytelling to your running or walking sessions, as you are encouraged to walk away from the pesky zombies to progress the storyline (and not get your brains eaten) and finish the levels.
Geolocation Games Help You Move Around While Having A Good Time
While AAA games continue to struggle, light geolocation games thrive by being simple and not straying from their main purpose, which is to combine physical activity with gaming. Geocaching is a great example of simplicity properly done with the geolocation twist.
Users hide caches filled with items and upload the GPS location online. Other users can then find the caches and replace them with something of equal or greater value. Such a simple geolocation game design is hardly a fraction of a AAA budget, showing that a bombastic title and mountains of money are not necessary to make a game successful.
While high-budget games are expected to continue struggling, geolocation games will continue to capitalize on their target audience and thrive. For instance, high-profile geolocation games like Harry Potter: Wizards Unite do not break budgets and provide quality gameplay.
As we explore the real world, we can find challenges that can be defeated by shouting real Harry Potter spells and collecting rewards. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite will reward you with your knowledge of the wizard world, but there are geolocation games that can reward you with your knowledge of the virtual world.
While World of Warcraft GeoGuessr is not a geolocation game like the others, it still requires you to know the landscape of WoW if you wish to win. Players are presented with an in-game screenshot from a random place in the vast landscape of WoW, and they have to do their best to pinpoint the location on the map.
And while you didn’t explore physical locations like other geolocation games, you still had to explore a virtual world to win. We can imagine a VR integration with such games, allowing you to explore a virtual world just like you would a real one.
Any type of exclusive game content can only benefit geolocation games, just like any other, and help drive more players to them. The more the merrier, and the world, real and virtual, is vast enough for all of us to geolocate and play!
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
[Press Release] With AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D’s release right around the corner, PC gaming is set to become even better. This new 3D V-Cache chip promises higher IPC and efficiency for more advanced gaming experiences, adding a worthy CPU to the AM5 lineup.
The New BIOS Update Has Already Been Rolled Out
To prepare for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, MSI has confirmed full compatibility with the X870(E) lineup. Ranging from robust options like the MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi to the MEG X870E Godlike, these motherboards prove worthy as pairings for the latest AMD chips.
According to MSI, the AGESA Combo PI-1.2.0.2a BIOS will help stabilize performance on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The same BIOS version will also support existing X870(E) and B650 motherboards.
For more information on the company’s entire motherboard lineup, follow this link to the official website.
At Tech4Gamers, I mainly cover new gaming news, leaks, and rumours. Aside from that, I love to write features about my favourite games while inserting my opinion about their different aspects.
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A sequel to Hogwarts Legacy is now in the production phase.
The sequel is being treated as a ‘very big priority’ at Warner Bros. Games.
According to David Haddad, the game will feature some of the big-picture storytelling elements.
Hogwarts Legacy was one of the biggest launches last year. It easily managed to sell over 30 million copies thanks to the hype of Harry Porter. While the game featured some weak characters and plots, fans enjoyed it a lot and have been dreaming about a sequel.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 was already confirmed, but no other information regarding it was revealed. However, now some information has surfaced online revealing that the sequel is in production and is being defined as a ‘very big priority.’
Why it matters: Hogwarts Legacy didn’t receive a DLC despite selling a lot of copies, so fans are looking forward to the sequel.
The Long Awaited Sequel To Hogwarts Legacy Is Now In Production
According to the latest report by Variety, Warner Bros. Games has started working on the sequel to the best-selling game of 2023, and that is being treated as a very big priority.
Warner Bros. Games is at work on a video game sequel to “Hogwarts Legacy,” which is a “very big priority” for Warner Bros. Discovery’s C-suit.
-David Haddad
David Haddad, Warner Bros.’s president, revealed that they are aware of the ‘deep Hary Porter fans’ and will try to ‘build authentic experiences to delight them.’ Also, J. K. Rowling is not involved, but Warner Bros. is updating her regarding the franchise.
Haddad further reveals that the sequel will feature some of the big-picture storytelling elements with the storylines that will play out in the HBO Harry Porter series.
the games team has been coordinating some of the big-picture storytelling elements in the “Hogwarts Legacy” sequel.
Given the size of the Harry Porter fandom, they would be fascinated to learn that the sequel is in the production phase. It is also worth noting that Hogwarts Legacy 2 could use Unreal Engine 5.
While 2023 didn’t receive any DLC, according to a report, its definitive edition is in development and will introduce 10-15 hours of content.
What do you think of the sequel being in production phase? Are you excited about it? Let us know our thoughts in the comments section or join the discussion at Tech4Gamers’ official forums.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
[Press Release] Corsair has confirmed the worldwide launch of its next-generation MP700 Elite series PCIe 5.0 SSDs. Boasting blazing-fast read speeds of up to 10,000 MB/s and write speeds of up to 8,500 MB/s, this lineup delivers a massive leap in load times, performance, and more.
The SSD Comes In M.2 2280 Form Factor
The MP700 Elite lineup relies on 3D TLC NAND to deliver a seamless combination of speed and endurance. It also comes with Microsoft DirectStorage support, cutting load times further in compatible games.
Corsair offers the SSD with an optional heatsink, making it a versatile choice for various setups. Furthermore, backward compatibility with PCIe 4.0 and 3.0 standards ensures support across multiple generations of hardware.
The MP700 Elite is available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, making it the perfect addition to a PC that needs more reliable and fast storage. For pricing and other details, follow this link to Corsair’s official website.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
[Press Release] TeamGroup has expanded its lineup of cooling products with three brand-new fans. Dubbed the RT-S120, RT-S140, and RT-X140, these fans promise to elevate system cooling while offering stable performance.
The RT-X140 Boasts Vibrant RGB
According to TeamGroup, the RT-S120 and RT-S140 are equipped with a distinct seven-blade and nine-blade ring design. Meanwhile, the RT-X140 boasts immersive RGB to enhance the overall appeal of your PC.
All fans come with the same shock absorber design for sustained high airflow pressure. The fans also minimize noise and utilize long-life sleeve bearings that prevent leakage at high speeds.
Moreover, Pulse Wide Modulation smart fan control automatically adjusts fan speed based on the situation. All in all, TeamGroup’s latest fans should be a worthy addition to any PC setup, and you can learn more about them on the company’s official website.
At Tech4Gamers.com, I cover the latest news and rumours in the gaming industry, from new game releases to hidden gems and video game leaks. Furthermore, I occasionally write tech articles about video game consoles, providing insights into the hardware and software that powers our gaming experiences.
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Powell Group apparently ends its partnership with Sweet Baby Inc.
The consultant’s decision might be due to public opinion and Sweet Baby Inc.’s negative reputation.
Recently, studios like Square Enix have also parted ways with the controversial DEI consultant.
Powell Group, a well-known gaming consultancy, recently removed Sweet Baby Inc. from its partnership page. This comes just four days after the group announced their partnership with Sweet Baby to help them reach a wider audience.
Although the reason for this hasn’t been officially explained, it seems to be linked to Sweet Baby Inc.’s involvement in ongoing controversies and its recent failures.
Why it matters: Sweet Baby claims they approach studios to improve their games. However, more and more studios and groups are now parting ways with the DEI consultant for various reasons.
Sweet Baby Inc. has been the center of controversy in the gaming industry for a while now. Some gaming communities have criticized the DEI consultant, calling its approach too “woke” or disruptive to traditional gaming.
Many people on social media argue that Sweet Baby’s agenda doesn’t align with what most gamers expect. This negative reputation may have influenced Powell Group’s decision, though no official reason has been given for the removal.
It’s important to note that Powell Group also removed every social media page about its partnership with Sweet Baby Inc.
The removal of the partnership also comes at a time when developers and studios are parting ways with certain affiliations. Earlier this year, Square Enix quietly removed Sweet Baby Inc. from its partner list.
Sweet Baby has been known for forcing certain narratives into video games.
There are speculations that Powell Group’s decision may be an attempt to avoid controversy, as public opinion has become more divided over companies promoting “modern” themes in gaming.
It’s also a known fact that Sweet Baby’s recent work with Unknown 9 Awakening was a total disaster, as the game failed to get even a single pre-order.
On the other hand, Black Myth: Wukong, who refused to work with the DEI consultant, went on to break records and become one of the most successful single-player titles ever. This might have played a part in Powell Group’s decision to end the partnership with Sweet Baby Inc. quietly.
Do you think Powell Group made the right call? Let us know in the comments, or join the discussion on Tech4Gamers Forum.
At Tech4Gamers, I hold the role of a News Reporter, where I merge my passion for gaming with my knack for storytelling. This unique blend allows me to bring you the latest updates, reviews, previews, and features from the gaming world.
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Nvidia is gearing up for the Blackwell RTX 50 series launch.
A leaker claims that it is going to be announced very soon.
The launch will be at CES 2025, and the event will include the RTX 5070, 5080, and 5090 GPUs.
It seems that the tenure of the Nvidia RTX 40 series is finally ending as the green team is gearing up for the launch of their next-gen GPUs. Nvidia RTX 50 Series, named Blackwell, is coming sooner than expected.
A reliable leaker claims that the RTX 50 Series GPUS is going to be announced soon.
Why it matters: It’s high time for the next-gen GPUs to launch since games are becoming increasingly graphically intense and require high-tech hardware GPUs.
GeForce Blackwell RTX 50 Expected To Be Revealed Soon
The Nvidia RTX 40 series launched in 2022 to 2024 and made significant GPUs for graphically intense games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and others, in which one can enjoy ray tracing with high frames.
However, this series’s tenure is now ending, and the launch of next-gen Nvidia RTX 50 GPUs is about to come. A reliable leaker, Kopite7kimi, posted on X that we are going to see Blackwell RTX 50 series GPUs soon.
If the leak is worth believing, there will be a teaser announcement in the coming weeks. While he didn’t specify a timeline for the announcement, we have prior reports of the launch date of RTX 50 series GPUs at CES 2025, which is January 7 to 10.
This means we are only a few months away from seeing the next beast GPUs. Nvidia is expected to launch the RTX 50 Lineup, which includes the RTX 5070, 5080, and 5090.
Nvidia
There are no reliable price reports, but the specs seem to indicate that the RTX 5090 has a 512-bit memory bus, while the others have 256, 192, and 128, respectively.
Meanwhile, the power requirements of the next-gen GPUs are also much higher since RTX 5090 is likely to ask for two power connectors with 16 pins, indicating that you have to pay a lot for the GPU’s power supply.
Are you excited about the launch of the Blackwell Series? Let us know in the comments section or Join our official T4G forum.
I’ve previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, I love to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games and breaking exclusive stories. Besides my passion for gaming journalism, I love spending my leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited my articles.
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The notable gaming insider, Jez Corden, has recently claimed that we might finally see the rumored Xbox handheld next year.
Although the exact timeline was not stated, we can expect Xbox to reveal the handheld during one of its major events.
An Xbox handheld that can play games locally has been rumored to be in development for a long time.
Rumors of an Xbox handheld device have long persisted since plans for one were revealed during the court document leaks. There has been a plethora of tidbits and hearsay since then, with Microsoft mostly staying quiet on the matter. All that changed when Phil Spencer, the CEO of Xbox, showed interest in the prospect and teased such a device earlier this year.
Now, even the notable gaming insider Jez Corden has come forward with remarks about when we can expect the handheld console to be revealed. His source has elaborated that next year is allegedly the perfect time for its announcement.
Why it matters: A known insider claiming that Xbox will reveal a handheld console next year has got everyone fired up. Fans have been waiting for such a device ever since the rumors first began.
During the new episode of the Xbox Two Podcast, Jez Corden mentioned that we may just see a new piece of portable hardware from Xbox in the upcoming year. However, nothing about a timeline has been confirmed so far, so in the worst-case scenario, we might have to wait until the last quarter of 2025.
“You might see genuinely new hardware next year, maybe of some form for Xbox. […] I do think next year is a good year for revealing new hardware, especially hardware you can hold in the palm of your hand.”
It is worth noting that Phil Spencer has previously expressed interest in developing a handheld that can locally play games, unlike PlayStation Portal. Although, do take the rumors with a grain of salt.
At Tech4Gamers, I mainly cover new gaming news, leaks, and rumours. Aside from that, I love to write features about my favourite games while inserting my opinion about their different aspects.
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The last Mass Effect game was released over seven years ago.
BioWare had its hands full with Dragon Age: The Veilguard, but now it has diverted all of its attention to Mass Effect 5.
Due to that, there will not be a DLC or any expansions for the latest Dragon Age game.
BioWare recently released Dragon Age: The Veilguard, a game that fans have been waiting for a long time. While the game wasn’t what many franchise fans were hoping it would be, the launch was pretty solid.
So far, the developer has no plans to release a DLC for the game, as it has focused all of its attention on Mass Effect 5.
Why it matters: It has been over seven years since another instalment in the Mass Effect franchise was released, so fans have been waiting for a long time.
Mass Effect 4 Wasn’t Well Received By The Fandom And Critics on Launch
John Epler, the Creative Director of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, revealed in a recent interview with The Rolling Stone that the studios’ focus has now entirely been shifted to Mass Effect 5.
there are currently no plans for downloadable expansions. The developers’ full attention has now shifted entirely to the next Mass Effect as their current project.
-John Epler
Fans who have been enjoying The Veilguard might be devastated to know that there isn’t any DLC planned, but the game’s launch wasn’t that good compared to other successful RPGs. So, BioWare might never release any additional content for this game.
Regardless of that, Mass Effect fans would be delighted to hear that the studio is focusing more on this franchise. However, BioWare didn’t reveal much information about the project.
The previous Mass Effect game received a mixed reception from fans and critics, so BioWare can redeem itself, but after The Veilguard, fans aren’t that optimistic regarding Mass Effect 5.
What do you think about the developer not having plans for Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s DLC? Are you excited about the next Mass Effect game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers forums.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
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Moon Studios CEO calls out Dragon Age: The Veilguard for terrible writing.
He says the game feels sanitized and dehumanized leading to a bland final product.
He says the writing should always be done from a human perspective first.
Dragon Age Veilguard was released to a decent reception from fans a few days ago. Peaking at almost 90K players, the game has been labeled as Bioware’s back to form. However, Moon Studios CEO and Ori developer, Thomas Mahler isn’t too happy with it.
Why it matters: Many people have called out Bioware’s latest title for being woke and poor writing. This has also led to the game’s user score dropping to 2.5 on Metacritic.
Ori Director calls out Dragon Age: The Veilguard for its writing
Mahler stated that he watched a playthrough of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and thinks the writing is quite infantile and terrible, which leads to everything feeling sanitized and dehumanized.
I just watched a Dragon Age playthrough and it’s quite unfathomable how infantile and terrible the writing is. Everything feels sanitized and dehumanized.
– Thomas Mahler
He further raised his concerns, stating that writing should be heartfelt, interesting, and true. If you can’t do that, you shouldn’t be working as a writer. This happens when amateurs work on games, so it becomes a bland product instead of art.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard user score also dropped below 2.5
Thomas explained that writing should always be human. Dare to approach it with your own experiences, and while it can be risky, this is how true magic happens. Most fans will likely agree with this as Ori games have some of the most moving stories out there.
There are also some things out of place in the game. For one, it lectures you for 2 minutes if you misgender someone. Nonetheless, it is EA’s number 1 single-player game in terms of players and has even been nominated for GOTY at the Golden Joystick Awards.
What are your thoughts on Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s writing? Do you think it’s as bad as Mahler says it is? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
