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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Undead Labs 2024 dev diary confirms that State of Decay 3 boasts six times the original game’s team size.
At least over a hundred devs are working on the third-person zombie survival entry to meet fans’ expectations.
The studio rebranded earlier this year to match fans’ growing expectations from the game and the devs.
State of Decay 3 has been on everyone’s radars ever since it was initially announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2020 event. Since then, the studio has gone through a noticeable rebranding, and it also appears to have increased the number of developers working on the zombie survival game.
A new update by Undead Labs suggests that around a hundred devs are developing the State of Decay 3, a massive number compared to the original game’s 20-team size.
Why it matters: The State of Decay 3, having around a hundred developers, suggests that Undead Labs is going all out to ensure the sequel will stand out and meet fans’ inflated expectations.
During the official 2024 dev diary released by Undead Labs, studio head Phillip Holt explained the abrupt growth of State of Decay 3’s team size. He clarified that it was done to meet the developers’ growing ambitions and satisfy fans’ expectations.
“State of Decay 2 shipped with a company size of about 60, 65. Here we are today, we’re double that size or greater.”
The rest of the dev diary mostly focuses on the studio rebranding and the logo change.
Many fans are expecting big things from State of Decay 3, especially after the studio rebranding earlier this year.
For those not in the know, State of Decay 3 is expected to launch sometime next year exclusively for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Despite some lingering concerns, news about State of Decay 3 boasting a hundred devs has only reassured fans regarding its future. But what do you think will be the fate of the highly anticipated zombie game? Do let us know your opinions in the comments below, 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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Dragon Age: The Veilguard has received hundreds of negative user reviews on Metacritic.
These reviews criticize the excessive DEI focus, poor dialogue, and weak combat.
The game is still performing well in terms of player counts on various platforms.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard has become quite an interesting release. On the one hand, this title boasts impressive critic reviews and stands as BioWare’s biggest day-one release on Steam. However, on the other hand, players seem split over the RPG.
Many have criticized the game for pushing DEI far too much, while others have found the RPG deviating from Dragon Age’s history. In the aftermath, the game’s overall user score on Metacritic has plummeted as low as 2.5/10.
Why it matters: BioWare’s latest offering has found itself in a sticky situation. The game seems to have alienated many original fans with decisions about the art style, story, and more.
There’s A Huge Discrepancy Between The User And Critic Score
Over on Metacritic, the game has received more than 700 negative reviews already. Of the 915 total user ratings, only about 165 are positive.
Multiple negative reviews point tothe inclusion of politics and DEI in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. For context, the game features instances of characters speaking out against misgendering.
The character designs have also attracted plenty of criticism. Other reviews point to poor dialogue, weak narrative writing, and a subpar combat system. All combined, these criticisms have led to a major divide between the critics and the players.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Reviews via Metacritic
Still, it is important to note that these elements don’t make the game a 0/10 or a 1/10 like many of the ratings would have you believe. Dragon Age: The Veilguard has plenty of positives, including its polished PC port.
Given the many controversies, it will be interesting to see how reactions to the RPG evolve over the week. For now, Dragon Age: The Veilguard seems to be doing quite well on Steam and other platforms.
What are your thoughts on the user score? Let us know in the comments, and join the Tech4Gamers Forums to continue the discussion.
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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According to an ex-Rockstar developer, people will find themselves completely shocked by GTA 6.
He expects the game to reach new levels of realism and become an instant hit.
The developer believes this title will innovate on the foundations laid down by Red Dead Redemption 2 and other past releases.
With 2025 just two months away, the year of GTA 6 is nearly upon us. Shaping up to be the industry’s most important release, this Rockstar title has insurmountable expectations to measure up to.
Fans believe there’s no reason to keep expectations in check, with many hoping to see the ultimate Grand Theft Auto experience next year. A former Rockstar developer has also added fuel to the fire, stating that GTA 6 will offer unparalleled realism.
Why it matters: The game is already said to be targeting photorealism. Past leaks also showed more intricate gameplay mechanics than previous entries, setting the stage for a truly mesmerizing experience.
During the latest episode of GTA VI O’clock, Ben Hinchliffe, a former Rockstar developer, was asked whether people would be surprised by everything the team is doing for the series’ latest entry.
The developer contributed to games like Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA 5, and even GTA 6, giving his opinion much more weight than the average comment on Rockstar’s work. He suggests that people will not only be surprised but blown away.
In particular, the developer referred to the realism of GTA 6, praising the studio’s history in this department. He explained that each new release from the team iterates and evolves on elements of realism, setting a high bar for Grand Theft Auto’s next outing.
Every element of the game moves forward in terms of it feeling more realistic. It will blow people away. I think they’ve raised the bar again.
-Ben Hinchliffe
Lucia Are Jason Will Be The Central Focus In Grand Theft Auto’s Latest Story
Rockstar’s focus on realism is no secret, and the team really pushed the envelope with Red Dead Redemption 2 in this department. Considering how well Red Dead Redemption 2 has aged, it will be interesting to see what GTA 6 brings to the table.
Since the former was also criticized for being a bit too realistic at times, perhaps Rockstar will aim for a finer balance this time around. While it’s difficult to say anything conclusive for now, fans can rest assured that a new level of graphical fidelity, realism, and open-world gaming awaits.
Do you think GTA 6 will live up to the buzz? Feel free to discuss in the comments and the official Tech4Gamers Forums.
At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.
Sajjad Hussain
As Tech4Gamers’ Founder and Editor-in-Chief, I bring over 13 years of PC Hardware Reviewing and 8+ years of IT Project Management experience. Certified in Google IT Support , my focus is on providing honest product reviews and analysis and fostering a strong gaming community with 130k+ members in PPG.
I am finally delighted to have the Core Ultra 9 285K processor and cannot wait to share all the details with you. Arguably, it is the first genuine next-generation desktop CPU from Intel since the release of the 13th-generation Core Raptor Lake series. Intel intends to include several technological advancements, which it first introduced through the Core Ultra 1-series Meteor Lake, to the mobile platform with Arrow Lake.
Therefore, it features new platform I/O, additional power and thermal enhancements, on-chip AI acceleration, and a new set of CPU cores. Furthermore, it brings a new desktop platform and socket called LGA1851. Henceforth, you’ll have to get a new motherboard with a desktop chipset from the 800 series.
In contrast to Zen 5’s 4 nm node, the compute tile of Intel’s first high-performance client architecture, Arrow Lake, is developed on TSMC 3 nm, a more advanced node. The Arrow Lake design concept aims to restore Intel’s position as a market leader in desktop CPU efficiency. Then, let’s put it through its paces on our test bench to see whether it’s possible.
Why Trust Tech4Gamers
Sajjad Hussain is our editor-in-chief and the founder of Tech4Gamers, who has the most experience when it comes to testing and reviewing different components.
50+ CPUs tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
800+ hours spent testing different processors for our reviews.
At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.
Key Takeaways
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is Intel’s new flagship processor, delivering impressive rendering speeds and efficient multitasking. However, its high price and average gaming performance may not appeal to budget-conscious or gaming-focused users.
The Core Ultra 9 285K is an excellent choice for users prioritizing rendering and multitasking performance since it shows great results across multiple benchmarks. Moreover, its shift towards TSMC’s 3nm process node helps maintain thermal efficiency.
If you’re primarily focused on gaming or are on a budget, this may not be the best option. Alternatives like the Ryzen 9 9950X or Intel’s Core i9 series provide better gaming performance and value at a lower price.
Let’s compare the specifications of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K to those of other CPUs that cost about the same.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has a different name, but it’s really simply the Core i9-15900K. Intel appropriately renamed its Core family of processors for this generation following its naming scheme for mobile CPUs. Since its 12th generation Alder Lake CPUs, Intel has been using the same big.LITTLE design concept, and they have continued to do so with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K.
With this architecture, larger Performance Cores (P-Cores) manage intensive workloads, while small Efficiency Cores (E-Cores) manage routine tasks in the background as necessary. The design makes the system far more efficient, particularly when idle. Utilizing Intel’s Arrow Lake architecture, the Core Ultra 9 285K has 24 CPU cores, including 16 Efficiency Cores and 8 Performance Cores.
In contrast to earlier generations, these cores remain single-threaded since Intel has stopped supporting Hyper-Threading. However, a 13 TOPS NPU is new to Arrow Lake and included in the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K. This is the same NPU present in Intel’s 2023 Meteor Lake laptop processors, which is a bit slower than Lunar Lake’s latest NPU.
Still, it leads to much better AI inference performance than a processor without a dedicated NPU at all. Intel has also downgraded clock speeds a bit, with the Core Ultra 9 285K featuring a max Turbo Boost of 5.7GHz, down from 6GHz in the Core i9-14900K. This lower clock speed means single-core performance won’t see much of a generational improvement this time, but 5.7GHz is still incredibly fast.
Power Efficiency and Processing Node
Ultra 9 285K vs i9-14900K Productive Power Consumption
With Arrow Lake, Intel aims to introduce new technologies across the board and address the power draw issues that have afflicted Intel processors since Core Comet Lake, the 10th generation. In contrast to Zen 5’s 4 nm node, the compute tile of Intel’s first high-performance client architecture, Arrow Lake, is developed on TSMC 3 nm, which is a more advanced node.
Arrow Lake’s design philosophy strives to return Intel to the leading edge of efficient processors. Reducing power consumption significantly opens up new possibilities for customers, including overclocking, which Intel CPUs are naturally good at. So, even if generational performance or IPC increases are small, this makes it a more efficient CPU overall.
Memory Compatibility and Speed
Ultra 9 285K vs Ryzen 9950X CPU Compute
Arrow Lake-S can accommodate dual-channel memory of up to 192 GB, with a density of up to 48 GB per DIMM. Intel claims that DDR5-8000 is the optimal overclocking memory speed, and it has built-in compatibility for JEDEC DDR5-6400. Beyond this, the CPUs can handle overclocked memory rates far faster. With the DDR5-9600 currently in the works, we may see memory rates above 10,000 MT/s throughout 2025.
LGA1851 Socket
Series 800 Chipset
Intel has introduced a new socket, LGA1851, with the Arrow Lake-S. Since Intel is only releasing unlocked K or KF CPU versions this year, the sole motherboard chipset type available is expected to be the top variant Intel Z890. So, you’ll need a new motherboard to go along with your new processor. It is expected that by 2025, Intel will have streamlined its processor model hierarchy and introduced more reasonably priced motherboard chipsets.
PCIe and Thunderbolt Integration
Features
It also has an astonishing 48-platform PCIe lanes. With Intel’s revision, the CPU can now output 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, with 16 of those lanes dedicated to the PEG and 1 Gen 5 slot bound to the CPU for M.2 NVMe drives. Moreover, the CPU provides a second pair of Gen 4 x4 that can be utilised to power high-bandwidth onboard devices or routed out as an M.2 slot.
Furthermore, the CPU has a Thunderbolt 4 controller integrated into it, which can output a pair of 40 Gbps ports. It has 24 downstream PCI-Express Gen 4 lanes, a significant improvement over the Z790 chipset, which only had 16 Gen 4 lanes and 8 Gen 3 lanes. Lastly, the chipset features Wi-Fi 6 and a 1 GbE MAC.
Packaging and Unboxing
Packaging and Unboxing
1 of 4
Box
Processor Front & Back
Processor
Processor Back
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K arrives in minimal packaging. Even though it seems to be an LGA1700 CPU, I can assure you that it will not be compatible with your older motherboard. The dimensions are the same for cooler compatibility, but the key notch is changed. To make room for those additional 151 pins, Intel reduced the island to the center of the land grid. Lastly, installing an LGA1851 CPU is the same and straightforward as an LGA1700.
Test Bench
Here’s what my test bench for the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K looks like:
Used default Auto and Stock settings for all tests.
Disabled any default performance boost options in the BIOS.
Loaded EXPO and manually adjusted DRAM timings and voltage for each test.
Left all other voltages on Auto.
Ran the cooling system’s pump and fans at full speed (100%) during testing.
Kept the graphics card in its stock settings.
Updated the motherboard’s BIOS to the latest version.
Used Nvidia driver 517.48.
Monitored all sensors with HWinfo64
General Benchmarks
I began with general performance benchmarks to assess the processor’s performance across different types of tasks. In our general benchmarks, the Core Ultra 9 285K performs well in several intensive tests, aligning closely with other high-end processors and sometimes even far exceeding their performance.
7-ZIP MIPS Test
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K achieved the highest scores in compression (205,861 MIPS) and decompression (200,795 MIPS) among all tested processors.
AIDA64 Test
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K showed great results with an impressive AES encryption speed of 659,768 MB/s, followed by AMD Ryzen 9 9950X at 678,118 MB/s.
Super Pi 32MTest
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K achieved a calculation time of 180 seconds in the Super Pi 32M test, making it the fastest processor tested in this benchmark.
wPrime 1024M Test
In the wPrime 1024M test, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K completed the calculations in 44.169 seconds, showcasing its multi-threading capabilities, which is faster than most but behind the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 9900X.
Rendering Benchmarks
Rendering performance benchmarks were compiled for popular applications to show how well the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K handles demanding workloads.
Cinebench R23 Test
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K scored 2240 in single-core and 40,943 in multi-core tests in Cinebench R23, outperforming all other processors in both metrics.
Corona Test
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K scored 14,398,745 in the Corona test, outperforming all other processors except the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, which had a total score of 15,221,914.
FryRender Test
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K completed the FryRender test in 31 seconds, making it the fastest processor among all tested.
Geekbench 5 Test
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K scored 2386 in single-core and 24,983 in multi-core tests, securing second place overall, just behind the Ryzen 9 9950X.
V-Ray Test
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K completed the V-RAY test in 11 seconds, outperforming all other processors and achieving the best score in this benchmark.
Gaming Performance (1080p)
Let’s look at the gaming performance, tested at 1080p resolution and the Ultra preset (or equivalent). The list of tested games:
Alan Wake 2
Cyberpunk 2077
Elden Ring
F1 2024
Hogwarts Legacy
Spider-Man Remastered
Starfield
The Last Of Us
Gaming Tests
Intel’s marketing for Arrow Lake highlights similarities with Raptor Lake in gaming performance rather than surpassing it, and this is how it is being reflected in these benchmarks.
In Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K had lower frame rates than its predecessor, the Core i9-14900K, and AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D. At 1080p, these two competitors outpaced the Ultra 9 285K by up to 14%. Even in the Elden Ring and F1 2024, the Core Ultra 9 285K lagged behind, with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and Core i9-14900K ahead by around 6%.
While it’s tempting to conclude that the Core Ultra 9 285K may not be a good gaming CPU compared to competitors, it did show standout performance in Spider-Man Remastered. In this benchmark, the Ultra 9 285K was 12% faster than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and 10% faster than the Core i9-14900K. Despite this result, I would say that the Ultra 9 285K’s gaming performance remains inconsistent.
Thermals and Power
Finally, a look at thermal performance and power consumption:
Thermals and Power Cinebench R23 Test
During a 30-minute Cinebench R23 multi-core test, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K consumed an average of 198 watts which was expected given its 250W rating. The thermal efficiency is slightly commendable compared to the previous generation, peaking at 77°C while handling this power draw. In comparison, the Ryzen 9 9950X consumed around 202 watts and reached lower temperatures at 72°C
Should You Buy it?
Still in confusion? Let me break it down for you.
Buy it if
✅ You need high-level multi-threaded performance: The Core Ultra 9 285K excels in rendering tasks and other multi-threaded workloads thanks to its efficient 8+16 core configuration.
✅ You prioritize power efficiency: With the 3nm process and updated architecture, this CPU keeps power draw under control compared to previous generations.
✅ Efficient rendering and encoding are priorities: If you work with 3D rendering or video encoding, the core architecture and improved efficiency make it a valuable choice for professionals in content creation.
Don’t Buy it if
❌ Gaming is your main focus: If gaming is your top priority, the Core Ultra 9 285K falls behind AMD’s Ryzen 7 7800X3D and even Intel’s Core i9-14900K in many game benchmarks.
❌ You’re on a budget: At $589, this chip requires a new motherboard and may not be a great choice for those upgrading from a recent 13th or 14th-gen Intel processor.
❌ Single-threaded performance is critical: While still powerful, the slightly reduced Turbo Boost speed means single-threaded tasks may not significantly boost over the previous generation.
My Thoughts
I find it difficult to see the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K results without being confused. The current state of Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K is somewhat uneven. According to the nature of the test, the Ultra 9 285K is either substantially slower, much faster, or much slower than its direct competition and predecessor. These somewhat random wins and losses make recommending the processor complicated.
Depending on how you intend to use it, it could be the easiest or most confusing selection in its price section. While it may not be the worst, it is certainly not the best. In my opinion, Intel somewhat downgraded the performance of this CPU by discontinuing Hyper-Threading and reducing the maximum Turbo Boost speed.
They did this so the chip could have an NPU, but it’s a bit of a stretch for a desktop CPU as it will always have a dedicated GPU. Perhaps optimization could be the problem with the gaming benchmarks. It’s not usually common for a CPU to surpass competitors by as much as 15% in one game and as much as 12% slower in another.
Future software updates and improved optimization could fix some of these issues, which can increase the Ultra 9 285K’s recommendability. Until then, it’s still a better choice than many of its competitors. However, since it is priced at $589 and you have to buy a completely new motherboard for this processor, it is hard to recommend it to anyone already with a 13th or 14th-gen processor.
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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RTX 4090 can’t seem to run the Monster Hunter Wilds demo at native 4K/60FPS with max settings
The game has hefty requirements, so performance issues were expected, but it seems too much.
The main culprit seems to be Capcom’s engine, as it has proven to be problematic when it comes to open-world games.
RTX 4090 is undeniably the most powerful graphics card on the market right now. This card is able to run almost every single game at 4K native max settings with over 60FPS. However, some games are being rough on this beast, as it even seems to achieve 60FPS in one particular game.
The Monster Hunter Wilds demo was recently released and, by the way, attracted nearly 500K players. While the game seems promising, the RTX 4090 can’t even achieve 60FPS in the demo, which is concerning.
Why it matters: 4090 is a tech beast that should be able to run all current-gen games at native 4k 60FPS.
As per a recent analysis by DSOGaming, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D paired with an Nvidia RTX 4090 can’t run Monster Hunter Wilds at Native 4K 60FPS with maxed-out settings. The graphics card doesn’t even come close to running the game at 60FPS, which is highly concerning.
As per the report, the card only managed to run at an average FPS of 50, with 47 being the lowest. It should be noted that the game doesn’t feature any Ray Tracing, so 4090 giving such a performance might not satisfy many.
However, using DLSS 3.5 Quality, the FPS received quite a boost. While the minimum FPS is still below 60, the average is 67. Also, if you use frame generation with the DLSS 3.5 Quality, then the average FPS will become almost 100, which is pretty great.
Monster Hunter Wilds Has Some Hefty Requirements on PC
The game’s requirements are already pretty harsh, so performance issues were expected. The game doesn’t look that good visually, and there seem to be some texture issues.
Such performance doesn’t make sense, and it’s almost like the DLSS and FSR have become mandatory. Dragon’s Dogma 2 was also plagued with performance issues, so it seems Capcom’s engine can’t handle open-world games that well.
What do you think of the Monster Hunter Wilds demo’s failure to achieve 60FPS at 4K native max settings with RtX 4090? Do you think it is justified? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums.
At Tech4Gamers, I streamline helpful guides from my personal experience, ensuring swift resolutions for your PC or gaming console. My expertise extends to crafting beginner-friendly How-To Guides for everyday tech devices. Let’s get you back to gaming without delays!
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AI has been critical in game development since the initiation of games, visibly seen in NPCs, enemy fights, and character interactions.
It reduces the development time by assisting with character design, helping test different prototypes and hypotheses, minimizing coding efforts, and much more.
Using AI can enhance the game’s interactiveness, appeal, and overall player experience by making it more customized to each player’s unique skills.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly dominating all walks of our lives. Be it in research, academics, or game development, we can no longer ignore the influence of AI in this era. The use of AI in game development brings a fresh perspective to the field, as well as certain ethical concerns around it.
History Of AI And Games
Since the initial creation of games in 1948, AI has been an integral part of video game development. Even the earliest classic games, like Super Mario Bros and Crash Bandicoot, which I fondly remember enjoying relied on AI to some extent during the developmental stages. The tech made it possible for us to interact with the NPCs and different elements of the game worlds, making them more engaging.
NPCs In COD: Modern Warfare 2 (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Hence, there is no doubt that AI had made its mark in the industry even before its popularity. With rapid advancements in AI tech, it is definitely making waves in the gaming industry on a large scale.
AI In Game Development
AI opens the possibilities to make video games much more interactive and customizable to each player’s unique experience. The AI learning can adapt to the player’s progress, skill level, and chosen narratives to provide customized gameplay for them (Filipović, 2023). Consequently, the devs can create levels that adapt to each player’s gaming style, which could contribute highly to the game’s success as no two experiences would be the same.
The data collected in the 2024 Unity Gaming Report showed that an increasing number of gamedevs are resorting to AI to boost productivity, increase revenues, minimize code generation time, create artwork and game levels, test and automate gameplay narratives, and more.
Ways How Video Game Developers Worldwide Used AI For Game Development In 2023
Miha Rataj, Principal Software Engineer at Outfit7 Limited, mentioned to Unity, “I’ve used AI for quick prototypes when I wanted to test out something without writing any boilerplate code. It was super useful for me.” This is just one of the millions of examples of how AI has been streamlining different stages of game development in the modern era.
Furthermore, AI tools can process large amounts of visual data, allowing designers to create character concepts with ease and efficiency (Partlan et al., 2021). Thereby, shortening the development period by a drastic margin. With some manual adjustments, the character designs and game environments could be ready in no time.
Other than these AI can automate repetitive tasks, spot mistakes in long codes, and help figure out complex problems. Minmax, an AI-based algorithm for game theory and decision-making helps game creators and developers understand the active player interaction based on the most ideal player move.
Talking NPC Sorcerer Rogier Created With AI In Elden Ring (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Can AI Design Better Games Than Humans?
With such a growing use of AI in game development comes ethical concerns. The foremost issue is that it will cut down jobs. Machines are always learning through the various kinds of user inputs, and a day will come when they will actually become close to perfect.
AI tools, while powerful, have their limitations. One key challenge is their difficulty in accurately replicating real-life mechanics. For example, tools like OpenAI’s Sora often struggle with understanding complex concepts like physics, human emotions, and interactions, as per the official technical report.
This is a common issue across most AI systems. Getting these elements right is crucial for creating authentic and engaging game mechanics, which are essential for the success of any game.
At Tech4Gamers, I streamline helpful guides from my personal experience, ensuring swift resolutions for your PC or gaming console. My expertise extends to crafting beginner-friendly How-To Guides for everyday tech devices. Let’s get you back to gaming without delays!
Story Highlights
Rocket League is a fast-paced esports video game that combines sports and racing to indulge you in a thrilling soccer match.
Players can team up against each other for an action-packed football combat using sports cars and a giant ball.
The game earns its charm through its exciting gameplay, plenty of customization options, colorful game design, and a perfect mix of strategy and teamwork.
Rocket League is my first choice whenever I am in the mood for competitive gaming with my friends. This fun multiplayer game keeps me on the edge of my seat throughout the match.
What Is Rocket League?
Developed by Psyonix, Rocket League is a “vehicular soccer game” launched in 2015. The game can be run on various platforms. It falls in the category of E-Sports gaming, which refers to video games that allow real-time organized multiplayer competitions against other players and teams (Hedlund et al., 2021).
Rocket League Gameplay (Image By Tech4Gamers)
The game is made for kids and adults alike since there is no violence or bloodshed—just pure fun and thrill. I believe this is one of the reasons why the game is doing well even nine years after its initial release. People keep coming back to it for fun and enjoyment.
Transition To Free-To-Play Model
Rocket League was initially available on Steam for Windows, but in July 2020, Psyonix announced that the game would be acquired by Epic Games.
Consequently, unlike Steam, which required purchasing the game, it became free to play on the Epic Store. Players who had already experienced the game before the announcement received the Legacy status reward, which included access to some premium features.
After going free, Rocket League broke the previous records and hit a new milestone of 1 million concurrent players in September 2020. Hence, the transition proved a success for the developers.
Different Game Modes (Image By Tech4Gamers)
However, one major issue Rocket League players face is bad servers. It is a consistent problem; the game would crash or start lagging mid-match. Sometimes, the matchmaking would take an eternity to proceed. Many people even took it to X to express their frustration with this issue.
These server issues are getting out of hand 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Another problem with online matchmaking is its unfair placement. The game matches you with opponents far above your skill level, putting you at an automatic disadvantage. The good news is that the developers acknowledged this concern and are working to resolve it to make the game equally competitive.
📢 As part of ongoing efforts to improve Competitive matchmaking for everyone and prevent some forms of smurfing, we're improving how we calculate skill for the initial placement matches in Competitive for players active across multiple modes and playlists.
Rocket League remains my go-to pick for cousin gaming nights. The adrenaline rush of scoring a goal, the heart-pounding anxiety when the opposing team is on the verge of scoring, and the triumphant cheers after a win all come together to create the perfect recipe for entertainment.
Since it is possible to customize most aspects of the game, including the time limit, we can pick the desired time for the game session so a match does not become boring or redundant. I prefer the 5-minute sessions as they are not too lengthy, and the tight limit adds to the competitive nature of the match.
Customization Options (Image By Tech4Gamers)
To further evidence the game’s popularity, the Rocket League World Championship 2024 was a hit, garnering a peak viewership of 426,833 and 7,404,062 hours watched, according to Esports Charts. Although the overall numbers declined compared to 2023, it is still fascinating considering the fact that the game is fairly old.
All in all, Rocket League has the sheer essence of enjoyment that can lift stress after a tiring day. Remember, focus and strategy are two crucial skills for this game. So, practice until you get a good hold of the game mechanics, and eventually, you will move up the tier list.
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.
Story Highlights
Gamers will play as a bodyless character known as Hyoki on a mission to eradicate creatures called slitterheads.
Players will be able to take control of victims as the spirit Hyoki, adding a layer of strategy to the game.
Possessed characters will have improved agility and Hyoki will be able to turn their blood into weapons by burning their lifeforce.
The Striking graphics and haunting atmosphere will immerse players in a nightmarish world as seen in the trailer.
As the release date for the much-anticipated horror game “Slitterhead” approaches this November players are more hyped than ever. Developed by the visionary behind the Silent Hill series “Keiichiro Toyama”, Slitterhead promises to deliver a chilling experience as homage to its predecessor.
The game will have much to offer from stunning visuals to a chilling soundtrack, being so as the developers are putting tons of efforts into the final product. Let’s dive into what I expect from the highly anticipated title.
The Haunting Trailer
Fans are buzzing with anticipation following the release of the trailer for Slitterhead. The trailer offers a peek into the nightmarish world teaming with bizarre creatures and unsettling environments.
By the looks of it the visuals seem stunning and showcase a blend of realistic graphics and surreal horror elements that create a sense of dread. This alongside the eerie sound design as shown in the trailer amplifies the atmosphere ensuring that players feel every heartbeat and a shiver down their spine as they progress through the game.
Slitterhead – Image Credits (gamespot)
Following the remake of Silent Hill 2 players are excited as to what the studio offers them this time around in the form of Slitterhead.
The Unique Possession Mechanic
With the game being available for preorder on Steam players are much excited for the game’s unique possession mechanic. In the game players play as a supernatural spirit known as “Hyoki”, being a spirit and having no physical form Hyoki is able to possess humans.
The possessed individuals then work as the pawns of Hyoki who’s only objective is to eradicate the creatures known as slitterheads that are disguised as humans and can be detected by Hyoki. This mechanic adds a fresh twist to horror games and also deepens the gameplay experience.
【Detecting Slitterhead】 Enemies can be detected as a "presence." Presences are sensed flowing like air currents, move the camera to check the flow and head in that direction.
Players can strategically choose their next victim, using them to access different abilities and get access to and information from different areas that aid survival. By possessing rarities (characters that Hyoki prefers as they are high in sync with him) players can unleash different abilities and powerful attacks.
Character Upgrades and Combat
The game takes the possession mechanic a step further by adopting an upgrade system that enhances the characters players possess. Players can improve their agility by jumping from one character to another quickly to avoid situations and evade pursuing horrors.
Slitterhead Trailer – Image Credits (Pinterest)
Players will be able to forge weapons and reattach cut off limbs using the possessed characters blood and draining their life force. These upgrades not only enhance gameplay but also contribute to character development.
As the game progresses the player can decide which combat style to adopt whether to be stealthy and agile or aggressive and combative. This flexibility will likely keep the gameplay fresh and will help engage players as they experiment with different strategies to overcome challenges. Still however, there is much controversy regarding the game as many players just do not get the concept.
Given Toyama’s background with Silent Hill, it is quite obvious that Slitterhead will be dealing with psychological horror and may deal with the themes of fear, loss and the human psyche.
Juding by the possession mechanic and the character upgrades and harming characters by using their life force, the line between savior or monster of the entity Hyoki blurs. This will arise the question that who is Hyoki fighting for and why. The focus on psychological elements will most probably resonate with fans who appreciate horror games that go beyond jump scares creating unease.
As the launch date draws nearer my expectations for the game are high. The game to me has much potential and may eventually become a fan favorite. Considering the gameplay mechanics, visuals and storyline the game might just blow up to sell many copies. The anticipation and excitement are at an all-time high as fans anxiously await the 8th of November.
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Story Highlights
The future games of the Assassin Creed franchise may go to explore untapped cultural narratives from across the globe.
The future games may include new factions that can enrich storytelling.
Future games may receive an online multiplayer mode allowing players to play with friends.
Incorporating the use of branching narratives such as multiple story endings can make player decisions more impactful.
The Assassin’s Creed franchise started in 2007 captivating millions of people worldwide. The first installment blended historical narratives with an engaging gameplay that took the hearts of many. The series since then has seen many ups and downs in the form of an identity crisis.
Ubisoft is shifting the modern-day Assassin’s Creed storyline to “Assassin’s Creed Infinity“, making it a central part of the hub platform rather than the individual games. As we look into the future of Assassin’s Creed the series seems to be looking at evolution, innovation and potential reinvention. Let’s dive right into what the future holds for the franchise.
Expansion of RPG Elements
The shift of the series towards RPG-style mechanics began with Assassin’s Creed Origins in 2017 which marked a pivotal change in the following installments. What came later “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Valhalla” further grew upon this formula.
Doing so allowed for players to have a broader range of choices, character customization and story outcomes. This approach was well received by consumers and future Assassin’s Creed games such as Assassins Creed Shadows set to release on November 15 are expected to continue this code of conduct.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Image Credits (Yasuke)
The Rise of Multiplayer Experiences
As we are well aware the Assassin’s Creed series has been known for its single player experience, but, after Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood in 2010 Ubisoft has been looking into multiplayer options. Recently, rumors and leaks suggested that Ubisoft might be working on a large-scale multiplayer experience.
With the increasing popularity of online games, the franchise may move towards an online multiplayer mode allowing players to team up as assassins in historical settings. The developers of the franchise, however, have announced the release of 10 Assassin’s Creed games in 5 years that may overwhelm the producers.
Ubisoft Is Reportedly Planning To Release 10 Assassin's Creed Games In Five Years pic.twitter.com/JEecZEcqcS
One of the biggest aspects of Assassin’s Creed is its ability to take the players to different historical eras and cultures. Ubisoft has always focused on historical accuracy in its Assassin’s Creed games as well as cultural representation immersing the players in a specific time and place.
As the series moves forward, the developers focus on diverse and unexplored historical periods will increase. This means that future games may be set in non-Western locations and may highlight lesser-known historical characters and events.
For example, the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in feudal Japan, a setting that fans have long requested. Meanwhile, Assassin’s Creed Hexe, rumored to explore the darker themes of witch trials. This shows the franchise’s willingness to dive into unique and underexplored moments in history.
Expansion Beyond Gaming
The franchise has already expanded beyond just gaming and has made its way into books, comics and films. Ubisoft has also confirmed that there is a live-action Assassin’s Creed Netflix series in development, having the potential to reach a massive global audience shaping the future of Assassin’s Creed.
With the growing trend of game-to-TV adaptations, the series could become a cultural phenomenon beyond the gaming community. This expansion will allow for the lore of Assassin’s Creed to reach a wider audience helping create new stories that feed back to the games creating an interconnected universe.
Arguably the most ambitious upcoming Assassin’s Creed Project is Assassin’s Creed Infinity. Ubisoft is adopting a cross-studio structure to create a more cohesive approach for Assassin’s Creed projects. Instead of traditional standalone releases, Infinity will act as a hub for multiple interconnected games and experiences.
The future of Assassin's Creed is cross-studio co-development, says Ubisoft.
The franchise has a bright future with the work being put into potential multiplayer and live-service elements. The commitment to exploring new historical periods and cultural narratives will undoubtedly make the series more interesting than ever.
The Franchise hold limitless potential at the moment however the development team must work with caution as 10 games in 5 years is a bit overkill, isn’t it? All that can be done now is just sit back and watch while hoping for the best.
As a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I bring the latest findings from the tech industry to our readers. Specializing in processors, graphics cards, and more, I strive to deliver detailed insights that keep our audience well-informed and engaged. Periodically, I also delve into the vibrant world of gaming to share captivating stories.
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Intel reported a revenue of $13.3 billion, which reflects a 6% decline year-over-year.
The Client Computing Group (CCG) faced a revenue decline of 7% to $7.3 billion, while the Data Center and AI division saw a 9% increase to $3.3 billion.
Intel projects Q4 revenues of $13.3–14.3 billion and is implementing cost-cutting measures, including workforce reductions and simplifying product lines
Today, Intel published its financial report for the third quarter of 2024. Although there is still a lot of tension in the situation overall, numerous data points exceeded analysts’ forecasts, and the stock price likewise rose, climbing by 15%.
Intel’s third-quarter overall revenue was $13.3 billion, a 6% year-over-year decline, while the company’s loss per share was $0.46, down from $0.87 per share during the previous year.
Why it matters: Intel’s financial performance and strategic initiatives reflect its efforts to survive in a challenging market and regain competitiveness, which is crucial for its long-term growth and stability in the tech industry.
Image Via: Intel
The CCG client computing division, which is primarily based on Core processors, generated US$7.3 billion in revenue, a 7% year-over-year decline.
The DCAI data center and artificial intelligence division, which primarily uses Xeon processors and Gaudi accelerators, generated US$3.3 billion, a 9% YoY increase; the NEX network and edge division generated US$1.5 billion, a 4% YoY increase.
Additionally, Altera’s FPGA sector generated US$412 million in revenue, a significant 44% decrease from the previous year. Intel has already reached out to potential investors in an attempt to sell it.
Revenue for Mobileye’s autonomous driving branch was $485 million, an 8% decrease from the previous year.
To turn losses into profits, Intel anticipates revenue of $13.3–14.3 billion, a gross margin of 39.5%, and earnings per share of $0.12 in the upcoming fourth quarter.
Significant progress has also been made in Intel’s $10 billion cost-cutting plan, which includes: ending the majority of layoffs, reducing the workforce by 15% by the end of the year; and simplifying product lines.
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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Marvel’s Wolverine recently lost key developers like the Director and Creative Director.
An insider reports that development is still proceeding smoothly despite these setbacks.
Reports suggest that PlayStation is gearing up to share more footage of the game.
Insomniac is working on Marvel’s Wolverine as its second major superhero gaming franchise. First announced in 2021, this first-party PlayStation title is reportedly set to be shown off to the world very soon again, but recent reports have sparked some concern.
Marvel’s Wolverine lost its Creative Director to Xbox Game Studios’ Perfect Dark a few months ago, creating some doubts about potential turmoil within Insomniac. Fortunately, a reliable insider states that the game is still progressing smoothly.
Why it matters: Brian Horton, the Creative Director behind Insomniac’s next major project, seems to have left the team during the summer of 2024.
Discussing the news, reliable insider Jeff Grubb highlighted that Insomniac has plenty of experience with superhero games already. He argues that the studio has already done a great job with past releases like Spider-Man, giving it the necessary skills to tackle an IP like Wolverine.
Jeff Grubb also speculated that the Creative Director’s departure could have been caused by something as simple as the developer hoping to experiment with a different type of game.
Ultimately, he concludes that this departure should not be a major hurdle for the game.
I think Wolverine’s going to be just fine.
-Jeff Grubb
Interestingly, Perfect Dark and Marvel’s Wolverine have found themselves in similar situations. Both titles were revealed several years ago, leaving fans without any new footage for multiple years. Fortunately, Perfect Dark looks better than ever.
2024 Has Been A Great Year For Wolverine Fans So Far
Reports suggest that Marvel’s Wolverine has now been handed over to Mike Daly, the mind behind Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Meanwhile, former director Cameron Christian is still staying at Insomniac to help with other projects.
As such, it’s clear that the game is undergoing various internal changes. This is likely due to the Insomniac leaks from 2023, which reveled key details about the studio’s upcoming superhero title.
Whatever the case may be, insider Jeff Grubb remains confident that Insomniac will do a great job again. What are your thoughts on Marvel’s Wolverine’s ongoing development? Let’s discuss this in the comments and on the official Tech4Gamers Forums.
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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Guerrilla Games Released Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster Yesterday
However, the game didn’t meet expectations and looks like a failure because it peaked at only a few thousand players on Steam
Sony needs to remaster games that are highly demanding, like Infamous, Bloodborne and others
While Horizon Zero Dawn was a success on PC, the latest entry, Horizon Forbidden West, was a mediocre release. Horizon Zero Dawn remastered has now been released, and it seems to have been bombed on Steam. The game launched to just over 2.5K players on the platform.
Why it matters: This Suggests that the players are not interested in playing a remaster of a game that already looks fresh and does not age at all.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Player Count | Source: SteamDb
Guerrilla Games found immense success with Horizon Zero Dawn, which was one of the biggest launches on both PC and PlayStation. The studio wanted to recreate the game’s success by remastering and releasing it fresh.
However, the idea didn’t work out, as the game launched to only 2538 players on Steam. At the time of writing, it has 1348 players.
Meanwhile, the game’s reviews on Steam are also not impressive as it has a mixed rating. One obvious complaint is that the original Horizon Zero Dawn didn’t need a remaster, as it still looks very graphically stunning.
Furthermore, Sony’s new PSN account requirements also spoiled the PC Port. Players are very frustrated about it, and the game also had a few performance issues, like crashes.
Nevertheless, Sony should focus on remastering the games fans demand, like Bloodborne and Infamous. What do you think of the remaster? Let us know in the comments or join the Tech4Gamers forums.
