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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A popular Reddit thread discusses the lack of an Uncharted game for the current PlayStation generation.
No other game has fully captured the excitement of Uncharted since its last release.
Naughty Dog hasn’t announced plans for a new game in the series.
The lack of new Uncharted games has left many PlayStation fans yearning for more. A popular Reddit thread, which has received over 4,000 upvotes and almost 1,500 comments, shows that people are really missing the series.
The thread, titled “This generation desperately needs its own Uncharted,” points out that the PS5 is missing a game combining action, adventure, and puzzles like Uncharted.
Why it matters: Uncharted series is one of the best when it comes to action-adventure games. Oddly, there isn’t an Uncharted game for the current PlayStation generation.
Uncharted games really show off what PlayStation consoles can do. | Image via Tech4Gamers
Since Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End came out in 2016, no game has quite matched the excitement of Nathan Drake’s adventures. Fans miss the thrilling mix of climbing, storytelling, and intense shootouts that made Uncharted so popular.
Although Naughty Dog’s other big hit, The Last of Us, is still going strong with remakes, some players think its serious tone can’t replace the fun and adventure of Uncharted.
A Reddit comment sums it up well:
Uncharted was lighthearted fun and adventure, sometimes you just need that, especially with PS5 graphics.
It’s clear that fans are craving a game that combines exciting action with a sense of adventure.
The Reddit discussion has led to similar conversations on other gaming forums. Some players are suggesting a spin-off or reboot instead of a direct sequel.
While many feel that Nathan Drake’s story ended well, there’s strong interest in a new adventure, possibly with a different main character like Chloe Frazer in The Lost Legacy.
Uncharted 2 opening scene remains iconic to this day.
That spin-off proved that the Uncharted style could work without Nathan Drake, so fans think Naughty Dog might create a new story in the same universe.
Even with strong demand, Naughty Dog hasn’t announced any plans to bring back the Uncharted series. The studio is currently working on other projects, potentially a new IP.
However, interest in Uncharted remains high, and many fans believe that a new game, especially one that takes advantage of the PS5’s power, could set a new high for action-adventure games.
Although a new game might not be coming soon, the love and nostalgia for the series show that Uncharted is still one of PlayStation’s most beloved franchises.
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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Astro Bot was previously highly criticised for its $60 price tag.
However, due to many positive reviews, the fandom stopped criticising and appreciated it by comparing it to platformers like Mario.
It has also become the UK’s second best-selling platformer of the decade, falling behind Mario.
Astro Bot surprised everyone when the review embargo was lifted, as it is not easy for a game to get such a high score, especially when the competition is dominated by the likes of Mario.
PlayStation did well in adding its spin on the platformer, as fans can be seen praising the game highly. However, many were concerned regarding the platformer’s poor sales, as Sony has yet to make an announcement.
While the game could have low sales, fans shouldn’t be too concerned, as it became the second fastest-selling platformer of the decade in the UK.
Why it matters: Astro Bot was highly criticised for its price tag because its prequel was a Free-to-Play game, but the situation is quite the opposite now.
Astro Bot Seems To Have Had A Solid Debut In The UK
Christopher Dring, the head of Gamesindustrybiz, recently confirmed that the game has been performing well sales-wise. He can be seen arguing with a user on Twitter regarding the game’s sales.
Dring started the tweet by saying PS5’s exclusive platformer has had a solid launch in the UK. The other user seems to believe that the game doesn’t have a dedicated fandom and that casual platformers have a huge fandom. Dring replied by saying Astro Bot has a dedicated fandom, as it is the second best-selling platformer of the decade in the UK.
Astro is the fastest selling original platform game outside of Mario from the last 10 years. Bigger than Sonic, Crash, Yoshi, Kirby…
-Christopher Dring
Dring also revealed that it had a bigger launch than Sonic, Crash Bandicoot, Yoshi, and Kirby in the UK, which is actually insane. He also stated that this game had a 21% higher debut than Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and that it fell behind Space Marine 2.
The latter has been Steam’s best-seller for a while now, making it the fastest-selling Warhammer game in the UK. That said, just sales in the UK can’t decide whether this platformer had a solid launch overall.
We believe that it sold well, but Sony hasn’t yet provided an update, so it seems like the sales aren’t that high. Still, the game managed to take a massive lead in a recent major poll about the GOTY 2024. So, even if it doesn’t have high sales, it is a solid GOTY contender.
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 Silent Hill 2 remake’s first impressions were really disappointing as it received a lot of criticism.
However, the Bloober Team has improved the game by implementing the fans’ feedback.
The gameplay, environment, character designs, and everything look way better now.
Silent Hill 2 is one of my favourite horror games ever released. The game was released in 2001 and was a genuine horror experience you could have at that time. Having played this title on the iconic PlayStation 2, I was so excited to hear about the SH2 remake.
However, I had a lot of concerns due to fewer expectations from Konami. Well, you can’t blame me. The studio has been kind of a mess ever since Hideo Kojima left it. At first, I was right to have low expectations as the game looked terrible, but now it looks like a completely different game, and I finally have some hope.
Why it matters: The original Silent Hill 2 features one of the best environments in the survival horror genre, and the remake does its best to complement it.
It Looked Horrible Before, Really Horrible
Initial Impressions of The Game were Really Negative Due To Obvious Reasons
I am not going to lie, but I started to hate the remake after the disappointing trailers. The character models, gameplay, and voice acting, everything at that time looked terrible. It felt like a disrespect to the original title.
If you have played the original game, then you would know how the fog comes at you with the intent to kill. At that time, it was scary and horrifying. However, Konami didn’t really capture that main part in those trailers, and I was disappointed.
That is the essence of SH2, and its absence made me lose all hope. The developer also changed the character models, which was highly criticised, and the voice acting was terrible, too. It seemed like Ubisoft worked on the voice acting.
However, things are entirely different now, and I couldn’t be more glad. Konami took the fans’ feedback to heart and changed every lousy aspect of the remake; well, not everything, but it really improved a lot.
At first, I wasn’t going to touch this remake, even with a ten-foot pole. Now, I am willing to spend $60 to play this upcoming survival horror entry. If you aren’t aware of how much the Bloober Team has improved this remake, then I will break it down for you below.
I’m Excited About The Silent Hill 2 Remake
Silent Hill 2 Remake Visuals Look A Lot Better Now
If you have watched the previous trailers, then you would be aware of how the title actually looked. If you want to see how good it looks right now, I urge you to compare the recent trailers and gameplay videos to the previous ones. You will see what I am talking about.
The gameplay looks better now, and character models have been improved. I am still not a big fan of all character models, but the main character looks much better now. The gameplay doesn’t look that clunky, and it feels like a main part of SH2.
Also, the environment, the heart of Silent Hill 2, looks way, way better. I wasn’t expecting the developer to improve it this much. The fog also seems to come at you intending to kill, just like in the 2001 title.
The graphics also look compelling as, to me, they even look better than the likes of Alan Wake 2, and that is not a small compliment.
It is surprising to me how quickly the developer managed to improve these things as I went from having no expectations to being excited about this upcoming remake in just a matter of few months. However, the character models and voice acting still feel a little underwhelming.
I can’t get myself to like the overall voice acting. James’s voice seemed to be alright, but other than that, it just didn’t click with me. Despite that, I am excited about the game, and I can’t wait to try it out.
Konami Has Pulled Itself Together
Konami could have played with me here by showing an abysmal output and then improving it to make it look way better to fans like me. However, that is alright. I didn’t think the publisher would recover from a loss like Hideo Kojima, as it still has yet to find a replacement.
However, the team working on the remake really seems talented. The publisher also created a new team of talented individuals for the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake, which would eventually replace Kojima.
So, it seems like Konami has managed to pull itself together, and I am waiting for a comeback from this publisher. I am really excited about both of its upcoming games. This upcoming entry in the survival horror genre is set to release on 8th October, so there is still a little time left. Hopefully, the developer can improve it even more.
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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Black Myth: Wukong delivers stunning graphics thanks to Unreal Engine 5 and advanced rendering techniques.
The game offers a detailed skill tree for different playstyles and experimentation.
This game showcases what smaller studios can achieve with the right tools and vision.
Black Myth: Wukong is one of the most visually impressive games of 2024, maybe even more than Hellblade 2. Created by the Chinese indie studio Game Science, this action RPG stands out for its stunning graphics and exciting, fast-paced combat.
Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, the game features amazing environments, highly detailed characters, and super smooth animations.
The combat makes the game even more special, providing a challenging experience that rewards skill, patience, and adaptability to different bosses.
Why it matters: Black Myth: Wukong had a budget of just $70 million, and Game Science has created something truly fascinating. In contrast, Spider-Man 2 cost $315 million to develop and didn’t bring anything groundbreaking.
Absolutely Stunning Environments
The game’s visuals are breathtaking.
As soon as I started playing Black Myth: Wukong, I was blown away by its graphics. Thanks to advanced rendering technology, the game features beautifully detailed environments, from lush forests in chapters 1 and 6 to towering mountains in chapter 3.
With the help of Nvidia DLSS and path tracing, the visuals are on par with visual marvels like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2. The game also utilizes Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen technology for global illumination and reflections, which looks as good as path tracing.
The visuals in Black Myth: Wukong isn’t limited to just the environments; the character models are top-notch, with smooth and realistic animations. The main character, The Destined One, moves gracefully, making combat feel more cinematic.
The game maintains its impressive graphical detail even on mid-range hardware, allowing players with average GPUs to enjoy stunning visuals with little lag. I achieved over 60 FPS using medium-high settings at 1440p on my RTX 3060 Ti.
But it’s not just the visuals that stand out. The audio design is also noteworthy, featuring traditional Chinese instruments like the zither and flute, which enhance the game’s immersive experience and draw players into Wukong’s mythical world.
Fast-Paced Fluid Combat
Black Myth: Wukong’s combat never gets repetitive or boring.
Though the visuals might draw you in, the combat system in Black Myth: Wukong keeps me hooked. Unlike typical Soulslike games, it offers a fresh approach to action-RPG combat.
There’s no standard block or parry system. Instead, I relied on dodging and counterattacking based on stamina, which demands quick reflexes and a good grasp of enemy attack patterns.
Before anyone says the combat gets repetitive because it’s only dodging, I must explain that the game punishes excessive dodging. Most bosses have extremely delayed attacks, so excessive dodging can be fatal.
Moreover, I really liked the powerful counter-attacking mechanisms or “Resolute Counter Flow”. If players use a heavy attack during a light attack combo just before an enemy hits them, they’ll trigger the Resolute Counter Flow.
The Destined One uses a magical staff with three different stances, each with different abilities and skill trees. Along with various spells and transformations, this creates a dynamic combat system that forces players to adjust their strategy based on their enemies.
The transformation feature, which lets The Destined One change into different creatures with unique powers, adds more depth to the combat, which is also fun.
Balancing Complexity with Accessibility
In Wukong, every fight is a dance and every vista is a masterpiece.
Black Myth: Wukong is especially fun because it balances complexity with ease of use. The game has a detailed skill tree where players can unlock and upgrade different abilities.
Although this might seem overwhelming initially, players can change their build anytime, encouraging trying out different playstyles. I was never stuck with one playstyle and learned that adapting to various challenges is crucial for beating the toughest bosses.
However, the game does have some issues. I noticed that camera angles can be frustrating during certain boss fights, especially in tight areas where the camera might get stuck and make it hard to see what’s happening.
Regardless, Black Myth: Wukong is Game Science’s first major title, and it competes with big-budget games in scale and ambition.
This game shows what smaller studios can achieve with the right tools and vision. Although some bosses can be challenging, and there are occasional skill checks, the game offers a satisfying experience with some of the best visuals ever.
If you’re a fan of action RPGs, you can’t go wrong with Black Myth: Wukong. It blends the best features of Soulslike games with its own unique combat system, all set in a visually mind-blowing world inspired by Chinese mythology.
Game Science has confirmed two DLCs for the game, so buying the game right now is really a no-brainer.
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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The PS5 Pro runs Alan Wake 2 at the same 864p render resolution as the base model when targeting 60FPS.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows also runs at a similar internal resolution to achieve 60FPS.
Games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart show better results.
While PlayStation did not share much more information, the team at Digital Foundry has received more details and shared initial impressions about this combination of upgrades. According to the analysts, Alan Wake 2 seems to run at the very low resolution of 864p in the PS5 Pro’s performance mode.
Why it matters: PlayStation was expected to solve the issue of low render resolutions this generation, and this was a major selling point of the mid-gen refresh.
PS5 Pro Details via Twitter Report Based On Digital Foundry’s Analysis
Digital Foundry’s latest impressions are currently limited to Patreon subscribers, but users on Twitter have shared the major discussion points from the video.
According to the report, Alan Wake 2 runs at 864p and 1260p in performance and quality modes. These are the same resolution targets used for the base console, but the new hardware relies on PSSR for the upscaling. There doesn’t seem to be any additional ray tracing in this mode either.
Digital Foundry also added that PSSR’s purpose is to improve the quality of pixels rather than the quantity. However, it’s still quite surprising that the PS5 Pro relies on such a low internal resolution after a 45% hardware upgrade.
For reference, a GeForce RTX 4070, which is said to be a rough reference point for the PS5 Pro’s GPU, can easily achieve more than 40FPS when upscaling Alan Wake 2 from 1440p to 4K.
The console results aren’t too impressive when looking at a last-gen game like The Last of Us Part 2 either. It seems this title runs at the same 1440p internal resolution as the original PS5, with the upscaling being switched from FSR to PSSR.
Another shocking result comes from Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which is said to be rendering at 864p in performance mode.
On the more positive side, a game like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart runs between 1440p and 1800p internally. This target is similar to the PS5’s 40FPS mode but achieves 60FPS using the new hardware, better highlighting the PS5 Pro’s capabilities.
Overall, it seems PlayStation’s latest console is a mixed bag for now. PSSR will likely decide whether it ends up being a worthy upgrade, but more testing is needed to make this conclusion.
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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Dragon Age: The Veilguard sales on Steam don’t look too good despite promising trailers and previews.
The game isn’t even in the top 100 sellers on Steam.
Bioware would be hoping for better results as the franchise returns after almost 10 years.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is supposed to be the next game in the franchise after almost a decade. The game’s previews have garnered some positive attention, but it seems it failed to attract much traction on Steam just a month before the launch.
Why it matters: Given the game’s great reception, most would assume that its pre-order figures on Steam would be quite high with just a month until launch.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is #182 on Steam’s top-sellers list
Dragon Age: The Veilguard hasn’t even managed to break into the top 100 best-sellers on Steamso far. Bioware’s upcoming release is also number 42 on the most wish-listed games, pointing out that not many players are excited about it.
This is rather strange, considering the game has a lot going for it. For starters, it isn’t single-player only and skips microtransactions. Moreover, it will also skip the $70 price tag, at least for the game’s PC version.
The low sales could be a worrying sign for Bioware and EA
However, the low sales could be due to fans wanting to see the official reviews of the game first. Modern games have had a long history of releasing in a broken state, making them utterly unplayable. So, paying the full price at launch becomes pointless.
Bioware said that they spent 200,000 hours testing The Veilguard on PC, which is great. But then again, if you are going to buy a digital copy of the game, pre-ordering it without even considering the reviews doesn’t make much sense.
Nonetheless, Dragon Age: The Veilguard comes out on October 31st. It will be interesting to see how sales progress from now on because if they don’t increase much, it could be a sign of worry for Bioware.
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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Recent reports pointed to a possible delay for GTA 6, but a former developer states that this decision is unlikely to be made so early on.
He also explained that GTA 6 will last another 10 years.
Like last time, the studio is expected to rely on GTA Online for a whole decade.
The first GTA 6 trailer is quickly approaching its one-year anniversary, but Rockstar has yet to share more footage since then. As fans grow weary of waiting for new information, recent rumors have pointed to a possible delay for GTA 6.
While reliable sources argue otherwise, a former Rockstar developer claims it is too soon to say anything for certain. He emphasizes that GTA 6 will be supported for 10+ years, so the studio will make such decisions very carefully.
Why it matters: GTA 5 is still being supported 11 years after its release. This title changed the fate of the Grand Theft Auto franchise for good, giving Rockstar the opportunity to pivot to a live service model.
Former Grand Theft Auto Developer Comments On Recent Rumors | Image via Twitter
Obbe Vermeij recently shared his thoughts on the rumors surrounding GTA 6. The former developer explained that the studio does not typically make these decisions too far ahead of the target release date.
He revealed that GTA 4 was delayed just four months before its planned launch date, and Rockstar is unlikely to make a similar call for its latest project until May next year. For context, the game is currently targeting a Fall 2025 launch.
Obbe Vermeij emphasized that GTA 6 would last for 10+ years. This is primarily because of GTA Online’s impact on the franchise, encouraging the studio to pursue a similar lifespan for the next iteration of this popular online mode.
Looking at GTA 5, it’s easy to see why the developer believes a 10-year lifespan for a new entry is almost a given.
The studio is expected to follow a similar approach to the GTA Online successor in 2025 and beyond, offering various content updates while relying on monetization to make as much profit as possible.
This would also mean that a new Grand Theft Auto entry is unlikely to show up for multiple console generations. However, fans can certainly expect to see the game being re-released for new PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
This is not the first time Obbe Vermeij has offered an interesting insight into the Grand Theft Auto series. The developer previously shared his thoughts on GTA 4’s dark atmosphere and commented on his expectations for the IP’s latest entry.
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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The new PlayStation CEO believes consoles still offer multiple benefits over other platforms.
He states that mobile games have ads, and PCs can be difficult to set up, making hardware like the PS5 intuitive for the average consumer.
The company will continue to focus on both markets in the future.
PlayStation has long been a part of the industry. As the gaming giant approaches its 30th anniversary, the future shows a very interesting path ahead, especially since PC gaming is now part of its focus.
This focus has led to concerns that the gaming giant may ignore the core console market for the very lucrative PC business. However, the current PlayStation CEO has dispelled all concerns, stating that consoles have various benefits over other platforms.
Why it matters: PC gaming is bigger than ever, and the lines between the two biggest platforms are being blurred with each passing year.
Hermen Hulst And Hidekai Nishino Are Leading Sony’s Gaming Division As Co-CEOs
PlayStation appointed Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino co-CEOs following Jim Ryan’s retirement. The latter recently spoke to Nikkei and discussed various aspects of the company, including the recent PS5 price hike in Japan and the focus on PC ports.
When asked about the two platforms, Hideaki Nishino suggested that consoles can be a great alternative to PCs since they offer various advantages. The CEO also believes consoles are better than the mobile platform.
I think that many mobile games have ads, and PCs are difficult to set up.
-Hideaki Nishino
He explained that consoles are easy to use, allowing audiences to play their games as soon as they are turned on. The CEO also argued that buying games is more intuitive on this platform since games are displayed in the store in an organized manner.
Following this statement, he emphasized that the PS5 will remain the main focus of PlayStation’s ambitions in the industry despite the current emphasis on various first-party PC ports.
God of War Ragnarok Is Headed To Steam Next Week
Interestingly, this is not the first time a PlayStation executive has emphasized the platform’s advantages over PCs. In the past, Mark Cerny stated that rapid interest in PCs is not a threat to the PS5.
While the debate between these two platforms will be never-ending, Hideaki Nishino made solid arguments in favor of console gaming.
To further highlight its commitment to this industry, PlayStation is set to release the PS5 Pro in November. The PS5 Pro promises PC-like visuals at 60FPS, offering an experience without compromises.
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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After a horrible launch, PlayStation decided to cease Concord’s sales and refund everyone who bought it.
However, the developer did say that it would determine the best path ahead, so fans were hoping for a revival.
The game has received some updates on Steam, which hints that Sony could be gearing up for its revival.
Concord is arguably the biggest flop of this year. This game caused a massive loss to PlayStation as its servers went offline after just two weeks. The peak concurrent players didn’t even reach 1K, so going offline was inevitable.
PlayStation promised refunds when it went offline. After that, Sony started removing this game from players’ consoles. However, Firewalk Studios said that it would try to determine the best course of action. Merging that with recent activity on Steam makes it seem like the game’s revival isn’t out of the picture.
PlayStation is Seemingly Bringing Back Concord | Source: SteamDB
SteamDB, a reliable website famous for accurately displaying concurrent players, and many other stats from Steam reveal that Concord, a recent PlayStation failure, has been updated twice recently.
The game received a previous update on 13th September by Sonyqae. However, it received another update 18 hours ago, which seems rather suspicious, given the servers have been offline for a while now. There also seem to be many other updates, but we are unclear about their nature.
There are also two active players at the time of writing, so it seems the developers are working on something.
Concord is Arguably The Biggest Flop of This Year
This is likely to cause confusion among players as the game was a total failure. It could be something other than a revival, but the developer said it would determine the best path ahead. So, there is a huge possibility that this live service hero shooter is coming back.
Fans were hoping that the game could come back as an F2P title, and that seems like a possibility now. After the failure, many thought that Firewalk Studios’ fate lies in the closure, but it looks like there is some hope for the developer now.
These updates aren’t solid evidence of a revival, so we recommend waiting for Sony’s official word.
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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It hasn’t even been a week since Space Marine 2 was released, and it is dominating the Steam best-seller chart.
The game has managed to surpass the likes of Black Myth: Wukong.
It also reached an all-time high of over 225k concurrent players and has over 48K positive reviews.
Warhammer 40000: Space Marine 2 was finally released on 9th September. The game had quite a bit of anticipation as it is a sequel to Space Marine, released in 2011. Fans have waited a lot of time for this sequel, and this is exactly why it still has so much hype right now.
Ever since the game was released, it has been crushing the Steam best-seller chart despite recent releases like Black Myth: Wukong.
Why it matters: Space Marine has attracted over 200K players since its release, making it the most-played Warhammer game on Steam.
Space Marine 2 is Currently The Best Selling Game On Steam
As you can see, the game is at the spot with a 24-hour peak of 149k. The game did have plenty of anticipation, but we didn’t expect it to dominate the best-seller chart since its release.
Counter-Strike 2 is right below it despite being a free-to-play title. Also, the biggest hit of 2024, Black Myth: Wukong, is in third place. This, again, is pretty surprising, given that the game’s hype is still nowhere near dead. There are currently over 400k players playing this game.
That said, players aren’t just jumping on the hype train with the sequel of Space Marine. The game actually has a very positive review rating on Steam. In the review section, fans are calling it the best campaign and sequel game they have ever played, which is a really solid compliment.
The comments section is filled with positivity; many are claiming it to be a 10/10 Warhammer game. We have seen some negative reviews about the game, but those are mostly about the performance issues and bugs.
Saber Interactive has managed to exceed the fans’ expectations, as they seem to be having a blast. Fans can expect more content in the game as it has already sold over 2 million copies in just a day.
Also, it is pretty fascinating that there is already a high demand regarding another AAA Warhammer game.
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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The PS5 Pro could be PlayStation’s attempt at testing the waters on hardware pricing.
This goes against the primary appeal of affordable gaming consoles for mainstream audiences.
Nintendo and Xbox will likely follow suit if the PS5 Pro succeeds at its current MSRP.
PlayStation officially unveiled the PS5 Pro earlier this week, but nobody could have predicted its egregious price tag. Despite all the flashy new features and hardware upgrades, I find the $700 MSRP a hard pill to swallow.
Let’s not forget that this is just the cost of the digital model. The actual PS5 Pro will be much more expensive once tax and the disc drive’s cost are factored in, setting a horrifying precedent.
Some may have shrugged this console off as an optional upgrade for a niche audience, but I see it having huge consequences on the console industry, potentially changing the market forever.
Why it matters: The PS5 Pro costs nearly $900, including tax and the cost of the disc drive and stand. Prices this high are simply unheard of in the industry.
What Happened to Consoles Being Affordable?
The World’s Most Expensive Console Arrives In November
Console gaming has always appealed to the masses. Despite offering the latest and greatest tech, manufacturers have tried to provide the best bang for the buck when producing new hardware in this industry.
You need only look at the PS4 for proof. Priced at just $400, the PS4 continues to offer groundbreaking experiences nearly 11 years later. Nobody needs to be told how big of a step up this console was over the PS3, yet it was somehow priced at just $400 in 2013.
The PS4 Pro cost the same and offered a technical jump much bigger than the PS5 Pro’s. PlayStation seems to be trying to rewrite history today, transitioning to a future where consoles are considered premium purchases rather than mainstream options for those looking to enjoy the latest and greatest games.
Let’s not forget that owning a console becomes more expensive over time. Want to enjoy a few online gaming sessions? That costs at least $80/year, and while this may seem like a small price to pay for the various benefits of PS Plus, these additional expenses can quickly add up.
Your controller doesn’t work anymore? That’ll be $75 for a new DualSense. As it stands, PlayStation seems to want to have its cake and eat it too. It wants to keep the additional charges of the console platform that are necessary to subsidize hardware costs without actually offering an affordable entry into the ecosystem.
Testing the Waters
From my perspective, the PS5 Pro is basically PlayStation’s way of testing how far it can push console pricing.
Consider how the gaming giant did the same thing when it first introduced $70 AAA titles. Or how about the time when PS Plus prices slowly went up? Before we knew it, these things became the new normal.
I can see a future where the PS6 starts at $700 or more, and the writing is already on the wall. The gaming giant has only raised console prices this generation. Typically, one would expect a price cut three years into a console’s lifespan.
However, the PS5 keeps getting more expensive. The DualSense controller was also more expensive than the DualShock 4 from the beginning, yet it has recently seen a price hike of $5.
While gradual, these changes show PlayStation’s intentions of charging as much as the consumers are willing to pay.
Had PlayStation been the only one resorting to such tactics, consumers could have looked at other options.
However, the gaming industry has a knack for following established trends. Once PlayStation confirmed it would charge $70 for its biggest releases, EA, Ubisoft, Capcom, and even Nintendo quickly followed suit.
The company effectively opened the floodgates, and current discussions have even alluded to the possibility of future games being launched for more than $70. Much like game prices shot up, this move may be the beginning of more expensive consoles industry-wide.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is already expected to be less budget-friendly than its predecessor. Meanwhile, Xbox’s current failures in the hardware market could discourage the gaming giant from being competitive, giving it an excuse to match future pricing instead of attempting to undercut rival manufacturers.
If this is the way forward, I’m afraid console gamers are in for a rude awakening next generation.
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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Palworld surpassed the player counts of many games on Steam at launch.
However, despite being so successful, Pocketpair was considering shifting to the live service or F2P mode.
Now, the developer has confirmed that the game will not change its buy-to-play model.
Palworld is one of the biggest releases this year, breaking many records on Steam. The game surprised everyone at its launch and even showed us how well Pokemon games can perform on the PC platform.
The game didn’t have a hefty price tag, but after the hype died, its player count dropped by a whopping 97%. So, for many reasons, the developer was considering shifting to a live-service model. However, it has just been confirmed that Palworld won’t be shifting to a free-to-play or live-service model.
Why it matters:Millions of players have already bought Palworld on Steam and Xbox, so shifting from a live service to a free-to-play model would have made things way too complicated.
Pocketpair Has Just Confirmed That The F2P/GaaS Model Isn’t Suitable For Them
The Palworld developer did an interview in which the game’s possible future was discussed. One possibility was shifting to the live service or F2P model. This approach was a little concerning for the fans, as many of them had already bought the game, so things would have gone out of hand.
However, the game’s official Twitter account has just confirmed that this isn’t the case, and Palworld’s model will remain the same.
We are not changing our game’s business model, it will remain buy-to-play and not f2p or GaaS.
-Palworld Twitter Account
The developer said that the interview was held months ago, so, at that time, they were deciding what to do with the game. While they are still deciding to find the ideal patch internally, the F2P and GaaS approach is out of the picture.
Palworld Is One of The Most Successful Games This Year
Palworld was never really designed with the live service model in mind, so changing it to that would just take a lot of work. Also, Pocketpair has acknowledged that the fandom doesn’t want that either.
