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Astro Bot Proves The Love For Creativity Is Still Very Much Alive

Story Highlight
  • Astro Bot has been released with glowing reviews and worldwide renown.
  • The “big budget AAAs” model has stagnated the industry, eliminating the margin for error and thus versatility.
  • Astro Bot is a big step in the right direction and shows that the demand for creativity is higher than ever.

Years have passed, and video games are more photorealistic, mechanically advanced, and vast than ever. But let me ask you this: Are they decisively better? I’ll definitely be leaning towards the past.

Games back then genuinely tried to push the boundaries of what was considered normal. Today, the saturation of “more of the same” cinematic AAAs, battle passes, live services, and “bigger just for the sake of it” open worlds have overshadowed any form of evolution.

Still, every now and then, an extremely creative and unique game comes out that revives my faith in the industry. The current title is Astro Bot.

Why it matters: The industry is fixated on tried-and-tested projects, ignoring creativity and ingenuity to pursue large profits. Astro Bot shows the flaws of this strategy.

Astro Bot Has Won Many Hearts, Including Mine

I was deep in thought, lamenting over Sony playing it extremely safe with its blockbuster AAA games and the unsustainability of this model. That’s when I came across the State of Play announcement and went into it half-heartedly, wondering what other disappointment awaited.

Concord certainly proved I was right, but my depressing “I knew it” was short-lived. Along came Astro Bot, which blew the sadness right off my face. Ever since then, I’ve followed this game with the utmost interest and love.

My reaction to state of play
byu/Majid232 inplaystation

And I wasn’t alone. Praises from all over the world started flooding in; people appreciating this reveal were in extreme numbers. The game’s review scores and current Metacritic/Opencritic rankings prove this today. 

With glowing recommendations from across the globe, Astro Bot is currently the highest-rated Sony game, deservedly so.

The public has spoken (Image by OpenCritic)
The public has spoken (Image by OpenCritic)

It’s Everything I Wanted, And Then Some More

So, what exactly makes Astro Bot so amazing? For starters, it breaks all the conventions Sony has set in recent times. It’s a throwback to what Sony embodied during the PS1-PS2 era: experimenting with unique and creative titles that prioritized engaging gameplay.

Astro Bot has a straightforward premise: a robot on a world-hopping journey in search of his lost fellows. That’s it. But next comes the extremely creative platforming experience filled with beloved and nostalgic references, pleasing gameplay, unique power-ups and battles, and a ton of nonsensical fun.

Team Asobi truly outdid itself (Image by PlayStation)
Team Asobi truly outdid itself (Image by PlayStation)

Above all, it’s a reminder of Sony’s rich history and glorious past. The company wasn’t always a one-trick pony. It’s a love letter not only to all the fans but to the works of the developer’s predecessors while upholding the mantle of fun gameplay and imaginative freedom. 

The Desire For Creativity Isn’t Dead Just Yet

I can’t stress enough how important a game like Astro Bot is for today’s gaming industry. It’s not only a breath of fresh air and a fantastic game on its own, but it serves a much bigger purpose.

I’m now fully behind Astro Bot for Goty…i don’t care what other games get nominated.
byu/Bexewa inuncharted

The “big-budget blockbusters” model does more harm than good. Extremely lengthy development cycles, zero margin for error, and never straying from the tried-and-tested to avoid losses. While it seems to work on paper, all this created an inevitable stagnation.

Video gaming has become so pro-business that even a few millions in sales aren’t enough. Creativity means nothing; only profit does. An excellent example is what Microsoft did with Tango Gameworks. Hi-Fi Rush was a one-of-a-kind game beloved by all and sold considerably well, yet it was axed anyway.

Look guys, look, it's Microsoft.
byu/Party-Organization-9 inHiFiRush

In a situation like this, games like Astro Bot are considered extremely risky, and thus avoided. Sony went ahead with this risk anyway, and I’m glad it did. Not only did Astro Bot prove to the world that people still love creativity above anything else, but it wiped away the thought that only the tried and tested can succeed.

A genuine trip down memory lane (Image by PlayStation)
A genuine trip down memory lane (Image by PlayStation)

Games Like Astro Bot Are The Need Of The Hour

What does all of this tell you? We’re tired of the same old blockbuster AAAs and ridiculous live services. In a time where the industry isn’t paying enough attention to creative titles like this, Astro Bot announces it’s time to start doing so and take risks again.

Latest Updates

No need to spend hundreds of millions; that’ll just take us back to square one. What’s needed are short titles that don’t take as much investment or time, and are used to test the waters. With AAAs releasing as planned while these short games pad the time in between, I believe that’s the best scenario.

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D: 25% Price Increased In Recent Months

When the Ryzen 9000 was going to launch, many AMD users expected that, like every Ryzen release, this would also bring an increase in IPC. The launch of Ryzen 9000 disappointed many users, making its sales very poor. Stores were selling Ryzen 9000 CPUs below MRSP to get rid of the current Stock.

The Ryzen 7000x3D CPUs, launched before Ryzen 9000, still have great sales. These Ryzen 7000x3D CPUs outperformed Core 13 gen and were considered the best in gaming.

Even the old Ryzen 5 7600X3D was above the new Ryzen 9 9950X in games since, in applications, we are talking about comparing 6 vs. 16 cores.

Why it matters: The Ryzen 9000 CPU series has proven to be a complete failure, which caused a price increase in the Ryzen 7000x3D Series.

The video by Hardware Unboxed shows how poor the sales of the Ryzen 9000 are. Only a few hundred units are sold in stores like Mindfactory in Germany, where AMD totally dominates.

On Amazon, the best-sellers are the Ryzen 7000/X3D and 5000/X3D. The latest Ryzen 9 9950X CPU can be seen on the number 32 on the selling list.

Zen 4 Zen 5 prices
Zen 4 Vs. Zen 5 Price Difference

Since its launch, the Ryzen 7000x3D CPUs have been considered the best in gaming. Now, the failure of the Ryzen 9000 series has caused the Ryzen 7000x3D to increase in price. We can see a price increase of 25% in the recent months. Despite this, the series is still the best seller.

Latest Updates

About the price of Ryzen 9000 CPU it is expected that it will fall more in the coming months to the point that it is less or equal to the prices of Ryzen 7000x3D series.

Bloodborne Is Now Completely Playable On PC

Story Highlight
  • Bloodborne was booted on PC via ShapPS4 just a few weeks ago.
  • The game has already been made 100% playable on the PC platform. 
  • While you can play the game from start to end, there are still some glitches and bugs that need fixing. 

It was just weeks away when Bloodborne was being booted up via ShapPS4. That wasn’t enough for fans to believe that it would finally be playable as it had happened before with other emulators. However, just after days, unreal progress was being made, and fans finally saw some hope.

After a few weeks, Bloodborne, the long-awaited PlayStation exclusive, is completely playable on PC. The emulation team has worked hard on this project, and thanks to the ShadPS4, the impossible has become possible. 

Why it matters: Sony, to this date, is ignoring the fandom’s demand for the Bloodborne remake or a remaster, even though FromSoftware isn’t against this idea. 

Bloodborne On PC
Bloodborne Is Now 100% Playable on PC

Pirat_Nation on Twitter has been taking the lead in constantly updating the fandom about the latest updates regarding this project. The Twitter account has recently confirmed that the game is now playable from start to end on the PC with the ShadPS4.

It is unreal how the emulation team has managed to make the game completely playable on the PC platform in just a matter of weeks. Fans had lost all hope of the game appearing on PC, but it is no longer a dream as you can literally play it on your desired platform.

While you can play the game from start to finish via the emulator, there are still bugs and glitches. The team is constantly fixing them, and they are likely to be completely fixed by the end of this month. 

It was previously revealed that the game would be made payable on this platform this month. The person wasn’t lying; you can boot up the game and play it on your setup. You might need a strong setup for now, but sooner, with more updates, it is likely to work perfectly on the low-specs PC, too.

Latest Updates

While you can play the game right now, we recommend waiting for it to be in better condition for the perfect experience. 

Elgato and Bitfocus Partner To Release Stream Deck Studio

[Press Release] Elgato and Bitfocus have joined forces yet again after multiple successful collaborations in the past, resulting in the Stream Deck Studio.

This 19-inch console offers 32 LCD keys, two rotary dials, and more. It easily adjusts into universal studio racks and provides an incredible amalgamation of hardware and software for broadcasting purposes.

Stream Deck Studio
The Stream Deck Studio Is Back By A 2-Year Warranty

The partnership between Elgato and Bitfocus goes back several years.

Both companies saw the potential for products like Stream Deck Studio shortly after Stream Deck arrived in 2017 and became more viable for traditional broadcast settings with Companion, a custom software from Bitfocus.

Stream Deck Studio will use the same Companion software, but Bitfocus has another trick up its sleeve. Buttons, a new custom software from Bitfocus, offers additional functions tailor-made for Elgato’s latest release.

Stream Deck Studio boasts a fully customizable interface, allowing for seamless navigation through personalized icons and text labels. Meanwhile, two rotary LED encoders offer dynamic control.

The onboard RFID/NFC reader makes user authentication hassle-free, and the Buttons software allows for the linking of multiple Stream Deck Studios for further utility. However, this is far from everything Buttons can do.

According to Bitfocus, the software offers automatic device identification with mDNS discovery, IP-based broadcasting support, real-time infrastructure monitoring, and more. It already boasts compatibility with a wide library of software and hardware, but this library is constantly expanding.

In the future, support will be extended with Nevion’s VideoIPath and various other third-party software for additional integration. To gain access to all these features and more, head over to this link to purchase the latest Elgato offering for $899.99.

Digital Games Now More Popular Than Discs, Suggests Major Poll

Story Highlight
  • A poll suggests that most people choose digital games over physical releases.
  • Some voters suggest that they last purchased a physical disc many years ago.
  • Analysts expect the industry to transition toward a digital-only future in the coming years.

The age-old debate over physical and digital media is here to stay. While fans of the former advocate for preservation and collections, others argue in favor of the convenience of a digital future.

However, slowly but surely, digital media has become more important in the gaming industry. According to a new poll, most people prefer to purchase their games digitally today.

Why it matters: Many enthusiasts have been upset that the industry neglects physical media today. They believe that digital gaming has too many downsides.

Digital Games vs. Physical Games Poll
Digital Games vs. Physical Games Poll via VGT

A poll hosted by VGT Gaming News on Twitter sought to determine whether gamers prefer physical or digital media. Among nearly 700 votes, digital games came out on top by a narrow margin.

Over 47% of voters stated that they don’t care for physical media, while 42.4% find physical media more appealing. This poll highlights an important trend in the gaming industry.

While physical media has not been completely abandoned in favor of digital gaming, most consumers currently prefer the latter. Digital distribution has grown drastically over the years, and analysts have even predicted that it may become the only option in the future.

Games like Hellblade 2 and Alan Wake 2 serve as examples of this transition. PlayStation is also set to release the PS5 Pro soon, a console that will launch without a disc drive, though PlayStation sells a separate disc drive add-on.

Xbox Physical Games
Xbox Already Has A Dedicated Digital-Only Console This Generation

In the comments, many users described how the shift has impacted their gaming experiences. One user stated that they hadn’t bought a single disc in six years, with Zelda: Breath of the Wild being the last one.

Latest Updates

It should also be noted that platforms like Steam are important to this shift. Steam has revolutionized PC gaming in many ways, pushing consumers toward digital libraries.

Fans Seemingly Not Excited For Indiana Jones Despite Positive Previews

Story Highlight
  • Fans appear to be less enthusiastic about Indiana Jones and The Great Circle compared to other highly anticipated games.
  • The game’s success may depend on its gameplay quality, not just its iconic franchise.
  • STALKER 2 and Silent Hill 2 have generated more excitement among fans.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was met with positive early reviews, but fans don’t seem as excited as they are for other big releases this year. Even though MachineGames tried to capture what makes the Indiana Jones franchise special, the overall response has been lukewarm.

This became clear when Geoff Keighley asked fans on Twitter which upcoming game they were most excited about that is yet to be released in 2024. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle barely came up, with most fans more interested in games like STALKER 2 and Silent Hill 2.

Why it matters: Although Indiana Jones is making its way to PS5 in 2025 in an attempt to reach a bigger audience, the hype for it seems non-existent.

Fans Are More Excited For STALKER 2 and Silent Hill 2
Many people have expressed interest in the upcoming STALKER 2.

The early gameplay trailers look promising, featuring a mix of first- and third-person views and an adventure set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. However, the excitement for the game seems to have died down.

MachineGames, famous for their Wolfenstein series, had fans hoping for a great story and engaging gameplay. However, the first-person view, which was unexpected for many, might have lessened some of the hype.

Many fans have expressed mixed feelings about the game. Some worry that MachineGames’ focus on first-person shooters could affect the adventure elements, drawing comparisons to their Wolfenstein series.

The comments suggest that nostalgia alone may not be enough to boost sales if the gameplay doesn’t meet expectations. In contrast, games like STALKER 2 and Silent Hill 2 have generated a lot of excitement for many reasons.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will feature some third-party gameplay but not much.

Although Indiana Jones is a famous movie name, its video game adaptations have been inconsistent, which might explain why the reaction to The Great Circle has been more subdued.

Latest Updates

As the game gets closer to its release later this year, it’s unclear if the early doubts will shift to excitement. For now, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle seem to be taking a backseat to more hyped releases in 2024.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Struggling To Secure Pre-Orders In Japan

Story Highlight
  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the most controversial game of this year. 
  • The game features historical inaccuracies which managed to anger the Japanese fandom.
  • Due to that, it seems to be struggling to get pre-orders in Japan.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been highly criticized and the controversy seems to increase every time there is a new update. Japanese fandom has found the game too offensive due to the tweaks in history done by Ubisoft. 

There isn’t a definitive source that could confirm that Yasuke was indeed a samurai who worked under Oda Nobunaga. So, the controversy has arisen way too much thanks to this supposed samurai. 

Due to this many expected the game to fail in Japan on launch and it seems like it will. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is struggling to secure pre-orders in Japan. 

Why it matters: Ubisoft’s worth has gone down by over 80% in the last 5 years and the upcoming Assassin’s Creed game doesn’t seem like it can save the company. 

AC Shadows Pre-orders
AC Shadows Has Just Over 100 Pre-orders In Japan | Source: Amazon

The game has been pre-ordered by just over 100 people in the past month which shows it isn’t really popular in Japan. Well, it is popular in the country but not in a good way. So, even a franchise as big as Assassin’s Creed can fail sometimes?

Ubisoft’s recent game Star Wars Outlaws was a complete failure. First of all the director was nowhere near happy with the review scores and secondly, Ubisoft’s stock plummeted to a 10-year low. 

The situation Ubisoft is right now isn’t good at all and Assassin’s Creed Shadows is likely to make it even worse. The studio first said that the game isn’t historically accurate but then contradicted itself and claimed that it is.

Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Is Not In A Very Good Situation Right Now

Many are thinking that this game is going to be a flop just like the recent Star Wars Outlaws. Perhaps the only way Ubisoft can be saved now is the Assassin’s Creed Remakes. 

Latest Updates

Still, there is some time left before the game’s release so it is too soon to consider a failure. An insider previously reported that the pre-orders are going well so let’s wait to hear officially from Ubisoft.  

Xbox Reportedly Betting Big On Black Ops 6 Amid Game Pass Stagnation

Story Highlight
  • A new report states that Game Pass is no longer growing.
  • Xbox is now betting big on Black Ops 6, hoping Call of Duty can bring sustainable growth to the service.
  • The report suggests Call of Duty’s impact may not be felt until 2025 since Microsoft is interested in sustainability.

The latest reports have pointed to new layoffs within Microsoft’s gaming division. The latest round of job cuts brings the total number of layoffs up to 2,500, hinting at a concerning picture for Xbox’s future.

Amid the chaos, an insider states that Game Pass is also struggling. This subscription, while ambitious in nature, has been unable to grow substantially in recent years. According to a report, Xbox is now looking toward Black Ops 6 for major growth.

Why it matters: Xbox has recently abandoned its traditional approach to console gaming. With a third-party focus in full swing, the gaming giant is banking on a subscription-based future.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6
Black Ops 6 Will Be Available Day One On Game Pass

The latest update on this situation comes from Tom Warren, a reliable journalist.

He states that the growth of Xbox’s service has stagnated. Tom Warren suggests that Xbox wants to see this changing with Black Ops 6. Following a highly successful beta, anticipation is high for this Call of Duty release.

Xbox has also marketed Black Ops 6 as the first day-one Call of Duty on the service. However, the report suggests a substantial impact may not be obvious until next year.

This may be due to Call of Duty’s ever-evolving nature, which encourages players to return every few months. As such, this release could encourage many existing buyers to subscribe again after the initial release buzz.

The report implies that Xbox is more interested in sustained growth than an initial spike of subscribers caused by the launch period.

It’s no secret that gaming subscription growth in many regions has plateaued. However, analysts have previously predicted as many as 200 million subscribers for Game Pass. Going by the current report, Black Ops 6 will decide whether this becomes a reality.

Latest Updates

It is also important to note that Xbox has games like Indiana Jones coming up soon. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how the service grows. Adding Call of Duty into the mix should produce interesting results, even if the situation looks bleak for the time being.

Many Devs Are Leaving The Gaming Industry For Other Careers

Story Highlight
  • According to a recent survey, game devs are quitting the tech industry to work in other jobs. 
  • Some are working as line chefs, others in bike repairs and many other fields. 
  • The state of the industry is really concerning as more layoffs are expected soon again. 

The last few years have been some of the worst for the gaming industry. There has been so much uncertainty and thousands of devs have already lost their jobs spanning over many companies. These include heavy hitters like Sony and Microsoft as well. 

According to an analysis, many devs are quitting the gaming industry and working on other jobs. 

Why it matters? There can only be two probabilities with all this uncertainty: either get laid off and become jobless or change your profession before it’s too late. And many developers seem to be opting for the second solution. 

Gaming Industry Layoffs
Developers are quitting the gaming industry to work in other jobs

Aftermath interviewed several video game developers who had been laid off. They haven’t actually revealed most of the companies they used to work at, but they all had a similar point of view on this matter. 

There is a joy in doing something you are really good at, and I miss that feeling

– Laid Off Dev

One of the developers was laid off in 2022. He had been having a rough few years before starting a web development course. Another Level Designer, who worked at Eggnaut Studio before it shut down, pursued a degree in Plant Science. 

Marvels Spider Man 2 Sony Layoffs
Uncertainty in the gaming industry is forcing devs towards other jobs

Moreover, others have quite the tech space and are working as Line Chefs or bike repairs. All of the described companies had a toxic culture, and they’ve been in depression ever since they were laid off, as they didn’t have livelihood anymore. 

They also expressed their sadness at not being able to do something they loved so much anymore. Luckily, as the developers have a background in education, they are eventually landing jobs. 

Latest Updates

PlayStation is reportedly again gearing up for layoffs, and Microsoft is also cutting its workforce from the Activision Blizzard team. This is all really sad to see, and we hope all the affected people come out strong. 

Microsoft To Lay Off An Additional 650 Gaming Division Employees

Story Highlight
  • Microsoft is laying off 650 staff members again.
  • This is the second major layoff happening at the company in the span of the last nine months.
  • While the last layoffs canceled one of the Blizzard projects, Phil has confirmed these layoffs would cut no games.

2024 has been one of the worst years for the gaming industry as thousands of developers have already lost their jobs, and in particular, Microsoft has already laid off over 1,900 workers.

While the company has recently laid off more developers just in July, it has now been reported that around 650 staff members have again been laid off following the restructuring plan.

Why it matters: The company has recently acquired Blizzard for $69 billion, and the Xbox console sales are also dipping. Therefore, the company has to make such tough decisions in order to survive.  

Phil Spencer Xbox
Xbox Has Laid Off Over 2,500 Workers Already

As reported by Game File, Phil Spencer sent an email to the employees this morning confirming that more layoffs are happening at the company.

We have made the decision to eliminate approximately 650 roles across Microsoft to organize our business for long term success.

-Phil Spencer

This is the second major layoff happening at the company in just a matter of nine months. While the last layoffs also canceled one of the Blizzard projects, Phil has confirmed no game will be cut this time.

Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass Has Over 34 Million Subscribers

Not too long ago, the company also shut down studios behind Redfall and Hi-Fi Rush and has since acquired Blizzard; Xbox has already cut off over 2,500 jobs.

Latest Updates

While things aren’t looking great for the company, it remains to be seen how it will recover the money it has spent on the recent acquisition. 

RTX 4070 GDDR6: Identical Performance With Slight Bandwidth Reduction

Story Highlight
  • The new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GDDR6 has the same specs as the GDDR6X model, except for a 5% reduction in memory bandwidth.
  • The GDDR6 model performs nearly the same as the GDDR6X at 1080p and 1440p but shows a slight 2% drop at 4K resolution.
  • To get the correct model, check for GDDR6 labeling on the graphics card.

Last month, NVIDIA released information about its GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card with new GDDR6 RAM. With the exception of the slower memory, which results in a 5% decrease in bandwidth, the specifications are identical to those of the GDDR6X model.

However, without further information, Nvidia claimed that performance would be comparable to what customers experienced with the original model.

Why it matters: The RTX 4070 GDDR6 offers nearly identical performance to the GDDR6X model at a lower cost, making it a great option for 1080p and 1440p gaming. Understanding the slight bandwidth reduction helps buyers make informed choices, especially if they game at 4K.

Image Via: wccftech

The new GDDR6 version features a 192-bit memory bus, 12GB of GDDR6 20 Gbps memory, and an AD104-251 GPU with 5,888 CUDA cores. It keeps the same 200W TDP and frequency as the original model. The sole distinction lies in the 480 GB/s bandwidth, as opposed to the 504 GB/s offered by the GDDR6X model.

In most gaming scenarios and at lower resolutions, a slight variation in memory bandwidth would not have substantially affected game performance. GALAX distributed media samples for reviews, and the first review showcasing the GALAX RTX 4070 GDDR6 model was recently published.

Regarding performance, the new RTX 4070 GDDR6 delivers 99.8% at 1080p, 99% at 1440p, and 97.7% at 4K resolution. Gamers planning to play at 1440p and 1080p shouldn’t anticipate a significant change in performance, and NVIDIA’s claim appears to be true.

Latest Updates

However, users should anticipate a minimum 2% decrease in performance at 4K resolution. Only if players aim for 1080p or 1440p resolutions can the NVIDIA-stated equivalent performance of the RTX 4070 GDDR6 be verified.

Nevertheless, users must look for GDDR6 labeling on graphics cards to determine which model they should buy.

GameMax Debuts Dual-Chamber Panoramic N80 Chassis

[Press Release] GameMax is introducing a new panoramic case today, the N80. Featuring a dual-chamber chassis, this option combines excellent aesthetics and functionality, an attribute rarely found in panoramic cases.

Thanks to the dual-chamber design, cold air enters through the upper chamber, leading to a seamless cooling solution. Furthermore, the cooling is enhanced through fan mounts on the motherboard side that help increase airflow.

GameMax ships the N80 with six daisy-chained PWM/ARGB fans. These fans support PWM temperature control for efficient and quiet operations, while their RGB effects create a dazzling fusion of lights and various effects.

GameMax N80
The Unique Design Makes For A Floating Effect

Meanwhile, an elegant glass panel provides an exquisite view of the internal components. This glass is also said to be explosion-proof for maximum safety.

According to GameMax, the N80 is compatible with the latest hidden-connector motherboards, including MSI Project Zero, Asus BTF, and more. A clutter-free layout further enhances the N80’s display of elegance and simplicity.

Adding to this simplicity, the hinged cable cover allows for all cables to be neatly stored away from sight. Those who prefer vertical GPU setups can also rely on the optional GPU bracket support and PCIe 4.0 riser cables to customize the chassis to their liking.

Available in black and white options, the GameMax N80 starts at $159.90. For more information on these cases, follow this link to the official GameMax website.

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