Marvel Rivals Didn’t Meet My Expectations, Despite Fun Moments

August 26, 2024

Story Highlights

Marvel Rivals feels like an uninspired Overwatch clone despite featuring Marvel characters.
Characters like Magneto and The Hulk felt underwhelming and failed to stand out.
The beta showed balance issues and missed opportunities, falling short of expectations.

When I first heard about Marvel Rivals, I was excited about a fast-paced, team-based game featuring Marvel heroes. However, the game’s demanding Unreal Engine 5 causes it to run at 1440p on the Xbox Series X and PS5 and as low as 540p on the Xbox Series S.

Despite these impressive visuals, the closed beta disappointed me, as it didn’t quite meet my high expectations. Marvel Rivals mimics Overwatch in a third-person perspective, featuring characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Black Panther in team-based superhero action.

One of the biggest letdowns was how familiar everything felt, closely meeting Overwatch in characters and game modes. The similarities make it feel less like a unique Marvel experience and more like an uninspired clone.

Familiar Heroes

Some moments made me smile. The first time I picked Magneto, the Master of Magnetism, from the roster, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation. But as I started playing, instead of feeling like a powerful mutant, I felt like an imitation of Sigma and Zarya from Overwatch.

It is similar to Sigma with explosive attacks, a deployable shield, and a similar ultimate. Like Zarya’s bubble, he also can power up his other attacks when allies take damage.

Marvel Rivals — Magneto = Sigma + Zarya – Image Credit By (Tech4Gamers)

It wasn’t just Magneto. Every character I tried felt like a version of someone else’s idea. The Punisher, who I had high hopes for, ended up being a standard “point and shoot” hero, lacking the gritty, no-nonsense edge that makes Frank Castle so compelling.

People feel disappointed with the Hulk, who should be a wrecking ball of destruction, felt lacklustre. Sure, he can “Hulk out” as his ultimate ability, but until then, he’s just Bruce Banner with a gun. It felt like a missed opportunity to create a truly unique gameplay experience.

Overwhelming Visuals And Balance Issues

The visuals, while initially stunning, quickly became overwhelming. Many people liked the comic book-inspired art style. But instead of feeling immersed in the action, I felt detached, as if I was watching a chaotic fireworks display rather than playing a game.

It was hard to focus on the important details, like my health bar or the position of my enemies. The result was a gameplay experience that was more frustrating than fun.

Marvel Rivals team fight — Team Fight – Image Credit By (Marvel.com)

Balance issues also plagued my time with Marvel Rivals. More often than not, matches were either complete blowouts or unreasonably one-sided. I either steamrolled the opposing team or was crushed by them.

The idea of a close, competitive game seemed distant. Certain heroes felt overpowered, while others were practically useless. This inconsistency made it difficult to develop any strategy, and I relied more on luck than skill.

Glimmers Of Fun Amidst Missed Opportunities

Despite all these shortcomings, there were still moments of fun. I’ll admit, taking down a group of enemies with Magneto’s ultimate ability, launching a metal meteor at them, was satisfying.

The in-game banter between characters was a nice touch, adding a bit of personality to the otherwise sterile atmosphere. But these moments were few and far between, and they weren’t enough to outweigh my overall disappointment.

As I wrapped up my time with the beta, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Marvel Rivals was a missed opportunity. The game has potential. There’s no denying that. But as it stands, it feels more like a reskin of Overwatch than a truly innovative hero shooter.

Marvel Rivals could become something special with more polish, better balance, and a stronger focus on making each hero feel unique and powerful. But for now, it falls short of the mark.

Will I keep an eye on the game as it continues to develop? Absolutely. I want to believe that NetEase can turn things around and deliver the Marvel hero shooter we all hoped for. Here’s hoping that by the time it officially launches, those moments will be the norm rather than the exception.

Latest Updates

AMD Ryzen 9000 Prices Dropping Rapidly; Up To 12% Cheaper Now

August 26, 2024

Story Highlights

The Ryzen 9000 series is rapidly losing its value in various parts of the world.
The Ryzen 9 9900X has seen the biggest discount so far, with prices slashed by 12% in Germany.
The last generation of Ryzen CPUs is still more appealing despite the current discounts on Zen 5 chips.

It’s been two weeks since the new Ryzen CPUs arrived, and the prices of all the chips have been decreasing since then. The main thing to note here is that these discounts are not from AMD but from the retailers themselves.

Why it matters: The sales of the Ryzen 9000 CPUs are very poor, and stores are losing money to get rid of these processors. They are offering discounts of up to 12% on the current stock so they can easily get rid of the new chips and start focusing on selling AMD’s top sellers, the Ryzen 5000 and 7000 CPUs.

According to reports, AMD Ryzen 9 9950X’s price has already dropped by as much as 5.1%. Originally listed for 709 euros, this processor is currently available in Europe for 673 euros. The most impacted is the Ryzen 9 9900X, which originally retailed for 539 euros but is currently only available for 474 euros (12.1%).

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, initially listed for 399 euros, is currently selling for about 379 euros (-5%). Lastly, we have the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X, which retailed for 309 euros at launch but is currently selling for about 296 euros (-4.2%).

The processors are still quite expensive if we compare them to the Ryzen 7000 series. A basic Ryzen 9 9600X CPU has six cores and costs nearly three hundred euros. On the other hand, a Ryzen 7 7700X costs 290 euros and has a difference of just 1.7% in gaming performance.

The Ryzen 7 7700X is also 9.2% quicker in apps. Although the Ryzen 9 9600X uses less power, its cost makes it less appealing as a purchase option. This is especially true when a less expensive Ryzen 7 7600X3D chipset is coming, and its gaming performance will be much better.

Latest Updates

The discount is available in the United States and Germany. However, as retailers struggle to get rid of existing stock, further discounts may continue to show up in various parts of the world.

Geekbench: An Overview Of The CPU/GPU Benchmarking Tool

August 25, 2024

Geekbench is one of the most used benchmarking utilities, whether it’s for the processor or graphics card. The benchmarking tool can benchmark both of them and provide a comprehensive result with all the necessary details for the user. From minimalistic UI to a well-put result sheet, Geekbench offers plenty of useful features.

You can download the free version by directly visiting Geekbench’s website, as they also have a paid version with some additional perks.

User Interface and Usability

Starting with the user interface, there’s not much going on here, and even the free version of this software is clean and uncomplicated in terms of use. As visible in the attached picture, the main page shows your PC’s full specifications and the options for benchmarking the processor and the graphics card. Similarly, there’s a tab that lets you choose the GPU’s API before triggering the benchmark.

Geekbench UI (Image credit: Tech4Gamers)

Additionally, the usability is not bad because the Geekbench 6 can benchmark both components even in its free-to-use version. Plus, its cross-platform support takes that usability factor to a whole new level.

Core Features

Geekbench is nothing short of numbers when it comes to offering features, which include:

Supports Multiple Platforms
CPU Benchmarking Tool
GPU Compute Power Benchmarking Tool
Geekbench Browser
Minimalistic UI

CPU Benchmarking Tool

You can easily use Geekbench to benchmark your CPU and evaluate its performance based on the result numbers. There’s no catch involved, and you can directly run the CPU benchmark from the main page. Moreover, Geekbench throws a series of different tests to mimic a real-world situation so you can have a better understanding of how your processor is going to perform in daily life processing tasks.

CPU Benchmarks

1 of 2

The tests are done twice, as the tool benchmarks the CPU in both single-core and multicore situations. The series of tests includes stuff like file compression, photo filter, HDR, asset compression, PDF renderer, and so on. These are the things that the CPU handles pretty much daily.

GPU Benchmarking Tool

Geekbench isn’t limited to just CPU benchmarking, it also has the option to test GPU’s compute power via its GPU benchmarking tool. The same process of throwing multiple real-world tests such as particle physics, edge detection, background blur, and more at the GPU happens here. This way, Geekbench evaluates the computing power of the graphics card and gives the same detailed result for the user.

GPU Benchmarks

1 of 2

Geekbench Browser

The results of both benchmarks go straight into the Geekbench browser, and it acts more like a database, which not only lets you see the results but also shares your results online for others to compare them with their own. Moreover, you can do the same and compare your results with other devices, ranging from mobile phones to desktop computers & Macs.

Benchmarking Tools

As stated above, Geekbench boasts two benchmarking tools to test both the CPU and GPU. Its versatility also allows you to test the computational power of the graphics card with different APIs, such as OpenCL, Vulkan, and, lastly, the Metal API, which is exclusive to Apple Silicon devices.

Geekbench GPU API Selection (Image credit: Tech4Gamers)

Pros and Cons

What We Liked	What We Disliked
Cross-platform compatibility.	The offline result feature isn’t free.
Can benchmark both the CPU & GPU.	Lacks customization headroom.
Minimalistic UI approach.
Works with low-spec PCs.
Result database system via Geekbench browser.

Comparison with Competitors

Comparing it with other benchmarking tools, Geekbench has an edge. For instance, Cinebench is more focused on the CPU side and only tests its rendering power, and 3DMark does that with GPU, whereas Geekbench prefers to perform a far more in-depth benchmark encompassing multiple tests.

Use Cases

We regularly use Geekbench for review and guide purposes, and you can do the same to evaluate your system’s performance. This is one of the instances where we were testing the Ryzen 3 2200G to put it in the chart against other APUs.

Ryzen 3 2200G Geekbench Benchmark (Image credit: Tech4Gamers)

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Imprecise Scores: If the tool is giving out unexpected and wrong results, then you better check the system’s thermals as well as the background processes and see if any system-intensive programs are running behind the back. These are usually the reasons behind such inaccurate scores, so better mitigate these repercussions.
Result Not Uploading: If you’re using the free version of Geekbench and having trouble getting the result on the Geekbench browser. In such a situation, make sure the internet you’re connected to is not having any issues and if you’re using a LAN cable, then try changing that or switching to Wi-Fi mode or a different network.
Tool Crashing: In case you can’t seem to complete the benchmarking process because of the tool crashing over and over again. You better check if your system is up-to-date and the tool is not missing any files either. Moreover, do check the task manager and see if something else is eating your memory and other resources, which is causing the crashing issues.

Glossary

Single-Core Performance: It means the power of a processor’s single-core and how efficiently it handles everything, this is called the CPU’s single-core performance.
Computing Power Benchmark: In this benchmark, the tool tests the computational power of the graphics card through various tests including feature matching, horizon detection, and particle physics to name a few.
Cross-Platform Comparison: This refers to the possibility of comparing results with devices having different OS and specifications.
Multi-Core Performance: The phenomenon in which all processor cores work together to complete the task at hand and how efficiently, and swiftly they do that is called its multicore performance.
Metal API: Just like OpenCL and Vulkan, this is another API that Apple developed for its devices featuring Apple Silicon, such as M & A series chipsets for its laptop and mobile platforms.
Cinebench: Like Geekbench, it’s another benchmarking tool that is primarily used to evaluate the CPU’s performance through a rendering test.

Steam Hits New All-Time Record With 37 Million Concurrent Users

August 25, 2024

Story Highlights

Steam has managed to record its highest-ever figures with over 37 million concurrent players.
Valve’s launcher is the default platform of choice for a major chunk of PC gamers.
It is also the preferred platform of choice for most publishers to launch their titles.

It is no surprise that Steam is the preferred platform for most gamers. Despite other options like Epic Games Store, GOG, and more existing, nothing has been able to dethrone Vavle’s launcher.

Now, Steam has hit a new all-time high concurrent player count, reaching over 37 million players.

Why it matters: Steam is mainly popular because of its accessibility. The platform provides a single place for all your games and is very light on the system, running in the background, making it preferable for most gamers.

Steam has hit a new record for concurrent players.

As per current stats, Steam now boasts a peak of over 37.2 million concurrent users, making a new record for the platform. For context, last year, its competitor, Epic Games, had almost 13 million peak concurrent users.

Steam has nearly tripled this amount recently, demonstrating its position as the dominant PC gaming platform. The platform is also thriving this week due to Black Myth: Wukong, a game that is now second only to PUBG in terms of active player counts.

Even when new releases are launched exclusively on storefronts like Epic Games, PC gamers typically tend to wait for a Steam release. This is yet another example of the platform’s current popularity.

Black Myth: Wukong boasts over 2 million players on Steam alone.

It is also important to note that Steam is constantly growing. While this new record is impressive, we would not be shocked if the platform ended up reaching new peaks later this year.

For this reason, many third-party publishers are now beginning to forego separate launcher requirements.

Latest Updates

Some reports even state that Microsoft is planning to integrate Steam with its next Xbox console. This is yet another example of Valve’s influence, which extends beyond PC gaming.

Concord Removes “LGBTQ” And “Political” Steam Tags Amid Poor Launch

August 25, 2024

Story Highlight

Concord’s launch was terrible since it failed to hit 1,000 concurrent players.
Firewalk seems to have removed the LGBTQ and Political tags from the game’s Steam page after this release.
It is being speculated that this was done to reach more buyers after a disappointing launch.

Concord might go down as one of PlayStation’s biggest failures to date. Despite an ambitious marketing push and an eight-year-long development cycle, the title failed to make a huge impact on Steam.

Launching to less than 1,000 concurrent players, Concord immediately became a disaster for Firewalk. Player counts have only gone down since then, and recent findings indicate that Firewalk has made changes to the game’s Steam tags as a potential response.

Why it matters: The subject of forced diversity is often brought up in the industry today. Even a recent release like Black Myth: Wukong received criticism over these elements.

Concord-Feat — Concord Has Performed Much Worse Than Expected

Concord previously displayed the LGBTQ and Political tags on Steam.

Since inclusivity has been a major part of the game, these tags were not the most inappropriate for such a release. However, users on Twitter have noted that Firewalk has since removed these two tags.

It is speculated that this was done in an attempt to appeal to more players. Perhaps this was a last-ditch effort from Firewalk after it saw the alarming response to its most ambitious project to date.

Previously, Concord’s character designs also received criticism, and the game was review-bombed. Elsewhere, Ubisoft received criticism for confirming LGBTQ romance options in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

As such, it’s clear that general audiences aren’t too fond of forced inclusivity in games.

Concord Featured 2 — Concord’s Character Designs Have Become A Controversial Element

Amid the controversy, a former Firewalk developer also became the center of attention. After clashing with various users on Twitter, the developer received criticism on social media. Therefore, there has been no shortage of controversy around Concord.

Latest Updates

The game still has three seasons to prove its worth. However, because of the slow start on Steam, it won’t take anything short of a miracle to save this hero shooter from its current situation.

Lies of P Potentially Going Open-World With Sequel

August 25, 2024

Story Highlight

A Lies of P sequel is in the works after the success of the original game.
We spotted a job listing from the studio that seems to confirm that this sequel will be based on an open-world structure instead of linear levels.
Previous job listings have pointed to Unreal Engine 5, confirming this will be an ambitious project.

Korean and Chinese developers are on track to making a huge name for themselves. Like Stellar Blade, Lies of P was another huge release from Korea last year, immediately becoming one of the best Souls-likes of the year.

The game was so successful that the team immediately confirmed work on more content. A sequel is being planned, and we have found a job listing for a Field Level Designer that seems to confirm the use of open-world level design for the sequel.

Neowiz is hiring specifically for the next Lies of P game, with the preferred qualifications for this position pointing to experience with open-world development.

Why it matters: FromSoftware’s transition to an open world resulted in the studio’s biggest success to date. Therefore, Neowiz might be aiming for similar success with this move.

Following the success of Lies of P, Neowiz started working on the sequel, which, unlike the original, will be powered by Unreal Engine 5. However, this job listing opens up interesting possibilities for the sequel.

Extensive experience playing open-world games.

-Neowiz Job Listing

Since Elden Ring has already shown incredible success with an open-world approach to the Souls-like formula, the Lies of P series may be following suit.

This job listing is interesting since the original game focused on tightly designed linear corridor-like levels. As such, an open world would be a massive departure, allowing the team to present a very different experience.

Neowiz also confirmed plans to reinvest in single-player games last year. This may be one reason behind this ambitious approach for this series. The next entry will likely have a much bigger budget and a more extensive development cycle.

Latest Updates

If Neowiz is aiming to produce an open world, the Lies of P franchise is unlikely to return with a new entry for a while. However, the studio should be able to keep fans busy with DLC for the first game till then.

Half-Life 3 Is Real And Features Semi Open-World, Says Insider

August 25, 2024

Story Highlights

A data miner and insider suggests that Half-Life 3 is real and is being developed by Valve.
It will reportedly feature a semi-open world, a day and night cycle, AI NPCs, and more.
The game was cancelled in 2015 because the Source 2 engine wasn’t ready at that time.

Half-Life was among the most popular FPS games in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The franchise was supposed to be a trilogy, but the third game was cancelled because the Source 2 engine was not ready at that time.

However, Half-Life 3 leaks started emerging a few weeks ago, and according to an insider, the game is, in fact, real.

Why it matters: Fans were severely disappointed when Valve revealed that Half-Life 3 had been cancelled. While not official at this point, this new development will bring hope to all those who have been waiting for the game for so many years.

According to Gabe Follower, who has been responsible for many data mines and leaks in the past, Half-Life 3 is real. He has even managed to find out some key details about the project. For one, it will feature a semi-open world.

Previous entries had a linear map and level design, which mostly made sense because of the linear narratives. However, this entry might take things up a notch. Moreover, like many modern games, there will also be a day and night cycle.

Half-Life 3 is said to use smart NPCs that will be able to talk to your character. There will also be a weather system. Half-Life 2 already had similarly innovative mechanics, including real-time moss growth and more, which we hope will return for the sequel.

The latest Half-Life game we have right now is Alyx, which is a VR project. Half-Life 3 was cancelled in 2015, after which some story and gameplay details leaked online. Still, it is unclear whether Valve will pursue the same storyline again or not.

Latest Updates

The prospect of Half-Life returning is very interesting. Fans have longed to see the evolution of this series for a long while, but Valve has yet to make an official announcement.

Therefore, it may be better to keep expectations in check despite evidence of the third entry showing up.

Crash Bandicoot 5 Was A Crossover Project With Spyro Before Cancellation

August 25, 2024

Story Highlight

The Crash Bandicoot franchise has been one of Activision’s most popular franchises.
However, a brand new entry in the series was cancelled due to Crash 4’s performance being below expectations.
New information has revealed that this game could have been a crossover with Spyro.

Crash Bandicoot has remained a popular Activision franchise since its debut on the PlayStation in 1996 and has garnered a massive fanbase. While the series has enjoyed significant success over the years, the developers were reportedly dissatisfied with the performance of Crash Bandicoot 4.

This disappointment led to the cancellation of the highly anticipated Crash Bandicoot 5. Moreover, new information has surfaced online regarding the cancelled Crash Bandicoot 5.

Why it matters: Activision’s high standards have reached a point where even selling millions of units isn’t enough to justify continuing a franchise, showing just how high the expectations have become within the company.

This information comes from an in-depth video by YouTuber DidYouKnowGaming, who delved into the proposed Crash and Spyro crossover project and the issues with Crash Team Rumble, sharing insights from developers.

According to the video, Crash Bandicoot 5 was set to feature both Crash and Spyro as playable characters. Unfortunately, the game was cancelled because Crash Bandicoot 4 did not meet Activision’s expectations despite selling over 5 million units.

According to the video, the game had two concepts before its cancellation. The first would have revisited the Academy of Evil from Crash Twinsanity, and the second would have been a crossover with Spyro the Dragon.

In the crossover concept, Uka Uka would have been the main antagonist, and both Crash and Spyro would team up as playable characters. This crossover would feature team-up moves, such as Crash riding Spyro, blending their unique abilities.

While this all sounds spectacular, and this crossover was potentially what could have been Crash Bandicoot 5, it seems that it won’t be a reality anytime soon.

Despite selling over 5 million units, Crash Bandicoot 4’s success wasn’t enough to satisfy Activision, leading to the cancellation of Crash Bandicoot 5 in favor of focusing on highly successful GAAS (Games as a Service) titles like Call of Duty.

Latest Updates

While it’s unfortunate that this highly anticipated game was scrapped, especially considering how fascinating it sounded, we hope the concept isn’t entirely shelved. We still hope that this crossover idea becomes a reality in the future.

Asian Devs Celebrate Black Myth: Wukong Success As It Spread “Diverse Cultures”

August 25, 2024

Story Highlight

Black Myth: Wukong has become the biggest release from the Asian industry.
The developers behind Phantom Blade Zero and Stellar Blade congratulated Game Science for this success.
Fellow Asian studios are happy to see Black Myth: Wukong’s success as a game that unites diverse cultures.

Black Myth: Wukong is the biggest release this year, selling over 10 million copies in just three days and becoming the fastest-selling title of all time, beating the likes of Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and many others.

While many saw this success coming, it’s still massive for the Chinese and Asian gaming industry. Black Myth: Wukong has become a huge deal for this industry, and the teams behind Stellar Blade and Phantom Blade Zero are congratulating Game Science on their success.

Why it matters: 2023 and 2024 have already been huge years for Asian developers outside Japan. Following the release of Stellar Blade and Lies of P, Black Myth: Wukong has yet again solidified its strong standing in the industry.

Soon after its release, Black Myth: Wukong became the second biggest title on Steam. Developers like Shift Up were also quick to congratulate the studio, joining in on this success.

Congratulations to Game Science on the release of 「Black myth Wukong 」as a fellow Asian game creator.

-Shift Up

Elsewhere, the Chinese developer behind the highly anticipated Phantom Blade Zero also gave Game Science a shoutout, highlighting how big releases like Black Myth: Wukong unite diverse cultures.

As fellow developers from China, we couldn’t be more proud. Games are powerful bridges that unite diverse cultures.

-S-Game

While the game saw some criticism for lacking diversity, S-Game acknowledged how such a release helps spread a rich culture to different audiences.

Stellar Blade Has Been Very Profitable For Shift Up

Overall, it’s a great sight to see the Asian industry growing in such a manner. This success will help add more diversity and competition to the industry. Stellar Blade was another successful release from the region this year, selling over a million copies in just two months.

While recent reports have suggested that Phantom Blade Zero will be released in 2026, the title looks like another promising showcase of Chinese talents.

Latest Updates

As for Game Science, the path ahead looks more promising than ever. With over 200K positive Steam reviews, the team’s first major AAA release is still going strong.

Future projects will likely come with even bigger ambitions and goals, propelling the team to further heights as long as it delivers the same great gameplay that fans have come to expect.

Devs Believe PS5 Pro Will Run Unreal Engine 5 Much Better Than Base PS5

August 25, 2024

Story Highlight

New reports from Gamescom 2024 suggest that developers are already anticipating the PS5 Pro.
They have information on the specifications and are hoping to launch their games close to this console’s release.
They also believe Unreal Engine 5 will run much better on the new hardware.

The PS5 Pro has yet to be announced, but it could appear during the next major PlayStation event. The existence of this console has technically been confirmed, as various leakers have already revealed so much information about it.

The console is said to be up to two times faster than the normal PS5 due to the PSSR upscaling, so it might be a worthy upgrade. A new report has also revealed that PS5 Pro will be able to handle Unreal Engine 5 much better than the base hardware.

Why it matters: Unreal Engine 5 is a tricky platform for making games, so it can cause many issues, such as stuttering during gameplay. It also requires more powerful hardware than the current consoles can deliver.

PS5 Pro Is Said To Offer an Easy Upgrade Path For Developers

This report comes directly from Wccftech, as a member of this media outlet was present during Gamescom 2024. The outlet has confirmed that developers are delaying their games in anticipation of the new console.

Developers also know the specifications already, and they seem to have made interesting comments in relation to Unreal Engine 5. It seems one particular developer was confident that the PS5 Pro would be a much better fit for this engine.

This is exciting since recent releases like Black Myth: Wukong aren’t performing the best on PS5. Sony is said to offer the same CPU but a much stronger GPU with this console. Therefore, fans should expect better results.

All in all, it seems the PS5 Pro is an open secret at this point. Everyone is just waiting on an official announcement from Sony. Similar reports came from another outlet yesterday, but Wccftech states that their sources were different.

Latest Updates

The console is still expected to launch before the end of 2024. While there was speculation about a potential delay to next year, leakers and developers remain confident that this will not come to fruition.

Sony seems to be gearing up for a massive reveal and a release shortly after that. With the potential for more advanced visuals, better performance, and exclusive features on PlayStation, everyone is excited to see how this release turns out.

PS5 Pro Release Imminent As Devs Prepare For Launch In 2024

August 24, 2024

Story Highlight

The PS5 Pro is still rumored to be releasing in 2024, but PlayStation has yet to make it official.
A journalist seems to confirm that various developers are still preparing for this console’s imminent release.
With PlayStation expected to host an event next month, a reveal for September seems to be set in stone.

The PS5 is showing its age as more new games adapt technology like Unreal Engine 5. With Black Myth: Wukong dropping to 720p and requiring frame generation to hit 60FPS, there is a clear need for more capable hardware.

Fortunately, the PS5 Pro has been in the rumor mill for months. While no real information has come out yet, another source suggests the release is imminent.

Why it matters: The PS5 Pro will be Sony’s biggest piece of hardware since the PS5 originally debuted in 2020. Therefore, many are curious to see what innovations the gaming giant is bringing to the table.

PS5 With DualSense Controller — The PS5 Pro Could Be Announced Next Month | Image via Tech4Gamers

The PS5 Pro has always been rumored for a late 2024 launch, but Sony has remained fairly silent on the situation. Following past leaks, an Italian journalist has discussed this hardware in a recent live stream.

According to his interaction with a developer at Gamescom, the console is nearly ready to be released. Explaining further, he said that the team delayed their game because the new hardware was coming.

This would not be the case for a console coming several months later, so the team seems to be aware of the PS5 Pro’s release date. All in all, the journalist suggests that the PS5 Pro will indeed be available by the end of 2024.

If this is the case, fans can expect an announcement in September. PlayStation is also expected to host a State of Play or a showcase during the same month, making it the perfect time for a major reveal.

PlayStation 5 — The PS5 Is Selling Out Everywhere In China | Image via Tech4Gamers

The PS5 has become more popular than ever since Black Myth: Wukong’s release. This presents a huge opportunity for Sony since it can capitalize on the excitement around the PS5, particularly in huge markets like China.

Latest Updates

The PS5 Pro is expected to come with proprietary upscaling tech that will allow the console to offer nearly twice as much performance as the base model. Therefore, enthusiasts and fans worldwide are excited to see Sony officially confirming these details next month.

Xbox Series S Is Annoying And Shouldn’t Exist, Says Developer

August 24, 2024

Story Highlight

The Xbox Series S is famous for leading to delayed games on Xbox.
The latest hit, Black Myth: Wukong, was also delayed due to the same hardware limitations.
A developer recently said this console is so annoying that it shouldn’t exist.

The Xbox Series S has been a nightmare for many developers. Many think the Xbox One was the worst thing that ever happened to Xbox, but the budget console seems to have taken this spot.

Various developers have previously pointed to the weak hardware as a problem, and Black Myth: Wukong was also delayed on Xbox due to console optimizations. The Xbox Series S has yet again become the target of criticism from a developer who stated that it should not exist.

Why it matters: The Xbox Series S has led to many games being delayed on the platform, which can negatively impact fans’ experiences.

Mrpyo1 on Twitter recently expressed his concern for Xbox fans who missed out on Black Myth: Wukong. This tweet led to a reply from Del Walker, a developer with experience working with Naughty Dog, Rocksteady, and others.

Del Walker pointed to the Xbox Series S and pulled no punches in discussing the drawbacks of Microsoft’s budget-oriented hardware.

I wish the Series S never existed, man. So annoying to optimize for that console.

-Del Walker

He also predicted that Xbox’s situation would stay the same in the future, with more developers choosing to skip the platform due to optimization problems.

Like Del Walker, various other developers have previously criticized Microsoft’s decision to launch an underpowered piece of hardware. Even last year’s Game of the Year, Baldur’s Gate 3, was delayed on the platform just because of the Xbox Series S.

Perhaps Microsoft will learn from this decision and create one major console for the next generation. However, the gaming giant is also rumored to be working on a handheld. The Xbox Series S can be great in certain scenarios, but it has handicapped the Xbox Series X time and again.

Latest Updates

While some developers, like Larian’s Swen Vincke, don’t blame the console for the challenges of working with the platform, there’s little doubt that developers need to put in extra effort to optimize for Xbox because of this budget console.

In contrast, PlayStation’s decision to go with a cheaper digital model of the same PS5 hardware seems like a much smarter decision.