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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Call of Duty coming to Game Pass without a catch seemed too good to be true.
Now, my hunch has been proven right, as Microsoft has increased the prices of each tier and made some significant changes.
These changes have angered and confused the community.
After Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, it was long rumored that Call of Duty would come to Xbox Game Pass. This speculation was put to an end after Microsoft announced it would release Modern Warfare 3 on the service.
Following various leaks and months of waiting, the service finally has its first Call of Duty title. However, before Microsoft announced that games from one of the biggest franchises would be coming to Game Pass, I already knew there would be a catch, and I was right.
Why it matters: Call of Duty is so big that it generates billions of dollars in revenue several months into its lifecycle, so Xbox would not give it away without any additional catch.
Call of Duty is Changing Xbox Game Pass
Call of Duty Heading To The Service Seems To Have Been The Main Reason For The Price Hike
Microsoft’s subscription has been a fan favorite due to the availability of day-one AAA releases on the service. Many fans prefer using it on PC and Xbox to avoid spending $70 on full purchases. However, the service now costs much more annually, so users might not find it worth buying.
In my opinion, this is all due to the arrival of Call of Duty. It is surely changing the subscription for the worse. Now, you won’t even get day-one releases with the standard tier of this service. If reports are to be believed, you would have to wait for 6 to 12 months to play AAA releases on this tier.
Xbox is ending its “play it with day one with Game Pass” mission. However, I find it unfair for consumers that Call of Duty is changing the service drastically, especially since many might not even be interested in this series.
Sure, this IP is one of the biggest in the industry, but it doesn’t appeal to every single gamer. The gaming giant won’t even offer Call of Duty on every tier. For the complete experience, you must buy Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass.
Compensating For Call of Duty
The New Xbox Game Pass Tier System Has Become Confusing For The Fandom
This community has been left extremely confused by what Microsoft is doing, and it isn’t surprising at all. However, the gaming giant’s thought process is not too shocking, either.
Consider how much money any particular entry of this franchise typically makes, and you’ll see why prices are going up. This series typically sells millions of units at launch, and putting it on a subscription will ultimately cannibalize a certain portion of sales. For reference, Modern Warfare 2 made nearly $1 billion in three days.
Luckily for Xbox, it can still reap the benefits of sales on PlayStation. However, over on Microsoft’s own console and PC, the slight price hike will make this sacrifice just a bit less painful.
It’s being said that more price hikes are on the way. This is also completely understandable since the subscription needs to reach a point where Microsoft is comfortable with releasing future Call of Duty entries.
Buying Black Ops 6 Would Be Better
Buying Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Seems Like A Better Option After The Price Hike
If you are a fan of Call of Duty and can’t wait to play Black Ops 6, then you should probably not opt for this subscription. You would need the Ultimate tier or PC Game Pass for day-one access, which would ultimately cost you more if you want to play this Black Ops entry for the long term.
Buying the actual game would be better in this case. If you are on a PC, there is no better platform than Steam. You might even find deals to get Black Ops 6 at a cheaper price on day one through third-party key sellers.
Given the scope and size of the game, users are more likely to buy on Steam. However, the main concern is for those who don’t even want to play this series.
That said, it may be best to look into third-party sites to stack up on Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions while they last. I recommend options like CDKeys, and you can even consider switching to PC Game Pass since this tier is ultimately the best option for now.
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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Metal Gear Solid 5 was released nine years ago and remains the best stealth game.
I’ve wanted to try the game for a while, but I finally got the chance to jump in recently.
While I found the story slightly disappointing, the gameplay made up for it.
Hideo Kojima’s games are a work of art, and everyone should try them once in their life. As someone who’s played nearly every title this developer has ever released, I couldn’t recommend his work enough, especially the Metal Gear series.
Despite my admiration for the developer, there is one release that I have been sleeping on for quite a while: Metal Gear Solid 5. However, this changed recently, and the experience left me wondering why I was nearly nine years late to the party.
Why it matters: Metal Gear Solid 5 is one of the best examples of how to implement stealth in a modern title, especially since this genre is often overlooked today.
The Story Is Undeniably Weak
Metal Gear Solid 5 is One of The Best Games I Have Ever Played, But It Lacks A Great Story
Having loved almost every second of my time with Metal Gear Solid 5, I must say that the story isn’t its forte. I have seen many people complain about the story, and it is understandable why. The story is poorly put together, possibly due to the differences between Konami and Kojima at that time.
I mainly love this franchise for its stories and gameplay. While gameplay matters the most to me, I still think the story should be compelling enough to carry the experience. That is where Metal Gear Solid 5 faltered, and I will not defend it.
Many fans claim that the story is incomplete, but this is not the case since there won’t be a follow-up. I can agree that the conclusion was poor, and there’s no defending Hideo Kojima here.
However, this is where my tiny list of complaints ends. In my opinion, the game excels in pretty much every other department.
Best Stealth Experience Ever
The Overall Stealth Mechanics Remain Unparalleled 9 Years Later
If you are looking for a great combat experience, do yourself a favor and try out Hideo Kojima’s last release for this series. Having played tons of games, I have never enjoyed stealth as much as I did in Metal Gear Solid 5.
Even if you are bad at the genre, you have to try this one, believe me. This is one of those games that encourages you to use stealth without forcing it upon you. The enemy AI isn’t stupid, either.
In most stealth games, the enemy AI isn’t that impressive, but Metal Gear Solid 5 heads in a different direction. Once the enemies are alerted, you won’t be able to lose them quickly by just hiding. Also, if you have alerted the enemies, they won’t be able to pinpoint your location automatically.
The enemies will try to find you, and that is where stealth plays an important role. One thing I love about the gameplay is that the enemies don’t spawn infinitely. Sure, the backup arrives soon after they are alerted, but you can take care of that, too.
You can also use C4 to distract your enemies or lure them into one of your traps. As I said earlier, the enemy AI is extremely polished, and this is something I’ve rarely seen in the stealth genre, even if it should be the standard.
My Final Thoughts
I Enjoyed The Gameplay Despite Being Nearly A Decade Late To The Party
I am a little biased regarding games from Hideo Kojima, but that doesn’t mean I won’t point out the big negatives. The story is easily the weakest aspect here, and it certainly has a lot of room for improvement.
However, focus on the gameplay, and you’ll quickly forget this drawback. There doesn’t seem to be much repetition, and the gameplay forces you to sit through the entire experience because it is just so fun.
The boss fights are quite compelling, too. However, I agree that they aren’t as spectacular as they were in the previous Metal Gear Solid entries. If you want to fight unforgettable bosses, I recommend playing the first and fourth entries.
Still, the bosses here make for an engaging experience once all is said and done. Ultimately, I enjoyed my time with Kojima and Konami’s last collaboration. I’m now looking forward to Death Stranding 2, which comes out next year. Konami is set to launch Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake soon, so that’s also on my list.
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 Xbox 360 online marketplace has officially gone offline.
In the past, Nintendo also discontinued the online stores and multiplayer support for the Wii, Wii U, and 3DS.
This leaves the PS3 as the only 7th-generation console with a functioning online store.
After a surprise announcement last year, Microsoft officially shut down the Xbox 360 digital marketplace yesterday. This marked the end of an era, concluding a nearly two-decade-long journey for Microsoft’s most successful console.
However, the Xbox 360 is not alone here. In fact, it’s far from the only console of its generation to face this situation. Today, the PS3 is now the only 7th-generation console with both an active store and online access.
Why it matters: The Xbox 360 and PS3 are often considered among the best consoles of their time. With the former losing its marketplace, the end is near for the 7th generation of console gaming.
The PS3 Has Been Supported For Nearly 18 Years
Nintendo was the first to discontinue its oldest consoles. Back in 2022, it already announced the closure of the Wii U and 3DS eShop services. However, Nintendo’s 7th-generation offering was the Wii.
This console’s online shop was closed down as early as 2019, bringing an end to what was the best-selling hardware of that generation. Moreover, all three of these consoles have lost online multiplayer functionality.
As for PlayStation, it intended to close shop before Xbox. However, after an abrupt announcement several years back, Sony walked back on this decision. Since then, there have been no updates on when PS3 support will be discontinued.
With recent rumors pointing to the end of active support and a PS3 emulator for the PS5, this may happen sooner rather than later. However, for now, the PS3 reigns supreme as the last major console from the 7th generation.
The Xbox 360 UI Has Gone Through A Huge Change. | Image via Twitter
It is also important to note that the PS Vita Store is still up and running. This console, while far from a huge success, continues to have an enthusiast fan following, making it quite important for Sony.
For what it’s worth, we recommend fans cherish their PS3 and its library while it’s still there. There’s no telling when Sony will make a similar announcement since the console only has about 2 million monthly active users today.
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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Concord is set to be released on August 23, 2024.
The game is under a month away, and it is in a concerning situation.
The $40 price tag, failed betas, and negative impressions indicate that it will be a disaster at launch.
Shooter games have been popular for as long as I can remember. When combined with multiplayer gameplay, this genre is still one of the biggest today, and the likes of Overwatch and Valorant have led to the explosion of the hero shooter genre.
PlayStation is diving into this genre with Concord. However, the gaming giant doesn’t seem to have put much thought behind its long-anticipated first-person shooter comeback, as Concord looks very generic and hardly worth playing.
The hero shooter has been highly criticized, but PlayStation is moving ahead with an August release. As the release date draws nearer with each passing day, Concord is in a concerning situation.
Why it matters: The shooter genre is massive and filled with popular games, so it’s hard to make a title that can stand out.
The $40 Price Tag Is Unreasonable
Concord, Despite Being A Live Service Shooter, Isn’t Free To Play
First of all, the $40 price tag isn’t reasonable. I have no idea what Sony was thinking when this price tag was decided since Concord will directly compete with free-to-play titles.
Counter-Strike is the best example of a free-to-play shooter done right. Valve’s competitive shooter is completely free, but it generated $1 billion last year from cases alone. So, if Concord is going to be flooded with microtransactions, it should not cost any money.
I have lost count of how many people have complained about this price tag. Fans were also concerned about Astro Bot’s pricing, but it seemed promising since Sony gave it a special treatment this time. However, in Concord’s case, the price is too big of a red flag to ignore.
The Recent Betas Failed Miserably
The Open Beta Failed To Attract More Than 2.3K Players
Concord has now concluded two betas. The closed beta was available to PS Plus members on consoles and those who pre-ordered on PC. However, the numbers were far from stellar.
The closed beta reached a tad over 1000 players, which is basically miserable. While I can’t speak for exact PS5 figures, I don’t imagine the game performing much better on consoles.
The open beta followed shortly after, and the numbers weren’t much better. On the other hand, Marvel Rivals was crushing it during its beta weekend. Almost everyone who tried the beta had something bad to say about Concord.
The characters are unlikable, and the overall concept is not original. Who would want to play something based on a concept that has already been done much better before? PlayStation has done little to help this title stand out, and fans have been quick to point that out.
Many have also complained about the issues with the gameplay. The biggest concerns are the gunplay and controls. What first-person shooter can afford to have poor gunplay and controls?
Others have discussed the issues with the unnecessarily long time-to-kill. While this can be fixed through future updates, players have been far from satisfied with the first taste of PlayStation’s major hero shooter.
A Huge Investment Down The Drain
PlayStation Seems To Have Gotten On The Wrong Foot With This Game
While Concord may not have had budgets as big as The Last of Us, God of War, or Spider-Man 2, it likely wasn’t a small investment for Sony.
Looking at the high-quality CGI trailers and the various marketing efforts, Sony has certainly spent a large chunk of money on the project. The fact that the gaming giant bought Firewalk for $3.6 billion last year is further proof that it was confident in the game.
However, at this rate, all that money will go to waste. I can also imagine the team at Firewalk being the first target for future layoffs in the worst-case scenario since PlayStation laid off nearly 1,000 developers this year.
As it stands, Concord is unlikely to appeal to anybody. Hardcore first-person shooter fans have too many alternatives, and casual players won’t be willing to spend $40 on a title surrounded by free-to-play options.
Concord is set to be released on August 23, so there is less than a month until the game is in the public’s hands. I don’t see it being ready for launch, but there’s hardly any time to make fundamental changes to the gameplay and live service model.
While I’m glad an overpriced battle pass won’t be one of Firewalk’s big problems, this is hardly enough to compensate for everything that has gone wrong with the studio’s live-service hero shooter.
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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Astro Bot has the potential to be one of the best first-party releases on the PS5.
It offers everything great about Astro’s Playroom and cranks those elements up to eleven.
Astro Bot also pays tribute to popular PlayStation characters, serving as a nostalgic experience.
Gaming giants have always had some very popular mascots. When you think about Nintendo, Mario pops into your mind, Sonic for Sega, and Master Chief for Xbox. But for PlayStation, the mascot hasn’t always been the same. They’ve changed over the years and different console generations.
For the PS1, there were Crash Bandicoot and Spyro. However, we can’t decide on one for the later ones. Many characters like Kratos, Nathan Drake, Aloy, and others exist, but Astro Bot is the real unofficial mascot.
The little guy first appeared in 2018’s PS VR game Astro Bot Rescue Mission and instantly became a fan favorite. While he didn’t get a full-fledged game, PlayStation brought him back later for the PS5 in the form of Astro’s Playroom.
This was a tech demo that showcased the capabilities of the PS5 and the DualSense controller. However, fans ended up loving the character, and the gaming giant has finally announced a full Astro Bot adventure this year. I think it could be PlayStation’s dark horse.
Why it matters: Team Asobi’s latest platformer is already shaping up to be a massive release. Its success could also help PlayStation overcome the lack of a huge first-party lineup this year.
An Insanely Fun Space Adventure
Astro’s Playroom served as a great introduction to the IP.
Astro’s Playroom features different terrains and atmospheres that demonstrate how good the DualSense controller is. The latest entry takes that up a notch andoffers 80 levels of fun in a space setting with a lively world.
Astro’s Playroom gave us a glimpse of the IP’s potential. While it wasn’t planned that way, the tech demo became a fan favorite when PS5 was released. So, a similar title built on a much bigger scope was a no-brainer.
I, for one, can’t even imagine how fun Astro Bot will be, considering Astro’s Playroom was already so enjoyable despite its size. With the full experience taking everything up a notch, I’m more than excited about it.
The game features 50 planets that you’ll traverse using your Dual Speeder. Each planet offers something different: fun, danger, enemies, and countless activities. Astro also gets loads of new, very cool powers.
The planets comprise different terrains, ranging from sandy beaches to lush jungles and piping-hot volcanoes. We can be sure that, just like the last entry, each location will be well integrated with the DualSense, making the experience fully immersive.
From what we’ve seen in the trailers and previews, some of my favorite abilities include the Monkey Climber and Barkster, the Bulldog Barker. In short, Astro Bot seems like PlayStation’s way of officially announcing a new mascot.
The Nostalgic Factor
Team Asobi Is Paying Homage To Bloodborne Through Its Latest Release
Looking at Astro Bot took me back to the time when I used to play platformers like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro on the original PlayStation. While a new Spyro entry may be in the works right now, there is a distinct lack of such experiences today.
Team Asobi’s upcoming platformer clearly leans into the nostalgia factor. It also features easter eggs for various PlayStation characters and even teases Bloodborne despite the lack of a remake or remaster for this title.
Some easter eggs from the trailer include Kratos and Atreus from God of War, Aloy from Horizon, Nathan Drake from Uncharted, Spike from Ape Escape, and Ratchet from Ratchet and Clank. Characters from Shadow of Colossus also show up.
This platformer is shaping up to be a love letter for Sony fans. It offers nostalgia, great gameplay, plenty of platforming opportunities, fantastic new abilities, and everything the fans wanted for the series.
Furthermore, you can already sense the hype by the fact that Astro Bot had the most-watched trailer from the recent State of Play. It also beat Doom: The Dark Ages to become the most-wish-listed game.
Seeing how nearly everyone who owns a PS5 is looking forward to the platformer, I believe it could be the gaming giant’s dark horse for 2024. It could do wonders for the PS5, just like Hi-Fi Rush did for Xbox.
Astro Bot even has an advantage as it provides plenty of fan service and isn’t part of a brand-new IP. The game is currently up for pre-orders and will release on September 6, 2024.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
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In my opinion, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora marked Ubisoft’s return to form.
The game deserved more love and attention than it got and is one of the best open-world titles I’ve played recently.
Future Ubisoft titles are also shaping up to be great, and the publisher might be on the way to reclaiming its lost glory.
When discussing Ubisoft, the likes of Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry come to mind, arguably some of the best open-world releases of the past two generations. However, there is no doubt that the quality of this studio’s output has deteriorated significantly in recent years.
These failures gave the studio a clear path for the future and allowed it to focus on its established IPs. Following this, Ubisoft revived or, better said, renewed one of its forgotten franchises.
Following an Avatar adaptation in 2009, the studio released Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora last year, and it was great. The game was a commercial and critical success, becoming the highest-rated Ubisoft release in recent years, even though it didn’t make as much of a splash as it should have.
However, if there’s one thing that I’ve picked up, it’s that the publisher is back in form. With exciting future releases on the way, I’d say that the developer’s future looks brighter than ever.
Why it matters: For a publisher considered a pioneer of open-world gaming, its failures in the past few years were disappointing and saddening. However, the studio has confirmed its intentions to dominate again.
Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora Deserved More Love
Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora Lets You Soar Through The Sky On Your Ikran | Image via Tech4Gamers
I believe one of the main reasons Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora didn’t receive much attention and love was Ubisoft itself. Gamers now have a pre-determined opinion on the studio’s releases, and it’s far from positive.
I understand their perspectives, too, considering the recent track record. However, the publisher is more than willing to make up for it; this Avatar adaptation is a testament to that. If you need more proof, look no further than the excellent Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
Getting back to Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, the game isn’t entirely a Far Cry replica, though it certainly borrows a few elements. During my playthrough, I had quite a blast killing soldiers as a 10-foot-tall creature.
The combat is super fluid despite being pretty basic. Moreover, the never-seen-before west side of Pandora is canon to the movies and mesmerizing, to say the least. The Navi weapons are also super fun to use, and traversing Pandora with a flying mount is as immersive as it gets.
The title fully utilizes the Snowdrop engine’s potential and delivers some of the best audio from Massive Entertainment. Thanks to this engine, it was among the few titles that truly stood out for their visuals last year.
I’d wager that this title will be considered a hidden gem in a few years.
Future Ubisoft Releases
The Studios Is Working On Numerous Titles For The Future, Including Splinter Cell Remake
In my opinion, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is far from the best Ubisoft has to offer. The developer has tons of exciting releases coming in the future, and I speculate that it will eventually reclaim the throne of the best publisher.
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, despite the Yasuke controversy, is looking to be a promising release and has revamped its stealth elements. Splinter Cell is getting a remake with ray-traced reflections that will play a role in the stealth elements.
Star Wars: Outlaw is looking to be the space adventure game we have always wanted, and Prince of Persia’s remake is also moving ahead with more support. All in all, it’s a great time to be a fan of this publisher’s work.
Ubisoft is back to its roots, focusing on innovation and creativity. I hope it doesn’t make a wrong move now and that it continues to work on future games that offer the same spark as Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
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Remakes and remasters may seem milked to death, but they can have their benefits.
Capcom’s success with Resident Evil remakes demonstrates how revisiting beloved franchises can revitalize interest and boost an IP’s popularity.
Furthermore, remakes can help newer audiences discover more obscure titles that didn’t get enough recognition at launch.
The narrative that old video games are better than modern ones is a never-ending debate and is also true to some extent. Modern-day video games have become plagued with complex problems as technology and the industry have expanded.
Publishers have also started to remake and remaster older video games, adhering to new standards that introduce them to a newer generation. Because of this trend, the concept of remaking has been overused to some extent and seems uninspiring.
However, there’s a bright side to this, too. Remaking older titles raises the bar for existing franchises, meaning developers must work even harder on the next title.
Why it matters: While many complain that remakes are cash grabs, they have encouraged developers to push past their boundaries with newer titles, such as Capcom.
The Problem With Remakes And Why They’re Disliked
2023 Had Multiple High-Profile Remakes For Audiences
There’s a lot of negativity surrounding video game remakes from fans; to some extent, it is fair. As I said earlier, they can easily come across as cash grabs.
Even recently released titles that have aged fairly well are getting re-releases; for example, Assassin’s Creed 4 Black Flag is reportedly getting this treatment before earlier entries. Similarly, Naughty Dog remade The Last of Us in 2022.
Even in 2023, there was no shortage of this trend, with the likes of Dead Space, Resident Evil 4, Metroid Prime, and more. Looking ahead to the future, Max Payne, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, and more are set to be re-released for new hardware. This even led to a debate about The Game Awards considering remakes for Game of the Year.
The inherent problem with this approach is that studios seem unwilling to move out of their comfort zones. This can lead to games feeling too safe, which may put a stop to innovation in the industry.
How Remakes Worked In Favor Of Capcom
Resident Evil 4 Remake Was A Huge Deal For Capcom
Capcom has been on an insane run when it comes to Resident Evil in the past few years. The developer went on a hiatus after 2012’s Resident Evil 6, an entry that wasn’t the best of the series. However, Capcom did nail it with its comeback with 2017’s Resident Evil 7.
The studio shifted to the new RE Engine, departing from the old MT framework. With its visuals and capabilities, the new engine brought an entirely new spectrum of storytelling.
Capcom’s remakes are based on fan demands. Remakes of Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 were all fan service. Due to this, the IP boomed and raised the bar for the franchise. The latest mainstream entry in the franchise, Resident Evil 8, is the series’ most successful one to date.
The game was already a critical success, but commercially, it was on another level. Resident Evil 8 recently hit the 10 million sale mark, becoming the fastest-selling title from the horror genre as a whole.
How Remakes Expose Hidden Gems
Spyro Reignited Trilogy Was A Fresh Start For The Series
Not only do remakes raise the standards for a franchise, but they also help fans discover hidden gems. Consider this: at some point, even the biggest video game franchises come and go, like Watch Dogs, which has been reportedly shelved by Ubisoft. However, they’re not always completely dead.
Even good titles do not always get the recognition and love they deserve. Re-releasing some of these obscure titles that were overshadowed at their release and that many people don’t know about will give them a second chance to capture an audience.
For instance, the Spyro Trilogy was well received and brought in a new audience to the IP. Its reception may have even led to the development of a new Spyro game. I’d love to see games like Freedom Fighters, older Star Wars titles, LOK Soul Reaver, and others get remade for the same reason.
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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Microsoft has reported mostly encouraging financial results in its FY24 Q4 earnings report.
Overall revenue for the gaming sector is up by 44%, but console revenue is down.
Following major losses in console revenue last quarter, this segment saw losses of 42% this quarter.
Microsoft has just shared fresh figures for its quarterly earnings. Q4 2024 has proven to be another strong month for the company, with the gaming division continuing to report impressive results, thanks to Activision Blizzard.
However, just as expected, Xbox hardware revenue has taken another hit, dropping by over 40% year-on-year.
Why it matters: Following the last quarterly report, Xbox already predicted a decline in hardware revenue.
Xbox Consoles Are In A Difficult Spot
Between April and June, Xbox made a whopping $1.68 billion from Activision Blizzard alone. Needless to say, the content and services segment saw a major bump year-on-year, leading to a 61% increase.
Overall, Microsoft Gaming’s earnings were up by 44%, but the console market painted a worse picture. Xbox’s hardware revenue decreased by a whopping 42%, highlighting the company’s continued struggles with this segment.
Recent messages of Xbox telling its fans that a console is no longer needed to enjoy the perks of gaming likely haven’t helped either. This is also not the first time hardware revenue has taken a hit, so Microsoft needs to address the situation.
Microsoft’s Focus On Content Seems To Be Working
As it stands, Microsoft seems to be sacrificing its console revenue to focus on content and services. While this approach could work in the long term, it would most certainly lead to the death of its console business.
The gaming giant’s future seems to revolve around Game Pass and first-party releases. As such, we would not be surprised if console revenue took a hit yet again in FY25.
However, this would be disappointing to see, considering the legacy consoles like the Xbox 360, left behind. Following the recent marketplace closure, fans fondly looked back on this hardware for everything it did right. It seems no other Xbox will be seen in a similar light.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
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Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to improve upon Assassin’s Creed Syndicate’s dual protagonist system and explore different playstyles.
Yasuke and Naoe will both approach scenarios differently, one using the strength of a samurai, with the other adapting to the environment stealthily as a shinobi.
Dual protagonist systems in games have always succeeded, with Alan Wake 2 and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 being some of the best examples.
The Assassin’s Creed franchise has evolved with each entry. Assassin’s Creed Unity introduced co-op gameplay, and its successor, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, featured dual protagonists for the first time.
Later, RPGs like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey allowed players to choose between a male or female character for the entirety of the playthrough. However, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will feature a dual protagonist system again, with players freely switching between the two characters.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ protagonist system expands further on Syndicate’s and provides a seamless transition between different playstyles that suit both characters. The first gameplay reveal gave me insight into this and excited me for this system’s future.
The biggest reason I love Syndicate is the Frye twins and the opportunity to shift between the two throughout the game. Seeing the latest entry utilize this feature again excites me for the release despite all its controversy.
Why it matters: Assassin’s Creed Syndicate’s dual protagonist system offered different perspectives and playstyles throughout the game but didn’t fully explore their potential. Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to rectify that problem.
Players Won’t Be Forced To Play A Character
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Shows How Naoe And Yasuke Are Both Important
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate forced players to choose between Evie or Jacob for most missions, with only a few being interchangeable. However, Ubisoft won’t be doing the same this time, aside from rare occurrences.
This will also give players freedom over what playstyle they want to adapt, whether it’s brute combat for RPG lovers or vastly improved stealth gameplay, which should feel more familiar for classic fans.
The progression system has also vastly improved from that of Syndicate. Even if you consistently play a single character over a longer period, the other character will progress simultaneously rather than staying under-levelled.
Moreover, Syndicate’s questlines weren’t structured well, and it often felt out of place to play both characters in a single questline. It was almost like one character was a last-minute addition to the game.
The ability to choose between two characters throughout the story also sounds like a major improvement compared to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Valhalla. The only difference in choosing between the male and female characters at the start of those games was the gender, with zero impact on the gameplay.
Furthermore, focusing on different combat styles fixes another issue since the franchise has strayed quite far from its roots. The RPG games prioritized combat over stealth, deviating from the IP’s origins.
However, stealth is completely revamped and scaled up, as seen from the gameplay, promising a truly old-fashioned experience for those who play as Naoe.
Dual Protagonist Systems Are Great
Spider-Man 2 Didn’t Hold Back And Let Fans Play As Two Characters
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate wasn’t the first game to popularize dual protagonists in a game, but it had a huge impact. In recent years, many titles have offered multiple protagonists, resulting in a different and much better form of storytelling.
Take Alan Wake 2, for instance; Alan Wake and Saga Anderson were on opposite ends of the same spectrum. The game seamlessly described both of their stories, which intertwined with each other despite existing in different realities.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 also brought another friendly neighborhood Spider-Man to assist Peter in fighting crime in NYC. This made for one of the best stories related to Peter Parker and Miles Morales while catering to fans of both playstyles simultaneously.
Therefore, I’m really excited about Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Because of how much I loved Syndicate, Shadows is shaping up to be an exciting release and might even become my favorite entry from the series.
I’ll probably find myself playing as Naoe more than Yasuke for that newly revamped stealth action gameplay. Therefore, I can’t wait for when Assassin’s Creed Shadows arrives on November 15th.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
Story Highlight
Cheat Codes have gradually died in video games, replaced by microtransactions.
Publishers now rely on pay-to-win features, offering XP boosts and in-game currency through paid DLCs.
Despite this, studios such as Rockstar, Bethesda, and various indie developers, have kept the tradition of cheat codes alive in the industry.
Cheat Codes were an integral part of gaming from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, opening up entirely new playstyles that most games wouldn’t normally offer.
While cheating and hacks ruin the experience in an online environment, there was just something about using codes to spawn unattainable weapons and vehicles and skip levels altogether that would make you feel invincible. However, that time is way past us.
The tradition has long died, and cheat codes have completely disappeared from gaming. Perhaps the most surprising part here is that nobody seems to care.
Why it matters: While cheat codes played an integral part in contributing to our childhood nostalgia, they have been replaced by achievements, trophies, and microtransactions.
Brief History Of Cheat Codes In Video Games
The Konami Code Became Known As One Of The Earliest Examples Of This Trend
Initially, cheat codes were tools that developers used to playtest their work. They called them POKE and reverse-engineered the game to mess around with variables such as health and currency.
In the 1980s, they were properly implemented in video games for the same playtest purposes because not even developers could beat most titles themselves. The Konami code was then born, a sequence of buttons ( up, down, left, B, start, etc.) that would give a player power-ups.
The Konami code was featured in Nintendo Power magazine issues since the internet wasn’t a thing back then. Whoever had access to that magazine was granted the list of cheat codes, essentially making them the popular kid of that school or town.
Over the decade, the Konami code has been featured on multiple Nintendo and non-Nintendo games. In the 90s, the likes of Goldeneye 007 and Doom heavily featured cheat codes that gave players invincibility and more options.
The practice became mainstream in the 2000s after being featured in big IPs like GTA, with this IP having arguably the best implementation. Who wouldn’t remember words to spawn tanks, remove the wanted level, or even raise it?
Why Did Cheat Codes Die Out?
Assassin’s Creed Shows Why Microtransactions Are So Harmful To Single-Player Experiences
The 2010s saw a rapid decline in the use of cheat codes, especially as publishers became more greedy. The biggest reason developers don’t include them in games nowadays is the increasing use of trophies and achievements.
Since every release practically comes with trophies and achievements, developers have little use in implementing options that disable them or make these achievements effortless to obtain. This is why most tend to avoid cheat codes altogether.
Moreover, publishers have made cheat codes a pay-to-win feature. If you want extra currency or items, you have to pay for it. Take Ubisoft as an example; helix credits for Assassin’s Creed can be bought with real-life money.
In my opinion, it makes zero sense for a single-player game to feature microtransactions, whether for cosmetics or XP boosts. However, even when publishers don’t rely on microtransactions, they often lock extras behind pre-orders, early access purchases, and digital deluxe editions.
This means there’s no room to include cool gimmicks or items that would have served the function of cheat codes in the past.
Fortunately, certain games, like Bethesda RPGs and The Witcher 3, feature console commands that can alter various mechanics to enhance the experience. The other option is to use mods, which alter how a game works, though Capcom thinks this is unfair.
Certain other studios are also keeping this tradition alive. Releases like Age of Empires 4, The Sims 4, and Red Dead Redemption 2 are the perfect examples of titles that still feature cheat codes, proving that the tradition hasn’t been completely wiped out just yet.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
Story Highlight
RPGs nowadays feel excessively bloated and needlessly big.
Games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla are solid but require too much grinding, leading to a bad experience.
There are many broader-scale RPGs that don’t require grinding, offering a more forgivable gameplay experience, like Mass Effect and Disco Elysium.
Open-world RPGs have faced a lot of criticism lately since modern titles tend to prioritize quantity over quality, affecting the whole experience. This is why games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard focus on a linear style, offering less but quality gameplay.
A major problem with the genre today is the fact that each release is filled to the brim with content, leading to forced grinding through repetitive and uninspiring content for levelling up.
However, developers need to understand the players’ perspective since grinding in an RPG shouldn’t be necessary. Players should be able to complete main quests without grinding through the same type of missions over and over again.
Why it matters: Open-world fatigue is pulling me away from RPGs. They have a lot of potential and will never cease to exist, but developers need to take grinding into consideration.
RPGs Often Make Me Feel Like I’m Working A Job
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Needlessly Forces Players To Grind For Hours Upon Hours
Imagine spending $60 or even $70 for a modern AAA title that is a far cry from the product it was marketed as. That’s what modern games, specifically modern RPGs, have become these days.
This is not even a debate of skill in these titles; it just comes down to the time factor or whether you have the money to unlock paid items that will make the experience a little more forgiving.
One of the biggest publishers that does that is Ubisoft. I enjoyed the Assassin’s Creed RPG trilogy, with Origins being the most fun of the bunch, but playing them often felt like working a job for free.
The level difference going from one main quest to another was so vast that it made me lose interest in the game at times, and I dropped Assassin’s Creed Valhalla for a brief time before picking it up again since I was so tired of raiding villages. That became so boring and felt like a vicious cycle.
As I mentioned, these titles are great and have a lot more to offer beyond these never-ending, unoriginal side quests. They were just designed badly, and to make up for that, Ubisoft sold Time Saver (XP boost microtransactions) DLC to eliminate the grinding.
Learn From The Best
Mass Effect Set An Incredibly High Bar For RPGs Several Years Back
Various RPGs with a broader scale and more in-depth gameplay and storylines avoid this problem, so why can’t the rest? Take the Elder Scrolls franchise, for instance. The franchise is near-perfect and has a scalable difficulty option for enemies, depending on the players’ level.
You can always adjust the difficulty level, but the main thing is that you don’t need to put an arbitrary number of hours into the grind to progress the main quest despite the franchise featuring some of the best side quests ever.
The only reason players choose to complete side quests is to gain newer skills and better weapons that make the experience even more fun, and most of the time, they go in to do these quests without being forced to.
Mass Effect is another prime example of this. Despite being an RPG, Bioware’s intentions with the game were to deliver a much more linear experience, emphasizing exploration and decision-making over grinding. The smooth skill system in this RPG helps you upgrade easily as main quests go by.
There are numerous other examples, such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Disco Elysium, Undertale, and others.
Hopefully, developers will learn from these games and make the player experience a little more forgiving, as this is arguably the biggest genre in the industry at the moment. Following Elden Ring’s success, a number of new RPGs will also certainly show up very soon.
At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.
Hayyan Serwer
As the CPU Cooler and RAM Expert, I test the latest hardware to provide tips for smart purchases. I cover everything from busting myths about CPU coolers to looking into the newest RAM designs, examining various parts of PC hardware.
Ryzen’s 9 series CPUs are the ones that I look forward to the most, and the 9900X from this generation is no different. The CPU packs several upgrades over its predecessor, including an architectural overhaul, lower TDP, and a substantial performance uplift in productivity, as seen in our Ryzen 9 9900X review. All of that means you can’t go wrong with the cooling solution used for the CPU, and my list of options is going to help you with exactly that.
Why Trust Tech4Gamers
Hayyan Serwer is our CPU Cooler expert who has been testing different AIOs for years.
80+ coolers tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
400+ hours spent testing different CPU coolers for our reviews.
At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.
Below you can go through my top picks after thorough testing, all compared with each other.
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ranks among the best-performing coolers we have tested. The cooler packs three of Coolermaster’s Sickleflow Edge 120 fans, which provide a maximum fan speed of 2500 RPM as well as an airflow of 70.7 CFM. In our tests, we found that noise levels aren’t too bad either, measuring in at 40.8 dBA at an ambient of 35 dBA.
The pump, on the other hand, incorporates a dual-chamber design while offering a maximum speed of 3200 RPM. In addition to the solid overall performance, you also get 100 percent RAM compatibility. Personally, I am also a huge fan of its design, and the ability to swap out the top plate for any 3D printed design is especially nice to see on a relatively affordable 360mm cooler such as this one.
During my review, I was blown away by how much Cooler Master has been able to pack into the MasterLiquid 360 Atmos. Here’s what I said:
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 ATMOS is a high-performance AIO liquid cooler with excellent thermal performance and low noise levels. The cooler also features a unique pump cover that allows users to design and 3D print their own custom designs. Overall, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 ATMOS is a great option for users who are looking for a top-performing AIO cooler with a unique design.
Buy It If
✅You want a customizable design: Cooler Master has given users the ability to swap out the pump cap for any 3D-printed design of their liking.
✅You want the best cooling for AM5 at an affordable range: The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 packs enough performance to handle even the heaviest of workloads without costing an egregious amount.
Don't Buy It If
❌You prefer a clutter-free design: The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos doesn’t really provide an out-of-the-box solution for all of the cables, which will increase the overall clutter in your system.
What Makes It The Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
Outstanding thermal performance, a swappable pump top, and solid build quality all at an affordable price almost sounds too good to be true, yet the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos achieves exactly that, making it the Best Overall CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X.
The Enermax Liqmaxflo 360mm comes with a rated TDP of 370W, and that was put into display during our tests, with the Liqmaxflow delivering phenomenal results. Enermax has equipped the cooler with a 38mm radiator, a dual-chamber pump, and 120mm fans rated for a maximum speed of 1800 RPM, all of which contribute to its excellent cooling prowess.
The cooler comes with plenty of RGB on both the fans and the pump, which are always nice to see. In addition to all of that, it also has a separate VRM fan on the block, a surprising addition to such a budget-friendly package. The VRM fan can spin at a speed of up to 3000 RPM; however, its speed cannot be controlled separately, which means it’ll depend on the pump.
The cooler’s remarkable feature set was also enough to impress our Senior Hardware Reviewer, Nauman Siddique. He had this to say about it during his review:
The ENERMAX LIQMAXFLOW 360mm is a powerful AIO CPU cooler perfect for high-end CPUs. It features a thick radiator, dual-chamber pump, and a unique VRM fan to keep your CPU cool and quiet, even under heavy load. It’s also compatible with a wide range of sockets, has a refill port, and is rated for 400W TDP, making it an excellent value for the price.
WARNING: You’ll have to ensure PC case compatibility with the Enermax Liqmax flo before purchasing it since it comes with an enlarged 38mm radiator.
Buy It If
✅You want to improve VRM thermals: In addition to providing solid cooling performance, the Enermax Liqmaxflow 360 A-RGB also provides VRM cooling through a 60mm fan.
✅You want the best price-to-performance: The Enermax Liqmaxflo 360mm packs an enlarged 38mm radiator, high-performance fans, and a capable pump, all at an affordable price.
Don't Buy It If
❌You require silent operation: With a rated noise output of 36.49 dBA, anyone looking for a completely silent cooler might not be impressed by the cooler’s noise levels.
What Makes It The Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
Sure, the Enermax Liqmaxflo 360 might not be the most powerful 360mm AIO liquid cooler available, but, it sure does pack a punch when it comes to performance. In fact, its sheer price-to-performance alone is enough to make it the Best Value CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X.
If chart-topping performance is what you are after, then there’s no better pick for you than the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB. The cooler exceeded our expectations during our hands-on review, providing performance adequate for a processor like the Ryzen 9 9900X. It achieves that performance through the FPT 120 D-RGB fans, which are capable of reaching speeds of up to 2300RPM, and the capable pump.
That said, noise level might be a concern given their rated output of 36 dBA. Apart from that, EK has also provided several solutions for easier installation including daisy-chainable fans, a rotatable pump top, and rotatory fittings.
Our hardware reviewer, Awais Khan, was surprised by the thermal performance of the EK Nucleus AIO CR360, stating:
EK Water Blocks is back in business with its new generation of liquid coolers in the AIO category. Meet the EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 LUX D-RGB cooler, which is quite innovative from its design. It packs a solid performance punch that the competition has to manage. The digital RGB lighting is quite brilliant. We have everything to love about this cooler, albeit a bit high price tag.
Buy It If
✅You intend on overclocking your processor: The EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB provides enough performance to allow for overclocking.
✅You want a well-built cooler with a proper cable management system: EK has clearly built the Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB with quality in mind, with the cooler providing a well-built radiator, daisy-chained fans, and a rotatable pump top.
Don't Buy It If
❌You are working with a limited budget: The EK-AIO Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB will set you back a decent amount, which means it’s not for anyone working with a limited budget.
What Makes It The Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
The EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 has become my go-to recommendation for anyone who wants powerful cooling and for good reason. Not only has EK not compromised on performance, but you also get RGB lighting, and a rotatable pump head, making it the Best Performance CPU Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X.
Editor`s Note
Among all the coolers on my list, the EK Nucleus AIO CR360 LUX A-RGB stands out as the top performer, which is what makes it my preferred choice for the Ryzen 9 9900X. I believe that its uncompromised cooling performance makes for the perfect inclusion to a Ryzen 9 9900X build, guaranteeing users a great experience.
I’ve always been surprised by how well the original NH-D15 was able to keep up with current-gen air-coolers and I’m happy to report that their G2 LBC variant is even better. The cooler comes with two of Noctua’s NF-A14x25r fans with renowned SSO2 bearings. These fans offer a maximum speed of 1500 RPM, and an airflow of 155.6 m³/h while also keeping noise levels in check at just 22.4 dBA.
Combine that with its eight-heat-pipe design, and you get an air cooler that’s essentially unrivaled in terms of performance. Furthermore, Noctua has gone out of their way to ensure that installation doesn’t take more than a few steps, which I appreciate. The cooler also comes bundled with a 6-year warranty, but it’s safe to assume you probably won’t need that given the cooler’s already exceptional build quality.
During his review, Nauman Siddique had this to say about the Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC:
PRO TIP: You can opt for the standard G2 variant of the NH-D15 if you plan on utilizing the CPU cooler with both AMD and Intel builds.
Buy It If
✅You want an air cooler that keeps up with AIOs: The Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC is undeniably the most powerful air cooler we have tested.
Don't Buy It If
❌You want better price-to-performance: The Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC’s performance does come at a high price.
What Makes It The Best Air Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X
The Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC takes everything great about the original NH-D15 and takes it up a notch, improving upon the fin density, heat pipe count, as well as overall build quality. That, combined with its decent RAM compatibility makes it the Best Air Cooler For Ryzen 9 9900X.
Even aside from my picks, there were several good releases over the course of the past year. Here are a few CPU coolers that hold up quite well, but weren’t able to make it onto the list.
DeepCool Mystique 360: Despite being a solid performer, the DeepCool Mystique 360mm wasn’t able to make it onto the list due to its availability issues in some regions.
Valkyrie SYN360 ARGB: The Valkyrie SYN360 ARGB performed well in our tests; however, its higher overall price makes it a worse value compared to my current picks.
Benchmarks Of Our Selection
I have also compiled the benchmarks for the CPU coolers I have selected so you can gauge each cooler’s cooling capabilities at a glance.
Cooler Benchmarks
1 of 3
Thermal Performance (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Thermal Performance (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Thermal Performance (Image By Tech4Gamers)
Specifications Comparision
Sort the CPU Coolers based on their specifications:
CPU Cooler
Fan Speed (RPM)
Static Pressure (mm H2O)
Airflow (CFM)
Fan Noise Output (dBA)
Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos ARGB
2500
3.61
70.7
27.2
ENERMAX LIQMAXFLO 360mm A-RGB
1800
2.4
58
23.4
EK Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB
2300
2.7
72
36
Noctua NH-D15 G2 LBC
1500
2.56
91.5
24.8
Important Cooling Terms
These are some key CPU cooling terms that can confuse beginners:
Heat Pipes: Tubes that quickly move heat away from hot components using a liquid-vapor cycle.
TDP: Thermal Design Power, the maximum amount of heat a CPU or GPU is expected to produce under normal gaming loads.
Thermal Throttling: When a CPU or GPU slows down to avoid overheating, which can affect gaming performance.
FPI: Fins Per Inch, a measure of how densely packed the cooling fins are on a radiator, affecting its cooling efficiency.
Radiator: Part of a liquid cooling system that disperses heat from the coolant, keeping your CPU’s temperature down.
RPM: Revolutions Per Minute, indicating how fast a fan spins; higher RPM means more cooling but often more noise.
Fan Bearings: Components inside fans that reduce friction and allow smooth rotation, important for durability and noise levels.
PWM: Pulse Width Modulation, a technology that adjusts fan speeds based on temperature, balancing cooling and noise.
Static Pressure: The ability of a fan to push air through dense objects like radiators or heatsinks, crucial for effective cooling in tight spaces.
CFM: Cubic Feet per Minute, a measure of how much air a fan can move, essential for keeping components cool in a gaming rig.
How I Tested These Coolers For My Round-Up
The Ryzen 9 9900X Installed
Our testing methodology is quite exhaustive to make sure that all the AIOs and air coolers are tested to their limits. However, I always focus on four key aspects during my reviews:
Thermal Performance: I started by checking the thermal benchmarks. After all, the goal was to find coolers that could handle the Ryzen 9 9900X effectively, not just in theory but under heavy use.
Noise Profile: A loud cooler can be annoying, so I prioritized finding ones that kept noise to a minimum while still providing excellent cooling.
Design: Performance is crucial, but aesthetics matter too. I searched for coolers that not only perform well but also add some visual appeal to your setup.
Overall Value: I also considered the value of each cooler I recommended. It’s not about spending the most money but about finding the best performance for the price.
Share Your Thoughts
FAQs
Does a Ryzen 9 need liquid cooling?
No, a Ryzen 9 doesn’t necessarily need a water cooler. Most higher-end air coolers will also provide enough performance for the CPU.
Does the Ryzen 9 9900X run hot?
Yes, the Ryzen 9 9900X does run hot when paired with an inadequate cooler.
