A shakeup at an Xbox Game Studio suggests that AI will play a major role in Halo games like Campaign Evolved. The new Chief of Staff stresses enhancing workflows with machine learning on her resume. Other employees could use AI tools creatively rather than to improve efficiency.
Buyers may not see the usual number of new notebooks arrive in 2026. Contending with a historic memory shortage, Lenovo and HP are among the manufacturers who could delay shipments. As existing models remain on the market longer, higher-cost DRAM threatens to inflate laptop prices by 30%.
An Nvidia RTX 5090 is a dream purchase for many buyers, but it also carries risks. A gamer's account adds to the GPUβs troublesome track record after the attached cable caught fire. Critics believe the 12V-2x6 connector failed to handle the immense power draw, but a subpar PSU may also be a factor.
With DDR5 RAM prices out of control, Asus may have a strategy that will benefit laptop buyers and gamers. A new report suggests that it will begin manufacturing DRAM as soon as 2026. Even with this development, Asus would struggle to open factories without the help of Samsung, Micron, or SK Hynix. Update: Asus refutes the rumor.
A day following extended Christmas Eve Steam downtime, gamers are still reporting problems. Steam games now load and are are available for purchase on the store. Unfortunately, popular community features like forums and workshops remain offline.
CD Projekt Red is intent on launching the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel with multiplayer. A new report from a Polish investment bank reveals how this decision has influenced its release date. Also known as Cyberpunk 2 or Project Orion, the studio is adding more employees to support the undertaking.
DDR4 memory is making a comeback, prompting Samsung to keep production of the chips alive. The company has committed to supplying a customer with the components at a fixed price. Even so, buyers seeking refuge from outrageous DDR5 RAM prices shouldnβt expect dramatic savings.
A writer for a French website is urging gamers to keep all PlayStation Network details private. An ID number was all a hacker needed to log in twice to the journalistβs account. Even with 2FA active, PSN support requires minimal information to grant strangers access.
Final Fantasy 9 will return in 2028, but not in the form some fans had been expecting. A French company has revived The Black Mages' Legacy anime following the previous studio's bankruptcy. Square Enix has also teased gamers with merchandise, but refuses to acknowledge the Final Fantasy 9 remake.
The arrival of the next Valve and Sony gaming machines may now be in doubt. An emarketer analyst believes that high memory costs could cause the manufacturers to reconsider release dates. Declining console sales are also a factor, as steeper prices are prompting gamers to hesitate before upgrading.
Without Battlefield or Call of Duty, the Switch 2 isnβt yet an essential purchase for some gamers. However, a new leak suggests that Activision may launch its shooter franchise on the handheld in 2026. Itβs unclear whether Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is on the way or if a mobile port is more likely.
Although GTA: Tokyo was a possibility, Rockstar Games has been reluctant to explore outside the U.S. A former technical director doesnβt anticipate GTA 6 to feature exotic locations either. Instead, the studio will continue to revisit settings like Vice City, which embody American pop culture.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) could be an asset to Switch 2 games with wavering frame rates. Unfortunately, screen tearing remains an issue, particularly with titles that run at lower than 40fps. Ubisoft solved the problem in Assassin's Creed Shadows and is now sharing its wisdom with Nintendo.
For many fans, the Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle was a no-brainer purchase. A leaked internal memo confirms that the package with the popular Switch 2 game will soon no longer be available. Nintendo hasnβt revealed a new bundle at the same price to replace it.
Nvidia GeForce Now is about to impose 100-hour monthly limits on all gamers. For the most active users, purchasing additional time will make subscription fees skyrocket. A new comparison shows whether they are better served by building a gaming PC, even with DDR5 RAM prices at record highs.
Unlike Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, gamers expected Battlefield 6 to reject AI art. Regardless, a new icon on its marketplace does not resemble the work of a human artist. The design of a weapon exhibits mistakes that are still commonly made by generative AI tools.
Physical disc owners have more reason to avoid the digital gaming age. Complaints continue about hackers compromising Microsoft accounts filled with Xbox games. Even if gamers can prove their identities, they may need to start from scratch and repurchase every title.
Deal | There are few 45-inch ultrawide rivals that match the 4K+ resolution of this LG OLED monitor. It also converts to a 2560x1080 display when a 330Hz refresh rate is preferable. Discounted by 32% at Amazon, the curved LG45GX950A-B now takes the place of multiple screens at a much lower price.
Released in 2022, the Steam Deck LCD quickly attracted a devoted following. Those fans are bemoaning the news that Valve will soon retire its cheapest gaming handheld. The Steam Deck OLED ships with improved specs, but has a price thatβs on par with the ROG Xbox Ally and Legion Go S.
If the Final Fantasy 7 Remake demo is any indication, the Switch 2 game will impress fans. Even at lower resolutions, DLSS bridges the gap between the handheld and more powerful consoles. Image clarity is closer to the PS5 and Xbox Series X than expected, while looking crisper than the Series S.
As cars become more robust entertainment centers, PlayStation sees opportunities for growth. The Sony Honda Afeela 1 EV will launch with a PlayStation Portal handheld attached to its backseats. Even so, it may rely on PS Remote Play, which requires a console at home to enjoy PS5 games.
Deal | The holiday season still has some Steam deals left to entice Star Wars loyalists. Star Wars Battlefront 2: Celebration Edition has proved a resilient shooter game despite a rocky 2017 launch. At 90% off, diverse multiplayer modes and an expansive roster may encourage more players to return.
Companies willing to cross ethical lines can still purchase memory at reasonable prices. A new report exposes Samsung workers who may have accepted kickbacks from anxious distributors. As the memory shortage escalates, AI data centers are depleting most of the DRAM supply.
A Dispatch artbook is being portrayed differently on some Nintendo eShop listings. Fans recognized that the characters on the North American page are wearing more conservative outfits. The censorship exists even though the Switch game with copious adult content is likely unaltered.
In November, Nintendo lost ground to PlayStation, with U.S. PS5 sales claiming the number one rank. Sonyβs performance ends a winning streak that began when the Switch 2 debuted in June. Regardless, total console sales are lagging behind the pace of previous years.
The only conventional physical option for Nintendo Switch 2 games is costly 64GB media. That could soon change, after reports that smaller cartridges are in the works. The decision may be a response to higher storage prices, but Game-Key Cards are likely to remain prevalent.
Some viewers were scanning trailers at The Game Awards for any signs of generative AI. However, even Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which won nine awards, used AI tools in some capacity. A past interview with the gameβs producer provides more insight into how the technology benefited Sandfall.
To some Resident Evil fans, the sight of AI images is scarier than any monsters. In a new interview, a Capcom executive previewed how the tools would impact upcoming titles. Previously, a technical director approved the use of generative AI to brainstorm designs for objects.
Nintendo Switch Online on the Switch 2 offers a growing selection of classic GameCube games. Sadly, input lag often makes gameplay less enjoyable than expected. After a new update, players are reporting more responsive controls in selections like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.
A unique Zelda experience may be on the way, with Monolith Soft leading development. The Xenoblade Chronicles studio has already assisted with Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom. A new interview hints that Nintendo now trusts the company to build a new game from scratch.
According to a Sapphire representative, waiting six months may be the best way to combat soaring memory costs. Astonishing DDR5 RAM prices are raising concerns about the practicality of PC gaming. Regardless, Edward Crisler attributes some of the higher costs to panic, rather than a short supply.
Deal | Home theater enthusiasts often prefer how the Sony A95L authentically reproduces films. With a QD-OLED panel, the 77-inch display also shines when showcasing brighter nature programs or games. Seldom on sale, the Sony Bravia OLED TV now enjoys its largest discount of $1500 since its 2023 release.
Rockstar Games and its former workers are no closer to reaching a resolution. The GTA 6 development house is adamant that employees leaked confidential details on a Discord server. Meanwhile, a UK labor organization maintains that the firings were an attempt to stop a union from forming.
With DDR5 RAM prices skyrocketing, some mid-range laptops could soon ship with budget-level specs. TrendForce expects companies like Dell and Lenovo to stock more notebooks with 8GB of memory. These reasonably priced options may no longer handle intense office and gaming tasks.
With so many Steam bundles for sale, buyers often miss out on deals. Valve now notifies them of lower prices before finishing the checkout process. Social features already warn players about issues with new Steam games, giving the marketplace an advantage over the Epic Games Store.
Gamers had assumed that the Steam Machine would be available by early Spring 2026. Unfortunately, there are rumors that the memory shortage may interfere with its release date. An insider has heard that, along with a higher Steam Machine price, a delay is not out of the question.
Offering sandbox MMORPG gameplay, Ashes of Creation attracted curiosity since a Kickstarter campaign. However, its Steam early access launch has produced complaints about inadequate servers. Players who argue that the gameβs release date was premature cite examples of censorship in their reviews.
Gamers shouldnβt expect Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic to ship anytime in the near future. With its studio recently opening, development on the single-player RPG has only just started. Bloombergβs Jason Schreier estimates a 2030 release date, with the KOTOR remake likely surfacing first.
Even as console and Game Pass prices rise, new first-party Xbox games remain at $70 or less. In a Variety interview, a Microsoft executive explains why the company has avoided higher software prices. Xbox is exploring other ways to profit from game sales after purchases.
PS5 gamers without streaming access have been unable to revisit any of their favorite PS3 games. RedoEngineβs PS3 emulator has succeeded where other alternatives have failed. While the 2013 platformer Cloudberry Kingdom is releasing on the PS Store, more demanding games are problematic.
Instead of hiding the use of generative AI tools, the Codex Mortis studio believes itβs a reason to play its title. Players can try the bullet hell game created exclusively with AI for free via a Steam demo. The technology can aid small developers, but gamers have frowned upon it replacing artists.
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