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Master Chief voice actor Steve Downes says AI voice cloning crosses a line and wants it to stop

Halo’s Master Chief voice actor, Steve Downes, has publicly condemned AI-generated clones of his performance, arguing that unauthorized imitations deceive fans and threaten actors’ livelihoods. While acknowledging AI’s broader benefits, Downes warns that hyper-realistic voice reproductions cross an ethical line and is calling for such uses of his voice to stop.

An 'updated' PS3 hardware mod unlocks CELL and RSX overclocking on the Super Slim using a Raspberry Pi Pico

A new Raspberry Pi Pico-based hardware mod for later-model PlayStation 3 consoles unlocks quasi-custom firmware, enabling unprecedented CELL and RSX overclocking, native PS2 ISO support, and Linux compatibility through direct XDR RAM exploitation. By achieving stable RSX clocks of up to 850 MHz and CELL speeds reportedly reaching 4.1 GHz, this community-driven breakthrough transforms the once-limited PS3 Super Slim into a powerful retro and homebrew platform, albeit with a hardware installation barrier.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 director says “Life at Morning Glory” is now the emotional core of the game

Yakuza Kiwami 3’s expanded “Life at Morning Glory” chapters turn Kiryu into a full-time father, replacing early-game brawls with everyday childcare, chores, and WarioWare-style mini-games that flesh out his role as guardian. Director Ryosuke Horii argues this slower, life-sim opening is now the emotional core of the game, deepening Kiryu’s bonds with the orphans to sharpen the impact of his eventual return to the series’ familiar world of conspiracies and clan warfare.

Retroid Pocket 6 shipping delayed as OLED calibration woes slow production but early units are already rolling out

Retroid’s upcoming Pocket 6 handheld is facing shipping delays due to inefficient OLED calibration and demura processes, with only a small initial batch of black, top-stick models currently dispatched. The company is investing in faster calibration equipment, prioritizing higher-spec variants, and using its Discord server to provide ongoing updates as it works toward broader shipments and a second-batch rollout in early March 2026.

Razer’s CEO says gamers hate generative AI slop even as the company invests nearly 600 million dollars in AI tools

Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan acknowledges that gamers “are unhappy with generative AI slop” even as the company pours nearly $600 million into AI, insisting the technology should stay behind the scenes as a tool for QA, bug hunting, and polishing games rather than generating cheap content. In an interview on The Verge’s Decoder podcast, Tan positioned Razer’s investment, including plans to hire 150 AI engineers and to push branded AI features like dedicated mouse buttons and a Razer.ai hub, as a bet that practical, developer-focused AI will outlast the current hype and gamer backlash.

AMD’s Ryzen 7 9850X3D: 5.6 GHz Zen 5 gaming chip lands at $499 MSRP

AMD’s new Ryzen 7 9850X3D, a Zen 5-based octa-core CPU with 3D V-Cache, launches at $499 on January 29, 2026, positioning itself as a higher-clocked, better-binned successor to the 9800X3D. While it delivers top-tier gaming performance with a 5.6 GHz boost clock and basic integrated Radeon graphics, its price premium over the 9700X and 9800X3D makes it a niche pick for enthusiasts chasing maximum FPS.

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