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Aujourd’hui — 5 février 2025KitGuru

The Nintendo Switch has sold over 150 million units

5 février 2025 à 13:30

The Nintendo Switch is currently in its home stretch, with the console’s successor finally having been announced last month. Still, when all is said and done, the OG Switch will go down in history as one of the most successful consoles of all time – having now surpassed 150 million units sold.

As part of the company’s latest fiscal earnings report, Nintendo published an updated list of their hardware and software sales, revealing that (as of the 31st of December 2024) 2017’s Nintendo Switch has officially reached a sales milestone only witnessed by two other systems: selling more than 150 million units (150.86 million to be specific).

This puts the Switch just shy of the DS’ total sales (154.02m) and around 10 million less than the best-selling system of all time – the PS2 with over 160 million units sold.

Nintendo 150 million

Whether the Switch will be able to surpass these systems is yet to be seen, however the company did recently proclaim that they are willing to support the OG Switch past the launch of its successor “if there is demand”, so it may have a couple more years left in it still.
Beyond this, the team have also confirmed that Mario Kart 8 + Deluxe has sold north of 75 million copies, making it now the 4th best-selling game of all time, surpassing PUBG and sitting behind Wii Sports.

Other notable milestones include Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Switch Sports both selling more than 15 million copies each.

KitGuru says: Will the Switch become the best selling console of all time, or will it fall just short of the PS2? How long before it surpasses the DS at least? Will Switch sales fall through the roof once its successor launches? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post The Nintendo Switch has sold over 150 million units first appeared on KitGuru.

TeamGroup T-Force XTREEM DDR5-7600MT/s 32GB Review

5 février 2025 à 13:00

Designed for high-performance computing, enthusiasts and gamers, TeamGroup's T-Force Xtreem DDR5 memory comes in a wide range of speeds and kit sizes. We review the Snow White model, rated at 7600 MT/s, that's priced at £175 here in the UK.

The XTREEM line-up consists of seven speeds (at the time of writing) and four kit sizes. 96GB (6800MT/s CL36 1.4V), 64GB (6000MT/s CL34, 6400MT/s CL38 both 1.35V), 48GB (8200MT/s, 8000MT/s both CL38 @ 1.40V, 7600MT/s CL36 @ 1.40V, 7200MT/s CL34 @1.4V and 6800MT/s CL34 @ 1.40V) and finally seven 32GB kits (8000MT/s CL38 @ 1.45V, 7600MT/s CL36 @.1.4V, 7200MT/s and 6800MT/s both at CL34 @ 1.40V and 6400MT/s CL32 @ 1.35V). There are two 6000MT/s options, one CL38 @ 1.25V and the other CL30 @.1.35V.

According to the XTREEM product page, 8200MT/s modules and above have XMP 3.0 profiles, while 8000MT/s and below have both XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO profiles.

For this review, TeamGroup sent us a 32GB kit of DDR5-7600MT/s (FFWD532G7600HC36FDC01) containing a pair of single-rank 16GB DIMMs using SK Hynix A-die ICs XMP/EXPO rated at 7600MHz at 36-45-45-84 at 1.40V.

TeamGroup back the memory with a Lifetime warranty.

Specification

  • Model Number: FFWD532G7600HC36FDC01.
  • Capacity: 32GB (2 x 16).
  • Rated Frequency: DDR5-7600MT/s.
  • Rated Timings: CL36-45-45-84.
  • Voltage: 1.40V.
  • Module Height: 48.8mm.
  • XMP/EXPO: XMP 3.0 / EXPO.
The post TeamGroup T-Force XTREEM DDR5-7600MT/s 32GB Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero reaches major sales milestone in under 4 months

5 février 2025 à 12:45

Dragon Ball is undeniably one of the most popular anime/manga franchises of all time, with the series having a long and successful library of video games released over the past 35+ years. By far the biggest new entry in this space is Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, the latest title in the much-loved Budokai series. Unsurprisingly, the game has already reached a massive sales milestone, surpassing 5 million copies sold in under four months.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the official ‘DragonBallGames’ page celebrated this latest milestone, writing:

“We're thrilled to announce that DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO has officially sold 5 million copies worldwide!…A huge THANKS to our amazing fans for the epic journey. We truly appreciate your passion and dedication.”

Dragon Ball Sparking

While 5 million is nothing to sniff at, especially since it only released last October, Sparking Zero was announced to have sold 3 million copies in its first 24 hours, meaning it just managed to push a further 2 million in the 4 months since.

Still, given the fact that Sparking Zero was the fastest-selling entry in the series’ history (and considering other notable Dragon Ball games have gone on to sell more than 10 million copies), it’s safe to say that Sparking Zero will continue to sell well for months and years to come.

KitGuru says: What’s your opinion on Sparking Zero? Does it live up to the Budokai games? What’s your favourite Dragon Ball game of all time? Let us know down below.

The post Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero reaches major sales milestone in under 4 months first appeared on KitGuru.

Elden Ring: Nightreign to get new details including release date next week

5 février 2025 à 12:00

Late last year, FromSoftware surprised everyone with the announcement of Elden Ring: Nightreign – a co-op focused spin-off featuring rogue-like elements and unique class abilities. Ahead of the upcoming network tests slated for later this month, FromSoftware are reportedly planning to announce a ton of new details for the standalone game sometime next week.

As reported by Insider Gaming, Elden Ring: Nightreign is planned to get an infodump sometime next week, including confirmation of the game’s release date (which is currently just stated to be coming some time in 2025).

More specifically, said infodump is reportedly planned for the 12th of February, just two days prior to the launch of the Nightreign’s network test, and will coincide with an embargo lift for media previews – meaning we should see our first proper hands-on impressions at the same time.

Elden Ring Nightreign

While Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion was mostly more of the same, Nightreign looks to be switching up the formula quite a bit, and so it will be interesting to see what the media thinks of the game when previews go live – and perhaps more importantly what players think when the network test goes live shortly after.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for Elden Ring: Nightreign? Did you get into the network test? How different do you think this will be to the OG Elden Ring? Let us know down below.

The post Elden Ring: Nightreign to get new details including release date next week first appeared on KitGuru.

Wreckfest 2 launches in Early Access next month

5 février 2025 à 11:15

Wreckfest is a fun and frantic destruction-derby themed racing game from Bugbear Entertainment and published by THQ Nordic. Released back in 2018, THQ announced last year that a sequel was officially in the works. Now, we’ve gotten more details on Wreckfest 2 – including an Early Access release date.

Making the announcement via a press release, Bugbear Entertainment and THQ Nordic officially confirmed that Wreckfest 2 is launching on the 20th of March…in Early Access.

While no specifics were given so far on what exactly the Early Access period entails, the team did state that “From day one, Wreckfest 2 will be shaped by your feedback. We're eager to create the greatest demolition derby-style game of all time,” so hopefully it will be a rather productive Early Access.

When it was first announced back in August last year, Wreckfest 2 was stated to be going all-in on the destruction aspect of the game, featuring “a completely overhauled physics engine for even more realistic destruction, fully customizable cars that you can share with other players and revamped game modes including a brand-new split screen mode.”

While we still don’t know too much beyond this right now, hopefully we’ll hear more from the game as we get closer to its upcoming (early access) release date.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Wreckfest 2? Is them going the Early Access route a good or bad thing in your mind? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Wreckfest 2 launches in Early Access next month first appeared on KitGuru.

EA’s next Battlefield game will launch before April 2026

5 février 2025 à 10:30

Following the disappointment of Battlefield 2042, EA and DICE seem to be going all-in for the series’ next entry, featuring more internal tests than ever before, and recently going live with its Battlefield Labs program. While details on the game overall continue to remain light, we do know that the upcoming title will launch before April 2026.

As part of the company’s latest fiscal earnings meeting (reported by VGC), EA confirmed that the next Battlefield game will launch before the end of the 2026 fiscal year – meaning by the 31st of March 2026.

Given the fact that the past three Battlefields have launched in the October-November window, it could be safe to assume that Battlefield 6 (or whatever it will be called) will target a similar timeframe.

Battlefield 2026

That said, the company is seemingly trying to switch things up with the next game following the disappointment of 2042 – and so it’s entirely possible that their release strategy has been changed up as well.

We will have to wait and see, but hopefully the teams are given as much time as needed.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this tentative release window? Does the series have a chance to become relevant again? Could it ever be as big as Call of Duty? Let us know down below.

The post EA’s next Battlefield game will launch before April 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.
Hier — 4 février 2025KitGuru

Nintendo says it will support Switch 1 ‘if there is demand’ amid massive sales drop

4 février 2025 à 18:00

Nintendo is about to release a new console, which means it is time for Nintendo executives to start lying to us all about continued support for older hardware. Much like when the Switch launched in 2017 and Nintendo promised to continue supporting the 3DS, Nintendo is now claiming it will continue to support the original Switch console alongside the Switch 2.

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has said the company will continue to support the original Nintendo Switch after the launch of Nintendo Switch 2, as long as there is demand from consumers. However, the company's most recent earnings report shows that demand is rapidly waning. Currently, Switch sales have declined by 30 percent year-on-year, and that decline will only increase once Nintendo starts marketing the Switch 2 and the new games heading to the console.

With that said, the Switch 2 being backwards compatible could mean that more developers will support both systems for a couple of years. Currently, Nintendo has a few games lined up for the original Switch, including Xenoblade Chronicles X and Pokémon Legends Z-A. We will be learning more about Nintendo's game release line-up for 2025 later this week during a Nintendo Direct stream. We also expect that this stream will bring us some more Switch 2 news.

Nintendo has not yet announced a launch date for the Switch 2, nor has it revealed any exclusive Switch 2 games outside of a quick tease for a new Mario Kart. On top of all of that, we still know very little about the hardware inside.

KitGuru Says: We will no doubt see a few cross-gen games over the next couple of years, but I highly doubt Nintendo is still going to be releasing tentpole games for the original Switch in 2026.

The post Nintendo says it will support Switch 1 ‘if there is demand’ amid massive sales drop first appeared on KitGuru.

Xbox is bringing Age of Empires and Age of Mythology to PS5

4 février 2025 à 17:30

Microsoft is bringing even more of its games to PS5. Shortly after the announcement of the next wave of cross-platform titles, Microsoft has now announced plans to bring its two biggest strategy titles. 

In March, PS5 players will be able to pick up the recently released remaster, Age of Mythology: Retold, an excellent reworking of a classic strategy game centred around mythological gods.

For those who prefer something a bit more grounded, my favourite RTS game of all time, Age of Empires 2, is also heading to PS5 this Spring. It is unclear if Microsoft will also bring over the other Definitive Edition Age of Empires titles, or the most recent game in the franchise, Age of Empires IV. Better yet, these games will have full cross-play, so Xbox, PC and PS5 players will be able to battle it out online.

Another major Xbox game, Forza Horizon 5, is also due to release on PS5 later this year. Rumour has it that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will also make the jump in the coming months.

KitGuru Says: While at one time it seemed impossible to bring an RTS game to consoles, titles like Halo Wars and Halo Wars 2 really paved the way for more traditional RTS games to branch out beyond PC. We've had Age of Empires on Xbox for years at this point, with very good control schemes to replace the keyboard and mouse.

The post Xbox is bringing Age of Empires and Age of Mythology to PS5 first appeared on KitGuru.

Valve is reportedly planning to bring back the Steam Machine console

4 février 2025 à 17:00

A decade ago, Valve attempted to bring PC gaming to the living room with its own ‘console' style mini-ITX PCs known as Steam Machines. Unlike the Steam Deck, Valve opted to pass off Steam Machine development to third-party partners and focused on the software side of things. This ultimately led to Steam Machines being branded as a failure. Now ten years on and armed with more experience in hardware products, Valve looks to be bringing back the Steam Machine. 

According to eXtas1s, who has a reliable track record with leaks, Valve is readying a new Steam console to compete against Xbox and PlayStation. Apparently, this system will continue to use custom AMD hardware, this time based on the RDNA 4 architecture.

While the Steam Machines failed back in 2015, Valve has drastically improved its hardware capabilities since then. At this point, the company has sold millions of Steam Deck handheld systems, and the new version of SteamOS is far beyond what Valve started off with. On top of that, Valve has also been working on new Steam Controller designs, seemingly for a Steam Controller 2 launch. Chances are, a Steam console would ship with one of these new gamepads.

Whether or not a Steam home console could really take market share away from Xbox or PlayStation remains to be seen.

KitGuru Says: Would you like to see the Steam Machine make a return with new and improved hardware, combined with the latest version of SteamOS? Perhaps this is the kick some developers need to support SteamOS. After all, we still have major games like Destiny that don't support the Deck, despite the fact that the game's anti-cheat system can and does work with Proton, the compatibility took Valve uses to make Windows-only games run on SteamOS. 

The post Valve is reportedly planning to bring back the Steam Machine console first appeared on KitGuru.

G.Skill debuts 96GB DDR5 CL32 and 32GB CL28 memory kits for Intel PCs

4 février 2025 à 16:09

G.Skill has just announced its latest memory kit. At CES, we saw new low-latency kits for AMD Ryzen based systems. This time, we are focused on Intel Core Ultra, with new large-capacity CL32 kits set to hit the market. 

The new G.Skill CL32 96GB (2x 48GB) and the CL28 32GB kit are hitting the market soon under the Trident Z5, Royal, and Ripjaws series. The key differentiator between these is the heatspreader, with the Trident Z5 offering a sleek RGB lightbar at the top, while the royal version adds a crystalised pattern on the top. The Ripjaws series is G.Skill's standard kit, with a low-profile heatspreader.

CL32-42-42 at up to 96GB (2x48GB). This new specification have been validated on both Intel Z790 and Z890 platforms. Above, you can find the Memtest validation on the ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Hero motherboard with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K desktop processor, and the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero motherboard with the Intel Core i9-14900K desktop processor.

These kits will be hitting the market starting in March.

KitGuru Says: Are you in the market for a new system upgrade? Will you be going with G.Skill RAM? If so, be sure to check out our reviews.

The post G.Skill debuts 96GB DDR5 CL32 and 32GB CL28 memory kits for Intel PCs first appeared on KitGuru.

Avowed and six more titles join Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass

4 février 2025 à 16:15

February is set to be a big month for Game Pass. We already know that Obsidian's new fantasy RPG, Avowed, will be a day-one title for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Now, we know the full list of games joining the service over the next two weeks. 

As Avowed is a new first-party game, it won't be available to Game Pass standard subscribers. However, like Starfield, it should join the Game Pass Standard library eventually. If you want to play it on February 18th via Game Pass, you'll need a Game Pass Ultimate or a Game Pass PC subscription. As Microsoft is still actively trying to grow Game Pass for PC, that version of the service still gets day-one first party games.

For a look at the timeline Game Pass Standard subscribers can expect, we can see that Starfield, which first launched in September 2023, is now available through Game Pass Standard, meaning it joined the library almost a year and a half after launch. With that in mind, we can expect Avowed to join the Game Pass Standard library sometime in 2026.

Avowed Series X

Below is the full list of Game Pass titles announced for February 2025, including platforms and release dates:

  • Far Cry New Dawn (Cloud, Console and PC) – February 4th.
  • Another Crab's Treasure (Console) – February 5th.
  • Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Console) – February 5th.
  • Starfield (Xbox Series X/S) – February 5th.
  • Madden NFL 25 (Cloud, Console and PC) – February 6th.
  • Kingdom Two Crowns (Cloud and Console) – February 13th.
  • Avowed (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X/S) – February 18th.

As for games leaving the library, on February 15th, Game Pass subscribers will lose access to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, EA Sports UFC 3, Indivisible, Merge and Blade, Return to Grace, A Little to the Left and Tales of Arise.

KitGuru Says: What do you think of this month's Game Pass line-up? Will you be jumping into Avowed when it drops? 

The post Avowed and six more titles join Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H beats AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in Passmark single-thread benchmark

4 février 2025 à 15:30

Intel's upcoming Core Ultra 7 255H mobile processor shows impressive single-threaded performance in a leaked PassMark benchmark, but its multi-core capabilities raise concerns.

The Passmark results (via Notebookcheck) reveal a significant generational leap in single-threaded performance. The Core Ultra 7 255H scored 4631 points, a 32% increase over the Core Ultra 7 155H CPU. This impressive gain can be attributed to the new “Lion Cove” P-cores and TSMC's N3B process technology. Interestingly, the 255H even outperforms the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 “Strix Point” APU by around 17% in single-threaded performance.

However, the tables turn regarding its multi-core performance, where the 255H falls behind the Strix Point chip by over 20%. This discrepancy highlights the impact of Intel's decision to remove hyperthreading support from its non-K Core Ultra 200 series CPUs. While this move benefits single-threaded performance, it limits the multi-core capabilities of these processors. Despite the disappointing multi-core results, the Core Ultra 7 255H still shows a respectable 12% multi-threaded performance improvement over its predecessor.

It's worth noting that Arrow Lake-H CPUs will feature integrated GPUs with up to eight Xe LPG+ cores. While these iGPUs are expected to be slower than the Xe2-based graphics in Lunar Lake processors, they should still offer decent performance for casual gaming and everyday tasks. These processors should be available this quarter with new laptops from different manufacturers.

KitGuru says: Based on these results, the Arrow Lake-H processors will likely perform better than AMD's latest Ryzen AI 300 series in gaming when paired with a discrete GPU. However, we expect AMD Strix Point processors to be the better option for productivity.

The post Intel Core Ultra 7 255H beats AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in Passmark single-thread benchmark first appeared on KitGuru.

UK retailer sets out 16-week timeline for new RTX 5090 stock

4 février 2025 à 15:00

As expected, Nvidia's RTX 50 series launch didn't have enough stock for the demand. It was predictable that stock would run relatively fast, especially considering the reported low product count arriving at retailers. As if that wasn't enough, it seems the next batch of cards will take a while to arrive, with some retailers expecting that it could be months before we see a new RTX 5090 card for sale.

While the initial launch of the RTX 5090 and 5080 Founders Edition cards went smoothly, with positive reviews and impressive benchmarks, gamers eager to get their hands on the new cards face a frustrating reality: limited availability. OverclockersUK has reported that its initial RTX 50 series cards stock has completely sold out, and pre-orders are currently unavailable. According to the retailer, more RTX 5080 cards are expected to arrive in 2 to 6 weeks. As for the RTX 5090 cards, they can take 3 to 16 weeks.

Similar reports are emerging from other regions. In the Netherlands (via Megekko forums), sources suggest that the Asus RTX 50 series cards are being shipped in batches, with varying availability depending on the specific model. Furthermore, there are claims that Nvidia won't be shipping any more Founders Edition cards until March, potentially leaving gamers with limited options for purchasing the reference designs.

Later this month, we're expected to see the launch of the RTX 5070 series cards. Hopefully, these won't have the same stock issues.

KitGuru says: Were you planning to get an RTX 5080 or RTX 5090? Were you lucky enough to get one of these at launch?

The post UK retailer sets out 16-week timeline for new RTX 5090 stock first appeared on KitGuru.

Need For Speed is ‘on hold’ for now

4 février 2025 à 14:15

Fans of Need for Speed might have to temper their expectations for a new entry in the franchise. Criterion Games, the studio behind the franchise, has confirmed that the next Need for Speed game won't come anytime soon as the team shifts its focus to developing the next Battlefield title.

This isn't the first time Criterion has lent its expertise to the Battlefield franchise. The studio played a significant role in developing Battlefield 2042, Battlefield V, and Battlefield 1. However, this time, it seems their involvement in the upcoming Battlefield title is taking priority, putting the next Need for Speed game into second plan.

Given the current development timeline for the next Battlefield game, which, according to recent footage, is in pre-alpha, it's unlikely a new fully-fledged NFS game will be released for several years. Considering the typical development cycle for AAA games and Criterion's statement (via Eurogamer), active production on the next Need for Speed won't begin until the new Battlefield is complete. If that's the case, fans might have to wait until the early 2030s for a new entry in the racing franchise.

While EA could assign another studio to develop a new Need for Speed game, this seems unlikely. Criterion Games has a wealth of experience in the racing genre, and finding another studio with the same expertise in this genre would be a challenge. We could argue that Codemasters might be able to do something out of the Need For Speed franchise, but it would probably go into a more realistic racing experience than your usual NFS game.

KitGuru says: This extended hiatus marks a significant shift for the Need for Speed series, which enjoyed annual releases between 1997 and 2013. If the current release cadence holds, December 2025 will mark the longest gap between two Need for Speed titles since the franchise's inception in 1994.

The post Need For Speed is ‘on hold’ for now first appeared on KitGuru.

MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC Review

4 février 2025 à 13:32

Today we are back with our first RTX 50 series partner card review! We're looking at the MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC – a beast of a graphics card in every sense of the word. Not only does it boast a quad-slot cooler that's about 36cm long, but it's been aggressively factory overclocked, while also featuring dual-BIOS, three 100mm fans and plentiful RGB lighting. Let's see just how well it compares to Nvidia's Founders Edition.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro
00:44 The pricing situation
01:41 Design impressions
02:15 It’s HUGE – comparisons vs 5090 FE
02:57 Dual-BIOS, RGB lighting
04:09 Revealing the PCB and heatsink
05:33 Test setup
06:19 Thermals, noise
07:34 Game benchmarks
08:08 Clock speed + power
09:08 Overclocking
10:07 Closing thoughts – is it worth 2.6K?

Of course, the other factor to consider is pricing, and while MSI didn't actually disclose an official MSRP to us, we've found it on Currys for £2600, while it's higher still at OCUK. Needless to say, that is some extreme pricing, with a £660 price premium over the £1939 MSRP. It's hard to say if those are just inflated figures given there's zero stock of the RTX 5090 right now, and I'd have to hope that pricing falls as supply levels increase. Right now that's all we have to go on though, so that will have to factor into our final buying advice.

RTX 5090 RTX 5080 RTX 4090 RTX 4080 Super RTX 4080
Process TSMC N4 TSMC N4 TSMC N4 TSMC N4 TSMC N4
SMs 170 84 128 80 76
CUDA Cores 21760 10752 16384 10240 9728
Tensor Cores 680 336 512 320 304
RT Cores 170 84 128 80 76
Texture Units 680 336 512 320 304
ROPs 176 112 176 112 112
GPU Boost Clock 2407 MHz 2617 MHz 2520 MHz 2550 MHz 2505 MHz
Memory Data Rate 28 Gbps 30 Gbps 21 Gbps 23 Gbps 22.4 Gbps
L2 Cache 98304 KB 65536 KB 73729 KB 65536 KB 65536 KB
Total Video Memory 32GB GDDR7 16GB GDDR7 24GB GDDR6X 16GB GDDR6X 16GB GDDR6X
Memory Interface 512-bit 256-bit 384-bit 256-bit 256-bit
Memory Bandwidth 1792 GB/Sec 960 GB/Sec 1008 GB/Sec 736 GB/Sec 716.8 GB/Sec
TGP 575W 360W 450W 320W 320W

First, a quick spec recap. The RTX 5090 is built on the new GB202 die, measuring 750mm2, though it's not quite a full implementation of the silicon. Instead we find a total of 11 Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), each holding up to eight Texture Processing Clusters (TPCs), for a total of 85. Each TPC is home to two Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs), giving us 170, and each SM still holds 256 CUDA Cores, meaning the RTX 5090 has an eye-watering total of 21760 shaders. We also find 170 RT cores, 680 Tensor cores, 680 Texture Units, and 176 ROPs.

This time around, however, there's no node-shrink, and GB202 remains fabricated on TSMC's N4 node, as per the RTX 40-series. As such, rated clock speed is not increased this generation and is actually touted slightly below that of the RTX 4090, with the  reference RTX 5090 delivering a rated 2407MHz boost clock. MSI has increased this to 2565MHz for the Gaming BIOS, and 2512MHz for the Silent BIOS.

The memory configuration has seen significant upgrades this generation. The RTX 5090 now comes equipped with a super-wide 512-bit memory interface, paired with 32GB GDDR7 memory running at 28Gbps, and that puts total memory bandwidth at a staggering 1792 GB/s. L2 cache is also increased to 98MB, up from the 74MB of the RTX 4090.

Considering the large increases to die size and core count, but with no node shrink, it's perhaps unsurprising to see power draw has increased, this time boasting a 575W TGP at reference. MSI has maxed this out at 600W for the Gaming BIOS, too, the limit of the 12V-2X6 connector.

The post MSI RTX 5090 Suprim SOC Review first appeared on KitGuru.

ID@Xbox showcase announced, featuring over a dozen indie studios

4 février 2025 à 12:45

Following Microsoft’s recent developer direct, the console maker has announced another – albeit smaller – presentation with the ID@Xbox Showcase. Going live on the 24th of February, the stream will feature a ton of indie studios as well as a new collaboration with Balatro.

Announced in partnership with IGN, the next ID@Xbox showcase will go live on the 24th of February at 6PM BST, kicking off the publication’s annual IGN Fan Fest.

Though no specific games (except one) were highlighted for the event, over a dozen studios are confirmed to be present during the showcase, with the full list being as follows:

  • 11 Bit
  • BigFan
  • Critical Reflex
  • Daedalic
  • Game Source Entertainment
  • No More Robots
  • Panic
  • Playstack
  • Raw Fury
  • Thunderlotus
  • Cult Games
  • Team17
  • Curve
  • Akapura
  • Don’t Nod

ID@Xbox Indie

While some of these names might be more recognisable than others, the best part about indie events is the fact that you never know what you’ll get – often for the better.

The one game which is confirmed for the showcase is Balatro, with “the next big collaboration” set to be announced during the stream. That said, it is unclear right now whether this collab will bring content into Balatro, or see Balatro added to another game (as was the case with Dave the Diver). Either way, more Balatro is always a good thing.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to the next ID@Xbox? Which studio are you most interested in? What’s your favourite new indie game so far this year? Let us know down below.

The post ID@Xbox showcase announced, featuring over a dozen indie studios first appeared on KitGuru.

Devil May Cry 5 hits new major sales milestone

4 février 2025 à 12:00

Following a lengthy hiatus, the Devil May Cry series returned in a big way with DMC 5 in 2019 – quickly becoming the best-selling entry in the series. While we have yet to get a new game since, interest in Dante and co. has not waned, with the latest Devil May Cry 5 having now officially sold 10 million copies.

Every quarter, Capcom publicly publishes its updated list of ‘Platinum Titles’ – games which have sold over 1 million units. Sharing the latest stats across their franchises, the publisher has now revealed that as of the 31st of December 2024, 2019’s Devil May Cry (in combination with its Special Edition remaster / expansion) has sold 10 million copies, making it by far the best-selling entry in the entire franchise.

For context, the second-best-selling title is 2013’s DmC Devil May Cry which pushed a total of 3.1 million copies – 1/3rd of DMC 5’s total sales.

Devil May Cry

Unfortunately, as mentioned, there’s been no new activity in the DMC space ever since Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition.

That said, with how much of a success the latest entry continues to be, hopefully the chefs over at Capcom are cooking up something great. We will have to continue to wait and see.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you surprised by the success of DMC 5? How much longer will we have to wait for a new Devil May Cry? What would you want from the next entry? Let us know down below.

The post Devil May Cry 5 hits new major sales milestone first appeared on KitGuru.

Mega Man 11 becomes the best-selling entry in the series

4 février 2025 à 11:15

Despite being an undeniable icon in the video games space, Capcom’s Mega Man franchise has never been a massive seller. While this somewhat remains the case, it seems Rock Man is having a slight reassurance with the latest Mega Man 11 now becoming the best-selling entry in the series.

Every quarter, Capcom publicly publishes its updated list of ‘Platinum Titles’ – games which have sold over 1 million units. The publisher has now released its latest figures, revealing that the latest entry in the Mega Man series – 2018’s Mega Man 11 – has surpassed the ‘Mega Man Legacy Collection’ to become the best-selling entry in the series.

Even so, the numbers are relatively modest when compared to Capcom’s other contemporary franchises, with Mega Man 11 just selling north of 2 million copies – 400k more than the aforementioned Legacy Collection.

Mega Man 11 Series

As stated, Mega Man 11 is the latest entry in the series, however in the years since its launch we have seen further collections released to great success, including the ‘Battle Network Legacy Collection‘ which managed to shift 1 million units in its first two weeks back in 2023.

Still, with what will likely be Capcom’s biggest game of all time (Monster Hunter Wilds) set to come out later this month, the publisher’s focus is unlikely to be on Mega Man at the moment. Hopefully some time over the next couple years maybe.

KitGuru says: Are you surprised by Mega Man’s relatively low sales? Will it ever be one of Capcom’s biggest franchises once again? Could we see a Mega Man 12 one day? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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Red Dead Redemption 2 reaches new Steam record with 100,000 concurrent players

4 février 2025 à 10:30

While not quite the sales juggernaut that GTA is, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption series remains one of the biggest in the industry, with RDR2 alone selling more than 67 million units. Despite little post-launch support for the game (especially when it came to Red Dead Online), RDR2 has reached a new peak player count on Steam with just under 100,000 concurrents.

Upon its PC release back in early 2020, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 saw a solid influx of players, peaking at 55 thousand concurrent users on Steam. Naturally, since then the figures have ebbed and flowed, though only on a few occasions has it surpassed its launch peak.

However, seemingly as a result of RDR2 going on sale for 75% off – the lowest it's been – the game has galloped past its previous peak player count, recently landing just shy of 100k (99,993 concurrent players to be exact).

Red Dead Redemption Steam

Unfortunately, this recent influx is unlikely to affect Rockstar’s future plans for Red Dead 2 (or lack thereof), and so the online portion probably won’t see a ton of new support all of a sudden.

That said, the team did release a surprise update last year, adding an improved form of AMD’s FSR alongside a few other enhancements, so not all hope is lost.

KitGuru says: Did you hop into Red Dead Redemption 2 recently? Has Rockstar fully moved on from the game? Could Red Dead Online see a resurgence? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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À partir d’avant-hierKitGuru

Acer’s latest compact projector can create a 100-inch screen with just centimetres of space

3 février 2025 à 18:38

Everyone likes a big screen for watching content but often, 100+-inch TVs are prohibitively expensive, and projectors can be too bulky to set up properly in a lot of spaces. Acer looks to solve this issue with the Acer PD1520Us, a compact LED projector that weighs less than 1kg. 

This is a short-throw projector, meaning it is designed to be placed close to the surface. With this design, you can get 100-inches of screen space while placing the projector just centimetres away from the wall or screen, making it an ideal solution for businesses and schools, where conditions can be a bit more crowded.

The bulb inside the projector has a 30,000 hour life span, so you'll get plenty of use out of it before you start to see any brightness drop-off and need to replace the bulb. The projector has its own built-in speakers for convenient audio, and support for 1080p and 4K sources. The projector has plenty of connectivity options too, with dual HDMI 2.0 ports, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and options for screen mirroring.

For those concerned about setup, the projector comes with auto focus so you won't need to manually turn the focus ring to get things looking sharp. Additionally, 2D Keystone Correction can fix up distorted images for maximum clarity out of the box. For those looking to take things on the go, a 5200mAh battery pack is also available, which will allow you to run the projector for up to two hours. As part of the Acer UST projector series, the PD1520U also has an integrated smart platform, allowing you to install apps to access streaming services.

The Acer PD1520Us projector will be available in EMEA starting in March, priced at €699. The additional battery pack is sold separately, priced at €99.

KitGuru Says: Would you replace your TV with a projector for a cheaper solution to a bigger screen? 

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Battlefield Labs is live with first playtest scheduled for February

3 février 2025 à 18:00

EA has launched a number of community playtest programs over the years, seeking feedback for projects still in development. Typically, we see these for smaller games, like Skate, while games like Battlefield are kept under wraps until the public beta tests that take place just weeks before release. This blew up in EA's face with Battlefield 2042, as the game launched with a huge number of bugs and issues. To avoid this next time around, DICE is launching Battlefield Labs. 

Battlefield Labs is the new community testing program for the Battlefield franchise. EA and DICE claim it is “the most ambitious community testing program in franchise history”. Respawn and EA Studios GM, Vince Zampella, explained that Battlefield Labs will be used to “test the experiences our teams have been building for the upcoming launch”.

From the sounds of it, fans will be able to sign up and then test out early, experimental builds of different modes being planned for the final game. The first phase of Battlefield Labs testing will go live in the coming weeks and sign-ups are already live on the Battlefield Labs page

To start off with, playtests will be held in the US and European countries, before expanding to other territories. DICE says that this program will play “a significant role” in the development of future Battlefield games, not just the next mainline entry to the series.

KitGuru Says: DICE has struggled to really figure out how best to differentiate Battlefield from Call of Duty and how to please fans with each new entry. Even Battlefield 4, which many fans look back on fondly, launched with a myriad of bugs and issues that took months to fix. This cycle has consistently repeated with each game. Hopefully once Battlefield Labs gets off the ground, DICE can finally put those struggles behind them. 

The post Battlefield Labs is live with first playtest scheduled for February first appeared on KitGuru.

Former Dr Disrespect studio ‘Midnight Society’ closes and cancels Deadrop

3 février 2025 à 17:45

Midnight Society has been an interesting studio to follow. The company, founded by streamer Dr Disrespect, was working on its own extraction shooter, with a Counter-Strike style skin system that would see players owning their own skins with the ability to trade or sell. The studio faced financial struggles months ago after cutting ties with Dr Disrespect and now, the studio is shutting down for good. 

In an announcement, Midnight Society confirmed that it will be closing its doors after three years in the game development business. The company was working on Deadrop, which had around 10,000 players in the early alpha stages of development. However, now that the company is shutting down, Deadrop will no longer be pushed through to a full release.

In the meantime, Midnight Society, which employed just over 50 game developers, is now actively searching for job openings at other studios to help workers get back on their feet.

Just a few months ago after laying off half of the Deadrop team, Midnight Society stated that it was still on track to launch the game in 2025. At the time, I struggled with this idea, as losing half of your development team certainly isn't going to result in work getting done faster. Now just one month into the new year, we can see that this timeline was unrealistic.

KitGuru Says: Deadrop will no longer launch and all of those who spent money on expensive NFTs to gain access are unlikely to get any of their money back. 

The post Former Dr Disrespect studio ‘Midnight Society’ closes and cancels Deadrop first appeared on KitGuru.

WB Games is taking MultiVersus offline soon

3 février 2025 à 17:00

After a six month beta, a six month hiatus and a year of ‘official' release, Warner Bros is now pulling the plug on MultiVersus. The game officially released in 2024 and is now shutting down alongside another 2024 flop, Suicide Squad. 

WB Games did not have a very good time in 2024. The company had high hopes for two of its ‘live service' games, MultiVersus, and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. A few weeks ago, Warner Bros announced plans to shut down Suicide Squad, leaving players with an offline version of the game to play. Now, the same thing is happening with the Smash Bros. style cross-over fighting game.

In an announcement this week, WB and Player First Games confirmed that MultiVersus Season 5 would be the game's final update. The season runs from February 4th until the 30th of May. After that, the online multiplayer servers will shut down.

Fortunately, players won't lose access to the game entirely. While official online services are closing in a few months, the Season 5 update will also generate a local save file for the game. From there, you will be able to continue to access the game modes and your purchased content offline, in single-player battles vs AI or in private matches with friends locally.

Microtransactions from the in-game store have already been removed. However, you can still unlock new characters by playing the game, including the two latest additions to the roster, Aquaman and Lola Bunny.

KitGuru Says: MultiVersus seemed like a cool idea when it was first announced, but taking the game offline for so long and then re-launching it in a crowded 2024 was a bad idea. We'll no doubt see some of these characters appearing in Fortnite in the future instead, as presumably, WB is going to pump the brakes on its own expensive live-service projects. 

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RTX Video Super Resolution gets AI-model upgrade

3 février 2025 à 16:30

Nvidia's RTX Video Super Resolution (RVSR) technology, which uses the power of your GPU to upscale video content, has received a significant update that addresses one of its main drawbacks: power consumption.

RTX VSR allows you to enjoy sharper and more detailed videos in your web browser or media player, even if the source is low resolution. Imagine watching Netflix in 4K, even if the stream is only available in 1080p. However, this magic comes at a cost, as the initial version of RTX VSR was notorious for its high power consumption, with some users reporting their GPUs drawing over 200W while upscaling video.

Thankfully, Nvidia has listened to feedback and optimised RTX VSR for improved efficiency. The latest update introduces a new AI model that reduces power consumption by up to 30%, allowing you to enjoy enhanced visuals without putting excessive strain on your graphics card. RTX VSR is now integrated into the Nvidia App, making it easier than ever to access and control. To enable the feature, navigate to the “System” menu, then “Video,” and adjust it according to your preferences. You can also choose to display an on-screen indicator to indicate when RTX VSR is active.

The update also introduces a new “Auto” quality level that dynamically adjusts the upscaling intensity based on the video content and your GPU's capabilities. Alternatively, select “Manual” and choose one of the presets available to set the upscaling quality.

KitGuru says: Do you use Nvidia's RTX Video Super Resolution? Have you ever noticed high GPU power consumption while upscaling a video using this technology?

The post RTX Video Super Resolution gets AI-model upgrade first appeared on KitGuru.

Black Myth: Wukong surpasses 25 million copies sold

3 février 2025 à 16:00

The success of Black Myth: Wukong shows no signs of slowing down. The action RPG, inspired by the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West, has surpassed the 25 million copies sold worldwide.

Since its launch in August 2024, Black Myth: Wukong has amassed an enormous community with its visuals, gameplay, and story. It has become the single-player game in Steam history with the most concurrent in-game players, peaking at over 2.2 million users soon after launch.

This incredible momentum continued, with the game selling 10 million copies in its first three days and reaching 20 million sales within a month. Now, nearly six months after its debut, Black Myth: Wukong has crossed the 25 million mark, according to Niko News (via Game World Observer).

While the game has garnered a dedicated fanbase worldwide, its popularity in China is at another level. It has become a cultural phenomenon. According to Yicai Global, a recently opened Black Myth: Wukong merchandise store in the country reportedly earned over $410,000 within its first three days, and many products quickly sold out.

KitGuru says: With its impressive sales figures, critical acclaim, and dedicated fanbase, the game is already a success even if it doesn't sell any more copies. However, we believe that won't happen, and the sales figures will only increase as time passes.

The post Black Myth: Wukong surpasses 25 million copies sold first appeared on KitGuru.

Next PlayStation ‘State of Play’ stream coming next week

3 février 2025 à 15:30

A new State of Play event is reportedly just around the corner, potentially bringing a few exciting announcements and updates later this month.

Gaming insider NatetheHate (via VGC) has hinted that Sony is planning a State of Play event sometime during February without specifying a date. However, when asked for it, the leaker answered, “What does your heart tell you?”, suggesting that it would occur during the week of Valentine's Day.

While details about the rumoured State of Play remain scarce, there's plenty of speculation about what Sony might have up its sleeve. Potential highlights could include updates on highly anticipated titles like Ghost of Tsushima 2 and Death Stranding 2, as well as the announcement of new content for Astro Bot. Moreover, there should be time to show a few new titles during the presentation.

This news comes after a relatively quiet start to the year for PlayStation, with only minor announcements and updates to Sony's platform. On the other hand, Nintendo and Xbox have been making waves with their recent announcements, including the first look at Switch 2 and the surprise reveal of Ninja Gaiden 4 and a Ninja Gaiden 2 remake.

KitGuru says: Do you usually watch PlayStation's State of Play presentations? What will Sony showcase during the next event?

The post Next PlayStation ‘State of Play’ stream coming next week first appeared on KitGuru.

PowerColor Alphyn AH10 Wireless Gaming Headset Review

3 février 2025 à 15:00

PowerColor, a brand well known for producing graphics cards, has branched out with the release of its first gaming headset – the Alphyn AH10. Featuring a choice of 2.4GHz wireless or 3.5mm connectivity, alongside 50mm drivers and a retractable built in mic – can the company turn its expertise to a new product category and deliver a great experience for gamers?

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:29 Design
02:07 Buttons, ports and controls
02:51 Microphone
03:26 The minimalist look
03:45 Build Quality
03:58 Specs and performance
04:33 Preset EQ Modes
05:11 Sound quality
05:29 Microphone sound test
07:53 Connectivity and accessories
08:17 Battery Life and thoughts
09:13 Software
10:36 Pricing
10:54 Closing Thoughts

Specifications:

  • Driver Diameter – 50 mm
  • Frequency Response – 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Impedance – 32 Ω ± 15 %
  • Sensitivity – 98 ± 3 dB
  • Battery Life – Up to 30 hours
  • Rechargeable Battery – 1500 mAh / 3.7V
  • Charging Time – ≤ 2.5 hours
  • Supply Voltage – 3.4~4.2 V
  • Current Consumption – 58 mA
  • Microphone Type-  Electret Condenser
  • Microphone Pickup Pattern – Bi-Directional
  • Microphone Frequency Response – 100 Hz – 10 kHz
  • Microphone Impedance – 2.2 KΩ
  • Microphone Sensitivity –  -44 dB
  • Connection Type – Type-C Wireless (2.4 GHz), 3.5 mm(Wired)
  • Wireless Range – 10 m
  • Approximate Weight – 326 g
  • Dimension – 240*176*90 mm
  • PC Compatible – Windows 10 or higher, 3.5 mm audio devices, USB 2.0 Port : Type-A, Type-C
  • Controls
    • Power On/Off, Microphone Mute Switch
    • Audio Profiles Switcher
    • Volume Control Knob
  • Accessories Bundle
    • Type-C Transmitter
    • Type-C to C Adaptor
    • Type-A to C Adaptor
    • Type-C to Type-A Charging Cable 1.7m
    • 3.5 mm Audio Cable 1.3m
    • Microphone Foam Cover
    •  Carry Pouch

You can buy the Alphyn AH10 Wireless Headset from Scan for £79.99 HERE.

Pros:

  • Nice design and colour scheme
  • No RGB
  • Decent Battery Life
  • Good audio output
  • Convenient retractable mic design

Cons:

  • Almost zero mic customisation
  • Very basic software
  • Voice and custom profiles can only be accessed by opening Keystone software
  • No way to tell the exact battery life remaining

KitGuru says: The Alphyn AH10 is a decent headset debut from PowerColor. However, it needs more in-depth mic customisation and more software functionality. 

The post PowerColor Alphyn AH10 Wireless Gaming Headset Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Supply chain source claims Nvidia is releasing the RTX 5060 in March

3 février 2025 à 14:30

Colorful, a major Nvidia board partner in China, has seemingly leaked key details about the upcoming GeForce RTX 5060 series, including a potential March release date.

This information comes from Chaintech (via @wxnod), a Taiwanese company that supplies components to Colorful. Based on Chaintech's 2025 earnings forecast presentation, we know the supposed release dates for all the RTX 50 series cards. With the RTX 5090D (China exclusive) and RTX 5080 already available, we can expect to get the RTX 5070 series later this month, including the RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti. Afterward, in March, we can expect the RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060. This aligns with previous rumours and suggests that Nvidia aims to complete its RTX 50 series lineup within the year's first quarter.

Image credit: Chaintech (via @wxnod)

Based on previous rumours, it's believed that there will be two RTX 5060 Ti models: one with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory and another with 8 GB. This has been corroborated by an EEC filing by MaxSun (via @Olrak29_), another Nvidia board partner, showing both 16G and 8G models. As for the RTX 5060, it's expected to launch with 8 GB of memory unless Nvidia decides to use 3 GB memory modules.

The GeForce RTX 5060 series is poised to compete with AMD's upcoming Radeon RX 9060 series, which is expected to launch later this year. The RTX 5060 non-Ti could also face competition from Intel's Arc B580, which offers a compelling combination of performance and value in the mainstream segment, albeit with not-so-good drivers (which can always be improved with time).

KitGuru says: What kind of performance are you expecting from the RTX 5060 series cards?

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Battlefield is getting its own community test program

3 février 2025 à 13:00

While Battlefield 2042 was hyped up prior to release, a series of launch-day issues hampered the game's long-term performance. As a result, EA has made some changes behind the scenes and is now preparing for the next Battlefield game. We'll get our first look at what's in the works later today with the reveal of the Community Test Program. 

To avoid another launch riddled with problems, DICE and EA have announced plans for a Battlefield Community Test program, similar to the alpha and beta test programs EA has been running for other projects like Skate.

At 5PM CET today, EA and DICE will be revealing the details behind this test program, which will give fans an opportunity to play early builds of the next Battlefield months ahead of release.

Currently, it is unclear when the next Battlefield game will launch. However, we do know that EA has set up a campaign team to work on a single-player mode, while DICE will handle the game's main multiplayer modes. Other studios around EA, like Respawn Entertainment, will also assist in development.

KitGuru Says: It has felt like Battlefield has been on a downward spiral since Battlefield 4. Hopefully with this next game, DICE can deliver a quality product on day-one, rather than months after launch. 

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Thermal Grizzly launches KryoSheet for RTX 5090

3 février 2025 à 10:30

Thermal Grizzly has expanded its KryoSheet line of liquid metal thermal pads with a new size specifically designed for the Nvidia GB 202 GPU of the GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards.

This pre-applied liquid metal pad offers a convenient and effective alternative to traditional thermal paste, simplifying the installation and improving cooling performance. The new KryoSheet measures 44 x 37 mm, covering the GB202-300-A1 GPU in the RTX 5090. It extends slightly beyond the chip's edges, requiring electrical insulation of the surrounding components. To address this, Thermal Grizzly includes a TG Kapton Insulation Sheet with the new KryoSheet.

Applying the KryoSheet is a straightforward process:

  1. Clean and degrease the GPU and surrounding area using isopropanol or a similar cleaning agent.
  2. Apply the Kapton Insulation Sheet, aligning the strips along the borders of the GPU die. Ensure that the Kapton strips do not cover the GPU itself.
  3. Once the surrounding area is insulated, apply the KryoSheet according to the included instructions.

The KryoSheet does not need to be cut to size, as it is already sized for the RTX 5090's GPU. Thermal Grizzly's KryoSheet offers a hassle-free way to experience the benefits of liquid metal cooling. Its pre-applied design eliminates the mess and potential risks associated with liquid metal application, making it suitable for air- and water-cooled RTX 5090 graphics cards.

KitGuru says: If you got an RTX 5090, would you use the Thermal Grizzly KryoSheet to reduce temperatures?

The post Thermal Grizzly launches KryoSheet for RTX 5090 first appeared on KitGuru.

Fallout: New Vegas writer returns to Obsidian for new game

3 février 2025 à 12:00

Obsidian has an extremely busy year ahead with Avowed due to launch this month, followed by The Outer Worlds 2 later this year. In the middle of this, Obsidian is also preparing for its next major game, and it has brought back the lead writer behind Fallout New Vegas to work on it. 

Since acquiring both Obsidian Entertainment and Bethesda, there have been rumours that Microsoft could put Obsidian back onto the Fallout series. Many fans have New Vegas as their favourite game in the franchise and plenty of developers at Obsidian still have interest in the Fallout IP. However, while there have been rumours around a New Vegas 2, the re-hiring of the first game's lead writer is apparently not a hint at a sequel being in development.

John Gonzalez left Obsidian 14 years ago after shipping New Vegas and working on other projects. After leaving Obsidian, Gonzalez joined Guerrilla Games and worked on the Horizon Zero Dawn IP. Now, Gonzalez is returning to Obsidian, he has revealed on LinkedIn. However, in an effort to get out ahead of rumours, he did also state that the project he is working on is “not Fallout: New Vegas 2”.

Since joining Microsoft, Obsidian has worked on numerous new IP. The studio has shipped Grounded, Pentiment, and The Outer Worlds. The Outer Worlds was created as a spiritual successor to Obsidian's work on the Fallout series, while Avowed is due to be Obsidian's way of expanding its fantasy universe from Pillars of Eternity, the crowdfunded project that saved Obsidian from bankruptcy a decade ago.

KitGuru Says: Bethesda is likely so far off from releasing Fallout 5, that it makes perfect sense to have the speed demons at Obsidian to develop a new spin-off game to bridge the gap between Fallout 4 and Fallout 5. For now though, despite moves like this, Obsidian is apparently not working on anything Fallout-related. 

The post Fallout: New Vegas writer returns to Obsidian for new game first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel Panther Lake on track for 2025, Nova Lake coming in 2026

3 février 2025 à 10:59

Intel has confirmed part of its CPU roadmap for the next two years, confirming the arrival of Panther Lake in 2025 and Nova Lake in 2026. But while Panther Lake's future in the desktop market remains uncertain, Nova Lake could shake things up with a new architecture with dual CPU tiles.

During its Q4 earnings call, Intel shed light on its upcoming processor plans. Panther Lake, the successor to the current Core Ultra 200 series, is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2025. However, Intel has not confirmed whether Panther Lake will be available for desktop PCs.

Following Panther Lake, Intel will unleash Nova Lake in 2026. Unlike its predecessor, Nova Lake has explicitly mentioned that it will have a desktop variant, suggesting a potential shift in Intel's strategy. Leaks from Reddit user Exist50 (via HXL) suggest that Nova Lake could feature a hybrid architecture with two 8P+16E tiles. These tiles are expected to combine “Coyote Cove” P-cores and “Arctic Wolf” E-cores.

Intel's Nova Lake SKUs would come for desktops (Nova Lake-SK), featuring up to 16x P-cores and 32x E-cores on two tiles. The high-end mobile (HX), mainstream mobile (H), and low-power mobile (U) variants would feature a single CPU tile. The Nova Lake-HX platform for enthusiast gaming laptops is rumoured to feature up to 8x P-cores and 16x E-cores, potentially indicating a move away from using the same dies as desktop CPUs. As for Nova Lake-S and Nova Lake-H SKUs, these would come with up to 4x P-cores and 8x E-cores. Lastly, the Nova Lake-U chips would pack up to 4x P-cores only.

During the earnings call, Intel also announced a delay for Falcon Shores, its next-generation XPU/GPU designed for the data centres. Originally intended to compete with rival AI accelerators, Falcon Shores will now be used internally as a test chip. Instead, Intel will focus on Jaguar Shores, the successor to Falcon Shores, for its next data centre offering.

KitGuru says: Do you think Panther Lake will come to the desktop, or will Intel Core Ultra's next-generation CPUs use the Nova Lake platform?

The post Intel Panther Lake on track for 2025, Nova Lake coming in 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s system requirements have been published

31 janvier 2025 à 19:00

Sandfall Interactive has unveiled the official PC system requirements for its upcoming turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This title, powered by Unreal Engine 5, promises a captivating blend of strategic combat and real-time exploration, bringing a spin to the traditional turn-based combat of RPGs.

Before you embark on your journey into the mysterious world of Clair Obscur, make sure your PC is up to the task. To experience the game at 1080p resolution with low settings at 30 FPS, you'll need at least an Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X processor, 8 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070, an AMD Radeon RX Vega 56, or an Intel Arc A580 graphics card. It also requires 55 GB of free disk space for installation.

For those seeking a more visually stunning and fluid experience at 1080p with high settings and 60 FPS, the developers recommend an Intel Core i7-11700K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a more powerful GPU like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT. Here are the detailed system requirements for Clair Obscur:

MINIMUM

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 10
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8GB / AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 8GB / Intel Arc A580 8GB
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 55 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: For 1080p 30FPS low settings gameplay.

RECOMMENDED

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows 11
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-11700K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8 GB / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16 GB
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 55 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: For 1080p 60FPS high settings gameplay.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be released on April 24 on PC (Steam, Microsoft Store), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. It will also be available at launch via Game Pass on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Cloud.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33? Is your PC ready for it?

The post Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s system requirements have been published first appeared on KitGuru.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown sold 1.3 million copies in its first year

31 janvier 2025 à 18:00

Following years of laying dormant, the Prince of Persia franchise returned in a big way with the releases of both Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and The Rogue Prince of Persia. Just over one year on from the former’s initial release, the much-loved metroidvania (which unfortunately will not be getting a sequel) has been reported to have sold 1.3 million copies.

As noted by Twitter user Timur222, the Associate Marketing Director at Ubisoft ‘Alexandre Guenounou’ recently updated their LinkedIn profile (though has since been removed) with claims that 2024’s Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown sold over 1.3 million units within its first year.

For the uninitiated, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown launched on the 18th of January to high praise from both critics and fans alike, becoming the second-highest rated entry in the series history.

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown

Unfortunately, despite plenty of free post-launch updates and continued critical success, Ubisoft confirmed that the studio behind the game (Ubisoft Montpellier) was shifted over to work on different projects – seemingly ending future work on The Lost Crown.

Ubisoft is in a weird place right now, and so regardless of whether the game sold 1 million or 1000 copies, things likely wouldn’t have changed too much. Hopefully The Lost Crown sub-series isn’t gone forever.

KitGuru says: What did you think of The Lost Crown? Did it deserve more sales? Would you have liked to see a sequel? Let us know down below.

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Summer Game Fest 2025 kicks off on the 6th of June

31 janvier 2025 à 17:00

Following the conclusion of last year’s Summer Game Fest, event creator Geoff Keighley confirmed that the annual show would return in 2025. True to his word, this year’s SGF has now been officially dated and detailed – set to go live on the 6th of June.

Making the announcement on Twitter, Game Awards and SGF creator Geoff Keighley wrote “Mark your calendar for Friday, June 6 — @SummerGameFest returns to @youtubetheater in LA to showcase what’s next from the entire video game industry.  Streaming live everywhere. Followed by SGF Play Days from @iam8bit for media + Influencers in downtown LA.”

As mentioned, a 2025 edition of Summer Game Fest was already announced in the immediacy following the conclusion of last year’s event. Still, having a concrete date means that studios and publishers can begin to properly formulate their plans for the event, including trailers, vertical gameplay slices and more.

Summer Game Fest 2025

Since 2021, each successive Summer Game Fest has taken place one day earlier than the year prior. Given this, it will be interesting to see whether the event eventually falls back into being a May showcase – as the very first SGF was.

Regardless, while there will never be anything quite like E3 again, Summer Game Fest is a suitable replacement, and so it is nice to have a consistent (somewhat singular) annual video games expo once again.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to this year’s Summer Game Fest? Has it fully replaced E3 in your mind? What one game do you hope will be present at the event? Let us know down below.

The post Summer Game Fest 2025 kicks off on the 6th of June first appeared on KitGuru.

Sony promises to bring back its anniversary PlayStation themes permanently in the future

31 janvier 2025 à 16:00

In celebration of the PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, Sony released a bunch of cool throwback themes for the PS5, designed around the PlayStation’s four previous console generations. While intended to be a limited-time feature, the overwhelmingly positive response to the themes has led Sony to announce that they are making it a permanent fixture.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the official PlayStation page wrote: “Thank you for the fantastic response to the classic PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PS4 limited-time console themes, which will be leaving tomorrow. Due to the positive response on these 4 themes, we’re doing some work behind the scenes to bring these special designs back in the months ahead.”

It is worth noting that these will be the only themes coming to PS5, with the company making sure to clarify that “while there aren’t plans to create additional themes in the future, we're excited to keep celebrating legacy PlayStation hardware with you all.”

Sony
Anniversary

While the anniversary themes were a welcome surprise, they were clearly intended to be time-limited – if nothing else due to the somewhat janky nature of a couple of them.

That said, they were incredibly cool to have, and so hopefully when they do return on a more permanent basis, a few extra surprises are included.

KitGuru says: What did you think of the anniversary themes? Which was your favourite? How would you like to see them enhanced when they are brought back permanently? Let us know down below.

The post Sony promises to bring back its anniversary PlayStation themes permanently in the future first appeared on KitGuru.

ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1000G (ATX v3.1) Review

31 janvier 2025 à 15:23

Today I get my first ever look at an ASRock branded power supply branded as the ‘Phantom Gaming'. This power supply is fully modular, is 80 Plus Gold certified and ships with a comprehensive 10 year warranty. The ASRock OEM of choice for this unit is FSP, and we will take a closer look to see if the performance can match up to the high aspirations, later in the review.

ASRock do not seem to be messing around with the PG-1000G, their website has a lot of data on display such as the adoption of 100% Japanese capacitors, a high grade fluid dynamic bearing fan, a semi passive fan control mode, along with a 5V ‘Boost Mode'. For the interests of my sanity I will be referring to this power supply throughout this review as simply ‘PG-1000G'.

Product highlights:

  • 80 Plus Gold Certified
  • Cybenetics GOLD and LAMBDA A Certified
  • ATX 3.1 & PCIe 5.1 Ready
  • Fully modular cable design
  • Native 12V-2×6 Connector Dual Colour Design with Tempguard
  • 100% Highly reliable Japanese capacitors
  • 135mm Intelligent Fan Control Mode
  • 5V ‘boost Mode'
  • 10 year warranty.
The post ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1000G (ATX v3.1) Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Philips’s new GamePix 900 projector is now available for pre-order at a discount

31 janvier 2025 à 14:00

Philips is entering the gaming projector scene with a bang! The GamePix 900, the company's first dedicated gaming projector, is now available for pre-order at an enticing introductory price.

This projector combines high-end specs with good value (at least during its initial campaign), offering a compelling alternative to traditional gaming displays. The GamePix 900 boasts 4K resolution at 60Hz, 1440p at 120Hz, and a 240 Hz refresh rate at 1080p. With a claimed input lag of just 6 ms at 240 Hz, it should offer a decently responsive gaming experience.

The GamePix 900 delivers up to a 120-inch display with HDR10 support and 95% Rec. 709 colour space coverage, bringing games to life with vibrant colours and deep contrast. Its 1000 ANSI lumens LED light source ensures bright and vivid images, even in well-lit environments. Philips has tailored the GamePix 900 to the needs of gamers with three dedicated gaming modes for different genres: Action, Adventure, and Sports. Its compact 2 kg design makes it easy to transport and set up for gaming on the go. The GamePix 900's LED light source is rated for an impressive 30,000 hours of operation, providing years of reliable performance.

For a limited time, the first 1,000 pre-orders of the GamePix 900 will be available at a special introductory price of £495/$599/€699 (excluding VAT, US taxes, and shipping). This represents a significant discount from the regular MSRP of £819/$999/€1199. Pre-orders are now available on the official Philips Projection website. Regular retail availability is expected in April 2025.

KitGuru says: Have you ever played games on a projector? Would you replace a projector for your TV or monitor?

The post Philips’s new GamePix 900 projector is now available for pre-order at a discount first appeared on KitGuru.

Asus releases statement on reported issues with PCIe Q-Release Slim system

31 janvier 2025 à 14:00

Asus has addressed the recent concerns surrounding its PCIe Q-Release Slim, a GPU release mechanism built into some motherboards to simplify graphics card removal. While acknowledging the potential for cosmetic wear and tear on the PCIe connector, Asus maintains that the mechanism does not cause functional damage to the graphics card or the motherboard.

The Asus Q-Release Slim graphics card release mechanism, featured on premium AMD and Intel 800-series motherboards, allows users to eject their graphics cards by tilting the card and tugging it upward (or sideways) while the PCIe push-latch automatically releases it. While this sounds simple, various reports claim that small bits of the PCIe connector can be damaged in certain circumstances. Based on the photos supplied, this does not affect actual PCIe connection pins, meaning functionality and performance should be unaffected. However, PCB abrasion is never a good thing.

In response to these reports, Asus said that “In [its] internal testing and evaluation of the extremely small number of cases reported, [it] found no damage to the motherboard or graphics card that would affect functionality and/or performance. However, it is important to emphasise that any type of PCIe add-in card will exhibit signs of usage and wear marking after 60 continuous insertions and removals”.

Asus also stressed that following the proper removal procedure minimises the risk of damage. Still, reports of wear after only 60 insertions and removals raise questions about the long-term durability of the Q-Release Slim mechanism. PCIe slots and card-edge connectors are typically rated for a limited number of mating cycles. While the exact number varies depending on the manufacturer and design, the industry standard is around 50 cycles for regular slots.

It's possible that specific slot configurations or usage patterns might increase the risk of wear with the Q-Release Slim mechanism. However, Asus maintains that the wear observed in the reported cases is within the expected range for normal usage and does not pose a functional risk to the graphics card or the motherboard.

KitGuru says: Do you own a motherboard with this GPU release system? Have you ever noticed if it has caused damage or wear to your graphics card?

The post Asus releases statement on reported issues with PCIe Q-Release Slim system first appeared on KitGuru.

Will DeepSeek create a massive market for desktop Ai systems?

31 janvier 2025 à 13:47

The last 18 months have seen a lot of talk in the market about AI, especially at trade shows. However, outside the data centre, there have been few products that offer any kind of practical solution to users wanting a local solution on their desktop. The reason is simple: Every one has been waiting for the ‘killer app'. The thing that can run on a PC you can build yourself – and which has the potential to deliver significant benefits for little investment. On 20th January , a software package was made available free online and on Thursday 24th January – history was made.

On 20th January 2025, Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek released a powerful AI package that could be downloaded and run locally, offering high-performance capabilities without reliance on cloud-based infrastructure.

This breakthrough rAIsed concerns that demand for Nvidia's high-end AI chips could decline, triggering a significant sell-off in tech stocks. By the time the markets closed on 24th January, Nvidia's market capitalisation value had plummeted by around $589 billion (more than the annual GDP of Sweden) – representing the largest single-day loss in history. The rapid adoption of DeepSeek’s technology, amplified by social media, fuelled fears of a shift in AI dominance away from the data centre/the USA.

While the long-term implications won't be known for a long time, a new market appears to have been created overnight: Powerful, affordable, local AI that will run on desktop PCs and workstations.

At Computex 2024, we saw a lot of companies pushing a very strong AI message, but with no clear target in terms of application. One of those was Silverstone. They told us that they were in the process of a revolution inside the company, with a shift in focus from the DIY/PC market toward AI driven tasks. For Silverstone, that meant using the skills and knowledge acquired over the last 21 years in the enthusiast sector, to create products for both the data centre and the desktop.

One such product is the ALTA D1, a mega-tower workstation chassis designed for system builds that are focused on 3D rendering and AI/machine learning. At first glance, you might be forgiven for thinking that it looks a lot like a regular (albeit large) system chassis, but the ALTA D1 is all about modularity – supporting SSI-EEB motherboards (Service System Infrastructure – Compact Electronics Bay specification). That means pro-motherboards that are 12″ by 13″ or even 15.12″ by 13.2″ will fit. One look at the back and you can see differences start to appear, with space for 11 PCI expansion slots. Clearance for graphic cards is 407mm – way longer than the 304mmm you see with the RTX 5090 Founders Edition and 348mm in the ASUS TUF Gaming variant. As a case designed for important tasks, it has a pair of PSU bays – either to safeguard stability or help boost available wattage. It comes with two 180mm intake fans and a 140mm rear exhaust. The final configuration is down to the specialist building the AI system.

A dual-CPU, multi-GPU system can easily be built into such a chassis, but the flexibility doesn't stop with processing hardware. There are also modular cages for storage drives, radiators and PSU brackets etc – which allows users the freedom to redefine system component locations – depending on where you need your workload to be focused/supported.

What might the chassis criteria be for a powerful/local AI system?

With GPUs now pulling close to 600 watts each, you need to think about high airflow, robust power delivery and ample space for E-ATX/SSI-EEB motherboards. With a ‘9000' refresh of AMD's Threadripper expected in 2025, you'll want ample space for cooling as well – with easy mounting for multiple radiators.

These are the kind of challenges that companies producing chassis etc for serious gamers, have been looking at for years. Now it seems that all of that learning/knowledge will be needed in the local AI system space. So will DeepSeek be the ‘killer app' that's needed to drive the high-end, professional hardware market forward in 2025/26?

One thing is for sure: Nvidia's loss looks likely to be a blip in the grand scheme of things. As KitGuru's recent testing of the latest RTX 50 series shows, even on the desktop level, Nvidia continues to have a huge lead in AI processing tasks. How big a lead? Well it was scoring almost 4x higher than the fastest Radeon card in our latest Image Generation benchmarks.

KitGuru says: It will be interesting to see if this interest in DeepSeek creates new markets – and how much growth there will be in the high-end chassis/PSU sectors as a result. One thing the last two Bitcoin surges taught us, if that if money can be made from GPUs, then gamers end up queuing for a long time if they want the latest cards.

The post Will DeepSeek create a massive market for desktop Ai systems? first appeared on KitGuru.
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