Intel's “Game Days” promotion, which wrapped up in late October, has already been replaced, though you could be forgiven for not noticing. Intel hasn't made any formal announcements, but new game packages spotted on retailers like Newegg indicate that the blue team is already underway with a new promotion.

While the previous promotion was relatively straightforward, focusing solely on Battlefield 6, this new bundle, spotted by VideoCardz, is split into two distinct tiers: Standard and Platinum. The list of included titles has grown significantly, and Battlefield 6 Phantom Edition is also now part of the offer in the Platinum tier.

Image credit: VideoCardz

The Standard tier appears to have shifted focus. It no longer applies to Raptor Lake CPUs, instead being restricted to Intel Core Ultra 200 series processors and Intel Arc Alchemist or Battlemage desktop and laptop GPUs. Buyers who qualify for this tier get to select one game from a pool of four major titles. The choices include Battlefield 6, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Sid Meier's Civilization VII, or Dying Light: The Beast. In addition to the single game, the Standard bundle also includes a suite of software. This package, which appears to be shared with the Platinum tier, offers in-game content for Marvel Rivals alongside productivity applications, including Vegas Pro 23, XSplit Premium Suite, Canvid, and Cephable Plus.

Things get more interesting with the Platinum deal. This one is aimed at high-end laptops, requiring a Core Ultra 200 series CPU from the H or HX families. As for the bundle's content, instead of choosing one game, Platinum buyers reportedly receive three games. The bundle is said to include the Battlefield 6 Phantom Edition and the Assassin's Creed Shadows Digital Deluxe Edition outright. On top of those two, buyers will be able to choose between Sid Meier's Civilization VII and Dying Light: The Beast, making for a much more substantial package.

The table shared by VideoCardz lists the OEMs and retailers offering the Platinum bundle in each country (Currys in the UK). This new promotion is apparently already active and is set to run until January 31st, 2026. Anyone who snags a code will have until March 15th, 2026, to redeem their games.

KitGuru says: Are you planning to take advantage of this new campaign to get some extra value for your purchase?

The post Intel quietly rolls out new Holiday bundle for Arc GPUs and Core Ultra CPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

Marking a major win for Linux gaming initiatives, Steam's latest hardware survey has revealed that Linux adoption on the platform has finally risen to and above 3%, three years and six months after the launch of the original Steam Deck LCD. As one would expect, the majority of this adoption is in the form of SteamOS, which now comprises

The perpetually delayed second-generation Tesla Roadster, first unveiled in 2017 with a promise of 0-to-60 mph in (a not-that-special-anymore) 1.9 seconds, is now being teased by the CEO as perhaps possessing capabilities that defy the very definition of a car. Speaking on a recent episode of Joe Rogan's podcast, Musk declared that the

Blink and you might mistake Toyota's Tacoma H2-Overland Concept as a regular butched-up offroad Tacoma. Shown at SEMA in Las Vegas all of this week, the truck quietly hides some cool tech at a show that is typically dominated by V8s, flashing RGBs, and blinding chrome. Developed by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) teams from California and

The October 2025 Steam hardware and software survey shows that Linux gamers have surpassed the 3% threshold for the first time, while Windows' share dropped by almost 1%.

According to the new data, Linux user share rose by 0.41% to hit 3.05%. This growth comes at the expense of Windows, which dropped 0.75 percentage points to 94.84%. macOS also saw a bump, rising 0.34% to 2.11%. This trend has been visible for some time, likely accelerated by the end-of-support for Windows 10, pushing more users to experiment with alternatives.

Based on GamingOnLinux Steam Tracker, the primary driver for this growth in Linux users is the Steam Deck. The handheld, which runs on SteamOS Holo, remains a top 10 global seller on Steam and accounts for the most significant chunk of Linux users at 27.18%.

The rest of the Linux landscape shows significant fragmentation. Arch Linux holds second place with a 10.32% share. The survey also reveals considerable movement, with notable new entries for Linux Mint 22.2 (6.65%) and CachyOS (6.01%). Interestingly, Flatpak runtimes, such as the Freedesktop SDK, are now appearing in the breakdown, alongside other gaming-focused OSs like Bazzite.

Valve has not provided an updated monthly active user (MAU) count since 2022, but even based on that old figure, the Linux user base would be well over 4 million. Given the millions of Steam Deck sales since then, the actual number is likely higher.

KitGuru says: Have you already joined the Linux gang, or will you remain with Windows for the time being?

The post Linux sees growth on Steam thanks to continued adoption of SteamOS first appeared on KitGuru.

Gadgets like ASUS ROG Phones and Nubia Red Magics already blur the line between flagship smartphones and dedicated gaming handhelds (in that order). However, Ayaneo, the company best known for handheld gaming consoles, intends on dropping a device that is basically a gaming handheld in a smartphone shell. In a teaser video, Ayaneo hints

It took a lot longer than we would have liked, but AMD's flagship Radeon RX 9070 XT is up for grabs at its baseline MSRP. Same goes for the Radeon RX 9070 (read: non-XT model). We won't go so far as to call this a deal in the true sense of the word, but it's noteworthy, given that add-in board (AIB) partners have routinely sold these cards

It's been three years since the AMD AM5 motherboard platform and the 600-series motherboards launched. Since its launch, the platform has seen the launch of several CPUs in the Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000, and Ryzen 9000 families. While the 600-series motherboards provide great features & compatibility with newer Zen 5 CPUs, motherboard makers are always looking to enhance user experiences through the latest technologies, so AMD has introduced a new chipset line called the 800-series. Now, AMD has introduced both X870 and B850 series chipsets for high-end and mainstream AM5 motherboards. Both of these chips provide brand-new designs and brand-new […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/msi-mag-x870e-tomahawk-max-wifi-review-the-best-mainstream-x870e-board-is-now-even-better/

It appears Embark Studios is facing a classic case of success-induced server strain. This weekend, Arc Raiders saw its concurrent player count on Steam explode, rocketing past an all-time high of over 350,000 players. While this is a massive milestone for the extraction shooter, the victory wasn't achieved without its issues, as many who tried to log in on November 2nd.

While the peak concurrent user number is incredible (peaking at 354,836, according to SteamDB), it could have been much larger if not for the login issues the game experienced during the past weekend. Players hoping to jump in were instead met with significant queues and extended matchmaking times. Reports flooded in of queue waits ranging from five to ten minutes, only for some to be met with matchmaking errors that sent them back to the start.

The sudden influx of users clearly put more stress on the servers than anticipated. SteamDB charts showed a noticeable drop in player numbers shortly after the new peak was established, suggesting the server issues were actively preventing players from accessing the game.

Developer Embark Studios has acknowledged the problems. In a statement on the official Arc Raiders Discord, the studio confirmed it was aware of the widespread server, party system, and voice chat instability. About an hour later, Embark deployed a temporary login queue to handle the situation.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried Arc Raiders? Did you face any problems while logging in?

The post Arc Raiders peak at over 350K concurrent players while facing login issues first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel is kicking off a new holiday promotion that rewards gamers who purchase select Core Ultra CPUs and systems with a choice of a free game, plus a collection of bonus software. One of the game choices is Battlefield 6 valued at $69.99, which debuted last month to rave reviews and quickly became Electronic Arts' most-played title on Steam. Pick

UPERFECT’s Delta Pro Touch combines two 16-inch 2560x1600 touchscreens in a stacked design that maximizes productivity without taking up extra desk space. It’s a flexible portable monitor, not without quirks, but well-suited to digital nomads.

Following plenty of hype, previews and playtests, the Embark Studios-developed extraction shooter Arc Raiders is finally here. While there is already plenty to enjoy, the studio has now unveiled their 2025 roadmap for Arc Raiders – confirming the addition of new maps, weather, enemies and more.

Making the announcement on their blog, the team at Embark Studios have officially detailed their post-launch plans for the rest of 2025 as it pertains to Arc Raiders, writing:

“Welcome to the Raiders who have joined us since launch! Our development team is hard at work to expand the world, introduce new ARC threats, and adding many other new and exciting ways to play.”

The full list of upcoming additions can be found HERE, but some of the most notable include:

• New map conditions
• New feats and trials
• Cosmetic and QoL additions
• New map ‘Stella Montis’ (November)
• Community Events (November)
• New Arc (November)
• Additional gameplay items and quests (November)
• Snowfall map condition (December)
• New event (December)
• New Raider Deck (December)
• “And more”

While Arc Raiders is off to a strong start, it appears as though Embark Studios already have plenty of ideas planned out in order to ensure the game’s long-term success and prosperity.

KitGuru says: Have you been playing Arc Raiders? What do you think so far? What other additions / improvements not listed above would you like to see implemented? Let us know down below.

The post Arc Raiders 2025 roadmap revealed first appeared on KitGuru.

Over a decade on from its initial release, the highly popular extraction Shooter Escape From Tarkov was finally confirmed to be leaving Early Access in November – alongside getting a Steam release. With the title just under two weeks away from hitting 1.0, the team at Battlestate Games have confirmed that Tarkov has finally officially gone Gold.

Making the announcement on their socials, the team at Battlestate Games confirmed that Escape From Tarkov has Gone Gold ahead of the game’s 1.0 launch on the 15th of November.

For the uninitiated, ‘Going Gold’ means that the Escape From Tarkov master disc has been submitted to Battlestate Games’ publisher (in this case, themselves). After this, discs can then be pressed with finalised software and digital storefronts can upload the 1.0 version of the game ready for release.

Of course, seeing as how Tarkov has been publicly purchasable for a decade (and is a digital-only release), much of the processes for ‘Going Gold’ do not apply here.

Still, this marks a notable milestone for Escape From Tarkov regardless and is one worth celebrating. Hopefully the 1.0 – and Steam – launch go smoothly.

KitGuru says: When did you first try out Escape From Tarkov? Will you be hopping into the official release? Have you been waiting for the game to come to Steam? Let us know down below.

The post Escape From Tarkov goes Gold ahead of 15th November launch first appeared on KitGuru.

Pokémon GO was a bit of a cultural phenomenon when the mobile game released all the way back in 2016. Since then the app has gone on to be downloaded hundreds of millions of times while earning billions. It looks like Nintendo might have found their next Pokémon GO, with the recently-released Pokémon TCG Pocket having made more money in its first year compared to 2016’s viral sensation.

Last week, we reported that the card collecting Pokémon TCG Pocket had surpassed 150 million downloads ahead of its 1st anniversary on the 30th of October.

With the game now officially one year old, industry analysts AppMagic revealed that Pokémon TCG Pocket managed to earn almost $1.3 Billion during its first year on the market.

For comparison (as reported by ‘PocketGamer'), 2016’s Pokémon GO ‘only’ managed to make a Billion in its first year – though this still far outpaces any other Pokémon game released on mobile.

Given that Pokémon GO has since gone on to be downloaded over 600 million times while amassing over $5 Billion in revenue, it will be interesting to see whether TCG Pocket winds up having just as strong legs as Pokémon GO.

KitGuru says: What do you think of TCG Pocket? Are you surprised by its rapid success? Will it surpass Pokémon GO in the long run? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Pokémon TCG Pocket has made more money than Pokémon GO in its first year first appeared on KitGuru.

When it comes to controllers designed for mobile devices, Backbone is perhaps one of the most well known, having worked alongside both PlayStation and Xbox to create officially licensed smartphone controllers. Furthering this effort, Backbone has now announced a limited edition Death Stranding 2 controller.

Made in collaboration with Kojima Productions (and officially licensed by PlayStation), the Backbone One – DEATH STRANDING 2 Limited Edition controller is designed as a “utilitarian symbol of survival and delivery in the DEATH STRANDING universe.”

While ostensibly a regular gen-2 Backbone One, this limited edition version – of course – features a unique design, but also a special aluminium D-Pad and PlayStation buttons.

Being more of a collectors’ item (limited to just 1,350 units), the DS2 edition of the Backbone One is shipped in a themed “numbered hard case made only for this release.”

The Death Stranding 2 Backbone One officially goes on sale this Thursday the 6th of November.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the design? How does it compare to the DS1 Backbone? Let us know down below.

The post Limited edition Death Stranding 2 Backbone One controller announced first appeared on KitGuru.

Today we’re taking a look at another prebuilt desktop from the folks over at PCSpecialist, and this time it’s the turn of the Hyperion Master. Featuring a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD, this could very well be the sweet spot for 1440p gaming. What's more, PCSpecialist have lowered the price to just £1649. It certainly looks a bargain on paper, but can it bring the performance to match?

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:53 Pricing and Warranty Details
01:34 CPU and GPU
02:59 Memory / Some tests
03:26 Storage
04:15 Motherboard
05:22 PSU
05:53 CPU Cooler
06:20 The Case
07:23 Mat's thoughts so far
08:07 Any problems with the build?
10:06 How we will test games
10:37 F1 2025 1440p / 4k
10:59 Hogwarts 1440p / 4k
11:27 Cyberpunk 2077 1440p / 4k
12:00 BlackOps 6 1440p / 4k
12:33 Forza Horizon 5 1440p / 4k
13:03 DLSS / Frame Gen testing
15:08 CPU and GPU real world operation
16:23 Thermal Camera footage
16:44 Noise output
16:58 So is it worth buying?

Specifications:

• FRACTAL EPOCH TG RGB GAMING CASE (BLACK)
• AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Eight Core CPU (Up to 5.2GHz/104MB w/3D V-CACHE/AM5)
• ASUS® PRIME B850-PLUS WIFI (AM5, DDR5, M.2 PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 6E)
• 32GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 6000MHz CL30 (2 x 16GB)
• 12GB ASUS PRIME GEFORCE RTX 5070 OC – HDMI, 3 x DP
• 2TB CRUCIAL P310 GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7100MB/sR, 6000MB/sW)
• CORSAIR 750W RMe SERIES ATX 3.1, MODULAR, CYBENETICS GOLD
• PCS FrostFlow 240 Series ARGB High Performance Liquid Cooler
• 1 x PCS ARGB LED Fan

The core specs are confirmed in the following CPU-Z and GPU-Z screenshots:

We tested the Hyperion Master desktop through a series of games at both 1440p and 4k. A selection of results are in the screenshots below, but for full details, watch the full video review over on YouTube.

Overall, the system manages to provide a great gaming experience at 1440p, with many titles exceeding 100fps while running at maximum graphics settings with no scaling or frame generation. Performance could be improved even further with various setting tweaks to create an optimal experience in certain titles such as Black Ops 6 or Cyberpunk. Pushing the resolution up to 4k, obviously comes with a fairly substantial hit to framerates, but the system still managed to maintain 60+fps, again at maximum graphics settings, on more than one occasion.

Battlefield 6 (2560×1440 – Max Settings)

Battlefield 6 (3840×2160 – Max Settings, DLSS Performance, 4x Multi Frame Generation)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2560×1440 – Max Settings)

Cyberpunk 2077 (3840×2160 – Max Settings, DLSS Performance

F1 25 (3840×2160 – Max Settings)

Forza Horizon 5 (2560×1440 – Max Settings)

Closing Thoughts

PCSpecialist’s Hyperion Master is a well-balanced, capable gaming desktop that delivers exactly what most people want at 1440p – that being strong performance, sensible component choices, and fair pricing. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D and RTX 5070 pairing works really well together, backed up by fast 32GB DDR5 memory and a 2TB Gen 4 SSD that keeps things feeling responsive. Cooling performance is solid too, with the Frostflow 240 AIO keeping temperatures under control without adding unnecessary noise.

There were a few minor build details worth noting, but nothing serious and not something we’d usually expect from PC Specialist. The overall presentation is neat, the cable management is tidy, and the Fractal Design Epoch case gives it a simple, smart look that suits most setups.

At £1649, the value on offer is impressive. Building the same system yourself would cost about the same or slightly more, which makes this a very competitive prebuilt package. A cleaner, more understated version without RGB would be a nice future option, but as it stands, the Hyperion Master is an excellent all-round system for anyone wanting reliable 1440p gaming performance straight out of the box.

You can buy the Hyperion Master prebuilt desktop directly from PC Specialist for a limited time for £1649 HERE.

Pros:

• Great 1440p gaming performance.
• Excellent pricing.
• 2TB SSD will hold plenty of games.
• 6000MT/s CL30 memory is the sweet spot for Ryzen.
• Good cable management.

Cons:

• A few quality control issues upon delivery, like a loose screw and some plastic left on the GPU backplate.
• RGB balance is a little off – the system would have been great as ‘lights out’ build.

KitGuru says: Despite the minor attention to detail issues, the Hyperion Master is a very well priced machine that provides a solid all-round 1440p gaming experience.

The post PCSpecialist Hyperion Master Prebuilt Review (9800X3D + RTX 5070) first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD has issued another statement clarifying its Radeon GPU driver strategy after its latest Adrenalin Edition release (version 25.10.2) created a fair bit of confusion and anxiety among owners of older graphics cards. In less uncertain terms (compared to its previous statement), AMD reassures owners of Radeon RX 5000 and 6000 series GPUs they

We're already into November and that means Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are right around the bend. However, don't feel like you have to wait a few more weeks to score a great bargain. The discounts are coming in fast and furious as retailers get an increasingly early start on the annual sales bonanza, and if you're in the market for

AMD is partially reversing course after a recent announcement that it would move RDNA 1- and RDNA 2-based GPUs into “maintenance mode”, halting the development of game-ready drivers for these cards. Following significant backlash from the PC gaming community, the company has clarified that game optimisations for these cards will not be abandoned entirely.

The controversy began when AMD stated its Adrenalin Edition 25.10.2 driver would place the Radeon RX 5000 and RX 6000 series in maintenance mode. This was intended to concentrate on optimising and delivering new features for its latest GPUs. The original statement implied that older cards would only receive critical security and bug fixes, cutting off game-ready support.

This decision was met with immediate criticism, as it affects a massive install base. RDNA 2 is the architecture powering the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and the Steam Deck. It's also used in the original Asus ROG Ally handheld and as integrated graphics in numerous Ryzen 6000 and 7000 series laptops. Furthermore, popular cards like the Radeon RX 6700XT remain prominent despite the oldest RX 6000 cards being around five years old.

In a new statement to Tom's Hardware, an AMD representative attempted to clarify the situation: “New features, bug fixes, and game optimisations will continue to be delivered as required by market needs in the maintenance mode branch”. While AMD confirmed that day-zero support for games will continue, the term “as required by market needs” is vague. The clarification seems to suggest that major feature development will still be focused on RDNA 3 and 4, but popular new game releases may still get optimisations.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you glad AMD isn't stopping to develop game-ready drivers for its older graphics GPUs?

The post AMD will continue to bring launch-period game optimisations to RDNA and RDNA 2 after all first appeared on KitGuru.

Epomaker is expanding its line of ergonomic keyboards, targeting users looking to reduce the physical strain associated with traditional single-piece boards. The company has launched the new Epomaker Split70. Like the existing 65% Split65, the new model is built around a true split design, allowing users to position the two halves independently to suit their shoulder width.

The Split70 offers the ability to split the keyboard in two, intended to improve arm and wrist alignment during extended typing sessions. The halves can be used together, or the left-hand section can reportedly connect independently for a compact gaming or control setup. Internally, the keyboard uses a gasket-mount structure and is packed with five layers of sound-absorbing materials, including latex and PET sheets, to dampen acoustics. Epomaker claims this provides a “creamy” sound profile and is an upgrade over the four-layer system found in the Split65.

For customisation, the board is hot-swappable and features south-facing LEDs to avoid interference with Cherry-profile keycaps. It comes populated with factory-lubed Wisteria Linear V2 switches, an update from the V1 switches used in the earlier model. Productivity features include four pre-programmed macro keys (set to Undo, Cut, Copy, and Paste) and a tactile rotary knob on the right side for volume control or scrolling, which also functions as a mute button when pressed. Full VIA compatibility allows for remapping of all keys.

Connectivity is handled via tri-mode wireless (Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4 GHz) and a wired USB-C connection, with support for switching between up to five paired devices. Mac users are also catered to, with modifier keycaps included in the box. The Epomaker Split70 is now available in a minimalist black version and a white and blue colourway on the company's official website, priced at € 89.95/$115.99.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you ever tried a split keyboard? If not, would you consider something like the Split70 to try it out?

The post Epomaker launches the Split70 ergonomic keyboard first appeared on KitGuru.

Krafton, the developer behind PUBG: Battlegrounds, has unveiled its new AI-driven companion, ‘PUBG Ally', at Nvidia's “GeForce Gamer Festival” in Seoul. Krafton is labelling it a ‘Co-Playable Character' (CPC), designed to interact and collaborate with live players, going well beyond what you would expect from your typical NPC.

The system is built using Nvidia Ace technology and runs on an on-device Small Language Model (SLM). Kangwook Lee, Head of Krafton AI, detailed the partner's capabilities, stating that ‘PUBG Ally' is designed for both cooperative and independent gameplay, unlike standard bots. Lee said it can “discuss strategies with players and adjust its playstyle accordingly”, which means that, in-game, the AI can make autonomous decisions during combat, fetch specific items for the player, or assist with revives, all while modifying its approach as conditions change.

Lee also emphasised that ‘PUBG Ally' enables voice-based communication. The system supports English, Korean, and Chinese. The AI is trained explicitly on PUBG terminology, including map locations and item attributes, to allow for natural player communication. As we reported earlier this week, players will get to test PUBG Ally in early 2026 as part of PUBG: Battlegrounds Arcade.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you think we'll start to see more Nvidia ACE AI NPCs in games in the coming years? 

The post PUBG Ally public testing begins in early 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

Razer has announced a partnership with Valve for a new line-up of Counter-Strike 2-branded peripherals. The collection features the iconic and highly sought-after Dragon Lore AWP skin, which is applied to five of Razer's esports-focused products.

This collaboration is primarily an aesthetic overhaul, wrapping the distinct yellow and orange design around existing Razer's high-end hardware. The collection includes the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro wireless headset, which features Razer's HyperClear Super Wideband mic and comes with pre-tuned CS2 audio profiles. It is joined by the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL, a keyboard equipped with Razer's Gen-2 analogue optical switches, which offer adjustable actuation from 0.1 mm to 4.0 mm, as well as a Rapid Trigger mode for faster repeated inputs.

For mouse users, the Razer Viper V3 Pro gets the new Dragon Lore treatment. This 54g symmetrical wireless mouse features the Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor Gen-2 and Gen-3 optical mouse switches, and is capable of a true 8000 Hz wireless polling rate. Rounding out the collection are the Razer Gigantus V2 soft mouse mat (available exclusively via bundle with the Viper V3 Pro – Counter-Strike 2 Edition) in a large size, and the Razer Iskur V2 X ergonomic gaming chair.

The Counter-Strike 2 Editions of the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro and the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL are now available for £269.99/€289.99/$269.99 each. The Viper V3 Pro – Counter Strike 2 Edition is available alone for £179.99/€189.99/$179.99, while the bundle, including the Gigantus V2 Counter Strike 2 Edition, costs £219.98/€239.98/$219.98. Lastly, the Razer Iskur V2 X – Counter-Strike 2 Edition is now available for pre-order at $399.99.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you like the aesthetics of the Counter-Strike 2 Dragon Lore collection?

The post Razer partners with Valve for Dragon Lore peripheral collection first appeared on KitGuru.

ARC Raiders had its cross-platform launch on October 30th, and two days later the game has already met and exceeded 295 thousand concurrent players on Steam—a number we've had to update several times during the writing of this article. When we started the newsroom this morning, it was just 250K, and when I started the final writeup, it had

Microsoft is testing a feature in its Insider Preview builds that allows audio to be shared between two separate Bluetooth LE audio devices. This means that two Bluetooth audio accessories can play back the exact same audio stream simultaneously. Microsoft says that this "lets students share music with a friend while studying, or brings fmaily