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ID-Cooling updates air and liquid cooler lineups with digital displays

ID-Cooling is refreshing its cooling portfolio with new product lines, heavily embracing the trend of integrated displays in its cooling solutions. These releases include standard tower air cooling, low-profile ITX solutions, and a new series of 360mm AIOs.

Starting with the Frozn A410 TD is a new compact single-tower air cooler designed for mainstream users who want at-a-glance system monitoring. It features a top-mounted digital display that provides real-time CPU temperature readings. The cooler uses a 50mm thick black-coated fin stack connected via four direct-touch heat pipes. Despite its small stature, ID-Cooling rates it for a 220W TDP. It ships with the updated X25 mounting kit and pre-applied Frost X45 thermal paste, carrying a price tag of $34.99.

For SFF builds, the company has introduced the IS-53-XT. This is an ultra-low-profile top-flow cooler standing just 53mm tall and 94mm wide, specifically designed to avoid interference with tall RAM or GPU backplates in tight Mini-ITX motherboards. Unlike the Frozn model, this uses a CNC-machined pure copper base soldered directly to the heat pipes for improved thermal transfer. It is equipped with a slim 92mm PWM fan that can spin up to 3000 RPM, rated to handle thermal loads up to 120W. It is also priced at $34.99.

Rounding out the launch is the new FX360 series of all-in-one liquid coolers, which introduces three new 360mm models powered by the company's Gen 7 Pro pump. The CPU block design and fan choices differentiate the lineup.

The FX360 LCD (also available with a 240mm radiator) features a 1.48-inch screen on the pump block, which is fully customisable to display system statistics or custom images. The “Performance Edition” named FX360 LCD PE upgrades the standard AS-120 V2 ARGB fans to higher-performance AP-120-K fans. For those who prefer utility over customisation, the FX360 TD variant replaces the LCD with a simpler, dedicated digital temperature display that requires only an open USB 2.0 header to function.

KitGuru says: Are you planning to upgrade your current CPU cooling solution? Did any of ID-Cooling's new products pique your interest?

The post ID-Cooling updates air and liquid cooler lineups with digital displays first appeared on KitGuru.
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State of Play returns tomorrow

Last month, Sony held a State of Play stream, bringing us new PS5 game announcements, along with the latest trailer for Insomniac's long-awaited Wolverine game. This month, another State of Play will take place, this time focusing on games made in Japan and other regions of Asia.

State of Play returns tomorrow at 10PM GMT, or 7AM for Japanese viewers, an odd time considering that this is a Japanese-focused State of Play. The stream will be roughly 40 minutes long, making it similar in length to last month's showcase.

State of Play February

There is not much to know about the stream so far, outside of the fact that it will focus on games made in Asia. That likely means we'll see appearances from the likes of Capcom, Konami and Square Enix, alongside smaller studios.

KitGuru Says: What are you hoping to see from this State of Play? 

The post State of Play returns tomorrow first appeared on KitGuru.
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Arc Raiders continues to be a huge hit on Steam

Arc Raiders got off to a great start earlier this month, achieving around 300K concurrent players over its launch weekend. Since then, the numbers have only grown, with the game now surpassing Helldivers 2's all-time concurrent player record. 

Helldivers 2 and Arc Raiders are both extraction shooters, but each handles the genre differently. Helldivers 2 is more PvE focused, while Arc Raiders has a huge PvP element to its matches. Helldivers 2 topped out at just under 459,000 peak concurrent players on Steam, but Arc Raiders has managed to surpass this with a peak concurrent player count of 462,000 players, as measured over the weekend.

Arc Raiders has continued to do very well in the weeks since launch. However, Embark Studios will have to keep it going in the months ahead. The Finals, the previous game from Embark, also had a great launch, but things tapered off afterwards. Fortunately, it does look like there is a solid plan in place for Arc Raiders in the coming months, with a full roadmap already available to players.

Unlike The Finals, Arc Raiders is not a free-to-play game, instead opting for a $40 price point. Other extraction shooters over the years have been priced similarly. It is expected that Bungie's take on the genre, Marathon, will also launch with a $40 price tag.

KitGuru Says: Have you played Arc Raiders already? Have you been enjoying the game so far? 

The post Arc Raiders continues to be a huge hit on Steam first appeared on KitGuru.
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Samsung teases next-gen LPDDR6 memory for CES 2026

Samsung is gearing up for a major showing at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, with plans to unveil advancements in memory technology tailored for the AI era. The company has confirmed it will showcase its next-generation LPDDR6 RAM and a compact, AI-optimised PCIe Gen5 SSD, the PM9E1.

The new LPDDR6 memory, based on Samsung's 12nm process, is rated for speeds of up to 10.7Gbps. This represents an 11% speed increase over current LPDDR5X chips. More importantly for mobile and edge devices, it also boasts a 21% improvement in power efficiency thanks to a new dynamic power management system.

Alongside the new RAM, Samsung will introduce the PM9E1, a compact M.2 2242 NVMe SSD. The new 2242 SSD is claimed to be the “world's first AI-optimised PCIe Gen5 SSD”, offering read speeds as high as 14.8GB/s and write speeds of up to 13.4GB/s. The drive uses Samsung's own Presto controller and V8 TLC V-NAND, offering capacities of up to 4TB and a reported 50% improvement in power efficiency over its predecessor.

Both products have already been recognised as CES 2026 Innovation Award honorees. Samsung is expected to provide full details on pricing and availability during the event in early January.

KitGuru says: Samsung's move to LPDDR6 appears to be in line with SK Hynix's roadmap, which also includes LPDDR6 starting in 2026. Of the two, which one do you think will be the first to reach consumer devices?

The post Samsung teases next-gen LPDDR6 memory for CES 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.
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New Mass Effect 5 art teases a Krogan civil war

While BioWare didn't reveal much about the next Mass Effect game during N7 Day, the company did leave a series of hints in its blogpost for fans to decode. Now, those fans have succeeded, uncovering a link to a new piece of Mass Effect 5 concept art.

The art, titled “Civil War” shows a group of Krogan in the middle of a shootout, with the main focus being on this obviously older looking Krogan member in the centre:

There isn't a ton to derive from this artwork but the older looking Krogan, combined with our earlier look at an older version of Liara, suggests that the next Mass Effect game will take place many, many years after the events of the original trilogy. In the Mass Effect universe, both Krogan and Asari beings have incredibly long lifespans, so while the next game could take place centuries after the original trilogy, some characters, like Liara, could return.

As part of its N7 Day blog post, BioWare confirmed that it is still committed to Mass Effect 5, alongside publisher EA. Unfortunately, there is still no word on when we might see the game properly announced, let alone released.

KitGuru Says: The next Mass Effect is still likely years away. Perhaps we'll get some more details at next year's N7 day. 

The post New Mass Effect 5 art teases a Krogan civil war first appeared on KitGuru.
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Halo Infinite is getting one last update before devs move on to other projects

When Halo Infinite was first planned, 343 Industries had ambitions of keeping the game going for a decade. When the game ultimately failed to win over a significant number of fans at launch, those plans changed. Now, 343 Industries has been broken down and rebuilt as Halo Studios, and the team is looking to move on to other projects. As a result, support for Halo Infinite is coming to an end. 

Announced during the November Community Livestream, Operation Infinite is scheduled to launch on November 18th. It will arrive with a 100-tier Operation Pass and a separate 100-tier Premium Pass, offering a range of new weapon models and armor sets. To help players finish their remaining progression, the update will also permanently increase the earn rates for both Career Rank and Spartan Points.

While internal content creation is winding down, the update will introduce new community-created maps. These include Yuletide, a holiday-themed map joining the Husky Raid queues, and Vacancy, an urban map for ranked play.

Following this update, Halo Infinite will effectively enter maintenance mode. Halo Studios has pledged to keep the servers running and will continue to rotate daily and weekly challenges, as well as the ranked playlists, throughout 2026 and beyond. However, players should no longer expect new seasons or substantial content drops.

KitGuru says: Four years after its rocky launch, Halo Infinite is winding down, and resources are now being redirected to other projects.

The post Halo Infinite is getting one last update before devs move on to other projects first appeared on KitGuru.
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Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro Laptop Review (Core 7 240H + RTX 5080)

The Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro laptop is aiming to come in cheaper than any other laptop on the market with a GeForce RTX 5080. Coming in at around $2200, it’s certainly priced very competitively. Accompanying that RTX 5080 is an Intel Core 7 240H, 32GB of LPDDR5X memory running at 5600MT/s and a 16” IPS 2560×1600 165Hz display. Can the A16 Pro deliver a solid experience while aiming to keep its price tag as low as possible?

Timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:52 Pricing
01:44 Hardware Specs
03:01 Memory Speeds
03:22 Drive setup
04:04 Drive speeds / slots
05:02 The Display
05:53 The Keyboard
06:34 The Trackpad
06:52 Ports and I/O / Connectivity
08:14 The Battery / Longevity
09:18 Webcam
09:30 Audio / Speakers
09:59 The Design / Appearance
10:50 Build Quality
11:17 Cooling System
11:38 Testing Methodology
12:02 GI Mate Software
13:25 Power Mode setup for Gaming
14:03 Cyberpunk 2077
14:33 Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
15:07 A Plague Tale Requiem
15:32 Counter Strike 2
15:51 Forza Horizon 5
16:32 Hogwarts Legacy
17:06 Marvel Rivals
18:01 CPU Real World Operation
20:38 Thermal Camera Footage / Noise output
21:15 Closing Thoughts

Specifications:

  • CPU – Intel® Core™ 7 processor 240H 
  • GPU – NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5080 Laptop GPU
  • Display – 16″ 16:10 – IPS WQXGA (2560×1600) 165Hz
  • RAM – 32GB LPDDR5x 5600MHz 
  • SSD – 2 x Kingston 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD
  • Keyboard – 1-zone RGB Backlit Keyboard, Up to 1.7mm Key-travel
  • I/O 
    • Left Side:
      • 1 x DC-in
      • 1 x RJ-45
      • 1 x HDMI 2.1
      • 1 x Type-A support USB3.2 Gen1
      • 1 x Type-C USB3.2 Gen1 support DisplayPort™ 1.4 and Power Delivery 3.0
    • Right Side:
      • 1 x Type-A support USB3.2 Gen1
      • 1 x Type-A support USB2.0
      • 1 x 3.5mm Audio Jack support mic / headphone combo
  • Audio – 2x 2W speakers
  • Wireless Networking – WIFI 6E (802.11ax 2×2)
  • Wired Networking – LAN: 1G
  • Bluetooth v5.2
  • FHD (1080p) IR Webcam
  • Li Polymer 76Wh
  • 240W AC Adapter
  • 358.3 x 262.5 x 19.45~22.99 mm
  • Weight – ~2.3kg
  • Colour – Titanium Black

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

We put the A16 Pro through a series of varying gaming tests, some of which are detailed in the screenshots below. All titles were tested at the laptop's native resolution of 2560×1600 using maximum graphics settings. Overall, the machine showed capable gaming performance in most titles, managing to maintain 60+ FPS most of the time, with occasional dips in the mid 50s. We also tested the gains on offer when enabling both DLSS at the performance preset and frame generation where possible. For full details and a more in-depth look at the gaming performance of the A16 Pro Laptop head over to YouTube and watch the video review in full.

Hogwarts Legacy (2560×1600 – Max Settings)

Hogwarts Legacy (2560×1600 – Max Settings, DLSS Performance, 4X Multi Frame Generation)

Forza Horizon 5 (2560×1600 – Max Settings)

Forza Horizon 5 (2560×1600 – Max Settings, DLSS Performance, Frame Generation On)

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (2560×1600 – Max Settings)

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (2560×1600 – Max Settings, DLSS Performance)

Closing Thoughts

The Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro is overall a decent laptop. The combination of Intel’s Core 7 240H and an RTX 5080 produce mostly good gaming results and the 32GB of LPDDR5x memory keeps everything running smoothly, though is sadly not upgradeable due to being soldered. The dual 1TB SSDs offer plenty of space, but one of the M.2 slots runs at slower speeds, which feels like a missed opportunity in an otherwise solid setup.

The 16-inch, 2560×1600 IPS panel display is decent. It offers good sharpness and smooth motion, though it lacks the contrast of pricier OLED alternatives. The keyboard and trackpad are serviceable: comfortable enough for daily use but nothing exceptional, with cramped arrow keys and a slightly hollow trackpad click. Connectivity is practical, though the left-side charging port can get in the way and an SD card reader would’ve been a welcome inclusion.

Build quality is solid but unremarkable, and battery life is respectable when used sensibly, though heavy gaming quickly drains the 76Wh battery. The cooling system does its best to keep thermals in check, but like many other high-power laptops, CPU temperatures can get to concerning levels when putting the processor under heavy load.

Overall, the A16 Pro offers genuine RTX 5080 mobile performance at a lower price than most competitors. It's not without its quirks, but is a strong contender for those who want flagship power without a flagship price.

We don't currently have information regarding UK stock for the A16 Pro Laptop, we will update the page when we know more. The US RRP is $2199.99.

Pros:

  • One of the most affordable gaming laptops equipped with an RTX 5080 GPU.
  • 2TB SSD storage in the reviewed specification.
  • Good battery life for general use (non-gaming).
  • Decent native gaming performance.
  • Doesn’t overdo the ‘gamer’ aesthetic.

Cons:

  • One M.2 slot runs at roughly half speed with no way to adjust settings.
  • Soldered memory means no upgrade path.
  • High CPU temperatures when under intense workloads.
  • Cramped keyboard design.
  • Side DC in port can get in the way when not using the laptop on a desk.

KitGuru says: The Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro delivers genuine RTX 5080 mobile performance at a lower price than some of its rivals. However, it does trade a few quality-of-life features and premium touches to keep that price down. 

The post Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro Laptop Review (Core 7 240H + RTX 5080) first appeared on KitGuru.
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UploadVR's Winter Showcase 2025 Announcement

Every June and December, UploadVR connects with dozens of developers and publishers within the XR industry to highlight the best that virtual reality has to offer. It’s showcase season once again, and we’re excited to announce:

The Showcase will premiere December 5th @10am PT on the IGN and UploadVR YouTube channels.

Kudos to everyone who participated in this past summer’s event - none of this would be possible without the support of the VR community and the trust of developers and publishers who give us their secret showcase announcements. A huge thank you also goes out to last season’s sponsors: Elsewhere Electric, Dixotomia, Fruit Golf, Nightclub Simulator VR, and Virtual Skate. You have helped UploadVR continue to bring you the latest and greatest in all things VR, XR, AR, KR... ZR... (what acronyms are we supposed to use nowadays?) and supported your fellow developers by giving us the means to make the showcase. Thank you!

As always, we’re searching for exclusive content, reveals, and announcements. If you have a new game or exclusive news and you want to submit a video for this season, fill out the application!

Here’s some additional information about the UploadVR Showcase - Winter 2025: 

How Do I Watch the Showcase?

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications once the showcase goes live. You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, and Instagram for the latest updates.

How Do I Submit My Game to the Showcase?

To submit a game or sign up as a sponsor, please fill out this form. Applying to the showcase tells us what you intend to announce in your video, you do not need to have a video created when you apply. We will respond with our level of interest in the project, and tell you next steps for submitting your video.

How Does UploadVR Select What is in The Show?

We’re looking for originality, oddity, interest, and impact. The projects we highlight are an amalgamation of large and smaller-scale works. While some submissions may not jive with this season’s showcase, we’re always open to future submissions.

Content must be kept under an embargo so that announcements are exclusive to the premiere. 

When Will I Know If My Application Was Accepted?

The UploadVR team reviews applications as they come in, and submitters can expect a reply that states our level of interest in what you've described.

The ideal deadline for videos is Thursday, November 20th, 2025. However, we will accept final video submissions until Thursday, November 27th, 2025.

Videos should be in 1080p or 4K and 30-60fps.

There is no deadline for submitting an application, although you probably shouldn't apply the morning of the show.

If your project won’t be ready by the end of November, we encourage you to submit for the next season, or chat with us about coverage and collaboration by emailing tips@uploadvr.com

When Are Selections Made?

If your project has been accepted, we’ll be contacting you as soon as we review your application. Please wait to contact us regarding the status only if you haven’t heard from us within 7 days after submitting. 

How Do I Sponsor the Event?

Want to be a sponsor? Please fill out the application or book a meeting with Beck

PS - check out past UploadVR showcases here.

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Modular Samsung AutoSSD Has A Detachable Controller & NAND For Easy Upgrades

Modular Samsung AutoSSD Has A Detachable Controller & NAND For Easy Upgrades Samsung is showing off a couple of new storage products that it plans to showcase at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2026, one of which is a cleverly designed solid state drive (SSD) with a modular aspect to it. Called the Detachable AutoSSD, the drive takes aim at automobiles and sports a modular makeup to make upgrades a little
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Inu Atsume VR Is A Puppy Collecting Sim Coming To Quest Next Week

Inu Atsume VR is a virtual pet simulator by Hit-Point, creators of the popular cat-collecting game Neko Atsume Purrfect, and it's launching on Quest soon.

Similar in style to the studio's feline-filled experience, Neko Atsume Purrfect, Inu Atsume VR offers puppy-loving players the chance to complete a Dog Encyclopedia and compete with their newfound companions across three competitions. It's playable in both VR and MR, with the mixed reality mode allowing pups to roam freely around your living space without running the risk of a mess.

0:00
/1:32

Official trailer

To find new pets, you can visit a park called the “Square,” where you can throw frisbees to earn the attention of your desired pet and play together. By continuously showering the pup with praise and attention, it will gradually inch closer and eventually become your new friend.

From here, the canine companions can be trained up and taught tricks like Shake, all while receiving gifts that fill out the virtual space. Those with a keen eye for interior design can also customize their in-game home by tweaking the colors of walls and doors.

While the store page lists a 'November 2025' release window, the official website confirms Inu Atsume VR will make its Quest debut on November 20 for $14.99.

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Cave Crave Adds Competitive Arcade Mode, PC VR Launch Coming Soon

Exploration sim Cave Crave added an arcade mode and new horror map in its latest update, and a PC VR release will follow soon.

Developed by 3R Games, Cave Crave sees you exploring tight tunnels and caves as you try to find an escape, marking walls with chalk and using various tools. While this update will arrive “soon” on PS VR2, Quest players can now jump into a new Arcade Mode that turns this into a competitive race against time, where you aim for the quickest run on the online leaderboards.

As for Cave Crave's optional Horror Mode, that's been updated with a brand new map called 'Abyss,' where your goal is to simply make it back alive. 3R Games states that it's been “inspired by cosmic dread and subterranean monstrosities straight out of a Lovecraftian nightmare,” warning of something “ancient and malevolent” hiding in the dark.

This follows the recent addition of Utah's Nutty Putty Cave as a free update on both platforms, a real-life cave closed in 2009 after the death of John Edward Jones. 3R Games says this was recreated using the official cave map and additional data without gamifying it, stating its aim to offer a “respectful, authentic way” to explore this permanently closed site.

Cave Crave is out now on PlayStation VR2 and Quest, while the Steam version is “scheduled to launch within the next few weeks.”

Cave Crave Review: All The Thrills Of Cave Exploration, Minus The Danger
Cave Crave delivers all the thrills of cave exploration that comes recommended on Quest, and it’s out next week on PS VR2.
UploadVRJames Galizio

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GTA V is coming to PlayStation Plus Extra for the 3rd time in 2 years

While the delay for Grand Theft Auto VI has undoubtedly disappointed many, this presents another opportunity for fans to play the now 12-year old GTA V for the umpteenth time. Fortunately, for those in such a situation, Sony is set to add GTA V to its PlayStation Plus Extra library for the 3rd time in two years.

As reported by known PlayStation Plus leaker Billbil-kun (via Dealabs), November’s PlayStation Plus Extra line-up will see GTA V once again added to the service.

For context, the game first joined PS Plus in December of 2023 and remained for roughly 6 months. Then, in November of last year GTA V was once again added to PS Plus Extra – only to AGAIN be removed roughly 6 months later.

PlayStation Plus Extra

Given this, it is highly likely that you’ll have around 6 months to enjoy the current-gen version of GTA V and Online before it is taken away once again.

While there is an understanding that game subscription services add and remove titles on a regular basis, it is far less common to see a game removed, brought back; taken away and then added again. That said, it is GTA V and so Rockstar will likely always make its inclusion a limited-time affair.

KitGuru says: Will you be hopping back into GTA V now that the sequel has been delayed? How many times have you completed the main story at this point? Let us know down below.

The post GTA V is coming to PlayStation Plus Extra for the 3rd time in 2 years first appeared on KitGuru.
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Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero has sold 5.4 million copies ahead of Switch launch

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 many decades. One of the franchise’s most anticipated games in recent years was Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero – a successor to the much-loved Budokai series. Following strong initial sales, the game has continued to perform well for Bandai Namco.

As part of Bandai Namco’s most recent financial report, the publisher revealed that Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero had sold 5.4 million copies as of the 31st of March 2025 – roughly 5 and a half months following its launch in early October 2024.

Though far from the most up-to-date figures (given the way that Business Quarters work), this does mark an increase of 400,000 units when compared to their previous announcement, which put the game at 5 million copies as of the 4th of February.

Dragon Ball Zero

Like with most games, sales for Sparking! Zero were quite launch-heavy, with the fighter blasting past 3 million copies in its first 24 hours, adding a further 2 million in the following four months, and now an extra 400,000 two months after that.

As such, while it is unlikely that Sparking! Zero has hit any major sales milestones since the 31st of March, it will be interesting to see how the game performs in the wake of its Nintendo Switch launch in just a few days’ time.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Sparking! Zero one year on? Is it the Budokai successor you were hoping for? Could the game reach 10 million sales given enough time, as many other Dragon Ball games have managed? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero has sold 5.4 million copies ahead of Switch launch first appeared on KitGuru.
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PCSpecialist reveals Black Friday discounts

Black Friday has come early at a lot of of places here in the UK. Today, PCSpecialist unveiled its round of deals for the rest of the month, discounting three pre-built gaming PCs and a custom gaming laptop, with options for Intel or AMD based systems, as well as GeForce RTX or Radeon graphics cards.

The Vortex is built around AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor and paired with an ASUS PRIME B850 motherboard. It comes with 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR5 running at 6000MHz, an NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, and a 2TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD. Originally priced at £2,098 (depending on current stock pricing on PCSpecialist's configurator), it’s discounted to £1,799.

The Fusion also uses an ASUS PRIME B850 board but swaps in the Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU. It has the same 32GB of Corsair DDR5 memory, but graphics are handled by AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 XT. Storage is again a 2TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD. Its price drops from £1,882 to £1,599.

The Ignite is an Intel-based option, powered by the Core i7-12700F and an ASUS PRIME B760 motherboard. It includes 32GB of PCS PRO DDR5 memory, an NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU, and a 1TB Crucial P310 Gen 4 SSD. The system is reduced from £1,123 to £999.

Finally, the Ionico Ultra is a laptop with a 16-inch matte QHD+ 180Hz display. It runs on Intel’s Core Ultra 9 275HX, with 32GB of Crucial DDR5 memory, an NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU, and a 1TB Crucial P310 SSD. Its price is cut from £1,503 to £1,399.

Each PCSpecialist system also comes with a 1-month subscription to PC Game Pass, granting access to a library of hundreds of games through the Xbox PC app. This also includes day-one titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, so you'll be able to get right into a number of games as soon as your system arrives.

You can find all of the PCSpecialist Black Friday deals, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up anything new during the Black Friday deals this month?

The post PCSpecialist reveals Black Friday discounts first appeared on KitGuru.
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Dark Souls trilogy celebrates major milestone as franchise passes 40 million copies sold

Ever since the arrival of Demon’s Souls, FromSoftware have gone from strength-to-strength, with each new release seemingly not only being better than the last (with few exceptions) but seeing an ever-increasing rise in popularity – culminating with the juggernaut that was Elden Ring. Even so, the original Dark Souls Trilogy has continued to find new fans, with the series having now surpassed 40 million copies sold.

As part of Bandai Namco’s latest fiscal report, the publisher revealed updated sales stats for many of its most popular franchises. Alongside confirmation that their Tekken franchise had passed 60 million total sales, Bandai confirmed (as reported by Tech4Gamers) that the Dark Souls Trilogy has reached a total of 39.71 million copies sold as of the end of March 2025.

Given that the Souls series has been self-published by FromSoftware in Japan (with Bandai handling the rest of the world), the trilogy has in total easily surpassed the 40 million mark.

Dark Souls Million

While certainly an impressive figure, it is interesting to note that Elden Ring alone has sold over 30 million copies, with its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC pushing 10 million – and the recently-released co-op focused Night Reign having exceeded 5 million units.

Of course, Elden Ring would not have been nearly as successful had it not been for the ever-growing rise of the Dark Souls series (as well as Demon’s Souls and Bloodborne) putting FromSoftware on the map. It will be interesting to see if FromSoft ever returns to the Dark Souls series in particular – or whether 2016’s DS3 marked the definitive conclusion to this beloved franchise.

KitGuru says: When did you get into FromSoftware games? What’s your favourite Dark Souls entry in the trilogy? What about your least favourite? Let us know down below.

The post Dark Souls trilogy celebrates major milestone as franchise passes 40 million copies sold first appeared on KitGuru.
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CyberPowerPC rolls out Black Friday deals for RTX-powered gaming PCs and laptops

Black Friday deals continue to roll in well ahead of the actual day. This week, CyberPowerPC has rolled out its own deals, available over the next few weeks, offering up gaming PCs based around RTX 5060, RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti graphics cards, as well as discounts on several popular laptop models.

The CyberPowerPC Ultra 85 Black Friday Gaming PC comes in at £799, offering up an RTX 5060 graphics card, paired with an AMD Ryzen 5 8400F processor, 32GB of DDR5 memory and a 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD. A step above that is the Ultra 75 Black Friday Gaming PC, which uses a Ryzen 5 7500F instead, but bumps the graphics card up to an RTX 5070, perfect for those looking to achieve higher frame rates and move beyond 1080p.

The final desktop system on sale this month is the Ultra 87 Black Friday Gaming PC, which comes in at £1499, packing a Ryzen 7 8700F processor, 32GB of DDR5 memory, a 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD and an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, making it ideal for high refresh QHD gaming, or running AAA titles at 4K.

If you need a monitor to go with your brand-new desktop, then CyberPowerPC also has discounted prices on two excellent monitors. The MSI MPG 272URX and MPG 321URXW both sport QD-OLED panels with lightning fast response times and a high 240Hz refresh rate. The key difference between them is that one is 4K at 27-inches, giving more pixel density, while the other is 4K in a larger 32-inch size. The former is now discounted to £549 while the latter is available for £698.

On the laptop side, the MSI Cyborg 15 B2RWEKG-021UK is available for £949, down from £1,099. It offers a 15.6-inch FHD 144Hz display, Intel Core 7 240H processor, RTX 5050 graphics, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD, perfect for entry-level gaming on the go. For £999, you can get the Cyborg 15 B2RWFKG-020UK, which upgrades the GPU to an RTX 5060, allowing you to achieve higher graphics settings and frame rates.

The final laptop being discounted today is the MSI Katana 15 HX B14WGK-053UK, which is now £1,329, down from £1,499. It features a 15.6-inch QHD 165Hz panel, Intel Core i7-14650HX processor, RTX 5070 graphics, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The upgrade to an RTX 5070 will allow you to make full use of the QHD display. With DLSS 4, you should be able to max out the display's refresh rate in supported titles too.

CyberPowerPC is also running a ‘win your money back' promotion, so one lucky buyer will get their PC for free. The company also has a set of peripheral bundles available too, so you can get yourself a mouse, keyboard and headset all in one package to ensure you are good to go as soon as the PC arrives.

You can find all of CyberPowerPC UK's Black Friday deals, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up anything during the Black Friday sales this month? 

The post CyberPowerPC rolls out Black Friday deals for RTX-powered gaming PCs and laptops first appeared on KitGuru.
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KitGuru is hiring – tech reviewer applications open!

If you've ever wanted to review tech, then this is a perfect opportunity as we are now hiring for a new reviewer to join our team! Prior experience is not strictly necessary, but we would like to see some example works from applicants. 

We are looking for someone who will be able to produce reviews of a range of tech gear in video format and in the KitGuru style. Any experience in this sector is beneficial, however we are open to all applicants provided you can give us a sample of your written and video work so we can assess your abilities.

KitGuru is a great company to work with, we are all tech enthusiasts who enjoy gaming, so we all have very similar interests. Behind the scenes it is very close-knit environment and many of our team have been with us for several years.

To be considered for this position you need:

  • Skillset to present well on camera – and in English.
  • The ability to meet tight deadlines.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Some knowledge of video editing would be useful, but we have that capability in-house if we find the right candidate.
  • Strong writing ability.
  • This is a freelance position.

The successful applicant must be based in the United Kingdom, and we pay very well for this kind of work. If you are interested and feel you can meet the criteria above and want to work in this fast-moving sector then please send your CV along with any samples of your work to our Editor in Chief, Allan Campbell – allan(at)kitguru.net.

KitGuru says: We look forward to receiving your application!

The post KitGuru is hiring – tech reviewer applications open! first appeared on KitGuru.
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Amazon Prime Gaming / Luna line-up for November revealed

Each month, Amazon offers a number of games for free to all those with a Prime Gaming (now Amazon Luna) subscription. For the month of November, members can claim a baker’s dozen worth of games, including Fallout 76; New Tales from the Borderlands; Gas Station Simulator and more.

Making the announcement on their blog, Amazon unveiled their full line-up of ‘free’ games coming to Prime Gaming / Luna during the month of November. As always, the titles in question are made available in chunks, with the first 4 claimable right now:

  • Gas Station Simulator [Epic Games Store]
  • Lovecraft's Untold Stories [Epic Games Store]
  • New Tales from the Borderlands [Epic Games Store]
  • Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Sun Series [GOG]

Available from the 13th of November:

  • Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition [GOG]
  • Fort Solis [GOG]
  • Fallout 76 [Xbox App]
  • Dark City: Kyiv Collector's Edition [Amazon App]

Amazon Fallout

Coming on the 20th of November:

  • PlateUp! [Epic Games Store]
  • Dream Tactics [GOG]
  • Dungeons & Dragons: Krynn Series [GOG]

Claimable from the 26th:

  • Gunsglus [GOG]
  • Big Adventure: Trip to Europe 6 Collector's Edition [Legacy]

While far from the strongest of months, those wanting to beef up their GOG libraries will have plenty to look forward to. In addition, Fallout 76 is arriving just in time for the live-service game’s big ‘Burning Springs’ expansion/update arriving in early December.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this month’s offerings? Have you been trying to use GOG more? Let us know down below.

The post Amazon Prime Gaming / Luna line-up for November revealed first appeared on KitGuru.
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Forefront Takes #6 In Quest Weekly Revenue Charts

Less than a week since arriving in early access, VR FPS Forefront took #6 for top-earning games by weekly revenue on Quest.

Launched on November 6 in early access, Forefront is a 16v16 VR shooter from Triangle Factory that features semi-destructible maps where you split into four-person squads. Four days after that initial launch, it's reached #6 at the time of writing with a 4.6-star rating on the Meta Horizon Store after 490 user reviews, while Steam lists a “very positive” rating at 298 reviews.

Elsewhere in the charts, the top 10 earners this week remain a mostly familiar sight that's a mix of paid apps and free-to-play titles. UG is at #1 and now boasts the most user reviews on the Horizon Store at 172k. That now surpasses Gorilla Tag, which is currently at 164k user reviews.

Meta Horizon Store: Top-earning games this week by revenue as of November 10, 2025

Beat Saber holds #2, which we'd speculate was further boosted by the recent Spooky Scary Skeletons DLC for Halloween, and that's followed respectively by Animal Company, VRChat, and Gorilla Tag. Rounding out the top 10 in order after Forefront are Blade & Sorcery: Nomad, PokerStars - Vegas Infinite, and Bonelab. #10 keeps changing between FitXR and Golf+, so we cannot determine which one officially holds that position.

We'll continue monitoring these standings, and this list may evolve as the week goes on. You can find the full charts here, which cover the top 50 games and account for all forms of revenue. It's a different approach to the top 50 best-selling Quest games of all time charts, which only factor in paid app sales without including DLC, and that recently saw Assassin's Creed Nexus join the list.

Assassin’s Creed Nexus Joins Top 50 Best-Selling Quest Games of All Time
Assassin’s Creed Nexus has joined the top 50 best-selling paid Quest games of all time, with Bonelab now in the top 10.
UploadVRHenry Stockdale

Update Notice

This article was updated shortly after publication when the top 50 games became viewable instead of the top 49. #10 was briefly listed as FitXR but this was changed to Golf+ after the stats were refreshed.

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Thrasher Gets Remastered Steam Release Today

Thrasher receives its remastered edition with a visual update, flatscreen mode, and more today on Steam.

Released on Quest and Apple Vision Pro last year, Thrasher is a cosmic action racer that tasks you with controlling a space eel through obstacle-filled levels, and we previously named it our favorite Apple Vision Pro game of 2024. Following September's PC VR demo release, developer Puddle has launched it today on Steam, with a price drop to $9.99 on all platforms.

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Release trailer

As detailed in September, Thrasher's remastered Steam release promises improved visuals compared to standalone platforms. Puddle states the new PC VR controls are more responsive too, letting you pick either controllers or hand tracking support. UX and UI changes are also included, there's an optional flatscreen mode on PC with gamepad and mouse controls, and Steam Deck compatibility at 90 FPS.

Other changes include a new Play+ mode that aims to provide a harder challenge for advanced players, while Time Trials test your speed at clearing levels with no combo bonuses. When asked by UploadVR if these modes will eventually come to Quest or Apple Vision Pro, Puddle advised it has no updates to share about other platforms at this time.

The Steam release also follows Puddle releasing Thrasher's remastered version as a launch title for Samsung Galaxy XR, joining the list of Android XR games currently available. Much like the Steam edition, this also runs at 90 fps on Samsung's headset with the new modes and support for both hand tracking and controllers.

Thrasher is out now on Quest, Galaxy XR, Apple Vision Pro, and Steam.

Update Notice

This article was updated shortly after publication with a response from Puddle and following the official launch of a Samsung Galaxy XR port. It was updated again when the Steam release launched.

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Constellations Offers Connect The Dots Stargazing In Early Access This December

Constellations: Touch the Stars lets you scan the night sky with a connect the dots experience.

It's the latest experience from developer Grant Hinkson via Parietal Lab, who previously released Connectome earlier this year using the same “connect the dots” engine. Constellations: Touch the Stars includes all 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), letting you trace and connect each constellation until the pattern is complete.

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Teaser trailer

It's been designed using a “hands-first” philosophy with hand tracking support, using a thumb tap motion to bring constellations forward. The sky is positioned based on the user’s location to determine which constellations you see, and Constellations: Touch the Stars comes with fully immersive environments in early access.

Further updates are planned following the initial launch, such as a mixed reality stargazing mode that sees stars overlaid against their real positions. This pulls up constellation names and data using the immersive view's overlay. Other promised features are a 'lie-back' mode for looking up at the stars while lying down, social stargazing with friends, and creating your own constellation patterns.

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In-game footage

Constellations will launch in early access on Meta Quest 3/3S, arriving in the first half of December. Pre-early access builds are also available by joining the official Discord server.

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Temporal Sci-Fi Puzzler UnLoop Reaches PC VR Next Week

Retro-futuristic puzzler UnLoop reaches PC VR in early access next week.

Published by CM Games (Into the Radius) and developed by Superposition NULL, UnLoop is a sci-fi puzzle game built around self-cooperation and time manipulation that's reminiscent of We Are One. Set on a remote space station called the Temporal Research Hub, you create copies of yourself each loop and replay your past actions in real time as you retrieve data.

Following its full release on Quest and Pico, CM Games has chosen early access on Steam to gather feedback about “optimization, player experience, graphics, and to address possible PCVR-related feature requests.” It still contains content parity with the standalone edition, and a Version 1.1 update is planned this December that promises new puzzles and a story continuation.

On the hardware side, UnLoop on Steam will initially support using Quest, Pico, and Valve Index headsets. A Steam FAQ confirms the developer will explore compatibility with additional headsets and controllers depending on community feedback, and PC VR visual improvements are also planned.

We had positive impressions in our UnLoop hands-on back in September, considering it a “clever self-co-op experience” held back by a “few rough edges.”

UnLoop looks to be a promising head-scratcher for players who love time-looping puzzles and self-orchestrated hijinks. Its core concept is compelling and clever, but a few rough edges keep it from being a standout recommendation just yet. With a bit of polish and hopefully some patches, this could be one to loop back to.

UnLoop is out now on Quest and Pico, and the Steam Early Access launch will follow on November 13.

UnLoop Hands-On: Sci-Fi Puzzling On Repeat
UnLoop is a fresh, time-bending VR puzzle game from the creators of Into the Radius, launching you into a clever self-co-op experience with a dash of sci-fi espionage.
UploadVRPete Austin

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Real-Time Strategy Game Homeworld: Vast Reaches Heads For PC VR

Homeworld: Vast Reaches brings the real-time strategy game to SteamVR with upgraded visuals.

Developed by FarBridge, Homeworld: Vast Reaches takes place between the events of Homeworld 1 and Homeworld 2, setting adventurous astronauts on a fresh journey within the series’ universe. You play as Tyrra Soban, a new Fleet Commander, guided by Karan S’jet as they tackle an unknown evil. Originally launched on Quest last year, it's out today on Steam after originally targeting an October 23 launch.

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Traditionally a flatscreen series, Homeworld: Vast Reaches adapts the controls for VR, allowing players to immerse themselves in their space war strategies up close and from 'any angle.' Using a virtual command module located on your wrist, clever tacticians can create ships and direct formations in your search for victory.

In addition to visual improvements, the SteamVR version introduces new Challenge Levels designed to test experienced players. Those levels are also available on Quest with a new free update.

“When we launched on Meta Quest initially, some core strategy players reported they had mastered the gameplay in Vast Reaches and wanted harder missions, so we built three new Challenge Levels for this new version with them in mind,” said FarBridge Creative Director Richard Rouse. “Get ready!”

In our previous impressions on Quest, we felt Homeworld: Vast Reaches maintained the strategic depth and storytelling chops of its predecessors.

“This new adventure successfully translates the complex, strategic gameplay of the Homeworld series, all while bringing the franchise into a new and immersive medium, making Vast Reaches a standout title in the VR RTS genre and one that we feel is a must-play for both fans of the long-running series and newcomers to VR and MR gaming.”

Homeworld: Vast Reaches is out now on Steam and Quest.

Homeworld: Vast Reaches Brings The Iconic Franchise to Virtual and Mixed Reality
Strategizing in real-time while resizing the vast reaches of space in Homeworld is an incredible feeling.
UploadVRDon Hopper

Update Notice

This article was initially published on October 3, 2025. It was updated on November 7, 2025, when Homeworld: Vast Reaches launched on Steam.

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RUSH: Apex Edition Hands-On - Strong Remaster For An Aging Racer

RUSH: Apex Edition brings the 2017 wingsuit racer back today on PlayStation VR2, read on for our full impressions.

The Binary Mill has been going all in on PlayStation VR2 this last year, delivering high quality ports for Into Black and Resist while taking full advantage of PS5 Pro enhancements. More than eight years since RUSH first appeared on Gear VR, later followed by subsequent ports and updates, it's now returned with some welcome changes, like expanding online multiplayer to support 12 players.

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RUSH: Apex Edition adds some appreciated visual upgrades like revamped lighting and textures, and it looks great in motion. Subtle touches like your mask showing frost in the corners as you glide through this icy mountain are rather nice, though I do wish the landings were smoother as you reach the end. Performance feels great at a native 120fps on PS5 Pro, while the base PS5 supports 90fps.

Four solo modes are included alongside online multiplayer. Standard 'Races' against the AI earn medals for a top three finish, and those convert into points, unlocking more courses and wingsuit customization options. 'Time Attack' involves beating your own scores, 'Score Challenge' adds an interesting twist where gliding through a specific part of a checkpoint ring gets a better score. Finally, 'Free flight' mode lets you explore without any course restrictions.

Races are RUSH's biggest draw. Visually diverse environments set the scene well and each hosts dozens of courses that follow different paths, though said courses begin feeling very similar after a while. Even still, there's an initial rush (no pun intended) as you descend, gliding your way across these courses in hopes of being first. Failing to reach a checkpoint adds a five second penalty, forcing you to follow a specific path to have any chance of winning.

The initial platform jump uses gaze tracking to determine you're looking forward, asking you to hold this for three seconds before the race begins. That's tracked by a pointer and while you can swap to a less noticeable one, not using eye tracking for this feels like a missed opportunity. It's moments like this that show the game's aging foundations, something that also applies to the control scheme.

Screenshot captured by UploadVR on PlayStation VR2

Gliding through and steering involve lifting your arms up to different positions. Raise both at once to ascend, down to descend, or alternate your hand movements here for going left and right. A functional but basic approach that leaves you holding your arms out, though it's a better choice than using analog sticks. For greater immersion, putting a fan on feels great as the cold “wind” hits you while racing.

You can build up speed boosts in two ways: either reaching checkpoints or gliding close to a wall and the ground, and I enjoy how RUSH: Apex Edition rewards risk takers with the latter. It's a critical balancing act as those boosts can be the difference between 1st and 2nd, but a single collision is all it takes to end your run. Boosting also benefits from adaptive trigger support on PlayStation VR2.

Descending through these courses remains satisfying, though that feeling becomes fleeting in longer stints. I'm having plenty of fun messing around in the lobbies where you can shoot some hoops, or shoot other players with dart guns; I'm just not compelled to stick it out much longer with the main game.

Given that PlayStation VR2 lacks backward compatibility with the original PlayStation VR, I'm pleased more games are getting a second life, though RUSH's aging gameplay makes it a harder recommendation in 2025. Still, Apex Edition is a great remaster effort from The Binary Mill that's the best way to play.

RUSH: Apex Edition is out now on PlayStation VR2, while previous versions remain available on PC VRPicoPSVR, and Quest.

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