The tale of Overwatch is one that begins with great success and was seemingly ending in relative failure, with the rebranding to Overwatch 2 ultimately doing more harm than good – especially as many of the ‘sequel’s promised features never came to be. Following the surprise announcement that the game is now dropping the 2 (among other welcome changes) Overwatch’s popularity has already seen a resurgence on Steam.
Despite the upcoming Season of Overwatch not yet going live, it appears as though many of the changes announced to be arriving with the relaunch have led to a great deal of excitement.
Though we only have one platform to go off of, in anticipation of the new Season 1, Overwatch has seen a major influx of players, with Steam concurrent numbers putting the title at 69,881 players – the highest figure since the game’s launch all the way back in 2023 (where it achieved a peak CCU of 75K).
Of course, of all platforms, Steam is likely one of the smallest for Overwatch, especially as Blizzard/Activision’s own Battle Net launcher takes priority on PC. That said, we will likely see a similar rise in interest across the board, especially once Season 1 actually launches. In case you missed it, full details on what to expect from this rebrand / overhaul can be found HERE.
KitGuru says: What do you think of the changes coming? Was the removal of the 2 necessary? Will this latest overhaul help them compete with Marvel Rivals? Let us know down below.
While many expect the next-generation PlayStation 6 to be somewhat inline with Sony’s current console strategy, Microsoft’s next console is set to take things in quite the different direction. While details surrounding Xbox’s next-gen plans have leaked out in the past, we’ve now gotten newly updated specifics.
As reported by known Xbox insider Jez Corden (via Windows Central), the next-gen Microsoft console will seemingly function somewhat similarly to the ROG Xbox Ally – meaning “the Xbox interface will sit on top of Windows, disabling unnecessary processes to create a gaming-first environment.” As with the Ally, you will also be able to “exit out to full Windows.”
Of course, plans are subject to change, with Corden noting that Microsoft’s work on Windows 11 is still ongoing, writing: “Microsoft hasn't fully internally committed to a hard 2027 launch window for the next-gen Xbox platform, since so much of it hinges on improvements to Windows 11 and other factors. Microsoft's Windows and Xbox teams are collaborating harder than ever to get the OS into shape for a polished, console-like experience on Xbox.”
Beyond the mainline console, Microsoft is reportedly planning to continue their relationship with hardware manufacturers in the development of partnered consoles like the aforementioned ASUS ROG Ally – though they are also apparently still interested in making their own first-party handheld.
Of course, all of this is subject to change, especially as Microsoft has been pretty fickle in recent months/years. Regardless, it will be interesting to see what the console maker’s plans are for Xbox in this post-exclusive era.
KitGuru says: What do you think of Xbox’s leaked plans? Will this strategy succeed? Let us know your thoughts down below.
Team Ninja’s Nioh series has served as a solid take on FromSoftware’s Souls-like genre, with the first entry in 2017 doing enough to separate itself from other titles – though ultimately was not received as well as FromSoft’s soulsborne entries. While Nioh 2 was also received in a similar manner, it appears as though 3rd time was the charm, with the recently-released Nioh 3 achieving high praise and even higher player numbers.
Regardless, Nioh 3 seems to be the step up that the series needed in order for it to be placed on almost-equal footing with FromSoftware’s own output. It will be interesting to see where Team Ninja goes from here.
KitGuru says: What do you think of Nioh 3? Is it a step up compared to the previous two entries? Does Team Ninja have the potential to go toe-to-toe with FromSoftware? Let us know down below.
Following leaks and rumours, Guerrilla Games officially announced and unveiled Horizon Hunters Gathering: a co-op focused title in the vein of Monster Hunter. In the wake of its announcement, known insider Jason Schreier confirmed that the project is being developed by the core Horizon team – and so don’t expect a proper Horizon 3 any time soon.
Following the official announcement for Horizon Hunters Gathering, fans of the franchise took to BlueSky to ask known industry insider Jason Schreier as to whether this spin-off is “being made by a separate team from Horizon 3?”
According to Schreier, “most of the studio” is working on Hunters Gathering. When asked for clarification as to whether this means the next mainline entry is a “long time” away from release, Schreier simply responded: “yup.”
Given the fact that Horizon Forbidden West launched back in 2022 (and that games are taking longer and longer to develop) there was little expectation that a 3rd entry was right around the corner.
That said, with a majority of devs working on Hunters Gathering, it appears as though the focus right now is on ensuring the co-op title proves to be a success.
KitGuru says: What do you think of Hunters Gathering? Will it fill your Horizon itch? Are you more interested in it or the NCSOFT-developed Steel Frontiers? Let us know down below.
Artificial intelligence has long been part of everyday life for many children and young people in Germany. Chatbots are used for homework, presentations, exam preparation, or out of pure curiosity, and are often just a tap away. What used to be schoolbooks, encyclopedias, or tutoring is now increasingly being taken over by interactive digital assistants […]
With the Nitro Radeon RX 9070 XT Crimson Desert Edition, Sapphire is launching a specially branded edition of its current high-end graphics card. The occasion is the upcoming release of the open-world action adventure Crimson Desert, which will be released on March 19. In terms of content, however, the collaboration falls well short of what […]
Many people are familiar with this situation: you’re in the middle of an extended gaming session that has already lasted for hours, while at the same time you’re in a relationship. Of course, it can happen that your partner reacts indignantly because you seem to be sitting in front of the PC all the time […]
Valve has officially postponed the launch of its new Steam Machine. The original launch date of “early 2026” has now been changed to a vague time frame in the first half of the year. Whether this will remain the case is still open. The reason is both trivial and strategically explosive: memory is expensive, difficult […]
A security vulnerability has been identified in the remote maintenance software TeamViewer that allows logged-in attackers to bypass existing access restrictions. Specifically, this affects the “Allow after confirmation” function, which normally requires local confirmation before access to the system is granted. Due to faulty access controls, authorized but unauthorized users were able to access resources […]
The Nintendo Switch 2 is proving significantly more successful in Japan than originally anticipated. From a sales perspective, this is a positive sign, but from a business perspective, it has unexpected side effects. During the Q&A session for the third quarter of the current fiscal year, Nintendo itself admitted that high demand in its home […]
At first glance, the announcement seems drastic, but on closer inspection, it is consistent. If it is confirmed that the Geforce RTX 6090 and other offshoots of the RTX 60 series will not be released before 2028, this would be less of a technical failure than an economic prioritization. Nvidia is not following the gamer […]
Since last year, more and more players have been entering the NAS market. Now that most manufacturers have completed their first generation of devices, they are moving on to the next models. While the last model from Beelink could only accommodate M.2, this new model is now somewhat more “traditional” with its two 3.5″ slots. […]
In the name of security for its ubiquitous OS, Microsoft is ditching support for legacy V3 and V4 printer drivers in Windows 11. Microsoft previously warned this was coming way back in September 2023, but the updates that remove support for the legacy drivers are starting to roll out as of January 2026, and select users are highly displeased.
Amazon is noticeably stepping up its game in February 2026. Amazon is using Prime Gaming and the Amazon Luna cloud service to kill several birds with one stone: strengthening customer loyalty, normalizing cloud gaming, and further expanding its own gaming footprint. Ten PC games will be given away over the course of the month, accompanied […]
The global race for supremacy in artificial intelligence is reaching a new level of intensity. The major US technology companies are planning investments for the current year on a scale that stands out even in an industry accustomed to superlatives. Together, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft want to invest around $650 billion in AI-related infrastructure, […]
Valve continues to use Steam as a low-threshold ramp for indie experiments. Four new games are currently completely free to play, with no subscription and no time limit. No marketing fireworks, no blockbusters, just deliberately small-scale projects that seek reach rather than revenue. The selection follows a clear pattern: retro visuals, manageable production costs, experimental […]
Artificial intelligence is currently changing almost all areas of work, from public administration and contract management to human resources. Automated processes, accelerated document processing, and more precise classifications promise significant efficiency gains and open up new opportunities to simplify complex processes. At the same time, however, regulatory pressure is growing, because with the increasing use […]
The clues from the latest iOS 26.3 beta have brought new momentum to the discussion about Apple’s upcoming M5 chip generation. While clear references to M5 Max and M5 Ultra can already be found in the system files, the M5 Pro is completely missing so far. This gap is unusual, as Apple has always positioned […]
It is no longer a secret that Microsoft is gradually shifting the classic console toward a PC-like platform; rather, it is an openly communicated strategy. What is new, however, is how concretely external partners are already factoring this development into their plans. According to Steve Allison, head of the Epic Games Store, plans to integrate […]
Today’s edition of LeakWatch systematically reviews all verifiable cases of data leaks, IT breaches, and structural security problems that have become public in the current calendar week. Only incidents that have been confirmed by the affected organizations themselves, law enforcement agencies, or established media outlets are taken into account. Pure allegations from forums or darknet […]
We also cover the upcoming Steam Machine, sad GPU trends, and the arc of the Arc B770. We've got our review of the Thrustmaster T248R and rapidly dive into AMD's glorious financial…
Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss and Clay Hunt VR are this February's Horizon+ monthly games on Quest.
February 2026 brings a number of new games to the Horizon+ Monthly Games Catalog, including one of the best strategy games in VR, and an engaging target practice shooter. In addition, previously redeemed games will remain in your library while subscribed to the service.
Here's what you need to know about this February's offerings.
Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss
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The star of February's Horizon+ Monthly Games, Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss is, as our review put it, a "smart, competitive, and [...] one of the best strategy experiences available in VR." The tabletop strategy game, which features characters and lore from the Moss and Moss 2 game universe, blends the strategic depth of RTS games with the character personality and squad mechanics of the best MOBAs.
Clay Hunt VR is a relatively simple shotgun shooting game which challenges you to hone your aim against clay targets, ducks, and other game animals. A multiplayer mode allows shooting with friends in public or private rooms, and customizable weaponry allows players to tune their favorite guns.
Horizon+ Games Catalog Games
Horizon+ continues offering a Games Catalog of Quest titles that any subscriber can access. Meta can add new games to and remove games from the catalog at any time. Here is the current Horizon+ Games Catalog in the US:
Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs
Asgard’s Wrath 2
Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR
Bartender VR Simulator
Blacktop Hoops
Cubism
Deisim
Demeo
Demeo Battles
Dungeons of Eternity
Eleven Table Tennis
Final Fury
Fruit Ninja 2
Ghosts of Tabor
Green Hell VR
Grimlord
Human Fall Flat VR
iB Cricket
I Expect You To Die 3
In Death: Unchained
Into Black
Into the Radius
Job Simulator
Kingspray Graffiti
LES MILLS BODYCOMBAT: Fitness workouts
Maestro
Medieval Dynasty New Settlement
Moss
Pets & Stuff
Pistol Whip
Premium Bowling
Project Demigod
Puzzling Places
Racket Club
Real VR Fishing
Red Matter
Red Matter 2
Starship Home
Synth Riders
Tetris Effect: Connected
The Climb 2
The Light Brigade
The Thrill of the Fight
Thief Simulator VR: Greenview Street
Titans Clinic
Townsmen VR
War of Wizards
Zero Caliber: Reloaded
Horizon+ Indie Catalog Games
Meta continues to add new games to the separate Indie Games Catalog, and you can see the entire list here.
Alvo
Apex Construct
Arcade Paradise VR
Battlenauts
Bocce Time!
Cactus Cowboy - Desert Warfare
Chess Club
Coffee Quest VR
Crumbling
Cybrix
Darksword: Battle Eternity
Disc Frenzy
Discovery 2
Elysium Trials
Espire 1: VR Operative
Final Overs - VR Cricket
Galaxy Kart
Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game
Gravity League: Galactic Football
Iron Guard
Ironlights
Killer Frequency
Laser Thief
LAX VR
Make it Stable
Motion Soccer PRO
Mythic Realms
Noun Town Language Learning
Operation Serpens
Retropolis 2: Never Say Goodbye
Rogue Ascent VR
Rogue Pinatas: VRmageddon
RUNNER
Shooty Fruity
Slot Car VR
Space Elevator
Squingle
Stupid Cars
Sushi Ben
Tactica
Taiko Frenzy
The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets
The Pirate Queen: A Forgotten Legend
The Secret of Retropolis
The Wizards
Tiny Archers
Towers and Powers
Ultimate Swing Golf
Underworld Overseer
Vibe Punch
Windlands 2
Meta Horizon+ is a subscription service that gives players access to a monthly selection of games for $7.99 USD per month, or $59.99 USD a year. New users can give Meta Horizon+ a try for a month.
The Khronos Group is aiming to standardize Gaussian splatting by proposing a release candidate for an integration into the widely adopted glTF 3D format.
Khronos is a non-profit industry consortium that manages OpenGL, Vulkan, and WebGL. In the context of XR specifically, it pioneered OpenXR, an open industry-standard API for XR application development and runtimes. OpenXR provides developers with access to a single standardized API, allowing them to build an app once and then easily port it to other platforms, facilitating cross-platform availability. OpenXR is supported by most major stakeholders in the XR industry, including Meta, Valve, HTC, ByteDance, Epic Games, Unity, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. A notable exception is Apple, which maintains its own proprietary APIs.
In 2015, Khronos introduced glTF (Graphics Language Transmission Format), a standard for the efficient transmission and loading of 3D scenes and models by game engines and applications. Often framed as the “JPEG of 3D,” it provides a streamlined, universal format that allows creators to export high-quality 3D assets from any tool while ensuring consumers can view them instantly and consistently across any device or web browser. Today, glTF is the most widely adopted 3D asset format on the web.
Standardizing Delivery: Why glTF Is Key To Mainstream Adoption
While capturing Gaussian splats has become easier, sharing them remains the primary hurdle, an issue Khronos is now directly addressing. The new glTF extension enables the storage of 3D Gaussian splats directly within glTF files. By doing so, Khronos is standardizing the delivery of Gaussian splats within an already established and widely adopted 3D ecosystem, paving the way for the technology to move into the mainstream.
“Instagram made it easy to share photos; TikTok brought about an explosion in short-form video social sharing. Until now, 3D has lagged behind 2D media formats because 3D models are so much harder than photos or videos to create and share. With Gaussian splatting, you can easily imagine an app that enables a mobile user to move their phone to quickly capture a scene or object to create a splat-based 3D model. As an open standard, glTF makes it possible to share that model. A splat stored in a glTF file could be shared on social media and displayed with full interactivity on any client device,” explains Neil Trevett, president of Khronos, in a written statement to UploadVR.
Khronos’s decision to formally embrace Gaussian splatting sends a clear message that lifelike 3D is here to stay, says Michael Rubloff, Managing Editor of Radiance Fields, a news blog specialized in Gaussian splatting and similar technologies.
“With that level of impact approaching, it becomes critical to build the foundations carefully. A glTF extension, built on the most widely adopted 3D asset format, helps derisk fragmentation as industries shift from 2D to 3D while giving developers confidence that what they build today can ship across ecosystems rather than remain locked to a single platform,” says Rubloff.
Gaussian Splatting: A New Form Of 3D Graphics Representation
Gaussian splats represent a fundamental departure from traditional mesh-based graphics. While standard 3D modeling relies on connected triangles to define an object’s surface, Gaussian splatting treats a scene as a dense cloud of volumetric data points, with each point defined by properties including position, scale, rotation, color, and opacity. The benefits over traditional 3D graphics rendering include the ability to capture complex geometries like hair or smoke and highly realistic lighting effects, such as reflections and refractions, that are notoriously difficult to achieve with polygonal meshes.
The new glTF extension acts like an instruction manual, telling the software to render these points as smooth, overlapping shapes, creating a realistic 3D image rather than the flat, jagged surfaces usually seen in video games.
Still, there is work to be done. The extension is currently in a release candidate phase, with the Khronos 3D Formats Working Group inviting feedback from engine developers, creators, and artists to test the specification ahead of a formal ratification targeted for the second quarter of 2026. So far, companies such as Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Huawei, Niantic Spatial, and Nvidia have contributed to the extension.
The release candidate was developed with the rapid and ongoing evolution of Gaussian splatting in mind. For example, it does not yet define a standard compression approach, which is crucial for making Gaussian splatting performant on mobile devices. To maintain flexibility, the specification is intentionally designed to be extensible, leaving room for future additions as Gaussian splatting techniques evolve and eventually become standardized within the glTF ecosystem.
Overclockers are arguably known for their lack of restraint, but the latest RTX 5090 experiment feels like a particularly vivid illustration of that point: BIOS files from MSI's absurdly overbuilt RTX 5090 Lightning Z—a card that technically exists, costs around $5,200, and is limited to roughly 1,300 units worldwide—have made their way onto
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