PS4 Pro 'turns off half the GPU' to run normal PS4 games

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Oct 23, 2016 1:45 AM CDT

We're beginning to find out more concrete details on the technical specifications of Sony's upcoming PS4 Pro console, with PlayStation Chief Architect Mark Cerny explaining some of what Sony has done inside of their new console.

Cerny said there are two chips in the PS4 Pro, which lets it play older PS4 games - but when you install the PS4 Pro game, both of the chips work together. Since Sony tapped AMD's new Polaris architecture for the PS4 Pro, is there some CrossFire magic going on?

He explains: "We doubled the GPU size by essentially placing it next to a mirrored version of itself, sort of like the wings of a butterfly. That gives us an extremely clean way to support the existing 700 titles. We just turn off half the GPU and run it at something quite close to the original GPU".

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Escape from Tarkov looks like one of the best games ever

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Oct 22, 2016 11:55 PM CDT

It looks like developer Battlestate Games has been busy with completely changing Escape of Tarkov, their new hardcore story-driven MMOFPS game that has been in a state of constant change since the developer started on it.

It's been in closed Alpha form for a while now, but the studio is continuing its work on large-scale online testing and performance optimization. The team has made massive upgrades to the graphics in Escape from Tarkov, which looks positively awesome.

The team has said that they have made "significant engine changes", teasing: "

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Nintendo releases Special Edition: Lime Green 3DS XL

Emma Tucker | Gaming | Oct 22, 2016 10:31 PM CDT

It's no doubt that Nintendo is blowing up the gaming scene as we speak with their release of the latest next-gen console: Nintendo Switch. Though let's not forget that the 3DS is still out there making headlines. Nintendo-America has recently unveiled their new Special Edition: Lime Green 3DS XL.

The console is now available as an Amazon exclusive for the US market, and comes with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System classic Super Mario World pre-installed. Customers will need to buy an AC Adapter (sold separately) but if already owners of the Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, or Nintendo 2DS can use those adaptors as the system is compatible.

The Special Edition: Lime Green New Nintendo 3DS XL is now available to buy from the US & CAD Amazon website ranging from $199.99 - $239.99 depending on what region customers live in.

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Iron Tides is a Final Fantasy Tactics Viking roguelite

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Oct 22, 2016 10:20 PM CDT

Love roguelites and/or board games? Always wanted to see a Final Fantasy Tactics game with Vikings? Enjoy a bout of Chess here and there? You'll want to check out Iron Tides, an interesting looking indie that wraps up all of these themes and more.

Iron Tides is a Final Fantasy Tactics Viking roguelite

Iron Tides is a promising looking indie that features a nice mashup of traditional game mechanics including roguelike, survival, and turn-based tactical strategy.

The indie has a Norse theme, and revolves around players exploring an endless sea in search of plunder, battles, and, of course, resources like food to survive. The combat looks pretty interesting and borrows from Final Fantasy Tactics' grid turn-based fighting system, as well as a unique character upgrade system with randomly generated class customizations.

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The Last Guardian goes gold after 9 years in development

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Oct 22, 2016 9:27 PM CDT

We're hearing so much news about Sony's upcoming PS4 Pro console, but did you know that The Last Guardian has finally gone gold?!

Team Ico has been working on The Last Guardian since 2007, with the first tease of the game taking place during E3 2009... teased with a 2011 release window. Well, the team obviously missed 2011 by half a decade, as they switched development on The Last Guardian from the PS3 to the PS4, with some of the team leaving Sony in 2011.

Fumito Ueda and other developers within Team Ico left Sony in 2011, but Ueda continued on as Director and Creative Consultant for Sony's Japan Studio, taking care of the technical and programming side of The Last Guardian.

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Bethesda throws a massive game sale on Steam

Emma Tucker | Gaming | Oct 22, 2016 8:46 PM CDT

Bethesda is having one heck of a week between gameplay trailers and releases, it gets even better with the latest drop in game sales.

Top seller "Fallout" will have its prices slashed up to 66% off across Sony PlayStation 4, Microsoft Xbox One, and PC platforms. Both base games, DLC and season pass versions will be included in the sale via the official Steam website.

Prices for selected titles:

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PS4 Pro upgrades of PS4 games take no effort, says Sony

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Oct 22, 2016 8:07 PM CDT

According to Sony, developers make very little effort to enable enhancements like 1080p 60FPS or super-sampled graphics in old PS4 games on the new PlayStation 4 Pro.

PS4 Pro upgrades of PS4 games take no effort, says Sony

One of the biggest selling points of Sony's new 4K-ready PlayStation 4 Pro is that it's fully backward compatible with all existing PS4 games, and can even provide performance and graphical boosts for current PS4 titles with Forward Compatibility updates.

We had originally worried that these Forward Compatibility upgrades would possibly quite an involved process, but Sony says that it's incredibly easy and only takes "a fraction of a percent" of the original game's development efforts.

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New Moto Racer 4 gameplay trailer revealed

Emma Tucker | Gaming | Oct 22, 2016 6:31 PM CDT

UK publisher PQube revealed the trailer for arcade-style racing game "Moto Racer 4, exciting fans of the franchise. Moto Racer 4 is being developed by Microids, and published by Microids & Artefacts Studios has sold over 7 million copies throughout the globe.

No surprise with it's previous sales history, gamers are anticipating the release in the next coming weeks when it drops on November 4, 2016.

The game will involve:

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Skyrim hasn't yet been confirmed for the Nintendo Switch

Emma Tucker | Gaming | Oct 22, 2016 4:27 PM CDT

Nintendo's next-gen Switch console has been making headlines all over the gaming industry in the last 48 hours. Bethesda's smash hit game "Skyrim" was amongst several titles featured in the console's footage release... but fans may be disappointed to know that the game hasn't actually been scheduled for launch on the Switch platform.

In a statement made by a Bethesda spokesperson, issued that whilst they were happy to work with Nintendo on the reveal trailer, they weren't ready to confirm any games for the Switch just yet. The Bethesda rep said: "While we are not confirming any specific titles at this time, we are pleased to announce our partnership with Nintendo and support of the Switch. We look forward to revealing specific games and details in the future."

But like all things media related it's not uncommon for a third party to create a little bit of controversy for the hype of a new release. It's not to say we won't ever see Skyrim on Nintendo Switch, it just means for now, news regarding Skyrim's specific release has not yet been officially confirmed.

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Blizzard announces a new voice chat app for desktops

Emma Tucker | Gaming | Oct 22, 2016 2:30 PM CDT

Blizzard Entertainment recently announced via their Twitter page, that a new communication application has made its way to gaming desktops.

The new voice chat service aka Battle.net desktop app, is now available for download. Battle.net will give players the ability to chat across all titles developed by Blizzard. No longer will gamers have to go through a third party chat such as TeamSpeak or Skype. The download is very simple, once the user installs the latest of the app, a notice will let them know that voice chat can be enabled. Players then create a channel for themselves and customize their options.

For those who have still yet to download the Battle.net app, Blizzard is allowing a one time login to access where users will remain logged in for up to 30 days, making the process much easier.

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