Latest News - Page 174

PSSR2 is set to be a really exciting upgrade for gamers with a PS5 Pro next year, going by the grapevine.

YouTuber Moore's Law is Dead covered the usual gamut of tech topics in his latest video, with a PSSR2 leak being the nugget that'll be of most interest to many gamers out there.

The source is a game developer who notes that Sony is aware that visual glitches are a real problem with PSSR upscaling on the PS5 Pro currently, and has provided a debugging app to game makers to help smooth over such bugs.

Netflix plans to acquire Warner Bros. in an $82 billion buyout, and that includes HBO, TV & film, and the interactive WB Games segment.

Netflix and Warner Bros. today announced a megaton multimedia combination: Netflix plans to buy Warner Bros.' newly-formed Studios & Streaming business for $82.7 billion. The deal would see Netflix becoming the new owner of WB's core business, including film and TV catalogs with HBO shows like The Sopranos and Game of Thrones as well as film rights to Harry Potter and the DC Universe. WB's Burbank-based studio is included, and so is the HBO Max service.

The WB Games division hasn't been discussed much in the press materials for the deal, however we've received confirmation that Warner Bros.' games studios, IP, and content will indeed be part of the transaction. This means that Netflix would effectively acquire WB Games, however Netflix has telegraphed that it plans to keep WB's multi-division hierarchy intact, with gaming continuing to operate as its own sub-segment.

When NVIDIA launched the RTX Blackwell-powered GeForce RTX 50 Series earlier this year, it was discovered that the company quietly dropped 32-bit support for CUDA. This meant that older titles that used the company's PhysX acceleration for in-game physics offloaded the physics calculations to the CPU, significantly impacting performance.

At the time, some users noted that playing a game like Borderlands 2 with PhysX enabled saw performance drop to below 60 FPS in 4K on the GeForce RTX 5090, when the RTX 4090 could easily push 120 FPS. Well, there's some good news on this front: NVIDIA has reinstated 32-bit GPU-accelerated PhysX support for select games on GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs with the latest GeForce Game Ready 591.44 WHQL driver release.

"We heard the feedback from the community, and with the launch of our new driver today, we are adding custom support for GeForce gamers' most played PhysX-accelerated games, enabling full performance on GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, in line with our existing PhysX support on prior-generation GPUs," NVIDIA writes, confirming that it's reinstating support one game at time, with a focus on the most enduring titles from the 32-bit PhysX era.

As we head into the holiday season, NVIDIA's cloud-streaming GeForce NOW service, which lets you play with up to GeForce RTX 5080 levels of performance, is getting 30 new games this month. As GeForce NOW lets gamers play PC games they own or have access to via existing subscriptions, the list includes some classic Activision titles added to Ubisoft+ Premium, such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, and Spyro Reignited Trilogy.

On top of this, GeForce NOW users can link their Battle.net accounts directly to the app for an automatic single sign-on for all devices and cloud gaming sessions, with auto-login support for Xbox, Epic Games, and Ubisoft. Back to the 30 new games, 10 of those have been added this week, and the list includes some new releases like MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0, and ROUTINE.

The GeForce RTX 5080-ready list, which includes games optimized for the new RTX 5080 pods, has also expanded to include Enshrouded and Fallout 76, which just got a major, and free, expansion this week called Burning Springs. And with that, NVIDIA is running a "Half-Price Holiday" sale until the end of the year, with 50% off the first month for Performance and Ultimate tier subscriptions.

Here's an interesting motherboard release from ASRock that flew under the radar. The ASRock H610M COMBO (via @unikoshardware), which supports 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel Core processors (LGA1700 socket), supports both DDR4 and DDR5 dual-channel memory. Unfortunately, you can't install both at the same time, but this unique board includes 2 x DDR4 and 4 x DDR5 DIMMs.

"Designed for versatile memory configurations, this motherboard features 4 x DDR5 and 2 x DDR4 memory slots, allowing users to choose the memory type based on their needs (not compatible for mixed installation), greatly enhancing hardware configuration flexibility," the description reads. "The maximum system memory capacity depends on the memory type: up to 96GB with DDR5, or up to 64GB with DDR4."

This compact, versatile micro-ATX board also includes multiple display outputs, including HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D, D-Sub, and eDP, which is impressive. On the flip side, it only includes a single PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 slot for SSD storage, but it supports up to 12 USB devices, including two USB 3.2 Gen2 ports on the rear, one of which is Type-C.

Apple's new iPhone Air has the highest level of depreciation of an iPhone in the last three years, with almost no demand for the iPhone 17 and production lowered, with the latest depreciation seeing 47.7% of its value wiped in the 10 weeks since the iPhone Air launched.

In some new data from SellCell, the entire family of iPhone 17 smartphones from Apple is averaging 34.6% depreciation in 10 weeks, beating out the iPhone 16 and iPhone 14 series, which dropped 39% and 36.6%, respectively, in their first 10 weeks from launch.

The iPhone 15 series has the best resale value of the last few years of iPhones, losing 31.9% value in the same 10 week period.

GeForce Game Ready Driver 591.44 WHQL is here, adding new game support for the Battlefield 6: Winter Offensive update and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which both feature DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation. Although Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 support was included in the previous driver release, this update improves the fidelity of DLSS Ray Reconstruction when ray-traced lighting is enabled.

But even if you're not playing either of these games, it's a critical driver release for Windows 11 users as it fixes a Microsoft bug that tanks performance in some games by up to 50%. This issue was recently resolved in a hot fix driver release and has now been included in the official WHQL branch available for download from NVIDIA's main GeForce driver hub or via the NVIDIA App.

Per the full release notes, this new driver fixes the issue where "Users running R580 branch drivers (58x.xx) or newer may observe lower performance in some games after updating to Windows 11 October 2025 KB5066835." The new driver fixes several issues affecting game performance and reinstates 32-bit GPU-accelerated PhysX support for the new GeForce RTX 50 Series.

Apple is bleeding out some of its highest-level C-suite staffers in something that's being described as a "rebellion" with four key executives announcing they were leaving the iPhone giant in the last 72 hours... but the exodus might not be over yet.

Earlier this week, Apple's AI czar, John Giannandrea, was terminated on Monday and replaced with Amar Subramanya from Microsoft. Just a couple of days later, Apple's UI design boss, Alan Dye, was poached by Meta on Wednesday. Dye had been working on UI design at Apple since 2015, working on iconic designs including the iPhone X, watchOS, and the pill-shaped Dynamic Island on the last few iPhones.

Dye was the lead behind Liquid Glass for iOS 26, and the dedicated interface for the Vision Pro headset that computes spatial interactions. The C-suite exodus for Apple didn't stop, with the company announcing its general counsel, Kat Adams, and its vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, Lisa Jackson, are leaving the company soon.

According to a new report from Tom's Hardware, citing an industry source, AMD has increased the prices of its Radeon graphics cards for the US market. AMD's AIB partners are now spending $10 more per 8GB of VRAM for GPU and memory kits, with these costs expected to be passed on to consumers.

For AMD's current RDNA 4-powered Radeon RX 9000 Series, this could see the MSRP for most models increase by $20. With this price increase, the flagship Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB will see its $599 MSRP increase to $619, the Radeon RX 9070 16GB will see its $549 price increase to $569, the Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB will see its $349 price increase to $369, and the Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB will see its $299 price increase to $309.

AMD's Radeon graphics cards all use GDDR6 memory, and with the current crisis, the cost of obtaining modules for its consumer-focused GPUs has increased dramatically. Although the report doesn't specify a reason for the price increase, at this point it's almost self-evident.

A user on Reddit has said that he purchased a new ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card through Best Buy on November 25, but all he got was a box of rocks instead... and even worse, Best Buy has totally fumbled in its response and "investigation" denying a refund or replacement of the $1200 order.

In a new post on Reddit from u/GnarDead an unfortunate user ordered his RTX 5080 on 11/25, but when he received it a few days later, says he was "blown away by how irresponsibly this thing was shipped". He explained that the shipping labels were "just slapped" on the retail packaging, no generic brown box to conceal the item, and the seal itself was "clearly tampered with". Inside, there were 4 rocks where his new RTX 5080 GPU should've been.

The Redditor says that he filed a claim through Best Buy customer service within an hour of receiving his $1200 package filled with rocks, and was told by Best Buy staff that he would be getting a replacement. But fast forward to December 2 -- a week later now -- and he just got an email from Best Buy saying that it wouldn't be replacing or refunding the $1200 order after their "investigation".

SEGA is exploring the use of AI in game development to help optimize and streamline workflows, but the company may not be ready to commit to generative AI just yet.

Gen AI is here, and games companies are using it in the hopes of reducing costs. Ubisoft, for example, is gung-ho about the new tech, with CEO Yves Guillemot hailing it as the next major revolution after 3D graphics. EA is also using gen AI in its experimental ChatGPT-like prompts, and Microsoft has provided tools like inWorld's gen AI and its own in-house CoPilot to its game developers. Then we have Krafton, the owners of PUBG, saying that they are now an AI-first company.

SEGA, on the other hand, isn't fully committing to AI just yet...generative or otherwise. In a recent Q&A with investors, SEGA's leadership says AI could offer efficiencies but they also recognize that the technology faces staunch push-back from creatives. Their approach is one of caution, and rightly so, considering SEGA relies strongly on outsourced content production from third-party "work-for-hire" groups. Rocking the boat and antagonizing your workforce is never a good idea, and becomes a much worse prospect when those workers are fickle creatives.

Chieftec's new compact mATX case called The Cube (CI-03B-OP) looks like a home theater subwoofer, and that's by design. The company notes that The Cube's "Hi-Fi-inspired style" is intended to blend into a modern home, whether on a desk or in a living room. The speaker-like mesh on the front actually covers a single large 200mm pre-installed PWM fan for air intake.

Inside the case, the motherboard sits flat with support for CPU coolers up to 160mm in height, radiators up to 240mm in length, and GPU graphics cards up to 335mm in length. There's definitely enough room and airflow in The Cube to put together a decent gaming or productivity rig, and the case's overall look definitely stands out among other mATX options.

The Cube has also been designed to make accessing components and the building process straightforward, with the case folding open once you remove the side panels. Inside, there's also room for two 3.5" HDDs and two 2.5" SSDs, so it's one of the more spacious compact cases out there. Here's a look at the specs.

Marathon's stolen art controversy has officially been settled ahead of the shooter's upcoming planned launch.

Back in May, Bungie was caught by serious allegations of art theft. Creator Antireal alleged that Marathon used artwork that they created way back in 2017, and Bungie later admitted to the wrongdoing. Now the issue has been solved amicably, potentially by a payout from Bungie and/or Sony themselves.

"The Marathon art issue has been resolved with Bungie and Sony Interactive Entertainment to my satisfaction," Antireal wrote on Twitter.

The latest dev log for Judas reveals the game's core design philosophy, giving players a better idea on what to expect from the new reactive shooter.

It's been 12 years since BioShock Infinite released, and since then, franchise creator Ken Levine has been slowly putting together his vision for his next game, Judas. It wasn't so long ago that we didn't know anything about the project, but in recent years, Levine's new studio Ghost Story Games has been putting out some surprisingly substantial development logs that highlight things like themes, characters, and the main ethos of Judas.

The most recent log is no exception. In Judas' second update, Ghost Story says that they've created a more automated system for dynamic environments, one that can tailor-make specific areas based on the story and/or the decisions that players make. There's extensive discussion of Judas' main floating starship-city, The Mayflower, and how it'll be layered like an onion with tons of things to uncover and explore--all while changing over time.

SEGA investors pressure executives about the volatility of the games market, seeking clarification on risk. Management responds with a quick rundown of how transmedia can be used to help counter unsuccessful games.

The games industry is quite chaotic right now, and SEGA's shareholders have taken notice, offering up some tough questions for the top brass. In a recent Q&A, SEGA investors ask the company's executive management about the wild ups and downs with video game sales, especially those that have consistently reviewed well. Why isn't SEGA able to consistently sell more games?

The questions set forth to SEGA are somewhat biting, but rightly so, as these investors expect returns. Management provided an interesting response that widens the lens of SEGA's total business and how its non-interactive content can actually act as a safeguard against volatility.

Sony has announced that its PlayStation games division will help create and publish a new live service shooter from a well-known industry creative, but the game may not be coming to Xbox.

Sony is teaming up with JJ Abrams' Bad Robot Games label to launch a brand new four-player shooter. The game will be directed by original Left 4 Dead creator Mike Booth, and while no exact details were revealed other than the game will be a co-op shooter with unforgettable gameplay, gamers might be able to expect the same kind of frenetic anything-can-happen action that was in the original Left 4 Dead from Valve and Turtle Rock.

"With the support of PlayStation, we hope to deliver a bold, innovative experience that is truly special for players. I could not be more excited that Mike Booth is at the creative helm, crafting a cooperative adventure that will lead to unforgettable moments with friends,"said Bad Robot Games CEO Anna Sweet.

Baseball fans will soon be able to steal home base on the go with MLB The Show Mobile.

In a bid to maximize revenues and to appease the rights-holders at MLB, Sony's San Diego studio is bringing its MLB The Show series to iOS and Android. The game is currently being soft launched and right now it's only available in the Philippines, and more geographies will be added. However, the devs say there's not a "set timeline for expansion."

Predictably, MLB The Show Mobile will have a paid in-game currency called Stubs. Users will be able to buy Stubs during the soft launch and purchases will roll over to the final release. The devs also say that "most progress and content will be reset" before the game's official fully-fledged launch.

Saudi Arabia's PIF will have a 93.7% stake in Electronic Arts following the proposed $55 billion buyout, the Wall Street Journal reports.

If the $55 billion leveraged buyout goes through, Saudi Arabia will effectively become the new owner of EA, one of the largest video games companies in the world that is responsible for several billion-dollar franchises, including FIFA/FC, Madden, Apex Legends, and Star Wars.

Three groups have joined forces to buy EA stock and take the company private. The consortium consists of Silver Lake, Affinity Partners, and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, the latter of which has been investing billions to buy up companies like Scopely. New filings from Brazilian antitrust regulator CADE reveals an ownership breakdown of EA if the deal is approved, with the Saudis taking nearly 94% of ownership of EA and funding most of the deal.

Skyblivion is not only one of the most ambitious mods currently in development, but it's a project that has been in development by a passionate team of Elder Scrolls fans for over a decade. The premise is simple: it's a built-from-the-ground-up remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in the Skyrim engine, including revamped dungeons, combat, leveling, and a complete overhaul of the game's Cyrodiil location.

Unlike Bethesda's own The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered from earlier this year, which presented the same 2006 game with only minor changes to gameplay alongside a complete Unreal Engine 5-powered visual overhaul, Skyblivion is essentially a remake of the classic RPG for a modern audience. However, this week the team behind the ambitious project has confirmed that it won't be able to hit its planned 2025 release - and has been delayed to 2026.

"Unfortunately, as we're getting closer to the end of this year, it pains me to have to announce that our initial goal of releasing Skyblivion this year is no longer possible," project lead Rebelzize says in the delay announcement video. "Despite the game being in the best state it's ever been, we still have some last challenges to overcome that are going to require a little bit more time."

Setting aside the fact that it's looking increasingly likely that DDR5 memory modules are set to become as rare and pricey as gold bars as we head into 2026, XPG has just announced and launched its new ARMAX DDR5 Gaming Memory Series for PC gamers and tech enthusiasts.

Sporting a V-shaped, RGB-lit heatsink inspired by fighter jets (there's also a non-RGB version), the XPG ARMAX DDR5 Gaming Memory Series is also compatible with SFF (Small Form Factor) mini-PCs thanks to its 39.5mm heatsink height. Performance-wise, you're looking at DDR5 speeds of 6,000 to 6,400 MT/s, which XPG describes as the sweet spot for gamers and creators.

Hardware-wise, these memory modules are built with high-quality ICs, including a built-in PMIC (Power Management Integrated Circuit) and On-Die ECC (Error-Correcting Code), and support both Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO profiles for overclocking. With their stylish design, including a light bar on the top of each module and a fighter jet look, these memory kits are tailor-made for PC builds and cases with panoramic views.