We all know that the Battlefield 6 Open Beta was a massive success, but now EA and Battlefield Studios have announced that gamers pumped over 92 million hours of play time across over 420 million rounds of the game.

There were 420,127,450 total matches of the Battlefield 6 Open Beta played, with 92,351,578 hours of gameplay, while over 4 billion enemies were killed, there were over 30 million friendlies revived. The most-played class was Support with 26%, Assault with 32%, Engineer with 23%, and finally, Recon with 19% deployed in the BF6 Open Beta.

The final destruction receipt for the Battlefield 6 Open Beta rings up at $196 billion, while a fun statistic is that 7.4 million players died being zapped by the defibrillator, while there were also 5.3 million total road kills. EA and Battlefield Studios learned a considerable amount during the Open Beta, where the team says it's taking a moment to look back at it, and share their key learnings and in-game changes that the team is making based on player feedback and in-game data.

Analogue has announced what is hopefully the final delay for its Nintendo 64 FPGA console.

The Analogue 3D has been delayed again, and is now expected to ship in Q4 2025.

"We know this sucks. Another delay, announced late, after months of patience. We feel it too. Analogue3D has been in development for 4 years, obsessively, and it's at 99%. The last 1% is where we're focused," the console-makers said today.

Silksong has been in development for 6 years...why did it take so long? A new report from Bloomberg's Jason Schreier reveals an interesting look at how Team Cherry makes their games.

Hollow Knight Silksong hasn't been in development hell for the past few years--a stark contrast to the AAA industry. Instead, the developers at Team Cherry just took their time and had fun along the way, not rushing the process and making sure the creativity wasn't disrupted by too much stress. It also helps that Team Cherry didn't have to worry about deadlines, overstepping budgets, and hiring/integrating whole teams.

"It was never stuck or anything. It was always progressing. It's just the case that we're a small team, and games take a lot of time. There wasn't any big controversial moment behind it," Team Cherry co-founder Ari Gibson tells Bloomberg.

Bungie CEO Pete Parsons is leaving the studio after more than 20 years with the company.

Bungie today announced that CEO Pete Parsons would be stepping down, and current Destiny 2 general manager Justin Truman would be taking the helm to lead the studio.

"After more than two decades of helping build this incredible studio, establishing the Bungie Foundation, and growing inspiring communities around our work, I have decided to pass the torch," Parsons said in the update.

Illfonic, the developer behind a multitude of horror movie-based video games, is now taking on the ultimate serial murdering stalker simulator: John Carpenter's Halloween.

A new Halloween game is in development from Illfonic, the same developers behind Friday the 13th: The Game. The Halloween project essentially swaps Jason Voorhees for OG slasher Michael Myers and is being made in close conjunction with original Halloween film director John Carpenter, who is executive producer on the game.

Halloween will have both online and offline modes, similar to Friday the 13th: The Game, as well as a story mode that allows you to play as Michael Myers. Illfonic aims to recreate an authentic version of 1978 Haddonfield set amidst a hunter vs prey backdrop, and based on the trailer, they've done an exceptional job.

Microsoft's Xbox Series S once again shows its capabilities in the right hands as Game Science manages to get Black Myth Wukong running at 60FPS on the system.

Black Myth Wukong can achieve 60FPS on the Xbox Series S after all, new frame rate tests have shown. The news comes after months of back-and-forth controversy about Wukong's delay on Xbox, with speculation that Sony paid extra to keep the game off of Xbox.

Now it's been revealed that Wukong can hit a steady 60FPS on the Series S in performance mode, however there's some screen-tearing issues in balanced mode.

A security firm has warned about a free VPN extension for Google's Chrome browser which is spying on those who've been unfortunate enough to install the add-on.

This is FreeVPN.One, and the worrying thing is that as Koi Security - which offers a platform for managing self-provisioned software for enterprises - points out in a blog post (flagged by Neowin), this extension not only has over 100K users, alongside 1,100 mostly positive reviews, but it's featured by Google (for "following recommended practices").

I'm betting, though, that a recommended practice isn't secretly taking screenshots of every website the Chrome user visits, and then sending those grabs back to the app developer.

Horror fans should keep Cronos: The New Dawn on their radar, especially those who like Dead Space or even Resident Evil.

At Gamescom 2025, Polish game developer Bloober Team released a sizable 10-minute gameplay trailer for their new sci-fi thriller, Cronos: The New Dawn. The footage shows off what exploration will be like in the final game, complete with enemy encounters, scavenging loot and resources, and crafting.

The trailer also makes Cronos look like a medley of different games, with references to games like Dead Space, Resident Evil, and even Halo 3's distinct Flood biomass designs. The game also pays great homage to sci-fi body horror, with splicing and effects that would make directors David Cronenberg and John Carpenter proud.

One of the key features for YouTube Premium subscribers is now available for free users it seems, in a rather surprising move.

This isn't something Google has announced, either, but rather the fact that everyone can now download YouTube videos for viewing offline later emerged via a Reddit post (highlighted by Android Police).

As you can see in the post above from the YouTube subreddit (from the 'Dude_Who_Does_Things') it's possible for everyone to download videos, but the catch is the resolution is restricted so you won't get a very good quality clip.

When it comes to synthetic gaming benchmarks, 3DMark is where it's at, and the suite now has a more punishing version of its ray tracing test.

Say hello to Solar Bay Extreme which has just been announced by UL Solutions (as VideoCardz noticed) and is now available for free as an update to 3DMark. (Although you need to pay for the benchmark suite in the first place, at least on Windows or Mac - it's free for mobile).

This is, of course, a fresh take on the existing Solar Bay ray tracing test, but an extreme version as the name makes clear.

Gamecom is here, and among the massive selection of new gaming-related announcements, Xbox and ASUS have confirmed the release date for the highly anticipated handheld, the Xbox ROG Ally and Ally X.

Leading up to the event, it was rumored that Xbox and ASUS were going to be pricing both handhelds at $599 and $899, with the Ally getting the $599 sticker and the more powerful Ally X getting the $899. It was also leaked that pre-orders for the handhelds were going to open up during Gamescom, but that has yet to happen. A new report from renowned industry leaker Billbil-kun has explained what has happened behind the scenes for ASUS and Xbox to delay the confirmation on the prices, and by extension, the lack of pre-order availability.

Both handheld devices are scheduled to launch on October 16, 2025, but for how much? No one knows, not even Xbox and ASUS, as IGN was told by both companies that they had to delay the announcement on the prices due to fluctuations in US customs fees. However, potential buyers can expect an announcement on pricing sometime in September or October.

Team Cherry reveals new acrobatic gameplay footage for Hollow Knight Silksong while confirming a September release date for the hugely anticipated sequel.

Silksong is coming sooner than you thought. Way sooner. It's not coming in 2026, or even in holiday 2025. Silksong will be released in two weeks, on September 5, 2025.

Team Cherry's platforming sequel has been one of the most anticipated games in recent memory, with fans clamoring for more info about the indie sensation. Hollow Knight, the first game in the series, is one of the most acclaimed and lauded independent games in recent memory.

"We are addressing the falsified document through appropriate legal processes," Phison's Director of Technical Marketing Chris Ramseyer writes in a statement. He's referring to a document that is currently being circulated, which contains a long list of storage issues and data-related failures related to a wide range of SSDs with Phison controllers. Yeah, strap in as this one is a little strange.

First, let's start with the facts. A recent Windows security update for Windows 11 (KB5063878) that was released on August 12 led to an unknown number of users reporting issues related to data loss, data corruption, or even outright SSD failure.

"We're aware of these reports and are investigating with our partners," Microsoft's official statement on the matter reads. Many point to X user @Necoru_cat as the "patient zero" for this issue after they reported on their SSD disappearing while trying to install a significant update for Cyberpunk 2077.

China is reportedly pushing for the ban of foreign chips made by any company -- namely NVIDIA -- for use in inferencing, which accounts for the most AI demand, according to new reports.

In an article from the well-trusted outlet the Financial Times, it's being reported that according to someone who was "recently summoned" to meet with Beijing policymakers in China are pushing for a ban on foreign-made chips used for AI inferencing, but it won't happen any time soon.

There is a major shortage of domestic AI chip supplies in China, but Beijing hopes to "significantly improve" that in 2026 with multiple advanced production lines coming online. China's foreign ministry said: "As a matter of principle, science, technology, and economic and trade issues should not be politicized, instrumentalized, or weaponized. Containment and suppression will not hold back China's development".

Google has announced its new Pixel 10 family of smartphones, including the new Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL handsets, along with a new flagship foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold, all powered by its new in-house Tensor G5 processor fabbed at TSMC on its leading 3nm process node.

The new Pixel 10 smartphones and Tensor G5 processor weren't the only product announcements, but also a new Pixelsnap magnetic technology, Pixel Watch 4, Pixel Buds 2a, and Pixel Buds Pro 2 in Moonstone with new features coming soon.

Google's new Tensor G5 processor has been a long time in the making, designed for the Gemini AI era, ready to go on the new Pixel 10 smartphones. The new Tensor G5 chip enables a new feature dubbed "Magic Cue" which Google explains that it turns Gemini AI into a more proactive assistant, where it will provide information to you before you even ask it. If you've called the hotel you're staying at, Magic Cue will provide relevant details about your stay.

Google has some big upgrades going on under its custom Tensor G5 processor inside of its newly-announced Pixel 10 family of smartphones, including the new flagship Pixel 10 Pro Fold foldable smartphone.

The company has posted a new blog explaining its new Google Tensor G5 processor being the "biggest upgrade yet" and delivering a major performance boost, with up to 34% more CPU performance. There's up to 60% more TPU performance. Mixed with the upgraded CPU performance, this makes the new Pixel smartphones more responsive with everyday use like web browsing, and the latest AI features (which are packed into Pixel 10).

Google's new Tensor G5 processor is fabbed on TSMC's leading 3nm process node, allowing the company to cram in more transistors onto the chip, making it more powerful and efficient. There's an all-new Image Sensor Processor (ISP) inside of the new Tensor G5 chip, allowing higher-quality videos on a Pixel 10 smartphone, even in low lighting, with 10-bit video by default for 1080p, and 4K30.

MSI has just introduced its new MEG X870E GODLIKE X Edition motherboard, a masterclass board celebrating the 10th anniversary of the GODLIKE series.

The upgraded MEG X870E GODLIKE X Edition motherboard has a black and gold aesthetic, and with only 1000 units being made, each of them comes with a golden nameplate engraved with a unique number from 1-1000. You'll also get a cool collectors stand and a black-colored Lucky Stuff toy.

MSI's new MEG X870E GODLIKE X Edition motherboard has some new upgrades that include the OC Engine, which allows for independent BCLK control, with a promise of up to 15% more gaming performance on AMD Ryzen CPUs, and better overclocking abilities. The new MEG X870E GODLIKE X Edition motherboard features an onboard BCLK jumper for any enthusiasts that want to personally tweak their CPUs.

Samsung has reportedly offered its HBM3E memory for NVIDIA's tweaked H20 AI GPU for China, at prices 20-30% lower than South Korean memory rival SK hynix according to new reports.

In a new report from South Korean outlet SEdaily picked up by @Jukanrosleve on X, it's reported that: "at the end of this month, Samsung's 12-layer HBM3E product is also expected to pass NVIDIA's quality test and begin delivery. Industry observers believe that ongoing deadlock in supply and price negotiations between NVIDIA and SK hynix is due to Samsung's imminent delivery".

The article continues: "recently, NVIDIA received approval to export its low-spec H20, developed for China, under the condition of paying 15% of sales to the US government. Samsung is reported to have proposed an HBM3E supply price for the H20 that is 20-30% lower than SK hynix. Accordingly, NVIDIA is insisting on confirming the quality of Samsung's HBM3E and HBM4 before finalizing price agreements with SK hynix".

Samsung Electronics has reportedly had its next-gen HBM4 memory samples have passed NVIDIA's qualification tests to be used inside of its AI GPUs.

In a new report from SEdaily picked up by insider @Jukanrosleve on X, we're hearing that the semiconductor industry said that Samsung's new HBM4 memory samples provided to NVIDIA in their initial prototype and quality tests, and will now enter the "Pre-Production (PP)" stage at the end of this month (August 2025).

A key industry insider said: "It received positive evaluations regarding quality, including yield, and has entered the PP stage for mass-production testing", adding "If it passes PP, mass production will be possible in November-December". This is the final stage before large-scale semiconductor production, with the HBM4 prototype that Samsung provided last month being an "engineering sample" for simple operational tests.

ASUS clears up some of the confusion around the Xbox Ally X's new Neural Processing Unit (NPU), giving clear examples of how the new chips will actually affect the gameplay experience.

Microsoft and ASUS today announced the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X would launch on October 16, and while pricing wasn't revealed, leaks show the duo will cost $599 for the Xbox Ally and a whopping $899 for the higher-end Xbox Ally X model. The price jump is due to the Ally X's powerful AI Z2 Extreme chip from AMD, a new customized processor that leverages an NPU to optimize workflows.

ASUS has revealed some more details on what the NPU will actually do. The new AI chip will boost resolution scaling via Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR), which could free up the CPU and GPU for other resource-heavy tasks. The Xbox Ally X's NPU will also do minor things like automatically recording gameplay clips and footage for users to share.