Gaming - Page 177

Sony appears to be experimenting with feeding artificial intelligence systems assets from its staple franchises and asking it to recreate iconic characters from that franchise.

A new leak has revealed that Sony is, at the very least, looking into AI-generated characters from its staple franchises, with the leak being shared by The Verge that shows Horizon Forbidden West's Aloy being recreated with some kind of AI tool. The video, which has since been removed from YouTube due to copyright infringement, has been captured as the above GIF showed the iconic character responding to someone asking her questions, and the quality is clearly indicative of AI-generated content.

As you can probably imagine, the quality of the video is far below that of traditionally developed content, but according to reports, Sony celebrated what the AI produced in a behind-the-scenes presentation that has since gone public. Sharwin Raghoebardajal, the director of software engineering at Sony Interactive Entertainment, said the footage of Aloy is merely a prototype that has been developed alongside Guerrilla Games.

Kojima Products has released the pre-order trailer for Death Stranding 2: One the Beach, along with the prices for the different editions that will be available to purchase and the release date.

Death Stranding 2: One the Beach will be coming to the PlayStation 5 on June 26, and the new 10-minute trailer was debuted at SXSW by none other than legendary game director Hideo Kojima, who stated he edited the trailer himself. The game is the sequel to 2019's Death Stranding, which gained more than 19 million players since it launched. Pre-orders for On the Beach will open on March 17 at 10 AM local time. There are multiple editions players can purchase, all of which are listed below.

To go along with the launch of On the Beach, Hideo Kojima and Yoji Shinkawa have partnered with Hamilton to release the American Classic Boulton Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition watch, which is priced at $1,495. According to the watch listing on Hamilton's website the design is intended to capture the "futuristic spirit" of the game. Only 2,000 pieces of this watch have been made, making them already a very exclusive purchase. One of the watches was worn by Hideo Kojima himself on stage at SXSW.

In the latest creator-to-creator discussion released by Sony, Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann sat down with 28 Days Later writer Alex Garland to talk storytelling, providing our first real glimpse into the story and world behind Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

Naughty Dog has been working on the project for four years now, and the shift from the grounded settings of The Last of Us and Uncharted into full-fledged science fiction marks a bold departure for the studio. Druckmann offered insight into the game's setting, revealing when it takes place and its unique alternate timeline.

The concept of a divergent future gives Naughty Dog a new sandbox to explore human nature. The studio has always prioritized story first, emotions first - and in Intergalactic, Druckmann isn't shying away from hard-hitting themes. Perhaps most controversially, Druckmann emphasized how heavily the game focuses on religion. The weight of the subject matter wasn't lost on the team - to the extent that making a game about faith became an inside joke.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is coming to the PlayStation 5, according to a recent reliable leaker and an official rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

For those who don't know, the Entertainment Software Rating Board is a regulatory organization that provides an official rating for a game so parents/consumers can make an informed choice about a game before purchasing. Think of it like a rating for movies but for games. The ESRB published an official rating for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and according to the listing, it's a rating for a PlayStation 5 version of the game.

Now, that listing has been corroborated by renowned leaker Billbil-kun, who recently stated the title will be released on April 17 and pre-orders will open on March 25. Notably, a listing for the title has already appeared on the PlayStation Store, but the listing doesn't state any release dates.

Remedy's Control was one of the most critically acclaimed games of 2019. Its blend of mind-bending sci-fi elements and action delivered a memorable experience. Coming from one of the most talented studios developing games, the PC version also ushered in a new era of visual fidelity thanks to ray-tracing and DLSS.

With Remedy working on Control 2, among other titles, Control Ultimate Edition just got a free content update on PC (available on Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG) that improves the game's visuals while introducing a new mission starring one of videogame's most beloved creators, Hideo Kojima.

The new mission 'Dr. Yoshimi Tokui's Guided Imagery Experience,' was previously exclusive to the PlayStation 4 Digital Deluxe version of the game, and is now free to all players. The surprise update to the game also adds a new Ultra ray tracing quality preset on PC for "more rays per pixel and higher temporal stability," HDR support, expanded ultrawide support, and several updates to its DLSS implementation.

With the launch of PlayStation 5 Pro, Sony's mid-generation refresh introduced a more powerful version of the popular console, and the addition of dedicated ML or AI hardware led to the arrival of PSSR. Sony's new upscaling technology, which stands for PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, offers a massive improvement to image fidelity compared to previous solutions - including the console versions of AMD's FSR technology.

Since the debut of PSSR, we've learned that Sony worked closely with AMD to fine-tune the AI capabilities of the PS5 Pro specifically for ray-tracing and upscaling. Now, with the arrival of RDNA 4 and the new Radeon RX 9070 Series, PlayStation lead system architect Mark Cerny has confirmed that the impressive new FSR 4 was the result of a collaboration between AMD and Sony that already exceeds the quality you get with PSSR.

The good news for PlayStation gamers, especially those with a PS5 Pro, is that Sony is set to use the AI models and technology that serve as the foundation of FSR 4 and implement them into the next iteration of PSSR.

Microsoft is preparing its next-gen Xbox console for 2027 but before then, we're reportedly going to see an Xbox gaming handheld that will run Windows, and compete with the growing number of handhelds on the market.

In a new report from Windows Central executive editor Jez Corden, we're hearing more news that Microsoft is working with a PC gaming OEM (ASUS, Lenovo, MSI, Razer, etc) on an Xbox-branded gaming handheld that we're going to be surprised with... later this year, as in 2025.

Microsoft's purported Xbox gaming handheld is codenamed "Keenan" with Corden saying it will look unmistakably "Xbox" with an official Xbox guide button, and Xbox design sensibilities, with Corden saying he expects the new Xbox handheld to "be more PC-oriented". He continues, saying that given that this is a partner device, he expects the PC-oriented Xbox handheld will most likely run Windows, "putting the Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass front and center, alongside the ability to install things like Steam".

Microsoft's next-generation Xbox console is reportedly a "TV-friendly shell" according to the latest rumors... ready to battle Sony's next-gen PlayStation 6 console.

In a recent interview on The Xbox Two Podcast, Windows Central executive editor Jez Corden corrected rumors that some Call of Duty developers have access to dev kits for "the next Xbox". He corrected this by saying "there is no Xbox dev kit" and that these rumors were "just not accurate".

Corden said that the "whole idea of the next Xbox" is that "it's going to be a PC in essence" and that it would arrive in a TV-friendly shell that also has a "specific set of specs in mind, so developers would be building for a Windows PC in a way... but, in such a way that they know exactly what the specs will be, so they can optimize exactly for it. So, when you're optimizing for PC it's like you've got to target as many specs as you can imagine, or at least what's popular in the Steam Hardware Survey. But if you know exactly what's in the Xbox you can optimize around that".

Forza Horizon 5 is making its way to PlayStation 5 on April 25, and PS5 players won't have to worry about missing out on content. The game will include all the features and updates available on Xbox and PC, with only two caveats: you'll require a Microsoft account, and you won't be able to cross-save.

The requirement to link a Microsoft account was specified in an FAQ on the game's official website. Microsoft mandates account linkage on PS5 on a 'title-by-title' basis, and generally, the presence of cross-play or online services is the determining factor. Sea of Thieves and Grounded, which are both Xbox titles available on PS5, also mandate a Microsoft account to jump into gameplay. However, singleplayer titles like Hi-Fi Rush, and Pentiment are generally absent from this requirement.

While Forza Horizon 5 will support cross-play, cross-progression will not be available between PS5 and other versions of the game. This follows the same precedent as the Steam release, where saves only sync within the platform's ecosystem. Players will need a Microsoft copy (Games Pass or Xbox Store) of the game to take advantage of the feature - so expect to start from scratch if you're on PS5.

Scammers are posing as developers of Sand, sending out fake playtest invites in an attempt to steal Steam login credentials. Reports from users on Reddit warn that these fraudulent invitations lead to phishing sites disguised as official Steam pages, tricking players into entering their account details.

The scam relies on a common tactic - using a fake domain that looks like Steam but isn't. Instead of directing users to steampowered.com, the links send them to addresses like store.steampowered.invite948190.com, where "steampowered" is just a subdomain, not the actual website. This tricks users into believing they're on an official Steam page when, in reality, they're handing over their login details to scammers.

To make matters worse, some of these phishing attempts use homograph attacks, swapping English letters with nearly identical-looking Cyrillic characters to make the URLs appear even more convincing.

Although it has a 'Mixed' user review rating on Steam due to issues with performance, bugs, crashes, and multiplayer, Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds is undoubtedly a smash hit. With an all-time peak concurrent player count of 1,384,608, which makes it the 5th most popular PC game of all time on Steam, it's showing no signs of slowing down.

Good news for GeForce NOW subscribers: Monster Hunter Wilds is supported on NVIDIA's cloud-gaming platform, allowing users to play the game on up to a GeForce RTX 4080-class rig, which might be needed based on all the reports on how the game runs. The GeForce NOW game version includes full support for ray-tracing, DLSS, Frame Generation, and even G-SYNC for displays or TVs with variable refresh rates. These enhanced features are available to Performance and Ultimate members.

GeForce NOW has also supported Split Fiction from Hazelight Studios, the next game from the award-winning studio behind It Takes Two. Like that game, this is a cinematic couch co-op game played in split-screen locally or over a network. The best part is that you don't need two copies of the game to play it co-op, as anyone who purchases Split Fiction gets a Split Fiction: Friend's Pass version to share with a friend.

Kingmakers went viral on social media due to its fun, unique concept. Mowing down hordes of medieval enemies with modern vehicles and weaponry - it's a power fantasy to behold

However, there's more to the game than just mowing down foot soldiers. In an interview with Edge Magazine, game director Paul Firsch discussed the strategic nature of Kingmakers.

The footage that grabs the most attention is generally on the ground: spraying at medieval knights with assault rifles, or driving through hordes of enemies on a sports car. However, the top-down gameplay is an undersold element of the title. Players will have the option to switch between both modes, and over time, foes will start adapting to your modern tech. Having the bigger gun doesn't necessarily mean success in Kingmakers.

HBO's second season of its The Last of Us adaptation is set to premiere on April 13, and ahead of its debut, Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann was questioned about a potential The Last of Us Part 3. Druckmann is the director of the critically acclaimed The Last of Us Part II on PS4, PS5, and PC and the co-showrunner on the TV adaptation.

When asked about a potential third game in the series, Neil Druckmann responded, "I guess the only thing I would say is don't bet on there being more of The Last of Us." Adding "this could be it," he hints that the television series' upcoming second season could be the last we see of the franchise going forward. The acclaimed Sony studio's next game will be the brand-new sci-fi game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which got its big reveal late last year.

No The Last of Us Part 3 is a definite blow to fans of the series and a little bit weird when you factor in the sheer number of times Sony has released, remastered, and remade the first two games - which now span three consoles (PS3, PS4, PS5) and PC. On that note, to celebrate the PC launch of the second game and the second season of the hit HBO series, Sony is releasing a The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense wireless controller.

Elon Musk has installed a gaming PC in his 'DOGE' White House office, and New York Times reporter Kate Conger posted a photo of his setup in the Secretary of War Suite in the Eisenhower Building. Granted, the name of the office alone and this being the White House carries the air of serious business. However, upon closer inspection, Elon Musk's gaming PC setup raises a few questions.

First up, the monitor is impressive. The 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 dual-QHD display is a beast, with its VA panel sporting a resolution of 5120 x 1440 pixels, a 1000R screen curvature, and a 1ms response time. Throw in a super-fast 240 Hz refresh rate, excellent color accuracy, and support for vibrant HDR - and it's the sort of display that would be awesome to play with. For Elon Musk, that would probably be jumping into Diablo 4 or Path of Exile 2 - whenever his account isn't being boosted.

However, when you've got a display with that resolution and a super-high refresh rate, you want to pair it with a powerful GPU - a GeForce RTX 5080 or something a little older like the GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER or GeForce RTX 4090. Although we don't see the build clearly, the GPU looks compact and, upon closer inspection, looks to be either an MSI GeForce RTX 4060 or RTX 4070 Ventus model in white.

With approximately two months until Doom: The Dark Ages releases, one of the questions on gamers' minds relates to 'the prequel problem' - understanding how the game ties into Doom (2016), Doom: Eternal, and how it works within the limitations of established lore.

In a recent interview with PC Gamer, game director Hugo Martin and producer Marty Stratton shed some light on how the game connects to its predecessors. They highlighted how, although the Doomslayer ends up locked in a coffin by the 2016 entry, there's more to the medieval saga.

They were rather specific about how the game won't end with a Rogue One-style, direct tie-in to the 2016 game. So no, he won't end up in the coffin, and there'll be plenty of room for surprises.

Newly surfaced concept art from WB Games Montreal's cancelled Damian Wayne Batman game, codenamed Project Sabbath, has appeared online after an artist shared 2015 renders on Instagram.

The game was set in a dystopian future where an older Bruce Wayne had passed the Batman mantle to Damian Wayne. Unlike the Arkham series, Project Sabbath was developed as a standalone project with its own continuity, offering a fresh take on Gotham's future. The game featured the Batcycle as a primary mode of transportation, functioning similarly to the Batmobile in Arkham Knight. This mechanic was later incorporated into Gotham Knights.

The game was quietly canceled sometime between 2016 and 2019. Voice actor Josh Keaton, who was set to voice Damian Wayne, initially suggested that major leaks revealing the game's plot and concept art played a role in its cancellation. However, Bloomberg's Jason Schreier later clarified that the leaks were not the reason the project was scrapped. Following the cancellation, WB Games Montreal shifted focus to Gotham Knights, which launched in 2022. While elements of Project Sabbath, like the Batcycle, were repurposed, the Damian Wayne-led Batman concept never resurfaced.

Warhorse Studios have officially announced patch 1.2 for Kingdom Come Deliverance II, which will be arriving on Thursday, March 13. The update introduces official mod support, barber mode, and improvements ranging from combat mechanics to NPC behavior.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II launched last month to critical acclaim - holding an overwhelmingly positive 88 on Metacritic, and becoming an early contender for Game of the Year. The title has been universally praised for its optimization, delivering a generational jump in visuals while delivering a narrative gameplay experience befitting of a king.

While most would argue KCD2 requires no adjustments to the experience in its vanilla state - mod support will allow players to create and customise the game to their heart's content. The first game received its mod support in October 2019, almost a year and a half after its 2018 release. The one-month turnaround for mod tools this time around is a rapid one - and no doubt, we'll see wider adoption in the modding community due to the breakthrough success of the title.

As a result of tariffs introduced by the Trump administration, physical game discs, which are primarily produced in Mexico, will be receiving a 25 percent tax. As a result, analysts believe this will be the nail in the coffin for physical editions of games, accelerating the industry's shift toward digital-only distribution.

Credit: GameStop

On social media, Circana analyst Mat Piscatella commented on the new tariffs, highlighting that it's likely physical games will simply no longer get made, with publishers moving to an all-digital strategy to avoid the added costs and logistical hurdles.

Filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has revealed some new features with the Nintendo Switch 2 that Nintendo hasn't officially unveiled.

The documents highlight that the upcoming console will come with NFC and RFID support in the right Joy-Con, which isn't totally surprising considering the original Nintendo Switch also supported NFC and RFID. However, there are performance improvements, such as support for Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) networks with up to 80MHz of bandwidth, which is a step up from Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) on the original Nintendo Switch.

Additionally, the Nintendo Switch 2 will have two USB-C ports, one at the top and one at the bottom. Each of these USB-C ports will have charging capabilities, and the FCC filings have now officially confirmed that, ahead of Nintendo, the new USB-C port will have charging capabilities. Nintendo did tease the existence of an additional USB-C port in its announcement video for the Nintendo Switch 2, but didn't provide any specific details on its purpose.

The first trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 was released in December 2023, and since then, Rockstar has been silent about the title, leaving fans to squirm under the anticipation of getting a new look at the upcoming game. The time for a new trailer may be closer than you think.

The latest rumor comes from GTA VI O'Clock, which consists of the most respected content creators and journalists within the Grand Theft Auto community, and according to the recent newsletter, Rockstar is now expected to release the second trailer for GTA 6 at the end of this month, or early April. The newsletter links to the above image, which is a timeline that overlays the GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 marketing campaigns and their key media beats.

The timeline shows the number of months Rockstar took between a game being announced, the first trailer being released, trailer two for that title, and finally, its release. Judging by the timeline, and if Rockstar is going to maintain the same marketing beats as it has in previous titles, the developer is due to release the second trailer for GTA 6 this month or in early April. Additionally, Rockstar has already stated GTA 6 will be released in the Fall of 2025, which will more than likely be leaning to the back half of Fall, late October / early November, given previous comments by Take-Two Interactive's CEO Strauss Zelnick.