KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Mon, 18 Mar 2024 22:53:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.11 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Dunkey’s publishing company Big Mode has announced its first game https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/dunkeys-publishing-company-big-mode-has-announced-its-first-game/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/dunkeys-publishing-company-big-mode-has-announced-its-first-game/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:06:13 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651872 We've seen a few big streamers and content creators go on to work directly in games. One of the most popular gaming YouTube channels, Dunkey, set up his own publisher back in 2022, called Big Mode, with plans to shine a light on and bring hidden-gem indie games to market. Now, almost 18 months later, …

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We've seen a few big streamers and content creators go on to work directly in games. One of the most popular gaming YouTube channels, Dunkey, set up his own publisher back in 2022, called Big Mode, with plans to shine a light on and bring hidden-gem indie games to market. Now, almost 18 months later, Big Mode's first game has been announced. 

Dunkey isn't involved directly in game development. However, Big Mode does offer support, funding, PR & community management, merchandising and help with porting, QA and localisation for projects under its umbrella. Big Mode's first published game has now been announced – Animal Well, a Metroidvania platformer for PC, PS5 and Nintendo Switch.

Animal Well is developed by indie studio, Shared Memory, a company started by a lone developer, Billy Basso, who has been working on this game for seven years already. The game was first announced last year, with a trailer debuting in 2023 as part of the Nintendo Indie World Showcase. A new release date trailer has now been shared via the Big Mode YouTube channel, which you can see further up in this post.

The game will officially release on the 9th of May. Currently, there are no confirmed plans for an Xbox console release.

KitGuru Says: At first glance, Animal Well seems like a very fitting first game for Dunkey's publishing company. Have any of you had your eye on this game since its announcement last year? 

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GOG is bringing DRM-free games to the cloud via Amazon Luna https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/gog-is-bringing-drm-free-games-to-the-cloud-via-amazon-luna/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/gog-is-bringing-drm-free-games-to-the-cloud-via-amazon-luna/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:51:56 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651868 GOG has made a name for itself by offering DRM-free PC games, including some major AAA titles from third-party studios, as well as DRM-free day-one releases from CD Projekt Red, like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. Looking ahead to the future, GOG is looking to expand by offering its games via the cloud too. …

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GOG has made a name for itself by offering DRM-free PC games, including some major AAA titles from third-party studios, as well as DRM-free day-one releases from CD Projekt Red, like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. Looking ahead to the future, GOG is looking to expand by offering its games via the cloud too.

GOG has announced a new partnership with Amazon to bring its games to the Luna cloud gaming service. Luna first launched in the US in 2022, before reaching the UK and other major European countries in 2023. Luna uses Amazon Web Services, one of the largest cloud service offerings in the world, to stream games to customers through the internet, to multiple devices like smartphones, PCs, tablets and Smart TVs. Users can connect an Xbox or PlayStation controller, or stick to the trusty mouse and keyboard to play games.

CD Projekt Group, owners of GOG and CD Projekt Red, have previously supported cloud gaming services. CD Projekt Red was an early supporter of Google Stadia prior to its shutdown, and games like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3 have been available through GeForce Now for quite a while already.

This new cloud partnership with Amazon Luna won't remove the DRM-free part of GOG's games. Through Luna, you'll be able to play every game that you already own through GOG and there will be no second purchase required. In fact, if you buy a GOG game through Luna, you will also get access to the direct-download version on GOG.

There is no exact date for when GOG games will go live on Luna, but we should start to see the first games made available soon. GOG has already confirmed that The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077 will be coming, which is a strong start.

KitGuru Says: Do many of you use GOG regularly for DRM-free games? It is certainly a cause worth supporting nowadays with growing concerns around game preservation and the shift to digital-only.

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Former single-player Battlefield lead has ‘nothing positive to say’ about working with EA https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/former-single-player-battlefield-lead-has-nothing-positive-to-say-about-working-with-ea/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/former-single-player-battlefield-lead-has-nothing-positive-to-say-about-working-with-ea/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:30:19 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651862 A few weeks ago, Halo co-creator, Marcus Lehto, announced plans to leave EA and his newly formed Battlefield studio, Ridgeline Games. Just a day later, EA confirmed it was shutting down the studio entirely and handing future single-player Battlefield development over to Critereon, alongside other studios. Now, it seems Lehto's departure wasn't as amicable as …

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A few weeks ago, Halo co-creator, Marcus Lehto, announced plans to leave EA and his newly formed Battlefield studio, Ridgeline Games. Just a day later, EA confirmed it was shutting down the studio entirely and handing future single-player Battlefield development over to Critereon, alongside other studios. Now, it seems Lehto's departure wasn't as amicable as it first seemed. 

Lehto has been quiet on social media since announcing his departure from Ridgeline Games, a studio that he founded under EA two years ago, with plans to develop a new single-player Battlefield campaign. Rather than appointing new leadership to the studio after Lehto's departure, EA decided to shut down the whole operation and move development of projects to other studios.

In a new message posted to Twitter recently, Lehto states that he doesn't have “anything positive to say about EA”. Specifically, he takes issue with the circumstances around his departure and the following layoffs that ensued, leaving his former team out of jobs.

It is still unclear exactly what went on behind the scenes and Lehto doesn't appear to be spilling any specific information right now. However, with Ridgeline Games ‘winding down', there is a good chance someone will share some details on what life was like at the studio leading up to its abrupt closure.

KitGuru Says: A lot of publishers are in tough positions right now. The desire to see constant growth on the balance sheet has led to many layoffs throughout the industry since the pandemic, impacting major publishers and platform holders like PlayStation and Xbox. The only company that seems to be getting through this unscathed is Nintendo, although Nintendo has always had a different philosophy when it comes to the gaming business, something that shines through with their consistent quality releases. 

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Sony reportedly ‘pausing’ PlayStation VR2 production due to sales decline https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/sony-reportedly-pausing-playstation-vr2-production-due-to-sales-decline/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/sony-reportedly-pausing-playstation-vr2-production-due-to-sales-decline/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:45:55 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651859 While Sony executives have insisted that PlayStation VR2 sales have been fine, analysts have been claiming the opposite since launch. Some new evidence of the souring situation has surfaced this week with Sony reportedly pausing production of the headset due to an overabundance of stock.  According to Bloomberg, Sony has ‘paused' PlayStation VR2 production to …

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While Sony executives have insisted that PlayStation VR2 sales have been fine, analysts have been claiming the opposite since launch. Some new evidence of the souring situation has surfaced this week with Sony reportedly pausing production of the headset due to an overabundance of stock. 

According to Bloomberg, Sony has ‘paused' PlayStation VR2 production to focus on clearing its backlog of unsold stock. The headset first launched in early 2023, with over two million units made available for the launch. However, sales have reportedly declined considerably since launch, failing to catch up to rival headsets like the Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3, according to tracking data from IDC.

Part of the problem is simple, there has been a lack of blockbuster releases for the PSVR2, with Sony only releasing one first-party game so far – Horizon: Call of the Mountain. Beyond that, the headset is not backwards compatible with older PSVR titles, and carries a higher price tag than the PS5 console required to use it.

Sony may look to improve PlayStation VR2 sales in the months ahead by expanding platform support. Sony confirmed that it has been testing the headset for use with PCs recently, so it may end up being a viable PC VR headset. With Sony also bringing more of its games to multiple platforms, we may see PS VR2 exclusive content also make its way over to PC via stores like Steam.

KitGuru Says: With its $550 price tag, the PS VR2 was always going to be a tough sell, even with its fancy new 4K display and DualSense controllers. A price cut will be needed to really shift units, but it might be too soon for Sony to do that. 

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Aspyr’s Battlefront Classic Collection reportedly used modder’s work uncredited https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/aspyrs-battlefront-classic-collection-reportedly-used-modders-work-uncredited/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/aspyrs-battlefront-classic-collection-reportedly-used-modders-work-uncredited/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:00:30 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651852 Fans were already quick to notice the AI upscaling used for Aspyr's recent Battlefront: Classic Collection remasters, with this being seen as the main culprit for the game's massive 70GB+ install size. As it turns out, the launch version of the game may also contain mods without the creator's permission.  As spotted by IGN, modder …

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Fans were already quick to notice the AI upscaling used for Aspyr's recent Battlefront: Classic Collection remasters, with this being seen as the main culprit for the game's massive 70GB+ install size. As it turns out, the launch version of the game may also contain mods without the creator's permission. 

As spotted by IGN, modder ‘iamashaymin', who first brought Xbox-exclusive characters Kit Fisto and Asajj Ventress. The mod relied on swapping the character models out with two characters already in the game but it was the best solution given that these characters were previously only available on the original Xbox version of Battlefront 2. Shaymin believes his mod was used to bring these characters to Aspyr's new Battlefront Classic Collection:

The modder points out differences between the official models and the mod versions. However, Aspyr previously claimed that this re-release does “not include any code or content taken from uncredited sources”.

Aspyr has not yet commented on these claims, but the studio is busy trying to improve the release. Since launch, the Battlefront Classic Collection has been plagued with buggy servers and poor connectivity for multiplayer matches, something that the studio is specifically looking to address with future updates.

KitGuru Says: Have any of you tried the new Battlefront Classic Collection since launch? 

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Stellaris is getting a new expansion soon https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/stellaris-is-getting-a-new-expansion-soon/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/stellaris-is-getting-a-new-expansion-soon/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 14:15:03 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651799 Stellaris has stood the test of time as one of the most popular space-based 4X strategy games on PC. Development isn't slowing down in 2024 either, with the new Machine Age expansion set to launch very soon.  The update includes new Ascension Paths for Machine Empires and three new origins: Cybernetic Creed, Synthetic Fertility, and …

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Stellaris has stood the test of time as one of the most popular space-based 4X strategy games on PC. Development isn't slowing down in 2024 either, with the new Machine Age expansion set to launch very soon. 

The update includes new Ascension Paths for Machine Empires and three new origins: Cybernetic Creed, Synthetic Fertility, and Arc Welders. The Cybernetic Creed is an empire that worships the fusion of the body and cybernetics. As for Synthetic Fertility, it is an empire that is unable to reproduce biologically due to a genetic disease. Lastly, the Arc Welders are a robotic society in need of resources.

The upcoming expansion will also bring a new Crisis Path, which focuses on technological dominance at whatever cost, and a new End-Game Crisis centred on the resurgence of an old synthetic enemy. These will occur concurrently with the development of non-Gestalt, providing players with fresh tales and beginnings.

The Machine Age also includes new portraits, six new Civics, new species traits, and two new mid-game structures: the Arc Furnace and Dyson Swarms. The Machine Age expansion will be released in Q2 2024 alongside the free Andromeda update.

KitGuru says: Are you a fan of Stellaris? Are you planning to buy the upcoming expansion?

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Dark and Darker is returning via the Epic Games Store and may come back to Steam too https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/dark-and-darker-is-returning-via-the-epic-games-store-and-may-come-back-to-steam-too/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/dark-and-darker-is-returning-via-the-epic-games-store-and-may-come-back-to-steam-too/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:30:59 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651800 Ironmace, the developer behind the fantasy dungeon crawler Dark and Darker, has announced that they are preparing to reintroduce the game to a wider audience after it was removed from sale on Steam in April 2023. This time around, the game will be releasing on the Epic Games Store.  Ironmace has hired many former Nexon …

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Ironmace, the developer behind the fantasy dungeon crawler Dark and Darker, has announced that they are preparing to reintroduce the game to a wider audience after it was removed from sale on Steam in April 2023. This time around, the game will be releasing on the Epic Games Store. 

Ironmace has hired many former Nexon developers, leading to Nexon accusing the company of stealing IP to create Dark and Darker. This accusation led to Valve removing the game from the Steam store last year, a decision that did stir up some controversy. Legal proceedings led to a bit of a tie between Ironmace and Nexon, but the company is pushing ahead with bringing Dark and Darker back, with plans to launch on the Epic Games Store.

There is no word on if the game will make its way back onto Steam. That decision could potentially be in Valve's hands. In the meantime, Ironmace is exploring all alternatives.

Although there is no set release date, interested players can keep updated by adding Dark and Darker to their Epic Games Store Wishlist.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried Dark and Darker? Are you planning to get the game from EGS, or would you rather wait for its possible return to Steam?

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Steam surpasses itself once again with 36 million concurrent players https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/mustafa-mahmoud/steam-surpasses-itself-once-again-with-36-million-concurrent-players/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/mustafa-mahmoud/steam-surpasses-itself-once-again-with-36-million-concurrent-players/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 12:30:34 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651775 Over the past few years, the Steam platform has seen strong and consistent growth, with the PC-based service reaching record numbers of concurrent players every few months. Just recently however, the service has seen a massive surge in players, having now reached 36 million concurrents – one week after hitting 35m.

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Over the past few years, the Steam platform has seen strong and consistent growth, with the PC-based service reaching record numbers of concurrent players every few months. Just recently however, the service has seen a massive surge in players, having now reached 36 million concurrents – one week after hitting 35m.

A couple weeks ago we reported on Steam’s new concurrent users record, with over 34 million players online all at once. Then, on the 2nd of March the platform outdid itself once again, reaching 35.3 million concurrents.

It seems the Steam train has no plans on stopping any time soon, with it now having grown to a new peak of 36,354,393 players – the first time to pass 36 million.

Of course, peak concurrents is just one way to observe Steam’s success. That said, when looking at average monthly player counts, the service is no slouch either, with over 25 million players on average over the past 30 days.

Being able to publicly see just how much Steam is continuing to grow more than a decade on from its launch is interesting for multiple reasons – including pure curiosity. It likely won’t be long before the platform hits 40 million concurrents.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Steam’s growth? Why do you reckon the past few weeks have been so active? How long will it take Steam to reach 50 million peak concurrents? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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Sharkoon OfficePal C30 Chair Review https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-reviews/mat-mynett/sharkoon-officepal-c30-chair-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-tech-reviews/mat-mynett/sharkoon-officepal-c30-chair-review/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 12:00:25 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=648940 Sharkoon has added an ergonomic office chair to its line-up with the release of the Office Pal C30

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Sharkoon is a brand mostly known for its PC cases and keyboards. The company does, however, produce products in a number of other categories, such as chairs. Up until now, they've focused mainly on gaming-orientated ‘bucket' style chairs with vibrant colours and ‘gamer' styling. Well, that's now changing with the release of the OfficePal C30 and C30M. These two ergonomic chairs aim to provide comfort and support whether you're hard at work or relaxing with your favourite game. I've put them through their paces to find out if they deliver…

Watch the video via our VIMEO Channel (Below) or over on YouTube at 2160p HERE


Timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:32 Up close with the chair
03:50 Adjustments and controls
05:05 Mat’s thoughts so far
05:21 Assembly and build quality
06:58 Comfort
08:50 Closing Thoughts

Specifications:

  • Foam Type: High-Density Mould Shaping Foam
  • Foam Density: 45 kg/m³
  • Frame Construction: Nylon
  • Seat Cover Material: Fabric (Seat Base) / Mesh (Backrest)
  • Color Versions: Black
  • Adjustable Armrests: 3D
  • Armrest Pad Size (L x W): 25 x 9 cm
  • Mechanism:
    • Wireline Control Mechanism
    • Tilt Lock
    • Tilt Angle Lock
  • Adjustable Tilt Angle: 0° – 35°
  • Gas Lift Piston: Class 4
  • Seat Back Style: High-Back
  • Adjustable Headrest: 3D
  • Adjustable Backrest: 5 Heights
  • Base Type: Nylon Five-Star Base
  • Wheel Size: 60 mm

We don't currently have UK stock and purchase information for the Sharkoon OfficePal C30 – We will update the page as and when we find out more.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

Pros:

  • Well padded and comfortable seatbase.
  • Convenient adjustment controls.

Cons:

  • Nylon frame and base feels cheap.
  • Wobbly construction.
  • Lacks seat depth adjustment.
  • Armrests are quite low even at max height.

KitGuru says: The OfficePal C30 chair falls short in several areas. Build quality is not great, with the fully assembled chair feeling rather rickety. 

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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Acer expands to higher end GPUs with its first RX 7900 series cards https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/joao-silva/acer-expands-to-higher-end-gpus-with-its-first-rx-7900-series-cards/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/joao-silva/acer-expands-to-higher-end-gpus-with-its-first-rx-7900-series-cards/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 11:15:04 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651801 Acer has recently entered the gaming graphics card market. First, it launched a few Intel Arc models, followed by various Radeon RX 7000 series cards. However, the brand wants to expand further in this market, specifically into the high-end segment, by launching two new graphics cards: the Radeon RX 7900 GRE Predator and Radeon RX …

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Acer has recently entered the gaming graphics card market. First, it launched a few Intel Arc models, followed by various Radeon RX 7000 series cards. However, the brand wants to expand further in this market, specifically into the high-end segment, by launching two new graphics cards: the Radeon RX 7900 GRE Predator and Radeon RX 7900 GRE Nitro.

Both cards already have their product pages online. A quick look at the images shows they look the same as their RX 7800 XT counterparts in design and cooling. That's not that surprising, seeing the similarities between the RX 7800 XT and the RX 7900 GRE (similar power requirements and package sizes, 16GB of VRAM).

The RX 7900 GRE Nitro uses two Nitro FrostBlade fans for cooling, while the Predator card uses a triple-fan cooler with FrostBlade 3.0 fans. We also learned that the Predator and Nitro cards are clocked at the same frequency and slightly higher than the reference model. They have a 2050MHz game clock and a 2395MHz boost clock, which are a 9% and 7% overclock, respectively.

Pricing and availability details are still unclear. However, we expect the Predator card to cost more than the Nitro one, with the latter probably costing similar to other entry-level RX 7900 GRE cards.

KitGuru says: Based on the information we have so far on these two cards, which would you prefer?

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Palworld studio looking to bring game to more platforms https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/palworld-studio-looking-to-bring-game-to-more-platforms/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/palworld-studio-looking-to-bring-game-to-more-platforms/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 10:30:32 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651776 Palworld quickly became one of the biggest indie success stories of all time upon its Early Access release in late January; amassing a whopping 12 million copies sold on Steam alone in just two weeks and becoming the 2nd most-concurrently played game in the platform’s history – among other broken records. In the wake of …

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Palworld quickly became one of the biggest indie success stories of all time upon its Early Access release in late January; amassing a whopping 12 million copies sold on Steam alone in just two weeks and becoming the 2nd most-concurrently played game in the platform’s history – among other broken records. In the wake of all this, the team at Pocket Pair are looking to bring Palworld to more devices.

In an interview conducted by Takashi Mochizuki via Bloomberg, Pocket Pair CEO Takuro Mizobe spoke on the overwhelming success of Palworld following its early access release.

In discussing its current set of available platforms – i.e. Steam and Game Pass – Mizobe revealed plans to bring the game to more systems, though no specifics were shared.

One of the more surprising revelations during the interview was the fact that Palworld cost ‘just’ $6.7 million to develop – meaning the game has made way more than 10x its money back in profits thanks to over 15 million copies sold on PC alone.

Despite the massive influx in funds, the team at Pocket Pair are looking to stay small, with Mizobe stating “We are and will remain a small studio. I want to make multiple small games. Big-budget triple-A games are not for us.”

While Palworld was undoubtedly a lightning-in-a-bottle type of situation, it will be interesting to see what plans the team have for the future of Palworld and beyond.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Pocket Pair’s strategy? Was Palworld a fluke? What would you like to see the studio work on next? Let us know down below.

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Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty officially surpasses 5 million players https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/wo-long-fallen-dynasty-officially-surpasses-5-million-players/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/wo-long-fallen-dynasty-officially-surpasses-5-million-players/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:45:31 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651778 Back in March of last year, Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja released Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – an open world souls-like which managed to break records for the publisher, cementing this brand new IP as an undeniable success. Following a year’s worth of post-launch support, the game has now reached a new milestone: surpassing 5 …

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Back in March of last year, Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja released Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – an open world souls-like which managed to break records for the publisher, cementing this brand new IP as an undeniable success. Following a year’s worth of post-launch support, the game has now reached a new milestone: surpassing 5 million players.

Making the announcement on Twitter, Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo revealed that “#WoLongFallenDynasty has reached over 5 million militia warriors! Thank you for the tremendous support!”

It is worth noting that 5 million players does not equate to 5 million copies sold as the game has been available on Xbox and PC Game Pass since day-one.

While we do not have updated sales figures, back in May of last year the game had sold 1 million copies – with total players hitting 3.8 million. Assuming the ratio of Game Pass players to payers remained somewhat consistent, then the game is likely nearing 2 million copies sold.

Regardless, this latest milestone lends added confidence to Team Ninja’s next game – the PlayStation 5 exclusive Rise of the Ronin – which is set to arrive in just a few short days.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of Wo Long? Are you looking forward to RotR? How quickly do you reckon it’ll reach 1 million copies sold? Let us know down below.

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Valorant datamine reveals plans for multiplatform release https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/valorant-datamine-reveals-plans-for-multiplatform-release/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/mustafa-mahmoud/valorant-datamine-reveals-plans-for-multiplatform-release/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:00:43 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651777 After spending years in the competitive PC FPS space with little to no competition, Counter Strike found an equal in the form of Valorant; the latest title from League of Legends makers Riot Games. Having grown over the course of the past few years on PC, Riot Games look set to bring Valorant to more …

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After spending years in the competitive PC FPS space with little to no competition, Counter Strike found an equal in the form of Valorant; the latest title from League of Legends makers Riot Games. Having grown over the course of the past few years on PC, Riot Games look set to bring Valorant to more PC platforms – as well as consoles.

As reported by Kingdom Laboratories, in datamining Valorant the content creator took to Twitter to reveal recently-added strings which suggest that the game could be coming to plethora of new systems.

If true, Valorant could be set to come to PlayStation; Xbox; Nintendo Switch; Linux and even iOS/Android.

As with many competitive shooters, Valorant requires very little hardware to play, being able to run on integrated graphics – meaning a Switch and even mobile port should not be out of the realm of possibility.

That said, competitive FPS games like Valorant have historically been PC-centric with a focus on mouse and keyboard controls. Riot’s shooter is no different, with the game not supporting controllers in any official capacity.

Considering the fact that this multiplatform release will seemingly be launched with crossplay support, much work will have to be done in order to ensure matches are relatively fair and balanced. We will have to wait and see whether this ultimately pans out.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Valorant in 2024? Would the game benefit from an expanded release? Let us know down below.

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Hyper Light Breaker is now set to launch in Steam Early Access this Summer https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/hyper-light-breaker-is-now-set-to-launch-in-steam-early-access-this-summer/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/hyper-light-breaker-is-now-set-to-launch-in-steam-early-access-this-summer/#respond Sun, 17 Mar 2024 16:00:19 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651759 Heart Machine, the developer behind Hyper Light Drifter, has announced that their upcoming co-op rogue-lite prequel, Hyper Light Breaker, will be released in early access on PC this summer.  After delaying Hyper Light Breaker twice, Heart Machine expects to launch the game on Steam Early Access in just a few months. This phase is planned …

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Heart Machine, the developer behind Hyper Light Drifter, has announced that their upcoming co-op rogue-lite prequel, Hyper Light Breaker, will be released in early access on PC this summer. 

After delaying Hyper Light Breaker twice, Heart Machine expects to launch the game on Steam Early Access in just a few months. This phase is planned to last about a year. There is no word yet on when console versions will be available.

Hyper Light Breaker is set before the events of Hyper Light Drifter. Unlike its predecessor, a top-down, single-player game, Hyper Light Breaker is a 3D rogue-lite title with an open world and co-op support. In the game, players control Breakers, mercenaries sent out to defeat the Abyss King. To accomplish this, Breakers must first defeat the Crowns, which can be unlocked by defeating Elite creatures.

As expected from a rogue-lite, the game features various playable characters, customisable loadouts with ranged and melee weapons, and various upgrades and prizes that can be carried over from one run to another.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Did you play Hyper Light Breaker? Are you interested in its prequel?

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Deep Rock Galactic Survivor has sold 1 million copies, new biome incoming https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/deep-rock-galactic-survivor-has-sold-1-million-copies-new-biome-incoming/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/deep-rock-galactic-survivor-has-sold-1-million-copies-new-biome-incoming/#respond Sun, 17 Mar 2024 15:00:18 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651757 Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, the single-player survival spin-off of the popular co-op mining game, has recently reached an impressive milestone by selling over 1,000,000 copies in just one month of being released on Steam Early Access. To commemorate the achievement, the developer Funday Games and publisher Ghost Ship have released the first big update for …

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Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, the single-player survival spin-off of the popular co-op mining game, has recently reached an impressive milestone by selling over 1,000,000 copies in just one month of being released on Steam Early Access. To commemorate the achievement, the developer Funday Games and publisher Ghost Ship have released the first big update for their game, including a new biome that takes you deeper into the depths of Hoxxes IV.

The latest addition to Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is the Salt Pits biome, the fourth environment from the main game to be added to Survivor. Along with other places in the roguelike game, players must be aware of their surroundings and use them to their advantage by dumping well-placed stalactite clusters on foes' heads.

In addition to the new biome, players will encounter a new opponent type from the base game, the Q'ronar Younglings. Although they lack some of the more harmful qualities of their adult form, a swarm of them rushing towards you in a tight corner can still be challenging.

The Deep Rock Galactic Survivor Salt Pits upgrade is set to go live on Wednesday, March 20th. Funday Games has promised that this is just the first of many upgrades planned on the roadmap, which is expected to run for up to 12 months until the game's 1.0 release.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 1 million who already bought Deep Rock Galactic Survivor? Do you intend to keep playing it until the 1.0 release, or will you put it on hold until then?

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New PlayStation 5 Pro leak points to late 2024 launch https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-announcement/joao-silva/new-playstation-5-pro-leak-points-to-late-2024-launch/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-announcement/joao-silva/new-playstation-5-pro-leak-points-to-late-2024-launch/#respond Sun, 17 Mar 2024 14:00:17 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651758 We first heard about plans for a PS5 Pro last year, a more powerful model with a beefed up GPU for improved ray-tracing performance to sell alongside the standard PS5 system, which underwent a redesign late last year to introduce a detachable disc drive. The latest leak includes some extra details on specs, as well as some information on a new Super Resolution technology for improved visuals. 

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We first heard about plans for a PS5 Pro last year, a more powerful model with a beefed up GPU for improved ray-tracing performance to sell alongside the standard PS5 system, which underwent a redesign late last year to introduce a detachable disc drive. The latest leak includes some extra details on specs, as well as some information on a new Super Resolution technology for improved visuals. 

The leaked slide first shared by Moore's Law Is Dead (and then confirmed by Tom Henderson) states that the GPU of the PS5 Pro is capable of producing 300 TOPS using 8-bit integers and 67 TFLOPS for 16-bit floating-point computations. Converting into FP32, that would be 33.5 TFLOPS at its peak, over three times more than the current PS5.

The slide also states that PS5 Pro will offer PSSR, Sony's Multi Frame Super Resolution (MSFR) implementation that uses PlayStation Machine Learning (PSML). This technology would also support HDR, handle dynamic input resolution, and support up to 8K output in future versions. Upscaling from 1080p to 4K resolution would require 2ms of GPU cycle time, with a memory capacity of just 250MB necessary. Developers can implement the technology via the official SDK, similar to AMD FSR and Nvidia DLSS. Sony is allegedly comparing PSSR to FSR 2 and asserting that the former's picture quality is superior.

The PlayStation 5 Pro is expected to debut in the 2024 holiday season, so Sony should soon share the first details about the console.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Assuming these numbers are correct, the upcoming PS5 Pro would offer a considerable upgrade over the current consoles. How do you think Xbox will react? Will we see an Xbox Series X mid-gen upgrade? 

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Intel expands Application Optimisation compatibility to older CPUs and more games https://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/joao-silva/intel-expands-application-optimisation-compatibility-to-older-cpus-and-more-games/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/joao-silva/intel-expands-application-optimisation-compatibility-to-older-cpus-and-more-games/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2024 17:00:14 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651661 Intel Application Optimisation is a tool designed to optimise the performance of specific games by using intelligent thread scheduling. While this tool has proven to significantly enhance performance in specific games, its list of supported games and CPUs has been limited. That is now changing, as Intel is adding 12 new games and a new …

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Intel Application Optimisation is a tool designed to optimise the performance of specific games by using intelligent thread scheduling. While this tool has proven to significantly enhance performance in specific games, its list of supported games and CPUs has been limited. That is now changing, as Intel is adding 12 new games and a new mode that lets you enable APO on unsupported games.

Although the software initially only supported Metro Exodus and Rainbow Six Siege, it now supports 12 additional titles. The new titles include Final Fantasy XIV, Red Dead Redemption 2, World of Tanks, Dreams Three Kingdoms 2 (PRC), F1 22, Guardians of the Galaxy, Serious Sam 4 (VLK), Strange Brigade (VLK), Watch Dog Legion, World War Z, Dirt 5, and World of Warcraft.

Intel APO can be set up to automatically switch on for specific applications and you can also opt to disable it, which might be helpful if the results are unexpected. It's worth noting that Intel doesn't promise that all CPUs will produce identical results.

APO's Advanced Mode will be supported by 12th and 13th Gen Core desktop and mobile SKUs from Core i3/i5/i7 and i9 series. However, such CPUs will have to be explicitly activated using Advanced Mode. Additionally, the tool requires users to install Intel Dynamic Tuning Technology software and make modifications in the BIOS. Moreover, the Advanced Mode allows users to enable APO on untested games. Intel notes that on these games, results may vary, including possibly reducing performance.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you have a CPU that supports Intel APO? Have you already tested the tool? What about Advanced Mode?

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Helldivers 2 may have surpassed 8 million copies sold https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/helldivers-2-may-have-surpassed-8-million-copies-sold/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/helldivers-2-may-have-surpassed-8-million-copies-sold/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:30:02 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651751 We already knew that Helldivers 2 has been a huge success so far. One look at the game's high concurrent player counts on Steam proves that. The story got more impressive when we learned that sales of the game were growing week to week, avoiding the usual decline many other titles see. Now, analysts are …

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We already knew that Helldivers 2 has been a huge success so far. One look at the game's high concurrent player counts on Steam proves that. The story got more impressive when we learned that sales of the game were growing week to week, avoiding the usual decline many other titles see. Now, analysts are predicting high sales numbers for the game.

Neither publisher Sony, nor Arrowhead Games have confirmed Helldivers 2's sales, but the game has been a top seller on both Steam and PS5. The game has also swiftly garnered a very loyal audience, as shown by the amount of clips and memes being shared, some of which has been spurred on by Arrowhead's CEO on social media, with his talk of flying bug propaganda.

As reported by Bloomberg, TD Cowen analyst Doug Creutz estimated that Helldivers 2 has sold more than 8 million copies, which is in part based on the game's strong sales momentum so far.

That momentum will likely keep up, as in recent weeks, the Helldivers team has been pushing out new missions and objectives and have begun introducing new weapons and enemy types, with much more to come throughout the year.

KitGuru Says: Helldivers 2 is my favourite game right now and I'm looking forward to seeing new updates in the months ahead.

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Aspyr responds in wake of rocky Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection launch https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/aspyr-responds-in-wake-of-rocky-star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-launch/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/aspyr-responds-in-wake-of-rocky-star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-launch/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:00:08 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651745 Yesterday, the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection had a very disappointing launch. Players logged into the game to find a low number of available servers, bugs, and an unreasonably large 70GB+ install size. Now, Aspyr has spoken out about some of the game's problems, promising fixes. Aspyr addressed the situation on its website, saying: “At …

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Yesterday, the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection had a very disappointing launch. Players logged into the game to find a low number of available servers, bugs, and an unreasonably large 70GB+ install size. Now, Aspyr has spoken out about some of the game's problems, promising fixes.

Aspyr addressed the situation on its website, saying: “At launch, we experienced critical errors with our network infrastructure. The result was incredibly high ping, matchmaking errors, crashes, and servers not appearing in the browser. Since launch, we’ve been working to address these issues and increase network stability, and we will continue our efforts until our network infrastructure is stabilized to prevent further outages.”

There is no timeline for fixes just yet but more players have had success getting into multiplayer matches. Unfortunately, the connection is often poor, but hopefully that can be ironed out over the next few days.

Aspyr did not address the game's sheer install size, which comes in at over 70GB on PC, something that many attribute to the game's use of AI upscaling. For comparison, the original games take up less than 25GB combined.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Were any of you considering the new Battlefront collection before the launch issues came to light? Will you be picking it up when it eventually goes on sale instead to allow time for fixes?

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Cherry unveils its first XTRFY gaming keyboard with MX2A switches https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/keyboards/matthew-wilson/cherry-unveils-its-first-xtrfy-gaming-keyboard-with-mx2a-switches/ https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals/keyboards/matthew-wilson/cherry-unveils-its-first-xtrfy-gaming-keyboard-with-mx2a-switches/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2024 15:00:26 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651739 Cherry is launching its first gaming keyboard to feature its new MX2A switches. The Cherry XTRFY K5V2 is a compact 65% keyboard, equipped with Red MX2A switches, the latest version of Cherry's renowned mechanical switches with some key design tweaks. The MX2A switches ship with a new spring design, changing from cylindrical to barrel geometry …

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Cherry is launching its first gaming keyboard to feature its new MX2A switches. The Cherry XTRFY K5V2 is a compact 65% keyboard, equipped with Red MX2A switches, the latest version of Cherry's renowned mechanical switches with some key design tweaks.

The MX2A switches ship with a new spring design, changing from cylindrical to barrel geometry for near-contactless linear movement, reducing spring deformation and scratching. All MX2A switches also use a Gold Crosspoint contact system, enabling a debounce time of less than 1ms.

The Cherry XTRFY K5V2 ups the ante for RGB lighting with advanced per-key illumination alongside LED strips to enhance colours and effects further. With its compact dimensions and linear Red switches, users will reclaim some desk space and have a quieter and more responsive typing experience with durable long-lasting switches.

The keyboard comes with a solid metal plate construction and double layers of sound absorbing foam. Users will also benefit anti-ghosting, 1000Hz polling and Super Scan technology, which scans all keys every half a milisecond for increased response times for gaming. The keyboard has a detachable USB cable, so you can easily unplug it for transporting.

The Cherry XTRFY K5V2 will be available in black and Transparent White versions, and if you go through the Cherry XTRFY store, you can customise the keyboard further, including switches, key caps, logo plates and more. Prices start at $139 for the Black version and $149 for the Transparent White version.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It looks to be a very nice keyboard, and it is great to see more availability for the new MX2A switches.

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Overclockers set new world records with Intel Core i9-14900KS https://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/joao-silva/overclockers-set-new-world-records-with-intel-core-i9-14900ks/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/joao-silva/overclockers-set-new-world-records-with-intel-core-i9-14900ks/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:00:21 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651660 A team of expert overclockers from around the world have broken four world records with Intel's new Core i9-14900KS, including the world record for speed...

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Asus ROG recently announced that a team of expert overclockers from around the world had broken four world records using the ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore motherboard, equipped with the latest Intel Core i9-14900KS CPU.

Recently, four new world records have been set following the launch of the Intel Core i9-14900KS, Intel's latest flagship consumer desktop processor with 24 cores. With an out-of-the-box boost clock speed of 6.2 GHz, it's no surprise that overclockers would try to break new ground with it.

One of the world records broken was the clock speed one, surpassing the 9044 MHz set by Elmor using the Core i9-14900KF motherboard. The new world record is 9117.8 MHz, achieved using the ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Encore motherboard. As per the video, this feat was achieved by cooling the CPU with liquid helium, pushing the voltage to 1.85V. The video below shows that during the test, the CPU reached a temperature of -231°C.

Safedisk also used the same configuration to achieve three additional world records: PiFast in only 6.79 seconds, SuperPI 1M in 3.768 seconds, and PYPrime 32B in 97.596 seconds. Since then, Splave has also shared his results on PiFast and SuperPi 1M, beating Safedisk's results on PiFast with 6.77 seconds and SuperPI 1M with 3.662 seconds.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: We're probably a few months away from the release of new desktop consumer CPUs, so we shouldn't see any significant improvements in these results. Regardless, these are mighty impressive.

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Gameloft is creating a new survival Dungeons and Dragons game for consoles and PC https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/gameloft-is-creating-a-new-survival-dungeons-and-dragons-game-for-consoles-and-pc/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/gameloft-is-creating-a-new-survival-dungeons-and-dragons-game-for-consoles-and-pc/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:00:26 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651662 Gameloft, known for the development of various popular mobile games and Disney Dreamlight Valley, has recently announced a partnership with Hasbro to create a new Dungeons & Dragons game set in the Forgotten Realms universe. The game promises to be a combination of survival, life simulation, and action role-playing, focusing on an immersive, story-driven campaign …

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Gameloft, known for the development of various popular mobile games and Disney Dreamlight Valley, has recently announced a partnership with Hasbro to create a new Dungeons & Dragons game set in the Forgotten Realms universe.

The game promises to be a combination of survival, life simulation, and action role-playing, focusing on an immersive, story-driven campaign packed with adventure, camaraderie, and danger. The game's first promotional image depicts a group of adventurers gazing at a distant castle from a hilltop, setting the tone for the journey that awaits.

According to the developer, the game will feature unique cooperative gameplay that blends real-time survival mechanics with the rich narrative elements of the Dungeons & Dragons series. Players can expect a campaign that challenges them to persevere through difficult encounters, relying on their companions for support and assistance at every turn.

Developed by Gameloft Montreal, the studio behind Disney Dreamlight Valley and LEGO Star Wars: Castaways, the new game is currently being developed for PC and consoles. A release date has not been announced yet.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you a fan of Gameloft Montreal's previous work? Do you think they will be capable of delivering a good D&D video game?

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Latest Humble Bundle includes Saints Row and Red Faction https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/mustafa-mahmoud/latest-humble-bundle-includes-saints-row-and-red-faction/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/mustafa-mahmoud/latest-humble-bundle-includes-saints-row-and-red-faction/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:15:43 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651635 Humble Bundles offer a strong selection of thematically linked titles on a regular basis for a heavily discounted cost. The latest bundle offers a collection of the now-unfortunately-shuttered Volition Studios’ best work, including Saints Row and Red Faction. Available to purchase for the next 3 weeks, the ironically-named Plaion: The Hits bundle (the new owners …

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Humble Bundles offer a strong selection of thematically linked titles on a regular basis for a heavily discounted cost. The latest bundle offers a collection of the now-unfortunately-shuttered Volition Studios’ best work, including Saints Row and Red Faction.

Available to purchase for the next 3 weeks, the ironically-named Plaion: The Hits bundle (the new owners of Volition’s IP) is available in 3 forms. Paying a mere 78p will net you:

  • Saints Row 2
  • Red Faction
  • Red Faction II

Upping your pledge to £3.92 adds the following:

  • Saints Row: The Third
  • Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell
  • Red Faction: Armageddon
  • Red Faction: Armageddon Path to War

Finally, paying the full £7.84 gets you:

  • Saints Row IV: Re-Elected
  • Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered
  • Saints Row: The Third Remastered

As always, a portion of the proceeds will go to charity, with this bundle supporting Active Minds: “The nation's leading nonprofit promoting mental health for young adults ages 14-24.”

While it does feel a bit icky considering the fact that the creator of all these games isn’t even being acknowledged, this bundle is an excellent way to get your hands on some of Volition’s best work.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Humble Bundle? Did you enjoy Volition’s titles? Which studio can help fill that void? Let us know down below.

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Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is free on the Epic Games Store https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/mustafa-mahmoud/deus-ex-mankind-divided-is-free-on-the-epic-games-store/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/mustafa-mahmoud/deus-ex-mankind-divided-is-free-on-the-epic-games-store/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2024 11:30:40 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651636 Each week, Epic Games offers a title or two for free to all those with an EGS account. Though not always the most exciting offerings, this week’s release includes the most recent entry in the dormant Deus Ex series. Available to add to your library right now (and will remain so until the 21st of …

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Each week, Epic Games offers a title or two for free to all those with an EGS account. Though not always the most exciting offerings, this week’s release includes the most recent entry in the dormant Deus Ex series.

Available to add to your library right now (and will remain so until the 21st of March at 3pm), Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and indie puzzler The Bridge are free to claim on the Epic Games Store.

Though perhaps not as beloved as the PC classic, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is still a great game in its own right, offering a dense explorable world alongside light RPG mechanics and heavy stealth elements. We don’t get many big budget immersive sims, and Deus Ex Mankind Divided is one of the few to release in recent years.

As mentioned, both Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and The Bridge will be available to claim until the 21st of March, at which point they will be replaced by Call of the Wild: The Angler and Invincible Presents: Atom Eve.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this week’s offerings? Have you played Mankind Divided? Would you like to see more immersive sims released? Let us know down below.

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Valve reveals top 100 most-played Steam Deck games https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/mustafa-mahmoud/valve-reveals-top-100-most-played-steam-deck-games/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/mustafa-mahmoud/valve-reveals-top-100-most-played-steam-deck-games/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:45:39 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651638 With the release of the Steam Deck back in 2022, Valve has been keeping track of exactly what kind of games owners have been playing on its portable handheld. With us having entered the Steam Deck’s 3rd year on the market, Valve has revealed the top 100 most played games on Deck over the past …

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With the release of the Steam Deck back in 2022, Valve has been keeping track of exactly what kind of games owners have been playing on its portable handheld. With us having entered the Steam Deck’s 3rd year on the market, Valve has revealed the top 100 most played games on Deck over the past year.

Releasing the charts via the Steam store, Valve published its top 100 games played on Steam Deck, saying “It's been roughly two years since we launched Steam Deck, and we thought we'd take a look at the games being played on it the most in its second year!”

It is worth noting that the list is ranked by highest daily active player counts between March 2023 and now, and does not disquality non-Steam Deck verified titles. With that, the top 10 most played titles were:

  1. Baldur’s Gate 3
  2. Vampire Survivors
  3. Dave the Diver
  4. Hogwarts Legacy
  5. Elden Ring
  6. Palworld
  7. Cyberpunk 2077
  8. GTA V
  9. Stardew Valley
  10. Red Dead Redemption 2

The full list of the top 100 titles can be found HERE, but it is interesting to see the range of titles played on Valve’s handheld device – in particular when it comes to hardware demands. We have easy-to-hop-in-and-out titles like Vampire Survivors and Stardew Valley alongside graphics-chewing monsters like Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk and RDR2.

Despite its relatively modest hardware, it is impressive to see just how much use owners have been getting out of the handheld.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you own a Steam Deck? What kind of games do you play on it? Are you surprised by any of the entries? Let us know down below.

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Diablo IV, Naraka: Bladepoint and more to get RTX upgrades https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/mustafa-mahmoud/diablo-iv-naraka-bladepoint-and-more-to-get-rtx-upgrades/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/mustafa-mahmoud/diablo-iv-naraka-bladepoint-and-more-to-get-rtx-upgrades/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:00:34 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651637 Ahead of the annual Game Developers Conference, Nvidia has announced a lengthy list of games – both old and upcoming – which are set to be further enhanced by its RTX capabilities; with the likes of Diablo IV set to get ray-traced reflections and shadows in just a few short weeks. Making the announcement on …

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Ahead of the annual Game Developers Conference, Nvidia has announced a lengthy list of games – both old and upcoming – which are set to be further enhanced by its RTX capabilities; with the likes of Diablo IV set to get ray-traced reflections and shadows in just a few short weeks.

Making the announcement on their blog, the Nvidia team announced its latest set of RTX updates, saying “Over 500 RTX games and applications have revolutionized how people game and create with ray tracing, NVIDIA DLSS and AI-powered technologies. Today, we’re unveiling even more RTX games that will deliver the definitive PC experience for GeForce RTX gamers.”

With that, they revealed that the much-anticipated UE5-powered Black Myth: Wukong will launch with full path tracing alongside the company’s latest DLSS 3.5 upon the game’s release this August.

Interestingly, it won’t just be new games which will take advantage of DLSS 3.5, as the melee-focused multiplayer Battle Royale Naraka: Bladepoint is set to be updated with path-tracing support alongside DLSS 3.5 ray reconstruction for maximal visual quality at a heavily reduced performance cost.

As mentioned above, Diablo IV is surprisingly being updated to support ray tracing. While not quite the full path-traced experience, the update – arriving on the 26th of March – will add ray-traced reflections; ray-traced transparent reflections and ray-traced shadows.

Though perhaps not quite as transformative as full path tracing, the update should enhance Diablo IV’s moody aesthetic even further.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Nvidia’s recent AI efforts? Do you feel the unique benefits of owning an Nvidia GPU? What already-available title would you like to see get an RTX upgrade? Let us know down below.

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Alphacool Apex Stealth Featured Build w/ Custom Loop Cooling https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/alphacool-apex-stealth-featured-build-w-custom-loop-cooling/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/james-dawson/alphacool-apex-stealth-featured-build-w-custom-loop-cooling/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2024 09:37:00 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651244 Metal fans and custom cooling works well!

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As well as hardware reviews, it's always great to put together featured builds on the KitGuru channel every once in a while. Alphacool is a company that we have not looked at so far this year, so we thought this featured build video would be a good opportunity to create a fully custom water-cooled system to check out what’s on offer from Alphacool in 2024.

Watch the video via our VIMEO Channel (Below) or over on YouTube at 2160p HERE


Timestamps:

00:00 Start
01:33 Apex Stealth Metal Fans
04:40 Alphacool hardware
08:28 Other Hardware in the system
10:30 Timelapse build
18:50 Build is complete!
20:31 James' thoughts on the build

Alphacool Apex Stealth Fan Features:

  • With Apex Stealth the entire fan is completely decoupled from the full metal frame to reduce vibration and noise.
  • The fan impeller features a closed frame design with blades optimised for maximum airflow and high static pressure.
  • Apex stealth fans are equipped with a 6-pole motor and a PWM Speed range of 400 – 2000 RPM, a zero RPM mode and up to 3000 RPM as a power fan variant.

APEX Stealth Specifications:

  • Dimensions (L x W x H): 120 x 120 x 25mm
  • Material (Frame): Die-cast zinc
  • Material (Impeller): Plastic
  • Weight: 320g
  • Speed: 400~2000±10% rpm
  • Bearing: Hydro Dynamic Bearing
  • Connection: 4-Pin PWM
  • Cable length PWM: 40±8 mm (+ 50cm extension cable)
  • Cable length (daisy chain): 110±10 mm
  • Start-up Voltage: 6V DC
  • Rated Volt: 12V DC
  • Power Consumption: 2.64 Watt
  • Air Flow: 47 CFM
  • Static Air Pressure: 2.09mmH2O
  • Noise Level: 24.6dBA
  • MTBF: 100,000h
  • PWM control: Yes
  • Zero RPM control: Yes
  • Tacho Signal: Yes
  • Auto-restart: Yes

Test System Specification

Alphacool Cooling System Specification:

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Alphacool has some interesting new products on offer this year so if you are thinking of building a custom-cooled system anytime soon then it might be worth checking them out.

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Zalman’s latest case provides maximum airflow in a compact package https://www.kitguru.net/components/cases/joao-silva/zalmans-latest-case-provides-maximum-airflow-in-a-compact-package/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cases/joao-silva/zalmans-latest-case-provides-maximum-airflow-in-a-compact-package/#respond Thu, 14 Mar 2024 17:00:54 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651496 Zalman has recently launched the P30 Air Micro-ATX cases designed for maximum airflow. The case is available in two colours, black and white, and features panel perforations throughout the front panel and along the sides of the bottom half. The left panel covers only the top compartment, while the right side panel allows access to …

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Zalman has recently launched the P30 Air Micro-ATX cases designed for maximum airflow. The case is available in two colours, black and white, and features panel perforations throughout the front panel and along the sides of the bottom half. The left panel covers only the top compartment, while the right side panel allows access to both compartments.

The ZALMAN P30 Air is equipped with three 140mm ARGB-illuminated fans, of which two are mounted on the front panel, and the other is on the rear. The motherboard tray is spacious enough to accommodate 392mm-long graphics cards, 226mm-long PSUs, and 181mm-tall CPU coolers. Additionally, the motherboard tray (supporting mATX and mini-ITX) has cut-outs for motherboards that have rear-facing connections, such as the recently revealed ‘Project Zero' motherboards from MSI, which aim to hide all cable connections at the back of the PC.

The case has a 2.5/3.5-inch drive tray in the bottom compartment that supports up to two drives and three additional 2.5-inch-only drive bays. In addition to the fans included, the case supports up to three 120mm or two 140mm fans on top and bottom. As for radiators, it's limited to a 280/360mm on top and a 120/140mm on the rear.

Besides the fans, the case includes a pre-installed VGA support bracket, an ARGB controller, and top and bottom magnetic dust filters. Available in black and white, the P30 Air measures 235mm x 452mm x 420mm (WxDxH) and weighs 7.6kg.

KitGuru says: Aesthetically clean and simple, the P30 Air looks like a mid-range mATX case that should fulfil most users' needs. 

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Nvidia’s upcoming GB202 GPU could feature a multi-chip package with 192 SMs and a 512-bit memory bus https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/joao-silva/nvidias-upcoming-gb202-gpu-could-feature-a-multi-chip-package-with-192-sms-and-a-512-bit-memory-bus/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/joao-silva/nvidias-upcoming-gb202-gpu-could-feature-a-multi-chip-package-with-192-sms-and-a-512-bit-memory-bus/#respond Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:30:56 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651283 Although Nvidia's Blackwell GPU line-up should be mostly similar to Ada in terms of memory specifications, the flagship seems to be the exception. Instead of a 384-bit memory bus like the one used on the AD102 GPU, the successor, the GB202, is expected to feature a 512-bit memory bus. Not long ago, kopite7kimi stated that …

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Although Nvidia's Blackwell GPU line-up should be mostly similar to Ada in terms of memory specifications, the flagship seems to be the exception. Instead of a 384-bit memory bus like the one used on the AD102 GPU, the successor, the GB202, is expected to feature a 512-bit memory bus.

Not long ago, kopite7kimi stated that the Blackwell GPU lineup would have the same memory buses as the Ada lineup. However, the leaker didn't clarify that the GB202 flagship GPU would be an exception. According to kopite7kimi, the GB202 will feature a 512-bit memory bus instead.

Moreover, the same leaker added that the second-tiered GPU, codenamed GB203, might have half as many cores as GB202, rumoured to pack 192 SMs in a multi-chip package. As such, the GB203 would pack 96 SMs (likely a monolithic design), and for the memory, it will stick to a 256-bit memory bus, which is also half of what the GB202 packs. As such, there might not be any GB20x GPU with a 384-bit bus.

These are all rumours for now, as no concrete evidence of Nvidia's Blackwell GPU plans has been presented, nor has Nvidia made any official announcements.

KitGuru says: If these rumours are proven correct, we'll see an even bigger difference in CUDA cores between the x02 and x03 Blackwell GPUs than in the Ada line-up. How do you think this will translate into the RTX 50 series graphics cards?

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Intel officially launches Core i9-14900KS with 6.2GHz boost speed https://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/matthew-wilson/intel-officially-launches-core-i9-14900ks-with-6-2ghz-boost-speed/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/matthew-wilson/intel-officially-launches-core-i9-14900ks-with-6-2ghz-boost-speed/#respond Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:20:02 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=651630 Intel first debuted a ‘KS' version of its flagship chip with the Core i9-9900KS back in October 2019, and the tradition has carried on each generation since. Today, Intel unveils its latest ‘KS' chip, the Core i9-14900KS, reaching 6.2GHz speeds out of the box.  While most enthusiasts will be happy with the regular K or …

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Intel first debuted a ‘KS' version of its flagship chip with the Core i9-9900KS back in October 2019, and the tradition has carried on each generation since. Today, Intel unveils its latest ‘KS' chip, the Core i9-14900KS, reaching 6.2GHz speeds out of the box. 

While most enthusiasts will be happy with the regular K or KF versions of Intel's 14th Gen Core i9 processor, those who value overclocking potential will likely want the KS variant. These are pre-binned Core i9 processors, meaning they have been tested to achieve higher speeds than the average chip. In the case of the Core i9-14900KS, we're looking at a 6.2GHz clock speed out of the box, but extreme overclockers may be able to push it further with more powerful cooling solutions.

Of course, getting this speed did require a TDP bump, so the Core i9-14900KS draws an extra 25W of power compared to the K or KF variants. 6.2GHz is also the max boost clock, which applies to P-cores and not E-cores. It might be possible to push all of your cores to higher speeds, but you will need to tinker around in the BIOS overclocking menus to see what results you can get.

The Intel i9-14900KS is available starting today in the US, priced at $699. Here in the UK, we're looking at a £689.99 price tag.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you ever owned one of Intel's KS series processors? Will you be looking to get the 14900KS? 

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