Category: Gaming

  • Anbernic RG50XX: New Switch Lite Knock-off Released

    Anbernic RG50XX: New Switch Lite Knock-off Released

    Anbernic has recently launched the RG CubeXX, but this is probably not the last product we will see from them this year. In fact, there’s a good chance the company will stick to its routine of releasing something new each month.

    Upcoming Releases

    Already, Anbernic has announced that the RG P01 wireless controller will be hitting shelves soon. Furthermore, rumors suggest that the RG406P and RG408 are also in the pipeline. Recently, NITTRX pointed out an interesting find: a product that seems to be an Anbernic imitation named the RG50XX.

    Product Details

    Though the RG50XX follows Anbernic’s usual naming style, it seems to be a generic product instead of one from a well-known brand. From what we could gather, it is presently available exclusively on Amazon, with a price range of $73.99 to $79.99.

    The listings indicate that this device boasts a 5-inch screen within dimensions of 190 x 23 x 92 mm, and it has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. Interestingly, the RG50XX has a unique 5:3 aspect ratio. Additionally, it is reported to utilize the less common Rockchip RK3128 processor, and it includes a USB Type-A port along with a single pair of shoulder buttons. In terms of appearance, the RG50XX looks similar to a Switch Lite, which currently retails for $170 on Amazon. However, it remains uncertain how effectively this new device will emulate popular gaming systems like the N64 and PS1, as indicated in its Amazon listings.

    via NITTRX


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  • EA Denies Battlefield 1 Steam Deck Compatibility Due to Anti-Cheat

    EA Denies Battlefield 1 Steam Deck Compatibility Due to Anti-Cheat

    It’s been known for a while now that EA would be rolling out EA Anti-cheat to Battlefield 1, but D-Day has finally arrived for Linux gaming on Battlefield 1, making it just the latest title to lose its Steam Deck compatibility. Many Steam Deck owners and Linux gamers are being greeted by a compatibility error message upon trying to open Battlefield 1 today due to the EA anti-cheat update.

    EA’s Approach to Anti-cheat

    The incompatibility in the case of Battlefield 1 stems from EA’s proprietary anti-cheat implementation relying on kernel-level hardware access to prevent cheating. Generally speaking, it’s impossible to make anti-cheat that operates in kernel mode compatible with Linux, since Linux and the Steam Deck rely on translation layers like Proton and WINE for Windows game compatibility, but some anti-cheat software, like Easy Anti-cheat and BattleEye, have Linux compatibility baked in.

    A Familiar Situation

    A similar story played out just last month when Rockstar Games added BattleEye anti-cheat to GTA Online but neglected to enable Linux support, immediately earning the distrust of many Linux and Steam Deck gamers and likely pouring cold water over much of the GTA VI hype. As a result of that instance, Valve pulled GTA V and GTA Online from its Steam Deck Top Played Games list and started issuing refunds to upset GTA V buyers who suddenly couldn’t access their games.

    Valve’s Silence on Battlefield 1

    Valve has not reacted in any way to Battlefield 1’s Steam Deck compatibility loss, but it seems unlikely that the same refund policy will be followed, since GTA V was advertised much more aggressively as a Steam Deck game than Battlefield 1 was. Needless to say, however, the addition of kernel anti-cheat has resulted in a sudden spike in negative Steam user reviews.

    Reddit, Steam, EA’s forums are buzzing with complaints from frustrated players, making it clear that the anti-cheat decision has not gone over well.


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  • Lenovo Legion Go Handhelds Unveiled with AMD Strix Point Variant

    Lenovo Legion Go Handhelds Unveiled with AMD Strix Point Variant

    The Legion Go has been on the market for over a year now, having been officially unveiled in early September 2023, with its release about a month later. In the time since, competitors like ASUS, MSI, Valve, and Zotac have launched their own newer offerings. Furthermore, AYANEO has begun to promote the AYANEO 3, branding it as a ‘new era of handheld devices’.

    Lenovo’s Continuing Innovations

    Despite the competition, Lenovo appears to be moving forward. Last month, NITTRX presented what they called the highly anticipated Legion Go Lite, which was quickly followed by the emergence of this device along with a Legion Go Gen Two in official marketing materials. Recently, ITHome has discovered that Lenovo is seeking certification for three new Legion Go models from the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) in Russia.

    New Model Numbers

    For reference, the existing Legion Go is identified by the model number ‘8APU1’. Thus, the new identifiers—8ARP1, 8ASP2, and 8AHP2—seem to indicate fresh devices. It’s important to keep in mind that simply having an EEC certification is not a guarantee that a product will actually be released; however, it usually indicates that a company is planning to bring these items to Europe and other regions.

    Speculations on New Devices

    The introduction of the Legion Go S aligns with rumors that came up during the summer, but it’s likely the same gadget as the Legion Go Lite that was shown off last month. At this point, not much is known about the Legion Go 8ASP2 or the Legion Go 8AHP2. The model numbers might hold some hints, if ‘8APU1’ can be deciphered in a certain way:

    If this interpretation holds, then 8ASP2 might indicate a second-generation device featuring around an 8-inch screen paired with an AMD Strix Point APU. On the other hand, ‘8AHP2’ could refer to an 8-inch, second-gen device that uses AMD Hawk Point APUs instead. Given earlier speculations regarding the Legion Go Lite or Legion Go S, it seems this would be a first-generation product that runs on the same Phoenix APU as the current Legion Go (currently priced at $676.84 on Amazon). Meanwhile, the model number ‘8ARP1’ hints that the Legion Go S could be using AMD Rembrandt APUs, which are a bit older at this stage.

    EEC via ITHome


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  • Silent Hill 2 Remake Patch Introduces Game Breaking Bug

    Silent Hill 2 Remake Patch Introduces Game Breaking Bug

    Eurogamer has shared news that the newest update (1.04) for the Silent Hill 2 remake has caused a significant problem that stops players from finishing the game. This patch has messed up a puzzle within the labyrinth area, where gamers are required to adjust a cube to unlock paths. Since the update, certain sections have become inaccessible, leaving players unable to progress.

    Developer’s Response

    The game’s developer, Bloober Team, has acknowledged the problem and announced in a post on Steam that they will provide a fix shortly. The issue occurs when players "load a save data from the Labyrinth level (after Toluca Prison) made before applying the 1.04 patch."

    Workaround Suggestions

    For those who find themselves stuck in the labyrinth, Bloober Team recommends loading a save file created prior to entering that area. Reports indicate that the bug affects players on both PlayStation 5 and PC platforms. For PS5 users who have the physical disc and a save file saved before accessing the labyrinth, there’s an option to uninstall the game, take the console offline, and then reinstall it using the disc without the update.

    Eurogamer, Konami, Steam.

  • Anbernic RG CubeXX: Compact Handheld for Dreamcast, N64, PS1 Emulation

    Anbernic RG CubeXX: Compact Handheld for Dreamcast, N64, PS1 Emulation

    Anbernic has begun offering the RG CubeXX as a more affordable option compared to the RG Cube, which is currently priced at $196.99 on Amazon and was released in the late spring. True to form, Anbernic has made the new gaming handheld available in three color choices, known as Black, Grey, and White. Additionally, these options can be customized with one of four memory configurations.

    Performance Comparison

    In essence, the RG CubeXX is significantly less powerful than its predecessor, the RG Cube. Anbernic has fitted the RG CubeXX with the same Allwinner H700 chipset used in various devices from the RG35XX series. Moreover, it comes with 1 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, which is a standard feature in this price range.

    Gaming Capabilities

    Due to these specifications, the RG CubeXX is expected to handle games from platforms like Dreamcast, N64, and PS1, with some PSP games also playable. However, it remains uncertain whether the device’s 720p screen will impact emulation performance when compared to the 480p display found in RG35XX series devices. For context, the RG CubeXX includes a 3.95-inch IPS display that maintains a 1:1 aspect ratio.

    Pricing and Options

    At present, the starting price for Anbernic’s newest gaming handheld is $59.99, which includes a 32 GB MicroSD card in any of the three color options. It’s important to note that this price will increase to $66.99 on October 25. Furthermore, customers can opt for larger MicroSD cards of 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB at prices of $67.99, $74.99, and $89.99, respectively.

  • Netflix Closes Southern California Game Studio

    Netflix Closes Southern California Game Studio

    Netflix’s plans to enter the AAA gaming market have apparently faced some challenges. The streaming giant has reportedly closed its Southern California studio, which was developing an action RPG for PC.

    Studio Closures and Key Departures

    The company had brought in Chacko Sonny, a former Overwatch executive producer, to lead the studio, attracting industry heavyweights like Joe Staten (known for his work on Halo and Destiny) and Rafael Grassetti (who was the art director at Sony Santa Monica studio). However, according to a report by Game File, Netflix has now shut down the studio, and the three prominent hires have left the company.

    Leadership Changes

    As per The Verge, Netflix appointed Alain Tascan as the new head of its gaming division in July, while former leader Mike Verdu transitioned to a different role. Tascan was previously the VP of game development at Epic Games.

    Recent Layoffs

    Business Insider noted that Tascan made layoffs in the gaming division just last week, with sources indicating that fewer than 35 jobs were eliminated during this process.

    Even with the studio’s closure and the likely end of the AAA project, Netflix is still dedicated to its gaming segment. The company continues to release mobile games based on popular series like "Too Hot To Handle" and "Squid Game," among others.

  • AMD Chipset Driver Confirms Ryzen AI Max 300 for Strix Halo

    AMD Chipset Driver Confirms Ryzen AI Max 300 for Strix Halo

    The Strix Point series from AMD has made its debut with two Zen 5 APUs, both categorized under the Ryzen AI 300 series. Recently, AMD introduced the AI Pro 300 series aimed at business customers, and now they have revealed the naming conventions for the upcoming Strix Halo series.

    Naming Confirmation

    As earlier speculated, Strix Halo APUs will be part of the Ryzen AI Max 300 series. This was confirmed through the latest AMD chipset driver (V6.10.02.1849). Although AMD has yet to provide more details, recent leaks indicate that the new series will launch with three APUs.

    Top-of-the-Line Specs

    The premier model in this lineup is expected to be the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, boasting 16 Zen 5 CPU cores and an RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics processor (iGPU) with 40 compute units (CUs). In comparison, the higher-end Radeon 890M found in the existing Strix Point series has 16 CUs and can run most games smoothly at 1080p with medium to high settings.

    With its 40 CUs, the upcoming RDNA 3.5 iGPU in the Strix Halo could deliver an even superior gaming experience. It may even rival the performance of dedicated GPUs found in upper mid-range gaming laptops, like the Alienware m16 R2, currently priced at $1,451.99 on Best Buy.

    Additional Models

    In addition to the AI Max+ 395, the Ryzen AI Max 300 series is believed to include two other APUs. One of these is the AI Max 390, which is said to have 12 Zen 5 cores and the same iGPU as the flagship model. The entry-level option is rumored to be the AI Max 385, featuring an 8-core CPU and a 32 CUs iGPU, which doubles the GPU cores compared to the Radeon 890M.

    AMD has not officially confirmed these specifications, nor have they provided a launch timeline. However, earlier reports suggest that the Strix Point series might officially launch at CES 2025.

    HXL on X via: Wccftech


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  • Intel Arc 140T Graphics Offers 60% Performance Boost Over Lunar Lake

    Intel Arc 140T Graphics Offers 60% Performance Boost Over Lunar Lake

    A new Intel Arc graphics chip has surfaced on GFXBench, demonstrating notable performance improvements compared to its Lunar Lake version. This GPU, known as the Arc 140T, delivered frame rates that exceed those of the current Arc 140V integrated graphics by over 60 percent.

    Benchmark Results

    According to benchmark results shared by Michael (@miktdt) on X, the Arc 140T achieved a score of 11,056 frames at 178.3 FPS in GFXBench’s OpenGL test. In contrast, the Arc 140V models with 16GB and 8GB of memory only managed 110.3 FPS (6,839 frames) and 106.7 FPS (6,613 frames), respectively.

    Performance Differences

    Despite both the 140T and 140V featuring the same eight Xe Cores, there is a clear performance gap—likely stemming from differences in design or implementation. Based on the specifications and naming conventions, it appears that the 140T is more geared towards integrated graphics rather than functioning as a standalone GPU.

    Future Prospects

    It’s possible that the 140T is designed for Intel’s forthcoming Arrow Lake-H/HX mobile chips. This aligns with Intel’s approach: Arrow Lake is centered on boosting performance, while Lunar Lake emphasizes energy efficiency. The variation in performance between the two could be linked to the types of transistors used, with the 140T probably utilizing higher-performance transistors compared to the power-efficiency-oriented ones in the 140V from Lunar Lake.

    If everything proceeds as expected, the Arc 140T could debut in Arrow Lake mobile chips around early 2025. As of now, Intel has not officially verified these specifications or performance figures.

  • Asus ROG Phone 9 Launching Nov 19 with Snapdragon 8 Elite Design

    Asus ROG Phone 9 Launching Nov 19 with Snapdragon 8 Elite Design

    Asus is preparing to introduce its new gaming marvel, the ROG Phone 9 series, across the globe on Nov. 19. This release aligns with the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit, which revealed the highly awaited Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform. The ROG Phone 9 series is set to be one of the first smartphones to utilize this advanced chipset, promising remarkable performance and efficiency.

    Anticipated Features of the ROG Phone 9 Series

    In terms of design, the ROG Phone 9 series is likely to keep its iconic gamer-oriented look, featuring LED lights on the rear and a sturdy construction. Asus has indicated that it will continue to incorporate AI features aimed at boosting the gaming experience, a trend that has been growing with recent mobile technologies.

    Battery Life and Model Variants

    Battery longevity is another vital area where the ROG Phone 9 is expected to shine. The earlier ROG Phone 8 Pro was famous for its outstanding battery performance. With Qualcomm focusing on energy efficiency, the upcoming series is predicted to uphold or even exceed this standard, allowing gamers to enjoy longer sessions without needing to recharge frequently. The range will probably consist of at least two versions: the ROG Phone 9 and the ROG Phone 9 Pro.

    Redefining Mobile Gaming

    The Snapdragon 8 Elite platform is said to transform mobile gaming with its second-generation Oryon CPU and improved Adreno GPU. These upgrades are anticipated to provide a captivating and seamless gaming experience, reinforcing the ROG Phone’s status as a leader in gaming performance. Initial benchmark results have been encouraging, showing impressive single and multicore scores on Geekbench 6, indicating that the ROG Phone 9 may outshine many of its rivals.

    As the launch date draws near, excitement is rising regarding the possible features and functions of the ROG Phone 9. Both gamers and technology fans are eagerly anticipating how Asus will innovate and redefine mobile gaming performance. Keep an eye out for more updates as we approach the official announcement on Nov. 19.

  • 8BitDo 64: N64-Inspired Controller with Hall Effect Joystick $39.99

    8BitDo 64: N64-Inspired Controller with Hall Effect Joystick $39.99

    8BitDo has teamed up with Analogue to start pre-orders today for their first product inspired by the Nintendo 64 (N64). Although Analogue hinted at the 8BitDo 64 over a year ago, 8BitDo only revealed its full controller details last week. Coincidentally, the release of the 8BitDo 64 happens at the same time as the long-awaited launch of Analogue’s N64 FPGA console.

    Design Differences

    To put it simply, the 8BitDo 64 doesn’t resemble the classic Nintendo 64 controller at all. Instead, its design is more similar to the Switch Pro controller but with some modifications in the layout. Notably, it features a single Hall effect joystick positioned in the top left corner.

    Features of the Controller

    Additionally, the controller includes C-buttons on the opposite side, right next to the A and B buttons. New images also show that 8BitDo has integrated two Z buttons instead of the usual L2 and R2 triggers. Unfortunately, the standard layout means that the 8BitDo 64 does not support accessories like the external Memory Pak or Transfer Pak.

    Pricing and Availability

    At this time, it appears that 8BitDo has only released the white version, which is still available on Amazon US for $39.99. The expected release date for this model is set for March 19, 2025. In contrast, while Amazon suggests that the black version is sold out, it seems it was never actually in stock. Furthermore, 8BitDo has yet to announce pricing or availability for other regions such as Canada, the Eurozone, or the UK.


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