Category: Gaming

February 10, 2025

Take-Two CEO: GTA 6 to Boost Consoles, Sees Big PC Market

Key Takeaways

1. GTA 6 is set to launch on consoles in 2025, with PC gamers facing a longer wait.
2. Take-Two’s CEO believes releasing GTA 6 first on consoles will significantly boost console sales.
3. Past games from Rockstar, like Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA 5, experienced delayed PC releases.
4. PC versions can account for 40% of total game sales, but Take-Two is confident in their strategy for GTA 6.
5. The game is expected to push current console capabilities, allowing Rockstar to optimize performance before focusing on the PC version.

While owners of the PS5 and Xbox Series X are looking forward to a GTA 6 launch in 2025, PC gamers will have to wait even longer. Recently, IGN inquired with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick about their strategy of releasing the game first on consoles. Zelnick didn’t clearly explain this approach, but he expressed confidence that GTA 6 would boost console sales significantly.

Console vs. PC Release Strategy

Zelnick highlighted that some of Take-Two Interactive’s projects come out at the same time on both PCs and consoles. However, his mention of Civilization 7, which originated on PC, seems like an odd example. For Rockstar Games, Red Dead Redemption 2 was not released on PC until over a year after it launched on the PS4 and Xbox One. In the past, the PC version of GTA 5 also faced a long delay before it was available to players.

Sales Insights

During the IGN interview, Zelnick recognized that PC versions of games can make up 40% of total sales. Nonetheless, he is convinced that Take-Two’s strategy with GTA 6 will be successful. He acknowledged that Xbox Series X sales are currently lagging, while Switch sales have hit a plateau. It’s a bold assertion that one game could revive the console market, but the massive anticipation surrounding GTA 6 might just meet that challenge.

Frustrations of PC Gamers

PC gamers are understandably upset due to the unclear release date for GTA 6. Some speculate that Take-Two is trying to avoid leaks about the game, which could happen if any code, finished or not, gets out. Other people view this as a smart business tactic, allowing enough time for players to finish the single-player campaign. Afterward, PC gamers could return to enjoy the game with better performance and mods.

Pushing the Limits

What is known about GTA 6 suggests that it will stretch the capabilities of current consoles. Rockstar Games can concentrate on enhancing performance for these consoles before turning its attention to the PC version.

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Tags: GTA 6, PS5, Xbox Series X
February 10, 2025

Nvidia RTX 5090 FE Melts Power Connectors: Not 12VHPWR Fault

One early user of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition learned the hard way why Nvidia advises against using third-party cables with the new Blackwell GPUs.

Issue with Third-Party Cables

In a Reddit post by user u/ivan6953, the individual shared their experience of upgrading their PC with the RTX 5090, which was powered by an ASUS Loki SFX-L power supply using a ModDIY ATX 3.0 PCIe 5.0 16-pin 12VHPWR cable rated for 600 W. The user reported that while playing Battlefield 5, the GPU’s power draw was between 500–520 W when they detected a burning smell. They quickly shut down the PC and upon inspection discovered that the 12VHPWR connector had melted at both the RTX 5090 and the ASUS Loki SFX-L PSU connection points.

Community Concerns

When Nvidia announced that the RTX 5090 would adopt the 12VHPWR standard, it raised alarms in the PC gaming community. Many feared that the melting connector issues, first seen with the GeForce RTX 4090, would return. Initially, it appeared that the new Blackwell GPUs were not facing serious melting cable issues, despite some early reports suggesting otherwise. However, this recent Reddit post serves as clear evidence that pushing the limits of the 12VHPWR power standard could lead to significant problems for those in the PC building community.

Speculating the Culprit

It’s still uncertain which part is responsible for the failure in this case. The Nvidia GPU is likely not to blame, as there haven’t been many other credible reports of melting connectors. This leaves the power supply unit (PSU) and the power cable as possible culprits. One comment from the Redditor suggested the issue might stem from the PSU, noting that the “Loki’s 12VHPWR pins are MUCH thinner than in the 12VHPWR slot on 5090FE,” which could lead to higher resistance, but that doesn’t clarify why both ends of the cable melted.

Based on the Reddit post, it seems the RTX 5090 may have drawn more power than the 600 W rating of the 12VHPWR cable or that the cable’s connectors were not adequate for the task.

Availability of GPUs

Currently, both the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 are nearly impossible to find due to their high demand. However, pre-built PCs featuring these GPUs, like the RTX 5080-equipped Skytech Legacy4 (currently priced at $3,299.99 at Best Buy), are available for purchase.

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Tags: Nvidia RTX 5090
February 10, 2025

RTX 5070 Ti Release Date and Launch Time Announced by Retailer

While the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 have been making headlines, there’s now more news about the RTX 5070 Ti release date. The French store TopAchat has put up several listings for these GPUs, which are set to launch on February 20th. When users click on each link, they are informed that the graphics cards will be available at 3 p.m. Although TopAchat currently lacks any product pages for the RTX 5070, it is anticipated that the RTX 50 series cards will be in stock before the month’s end.

Pricing Details

In the U.S. market, the cheapest RTX 5070 Ti models are expected to retail for $750. However, due to the limited supply of other RTX 50 series graphics cards, the chances of widespread availability appear slim. This situation could lead to prices for the RTX 5070 Ti exceeding the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). Nvidia has also made some ambitious claims regarding the capabilities of both the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070.

Performance Claims

One of Jensen Huang’s most daring assertions during CES 2025 was that the $549 RTX 5070 would deliver performance on par with the RTX 4090. Given that the RTX 5070 is priced $1050 lower, many buyers were doubtful. A lot of the attraction of the lower-end RTX 50 series GPUs hinges on DLSS 4, which features Multi Frame Generation. This technology, exclusive to Nvidia Blackwell graphics cards, utilizes AI to enhance frame rates more effectively.

Mixed Opinions

Despite how appealing the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 seem, their raw performance isn’t a monumental upgrade over older-generation GPUs. The RTX 5070 Ti boasts 8,960 CUDA cores and 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM, in contrast to the 4070 Ti’s 7,680 CUDA cores and 12GB of GDDR6X memory. On the other hand, the RTX 5070’s 6,144 CUDA cores offer only a slight improvement over the RTX 4070, maintaining the same 12GB of VRAM but upgrading to GDDR7. Both graphics cards depend on Multi Frame Generation to compete with higher-end models.

At this point, views are split on whether Nvidia’s recent advancements justify a purchase of the RTX 50 series. Games must be compatible with the more robust AI upscaling, which can introduce latency and visual issues. Nonetheless, until the potential arrival of the RTX 5060/5060 Ti in March, the RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti represent the most budget-friendly options for experiencing full DLSS 4 features.

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Tags: DLSS 4, NVIDIA, RTX 5070 Ti
February 10, 2025

Yemen’s Internet Café: A Hub for Gaming and Learning

Mohammed, a committed resident of Yemen, has transformed his love for gaming and education into a vital resource for his community through an internet café called “Power Net.” This establishment serves as a place for both entertainment and learning for the local youth. Even with Yemen’s numerous challenges, such as regular power outages and tough economic conditions, Mohammed’s effort has remained strong for nearly four years.

A Safe Haven for Learning

At Power Net, children don’t just play games; they also participate in free STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) classes, which creates future possibilities in a region that lacks educational resources. Mohammed’s dedication to these classes is evident, as he proudly shares students’ achievements, including receiving STEM certificates, highlighted in some of his Reddit posts.

Challenges Faced by Power Net

Operating the café hasn’t been easy due to persistent power issues. Mohammed often faces power cuts and depends on diesel generators to maintain operations. Rising diesel costs and the constant need for repairs complicate this situation further. His gaming setups, primarily using core i5 4th generation processors paired with 8GB RAM, struggle to run popular titles like Counter-Strike, Rainbow Six Siege, and GTA V on low settings. The unstable electricity supply has also caused hardware failures, such as the breakdown of GPUs like the 1050Ti because of frequent power cycling.

Community Support Makes a Difference

Fortunately, community backing has provided a glimmer of hope. After posting his story on Reddit in the r/pcmasterrace subreddit, Mohammed’s posts gained significant attention. Many people offered assistance, donating UPS devices, solar power systems, and computer components like DDR3 RAM. This generous support has been essential in keeping Power Net operational and has boosted Mohammed’s mission, clearly reflected in the happiness of the children proudly displaying their STEM certificates.

Mohammed’s internet café is more than just a business; it serves as a community center, an educational space, and a beacon of hope for young individuals eager to learn and develop, despite facing adversity. If you are keen on helping Power Net, a friend of Mohammed in the US has created a GoFundMe account for him. All contributions are sent directly to Mohammed’s Western Union account in Yemen, as GoFundMe is currently unavailable there. As of now, over $11,000 has been successfully raised.

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February 10, 2025

PlayStation Plus Compensation for PSN Outage; Monster Hunter Beta Next Week

PlayStation users recently faced nearly a full day of downtime on the PS Network, impacting both multiplayer and many single-player games. As expected, Downdetector received a flood of complaints from frustrated players. However, there appears to be some positive news on the horizon for them.

Compensation for Downtime

To help make up for the disrupted weekends, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has revealed that PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive an extra 5 days of service as compensation. The official announcement did not clarify the exact cause of the downtime, only stating it was due to an “operational issue.” Nevertheless, gamers are still calling for a clearer explanation regarding the incident.

Concerns Over Security

A lot of users are worried about a repeat of the 2011 incident when hackers compromised the PlayStation Network for over 20 days. Fortunately, this does not appear to be the case this time. While occasional DDoS attacks on major online services are quite common, there’s no confirmation available at the moment regarding this situation. In some good news, Capcom is reportedly thinking about reopening the Monster Hunter Wilds beta for about 24 hours next week, which would surely please fans who were impacted by the PSN downtime.

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Tags: Capcom, PlayStation Network, PlayStation Plus
February 9, 2025

February Nintendo Direct Unlikely as Switch 2 Showcase Nears

A February Nintendo Direct has become a bit of a ritual, but whether it will happen this year is still unclear. Nintendo has already announced a Switch 2 presentation set for April 2nd. However, the current lineup of games for the existing console is quite sparse, leaving players eager for updates on Switch titles. Sadly, analyst Nate the Hate, known for his accurate predictions in the past, is now questioning if the next Nintendo Direct will take place this month.

Expectations and Doubts

Last month, both Nate the Hate and various sources were optimistic about a February Nintendo Direct. Nate has successfully predicted events like the launch of the Nintendo Music streaming service. In addition, another well-known leaker, PH Brazil, seemed confident that the company would host one last Switch showcase to help boost their declining sales. Yet, Nate the Hate recently shared on X that he has not received any information confirming the event.

What to Look Forward To

Nintendo usually takes these chances to announce new games or hardware. Although a Switch 2 is scheduled for release in 2025, gamers were hoping for some insights into titles such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. While the game could benefit from the enhanced specs of the Nintendo Switch 2, it was anticipated to remain compatible with the current generation.

Upcoming Events

But gamers shouldn’t be too disappointed since there are still other Nintendo events coming up. Another Pokemon Day is scheduled for February 27th. Fans are eagerly awaiting a potential update for Pokemon Legends: Z-A. The one-year anniversary of the game’s announcement is near, and there have been few details shared since then.

It is still possible for a Nintendo Direct to occur in February. However, as the days go by, Nintendo is really pushing the confirmation of the event to the very last minute this time around.

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Tags: Metroid Prime 4, Nintendo Direct, Switch 2
February 9, 2025

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI: Pricing and Availability Details

Acer has introduced the Predator Helios Neo 16 AI along with the Neo 18 AI. The name indicates that the Neo 16 is the 16-inch variant of its larger sibling, and it can be customized with either RTX 5070 or 5070 Ti graphics options.

Hardware Specifications

The Helios Neo 16 AI comes with base models powered by Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX processors, with high-end versions featuring the 9 275HX. You can upgrade it to a maximum of 64GB of RAM and 2TB (PCIe Gen 4) SSDs. These components will utilize 5th-gen Acer AeroBlade cooling technology and offer DLSS 4 support.

Display Options

Customers can choose the Neo 16 AI with a 2560×1600 OLED display, unlike the miniLED option available in the 18 AI variant. The refresh rate for this display is 240Hz, slightly lower than the 250Hz of the larger model. Interestingly, one of the non-OLED configurations of the 16 AI boasts the highest brightness of the series at 500 nits, compared to 400 nits for the others.

Smart Gaming Features

Acer promises that the Neo 16 AI brings a more intelligent gaming experience, featuring access to Nvidia NIM. This service is designed to help users create virtual assistants, automation tools, or even smart agents to enhance productivity.

The Predator Helios Neo 16 AI, identified as PHN16-73, is expected to launch in North America in April 2025 and in EMEA from May. The starting prices are set at $1,899.99 in the US and €1,799 in Europe.

Alternative Options

For those interested, the non-AI version of the Helios Neo 16 is currently available, starting at $1,334.99, featuring a 165Hz display and RTX 4060 graphics on Amazon.

Acer’s new offerings suggest a strong commitment to enhancing gaming performance and user experience.

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Tags: Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX, Predator Helios Neo 16 AI, RTX 5070
February 9, 2025

Civilization VII VR Coming to Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3

Just a few days ahead of the launch of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, 2K Studios has shared that a VR edition of the strategy game will be coming to the Meta Quest 3 (priced at $499.99 on Amazon) and Quest 3S VR headsets.

Exciting New Features

The title will officially be known as Sid Meier’s Civilization VII – VR, marking the first time this franchise has been introduced for virtual and mixed reality devices. Set for a Spring 2025 release, this game will be exclusive to the two Meta headsets mentioned earlier.

2K Games mentions that gamers can select between a fully immersive VR experience or a mixed reality setting. In the immersive mode, players will engage in gameplay set in a beautifully designed museum while enjoying a view tailored to their chosen leader. Conversely, mixed reality mode allows the command table to adjust to any surface in the player’s real environment.

Diplomatic Interactions

An intriguing aspect of Civilization VII – VR is that players can participate in face-to-face diplomatic sessions with other leaders from around the globe. Additionally, users can access The Archives, a unique area that showcases significant moments and achievements from their civilization as dioramas.

The VR version also has a speedier gameplay default compared to the PC version, enabling players to complete an entire age in one session. Nevertheless, there is the flexibility to adjust the speed according to individual preferences.

Multiplayer Options

Civilization VII – VR will feature both single-player and multiplayer (co-op and competitive) modes. The multiplayer aspect allows interaction with up to three other players using a Quest 3 or Quest 3S headset. In this mode, friends and competitors will appear as their selected world leaders positioned next to the command table.

While 2K Games and Meta have not disclosed the price for Civilization VII – VR yet, players can now wishlist the game on the Meta Horizon Store.

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Tags: 2K Games, Meta Quest 3
February 9, 2025

Zotac Launches RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs for Gamers

Much like the launch of the 30 series in 2020, the new RTX 50 series GPUs are facing serious scalping issues, with large quantities being purchased in mere seconds after they become available. To tackle this problem, Zotac has introduced an interesting approach. However, as of now, this solution is only available to people living in the United States.

Engaging with the Community

Zotac has transformed the process of getting a GeForce RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 into a sort of game. To participate, users must join their Discord server and actively take part in challenges, discussions, and other community events. The more you engage in meaningful ways, the greater your chances of being selected. It’s important to note that this program gives you a chance to buy a graphics card, not to receive one for free.

Fair Purchase Opportunities

Selected participants will have a limited window to buy their new RTX 5090 or RTX 5080. Zotac has also implemented a one-per-household rule to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity. Users caught reselling the GPUs will be disqualified from future raffles. Currently, only GeForce RTX 5080 cards are available, and there is no update on when the RTX 5090 models will be restocked.

Joining Zotac’s Discord

For those interested, joining the Zotac USA Discord is essential to taking part in this unique purchasing opportunity. Users must be prepared to engage actively to increase their chances of being chosen for a chance to buy these in-demand graphics cards.

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Tags: RTX 5080, RTX 5090, Zotac
February 9, 2025

New Civilization 7 Leaders, Civs, and Fourth Atomic Age Found

With downloadable content (DLC) becoming a major focus for game launches, publishers often keep their future intentions secret. Nevertheless, a player seems to have uncovered hints of new leaders, civilizations, and even a fourth age for Civilization 7 within the game files. While this isn’t confirmed, these elements might emerge in the Right to Rule or another yet-to-be-announced expansion. This discovery has upset some gamers who feel such content ought to be included in the main game itself.

Discovering the DLC

The first news of potential Civilization 7 DLC surfaced on the Sid Meier’s Civilization subreddit. An inquisitive user found a file named “Asset cloud.env” located in the game’s installation folder. This file mentions leaders for Civilization 7 such as Sayyida al-Hurra, Edward Teach, and Whina Cooper. Though they might not be widely recognized, those knowledgeable in history can connect them to some of the civilizations included in the file. If this information turns out to be accurate, players could expect the addition of Tonga, Maori, Ottomans, Iceland, and the Pirate Republic into the gameplay.

A New Atomic Age?

Even more intriguingly, the leak hinted at a potential fourth Atomic Age. Currently, Civilization 7 lets players advance through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. However, the end-game feels somewhat lacking compared to earlier installments, particularly regarding technologies from the Cold War. The same Reddit user stumbled across code labeled “age-atomic-shell,” suggesting the introduction of a new era focusing on this tumultuous period in history.

Community Reactions and Concerns

Some Reddit users have voiced their concerns, arguing that many of the new leaders for Civilization 7 might feel misplaced in a fourth Atomic Age. There’s a chance the file might not be complete, or that the leaders and civilizations were discarded during the development process. The official roadmap for Civilization 7 does not mention any of these new leaders or civilizations, but there’s speculation that the Right to Rule DLC could be released as soon as April. Firaxis has not yet provided any details about this upcoming expansion or any further content.

Currently, the launch of Civilization 7 has been somewhat tumultuous, with early access players expressing frustrations over a cumbersome user interface that is supposed to be friendly for the Nintendo Switch. While the number of civilizations and leaders is not a primary issue, gamers are already starting to wonder if the game justifies its price tag.

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Tags: Civilization 7, DLC