Category: Gaming

  • Nvidia Criticized as Snowden Reveals RTX 5080 and 5090 VRAM

    Nvidia Criticized as Snowden Reveals RTX 5080 and 5090 VRAM

    It was always likely that the long-anticipated GeForce 50 series from Nvidia would face a lot of criticism, especially with rumors about high AIB pricing and the usual stock shortages. However, even Jensen Huang might be taken aback by Edward Snowden’s comments on the company and the main specifications of the GeForce RTX 5070, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090.

    Snowden’s Take on Nvidia

    In a post on X, it’s evident that Snowden has a personal stake in the gaming and PC building world and has not been too happy with Team Green’s strategies. The computer security expert expressed disappointment over the VRAM provided for each model, noting that the RTX 5070 has 12 GB, the RTX 5080 features 16 GB, and the RTX 5090 boasts 32 GB of RAM. Snowden seems especially frustrated with the RTX 5080, arguing that the combo of its price ($999) and VRAM is “a monopolistic crime against the consumer.”

    Criticism of Nvidia’s Pricing Strategy

    Ending his strong statement, Snowden accused Nvidia of being overly focused on quarterly earnings, which has led the brand to offer “F-tier value for S-tier prices.” He proposed that the RTX 5080 should have been available in 24 GB and 32 GB versions, while the RTX 5090 ought to have launched with 32 GB and even 48 GB options, or possibly more. Nevertheless, it appears Nvidia will continue to dominate the desktop GPU market until a formidable competitor steps in and promotes a more fair and consumer-friendly environment.

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  • Multiversus Going Offline After Final Season Update

    Player First Games has revealed that Season 5 will be the last content update for MultiVersus. This season commences on February 4, 2025, at 9 a.m. PST and will extend until May 30, 2025. After this date, MultiVersus will be removed from digital stores, and the game will shift to offline-only mode.

    Changes to In-Game Transactions

    Starting January 31, players cannot make real-money purchases, meaning they can no longer buy Gleamium, the currency used in-game. However, any Gleamium or character tokens that players still have can be used to unlock content until Season 5 concludes.

    New Characters and Gameplay

    Season 5 introduces two new characters: Aquaman from DC Comics and Lola Bunny from Looney Tunes. Players can unlock Aquaman at the first tier of the Battle Pass, while Lola Bunny will be accessible as a reward for daily calendar logins. All fresh content will be obtainable through playing the game.

    Offline Play Options

    For those who want to keep playing MultiVersus after the online servers go offline, there’s some good news. Player First Games is providing a way to access offline local play, which allows single-player against A.I. or play with up to three friends. To do this, players need to download the latest game version and log in at least once during Season 5. This action will create a local save file linked to the player’s PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, or Epic Games Store account, ensuring that all earned and purchased content is kept for offline play.

    The Player First Games team shared their appreciation for the community, stating they are “forever grateful” for the support they have received throughout the game’s timeline.

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  • Free Tactical Extraction Shooter Now Available on Steam

    Free Tactical Extraction Shooter Now Available on Steam

    Exfil, a game crafted by Misultin Studios in collaboration with publisher MicroProse Software, made its Early Access debut on December 11, 2024. This launch coincided with the Zone Alpha update, which not only brings a fresh game mode but also expands the selection of weapons. Additionally, there is a free promotion on Steam that will last until February 3.

    Gameplay Overview

    Taking cues from Escape From Tarkov, Exfil opts to minimize the extensive loot grind, focusing instead on teamwork and strategic gameplay. Nevertheless, the traditional extraction gameplay is still essential to the experience. Players can join in teams of up to eight and drop into one of six available maps, engaging in battles to secure mission goals. The game features a vast array of realistic firearms and meticulously designed ballistics that lead to thrilling PvP confrontations. With a dynamic 24-hour day-night cycle and unpredictable weather patterns, teams are required to frequently adjust their tactics.

    Player Reception

    As of the time of this report, Exfil has accumulated 144 reviews on Steam, with a rating of 71% indicating “mostly positive” feedback. Many critiques are directed at the game’s outdated graphics, subpar sound design, and lack of polish in gameplay. Normally, Exfil is priced at $29.99 on Steam; however, it is currently offered at a 20% discount until February 6, lowering the price to $23.99. Despite the negative feedback, enthusiasts of realistic shooters may still find Exfil appealing, particularly since it is free to play until February 3.

    Prices may vary. The promotion was valid at the time this article was written but can be limited by time or availability. All provided information is without guarantee.

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  • Tuning and Street Racing: New Steam Game Revives NFS Underground 2

    Tuning and Street Racing: New Steam Game Revives NFS Underground 2

    The Tokyo Xtreme Racer franchise, created by Genki Co., Ltd., has been a part of gaming for more than 30 years. It first appeared in Japan in 1994 under the name Shutokō Battle and made its way to Western audiences in 1996 as Tokyo Highway Battle. The series gained global fame with the release of Tokyo Xtreme Racer in 1999, but it gradually lost popularity by 2006 after several spin-offs were made for platforms like PS2, PSP, Game Boy Advance, and Xbox 360. Fast forward nearly 20 years, Genki is bringing back the series with a new spin, focusing more on gameplay rather than graphics. The visuals remind players of a title from the PlayStation 2 generation.

    Gameplay Dynamics

    In Tokyo Xtreme Racer, players immerse themselves in the life of a street racer aiming to gain fame on the expressways of Tokyo. The game emphasizes not only speed but also strategic driving. The Spirit Point Battle system introduces a Spirit Point bar for each racer. If a player falls behind or makes errors, their SP bar decreases quicker, while keeping a good lead helps to slow its reduction. When a driver’s SP bar reaches zero, they’re out of the race.

    Community Comparisons

    On Reddit, numerous users compare the revitalized game to the classic Need for Speed: Underground 2, which was released in 2004 and is still celebrated as one of the greatest tuning games. Customization is a significant aspect of Tokyo Xtreme Racer. Players can enhance performance with upgrades like turbo kits, improved gearboxes, and aerodynamic changes that increase speed. Additionally, adjustments to suspension and brakes can improve handling. Players also have the opportunity to customize their vehicles’ looks with body kits, wheels, and unique paint styles.

    Early Access Launch

    Tokyo Xtreme Racer entered Early Access on January 23 and has already garnered over 6,000 reviews, achieving a remarkable 95% “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating. The Early Access version is available on Steam for approximately $30 and presently offers around half of the story, 50 cars, and 180 km of roads to drive on. As of now, a final release date hasn’t been revealed.

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  • GTA 5 Player Count Soars as Fans Anticipate GTA 6 Release Date

    GTA 5 Player Count Soars as Fans Anticipate GTA 6 Release Date

    Since it was unveiled in December 2023, gamers have been eagerly seeking any fresh updates on GTA 6. Despite having an official release window set for fall 2025, specific release dates for GTA 6 are frequently speculated on, only to be dismissed later. This frustration has led fans to turn back to GTA 5, which is currently seeing one of its highest player counts in the last decade.

    Player Count Surge

    As January wraps up, Steam Charts shows that there have been more than 129,000 concurrent players of GTA 5 on average throughout the month. Aside from December 2023, this marks the most successful month for the crime-action adventure game since 2020. The peak player count for January also compares favorably with the best numbers seen during that time. It’s important to note that Steam Charts does not account for player data from Epic Games or console versions of GTA 5.

    The Endurance of GTA 5

    GTA 5 is definitely not the only title to see a spike in popularity before a highly awaited sequel arrives. Nevertheless, the game continues to thrive, thanks in part to its captivating open-world design. The allowance of mods for the single-player campaign also plays a significant role in keeping players hooked. While the original game has stopped receiving new downloadable content, GTA Online still enjoys weekly updates that keep the content fresh.

    Future Prospects and Technical Concerns

    With GTA 5 staying so successful, Rockstar Games doesn’t feel the need to rush out a new installment. Another worry for gamers is how well GTA 6 will perform on Xbox Series X or PS5. The developers have promised that the game will feature large environments with rich textures. Some gamers might stick to GTA 5 if the new consoles struggle with performance, potentially running at a shaky 30 fps. When the game eventually launches for PCs, optimal performance will likely require an expensive graphics card.

    Despite these technical issues, the excitement surrounding GTA 6 isn’t fading. Until the PC release date is announced, GTA 5 will likely continue to be a major draw on Steam.

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    GTA 5 Player Count Soars as Fans Anticipate GTA 6 Release Date
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  • EA Relaunches The Sims 1 and 2 for PC – Exciting News!

    EA Relaunches The Sims 1 and 2 for PC – Exciting News!

    As mentioned earlier this week, EA has brought back the first two versions of its life simulation games, The Sims and The Sims 2. This release celebrates the 25th anniversary of the franchise, and players can now buy these games for PC (Windows 10 and Windows 11).

    Game Pricing and Bundles

    EA is offering these games under the titles The Sims: Legacy Collection and The Sims 2: Legacy Collection for $19.99 and $29.99, respectively. Customers also have the option to purchase both games as a bundle for $39.99, which saves them $10. This bundle includes the main games along with several expansion packs (7 for The Sims 1 and 17 for The Sims 2) and The Sims 4 (which was initially free) along with two fashion kits for The Sims 4.

    Availability and Membership Perks

    The games are currently available for purchase through the EA app, Epic Games Store, and Steam. Additionally, those with an EA Play Pro membership on the EA App will have unlimited access to both The Sims: Legacy Collection and The Sims 2: Legacy Collection starting from January 31st.

    System Requirements

    For anyone wanting to play these Sims games, the minimum PC requirements include having a PC that runs Windows 10 or newer; an Intel Core i3 3220, Ryzen 3 1200, or AMD FX6300 processor; a graphics card like NVIDIA GTX 600, AMD Radeon HD 7000, or Intel HD Graphics 620; plus 4GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.

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  • Nintendo Switch 2 Leak Reveals Bigger Game Cases

    Nintendo Switch 2 Leak Reveals Bigger Game Cases

    Switch retail boxes have long been mocked for their large size compared to the tiny cartridges they hold. If recent rumors about the upcoming Switch 2 are correct, it seems Nintendo won’t be reducing the size of its game boxes again.

    Leak Origins

    The speculation started when a game listing for Switch 2 appeared on Fnac, a French electronics retailer. Brazilian site Universo Nintendo, through Felipe Lima, shared a diagram on X that detailed the estimated dimensions of the new cases. Measuring 19.5cm/7.7in by 13cm/5.1in, these cases would be over an inch longer and wider than the original Switch boxes. This means that both gamers and retailers may need to create extra space for the Switch 2 cases.

    Community Reactions

    Soon after the Switch 2 information spread, full-color comparisons began popping up on Reddit. It’s clear that both eco-conscious folks and those living in small apartments would not be thrilled about such excessive plastic use.

    While Microsoft and Sony are leaning more towards digital gaming, there’s no sign that Nintendo plans to move away from physical formats. With newer games taking up more storage, many fans are hoping for an update regarding the Switch 2’s game medium. Still, an older Nintendo patent showed a new cartridge design that closely resembles the current ones. The company has also confirmed that the Switch 2 will support backward compatibility with previous-generation cartridges.

    Anticipated Details

    The official trailer for the Switch 2 confirmed earlier rumors of a larger screen. Yet, unless the cartridge slot and the cartridges themselves are also larger, it doesn’t clarify the reason behind the oversized game boxes. Theories on Reddit speculate various reasons, from including manuals to making it tougher to steal the cases. Regardless, the upcoming Nintendo Direct on April 2nd should shed light on the Switch 2’s specifications and potential cartridge details.

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    Nintendo Switch 2 Leak Reveals Bigger Game Cases
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  • Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Rumors Emerge After Miyoo Flip Launch

    Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Rumors Emerge After Miyoo Flip Launch

    The handheld gaming market is full of choices today. Anbernic leads the way with a steady stream of new handheld gaming devices, while Powkiddy and a few others also manage to roll out several new models each year.

    Retroid’s Recent Releases

    On the other hand, Retroid has cut back on the number of releases it offers each year, launching only a few new devices. In 2024, for instance, the company introduced the Pocket 5 and Pocket Mini, which serve as updates to the Pocket 4 and Pocket 4 Pro that came out nearly a year before.

    Speculations about New Devices

    As per Joey’s Retro Handhelds, a new version of the Retroid Pocket Flip is in the works, which the YouTuber has dubbed the Pocket Flip 2. Currently, there is no information available on the specifications of this anticipated device, nor on how Retroid plans to differentiate it from the earlier model.

    Performance Expectations

    However, the original Pocket Flip is powered by a Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset, hinting that its successor will likely outperform rivals like the Miyoo Flip or the Anbernic RG35XX SP, which is currently priced at $76.99 on Amazon. The new RG34XX SP is also expected to offer performance that sits somewhere between the Rockchip RK3566 and the Unisoc Tiger T618.

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  • 3DMark Adds DLSS 4 Benchmarks for Nvidia RTX 50 Series

    3DMark Adds DLSS 4 Benchmarks for Nvidia RTX 50 Series

    Most people looking to buy a Nvidia RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 are having a tough time finding them available. For those who are lucky enough to get their hands on one of these graphics cards, 3DMark is here to help you see if the struggle was worth it. UL Benchmarks has recently shared that its well-known GPU testing tool now includes support for Nvidia DLSS 4. This new multi-frame generation feature is exclusive to the RTX 50 series, but it also offers advantages for older Nvidia graphics cards.

    Evaluating Gaming Performance

    3DMark is frequently used by gamers to assess their gaming setups and compare their scores with others who have similar hardware. UL Benchmarks collaborated closely with Nvidia to create a fresh version of the Port Royal test. The benchmark runs through two passes: first, it tests without any DLSS features. Next, it turns on DLSS, which allows for graphics to be processed at lower resolutions, then uses AI technology to enhance them to higher resolutions. After the test, a comprehensive report is generated, detailing the results, including framerates.

    Benefits of DLSS 4

    The main reason for the expected performance improvements in the RTX 50 series is DLSS 4’s multi-frame generation. However, if games do not support Nvidia’s technology, those with RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 cards might find that the upgrade isn’t as significant as they hoped. Nevertheless, many of the advanced DLSS 4 functions are compatible with the RTX 30 and RTX 40 series, featuring enhancements like Ray Reconstruction for better Ray Tracing and Super Resolution options. With the revamped 3DMark Port Royal test, gamers have the choice to enable DLSS 4, DLSS 3, or DLSS 2 based on their GPU.

    Exploring DLSS 4’s Full Potential

    To explore DLSS 4’s capabilities, users of 3DMark can switch between different frame generation settings such as 2x, 3x, and 4x. This GPU benchmarking tool is designed to be future-ready, supporting resolutions from Full HD all the way up to 8K.

    While gamers can access a free demo of 3DMark, the paid version is required to achieve more detailed benchmarks. If you bought the software on or after January 8th, 2019, you will be able to use the DLSS 4 update.

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    3DMark Adds DLSS 4 Benchmarks for Nvidia RTX 50 Series
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  • Miyoo Flip V2 Refresh Launching Sooner Than Expected

    Miyoo Flip V2 Refresh Launching Sooner Than Expected

    The Miyoo Flip has been in development for quite a while. Information about this device was first shared nearly a year ago. At that point, early leaks showed a prototype that had a similar operating system experience to the retail versions, which only began shipping last month.

    Development Timeline

    This long wait suggests that Miyoo had actually been working on its RG35XX SP competitor for an extended period, likely starting in 2023. In comparison, Anbernic launched the RG35XX SP just two months after the initial leak revealed the device.

    Future Updates

    While the Miyoo Flip took a substantial amount of time to reach consumers, Joey’s Retro Handhelds has reported that a V2 model is currently being developed. Unfortunately, the YouTuber hasn’t disclosed what specific improvements are expected for the Miyoo Flip V2. Some anticipated changes might include a better hinge design and a brighter screen, both of which have been noted as weaknesses in various early reviews.

    According to Joey’s Retro Handhelds, Miyoo aims to release the Flip V2 by next month. However, the YouTuber points out in the video linked below that the numerous delays of the original model’s launch could make a February release seem overly optimistic. At this point, there are no further details available, nor has Miyoo officially acknowledged that a new version is in progress.

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