Category: Gaming

  • GOG Offers Popular Strategy Game Free for Limited Time Only

    GOG Offers Popular Strategy Game Free for Limited Time Only

    Wiggles, initially known as Diggles: The Myth of Fenris, is a real-time strategy game that became a retro classic when it was launched in 2001. Players control a clan of dwarfs and work to create an underground settlement. You need to construct production buildings, gather resources, and finish various missions.

    Search for Fenris

    The main story focuses on the quest for Fenris, the escaped hellhound belonging to the Norse god Odin. Players dig through different levels with their dwarf clan, uncovering new territories and solving puzzles to track down Odin’s pet.

    Dwarves with Skills

    Throughout the game, players can train and specialize their dwarfs as blacksmiths, cooks, or warriors. Additionally, there’s a detailed technology tree that lets players develop new structures, tools, and weapons. While Wiggles might not look impressive by current standards, it still holds a special place in the hearts of players for its vibrant game world.

    On Steam, Wiggles is priced at about $8 and has received positive feedback, boasting an 88 percent approval rating from over 500 reviews. Until November 18 at 3 pm (CET), gamers can snag the retro strategy game for free on GOG.

    Pricing Notes

    Prices can change at any time. The offer was valid when this article was published, but it may be temporary or have limited availability. All details are provided without any guarantees.

    Source: Link

  • Get 6 Popular Games in Telltale Collection Humble Bundle for $12

    Get 6 Popular Games in Telltale Collection Humble Bundle for $12

    Humble Bundle frequently offers new collections and discounts, making it a fantastic chance for gamers who wish to grow their library or grab several games at lower costs.

    Telltale Collection Highlights

    This time, Humble Bundle presents a Telltale Collection, featuring well-known titles such as The Walking Dead, Batman, and others. Similar to other games from this developer, the selections in this bundle adopt the choose-your-own-adventure format.

    If you’re not aware of the Telltale series, these games are produced by Telltale Games, a studio that specializes in episodic adventure games. As the name implies, these titles emphasize storytelling more than gameplay mechanics. Some of the most recognized games include Batman: The Telltale Series and The Wolf Among Us.

    Collection Details

    Here’s what’s included in Humble Bundle’s Telltale Collection:

    You can pick between two options: the 8-item bundle or the 6-item bundle. The pricing for both choices is as follows:

    If you opt for the 6-item bundle, you will miss out on The Expanse: A Telltale Series and The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series. On the other hand, the 8-item bundle starts at $12. If you decide to contribute more, the extra money will go to the Humble community and Save the Children charity.

    Is It Worth It?

    For fans of story-centric games, this Humble Bundle could be a good investment. For just $12, you receive 6 games and 2 DLCs, which feature popular titles like The Walking Dead, Batman, and The Wolf Among Us. Even if you’re only keen on a few of the games, it’s still a better deal than purchasing them separately. Plus, your purchase helps support a charitable cause!

    However, it’s important to think about whether narrative-focused games appeal to you. If you lean towards open-world or high-speed action games, Telltale’s gameplay might not captivate you. We recommend doing a bit of research to see if these titles pique your interest.

    In conclusion, this bundle is a great offer for those who love narrative adventures or anyone curious to explore Telltale’s distinctive gaming approach.

    Source: Link

  • Reasons Samsung Phones Struggle with Gaming Performance

    Reasons Samsung Phones Struggle with Gaming Performance

    Samsung’s Galaxy series of smartphones is often seen as one of the best options in the Android space. They boast stunning screens, impressive cameras, and a dependable software environment.

    Gaming Experience

    Despite their strengths, the gaming performance on these devices isn’t always perfect. Although Samsung phones have noteworthy capabilities, there are elements to take into account that may affect your choice, especially when looked at alongside other brands.

    This piece looks into the reasons why gaming on Samsung smartphones might not be as satisfactory. It’s crucial to understand that these aren’t significant problems, but rather aspects where other brands may currently have an advantage.

    Thermal Management

    A major issue for mobile gamers is thermal throttling. When a smartphone works hard for long periods, such as during high-intensity gaming, it produces a lot of heat. Without proper heat control, this can cause performance to drop as the device reduces its processing speed to avert overheating.

    Some Chinese manufacturers have developed clever cooling systems to combat this problem. These solutions can include vapor chambers, multi-layer graphite sheets, and even special cooling fans found in certain gaming phones.

    While Samsung does implement thermal management methods, they may not be as effective as those in some rival devices. This might result in more frequent thermal throttling on Samsung phones during high-demand games, leading to frame rate reductions and a less enjoyable gaming experience.

  • ViewSonic Unveils 27″ 4K 165Hz QD-MiniLED Monitor with 1200 Nits

    ViewSonic Unveils 27″ 4K 165Hz QD-MiniLED Monitor with 1200 Nits

    ViewSonic has introduced a new 27-inch gaming monitor named the VX2700-4K-Pro in the Chinese marketplace. The monitor was initially revealed earlier this year and is now officially available for purchase. Its price is set at 3,299 Yuan ($456) and can be found on JD.com.

    Specifications of the ViewSonic VX2700-4K-Pro

    The VX2700-4K-Pro includes a QD-MiniLED panel that incorporates 1152 local dimming zones and 4608 MiniLED lights. This setup enhances the precision of backlighting while minimizing halo effects. The monitor has a 27-inch 4K Ultra HD display with a resolution of 3840×2160 and a refresh rate of 165Hz, which guarantees smooth gaming experiences with vibrant clarity.

    Advanced Technology for Gamers

    Equipped with the latest AUO Fast IPS technology, this monitor boasts a quick 1ms GTG response time, making it suitable for fast-paced gaming while reducing motion blur. It is VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certified, achieving peak brightness of 1200 nits and a contrast ratio of a million to one, providing remarkable color depth and detail in both bright and dark scenes. The screen also supports 10-bit color depth and offers professional-level color accuracy with ΔE<1, covering 98% of the DCI-P3 gamut, 100% sRGB, and 93% AdobeRGB.

    Connectivity and Ergonomics

    The VX2700-4K-Pro also offers a range of connectivity options, including dual HDMI 2.1 ports, dual DisplayPort 1.4, and a full-function USB-C port that supports 96W power delivery for charging laptops and data transfer. Ergonomically designed, it includes tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, along with a 100mm x 100mm VESA mount for added flexibility.

    Gaming Features

    For gamers, this monitor incorporates adaptive sync technology, which supports both FreeSync and G-Sync to prevent tearing and stuttering. It features advanced gaming modes such as Night Vision, Cat Eye, and Black Stabilizer to improve visibility in darker scenes. Additionally, the monitor has PIP/PBP functionality, allowing users to multitask by displaying inputs from two devices at once.

    Built-in Tools and Console Support

    This monitor also includes built-in features like Hawk Eye mode for zooming in on distant objects, customizable on-screen settings, and durable build quality with smart cable management. It supports 4K@120Hz, making it compatible with gaming consoles like the PS5 and Xbox.

    In other news, ViewSonic has recently launched the LX700-4K RGB laser projector in India, which features 4K resolution and a refresh rate of 240Hz.


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  • Raspberry Pi 5 Runs Doom Eternal in 4K with AMD GPU

    Raspberry Pi 5 Runs Doom Eternal in 4K with AMD GPU

    Raspberry has unveiled the Pi 5, equipped with the Broadcom BCM2712 SoC, which features a quad-core ARM CPU alongside the VideoCore VII GPU. By itself, this single-board computer (SBC) does a decent job of emulating classic games, but it struggles to run contemporary AAA titles at playable frame rates.

    Improved Performance with a GPU

    The situation improves significantly when the Raspberry Pi 5 is used with a good discrete GPU, like the Radeon RX 6700 XT. Jeff Geerling recently demonstrated that, in this setup, the SBC can handle Doom Eternal, a AAA game from 2020, at 4K resolution. While the frame rates fluctuated quite a bit, reducing the resolution to 1080p allowed the setup to achieve over 30 FPS.

    CPU Limitations

    According to Geerling, even at the 4K resolution, the GPU was hardly being pushed, whereas the CPU was maxed out. This indicates that the CPU is the limiting factor, suggesting that the Raspberry Pi 5 could have provided better gaming performance if the SoC were slightly more robust.

    Capable of Older Titles

    On a brighter note, the SBC managed to run older games like Doom 3 from 2004 and SuperTuxKart from 2007 at 4K with 60 FPS, thanks to the support for RX 6000 and RX 7000 GPU drivers that the Raspberry Pi 5 (starter kit available on Amazon) now has.

    In addition to gaming, the new Radeon drivers offer hardware video transcoding capabilities. However, support for LLM acceleration is still absent, and Geerling mentions that AMD ROCm won’t be available for ARM systems in the near future. He has also tested other titles, including Forza Horizon 4, Crysis Remastered, and Red Dead Redemption 2. The Pi fan even experimented with the Radeon Pro W7700. You can view the results in the video linked below.

    Source: Link

  • RedMagic 10 Pro+ Beats Snapdragon 8 Elite in AnTuTu Benchmark

    RedMagic 10 Pro+ Beats Snapdragon 8 Elite in AnTuTu Benchmark

    Nubia has recently launched the RedMagic 10 Pro series, with the non-Plus model set to hit the global market on December 3. Before its debut in China, AnTuTu discovered the Pro+ variant in its records, achieving a record-breaking score. Shortly after the Chinese premiere, the Snapdragon 8 Elite gaming phone reappeared, boasting an impressive score that broke charts.

    Performance Metrics

    Yet, when compared to its previous score, this one is slightly lower, sitting at 3,102,960 points. For reference, prior to its launch, the RedMagic 10 Pro+ had been recorded with a score of 3,116,126 points, marking a high benchmark. Both scores are noteworthy, exceeding the average performance of the OnePlus 13 in the last flagship standings.

    Expected Results

    Naturally, the high score from the RedMagic 10 Pro+ was somewhat anticipated. This is largely due to its combination of the Snapdragon 8 Elite and an active cooling system, a feature not found in many other flagship devices. Additionally, Nubia’s latest gaming phone benefits from UFS 4.1 Pro storage, which offers faster performance than the UFS 4.0 storage seen in competing models.

    Optimizations and Comparisons

    As a gaming phone, it also features several optimizations that may have played a role in achieving such a high score on AnTuTu. It will be fascinating to see how the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro stacks up against the RedMagic 10 Pro+, as that device also utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Elite, albeit without an active cooling solution.

    Source: Link,Link


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  • LG UltraGear OLED 27GX790A Monitor: 480Hz, DisplayPort 2.1

    LG UltraGear OLED 27GX790A Monitor: 480Hz, DisplayPort 2.1

    LG has introduced a new OLED model in its UltraGear monitor lineup. This year, the company has released several W-OLED gaming monitors in different sizes, refresh rates, and resolutions, including the impressive UltraGear OLED 45GS96QB. Now, they are adding the UltraGear OLED 27GX790A to their collection, but for now, it’s only available in the US.

    Specifications and Features

    As the name implies, this monitor features a 27-inch display, similar to the UltraGear OLED 27GS95QE. However, the UltraGear OLED 27GX790A boasts a resolution of 1440p and an incredible refresh rate of 480 Hz, which is double the speed of the UltraGear OLED 27GS95QE in this aspect. LG has used the same panel that Asus and Sony incorporate in their ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP and Inzone M10S, which is currently priced at $1,099.99 on Amazon.

    Unique Connectivity

    What sets LG’s monitor apart from the other two is its inclusion of an 80 Gbps-capable DisplayPort 2.1 port (UHBR20). This theoretically enables the UltraGear OLED 27GX790A to deliver an uncompressed 1440p resolution at 480 Hz. Unfortunately, there are no consumer graphics cards currently available that can utilize the full potential of DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20.

    Performance Insights

    Due to this limitation, the UltraGear OLED 27GX790A must rely on Display Stream Compression (DSC) and DisplayPort 1.4 to achieve 480 Hz at 1440p. Nevertheless, this new monitor seems to be on par with its competitors, featuring 0.03 ms GtG response times and a full panel brightness of 275 nits. Presently, the UltraGear OLED 27GX790A is exclusively sold on LG’s website, priced at $999.99, which is $100 more than the UltraGear OLED 27GS95QE.

    Source: Link,Link,Link


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  • Xbox App Receives UI Overhaul for Windows Gaming Handhelds

    Xbox App Receives UI Overhaul for Windows Gaming Handhelds

    Microsoft appears to have finally acknowledged the competition in the gaming arena. They recently confirmed they are developing a handheld gaming device and are now working to enhance the Xbox app experience across multiple gaming platforms. An update is being rolled out for the Xbox App on Windows, introducing a new Home experience and a Compact mode designed for handheld devices, which seems to be heavily influenced by Valve’s Steam Deck.

    Home Layout and Compact Mode

    The most significant changes come from the redesigned Home layout and the introduction of Compact mode, which features a new function called “Jump Back In.” This new ribbon showcases recent games, much like the Recent Games section found in Steam Deck’s SteamOS and Steam Big Picture. When Compact mode is activated, this section appears in the upper half of the Xbox App for Windows. This update aims to simplify returning to your most recently played games on devices like the Asus ROG Ally (currently priced at $499 at Best Buy).

    Enhanced Navigation and Features

    The revamped Home UI for the Xbox app on Windows now includes a clean column of icons and shortcuts on the left side of the screen, enhancing navigation on smaller displays. Additionally, the update brings news and suggested content from Game Pass and the Xbox Store directly into the Home UI, again borrowing ideas from the SteamOS framework.

    The new Home experience combines the latest and most exciting content from Game Pass and the Store into one easy-to-access location. Users will also find access to the latest games, news, tailored recommendations, free-to-play offerings, and special deals.

    Competition with Valve

    Valve has also stirred things up with recent SteamOS updates that improved compatibility with the Asus ROG Ally’s display and button setups. The company has declared that SteamOS will eventually be downloadable as an ISO for other AMD-based gaming systems and handheld PCs, which predominantly operate on Windows—an operating system often criticized for its inadequate handheld optimizations. With Microsoft’s handheld-oriented updates, it seems that both Valve and Microsoft are in a direct competition, aiming to create a widely available handheld operating system.

    For comprehensive details on the November Xbox App update, including a new friend request feature and AI-powered search, you can check the full notes here.

    Source: Link


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  • Red Magic 10 Pro: Top Gaming Phone with 144Hz Display & Cooling

    Red Magic 10 Pro: Top Gaming Phone with 144Hz Display & Cooling

    Red Magic 10 Pro is a state-of-the-art gaming phone that mixes speed, strength, and creativity, creating a fresh benchmark in mobile gaming tech. Designed for users who expect only the best, this phone provides an outstanding gaming and multitasking experience. You can find it now on Geekwills starting at a price of $899.

    Impressive Look and Display

    The Red Magic 10 Pro has a stylish design, which comes in Black and Transparent options. It features a 6.85-inch AMOLED Full HD+ display that offers vibrant images, boasting a 144Hz refresh rate and a remarkable 960Hz touch sampling rate for super-smooth action. With a peak brightness of 2000 nits, 10-bit color depth, and a full DCI-P3 color gamut, you will appreciate vibrant colors and sharp details, whether you’re gaming, watching videos, or surfing the web.

    Unrivaled Performance

    This device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Octa-core chip running at 4.32GHz, coupled with the Adreno 830 GPU, ensuring super-fast performance. With 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and storage options of up to 512GB using UFS 4.0 Pro, you have the capability and space for all your apps, games, and media. The phone operates on Red Magic OS 10.0, a gaming-focused custom user interface designed for optimal performance and smooth multitasking.

    Cutting-Edge Gaming Features

    Engineered for gamers, the Red Magic 10 Pro is equipped with dual 520Hz touch-sensitive shoulder buttons for accurate controls and supports multi-finger gestures. The ICE 13.5 Liquid-Cooling Technology keeps the phone cool during extended gaming periods, thanks to its advanced 10-layer cooling system and a high-speed fan that operates at 22,000 rpm.

    Outstanding Camera Capabilities

    This smartphone comes with a triple rear camera arrangement featuring two 50MP sensors for standard and ultra-wide images, alongside a 2MP macro lens. A 16MP under-display front camera takes beautiful selfies and allows for clear video calls.

    Long-lasting Battery with Quick Charging

    Outfitted with a powerful 6500mAh battery, the Red Magic 10 Pro offers lengthy gaming and usage periods. Its 80W fast charging feature recharges the phone from 0% to 100% in only 35 minutes.

    Key Specifications:

    • Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite (4.32GHz), Adreno 830 GPU
    • Display: 6.85-inch AMOLED FHD+, 144Hz refresh rate, 2000 nits brightness
    • Storage: 12GB RAM + 256GB/512GB storage
    • Cameras: 50MP (main) + 50MP (ultrawide) + 2MP (macro); 16MP front
    • Cooling: ICE 13.5 liquid-cooling with 10 layers and high-speed fan
    • Battery: 6500mAh, 80W fast charging
    • Gaming Features: 520Hz shoulder keys, Red Magic OS 10.0
    • Audio: Dual stereo speakers, 96kHz lossless audio

    The Red Magic 10 Pro represents the pinnacle of gaming smartphones, merging high-quality hardware with cutting-edge features. Whether you’re an avid gamer or a multitasking expert, this phone is crafted to provide an unparalleled mobile experience.


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  • Xbox Early Black Friday Deals: Huge Discounts on Games for PC & Xbox

    Xbox Early Black Friday Deals: Huge Discounts on Games for PC & Xbox

    Microsoft has kicked off its Xbox Black Friday deals almost two weeks ahead of the big shopping event. The range of discounts includes exciting offers on some top games currently on Xbox, whether you prefer classic strategy titles, blockbuster AAA games, or indie gems that have built a loyal fanbase.

    Highlights of the Sale

    The Xbox Black Friday sale features a wide array of games, with many seeing discounts of up to 85%. A significant number of these titles are exclusively available for the Xbox Series S (starting at $299.99 on Amazon) and Series X (beginning at $448 on Amazon) consoles.

    Important Note

    It’s worth noting that Notebookcheck cannot be held liable for any price changes made by retailers. The prices or deals mentioned here were accurate at the time of writing, but they may change over time or have limited availability.