Category: Gaming

March 14, 2024
2024 Summer Game Fest on June 7: Big Game Announcements Await
The Summer Game Fest (SGF) will make its return to Los Angeles on June 7th, 2024. Industry veteran Geoff Keighley, renowned for hosting numerous game conferences, will lead this two-hour event, promising an exciting display of upcoming games to captivate players globally.
Sony's SGF Announcements in 2023
In 2023, Sony made waves at SGF by unveiling titles like Spider-Man 2 and FF7 Rebirth. The absence of E3 has created a gap for significant gaming reveals, a gap that SGF has admirably filled. Last year's festival showcased over 30 games, including 7 world premieres such as "Sonic: Superstar," "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown," and "Obide," igniting anticipation among gamers worldwide.
Key Platform for Major Publishers
SGF has evolved into a pivotal stage for major publishers like Sony. Notably, titles like "Marvel’s Spider-Man 2" and "Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth" announced their release dates at the event, underscoring Sony’s substantial investment in SGF. Although these games could have debuted at a dedicated Sony press conference, the broader audience reach of SGF was preferred.
Unveiling Major Announcements
Beyond release dates, SGF is renowned for launching significant announcements. Trailers for highly awaited games such as "Death Stranding Director’s Cut" and "Elden Ring" premiered at SGF, solidifying its status as a must-see event. As the upcoming Summer Game Fest 2024 approaches, gamers can anticipate another thrilling night packed with world premieres, and hopefully, a groundbreaking announcement that will propel everyone through the remainder of the year. The excitement is palpable as we await what's in store!
Tags: Summer Game Fest
March 14, 2024
Google DeepMind’s SIMA: Your New In-Game Teammate Training Guide
Get ready for a novel gaming companion! Google DeepMind has unveiled SIMA, a sophisticated language model undergoing training to serve as your in-game partner. Is this the true purpose of AI? It seems like a fitting role.
SIMA, short for “Scalable, Instructable, Multiworld Agent,” is currently in the developmental stages but holds the promise of transforming our gaming experiences. Unlike conventional AI companions, SIMA transcends the typical NPC character archetype. This model is crafted to be a collaborative teammate, capable of comprehending your actions and adjusting its own responses accordingly. Envision having a cooperative partner in Borderlands who allows you to loot first before claiming items themselves. The prospect is undeniably exciting.
AI Gaming Evolution
To achieve this level of interaction, SIMA leverages a blend of natural language processing and image recognition. This fusion enables it to perceive the 3D gaming environment and react to your commands and movements. Google has collaborated with eight game developers, including studios responsible for popular titles like No Man’s Sky and Valheim, to train this AI teammate.
Training and Future Prospects
Through these partnerships, SIMA is mastering the basics of gameplay—from simple tasks like turning or climbing to navigating menus and maps. While more intricate activities such as resource collection and constructing camps currently lie beyond its capabilities, Google anticipates a significant expansion of SIMA’s skill set in the near future. Gamers may soon find themselves with a Google AI companion ready to fill that elusive third slot in their Apex Legends Lobby.
Tags: game development, Google DeepMind
March 12, 2024
Play Xbox Game Pass on Smartphone with Boosteroid – Now Available
Xbox has collaborated with Boosteroid, a cloud gaming platform, to expand access to Xbox PC games to a wider audience. This joint venture, revealed in the previous year, is now introducing a fresh collection of PC games to Boosteroid’s repertoire, which includes popular titles such as “Deathloop”, the “Dishonored” series, “Gears 5”, “Ghostwire: Tokyo”, and “Pentiment”. This advancement enables gamers to enjoy these games on their smartphones and tablets.
Easy Access to Xbox PC Games
To engage in these games on Boosteroid, gamers must possess the game via the Microsoft Store, which can be obtained through a PC Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, or a direct purchase. By subscribing to Boosteroid, players can log in, pick their desired Xbox game from the Boosteroid library, and immediately start playing. This feature facilitates gaming across various platforms like PCs, smartphones, and tablets, incorporating functionalities such as cross-play and cross-save compatibility with Xbox consoles and Windows PCs.
Gaming Flexibility and Convenience
Boosteroid offers the advantage of playing games on diverse devices without the need for a high-performance PC or extensive storage capacity. By utilizing remote servers to operate the games and stream them to users’ devices, Boosteroid empowers individuals to play demanding games on less sophisticated hardware. To leverage Boosteroid, a stable internet connection and a subscription are essential.
Xbox’s Vision for Inclusive Gaming
The collaboration with Boosteroid aligns with Xbox’s overarching mission to democratize gaming and provide a plethora of options for playing games. Xbox is actively partnering with various cloud gaming services globally, including EE, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Nware, and Ubitus, to enable game streaming from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard.
Tags: video game accessibility, Xbox Acquisition, Xbox Cloud Gaming
March 11, 2024
AOC Unveils 27B35H: Affordable 27″ 100Hz FHD Gaming Monitor in China
AOC has broadened its gaming monitor selection in the Chinese market by introducing the 27B35H, a competitively priced model that maintains high performance and features. Priced at 599 yuan (approximately $84), this monitor is now accessible on JD.com. Let’s delve into its essential specifications.
AOC 27B35H Specifications:
The 27-inch display of the monitor presents a Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. Featuring an IPS panel, it delivers wide viewing angles of 178°, ensuring consistent color accuracy and image quality.
Enhanced Performance:
Operating at a 100Hz refresh rate, this monitor guarantees smooth and seamless control, suitable for gaming and everyday use. This upgrade from the standard 60Hz provides a more fluid experience during high-motion game scenes or web page browsing.
Color Depth and Contrast:
Supporting 16.7 million colors with an 8-bit color depth, the monitor facilitates finer color transitions and diminishes color banding. It showcases a static contrast ratio of 1000:1 and a dynamic contrast ratio of 20 million:1, enhancing image quality with deeper blacks and brighter whites.
Advanced Technologies:
Equipped with Adaptive-Sync technology, the 27B35H minimizes screen tearing and stuttering by synchronizing the display’s refresh rate with a compatible graphics card’s output. Additionally, ClearVision image enhancement technology sharpens images for clearer, more defined visuals.
Comfort and Connectivity:
To ensure a comfortable viewing experience, the monitor integrates blue light filtering and flicker-free technologies, aiming to reduce eye strain during extended use. It offers standard connectivity with one HDMI and one VGA port, along with rotation adjustment for finding the perfect viewing angle.
Additional Features:
At the rear, a standard 100x100mm wall mount hole simplifies mounting. The monitor supports DCB color enhancement technology, enabling users to switch between various color modes. Notably, the 27B35H is packaged using more eco-friendly materials like folded paper and paper-plastic instead of traditional Polylong foam.
Tags: Gaming Monitor
March 11, 2024
ViewSonic Introduces New Optiquest 31.5-inch Curved Display
ViewSonic has extended its streak of monitor releases with the launch of the latest Optiquest 31.5-inch curved monitor. This new display can now be purchased in China through JD.com, offering an appealing combination of features and affordability suitable for both gamers and general users.
Specifications of the ViewSonic Optiquest 31.5-inch monitor
The ViewSonic Optiquest features a 2560×1440 resolution (2K) Fast VA screen obtained from CSOT. With a rapid 165Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time, this display ensures smooth visuals for users. The immersive experience is heightened by the 1500R curvature, while HDR10 and Adaptive-Sync technologies support vibrant colors and eliminate screen tearing and stuttering during gameplay.
Features and Design
This monitor boasts a brightness of 300 nits and an 85% NTSC color gamut coverage. Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate the added gaming crosshair feature, aiding in precision in fast-paced games. To reduce eye strain during extended use, eye-care features such as a blue light filter and a flicker-free screen are incorporated, making it suitable for everyday usage.
Connectivity and Versatility
The ViewSonic Optiquest comes with a Y-shaped metal base and a stand that allows for both horizontal and vertical rotation, catering to various setup preferences. It offers ample connectivity options with 2 HDMI 2.0 and 1 DP1.2 interface.
Pricing and Availability
As of now, the ViewSonic Optiquest 31.5-inch curved monitor is available on JD.com for an initial price of 1,149 yuan. While its availability in the global market has not been officially announced by the company, the monitor’s features and pricing position it as a strong contender in its category.
Tags: Gaming Monitor, ViewSonic
March 11, 2024
Epic Games Developer Account Reinstated by Apple After EU Intervention
In a notable development amid the legal conflict between Epic Games and Apple, the tech giant has reinstated Epic Games’ developer account. This decision by Apple follows prompt intervention from the European Commission, marking a pivotal moment in the dispute that has persisted since 2020.
A Breakthrough in a Long-Standing Dispute
Since 2020, Epic and Apple have been embroiled in a legal battle. Epic Games accused Apple of violating U.S. antitrust laws by imposing fees of up to 30% on in-app purchases made on its iOS devices. Despite Epic’s attempts to contest Apple’s regulations, the court ruled against them. Epic’s intentional breach of Apple’s rules led to the gaming company being barred from Apple’s devices.
Regulatory Influence and Reinstatement
Recent events saw Apple initially preventing Epic Games from launching its online marketplace and reintroducing Fortnite in Europe. However, pressure from European regulators and the enforcement of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) caused Apple to reverse its decision.
The DMA, which prohibits Apple and Google from controlling app distribution on devices with iOS and Android operating systems, played a vital role in Apple’s compliance. The involvement of the European Commission prompted Apple to restore Epic’s developer account, enabling them to operate their game store in Europe and bring Fortnite back to iOS devices in the region.
Implications and Outlook
The reinstatement carries broader significance, indicating a shift in Apple’s App Store business model and showcasing the effectiveness of regulatory bodies such as the European Commission in holding tech giants accountable. Epic Games and the EU’s industry chief, Thierry Breton, have both expressed contentment with Apple’s decision, stressing the importance of upholding DMA regulations.
Epic Games CEO, Tim Sweeney, welcomed the restoration of the developer account, interpreting it as a positive signal to developers regarding DMA enforcement. Apple, upon confirming the decision, mentioned that Epic has agreed to abide by DMA policies, leading to the reinstatement of their developer agreement.
Looking forward, Epic Games is gearing up to move ahead with its initiatives to launch the Epic Games Store and Fortnite on iOS devices in Europe, marking a significant advancement in resolving the discord between the two entities.
The reinstatement of Epic Games’ developer account by Apple, following EU involvement, signifies a breakthrough in the ongoing legal saga, highlighting the impact of regulatory supervision in the tech sector.
Tags: Apple, Epic Games Store, Legal dispute
March 11, 2024
Dareu unveils A980Pro & A980ProMax 8K gaming mice with 0.85″ TFT display in China
Dareu, a gaming peripherals manufacturer from China, has introduced two new wireless gaming mice, namely the A980Pro and A980ProMax, in the Chinese market.
Specifications:
Both mice are equipped with the P3395 optical sensor, providing a maximum DPI of 26000, 650 IPS tracking speed, and 50G maximum acceleration. They feature Kailh GM 8.0 Black Mamba micro switches with a lifespan of 80 million clicks.
Connectivity and Features:
The Dareu A980Pro and A980ProMax offer three connectivity modes: wired, NearLink wireless, and Bluetooth 5.1. They can connect with three devices simultaneously. The NearLink wireless technology, developed by Huawei, ensures low latency of around 1ms and a polling rate of up to 4000Hz in wireless mode and 8000Hz in wired mode.
Key Differences:
The A980ProMax stands out with a 0.85-inch TFT color display screen, showing mouse status indicators, and enabling functions like DPI/polling rate adjustments. It also includes a metal scroll wheel and a larger battery capacity of 930mAh, compared to the A980Pro’s 500mAh. The A980Pro supports fast charging, unlike the A980ProMax.
Both mice are crafted from magnesium alloy, known for its lightweight, dense, and durable properties. They feature Dareu’s energy-saving wireless technology, providing up to 70 hours of battery life in NearLink mode and up to 130 hours in Bluetooth mode for the A980Pro (the A980ProMax’s battery life is unspecified).
The A980Pro weighs 62g, while the A980ProMax is slightly heavier at 73g. With dimensions of 129mm x 72mm x 40mm, these mice offer a comfortable size suitable for various hand grips and gaming styles.
The DPI settings, lighting effects, polling rate, and TFT screen customization can be adjusted using the Dareu driver software, which also allows for configuration of macro keys for personalized mouse settings.
Pricing and Availability:
The Dareu A980Pro is priced at 299 Yuan (approximately $42 USD), while the A980ProMax costs 399 Yuan (around $56 USD). Both mice are currently available for pre-order on JD.com and will be released for sale starting at 10:00 am on March 15th.
Tags: Gaming Peripherals
March 9, 2024
Fortnite Outage Today Following Latest Update
We are all familiar with the global phenomenon that is Fortnite, a game that has captured the attention of players worldwide for a considerable period of time. However, fans eager to immerse themselves in the new Chapter 5: Season 2 inspired by Greek mythology are currently facing a delay following the launch of the update.
Epic Games typically shuts down the game servers for maintenance at 3 AM ET in preparation for significant updates. Unfortunately, this time, Fortnite did not come back online as expected after the maintenance period. Initially, players were informed that the maintenance would exceed the usual duration by "a few hours."
The latest update from Fortnite Status, around 4 PM ET, advised players that they could pre-download the update "in approximately five hours." Nevertheless, there is no official announcement regarding when all players will be able to access and enjoy the new season.
Frustrated players may want to refrain from diving into Helldivers 2, as reports from DownDetector indicate that this game is also encountering server-related issues. Managing large-scale games like Fortnite poses challenges due to their massive player base, which inevitably leads to an increased number of dissatisfied players. Hopefully, Epic Games will swiftly resolve the issues to restore the game to its usual operational status, allowing players to delve into the latest chapter of the game.
Tags: Epic Games Store, Fortnite
March 8, 2024
NVIDIA Cloud G-SYNC Technology Enhances Cloud Gaming Experience
NVIDIA recently introduced its Cloud G-SYNC technology designed to enhance the gaming experience for users of GeForce NOW. This feature is exclusive to GeForce NOW RTX 4080 SuperPOD instances under the Ultimate subscription tier. Cloud G-SYNC works by synchronizing display refresh rates with cloud gaming streams to reduce screen tearing and stuttering, resulting in smoother gameplay. Moreover, it incorporates Reflex technology to minimize latency in cloud gaming environments.
Compatibility and Usage Requirements
To make use of Cloud G-SYNC, users need display equipment with a refresh rate exceeding 60Hz and support for variable refresh rate (VRR) technologies like Nvidia G-SYNC, AMD FreeSync, or Apple’s ProMotion. It's important to note that Cloud G-SYNC is accessible solely through native GeForce NOW applications and is not compatible with browsers, mobile devices, or TV clients.
System Requirements
For Windows systems, a minimum necessity is NVIDIA Turing architecture graphics cards (GTX 16 or RTX 20 series), with no support for Intel or AMD GPUs. On macOS, the application supports all Apple Silicon models and certain Intel-based Mac models, including specific MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, and Mac Pro configurations.
It's crucial to have at least the R545 driver version installed on systems with GeForce to enable Cloud G-SYNC functionality. However, NVIDIA specifies that multiple monitors are not compatible with this feature on Windows. Alongside the launch of Cloud G-SYNC, NVIDIA has introduced the GeForce NOW cloud game day pass. This pass comes in Priority and Ultimate versions priced at $3.99 and $7.99, respectively, offering 6 or 8 hours of gaming at the corresponding tier. These passes cater to users who temporarily step away from their computers or are interested in exploring cloud gaming options.
Tags: GeForce NOW, NVIDIA Chips
March 8, 2024
Acer Shadow Knight Qing Pro 2024 Gaming Laptop Revealed at 6,799 Yuan
Acer has introduced its latest budget-friendly gaming laptop, the Shadow Knight Qing Pro 2024, today on JD.com. This 15.6-inch device is designed to deliver a robust gaming experience while keeping costs in check.
Specifications and Pricing
The Shadow Knight Qing Pro 2024 is available in three different configurations, priced between 5,999 yuan (around $890 USD) and 6,799 yuan (approximately $1000 USD). Each variant is equipped with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD. The base model features an Intel i5-13500H processor along with an Nvidia RTX4050 graphics card. For users demanding more graphical prowess, the higher-tier models offer an i7-13620H processor paired with either an RTX4050 or RTX4060 graphics card. All configurations boast a generous 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD for rapid storage.
Performance and Display
To prevent overheating during intense gaming sessions, the laptop incorporates a dual fan and seven-heat pipe cooling system. The 2560×1450 resolution display with a 165Hz refresh rate ensures a crisp visual experience, particularly for fast-paced games. With full sRGB color gamut coverage, the display promises vibrant and true-to-life colors, enhancing the overall gaming immersion.
Connectivity and Ports
In terms of connectivity options, the Shadow Knight Qing Pro 2024 offers a diverse array of ports. These include a USB-C port (specific version not mentioned), two USB-A 3.2 ports, a USB-A 2.0 port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a MiniDP port, an HDMI port (version unspecified), and an RJ45 Ethernet port for wired network connections. This comprehensive selection of ports ensures seamless connectivity for various peripherals and networking needs.
Tags: budget-friendly, Legion Gaming Laptops