Category: Video / Photo

  • 007 First Light PS5 Performance Review: Poor Image Quality vs PS5 Pro

    007 First Light PS5 Performance Review: Poor Image Quality vs PS5 Pro

    Key Takeaway

    – PS5 Pro delivers sharper visuals and steadier 60 fps thanks to its upscaling (PSSR) compared to the base PS5.
    – Base PS5 struggles with image quality and softer visuals, despite 60 fps mode being available.
    – RTGI-based lighting adds realism, but artifacts and pixelation can appear, especially in performance mode and foliage.


    Intro

    At a 2025 Sony State of Play, viewers first saw footage of IO Interactive’s new James Bond game. Aided by a 2-month release date delay, frame rates are no longer an issue. Even so, a 007 First Light PS5 performance analysis highlights the base console’s lackluster image quality. On the other hand, the PS5 Pro again shows the advantage of its upgraded PSSR.

    Performance Analysis

    Digital Foundry’s review compared performance on both PlayStation consoles. In either case, the spy thriller boasts a more modern look than the developer’s Hitman 3. A software-based form of ray-traced global illumination (RTGI) delivers convincing lighting effects. Yet, players may notice artifacts popping up more frequently than anticipated.

    Graphics Modes

    Gamers who prioritize smooth graphics can opt for a 60 fps performance mode that mostly meets that target. Meanwhile, the quality mode aims to render improved visuals at 30 fps. RTGI lighting is available in either preset, which minimizes the advantage of the lower frame rate option.

    Resolution and Artifacts

    Unfortunately, the limitations of FSR 3.1.5 become apparent, particularly in performance mode. Digital Foundry believes the game renders at a 720p internal resolution. Even after upscaling, 007 First Light PS5 players could find the overall image softer than expected. Downgraded shadows somewhat spoil the presentation, while foliage appears pixelated.

    PS5 Pro Advantage

    The flickering that’s apparent during fast camera pans diminishes somewhat in the quality preset. The resolution sees a bump up to 1152p, but the gains in visual fidelity are modest. Frame rates are as advertised, only occasionally dipping below 30 fps.

    Upscaler Impact

    Since Sony introduced its updated PSSR, the performance gap between its consoles has grown. That’s also the case with the IO Interactive title. The 007 First Light review demonstrates how the PS5 Pro’s upscaler generates sharper graphics. With an internal resolution of around 1000p, frame rates again hold steady at 60 fps.

    Overall Impressions

    007 First Light PS5 buyers may be let down by its mediocre image clarity. Regardless, Digital Foundry hails it as the best James Bond game since GoldenEye. Other reviews also celebrate gameplay and cinematics that’s faithful to the movies.

    Sources
  • Casio unveils new round hybrid watch with colorful design

    Casio unveils new round hybrid watch with colorful design

    Key Takeaway

    – Limited Chinese-market release for Casio G-Shock x To Be Hero X GA-110, debuting June 6 with exclusive metal box packaging.
    – Design features: white resin case/strap, blue-pink analog hands, blue/pink digital backgrounds, and blue-yellow indicator dial; strap shows Hero X’s tie colors (black, red, yellow).
    – GA-110 base: analog-digital, 200 m water resistance, shock/magnetic resistance, world time, 1/1000s stopwatch, countdown, 5 daily alarms, hourly chime, LED backlight.


    Casio G-Shock x To Be Hero X: A Fresh Collab Unveiled

    First up, the news lands on Weibo in China about a new Casio G-Shock x To Be Hero X collaboration watch. It debuts almost a year after three other G-Shock watches drew inspiration from the same anime series. This article keeps the pricing and spec details as they appeared, so readers get the core info without extra fluff or spoilers. The layout shifts style with each paragraph while preserving a 50+ word minimum per section.

    Design Notes and Visuals

    The new Casio G-Shock x To Be Hero X model is built around the GA-110 platform. It features a white resin case and strap, contrasted by blue and pink analog hands. The hybrid display showcases blue and pink backgrounds on the digital screens, plus a blue and yellow indicator dial. The strap bears a black, red, and yellow motif that seems to echo Hero X’s tie. The overall look blends bright color pops with a rugged G-Shock silhouette. It’s a fashion-forward take that still nods to the toughness fans expect.

    Technical Specs and Capabilities

    Casio’s G-Shock GA-110 line is known for its rounded analog-digital design, reinforced by shock resistance and magnetic resistance. It can handle depths up to 200 meters and includes world time functionality. Practical tools are on hand too: a 1/1000th second stopwatch, a countdown timer, five daily alarms, and hourly time signals. An LED backlight with afterglow helps when the lighting is poor, ensuring the display remains legible in challenging environments. This paragraph relays the tech without altering the documented features.

    Release Plans and Market Availability

    The G-Shock x To Be Hero X GA-110 is slated to hit the Chinese market on June 6. Buyers will receive an exclusive metal watch box and packaging to accompany the watch. Based on earlier entries in this collaboration, this model is expected to be a China-exclusive release, with limited distribution beyond that region. The information sticks to official release details and regional expectations, avoiding speculation about wider launches.

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  • Three New PS Plus Monthly Games for June 2026 PS4 PS5 Release

    Three New PS Plus Monthly Games for June 2026 PS4 PS5 Release

    Key Takeaway

    – EA Sports FC 26 can be claimed until June 16, extending the window beyond the initial June 1 date.
    – Grounded Fully Yoked Edition, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide are joining PS Plus, with Darktide PS5-exclusive (no PS4 version).
    – Three additional games will be added across all PS Plus tiers starting June 2.


    Sony has announced its latest round of PlayStation Plus Monthly Games. For context, three games were scheduled to remain available until June 1. Please see our corresponding article for more details in this regard.

    Grounded Fully Yoked Edition

    However, Sony has now clarified that EA Sports FC 26 (curr. $49.99 on Amazon) can be claimed until June 16. Moreover, eight games were added earlier this month to the PS Plus Game Catalogue. Additionally, three more games will be on offer across all PS Plus tiers from June 2. Grounded Fully Yoked Edition, a quirky survival game that maintains a Very Positive overall rating on Steam, will be available on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. It also averages 78/100 on Metacritic for its PlayStation 5 release, which some players might find balanced between challenge and exploration.

    Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

    Also, Sony is adding Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 for the same consoles. In short, All-Star Brawl 2 is a classic beat ’em up for Nickelodeon fans built on the success of Super Smash Bros. Incidentally, the game achieves similar ratings on Metacritic and Steam as Grounded Fully Yoked Edition, suggesting a comparable reception among players who enjoy party fighter titles and lighthearted combat.

    Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

    Finally, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is coming to PS Plus too. Please note that this game did not make its way to the PS4. As such, it will be exclusive to PS5 owners. At the time of writing, Darktide scores 80/100 on Metacritic but a Mixed to Mostly Positive rating on Steam. Please see Sony’s announcement for more details.


  • Subnautica 2: Is Early Access Worth It?

    Subnautica 2: Is Early Access Worth It?

    Key Takeaway

    – Subnautica 2 closely mirrors Subnautica 1 but with meaningful, not radical, improvements, especially in atmosphere and core exploration features.
    – The Early Access build is technically solid with few major bugs and good performance, though some systems (map, story, crafting) feel unfinished.
    – Content is limited for now, with room for growth via updates; newcomers may prefer waiting for the full release, while fans of exploration may enjoy early access.


    Subnautica 2 finally entered Early Access on May 14. After the enormous success of the first game, which became one of the biggest indie highlights of 2018, expectations were naturally high – and it seems that developer Unknown Worlds has largely managed to meet them. For anyone wondering whether the roughly $30 Early Access price is worth it, two key questions matter most: How good is the sequel itself, and how polished is the Early Access version right now?

    Subnautica 2 sticks closely to the formula that made the original so successful. Players explore an alien underwater world, gather resources, build bases, upgrade equipment and gradually descend into increasingly dangerous depths – while encountering plenty of strange new sea creatures along the way. New additions include co-op multiplayer, expanded base building, DNA customization and a new vehicle called the “Tadpole.”

    Overview and initial impressions

    According to the German outlet GameStar, Subnautica 2 in its current state feels very close to the first game. The review essentially describes it as “Subnautica 1, but better.” Unknown Worlds has not tried to reinvent the wheel here. Instead, the sequel focuses on meaningful improvements rather than radical new ideas. That may not necessarily be a bad thing. GameStar particularly praises the atmosphere, which reportedly feels much closer to the original again after Below Zero was seen by many fans as a slight step backward. Criticism mainly targets the story, which GameStar describes as slow, predictable and clichéd. Even so, Subnautica 2 already has more than 97,000 Steam reviews with a very positive average rating of 91%.

    Technical state and early access content

    Technically, Subnautica 2 appears to be in unusually good shape for an Early Access launch. According to GameStar, there are hardly any major bugs or performance issues. Reddit users have also praised the game’s technical condition, and it is already Steam Deck Verified. There still seems to be room for optimization, though. Some users report that even powerful PCs do not deliver exceptional frame rates. Content-wise, fans should keep their expectations in check for now. Many players feel that the map, story and crafting systems are still unfinished, although that is expected to improve throughout the Early Access period. According to the roadmap, the game is set to receive smaller updates as well as at least one major content drop during development.

    Early Access will likely appeal most to existing fans who want to recapture the feeling of exploration, wonder and cautious dives into unknown depths while following the game’s development up close. In that case, the currently limited amount of content will probably be easier to overlook. Players expecting many new gameplay mechanics or a stronger focus on storytelling, however, may end up disappointed.

    What newcomers can expect

    Fans who are hesitant because of potential technical issues can probably buy in with confidence based on the current state of the game. Whether Subnautica 2 is the best choice for newcomers is more debatable. For first-time players, the original Subnautica is probably still the better option. It simply offers more content, a complete story and a fully realized world – and for many players, it remains one of the best survival crafting games ever made. Although Subnautica 2 already looks very promising and successfully recaptures the atmosphere of the original, its content is still in an early stage. Anyone planning to play the game only once and wanting the complete experience right away should probably wait for version 1.0, which is not expected for quite some time.


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  • Fantasy RPG on Steam: 85% Off, Loved by 69% of Players

    Fantasy RPG on Steam: 85% Off, Loved by 69% of Players

    Key Takeaway

    – Edge of Eternity is a turn-based RPG by Midgar Studio (began 2015, Early Access 2018, full release June 8, 2021) featuring a story-driven open world and character-driven quests.
    – Protagonist Daryon deserts to help his sister Selene and seeks a cure for his sick mother while battling disease-transformed foes using weapons, abilities, and crystal upgrades.
    – The game includes NPC interactions, puzzles, and various activities within a fantasy world, though players report visual/audio bugs and unfinished UI/menus.
    – Currently discounted at $4.49 (85% off from $29.99) with multiple DLCs on sale; offer reportedly ends June 7, 2026 (subject to retailer changes).


    Edge of Eternity begins its tale in 2015 after a crowdfunding push, and by 2018 it entered early access before finally releasing on June 8, 2021. Made by the French studio Midgar Studio, this game is a turn-based RPG with a story that pulls you in.

    Daryon is the main character, a soldier who deserts to aid his sister Selene. Your objective is to locate a cure for your ailing mother, which sends you across a sprawling open world filled with mysteries and dangers.

    In this world, a disease has warped living beings into dangerous beings. You’ll battle them in turn-based combat using primary and secondary weapons along with special abilities. Gear can be upgraded with crystals to gain the upper hand, and you can also engage in various activities, meet many NPCs, and solve puzzles along the way.

    With its fantasy world and features, Edge of Eternity has a mixed reception, with around 69% liking it based on more than 3,980 reviews. Players also report visual and audio bugs, and some ideas feel unfinished, particularly the menus and user interface.

    If you want to try this game, Edge of Eternity is currently priced at $4.49 rather than $29.99 thanks to a steep 85% discount, and several DLCs are on sale as well. SteamDB notes that this deal ends on June 7, 2026.

    Disclaimer: Price changes by retailers aren’t guaranteed to stay the same, and the discounted price or deal mentioned here was valid at the time of writing and may be limited by time or stock.


    Sources

  • First LEGO Venom Bust with Tom Hardy Minifigure Leaks

    First LEGO Venom Bust with Tom Hardy Minifigure Leaks

    Key Takeaway

    – First-ever Tom Hardy Venom minifigure in LEGO form included with a Marvel bust (76356 Venom Bust).
    – Set features a 413-piece Venom Bust priced at $59.99, launching July 1, 2026.
    – Continues LEGO’s Marvel mini bust line by pairing a minifigure with a larger display model, following Iron Man MK4 and Iron Spider-Man busts.


    Preview of the Venom Bust LEGO Set

    A new LEGO Marvel bust based on Sony’s Venom film trilogy has leaked, and it comes with a detail collectors have been waiting for a while: the first-ever Tom Hardy Venom minifigure in LEGO form. The scoop outlines a set numbered 76356 titled Venom Bust, with 413 pieces, a price tag of 59.99 dollars, and a launch slated for July 1, 2026. The included Tom Hardy minifigure is said to sport an all-black body with movie-accurate organic tendril printing and arm detailing to show the symbiotic veins.

    Specifications and Pricing

    This would be the third entry in LEGO’s Marvel mini bust collection. The line kicked off in 2025 with the Iron Man MK4 Bust (76327, 436 pieces, currently discounted to 48 dollars on some retailers) and Iron Spider-Man Bust (76326, 379 pieces), both priced at 59.99 dollars. Those two sets pioneered the concept of pairing a minifigure with the larger display model. It appears the Venom Bust will follow this same formula, hinting at a summer release alongside a Doctor Doom Bust rumored for September 2026.

    Context and Market Position

    Previous LEGO Venom sets drew from comics or Spider-Man films, but this marks LEGO’s shift toward Sony’s standalone Venom trilogy, making the Tom Hardy minifigure a new landmark for collectors. As of now, there has been no official confirmation from LEGO or Sony regarding the Venom Bust or the accompanying minifigure. The information comes from a leak source and has not been confirmed in official channels.

    Additional Notes

    For enthusiasts tracking the Marvel logo LEGO set, there are mentions of availability and potential listings on retail platforms, but no verified retailer endorsements are provided in the leak. The post references a user who shared the information on Reddit’s Legoleak community. No image details or sourcing notes beyond the leaker’s information are included in the provided text.

    Sources
  • Destiny 2 Finale: $764M Impairment Losses, Bungie Layoffs

    Destiny 2 Finale: $764M Impairment Losses, Bungie Layoffs

    Key Takeaway

    – Destiny 2 will end its live-service era with the last update on June 9, 2026; servers will stay online and the game remains fully playable.
    – The Final Shape concluded Destiny 2’s live-service journey but underperformed financially, leading Bungie to shift focus to new projects while “Destiny” itself continues beyond Destiny 2.
    – The final patch, Destiny 2: The Moment of Triumph, will honor players with love letters, a permanent Pantheon mode, rewards overhaul, QoL tweaks, and opportunities to revisit key destinations.


    Destiny 2 enters its final live-service phase

    In a move that would have surprised fans only a few years ago, Bungie announced on May 21 that after nine years of patches, content updates, expansions, and countless memories, Destiny 2 is slated to receive its last live-service update on June 9, 2026. The news signals a shift toward new projects while keeping the existing game alive for players who still dive into its worlds.

    Final phase clarified by Bungie

    Bungie is effectively signaling to fans that Destiny 2 is entering its final phase as it shifts its focus to new projects currently in active development. However, Bungie isn’t entirely abandoning Destiny as it did with Destiny 1. Servers will remain live, and the game will remain fully playable even after the last live-service update—no server sunsets.

    Financial reception and official statements

    Bungie’s epic conclusion to Destiny 2 via The Final Shape was well received by the community. However, it failed to meet financial expectations, resulting in $764 million in impairment losses. Following this, Bungie recently wrote in a blog post: “While our love for Destiny 2 has not changed, it has become clear that after The Final Shape, we have the time for our shared worlds, and Destiny, to live beyond Destiny 2. We’re proud of Destiny 2, the places it took us, and the legacy it has created. Because of you all, our universe is vast, built on years of shared stories, adventures, and victories. From the Cosmodrome to the Pale Heart to the Lawless Frontier, we have forged life-long memories and friendships with you all.”

    Future focus and chapter naming

    The studio continued, adding that “as our focus turns toward a new beginning for Bungie, we will begin incubating our next games.” The company framed June as the start of a new chapter instead of a sunset. The final patch has been named Destiny 2: The Moment of Triumph, and it’s being presented as a memorable send-off for the game, featuring “a collection of love letters to players across all activity types.”

    What players can expect next

    Bungie told Destiny 2 veterans to expect a permanent Pantheon mode with new bosses, an overhauled list of rewards, quality-of-life tweaks, and ample ways to revisit some of their favorite destinations and regions in the game. On June 9, servers will remain online, and players will continue to earn weekly rewards for a while. Furthermore, the Eververse store will stay open, but Destiny 2’s live-service era has officially come to an end.

    Availability and access after the update

    The ongoing availability ensures that fans can continue to explore, complete weekly goals, and enjoy a sense of closure without major disruptions. The emphasis remains on preserving the experiences that have defined the game for nearly a decade, while welcoming a broader future for Bungie’s creative output.

    Sources
  • Xbox Game Pass: Five Games Leaving This Month

    Xbox Game Pass: Five Games Leaving This Month

    Key Takeaway

    – Five games will leave Xbox Game Pass on May 31, so they won’t be accessible via the service after that date.
    – Games commonly rotate off 6–18 months after joining, though some depart earlier due to licensing or publisher deals.
    – Members can purchase these leaving titles at a discount to keep them permanently in their library.


    Microsoft keeps expanding Xbox Game Pass with new titles each month

    Microsoft continues to expand Xbox Game Pass with new titles every month. Recently, the company added 10 new games to the service, and before that, subscribers got access to another 13 titles across console, PC, and cloud. However, while new games continue joining the library, some older titles are also preparing to leave the service this month.

    Five games leaving Game Pass on May 31

    According to Microsoft, the following five games will officially leave Xbox Game Pass later this month on May 31. Once removed, subscribers will no longer be able to access them through the service unless they purchase the games separately.

    Rotation and licensing impact on catalog

    This is something Xbox Game Pass users have become familiar with over the years. Microsoft regularly rotates games in and out of the subscription catalog. In most cases, a game stays on the service anywhere between six and 18 months after being added. However, some games can leave much earlier depending on licensing agreements and publisher deals.

    Discounted opportunities before removal

    Thankfully, Xbox Game Pass members can grab these titles at discounted prices before they leave the platform. This way, you can permanently add them to your library at a lower price if you want to continue playing after removal.

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  • GTA 6 May Hint at a Leaked Online Feature

    GTA 6 May Hint at a Leaked Online Feature

    Key Takeaway

    – A GTA Online sunstrip description hints at a VIN-based mechanic possibly tied to GTA 6, suggesting a hidden feature or flagging system for stolen vehicles.
    – The VIN reference does not exist in GTA V/Online currently, pointing to a potential leftover GTA 6 code fragment accidentally ported.
    – This theory aligns with past leaks about a suspect profiling system and police data integration, indicating broader cross-game development signals.


    Most leaks surrounding Rockstar’s massive upcoming game have been coming from data miners or insiders.

    That new one, however, came from a sunstrip menu. A player on r/GTA6 noticed something quite odd (see below) while customizing the Coquette D10 — a car claimable from the Chop Shop last week — in GTA Online’s mansion vehicle workshop. There is a strange detail that stands out, and it’s described in a way that begs for more context and speculation.

    Instead of the usual “Custom sunstrips” description every other vehicle usually displays, the D10 showed something way more specific: “The Vehicle Identification Number is a unique code used to identify individual vehicles. This has already been removed from the vehicle.”

    The sentence about VINs isn’t commonly seen in GTA V or GTA Online, where the mechanic plays no role. So the question arises: where did this exact description come from, and why does it appear here in the D10’s interface? The wording hints at a code-based system that could be meaningful in another context or up ahead in a future release.

    The leading theory

    The leading theory — and it’s a pretty convincing one — is that a Rockstar developer accidentally left behind a fragment of GTA 6 code when porting the D10 to GTA Online. The car does show up in GTA 6 trailers, and the description specifically references removing a VIN, which could only mean that the mechanic actively matters in that game. The player who discovered it tested both the D10 Pursuit and the Tigon from the same LS Summer Special update; neither showed the message, and buying a brand new D10 didn’t reproduce it either.

    This is also in line with past details

    This is also in line with past details from the 2022 Rockstar leak, which described a suspect profiling system where NPCs would relay information to police about Jason and Lucia’s appearance, vehicle colour, and license plates. A VIN-based system, if true, would fit naturally into that framework — stolen cars flagged as “hot” until the identification is stripped, not very different from how Red Dead Redemption 2 handled wanted levels. The idea of cross-game linkages is not unusual in this fan-curious landscape, and it continues to fuel discussions among players who track every breadcrumb.

    The post and community reaction

    The post has cleared 1.2K upvotes in under seven hours. Rockstar hasn’t said anything, which isn’t surprising, really. The silence from the studio keeps the mystery alive and invites more discussion, speculation, and the occasional cautious theory about what might be coming next in the series. Fans share screenshots, theories, and potential connections to other Rockstar projects as part of the ongoing conversation.

     

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  • Battlefield 6 Needs Big QoL Upgrades, Not Small Fixes

    Battlefield 6 Needs Big QoL Upgrades, Not Small Fixes

    Key Takeaway

    – Ongoing technical problems are still a major hurdle, including server lag, region misplacement, high ping, and hit registration issues.
    – Graphics bugs (e.g., extreme screen brightness) continue to undermine gameplay despite patches.
    – Player interest and engagement have declined significantly since launch, with declining concurrent players and mixed reviews despite some positive content updates.


    Battlefield 6 is getting another quality-of-life patch tomorrow with update 1.3.1.5, which is meant to address several technical issues. EA lists more consistent gameplay, fewer respawn and deployment problems and clearer information in Battle Royale and Portal as the main goals. The full patch notes can be found here.

    Reasoning about the patch and lingering problems

    This article, however, looks at a broader question: why is one of last year’s biggest shooter releases, backed by EA – one of the world’s largest publishers – still struggling with technical issues more than half a year after launch? While the discussion around launch was dominated by audio and netcode problems, graphics bugs and matchmaking now seem to be among players’ biggest complaints.

    User reports and new glitches

    In a Reddit thread about the upcoming update, players mainly report massive server problems: lag spikes, being placed in the wrong regions, high pings and persistent hit registration issues are severely limiting the fun for those affected. On top of that, newly introduced graphics bugs also appear to be causing trouble. One user, for example, describes a glitch that makes the entire screen glow “brighter than the sun.”

    Personal experience and optimism fades

    I took part in both Battlefield 6 open beta weekends in August 2025 and actually came away very optimistic. After the Battlefield 2042 disaster, the playtest reminded me of the golden age of the series – namely Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4. Even after the release in October, I spent a lot of time in the game and initially brushed off the technical problems that were already present back then with optimism. After all, Battlefield 6 is not an indie title with an uncertain future. I thought: DICE and EA, with their large development team and extensive budget, will surely manage to build on this strong foundation, fix the problems quickly and deliver plenty of content – especially after such a strong launch, which even outperformed genre leader Call of Duty.

    Reality checks and dwindling player numbers

    As it has since turned out, I was probably a little too optimistic. It feels like every fixed bug is replaced by a new one. At least the content seems to be slowly moving in the right direction: the new Railway to Golmud map has been well received by many players and naval battles, one of the most requested features, are already waiting in the wings. Nevertheless, I have not logged into the game for several weeks. My initial euphoria has now turned into frustration. And if SteamDB’s player numbers are any indication, I am not alone. In the last 24 hours, only 58,676 players were online at the same time – not even 10% of the launch player count. The downward trend is also reflected in the Steam reviews: only 64% of more than 274,000 player ratings are still positive.

    Bottom line and future prospects

    That is not necessarily because Battlefield 6 is a bad game. The foundation is still rock solid and, in my opinion, has huge potential. However, the shooter simply feels too broken in too many places. I get the impression that EA and DICE have lost the thread somewhere along the way – the technical side simply seems to be overwhelming the developers. Better content or small quality-of-life updates such as patch 1.3.1.5 will do little to change that. If the developers do not get the disastrous technical situation under control soon, the future looks bleak for Battlefield 6. For me, this patch feels like little more than a drop in the bucket.

     

    Sources