Daily Archives: May 19, 2025

Games, Gaming, News

The latest on Marathon is hard to ignore despite being just rumors

Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, has been the subject of intense speculation and controversy in recent weeks. From plagiarism accusations to internal morale issues, the studio appears to be navigating a turbulent period. Here’s a deep dive into the latest rumors and developments surrounding the game.

One of the biggest scandals to hit Bungie recently involves allegations of art plagiarism. Digital artist ANTIREAL accused Bungie of using her 2017 artwork in Marathon’s closed alpha without permission. Bungie admitted to the issue, attributing it to a former employee, and pledged to “do the right thing” for the artist. However, this marks the fourth reported plagiarism incident in five years, raising concerns about the studio’s art direction.

Internal Morale at an All-Time Low And Marathon being delayed

Reports indicate that employee morale at Bungie is at an all-time low, with developers worried about Marathon’s future. The studio has reportedly canceled its planned June marketing campaign, including a new trailer and pre-order launch. Additionally, the August open beta has been replaced with a series of smaller playtests, suggesting uncertainty about the game’s readiness.

While Bungie has not officially announced a delay, rumors suggest that Sony and Bungie executives are discussing pushing the game’s release to 2026. The mixed feedback from the closed alpha, where players described the game as “flat,” has fueled speculation that the studio may need more time to refine the experience.

Bungie’s acquisition by Sony for $3.6 billion was expected to bring stability, but recent events have cast doubt on the studio’s trajectory. Some developers fear that if Marathon fails, it could jeopardize Bungie’s future, especially after the Concord disaster.

Marathon was initially positioned as Bungie’s next big project after Destiny, but the negative reception, plagiarism scandal, and internal struggles have raised serious concerns. Whether Bungie can turn things around remains to be seen, but for now, the future of Marathon—and Bungie itself—appears uncertain.

Bungie Leadership Ignored Marathon Devs’ Repeated Warnings and PvE Requests, New Report Says
A new report reveals Bungie’s top leadership ignored repeated warnings and PvE requests from Marathon developers for years.
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Featured, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC

Intel presents the Arc Pro B-Series for more Itel Arc GPUs offering

Intel has unveiled its latest Arc Pro B-Series graphics cards at Computex 2025, introducing the Arc Pro B60 and Arc Pro B50 GPUs, designed for workstation applications and AI inference. These new GPUs are built on Intel’s Xe2 Battlemage architecture, featuring Intel Xe Matrix Extensions (XMX) AI cores and hardware-accelerated ray tracing units.

Key Features of Arc Pro B-Series GPUs

  • Arc Pro B60:
    • 24GB GDDR6 memory
    • 197 TOPS of AI performance
    • PCIe 5.0 x8 interface
    • Multi-GPU scalability for AI workloads
    • Targeted for demanding tasks like generative design, 3D simulation, and video editing.
  • Arc Pro B50:
    • 16GB GDDR6 memory
    • 170 TOPS of AI performance
    • Compact dual-slot design
    • Priced at $299, making it an affordable option for professionals.

Intel has also expanded its Gaudi 3 AI accelerator lineup, offering PCIe add-in cards and rack-scale server modules to support large-scale AI inferencing. The Project Battlematrix platform enables multi-GPU configurations, allowing up to eight B60 cards to work together, providing 192GB of video memory for AI models with up to 150 billion parameters.

Intel aims to challenge NVIDIA and AMD in the workstation segment by offering high memory capacities at competitive prices. The Arc Pro B50 and B60 GPUs will be available in Q3 2025, with full feature enablement scheduled for Q4 2025. Intel is collaborating with ASRock, Gunnir, Maxsun, Sparkle, and other partners to bring these GPUs to market.

These new GPUs mark a significant step forward for Intel in the professional graphics and AI computing space, reinforcing its commitment to open architectures and scalable AI solutions.

Computex: Intel Unveils New GPUs for AI and Workstations
Company extends the Intel Arc Pro GPU lineup to prosumers and AI developers, and announces Intel Gaudi 3 AI accelerator availability via rack scale and PCIe deployments.
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Games, Gaming, News

What’s next after Death Stranding 2:On The Beach for Kojima Productions

Hideo Kojima, the legendary creator behind Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, has officially revealed his next major project: Physint. This upcoming espionage game, described as a “next-generation action espionage experience,” is set to take at least five to six years to develop. While Kojima Productions is currently focused on Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Kojima has already begun laying the groundwork for what could be his most ambitious stealth-action title yet.

Since parting ways with Konami in 2015, Kojima has explored new storytelling avenues, but fans have long hoped for a return to his espionage roots. Physint appears to be the answer to those expectations. Announced during a PlayStation State of Play event in January 2024, the game promises to push the boundaries of stealth-action gameplay while incorporating Kojima’s signature cinematic storytelling.

Kojima has stated that Physint will take several years to develop, emphasizing his commitment to crafting a truly groundbreaking experience. He has also hinted at his growing interest in filmmaking, suggesting that once Death Stranding 2 and Physint are complete, he may finally pursue directing a movie—a lifelong dream of his.

What to Expect from Physint

While details remain scarce, Kojima has described Physint as a project that will elevate digital entertainment to a new level. He has emphasized that the game’s story, theme, cast, acting, fashion, and sound will all be designed with a cinematic approach, blurring the lines between film and interactive storytelling.

The Future of Kojima Productions

Beyond Physint, Kojima Productions is also working on OD, a mysterious horror game in collaboration with Xbox Game Studios. With multiple ambitious projects in development, Kojima continues to redefine the gaming landscape, proving that his creative vision remains as bold as ever.

As we await more details on Physint, one thing is certain—Kojima is once again poised to challenge industry norms and deliver an experience unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Le film français : le premier magazine web des professionnels de l’audiovisuel
le premier magazine web des professionnels de l’audiovisuel – Le film français
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Games, Gaming, News, PC

Final Fantasy XI being alive is thanks to their fans

For over two decades, Final Fantasy XI has stood as a testament to the enduring power of community-driven gaming. Originally launched in 2002, the MMORPG was a groundbreaking entry in the Final Fantasy franchise, offering players an expansive world filled with adventure, camaraderie, and deep lore. However, as time passed and newer titles emerged, the game faced the looming threat of closure. In a surprising turn of events, it was the unwavering dedication of its fanbase that ultimately kept Final Fantasy XI alive.

A Planned Farewell That Never Came

According to Final Fantasy XI director Yoji Fujito, Square Enix had been preparing to end support for the game’s PC version in 2024, following the conclusion of its Voracious Resurgence storyline. The company even considered shutting down the game entirely due to aging servers. The plan was to transition the game into “maintenance mode,” meaning no new content would be added, and only system upkeep would be performed.

Despite these plans, something remarkable happened—players continued to log in, maintaining the same monthly subscription fee of $11.95 since the game’s launch. Their enthusiasm and dedication sent a clear message to Square Enix: Final Fantasy XI was far from losing momentum. Seeing this, the developers decided to keep the game running, ensuring that the world of Vana’diel remained alive and thriving.

New Updates and a Bright Future

Instead of winding down operations, Square Enix surprised the community by announcing fresh updates for Final Fantasy XI. These include:

  • A new high-tier mission battlefield to challenge veteran players.
  • Gamepad configuration adjustments for smoother gameplay.
  • A new Morale gauge to enhance combat mechanics.
  • The ability to change a character’s race, offering more customization.
  • Expanded content for the Limbus battle system, adding depth to the game’s strategic elements.

The resilience of Final Fantasy XI is a testament to the power of its community. In an era where many MMORPGs struggle to maintain player engagement, this classic title has defied expectations. Even Final Fantasy XIV, the franchise’s modern MMO, acknowledged its predecessor by introducing a crossover Alliance Raid series that transports players to Vana’diel.

As long as players continue to explore its vast world, battle formidable foes, and forge lasting friendships, Final Fantasy XI will remain more than just a game—it will be a legacy!

Square Enix considered ending Final Fantasy 11 in 2024, but player interest was high enough to keep it alive even after 20+ years – AUTOMATON WEST
According to Final Fantasy 11 producer and director Yoji Fujito, the MMORPG could have ended support or even shut down completely.
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