Monthly Archives: June 2025

Games, Gaming, News

Capcom sunsets Resident Evil Re:Verse

On June 29, 2025, Capcom quietly flicked the switch off for Resident Evil Re:Verse, bringing an online experiment to a close less than three years after its launch. In its final 24-hour stretch, the game’s player count spiked by 264%—from under 20 concurrent users to a peak of just 86 players—before fading into digital oblivion.

Originally released in early 2022 as a free bonus alongside Resident Evil Village, Re:Verse was billed as a 25th-anniversary celebration. Players could pick from iconic survivors or turn undead in asymmetrical skirmishes, or race against time solving puzzles as a team. The concept held promise: mash up classic characters, inject fresh multiplayer modes, and reward long-time fans. But instead of becoming a bustling online hub, Re:Verse struggled to build a sustainable community.

The Numbers Behind the Decline

Steam Charts recorded a hopeful start—2,080 concurrent players during its first month—but the numbers plummeted thereafter. By the following month, peak users dropped to 329, and double-digit concurrency became the norm. As whispers of server shutdown circulated earlier this year, curious players swelled login attempts one last time. Yet even that final surge only nudged Re:Verse into the high double digits.

Several factors conspired to doom Capcom’s multiplayer spin-off:

  • Content drought: Beyond its initial character roster, Re:Verse offered few new maps or modes, leaving veteran players with diminishing reasons to return.
  • Monetization missteps: Early DLC bundles and cosmetics felt tacked on rather than community-driven, eroding goodwill.
  • Marketing fatigue: Bundling Re:Verse with Village delayed its standalone release, confusing retail customers and fragmenting its player base.

Together, these miscalculations prevented Re:Verse from evolving beyond a trophy shelf freebie into a living part of the Resident Evil ecosystem.

Re:Verse’s shuttering underscores a broader challenge: digital-only titles—even from storied franchises—can vanish without a trace. Unlike physical discs that can be tossed on a shelf or traded among friends, server-dependent games transform into inactive icons the moment support ends. For preservationists and historians of gaming culture, this presents a dilemma: how do we archive experiences that literally cease to exist?

Lessons for Capcom’s Next Multiplayer Venture

As Capcom eyes Resident Evil Requiem and beyond, several takeaways stand out:

  1. Sustained content drops: Seasonal events, balance patches, or new maps can rekindle interest long after launch.
  2. Community-first monetization: Cosmetic items tied to in-game achievements, or fan-designed skins, foster ownership and pride.
  3. Clear launch strategy: Separating anniversary side-projects from core titles avoids mixed messaging and distribution confusion.

By weaving community feedback into development cycles—rather than retrofitting features—Capcom can bolster both engagement and goodwill.

Though Re:Verse is gone, Resident Evil’s multiplayer ambitions live on. Next year’s Requiem promises to refine the formula, blending narrative depth with cooperative and competitive modes. If Capcom learns from Re:Verse’s missteps, the series could finally carve out a lasting online legacy.

eSport, Events, Gaming, News

OpTic Texas Makes History with Back-to-Back Call of Duty League Championships

In a weekend defined by jaw-dropping turns and unrelenting intensity, OpTic Texas etched its name into Call of Duty lore by claiming its second consecutive CDL Championship in Kitchener, Canada. Facing a red-hot Vancouver Surge squad, the Green Wall emerged 5–3 victors in the best-of-nine Grand Final, proving once and for all that their 2024 triumph was no fluke.

No team had ever defended a world title in Call of Duty esports—until now. OpTic Texas not only became the first organization to secure back-to-back world championships, it also sits alone atop the podium with three total world crowns in its history. In doing so, they surpass even the storied runs of early OpTic rosters and cement themselves as the CDL’s first true dynasty.

Sweeping Through the Winners Bracket

From the opening whistle, OpTic looked untouchable. They refused to drop a single map on their winners-bracket journey, blitzing through Atlanta FaZe, Toronto Ultra and Boston Breach with surgical precision. Shotzzy and Huke’s submachine-gun duos set the pace early, turning Hardpoints into highlight reels and leaving opponents scrambling for answers.

Though billed as underdogs, Vancouver Surge delivered one of the most remarkable comeback stories in CDL history. After an opening upset loss to the Miami Heretics, they tore through the elimination bracket—knocking out the top-seeded LA Thieves, then dispatching Ultra, Miami again, and finally Boston—to earn a shot at redemption on the sport’s grandest stage.

Grand Final Showdown: Momentum Swings

The final series was an emotional roller coaster. Surge struck first, sweeping OpTic in a Search round and handing them their first map loss of the weekend. But OpTic’s dominance in respawn modes—anchored by Shotzzy’s map control and Dashy’s top-tier AR play—allowed them to swing the series back. After seizing match point with a crafty Search win on Hacienda, the Green Wall closed it out in a nerve-shredding Rewind Hardpoint, 250–215, to seal the 5–3 victory.

Records, MVPs and Milestones

  • Mercules, in his debut Champs appearance, shattered Matthew “FormaL” Piper’s 2017 K/D record, posting the highest kill-death ratio ever at Call of Duty Champs.
  • Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro, at just 23, became the youngest three-time Call of Duty world champion in history.
  • Coach Damon “Karma” Barlow collected his fifth ring—three as a player and two as a mastermind—underscoring his enduring impact on the game’s most celebrated teams.

With the mantle of back-to-back champions firmly in hand, OpTic Texas must now fend off the league’s hungry challengers: Can Atlanta FaZe recalibrate after a stinging defeat? Will LA Thieves rebound? And can Vancouver Surge channel this finals appearance into a sustained top-tier performance?

Meanwhile, Call of Duty’s narrative has a new chapter: the rise of a true dynasty where consistency and clutch execution reign supreme. For the fans, the question is no longer “Can they do it?” but “How long can this era last?”

What do you think this victory means for the future of the CDL—and which next-gen rival has the best shot at toppling the Green Wall? Let me know your thoughts below!

Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC

Game Over for the Blue Screen of Death

For PC gamers, the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) wasn’t just a system crash—it was a rage-quit from the gods. Whether it struck during a ranked competitive gaming match or while benchmarking your new GPU card, the BSOD was the ultimate immersion breaker. But now, after 40 years of haunting our rigs, Microsoft has officially pulled the plug on the iconic blue error screen.

Since the days of DOS and floppy disks, the BSOD has been the digital equivalent of a critical hit to your system. It was the screen that greeted you when your overclock went too far, your drivers clashed, or your mods got a little too spicy. It didn’t discriminate—whether you were running a potato or a $3,000 beast, the BSOD could strike without mercy.

But with Windows 11 version 24H2, Microsoft is replacing the blue with black. That’s right: the Blue Screen of Death is now the Black Screen of Death. Same acronym, new aesthetic.

What’s Changing?

The new Black Screen of Death (still BSOD, thankfully) is part of Microsoft’s broader push to modernize Windows and reduce system-level crashes. Here’s what’s different:

  • Black background instead of blue—less jarring, more goth
  • Simplified error message: “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart”
  • No more sad-face emoji or QR codes
  • Driver and stop code info displayed clearly for faster debugging

It’s a cleaner, more informative crash screen that aligns with Windows 11’s sleek UI. But let’s be honest—no screen looks good when it interrupts your 60-minute Elden Ring boss run.

Why Now? Blame the CrowdStrike Catastrophe

This change isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a direct response to the 2024 CrowdStrike meltdown, where a faulty driver update bricked over 8.5 million Windows machines—including gaming rigs, retail systems, and even airport kiosks. The fallout exposed how vulnerable Windows was to kernel-level software.

Microsoft’s answer? The Windows Resiliency Initiative and the Microsoft Virus Initiative 3.0 (MVI), which:

  • Forces security vendors to use deployment rings for safer updates
  • Restricts kernel-level access for third-party software
  • Introduces quick recovery modes to get you back in-game faster

What This Means for Gamers

For PC gamers, this is a win—sort of. The new BSOD is less panic-inducing and more helpful. You’ll get clearer info about what crashed (like that rogue GPU driver), and recovery times are faster. But it also signals a shift in how Microsoft handles system stability: less tolerance for deep-level tinkering, more emphasis on sandboxed security.

That could mean fewer crashes from sketchy mods or overzealous overclocks—but also tighter restrictions on how much control we have over our systems.

Let’s not forget: the BSOD was part of gaming culture. It was the punchline to LAN party horror stories, the screen you saw after pushing your rig too hard, the meme that united us all in shared frustration. It even made appearances in games like Goat Simulator and The Stanley Parable.

For retro PC enthusiasts and preservationists, the BSOD is a relic of a wilder, less polished Windows era—when

Microsoft’s decision to retire the BSOD is a step toward a more stable, user-friendly Windows. But for gamers, it’s also the end of an era. The BSOD was a badge of honor, a rite of passage, and a reminder that even the most powerful rig could be brought to its knees by a single bad update.

So next time your screen goes black mid-session, pour one out for the blue that came before. It may be gone, but it’ll never be forgotten.

The Windows Resiliency Initiative: Building resilience for a future-ready enterprise
Resilience isn’t optional—it’s a strategic imperative. In today’s threat landscape, organizations can’t afford to treat resilience as a reactive measure. It must be built into the foundation of how systems are designed, secured and managed
Source/Via

CyberBoxTV, Gaming, Review

Review: Mario Kart World – A New Era for the Franchise

Nintendo returns to the racetrack with Mario Kart World, launching it alongside its latest console in a bold move to reinvent the franchise. This time around, the game takes a major leap by introducing an open-world experience that players can explore freely, marking a significant shift from past titles.

The game features 30 tracks—some brand-new, others reimagined classics—all seamlessly connected through a large open world. One of the standout features is a mode that allows players to use any character to roam this world and discover secrets, encouraging exploration beyond just racing.

The traditional Grand Prix mode is back, now offering 7 cups. However, a key change is that lap-based circuit racing has been replaced with point-to-point track design. Each cup still contains 4 races, but only the first follows the traditional loop format. The remaining tracks take players from one location to another, reducing repetition and showcasing a broader range of environments.

Popular modes like Balloon Battle, Coin Collection, and Time Trials make their return. One of the most exciting additions is the new Knockout mode, a high-stakes competition across six tracks with 24 racers. After each race, a few competitors are eliminated. This keeps the adrenaline high and forces players to consistently place in the top three to survive.

Despite these innovations, Mario Kart World feels like it’s launching with less content than expected. One major omission is vehicle customization, a fan-favorite feature that allowed players to tweak performance to fit their play style. Additionally, track diversity takes a hit—there are no underwater courses or gravity-defying segments like in Mario Kart 8. These have been replaced by new tricks, rail grinding, and wall-riding mechanics. While fun, they don’t quite make up for what was lost.

Nintendo’s ambition to innovate is clear, but in doing so, they’ve also scaled back several beloved features. Still, Mario Kart World gives off the vibe of a platform designed to grow, hinting at future updates or expansions down the line.

The game absolutely shines in terms of presentation. The soundtrack is outstanding, and the visuals take full advantage of the new hardware with smooth animations and intricate details in this expansive new world.

Final Verdict

Mario Kart World is an ambitious step forward that introduces bold ideas and a fresh structure for the series. While it stumbles by removing key features that longtime fans will miss, it still offers a solid and enjoyable experience with room to grow. A promising new direction, even if not fully realized at launch.

Final Score: 4/5

CyberBoxTV, Gaming, Review

Review – Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition — A remaster that brings the Ultramarines back to glory

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition might be quite a mouthful to say, but the return of this third-person action classic is anything but tiresome. This remastered version of the original 2011 title not only updates the visuals but also revives an intense campaign and a surprisingly enjoyable multiplayer mode. While some aspects show their age, the core experience remains as entertaining as ever.

The remastering effort is impressive. The visuals have been overhauled, with noticeable improvements in character models—especially facial details—and environmental design that nearly reaches the level of its sequel. The main enemies, the orks, are notoriously hard to portray realistically, but here they’ve been redesigned with more personality and less of the exaggerated, comical tone of the original. Lighting, textures, and environmental assets have all been upgraded, breathing new life into the battlegrounds.

Gameplay remains faithful to the original. You play as Captain Titus of the Ultramarines—an elite squad of superhuman warriors engineered for war. Across the game’s 16-chapter campaign, you’ll fight through waves of enemies using a satisfying mix of ranged and melee combat. While enemy variety can feel repetitive at times, the steady introduction of new weapons helps keep the experience engaging. Chainswords, hammers, and axes all bring chaos control to the battlefield, making combat both brutal and rewarding.

Multiplayer pits teams of Ultramarines against each other in classic modes like Capture the Flag, Deathmatch, and King of the Hill. There’s also a 4-player co-op mode where you fend off waves of enemies—perfect for playing with friends. However, given today’s crowded multiplayer market, finding casual matches can be a challenge.

Final Verdict

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition is a strong remaster that respects its roots while giving the original a much-needed facelift. Minor visual glitches and occasionally lackluster AI are noticeable, but they don’t overshadow the game’s compelling story and thrilling gameplay. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the 40K universe, this is a battle worth fighting.

Final Score: 4/5

CyberBoxTV, Gaming, Review

Review: FBC: Firebreak – A universe wasted in a frustrating experience

FBC: Firebreak is the latest entry in the Control and Alan Wake universe, but with a multiplayer focus. Here, you’ll revisit several areas from the first Control to complete assigned missions in a cooperative format with up to three players. Each player can choose one of three classes, each offering different weapons and mechanics. The mission structure is tied to three distinct levels of complexity, and you can also choose the danger level. The higher the difficulty, the more tasks and puzzles you’ll need to complete—but you’ll also be rewarded with more experience points.

Now for the bad part: the progression system. It’s designed similarly to a Battle Pass, where leveling up unlocks assets you can use to get new cosmetics, weapons, or upgrades for your gear and abilities. However, the rewards you unlock often aren’t even useful for the class you’re currently playing, causing a lot of frustration after dedicating multiple hours without being properly rewarded. Another issue is that when you finally do get upgrades for your weapons, they don’t make any meaningful difference in gameplay, leaving you just as discouraged.

The game doesn’t offer a meaningful story to give the experience any real purpose beyond being a disposable group of generic characters. The gameplay is decent, as the mechanics of each class can help you solve puzzles faster or survive longer. Playing cooperatively is the key here—sticking together at all times is the best way to guarantee victory. The enemies are quite repetitive, with only their appearances offering any variety. In each match, enemies spawn randomly and range from zombies, ghosts, brutes, and witches, among others.

FBC: Firebreak can be fun if you’re playing with friends or a team that communicates well, but as a solo experience, it quickly becomes frustrating and boring—just like its progression system, which leaves much to be desired. The overall experience feels similar to games like Left 4 Dead, a genre that was widely loved almost two decades ago, but nowadays tends to burn out quickly as players expect constant new content.

Final Score: 2/5

Events, Games, Gaming, News

Capcom Spotlight 2025 Recap: Four Franchises, Forty Minutes, Infinite Hype

Capcom Spotlight Juen 2025 delivered exactly what fans have been craving: a laser-focused, 40-minute showcase centered on four pillars of the publisher’s next wave. Here’s a deep dive into every trailer, tease, and developer tidbit from June 26, 2025.

When and Where
The stream kicked off at 3 PM PT / 6 PM ET on Capcom’s official YouTube and Twitch channels, complete with subtitles in 13 languages. True to Capcom’s word, it wrapped in roughly 40 minutes—no filler, just rapid-fire updates.

The Core Four Lineup
Capcom locked in four spotlight segments: Monster Hunter Wilds, Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, and Street Fighter 6.

  1. Monster Hunter Wilds
    Despite a rocky Steam launch and “Overwhelmingly Negative” user scores, Capcom used this segment to outline its roadmap for performance patches, quality-of-life tweaks, and fresh in-game events. While no new expansion was announced, the promise of monthly hunt passes and rotating monster festivals means there’s reason to jump back in once the engine hiccups are ironed out.
  2. Resident Evil Requiem
    The ninth mainline Resident Evil bows February 26, 2026, and Capcom let us peek at a longer demo than the SGF trailer. We saw FBI agent Grace Ashcroft—chosen over series stalwart Leon Kennedy because her vulnerability fuels horror tension—navigate a claustrophobic hotel swarmed with mutated staff. The team teased seamless first- and third-person shifts, adaptive AI patrols, and narrative VHS flashbacks that weave past outbreaks into today’s nightmare.
  3. Pragmata
    Capcom’s space-set puzzle-shooter returns with fresh gameplay and lore details. Slated for 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Pragmata’s low-gravity traversal lets players weave projectiles into makeshift shields and manipulate environments across lunar ruins. Developer clips hinted at boss encounters where gravity wells become weapons—enough to make even the most seasoned sci-fi fan grip their controller tighter.
  4. Street Fighter 6
    Year 3 DLC fighters—Sagat, C. Viper, Ingrid, and Alex—were confirmed back at EVO, but Sagat’s release date remains MIA. The spotlight showed early footage of his Tiger Knee and Jumping Fierce combos and teased a new “Drive Flip” mechanic for mind-games in the corner. Cosmetic bundles and balance refinements round out Capcom’s plan to keep SF6 the fighting-game gold standard well into 2026.

Behind the Scenes: Developer Chats
True to its format, Capcom sprinkled in candid interviews:

  • Monster Hunter producer Ryozo Tsujimoto spoke about retooling traversal with Wirebug slide-boosts to make exploration feel as rewarding as boss hunts.
  • SF6 director Takayuki Nakahira broke down the art of accessible depth, showing how “Drive Flip” ties into both casual parries and pro tournament mind-games.
  • RE9 game director Koshi Nakanishi explained why Leon’s unshakeable calm wouldn’t sell scares, and how Grace’s nerves mirror our own heart-rate spikes when a concierge monstrosity sniffs us out under a table.
  • Pragmata’s narrative lead hinted at collaborations with sci-fi authors to layer nonlinear time jumps into the main arc, though details remain tantalizingly under wraps.

Fan Theories & What’s Next
Already, #CapcomSpotlight is awash in reaction videos and breakdown clips. Some fans spotted a silhouetted dragon in the MH Wilds teaser—could that be the next Elder Dragon? Others believe a blink-and-miss-it QR code at the end will unlock beta access for Wilds’ test event. Keep an eye on your Capcom ID inbox 24 hours post-show.

Looking past Spotlight, Capcom’s next big stage is Tokyo Game Show in September. Will we finally see full gameplay of Requiem’s Raccoon City streets or a surprise Onimusha revival? If this stream was any indicator, it’ll be lean, mean, and packed with reveals that spark hours of theory-crafting.

CyberBoxTV, Gaming, Review

Review: Lost in Random: The Eternal Die — A Rewarding Roguelike that respects your time

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is a not-so-direct sequel to the original game that expands its universe with a radically different approach. While a few familiar faces return, the connection to the first title is mostly superficial. This time around, players take control of Aleksandra, the villain from the first game, now trapped in a mysterious world and sporting a new appearance. To escape, she must rely on her combat skills and unlock new abilities along the way.

Gameplay is the star of the show. Drawing inspiration from titles like Hades, the game adopts a fast-paced roguelike structure. Levels and enemies are procedurally generated, and while death resets your run, progress feels meaningful thanks to a system that lets you retain your level and some abilities. The currency you earn can be spent on upgrading weapons or purchasing permanent skills. With four visually distinct areas to explore, every run feels fresh and rewarding.

Combat is fluid and primarily melee-based, featuring swords, hammers, spears, bows, and magical powers. However, it’s in the narrative department where The Eternal Die stumbles. The roguelike format pushes story elements to the background, with brief narrative flashes between fights or during occasional ally encounters. The story lacks the emotional weight of the original, and Aleksandra, as a protagonist, doesn’t evoke much empathy. Watching the former villain try to escape the consequences of her past feels somewhat anticlimactic, especially considering her role in the previous game.

Visually, The Eternal Die is stunning. It retains the original’s signature stop-motion style with clear influences from Tim Burton’s work, reminiscent of films like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. The isometric perspective gives you a clear view of the chaos during combat without sacrificing visual clarity. The soundtrack is equally impressive, keeping the pace and energy high throughout the action.

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die may not deliver a compelling story, but it excels as an accessible and engaging roguelike. With stylish visuals, satisfying combat, and a sense of constant progression, it’s a solid experience for fans of the genre or newcomers looking for an entry point.

FINAL SCORE: 4/5

CyberBoxTV, Gaming, Review

Review – The Alters: Facing Yourself Is the Real Challenge

If you ever thought working with random people was hard, The Alters challenges you with something even worse: collaborating with different versions of yourself. This new title from 11 bit studios blends unconventional gameplay elements into a strange yet fascinating experience. Its mechanics feel like a mix of Death Stranding’s exploration, Fallout Shelter’s base management, and Mass Effect’s choice-driven conversations. Despite how odd that sounds, this combination successfully breaks traditional genre boundaries.

The story centers on Jan Doski, the sole survivor of a space crash on an uninhabitable planet. Lacking the skills or physical capacity to survive or escape, Jan turns to a quantum machine that allows him to create multiple versions of himself—each from alternate timelines shaped by different life choices. These “Alters” aren’t simple clones; they have their own personalities, skills, and emotional baggage, making every interaction feel rich and unpredictable.

Gameplay revolves around managing resources like food, maintenance, and engineering while directing the Alters and maintaining their emotional stability. If morale drops, they might refuse to cooperate or even sabotage your progress. The real-time progression adds constant pressure, as the player must make key decisions quickly. Meanwhile, exploration is vital to gather materials needed to expand the base and build new labs.

Visually, the game is stunning—especially the outdoor environments, which evoke a melancholic and introspective atmosphere. The base interiors may feel generic, but they serve their purpose. A standout element is the voice work by Alex Jordan, who brings each Alter to life with unique accents and vocal nuances. While the lack of combat and slow pace might not appeal to everyone, The Alters delivers a bold, emotionally resonant narrative experience that encourages multiple playthroughs to explore its many branching paths.

Final Score: 4/5

CyberBoxTV, Gaming, Review

Review of Splitgate 2 — When Innovation Isn’t Enough

When Splitgate launched in 2019, it surprised players by combining classic arena shooter gameplay reminiscent of Halo with the portal mechanics inspired by Portal. It arrived at a time when the genre was desperately in need of something fresh, and Splitgate delivered with an innovative concept. Now, six years later, Splitgate 2 is here with a new graphics engine, improved gameplay, and the ambition to compete with the big names in the multiplayer scene. Unfortunately, that same ambition is also its greatest weakness.

The strongest aspect of Splitgate 2 remains its gameplay. Using portals to move around the maps or set deadly traps for your enemies adds a tactical dimension few shooters can match. The gunplay is fast, responsive, and the game consistently runs above 60 FPS. Despite that, the visual presentation is underwhelming, with generic map designs and an art direction that’s anything but memorable.

One of the biggest additions is the new Battle Royale mode, offering team-based matches in segmented zones. While refreshing in concept, the experience doesn’t stand out in a market already saturated with similar offerings. However, the real issue is the progression system. Everything—your character, your weapons—levels up, but with three different factions, mandatory weekly missions, and a paid Battle Pass, progression quickly becomes a chore. To make matters worse, several weapons and game modes are locked behind this system, making the experience frustrating for new players.

Adding to the frustration is a cosmetics store with wildly overpriced skins, ranging from $20 to $50, with little justification for the cost. The absence of a story mode and a near-total lack of music further weakens the experience.

Splitgate 2 has a solid gameplay foundation, but it’s surrounded by monetization systems and progression mechanics that drag down what could’ve been a stellar return. If you’re looking for a multiplayer shooter with a unique mechanic, it can provide several hours of fun. But if you want a complete and fair experience, better options are out there.

Final Score: 3/5