Category Archives: PC

Featured, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC

Intel hasn’t called Game Over with Arc GPU business and Arc Battlemage Series enters the fray

Intel has officially announced its latest Arc Battlemage graphics cards, the B580 and B570, aimed at bringing high performance to budget-conscious gamers. These GPUs are designed to compete with mid-range offerings from Nvidia and AMD, offering impressive specs at competitive prices.

The Arc B580 will be available starting December 13, 2024, priced at $249. It features 12GB of VRAM, a clock speed of 2.67 GHz, and a power draw of 190W. The B580 is designed to deliver best-in-class performance-per-dollar, targeting 1440p gaming with support for Intel’s XeSS 2 upscaling technology.

Following closely, the Arc B570 will launch on January 16, 2025, with a price tag of $219. It comes with 10GB of VRAM, a clock speed of 2.5 GHz, and a power draw of 150W. Like its higher-end counterpart, the B570 also supports XeSS 2, promising enhanced performance and visual quality.

Intel’s new GPUs are built on the Xe2 architecture, which brings significant improvements in performance and efficiency. The B580 and B570 are expected to outperform their predecessors, the A750 and A770, by around 24% on average across a range of games.

With features like ray tracing and frame generation, these GPUs are set to offer a compelling option for gamers looking to upgrade their systems without breaking the bank.

The gaming community has been eagerly awaiting Intel’s entry into the GPU market, and the Battlemage series seems to be a promising step forward. With competitive pricing and strong performance, the Arc B580 and B570 could shake up the mid-range GPU market and provide more options for gamers.

Gaming, News, PC, Technology

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger Resigns: What It Means for the Tech and Gaming Industry

In a surprising turn of events, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has announced his resignation after a tumultuous three-year tenure. The news has sent shockwaves through the tech and gaming communities, raising questions about the future direction of the company and its impact on the industry.

Gelsinger, who took over as CEO in February 2021, embarked on an ambitious plan to restore Intel’s dominance in the semiconductor market. His efforts included significant investments in manufacturing capacity and a push to expand Intel’s foundry business. However, despite these efforts, Intel’s stock has plunged 61% during his tenure, and the company has faced numerous challenges, including layoffs and financial setbacks.

From a gaming perspective, Gelsinger’s resignation is particularly concerning. Intel’s chips are a crucial component in gaming hardware, and any instability at the company could have ripple effects on the gaming industry. Gamers are already wary of the increasing costs of hardware and the potential for supply chain issues, and Gelsinger’s departure adds another layer of uncertainty.

The gaming community has also been critical of Intel’s recent decisions, such as calling their newest business GPU, Intel Arc brand, as a “failed experiment” when they were actually welcomed in their initial phase and after a few updates with more games’ support This move has further strained the relationship between Intel and its gaming audience along with the Core gen 13 & 14 technical failures that affected many PCs during 2024.

As Intel searches for a new leader, the company has appointed interim co-CEOs David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus. The gaming community will be watching closely to see how the new leadership navigates these challenges and whether they can restore confidence in Intel’s commitment to both the tech and gaming industries.

Games, Gaming, PC

GOG Steps Up to Preserve Warcraft 1 and 2 Amidst Blizzard’s Delisting

In a bold move to ensure the longevity of classic games, GOG has announced its commitment to preserving Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II despite Blizzard’s surprising and UNFORTUNATE decision to delist them from its storefront.

This decision comes just a month after Blizzard released remastered versions of these iconic games on its Battle.net marketplace.

Starting December 13, 2024, the original Warcraft games will no longer be available for purchase on GOG. However, GOG has reassured its customers that the games will remain accessible to those who have already purchased them.

This is part of GOG’s newly launched Preservation Program, which aims to keep classic games compatible with modern systems indefinitely.

We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve done on Warcraft I and Warcraft II, bringing them back to life after decades of unavailability.

Through our efforts, we’ve introduced several new features to both titles, including multiplayer support over LAN and enhanced graphical options like antialiasing and anisotropic filtering.

-GOG via their official blog.

The company has introduced several enhancements to the games, including multiplayer support over LAN and improved graphical options like antialiasing and anisotropic filtering.

GOG’s Preservation Program ensures that even if a game is delisted, it will continue to receive updates and tech support to maintain compatibility with future systems. This means that fans of the original Warcraft games can rest easy knowing they will still be able to enjoy these classics without any issues.

We want to reveal a new feature to our recently announced Preservation Program. Once a game joins the Program, we pledge to maintain its compatibility even if it gets delisted from the store.

This means that owners of those titles can still expect a seamless experience and tech support for those titles. This also considers potential changes in Windows OS that may impact games’ playability.

For those who haven’t yet snagged the Warcraft I & II Bundle, GOG is offering a discount code MakeWarcraftLiveForever to knock $2 off the regular price of $14.99. This is a fantastic opportunity to own these timeless classics DRM-free and ensure they remain playable for years to come.

I want to personally add that this move by Blizzard Entertainment is as anti-consumer AF as it gets. It’s emblematic of the entire Activision Blizzard mindset where profit is prioritized over genuine gaming experiences and preservation efforts. It’s frustrating to see companies deploying tactics like “compromised” FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as a convenient marketing ploy rather than addressing the needs and concerns of the gaming community.

This begs the question: why are gamers increasingly skeptical about remasters and remakes? It’s because these efforts often come at the expense of the original versions, eroding the authentic experiences that the gaming community cherishes. Companies should realize that preserving the source material while introducing new versions shows respect for the legacy of these games and the loyalty of their players.

From my part… I was looking for the physical version as part of my retro gaming spending for next year, but if my discount purchase allows me to both contribute and spite Blizzard at the same time, I’m all game!

Games, Gaming, News, PC

Tecent announces Open-World Survival Game Light Of Motiram

Tencent’s new subsidiary, Polaris Quest, has announced an exciting new game titled Light of Motiram. Set to release in 2025, this open-world survival game promises to deliver an immersive experience with a unique blend of crafting, monster-taming, and action-packed combat.

As per Polaris Quest, Light of Motiram takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by colossal machines known as Mechanimals. Players must navigate this dangerous world, gathering resources, crafting tools, and building shelters to survive.

The game features a physics-driven system that enhances the realism of building and crafting.

And yes, I think that you already read some reactions, but accordingly, have criticized it for its similarities to Horizon Zero Dawn and Palworld if going to comparisons with what was shared and the concepts of what it is expected on the game.

Players can explore the vast open world on foot or by riding Mechanimals. They can mine rocks, fish, and fell trees to gather resources and craft essential items all while engaging in intense combat with powerful robotic creatures using a variety of weapons.

The combat system is designed to offer a diverse range of fighting styles.

Despite that, you can discover and tame over 100 different types of Mechanimals, each with unique abilities. Players can customize their Mechanimals to create powerful allies for their adventures.

https://geezusgg.xyz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/LightOfMotiramVid.webm

For now, Light of Motiram is confirmed to be a free to play title, but will be a PC-only release on both Steam and the Epic Games Store.

While there are no plans for a console release at this time and the accusations of the “liberties with the inspiration”, the game is expected to be a hit among PC gamers.

Games, Gaming, News, PC

Star Wars Hunters will finally come to PC in 2025

Exciting news for Star Wars fans! Star Wars: Hunters, the fast-paced multiplayer brawler developed by Zynga in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, is officially coming to PC in 2025!

This highly anticipated game, which has already taken the Nintendo Switch and mobile platforms by storm, is set to bring its chaotic battles and unique characters to the PC gaming community.

The game will be available on Steam starting January 28, 2025 and good news along the announcement is that Players can join the Early Access program starting January 27, 2025, giving them a chance to shape the game’s future and provide valuable feedback.

Zynga claims that the PC version promises higher resolution textures, enhanced rendering quality, and detailed PC-specific layers in select battlefields. Full support for keyboard, mouse, and wireless controllers will also be included, along with customizable key binding options.

If you didn’t know, Star Wars: Hunters is a team-based multiplayer game set on the planet Vespaara, where players engage in fast-paced, action-packed battles. The game features a diverse roster of characters, including mischievous Jawas, a droid who believes he’s Force-sensitive, a Wookiee with an attitude, and a modified droideka on a rampage.

Each character brings a unique playstyle, ensuring there’s something for every type of gamer.

Games, Gaming, News, PC

Another PC gaming launcher bites the dust and 2K joins the club with fanfare

In a move that has been widely celebrated by the gaming community, 2K has officially removed its launcher from all PC games. This decision comes after years of criticism from players who found the launcher to be cumbersome and unnecessary. The removal of the 2K Launcher is expected to streamline the gaming experience and improve performance for many titles.

The End of an Era

The 2K Launcher, which was used for launching games like Bioshock Remastered, Mafia Trilogy Definitive Edition, and XCOM 2, has been a point of contention for gamers. Many players complained about the launcher causing performance issues and complicating the game-launching process. With the complete removal of the launcher, players can now launch their games directly from platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store.

Key Changes

  • Direct Game Launch: Games that previously required the 2K Launcher will now launch directly from Steam or Epic Games Store. This means no more extra steps or waiting for additional software to load.
  • Improved Performance: By eliminating the launcher, 2K aims to improve game performance and reduce loading times. This should result in a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
  • Mod Support: For games like XCOM 2, which relied on the launcher for mod support, 2K has introduced new launch options to ensure that mods can still be used. Players can now choose between the original mod launcher and a new option that directly launches the game.

Community Response

The gaming community has responded positively to this change, with many players expressing relief and excitement. The removal of the 2K Launcher is seen as a step towards a more streamlined and user-friendly gaming experience. Players are hopeful that other publishers will follow suit and remove their own launchers, further improving the PC gaming landscape.

By simplifying the game-launching process and enhancing performance, 2K has taken a positive step towards better serving its player base. This change is a win for gamers who have long called for the removal of unnecessary launchers, and it sets a precedent for other publishers to consider similar changes.

Games, Gaming, News, PC

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.: The Ultimate Remaster Hits Steam This Winter

Sega has announced an exciting remaster of the classic fighting game, Virtua Fighter 5, now titled Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.! This remaster is set to launch on Steam this winter, bringing the legendary fighting series to PC for the first time.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is based on the PlayStation 4 version, Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown, and includes several enhancements. Players can expect rollback netcode support, gorgeous 4K visuals, and updated character models, stages, and cinematics. The game will support up to 60 frames per second, providing a smooth and visually stunning experience.

The remaster will feature all the beloved game modes, including Arcade, Rank Match, Training, and Versus. Additionally, players can create custom online tournaments and leagues with up to 16 players, making it perfect for competitive play. With 19 playable characters, each with unique fighting styles, there’s plenty of variety and customization options to keep the battles fresh and exciting.