Tag Archives: Industry

Breaking, CES 2025, Events, Featured, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC, Technology

AMD announces Radeon 9070 family along with FSR 4

One of the main thing that gamers were expecting of the AMD turn at the stage of CES 2025 was the future of Radeon and yes, RDNA 4 is official, yes, there is a new family with two members of Radeon in the name of Radeon 9070, YES FSR 4 also official but….NO…. AMD will hold specs and details.

More precisely, what it is included and the improvements that the RDNA 4 architecture is bringing for both Radeon 9790 and Radeon 9070 XT which probably are targeting 1440P resolution, will not be disclosed at this time, despite the GPUs are slated for a Q1 2025 release.

A reminder: AMD said that it was no longer interested in high-end GPU part of the market which means that proer 4K solutions aren’t on schedule this time.

So consider yourself a honorary gamer if you happens to be at Las Vegas this week, as AMD will have some PC with prototypes.

It was only confirmed that Asus, Acer, Sapphire, XFX, AsRock, Gigabyte, PowerColor and two Asian brands will have their respective GPU on sale soon and pretty much giving the tip that AMD will probably forego a Foundation or Reference GPU for public.

What it was said about RDNA 4 is that improves ray-tracing engine and performance, an upgraded media encoding quality.

Physically, all Radeon 9070/9070 XT GPU cards will be manufactured with 4nm process, which tells you the good balance of processing and energy consumption and the hardware will include its second-generation AI accelerators, third-generation ray-tracing accelerators, and second-generation radiance display engine.

Before you ask, no it is not for “bad luck or anything that you might have heard before, but AMD said that jumping from 7000 straight to 9000 for Radeon series labeling was needed because future mobile Radeon announcements will have the 8000 labelling, including RDNA 3.5.

Here comes a new challenger for AI-based upscaling -FidelityFX Super Resolution 4

AMD confirmed the new geneeration of FidelityFX Super Resolution at its fourth version or simply FSR 4, which a machine learning-powered update to AMD’s upscaling and frame-generation technology that’s been developed specifically for RDNA 4 and its dedicated AI accelerator hardware.

Of course, this could be a proper consideration for new PC builds or if you are in plans of upgrading as FSR 4 will be available only with a Radeon RX 9070 family GPU graphics as most of its functionality, depends on components on the hardware side.

Microsoft confirmed that a future update of Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 will have direct support to FSR 4 and also, Matt Booty of Xbox, shared that Microsoft remains committed on being a partner with AMD for their needs for Xbox (I will take it as a hint for the future of Xbox hardware).

Finally, AMD announced improvements to its Adrenalin, the Radeon software administrator and these improvements includes include the ability to generate images with AI models, summarize local documents, and ask an AMD chatbot questions about graphics settings and more. 

CES 2025, Gaming, Hardware/Console, Technology

AMD announces the Ryzen Z2 CPU family

Despite being initially leaked before their proper CES 2025 keynote, AMD has finally announced the second generation if its processor for portable gaming and computing device, the Ryzen Z2 and as expected, the improvement shall give space for speculation that next-gen portable device are coming this year.

AMD announced three new Ryzen Z2 APUs designed specifically for gaming handhelds and these include the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, Ryzen Z2, and Ryzen Z2 Go.

Each APU targets different power levels and starting with the Ryzen Z2 Extreme features 8 cores (3 Zen 5 + 5 Zen 5c) and 16 RDNA 3.5 Compute Units, meanwhile the Ryzen Z2 has 8 Zen 4 cores and 12 RDNA 3 Compute Units.

Finally, the newest member of the family and debuting the Ryzen Z2 Go is designed for budget-conscious gamers with 4 Zen 3+ cores and 12 RDNA 2 Compute Units.

Needless to say that the Ryzen Z2 Extreme will be the flagship of the Ryzen Z2 family and each individual will power target devices, AMD acknowledged directly that the Ryzen Z2 Go was specifically designed for the Legion Go S, the entry-level variant of the Lenovo Go device.

While there is no official words on device carrying this new CPU family from AMD, it confirmed that the Ryzen Z2 will be used in systems from ASUS, Lenovo, and Valve, which pretty much will have many gamers eyes anticipating if 2025 will mean the year of a proper Steam Deck follow-up.

AMD expect to have the Ryzen Z2 available for PC and electronic manufactures within Q1 2025.

CES 2025, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC, Technology

AMD announces Ryzen 9 X3D variants & new AI CPUs

As expected, AMD kicked off its CES 2025 keynote starting with an expected announcement and it is more X3D or 3D-Cahce ready CPU variants of the current Ryzen Zen 5 family and now, it is the turn of the flagship Ryzen 9 9950X and the little brother Ryzen 9 9900X, respectively with Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D.

Let’s start on what gamers are looking for and yes, AMD officially announced the X3D cache ready variant of the Ryzen 9 9950X as the Ryzen 9950X3D, which will get gamers a noticeable boost on gaming performance.

The Ryzen 9 99050X3D features 16 Zen 5 cores with a Max Boost frequency of 5.7GHz with 2 V-Cache, one specifically for AMD’s 3D-Cache and the other for the regular use of Zen 5 core usage, sharing a memory space of 144MB.

MD says the 9950X3D should be around 8 percent faster on average than the previous 7950X3D, based on benchmarks run on 40 games at 1080p. The gaming performance should be similar to the 9800X3D, with AMD claiming it’s within 1 percent. AMD even claims the 9950X3D is 20 percent faster than Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K in those same games

With this, AMD is going after Intel’s Core 285K, calling it “the world’s best gaming processor” and the “new king for content creators and actually, it was acknowledged that both gaming and content creators are the target audience with the bold claim the 9950X3D is 20 percent faster than Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K.

Remember that X3D variants of Ryzen CPU doesn’t see much improvement of their predecessors for general productivity like Word Processors, Presentation, non-GPU assisted graphical designs even non-graphical software engineering.

For those in a new to go beyond Ryzen 7 9800X3D but not enough budget for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, Ryzen 9 9900X3D also makes its apprearance.

The Ryzen 9 9900X3D will include 12 Zen cores with24 threads, a 5.5GHz max boost, 140MB of cache, and a 120-watt TDP and with this, AMD said the cache is now less sensitive to high temperatures, allowing the CPU to boost to higher frequencies and deliver better performance in both gaming and creator tasks.

The new Zen 9 3D-Cache ready variants of the Zen 5 CPU family will be available starting March 2025, but prices were not immediately announced.

“Strix Halo” and “Fire Range” no more

The second announcement regarding CPU it aimed for mobile gaming or gaming laptop and once internally knew as “Strix Halo” and “Fire Range”, where announced today respectively as Ryzen AI Max family and the Ryzen HX/HX3D family.

Starting with AI Max family and more or less taking the queue of both Apple with the M processors and Qualcomm with Snapdragon X family, AMD is taking the best of both gaming and AI world with these two processors.

The Ryzen AI Max can have configuration of up to 40 RDNA 3.5 compute units, 16 Zen 5 CPU cores, and a new memory interface with 256GB per second of bandwidth and meanwhile, the Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 (the high end variant), as over 1.4x the graphics performance and 2.6x the 3D rendering performance of Intel’s highest-end Lunar Lake chip, the Intel Core 9 288V.

These specs in theory, makes a high end laptop beating a MacBook Pro built with a Apple M4 Pro, which tells you that laptops built with these processors are for a mix of gaming and productivity.

Finally the former Fire Range project, was announced as the family that includes the new HX- and X3D which its design will have them as a discrete processing units instead of discrete GPU.

The family includes the Ryzen 9 9850HX, Ryzen 9 9955HX and the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D which is obvious to say which one include 144MB of 3D-Cache or X3D and this will power the high-end gaming laptop for this year.

The processors are expected to be available in the first half of 2025 and are aimed at users who need powerful computing for gaming, content creation, and AI workloads

CES 2025, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC, Technology

Intel confirms commitment to Arc GPUs business

In great news for those who are having a soft side for Intel, mainly in their efforts for their penetration of the GPU aspect of the computing and gaming PC side of their business, is that Intel is committing on their Arc brand and try to have a proper third GPU giant title along with Nvidia and AMD.

In a much needed contrast to former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger’s negativity on the GPU business with Intel Arc, which he saw it as a failed experiment, Intel’s new co-CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus has confirmed the audience in the company’s CES 2025 keynote, that Arc isn’t going away. 

As a matter of fact, it is one of the most frequently asked question as Johnson claimed (quoted by The Verge).

With that Holthaus took the opportunity to say tat Intel will launch the Arc B570 GPU this next week, a card which is even more budget than the B580.

About that GPU, is based  on Xe2 “Battlemage” GPU architecture with 16 cores (some cores will be for direct computing and others for efficiency), up to 12GB of dedicated video memory, and up to 190W of energy usage and this Arc GPU aims to compete with Nvidia GeForce 4060 and Radeon 7600 XT.

 One thing that I would consider as expected, is that Intel might be going the same route that Nvidia and AMD are going regarding leveraging GPU for both gaming and AI as part of the strategic plans on the future includes their investment for AI solutions.

But hey, if this justifies Intel Arc’s existence and brings more choices for the consumer, mainly the budget consumer, it should be seen as a good thing.

CES 2025, Events, Featured, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News

HDMI 2.2 officially announced at CES 2025

In what it was expected to be incoming, were are at the dawn on what its next for HDMI and the HMDI Forum has officially unveil the standard for HDMI 2.2 at CES 2025 and what could monitors and electronic should be capable off with the new advancements.

The new HDMI 2.2 standard offers significantly higher bandwidth and faster data transfer speeds compared to its predecessors, with HDMI 2.2 devices supporting data transfer speeds of up to 96Gbps, double the speed of HDMI 2.1b, and can handle resolutions up to 12K at 120 frames per second.

But of course, the gaming community’s interest on the new standard of HDMI 2.2 should be enlisted as follows:

  • Higher Resolutions and Refresh Rates: HDMI 2.2 can support resolutions up to 12K and refresh rates up to 120Hz, providing incredibly sharp and smooth visuals for gaming.
  • Lower Latency: The new Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) helps synchronize audio and video signals, reducing input lag and improving overall gaming responsiveness.
  • Enhanced Audio: HDMI 2.2 includes an improved Audio Return Channel (eARC), allowing for high-quality audio transmission, which is crucial for immersive gaming experiences.
  • Future-Proofing: With its higher bandwidth, HDMI 2.2 is designed to support future gaming technologies and content, ensuring compatibility with upcoming advancements in gaming hardware and software.

While HDMI 2.2 devices are expected to become available later this year, it may take some time for consumer media and devices to fully support the new standard. The new cables required for HDMI 2.2 will be labeled with an “Ultra96” marker to indicate their compatibility.

CES 2025, Events, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, Technology, Xbox

LG has become the latest Xbox Game Pass ally

In more CES 2025 gaming related news, Microsoft and LG have announced that they have entered into a partnership to bring Xbox Game Pass with the Game Pass Cloud Gaming capacities to LG Smart TVs later this year. This collaboration marks a significant step in making gaming more accessible to a broader audience.

Game Pass Ultimate members will be able to play games directly from the Xbox app on supported LG Smart TVs. This means no additional hardware is required—just the TV and a compatible controller and with this, players will have access to a diverse selection of games from the Game Pass Ultimate catalog. Popular titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and upcoming releases such as Avowed will be available for streaming.

We’re focused on bringing more games to more people around the world, on the devices you choose to play with. Millions of Game Pass Ultimate members are already using Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) to play great games from the Game Pass catalog on various devices.

Today, we’re excited to announce our collaboration with LG Electronics to bring the Xbox app to their new LG Smart TVs later this year. This means Game Pass Ultimate members will be able to play their games directly from the Xbox app on supported LG Smart TVs via Xbox Cloud Gaming. This gives players even more choice in how they enjoy their favorite games.

Soon, players with LG Smart TVs will be able to explore the Gaming Portal for direct access to hundreds of games in the Game Pass Ultimate catalog, including popular titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and upcoming releases like Avowed (launching February 18, 2025).

In addition to Game Pass titles and previously announced, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members will also be able to stream select games they already own, including hits like NBA 2K25 and Hogwarts Legacy.

With this, Microsoft and Xbox will be diving in more details in the upcoming months.

As for the LG Smart TVs ready with Xbox Game Pass availability, LG said that the 2025 models will be release later this year. However, specific release dates and the exact models of LG Smart TVs that will support this feature have not yet been announced.

Games, Gaming, News

Stellar Blade studio felt gracious on its success

Shift Up, the developer behind the popular PS5 action game Stellar Blade, has gifted all of its employees a PlayStation 5 Pro and a $3,400 bonus. The studio, which has around 300 employees, held an event in Seoul to present these gifts.

This generous gesture is a way to thank and encourage their talented team, especially after the commercial success of Stellar Blade.

The studio’s representative mentioned that the bonuses were intended to motivate the existing talent at the company.

Stellar Blade has sold over 1 million units worldwide, and the studio is considering releasing a PC version of the game in 2025, along with the exploration on the possibility of developing a sequel, which of course, it doesn’t sound a bad idea if they can recreate the elements that led Stellar Blade being a success in 2024.

Shift Up is a South Korean video game developer and publisher, founded on December 2, 2013, by Kim Hyung Tae after his tenure at NCSoft was over. The company is known for creating popular games like Goddess of Victory: Nikke and Stellar Blade.

CES 2025, Events, Gaming, News, Technology

Dungeons & Dragons just kickoff gaming at CES 2025

One of the early gaming related announcements of CES 2025 comes in the form of an impressive Pinball machine and it is a $7000 Dungeons & Dragons pinball machine. This pinball machine, called “Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye,” is a tribute to the tabletop RPG’s 50th anniversary.

It features an all-star voice cast, including Michael Dorn from Star Trek: TNG, and takes players on an adventure through the Forgotten Realms.

Players take on the role of members of the Dragonshield Guild, aiming to defeat the dragon queen Tiamat, who is plotting to rise again and trigger the War of Dragons. The game features various iconic enemies such as Rath the Relentless (a red dragon), Xanathar the Beholder, Sammaster the Lich, and more.

Voice Cast

The game features a star-studded voice cast including Michael Dorn, Kevin Smith, Luke Gygax, Chris Prynoski, Brendon Small, Gerard Way, Matthew Mercer, Laura Bailey, Marisha Ray, Anthony Carboni, and Mica Burton.

Now the tech side of this Pinball machine include four important aspects starting with Rath the Relentless: An advanced animatronic mech that reacts to player actions and intelligently will follow your Pinball to avoid being hit using advanced sensors with multi-axis motion and features omnidirectional impact sensing technology.

Another aspect and related to Rath, is the Omnidirectional Impact Sensing and this technology allows the animatronic dragon to intelligently respond to impacts from any direction, adding a new level of realism and interactivity to the game.

Then we got a Interactive Playfield, which includes Hidden Passageways that players can navigate, adding an element of exploration to the game, Electromagnet-powered Gelatinous Cube and this feature freezes the pinball, creating a unique challenge for players and Dynamic Dungeon Levels, which are sccessed through a disappearing playfield trap door, these levels change the gameplay environment and add variety to the experience.

And finally, digital integrations with the Insider Connected Platform and this platform enables ongoing code updates and interaction with a global network of players. Players can share their progress, unlock new features, and stay connected with the pinball community, High-Resolution LCD Screens and LED Lighting.

Of course, this elements combine traditional pinball components with video game-style interactive screens, enhancing the visual experience.

Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye pinball machine is set to be released in late 2025. It’s being produced by Stern Pinball Inc. under an official license from Wizards of the Coast1.

The game is available in three editions, each with different features and pricing:

  1. Pro Edition: Priced at $6,999 USD
  2. Premium Edition: Priced at $9,699 USD
  3. Limited Edition (LE): Priced at $12,999 USD. This edition is limited to just 740 models in honor of D&D’s original release in 1974.

Each edition offers unique artwork, audio, and additional features, with the Limited Edition including upgraded audio and anti-reflection glass.

Games, Gaming, News

Arrowhead Studios is busy and not just Helldivers 2

In a recent post on X, Johan Pilestedt, the creative director of Helldivers 2, revealed that he’s already planning Arrowhead Game Studios’ next game. With just minutes to go before 2025, Pilestedt shared his excitement and curiosity about what fans would like to see in the studio’s next project.

Since its release in February 2024, Helldivers 2 has been a massive hit, becoming PlayStation’s fastest-selling game launch ever.

The game sold over 12 million copies across PC and PS5 in its first 12 weeks, surpassing even God of War Ragnarök. The success of Helldivers 2 has allowed Arrowhead to continue updating the game and even hinting at a potential “Helldivers 3” in the future.

Fan Input

Pilestedt is actively seeking fan feedback and speculation on what the next Arrowhead game should be. He mentioned that he is working on the high concept for the new game but is eager to hear what fans envision. Some fans have suggested ideas like a remake of Smash TV or an on-rails aircraft game similar to Star Fox.

While Helldivers 2 continues to receive updates and new content, Arrowhead is already looking ahead to their next big project. Pilestedt has shared that the studio has conceptualized several ideas, including some that never made it to the final stages. This openness about the studio’s creative process has excited fans and given them a glimpse into the potential future of Arrowhead’s games.

Entertainment, Gaming, News, TV Series

A crossover between Halo and Doom was planned

In a surprising revelation, it has come to light that Xbox turned down a pitch for a major franchise crossover in the new animated series Secret Level. The creators of the show had envisioned an episode featuring a crossover between Halo’s Master Chief and Doom’s Doomslayer, two of Microsoft’s biggest first-person shooter franchises. However, the pitch was rejected by the license holders.

According to Tim Miller in a inteview with Collider, one of the creators of Secret Level, the idea was to create an episode where Master Chief and Doom Slayer would team up in a unique narrative that isn’t available in the games. Miller and his team spent considerable time crafting an impassioned pitch, hoping to bring this exciting crossover to life.

Despite their efforts and the support from friends at id Software and Microsoft, the pitch was ultimately turned down. Miller expressed frustration over the rejection, especially when fans questioned why they chose smaller franchises over well-known ones like Halo

Needless to say that for fans of both Halo and Doom, this news is undoubtedly disappointing.

The idea of seeing these iconic characters team up in an animated format would have been a thrilling experience. However, there is still hope that Microsoft might reconsider for Season 2 of Secret Level, given the positive reception of the show.

While the Master Chief and Doom Slayer crossover didn’t come to fruition this time, the success of Secret Level and its upcoming second season means there could be more opportunities for exciting crossovers in the future. Fans will be eagerly watching to see what other surprises the show has in store.