Intel has initiated the end-of-life process for its Arc A750 Limited Edition graphics card, with the company ceasing orders for the reference design from June 27th. Another unspecified version of this card will also reach its end-of-life on June 30th.

This move, brought to our attention by @momomo_us, was communicated through an Intel Product Change Notification (PCN). Note that the Arc A750 GPU itself is not being discontinued; Intel is just withdrawing its “Limited Edition” model from direct sales. As such, this PCN is not expected to impact the production of the graphics processor (the Alchemist ACM-G10 GPU) itself or the custom board designs of Intel's partners.

Furthermore, the latest PCNs also state Intel will be discontinuing the Arc Pro A30M on September 30th and the bulk-sold Arc A770, Arc 350M, Arc A570M, Arc A530M, Arc 770M, and Arc 730M on November 18th. The Arc A580 and other Arc Pro GPUs are absent from this discontinuation notice, but by the looks of it, it should join the list of discontinued Arc GPUs soon.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried an Intel graphics card? How was your experience with it?

The danger with subscription services is the ever looming threat of monthly price increases. As it turns out, both Sony and Microsoft may have price increases coming in the near future, for PlayStation+ and Game Pass. 

As part of Sony's annual business update this week, Hideaki Nishino, CEO of SIE, confirmed that 38 percent of PlayStation+ subscribers are now utilising a higher tier version of the service, like PS+ Extra or PS+ Premium. Nishino added that pricing for its PS+ tiers will continue to be evaluated to “maximise profitability”. There are no dates yet, but we can assume that sometime in the next year, PS+ will get a bit more expensive each month.

On Microsoft's side, code on the xCloud website contains reference to a ‘subscription price increase', as spotted by data miner @redphx. Game Pass prices last rose in July 2024, so we're coming up to one year. With Microsoft making the jump to $80 games as standard, Game Pass looks likely to also go up in price.

KitGuru Says: Are you currently subscribed to PS+ or Game Pass? 

Despite a lack of immediate retail presence, AMD has confirmed the launch of a new AM4 processor: the Zen3-based Ryzen 5 5500X3D. This SKU, introduced on June 5th, officially becomes the latest CPU available for the AM4 socket, already in its ninth year (started in September 2016).

The Ryzen 5 5500X3D (via MEGAsizeGPU) is a 6C/12T processor built on the Zen3 architecture, featuring 64 MB of first-generation 3D V-Cache. This translates to a total L3 cache of 96MB for the SKU, matching the specifications of the Ryzen 5 5600X3D. The 5500X3D can be seen as a slightly slower counterpart to the 5600X3D. While maintaining a 105W TDP, its clock speeds are notably lower, operating 300 to 400MHz slower than the 5600X3D, with a boost frequency up to 4.0GHz (the base clock stands at 3.0GHz).

It's worth recalling that the 5600X3D saw limited distribution, primarily through a few global retailers. As of now, the availability of the Ryzen 5 5500X3D also seems somewhat limited, as AMD's official product website states the new Ryzen 5 CPU will be exclusively available in Latin America. Hopefully, availability will be expanded globally so others can also consider getting what might end up being the cheapest CPU with AMD's 3D V-Cache.

KitGuru says: Would the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D be a good CPU for an entry-level build?

Sony received a lot of praise for its efforts on PC initially, but complaints quickly came in when Sony began delisting games from sale in hundreds of countries. Sony has dropped its controversial PSN account requirements for its PC games after much backlash and now, a few games that had been delisted in various countries are now available for sale once again. 

As spotted by Wario64, Sony appears to have reversed its decision to only sell PC games in countries where PSN is supported. Titles like God of War Ragnarök, Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us Part 2 and Helldivers 2 are now available worldwide once again.

Sony has not said anything about this publicly yet, and certain major titles like Ghost of Tsushima are still unsupported but that could change in a matter of weeks, assuming this hasn't all been a mistake.

The issue here first appeared shortly after Helldivers 2 released on Steam. At first, the game was available everywhere, but it was later removed from sale in over 170 countries, as Sony was looking to push the PC player base over to PSN accounts. The decision to enforce PSN accounts was later reversed, but it has taken a lot longer for the sales restrictions to be lifted.

KitGuru Says: Do you think Sony will make more of its PC games available worldwide again?

It has been a week since the ROG Xbox Ally handheld was announced. This is a collaboration between Xbox and Asus to produce a new handheld with an updated ‘gaming UI' for Windows 11 that enables easy switching of apps and quick access to the Xbox app, Battle Net, Steam and other launchers.

There will be two versions of the Xbox Ally system. A base version featuring a Ryzen Z2A APU, and a more powerful version with the Ryzen Z2 Extreme.

The Ryzen Z2A features four Zen 2 CPU cores with eight threads and an 8-CU RDNA 2 iGPU. The Z2 Extreme bumps this up to eight Zen 5 CPU cores and a bigger RDNA 3.5 iGPU, making it ideal for running more graphically intensive titles.

According to one prominent Xbox leaker, extas1s, the standard Ryzen Z2A version of the Xbox Ally will cost €599 at launch, while the Ryzen Z2 Extreme version will start at €899. These figures were claimed to be confirmed by two European retailers.

It is also claimed that pre-orders will begin in August, with availability in October. That means we may get more information around Gamescom.

KitGuru Says: At these prices, the Xbox Ally will be a niche device. I am most interested in seeing this updated version of Windows though, as it looks to be a much better system compared to what is available on current Windows handhelds.

Capcom has announced a significant sales milestone for Devil May Cry 5, revealing that the game has sold over 10 million units worldwide since its 2019 release. The company has explicitly credited the recent success of the Devil May Cry animated series on Netflix as a contributing factor to this surge in sales.

Devil May Cry 5 brought back fan-favourites Nero and Dante and introduced the enigmatic V as they battled the Demon King Urizen. The 2020 Special Edition enhanced the experience by adding Vergil as a playable character. Regarded by many as one of the standout launch titles for the Xbox Series X, the game's continued momentum has been bolstered by its gameplay, story, action elements, and the enduring appeal of Vergil's addition. The recent celebration follows a notable increase in the game's player count on Steam in April 2025.

Capcom highlighted the impact of the Netflix animated series, which debuted in April 2025. Produced by Adi Shankar (known for Castlevania) and animated by South Korea's Studio Mir, the series garnered 5.3 million views and landed in Netflix's top ten lists. The narrative follows Dante as he confronts a demonic invasion led by the White Rabbit and engages in conflict with the soldier Mary. Fans now await news of a potential second season from Netflix.

KitGuru says: Have you ever tried Devil May Cry 5? Do you think the game deserves the praise it gets?

A handheld Xbox that's really an ROG Ally with a new Ryzen processor?? An LCD that actually NEEDS bright sunlight like a Game Boy Color?? (Oh, and Josh's legendary food segment.)  There's…

It's been two years since the launch of the AMD AM5 motherboard platform and the 600-series motherboards. Since its launch, the platform has seen the launch of several CPUs in the Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000, and Ryzen 9000 families. While the 600-series motherboards provide great features & compatibility with newer Zen 5 CPUs, motherboard makers are always looking to enhance user experiences through the latest technologies, which is why AMD has introduced a new chipset line called the 800-series. The first wave of AMD 800-series motherboards (X870E & X870) hit shelves last year with the Ryzen 9000 series, & these […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/msi-mag-b850m-mortar-wifi-motherboard-review-solid-matx-design-for-am5-builders/

Merchandising included, considering what Mel is wearing.  This is the most important thing this Friday, you can see less important news below.

NuPhy, a company that has carved out a distinct niche in the mechanical keyboard market since its inception, is now accepting pre-orders for its latest mechanical keyboard: the NuPhy Air75 V3. This new addition continues the brand's commitment to sleek aesthetics and robust functionality, packing 84 keys into a compact 75% layout.

The Air75 V3 (via TechPowerUp) features a slim 12.8mm profile, encased within a stylish aluminium frame that combines an aluminium top case with an ABS bottom, a PC plate, and double-shot PBT keycaps. Measuring 318.9 x 128.9 mm and weighing a mere 724 grams, it's designed for portability without sacrificing a premium feel. A significant highlight is its substantial 4000 mAh battery, promising up to 1200 hours of use when backlighting is off or 60-100 hours with RGB illumination activated.

Connectivity is versatile, offering 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, and a USB-C wired connection, all of which support full N-key rollover. Performance is consistent across wireless and wired modes, with a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and USB-C, while Bluetooth operates at 125 Hz. The keyboard also supports hot-swappable low-profile switches and features a gasket-mounted design with plate-mounted stabilisers. NuPhy's proprietary Nano switches are offered in Red (linear), Brown (tactile), or Blush (silent linear) variants, allowing users to choose the best fit for them. Adding visual flair, north-facing RGB LEDs offer 20 distinct illumination options and battery status information.

Ergonomics is also considered, with adjustable typing angles of 4°, 8°, or 10°. Compatible with Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS devices, the NuPhy Air75 V3 is available in white and black. Priced at $139.95, each purchase includes the keyboard, a USB-C cable, a 2.4 GHz dongle, a knob module, eight spare keycaps, a keycap/switch remover tool, and a screwdriver.

KitGuru says: Do you like low-profile keyboards and switches? What do you think of Nuphy's new Air75 V3?

Razer announced the launch of its next generation of mobile gaming peripherals: the Razer Kishi V3, Kishi V3 Pro, and Kishi V3 Pro XL. This new Kishi V3 series is for gamers who demand console-grade performance and superior control, regardless of their preferred mobile device, be it iPhone, Android, small tablets, full-sized tablets, or even PC.

The Kishi V3 Pro and Kishi V3 Pro XL models are poised to elevate mobile gaming. They offer immense adaptability, Razer Sensa HD haptics, and various control layouts. Whether players are streaming AAA titles, playing competitive esports, or exploring new virtual worlds, the Kishi V3 series promises an unmatched gaming experience.

The Kishi V3 Pro is a full-sized USB-C gaming controller for phones, tablets up to 8 inches, and PCs. It brings the same comfort, precision, and responsiveness of a professional gamepad to the mobile arena, featuring TMR thumbsticks with interchangeable caps complemented by claw grip bumpers and dual mouse-click back buttons. Including Razer Sensa HD haptics provides tactile feedback, adding another layer of immersion. Razer Nexus support extends its utility to wired and remote play for PC, while its USB-C “island” architecture ensures flexibility with various cases and devices. Convenience is further enhanced with USB-C passthrough charging and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Expanding upon the Kishi V3 Pro experience, the Kishi V3 Pro XL caters to larger displays, supporting full-sized tablets up to 13 inches, including the iPad Pro and iPad Air. This XL variant shares all the features of the Kishi V3 Pro, effectively unlocking new possibilities for mobile gaming on bigger screens by delivering pro-tier grip, performance, and tactile feedback. For gamers seeking a more streamlined yet equally capable experience, the Kishi V3 game controller presents an ergonomic, full-sized form factor. It incorporates TMR thumbsticks, two mouse-click back buttons, silent tactile buttons, and a D-pad. Optimised for the latest iPhone 15/16 series and Android devices, the Kishi V3 offers USB-C passthrough charging, PC play compatibility, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

To celebrate the launch, the Kishi V3 Pro and Kishi V3 models will include three complimentary months of Apple Arcade for new and qualifying returning members. The Kishi V3 Pro XL further raises the bar, offering an extended six months of Apple Arcade for new and qualifying returning members, providing even greater value. The Kishi V3 costs ££99.99/$99.99/€109.99, the V3 Pro costs £149.99/$149.99/€169.99, and the V3 Pro XL £199.99/$199.99/€229.99.

KitGuru says: Of all the new Razer Kishi V3 models Razer is launching, is there one that interests you?

Earlier PCIe standards tended to last much longer than the latest ones, partly because of the increasing need for more bandwidth. Since the release of PCIe 4.0, PCI-SIG has been updating the standard every two and a half years (average), with PCIe 7.0 being the latest to be announced.

Continuing its trajectory, PCI-SIG has officially released the PCI Express 7.0 specification, marking yet another doubling of available bandwidth. This new standard propels PCIe to an impressive 128 GT/s, translating to a staggering 512 GB/s in each direction over a full x16 link. This monumental increase in data transfer capability is designed to cater to the demands of workloads in AI, machine learning, cloud computing, and quantum computing.

PCIe 7.0 integrates advanced technologies to achieve its speeds, including PAM4 signalling and Flit-based encoding. Furthermore, the specification emphasises increased power efficiency and maintains full backwards compatibility with all preceding PCIe versions.

While it will undoubtedly be several years before PCIe 7.0 makes its way into consumer products, PCI-SIG has already confirmed that development on the even faster PCIe 8.0 specification is actively underway to meet anticipated future industry needs. PCIe specifications typically find their initial implementation in AI accelerators, networking equipment, and high-performance storage devices, and we expect the same will happen for the first PCIe 7.0 devices.

KitGuru says: Seeing PCIe 6.0 devices aimed at consumers are still scarce, when will consumers get their hands on the first PCIe 7.0 devices?

We are one week out from the launch of Remedy's first multiplayer game. FBC: Firebreak will send players back to The Oldest House to in squads to investigate supernatural outbreaks. With the release date approaching, Remedy is starting to share some of its post-launch plans. 

FBC: Firebreak will get at least two major updates before the end of the year. The first, codenamed Outbreak, is scheduled for Autumn and will introduce a new location, new gameplay systems, new enemy types and new unique armour sets.

The second update, codenamed Blackout, is scheduled for Winter 2025 and will also add a new location to the game, new equipment and enemies, new earnable rewards and more cosmetics and unique armour sets.

There are plans in the works for 2026 as well, but some of that will depend on how well this initial launch goes. FBC: Firebreak will get a boost from subscription services, as it will be a day-one title for Game Pass and PS+ Extra. The game will also be available to buy on consoles and PC via Steam on the 17th of June.

KitGuru Says: I would have liked to have seen an open beta for this. Right now, it seems like we've seen quite little of the game and that very little hype has been built up around the launch. 

It has been a while since the release of the last Total War game but Creative Assembly does have something cooking up. The studio revealed plans to showcase ‘the next era' of Total War later this year.

Total War is nearing its 25th anniversary and to celebrate, Creative Assembly will be revealing the next game in the series later this year. The anniversary showcase is set to happen in December though, so we've got quite some time left to wait.

“Taking place in early December, this show will unveil the new games that you can expect to play in the near and distant future, as well as introduce you to the development teams making them. We’ll have more details to share as we approach the end of the year, but whether you’re a fantasy or history fan, there will be plenty to enjoy!”

The statement hints at a return to Total War Warhammer with its reference to fantasy. As for history, there are plenty of directions that could go.

KitGuru Says: Are you a fan of the Total War games?

There has been a lot of negativity surrounding two upcoming PlayStation live-service games in the past month – Bungie's Marathon and Haven Studio's Fairgames. There have been rumours of both delays and cancellations, but PlayStation's CEO is looking to put those rumours to rest. 

Sony's annual business presentation took place this week and included updates from PlayStation CEO, Hermen Hulst (via Eurogamer). Despite recent negativity surrounding Marathon, due to Bungie falling into yet another plagiarism scandal, Hulst says that PlayStation looks “forward to showcasing” the game's progress.

Marathon was notably not part of Sony's recent State of Play stream last week. However, the game is still being advertised as releasing in September, which would mean that marketing will need to ramp up soon.

Haven Studios has also come into the crosshairs recently. The studio's founder, Jade Raymond, suddenly left the company. Around that same time, reports emerged of a recent Fairgames playtest that left developers worried for the future of the project.

Hulst remains positive about the game's outlook though. Fairgames is a new co-operative heist game and given that Payday 3 flopped, there is a gap in the market waiting to be filled. As of now, the game is still on track to release in 2026. It is unclear if the game will carry a premium price tag or if it will go free to play.

KitGuru Says: Are any of you interested in either Marathon or Fairgames? 

We have known for a while now that the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake would include the Snake vs Monkey mode, but only on PlayStation consoles. Now, Xbox has its own alternative – Bomberman. 

The reason behind the Snake vs Monkey mode's exclusivity is simply, it uses characters from Ape Escape, which is owned by PlayStation. However, Microsoft was able to work out an alternative for Xbox gamers. Now, the Xbox version of Metal Gear Solid Delta will include a mini game based on Bomberman.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is due to release for Xbox Series X/S, PC and PS5 on the 28th of August, so we've had a long road to release since the game's initial announcement. It is unclear which mini game, if any, will appear in the PC version of the remake.

There have been no announcements for Metal Gear Solid Delta on the Nintendo Switch 2. However, the console is brand new, so there is plenty of time for that to change.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake? Which platform will you be playing it on? 

In recent years, major publishers have made a push for more accessibility features in games. Nowadays, most major titles come with a set of features designed to make the game playable for those with various disabilities. Now, Valve is updating the Steam Store to allow users to easily find these games. 

The new accessibility features have now rolled out on the Steam Store. Moving forward, users can filter through the store by accessibility feature. You can be quite narrow in your search as well, filtering for games that are playable without timed input, or games with color blind settings.

Valve notes in its announcement post to that over 5000 games have been updated on the store to now include accessibility feature tags, and more developers are updating their store pages every day.

KitGuru Says: The Steam Store is constantly improving, and huge strides have been made when it comes to search functionality, filters and recommendations. 

Despite relatively little public fanfare, Bethesda’s MMO-like experiences – Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls Online – have both continued to grow steadily over the years. More than a decade on from ESO’s release (and 6 years since FO76), both titles are sitting comfortably around 25 million players each.

In an interview conducted by Insider-Gaming, Bethesda Game Studios’ Jon Rush and Bill LaCoste spoke on the ongoing success of Fallout 76, revealing that since its launch back in late 2018, the game has managed to exceed 23 million players in total. Previous figures put the game at 21 million back in November of last year.

In a similar vein, a recent trailer for the latest update to The Elder Scrolls Online confirmed that it had now reached a new milestone of 26 million players (compared to 25 million in October of last year).

Of course, while impressive figures, with both titles being live service in nature, the number of active players matter more so than total accounts – especially as both ESO and FO76 are on Xbox Game Pass.

Still, while perhaps not the single player RPG experiences which many Fallout and Elder Scrolls fans have been waiting for, it appears as though both Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls Online continue to find a dedicated audience of players.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Bethesda’s MMO offerings? Have you given either title a chance? Let us know down below.

For years, Microsoft had been talking up the idea of releasing a dedicated handheld Xbox of sorts, with the company officially confirming such a device was in the works last year. Since then, insiders claimed that the device had been sidelined for now, with focus shifting toward improving Windows for gaming. With the ROG Xbox Ally having now been announced, it appears as though all plans for the internally-developed console have been cancelled.

Following the reports a couple weeks ago by Windows Central which claimed that “Xbox's first-party handheld has been sidelined (for now), as Microsoft doubles down on [ROG Xbox Ally] and Windows 11 PC gaming optimization,” new leaks have surfaced, stating that the handheld has now been cancelled entirely.

According to known industry insider Tom Warren via The Verge (paywalled), the recently sidelined internally-developed Xbox handheld has reportedly been “essentially canceled as the company focuses on Xbox's new software platform.”

No reason was given for the cancellation, but according to the report, Microsoft is planning to further develop its partnership with hardware manufacturers – suggesting that “we'll see next-gen Xbox hardware from Microsoft, but I also strongly believe we'll see multiple devices from PC makers like Asus that will also be considered next-gen Xbox consoles.”

Following generations of relatively standard console release strategies, Xbox seems to be throwing the entire guidebook out the window. It will be interesting to see if and how this shakes up the industry.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the ROG Xbox Ally? Were you looking forward to the Microsoft-developed handheld? Will Microsoft ever make their own Xbox hardware again? Let us know down below.

Released over a decade following its first entry, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 launched in September of last year to a wave of success; both critically and commercially. As we continue through 2025, it seems as though momentum for the title has not slowed down – having now reached a sales milestone of 7 million players.

Taking to BlueSky to make the announcement, the official Focus Entertainment page shared the following:

“Here’s another big milestone that fills us with gratitude: 7 million players on #SpaceMarine2. On this occasion we want to thank each Space Marine out there for their unwavering support. Thank you (7M times).”

As mentioned, Space Marine 2 officially launched in September of last year to pretty wide acclaim. Since then, the game has continued to receive post-launch support, with the most recent update bringing the new PvE Siege Mode.

Warhammer games have been somewhat hit-or-miss historically due to its owners Games Workshop’s willingness to licence out the IP to various developers and publishers.

That said, with Space Marine 2, Saber Interactive have clearly hit the nail on the head. Hopefully the game continues to see further support – from both the developers and players alike.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 7 million players? What do you think of the Siege update? What’s your favourite Warhammer sub-series? Let us know down below.

Microsoft concluded its recent Xbox Games Showcase event with a lengthy deep-dive into the upcoming The Outer Worlds 2. While it appears to be a solid sequel to 2019’s AA affair, the game has seen some backlash for being the first in Microsoft’s new $80 push. Though unsurprising, the team at Obsidian have confirmed that the price was dictated by Microsoft, not them.

The recent Outer Worlds 2 showcase offered a ton of new details surrounding Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming RPG – touching on many of the sequel’s improvements, changes and additions.

That said, given the fact that the first entry in the series launched back in 2019 for the now-relatively cheap price point of $60, the increase to $80 for the sequel has given some fans pause.

In an interview conducted by GamesRadar+ during Summer Game Fest however, the director for The Outer Worlds 2 spoke on the pricing decision, clarifying:

“We're a game developer. We love to make games. We don't set the prices for our games. Like, personally, as a game developer, I wish everybody could play my game, because that's what I want out of this whole thing. But for the reasons and so like, why the $79.99 price point, you'd have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks.”

While this was known by most already, it is interesting to see the game’s director outright state this fact.

The discussion surrounding video games and their value is a rather complicated one, especially with different publishers having their own metric for what price a game should be. That said, hopefully the surprising price tag for The Outer Worlds 2 does not ultimately lead to lower-than-expected sales.

It will be interesting to see what Game Pass numbers wind up looking like when the game launches later this year.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the $80 price tag? Can The Outer Worlds 2 justify it? Can Microsoft justify it? Let us know your thoughts down below.