Six months after its introduction at CES 2025, the HDMI Forum officially approved the HDMI 2.2 standard. This upgrade dramatically boosts the maximum bandwidth to 96 Gbps, unlocking support for resolutions as extreme as 16K at 60Hz. However, users should be aware that achieving this will necessitate new “Ultra96”-certified cables, as HDMI 2.2 cannot operate at its peak without them.
The new HDMI version is a considerable leap forward for high-resolution and high-refresh rate content. While its predecessor, HDMI 2.1, already began to strain with uncompressed 8K at 60Hz, the new HDMI 2.2 specification can handle bandwidth-hungry scenarios like 12K at 120Hz and even 16K at 60Hz. It also supports up to 4K resolution at 240Hz and 8K at 60Hz in a full 4:4:4 format, with complete 10-bit and 12-bit colour depth.
One user-friendly change introduced with HDMI 2.2 is the mandatory labelling system. Learning from the confusion surrounding HDMI 2.1, where numerous cables failed to meet advertised specifications, the HDMI Forum will now require the “Ultra96” branding on all authorised cables. To ensure the label is correctly applied, manufacturers must test each cable. This should make it simple to find a truly HDMI 2.2-compliant cable.
The new Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) adds another layer of refinement. This feature enhances audio-visual synchronisation, particularly in complex multi-device setups involving soundbars, AV receivers, or elaborate home theatre chains. LIP enables devices to communicate latency information to each other and automatically adjust sync, effectively eliminating the lag between visuals and audio.
While there's no official debut date for compatible devices, AMD's next-gen Radeon series is rumoured to feature HDMI 2.2. However, early leaks suggest not all models will offer the full 96 Gbps capability, with some possibly capping at 80 Gbps.
KitGuru says: While HDMI continues strengthening its lead in the living room and home entertainment space, DisplayPort is traditionally preferred in the PC gaming monitor market. HDMI 2.2 certainly has the potential to shift that balance. Still, its widespread adoption will depend heavily on how quickly manufacturers integrate the new standard.
The post HDMI 2.2 specification revealed first appeared on KitGuru.Studio NightDive found success with its remaster of System Shock 1 a couple of years ago. Now, the fan favourite sequel, System Shock 2, is getting the same treatment.
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is available starting today. The game is available on Steam, promising various improvements over the original, including cross-platform co-op multiplayer, expanded mod support and more.
The game has launched to a ‘Positive' overall user review score on Steam, with fans pointing to the game's mod support and QoL updates as key selling points.
Here is the full list of key improvements packed into the System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster:
System Shock 2 takes place in the year 2114. Players awake from cryo sleep on the FTL ship Von Braun, unable to remember any details about who you are, where you are going, or what it is you are supposed to do. Quickly, you realise something has gone horribly wrong on board the ship, with deadly robots and hybrid mutants roaming the halls. On top of that, you have to deal with SHODAN, a rogue AI that wants to destroy humankind.
KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up the System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster for a new playthrough?
The post System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster launches to positive Steam reviews first appeared on KitGuru.Death Stranding 2 is out today and the game is already off to a good start thanks to an influx of glowing reviews. Some have already managed to beat the game, only to spot an odd name in the end credits – Nintendo. So why is Nintendo's name in the credits of this PS5 exclusive?
Nintendo Pictures Co. LTD appears in the end credits for Death Stranding 2. No, Nintendo did not have a hand in the creation of the game. However, during development, Kojima Productions did work with Dynamo Pictures for cinematic sequences. Dynamo Pictures also worked on the first Death Stranding game, as well as various other projects like Persona 5, Monster Hunter World.
Nintendo acquired Dynamo Pictures in the second half of 2022 to beef up its in-house cinematics. Since then, the company has rebranded to Nintendo Pictures and has primarily worked on Nintendo games like Pikmin 4, Super Mario RPG and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
As Nintendo owns Dynamo Pictures now, and the company has rebranded, Nintendo's name appears in the credits for Death Stranding 2.
For now, Death Stranding 2 is a PlayStation 5 exclusive game. However, a PC version is expected next year. As Death Stranding 1 ended up branching out to other console platforms, we would expect to see the same happen with Death Stranding 2, but it could take a couple of years.
KitGuru Says: Are you picking up Death Stranding 2 this week?
The post Why does Nintendo appear in the credits for Death Stranding 2? first appeared on KitGuru.Stalker 2 just received a massive update today, fixing hundreds of bugs and overhauling the A-Life system to deliver on the promised vision for the game prior to launch. Alongside this, GSC Game World has also opened the game up for modding, with a whopping 700GB modding tool kit.
If you want to make mods for Stalker 2, you best have plenty of storage space. The full version of the modkit currently calls for close to 700GB of storage space. The kit requires a 471GB download, which when unpacked and installed, takes up 659GB of space. Having a normal copy of the game installed will eat up another 150GB, so mod developers may need to dedicate a whole 1TB SSD just to this one game and project.
While there are some large modkits out there, GSC Game World's kit for Stalker 2 dwarfs them all. The closest is Baldur's Gate 3 for instance has a 150GB modkit.
Speaking with PCGamer, a GSC Game World spokesperson explained that the reason for the file size is that it contains every asset used in the game, fully uncompressed. This initial release is just phase one though, so the file size may come down a bit in future updates.
KitGuru Says: It sounds like modders will have free reign over what to do with Stalker 2, which opens up some very exciting opportunities for projects.
The post Stalker 2 modding kit requires over 650GB of storage space first appeared on KitGuru.This week, five more titles are joining the GeForce Now library, headlined by System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, which is available on Steam starting today.
The System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is now available on PC and consoles. The game brings back the classic shooter in new and improved form and so far, fans seem to be happy with it, as the game sits with an overall ‘Positive' user review score on Steam.
As for this week, the following titles are available on GeForce Now starting this week:
While GeForce Now can be accessed for free, those wanting a better experience may consider upgrading to one of the paid tiers. Currently, the Performance tier membership is 40% off for a six-month membership until the 6th of July, and day-passes are also on sale for 40% off at the moment if you want to jump in and test cloud gaming for a few hours.
KitGuru Says: What do you think of this week's additions to GeForce Now?
The post Five more games join GeForce Now this week first appeared on KitGuru.Nvidia unveiled a significant evolution in its DLSS upscaling technology at CES 2025, introducing a new model as part of the DLSS 4 upgrade. This advancement, which also includes enhancements to DLSS Ray Reconstruction, Super Resolution, and DLAA, marks Nvidia's first implementation of a transformer-based AI model in a real-time application.
After a beta phase spanning almost six months, this transformer-based DLSS model is now out of beta (version 310.3.0). This development lays the groundwork for Nvidia's future upscaling and image quality models. Given that CNN-based DLSS was utilised for over six years, it is plausible that this new transformer-based technique will similarly evolve and improve over an extended period.
Previously, DLSS relied on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to generate pixels by focusing on localised areas within current and preceding frames. However, Nvidia recognized that CNNs had reached their performance ceiling, and simply releasing new upscaling profiles was no longer sufficient to drive further image quality improvements.
The new transformer model represents a more sophisticated approach. It boasts twice as many parameters as prior DLSS upscaling models and fundamentally shifts its focus from localised content. Instead, this visual transformer analyses the entire frame and evaluates the importance of each pixel, even tracking their significance across multiple frames.
Nvidia asserts that its transformer model allows a more comprehensive understanding of scenes, bringing numerous benefits. Those include stabler pixels, effectively reducing shimmering and other visual artifacts, diminishing ghosting, and better preserving fine details, especially during motion. In addition, edges appear smoother, and the overall image quality for ray reconstruction is substantially enhanced, particularly in scenes with challenging lighting conditions.
KitGuru says: Have you already tried the DLSS transformer model? Did you notice any difference compared to the older CNN-based models?
The post Nvidia DLSS transformer model leaves beta first appeared on KitGuru.Philips has introduced the Evnia 27M2N3501PA, a new addition to its Evnia 3000 gaming monitor series. This model is positioned as a comprehensive solution for competitive gamers, integrating a range of technologies at an accessible price point, including the new Philips Evnia Precision Centre software.
The Philips Evnia 27M2N3501PA features a 27-inch Fast IPS panel, delivering QHD (2560×1440) resolution for clear and detailed visuals. For fast-paced gaming, the monitor offers an overclockable 260Hz refresh rate and a 0.3ms MPRT with Smart MBR, aiming to provide smooth visuals and optimal brightness during intense action. Adaptive-Sync technology and Low Input Lag are also present to reduce screen tearing and minimise input delay, respectively.
A new software utility, the Evnia Precision Centre, allows users to customise monitor settings and gaming profiles. This dashboard enables fine-tuning of settings, mode switching, and resolution adjustments. In addition, Image enhancement features such as Stark ShadowBoost, SmartContrast, and High Dynamic Range (HDR) are also included to improve visuals.
The monitor packs a decent amount of ergonomics right out of the box, featuring an adjustable SmartErgoBase that provides height, swivel, tilt, and pivot adjustments. Moreover, Flicker-Free technology and LowBlue mode are integrated to help reduce eye fatigue. The monitor also incorporates built-in stereo speakers. The Philips Evnia 27M2N3501PA is expected to be available for purchase in late June with an MSRP of £209.00.
KitGuru says: Considering its specs, looks, and pricing, the new Philips Evnia monitor looks like quite a good deal.
The post Philips Evnia 27M2N3501PA delivers 260Hz QHD gaming for under £210 first appeared on KitGuru.Microsoft's End-of-Life plans for Windows 10 have been known for years. The OS is hitting its end-of-life date this October, which typically means no more free security updates and no more feature updates. However, Windows 10 users will have the option of opting in for a year of ‘extended support'.
End of life and end of support are terms that refer to the end of technical support and security updates for Windows 10. After 10 years, this older version of Windows will no longer receive free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes. For consumers, end of support means that Microsoft recommends updating to the latest version of Windows for the latest critical updates.
On October 14th, Windows 10 will reach EoL status. However, the ESU programme, which provides extended support for legacy operating systems for an annual fee, will ensure additional support after this date. Typically, the ESU programme costs $30 a year to make use of, and for that price, Microsoft will still issue critical security updates and offer technical support, but there will be no additional ‘feature' upgrades.
You can opt into the ESU for Windows 10 for free for the first year by enabling Windows Backup to sync your backups to OneDrive. The catch is that you only get 5GB of OneDrive storage for free, which won't be enough to back up all of your files. So to take advantage of the ‘free' year of extended support for Windows 10, you'll need to pay Microsoft for extra OneDrive storage. The workaround for this is to use your Microsoft Reward points to pay for extended security instead.
The extended security programme for Windows 10 will end on October 13th 2026, but enterprise customers will have the option of paying for an extra three years of support.
KitGuru Says: Are you still running Windows 10 on your main PC?
The post Microsoft offers free year of extended security updates to Windows 10 users first appeared on KitGuru.Back in 2022, Epic Games reached a settlement with the FTC, agreeing to pay over $500 million in penalties for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act in Fortnite. The company was accused of designing its menus in such a way that players could easily make ‘accidental' purchases. Now, Epic Games has been forced to undergo another round of refunds to players.
Epic Games will be refunding an additional $126 million to US-based Fortnite players. This is part of the earlier FTC settlement, as Epic Games set aside $245 million for refunds at the time, and sent out around $72 million of that in December 2024. Now, this second wave of refunds will see $126 million being sent back to consumers who made purchases in Fortnite between certain dates.
As reported by PCGamer, around 969,173 payments were sent back out over the last two days as part of this refund effort. This additional wave of refunds has also led to an extended deadline, so if you are in the US and think you may qualify to receive part of this settlement, you have until July 9th to fill out the claim form.
Each claim is valued differently, so it is unclear how much money you could get back in the settlement claim. Chances are, it will be a relatively small amount, as there are over a million claimants already.
KitGuru Says: The COPPA violation ultimately cost Epic Games over half a billion USD, but with Fortnite continuing to be one of the biggest games in the world, it is not going to make a dent in the company's short-term or long-term prospects.
The post Epic Games is sending back $126 million to Fortnite players first appeared on KitGuru.The Little Nightmares series has grown to become a rather beloved franchise since its initial release back in 2017, spawning a sequel in 2021 – with the 3rd entry set to arrive this year. As part of a recent ‘Little Nightmares Showcase Event’ Bandai Namco officially announced multiple new projects alongside the long-awaited release date for Little Nightmares III.
Though the biggest news from the Little Nightmares showcase was the official announcement of the 3rd entry’s release date (launching on the 10th of October 2025), Bandai Namco also confirmed that the long-awaited Enhanced Edition of Little Nightmares I is scheduled to arrive on the same day.
In an odd move however, anyone who pre-orders the 3rd game will gain “Early Access” to this enhanced edition immediately – with the rest needing to wait until October.
Beyond this, the publisher also unveiled Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes. Said to be ‘Coming Soon’ little is known about this project, aside from the fact that it is being developed by Iconik Studio. Though far from the most well known VR studio, the team have released a number of games – most recently Hunting VR.
Finally, Bandai Namco also confirmed that the Little Nightmares series has sold over 20 million copies; not bad for a series which ostensibly consists of just two games so far.
KitGuru says: What did you think of the showcase? Which project are you most excited for? Do you have faith in SuperMassive Games handling Little Nightmares III? Let us know down below.
The post Little Nightmares III gets official release date as series hits new sales milestone first appeared on KitGuru.Back in late 2021 Netflix officially launched their video games service, offering both original and partnered content to all subscribers ‘free’ of charge. In the years since, the service has grown nicely, adding many big-name titles including the GTA Trilogy; Hades; Sonic Mania and dozens more. Unfortunately, as with pretty much all subscription services, a whole host of games are set to leave – including the aforementioned Hades.
Following roughly a dozen games being removed from Netflix’s service late last year, the streaming giant has now unveiled a list of 22 games (collated by What’sOnNetflix) which are set to be “leaving soon” on the 15th of July:
While some of these games are unlikely to be missed too badly, the likes of Hades; Katana Zero; Braid; Death’s Door and more leaving the service represents a big blow – especially with the GTA titles having been removed back in December.
Combine this with a bunch of their own first-party plans falling to the wayside, and Netflix may be distancing itself from the games industry somewhat.
KitGuru says: What do you think of Netflix's gaming efforts? Did they have a good thing going for a while there? Should the removed titles be offered to purchase separately though the iOS/Android app stores? Let us know down below.
The post Almost two-dozen titles are leaving Netflix Games next month first appeared on KitGuru.Just over a month ago, Microsoft officially announced that the Xbox console-exclusive Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II would be coming to PlayStation 5 “this Summer” via an ‘enhanced’ release. While details remained light at the time, we’ve now gotten a breakdown on the game’s release date, price, features and bonus content.
Taking to the Xbox Wire Blog, Will Potter – the Senior Communications Manager at Ninja Theory – wrote: “We’re happy to announce that Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced will arrive on August 12 as a free update for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Steam. A PlayStation 5 version will be released on the same day.”
The Standard Edition of this enhanced release will cost $49.99, with a Deluxe Edition available for $69.99. While somewhat pricey given the game’s relative length and age, the premium edition also includes the first game Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice “optimized for PlayStation 5” – alongside a digital soundtrack.
It is currently unknown whether the first game’s PS5 version will be made available outside of this deluxe edition, but here’s to hoping.
Of course, being an ‘Enhanced’ version, the upcoming release/update introduces a bunch of improvements and additions, namely:
While it seems as though much of the time taken with this update revolves around optimising the game, the Enhanced release of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II should feel like a much more fleshed out overall package. Hopefully the PS5 version of Senua’s Sacrifice is offered as a standalone title later down the line.
KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to the enhanced release? Are you surprised to see the game getting Steam Deck verified? Are there any missing features which you were hoping to see added? Let us know down below.
The post Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced gets official price and release date first appeared on KitGuru.Since Sony’s PlayStation Plus revamp a couple years back, the console maker has semi-regularly added day-one 3rd party titles to its subscription service. That said, Sony has yet to bring any of its own games day-and-date, claiming it to be infeasible back in 2022. Cut to 3 years later and unsurprisingly, PlayStation has no plans to alter its strategy in this regard.
In a recent interview with the publication GameFile, the VP of global services at PlayStation – Nick Maguire – was asked about the notion of Sony bringing its first-party games to PlayStation Plus day-and-date with its official launch.
Unsurprisingly, Sony’s strategy (which has been working well for them so far) will not change any time soon, with Maguire stating: “We've sort of stayed true to our strategy across the board, where we're not looking to put games in day and date.”
They continued, “Our strategy of finding four or five independent day-and-date titles—and using that to complement our strategy of bringing games in when they're 12, 18 months old or older—that balance for us is working really well across the platform.”
Considering the fact that their current strategy – devised back in 2022 – has “surpassed [Sony’s] expectations” leading to “engagement in Plus [which] has never been higher than it is right now,” a change in tactics would make little sense.
That said, it will be interesting to see whether anything special is in the works for PlayStation Plus’ 15th birthday.
KitGuru says: What do you think of the current incarnation of PS Plus? Is it worth the asking price? Do you subscribe monthly, quarterly or yearly? Let us know down below.
The post Sony reaffirms first-party PlayStation games won’t join PS Plus day-one first appeared on KitGuru.
The Sound Blaster G8 Hi-Res Gaming DUAL USB DAC and Amp offers a way to bring back a brand that used to be found in the vast majority of gaming computers, but…
If the dumbing down of the Civilization series has you frustrated and the questionable return of a mechanic resembling a poor take on the Stack of DoomTM in the latest version of…
Today Microsoft finally provided a use for those Microsoft points you probably didn't even know you had! They seem to have come to the realization that there are still huge swaths of…
Each month, Sony offers 3 titles for ‘free’ to all those with a PlayStation Plus subscription. In celebration of the service’s 15th birthday, Sony has announced the line-up for July’s PS Plus Essential tier – alongside a bunch of “celebratory activities we have planned this summer.”
Available to add to your library from the 1st of July until the 4th of August, all PlayStation Plus subscribers can look forward to the following:
As mentioned, beyond this, Sony also announced a bunch of 15th Anniversary Celebrations. Though more is planned to take place over the Summer months, a number of bonuses are available right now, including:
While these various events are welcome, the biggest gift so far seems to be the aforementioned PS Plus Essential line-up for July. Hopefully Sony maintains this level of quality for the remainder of the year.
In case you missed it, a number of July’s PS Plus Premium classics were also confirmed earlier this month, the details of which can be found HERE.
KitGuru says: What do you think of July’s offering? What’s your favourite fighting game franchise? How big is your PS Plus Essential library? Let us know down below.
The post Diablo IV, Jusant and more join PlayStation Plus in July first appeared on KitGuru.Following years of waiting, the much-anticipated STALKER 2 finally launched late last year. While the title certainly received plenty of praise, the game was far from hitting its full potential. One of the biggest compromises was in the game’s famous A-Life system. Fortunately, with patch 1.5, this mechanic has been overhauled.
In the months following the launch of STALKER 2 late last year, the team at GSC Game World released a bunch of patches featuring thousands of fixes and improvements. One of the team’s biggest challenges was with its A-Life system – a mechanic which simulates and tracks all NPCs from across the map for a more lively and dynamic experience.
Previous patches brought significant improvements to the system. However, with this latest update, GSC have introduced A-Life 2.0; the improvements to which include:
As with pretty much all previous STALKER 2 updates, the full list of changes is highly extensive. Available to view HERE, some of the other notable improvements include:
The STALKER series became famous in-part due to its unique A-Life system, and so it is encouraging to see the much-lauded feature finally make its way into the sequel properly. That said, it will be interesting to see if/how it differs – even now – to the previous titles.
KitGuru says: What do you think of STALKER 2’s many updates? Did the game launch too early? Should more open world titles introduce an A-Life like system? Let us know down below.
The post STALKER 2 update 1.5 overhauls the game’s A-Life system first appeared on KitGuru.
HP Omen Max 16 RTX 5090 Gaming Laptop: Starting at $2599, $4639 as tested HP's fastest-ever gaming laptop impresses with sharp looks, a superior display, and bestial gaming performance. Killer Gaming Performance Surprisingly Compact For This Speed Awesome OLED HDR Contrast & Response Sturdy Solid Chassis & High Build Quality Nearly...Nvidia has officially revealed the GeForce RTX 5050, a new mid-range gaming GPU for desktop and laptop platforms. The desktop version will start at $249, with laptops featuring the RTX 5050 expected to begin at approximately $999. Both variants are slated for availability in the second half of July 2025.
The RTX 5050 is designed for 1080p AAA gaming at medium to high settings. It supports DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, allowing users to push framerates higher than expected from an entry-level gaming GPU.
The desktop RTX 5050 utilises the “GB207” silicon, which is fully enabled, featuring 20 Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs) for a total of 2560 CUDA cores, 80 Tensor cores, and 20 RT cores. It also includes 80 Texture Mapping Units (TMUs) and 32 Render Output Units (ROPs). The GPU's base clock is 2.31GHz, with a boost clock of 2.57GHz. It has 8GB of VRAM (GDDR6 on desktop and GDDR7 on laptop) on a 128-bit memory bus. Nvidia did not specify the memory speed, but seeing the desktop version has a memory bandwidth of 320 GB/s, we assume the memory will run at 20 Gbps. As for the laptop version, it has a memory bandwidth of 384 GB/s, meaning the memory will run at 24 Gbps.
The desktop GPU has a Total Graphics Power (TGP) of 130W, allowing AIC partners to use 6-pin PCIe power connectors, though 8-pin PCIe is also expected. The laptop variant has a TGP up to 115W. Both models feature the latest NVENC and NVDEC video accelerators and a current display engine.
KitGuru says: Do you think the Nvidia RTX 5050 has what it takes to make a stand in the desktop market? What about its laptop version?
The post Nvidia introduces the RTX 5050 GPU for desktops and laptops first appeared on KitGuru.Skullcandy is launching a new entry into the gaming headset market with the launch of the Crusher Plyr 720. This new headset is notable for being the first gaming-focused product to incorporate Skullcandy's patented Crusher multi-sensory bass technology, combined with an open-back design.
The Crusher Plyr 720 integrates Skullcandy's new multi-sensory bass with THX Spatial Audio and an open-back acoustic design. This combination seeks to provide a distinct auditory and tactile experience: explosions are designed to resonate more, engine sounds are deeper, and an opponent's approach can be pinpointed to a specific direction.
The open-back acoustics and positional audio tuning contribute to a spacious soundstage. The headset features dual Crusher drivers that, according to Skullcandy, allow gamers to perceive events in the game by feeling them before they are seen or heard. Unlike typical haptic headphones, the Crusher Plyr 720's drivers direct sound into the head and ears, rather than just around the latter. Skullcandy claims this results in a more visceral sensation akin to adding an adjustable subwoofer.
The Crusher Plyr 720 also offers audio management through the Skull-HQ app, allowing users to customise their sensory experience. For console and mobile gamers, THX Spatial Audio with head tracking is available via the Skullcandy Mobile App. The headset is designed for cross-platform compatibility and is available in two models: Multi-Platform, which offers wireless play on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile, with wired support for Xbox, and “Designed for Xbox”, which provides support for wireless play on Xbox, as well as PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile. Both versions of the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 are priced at $259.99 and will be available through the company's website and Amazon.
KitGuru says: There are not many open-back wireless gaming headsets out there, so this is quite unique.
The post Skullcandy Crusher Plyr 720 headset brings wireless open-back audio to PC and console first appeared on KitGuru.
Connexion