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Reçu aujourd’hui — 6 juillet 2025KitGuru

Unreal Engine 5.6 gets DLSS 4 plugin

6 juillet 2025 à 15:30

With the release of the most recent version of its DLSS plugin for Unreal Engine, Nvidia has full support for DLSS 4 in Unreal Engine 5.6. With the help of this updated SDK, developers can more easily incorporate Nvidia's state-of-the-art AI-powered upscaling and frame generation technologies into games and apps created using the game engine from Epic Games.

As of right now, this plugin works with Unreal Engine versions 5.2 through 5.6; official support for earlier versions is no longer offered. This release comes after Unreal Engine 5.6 made its debut last month, and the first DLSS UE5 plugin was released in February. Recall that Unreal Engine 5.6 was used for The Witcher 4 tech demo, demonstrating the engine's new version capabilities. Comparisons between the Paris Tech demo built with UE 5.2 and 5.6 have also been made, where we can see notable FPS (average and low) improvement.

A wide range of features are supported by the DLSS plugin, such as Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing (DLAA), Ray Reconstruction, Super Resolution, Multi-Frame Generation, Transformer upscaling model, and standard Frame Generation. With the help of the plugin, developers can now easily incorporate these DLSS features into their Unreal Engine projects. It is important to note that the GPU architecture of the player will determine whether or not each particular DLSS feature is available.

KitGuru says: Most games in development using Unreal Engine 5.6 are likely still a long way from release. Still, given Nvidia already launched this plugin, there's a good chance they'll come out supporting DLSS 4 at launch.

The post Unreal Engine 5.6 gets DLSS 4 plugin first appeared on KitGuru.

The next Hades 2 patch could be the last before full release

6 juillet 2025 à 15:00

Even though Hades 2 has not yet reached its full 1.0 release, it has maintained an impressive early access run on PC. With more than 61,000 Steam reviews, the game has been in early access for more than a year, and even its early versions have received praise for their polish and depth of content for a game that is still in development. With the eagerly anticipated 1.0 launch ever closer, one can only imagine where this journey will end.

On June 17th, Supergiant Games released “The Unseen Update”, their third significant early access patch. With the addition of a new “Vow of Rivals” that not only made Guardian battles more intense but also urged players to change up their tactics for every encounter, this update mainly addressed combat changes. The latest patch, Patch 10, expands on this by making a few minor adjustments to already-existing items and abilities and fine-tuning the Vow of Rivals encounters. Additionally, Supergiant has stated that no new locations or plot points will be added before the v1.0 release, as the game's actual conclusion is being postponed until the full release.

According to the developer, Patch 10 is “likely to be our final patch before our v1.0 launch”. The sentiment implies that the end of early access is approaching, even though they followed this with a cautious “whenever that will be!” This is undoubtedly exciting for console gamers or those who would have instead waited for the game to be finished.

Xbox and PlayStation users, however, will have to be a little more patient. Hades 2's precise 1.0 release date is still unknown, but Supergiant has made it clear that the game will first be available on PC, the Nintendo Switch, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Fans have previously received assurances from the developer that the game is optimised to run smoothly on both Nintendo platforms at a steady 60 FPS.

KitGuru says: Have you tried Hades 2 already or are you waiting for the final 1.0 patch?

The post The next Hades 2 patch could be the last before full release first appeared on KitGuru.

Arctic unveils new Premium high air-resistance case fans

6 juillet 2025 à 14:30

Arctic has officially released its new P Pro Series of fans and on top of that, the company is also equipping its Liquid Freezer III AIO cooler with the new fans, which offer high static pressure and airflow, making them ideal for those seeking to lower temperatures. The P12 Pro, P12 Pro A-RGB, and P12 Pro PST are the first 120mm models to hit the market, with more to come in the next few weeks.

A carefully redesigned fan blade structure is at the heart of this new series. Arctic has used automated manufacturing processes to get very low tolerances, which means that there is only a small gap between the impeller and the fan frame. This level of precision engineering leads to higher static pressure and a significant boost in airflow efficiency, making sure that these fans can move air well even in very tight spaces. A high-precision balancing procedure, an optimised bearing, and a longer impeller shaft all work together to keep vibration to a minimum and keep the P12 Pro running “quietly” at speeds of 600–3000 RPM.

A new controller-motor combination not only lowers the noise that motors naturally make but also smartly makes up for any speed drops that might happen when obstacles like dense radiator fins make it harder to move. There are also built-in safety features that effectively reduce inrush current peaks and prevent damage from reverse polarity.

Below is a list of all fan variants of the P Pro series:

  • P12 Pro Series
    • P12 Pro
    • P12 Pro PST
    • P12 Pro PST – 5 Pack
    • P12 Pro PST (White)
    • P12 Pro PST CO
    • P12 Pro A-RGB
    • P12 Pro A-RGB – 3 Pack
    • P12 Pro A-RGB (White)
    • P12 Pro A-RGB (White) – 3 Pack
  • P14 Pro Series
    • P14 Pro
    • P14 Pro PST
    • P14 Pro PST – 5 Pack
    • P14 Pro PST (White)
    • P14 Pro PST CO
    • P14 Pro A-RGB
    • P14 Pro A-RGB – 3 Pack
    • P14 Pro A-RGB (White)
    • P14 Pro A-RGB (White) – 3 Pack

The P12 Pro fans (black) are available now, and for a limited time, Arctic is offering an automatic webshop discount of up to 52%. The P12 Pro costs a reasonable €7.99 (the original price was €16.49), and the P12 Pro PST 5-pack costs €27.49 (the original price was €39.49). The P12 Pro A-RGB is available for €11.99 (original price: €19.99) for those who want something extra. As mentioned, additional models from the P12 Pro and P14 Pro Series are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

KitGuru says: On the market for some new fans for your PC? Maybe consider getting the new P12 Pro and taking advantage of these significant discounts.

The post Arctic unveils new Premium high air-resistance case fans first appeared on KitGuru.

Call of Duty: WWII pulled offline due to RCE security flaw

6 juillet 2025 à 14:00

Call of Duty: WWII officially came to Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass earlier this week. However, the PC version has had to swiftly be pulled offline due to a newly discovered security issue.

It seems that Call of Duty: WWII has been hiding a bug that enables Remote Code Execution. One player found themselves targeted mid-game, forcing the game to close and a text file to open informing the player that their PC had been remotely accessed.

I JUST GOT HACKED PLAYING WW2! EVERYONE DO NOT PLAY WW2 ON GAMEPASS! @Xbox @XboxSupport @Activision @charlieINTEL @CODUpdates @FaZeScope @Mobbing pic.twitter.com/I5pehK1kHK

— Wrioh (@wrioh75753) July 3, 2025

Activision has so far only acknowledged that it had to pull the game offline to fix ‘an issue', with no mention of the serious security implications this bug could have on customers. With that said, Insider Gaming reports that the bug may have been around for years already, which would indicate that this has been a long-standing problem.

Nobody wants a videogame to double up as a backdoor into their PC. It is good that the game was pulled offline once the alarm was raised, but there is no telling how long it will remain offline for. Back when an RCE bug was discovered in the Dark Souls trilogy on PC, all three games had to be pulled offline for months while it was fixed. However, Microsoft has a bit more experience in the cyber security department, so things may move a bit quicker for Call of Duty: WWII.

KitGuru Says: If you had Call of Duty: WWII installed, consider uninstalling it. If you've played the game online recently, you should run a system scan to check for any rogue files.

The post Call of Duty: WWII pulled offline due to RCE security flaw first appeared on KitGuru.

Kojima’s Xbox game ‘OD’ unaffected by recent Microsoft cuts

6 juillet 2025 à 13:15

Needless to say, this has been an awful week for Xbox, with thousands of developers being let go, several high-profile game cancellations and even a few studio closures. As Microsoft purpotedly began cancelling funding for third-party game projects, some fans became worried about the status of Kojima's upcoming Xbox game, OD. 

OD was announced a couple of years ago at The Game Awards. It was going to be the first time that Kojima had produced an Xbox exclusive, but given Microsoft's recent pivot to multi-platform releases, it is now no longer certain that OD will be exclusive to Xbox platforms.

Kojima Productions has been busy with Death Stranding 2, so progress on OD has been slow and we've heard no news since the game's initial teaser. However, it is far from a ‘dead' project. As reported by Windows Central, Kojima Productions' deal with Microsoft for OD was not affected by the recent cuts at Xbox.

There is still no word on when the game might come out, but we would expect it to be a few years away at least.

KitGuru Says: OD is anticipated to be Kojima's return to survival horror. After we all missed out on Kojima's version of Silent Hill, OD is going to have a lot of eyes on it. 

The post Kojima’s Xbox game ‘OD’ unaffected by recent Microsoft cuts first appeared on KitGuru.

Helldivers 2 won’t be coming to Game Pass

6 juillet 2025 à 12:30

Helldivers 2 launched last year as a PlayStation console exclusive, and as the PC version is also published by PlayStation, it was widely assumed that the game would never come to Xbox. That changed this week with a surprise announcement, but while Helldivers 2 will be on Xbox moving forward, it won't be coming to Game Pass. 

Helldivers 2 for Xbox Series X/S consoles will be available starting on August 26th. However, the game will not be coming to Game Pass, now, or perhaps ever.

As reported by Videogamer, Arrowhead's Community Manager responded to fans asking about a Game Pass release in the official Helldivers 2 Discord server. To one fan, they wrote “definitely not” when asked if the game would be available through Game Pass, and later added that there are “no plans” to ever bring the game to Microsoft's subscription service.

Whether or not that stance changes in the future is anyone's guess. For its part, Microsoft does support Sony's competing PlayStation Plus subscription service with various games. Somewhere down the line, if it makes business sense for Sony to put the game on both services, I wouldn't rule it out.

KitGuru Says: A whole new class of Helldivers are about to be recruited into the ranks, which is a great thing. I don't think we need to water down that fact by focusing on the game not being available as a Game Pass freebie. 

The post Helldivers 2 won’t be coming to Game Pass first appeared on KitGuru.

CD Projekt Red and Studio Trigger announce Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2

6 juillet 2025 à 11:45

Anime Expo 2025 is taking place this weekend and CD Projekt Red did not disappoint with its panel. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is indeed returning, and Studio Trigger will be handling it once again. 

Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020 and quickly became critically panned for its major bugs and performance issues. The release of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners also coincided with a turning point for the video game. The incredible critical success of Edgerunners sent many back to Cyberpunk 2077 to re-experience the game after many patches, which then kickstarted the ‘Cyberpunk is good now' discussion in 2022.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will feature 10 episodes. David Martinez will not return, but we will be exploring new stories in Night City, with a new set of characters.

Studio Trigger and CD Projekt Red say that Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will tell a “raw, real chronicle of redemption and revenge” but beyond that, we don't know any other details. Currently, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 does not have a release date, but it will drop on Netflix when its ready, just like the first season.

KitGuru Says: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was so good that I think we all expected another season at some point. It is confirmed now, and there is a trailer, but it was only shown at Anime Expo, so we'll have to wait a while longer before we get our first look. 

The post CD Projekt Red and Studio Trigger announce Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 first appeared on KitGuru.

Romero Games could seek a new publisher and reopen

6 juillet 2025 à 11:00

One of the more surprising casualties from last week's Xbox layoffs was Romero Games. Founded by DOOM creator, John Romero, the studio was not owned by Microsoft, nor had any public business ties to the company. However, it turns out that Romero Games was working on a new shooter, with the funding coming from Xbox. Now due to the cuts, Romero Games is feared to be closing down. 

While Romero Games has not named Microsoft or Xbox in any of its official statements, the company did confirm this week that it had lost publisher funding for the new First-Person Shooter it was developing. As a result, the entire team is being let go and the game has been cancelled.

As reported by VGC, one anonymous Romero Games employee gave comment on the situation, saying: “Everyone is out of a job. We had meetings with the publisher the day before this happened, there was no mention of it”.

However, it is also claimed that the studio is “trying to find other ways of funding the project”, so there is a chance that this shooter could return from the dead. In the meantime, though, the studio can't retain its employees, so the studio would have to go through a period of rebuilding, even if it did find a new publisher to finance the game.

KitGuru Says: Romero Games had remained as a small studio for years before obtaining funding for its current projects. Then when it finally grew to a full production-sized team, that funding was snatched away. If the UE5 shooter was far along enough, they may be able to convince another publisher to push the project over the finish line. 

The post Romero Games could seek a new publisher and reopen first appeared on KitGuru.
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Xbox has reportedly downsized Turn 10 and cancelled Forza Motorsport

4 juillet 2025 à 18:30

This week, Microsoft announced plans to let go of 9000 employees. Various studios within the Xbox unit were impacted, including Turn 10, which reportedly lost as much as half of its employees. Now, an ex employee has made the claim that Forza Motorsport has effectively been cancelled. 

Former Turn 10 developer, Fred Russell, commented on the layoffs at his old studio. Through contacts, he says that “Turn 10 Studios has shuttered the Forza Motorsport space and the team is no more”. If true, it would mean that Microsoft has made the decision to axe Forza Motorsport, but to keep Turn 10 on as a support studio for Forza Horizon, which is primarily developed by Playground Games.

Since being acquired by Microsoft in 2018, Playground Games has grown into a multi-project studio and is now working on the Fable reboot, as well as future Forza Horizon games. Turn 10 was responsible for the Forza Motorsport games, which have slightly more limited appeal compared to Forza Horizon. While Forza Horizon is an open-world game with multiple types of races, Forza Motorsport focuses exclusively on track car racing.

The latest Forza Motorsport game released in 2023 after a couple of delays. While the game was a critical success, it is unclear if it was a commercial one. Given that Turn 10 is now reduced to support studio status, it seems likely that Forza Motorsport sales had fallen behind expectations.

KitGuru Says: Do you think we'll ever see Forza Motorsport return?

The post Xbox has reportedly downsized Turn 10 and cancelled Forza Motorsport first appeared on KitGuru.

Nvidia RTX 50 GPUs gain ground in latest Steam Hardware Survey

4 juillet 2025 à 18:00

Nvidia's GeForce RTX 50 series has begun to register significant adoption in Steam's 2025 Hardware Survey. Despite only debuting in early 2025, with the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 launching on January 30th and mid-range options like the RTX 5070 and RTX 5060 following in February and May, respectively, these cards collectively account for a notable 3.69% of all surveyed systems.

Leading the charge among the new Blackwell GPUs in the Steam hardware survey results is the RTX 5070, which has already captured nearly 1% of the total market share. The RTX 5080 and RTX 5070 Ti follow closely behind. The survey data further reveals that even the more budget-oriented RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060, along with the flagship RTX 5090, have made an impact in a short span.

This rapid uptake suggests that gamers still prefer the Nvidia cards over AMD ones, as the results don't even mention a single Radeon RX 9000 series card. Absent from Steam's monthly poll is also Intel's Arc B-series GPUs. This suggests that their shipping numbers haven't yet reached the critical mass required to cross Valve's visibility threshold in the survey.

Despite the swift adoption of the RTX 50 series, the RTX 4060 Laptop GPU continues to hold its ground as the most popular GPU on Steam, maintaining a share of just under 5% of the installed base.

KitGuru says: Have you recently bought an Nvidia RTX 50 series GPU or a system equipped with one? What made you go for an Nvidia-based system instead of an AMD one?

The post Nvidia RTX 50 GPUs gain ground in latest Steam Hardware Survey first appeared on KitGuru.

Ocypus unveils new Sigma Pro AIO liquid coolers

4 juillet 2025 à 17:30

Ocypus has announced the debut of its Sigma Pro Series, a new line of high-performance liquid coolers. The flagship models in the Sigma Pro lineup feature a 3.5-inch IPS display and an innovative “floating pump” design, all built upon a large copper base.

Taking centre stage in Sigma Pro liquid coolers is a 3.5-inch square IPS screen boasting a 640×480 resolution and framed by an ultra-narrow bezel. This display is customisable, allowing users to monitor their system in real-time or display their favourite videos, personal photos, and animated GIFs. Available in black and white, the Sigma Pro will be available with 240mm and 360mm radiators.

The cooler's floating pump structure, accented by a bright silver frame, adds a sense of dimension and elegance to any PC build. Complementing this unique design, an ARGB light ring is subtly integrated into the side of the pump. Users can personalise this ARGB ring with a variety of adjustable lighting effects or synchronise it with their entire system's lighting for a unified and cohesive glow. Installation is designed for ease, with a magnetic mounting system allowing for quick attachment and simple rotation to ensure the display is aligned.

The Sigma Pro incorporates a ceramic pump bearing and a 0.1mm microchannel layout, working in tandem with a 3700mm² copper base to maximise heat transfer efficiency from the CPU. The included high-performance PWM fans, equipped with fluid dynamic bearings, promise long-term stability and powerful, consistent airflow.

KitGuru says: If you were to get an Ocypus Sigma Pro liquid cooler, which model and colour option would you choose?

The post Ocypus unveils new Sigma Pro AIO liquid coolers first appeared on KitGuru.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink reaches 2 million sales

4 juillet 2025 à 17:00

Cygames' action RPG, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, has achieved significant success since its release last year on PS4, PS5, and PC. After selling over one million copies in its first 11 days, the game has now surpassed two million units sold worldwide. This milestone is being celebrated with a 60% discount on both PC (Steam) and PlayStation versions for a limited time.

As a solo narrative, Relink immerses players in the journey of Gran, Djeeta, and Lyria as they confront the supporters of Avia. Following Lyria's abduction, players embark on a mission to rescue her, encountering foes like Id and Lilith. The game features a roster of beloved characters such as Katalina, Eugen, Rosetta, and Rackam, alongside additional playable characters like Narmaya, Cagliostro, and Vaseraga.

Cygames Osaka has consistently provided post-launch support for Relink. This included the introduction of new playable characters like Seofon, Tweyen, and Sandalphon, and the challenging Ultimate Showdown mission against Lucilius. While the major post-launch content for Relink appears to have concluded, the development team have expressed gratitude to fans for the game's tremendous reception.

If you're interested in buying Granblue Fantasy: Relink, you can do so with a 60% discount over at Steam and the PS Store until July 10th.

KitGuru says: Have you tried Granblue Fantasy: Relink? What did you think of it?

The post Granblue Fantasy: Relink reaches 2 million sales first appeared on KitGuru.

MindsEye creator blames ‘internal and external saboteurs’ for rocky launch

4 juillet 2025 à 16:30

MindsEye has been in a rough state since launching a few weeks ago and it sounds like the studio behind it isn't in any better shape. Build a Rocket Boy founder, Leslie Benzies, has allegedly accused developers of sabotaging the game, and the studio may also face closure. 

MindsEye launched just a few weeks ago on June 10th and was quickly panned for its day-one state. The game quickly became infamous for its technical issues, along with an underwhelming campaign. Build a Rocket Boy founder and former Rockstar producer, Leslie Benzies, has not taken the outcome well though.

As reported by IGN, sources within the studio claim that while addressing staff this week, Benzies made reference to “internal and external saboteurs”, who he blames for the state of MindsEye. In an email to staff, Benzies also claimed that jobs are in jeopardy due to low sales of the game.

MindsEye currently has a 38 overall critic score on Metacritic for its PC version, and an even lower 28 overall critic score for the PS5 version. Despite all the nonsense sprinkled in, Benzies' message to staff did also include a promise to rebuild and relaunch MindsEye, so perhaps in a year or so, we'll be having a different discussion about this game.

KitGuru Says: Needless to say, there is no evidence to suggest that ‘saboteurs' are the cause behind the rocky launch of MindsEye.

The post MindsEye creator blames ‘internal and external saboteurs’ for rocky launch first appeared on KitGuru.

Resident Evil goes tactical with Resident Evil Survival Unit

4 juillet 2025 à 15:30

Capcom had another secret Resident Evil-related game announcement up its sleeve. Weeks on from the reveal of Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom has now announced Resident Evil Survival Unit, a new strategy game.

Resident Evil Survival Unit presents a new take on the horror franchise. Survival Unit is a strategy game, developed by Joycity and Aniplex, in collaboration with Capcom and Kingdom Hearts co-creator, Shinji Hashimoto.

Resident Evil Survival Unit has only been teased for now, but a full reveal is happening next week, on July 10th at 11PM BST. At this point in time, the game has only been announced for mobile devices. Occasionally we do see mobile games also coming to PC and consoles but it is too early to say whether or not this game will get a release on non-mobile devices.

KitGuru Says: Survival Horror and Strategy are two genres that rarely mix, so it will be interesting to see what this game has in store for us. 

The post Resident Evil goes tactical with Resident Evil Survival Unit first appeared on KitGuru.

Romero Games cancels new game following Xbox cuts

4 juillet 2025 à 14:30

Since leaving id Software and DOOM behind, John Romero has been operating his own independent studio in Ireland. Over the last couple of years, Romero Games has been working on a new first-person shooter, but now the studio is closing after losing funding from its unnamed publisher. 

In a statement this week, Brenda Romero confirmed that the studio has lost its funding, saying: “last night, we learned that our publisher has canceled funding for our game along with several other unannounced projects at other studios. This was a strategic decision made at a high level within the publisher, well above our visibility or control. We deeply wish there had been something, anything we could have done to prevent this outcome.”

As reported by VGC, a Romero Games employee made the claim that the entire studio has been let go following this news. The studio employed around 75 people, all working on a new FPS game in Unreal Engine 5. While Romero Games did not name the publisher that pulled funding, it doesn't take much to piece together a likely culprit – Microsoft.

This week, Microsoft announced plans to layoff 9000 employees across various divisions. The Xbox division was hit hard by this, with multiple studios closing and several games being cancelled. including a new MMO from Zenimax Online studios, Everwild from Rare Studios and Perfect Dark from The Initiative. This unannounced FPS from Romero Games appears to be amongst the casualties.

Romero Games is now “evaluating next steps” and has not confirmed the number of layoffs resulting from this cancelled game.

KitGuru Says: For years, Microsoft's messaging was that it wanted to support smaller studios in an effort to get more creative titles for Game Pass. Since acquiring Activision Blizzard, they appear to have done a 180 and are now all in on feeding the AAA machine, leaving smaller teams by the wayside. 

The post Romero Games cancels new game following Xbox cuts first appeared on KitGuru.

Destiny: Rising officially launches this August

4 juillet 2025 à 13:30

While Destiny 2 is in a bit of an odd place currently, the franchise as a whole is looking far more positive thanks to the upcoming mobile-exclusive Destiny: Rising. Officially unveiled late last year, the game is now set to arrive on both iOS and Android this August.

For the uninitiated, Destiny: Rising is a mobile-exclusive take on the Destiny formula. Developed in collaboration with NetEase (Marvel Rivals, Blood Message; Diablo Immortal etc…), the game was officially announced back in October of last year alongside a 2025 release year.

Following various playtests, NetEase has now announced that Destiny: Rising is launching on the 28th of August on both iOS and Android.

Sentiment surrounding the spin-off during its playtests have been positive, with the mobile release including many of the familiar elements from regular D2 (including a traditional campaign; patrol zones; PvP and more) while also adding its own unique aspects such as a rogue-lite mode; a 3rd-person option and deeper hero-shooter styled gameplay.

NetEase has plenty of experience in developing spin-offs of popular console games for mobile, and so hopefully Destiny: Rising proves to be a welcome addition to the Destiny universe – and isn’t too egregious with its gacha mechanics. You can pre-register for the game right now.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Destiny Rising? Could it surpass D2 in your opinion? Would you like a full rogue-lite mode in regular D2? Let us know down below.

The post Destiny: Rising officially launches this August first appeared on KitGuru.

Anthem will no longer be playable after January 2026

4 juillet 2025 à 12:30

While it seems as though a new live service title pops up and subsequently shuts down on a daily basis at the moment, one of the first major swings (and misses) came with EA and BioWare’s Anthem. Released back in 2019, the sci-fi RPG looter-shooter quickly failed – leading EA to scrap future content plans. Though the game has remained playable until now, EA has officially announced that Anthem is going offline in early 2026.

While Anthem has been pretty much dead ever since the game’s big 2.0 revamp was cancelled back in 2020, BioWare’s failed live-service shooter has remained playable, despite being an always-online experience.

Unfortunately, as with pretty much all games with similar requirements, Anthem was living on borrowed time. Taking to their website, the team at BioWare announced that: “After careful consideration, we will be sunsetting Anthem on January 12, 2026.”

Though I doubt many players were taking advantage, BioWare also confirmed that starting from now you won’t be able to purchase any additional in-game currency, though any currency you already have will remain usable.

Anthem 2026

Releasing an FAQ alongside the announcement, the team explained why no offline option is being given, writing “Anthem was designed to be an online-only title so once the servers go offline, the game will no longer be playable.”

Of course, we’ve seen plenty of online-only games release a patch ahead of its discontinuation to allow for users to play offline. In this instance though, it appears EA has no interest in spending the time/money to facilitate this.

As mentioned, in the 5 years since Anthem’s launch, there have been countless live-service failures – many which managed to outdo EA's efforts in the scope of its failings. Even so, the tragic tale of Anthem is one that will be remembered.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of the game back in the day? Did it have potential? What’s the most memorable live-service failure to you? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Anthem will no longer be playable after January 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.

EA reportedly sets target of 100 million players for Battlefield 6

4 juillet 2025 à 11:30

Ahead of the official launch of Battlefield 6, EA has been continuously hosting a bunch of playtests, letting select players partake in ensuring DICE’s next FPS title is their best yet. It seems the publisher has extremely high hopes for the upcoming title, with insiders claiming that EA hopes to amass 100 million players with the next Battlefield.

In a piece released by Ars Technica discussing the ongoing development of the next Battlefield, multiple current and former developers at EA spoke to the publication – offering some interesting insights.

The full article can be found HERE, but by far the most surprising revelation was the fact that the higher-ups at EA have set the highly unrealistic target of 100 million players for Battlefield 6.

Battlefield 6 Million

Given the fact that the most popular entry in the series (according to the developers) was Battlefield 1 with “maybe 30 million plus” players, 100 million seems completely unachievable.

It is worth noting however that while most Battlefield games have eventually found their way onto subscription services (boosting player numbers), Battlefield 6 is set to be the first entry to offer a truly free-to-play mode – two in fact – with both Battle Royale and Gauntlet modes said to be made available to all.

Even so, Battlefield 6 has a huge hill to climb. While there was once a time when the series could go toe-to-toe with Call of Duty, this hasn’t been the case for at least a decade now. As such, it will be highly interesting to see how players react to Battlefield 6 when it launches (likely) sometime this year.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of EA’s expectations for Battlefield 6? Does this give you more or less hope in the project? Let us know down below.

The post EA reportedly sets target of 100 million players for Battlefield 6 first appeared on KitGuru.

ASMR Build: Ryzen 9950X3D + RX 9070XT Performance PC

4 juillet 2025 à 10:50

With Amazon Prime Day almost upon us, there will no doubt be some great discounts and offers on PC tech. To showcase its Amazon Prime Day offers CPS PCCOOLER asked us to build a system with its latest C3 T700 dual chamber case, new F7 X120 fans and some other PCCOOLER goodies, all available on Prime Day. Inside the C3 T700 we’ve built AMD’s most powerful gaming PC with a Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU and Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi GPU from ASRock!

Case – PCCOOLER C3 T700 Black – Pre-launch no link currently – Price TBA

  • Compatible with back-connect motherboards and flagship graphics cards up to 400mm long.
  • Extensive cooling support with up to ten 120mm fans, multiple 360mm radiator installation and CPU coolers up to 175mm supported.
  • The panoramic 270-degree glass gives an unobstructed view inside the system with easy access via a clip-on quick-release side panel.

Specifications

  • Case Type: ATX
  • Dimensions: 420 x 285 x 400mm (LxWxH)
  • Motherboard Support: ATX / M-ATX / ITX with BTF Compatible
  • Expansion Slots: 7
  • Storage Bays: 2 x 2.5”/1 x 3.5”
  • Max GPU Length: ≤400mm
  • Max CPU Cooler Height: ≤175mm
  • Max PSU Size: ATX ≤180mm
  • Pre-installed Fans: 4pcs
  • Fan Support: Top:120mmx3 / 140mmx2, Rear: 120mmx1, Side: 120mmx3 / 140mmx2, Bottom: 120mmx3 / 140mmx2
  • Radiator Support: Top: 240/280/360mm, Side: 240mm, Bottom: 240/280/360mm
  • Dust Filters: Top / Bottom
  • Font I/O: Type-C x1, USB 3.0 x1,USB 2.0 x1, MIC & AUDlO, Reset, Power Button

CPU Cooler – PCCOOLER DT360 ARGB Display – Available now from Amazon priced at $249.99 HERE.

  • DT360 ARGB Display features a detachable magnetic 3.4-inch IPS LCD screen with 480 x 480 resolution and 60 Hz refresh rate that can display customisable themes and real-time system information.
  • It's equipped with a copper micro-skived cold plate suitable for installation on all current AMD and Intel desktop CPUs with an all-ceramic bearing pump solution.
  • The included F7 X120 fans feature a wireless modular connection for less cable clutter, with 28mm thickness for concentrated airflow and high static pressure and a 27mm thick radiator with fourteen water channels and a high-density fin array.

Specifications

  • CPU Socket Compatibility: Intel LGA115X/1200/1700/1851, AMD AM4/AM5
  • Radiator Material: Aluminium
  • Radiator Dimensions: L394xW120xH27mm
  • Radiator Tube Length: 400mm
  • CPU Block/Pump Dimensions: 82x80x62mm(LxWxH)
  • Pump Speed: 2600RPM±10%
  • Cold Plate Material: Micro-Skived Copper
  • Pump Connector: 3-pin
  • Pump LED: 3-pin 5v ARGB
  • Fan Dimensions: 120x120x25mm
  • Fan LED: ARGB
  • Fan Speed (PWM): L:500-1500RPM±10%, M:500-2200RPM±10%, H:500-3000RPM±10%
  • Fan Max Airflow: 83CFM
  • Fan Max Air Pressure: 7mmH20
  • Noise (dBA): 15-33.1dB(A)
  • Fan Bearing: Ball Bearing
  • Fan Connector: 4-pin PWM
  • LCD Screen: 4” IPS 480×480 Resolution

Fans – PCCOOLER F7 X120 – Pre-launch no link currently – price expected to be around $50

  • 28mm thick profile with a wide span variable section blade design for high airflow while minimising vortex turbulence and low operational noise.
  • A three-step speed control switch mounted on the fan hub allows for three speed profiles with upper limits of 1500, 2200 and 3000 rpm.
  • The wireless connection mechanism transmits signal and power through contact modules to eliminate cable mess for a clean aesthetic.

Specifications

  • Connector Type: 4-Pin PWM
  • Lighting Connector Type: 5V-3PIN
  • Lighting Type: ARGB
  • Fan Dimensions: 120x120x28mm
  • Fan Speed: L:500-1500RPM±10%, M:500-2200RPM±10%, H:500-3000RPM±10%
  • Max Air Pressure: L:1.7mmH2O, M:3.3mmH2O, H:5.7mmH2O
  • Max Airflow: L:55CFM, M:65CFM, H:83CFM
  • Fan Noise: L:15~22.3 dBA, M:15~28.9 dBA, H:15~33.1dBA
  • Bearing Type: Ball Bearing
  • Operating Voltage: 12VDC

Power Supply – PCCOOLER YS1200 – Available now from Amazon priced at $278.68 HERE.

  • Fully modular, 80+ Gold and Cybenetics Gold rated with ATX 3.1 and PCIE 5.1 certification and a 12-year warranty.
  • Features the latest PCI-E 5.1 12V-2×6 connector with standard 16AWG copper wire and highly durable copper alloy terminals providing 600W capability.
  • Equipped with all Japanese Electrolytic capacitors, a 135mm FDB fan for low noise ouput and a hybrid cooling system with zero rpm mode.

Specifications

  • Type: ATX 3.1
  • Dimension: 160 x 150 x 86mm (L×W×H)
  • Certification: 80PLUS GOLD / Cybenetics GOLD
  • Power Output: 1200W
  • Topology: Active PFC+Full Bridge SRCLLC+DC to DC
  • Fan: FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing)
  • Fan Size: 135mm
  • Fan Work Mode: Hybrid Mode
  • Operating Temperature: 0-50°C
  • AC Input: 100-240VAC
  • Modularity: Full Modular
  • MTBF: 100,000 Hours
  • Warranty: 12 Years

Build Specification:

KitGuru says: If you are looking to upgrade your PC on Prime day, would any of these CPS PCCOOLER parts tempt you? 

The post ASMR Build: Ryzen 9950X3D + RX 9070XT Performance PC first appeared on KitGuru.

Zenimax’s unannounced MMO was said to be “going well” prior to its cancellation

4 juillet 2025 à 10:30

It’s been a terrible week for Microsoft/Xbox employees, with almost 10,000 developers being let go in the company’s latest round of lay-offs. One of the victims in this latest ‘strategic’ move was Zenimax Online Studios – who had been working on a new MMO for 8 years now. According to a new report, the unannounced title, which was unceremoniously cancelled, had been “going well” prior to its axing.

In a report by IGN following the announcement of project Blackbird’s cancellation, a bunch of new details were revealed regarding Zenimax Online Studio’s unannounced MMO project – beyond the fact that it is no longer happening.

Though the game was in various stages of development for the past 8 years, sources claimed that the project was “going well, and the team was actively ramping up in the hope of moving into full production soon;” with Microsoft approving the progress.

MMO Going Well

In fact, in a revelation which makes this whole situation even more frustrating and ironic, the developers claimed that Xbox’s Matt Booty stated last year that the closures of Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and Alpha Dog Games were at the time made in service of “justifying increased headcount for other game studios that needed it, including ZeniMax Online Studios.”

With each passing day, it is becoming increasingly clear that what Xbox says it’s doing, and what the company is actually doing, are two entirely different things. I expect we’ll hear more regarding Zenimax and all others affected over the coming weeks.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this revelation? Does Microsoft have a strategy? Or are they simply laying down the train tracks as they approach them? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Zenimax’s unannounced MMO was said to be “going well” prior to its cancellation first appeared on KitGuru.

G.Skill shows off CAMM2 DDR5 modules overclocked to DDR5-10000

3 juillet 2025 à 17:50

G.Skill announced a significant milestone in collaboration with the Asus ROG team. Together, they have successfully pushed the boundaries of the new DDR5 CAMM2 form factor, achieving Memtest-stable operation at DDR5-10000 memory speed with a 64GB capacity CAMM2 module.

This groundbreaking feat was accomplished on a modified, custom Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Hero CAMM2 motherboard, powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K desktop processor.

This achievement represents an early but important step in exploring and enabling extreme memory overclocking parameters on future hardware platforms. The demonstration showcases a 64GB CAMM2 module, overclocked to DDR5-10000 with CL52 timings, completing 100% Memtest coverage, proving it was completely stable running at this speed.

The CAMM2 (Compression Attached Memory Module) form factor is designed to potentially replace traditional SO-DIMM and even UDIMM modules in certain applications. It offers advantages in terms of physical footprint, signal integrity, and potentially higher speeds. Its flat, compression-mounted design allows for a thinner profile, which is particularly beneficial for compact computing devices and laptops.

KitGuru says: Do you think the CAMM2 memory modules will be the future memory form factor standard for all types of computers?

The post G.Skill shows off CAMM2 DDR5 modules overclocked to DDR5-10000 first appeared on KitGuru.

Battlefield 6 to include new Battle Royale mode

3 juillet 2025 à 17:15

While DICE had previously attempted bringing Battle Royale to Battlefield with Battlefield V's Firestorm mode, it didn't quite take off. This time around, EA is adopting an approach that closely resembles Call of Duty Warzone, by spinning off the Battle Royale mode into a free-to-play game. 

Through datamining the early Battlefield 6 files available to testers via Battlefield Labs, Temporyal has been able to report a number of early details about the game. Recently, they uncovered evidence of a new Battle Royale mode for Battlefield 6, which includes a new map based on the US state of California, and a ‘destructive ring' that forces players to move and shrinks the bounds of the map as the match progresses.

According to Insider Gaming, the Battle Royale mode for Battlefield is going to be free-to-play. That would suggest that Battlefield is adopting an approach closer aligned with Call of Duty, with the Battle Royale experience being free and driving sales of the main game for its campaign mode and exclusive competitive multiplayer modes.

EA has not yet officially announced its plans for Battlefield 6 but an announcement is expected later this summer. The game is confirmed to be releasing before March 31st 2026.

KitGuru Says: Do you think the Battle Royale mode for the next Battlefield game will go free to play? 

The post Battlefield 6 to include new Battle Royale mode first appeared on KitGuru.

Techland reportedly cancels two games

3 juillet 2025 à 16:50

Techland has announced to investors that it has cancelled two unannounced projects. The cancellations follow back-to-back years of financial losses for Techland, despite continued sales of Dying Light and Dying Light 2. 

Techland announced the cancellations in a press release. While they did not reveal specific details about the cancelled games, Insider Gaming reports that one of them was an Action-RPG with a fantasy setting, which began development in 2022. However, there are no details on what the second cancelled game was.

The report also claims that Techland is now working on a Call of Juarez sequel, the first game in the series since 2013, back when Ubisoft held the publishing rights to the series. Techland now owns the publishing rights to the IP, so the new game is expected to be self-published.

It is likely that Techland cancelled these projects due to a few factors. One being a lack of progress and another being financial losses in 2023 and 2024. Techland expects things to turn around with the upcoming release of Dying Light: The Beast, which aims to please fans who preferred the darker themes and gameplay style of the first game.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up Dying Light: The Beast in August? 

The post Techland reportedly cancels two games first appeared on KitGuru.

Report claims Intel is sidelining 18A node in favour of 14A

3 juillet 2025 à 14:15

Intel's new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, is reportedly exploring ceasing marketing its 18A process technology to external foundry customers. Instead, it would focus on the 14A process node.

This potential shift, first reported by Reuters, represents a departure from the previous strategy of focusing on 18A, which saw substantial investment poured into development and promotion. Since taking the helm in March, Tan has actively sought to streamline operations and revitalise the company's financial performance. By June, he had apparently voiced concerns that the 18A process was struggling to attract the anticipated level of new external clients.

Industry analysts suggest these changes could amount to hundreds of millions in losses. Intel reported a net loss of $18.8 billion in 2024, marking its first unprofitable year since 1986, underscoring the urgency of Tan's efforts to find a more efficient path forward.

Intel plans to present these strategic options to its board later this month. However, due to the complexity and financial implications involved, a final decision is unlikely to be reached until autumn. Regardless of any changes to its broader strategy, Intel has affirmed it will honour existing commitments for 18A production. This includes manufacturing limited quantities of chips for confirmed clients like Amazon and Microsoft and producing its own “Panther Lake” laptop CPUs, which are slated for late 2025. Beyond the standard 18A, Intel is also developing two enhanced versions: 18A-P, set for release in 2026, and 18A-PT, expected in 2028.

Intel believes the 14A process will enable it to compete more effectively against TSMC and potentially attract major clients such as Apple and Nvidia, who currently rely on the Taiwanese company for chip fabrication.

KitGuru says: If this proves true, it would mark another major shift in strategy since Gelsinger left. 

The post Report claims Intel is sidelining 18A node in favour of 14A first appeared on KitGuru.

PlayStation 5 Pro PSSR upscaler to be upgraded with FSR 4 tech

3 juillet 2025 à 12:44

Sony has confirmed that its PlayStation 5 Pro console will receive an AMD FSR4-like algorithm in 2026, replacing the current version of the PSSR upscaler.

As noted by Tom's Guide, the upgrade resulted from “Project Amethyst”, a collaborative effort between Sony and AMD that began in late 2023 and launched alongside the PS5 Pro. PlayStation's chief system architect, Mark Cerny, stated that the jointly developed algorithm will be implemented on the PS5 Pro, mirroring the PC counterpart released in March. This means PS5 Pro customers will receive the complete feature set of FSR 4 without any restrictions.

PlayStation Series

AMD brought Sony into its quality assurance processes and helped establish a dedicated team focused on upscaling performance. Sony plans to deliver the FSR 4 upgrade as a free system update to all PS5 Pro owners in 2026.

Furthermore, AMD will incorporate the lessons learnt from Project Amethyst into its next RDNA 5/UDNA graphics architecture, which is expected to power future GPUs and potentially next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox. The results from this collaboration are not restricted, allowing third-party developers and hardware partners to benefit from the advancements. For current PS5 Pro owners, the upcoming patch is expected to provide a notable boost in visual quality without compromising performance. Upscaling optimisations for future RDNA 5/UDNA GPUs will also be refined based on the work done for the console.

KitGuru says: Do you have a PS5 Pro? Are you glad the PSSR upscaler is getting a significant upgrade next year?

The post PlayStation 5 Pro PSSR upscaler to be upgraded with FSR 4 tech first appeared on KitGuru.

Helldivers 2 is getting a surprise release on Xbox

3 juillet 2025 à 16:00

Helldivers 2 launched last year as a PlayStation console exclusive, even the PC version of the game is published by PlayStation. With that in mind, it was assumed that the game would never come to Xbox, but as it turns out, it will be, and it will be releasing very soon.

Helldivers 2 for Xbox Series X/S consoles will be available starting on August 26th. Funnily enough, around that same time, Gears of War will be releasing on PlayStation for the first time, so this is almost like a rare trade of exclusives.

Helldivers 2 game director, Mikael Eriksson, expressed excitement to recruit more Helldivers with this release, saying: “We know gamers have been asking for this for some time and we are so excited to bring more Helldivers into our game. We have so much more in store for the future months and years – and the more players we have the more stories we can tell! The fight for Super Earth has only just begun.”

Helldivers 2 and Helldivers 2: Super Citizen Edition will both be available on Xbox Series X/S starting on the 26th of August. The game features crossplay for all platforms, so you'll be able to team up with friends on Xbox, PlayStation and PC.

KitGuru Says: This certainly came as a surprise but more games going multiplatform is always welcome. It would be interesting to see this game on Switch 2 as well, assuming Nintendo's latest console has the power needed to run it. 

The post Helldivers 2 is getting a surprise release on Xbox first appeared on KitGuru.

GeForce Now adds 20 more games in July

3 juillet 2025 à 15:00

The first GeForce Now library update of the month has arrived. There are just a handful of games joining GeForce Now today, but 20 more games will be joining the library over the course of July, like the day-one release of Killing Floor 3, Dreadzone and more. 

This month will see bring 20 more titles to GeForce Now, 12 of which are brand new, day-one releases. That list includes HunterxHunter NenxImpact, Killing Floor 3, Dreadzone, RoboCop: Rogue City Unfinished Business, Wildgate and more. This month will also see the Xbox app version of The Ascent joining GeForce Now, as the game will be joining PC Game Passs on the 8th of July.

Here are the titles joining GeForce Now today:

  • Little Nightmares II (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, July 1)
  • Figment (New release on Epic Games Store, Free July 3)
  • Clicker Heroes (Steam)
  • Fabledom (Steam)
  • Rogue: Genesia (Steam)
  • Schedule I (Steam)

This is also the last week that you can take advantage of the GeForce Now summer sale, where 6-month Premium tier memberships are half price.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to any of this month's new games? 

The post GeForce Now adds 20 more games in July first appeared on KitGuru.

Sea of Thieves director leaves Rare Studios following Xbox layoffs

3 juillet 2025 à 13:30

After weeks of speculation, Microsoft began a new round of mass layoffs yesterday, with many teams across Xbox studios being impacted. We already learned that Rare had been forced to cut staff and cancel Everwild, now, Rare has also lost one of its longest-tenured creative leaders. 

Gregg Mayles, a game director who has worked at Rare for more than 35 years, has left the studio following the cancellation of Everwild, as reported by VGC. This week as part of a mass layoff effort at Microsoft, Rare was forced to let go of an undisclosed number of employees, and their long in-development adventure game, Everwild, had been cancelled.

Previously, Mayles had worked on Nintendo classics like Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong Country, along with many other Rare classics. In more recent years he had worked on Sea of Thieves and Everwild.

Rare has not been the only studio impacted by Microsoft's layoff spree. A Zenimax Online studio in Europe was also shut down and a new MMO, codenamed Project Blackbird, was cancelled. The studio behind Forza Motorsport, Turn 10, had to let go around half of its team. The Initiative, the studio behind the Perfect Dark reboot, was closed down and Perfect Dark was cancelled.

KitGuru Says: We thought last year was rough with the closure of Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks but 2025 has been an even bigger bloodbath. 

The post Sea of Thieves director leaves Rare Studios following Xbox layoffs first appeared on KitGuru.

Forza studio Turn 10 loses half of its developers

3 juillet 2025 à 12:00

The scope of the layoffs at Xbox studios continues to astound. Following the closure of The Initiative and several game cancellations, it has come to light that Turn 10 has been forced to fire half of its staff. 

Turn 10 is the studio behind the Forza Motorsport games. Despite these games often being highly reviewed and pillars of the Xbox library, Turn 10 was one of the studios hit the hardest by this week's layoffs.

Forza Motorsport

According to Jason Schreier, around half of the Turn 10 team has been let go as part of this week's layoffs. Understandably, those left behind aren't too pleased about the situation, with one source saying it is “unclear where things go from here”, especially in regards to an unannounced game in development.

The Forza Horizon team at Playground Games was not affected.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It is unclear how many developers Turn 10 had to begin with, but losing half of a workforce is going to lead to delays and heavily impact current plans for projects. 

The post Forza studio Turn 10 loses half of its developers first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft closes The Initiative and cancels Perfect Dark reboot

3 juillet 2025 à 11:15

As part of Microsoft's mass lay-off announcements yesterday, the Xbox team made another shocking decision. First-party studio, The Initiative, is closing immediately and the Perfect Dark reboot has been cancelled.

The Initiative was announced by Microsoft back in 2019. The studio was billed as Microsoft's ‘AAAA' studio, that's right, quadruple A. Things started off promisingly with the hiring of veteran developers from studios like Naughty Dog, Sony Santa Monica, Rockstar and more. Somewhere along the way though, plans changed, and The Initiative was shrunk into a smaller project-management team and Crystal Dynamics was brought in to do the bulk of the development work.

Now, two years on from the announcement of that partnership with Crystal Dynamics, Perfect Dark has been cancelled. The move also comes just one year after we got out first proper trailer for the game. As it turns out, this was essentially a fake trailer, as the game was not taking shape behind the scenes.

Speaking on the closure of The Initiative and cancellation of Perfect Dark, Xbox Studios head, Matt Booty, said:

“These decisions, along with other changes across our teams, reflect a broader effort to adjust priorities and focus resources to set up our teams for greater success within a changing industry landscape. We did not make these choices lightly, as each project and team represent years of effort, imagination, and commitment.”

It is unclear if Microsoft will attempt another revival of Perfect Dark. They have plenty of studios under them that could take the project on, including the original creator of the franchise, Rare Studios, which was also impacted by yesterday's layoffs.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Over the past two console generations, there have been two Xbox exclusives I've been primarily interested in. For Xbox One, it was Scalebound, and we all know how that turned out. Now, that same thing has happened with Perfect Dark. With Perfect Dark and Deus Ex both being on ice now, fans of spy-themed immersive sims don't have much to look forward to in the near future.

The post Microsoft closes The Initiative and cancels Perfect Dark reboot first appeared on KitGuru.

KitGuru Reader Awards 2025 – Vote and win an RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 XT!

3 juillet 2025 à 10:30

The KitGuru Reader Awards return for 2025. This is where we ask you to tell us which brands you think are doing the best job in the tech space and as a thank you for entering, we are also running a giveaway, with the winner getting their choice of an RTX 5070 Ti or an RX 9070 XT graphics card! 

Voting is now open for the KitGuru Reader Awards 2025, and it takes just a few minutes to have your say.

Whether you're loyal to a specific chassis manufacturer, think a certain monitor brand deserves more love or have been blown away by your latest motherboard purchase, now is the time to make your opinion count.

Why vote?

Not only will your votes shape the KitGuru Reader Awards, but they’ll also feed directly into the European Hardware Association Reader Awards, which will be revealed in Cologne on Monday 19th August – the evening before Gamescom opens. With nine leading tech publications involved across Europe, this is your chance to help decide the biggest pan-European technology community awards of the year.

What’s up for grabs?

To thank you for taking part, we’re giving one lucky voter the chance to win a high-end graphics card worth £850. You’ll be able to choose your prize – for example, between a brand-new RTX 5070 Ti or a Radeon RX 9070 XT – depending on your platform preference.

Entering the draw is easy and you can choose to answer/skip as many categories as you like. If you want a chance to win – please fill in the email box at the end of the survey. Everyone who enters has an equal chance.

Important dates:

  • Voting opens: Now

  • Voting closes: Midnight, Saturday 20th July

  • Prize winner announced: Tuesday 23rd July

  • KitGuru Award Results published: Monday 12th August

  • EHA Reader Awards announced live in Cologne: Monday 19th August

How to vote

Click to go to our Reader Awards 2025 voting form. Remember: You don’t need to vote in every category – so just skip any that don’t apply to you.

KitGuru Says: Whether you're a regular commenter or a quiet observer, this is your moment to shape the narrative. Tell us which brands have earned your trust and admiration in 2025 — and maybe win yourself a serious GPU upgrade while you're at it. Good luck – and thank you for being part of the KitGuru community over the last 16 years!

The post KitGuru Reader Awards 2025 – Vote and win an RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 XT! first appeared on KitGuru.

Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 Wood keyboards available following Computex debut

2 juillet 2025 à 18:00

For those who appreciate mechanical keyboards, you might have noticed the relatively new trend of wood casings. Sharkoon decided to join them and unveiled the Skiller SGK50 Wood Series. Available in three distinct form factors, these keyboards marry wooden casings with PBT keycaps, hot-swap switches, damping materials, and extensive customisation options.

The Skiller SGK50 Wood series effortlessly blends a gorgeous wooden shell with contemporary design elements like RGB lighting and a USB-C coiled cable, creating an attention-grabbing aesthetic. Beneath the PBT keycaps, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switches come pre-installed. These switches, known for their smoothness and an operating force of 50 (±15g), ensure a satisfying and consistent typing experience right out of the box.

The Skiller SGK50 Wood series keyboards support any 3-pin or 5-pin mechanical switches, allowing enthusiasts to experiment and find their perfect typing feel. Conveniently, all the necessary tools for hot-swapping are included with the keyboard, making customisation a breeze. To ensure the keyboard sounds as good as it looks, Sharkoon has engineered the internal acoustics, incorporating a polycarbonate positioning plate and silicone damping to produce a deep and satisfying sound profile. In addition, the Skiller SGK50 Wood series allows for rapid, on-the-fly adjustments to RGB lighting and macros without additional software, as it's compatible with VIA and QMK.

The new Skiller SGK50 Wood series is available now, with pricing varying by form factor and whether a barebones version is desired. The Skiller SGK50 S4 Gen 2 Wood PBT (60% layout) is priced at €149.90, with a barebones option at €119.90. The Skiller SGK50 S3 Wood PBT (75% layout) comes in at €159.90 or €129.90 for the barebones. For those who prefer a more complete layout, the Skiller SGK50 S2 Wood PBT (96% layout) is available for €169.90, with its barebones counterpart at €139.90.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Would you consider getting a wooden keyboard? Of all the options the Skiller SGK50 Wood keyboard series offers, which do you prefer?

The post Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 Wood keyboards available following Computex debut first appeared on KitGuru.

Rumour claims Zenimax MMO and Perfect Dark cancelled

2 juillet 2025 à 17:00

As the news of mass layoffs at Microsoft continues to spread, more details about cancelled games are coming to light. This afternoon, it was reported that Rare's next game, Everwild, has now been cancelled. Now, it looks like the Perfect Dark reboot and a new MMO from Zenimax have also been cancelled.

Jason Schreier, who has been closely covering the layoffs at Xbox for weeks, has learned that Zenimax Online Studios has cancelled a new MMORPG that began development back in 2018. This game, codenamed Project Blackbird, was in development for eight years before being scrapped as part of the most recent cost-cutting measures.

This news closely follows the report that Rare Studios had also suffered a cancellation, with plans for Everwild being scrapped entirely after first announcing the game in 2019.

There is also a rumour going around claiming that the Perfect Dark reboot, a collaborative project between Microsoft studio ‘The Initiative' and Crystal Dynamics, has also been cancelled. However, there has yet to be a reliable source to back this claim up.

The full scope of the layoffs at Xbox is not yet fully understood and Microsoft has still not made any public statements, despite rumours floating around in the press for weeks.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The cancellations of Everwild and this MMO are disappointing but not entirely unexpected. Everwild was announced in 2019 and was not close to being released. The same goes for this MMO, which was first discovered by fans when Microsoft acquired Zenimax in 2020.  As for Perfect Dark, that appears to just be a rumoured cancellation for now and has very little backing it up. 

The post Rumour claims Zenimax MMO and Perfect Dark cancelled first appeared on KitGuru.

Rare’s Everwild cancelled following Xbox cuts

2 juillet 2025 à 16:45

Following initial rumours from last month, Microsoft has begun announcing its planned job cuts to internal studios. The full scope of the impact is still being determined but around 9000 layoffs are expected. Rare is reported as one of the studios affected, following the cancellation of Everwild. 

Rare first announced Everwild at an Xbox event in 2019. At the time, we did get a lengthy cinematic trailer but it quickly became clear through interviews that Rare didn't have a solid plan in place yet for this title. Since then, there have been no official announcements regarding the game.

Now as it turns out, as part of Microsoft's ongoing cost-cutting measures, Everwild has been cancelled. Sources speaking with both Jason Schreier and Insider Gaming make this claim, but it is unknown how many jobs have been cut at Rare, which is expected to continue working on Sea of Thieves and other new projects.

Microsoft has not yet made a public statement about its layoffs but as more internal employees are informed, more information leaks out.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I wasn't particularly fond of the Everwild reveal trailer as it didn't really communicate anything about the game itself. Hopefully one day we do get to hear about the actual plan for this game before the cancellation. 

The post Rare’s Everwild cancelled following Xbox cuts first appeared on KitGuru.

Xbox layoffs to impact King, Zenimax and more

2 juillet 2025 à 16:00

Since completing the $70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in late 2023, Microsoft has been looking to pump up Xbox's profit margins. That effort has already led to several rounds of job cuts, with another now set to take place this week. 

Last month it emerged that Microsoft was intending to announce another round of company-wide job cuts. Now, Bloomberg reports that several studios across the Xbox / Microsoft Gaming branch have now been informed of the cuts being made.

It is reported that King, based in Barcelona and a key part of the Activision Blizzard acquisition, will be reducing its job count by 10%, which will lead to around 200 people losing their jobs. Other Europe-based offices for subsidiaries like Zenimax are also beginning to inform employees of layoffs.

The full scope of the layoffs still needs to be established but Microsoft has begun informing employees, which means a public announcement is likely to roll in soon.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: This is the fourth round of layoffs at Microsoft since completing the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Hopefully we don't end up seeing any studios shut down in this new shake-up. 

The post Xbox layoffs to impact King, Zenimax and more first appeared on KitGuru.

Nvidia may soon drop driver support for GTX 700, 900 and 10 series graphics cards

2 juillet 2025 à 09:30

Nvidia has confirmed a significant shift in its driver support strategy, announcing that the upcoming major driver branch (version 580) will be the final release to support three of its older GPU architectures: Maxwell, Pascal, and Volta. This move will impact a range of popular GeForce and professional products that have served gamers and professionals for over a decade.

As Nvidia states in its developer forum (via ), starting with the driver version following the 580 branch, Nvidia will no longer provide support for Maxwell-based GPUs, including the GeForce GTX 700 series (2013) and GTX 900 series (2014). The immensely popular Pascal-based GTX 10 series (2016) will also see its driver support cease. Additionally, the Volta-based GPUs are included in this deprecation plan.

While the announcement specifically references Unix systems, the underlying driver branches are shared across both Windows and Unix-based platforms, making it highly probable that this change will extend to Game Ready drivers for Windows users. If so, Nvidia will effectively discontinue Game Ready driver updates for some of its longest-supported GeForce GTX product lines. However, it's important to note that not all GTX cards will lose support. The GeForce GTX 16 series, which is based on the newer Turing architecture, will continue to receive support.

For users who don't play the latest titles or cannot afford immediate upgrades, their existing driver installations will continue to function. Nvidia has not yet provided a firm release date for the 580 driver branch, nor is there any information regarding the timing of the subsequent major branch that will drop support for these older GPUs. This indicates that the change should still be months away, minimising any immediate impact on users.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: This deprecation targets architectures 11 years old, well past their typical prime in the fast-moving hardware landscape. However, Volta-based GPUs are only about 7 years old, and considering they were the flagships at launch, it seems it could be a bit premature to end support on them.

The post Nvidia may soon drop driver support for GTX 700, 900 and 10 series graphics cards first appeared on KitGuru.

Cooler Master MasterFrame 600: Premium Build, Painful Setup

2 juillet 2025 à 15:03

We have been eagerly awaiting the launch of the Cooler Master MasterFrame 600 case which heavily features aluminium throughout its construction. It looks great and comes with four case fans at a reasonable price but it also comes with some drawbacks. Watch our video and you will learn all you need to know about the MasterFrame 600.

Time stamps
00:00 Start
00:54 Overview
01:44 Fans and Rad Support
01:56 Construction, panels, brackets and filters
05:11 The Modular system – Fan installation / Panels
07:55 Moving the Cooler Master Logo !?
11:13 200mm Fans and Accessories
15:37 A look at the Drive Cage
17:17 The Test System
17:50 Testing the Case
19:25 Leo's Closing Thoughts

  • Main features
    The MasterFrame 600 is a premium open-frame mid-tower chassis built for high-performance hardware, extreme cooling, and total customization. Designed with FreeForm 2.0 in mind, it supports ATX to E-ATX motherboards and offers full access to modular design files, empowering users to build and evolve without limits.
  • FreeForm 2.0 Exo-structure
    The exposed frame structure enhances chassis adaptability and provides flexible configuration options for various scenarios.
  • Versatile & Maker-Driven
    Its open source design and interchangeable panels offer endless personalization possibilities, transforming your chassis into a unique expression of style.
  • Flexible Motherboard Support
    Supports Mini-ITX to E-ATX motherboards, offering compatibility with a wide range of builds and configurations.
  • Extensive Cooling Support
    Can house up to eleven fans and multiple radiator sizes (up to 420mm), ensuring superior thermal performance.
  • Ample GPU Clearance
    Accommodates graphics cards up to 485mm, offering plenty of space for high-end GPUs.
  • Tool-Free Panel Removal
    Easily remove side panels and other components without tools for quick access and modifications during build or upgrades.
  • Included GPU Support Bracket
    The included GPU support bracket prevents GPU sag and ensures stability during intense gaming or high-performance workloads, maintaining a clean and secure build.

Specification:
Motherboard support: E-ATX up to 330mm, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX.
Power supply support: ATX.
Expansion slots: 8.
Included fans: 3x 140mm Mobius front intake, 1x 120mm Mobius rear exhaust.
Fan mounts: 3x 120mm/3x 140mm/2x 180mm/2x 200mm front, 3x 120mm/2x 140mm/2x 180mm/1x 200mm roof, 1x 120mm rear, 3x 120mm/3x 140mm side.
Radiator mounts: 360mm/420mm front, 360mm/420mm roof (if you move the IO panel), 120mm rear, 360mm/420mm side.
5.25-inch optical drive bays: None.
Internal drive bays: 2x 3.5-inch/2.5-inch, 3x 2.5-inch.
Front I/O ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, audio.
Dimensions: 544mm H x 531mm D x 244mm W.

Testing
To put this case through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, Palit RTX 5080 and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the Cooler Master MasterFrame 600‘s cooling capabilities.

Test System:
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos II
Motherboard: Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero BIOS 1512
Memory: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000
Graphics card: Palit RTX 5080 Gamerock OC 16GB
Power supply: Seasonic Focus GX-1000
SSD: Crucial T700 Gen 5 M.2 NVMe
OS: Windows 11 Pro

Cooling Performance

Cooling Performance Overview

We tested the Cooler Master MasterFrame 600 on an unpleasantly warm 27 degrees C day with high end gaming hardware and it passed the test tolerably well. Our main takeaway is the way the CPU temperature drops significantly as the fan speed ramps up. The fans supplied with the MasterFrame 600 appear to work well so we feel the the case filters are quite restrictive and require higher pressure to work adequately. The downside, as you will see in our video, is that high fan speeds result in high noise levels.

Closing Thoughts

In our video we dwell on the details of the Cooler Master MasterFrame 600 to give you a deeper understanding of the process that has clearly gone into the design of this case. The problem, as we see it, is that the details are fiddly and complicated and we predict you could spend an hour or two working with the Cooler Master build guide if you decide to move the major components around.

On the other hand, if you keep things simple, ignore the various accessories and simply build a regular PC with an AIO cooler in the roof (or perhaps with an air tower on the CPU) we are confident you will be happy with the results. The aluminium panels look very good and the build quality is solid, and while the black finish is a nightmare to video it looks great sat on the test bench.

You can buy the Cooler Master MasterFrame 600 for £169.99 HERE

Pros:

  • High quality look and feel with loads of aluminium.
  • Plenty of space for a large motherboard and extensive cooling.
  • Good value with four fans included.

Cons:

  • Endless options, brackets and screws make for a tough building experience.
  • Air flow seems restricted
  • The build guide is confusing and complicated.

KitGuru says: The MasterFrame 600 looks great but is awkward to work with.

The post Cooler Master MasterFrame 600: Premium Build, Painful Setup first appeared on KitGuru.

Prime Gaming reveals free PC games for July 2025

2 juillet 2025 à 14:45

There are some great freebies to claim this month through Amazon Prime Gaming. This month's batch of free PC games includes classics like Tomb Raider and Saints Row 2, to newer indie games like Endless Space 2.

There are six ‘Prime Day' extra games still available to claim until July 7th. This includes Dungeons of the Endless: Definitive Edition (Amazon Games App), Saints Row 2 (GOG), Saints Row 4 (GOG), Star Wars: Rebellion (GOG), TOEM (GOG) and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, also available through GOG. Getting these games through GOG is a fantastic extra to have, as it means they are all DRM-free.

As of today, Amazon Prime subscribers can also claim free copies of Boxes: Lost Fragments (Epic Games Store) and Paquerette Down the Bunburrows (Epic Games Store). On July 17th, two more games will be available to claim – Endless Space 2: Definitive Edition and Beseige: The Splintered Sea.

On July 24th, you can claim a GOG code for Venba, and you can get a free copy of I Love Finding Wild Friends Collector's Edition. The final game of the month arrives on July 31st – Heroes of Loot (GOG).

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Will you be claiming any of this month's free Prime games?  

The post Prime Gaming reveals free PC games for July 2025 first appeared on KitGuru.

Phanteks unveils compact and affordable XT M3 PC case

2 juillet 2025 à 14:00

Phanteks has announced the official launch of the XT M3, the latest addition to its XT chassis family. This new micro-ATX offering is designed for gamers and PC builders seeking a blend of high-end performance, exceptional airflow, and a clean, contemporary design—all within an accessible price bracket.

The XT M3 emphasises user-friendliness with its toolless side panels, providing easy access to the interior. Despite its compact footprint, this chassis boasts impressive internal capacity, supporting up to nine fans. It comes pre-installed with three M25 120 mm fans, ensuring a solid cooling foundation right out of the box. The XT M3 also supports 360 mm radiators on the top panel for those who prefer liquid cooling. Furthermore, triple fan mounts allow users to ventilate the graphics card directly.

The interior also accommodates full-size GPUs and is compatible with rear-connect motherboards, facilitating incredibly clean cable routing for a clutter-free interior. Moreover, the XT M3 includes a front I/O panel featuring USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 and USB-A 3.0 ports, ensuring modern connectivity options for peripherals.

The Phanteks XT M3 is now available with three M25 fans included or fanless. The version with three pre-installed fans is priced at £59.99/$69.99/€69.90, while the fanless variant is priced at £49.99/€59.90. Both versions are offered in black and white finishes.

KitGuru says: Which colour option of the XT M3 do you like the most?

The post Phanteks unveils compact and affordable XT M3 PC case first appeared on KitGuru.

July’s Humble Choice line-up includes Cat Quest 3; Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader and more

2 juillet 2025 à 12:45

Each month, all those with a Humble subscription are privy to a select number of titles for ‘free’ as part of the company’s Humble Choice service. For the month of July, all subscribers can get their hands on 8 solid titles, including Cat Quest 3; Death’s Door; Wizard with a Gun and more.

Available to add to your library from now until the end of July, this month’s Humble Choice line-up features the following:

  • Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
  • Cat Quest 3
  • Death's Door
  • Daemon x Machina
  • Wizard with a Gun
  • Neo Cab
  • Everafter Falls
  • Blanc

Humble Choice

While far from the most heavy-hitting of months, July’s line-up features a ton of worthwhile indie experiences, from the cutesy action RPG Cat Quest 3, to the sandbox survival game Wizard with a Gun. In addition, those who missed out on Daemon x Machina back when it released can now give it a go ahead of the sequel’s launch in September.

It is worth noting that Humble recently increased the subscription prices for its Choice service, going up from £8.99 a month (or £98 a year) to £11.49 (and £119.99 a year) beginning this July.

As such, while the above does represent a strong line-up of titles, it appears as though Humble aren’t interested in upping the number/value of games being offered.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this month’s offerings? Is it worth the new asking price? Should Humble offer more titles as a result of the price hike? Let us know down below.

The post July’s Humble Choice line-up includes Cat Quest 3; Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader and more first appeared on KitGuru.
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