Earlier this year, the indie puzzler Blue Prince released to a great deal of attention and a ton of praise, going on to become the second highest rated game of 2025 with a Metacritic score of 92. Despite its relative inaccessibility as a highly complex puzzle game, Blue Prince has now officially surpassed 2 million total players.

In a recent talk discussing the development of Blue Prince, the game’s Art Director Davide Pellino revealed that the universally acclaimed puzzler has been experienced by over 2 million players worldwide since its release back in April.

It is worth noting that 2 million players does not equate to 2 million copies sold, especially as Blue Prince was made available day-one across both Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra.

Still, for a highly niche debut title from a relatively new indie studio, Blue Prince’s success is certainly worth celebrating. It will be interesting to see what the team at Dogubomb plan to work on next.

Blue Prince is a first-person rogue-like puzzler in which you must “navigate through shifting corridors and ever-changing chambers” in an attempt to locate and gain access to the mysterious Room 46.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 2 million players? What did you think of Blue Prince? Where does it sit on your personal GOTY rankings for 2025 so far? Let us know down below.

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Following studio changes, countless delays and more, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is finally almost here, with the game set to arrive on the 21st of October. Ahead of its launch however, fan outcry regarding the game’s DLC choices has led to a degree of backtracking, with the previously DLC-locked clans being made available for all on day-one.

While not quite the all-encompassing RPG that the first game was, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 does feature one of the original game’s biggest aspects: its clan system.

That said, a solid 3rd of the clans were initially planned to be locked behind DLC, with the base game only including 4 of the 6 total clans.

Fortunately, in response to fan feedback, the teams at The Chinese Room / Paradox Interactive have backtracked on this plan, with the latest ‘Overview Trailer’ confirming that the base game will now include all 6 playable clans.

As mentioned, development on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has been far from smooth, with the sequel to the 2004 classic starting development around 2015. Initially being worked on by Hardsuit Labs, The Chinese Room was later put onto the project in 2021.

Since then, the game has suffered countless further delays, setbacks and changes. Finally, more than two decades on from the first game, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is almost here.

Though not quite the sequel that some fans were wanting, hopefully the game manages to be a solid experience in its own right. We won’t have to wait long to find out.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2? Will it be able to match the original? Are you glad to see them backtracking on the clan DLC decisions? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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Scalebound was an ambitious action-RPG being developed by PlatinumGames – in partnership with Microsoft – in which players would be able to fight with and alongside a dragon companion through Platinum’s signature style of action and spectacle. Unfortunately, the game was cancelled back in 2017 following 4 years in development. Reflecting on this time, ex-PlatinumGames head Hideki Kamiya has once again offered his thoughts on this ill-fated project.

In an interview conducted by the publication VGC, PlatinumGames founder and ex-head Hideki Kamiya spoke on a number of topics including the announcement of Okami 2, his new studio CLOVERS and more.

While looking forwards into the future, Kamiya also reflected on the past, with the director being asked about the ill-fated Scalebound and what could have been had the project been under a different publisher.

In response to the question “Do you think it would’ve gone differently if you had a Japanese publisher for Scalebound?” Kamiya claimed:

“I do think it would’ve been different. I don’t mean that if it had been a Japanese publisher, the game would necessarily have been completed and released, but I imagine the process itself would have played out differently.”

Kamiya expanded on this: “Japanese companies tend to be more open to new challenges, and I think the conversations would have been more positive, like, ‘Okay, so how should we approach this together?’ For me personally, overseas publishers seem to have a much stronger desire to see a finished product as quickly as possible. If it had been a Japanese publisher, I feel they might have given us more leeway.”

That being said, Kamiya made sure to not throw Microsoft under the bus, adding “We’re talking about this specific title as an example; however, I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding: the failure of Scalebound was ultimately the responsibility of PlatinumGames, myself as director included. But because I have now experienced working with overseas publishers, I feel that if the opportunity ever comes again, we’ll find a way to take advantage of both sides’ strengths.”

Of course, Microsoft has since amassed a bit of a reputation of cancelling games, with 2025 alone seeing major highly-anticipated first-party titles being unceremoniously killed. That said, for many, Scalebound represents the one that got away.

KitGuru says: What did you think of Scalebound’s cancellation back in the day? Did you have hopes that it could be revived? Which cancelled Xbox game are you most disappointed about? Let us know down below.

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Ever since its first entry back in 2007, the Assassin’s Creed franchise has vastly expanded its scope with each new title – for better and for worse. With the latest piece of DLC for Assassin’s Creed Shadows available now, the team at Ubisoft have admitted that some of their previous games, in particular AC: Valhalla, became “messy” and was “a monster” of a game.

In an interview with GamesRadar+, Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Claws of Awaji DLC lead Simon Arsenault spoke on the lessons which Ubisoft have learned from previous series entries, claiming:

“If you played [Valhalla] at release, it was good, but the more you waited, all the expansions and free content was piling on. At one point it became a monster game. It was already a monster, but it became a way bigger monster game by the end.”

For the uninitiated, the base game of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla could easily take you well over 100 hours if you wanted to engage in much of the game’s side content. Trying to 100% the title meanwhile could require up to 150 hours – not including any of its DLC.

The base game for Assassin’s Creed Shadows was already much more palatable, with the main campaign taking roughly half as long as Valhalla. It appears as though this idea of limiting bloat has carried through to the game’s DLC, with Arsenault adding:

“For [Claws of Awaji], we had a limited time, even though we got a lot more than we expected at the beginning, but it was limited so we had to focus. And how do you focus? You keep the scope as clear as possible.”

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is still a relatively meaty game, it is encouraging to see that Ubisoft appears to be aware of this fact, and is trying to make the latest entry in this long-running series more palatable. The full interview can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of AC: Shadows’ length? Did it hit the sweet spot? Are you planning to check out the game’s DLC? Let us know down below.

The post Ubisoft admits Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was too big and “messy” first appeared on KitGuru.

It was recently claimed that Marvel's Wolverine would be re-revealed soon, likely as part of a State of Play scheduled for later this month. Now, a second source has made the claim that a State of Play is coming. 

The original report from Insider Gaming stated that a State of Play would be taking place in late September. That same report also claimed that Insomniac's long-awaited Wolverine game would be part of the show. However, the rumoured Venom standalone game was delayed and would not be announced.

Now, Nate the Hate (via Insider Gaming), who accurately leaked this month's Nintendo Direct date, has stated that the next State of Play will happen next week. This also lines up with the start of the Tokyo Game Show, Japan's biggest gaming conference. Sony typically has a State of Play around that time.

State of Play is Sony's PlayStation equivalent to a Nintendo Direct, where new games are announced from a mix of first-party and third-party studios.

KitGuru Says: In a perfect world, we would be getting an update on the KOTOR remake. 

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Microsoft has begun rolling out a major update for its Xbox app on PC and handheld devices, aiming to address the issue of “too many launchers” on a device. The new version introduces an aggregated gaming library, which automatically detects and displays your installed games from multiple storefronts in one convenient place.

According to the announcement, when you install a game from a compatible PC retailer, such as Battle.net, it will now automatically appear in your “My Library” section and your “Most Recent” list within the Xbox app. This allows you to launch all your games from a single interface, regardless of where you bought them. For those who prefer a cleaner look, you can also head into the settings and toggle which storefronts you want the app to display in your library.

Later this month, Microsoft will introduce another significant quality-of-life feature: cross-device play history. A new “Jump back in” list will sync across your console, PC, and handheld devices, letting you quickly resume your last played game, no matter where you left off. The library will also be getting a new “cloud playable” filter to make it easier to see which of your owned games can be streamed on the go.

This is a significant step in Microsoft's goal of making the Xbox app the central hub for PC gaming. Combined with the recently tested “My apps” feature for launching third-party programs, it appears that Microsoft wants its app to be the primary interface you use, especially on controller-driven handheld devices, where navigating multiple apps can be cumbersome.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried the new features on the Xbox PC App?

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Last year, Netflix announced its Splinter Cell animated series with a short trailer and no release date. Now, season one is just weeks away, so we have a full trailer and some fresh details about the show.

Splinter Cell: Deathwatch will have 16 episodes in its first season according to IMDB. Considering Netflix's knack for cancelling things, it could end up being the only season, who knows.  Sam Fisher will be voiced by actor Liev Schreiber.

Derek Kolstad was the lead writer and executive producer, but he is best known for creating John Wick. The animation style takes some notable inspiration from Invincible, a breakout hit series on Prime Video.

In its blurb for the series, Netflix says: “In the shadowy world of espionage, Sam Fisher is a rumor and a legend. Pulled back into action, he must help a new recruit unravel a global conspiracy.”

Splinter Cell: Deathwatch will release on October 14th.

KitGuru Says: Will you be watching this when it comes out? 

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While Sega was rather quick to release Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 after the success of Yakuza 0, RGG Studio stopped its remakes there, instead opting to focus on new mainline games and spin-offs. Now, it seems that the Kiwami series will be coming back, with fans uncovering evidence that Yakuza Kiwami 3 will soon be announced. 

The Japanese website for the Yakuza series had been updated with mention of Yakuza Kiwami 3. This reference appeared directly through Google search results, indicating that SEO settings have been updated prior to the announcement later this month. The game is most likely to be revealed at the Tokyo Game Show. The leak was quickly spotted and shared by fans across social media.

Yakuza 3 has an odd place in the series. In terms of gameplay, it suffered from some changes that were later kept out of future games. However, it is also cited as being a pivotal story for the Kiryu saga.

If Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a reality, then chances are we will get long-awaited updates for Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5. This would bring the entire six-game set onto even footing. While Yakuza does continue beyond this point, Yakuza 7: Like A Dragon brought in a whole new cast of characters and switched from action-based to turn-based combat. When it came time to announce Yakuza 8, the developers had renamed the series to Like A Dragon.

KitGuru Says: Would you like to see the remaining Yakuza games given the Kiwami treatment? 

The post Fans discover evidence of Yakuza Kiwami 3 first appeared on KitGuru.

Back when Dragon Age Inquisition came out, many players found themselves mentally stuck in The Hinterlands, a large open area early in the game with a never-ending banquet of side quests. Bioware ultimately had to put out a PSA to get players to move on. Gearbox may want to consider something similar with Borderlands 4, as the game's Fadefields area is drawing comparisons. 

Borderlands 4 has been out for a few days now. Early on in the game, you explore the Fadefields, a large, somewhat hard to navigate section of the map, filled with side quests and points of interest. As pointed out by PCGamer, those with a mind towards 100% completion will likely spend too much time in this starting zone, and it could come back to bite them later on in the game.

Borderlands 4 has a full endgame system, allowing players to obtain even more power to take on the hardest challenges only available upon completing the campaign. The progression system for endgame comes in the form of Specialisation Points, which are awarded to the player as soon as they finish the final campaign mission. If you save some of the side quests to play after finishing the campaign, you will have an easier time levelling up in the endgame. Beating them all during the campaign will leave you with fewer options for XP farming in the endgame.

I've been playing Borderlands 4 myself and after finishing a very charming side quest that involved rebuilding a missile, I decided to spend several more hours in the Fadefields, but the side quests really do just keep appearing. It seems that you could quite easily spend dozens of hours in this one zone, but doing so would work against you later down the line when you gear up for endgame content. It is something worth keeping in mind for those jumping in for the first time.

KitGuru Says: Have you tried Borderlands 4 yet? Have you moved beyond the starting zone? 

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Sharkoon has launched a new series of PC cases with a unique design touch aimed at builders who want a more elegant and distinctive look for their setup. The new AK7 ARGB and its smaller sibling, the MK7 ARGB, feature a combination of tempered glass and a stylish fabric covering.

The new cases feature a fabric covering on the exterior, which is positioned below the tempered glass front and side panels. Thermals might be affected, but on the other hand, you get a distinct aesthetic to the typically all-metal interiors. Both the ATX and microATX versions are available in black or white finishes.

The ATX-sized AK7 ARGB comes well-equipped for cooling right out of the box. It includes four 120mm ARGB PWM fans, and in a thoughtful touch for such a case, three of these are reverse-blade models designed for the side intake, ensuring a clean look without the fan's motor hub being visible. For liquid cooling, the case can support up to a 360 mm radiator, with room for a secondary 280 mm radiator as well. As for drives, there's space for two 3.5″ HDDs or four 2.5″ SSDs.

Internally, the AK7 has plenty of room for high-end hardware, with clearance for GPUs up to 410 mm long (a rubberised support bracket is included), PSUs up to 235 mm long, and CPU air coolers up to 170 mm tall. The case also offers full support for back-connect (BTF) motherboards from manufacturers like Asus and MSI, which is a perfect match for its clean, showcase-orientated design.

For those looking to build a more compact system, Sharkoon is also launching the MK7 ARGB, a microATX version that comes with three pre-installed ARGB fans (two are reverse-blade models) and space for three 2.5″ SSDs instead of four. Both the AK7 ARGB and the MK7 ARGB are now available for purchase, priced at €89.90 and €84.90, respectively.

KitGuru says: Do you have a preference for any of the models of the AK7 ARGB and MK7 ARGB case series?

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Back in 2022, a class action lawsuit was filed against Corsair, alleging that its overclocked DDR4 and DDR5 memory kits were sold to customers under false pretenses. Rather than allowing the case to go to trial, Corsair has now settled the case, paying out $5.5 million in fees. The case may not just impact Corsair though and could have far reaching consequences for many PC hardware companies. 

While many seasoned PC builders will be aware of the intricacies of RAM overclocking, many newcomers to the scene may buy RAM advertised at a certain overclocked speed and then not know how to make full use of their product. This is the issue that the lawsuit was arguing. By advertising Vengeance and Dominator series memory at overclocked speeds, without clearly stating that BIOS settings need to be tweaked to access those speeds and even then, the speed isn't ‘guaranteed', the lawsuit claimed that customers throughout the US were misled.

As spotted by Guru3D, the settlement will mean that eligible customers in the US who purchased affected DDR4 and DDR5 memory kits between 2018 and 2025 will be entitled to a piece of the $5.5M payout. If you are one of those people, you can make your claim through the dedicated website to handle settlement claims.

The settlement allowed Corsair to deny wrongdoing, but the company will also have to update its packaging and online product listings moving forward. Corsair will now market its products with a warning that listed speeds are “up to” and that your results may vary depending on your combination of CPU and motherboard. In some rare instances, silicon quality could hamper your overclocking ability too.

It is no secret that overclocked memory kits are often sold without clear warnings in place. As a result of this settlement, we anticipate that many other memory sellers across the industry will be changing up their marketing to avoid falling on the wrong side of a lawsuit.

KitGuru Says: Corsair may have been the only company targeted in this particular lawsuit, but it will likely have an impact across the whole industry, particularly when it comes to marketing overclocked products. 

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Philips has unveiled the Evnia 27M2N5901A, a new gaming monitor that aims to solve the age-old dilemma of choosing between high resolution and high refresh rate, but without breaking the bank. The new 27-inch display features “Dual Mode” technology, allowing users to switch between a native 4K at 160 Hz mode and a native 1080p at 320 Hz mode, all within the same panel.

The 27-inch 27M2N5901A Fast IPS monitor can be adjusted to change how it operates. For immersive, single-player games or productivity tasks where visual detail might be more important, users can select the UHD (3840×2160) mode, which runs at 160Hz. For competitive esports titles where every frame counts, the monitor can be switched to FHD (1920×1080) mode to deliver a 320 Hz refresh rate, backed by a response time of up to 1 ms GtG.

The monitor is packed with other premium features, including an “AI-enhanced” version of Philips' Ambiglow ambient lighting, which analyses the on-screen image to create a more immersive effect. It also functions as a workstation hub, featuring an integrated KVM switch for controlling two PCs with a single set of peripherals, a USB-C port with 65W power delivery, and a built-in USB hub. Software features are handled by the Philips Evnia Precision Center, which includes gamer-focused tools such as a smart crosshair that changes colour against different backgrounds and a shadow boost function.

Even with all of this, the new Evnia monitor is coming to market at a surprisingly aggressive price point. The Philips Evnia 27M2N5901A is set to be available in early October with a suggested retail price of just £329.00.

KitGuru says: Offering two distinct modes in a single, affordable package, the new Evnia monitor appears to be an incredibly versatile and high-value option for users who play a bit of everything on their PC.

The post New Philips Evnia Dual Mode monitor offers either 4K or 320Hz for just £329 first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in early 2021, the indie survival crafter Valheim launched in Early Access to a huge wave of success, selling over 5 million copies in its first month and going on to push past 10 million a little over one year later. As the game nears the end of its Early Access journey, the title is finally set to come to PlayStation 5 – with studio ‘Iron Gate’ confirming a 2026 release year.

Releasing a brief ‘Announcement Trailer’ the teams at Iron Gate and Coffee Stain Publishing confirmed that Valheim will officially arrive on PlayStation 5 sometime in 2026.

As mentioned, Valheim launched in Early Access back in 2021 and has remained in this state since. That said, the game has received plenty of updates in this time, with the next major patch being the Deep North update.

Given the vague 2026 window for the PS5 version’s release, it is likely that Valheim will launch on Sony’s system alongside the game’s long-awaited full 1.0 version. Curiously, the trailer they released for this PS5 announcement was actually captured on PC, and so we have no real idea of how the game will look/run on Sony’s console.

That said, Valheim has been available on Xbox platforms since 2023, and so expect it to be somewhat comparable (even if the Xbox version was technically ported by an external studio).

While Valheim remains a popular title to this day, it is interesting to see how long it's taking for the game to come to PlayStation platforms. That said, assuming it does launch alongside version 1.0, then the extended wait will have made some sense.

KitGuru says: Are you still playing Valheim in 2025? Are you excited for version 1.0? Why do you think it’s taken so long for the game to come to PlayStation? Let us know down below.

The post Valheim is finally coming to PlayStation next year 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 next month. Ahead of Little Nightmares III’s official launch, the teams at Supermassive Games and Bandai Namco have released a demo for all to check out.

Available on both PC and consoles, the demo for Little Nightmares III offers “a 30-minute glimpse into the game’s tense, cinematic atmosphere,” in which players must “navigate haunting environments, outsmart deadly traps, and survive a terrifying encounter with the Monster Baby, a grotesque inhabitant whose gaze can turn you to stone.”

It is worth noting that progress made in the demo will not carry over to the full game. That being said, considering the relatively short length of the demo, and the series’ focus on immersion, starting from scratch upon its official release shouldn’t be too big of a deal.

While the Little Nightmares series has amassed a strong following since the release of the first game back in 2017, this 3rd entry is being developed by Supermassive Games instead of Tarsier Studios (the team behind the first two titles).

As such, it is encouraging to see them release a demo for the upcoming title – letting fans get a taste of Supermassive’s take on Little Nightmares III before putting any money down.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for Little Nightmares III? What do you think of the switch-up in studios? Do you have faith in Supermassive Games? Let us know down below.

The post Little Nightmares III demo goes live ahead of game’s launch next month first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in July, Sony announced and released a new beta firmware for the PlayStation 5 which included the interesting confirmation of a ‘Power Saver for Games’ mode. Now, the update is going live for all PS5 users, with Sony offering additional details on this eco-friendly power mode.

Taking to the PlayStation Blog, Shuzo Kikuchi – VP of Product Management at SIE – confirmed that the latest PS5 firmware update is now rolling out globally for all. In case you missed it back during the beta, one of the biggest improvements with this update is the ability to now pair your DualSense controller with up to 4 different systems, allowing you to hot-swap between devices.

The new ‘Power Saver for Games’ mode meanwhile supposedly lets you “scale back performance and will allow your PS5 to reduce its power consumption when the feature is enabled optionally by gamers.”

With the firmware update now available as part of the primary branch, this new power saver mode has officially gone live, with Kikuchi noting: “Future updates for games such as Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Demon’s Souls, and Ghost of Yōtei will include support for the Power Saver option, with more titles to follow” – indicating that developers can seemingly make a dedicated performance profile targeting this lower-powered mode.

As we speculated on when the beta firmware was first released, this mode is potentially being developed in part as a way to facilitate the rumoured PlayStation handheld which is seemingly in the works.

Regardless, this latest update is a welcome one. Full details on the latest firmware update can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the power saver mode? Is it being worked on for the sake of the rumoured handheld? Will the new DualSense pairing options benefit you? Let us know down below.

The post PS5 firmware update brings DualSense pairing overhaul and new power saver mode first appeared on KitGuru.

For the past few years now, we’ve been hearing a bunch of leaks and rumours claiming that Ubisoft is planning to remake the highly-praised 2013 entry in the long-running Assassin’s Creed franchise – AC IV: Black Flag. Though yet to be officially announced, a ton of supposed details for the upcoming project have leaked; including the fact that the remake is getting rid of all the modern day scenes.

As reported by Jeux Vidéo Magazine (who have leaked various Assassin’s Creed-related details in the past), the yet-to-be-announced Black Flag Remake is currently targeting an early 2026 release (likely in March), though could slip back to later in the year.

These details are said to have come from several weeks worth of “anonymous testimonies that allow us to share what we know with you.”

As translated from French by Reddit user ‘Zamnboii’, one of the most immediately noticeable changes with this remake is that it will reportedly remove all of the modern day elements from the game (an aspect of the AC series which many do not care about). Replacing these moments will be “more content in Edward’s pirate era” – though only a few extra hours worth.

Unsurprisingly, the remake is said to be using Ubisoft’s latest version of the Anvil Engine, matching that of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Also like Shadows, Black Flag is said to lean in more heavily into the RPG side of the AC series, with Edward having his own loot and gear stats, and combat being less ‘choreographed’ than the original – for better and for worse.

Other miscellaneous details include the fact that Black Flag will no longer necessitate a loading screen when moving between your ship and land; and while the map itself is not bigger, it will include more stuff to do and find.

Of course, as with all leaks and rumours, this should be taken with a pinch of salt. That being said, it seems like only a matter of time before Ubisoft finally officially announces this long-rumoured remake. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the 2013 original.

KitGuru says: What do you think of these leaked details? Which changes are you most excited for? Which changes are you weary of? Let us know down below.

The post Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Remake details leak first appeared on KitGuru.

XPG has announced a significant expansion of its component lineup, headlined by the company's first-ever CPU air cooler, the Maestro Plus series. The new cooler is launching alongside a new flagship mid-tower chassis, the Valor Air Pro, with the two products being marketed as an ideal “case x cooling” combo for PC builders.

The Valor Air Pro is the latest addition to XPG's Valor case series. It's a spacious mid-tower with support for up to E-ATX motherboards, graphics cards up to 400 mm long, and top-mounted 360 mm radiators. Available in black and white, the case retains the Air series' signature diagonal mesh front panel for high airflow and comes with four 120mm ARGB fans pre-installed.

Image credit: TechPowerUp

Making its debut in the air cooling scene, Adata XPG has launched the Maestro Plus air cooler series. XPG is entering the crowded air cooler market with the 42SA and the 62DA. Both coolers come with a digital display panel integrated into the top of the tower, providing real-time CPU temperature and usage statistics at a glance. More detailed performance graphs are available via the XPG Prime software.

Both coolers have a single-tower design and feature ARGB lighting to complement the case fans. However, the 42SA is considerably more compact than the 62DA. This difference in size is also reflected in the number of heatpipes, with the 42SA having four heat pipes and the 62DA having six.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in any of Adata XPG's new PC components?

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It appears that checking your internet speed is about to become a little easier for Windows 11 users. A new, hidden feature has been discovered in the latest Insider Preview builds that adds a network speed test option directly into the Taskbar's system tray, eliminating the need for third-party websites or apps for a quick diagnosis.

Spotted by user @phantomofearth (via Tom's Hardware), the new feature adds a “Speed Test” option to the right-click context menu of the network icon, as well as in the Wi-Fi quick settings panel. When clicked, it launches Bing's built-in network speed test tool in your default web browser. While it's not a fully native, integrated application, it's a very convenient shortcut that saves you from having to navigate to a third-party website to check if you're getting the speeds you're paying for.

Image credit: @phantomofearth

This is one of several new quality-of-life features that Microsoft is currently testing for future Windows 11 updates, alongside a more customisable Start menu and a dedicated handheld gaming mode for devices like the ROG Ally. Interestingly, these features are being developed independently of the major biannual updates, like the upcoming version 25H2, and will likely be rolled out to users when they are ready.

The new speed test functionality is currently hidden in the latest builds available to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels and has not yet been officially announced by Microsoft. We'll likely see it roll out to all Windows 11 users in a cumulative update in the coming months.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: What other features would you like to see being implemented on Windows 11?

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The Early Access model has become a staple of PC gaming, but a new report from industry analyst firm NewZoo suggests there's a fine line between a successful development period and staying in the oven for too long. According to its 2025 Global Games Market Report, there is a clear “sweet spot” for how long a game should be in Early Access to maximise its 1.0 launch success.

By analysing the correlation between a game's time in Early Access and its player retention in the first three months after full release, NewZoo (via Insider Gaming) found that the less time the game is in early access, the higher the average number of players.

Image credit: NewZoo (via Insider Gaming)

The study reveals that the average number of players reaches its peak during the early access period, which lasts for the first six months, then drops slightly between seven and nine months, and continues to decrease as the time in early access increases. For many long-running Early Access titles, the hype has already peaked during the beta phase, and the full release ends up being a non-event with little to no increase in the player base.

The report acknowledges some notable exceptions to this rule. The spike in performance seen for games in the 22-24 month bracket was driven almost entirely by the massive success of V Rising and Ready or Not. Similarly, Dave the Diver managed to explode in popularity after an eight-month Early Access period. However, NewZoo emphasises that these are outliers, and the general trend for most games is clear.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: While Early Access has been a huge benefit for many games, including massive AAA hits like Baldur’s Gate 3, this data suggests that a shorter period might be the best strategy for most cases.

The post Study shows games with short early access periods are more successful first appeared on KitGuru.

Palworld has been in early access for over a year and a half but we are nearing the end of this journey. In a recent video, Pocketpair detailed its plans for Palworld 1.0, confirming that the game will leave Early Access next year. 

Since launch, Palworld has received five major updates, each adding new improvements and content for players to experience. The development team has “a lot of ideas” for where to take Palworld from here, but the goal first and foremost is to clean up a lot of lingering issues ahead of the 1.0 launch. This includes many of the game's self-described “quirks and jank”. Once all of those problems are ironed out, Palworld will be ready to leave early access. The current goal is to get all of this work done over the next year and release before the end of 2026.

As the development team focuses more on fixing up lingering issues, there are less resources to dedicate to new content development. As a result, the upcoming ‘Winter' update will not be as big as the previous update, titled Feybreak.

Pocketpair has so far not allowed the Nintendo patent dispute to hinder its development plans, although it did force the studio to make a few changes. The growing hope across the industry is that Pocketpair wins the lawsuit, as Nintendo has filed some rather suspect patents that would hinder many games across different genres if the patents are allowed to be enforced.

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KitGuru Says: Have you played Palworld much since its early access launch? What would you need to see improved before the game leaves early access?  

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The next wave of games for Xbox Game Pass have been announced, with new titles coming to PC, console and cloud. On top of that though, Microsoft has also confirmed plans for the Black Ops 7 beta, and Game Pass subscribers will get early access.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 won't release until November 14th, but as usual, there will be a beta test around six weeks before. On October 2nd, early access begins for the Black Ops 7 beta. Those who pre-order the game will get access on this date, but Game Pass subscribers will also get early access. The beta period for Black Ops 7 ends on October 8th, usually by the last few days, the beta is fully open to anyone on all supported platforms.

Now with the Call of Duty news out of the way, here is every game heading to Game Pass over the next couple of weeks, with platforms and dates included:

• RoadCraft (Cloud and Xbox Series X/S) – Available Today
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Console) – September 17th
• For the King 2 (Console) – September 17th
• Overthrown (Xbox Series X/S) – September 17th
• Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X/S) – September 17th
• Frostpunk 2 (Cloud and Xbox Series X/S) – September 18th
• Wobbly Life (Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X/S) – September 18th
• Hades (Cloud, Console and PC) – September 19th
• Endless Legend 2 (PC) – September 22nd
• Sworn (Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X/S) – September 23rd
• Peppa Pig: World Adventures (Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X/S) – September 25th
• Visions of Mana (Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X/S) – September 25th
• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (Cloud, Console and PC) – September 30th

On October 1st, Game Pass Core will get an update. This is the base level service available on Xbox consoles as a replacement to Xbox Live Gold. Every six months or so, Game Pass Core gets updated with a few new titles, this time around, players can expect Warhammer 40,000 Darktide, Cities Skylines Remastered and Disney Dreamlight Valley.

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KitGuru Says: Will you be installing any of the newly announced Game Pass titles over the next few weeks? 

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This week, Phanteks has a fleet of products hitting the market. First up is the new XT V3 chassis, which is optimised for the new wave of Back Connect motherboards. On top of that, Phanteks is also debuting the Nexlinq Hub V2 and the new Premium Gen5 vertical GPU bracket. 

The Phanteks XT V3 chassis is designed to pack as much performance into as small a footprint as possible. Despite the small dimensions, the case still fits a 360mm liquid cooling radiator, and up to seven case fans in total, including fans positioned specifically for GPU airflow.

The Nexlinq Hub V2 is a centralised hub for your fans and ARGB LEDs. The new version has a slimmer design, making it easier to integrate within your build. A lightweight companion app will enable you to make changes to fan and ARGB settings from within Windows. By keeping the software lightweight, Phanteks aims to ensure responsiveness, removing any ‘jank' present on heavier fan and RGB management applications.

The final product on the list today is the Premium Gen5 vertical GPU bracket. This bracket can showcase graphics cards in vertical orientation, or at a tilted 30-degree angle. The bracket has its own D-RGB lighting for added visual flair.

The Phanteks XT V3 case will be available for £59.95 in the UK in both black and white colour options. The Nexlinq Hub V2 will go for £21.90 and the Premium Gen5 Vertical GPU bracket will cost £69.90, also available in black or white to match your case.

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KitGuru Says: Are you planning a new PC build? It looks like Phanteks' latest trio of products could make for an interesting place to start. 

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Today AMD is launching its new Ryzen 9000 PRO series processors for desktops. There are four SKUs for businesses to choose from, ranging from the Ryzen 9 PRO 9945 all the way down to the six-core Ryzen 5 PRO 9645. 

Today, AMD quietly revealed the new Ryzen PRO CPUs with an update to its website. There are three Ryzen 9000 PRO CPUs, all using the new Zen 5 architecture, and one new Ryzen 5 PRO 7000 series chip, built using Zen 4 CPU cores. In both cases, the CPUs sport AMD's PRO level technologies, designed for business desktops with added security features and streamlined manageability options to aid IT teams with deployment and fleet management. 

In the table below, you can find the specs for each new Ryzen PRO series CPU:

Processor	Cores / Threads	Boost / Base Frequency	Total Cache	TDP
Ryzen 9 PRO 9945	12C / 24T	Up to 5.4 GHz / 3.4 GHz	76MB	65W
Ryzen 7 PRO 9745	8C / 16T	Up to 5.4 GHz / 3.8 GHz	40MB	65W
Ryzen 5 PRO 9645	6C / 12T	Up to 5.4 GHz / 3.9 GHz	38MB	65W
Ryzen 5 PRO 7445	6C / 12T	Up to 4.3 GHz / 3.3 GHz	22MB	65W

These CPUs will be made available through OEMs shipping pre-built desktop PCs for enterprise from companies like Lenovo, HP and others.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: While not relevant to gamers, those working in IT will likely start to see these processors popping up around office sites soon. 

The post AMD launches new Ryzen PRO Zen 5 and Zen 4 processors first appeared on KitGuru.

Physical game sales have been on a downward trend for many years but with next-gen consoles due in the next few years, many have been anticipating the complete abandonment of the disc drive. Sony recently shared its latest earnings report, showing that just 3% of revenue came via physical game sales. 

In the recent breakdown of PlayStation revenue, Sony showed that 24% of sales came from hardware. From there, 20% of sales revenue came from Digital Software and just 3% came from physical software sales. Add-on content accounted for 29% of revenue, dwarfing game sales and hardware sales.

As for subscription services, the likes of PlayStation Plus and other network services brought in 14% of the overall revenue. As Eurogamer points out, this is a drop down from 17% in 2020, despite Sony's reported Monthly Active Users growing by double digit percentages.

The revenue breakdown shows why Sony has been distancing itself from disc drives. While the PS5 was originally designed with a disc drive in mind, Sony later shifted to only producing Digital Edition PS5 models and then offering a separate disc-drive attachment. It is expected that the next generation PlayStation 6 console will release without a disc drive, but Sony should continue to offer a disc drive attachment as an additional purchase.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Gaming has been a largely digital market for a long time now, especially on the PC side of things. Console gaming has taken longer to transition but numbers like this make it clear that console users largely rely on digital services now as well.  

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