At CES earlier this month, MSI revealed its newly overhauled Prestige laptop line. Now just a few weeks later, the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ and its larger Prestige 16 variants are all available in the US.

The updated lineup adopts a slimmer profile, down to 0.47 inches at its thinnest. Despite the reduced thickness, the Prestige laptops remain just as durable. All models include modern security features such as a discrete TPM 2.0 module, fingerprint reader, IR webcam with shutter, and MSI’s Smart Guard protection.

Depending on the model, the new Prestige laptops can be configured all the way up to a brand-new Intel Core Ultra 9 388H processor. This gives plenty of performance for AI applications, alongside improved integrated Arc graphics. Efficiency gains also have an impact on battery life, with these laptops rated for over 30 hours of continuous HD video playback on a charge. Underneath the hood, cooling is handled by a vapor chamber and a dual-fan system, keeping noise levels low and thermals in check.

To match the Prestige name, these laptops ship with very high-spec displays. The Prestige 14 Flip AI+ features a 14‑inch FHD+ OLED touchscreen with 100% DCI‑P3 coverage and SGS low‑blue‑light certification. The 16‑inch models step up to 2.8K OLED panels with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, DisplayHDR True Black 1000 certification, and optional touch support. Ambient light and adaptive color sensors are included to maintain consistent image quality in different lighting conditions.

For users who prefer flexible workflows, the Prestige Flip variants offer 2‑in‑1 convertibility with stylus support. All models include a Copilot key, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, DTS‑enhanced audio with dual speakers and dual woofers, and a full suite of ports, including dual Thunderbolt 4, USB‑A, HDMI 2.1 and an audio combo jack.

The MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, the Prestige 16 AI+ and the Prestige 16 Flip AI+ are all available in the US now, with prices starting at $1,299. EU availability is expected in the coming months.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on getting a new laptop for 2026?

The post MSI’s Core Ultra Series 3 powered Prestige laptops launch starting at $1,299 first appeared on KitGuru.

Razer has launched the beta version of Razer Synapse Web, a lightweight web application that lets users customise their Razer peripherals in Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Opera. This new platform eliminates the need for full software installation, making it a handy tool for esports tournaments, LAN environments, or shared systems where administrative locks prevent traditional software setup.

The web app focuses on speed and essential features. Users can adjust Chroma RGB Quick Effects, refine key settings, and manage onboard profiles directly within the browser interface. At launch, only the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro line will be supported, but we can expect more peripherals in the future.

While Synapse 4 remains the primary hub for deep integration and multi-device synchronisation, Synapse Web serves as a high-performance alternative for rapid adjustments in competitive scenarios. This “web-native” approach ensures that a gamer's specific performance tuning is always just a URL away, regardless of the PC they are using.

KitGuru says: For any user who jumps from system to system, being able to tweak their peripherals on the go is quite handy. However, most users will probably be glad that with Synapse Web, they won't need to install any software to customise their peripherals.

The post Razer introduces Synapse Web beta to customise peripherals via browser first appeared on KitGuru.

While Sony has yet to make any official announcements regarding the PlayStation 6 console, there have been some hints along the way. For instance, PlayStation hardware lead, Mark Cerny, has discussed continuing to work with AMD on new technology for a future console. For the past couple of years, many have been anticipating a 2028 launch date for next-generation consoles, but one analyst is now predicting a longer timetable.

As spotted by VGC, an MST Financial analyst recently claimed in a forecast for Sony that the PlayStation 5 lifecycle is going to be extended, and that the successor won't be released by 2028 as previously anticipated.

There are a number of good reasons for a PlayStation 6 delay right now. For starters, Sony has yet to convert a good number of PS4 users over to the new system. On top of that, the recent AI boom has led to massive price increases for things like memory and SSDs, which could make building a new console a much more expensive endeavour than initially planned over the next couple of years. Many consumers are expected to hold on to current-generation or older hardware while prices are in flux.

There are still a number of big generation-defining games also still to be released. Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to lead to the sale of many PS5 consoles towards the end of this year. Premier first party studios like Naughty Dog have also yet to release a brand-new title during the PS5 generation and many other studios also have new games in the oven, specifically targeting the PS5.

If the forecast is accurate, then the PS6 may not arrive until 2029 or later. However, it is worth noting that this is just one analyst's opinion, and the tech space tends to move at a rapid pace. Sony itself has not yet made any statements around its next-gen hardware plans.

KitGuru Says: Rumour has it that the PlayStation 6 will see Sony tapping back into the portable market. As for when we'll see it, that is still up for debate.

The post Analyst predicts PlayStation 6 delay and ‘extended lifecycle’ for PS5 first appeared on KitGuru.

This week, Kingston announced that its IronKey Keypad 200 USB drives, including the KP200 and KP200C, have achieved NIST FIPS 140‑3 Level 3 validation. The certification places the KP200 line alongside the already‑approved IronKey D500S, strengthening Kingston’s position in supplying independently verified, tamper‑resistant data storage.

FIPS 140‑3 Level 3 is the latest U.S. government cryptographic hardware standard and is widely recognised across Europe as a benchmark for security. Level 3 requires physical tamper resistance, identity‑based authentication, protected key handling, separation of critical interfaces, and safeguards against abnormal voltage or temperature conditions. Certification is granted following testing by NIST‑accredited labs and a final review by NIST.

The KP200 series are keypad‑based drives compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, and mobile devices via USB‑A or USB‑C. They are designed for environments where encrypted removable media is required to load or transfer software on medical, industrial, scientific, and other OT systems. NIST’s new SP 1334 guidance also highlights the need for stronger USB security in OT infrastructure.

The KP200 series includes dual Admin/User PINs, optional Global and Session Read‑Only modes to prevent unauthorised changes or malware exposure, and IP68 dust‑ and water‑resistance. The USB drives are available with up to 512GB of storage and come with a three-year warranty.

KitGuru Says: The number of cyber attacks carried out has grown each year, so data security is always important, especially when working in sensitive fields.

The post Kingston IronKey KP200 achieves FIPS 140‑3 Level 3 certificatio first appeared on KitGuru.

Obsidian has been slowly working away on Grounded 2 in early access since its reveal last year. This month, the game is getting its first major update, titled ‘The Toxic Tangle', adding a new biome to explore, alongside new enemies and even a new gun-toting mount.

First up is the new Garden biome, which transforms the greenhouse into a dense, vertical maze of vines, crawlspaces, and hidden stashes. Players will encounter everything from pumpkin patches to carrot thickets, alongside aggressive wildlife and plenty of resources to overcome new hazards.

Players will also be able to use a giant ladybug as a tank-style mount, complete with its own water cannon for clearing out pests. Speaking of pests, players will encounter new enemy types, including earwigs, potato beetles, wooly aphid and even a giant snake for a late-game challenge. The Masked Stranger also makes a return, hinting at new mysteries still to come.

Mutations have been reworked into active and passive types, with passives now tied to weapon loadouts for smoother combat flow. Builders gain expanded options with new sets such as the Pumpkin Kit, updated Mushroom Kit, Scale Roof Set, improved Acorn Stairs, and long‑requested floor hatches.

Looking ahead, Playgrounds Mode returns in February via the Public Test Beta, bringing back creation tools from the first Grounded.

KitGuru Says: Did many of you play the original Grounded? Have you jumped into Grounded 2 yet or are you waiting for it to get closer to V1.0?

The post Grounded 2 gets first major content update first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel has officially entered the next era of AI upscaling with the release of XeSS 3, featuring Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) technology. Integrated into the latest graphics driver (versions 32.0.101.8425 and 32.0.101.8362), XeSS 3 supports 2x, 3x, and 4x frame multiplication, similar to Nvidia's DLSS 4. One of the most significant advantages of this rollout is backward compatibility. Users can enable Frame Generation in any XeSS 2 supported game through the Intel Graphics control panel. 

The driver update also marks the launch of Intel's new integrated graphics solutions, the Arc B390 and B370, which power the Core Ultra 3 (Panther Lake) mobile CPU family. XeSS 3 is designed to run on any Arc hardware equipped with XMX units, covering the original A-series, the new B-series discrete cards, and integrated solutions across the Meteor Lake, Lunar Lake, and Arrow Lake families. Early hands-on testing suggests that while image quality is high with minimal artefacts, users may experience higher input lag in fast-paced titles, a common hurdle for frame generation technologies that Intel is working to mitigate.

Beyond the new features, the driver also introduces critical stability fixes, including a resolution for crashes in the Pragmata demo and a fix for incorrect Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reporting in the display settings. Moreover, Intel has acknowledged several known issues under investigation, including application crashes in games such as Star Citizen, The Finals, and Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Users experiencing these issues are encouraged to report them through the Intel Arc Control feedback tool. The full patch notes can be found below:

Highlights:

• Launch driver for Intel Core Ultra Series 3 with built-in Intel Arc B390, B370 GPUs (Codename Panther Lake).
  • Intel XeSS 3 Support: Introducing Multi-Frame Generation
    • XeSS Multi-Frame Generation builds upon XeSS Frame Generation by inserting up to 3 generated frames between two rendered frames, going from a 1:1 ratio to 3:1 for an ultra-smooth gameplay experience.

Fixed Issues:

• Intel Arc B-Series Graphics Products
  • PRAGMATA SKETCHBOOK Demo (DX12) may experience an application crash while launching the game.
• Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • PRAGMATA SKETCHBOOK Demo (DX12) may experience an application crash while launching the game.
• Intel Graphics Software Fixed Issues
  • Variable Refresh Rate range in Display page may show incorrect values.

Known Issues:

• Intel Core Ultra Series 3 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • Ghost of Tsushima (DX12) may exhibit color corruption on terrains during gameplay.
  • The Finals (DX12) may experience an intermittent application crash.
  • No Man's Sky (Vulkan) may exhibit corruptions on certain terrains during gameplay.
  • Star Citizen (Vulkan) may experience an application crash on game launch.
  • Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord (DX11) may experience an application crash during game launch.
• Intel Arc B-Series Graphics Products
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain water surfaces during gameplay.
  • Star Citizen (Vulkan) may experience an application crash on game launch.
  • PugetBench for DaVinci Resolve Studio may experience an intermittent application crash while running the benchmark.
  • Recommendation: change the timeout slider to 1500 seconds or higher in PugetBench benchmark settings to wait for each test to complete.
• Intel Arc A-Series Graphics Products
  • PugetBench for DaVinci Resolve Studio may experience an intermittent application crash while running the benchmark.
  • Recommendation: change the timeout slider to 1500 seconds or higher in PugetBench benchmark settings to wait for each test to complete.
• Intel Core Ultra Series 1 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • Battlefield 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain maps during gameplay.
  • Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain water surfaces during gameplay.
  • Battlefield 6 (DX12) may exhibit intermittent corruptions on certain maps during gameplay on some notebooks with Intel Core Ultra Series 2 with built-in Intel Arc GPUs.
  • No Man's Sky (Vulkan) may exhibit corruptions on certain terrains during gameplay.
  • Topaz Video AI may experience visual artifacts when using certain AI models.
• Intel Graphics Software Known Issues
  • When using the Settings > Preferences > Reset all settings option in Windows 10, the application may experience an intermittent crash. Settings can be reset from individual pages without issue.
  • Intel Graphics Software may sometimes experience a single application crash on the first re-arrange of metrics within the Select metrics window. Subsequent usage will not be affected by this crash again.
  • Combined Display may intermittently not function as expected while combining displays or resetting settings.

KitGuru says: Intel may have taken a while to launch its own MFG tech, but now that it's finally here, gamers playing games on Arc graphics can easily get an FPS boost in a bunch of games.

The post Intel rolls out XeSS 3 with Multi-Frame Generation in new drivers first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD has launched an update to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D (aka The Best Gaming CPU) and named it the Ryzen 7 9850X3D because it is ever so slightly faster. Frankly it's a rubbish name but there are some points we need to discuss so buckle up and prepare yourself for many charts and loads of data.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:49 Specifications
01:35 Hardware
03:12 A quick look at behaviour
04:39 Multi Core Performance
05:23 Ryzen Master Software / Curve Optimiser
06:31 Efficiency / Per watt points
07:22 Geekbench 6 Multi Core
08:04 Geekbench 6 Single Core
08:33 Aida 64 Memory Bandwidth
08:59 Far Cry 6
10:07 Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
10:44 Assassins Creed Mirage
11:19 Cyberpunk 2077
11:58 Total War Pharaoh
12:36 Leo’s verdict

Testing and Performance

Test systems

CPUs: AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, 9800X3D and 7800X3D
Motherboard: ASRock X870E Taichi
Memory: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Royal Neo RGB DDR5-8000

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
Motherboard: MSI MPG Z890 Carbon WiFi
Memory: 48GB G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5-8200

Graphics Card: MSI RTX 4090 Ventus 3X 24GB
CPU cooler: Phanteks Glacier One 360D30
SSD: 1TB Crucial T700
Power Supply: Seasonic Focus ATX3.1 GX-1000 Gold

Geekbench 6 Single Core

In Geekbench 6 Single Core we see the benefit of the improved boost speed with Ryzen 7 9850X3D leaping to the top of the chart.

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

You will have seen in our video that we showed a great many charts and this chart is a focussed view of the larger Geekbench 6 chart. We can see the 9850X3D has a significant lead over 9800X3D and that is enhanced when we bring Ryzen Master Curve Optimiser into the equation.

Far Cry 6 at 1080p

Far Cry 6 at 1080p demonstrates the impressive nature of AMD's 3D V-Cache technology in gaming, and the way it improves with each new generation of processors.

Closing Thoughts

When AMD announced the Ryzen 7 9850X3D we felt the increase to Maximum Boost Speed was a minor tweak for the amazing Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

Now we have dug into the CPU in some depth we feel there is slightly more to the story than we first expected. Clearly AMD has improved the silicon in 9850X3D compared to 9800X3D, but where we assumed this was merely a better CPU chiplet we now feel the IO die has also been improved.

Our takeaway with Ryzen 7 9850X3D is that this is an interesting update to the 9800X3D that lays the groundwork for the rumoured Ryzen 9 9950X3D2. That should be the ultimate Zen 5 CPU for the desktop and will be AMD's best chance to fight off Intel Nova Lake at the end of 2026. You might think that 2026 is looking to be a grim year but it will certainly have its points of interest.

AMD told us the official MSRP is £439.99, though we expect retail pricing to be closer to £469.99 inc VAT based on conversations with UK retailers.

Pros:

• Superb gaming performance.
• Compatible with AM5 motherboards and coolers.
• Low power draw, easy to cool.

Cons:

• Ryzen 7 9850X3D only offers an incremental improvement over 9800X3D.
• Our guess is that AMD will use 9850X3D to jack up prices.
• £70 premium over 9800X3D.

KitGuru says: The Ryzen 7 9850X3D boosts frame rates in your favourite games.

 

The post AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Microsoft has begun testing a refreshed web experience for Xbox Cloud Gaming, designed to streamline navigation and look closer to the Xbox console dashboard. Xbox Cloud Gaming users can already opt in to the new interface, although there could be lingering issues in the early build. 

Players can access the preview by visiting xbox.com/play in a compatible browser, signing in, and enabling the “Preview Features” toggle in the settings menu. Once enabled, users can either follow the on-screen prompts or navigate directly to the new site (it may take up to 10 minutes for the prompts and links to appear).

Microsoft notes that, as this is a foundation-building phase, some features may behave differently or be temporarily unavailable as they iterate based on feedback. Users are encouraged to report bugs via the profile menu or the Xbox Web Guide to help refine the platform during the testing period.

KitGuru says: Do you use Xbox Cloud Gaming? Have you already tried the new interface? Do you prefer the new UI over the old one?

The post Xbox overhauls cloud gaming interface with refreshed design first appeared on KitGuru.

Just as has been the case with many previous Nintendo consoles, the Switch 2 is slowly but surely receiving a backcatalogue of titles from 3rd party publishers. While better late than never, one insider has claimed that 2025’s Game of the Year winner Expedition 33 will land on the Switch 2 at some point this year – with Final Fantasy XVI reportedly coming in 2027.

As reported by known industry insider Nate the Hate via their podcast of the same name, the Nintendo Switch 2 is seemingly set to slowly-but-surely continue getting a number of major 3rd-party releases from the past few years.

According to Nate, 2025’s GOTY winner Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 “will be coming to Switch 2 in 2026”. Given that the game utilises Epic’s rather demanding Unreal Engine 5, it will be interesting to see how the game looks/performs on the handheld-hybrid.

Going back to 2024 meanwhile, ATLUS’ JRPG Metaphor: ReFantazio is said to also be coming to the Switch 2 some time this year. This comes as little surprise however, with ATLUS / SEGA having supported both the Switch (and now Switch 2) quite strongly over the years.

Last but not least, going another year back, 2023’s Final Fantasy XVI is said to be also coming to Switch 2. Unlike Metaphor and Clair Obscur however, the ex-PS5 exclusive is apparently not set to arrive until 2027 (though an official announcement is expected some time this year).

Given that all three of these titles are from years prior, it will be interesting to see how the games look; perform and most importantly cost when they are finally officially announced and released.

KitGuru says: Will Nintendo ever reach parity with other systems? Are you bothered by the fact that 3rd party titles usually come out later? Let us know down below.

The post Insider claims Expedition 33 and Metaphor: ReFantazio will come to Switch 2 this year first appeared on KitGuru.

Following years of hype and anticipation, Monster Hunter Wilds finally arrived last year to an explosive launch, selling over 10 million copies within its first month on the market. Since then however, the game’s adoption has slowed to an absolute crawl, with Wilds taking an additional 9 months to go from the 10 million mark to 11 million.

As part of the company’s latest fiscal earnings report, Capcom released updated sales data for many of its titles and franchises. Alongside confirmation that 2019’s Devil May Cry 5 has surpassed 11 million copies sold, the publisher revealed that Monster Hunter Wilds sales have fallen off a cliff.

As mentioned, Wilds managed to shift a massive 10 million units within its first month on the market. Unfortunately, the game suffered from plenty of performance issues – particularly on PC – leading to an influx of negative reviews.

While the game has gotten some performance patches in recent months, it seems Monster Hunter Wilds will not manage to have the same legs as its past two entries. Thanks to the latest reports, we now know that Wilds has officially sold a total of 11.09 million copies as of the 31st of December; meaning it sold just 1 million more units over the past 9 months (fewer copies than MH: Rise managed in the same period).

All that being said, it is possible that Wilds could have a resurgence come the inevitable release of its post-launch expansion(s). We will have to wait and see.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Monster Hunter Wilds in 2026? Is it worth playing? Will the game ever be able to fully recover from its launch woes? Let us know down below.

The post Monster Hunter Wilds finally surpasses 11 million sales, 9 months after hitting 10 million first appeared on KitGuru.

Initially released back in 2015 as a paid product, Rocket League is a highly popular Soc-Car title which went on to be played by over 75 million people prior to it going free-to-play in 2020. Since then, the game has continued to truck along, maintaining a consistent playerbase. That said, in a surprise resurgence, Rocket League has now reached a new major milestone – surpassing 1 million concurrent players for the first time in half a decade.

Last week, the official Rocket League Twitter page revealed that the game had reached a major player milestone, writing: “Today has been a wild ride: more than 900,000 of you hit the pitch in Rocket League at the same time!”

Since then, interest appears to have grown further, with the ‘Rocket League Garage’ fansite (which tracks concurrent player numbers) revealing that the game has now hit 1 million concurrent players – a record not seen since the initial free-to-play launch back in 2020.

In terms of why the game has seen a sudden influx in players, it appears as though Rocket League has the popular YouTuber ‘Jynxzi’ to thank – who started streaming the title a couple weeks ago.

Additionally. Rocket League also recently got its Switch 2 update, which did contribute some amount to the 1 million concurrents – albeit only by an additional 39k players.

Given the sudden rise in interest pertaining to Rocket League, it will be interesting to see whether the team at Psyonix choose to capitalise on this moment, or whether things will remain business as usual.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Rocket League in 2026? Is the game still a fun time so many years later? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Rocket League surpasses 1 million concurrent players for the first time since 2020 first appeared on KitGuru.

The Reigns series of games offers players the chance to take on the role of a leader who has to address and solve the issues of its people, all the while trying not to end up with your head on a chopping block. Since the first game’s release back in 2016, Reigns has received a number of crossover titles. In a surprise announcement, Reigns: The Witcher has been officially confirmed – launching on PC and mobile next month.

Published by Devolver Digital in partnership with CD Projekt Red, Reigns: The Witcher has you play as Geralt, fighting for “survival within the drunken ballads of his dear friend, Dandelion the bard. Will you hunt monsters, upset the locals, or run a hot bath? Navigate the moral meanderings of the world through the eyes of the bard, and compose an inspiring epic to perhaps, one day, claim immortality.”

Launching on the 25th of February for PC and mobile (Android + iOS), players can head over to the official website for a small taste of what you can expect from the game when it launches in a month’s time.

The previous Reigns entries have been pretty hardcore, with every choice having potentially major consequences – something which the Witcher series does quite well. As such, it will be interesting to see exactly how the game is formatted and whether it resonates with fans when Reigns: The Witcher officially arrives on the 25th of February for $5.99.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the Reigns series? Is a Witcher collab of interest to you? What other franchise would you like to see receive a ‘Reigns’ treatment? Let us know down below.

The post Reigns: The Witcher officially announced first appeared on KitGuru.

Intel's “Battlemage” generation might expand soon, though the supposed new graphics cards are primarily for professional users. New reports suggest that Intel is about to launch the Arc Pro B70 and Arc Pro B65, targeting a Q1 2026 release. Both cards are claimed to be powered by the BMG-G31 GPU and feature a massive 32GB of GDDR6 memory.

As reported by VideoCardz, while the memory remains identical across both SKUs, the differentiation lies in the core counts. The Arc Pro B70 utilises the full die with 32 Xe2 cores (4096 FP32 cores), while the Arc Pro B65 is a cut-down variant featuring 20 Xe2 cores (2560 FP32 cores), matching the previous-gen B60 in core count but benefiting from the newer architecture.

Below you can find a table with the detailed rumoured specs for these two GPUs:

	Arc Pro B70	Arc Pro B65
GPU Architecture	Xe2-HPG (Battlemage)	Xe2-HPG (Battlemage)
GPU Die	BMG-G31	BMG-G31
Xe-Cores	32	20
FP32 Cores	4096	2560
VRAM Capacity	32 GB GDDR6	32 GB GDDR6
Memory Bus	256-bit	256-bit
Target Launch	Q1 2026	Q1 2026

The situation for gamers remains much more uncertain. While board partners have the BMG-G31 chips for testing, they are currently restricted to the Pro form factors. Rumours suggest that Intel has placed the consumer gaming variant on hold, possibly due to volatility in the memory market.

KitGuru says: Do you think Intel should launch an Arc B7x0 GPU for the mainstream market?

The post Intel is reportedly working on Arc Pro B70 and B65 GPUs first appeared on KitGuru.

Following on from last week's Xbox Direct stream, it appears that we'll be getting new game announcements from both Sony and Nintendo over the next month. According to multiple sources, there will be a new Nintendo Direct in February, as well as a new PlayStation State of Play stream. 

NateTheHate is responsible for the Nintendo Direct rumour, pointing towards games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Metaphor ReFantazio and Final Fantasy 16 being announced for the Switch 2. These are just a handful of titles expected to appear though, as the Nintendo Direct should be ‘full length', so it should have around 40 minutes of announcements. This stream should take place in the first week of February.

On the other side of the aisle we have Jeff Grubb, who claims that a PlayStation State of Play will be happening on the week of February 12th. If this is true, Sony is likely to make an official announcement confirming the date and time just days beforehand, as they traditionally do.

Both of these sources have accurately leaked showcase timings previously, so there is at least some reason to put stock in these rumours.

KitGuru Says: Is there anything you would like to see announced at one of the upcoming showcases? Personally, I'm still rooting for a Switch 2 upgrade for the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy. 

The post Rumour claims Nintendo Direct and PlayStation State of Play return in February first appeared on KitGuru.

Xbox just made some big announcements during a developer direct stream last week, but it looks like another company under its umbrella will soon be making some reveals of its own. Over the next couple of weeks, Blizzard has a number of showcases planned, with each one focused on a different major franchise. 

The World of Warcraft showcase will be happening on January 29th, giving fans a new look at upcoming content for the MMO, including more details on the Midnight expansion. Following that, Overwatch will get its own spotlight on February 4th.

Hearthstone will get new announcements on February 9th and then, things will wrap up with Diablo on February 11th, ahead of the game's next seasonal content update and the new expansion coming in April.

Unfortunately, despite rumours that Starcraft is going to be coming back, there was no mention of spotlight streams for the franchise, nor is there any word on new updates for Heroes of the Storm, Blizzard's short-lived MOBA game.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to new announcements from Blizzard in the coming weeks? 

The post Blizzard reveals showcase plans for WoW, Diablo, Overwatch and more first appeared on KitGuru.

Nvidia has rolled out a new GeForce Game Ready graphics driver, optimising for new games like Arknights: Endfield and Highguard. This week's update also brings DLSS to more titles, alongside the rollout of the new RTX Remix Logic update. 

RTX Remix Logic was first announced during Nvidia's CES showcase. The new update allows developers to implement dynamic graphics effects based on in-game events. For instance, you could trigger a certain weather or lighting effect when opening a door or flood the room with particle effects when interacting with a button. Overall, Logic supports over 30 in-game events, and there are over 900 Remix graphics settings, so developers will be able to get very creative.

This week's Nvidia update also brings DLSS to more games. Half Sword is launching with DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation, but through the Nvidia App, players can force-enable DLSS 4.5, which uses Nvidia's 2nd Gen transformer model for further visual enhancements. DLSS upgrades are also coming to Code Vein 2, Highguard, and Arknights: Endfield.

There is a new Game Ready driver rolling out alongside all of this. If you have the Nvidia app installed, you can install it through there. If you prefer a direct download and a manual install, you can find the new driver HERE.

KitGuru Says: As always, let us know how you get on with the latest drivers. 

The post Nvidia rolls out new Game Ready drivers, DLSS updates and RTX Remix Logic first appeared on KitGuru.

Sharkoon has introduced the SKILLER SGB15, a budget gaming bundle that pairs a full‑size rubber‑dome keyboard with a high DPI mouse, targeting entry-level PC gamers just getting started. 

The keyboard uses a full-size layout and rubber‑dome switches, designed to keep noise levels low during play. It includes RGB illumination with adjustable brightness and several onboard lighting effects, all controlled directly on the device without software.

The bundled mouse supports six DPI presets ranging up to 4,200 DPI and features a 1000Hz polling rate. It also includes RGB lighting with multiple selectable effects to match the keyboard. Sharkoon positions the mouse as suitable for a range of genres, from MOBAs to shooters, where rapid response times are important.

The SKILLER SGB15 bundle will be available soon, priced around €29.90.

KitGuru Says: A fully RGB-lit peripheral set-up for €30 is a very cheap price. 

The post Sharkoon’s new SKILLER SGB15 bundle offers full RGB for €30 first appeared on KitGuru.

We have known about the Fable reboot being developed by Playground Games since 2018, when Eurogamer leaked early details of the project. As it turns out, Playground actually began its journey towards becoming a multi-project and multi-genre studio a couple of years earlier, following the success of Forza Horizon 3.

With Forza Horizon 3, Playground Games cemented itself as a premier open-world studio and set the franchise up for so much future success that Horizon has overtaken Forza Motorsport as Xbox's flagship racing series. Now with Fable, Playground Games is about to release an entirely new type of game, moving away from its racing roots and into RPG territory.

In an interview with GamesRadar, Playground Games GM, Ralph Fulton, confirmed that the company began considering building out a second team in 2016:

“The conversation around building a second team and doing something else, doing something different, was really about wanting to challenge ourselves, to learn and grow as developers.”

Fable wasn't cemented as the company's new project just yet. However, Fulton explains that team leaders looked towards transferable skills like open-world game design, open-world technology and open-world streaming. From there, they modified their tools to aid them in creating an open-world RPG. As we've known for a while, by 2018, Playground Games became the new home for the Fable IP, following Microsoft's closure of Lionhead several years earlier.

The Fable reboot is finally launching later this year, with plans to release on PC, PS5 and Xbox on day-one. For reference, the last mainline Fable game to release was none other than Fable 3 all the way back in 2010. A new trailer released last week gave us a good look at what to expect and for the most part, it appears that many staples of the previous Fable games will remain in the reboot and some have been expanded. For instance, romanceable NPCs will return, but players will have around 1000 NPCs to choose from. The trade-off is that the player's appearance won't change based on whether they align themselves with good or evil.

KitGuru Says: Playground has a busy year ahead with Forza Horizon 6 launching in May, followed by Fable this Autumn. Are you looking forward to the new Fable game?

The post Playground Games began planning shift to RPGs after Forza Horizon 3 first appeared on KitGuru.

Mouse Computer, a Japanese PC manufacturer, has introduced a unique addition to its NextGear EG-series of gaming desktops. Centred around a unique “Clear Shift” case, featuring dynamic dimming technology on its front and left-side glass panels.

According to PC Watch (via VideoCardz), a single button press on the top I/O panel can transition the glass from a completely transparent “clear mode” to a smoked “stealth mode” that effectively hides the internal components.

The stealth mode serves as a “hide your PC” feature for users who keep their towers on their desks. It allows a build to look like a plain black tower or to eliminate RGB light pollution during nighttime sessions. The switchable glass requires power to function, but when the PC is turned off, the panels automatically default to the opaque stealth mode. To complete the transformation, the case also features a separate LED button to toggle the ARGB fan effects, allowing the system to go from a vibrant showroom display to a muted aesthetic in seconds.

In terms of hardware, the NextGear EG-A7G60 configuration reviewed by PC Watch features an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X paired with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060. The system includes 16GB of DDR4-3200 memory and a 1TB NVMe SSD. While these specs target the mid-range market, the premium pricing (starting at over £1050) is probably due to the Clear Shift technology. The lineup is currently a Mouse Computer direct shop exclusive in Japan.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the ‘Clear Shift' case? Would you like to see one of these outside of Japan? 

The post Mouse Computer unveils Nextgear desktop PC with dynamic dimming glass case first appeared on KitGuru.

Philips has officially launched the product page for the Evnia 27M2N5500XD, a new monitor that pushes the boundaries of competitive gaming displays. With its dual-mode capability, it runs natively at WQHD (1440p) with a 540Hz refresh rate, but can be toggled to 720p / 1000Hz. 

According to its spec sheet (via Prad), the display is built on a 27-inch Fast IPS panel with a 1ms G2G response time and a 2000:1 contrast ratio, which is notably higher than that of standard IPS panels. It features 10-bit colour depth (8-bit + FRC) and covers 100% of the sRGB and 96% of the DCI-P3 colour spaces. With a Delta-E < 1, the monitor promises professional-grade colour accuracy right out of the box. For HDR content, it carries the DisplayHDR 400 certification and reaches a peak brightness of 500 nits.

In addition to a low-blue-light mode and flicker-free technology, the monitor also packs gaming-oriented features such as Smart Crosshair, SmartContrast, ShadowBoost, and a built-in zooming tool. It also supports the Evnia Precision Center app, which allows users to customise some of the monitor settings via software.

Connectivity is quite decent, featuring an audio-out jack, two HDMI 2.1 ports and a DisplayPort 2.1 port, offering enough bandwidth for such high refresh rates. Philips has also included Smart MBR Sync, a feature that allows gamers to use motion blur reduction simultaneously with FreeSync anti-tearing technology. The monitor is rounded out with full ergonomic support, including height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Would you be willing to jump onto a 1000Hz monitor even if it means reducing the resolution to 720p?

The post Philips details Evnia 27M2N5500XD with 540Hz and 1000Hz modes first appeared on KitGuru.

It has been some time since we last looked at a power supply from German brand be quiet! Today we analyse their latest Power Zone 2 which is due for release this week. This new series comprises four power supplies in 750W, 850W, 1000W and 1200W capacities, and we look at the flagship unit today. This supply has both Platinum 80 Plus and Cybenetics certifications, is fully modular and is supported with a 10-year warranty.

These new units ship with 90-degree angled 12V-2×6 connectors and have PCIe 5.1/ATX 3.1 compatibility. There is also a semi-passive zero-RPM mode to keep noise levels down when enabled.

Highlights:

• Available in 1200W, 1000W, 850W and 750W models
• 80 PLUS® Platinum and Cybenetics Platinum efficiency rating (up to 94.3%)
• Semi-passive zero-RPM cooling
• Fan runs on for 2-5 minutes to avoid frequent starting noise
• Pure Wings 3 140mm fan for quiet and efficient cooling
• 90° angled 12V-2×6 connector and PCIe 5.1/ATX 3.1 compatibility
• Advanced voltage regulation and stability thanks to LLC technology
• One massive high-performance 12V-rail
• Unique look with an unmistakable mesh design
• 10-year manufacturer’s warranty
• Product conception, design and quality control in Germany

The post be quiet! Power Zone 2 1200W Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Last week, Ubisoft announced yet more internal changes to its business, alongside the cancellation of six games, including the highly anticipated remake of The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Now, it appears that a round of layoffs is up next, with plans to cut as many as 200 roles at its Paris HQ. 

In a statement sent to IGN, Ubisoft confirmed its plans to cut as many as 200 roles in Paris, but it isn't jumping straight into layoffs right away. First, the company will offer a “voluntary mutual termination agreement”, hoping that 200 people effectively quit before they have to resort to official layoffs.

At this time, this is a proposal and has yet to be agreed upon by employee representatives or validated by French authorities. Based on reports last week, there are a number of developers looking to move on from Ubisoft following their recent restructuring efforts, so this goal may not be as difficult to achieve as it first appears.

Ubisoft shares dropped a further 30% last week, reaching a 15-year low, although it has rebounded a small amount since then. Moving forward, Ubisoft will be structured as a series of mini-companies, with each in charge of certain sectors, with one in charge of main franchises like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry, another for ‘casual and family friendly games', another for live-service titles like Rainbow Six Siege and so on. This new structure could also make it easier for Ubisoft to break-off and sell portions of the business without impacting its remaining studios.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Very few gamers still have faith in Ubisoft at this stage. The cancellation of a beloved classic like Prince of Persia may have a much bigger impact than Ubisoft executives suspected. 

The post Ubisoft to undergo more layoffs following major game cancellations first appeared on KitGuru.

Last night Highguard officially launched but the initial reception to the game hasn't exactly been great. Thousands of players jumped in last night when the game officially went live, leading to an influx of negative user reviews on Steam. 

The overall score for Highguard on Steam currently sits at ‘Mostly Negative', with just 32% of English language reviews being positive. The total number of reviews currently sits at around 14,500, although some of these are from players having issues with things like SecureBoot and TPM 2.0 requirements, as well as some from players who were not able to log in during the first hours of the game going live due to lengthy player queues.

The reviews from people who have clearly played the game all carry common complaints. The map is too large and unpopulated for a 3 vs 3 game mode and the ‘flow' of matches could do with some work. Those are things that can be fixed, either by shrinking the size of the map, or by introducing a larger game mode with more players on each side.

While Highguard has not exactly had a glowing reception to its launch, Wildlight Entertainment does have big plans for the game in the months ahead. There is a full year of monthly content updates mapped out, involving new heroes, new maps, new gear and even a limited-time game mode. I do think that the developers should make some adjustments based on the launch feedback though, at this stage, a new game mode with more active players should probably take priority over something like a ‘limited time' game mode, or maps just as large as the initial launch map.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Did you try Highguard out last night? What did you think of the game so far? 

The post Highguard gets year-long content roadmap amid negative launch reviews first appeared on KitGuru.

Gigabyte has officially unveiled the GO27Q24G, a 27-inch OLED gaming monitor that marks the latest addition to its OLED gaming lineup. Using the latest MLA+ technology from LG Display, this monitor is specifically engineered to solve the “brightness problem” often associated with standard WOLED panels. 

On the performance front, the GO27Q24G (via DisplaySpecifications) features a 240Hz refresh rate and a near-instant 0.03ms GtG response time. Its VESA ClearMR 13000 certification places it in the top echelon of motion clarity, ensuring that fast-paced action remains sharp and ghost-free. Additionally, it covers 99% of the DCI-P3 colour space with 10-bit depth, making it as capable for content creation as it is for competitive gaming. Modern connectivity is fully accounted for with dual HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C port for versatile setups.

By incorporating HyperNits technology, the GO27Q24G can achieve an impressive HDR peak brightness of 1300 nits on small highlights, a 30% increase over previous WOLED implementations. The end result should be punchier HDR performance.

A major differentiator for this model is the RealBlack Glossy surface treatment. Unlike traditional matte coatings that can sometimes make blacks appear slightly grey in well-lit rooms, this zero-haze optical layer preserves shadow detail and depth even under ambient light. To ensure this doesn't turn the screen into a mirror, an advanced anti-reflective coating is applied to suppress glare.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Combining a 27-inch QHD form factor, a glossy coating, and the brightness boost of MLA+/HyperNits, the new GO27Q24G might be the monitor you've been waiting for.

The post Gigabyte GO27Q24G WOLED monitor launches with MLA+ technology and RealBlack Glossy coating first appeared on KitGuru.