DOOM: The Dark Ages is one of the biggest Microsoft-published games set to release in 2025, with the id Software developed FPS once again seemingly reinventing what it means to be a DOOM game. Ahead of its 15th of May debut, the team have shared a ton of new details on what separates The Dark Ages from its predecessors.

In an interview conducted by EDGE Magazine (and collated by ResetEra user Rychu), the team at id Software offered a bunch of new details on DOOM: The Dark Ages’ many mechanics.

Regarding the new shield, the team confirmed that it can be thrown “in the style of Captain America” as well as functioning as a block of course. Beyond this, in a nice bit of attention to detail, when thrown, the shield will react differently depending on the surface – or enemy – it hits. Lastly, taking inspiration from God of War’s Leviathan Axe, the Shield in DOOM will be used for puzzles and exploration.

In terms of melee options, players will have 3 different weapons to choose from: The Gauntlet; Flail and Mace – all of which function differently and have their own benefits/drawbacks.

When it comes to level design, id Software have gone big with The Dark Ages, claiming it to feature the largest spaces in the franchise, serving more as sandboxes as opposed to linear paths. Interestingly, we actually got a description for how long each level will be, with these sandbox levels taking around 1 hour to complete if taking the main path (which can of course be lengthened through further exploration).

That said, the levels aren’t just giant squares, with the team confirming that they will be split into acts – with some starting off more linear only to then open up later on.

Further details on many of DOOM: The Dark Ages’ mechanics and features can be found HERE. Given the overwhelming success of 2016’s DOOM, it is both interesting and somewhat refreshing to see the team at id Software continue to evolve and add on to the DOOM formula in new and interesting ways. Hopefully the game resonates with long-time fans.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to DOOM: The Dark Ages? Which of the most recent titles had the best gameplay loop? Has the DOOM series innovated too much when it comes to this recent trilogy? Let us know down below.

The post A ton of new DOOM: The Dark Ages details have been revealed first appeared on KitGuru.

2025 is a busy year for Obsidian Entertainment, with the Microsoft-owned studio having just released their fantasy RPG Avowed – and The Outer Worlds 2 coming up later this year. Despite having quite a lot on their plate, the creative director for Avowed is hoping to support the series for years to come with expansions or even a sequel.

In an interview conducted by Bloomberg (paywalled), creative director ‘Carrie Patel’ spoke on the future of this series, saying:

“Now that we've built this wonderful world, and also built this team strength and muscle memory around the content and gameplay in this world, I'd love to see us do more with it.”

Avowed has seen a pretty positive reception from both critics and fans alike, with some of the main complaints being the world’s relative lack of reactivity in particular when it comes to the NPCs and some of its writing.

Both of these issues could easily be overcome with a sequel or even expansions, and so with Avowed having a solid core, it would make sense for Obsidian Entertainment to build upon it – assuming Microsoft are happy with the game’s sales/performance of course.

KitGuru says: Have you been playing Avowed? What do you think so far? Would you want to see an expansion/sequel released at some point? Let us know down below.

The post Avowed creative director hopes to work on a sequel/expansion next first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in late 2022, it was officially announced that a film adaptation based on the popular indie fighter/brawler SIFU was in development, being headed by the creator of the John Wick franchise. While we’ve heard little in the way of new information since, a new report has confirmed that SIFU will be distributed by Netflix – alongside additional details.

As reported by Deadline, Netflix has joined the film production of SIFU, serving as the funding machine/distributor for the adaptation. Interestingly, the set-up for its production has changed slightly since the initial announcement, with Derek Kolstad no longer helming the script – instead seeing T.S. Nowlin take charge of the writing.

For the uninitiated, Kolstad is the creator of the John Wick franchise and served as the writer for all 3 entries in the franchise. Nowlin on the other hand has a slightly less reputable past, having written the screenplays for the Maze Runner series as well as Pacific Rim Uprising.

That said, much of the team behind John Wick remains involved in SIFU, with series director Chad Stahelski and his company 87Eleven joining Story Kitchen as producers.

SIFU is known for its impactful and flashy combat, and so to have someone familiar with the genre working on the adaptation is encouraging (even if it is no longer Kolstad himself). It will be interesting to see whether SIFU’s more mystical elements (such as the game’s aging mechanic) will make it into the film. If nothing else, at least the action will hopefully look cool.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the recent updates for SIFU’s film adaptation? Are you disappointed by the change in writer? What is the most important aspect of this adaptation in your eyes? Let us know down below.

The post SIFU film adaptation is no longer being written by the John Wick creator first appeared on KitGuru.

G.Skill is raising the bar for server and workstation performance with its latest release: an enhanced version of DDR5 R-DIMM memory sticks. Built to the recently announced JEDEC specifications, these new memory sticks will feature a 16-layer PCB for improved signal integrity and incorporate robust voltage protection for enhanced reliability and stability.

A key upgrade in these new DDR5 R-DIMM modules is the implementation of a 16-layer PCB, a significant advancement over previous 8- or 10-layer designs. This increased layer count enhances signal integrity, resulting in more reliable and stable data transfer, even under demanding high-performance or overclocked conditions. This makes G.Skill's new DDR5 R-DIMM an ideal solution for high-performance computing applications in server and workstation environments.

Moreover, each module incorporates two bidirectional transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes and a fuse to improve reliability, providing dual-layer protection against unexpected power fluctuations. This design safeguards the memory from voltage spikes, ensuring maximum stability and dependability for mission-critical workloads and next-generation high-performance computing systems.

These new DDR5 R-DIMM memory kits are expected to be available starting in mid-2025.

KitGuru says: If you plan on building a new server or workstation later this year, will you consider using G.Skill's upcoming enhanced R-DIMMs?

The post G.Skill will soon launch new R-DIMM memory with 16-layer PCB and voltage protection first appeared on KitGuru.

In recent weeks, a few RTX 50 graphics card buyers have encountered some issues. This time, we aren't talking about burning connectors, but a different kind of fault. It turns out, a small number of RTX 5090 and RTX 5070 Ti graphics cards were shipped with GPUs featuring fewer ROPs than advertised on the official spec sheet. 

According to Nvidia, the problem stems from a factory defect affecting a small number of GPUs, including the RTX 5090, RTX 5090D, and the recently released RTX 5070 Ti. These defective GPUs were shipped to board partners, meaning cards from various manufacturers could be affected. The defect, which results in a reduced number of ROPs (Render Output Units) being enabled, can lead to a performance decrease of up to 4%, as confirmed by TechPowerUp's investigation.

Nvidia's statement was the following:

“We have identified a rare issue affecting less than 0.5% (half a percent) of GeForce RTX 5090 / 5090D and 5070 Ti GPUs which have one fewer ROP than specified. The average graphical performance impact is 4%, with no impact on AI and Compute workloads. Affected consumers can contact the board manufacturer for a replacement. The production anomaly has been corrected.”

While Nvidia claims that only 0.5% of GPUs are affected, this still translates to many potentially defective cards already in consumers' hands. What's particularly concerning is that Nvidia seemingly knew about this issue for some time but failed to disclose it before the launch of the affected cards.

The company's statement offers little guidance for affected customers, simply advising them to seek a replacement from their board partner. However, securing a replacement could be tough given the ongoing supply challenges, particularly for the high-end 5090 series. A prompt recall of the affected cards would be a more appropriate course of action.

KitGuru says: This statement casts a further shadow over the RTX 50 series launch, which has been marred by underwhelming performance gains, inflated pricing, and now, production defects.

The post Nvidia admits that a small batch of RTX 5090(D) and RTX 5070 Ti were shipped with fewer ROPs first appeared on KitGuru.

We were expecting to learn all about AMD's upcoming RX 9070 GPUs at CES in January but a last minute change of plans has led to weeks of speculation. Now, just ahead of the planned late-February reveal, details about these GPUs, the reference designs and more have surfaces. 

Hardware leaker Hoang Anh Phu (via VideoCardz) initially shared details confirming clock speeds and total board power (TBP) values, although the post was quickly deleted. According to the deleted post, the Radeon RX 9070 XT is set to boast a boost clock of 2,970MHz and a TBP of 304W, while the non-XT RX 9070 will feature a boost clock of 2,520MHz and a TBP of 220W. The leaks also confirm support for PCIe 5.0 x16, meaning the GeForce RTX 50 series will no longer be the only consumer GPUs supporting this PCIe standard.

Adding to the excitement, a leaked 3DMark benchmark (via @GawroskiT) has surfaced, showcasing the RX 9070 XT's potential performance. While there's some speculation about the benchmark's authenticity, with suggestions that pre-release drivers might be masked as a Radeon RX 7800 XT, the results are impressive nonetheless. The leaked benchmark shows the RX 9070 XT achieving a score of 7979, putting it on par with the RX 7900 XTX, surpassing both the 7900 XT and 7900 GRE, and exceeding the 7800 XT by over 50%.

In addition, AMD has confirmed (on X) that the dual-slot reference design it previously showcased in marketing materials will not be available for purchase. This departs from AMD's usual practice of offering reference cards alongside partner models. While some might be disappointed by the lack of a reference design, this could benefit consumers. In the past, AMD has prioritised the production of its reference cards, often limiting the availability of GPUs for AIB partners at launch. This time, AIBs will be solely responsible for the RX 9070 series launch, potentially leading to greater variety and availability of custom designs.

KitGuru says: What kind of performance do you expect from the Radeon RX 9070 series? 

The post AMD Radeon RX 9070 details leak ahead of full reveal first appeared on KitGuru.

Philips is strongly committed to sustainability with the launch of its latest business monitor, the Philips 34B2U3600C. This 34-inch curved VA display is the company's first to be TCO Certified, generation 10, a globally recognised sustainability certification for IT products. This certification underscores Philips' focus on minimising environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle, from manufacturing to end-of-life disposal, addressing the growing demand for eco-conscious electronics.

Beyond its green credentials, the 34B2U3600C has impressive features designed to enhance productivity and user comfort. The curved display provides an immersive viewing experience, while the WQHD resolution 3440×1440 VA panel delivers vibrant visuals with 1.07 billion colours and a 3500:1 contrast ratio. Integrated 5W speakers offer convenient audio for video conferencing and multimedia consumption. The 120Hz refresh rate is also pretty decent for gaming and such.

Connectivity is served with a versatile USB-C port that supports 90W power delivery and an RJ45 port. Eye comfort is prioritised with TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe certification and SoftBlue Technology, which reduces harmful blue light emissions. The ergonomic stand allows for height, tilt, and swivel adjustments, ensuring the user is comfortable during extended use.

Productivity-enhancing features include SmartKVM, which enables seamless switching between multiple sources with a simple keyboard shortcut, and MultiView, which allows for simultaneous dual connection and viewing. Philips is backing the 34B2U3600C with an extended 5-year warranty, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and product longevity. The Philips 34B2U3600C is now available for €439.00.

KitGuru says: Even if it's clearly a productivity-oriented monitor, the 120Hz refresh rate suggests it should also do its job for gaming. So, if you're looking for a new ultrawide monitor that you can use for work and play, the new 34B2U3600C could be worth checking out.

The post Philips launches eco-friendly 34B2U3600C ultrawide monitor first appeared on KitGuru.

Among Us became widely popular in its original 2D form but the development team at InnerSloth is looking to change things up soon with the release of Among Us 3D. As the name suggests, this is the same social deduction game we all know and love, but in a 3D environment instead. 

Among Us 3D isn't an entirely new game. InnerSloth already had the game running in a 3D environment in Among Us VR. However, with the majority of gamers having no access to a VR headset, creating a new version of the game to run on ‘pancake displays' was imperative for improving reach and accessibility.

As Among Us 3D is based on Among Us VR, the two versions of the game do have crossplay. As you would expect though, the 3D version is not compatible with the original 2D version, so there will be no crossplay with those who own the original version of the game.

There is unfortunately no release date yet for Among Us 3D, and we do not know if this version of the game will release on consoles. For now, it is just a PC release, but we'd be surprised if it didn't pop up on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch next year. For now though, PC gamers can get an early look at the game when the demo drops during Steam Next Fest.

KitGuru Says: Will you be picking up Among Us 3D once it arrives? 

The post Among Us 3D announced with free PC demo for Steam Next Fest first appeared on KitGuru.

After three years of additional development, CD Projekt Red managed to transform Cyberpunk 2077 from a widely disappointing release into one of the best action RPGs on the market. One of the big focuses for improving the game was enhancing NPC AI, particularly for crowds and police chases. Now as development for Cyberpunk 2 gets underway, CD Projekt Red is looking to enhance its simulation systems to untold heights. 

CD Projekt Red is hiring, seeking developers to help craft “the most realistic crowds ever seen in a video game”. This is an ambitious starting point for the sequel, and it gives us an idea of where CDPR's priorities are for the sequel.

The specific job listing in question here is for a lead encounter designer, who will “work in close collaboration with the systems design team to create the most realistic and reactive crowd system in any game to date”. That is certainly an ambitious goal to set, particularly with Grand Theft Auto 6 set to release later this year, which will no doubt have some of the most intricate open-world systems seen to date.

After years of extra development, Cyberpunk 2077 became far more immersive. Based on what we're seeing from job listings for Cyberpunk 2, immersion is going to be a big point of focus for the sequel, hopefully to the point where we can class it as a true ‘immersive sim', like Deus Ex, Prey etc.

KitGuru Says: Immersive Sim RPGs are amongst my favourite and Cyberpunk 2077 definitely got pretty close to earning that moniker. Would you like to see CD Projekt Red lean further into this direction with Cyberpunk 2? 

The post Cyberpunk 2 aims to have ‘the most realistic and reactive crowds’ ever seen in a video game first appeared on KitGuru.

We've known for quite some time that EA's new studio, Cliffhanger, is hard at work on a Black Panther game. Since the initial announcement in 2023, there has been very little news but now, after an extended period of development, we are finally starting to get some details. 

According to GhostOfHope, a leaker primarily known in the Call of Duty scene, Cliffhanger's Black Panther game will allow players to choose their protagonist at the start of the game. If handled well, this could open up the game to multiple playthroughs, something that can greatly extend the playtime for a single-player title without having to bloat it out Ubisoft-style.

For those who aren't caught up on Marvel lore, Black Panther isn't just one character. The Black Panther is the leader and protector of Wakanda, a fictional country in the African continent. As a result, there have been a number of Black Panthers over the years, as the moniker is passed down through the generations, or claimed through combat.

Some of the variants planned for Cliffhanger's Black Panther game supposedly include T'Challa, M'Baku, Azari, Shuri and Killmonger, and there could be more beyond that. Each will have their own unique weapons, armour and gadgets, offering a different playstyle. Gameplay-wise, we are expecting a third-person view with an over-the-shoulder camera angle, a reactive story with multiple outcomes based on key decision moments, and combat inspired by authentic African Martial Arts.

KitGuru Says: We still don't know when Cliffhanger's Black Panther will come out but it seems that the developers have a direction in mind. Hopefully that means we'll see the game in action within the next couple of years. 

The post EA’s upcoming Black Panther game to feature multiple protagonists first appeared on KitGuru.

Cougar is championing eco-conscious design with its latest PC case, the Airface Eco RGB. This mid-tower case prioritises sustainability without compromising cooling performance, offering a compelling solution for environmentally conscious builders.

At the heart of the Airface Eco RGB lies a ventilation system designed to maximise cooling efficiency while minimising energy consumption. Its unique coned vents feature a wider opening that tapers inwards and channels cool air more effectively towards internal components. This design reduces the reliance on active cooling, resulting in lower energy usage and a quieter operating environment. Two pre-installed 180 mm PWM fans enhance airflow, promising to provide enough cooling for demanding hardware. These fans come connected to the built-in RGB Hub Sync.

Fan support is quite good, allowing up to 2x 140 mm or 3x 120 mm fans on top, a 120/140 mm fan at the rear, and up to 3x 120 mm or 2x 140/180 mm fans at the front. As for radiators, there's space for up to 280/360 models at the front and top and a 120/140 model at the rear. Moreover, there's also space for up to E-ATX boards, 390-mm-long GPUs, 190-mm-long CPU coolers, and 200-mm-long PSUs. Lastly, users can add up to 2x 3.5-inch HDDs and 2.5-inch SSDs.

Dust management is also a key focus. Filters on the front, top, and bottom prevent dust buildup and protect internal components. Maintenance is simplified with a quick-slide front dust filter and a removable top panel. Moreover, a modular front I/O with a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, two USB-A 3.0 ports, a 4-pole headphone jack, and an RGB button allows versatile placement.

The Airface Eco RGB exemplifies Cougar's commitment to performance and sustainability. It offers a compelling option for gamers and PC builders who seek to minimise their environmental impact without compromising functionality or aesthetics. The Airface Eco RGB is now available in the US in black or white for $109.99, and it's coming soon to the UK for £109.99. The rest of Europe will have to wait for April to get this case for €124.99.

KitGuru says: Do you like the Arface Eco RGB aesthetics? Which model would you prefer?

The post Cougar goes all-in on airflow with ‘Airface Eco’ RGB case first appeared on KitGuru.

Scuf Gaming has launched the Valor Pro wired performance controller for Xbox and PC. This controller represents the culmination of nearly a decade of collaboration with esports professionals and content creators, packing a suite of features designed to increase the user's gaming performance.

The Valor Pro wired is engineered to deliver a high level of speed and control, giving Xbox and PC gamers a competitive edge. Every aspect of the controller reflects Scuf's dedication to excellence, from its remappable paddles and high-speed wired connection (boasting a 1000Hz polling rate on PC) to its compact, ergonomic design and signature features like anti-drift Hall Effect thumbsticks.

Available in a range of stylish colors, including grey, black, and white, to name a few, the Valor Pro wired is packed with features to enhance performance and comfort. Four seamlessly integrated back paddles are positioned for effortless access, eliminating the need to adjust your grip. These paddles offer hardware remapping across three profiles, and the inner paddles can be removed or left blank. For those who prefer a traditional controller layout, all paddles can be disabled.

The inclusion of anti-drift Hall Effect thumbsticks ensures responsiveness. These advanced thumbsticks utilize magnets to detect movement, significantly reducing the risk of drift. Scuf has carefully tuned them to provide a feel that closely mimics traditional analogue sticks. Scuf has leveraged its extensive ergonomic expertise to refine the classic Xbox form factor with a more compact and comfortable design. The shape has been optimised to accommodate the paddles naturally, and contoured bumpers allow for faster and more efficient switching between triggers and bumpers.

The wired connection guarantees a consistently fast and reliable connection, eliminating concerns about wireless interference or latency. An upcoming PC update will further enhance responsiveness with a 1000Hz polling rate. Individual audio scroll wheels provide quick access to headset volume, game/chat balance, and microphone muting. The Valor Pro wired is now available starting at £99.99/$99.99/€109.99.

KitGuru says: Although it may look expensive for a wired controller, it packs all the high-end features you expect from a flagship controller, except it's not wireless. 

The post Scuf Gaming introduces new Valor Pro controller for PC and Xbox first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in 2022, Funcom officially announced Dune: Awakening – an ambitious survival MMO set in the world created by Frank Herbert. Said to be coming some time in 2025, the team have now officially announced that Dune: Awakening is launching on PC on the 20th of May.

Making the announcement, the team at Funcom officially unveiled the release date for Dune: Awakening, saying “Your journey begins on May 20, 2025 on PC.”

Alongside this, players can also download a joint character creator / benchmarking tool right now to get their PCs ready for this Unreal Engine 5 developed open world – receiving a free Frameblade knife skin as a bonus.

While the game’s console release has yet to be determined, PC players will soon be able to pre-order Dune: Awakening for $49.99 (and will receive a pre-order bonus in the form of a free terrarium for your base).

Dune: Awakening looks like it has a great deal of potential, and so hopefully the game manages to be all that it is promised and more when it officially arrives on the 20th of March. We’ll have to wait and see whether the console release isn’t too far behind.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for the game? What are your grand plans for Arrakis? Let us know down below.

The post Dune: Awakening release date officially announced first appeared on KitGuru.

After months of continued success, NetEase made the odd decision to fire many of the developers working on Marvel Rivals, including the director for one of the game’s primary support studios. Following this, the publisher has now bragged that Marvel Rivals has reached a new milestone of over 40 million players.

As reported by industry analyst Daniel Ahmad, during the company’s most recent fiscal earnings report NetEase revealed that “Marvel Rivals has achieved 40 million players to date” – double that of the previously-announced user base.

While 40 million players would be something worth celebrating, this announcement comes at an unfortunate time with Marvel Rivals Director Thaddeus Sasser, level designer Jack Burrows and more confirming that they have been laid off.

Unwarranted firings aside, while 40 million players is a massive achievement for such a short amount of time (2 and a half months), it is far from the fastest-growing free-to-play title, with EA’s Apex Legends amassing over 50 million players in its first month.

It’s a shame to see what was a promising new free-to-play live-service title have its reputation stained by actions from those at the top of the corporate podium.

That said, it isn’t too surprising. Hopefully NetEase won’t reward its developers with another round of layoffs.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 40 million players? Has the recent firings impacted your opinion on the game? Will NetEase address the layoffs? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Following layoffs, Marvel Rivals announces new record player count first appeared on KitGuru.

CyberPower has packed the latest and greatest gaming hardware in their Ultra 5090 Custom Gaming PC. At the centre we have a mighty MSI GeForce RTX 5090 32G Suprim SOC which is supported by an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on an MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi motherboard. Add in 64GB of fast DDR5 Kingston memory with 4TB of Gen 5 Corsair SSD and the result is bonkers gaming performance along with the expected hefty price tag that creeps past £5k.

Time stamps
00:00 Intro
00:55 RTX 5090 – power / thermals analysis
04:13 Specs / pricing
06:31 BIOS settings / power
08:41 Cinebench 2024 Single
09:00 Cinebench 2024 Multi Core
09:07 Geekbench 6 Multi Core
09:16 AIDA 64 Memory bandwidth
09:28 3DMark Time Spy
09:42 Far Cry 6
10:46 Avatar Frontiers of Pandora
11:00 Assassins Creed Mirage
11:13 Total War Pharaoh
11:34 Leo’s thoughts
12:45 CyberPower USA GN concerns
13:59 Closing Thoughts

Specification:

• Graphics card: MSI GeForce RTX 5090 32G Suprim SOC – 32GB GDDR7 – HDMI, DP – Nvidia DLSS 4 and Reflex 2
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D – 8-Core 4.70GHz, 5.20GHz Turbo – 96MB L3 Cache Processor, Pro OC Compatible w/ Radeon Graphics
• CPU Cooler: Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 5 Air Cooler
• Cooling Upgrade: Thermal Grizzly Premium Thermal Paste and Thermal Grizzly AM5 contact frame fitted as default.
• Memory: 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5/6400MT/sec Kingston Fury Renegade RGB Black/Silver Memory
• Motherboard: MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi: ATX w/ PCIe 5.0, WiFi 6E, USB 3.2, 4x M.2
• M.2 SSD: 4TB Corsair MP700 Pro M.2 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD – 12,400MB/s Read & 11,800MB/s Write [+344]
• Case: Be Quiet! Shadow Base 800FX Gaming Case – Black – (features 4x ARGB 140mm fans)
• Power Supply: MSI MAG A1250GL PCIe5 1250W 80+ Gold ATX 3.0 Fully Modular Gaming Power Supply (OEM is CWT)
• Sound: On-board HD Audio
• Software: Norton 360 VPN & Security for Gamers (Full 1 Year License)
• OS: Windows 11 Home
• Warranty: 5 Years Labour, 2 Years Parts, 12 Months Collect and Return plus Life-Time Technical Support

The post CyberPowerPC Ultra 5090 Custom Gaming PC Review first appeared on KitGuru.

The Rogue Prince of Persia is a slick action-platformer rogue-like from one of the teams behind the equally as fun Dead Cells. Following its early access launch in May last year, the game received a bunch of updates with much more promised for 2025. Sure enough, the team have now released the latest major patch for The Rogue Prince of Persia, adding dozens of new skins, a full rework of progression and much more.

Making the announcement, the team at Evil Empire officially released the ‘Forgotten Skins’ update for The Rogue Prince of Persia, writing: “The team’s been cooking as always and is still on it. So let’s take a look!”

The full list of changes and additions can be found HERE, but some of the more notable patches include:

• 35 new skins (12 recolor, 14 new models, 1 old model and 8 from the Community Skin Contest)
• Overhauled XP system
• Reworked all skill trees
• New quests
• 2 new weapons and 1 new tool
• Refined level design
• Dozens of various fixes

Even at its initial Early Access launch, The Rogue Prince of Persia was a highly fun and replayable game, and so it is exciting to see the team continue to improve and refine the overall experience.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this update? Have you checked out The Rogue Prince of Persia? Will you be rocking the classic purple Prince skin? Let us know down below.

The post The Rogue Prince of Persia update brings new skins, progression overhaul and more first appeared on KitGuru.

Over the past few days, we have heard an increasing number of reports claiming that the iconic Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series is set to return with the revival of the previously-cancelled THPS 3+4. In the wake of these leaks, Activision seems to have confirmed as much, teasing an upcoming Tony Hawk announcement as part of the latest update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

Season 2 Reloaded for Black Ops 6 is now live, bringing a bunch of new content including weapons; game modes; multiplayer maps and more. One of the biggest additions is the return of the fan-favourite map Grind from Black Ops 2.

Set in a skate park, eagle-eyed fans have discovered a cool easter egg in the map which seems to hint at an upcoming showcase – with a sign reading “03.04.25” underneath the recognisable THPS logo.

For the uninitiated, we first heard word of a new Pro Skater game a couple days ago, when skater Tyshawn Jones claimed via a podcast that he’s going to be in the next Tony Hawk game which is set to release soon.

Following this, well known leaker eXtas1s corroborated these comments, revealing that the game in question is a remake of Pro Skater 3+4 and is planned to arrive this June.

Based on all this, it now seems clear that Activision/Microsoft is gearing up for an official announcement in March, followed by its launch just a couple months later in June.

While the surprise was somewhat spoiled, it is always cool to see such announcements being teased in other games ahead of time – adding to the overall hype and excitement. Hopefully Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 winds up being as good as the first remake.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to this new entry in the series? What’s your favourite THPS game? Was this teaser always planned, or was it added as a result of the leaks? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Black Ops 6 update teases Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater first appeared on KitGuru.

Game Freak wrapped up the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet generation back in 2023 with the release of two expansions. Since then, we've been waiting on the next major Pokémon title to hit Nintendo consoles, and it looks like we'll get some much-needed details later this week. 

As is the case every February, The Pokémon Company will be hosting its own showcase stream. On the 27th of February at 2PM UK time, Pokemon Presents will go live once again, giving us a new look at the upcoming Pokemon Legends ZA, the next big open-world game that takes us back to an ancient version of the Pokemon region from the X & Y titles.

It is also worth noting that this year also marks the anniversary of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan. It is unclear if The Pokémon Company plans to do anything special to celebrate this, but given how beloved those original games are, I expect we'll get something. Perhaps some of those classic Pokémon games will finally become available on Nintendo Switch, something that fans have been asking for since the system first launched in 2017.

KitGuru Says: We'll no doubt be back next week reporting on the news as its announced, so stay tuned for that. 

The post Pokémon Presents stream returns just in time for Pokémon Red anniversary first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in 2022, Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto V: Expanded and Enhanced for Xbox Series X/S and PS5 consoles. The main addition? New graphical features like Ray Tracing. Now years later, and just ahead of the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, those graphical enhancements are finally coming to the PC version of GTA 5. 

Rockstar confirmed plans to release a GTA 5 PC graphics update in late 2024. Now, the update is ready and is freely available to all PC players. The update brings the game up to the same level as the newer Xbox Series X/S and PS5 versions of the game.

Below you can see some of the key highlights of the update:

• Ray tracing features only available on PC such as ambient occlusion and global illumination — plus ray traced shadows and reflections first debuted on consoles
• Support for AMD FSR1 and FSR3, and NVIDIA DLSS 3
• Faster loading times using SSD and DirectStorage on supported devices and configurations
• Enhanced support for higher resolutions, higher aspect ratios, and higher framerates
• DualSense® controller support, with adaptive triggers
• Enhanced audio with support for Dolby Atmos and improved fidelity of speech, cinematics, and music

Due to the new graphical enhancements, the recommended PC system requirements for GTA 5 have been updated – a rare sight for a decade-old game. To utilise the new features, you will want a system with at least an Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 16GB of RAM and an RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT graphics card.

This change also brings a whole bunch of new vehicles to the game, as well as access to GTA+, Rockstar's subscription service that grants monthly bonuses for GTA Online, as well as free access to classic games, like the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy, Bully and more.

KitGuru Says: Do you still play GTA Online regularly? Has it improved since Rockstar added anti-cheat? 

The post Rockstar brings major graphics upgrade to GTA 5 on PC first appeared on KitGuru.

Valve has been putting a lot of its development resources into new projects in recent years. From Artifact and Dota Underworlds, to more successful releases like Half-Life Alyx and Counter-Strike 2. This has essentially meant that Team Fortress 2 has been left behind. Now, Valve has handed the keys to TF2 to the community.

Team Fortress 2 is now open source. The Team Fortress 2 Source SDK is now available. With this tool now available, people can essentially re-write Team Fortress 2, enabling game overhaul mods, new modes, new multiplayer experiences and more.

“Unlike the Steam Workshop or local content mods, this SDK gives mod makers the ability to change, extend or rewrite TF2, making anything from small tweaks to complete conversions possible”, Valve explains. “The SDK is licensed to users on a non-commercial basis, meaning that any mod created using the SDK must be free, and any content in those mods must be free. TF2 mods may be published on the Steam Store, and after publication will appear as new games in the Steam game list.”

Using TF2 as a base, developers could also create new game listings for the Steam Store. We've seen this happen with Half-Life projects in the past, like Black Mesa, a complete remake of the original Half-Life.

There is just one stipulation Valve has in place. As Workshop modders were responsible for a lot of in-game content for TF2 in the form of custom hats and other cosmetics, Valve does not want any developers to take those workshop items and then reutilise them for profit. It is unknown if Valve would make an exception for a developer willing to share a revenue split with the original workshop item creators.

KitGuru Says: With this move, I think we can safely say that there will be no more major content updates for Team Fortress 2. Now fans have to wonder – is Valve considering a Team Fortress 3?

The post Valve releases Team Fortress 2 source code, opening the door for game overhaul mods first appeared on KitGuru.

It seems the wait for AMD's Ryzen 9 9000 series with 3D V-Cache might be over soon. Both the 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D and the 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X3D have just surfaced on Geekbench with single-core and multi-core benchmark scores.

The leaked Geekbench results shared by @Olrak29_(1, 2) show both CPUs tested on Gigabyte X670 Aorus Elite AXE motherboards with 32 GB of DDR5-4800 memory. The 9900X3D achieved 3,274 and 19,227 points in the single-core and multi-core tests, respectively, while the 9950X3D scored 3,363 and 20,465.

Comparing these leaked results to the previous generation 7000X3D series reveals some interesting trends. The 9950X3D shows a roughly 15% improvement in single-core performance and a 4% gain in multi-core performance compared to the 7950X3D. The 9900X3D boasts a 14.5% increase in single-core and a 9.3% increase in multi-core performance relative to the 7900X3D.

While AMD officially announced these CPUs for release this quarter, they haven't provided specific launch dates. Rumours suggest that the 9950X3D and 9900X3D could launch alongside the RDNA4 GPUs, which makes sense strategically, especially if the RX 9070 XT proves to be AMD's flagship offering this generation. Pairing it with top-tier CPUs would create a compelling combination for customers.

KitGuru says: Were you expecting a bigger performance uplift on the new X3D processors, or do these values match your expectations?

The post AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D leak shows decent single-thread performance improvement first appeared on KitGuru.

EK has unveiled its next-generation EK-Quantum Velocity³ CPU water blocks. Designed for compatibility with AMD AM5 and Intel LGA 1700/1851 sockets, the Velocity³ offers a high level of customisation, allowing users to fine-tune their cooling setup for optimal performance and aesthetics.

One of the key innovations of the Velocity³ is its flexible design, enabling easy switching between Intel and AMD platforms with minimal adjustments. Users can reposition the jet plate alignment, cold plate, and mounting bracket to accommodate their chosen socket type. This adaptability ensures that the Velocity³ remains a viable cooling solution even if you decide to switch platforms in the future.

The customisation goes beyond mere socket compatibility. The Velocity³ allows for the rotation of internal components, adjustment of the heat spreader, and repositioning the ports, giving enthusiasts control over their liquid cooling setup. This level of flexibility caters to those who demand both performance and aesthetics, ensuring the Velocity³ integrates into any build.

Available in Plexi, Acetal (black), and White finishes, the Velocity³ features a sleek, modern design crafted from high-quality materials. Its optimised cooling engine delivers exceptional performance, boasting up to a 2°C improvement over previous EK water blocks. The EK-Quantum Velocity³ 1700/1851/AM5 is available for purchase now for €109.90 (all variants).

KitGuru says: Are you planning on building a new custom loop? Would you take a thorough look at the new EK-Quantum Velocity³ water blocks, or do you already have something else in mind?

The post EK launches new EK-Quantum Velocity³ water block for LGA1700/1851 and AM5 sockets first appeared on KitGuru.

Apple has officially unveiled its much-anticipated “budget-friendly” iPhone, the iPhone 16e. While rumours previously suggested it might be named “iPhone SE 4,” Apple has opted for a new moniker for its entry-level offering.

The iPhone 16e features an A18 SoC with four GPU cores (instead of five), likely paired with 8 GB of RAM, ensuring compatibility with Apple Intelligence features. As predicted, the design takes cues from the iPhone 13 era, with a 6.1-inch OLED display boasting a 460 ppi pixel density and a 12 MP TrueDepth camera with Face ID support. The mute toggle switch has been replaced with the new action button, and the phone incorporates Apple's first in-house 5G modem, the C1, promising significant efficiency gains.

The iconic notch remains, and on the back, there's a single 48 MP camera. Other notable features include a USB-C port (albeit with USB 2.0 speeds), an impressive 26 hours of video playback (up from 22 hours on the iPhone 16), an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and emergency SOS via satellite.

The iPhone 16e starting price is $599 for the 128GB model and will be available on February 28th. While this represents a price increase compared to the now-discontinued iPhone SE 3, which started at $429 for the 64 GB model, the iPhone 16e's array of new features and increased base storage arguably justify the premium.

KitGuru says: Were you waiting for Apple to launch a new “entry-level” smartphone? Are you planning on upgrading your current smartphone, or do you think Apple is asking too much for an “entry-level” device?

The post Apple launches Iphone 16e powered by A18 SoC first appeared on KitGuru.

Following on from pre-release reviews yesterday, today the RTX 5070 Ti graphics card is launching to the masses globally. As we've seen with the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, stock may be hard to come by. If you are looking to pick up an RTX 5070 Ti as soon as possible in the UK, we've compiled a range of listings for you to choose from, with a particular light shown on GPUs that actually get close to the MSRP price tag. 

As we've already seen in the US, many RTX 5070 Ti models are already being marked up above MSRP pricing. While Nvidia's MSRP for this GPU is $750, there is no Founders Edition card for board partners to compete with, leading to a slew of $900 to $1000 versions of the RTX 5070 Ti. If you are seriously considering spending that kind of money on a new graphics card, be sure to check out a range of reviews first – here's our RTX 5070 Ti launch day review. So far, the general consensus seems to be that the RTX 5070 Ti is not worth its marked up price, but that could change from individual to individual based on when you last upgraded your graphics card. The jump is likely far more worth it to someone coming from an RTX 20 or a lower-tier RTX 30 GPU, compared to an RTX 40 graphics card.

The Asus Prime RTX 5070 Ti was supplied to reviewers in the US as an example of an MSRP-level card. Here in the UK, this graphics card is launching at £739 for the OC Edition. Pricing varies between Scan, eBuyer, OCUK and CLL, with Scan being the cheapest at the time of publishing.

On the MSI front, there are several listings for the RTX 5070 Ti Ventus 3X model, priced at £729.99. For Gigabyte, your best bet for a reasonable price is the Gigabyte RTX 5070 Ti Eagle model, which is coming in at £899.

Unfortunately, there are not many options available at launch for those wanting to only pay the MSRP price. PNY, Zotac and Gainward each have options available that come pretty close, with MSI being the cheapest with an MSRP-level £729.99 card.

Speaking of Scan, if you are looking to pick up an RTX 50 GPU, they have set up a very handy RTX 50 notification page with daily stock updates, as well as updates to currency conversion rates so customers know when to expect prices to rise or fall slightly.

Do note that all prices here are correct as of 2PM GMT on February 20th. Prices are subject to change due to a myriad of factors, chief of which is supply and demand, followed by currency conversion fluctuations.

KitGuru Says: What do you think of the RTX 5070 Ti launch? Will you be upgrading or avoiding this current generation until prices settle down? 

 

The post RTX 5070 Ti prices start at £729 in the UK first appeared on KitGuru.

There have been many disappointed enthusiasts who have been unable to get hold of an RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 graphics card since launch last month. In an effort to avoid scalpers buying up Founders Edition graphics cards, Nvidia has now set up a Verified Priority Access program. 

In a statement shared on the Nvidia forums today, Nvidia confirmed plans for the Verified Priority Access program, saying that it will give “a limited number of verified GeForce gamers and creators” an opportunity to buy one RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 Founders Edition graphics card from the Nvidia Marketplace.

To be eligible, you have to A) be in the US. B) have a registered Nvidia account from before January 30th. You can sign-up to be considered for it by filling out a form where you simply select which graphics card you are looking to buy and then tick a box to say that you agree to Nvidia verifying participation “based on region, configuration, games and app usage”. From the sounds of it, Nvidia will be targeting power users who have spent time engaging with Nvidia's services.

There is no word on whether or not this program will roll out worldwide, or if Nvidia will have plans to put something like this in place for future Founders Edition launches. It certainly would have helped a lot of enthusiasts avoid the stress of retail queues and scalpers driving prices up.

KitGuru Says: Do you think something like this should be in place for enthusiasts looking to upgrade moving forward? Do you want to see this program open up in Europe and other regions?

The post Nvidia fights scalpers with ‘Verified Priority Access’ program for RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 first appeared on KitGuru.

As they have done for years now, each week a new game or two are given away for free via the Epic Games Store for all those with an EGS account. From today, users can get their hands on the cute indie RGP Garden Story as well as Saber Interactive’s World War Z: Aftermath.

Available to add to your library from today until the 27th of February at 4pm, this week’s free titles are being headlined by World War Z: Aftermath. While this has been given away on the Epic Store in the past, in case you missed it back then, this Saber Interactive-developed co-op shooter functions similarly to that of the iconic Left4Dead series but with a 3rd-person perspective.

As expected, the game throws massive swarms of zombies all clumped together at you with intent to kill. Featuring a number of different and unique classes, you and three other friends can buddy up and take on its co-op story driven campaigns which take you all across the world.

World War Z: Aftermath is the complete version of the game, and so if you aren’t one of the 15 million who've already experienced this title, now is as good a time as any.

Garden Story meanwhile is a cute indie RPG in which you must “unify a broken community as the newly-appointed Guardian of The Grove”. Think of it kind of like Stardew Valley except you play as a grape.

Both World War Z: Aftermath and Garden Story are available to claim from today at 4PM UK time.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this week’s offerings? Have you tried World War Z: Aftermath in the past? What’s your favourite fruit? Let us know down below.

The post World War Z: Aftermath is free on the Epic Games Store first appeared on KitGuru.

Just yesterday, we reported on the possibility of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series returning, thanks to one professional skater who let slip that he is in an upcoming ‘remaster’ of the series. It seems as though this will indeed be the case, as following his claims leakers have now revealed that THPS 3+4 is set to be officially announced this June.

As reported by known industry insider eXtas1s, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is planned to be shadow dropped by Microsoft during the company’s Xbox Games Showcase in June. According to the insider, this release will launch simultaneously on PC, Xbox and PlayStation 5 – marking another first-party Xbox title headed to PlayStation.

For the uninitiated, following the success of 2020’s Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 (which went on to become the fastest-selling entry in the franchise), studio Vicarious Visions were working on a similar remake for the 3rd and 4th entries…until it was cancelled by Activision.

Given the fact that Vicarious Visions has since been absorbed and renamed to Blizzard Albany, it is unknown which studio has been tasked with this remake – though hopefully the Albany team were involved in some way.

As mentioned, just yesterday professional skater Tyshawn Jones revealed that “I’m in a Tony Hawk coming out, that’s cool. They got a new one they remastering so that’s about to come out, I was in the last one”. With collaborators and now leakers reporting on this remaster, it seems as though we might finally be getting the previously-ill-fated Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for the return of THPS? Which game in the series is your all-time favourite? Which studio do you think is working on the remake? Let us know down below.

The post Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 reportedly launching this June first appeared on KitGuru.

Each month, Sony updates its PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium libraries with a new line-up of titles. Similarly, every month a number of games are also removed from the service. With February’s line-up now available to claim, the console maker has revealed that 10 titles are set to leave the service in a month’s time.

In going to the PlayStation Plus tab on your PS5, you’ll find a list of 10 titles under the ‘Last Chance to Play’ section. Leaving the service at some point in March (likely around the 18th) are the following:

• Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 6
• Resident Evil 3 Remake
• DBZ Kakarot
• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
• Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R
• Life is Strange True Colors
• Life is Strange 2 Complete Season
• Final Fantasy Type-O HD
• Street Fighter 5 Champion Edition
• Mortal Kombat 11

Fighting game fans might be disappointed to see 3 major titles leaving PS Plus, with Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R stinging particularly hard. In addition, it is interesting to see two Life is Strange titles being removed given the fact that the brand new Lost Records: Bloom and Rage has been added as a day-one release onto the service.

If you have not yet caught up with the Life is Strange series, you might want to give the two departing titles a go before they’re removed. Fortunately, both entries are relatively short affairs, and so you should have plenty of time to complete them.

In case you missed it, February’s PS Plus Extra/Premium titles are now available on the service, including the likes of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor; TopSpin 2K25 and Patapon 3. The full list can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of February’s PS Plus additions? What about the games set to leave? Will you try to finish any of these games before they’re gone? Let us know down below.

The post 10 titles are leaving PlayStation Plus in March first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in May of last year, the team at Supergiant Games surprise-dropped the early access launch of Hades II. Since then, the game has seen one major content update alongside a bunch of smaller patches. Finally, Supergiant Games are back with Hades II’s 2nd major update – bringing new levels, gods, boons, revamped menus and a whole lot more.

Making the announcement, the team at Supergiant Games officially released and detailed their latest ‘Warsong Update’ writing:

“Our second Major Update has arrived, featuring the final confrontation of the surface route, one last Olympian and all his Boons, a new Animal Familiar to bond with, streamlined resource gathering, plenty of new music and artwork, and more! We're excited to know what you think, and will be monitoring feedback in the coming weeks to ensure these latest additions are working properly.”

The full list of patch notes can be found HERE, but some of the more interesting/notable changes include:

• More than 2,000 new voice lines and new events
• New final confrontation
• New Olymian (Ares) plus boons
• Revamped boons
• Revamped Altar of Ashes
• New and reworked keepsakes
• New enemies
• Revamped special encounters
• Much much more

In case you haven’t been keeping up with Hades II’s early access release, each major update has been huge for the game, not only in terms of new content, but how the currently available content is dished out and used.

Weapons and boons in particular have seen a great deal of changes over the months, and so it will be interesting to see how the Warsong Update switches up the gameplay formula. If you have yet to give Hades II a chance, now might be the best time to do so ahead of its full 1.0 release.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this update? Will you be heading back into Hades II? What’s been your favourite weapon to use thus far? Let us know down below.

The post Hades II gets second major patch with ‘Warsong Update’ first appeared on KitGuru.

HBO’s The Last of Us was a huge hit when it released back in early 2023, amassing 10s of millions of viewers and winning a ton of awards. Though it was known that Season 2 is planned to arrive sometime in April of 2025, we’ve now gotten a concrete premiere date.

Making the announcement with the release of 3 new character posters (alongside the tagine ‘Every Path Has A Price’) HBO has now confirmed that Season 2 of The Last of Us will premiere on the 13th of April – meaning it'll be here in under two months’ time.

The character posters released show Joel, Ellie and Abby walking down a path away from the camera while standing on items which are significant to each’s story (Joel’s broken watch; a guitar for Ellie and a Firefly pendant for Abby).

Whether for the right or wrong reasons, The Last of Us Part II was a highly controversial game when it released back in 2020, and so it will be both exciting and somewhat scary to see how HBO and Naughty Dog plan to adapt this narrative for the show.

That said, given just how excellently the team managed to translate the first game, HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 is bound to be a gut-wrenching and highly evocative series when it premieres this April.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Season 2? Do you think any changes will be made for the show? How do you think Season 2 will be formatted when compared to the game? Let us know down below.

The post HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 gets official premiere date first appeared on KitGuru.

Ubisoft is teaming up with gaming peripheral manufacturer Lexip to equip Assassin's Creed Shadows fans with a collection of co-branded gaming accessories. This collaboration features six custom-designed items, each reflecting the game's feudal Japan setting. These peripherals will also be available in unique bundles with the game itself upon its release on March 20th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, macOS, and PC.

Starting with the Engraved Wireless Headset, it has an ancestral Japanese-inspired design. Enjoy cross-platform compatibility, connecting wirelessly to a wide range of devices via Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz dongle. For those seeking enhanced control and precision, the Programmable Mouse with Thumb Joystick offers a unique programmable analogue thumb joystick, four buttons, a clickable wheel, and an optical sensor.

The Ergonomic Controller provides a comfortable and customisable gaming experience across multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Android, and iOS. It features four programmable rear paddles, a D-pad, two joysticks, vibration feedback, and 14 buttons. The AC: Shadows-themed mechanical keyboard uses red mechanical switches and customisable RGB backlighting. It's available in QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layouts to suit different regions. Complete your setup with the Rigid Mouse Pad, with a customisable backlight, or an XXL Flexible Mouse Pad, made from washable neoprene with a non-slip latex base.

These accessories are available in various bundles, including the standard edition of Assassin's Creed Shadows. Assassin's Creed Shadows launches on March 20th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, macOS, and PC via Steam, the Ubisoft Store, and the Epic Games Store.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Interested in any of the Assassin's Creed Shadows-themed peripherals?

The post Ubisoft and Lexip unveil Assassin’s Creed Shadows-themed peripheral collection first appeared on KitGuru.

The DRAM market is facing a potential upheaval as leading manufacturers like Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix are considering halting the production of DDR3 and DDR4 memory by the end of the year. According to industry sources, this move is driven by a combination of lower memory prices and declining demand. While this could lead to a shortage of DDR4 memory, which is still widely used in entry-level PCs and consumer devices, the situation is more nuanced than it first appears.

As per Digitimes' report (via Tom's Hardware), the root cause of this potential shift lies in the aggressive pricing strategies of Chinese DRAM manufacturers, like Changxin Memory Technology (CXMT) and Fujian Jinhua. These companies have significantly ramped up DDR4 production while slashing prices, undercutting their South Korean rivals. In some cases, Chinese DDR4 memory ICs are reportedly cheaper than reconditioned chips, making it increasingly difficult for major DRAM manufacturers to maintain profitability in the DDR4 market. This has led them to consider phasing out DDR4 production in favour of more lucrative options like DDR5 and HBM.

However, demand for DDR4 remains strong, and whether Chinese manufacturers can meet this demand alone is unclear. If Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix exit the DDR3 and DDR4 markets, a supply shortage could emerge as early as mid-2025. While Taiwanese companies like Nanya Technology and Winbond Electronics could potentially fill the gap, their focus on specialised DRAM with lower production volumes and higher prices might not fully address the broader market needs. Moreover, some clients hesitate to use Chinese-made DRAM.

Nanya Technology predicts the DRAM market will bottom out in early 2025 before recovering in the second quarter. AI-related cloud computing is expected to remain a key driver, while overall consumer demand is projected to see only a modest increase. Anticipating the decline of older DDR memory versions, Winbond Electronics plans to transition to a more advanced 16nm manufacturing process in late 2025. This move from 20nm will enable the company to produce higher-capacity 8Gb DDR chips, better positioning them for current and future market demands.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you still have a system using DDR3 or DDR4 memory? If you're planning to upgrade your memory, it might be a good idea to do it soon, or you might end up paying more for the same.

The post Micron, Samsung, and SK hynix will reportedly halt production of DDR3 and DDR4 memory in late 2025 first appeared on KitGuru.

Phil Spencer has been doing the rounds in headlines again this week thanks to a newly published interview. We've already heard that Microsoft is no longer interested in convincing gamers to switch to Xbox from competing platforms. Spencer has now confirmed that future Xbox game showcases will feature more multi-platform titles.

Typically, a Nintendo Direct, PlayStation State of Play or an Xbox Games Showcase focuses primarily on first-party games, releasing exclusively for each platform holder's console. As Microsoft takes on this more SEGA-like multi-platform approach, we will start to see the focus shift more from exclusives in showcases to multiplatform titles. While multiplatform games shown during these showcases often only appear with one console logo or splash screen, Microsoft plans to include PlayStation and Nintendo logos on trailers for its multiplatform games during showcases.

Speaking with XboxEra, Spencer confirmed the shift in strategy saying:

“I think it’s just being honest and transparent about where the games are, and we actually even had this discussion last year for the June showcase, and by the time we kind of made our decision, we couldn’t get all of the assets done and it felt weird to have some of them in and some of them out.”

“But I just want to be transparent with people – for shipping on Nintendo Switch, we’re going to put that. For shipping on PlayStation, on Steam… People should know the storefronts where they can get our games”.

If you needed any further confirmation that Microsoft plans to lean more into multiplatform games and do away with true exclusives, this should be it. We're still not a point where Xbox has ‘no exclusives', and for now, a lot of games are still coming to PlayStation and Nintendo months, or years after the original Xbox and PC release. However, as we've seen with Sony and its quicker pace of PC releases, those lengthy gaps are only going to get smaller.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I know Microsoft thinks it can still sell Xbox console hardware after all of this, but this weird in-between position they've taken cannot last. Eventually, the masses will notice that they don't need to own an Xbox to play Xbox games and from that point, they will invest in other platforms. 

The post Phil Spencer confirms plans for more multiplatform games in Xbox showcases first appeared on KitGuru.

The Pillars of Eternity series was incredibly well received but due to the top-down, CRPG nature of the game, it wasn't as widely accessible to the gaming masses as something like an Elder Scrolls or Fallout. Obsidian is opening up the world of Eora to a new audience today with the launch of Avowed, which has released to a very positive reception on Steam. 

Avowed is now available and sits at a ‘Very Positive' rating on Steam, based on close to 3000 user reviews at the time of publishing. Prior to release, Obsidian talked a lot about how the team wanted to perfect combat in this game, especially for those who prefer to cast spells over swinging swords. The developers will be pleased to see that many of the top-rated reviews absolutely rave about the combat in this game, from the dual-wielding functions to meaningful spells, destructible environments and all of the animations in-between.

As Avowed isn't meant to be on the same scale as a Skyrim or a Starfield, players get smaller open zones to explore rather than a sprawling map. That means that Obsidian is able to hide treasure in all sorts of interesting places across the map, making exploration rewarding and interesting. We've all had that moment of disappointment when reaching an out of place platform, or going behind a waterfall, only to find absolutely nothing there. Based on reviews so far, it sounds like that won't be a problem for those playing Avowed.

This is a nice change from last week. When Avowed first released to Premium Edition buyers last week, the game had a ‘mixed' reception based on early Steam reviews, but over the last few days, as the game has opened up to millions of new players, that overall review score has improved significantly.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: As a big fan of Obsidian RPGs, I've been looking forward to Avowed for years and I'm looking forward to finally diving in. Have any of you picked up Avowed already? What do you think of the game so far? 

The post Avowed launches to ‘Very Positive’ reviews on Steam first appeared on KitGuru.

GameSir is raising the bar for multi-platform gaming controllers with its latest release, the Super Nova. This controller prioritises comfort, precision, and customisation, offering a single device to play across PC, Switch, Android, and iOS devices. The Super Nova's standout feature is its focus on silent operation. Noise-free ABXY buttons and cutting-edge GameSir Hall Effect sensing sticks deliver smooth, precise feedback without distracting clicks or stick drift.

One of the Super Nova's key selling points is its connectivity, with tri-mode connection options ensuring seamless integration with various platforms. Whether you prefer Bluetooth, a wired connection, or a wireless dongle, the Super Nova has you covered. Incorporating GameSir Hall Effect sensing sticks guarantees exceptional durability and responsiveness, with a lifespan of up to 5 million cycles. Anti-friction glide rings further enhance the experience, eliminating stick grinding and ensuring smooth, precise movements.

The Super Nova also features precision-tuned Hall Effect analogue triggers, offering a smooth and responsive operation. Trigger stops allow for customisation, enabling players to switch to a short pull position for rapid-fire action. Additionally, a hair-trigger mode can be activated for lightning-fast responses. A 1000Hz polling rate further enhances responsiveness by minimising latency. Dual asymmetric rumble motors provide haptic feedback, while the built-in 6-axis gyroscope enhances motion control. Moreover, it also has a one-press wake-up feature.

Customisation options abound with two back buttons that support single button mapping and macro recording, putting complex commands at your fingertips. Customizable RGB light strips and a detachable center faceplate allow you to personalise the controller, while the ABXY configuration can be physically altered to suit individual playstyles. Thanks to a 1000 mAh battery and an intelligent auto start-stop charging station, charging is effortless. Simply pick up the controller to start playing and return it to the station for automatic recharging when you're finished.

The GameSir app and GameSir Connect app unlock even more customisation options, allowing for firmware updates, stick and trigger dead zone adjustments, vibration intensity control, and button testing. Many of these settings can also be accessed through on-the-fly key combinations. The Super Nova is available in white-pink and black-blue for £37.00.

KitGuru says: If you were to buy a new controller, would you consider the GameSir Super Nova?

The post GameSir unveils the new Super Nova wireless controller first appeared on KitGuru.

January saw the launch of both the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, but today the 50 series rollout continues with the RTX 5070 Ti. Targeting a £729/$749 MSRP, this new GPU is the natural successor to the RTX 4070 Ti Super, but just how much of a generational improvement is on offer? We test rasterisation performance, ray tracing, DLSS 4, power, efficiency and more to find out…

Set to launch at retail tomorrow, February 20th, the RTX 5070 Ti is the most affordable RTX 50 series GPU yet – though it is still an extremely expensive purchase! Remember the days when the xx70 class cost about £300?

It's also worth clarifying that there's no Founders Edition for the RTX 5070 Ti, as was the case with both the RTX 4070 Ti and 4070 Ti Super. Instead, Nvidia sent us the MSI Ventus 3X OC model, a card we are told should land at the MSRP.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro
00:47 RTX 5070 Ti specs
01:46 Test setup
02:52 Alan Wake 2
03:19 Black Myth: Wukong
03:46 Cyberpunk 2077
04:12 Final Fantasy XVI
04:37 Forza Horizon 5
05:00 Ghost of Tsushima
05:21 Horizon Forbidden West
05:47 The Last of Us Part 1
06:06 Plague Tale: Requiem
06:31 Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
06:52 Starfield
07:14 Total War: Warhammer III
07:54 12-game average results
09:09 Cost per frame analysis
10:48 RT Alan Wake II
11:21 RT Black Myth: Wukong
11:45 RT Cyberpunk 2077
12:06 RT F1 24
12:27 RT Ratchet & Clank
12:50 RT Returnal
13:10 RT Shadow of the Tomb Raider
13:36 RT Star Wars Outlaws
14:01 RT 8-game average
14:59 DLSS 4 – Multi Frame Generation
17:51 AI & productivity benchmarks
19:15 MSI Ventus 3X design
19:52 12VHPWR temperatures and cable current
21:19 Thermals and acoustics
21:56 Power draw and efficiency
23:31 Overclocking
24:21 Closing thoughts

	RTX 5090	RTX 5080	RTX 5070 Ti	RTX 4070 Ti Super	RTX 4070 Ti
Process	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4	TSMC N4
SMs	170	84	70	66	60
CUDA Cores	21760	10752	8960	8448	7680
Tensor Cores	680	336	280	264	240
RT Cores	170	84	70	66	60
Texture Units	680	336	280	264	240
ROPs	176	112	96	96	80
GPU Boost Clock	2407 MHz	2617 MHz	2452 MHz	2610 MHz	2610 MHz
Memory Data Rate	28 Gbps	30 Gbps	28 Gbps	21 Gbps	21 Gbps
L2 Cache	98304 KB	65536 KB	49152 KB	49152 KB	49152 KB
Total Video Memory	32GB GDDR7	16GB GDDR7	16GB GDDR7	16GB GDDR6X	12GB GDDR6X
Memory Interface	512-bit	256-bit	256-bit	256-bit	192-bit
Memory Bandwidth	1792 GB/Sec	960 GB/Sec	896 GB/Sec	672 GB/Sec	504 GB/Sec
TGP	575W	360W	300W	285W	285W

First, a quick spec recap. Whereas the RTX 5080 is a full implementation of the GB203 die (378mm²), RTX 5070 Ti is cut down across the board. Comprised of six Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs), each holds up to eight Texture Processing Clusters (TPCs), with a total of 35. Each TPC is home to two Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs), giving us 84, and each SM still holds 128 CUDA Cores, meaning the RTX 5070 Ti has a total of 8960 shaders. We also find 70 RT cores, 280 Tensor cores, 280 Texture Units, and 96 ROPs.

This time around, however, there's no node-shrink, and GB203 remains fabricated on TSMC's N4 node, as per the RTX 40 series. As such, rated clock speed has not stepped forwards this generation, with the RTX 5070 Ti rated at 2452MHz, which is actually lower than the 2610MHz boost of the RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 4070 Ti Super.

The memory configuration is almost identical to the RTX 5080. That means we find 16GB of GDDR7 memory, but it's clocked slightly slower, at 28Gbps, and that puts total memory bandwidth at 896 GB/s, a 33% increase over the RTX 4070 Ti Super. L2 cache still comes in at 49MB.

Lastly, the RTX 5070 Ti features a 300W TGP. This is something we focus on closely in this review, using our enhanced GPU power testing methodology, so read on for our most detailed power and efficiency testing yet.

The post MSI RTX 5070 Ti Ventus 3X OC Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Insurgency Labs, a new company in the PC hardware scene, has just launched its very first PC case. If you want something different from the usual rectangular or fishtank boxes we typically use to house our hardware, then the new ModuCase ITX modular chassis might be up your alley.

The ModuCase ITX Premium Modular Case is designed specifically for small form-factor builds. It uses an open-air configuration, so you'll always have easy access to your hardware and can easily swap parts in and out. Ultimately, you'll end up with an extremely small form factor build, but with a full-sized ATX power supply on the bottom, ensuring compatibility with high-end hardware.

The addition of support for ATX-sized power supplies makes the ModuCase ITX more flexible than standard SFF cases, which typically require an SFF-sized power supply, which aren't as common on the market. The chassis is crafted with durable materials, but they are also 3D-printed, opening up plenty of modding possibilities for hobbyists with a little CAD knowledge.

Here is everything that comes in the box:

• Motherboard Mounting Base: A sturdy foundation to securely hold your motherboard.
• PSU Mounting Base: Designed to provide a snug fit for ATX power supplies.
• Routing Back Cable Support: Keeps your cables neatly organized for a clean build.
• Motherboard Backplate: Adds additional support and stability for the motherboard.
• SSD case (1x): SSD enclosure that fits perfectly between the motherboard base and the backplate for additional expansion.
• GPU Support: Ensures your graphics card stays firmly in place, preventing sagging.
• Screws (4x): Essential hardware for securing components.
• Motherboard Spacers (8x): Helps elevate the motherboard to prevent contact with the case.

The Insurgency Labs ModuCase ITX Premium is available now, priced at $115 CAD, which equates to just over £90 GBP. As these cases are shipped from Canada, you may have to spend a little more on imports if you are buying from Europe, the US or elsewhere.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Would you like a test-bench style chassis like this over a standard enclosed case? 

The post Insurgency Labs’ ModuCase ITX case supports full-size PSUs for SFF builds first appeared on KitGuru.

RTX 5070 Ti reviews are coming up shortly, but one popular reviewer has broken embargo to discuss the situation with pricing. Despite being sent an ‘MSRP' RTX 5070 Ti that is supposed to sell for $750, these graphics cards are already being marked up at retailers, bringing prices up to $1000 for certain versions. 

JayzTwoCents, a popular tech reviewer on YouTube, published a video yesterday to discuss RTX 5070 Ti pricing. While he is not supposed to talk about which specific RTX 5070 Ti he is reviewing before the embargo lifts, he ran into issues when looking into retail pricing. While Nvidia had sent Jay an Asus Prime RTX 5070 Ti, which Nvidia had classed as an ‘MSRP' level card that should hit the market for $750, retail listings show this GPU as selling for over $900. Some other custom models already listed on Micro Centre from the likes of Asus, MSI and GIgabyte all feature prices between $900 and $1009.99, well above the $750 MSRP set by Nvidia.

Here in the UK, we have a list of RTX 5070 Ti's that are supposed to sell at MSRP, but currently, no UK retailer has put pricing details on their listings, which is in stark contrast to the situation in the US, where retailers have already revealed prices for pre-orders. Some of the cards we've been told will be ‘MSRP' cards are the same models already being marked up in the US, so we'll have to wait and see how the conversion rates shake out when the retail embargo lifts tomorrow afternoon.

While it is interesting to see this pricing discussion kicked off ahead of embargo, there isn't much ‘new' here. If anything, this is business as usual, as has been the case since RTX 2000 dropped in 2018. We rarely see custom cards from the biggest GPU brands, like Asus, MSI and Gigabyte, selling at MSRP. Here in the UK, we typically see cards from the likes of PNY, Zotac and Inno3D actually hitting MSRP. However, Nvidia has opted to use bigger-brand Asus graphics cards to send to reviewers as an example of MSRP cards, which is where the confusion comes in.

Since the release of Jayz' video, the Micro Centre listing for the Asus RTX 5070 Ti Prime has been knocked back down to $750. However, this is displayed as a discount on the store page, meaning the price may rise by $150 shortly after launch once supply sells out. The other cards from MSI and Gigabyte are still being listed at over $900.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The idea of paying up to $1000 for an x70 class GPU is going to put a lot of people off upgrading this generation. Hopefully over time as supply improves and initial launch demand wanes, we will start to see prices fall back to more ‘acceptable' levels for the PC gamers of the world. 

The post What is going on with RTX 5070 Ti pricing? first appeared on KitGuru.

Following a string of less-than-stellar releases, the iconic Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series was revitalised thanks to the excellent Pro Skater 1+2 Remake. Unfortunately, while a remake of THPS 3+4 was in development, the project was ultimately canned. That said, Pro Skater 3+4 might have some life left in it, as according to one professional skater, there’s a new Tony Hawk remaster “that's about to come out.”

In an interview conducted by the Breakfast Club podcast (and reported on by VGC), professional skater Tyshawn Jones seemingly let slip that a new Tony Hawks game is coming out soon, saying “I’m in a Tony Hawk coming out, that’s cool. They got a new one they remastering so that’s about to come out, I was in the last one.”

As stated by Jones, the skater did feature in the aforementioned Pro Skater 1+2 Remake, lending a great deal of credence to his words.

For the uninitiated, following the success of 2020’s Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 (which went on to become the fastest-selling entry in the franchise), studio Vicarious Visions were working on a similar remake for the 3rd and 4th entries…until it was cancelled by Activision.

Given the fact that Vicarious Visions has since been absorbed into Blizzard, it is unknown which studio has been tasked with this remake. That said, with Microsoft having acquired Activision Blizzard in the years since, it’s possible that the team were later put back onto the THPS 3+4 project.

Regardless, it seems as though we won’t have to wait long to find out; if Jones’ word is anything to go by. As mentioned, while later Pro Skater entries failed to match the quality of the original games, having a remake of 3+4 should satisfy almost all fans of the series, assuming it’s as good as 1+2.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2? Were you disappointed by the cancellation of 3+4? What do you hope to see from this upcoming remake? Let us know down below.

The post Pro Skater claims new Tony Hawk Remaster is “about to come out” first appeared on KitGuru.

Twice a month, Microsoft updates its Xbox Game Pass library with a line-up of new/returning titles. For the second half of February, the service is launching one major title in the form of Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed – alongside a couple other additions. Unfortunately, even more games are set to leave Game Pass at the end of the month.

Making the announcement on the Xbox Wire Blog, Megan Spurr – the Senior Community Lead for Xbox Game Pass – wrote “For those of you that have been exploring the Living Lands in Avowed, thank you for taking a break to check out the latest Game Pass news! We have some exciting new reveals and exclusive Perks to tease your install buttons.”

With that, the full list of Game Pass additions set to drop onto the service over the course of the remainder of February is as follows:

Available Now

• Avowed [GP Ultimate and PC]

Coming soon

• EA Sports F1 24 [GP Ultimate and PC] – 20th February
• Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader [GP Standard] – 20th February
• Watch Dogs: Legion [GP Standard] – 25th February

As mentioned, an even greater number of titles are unfortunately set to leave the service on the 28th of February, those being:

• F1 22
• Gris
• Maneater
• PAW Patrol World
• Space Engineers
• Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
• Wo Long Fallen Dynasty
• Yakuza 3 Remastered
• Yakuza 4 Remastered

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you checked out Avowed yet? What do you think of it? Which of the departing games will you try to complete before the end of the month? Let us know down below.

The post Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Yakuza and more leaving Xbox Game Pass first appeared on KitGuru.