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Team Cherry discusses Silksong post-launch plans

Australian developer Team Cherry has finally shed light on its post-launch roadmap for Hollow Knight: Silksong, confirming that cut content from the original game's development will eventually make its way into the sequel. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, co-creators Ari Gibson and William Pellen discussed how the studio intends to support the title with additional content, drawing direct parallels to the expansive updates released for the original Hollow Knight.

In an interview with Bloomberg (via IGN), the developers mentioned their plans include the Steel Assassin Sharpe, a character first teased a few years ago. Gibson described Sharpe and his companions as having been waiting for the right moment to appear. While the character was initially cut due to the sheer density of enemies in the base game, the team is now keen to reintroduce him. Gibson noted that Sharpe and his companions still require polishing, but the studio is committed to finally bringing the assassin and his team into the fold to hunt down Hornet.

Silksong Hollow Knight

When discussing the broader philosophy for Silksong's DLC, Gibson emphasised a balance between fulfilling old promises and exploring new creative avenues. He assured fans that the team intends to deliver on their obligations, citing the “Village of Lions” as a specific example, but also noted that they have their own internal ideas for expanding the universe. The scale of these updates will vary, with Gibson hinting at the possibility of larger expansions similar to Godmaster, which added a dedicated boss rush mode to the original game. The developers also highlighted how the shift to Hornet as a protagonist fundamentally changes how they approach new content. Unlike the silent Knight, Hornet has a distinct voice and personality, which dictates the narrative flow of any expansion.

On the topic of communication, which has historically been a point of contention for the fanbase, Pellen suggested that the studio would be more vocal moving forward. He stated that the silence was simply a result of having nothing concrete to announce, but with multiple projects now in the works, the cadence of updates is expected to improve. However, regarding specific feature requests, Gibson confirmed that a “New Game Plus” mode has not been discussed internally, so don't expect it anytime soon.

KitGuru says: Have you liked Hollow Knight: Silksong? What kind of post-launch content would you want for the game?

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Pulsar reveals Bruce Lee 85th Anniversary peripheral collection

Pulsar has announced a renewed collaboration with Bruce Lee Enterprises to commemorate the martial arts icon's 85th birthday. This new limited-edition product line follows the company's previous partnership three years ago, which saw the release of a yellow-and-black X2 mouse.

While the previous collaboration leaned into the classic Game of Death tracksuit aesthetic, this 85th Anniversary collection draws inspiration from a different chapter of Lee's filmography. The visual identity features a navy and white colour scheme, modelled after the sparring gear worn by Lee during the famous “boards don't hit back” scene in Enter the Dragon.

The centrepiece of the collection is the Pulsar X2 CrazyLight mouse, which will be available in both Mini and Medium sizes to suit different grip styles. For keyboard enthusiasts, the collection includes the Pulsar PCMK3 HE, a magnetic switch keyboard that supports the rapid trigger features increasingly common in competitive play. This keyboard will be available in ANSI, ISO ND, ISO DE, and JIS layouts.

Rounding out the setup are several surface options. The release includes a standard Bruce Lee 85th Anniversary Gaming Mousepad in an XL size, alongside two Superglide3 glass pad options. The Superglide 3 Pad XL will be offered in a matching Navy colourway as well as a “Picture” edition featuring the martial artist's likeness.

The Bruce Lee 85th Anniversary Edition collection is now available, coinciding with Lee's birthday. The X2 CrazyLight mice cost $139.95/€159.90 and the Pulsar PCMK3 HE keyboards cost $179.95/€199.90. As for the mousepads, the Superglide3 ones cost $99.95/€119.90, and the standard gaming mousepad costs $24.95/€29.90.

KitGuru says: Are you a fan of Bruce Lee's work? Are you planning to get any of the Bruce Lee 85th Edition's peripherals?

The post Pulsar reveals Bruce Lee 85th Anniversary peripheral collection first appeared on KitGuru.
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GFXBench and CompuBench are moving to open source after 21 years

After more than two decades of serving as a staple in the cross-platform benchmarking scene, Kishonti has announced the immediate discontinuation of its active services for GFXBench and CompuBench. The announcement marks the end of a 21-year journey that began in 2004 with JBenchmark, a tool that evolved from testing early mobile feature phones into one of the industry's most widely cited suites for evaluating GPU performance across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

According to VideoCardz, the creator, Laszlo Kishonti, confirmed that the source code for both suites is being made available under a BSD license on various GitHub repositories. This transition effectively hands the tools over to the community a decade after the majority of the original engineering team spun off to form the self-driving software startup aiMotive. While the software itself remains accessible for those willing to compile it, the centralised service infrastructure is being dismantled.

As part of this shutdown, the ability to upload new results has been disabled, and the extensive public database on the gfxbench website is being replaced with a static placeholder. The mobile applications for GFXBench and CompuBench are also scheduled to be removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play over the next month.

To preserve the historical data of previous entries, Kishonti has released a snapshot of the benchmark results (not a full dump), along with the code. The data is organised by OS, hardware type, and API, providing aggregated maximum, median, and average values for the most popular resolutions.

KitGuru says: While the days of CompuBench and GFXBench live rankings are over, the open-source release ensures the tools themselves remain available for local testing and historical comparison.

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SEGA sets January release for free-to-play ‘Football Club Champions 2026’

After a delay that pushed its launch out of 2025, SEGA has finally confirmed a release date for its upcoming cross-platform management title. SEGA Football Club Champions 2026 is officially scheduled to launch on January 22nd, 2026. The game will be available across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Android, and iOS.

Previously titled SEGA Football Club Champions 2025, the game underwent a necessary name change following the delay announcement back in October. This title represents a new direction for SEGA's football portfolio, positioning itself as a free-to-play game distinct from other “Manager” titles. SEGA frames this as a more accessible entry point into the genre, sitting somewhere between EA's FC games (manager mode) and Football Manager

SEGA has confirmed the game utilises the Football Manager engine, but the gameplay loop differs significantly from it. Early details suggest a streamlined experience closer to mobile management sims, prioritising accessibility and strategy over granular control. The game features officially licensed data via FIFPRO, alongside specific leagues such as the J League and K League, offering training schedules, transfer scouting, and tactical setups.

However, the free-to-play model brings expected changes to the structure. The game includes stadium construction, global PvP leaderboards, and gacha-style player recruitment, suggesting a heavy reliance on microtransactions. The game will also feature cross-platform support, meaning club progression will carry over between console, PC, and mobile devices, allowing users to manage their team on the go. This connectivity confirms the game's live-service nature, with seasonal content updates expected to drive long-term engagement.

KitGuru says: Are you a fan of Football Manager? Would you like to have a more accessible version of FM? Maybe Football Club Champions 2026 can offer that.

The post SEGA sets January release for free-to-play ‘Football Club Champions 2026’ first appeared on KitGuru.
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Chieftec launches Stealth Series ATX 3.1 PSUs with Platinum efficiency

Chieftec has announced the immediate availability of its new Stealth Series power supplies, a high-end lineup designed for enthusiast systems that demand substantial power delivery. The new series launches with 1000W and 1200W models, both boasting 80 Plus Platinum certification and full compliance with the latest ATX 3.1 and PCIe Gen 5 standards.

The Stealth series is built around a new platform featuring an LLC Half-Bridge converter with DC-to-DC technology and high-quality Japanese capacitors. This internal design allows the units to achieve Platinum-level efficiency, minimising heat and energy waste under load. To keep thermals in check, Chieftec has equipped the units with a 135mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) fan, which is managed by Automatic Fan Speed Control (AFC) to balance airflow and noise.

Chieftec's Stealth series PSUs were designed to make it easier for builders to manage the cabling. The series is fully modular and uses ultra-soft embossed cables, which are designed to be more flexible than standard ribbon or braided cables, simplifying the routing process in tight chassis spaces.

Connectivity is robust across both models. Users get a native 16-pin 12V-2×6 connector for the latest Nvidia graphics cards, alongside three traditional 8-pin PCIe connectors. The CPU power delivery is handled by one 8-pin EPS and one 4+4-pin EPS connector. For storage and other devices, the units provide eight SATA connectors and four Molex connectors.

The Chieftec Stealth Series is now available, starting at €170 for the 1000W model at some retailers. The 1200W variant is priced slightly higher at €190. Both units are backed by a 5-year warranty.

KitGuru says: Considering their price and feature set, would you consider a Chieftec Stealth PSU to power your PC build?

The post Chieftec launches Stealth Series ATX 3.1 PSUs with Platinum efficiency first appeared on KitGuru.
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Cherry to move keyboard and MX switch manufacturing out of Germany

The era of the “Made in Germany” Cherry MX switch has officially come to a close. Facing severe financial pressure, Cherry has confirmed it is ceasing all production at its headquarters in Auerbach, Germany, while simultaneously looking to sell off one of its core business divisions.

According to a report from German outlet Heise, the decision follows a net loss of over €20 million (about £17.5 million) in the first nine months of 2025 alone. To stem the bleeding, switch manufacturing will now be handled entirely by partners in China and Slovakia. The Auerbach facility will remain open, but its role will be reduced to development, logistics, and administration rather than manufacturing.

The restructuring efforts go beyond just factory locations. The board has initiated a process to sell one of its two remaining business units: either the Peripherals division (covering gaming and office devices) or the Digital Health & Solutions sector. The company intends to use the proceeds from this sale to provide the liquidity needed to focus on and stabilise the remaining division.

Considering Cherry was the company that effectively birthed the modern mechanical keyboard market, this news is quite surprising. However, since its original MX patent expired in 2014, Cherry has faced relentless competition from Asian manufacturers like Gateron and Kailh.

KitGuru says: It would be a shame to see Cherry-made peripherals go away, though its real strength always seemed to be as an OEM. 

The post Cherry to move keyboard and MX switch manufacturing out of Germany first appeared on KitGuru.
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Noctua confirms current coolers will support upcoming Intel LGA1954 socket

One of the recurring frustrations for PC builders is the frequency of socket changes, which often renders expensive cooling hardware obsolete or requires the sourcing of new mounting brackets. However, Noctua has quietly confirmed that owners of its current air coolers can breathe a sigh of relief regarding Intel's future platforms.

Spotted by @momomo_us (via VideoCardz), an update to the official Noctua support FAQ explicitly states that all of its CPU coolers currently compatible with LGA1700 and LGA1851 will also be compatible with Intel's upcoming LGA1954 socket. The Austrian cooling company clarified that no additional mounting components are required, as the installation process will remain identical to the existing mechanism used for the last few generations.

Remember that the LGA1954 socket is claimed to be used by Intel's “Nova Lake-S” desktop processors, which are currently expected to be released in late 2026 at the earliest.

This is welcome news, particularly given the reportedly short lifespan of the current LGA1851 socket. While that platform only recently launched with Arrow Lake, and is expected to see a refresh announced at CES in January, Intel is already working on its successor. For those who have invested in premium Noctua hardware, this confirmation ensures their coolers will remain viable well into the Nova Lake era. Hopefully, other brands will follow suit.

KitGuru says: Are you running a Noctua cooler? Do you plan to upgrade and retain the cooler you're currently using?

The post Noctua confirms current coolers will support upcoming Intel LGA1954 socket first appeared on KitGuru.
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Grasshopper Manufacture announces showcase event focusing on ‘Romeo Is a Dead Man’

Grasshopper Manufacture has confirmed it will broadcast its third ‘Grasshopper Direct' next week, with the presentation set to focus primarily on its upcoming action title, Romeo Is a Dead Man.

The broadcast is scheduled to air on the studio’s official YouTube channel on Friday, December 5th, at 10 AM JST (1 AM BST). According to the press release, the showcase will provide a behind-the-scenes look at development and reveal new gameplay.

The title, which was first teased during a State of Play earlier this year, is described as a hyperviolent sci-fi action game. Grasshopper Manufacture is marketing it as their “bloodiest action game yet”, featuring a combat system that blends firearms and swordplay.

The narrative premise follows the protagonist, Romeo, who is recruited as an interdimensional special agent after a near-death experience coincides with a rupture in the space-time continuum. As an agent, players will be tasked with hunting down wanted criminals across these fractured dimensions. Romeo Is a Dead Man is currently targeting a 2026 release window and is confirmed for launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

KitGuru says: Are you curious about Romeo is a Dead Man? Will you be watching the showcase?

The post Grasshopper Manufacture announces showcase event focusing on ‘Romeo Is a Dead Man’ first appeared on KitGuru.
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Thermaltake launches Minecube 360 Ultra with unique quad-screen CPU block

Thermaltake has unveiled the Minecube 360 Ultra ARGB Sync, a new all-in-one liquid cooler that takes the current trend of integrated LCDs to a new level. Available in both black and white editions, the cooler features a patented “Quad-LCD Cube Display” that sits atop the CPU block, turning the pump housing into a four-sided digital centrepiece.

The highlight of the Minecube 360 Ultra is the cube display, which consists of four separate 3.95-inch TFT LCD panels, each boasting a resolution of 720 x 720. Through the TT LCD Screen Software, users can configure each panel independently to show real-time system statistics, images, or animations, or combine them to create a single, continuous wraparound visual effect. The software supports a wide range of formats, including JPG, GIF, MP4, and AVI.

To handle thermal loads, the Minecube 360 Ultra is equipped with three of Thermaltake's Swafan EX12 ARGB Sync fans that operate at up to 2000 RPM. These units feature the company's swappable fan blade design, allowing builders to switch the airflow direction without physically turning the fan frame around. Connectivity is handled by the MagForce 2.0 magnetic interface, which uses larger contact pads to ensure a secure, cable-free daisy-chain connection between fans.

The cooling loop itself utilises a 27mm thin radiator connected to a pump with a polished copper base and an embedded 3500 RPM VRM fan used to cool the motherboard power delivery components surrounding the CPU socket.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: With so many AIO liquid coolers with LCDs out there, it's hard to stand out from the competition. Thermaltake has found a great solution to that by adding more LCDs to the equation. 

The post Thermaltake launches Minecube 360 Ultra with unique quad-screen CPU block first appeared on KitGuru.
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Intel’s Core Ultra 9 386H CPU may have leaked

Intel has not yet officially announced its next generation Core Ultra 300 series processors, but a recent benchmark database entry may have given us our first look at the performance for the high-end Core Ultra 9 386H CPU. 

The chip featured in the Geekbench entry shared by Benchleaks appears to be an Intel Core Ultra 386H featuring a 16-core configuration comprising four P-cores, eight E-cores, and four low-power E-cores. During the test, the CPU was able to push to 4.7 GHz.

Running on a system equipped with 64GB of RAM and a Windows 11 Pro balanced power plan, the processor achieved a single-core score of 2,849 and a multi-core result of 15,434 in Geekbench 6.5.0. These figures place the Ultra 9 386H slightly ahead of the performance range offered by the current-generation Arrow Lake-H Core Ultra 9 285H, putting the upcoming CPU around 5% faster in single-core and 9% faster in multi-core.

We have no way of verifying this result ourselves as Intel have not yet officially announced the new generation of Core Ultra CPUs. Benchmark listings like this can be faked, so take the information with a grain of salt. Intel should formally announce its new CPUs in early 2026 around the same time as CES.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: How much of a performance improvement are you expecting to see for Intel's next-gen Core Ultra processors? 

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Asus and Xbox roll out ‘Default Game Profiles’ preview update for ROG Xbox Ally

The collaboration between Asus and Microsoft continues to deepen with a significant software update for the ROG Xbox Ally series of handhelds. The latest patch, which is available now in preview, introduces a feature designed to remove the guesswork from balancing performance and battery life.

Dubbed Default Game Profiles, this new functionality automatically adjusts frame rate targets and power consumption (TDP) for supported titles. The new feature in the November update allows users to apply hand-crafted profiles when a compatible game is launched. These profiles are designed to cap frame rates to conserve energy if the device is over-performing or boost power if the game struggles to hit its target.

Asus claims this can lead to substantial gains in efficiency. For instance, the company notes that while playing Hollow Knight: Silksong, the device can see its battery life extended by approximately an hour compared to the standard Performance mode, all while maintaining a fluid 120 FPS. At launch, the preview supports about 70 titles, including major releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Gears of War: Reloaded, and Fortnite.

Beyond the power profiles, the new system update addresses general system responsiveness. Users should notice improved gamepad performance, as well as faster loading times for the game library. Cloud Gaming pages have also been optimised for better speed. Additionally, a new “Performance Fit” filter has been added to the Game Gallery, giving players a clearer indication of how well a specific title will run on the handheld.

Looking ahead, Asus plans to keep improving the ROG Xbox Ally with Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) and automated highlight reels, leveraging the device's NPU. In the more immediate future, a “Game Save Sync Indicator” is scheduled to arrive next week. Other planned improvements include increasing the sleep and wake reliability, improving formatting options for microSD cards, and more.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you have a ROG Xbox Ally handheld? What do you think of the new and upcoming updates? What other features would you like to see on the handheld?

The post Asus and Xbox roll out ‘Default Game Profiles’ preview update for ROG Xbox Ally first appeared on KitGuru.
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Nova Lake-S CPUs may hold Intel’s answer to AMD’s 3D V-Cache

AMD has dominated CPU gaming performance benchmarks in recent years with its 3D V-Cache equipped models. We've been waiting for Intel's answer to this technology for quite some time and according to new reports, we will see it first in the next-generation Nova Lake-S desktop CPUs. 

Starting with the cache, Jaykihn (via VideoCardz) stated that only the upcoming unlocked/K-series CPUs will feature the bLLC integration. This feature, long-rumoured as Intel's direct answer to AMD's 3D V-Cache, is said to have a massive 144 MB size on select SKUs, finally providing a cache-first option to compete against AMD's gaming leadership. The cache is expected to reside on the compute tile itself.

Another significant upgrade in the upcoming desktop CPUs seems to be their AI performance. Nova Lake-S will completely skip the NPU generations used in Lunar Lake and Panther Lake, jumping from Arrow Lake-S’s NPU3 (13 TOPS) straight to NPU6, according to Jaykihn. This NPU6 block is rumoured to target 74 TOPS of raw performance, representing a massive 5.6x increase over its predecessor and easily eclipsing the 50 TOPS NPU target set for the Panther Lake mobile chips. This dramatic boost ensures the desktop platform is Copilot+ ready and future-proofed for local AI applications.

The leaker also mentioned that the integrated GPU usage in Nova Lake-S CPUs will ship with only 2 Xe3-LPG cores, a reduction from the four cores used in Arrow Lake-S. This concession is minimal, given that these desktop SKUs are intended to be paired with high-end discrete GPUs.

KitGuru says: Do you think big amounts of cache are what Intel needs for its CPUs to be competitive in the desktop gaming space?

The post Nova Lake-S CPUs may hold Intel’s answer to AMD’s 3D V-Cache first appeared on KitGuru.
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