news and current affairs.
Spellcasters Chronicles enters closed beta on December 4
Quantic Dream's debut multiplayer venture struggles to distinguish itself within the crowded free-to-play arena, according to early impressions from a preview session lasting roughly 45 minutes. The studio's Spellcasters Chronicles blends hero shooter mechanics with deck-building elements and aerial combat across three-versus-three matches, yet the execution fails to deliver memorable moments despite technically competent gameplay. Technical difficulties plagued the demonstration, with performance issues forcing journalists to connect through internal streaming infrastructure before achieving playable frame rates. While spellcasting animations and creature summoning provide visual appeal, the sensory feedback lacks impact and character...
Xbox adds Default Game Profiles to ROG Ally devices
Microsoft has rolled out automated performance configurations for 40 gaming titles on the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally handheld systems, eliminating manual graphics tweaking through preset profiles that balance frame rates against battery consumption. The Default Game Profile feature activates exclusively during portable play, with Hollow Knight Silksong gaining an additional hour of unplugged gameplay while maintaining 120 frames per second output. Players retain freedom to override the optimized settings manually, though the system will automatically apply tailored power limits and refresh caps when launching supported software. The manufacturer highlighted titles spanning franchises such as Call of Duty, Forza Horizon, Halo and Gears of War...
Colorful launches RTX 5060, 5070 Ti with dual power options
Chinese hardware manufacturer Colorful has introduced graphics cards that bridge compatibility between competing platform ecosystems, delivering dual power delivery methods for its latest accelerator lineup. The Ultra Z series, incorporating GeForce RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 Ti models, features detachable GC-HPWR connections compatible with ASUS BTF motherboards while retaining traditional 12V-2x6 interfaces for conventional builds. Users gain flexibility to select either connection method or deploy both simultaneously for distributed electrical loads that could reduce thermal stress on individual connectors. The approach mirrors ASUS BTF 2.5 specifications but extends accessibility beyond proprietary board requirements, with the GC-HPWR...
Switch 2 update 21.0.1 fixes transfer errors and Bluetooth issues
Nintendo has deployed a maintenance patch for its hybrid console successor, resolving connectivity disruptions that prevented wireless accessories from pairing after the device emerged from standby or disabled flight mode. The firmware revision also eliminates transfer errors that blocked data migration from predecessor hardware to the newer platform. Version 21.0.1 addresses persistent Bluetooth pairing failures that previously forced complete system restarts, a frustration that plagued users attempting to reconnect controllers or audio peripherals. Community reports indicate the update additionally repairs compatibility problems affecting certain third-party titles, though the Japanese gaming giant omitted these fixes from official...
Intel EMIB packaging may power Google TPU v9 and Meta MTIA chips
Google may tap Intel's packaging capabilities for its ninth-generation tensor processing units slated for market entry within two years, according to industry analysts tracking the American chipmaker's foundry expansion efforts. Meta's machine learning infrastructure accelerators could similarly adopt the embedded multi-die interconnect bridge technology that Intel has refined through successive server processor generations. The California manufacturer stands alone as the domestic supplier of sophisticated chip assembly methods while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company gradually relocates comparable services stateside. Graphics processor vendors have exhausted much of the Taiwanese foundry's capacity, pushing custom silicon...
Project Motor Racing launches with DLSS 4 and full mod support
Straight4 Studios has launched its motorsport simulation across PC and console platforms, delivering 70 vehicles spanning 13 competitive categories alongside 28 racing circuits. The debut features cross-platform modification capabilities through the GIANTS Editor and UGC Portal, allowing PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S owners to access community-created content traditionally reserved for computer enthusiasts. Chief executive Ian Bell emphasized the title emerged from passionate developers and an engaged community invested in authentic racing experiences. The single-player career mode replicates the precarious nature of professional motorsport, where championship glory can swiftly deteriorate into career catastrophe. Graphics card...
Prologue and Project Motor Racing add DLSS 4 support
Graphics hardware manufacturer NVIDIA has expanded compatibility for its fourth-generation upscaling technology across several gaming titles, with survival exploration experience Prologue: Go Wayback! and motorsport simulator Project Motor Racing both embracing the frame multiplication capabilities. The wilderness traversal game from battle royale pioneer Brendan Greene spans procedurally generated terrain measuring 64 square kilometers, while the racing offering from Straight4 Studios delivers 28 circuits and more than 70 vehicles spanning 13 competitive categories. Owners of the California chipmaker's latest graphics cards can activate multi-frame generation to extract maximum refresh rates, whereas previous-generation hardware...
Poland probes Apple over alleged ATT rule bypass for ads
Polish regulators have opened an investigation into Apple over allegations that the technology giant exploits tracking data to deliver targeted advertisements on its App Store while simultaneously requiring third-party developers to obtain explicit user permission for similar practices. The country's competition authority contends this double standard grants the California-based company an unfair edge over independent publishers operating within its ecosystem. Apple has pushed back forcefully against the scrutiny, suggesting the probe reflects pressure from the data tracking industry and warning it might eliminate its privacy protection framework across the European Union if regulatory demands escalate. Authorities in Germany, Italy...
Samsung mass produces 24 Gb GDDR7 chips for RTX 50 series
Samsung has commenced large-scale manufacturing of higher-density graphics memory modules rated at 28 gigabits per second, with the Korean manufacturer simultaneously preparing even swifter variants for potential deployment in future gaming hardware. The three-gigabyte GDDR7 chips entering production match specifications glimpsed in promotional footage for the GeForce RTX 5090, while experimental samples clocking 32 and 36 gigabits per second remain under development for prospective integration into rumored Super-branded refreshes expected later in the year. Graphics card enthusiasts anticipate that the expanded capacity will enable configurations like an 18-gigabyte RTX 5070 Super compared to the standard model's 12-gigabyte...
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