➀ 2K has removed its launcher from all its Steam and Epic Games Store titles; ➁ The move is welcomed by many players who found the launcher unnecessary and problematic; ➂ The removal of the launcher should make it easier to preserve older games in the long run.
Recent #Software & Gaming news in the semiconductor industry
➀ The PlayStation 5 Pro has exceeded the pre-order sales of the PS4 Pro during the same period; ➁ Despite its high price, the console is performing well with its target audience; ➂ Sony's CFO believes the product is not adversely affecting its sales plan.
➀ The PlayStation 5 has surpassed the lifetime sales of the NES with over 65 million units sold; ➁ The PS5 is now the 8th best-selling home console of all time; ➂ The PS5's sales have stabilized after initial supply issues.
➀ Sony announced the PlayStation 5 Pro with a feature to enhance image quality for PS4 games; ➁ The feature appears to be a system-wide upscaling pass similar to AMD's FSR1; ➂ It may not work on all PS4 titles, but it should improve resolution on select games.
➀ 8bitdo has gained a strong reputation for their high-quality third-party controllers, focusing on retro designs and color schemes. ➁ The new ‘8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller’ is a telescopic Bluetooth controller inspired by Xbox. ➂ It supports smartphones with lengths between 100mm to 170mm and offers features like Hall Effect Joystick, triggers, back paddles, and profile switching.
➀ Reports suggest Microsoft will halt sales of Xbox consoles in Saudi Arabia; ➁ Microsoft has informed major stores in Saudi Arabia of the decision; ➂ The move is seen as a re-strategization effort by Microsoft.
➀ Epic Games has released its mobile app store after years of legal disputes with Apple and Google; ➁ The store is expected to launch third-party applications in the holiday season, with 10 to 50 expected to be ready; ➂ Epic's free-game program will be introduced in Q4, along with social and party features, in-game chat, and more.
➀ Microsoft has been struggling with its Xbox strategy, changing short and medium-term plans frequently; ➁ An insider claims that Xbox's plan changes every year, with inconsistent messaging on new projects like a handheld console; ➂ Microsoft's recent industry moves, such as acquiring Activision-Blizzard and studio closures, have been met with uncertainty and changes in direction.
➀ Balatro is a single-player poker-themed rogue-like deckbuilder that launched in February and sold over 1 million copies in a month; ➁ The game is now available on iOS, Android, and Apple Arcade; ➂ The game is described as a magical mix of card games and allows players to twist the rules in new ways; ➃ The game was first released on PC and has been ported to mobile.
➀ Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm, a popular 1v1 3D fighter, is set to arrive on iOS and Android; ➁ The game will be available on September 25th for $9.99, featuring mobile-specific features like new control modes and improved controls; ➂ Online play is missing from the mobile version, but the console/PC versions are over a decade old.
➀ Sony has introduced a new Welcome Hub to the PS5, replacing the previous US-exclusive Explore Tab; ➁ The update allows sharing party voice chat links on messaging and social media apps; ➂ Users can now personalize 3D audio profiles, adjust Remote Play settings, and enable adaptive charging for controllers.
➀ According to PlayStation, 75% of all PS5 owners prefer Performance Mode over the fidelity option; ➁ Mark Cerny, the console architect, revealed that while 25% of PS5 owners have a 120 fps-capable TV, most players will choose performance mode for higher framerates; ➂ The PS5 Pro aims to offer no compromise between graphics and framerate.
➀ Sony officially announced and revealed the PlayStation 5's specifications in-depth; ➁ Another 'Technical Presentation' is set to be hosted by Mark Cerny; ➂ The presentation is expected to focus on PS5 and innovations in gaming technology.
➀ Sony has subtly teased the existence of the long-rumoured PS5 Pro, confirming its updated design. ➁ The company has shared some of its plans for the impending milestone of the OG PlayStation One's 30th birthday. ➂ A leaked design of the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro was discovered in a blog post header image, confirming its 3-striped appearance.
1. Hopoo Games, creators of the Risk of Rain series, have joined Valve, potentially working on a new Half-Life game. 2. The move follows a similar pattern to Valve's previous acquisition of Campo Santo. 3. Hopoo Games has halted production on its unannounced game, Snail, to focus on Valve's projects.
1. Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 to become the most popular PC OS for gaming according to Steam's August survey; 2. The OS now holds 49.17% of the Steam user base, an increase of 3.36%pt; 3. This milestone may encourage developers to utilize more Windows 11-exclusive features.
1. Level-5, the Japanese game developer known for the Professor Layton and Ni no Kuni series, has announced an online showcase for September 24th. 2. The event, titled 'LEVEL5 VISION 2024 TO THE WORLD’S CHILDREN', will feature updates on their current projects and a brand new title announcement. 3. The showcase will include previews of their upcoming games, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road and FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time, alongside the surprise reveal of a new game.
1. The development team behind DUNE Awakening has expressed difficulties in optimizing the game for the Xbox Series S, calling it a 'challenge'. 2. The game will initially launch on PC due to the need for extensive optimizations before releasing on Xbox. 3. Despite the challenges, the team is confident in delivering a well-performing game on all platforms, including older hardware.
1. Concord, Sony's multiplayer hero shooter, is estimated to have sold only around 25,000 copies; 2. The game has faced criticism and has a low player count, with only 82 active players on Steam; 3. Issues include low awareness, lack of a fan base, and inadequate marketing strategy.
1. The Corsair T500 Luxe is a premium gaming chair with a luxurious quilted finish and 4D Omniflex armrests. 2. It offers a range of adjustability options and good lumbar support. 3. The chair has some minor quality control issues, such as uneven armrest rattle and slightly scratchy castors on hard floors.