AI is also capable of instantly producing illustrations from text, allowing producers to better "transmit their vision. (Pixabay)

Industry Players Cautiously Navigating the AI Revolution in Video Games

Febin MathewAugust 27, 23Artificial Intelligence, Online Gaming

Artificial intelligence takes the spotlight at Gamescom, the prominent fair in the video game industry, as it engages in tasks ranging from crafting narratives to programming complete games and transforming concepts into animations. But even the ultra-connected industry is eyeing innovation warily, with fears growing that jobs will be lost and artistic creations usurped. “Artificial intelligence is really a turning point,” says Julien Millet, an artificial intelligence engineer and founder of United Bits Game studio, which attended the industry trade show this week. Responsive non-playable characters or automatic generation of…

It supports 4K 60Hz video output and has hidden storage for four microSD cards.

GuliKit’s SNES-Style Steam Deck and Switch Dock Unveiled

Nitin MisraAugust 26, 23Gaming, Nintendo Switch

As I am in the process of setting up a new home entertainment system, I have decided to purchase a dock for my Steam Deck to connect it to my television. Instead of opting for Valve’s official Steam Deck Docking Station, I am pleased that I have not made that choice yet, as I have found a more fashionable alternative from accessory manufacturer GuliKit. That’s because it takes a design cue or two from the Super Nintendo. It has a gray shell and a pair of large purple switches that…

First impressions of its roguelike-inspired co-op multiplayer mode.

Could ‘War Games’ be the Key to Homeworld 3’s Success?

Adarsh V.KAugust 26, 23Gaming

Skirmish mode was the main reason I kept returning to Homeworld, as it would often consume my entire weekend in college. Homeworld 3 introduces a new mode in its second sequel called War Games, which is a multiplayer co-op inspired by roguelike games. In this mode, one, two, or three players face off against the enemy in a series of randomized challenges, where survival is the key to progress. Despite my initial aversion to the terms “roguelike” and “multiplayer co-op,” I have been playing an early version of this mode…

The member of Lapsus$, a group of hackers, was out on bail at the time.

Hacker Shares ‘GTA VI’ Footage from Budget UK Hotel Room Using Fire TV Stick

Nitin MisraAugust 26, 23GTA 6, Microsoft, Rockstar Games, Samsung, T-Mobile, Uber

According to the BBC, the image of a hacker portrayed in movies is quite different from reality. Instead of a high-tech setup, all it took for Arion Kurtaj, a member of the hacking group Lapsus$, to steal and leak clips from the highly anticipated game Grand Theft Auto IV was an Amazon Fire TV stick, smartphone, keyboard, and mouse. This incident occurred while Kurtaj was already on bail for allegedly hacking NVIDIA. The 18-year-old managed to infiltrate Rockstar Games, the creator of GTA VI, and even identified himself as an…

Sony Acquires Gaming Headphone Brand to Enhance PlayStation Experience

Nitin MisraAugust 26, 23Sony

Sony is building a strong line-up in the gaming category to complement the PlayStation, with the latest news confirming that it has acquired gaming headset brand Audeze this week. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Audeze, a leading audio technology brand and pioneer of high-end gaming headsets. The goal of this acquisition is to strengthen SIE’s efforts to continue to innovate the audio experience for PlayStation games, the company said in a statement. Although the company has been acquired by Sony,…

The GST Council has imposed a 28 per cent tax on the full face value of bets placed on online games. (BGMI)

Krafton India Requests Government Assistance to Advance Online Gaming

Adarsh V.KAugust 25, 23BGMI, krafton

On Thursday, Krafton India, the creators of the widely played online game BGMI, called for government assistance in boosting the growth of the online gaming sector in the nation. Sean Hyunil Sohn, Managing Director of Krafto India, highlighted the subsidies provided by countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Canada to game companies for labor costs and stated that the country can find innovative ways to promote the industry. “The data actually shows how governments around the world see gaming as one of the future growth drivers for job…

The guest roster also includes Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg and others.

Lara Croft Joins Call of Duty’s Battle Against War

Jim HendlerAugust 25, 23activision, Call of Duty, Gaming, Tomb Raider

The Call of Duty franchise is further embracing the trend set by Fortnite, as it reveals that the iconic character Lara Croft from Tomb Raider will be joining the roster of playable characters. Lara Croft will make her appearance in both Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare II, following the inclusion of real-life celebrities such as Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, Kevin Durant, and several characters from the popular Prime Video series The Boys. Publisher Activision hasn’t released details on how you’ll get Lara Croft on your side, though you’ll…

Audeze will continue to make audio products for multiple platforms.

PlayStation Acquires High-End Audio Brand Audeze

Nitin MisraAugust 24, 23Audio, Gaming, PlayStation, Sony

Sony Interactive Entertainment, the division responsible for PlayStation, has announced its intention to expand its presence in the audio industry. In pursuit of this goal, the company has entered into an agreement to acquire Audeze, a renowned manufacturer of high-quality headphones. The acquisition aims to enhance the audio experience of PlayStation games and further Sony’s commitment to innovation in this field. The specific details of the deal have not been revealed. Audeze will continue to operate independently and develop products for multiple platforms while “benefiting from being part of the…

Xbox chief Phil Spencer agreed to let Larian only offer split-screen co-op on the Series X.

Baldur’s Gate III to Launch on Xbox After Series S Agreement

Adarsh V.KAugust 24, 23Gaming, Microsoft, xbox, Xbox series s, Xbox series x

Baldur’s Gate III, which has been hailed as the summer’s standout game, has yet to be released on consoles. Larian Studios, the developer, has adopted a patient approach, prioritizing the game’s readiness before launching it on different platforms. Following its successful debut on Windows after leaving early access, Baldur’s Gate III will be available on PlayStation 5 and macOS starting September 6th. Although the specific release date for Xbox remains uncertain, Larian has now officially announced that the expansive RPG will arrive on Microsoft’s consoles later in the year. The…

This is the fourth batch of improvements released this year.

Robots and Freighter Combat Added to ‘No Man’s Sky’ in Latest Update

Nitin MisraAugust 24, 23Gaming, Hello Games

No Man’s Sky, a game that was initially unsuccessful upon its release seven years ago, has undergone significant updates by developer Hello Games. These updates have gradually enhanced the game’s features and popularity, surpassing the initial expectations. This year alone, three substantial updates have been released, and now a fourth update, No Man’s Sky: Echos, has been introduced to celebrate the game’s seventh anniversary. The update brings some cool new gameplay elements, such as sentient robot competition, which promises “rich, new story content” and the ability to create your own…

'Dark Forces' is coming soon for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Nightdive Studios to Remaster ‘Star Wars: Dark Forces’ and ‘Turok 3’

Adarsh V.KAugust 24, 23Gaming, Star Wars

Nightdive Studios, a renowned company specializing in revamping and enhancing classic video games for contemporary gaming systems like Quake II, has revealed plans to release remastered editions of Star Wars: Dark Forces and Turok 3 Shadow of Oblivion. For the Dark Forces project, Nightdive collaborated with Lucasfilm Games to rejuvenate the game using their advanced KEX Engine. The Dark Forces is a first-person shooter developed by the now-defunct LucasArts and first released nearly 30 years ago in 1995. This new version supports 4K gameplay at 120 FPS and features cut…

In this exclusive interview, Roby John, CEO, SuperGaming, reveals how to get into game development and discusses the state of battle royale games in India.

SuperGaming CEO Offers Advice On Video Game Creation, Announces Upcoming Indian Battle Royale ‘Indus’

Adarsh V.KAugust 24, 23Gaming

The Battle Royale genre stands out prominently among all gaming styles in India, with several games – such as BGMI and Garena Free Fire – that have deeply engaged the youth of India. In addition, the popularity of Indian game content producers has grown sharply – largely driven by mobile gaming. And now that the mobile gaming market is maturing, Indian developers like SuperGaming are taking the responsibility and making sure that India is represented well when it comes to gaming. ReturnByte Tech’s Shaurya Sharma participated in a discussion on…

It has yet to announce an exact date.

Amazon Prime Video to Stream Fallout Series in 2024

Adarsh V.KAugust 24, 23Amazon, Entertainment, Gaming

The Fallout TV series, which Amazon has been working on, will finally debut on Prime Video in 2024. This announcement comes more than three years after the company initially revealed its plans to adapt the popular franchise with the creators of Westworld. A teaser of the upcoming series was presented by Bethesda’s Todd Howard and Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer at Gamescom’s Xbox booth, leaving fans eager to see whether it will be a success or a disappointment. 📍 Vault 33Location: Los Angeles Fallout, an original series, coming to Prime…

The $650, 24.5-inch display can be all yours next month.

Alienware Launches AMD FreeSync Premium 500Hz Gaming Monitor

Adarsh V.KAugust 24, 23Alienware, AMD, Dell, Gaming, monitor

Alienware, during CES in January, introduced its initial 500Hz Fast IPS monitor, specifically created for high-performance gaming. The Dell brand is now preparing to launch an updated edition of the monitor, targeting individuals who possess AMD graphics cards. Alienware notes that the monitor’s AMD FreeSync Premium and VESA AdaptiveSync certifications can enable tear-free gaming. The AW2524HF has a low response time of 0.5ms, which Alienware says eliminates motion blur and ghosting. The screen is HDR10 compatible and has 99 percent sRGB color coverage. The Fast IPS panel is said to…

There's also a broader Pro release with haptics and a headphone jack.

Razer Launches Xbox-Themed Kishi V2 Controller with Colorful Design

Febin MathewAugust 24, 23Gaming, xbox

Razer is set to launch a special version of its popular Kishi V2 mobile gaming controller specifically designed for Xbox. This edition will be offered in two variants, one compatible with iPhone and the other with Android phones, and will incorporate numerous Xbox-focused features. Notably, the controllers will showcase recognizable Xbox branding and a cohesive white color scheme. Xbox integration isn’t just cosmetic. There’s updated companion software that takes full advantage of the brand partnership, including full integration with Game Pass and new haptics to match AAA Xbox games. This…

EA is also severing ties with a third-party company that was helping with 'Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.'

BioWare Downsizes Staff to Increase Efficiency and Focus

Sanjay PatilAugust 24, 23Electronic Arts, Gaming, Layoffs

BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, is set to cut around 50 positions as its parent company, Electronic Arts, aims to transform it into a more streamlined and concentrated studio. BioWare’s general manager, Gary McKay, stated that the reorganization was necessary to adapt to the studio’s changing requirements and was deemed unavoidable. “After much thought and careful planning, we’ve built a long-term vision that preserves the studio’s health and allows us to do what we do best: create exceptional story-driven single-player experiences filled with expansive worlds and…

Games and apps in the Epic First Run program will also benefit from extra exposure on the storefront.

Epic Games Store Announces Six-Month Exclusivity Deal with 100% Revenue Share for Developers

Nitin MisraAugust 24, 23Business, epic games, Gaming

In an effort to expand its PC storefront, Epic Games is making new offers to third-party developers in hopes of acquiring more exclusive titles. Under the latest proposals, eligible game and app creators will receive 100 percent of net revenue for six months. Following the exclusivity period, developers and publishers will continue to earn 88 percent of their projects’ revenue, while Epic Games will retain a 12 percent share. The company, which says its launch pad and store has 68 million monthly active users, is also giving Epic First Run…

This is the first security partner to be added to the dev portal.

Nintendo Switch Developers Can Utilize Denuvo to Combat Piracy

Adriana MaraisAugust 23, 23Gaming, Nintendo Switch

Since its inception, the Nintendo Switch emulation community has been flourishing secretly, thanks to an initial hardware vulnerability. The process of illegally obtaining and playing Switch games on various devices such as PCs, portable consoles like the Steam Deck, and less powerful Android phones has been relatively straightforward. This poses a significant challenge for Nintendo, prompting them to collaborate with cybersecurity firm Irdeto and utilize their anti-tampering software suite, Denuvo, in order to combat this issue. Denuvo is one of the most popular software packages for minimizing tampering and related…

One of the new chips is the follow-up to Snapdragon G3x, which powers the Razer Edge.

Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon G Series Chips for Handheld and Mobile Gaming

Jim HendlerAugust 23, 23Gaming, Qualcomm

Qualcomm has introduced the next iteration of its Snapdragon G3x chip, which currently powers the Razer Edge. This release also includes two additional platforms that mark the debut of Qualcomm’s new line of Snapdragon gaming chips. The Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, positioned as the flagship tier, is specifically designed to cater to enthusiasts with its exceptional features and performance. It is capable of effortlessly handling the most challenging cross-platform gaming titles. The company said the G3x Gen 2’s CPU performance is 30 percent faster than its predecessor, while its GPU…

The company has revealed more about its first wireless earbuds for PS5 as well as another set of headphones.

Sony’s PlayStation Portal: A $200 Handheld Device for PS5 Game Streaming

Adarsh V.KAugust 23, 23Gaming, PlayStation, PlayStation 5, ps5, Sony

Sony has recently provided additional information about the PlayStation Portal remote player, a device they had previously hinted at a few months ago. Alongside new gaming earbuds, the company has now disclosed further details about this dedicated remote play device for the PlayStation 5. The handheld looks a bit like a tablet wedged between the two halves of the DualSense controller. It can stream games from your PS5 console, so when someone else is using the TV or you’re in another room (or even traveling), you can still play remotely…