News stories tagged with #Gaming
ASUS Unveils New TUF Gaming and Republic of Gamers Strix Laptops with Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
ASUS has unveiled its 2026 TUF Gaming laptop lineup and relaunched the Republic of Gamers Strix series with the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processors. The new models combine powerful hardware with enhanced cooling systems to deliver optimal performance for demanding gaming and content creation tasks. Designed to appeal to a broad range of users—from hardcore gamers to content creators—the devices highlight ASUS’ commitment to innovation and high performance in the gaming laptop market.
Battlefield 6: Free Trial Launches March 2026 with New Map and Season 2 Debut
Electronic Arts announces a one-week free trial for Battlefield 6 from March 17 to 24, 2026, featuring the new Hagental-Basis map in the Bavarian Alps and various game modes from Season 2 'Nightfall'. Players can carry over their progress to the full version, with the update also introducing new weapons, motorcycles, and improvements to vehicles, AI, and user interface.
Sony announced several major updates for the PlayStation platform in March 2026. These include the release of AAA titles such as Madden NFL 26, Metal Eden, and Persona 5 Royal for PlayStation Plus starting March 17, expanded support for the enhanced PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) in games like Silent Hill f and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and a temporary PlayStation Network outage. Sony also confirmed that frame generation technology will arrive eventually, while an insider downplayed the likelihood of a dedicated PlayStation PC launcher.
As global memory prices continue to rise due to supply chain disruptions and high demand from the AI sector, Australian retailers are refusing to replace defective Corsair DDR5 RAM modules, citing financial benefits from price increases. DDR5 memory prices have surged over 400% and are not expected to normalize until 2028, according to analysts. In response, Taiwanese manufacturer V-Color has launched 1+1 DDR5 kits featuring a real memory module and an optical RGB filler module, offering gamers a cost-effective and visually appealing way to upgrade their systems.
Sony is facing a $2.7 billion lawsuit in the UK over alleged monopoly practices on the PlayStation Store, while simultaneously launching the Hyperpop Collection for PS5 accessories. Meanwhile, the gaming industry commemorates the 15th anniversary of Crysis 2 and reflects on key historical moments, including the Anti-Cracker Law and Dell’s acquisition of Alienware.
TinyCorp Calls for 96-GB AMD GPU While Nvidia Unveils 9-GB RTX 5050
AI startup TinyCorp is calling on AMD to develop a 96-GB RDNA-5 GPU for around $2,500 to power a data center with 3,000 GPUs, while NVIDIA has unveiled the GeForce RTX 5050 with 9 GB of GDDR7 memory and a 130 W TDP, featuring a higher memory bandwidth of 336 GB/s. The card is positioned as the smallest variant of the RTX 50 series and is based on the larger GB206 GPU, with performance expected to match its predecessor despite reduced memory bandwidth. Meanwhile, the 2026 GPU benchmark ranking by PCGH compares 39 graphics cards from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel across four resolutions. TinyCorp's proposal faces skepticism due to the high cost of memory chips and current technological limitations.
Nvidia has released a new beta driver for Linux, significantly boosting GeForce GPU performance through enhanced Vulkan extensions and optimizations. CEO Jensen Huang emphasized Nvidia’s pivotal role in shaping the modern gaming industry and hailed Openclaw as the most important software release of all time. Meanwhile, the Vulkan API introduced the VK_KHR_device_address_commands extension, enabling direct use of device addresses. Early benchmarks of the new 595 driver showed substantial improvements in OpenGL, Vulkan, and GPU compute tasks, particularly on GeForce RTX 50 series cards.
Despite Record Sales: EA Lays Off Staff Across All Battlefield Studios
Despite Battlefield 6's record-breaking launch and strong sales, Electronic Arts has laid off employees across all four Battlefield studios, including DICE, Criterion Games, Ripple Effect, and Motive Studio. EA cited a need to refocus development teams on key community priorities, while affirming that Battlefield remains a top priority. The layoffs come as player numbers have sharply declined and the game faces growing pressure despite its initial success.
Apple Refreshes MacBook Lineup with M5 Chips: Performance, Efficiency, and Pro Model Issues
Apple has refreshed its entire MacBook lineup in 2026, introducing the new affordable MacBook Neo and M5 chips across the Air and Pro series. The MacBook Air 13 with the M5 SoC delivers exceptional energy efficiency and competitive performance despite passive cooling, while the Pro models with the M5 Max face performance limitations due to inadequate power delivery and cooling. The new lineup spans from budget-friendly to high-end options, with battery life unchanged despite performance gains.
Valve Delays Steam Machine Again – 2026 Release Amid Memory Shortages
Valve has delayed the release of the Steam Machine again to 2026 due to global shortages of memory components, despite earlier promises of a launch this year. The console, equipped with Zen 4 and RDNA 3, is expected to run Windows games via Proton, but exact release dates remain uncertain. Valve continues to aim for a first-half 2026 launch while facing persistent supply chain challenges. The delay raises concerns about the device’s competitiveness against Microsoft’s Project Helix and its ability to attract PC gamers.
Microsoft Confirms 'Project Helix' as Next-Gen Xbox with PC Game Support
Microsoft has confirmed the codename 'Project Helix' for its next-generation Xbox, which will support both console and PC games. The device will feature powerful AMD hardware with RDNA 5 graphics and is expected to launch in 2027, though delays are possible due to the DRAM crisis. This marks a shift toward a gaming PC-like console that could signal the end of the traditional Xbox console.
MSI is offering a free Crimson Desert Steam key with the purchase of select X870E and B850 motherboards from March 6 to April 6, 2026. The open-world action RPG, developed by Pearl Abyss, has now launched on PlayStation and Xbox Series X/S, following strong reception on PC, and impresses in PS5 Pro performance tests with 4K/60 FPS. Meanwhile, the indie horror game Order 13 has also arrived on consoles, adding to the growing roster of new gaming experiences.
Ubisoft Confirms Assassin's Creed Black Flag Remake and Announces Major Franchise Overhaul
Ubisoft has officially confirmed the remake of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, titled Black Flag Resynced, and released first artwork. The game will modernize the pirate adventure with updated graphics and gameplay systems. Additionally, the combat system of Assassin's Creed Hexe is being overhauled during late development, with a likely 2027 launch. Ubisoft also announced a free 60-FPS patch for Assassin's Creed Unity on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, set for March 5, 2026, as part of a broader strategy to revitalize the franchise.
Humble Bundle Launches Multiple Game Bundles for Steam Deck Users – From €10 to €16
Humble Bundle has launched several attractive game bundles for Steam Deck users, including the €13 and €16 deals as well as the 'Frost Fatales 2026' bundle. The offers include a total of 24 games, many of which are officially compatible with the Steam Deck and collectively have a value exceeding €400. Some bundles also support the ESA Foundation, which promotes educational opportunities through gaming.
Resident Evil Requiem: Record Sales, Steam Peak and New Fan Theories
Resident Evil Requiem by Capcom has sold over 6 million copies worldwide, making it the fastest-selling game in the series. Just days after release, it reached a new peak of 344,214 concurrent players on Steam and topped German sales charts. Set in Raccoon City, the game blends classic horror with modern action, following Leon S. Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft, while fan speculation has surged over Leon’s mysterious ring. Capcom has also teased a potential DLC in 2026 focusing on Leon, alongside new content to celebrate the milestone.
Ayaneo has unveiled the Pocket Air Mini in a limited B.Duck Edition, featuring a retro handheld in a striking yellow gradient with B.Duck design elements. Powered by the MediaTek Helio G90T, the device includes a 4:3 display and runs Android 11, with unchanged technical specifications. The limited edition is priced $10 higher than standard models and targets fans of both gaming and the popular B.Duck character.
AMD Launches Ryzen 5 5500X3D in China, Revitalizing AM4 Platform for Gamers
AMD has launched the Ryzen 5 5500X3D in China, expanding its availability beyond Latin America. The processor, based on Zen-3 architecture, features six cores, 12 threads, and a 3D V-Cache with 99 MB of total cache, making it a cost-effective option for gamers. This release keeps the AM4 platform alive and reinforces AMD’s continued support for the legacy platform, though it remains unavailable in Europe for now.
Bungie has released its new PvPvE extraction shooter Marathon, set in a science fiction world centered around a destroyed spaceship. The game has reached third place among the best-selling titles on Steam in the US, surpassing Arc Raiders, despite facing heavy criticism over its monetization. Ahead of its March 5, 2026 release, Bungie is conducting a free 'Server Slam' to test servers and matchmaking, while also announcing a major patch and responding to player feedback with planned UI improvements, balance adjustments, and Duo lobbies. Marathon will also be available on last-generation Xbox and PlayStation consoles, adding to its accessibility.
Resident Evil: Requiem Sets Steam Record and Earns International Acclaim
Resident Evil: Requiem set a new Steam record with 267,509 concurrent players at launch, surpassing the previous series peak and reaching over 320,000 on its first day. The game received overwhelmingly positive international reviews for its clear separation of survival horror and action elements, along with strong technical performance, detailed environments, and stable gameplay. While praised for its atmospheric tension and balance, it also faced criticism for missing customization options and technical issues such as crashes and performance fluctuations. Released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, Requiem marks one of the most successful launches in the franchise's history.