Velocity Micro, the premier builder of custom high-performance desktops, laptops, and workstations, is proud to announce the launch of the MX6 chassis, a meticulously designed modular desktop mini tower built to deliver superior airflow and modern aesthetics in an ultra-compact form factor.

Crafted with Velocity Micro's signature attention to detail, the MX6 combines sleek design elements with functional engineering to set a new benchmark for custom PC enclosures. Its mesh forward construction, build friendly interior, and robust modularity make it the perfect foundation for Velocity Micro's high-performance builds tailored to gamers, creators, and professionals alike.

Expanding its AI PC leadership, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced the Snapdragon X Platform, the 4th platform to join the Snapdragon X Series compute portfolio, designed to deliver performance, multi-day battery life, and Copilot+ PC experiences for even more users globally.

Redefining the PC Category for Mainstream Devices at $600
Utilizing the power of an 8-core Qualcomm Oryon CPU, Snapdragon X is delivering essential performance to the next-generation of PCs. This platform delivers up to 163% faster performance at ISO-power than our competitors who also require 168% more power at ISO-performance, the Snapdragon X processor balances performance and built-in intelligence with a 45 TOPS NPU that runs Copilot+ PC experiences more efficiently. With an integrated power efficient GPU, Snapdragon X supports dynamic graphics ideal for creating presentations, web browsing, or streaming content. Snapdragon X is an ideal solution for students, freelance workers, and budget-conscious consumers who need a reliable and powerful laptop that can keep up with their busy lives. Devices powered by Snapdragon X are expected to be available from leading OEMs including Acer, ASUS, Dell Technologies, HP and Lenovo in early 2025 enabling Copilot+ PCs in the $600 range.

MSI, a global leader in computing solutions, is excited to announce the launch of its latest innovation in mini PCs: the Cubi NUC AI Series. This new lineup features the Cubi NUC AI+ 2M and the Cubi NUC AI 1UM, both carefully designed to deliver exceptional performance in impressively compact formats.

Cubi NUC AI+ 2M: The Ultimate Copilot+ PC
Measuring just 0.826 liters, the Cubi NUC AI+ 2M sets a new standard for mini PCs. Despite its compact size, it is powered by an Intel Core Ultra Processor from the Lunar Lake platform and comes with AI tools designed to enhance productivity and improve the user experience. Equipped with a dedicated AI Boost NPU, it functions as a Copilot+ PC, seamlessly integrating with AI-driven applications like CoCreator, Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions, and Live Translation—making it ideal for both professional and personal use. One of its standout features is the one-touch fingerprint power button, which provides both security and convenience. Additionally, a dedicated Copilot button offers instant access to AI assistance, streamlining workflows and daily tasks. The built-in microphone and speaker further enrich the user experience, enabling smooth communication and voice-activated commands. Connectivity is another strong point, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one of which supports up to 100 W Power Delivery input. This means the Cubi NUC AI+ 2M can be powered directly through a monitor using a Type-C connection, minimizing cable clutter and simplifying your setup.

GMKTec is a relatively well-known brand of mini PCs that ships internationally from its official online store. The brand's latest offering, the K11, is an RGB-fied mini PC that sports adequately powerful internals for almost any task. At its core, the K11 is powered by the Ryzen 9 8945HS "Hawk Point" APU with eight Zen 4 cores and 16 threads. The system comes pre-installed with up to 32 GB of memory and a 2 TB SSD, both of which can be upgraded down the line.

The memory can be upgraded to a whopping 96 GB, whereas the storage can be upgraded to 8 TB via the dual M.2 slots. The integrated Radeon 780M GPU is decently powerful for most non-intensive workloads, but pushing it any further might be futile. For such cases, the OCuLink port will definitely come in handy, offering speedy eGPU connections that far outshine USB-based solutions. The cooling solution appears to be sufficient on paper, allowing the system to draw up to 70 watts.

Recent sales data (nicely complied by VideoCardz) from one of the largest German retailers, Mindfactory, has revealed that the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor has achieved higher unit sales than all Ryzen 9000 processors combined. Despite its later market entry, the eight-core 9800X3D CPU has reached 8,650 units sold, surpassing the combined sales of the earlier-released standard Ryzen 9000 processors. For comparison, the entire non-X3D Ryzen 9000 lineup, including the Ryzen 9 9950X, 9900X, Ryzen 7 9700X, and Ryzen 5 9600X, has accumulated fewer total sales through the same retailer. The flagship Ryzen 9 9950X alone accounts for just 780 units, while the Ryzen 9 9900X and Ryzen 5 9600X have moved 810 and 890 units, respectively, while the second-best selling 9000 series SKU was Ryzen 7 9700X with 2,510 units sold. However, the 9800X3D's market performance still falls significantly short of its predecessor. The previous generation Ryzen 7 7800X3D maintains a massive lead with 78,420 units sold through the same retailer.

AMD is preparing to expand its X3D lineup with several new models. The six-core Ryzen 5 9600X3D is scheduled for release, along with 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X3D and 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D variants expected later this month. Based on previous generation sales patterns, where higher-core models saw lower adoption rates, these upcoming high-end processors may face similar market dynamics. Of course, these sales figures are only a part of the story as Mindfactory is only a single retailer across a diverse set of sellers, so the complete market picture is unknown to anyone but AMD. PC upgrade cycles are a common bottleneck in new CPU sales, especially as consumers don't tend to upgrade their PCs every year with new CPUs and platforms. We have to wait and see how the market adapts to new X3D SKUs, and if the Zen 5 X3D CPUs can reach the previous generation fame among consumers.

Hong Kong tech media HKEPC report indicates that NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card will launch on January 21, 2025. The release follows a planned announcement event on January 6, where CEO Jensen Huang will present the new "Blackwell" architecture. Anticipated specifications based on prior rumors point to RTX 5080 using GB203-400-A1 chip, containing 10,752 CUDA cores across 84 SM. The card maintains 16 GB of memory but upgrades to GDDR7 technology running at 30 Gbps, while other cards in the series are expected to use 28 Gbps memory. The graphics card is manufactured using TSMC's 4NP 4 nm node. This improvement in manufacturing technology, combined with architectural changes, accounts for most of the expected performance gains, as the raw CUDA core count only increased by 10% over the RTX 4080. NVIDIA is also introducing larger segmentation between its Blackwell SKUs, as the RTX 5090 has nearly double CUDA cores and double GDDR7 memory capacity.

NVIDIA is organizing a GeForce LAN event two days before the announcement, marking the return of this gathering after 13 years, so the timing is interesting. NVIDIA wants to capture gamer's hearts with 50 hours of non-stop gameplay. Meanwhile, AMD currently has no competing products announced in the high-end graphics segment, leaving NVIDIA without direct competition in this performance tier. This market situation could affect the final pricing of the RTX 5080, which will be revealed during the January keynote. While the January 21 date appears set for the RTX 5080, launch dates for other cards in the Blackwell family, including the RTX 5090 and RTX 5070 series, remain unconfirmed. NVIDIA typically releases different models in their GPU families on separate dates to manage production and distribution effectively.

Intel has officially announced its presence at CES 2025, teasing what appears to be a significant focus on AI capabilities in its upcoming processor lineup. The tech giant shared a preview image featuring their tagline "AI Inside for a New Era." The announcement suggests that the company will be showcasing new developments in AI processing capabilities integrated directly into their consumer processors. Intel's upcoming lineup is expected to feature the mobile-focused "Arrow Lake" Core Ultra 200H/HX processors alongside the Arrow Lake-based Core Ultra 200S series designed for desktop systems with 35 W and 65 W power configurations. The company is also supposedly introducing new mid-range and workstation-class 800-series processors for desktop platforms.

The "AI Inside" messaging indicates that Intel is positioning itself to compete more aggressively in the AI computing space, particularly as PCs increasingly handle AI workloads locally. While specific details about the presentation remain under wraps, we can anticipate announcements regarding new Arrow Lake configurations, enhanced AI capabilities, and possibly new partnerships or software ecosystems designed to leverage these features. The keynote could also shed light on Intel's strategy for maintaining competitiveness in an increasingly AI-focused computing landscape. Michelle Johnston Holthaus, interim co-CEO, and Jack Weast, an Intel Fellow and VP of Intel Automotive, will deliver the live keynote. Intel's agenda also shows next-generation AI silicon so we can get information on accelerators like Falcon Shores.

A Delaware jury has delivered a mixed verdict in the high-stakes licensing dispute between Qualcomm and Arm, with Qualcomm securing a significant but incomplete victory. The jury unanimously found that Qualcomm's use of Oryon cores in its Snapdragon X processors for client PCs did not violate its licensing agreements with Arm. The case centered on Qualcomm's $1.4 billion acquisition of Nuvia in 2021 and subsequent use of Nuvia's processor designs. Arm had alleged that Nuvia's licensing terms couldn't transfer automatically to Qualcomm and demanded renegotiation of the agreements. When Qualcomm proceeded with development, Arm insisted the designs be destroyed. During the trial, Gerard Williams III, the lead developer of Oryon cores and former Apple engineer, testified that the final design contained less than 1% of Arm technology.

This testimony supported Qualcomm's position that its existing architecture license covered products designed by its subsidiaries. While Qualcomm celebrated the verdict allowing continued development of its Snapdragon X processors, the jury deadlocked whether Nuvia violated its original agreement with Arm, specifically about permitting server processor development. This impasse has prompted Arm to announce its intention to seek a retrial on this unresolved count. "We are disappointed that the jury was unable to reach consensus across the claims," Arm stated, wanting to protect its intellectual property and ecosystem. Meanwhile, Qualcomm expressed satisfaction with the decision, stating the verdict "vindicated Qualcomm's right to innovate." The stakes remain high for both companies. Qualcomm relies on its Oryon cores to compete in the PC market, where it currently holds a 0.8% share of Q3 2024 shipments, while Arm derives approximately $300 million annually from Qualcomm, representing 10% of its revenue.

According to recently discovered shipping manifests, Intel is developing a new processor series codenamed "Wildcat Lake," potentially succeeding their entry-level "Intel Processor" lineup based on Alder Lake-N. The documents, revealed by x86deadandback, suggest a 2025 launch timeline for these chips targeting lightweight laptops and mini-PCs. The shipping records from October 30 mention CPU reball equipment compatible with BGA 1516 sockets, measuring 35 x 25 mm, indicating early validation testing is underway. These processors are expected to be manufactured using Intel's advanced 18A process technology, sharing the same manufacturing node as the upcoming Panther Lake series. Early technical specifications of Wildcat Lake point to a hybrid architecture combining next-generation "Cougar Cove" performance cores with "Darkmont" low-power efficiency (LPE) cores in a 2P+4LPE configuration.

This design appears to separate the core clusters, departing from traditional shared ring bus arrangements, similar to the approach taken in Intel's Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake processors. While Wildcat Lake's exact position in Intel's product stack remains unclear, it could serve as a modernized replacement for the what were Pentium and Celeron processor families. These chips traditionally power devices like Chromebooks, embedded systems, and home servers, with the new series potentially offering significant performance improvements for these market segments. The processor is expected to operate in the sub-double-digit TDP power envelope, positioning it below the more powerful Lunar Lake series. Graphics capabilities will likely be more modest than Lunar Lake's Xe2 architecture, aligning with its entry-level market positioning.

OTK's premium prebuilt PC manufacturer Starforge Systems is launching their latest limited-edition case bundle featuring artwork inspired by the fan-favorite action-adventure sandbox game, Terraria. Officially licensed by Re-Logic, the brand-new line includes a custom design across a wide spectrum of products, including a desk mat, case, wall art, and THREE different plate light inserts.

Released in 2011, Terraria invites players to explore, craft, build, paint, and engage in combat with a variety of creatures in a procedurally generated 2D world. The Starforge Systems x Terraria PC features a beautiful pixel art Lian Li 011 EVO case and contains an AMD R5 7600X and an AMD Radeon XFX RX 7800 XT. It also features a 1 TB NV3 and 32 GB of DDR5 Ram.

The Xbox gaming handheld is reportedly in the early stages of development at Microsoft, but in the meantime, the PC giant is apparently working on unifying its gaming experience across the various platforms where its games are available. According to a Windows Central report, Microsoft is working on something called Project Rainway, which is "a set of in-game APIs and user interface features," that will take shape as a cross-platform Xbox user interface. This news comes after Microsoft's recent "This is an Xbox" ad campaign and some pretty notable changes to its Xbox Game Bar to make that more compatible with gaming handhelds. How this new API and UI will take shape is yet to be seen, but it will likely further blur the line between gaming consoles and PCs—something that the Valve Steam Deck has also done in the years since its launch.

This seems to align with Microsoft's current strategy around gaming, which has seen Microsoft Gaming head, Phil Spencer, confirm that the company is both working on its own gaming handheld and that, in the meantime, it is focussed on making the Xbox gaming experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible on current gaming hardware. Xbox is also seemingly moving away from console exclusives as a concept, as we reported earlier this month, and, according to Windows Central's sources at least, this is partly because Microsoft has noticed no measurable impact on Xbox performance as a result of moving Xbox exclusives over to other consoles.

Bethesda has released the big Update 2 for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle game with additional fixes, including the big fix where the Game Slot appears damaged or completely missing, as this issue was apparently plaguing many users. Update 2 also reduces stutter from duplicated frames during cutscenes, as well as fixes to prevent "double vision" getting stuck on screen when Indy has almost drowned.

There are also several PC specific fixes including the one for where NVIDIA Frame Generation wasn't activated properly with HDR, a fix for NVIDIA Low Latency Mode performance issues when used with Frame Generation, a fix for global illumination being completely disabled on graphics cards below minimum VRAM requirement, issues with Lighting when Path Tracing is set to Medium or High Quality, and more. The Update 2 should also fix major performance issues when NVIDIA DLSS is enabled. There are several gameplay fixes which you can check out below. All of these NVIDIA-specific issues are still somewhat present and some users over at Reddit are still experiencing issues. Some users are reporting several workarounds, including a clean installation of drivers, or enabling and disabling Frame Generation, DLSS, HDR, and other settings.

Dauntless's recent Steam launch proved disastrous, thanks to some changes the developer made to the core gameplay, which we covered in more detail here. Phoenix Labs responded shortly after the controversy, but that original statement was largely seen as dismissive by the community. Now, Phoenix Labs has put out yet another response, this time responding to individual criticisms and laying out a detailed plan for the future of Dauntless.

In the response, Phoenix Labs starts off by apologizing to the community for the lost progression and disastrous Awakening update. Throughout the rest of the statement, the developer breaks down how it plans to address each of the criticisms, including the progression reset, monetization, and core gameplay changes. The most interesting take-away from Phoenix Labs's response is that the returning players will be rewarded with additional in-game resources—300,000 Rams and 5,000 Combat Merits as well as Peerless Aetherite, scaling based on how many weapons players had crafted before the update—to get them back up to speed in the new system. As of Update 2.2.0, dropping "early next year," players will also no longer have to re-do quests they had already previously completed in order to unlock all game modes and regions. Various challenges and monsters have also received reward drop buffs to speed up progression. Monetization changes include making the free battle pass for future seasons more rewarding, and Phoenix Labs also promised to re-evaluate the monetization strategy in future updates "to balance sustainability with fairness while remaining rewarding for players." As for core gameplay changes, Phoenix Labs has already implemented changes to armor perks, shield caps, and weapon buffs based on feedback, and it says that it will continue to find more ways to add diversity and depth to player builds in future updates.

A high-stakes trial between technology giants Arm and Qualcomm has revealed deeper tensions in the semiconductor industry, as Arm seeks the destruction of chip designs from Qualcomm's $1.4 billion Nuvia acquisition. The case, being heard in Delaware federal court, centers on a licensing dispute that could impact the future of AI-powered Windows PCs. Arm CEO Rene Haas took the stand Monday, adding allegations that Qualcomm violated licensing agreements following its 2021 acquisition of chip startup Nuvia. The issue is whether Qualcomm should pay Nuvia's higher royalty rates for using Arm's intellectual property rather than its own lower rates. Internal documents revealed Nuvia's rates were "many multiples" higher than Qualcomm's, with the acquisition potentially reducing Arm's revenue by $50 million.

During cross-examination, Qualcomm's legal team challenged Arm's motives, suggesting the dispute is part of a broader strategy to confront a customer increasingly viewed as a competitor. When presented with documents outlining potential plans for Arm to design its own chips, Haas downplayed these ambitions, emphasizing that Arm has never entered chip manufacturing. Allegedly, Arm sent letters to Qualcomm's customers, including Samsung, warning about possible disruption if Nuvia's IP design before acquisition in 2021 must be destroyed. Haas defended these communications, citing frequent inquiries from industry partners.

On the morning of the launch of Warframe 1999, the ambitious 90s-themed update and story expansion for sci-fi-fantasy looter-shooter Warframe, Digital Extremes published the update notes for Warframe 1999, which launched in the morning of December 13. Warframe 1999 introduces a new tile-set, called Höllvania, alongside its companion cinematic quest, which will send players back in time to discover the Protoframes and help find the Protoframe creator, Albrecht Entrati. Players will form part of an underground resistance team alongside the Protoframes, although players will not play as the Protoframes or even their own Warframes in 1999. Instead, players will travel to Höllvania and complete the new Hex quest as Drifter. Höllvania has its own seasons, and players will enter the new area in winter.

The update also adds new quests and mission types in the new map, which see players hunt down and stop the Techrot and Scaldra in a number of classic Warframe game modes, including assassination, exterminate, and Warframe's first PvPvE mode. Along with the new game modes, there is also a new Warframe—appropriately called Cyte-09, sticking with the 90s theme—who looks to be something of an all-rounder, thanks to his abilities. Cyte-09 also drops with his own signature rifle, the Reconifex, which applies a heat effect and reload speed buff on timed reloads, and the Vesper77 secondary, which appears to be a critical-based sidearm that highlights weak points when aiming down the sights. There are also a number of changes coming to Warframe's core gameplay, including the introduction of the Atomicycle motorcycle, which will be available for all open maps, and the long-awaited Nyx and Trinity reworks. Find out more about the more minor changes in the full Warframe 1999 patch notes.

At The Game Awards, Saber Interactive, in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, revealed Turok: Origins, a new evolution of the classic dinosaur-hunting game franchise that began nearly 30 years ago. Developed and published by Saber, this fast-paced, third-person, sci-fi shooter, featuring both solo and cooperative action for up to three players, will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Watch the debut trailer now and get your very first look at the epic gameplay and spectacle of Turok: Origins.

Turok: Origins revives the legendary game franchise's action and spirit while bringing it forward into the modern era with a completely new look, story, and gameplay. Players will take on the role of fierce Turok warriors to face off against ferocious dinosaurs and a terrifying alien threat that seeks to destroy all human life in the galaxy. Fans can unleash devastating attacks on enemies with weapons and abilities, and harness fallen enemies' DNA to upgrade their arsenal. Players will embark on a high-stakes adventure - solo or with friends - to unravel mysteries that hold the key to saving humanity.

The call to go beyond the stars is here once again, and it's bigger, bolder, and more unpredictable than ever. We just revealed a first gameplay trailer for The Outer Worlds 2 during The Game Awards 2024, promising a fresh adventure in a brand-new colony next year. No really, we know we're not supposed to promise things in marketing, but the setting is completely new, so this is all factual. Just don't break the colony again. We're looking at each of you who sent the Hope into the sun in the last game.

In true Obsidian Entertainment fashion, you carve your path through Arcadia, a colony teeming with factions, intrigue, and chaos. It's also home of skip drive technology and where the fate of the entire colony - and the galaxy - rests. As a daring, undeniably good-looking, and questionably competent Earth Directorate agent, you're tasked with uncovering the source of devastating rifts threatening the entire galaxy. Talk about stakes (not to be confused with raptidon steaks, those are very different)! The choice of how to deal with the rifts is up to you. "Your worlds, your way," as we say at Obsidian.

This evening at The Game Awards 2024 show, Square Enix announced that FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH is set for a PC launch on January 23, 2025. Pre-orders are now live on Steam and Epic Games stores.

The PC version introduces new features and customizations to take full advantage of the platform:

• LIGHTING - Lighting has been adjusted, and the game's overall rendering of light is significantly improved. The updated areas and cutscenes present with even greater beauty and clarity than before.
• FRAMERATE AND RESOLUTION - NVIDIA DLSS support means that frame rates can be enhanced and image quality upscaled. There is now also support for variable refresh rate (VRR).
• TEXTURES - The Level of Detail (LoD) for background models and MIP maps for background textures can both be freely configured in the options settings. With this background polygon density and texture density can be set higher than was previously possible, allowing for gameplay with higher-quality graphics.

Today at The Game Awards 2024, Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, revealed Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The action game is an all-new adventure in the classic Onimusha franchise. The series' first new installment in nearly two decades, Onimusha: Way of the Sword returns to a dark fantasy feudal Japan where samurai clash with the supernatural in cutting-edge combat. Onimusha: Way of the Sword launches worldwide in 2026 for PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam.

Onimusha is rooted in the Sengoku period, Japan's legendary age of warring states. The games infuse history with Japanese folklore to tell tales of warriors who wield the mystical power of the Oni. These heroes are drawn into conflict with the Genma, relentless monsters hellbent on conquering the world. The franchise debuted in 2001 and instantly captivated players with its satisfying sword-based combat and exhilarating "Issen" counterattack mechanics. The series also gained recognition for its spellbinding stories portraying historical figures and real events in a dark fantasy setting. Now, having grown in popularity as one of Capcom's best-selling properties, Onimusha is entering a whole new era.

Update 2.2 is the fruit of a close collaboration between CD PROJEKT RED and Virtuos, a studio known for its work on many well-known AAA games for consoles and PC. It is available to all owners of Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

As part of Update 2.2, players will access new character customization options - including new variants of cosmetic cyberware, tattoos, makeup options, and more. That's not the only thing players can now modify - all luxury or sports cars that have partnered with Rayfield now have access to exclusive CrystalCoat technology, meaning players can swap out the colors of select rides. Changes have also been made to Photo Mode, which now boasts additional features - including improved camera modes, the ability to spawn up to three additional characters in the scene, increased camera range, and new lighting options. Players will also be able to enjoy the presence of Johnny Silverhand in the passenger seat as they drive through the city of dreams. On top of it all, Update 2.2 also brings a number of technical improvements and more secrets to Night City.

Refurbished Steam Decks have been a more affordable way to get into the handheld gaming PC space for a while now, but Valve just announced that it has now added the OLED version of the Steam Deck to its official refurbished device line-up. Now, you can get your hands on a Steam Deck OLED for as little as $439 for the 512 GB variant or $519 for the 1 TB version—a healthy $110 and $130 cheaper compared to new units, respectively.

Valve claims the refurbished Steam Deck units—generally customer returns—are functionally identical to new stock units, and it says that there is a strict inspection and testing process for all returned Steam Decks that go into the refurbished program. The only material difference between factory new and refurbished units are "cosmetic defects to be small blemishes or scratches (on the plastic casing, not the screen) generally caused from normal handling of the unit," and these will obviously vary from device to device. In case anything goes wrong, Valve offers the same warranty and support for the refurbished units as it does for its factory new Steam Decks. Unfortunately, the refurbished Steam Deck OLEDs are only available in Canada, the EU, the UK, and the US. Other regions are stuck with regular MSRP Steam Decks or third-party refurbished or used handheld consoles.

After the fiasco surrounding the cancelled press previews and delayed upcoming launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows, it appears that Ubisoft is doing something of a redemption tour in order to garner hype for the latest installment in the Assassin's Creed franchise. Previously, news about AC Shadows's simultaneous console and Steam launch was quite positively received. Now, Ubisoft has given us a full overview of what's to come regarding the combat mechanics in Assassin's Creed Shadows. While the weapons and unit types in Shadows are certainly interesting, perhaps the most important take-away is that timing will be an important aspect to combat.

One of the most important mechanics behind Assassin's Creed Shadows's combat seems to be the character and weapon choices. The samurai, Yasuke, and the shinobi, Naoe, will supposedly come with their own versions of stealth, defensive, and offensive attacks, and each will have their own weapons, to bring some diversity to the gameplay of each character. It looks like each of the different weapon classes will be locked to either character and play style. At launch, Naoe will have three weapons to choose from, and Yasuke will have a broader selection of five weapons to choose from.

It's no secret that 2024 hasn't been kind to live-service games, with recent months seeing games like XDefiant and Concord shut down—although not always without reason—so it's a bit refreshing to see the recently released Marvel Rivals hit what can only be described as a home run. Not only is the game already at "Mostly Positive" in terms of Steam reviews, the free-to-play hero shooter also managed to draw in massive amounts of players in its first week on Steam. According to SteamDB, Marvel Rivals peaked at 444,286 concurrent players a mere two and a half hours after its launch on Friday, December 6.

The game launched on the same day as Path of Exile 2, which had an equally successful launch, despite its Early Access fee and some serious technical hiccups along the way. These two games have not been the norm, although Marvel Rivals signals that gaming properties based on Marvel characters may have finally found their audience. In previous years, both Marvel's Midnight Suns and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy made their own impacts, scoring big with both reviewers and audiences. Of course, neither of the aforementioned games garnered quite the player count as Marvel Rivals, but that's likely simply due to the free-to-play nature of Rivals.

Path of Exile 2 today released in Early Access on Steam and consoles, and, despite the game's $29.99 Early Access pricing, it has already managed to amass a peak player count of over 458,920 players on Steam alone. While this is undoubtedly good news for the developer and publisher, the increased server load has apparently already caused problems, resulting in excessive queue times to get into game sessions. At the time of writing, the game has only been available to play for a little over four hours, and the player count is only beginning to plateau now.

According to the Path of Exile X account, the development team has been hard at work trying to stem the bleeding, as it were. So far, the Path of Exile website has been down several times due to the high traffic, preventing players from claiming their Steam keys. Additionally, and somewhat hilariously, this outage has also affected the "Early Access Live Updates" site that was meant to be a resource for gamers to keep track of work the live service team was doing to try and deal with the high launch-day volumes.

The annual Game Awards is just around the corner, with the opening night scheduled for December 12, and gaming industry big-shots have teased that there are big announcements coming. One such announcement is the reveal of the second Borderlands 4 trailer, which is all but confirmed for The Game Awards, thanks to Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software. We already know the game is planned for release sometime in 2025, but fans are itching to know more about what's to come from the looter shooter that dominated the early 2010s. Around the same time, Andy Robinson, CEO of Video Game Chronicle, teased that he is "Expecting a VERY big Game Awards next week," going on to hype up his followers with "Fire up the hype train."

Pitchford, who has a reputation for being very active on X, recently posted a not-so-subtle confirmation that Gearbox was working on a new trailer for Borderlands 4. Without revealing much more, Pitchford teased that the next trailer would start where the first left off, suggesting that we may find out more about whom the cybernetic arm at the end of the teaser trailer belongs to. So far, prevailing fan theories and speculation around the owner of said arm propose that it is a hint at the return of Gaige, a playable character, and fan favorite, from Borderlands 2. This is a plausible guess, since the Borderlands franchise is known for bringing back characters from previous games, and it wouldn't be the first time we will have seen a former playable character turn NPC.