This Week in Gaming (Week 26)
Sun, 22 Jun 2025
Welcome to the halfway point of 2025 and it's the slowest week of new releases we've had in a while, with this week's major release being a JPRG from SEGA. This is followed by another Asian game, but in a very different style, some zombie killing, but in a cute Asian way, another RPG, but about teenagers, a 25th anniversary remaster of a classic and finally a 2.5D platformer.
Persona5: The Phantom X / This week's major release / Thursday 26 June
The Persona series, which has sold over 23.5 million copies worldwide, welcomes its first mobile/PC release with its newest entry. Featuring a brand-new story and a cast of captivating new characters, the world of P5X offers an experience that both Persona5 fans and newcomers alike can enjoy. Steam link
Persona5: The Phantom X / This week's major release / Thursday 26 June
The Persona series, which has sold over 23.5 million copies worldwide, welcomes its first mobile/PC release with its newest entry. Featuring a brand-new story and a cast of captivating new characters, the world of P5X offers an experience that both Persona5 fans and newcomers alike can enjoy. Steam link
Thanks to a new comparison video from the YouTube channel MxBenchmarkPC, the Paris Tech Demo by Scans Factory is put through its paces on an RTX 5080, running side by side in Unreal Engine 5.6 and version 5.4 with hardware Lumen enabled. That way, we get to see what Epic Games has done with the hardware optimization in the latest release. In GPU‑limited scenarios, the upgrade is immediately clear, with frame rates jumping by as much as 25% thanks to better utilization of graphics resources, even if that means the card draws a bit more power to deliver the boost. When the CPU becomes the bottleneck, Unreal Engine 5.6 really pulls ahead, smoothing out frame-time spikes and delivering up to 35% higher throughput compared to the older build. Beyond the raw numbers, the new version also refines Lumen's visuals. Lighting feels more accurate, and reflections appear crisper while maintaining the same level of shadow and ambient occlusion detail that developers expect.
Unreal Engine 5.6 was officially launched earlier this month, just after Epic Games wrapped its Unreal Fest keynote, where it teased many of these improvements. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing enhancements now shift more of the Lumen global illumination workload onto modern GPUs, and a Fast Geometry Streaming plugin makes loading vast, static worlds feel seamless and stutter-free. Animators will appreciate the revamped motion trails interface, which speeds up keyframe adjustments, and new device profiles automatically tune settings to hit target frame rates on consoles and high‑end PCs. To showcase what's possible, Epic teamed up with CD Projekt Red for a The Witcher IV tech demo that runs at a steady 60 FPS with ray tracing fully enabled on the current-gen PlayStation 5 console. If you're curious to dive in, you can download Unreal Engine 5.6 Paris - Fontaine Saint-Michel Tech Demo today and explore it for yourself on your PC.
Unreal Engine 5.6 was officially launched earlier this month, just after Epic Games wrapped its Unreal Fest keynote, where it teased many of these improvements. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing enhancements now shift more of the Lumen global illumination workload onto modern GPUs, and a Fast Geometry Streaming plugin makes loading vast, static worlds feel seamless and stutter-free. Animators will appreciate the revamped motion trails interface, which speeds up keyframe adjustments, and new device profiles automatically tune settings to hit target frame rates on consoles and high‑end PCs. To showcase what's possible, Epic teamed up with CD Projekt Red for a The Witcher IV tech demo that runs at a steady 60 FPS with ray tracing fully enabled on the current-gen PlayStation 5 console. If you're curious to dive in, you can download Unreal Engine 5.6 Paris - Fontaine Saint-Michel Tech Demo today and explore it for yourself on your PC.
NetEase Games and 24 Entertainment (Lin'an) Studio today unveiled Blood Message, a cinematic, single-player, linear story-driven action-adventure currently in development for PC and consoles. Powered by Unreal 5 Engine and enhanced with proprietary tools and technologies by the studio, Blood Message is NetEase Games' first AAA single-player title, blending brutal survival combat with profound Eastern storytelling.
Blood Message introduces a forgotten odyssey of loyalty and survival where players join Dunhuang's uprising, taking control of a nameless messenger and his young son in this immersive third-person action-adventure. Caught in the crossfire of a righteous uprising and driven by loyalty to both family and country, players will embark on a perilous eastward journey to deliver a message that holds the fate of their war-torn homeland. Amidst the shifting sands of history, they will etch a final tale of loyalty.
Blood Message introduces a forgotten odyssey of loyalty and survival where players join Dunhuang's uprising, taking control of a nameless messenger and his young son in this immersive third-person action-adventure. Caught in the crossfire of a righteous uprising and driven by loyalty to both family and country, players will embark on a perilous eastward journey to deliver a message that holds the fate of their war-torn homeland. Amidst the shifting sands of history, they will etch a final tale of loyalty.
(PR) ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces ROG NUC (2025) Gaming Mini PC
Fri, 20 Jun 2025
ASUS Republic of Gamers today announced ROG NUC (2025), the world's first sub-three-liter gaming mini PC powered by Intel Core Ultra 9 processors (Series 2), supporting up to 96 GB of RAM and equipped with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU. Designed to cater to gamers and creators, this compact powerhouse pushes the boundaries of power and portability, delivering up to 4X faster rendering performance compared to previous models and redefining the capabilities of a mini PC.
Unmatched performance
At the heart of the new ROG NUC (2025) is an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor (Series 2), reaching boost speeds of up to 5.4 GHz and supporting up to 96 GB of high-speed DDR5-6400 MT memory. Engineered with 24-core hybrid architecture, an integrated NPU, and a powerful GPU, this cutting-edge processor ensures seamless real-time rendering and effortlessly handles the demanding gaming and creative workloads.
Unmatched performance
At the heart of the new ROG NUC (2025) is an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor (Series 2), reaching boost speeds of up to 5.4 GHz and supporting up to 96 GB of high-speed DDR5-6400 MT memory. Engineered with 24-core hybrid architecture, an integrated NPU, and a powerful GPU, this cutting-edge processor ensures seamless real-time rendering and effortlessly handles the demanding gaming and creative workloads.
Humanoid Robots to Assemble NVIDIA's GB300 NVL72 "Blackwell Ultra"
Fri, 20 Jun 2025
NVIDIA's upcoming GB300 NVL72 "Blackwell Ultra" rack-scale systems are reportedly going to get a humanoid robot assembly, according to sources close to Reuters. As readers are aware, most of the traditional manufacturing processes in silicon manufacturing, PCB manufacturing, and server manufacturing are automated, requiring little to no human intervention. However, rack-scale systems required humans for final assembly up until now. It appears that Foxconn and NVIDIA have made plans to open up the first AI-powered humanoid robot assembly plant in Houston, Texas. The central plan is that, in the coming months as the plant is completed, humanoid robots will take over the final assembly process entirely removing humans from the manufacturing loop.
And this is not a bad thing. Since server assembly typically requires lifting heavy server racks throughout the day, the humanoid robot system will aid humans by doing the hard work, thereby saving workers from excessive labor. Initially, humans will oversee these robots in their operations, with fully autonomous factories expected later on. The human element here will primarily involve inspecting the work. NVIDIA has been laying the groundwork for humanoid robots for some time, as the company has developed NVIDIA Isaac, a comprehensive CUDA-accelerated platform designed for humanoid robots. As models from Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, Fourier, Foxlink, Galbot, Mentee Robotics, NEURA Robotics, General Robotics, Skild AI, and XPENG require models that are aware of their surroundings, NVIDIA created Isaac GR00T N1, the world's first open humanoid robot foundation model, available for anyone to use and finetune.
And this is not a bad thing. Since server assembly typically requires lifting heavy server racks throughout the day, the humanoid robot system will aid humans by doing the hard work, thereby saving workers from excessive labor. Initially, humans will oversee these robots in their operations, with fully autonomous factories expected later on. The human element here will primarily involve inspecting the work. NVIDIA has been laying the groundwork for humanoid robots for some time, as the company has developed NVIDIA Isaac, a comprehensive CUDA-accelerated platform designed for humanoid robots. As models from Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, Fourier, Foxlink, Galbot, Mentee Robotics, NEURA Robotics, General Robotics, Skild AI, and XPENG require models that are aware of their surroundings, NVIDIA created Isaac GR00T N1, the world's first open humanoid robot foundation model, available for anyone to use and finetune.
(PR) OXS Announces New Storm A2 ANC Wireless Gaming Headset
Fri, 20 Jun 2025
OXS, a pioneer in gaming audio technology, today proudly unveils the launch of the A2 ANC Gaming Headset, a cutting-edge addition to the world of gaming accessories. Featuring a 40 mm neodymium driver and Xspace spatial audio technology, the A2 ANC seamlessly bridges the worlds of gaming, work, and everyday listening with immersive sound and unparalleled versatility. The OXS A2 ANC Wireless Gaming Headset is available from the OXS Website and Amazon US / Amazon UK in black and white colorways at MSRP $129.99 / £129.99
Precision-engineered for clarity, ultra-low latency, and adaptive noise cancellation, the Storm A2 enhances every aspect of audio engagement. Whether deep in battle or settling into a music session, less than 20 ms latency ensures fluid, responsive gameplay while advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) eliminates distractions. When focus shifts, intuitive ANC ON and Passthrough modes adjust to changing environments—perfect for work, travel, or on-the-go listening.
Precision-engineered for clarity, ultra-low latency, and adaptive noise cancellation, the Storm A2 enhances every aspect of audio engagement. Whether deep in battle or settling into a music session, less than 20 ms latency ensures fluid, responsive gameplay while advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) eliminates distractions. When focus shifts, intuitive ANC ON and Passthrough modes adjust to changing environments—perfect for work, travel, or on-the-go listening.
Samsung Reportedly Achieves 70% Yields for Its 1c DRAM Technology
Fri, 20 Jun 2025
Samsung has achieved better production results for its advanced memory technology, according to Sedaily, as cited by TrendForce. The company's sixth-generation 10 nm DRAM, called 1c DRAM, now shows yield rates of 50-70% in testing. This represents a significant improvement from last year's results, which were below 30%. Samsung takes a different path from its rivals, while SK Hynix and Micron stick with 1b DRAM technology for HBM4 products, Samsung opts to create the newer 1c DRAM. This choice comes with more risk; however, it might bring bigger rewards, as the improved production rates enable Samsung to expand its manufacturing operations. The company plans to increase 1c DRAM production at its Hwaseong and Pyeongtaek facilities with expansion activities expected to begin before the end of this year.
These developments also support Samsung's HBM4 production schedule since the company aims to begin mass production of HBM4 products later this year. Yet, experts in the field point out that the product is still in its early stages and needs ongoing monitoring. Samsung planned to begin mass-producing sixth-gen 10 nm DRAM by late 2024. Instead, the company chose to remake the chip's design. This decision caused delays of more than one year however it was made to achieve better performance and yields. The new DRAM products will be manufactured at Samsung's Pyeongtaek Line 4 facility as these chips will serve both mobile and server applications. Separately, HBM4-related production will take place at Pyeongtaek Line 3.
These developments also support Samsung's HBM4 production schedule since the company aims to begin mass production of HBM4 products later this year. Yet, experts in the field point out that the product is still in its early stages and needs ongoing monitoring. Samsung planned to begin mass-producing sixth-gen 10 nm DRAM by late 2024. Instead, the company chose to remake the chip's design. This decision caused delays of more than one year however it was made to achieve better performance and yields. The new DRAM products will be manufactured at Samsung's Pyeongtaek Line 4 facility as these chips will serve both mobile and server applications. Separately, HBM4-related production will take place at Pyeongtaek Line 3.
Intel's Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF CPUs Dip Below $250
Fri, 20 Jun 2025
Intel's high-end "Arrow Lake" processors have just become significantly more affordable, with the Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF now priced below $250 US at major American retailers. In recent weeks, Intel has officially reduced its suggested retail prices from $399 to $309 and from $384 to $294, and retailers have pushed the savings even further. Today, shoppers can pick up the unlocked Core Ultra 7 265K for $239.99 and the graphics-disabled 265KF for $229.99 at Micro Center, reflecting a roughly 40 percent discount off launch pricing. In addition to these cuts, Micro Center is bundling the 265K with an ASUS Z890 AYW Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard and a 32 GB G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5-6000 memory kit for $499, saving buyers approximately $70 compared to purchasing the components separately. Newegg's deal includes a free 16 GB Patriot Viper Venom DDR5-6400 kit with the 265K, while Amazon's Spring Bundle features two full-price PC games, Dying Light: The Beast and Civilization VII, plus software licenses valued at $159.
Internationally, similar markdowns are appearing across Intel's Arrow Lake‑S lineup. In the UK, LambdaTek lists the Core Ultra 9 285 K at £481.18, the 265K at £234.04, and the 265KF at £230.97. The mid-range Core Ultra 5 245 K and 245KF both dip under £220. With their 20 cores and strong multithreaded performance, the Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF now stand out in the sub‑$250 segment, especially when bundled with motherboards, memory, and games. Consumers should balance these productivity gains against expected Arrow Lake gaming results and keep an eye on AMD's upcoming 3D V‑Cache processors, which promise to intensify competition in the under‑$300 market later this year.
Internationally, similar markdowns are appearing across Intel's Arrow Lake‑S lineup. In the UK, LambdaTek lists the Core Ultra 9 285 K at £481.18, the 265K at £234.04, and the 265KF at £230.97. The mid-range Core Ultra 5 245 K and 245KF both dip under £220. With their 20 cores and strong multithreaded performance, the Core Ultra 7 265K and 265KF now stand out in the sub‑$250 segment, especially when bundled with motherboards, memory, and games. Consumers should balance these productivity gains against expected Arrow Lake gaming results and keep an eye on AMD's upcoming 3D V‑Cache processors, which promise to intensify competition in the under‑$300 market later this year.
Next-generation consumer and automotive audio is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and market drivers such as generative AI-based audio processing, immersive soundscapes, and advanced infotainment in software-defined vehicles demand stepped-up audio DSP performance. However, a single DSP can no longer meet escalating compute needs, while multiple DSPs pose significant programming challenges.
Today, OEMs and SoC vendors must perform all multicore hardware design and software development on their own while facing increased time-to-market pressures. At the same time, programmers are grappling with the complexity of software-based synchronization of shared memory regions and the proper partitioning of tasks across the multicore cluster. This can result in designs falling short of performance expectations.
Today, OEMs and SoC vendors must perform all multicore hardware design and software development on their own while facing increased time-to-market pressures. At the same time, programmers are grappling with the complexity of software-based synchronization of shared memory regions and the proper partitioning of tasks across the multicore cluster. This can result in designs falling short of performance expectations.
AMD Readies Ryzen 5 9600X3D to Spice Up the Mid-range
Fri, 20 Jun 2025
AMD is giving finishing touches to the Ryzen 5 9600X3D processor, which could improve the company's standing in the mid-range, against Intel's Core i5-14600K and Core Ultra 5 245K. This came to light when AMD inadvertently leaked the SKU in its processor support list for the recently launched Radeon AI R9700 graphics card. The Ryzen 5 9600X3D will likely be a 6-core/12-thread processor based on the "Granite Ridge" silicon with 3D V-Cache memory. The processor is based on the latest "Zen 5" microarchitecture.
3D V-Cache is 64 MB of stacked cache on top of the 32 MB on-die cache, for a total of 96 MB last-level cache. Clock speeds of the 9600X3D could end up similar to those of the 9600X, given that AMD has changed the way the L3D (3D V-Cache die) stacks with the CCD (CPU complex die), inverting them, such that the L3D serves as a base tile for the CCD on top, giving the 9600X3D similar thermal and overclocking characteristics to the regular 9600X. The introduction of 3D V-Cache could significantly improve the gaming performance of the 9600X3D over the 9600X, giving gamers in the sub-$300 processor market segment a compelling alternative to the i5-14600K and the 245K.
3D V-Cache is 64 MB of stacked cache on top of the 32 MB on-die cache, for a total of 96 MB last-level cache. Clock speeds of the 9600X3D could end up similar to those of the 9600X, given that AMD has changed the way the L3D (3D V-Cache die) stacks with the CCD (CPU complex die), inverting them, such that the L3D serves as a base tile for the CCD on top, giving the 9600X3D similar thermal and overclocking characteristics to the regular 9600X. The introduction of 3D V-Cache could significantly improve the gaming performance of the 9600X3D over the 9600X, giving gamers in the sub-$300 processor market segment a compelling alternative to the i5-14600K and the 245K.
Logitech's Upcoming MX Master 4 Leaks
Thu, 19 Jun 2025
The first decent high-resolution images of Logitech's upcoming MX Master 4 mouse has leaked, courtesy of the EUIPO or European Union Intellectual Property Office, which is somewhat embarrassing when you consider that the EUIPO claims to protect your intellectual property. Anyhow, the mouse appears to have been given some major design updates, without straying too far from its predecessor. Most notably, it now has two buttons that cover the entire front of the mouse, which makes it look a lot cleaner than the MX Master 3s that has a bit of plastic on the right side of the right button. They also almost appear to be translucent, but that could just be the renders.
Gone are all the ridges on the thumb rest and read of the mouse and the thumb rest button appears to now be the entire side surface, rather than just the bottom of the thumb rest. It's unclear what the circle made up of dots is meant to symbolise though, but it appears that Logitech has come up with some new kind of functionality for the thumb rest button. A third thumb button has also been added in front of the previous two and the thumb scroll-wheel appears to be protruding rather than being slightly recessed as it is on the MX Master 3s. Finally there's an LED just behind the scroll-wheel lock button, which most likely is a battery/charge indicator. The MX Master 4 should be launching any time now, as the first leak was already a couple of weeks ago.
Gone are all the ridges on the thumb rest and read of the mouse and the thumb rest button appears to now be the entire side surface, rather than just the bottom of the thumb rest. It's unclear what the circle made up of dots is meant to symbolise though, but it appears that Logitech has come up with some new kind of functionality for the thumb rest button. A third thumb button has also been added in front of the previous two and the thumb scroll-wheel appears to be protruding rather than being slightly recessed as it is on the MX Master 3s. Finally there's an LED just behind the scroll-wheel lock button, which most likely is a battery/charge indicator. The MX Master 4 should be launching any time now, as the first leak was already a couple of weeks ago.
