What just happened? Logitech and Tencent Games are coming together to bring a cloud gaming handheld to market, and you might even be able to get your hands on it before your Steam Deck arrives. The handheld will combine Logitech G's expertise in hardware with Tencent's renowned software services. The two are working with teams from Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now to allow gamers to play AAA titles while away from their PC or console. Unlike a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch that does all of the processing locally, games on this cloud handheld would be rendered and played on remove servers and streamed to the console. Players would simply interact with them locally on the handheld. We're thrilled to announce an official partnership with @TencentGames to bring a cloud gaming handheld to market later this year that will support multiple cloud gaming services. https://t.co/tfAmQMTKCD pic.twitter.com/dNfmuKIz3w — Logitech G (@LogitechG) August 2, 2022 Today's … [Read more...] about Logitech and Tencent are making a cloud gaming handheld due out later this year
Games
Activision Blizzard makes more money from mobile games than PC and consoles combined
In brief: Activision Blizzard released its quarterly financial report last week, which paints a picture of a bleak future for the platform hierarchy. The troubled company's revenue fell year on year thanks to plummeting PC and console sales, and now mobile games make up half its income. Nowadays, Activision Blizzard should really be called Activision Blizzard King. If you haven't heard of King, you'd be forgiven. It's the maker of Candy Crush, Farm Heroes, Bubble Witch, and little else. But it's also a money printer. King made $685 million for Activision Blizzard last quarter, when the two namesakes only made $600 and $296 million, respectively. Activision made the most in the console market, with $360 million. It generated $100 million from the PC and $135 million from mobile sales, a good portion of which would've come from the evergreen Call of Duty Mobile. It seems to be doing better than 2021's CoD Vanguard, which is a sad state of affairs. Blizzard launched the … [Read more...] about Activision Blizzard makes more money from mobile games than PC and consoles combined
Wolfenstein: The New Order is currently free on the Epic Games Store
In brief: The third of four games given away free in the Epic Games Store Mega Sale has landed, and like the freebies it follows, this is a good one; it's Wolfenstein: The New Order. The first-person shooter was one of the year's top titles back in 2014. If you've never had the opportunity to play the FPS, make sure to download it gratis right now. While giving away titles is a common occurrence on the Epic Games Store , the platform's Mega Sale has seen some of the most memorable titles of the last few years handed out for nothing. First was Borderlands 3 , then came BioShock: The Collection . Now, it's the game that sees the return of one of the best-named heroes of all time (B.J. Blazkowicz) in Wolfenstein: The New Order . The New Order remains arguably the best game in the franchise. The sci-fi-filled story of Blazkowicz's return and battle against the Nazis in a timeline where Germany won the war is as entertaining as it is violently graphic. And if memory serves … [Read more...] about Wolfenstein: The New Order is currently free on the Epic Games Store
Microsoft is testing a Game Pass sharing tier, announces Windows 11 widget
Something to look forward to: Microsoft's Xbox/PC Game Pass subscription service is already very popular, but that doesn't mean the Redmond giant isn't constantly adding new features. The latest addition should be very welcome for those with big families: a new plan that lets subscribers add four extra people to their account. It's also testing a widget as part of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build. Microsoft writes that it is now testing a preview of the Game Pass sharing tier in Columbia and Ireland, one that is only available to Xbox Insiders. A spokesperson said each added member on the plan would "have their own unique access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate games, content, and benefits," though some parts of the package could change based on feedback. The new option will be more expensive than the current top-tier Game Pass Ultimate level, which is $14.99 per month. Microsoft never said exactly how much it would be but writes that users can exchange one month of Ultimate for … [Read more...] about Microsoft is testing a Game Pass sharing tier, announces Windows 11 widget
Three overlooked PlayStation exclusives are coming to Xbox and Game Pass
Audio player loading… A trio of overlooked PlayStation indies are hopping over to Xbox and Game Pass in the next few months. Solar Ash, The Pathless, and Maquette all launched as console exclusives on PS5 , PS4 , and PC over the last couple of years. Soon, however, Xbox players will be able to get their hands on the indie titles. During this week's Annapurna Interactive Showcase (opens in new tab) , it was revealed that all three will be coming to Xbox Series X |S, letting owners of Microsoft’s console play them for the first time. Maquette, and Solar Ash will be dropping on Xbox Game Pass while Solar Ash will be coming to Xbox, just not as part of the subscription service. While there are no firm release dates just yet, all three will be jumping platform this winter (or summer if you're in the Southern Hemisphere). Nintendo Switch owners won't be left out, as Maquette and The Pathless will be coming to the handheld console, too. Three's a party … [Read more...] about Three overlooked PlayStation exclusives are coming to Xbox and Game Pass
Cheap game deals: all the best Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo and PC sales for July 2022
No matter which platform you play on you can always find some cheap game deals. With the price for the latest releases higher than it's ever been, we've brought you all the latest console and PC game deals right here. Paying a game's full price should only be a day one issue, so if you're happy to wait for game deals to hit that latest release you've been looking forward to you can find yourself saving plenty of cash. These game deals are starting to hit next-gen PS5 and Xbox Series X titles as well right now, with some impressive price drops hitting big cross-platform and first-party releases. Not only that, but with the previous generation drawing to a close you'll find even cheaper prices on the classics of the PS4 and Xbox One days - and with both consoles offering backwards compatibility on the new systems there's more value than ever in these games of yesterday. Whatever flavor you're after, we've found Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One and PC game deals on some of the best … [Read more...] about Cheap game deals: all the best Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo and PC sales for July 2022
Steam is banning review scores and award logos from game images
In brief: Many developers cover their game's key art on Steam with award logos, scores, and other accolades in the hope of attracting more buyers. Not everyone appreciates it, and that's why Valve is banning the practice as of this September 1. Valve writes that more text, award logos, and even review scores are being included in games' graphical asset images. The company says this can cause several issues for users, from the logos ending up so small that they can't tell what a game's name is to the pictures themselves becoming cluttered and hard to read. There are other problems, too. Valve warns of review scores that are no longer accurate or come from a less-than-reputable publication. Moreover, most of the text is presented in English. While English is the most spoken language (36%) among the platform's users, there are still plenty who won't understand the words. It's noted that if someone does want to know a game's reviews and awards, they can just visit the … [Read more...] about Steam is banning review scores and award logos from game images
Apple Arcade games for August: Jetpack Joyride 2, My Talking Tom+ and more
Apple has announced the August games list for Arcade , its subscription-based gaming service. The tech giant has confirmed four new games for the platform: Amazing Bomberman , Jetpack Joyride 2, My Talking Tom+ and Love You to Bits+. Here is a quick rundown of the new titles coming to Apple Arcade. Amazing Bomberman : Launching August 5 Amazing Bomberman is an all-new game from popular game publisher Konami. It’s an Arcade Original title so it will be available exclusively on Apple Arcade only. In terms of features, the game is claimed to offer impressive visuals and a range of music created exclusively for the game. Amazing Bomberman offers online battles, customisable items and a dedicated Practice mode for players to hone their skills. , Jetpack Joyride 2: Launching August 19 Jetpack Joyride 2 is the sequel to the popular title Jetpack Joyride. Like Amazing Bomberman, it will also be an Arcade Original and comes with updated HD graphics, … [Read more...] about Apple Arcade games for August: Jetpack Joyride 2, My Talking Tom+ and more
Best RPGs: top role-playing games for console and PC
Looking for the best RPGs (or roleplaying games) around? Then you've come to the right place. RPGs offer some of the most immersive gaming experiences you can get, allowing you to step into the shoes of characters (often of your creation) as they set out on adventures that will see them slaying monsters, romancing sidekicks or even roaming the galaxy. Nowadays RPG elements, like skill trees and dialogue options, have crept their way into all genres of games but nothing quite beats sinking your teeth into a fully-fledged roleplaying game. That's why we've put together this list of the best RPGs you can play right now, with our roundup consisting of sensational roleplaying games across all platforms. So, if you're longing to level up, dying for a dice roll, or simply want to swing a sizeable sword around, read on for the best RPGs you can find across PC and console. Best RPGs Assassin's Creed Valhalla A Viking adventure Reasons to buy + … [Read more...] about Best RPGs: top role-playing games for console and PC
Modder turns toilet into a fully functional gaming PC
In brief: Smartphones, handheld game consoles and even laptops have made it possible to play high-end games from virtually anywhere. Still, some desire outrageously impractical purpose-built machines to accomplish similar tasks. This is one such story. YouTuber Basically Homeless recently transformed a toilet into a gaming PC, that way he can "just sit there and go potty whilst gaming." He started by cutting a giant hole in a porcelain toilet tank to create a window because what good is a gaming PC (or a toilet) without a window to see what's inside. The tank was divided into two sections, one to house the PC components and the other for the actual toilet components and water. A single exhaust fan was added to the lid of the tank. The gaming PC consists of an Intel Core i7-12700 CPU mounted to an MSI Z690I Unify mini-ITX motherboard alongside 64GB of G.Skill Trident Z5 RAM and an Asus Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 video card. Micro Center, the sponsor of the build, also sent over a … [Read more...] about Modder turns toilet into a fully functional gaming PC