The surge in smartphone app releases is driven by the use of 'vibe coding' and AI technology, leading to a significant increase in the number of games hitting the market.
In recent years, PlayStation has shifted its strategy by porting titles previously exclusive to PlayStation 4 and 5, such as God of War and The Last of Us, to PC. This transition was confirmed by SIE's president, Hideaki Nishino, who stated that future ports will focus on multiplayer and live-service games. Former PlayStation head Shawn Layden discussed the rationale behind this strategy, emphasizing the importance of reaching a broader audience beyond console owners. He noted that the late PC ports have successfully introduced PlayStation's characters to new players and have not negatively impacted core sales, as those waiting for PC releases were unlikely to buy the hardware. Layden supports staggered PC releases to maintain platform exclusivity, which he believes is essential for differentiating the PlayStation brand and driving hardware sales. He cautioned against a day-and-date release strategy, which could dilute the brand's identity. PlayStation is also mindful of competition from Xbox, which releases exclusives on PC simultaneously, and is committed to keeping certain titles exclusive to its consoles.
Xbox Game Pass has added the co-op adventure game RV There Yet?, which is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Cloud. The game received a "Very Positive" rating on Steam and an average score of 72 on Metacritic. It features gameplay centered around navigating a Recreational Vehicle (RV) and has been praised for its engaging nature and fun multiplayer experience. The game is available on Xbox Game Pass for Premium, Ultimate, and PC tiers, or can be purchased for £6.69. Crossplay between Xbox Game Pass and Steam players is not currently supported, but developers are working on this feature.
RV There Yet? is a game developed and published by Nuggets Entertainment, available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, and part of Game Pass for Ultimate, PC, and Premium subscribers. The game is priced at £6.69 for those who wish to purchase it outright. Players navigate through challenges in Mabutts Valley while managing the RV and its occupants, emphasizing teamwork and communication. The gameplay involves driving, resource management, and problem-solving in a cooperative setting. The game is now available for download and supports Xbox Play Anywhere.
Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, down from its regular price of 9. This limited-time promotion runs until July 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The upgrade includes features such as a modern user interface, improved multitasking, advanced security features, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, Azure AD integration, and Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant, Copilot.
Hideki Kamiya, a key figure in the gaming industry, was involved in the Resident Evil franchise as a designer for the original game and director for Resident Evil 2. Despite his contributions to horror gaming, he does not consider himself a fan of the genre and has expressed a desire for a "non-scary mode" in Resident Evil games. Kamiya envisions a game featuring a retired Leon Kennedy living a peaceful life in the countryside, engaging in activities like fishing, baking, and helping neighbors. He has communicated with Capcom about the demand for a less frightening version of Resident Evil, indicating a genuine interest in innovation within the franchise. Currently, he is working on a sequel to Okami at his new studio, Clovers.
In 2026, Android Auto will introduce features to improve the driving experience, including native meeting controls for Google Meet integrated into the car's infotainment system. Users must update the Google Meet app and connect their phone to access a dedicated Meet icon, which includes a Scheduled tab for upcoming meetings and a History tab for recent contacts. The system allows seamless handoff of audio and control between the phone and car when entering or exiting the vehicle. The Google Meet experience in Android Auto will be audio-only, disabling video feeds and interactive functions like polls and chat to prioritize driver safety. Essential controls such as mute/unmute and hang up will be available on the car's display, and the app can automatically mute the microphone to reduce background noise. Users must pull over to access visual elements on their phone.
Two years ago, the gaming landscape was improving with affordable video games and devices like the Steam Deck making PC gaming more user-friendly. However, demand for AI data centers has disrupted manufacturing, causing component prices to rise significantly. Microsoft reported a 2.5 times increase in costs for memory and storage, leading to a 20% price hike for the Xbox Series S in the U.S. starting in August. Apple also announced a similar 20% increase on its hardware. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has been launched at a price of ,499 in Australia, offering advanced gaming performance but at a steep cost. The Steam Deck remains a popular option at 9, while the ASUS ROG Ally provides alternatives for Windows users. The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a 1080p, 120Hz screen at a lower cost but lacks many major releases. Valve's Steam Machine was initially expected to start at 9, but due to the component crisis, it now starts at 9 for a 512GB model. DIY PC builds are becoming more accessible, with a recent build costing just over ,000. Consoles from Sony and Microsoft may offer better pricing for components despite recent increases. Cloud streaming services like Nvidia GeForce NOW and Xbox Game Pass are also emerging as cost-effective options.
Microsoft shares rose 5.71% to close at €327.90 on Friday, recovering from a 52-week low of €307.10 earlier that day. The company reported revenue of €82.9 billion in its latest quarterly earnings, an 18% year-on-year increase, driven by cloud and AI services. On June 22, Chevron announced a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft for approximately 2.67 gigawatts of capacity for a data center, with the first power delivery expected in 2028. Microsoft extended its Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 home users by another year, pushing the final security patch deadline to October 2027. The stock's closing price is only 6.77% above its 52-week low, with a 50-day moving average at €352.96 and a 200-day average at €383.98. The relative strength index is at 43, indicating no strong momentum.
