future of gaming Archives

BetaBeacon

April 5, 2025

Android 16’s Game Changer: Host Image Copy Boosts Mobile Gaming

Host Image Copy is a revolutionary feature that improves how Android handles game visuals by utilizing the phone's processor in addition to the graphics chip, resulting in less lag, smoother performance, and better battery life.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

Xbox: New UI To Integrate Steam Games For PC Players

Microsoft hinted at a new Xbox user interface that may integrate Steam games, which could impact both PC and console gaming. An image showcasing this UI was leaked, featuring the Steam label and displaying the interface on various devices, including tablets. Microsoft removed the image, indicating it was not meant for public viewing. Sources confirmed that Microsoft is working on an update for the Xbox app to include all games installed on a PC, including those from Steam and Epic Games. There is currently no timeline for the release of this integration, but Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, mentioned the potential for Epic Games and Itch.io to join the Xbox ecosystem in the future.

AppWizard

February 24, 2025

Microsoft’s Nadella reckons Xbox will have “catalog” of gen AI games

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed the transformative potential of generative AI for gaming on the Dwarkesh Podcast, highlighting the company's Muse generative AI model. This model is designed to create intricate game visuals and facilitate controller actions. Nadella emphasized its ability to use gameplay data to produce games that are consistent yet diverse, allowing for user modifications to enhance player engagement. He anticipates the upcoming release of a catalog of games utilizing this technology. Nadella described a demonstration where the Muse model generated outputs based on controller inputs, marking a significant moment in gaming similar to the introduction of ChatGPT and DALL-E.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

“If we can do it… This will be something groundbreaking”: PUBG creator Brendan Greene is five years into making a 10,000km “realistic Minecraft” – but there’s still a decade to go

Brendan Greene, known for creating PUBG, is working on a new project called Prologue, which tests innovative terrain generation technology for his larger vision, Project Artemis. Prologue aims to refine machine learning algorithms that can produce over 4 billion unique map configurations. Greene acknowledges past leadership challenges but credits CTO Laurent Gorga for fostering a collaborative development approach. He estimates that achieving Project Artemis could take up to a decade and emphasizes the importance of Prologue's commercial success for securing resources. Greene envisions Project Artemis as a vast, player-driven universe, inspired by games like Minecraft and No Man's Sky, with a world measuring 10,000 square kilometers. He aims to create an environment where players can craft diverse experiences and distances himself from commercial interpretations of the Metaverse, focusing instead on genuine user-generated experiences.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Valve survey reveals almost 45% of gamers are still using Win 10

Nearly 45% of gamers on Steam continue to use Windows 10, according to a hardware survey conducted by Valve in January 2025, which shows that 44.41% of users rely on this operating system. In contrast, Windows 11 has captured 55.38% of the user base on the platform.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

Dead by Daylight delays its existing update plans for a ‘substantial quality of life initiative’, which includes adding a surrender mode and cracking down on ‘extreme hiding’

Behaviour Interactive has announced a pause on several upcoming features for Dead by Daylight to focus on a 'substantial quality of life initiative' that will extend throughout 2025. The studio is delaying character updates, limited-time events, and event modifiers to address longstanding player concerns. This decision reflects a trend in the gaming industry to prioritize player experience over new content. Issues such as bot problems and unsportsmanlike conduct are among the challenges being addressed. The game's current rating on Steam is "Mixed."

AppWizard

February 13, 2025

Minecraft Engine Ported To GameCube & Dreamcast

The Flock of Meese's engine is designed to revitalize older gaming consoles like the Dreamcast, GameCube, and Wii by replicating the mechanics of Minecraft Beta 1.7.3 and evolving into a unique block-based game. The Dreamcast version operates at 30 FPS, while the GameCube version achieves 60 FPS, demonstrating performance optimization despite hardware limitations. The project aims to push programming boundaries and explore classic gaming systems, with plans for a distinct PC version that utilizes modern technology. Key features include optimized performance for older hardware, faithful replication of Minecraft mechanics, unique gameplay experiences, and enhanced graphics for the PC version.

AppWizard

February 6, 2025

Monster Hunter Wilds brings hope with newly lowered PC requirements, then dashes it with a benchmark tool

Capcom announced the PC system requirements for Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on February 28th, aiming for broader accessibility with lower specifications. A standalone benchmark tool is available on Steam, allowing players to test performance. The storage requirement has decreased from 140GB to 75GB, and minimum CPU and GPU requirements have been lowered, such as changing the Nvidia GPU from GTX 1660 Super to GTX 1660 and the Intel CPU from i5-10600 to i5-10400. However, the revised minimum specs only guarantee 1080p performance with upscaling and frame generation technologies. Testing with a GTX 1060 and Core i9-13900K showed disappointing results, averaging 26fps at 1080p with low settings, improving to 45fps with frame generation but suffering from input lag. The Steam Deck also performed poorly, averaging 27fps. In contrast, newer graphics cards like the RTX 4060 achieved 62fps at 1080p with high settings, reaching 98fps with frame generation. The RTX 5080 delivered 72fps at 4K with maximum settings, hitting 110fps with frame generation. Further testing will be needed to assess stable frame rates without relying on frame generation.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Intel unleashes XeSS 2 for Arc GPUs with huge changes to speed up PC games, borrowing a few pages from Nvidia’s DLSS playbook

Intel has introduced XeSS 2, an advanced graphics technology aimed at competing with Nvidia's DLSS and AMD's FSR. It features two main components: XeSS Frame Generation for adding frames to enhance gameplay smoothness, and XeSS Super Resolution. Additionally, Intel has launched Xe Low Latency to reduce input lag, similar to Nvidia's Reflex. XeSS 2 is exclusive to Intel's Alchemist and Battlemage GPUs, requiring developers to integrate support for these technologies into their games. Intel has also released a new control panel called 'Intel Graphics Software' for its Arc GPUs, which centralizes driver updates, game optimization, and performance monitoring. The new XeSS 2 technology is designed to work only with Intel hardware, marking a shift from previous compatibility with AMD and Nvidia GPUs.

TrendTechie

November 26, 2024

Digital Foundry: PS5 Pro — отличная консоль, но в ней нет реальной необходимости

The PS5 Pro has generated discussions about its necessity compared to previous models like the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X. While it boasts an appealing design and advanced features, there are concerns about its practical value in the current gaming ecosystem, particularly regarding the balance between hardware and software optimization. Microsoft has chosen not to release a Pro model for the Xbox Series X, a decision they do not regret, as it has not affected their success. This suggests that Microsoft is focusing on innovative solutions rather than simply enhancing hardware specifications, indicating a potential shift in strategy within the gaming industry.