Gaming

The Predator XB273U F6 is Acer’s latest high-end gaming monitor. It's built around a 27-inch IPS panel with a 1440p native resolution and a 500 Hz refresh rate, which can be boosted to 1,000 Hz at 720p, making it a fantastic option for competitive esports gamers.

Since the launch of Battlefield 6, the limited selection of maps has remained one of the community’s biggest points of criticism. The debate recently resurfaced after streamer EndersFPS drew renewed attention to the issue in a late December post on X, highlighting what he sees as the game’s vast but still unrealized potential.

Embark CEO Patrick Söderlund has confirmed that Arc Raiders’ matchmaking now takes into account not only player skill but also behavior. The change has been met with mostly positive reactions from the community, which sees it as a long-overdue response to discussions that have been circulating for some time.

Seven years after its release, players have discovered a new Easter egg in Red Dead Redemption 2. And this discovery remains very mysterious, despite extensive research.

The relatively short battery life is one of the biggest weaknesses of the Nintendo Switch 2. Belkin aims to more than double the battery life with a charging case that can be tracked via AirTag and also securely store numerous games.

Nineties-flavored mystery puzzler The Roottrees are Dead, a remastered Global Game Jam 2023 project that has since gained an Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam, challenges players to sift through a fictional 1998 internet to unravel the fate of a vanished billionaire family. Now enhanced with hand-drawn art, an extra case, and deeper investigative mechanics, the game is currently discounted by 20% to $15.99 on Steam until January 5.

Baldur’s Gate, BioWare’s 1998 isometric CRPG set in the Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms, helped revive the RPG genre with its real-time-with-pause combat, deep character customization, and narrative shaped by player choice. Its 2013 Enhanced Edition modernizes the classic with widescreen support, new content, and quality-of-life improvements, keeping it relevant alongside Larian’s acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3 and currently attracting new players with a steep discount and consistently strong user reviews.

Fan-designed LEGO Ideas project “Portal 2: Test Chamber Creator” has quickly surpassed 2,000 supporters, offering a modular, 1,280-piece homage to Valve’s acclaimed puzzle game with functional test chambers, working mechanisms, and key characters like Chell, Atlas, P-body, and Wheatley. With roughly 540 days left to reach the 10,000-supporter threshold for official LEGO review, the set’s growing momentum suggests strong community demand for an officially licensed Portal 2 kit.

Ayaneo, once celebrated in the retro handheld niche, is facing backlash from early backers who allege months-long delivery delays. At the same time, the same devices appear readily available on third-party marketplaces like AliExpress. As reviewers and customers criticize what they describe as mismanagement, overambitious product announcements, and poor communication, Ayaneo defends itself by citing shipping policy changes, scalpers, and logistical issues while insisting Indiegogo orders remain its priority.

Some retailers may soon stop selling Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs altogether. A German distributor has placed order limits on the RTX 5070 Ti, while the more expensive RTX 5090 becomes scarcer. With inflated memory prices and shortages, GDDR7 VRAM used in graphics cards is harder to obtain.

Sony’s newly filed “AI ghost” patent imagines real-time, data-trained NPC assistants that can take over controls, track player behavior, and offer personalized coaching through difficult game moments, potentially transforming how players approach challenging content. While the technology promises enhanced accessibility and a more interactive alternative to static tutorials, it has raised concerns about privacy, artistic integrity, and whether algorithmic hand-holding could dilute the satisfaction of overcoming in-game obstacles through trial and error.

Leakers continue to monitor backchannels for any hint of another GTA 6 delay. Fortunately, one prominent insider expects that Rockstar Games will meet its targeted November release date. The Insider Gaming podcast also offered insight into a potential GTA 6 price and the status of the PC version.

8BitDo has unveiled a new mobile controller for Android and Apple smartphones. The FlipPad connects via USB-C to your device but only supports gaming in portrait mode.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake has returned to Steam’s Popular New Releases chart nearly two months after launch, likely driven by discounts and word of mouth, which means there's steady interest in this Square Enix’s faithful revival of early JRPGs.

Large, fast and high-resolution: The UColor 19 Apex is a new monitor that is designed for portability and versatility, making it perfect for both productive applications and gaming.

Ancient Forge is hosting a special giveaway, and the grand prize is a Steam Deck with a custom Hotel Galactic wrap. There are more prizes available for additional winners, such as game codes and plushies.

Sandfall Interactive claims fan and critic pressure will not shape their next game after the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The studio plans to focus on ideas they personally find cool and continue trusting their creative instincts.

The Wild Darkness is an RPG that plunges you into an unknown world full of danger. Your goal will be to explore it and survive by gathering resources and crafting various tools and weapons. But be careful, because it's a complex game and you'll need to be patient.

A new way to play Flappy Bird is here, which is sure to give users of foldables an adrenaline rush. This version of the game requires the player to unfold their foldable, emulating a tap when the screen snaps open. Clearly, setting a new high score in Flappy Bird might just get a whole lot more expensive.

The 2025 Steam Awards winners have been announced by Valve. Hollow Knight: Silksong has managed to take home two big awards, while Expedition 33 failed to win GOTY.

PlayStation supporters may not need to panic yet about a belated PS6 debut. Leaker Moore’s Law Is Dead disclosed that Sony doesn’t have to delay its release date for another year. Production of the console’s APU can begin without the memory shortage interrupting manufacturing.

Roguecraft DX, the acclaimed Amiga-born roguelike, is expanding to Game Boy Color, Mega65, and Amiga in early 2026 with platform-tailored ports that retain its tense, 30–40 minute dungeon runs and Lovecraftian, isometric charm. The enhanced edition adds extra levels, new enemies, refined animations, and achievements, while Thalamus Digital prepares both digital releases and collector’s physical editions alongside a planned PC launch on Steam.

Hyperkin has announced a limited edition controller with a design reminiscent of the SNES controller. It features Hall Effect thumbsticks and connects via Bluetooth or USB-C to a plethora of devices, including the Nintendo Switch 2.

A leaked internal letter to business partners indicates that ASUS will raise prices for RAM and flash memory starting January 5, 2026. The adjustment affects both SSDs and DRAM kits. As the change comes shortly before CES 2026, it is likely intended to align with upcoming pricing trends.

Czech indie developer Petr Šimůnek is launching a series of racing games on Steam, all built around the same MMO-style arcade concept. The latest entry, Supercar Evolution 2025, entered Early Access on December 29.

Humble is back with another bundle, and this one comes packed with a decent collection of Steam Deck-friendly games. They can be scored for $1 each.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is a versatile console, but its dock suffered from a fatal flaw. A malfunctioning Ethernet port made WiFi often a less-than-desirable fallback option. Many gamers are confirming that the 21.1.0 update solved the flaky wired internet connectivity.

Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra argues that expensive gaming handhelds do not offer good value compared to consoles. He believes systems like the PS5 and Xbox Series X are more affordable, longer-lasting, and a better choice for most players.

Corsair is facing growing backlash after reportedly canceling multiple DDR5 RAM orders. While the company offered a 15% discount on future purchases as compensation, customers claim the provided coupon codes were already expired.

A new fan-made English translation has finally brought Sega Dreamcast’s 2001 Japan-exclusive shooter Macross M3 to Western audiences, fully localizing its story, dialogue, and menus. While the game’s mechanics remain a straightforward 3D shooter, this patch elevates its once-overlooked campaign into a must-play narrative entry in the Macross canon for English-speaking retro fans.

Monstro Maestro is an action game that plunges you into the heart of a haunted mansion where you must face numerous monsters. But be careful, because you'll need to master certain game mechanics to become more powerful.

As the memory shortage continues, one buyer may be a victim of post-sale shenanigans. After purchasing a Corsair prebuilt PC, the retailer cancelled his order and relisted the item at a much higher price. With DDR5 RAM values in flux, sellers may regret setting too low of a price on a desktop.

A hardware modder has transformed a Red Bull can into a fully functional Raspberry Pi 5-powered retro gaming mini PC, complete with custom UV-printed branding and an ingredients-style spec label. Built as a gift and loaded with classics from Doom to Pac-Man, the project’s free CAD and 3D-print files on Printables turn this one-off novelty into a reproducible DIY build for makers.

Humble Bundle has added a new game collection, which happens to be the first selection for the year 2026. It contains eight games that are compatible with the Steam Deck, and they can all be purchased for less than $2 each.

Digital Foundry’s testing shows the GPD Win 5’s Strix Halo APU pushing the handheld to 93.5% of PS5 performance in Alan Wake 2 at 1440p, delivering around 52fps versus the console’s 55fps in a demanding stress test. Despite its high price and power draw, the device demonstrates how close high-end handheld PCs are coming to living-room console performance, even at reduced wattages and resolutions.

A leaked set of PlayStation 5 BootROM keys, published online at the end of 2025, has exposed core hardware-level security secrets that researchers say Sony cannot simply patch on existing consoles. While the breach does not enable an immediate jailbreak, experts warn it significantly lowers the bar for future exploits, potentially paving the way for permanent hacks, homebrew software, and widespread piracy risks.

The Retro X5 is a new mini PC with a very obvious design inspiration. It will certainly deliver significantly higher performance than an NES, and it might be particularly well suited for emulating older games.

Constance is a 2D action-adventure game in which you are immersed in a world in decline. Your goal will be to escape from it, but you will have to defeat numerous enemies and bosses and complete various platforming challenges.

Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard has confirmed that a new mainline Fallout, widely expected to be Fallout 5, is in early development alongside multiple unannounced Fallout projects. However, he cautions fans to remain patient as Elder Scrolls VI currently commands most of the studio’s internal resources. Buoyed by the breakout success of the Fallout TV series and sustained support for Fallout 76, Bethesda insists Fallout remains its top-priority franchise, with design leadership aiming for massively replayable experiences spanning hundreds of hours.

The mystery final game giveaway of this holiday event is here. To end things off, Epic Games Store is offering two free games instead of one, and they are: Total War: Three Kingdoms and Wildgate.

The Switch 2 looks prepared to support every Final Fantasy game, including an MMO. Director Naoki Yoshida has given the most definitive confirmation yet about a Final Fantasy 14 port. At the same time, the Switch 2 specs may struggle with raids, prompting players to keep PC versions installed.

The final Epic Games Store free game of 2025 is still live, and on January 01, 2026, the storefront will reveal the 16th and 17th free games of this holiday event. Hints from an official source suggest that both could be good.

A former Rockstar North technical director explains why GTA 2’s experimental futuristic setting failed to resonate with both developers and players, making the studio abandon cyberpunk-style worlds for the series. Citing the brand’s cultural weight and risk-averse strategy, Obbe says GTA is unlikely to revisit a dystopian future, with GTA VI instead reaffirming Rockstar’s commitment to grounded, contemporary cityscapes.

Marking his 40th year in the video game industry, Hideo Kojima has outlined a “Second Phase” for Kojima Productions in 2026 focused on staying grounded and building solid foundations after a year of global promotion and touring. This next chapter centers on the development of his experimental cloud-powered horror title OD with Xbox and the cinematic stealth project Physint with Sony, which is now entering pre-production.

BIOS updates may not have addressed all the complications with AMD’s popular gaming CPU. Since earlier in 2025, an internet cafe has seen 10% of its PCs relying on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D crash. Problem-prone ASRock motherboards aren’t to blame, but the systems used a second-rate PSU.

Counter-Strike co-creator Minh “Gooseman” Le reflects candidly on his decision to leave Valve, admitting he now regrets missing out on the financial windfall his former colleagues enjoyed as Counter-Strike 2 became a multibillion-dollar phenomenon. In an interview with Edge, Le balances those lingering “what ifs” with a belief that his more challenging, independent path ultimately proved more rewarding for his growth as a developer and a person.

The Gamemt E3 Vigor is a budget retro handheld now available for pre-order from $45, offering a 3.95-inch 1:1 720p IPS display aimed at classic systems like NES, SNES, Game Boy, and PSP. Powered by an aging octa-core Cortex A7 chipset with modest specs but a sizable 5,000 mAh battery, it positions itself as an affordable everyday carry for nostalgic gamers. However, real-world performance remains unproven ahead of initial shipments.

FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki says the rise of the “Soulslike” genre stems less from a singular design invention and more from players’ long-standing appetite for punishing, skill-testing games where death is central to learning. Reflecting on Demon’s Souls and its roots in the studio’s 90s title King’s Field, he argues that FromSoftware offered the right answer at the right time to a gap in the market one that now shapes a wave of imitators across the industry.

Sony has finally revealed the PlayStation Plus lineup for January 2026. The headliner is Need for Speed Unbound, the latest mainline entry in the long-running Need for Speed franchise.