Tag Archives: Gaming

Comes Next, Computer Chips, Gaming, TechNews

Intel’s Lunar Lake

[Image credit: Intel]

Intel’s Lunar Lake: A Game-Changer for Handheld Gaming Devices

Intel‘s Lunar Lake processors are making waves in the tech world. Recent tests show that these chips could have a massive impact on gaming handhelds. While no handhelds with Lunar Lake CPUs are available yet, early benchmarks already offer an exciting glimpse into their capabilities.

Promising Performance Gains

Geekerwan, a well-respected tech reviewer, tested the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, a Lunar Lake CPU. The processor operated at 15W, similar to what a gaming handheld would use. He compared it against the Steam Deck’s custom AMD Zen 2 chip and the Asus ROG Ally’s Z1 Extreme. Even at a 720p resolution to simulate handheld gaming, the results were impressive. The Core Ultra 7 258V outperformed the Z1 Extreme by over twice the speed (2.3x) and was 35% faster than the Steam Deck’s AMD chip.

When compared to the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, the Lunar Lake CPU delivered 67% faster performance at the same power level. This substantial gain shows how Intel’s new chips might change the game for mobile gaming.

Graphics Performance and Challenges

Intel Lunar Lake processors also showed strong results in gaming benchmarks, including demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077. The Core Ultra 7 258V hit 28 fps using FSR, compared to 13 fps on the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. In a higher power setting, the chip remained competitive with the 80W Ryzen AI HX 370, despite running at just 30W.

However, there is one catch. Lunar Lake’s integrated graphics rely on Intel’s Arc (Battlemage) technology. While this contributes to excellent gaming performance, it also brings potential issues. Many older games may struggle with compatibility due to the new Arc drivers. This is a known problem for Intel, as these drivers were developed from scratch not long ago. If you enjoy classic PC or indie games, this might become a frustrating barrier, although newer titles are less likely to have issues.

Battery Life: A Key Feature

Battery life is another vital aspect of gaming handhelds, and Lunar Lake shows promise here as well. Tests on the Yoga Air 15 indicated battery life that nearly matched the MacBook Air M3. This performance is quite promising for handheld gaming, suggesting that devices equipped with Lunar Lake could enjoy long playtimes on a single charge.

What to Expect from Intel’s Lunar Lake

Lunar Lake processors seem set to revolutionize gaming handhelds, offering substantial improvements over Intel’s previous Meteor Lake chips. The combination of powerful CPUs, impressive battery life, and integrated graphics makes Lunar Lake an exciting development in mobile gaming.

Overall, Intel Lunar Lake gaming handhelds could change the landscape of portable gaming. With strong early test results and better efficiency, these processors may finally give Intel the edge it needs to compete with AMD in the handheld space. Game compatibility remains a challenge, but if Intel manages to improve its Arc drivers, the future looks bright for Lunar Lake-powered gaming devices.

Comes Next, Gaming

Assassin’s Creed Delay

[Image credit: Ubisoft]

Ubisoft‘s Assassin’s Creed Shadows has postponed its release to ensure meticulous cultural and historical accuracy in its depiction of Japan. The game, now launching in February 2025, reflects Ubisoft’s dedication to quality and responsiveness to player feedback on cultural authenticity. This decision highlights the challenges and complexities of developing a deeply immersive and accurate historical video game.

Ubisoft has officially postponed the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows to February 2025 (insider-gaming.com). Initially slated for November 2024, this decision follows the cancellation of its appearances at the Tokyo Game Show and various press previews. These actions fueled speculation about a possible delay, which Ubisoft later confirmed.

Tom Henderson, a highly respected insider in the gaming industry, explains that this delay partly stems from the poor performance of Star Wars Outlaws (insider-gaming.com). Ubisoft aims to provide the development team more time to refine the game and apply lessons learned from the Outlaws release. Henderson confirms both these points and provides additional context.

According to Henderson, Assassin’s Creed Shadows had not reached a development stage ready for a November release. The team had to rework several gameplay mechanics, necessitating more time to integrate these changes seamlessly.

Japanese players’ feedback also influenced the delay. They raised concerns about the game’s depiction of Japanese culture and historical accuracy. While rumors of major character cuts like Yasuke proved unfounded, Ubisoft is actively addressing these cultural and historical issues. This includes adjusting the portrayal of Yasuke and other historical and architectural details.

Henderson finds it surprising that such issues, normally resolved internally during the asset-approval process, have surfaced this late. He notes that historical experts were consulted later than usual, contributing to these oversights. Communication issues within the team also played a role.

Ultimately, Henderson reveals that several developers had advocated for a Assassin’s Creed delay much earlier. However, it took time for their concerns to influence senior management decisions.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows delay leads to launch on February 14, 2025, barring any further setbacks. This delay underscores Ubisoft’s commitment to delivering a game that not only entertains but also respects and accurately represents the cultures it portrays.

Gaming

Video Game Console Evolution

Image by TeX9.net, Video Game Console Evolution
The Video Game Console Evolution: A Pixelated Journey Through Time

The world of video gaming has come a long way since its inception. From pixelated screens and simple sounds to realistic graphics and complex storylines. Video game consoles have evolved dramatically, shaping not just the gaming industry but also influencing popular culture and entertainment.

Image by TeX9.net,Video Game Console Evolution
Image by TeX9.net,Video Game Console Evolution

The Dawn of Gaming 1970s: The journey began in the 1970s. With the Magnavox Odyssey, the first commercial home video game console. It was a primitive machine by today’s standards.Ooffering simple, black-and-white graphics and requiring overlays for the TV screen to add color and detail to games. However, it laid the foundation for what was to come.

The Rise of Cartridge-Based Systems 1980s: The 1980s marked the golden age of arcade games. But it was also the era that saw the rise of cartridge-based consoles. The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) revolutionized the home gaming experience. With iconic games like “Super Mario Bros.” and “The Legend of Zelda,” NES set new standards for gameplay and storytelling.

The Bit Wars 1990s: The 1990s were characterized by the “Bit Wars,” with console manufacturers touting the power of their machines. Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) battled for supremacy, while Sony entered the fray with the PlayStation, introducing CD-ROMs that allowed for more complex games with better graphics and audio.

The Age of Internet and Multiplayer Gaming 2000s: The new millennium brought in the era of internet connectivity. Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation 2 pushed the boundaries of online multiplayer gaming. The introduction of Xbox Live and similar services transformed gaming into a social experience, connecting players from around the world.

The Modern Era 2010s and Beyond: The latest generation of consoles, like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, offers unprecedented levels of realism, with 4K resolution and cloud gaming capabilities. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are also becoming more mainstream, providing immersive experiences that were once the stuff of science fiction.

The Future: As we look to the future, we can only imagine what advancements await. Perhaps cloud-based gaming will become the norm, or maybe we’ll see further integration of VR and AR in mainstream gaming. One thing is certain – the evolution of video game consoles will continue to surprise and delight gamers around the world.

Gaming

Super Mario 64 Retrospective

Image: Noa Kosanovic, N64 Clear Blue with Super Mario 64, via Wikimedia Commons

Super Mario 64: When Super Mario entered the third dimension. Super Mario 64 is one reason why the Nintendo 64 was a success.

1990: A small plumber with mustache and red hat became the symbol for Nintendo. Super Mario had already presented the 2D jump ‘n’ run to the masses. With the release of Nintendos first 3D console, he entered the third dimension.

1996: Nintendo releases its first 3D graphics optimized game console: The Nintendo 64. With him came Super Mario 64 and became a mega success for Nintendo with a total of almost 12 million cartridges sold. It is still a genre-defining game 25 years later and it stays timeless with its lively community. With Super Mario 64 Nintendo has made a completely new way of playing suitable for the masses. If we jumped and ran through a level in a maximum of eight directions beforehand, we got a finer control in Super Mario 64. This was possible by the analog stick. A technique that has rarely not been used since the times of the arcade gaming halls.

Pioneer of analog stick

Thanks to the analog stick, Mario was able to move in all possible directions as early as 1996 and explore colorful and imaginative 3D worlds in this way. They are full of secrets, puzzles and characters known from past Mario games. Whether we climbed a steep hill in Bob-Omb’s Bomenberg and avoided metal balls, chased fish and shells in the pirate bay panic or tested our jumping skills in rainbow frenzy: Mario 64 was a exciting challenge.

One of the biggest challenges: to get the completely new and very precise control of our character under control at the time and not to lose track of it. The team led by Mario inventor Shigeru Miyamoto did its best to make the camera angles on Mario as clear as possible. It was not always perfect, especially since no other jump ‘n’ run, not even the recently released 3D game Crash Bandicoot, offered so much freedom of movement.

In the beginning, most people struggled with it. It was simply unusual to let Mario run in 360 degrees and all directions and jump. This new freedom alone also created fascination among young and now older fans of the Mario games.

Mario 64 in 2023

Super Mario 64 set new standards for three-dimensional jump ‘n’ runs and adventure games with his then enormously innovative ideas. Some of them are still used today. Perhaps the greatest legacy: control with the analog stick, which is an integral part of consoles in 2023.

Comes Next, Gaming, TechNews

Nintendo Switch 2 Console could appear 2024

According to new information, Nintendo will release its next-gen console: Nintendo Switch 2 console in the second half of 2024.

Nintendo Switch Splatoon 2 Image: Nintendo Switch Splatoon 2, joatseu, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons [Nintendo Switch 2 Console could appear 2024]

The online site videogameschronicle.com cites its own sources. They published on Tuesday that Nintendo wants to release Nintendo Switch 2 console in the second half of 2024. The development kits for the previously unannounced new console will be partner studios.

The release window will be the second half of 2024. This should give Nintendo enough time to secure enough copies for the market launch. According to the report, this new next-gen console could also be used in portable mode again.

Nintendo Switch 2 console with significantly more powerful hardware

In addition, the upcoming consolewill receive significantly more powerful hardware than the first Switch console. This brings Nintendo to save elsewhere: for mobile use, it should only have an LC display, while the current switch model is available with an OLED screen, says the report.

Nintendo will also need more storage space for the increased hardware. So far, the switch only has 32 gigabytes of space for games.

There will also be a slot for physical data carriers. A so-called “software card”. Meanwhile, competitor Sony wants to launch its own PS5 Slim without a drive. The Xbox Series S from Microsoft also no longer has a drive.

That’s what the Nintendo boss says about the Switch 2

In May, Nintendo already announced that the long-awaited successor to the Switch would not be released until April 2024 at the earliest. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa stated during an investor presentation that the company is not considering any new hardware in fiscal year 2023/24. That ends on March 31, 2024.

So Nintendo doesn’t seem to be in a hurry. Even though Switch sales are down. The console was sold almost 18 million times in the past fiscal year. For comparison: In the previous year there were 23 million copies sold. The year before it was 28 million.

However, Nintendo has no plans to launch a new console to counteract this drop, as the company has forecast a further drop in the coming year. “It will be difficult to maintain the sales momentum of the Switch in its seventh year,” Furukawa said at the presentation. “Our goal of selling 15 million units this fiscal year is a little far-fetched, but we’ll do our best to drive demand into the holiday season so we can hit that target.” Seems like it’s aiming for the first Switch to get as much out of it as possible before the successor finally hits the ground running.

Rumors of a new console have been circulating for years. The new console is said to offer improved graphics, similar to the Playstation 4 and its Pro model, but there’s still no official information about the next piece of Nintendo hardware.