Paul McNally, Author at ReadWrite https://readwrite.com/author/paul-mcnally/ Crypto, Gaming & Emerging Tech News Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:06:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://readwrite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/star-nw.svg Paul McNally, Author at ReadWrite https://readwrite.com/author/paul-mcnally/ 32 32 Nearly 40% of game devs create assets with AI, as turkeys seemingly vote for Christmas https://readwrite.com/nearly-40-of-game-devs-create-assets-with-ai-as-turkeys-seemingly-vote-for-christmas/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:06:55 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261880 An AI-generated image of a packed room full of turkeys on computers.

If you are one of those people who hates the idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) being used to create the… Continue reading Nearly 40% of game devs create assets with AI, as turkeys seemingly vote for Christmas

The post Nearly 40% of game devs create assets with AI, as turkeys seemingly vote for Christmas appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
An AI-generated image of a packed room full of turkeys on computers.

If you are one of those people who hates the idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) being used to create the games you love because it puts talented people out of work and replaces them with Chat-GPT’s overly enthusiastic writing or MidJourney’s seven-fingered monstrosities, you are going to hate this.

The new 2024 Unity Gaming Report has surveyed 7,062 workers in the game industry and “found that around 62% (4,378) of developers are leveraging AI tools during production” according to an analysis by GameDeveloper.com

Of those people, a further 63% (2,758) confirmed they used generative AI to help them create assets for the projects.

This means around 39% of everyone surveyed (7,062) is using AI to build assets for the game. It is super interesting as the games industry undergoes wave after wave of layoffs amid panic that AI will ultimately cost many jobs, that the very tools being blamed for redundancies are being flaunted by such a high number.

AI and generative AI should be being used as a tool and an aid, but whether decisions to bring our future robot overlords on board at this early stage are being made in the board room and being forced on the workers, or whether the developers themselves – the artists and programmers are embracing the tech to help them be more productive would be a wonderful thing to learn.

‘We’re empowering designers’

VP of product management, Kjell Bronder at Niantic (famous for Pokemon GO!), said:

“To increase our productivity, like many others, we’ve been really looking at AI and seeing how we can use this new generation of tools to empower our designers so they can create new assets to explore new ideas.”

“Also, how we can prototype new ways of characters, bring them to life, and have them animate in new ways.”

These empowered designers were obviously not part of the 25% of staff layoffs the company made in the middle of 2023.

Unity itself said, “While 2023 was a year marked with persisting economic headwinds, game developers are strategically navigating the challenges and successfully adapting to changes in technology, the economy, and player habits by doing more with less.” 

Presumably, the less includes the 1,800 people Unity itself let go at the start of the year. 

One thing is for sure, the better AI gets, the less work there will be for humans in the games industry. That is something we need to get our heads around and accept, but we, as the people who buy the games,  should not be expected to accept lower standards for profit.

Featured Image: AI-generated by Ideogram

The post Nearly 40% of game devs create assets with AI, as turkeys seemingly vote for Christmas appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Highway Police Simulator ready to patrol your gaming in September https://readwrite.com/highway-police-simulator-ready-to-patrol-your-gaming-in-september/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:28:19 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261839 A cinematic image of a Police 4x4 from Highwau Police Simulator/

The Flight sim experts Aerosoft are going to be offering up something a little different in September this year. Today… Continue reading Highway Police Simulator ready to patrol your gaming in September

The post Highway Police Simulator ready to patrol your gaming in September appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
A cinematic image of a Police 4x4 from Highwau Police Simulator/

The Flight sim experts Aerosoft are going to be offering up something a little different in September this year. Today the German studio announced Highway Police Simulator – a new cop game it is working on alongside Z-Software.

Slated for a launch on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 5 the game will see you as a lone Highway Patrol cop in America [performing a work shift that includes breakneck high-speed chases, shootouts, and routine traffic stops.

When it is released Highway Police Simulator will include:

  • Varied open-world environments, each with its own challenges and missions
  • A storyline with exciting cases, career progression, ranking system, and more
  • Unique vehicles, including different police cars, helicopters, and more
  • A wide array of missions with traffic stops, accidents, car chases, and more
  • A morality system that challenges players to make difficult decisions with real consequences for the story and the environment

“Highway Police Simulator encapsulates the investigative, often stressful role of law enforcement in a detailed and realistic world,” said Dirk Ohler, Head of Product at Aerosoft. “We’re thrilled to announce the title and our partnership with the talented team at Z-Software, and we look forward to all our new recruits joining the force in September 2024!”

The short launch trailer isn’t giving too much away although it is giving us some Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit vibes, but as well as the car chases it looks as though Highway Police Simulator is going to also feature a little legwork for your cop.

It’s set in the fictional American state of Caminora and can be played casually or with the simulation aspects ramped up. You can wishlist Highway Police Simulator on Steam right now and start polishing your boots in anticipation of its release in a few months time.

Aerosoft is more known for its work on games such as Microsoft Flight Simulator, so it is interesting to see it diversifying into a different kind of sim.

The post Highway Police Simulator ready to patrol your gaming in September appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Final Fantasy XIV Online will drop on Xbox in just three days time https://readwrite.com/final-fantasy-xiv-online-will-drop-on-xbox-in-just-three-days-time/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:00:14 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261772 An image of characters from FFXIV Online

We knew it was coming, we just didn’t know when, but now Square Enix has just announced that Final Fantasy… Continue reading Final Fantasy XIV Online will drop on Xbox in just three days time

The post Final Fantasy XIV Online will drop on Xbox in just three days time appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
An image of characters from FFXIV Online

We knew it was coming, we just didn’t know when, but now Square Enix has just announced that Final Fantasy XIV Online will arrive on Xbox on 21st March after completing its open beta which has been running since last month.

There are some great games coming to Game Pass already this week, you also do not want to miss out on Lightyear Frontier which arrives on the 19th.

The game will launch at 1 am (PDT) and will be available in the Microsoft Store in several different flavors.

Final Fantasy XIV Online Xbox versions

You are certainly not spoilt for choice when it comes to how many versions of FF XIV you can choose from. Here is what will be available. If you are a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber you can download the basic Online Starter Edition free of charge until April 19th.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Starter Edition

For newcomers, the Starter Edition includes three award-winning titles: the base game, A Realm Reborn, and the first and second expansions, Heavensward and Stormblood.
* Players with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan may download the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Starter Edition for free until Friday, April 19.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker

Players can experience the main scenario quests and content available in the Shadowbringers and Endwalker expansions. Requires FINAL FANTASY XIV Starter Edition to play.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker Collector’s Edition

The Endwalker Collector’s Edition includes several in-game bonus items. Requires FINAL FANTASY XIV Starter Edition to play.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Complete Edition

For newcomers, this is the most comprehensive edition and includes A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker expansions.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Complete Collector’s Edition

This version includes the in-game bonus items from the A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker Collector’s Editions.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Free Trial

Play for free up to level 70 and experience the main scenario quests and content from A Realm Reborn, and the Heavensward and Stormblood expansions with no restrictions on playtime.

Pre-purchasing will get you the rather underwhelming free in-game cosmetics:

  • Wind-up Palom Minion
  • Menphina earring (grants 30% EXP bonus up to level 80)

The post Final Fantasy XIV Online will drop on Xbox in just three days time appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Dragon’s Dogma 2: Every Vocation you can play when it launches https://readwrite.com/dragons-dogma-2-every-vocation-you-can-play-when-it-launches/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 14:25:04 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261694 A screenshot of an archer in Dragon's Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 offer us a huge range of possibilities when it comes to our character creation and class. You… Continue reading Dragon’s Dogma 2: Every Vocation you can play when it launches

The post Dragon’s Dogma 2: Every Vocation you can play when it launches appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
A screenshot of an archer in Dragon's Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 offer us a huge range of possibilities when it comes to our character creation and class. You may have already played around with the free Character Creator that has been released, once, of course, you have checked your system requirements to make sure your rig can play the thing in the first place.

Just like in the first game, all those years ago, classes in Dragon’s Dogma 2 are known as Vocations – but we will let you off if you are still referring to them by the ior more traditional moniker for this sort of thing. Anybody who is used to playing RPGs will likely already be drawn to certain play styles, so the table below will show you the Vocation and what it specializes in, so you can get off to a flying start when you begin your first game.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 Vocations (Classes)

There are 10 Vocations / classes in DD2 at launch. Let’s have a closer look at what each offers us: There is one notable omission from the original game The Mystic Knight vocation is very much Missing in Action here. It may be that they have blended the Vocation into the 10 below to give a more rounded character, or well, future DLC is always a possibility.

Vocation Description
Archer Archers are experts in ranged warfare, adept with bow and arrow. They launch their assaults from a distance, capable of hitting targets in elevated positions and playing a pivotal role in supporting the vanguard. By pinpointing enemy vulnerabilities, Archers pave the way for allies to launch effective strikes.
Fighter Masters of close-quarters combat, Fighters excel with sword and shield in hand. They carve through adversaries with ease and land-crushing hits, while their shields serve as steadfast protection for themselves and their comrades.
Mage Armed with a staff, Mages bolster their group with a diverse array of support abilities, from unleashing magical assaults and enhancing allies’ weapons to casting restorative spells. The thrill of strategy comes alive as Mages carefully time the casting of their increasingly potent spells.
Magick Archer Unique to the Arisen, Magick Archers dominate ranged combat with enchanted arrows. Beyond attacking and healing, they adeptly support allies and can sacrifice a portion of their maximum health to deliver a sweeping, area-wide assault.
Mystic Spearhand Exclusive to the Arisen, the Mystic Spearhand merges martial prowess with magical aptitude, ensuring effectiveness at any distance. Wielding the Duospear, they command spells to immobilize foes or launch a barrage of objects, showcasing their versatility.
Sorcerer Dedicated to the art of magic, Sorcerers wield their power to alter the battlefield’s dynamics. Channeling spells with a grand staff, they must choose the perfect moment and position to unleash their lengthy incantations, turning the tide of conflict.
Thief The Thief strikes with lightning speed, unleashing a flurry of attacks using dual daggers, coupled with remarkable agility. They dart in and out of combat, seizing opportunities to ambush foes and deal significant damage. Thieves are also skilled at pilfering items from NPCs and adversaries.
Trickster An Arisen-specific vocation, Tricksters weave illusions from their unique Censer’s smoke. They manipulate these deceptions to turn enemies against each other and can briefly amplify their Pawns’ strength, pushing them beyond their usual capabilities.
Warfarer Exclusive to the Arisen, the Warfarer is a jack-of-all-trades, proficient with every weapon type and borrowing skills from across vocations. Their adaptive arsenal allows for a versatile combat approach, combining weapons and skills to form unique combos. The Warfarer’s adaptability is key, compensating for their lower base stats by exploiting the strategic advantages of diverse weaponry.
Warrior Warriors showcase formidable strength and a preference for up-close battles, thriving under the weight of enemy blows. Proficient with heavy weapons like greatswords and hammers, their devastating attacks, following a moment of charge, stand as some of the most powerful amongst the vocations.

How to change your Vocation in Dragon’s Dogma 2

As you travel around the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2, keep a close eye out for wandering Vocation Masters. Interactive with these wise old NPCs to gain access to their vocations and teachings.

What are Pawn Vocations in Dragon’s Dogma 2?

Pawns in DD2 are characters you can control with your main character. You can have up to three of these under your spell which is great, however the downside is, Pawns do not have access to all Vocations, in fact they can only be one of the following six:

  • Archer
  • Fighter
  • Mage
  • Sorcerer
  • Thief
  • Warrior

The post Dragon’s Dogma 2: Every Vocation you can play when it launches appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Official City Skylines Mod Support finally nears release – new roadmap released https://readwrite.com/official-city-skylines-mod-support-finally-nears-release-new-roadmap-released/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 11:30:16 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261518 A screenshot showing a bay in Cities Skylines II

Cities Skylines II has had a rocky start, part of which is down to just how good playing the original… Continue reading Official City Skylines Mod Support finally nears release – new roadmap released

The post Official City Skylines Mod Support finally nears release – new roadmap released appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
A screenshot showing a bay in Cities Skylines II

Cities Skylines II has had a rocky start, part of which is down to just how good playing the original Cities Skylines, even today, with all its mods, patches, and tweaks, can be.

A ropy start, poor optimization, and a feeling that the devs Colossal Order were fire–fighting from the off have meant some poor publicity for the game, but things have been getting better slowly but surely.

The lack of official mod support has been a huge bugbear of the community for a while now but a post today on the official blog should now help put that to bed with the news that we are just a week away from getting mod support – albeit in a beta format initially.

Updated Cities Skylines II roadmap

The post reads: “With Mods (short for modifications), you can tailor your gaming experience to your unique preferences. Uploaded by creators all over the world, you can pick between anything to create the city of your dreams. Along with Beach Properties, the first wave of Cities: Skylines II Modding will be available. The Beta release of Modding will initially support Map and Code mods.

With the Map Editor, you can make maps with the Terraforming Tools you’re used to, import hightmaps to create highly accurate depictions of your hometown, and upload your creations to Paradox Mods.

With the Code Tools, you can show off your coding skills and create Code Mods to meet your heart’s desire!”

This will be news to warm the hearts of Skylines II players. The prospect of mods to improve quality of life quicker than the devs can push them out should now help propel the games towards where it should have been at launch.

The Mods beta will launch on March 25th alongside a beach Properties Asset Pack that will bring a new Waterfront Zone to the game.

The post Official City Skylines Mod Support finally nears release – new roadmap released appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Lightyear Frontier – How to restore Pine Heights https://readwrite.com/lightyear-frontier-how-to-restore-pine-heights/ Sat, 16 Mar 2024 12:00:59 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261430 A screenshot showing the lush landscape in Lightyear Fronttier.

We are definitely a little bit in love with Lightyear Frontier and if there is one thing the demo has… Continue reading Lightyear Frontier – How to restore Pine Heights

The post Lightyear Frontier – How to restore Pine Heights appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
A screenshot showing the lush landscape in Lightyear Fronttier.

We are definitely a little bit in love with Lightyear Frontier and if there is one thing the demo has taught us is that things are not always obvious in this beautiful little life/farming sim with chilled No Man’s Sky vibes.

From the off, you will be getting tasks popping up in the window at the top right corner of your HUD, one of which will be Restore Pine Heights. All well and good, except you don’t know where it is, or what to do when you find it. Let’s solve those problems for you now.

It’s a multi-part process so let’s get going

How to restore Pine Heights

First things first, check out the Map (the M key on your PC. Here you will see you starting area and Pine Heights to your North West. It’s actually quite a sizeable area of the initial map, but there is no point heading there yet. You need to first locate all your missing tools after you have recovered your Mech.

Get in the Mech and wander around the map until you have collected all the tools it tells you to. You can spot them on the terrain because they will be issuing colored smoke from the wreckage.

You are now going to use two of those tools to restore Pine Heights. The first you need is the Vacuum Harvester. Access your Tool Wheel (Q) and find a pool of water, there are plenty about but you are going to need multiple visits as the vac doesn’t hold anywhere enough of the resources to get the job done. Slightly irritating, but such is life. Use the Vacuum Harvester on the water to suck it up until the meter is filled.

Collecting water in Lightyear Frontier.

Now we can head off to Pine Heights. It’s worth noting here it is so called as it contains a lot of Pine Trees which are a source of Soft Wood.

Make your way to Pine Heights using the map if need be. Here we are going to have to wash away the Noxious Slime pools with the fresh water you sucked up just now. Switch your tool to the Irrigation Hose and now you can spray water on the slime to get rid of it.

Don’t go crazy because you will soon need another trip to a pond to refill so try and use just the correct amount.

As you trot about removing the slime a Percentage bar will fill up showing you how close you are to restoring Pine Heights. Note, it will go up slower than you would like it to. There is a lot of slime hanging around and it is quite a big area and it is easy to miss a patch or two and struggle to fill the bar and complete the job.

A screenshot showing water being sprayed on Noxious Slime in Lightyear Frontier

The best advice to find it all is it glows more obviously at night and to try and get a higher vantage point to see where there might be some left.

Once it has all gone, Pine Heights is restored. Mission accomplished.

The post Lightyear Frontier – How to restore Pine Heights appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Stop! Step away from Minecraft. Do not update it by order of Mojang https://readwrite.com/stop-step-away-from-minecraft-do-not-update-it-by-order-of-mojang/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:09:44 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261362 An image of the Minecraft Hogwarts build

Minecraft devs Mojang has urged players not to update their Minecraft games for fear of losing all their worlds in… Continue reading Stop! Step away from Minecraft. Do not update it by order of Mojang

The post Stop! Step away from Minecraft. Do not update it by order of Mojang appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
An image of the Minecraft Hogwarts build

Minecraft devs Mojang has urged players not to update their Minecraft games for fear of losing all their worlds in what is a pretty major big deal when you think some people have been creating their worlds, for like, oooh, ten years or so.

Mojang, who today also launched the Minecraft Marketplace monthly subscription, posted the following message on its official Mojang Status X account:

“Do not update Minecraft through the Xbox app on PC. If you do, your worlds may be lost. We recommend that you run the Gaming Services Repair Tool for PC before installing the Minecraft update.”

This is all well and good, as long as you actually see this post, which is on an ancillary account on X before pushing the update button in your Game Pass app and potentially crying yourself to sleep for the rest of your days.

A further post on the linked Microsoft support page states:

“Do not download the recent update for Minecraft through the Xbox app for PC.

If you do, your worlds may be lost. We recommend that you run the Gaming Services Repair Tool for PC in the Xbox app on PC before installing the Minecraft update. Using this tool updates the Gaming Services to version 19.87.13001.0, which will avoid the update error. Below are instructions on running the tool;

  • Launch the Xbox app on PC.
  • Click your Profile picture.
  • Click on Support.
  • Click on Gaming Services Repair Tool
  • Click on Start Troubleshooting.

For more information about this tool, see our support article here: Gaming Services Repair Tool for PC.

A further issue is that the Xbox App will probably try to automatically update the game for you, regardless of whether you are even in the building so this could be a blocky disaster.

There is no indication as yet as to what the problem is, but Minecraft is not the first game to suffer save game issues this year, with Baldur’s Gate 3 players also losing hours of gameplay due to save game corruption.

The post Stop! Step away from Minecraft. Do not update it by order of Mojang appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
War Thunder gets Alpha Strike update with new jets and dozens more vehicles https://readwrite.com/war-thunder-gets-alpha-strike-update-with-new-jets-and-dozens-more-vehicles/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:14:36 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261238 A cinematic image from War Thunder of a fighter launching a missile.

If you like War Thunder you are in for a treat with Gaijin Entertainment’s new Alpha Strike content update. Alpha… Continue reading War Thunder gets Alpha Strike update with new jets and dozens more vehicles

The post War Thunder gets Alpha Strike update with new jets and dozens more vehicles appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
A cinematic image from War Thunder of a fighter launching a missile.

If you like War Thunder you are in for a treat with Gaijin Entertainment’s new Alpha Strike content update.

Alpha Strike contains dozens of new military vehicles including the European Alpha Jet attack aircraft, the M60 120S tank, the most up-to-date Chinese infantry fighting vehicle – the ZBD-04A, the American F-20A Tigershark fighter jet, the Hungarian aviation subtree, as well as the North Holland map and other content and improvements.

The Alpha Jet is a compact two-seat attack and trainer jet created by European designers in the 1970s for the local Air Forces. It was exported to a couple of dozen countries, is still in service with France, and is actively used by the Nigerian Air Force in missions against Boko Haram.

Every nation in the game has received at least one new ground vehicle, so no matter who you play as there is something fresh to try out.

If you like playing as Japan, the Imperial Japanese Navy now has the IHN Mutsu, which has the largest guns in the whole game.

Map-wise another new addition is the North Holland location for ground forces which features a city battleground complete with a large mall that is big enough to get your tank into!

The update isn’t all vehicles and new stuff however, a lot of fixes and balances are included in the patch which is the first major update for War Thunder in 2024.

All new vehicles in War Thunder Alpha Strike

Aircraft

Country Equipment
USA F-20A (Pack)
Germany Alpha JET A
BF 109 C-1
USSR Su-25SM3
Great Britain Buccaneer S.2B
Japan F-5E FCU (Squadron vehicle)
F-15J — unique detailed cockpit added
Italy Hungarian Aircraft Subtree
Yak-9P
Tu-2S-59
IL-10
Il-28
MiG-15bis
MiG-17PF
Su-22M3
MiG-21MF
MiG-21bis-SAU
MiG-23MF
MiG-29 (9-12B)
JAS39EBS HU C
France Alpha JET E
Israel BAZ — unique detailed cockpit added

Ground Vehicles

Country Equipment
USA 120S
Germany Zerstorer 45
USSR ZSU-23-4M4
T-80UD (Premium)
Great Britain FV721 Fox
Japan Type 90B Fuji (Pack)
China ZBD04A
Italy Centauro RGO (Pack)
France VTT DCA
Sweden Strv 121B Christian II (Pack)
Israel Merkava Mk.3 Raam Segol (Pack)

Helicopters

Country Equipment
USA AH-1W
AH-64A, AH-64D, AH-64A Peten, AH-64A (GR), YAH-64 — unique detailed cockpit and helmet-mounted display system has been added
Great Britain Wessex HU Mk.5
AH Mk.1 Apache — unique detailed cockpit and helmet-mounted display system has been added
Japan AH-64DJP — unique detailed cockpit and helmet-mounted display system has been added
China AH-1W
Sweden AHS — unique detailed cockpit and helmet-mounted display system has been added
Israel AH-60
Peten, Saraph, AH-64A Peten — unique detailed cockpit and helmet-mounted display system has been added

Naval Fleet

Country Equipment
USA USS Dealey (DE-1006)
Great Britain HMS Diamond (Premium)
Japan IJN Mutsu
Italy RN Bolzano
France Kleber
Bretagne

The post War Thunder gets Alpha Strike update with new jets and dozens more vehicles appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
The Minecraft Marketplace Pass is now a thing but are we ready for another subscription service? https://readwrite.com/the-minecraft-marketplace-pass-is-now-a-thing-but-are-we-ready-for-another-subscription-service/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 11:42:59 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261087 A promotional image for the Minecraft Marketplace Pass.

Oh good. Another monthly subscription. This time for Minecraft and its catalog of DLC. Fed up with rarely spending any… Continue reading The Minecraft Marketplace Pass is now a thing but are we ready for another subscription service?

The post The Minecraft Marketplace Pass is now a thing but are we ready for another subscription service? appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
A promotional image for the Minecraft Marketplace Pass.

Oh good. Another monthly subscription. This time for Minecraft and its catalog of DLC. Fed up with rarely spending any money in the Minecraft Marketplace for skins? Great news, now you can hand over a monthly fee to Mojang and Microsoft so you can access all the things you mainly never wanted for “free”.

As the world surely closes in on critical mass for subscription services even though humans everywhere continue to sign up and forget to cancel, never really noticing the drip, drip, drip of monthly cash from their accounts, the options keep coming.

Sidenote, I scanned my account the other month to tot up outgoings on subscriptions and the amount was scary. YouTube Premium, Game Pass, Spotify Family, and so on, are all sucking money from my account at different times of the month so I never really notice. Do I, or indeed we now need to pay more to download DLC from the Minecraft Marketplace?

Well, Mojang seems to think we do and the pass is going to cost you $3.99 a month and for this, you will receive access to a rotating catalog of DLC and other Minecraft items and goodies. Long gone is the time when we would just eagerly await a new beta drop of the game from Notch back in the day before corporate Minecraft.

A total of around 150 items will be available at any one time as they come and go and the Pass is available for all Bedrock versions of the game.

If you are mad-keen on downloading the latest and greatest Minecraft worlds like this great Hogwarts one then this could work out well for you, but there seems little point if you only have a passing interest and download the occasional new asset to play around with. A limited free trial is available before you jump in properly. If you do try it, don’t forget to cancel before the billing period starts if you have no intention of staying around.

The post The Minecraft Marketplace Pass is now a thing but are we ready for another subscription service? appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Palworld gets its first Raid Boss and it’s probably based on a Pokemon https://readwrite.com/palworld-gets-its-first-raid-boss-and-its-probably-based-on-a-pokemon/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:34:32 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=261037 Palworld

Palworld will forever be known as the game that poked its fingers into the cage holding the giant Nintendo bear.… Continue reading Palworld gets its first Raid Boss and it’s probably based on a Pokemon

The post Palworld gets its first Raid Boss and it’s probably based on a Pokemon appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Palworld

Palworld will forever be known as the game that poked its fingers into the cage holding the giant Nintendo bear. Its fairly unashamed take on the Pokemon world attracted a lot of adverse attention on launch, all the while helping to propel it to one of the most talked about games of the game and garner a player base in the multi-millions in the process.

The launch version was still on the janky side, its Early Access roots well and truly showing above ground. Since then the devs have been constantly tweaking and updating in the background, while fending off legal probing from the Japanese gaming giant and is now ready to launch its first boss into the wild.

So which Pokemon is it based on? That’s probably a highly cynical question but the “internet” is generally happy it is loosely based upon Gardevoir. But it might not be. We do still have to give credit to the devs at Pocketpair for this weird purple Pal that would not look out of place in The Nightmare Before Christmas or Beetlejuice.

A post on the Palworld X account announced its impending arrival:

“Attention Pal Tamers

A powerful evil Pal has appeared and is laying siege to the Palpagos Islands!
Only the most skilled Pal Tamers stand a chance against her…

Palworld’s first raid, Bellanoir, is coming soon!”

But that’s about it to be fair. We know it will be part of a wider patch that will again attempt to address the rampant cheating issue the game is still going through alongside general fixes and balances as the game pushes toward its V1.

In the meantime, the game is included in the current Steam Spring Sale, so if you haven’t picked it up yet, you can get 10% off as we speak.

The post Palworld gets its first Raid Boss and it’s probably based on a Pokemon appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 – latest info from the dev stream, including ray-tracing news https://readwrite.com/microsoft-flight-sim-2024-latest-info-from-the-dev-stream-including-ray-tracing-news/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 17:32:55 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=260869 An image from Flight Simulator 2024

As the months go by, excitement in the flight simulator community is growing as the launch window for Microsoft Flight… Continue reading Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 – latest info from the dev stream, including ray-tracing news

The post Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 – latest info from the dev stream, including ray-tracing news appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
An image from Flight Simulator 2024

As the months go by, excitement in the flight simulator community is growing as the launch window for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 draws ever closer. News on the latest version of the popular sim has been a bit thin on the ground since the end of last year but in a dev stream, Microsoft and developers Asabo have some more to say, including potentially an accidental clue as to the release date.

The potential slip-up came while talking about one of the included aircraft – an upgraded version of the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet, of which the current model is available to buy in the in-game store.

Jorg Neumann of the Microsoft Flight Simulator team was talking about potentially pulling the download from the store so as not to upset anybody who bought it in September, only to discover right after that that it comes in MSFS 2024. Does that mean we are looking at a September/October launch? Time will tell.

Microsoft will be present at FlightSimExpo 2024 in Las Vegas at the end of June so we are definitely expecting them to be showing the sim in all its glory by that point.

A whole new world

We did learn that the entire planet in 2024 will be updated using the very latest data from Bing maps. While mountains are unlikely to have moved much, certain areas of the inhabited world will greatly benefit from updated data.

A brief mention was made that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will feature ray tracing and that this is being worked on at the moment, but whether this is something that will appear further down the line is unclear at this point.

With plenty more updates for the current version of MSFS before we get to launch there should be lots to talk about in the coming months.

The post Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 – latest info from the dev stream, including ray-tracing news appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Vampire Therapist – Counsel the undead and help them rest in peace https://readwrite.com/vampire-therapist-counsel-the-undead-and-help-them-rest-in-peace/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:49:28 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=260816 A screenshot of an interaction in Vampire Therapist

You get to play with some crazy concepts in this job, but Vampire Therapist is definitely one of the most… Continue reading Vampire Therapist – Counsel the undead and help them rest in peace

The post Vampire Therapist – Counsel the undead and help them rest in peace appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
A screenshot of an interaction in Vampire Therapist

You get to play with some crazy concepts in this job, but Vampire Therapist is definitely one of the most out there in a long time. The new question-the-undead-’em-up from Berlin-based Little Bat Games has just dropped a new trailer and it’s done more than enough for me to add this to my Steam Wishlist list of weird and wonderful stuff I want to play this year like Dystopika.

The premise is simple, if utterly bonkers, you are a trainee therapist for the undead and you need to get them sat on the couch and work through their issues and traumas with them. You will get visits from vampires, ghouls, and all manner of specters and spooks and give them the counseling they need to help them rest in peace.

You are probably thinking this is all a bit crazy-sounding, but we urge you to watch the trailer because this is in fact going to be very cool.

All of the techniques shown throughout the game and in the trailer have been created with the help and support of licensed therapists, lending authenticity to the game and its overall message.

“We are dead, don’t we deserve to rest in peace?” asks Andromachos in the trailer, a reformed warrior and assassin, and mentor to players on their therapy journey with the terminally blood-thirsty.

You will take on the role of Sam, a trainee Vamp-therapist and you must, “will challenge their fellow undead to face up to their distorted versions of reality, and see if they can battle their demons and come out on the other side.”

The trailer looks at the mental distortion of ‘should statements’ which are a common cognitive distortion or ‘unhelpful thinking style’. The undead do this too it seems.

Vampire Therapist is a hugely interesting concept because, if the trailer is anything to go by, players are going to learn quite a bit about psychology and therapy by osmosis almost as they play the game. A very cool concept.

Vampire Therapist will be released on Steam in June. We can’t wait.

The post Vampire Therapist – Counsel the undead and help them rest in peace appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Want to own a Fender Stratocaster? You can now in Fortnite, but it’s gonna cost you https://readwrite.com/want-to-own-a-fender-stratocaster-you-can-now-in-fortnite-but-its-gonna-cost-you/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:22:36 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=260689 An image showing Fender's guitar skins in Fortnite.

The greatest rock guitarists of all time have at one point or another wielded the iconic Fender Stratocaster, and now… Continue reading Want to own a Fender Stratocaster? You can now in Fortnite, but it’s gonna cost you

The post Want to own a Fender Stratocaster? You can now in Fortnite, but it’s gonna cost you appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
An image showing Fender's guitar skins in Fortnite.

The greatest rock guitarists of all time have at one point or another wielded the iconic Fender Stratocaster, and now you can too, indirectly, courtesy of a deal between Fender and Epic Games to bring its guitars to Fortnite Festival as skins.

Yes, no item is beyond getting a paid-for skin in the Item Shop. As well as future leaks about character skins such as the Turtles or yesterday’s PS+ exclusive skin, we look forward to exciting leaks about a new skin for a set of Maraccas or a deal with Korg for a keyboard skin. Ah well, such is the world we live in.

Initially, at least Fortnite will get two of Fender’s iconic axes – the aforementioned Stratocaster so you can re-enact your favorite Kurt Cobain moments, and the Precision Bass, in case you are more of a rhythm klng.

Obviously, this is Fortnite so this stuff is not free. To be fair it is actually more reasonably priced than it could have been, with each coming in at 800 V-Bucks. Now obviously you can’t just buy 800 V-Bucks, but a 1000 will set you back $8.99/£6.99 so if you want both models you are going to be looking at around just shy of $15 in real, actual money.

Epic Games said of the partnership, “Over the years, through numerous live in-game performances to music video debuts, Epic has shown that Fortnite and music go hand in hand. The latest partnership with Fender further solidifies the game’s commitment to working with the most established and forward-thinking brands in music.”

Fortnite currently has a fair bit going on right now with Lantern Fest during Ramadan and the launch (eventually) of Chapter 5 Season 2. It also beat its record for a concurrent number of players this year.

The post Want to own a Fender Stratocaster? You can now in Fortnite, but it’s gonna cost you appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
How to make Fortnite in Infinite Craft https://readwrite.com/how-to-make-fortnite-in-infinite-craft/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 11:55:09 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=260565 An AI-generated image of a Fortnite character made from crafting materials.

Infinite Craft is still going strong and you guys are still playing it, so let’s recreate one of the most… Continue reading How to make Fortnite in Infinite Craft

The post How to make Fortnite in Infinite Craft appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
An AI-generated image of a Fortnite character made from crafting materials.

Infinite Craft is still going strong and you guys are still playing it, so let’s recreate one of the most popular games of all time in one of those most popular games of the moment. Whoah, it’s getting like the Matrix in here.

How to craft Fortnite

We can get to Fortnite surprisingly quickly, and, as ever, if you have been following our other guides carefully you may already have Castle and Internet so can just mash the two together and be done with the whole thing in seconds. You’re welcome. 

  • Water + Fire = Steam
  • Steam + Earth = Mud
  • Mud + Fire = Brick
  • Brick + Brick = Wall
  • Wall + Brick = House
  • House + Wall = Castle
  • Steam + Fire = Engine
  • Engine + Engine = Rocket
  • Rocket + Rocket = Satellite
  • Steam + Engine = Train
  • Train + Rocket = Bullet Train
  • Satellite + Bullet Train = Internet
  • Internet + Castle = Fortnite

You can also then mix Fortnite + Earth = Battle Bus for a little extra gaming fun. Or maybe try Fortnite + Castle to give you Tilted Towers as well. Experimentation is the key to Infinite Craft.

Featured Image: AI-generated in Ideogram

You may like these other Infinite Craft guides

 

The post How to make Fortnite in Infinite Craft appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Legendary RuneScape creator shows off new MMO after decade of development https://readwrite.com/legendary-runescape-creator-shows-off-new-mmo-after-decade-of-development/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 09:58:23 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=260508 A screenshot from Andrew Gower's Brighter Shores

Soon after the turn of the new century,  after we had all calmed down about the Millennium Bug bringing planes… Continue reading Legendary RuneScape creator shows off new MMO after decade of development

The post Legendary RuneScape creator shows off new MMO after decade of development appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
A screenshot from Andrew Gower's Brighter Shores

Soon after the turn of the new century,  after we had all calmed down about the Millennium Bug bringing planes crashing out of the skies, and nuclear armageddon a little game called RuneScape came out. It’s still going, indeed we talked yesterday about how RuneScape publisher Jagex has been busy strengthening its management team.

The designer Andrew Gower and his brother Paul created one of gaming’s longest-lasting legacies. RuneScape and old-school RuneScape are still played by many to this day. So the news that Andrew has a new MMO coming out this year, and one that he has been working on for ten years should excite a lot of players.

Developed by his studio Fen Research, “Andrew Gower’s Brighter Shores” can be wishlisted on Steam as we speak, and is currently slated for a release at some point during Q3 this year. And to complete the circle of life, brother Paul is the game’s Narrative Designer.

Gower told PC Gamer via a statement, “Creating this game has been a real labor of love, At times it has felt like an insurmountably ambitious task, so it’s amazing to finally see it coming together in the way I hoped. I can’t wait to see the world full of players enjoying what we have created.”

Brighter Shores will release as free-to-play but will have a Premium Pass with more quests and professions, as well as a player-to-player trading system.

It has been designed with Gower’s own Fenforge engine, and as you can see from the image above, this has given it a unique look, reminiscent of RuneScape but what interests us most is Fen Research says it will seek to minimize the “grindy” gameplay that plagues the genre.

If they can all pull this off, we could be about to get another MMO that will stick around for the best part of a quarter of a century and more.

The post Legendary RuneScape creator shows off new MMO after decade of development appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Prince of Persia The Lost Crown gets free DLC next week https://readwrite.com/prince-of-persia-the-lost-crown-gets-free-dlc-next-week/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:08:23 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=260421 An image from Prince of Persia

When The Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown arrived earlier this year it made a lot of friends. It was… Continue reading Prince of Persia The Lost Crown gets free DLC next week

The post Prince of Persia The Lost Crown gets free DLC next week appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
An image from Prince of Persia

When The Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown arrived earlier this year it made a lot of friends. It was a superb-looking game and captured the spirit of the original perfectly. It looks great on just about whatever you want to play it on so it is good news that Ubisoft Montpellier is fully committed to supporting it for the long run.

We now have a roadmap showing the studio’s plans up until the end of the year and it all starts on March 20th with a free update DLC called Warrior’s Path.

If you are a Prince of Persia player who needs a little extra challenge in your life, this update might just be for you as it is aimed at players who like things a bit tougher. A new permadeath mode should see you crying into your controllers and there is also a Speedrun Mode for those who think their reflexes are up to it.

You will also get some new outfits to play in for Sargon.

The second update, titled Boss Attack has no specific date, merely Spring 2024, and will also be free, bringing with it more outfits and a Boss Rush Mode to see how many you can take out consecutively.

Next up is the third free update, Divine Trials, slated for Summer 2024 and will contain more outfits, and amulets and will be a more comprehensive overhaul of the game, featuring new styles of combat and platform and puzzle challenges. Sounds intriguing.

Finally, “Later in 2024” we will get New Story DLC which presumably will be paid for as it doesn’t mention free on this one and there are no further details as yet as to what that will entail, but it should keep us going back to The Lost Crown for a bit longer yet.

The post Prince of Persia The Lost Crown gets free DLC next week appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
35 games launch with Omni One VR treadmill, more than a decade after we first saw it https://readwrite.com/35-games-launch-with-omni-one-vr-treadmill-more-than-a-decade-after-we-first-saw-it/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 15:23:14 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=260336 A photo of the Omni One VR treadmill.

Hands up who remembers Palmer Luckey? The Hawaiian-shirted entrepreneur and founder of Oculus VR who once made a VR headset… Continue reading 35 games launch with Omni One VR treadmill, more than a decade after we first saw it

The post 35 games launch with Omni One VR treadmill, more than a decade after we first saw it appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
A photo of the Omni One VR treadmill.

Hands up who remembers Palmer Luckey? The Hawaiian-shirted entrepreneur and founder of Oculus VR who once made a VR headset that would literally kill you if you died in a game was the poster boy of the early re-arrival of VR around 2013.

Luckey launched the Oculus Rift after a successful spell of selling Oculus Dev kits to people like me who were early adopters of the tech and wanted in at stage one.

As the Rift came out companies sprang up with VR gear to enhance your virtual reality experience. Back in the day, all those years ago I remember a company called Virtuix announcing on Kickstarter the Omni. A VR treadmill that allowed you to walk 360 degrees in any direction inside your VR game without crashing into the couch or knocking the houseplants over.

Now, in 2024 it is ready to ship within the next few months and has today announced a 35-title game library that will be playable at launch. Time flies when you are having fun.

Omni One’s launch lineup includes top VR games like Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord,  Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, Hubris, and Breachers. Each game has been adapted for movement on Omni One through close collaboration with the game’s developers.

Virtuix CEO Jan Goetgeluk expressed his excitement about Omni One’s upcoming launch, stating,  “The high caliber of our launch games showcases how Omni One will take virtual reality to the next level. We are proud to partner with so many award-winning studios and offer our users an  exceptional selection of games that will redefine their gaming experiences.”

So what is the Omni One?

Well, what it is is definitely something that my wife is not going to let me have in the corner of our lounge that’s what. The 360-degree treadmill allows you to travel more naturally in your VR games, not having to rely on hacky teleporting mechanisms or movement systems that can add to VR sickness.

The unit costs $2,595 and comes with its own PICO VR headset. It can be used with existing VR hear you have, although, here’s the kicker, not the Meta Quest, probably the world’s best-selling VR headset right now – at least in its unlinked format. There is no option to purchase the Omni without the headset, which is a shame, but Virtuix wants to make the experience as seamless as possible for users who are laying out such a large amount of cash.

Pre-orders for the unit will be fulfilled during Q2 with the Omni One finally making general release by the end of Q2, marking the conclusion of a remarkable journey to market.

A photo of the Omni One VR treadmill.

Complete Game Lineup for Omni One Launch: 

  • 1. AFFECTED: The Manor 
  • 2. Ancient Dungeon 
  • 3. ARK and ADE 
  • 4. Breachers
  • 5. Craft Wars 
  • 6. Crimen – Mercenary Tales 
  • 7. Compound 
  • 8. David Slade Mysteries: Case Files 
  • 9. Dead of the Sea 
  • 10. Dead Zone 
  • 11. Death Horizon: Reloaded 
  • 12. Doctor Who: The Edge of Time 
  • 13. Darksword: Battle Eternity 
  • 14. DYSCHRONIA: Chronos Alternate 
  • 15. Elite Force 
  • 16. Eolia 
  • 17. First Steps 
  • 18. Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord 
  • 19. Hubris 
  • 20. Hunt Together 
  • 21. Hyperblast
  • 22. In Death: Unchained 2
  • 23. Ionia 
  • 24. Journey To Foundation 
  • 25. Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom 
  • 26. Primal Hunt 
  • 27. RUINSMAGUS 
  • 28. The Exorcist: Legion VR 
  • 29. The Jade Cipher 
  • 30. The Patcher 
  • 31. The Secret Pyramid 
  • 32. The Twilight Zone VR 
  • 33. Titanic: A Space Between 
  • 34. TOTALLY BASEBALL! 
  • 35. Wanderer: The Fragments of Fate 

The post 35 games launch with Omni One VR treadmill, more than a decade after we first saw it appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
EAFC 24 Spring Update: Mega patch brings new faces and animations along with AI improvements https://readwrite.com/eafc-24-spring-update-mega-patch-brings-new-faces-and-animations-along-with-ai-improvements/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:13:52 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=260309 A Juventus player in EAFC 24

There’s a big patch incoming for EAFC 24, probably the last before it gets put out to pasture and we… Continue reading EAFC 24 Spring Update: Mega patch brings new faces and animations along with AI improvements

The post EAFC 24 Spring Update: Mega patch brings new faces and animations along with AI improvements appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
A Juventus player in EAFC 24

There’s a big patch incoming for EAFC 24, probably the last before it gets put out to pasture and we have to begin all over again in the Fall.

The Spring Update will be the 11th patch since the game launched last year and seems to be rolling out as we speak.

Legendary AI difficulty will be changed up considerably and animations have been tweaked and added to.. When it comes to players we are also told that EA Sports has:

  • Updated some messages, button callouts, celebrations, balls, gloves, celebrations, boots, kits, badges, banners, flags, scarves, and tifos.
  • Added 86 star heads and updated 9, they will become visible in-game following a Server Release.

EAFC24 is not shy of leakers and data miners so social media will be full of images of the changes before too long we expect.

EAFC 24 Spring Update Highlights

You can check out EA Sports’ Trello Board here to see the full details of everything that has changed, along with other info about how things will play out

Based on the patch notes provided, here are the most important updates grouped into categories for clarity. These changes are likely to significantly impact gameplay, strategy, and player experience:

Gameplay Adjustments

  • Tiki Taka & Pinged Pass Changes: Adjustments to first-time pass accuracy and driven passes to balance play styles.
  • Jockey & Press Proven Modifications: Reduced sprint jockey speed and adjusted shielding effectiveness, making defensive play more nuanced.
  • Power Header & Dead Ball: Changes to ball speed from headers and reduced set piece preview line length to challenge precision in set pieces.
  • Significant PlayStyle Adjustments: Notable changes to Power Header+, Relentless, and Power Shot, reducing effectiveness in specific areas to encourage varied play.

Gameplay Overhauls

  • New Animations and AI Behavior: Introduction of new clearance and shooting animations, alongside adjustments to CPU AI, particularly for Legendary difficulty, to diversify gameplay.
  • Trickster PlayStyle Update: Replacement of the unique ball roll animation with a new one, indicating an emphasis on enhancing and diversifying player moves.

Ultimate Team Updates

  • Difficulty & Competitor Mode: Legendary difficulty in Squad Battles and single-player Ultimate Team Draft no longer uses Competitor Mode, potentially altering the challenge level.
  • Addressed Issues: Fixes to stadium lighting issues, UI display problems, and a stability issue related to viewing the Player Bio on Loan Items, aiming to improve the overall game experience.

General, Audio, and Visual Enhancements

  • Content Updates: Addition of new star heads, celebrations, balls, gloves, and more, enhancing the visual and interactive quality of the game.
  • Stability and UI Improvements: Efforts to address stability issues and incorrect or placeholder texts to improve game reliability and user interface clarity.

All of this and more should be with us by the time the server next updates.

 

The post EAFC 24 Spring Update: Mega patch brings new faces and animations along with AI improvements appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Flexispot wants the GT5 to be your new perfect gaming station https://readwrite.com/flexispot-wants-the-gt5-to-be-your-new-perfect-gaming-station/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:06:36 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=255950 A photograph of the GT5 gaming desk.

The team at Flexispot has been rolling out stylish furniture with an emphasis on mechanized sitting/standing desks that have found… Continue reading Flexispot wants the GT5 to be your new perfect gaming station

The post Flexispot wants the GT5 to be your new perfect gaming station appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
A photograph of the GT5 gaming desk.

The team at Flexispot has been rolling out stylish furniture with an emphasis on mechanized sitting/standing desks that have found their way into many a gaming setup for a few years now. Popular with influencers and YouTubers, Flexispot’s desk has offered an easy and affordable way to get an adjustable height surface into your setup.

It’s not only perfect for day-to-day work with your PC or console but the ability to alter the desk height if you are playing fighting games with an arcade stick to make it more akin to the height you would find on an arcade cabinet, or even lower it to a driving height for racing games in VR has meant they have become popular choices, especially if you are redesigning your gaming space.

The new GT5 desk brings all that technology and models into a gaming desk that would fit into just about any scenario while looking less like an office desk and more like you are a pro influencer in the bargain.

Large enough to hold multiple monitors and covered in a carbon-fiber texture that looks stylish, the GT5 is powered by efficient duel motors, one on each of its sturdy legs, and controlled by a simple panel mounted at the front of the desk, which can be locked to make sure you don’t lean on it by accident.

The height can be adjusted between 58 and 123cm (the standard for sitting is generally around the 85ish cm) and it only takes seconds to switch between heights. You can also set favorite heights say for seating and standing and effortly switch between the two.

In an accessory pack that comes with it, you also get a cup holder, headphone hanger, and cable management system, and the control panel has a built-in charger for your phone.

Optional extras such as a keyboard tray or castors increase the cost but certainly aren’t necessary.

Another nice feature is the contoured cut-out at the front of the desk meaning you can improve your posture while sitting by getting that bit close, or better still, when you have finished playing you can get your gaming chair an inch or so further underneath it and create a little more space in your room if you need to.

The price is around the $499 mark but Flexispot has regular sales on which may mean you can pick it up cheaper. 

The GT5 probably is not an impulse buy at that price but it is very good value for what you do get. The desk surface comes in two different sizes 160x80cm or 180×80 if y ou need the extra length for more screens.

If you are in the market for a new gaming desk, especially if you are upgrading your gaming space then the Flexispot GT5 could be just what you are looking for.

The post Flexispot wants the GT5 to be your new perfect gaming station appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels
Dragon’s Dogma 2 PC system requirements: Can your PC run it? https://readwrite.com/dragons-dogma-2-pc-system-requirements-can-your-pc-run-it/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 12:23:03 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=260234 An image of three characters in Dragon's Dogma 2

The release date for the highly-anticipated Dragon’s Dogma 2 is almost upon us. The character creator has already been released… Continue reading Dragon’s Dogma 2 PC system requirements: Can your PC run it?

The post Dragon’s Dogma 2 PC system requirements: Can your PC run it? appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
An image of three characters in Dragon's Dogma 2

The release date for the highly-anticipated Dragon’s Dogma 2 is almost upon us. The character creator has already been released but now you may be in that uneasy time of wondering whether your aging gaming rig is going to keep up with the demands placed upon it.

How big is the Dragon’s Dogma 2 download?

Well before we even begin to look at how well your gaming PC will run things it’s worth a quick check to make sure you have enough free storage space. No word yet on the PC download size but the Xbox size is listed at some 70GB, which, while still a lot, is around half the size of a Baldur’s Gate 3. Hopefully, you will have enough space without having to delete all those dubious waifu games you picked up in a Steam Sale once.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 Recommended requirements for PC

This is the kind of spec you are looking for if you wish to play the game anything like it is intended to be played. Things do not look too beefy at this stage so we don’t anticipate, beyond early bugs, any real problems for the majority of players.

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system

OS: Windows 10 (64 bit)/Windows 11 (64 bit)

Processor: Intel Core i7-10700 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

Memory: 16 GB RAM

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 / AMD Radeon RX 6700

DirectX: Version 12

Network: Broadband Internet connection

Additional Notes: Estimated performance: 2160i/30fps. Framerate might drop in graphics-intensive scenes. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6800 required to support ray tracing.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 Minimum requirements for PC

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system

OS: Windows 10 (64 bit)/Windows 11 (64 bit)

Processor: Intel Core i5 10600 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600

Memory: 16 GB RAM

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT with 8GB VRAM

DirectX: Version 12

Network: Broadband Internet connection

Additional Notes: Estimated performance: 1080p/30fps. Framerate might drop in graphics-intensive scenes. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6800 required to support ray tracing.

What else do we know about Dragon’s Dogma 2?

If you want to find out the latest info about how saves work, framerates, and multiplayer, Ali has you covered on the Everything you need to know page so do check that out.

Will it run on a Steam Deck or ROG Ally?

Nothing has been Verified over at Valve as yet but we can’t see why not. Storage space may be your biggest enemy but the Windows 11-equipped ROG Ally should be able to run it comfortably. Steam Deck may need a little more tweaking but we will get there in the end for sure.

The post Dragon’s Dogma 2 PC system requirements: Can your PC run it? appeared first on ReadWrite.

]]>
Pexels