Xbox has officially warned Game Pass subscribers about potential service disruptions citing unforeseen technical difficulties. The alert, issued through the Xbox Support channel, advises users to expect intermittent access to Game Pass titles. The move comes as the platform experiences a surge in reported connectivity issues and game loading failures.
Professor Ryuta Kawashima, renowned for Nintendo's Brain Age and Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training series, reveals driving a manual transmission car benefits the brain, potentially preventing dementia. His study shows manual driving activates the prefrontal cortex more than automatics, enhancing memory, decision-making, and attention. Engaging in such activities can contribute to maintaining mental health and cognitive function, especially in aging populations.
Tech experts from Digital Foundry cast doubt on rumored 60fps mode for GTA 6 on current-gen consoles, citing the game's high detail and simulation demands. GTA 6's world complexity is compared to Dragon's Dogma 2 and Baldur's Gate 3, highlighting the challenge. The game is set to release on November 19, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Series S, with no physical disc copy available.
Amazon's Prime Day offers a discounted Audible subscription for new users, providing three months for $0.99/month and a $20 credit. Strategically, you can use this to access the first four Harry Potter full-cast audiobooks for less than $11. These immersive editions, complete with full voice casts and sound effects, are a must-try for fans.
Kojima Productions, the studio behind Elden Ring and Death Stranding, secures a $75 million investment from Google for AI research, potentially paving the way for innovative gaming technologies. This collaboration hints at futuristic game development practices. The studio's upcoming projects may heavily incorporate AI-driven elements.
Sjoerd De Jong, a renowned Unreal Engine expert and former lead evangelist, has departed Epic Games after 12 years, citing the industry's approach to a pivotal moment. De Jong's journey with Unreal Engine spans 27 years, from modding the original 1998 FPS at 15 to leading its global adoption. His departure coincides with Epic's unveiling of Unreal Engine 6, focusing on interoperability and generative AI.
Amazon has unexpectedly dropped its nearly complete biopic "Artificial" about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Andrew Garfield, just months after a $50 billion investment in OpenAI. Despite positive test screenings, Amazon seeks a new distributor for the film. The decision follows a private screening that reportedly showcased a critical portrayal of Altman and Elon Musk.
Vampire Survivors' crossover with Fortnite is under review following Epic's reveal of generative AI usage in game development, sparking mixed community reactions. The move comes as Epic highlights AI's role in speeding up content creation, despite recent layoffs. Fans praise Poncle's cautious stance.
Nintendo confirms a data breach impacting employee information through TinyPulse, a third-party survey service, with a ransom demand made by "extortion as a service" group ShadowByt3$. The breach does not affect customer or financial data, according to Nintendo. Employee survey data, including names, emails, and bank records, is at risk.
Neural Dawn, a demo by Arm and Sumo Digital, impressively showcases ray-traced graphics and neural rendering technologies on mobile, hinting at a promising alternative for handheld gaming PCs beyond AMD and Intel. With features like Neural Super Sampling and Denoising (NSSD) and Neural Frame Rate Upscaling (NFRU), this tech could revolutionize portable gaming. Later this year, players can experience Neural Dawn, albeit briefly, with its 120 minutes of gameplay designed to highlight Arm's capabilities.
