Tag

Console Gaming

All articles tagged with #console gaming

Disc-Based Games Often Need Internet to Function, Threatening Preservation
technology26 days ago

Disc-Based Games Often Need Internet to Function, Threatening Preservation

A DoesItPlay study shows about 27% of physical game releases require downloads to fix bugs or access missing content (34% on PS5, 50% on Xbox Series X), highlighting a growing online dependency that could render discs unplayable as servers shut down. The piece also notes Sony’s limited disc production, the rise of online-prompted progress in several titles, and a push from preservation advocates for offline-capable, DRM-free options.

Alienware AW3426DW: OLED ultrawide brilliance for PC gaming, with console compromises
technology1 month ago

Alienware AW3426DW: OLED ultrawide brilliance for PC gaming, with console compromises

The Alienware AW3426DW is a 34-inch, 21:9 QD-OLED ultrawide at $800, packing a 3,440×1,440 panel with a “Penta Tandem” OLED stack and RGB stripe for strong contrast and vibrant color, plus a rapid 280 Hz refresh rate and VRR support. It offers easy setup, a slim stand, and a solid port suite (two HDMI, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet), but its SDR brightness is modest (~300 nits) and much of the ultrawide space can be wasted on games or consoles that don’t natively support 21:9 (16:9 is required for many). The Esports mode crops to a 24.5-inch 1080p window, limiting the ultrawide experience for competitive play. For PC gaming with native ultrawide support, it’s visually stunning; for console or non-ultrawide content, it’s less ideal.

Xbox's growth hinges on exclusive games, leadership says
technology1 month ago

Xbox's growth hinges on exclusive games, leadership says

After a corporate restructure, Xbox leadership reaffirmed a return to platform exclusivity to drive growth, arguing exclusive titles are essential to give players a clear reason to buy Xbox. Confirmed exclusives include Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution, while others like Forza Horizon 6 and Fable will remain multiplatform. The company emphasizes a formal framework for evaluating exclusives and stresses that its franchises are central to rebuilding trust with the Xbox community and sustaining a pipeline of high-profile games.

Disc-Free Consoles: Is Ownership Still Worth It?
gaming1 month ago

Disc-Free Consoles: Is Ownership Still Worth It?

The piece argues that the move toward digital-only gaming—citing Sony’s plan to end physical discs and Xbox’s increasing alignment with PC-style ecosystems—weakens the traditional appeal of buying a console. With PC game stores offering broader ownership, the potential for game preservation, and exclusives drifting to PC, the author questions whether consoles still offer a compelling value proposition, especially as next-gen hardware may be expensive. While acknowledging that consoles aren’t going away, the article suggests their role is evolving toward accessibility and ecosystem rather than physical ownership and long-term owning power.

Circana: Exclusives Remain the Top Draw for Console Gamers (41%)
gaming3 months ago

Circana: Exclusives Remain the Top Draw for Console Gamers (41%)

A Circana Q1 2026 survey found that 41% of US gamers say exclusive games are the primary reason they play on consoles, with 38% saying they staying within the same system because friends/family use it. The data underscores exclusives as a key driver of console adoption and potentially hardware sales, even as multi‑platform titles remain lucrative; analysts expect exclusives to return for high‑profile single‑player franchises while multiplayer titles stay spread across platforms.

PS5 Pro Gets a Targeted Visual Boost With PSSR 2
technology5 months ago

PS5 Pro Gets a Targeted Visual Boost With PSSR 2

A software update adds PSSR 2 upscaling to the PS5 Pro, boosting visuals on a select set of games (notably with ray tracing in Resident Evil Requiem) and improving motion fidelity for titles reconfigured to use the tech. However, gains are uneven and largely depend on developers updating games for PSSR 2. At $750 (excluding the $80 disc drive), the PS5 Pro remains the best piecemeal option for high-fidelity console gaming, while many titles don’t fully leverage the updater.

PC Gaming Poised to Surpass Consoles by 2028, Reshaping Industry Leaders
market-news5 months ago

PC Gaming Poised to Surpass Consoles by 2028, Reshaping Industry Leaders

A Newzoo forecast says PC gaming revenue will overtake console gaming by 2028, with PC CAGR at 6.6% versus consoles at 4.4%, aided by Japan’s growth in PC gaming. The shift could be negative for Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, while benefiting PC platforms like Valve's Steam; rumors of a hybrid Xbox-PC also gain plausibility in light of the trend.

Xbox's Project Helix: PC-first next-gen power, with dev kits arriving in 2027
technology5 months ago

Xbox's Project Helix: PC-first next-gen power, with dev kits arriving in 2027

Microsoft reveals Project Helix, its next-gen Xbox designed to play both console and PC games, powered by a custom AMD SoC and co-designed for the next generation of DirectX, featuring advanced ray tracing, neural rendering, ML-based upscaling, and Direct Storage. Alpha dev kits are slated to ship in 2027 as Microsoft shifts toward a PC-inclusive “future of play,” with Asha Sharma taking a leading gaming role following Phil Spencer’s retirement.

PC gaming set to outrun consoles in revenue by 2028, says Newzoo
business5 months ago

PC gaming set to outrun consoles in revenue by 2028, says Newzoo

Newzoo forecasts PC gaming revenue will overtake console revenue by 2028, with PC growing 6.6% CAGR (2025–2028) vs 4.4% for consoles, lifting total PC+console revenue to about $103.7B by 2028. Growth comes from premium PC titles and broader East Asia adoption, while console revenue leans on blockbuster releases and hardware. Game Pass on Xbox reshapes top titles and pricing dynamics, with the $30–$50 tier rising as a cross-platform sweet spot.

Xbox's Future: Affordable Gaming or Premium Experience?
technology9 months ago

Xbox's Future: Affordable Gaming or Premium Experience?

Rumors suggest Xbox may eliminate online multiplayer fees with its next-gen console, potentially pressuring Sony to keep charging for PS6 multiplayer. While many players enjoy free online games on PC and some free-to-play titles, PS Plus offers additional benefits that may justify its cost. The decision could influence consumer preferences, but the impact depends on how Sony responds and the value of PS Plus perks.

Ghost of Yotei: A Review and Post-Game Guide
gaming10 months ago

Ghost of Yotei: A Review and Post-Game Guide

The author shares their personal experience playing Ghost of Yotei, highlighting how their new life with a family has limited their gaming time, leading to a slower, more immersive experience. Despite the time constraints, they appreciate the game's depth and compare it favorably to Ghost of Tsushima, noting it will take them at least a month to complete. They express enthusiasm for the game and its potential as a Game of the Year contender, emphasizing its quality and their enjoyment despite the slower pace.