Although 2023 is saturated with top-notch releases like Alan Wake 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Starfield, there has been no shortage of terrible games. The likes of Lord of the Rings: Gollum were considered the worst games of 2023 after poor reviews, but The Day Before has left everyone behind.

Continuing a streak of bad games, developer Fntastic added its early-access MMO to the bunch. The game, initially marketed as a new beginning for open-world survival MMOs, failed spectacularly by every stretch of the imagination.

With many claiming this release was nothing more than an elaborate scam, the Steam launch hardly tries to prove otherwise. 

Why it matters: The Day Before is now among Steam’s worst-reviewed games of all time. It has also lost most of its active players within a few days.

False Marketing

The scam began with a clearly false marketing push.

An appealing teaser in 2021 showcased an impressive survival MMO with visuals rivaling AAA games. This left many scratching their heads after they learned that Fntastic, a relatively new and small team, was leading the project.

Following teasers would gain more recognition, increasing the anticipation for this project. However, one red flag showed up when fans spotted plagiarism in the marketing, with a voiceover oddly reminiscent of other trailers.

Comparing the recently released early access build to the initial trailer shows just how much has changed in the years leading up to the release.

In addition to downgraded visuals, The Day Before lacks major animations in the early access build.

Simple movement options like vaulting over objects appear non-existent despite being showcased in gameplay demos. Survival mechanics like looting cash registers for items are also missing from this build.

A threatening world filled with zombies was a big part of The Day Before’s appeal. With zombies seemingly lurking around every corner, players would be encouraged to carefully navigate the environment for supplies and maximum chances of survival.

However, I have found next to no zombies in the game. While one or two might show up now and then, a massive part of the game has somehow disappeared without any mention.

The developer also acknowledged its overambitious marketing. One day before the launch, Fntastic said:

“Please forgive us for not doing the best marketing and teasers.”

While this may not have meant what I think it did, it definitely reveals a lot in hindsight.

I present to you the asset flip – file dump
byu/EpicStory1989 inTheDayBefore

An Asset Flip To Rival AAA Games

The team at Fntastic claimed to have spent five years working on The Day Before. However, as users on Reddit have spotted, nearly the entire game has been made up of reused assets publicly available on Unreal Engine.

From core assets like vehicles to more complex parts like animations and voice chat, almost every part of the game was taken from readily available resources. Therefore, I am left wondering how a game like this could possibly take up five years of development.

There is nothing inherently wrong with working with existing assets. In fact, this practice is encouraged for smaller developers, but The Day Before was marketed as a massive game.

Interestingly, the Redditor also spotted that many of these assets were introduced to the engine last year. Therefore, Fntastic likely may have lied about five years of development as well.

They Almost Got Away With It Too

As per Gamalytic’s statistics, Fntastic generated around $4 million in revenue. According to internal leaks, the game sold as many as 200K copies, but many players were wise enough to refund the game.

Still, this left the team with 100K net sales after the refunds. Adding to the frustration, Fntastic hired unpaid developers, citing a volunteering culture and getting defensive about the act once questions were raised.

With the early access title’s scam out in the public, Fntastic’s CEO has disappeared from Twitter, and all videos have been removed from the official YouTube channel. If this isn’t enough proof, Valve stopped selling the MMO on Steam.

I find this situation quite pathetic and frustrating.

A scam, built up for over two years, nearly robbed thousands of their hard-earned cash. Thankfully, audiences were clever enough to catch on to the red flags early on, going into this game with suspicion from the beginning.

Bawal Zehri

[News Reporter]

Bawal is an MBBS student by day and a gaming journalist by night. He has been gaming since childhood, growing fond of the creativity and innovation of the industry. His career as a gaming journalist started one year ago, and his journey has allowed him to write reviews, previews, and features for various sites. Bawal has also been cited in reputed websites such as Screenrant, PCGamesN, WCCFTech, GamesRadar, and more.

The Day Before Was A Scam That Everyone Should’ve Seen Coming is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

Superhero games have always been popular in the industry. Games like Batman Arkham Asylum proved that a market for well-produced superhero games existed as far back as 2009, but developers have mostly ignored this genre.

With Insomniac’s 2018 revival of Spider-Man seemingly being the only major success of the genre in recent years, fans like me have been starved for more games covering other superheroes and their unique abilities.

Fortunately, things are looking better than ever. Developers have finally realized that this genre is begging to be explored, with various superhero adaptations brimming with potential.

Why it matters: While there was never a shortage of superhero games, they were given the movie tie-in treatment most of the time, limiting their success and popularity. Fortunately, this trend died a while ago.

A Bigger Focus From AAA Devs

So far, a total of seven major superhero games have been officially revealed. This list includes five Marvel games and two DC games. The seven games include:

• Wolverine
• Iron Man
• Wonder Woman
• Suicide Squad
• Black Panther
• Captain America & Black Panther Game From Skydance
• Blade

If there is a game on the list that I am the most confident about, it’s got to be Wolverine because it is being handled by Insomniac, the same studio that brought Spider-Man to life on PS4.

Similarly, EA Motive’s recent work on Dead Space inspires confidence. I have enjoyed the team’s latest remake from start to finish, which also garnered praise from the IP’s original creator.

Both of these games could be on par with Spider-Man or the Batman Arkham franchise. In Wolverine’s case, the character has a gritty story to tell, and his brutal nature is a clear contrast from other superheroes.

On the other hand, BioWare already established a solid template for Iron Man, nailing the movement, combat, and gameplay physics. To me, the latter always felt like a skeleton for an unreleased Iron Man game, so I am happy to have another EA studio working on this superhero IP.

Elsewhere, Black Panther is being handled by Cliffganer Games, a studio made up of veteran developers from IPs like God of War and Halo. Like Iron Man, Wonder Woman is another exciting game for me because it can borrow a lot from an existing IP.

Monolith Productions has confirmed the return of the Nemesis system for this single-player experience, but the Arkham-inspired combat from Shadow of Mordor could also work for Wonder Woman.

Suffice to say, these projects seem to be in safe hands.

MCU Fatigue & Mediocre Films

In my opinion, this revolution has come at just the right time. Following the release of Avengers Endgame, the buzz surrounding superhero movies is lower than ever. Pursuing frequent media releases, Marvel seems to be struggling with quality control.

This has resulted in cookie-cutter films and cinematic experiences, with audiences complaining each movie is more of the same instead of its own release. Likewise, DC has struggled to find its footing in the past years.

More studios should be looking toward gaming as a solution now. I believe this is a massive opportunity for the industry, with gaming possibly on its way to becoming the definitive medium of superhero adaptations.

From my perspective, playing as a superhero is much more interesting than watching a film. Characters like Iron Man and Spider-Man can be elevated through their traversal and combat systems alone, allowing much more freedom and creativity for these characters in games.

Competition Between Xbox & PlayStation

While PlayStation was expected to become the home of superhero games after Spider-Man and Wolverine exclusivity, The Game Awards may have changed everything.

Marvel’s Blade is now in development by Arkane Lyon, a studio owned by Xbox. While exclusivity is still not confirmed, I can see the game opening new doors to a rivalry between PlayStation and Xbox.

This, in turn, should lead to more high-quality superhero games, with both platforms racing to become the home of Marvel or DC. As consumers, we will reap the benefits of this competition through higher-quality games, even if exclusivity disappoints.

Following this focus, I look forward to more games that stand the test of time, like Batman Arkham Knight. The future is still anybody’s guess, but my fingers are crossed for more than a few memorable superhero adventures soon.

Avinash Jaisrani

[News Reporter]

Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.

A Modern Superhero Games Renaissance Is On The Horizon is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

In Warner Bros Games’ impressive lineup, featuring big hitters like Mortal Kombat 1 and Batman Arkham Knight, there’s a hidden gem—Mad Max.

The Mad Max game from 2015, inspired by the famous movie series, showcases the possibilities of open-world gaming. Despite its exciting car battles, the game did not receive much attention.

Launched alongside the critically acclaimed Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, it needed help finding its place in a market saturated with similar open-world action games.

Yet, the overshadowing doesn’t dull the game’s natural greatness. Whether you’re a Mad Max fan, love open-world adventures, or crave an adrenaline-fueled experience, this overlooked gem is worth a playthrough.

Why it matters: In a sea of open-world games, Mad Max sets itself apart with a game centered around vehicle combat.

From Fury Road to The Wasteland

In 2015, I dove into this world through the epic Mad Max: Fury Road. Little did I expect a digital adventure in the form of the Mad Max video game later that year, but it blew me away.

As the opening scenes unfolded, I felt something special. Amid the stress of college, the Magnum Opus became my refuge. Navigating the virtual wasteland allowed me to channel my inner turmoil, steering through the chaos of my own life.

While not a direct tie to the films, Mad Max had a profound impact with its stunning graphics despite minor performance hiccups. The immersive health mechanics and the need to keep the Guzzolene tank filled added a hint of realism to the overall experience.

Action Packed Narrative

In Mad Max, you become Max Rockatansky, the main character, on a journey for redemption and justice. The story begins when Max’s car is nabbed by Immortan Joe’s war boys, leaving him stuck in the harsh desert.

The narrative centers on Max’s determined mission to get back his stolen car and settle the score with those who did him wrong.

Mad Max seamlessly blends chaos and madness into a simple yet gripping tale of revenge and loyalty. Max’s quest, haunted by memories of a lost world, plays out amid run-ins with freaks, outlaws, and everyday folks, adding richness and character to the world.

Unlike some open-world games where freedom can divert from the main story, Mad Max ensures that every mission, whether main or side, is tightly connected to the world, creating a smooth narrative.

Chaotic Combat

It’s the intense combat that grabs the spotlight in the game. In Mad Max’s on-foot combat, the game takes inspiration from Batman: Arkham series while adding its unique elements.

Max’s deliberate and less agile movements bring a distinctive feel to the combat, enhanced through melee weapons and occasional shotgun action. Each punch and finishing move hits home, offering a therapeutic release for built-up frustration.

The sparing use of the shotgun amplifies Max’s fists, much like a drive down Fury Road itself. Vehicle combat, a chaotic symphony, mirrors real-life battles—symbolically navigating from point A to B, a challenge in its own right.

The game’s therapeutic aspects go beyond combat. Every can of Dinki-Di dog food brings forth laughter and melancholy, reflecting the uncertainty of sustenance in the post-apocalyptic world.

Chum Bucket’s dedication to fixing the chariot adds emotional depth, making the losses and burdens of the apocalypse feel real.

Fun Vehicle Customization System

Max gets around in a collection of high-powered, customizable cars. The game brings a level of thought and strategy not often seen in open-world titles.

Each car has its distinct qualities, suited for various challenges. Whether for fighting, speed, or toughness, I needed to carefully pick my vehicle, bringing strategy to this part of the gameplay.

Mad Max put a big focus on car battles, giving me a variety of cars and tons of upgrades for my main vehicle. The high-energy car fights stood out as I drove into vehicular warfare across the desolate landscapes.

In my opinion, this emphasis on car combat distinguishes Mad Max from other open-world games.

Unique & Mysterious Open World

Mad Max is essentially a classic open-world journey, beckoning players to traverse a deserted wasteland teeming with interesting missions.

Unlike Red Dead Redemption 2, the world lacks lush greenery or overgrown forests. It also doesn’t offer the depth of Witcher 3, but the game creates a rugged and desolate atmosphere that perfectly fits the storyline.

This map is scattered with things to do, encouraging players to explore and take on a variety of tasks. The game features a dual upgrade system, enabling customization of both the protagonist Max’s skills and his reliable vehicle.

Worries about the open world being empty fade away once you start exploring. The expansive landscape is far from devoid of life, reminiscent of the deliberate emptiness found in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Expansive deserts, outposts, and enemy camps intensify the feeling of isolation, plunging players into the post-apocalyptic backdrop. The game smartly includes brief and enjoyable tasks, like wrecking camps and taking down structures, ensuring that exploration is both fulfilling and necessary.

Final Thoughts

Mad Max isn’t just a game; it’s a deep dive into a realm of chaos and release.

Beyond the constant enjoyment, it provides a special kind of escape. If you haven’t plunged into this over-the-top, open-world, ultra-violent, post-apocalyptic adventure, you’re overlooking an encounter beyond typical gaming.

Mad Max turned me into a diehard fan of the franchise, and it’s ready to do the same for you.

I hope Warner Bros. takes the initiative to remaster this wonderful game sometime in the future. Mad Max’s developer is currently working on a new IP that is expected to be cutting-edge.

Salman Fareed

Passionate gamer and content creator with vast knowledge of video games, and I enjoy writing content about them. My creativity and ability to think outside the box allow me to approach gaming uniquely. With my dedication to gaming and content creation, I’m constantly exploring new ways to share my passion with others.

Mad Max Deserved More Attention Than It Got is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

GTA 6 has seemingly raised the bar for open-world AAA games. While the game is still two years away from release, audiences can’t stop marveling at its complex world and lifelike visuals.

Rockstar Games has traditionally pushed the limits of visuals, animations, physics, and dynamic systems in its games. From the looks of the first GTA 6 trailer, this game will be no different.

However, the game’s frame rate target is still the elephant in the room. With the studio pushing the limits of the PS5 and Xbox Series S|X, I am left to wonder if GTA 6 will be among the notorious games limited to 30FPS this generation.

There is a very real possibility that GTA 6 will not run at 60FPS on consoles. However, I believe this is okay, and there is no need to panic.

Why it matters: Games that launch with a 30FPS cap on modern consoles are usually frowned upon. However, Rockstar Games may be able to get away with this limit.

Aging Zen 2 CPUs In Consoles

While there is no doubt that the PS5 and Xbox Series S|X are quite capable, their CPUs are far from the best.

During the last generation, the Jaguar CPU of the PS4 and Xbox One also became a major bottleneck, holding those consoles back from achieving 60FPS on various PS3 and Xbox 360 games, one of which was GTA 5.

Both consoles feature custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 processors, and while these are a massive step up over the last generation CPUs, I have a hunch they may not be able to handle a dynamic and sprawling open world like the one showcased in the first GTA 6 trailer.

While these processors are custom-made for the consoles, real-world performance is often similar to the Ryzen 5 3600 on PC. This CPU is less capable than the recommended mid-range processors from AMD and Intel, making it questionable if it will keep up with Vice City.

GTA 5 Beach VS GTA VI Beach pic.twitter.com/ZVYVaxdWYL

— GTA 6 NEWS (@GTAVInewz) December 6, 2023

Complex Systems In A Massive Open World

The scale of Vice City leads me to believe that 60FPS might be too ambitious of a goal.

During the trailer, we saw hundreds of NPCs on screen during various scenes. In addition to the NPCs, the footage showcased tightly packed streets with numerous cars on screen, highlighting a focus on density at all times.

This, combined with the traditional attention to detail from Rockstar Games, might be too heavy of a burden for the console CPUs to bear. One could argue games like Spider-Man 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 already demonstrate similarly dense open worlds at 60FPS on these consoles.

However, the former lacks the detail shown in GTA 6, and the latter was always designed around the PS4 and Xbox One as base targets. Moreover, Rockstar Games is also famous for its physics systems, and GTA 6 will likely be no different.

If last year’s leaks are any indication, the studio has packed tiny details in each part of the game, including animations and physics, that will further strain these consoles, making 60FPS hard to achieve.

This trailer has already prompted discussions about the frame rate, with experienced tech channels like Digital Foundry speculating that GTA 6 might be limited to 30FPS. While this may be disappointing, as a fan, I believe the compromise will be worth it.

Unlike Redfall or Gotham Knights, which did not appear to do anything revolutionary at 30FPS, the same will not be true for GTA 6. The overall experience could end up being so immersive in this open world that it would be hard to complain about 30FPS.

Cutting-Edge Visuals On Massive Scale

A GTA 5 animator recently claimed that the GTA 6 trailer represents Rockstar Games’ final product, so there is little room for doubt.

Apart from CPU-intensive elements, GTA 6 is pushing the boundaries of visuals in open worlds. Analysis of the trailer shows that Rockstar Games is using ray-traced global illumination and ray-traced reflections in the game.

An argument can be made that ray-tracing could be removed for Performance mode. However, if the ray-tracing is essential to the overall atmosphere and look of GTA 6, I believe the developer might refrain from skipping it.

Ultimately, Rockstar Games appears to be doing everything possible on the PS5 and the Xbox Series S|X. If the game can live up to its first trailer, I would be more than happy to play at 30FPS.

30FPS Will Be Worth It

Sony is currently rumored to be working on the PS5 Pro. Akin to last generation’s PS4 Pro, this console will offer beefier hardware, allowing it to break past the base model’s limitations.

This console could add an element of unpredictability to this argument, but this remains to be seen.

Anyhow, because of everything going on in GTA 6 and the dynamic nature of Vice City, 30FPS might be justified for the first time on current-gen consoles.

In my opinion, console gamers should not fret about this supposed frame rate cap. While 60FPS is now a necessity for many, GTA 6 is building up to be a once-in-a-generation experience.

In this instance, aiming for 60FPS may have been limiting to Rockstar Games’ vision, and I don’t mind losing this experience if it means the developers can realize their goals for the first Grand Theft Auto title in 10 years by sacrificing the frame rate.

Avinash Jaisrani

[News Reporter]

Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.

GTA 6 Might Be First Current Consoles Game To Justify 30FPS is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

While the first trailer lasts just under 91 seconds, it packs a lot of information. In addition to obvious references to the Vice City setting and the protagonists, Rockstar Games has left various small tidbits for fans to hunt and speculate over.

In this article, we have collected a few of the more important and catching parts of GTA 6. Below, you will find our biggest takeaways from the game’s reveal.

GTA 6 Is Set In Leonida

The first trailer wastes no time clarifying the long-rumored Vice City setting for GTA 6. However, it also shows that Rockstar Games is taking fans to a fictional depiction of Florida.

This state is called Leonida in the game, and, in typical Grand Theft Auto fashion, the studio has used the trend of crazy stories from the ‘average Florida man’ to showcase the more insane nature of this state.

Rockstar Continues To Parody Real-World Events

Is that the hammer lady?
byu/HumanAIGPT inGTA6

In the trailer, fans have recognized what seems to be a clear reference to the woman harassing people from Chatsworth. First spotted in 2020, this video became quite popular for its absurdity and bizarre nature.

During the same year, various people shared their own neighborhood nightmare stories, so we can expect multiple encounters like this in GTA 6. Since the woman in the trailer has blonde hair, this is also expected to be a reference to the trend of Karen freakouts from a few years back.

Any other references spotted?
byu/IHitAn11 inGTA6

Additionally, Redditors have spotted a reference to the Joker from Florida. With the game heavily leaning into the trend of insane stunts from Florida locals, GTA 6 is expected to be packed full of such characters.

A Large Variety of Vehicles

So far, the community has identified a diverse range of vehicles in GTA 6. The game offers everything from Yachts and dirt bikes to lowriders and sports cars.

Several returning vehicles have also been seen from GTA 5, including the Maverick, Dodo plane, Cheetah Classic, and the Gauntlet Hellfire. Additionally, the footage shows an airboat and potential returning mechanics like vehicle towing.

Therefore, the game is set to include numerous vehicles that highlight Vice City’s diversity and culture.

Vice City Locations

The opening shot of GTA 6 showcases the prison where Lucia is held. Throughout the 90-second footage, Rockstar Games highlights parts of the map, like swamps, the beach, and the nightclub.

However, keen-eyed users have spotted signs pointing to locations like Vice City Airport, Kelly County, and Stockyard Downtown. A tennis court is also featured in the footage, implying the return of this playable activity from GTA 5.

The Flordia Keys are featured prominently in the game, while another shot points to an underground street racing scene. Therefore, the game will have no shortage of varied locations in its open world, expected to be thrice as large as its predecessor’s.

The Thrillbilly Mud Club & Off-Roading

Toward the end, Rockstar Games highlights an off-roading scene in the GTA 6 trailer. Dubbed the Thrillbilly Mud Club, this section likely points to a large focus on off-road racing, customization for trucks, and stunts.

Since Red Dead Redemption 2 already featured impressive mud and dirt physics, the studio has likely carried these features over to its upcoming game, which should add a new layer of excitement to these events.

Apart from off-roading, bike fans will be able to enjoy dirt bikes, and these features could tie into the game’s eventual online mode through clans.

Final Thoughts

Perhaps the game’s crowd and focus on detail stand out the most. GTA 6 was always expected to be an ambitious title, but the first footage shows an open world unlike any other.

The sheer scale of Vice City and the density of pedestrians, cars, and NPCs make the game appear like a next-gen open-world title, and we certainly hope to see what Rockstar Games can pull off in the final release.

Avinash Jaisrani

[News Reporter]

Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.

GTA 6 Trailer Is Packed With Details; Here Are 5 Things We Learned is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, 2019’s Game of the Year, is still relevant due to its replayability. The game has sold over 10 million copies to date, and it seems an anime based on the title is in development.

Delivering an exceptional combat system, this FromSoftware release wastes no time in pushing players toward an arduous journey with overwhelming foes and numerous challenges.

This also makes it a popular choice in the debate about the most difficult FromSoftware game. As someone who has tried all recent games from the studio, I think Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the hardest FromSoftware game by far.

Why it matters: FromSoftware is known for making some of the hardest games in the industry. However, even among these titles, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stands out as the hardest.

Patience And Growth Are Key To Victory

In the beginning, I didn’t find the game that hard. Most of the regular enemies failed to put up much of a fight, and mini-bosses like the Chained Ogre, while tricky, were far from the roadblock I had expected.

The first boss, Gyoubu Oniwa, was also fairly easy by FromSoftware’s standards. However, Lady Butterfly hinted at what was to come. While I didn’t have a hard time with her, it was clear that the game had just begun at that point.

As expected, Genichiro Ashina was a cut above anything Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice had thrown at me till then. For me, fighting this boss was fun, but it was also endless torture for hours upon hours.

With fewer telegraphed attacks, fast combos, and mixups, the game quickly began to overwhelm me during this boss. However, Genichiro Ashina is just one of the many challenges awaiting players in this game.

Unlike Dark Souls, players do not have access to an easy way out in this title. Where players could rely on sorceries or optimized builds in past games, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is more focused on personal growth and skill with a limited arsenal.

Bosses like Owl Father and Isshin Ashina also test players and require a nearly flawless run to be defeated. Since this combat system has a much lower margin of error than past FromSoftware combat systems, I haven’t found any of the studio’s past games to be nearly as hard.

Still, this difficulty is part of the reason millions enjoyed Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in 2019, myself included.

The satisfaction of mastering a challenge makes replays of the game incredibly gratifying, with the roles being reversed in some instances as players completely dominate what was once an unbeatable obstacle.

While no FromSoftware game is easy, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice highlights why this studio has developed a reputation of relentless difficulty, one that often drives away millions from its titles.

Obaid Ur Rehman

[News Reporter]

Obaid is pursuing a Law degree, while working as a content writer. He has worked as a gaming writer for over a year because of his passion for the medium and reporting the latest updates in the industry. Having played hundreds of games, Obaid finds himself coming back to Elden Ring and Red Dead Redemption 2, with these games being among his favorites. He has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as Wccftech, Metro UK, PS Lifestyle, GamePressure, VGC, and Gamespot.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Is The Hardest FromSoft Game To Date is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

Wireless headsets have come a long way from the early days of the first Corsair Void wireless, but audiophiles cringe at the thought of 2.4Ghz gaming headphones; manufacturers have only recently figured out how to send wireless audio from the microphone to the PC in a separate channel with very good channel switching, but that still does not seem to be enough.

The Problem With Wireless: An Act Of Balancing Fidelity With Latency

When designing wireless headphones, a manufacturer has to choose between either audio frequency or latency. Bluetooth headphones often pack a punch, but they are nowhere suitable for Gaming, with even the lowest latency Bluetooth 5.2 – Qualcomm Aptx-LowLatency Codec Headphones not getting anything less than 80ms.

Qualcomm often advertises getting as close to 30ms as possible, but testing shows no Bluetooth headphones getting lower than 80ms of delay. This means if you were playing a multiplayer game and getting about 120ms of ping, a further 80ms is needed for you to hear footsteps, a gunshot, or a door opening behind you. 

How Audio Latency Is Tested

These latency scores vary quite a bit; the most well-done database on Wireless Audio Latency is from RTINGS. In theory, the methodology is simple: the signal from a computer is split into two. One comes out from a wired headphone, the other from the wireless headphone in question listened to with a single microphone. The difference in time between the two waveforms is the latency the wireless headphones suffer from. There are better testing methods with lower margins of error, but this is the least invasive one.

The difference/delay between the two waveforms shows how much longer it took for the wireless headphones to finally play the sound. On average, a 22ms headset is regarded as okay for gaming; whether this is enough for the audio delay is debatable, but for someone new to the topic, here are 4 different wireless Codecs/technologies, each with their strengths and weaknesses, but everything other than 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz is not suitable for gaming.

Wireless Technologies From Each Leading Brand

The table shows something more nuanced; it is not necessarily true that a headset that is lower in latency performs worse in audio quality. It is much more dependent on how the manufacturer tuned the drivers, wireless channel switching, and wireless power transmission. Let’s look at what I think each manufacturer is getting right and wrong in their wireless tech.

Manufacturers that use dedicated transceiver stations for their wireless headphones have room for larger antennas, can pull more power, thus broadcast and seamlessly switch between channels, and use two separate channels for mic and audio. Think of it as a dedicated router for wireless headphones.

Razer Hyperspeed

• Razer seems to have dialed in their wireless tech to give the lowest latency possible since their first Viper Ultimate came out; their wireless tech in Mice and Keyboards is, for now, undoubtedly superior, with the highest polling rates and lowest latency. This does show up in audio gear.
• Their Blackshark v2 Hyperspeed headphone has the lowest latency in any 2.4Ghz headphone tested to date (as low as 10ms) but interestingly, the Blackshark v2 Pro doesn’t have the same low latency and performs around 30ms while sounding much better.
• You’re much more likely to notice the sound quality than any delay, but overall, Razer’s wireless transmission seems to be made with more low latency than high fidelity.
• I would only end up getting the Blackshark v2 Hyperspeed if I did not care about music. However, all of their headphones perform well in latency tests. Even older Nari Ultimates were under 30ms. The new releases and budget ones all score under 20-30ms and near 10ms in some cases.

Wireless Tech: Excellent

Astro & Logitech

• Astro was the first manufacturer to use 5.8 GHz in their headphones; they did this very early on. 5.8 GHz is a higher-end alternative frequency band for wireless audiophiles and studio equipment.
• Astro used this in their 1st gen, 2nd gen, and the Gen 3 Astro A50 headsets. When the Astro A50 Gen4 came out, Astro went back to using regular 2.4Ghz. When reaching out to Astro, they said it made more sense to use 2.4Ghz in the Gen 4 because they wanted to avoid interference. Astro achieves the lowest latency in any 2.4Ghz headset while sounding very good. This is mostly because of the base station.
• The Astro A50 needs a Gen5 refresh; given how the A50s have aged, Astro was ahead of its time in wireless audio. Logitech acquired Astro in 2017, and the focus seems to be on dissolving Astro into Logitech instead of Astro releasing its dedicated products.
• Logitech headphones seem to be a mixed bag; some models, like the G Pro X, are very good all-rounders. Striking a balance between Audio and Latency, their microphone might not sound good at all, but the latency scores are consistently under 20ms on high-end headphones tested.
• The G735 sits under 12ms, and the G Pro X sits under 25ms. However, the G733 exceeded 100ms, which is not tolerable in a gaming headset. 

Wireless Tech: Excellent on select headsets, Poor on some headsets.

Corsair

• Corsair uses regular 2.4Ghz dongles and none of the headphones they produced score under 60ms. Audio latency is not Corsair’s strong suit. However, they have the best microphones in any of the wireless headphones.
• I cannot confirm if Corsair is using different channels for the microphone signal and Audio. Corsair’s market is mostly PCs, and they aren’t the first choice when it comes to console gaming; using a dedicated headphone dock/base station could result in an endgame Corsair Headset.
• Corsair had the most potential in the wireless headphone space, but in 2023, they seemed to be behind the competition.
• A virtuoso with a base station priced under $200 and scoring under 9ms of latency would result in an incredible headset from Corsair.
• Their software iCUE and their firmware are often buggy at launch and are only patched later in the second or third release. First-generation virtuosos and HS70s had many interference issues with USB 3.0 ports that were patched later in software.

Wireless Tech: Mediocre

Steelseries

• If it wasn’t for the Maxwell, the Nova Pro would have been the best gaming wireless headset to beat. Steelseries was the only wireless headphone manufacturer that used the base station apart from Astro, but their latency tests aren’t as low as Astro’s.
• They score around 22-32ms as well, which is the average latency for 2.4Ghz headphones.
• The price of $350 makes them the hardest-to-recommend headset when the Maxwell sounds quite a bit better than the Nova Pro.
• The battery swap system is exclusive to their headsets and saves them from the pain of charging the headset or plugging it in, but at $350, it is still up for criticism.
• Given the latency score, neither their mouse, keyboards, or headphones has come close to the best latency tests. SteelSeries doesn’t have the same wireless technologies that Razer or Logitech have.

Wireless Tech: Mediocre

Audeze

• This is the one I wanted to talk about for a while. It’s not a gaming company but an audiophile headset manufacturer. It brought us the HyperX Cloud Orbit S based on the Audeze Mobius, The Audese Penrose, and Now the best-sounding audiophile headset we have heard.
• It was praised both by Gaming and audiophile reviewers for offering what it does; however, it is not the Lowest-Latency Headset. It performs somewhere around 22-30ms in latency tests.
• It emphasizes sound quality more than latency. The microphone and software department loses to the more mature wireless headphone manufacturers, but depending on your preferences, it can be very easy to overlook.
• Audeze is the only manufacturer in the wireless headphone space that uses Plannar diaphragms for the headphones. Planar vs Dynamic Headphone drivers need their article. The short version is that, yes, when tuned very well in a closed-back headphone planar, headphones will sound better.
• Audeze, however, is still using a regular 2.4Ghz dongle. If Audeze headphones were to use a base station, it would compromise console compatibility and drive the price even higher, but it could have made for an even more advanced wireless headphone.

Wireless Tech: Good/Excellent

Conclusion

Wireless Audio latency is real and not talked about enough. Latency doesn’t make for good marketing material, and often, latency is overlooked as it is very hard to notice under 40ms. The only situation where latency is a concern is competitive gaming.

People talk enough about footsteps and directional audio, but no one is talking about how delayed your audio could be if you choose wireless. If you don’t play eSports titles at the highest ranks, you’re more than likely to be fine under 40ms, but if you do, there is only the Blackshark Hyperspeed, G733, and the Astro A50 as choices, or you could stick to using a wired headset with no compromises. 

Malik Usman

[News Reporter]

Malik Usman is student of Computer Science focused on using his knowledge to produce detailed and informative articles covering the latest findings from the tech industry. His expertise allows him to cover subjects like processors, graphics cards, and more. In addition to the latest hardware, Malik can be found writing about the gaming industry from time to time. He is fond of games like God of War, and his work has been mentioned on websites like Whatculture, VG247, IGN, and Eurogamer.

Is Latency A Problem In Wireless Headphones? is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

The Batman Arkham franchise has long been considered the benchmark for superhero games.

With Batman Arkham Asylum laying the foundations for a gritty gaming adaptation and Batman Arkham City evolving the formula to an open world, Rocksteady’s conclusion to this trilogy had to find a way to take the caped crusader to new heights.

This ambition, while no easy task, culminated in Batman Arkham Knight, the studio’s final game based on the character. Despite debates about the best Batman Arkham game, the achievements of Batman Arkham Knight cannot be understated.

As a game following up on award-winning titles, I believe this title managed to successfully evolve an established formula without falling victim to the traditional flaws of sequels.

Because of its strengths, the game has aged gracefully, and it is still much better than most superhero games.

Why it matters: In the future, studios like Marvel will place greater emphasis on superhero games. With the likes of Iron Man in development, I believe developers have much to learn from the Arkham trilogy.

Be The Batman

Leading up to the game’s release, Rocksteady proudly displayed its tagline: “Be The Batman.” The studio wanted players to embody the world’s greatest detective, and critical to capturing the essence of Batman was Gotham City.

Compared to its predecessors, Batman Arkham Knight sets players loose in a fully realized depiction of Gotham City. The setting emanated a sense of dread and gloom, enhanced by the constant downpour of rainfall.

This stellar atmosphere and the new generation of consoles in 2015 were a match made in heaven, allowing Rocksteady to deliver a terrific open world in the final game of this trilogy.

However, Gotham City was just one part of the puzzle. Even more important to the game was its underrated traversal system. I found the sense of momentum and speed in Batman Arkham Knight unparalleled in 2015, and it remains as satisfying as ever today.

Alternating between the Batmobile, dive bomb, and the fully upgraded grapple boost allowed Batman to move at unimaginable speeds, instilling an unmatched thrill in the gameplay and removing the clunkiness of past Batman Arkham games.

While Batman’s portrayal in the game was far from grounded, the feats shown never seemed outside the realm of possibilities of a character like Batman. In my opinion, the character’s stealth was also at its best in this title.

With Batman’s most expansive arsenal in the trilogy, I felt encouraged to experiment with each stealth encounter. Similarly, the counter-based combat was refined to perfection, with each attack carrying an overwhelming sense of weight expected from this DC Comics icon.

Through its gameplay, Batman Arkham Knight presented an almost mythical take on the character, making him a force of nature reminiscent of the strongest variants from the comics.

The Competition Is Worrisome

The gaming landscape has changed drastically since the conclusion of this trilogy. Rocksteady is working on a live-service Suicide Squad game, Spider-Man has found a new home at Insomniac, and superhero games are no longer a rarity.

Despite the dying trend of movie tie-ins and low-budget superhero productions, I feel only a few games have been able to match Rocksteady’s work. Unfortunately, Insomniac’s take on Spider-Man is the exception rather than the rule today.

While Spider-Man 2 has racked up various positive reviews, the likes of Gotham Knights and Marvel’s Avengers are considered massive failures. Other releases like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, while underrated, also fail to reach the high bar set by Rocksteady.

The studio’s own Suicide Squad game appears to be a far cry from the quality observed in Batman Arkham Knight, with initial reception leading to disappointment and uproar over its live-service focus.

All Hope Is Not Lost

While the current state of superhero games may be depressing, the future holds a lot of promise. I feel this genre is headed toward a new age of prosperity that will finally produce games on par with Batman Arkham Knight.

Looking ahead, characters like Wolverine, Iron Man, Black Panther, Wonder Woman, and Captain America are set to star in their own games. Evidently, studios have realized that these characters can only be done justice if they are given adaptations like those in the Arkham trilogy.

As we transition toward a new age of superhero games, it is important to acknowledge the strengths of Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham games. Batman Arkham Knight may not have been a perfect game in 2015, but it sure did a lot of things right.

Despite a weak antagonist, a poor PC port, and other flaws, this game delivered the definitive Batman experience I had always wanted, and it is hard to fathom other studios being able to nail a trilogy like this in the superhero genre anytime soon.

Avinash Jaisrani

[News Reporter]

Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.

Batman Arkham Knight Still Better Than Most Superhero Games 8 Years Later is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

The Game Awards have always been memorable for the industry. With exciting reveals, anticipation around Game of The Year, and numerous possibilities, millions of fans tune in each year to watch this event live.

In 2018, this event was more competitive than ever. With behemoths like God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2 competing for the glorious Game of the Year award, the buzz surrounding the result kept everyone on their toes.

However, 2023 has the potential to be the biggest year for The Game Awards.

Why it matters: With major events like E3 slowly dying out, The Game Awards have become a pillar of the industry, serving as the last annual event for gaming reveals and information.

Lack of Competition In 2022

2022 was by no means a bad year for games. However, it was lacking big hitters.

This meant that the competition for Game of the Year was not fierce. From the beginning, it was obvious that God of War Ragnarok or Elden Ring would take this title home, with the latter having an advantage due to its fresh ideas.

Eventually, Elden Ring won Game of the Year. Other categories were also dominated by these two titles, making for a predictable show. While I was happy with this outcome, there was no tension or suspense last year.

The same could be said for The Game Awards in 2021 or 2020. However, the 2023 awards are a completely different ball game.

Complete 180 In Terms of Competition From 2022

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder are three games that would be favorites to win any other year. All of these games have uncountable strengths.

Tears of the Kingdom shocked developers worldwide for its interactivity and physics-based mechanics, while Baldur’s Gate 3 was massive and packed with hundreds of hours of content. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is also considered the best modern 2D Mario game.

However, all these games are face-to-face with each other this year. A wildcard like Alan Wake 2 has added further complexity to the competition, with the horror game being tied for most nominations with Baldur’s Gate 3.

The competition has been so intense that deserving games like Starfield were left out of the race for Game of the Year. Who could’ve thought that a new Bethesda game would not be a part of the Game of the Year discussion? Certainly not me.

This selection of games has introduced an element of unpredictability that I have missed in recent years. For this reason, I cannot wait to see surprising outcomes, unexpected triumphs, and developers celebrating their achievements at this event next month.

Alan Wake 2 Could Shock Everyone

If I had to select my personal Game of the Year, the choice would have me picking between Alan Wake 2 and Resident Evil 4 Remake. While this remake was incredible, by all means, I found Alan Wake 2 to be the breath of fresh air I have craved in horror games.

In my opinion, Remedy has raised the bar for horror games. Therefore, while the competition did not make this choice any easier, Alan Wake 2 would get my vote for Game of the Year, and I hope to see it winning numerous awards on 7 December.

With The Game Awards just one week away, I cannot contain my excitement for this event. Rockstar is also expected to air the first GTA 6 trailer during the same week, so there are more than a few reasons to look forward to December.

Apart from the awards themselves, new looks at Death Stranding 2, Elden Ring DLC, and more will likely elevate the awards show, making it one to remember for many years to come.

Obaid Ur Rehman

[News Reporter]

Obaid is pursuing a Law degree, while working as a content writer. He has worked as a gaming writer for over a year because of his passion for the medium and reporting the latest updates in the industry. Having played hundreds of games, Obaid finds himself coming back to Elden Ring and Red Dead Redemption 2, with these games being among his favorites. He has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as Wccftech, Metro UK, PS Lifestyle, GamePressure, VGC, and Gamespot.

2023 Is The Most Exciting Year For The Game Awards is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News

The live-service genre has been one of the most popular in recent years thanks to titles like Fortnite, which attracted millions of players and encouraged developers to try their own hand at this model.

Though games like Apex Legends, GTA Online, and a few others have exploded in popularity, most live service endeavors result in catastrophes for game developers and publishers.

This genre is clearly falling apart, but a new challenger has entered the market. PlayStation, the household brand built on strong single-player experiences, is looking to deliver its own set of games as service titles.

However, I believe Sony has missed the GaaS boom.

Why it matters: 2023 has been an amazing year for single-player games, showcasing that the genre of sustainable online games may not be as appealing as studios had initially thought.

Lack of Experience In GaaS

After acquiring Bungie in 2023, Sony announced it would release ten live service titles before 2026. The company spent $3.6 billion to gain Bungie’s experience as it has successfully run an IP like Destiny for nearly a decade.

Sony then invested over $2 billion in the research and development of these games. However, it is not difficult to see that Bungie alone can’t help complete so many projects.

This, in my opinion, is PlayStation’s biggest mistake. By relying on a single developer, the gaming giant has put all its eggs in the same basket. Other than Bungie, nearly every other first-party developer has almost exclusively crafted single-player titles over the last decade.

Since these games are not easy to develop, a sudden thrust toward the genre could be devastating for its studios. I reckon we have already begun to see rumblings of a dark age for PlayStation, with reports claiming its studios are unhappy with this push.

Six of the initially announced live service games have already been delayed, and it is not difficult to see why. I fear PlayStation is desperate to catch up and, in doing so, might end up hurting its most talented teams.

Live Service Games Are Not Easy To Make

PlayStation, of all companies, should know the difficulties associated with the industry. In the past, the gaming giant has been through many ups and downs, being at its lowest point after an overambitious console launch 17 years ago.

This genre of games is notoriously difficult to break into and will prove to be even more challenging for Sony. Recently, studios like Sega have canceled projects like Hyenas before launch.

Gaming giants like Ubisoft have tried multiple times to create a compelling free-to-play shooter. However, ambition alone does not guarantee the success that Warzone or Fortnite have found.

Not only is a live service game challenging to produce, but studios often struggle to release worthwhile updates after creating an engaging title. Games like Halo Infinite were lauded for the promise of what could be.

However, with looming deadlines and the pressure to deliver bigger and better updates, the game became infamous for failing to live up to its potential. I believe this is the trap of games as a service that many studios often fall into.

In focusing on the initial launch, they fail to realize that ongoing updates are at the heart of live service. Even a studio like Rockstar made a similar mistake with Red Dead Online, which can only be remembered for its untapped potential five years later.

PlayStation’s GaaS Slate Lacks Identity

Earlier this year, PlayStation debuted several first-party games as service titles through CGI reveal trailers. Unfortunately, these projects did not generate the excitement one typically expects from PlayStation games.

Games like Concord and Fairgame$ appear to be treading familiar ground, delivering concepts that have been done multiple times before. The latter looks like a typical heist game, while the former could struggle in a saturated PVP FPS genre.

Only Bungie’s Marathon and Helldivers 2 grabbed my attention, though the former appears to be going through a rough patch after recent layoffs. These are early impressions, of course, but I can’t see how such games will help PlayStation.

Still, with studios like Guerrilla Games and Insomniac Games, there is hope for the future.

Sony Should Stick With Its Expertise

Looking at recent single-player games, I believe Sony should stick with what has worked in the past while leaving some room for experiments with games as a service.

A record-breaking game like Spider-Man 2 shows that single-player games are still the genre to explore. Because of years of experience and expertise, PlayStation is much more likely to find success in this genre.

While I do not want the gaming giant to limit itself to a particular style of game, live-service gaming might be best avoided for Sony.

The Last of Us Multiplayer is PlayStation’s biggest GaaS project this generation. However, its development appears to have been halted, with Naughty Dog refusing to comment on the game recently.

This could become a trend that other first-party developers follow, so PlayStation should reconsider its approach. The gaming giant is behind the curve, and a hasty approach will only harm its own studios in the future.

Featured Image Credit: Zuby_Tech

Abiyan

[News Reporter]

Abiyan is on track to complete his Computer Science bachelor’s degree. His enthusiasm for writing and gaming motivates him to keep readers and gamers updated with the latest information from the industry. In his free time, Abiyan enjoys playing Dota 2 and Rocket League. Abiyan has also been cited in reputed websites such as Kitguru, Comicbook, GamingBible, Eurogamer and Gamingbolt.

PlayStation Is Too Late To The Live Service Party is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News