Category Archives: Gaming

Gaming, News

FTC Will Appeal Court Ruling On Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Acquisition

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced its intention to appeal a court ruling regarding Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The decision to appeal was revealed in a legal document filed with the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California on July 12. The FTC did not provide any additional information about its appeal.

This appeal comes at an unfortunate time as the deal must be completed by its deadline on July 18. If the deadline passes while the legal issues are unresolved, it remains to be seen whether the two companies will reach an agreement to extend it or if either of them will choose to abandon the acquisition altogether.

Microsoft wasted no time in stating that it will challenge the appeal once more information is available from the FTC. Brad Smith, the company’s president, expressed disappointment in the FTC’s decision to pursue a weak case and confirmed Microsoft’s opposition to any further efforts to delay the progress of the acquisition.

Gaming, Technology

Using Bluetooth Earbuds with the PS5: A Guide

When it comes to smart TVs, compatibility and connectivity are key. Fortunately, linking your Bluetooth headset or earbuds to your smart TV is a fairly simple process. Just like the PS4, the PS5 offers a similar method. Here’s how:

Make sure your audio device is in pairing mode, which means it’s visible to other Bluetooth-enabled systems. Then, access the Bluetooth menu in your TV’s settings. Your TV should be able to detect the device you want to connect and pair them together.

Once paired, go to your TV’s audio settings and ensure that the sound output is set to your earbuds or headset instead of the TV’s speakers or any other audio device you may use. This way, the audio will directly play through your chosen device. The great thing is that you can still join party chat with your friends using the microphone on the DualSense controller.

While this method is a convenient option for using Bluetooth audio with the PS5, there is another alternative for those who don’t have a compatible smart TV.

Gaming

Best Nintendo Switch Dock Sets Of 2023

If you’re looking for a Nintendo Switch dock, there are a few options to consider. The simplest and most reliable option is to buy another official dock directly from Nintendo. This guarantees that it will work properly and won’t damage your console or affect its battery life. A new Nintendo dock set, which includes an HDMI cable and AC adapter, costs $89.99 on Amazon. However, if you want to save some money, you can also purchase a refurbished dock from Nintendo for $39.99. These refurbished docks are in great condition and come with a 90-day warranty. Sometimes, you can even find special edition refurbished docks like the “Animal Crossing” edition.

If you prefer a more portable dock option, you can transform an official dock into a smaller casing with the help of a DIY kit. Products like the eXtremeRate AiryDocky DIY Kit provide you with a replacement shell and the necessary tools to transfer the official circuit board chip into the new casing. The result is a lightweight, portable, and completely safe dock for your Nintendo Switch or Switch OLED.

Gaming

Will there be a PS5 Slim?

Console redesigns are common, and Sony has done it multiple times with its PlayStation consoles. The PS3 Slim was released in 2009, boasting a reduction in thickness, weight, and power consumption compared to the original model. In 2012, Sony launched the Super Slim, which was even smaller and lighter than the previous PS3 model. The PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro were announced in 2016, with the Slim model being significantly smaller and more power-efficient than the original. These redesigns have contributed to the success of the PS3 and PS4, with millions of units sold. It would make sense for Sony to consider a PS5 Slim to boost sales in a similar manner.

Gaming

How To Find Your Hidden Steam Games

Whether you’re tired of looking at a particular Steam game and want to banish it to the ether, you can do so easily from your Steam library menu.

Steam game hide
Daniel Trock/SlashGear

  1. Open the Steam client.

  2. Switch to the Library tab.

  3. Find the game you want to hide in your game list.

  4. Right-click on the game’s name to open its options.

  5. Highlight or select “Manage.”

  6. Select “Hide this game.”

With that quick click, the game is hidden from sight, relegated to the Hidden collection. It’s still technically in your library, but it won’t appear in your game list or in library searches. If you visit the game’s store page, though, it will still show you owning it, just in case you were worried about purchasing it twice by accident.

If you want to restore a hidden game to the regular library, it’s equally simple.

  1. Open the Steam client.

  2. Switch to the Library tab.

  3. Click the View button in the top taskbar.

  4. In the drop-down menu, click “Hidden games.”

  5. In the Hidden collection, right-click on the game you want to unhide.

  6. Highlight or select Manage.

  7. Click “Remove from hidden.”

With that, the game is restored to its prior spot in your library, once again in plain sight and easily accessed. You can hide and unhide games as much as you like, so don’t hesitate to banish a game if it’s annoying you.

Gaming

How Much is Nintendo’s ROB Worth Today?

The value of a ROB unit, similar to other retro gaming hardware, depends on its condition. If it is no longer in its packaging and has visible wear and tear, its worth will be less. However, if it is still in its original factory-sealed state, its value will be higher.

According to PriceCharting, a loose ROB unit can be sold for an average of $153, which is quite a decent amount for an old gaming peripheral. However, if it includes all of its packaging and manual, a complete-in-box ROB can fetch around $300. In the unlikely scenario that you own a mint condition ROB unit that is still in its original packaging, you might be able to sell it for as high as $500 to the right buyer. It is worth mentioning that if you have both a sealed NES console and a ROB unit bundled together, the value could increase significantly. An unopened NES and ROB combo pack could be worth well over $1,000.

Apart from the Western version of ROB, Nintendo also released a Japanese equivalent for the Famicom called the Family Computer Robot a few months prior. It is essentially the same device but with a different color scheme and packaging. However, the Japanese version is not as valuable as the NES version. A loose Famicom Robot can be sold for around $77, while a complete and sealed one can fetch around $100 to $125.

Gaming, News

Sony Accidentally Exposes the Budgets of Major PlayStation Games

Sony has inadvertently disclosed the financial impact that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard would have on its business. The company filed paperwork with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to demonstrate how the acquisition would affect Sony’s finances. The argument was that Sony would experience significant revenue declines as a result of the popular “Call of Duty” franchise becoming an Xbox exclusive.

An analysis of the redacted paperwork by The Verge revealed that “Call of Duty” games generated approximately $800 million for PlayStation in the United States in 2021. While the exact global figure cannot be confirmed, the document suggests that the franchise could be worth over $1.5 billion worldwide for PlayStation. Furthermore, the document appears to disclose that the value of the franchise itself for Sony is $13.9 billion or more.

Currently, only one more “Call of Duty” game is planned to be released on both PlayStation and Xbox, and Sony claims that one million players exclusively play the franchise’s releases. The future of the hearing is uncertain since the paperwork and related exhibits were removed after their discovery.

Gaming

Top Xbox Games Released in 2023

In 2023, EA brought back the popular “Dead Space” franchise with a remake of the 2008 game that started it all. This survival horror game, developed by Motive Studio, was released in January for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Like the original, players take on the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer who finds himself trapped on a ship where the crew is being killed by terrifying creatures called Necromorphs. As one of the few survivors, Clarke must use his engineering tools to fight back against the Necromorphs.

The “Dead Space” remake offers a number of improvements over the original game. One notable change is that Clarke is no longer a silent protagonist and is more involved in the story through cutscenes. Another welcome improvement is that weapons can now be unlocked more easily, as they no longer need to be purchased after finding a blueprint. Additionally, the newly added peeling system allows for more gruesome and visually impressive ways to destroy Necromorphs.

With its impressive visuals, improved gameplay mechanics, and updated narrative, this version of “Dead Space” is considered the definitive way to experience the game and learn the story behind one of EA’s most successful recent series.

Gaming

Best Nintendo Switch Games Released In 2023 So Far

Although “Nuclear Blaze” is not a new game, it was originally released on PC in 2021. However, it recently became available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in April 2023, making it the first time it’s playable on consoles. Developed by Deepnight Games, this 2D action-adventure game puts players in the role of a lone firefighter who investigates a series of fires at a secret military base. The gameplay involves using a hose to extinguish fires and navigating through the base in a side-scrolling Metroidvania style, avoiding potential threats along the way.

A crucial element in “Nuclear Blaze” is managing the expanding flames. If the fire gets out of control, it becomes nearly impossible to progress through the level. Additionally, players must carefully manage their water supply, which can only be replenished at specific points. This creates a dilemma where every move must be considered for safety.

The standout aspect of “Nuclear Blaze” is its captivating story. As players advance in the game, they slowly uncover the nature of the military base and the origin of the fire. Rescuing survivors and finding notes reveal the truth of what occurred. With a relatively short playtime, an excellent soundtrack, and various difficulty options, “Nuclear Blaze” offers an enjoyable gaming experience for players of all ages.

Gaming

Understanding How Nintendo Switch’s Controllers Track Movement

The Joy-Cons, the controllers for the Nintendo Switch, come with a range of features that enable them to track movement. One of these features is motion controls, which should ring a bell if you remember the success of the motion-sensing Wii Remote from the Nintendo Wii era. The Joy-Cons possess similar technology but in a more advanced form.

The motion control setup of the Joy-Cons consists of two primary components: the gyro sensor and the accelerometer. The gyro sensor measures the orientation of the controller, such as whether it is being held vertically, horizontally, or upside-down. On the other hand, the accelerometer detects physical movement. It captures the speed and intensity of your movements as you wiggle, swing, or sway the controller. By combining the data from the gyro sensor and the accelerometer, a Joy-Con can determine when it is being swung, the direction of the swing, and the force applied. Each Joy-Con has its own set of these systems, allowing them to detect motion independently of each other.

In addition to motion input, it’s worth mentioning the Joy-Cons’ HD rumble feature. This technology enables the controllers to provide subtle and customized haptic feedback based on the events happening in a game. Alongside the movement-detection systems, this means that if you were to swing a Joy-Con like a sword, the HD rumble would make it feel as though it were actually colliding with a hard surface.