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Max and Chloe changed my life. It's the end of March 2015. Life is Strange Episode 2 has just dropped, to a groundswell of press and player excitement. The shocking, determinant fate of Kate Marsh on the Blackwell rooftop reverberates far and wide. Curious, I pick up the game. The exquisite blend of everyday life, supernatural powers, small-town mystery and indie needle drops enchants me immediately. I fell hard for Life is Strange—and haven't stopped falling since.

I was working at Titan Comics then, and after the first game came to an end, I didn't stop pitching a comic continuation until we launched "Life is Strange" #1 in November 2018—the further adventures of Max and Chloe, down one particular timeline. Max and Chloe changed my life again. From that comic, I unexpectedly got the chance to join Square Enix itself, becoming part of the Life is Strange Brand team, getting to work on the series alongside countless colleagues, developers, and talent from all over the world—some of whom have been on the journey since the very beginning. Many, including the wonderful developers at [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], had a similar story to mine: they met Max and Chloe and were forever changed.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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Despite having what can only be considered an effective monopoly as far as game storefronts go, Steam doesn't seem to be resting on its laurels, with new features popping up for Valve's game store every so often. The latest feature to show up on Steam is "complete the set" gifting, which allows players to gift parts of a game bundle to friends. If you're buying a game bundle as a gift, Steam will now automatically detect which whether the intended recipient already owns part of the bundle and remove that item from the bundle. The bundle price will change in accordance with the removed content, and a small notice will appear telling you that the price has changed since you viewed the item.

Curiously, there is no further explanation regarding the price drop to tell buyers that their friend already has the item in their Steam library. There are also a few caveats to this system. For starters, and whether this is unintentional behavior or not is unclear, Steam does not remove the item from your cart if your friend has their library or that specific item in their library set to private. If that is the case, it seems as though it will be on the intended recipient to reject the game when they receive it. This update to Steam's gifting functionality is conceivably useful if you know someone likes a game, and you want to gift them the DLC for a special occasion without letting them know your plans.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

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Just before Christmas, Samsung fully [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] application processor (AP). The firm's Semiconductor division started teasing this next-gen smartphone chip around late 2025, with pre-launch details being shared via teaser trailers and sparsely populated splash pages. During the winter holiday period, the South Korean giant's foundry business detailed its pioneering "Heat Path Block" (HPB) technology. This intriguing aspect of the Exynos 2600 SoC's design [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] mid-way through December; when industry moles started whispering about HPB tech being shopped to Apple and Qualcomm. Samsung's FoWLP_HPB (Fan-out Wafer Level Package with Heat Path Block) technology could address the problems faced by rival chip designers—in particular, it is believed that Qualcomm's next-wave Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile SoCs would require more potent heat dissipation solutions.

According to fresh inside track information—courtesy of the "Fixed-focus Digital Cameras" Weibo blog—HPB tech is now adopted by "many chip manufacturers that commonly use Android chips." The leaker believes that stronger heat dissipation will lead to greater overclocking capabilities on (non-Samsung) next-gen mobile chips. According to official descriptions, the development of FoWLP_HPB has improved the thermal resistance: "of the (Exynos 2600) AP die by reducing the size of the DRAM that obstructs the heat dissipation path and attaching Heat Path Block to facilitate heat release. Additionally, High-k EMC is applied to ensure that heat is efficiently transferred toward the HPB direction...With these packaging innovations, Samsung's mobile packaging technology enables efficient outward heat dissipation, resulting in up to a 16% reduction in thermal resistance compared to previous packages and delivering enhanced performance." Current-gen flagship smartphone chips can operate at impressive frequencies, but thermal considerations have set certain limits. The now "old school" placement of a wider DRAM layer—that restricts heat being drawn away from the CPU die—could be considered a major obstacle, going forward.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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Hello, everyone! A week ago, we launched our first game ever—[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]! Never had we thought when we—[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]—started this journey a little over a year ago, that we would receive such support from all the players who tried our game, creators who've covered the game on their social media, and from all the people we've gathered around the game since we announced it.

Since its launch on January 12th of this year, Quarantine Zone has sold over 500,000 copies! From the entire development team—thank you! We wouldn't be here if it weren't for all of you. As we continue our development on QZ, we're tackling all the bugs reported to the Steam Bug Report [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], our [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], as well as issues highlighted in reviews. Since launch, we've released multiple hotfixes and intend to continue making the game run even more smoothly for all players. We will continue to do so at a steady pace![Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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Minisforum's US webstore has listed the new AtomMan G7 Pro model—starting at a special launch price, $1359.90, for the barebones package. By tacking on an extra $320, prospective buyers can order a configuration that is pre-fitted with 32 GB RAM of system memory, and 1 TB SSD of internal storage. TechPowerUp [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] at the recently concluded CES trade event. Sat nearby was the AMD Ryzen APU-powered AtomMan G1 Pro SKU. Minisforum's Las Vegas booth was definitely very "Panther Lake-H" heavy, but the Chinese compact PC specialist continues to release systems based on older Intel chip designs. Akin to its [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], the much newer AtomMan G7 Pro gaming model dips back into the "Raptor Lake-HX Refresh" generation. Team Blue's flagship 14th Gen [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] mobile processor remains in place, but the Minisforum engineering team has moved on from deploying NVIDIA's past-gen "Ada Lovelace" GPU family within this product tier.

The latest AtomMan entrant features a discrete [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] 8 GB graphics card. The AtomMan G7 range's "ultraslim" profiles likely cannot fully accommodate desktop-grade hardware. Recently, Zotac engineers managed to cram a [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] custom card into their highly-compact [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] pre-built desktop system. The AtomMan G7 Pro compact tower can be switched between gaming and office modes, via a physical button present on the outer chassis. Entertainment and productivity modes have been stressed test, according to the manufacturer's promotional material. They claim that a maximum 200 W-rated profile (comprised of max. 85 W CPU and 115 W GPU ratings) delivers flagship-grade gaming performance, without any compromises. The North American Minisforum webshop anticipates first AtomMan G7 Pro shipments going out on January 23.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

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We've already seen lots of amazing projects based on Arduino UNO Q come up since its launch in early October - but we're doubling down anyway! Today, we are launching a new Arduino UNO Q variant with 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of eMMC storage, allowing all of you to dream bigger and go further, while still enjoying the same Arduino UNO Q form factor and ease of use.

4 good reasons to choose 4 GB
In this 4 GB variant, Arduino UNO Q still leverages a unique combination of powerful Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 microprocessor and real-time STM32U585 microcontroller, but can now better meet the needs of developers who require a more ample memory configuration.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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Market research firm Niko Partners is indirectly encouraging consumers to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 before prices rise. Their 2026 forecast report highlights ten significant trends, warning that the console's current pricing is under pressure to increase. The research indicates that Nintendo may stop offering its $449 base model and instead sell only bundles priced at $499 or higher, effectively raising the price by at least $50. This projection is based on several ongoing issues: U.S. tariff pressures, rising memory component costs, and broader economic instability, which have already led Sony and Microsoft to increase their console prices after launch.

While Nintendo has kept the console's launch price stable, accessory costs have quietly increased, suggesting suppliers are already passing on higher expenses. According to Niko's analysis, the combination of tariffs, rising memory component prices, and general economic instability will likely compel Nintendo to follow Sony and Microsoft in raising hardware prices post-launch. [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], Nintendo faced a roughly 41% increase in the cost of the 12 GB LPDDR5X modules used in the Switch 2, while the price of 256 GB of NAND flash rose by about 8%. A price increase will be necessary for Nintendo to maintain the viability of the Switch console, as the company cannot absorb all these costs alone. As DRAM and NAND prices continue to rise, these console price hikes may only be the beginning, and the coming weeks will likely show if this news is manifested in the market.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

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Hello everyone! We're so excited to announce that…[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] is OUT NOW!!! Virtual co-working with friends or strangers all over the world! Digital pals hang out at the bottom of the screen while you work, study, and get stuff done. Includes productivity tools, hangout spots, break time games, and more!

A note on the Demo...
We have been listening and working hard behind the scenes to see if it would be possible to carry saves over from the demo into the full game, but the changes we've made based on demo feedback has meant the versions are now too different to be able to do this. We want to make sure everyone gets as much value from the game as possible and these changes give the game more longevity and give you incentive to lock in on your tasks for longer! We hope you understand as we would love to see you all enjoying the full game as much as you did the demo!![Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] as the sequel to the acclaimed Control narrative action game. While a 2026 launch was previously confirmed, with Remedy and Annapurna co-financing and co-producing the game, an exact release window was not announced. However, as spotted by [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], in [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], Remedy revealed that Control Resonant will launch "at the end of Q2'26," suggesting a release date around May or June. It will launch simultaneously on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC via Steam and Epic Games, and macOS via Steam and the App Store.

Remedy also predicts impressive sales for Control in 2026, with the game studio projecting around 1.8 million copies in 2026 and 2.2 million copies in the following year. Remedy also reported that Resonant's predecessor, Control, has sold 5 million copies since its launch in 2019. The next installment in the franchise branches off the main story, following Dylan Faden, brother of Control's protagonist, Jesse, after he is deployed by the Federal Bureau of Control to a supernatural crisis in Manhattan to fend off a reality-warping cosmic entity that threatens the fabric of reality. Resonant was specifically designed so that newcomers to the franchise can hop in without having to play through the first game, and it will feature an evolution of the storytelling, combat, and exploration of the first game.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

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Nexus Mods is one of the more prolific mod sites on the internet, housing mods for everything from Skyrim and Fallout New Vegas to Stardew Valley and Subnautica. While the mod platform has a native Windows application, called Vortex, the development team behind Nexus Mods recently confirmed in a [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] that, as part of an effort to modernize Vortex, the mod application, it will get support for the Valve Steam Deck and Steam Machine in 2026. The blog post announcing future Linux support explicitly states that Nexus Mods will only be focusing on "vanilla Steam hardware," and that it will not be officially supporting any other Linux distributions. Currently, Linux users have to download and manually install mods, the traditional way, usually by moving the mod files into the correct game library folders. Official Linux support in Vortex would not only make mods easier to install, but it may streamline the modding experience altogether and make mods easier to maintain on Linux or SteamOS.

While Vortex will not officially support any other Linux distributions, the development team notes that Vortex is open-source and invites Linux developers and gamers to add support for their distribution of choice. According to Nexus Mods, Vortex is used by over 1.4 million users every month, so there is likely to be at least one passionate developer who will add support for other major distributions. Other priorities for 2026 also include improving malware protections, specifically scanning files before they are downloaded onto user PCs and have a chance to do harm; reducing friction for creators on the platform, including streamlining the mod upload form and developing a new mod upload API. Vortex will also get a new UI, with the aim of "streamlining navigation, simplifying game management, and introducing more intuitive controls for load orders."[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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Check out our system utilities sale.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

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CannonKeys has [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] upcoming availability of a new low-profile keycap profile for custom keyboard enthusiasts. The PFF profile—Penguin Flat Foot—designed by prolific designer, Matt3o and commercialized by CannonKeys, and manufactured by [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], is, for all intents and purposes, a low-profile spin on the previously released PBS (Penguin Belly Slide) profile. Much like PBS, PFF prioritizes ergonomics, although, as Matt3o explains in his blog about the new profile, he opted to redesign the keycaps in order to work within the space constraints of low-profile switches.

The design itself features cylindrical front and back edges—like Cherry keycaps—with a spherical scoop on the top—like SA or Keychron's KSA profile—which will likely result in a more distinctive separation between each key than typical cylindrical keycaps. Like PBS, PFF is universal height, which allows a great degree of freedom for those who enjoy custom keyboard layouts, like Dvorak, Workman, and Colemak. [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] with the Aperture Priority design, which previously showed up on PBS and on the [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], but the only PFF sets currently available on CannonKeys are WoB (white on black) and Verdant Retro. Both keycap sets have 1.5 mm wall thicknesses and dye-sublimated printing. The stems on the available kits are MX-style, meaning they will be compatible with Gateron Low-Profile and Kailh Low Profile Choc V1 switches. Pricing has not yet been announced for either PFF keycap set, but the creator notes that they will be cheaper than PBS, which retail for anywhere between $40 and $80, depending on the set and size.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

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Abxylute is known for its mobile gaming controllers, with models often featuring TMR joysticks and triggers, and the [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], which are yet to launch, bring its designs and tech to the Nintendo Switch 2. The N9C is a retro-themed game controller based on the design and layout of the Nintendo GameCube. It features a wired USB-C connection that plugs into the bottom of the Switch 2, and it has traditional capacitive joysticks and mechanical micro switches for the face buttons, Alps tactile switches for the shoulders, and mechanical micro switches for the triggers. There are also two customizable rear buttons on the back of each controller side, and it has a 9-axis gyro input. Interestingly, the N9C has a built-in stand and BLE, although it has no built-in battery. That's because the BLE is designed to be used exclusively for customization and reprogramming. It also features on-board macros and customizable vibration and mapping for the rear and face buttons.

The N6 is a more modern take on a Switch 2 controller. It also connects to the Switch 2 via the same bottom USB-C port, but this time the focus seems to be on comfort and customizability rather than the retro looks of the N9C. The N6's grip design is reminiscent of the Steam Deck, although Abxylute has opted for a more traditional Xbox-style layout, with the offset joysticks. While the N6 is also fully customizable, it only features one rear button per side instead of the dual rear buttons of the N9C. The N6, however, uses Hall effect sticks, which are resistant to drift, and the joysticks have an anti-friction ring around the joysticks to avoid sticky movements. The ABXY face buttons on the N6 are silicone rubber domes, which are likely to feel somewhat softer than the Alps switches in the N9C, and the D-pad uses tactile switches. The triggers, meanwhile are digital triggers. The N6 has a solid tray back panel, but Abxylute has designed the back panel so that it redirects the sound from the Switch 2's down-firing speakers directly towards the user's face. Anxylute claims the audio chamber delivers "10% stronger bass," than the stock Switch 2 configuration. Both the Anxylute N9C and the N6 are launching on Kickstarter "soon," and pricing is not yet available for either controller. You can follow along on the [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] if you're interested.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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Sony Electronics Inc. has announced its latest wearable audio innovation: the LinkBuds Clip Truly Wireless Open Earbuds, new truly wireless open-clip earbuds that let users enjoy their music and the real world at the same time, redefining how people experience entertainment.

LinkBuds Clip offer a natural listening experience that keeps listeners aware of their surroundings, making it easy to hear traffic, conversations, and announcements without removing the earbuds. The socially friendly design allows users to keep listening while conversing naturally with people nearby, with reduced ear fatigue thanks to improved airflow and the absence of ear canal pressure. Designed for everyday use, they provide a secure fit, enhanced situational awareness, and long-lasting comfort.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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Earlier in the week, rumors emerged regarding multiple project cancellations across Ubisoft's international footprint. An official company statement seemed to confirm some of the information presented in news articles. In addition, the French video game giant [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]—likely part of a strategy to speed up their three-year roadmap that was formulated to reduce costs. A company-wide restructure included the creation of Ubisoft's "CH4" creative house—according to official blurb this group is "dedicated" to making "immersive fantasy worlds and narrative-driven universes." Several fan-favorite franchises were listed within this branch—most notably, "Beyond Good & Evil" IP's inclusion drew particular attention from members of the press. Followers of Beyond Good and Evil 2's progress (or lack thereof) have got used to long stretches of radio silence. Many had assumed that Ubisoft's various modern-day re-strategizations had finally put the kibosh on the Montpellier-based teams' grand endeavors.

Ubisoft's dedicated Beyond Good and Evil 2 webpage has not been updated with any progress reports since the summer of 2020. A pre-production phase started all the way back in 2007, under Michel Ancel's leadership. The veteran video game developer—of Rayman series fame—conceived and directed the original title (2003) earlier on in the decade. By September 2020, Ancel had exited Ubisoft—consequently transferring control of the BG&E 2 project to another set of "capable hands." This week, Eurogamer took the time to investigate the much-anticipated sequel's present-day status. According to today's news article, a company spokesperson has responded with an encouraging statement: "Beyond Good and Evil 2 remains part of our portfolio and our roadmap and fits with our strategy of focusing on Open World Adventures." According to Eurogamer, the Ubisoft PR staffer believes that the "the fantasy genre is underserved" within the current open world gaming market. They seem confident that Beyond Good and Evil 2 will be a "unique proposition" upon release. Hopefully, the BG&E/Montpellier team will provide an in-depth update in the near future, once Ubisoft's "CH4" umbrella settles into place.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

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