NetEase Lays Off Staff at Spliced Remote-First AAA Studio With Anti-Cr
Spliced was started in 2023 as a remote-first AAA game studio that would avoid the burn-out and crunch associated with the gaming industry with flexible hours and by emphasizing work-life balance, the quality of output, and realistic project scope. Now, it seems as though NetEase has initiated redundancy proceedings at Spliced Inc, resulting in imminent layoffs at its UK branch—it's unclear if its US and Canadian branches will be affected as well. This is only the latest in a recent spate of layoffs and studio closures at NetEase and in the gaming industry at large, with Avalanche Studios recently [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], Ubisoft [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] take place, and Wildlight, the developer behind Highguard, [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]. The Spliced Inc layoffs come just eight months after the studio started hiring for three new roles.
The news of Spliced layoffs come by way of recent LinkedIn posts by some employees, who say that "an ongoing redundancy process" is putting their positions at risk. While NetEase and Spliced have yet to make an actual announcement to the effect, three employees have posted about the incoming layoffs—[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], a lead animator, [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], senior 3D environment artist, and [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], another senior environment artist who confirms that he has already been affected by the layoffs. The seniority of these positions suggests that at least one project that the studio was working on will be cancelled, although no projects have yet been announced. According to Shimomura's post, it seems as though Spliced may not be around much longer to complete those projects: "It's wild that a AAA Studio has died without showing anything."[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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AMD Ryzen 10000 "Olympic Ridge" to Debut with 6/8/10/12/16/20/24-Core
AMD's next-generation desktop Ryzen 10000 series "Olympic Ridge" processor platform will supposedly come in various SKU flavors ranging from 6 to 24 cores, in some very specific configurations based on the CCD structure. The first in the lineup are single-CCD SKUs, which include 6, 8, 10, and 12 "Zen 6" cores. With the "Zen 6" generation, AMD is boosting its CCD core count with up to 12 instances, whereas the previous-generation CCDs maxed out at 8 cores. However, for versions with two CCDs, the core count increases, starting at 12 cores, continuing with 16 and 20-core models, and topping off with the flagship 24-core dual CCD SKU. AMD is able to pack more cores per CCD due to the new manufacturing technology, which is TSMC's N2 2 nm node, providing better transistor density compared to the older nodes used in previous generations.
The upcoming Ryzen 10000 series is expected to land on AMD's AM5 socket, extending the socket life for another processor generation and confirming AMD's long-term socket selection. For other specific information, AMD plans to implement up to 4 MB of L3 cache per core for a total of 48 MB of L3 cache per CCD, and a total of 96 MB of L3 cache for the fully-fledged 24-core SKU. This is, of course, before adding any 3D V-Cache enhancements that AMD is known for when it comes to boosting gaming performance. AMD is able to pack this much punch because TSMC's N2 2 nm technology packs more than 200 million transistors per mm², depending on the configuration and whether AMD chooses the high-density or high-performance variant.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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EIZO Is Working on Its First OLED ColorEdge Monitor
EIZO is preparing its first OLED monitor under the ColorEdge series, targeting professional 4K HDR and SDR workflows. The 31.5-inch panel features a 3840 × 2160 resolution, HDR support, a claimed 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio, and an anti-glare, low-reflection (AGLR) surface. To address the usual OLED ABL (Auto Brightness Limiter) behavior, which can dim the entire image during bright scenes, EIZO says it uses higher luminance thresholds to reduce unnecessary dimming and better preserve mid-tones. Two modes are available: Highlight Dimming, which mainly tones down bright areas, and Uniform Dimming, which lowers brightness evenly across the screen. A blue status LED indicator shows when luminance control is active.
The display also integrates EIZO's built-in calibration sensor for automated color maintenance and includes a dedicated circuit to reduce color fringing on high-contrast edges. This is particularly useful when displaying text as this will appear cleaner and clearer. The monitor will be shown at the NAB Show 2026 (April 19-22, Las Vegas) and MPTS 2026 (May 13-14, London), two of the world's premier events for media, production, and broadcast. Pricing and availability have not been announced.[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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(PR) AMD Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 VEK385 Eval Kit Now Available
The AMD VEK385 Evaluation Kit provides a fast, feature-rich, and scalable path to evaluating AMD Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 XC2VE3858 devices. With heterogeneous compute, high-performance I/O, comprehensive memory bandwidth, ready-to-run workloads, and robust bring-up tools, engineers can quickly assess system performance and accelerate the path from prototype to production.
Designed for Embedded AI, Control, and Vision Workloads
The VEK385 Evaluation Kit enables engineers to evaluate embedded AI, vision, and control systems through multiple, industry-standard interfaces:
- HDMI RX/TX and USB3/DP for 4K/8K vision pipelines
- PCIe x8 edge connector for Gen 5 x4 and Gen 3/4 x8 support
- QSFP28 and SFP28 connectors for 25-100 Gb/s high-speed Ethernet applications
- FMC+ for I/O expansion
- CAN-FD with PL/PS Ethernet for deterministic robotics and industrial control
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(PR) GameSir Launches G7 Pro 8K PC Aimlabs Edition Game Controller
GameSir today announced the launch of the GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC Aimlabs Edition, a new flagship controller designed specifically for competitive PC gaming. Built to meet the demands of high-level esports play, the G7 Pro 8K PC combines ultra-low latency performance, deep customization, and premium components with a distinctive Aimlabs-inspired visual identity. The GameSir G7 Pro 8K PC Aimlabs Edition Game Controller is available for $79.99/£89.99 on the GameSir website, Amazon US and Amazon UK.
Developed in collaboration with Aimlabs, the industry-leading FPS training platform, the G7 Pro 8K PC Aimlabs Edition is an officially licensed accessory. The controller reflects Aimlabs' iconic cyan aesthetic while adhering to professional performance standards trusted by competitive gamers. This partnership unites precision hardware with a training-driven design philosophy, delivering a controller built to support skill development and tournament-level play.[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...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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Crimson Desert Implements Key AMD FSR 4 "Redstone" Features
AMD recently added "Crimson Desert" as an official Ryzen and Radeon game bundle partner, so it should come as little surprise that the game implements nearly the full FSR 4 "Redstone" gaming technology feature-set. This includes the ML-based upscaling AMD introduced with FSR 4, and the two new features the company introduced this year—ML-based ray regeneration, and ML-based frame generation. All three features use machine learning models that leverage the new AI acceleration capabilities introduced with AMD RDNA 4 graphics architecture, benefiting Radeon RX 9000 series GPUs.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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DDR5 Prices Start Falling in Germany, Offering a Quiet Glimmer of Hope
Retail DDR5 prices in Germany have finally shown a small sign of cooling down after the steep climb in the past months. The decline is small and not yet uniform across models, but it is the first sustained easing many DIY PC enthusiasts and small shops have noticed since prices began to spike in late 2025 and reached astronomical levels recently. A widely shared community chart tracking an average 32 GB DDR5 kit across the European Union captured the climb from autumn into early February and then a late-period dip. That chart is useful as a broad signal, but it leaves open important details such as the exact kit measured, which countries were included, and whether listed prices include taxes.
To add more context, independent checks of historical listings on Amazon Germany using CamelCamelCamel show that several mainstream 32 GB DDR5 kits have dropped from their highs. Two of the larger declines were visible on popular models from Corsair and Kingston, while other brands recorded smaller pullbacks. There are a few likely reasons for the softening. Buyers may be pausing upgrades after a period of rapid price increases. Some retailers could be cutting prices to move stock and reduce inventory risk. It is also possible that a small amount of additional supply has filtered through the distribution chain, away from the AI supply chain. However, any of these explanations still need more substance. For a complete return to normal pricing, we will probably need to see clearer improvements in production capacity or a sustained drop in demand, and this improvement could only be a short term correction.[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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(PR) Lenovo Launches AI-Driven ThinkEdge Solutions
Lenovo expanded its ThinkEdge portfolio with a new generation of AI-driven edge computing solutions, including the compact and reliable ThinkEdge SE10n Gen 2, the AI-ready ThinkEdge SE30n Gen 2, the AI-powerhouse ThinkEdge SE60n Gen 2, and Lenovo's first industrial all-in-one (AIO) Panel PC, the ThinkEdge SE50a.
As enterprises push intelligence closer to operations to improve resilience, reduce latency, and keep sensitive data local, edge computing has become a critical layer between devices, infrastructure, and cloud. Lenovo's ThinkEdge solutions are purpose-built, industrial-grade edge systems designed to run reliably in harsh, space-constrained environments where traditional servers or PCs are impractical.[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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Samsung Foundry Utilization Jumps to 80% This Quarter
Samsung Foundry has struck gold as its utilization rate has jumped to an impressive 80% this quarter. This comes after many years of struggling to achieve a good utilization rate, while competitors like TSMC have consistently led the adoption of newer nodes and gained a massive customer base. However, the situation has now changed, and Samsung's foundries are now operating at about 80% of total capacity, consistently producing silicon, with the Pyeongtaek Campus P2 and P3 leading the charge. Previously, these lines were only achieving a 50% booking rate last year and even struggled with insufficient production volume in the second half of 2024. Samsung uses these sites to manufacture 4 nm, 5 nm, and 7 nm nodes, which are now considered "mature," as the leading edge shifts to sub-3 nm production.
Part of the foundry revival is attributed to the strong demand for its 6th-generation HBM, coming in the form of HBM4 with a custom base die manufactured on the 4 nm node. While competitors are making HBM4 base dies on older nodes, Samsung is using a 4 nm custom base die that provides higher design density for any logic that ASIC makers want to implement. This can include some data processing that will aid the main accelerator in AI workloads. This has translated into high demand for Samsung Foundry products from external customers, who are now keeping production at high capacity.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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Intel Plans Return to Unified Core Design, No More Performance and Eff
According to the latest job listings, we learn that Intel is planning the return of a unified core architecture, something we haven't been accustomed to in the last few years. Starting with the 12th Generation "Alder Lake" processors, Intel began selling hybrid core processors that combine "Golden Cove" performance cores and "Gracemont" efficient cores. These became commonly known as P and E-Cores, which are now being used across Intel products in hybrid designs or P/E-core-only Xeon processors, of course, with the latest designs and iterations. However, as the new job listings suggest, Intel is assembling a team of engineers for its "Unified Core" design group that will deliver the new microarchitecture to power the next generation of processors.
Separating the core design into P-Cores and E-Cores has yielded Intel the desired results that the company hoped for. This includes product separation and many goals across platforms. For example, in the consumer sector, E-Cores run a lot of side and background tasks in the operating system, while P-Cores power main applications like games. To extract maximum performance, Intel has a dedicated Thread Director that makes the entire process work and dictates just what application goes to which core, in tandem with the operating system. Intel also provides P-Core-only and E-Core-only Xeon server processors that serve either performance sectors like HPC and AI or the cloud sector that needs many cores with somewhat lower performance, but in a dense 100-core+ package.[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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ASRock Industrial Lists NUCs Powered by Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther L
ASRock listed one of the first branded mobile-on-desktop platforms based on the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" processors, barely two months into the launch of the new processor generation. The new NUC Box-358H, NUCS BOX-358H, NUCS BOX-325, and NUC BOX-325 are powered by "Panther Lake-H" (mainstream laptop) variants of the chip, and are marketed by the Industrial sub-brand of ASRock that deals with IPCs and IIoT products. All four models are TAA-compliant. The NUC Box-358H and NUCS BOX-325 come with a thicker chassis measuring 117.5 mm x 110 mm x 49 mm (WxDxH), while the NUCS BOX-358H and NUC BOX-325 come in a slimmer chassis measuring 117.5 x 110 mm x 38 mm. All four feature active fan-based cooling for the SoC, and are barebones that exclude memory and storage.
For memory, all four models offer two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, and support the latest CSODIMMs besides regular SO-DIMMs. For storage, all four offer two M.2-2280 slots, one of which is Gen 5. Intel BE200 Wi-Fi 7 WLAN adapters are standard. The thicker models come with two Intel 2.5 GbE wired Ethernet interfaces, while the thinner ones come with just the one. All four offer quad display outputs, including two HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 2.1 passed through a 40 Gbps USB4/Thunderbolt 4 port, and a second DisplayPort 1.4a passed through a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 type-C port (alternate mode). All four come with 19 V, 120 W power bricks.[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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This Week in Gaming (Week 9)
Welcome to the last week of February and this week we kick off with a AAA release from a franchise that started 30 years ago and it's the 9th major game about an umbrella manufacturer that turned evil or something like that. As for this week's other releases, we have a game about vermin, but they want to be royalty, a bunch of pirates that want your bounty, a chance of experiencing life in the medieval times, a new take on spellslining where everyone's flying and finally a remake of an action JRPG.
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A new era of survival horror arrives with Resident Evil Requiem, the latest and most immersive entry yet in the iconic Resident Evil series. Experience terrifying survival horror with FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, and dive into pulse-pounding action with legendary agent Leon S. Kennedy. Both of their journeys and unique gameplay styles intertwine into a heart-stopping, emotional experience that will chill you to your core. [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...] [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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Stop Killing Games Update Indicates Positive Outlook in EU Battle Desp
The [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] that it had accrued and validated the necessary number of signatures to be heard out by the EU parliament via the [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]. According to a [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] put out by activist and spokesperson for the movement, Ross Scott, key players in the movement have been hard at work in the background since that announcement, and that there has been progress since that update, although not all of it positive. The first important note is that the Stop Destroying Games citizen's initiative already has a date secured to present its case to the EU Commission, but despite this, it seems to have already had an impact on EU lawmakers.
According to Scott, in October, it seemed as though the EU was considering adding protections for videogames to the [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...], which is a new set of laws that aim to regulate digital ethics and consumer rights—however, it seems as though video game industry lobbyists had gotten to lawmakers first, since they parroted arguments about discouraging small indie developers, who would ostensibly have a hard time keeping games running indefinitely, but this allowed the movement to clarify to the EU that the movement doesn't seek to force publishers to maintain games indefinitely, but only to provide a way for gamers to play the games they have purchased after support is ended. Despite this, the representatives at the meeting seemed to think that the commission didn't favor adding laws surrounding gaming to the Digital Fairness Act.[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]
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AMD Seemingly Stops Driver Updates for Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor
AMD has reportedly stopped driver updates for its Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU solution for handheld consoles, according to the latest Lenovo Korea update. This means that only after 2 and a half years, AMD is pulling support for its SoC, leaving many enthusiasts in a difficult spot. Confirmation from multiple sources are piling up as Reddit users and customers of other handheld consoles are stating that support for their specific devices, based on the Ryzen Z1 Extreme SoC, are also stuck using drivers that are several months old. For example, a user has commented that his ASUS ROG Ally non-X version based on the Ryzen Z1 Extreme SoC has been stuck with six-month-old SoC drivers from August 2025. This means that AMD has effectively placed the Ryzen Z1 and Ryzen Z1 Extreme chips into a periodic update window, with no latest driver support coming to this 2023 SoC.
However, the situation is quite complex. OEMs like Lenovo and ASUS receive drivers from AMD and test them for their specific configurations. AMD offers configurable TDP (cTDP) for the Z1 Extreme with values ranging from 9 to 30 W. This means that OEMs can get a SoC with reduced clocks and power settings to match their desired handheld designs, or simply run the most aggressive 30 W configuration that will sacrifice some battery life but deliver overall higher CPU and GPU clocks. Hence, drivers must be tested to ensure they work properly on the specific TDP configuration by the OEM before they are installed by the user. Finding the "blame" is proving to be difficult, as it could be that AMD is not bothering with new updates, or OEMs are not eager to test their specific configurations.[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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