TechPowerUP NEWS

[NextPowerUP]

Team, (yesterday) we reported our Q1 2025 results. It was a step in the right direction as we delivered revenue, gross margin and EPS (earnings per share) above our guidance, driven by Dave and Michelle's leadership. I want to thank them both, and all of you, for the good execution. We need to build on this progress—and it won't be easy. We are navigating an increasingly volatile and uncertain macroeconomic environment, which is reflected in our Q2 outlook. On top of that, there are many areas where we must improve. We need to confront our challenges head-on and take swift actions to get back on track. As I have said, this starts by revamping our culture. The feedback I have received from our customers and many of you has been consistent. We are seen as too slow, too complex and too set in our ways—and we need to change. Our flatter Executive Team (ET) structure that I shared last week was a first step. The next step is to drive greater simplicity, speed and collaboration across the entire company. To achieve these objectives, today I am announcing some important changes.

Becoming an Engineering-Focused Company
We need to get back to our roots and empower our engineers. That's why I elevated our core engineering functions to the ET. And many of the changes we will be driving are designed to make engineers more productive by removing burdensome workflows and processes that slow down the pace of innovation. To make necessary investments in our engineering talent and technology roadmaps, we need to find new ways to reduce our costs. While we have taken significant actions in the last year, our current cost structure is still well above competitive benchmarks. With that in mind, we have reduced our operating expense and capital spending targets going forward, which I will discuss during our investor call this afternoon.
Read full story

More...

[NextPowerUP]

Officially, AMD is set to reveal the next wave of RDNA 4—in desktop form—at some point within the second quarter of this year. Unlike its main rival—NVIDIA—company representatives have not publicly discussed a comprehensive branch-off into dedicated laptop graphics solutions. Team Red's previous-gen "Navi Mobile" Radeon RX 7000M lineup received little fanfare, and early 2025 "official" talk indicated that company engineers were focused on delivering RDNA 4 to desktop. Additionally, late March leaks suggested an increased future reliance on integrated RDNA 3.5-based graphics solutions. Seemingly out of nowhere, All The Watts!! has produced a list of six tentative Radeon RX 9000M family variants. As interpreted by VideoCardz, the leaker has cryptically included supposed compute unit (CU) counts and VRAM configurations. A rumored Radeon RX 9080M flagship SKU could be based on AMD's Navi 48 GPU design; prepped with 64 RDNA 4 compute units (or 4096 stream processors) and 16 GB of video memory.

The leaked Radeon RX 9070M XT's basic details match certain data points present on the rumored Radeon RX 9070 GRE 12 GB desktop card's specification sheet. VideoCardz reckons that the RX 9070M XT will also utilize Team Red's Navi 48 GPU, but with a reduced compute unit count of 48 (or 3072 SPs). The four remaining RDNA 4 laptop SKUs—RX 9070M, RX 9070S, RX 9060M and RX 9060S—are said to be based on company's Navi 44 GPU IP, and configured with 8 GB pools of VRAM. Two days ago, AMD hinted about new generation Radeon Mobile gaming experiences getting introduced at next month's Computex 2025 trade show.

More...

[NextPowerUP]

Hello from id Software! This is Hugo Martin, game director on Doom: The Dark Ages, releasing May 15 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC—it's right around the corner, I can't believe it. If you've been following along, you already know that Doom: The Dark Ages is a premium single-player campaign featuring three core pillars of engagement: story, combat, and exploration. I'm guessing you're reading this because you want to hear something new, something about the game no one else has heard about. Well, I've got a good one for you.

We think Doom: The Dark Ages is the best Doom game we've ever made (but that'll be for you to decide). We gave this everything we had, left no feature unpolished: we have 22 levels of incredible FPS single-player combat; tons of gameplay innovations like the Shield Saw, flail, and new crazy guns; and an awesome roller coaster ride of an action story to carry you through to the finish. AND—we have huge worlds for you to explore.
Read full story

More...

[NextPowerUP]

OKI Circuit Technology, the OKI Group printed circuit board (PCB) company, has successfully developed 124-layer PCB technology for wafer inspection equipment designed for next-generation high bandwidth memory, such as HBM mounted on AI semiconductors. This is a roughly 15% increase in the number of layers over conventional 108-layer designs. OTC is seeking to establish mass production technology by October 2025 at its Joetsu Plant in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, which has a proven track record and advanced development and production capabilities in the field of high multilayer, high-precision, large-format PCBs for semiconductor inspection equipment.

AI processing requires the transmission of vast data volumes between graphics processing unit (GPU) semiconductors and memory. As semiconductor performance increases, the memory installed is also required to have high-speed, high-frequency, and high-density data transfer capabilities. HBM features a stacked DRAM structure, requiring technology capable of fabricating wafers even more thinly and precisely. This configuration also requires that the PCBs used in inspection equipment meet even higher levels of performance and quality.
Read full story

More...

[NextPowerUP]

GuliKit showcased "Elves 2" prototype controllers at Gamescom 2024; last summer's product booth—in Cologne, Germany—also displayed an intriguing "Libra MAX" model. Enthusiasts have demanded more third-party options that sport "symmetrical" control layouts with non-PlayStation-esque ergonomic designs. GuliKit's "Elves" product series has borrowed some design inspiration from Sega's various Saturn controller models. The appearance of fairly final-looking units—last August—prompted much online interest, but the brand's fanbase has grown increasingly impatient over the past six+ months. Many expected an Elves 2 SKU—with an off-white finish—to reach retail not long after last year's official unveiling. Many months later, Amazon product listings were discovered, complete with a (now missed) January release date.

Thankfully, GuliKit's social media account has started to promote an upcoming—May—arrival of their Elves 2 Pro white and black controller models—advertised as featuring "retro looks" combined with "pro performance." At the time of writing, the manufacturer has not published a dedicated product page on its official website. Teaser material lists the usual mod cons: Hall Effect sticks (anti-drift tech): maglev vibration, wired + Bluetooth connectivity, and a compact internal battery with (up to) twenty hours of operation. The GuliKit Elves 2 Pro will be a multi-platform controller—compatible with Nintendo Switch, PCs, iOS & Android mobile devices. The Elves 2 Pro's D-pad design could make it an attractive option to a growing audience of Fightpad fanatics. 8Bitdo's M30 model—borrowing DNA from Sega's Genesis/Mega Drive controller—is another popular accessory, albeit minus "modern" analogue sticks.

More...

[NextPowerUP]

The Hundred-day war between "extremeness" and "despair" begins..."The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy" is finally out, as of yesterday! Please enjoy this one-of-a-kind work born from the creators' "madness and passion" to your heart's content. Kazutaka Kodaka and Kotaro Uchikoshi join forces for the first time to deliver the ULTIMATE adventure game! 15 students are tasked with defending a school from grotesque monsters for 100 days. Can they make it to the end? And will they survive long enough to uncover the truth? Takumi Sumino is a totally average teenager living in the Tokyo Residential Complex, a place where every day is much like the last and nothing bad ever happens.

All that changes when freakish monsters attack the town and start wreaking havoc. A strange creature calling himself Sirei appears and offers Takumi the power to protect those he holds dear... All he has to do is stab himself in the chest! The next thing he knows, Takumi is in Last Defense Academy, a school in the middle of nowhere surrounded by a wall of otherworldly flames. He and 14 other students have been drafted into the Special Defense Unit, a team tasked with keeping the school safe for the next 100 days. How much are they willing to sacrifice to take back their normal lives and save the world from the grotesque school invaders?
Read full story

More...

[NextPowerUP]

As revealed during a recent Q1 earnings call, Intel leadership mentioned that "external clients are getting their ASICs designs tested." The company's foundry business is working towards the finalization of its much discussed 18A node process, with alleged trial samples receiving an "impressive performance rating." According to Ctee Taiwan, Team Blue's foundry service has submitted test subjects to the likes of NVIDIA, Broadcom and Faraday Technology. The latter organization has (reportedly) disclosed that the 18A platform tape-out was completed last October—since then, received samples have been "successfully connected." Industry moles believe that NVIDIA and Broadcom are in the middle of conducting manufacturing tests. Additional whispers suggest the delivery of 18A prototypes chez IBM and several other unnamed partner companies. Insiders have indicated impressive/good "verification results." Contrary to reports from other sources, Ctee has picked up on insider chatter about Intel's next-gen Nova Lake compute tile design being "not entirely outsourced." Further conjecture points to Team Blue becoming increasingly confident in its own manufacturing techniques.

More...

[NextPowerUP]

Explorers, get ready for an extraordinary adventure! Microids and Microids Studio Paris are proud to launch Amerzone - The Explorer's Legacy, the remake of Benoît Sokal's cult-classic adventure game. The game is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Set off on a quest for the Great White Birds in a mysterious land full of secrets! Answer the call of exploration as you travel to Amerzone, a forgotten Latin American country, to fulfill the last wishes of a late explorer.

Try the Free Demo on Consoles & PC!
Players can experience a free playable demo on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam! Step into the role of a daring journalist and embark on your first journey into this immersive adventure. This is the perfect opportunity to dive into the game's universe, explore its mechanics, and get a taste of the full experience. Even better, your progress in the demo will automatically transfer to the full game, allowing you to seamlessly continue your journey!
Read full story

More...

[NextPowerUP]

On April 15, NVIDIA revealed its "coming soon + starting at $299" GeForce RTX 5060 8 GB graphics card model—along with the freshly launched GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB and 8 GB cards. Not long after that, board partners introduced entire custom GeForce RTX 5060 Series product ranges. To the surprise of many, Team Green's mid-month PR material seemed to place a lot of emphasis on the cheapest offering. VideoCardz reckons that public demand for launch day GeForce RTX 5060 cards is not expected to reach high levels, but NVIDIA seems to be readying a simultaneous retail release and lifting of review embargoes. According to inside track information, May 19 appears to be the big day of choice.

Clever day one maneuvering could be in play—VideoCardz outlined a potential strategy: "this approach means customers may purchase the card without prior access to independent performance data. In other words, gamers will have to rely on NVIDIA's official benchmarks, unless they want to risk not being able to buy the card at MSRP." Team Green's mid-April "desktop family" marketing piece did tease the GeForce RTX 5060's Tensor and RT Core performance (respectively): 614 AI TOPs and 58 TFLOPS—versus RTX 5060 Ti's 750 AI TOPS, and 72 TFLOPS. Insider whispers suggest that AMD is readying rival hardware for release within a similar time frame; Radeon RX 9060 XT. The competing companies could be making important new product announcements just before the start of Computex 2025 (on May 20).

More...

[NextPowerUP]

F1 25 marks the return of the narrative-driven, Braking Point, an epic Formula 1 blockbuster mode set to excite players new and old when the game releases on May 30 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The fictional tale puts you right into the action, as the fate and destiny of the characters you control rests in your racing-gloved hands. So, with this being the latest instalment in the Braking Point story, how did we get here?

The Story So Far
While having roots back to F1 2019, Braking Point's debut in F1 2021 offered players the opportunity to adopt the role of Aiden Jackson, an F1 rookie looking to make a name for himself in the sport. He was met with many challenges along the way, including a ruthless rival, Devon Butler, a driver who would stop at nothing to succeed. In F1 23's instalment, which focused on the 2022 and 2023 seasons and the introduction of fictional team Konnersport, familiar faces returned alongside new protagonist Callie Mayer, the first woman to win the F2 Championship. The once infamous Devon Butler has his perspective of the sport turned upside down, opening up a spot for Callie's break into F1.
Read full story

More...

[NextPowerUP]

GALAX has deliberated over the fine-tuning of its pedigree custom GeForce RTX 5090D design throughout early 2025—mid-way through April we heard about an imminent retail release of the Chinese manufacturer's finalized Hall of Fame (HOF) Extreme Overclock (XOC) Limited Edition card. According to the latest reports, the brand has announced the availability of its ultra-premium option; featuring the very best pre-binned GB202 GPU dies and GDDR7 memory modules. Apparently reserved for upper echelon buyers; with a 29,999 RMB (~$4117 USD) launch price tag.

In parallel, GALAX seems to be launching two "lesser" variants—as reported by VideoCardz, the "OC LAB Plus-X" (~$3595 USD) and "OC LAB" (~$3582 USD) SKUs make do with single 12V-2×6 power connectors. Despite this handicap, the Plus-X model is still a record breaker. Naturally, its XOC LE sibling—enabled with twin 12V-2×6 power inputs—sits atop global benchmark tables. GALAX currently boasts about this design achieving nine overclocking world records. Given the limited edition nature of GALAX's top 29,999 RMB offering, stock counts could be small—VideoCardz did not pick up on any local information about launch numbers or involved retail outlets/platforms. There are mutterings about a potential closing off of GB202 "Blackwell" GPU die shipments into China—in effect this could lead to the end of GeForce RTX 5090D 32 GB custom card production.
Read full story

More...

[NextPowerUP]

Welcome Aboard, Captain! We're kicking off the Road to Subnautica 2 Early Access with our first Dev Vlog, as well as an exciting sneak-peek at some early game footage. Subnautica 2's Design Lead, Anthony Gallegos, invites you to join us on the Road to Early Access, as we share some enticing glimpses at what you can expect from the game later in 2025. Immerse yourself in a new adventure with Subnautica 2; an open-water survival game from the creators of the Subnautica series. Play alone or with friends as you explore alluring biomes and discover fascinating creatures. Craft vehicles, tools, and bases to survive this mysterious alien world.

Catch a glimpse of what's to come, with some incredible in-development footage of Subnautica 2, teasing parts of this all-new world, biomes, creatures, and vehicles you're set to encounter. You can speculate and discuss everything shown in the video on our official Discord server. Join the community and share your thoughts with your fellow Subnauts!
Read full story

More...

[NextPowerUP]

Hyper Light Breaker received some significant criticism immediately after launch, largely for clunky combat, insubstantial progression, and a lack of world-building. Some community feedback is to be expected, since Hyper Light Breaker is still in Steam Early Access, but the community backlash was unexpected, given the success that the game's predecessor, Hyper Light Drifter, garnered. The first major content update aimed at addressing much of the criticism has just dropped on Steam, and many of the changes seem to be welcome by the community.

Some of the biggest changes to Hyper Light Breaker introduced in the Buried Below update include changes to character progression, weapon synergies, and the overall gameplay loop itself. Heart Machine also introduced a new playable character, Rondo, two new melee weapons, a new mini boss—a Crown called Maw—with its own player perks, and new areas for players to explore. Heart Machine also says it has streamlined the game's onboarding process, and that the changes to the game should make the game easier to get into for new players but more difficult to master. In terms of the gameplay loop, the new update reduces player lives from four per run to one per run, making things much less forgiving, however, players will also now always spawn in one of two locations, making the start of a new run more predictable. There are also a number of improvements to the enemy AI that should make encounters and battles somewhat more challenging and interesting. Players are also locked to a single character and companion for the duration of each run, which is a substantial change from the previous system which allowed players to switch characters and Sycoms mid-run. There are a number of other balance patches and new additions, which you can read about in the full patch notes below. Overall, judging from the comments in the Steam Community discussion under the update patch notes, players seem to be tentatively excited about the majority of the changes to the gameplay loop, although some concerns remain.
Read full story

More...

[NextPowerUP]

Throughout April, Nintendo has navigated choppy waters—not long after the much-anticipated Switch 2 hybrid console's big presentation. Potential customers in the US and Canada experienced an unfortunate delay of pre-order programs—thankfully resolved, as of late last week. The Japanese multinational gaming giant has raised Switch 2 accessory prices—in reaction to "Tariffgate"—but their core next-gen hardware will sell at originally intended levels (hopefully). Despite the company being a global force, a couple of Nintendo's regional distribution networks lack clout. Yesterday, a worrying news report emerged from Costa Rica. Teletica's article outlined a complete absence of Switch 2 and related products across Central American and Caribbean markets. According to insider sources, details were confirmed during: "a private meeting between Nintendo executives and official distributors in the region on Tuesday night (April 29)...The Japanese company announced that there will be no official distribution of consoles, games, or peripherals in these markets throughout 2025." This revelation adds insult to already prominent injuries—even in better-established South American market territories, gamers have voiced concerns about the spotty supply of first-gen Switch products.

More...

[NextPowerUP]

As part of the 30th anniversary celebration for Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is collaborating to bring "Operation Meteor" to Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.'s cross-platform and free-to-play team-based action game Overwatch 2. The iconic Mobile Suits—Wing Gundam Zero (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz), Gundam Epyon (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing), Gundam Deathscythe Hell (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz) and Tallgeese (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing)—come to life as Legendary skins for Mercy, Ramattra, Reaper, and Soldier: 76, respectively. The renowned art team at Blizzard Entertainment worked closely with Bandai Namco Entertainment to ensure the perfect blend of Mobile Suits from Gundam Wing meshed with Overwatch 2 heroes. These new Legendary skins are now available to purchase in-game on every platform Overwatch 2 is available on: Windows PC via Battle.net, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch consoles.

An optimistic vision of near-future Earth, Overwatch 2 is about a world worth fighting for, where super soldiers, scientists, cyborgs, and omnics clash for control of real-world-inspired locations from around the globe. Overwatch 2's 43 unique heroes—each armed with potent abilities and weaponry—battle across a variety of lively maps and locales, where players must work together and adapt to a variety of unique situations.
Read full story

More...