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AI Yi-Yi!
OpenAI's success in beating humans at Dota 2 was partly facilitated by a deal for discounted Microsoft computing power, reportedly secured after Elon Musk contacted Satya Nadella. This arrangement provided OpenAI with significant resources for their AI development.
Betawatch: Neverness to Everness and Heroes of Might & Magic Olden Era open their gates
Several MMORPGs have launched or entered testing phases, including the full release of Neverness to Everness and early access for Heroes of Might & Magic Olden Era. TERA 2 is confirmed to be in development with Unreal Engine 5, while Scars of Honor and Gods, Death & Reapers are undergoing playtests and alpha phases respectively. Reaper Actual has secured further venture capital funding.
Gamers Still Pick Consoles for Exclusives, New Data Finds
New data from Circana indicates that exclusive games remain the primary reason for consumers choosing a specific console, with 41% of US players citing them as their main decision factor. While this figure has slightly decreased from the previous year, it still outweighs factors like friends and family owning a particular platform. Sony appears to be re-evaluating its strategy of porting major PlayStation 5 exclusives to PC, focusing more on hardware-driving titles and upcoming exclusives like Marvel's Wolverine and Grand Theft Auto 6.
Remember when OpenAI beat humans in Dota 2? Turns out that was partly thanks to when Elon Musk 'personally called [Satya] Nadella' to secure a load of discounted Microsoft computing power
Internal emails revealed that Elon Musk personally contacted Satya Nadella to secure discounted Microsoft computing power for OpenAI's Dota 2 AI project. This compute was crucial for training the OpenAI Five bot, which eventually defeated professional players. The article also touches on OpenAI's early advisory board and their progress with AI mastering games like Montezuma's Revenge.
Podcast: iicon, Gamescom Latam, and Roblox financials
This week's GamesIndustry.biz podcast covers the Brazilian development scene from GamesCom Latam and insights from the ESA's iicon conference. It also touches on Roblox's financial performance and ongoing user growth despite a share price slide, as well as Microsoft's hardware challenges.
Former PlayStation boss blames "really sad" layoffs on "misjudgment" of companies: "It's funny to see the companies who shut down, lay off, the stock price goes up"
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida attributes the widespread layoffs in the gaming industry to management misjudgments, particularly concerning the surge in interest during lockdowns. He notes that despite layoffs, the overall headcount in many companies continues to grow, and observes that stock prices often rise following such workforce reductions.
Xbox Mode Starts Rolling Out For Windows 11 PCs Today
Microsoft has begun rolling out "Xbox Mode" for Windows 11 PCs, offering a console-inspired interface that prioritizes game libraries and controller navigation. This feature, previously seen on the ASUS ROG Ally X, aims to provide a streamlined gaming experience by aggregating titles from Xbox Game Pass and other PC storefronts. Microsoft plans to continue refining Xbox Mode based on user feedback.
This historic OS was not stored digitally, so a fleet of historians have transcribed the source code from ancient…
Microsoft has released the source code for 86-DOS 1.00, a precursor to MS-DOS, on GitHub to commemorate its 45th anniversary. The code was transcribed by a team of historians led by Yufeng Gao and Rich Cini, as the original source code was not stored digitally. This effort preserves a significant piece of early computing history, including the operating system originally created by Tim Paterson for Seattle Computer Products.
The Xbox Ally X finally just got its promised Auto SR abilities, but I doubt most handheld players will care right now
Microsoft's Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) AI upscaling feature is now available for the ASUS ROG Ally X, but only in docked mode. While the technology aims to improve visual fidelity and performance, early testing shows a decrease in frame rates and some visual artifacts, suggesting it is still a work in progress. The feature's current limitations and its initial focus on docked play may limit its appeal to handheld players.
Finally, Windows 11 desktop PC users can enjoy Xbox Mode — and Microsoft has a new gift for Ally X users
Microsoft has begun rolling out "Xbox Mode" for Windows 11 desktop PCs, a feature previously available to Xbox Insiders, which aims to streamline the gaming experience by launching games in a dedicated menu and disabling background processes. Additionally, Auto SR upscaling technology is now available for Asus ROG Xbox Ally X users via the Game Bar, offering improved frame rates and image quality.
Apple CEO doesn't expect the RAM memory crisis to go away any time soon
Apple CEO Tim Cook anticipates that the current crisis of expensive RAM memory will persist, impacting the company's business. He noted that while Apple managed minimal impact in the last quarter, significant effects are expected on Mac models due to high demand and continued high memory costs. This situation is exacerbated by the increasing demand for AI data centers, contributing to a wider industry-wide supply crunch.
Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and NVIDIA will provide AI tech to Pentagon
Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and NVIDIA will supply artificial intelligence technology to the Pentagon. They join previously announced providers Google, OpenAI, and xAI in this initiative.
ROG Xbox Ally X owners can now choose between AMD's FSR upscaler or Microsoft's NPU-powered Auto SR for better…
The ASUS ROG Ally X handheld gaming PC now offers Microsoft's Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) upscaling technology, powered by its Neural Processing Unit (NPU), as an alternative to AMD's FSR. Auto SR is designed to run on the NPU when game-integrated super resolution is unavailable or when hardware constraints prevent it from simultaneously delivering quality and FPS.
Gamescom Latam shows Brazil's dev scene has huge potential, but it's waiting for a spark | Opinion
Gamescom Latam in São Paulo highlights Brazil's growing game development scene, which possesses strong industry infrastructure and government support frameworks. However, a significant lack of funding and investment is hindering its potential to reach the next level, with industry figures emphasizing the need for financial incentives and tax breaks to attract further investment and foster growth.
Subnautica 2 Launches in Early Access Release Date Announced
Unknown Worlds Entertainment announced that Subnautica 2 will launch in Early Access on May 14 for Xbox Series and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store, also available on Game Pass. The underwater survival adventure game allows for single-player or cooperative multiplayer with up to three friends as players explore a new alien world and adapt to survive.
Microsoft is reportedly fixing Windows 11 to take on the Steam Machine, but here's what else it needs to do
Microsoft has reportedly launched an internal initiative called K2 to improve Windows 11's performance and reliability, aiming to compete with Linux-based gaming systems like the Steam Deck. The company plans to address user complaints regarding AI integration, performance issues, and unreliability, with goals to achieve performance parity with SteamOS within two years. Additionally, Microsoft is looking to reintroduce features like taskbar customization and simplify the installation process by reducing mandatory Microsoft account usage and prompts for other services.
Why Gaming Friends Fade: The Science Behind Loss
This analysis explores the scientific reasons behind the loss of friendships, particularly those formed through gaming, during adulthood. It highlights research indicating that adult friendships naturally decay without consistent interaction and that life-stage pressures like parenthood significantly reduce social time. The article emphasizes that online friendships are genuine and provide crucial social support, but are also vulnerable to dissolution, leading to loneliness which is now considered a public health crisis with serious health implications.
ESA's iicon was a promising start, but needs more commitment and more candour | Opinion
The Entertainment Software Association's new industry event, iicon, shows promise with its focus on strategy and C-suite discussions, attracting key executives from major companies. However, the event suffered from notable absences from major players like Xbox, Nintendo, and Sony, and a lack of candid, insightful discussions from those who did attend, hindering its potential impact.
Take note Xbox, exclusives are the main reason people buy video game consoles
A recent consumer survey indicates that exclusive games remain the primary driver for console purchases, despite Microsoft's multiplatform strategy. While some Xbox titles have found success on PlayStation 5, the data suggests a return to exclusives may be necessary for Xbox's future success with Project Helix. Sony also appears to be re-evaluating its own multiplatform approach for single-player titles.
Microsoft's Xbox mode starts making its way to Windows 11 PCs
Microsoft is rolling out an Xbox mode for Windows 11 PCs, which provides a console-like interface. This feature aims to integrate the Xbox experience more seamlessly into the PC operating system.