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Evening Reading - September 3, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of topics including reviews for NHL 27 and Halloween: The Game, news on Guild Wars 3 and Final Fantasy 7 Revelation's DLC and release date, and NVIDIA's acquisition of Hugging Face. It also touches on Sonic Team's lead Takashi Iizuka's comments regarding Fortnite's Sonic and the White House posting propaganda games.
Sunday Tech Bits
AMD's upcoming Zen 6 processors are expected to address microstuttering and enhance 1% low frame rates in games. Additionally, the first open-source firmware for the AM5 platform, Dasharo v0.9.0, has been released, featuring Coreboot.
My sluggish limbs mean I'm terrible at Black Myth: Wukong on both a controller, as well as mouse and keyboard—so surely a brain-computer interface is the answer
At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, attendees could try playing Black Myth: Wukong using a non-invasive brain-computer interface. The system calibrates in about five minutes and translates neural signals into game commands, with similar technology being used for medical applications. While latency and potential photo-sensitivity are concerns, this BCI offers a new input method for gamers, particularly those with mobility issues.
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The Minnesota/St. Paul Airport has opened a new "Portal Lounge" featuring gaming amenities and a robot bartender. The lounge is a unique addition to airport amenities, offering travelers entertainment options.
“The PC is being reinvented” - Nvidia announces new AI-focused RTX Spark chip for laptops as widespread doubt bubbles
Nvidia has announced the RTX Spark chip, designed to bring AI capabilities to PCs and laptops from manufacturers like Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and HP. CEO Jensen Huang stated this chip reinvents personal computing by enabling users to interact with their devices through natural language commands, leveraging Nvidia's AI and graphics technologies for tasks ranging from creative workflows to gaming. The announcement comes amid rising component prices and skepticism surrounding the broader AI industry.
ROG Xbox Ally Drops a Handful of Updates That Brings Improved Docking, Auto Super Resolution, and an
Microsoft and ASUS have released new updates for the ASUS ROG Ally and ROG Ally X handheld PCs, focusing on player feedback. These updates improve the TV docking experience with automatic smart TV enhancements and controller pairing, introduce an Auto Super Resolution feature for sharper visuals on larger screens, and refresh the Xbox PC App to consolidate games from various storefronts into a single library.
New ROG Xbox Ally Updates: Docking Improvements, Auto SR Preview, Collective Library, Enhanced Vibration, and More
Microsoft and ASUS have released significant updates for the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X handheld PCs, focusing on improving docked play experiences with features like automatic TV display switching and enhanced smart TV compatibility. The updates also introduce a new Display Widget in Game Bar for easier setting adjustments, improved controller pairing, and a preview of Auto Super Resolution technology for sharper visuals on external displays.
HP Omen AI and HyperX 2026 Gaming Tech Showcase: Modular Controllers, 80-Hour Headsets, and Brain-Computer Gaming
HP's Omen division and HyperX showcased new gaming technology focusing on modularity, customization, and AI-driven enhancements. Key reveals include headsets with up to 80-hour battery life, a leverless fighting game controller, a highly customizable traditional controller with Hall effect technology, and experimental brain-computer interface integration. The Omen software will also feature AI for dynamic system performance optimization.
DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 3 gets formally announced
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 has been officially announced, with a planned release in 2027. The game will feature original characters created by Akira Toriyama and is set in AGE 1000, with a focus on West City. The article also expresses hope for improved Linux and SteamOS multiplayer support, referencing issues with Easy Anti-Cheat in the previous installment.
Woojer Vest 4 Review – Feel the bang for your buck
The Woojer Vest 4 offers an immersive haptic experience, enhancing gaming and media consumption with physical feedback. While lighter and more breathable than its predecessor, it maintains a premium feel and features improved haptic transducers. Despite a high price point, especially in certain regions, it provides a unique sensory enhancement for enthusiasts.
OMARA scent tech Preview at PAX East 2026
OVR Technology showcased its Omara scent-delivery device at PAX East, aiming to enhance gaming memories through smell. While the concept is intriguing, the high price point of $500 for the device and $20-$40 for scent cartridges raises concerns about its market viability. The article suggests potential success in arcade settings or through a cartridge subscription model rather than widespread home adoption.
Evening Tech Bits
AMD has announced that its new Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor will be priced at $899, making it $200 more expensive than the standard Ryzen 9 9950X. Separately, a survey indicates that 71% of gamers would refuse to use Nvidia's DLSS technology.
This PS5 projector is "a gamer's best friend" and it's just plummeted to a brand new record-low…
The BenQ X3100i 4K projector, a popular choice for PlayStation 5 gaming, has reached a new record-low price of $1,799 on Amazon, marking a $600 discount. This gaming-focused projector offers low latency and vibrant image quality, making it a strong contender for enhancing the gaming experience on a larger screen.
Man creates £4,500 gaming rig in his truck to play driving games when in traffic
A gamer named ZanaZamora has installed a custom £4,500 ($6,000) gaming rig in their truck's passenger seat to play simulation racing games like Le Mans Ultimate and iRacing while stuck in traffic. The setup includes a large racing wheel and monitor, with the user highlighting the rewarding nature of sim racing and their competitive achievements. The article also touches on other instances of in-car gaming, such as Tesla's built-in arcade and Honda's partnership with Sony for PlayStation Remote Play in future models.
Engadget Podcast: Why does everyone hate NVIDIA's DLSS 5 AI upscaling?
NVIDIA's announcement of DLSS 5 has sparked controversy due to its shift in focus from upscaling to AI-driven lighting and materials, differing from previous versions. Analyst Anshel Sag joins the podcast to discuss his experience with DLSS 5 demos and the negative reception from gamers. The discussion also touches upon Xbox's Project Helix.
ASUS Zenbook DUO Is A Winner Of An International Design Award | Console Creatures
ASUS has received 27 iF Design Awards, including a "Gold" award for its 2026 ASUS Zenbook DUO. This dual-screen laptop was recognized for its design, build quality, and flexibility for work, creativity, and gaming, featuring an Intel Core Ultra X9 Processor and Intel Arc B390 graphics capable of running current titles at 1080P.
GGWP: AI Moderation Platform Backed by Riot & Sony
ToxMod, an AI system developed by Modulate, analyzes over 160 million hours of gaming voice chat to flag potential violations for human review, aiming to reduce toxicity in multiplayer games. The system, used in titles like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto Online, analyzes speech patterns, tone, and context rather than relying on keyword filters, with a human moderator making the final enforcement decision. Recent updates include improved intent detection and easier integration for developers via Discord's Social SDK.
Microsoft's full screen 'Xbox Mode' will roll out to Windows 11 PCs in April
Microsoft is rolling out its controller-optimized 'Xbox Mode' to all Windows 11 devices in April, bringing a big-screen interface similar to Steam's Big Picture Mode. The company also announced Advanced Shader Delivery and updates to DirectStorage for developers at GDC, alongside hints about future hardware codenamed 'Project Helix'.
Razer unveils a fully agentic version of its AI companion AVA
Razer has unveiled a "fully agentic" version of its AI companion AVA, capable of running both locally on a PC and through cloud infrastructure. This evolution moves AVA beyond a simple chatbot to an AI that can act more independently, analyze situations, and interact with systems proactively. The development reflects a broader industry trend towards AI agents that can perform tasks on behalf of users, with potential implications for gaming tools and digital companions.
Nintendo Switch 2: From the Original Switch to a New Era of Power
This analysis explores the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, detailing its custom NVIDIA Ampere chipset, DLSS capabilities, and potential ray tracing performance. It highlights the console's new 120Hz HDR display, redesigned JoyCons, and compares its expected real-world gameplay performance to devices like the Steam Deck and PlayStation 5, positioning it as Nintendo's most significant hardware leap.