Gaming
ASUS Gaming X16, V16 are built for gamers on a budget
Goes up to a GeForce RTX 5060 GPU
Contrary to popular belief, gaming as a hobby doesn’t need to break the bank. Today, there are setups, both buildable and ready-to-use, that can cater to all budget segments. If you’re leaning more towards the budget-friendly segment, ASUS has just released a new lineup to start you off on your gaming journey but without hurting your wallet — the ASUS Gaming V16 and the ASUS Gaming X16.
Today, ASUS has launched the ASUS Gaming V16 (V3607) and the ASUS Gaming X16 (K3605). Despite being entries into the budget gaming market, both of these models offer exactly what you’ll need for today’s games.
Both models come with a 16-inch 16:10 FHD IPS display with 144Hz refresh rate and 89 percent screen-to-body ratio. They also come with Dirac audio technology and ASUS Audio Booster for clearer sounds while gaming. The ASUS Gaming X16 comes in at only 1.89cm thin, 1.8kg light, and in an Indie Black chassis. Meanwhile, the ASUS Gaming V16 comes with a 1.8cm thin and 1.95kg Matte Black chassis.
Inside, the laptops ship with up to an Intel Core 5 (Series 2) processor and up to a GeForce RTX 5060 GPU with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation. They are paired with up to 16GB of DDR5 memory and 512GB of storage.
It comes with a 40 percent larger touchpad and a comfortable ASUS ErgoSense keyboard with Turbo Blue backlighting. For I/O ports, it has two USB Type-A ports, one USB Type-C port, an HDMI port, a DC-in jack, and an Audio Combo jack. The X16 also has a slot for an SD card.
The lineup sports a 63Wh battery, which maximizes power efficiency and temperature (with ASUS IceCool Thermal Technology).
Price, availability
The ASUS Gaming X16, paired with an RTX 3050 chipset, retails for PhP 49,995. Meanwhile, the ASUS Gaming V16 starts at PhP 59,995 for an RTX 4050 + 8GB RAM build and goes up to PhP 74,995 for an RTX 5060 + 16GB build.
ASUS is also partnering with Genshin Impact for this lineup. Purchases, via ASUS and ROG Exclusive Stores, will get a free Genshin Impact mousepad from May 6 to June 15.
Gaming
Horizon Hunters Gathering is an upcoming co-op roguelite spinoff
If you liked Nightreign, you might like this.
Like Valve, the PlayStation’s tentpole franchises are allergic to the number 3. The Last of Us, the ongoing God of War arc, Spider-Man, and Horizon all don’t have a third game yet. These franchises, however, have all gotten rumors of spinoffs. Now, Horizon is getting more than just a rumor; an official co-op spinoff is happening. Say hello to Horizon Hunters Gathering!
Today, Guerilla unveiled Horizon Hunters Gathering, an official co-op roguelite set in the Horizon universe. The game will feature multiple players working to take down difficult enemies, bosses, and dungeons.
The title shares similarities with Elden Ring Nightreign. For one, players can choose between six characters with different roles. The main mode, called Machine Incursion, takes players to a wide map with powerups and roaming monsters. The map then has a shrinking ring that… well, you know what a shrinking ring does.
Horizon Hunters Gathering also has a different game mode called Cauldron Descent. Compared to the Nightreign type of gameplay, Cauldron Descent is a more traditional roguelite mode. Players enter a dangerous dungeon and choose alternate paths that vary in challenges.
Both game modes will be available through an upcoming closed playtest through the PlayStation Beta Program.
Because this is from Guerilla themselves, this is an official game. But it’s far from the only spinoff for the universe. Previously, NCSoft, a South Korean gaming studio, announced Horizon Steel Frontiers, an MMO set in the Horizon universe. Like Horizon Hunters Gathering, Steel Frontiers has an unknown launch date.
SEE ALSO: Horizon Steel Frontiers is an MMO set in the Horizon universe
Gaming
Valve is delaying the launch of the Steam Machine
But it’s still scheduled for the first half of 2026.
Overshadowed only by the Nintendo Switch 2, the upcoming Steam Machine was one of the most exciting gaming devices announced last year. Unfortunately, especially if you were waiting intently for the console’s launch, Valve is delaying the device by an undisclosed amount of time.
Initially, Valve anticipated a launch for the Steam Machine sometime in the first half of 2026. However, as the calendar rolls on into the second month of the year, the company has yet to announce either a price or a launch date for the console. Valve says that both should be out by now.
In a recent update, the company confirms that ongoing chip shortages have forced a reevaluation of the Steam Machine’s price and shipping date. This also goes for the Steam Controller and the Steam Frame. Valve is going back to the drawing board to figure out what is feasible for the console market.
On the bright side, Valve is still aiming to launch all three devices in the first half of the year. It’s just a matter of determining when that is.
The Steam Machine is just the latest in a growing line of devices affected by the chip shortage. Today, chipmakers are funneling their supplies to the supposed demand for AI servers. Naturally, more infrastructure means less chips reserved for regular consumers.
Also recently, NVIDIA was rumored to skip this year for a new GPU launch because of the AI “boom”. It’s the first time that this has happened in thirty years.
SEE ALSO: Valve announces its own console called the Steam Machine
Yesterday, AMD made the bold claim that the next-generation Xbox is coming next year. In a world drowning in manufactured hype for AI, hearing about GPUs going back to gaming is refreshing. NVIDIA, however, still has its pipelines clogged with artificial intelligence. According to reports, the company will not release new graphics cards this year.
This is unprecedented. A new graphics card is often a highlight for gamers every year. Even in recent times when prices beggar belief, a newly launched chip still generates hype.
Now, for the first time in thirty years, NVIDIA will not launch a new card in a calendar year (via The Information). Like a lot of things happening this year, AI is the culprit.
Buoyed by the dreams of billionaires, GPU companies are busy dedicating their stock of chips for AI servers. Because these servers artificially blew up the demand for GPUs, everything else that needs such a chip is projected to see a price hike this year. This includes smartphones, gaming consoles, and cars. Regular consumers have been left to deal with the aftermath of the imaginary AI boom.
According to The Information, NVIDIA’s current lineup is only partially composed of chips meant for gaming. Only around 8 percent of its revenue came from that segment in the first nine months of last year. In its defense, AI chips are much more profitable right now, but it’s still a big blow against consumers who just want to play games.
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