Gaming

PSVR2 might be delayed to next year, report says

Apple VR device delayed, too

Published

April 14, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

The renaissance of virtual reality will be delayed. While Meta still maintains its rigid grip over the industry, other companies are building (or improving on) their own competitors for virtual reality. However, though some have already been confirmed, a date isn’t forthcoming yet. And, if a new report is to be believed, one of those competitors, the PSVR2, might not come soon.

When Sony announced the PSVR2, the company never included a definitive launch date. Regardless, all signs suggested a potential launch sometime during the holidays this year. It made sense. A holiday launch can more than likely drum up sales for the new accessory.

However, that’s apparently not happening. According to analyst Ross Young, both Apple and Sony have incurred delays to their “VR display shipments.” While vague, the implications are apparent. Both companies are working on their own VR headsets. Apple has not announced theirs, apart from rumors. The PSVR2 is, of course, a different story.

Meant to work seamlessly with the PlayStation 5, the PSVR will bring the next generation of virtual reality to gamers. Besides the new display hardware, the headset also comes with a set of new controllers built for the platform. Obviously high on the release, Sony even announced exclusive games coming, including one set in the Horizon universe.

Regardless, it will take a while before gamers can finally get their hands on the new headset. Plenty of time to grab a rare PlayStation 5 in the meantime.

Gaming

NVIDIA develops an AI for NPCs

Talk to NPCs naturally

Published

May 30, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

The expansive world of RPGs has a persistent problem: wooden dialogue. Because games in the genre often take so long to develop, dialogue often gets the hardest cuts in quality. AI, in all its emerging features, plans to ease up production issues by automatic NPC dialogue for developers. Unveiled during Computex 2023, NVIDIA has unveiled its latest engine to ease up this process.

Called the Avatar Cloud Engine, the new technology works much like today’s advanced chatbots but in a gaming context. Players can talk to NPCs naturally as if with a human being. The NPC will generate corresponding dialogue to respond to the user.

NVIDIA demonstrated the new technology through a scene reminiscent of a Cyberpunk 2077 cutscene. Set in a futuristic ramen shop, the main character asks the shop owner, Jin, about the state of the restaurant. Jin responds, “I am worried about the crime around here. It’s gotten bad lately. My ramen shop got caught in the crossfire.” After which, the shop owner directs the player to a local crime boss as the root of the violence.

For an AI-created response, the dialogue does seem impressive. However, one can easily tell that it is artificial. Despite how realistic the voice sounds like, it still seems as if it was spoken by a robot.

Regardless, it’s apparent that we’re headed towards an interesting future. Of course, it will take some time before the new technology makes its way to modern games.

Gaming

MSI partners with Mercedes-AMG for new gaming notebook

It’s the Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG

Published

May 30, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

The popularity of Netflix’s Drive to Survive has propelled the world of Formula 1 and motorsports to new heights. Now, it’s all too possible to rep your favorite racing team through new merchandise and tie-ups. If you’re also a gamer, the circuit where speed matters is lending its prowess to an industry where speed also matters. MSI is tying up with Mercedes-AMG for a new “luxury gaming experience.”

Unveiled today, the MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport is a marvel of speed. Much like its automotive namesake, the notebook blazes past the competition with a 13^th-generation Intel Core i9-13900H processor — 14 cores clocked at 5.4GHz.

The MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG comes with up to the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, up to two slots of 64GB RAM, and two slots of M.2 SSD internal storage. The 16-inch UHD+ screen boasts 60Hz refresh rate and a 16:10 ratio. Finally, it comes with a sizable 99.9Whr battery.

For glitz and glamor, the notebook comes with a per-key RGB SteelSeries keyboard. The device’s chassis exudes the premium touch of Mercedes-AMG. Shining in Selenite Gray, the design comes with subtle red accents to signify the device’s commitment to performance.

With limited availability, the MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG comes bundled with goodies for the Mercedes fan. Besides the stylized notebook, the package can ship with a premium color box, postcards, a mouse, a mousepad, a cable tie, a pouch, and a USB drive.

Gaming

Genshin Impact’s card game is getting a tournament

Over US$ 270,000 at stake

Published

May 30, 2023

GadgetMatch

Genshin Impact will launch the first international Genius Invokation TCG Tournament Series, called “Astra Carnival: The Prince Cup”.

Set to commence in the latter half of 2023, players from multiple nations and regions across the globe are welcome to join the fun and competitive journey which involves six regional championships, several invitational tournaments, and over US$ 270,000 in prizes.

Last December, Genshin Impact introduced Genius Invokation TCG, a card game which combines its element-based combat system with strategy development, with players competing with NPCs are against each other with their collection of cards.

The most recent version 3.7 update also added over 60 new cards and two game modes to the gameplay.

Now, advanced players can join the Prince Cup which consists of six regional tournaments between June to September and three cross-regional invitationals in June, August, and December.

Here’s the finals date for each tournament schedule:

The Prince Cup Korea: June 11
The Prince Cup Europe: June 16
The Prince Cup North America: June 17
The Prince Cup Invitational S1: June 18
The Prince Cup Japan: July 16
The Prince Cup Invitational S2: August 13
The Prince Cup Latin America: September 3
The Prince Cup SEA/HK/MO/TW: September 17
The Prince Cup Invitational S3: December

In each regional, top candidates from the “Cat’s Tail Gathering” community tournaments and wildcard competitions will compete for the regional championship.

Players who advance to the quarterfinals will compete on-site. There will be a live broadcast on the official AstraCarnival Twitter, YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok channels.

Top regional candidates and top community tournament candidates may also get invited to the invitationals for exhibition games in front of an international audience.

More info here.