Stay updated on the leading gaming news from April 8-12, 2024. Here are the latest game releases and significant events in the gaming sector.
Sony’s PS5 Pro Specs Confirmed: Faster, Smarter, and Ready for 8K
Exciting updates about Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro have emerged, confirming that the previously leaked specifications are accurate. The next-gen console, “Trinity,” is set for a potential release during the 2024 holiday season. Insider Gaming has verified these details through sources close to the matter. The leaked information stems from a PlayStation developer portal document distributed recently to third-party developers.
The PlayStation 5 Pro aims to significantly boost gaming experiences, promising a 45% faster rendering speed than its predecessor. It will also feature enhanced ray tracing capabilities, performing two to three times better and, in some scenarios, even quadrupling the current rates. The gaming console is designed to support up to 8K resolutions with a new performance mode. It includes advanced features like the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) for upscaling and anti-aliasing.
Technically, the PS5 Pro is a powerhouse with 33.5 teraflops of processing power and an innovative custom machine-learning architecture. It also houses an AI Accelerator that supports an impressive 300 TOPS of 8-bit computation and 67 TFLOPS of 16-bit floating point operations.
Developers have had access to early versions of the console, with first-party studios receiving dev kits since September 2023 and third-party developers in January 2024. Test kits that mirror the final product will be available starting spring 2024.
Imperial Pacific Casino License Decision Postponed to April 22nd
The Commonwealth Casino Commission (CCC) has once again delayed a crucial decision on Imperial Pacific International’s (IPI) gaming license. The new deadline is April 22nd, following intense discussions that failed to settle. This decision concerns the $62 million that IPI reportedly owes in unpaid casino license fees to the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) over nearly four years.
During a four-hour meeting, neither the CCC nor the Office of the Attorney General managed to finalize an agreement with IPI. The unresolved issues led to a postponement by the CCC commissioners, who then went into an executive session to deliberate on the legal aspects of the case. The commissioners sought further legal advice the following day, indicating that discussions might continue.
Andrew Yeom, the Executive Director of the CCC, stressed the importance of reaching a settlement that would benefit the CNMI’s economy and gaming industry. Despite the prolonged talks, complexities in IPI’s financial obligations have stalled progress. The CCC is inclined to settle rather than revoke IPI’s license but noted that the Attorney General’s office considered the proposed settlement draft legally inadequate.
Roblox’s Stock Climbs as It Unveils Video Ad Venture with PubMatic
Roblox, a leading online gaming platform, has partnered with the tech advertising firm PubMatic. This collaboration aims to facilitate media purchases of Roblox’s video ad inventory, which will be available later this year. The announcement boosted Roblox’s stock by 1.5% in late-afternoon trading.
Starting in November, Roblox began testing its video ad platform. The partnership with PubMatic is expected to broaden advertisers’ reach to Roblox’s robust user base, which boasts over 71 million daily active users. PubMatic has highlighted that this alliance will provide scaled access to premium brand advertising demand.
Stephanie Latham, VP of global partnerships at Roblox, remarked that this collaboration opens up new avenues for advertisers to engage with users through popular content formats like video, ensuring brand-appropriate advertising settings.
Cyberpunk 2077 Crowned Best Evolving Game at BAFTA 2024
The 20th BAFTA Games Awards have just concluded, highlighting the extraordinary talents behind 2023’s top video games. Celebrated for their innovation and creativity, various games received accolades, with “Baldur’s Gate 3” standing out by securing the most awards, including the prestigious Best Game.
A diverse array of titles from the Epic Games Store, such as “Alan Wake 2,” “Tchia,” “Cyberpunk 2077,” and “Hi-Fi Rush,” were also recognized across various categories, showcasing their artistic achievements. “Alan Wake 2” particularly shone, clinching awards for Animation, Artistic Achievement, and Audio Achievement, marking a significant recognition for the Remedy Entertainment team.
The BAFTA Games Awards focused on honoring the people behind the games: animators, artists, writers, and musicians, emphasizing their essential roles in crafting immersive gaming experiences. The event also celebrated new and evolving titles, with “Cyberpunk 2077” winning the Evolving Game category, highlighting its continuous improvements and expansions that resonate with players.
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That’s all the most exciting gaming news from April 8-12, 2024! Missed the gaming news last December? Click here for the gaming updates from April 1-5, 2024.
