Tag: Xbox

Fanta teams up with Xbox

It’s time to get in the game and come get your Fanta!  In celebration of the Xbox 25thAnniversary, Fanta is leveling up its delicious product line with a gamified collaboration that features iconic characters from legendary Xbox titles. For the first time ever, the collaboration brings together the irresistible taste of Fanta and the thrill of gaming with unforgettable challenges, delicious Fanta and epic rewards.
The special edition collection features character takeovers from some of the most iconic Xbox franchises including Call of Duty, Halo and Diablo IV and introduces a delicious new special edition flavour, Fanta Crimson Cherry. These iconic characters have taken over Fanta for one reason: fans everywhere “Wanta Fanta” – and now it’s your turn to take it back through exclusive challenges and digital activations.
 
“Fanta believes in delivering the Wanta Fanta? Come Get It challenge that fans are most passionate about, and this partnership with Xbox takes it to a whole new realm of delicious game play. We’re just getting started,” said Ibrahim Salim Khan, Vice President, Global Sparkling Flavors Category. “We imagine a world where the irresistible taste of Fanta is so delicious, it pulls players into a multiverse-sized adventure. We’re excited to unleash this partnership with Xbox by immersing fans in the worlds of their favourite games – teaming up with iconic characters and facing larger-than-life challenges to prove just how far they’ll go to get their Fanta back.”
Starting mid‑April, fans can get their hands on the special edition collection, but the experience doesn’t stop there. Launching on 30 April and running until 30 June, consumers can enter a national prize promotion by uploading a receipt for any Fanta product, giving them the chance to win Xbox controllers and ROG Xbox Ally. That’s not all. Players can also unlock exclusive in‑game rewards simply by scanning the QR code on‑pack or at point of sale and completing exciting mini challenges. With 1 million in‑game rewards up for grabs, there’s plenty to play for.
“This partnership with Fanta brings together two brands that thrive on creativity and self-expression,” said Marcos Waltenberg, GM Xbox Partnerships. “Together, we’re creating experiences that meet fans where they are and celebrate the joy of play – on screen and beyond.”
The Fanta and Xbox special edition collection will be available widely beginning 15th April at all key retailers in 330ml cans, 500ml pet & 1.75L bottles and multipack (4,6 & 12) cans. Fanta Crimson Cherry will be available in 500ml pet bottle, 1.75L pet bottle and 6x330ml multipack cans. For more information on the partnership and how to get in on the action, visit www.fanta.com and follow Fanta and Xbox.

GTA 5’s Graphics Engine: How a 2013 Game Still Looks Good in 2026

Grand Theft Auto V launched in September 2013 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 hardware, consoles with 512MB of RAM and processors from 2005. Thirteen years later, the game not only survives but thrives across three console generations and PC, maintaining visual competitiveness against modern titles. This longevity stems from Rockstar’s RAGE (Rockstar Advanced Game Engine) technology, a sophisticated graphics and physics engine that was over-engineered for its time and designed with scalability as a core principle.

The RAGE Engine Foundation

RAGE debuted with Rockstar Table Tennis in 2006, but GTA 5 represents its most ambitious implementation. The engine combines proprietary rendering technology with Euphoria physics simulation and procedural animation systems licensed from NaturalMotion. This hybrid approach creates the realistic character movement and environmental interaction that define the GTA experience.

What makes RAGE particularly impressive is its scalability. The same codebase runs on hardware spanning four orders of magnitude in computational power, from 2005 console processors to modern RTX 4090 graphics cards. This requires sophisticated dynamic level of detail systems, adaptive texture streaming, and resolution-independent rendering pipelines that few engines achieve even today.

The engine’s renderer employs deferred shading, a technique that separates geometry rendering from lighting calculations. This allows Los Santos to feature hundreds of dynamic light sources simultaneously without crippling performance. Street lights, vehicle headlights, neon signs, and environmental effects all contribute to lighting in real time, creating the atmospheric depth that keeps the game visually engaging over a decade after release.

Texture Streaming and Memory Management

GTA 5’s massive open world presents extreme technical challenges. Los Santos covers approximately 127 square kilometers, filled with detailed buildings, vegetation, roads, and thousands of assets. Loading this entire world into memory is impossible even on modern hardware, requiring sophisticated streaming systems that predict player movement and preload assets accordingly.

Rockstar’s texture streaming technology analyzes player velocity, camera direction, and historical movement patterns to determine which assets need high resolution textures and which can use lower quality versions. This predictive loading happens continuously in the background, invisible to players but critical to maintaining visual quality without loading screens during open world traversal.

The system’s intelligence becomes apparent when players move at high speeds. Textures and geometry ahead of the player load at higher priority than assets behind them. Buildings in the player’s peripheral vision receive medium detail, while structures directly in the view cone get full resolution treatment. This selective quality approach maximizes perceived visual fidelity while staying within hardware constraints.

PC versions leverage additional VRAM to extend streaming distances and maintain higher resolution textures longer, but the fundamental systems remain identical across platforms. This unified architecture simplifies development while allowing each platform to scale performance according to available resources.

Dynamic Resolution and Temporal Anti-Aliasing

Modern GTA 5 implementations on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X employ dynamic resolution scaling, adjusting rendering resolution frame by frame to maintain target framerates. When on-screen complexity increases, such as during explosions or high traffic density, the engine reduces rendering resolution slightly. During calmer moments, it scales back up to native resolution.

This technique, combined with temporal anti-aliasing that uses information from previous frames to smooth edges and reduce aliasing artifacts, creates the illusion of consistent high-resolution rendering even when internal resolution fluctuates. Most players never notice these adjustments, experiencing only smooth performance regardless of on-screen chaos.

Temporal anti-aliasing also helps with the thin geometry that plagues open world games: power lines, fences, railings. Traditional anti-aliasing struggles with single-pixel-wide objects that flicker and shimmer during movement. By analyzing multiple frames, temporal solutions stabilize these problematic elements, significantly improving visual stability during gameplay.

Lighting and Atmospheric Effects

GTA 5’s time of day system demonstrates the engine’s lighting sophistication. The game simulates a complete 24-hour cycle with dynamic sun position, atmospheric scattering, and color temperature shifts that affect all lighting in the scene. Sunrise and sunset periods feature particularly impressive volumetric light scattering, creating god rays that stream through clouds and between buildings.

Weather systems add another layer of complexity. Rain doesn’t just add particle effects; it transforms surface properties, creating wet road reflections, changing friction characteristics for vehicles, and affecting visibility through atmospheric fog. These interconnected systems create believable environmental conditions that enhance immersion beyond simple visual spectacle.

The volumetric fog and cloud rendering use ray marching techniques, sampling atmospheric density at multiple depths to calculate light scattering through the medium. This computationally expensive approach was cutting edge in 2013 and remains impressive today, contributing to the game’s distinctive visual atmosphere.

The Player Investment Factor

GTA Online’s persistent nature creates an interesting technical challenge and opportunity. Players invest hundreds or thousands of hours building their criminal empires, accumulating properties, vehicles, and customization options. This long-term engagement justifies Rockstar’s continued technical support and optimization across new hardware platforms.

Services like Gameboost and marketplaces for gta accounts exist partly because the technical investment Rockstar made in the engine allows the game to remain relevant across hardware generations. Players can transfer their accounts from old consoles to new ones, maintaining their progress while experiencing improved graphics and performance on superior hardware.

Future-Proofing Through Modularity

RAGE’s modular architecture allows Rockstar to update specific rendering components without rebuilding the entire engine. The PC version has received multiple graphics updates post-launch, adding features like improved anti-aliasing, enhanced shadow resolution, and higher quality texture filtering. These improvements slot into the existing framework because the engine was designed with modularity from inception.

This approach contrasts with engines that tightly couple rendering and gameplay code, making updates risky and time-consuming. RAGE’s separation of concerns allows graphics programmers to optimize rendering paths while gameplay engineers work on different systems simultaneously, accelerating development and enabling incremental improvements over years.

The Technical Debt Question

No engine survives 13 years without accumulating technical debt. RAGE shows its age in certain areas, particularly texture pop-in during fast travel and occasional geometry streaming issues when pushing hardware limits. The engine’s multi-platform origins create compromises that a ground-up modern engine wouldn’t face.

However, the consistency of these issues across platforms suggests they’re fundamental to the streaming approach rather than implementation bugs. Rockstar has clearly decided that occasional texture loading artifacts are acceptable trade-offs for the seamless open world experience that defines GTA gameplay.

Lessons for Modern Engine Design

GTA 5’s longevity offers valuable lessons for graphics engine architecture. Over-engineering for future hardware proves worthwhile when supporting a live service game across multiple console generations. Sophisticated streaming systems that seemed excessive on 2013 hardware enable the game to scale smoothly to modern platforms with dramatically more memory and processing power.

The engine demonstrates that photorealistic graphics matter less than consistent visual quality and strong art direction. Los Santos succeeds not because it renders more polygons than competitors, but because its lighting, atmospheric effects, and attention to detail create a convincing world that players want to inhabit.

As the industry shifts toward games-as-a-service models requiring multi-year support, GTA 5‘s technical foundation shows the value of building scalable, modular engines designed for evolution rather than obsolescence. The game’s continued commercial success validates this technical investment, proving that well-engineered fundamentals outlive cutting-edge features targeting specific hardware.

 

steelseries Arctis Gamebuds Review

The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are their latest in-ear earbuds on offers targetted at gamers however these can be used as standalone earbuds and overall the results are quite impressive, having tested over 250 pairs of earbuds these sound better than expected as a whole and is a must for gamers

The design is a typical standard earbud and sit well in the ears feeling secure and will not fall out even if excercising, the case is your average size and will fit in any pocket there is a button on each side and is tactile which I prefer over touch based earbuds and these worked well with no false results there is a nice clicky sound to them and are accuate each time.

In the case you also get a dongle like most of their headsets giving you Low Latency Using 2.4GHz wireless instead of Bluetooth eliminates the “audio lag” that usually makes earbuds impossible for competitive shooters. Quick Switch: You can triple-tap the bud to instantly swap between your gaming console (2.4GHz) and your phone (Bluetooth 5.3).

There is a specific Xbox version (white/black) that includes a security chip for Microsoft consoles, but still works with everything else. The PlayStation version will not work on Xbox. I tested mine on the Nintendo Switch Xbox phone and PC

The sound profile is punchy and detailed and most importanly immersive but the Arctis Companion App offers more and gives you control over the earbuds while the sound is excellent the app turns things up a notch and I have notice things wehen gaming I would not hear on regular earbuds and it is joy to hear

You can load specific EQ profiles for games like Apex Legends, Call of Duty, or Elden Ring directly from your phone. These presets actually change the sound signature on the buds themselves, so the settings stay active even when you plug the dongle into a Switch or PS5. ANC is decent enough and overall you will be please also the mic quality is quite good given there is no boom arm like their headsets offer.

The controls also work well and they can be customised too you can see this in the video review down below and we go through the app

The GameBuds have a great battery life up to 10 Hours on a single session on a 2.4GHz connection (with ANC off).

A 15 minutes fast charge in the case gives you 3 hours of playtime and the case supports wireless charging, a premium touch often skipped by competitors and a preferrence of mine.

Overall if you want to hear more than regular earbuds when gaming these are what you need and they are also excellent at general use for music and movies and worth the punt.

Arctis App 

 

 

Features

  • QUICK-SWITCH WIRELESS – High-speed 2.4GHz wireless for Xbox, PC, PS5, and more, or switch to Bluetooth 5.3 for mobile –
  • ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — 4-mic hybrid ANC provides true gaming immersion; ability to switch transparency mode for awareness
  • 100+ XBOX AUDIO PRESETS – Easy-to-use SteelSeries Arctis Companion App contains 100+ presets to boost critical sounds in game on your Xbox, PC, and more
  • 360° SPATIAL AUDIO — Immersive sound puts you right in the action with directional awareness, enhanced by custom Neodymium Magnetic Drivers
  • 10-HOUR BATTERY – Long battery satisfies marathon sessions, extendable with a Qi Charging Case with 3 extra charges for up to 40 hours total.

BUY

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Video Review

HBO Max To Launch In The UK & Ireland On Thursday, March 26

For the first time ever, audiences in the UK and Ireland will be able to stream content from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, DC Studios and Max Originals, all in one place on HBO Max, one might ask now is there a need or will we cancel something else to avail of this as the monthly subsriptions add up and are getting costly.

Award winning Max Original, The Pitt, will premiere in the UK & Ireland on HBO Max from launch, including all of the first season available from day one

2026 features one of HBO’s best ever slates, upcoming content will include new seasons of Euphoria and House of the Dragon, as well as the debut of Lanterns from DC Studios

Movie fans will be able to watch the Academy Award nominated slate and best of the box office including Superman, One Battle After Another, Sinners, A Minecraft Movie and Dune: Part One

Sports fans will access their TNT Sports streaming subscription via HBO Max in the UK starting Thursday, March 26

Subscribers will have four monthly entertainment plans to choose from starting at £4.99 per month, with viewers able to enjoy the complete HBO Max entertainment line-up, including recently released movies, starting at £5.99 per month in the UK & Ireland

In the UK & Ireland, the service will be available directly via hbomax.com and via launch partners including Sky and Prime Video

 

LONDON, UK – HBO Max, the premier global streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery, is launching in the UK and Ireland on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Already available in over 110 territories worldwide, HBO Max offers the ultimate mix of best-in-class series, movies, extraordinary real-life stories and, via TNT Sports in the UK, live sport. For the first time, audiences in the UK and Ireland will be able to stream the exclusive collection of unmissable stories from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, DC Studios and Max Originals, all in one place via HBO Max.

HBO Max will also become the streaming home of TNT Sports in the UK, giving subscribers access to top quality live sports content including the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup, Adobe Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, Gallagher PREM Rugby, Premiership Women’s Rugby, UFC, MotoGP, Grand Slam tennis, Grand Tour cycling and much more.

Unmissable Shows and Movies
At launch, the complete first season of 2025 Emmy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award Winning Max Original The Pitt will be available to stream for the first time in the UK and Ireland, with episodes of the latest second season rolling out weekly.

HBO Max will be the home of brand-new HBO Original series, including Lanterns, based on the iconic DC title “Green Lantern” which premieres summer 2026, and the highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series.

Within the first few months alone, subscribers will have access to a range of new HBO Original Series including DTF St. Louis, Rooster and the third and final season of The Comeback.

Beginning March 26, HBO Max will be the only place subscribers in the UK and Ireland can catch up on all seasons of the blockbuster HBO Original Euphoria, before the arrival of its highly anticipated third season in April.

In addition, an extensive range of the HBO and Warner Bros. Television libraries – from Succession to Friends, The Sopranos to Game of Thrones and more, will be available in full, exclusively on HBO Max.

Movie fans will also be able to enjoy the best of the box office including the record-setting Oscar-nominated One Battle After Another and Sinners, as well as Superman, A Minecraft Movie, Dune: Part One and rediscover the magic of the entire Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings franchises.

New streaming home for TNT Sports
HBO Max will include the full range of TNT Sports content and live coverage. Subscribers can stream exclusive matches from the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, as well as every Gallagher PREM Rugby match, Premiership Women’s Rugby, more than 1,000 live cycling broadcasts each year including every stage from the Tour de France, every match from the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, every MotoGP race, plus the World Snooker Tour, the winter sports season, Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 and much more. With an unchanged price of £30.99 per month for TNT Sports, the service will offer subscribers a standalone TNT Sports plan or ability to purchase alongside select HBO Max plans1, providing fans with the ultimate sports streaming experience that includes innovative in-app features across key sports and events – putting fans in control of how they watch.

In March, sports fans will be able to enjoy a full weekend of live Gallagher PREM Rugby, plus more live football with Emirates FA Cup and UEFA Champions League quarter finals streaming live in early April.

Following HBO Max’s launch, TNT Sports will also continue to be distributed via existing partners in the UK & Ireland. discovery+ will continue as the streaming home of TNT Sports in the UK until TNT Sports moves to HBO Max on 26 March. From this time, fans who subscribe to TNT Sports via partners2 in the UK will be able to access it on HBO Max.

JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “After decades of delighting audiences in the UK & Ireland with our remarkable stories and brands, it’s a huge thrill to finally bring it all together on HBO Max, and also offer it directly to all consumers. Starting at just £4.99 per month or £5.99 for our complete entertainment offer – HBO Max brings the most differentiated and best streaming offer to market.”

Andrew Georgiou President & Managing Director for Warner Bros. Discovery UK & Ireland and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe said: “Launching HBO Max in the UK & Ireland marks a significant moment for viewers here. HBO Max will offer them their most loved series and movies from HBO, Warner Bros. and DC Studios, alongside premium sports from TNT Sports in the UK, within an outstanding single destination for this great content and strong value proposition. Nowhere else will you be able to get The Pitt, House of the Dragon, Euphoria, Lanterns, Superman, One Battle After Another, as well as the eagerly awaited Harry Potter series, all together.”

Accessible and flexible range of plans for every viewer
Beginning March 26, viewers in the UK and Ireland will have a range of entry points to HBO Max spanning four monthly entertainment plans, providing accessible and flexible options to suit all preferences. In the UK, TNT Sports is also available as standalone plan or can be purchased alongside select HBO Max entertainment plans1.

The following will be available from launch beginning March 26:

  • Basic with Ads (£4.99/month): Stream on 2 devices in Full HD
    • All the best HBO Max shows and movies, excluding movies that first stream on the service following their theatrical release window.
  • Standard with Ads (£5.99/month): Stream on 2 devices in Full HD, with 30 downloads3
    • All the best HBO Max shows and movies, including movies that first stream on the service following their theatrical release window.
  • Standard (£9.99/month): Stream on 2 devices in Full HD, with 30 downloads3
    • All the best HBO Max shows and movies on an ad free basis,4 including movies that first stream on the service following their theatrical release window.
  • Premium (£14.99/month): Stream on 4 devices in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Atmos (where available) and 100 downloads3
    • The ultimate HBO Max experience with all the best HBO Max shows and movies on an ad free basis,4 including movies that first stream on the service following their theatrical release window.
  • TNT Sports Plan (£30.99/month): Including TNT Sports 1-4, TNT Sports Ultimate, live event feeds and TNT Sports Original Documentaries (limited to two of your available streams)
    • Can be purchased within the UK as a standalone plan or in addition to select entertainment plans1. 

Available direct and via launch partners
At launch HBO Max will be available direct from hbomax.com, for more details go to hbomax.com.

In addition, HBO Max launch partners in the UK & Ireland will include Sky and, announced today, Prime Video giving customers even more ways to access award-winning entertainment, movies and live sport .

Watch Your Way
HBO Max will be available on all major devices including TVs, set-top boxes, streaming devices, mobiles, tablets, game consoles and platforms including Android, EE / BT TV, Fire TV, iOS, LG, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung, Virgin TV and Xbox.

Subscribers will be able to create up to five personalised profiles, receive tailored recommendations and enjoy features like Continue Watching and, depending on your plan, offline downloads. Families will also be able to set up kid-friendly profiles with age-appropriate content and parental controls.

HBO Max will be available for pre-registration on the App Store and Google Play beginning March 12.

Global Expansion of HBO Max
The UK & Ireland launch marks a major milestone for the service as it completes its European rollout. HBO Max launched first in the US in 2020 and has since expanded across Latin America, Europe and Asia. For Q3 2025, Warner Bros. Discovery reported 128 million streaming subscribers.

HP at CES 2026 HyperX and OMEN Unite to Power the Future of Play

HP Inc. is redefining how gamers play, create, and perform with the debut of its most advanced gaming products yet, and the introduction of a new era for its gaming brand.

HyperX and OMEN are officially coming together under one master gaming brand: HyperX. HyperX now delivers an end-to-end experience that combines decades of innovation in gaming PCs, displays, peripherals, and software. This milestone underscores HP’s commitment to pushing performance, personalization, and creativity forward for all gamers.

“Gamers deserve a seamless experience that matches their passion, from the systems that power their worlds to the gear
that connects them,” said Josephine Tan, Senior Vice President and Division President of Personal Systems Gaming
Solutions at HP Inc. “As we bring OMEN and HyperX together, we’re continuing to push the boundaries of gaming
innovation, delivering performance, personalization and experiences that help every player reach their full potential.” hp.com

HyperX and OMEN Unite to Power the Future of Play HyperX debuts new laptop and monitor, delivering breakthrough
performance, personalization, and immersion for gamers everywhere.

A New Era of Play
HyperX OMEN MAX 16: Maximum Gaming Power
Gamers want a laptop that never limits their play. They need power to run any game smoothly with high frame rates and
fast load times, lightning-fast keyboard responsiveness where every millisecond matters, and a system that stays cool and
consistent under maximum load.

When power, cooling, input speed and display quality work together, the laptop does more than run games. It helps players react faster, stay immersed, and play at their best. The HyperX OMEN MAX 16 is built for players who demand uncompromising performance and ushers in a new era of performance.

• Next-generation hardware delivers up to 300W Total Platform Power,ii an additional 50W and 20% increase
versus the previous generation, powered by new Intel® Core Ultra 200HX series processors and next-gen AMD
Ryzen ™ AI processors, and up to the NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 Laptop GPU1 for lightning-fast, smooth, and
immersive gameplay making it the world’s most powerful gaming laptop with fully internal cooling

• Keep cool under pressure with a redesigned OMEN Tempest Cooling Pro system – featuring a third fan and Fan Cleaner technology that improves cooling efficiency automatically – keeping performance steady even during
intense sessions.

• Player-focused design like an industry-leading high-polling rate keyboardiii that delivers up to 4x faster keyboard polling rateiv compared to previous generations; the keyboard also offers full-size arrow keys and captivating
lighting effects customizable through OMEN Light Studio.

• See every frame clearly on up to a 16-inch OLED 240Hz1 WQXGA 500-nit display delivering sharp and responsive visuals for competitive play.

• OMEN AI redefines FPS optimization with a personalized, one-click solution tailored to each game, adjusting operating system settings, hardware settings, and game settings – eliminating the need for endless
troubleshooting.

HyperX OMEN OLED 34: Pure Visual Brilliance
The HyperX OMEN OLED 34 raises the bar in display innovation, engineered for gamers and creators to deliver
enhanced clarity, speed, and color accuracy powered by next-generation V-stripe QD-OLED panel technology.

• Experience better picture and less text fringing on the next generation V-Stripe QD-OLED panel, with 21:9 WQHD, 360Hz refresh rate, and 0.03ms response time for next level immersive performance.

• Achieve more and create freely with HyperX ProLuma, professional-grade color precision, 100W USB-C power delivery, and a built-in KVM switch for seamless multitasking.

• Make it your own with a fully customizable 3D-printable headphone hook.

• Stay protected with HyperX OLED CoreProtect and three-year limited warranty ensures the longevity of your monitor keeping you in the game without the worry of burn-in.

HyperX Clutch Tachi: Fast Wins Made Easy
The HyperX Clutch Tachi is HP’s first Xbox licensed arcade controller, delivering precision and style with a premium
leverless design.

• Enjoy lightning-fast inputs with Magnetic Switches with TMR sensors.
• Personalize your playstyle by adjusting button mapping, rapid trigger, and actuation in NGENUITY software.

Create aftermarket mods by 3D printing button shapes or unique artwork for the top plate.
HyperX OMEN MAX 16 HyperX OMEN OLED 34 HyperX Clutch Tachi

The New Edge of Player Performance
HyperX & Neurable
HyperX is partnering with Neurable to develop a gaming headset outfitted with neurotechnology. This industry-first gaming
technology demonstrates how AI and neuroscience can work together to help players improve their focus and accuracy
by interpreting brain activity in real time.

Pricing and Availabilityv
• The HyperX OMEN MAX 16 is expected to be available on HP.com in the Spring. Pricing will be provided closer to
availability.

• The OMEN OLED 34 is expected to be available on HP.com in the Spring. Pricing will be provided closer to
availability.

• The HyperX Clutch Tachi is expected to available on HP.com in the Spring. Pricing will be provided closer to
availability.

For more information about HP at CES 2026 and additional HP news at the show, please visit the HP Press Center or
HP.com.

Stealth RADAR gaming headset review

The Stealth RADAR gaming headset is a simple plug and play headset that works on pretty much any device or multiplaftorm and is not only for just kids but adults alike with an aviator look

The colour model we tested is probably the best loking out of the look leaning towards a Ninendo Switch console and looks nice it is also light a very robust and has a tough braided cable for power.

No app is required on set up here unlike other gaming headsets which can be a cumersome process which make this an easy choice for kids and parents alike.

There is a built in mic and the headset is wired you may need an adapter for some products however but this is not really much of an issue today with USB-C being the main connector although it does use a 3.5mm jack you can aleviate this is your product has no headphone jack via an adapter.

There is also a pop filter on the mic making it sound great on the other end, tested on mobile console and PC I had no issues here at all.

With 40mm drivers the sound is great to be fair even for the price and any user will be happy with how it performs even with just music there was no tinny sound when maxed out or any latency of course veing wired that is why.

The intergrated controls work really well with a simple volume wheel and mute switch for the mic making if a fun and easy to use hassle free headset for most kids and even adults who do not want the fuss of more hard core ones in which we have a review of coming soon, check the video below for more.

 

Features

Multiformat
• 40 mm speaker drivers
• Larger domed earcups
• Flexible, letherette headband
• Soft-foam, breathable mesh ear cushions
• 3.5mm audio jack
• Braided cable
• On-board audio controls
• Built-in mic with pop filter

Available in black from Smyths

Available in White from Argos and Very

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Video Review

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 Review

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 Wireless expands on their multi-platform headset and polishes it to near perfection. While the core design remains the same, the most significant upgrades—namely the massive battery life boost and the addition of the mobile companion app—make this mid-to-high-tier offering a serious contender for the best all-around wireless gaming headset and being able to switch quickly if you have more than one device or console.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 Wireless headset might be new but the brand is seen as a staple in the gaming arena on conosle or mobile phone in which both was tested over the last while and it is a great headset for both gaming and listening to music or streaming videos etc.

You can optimize game audio for every system with the new SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 for PC, PlayStation, or Xbox  Windows and mobile, the addition of real-time audio control via the Arctis App with presets for the Top-3 games on the planet (Call of Duty, GTA, Fortnite), plus a boosted battery with +40% more juice, makes this master of dual-audio multitasking a “must-have.”

Whether it’s gaming on the go, listening to Spotify or watching Netflix while commuting on the train or bus, taking a Zoom call and needing to tune out the noise in a shared apartment, workspace, or coffee shop, at the home office with furry kids running around, in the gym or on a walk, playing some Call of Duty or Animal Crossing at home, and so much more….

The Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 series ushers in the next generation of audio power for those living a gaming lifestyle. I am one that uses headphones for everything and even for music and podcasts which I listen to most these headphones are quite remarkable with the audio quality I have to say with great bass and of course the flexibility of the EQ on board and I would not swap them over from gaming to another headset if using they are that good with the audio which is a win.

Featuring 200+ expertly crafted audio preset profiles for immersive gaming, music and entertainment via the Arctis App, an improved 54-hour battery life with optimized fast charging, Neodymium Magnetic Speaker Drivers for outstanding spatial audio, and simultaneous mixable 2.4GHz & Bluetooth audio, the Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 stands out as the ultimate choice for multi-platform gaming and multitasking thanks to seamless compatibility, a premium build, and powerful controls.

The only annoyance I had was updating these when I took them out of the box requiring two cables and the dongle which should be a thing of the past and should be done via the app like most headphones and earbuds but other than that these are a must have for the true gamers out there and even for those who like great audio listening to music or streaming movies.

 

Mobile App Arctis

 

Features

  • Presets for Call of Duty, Fortnite, and more to hear footsteps better in game, controlled via the mobile app
  • Mix game & mobile audio for simultaneous listening using 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
  • 50+ hour battery with optimized fast charging
  • Neodymium Magnetic Drivers are custom-designed to produce crystal clear highs, pinpoint mids, and deep bass
  • USB-C plug & play for Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Switch, Mac, VR, handhelds, mobile, and more
  • Premium steel construction with elastic support band for comfort and durability

BUY

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Video Review

KontrolFreek to unveil COD: Black Ops 7 Collector’s Edition and Performance Thumbsticks

KontrolFreek®, the best-selling controller enhancement brand*, today announced officially licensed Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Performance Thumbsticks and Aim Boost Kit for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. The KontrolFreek Call of Duty Black Ops 7 sets include a limited in-game weapon charm and deliver pro-grade precision, improved ergonomic grip and enhanced aim control.
In high-stakes multiplayer showdowns and razor‑thin precision routes, victory comes down to grip and control. KontrolFreek has fused the world’s industry-leading controller enhancement technology with officially licensed Black Ops 7’s signature design, to deliver pro-level performance laser-etched with the Black Ops 7 insignia.
KontrolFreek Performance Thumbsticks® and No-Slip Thumb Grips are engineered to deliver maximum precision, exceptional grip, more fluid control, and added comfort for elite in-game performance. Reducing the force needed for movements, decreasing hand fatigue, and enhancing accuracy enables players to navigate COD maps with ease, speed and precision, ensuring the ultimate advantage to outplay the enemy team.
KontrolFreek Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Aim Boost Kit – Collector’s Edition (for PS5/Xbox) – Features: 
  • Sniper case opens to hold Performance Thumbsticks® and Precision Rings™
  • The world’s most advanced and popular thumbsticks are purpose-built for COD fans
  • Mid-rise left stick enhances comfort and precise movement, ideal for extended gaming sessions
  • Mid-rise right stick improves aim and control, ensuring pinpoint accuracy
  • Laser-etched proprietary GripTek™ rubber top provides extra grip and a personal COD touch
  • Includes limited in-game weapon charm for Call of Duty® Black Ops 7
  • Compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
KontrolFreek Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Performance Thumbsticks® (for PS5/Xbox) Features:
  • The world’s most advanced and popular thumbsticks are purpose-built for COD fans
  • Mid-rise left stick enhances comfort and precise movement, ideal for extended gaming sessions
  • Mid-rise right stick improves aim and control, ensuring pinpoint accuracy
  • Laser-etched proprietary GripTek™ rubber top provides extra grip and a personal COD touch
  • Includes limited in-game weapon charm for Call of Duty® Black Ops 7
  • Compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
KontrolFreek® Performance Thumbsticks® and Aim Boost Kit are now available at KontrolFreek.com and select retailers for the following MSRP:
  • KontrolFreek® Call of Duty® Black Ops 7 Performance Thumbsticks® : NA $19.99| UK £19.99 | EMEA €19.99
  • KontrolFreek® Call of Duty® Black Ops 7 Aim Boost Kit – Collector’s Edition: NA $34.99 |UK £34.99 | EMEA €34.99

Is Video Gaming Becoming More Expensive?

Gaming used to be simple. Buy a console, pick up a few games, and you were set for years. Now? The costs keep stacking up in ways that weren’t there before.

Console prices have climbed. The PlayStation 5 launched at £449 for the standard edition. The Xbox Series X hit shelves at £479. That’s before you factor in extra controllers, storage upgrades, or any games. And games themselves aren’t getting cheaper either.

In 2023, the average retail price for a physical video game in the UK sat at £35.70. New releases for current-gen consoles often push past £60. Add in season passes, downloadable content, and microtransactions, and a single game can cost well over £100 if you want the full experience.

Then there are subscriptions. PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, Nintendo Switch Online. Each one adds another monthly or yearly fee. Sure, you get access to libraries of games, but those costs add up month after month. What used to be a one-time purchase now becomes a recurring expense.

Cheaper Ways to Play

Not everyone wants to drop £500 on a console and £60 per game. Alternatives exist if you know where to look.

Free-to-play games dominate now. Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warzone. These games cost nothing upfront and provide hundreds of hours of entertainment. Yes, they push cosmetics and battle passes, but you can ignore all that and still play the full game.

Mobile gaming offers another route. Your phone can handle impressive games now. Some are free, some cost a few quid. It’s not the same experience as console gaming, but it’s gaming nonetheless without the hardware investment.

PC gaming has its own costs, but platforms like Steam run constant sales. Games that cost £50 at launch drop to £10 or less within a year. Patient gamers can build massive libraries for a fraction of console prices.

Browser-based games have improved too. You don’t need powerful hardware. No downloads, no storage concerns. Just open a tab and play. The quality varies, but options exist for every type of player.

The iGaming Alternative

New casino operators offer a different type of gaming experience entirely. These platforms provide entertainment through slots, table games, and live dealer options. Many include welcome bonuses and promotions that stretch your budget further than buying full-price video games.

The appeal is different from traditional gaming. It’s not about completing campaigns or ranking up. It’s about the experience itself, the variety of games available, and the social elements some platforms provide. For people who want gaming entertainment without investing in expensive hardware, it’s worth considering.

iGaming platforms work on almost any device. No console required. No storage issues. No waiting for downloads. You log in and play. The barrier to entry is lower, which matters when console gaming keeps getting more expensive.

The Hidden Costs Keep Growing

Storage is another expense most people don’t see coming. Modern games are massive. Call of Duty titles regularly exceed 100GB. Storage fills up fast, especially on base console models. Upgrading means buying expensive SSDs that can cost as much as some games themselves.

Accessories pile on too. Want a second controller for local multiplayer? That’s another £50 to £60. Headsets, charging docks, protective cases. The little things add up faster than you’d think.

The cost of developing games has skyrocketed, with major releases requiring budgets between £50 million to £100 million or more. These development costs inevitably get passed down to consumers through higher game prices and more aggressive monetization strategies.

Online multiplayer used to be free on most platforms. Now you need a subscription just to play with friends. Cross-play features, cloud saves, monthly free games. They’re nice perks, but they come at a price that didn’t exist in previous console generations.

Subscriptions That Actually Save Money

Not all gaming subscriptions drain your wallet. Some provide real value if you use them properly.

Xbox Game Pass gives you access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee. If you play even two or three games from the library each month, you’re saving money compared to buying them outright. Day-one releases for major titles make it even better value.

PlayStation Plus has tiers now. The basic tier just covers online play. The higher tiers include game libraries similar to Game Pass. Whether it’s worth it depends on how much you play and what games interest you.

EA Play costs less than most subscriptions and includes sports titles, which are some of the most expensive annual releases. If you play FIFA or Madden every year, the subscription pays for itself quickly.

The key is picking one subscription that matches your gaming habits instead of paying for multiple services you don’t fully use.

The Real Question

Is gaming more expensive now? Yes. Video game software prices have climbed. Game prices have increased. Subscriptions add recurring costs. Storage, accessories, and DLC pile on even more expenses.

But options exist. Free-to-play games, sales, subscriptions, mobile gaming, and alternatives like iGaming platforms give people choices. You don’t have to spend £500 on a console and £60 per game to enjoy gaming anymore.

The expensive path is still there if you want the latest hardware and newest releases. But budget-conscious gamers have more alternatives now than ever before. Pick what fits your wallet and how you actually want to play.