Category: Technology

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It’s already been a busy year for new video games and there’s more to look forward to in August.

This month marks the release of the long-awaited Saint’s Row reboot which is sure to fill the void as we wait the long time before GTA 6 releases. You can also support our Aussie video games industry in August by checking out the adorable Cult of the Lamb.

Here are all the major game releases you have to look forward to in August 2022.

What new video games are coming out in August 2022?

Two Point Campus

Release Date: August 9

If you’ve always wanted to run your own university now you can in the very wholesome Two Point Campus.

Two Point Campus allows you to build the university you always dreamed of and then attend it. Your characters can learn at classes, go to parties and partake in all sorts of social events. Who wouldn’t want to relive those glory days of two-minute noodles and all-nighters?

Buy it on: PS5 | PS4 | Xbox | switch

Cult of the Lamb

Release Date: August 9

The latest homegrown game out of Australia is a cute little indie titled Cult of the Lamb. As the title suggests you do indeed build a cult while playing as a lamb as you recruit disciples in the name of the stranger who saved you from death.

Cult of the Lamb looks like a delight with its use of 2D animation paired with farming sim elements and dungeon-crawler gameplay. All hail the lamb!

Buy it on: Playstation | Xbox | Switch | pc

Madden NFL 23

Release Date: August 19

Another month another sports sim. This time we have Madden NFL 23 which allows you to play your way through the history books of American football.

This latest iteration promises ultra-realistic gameplay using the enhanced capabilities of the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles.

Buy it on: PS5 | PS4 | Xbox Series X/S | Xbox One

Saint’s Row (2022)

Release Date: August 23

The long-awaited Saint’s Row reboot is finally making its way to shelves in August.

The reboot will feature the biggest and best Saint’s Row playground yet, set in the fictional Santa Ileso, a city in the heart of the American Southwest. There you’ll be sucked into a world of crime as warring factions fight for power and you use all the many guns at your disposal to rise to the top.

Buy it on: PS5 | PS4 | Xbox | pc

Stay tuned to Lifehacker Australia because we’ll be bringing you lists of the best games to buy each month throughout 2022.

Do you have a game you’re really looking forward to in August? Let us know in the comments.

The new Ferrari 296 GT3, the customer car that will replace the 488 GT3 Evo in 2023, has fully removable front and rear parts to facilitate maintenance. This was revealed by the Italian manufacturer during the presentation of the car before the Spa 24 Hours of GT World Challenge Europe.

The front and rear body sections can be removed in one piece, while both ends of the car are built on detachable subframes for ease of maintenance.

Ferdinando Cannizzo, Head of GT Competition Car Design at Ferrari, said: “We looked at how they do things in Formula 1 and the prototypes, and we copied that. We exchanged some ideas and concepts with the F1 team. He added that there had been a lot of interaction with « all Ferrari departments »including the Scuderia, during the development of the 296 GT3.

Ferrari 296 GT3

Cannizzo explained that making the Ferrari GT3 easier to use and maintain had been one of the guiding principles in the design and development of the new car. « We thought about this from the design stage, because we wanted to simplify assembly and make running on the track much easier »did he declare.

« When you remove the front or rear body, there is only one electrical connector [à chaque extrémité], and not piles of cables everywhere. How easy the car is to run and how quickly you can change components are key to performance. The front and rear bodies can be changed very quickly, in seconds, although there are still studies to be done to find out precisely at what speed. »

The full specification of the 296 GT3 was unveiled at its reveal, which followed the release of the first photos of the car during a shakedown at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in April.

Engine of the Ferrari 296 GT3

The engine retains the architecture and capability of the road-going 296 GTB launched in 2021, meaning it’s a three-liter twin-turbo V6 with a 120-degree V. Cannizzo revealed that Ferrari’s Attivita Sportive GT department had been involved in the road- going 296 program from the start of its development.

“We started working with them from the start analyzing the requirements for the race car”, he said, adding that this played a big role in the decision to go for the wide-angle configuration of the engine. The latter has indeed made it possible to house the turbos inside the V for better integration.

The engine was tilted two degrees front to rear in the name of aerodynamic efficiency. « Two degrees doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s enough for the diffuser to be properly designed and sized to increase efficiency and have better ride height sensitivity at the rear. »said Cannizzo.

The wheelbase of the car has been increased by 60mm compared to the road version, as permitted by the 2022 regulations, in order to make it more accessible, especially for amateur drivers. The racing car has a different gearbox housing than the road car because it dispenses with the hybrid system, which is not permitted in GT3.

Ferrari 296 GT3

This is the first Ferrari GT3 to be designed exclusively by Attivita Sportive GT; the previous three generations of Ferraris built to GT3 rules had been developed in collaboration with Michelotto, an external tuner.

French manufacturer ORECA has taken over the assembly of Michelotto’s Ferrari GT3s for the new project.

The first 296 GT3 has covered around 8,000 km of testing and customer deliveries will begin at the end of the year, before its racing debut next January at the 24 Hours of Daytona, the first round of the 2023 IMSA championship.

No price was given for the new car, but Ferrari promised there would be no significant increase over the 488 GT3 Evo.

Ferrari policy is not to publish the prices of its race cars, but the 488 is believed to be close to $500,000 excluding taxes.

Ferrari 296 GT3

BenQ has just announced the EX240N, a budget gaming monitor that boasts a range of premium features including a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT response time.

Sporting a 23.8-inch MOBIUZ VA panel, the EX240N is capable of 250nits of peak brightness, a 3,000:1 contrast ratio and 72% coverage of the NTSC color gamut. Response times sit at 4ms (GtG) and 1ms (MPRT), ensuring a supremely responsive gaming experience, perfectly tailored for the competitive scene. This is further bolstered by AMD FreeSync, Motion Blur Reduction and FPS mode.

The EX240N runs at 1080p (1920×1080) which may seem underwhelming compared to more expensive 1440p and 4K models, it’s a rather appropriate decision for a budget monitor. Those investing in a budget gaming monitor are much more likely to be using it with a more budget setup overall, meaning hitting the frame rate needed to match the 165Hz refresh rate is going to be difficult at higher resolutions. Pixel density is also set to remain fairly high thanks to the smaller 23.8-inch display.

Alongside the small but powerful MOBIUZ VA panel, BenQ has fitted the EX240N with a pair of 2.5W speakers, which play a large part in the cited 40W power consumption. To reduce consumption, there is also a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Ports include singular DisplayPort1.2 and HDMI 2.0 connections. PC users will only be able to hit max refresh rates using the DisplayPort, while current gen consoles will be able to use both to achieve 120Hz refresh rate.

According to BenQ, the EX240N will retail for $199.99 USD ($286.65 AUD), making it an absolute steal. For $239.99 USD ($343.98 AUD), users can stretch towards the EX240, which gets an extra HDMI 2.0 port, 15-degree swivel left and right and swaps out the VA panel for an IPS panel.

BenQ is yet to announce availability dates.

VMware’s VMware Fusion virtualization software has received a new update, which brings support for Windows 11 on Intel and even Apple Silicon-powered Macs. The new update is available as a free tech preview and will help Mac users run Windows 11. Here are the details to know.

Windows 11 on Macs Using VMware!

VMware says that Fusion’s ability to run Windows 11 on Macs has been in the works for a long time and includes several improvements and new features. This can also work with other virtual machines (VMs) too. For those who don’t know, a virtual machine is system software that can mimic another computing system onto another, in this case, its Microsoft’s Windows 11 on Apple’s Mac devices.

It comes with the enhanced virtual TPM (Trusted Platform Module) with fast encryption, key auto-gen, and key storage via Keychain and can be used on any VM, given that it supports fast encryption. This will only encrypt important files similar to the current Windows 11 TPM for improved VM performance while maintaining the security of the data stored.

The VMware Fusion 12 update also includes features like 2D GFX and Networking, VMtools installation for Windows 11 GOS on M1, Improved Linux support on M1, 3D Graphics HW Acceleration, and OpenGL 4.3 in Linux, among other things. Additionally. VMware is providing a single “.dmg” to install the Fusion software on both Intel and Apple Silicon-powered Macs. The Vmware Fusion update can be downloaded via the company’s website.

As interesting and happy as the news is, it brings in some issues too. VMware clarifies that this update is still a “work in progress” and hence, brings in some limitations. Item doesn’t support VMs with different architectures (x86_64 VMs on M1 Macs), macOS virtual machines, and Ubuntu 20.04.4 and 22.04 for arm64.

That said, the company aims to resolve all these issues and add new features to Fusion. A proper version is slated to release at the end of this year. So, how do you feel about this new support? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Microsoft has told New Zealand regulators that there is “nothing unique” about Activision Blizzard titles, in its latest bid to get its pricey merger approved. In a document presented to the Business Acquisitions and Authorizations Commerce Commission, Microsoft says that the gaming giant doesn’t produce any “must have” titles, and should therefore be permitted to go ahead with the acquisition.

This claim is part of Microsoft’s efforts to alleviate fears that its Activision Blizzard merger threatens the gaming industry, creating issues surrounding competition in the market. In doing this, Microsoft has said that its rivals would get by just fine without Activision Blizzard titles, and would still be able to compete in a “vibrant” gaming market.

Related: Activision Being A Summer Game Fest Partner Proves Our Industry Has No Morals

“The vast majority of games are developed and published by parties other than [Activision Blizzard] such as Sony, Nintendo, EA and Take-Two”, reads the document, addressing concerns over monopolization of the industry (thanks, Twisted Voxel).

“Specifically, with respect to Activision Blizzard video games, there is nothing unique about the video games developed and published by Activision Blizzard”, the statement continues. “[There are no] ‘must have[s]’ for rival PC and console video game distributors that could give rise to a foreclosure concern.”

This might sound like surprisingly harsh language coming from the tech giant that wants to buy the studio, but it’s unlikely that it is referring to the quality of Activision Blizzard games. Rather, it seems to be a statement intended for regulators who may not understand the gaming market, and therefore need to be made aware that Activision Blizzard doesn’t have a monopoly on a particular genre. But hey, it’s a pretty funny read regardless.

This isn’t the only point the company raises to ease concerns that the merger would give them an unfair advantage in the industry. Microsoft also claims that the gaming industry has “low barriers to entry”, meaning that “content will remain available for distribution to rival PC, console and mobile distributors”.

It’s looking increasingly likely that Microsoft will soon have the regulatory approval it needs to go ahead with the merger. As we recently reported, the deal could get permission from US regulators as soon as August – potentially just weeks away. It depends on whether or not the companies are requested to present further evidence to the regulators. If not, the deal can go ahead.

Next: Bobby Kotick Should Have Been Forced Out Of The Gaming Industry Years Ago

Pokemon UNITE released in July 2021 for Nintendo Switch and Sept. 2021 on mobile devices, with both versions being completely free-to-play and featuring crossplay and full cross-progression.

It follows the trend most MOBA titles tend to use, being F2P but moonlighting more as a “free-to-start” experience that has content such as playable Pokémon and other content that needs to be unlocked before becoming usable.

Even developer TiMi Studio consistently uses the free-to-start to market the game, as UNITE offers numerous optional in-game purchases. These involve players purchasing Aeos Gems to unlock Gem-only cosmetic items for playable Pokémon called Holowear, avatar cosmetics, and the game’s premium battle pass, which is the only ay to unlock items included in the battle pass like Holowear.

Aeos Gems can also be used to easily unlock many other items in the game, like other cosmetics and Unite Licenses for Pokémon that you can use in battle. Normal items can typically be obtained using Aeos Coins or Aeos Tickets, the game’s free currency you earn by playing the game, though the grind can sometimes be real for frequent players who really want to unlock more than just the occasional piece of content.

It is also important to note, just like most multi-platform games that offer microtransactions, if you purchase Aeos Gems you can’t use them on both systems—so any premium currency purchased on Switch can’t be used on mobile.

However, players can use the same account on different devices, using either a Pokémon Trainer Club account or a Nintendo account, and content purchased with gems will carry over.

Sony is having a really good time at the moment as the PlayStation 5 is making the company proud, thanks to its growing popularity across the globe. The console has succeeded in selling very well, despite the ongoing chip shortage.

Now a new report has revealed that the PlayStation 5 has achieved yet another sales milestone since it was first launched in November 2020. It looks like gaming enthusiasts want to have the latest and best available device at the moment to enjoy their favorite titles. And there seems to be no chance for any rival to come close.

PlayStation 5 goes past 21.7 million sales since its original launch

As reported by PlayStation Lifestyle, Sony Interactive Entertainment just revealed that their next-gen device is performing better in 2022. By the end of June 31, the PlayStation 5 has sold over 21.7 million units worldwide.

It simply means that the manufacturer managed to ship 2.4 million PS5 models in the last quarter. It’s a good increase, if not by a higher margin, when compared to the last year for a similar period. The main reason for this success can be due to the increased supply of the product over the past few months.

DIVE DEEPER

Moreover, the boost in the sales for PlayStation 5 was accompanied by an increase in PS Plus subscribers as well. Coming as a piece of good news for Sony, the revamped service has added another one million new users this year.

The PS Plus service gained an additional one million subscribers when compared to the same period in the last fiscal year. Talking about numbers, the service had 47.3 million members as of June 31. Last year, the figure stood at 46.3 million.

Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 might reach a new sales milestone later this year when some really amazing titles come out. Without a doubt, God of War: Ragnarok is the most anticipated PS exclusive at the moment. Gaming fans are extremely hyped for its debut.

Going by the momentum it’s having already, this game may result in more PS5 sales right ahead of its November release. It’s because those players who haven’t played the first entry so far but want to try out the sequel on a console will surely look forward to having a PS5 over any other device.

WATCH THIS STORY: Best Open-World Games on PlayStation, Xbox and PC

Image: Sony / MIXED

Our weekly recap: Meta raises the price of Quest 2, Sony talks about Playstation VR 2 for eleven, and a marketplace deals with DALL-E 2 and GPT-3 prompts.

Inflation, investments, and so on

The Quest 2 has been on the market for about two years now – and has just become more expensive by about $100 anyway. Meta explains this unusual maneuver with high investments in the market and increased production costs. VR and gaming guru John Carmack, who was the head of technology at Oculus for a long time, finds these arguments strange. Is perhaps the renewed attack of the US antitrust authority FTC behind it, which stands in the way of Meta’s VR fitness expansion?

Playstation VR 2 … wasn’t there something?

Oh, that’s right, there will be a new VR headset from Sony one day. We still don’t know when that day will be, but at least we know we’ll know soon. And Sony has shown us some new features of PSVR 2 like room scanning that make us want more.

Video: Sony

Creativity in the AI ​​age

The age of AI could transform human creativity because AI breaks the link between creative thinking and manual dexterity. With imaginative “prompts,” simple text commands, we can get machines to output images, text, or in the future even 3D scenes the way we imagine them. Perhaps in this way, we will learn more about the interplay between thinking and doing.

In any case, a new marketplace senses a business model and wants to sell proven prompts for small money. This can save (even more) time and money than DALL-E 2 and Co. already do. If you prefer to be creative yourself, see our prompt guide for DALL-E 2.

Artful prompts are also needed for the DALL-E competitor Midjourney, which is now available in open beta.

At Midjourney, too, people have to develop the image idea themselves – and put it into a suitable prompt. Here, for example, a struggling Metaverse job market in cyberpunk style. | Image: Midjourney / MIXED

Fewer metaverse professionals wanted

Concerns about a weakening economy are leading to lower investment, especially in the technology sector. This is particularly evident in metaverse job postings. One survey shows that job postings in the US with “metaverse” in the title fell 81 percent between April and June. But this study only shows part of the story.

Malware films what you do in VR

A new malware can record the screen of a VR headset and send the footage back to the attacker. That’s according to New York-based cybersecurity firm Reasonlabs, which identified the threat. Potentially affected are Android headsets such as the Quest 2, Pico Neo 3 and Vive Focus 3. How does the malware work with “Big Brother”? And how can you protect yourself?

Note: Links to online stores in articles can be so-called affiliate links. If you buy through this link, MIXED receives a commission from the provider. For you the price does not change.

Get real.

Overwatch 2 skins could set you back as much as $45 USD, a new report suggests.

Twitter’s Porterguage has shared a survey that a friend received—so perhaps take this with a grain of salt—that queries users as to how much they’d be prepared to spend on the free-to-play sequel.

One question in particular asked, “How likely would you be to purchase a Mythic Skin at a price of $44.99?”

Other price-related questions involved weapon charms priced at $9.99 USD or a Legendary Skin set at $24.99 USD. Bundles with three sprays were potentially set at $4.99 USD, while a pack with a Legendary Skin, weapon charm, player icon, victory post, voice line, name card and spray could potentially set you back $29.99 USD.

This notion of free-to-play titles with big microtransactions certainly isn’t new; Devil Immortal has been raked through the coals over the notion that a single character requires $150,000 AUD of real-world money to be maxed out. Another new free-to-play game, MultiVersusoffers up a single Batman skin for a whopping $30 AUD.

Needless to say, fans over on Reddit weren’t thrilled.

“[Not goint to lie,] I was ready to comment, ‘oh $30 for the highest tier skins is normal in the industry,’ but goddamn they just kinda blew past that, huh,” wrote one user.

Overwatch 2 goes free-to-play on Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5 and Switch on 5 October 2022 here in Australia. We went in depth on what to expect from it here.