“DLSS 5 Lowers Frame Rates by As Much as 73% on RTX 5080 in NBA 2K27: Evaluating the Hardware Specifications to Validate Performance Effect”

WARNING: Major story spoliers for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, as well as the original Yakuza 3, lie ahead.

It’s natural to spend a lot of time thinking about what games could have been, had different decisions been made. Whether the change is preferable to the reality often doesn’t come into it, the fantasy of another possible world is the draw.

Despite that, few studios choose to make major shifts – at least as far as the main stories of those games go – when they remake their previous games. This won’t necessarily be a philosophical decision: the remaster or remake has to sell. Games which get revisited are ones players deeply love, and the suits will inevitably see tweaks to their fundamentals as an unnecessary risk. Old Oblivion is loved, so Bethesda adopted a rubber glove approach to the Oblivion remaster. They limited changes to modernising visuals and snipping away some annoying features. It’s akin to polishing up a holy relic, rather than replacing the gemstones or changing the engravings.

Read more

**Call of Duty Makes Its Comeback on Nintendo: Modern Warfare 4 Set to Debut with Switch 2**

Following an extended break, Activision’s legendary series, *Call of Duty*, is poised to return to a Nintendo system with the anticipated launch of *Modern Warfare 4*. Arriving simultaneously with its PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC versions this autumn, the title signifies a meaningful change in the franchise’s approach, having last appeared on a Nintendo console with 2013’s *Ghosts* for the Wii U.

Activision has confirmed that *Modern Warfare 4* is being created specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2 by Infinity Ward in partnership with Digital Legends. This collaboration implies that players can expect some level of feature equivalence between the Switch 2 edition and those on more capable systems, despite potential variations in framerate and resolution.

Digital Legends Entertainment, a mobile gaming company acquired by Activision in 2021, has previously worked on *Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile* and assisted in developing last year’s *Call of Duty: Black Ops 7*. Their participation reflects a dedication to adjusting the franchise’s dynamic gameplay to suit the capabilities of the Switch 2.

The revival of *Call of Duty* on Nintendo consoles is a result of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023. As part of the agreement, Microsoft secured a 10-year contract with Nintendo, focused on bringing beloved titles to their platforms. This pact marks the beginning of a new chapter for Nintendo players who have yearned for prominent franchises, greatly enhancing their gaming choices.

2026 is set to become a pivotal year for *Call of Duty*, not only because of its return to Nintendo but also as it will be the first year in more than ten years that a new release will not be accessible on the older PlayStation 4 and Xbox One systems. As the gaming world transforms, *Modern Warfare 4* on the Switch 2 heralds a new era for both the franchise and Nintendo’s gaming landscape.

Enthusiasts can anticipate the release this fall, where *Call of Duty* aims to engage a fresh audience and rekindle the enthusiasm of dedicated fans.

**The Triple-i Initiative Showcase: Key Moments from the Indie Gaming Event**

The Triple-i Initiative showcase serves as the indie gaming counterpart to significant platform presentations like Nintendo Direct or PlayStation State of Play. Hosted by the French studio Evil Empire, which is partnering with Konami to breathe new life into the legendary franchise Castlevania, this year’s showcase represented the third annual event. Although the fresh gameplay trailer for **Belmont’s Curse** captured a portion of the attention, it merely represented one of numerous thrilling games revealed during the event.

The showcase unveiled a diverse range of game announcements, updates on current titles, and previews of upcoming demos and release schedules. Below are 14 remarkable games spotlighted at the event:

1. **New Creature Collector by Crema** – This newly revealed game promises a creature-collecting adventure akin to **Palworld**, but instead of turn-based combat, it features real-time action and survival gameplay.

2. **Klei Entertainment’s Survival Sequel** – The cherished survival series makes a comeback with a sequel that invites players to conquer a charming yet perilous Victorian wilderness cooperatively.

3. **Gritty Farming Game by 11 Bit Studios** – From Carbonara Games comes a distinctive take on the farming genre, where kidnapped players must cultivate crops to escape their captors and uncover the enigma behind their abduction.

4. **Sequel to Graveyard Keeper** – This successor to the well-loved **Stardew Valley** alternative promises more burial sites and an expanded town, though a release date remains unannounced. The initial game is currently available for free.

5. **Sci-Fi Horror by the Makers of 1000xResist** – The developers of the acclaimed narrative game are back with a sci-fi horror experience centered on convincing an AI of your human nature.

6. **Co-op Adventure Game** – An exhilarating fusion of action and exploration, akin to **Indiana Jones**, where players can traverse tombs and treasure hunts while generating viral content.

7. **Action RPG from CrossCode Developers** – Previously announced, this action RPG is slated for Early Access on May 7 for PC, featuring improved visuals, additional bosses, and narrative elements showcased in its latest trailer.

8. **Long Gone** – Scheduled for release in 2027, this captivating title merges puzzle-solving with exploration in a suburban area long impacted by a zombie apocalypse, showcasing a distinctive pixel art style.

9. **Warhammer-themed Roguelite** – Joining the trend of **Vampire Survivors**-style games, this roguelite brings a novel perspective to the genre with a new trailer revealing Games Workshop’s sci-fi fantasy components, set to launch on console and PC later this year.

10. **Neverway** – Excitement builds as this action-RPG inspired by **Zelda** is targeting an October 2026 release window, featuring pixel art from a renowned artist and music by celebrated composer Disasterpeace.

11. **Unholy Fusion DLC for Slot Machine Horror** – The unexpected hit from the previous year returns with new downloadable content, introducing 30 distinctive charm fusions along with new memory cards and modifiers for players to explore.

12. **Cairn Expansion** – This acclaimed 2026 title will receive a complimentary expansion this summer, adding three new climbing regions that feature water soloing.

13. **Brotato’s Latest Content** – The recent update to this captivating top-down shooter introduces mechs and mutant dinosaurs, offering players new weaponry for battle.

14. **Risk of Rain 2 DLC** – The cooperative loot shooter expands its offerings with dark-themed levels and new equipment, although a specific release date is yet to be specified.

15. **Windrose** – Rapidly climbing the Steam charts, this pirate survival simulator announced its early access release date, set to debut soon on April 14.

The Triple-i Initiative showcase continued to demonstrate the creativity and innovation flourishing within the indie game development landscape, presenting various promising titles for gamers to anticipate in the years ahead.