AMD Desktop “Ryzen” CPUs See Massive Share Increase In Q2 2025, Revenue Almost Matching Datacenter “EPYC” CPUs: X3D & AM5 Set New x86 Records

https://wccftech.com/amd-desktop-ryzen-cpus-massive-share-increase-q2-2025-revenue-matching-datacenter-epyc-cpus-x3d-am5-new-x86-records/

New Battlefield 6 Test Confirms Ryzen 9800X3D Is 30% Faster Than Core i9 14900K

https://wccftech.com/new-battlefield-6-test-confirms-ryzen-9800x3d-is-30-faster-than-core-i9-14900k/

Lessons for Intel From AMD’s Decisive GlobalFoundries Spin-Off: Could Going Fabless Solve Its Problems?

https://wccftech.com/lessons-for-intel-from-amd-decisive-globalfoundries-spin-off-could-going-fabless-solve-its-problems/

Intel Shows Its Cutting-Edge 18A Process Is Ready for Non-x86 SoCs in a Live Demo, Aiming to Attract Fabless Customers Like Apple That Rely on ARM

https://wccftech.com/intel-shows-its-cutting-edge-18a-process-is-ready-for-non-x86-socs/

Montage Technology Rebadges Intel’s Granite Rapids “Xeon 6P” CPUs For China’s Domestic Server Segment: Offers Up To 86 Cores Under The “C6P” Series

https://wccftech.com/montage-technology-rebadges-intel-granite-rapids-xeon-6p-cpus-china-domestic-server-market/

Intel adds Shared GPU Memory Override feature for Core Ultra systems, enables larger VRAM for AI

https://videocardz.com/newz/intel-adds-shared-gpu-memory-override-feature-for-core-ultra-systems-enables-larger-vram-for-ai

Biwin Mini SSD is smaller than M.2 2230 storage and 3x faster than MicroSD

https://videocardz.com/newz/biwin-mini-ssd-is-smaller-than-m-2-2230-storage-and-3x-faster-than-microsd

ASUS increases price of ROG NUC 2025 with U9 275HX and RTX 5080 to $3,199

https://videocardz.com/newz/asus-increases-price-of-rog-nuc-2025-with-u9-275hx-and-rtx-5080-to-3199

Only the tech illiterates are going to buy a nuc for that price. But then again plenty of PC users cannot even differentiate between a desktop GPU and its laptop models.

Let’s go with the Friday gaming news:

GIVEAWAY

We're joining Frosthaven's party to give you a chance at winning a gaming laptop, a game key, and some swag to boot
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/board-games/were-joining-frosthavens-party-to-give-you-a-chance-at-winning-a-gaming-laptop-a-game-key-and-some-swag-to-boot/
There's something about dark fantasy and the observation that it's a bit cold out that goes together like whiskey and… well, ice. Frosthaven, an adaptation of a board game by the same name, understands this—and also happens to've just launched into early access.
Led by Julian Gollop, head of Snapshot Games and creator of X-COM, Frosthaven aims to replicate the dark fantasy tactical RPG vibes of its board game. And to celebrate, we've gone ahead and partnered with them for a giveaway.
One lucky adventurer'll be the proud owner of a Frosthaven-branded Alienware Aurora 16 gaming laptop, some swag (including a beanie and pin set) and an early access key. Even if you aren't the chosen one, you might be one of ten runners-up, who'll also get a key for the game.
To be eligible for your prize, you need to be from North America, the United Kingdom, or Europe. You'll also need to be 18 years old as of August 12, 2025.
>> Good luck!

SALES/PLAYER COUNTS & DEALS

New report suggests that there are 3 million fewer PC gamers in Japan than 10 years ago, despite the market having at least tripled in size
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/new-report-suggests-that-there-are-3-million-fewer-pc-gamers-in-japan-than-10-years-ago-despite-the-market-having-at-least-tripled-in-size/
As reported by Automaton, Famitsu has released a preview of its annual Famitsu Game Hakusho, a survey of the games industry by Kadokawa ASCII Research Laboratories. One confounding takeaway from the data is that the games market in Japan is bigger than ever, with the PC space nearly matching consoles for economic impact, while there are slightly fewer gamers⁠ in the country overall, and many millions fewer PC gamers than just a decade ago.
*** Here are some numbers about the market size, in billions on yen/$, and number of players ***
The market numbers correlate with those produced by investment strategy firm Epyllion earlier this year for the global games market: Strong growth for PC and mobile sales, with a slight decline for consoles. The population figure is a real headscratcher, though: Three million fewer PC gamers than reported in the 2015 Famitsu Game Hakusho.
Data firm Newzoo has likewise shown enormous growth for the PC market in Japan in recent years, while last October, Kantan reported that Japan's Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) shared data showing that Japan's PC gaming sector tripled in size from 2020 to 2024—that's going by software sales alone, while the Famitsu Gaming Hakusho accounts for software and hardware.

During the next 20 days, the Humble Store celebrates its Summer Sale. Check it out to find all kinds of deals: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/humble-summer-sale-2025.

Fanatical has new Flash Deals and a bundle:

• These are the new 24h Flash Deals:
  • Sultan's Game is 27% off: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/sultans-game
  • Persona 5 Royal has a 65% discount: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/persona-5-royal
  • Project Hospital ha a 66% deal: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/project-hospital
• The BYO Blazing Bundle (Summer 2025) has 20 titles to choose from for your bundles of 3+, 5+ or 7+ games during the next 34 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/build-your-own-blazing-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

Steam store pages just got thicker than Emma Frost's thighs
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/steam-store-pages-just-got-thicker-than-emma-frosts-thighs/
Does Steam look different to you today—girthier, perhaps? If so, and you're a Steam client beta participant, you'll be happy to know that you're not imagining it, nor do your eyeglasses need adjustment. Steam has embiggened its store pages, taking them from 940 pixels wide to 1200, a change it said is part of an ongoing effort "to modernize the design and provide a better experience for players with larger monitors."
"This improves the shopping experience in a number of ways, allowing for bigger screenshots and trailers, and allowing more room to describe your features in the written description area," Valve said of the change. "Of course the page will still scale down appropriately for smaller screens or smaller browser windows."
Previous steps in the 'modernization' process of Steam include new storefront navigation, Valve said, as well as the razzle-dazzle new video player that rolled out at the end of July. The thickification process "includes refreshing the page layouts to make better use of modern screen sizes and resolutions, as well as optimizing page loads for display on mobile and handheld devices."
>> Another change: the performance monitor should now report GPU utilisation more accurately than Task Manager (link here).

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

One of the best mods for Doom 3, RealDOOM 3, just got a new update
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/one-of-the-best-mods-for-doom-3-realdoom-3-just-got-a-new-update
Modder ‘AgentLoginov’ has released Version 5.0 for one of the best mods for Doom 3, RealDOOM 3. This new version comes with new content, numerous tweaks and changes, as well as improved graphics. So, let’s take a closer look at it.
For those who don’t know, RealDOOM3 is a mod that aims to update the game’s atmosphere and graphics. It also updates the maps, adds new creatures, and new sounds. From what I know, this is the only modern-day mod for Doom 3 that is still in development. As such, you can use it if you want to replay this 2004 horror FPS.
Version 5.0 adds a new texture pack for Doom 3, Resurrection of Evil, and The Lost Mission. It also adds a new Birdman monster. Moreover, there is a new E1M1 map. Players will now wear a helmet, and they can hold a pistol with both hands. Plus, the modder added some new sounds to the game.
>> The article has no media.

This incredible mod adds parkour movement mechanics to Skyrim
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/this-incredible-mod-adds-parkour-movement-mechanics-to-skyrim
Now here is something really special for our Skyrim fans. Modder “Tsptds” has released a new version of SkyParkour. SkyParkour is a mod that brings a parkour movement system to Skyrim, which will let players climb and vault over objects smoothly. It also has easy stepping for low ledges, midair ledge grabs, and even climbing out of water.
SkyParkour V3 adds support for the default first-person camera. Previously, the mod only worked in third-person mode. But now, you can also use it in first-person. This is a game-changer mod as it can completely change the way you play it. As such, it’s a must-have mod for all Skyrim fans.
What’s also cool here is that there is an equipment-weight-based stamina system. The mod has dynamic and responsive ledge detection, as well as dynamic height and scale support. Players will now have smoother parkour moves, full camera control, stay in sneak mode, and won’t have to put away their weapons.
>> The article has a slightly over 3 minutes video of the mod.

Cyberpunk 2077 Mod Overhauls Main Story with Better Pacing and More Roleplay Opportunities
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/cyberpunk-2077-mod-overhauls-main-story-with-better-pacing-and-more-roleplay-opportunities
Modder “Xurec” has made an awesome new mod for Cyberpunk 2077. This lore-friendly mod adds more breaks, better pacing, and more roleplay moments to the main story. As such, it’s perfect for anyone who wants to replay the game.
Going into more details, fixers, clubs, and merc handlers will no longer hand out jobs to just anyone. Some main missions will now require a minimum Street Cred to access. Therefore, players will have to earn their reputation before the city gives them anything in return.
Main missions, side quests, and gigs are no longer given to you all at once. Instead, you get them over time through events and Street Cred milestones, making the story feel slower and more immersive. You’ll also get lore-friendly messages from characters like Jackie, Viktor, Dum Dum, Brick, and more, all built right into the game’s messaging system.
Gigs have been changed so that each fixer now has their own Street Cred requirements. These are based on their personality, power in their district, and relationship with V. In the original game, only Rogue and Muamar had real requirements. This mod changes that. Now, every fixer has their own unlock path, making your rise in the merc world feel more meaningful.
In short, this is a mod that a lot of CP2077 fans may find interesting. After all, it will change the way you experience its main story. In a way, it will make it fun to replay it. So, go ahead and download it from this link.
>> Looks like an awesome mod. Sadly, the article has no media about it.

GAMING NEWS

Jurassic Park Survival won’t be present at Gamescom 2025
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/jurassic-park-survival-wont-be-present-at-gamescom-2025
Jurassic Park Survival fans, we have some bad news for you today. According to Saber Interactive, this new dinosaur single-player action-adventure game won’t be present at Gamescom 2025. Thankfully, though, we got a new Behind The Scenes video, which packs a few seconds of pre-alpha footage.

First Echoes of the End Patch Released to Address Stuttering Issues
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/first-echoes-of-the-end-patch-released-to-address-stuttering-issues
Myrkur Games has released the first update for Echoes of the End, which addresses most of its awful stuttering issues. This is really great news for everyone who wanted to try this new single-player game. It also proves that we were right to complain about them.

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered Update 2 Releases Tomorrow – Full Patch Notes
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/tomb-raider-iv-vi-remastered-update-2-releases-tomorrow-full-patch-notes
Aspyr Media announced that the second major update for Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered will come out tomorrow and shared its full patch notes. So, let’s see what this new update brings to the table.
>> That tomorrow will likely be today.

Gamescom 2025 Gameplay Trailer Released for Neo Berlin 2087
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/gamescom-2025-gameplay-trailer-released-for-neo-berlin-2087
Elysium Game Studio has released the Gamescom 2025 gameplay trailer for its upcoming game, Neo Berlin 2087. This gameplay trailer will give you a glimpse at the improvements the team has made in the past year.

Take a look at this new 13-minute gameplay video for Crimson Desert
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/take-a-look-at-this-new-13-minute-gameplay-video-for-crimson-desert
IGN has released a new 13-minute gameplay video for the highly anticipated Crimson Desert. The video shows exploring the world, moving around, and real-time battles. We also see the main character, Greymane Kliff, fighting a boss named Cassius Morten, who is part of the Drunken Black Bears enemies, in the Calphade region.

The second part of the gaming news:

Randy Pitchford says Borderlands 4's story is inspired by the sale of Gearbox, then glazes over and says it's about where we as individuals want to be on the spectrum of anarchy to fascism
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/randy-pitchford-says-borderlands-4s-story-is-inspired-by-the-sale-of-gearbox-then-glazes-over-and-says-its-about-where-we-as-individuals-want-to-be-on-the-spectrum-of-anarchy-to-fascism/
We're just a month out from the release of Borderlands 4, and Gearbox CEO/magician Randy Pitchford is hitting the media circuit to tell everyone why you should be very excited for the 30 billion guns it apparently contains.
But it's not all about the heaters. Gearbox has promised that—after the less-than-stellar narrative that propped up Borderlands 3—it's taking the story more seriously this time. Borderlands 4 takes place on a prison planet called Kairos, ruled over by a tyrannical overlord called the Timekeeper who's stuck a bolt into everyone so that he can kill them at will, and also peer through their eyes, should he fancy it.
Which is just like Gearbox, if you think about it(?). In a chat with, uh, Epic Games, Pitchford waxed lyrical about the many guns of Borderlands 4 before shifting gears, saying that when the studio sat down to write the game's story it asked itself, "What’s the zeitgeist of the environment we’re in?"
>> The game will also have more passive perks.

Marvel Rivals director says its 'gooner game' reputation really just reflects a commitment to authenticity: 'These all come from classic comic designs'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/marvel-rivals-director-says-its-gooner-game-reputation-really-just-reflects-a-commitment-to-authenticity-these-all-come-from-classic-comic-designs/
Marvel Rivals has a reputation for appealing to its players' baser instincts: It had people saying 'thick thighs save lives' at one point, and Elie recently described the shooter as 'digging its heels into the gooner dirt' when it added a cache of new swimsuit skins. Despite my best efforts to escape this discourse, I've been drawn back in, as creative director Guangyun Chen has finally addressed Marvel Rivals' reputation as a "gooner game."

Rematch's latest update aims to fix 'major netcode releases' including missed tackles and false goals, crossplay will 'hopefully' go live by the end of August
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sports/rematchs-latest-update-aims-to-fix-major-netcode-releases-including-missed-tackles-and-false-goals-crossplay-will-hopefully-go-live-by-the-end-of-august/
The multiplayer soccer game Rematch came out strong in June, despite missing one major feature: Crossplay was not enabled because of "unforeseen technical complexities." Two months later, it's still not there, but developer Sloclap says it'll be here soon.

A game was unintentionally listed as 'Sh***y Dungeon' on Steam in Japan thanks to goofed-up machine translation
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/a-game-was-unintentionally-listed-as-sh-y-dungeon-on-steam-in-japan-thanks-to-goofed-up-machine-translation/
In our current technological moment, when we're being urged by the world's largest companies to trust our lives to the whims of machines that might generously be considered "truth agnostic," it's important to check your work if you're letting a computer do it for you. It's a lesson that was starkly demonstrated this week for the developers of The Crazy Hyper-Dungeon Chronicles—or, as it was briefly known by Japanese Steam users, "Shitty Dungeon" (via Automaton Media).
>> Well, at least the wrong name is memorable, unlike the original. I’m sure that you no longer remember it.

I hope you've been sharing your Battlefield 6 clips to social media, because we're only 8% of the way through the $1 trillion destruction challenge and the clock's ticking
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/battlefield-6-destruction-receipts-beta-event/
Both phases of the Battlefield 6 open beta have given us heaps of in-game challenges to complete to earn exclusive rewards once the game fully launches in October. However, there's actually another event going on that no one seems to know about: Destruction Receipts. Given it's not featured in the in-game menus, I'm not too surprised.
EA has teamed up with engineer Carlos Diemer to calculate how much property damage we've all been dealing with since the first weekend of the Battlefield 6 open beta kicked off. More specifically, we've been challenged to destroy the maps to rack up a hefty total of $1,000,000,000,000 in damage. In doing so, we'll nab the Destruction skin for the M60 machine gun—not that we know what it looks like yet.

After adding yet another tiny map, Battlefield 6 players are rightfully clowning on its definition of 'all-out warfare'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/after-adding-yet-another-tiny-map-battlefield-6-players-are-rightfully-clowning-on-its-definition-of-all-out-warfare/
As weekend two of the Battlefield 6 beta gets into swing, folks are increasingly skeptical of all these small to medium maps.
The lack of a truly "big" Battlefield map was the loudest criticism coming out of last weekend's playtest, and the only new map added this week isn't squashing worries that Battlefield 6 is prioritizing the Call of Duty crowd: Empire State, an infantry-only map with zero vehicles, is the smallest one we've seen yet.
>> This may be a great map to try the best weapon in the game, acording to this PCGamer writer.

Someone at Blizzard might've accidentally revealed Diablo 4's new class, which fans have been begging for since release
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/someone-at-blizzard-mightve-accidentally-revealed-diablo-4s-new-class-which-fans-have-been-begging-for-since-release/
Someone at Blizzard this week probably learned a lesson on what to never ever name your files. A few outlets, including Wowhead, spotted a Diablo 4 server update that went out under the name of what sure sounds like the new class coming in the second expansion next year.

Synth YouTuber releases twin-stick shooter with interactive soundtrack using moddable synthesizer weapon based on real kit
https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/synth-youtuber-releases-twin-stick-shooter-with-interactive-soundtrack-using-moddable-synthesizer-weapon-based-on-real-kit/
While I do love my PC gaming, my affinity for hardware doesn't stop there. It extends into most facets of my life, but one of my favourites has to be music. Synthesisors are easily one of the coolest things humanity has ever developed. I love seeing these machines that change the shape of sound to please our whims and send shivers down our spines.
One of my favourite creators in this space has to be YouTuber Look Mum No Computer, known for his deep dives into old synths, cool creations, and general musical exuberance. He's turned all this knowledge, punk energy, and love of synthesisers into a game you can buy on Steam. Or you can download the free demo which I've been playing, and it's actually really fun so far.

WoW players are losing their minds over a 19-quest long chain about bees, and while it is a bit much, I remember far worse
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/world-of-warcraft/wow-players-are-losing-their-minds-over-a-19-quest-long-chain-about-bees-and-while-it-is-a-bit-much-i-remember-far-worse/
World of Warcraft's latest patch is in full swing now. The race to world-first Manaforge Omega is underway, Season 3 of the Delver's Journey has begun, and you have to do 19 quests about bees. Sorry.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers patch messes the game's story all up, renders bosses technically unkillable, and it's all the Qing Dynasty's fault, apparently
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/wuchang-fallen-feathers-patch-messes-the-games-story-all-up-renders-bosses-technically-unkillable-and-its-all-the-qing-dynastys-fault-apparently/
I've been quietly curious about Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. I'm a soulslike enjoyer, but I bounced off the game's intro like it was made of rubber—still, I figured maybe with a few patches the game could be polished into something I'd like to play. Let's just open up the Steam reviews and good lord what is happening in there?!

GOG has no new deals for us this weekend, but Steam has our back (and wallets):

+Steam

• Drug Dealer Simulator 2 is going to be 27% off until the 21st of August: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1708850/Drug_Dealer_Simulator_2
• Just Crow Things has a 50% discount until August 21: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2537920/Just_Crow_Things
• Subnautica will be 75% off until the 21st: https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/Subnautica
• Deep Sky Derelicts gets an 85% discount until August, the 21st: https://store.steampowered.com/app/698640/Deep_Sky_Derelicts
• The Early Access title Drive Beyond Horizons, that has a demo, is going to be 40% off until the 28th of August: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2625420/Drive_Beyond_Horizons
• Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced will feature a 50% discount until the 28th: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3240220/Grand_Theft_Auto_V_Enhanced
• Scorn will be 75% off until the same August 28: https://store.steampowered.com/app/698670/Scorn
• And these are the new sales/events:
  • Humble Bundle’s Publisher Sale has games up to 75% off until August 21st: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/HumbleGamesPublisherSale2025
  • The Ukranian Games Festival 2025 is full of upcoming games, demos and titles on sale with up to 90% discounts. The Festival, and most deals, will end on the 21st, but not all of them so be careful: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/UkrainianGames2025
  • The Games From Spain Gamescon 2025 Festival is full of upcoming games, some with demos, and games on sale with up to 90% discounts. The length of the deals range between the 18th and the 25th of August: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45674549/sale/GamesFromSpainatGamescom2025

And that’s it. Until the next time, I wish you all a happy and gaming weekend.

That little thing looks very interesting, but we'll see how much it costs.

Valve has revealed the best releases of July:

https://store.steampowered.com/charts/topnewreleases/july_2025

Japan having 3 million less PC gamers, whilst the PC market is 3x the size is probably very simple.

Japans population is getting older (Median of 49.5 years), their population is actually in decline and shrinking and has contracted by 7~ million people over the last 10 years with a population loss of around 600,000 per year going forwards.

Just to put some numbers to that "massive increase"

• Server revenue share increased 7.2% points Y/Y and 1.5% points Q/Q to a record 41%.
• Client revenue share increased 9.8% points Y/Y and 1.3% points Q/Q to 27.8%.
• Desktop revenue share increased 20.5% points Y/Y and 4.9% Q/Q to 39.3%.
• Mobile revenue share increased 3.9% points Y/Y and 0.7% points Q/Q to 21.5%
• Overall revenue share increased 8.8% points Y/Y and 1.3% points Q/Q to 33.0%.

Desktop more than doubled market share YoY and almost 5 percentage points in the last quarter, meaning that that growth is not slowing down much. Intel really shot themselves in the foot since the 13th gen with their self-immolating 13th/14th gen chips and Core Ultra being slower in gaming than their predecessors. 

Intel is really saved by their mobile OEM partners, as AMD has just a very slow growth in that area, in all the others it's over 1.5 percentage points QoQ on average while in mobile it's below 1 percentage point.

Intel is dead, I wonder if this rumour is true?

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/15/us-government-may-buy-a-stake-in-intel/

I don't even know whats Intel is offering anymore. Just completely lost track with their lineups... Part of that is just a lack of interest.