Category: Video Games

Specifications for the unannounced PlayStation 5 Pro have leaked online, revealing the power of the console Sony reportedly plans to release during the fourth quarter of 2024.

The specs list first emerged via YouTube channel Moore’s Law Is Dead, before Insider Gaming claimed they were real, and a subsequent Insider Gaming article added further detail. IGN understands the leaked specifications are real, and emerged from Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Developer Network. Sony has yet to comment.

The headline improvements here are to the CPU, which is said to be identical to the standard PS5’s CPU but with a ‘High CPU Frequency Mode’, which amounts to a 10% increase to 3.85GHz, and the GPU, which enables faster rendering and higher quality ray tracing powered by 33.5 teraflops. The standard PS5 offers 10.28 teraflops. However, a direct PS5 to PS5 Pro comparison would work out at around 10.28 vs 16 to 17 teraflops.

Of particular interest, the PS5 Pro is said to have an upscaling/antialiasing solution called PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution Upscaling), custom machine learning architecture, and an AI accelerator. Elsewhere, PS5 Pro has a detachable disc drive and 1TB of storage space.

Last month, analysts signaled that Sony is “likely” to release the PS5 Pro later in 2024. This “souped-up” refresh is reportedly designed to boost interest in PS5 ahead of the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in 2025. As IGN has reported, there is a lot riding on GTA 6, and not just for Rockstar and Take-Two.

Sony has form when it comes to releasing a Pro version of its consoles. The PS4 Pro, for example, launched in November 2016, three years after the PS4 came out. A PS5 Pro launch this November would come four years after the PS5 launched in November 2020.

Sony has revised its PS5 sales forecast for the current financial year, down from its lofty target of 25 million consoles sold to 21 million. This comes despite a year-on-year increase in PS5 sales for the holiday 2023 quarter, from 7.1 million sold to 8.2 million.

Elsewhere, Sony has said it will not release any major existing PlayStation franchise games before April 2025, ruling out big sequels in the God of War and Spider-Man franchises any time soon.

Last month, Sony announced a devastating wave of layoffs affecting over 900 staff at its gaming business. Sony’s London studio is to close.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

A number of professional Apex Legends players were hacked mid-match during the game’s Global Series, putting a stop to the tournament and sparking concern about the security of some EA games.

During the North American finals of the Apex Legends Global Series, Noyan “Genburten” Ozkose was surprised to discover the ability to see through walls, an incident you can see in the video below from X/Twitter user @Apryze_:

NO WAY @Genburten getting hacked mid algs game pic.twitter.com/PaVOjmnEGs

— Apryze🌹 (@Apryze_) March 18, 2024

It didn’t stop there. Phillip “ImperialHal” Dosen was then somehow given an aimbot. Footage shows chat taken over by the words “Apex hacking global series by Destroyer2009 & R4ndom.”

So i was given Aimbot but it was just me playing on Controller all good guys. Nerf controller! pic.twitter.com/2ztHtoOnRB

— TSM ImperialHal (@ImperialHal) March 18, 2024

Apex Legends esports was then forced to abandon the tournament. “Due to the competitive integrity of this series being compromised, we have made the decision to postpone the North American finals at this time,” the organisation said in a statement. “We will share more information soon.”

According to video game cheat prevention organization the Anti-Cheat Police Department, hackers are abusing a Remote Code Execution (RCE) exploit to gain control over EA games protected by Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC). In a tweet, the Anti-Cheat Police Department issued a warning to players: “I would advise against playing any games protected by EAC or any EA titles once they have fixed this or can comment.

“Currently, the RCE is being abused to inject cheats into streamers machines, which means they have the capabilities to do whatever, like installing ransomware software locking up your entire PC.”

please don’t play apex until this is addressed, if players at the highest level of play are affected, anybody could be https://t.co/ylgcW4tNF8

— laser (@laser__cs) March 18, 2024

The Anti-Cheat Police Department then issued a specific recommendation to the pros who took part in the tournament, suggesting they take immediate measures to protect their personal information.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Took us a while to get our first proper good console deal of 2024, didn’t it? And just as the PS5 Slim was busy getting knocked off its RRP, it suddenly fell again. That’s right, you can pick up a PS5 Slim for just £390 if you’re an Amazon Prime Member, down from £479.99. This is an extra £20 off compared to the original discount we’ve been seeing this year, and the best deal we’ve seen on the slim model since its launch.

While maintaining the high performance and features of the original PS5, the Slim version addresses the bulkiness that was a notable aspect of its predecessor. It continues to offer super-fast loading times and the ability to play games in stunning 4K resolution, ensuring that the gaming experience remains top-notch. The PS5 Slim comes in two versions: one with a disc drive and one as a digital-only console.

If you’ve been awaiting news on the PlayStation Portal as well, we’ve got some more good news, as it’s currently in stock at Currys (see here) and PS Direct for £199.99. Stock levels on the highly sought-after device have finally evened out, so there’s never been a better time to pick one up. For even more amazing UK deals, preorders, and news, consider following @IGNUKDeals on Twitter/X.

Best PlayStation Portal Accessories for 2024

Now you’ve managed to secure the infamous PS Portal, how about some tidy accessories for the shiny new device? In case you weren’t aware, it lacks Bluetooth (sorry) so you’ll need some proprietary Sony headphones to use with the device.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t include the original Pulse 3D Headset either, so you’ll need to invest in something new if you want to play on the couch while not disturbing everyone else in the same room as you. We’ll include links to both the Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore wireless headsets which are both built to work seemlessly with the PS Portal. We’ve also thrown in some screen protectors, and handy cases to carry the device around in as well!

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

The weekend is coming to a close, and we’ve gathered up some excellent deals for you! Whether you’re searching for a new laptop or a discounted game, we’ve got you covered with the best deals for Sunday, March 17. These deals include Resident Evil 4, Apple MacBook Air M1, PlayStation 5 Slum Bundle, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, God of War Ragnarok, and more.

Resident Evil 4 for $29.99

2023’s Resident Evil 4 is one of the best remakes out there on current generation consoles. Following Leon S. Kennedy, you travel to a remote village in Europe with a mission to locate the President’s missing daughter. This Resident Evil title is the perfect blend of action and horror. Right now, Amazon has the title half off for all consoles, which matches the all-time low.

MacBook Air M1 for $699

Walmart has discounted the Apple MacBook Air M1 to just $699. This is cheaper than any student discount or similar could get you. Although newer models utilize the M2 chip, the M1 is nothing to look past. It’s capable of running plenty of performance-heavy software, so you can edit videos, photoshop images, and more.

PS5 Slim Spider-Man 2 Bundle for $399.99

Amazon has a fantastic deal ongoing for the PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition. The console itself is $50 off, and you get Spider-Man 2 for free. In total, that’s $120 worth of savings. This is perfect if you’ve yet to pick up a PS5, as we most likely won’t see a better deal than this for a while.

Get a $25 Gift Card with Any Nintendo Switch

Even though MAR10 day has passed, an amazing Nintendo Switch deal is still live. Best Buy is offering a free $25 Best Buy gift card with the purchase of any Nintendo Switch model. This includes Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and the Nintendo Switch OLED Model. If you’ve yet to pick up a Nintendo Switch, this is a perfect time to do so, as you can spend the $25 gift card on a new game to go alongside it!

Save On Samsung 990 EVO SSDs

Amazon has solid discounts for both the 1TB and 2TB Samsung 990 EVO SSD models. This SSD is compatible with PlayStation 5, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a new PS5 accessory to pick up. Additionally, it’s great for any gaming PC or other device that supports a full NVME M.2 SSD.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for $39.99

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best-selling Nintendo Switch title to date. There’s never been a better time to pick up the game, especially since the DLC recently wrapped up. A total of 96 tracks are available to race through with this title, which will keep you busy for years to come. New racers, including Diddy Kong, Pauline, and Birdo, are even available with the Booster Course Pass!

Save $20 Off An Xbox Wireless Controller

You can always use an extra Xbox controller. Not everything lasts forever, and controllers can wear down easily, especially when used frequently. This weekend, the Microsoft Store is offering $20 off an Xbox Wireless Controller. This deal applies to both the Robot White controller and the Pulse Red controller.

Save $20 Off Mario Tennis Aces

Mario Tennis Aces marked the first story mode in a Mario Sports title in quite some time. Developer Camelot looked to create an immersive new take on the Mario Tennis formula. Aces has dozens of characters to choose from, each with their own unique abilities and skillsets. The gameplay formula has been revamped with exciting new mechanics such as Zone Shot and Zone Speed, which redefine what a match of Tennis can look like.

Save 43% Off God of War Ragnarok

God of War Ragnarok is still one of the best PS5 games you can pick up. This action game acts as the sequel to 2018’s God of War, following Kratos and Atreus as Fimbulwinter looms. If you’ve yet to play this game, this is a great time to pick up Ragnarok at a discount and see why so many players love this series.

Apple AirPods Pro with USB Type-C for $189.99

Amazon has dropped the price of the 2nd gen Apple AirPods Pro truly wireless noise cancelling earbuds with the universal USB Type-C connector by $60, now only $189. With this current gen AirPods Pro, Apple has replaced the proprietary Lightning port with the more universal USB Type-C. These earbuds are perfect if you have an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, as they seamlessly connect and provide excellent audio quality all around.

Pick Up the Dead Space Remake for $29.99

Dead Space launched last January, and this is a great time to pick up the game if you haven’t already. This remake features an impressive use of technology and a completely modernized combat system. Special attention has been put on the audio, with 3D Audio technology utilized for an immersive experience. You can expect loads of thrills and horror as you look to escape the stranded ship. The USG Ishimura has never looked better or been scarier.

Save $20 Off Luigi’s Mansion 3

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is still one of the best Nintendo Switch titles available. Luigi finds himself, Mario, Peach, and Toad on vacation at the Last Resort hotel. However, upon arriving, things aren’t as they seem. You’re quickly thrust into a wild adventure featuring new abilities, companions, and ghosts. With Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD set to release this June, today is a great opportunity to check out the latest Luigi’s Mansion title in preparation.