Welcome to the first week of summer, at least in the northern hemisphere. There are no AAA releases this week, which gives you all plenty of time to focus on our Computex content instead of playing a new blockbuster game. This week's major release involves aliens, but not as you know them and they're out to kill. The rest of this week's new releases involves a DLC for a major MMORPG, a politics, religion and war game, some really old stuff, a nuclear plant meltdown cleanup and a dead dragon.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game / This week's major release / Tuesday 4 June
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is an asymmetrical multiplayer horror based on the iconic '80s film. In the battle between Killer Klowns and citizens of Crescent Cove, team up and use your wits to harvest humans or save them from the alien invasion! Crescent Cove is a sprawling arena for unique 3v7 fights between Klowns and humans—boasting various locations and a multitude of tactical opportunities for both teams. Steam link

ASRock, a global leader in motherboards, graphics cards, gaming monitors, and small form factor PCs, is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming COMPUTEX Taipei 2024. AI has been a hot topic in the IT industry in recent years. ASRock keeps up with the trends, showcasing the latest AI solutions. In addition, creating an impressive gaming environment is one of ASRock's commitments for gamers. Visitors can explore the latest products and AI computing solutions firsthand and experience the gaming simulator at ASRock booth L0818.

Full Firepower Display of Next Gen Motherboard Platform
ASRock will also be revealing its full range of next generation Intel & AMD motherboards including the new line up of Taichi & Phantom Gaming Series, the robust Steel Legend, newly designed Livemixer and mainstream Pro series. The high end Taichi brand will receive its major repositioning and reorganized to be ASRock' s flagship series by merging with existing OC Formula & AQUA product line. Alongside the next gen Phantom Gaming series, the full array of Taichi AQUA, Taichi OCF, Taichi and Taichi Lite motherboards will also be revealed during Computex 2024!

Acer today announced the expansion of its wireless router portfolio with two new options designed for gamers and a wide range of individuals, including families and remote workers. The Acer Wave 7 leverages the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology to deliver broad, reliable coverage for large homes with many devices, while the Predator Connect W6x utilizes Wi-Fi 6 to prioritize speed and performance for smooth online gaming experiences.

The W6x boasts dual-band connectivity, utilizing both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies to ensure strong and consistent signals throughout the home, while the Wave 7 elevates further with the additional support of up to 6 GHz of Wi-Fi 7. Additionally, they come equipped with Hybrid Quality of Service (QoS) software and the Intel Killer Prioritization Engine, working together to identify and prioritize critical network traffic for maximized speed and minimal lag. User-friendly interfaces make setup and management a breeze, while built-in Trend Micro Home Network Security safeguards network and connected devices from potential threats.

Acer today announced three new gaming monitors in its Predator lineup, designed to appeal to professional gamers and gaming enthusiasts who want reliable machines for everyday use. The new models include the Predator X27U F3, Predator X34 X5, and Predator X32 X3 featuring brilliant OLED displays, high refresh rates, and ultra-smooth performance.

These powerhouse monitors are NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible to eliminate stuttering, flicker, and visual artifacts for a smooth and tear-free experience. The monitors also seamlessly integrate AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to eliminate ghosting, provide fluidity and ensure that every frame is rendered flawlessly. With true 10-bit color depth, they deliver cinematic visuals with stunning contrast and vibrant colors further enhanced by DCI-P3 99% color gamut and Delta E<1 color accuracy. In addition, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 ensures deep blacks and incredible brightness for lifelike visuals.

SCUF Gaming, proudly unveils its latest controller for mobile gaming, SCUF Nomad. This Made for iPhone Bluetooth controller brings performance features and ergonomics that SCUF has refined with competitive gamers to a mobile controller. Leveraging SCUF's many years of design expertise and history of competitive excellence with console and PC gamers, Nomad is crafted to provide a premium mobile gaming experience in a compact design that can be taken anywhere.

According to Jake Tenorio, Director of Product Marketing at SCUF Gaming, "Nomad's contoured grips and full-size triggers are inspired by SCUF's innovative paddle controllers, reimagined for mobile. Nomad is a controller designed to feel natural in your hands," Tenorio said. "Many mobile controllers don't prioritize comfort, which directly affects your gaming performance and how long you can play. SCUF's design philosophy is an ergonomics first approach, which is something customers will notice immediately when they pick up the Nomad for the first time."

YEYIAN GAMING, a global leader in innovative pre-built gaming PCs, peripherals, and computer components, proudly presents its latest offering: the YEYIAN AVANCE Series 27" QHD FAST IPS gaming monitor, designed to provide gamers with an immersive and exhilarating gaming experience. The YEYIAN AVANCE Series 27" QHD FAST IPS has an ultra-thin bezel QHD monitor that combines cutting-edge technology, stunning visuals, and ergonomic design for pro-gamers activities or professional visual content creation.

The YEYIAN AVANCE Series 27" Monitor is engineered for elite gamers, boasting a cutting-edge FAST IPS panel. Its 2K QHD resolution enhances your gaming experience with crystal-clear visuals, while the impressive 180Hz native refresh rate and swift 1ms response time deliver unparalleled smoothness and precision. This eliminates motion blur and ghosting, ensuring every moment on screen is as sharp and fluid as your gameplay demands. The monitor delivers crisp, vibrant visuals, ideal for gaming or entertainment. It is fully compatible with AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-SYNC, ensuring seamless display without artifacts or tearing. The advanced HDR10 processing chip presents over 16.7 million colors in a wider dynamic range, enhancing the visibility of vivid gaming graphics.

CHERRY XTRFY, the specialist for high-quality gaming peripherals, presents the Ngale microphone series, designed specifically for gamers, streamers and content creators. Ngale X and Ngale R are the first two microphones to be launched under the CHERRY XTRFY brand. The Cherry group, which is particularly known for the production of mechanical high-end keyboard switches, continues to expand its portfolio of gaming peripherals.

Ngale R: USB Microphone With Retro Innovative Design and High Sound Quality
This Ngale R not only impresses with its design, but also with its performance. The standalone USB microphone prioritizes sound quality over multiple polar patterns, featuring one large, high-quality cardioid capsule for streaming, voiceovers and solo recordings with greater detail. When gaming intensively, a low-cut filter can be activated to reduce noise.

In case you missed it, we're about to enter the last week of May and soon summer is here. It's a pretty busy release for new games, even though there are no AAA releases, there are still plenty of interesting new games being released. This week's major release involves not getting sacrificed to the gods. The rest of this weeks' releases range from being the saviour of Persia to being in charge of Titans and that's just the first two releases. This is followed by taking the reins of a martial arts cat, exploring the black priory and racing F1 cars. Hopefully we've managed to cover most bases this week, but there's always next week for those of you that didn't see anything that tickled your fancy.

Soulmask / This week's major release / Friday 31 May
Soulmask is a sandbox game that prioritizes an authentic survival experience. As the "last one" blessed with the mysterious mask, players will grapple for survival in a primitive land steeped in mysterious faiths, carving out a path to ascendance. Start from nothing, explore, build, recruit tribesmen to fortify your clan, and ultimately unravel the mysterious truths hidden behind the civilizations of this world. Steam Link

Mattel, Inc. a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, today announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Outright Games, the leading publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment. The partnership begins with three new games for all consoles and PC slated for release before the end of this year: Matchbox Driving Adventures, Monster High: Skulltimate Secrets, and Barbie Project Friendship.

Mattel's partnership with Outright Games underscores its strategy to deepen engagement in the digital games sector, leveraging iconic brands to create compelling experiences for a global market. In 2023, Mattel Digital Games achieved a significant milestone, reaching 48 million monthly active players, driven by successes such as Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon and Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged. As Mattel nears its 80th anniversary, the company is poised to expand its digital footprint by introducing more games across more platforms, resonating with fans of all ages.

SteelSeries, the original esports brand that fuses gaming and culture, KontrolFreek, the creator of Performance Gaming Gear, and Bungie, creator of the definitive action MMO Destiny 2, today unveiled a new collaborative collection of limited-edition gaming gear that celebrates the upcoming expansion, The Final Shape. Taking design cues that highlight the Light versus Darkness themes within the cinematic story of Destiny, the limited-edition collection brings the sci-fi universe to life through the award-winning Arctis Nova 7 Series Headset Bundles, QcK Heavy XXL Mousepad, Artisan keycap, and KontrolFreek Thumbsticks. As a bonus, customers who purchase the special-edition collection will receive exclusive in-game cosmetics for Destiny 2.

Arctis Nova 7 - Destiny 2: The Final Shape Edition Bundle
The award-winning Arctis Nova Series headsets are donned with custom Destiny 2: The Final Shape-themed speaker plates and headband, for the ultimate immersion into the Destiny universe. Gamers will experience masterful sound from rare-earth metal Neodymium Magnetic Drivers and listen to two audio streams at once with simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth, easily swapping between PC, Mac, PlayStation, and Switch with USB-C. Stay in the action with a 38-hour battery and a fast-charge function, bringing 6 hours of use after just a 15-minute charge. Players will experience noise-free communications as AI algorithms guide the ClearCast Gen 2 mic to clean up both incoming and outgoing audio in team chat. The ComfortMax System delivers 4 points of adjustability and breathable AirWeave Memory Foam cushions for marathon sessions. (Available in PlayStation and Xbox-specific models). The Arctis Nova 7 I Destiny 2: The Final Shape Edition Bundle includes these in-game cosmetics: the Viral Celebration emote and Gear Head emblem.

Sharkoon Technologies, an international supplier of high-performance, high-quality PC components and peripherals, now presents the SKILLER SGM35 and the SKILLER SGM50W. These are two gaming mice with an ambient underside illumination and an ATG4090 sensor. The SKILLER SGM35 is operated with a wired connection while the SKILLER SGM50W can also be used wirelessly and is supplied with a charging station.

The Right Connection for Any Application
After a long while since Sharkoon's last wireless mouse, the SKILLER SGM50W marks the manufacturer's return to gaming mice that can be conveniently operated via a 2.4 GHz cable-free connection. The SKILLER SG50W's specifications state a battery life of 70 hours. For recharging, the mouse can be placed on the supplied charging station, which also has handy slot for stowing the USB nano receiver. If the mouse has to be used even if its battery is discharged, it can also be charged directly via the computer's USB port and operated as usual at the same time. However, if the gaming mouse is to be used mainly with a stationary PC at home, and wireless operation is not a necessity, the identically looking SKILLER SGM35 provides a solution that is purely wired.

Today is a good day for those of you that have wanted a glossy OLED gaming monitor, as ASUS has launched the ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG, which is a glossy WOLED gaming monitor. The ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG sports a 2560 x 1440 pixel WOLED display with a 240 Hz refresh rate and a 0.03 ms grey to grey response time. ASUS also claims up to 20 percent brighter image in SDR mode and deeper black hues under any lighting conditions, quite something to live up to. On the more technical side, the panel is said to offer a 1.5 million to one contrast ratio, support for 99 percent of the DCI-P3 colour space or 135 percent of the RGB colour space and it's should also have 10-bit colour support.

Connectivity wise, there will be disappointing sights from some, as the ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG relies on a single DP 1.4 with DSC and a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports for video inputs, which means the HDMI ports are limited to 144 Hz. It also only has two USB 3.2 Gen 1 5 Gbps ports and no USB Type-C input, although there's a headphone jack for those that want to use that. Other features include FreeSync Premium and G-Sync Compatible support, as well as ASUS' trace free technology, GamePlus, shadow boost and OLED care. No word on official pricing at this point in time, but it's non-glossy counterpart retails for US$900.

Update May 21st: ASUS has announced the offical pricing for the ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG and the MSRP is US$699, which makes it around US$200 cheaper than its non-glossy counterpart. It'll go on sale from the 30th of May.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Xbox and Ninja Theory for Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice. In this exciting collaboration, Razer will be designated as the Exclusive Audio Marketing Partner for the narrative-led experience, further solidifying its commitment to delivering superior audio experiences for gamers.

"Our partnership with Ninja Theory for Senua's Saga: Hellblade II epitomizes Razer's dedication to elevating gaming audio. The precision and innovation in our products like the Leviathan V2 Pro and BlackShark V2 Pro ensure every gamer experiences the rich, immersive audio that Senua's Saga: Hellblade II deserves." said Barrie Ooi, Razer's Head of PC Gaming Division.

This week's major release is a female Viking warrior sequel, for those in the mood for some sword and axe battles. If that's not your cup of tea, then maybe a cosy space explorer or a futuristic graffiti artist is more your thing? Or what about a city manager on a foreign planet? Maybe you prefer knights over vikings? If so, we got you covered as well. Or maybe you just want to be a vagabond in space?

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II / This week's major release / Tuesday 21 May
The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without. Steam link

With the explosion of digital content, people need bigger and more robust solutions to help access and preserve it all. Western Digital today is introducing a portable HDD expansion across its WD, WD_BLACK and SanDisk Professional product lineups, boasting the world's highest storage capacity in a 2.5" portable HDD. The WD My Passport portable HDD line, WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive and SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE ArmorATD will all now be available in 6 TB capacities.

"Expanding our portfolio with the world's first 2.5" 6 TB portable hard drive is an incredible technological achievement, and it enables us to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible," said Nitin Kachhwaha, Director of Product Management at Western Digital. "Offering up to 6 TB in such a small form factor and accessible price point gives everyone - from students, gamers, professional videographers, and more—greater flexibility to create and keep even more of their essential content in one portable drive."

From the creator of the groundbreaking Arctis Nova line of headsets, SteelSeries.com, the original esports brand that fuses gaming and culture and worldwide leader in gaming and esports peripherals, today expands the Arctics Nova family with the introduction of the Arctis Nova 5 series headsets and Nova 5 Companion App.

For the newest member of the award-winning Arctis Nova line of headsets, the design and engineering teams set out to craft something new with three innovative goals in mind; create better audio for the games people play on Xbox and PlayStation; develop a wireless gaming headset that's both premium and accessible; and allow gamers to play longer and harder. The result is the Arctis Nova 5, and the Nova 5 Companion App, the first of its kind app to give players access to over 100 audio presets at their fingertips, Quick Switch Wireless freedom with high-speed 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth 5.3 at the tap of a button, an extraordinary 60+ Hour Battery Life, and a $129.99 price point. That's "affordable luxury" at its best.

Welcome to the 20th week of 2024 and this week kicks off with a huge AAA space saga that some of you have been eagerly waiting for. However, we have a second AAA title this week, which is a few years old Playstation game that, despite the title, doesn't have anything to do with ghosts. The rest of this week's releases involve aliens, rhythms, world wars and pirates.

Homeworld 3 / This week's first AAA title / Monday 13 May
Tactical, beautiful, and wholly unique, the GOTY-winning sci-fi RTS returns with Homeworld 3. Assume control and battle through fleet combat in dazzling, fully 3D space while the award-winning story unfolds on a galactic scale. Strategic freedom is yours. Hulking space derelicts called megaliths bring 3D terrain into the classic Homeworld battlespace. Use the crumbling remains of an ancient civilization to funnel foes into a brilliant ambush or hide your fleet from powerful enemies. Fortresses teem with menacing turrets and invite your strike craft into dangerous trench runs deep behind enemy lines. But not everything is in your control. Dangerous space phenomena like particle storms and asteroid fields will test even senior commanders. Steam Link

Thermaltake, a leading PC DIY brand for premium hardware solutions, is proud to announce that the GR500 Racing Simulator Cockpit and the Triple Racing Monitor Stand are now ready for purchase. Moving beyond the conventional PC gaming setup, racing simulators redefine the gaming environment allowing you to feel like you are driving a racing car on a real racetrack in an indoor entertainment space easily. Create your simulators with the Thermaltake racing ecosystem, or take it one step further and match them with a VR headset like the Meta Quest 3, fully immersing the thrill of fast and furious racing!

GR500 Racing Simulator Cockpit
Thermaltake GR500 Racing Simulator Cockpit is designed for racing enthusiasts to experience authentic feel of racing. It comes with a racing-like bucket design and is made with a fiberglass seat, ensuring a premium seating experience. The adjustable seat allows you to glide forward & back, and recline, providing an ideal driving position for long gaming hours. The GR500 is crafted with a sturdy aluminium profile, steel structure, and anti-tip bracket, guaranteeing stability and safety. To make your racing simulator sleek, the base of the GR500 features RGB Lighting Strips including 20 lighting effects. If you switch to Rhythm Pickup mode, the lighting can even dynamically change with music. Additionally, Thermaltake GR500 has universal hardware compatibility that supports mainstream wheels, gear shifters, and pedals from Logitech, Fanatec, Thrustmaster, and more, allowing you to build an ideal racing simulator with high customization.

EasySMX, a leader in gaming accessories, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest innovation, the EasySMX M05 mobile gaming controller, available starting May 7th. Designed with the needs of mobile gamers in mind, the EasySMX M05 brings unparalleled convenience and enhanced control to gaming on-the-go.

Following the announcement, the EasySMX team is eager to dive into the specifics of what makes the M05 a must-have for any serious mobile gamer. Designed with both casual and hardcore players in mind, the M05 merges comfort, technology, and versatility into one user-friendly device. This commitment to quality ensures that every gaming session is seamless and immersive.

Today we are thrilled to announce the latest innovation that promises to transform your gaming experience: Razer Cortex: Add-Ons. Our commitment at Razer has always been to push the boundaries of gaming technology and provide our users with the tools they need to succeed, whether they're casual gamers or competitive athletes. Today, we're taking another giant leap forward in fulfilling that promise, with the introduction of Cortex: Add-Ons - a new feature, crafted with the aim of maximizing your gaming experience.

What is Razer Cortex: Add-Ons?
Cortex: Add-Ons is your one-stop destination for all your gaming plug-in needs. We understand that gaming is not one-size-fits-all, which is why we're bringing you a platform that caters to your individual needs. Whether it's optimizing your performance, sharing your gaming highlights, or enriching your gaming sessions with unique tools, we've got you covered.

Welcome to the first full week of the month of May. It's another rather slow week of new game releases, or rather, there are no major game releases, as a few games that were supposed to be released this week, got pushed back to later in the year. As such, the biggest release this week is all about cats. As for the rest of this week's releases, we have an RPG where you beat up your enemies with plushies, an abyss full of knights, a pill eating yellow blob, a well full of animals and someone holding a gate closed. Next week will be a lot busier though.

Little Kitty, Big City / This week's major release / Thursday 9 May
A peaceful catnap turns into a whimsical adventure! Will you make your way home or will you explore what the big city has to offer first? I mean, getting home is obviously your main priority. Obviously. Well, it's one of your priorities. Maybe more of a guideline... It's definitely on your To-Do list somewhere! But first? Exploration. Steam Link

TPV USA, the brand license partner for Philips monitors is launching its flagship model to the EVNIA Gaming lineup with Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 49" QD OLED Curved Gaming Monitor, setting a new standard for gaming monitors with its innovative technology and immersive features. Dedicated to bringing the joy of gaming to all players, from casual enthusiasts to hardcore pros, the Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 redefines what it means to game.

"The Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 brings a new level of immersion and innovation to gaming, providing a captivating experience for gamers of all levels. With its exceptional design and advanced technology, this monitor is a standout addition to our product lineup," says James Melendez, CEO and President at TPV USA (Philips).

Cooler Master, a leading provider of PC components, gaming peripherals, and tech lifestyle solutions, today announced the launch of their latest update in gaming comfort: the CALIBER X2C and CALIBER R3C chairs, part of the refreshed COOL-IN Series. Designed for gamers who demand style and substance, these chairs promise to keep you cool under pressure while delivering unmatched comfort.

As we go from April to May, we have something of a void of new game releases, with the biggest release being a game that puts you in charge of a factory. As for the rest of this coming week's releases, you can look forward to doing some farming, working as a detective, cosplaying as an alien, working in a lab and finishing the week in office with a party royale.

Foundry / This week's major release / Thursday 2 May / Early Access
Foundry is a first-person (first-robot?) factory builder with complete creative freedom set in a procedurally generated and infinite voxel world. Land on an unexplored planet and design a giant automated robot production facility under the watchful direction of your AI friend, Carl. Steam Link

Today we're taking the next step toward our vision for a more open computing platform for the metaverse. We're opening up the operating system powering our Meta Quest devices to third-party hardware makers, giving more choice to consumers and a larger ecosystem for developers to build for. We're working with leading global technology companies to bring this new ecosystem to life and making it even easier for developers to build apps and reach their audiences on the platform.

Introducing Meta Horizon OS
This new hardware ecosystem will run on Meta Horizon OS, the mixed reality operating system that powers our Meta Quest headsets. We chose this name to reflect our vision of a computing platform built around people and connection—and the shared social fabric that makes this possible. Meta Horizon OS combines the core technologies powering today's mixed reality experiences with a suite of features that put social presence at the center of the platform.