Brett's diving into some hot topics today, starting with the buzz around the AMD RX 9070 XT graphics card, which is creating quite the stir with its potential 32GB of VRAM—ideal for AI applications and possibly a solid contender against Nvidia's offerings. But hold onto your headsets, because we’re also unpacking the skepticism surrounding gaming microphones from companies like NZXT, which might be more style than substance compared to the audio pros like RODE and Elgato. We’ll take a hard look at Ubisoft's recent Q3 results, which are as disappointing as a bad lag spike, and their questionable commitment to open-world and live-service games that just don’t seem to resonate with players. Plus, I’ll spill the tea on EA’s close brush with acquiring Blizzard and Activision, the unfortunate layoffs at Crytek, and the exciting upcoming releases like Killing Floor 3 and Avowed. And of course, we can't forget Overwatch 2’s new features, including the return of perks and a fresh game mode—let's see if they can win back the hearts of players. So grab your coffee, kick back, and let’s get into it!

Takeaways:

• AMD's upcoming RX 9070 XT graphics card is set to make waves with a 32GB variant aimed at AI applications, but could it be a game-changer for gamers too?
• There's some skepticism about gaming microphones from companies like NZXT, as Brett prefers tried-and-true brands like RODE and Elgato for superior sound quality.
• Ubisoft is facing a hard reality with a staggering 52% drop in Q3 bookings while stubbornly clinging to open-world and live-service games that aren’t winning over fans.
• Brett discusses the missed opportunity for EA to acquire Blizzard and Activision, which might have changed the landscape of gaming as we know it.
• Crytek's recent layoffs and the shelving of Crisis 4 raises concerns about the studio's future, and it’s a sad reminder of the industry's struggles.
• Overwatch 2 is rolling out new features and perks, but the community remains divided on whether these changes will revive the game’s popularity.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• AMD
• Nvidia
• Rode
• Elgato
• Beacon
• NZXT
• Ubisoft
• Crytek
• EA
• Activision
• Blizzard
• Overwatch
• Kingdom Come
• Doom
• Killing Floor
• Tempest Rising
• Microsoft
• ID Software
• Obsidian
• Fallout
• Starfield
• Marvel
• GTA