Open-source developer Joel Severin has successfully ported the Linux kernel to WebAssembly, allowing it to run in web browsers with basic programs, though stability issues remain. This tech demo showcases potential future developments, requiring ecosystem collaboration for improvements.
Persona 3 Reload is being optimized for the Switch 2 with a focus on graphics and performance, and will be the first Persona game on this platform, emphasizing portability and visual quality, despite some frame rate hiccups. The development team prioritized quick release and graphical adjustments over adding new content or features like a female protagonist, which was deemed too costly. The game features new S.E.E.S. uniforms and multiple romance options, with the team expressing hope that the game will introduce Persona to a broader Nintendo audience.
The Switch 2, while a significant upgrade for Nintendo, faces inherent limitations due to its handheld design and ARM-based hardware, leading to performance tradeoffs in ports of demanding games like Elden Ring and Borderlands 4. Despite some successful ports like Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Cyberpunk 2077, the device's hardware constraints mean developers must optimize heavily for Nintendo's unique system, which is different from x86-based consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Overall, the Switch 2 offers a portable gaming experience with compromises in power and performance, which is acceptable given its design goals.
Sony is exploring a strategy to expand its first-party games to multiple platforms beyond PlayStation, including Xbox, Nintendo, and mobile, as indicated by a new job listing. While this suggests a potential shift towards more cross-platform releases, Sony remains cautious about diluting its ecosystem, and the move may simply be an extension of its current PC and porting efforts. The industry is watching to see if this signals a broader change in Sony's approach to exclusivity and platform strategy.
Sony is seeking a director to lead its strategy for expanding PlayStation titles across multiple platforms beyond PS5, including PC, Xbox, and Nintendo, indicating a potential shift away from console exclusivity and towards broader multi-platform releases.
A Reddit user has managed to translate Doom into an audio signal that can be displayed by a spectrogram, allowing the game to be played using only sound. The creator has shared the source code and instructions for setting it up on Github, sparking excitement among fans of the '90s shooter's unconventional ports. This latest feat adds to the long list of devices and formats on which Doom has been successfully run, showcasing the dedication of modders and fans to push the boundaries of where the game can be played.
Digital Foundry's technical analysis of Batman: Arkham Knight on the Nintendo Switch describes it as an "unmitigated disaster." The game struggles to maintain a consistent frame rate, frequently dropping below the target of 30 frames per second, particularly during Batmobile sections. The other two games in the trilogy, Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, also suffer from framerate dips. Overall, the Batman: Arkham Trilogy on the Switch fails to meet expectations, with Arkham Knight being particularly atrocious in terms of performance.
The Gex Trilogy, consisting of GEX, Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Gex 3: Deep Cove Gecko, is being ported to PS5 and PS4, allowing fans to revisit these classic PS1 platforming games on modern systems for the first time. The collection of ports may include upgrades similar to the newly announced Clock Tower port.