PCI-SIG has released a small update on its upcoming PCIe 8.0 standard, with the draft milestone reaching version 0.5. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this draft update is not the performance itself, but the exploration of a new connector technology to support this high-bandwidth protocol. Last year, we learned that PCI-SIG plans to implement a 256.0 GT/s raw bit rate and 1 TB/s of bidirectional bandwidth in the x16 lane configuration. We had assumed that the protocol would continue using the familiar connector technology seen in previous PCIe updates. However, it turns out that the current connector might be a limiting factor, prompting the search for a replacement for the traditional PCIe electrical connection.

The traditional PCIe connector is a copper-based link with up to 16 lanes connecting graphics cards to a slot. In a full x16 lane configuration, the PCIe generation supported by the motherboard provides the best performance, offering the maximum bandwidth the platform can deliver. However, with a 256 GT/s raw bit rate, the connector provides about 1 TB/s of bidirectional bandwidth, which is eight times faster than the current PCIe 5.0 platform used with modern GPUs and CPUs. This indicates that the current physical layer facilitating communication between a GPU and a motherboard is nearing saturation with the advent of PCIe 8.0, necessitating the consideration of an alternative connection method.

Hades II has been available as an Early Access Steam game for a while already, and during that time, it has proven its popularity, reaching a peak player count of over 100,000 players. However, on September 25, nearly a full year after the Early Access launch, Hades II has officially launched, with the 1.0 update bringing a host of new features and renewed interest in the hack-n-slash roguelike. As of the time of writing, a mere three hours after the official v1.0 update launched, Hades II has peaked at 84,232 concurrent players, according to SteamDB. Although this is still a fair bit away from its all-time peak of 103,567 players, the game launched on a Thursday morning and evening in the biggest gaming markets, so player counts are expected to increase over the weekend. Hades II already had an Overwhelmingly Positive (97% positive) Steam, but after the release, the game has seen a spike in reviews, with over 900 new positive reviews published just three hours after launch.

Among other things, the Hades II v1.0 update adds a true ending to the story of Melinoë's rebellion against the underworld. Players who played the beta version of the game will also now have access to 50 achievements, unlockable Familiar customizations, updated in-game visuals, new music, and new decorations and collectible Keepsakes. More details about tweaks to gameplay, visuals, sound effects, and customization options are available in the full Steam v1.0 update notes. In the v1.0 launch announcement, Supergiant says that "it's too early to say what's next for our team," and that, following the launch of Hades II, the development team will take a much-needed break, aside from the usual post-launch hotfixes. Thus, it seems unlikely that any new content will be added to Hades II for at least a short while. Hades II is currently available for $29.99 on Steam, and it is also available for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 and Epic Games.