The Framework Laptop 16, equipped with the RTX 5070, offers a customizable and repairable gaming experience, starting at $2,449. While it is more expensive than high-end competitors like the Razer Blade 16, the price reflects the ability to upgrade components such as the CPU, memory, and storage. The laptop delivers solid gaming performance, allowing for native resolution gameplay in titles like Cyberpunk 2077, though it faces limitations with its 8 GB VRAM in some AAA games. Despite the trade-off of reduced battery life due to the discrete graphics card, the laptop still achieves around 25% more battery life than cheaper gaming laptops, with the option to remove the graphics module for extended battery life when not gaming. The Framework Laptop 16 appeals to those seeking a sustainable and powerful laptop, albeit at a premium cost. Why this matters: The Framework Laptop 16 sets a new standard for customizable, sustainable laptops, offering gamers the flexibility to upgrade and maintain their systems over time.
Exploring the integration of local large language models (LLMs) in gaming, a developer has created an Unreal Engine 5 plugin to enhance non-playable character (NPC) interactions. The aim is to move beyond predictable, hard-coded NPC behavior by enabling dynamic dialogue and trait updates through LLMs, while addressing challenges like VRAM limitations and response latency. The project demonstrates that local LLMs can provide creative, contextually appropriate NPC responses, though they are best suited for minor interactions due to potential reliability issues. A technical demo featuring a locally run LLM-controlled NPC highlights the feasibility of this approach, with further optimizations possible through prompt engineering and system configuration. This matters because it showcases a practical application of AI in gaming, enhancing player immersion and interaction with NPCs.