Windows update that breaks some multiplayer games linked to our desire for gaming PCs that light up all the colors of the rainbow
A Windows update (KB5121003) released last week has caused crashes and unresponsiveness in several multiplayer games, including Arc Raiders, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals. Embark Studios, the developer of two of the affected titles, identified a driver called inpoutx64.sys as the source of the problem.
The issue emerged shortly after KB5121003’s rollout, affecting multiple multiplayer titles. Embark Studios’ identification of inpoutx64.sys provides both players and developers with a clear target for troubleshooting and potential resolution efforts. The specific mechanism behind the driver conflict and the reasons for the incompatibility remain under investigation.
This incident exemplifies the ongoing challenges associated with major Windows updates and their potential to disrupt gaming experiences through unforeseen driver compatibility issues. The number of affected titles spanning different studios suggests the problem could extend to other games relying on similar driver dependencies. Such conflicts highlight the complexities of maintaining compatibility across the diverse ecosystem of gaming software while managing Windows’ frequent update cycle.