It's time for the Friday news:

SALES & DEALS

The Division 2 has more PC preorders than the original, despite skipping Steam
https://www.pcgamer.com/ubisoft-explains-why-the-division-2-is-an-epic-games-store-exclusive/
Ubisoft surprised a lot of people in January when it announced that The Division 2 will be released on the Epic Games Store and not Steam—and that at least some of its future PC releases will be given the same treatment. Ubi said at the time that it believes Epic will "deliver a smooth journey," from preordering to release, and that Epic's effort to "disrupt" the industry is "something Ubisoft wants to support."
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot went deeper into the company's reasoning for changing stores today during an earnings call, and the short (and obvious) version is that Ubisoft believes it can make more money outside of Steam. So far it sounds like the strategy is working out well.
(...)
"Early indications are supportive, as PC preorders are higher than for the first Division, and preorders on the Ubisoft Store are six times higher. We believe this deal is a long-term positive for Ubisoft."
>> The Ubi Store numbers are what Ubi must be most happy about.

Romance pigeons and joust with genitals in Humble's Valentine's Day Sale
https://www.pcgamer.com/romance-pigeons-and-joust-with-genitals-in-humbles-valentines-day-sale/
Today is February 14, Valentine's Day, a day of love and romance and all that nonsense, and also a day to pick up some videogames on the cheap over on the Humble Store. The Valentine Sale has discounts of up to 90 percent on a selection of games that include heartfelt adventures, visual novels, and battling private parts.
>> A bit late, I know. But the sale will last another 3 days.
But there are other sales on the Humble Store:

• RAINBOW SIX SIEGE gets up to 65% discounts for the next 3 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/rainbow-six-siege-free-weekend-sale/
• Bandai Namco bring another weekend sale, with up to 75% discounts for the next 3 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/bandai-namco-anime-weekend/

And at Fanatical,

• The Star Deal is the Merchant's Chest Bundle, with 9 Sim games for a 97% discounts the next 24 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/merchants-chest-bundle
• The something for the weekend deal is the Stronghold bundle, with 4 games 80% off for the next 7 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/stronghold-bundle
• RESIDENT EVIL 7 is 40% off for the next 6 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/resident-evil-7-biohazard
• Publisher Kalypso Media puts its games on sale, up to 80% off for the next 5 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/publishers/kalypso-media-digital
• And, as a warning, Fanatical will launch its Bundlefest the next Monday. Read more here: https://www.fanatical.com/en/blog/get-ready-for-bundlefest-2019-your-ticket-to-the-best-steam-bundles

SOFTWARE/DRIVERS

-empty-

MODS/EMULATORS

Dino Crisis mod released for Resident Evil 2 Remake, replaces Claire with Regina & Leon with Dylan
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/dino-crisis-mod-released-for-resident-evil-2-remake-replaces-claire-with-regina-leon-with-dylan/
Dino Crisis fans, here is something really special for you today. Although Capcom does not plan to release a new part in the series or even a remake of the classic Dino Crisis games, modder ‘Crazy Potato’ went ahead and modded Resident Evil 2 Remake in order to allow players to control, once again, Regina.
This Dino Crisis mod replaces Claire Redfield with Regina from Dino Crisis, as well as Leon with Dylan Morton. Sherry is also now wearing a new jacket dedicated to the Dino Crisis series, and there will be some goodies for players to collect at the RPD main hall.
According to the modder, Scenario A spawns the weapons and to get the Glock you must be wearing the Regina Costume or have it installed to use it. Also note that folders must be separate and not combined or you might get some odd effects.
>> Check out this mod at Nexus Mods.

GAMING NEWS

Metro Exodus – Day-1 Update detailed, full patch release notes revealed
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/metro-exodus-day-1-update-detailed-full-patch-release-notes-revealed/
4A Games has released the day-1 update for Metro Exodus (which is around 2GB in size) and revealed its complete changelog. According to the release notes, this day-1 patch adds more filters for Photo Mode, improves VO and subtitles timing in all languages and brings general performance, balance and polish improvements.
>> But it doesn't fix the blurry DLSS.

JUMP FORCE runs really smooth on the PC but suffers from console porting issues
https://www.dsogaming.com/articles/jump-force-runs-really-smooth-on-the-pc-but-suffers-from-console-porting-issues/
Since I’m a big anime fan, I was really looking forward to JUMP FORCE. JUMP FORCE is an anime/manga 3D brawler, featuring the world’s most popular and classic manga/anime franchises including DRAGON BALL Z, ONE PIECE, NARUTO, and many others. And while the game appears to be running smoothly on the PC, it suffers from major console porting issues.

Far Cry New Dawn – Day-1 update detailed, full patch release notes revealed
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/far-cry-new-dawn-day-1-update-detailed-full-patch-release-notes-revealed/
Ubisoft has detailed the day-1 update for Far Cry New Dawn. According to the release notes, this patch will fix and tweak some missions, will resolve some issues with the game’s User Interface and will come with a number of fixes for its game world.

Friday news, part two:

Dragon Age characters' dream dates, according to the series' former lead writer
https://www.pcgamer.com/dragon-age-characters-dream-dates-according-to-the-series-former-lead-writer/
With Blights, civil wars and massive holes in the sky, there's not much time for Dragon Age characters to go on proper dates, but in the spirit of Valentine's Day, former BioWare writer David Gaider has shared his characters' dream dates, most of which are lovely and wholesome. Even Zevran's! Kinda.

New quests and events coming to Fallout 76, plus another increase to stash size
https://www.pcgamer.com/new-quests-and-events-coming-to-fallout-76-plus-another-increase-to-stash-size/
Bethesda announced today that in addition to the new PvP "survival mode" headed to Fallout 76, there will be a series of updates for those more interested in PvE. Called "Wild Appalachia", the updates will be "our first big content drop of the year and spans the next few months. In addition to new quests, events, and challenges it will also bring new content to C.A.M.P.s, Crafting, and much more."

Ubisoft reports strong profits, doesn't fire 800 people
https://www.pcgamer.com/ubisoft-makes-strong-profits-doesnt-fire-800-people/
In an earnings call today, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot reported that the company had a very strong third quarter. In a shocking twist of events, the publisher won't be laying off 800 people.

GTA Online offers romantic bonuses and a hot new car for Valentine's Day
https://www.pcgamer.com/gta-online-offers-romantic-bonuses-and-a-hot-new-car-for-valentines-day/
Valentine's Day has come to GTA Online, which means that you can score a free t-shirt, pick up some romantic gunrunning bonuses, and put yourself behind the wheel of the Declasse Vamos. The car is a lean, mean machine that traces its roots back more than 50 years, and is now available for purchase exclusively at Southern San Andreas Super Autos.

New Rainbow Six Siege patch brings huge buff for Capitão, big nerfs for Ash and Dokkaebi
https://www.pcgamer.com/new-rainbow-six-siege-patch-brings-huge-buff-for-capitao-big-nerfs-for-ash-and-dokkaebi/
Ubisoft’s latest batch of Designer Notes for Rainbow Six Siege’s Burnt Horizon are bringing some major changes to some of the game’s most popular operators. Ash mains, you’re going to want to sit down for this one.

Ubisoft unveils Gridlock and Mozzie, the Aussie operators coming to Rainbow Six Siege
https://www.pcgamer.com/ubisoft-teases-rainbow-six-sieges-aussie-operators-with-a-surprisingly-silly-video/
Following on yesterday's unusually lighthearted teaser, we've now got a proper introduction to Tori “Gridlock” Tallyo Fairous and Max “Mozzie” Goose, the Aussie odd couple from the Special Air Service Regiment that's coming to Rainbow Six Siege in Operation Burnt Horizon.

Jade's Mortal Kombat 11 fatality shows off an interesting use for her staff
https://www.pcgamer.com/jades-mortal-kombat-11-fatality-shows-off-an-interesting-use-for-her-staff/
Mortal Kombat 11's latest character reveal trailer brings back the assassin Jade. She's got a big stick and is looking a lot more undead than the last time we saw her. Check out her gory moves above.

Fortnite Carlton dance lawsuit hits copyright speed bump
https://www.pcgamer.com/fortnite-carlton-dance-lawsuit-hits-copyright-speed-bump/
Alfonso Ribeiro's suit against 2K and Epic Games over the use of his character's dance from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is facing a pretty significant obstacle. The US Copyright Office has refused his copyright registration.

Crackdown 3 co-op reportedly locked at 30fps
https://www.pcgamer.com/crackdown-3-co-op-reportedly-locked-at-30fps/
Crackdown 3 is out now, and players have already started tearing across the city. As well as the singleplayer campaign, you can team up with a mate and cause some mayhem in co-op, but there's an unexpected caveat: the co-op campaign is locked at 30fps, even when both players are on PC.

Anthem is now live on EA Origin Access Premier
https://www.pcgamer.com/what-time-anthems-servers-go-live-and-how-to-pre-load/
Update: Anthem is now live on Origin Access Premier. Read below for details on the other launch dates for BioWare's new co-op shooter.

Vermintide 2 will get weekly challenges and collectible paintings next week
https://www.pcgamer.com/vermintide-2-weekly-challenge/
Next week, a new update will bring two major new features to our 2018 Co-op Game of the Year. The update will not only overhaul the deeds system by adding a new weekly challenge, but also finally provide a purpose for the empty picture frames that have been hanging on the walls of players' keeps for nearly a year.

And now, the GOG and Steam deals for the weekend:

+GOG

• There are five deal at Steam, the first one the publisher deal with 2K, that will last another 10 days and brings up to 80% discounts: https://www.gog.com/promo/20190211_2k2weekz_weekly
• The Strategic Command series goes up to 50% off for the next 3 days: https://www.gog.com/promo/20190212_launch_promo_strategic_command_series
• The midweek sale, Runs on your platform, has up to 84% discounts and ends tomorrow: https://www.gog.com/promo/20190213_midweek_sale
• 11 bit studios brings Frostpunk, Moonlighter, This War of Mine and more on sale, up to 85% off for the next 3 days: https://www.gog.com/promo/20190215_11bit_weekend
• And of course, there's the weekend sale, Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, with up to 85% offers for the next 3 days: https://www.gog.com/promo/20190215_weekend_sale

+Steam

• The daily deal is Monster Prom, 30% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/743450/Monster_Prom/
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege is free to try and 50% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/359550/Tom_Clancys_Rainbow_Six_Siege/
• Arma 3 is also free to try and 66% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/107410/Arma_3/
• The Dark Souls franchise is on sale, with up to 75% discounts: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/darksoulsfranchise/
• And of course, there's the weeklong deals.

Nothing else to say, only to wish you have a happy and gaming weekend.

Better late than never, I guess. And it's also available at GOG and the Epic Store.

Now it's only a matter of waiting for Journey to come to PC, already announced, to complete our collection.

I think Valve is going to have to pull it's finger out at some point and start being more competitive... Or risk loosing marketshare.
Fortnite+Division+Metro are setting some interesting precedents that's for sure.

I started playing Far Cry New Dawn. It's basically like the previous game but without the pesky story bullshit. It's completely focused on open world stuff like collecting shit and upgrading stuff. That's all that I need. The only gripe I have with it is that they kept the god awful perk system from the previous game. It just goes completely against the very essense of an open world game by forcing you to play in a certain way and use certain weapons instead of letting you progress in your own way.

The map is comparably small for a far cry game and it focuses more on redoing the same outposts and missions over and over with increasing difficulty, which is completely fine. FC is all about outposts and now I'm able to liberate any outpost at least 3 times. Too bad I'm so busy this weekend or else I would've binged easily 20h by now.

The Monday news!

SALES & DEALS

VR game Apex Construct sales spike after players mistake it for Apex Legends
https://www.pcgamer.com/vr-game-apex-construct-gets-huge-sales-spike-after-players-mistake-it-for-apex-legends/
In a case of mistaken identity, VR action game Apex Construct—which came out in March last year—has seen Steam page views rocket 4000% in the last two weeks, and it has sold more copies in China in a week that it did in the whole of 2018. And it's all because it shares part of its name with Apex Legends, the free battle royale game that's taken the world by storm.
According to Fast Travel Games communications manager Andreas Juliusson, players who are searching for Apex Legends have stumbled across Apex Construct and paid for the game by mistake, apparently not knowing that Apex Legends is free. It probably doesn't help that the logos are pretty similar, which might have confused some people.
(...)
The downside is that some buyers have been leaving negative reviews, feeling as if they've been scammed. "Fortunately the Steam Community team is looking into this right now. Somewhere, there are massive misunderstandings going on," Juliusson said. Let's hope Valve are able to resolve the issue soon.

GOG has decided to celebrate the Year of the Pig from now until Feb 25th with the Lantern Festival, with over 200 games up to 85% off. Go check it out

Meanwhile at Steam, the daily deal is the Early Access game Rise of Industry, 33% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/671440/Rise_of_Industry/

And at Fanatical

• The Star Deal is Bioshock Infinite + Season Pass, 78% off for the next 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/bioshock-infiniteandseason-pass-aspyr
• Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus is 25% off for the next 2 days (around 63 hours): https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/warhammer-40-000-mechanicus
• And remember that the Bundlefest will start in roughly an hour.

SOFTWARE/DRIVERS

NVIDIA comments on DLSS restrictions and image quality in Metro Exodus and Battlefield 5
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nvidia-comments-on-dlss-restrictions-and-image-quality-in-metro-exodus-and-battlefield-5/
A lot has been said these past few days about DLSS. DLSS was meant to improve performance and image quality by utilizing the AI, however its implementation in both Battlefield 5 and Metro Exodus was disappointing. And it appears that NVIDIA has officially commented on everything regarding this new technology.
As Andrew Edelsten, Technical Director of Deep Learning at NVIDIA, claimed, DLSS is designed to boost frame rates at high GPU workloads which is why there are currently specific resolution restrictions.

NVIDIA aims to remove TAA blurring and ghosting artifacts with adaptive ray tracing in games
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nvidia-aims-to-remove-blurring-and-ghosting-artifacts-in-taa-with-adaptive-ray-tracing-in-games/
At GDC 2019, NVIDIA will be hosting a session in which Adam Marrs, Senior Graphics Engineer at NVIDIA Corporation, will talk about how the green team aims to enhance/improve the most well know anti-aliasing solution to date, TAA, with real-time ray tracing.
According to the session description, NVIDIA will discuss a pragmatic approach to real-time supersampling that extends common temporal antialiasing techniques with adaptive ray tracing, and attendees will learn how to add next generation antialiasing to their game engine by improving TAA with adaptive real-time ray tracing.

Razer shutting its digital game store this month, less than a year after it opened
https://www.pcgamer.com/razer-is-shutting-its-digital-game-store-this-month-less-than-a-year-after-it-opened/
Gaming hardware manufacturer Razer is shutting its digital game store later this month, less than a year after it opened.
In an https://gamestore.razer.com/lp/closure">announcement posted on the store, Razer said game sales would stop on February 28 as part of the company's "realignment plans".

Madden 19, Gone Home and 5 Star Wars games added to Origin Access vault
https://www.pcgamer.com/madden-19-gone-home-and-5-star-wars-games-added-to-origin-access-vault/
EA has added Madden 19, Gone Home and five Star Wars game to its Origin Access vault, meaning anyone with the basic $30/£20-a-year subscription can play them for an unlimited time.
The Star Wars games are The Force Unleashed 1 and 2, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars and Star Wars TIE Fighter Special Edition, the 1994 space flight sim that I think everyone should play at least once.

MODS/EMULATORS

NBlood, Blood port based on EDuke32, is now available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nblood-blood-port-based-on-eduke32-is-now-available-for-download/
Duke4’s forum member ‘NukeYKT’ has released NBlood; a Blood port that is based on EDuke32. NBlood comes with support for multiplayer (though it’s not stable yet), features software and OpenGL (polymost) renderers, CD audio, accurate FM OPL3(SB/AdLib) emulation and support for DEF/HRP.
It will be interesting to see whether this free offering – it requires the original Blood files so you won’t be able to play the game by simply downloading this port – will be better than the official remaster version of Blood that is currently under development.
>> Check the article for the link to the mod as well as the instructions to make it run.

You can now slay monsters as Genji Baihu & Genji Oni from Overwatch in Monster Hunter World
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/you-can-now-slay-monsters-as-genji-baihu-genji-oni-from-overwatch-in-monster-hunter-world/
Overwatch and Monster Hunter World fans, here is something for you today. The DMQW modding group has released a brand new mod for Capcom’s monster hunting game that allows players to play as Genji Baihu or Genji Oni from Overwatch.
Contrary to the The Witcher 3 Triss Merigold and the Metroid Prime Samus mods for Monster Hunter World, this one feels more like the NieR Automata mod. In other words, alongside the characters, the mod also brings their weapons from Overwatch to Monster Hunter World.
>> Get this mod from Nexus Mods.

Xenoblade 2 Pneuma mod released for Monster Hunter World
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/xenoblade-2-pneuma-mod-released-for-monster-hunter-world/
Similarly to the Overwatch and NieR Automata mods, this Xenoblade 2 mod also brings Pneuma’s weapon to the game, allowing gamers to feel more like Pneuma (than simply using her 3D model in a different game).
It’s really cool witnessing characters from other games coming to Monster Hunter World via these mods. I mean, even Capcom itself is bringing characters from other games like Geralt from The Witcher 3. Now if only there were more monster replacements than what we’ve seen so far…
>> This one is also available from Nexus Mods.

Someone is working on a Silent Hill 2 first-person remake in Unreal Engine 4
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/someone-is-working-on-a-silent-hill-2-first-person-remake-in-unreal-engine-4/
Silent Hill 2 is considered by many as the best part in Konami’s horror series. And even though Konami does not plan to release any remake similar to the one that Capcom offered for Resident Evil 2, someone is working on a proof of concept project, aiming to bring some scenes from this game to Unreal Engine 4.
Now what’s really interesting with this fan remake is that YouTube’s member ‘unknownexe96’ has implemented a first-person perspective that makes this Silent Hill 2 project look quite interesting. In case this YouTuber’s name rings any bells, he’s the same guy responsible for the Resident Evil 3 proof of concept fan remake in Unreal Engine 4 we shared last week.
>> I doubt Konami will let it happen.

Turok 2 and Crusaders of Might and Magic get ESRGAN AI-enhanced HD Texture Packs
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/turok-2-and-crusaders-of-might-and-magic-get-esrgan-ai-enhanced-hd-texture-packs/
Now here is something special for Turok 2 fans and for all those that remember Crusaders of Might and Magic. Thanks to the latest AI-enhanced techniques, a new HD Texture Pack has been released for them.
Created by ‘elvis09’ (kudos to Sergey for informing us), this Texture Pack uses ESRGAN in order to overhaul the game’s textures. Unfortunately elvis09 did not provide any comparison screenshots, however you can find below some screenshots showcasing the modded version in action.
Crusaders of Might and Magic is a third-person action RPG that came out in 1999. Since we’re talking about a 1999 title, you should not expect to be blown away by its visuals. Furthermore, I have to be honest that I was not impressed by the visual improvements, especially after witnessing the incredible results that we got for Doom and Morrowind.
>> Check the article for the links.

Black Mesa Improved Xen Mod version 0.5 released, features photogrammetry and better graphics
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/black-mesa-improved-xen-mod-version-0-5-released-features-photogrammetry-and-better-graphics/
While the official Xen levels for the faithful Half-Life remake in Source Engine, Black Mesa, have not been released yet, modder ‘zloikot’ decided to remaster himself those alien levels so that gamers could experience them. And today, the modder released a brand new version of his mod.
Now while this Xen recreation is not as advanced as what the Black Mesa team is currently working on, it’s better than Half-Life players have been experiencing this whole time. And since it’s taking the Black Mesa team a lot of time in order to release the Xen pack, we strongly suggest downloading and playing this unofficial Xen remake.
>> This mod is available from ModDB.

Fully naked Claire Redfield mod for Resident Evil 2 Remake is now available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/fully-naked-claire-redfield-mod-for-resident-evil-2-remake-is-now-available-for-download/
A few days ago, we informed you about the first nude mod for Resident Evil 2 Remake. This first attempt introduced a topless Claire Redfield, however we are pretty sure that a lot of gamers were looking forward to a full nude mod. And today, the first fully naked mod for Resident Evil 2 Remake has been released.
This nude mod for Resident Evil 2 Remake allows players to control a fully naked Claire Redfield. In order to use it, after installing it, you’ll have to select the Elza Walker outfit. Once again, there is no such mod yet for Leon Kennedy (and at this point I don’t know whether modders are interested in releasing such a male nude mod).
>> And just like the other mod, this one is also available from Nexus Mods.

Resident Evil Code Veronica X Topaz Gigapixel AI-enhanced HD Texture Pack Released
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/resident-evil-code-veronica-x-topaz-gigapixel-ai-enhanced-hd-texture-pack-released/
Created by Resetera’s member ‘Fukuzatsu’, this Texture Pack uses Topaz’s Gigapixel (an upscaling software that uses AI in order to improve textures) and you can download it from here. Now since Resident Evil Code Veronica X never came out on the PC, you’ll need a Gamecube version and the Dolphin emulator in order to enjoy this “remastered” version.
In other words, this is a similar GameCube Texture Pack to the one we shared a while back for Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2, that can only be enjoyed on the PC platform.
>> Download the mod from here (Mega).

This Amnesia mod is a standalone Lovecraftian tale without any scares
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-amnesia-mod-is-a-standalone-lovecraftian-tale-without-any-scares/
If you loved the world of Amnesia: The Dark Descent but found it all too scary, then The Shadow of the Ramlord might be more your speed. It's an hour-long Lovecraftian adventure built using assets from The Dark Descent and its sequel, A Machine for Pigs, and promises to be light on scares but heavy on environmental storytelling, atmosphere and necromancy.
"Our custom story is very much directed towards the player who enjoys a deliberate pace, absorbing the narrative and level design clues, and feeling immersed in a story-first experience," says the development team at Dark Craft Studios. They say it'll appeal to those who enjoyed SOMA, the semi-scary, philosophical survival horror from Frictional Games, the same developer that made the Amnesia games.
>> Get this mod from ModDB.

GAMING NEWS

Latest Resident Evil 2 Remake fixes Spark Gun framerate drops, The Ghost Survivors DLC available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/latest-resident-evil-2-remake-fixes-spark-gun-framerate-drops-the-ghost-survivors-dlc-available-for-download/
Capcom has released the first free DLC for Resident Evil 2 Remake, The Ghost Survivors. Alongside this DLC, the Japanese company has issued a new update that thankfully fixes one really annoying performance issue that plagued this title.
>> And it also brings the '98 costumes.

Star Citizen developer comments on real-time ray tracing; “a massive headache”, “might give us subtle improvements”
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/star-citizen-developer-comments-on-real-time-ray-tracing-a-massive-headache-might-give-us-subtle-improvements/
Since real-time ray tracing is the hottest thing these days, some PC gamers wanted to know whether ths highly anticipated space opera game, Star Citizen, will support it. And while we don’t have any confirmation yet, Cloud Imperium’s Ben Parry has shared his thoughts regarding this new tech.

Yakuza Kiwami 4K PC Screenshots Gallery
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/yakuza-kiwami-4k-pc-screenshots-gallery/
Yakuza Kiwami releases in a couple of days on the PC and below you can find some 4K screenshots from it. In order to capture these screenshots, we used our NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080Ti graphics card (and we’ve included MSI Afterburner in order to give you an idea of the in-game performance).

Was Metro Exodus downgraded? E3 2017 trailer vs Final/Release version Comparison Videos
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/was-metro-exodus-downgraded-e3-2017-trailer-vs-final-release-version-comparison-videos/
Metro Exodus has just been released and a lot of gamers have been wondering whether the game has been downgraded from its E3 2017 reveal trailer. And while we haven’t reached the outdoor level that was showcased in the E3 2017 reveal trailer, we’ve decided to share below two videos that compare the final version of the game with its E3 2017 build.

Monday news, the long (and full of Anthem articles) part two:

Every new Steel Division 2 Axis division revealed
https://www.pcgamer.com/every-new-steel-division-2-axis-division-revealed/
Last week, we revealed all the Soviet divisions Eugen has designed for Steel Division 2, so this week it's the opposition's turn. Germany is looking to put a stop to the Soviets' march through Belarus, which is easier said than done with facing an opponent more than four times larger. Historically, the German line was demolished by the Soviet assault, but in Steel Division 2, the Axis can still field plenty of experienced, well-equipped troops.

Fortnite is being ripped apart by earthquakes
https://www.pcgamer.com/fortnite-is-being-ripped-apart-by-earthquakes/
Earthquakes are creating huge cracks across Fortnite, heralding yet another disaster. I just don't think I'd keep visiting an island if it was constantly being assaulted by extra-dimensional invaders, magical monarchs and natural disasters. It's worse than Sunnydale.

Overwatch boss Jeff Kaplan didn't expect 'maining' to be so common
https://www.pcgamer.com/overwatch-boss-jeff-kaplan-didnt-expect-maining-to-be-so-common/
An Overwatch "main" is a character that you play primarily or exclusively, regardless of mode or circumstance. If your team desperately needs a Genji, for instance, but you insist on taking a Moira anyway, then you're probably a Moira main. It's not necessarily the best way to play, because it limits your flexibility and thus your situational usefulness, but it's common.

AFL-CIO, North America's largest union group, calls for game industry unionization
https://www.pcgamer.com/afl-cio-north-americas-largest-union-group-calls-for-game-industry-unionization/
Calls to unionize the game development industry aren't new—the "EA Spouse" controversy dates back to 2004—but the effort has picked up steam over the past several months, driven by stories of "death march" crunch and abusive working conditions at major studios.

Underworld Ascendant devs overhaul world structure, story and quest design
https://www.pcgamer.com/underworld-ascendant-devs-overhaul-world-structure-story-and-quest-design/
Underworld Ascendant was a disaster. "Riddled with bugs and bizarre mechanics, Underworld Ascendant is a bafflingly poor debut from OtherSide Entertainment" was how Rick put it in his 25/100 review, and since release in November the development team has been trying to fix what is essentially a broken game. The second major update, released this week, completely remodels the world structure and adds new stories, to the point where OtherSide encourages you to start a new game to see what's changed.

Minecraft players are watching movies on in-game TVs after latest update
https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-players-are-watching-movies-on-in-game-tvs-after-latest-update/
Minecraft's latest snapshot update, 19w07a, allows players to create animated paintings, paving the way for widescreen TVs showing full-length films.
The update breaks paintings up into individual textures, and players have been using that to show video footage of varying quality. The smoothest example is this one from user destruc7i0n, which I've clipped above. They were able to stitch together different paintings to show a high-quality copy of the Gravity Falls intro.

Two cars from Final Fantasy 15 are coming to Forza Horizon 4
https://www.pcgamer.com/two-cars-from-final-fantasy-15-are-coming-to-forza-horizon-4/
The Regalia—the sweet ride the lads from Final Fantasy 15 cruise around the countryside in—is spreading across videogames like some kind of automotive virus. It was added to Forza Horizon 3 last year, it's coming to Final Fantasy 14 as part of a crossover quest, and now it's being added to Forza Horizon 4.

Soulcalibur 6 announces next DLC fighter
https://www.pcgamer.com/soulcalibur-6-announces-next-dlc-fighter/
So far Soulcalibur 6 has introduced Geralt from The Witcher and 2B from Nier: Automata, but Bandai Namco announced at the Evo Japan tournament the next DLC character will be one returning from earlier games in the series: Amy Sorel. Amy goes way back, having first appeared in the intro of Soulcalibur 2, though she only became playable in Soulcalibur 3. An orphan who was adopted by master fencer Raphael, she was turned into a vampire briefly because of course she was. (She got better.)

Tekken 7 will add Julia Chang and The Walking Dead's Negan this month
https://www.pcgamer.com/tekken-7-will-add-julia-chang-and-the-walking-deads-negan-this-month/
Tekken 7's next two DLC fighters, series favourite Julia Chang and The Walking Dead's Negan, will both arrive on February 28, Bandai Namco has announced.
It's unusual for two DLC characters to arrive at once, something the development team makes light of at the end of the trailer, above. "You the developers?" asks Negan, as he leers over producer Katsuhiro Harada. "The ones that pull that shit releasing characters one at a time? You're going to put me in the next update, right Harada?"

Rainbow Six Siege Year 4 roadmap revealed, new operators and 3 map reworks detailed
https://www.pcgamer.com/rainbow-six-siege-roadmap-2019/
Ubisoft has revealed the roadmap for Year 4 of Rainbow Six Siege, which includes new operators from Demnark, Peru, Kenya and India, as well as reworks to the Kafe, Kanal and Theme Park maps.
>> And here's how the aussie operators' gadgets work.

PlanetSide Arena delayed again, pre-orders refunded
https://www.pcgamer.com/planetside-arena-delayed-again-pre-orders-refunded/
PlanetSide Arena adapts the MMO shooter into a match-based format, with a battle royale mode as well as 250v250 team battles. It was supposed to launch on January 29, but just a few days before that date, Daybreak Game Company announced that it was delayed until March. After a closed beta, Daybreak has again decided to postpone Arena's launch, this time until the summer, when it'll also release on PS4.

Deck of Ashes looks like a Darkest Dungeon card game
https://www.pcgamer.com/deck-of-ashes-looks-like-a-darkest-dungeon-card-game/
If we're going to toss games together, Darkest Dungeon and Slay the Spire sounds like a combination I can get behind. Deck of Ashes bears a pretty strong resemblance to the former, but with Slay the Spire's card-based combat. Check out the trailer above.

And now, all the Anthem news:

EA reveals more about Anthem's first major update
https://www.pcgamer.com/ea-reveals-more-about-anthems-first-major-update/
Electronic Arts has revealed a little bit more about what it has in mind for the post-launch future of Anthem, which will see the expanded and enhanced by three new "acts." The first, set to go live in March, is called Echoes of Reality, and will be made up of three separate updates: Evolving World, Stronger Together, and The Cataclysm.
>> And the PC controls will be updated this week.

EA has addressed Anthem connection problems for 'some' players
https://www.pcgamer.com/anthem-connection-issues/
EA has acknowledged that some players are having issues connecting to Anthem's servers, and says it's working on a fix as quickly as possible. The game went live for Origin Access Premier users about an hour ago—while I personally encountered one brief server error screen, since then I've logged in and out twice as a test without any issues. Likewise, none of my PC Gamer colleagues—who were already logged into the game—have had any trouble. So it's hard to tell how widespread these issues are.
Update: EA says it's been fixed.

Respawn and Chappie's creator keen for Apex Legends tie-in
https://www.pcgamer.com/respawn-and-chappies-creator-keen-for-apex-legends-collaboration/
Apex Legends already has one loveable robot, Pathfinder, but there's plenty of room for another. Ever since release, fans have been asking film director Neill Blomkamp whether his own robot creation Chappie, star of the 2015 sci-fi film of the same name, could ever make an appearance in the battle royale game. Yesterday he gave an answer: he's keen, and so is Respawn's CEO Vince Zampella.

Anthem bug sends low level players into the final mission
https://www.pcgamer.com/anthem-bug-sends-low-level-players-into-the-final-mission/
It hasn't taken players very long to reach Anthem's final mission, some less than others. A quickplay bug is reportedly sending low level players into Anthem's climactic battle, just a wee bit underprepared.

More than 16,000 Apex Legends cheaters banned in first ten days
https://www.pcgamer.com/more-than-16000-apex-legend-cheaters-banned-in-its-first-ten-days/
Respawn has banned more than 16,000 Apex Legends cheaters since the battle royale game launched on February 5, it said in a Reddit post yesterday.
It didn't break that figure down by platform, so we don't know how many of those cheaters are on PC. I haven't run into any obvious cheaters yet, but clearly they exist—and Respawn is encouraging more players to flag up anything suspicious.

Anthem's cutscene bugs are hilarious and horrifying
https://www.pcgamer.com/anthems-cutscene-bugs-are-hilarious-and-horrifying/
Anthem has a story that involves normal, healthy people, but I wouldn't know because I'm trying to erase it all from my memory. During a few cutscenes, I encountered some bugs that range from extremely funny to extremely traumatic, with bodies disappearing or contorting into terrible shapes Lovecraft would cower from.

Apex Legends dataminers uncover a survival mode and hover tanks
https://www.pcgamer.com/apex-legends-dataminers-uncover-a-survival-mode-and-hover-tanks/
Diligent dataminers continue to root out all of Apex Legends' secrets. Along with the possibility of solo and duo modes, it looks like a survival mode could also be on the horizon.

Besides making the games they are currently making, what else are they supposed to do, to definitely stop Epic from doing what they are currently doing?, because I don't want this console war bullcrap being brought to PC, so I'm going to ened a definite solution to that issue, that doesn't involve playing Epic's game. 

I know people want a new HL episode, but the writers are gone, the dream is dead. Another TF2 won't fly that much since we've seen what OW has done, what Apex is doing. We don't need another clone, we don't need another trend setter that copies the same trends, but tries to slightly do something different. I want a completely brand new experience from them, not another clone, not another super late sequel either. 

If Valve started Developing Half Life 3+Portal 3+Left 4 Dead 3+Counterstrike 3+Team Fortress 3 all at once... I doubt Epic would have an appropriate counter... But that's a pipe dream I guess.

Valve has the cash to build up it's development studios... And hopefully the competition from Epic gives them the motivation to do so... It would be a massive win for PC gaming.

But I am 100% with you. Only games I am grabbing from the Epic store are the free titles anyway.

mmn, I dunno, I dislike the idea that we as a group, voice our dislike for beating the dead cow, yet turn around when it's our fave series and wanting it spammed.

Again, the writers for HL are gone, I really don't want fans writing up canon lore, or making it the default of the series, and I definitely don't want new writers coming in and erasing lore (we've seen it across so many mediums over the decades, from comics, to books, to movies and other games, and it will happen with HL if new writers came in and I don't want that).

It's a pipe dream, but not exactly a brand new and unique one either. 

Valve still has dev studios and they acquired Campo the previous year. They were working on games before Epic began this console wars bullcrap, and I imagine they will carry on as such.

Come on pem, you know Epic's little game is disgusting, surely you see this as a fixed game?. Valve doesn't play by their game, so why should they?. 

I don't even see Epic's "free" games as even being a thing, not when we've got some over on humble bundle, GoG and at certain times, Steam itself. Those games they give out for free are mostly game I've owned years ago or recently on Steam itself. It's only really a selling point to people who hardly use or buy from Steam/anywhere else. Besides, EA stopped their OTH program some time ago, and I can easily imagine Epic doing it once the Honeymoon stage is over, so really, the free games period was never indefinite and more of a "here's a crappy coupon for a few days" kind of gig. If they kept the deal going on for years and years, then they would hold something unique over the competition, but they likely won't, because money, the same money we say Valve is holding onto.