These are the Friday news... or that's what they're supposed to be. With the site being down, I don't know when they'll be posted .
*Edit*: Well, now I know: about two hours later than usual.

SALES & DEALS

On the Humble Store, there are two three new sales:

• There's a Magicka Sale, with up to 75% discounts for the next 3 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/magicka-sale/
• And there's a Cryengine Sale, with up to 75% deals for the next 3 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/cryengine-sale/
• And Ubisoft games go on sale for a week, with up to 90% discounts: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/ubisoft-week/

And at Fanatical, there are 3 new deals:

• The Star Deal is the Devil May Cry Bundle, 56% off for the next 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/devil-may-cry-bundle
• The Something for the Weekend bundle is the Lore Bundle, with 5 games at an amazing 96% discount for the next 14 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/lore-bundle
• And the Dreamcast Collection is on sale, 75% off for the next 13 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/dreamcast-collection-new

SOFTWARE/DRIVERS

AMD Radeon Adrenalin 2019 Edition 19.3.2 optimized for The Division 2, adds DX12 support for Windows 7
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/amd-radeon-adrenalin-2019-edition-19-3-2-optimized-for-the-division-2-adds-dx12-support-for-windows-7/
AMD has released a brand new driver for its graphics cards. According to the release notes, the AMD Radeon Adrenalin 2019 Edition 19.3.2 driver is optimized for The Division 2, improves performance in Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm and adds DX12 support for Windows 7.
Going into more details, this new driver improves average performance by up to 4% in Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm on AMD Radeon VII, and adds DirectX 12 on Windows 7 for supported game titles (only WoW currently supports DX12 on Windows 7).
>> Available from here.

PC gamers report that Epic launcher collects their Steam friends & play history, Epic Games responds
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/pc-gamers-report-epic-launcher-collecting-their-steam-friends-play-history-epic-responds/
A few hours ago, Resetera’s member ‘Madjoki’ discovered that Epic Launcher collecting players’ Steam friends and play history. Going into more details, Madjoki found out that Epic Games Launcher on start up searches for Steam install and proceeds to get list of files in your Steam Cloud. This also includes game saves for every user that has logged in on your PC.
(...)
Epic Games has responded to these accusations, stating that it only imports your Steam friends with your explicit permission. Here is Epic’s full response.

Epic Store development roadmap includes achievements, cloud saves and more
https://www.pcgamer.com/epic-games-store-development-roadmap-includes-achievements-cloud-saves-and-more/
The Epic Games Store is a barebones affair, and that's putting it politely—you can buy games but that's about it. Things are gradually changing though: a search function was added last week (rejoice), and pre-loads are finally possible. And there's plenty more to come.
Epic Games released its development roadmap on Trello earlier today, delivering our first proper look at the timeframe for new features. According to the chart, user reviews, wishlists, play time tracking and mod support will all roll out within the next six months, as well as new payment options, additional currencies and an Epic Games overlay.

Valve brings back game streaming with Steam Link Anywhere
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/valve-brings-back-game-streaming-with-steam-link-anywhere/
As the dream of cloud-based gaming comes closer to becoming a reality, Valve has gained new enthusiasm for the idea of players accessing their bountiful Steam libraries while being away from their PC’s. While the company swiftly killed off production of the original Steam Link box and controller in November of 2018, they have been working in secret on a software implementation of the same concept in the form of Steam Link Anywhere.
The idea of this application is that your stunning gaming PC will have the capacity to become an online-based streaming machine. By installing the Steam Link Anywhere app onto you Android, Raspberry Pi or even Steam Link device, you might soon be able to access any game installed in your Steam client.

Microsoft is adapting Xbox Live's matchmaking and chat features for PC and other platforms
https://www.pcgamer.com/microsoft-is-adapting-xbox-lives-matchmaking-and-chat-features-for-pc-and-other-platforms/
This morning, Microsoft announced a new game developer-focused initiative that brings its already existing game-development platforms, tools, and services under a single ecosystem called Game Stack. Those services include Azure, DirectX, Visual Studio, Xbox Live, App Center, Havok, and others, including PlayFab, a complete backend for building and operating live, multiplayer games. Microsoft's goal with bundling all those services together (which are also available still à la carte) is to make it easier for developers to continually monitor their games' performance and communities, which can mean better game experiences for players.
This initiative also means that Microsoft's Azure cloud, which is already available in 54 regions globally, plays a critical role in Game Stack. The global scale of Azure will be the foundation for Project xCloud streaming technology, so developers will have the ability to reach any gamer around the world, regardless of what device they may be gaming on. Cloud gaming is already starting to make PC gaming more accessible, and combining something like PlayFab with Azure only increases cross-platform possibilities within Microsoft's gaming network.

MODS/EMULATORS

-empty-

GAMING NEWS

Total War: THREE KINGDOMS Official PC System Requirements
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/total-war-three-kingdoms-official-pc-system-requirements/
SEGA and Creative Assembly have revealed the official PC system requirements for Total War: THREE KINGDOMS. Creative Assembly has also listed some of the graphical features that the game supports and confirmed that THREE KINGDOMS will not support Crossfire or SLI systems.

First gameplay footage revealed for Windjammers 2
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/first-gameplay-footage-revealed-for-windjammers-2/
DotEmu has released the first gameplay trailer for Windjammers 2. Windjammers 2 promises to combine everything fans love about the classic title with entirely hand-drawn 2D animations to create the ultimate windjamming experience.

Fade to Silence will leave Early Access and will be fully released on April 30th
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/fade-to-silence-will-leave-early-access-and-will-be-fully-released-on-april-30th/
Black Forest Games has announced that Fade to Silence will leave Early Access on the PC on April 30th. Fade to Silence is a survival game in which players take the role of Ash, a natural but tormented leader. In that role players explore a post-apocalyptic, frozen wasteland to gather the resources necessary to establish a refuge for survival.

Green Hell Version 1.0 releases in Summer 2019, will be now using the Unity 2018 Engine
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/green-hell-version-1-0-releases-in-summer-2019-will-be-now-using-the-unity-2018-engine/
Creepy Jar has announced that Green Hell’s ‘1.0 Story Mode’ has been delayed to Summer 2019. As the press release reads, the development team has decided that in order to continue to deliver the best experience possible that a short delay is in order.

Crytek showcases real-time ray tracing in CRYENGINE with its Neon Noir tech demo
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/crytek-showcases-real-time-ray-tracing-in-cryengine-with-its-neon-noir-tech-demo/
Crytek has released a new video demonstrating the results of a CRYENGINE research and development project. Neon Noir shows how real-time mesh ray-traced reflections and refractions can deliver highly realistic visuals for games.
>> It looks very good.

It's fairly good. Might want to pack in an extra SSD or HDD for gaming, though.

Friday news, part two:

A new Vault door has appeared in Fallout 76, but it's missing a number
https://www.pcgamer.com/a-new-vault-door-has-appeared-in-fallout-76-but-its-missing-a-number/
Fallout 76's Wild Appalachia update has begun its long spring rollout, where over the next several months on a semi-weekly basis new features, quests, and other content will be sprinkled into Bethesda's multiplayer RPG. As we saw in the trailer when the the first patch arrived yesterday, there are going to be some new underground areas coming to Fallout 76. It's possible some of these areas may accessed through Vaults, and at least one new Vault door has already appeared since the update dropped yesterday.

Hearthstone's next set is Rise of Shadows, see the first cards now
https://www.pcgamer.com/hearthstones-next-set-is-rise-of-shadows-see-the-first-cards-now/
Hearthstone's bad guys are sick of the merciless beatdown that has been handed to them over the last few years, and are now teaming up for revenge in Rise of Shadows. Due out on April 9, the new expansion includes 135 cards, and will launch alongside the annual rotation of the Standard format, which sees several older sets restricted to use in the Wild mode. At the same time, a number of problematic cards will be sent to live out their days upstate in the Hall of Fame, where Sylvanas runs a not-at-all sinister farm.

Sniper Elite 5, Sniper Elite VR and Sniper Elite V2 Remastered announced
https://www.pcgamer.com/sniper-elite-5-sniper-elite-vr-and-sniper-elite-v2-remastered-announced/
Rebellion dropped a lot of Sniper Elite news in its 2019 development update today. Not only did it confirm that Sniper Elite 5 is in development, it announced a remastered version of Sniper Elite V2 and a standalone Sniper Elite for VR devices. Check out the remaster in action above.

Northgard gets game-changing relics in a free update
https://www.pcgamer.com/northgard-gets-game-changing-relics-in-a-free-update/
Viking RTS Northgard received a meaty update today, introducing powerful artefacts that can buff your clan. They're accompanied by an expanded crafting system, along with changes to tool mechanics and the forge, which is where your smiths will be working away to make your fancy relics. It's live now.

The buildings are alive in the strange city management sim Buildings Have Feelings Too
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-buildings-are-alive-in-the-strange-city-management-sim-buildings-have-feelings-too/
City simulators have been around for decades, and while they run the gamut from massive metropolises to tiny hamlets whose inhabitants are able to heap scorn upon your managerial incompetence on a one-on-one basis, they all have the same underlying goal: Keep your people happy. But what about the buildings?

Plunder an airship in free stealth game Skyrogue
https://www.pcgamer.com/plunder-an-airship-in-free-stealth-game-skyrogue/
Though it was made for this year's 7-Day Roguelike Challenge, there's very little roguelike DNA in DragonXVI's Skyrogue, and that's fine, because it's a satisfying turn-based sneaking game instead. Across five (seemingly handmade) levels, you have to relieve a moving airship of its many glittering gems and gold nuggets, avoiding guards and their blasted sight lines as you go.

A Year of Rain is a co-op RTS with a competitive streak
https://www.pcgamer.com/a-year-of-rain-is-a-co-op-rts-with-a-competitive-streak/
First-time RTS developer Daedelic Entertainment, best known for its point-and-click adventure games, has set itself a bit of a challenge with A Year of Rain. It's a co-op RTS where players control hero-led armies across a campaign and skirmishes, and it's already gunning for a slice of the esports pie.

Make friends with mutants in this soap opera adventure game
https://www.pcgamer.com/mutazione-announced/
Mutants don't always live in ruined buildings or lurk in ruined labs; sometimes they hang out in an old holiday resort, watching bad TV or hitting up the local club with their mutant pals. That's the kind of mutants you can expect to hang out with and befriend in soap opera-style adventure game Mutazione.

No Man's Sky Beyond promises dramatic changes to multiplayer this summer
https://www.pcgamer.com/no-mans-sky-beyond-promises-dramatic-changes-to-multiplayer-this-summer/
Few games can boast such a big turnaround as No Man's Sky. Falling short of expectations at launch, in part thanks to marketing, but also because it was kinda dull, developer Hello Games has since transformed it into an engaging, busy space sim that finally lives up to its grand ambitions. But it's not done. No Man's Sky Beyond is the next chapter in the cosmic adventure, and it should be the largest one yet.

Half-Life headcrabs have infested Two Point Hospital's free weekend
https://www.pcgamer.com/half-life-headcrabs-have-infested-two-point-hospitals-free-weekend/
Two Point Hospital, normally a bastion of cleanliness, has unfortunately become infested with Half-Life headcrabs. They're not the only things sneaking in from other games, either. Total War: Three Kingdoms, the Endless series and Football Manager 19 have all inspired objects that you can now plonk down inside your hospital.
>> And it's 33% off if you want to keep playing after the free weekend.

Black Ops 4 DLC maps are free for the weekend
https://www.pcgamer.com/black-ops-4-dlc-maps-are-free-for-the-weekend/
Every Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 DLC map is free to play this weekend, if you're yet to shell out for the season pass. Elevation, Madagascar, Casino and Lockup will all be available for a test fight across all platforms.
Unfortunately, this also serves as a reminder that it's 2019 and publishers like Activision are still splitting their games' communities by charging an additional £40/$50 to be able to get access to all the maps. 12 will be released eventually, but only four have appeared so far.

Let's check now the GOG and Steam deals for the weekend:

+GOG

• The first one is the weekly sale, with up to 80% discounts: https://www.gog.com/promo/20190311_weekly_sale
• Next comes the Midweek Sale, available until tomorrow with up to 90% deals: https://www.gog.com/promo/20190313_midweek_sale
• And lastly, the weekend sale, Just Have Fun, also with up to 90% discounts: https://www.gog.com/promo/20190315_weekend_sale

+Steam

• The first daily is the Early Access game Amazing Frog?, 25% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/332570/Amazing_Frog/
• The other "daily", that will last until Monday, is Faeria, that's free to try and 50% off if you like it: https://store.steampowered.com/app/397060/Faeria/
• Europa Universalis IV is 75% off during the weekend, and most DLCs 50%: https://store.steampowered.com/app/236850/Europa_Universalis_IV/
• To celebrate the SXSW Gaming festival, there's a Texas Sale, with games made at Texas up to 75% cheaper: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/sxsw-texas-sale-2019
• SEGA is the star of the publisher weekend sale, with up to 90% discounts until March 21st: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/sega_publisher_weekend/
• And of course, there's still the weeklong deals.

And that's all. Have a happy and gaming weekend.

Haswell chip if it's a V3. 3.5Ghz.
It would hold it's own, but it will start showing it's age going forward due to only being a quaddy. In saying that... It probably has years of life left in it if you keep your expectations in check.

The Monday news:

SALES & DEALS

GOG's weekly sale is Trinkets and gizmos, brings up to 90% discounts: https://www.gog.com/promo/20190318_weekly_sale

At Steam, there's only one daily deal: Pummel Party is 34% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/880940/Pummel_Party/

And at Fanatical,

• The Star Deal is The Jackbox Quintpack, with the 5 Jackbox games with a 55% discount for the next 24 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/the-jackbox-quintpack
• Deadlight is the game from the dollar deal: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/deadlight
• Tales from Candlekeep - Complete Bundle is 85% off for the next 14 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/tales-from-candlekeep-complete-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

Tim Sweeney, founder of Epic Games, comments on current and future Epic Store exclusive games
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/tim-sweeney-founder-of-epic-games-comments-current-and-future-epic-store-exclusive-games/
In a series of tweets and Reddit posts, Tim Sweeney, the founder of Epic Games, has commented on the Epic Store exclusive games (that have so far caused a lot of controversy). According to Sweeney, Valve has every right to negotiate free or exclusive distribution deals with developers and believes that companies choosing to partner together openly and exchange money or other benefits isn’t bribery.

Valve takes steps against Steam review bombs
https://www.pcgamer.com/valve-takes-steps-against-steam-review-bombs/
A 'review bomb' is a sudden influx of a large number of negative user reviews of a game, usually regardless of its actual quality, intended to discredit or punish its developer or publisher. Metro 2033 and Last Light are recent high-profile examples: Steam users who were unhappy with Deep Silver's decision to make Metro Exodus an Epic Store exclusive dropped thousands of negative reviews on its predecessors, enough to negatively impact their overall user ratings.
It's an inherent flaw in user review systems—although some see it as a feature—that can set game makers against their audiences: "Players value reviews highly, and want us to ensure they're accurate and trustworthy," as Valve said in a new Steam blog post. "Developers understand that they're valuable to players, but want to feel like they're being treated fairly."
>> Oh, and Valve isn't too happy about the Epic Store copying their data.

You can now buy games straight from a developer's Discord server
https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-now-buy-games-straight-from-a-developers-discord-chat-server/
Developers can now sell games to players directly through their own Discord chat servers, following the latest update to the platform.
Devs can create a "store channel" within their server where players can click to buy games, in a change that will allow them to "avoid the friction and cost of a traditional storefront by selling directly to their community", the company said in a blog post this week.

MODS/EMULATORS

New official RPCS3 video shows major improvements in Uncharted, Ni No Kuni, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 & more
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-official-rpcs3-video-shows-major-improvements-in-uncharted-ni-no-kuni-ninja-gaiden-sigma-2-more/
The team behind the best emulator for Playstation 3, RPCS3, has released a brand new video showing some of the major improvements and changes that the team has implemented from December and January.
According to the team, performance improvements from Nekotekina’s Approximate Xfloat implementation (as seen in the previous GoW 3 video) continue to impress as Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, Ni No Kuni, Sly Cooper Thieves in Time and Uncharted see a big performance uplift. Meanwhile, kd-11 continues to make a slew of graphical improvements and Ruipin implements audio buffering.

This mod brings Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid to Resident Evil 2 Remake
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/this-mod-brings-solid-snake-from-metal-gear-solid-to-resident-evil-2-remake/
Metal Gear Solid and Resident Evil 2 fans, here is something for you today. Modder ‘SirLumberjackie’ has released a new mod for Resident Evil 2 Remake that brings Solid Snake from the original Playstation version of Metal Gear Solid to it.
As you may have guessed, this is a simple 3D model swap that basically changes Leon’s model with the one used for Solid Snake in the original MGS game. According to the modder, Solid Snake’s head may look a little “squished” when turning and this issue may never be fixed (as it is too much of a hassle to bother fixing it).
>> Interested? Get it from Nexus Mods.

Star Wars: Dark Forces fan remake in Unreal Engine 4 from Obsidian Entertainment’s artist available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/star-wars-dark-forces-fan-remake-in-unreal-engine-4-from-obsidian-entertainments-artist-available-for-download/
Back in February 2018, we shared some screenshots from an upcoming fan remake of Star Wars: Dark Forces in Unreal Engine 4. Created by Obsidian Entertainment’s senior environment artist, Jason Lewis, this remake aimed to recreate the first level from the game in Epic’s engine. And we are happy to report today that this map is available for download.
As with most fan remakes, this map does not feature any enemies and is just a map recreation. Still, the attention to detail is incredible and shows what a modern-day take on that classic shooter could have looked like.
>> You can download it from here.

GAMING NEWS

Free to play version of Dead or Alive 6, Core Fighters, is now available for download on Steam
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/free-to-play-version-of-dead-or-alive-6-core-fighters-is-now-available-for-download-on-steam/
KOEI Tecmo has just released a free to play version of Dead or Alive 6 on Steam. According to its description, Dead or Alive 6 Core Fighters offers fighting game fans a limited look into the world of DOA6, including four base characters which are Kasumi, Hitomi, Diego, and Bass, as well as online ranked battles, Versus, Arcade, Time Attack, Training, and Quest modes.
>> Here's the Steam page.

Russia 2055 – Pre-Alpha Teaser Demo is now available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/russia-2055-pre-alpha-teaser-demo-is-now-available-for-download/
As promised, Invictus Volition has released a pre-alpha teaser demo for Russia 2055. Russia 2055 is described as a prologue to a game called Battle A.E. (Battle After Earth), featuring visuals that impressed all gamers when it was initially unveiled.

Bioware responds to Anthem’s loot drop controversy with latest update
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/bioware-responds-to-anthems-loot-drop-controversy-with-latest-patch/
A few days ago, we wrote that a subset of Anthem players were threatening to boycott the game should Bioware fail to address the unsatisfactory manner in which rare loot items were being dropped. In response, Bioware has since implemented an update for Anthemwhich increases the chances for players to receive ‘Masterwork’ and ‘Legendary’ loot items.

Supernova Capital LLP has acquired the creators of Shadow Warrior, Flying Wild Hog
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/supernova-capital-llp-has-acquired-the-creators-of-shadow-warrior-flying-wild-hog/
Supernova Capital LLP has announced the acquisition of Flying Wild Hog. According to the press release, in 2017, Paul Wedgwood sold Splash Damage in a deal worth up to $160m to Hong Kong listed company Leyou. In 2018, after 17 years at the helm, Paul stepped down as CEO of Splash Damage and founded Supernova Capital LLP.
>> So he quit, sold the studio, founded another company and has now bought his studio back? Weird.

God Eater 3 patch 1.20 adds new Aragami, Certification Mission, Skin Tones, NPC costumes and more
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/god-eater-3-patch-1-20-adds-new-aragami-certification-mission-skin-tones-npc-costumes-and-more/
Bandai Namco has released a new major patch for God Eater 3. According to the release notes, patch 1.20 adds a new Aragami called Amen-Ra, new Skin Tones for your Character, Certification Mission, password Protection for your Assault Missions and new NPC costumes.

The Sims 4 will drop support for 32bit operating systems in June 2019
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/the-sims-4-will-drop-support-for-32bit-operating-systems-in-june-2019/
Electronic Arts has announced that The Sims 4 will drop support for 32bit operating systems in June 2019. Now while the main branch will be only supporting 64bit systems in June 2019 and onwards, PC gamers that still game on 32bit systems will be able to download a legacy version for it.

First official screenshots released for Sniper Elite V2 Remastered
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/first-official-screenshots-released-for-sniper-elite-v2-remastered/
Rebellion has released the first official screenshots for the upcoming remaster of Sniper Elite V2. These first screenshots showcase some of the visual and graphical changes that Rebellion has made to its third-person shooter.

Blood Remaster rumoured to be releasing in April 2019
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/blood-remaster-rumoured-to-be-released-in-april-2019/
Back in December 2018 we informed you about a remastered version of Blood that is currently being developed by Nightdive Studios. And according to a deleted tweet, this remaster will be releasing next month.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection – Halo Reach PC test almost ready to go, sign ups open
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/halo-the-master-chief-collection-halo-reach-pc-test-almost-ready-to-go-sign-ups-open/
At the SXSW Halo tournament, Microsoft revealed some new information about the PC version of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. According to the publisher, the PC test for Halo Reach, the first game that will come out on the PC, is almost ready to go and the sign ups for Halo Insider are currently open.

System Shock 3 is halfway completed, Starbreeze no longer attached to this project
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/system-shock-3-is-halfway-completed-starbreeze-no-longer-attached-to-this-project/
OtherSide Entertainment has announced that, in light of Starbreeze’s current situation, the two studios decided together that it would be best for them to go their separate ways. As such, Starbreeze is no longer attached to this project.

RICO is a new action movie first-person shooter that is available on Steam
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/rico-is-a-new-action-movie-first-person-shooter-that-is-available-on-steam/
Ground Shatter and Rising Star Games have released a brand new action movie first-person shooter on Steam, called RICO. In RICO, players take the role of a loose cannon police detective and face off against criminal gangs in procedurally-generated levels.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice gets an official gameplay overview trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/sekiro-shadows-die-twice-gets-an-official-gameplay-overview-trailer/
Activision and FromSoftware have released a brand new gameplay trailer for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. As its title suggests, this new trailer showcases some of the gameplay features that FromSoftware has implemented in this new third-person action adventure title.

New gameplay trailer released for Avalanche’s open world title, Generation Zero
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-gameplay-trailer-released-for-avalanches-open-world-title-generation-zero/
THQ Nordic has released a new gameplay trailer for Avalanche’s new title, Generation Zero; an explosive game of cat and mouse set in a vast open world. In this reimagining of 1980s Sweden, hostile machines have invaded the serene countryside, and players need to fight back while unravelling the mystery of what is really going on.

First screenshots from the rumoured Vampire: The Masquerade game from Paradox Interactive
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/first-screenshots-from-the-rumoured-vampire-the-masquerade-game-from-paradox-interactive/
Paradox Interactive has released the first screenshots and artworks from what appears to be a new Vampire: The Masquerade game. Although we don’t know much, Paradox Interactive has launched an ARG and will reveal more details about its project on March 21st.

The Monday news, part two:

EA survey finds majority of players want games to be more inclusive
https://www.pcgamer.com/ea-survey-finds-majority-of-players-want-games-to-be-more-inclusive/
A study made by EA's Global Consumer Insights team has found that 56 percent of 2,252 survey participants consider it important for companies to make their games more inclusive. 31 percent were "neutral" on the matter, and 13 percent said that inclusion was "not important". The survey was sent out in May last year, and targeted "decision makers in entertainment purchases" with an age range of 13-54.

Phoenix Point developer addresses Epic Games Store criticism
https://www.pcgamer.com/phoenix-point-developer-addresses-epic-games-store-criticism/
The Phoenix Point Reddit AMA was destined to be dominated by criticisms and questions about the recently announced Epic Games Store exclusivity deal. It's become par for the course for the mood to turn sour after these announcements. Julian Gollop used the opportunity to defend the decision and clarify a few misconceptions.

It's not every day a Japanese game from 1984 gets added to Steam
https://www.pcgamer.com/its-not-every-day-a-japanese-game-from-1984-gets-added-to-steam/
One of the first games I ever played as a kid was Montezuma's Revenge, an early 80s adventure platformer made for the Atari and various PCs. I spent a lot of time jumping over snakes and rolling skulls, and searching for keys to unlock color-coded doors. I'm reminded of it when I look at The Demon Crystal, a Japanese PC adventure game from around that same time. I wouldn't expect a 35-year-old game made in America to suddenly pop up for sale on Steam in 2019, much less one made half a world away, but here we are: The Demon Crystal is coming to PC on March 28. That's pretty cool!

Jump pads are appearing in Apex Legends
https://www.pcgamer.com/jump-pads-are-appearing-in-apex-legends/
The Apex Legends Battle Pass for Season 1 hasn't shown up yet, but Respawn appears to have jumped the gun with a small piece of its content. Jump pads—expected to be the ultimate ability of the new hero Octane—are starting to pop up in current games.
>> And here's how they work.

Beat Saber releases first paid DLC music pack
https://www.pcgamer.com/beat-saber-releases-first-paid-dlc-song-pack-contains-10-tracks/
Rhythm game Beat Saber, one of the best VR games around, has released its first paid DLC song pack—a collection of 10 tracks from Canadian electronic record label Monstercat.

Jump Force reveals 2019 roadmap, three DLC characters arriving May
https://www.pcgamer.com/jump-force-reveals-2019-roadmap-three-dlc-characters-coming-in-may/
Anime brawler Jump Force will get three new characters in a paid DLC in May, and another three in a second DLC pack in August, Bandai Namco has revealed.
On its 2019 update roadmap, the publisher revealed that May's DLC would add Seito Kaiba, one of the main characters from Yu-Gi-Oh!, alongside two other fighters. The DLC will also add "avatar costumes/skills". August's DLC is the same deal, but Bandai Namco didn't name any of the characters it will add.

Supergiant's RPG Pyre comes to Origin Access
https://www.pcgamer.com/supergiants-rpg-pyre-comes-to-origin-access/
Ever since EA opened the doors of Origin Access to other publishers last year, a steady stream of solid games have made their way to the service, which gives players access to a vault of more than 180 games for $30/£20 a year. The latest is Pyre, Supergiant Games' 2017 RPG-come-sports game, which is still worth playing today.

Rabbids easter egg found in Rainbow Six Siege
https://www.pcgamer.com/rabbids-easter-egg-found-in-rainbow-six-siege/
Ubisoft love to sneak references to their games into their other games. Far Cry New Dawn, to pick a recent example, contains nods to Splinter Cell, Assassin's Creed, and the rabbids who have gone from enemies in Rayman to somehow become Ubisoft's weird mascots. And now, players have found a reference to them in the new Rainbow Six Siege map as well.

Watch a new trailer for Gwent's Crimson Curse expansion
https://www.pcgamer.com/watch-a-new-trailer-for-gwents-crimson-curse-expansion/
One of the cool things about Gwent is how great its art is, especially on the premium animated cards, constantly in motion and writhing around. It's nice to see the latest trailer for its Crimson Curse expansion show off so much of this animated art, all gothic and blood-drenched. Knights charge, monsters roar, vampires wipe blood from their mouths.

Islanders is a minimal, chilled city builder out next month
https://www.pcgamer.com/islanders-is-a-minimal-chilled-city-builder-out-next-month/
If, like me, you like your city builders simple and relaxing then you should keep an eye on Islanders, which is coming to Steam on April 4.
This week's reveal trailer, above, is very charming indeed. Each building bounces as you plop it down, sending little gold hexagons flooding into your score wheel. The music is chilled and the pretty islands are compact, which should take all the stress out of planning the expansion of your city.

Dissidia Final Fantasy NT's free PC launch plagued by lag
https://www.pcgamer.com/dissidia-final-fantasy-nts-free-pc-launch-plagued-by-lag/
The release of a free-to-play Final Fantasy fighting game on PC should be cause for celebration—but it appears 3v3 brawler Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Free Edition is being plagued by online lag, which is ruining it for most players.

Stylish cyberpunk adventure Tales of the Neon Sea gets release date
https://www.pcgamer.com/stylish-cyberpunk-adventure-tales-of-the-neon-sea-gets-release-date/
Purely on the strength of its visuals, Tales of the Neon Sea is one of the games I'm most excited about for this year—its ultra-stylish cityscapes are packed with detail and, as we said in our preview of the games to watch in 2019, it looks like a 2D Cyberpunk 2077 "with a little bit of Blade Runner sleuthing thrown in". Chinese indie developer Palm Pioneer revealed its release date this week, and we don't have long to wait.

Capcom's Hideaki Itsuno wanted to resign after DmC: Devil May Cry, says Dante's voice actor (Updated)
https://www.pcgamer.com/capcoms-hideaki-itsuno-wanted-to-resign-after-dmc-devil-may-cry-according-to-dantes-voice-actor/
Hideaki Itsuno, director of the Devil May Cry series, wanted to resign from Capcom after DmC: Devil May Cry, according to the voice and motion capture actor for Dante.
Update: Capcom producer Matt Walker has claimed Hideaki Itsuno's desire to leave the studio after DmC: Devil May Cry had "nothing to do" with the game itself.
>> And DMC V's free Bloody Palace mode arrives on April 1st.

Gearbox tease another game, maybe involving Penn & Teller?
https://www.pcgamer.com/gearbox-tease-another-game-maybe-involving-penn-and-teller/
Gearbox has been tweeting a series cryptic images in the build-up to Pax East, leading to a lot of speculation about what games they'll be announcing. Signs point to Borderlands 3 for the first one of course, and the follow-up image could be from a sequel to We Happy Few? Maybe? That was followed by a pixelated screenshot of Maya from Borderlands 2, which might point at a Switch port, and the fourth image is something completely different: An ampersand. Specifically a red ampersand on a black background that looks suspiciously like part of the Penn & Teller logo.

Here's ten minutes worth of footage from Pathway, a tactical tomb-raiding adventure
https://www.pcgamer.com/heres-ten-minutes-worth-of-footage-from-pathway-a-tactical-tomb-raiding-adventure/
Pathway looks very cool: think Indiana Jones as a turn-based RPG, with an art style heavily reminiscent of recent favorite Wargroove. Jody interviewed its creators last year and I've been keeping an eye out for it since – it definitely boasts some of the best 16-bit inspired pixel art I've seen in recent times.

The Division 2 datamine digs up details on the first raid
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-division-2-datamine-digs-up-the-first-raid/
If you've had an especially fruitful weekend in The Division 2's post-apocalyptic capital, you're probably on the look out for some fresh challenges in the endgame. There's quite a bit to do once you hit level 30, as Samuel points out in his The Division 2 review-in-progress, but you'll need a wait a bit longer for the first raid, Dark Hours. A recent datamine, however, provides some potential hints about what you'll be doing.

Excuses Galore is a free anti-adventure where you just want to stay at home
https://www.pcgamer.com/excuses-galore-a-free-anti-adventure-where-you-just-want-to-stay-at-home/
As nice as it is to see people, and do things, I definitely understand the urge to stay inside your cosy, familiar home instead. Excuses Galore! is a richly varying text adventure where you have to avoid, brush off, or otherwise deter your many friends, who insist on wanting to see you, for some reason.

Notmycar is a vehicular battle royale, coming soon
https://www.pcgamer.com/notmycar-is-a-vehicular-battle-royale-coming-soon/
Notmycar is providing an important service for anyone who has played PUBG and thought "this would be better if we were all cars". Up to 100 cars are dropped onto the battlefield, and they've got to gear up and murder the competition. It sounds as great as the new trailer is obnoxious. And it's pretty obnoxious.

***CONTEST***

HEXUS is doing another contest/competition:

https://hexus.net/tech/features/storage/128426-win-toshiba-ssd-bundle/

This contest is GLOBAL.

Tuesday news, with a strong emphasys on yesterday's GDC announcements:

SALES & DEALS

Steam has a new daily deal and, of course, the weeklong deals:

• The daily deal, that will last 48 hours, is Silence, 50% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/314790/Silence/
• Unforeseen Incidents is 30% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/501790/Unforeseen_Incidents/
• Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 is half its price: https://store.steampowered.com/app/368070/Sniper_Ghost_Warrior_3/
• Silver is 67% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/606680/Silver/
• BIOSHOCK: THE COLLECTION is 75% off: https://store.steampowered.com/sub/127633/
• And The Stronghold Collection gets a 80% discount: https://store.steampowered.com/app/901735/The_Stronghold_Collection/

On the Humble Store there are two new sales:

• DOVETAIL GAMES MORE (MARCH) MADNESS SALE, features up to 75% discounts for the next 7 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/dovetail-games-march-madness/
• And there's also a Rockstar Week sale, that will last 12 days... anyway, the discounts can reach the 75% mark: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/rockstar-week/

And at Fanatical, the new Star Deal is Hitman Game of the Year Edition, 81% off for the next 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/hitman-game-of-the-year-edition

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

NVIDIA will enable real-time ray tracing for its GTX 10XX graphics cards via DXR in April
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nvidia-will-enable-real-time-ray-tracing-to-its-gtx-10xx-graphics-cards-via-dxr-in-april/
NVIDIA has announced that it will be bringing real-time ray tracing to its Pascal GPUs. According to the green team, a new driver will enable all GTX10XX series graphics cards, from GTX1060 all the way up to the GTX1080Ti, to run real-time ray tracing via the DXR API.
As NVIDIA noted, GeForce GTX gamers will have an opportunity to use ray tracing at lower RT quality settings and resolutions, while GeForce RTX users will experience up to 2-3x faster performance. Naturally, this performance jump is thanks to the dedicated RT Cores that the Turing GPUs feature.

Unity Engine showcases one of the most impressive real-time demos we’ve seen, called The Heretic
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/unity-engine-showcases-one-of-the-most-impressive-real-time-demos-weve-seen-called-the-heretic/
At GDC 2019, Unity’s award-winning Demo team, the creators of Adam and Book of the Dead, showcased a new short film called The Heretic. The Heretic tech demo was a real-time cinematic running at 30 fps at 1440p on a consumer-class desktop PC.
>> And the Megacity tech demo is now available to download.

MODS/EMULATORS

-empty-

GAMING NEWS

Control – GeForce RTX Real-Time Ray Tracing GDC 2019 Demo
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/control-geforce-rtx-real-time-ray-tracing-gdc-2019-demo/
Remedy has released a new trailer for its upcoming supernatural third-person game, Control, showcasing some of its real-time ray tracing effects. In this video you can see examples of various real-time ray tracing techniques such as Ray Traced Indirect Diffuse, Ray Traced Indirect Specular and Ray Traced Contact Shadows.

Nexon’s online action RPG, Dragonhound, will support real-time ray tracing effects
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nexons-online-action-rpg-dragonhound-will-support-real-time-ray-tracing-effects/
At GDC 2019, NVIDIA and Nexon announced that Dragonhound, a mounted-combat online action RPG that has players hunting big dragons and monsters in a massive world, will support real-time ray tracing effects.

Here is the first in-engine teaser trailer and first official screenshots for System Shock 3
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-is-the-first-in-engine-teaser-trailer-from-system-shock-3/
OtherSide Entertainment has released the first teaser trailer for System Shock 3. This trailer features in-engine pre-alpha footage, meaning that it does not represent the final version which may look different from what is being shown here.

NVIDIA announces Quake 2 RTX, first official screenshots and details
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nvidia-announces-quake-2-rtx-first-official-screenshots-and-details/
According to the green team, Quake 2 RTX will feature real-time, controllable time of day lighting, with accurate sunlight and indirect illumination, refraction on water and glass, emissive, reflective and transparent surfaces, normal and roughness maps for added surface detail, particle and laser effects for weapons, procedural environment maps featuring mountains, sky and clouds, which are updated when the time of day is changed and a flare gun for illuminating dark corners where enemies lurk.
>> I wonder if it will be free and available to all or only for Nvidia users, given that it's Nvidia who's doing it.

Oddworld: Soulstorm targets a 2020 release, first in-engine cinematic released
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/oddworld-soulstorm-targets-a-2020-release-first-in-engine-cinematic-released/
At GDC 2019, Oddworld Inhabitants released an in-engine video, giving gamers a glimpse of a cinematic while at the same time showing off the rendering techniques it is using in this new Oddworld title.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider RTX patch available for download, adds real-time ray tracing and DLSS
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/shadow-of-the-tomb-raider-rtx-patch-available-for-download-adds-real-time-ray-tracing-and-dlss/
And the time has finally come. Nixxes has released the highly anticipated RTX patch for Shadow of the Tomb Raider that adds real-time ray tracing, as well as support for Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS).

Halo: The Master Chief Collection will support Windows 7 & Windows 10, FOV slider confirmed and more
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/halo-the-master-chief-collection-will-support-windows-7-windows-10-fov-slider-confirmed-and-more/
In a Reddit AMA, 343 Industries confirmed that Halo: The Master Chief Collection will not be locked on the latest Windows operating system, meaning that it will support both Windows 7 and Windows 10.

Tuesday news, part two:

Battlefield 5 Firestorm map is 10 times larger than the game's biggest map
https://www.pcgamer.com/battlefield-5-firestorm-map-is-10-times-larger-than-the-games-biggest-map/
Battlefield 5's Firestorm battle royale mode, which was announced last week, takes place on the largest map in the series. Halvøy isn't just massive; it's a whopping ten times larger than Hamada, previously the largest map in Battlefield 5.

Fortnite's giant hamster ball has been temporarily removed
https://www.pcgamer.com/fortnites-giant-hamster-ball-has-been-temporarily-removed/
Fortnite's latest injection of whimsy, a giant hamster ball with a grappling gun, has been temporarily removed from the game. The Baller was disabled earlier today, with Epic saying that it was investigating a stability issue via Twitter. There's no word on when it will return.

Apex Legends Season 1 begins tomorrow, Battle Pass details revealed (Updated)
https://www.pcgamer.com/apex-legends-battle-pass-start-time-battle-pass-details/
Electronic Arts has confirmed that Apex Legends Season 1, Wild Frontier, will go live at 10 am PT/1 pm ET tomorrow, March 19, and has also (finally) dropped the details on the Season 1 Battle Pass.
>> And here's what you can get from that Battle Pass.

Octane is the newest Apex Legends character
https://www.pcgamer.com/apex-legends-octane-abilities/
Octane is officially the first new character to join the cast of Apex Legends. After much speculation, data mining, and mysterious jump pads, Respawn confirmed today that Octane will be added to Apex Legends with the Season 1 Battle Pass, which launches tomorrow.

Doom Eternal and more will be shown off at Bethesda's E3 conference
https://www.pcgamer.com/doom-eternal-and-more-will-be-shown-off-at-bethesdas-e3-conference/
Bethesda will be hosting its fifth E3 conference this year. The publisher's announcement comes when others are stepping back a bit from the gargantuan show. EA isn't doing a press conference this year, for instance, and Sony won't be on the floor at all.

The latest legendary from Hearthstone's Rise of Shadows expansion has a horrifying effect
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-latest-legendary-revealed-from-hearthstones-rise-of-shadows-expansion-has-a-horrifying-effect/
Next month's Rise of Shadow's expansion will see former Hearthstone villains teaming up to create the League of E.V.I.L., and Hagatha the Witch is among the founding members. The character, who was first introduced as the only Hero card in The Witchwood set, is returning in Rise of Shadows as a Legendary minion with a particularly spicy Battlecry effect.

Deus Ex art director joins Mordheim: City of the Damned studio for a new project
https://www.pcgamer.com/deus-ex-art-director-joins-mordheim-city-of-the-damned-studio-for-a-new-project/
Jonathan-Jacques Belletête brought a very distinct visual style to Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Mankind Divided as the art director at developer Eidos Montreal. He won't be around for the final game in the trilogy (which I continue to resolutely believe it will be) however, because he is now working as creative director on a brand new project at Mordheim: City of the Damned studio Rogue Factor.

Portal writer and Riot Games senior designer launch a new studio focused on co-op games
https://www.pcgamer.com/portal-writer-and-riot-games-senior-designer-launch-a-new-studio-focused-on-co-op-games/
Portal and Left 4 Dead writer Chet Faliszek and Riot Games senior technical designer Kimberly Voll have launched a new studio called Stray Bombay Company that will focus on the development of AI-driven "collaborative gaming experiences."

Battle royale game The Culling: Origins is closing in May
https://www.pcgamer.com/battle-royale-game-the-culling-origins-is-closing-in-may/
The Culling: Origins, the free-to-play do-over of The Culling that went live in September 2018, will be closed in May. Developer Xaviant said in a farewell message that it had hoped in-app purchased would generate enough revenue to support the battle royale game, but it hasn't worked out.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection for PC probably won't support Xbox Play Anywhere
https://www.pcgamer.com/halo-the-master-chief-collection-for-pc-probably-wont-support-xbox-play-anywhere/
Since it was confirmed for PC last week, many have wondered whether Halo: The Master Chief Collection will support Xbox Play Anywhere, which effectively grants owners of a Microsoft-published Xbox One game a free copy on PC. That initiative was first announced in 2016, and the company has supported all first-party Microsoft games since. But unfortunately, it doesn't look like the forthcoming Halo port won't be among them.

If you finish Getting Over It, a very awesome ending awaits
https://www.pcgamer.com/if-you-finish-getting-over-it-a-very-awesome-ending-awaits/
Getting Over It By Bennett Foddy is an infuriating game. As a man stuck in a cauldron, one must reach the apex of a bizarre mountain strewn with even more bizarre objects. And that has to be achieved using only a Yosemite hammer.
It's the stuff of nightmares, but it's also weirdly moreish: once you start it's hard to put it down. At GDC 2019, during a panel entitled 'Put Your Name on Your Game, a Talk by Bennett Foddy and Zach Gage', Foddy brought attention to one of the game's cleverest twists. Some players will already know about this, but for the vast majority (including me) who lack the patience to complete the game it's fascinating.

Gearbox issues another tease, this time for Duke Nukem or Bulletstorm
https://www.pcgamer.com/gearbox-issues-another-tease-this-time-for-duke-nukem-or-bulletstorm/
Gearbox has a lot going on, enough to sustain a week's worth of near constant social media teases. The company will give a keynote address at PAX East next week, and after already hinting at a bunch of Borderlands-related stuff (including Borderlands 3), a new Penn & Teller game, and something else that we don't recognize, there's yet another announcement on the cards.

World of Warcraft is free for returning players this weekend
https://www.pcgamer.com/world-of-warcraft-is-free-for-returning-players-this-weekend/
If you've got a World of Warcraft account and you've not checked into Azeroth for a while, Blizzard is inviting you back for a few days. From March 21 through March 24, all inactive accounts will be upgraded, letting you return for free this weekend. And with WoW's lightning-fast progression, you can get a lot done in three days.

The Division 2's distressing skills bug has been fixed
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-division-2s-distressing-skills-bug-has-been-fixed/
Ubisoft has patched a bug in The Division 2 that's been plaguing players since the weekend. Certain skills—that is, your abilities in the game, like turrets, or the robot bee-spitting hive—were vanishing after deployment, before replenishing in the player's inventory 15 seconds later. It was annoying enough that I mentioned it in my review, and since I'm pretty deep into the endgame's World Tier 4, it was adding an extra layer of challenge to open world activities where I didn't really need any more hassle.

Anthem's original story sounded amazing (and much more interesting)
https://www.pcgamer.com/anthems-original-story-sounded-amazing-and-much-more-interesting/
Unfortunately for EA and BioWare, Anthem has taken a real kicking since it launched at the end of February. Criticism over its plot, structure, and mission design arguably isn't the worst of it, though—the kicker is how much better the original story might have been.
>> Indeed, they should have gone with the original idea.

This look quite good - and refreshingly interesting, unlike most tech demos.