I tried Terraria. For a game that was developed for PC it sure is a train wreck.

It's Monday, and here come the news:

SALES & DEALS

GOG's new weekly sale, "Mystery, adrenaline and adventure with games" offers up to 85% discounts: https://www.gog.com/promo/20190826_weekly_sale

At Steam there are two fake daily deals:

• The first of the "daily" deals is Druidstone: The Secret of the Menhir Forest, 40% off for the next 3 days: https://store.steampowered.com/app/954650/Druidstone_The_Secret_of_the_Menhir_Forest/
• The other one is Project Nimbus: Complete Edition, also 40% off and also for the next 3 days: https://store.steampowered.com/app/257030/Project_Nimbus_Complete_Edition/

And at Fanatical, the new Star Deal is SUPERHOT VR, 50% off for the next 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/superhot-vr

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

Valve admits it mistakenly dismissed Steam security flaw
https://www.pcgamer.com/valve-admits-it-mistakenly-dismissed-steam-security-flaw/
Valve has expanded a scheme in which it pays "ethical hackers" for discovering security flaws in Steam after it mistakenly dismissed a valid vulnerability reported by a researcher.
Researcher Vasily Kravets's reports of a Steam vulnerability were dismissed because they were believed to be outside the scope of the scheme, and Kravets was told Valve's security team would no longer receive his reports through the HackerOne bounty program. After Kravets made a second security flaw public this week, Valve patched both vulnerabilities and admitted its mistake.

MODS/EMULATORS

Asura’s Wrath, Fable 2, Lost Odyssey & more running on the PC via the Xbox 360 emulator, Xenia
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/asuras-wrath-fable-2-lost-odyssey-more-running-on-the-pc-via-the-xbox-360-emulator-xenia/
As we’ve already reported, a new version of the most promising Xbox 360 emulator, Xenia, has been released. Thus, below you can find some videos showing a number of X360 games running on it.
To be more precise, below we can see Gears of War 2, Fable 2, Asura’s Wrath, Lost Odyssey, Silent Hill: Downpour and Anarchy Reigns running on Xenia. Some of these games run fine, while others are only booting and going in-game.

First official gameplay video for Skywind, Morrowind mod for Skyrim, has been released
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/first-official-gameplay-video-for-skywind-morrowind-mod-for-skyrim-has-been-released/
The team behind Skywind, a Morrowind total conversion mod for Skyrim, has released its first official gameplay video. This video shows 11 minutes of gameplay footage and you should definitely watch it. It also gives us a glimpse at the world of Morrowind being recreated in Skyrim’s engine.

New 8K textures are now available for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-8k-textures-are-now-available-for-the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/
Modder ‘winedave’ has released a brand new HD Texture Pack for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition. This pack, called Dave’s UFHD Mountains, is 1.8GB in size and adds 8K textures for most of the mountains.
Unfortunately, the modder has not revealed any additional details about this pack. As such, we can assume that the pack overhauls all of the mountain textures. Not only that, but it also includes new moss rocks, as well as matching landscape textures.
>> If you really need your mountains to look that good, head to Nexus Mods to get this mod.

These mods for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim allow you to craft everything and fly on magic carpets
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/these-mods-for-the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-allow-you-to-craft-everything-and-fly-on-magic-carpets/
Modders ‘Enai Siaion’ and ‘rylog9’ released two cool mods for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The first mod allows you to fly on magic carpets and floating disks, while the second one allows you to craft almost everything.
>> Check the article for more info on the mods as well as the links to get them.

This HD Texture Pack for Dark Souls 2 overhauls more than 6000 textures
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/this-hd-texture-pack-for-dark-souls-2-overhauls-more-than-6000-textures/
Modder ‘Save Smokey’ has released a pretty interesting HD Texture Pack for Dark Souls 2. This pack overhauls more than 6000 textures, bringing its visuals closer to the aesthetics of the first Dark Souls game. In other words, this pack introduces some noticeable art style changes to the game.
The modder claimed that he used iGP11 for extensive texture overriding. By using this tool, he was able to dump every texture in the game and filter, tone down the brightness and make them darker. As such, nearly 6000 individual texture files were modified and are included in this pack.
These new textures are also sharper and do not bring any additional performance overhead. Not only that, but some areas present now new challenges, creating a real use for the torch. This is something that may please those that were disappointed by the game’s simplified lighting system.
>> Get this mod from Nexus Mods.

Modders are already working on an unofficial Red Dead Redemption Remaster for PC, first screenshots
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/modders-are-already-working-on-an-unofficial-red-dead-redemption-remaster-for-pc-first-screenshots/
Red Dead Redemption has not been released officially on the PC, however it appears that an unofficial remake is already happening. This remaster, called Red Dead Redemption: Damned Enhancement Project, will be based on the Xenia/RPCS3 versions. However, only PC gamers will be able to enjoy this remaster.
The target of the project is set out to remaster and optimize the game for the PC. As such, Red Dead Redemption will run and look better, from within the Xenia/RPCS3 emulators.
>> How long will it take until Take Two appears to spoil the fun?

Minecraft's new bees have already been made rideable
https://www.pcgamer.com/minecrafts-new-bees-have-already-been-made-rideable/
Minecraft only just got bees thanks to the 1.15 update, and already a modder has made them rideable. As SethBling explains in the video above, with his datapack you can craft saddles to place on the bees as well as flowers on sticks to lead them around. Also, the saddled bees have a dash move now.
The way it works is pretty interesting. With the datapack installed, any bee you look at has an invisible pig overlaid on it. It's actually the pig you're saddling and riding, which means that Minecraft now has flying pigs I guess. The flower on a stick is a reskinned poppy, which the bees are already programmed to be attracted to so even when not saddled they'll follow you around while you're holding one.

Ambitious Portal 2 mod Destroyed Aperture is still alive despite long silence
https://www.pcgamer.com/portal-2-mod-destroyed-aperture-which-promises-a-five-hour-story-is-still-alive/
The team behind ambitious Portal 2 mod Destroyed Aperture, which promises a five-hour story set in an abandoned Aperture Science centre, has broken its eight-month silence to confirm that the project is still in the works, despite a few setbacks.

GAMING NEWS

First gameplay footage from the Gamescom 2019 multiplayer demo of Disintegration
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/first-gameplay-footage-from-the-gamescom-2019-multiplayer-demo-of-disintegration/
Private Division and V1 Interactive presented a multiplayer demo of Disintegration at Gamescom 2019. As such, you can find below a video showing almost 12 minutes of gameplay footage from it. Disintegration is a new sci-fi first-person shooter from the co-creator of the first Halo.

First gameplay footage for the Mirror’s Edge meets Dishonored meets Blade Runner game, Ghostrunner
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/first-gameplay-footage-for-the-mirrors-edge-meets-dishonored-meets-blade-runner-game-ghostrunner/
All in! Games has shared a new video, showcasing almost six minutes of gameplay footage from Ghostrunner. Ghostrunner is basically a mashup of Mirror’s Edge with Dishonored and Blade Runner. The game targets a 2020 release, and this is your first look at it.

Here are 16 minutes of gameplay footage from the PC version of Darksiders Genesis
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-are-16-minutes-of-gameplay-footage-from-the-pc-version-of-darksiders-genesis/
THQ Nordic presented a new demo of Darksiders Genesis at Gamescom 2019. As such, you can find below a video showing almost 16 minutes of gameplay footage. The video features gameplay from the game’s PC version, so we strongly suggest watching it.

This video showcases the most advanced physics you’ve ever seen in a game
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/this-video-showcases-the-most-advanced-physics-youll-ever-see-in-a-game/
Dennis Gustafsson is currently working on a project/game that will leave you speechless with its advanced physics. This game, which currently does not have a title yet, may soon enter its early access phase, and you should unquestionably keep your eye on it.

Bandai Namco is not interested in any Epic Games Store exclusivity deals
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/bandai-namco-is-not-interested-in-any-epic-games-store-exclusivity-deals/
In an interview with MCVUK, Bandai Namco Europe’s SVP marketing, digital and content Hervé Hoerdt, stated something that will please a lot of PC gamers. While the publisher wants to release its games to the Epic Games Store, it is not interested in any Epic Games Store exclusivity deals.
>> Here's the interview.

Halo: Reach Firefight PC Beta/Flight has been launched
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/halo-reach-firefight-pc-beta-flight-has-been-launched/
Great news for all PC Halo fans as the Firefight flight/beta phase for Halo: Reach is a go. 343 Industries has just sent 10K invites to those that have registered for the flighting program, so be sure to check out your inboxes.

Here are 22 minutes of gameplay footage from the Gamescom 2019 demo of Blair Witch
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-are-22-minutes-of-gameplay-footage-from-the-gamescom-2019-demo-of-blair-witch/
Gamersryde has released two videos, showing 22 minutes of gameplay footage from the Gamescom 2019 demo of Blair Witch. Now as always, these videos may contain some spoilers so I suggest avoiding them if you want to experience the game yourselves.

Here are 12 minutes of gameplay footage from SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-are-12-minutes-of-gameplay-footage-from-spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom-rehydrated/
IGN has shared a video, showing 12 minutes from the Gamescom 2019 demo of SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated. This video shows off the game’s graphics, in-game characters, and environments.
>> Don't deny it, you're eager to watch it .

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will use CRYENGINE, modding support coming to the first game
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/kingdom-come-deliverance-2-will-use-cryengine-modding-support-coming-to-the-first-game/
Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, PR manager at Warhorse, confirmed that the sequel to Kingdom Come: Deliverance will use the same engine. According to Tobias, Warhorse created a lot of tools for CRYENGINE, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will take advantage of them.

Here are 20 minutes of gameplay footage from the Gamescom 2019 demo of Desperados 3
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-are-20-minutes-of-gameplay-footage-from-the-gamescom-2019-demo-of-desperados-3/
At Gamescom 2019, THQ Nordic presented a new demo for Desperados 3. Thus, RockPaperShotgun has captured a video, showing 20 minutes of gameplay footage from it. This video will give you an idea of what you can expect from this new strategy game.

Story trailer leaked for the action co-op sci-fi first-person shooter, TauCeti Unknown Origin
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/story-trailer-leaked-for-the-action-co-op-sci-fi-first-person-shooter-tauceti-unknown-origin/
It appears that the Gamescom 2019 story trailer for TauCeti Unknown Origin has been leaked online. TauCeti Unknown Origin is an action co-op sci-fi first person shooter with RPG and survival elements. Unfortunately, though, this story trailer does not contain any actual gameplay footage.

Here are 11 minutes of gameplay footage from the Gamescom 2019 demo of Devil’s Hunt
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-are-11-minutes-of-gameplay-footage-from-devils-hunt/
At Gamescom 2019, 1C Entertainment presented a new demo for Devil’s Hunt. Thus, videogamers.eu captured a video, showing 11 minutes of gameplay from it.
Devil’s Hunt is a third-person perspective (TPP) action game. In this game, players will assume the role Desmond; a man with demonic powers who can decide the fate of our world by joining either side of the conflict.

New trailers released for Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories and Dissolution
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-trailers-released-for-disaster-report-4-summer-memories-and-dissolution/
Gamescom 2019 is over, however we’ve got some more trailers for you today. NIS America and Garage Studios released new trailer for Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories, Dissolution and Farmer’s Dynasty.

New gameplay footage for TRIALS of MANA, Seiken Densetsu 3 Remake, surfaces online
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-gameplay-footage-for-trials-of-mana-seiken-densetsu-3-remake-surfaces-online/
At Gamescom 2019, Square Enix presented a new demo for the remake of Seiken Densetsu 3, TRIALS of MANA. As such, 4Gamer captured two videos from that demo, showcasing four minutes of brand new gameplay footage.

WRC 8, Bee Simulator and Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory will be timed-exclusive on Epic Games Store
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/wrc-8-bee-simulator-and-paranoia-happiness-is-mandatory-will-be-timed-exclusive-on-epic-games-store/
Bigben Interactive has officially announced that WRC 8, Bee Simulator and Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory will be timed-exclusive on Epic Games Store. According to the publisher, these games will release on other digital stores one year after their Epic Store release.

Part two of the Monday news:

Elite Dangerous is getting a full tutorial and enormous fleet carriers this year
https://www.pcgamer.com/elite-dangerous-is-getting-a-full-tutorial-and-enormous-fleet-carriers-this-year/
Elite Dangerous is getting two major new features that bracket the spectrum of player experience. At one end, the September update will add a fully-voiced in-cockpit tutorial to the beginning of the game, while on the other, fleet carriers will arrive in December.

Celtic RPG The Waylanders shows off cinematic trailer and gameplay
https://www.pcgamer.com/celtic-rpg-the-waylanders-shows-off-cinematic-trailer-and-gameplay/
After last year's successful crowdfunding campaign, classic-style RPG The Waylanders returns with a new cinematic trailer. Although there's no new gameplay to be gleaned, the trailer contrasts the game's two time periods: the Celtic and Medieval eras of northwestern Spain and Ireland.

Bungie says Activision wasn't a 'prohibitive overlord' on Destiny 2
https://www.pcgamer.com/bungie-says-activision-wasnt-a-prohibitive-overlord-on-destiny-2/
Bungie's surprise Destiny 2 divorce from Activision earlier this year left an impression among some fans that the biggest problem with the game up to that point was, in a word, Activision. The dramatic updates Bungie has made to the game since then, including to the Eververse Store monetization and the upcoming launch of the free New Light, have helped solidify that belief. In an interview with Eurogamer, however, communications director David "Deej" Dague said the split was not acrimonious, but simply the result of changing priorities.

Overwatch's Workshop now has programmable bots, enabling training modes and Auto Chess-like experiments
https://www.pcgamer.com/overwatchs-workshop-now-has-programmable-bots-enabling-training-modes-and-auto-chess-like-experiments/
In an update on the Overwatch PTR yesterday, Blizzard added a new functionality to the Overwatch Workshop—the custom game tools that players have used to build everything from Torbjörn Golf to a functioning Portal gun. The new feature is programmable dummy bots—hero entities that have no human or AI controlling them, and can thus be programmed using Workshop actions to move, aim, activates skills, and do most things that a real player can do.

Riot Games settles gender discrimination lawsuit, says sexism is 'not systemic'
https://www.pcgamer.com/riot-games-settles-gender-discrimination-lawsuit-says-sexism-is-not-systemic/
Riot Games has announced an agreement in principle to settle a class action lawsuit filed against it last year that alleged systemic sexism and gender-based discrimination at the studio. Riot said that its investigation of the claims prior to the settlement revealed that "gender discrimination (in pay or promotion), sexual harassment, and retaliation are not systemic issues at Riot," but also acknowledged that "some Rioters have had experiences that did not live up to our values or culture."

GOG exclusives 'don't work', store says (Updated)
https://www.pcgamer.com/gog-exclusives-dont-work-for-us-says-store-owner-cd-projekt/
Role-playing card game Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales was initially a GOG exclusive when it launched last year, but was quickly added to Steam amid disappointing sales. By the sounds of it, it may well be the last time GOG—owned by Thronebreaker developer CD Projekt—experiments with exclusivity.
"It proved to us that exclusives maybe don’t work for us, because we don’t want to limit the number of people who can access the game," GOG.com's global communications manager Marcin Traczyk told PCGamesN at Gamescom this week.

Blizzard to open new WoW Classic servers after warning of 'severe queues' at launch
https://www.pcgamer.com/blizzard-to-open-new-wow-classic-servers-after-warning-of-severe-queues-at-launch/
Blizzard will open four more WoW Classic servers hours before launch on Monday, August 26, in the hope of easing the "severe queues" expected on the busiest servers.

Cyberpunk 2077's map is a 'little smaller' than The Witcher 3's but far denser, says producer
https://www.pcgamer.com/cyberpunk-2077s-map-a-little-bit-smaller-than-the-witcher-3s-but-far-denser/
Cyberpunk 2077's world looks vast—but it won't be quite as vast as The Witcher 3's in terms of pure square footage. The RPG's map is a "little bit smaller" than CD Projekt's fantasy epic, but it will be far denser, according to producer Richard Borzymowski.

Horror puzzler Darq is getting multiple free DLCs later this year
https://www.pcgamer.com/horror-puzzler-darq-is-getting-multiple-free-dlcs-later-this-year/
The solo developer behind horror-filled puzzle game Darq, who last week revealed why he turned down Epic Games Store exclusivity, will release multiple free DLCs before the end of the year.

Flash emulation project aims to preserve gaming history
https://www.pcgamer.com/flash-emulation-project-aims-to-preserve-gaming-history/
Adobe have said they'll stop updating and distributing the Flash player at the end of 2020, but fortunately the era of browser games and interactive animations will be preserved. Mike Welsh, who previously worked on the Flash-to-HD video converter Swivel for Newgrounds, is currently working on a program called Ruffle, which will emulate Flash right there in your browser.

Life is Strange 2 Episode 4 out now
https://www.pcgamer.com/life-is-strange-2-episode-4-is-out-now/
"How far would you go to find your brother?" is the simple question driving Life is Strange 2 Episode 4, the penultimate episode of Dontnod Entertainment's story-driven adventure game. Daniel is the lost brother, and Sean is trying to find him. But Sean is in pretty dire straits: he starts the episode in a hospital and under arrest, having lost an eye—and much of his confidence—in the last episode.

Valve unveils new Dota 2 heroes, including a grandma with a shotgun who bakes cookies
https://www.pcgamer.com/valve-unveils-new-dota-2-heroes-including-a-shotgun-wielding-grandma-who-bakes-cookies/
Valve has revealed the next two heroes coming to Dota 2: Snapfire, a grandma goblin who rides a lizard, flings cookies and fires a giant shotgun, and Void Spirit, the fourth spirit brother.

The Sims studio Maxis hiring creative director for 'live service' game based on new IP
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-sims-studio-maxis-hiring-creative-director-for-new-live-service-game/
Maxis, the EA-owned developer of The Sims series, is hiring a creative director for a new IP. We don't know much about what the studio has planned, but it's looking for a developer with experience "designing a game with a long-term live service", and with a track record on both PC and mobile.

Now machine translation can translate emulated games while you're playing them
https://www.pcgamer.com/now-machine-translation-can-translate-emulated-games-while-youre-playing-them/
It's a good time for emulation, with all kinds of new projects out there as well as existing ones coming on by leaps and bounds. Here's one of the most impressive things we've seen in a while: Automatic machine translation between Japanese and English at the press of a button.

Minecraft Java update adds bees, honey farming, harmony, hope
https://www.pcgamer.com/bees-minecraft-java-update/
Bees! They're in Minecraft now, part of the 1.15 Java Edition update. A new neutral mob, bees are pretty chill, as chill as they are in real life. Check out the full patch notes to see exactly how they behave, but the notes essentially read like a description of what bees already do in the real world.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is getting official modding support
https://www.pcgamer.com/kingdom-come-deliverance-is-getting-official-modding-support/
There's a mechanic in Kingdom Come: Deliverance that limits where you're able to save your game, and how often you're able to do it. As the game originally shipped, you had to either sleep in a bed or drink a bottle of rare Saviour Schnapps in order to save your game. Modders decided this was bullshit, and almost immediately created mods that removed the mechanic from the game, allowing players to save wherever they wanted.
Soon, modders will have even more power over how to change Warhorse's medieval life sim. The developer has announced that official mod support will be coming to the game in the form of several developer tools.

Diablo 3 Season 18 is live now, and here's what's new
https://www.pcgamer.com/diablo-3-season-18-is-live-now-and-heres-whats-new/
Season 18 has begun in Diablo 3, and this time it's themed around the Triune—a reference to an ancient cult that worshiped false forms of the Diablo universe's three Prime Evils. Back then, they showed up in the friendly forms of Dedication, Creation, and Love, and the idea was that they could tilt the balance in the war against Heaven in their favor by hoodwinking humans into thinking they were beneficent deities.

This video showcases the most advanced physics you’ve ever seen in a game
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/this-video-showcases-the-most-advanced-physics-youll-ever-see-in-a-game/
Dennis Gustafsson is currently working on a project/game that will leave you speechless with its advanced physics. This game, which currently does not have a title yet, may soon enter its early access phase, and you should unquestionably keep your eye on it.

I've seen this yesterday and was very excited about it. Honestly, I was expecting to see something from Atomontage, since they've been developing their voxel based engine for quite some time, so this came as bit of a surprise to see how much single guy has progressed in that field.

Honestly, can't wait for polygons chapter in 3D graphics to end and something like this to overtake it.

It does look cool, but the voxels or cubes used in that video are too big and make it look a bit ugly and not too practical in this state.

All the above, of course, in my humble opinion.

Well, not sure if this is just for purpose of demo or that is what final voxel resolution is meant to be in game - thing with voxels is they need massive amounts of memory, so as time passes by, we'll see smaller and smaller resolution.

What I was excited the most was how different materials behave, it's the first time I've seen someone manages that with voxels. And honestly, I'd play game that has those physics applied to full world even if that's final resolution - I guess kinda like first 3D games that had very low poly counts, but they've offered something different than 2D games.

Oh, don't remind me of those early 3D games... except for the racing games, most of them were awful and we all would have benefited from waiting a bit more to make the jump. I mean, look at Final Fantasy VII and IX, both on the same gen but one was boxy and ugly as fuck while the other was simply beautiful.

Yeah, those early 3D games were quite ugly - but then again, they were jump from wireframe and flat shaded vector graphics of 80s, so I was quite excited for them.

As someone who played lot of Minecraft, even voxel resolution in that video is more than enough if the game is to have full world governed by such physics...and of course interesting gameplay. My guesstimate is that we'll be seeing quite a few experiments in next gen based on voxels, since not only ways to manipulate them are becoming easier, but memory managment and accessing massive voxel data bases will be much easier due to both consoles having some sort of fast SSDs.

I think it's about time for volumetric future to finally come.

Tuesday news:

SALES & DEALS

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s Atlantis DLC is free this week
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/assassins-creed-odysseys-atlantis-dlc-is-free-this-week/
The first episode of The Fate of Atlantis is now free for all PC (Steam & Uplay) users until September 1st. Also the Season Pass will be 50% off during this time.

Steam has two new daily deals, only one legit, as well as a new set of weeklong deals:

• The legit daily deal is the Early Access title Barotrauma, 25% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/602960/Barotrauma/
• The other one is Dying Light, 66% off for the next 6 days: https://store.steampowered.com/app/239140/Dying_Light/
• And here's a selection of the weeklong deals:
  • Let's start with an Early Access game, Tennis Elbow Manager 2, 10% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/760630/Tennis_Elbow_Manager_2/
  • Star Traders: Frontiers gets a 33% discount: https://store.steampowered.com/app/335620/Star_Traders_Frontiers/
  • Gorky 17 is half its usual price: https://store.steampowered.com/app/253920/Gorky_17/
  • Hazardous Space is 70% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/760080/Hazardous_Space/
  • And lastly there's FOTONICA, 90% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/253290/FOTONICA/

On the Humble Store, we find the new Spooky Horror Sale, with up to 80% discounts for the next 6 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/spooky-horror-sale/

At Fanatical there's a new Genre Mystery Games promo, where you can purchase a mysterious game from one of these genres: Strategy, Indie (since when this is a genre?), Adventure and RPG. Go here to choose: https://www.fanatical.com/en/collections/genre-mystery-games
And keep in mind that the Summer Sale will end soon, and it has now entered in encore mode. Check it out before it ends

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

AMD's 19.8.2 GPU driver promises up to 10 percent better performance in Control
https://www.pcgamer.com/amds-1982-gpu-driver-promises-up-to-10-percent-better-performance-in-control/
AMD is rolling out a new GPU driver that is optimized for tomorrow's release of Control, the third-person shooter developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by 505 Games.
According to the release notes, the new 19.8.2 driver release delivers up to ten percent better performance in Control when running in DirectX 11 mode, compared to the previous 19.8.1 release. It's also optimized for Man of Medan, though AMD does not offer up any specific performance claims.
>> Available from here.

Control does not use the Denuvo anti-tamper tech
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/control-does-not-use-the-denuvo-anti-tamper-tech/
Control releases later today and we can confirm that the game will not be using the Denuvo anti-tamper tech. The review code, which is the same with the retail version, does not currently feature this anti-tamper tech. As such, we can safely assume that the final version will also not use it.

MODS/EMULATORS

Free standalone mod, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Anomaly beta 1.5, available for download, uses XRay-Monolith Engine
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/free-standalone-mod-s-t-a-l-k-e-r-anomaly-beta-1-5-available-for-download-uses-xray-monolith-engine/
Anomaly Developers has just released the open beta build for its standalone mod for STALKER: Call of Pripyat, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Anomaly 1.5. STALKER: Anomaly is built upon the Last Day mod, and continues its way on expanding and adding new features. At the same time, this standalone mod aims to maintain a high level of quality and replay value.
According to the developers, its new 1.5 version is now using a custom engine, the XRay-Monolith Engine. Basically, think of it as an enhanced version of the X-Ray Engine that GSC GameWorld used in its STALKER games.
>> Available from ModDB.

GAMING NEWS

Here are 26 minutes of gameplay footage from the E3 2019/Gamescom 2019 demo of Dying Light 2
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-are-26-minutes-of-gameplay-footage-from-the-e3-2019-gamescom-2019-demo-of-dying-light-2/
Techland has finally revealed its dramatic, previously unreleased 26-minute Dying Light 2 gameplay video from the game’s E3 2019/Gamescom 2019 demo. This video features a main mission so we suggest avoiding it if you mind spoilers.

Next-generation Pro Evolution Soccer will use a new engine and not the FOX Engine
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/next-generation-pro-evolution-soccer-will-use-a-new-engine-and-not-the-fox-engine/
In an interview with WinPes, Konami’s Kei Matsuda confirmed that the next-generation version of Pro Evolution Soccer will use a new engine. On the other hand, the game’s current-gen version will keep using the FOX Engine.
>> Here's the interview, but be warned that it's in Russian.

Here are 17 minutes of gameplay footage from the Gamescom 2019 demo of Chernobylite
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-are-17-minutes-of-gameplay-footage-from-the-gamescom-2019-demo-of-chernobylite/
The Farm 51 has shared a video, showing 17 minutes of gameplay footage from the Gamescom 2019 demo of Chernobylite. This demo showcases the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant which is basically the beginning area of the game.

Tuesday news, part two:

Ashen will drop Epic Games Store exclusivity and arrive on Steam and GOG this year
https://www.pcgamer.com/ashen-will-drop-epic-games-store-exclusivity-and-arrive-on-steam-and-gog-this-year/
A44's broody, beautiful Souls-like Ashen will drop its Epic Games Store exclusivity and make its way to other digital storefronts in December, one year and a little change after it was unveiled as an EGS launch title—which is also when the yearlong exclusivity period was announced.

This new mine-laying Star Citizen spaceship costs over $600 (updated)
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-new-mine-laying-star-citizen-spaceship-announced/
The thing about writing anything about Star Citizen on the internet is that it always makes everyone extremely mad. So here we go: Star Citizen developer Roberts Space Industries has a new ship out for select backers. It lays mines and has a serial number and it costs $675.
>> I... have no words.

Ion Fury developers decide not to remove homophobic content after Steam review bombing
https://www.pcgamer.com/ion-fury-developers-decide-not-to-remove-homophobic-content-after-steam-review-bombing/
Ion Fury is a very good shooter, but its launch has been something else entirely. Just after its release earlier this month, transphobic and sexist comments made by a couple of developers in the Ion Fury Discord were discovered and shared publicly. Developer Voidpoint initially tried to defend the comments as being taken out of context, but then homophobic language was found within the game itself: The use of the word "Fagbag," and an in-game item labeled "Ogay," apparently a play on "Olay."

Conan Chop Chop, the April Fool's joke that became a real game, delayed to 2020
https://www.pcgamer.com/conan-chop-chop-the-april-fools-joke-that-became-a-real-game-delayed-to-2020/
Funcom announced Conan Chop Chop on April 1, and in case you didn't notice the timing it was very clearly an April Fools joke. A couple of months later, the joke was on us when Funcom announced that it's actually a real game that would be out in September. But due to an expanded scope, it won't hit that mark.

Battlefront 2 developer says the community is 'happier than it's ever been'
https://www.pcgamer.com/battlefront-2-developer-says-the-community-is-happier-than-its-ever-been/
After struggling through one of the most famously catastrophic launches in years, it sounds like Star Wars Battlefront 2 is turning things around. Associate design director Dennis Brännvall told GamesIndustry that it "hit rock bottom in terms of player sentiment" thanks to the furor caused by the game's aggressive loot box implementation, but nearly two years later, "the community's happier than it's ever been."

Some World of Warcraft Classic servers already have hour-long queues to get in
https://www.pcgamer.com/some-world-of-warcraft-classic-servers-already-have-hour-long-queues-to-get-in/
"You think you do but you don't," is what Blizzard president J. Allen Brack famously said years ago when a player expressed interest in playing World of Warcraft as it existed back when it first launched. Though he told me that famous quote was, at the time, poorly worded, it's what I'm laughing at now as I try to log into World of Warcraft Classic, which just went live. Update, 6:39pm, 8/26/2019: Blizzard appears to be adding more servers every few hours which should hopefully cut down on queue times. Though some players are still reporting having to wait three-plus hours to get in. Personally it took me about 1.5 hours to get onto my server. We'll update as this develops.

Rainbow Six Siege will be free for a week starting tomorrow
https://www.pcgamer.com/rainbow-six-siege-will-be-free-for-a-week-starting-tomorrow/
Rainbow Six Siege will be free to try for an entire week starting from August 28 and ending September 9. During that period, you'll have access to 20 legacy operators, and all progress won during the period will carry over if you choose to purchase the game. According to Ubisoft, it'll be a 70 percent discount off the Deluxe, Gold and Ultimate versions.

Fortnite and Borderlands collide in the latest update
https://www.pcgamer.com/fortnite-and-borderlands-collide-in-the-latest-update/
Fortnite's latest map-warping Rift has ripped a chunk out of Borderlands' Pandora and dropped it in the battle royale. Patch 10.20's crossover lets you duke it out in the dusty battleground and also includes a bunch of themed Fortnite Borderlands challenges and cosmetics. If you truly despise yourself, you can even buy your very own Claptrap.

A Norwegian ISP postponed maintenance for World of Warcraft Classic
https://www.pcgamer.com/a-norwegian-isp-postponed-maintenance-for-world-of-warcraft-classic/
World of Warcraft Classic players faced gargantuan queues when servers went live last night, some 10,000 deep, but it could have been worse. Your ISP, for example, could have been planning to do maintenance, cutting you off from old school Azeroth. That was the case with Norwegian ISP Lyse, but it looks like the influence of the venerable MMO was enough to get it to hold off.

Frostpunk's first expansion and season pass are out today
https://www.pcgamer.com/frostpunks-first-expansion-and-season-pass-are-out-today/
Frostpunk, the best sim of 2018, is beckoning survivors back to the frosty wasteland. The unrelentingly gloomy management game's first expansion is out today, along with a season pass that will net players another pair of expansions further down the line.