And that's positive or negative?

Wait until Christmas (or Black Friday if stores do it in Germany), you'll find better deals.

I personally didn't mind it, it felt like it was a part of the game more, rather than something just layered on top.
But I know other people didn't enjoy it.

It's time for the Friday news. And no, it's not all about Cyberpunk 2077:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

Stranger Things 3 and Aer: Memories of Old are free on the Epic Games Store
https://www.pcgamer.com/stranger-things-3-and-aer-memories-of-old-are-free-on-the-epic-games-store/
A fresh new Thursday is upon us, and that means a fresh new selection of games that are free for the taking from the Epic Games Store. Today brings us Aer: Memories of old, a beautiful adventure about transforming into a bird and exploring a strange, ancient realm of floating islands, and Stranger Things 3: The Game, "the official companion game" to the show that somehow turned David Harbour into a sex symbol.
>> And next week the free games will be Conan Exiles and Hue.

Steam Summer Sale 2020 is a go, major discounts until July 9th
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/steam-summer-sale-2020-major-discounts-until-july-9th/
It appears that Valve has launched its annual Steam Summer Sale. Steam Summer Sale 2020 is a go, and will run until until July 9th. During this period, PC gamers will find a lot of games at great discounts.

The Humble Store has two new sales:

• The Humble Picks Sale brings up to 60% discounts during the next 6 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/humble-picks/
• And Koei Tecmo has put its games up to 65% off during the next 13 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/koei-tecmo-sale/

Fanatical has two new sales:

• The new Star Deal is Blood: Fresh Supply, 90% off for the next 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/blood-fresh-supply
• Square Enix has its games up to 90% off during the next 12 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/publishers/square-enix
• And the new free games with your purchases in the Red Hot Sale is Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?!.

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

Steam launches a permanent Points Shop
https://www.pcgamer.com/steam-launches-a-permanent-points-shop/
One of the things you can do in this year's Steam Summer Sale is earn points that can be used to acquire digital items like animated stickers, backgrounds, and avatars. Initially it looked similar to systems employed in previous sales, like the Night Market in the most recent Lunar New Year Sale, but it's actually a much bigger affair—and permanent, too.
Rather than being limited to the Summer Sale, Steam's new Points Shop will be live year-round, with points awarded at a rate of 100 per $1 spent (adjusted accordingly for exchange rates, so I only get 73 points for my dollar) on all purchases, including games, DLC, applications, soundtracks, and even hardware. Seasonal awards will be up for grabs—a "Summer Golden Profile" set is currently available—but the vast majority are game-specific items, like the Doom Eternal arachnotron animated sticker, or more generic stuff such as chat effects and profile backgrounds.

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

This Alien Isolation mod improves the AI of the Xenomorph
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/this-alien-isolation-mod-improves-the-ai-of-the-xenomorph/
Mr_Koroshiya has released a pretty cool mod for the latest horror survival Alien game, Alien Isolation. This mod aims to improve and fix the AI of the Xenomorph in order to provide a more organic experience.
Going into more details, the Alien is now attracted by player-accessible vents. Moreover, the Xenomorph now naturally searches in a bigger radius around the player. Furthermore, the Alien, when thinking a prey is there, will abandon its intuition quicker if nothing confirms it.
>> Available from ModDB.

GAMING NEWS

Tales of Arise has been delayed, gets new in-engine screenshot
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/tales-of-arise-has-been-delayed-gets-new-in-engine-screenshot/
Bandai Namco has announced that Tales of Arise, the latest title in the “Tales of” series, has been delayed. According to the publisher, its development team needs more time in order to achieve the quality and provide the gorgeous experience we envision for its players.

eFootball PES 2020 Data Pack 8 is now available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/efootball-pes-2020-data-pack-8-available-download/
Konami has announced that eFootball PES 2020 Data Pack 8 is now available for download. According to the team, this pack brings new and/or updated face models and player portraits. It also packs new manager portraits.

Doom Eternal Update 2 is now available and here are its full patch notes
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/doom-eternal-update-2-is-now-available-and-here-are-its-full-patch-notes/
A couple of days ago, we informed you about the second post-launch patch for Doom Eternal. And today, we are happy to report that Doom Eternal Update 2 is available for download on both Steam and the Bethesda Launcher, and Bethesda has revealed its complete changelog/release notes.

Brand new Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay trailer released
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/brand-new-cyberpunk-2077-gameplay-trailer-released/
CD Projekt RED has just released a brand new gameplay trailer for Cyberpunk 2077. This trailer focuses on and showcases the game’s world, characters, story, and action.

New Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay video showcases Brain Dance
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-cyberpunk-2077-gameplay-video-showcases-brain-dance/
CD Projekt RED has shared a new gameplay video for Cyberpunk 2077, showcasing Brain Dance. Brain Dance is basically an editor that lets you experience and analyze a number of events that can happen in the game. Brain Dance will play an important part in the storyline of the game.

Cyberpunk 2077 – 2018 versus 2020 Preview Builds Graphics Comparison
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/cyberpunk-2077-2018-vs-2020-preview-builds-graphics/
YouTube’s ‘Cycu1’ has shared an interesting video comparison between the 2018 and 2020 preview builds of Cyberpunk 2077. And, from the looks of it, the game received a graphical improvement compared to its initial demonstration.
>> It's less blurry and has better lightning, thanks to RT. Here are new screenshots as well.

First details revealed for FAIRY TAIL’s enchanting new magical abilities
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/first-details-fairy-tail-magical-abilities/
KOEI TECMO and GUST Studios announced the first details to a host of new magical abilities featured in their upcoming JRPG, FAIRY TAIL. Furthermore, the publisher has released a new trailer that you can find below.

Focus Home Interactive has acquired Deck13, creators of The Surge & Lords of the Fallen
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/focus-home-interactive-has-acquired-deck13-creators-of-the-surge-lords-of-the-fallen/
Focus Home Interactive has announced the acquisition of Deck13, creators of The Surge and Lords of the Fallen. As the press release reads, Deck13 has been a long-time partner of Focus Home Interactive, and has developed over 20 games in the past 18 years.

New Torchlight 3 in-game trailer showcases Echonok
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-torchlight-3-in-game-trailer-showcases-echonok/
Perfect World Entertainment has released a brand new in-game trailer for its latest action hack n slash RPG, Torchlight 3. This new trailer showcases Echonok which is the third and final area in the game.

Official Gameplay Overview Trailer released for Surgeon Simulator 2
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/official-gameplay-overview-trailer-released-for-surgeon-simulator-2/
Bossa Studios has shares an in-depth gameplay trailer for its upcoming 100% medically-inaccurate operation sim, Surgeon Simulator 2. The new Gameplay Overview Trailer reveals a great deal more of the what players can expect from it in a 5 minute voiceover-accompanied format. In addition, it includes an endoscopic peek at the Bossa Labs Creation Mode; an all-singing, all-dancing toolkit that arrives with the game.

Here are some new screenshots for the sci-fi Dark Souls-inspired action RPG, Hellpoint
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/here-are-some-new-screenshots-for-the-sci-fi-dark-souls-inspired-action-rpg-hellpoint/
Cradle Games has released a new set of screenshots for its upcoming sci-fi Dark Souls-inspired action RPG, Hellpoint. These screenshots showcase some of the game’s environments. The screenshots were captured from an early build, which means that they do not represent the quality of the final version. Still, they will give you an idea of what you can expect from it.

Friday news, part two:

QuakeCon is going online in August
https://www.pcgamer.com/quakecon-is-going-online-in-august/
QuakeCon 2020, which was set to take place in August, was cancelled back in March, but it looks like it's going to live on as an online event, QuakeCon at Home.

You can start Cyberpunk 2077 as a nomad living outside the city
https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-start-cyberpunk-2077-as-a-nomad-living-outside-the-city/
Last year, CD Projekt Red teased a trio of origins that you'll pick when creating your version of Cyberpunk 2077's V, each of them determining where you'll start out. Finally able to get some hands-on time with the RPG, Andy Kelly took one of those origins for a spin, beginning outside Night City, where things couldn't look more different.
>> And that's not the only thing you can choose *cough*pubic hair*cough*.

Cyberpunk 2077 lets you summon your car like Roach, and it honks
https://www.pcgamer.com/cyberpunk-2077-lets-you-summon-your-car-like-roach-and-it-honks/
Cyberpunk 2077 will let you drive around Night City and its outskirts in almost any car you see out on the streets, as long as you've got whatever upgrade it is that makes you a skilled carjacker. But even if you're not up for doing crimes, you'll be given your own ride, and you'll always be able to have it by your side.

Last Oasis gets a volcanic map and flying creatures you can ride
https://www.pcgamer.com/last-oasis-gets-a-volcanic-map-and-flying-creatures-you-can-ride/
Last Oasis managed to tempt a lot of players when it first launched, but it ended up being a false start, the servers got taken offline, and the wind got taken out of its sails. It returned pretty quickly, however, and things have been a lot more stable since.
Today sees a new update hit the post-apocalyptic MMO, adding a new volcanic map to the sliver of Earth humanity is still able to live on.

Ark's summer event adds Hawaiian shirts, sunglasses, and squirt gun skins
https://www.pcgamer.com/arks-summer-event-adds-hawaiian-shirts-sunglasses-and-squirt-gun-skins/
What do Ark: Survival Evolved and Top Gun have in common? You'll have to watch the trailer above to find out, but I can tell you this much: Ark's Summer Bash is underway, and there's some solid reasons to hop into the dino survival game to check it out.

Diablo 4 update reveals more about storytelling, multiplayer, and open world ideas
https://www.pcgamer.com/diablo-4-update-reveals-more-about-storytelling-multiplayer-and-open-world-ideas/
A new Diablo 4 update offers a fresh look at what's going on with Blizzard's upcoming demon-hunting extravaganza, which continues to make progress, and recently underwent some early playtesting, despite the "challenges" introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The update doesn't include any major announcements—no release date yet—but it does reveal more about some of the game's underlying systems, including how it's approaching multiplayer action and some of the changes it will make in the way it tells its story.

Warframe is getting a hard mode
https://www.pcgamer.com/warframe-is-getting-a-hard-mode/
Warframe's solar map is, like the actual solar system, quite large, and unlocking all the worlds and completing their multitude of missions will keep you busy for some time. If you've already dusted them off, however, you'll eventually be able to go down the Steel Path, an upcoming hard mode that will be tested this weekend.

Microsoft Flight Simulator closed beta details are coming next week
https://www.pcgamer.com/microsoft-flight-simulator-closed-beta-details-are-coming-next-week/
Microsoft Flight Simulator is almost ready for another development milestone. Players have been hitting the skies since late last year, putting the alpha through its paces, but now the closed beta is coming.

Sea of Thieves is getting custom servers soon
https://www.pcgamer.com/sea-of-thieves-is-getting-custom-servers-soon/
I primarily play Sea of Thieves to endlessly catch splashtails and annoy my crewmates (and myself) with my terrible cat, Captain Crappo. Other players have organised tournaments, fashion shows and races. There are a lot of ways to find entertainment in the nautical sandbox, and now Rare's about to give pirates more tools to create their own fun.

And here are the GOG and Steam (ha!) deals for the weekend:

+GOG

• Let's start with the weekly sale, with adventure and role-playing games, brings up to 90% discounts: https://www.gog.com/promo/20200622_weekly_sale
• The Midweek Sale with its arcade games also brings up to 90% discounts for the next 30 hours: https://www.gog.com/promo/20200624_midweek_sale
• The Weekend sale involves games featuring powerful machines up to 90% off: https://www.gog.com/promo/20200626_weekend_sale
• There's a The Witcher Sale with up to 85% discounts for another 8 days: https://www.gog.com/promo/20200624_witcher_sale
• Dungeons 3 Complete Edition launches on the store with a 10% discount until July 3rd: https://www.gog.com/game/dungeons_3_complete_collection
• And in anticipation for the release of the full game, Signs of the Sojourner, there's a free Prologue of the game: https://www.gog.com/game/signs_of_the_sojourner_prologue

+Steam

• Do I really need to say it? Go and check if there's something for you in the Summer Sale.

And those were all the news. Until the next round of news, have a happy and gaming weekend.

I really hope Blizzard don't mess up Diablo 4. The world quest thing is element is kinda bleh, we really don't need watered down MMO elements in a Diablo.

And thanks JEMC, awesome as always.

Yeah, I'm still glad I nabbed my 1080ti, though I'd still kill for some of those features.

That said, I still love Nvidia's GFE, since that site for custom shaders went down like 2yrs ago, so having GFE for being able to practically use their own reshade is nice. Makes games like RAGE 2 look all the more prettier.

Yeah its crazy how it has kept its value as well through the yearsl. Its a great card. I haven't tested Nvidia's custom shaders, they do look nice though. Does it work for every game?

Microsoft Is Closing Its Retail Stores – Calls It a New Day for Microsoft Store

https://wccftech.com/microsoft-is-closing-physical-microsoft-store-locations/

Exclusive: First benchmarks of Intel's Lakefield Hybrid CPU - Innovative or unnecessary? - Spoiler: Meh but good for the right price and target

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Exclusive-First-benchmarks-of-Intel-s-Lakefield-Hybrid-CPU-Innovative-or-unnecessary.477524.0.html

More Square Enix games will be revealed around July and August

https://twitter.com/Nibellion/status/1276501323098316800?s=19

Cyberpunk 2077 looks more and more amazing. Too bad it's probably going to release just a year for now or more.

It's Intel, do you really expect them to price it right?

Ad we'll see what S-E has to reveal. I'm going to keep my expectations very low.

Nah! If they delay it more they'll risk losing sales from the early adopters of the new consoles, even with the upgrade program.

It will launch in November.