Carzy Zarx’s PC Gaming Emporium - Catch Up on All the Latest PC Gaming Related News

[JEMC]

Here we go again: The Monday news!

SALES & DEALS

Steam's Top 10

1. Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm
2. Devotion
3. PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS
4. Far Cry New Dawn
5. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Siege - Year 4 Pass
6. Grand Theft Auto V
7. JUMP FORCE
8. Dying Light Enhanced Edition
9. FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION
10. Far Cry New Dawn

Fortnite revenue declined 48% month-over-month in January, CS:GO digital revenue falls considerably
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/fortnite-revenue-declined-48-month-over-month-in-january-csgo-digital-revenue-falls-considerably/
SuperData Arcade has shared its monthly report, stating that Fortnite has dipped month-over-month after a strong end to the year and that Counter-Strike: Global Offensive‘s high engagement levels aren’t translating into revenue gains.
Going into more details, Fortnite revenue on all platforms combined declined 48% month-over-month in January, although sales are still up significantly year-over-year. According to the report, this comes after a peak month in December and points to an increasingly lumpy revenue profile heading into 2019.
On the other hand, Counter Strike Global Offensive’s MAU grew 8% year-over-year in January after benefiting from the switch to a free-to-play model in November. However, digital revenue fell considerably compared to last January as new users showed lower conversion for in-game spending.
Furthermore, consumers spent $8.4 billion on digital games across all platforms in January, down 6% year-over-year. Premium PC had the biggest drop off of any platform with a 29% decline. Meanwhile, console revenue also decreased by 3% even including a favorable comparison from Fortnite due to tepid performance from top Premium Console franchises such as Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, FIFA and Overwatch.

 

At GOG there's a new weekly sale, with up to 80% discounts: https://www.gog.com/promo/20190225_weekly_sale

At Steam, the daily deal is Depth, 75% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/274940/Depth/

On the Humble Store, there was a weekend sale that will last another day, the Dark Souls franchise with up to 75% discounts: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/dark-souls-franchise-weekend/

And at Fanatical, we have several new deals:

• The Star Deal is The Longest Journey Pack, 90% off: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/the-longest-journey-pack
• There's a new bundle, the Dollar Masquerade Bundle, featuring the game Glass Masquerade and 2 DLCs with a 86% discount for the next 14 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/dollar-masquerade-bundle
• Iconoclasts is going to be 40% off for the next 7 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/iconoclasts
• And Paradox Interactive has also put its games on sale with up to 80% discounts for the next 7 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/publishers/paradox-interactive

 

SOFTWARE/DRIVERS

NVIDIA releases optimized Game Ready drivers for Anthem and DiRT Rally 2.0
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nvidia-releases-optimized-game-ready-drivers-for-anthem-and-dirt-rally-2-0/
NVIDIA has just released a new driver for its graphics cards. According to the release notes, the NVIDIA GeForce 419.17 WHQL driver provides the optimal gaming experience for Anthem and DiRT Rally 2.0, and includes support for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics cards.
This driver also fixes a bug that rendered the decals in Doom 2016 (and in Doom Eternal) as black, addresses the screen artifacts in Battlefield 5 that could appear in the game when Texture Filtering was set to High Quality in the NVIDIA Control Panel, and makes Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR) available for monitors with 4k2k timings.
Furthermore, NVIDIA GeForce 419.17 WHQL driver updates the SLI profiles for Apex Legends and Far Cry New Dawn, resolves the Iray GPU acceleration crashes and falls back to CPU acceleration, and fixes random application crash or TDR introduced in previous GeForce display driver 418.81.
Unfortunately for APEX Legends players, this driver does not address the DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_HUNG error message so we suggest using an older driver if you are currently playing Respawn’s free to play title.
>> Available from here.

Have we just had a glimpse of Steam's new design?
https://www.pcgamer.com/have-we-just-had-a-glimpse-of-steams-new-design/
Steam's About page recently had a refresh and as well as explaining what it is ("the ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games"), there's a gif of someone firing up Portal 2 in the launcher. The thing is, it doesn't look like the current interface design. Sure, it's a vague and abstract series of images, but if you didn't expect Steam users would take this as a sign of what it's definitely going to look like in a future update then you don't know them very well.
Posters on the r/Steam subreddit have already begun making mockups of theoretical new looks. Here's one by u/inteNsE-- with a very flat design that does look a lot like what the gif shows, with believable labels on what are blank icons in the small gif. Bit of wasted space under the list of friends who play CS: GO, though.

 

MODS/EMULATORS

New beautiful screenshots for the N64 GoldenEye 007 fan remake in Unreal Engine 4, GoldenEye 25
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/new-beautiful-screenshots-for-the-n64-goldeneye-007-fan-remake-in-unreal-engine-4-goldeneye-25/
Back in October 2018, we informed you about a fan remake of the Nintendo 64 GoldenEye 007 game in Unreal Engine 4, GoldenEye 25. This fan remake is being developed by GoldenZen and a team of modders and we have some brand new screenshots to share from it.
Contrary to GoldenEye: Source, a total conversion mod in the Source Engine that recreated the game’s multiplayer mode, GoldenEye 25 aims to remake the entire single-player campaign, featuring brand new visuals.

This mod transforms Half-Life into a top-down shooter and is available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/this-mod-transforms-half-life-into-a-top-down-shooter-and-is-available-for-download/
Now here is something really cool. Modder ‘Sockman111’ has created a mod that transforms Valve’s classic Half-Life shooter into a top-down shooter, called Half-Life: Top-Down. The modder describes this mod as Hotline Miami or Enter the Gungeon, but with the levels, mechanics, and gunplay of Half-Life, and it’s heavily inspired by Quarter Fraction.
Half-Life: Top-Down comes with two game modes that can be changed in the advanced tab of the options menu. The first one simply places the camera a fixed height above the player, similar to what other top-down shooters do.
The second mode tries to keep the camera in-bounds, offering a clear line of sight to the player. The downside here is that this second mode makes the camera get really close when the ceiling is low, and some ceilings can cause some annoying camera movement.
>> There's a video of the mod, that you can get from ModDB.

Half Life 2 gets an AI-enhanced Topaz Gigapixel Texture Pack that is available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/half-life-2-gets-an-ai-enhanced-topaz-gigapixel-texture-pack-that-is-available-for-download/
Reddit’s ‘TheCynicMimic’ has released a new AI-enhanced Texture Pack for Half Life 2. This Texture Pack uses Topaz Gigapixel in order to improve the textures of every main character, every enemy and ally (alien and human), some weapons, some items and crates, and some vehicles.
The end result is subtle but closer to the developers’ original vision. As such, we strongly suggest downloading it as it will improve the game’s characters and items, and it will also retain the style and atmosphere of Half Life 2.
>> Here's the download link.

This mod brings Halo’s Masterchief to Monster Hunter World
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/this-mod-brings-halos-masterchief-to-monster-hunter-world/
Now here is something cool. Modder ‘Warlord Sieck’ has released a brand new mod that brings Masterchief from Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary to Capcom’s monster hunting game, Monster Hunter World.
Now as you may have probably guessed, this is basically a 3D model replacement and nothing more. Not only that, but Masterchief’s model is a bit blurry (as it’s taken from the Anniversary Edition of the first Halo game). Don’t get me wrong, it’s cool but it would have been better if the modder could export the 3D model from a newer Halo game. It’s also worth noting that the mod also replaces the Mega Man palico armor with the body of a Grunt.
>> Get the mod from Nexus Mods.

This perfect, to-scale recreation of Hogwarts made in Planet Coaster is incredible
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-perfect-to-scale-recreation-of-hogwarts-made-in-planet-coaster-is-incredible/
Harry Potter's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy is a fictional setting so vivid I can close my eyes and picture it, at least as it appears in the movies. That's why it's surreal to see modder Onureth's immaculate recreation of Hogwarts in Planet Coaster. This enormous, to-scale model doesn't just recreate the castle but the entire surrounding area including the Forbidden Forest, the Quidditch pitch, and all the other little places littered around the school grounds. It's amazing. To understand how detailed this mod is, you should watch Onureth's video that tours you through every single area. There's so much to see, it takes almost 10 minutes to show it all.
>> You'll need several DLCs to be able to run this mod. You can check which ones and the mod from the Steam Workshop.

Finally, religion can fight against its true enemy in Civilization 6: Rock bands
https://www.pcgamer.com/finally-religion-can-fight-against-its-true-enemy-in-civilization-6-rock-bands/
Look, Civilization 6 is a cool videogame and all, but it's no Footloose. It may span the breadth of human history, but it's not epic on the scale of a battle between a religious dad and a city boy who just wants to dance to rock 'n' roll. Civilization is tragically lacking in Kevin Bacon. But at least this new mod, "To Hell With The Devil: Religious units fight Rock Bands," is putting us on the right track.
Recent Civ 6 expansion Gathering Storm introduced rock bands as a type of unit. Rock bands pump up the local tourism, can go on tour, and even have a "religious rock" promotion that "Performs a concert that converts the majority religion of that city to the religion founded by the player." But because rock 'n' roll is obviously the devil's work, it seems only fair that religious units could fight back against music's corrupting influence. That's where the mod comes in.

This New Vegas mod adds Fallout 76's mutation system
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-new-vegas-mod-adds-fallout-76s-mutation-system/
If you enjoyed Fallout 76's mutation system but you preferred Bethesda's singleplayer take on the post-apocalypse, then you might want to check out a new mod called FO76 Style Mutations. It adds most of Fallout 76's mutations into Fallout: New Vegas, complete with all their relevant buffs and debuffs.
With the mod installed, you pick up mutations either by exposing yourself to radiation—the higher the dose, the more likely you'll mutate—or by injecting yourself with serums. You can buy serums from doctors or craft them yourself if you have a Science skill of 100.
>> This mod is available from Nexus Mods.

This Fallout 4 mod creates missions on demand, from assassinations to base captures
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-fallout-4-mod-creates-missions-on-demand-from-assassinations-to-base-captures/
There are heaps of brilliant Fallout 4 mods that give Bethesda's 2015 RPG a new lease of life, and Missions Committee, a new mod out this month, sounds like it's another one worth considering. It's a mission generator that will periodically ping you with one of seven mission types, including target assassinations and base captures.
Best of all, you can customise how often you want to receive missions, and if you want something immediately, you can request a specific type of mission on demand. The mission types sound suitably varied: you'll destroy artillery posts, perform stealthy recon strikes and defend bases against enemy forces.
>> Check the mod and its installation instructions at Nexus Mods.

New Vegas run through a neural network is a psychedelic fever dream
https://www.pcgamer.com/new-vegas-run-through-a-neural-network-is-a-psychedelic-fever-dream/
Deep Style is a neural network based on the Deep Dream thing that did the rounds a few years ago. It takes artwork and alters it to look like a different art style, so you can make a meme look like an impressionist painting, for instance. Modder Jam2go took Deep Style and used it to replace every texture in Fallout: New Vegas after feeding it a wide-ranging catalogue of paintings, in styles from surrealist to post-modern. He previously did something similar to Skyrim with Deep Dream and that's worth a watch too.
Run through his mod (which you can download from Nexus Mods), New Vegas looks like someone ate a gallery and vomited on it. Plus, all the dialogue lines and sound files have been randomized, so it doesn't just look weird it sounds damn eerie. It's hard to pick out highlights, but the cubist blood decals and the way the radio just plays random voice files are pretty special. Cute Brahmin, too.

 

 

GAMING NEWS

Fallout 76 Patch 1.0.6.0 available for download, full release notes revealed + free new content
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/fallout-76-patch-1-0-6-0-available-for-download-full-release-notes-revealed-free-new-content/
Bethesda has released a brand new update for Fallout 76. According to the release notes, patch 1.0.6.0 reduces the amount of springs required to craft and repair level 25, 35, and 45 Excavator Power Armor Legs, removes Flare Guns from the legendary weapon list and increases the storage limit for the stash from 600 to 800 pounds.

New Left Alive trailer showcases 15 minutes of gameplay footage + PC System Requirements
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-left-alive-trailer-showcases-15-minutes-of-gameplay-footage-pc-system-requirements/
Square Enix has revealed an extended look at gameplay for the upcoming release of LEFT ALIVE, showcasing the variety of gameplay mechanics and strategies available to players. As the press release reads, LEFT ALIVE challenges players to enter a war-torn city of Novo Slava and use their skills to overcome the overwhelming enemy forces against them.
>> Xxain made a thread about the video some days ago.

Two new screenshots released for Shenmue 3
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/two-new-screenshots-released-for-shenmue-3/
A few days ago, we shared a new screenshot from Shenmue 3. And today, we are happy to report that Shibuya Productions has released additional screenshots, showcasing a new environment and a new character.

Anthem – E3 2017 Trailer versus Retail Version – Direct Video Comparison
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/anthem-e3-2017-trailer-versus-retail-version-direct-video-comparison/
Anthem has just been released and while it’s one of the most beautiful games today on the PC, we can confirm that it was downgraded and it’s not looking as incredible as its E3 2017 trailer. And below, you can find a video that compares these two builds and shows the graphical differences between them.

Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds targets an August 6th release according to Steam’s database
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/obsidians-the-outer-worlds-targets-an-august-6th-release-according-to-steams-database/
Obsidian’s RPG, The Outer Worlds, is a game that a lot of Fallout fans are waiting for. And from the looks of it, its release date may have been leaked by Steam’s database. According to the game’s SteamDB entry, Obsidian targets an August 6th release.

Frogwares’ The Sinking City delayed until May 24th according to Amazon
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/frogwares-the-sinking-city-delayed-until-may-24th-according-to-amazon/
Frogwares’ Lovecrafian open world action investigation game, The Sinking City, was originally meant to hit stores on March 21st. However, and according to Amazon, the game has been delayed until May 24th.

DiRT Rally 2.0 Day-1 update detailed, full patch release notes revealed
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/dirt-rally-2-0-day-1-update-detailed-full-patch-release-notes-revealed/
Codemasters has revealed the changes and improvements that will be coming with the day-1 update for DiRT Rally 2.0. According to the team, this patch will improve visual quality of tracks, and placement of reset lines in tracks, will update car model quality and will add additional sponsors to vehicles and trackside hoardings.

New gorgeous short gameplay videos released for Russia 2055, pre-alpha on February 28th
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-gorgeous-short-gameplay-videos-released-for-russia-2055-pre-alpha-on-february-28th/
Invictus Volition has released some short gameplay videos for its first-person game that is powered by Unreal Engine 4, Russia 2055. Russia 2055 looks absolutely incredible for a one-man project and Invictus Volition confirmed that its pre-alpha build will be available on February 28th.

Capcom now considers the PC an important platform, will strive to further expand its PC sales
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/capcom-now-considers-the-pc-an-important-platform-will-strive-to-further-expand-its-pc-sales/
Capcom’s COO, Haruhiro Tsujimoto, has officially announced that the PC is a very important platform for the Japanese publisher, something that obviously does not really surprise us. In the past few years, Capcom has been steadily improving the PC versions of its titles and after the huge PC sales of Monster Hunter World and Resident Evil 2 Remake, Capcom appears to be willing to further expand its PC sales.