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JEMC on 11 May 2020
Edit Thread

Here come the Monday news, with lots of new mods:

SALES & DEALS

Steam's Top 10

  1. DOOM Eternal
  2. Scrap Mechanic
  3. STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order
  4. Grand Theft Auto V
  5. Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
  6. Valve Index VR Kit
  7. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
  8. Borderlands 3
  9. Monster Hunter: World
  10. STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order Deluxe Edition

DSOGaming Giveaway – Win 20 Keys for the real-time strategy game, Taste of Power
https://www.dsogaming.com/editorial/dsogaming-giveaway-win-20-keys-for-the-real-time-strategy-game-taste-of-power/
Taste of Power is a real-time strategy game set in an alternate medieval world, where Europe, Middle East, and China confront each other. And we are happy to report that PR Nordic has provided us with 20 keys to give away.
As with our previous contests, you can participate in this giveaway by simply leaving a ‘Thank You’ comment below. We will delete both duplicate and off-topic comments. We will delete comments from all the accounts that were created for the previous giveaways (Disqus provides information on when you signed up).
Moreover, your account must have at least 40 comments. Comments from accounts that have less than 40 total comments (or have comments only on Giveaways) will be deleted. If you are new, you can start engaging with all other users in the Comment section and then participate in future giveaways.
>> Sadly, this contest started last Saturday and will end later today. Hurry up if you want to try your luck!

Age of Empires 2 is quietly having an incredible year
https://www.pcgamer.com/age-of-empires-2-is-quietly-having-an-incredible-year/
Nearly 21 years after release, Age of Empires 2 could well be having its best year ever. Since its HD re-release in 2013 the game has had a steady growth in average player count, but with the release of Age of Empires 2: Definitive edition last year and COVID-19 lockdowns inflating player counts across the industry, Age of Empires 2 is boasting totals that beat some very big-name games. It’s now by far Steam’s most popular RTS, with both the Definitive Edition and the 2013 HD Edition having higher player counts than closest competitor Company of Heroes 2. This year's big tournament boasted the largest Age of Empires 1v1 prize pool since 2002.
Last month, in April, the games’ combined average player count was over 50,000 players. April 12 was the definitive edition’s all-time player peak, and the combined total of the games was 59,995 players. That’s well into the top 150 all-time peak player counts on Steam… for a 21-year-old game.

The Square Enix Stay Home and Play bundle includes 54 games for $40
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-square-enix-stay-home-and-play-bundle-includes-54-games-for-dollar40/
As part of its Stay Home & Play campaign, Square Enix has bundled together a strong collection of games from the archives. After releasing a massive collection of JRPGs, with Dragon Quest 11 and Final Fantasy 12 at half off, the Square Enix Eidos Anthology includes 54 games for $40 (£30), which is 95 percent off.
Some highlights from the anthology include all of the Tomb Raider games up until 2015's Rise of the Tomb Raider, the Just Cause trilogy, and every PC release of the Deus Ex series. There's also the Thief series for lovers of stealth, the Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition if you're up for a gangster story, and all the episodes of the first Life is Strange game.

GOG starts the week with several new sales:

Steam has two new daily deals:

Fanatical has several new sales:

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

Windows 10 20H1 Update releases on May 26th, brings DirectX 12 Ultimate & Xbox Game Bar improvements
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/windows-10-20h1-update-releases-on-may-26th-brings-directx-12-ultimate-xbox-game-bar-improvements/
Microsoft has announced that the May 2020 Update, also known as 20H1 Update, for Windows 10 will release on May 26th. This optional update will be available in waves, and will bring a lot of tweaks and improvements to Windows 10.
According to Microsoft, Windows 10 Version 20H1 will officially support DirectX 12 Ultimate. Alongside the new features that DX12 Ultimate will bring are DirectX Raytracing Tier 1.1, Mesh Shader and Sampler Feedback.
Moreover, the May 2020 Update will bring some Xbox Game Bar improvements. For instance, it will add an FPS counter and a performance overlay. Now I don’t know whether these metrics will be better than those of Rivatunner, however, it’s cool witnessing Microsoft improving the Game Bar.

MODS/EMULATORS

Nintendo Switch Emulator Yuzu receives multi-core update, gives huge improvement in performance for many games
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nintendo-switch-emulator-yuzu-receives-multi-core-update-gives-huge-improvement-in-performance-for-many-games/
The industrious development team behind Yuzu, a PC emulator for the Nintendo Switch, announced an update that enables true multi-core scalability. For an emulator that mainly used a single, CPU core until now, this update is a huge milestone in rendering capacity, and most games already benefit from its inclusion.
As you would expect, the most obvious advantage from now having access to more CPU cores is that Switch games are rendered with much higher and more stable frame rates. This is particularly welcome news for moderately-specced PC’s since an emulator that unloaded most of the work onto one core meant that you needed a really high-end CPU to enjoy most games (or one hell of an overclock).

Half-Life 2 Remastered appears on Steam database but it’s a mod and not a game from Valve
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/half-life-2-remastered-appears-on-steam-database-but-its-a-mod-and-not-a-game-from-valve/
Half-Life 2 fans, we have some good and some bad news for you today. The good news is that Half-Life 2 Remastered appeared on Steam’s database. The bad news is that this is a mod and not an official remaster from Valve.
According to SteamDB, this entry is for Filip Victor’s upcoming Remaster Mod. Filip Victor is the man behind Half-Life 2: Update. Half Life 2 Update is a completely free and extensive community-developed update for Half-Life 2. This mod features beautiful lighting, countless bug fixes, and a brand new Community Commentary Mode.
Half-Life 2 Update comes with a complete lighting overhaul including enhanced lighting, more detailed world shadows, and full High Dynamic Range Lighting (HDR). It also has new particle effects and improved fog. Therefore, I strongly suggest downloading it from here.

This 3.2 AI-enhanced HD Texture Pack for Skyrim Special Edition overhauls all common clothes
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/this-3-2-ai-enhanced-hd-texture-pack-for-skyrim-special-edition-overhauls-all-common-clothes/
Modder ‘kartoffel’ has released a new HD Texture Pack for Skyrim Special Edition. According to its description, this mod improves the textures of all Common Clothes. The modder has used AI techniques in order to upscale the original textures. As such, this pack retains the art style of the original game.
Going into more details, the modder has removed BC1-3 compression with Bc1-smooth2 model. Afterwards, he upscaled the textures with the interpolated model Manga109 and WeaponsAndArmor at 0.8. And then, he compressed the new textures to BC7.
>> Available from Nexus Mods.

Someone is working on a STALKER Remake/Remaster in Unreal Engine 4
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/someone-is-working-on-a-stalker-remake-remaster-in-unreal-engine-4/
While GSC GameWorld is currently working on STALKER 2, YouTube’s ‘Ivan Sorce’ is currently working on porting the first STALKER game in Unreal Engine 4. Unfortunately, we don’t know whether Sorce will release this fan game to the public. However, we can at least get a taste of it in its latest gameplay video.
So far, Ivan Sorce has imported some of the weapons and animations. Moreover, he reworked some parts of the Agroprom level. Not only that, but the developer has also created bump and normal maps. Additionally, he developed new AI code for some of the game’s enemies.
>> It would be a dick move to port the game only to show it off at Youtube and making people jealous, so... let's hope he's not a dick and makes it available for everybody.

Dino Crisis Rebirth, Dino Crisis Remaster using DirectX 9, is now available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/dino-crisis-rebirth-dino-crisis-remaster-using-directx-9-is-now-available-for-download/
Back in January, we informed you about a Remaster Mod for Dino Crisis, called Dino Crisis Rebirth. And today, we are happy to report that this mod is finally available for download.
Dino Crisis Classic REbirth is an unofficial patch for the Japanese SourceNext PC version of Dino Crisis. This is a crucial detail as the mod/patch will not work with the MediaKite release. However, if you have the install data from any Japanese version, you can use this SourceNext patch to make it compatible with Classic REbirth.
Going into more details, Dino Crisis Rebirth replaces DirectDraw 5.00 with DirectX 9. As such, PC gamers can expect improved compatibility with modern GPUs. Not only that, but the team plans to implement OpenGL and DirectX11 in a later versions.
>> You can download it from here.

New version of the Doom Eternal Restoration Graphics Mod brings new graphical improvements
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-version-of-the-doom-eternal-restoration-graphics-mod-brings-new-graphical-improvements/
Last month, we informed you about a mod that attempted to restore some graphical features that were cut from Doom Eternal. And a couple of days ago, Nikk Mann released a brand new version that brings some additional graphical features to id Software’s shooter. Version 1.51 allows you to lessen the effect of player shadow on your weapons. It also allows you to greatly increase the distance at which dynamic marks (like bullet holes and blood) are visible. Furthermore, you can increase the distance at which light sources are rendered and can influence objects. Additionally, players can increase the distance at which soft shadows are rendered on objects, so they don’t fade out close to them.
>> You can download it from Nexus Mods

This mod for Gears Tactics replaces in-game common loot boxes with rare/epic/legendary boxes
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/this-mod-for-gears-tactics-replaces-in-game-common-loot-boxes-with-rare-epic-legendary-boxes/
Although Gears Tactics does not feature any microtransactions, it does have loot boxes that you unlock via game progression. However, players have been receiving common loot for completing optional objectives. Well, not anymore as this mod attempts to overhaul the game’s rewards.
Gears Tactics Loot Box Enhanced V2.1 replaces all common and uncommon loot boxes with rare/epic/legendary boxes. These new loot boxes are scaled to difficulty and reward increases with progression. Thus, players now have a reason to after the secondary missions. I mean, what was the point featuring common loot boxes in these missions in the first place (other than grinding)?
But anyway, this mod finally fixes these loot boxes in Gears Tactics and you can download it from here. All you have to do in order to install it is unzip the file to Game Directory: GearGamesContentGameplayTablesCSV. This mod is compatible with existing saves, meaning that you won’t have to start a new campaign.

Metal Gear Solid 5 Big Boss invades Resident Evil 3 Remake, featuring full facial animations
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/metal-gear-solid-5-big-boss-invades-resident-evil-3-remake-featuring-full-facial-animations/
Modder ‘Darknessvaltier’ has released a pretty cool mod for Resident Evil 3 Remake. As the title suggests, this mod brings Big Boss from Metal Gear Solid 5 to Racoon City. To be more precise, the mod replaces Carlos with the final version of Big Boss (you know, the one with the horns).
Now what’s really cool here is that Big Boss has full facial animations. Yes, our beloved Big Boss does not sound like Kiefer Sutherland. However, I’m pretty sure that a lot of MGS fans will find this mod interesting.
>> You can get it from Nexus Mods. And you can check the article to find another two Carlos swap mods.

Here is a Goldeneye 007 Remake in Unreal Engine 4 with Ray Tracing
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/here-is-a-goldeneye-007-remake-in-unreal-engine-4-with-ray-tracing/
3D Artist Rafael Menezes has recreated the Washroom area from the classic Goldeneye 007 game in Unreal Engine 4. Menezes used Quixel Megascans and Ray Tracing in order to provide a more realistic look to the level. As such, these screenshots will give you an idea of what a proper Goldeneye 007 Remake could look like.
Now as we’ve already reported, a team of indie developers is currently working on a free fan remake of Goldeneye 64. That free game, called Goldeneye 25, has nothing to do with this remake. In short, don’t expect Goldeneye 25 to look like this. After all, Goldeneye 25 aims to be a more faithful remake, featuring all single-player levels.
Still, Menezes has done an excellent job recreating this scene from the Nintendo 64 game. Unfortunately, though, the artist does not plan to release this project to the public. After all, this is mostly a portfolio showcase and not a free game/prototype/tech demo.

The original Red Faction gets an improved AI-enhanced HD Texture Pack
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/the-original-red-faction-gets-an-improved-ai-enhanced-hd-texture-pack/
Back in February 2019, we informed you about an AI-enhanced HD Texture Pack for the first Red Faction game. However, it appears that a new HD Texture Pack has appeared today. This new Texture Pack uses an improved AI-enhanced method to upscale the original textures, resulting in slightly better visuals.
Created by DeAngryBoi, this Texture Pack weights around 2.7GB in size. According to the modder, the pack is free from all of the bugs and issues that appeared in the ModDB version. Moreover, all of the textures were upscaled four times from their original resolution.
>> Given the jab at ModDB, this mod is available from Nexus Mods

New 2.2GB AI-enhanced HD Texture Pack for The Witcher 3 overhauls over 700 clutter textures
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-2-2gb-ai-enhanced-hd-texture-pack-for-the-witcher-3-overhauls-over-700-clutter-textures/
Modder ‘rfuzzo’ has released a new AI-enhanced HD Texture Pack for The Witcher 3. According to the modder, this pack overhauls the textures of all cluster textures. This Texture Pack is 2.2GB in size, and enhances over 700 objects.
Now what’s really cool here is that this mod is compatible with the amazing The Witcher 3 HD Reworked. As rfuzzo noted, there are currently 20 conflicts with the HD Reworked Mod. As such, this pack will improve numerous textures that were not covered in the HD Reworked Mod.
>> Once again, Nexus Mods is your place to go.

This Bannerlord mod basically adds a mobile phone to the game
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-bannerlord-mod-basically-adds-a-mobile-phone-to-the-game/
It can be difficult tracking down important characters in Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord. You have to check the encyclopedia for their last known whereabouts, ride to whichever city or town they were last seen near, then check for an update in case they've moved elsewhere—and very few characters stay put for long. It can take ages to get in touch.
Who needs the old-timey, analog hassle of tracking down someone and talking to them in person? The Telepathy Mod lets you use Bannerlord's encyclopedia as a contact list and push a button to call any character in the game. A few seconds later, no matter where they are in the world, you'll be connected. It's more reliable than AT&T. Calradia, welcome to the cellular age.

Nintendo takes action against that really good Super Mario 64 PC port
https://www.pcgamer.com/nintendo-takes-action-against-that-really-good-mario-64-pc-port/
Someone recently stealth-released a full Mario 64 port for PC that, as Wes explained earlier this week, went way above and beyond fan-made efforts we've seen previously. It runs natively, without the need for an emulator, at high resolution—up to 4K, although the textures tend to fall apart when you crank it up that high—and with full, no-hassle Xbox controller support. "It's surreal to be playing a high resolution, high framerate Mario 64 on PC," he wrote, "but I've just done exactly that."
Unfortunately, it's going to be difficult for anyone else to do it. According to TorrentFreak, Nintendo has begun filing copyright complaints against file-hosting sites carrying the game.
>> Sad, but not surprising.

Ride tall, handsome hogs in this necessary RDR2 mod
https://www.pcgamer.com/ride-tall-handsome-hogs-in-this-necessary-rdr2-mod/
After dozens of hours of great story and character building in Red Dead Redemption 2, we discover that despite his outlaw roots and dastardly deeds, there's a quiet dignity to Arthur Morgan, a certain world-weary nobility.
Now let's see if he retains it while riding around the Old West on an enormous hog, shall we?
You've probably seen JulioNIB's work before. He's the creator of mods that let you play GTA as everything from Tony Stark to a giant shark. And now he's working on Pig Rider, a mod for RDR2 that makes hogs a) megahuge and b) mountable.
>> As it's the case with most of his mods, this one is behind a paywall on its Patreon page.

See Resident Evil 1 remade in Resident Evil 4's engine
https://www.pcgamer.com/see-resident-evil-1-remade-in-resident-evil-4s-engine/
For the last year modder Mr. Curious has been posting about the Resident Evil Remix project, in which he recreates the original Resident Evil's Spencer Mansion in the engine of Resident Evil 4 Ultimate HD Edition. Now it's almost ready for release he's made the game available to YouTuber Residence of Evil for a playtest.

Beyond Skyrim project releases a new video on the Roscrea expansion
https://www.pcgamer.com/beyond-skyrim-project-releases-a-new-video-on-the-roscrea-expansion/
The ambitious Beyond Skyrim modding project has released a new developer diary highlighting the Roscrea zone, an island to the northeast of Skyrim inhabited by a precursor people related to The Elder Scrolls' Nords. The diary highlights the environs of the rugged, volcanic island and its people. There are vistas of sweeping cliffsides, hidden bays, and steep, forested mountains surrounded by the blue sea. It's really quite pretty. There are also some shots of lovely new furniture they've made and which I would happily own in real life given the chance.

This hardcore Stardew Valley mod creates a more realistic farming experience
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-hardcore-stardew-valley-mod-creates-a-more-realistic-farming-experience/
The breezy farming sim Stardew Valley is laid-back in its nature. Running a farm and earning a profit is relatively easy, and further fulfils the fantasy of leaving our responsibilities behind and escaping to a more relaxing life. However, modder Juanpa98ar wanted to create a "more difficult and realistic experience" of farming life, and so has created Hardew Valley—a mod that changes the cutesy farming sim to labour intensive grind.
It might seem counterintuitive to the game's core, but Stardew Valley fans have always found ways to make the game more challenging. Players have created their own sets of rules to follow, like Wafflebro's 5th Candle Challenge, and there are hardcore mods that crank the enemy damage up 200 percent.
But Juanpa98ar's Hardew Valley mod raises Stardew Valley's challenge in other ways, specifically by focusing on modes of production. Crops sell for less, more materials are needed to craft, and the amount of resources to build the community centre has increased.

GAMING NEWS

Civilization-building game Before We Leave is now available on Epic Games Store
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/civilization-building-game-before-we-leave-is-now-available-on-epic-games-store/
Balancing Monkey Games today launched its civilization-building game Before We Leave on the Epic Games Store. In order to celebrate this announcement, the team has also released the game’s launch trailer that you can find below.

Here are twelve minutes of gameplay footage from the next-gen action RPG, The Ascent
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-are-twelve-minutes-of-gameplay-footage-from-the-next-gen-action-rpg-the-ascent/
IGN has shared a video, showing twelve minutes of gameplay footage from the next-gen isometric action RPG, The Ascent. The Ascent will be coming on Xbox Series X and the PC, and this video will give you an idea of what you can expect from it.

Ghostrunner Ray Tracing RTX Comparison Screenshots on Ultra Settings
https://www.dsogaming.com/articles/ghostrunner-ray-tracing-rtx-comparison-screenshots-on-ultra-settings/
All in! Games has released the demo of its upcoming hardcore FPP slasher, Ghostrunner. Ghostrunner supports real-time Ray Tracing effects, and – surprisingly enough – the demo has them. As such, we’ve decided to capture some comparison screenshots in order to showcase the visual – and performance – differences between the RTX and the non-RTX versions.

Resident Evil 8 will be the darkest & most gruesome RE to date, will have disturbing enemy designs
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/resident-evil-8-will-be-the-darkest-most-gruesome-re-to-date-will-have-disturbing-enemy-designs/
Capcom insider, Dusk Golem, has shared some new details about the next mainline game in the Resident Evil series. According to Dusk Golem, Resident Evil 8 will be the darkest & most gruesome RE to date. Moreover, RE8 will have the most disturbing enemy designs in a RE game.

STALKER 2 – Unreal Engine 4 Official Screenshot versus CRYENGINE fan remake
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/stalker-2-unreal-engine-4-official-screenshot-versus-cryengine-fan-remake/
In March 2020, GSC GameWorld released the first official screenshot for STALKER 2. STALKER 2 will be using Unreal Engine 4, and this screenshot is a teaser of what gamers can expect from the game.

The official Twitter account of Mafia tweets after almost two years, hinting at Mafia 2/3 Remasters
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/the-official-twitter-account-of-mafia-tweets-after-almost-two-years-hinting-at-mafia-2-3-remasters/
The official Twitter account for Mafia has tweeted after almost years. The message that the Mafia account has shared is quite simple. However, and after earlier leaks, we can assume that this is a hint for the Definitive Editions of Mafia 2 and Mafia 3.

New gameplay video released for F1 2020, showcasing Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-gameplay-video-released-for-f1-2020-showcasing-circuit-de-barcelona-catalunya/
Codemasters has released a new gameplay video for F1 2020. In this video, we ride on-board with Carlos Sainz in his McLaren as he takes on this classic high-speed track ahead of the weekend’s Spanish Virtual Grand Prix.

The Elder Scrolls VI news is years away according to Bethesda’s Pete Hines
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/the-elder-scrolls-vi-news-is-years-away-according-to-bethesdas-pete-hines/
In the past few years, we’ve seen some funny and ridiculous The Elder Scrolls VI rumors. However, and according to Bethesda’s Pete Hines, we won’t be getting any The Elder Scrolls VI news in the foreseeable future. As Hines noted, players should temper their expectations as they won’t be hearing about the next part in the Elder Scrolls series for a while.



Please excuse my bad English.

Currently gaming on a PC with an i5-4670k@stock (for now), 16Gb RAM 1600 MHz and a GTX 1070

Steam / Live / NNID : jonxiquet    Add me if you want, but I'm a single player gamer.