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

[JEMC]

A new week, a new round of news:

SALES & DEALS

Minecraft sales now exceed 200 million
https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-sales-now-exceed-200-million/
Mojang marked Minecraft's 11th anniversary—counting from the launch of the public alpha in 2009—by rebranding itself and teasing that it's playing around with some ideas for brand new games. But Minecraft is still at the centre of Mojang's universe, according to the announcement, and given that more than 200 million copies have been sold, that's not a surprise.
Studio head Helen Chiang shared the figures in a blog post that also detailed the ways that Minecraft and its players have adapted to the last few months. In March, Mojang released free educational worlds on the Minecraft Marketplace to help out when schools starting closing, and last weekend one of several graduations took place in the blocky sandbox.
During Minecraft's 10th anniversary, Mojang announced that it has hit 176 million, so that's 24 million more copies in just the last year. As for monthly players, it's at 126 million. That's likely to include the Chinese free-to-play version, which boasted over 300 million players in 2019.

GOG starts the week with two weekly sales:

• The first one is the typical weekly sale, this time with games featuring strange creatures, up to 80% off: https://www.gog.com/promo/20200518_weekly_sale
• And there's also a The Witcher sale with up to 85% discounts during the next week: https://www.gog.com/promo/witcher_birthday

Steam has two daily deals:

• The Sudden Strike franchise is between 30 and 81% off: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/suddenstrike/
• And Talisman: Digital Edition is 80% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/247000/Talisman_Digital_Edition/

Let me remind you that the Humble Store is having its Spring Sale, that will end this Thursday 21, and that they have added new deals since the sale begun. Maybe you should give it a second look.

Fanatical, who's May Madness sale has ended, has two new sales:

• The new Star Deal is PAYDAY 2, 90% off for the next 24 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/payday-2
• And there's a new Tomb Raider GOTY Bundle, featuring the game plus 21 DLCs with a 86% discount: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/tomb-raider-goty-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

-empty-

MODS/EMULATORS

Version 1.19.0 for Nintendo Wii U Emulator CEMU released, packs Vulkan & compatibility improvements
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/version-1-19-0-for-nintendo-wii-u-emulator-cemu-released-packs-vulkan-compatibility-improvements/
The team behind the best Nintendo WiiU emulator, CEMU, released a brand new version of it. Version 1.19.0 adds option to allow async shader & pipeline compilation under Vulkan. Moreover, it brings a number of fixes for the Vulkan API.
Alongside these Vulkan improvements, version 1.19.0 brings minor compatibility and misc improvements. Moreover, the new version fixes some lighting issues in some games.
Async shader & pipeline compilation aims to improve performance. These asynchronous shaders can minimize stutters. However, this method may also introduce some rendering issues. As such, the team suggests avoiding it (unless of course you care more about a stutter-free experience).

GTA5 NaturalVision Evolved is now in Early Access, adds screen-space ray traced global illumination
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/gta5-naturalvision-evolved-is-now-in-early-access-adds-screen-space-ray-traced-global-illumination/
Modder Razed has released an Early Access version of NaturalVision Evolved for Grand Theft Auto 5. In order to showcase this Early Access version, the modder has also released a in-game video that you can find below.
NaturalVision Evolved is a work-in-progress visual overhaul mod that features numerous changes. This mod aims to improve the environmental weathers, lighting system, ambient colors, and tonemapping. It will also enhance world textures, building models and more.
>> Right now, the mod is beahind a paywall in their Patreon page (link not provided). Also, you can go to the thread AbbathTheGrim made about it.

Minecraft Greenfield V0.5.3 looks spectacular, releases in a few weeks
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/minecraft-greenfield-v0-5-3-looks-spectacular-releases-in-a-few-weeks/
Look at that header. Looks cool, right? Well, if you didn’t pay a lot of attention to it, you might have thought that this was a real image. However, it’s not. That’s an in-game screenshot from Minecraft. And in a few weeks, you’ll be able to experience this map for yourselves. A couple of days ago, the team behind the largest City mod/map for Minecraft shared two new screenshots from its latest version. Minecraft Greenfield V0.5.3 looks absolutely stunning, and is easily one of the most impressive mods/maps for Minecraft.
According to the team, the city is built using a 1:1 Scale (1 block = 1 cubic meter). Thus, it actually feels like you are walking around a real city whilst you are exploring it. It also looks gorgeous, though we don’t know yet whether it will be compatible with Minecraft RTX.
>> It's available from planetminecraft.

SilentPatch for The Wonderful 101: Remastered released, fixes broken frame pacing issues
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/silentpatch-for-the-wonderful-101-remastered-released-fixes-broken-frame-pacing-issues/
While The Wonderful 101: Remastered is not yet available for the majority of players, Silent has released a must-have patch for it. According to the modder, the SilentPatch for The Wonderful 101: Remastered fixes its broken frame pacing issues.
Now in case you’re wondering, Silent was able to test the game via a friend who has crowdfunded the game via Kickstarter. So yeah, this is a real patch that can significantly improve your overall experience.
As Silent noted, the framerate is all over the place and never reaches stable 60 at all in The Wonderful 101: Remastered. Thus, PC gamers will experience major frame pacing issues in the vanilla/unpatched version. Silent goes into a lot of details on how he was able to fix this, and you can read more here.
>> You can get this mod from GitHub.

New version of Sekiro Online fixes bugs, improves stability, downscales enemies in co-op and more
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-version-of-sekiro-online-fixes-bugs-improves-stability-downscales-enemies-in-co-op-and-more/
Earlier this month, we informed you about a mod for Sekiro that allows you to play online with other players. Since the, LukeYui has released some new versions of this mod that improved overall stability and fixed some gameplay issues.
In case you aren’t aware of, Sekiro Online adds both PvP and co-operative play to the game. This mod features both a PvP and a co-op mode. Moreover, players can enter an unsuspecting person’s world as a spirit of vengeance, and fight to the death.
(...)
The latest version of Sekiro Online is V1.08 and downscales enemies slightly in co-op. It also fixes an issue that caused sessions to be instantly terminated when you joined. Moreover, it fixes a bug that gave phantoms invader rewards when the host died.
>> You can find it at Nexus Mods.

The Witcher 3 HD Reworked creator releases a new graphics mod for Skyrim Special Edition
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/the-witcher-3-hd-reworked-creator-releases-a-new-graphics-mod-for-skyrim-special-edition/
Halk Hogan PL, creator of the amazing The Witcher 3 HD Reworked, has released a new graphics mod for Skyrim Special Edition. This mod brings all dragons (base game + DLC) and dragon things to stunning the highest 4K quality. Not only that, but this mod has a 100% lore friendly look.
HD Reworked Dragons Collection 4K features high quality accurate BC7 4K normal maps without significant compression artifacts. Furthermore, this mod also improves and fixed alpha textures.
>> You'll have to go to Nexus Mods to get it.

New gameplay teaser trailer released for the upcoming Dino Crisis Unreal Engine 4 fan remake
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-gameplay-teaser-trailer-released-for-the-upcoming-dino-crisis-unreal-engine-4-fan-remake/
Team Arklay has just released a new gameplay teaser trailer for its upcoming Unreal Engine 4 Fan Remake of Capcom’s dino game, Dino Crisis. From the looks of it, Team Arklay is making this Dino Crisis Remake from scratch. And, for a fan-made game, this unofficial remake looks cool.
This gameplay teaser trailer shows Regina exploring an environment and killing a raptor. Now I strongly suggest tempering your expectations. As you will find out, this is a really rough gameplay trailer. And again, keep in mind that this comes from a small indie team.
>> It doesn't look that bad.

The Witcher 3 Redux V2.7 released, brings numerous gameplay fixes, tweaks, reworks and additions
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/the-witcher-3-redux-v2-7-released-brings-numerous-gameplay-fixes-tweaks-reworks-and-additions/
Modder ‘Aleks Vuckovic’ has released a brand new version of The Witcher 3 Redux Mod. According to the modder, version 2.7 comes with numerous gameplay fixes, additions, tweaks and improvements.
(...)
Going into more details, The Witcher 3 Redux Version 2.7 reworks Active Shield (Alternate Quen). It also adds some more visual flair to the Supercharged Quen Discharge effect. Moreover, it fixes an issue where immunity to hypnosis would still inflict Geralt with Drain through the hypnosis effect.
Additionally, there is no longer a delay between throwing bombs in this latest version. Furthermore, V2.7 lowers Vitality bonus of mini-boss/boss human enemies, and Rosa var Attre’s health.
>> Once again, you can find this mod at Nexus Mods.

Here is your first look at the upcoming Metal Gear Solid vs Doom mashup, Metal Gear Doom
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/here-is-your-first-look-at-the-upcoming-metal-gear-solid-vs-doom-mashup-metal-gear-doom/
AutumnAPM has released the first gameplay video for his upcoming Metal Gear Solid vs Doom mashup, Metal Gear Doom. Metal Gear Doom basically transports the Doomsguy and all of the Doom enemies to levels inspired by Metal Gear Solid.
According to the modder, the focus of Metal Gear Doom will be on finding resources (weapons) and avoiding difficult fights. The mod will have approximately 5 main levels, and plans to add 3 secret levels. Furthermore, the modder will be adding 3 “VR missions”. The missions will be designed to be a lot more challenging than the regular game.
>> You can download and try a demo from ModDB.

New gameplay teaser video released for Fallout New Vegas Remake in Fallout 4, Fallout 4: New Vegas
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-gameplay-teaser-video-released-for-fallout-new-vegas-remake-in-fallout-4-fallout-4-new-vegas/
The team behind the Fallout New Vegas Remake in Fallout 4, Fallout 4: New Vegas has released a brand new gameplay video. This video shows the main protagonist roaming the roads and talking to Oliver Swanick. It also shows the dialogue menu and reload animation.

There is now a first-person Jazz Jackrabbit total conversion mod for Doom 2 that you can download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/there-is-now-a-first-person-jazz-jackrabbit-total-conversion-mod-for-doom-2-that-you-can-download/
BassSlapper89 has released a pretty cool total conversion mod for the classic Doom 2 game. Jazz Jackrabbit Doom TC is basically a fan game based on the Jazz Jackrabbit game in the Doom Engine, and you can download it right now.
Jazz Jackrabbit Doom TC features a first-person perspective. Moreover, it features sprites for enemies and weapons from the Jazz Jackrabbit game. (...)
The latest version of Jazz Jackrabbit Dooma adds new enemies and changes a few existing enemy sprites.
You can download this total conversion mod from here. Naturally, you will need the Doom 2 WAD in order to play it. The modder also suggests using GZDoom v3.7.2-v4.3.3, LZDoom v3.85.

This rad Sekiro mod adds Katana Zero's bullet time and fast sword attacks
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-rad-sekiro-mod-adds-katana-zeros-bullet-time-and-fast-sword-attacks/
Two of my favorite angry-person-with-a-sword games have come together in Sekiro Zero, a mod that adds Katana Zero's slowdown ability and instant sword attacks to Sekiro's excellent sword combat system. It even comes with some flashy neon effects as a nod to Katana Zero's pop-cyberpunk aesthetic. This is one of the better Sekiro mods I've seen in a minute.
If you're unfamiliar with how Katana Zero's slowdown works, don't sweat it (but do go play it, at least for the tunes). It articulates a lot like Max Payne's bullet time ability. You get a limited time to slow the action down to a crawl in order to plan the next second or so of action in which you need to jump, slide, slice, and dodge with absolute precision, or die. The slowdown ability is a stylish way to fine tune that path.
Sekiro Zero does a pretty damn good job approximating the same loop in Sekiro. You get the slowdown ability, lighting quick attacks (that work with special attacks too), and a special new 'fast' dash so you can cover the distance between enemies in the blink of an eye. Sekiro was already a fast-paced game and an experienced player could clean out a crowded room in a minute. Sekiro Zero would easily halve that.
>> Available from Nexus Mods.

There are already lots of good SnowRunner mods
https://www.pcgamer.com/there-are-already-lots-of-good-snowrunner-mods/
SnowRunner launched with mod support, and we already got a handful of absurd mods like the one where you drive around a giant octopus or whatever this undulating billion-legged horror is. Now the game has been out for a few weeks we're really starting to see the more serious, really good stuff show up for this off-road driving simulator. You know, filthy old off-roading trucks for all your filthy old off-roading needs. For example, there's a crucially important mod that adds personal favorite pickup the 1983 Ford Ranger for you to tool around in. You can check out SnowRunner's official mod support over at snowrunner.mod.io.

This Half-Life: Alyx mod lets you play with lightsabers
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-half-life-alyx-mod-lets-you-play-with-lightsabers/
Modders started tinkering away with Half-Life: Alyx as soon as it appeared, but it was only last week that official tools were released, along with the opening of its Steam Workshop. There are already more than 100 mods to root through, and naturally one of them lets you muck around with lightsabers.
Every first-person VR game could be improved by tossing in lightsabers, but Half-Life: Alyx in particular seems like somewhere they really belong. Alyx already has some Jedi-like tricks up her sleeve, or in her gloves, after all. Take a look at the Force in action below.

GAMING NEWS

Here are 16 minutes of gameplay from the Dark Souls-inspired game, Hellpoint
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-are-16-minutes-of-gameplay-from-the-dark-souls-inspired-game-hellpoint/
Hellpoint is an action RPG with extreme similarities to the Dark Souls series. This is basically a Dark Souls clone. The only major difference is that the game takes place in space. Actually, if I am not mistaken, the whole game takes place on a space station called Irid Novo.

Ubisoft plans to release another big title and it’s most likely another Far Cry
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/ubisoft-plans-to-release-another-big-title-and-its-most-likely-another-far-cry/
Ubisoft has already delayed all of their upcoming games, except Assassin’s Creed Valhalla which is coming this year. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Quarantine, Gods & Monsters, Watch Dogs: Legion, Beyond Good and Evil 2 and Skull & Bones do not have an official release date yet.
Ubisoft is planning to release another triple-A title, which is probably Far Cry 6. It can also be something else related to this already exhausted series, like another spin-off.

Half-Life Alyx Source 2 Engine Mod Tools Are Now Available For Download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/half-life-alyx-source-2-engine-mod-tools-are-now-available-for-download/
Valve has finally released the Source 2 Engine Mod Tools for Half-Life: Alyx. As such, PC gamers will be now able to mod this latest Half Life VR game. Moreover, the team has launched the official Workshop group for Half-Life: Alyx.

New Ori and the Will of the Wisps Patch adds HDR on PC, Dynamic Resolution Scaling & FPS Limit
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-ori-and-the-will-of-the-wisps-patch-adds-hdr-on-pc-dynamic-resolution-scaling-fps-limit/
Moon Studios has released a new major update for Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The May 14th update adds HDR support on the PC. Moreover, it brings a new Dynamic Resolution Scaling setting. This setting enables the game to automatically lower its rendering resolution to achieve higher framerate when necessary.

New Microsoft Flight Simulator screenshots show beautiful sea waves, volumetric clouds and more
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/new-microsoft-flight-simulator-screenshots-show-beautiful-sea-waves-volumetric-clouds-and-more/
Microsoft has released a new set of gorgeous screenshots for Microsoft Flight Simulator. These screenshots are from the game’s alpha build and showcase some truly amazing sea waves and volumetric clouds.

Someday You’ll Return – PC Performance Analysis + 4K/Ultra Screenshots
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/someday-youll-return-pc-performance-analysis-4k-ultra-screenshots/
CBE Software, creators of J.U.L.I.A.: Among the Stars, has released its latest story-driven psychological horror game on Steam. Someday You’ll Return uses Unreal Engine 4 and it’s time to benchmark it and see how it performs on the PC platform.

Player choice matters in Wasteland 3
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/player-choice-matters-in-wasteland-3/
After many delays, Wasteland 3, is coming at the end of this summer. IGN has recently released a developer diary where the lead designer of inXile Entertainment, David Rogers, talks about character creation, customization, and of course combat.

Prince of Persia 6 domain was fake, is now available for sale
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/prince-of-persia-6-domain-was-fake-is-now-available-for-sale/
Earlier this month, we informed you about the appearance of a domain for Prince of Persia 6. This domain showed at first Gandi.net as the registrant and featured Ubisoft’s DNS servers. Thus, it looked legit. However, it appears that it wasn’t as the domain is currently available for sale.