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

[JEMC]

The Thursday news, all in one post:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

This week's free game at the Epic Store is Galactic Civilizations III: https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/p/galactic-civilizations-iii
Next week, the free game will be "Relicta".

Steam has two new deals:

• The new daily deal is the Early Access title Warpips, 60% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1291010/Warpips/
• And Agrou will also be 60% off, but until January 17: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1305420/Agrou/

The Humble Bundle has a new package: the PC Building Simulator Bundle, with up to 10 items to get during the next 20 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/pc-building-simulator-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

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MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Crytek issues C&D letter to the creator of the unofficial Photomode for Crysis 2/3 Remastered
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/crytek-issues-cd-letter-to-the-creator-of-the-unofficial-photomode-for-crysis-2-3-remastered/
As we all know, the first Crysis game relied heavily on its modding community. Not only that, but PC gamers could capture high-resolution screenshots, similar to the Photomode that most games currently feature. However, it appears that Crytek has just shot itself in its foot. In a really surprising, and really stupid, move, the team issued a C&D letter to the creator of an unofficial Photomode for Crysis 2/3 Remastered.

GAMING NEWS

First Final Fantasy 7 Remake PC Update released, patch notes revealed
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/first-final-fantasy-7-remake-pc-update-released-patch-notes-revealed/
Square Enix has just released the first update for the PC version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. According to the company, this patch stabilizes the resolution for framerates that are higher than 90fps.

The free-to-play Forza game is shutting down in the spring
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/the-free-to-play-forza-game-is-shutting-down-in-the-spring/
Forza Street—originally released in 2018 as Miami Street—arrived on Windows 10 in 2019 as a streamlined, free-to-play racer offering quick one-minute races, aimed primarily at PC drivers who don't have the high-end hardware needed to squeeze the most out of the mainline Forza series. Three years later, it's going away: Turn 10 Studios Principal Design Director Andy Beaudoin said in a recent developer blog that the studio has decided to close it down so developers can focus on "new and exciting Forza experiences."

Become a plant detective in this occult botany shop puzzle game next week
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/become-a-plant-detective-in-this-occult-botany-shop-puzzle-game-next-week/
If Wordle has you staring at letters this week, Strange Horticulture will have you staring at flowers, leaves, thorns, and roots next week. In the puzzle game from developer Bad Viking, you've inherited a spooky little plant shop in the quaint little Victorian town of Undermere. As quirky and mysterious customers come in asking to buy plants you'll need to crack your tome of botany knowledge, closely examine the plants in your store, and figure out exactly what your customers want based on their descriptions.

When does God of War on PC unlock in your time zone?
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/god-of-war-pc-release-time-unlock/
The God of War PC unlock time isn't far away at all now, so if you remember the pain of missing out on Kratos' beard when he returned to PlayStation in 2018, your patience will soon be rewarded. Yes, God of War on PC is finally a thing.
>> Adding support for ultrawide monitors was challenging.

Here's 15 minutes of 4K God of War PC gameplay
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/heres-15-minutes-of-4k-god-of-war-pc-gameplay/
God of War is (finally) coming to PC on Friday but reviews are live now, and in case there was any doubt it's very good: "The best version of a fantastic game," we said in our 90% review, "evidence that the PC is the ultimate videogame unifier, and a great reminder of how the platform can bring out the best in games." In short, if you haven't played God of War and you want to, this is the version to play.

It's been nearly a month and you still can't buy Final Fantasy 14
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/its-been-nearly-a-month-and-you-still-cant-buy-final-fantasy-14/
The wonderful world of Final Fantasy 14 has had its gates locked for almost an entire month. Due to widespread server congestion from the sheer number of players trying to get in, Square Enix halted sales of the base game 13 days after the latest expansion's early access launch on December 3. If you didn't already own the game, you were locked out.
Forty days since Endwalker touched down, it's still impossible to buy a new copy of Final Fantasy 14 or register an account for the free trial.

Tabletop Simulator caught up in competing review bomb campaigns over transphobic moderation complaint
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/tabletop-simulator-caught-up-in-competing-review-bomb-campaigns-over-transphobic-moderation-complaint/
Tabletop Simulator has found itself at the center of dueling review-bomb campaigns on Steam following complaints from a user who was kicked and temporarily banned from the game's global chat channel for stating that they are gay and trans.

Cloud Imperium starts referencing Star Citizen spinoff sequels
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/cloud-imperium-starts-referencing-star-citizen-spinoff-sequels/
The January 2022 issue of MCV Develop, a UK trade magazine about the videogame industry, includes an interview with Cloud Imperium Games' chief operating officer, Carl Jones. While the focus is on the developer's studio setup and future plans for expansion, Jones went into some detail about various aspects of Star Citizen: A game that, nine years into development, exists in certain forms but feels quite far from anything like a 'finished' release.

Warhammer Age of Sigmar has been delayed into late 2023
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/warhammer-age-of-sigmar-has-been-delayed-into-late-2023/
Upcoming RTS Warhammer Age of Sigmar has been delayed into late 2023, according to a recent trading report from developer Frontier.
It was originally due to release in the early half of 2023 but is now expected to come out "later in that calendar year" (thanks Eurogamer). Frontier says the delay "will further improve the quality and longevity of the game, and overall make it more successful."