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

[JEMC]

Monday has come, and so have the news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

Steam brings us two new deals:

• Grand Emprise: Time Travel Survival is going to be 30% off until the 4th of March: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2236300/Grand_Emprise_Time_Travel_Survival/
• The Games Aid Charity Sale features up to 80% discounts. Be warned, most deals I've checked end with today's refresh, but others will last more, up until the 6th of March: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/GamesAidCharitySale2024

Fanatical has a Star Deal and a sale:

• It started yesterday, but the Star Deal is System Shock and will be 45% off during another 24 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/system-shock
• Nacon puts its games on sale with up to 92% discounts. There's no sign of when it will end: https://www.fanatical.com/en/publishers/nacon

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

Microsoft will officially reveal its DLSS-like Windows DirectSR at GDC 2024
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/microsoft-will-officially-reveal-its-dlss-like-windows-directsr-at-gdc-2024/
It appears that Microsoft is currently working on a DLSS-like upscaling tech for DirectX. And, from the looks of it, Microsoft will officially reveal this tech, which is called DirectSR, at GDC 2024.
On March 21st, Microsoft will hold the “DirectX State of the Union” presentation. And, as its description reads, MS will demonstrate DirectSR. DirectSR stands for Direct Super Resolution. Microsoft claims that DirectSR will make it easier than ever for game devs to scale super resolution support across Windows devices.

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Fallout 4 just got a new horror quest mod, inspired by Lovecraft, Resident Evil and Dead Space
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/fallout-4-new-horror-quest-mod/
Modder ‘RascalArt’ has released a horror dungeon/quest mod for Fallout 4 that is heavily inspired by Lovecraft, Resident Evil and Dead Space.
Titled In The Flesh, this mod will allow players to venture into a secret Institute facility and face the evil that dwells within. This mod appears to offer an hour of gameplay. So, consider this a somehow small mod. Still, this is new free content for Fallout 4. So, if you are still playing it, you can go ahead and download it from this link.
For the ultimate “horror” experience, the modder suggests avoiding the pipboy light. You should also leave your companions outside (so that you can immerse yourselves in this quest). Make also sure to turn up the music for an even spookier vibe.
And that is that. At the end of the article, you can find a full walkthrough video for this horror mod. So, if you don’t fancy downloading it, you can at least watch it.

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Rebirth 6.6 Available for Download
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/the-elder-scrolls-iii-morrowind-rebirth-6-6-available-for-download/
Modder ‘trancemaster_1988’ just dropped Version 6.6 of the Rebirth Mod for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. According to the modder, this latest version fixes some bugs and adds some QoL improvements. So, let’s take a closer look at what it brings to the table.
For those who don’t know, Morrowind Rebirth is a complete overhaul of Bethesda’s classic RPG. This mod adds countless new details, weapons, armors and much more for you to see and do. Basically, this is a must-have mod for those who want to replay this classic TES game.
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Rebirth 6.6 fixes issues where there were several geometry issues. It also addresses some collision issues. Not only that but it fixes some names, titles and ownership issues, and it brings various landscape fixes and improvements.
This new version also brings some balance tweaks to the game’s spells. Moreover, it adds some new 3D models for weapons and items. For instance, you’ll find a new model for Severia’s Imperial Shortsword, Bow of Shadows and Ring of Equity.
>> The article has the long changelog, but no screenshots nor videos.

New Skyrim Mod Makes NPCs Smarter, Enabling Dynamic AI and Allowing Them to Seek Cover
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/new-skyrim-mod-npcs-smarter-dynamic-ai/
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim fans, here is something special for you today. Modder ‘JaySerpa’ has released a new mod that overhauls the AI of all NPCs. This is a must-have mod, so make sure to download it.
Now what’s cool here is that instead of making enemies more “spongy”, this mod actually makes your enemies smarter. As such, they will now seek for cover once they lose sight of you. Previously, enemies were standing still and players could cheese their way. Well, not anymore.
Thanks to a dynamic AI system, enemies will relocate the moment they notice you can potentially shoot them from your current location. Moreover, NPCs move more than in vanilla while in cover, making them a harder target to hit.
And that’s not all. Enemies will start combat if they see you loading up your bows/magic nearby and aiming in their direction, instead of always waiting for you to shoot them in the face first. Oh, and did I mention that they also have 200 voiced reactions? Yeap, NPCs can now call you out on your dirty tactics.
>> There's a five minutes video.

Skyrim mod lets you match the pace of NPCs so you can more easily follow them around
https://www.pcgamer.com/skyrim-mod-lets-you-match-the-pace-of-npcs-so-you-can-more-easily-follow-them-around/
Surely everyone knows this extremely specific frustration: a game expects you to accompany an NPC while they lead you to the next part of the quest, talking the whole way, but they travel slower than your running speed and faster than your walking speed. You have to alternate awkwardly between a stroll and a jog the whole way, instead of just being able to walk alongside them like a normal person.
While some games let you match the pace of NPCs when you need to, Skyrim does not. Which can be a real hassle when Esbern or some other mouthy plot-related character has to guide you to the next bit of story. Here's modder wSkeever with the solution: Simplicity of Stalking—Automatically Follow NPCs.
It's a straightforward mod. Simply hold shift and mouse over an NPC to make the "follow" option appear. Press E to activate it, and you'll follow them wherever they go—even through loading screens—whether they're a quest NPC or a courier you just feel like following to see where they go. I tested it by doing exactly that, and it worked like a charm. To stop following them, press any movement key or attack.
>> There's a two minutes video of the mod.

New The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Mods Improve Ray Tracing Reflections & Shadows, Enable RT Mirrors
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/new-the-witcher-3-next-gen-mods-improve-ray-tracing-reflections-shadows-enable-rt-mirrors/
Modder ‘ScoutBr0’ has just released two must-have mods for The Witcher 3 Next-Gen. These mods improve the game’s Ray Tracing Reflections and Shadows, and enable Ray Tracing Mirrors.
Going into more details, the first mod aims to significantly improve the quality of ray-traced reflections and shadows. As such, reflections more accurately reflect the environment, and shadows are cast more accurately across the environment. This mod will only improve RT Reflections and Shadows. It will not make any changes to RT Global Illumination or Ambient Occlusion.
(...)
Let’s now talk about the second mod. This mod uses Ray Tracing in order to enable RT Mirrors. By using it, you can improve the game’s visuals, especially in indoor areas. Here is a comparison screenshot between the vanilla and the modded mirrors. Quite an improvement, don’t you think?
>> The article has some screenshots for both mods.

The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project NextGen Edition Showcased in Brand New Video
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/the-witcher-3-hd-reworked-project-nextgen-edition-showcased-in-brand-new-video/
Modder ‘Halk Hogan’ has shared a new video for his amazing The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project NextGen Edition Mod. This video shows off some of the new textures that the modder will include in its upcoming version.
For those unaware, The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project improves the game with top-notch textures that look great and run smoothly, without needing more VRAM. If you’re already playing on Max settings, you’ll be able to use this mod. The pack includes high-quality, accurate normal maps, many of which are made from detailed 3D models. The project also brings better LODs for objects.

Tomb Raider Redux is a free remake you can download right now
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/tomb-raider-redux-free-remake-download/
Now here is something that passed under my radar. In 2023, AngelOfDarkness released a free remake of the first Tomb Raider game, called Tomb Raider Redux. This fan remake is still available for download, so make sure to get it while you still can.
Going into more details, AngelOfDarkness has re-made and re-imagined the first Tomb Raider game in Tomb Raider Level Editor. This fan remake combines elements of Core’s unreleased Anniversary Edition with Crystal Dynamic’s Tomb Raider Anniversary. So, think of it as a cool mix between them. Moreover, it packs a number of original ideas.
As you’ll see in the following gameplay video, this remake is all about gameplay refinements. Lara’s movements have been overhauled, and the game plays a lot better. This remake does not focus on improving the game’s graphics. So, don’t expect any fancy Ray Tracing effects. Still, compared to the first game, Lara’s 3D model has been improved. So that’s at least something.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 PC Brazil v1.1.0 Released, Fixes Stutters, Reduces Crashes & Improves CPU Performance
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/marvels-spider-man-2-pc-brazil-v1-1-0-released-fixes-stutters-reduces-crashes-improves-cpu-performance/
The modding team behind the unofficial PC port for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has released a brand new version of it. Version 1.1.0 finally fixes the awful stuttering issues, reduces crashes, and improves CPU performance. So, let’s take a closer look at it.
Going into more details, this new version patches the Havok Physics Engine so that it no longer creates memory leaks. Thanks to these improvements, the game will no longer stutter. This is a huge improvement. Finally, you can now traverse the city without any stutters.
Version 1.1.0 is also less CPU intensive than before. So, if you have a less powerful CPU, you should now get a better gaming experience. It’s really cool to see what this modding team can do with this unofficial PC port.
And that’s not all. The team has fixed/updated a great number of shaders. It has also fixed the daytime skybox. Thus, the skybox will no longer be represented as a solid color.
>> The article has a six minutes video.

'Lore-accurate' Dawn of War 2 mod lets you make it more like Dawn of War 1
https://www.pcgamer.com/lore-accurate-dawn-of-war-2-mod-lets-you-make-it-more-like-dawn-of-war-1/
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 shrunk the classic RTS down to squad-scale, presenting its battles as a series of close-range skirmishes between at most half-a-dozen units on each side. If you miss the larger scale and variety of factions in the original Dawn of War, the Codex Edition mod, which just released version 3.0, is for you.
Its focus is making Dawn of War 2 into "a more immersive, fluff-accurate, and realistic experience". It increases the range of weapons, adds base building (though unlike the original Dawn of War, base building isn't connected to research), ups the population capacity, and adds new units, including super-heavies like Imperial Knights and Gorkanauts. The zoom distance has been tweaked as well so you can pull back and see more of what's going on.
As well as reworking the existing factions with additional units, four new factions have been added: Necrons, T'au, Grey Knights, and the Adeptus Mechanicus. The terrain has been upscaled, the UI reworked, and existing units rebalanced so that, for instance, the Eldar and Space Marines move faster.
It's a comprehensive overhaul. Given that so many of the changes bring Dawn of War 2 more in line with a modded version of Dawn of War 1, which is still the best 40K game around, I'm not sure I need this particular mod myself. If you're more of a Dawn of War 2 enjoyer though, this might be for you. To install Codex Edition, you'll need to own Dawn of War 2: Retribution specifically, and you'll have to have it on Steam. You can download Codex Edition from ModDB.
>> The article has a cinematic intro taken from the mod.

GAMING NEWS

The Sims 5 Pre-Release PC Build Has Been Leaked Online
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/the-sims-5-pre-release-pc-build-has-been-leaked-online/
It appears that a pre-release PC build for The Sims 5 has been leaked online. Yeap, this is the real deal. Both PC and Android builds of this upcoming social game are circulating on the Internet as we speak.
According to some reports, the pre-release PC build uses the Denuvo anti-tamper tech. This falls in line with what EA has been doing with its latest PC releases.