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

[JEMC]

The Wednesday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

GOG has three new Deals of the Day that will last 46 hours:

• The first one is Anno 1602 A.D., 50% off: https://www.gog.com/en/game/anno_1602_ad
• The Settlers® 2: Gold Edition gets a 75% discount: https://www.gog.com/en/game/the_settlers_2_gold_edition
• And Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Collection has a 82% deal: https://www.gog.com/en/game/jazz_jackrabbit_2_collection

Just like GOG’s Summer Sale will end in a few hours, Fanatical’s Red Hot Sale will end in 24 hours. Last chance to buy something from it.

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

INTEL Arc Graphics 32.0.101.5762 driver
https://videocardz.com/driver/intel-arc-graphics-32-0-101-5762

Highlights
Intel® Game On Driver support on Intel® Arc™ A-series Graphics GPUs and Intel® Core™ Ultra with built-in Intel® Arc™ GPUs for:

• Once Human
• Zenless Zone Zero

Game performance improvements on Intel® Arc™ A-Series Graphics Products versus Intel® 31.0.101.5594 software driver for:

• Diablo IV (DX12)
  • Up to 30% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ray Tracing Ultra settings
  • Up to 35% average FPS uplift at 1440p with Ray Tracing Ultra settings

Fixed Issues
Intel® Arc™ A-Series Graphics Products:

• Plant vs. Zombies* Game of the Year Edition may experience lower than expected performance with 3D acceleration enabled.

Intel® Core™ Ultra with built-in Intel® Arc™ GPUs:

• Launching a game with Endurance Gaming engaged may result in VSync persisting on after disengaging Endurance Gaming during gameplay.
• Plant vs. Zombies* Game of the Year Edition may experience lower than expected performance with 3D acceleration enabled.

Intel® Arc™ Control Fixed Issues:

• Arc Control may report incorrect Shader Model version in System Capabilities

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Modders have recreated the canceled Fallout 3 game, Van Buren, in the Fallout 2 Engine
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/modders-have-recreated-the-canceled-fallout-3-game-van-buren-in-the-fallout-2-engine/
Fallout fans, here is something for you today. Modder ‘PJ’ has released a new version of the Fallout Yesterday project, a free game using the Fallout 2 Engine that attempts to recreate the canceled Fallout 3 game, codenamed Van Buren. So, make sure to get it while you still can. For all we know, Bethesda and MS may take it down.
Fallout Yesterday offers multiple races, hundreds of new Traits and Perks, items, weapons, gameplay additions, and dozens of new locations. It also packs 7 different vehicles, as well as new companions.
Right now, it’s possible to finish the main story with a specific character build focused on Science and Repairs.
Version 0.6 adds over 30 new quests in Hoover Dam and Maxson Bunker. Party management is now better both in and out of combat. The game now also ahve free-roaming caravans. Special encounters have been reworked, and all of the game’s videos are now upscaled for better quality.
And that’s not all. Fallout Yesterday V0.6 has 100+ new items and weapons, as well as 100+ new Traits and Perks. There are also starvation and dehydration systems on Hard difficulty. PC gamers can also expect new main story content, new music tracks, and new craftable items (including books).
Finally, it’s worth noting that Fallout Yesterday has gone Open Source. You can find its source code on GitLab. At GitLab, you can also report bugs or post ideas. Moreover, indie devs will be able to contribute to the project’s progress.
>> The article has an over 30 minutes video.

Classic Deus Ex looks better than ever with the latest version of the Echelon Renderer, which adds support for NVIDIA RTX Remix Path Tracing
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/classic-deus-ex-looks-better-than-ever-with-the-latest-version-of-the-echelon-renderer-which-adds-support-for-nvidia-rtx-remix-path-tracing/
In May 2024, we shared an RTX Remix Mod for the classic Deus Ex game. Since then, Jongbloed has been working on fixing and improving it. And a couple of days ago, the modder released a new version of the Echelon Renderer. So, let’s take a look at it.
For those unaware, Deus Ex Echelon Renderer is a fixed-function rendering pipeline intended for use with NVidia’s RTX Remix. This renderer is written from scratch to provide render calls in the most compatible way with RTX Remix.
Since V0.2.3, the modder has added support for gouraud shading. He also fixed an issue where FDynamicSprite hijack was not restored properly. The latest version also disables optimization that caused meshes to disappear when not viewed directly. The renderer will now also try to approach Deus Ex’s original lighting falloff.
But perhaps the biggest change is the following one. JC will now cast shadows and he will show up in reflections. As such, the game can now be more immersive than before.
>> There are some screenshots.

Baldur's Village, the Stardew Valley/BG3 mash-up mod that lets you kiss Astarion, has a new update and potential release window
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/life-sim/baldurs-village-the-stardew-valleybg3-mash-up-mod-that-lets-you-kiss-astarion-has-a-new-update-and-potential-release-window/
A few months ago, a Baldur's Gate 3 fan artist with the handle XunHe1145, shared a project that would bring BG3 characters to the world of Stardew Valley in a mod named Baldur's Village. After a couple of months, we've finally got another update on the project, including a potential release window: "Although the release date has not been decided, there is a high probability that the first part will be released this fall or winter," Xun says in a tweet. 
The mod will feature a separate map for Baldur's village, four different new building styles, and new characters like Astarion, Shadowheart, Gale, and Halsin with custom portraits—oh, and Astarion will have a romance/dating questline, just in case you were wondering. But that's not all—Xun's tweet also included some new information about what this mod will look like. 
First up, there's a new character being added: "Both Rolan and Rolan's Projection have been designed, although Rolan is not currently a marriable NPC, but will occasionally appear in some corners of the map," Xun says. "Again!! The only NPCs currently available for marriage are Astarion and Halsin, but once the first part is released, the order of marriageable NPCs will be voted on by our Patreon." Rolan's Projection will also come with a new building design: a restaurant which he will manage. "The bar will regularly or randomly sell some new items," Xun continues. 
Other new rooms and buildings are also briefly mentioned: "We are designing spouse rooms, patios, and special furniture related to the character's experience," Xun says. "This part of the work is huge, and it's still a work in progress." 
>> Other tha the headline pic, there’s no other media of this mod.

GAMING NEWS

Here’s the full list of fixes, tweaks and changes for Battlefield 2042 Patch 7.4.0
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/heres-the-full-list-of-fixes-tweaks-and-changes-for-battlefield-2042-patch-7-4-0/
DICE has shared the full patch notes for Battlefield 2042 Title Update 7.4.0, listing all the fixes, tweaks and changes that it brings. This patch will be released on July 9th and it will mark the final major update of Season 7: Turning Point. So, let’s take a closer look at it.

STALCRAFT X, a “Minecraft meets STALKER” free open-world game, just got a graphics overhaul
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/stalcraft-x-a-minecraft-meets-stalker-free-open-world-game-just-got-a-visual-overhaul/
EXBO has released a new major update for its “Minecraft meets STALKER” free open-world game, STALCRAFT X. According to the devs, this update will improve the game’s graphics. And, to showcase this latest build, EXBO shared a new in-engine trailer that you can find below.