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

[JEMC]

Was your weekend good? I hope so. Let’s now check the Monday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

GOG starts the week with six new “limited time offers” and a new sale:

• These are the limited deals, all of them ending Wednesday:
  • A Tower Full of Cats has a 20% discount: https://www.gog.com/en/game/a_tower_full_of_cats
  • They Are Billions is 25% off: https://www.gog.com/en/game/they_are_billions
  • SteamWorld Build is half its price: https://www.gog.com/en/game/steamworld_build
  • Oddworld: New ’n’ Tasty features a 75% discount: https://www.gog.com/en/game/oddworld_new_n_tasty
  • Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD is also 75% off: https://www.gog.com/en/game/oddworld_strangers_wrath
  • The last one is SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising, with a 90% discount: https://www.gog.com/en/game/synthetik_legion_rising
• And Publisher Chucklefish celebrates its 13th Anniversary with a Sale and putting its games up to 80% off during 7 days: https://www.gog.com/en/promo/20240722_chucklefish_publisher_sale

Steam has three new deals, each one ending on a different day:

• Unrailed!, that has a demo, is going to be 75% off until July 25: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1016920/Unrailed/
• Quilts and Cats of Calico gets a 20% discount, until the 27th: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1993180/Quilts_and_Cats_of_Calico/
• And The Vanishing of Ethan Carter will have a 90% deal until the 4th of August: https://store.steampowered.com/app/258520/The_Vanishing_of_Ethan_Carter/

Humble Bundle has launched the Pixels With Porpoise Bundle, with up to 8 items to get (7 games + 1 DLC) during 18 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/pixels-with-porpoise.

And Fanatical has a new Star Deal and a bundle:

• The new Star Deal is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, 83% off during 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-special-edition
• The BYO Play On the Go – Elite Collection features 22 gams for your 2+, 3+ or 5+ bundles: https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/build-your-own-play-on-the-go-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 24.7.1 driver
https://videocardz.com/driver/amd-radeon-software-adrenalin-24-7-1

HIGHLIGHTS
New Game Support

• Zenless Zone Zero
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
  • Up to 16% increase in performance for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess @ 4k resolution, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 24.7.1 on the Radeon RX 7900XTX GPU, versus the previous software driver version 24.6.1RS-663
  • Up to 12% increase in performance for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess @ 4k resolution, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 24.7.1 on the Radeon RX 7800XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 24.6.1RS-664
  • Up to 12% increase in performance for Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess @ 4k resolution, using AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 24.7.1 on the Radeon RX 7600XT GPU, versus the previous software driver version 24.6.1RS-665

Expanded HYPR-Tune Support

• Gray Zone Warfare
• Lords of the Fallen
• RoboCop: Rogue City
• Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.

AMD Radeon™ Anti-Lag 2 Support for Dota 2

• Takes responsive gaming to the next level by introducing an in-game option to optimally pace frames, further reducing input lag on AMD RDNA™ architecture-based discrete and integrated graphics products.
  • AMD Radeon™ Anti-Lag 2 features an onscreen overlay that can be used to display the system latency of supported games. When Anti-Lag 2 is enabled, the onscreen overlay can be toggled on using the ALT+SHIFT+L hotkey.
    • Use the ALT+SHIFT+L hotkey to enable the Radeon Anti-Lag 2 Latency Monitor. Once activated, a small white chevron will appear in the top left corner of your display indicating that it is enabled.
    • Use ALT+SHIFT+L again to cycle through the following Latency Monitor display options: No metrics, FPS only, FPS and latency (in ms), FPS and latency (in ms and frames), FPS and latency (in ms and frames) with a legend.
    • To compare the difference between Anti-Lag 2 On and Anti-Lag Off, hold the right CTRL key.
  • Anti-Lag 2 currently supports Dota 2 while using the DirectX® 11 API.

FIXED ISSUES

• Improvements to stutter when AMD Radeon™ Anti-Lag and AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution 3 frame generation is enabled.
• Improvements to stutter while playing Fortnite with DirectX® 12 API.
• Texture corruption may be observed while playing TEKKEN™ 8 with Ray Tracing or Upscale enabled.
• Corruption may be observed while playing Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition with Radeon™ Boost enabled.
• Intermittent system crash or corruption may be observed while playing Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy with Ray Tracing enabled.
• Virtual Super Resolution or Display Color Enhancements may be set to disabled after driver upgrade.
• Unable to change display pixel format with certain Windows display languages.
• Intermittent black corruption may be observed on scaled 3d models while using Origin or OriginPro application.
• Black corruption may be observed while fast forwarding using PotPlayer.

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

PlayStation 4 emulator, shadPS4, can boot Dark Souls Remastered & Resident Evil 4, can run BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, Shenmue 2, and more
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/playstation-4-emulator-shadps4-can-boot-dark-souls-remastered-resident-evil-4-can-run-blazblue-cross-tag-battle-tomb-raider-i-iii-remastered-shenmue-2-and-more/
New videos from the latest videos of the PlayStation 4 emulator, shadPS4, have surfaced online. These videos show the PS4 emulator booting Dark Souls Remastered and Resident Evil 4. Moreover, the emulator can already run a number of games, including some 3D ones. So, let’s take a look at them.
>> The article has some videos.

This mod restores the reputation system that CD Projekt RED cut from The Witcher 3
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/this-mod-restores-restores-the-reputation-system-that-cd-projekt-red-cut-from-the-witcher-3/
The Witcher 3 fans, here is something special for you. Modder ‘Freak’ has released a must-have mod which restores the reputation system that CD Projekt RED cut from them. As such, Geralt’s choices and behaviors will correspond to his reputation points in different regions.
This is an amazing mod that we highly recommend downloading. After all, it will greatly enhance the way you play the game. Just make sure to use it in your second or third playthrough.
Going into more details, the mod adds five reputation levels in total. These are Hated, Disliked, Neutral, Liked, and Respected. Each level corresponds to Geralt’s reputation points range in the region. Naturally, the initial reputation points in each region will always be 50, which is Neutral.
With this mod, the different results of some quests based on Geralt’s choices will affect Geralt’s reputation in the region, gaining or losing. Some of the major quests will have an even bigger influence.
And that’s not all. You can gain reputation points by winning Fist Fights or Boat/Horse Races. You can also gain points by finishing some of the POI events, or by completing the Monster Hunt contracts. On the other hand, if you steal or make offensive moves in front of the guards, you will lose reputation points. And, if you murder them, things will get a lot worse.
>> The article has one screenshot.

Sunshine Dream is a total conversion mod for Grand Theft Auto 5 that is set in the city of Miami from Driv3r
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/sunshine-dream-is-a-total-conversion-mod-for-grand-theft-auto-5-that-is-set-in-miami-from-driv3r/
The Sunshine Dream Team has released a new version of their total conversion mod for Grand Theft Auto 5, Sunshine Dream. Sunshine Dream is set in the city of Miami from Driv3r, and it completely replaces Los Santos & Blaine County.
From what I’ve seen, this mod does not come with any exclusive quests. Instead, it offers a new map that players can explore.
There are numerous areas from Driv3r that you can find in Sunshine Dream. For instance, there is Tanner’s safehouse, Mortain Mall, Red River Bar, Gold Coast Hotel, and Miami Beach PD.
In the latest version of Sunshine Dream, players can also expect traffic path improvements, better lighting, as well as vegetation across the map. There are also some scenario placements for you to experience. So, the map now does not feel as empty or lifeless as it did in its initial version.
>> You’ll find an almost 13 minutes video in the article.

This Fallout 4 Mod adds contextual hit reactivity to various objects and items, something that will greatly enhance the game’s stealth combat mechanics
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/this-fallout-4-mod-adds-contextual-hit-reactivity-to-various-objects-and-items-something-that-will-greatly-enhance-the-games-stealth-combat-mechanics/
Modder ‘bp42s’ has released an amazing new mod for Fallout 4. Titled “Hit Those Objects”, this mod adds contextual hit reactivity to various objects and items in the world. This will greatly enhance the way you play the game. So, let’s take a closer look at it.
With this mod, you can use the environment and junk items to your advantage in stealth and in normal combat. For instance, you can shoot glass bottles, coffee cups, and other fragile junk items to distract enemies so you can sneak by, or ambush them.
Glass objects create a loud sound and a glass shard explosion. On the other hand, ceramic objects will create a slightly less sound, and a ceramic chunk explosion. Players can also turn on and off radios. By doing so, the radios will emit a loud static sound with two detection events.
Naturally, all of these interactions can distract enemies and make them investigate the object. As such, the game’s stealth mechanics will be greatly overhauled. This will be a dream come true for a lot of gamers who prefer a more stealthy approach.
>> The article has no screenshots or videos.

Here’s your first look at Pac-Man World 2 with RTX Remix Path Tracing
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/heres-your-first-look-at-pac-man-world-2-with-rtx-remix-path-tracing/
YouTube’s ‘Pac-Moose’ has released a video, showcasing an early WIP version of his RTX Remix Path Tracing Mod for Pac-Man World 2. This video will give you an early glimpse at how RTX Remix can enhance the graphics of this old 3D platformer.
As said, this is an early version of the RTX Remix Mod. Therefore, it does not represent the quality of the final version. For example, the modder has already acknowledged the brightness issues.
What’s funny here is that even in this early state, this RTX Remix Mod appears to be wonders to the game’s graphics. Pac-Man World 2 with Path Tracing already looks better than its original version. At least in my opinion.
For those wondering, there is currently no ETA on when this mod will come out. The modder is currently working on fixing some of the issues that were raised with this video. Additionally, he’s working on further improving the Path Tracing effects. Naturally, though, we’ll be sure to keep you posted.
>> The video is less than 2 minutes long and you’ll find it in the article.

More than 10 years after its creation, massive Russian Oblivion mod Citadel of Madness has been translated into English
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/more-than-10-years-after-its-creation-massive-russian-oblivion-mod-citadel-of-madness-has-been-translated-into-english/
Citadel of Madness is mod for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion that's over a decade old. (It was first uploaded to TESAll in 2013, and significantly updated in 2022 with a 2.0 release.) It adds a new landmass above the Shivering Isles, a floating archipelago where hundreds of new NPCs live and where you'll find a new questline the mod's description calls "comparable in duration to any Cyrodiil guild."
Citadel of Madness was created by modder Lariatius and translated into English by Vorians, who has adapted a bunch of other Russian mods as well. It contains 38 quests, 15 of which are sidequests, and promises more than 25 hours of playtime. There are over 3,000 lines of dialogue (no English voice-acting, however), and a variety of new alchemical ingredients and concoctions, new dungeons, and new enemies—including bosses.
Given the connection to the Shivering Isles, you can expect Citadel of Madness to be quirky, to say the least—several of the new NPCs look like they stepped right out of the Monster Factory. You should be at least level 18 to play the Citadel of Madness questline, which is begun by traveling to a watch tower you'll find north of New Sheoth in the Isles.
>> The article has no screenshots nor videos.

GAMING NEWS

Here are the first in-game screenshots for Alien: Rogue Incursion
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/here-are-the-first-in-game-screenshots-for-alien-rogue-incursion/
Skydance and Survios have shared the first in-game screenshots for their upcoming Alien VR game, Alien: Rogue Incursion. While these screenshots are not final, they can at least give you an idea of the game’s art style. So, go ahead and check them out.

VLADiK BRUTAL is a new cool FPS with a brutal damage system, created by one dev
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/vladik-brutal-is-a-new-cool-fps-with-a-brutal-damage-system-created-by-one-dev/
Now here is something that will please a lot of old-school FPS fans. A single developer has been working on a cool first-person shooter, called VLADiK BRUTAL. VLADiK BRUTAL will be released on August 9th, and below you can find a new gameplay trailer for it.

Here’s how you can enable Ray Tracing Global Illumination in Forza Motorsport
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/heres-how-you-can-enable-ray-tracing-global-illumination-in-forza-motorsport/
Prior to the game’s release, Turn10 was claiming that the PC version of Forza Motorsport would support Ray Tracing Global Illumination. However, when the game launched in October 2023, RTGI was nowhere to be found. Now, almost a year later, PC gamers found a way via which they can enable RTGI.
>> The way to do it, explained in the article, is simple and easy. There’s also a Digital Foundry video analyzing the changes and improvements (and also bugs of this mode).

17 minutes of gameplay from Digital Extreme’s free-to-play action hybrid MMORPG, Soulframe
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/17-minutes-of-gameplay-from-digital-extremes-free-to-play-action-hybrid-mmorpg-soulframe/
At Tennocon 2024, Digital Extremes showcased 17 minutes of gameplay footage from its upcoming free-to-play action hybrid MMORPG, Soulframe. So, if you are interested in this F2P game, you should definitely watch the video.

SNK VS. CAPCOM SVC CHAOS is now available on PC
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/snk-vs-capcom-svc-chaos-is-now-available-on-pc/
SNK has released, for the first time, the 2003 arcade version of its fighting game, SNK VS. CAPCOM SVC CHAOS, on PC. To celebrate this release, the team shared the game’s official PC requirements, as well as a trailer for it.