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

[JEMC]

Let’s go with the Monday news:

*Note: After the limited feedback I got this weekend, I’m trying a couple of changes. This first section, the Sales one, is the same as it was last week. For the others I’ll use a smaller font for the sections to match the one I’m using for the headlines, and I’m also using three different shades of red for the other three sections. Since the red shade I was using, the #FF0000 is the reddest one, so the others may look a bit orange or magenta. Let me know what you think.*

SALES/PLAYER COUNTS & DEALS

Steam has two new deals:

• Cat Goes Fishing will be 50% off until January 26: https://store.steampowered.com/app/343780/Cat_Goes_Fishing/
• The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos will have a 75% discount until the 31st: https://store.steampowered.com/app/970830/The_Dungeon_Of_Naheulbeuk_The_Amulet_Of_Chaos/

Fanatical has launched its Lunar New Year Sale, and also has a new Star Deal: MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics will be 34% off during, surprise, surprise, 24 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/marvel-vs-capcom-fighting-collection-arcade-classics.

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

EA announces the guillotine will finally fall on Origin this April thanks to Microsoft's abandonment of 32-bit Windows and, if you don't like it, 'use a newer computer'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/ea-announces-the-guillotine-will-finally-fall-on-origin-this-april-thanks-to-microsofts-abandonment-of-32-bit-windows-and-if-you-dont-like-it-use-a-newer-computer/
A new post from Electronic Arts (EA) with the inauspicious title "Update your operating system for the EA App" tolls the final bell on the ill-fated Origin platform, and may be very bad news for a small subset of gamers. It's been a bit of a road to get here, but you'll see why in a moment: EA first announced that Origin would be replaced by the "EA Desktop App" in 2020, then things went quiet until October 2022 saw the more svelte "EA App" move into open beta.
The EA App has subsequently established itself as one of the least-bad attempts at these things from a major publisher. But Origin remained running alongside it, because it was a client running on 32-bit desktop software, and the EA App requires a 64-bit version of Windows. Microsoft announced back in 2020 that future versions of Windows 10 would no longer support 32-bit systems, a move that some thought was long-overdue, while others feared it would leave their older machines obsolete. Five years down the line, that decision is about to bite down hard.
"On April 17, 2025, Origin will shut down, as Microsoft has stopped supporting 32-bit software," says EA's statement. "If you use Origin, you need to upgrade to the EA app, which requires a 64-bit version of Windows."

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

The Witcher 3 Next-Gen Just Got a Sekiro-Inspired Combat Mod
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/the-witcher-3-next-gen-just-got-a-sekiro-inspired-combat-mod/
Here is something cool for our The Witcher 3 fans. Modder ‘Priler’ has released a new mod for the Next-Gen version of TW3 that aims to make its parry and counter systems feel closer to FromSoftware’s Sekiro.
Going into more details, this mod reduces the counter window from 0.4 seconds to 0.3. Moreover, it overhauls how arrow parrying/deflecting works. So, arrows can now be parried or deflected without skill. However, arrow parry and deflect will consume stamina. Plus, the mod removes a bug that allowed players to counter while dodging.
Counters will now always make a block sound. This will inform you of your successful counters. Plus, you will be able to parry any human melee blows, even melee heavy attacks.
>> Sadly, the article has no media showing the mod.

Hunter’s Abyss is a new fan expansion for Fallout 4
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/hunters-abyss-is-a-new-fan-expansion-for-fallout-4/
Fallout 4 fans, here is something for you today. Modder ‘Lonnie667’ has released a new fan expansion for this game, called Hunter’s Abyss. So, let’s see what this DLC-sized mod brings to the table.
As per its description, this fan expansion adds a new land in the southern part of the Glowing Sea. This new area comes with new quests, as well as new weapons, armor, magazines, and a player home.
Players will also be able to unlock a new settlement area. Moreover, several NPCs are fully voiced, and there is a new radio station featuring 1920’s jazz. Plus, you will be able to find five issues of a new magazine.
So, as with most DLC-sized mods, Hunter’s Abyss adds new free content to the game. Thus, I suggest downloading it from this link. Sadly, the modder has not shared any gameplay video for it.
>> While there’s no media of this expansion, the article has a video showing Fallout 4 running with over 300 mods.

Skyrim Mods Add Support for Large-Scale AO & Cloud Shadows
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/skyrim-mods-add-support-for-large-scale-ao-cloud-shadows/
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim got two new mods that aim to improve its graphics. The first one brings large-scale ambient occlusion support to the whole game, whereas the second introduces cloud shadows.
Skylighting creates a soft ambient shadowing effect under structures and dense woods. This enhances contrast and realism in areas without direct lighting. As such, you’ll get a more realistic image with a more advanced lighting system.
In the past, players could enable AO via ENBSeries. The problem with this solution was that ENBSeries did skylighting from one direction. Community Shaders does skylighting from every direction. Moreover, SkyLighting does not depend on info on the screen. As such, it won’t change with camera movement. Only static objects (houses, trees, landscape, etc.) can occlude the light, and dynamic objects only receive the occlusion.
In short, this is one of the best ways to add AO to this old title. And yes, proper AO can do wonders for old games like Skyrim. Just take a look at the comparison screenshots at the end of the article.
As for the second mod, it does exactly what its title says. It adds shadows from the clouds. The cloud shadows are aligned with the sun, using the actual clouds system rather than a scrolling texture. The cloud shadows are also used for volumetric lighting, meaning that godrays from the sun can be occluded too.
You can download these two mods from here and here. For the best results, the CS Team recommends using them with the SSGI Mod we shared in December 2024.
>> The article has the mentioned screenshots from the first mod and a short video showing the second one.

GAMING NEWS

New Assassin’s Creed Shadows video focuses on exploration
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-assassins-creed-shadows-video-focuses-on-exploration/
Ubisoft has shared some new gameplay clips for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows that focus on its exploration mechanics. And, thankfully, Assassin JorRaptor has compiled them into one big video which you can find below.

DayZ Experimental Update 1.27 Released & Fully Detailed
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/dayz-experimental-update-1-27-released-fully-detailed/
Bohemia Interactive has released Experimental Update 1.27 for the standalone version of DayZ, and has shared its full patch notes. So, let’s see what this new update brings to the table.

New gameplay footage surfaces for the Souls-like Action RPG, WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-gameplay-footage-surfaces-for-the-souls-like-action-rpg-wuchang-fallen-feathers/
505 Games has lifted the preview embargo for its upcoming Souls-like Action RPG, WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers. So, here is a video showcasing eight minutes of brand new gameplay footage from it.