I wasn't going to buy it anyway. Even more reason to skip it.

B-but c-competition!!!11.

Seriously though, the absolute cretins some people are like over on Era, where they think ripping games from one client and holding them to another is going to be objectively better for us, the consumers, and how it's going to make all the other clients better, when in reality it really hasn't for years, 

Fanatical is doing a giveaway. First prize is a PC, GTX 1070 Armor 8G OC graphics card, Samsung 860 EVO 250GB SSD card, 16GB RAM and a slick NZXT H500 white case; second prize is a 12-month subscription to cloud gaming service Shadow alongside a Shadow Box which features 4K support, HDMI and USB 3.0; third prize is a range of top pro gaming accessories, including a STREAK keyboard, FLICK2 mouse, FOCUS2 Mousepad and DUEL headset.

AMD has a promotion on some their graphics cards, buy an AMD Radeon RX Vega, RX 580 or RX 570 graphics card and get Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Strange Brigade, and Star Control: Origins for free.

I have Battle.net launcher and Steam. That's it. - GoG still gets my business for their DRM-free options though on older classic titles that are not on Steam.
I don't need uPlay, Origin, Windows Store, GoG Galaxy, Games for Windows Live! or whatever other client is exclusive to a game.

The marketplace has fragmented... What Steam did and why Steam managed to succeed is that it took the old fragmented marketplace and consolidated it at one place and made the lives of all PC gamers easier... And not only was it easier, but they reduced the price of games to boot.

I will thus keep voting with my wallet.

In my opinion, the best case is a middle one, and that's having all the games on as many clients possible.

That would allow us to enjoy all (or most) of our games within one store, while also encouraging the competition between stores to gives us a better client and deals.

Many thanks! I didn't saw that giveaway when checking the daily deals, tho I admit that I stay mostly at the top of that site.

But it's a bif odd that they mention the GPU and other parts of the build, but not the mobo and CPU.

The wednesday news:

SALES & "SALES"/DEALS

Bethesda's QuakeCon 2018 Steam sale has begun
https://www.pcgamer.com/bethesdas-quakecon-2018-steam-sale-has-begun/
Even though you won't be able to play Fallout 76 on Steam at launch, almost everything else in Bethesda's back catalogue is discounted on Valve's platform this weekend, just in time for QuakeCon 2018.
While I can't find a dedicated Steam page for the sale just yet, probably because it began very recently and Dead Cells is currently occupying the homepage, you can see the discounts by heading to Bethesda's publisher page on Steam and scrolling down to 'specials'. Some highlights include Prey on-sale for £10/$15, and its roguelite-style DLC Mooncrash for $15/£9.74, which is 25% off. 2016's Doom is just $10/£7.49 (Fanatical has it slightly cheaper), which is reasonable for what's probably the best singleplayer FPS of the modern age.

Besides that, there are another two new deals:

• The daily deal is Puyo Puyo Tetris, 33% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/546050/Puyo_PuyoTetris/
• The single Midweek Madness deal is Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, half its price: https://store.steampowered.com/app/589360/Ni_no_Kuni_II_Revenant_Kingdom/

GOG's daily deal is Runner3, 25% off: https://www.gog.com/game/runner3

On the Humble Store, there's also a QuakeCon sale that will last another 5 days and features discounts up to 75%: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/quakecon/

And at Fanatical, there are two deals worth mentioning:

• The Star Deal, that will last 48 hours, is Middle-earth: Shadow of War at 75% off: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/middle-earth-shadow-of-war
• There's a new Dollar Siege Bundle, with 14 games for $1: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/dollar-siege-bundle

SOFTWARE

AMD shows how you can add real-time ray tracing effects with Radeon ProRender and Radeon Rays
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/amd-shows-how-you-can-add-real-time-ray-tracing-effects-with-radeon-prorender-and-radeon-rays/
At Unite Berlin 2018, AMD’s Senior Software Engineer Guillaume Boisse showcase ways via which developers can add real-time ray tracing effects with Radeon ProRender and Radeon Rays. Radeon ProRender and Radeon Rays are AMD’s solutions to real-time ray tracing, similar to what NVIDIA offers with its RTX technology.
Radeon ProRender is a complete GPU-based renderer that handles pretty much everything (like ray casting and shading), is a physically-based renderer that outputs rendered images and targets mainly content creators but is also available for developers. On the other hand, Radeon Rays comes with a smaller feature-set, is only a ray intersection library and is cross-platform.

>>Let the Ray Tracing War begin!

MODS/EMULATORS

No Man’s Sky NEXT Fantastic Beasts mod introduces really gigantic, dinosaur-like creatures
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/no-mans-sky-next-fantastic-beasts-mod-introduces-really-gigantic-creatures/
Remember that dinosaur-like creature that was featured in one of No Man’s Sky trailers prior to its release? You know, like the one featured in the header image. I’m pretty sure that most of you were disappointed by the absence of such creatures in the final game, right? Well, not anymore as a new mod was released that introduces really gigantic creatures to No Man’s Sky NEXT.
Created by modder ‘Redmas’, the Fantastic Beasts mod for No Man’s Sky NEXT changes Creatures’ size, numbers and behaviors. As such, PC gamers can now witness gigantic creatures, similar to those that were advertised by Hello Games.

>>Get the mod from Nexus Mods.

Fallout Way of Chosen is a fan remake of Fallout 2 in Fallout 3, new pre-alpha gameplay video released
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/fallout-way-of-chosen-is-a-fan-remake-of-fallout-2-in-fallout-3-new-pre-alpha-gameplay-video-released/
Molten Clouds is currently working on a Fallout 2 remake in Fallout 3, called Fallout Way of Chosen. According to the team, this mod will not stay faithful to Fallout 2 but will have some new features to it. As such, don’t expect a turn-based combat system or an isometric camera; it will be Fallout 2 in Fallout 3.
Story-wise the mod will be built on Fallout 2 with some features from Megamod and Restoration Project. The quests and dialogs are going to remain mostly untouched, excluding some moments. Moreover, new lines of dialogue and the ability to pass/complete the quest via alternate ways will be added.

GAMING NEWS

New Devil May Cry 5 gameplay footage to be revealed at PAX West 2018
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-devil-may-cry-5-gameplay-footage-to-be-revealed-at-pax-west-2018/
It appears that Capcom will reveal new gameplay footage from Devil May Cry 5 at this year’s PAX West event. According to its official website, director Hideaki Itsuno and producers Michiteru Okabe and Matthew Walker will show all-new gameplay from Devil May Cry 5 at PAX West 2018.

First gameplay trailer for NBA 2K19 released
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/first-gameplay-trailer-for-nba-2k19-released/
2K Games has just released the first gameplay trailer for NBA 2K19. NBA 2K19 is the next iteration of the top-rated and top-selling NBA video game simulation series of the past 17 years, and is currently scheduled for a September 11th release. 2K Games has not revealed any gameplay details or improvements as of yet, so there is nothing more to add at this point (other than Giannis Antetokounmpo being featured on the game’s cover).

New gameplay trailer released for Team Sonic Racing
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-gameplay-trailer-released-for-team-sonic-racing/
SEGA has released a new gameplay trailer for Team Sonic Racing. According to the company, this trailer will give you a look at some of the new team mechanics in Team Sonic Racing.
Team Sonic Racing. Team Sonic Racing promises to combine the best elements of arcade and fast-paced competitive style racing as you face-off with friends in intense multiplayer racing.

Call of Duty Black Ops 4 PC Beta will be exclusive to Battle.net, official PC requirements revealed
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/call-of-duty-black-ops-4-pc-beta-will-be-exclusive-to-battle-net-official-pc-requirements-revealed/
Activision and Treyarch have announced that the upcoming PC open beta will be exclusive to Battle.net. This multiplayer open beta will begin on August 11th at 10am PT and in order to participate in it you will need a Battle.net account.

SCARF is a new 3D platformer that is coming to the PC in Winter 2018/2019
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/scarf-is-a-new-3d-platformer-that-is-coming-to-the-pc-in-winter-2018-2019/
THQ Nordic has announced a new 3D platformer that is being developed by Uprising Studios, SCARF. SCARF is described as a platformer for all ages, featuring rich and diverse game environments, a cute protagonist with a fashionable, red scarf, and the feeling of living in very close touch with nature itself.

Sea of Thieves patch 1.2.1 is available for download, full release notes revealed
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/sea-of-thieves-patch-1-2-1-is-available-for-download-full-release-notes-revealed/
Rare has released a brand new patch for Sea of Thieves. According to the release notes, patch 1.2.1 is 1.09GB in size and brings various improvements and enhancements to the recently released free DLC, Cursed Sails.

Blizzard is working on multiple Diablo projects, may show some things later this year
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/blizzard-is-working-on-multiple-diablo-projects-may-show-some-things-later-this-year/
Back in June, we informed you about an unannounced Diablo game that is being developed by Blizzard. And today, Blizzard has officially confirmed that it has multiple Diablo projects under development.

Wednesday news, part two:

GTA Online invites real-world DJ Dixon to Los Santos, adds new plane and music
https://www.pcgamer.com/gta-online-invites-real-world-dj-dixon-to-los-santos-adds-new-plane-and-music/
Hot on the heels of real-world superstar DJs Solomun and Tale of Us, the Berlin-based house and techno producer Dixon is GTA Online's latest After Hours inductee. This week's update also adds the B-11 Strikeforce aircraft, and exclusive music from Tale Of Us to the game's new LSUR radio station—including tracks from the duo's upcoming Afterlight album. Furthermore, Guest Listers claim another complimentary GTA$100,000, and two free rides: the HVY Nightshark and Ubermacht Revolter.

Ubisoft shares first details of Operation Grim Sky, Rainbow Six Siege’s next season
https://www.pcgamer.com/ubisoft-shares-first-details-of-operation-grim-sky-rainbow-six-sieges-next-season/
The next season of Rainbow Six Siege officially has a name: Operation Grim Sky. Ubisoft shared the first details for the season on the Siege blog, reminding players to tune in to the full reveal during the Paris Major from August 17 to 19.

Destiny 2: Forsaken stream demos overhauled weapon loadouts, buffed melees, and more
https://www.pcgamer.com/destiny-2-forsaken-stream-demos-overhauled-weapon-loadouts-buffed-melees-and-more/
Did you miss the big Destiny 2: Forsaken "combat reveal" livestream that wrapped up earlier today? (...)
The full video will eat up just about an hour of your time, covering everything from weapon slot and ammo changes, which will bring an element of Destiny 1-style loadouts to the field of battle, to amped-up melees (brace your face for one-hit-kill shoulder charges). We also saw the completely revamped weapon mod system, expanded Masterworks which can now be leveled up more incrementally, and live-fire demonstrations of some of the new abilities and supers (and their associated perks), which the group said will help counterbalance the harder-hitting firepower that's coming in Year 2.

Runescape Classic's shutdown was delayed just so one player could finish his last quest
https://www.pcgamer.com/runescape-classics-shutdown-was-delayed-just-so-one-player-could-finish-his-last-quest/
Twitch streamer Titus_Furius will go down in history as Runescape Classic's final and arguably greatest legend. On Monday, August 6, the day Jagex closed the Classic servers some 17 years after they opened, Titus completed the game's toughest challenge: the Legends' Quest. Over 1,000 people tuned in to see him clear the quest right at the eleventh hour, mere moments before Classic was shut down for good. Several Jagex employees were in the audience, and they not only cheered Titus on, they also kept the servers alive a little longer than planned, just so Titus could become Classic's final legend.

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds announces 'Fix PUBG' campaign
https://www.pcgamer.com/playerunknowns-battlegrounds-announces-fix-pubg-campaign/
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds developer PUBG Corp has announced 'Fix PUBG', a campaign designed to, well, fix the battle royale. The initiative casts its net wide as it targets performance, matchmaking, bug fixes, quality of life improvements and more.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider teases brutal stealth kills, deadly tombs, cave-swinging
https://www.pcgamer.com/shadow-of-the-tomb-raider-teases-brutal-stealth-kills-deadly-tombs-cave-swinging/
Phil's look inside Eidos Montreal's darker, deadlier and stealthier Shadow of the Tomb Raider suggests its combat will combine stealth and assault closer than before. Its latest trailer talks tactics in the process of doing so.

'EA moral compass' gives dev teams guidance on loot boxes post-Battlefront 2
https://www.pcgamer.com/ea-moral-compass-gives-dev-teams-guidance-on-loot-boxes-post-battlefront-2/
At the end of last year, we wrote about how the loot box controversy shaped gaming in 2017. Star Wars Battlefront 2's slant on the paid-for virtual items was at the centre of the backlash—and the debate has expectedly rolled into 2018. BF2 publisher EA has since redesigned its development framework and testing process, says the company's executive VP of strategic growth Matt Bilbey, in a bid to make its games "fair and fun."

>>I thought I would never see the words "EA" and "moral" in the same sentence that without "lack of" XD.

Dauntless adds The Coming Storm expansion to its open beta
https://www.pcgamer.com/dauntless-adds-the-coming-storm-expansion-to-its-open-beta/
Dauntless, the Monster Hunter-style co-op action RPG about fighting deadly Behemoths in an aether-charged wilderness, is in open beta. Today, it rolls out its first complimentary open beta expansion.

It would make sense, but it doesn't to the rest of said competition. Even Ubisoft, who does sell their games on Steam, demands you use their client at the end of the day, which shows that they want their cake and to eat it too, while I get zero choice in the matter, because buying it on Steam requires me to install and use Uplay, and ofc the other option is to install and use Uplay, so I'm out of actual options I want in that scenario. 

I made that thread recently, to show that the competition doesn't care about us, they don't care about our convenience. They just care about not paying someone else money.

Which fragmented marketplace before Steam are you talking about? There weren't digital distribution platforms to speak of before Steam.

Fragmented as in different stores and places to buy said games.

Look at what EA has done since leaving Steam, no mod support, buggy ports, expensive games, jesus just look at Sims 4's price worth in it's grand total (bloody insane).