** FREE GAME ALERT **

The Humble Store is giving away the game LEGO The Hobbit for free for the next 1 day and 20 hours (as of writing this): https://www.humblebundle.com/store/lego-the-hobbit

And once you have claimed it, you'll have until the 20 to redeem the code or it will expire!

*** NEW CONTESTS ***

+Guru3D 2018 December 14 contest - Fractal Design Define S2 & Celsus S36 https://www.guru3d.com/news-story/guru3d-2018-december-14-contest-fractal-design-define-s2-celsus-s36.html
As it says, the prize include a Define S2 case and a 360mm Celsus S36 CPU cooler.

+HEXUS EPIC GIVEAWAY Day 5: Win a Drobo 5N2 https://hexus.net/tech/features/network/124790-day-5-win-drobo-5n2/
It's a 5 bay NAS.

You have too many games for your own good.

Friday news... yay!

SALES & DEALS

On the Humble Store, there are two new deals:

• The Crew 2 is 67% off in all its editions, and the season pass 30%: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/the-crew-2/
• Warner Bros. Games is the star of the weekend sale, with up to 75% off: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/wb-games-sale/

At Fanatical, there are also two new deals:

• In the new 12 deals for Christmas, the first one is SOULCALIBUR VI, 36% off: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/soulcalibur-vi
• And for the weekend, Galactic Civilizations III Gold Bundle, featuring the game and 8 DLCs is on sale, 85% off for the next 3 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/galactic-civilizations-3-gold-bundle

SOFTWARE/DRIVERS

AMD Radeon Adrenalin 2019 Edition 18.12.2 available for download, boosts performance in numerous games
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/amd-radeon-adrenalin-2019-edition-18-12-2-available-for-download-boosts-performance-in-numerous-games/
AMD has released a new major driver for its graphics cards, the AMD Radeon Adrenalin 2019 Edition 18.12.2 driver. According to the release notes, this driver improves performance in Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, Doom, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and Strange Brigade.
>> Available from here.

Unity 2018.3 is available to developers, brings more than 2000 new features, fixes and improvements
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/unity-2018-3-is-available-to-developers-brings-more-than-2000-new-features-fixes-and-improvements/
Unity Engine has announced that Unity 2018.3 is currently available to all developers. According to the press release, Unity 2018.3 delivers more than 2000 new features, fixes and improvements, including Improved Prefab Workflows, Visual Effect Graph (Preview), and the Updated Terrain System, all focused on giving teams of artists and developers the ability to increase productivity and make richer and more beautiful worlds.

Bethesda and Arkane Studios have removed the Denuvo anti-tamper tech from Dishonored 2
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/bethesda-and-arkane-studios-have-removed-the-denuvo-anti-tamper-tech-from-dishonored-2/
Dishonored fans, we’ve got some news for you today. Bethesda and Arkane Studios have released a patch that removes the Denuvo anti-tamper tech from Dishonored 2 and from the standalone expansion of the first game, Dishonored: Death of the Outsider.

MODS/EMULATORS

NieR Automata Input Overhaul Mod is a must-have mod that adds raw mouse input and more
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nier-automata-input-overhaul-mod-is-a-must-have-mod-that-adds-raw-mouse-input-and-more/
Created by modder ‘Methanhydra’, the NieR: Automata Input Overhaul Mod (NAIOM) aims to solve all keyboard and mouse related issues in the game. As such, this mod introduces raw mouse input without any acceleration or smoothing, precise sensitivity configuration (calibrated for KovaaK’s SensitivityMatcher), and fixed camera movement in third-person perspective.
Moreover, NAIOM comes with a new (optional) crosshair aiming mode for side-scrolling and top-down perspective, completely rebindable standard actions to any key or button combination including additional mouse buttons, non-standard keybindings, such as a dedicated dash/evade and pod fire toggle, and is fully compatible with FAR mod.
>> Download this mod from Nexus Mods.

New trailer released for the FarCry reloaded mod for the original Crysis game, targets a 2019 release
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-trailer-released-for-the-farcry-reloaded-mod-for-the-original-crysis-game-targets-a-2019-release/
Modder ‘roadiereloaded’ has released a new trailer for his FarCry reloaded mod for Crysis. This mod aims to feature 11 levels and will adapt Crysis to the FarCry 1 storyline with some alterations. Moreover, the modder revealed that he aims to release this mod in 2019.

Fallout 76 text chat mod now includes global chat, message encryption
https://www.pcgamer.com/fallout-76-mod-adds-proximity-text-chat/
Update: The Proximity Text Chat mod for Fallout 76, which originally allowed players who had the mod installed to send text messages to each other from a distance of 100 in-game meters, has received an update. Now it features global chat, so players anywhere on the server can communicate via text. Again, this requires anyone who wants to send or view text chat messages to have the mod installed.

GAMING NEWS

Anthem VIP demo will be available on January 25th, free demo available on February 1st
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/anthem-vip-demo-will-be-available-on-january-25th-free-demo-available-on-february-1st/
Electronic Arts has announced the dates for the VIP Demo of Anthem, as well as the Open Demo. According to the press release, fans who pre-order Anthem, as well as EA Access and Origin Access subscribers, will get access to the VIP Demo on January 25th.

DayZ is free to play until December 17th
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/dayz-is-free-to-play-until-december-17th/
Bohemia Interactive today announced that DayZ – their open world, online survival game – has finally launched on Steam after 5 years of Early Access development. The 1.0 update released on Steam along with a Free Weekend, allowing everyone to download and play the full game for free until December 17 (19:00 CET).

New DiRT Rally 2.0 developer video details the improvements made to cars, environments and more
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-dirt-rally-2-0-developer-video-details-the-improvements-made-to-cars-environments-and-more/
Codemasters has released the latest episode in the DiRT Rally 2.0 Dev Insight series talking about the improvements made to the game since the launch of the original DiRT Rally. In the new trailer Chief Games Designer Ross Gowing and Rally Consultant Jon Armstrong talk about the improvements made to the cars, environments and the way that the new tyre models interacts with the improved road surfaces.

First details and screenshots for PlanetSide Arena, releases on January 29th
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/first-details-and-screenshots-for-planetside-arena-releases-on-january-29th/
Daybreak Games has just announced PlanetSide Arena; a new massive-scale sci-fi arena FPS set in the iconic PlanetSide universe, launching on Steam for PC on January 29th. Bringing the franchise’s signature scale to arena competitive game modes, PlanetSide Arena features player classes, combined arms gameplay, and seasonal progression.

Hunt: Showdown Update 4.0 adds Quickplay game mode, challenges, gunplay changes and more
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/hunt-showdown-update-4-0-adds-quickplay-game-mode-challenges-gunplay-changes-and-more/
Crytek has released another big one for its Early Access online multiplayer bounty hunting game, Hunt: Showdown. In conjunction with the new release, Hunt: Showdown will be on sale for 25% off on Steam from December 13th at 10 am PT/ 1 pm ET/ 7 pm CEST to December 19th at 10 am PT/ 1pm ET/ 7pm CEST.

The King of Fighters XIV is free to play this weekend on Steam
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/the-king-of-fighters-xiv-is-free-to-play-this-weekend-on-steam/
SNK has announced that The King of Fighters XIV is free to play this weekend on Steam. The King of Fighters XIV is the newest entry in the acclaimed THE KING OF FIGHTERS series of fighting games that takes the iconic gameplay that the series is known for while implementing new 3D visuals.

Friday news, part two:

Overwatch's Blizzard World has been closed after it imprisoned players
https://www.pcgamer.com/overwatchs-blizzard-world-has-been-closed-after-it-imprisoned-players/
Blizzard World, Overwatch’s theme park map, is out of commission after it trapped its guests/combatants inside the spawn room. Overwatch’s Winter Wonderland event kicked off yesterday, but instead being able to frolic in the newly festive arena, many players were imprisoned by obstinate doors. Others couldn’t move their payloads.

Nier: Automata's 2B is coming to Soulcalibur 6 next week
https://www.pcgamer.com/nier-automatas-2b-is-coming-to-soulcalibur-6-next-week/
2B, Nier: Automata’s moody android, will be joining the Soulcalibur 6 roster next week, Bandai Namco announced on Twitter. You’ll be able to stoically batter your opponents from December 18.

Hearthstone's Rumble Run is live
https://www.pcgamer.com/hearthstones-rumble-run-is-live/
Rumble Run, the single-player adventure in the new Hearthstone expansion Rastkhan's Rumble, has begun.
Similar to Monster Hunt and Dungeon Run, Rumble Run is a single-elimination tournament against a series of increasingly difficult opponents. Players will choose from one of three Shrines at the start of each run, each of them dedicated to a Loa—a legendary minion—representing one of Hearthstone's classes.

Witchfire, from the makers of Painkiller, is a supernatural shooter about witches and worse
https://www.pcgamer.com/witchfire-from-the-makers-of-painkiller-is-a-supernatural-shooter-about-witches-and-worse/
Witchfire is a "dark fantasy shooter" that was announced at the end of 2017 by Vanishing of Ethan Carter studio The Astronauts. It immediately grabbed my attention because The Astronauts was founded by three former members of People Can Fly, and more specifically the lead designers of Painkiller, one of the most excellent shooters of all time. And then it fell off my radar because The Astronauts completely stopped talking about it.

No Man's Sky update adds a base terrarium, complete with tiny captive alien
https://www.pcgamer.com/no-mans-sky-update-adds-a-base-terrarium-complete-with-tiny-captive-alien/
An update has arrived for No Man's Sky, providing new rewards in exchange for gathering data and materials for Specialist Polo's robo-pal, the Quicksilver Synthesis Bot. There are tier one rewards, including several plants you can decorate your base with, and a cool looking tier three helmet you can earn, but forget all that crap. The real hotness is tier two, which is a terrarium, complete with a little alien prisoner.

Ubisoft's open-world racing game The Crew 2 is free to play this weekend
https://www.pcgamer.com/ubisofts-open-world-racing-game-the-crew-2-is-free-to-play-this-weekend/
If you haven't yet played Ubisoft's open-world racing game The Crew 2 and want to see what all the fuss is about, you can jump into the game right now and drive your face off all weekend, for free. To take part, just pop 'round to Steam or the Ubisoft Store and click where it tells you.

Children of Morta, the roguelike about a mystical mountain family, is delayed until next year
https://www.pcgamer.com/children-of-morta-the-roguelike-about-a-mystical-mountain-family-is-delayed-until-next-year/
Children of Morta is a pixel-art narrative roguelike about a family that serves as guardian of the mystical Mount Morta and the lands around it. I was quite taken by the concept and teaser when it was announced in August 2017, and Wes and Austin seemed suitably impressed after spending some time with it earlier this year. It had been slated for release sometime this year, but with just a couple of weeks left before that deadline passes, developer Dead Mage Studio has said that it's not going to happen.

Blizzard moving developers away from Heroes of the Storm, cancels HotS esports
https://www.pcgamer.com/blizzard-moving-developers-away-from-heroes-of-the-storm-cancels-hots-esports/
Blizzard is moving developers away from Heroes of the Storm, and is cancelling the game's official esports structures going forward. The announcement was made in a blog post today from new Blizzard president J. Allen Brack and chief development officer Ray Gresko.
>> Marth has made a thread about this.

Artifact 1.1 adds unusual chat system, new tournaments, and a leaderboard
https://www.pcgamer.com/artifact-11-adds-unusual-chat-system-new-tournaments-and-a-leaderboard/
Artifact’s first update is live now. 1.1 is mainly concerned with social features—you can chat now, sort of—but there are also new tournaments, colourblind support and two new decks have been added to The Call to Arms event.

Slay the Spire gets an update and a release date
https://www.pcgamer.com/slay-the-spire-gets-an-update-and-a-release-date/
Slay the Spire will leave Early Access on January 23, developer Mega Crit Games announced in a weekly update. Trading cards, Steam Workshop support are on their way, along with a price hike after the Winter Sale.

Fortnite's Infinity Blade is getting nerfed
https://www.pcgamer.com/fortnites-infinity-blade-is-getting-nerfed/
Fortnite’s Infinity Blade is a mythic weapon that was introduced this season, and it’s been causing chaos. It’s immensely imbalanced, blessing its wielder with regenerating health, the ability to leap great distances and the strength to destroy buildings in one hit. The response to the weapon’s introduction in the regular game mode and Winter Royale tournament has been largely negative, and Epic’s planning an update to address some of the issues, though likely not the ones players wanted.
>> Epic may not had time to balance that blade before releasing, but they had time to shot down the leaker FNBRLeaks.

Let's check (or remind you about) the GOG and Steam deal for the weekend:

+GOG

• This one is easy. GOG is running its Winter Sale with more than 1,900 games. Go check it out! gog.com

+Steam

• The "daily" deal, that will last the whole weekend, is THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIV STEAM EDITION, free to try and 75% off (and the DLCs, 50%): https://store.steampowered.com/app/571260/THE_KING_OF_FIGHTERS_XIV_STEAM_EDITION/
• No Man's Sky is 50% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/275850/No_Mans_Sky/
• Street Fighter V is also free to try and 60% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/310950/Street_Fighter_V/
• Portal Knights is 65% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/374040/Portal_Knights/
• The Crew 2 is, yet another one, free to try and 67% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/646910/The_Crew_2/
• And of course, there's the weeklong deals.

And that's it. Have a happy and gaming weekend.

That's weird. I'm 100% confident that the offer was supposed to last until the 15th. Maybe they ran out of keys before the deadline? I don't know.

I'm sorry.

December, a new day, a ...

*** NEW CONTEST ***

HEXUS EPIC GIVEAWAY Day 6: Win one of three 1More headphones https://hexus.net/ce/features/audio-visual/124793-day-6-win-one-three-1more-headphones/

This contest is also GLOBAL.

I got the key, but already have the game in my Steam library. Do you want it?

*** NEW CONTEST ***

HEXUS EPIC GIVEAWAY Day 7: Win one of two InWin 909 chassis https://hexus.net/tech/features/chassis/124799-day-7-win-one-two-inwin-909-chassis/

The contest is GLOBAL. Also, I'd recommend to take a look at the case and its specs before taking part in the contest, because the layout is a bit different than usual (it's a desk case, for starters) https://www.in-win.com/en/gaming-chassis/909

Oh, I love all the Rayman games! (except Rayman M aka Rayman Arena)

The original PS1 game of 1996 is still on my Vita. Never played the enhanced PC version of 1999 with 40 additional levels, so I'll buy that at GOG.com

Rayman 2 and Tonic Trouble were awesome in stereoscopic 3D with my Elsa Revelator shutter glasses in 2000... can't find the CD anymore, so I'll double dip now... I'm curious if it still works with my Nvidia 3D vision glasses in stereoscopic 3D and (from a 2000 perspective) insane resolutions.

I'm just installing the beautiful 3-CD-set of Rayman 3 with a gorgeous hologram cover to my PC... if that doesn't work out, I'll buy the GOG version, too.

Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends are also great, both on my Vita and my PC.

I even love the iOS/Android games Rayman Jungle Run, Rayman Fiesta Run and Rayman Adventures... three of my favorite iPad games.