Friday news, part two:

SimCity creator Will Wright is teaching a game design course
https://www.pcgamer.com/simcity-creator-will-wright-is-teaching-a-game-design-course/
SimCity and Sims creator Will Wright has taken a brief detour from making games to teach a 20-part game design course for MasterClass, a company that sells video classes taught by the likes of author Margaret Atwood and musician Carlos Santana.

The Quiet Man's new trailer celebrates how much The Quiet Man sucked
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-quiet-mans-new-trailer-celebrates-how-much-everyone-hated-it/
If you're wondering why exactly Square Enix would embrace the awfulness to this extent, I can think of two possible explanations. One, there's no saving it, so capitalizing on the carnage Sharknado-style is the only thing left to do. Or two, and this is the apparent goal of the trailer, Square Enix intends to highlight how the game changed once the intentionally missing audio and subtitles were added. The final quarter of the trailer quotes user reviews apologizing for calling it trash and saying that they cried after the update. (Presumably because it was such a revelation, although I suppose watching 15 bucks swirl down the crapper could elicit a similar response.)

John Romero has been streaming his forthcoming new Doom episode
https://www.pcgamer.com/john-romero-has-been-streaming-his-forthcoming-new-doom-episode/
Doom co-creator John Romero is set to release a new megawad this February, in the form of a fifth episode of the original game. (...)
But waiting until February is hard. Thankfully Romero has spent the last week streaming two levels from the megawad, culminating in around four hours of footage. That's a lot of hours for two levels, but Romero demonstrates small iterative changes made to the levels over the course of the week, and also talks through some of the design decisions. He also dies: these levels aren't going to be a walk in the park.

Artifact's update nerfed some expensive cards, so Valve is buying them back
https://www.pcgamer.com/artifacts-update-nerfed-some-expensive-cards-so-valve-is-buying-them-back/
Valve’s changed its tune when it comes to tweaking cards in Artifact. Today’s update brings with it some significant changes to cards like Axe, Artifact’s most expensive card, as well as new features, including account levels and skill ratings.

Scum update lets supporters dress up their dicks for winter
https://www.pcgamer.com/scum-update-lets-supporters-dress-up-their-dicks-for-winter/
Early Access Survival game Scum's winter update has landed and it's full of holiday cheer, complete with a snow-covered map, snowball fights, snowman-making, and even sleds you can find (or craft) to slip and slide down frosty hills. 'Tis the season! Even on an island filled with violent murderous criminals.

Final Fantasy 14 update 4.5 has a release date and, more importantly, includes Mahjong
https://www.pcgamer.com/final-fantasy-14-update-45-has-a-release-date-and-more-importantly-includes-mahjong/
Time to check in with Eorzea. Final Fantasy 14’s big 4.5 patch now has a release date, January 8, and Square Enix has been giving us a wee peek at what A Requiem for Heroes will be bringing with it, including the Blue Mage class and, even more importantly, competitive Mahjong. Watch the new trailer above.

Today there's no need to list all the weekend deals from GOG and Steam as both stores are having their respective winter sales. Check them out!

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

Additional 7 games this month: Devolver Digital bundle including Hotline Miami 1 + 2, The Messenger, Broforce...

https://www.indiegamebundles.com/twitch-prime-holiday-surprise-get-seven-free-bonus-games/

Awesome Prime month!

^ Thanks for the update. Many great games for Prime members.

*** NEW CONTEST ***

HEXUS EPIC GIVEAWAY Day 13: Win one of two Razer peripheral bundles https://hexus.net/tech/features/peripherals/124817-day-13-win-one-two-razer-peripheral-bundles/
Content:

1. A BlackWidow Elite keyboard, a Mamba Wireless mouse and a Kraken Tournament Edition headset
2. A Raiju Ultimate wireless PS4 controller and Thresher 7.1 PS4 headset

This contest is, sadly, UK and EUROPE ONLY.

In my case, it's only the 5 free games we've had: Anno 1602, Full Throttle Remastered, LEGO The Hobbit, LEGO The Lord of the Rings and Subnautica.

I'm waiting to get the present(s) from my Secret Santa before purchasing anthing on the Steam Winter Sale.

*** NEW CONTEST ***

HEXUS EPIC GIVEAWAY Day 14: Win one of three Noctua cooling bundles https://hexus.net/tech/features/cooling/124820-day-14-win-one-three-noctua-cooling-bundles/

The bundles contain:

1. An NH-D15 dual-tower cooler, an NA-HC3 chromax.black.swap heatsink cover and a pair of NF-A15 HS-PWM chromax.black.swap 140mm fans (yes, Noctua has black fans)
2. An NH-U12S single-tower cooler, an NA-HC1 chromax.black.swap heatsink cover, and two NF-F12 PWM chromax.black.swap 120mm fans
3. 8x NF-A12x25 PWM 120mm fans and four NA-SFMA1 fan mounting adaptors

*** NEW CONTESTS *** updated with another contest!

+Guru3D 2018 December 23 Forums Competition - Win an EK Slim Liquid Cooling kit with 280mm radiator https://www.guru3d.com/news-story/guru3d-2018-december-17-forums-competition-win-an-ek-slim-liquid-cooling-kit-with-280mm-radiator.html

Careful here, this contest is ONLY for registered forum member that have been there for at least 6 months and have at least 50 posts.

+Guru3D 2018 December 24th contest - Win a G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4 memory kit https://www.guru3d.com/news-story/guru3d-2018-december-24th-contest-win-a-g-skill-trident-z-royal-ddr4-memory-kit.html
The answers are: CL14, 8 zones, Samsung and 3466 MHz CL14.

+HEXUS EPIC GIVEAWAY Day 15: Win a Corsair wireless gaming bundle https://hexus.net/tech/features/peripherals/124823-day-15-win-corsair-wireless-gaming-bundle/
The bundle contains: a Corsair K63 Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, a K63 Wireless Gaming Lapboard, a Dark Core RGB SE Mouse, an MM1000 Qi Wireless Charging Mouse Pad and a HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset

This contest is GLOBAL.

Have a great Xmas guys!

Merry Christmas for you too!

Let's check the news:

SALES & DEALS

GRIS is already profitable, seven days after release
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/gris-is-already-profitable-seven-days-after-release/
GRIS is one of the most beautiful – artistically speaking – games I’ve seen lately. And I’m happy to report that Nomada’s title is already profitable, just seven days after its release.
GRIS is described as a serene and evocative experience, free of danger, frustration or death. Players will explore a meticulously designed world brought to life with delicate art, detailed animation, and an elegant original score. Through the game light puzzles, platforming sequences, and optional skill-based challenges will reveal themselves as more of Gris’s world becomes accessible.
While the game is a bit short, it currently has Overwhelmingly Positive reviews on Steam and is priced at a somehow low price (16,99€).
>> ¡Felicidades!

Bethesda will offer for free Fallout Classic Collection to Fallout 76 owners
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/bethesda-will-offer-for-free-fallout-classic-collection-to-fallout-76-owners/
Bethesda has announced that it will be giving away Fallout Classic Collection to all Fallout 76 owners that have logged into the game in 2018. As such, those that buy the game in 2019 will not be able to acquire this collection for free.
>> What are you doing, Bethesda? Anyway, if you're interested in those games, you can buy them for much less than what Fallout 76 costs at either GOG (individually for 2.19 € each) or at Steam (where the collection is 5.99 €)

Battlefield 5 and Fallout 76 have failed to meet franchise benchmarks according to Superdata
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/battlefield-5-and-fallout-76-have-failed-to-meet-franchise-benchmarks-according-to-superdata/
SuperData Arcade has shared its monthly report, stating that Battlefield V and Fallout 76 launches fail to meet franchise benchmarks. Superdata estimates that Battlefield V and Fallout 76 sold 1.9 million and 1.4 million digital units, respectively, across console and PC at launch. Both are down from Battlefield 1 and Fallout 4.

DSOGaming Christmas 2018 Giveaway – Win 18 PC Games [Winners Announced]
https://www.dsogaming.com/editorial/dsogaming-christmas-2018-giveaway-win-18-pc-games/
UPDATE: Here are the winners of our giveaway. We’ve already got in touch with the Twitter and Facebook winners.

Giveaway: Get free goodies for vehicle-based MMO Crossout
https://www.pcgamer.com/giveaway-get-free-winter-extras-for-post-apocalyptic-mmo-crossout/
Good news, Crossout fans: we've got 1,000 keys for the free-to-play action MMO's Winterfair event. All you have to do is fill out the form below to get a goodie pack consisting of:

• Unique sticker: “Bundle of joy”
• Paint can: “Player Union”
• Rare “Engineer flag” for 7 days

At Fanatical there are two new deals:

• The Star Deal is Graveyard Keeper, 35% off for the next 24 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/graveyard-keeper
• There's a new Merchant's Chest Bundle, with 4 games and 5 DLCs 97% cheaper for the next 14 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/merchants-chest-bundle

SOFTWARE/DRIVERS

-empty-

MODS/EMULATORS

Super Mario Bros fully recreated in Super Mario 64 and you can download it, features Wario & Waluigi
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/super-mario-bros-fully-recreated-in-super-mario-64-and-you-can-download-it-features-wario-waluigi/
Mario fans, here is something really special for you today. Kaze Emanuar has recreated the entire Super Mario Bros game from the classic NES console in Super Mario 64. In other words, this is a fan game or more like a romhack for Super Mario 64.
This Super Mario Bros remake in Super Mario 64 features more than 30 reimagined levels, allows players to play as Mario, Luigi, Warior or Waluigi with each one of them having different abilities. The super ups/skills have been also faithfully recreated.
The best part is that you can download this fan game right now, and it’s not put behind a patreon paywall or anything like that. Those interested can download it from here and we strongly suggest downloading it as soon as possible as Nintendo may take it down (I don’t think this is possible as this is basically a romhack but hey… it’s Nintendo we’re talking about).

NieR Automata – Texture Pack V0.75 available for download, updates 2B and A2
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nier-automata-texture-pack-v0-75-available-for-download-updates-2b-and-a2/
Modder GPUnity has released a new version of his HD Texture Pack for NieR Automata. According to the modder, version 0.75 comes with some improvements to A2 and 2B, and brings additional improvements/updates to some other textures too.
In other words, this is a smaller release and not a major one. And… well… I can already picture some typing a comment, asking me why we’re sharing such a small update to this texture pack. And the reason is quite simple; because we find this pack quite interesting.
>> Download it from Nexus Mods.

Black Mesa Xen will feature soft particles, dynamic flashlight shadows & Screenspace Fog
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/black-mesa-xen-will-feature-soft-particles-dynamic-flashlight-shadows-screenspace-fog/
The team behind the amazing Black Mesa mod has announced that Black Mesa Xen will come with some new graphical features like Screenspace Fog, Flashlight Dynamic Shadows and Soft Particles.In order to showcase these effects, the team has released some GIFs that you can also find below.
Going into more details, the team has developed for its new Dynamic Lights system and has added a dynamic, very flexible new fog system that replaces Source’s legacy fog. The new “Xog” can be configured on the fly with instant results ingame, it can change over time with I/O, and it can vary in density and color based on height. Best of all, it’s very inexpensive to render, costing about as much performance as a single dynamic light.

Watch Dogs Living City mod adds custom missions, random events, new hideouts, interiors & more
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/watch-dogs-living-city-mod-adds-custom-missions-random-events-new-hideouts-interiors-more/
Modder ‘The_Silver’ has released a major new mod for the first Watch Dogs game, called Living City. According to its description, this mod improves and expands the gameplay of the base game with custom missions, random events and new features, which will provide many hours of fun.
>> Read the article to know more about this mod, that you can download from ModDB.

This Monster Hunter World mod replaces some of its weapons with those from Final Fantasy XV
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/this-monster-hunter-world-mod-replaces-some-of-its-weapons-with-those-from-final-fantasy-xv/
The DMQW modding group has released a new mod for Monster Hunter World that its replaces some of its weapons with those from Final Fantasy XV. What’s also cool with this mod, however, is that it brings some of the weapon special effects from Final Fantasy XV, making them feel as great as the original ones.
>> Get this mod from Nexus Mods.

Gamers use AI Neural Networks to improve the visuals of retro games & the results are incredible
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/gamers-use-ai-neural-networks-to-improve-the-visuals-of-retro-games-the-results-are-incredible/
Resetera’s users have been experimenting with AI Neural Networks in order to improve the visuals of older/retro games. Currently, the users are using the AI to enhance screenshots from some retro games and the results in some cases are astounding.
What’s really cool here is that these methods could lead to new Texture Packs that are more detailed and faithful to the original textures than what we’ve been getting lately. We’ve seen this in Morrowind and Doom so this is possible, provided someone decides to use AI Neural Networks for new Texture Packs of various games.

vkQuake 2, Quake 2 on Vulkan API, is available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/vkquake-2-quake-2-on-vulkan-api-is-available-for-download/
Quake 2 fans, here is something for you today. Krzysztof Kondrak has released vkQuake 2; a fully functional vanilla Quake 2 experience with the Vulkan API. As its title suggests, instead of OpenGL this version of Quake 2 is simply using the newer Vulkan API.
This basically means that apart from some performance increases, though we can’t think of any modern-day PC having trouble running Quake 2, there aren’t any graphical changes. In other words, this is the vanilla game and does not feature new effects or textures.
>> Get it from GitHub.

Play Subnautica in co-op with this new mod
https://www.pcgamer.com/play-subnautica-in-co-op-with-this-new-mod/
Excellent sandbox-y survival game Subnautica, which you can still grab for free on the Epic Store, is now playable in multiplayer thanks to a new mod called Nitrox.
Its creator Sunrunner says it's still in "very early stages of development", but the foundation for a full co-op playthrough is there: it has synced player movement, basic animations, base building and item dropping, as well as a rudimentary chat system.
>> Download it from Nexus Mods.

GAMING NEWS

KURSK patch 2.01 adds Free Roam mode and new side quests
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/kursk-patch-2-01-adds-free-roam-mode-and-new-side-quests/
Jujubee has just recently updated their game to version 2.0 and yesterday the team improved Kursk to version 2.1. According to the press release, the developers wanted to reach their goal of bringing the community’s feedback to life before the end of the year.

Beyond Good & Evil 2 will require a constant internet connection, will support solo play
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/beyond-good-evil-2-will-require-a-constant-internet-connection-will-support-solo-play/
Ubisoft has announced that Beyond Good & Evil 2 will require a constant internet connection in order to be played. However, the game will offer both co-op and solo modes, meaning that players can experience this title as a single-player game.
>> Years ago, this would have caused an uproar on the net. Nowadays, it's just a "meh".

Microtransactions will most likely come to Battlefield 5 in January 2019 according to a leak
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/microtransactions-will-most-likely-come-to-battlefield-5-in-january-2019-according-to-a-leak/
It appears that after the game’s low sales, EA and DICE will do anything to boost its revenue by, you guessed it, implementing microtransactions. Reddit’s member ‘spanky088 ‘ has discovered the following image, indicating that microtransactions will be coming to the latest Battlefield game on January 18th.
>> Sure, that will help and definitely won't annoy the existing users and prompt them to leave.

ATLAS may be DLC meant to come out for ARK: Survival Evolved, has already Mostly Negative reviews
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/atlas-may-be-dlc-meant-to-come-out-for-ark-survival-evolved-has-already-mostly-negative-reviews/
ATLAS is a game that impressed a lot of players when it was showcased at the Video Game Awards 2018. However, and since the game was coming from the same team behind ARK: Survival Evolved, we were a bit cautious about it. And from the looks of it, this game was originally meant to be a DLC for ARK: Survival Evolved.

Here are some screenshots from Star Citizen Alpha 3.4
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/here-are-some-screenshots-from-star-citizen-alpha-3-4/
Our reader “Sean” has shared with us some new screenshots from the latest alpha version of Star Citizen. These screenshots also showcase the new area Hurston Dynamics Showroom and Central Business District.

Monday news, part two:

Epic Games Store users have been turning to Steam for Subnautica support
https://www.pcgamer.com/epic-games-store-users-have-been-turning-to-steam-for-subnautica-support/
The Epic Games Store doesn’t have forums. When Epic announced the platform, it framed this as a positive thing. No forums, it said, would stop toxicity from flourishing, and with Discord, Twitter and developers’ own forums, there are other ways to get in touch. One of those alternatives is Epic’s competitor, Steam, and some players have turned to its forums to get support for the Epic Games Store version of Subnautica.
>> You can't see it, but I read this article with a sarcastic smile on my face.

Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord will let you talk your way out of (and into) trouble
https://www.pcgamer.com/mount-and-blade-2-bannerlord-will-let-you-talk-your-way-out-of-and-into-trouble/
Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord's title gives you a pretty good idea what it's about, but it's not all thundering hooves, flashing steel, and the crash of angry men in shouting, sobbing masses of broken bone and spilt blood. There is also, as developer Taleworlds explained today on Steam, the subtle art of persuasion.

The Bard's Tale 4 is getting a new, free dungeon and a big 2.0 update
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-bards-tale-4-is-getting-a-new-free-dungeon-and-a-big-20-update/
I liked The Bard's Tale 4: Barrows Deep an awful lot when it came out earlier this year and it's improved considerably since then, with new features, performance improvements, and bug fixes. Today developer inXile Entertainment announced that the studio is working on a new dungeon, the Royal Necropolis of Haernhold, which will be free for everyone who owns the game.

This mysterious concept art for a Dusk boss monster was drawn by a sixth-grader
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-mysterious-concept-art-for-a-dusk-boss-monster-was-drawn-by-a-sixth-grader/
At a certain point in the brilliant old-school shooter Dusk, you will encounter the Intoxigator, a huge alligator with moonshine bottles strapped to its back that spits toxic vomit. Later on, you will meet Son of Intoxigator, a similar-looking boss beast who's smaller, faster, and much tougher. And even further into the game, if you find the secret, you will also discover Wife of Intoxigator. She's not a boss, though, but rather a picture that looks like it was drawn by a child and taped to a fridge.

Darksiders 3 adds 'classic' combat mode with more forgiving dodges
https://www.pcgamer.com/darksiders-3-adds-classic-combat-mode-with-more-forgiving-dodges/
Darksiders 3 has added a new 'Classic' combat mode aimed at making fights feel similar to the first two games in the series. The biggest change is that you can now interrupt attacks with a dodge move—previously, when you committed to an attack you had to see it through until Fury stopped swinging her weapon.

Pillars of Eternity 2 devs accidentally added turn-based combat this week
https://www.pcgamer.com/pillars-of-eternity-2-devs-accidentally-added-turn-based-combat-this-week/
The developers of Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire, the best RPG of the year, temporarily added turn-based combat to the game this week before hastily removing it—but not before players grabbed screenshots and gameplay footage.

You have eight days to kill Hitman 2's second Elusive Target
https://www.pcgamer.com/you-have-eight-days-to-kill-hitman-2s-second-elusive-target/
After flushing Sean Bean's head down the toilet and stabbing him in the eye with a pen, Hitman 2 players can now move on to the game's second elusive target: Vicente Murillo.

Quake Champions adds CTF game mode, gets rid of loot boxes
https://www.pcgamer.com/quake-champions-finally-adds-ctf-game-mode-gets-rid-of-loot-boxes/
Quake Champions has finally added its long-awaited Capture the Flag (CTF) mode—and completed its transition away from loot boxes to a Battle Pass system that rewards you with cosmetics.

Atlas is now live in Steam Early Access
https://www.pcgamer.com/pirate-mmo-atlas-is-finally-live-for-streamers-but-not-anyone-else/
A series of delays to the release of pirate MMO Atlas meant that tens of thousands of Twitch viewers watched their favourite streamers waiting for the game to go live yesterday. Now the wait is over: the major streamers have their hands on it, and it's currently the most-watched game on Twitch, pulling in more than 220,000 viewers (for comparison, 147,000 people are watching Fortnite right now).
Update 1: Atlas will launch into Early Access at 12pm PST/3pm ET/9pm GMT today, developer Grapeshot Games has confirmed.
Update 2: Atlas is now for sale on Steam Early Access. It costs $30 but is discounted to $25 until January 2. Servers don't appear to be up at the moment, but this post on the official site states they expect them to available in the next hour or so (though you might want to take that with a grain of salt, all things considered).
Update 3: The Atlas servers are now online, so you should be able to dive in.

Celeste adding free ultra-hard levels early next year
https://www.pcgamer.com/celeste-adding-free-ultra-hard-levels-early-next-year/
Matt Thorson, creator of tricky platformer Celeste, is giving away a late Christmas present to fans of the game: free levels. These "very hard" levels will be ready early next year, he announced on Twitter this week.

Trippy arcade shooter Polybius comes to PC with VR support
https://www.pcgamer.com/trippy-arcade-shooter-polybius-comes-to-pc-with-vr-support/
Jeff Minter's trippy tunnel shooter Polybius has wriggled free of its Sony exclusivity and is now out on Steam. You can play it on a normal monitor but if you have an Oculus Rift you can also play in VR, which Minter says is the best way to play.

Ring of Elysium's new mode is a cross between a battle royale and a survival game
https://www.pcgamer.com/ring-of-elysiums-new-mode-is-a-mix-of-battle-royale-and-a-survival-game/
Wintry, free-to-play battle royale Ring of Elysium has a new survival-themed game mode in which you compete with other players for food and fuel, and you have to cower indoors when the storm, called Ymir, surges.

Global Speedrun Association reveals live competition, cash prizes up for grabs
https://www.pcgamer.com/global-speedrun-association-reveals-live-competition-cash-prizes-up-for-grabs/
Speedruning competition organiser the Global Speedrun Association will hold its first live event in April, where Celeste, Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Odyssey speedrunners will compete for cash prizes.

As you may have guessed, tomorrow there will be no news, and neither on the 26th (it's also festive here). I hope you get lots of presents for Christmas!