Happy Birthday Windows 95!


View on YouTube

Or the parody for the W95-haters:

View on YouTube

It's time for the Monday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

Over 10 million players have claimed their free copy of Remnant: From the Ashes on Epic Games Store
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/over-10-million-players-have-claimed-their-free-copy-of-remnant-from-the-ashes-on-epic-games-store/
Perfect World Entertainment and Gunfire Games have announced that Remnant: From the Ashes was claimed over 10 million times last week. The game was available to redeem for free on Epic Games Store from August 13th and until August 20th.
That’s over the number of players that claimed their free copy of A Total War Saga: TROY. SEGA announced earlier this month that more than 7.5 million players have claimed their free copy of A Total War Saga: TROY from EGS.

GOG starts the week with a new big sale and a giveaway:

• The Giveaway is Serious Sam: The First Encounter and will last another 46 hours: https://www.gog.com/game/serious_sam_the_first_encounter
• The Harvest Sale, that will last until August 31, brings up to 91% discounts on more than 1500 titles. And here are some of them:
  • Good Old Games are up to 90% off: https://www.gog.com/promo/2020_harvest_sale_good_old_games
  • The Indie Gems are up to 90% off: https://www.gog.com/promo/2020_harvest_sale_indies
  • And the RPGs are also up to 90% off: https://www.gog.com/promo/2020_harvest_sale_rpg

Steam has two new deals:

• NASCAR Heat 5 is 25% off until the 28th: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1265860/NASCAR_Heat_5/
• And the Early Access title Gensokyo Night Festival is also 25% off, but until August 30: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1122050/Gensokyo_Night_Festival/

Fanatical has two new sales:

• The new Star Deal is Guns, Gore & Cannoli (I've played it and it's fun) is 90% off during the next 24 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/guns-gore-cannoli
• And there's a new Platinum Collection Build Your Own Bundle features 12 games to choose your 3 games bundle: https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/platinum-collection-build-your-own-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

-empty-

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Heavenly Sword is now playable on PC with 60fps via Playstation 3 emulator
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/heavenly-sword-is-now-playable-on-pc-with-60fps-via-playstation-3-emulator/
The RPCS3 team has announced that Heavenly Sword is now playable on the PC in 4K and 60fps via the latest version of its Playstation 3 emulator. While the PS3 version was locked at 30fps, PC gamers can unlock the framerate and enjoy the game at 60fps.
In order to run Heavenly Sword at 60fps, you’ll have to create a custom config in RPCS3. You can do so by right-clicking the game and clicking “create custom configuration”. Afterwards, you’ll have to go to the Advanced Settings tab and change vblank to 120hz.

Spider-Man 2 receives a remaster mod, overhauling all of its original blurry textures
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/spider-man-2-receives-a-remaster-mod-overhauling-all-of-its-original-blurry-textures/
While we won’t be able to play as Spiderman in Marvel’s Avengers and the latest Spiderman game is exclusive to PS4/PS5, we can at least play some older Spiderman games. And, thankfully, modder Dalek Caan has released a remaster mod for the second Spider-Man game.
Titled, Spider-Man 2: Webbed Up, this remaster mod overhauls all of the game’s blurry textures. In order to improve the textures, the modder used neural networks for each type of asset. Additionally, he handcrafted some textures to polish up the rough edges.
Do note that this remaster project is for the Gamecube version. Thankfully, PC gamers can use the Dolphin emulator in order to enjoy it. In fact, this is the only way via which you can run Spider-Man 2: Webbed Up (as it’s not working on the original Gamecube console).
>> Available from ModDB.

Super Mario Sunburn, gameplay overhaul mod for Super Mario Sunshine, available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/super-mario-sunburn-gameplay-overhaul-mod-for-super-mario-sunshine-available-for-download/
Super Mario Sunshine is a 3D Mario platform game that came out in 2002 on Nintendo Gamecube. And, earlier this month, modder ‘Epicwade123’ released a new version of his gameplay overhaul mod for it, Super Mario Sunburn.
Super Mario Sunburn introduces an open-world to Super Mario Sunshine, allowing players to free travel from stage to stage. Furthermore, it brings multiple missions, allowing players to collect shines out of order.
Additionally, Super Mario Sunburn adds around 30-60 coins to every stage. It also packs three new custom stages, blue coins in multiple acts, and the ability to collect shines without the game bringing you back to the hub.
>> You can get it from ModDB. Also, check the article if you also want a link to an HD Texture Pack.

GAMING NEWS

Warner Bros announces Gotham Knights, releases in 2021, first screenshots & gameplay footage
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/warner-bros-announces-gotham-knights-releases-in-2021-first-screenshots-gameplay-footage/
Warner Bros has officially announced the next Batman-universe game, Gotham Knights. Gotham Knights is a cross-gen game that will come out on the PC in 2021. In addition, the publisher has released the first screenshots and gameplay trailers for it.
>> Hiku made a thread.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League releases in 2022, gets an official in-engine trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league-releases-in-2022-gets-an-official-in-engine-trailer/
Warner Bros has just officially announced Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad game, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will be coming out on next-gen platforms only, and will release in 2022. Furthermore, the publisher has released the game’s official in-engine reveal trailer that you can find below.

Here are 9 minutes of PC gameplay footage from Project CARS 3 in 4K/Ultra Settings
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-are-9-minutes-of-pc-gameplay-footage-from-project-cars-3-in-4k-ultra-settings/
YouTube’s ‘Shirrako’ has shared a video, showcasing 9 minutes of gameplay footage from the PC version of Project CARS 3. This gameplay video shows a race around Mount Panorama Bathurst No HUD in the McLaren P1 GTR.

New Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 will add Supreme Kai of Time, new mission, three raid events & more
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-dragon-ball-xenoverse-2-will-add-supreme-kai-of-time-new-mission-three-raid-events-more/
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 came out in 2016 and QLOC and Bandai Namco have done an amazing job at supporting it. As the publisher noted, it will release a new free update for it on August 26th. In order to celebrate this announcement, Bandai Namco has also released a new trailer that you can find below.

Monday news, part two:

Fortnite and Thor crossover finally confirmed, other Marvel characters possibly on the way
https://www.pcgamer.com/fortnite-thor-marvel-crossover/
After many weeks of rumors, suspiciously familiar skins, and excitable tweets from data miners, Epic has finally confirmed that a Fortnite x Thor crossover is coming. Judging from the date seen in Epic's tweet from the official Fortnite Twitter account, the Thor crossover will likely feature as one of season 4's biggest draws, much like Aquaman was for season 3.

Get your first look at Fall Guys Season 2 next week at Gamescom
https://www.pcgamer.com/get-your-first-look-at-fall-guys-season-2-next-week-at-gamescom/
Fall Guys Season 2 is on the candy-colored horizon, and we'll get our first look at it next week. The "world premiere sneak peak" of Fall Guys Season 2 will appear at Gamescom's Opening Night Live on August 27, at 11 am PT / 2 pm ET / 8pm CEST, Geoff Keighley announced today.
>> This week. By the way, there's a new Portal 2 skin.

Next Fall Guys patch has a bunch of requested changes
https://www.pcgamer.com/next-fall-guys-patch-has-a-bunch-of-requested-changes/
Okay: Imagine your top 10 favorite Fall Guys crashes. Now imagine that half of them are gone. Why did I have you do that? I don't know.
The Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout development team has dropped a preview of what's coming in the next patch, which will "hopefully" release "in the next week." The biggest fix is probably going to be changes that should address the top 5 most frequent crashes for the game, which I know still frustrate some people.

This sci-fi FPS looks like Borderlands, but its robot is cool instead of annoying
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-sci-fi-fps-looks-like-borderlands-but-its-robot-is-cool-instead-of-annoying/
Roboquest sounds like the title of a mid-'90s children's show about robots struggling to save humanity from a climate-change-induced apocalypse. It's actually a new FPS roguelite that's now available in Early Access on Steam—about a robot struggling to save humanity from a climate-change-induced apocalypse.

Clint Hocking says finding multiple grandma spies in Watch Dogs Legion is a 'one in a billion' chance
https://www.pcgamer.com/clint-hocking-says-finding-multiple-grandma-spies-in-watch-dogs-legion-is-a-one-in-a-billion-chance/
Barring any further delays, Watch Dogs Legion is coming on October 29. The tantalizing hook of Ubisoft's open world game is that you can recruit any randomly generated NPC to join your DedSec team of activist hackers.

Rocksteady promises more action to ensure an 'inclusive culture' at the studio
https://www.pcgamer.com/rocksteady-promises-more-action-to-ensure-an-inclusive-culture-at-the-studio/
Now Rocksteady has issued a statement of its own, saying that it regarded the 2018 letter as "a call to action," and that after it was received, "we met with all our female staff, we listened, and we dealt with the issues raised." All complaints were investigated, it said, and measures "including discipline or termination of staff" were taken in response.

Wasteland 3 trailer shows off co-op hijinks
https://www.pcgamer.com/wasteland-3-trailer-shows-off-co-op-hijinks/
InXile's follow-up to their 2014 RPG Wasteland 2 will feature co-op multiplayer, a mode demonstrated in the latest trailer and explained in more detail over on the Xbox news site, which is the kind of bonus you get after being bought by Microsoft.

Cyberpunk 2077 will have free DLC like The Witcher 3
https://www.pcgamer.com/cyberpunk-2077-will-have-free-dlc-like-the-witcher-3/
Cyberpunk 2077 will be getting some free DLC following the game's launch. Back when The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt released, CD Projekt Red supported the game with 16 free DLC packs in the three months following. It was a pretty good set: new armor sets, a few new quests, Gwent cards, and some alternate looks, but the final DLC was the release of a New Game+ mode. An enterprising Twitter user asked the official Cyberpunk account if the new game would get the same treatment, and voila.

Five Nights at Freddy's creator is funding fangames, and a remake of the original
https://www.pcgamer.com/five-nights-at-freddys-creator-is-funding-fangames-and-a-remake-of-the-original/
Five Nights at Freddy's series creator and developer Scott Cawthon is giving back to his game's community by collaborating with some of the most passionate fangame creators. The "Fazbear Fanverse Initiative" is intended to invest in five games and worlds made by fan creators tied to the FNaF community. Included in the lineup is a remake of the original Five Nights at Freddy's.

Here's a new Surgeon Simulator 2 gameplay trailer, it has great music
https://www.pcgamer.com/heres-a-new-surgeon-simulator-2-gameplay-trailer-it-has-great-music/
Surgeon Simulator 2 will come slashing onto PC this week, August 27th, bringing another round of comedic, stabby surgery to life. Bossa Studios has a new gameplay trailer to go with it featuring a four-person cooperative heart surgery. The trailer also has great music that I like very much. I believe this is what is called a bop. Thanks, please give me an entire soundtrack of it sooner rather than later.

The tribute to voice actor Rick May in Team Fortress 2 has been made permanent
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-tribute-to-voice-actor-rick-may-in-team-fortress-2-has-been-made-permanent/
A new update for Team Fortress 2 was recently released, and beneath notes about the addition of a Summer 2020 Cosmetic Case and some patches are these words: "Updated cp_granary with a permanent Soldier statue". The statue, which is inscribed with the Soldier's line, "That was a hell of a campaign, son!" has been made a permanent fixture of the Granary map, which is fitting as that's the backdrop for the iconic Meet the Soldier video.

Here’s why Microsoft Flight Simulator has a terrifying Australian obelisk
https://www.pcgamer.com/heres-why-microsoft-flight-simulator-has-a-terrifying-australian-obelisk/
While flying the virtual skies of Melbourne, Microsoft Flight Simulator players have discovered a narrow, absurdly high skyscraper that definitely seems out of place in a regular suburb.
As it turns out, this bizarrely towering building is the result of a typo. To generate its maps, developer Asobo used data from Bing Maps, which in turn uses user-submitted data from free wiki world map OpenStreetMap. An OpenStreetMap user accidentally put down the number of building stories as 212 instead of 2, as Twitter user Liam O found out after someone spotted the ridiculously tall building.

25 years... how time flies!

Mirosoft is now backing Epic in their battle against Apple, who have threatened to remove support for Unreal Engine on their platforms.
This whole thing is just amazing. Even if we don't get anything feasible from the outcome of it we have at least a beautiful mudslinging contest between the biggest players in the tech world.

Since Nvidia is celebrating their 21 anniversary, DF Retro has a video about The Origins of the 3D Graphics Card. It is sponsored by Nvidia in case you wanted to know.

Really shows how 3DFX dominated the market

I loved my Orchid Righteous 3D card (one of the first 3DFx Voodoo 1 models). When it took over the graphic output there was a satisfing "click" from the mechanical relay.

First look at a 3090 custom PCB.

You would think it's so long to fit the huge die or the cooling but it's actually just to fit all the 8 pin power connectors.

Sigh, This conversation just made me realize a GPU upgrade just got ~$450 more expensive for me.  Ran a CPU and GPU stress test on my computer at same time and currently peaking at 901 watts.  That with a Geforce 1080 so I can see a Geforce 3090 pushing it over 1000.  The good news is I got a 1600 Watt PSU so no problem there.

Bad news is the UPS I use is only rated for 1000 watts.  I could just bypass it and put computer on a regular surge protector but I really prefer the computer to shut down correctly during power outage.  Cheapest decent UPS I could find that provides enough power is Cyber power PR1500LCD which is 1500 watts and going to set me back another $450.